Effects of Genetic Origin of Honeybees and Climate on Prevalence and Infestation Levels of Varroa.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of honeybee genetic origin, climate type and the interactions between these variables on the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa in a large population of honeybee colonies (n = 1134). For each colony, the morphotype, haplotype and climate type were determined. No differences between the Africanized, European and Hybrid morphotypes were found for the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa (p > 0.05). Differences between honeybee haplotypes were found for the prevalence of Varroa (p < 0.05), and the prevalence was higher in the African haplotype than in the European haplotype. No differences between honeybee haplotypes were found for the infestation levels of Varroa (p > 0.05). Differences were found between climate type for the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa (p < 0.05): the temperate sub-humid climate had a higher prevalence and higher infestation levels than the semi-warm climate and the warm sub-humid climate. Correlations between the infestation levels of Varroa and mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, winter precipitation and Lang index were found.

Identification of Virulence Factors in Entomopathogenic Aspergillus flavus Isolated from Naturally Infected Rhipicephalus microplus.

Aspergillus flavus has been found to be an effective entomopathogenic fungus for various arthropods, including ticks. In particular, natural fungal infections in cattle ticks show promise for biocontrol of the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick, which is a major ectoparasite affecting cattle worldwide. Our study aimed to elucidate the specific entomopathogenic virulence factors encoded in the genome of an A. flavus strain isolated from naturally infected cattle ticks. We performed morphological and biochemical phenotyping alongside complete genome sequencing, which revealed that the isolated fungus was A. flavus related to the L morphotype, capable of producing a range of gene-coded entomopathogenic virulence factors, including ribotoxin, aflatoxin, kojic acid, chitinases, killer toxin, and satratoxin. To evaluate the efficacy of this A. flavus strain against ticks, we conducted experimental bioassays using healthy engorged female ticks. A morbidity rate of 90% was observed, starting at a concentration of 105 conidia/mL. At a concentration of 107 conidia/mL, we observed a 50% mortality rate and a 21.5% inhibition of oviposition. The highest levels of hatch inhibition (30.8%) and estimated reproduction inhibition (34.64%) were achieved at a concentration of 108 conidia/mL. Furthermore, the tick larval progeny that hatched from the infected tick egg masses showed evident symptoms of Aspergillus infection after incubation.

Entomogenous galls and their associated fauna in deciduous dry forest and woodland vegetation remnants (Caatinga) in the Northern Depressão Sertaneja, Brazil / Galhas entomógenas e sua fauna associada em remanescentes de floresta seca e vegetação lenhosa decídua (Caatinga) na Depressão Sertaneja Setentrional, Brasil

Abstract A survey and characterization of entomogenous galls and their associated fauna were carried out in six remnants of Caatinga in the Northern Depressão Sertaneja, in the states of Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará. We identified 41 gall morphotypes in 24 plant species, belonging to 12 botanical families. Fabaceae had 29.2% (n = 12) of the total number of gall morphotypes found. Leaves (61%) and stems (25%) were the most attacked organs. Most morphotypes are glabrous (75.6%), while only 24.4% exhibit trichomes. Most galls were induced by insects of the Cecidomyiidae family. The associated fauna comprised successors, cecidophages, tenants, and parasitoids. Sucessors were found in four morphotypes of galls and included spiders and four orders of insects: Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). The tenants were represented by Tanaostigmoides (Tanaostigmatidae). The parasitoids, found in 18 morphotypes (43.9%), were represented by six families of Hymenoptera. We recorded the occurrence of new types of galls in 12 species of host plants. These gall records are new references for the Northern Depressão Sertaneja in the studied states.

Resumo Realizou-se um levantamento e caracterização de galhas entomógenas e sua fauna associada em seis remanescentes de Caatinga presentes na Depressão Sertaneja Setentrional nos estados da Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte e Ceará. Identificamos 41 morfotipos de galhas em 24 espécies de plantas, pertencentes a 12 famílias botânicas. Fabaceae abrigou 29,2% (n = 12) do total de morfotipos de galhas encontrados. As folhas (61%) e os caules (25%) foram os órgãos mais atacados. A maioria dos morfotipos é glabra (75,6%), enquanto apenas 24,4% exibiram tricomas. As galhas, em sua maioria, foram induzidas por insetos da família Cecidomyiidae. A fauna associada compreendeu sucessores, fungívoros, inquilinos e parasitoides. Os primeiros foram encontrados em quatro morfotipos de galhas, estando representados por aranhas e quatro ordens de insetos: Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera e Hymenoptera (Formicidae). Os inquilinos foram representados por Tanaostigmoides Ashmead, 1896 (Tanaostigmatidae). Já os parasitoides, encontrados em 18 morfotipos de galhas (43,9%), foram representados por seis famílias de Hymenoptera. Registramos a ocorrência de novos tipos de galhas em 12 espécies de plantas hospedeiras. Os registros de galhas também são novas referências para a Depressão Sertaneja Setentrional nos estados estudados.

Infection with Trypanosoma spp. in Platydoras armatulus (Siluriformes, Doradidae), in southwestern Amazon, Brazil.

Trypanosoma is a hemoflagellate capable of infecting a wide variety of invertebrates and vertebrates, such as Neotropical freshwater fish. The present study described and morphologically compared Trypanosoma spp., found in Platydoras armatulus, Valenciennes, 1840, in southwestern Amazon. Fish specimens were sampled in Ipixuna and Juruá rivers located in the states of Amazonas and Acre, Brazil. Fish blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture, and smears were prepared for quantification, morphometric measurements, and morphotyping (characterization of the trypanosomes according to their morphological variations) of trypanosomes found. Prevalence, mean abundance, and intensity of parasitism were estimated in the parasitized fish specimens. Five fish specimens were collected, showing a 100% prevalence of parasites in the host. We found two Trypanosoma morphotypes, A and B, in which A had the highest infection intensity in host specimens. Thus, the present study presented the first report of Trypanosoma parasitizing P. armatulus, with different morphological variations.

Novel Salmonella Phage, vB_Sen_STGO-35-1, Characterization and Evaluation in Chicken Meat.

Salmonellosis is one of the most frequently reported zoonotic foodborne diseases worldwide, and poultry is the most important reservoir of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. The use of lytic bacteriophages (phages) to reduce foodborne pathogens has emerged as a promising biocontrol intervention for Salmonella spp. Here, we describe and evaluate the newly isolated Salmonella phage STGO-35-1, including: (i) genomic and phenotypic characterization, (ii) an analysis of the reduction of Salmonella in chicken meat, and (iii) genome plasticity testing. Phage STGO-35-1 represents an unclassified siphovirus, with a length of 47,483 bp, a G + C content of 46.5%, a headful strategy of packaging, and a virulent lifestyle. Phage STGO-35-1 reduced S. Enteritidis counts in chicken meat by 2.5 orders of magnitude at 4 °C. We identified two receptor-binding proteins with affinity to LPS, and their encoding genes showed plasticity during an exposure assay. Phenotypic, proteomic, and genomic characteristics of STGO-35-1, as well as the Salmonella reduction in chicken meat, support the potential use of STGO-35-1 as a targeted biocontrol agent against S. Enteritidis in chicken meat. Additionally, computational analysis and a short exposure time assay allowed us to predict the plasticity of genes encoding putative receptor-binding proteins.

Core-Needle Biopsy Efficacy in Histopathology Diagnosis of Canine Multicentric Lymphoma.

Core-needle biopsy (CNB) is now widely used to diagnose and classify human lymphoma. Few studies, however, have reported the use of CNB in veterinary medicine for dogs with suspected lymphoma. The present study evaluated the efficacy of CNB sample collection to diagnose canine multicentric lymphoma morphology. 16 dogs of varying breeds with generalized peripheral lymphadenopathy and cytopathologic features suggestive of lymphoma were enrolled in the study. CNB followed by lymphadenectomy of the left popliteal lymph node was performed. Both samples underwent histopathologic evaluation. Among the 16 dogs, 14 had lymphoma. CNB was positive for lymphoma in 12 (85.7%) of these 14 dogs. CNB analysis for diagnosing dogs with multicentric lymphoma exhibited a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100%. CNB was effective in generalized lymphadenopathies toward achieving a differential diagnosis and microscopic evaluation of multicentric lymphoma in dogs, revealing essential features for morphologic classification, such as cell size, histopathologic type, and grade.

Chemical composition of cell wall changes during developmental stages of galls on Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae): perspectives obtained by immunocytochemistry analysis.

The development of plant organs depends on cell division, elongation, structural and chemical changes, and reorganization of cell wall components. As phenotype manipulators, galling insects can manipulate the structure and metabolism of host tissues to build the gall. The gall formation depends on the rearrangement of cell wall components to allow cell growth and elongation, key step for the knowledge regarding gall development, and shape acquisition. Herein, we used an immunocytochemical approach to investigate the chemical composition of the cell wall during the development of galls induced by Bystracoccus mataybae (Eriococcidae) on leaflets of Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae). Different developmental stages of non-galled leaflets (n = 10) and of leaflet galls (n = 10) were collected from the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) for anatomical and immunocytochemical analysis. We found that the epitopes of (1 → 4) ß-D-galactans and (1 → 5) α-L-arabinans were evident in the tissues of the young and senescent galls. These epitopes seem to be associated with the mechanical stability maintenance and increased gall porosity. As well, the degree of methyl-esterification of pectins changed from the young to the senescent galls and revealed the conservation of juvenile cell and tissue features even in the senescent galls. The extensins detected in senescent galls seem to support their rigidity and structural reinforcement of these bodies. Our results showed a disruption in the pattern of deposition of leaflet cell wall for the construction of M. guianensis galls, with pectin and protein modulation associated with the change of the developmental gall stages.

Plant galls recorded from Guanacaste Conservation Area-Costa Rica as an integrated concept of a biological database / Registro de galhas em plantas da Área de Conservação Guanacaste, Costa Rica, como conceito integrado de um banco de dados biológico

Abstract: Galling insects are specialist herbivorous that have the ability of manipulating plant tissue to form complex biological structures called galls. Even though different organisms have the ability to induce galls in plants, insect galls have the highest degree of structural complexity. The main goal of this study was to obtain a preliminary systematic record of plant gall morphotypes from the Guanacaste Conservation Area in Costa Rica and integrate the information into a biological database. Plant gall morphotypes were recorded, characterized and deposited into a specialized herbarium established as a reference for the inventory. Moreover, organisms associated with gall morphotypes were included in the inventory when it was possible to obtain and identify them. Galls were collected in the rainy season over a period of three years. In total, we recorded forty-four families, seventy genera, and eighty-seven host plant species. One hundred thirty-one morphotypes of plant galls were identified in the Guanacaste Conservation Area. The family with the highest number of gall morphotypes was Fabaceae (8.4%). Leaves were the organ with the largest number of galls (71%), followed by stems (17.6%), and apical buds (6.9%). The predominant gall shape was globular (25.2%), followed by discoid (18.3%). Fifty-nine percent of the galls had a glabrous texture, which was most common on leaves, with 77%. One hundred twenty of our field records (91.6%) of plant galls were new morphotypes not only for Costa Rica but also the world. As a consequence of this research and considering the prospect of future increases in new gall records (and associated organisms), we proposed having the biological entities resulting from the inventory placed in a cecidiarium. This repository represents a standardized and comprehensive way to manage the data and biological materials associated with the plant galls. We also suggest a nomenclature for standardizing gall morphotype registries and identifications. This work is the first and most detailed inventory of plant galls carried out thus far in the Guanacaste Conservation Area.

Resumo: Os insetos galhadores são herbívoros especializados, que têm a habilidade de manipular os tecidos vegetais, formando uma complexa estrutura biológica. Diferentes organismos têm a capacidade de induzir galhas, porém as de insetos têm maior grau de complexidade estrutural. O principal objetivo desse estudo foi realizar um levantamento sistemático preliminar das galhas de insetos na Área de Conservação Guanacaste, na Costa Rica, e inserir as informações em uma base de dados biológicos. Os morfotipos de galhas foram registrados, caraterizados e depositados em um herbário estabelecido como base de referência deste inventário. Além disso, quando foi possível obter e identificar os organismos associados a cada morfotipo de galha, eles foram incluídos no inventário. As amostras de galhas foram coletadas na estação chuvosa, durante três anos. No total, foram registradas 44 famílias, 70 gêneros e 87 espécies de plantas hospedeiras. Cento e trinta e um morfotipos de galhas foram identificados na Área de Conservação de Guanacaste. A família com o maior número de morfotipos de galhas foi Fabaceae (8.4%). Os órgãos vegetais com o maior número de galhas foram as folhas (71,0%), seguidas dos caules (17,6%), e das gemas apicais com 6,9%. A forma predominante das galhas foi globoide (25,2%), seguida da lenticular (18,3%) e 59% das galhas apresentaram textura glabra, observada mais frequentemente folhas (77%). Cento e vinte morfotipos de galhas (91.6%) representaram novos registros não só na Costa Rica como também no mundo. Como consequência desta pesquisa e considerando as perspectivas de aumentos futuros de novos registros de galhas (e organismos associados), nós propomos que as entidades biológicas resultantes deste inventário sejam depositadas em um cecidiário. Este repositório representa uma maneira padronizada e abrangente de gerenciar e integrar os dados e os materiais biológicos associados às galhas das plantas. Também sugerimos uma terminologia para padronizar os registros e identificações dos morfotipos de galhas. Este inventário de galhas em plantas é o primeiro e o mais detalhado já realizado na Área de Conservação Guanacaste.

Diversity patterns of reef fish along the Brazilian tropical coast.

Causal mechanisms for broad-scale reef fish diversity patterns are poorly understood and current knowledge is limited to trends of species richness. This work compared the effects of ecological drivers on components of fish diversity across reefs spanning over 2.000 km of the tropical Brazilian coastline. A quarter of communities' diversity is accountable to common and dominant species, while remaining species are rare. Low-latitude sites were more diverse in rare species. Communities along the coast share common and dominant species, which display high densities across all reefs, but differ in rare species that show abundance peaks in particular reef morphotypes. The disproportionate distribution of rare species reveals a higher vulnerability of these communities to impacts and stochastic density fluctuations. Uneven conservation efforts directed to these morphotypes pose a threat to the maintenance of a paramount component of the reef fish diversity represented by rare species.

Morphological diversity of springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola) as soil quality bioindicators in land use systems / Diversidade morfológica de colêmbolos (Hexapoda: Collembola) como bioindicadora de qualidade do solo em sistemas de uso

Abstract: The aim of this work was to evaluate the soil quality of native forest, eucalyptus plantations, pasture, integrated crop-livestock, and no-tillage systems, correlating the morphological diversity of springtails with physical and chemical soil properties. Springtail samples were captured from soils of the southern plateau of the State of Santa Catarina in Brazil, during winter and summer, by using Pitfall traps, using a 3 × 3 point grid. The morphotyping of springtails consisted of the observation of five traits and for each one a partial value of the eco-morphological index was assigned to obtain the modified Soil Quality Index. A correlation of the morphotype abundance and diversity with physical (soil moisture, bulk density, biopores, microporosity, and macroporosity) and chemical (pH in water, calcium/magnesium ratio and total organic carbon content) soil properties was studied, describing all results by variance and multivariate analyses. The springtail abundance and diversity were influenced by the different land use systems. Higher soil quality index was determined in native forest followed by eucalyptus plantations, pasture, no-tillage system and integrated crop-livestock, in the winter. Moreover, higher soil quality index was found in native forest followed by integrated crop-livestock, eucalyptus plantations, no-tillage system and pasture, in the summer. Therefore, the quality index of a soil can be evaluated by the springtail morphological traits in correlation with the physical and chemical properties such as calcium/magnesium ratio, total organic carbon contents, biopores, macroporosity, microporosity, soil moisture, bulky density and pH.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do solo de florestas nativas, reflorestamento de eucalipto, pastagem, sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária e plantio direto, correlacionando a diversidade morfológica de colêmbolos com propriedades físicas e químicas do solo. Amostras de colêmbolos foram coletadas de solos do planalto sul do Estado de Santa Catarina no Brasil, durante o inverno e o verão, usando armadilhas de queda, em grade amostral de 3 × 3. A morfotipagem dos colêmbolos consistiu na observação de cinco características e para cada uma foi atribuído um valor parcial do índice eco-morfológico para a obtenção do Índice de Qualidade do Solo modificado. As avaliações foram da abundância e diversidade de morfotipos e de atributos físicos (umidade do solo, densidade do solo, bioporos, microporosidade e macroporosidade) e químicos do solo (pH em água, relação cálcio/magnésio e carbono orgânico total), descrevendo os resultados por análises de variância e multivariada. A abundância e a diversidade de colêmbolos foram influenciadas pelos diferentes sistemas de uso do solo. Maior índice de qualidade do solo foi determinado em floresta nativa seguida de reflorestamento de eucalipto, pastagem, plantio direto e integração lavoura-pecuária, no inverno. Além disso, encontrou-se maior índice de qualidade do solo em floresta nativa seguida de integração lavoura-pecuária, reflorestamento de eucalipto, plantio direto e pastagem, no verão. Portanto, o índice de qualidade do solo pode ser avaliado pelas características morfológicas de colêmbolos em correlação com as propriedades físicas e químicas, como razão cálcio/magnésio, teores de carbono orgânico total, bioporos, macroporosidade, microporosidade, umidade do solo, densidade do solo e pH.

Skull variation in a shovel-headed amphisbaenian genus, inferred from the geometric morphometric analysis of five South American Leposternon species.

Amphisabenia is a group of squamates adapted for a fossorial lifestyle. The skull is the animal's the main digging tool, and can present one of four principal shapes. The shovel-headed shape is considered to be the most specialized for digging. The South American genus Leposternon presents a shovel-headed morphotype, and is widely distributed on this continent. The general shovel-headed skull pattern may vary considerably, even within the same genus, and we hypothesized that this variation may be influenced primarily by body size and geographical factors. This study investigated the variation in skull size and shape among five Leposternon species, and examined the potential relationship between this variation and the size of the specimens and bioclimatic variables, through a geometric morphometric approach. Significant morphological variation was found among the species, and was also related systematically to body size and the geographical distribution of the specimens. As even subtle differences in the skull size or shape may represent significant modification in bite force and digging capacity and digging speed, the cranial variation found among the Leposternon species and specimens may have a direct influence on their diet and locomotor performance. Our results, together with direct observations of some of these species, suggest that shovel-headed amphisbaenians may be able to penetrate different soil types under a range of climatic conditions, especially considering the ample, but often sympatric distribution of the species studied here.

Cnidae sizes in the two morphotypes of the giant Caribbean anemone Condylactis gigantea (Actiniaria: Actiniidae) / Tamaños de cnidae en dos morfotipos de la anémona gigante del Caribe Condylactis gigantea (Actiniaria: Actiniidae)

Abstract The sea anemone Condylactis gigantea is an ecologically important member of the benthic community in coral reefs of the tropical Atlantic, and displays two morphotypes with respect to the color in their tentacular tips: the green tip morphotype and the pink/purple tip morphotype. Although some molecular and ecological differences have been found between these morphotypes, no other morphological distinctions have been reported, and currently both are still considered a single taxonomic species. In the present study, we perform an exploration on the variability in the size of cnidae between these two morphotypes and performed statistical analyses to compare the 10 categories of cnidae from specimens hosted in the Cnidarian Collection of Gulf of Mexico and Mexican Caribbean, of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, which were previously collected in several coral reefs localities of the Yucatán Peninsula. Results reveal no significant variation in cnidae size between the two morphotypes, but significant variations were found within each morphotype. In addition, we update the composition of the cnidom of C. gigantea, and the utility of the size of cnidae to distinguish between morphotypes or closely related species is discussed. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(3): 1055-1064. Epub 2018 September 01.

Resumen La anémona Condylactis gigantea es un miembro ecológicamente importante de la comunidad bentónica en arrecifes de coral del Atlántico tropical, y exhibe dos morfotipos con respecto al color de las puntas de sus tentáculos: el morfotipo de puntas verdes y el morfotipo de puntas rosadas/púrpuras. Aunque se han encontrado algunas diferencias moleculares y ecológicas entre estos morfotipos, no se han reportado otras distinciones morfológicas, y actualmente ambos siguen siendo considerados una sola especie taxonómica. En el presente estudio, realizamos una exploración sobre la variabilidad en el tamaño de los cnidocistos entre estos dos morfotipos y realizamos un análisis estadístico de 10 categorías de cnidocistos a partir de especímenes albergados en la Colección de cnidarios del Golfo de México y Caribe Mexicano, de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, los cuales fueron previamente recolectados en varias localidades arrecifales de la Península de Yucatán. Los resultados no revelan variación significativa en el tamaño de los cnidocistos entre los dos morfotipos, aunque fueron encontradas variaciones significativas dentro de cada morfotipo. Adicionalmente, actualizamos la composición del cnidoma de C. gigantea, y discutimos sobre la utilidad de la talla de los cnidocistos para distinguir entre morfotipos o entre especies estrechamente relacionadas.

Characterization of Ectomycorrhizal species through molecular biology tools and morphotyping

Mycorrhizae are mutualistic associations between fungi and plant roots. These symbiotic associations are abundant and occur in 75 to 80 % of plants. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are very important in ecosystems, because their mutualistic association with plants of different species helps nutrients and water absorption, as well as protection of the host plant against pathogens and abiotic stresses. Most ectomycorrhizal fungi belong to the Basidiomycota class, such as the following genera: Amanita, Hebeloma, Hysterangium, Laccaria, Lactarius, Rhizopogon, Russula, Scleroderma, Suillus, Tricholoma, among others. Morphological studies on ectomycorrhizae report important results in understanding the species biodiversity. However, the use of molecular biology nowadays is indispensable. Among the various molecular tools available, there is consensus about the use of tools based on sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of fungi rDNA, aiding in species characterization and construction of phylogenetic studies. The ITS region is of easy amplification, it has multicopy nature and enables differentiation between species. The objective of this study was to show that the use of molecular biology tools associated with morphotyping to characterize species of ectomycorrhizae is more effective than when they are used on their own.

Characterization of Ectomycorrhizal species through molecular biology tools and morphotyping

Mycorrhizae are mutualistic associations between fungi and plant roots. These symbiotic associations are abundant and occur in 75 to 80 % of plants. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are very important in ecosystems, because their mutualistic association with plants of different species helps nutrients and water absorption, as well as protection of the host plant against pathogens and abiotic stresses. Most ectomycorrhizal fungi belong to the Basidiomycota class, such as the following genera: Amanita, Hebeloma, Hysterangium, Laccaria, Lactarius, Rhizopogon, Russula, Scleroderma, Suillus, Tricholoma, among others. Morphological studies on ectomycorrhizae report important results in understanding the species biodiversity. However, the use of molecular biology nowadays is indispensable. Among the various molecular tools available, there is consensus about the use of tools based on sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of fungi rDNA, aiding in species characterization and construction of phylogenetic studies. The ITS region is of easy amplification, it has multicopy nature and enables differentiation between species. The objective of this study was to show that the use of molecular biology tools associated with morphotyping to characterize species of ectomycorrhizae is more effective than when they are used on their own.(AU)

Characterization of biofilm formation by Salmonella enterica at the air-liquid interface in aquatic environments.

Survival of bacterial pathogens in different environments is due, in part, to their ability to form biofilms. Four wild-type Salmonella enterica strains, two Oranienburg and two Saintpaul isolated from river water and animal feces, were tested for biofilm formation at the air-liquid interface under stressful conditions (pH and salinity treatments such as pH 3, NaCl 4.5 w/v; pH 7, NaCl 4.5 w/v; pH 10, NaCl 4.5 w/v; pH 3, Nacl 0.5 w/v; pH 7, NaCl 0.5 w/v; and pH 10, NaCl 0.5 w/v); Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 was used as a control strain. Salmonella Oranienburg and Saintpaul from feces were moderately hydrophobic and motile, while S. Saintpaul from water and the control strain S. Typhimurium showed high hydrophobicity, which helped them form more resistant biofilms than S. Oranienburg. Under stressful conditions, all strains experienced difficulties in forming biofilms. Salmonella Saintpaul and Typhimurium expressed the red dry and rough (RDAR) morphotype and were able to form biofilm at air-liquid interface, contrarily to Oranienburg that showed incomplete rough morphology. This study contributes to the knowledge of biofilm formation as a survival strategy for Salmonella in aquatic environments.

Gall-inducing insects of deciduous and semideciduous forests in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Galls are specific changes induced by insects on plant organs mainly through increases in plant cell number and/or size. Gall diversity is easy to recognize in the field because gallers are mostly species-specific, and thus each gall morphotype can be a proxy for a galling species. Insect galls are virtually unknown in Seasonal Deciduous and Semi-Deciduous forests of southern Brazil. Here, galls and host plants were surveyed between 2015 and 2017 in four forest fragments of Rio Grande do Sul State in these two vegetation types, in secondary-growth and areas under restoration. We recorded 89 gall morphotypes, with gallers belonging to Lepidoptera and Diptera, with the latter represented mainly by Cecidomyiidae. Galls were associated to 46 plant species in 27 families. Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Lauraceae were the richest families in terms of galls, whilst Piper aduncum and Mikania glomerata were superhosts. Most galls occurred in leaves and shoots. The most common shapes were fusiform, globoid and lenticular. Forty-eight gall morphotype records are new for both Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, an expressive number considering only two seasonal forest types sampled and few sampling points, showing how important surveys still are for these little know fauna both in taxonomic and ecological terms.(AU)

Galhas são alterações específicas induzidas por insetos sobre órgãos das plantas principalmente através de aumento no número e/ou tamanho das células vegetais. A diversidade de galhas é reconhecível em campo porque os galhadores são na sua vasta maioria espécie-específicos e assim cada morfotipo de galha serve como proxy para uma espécie de galhador. Insetos galhadores são virtualmente desconhecidos nas florestas estacionais deciduais e semideciduais do sul do Brasil. Galhas e plantas hospedeiras foram inventariadas entre 2015 e 2017 em quarto fragmentos florestais do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul nestas duas formações vegetacionais, em áreas com sucessão secundária e sob restauração. Foram encontrados 89 morfotipos de galhas, com galhadores pertencentes a Lepidoptera e Diptera, com os últimos representados principalmente por Cecidomyiidae. As galhas estiveram associadas a 46 espécies de plantas em 27 famílias. Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae e Lauraceae foram as famílias mais ricas em termos de galhas, sendo Piper aduncum e Mikania glomerata considerados super-hospedeiras. A maioria das galhas ocorreu em folhas e ramos. As formas mais comuns foram fusiforme, globoide e lenticular. Dos morfotipos de galhas registrados, 48 são novos para o Rio Grande do Sul e o Brasil, um número expressivo considerando que somente dois tipos de florestas foram amostradas em um número restrito de pontos amostrais, demonstrando a importância de levantamentos para esta fauna quase desconhecida tanto em termos taxonômicos quanto ecológicos.(AU)

Gall-inducing insects of deciduous and semideciduous forests in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Galls are specific changes induced by insects on plant organs mainly through increases in plant cell number and/or size. Gall diversity is easy to recognize in the field because gallers are mostly species-specific, and thus each gall morphotype can be a proxy for a galling species. Insect galls are virtually unknown in Seasonal Deciduous and Semi-Deciduous forests of southern Brazil. Here, galls and host plants were surveyed between 2015 and 2017 in four forest fragments of Rio Grande do Sul State in these two vegetation types, in secondary-growth and areas under restoration. We recorded 89 gall morphotypes, with gallers belonging to Lepidoptera and Diptera, with the latter represented mainly by Cecidomyiidae. Galls were associated to 46 plant species in 27 families. Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Lauraceae were the richest families in terms of galls, whilst Piper aduncum and Mikania glomerata were superhosts. Most galls occurred in leaves and shoots. The most common shapes were fusiform, globoid and lenticular. Forty-eight gall morphotype records are new for both Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, an expressive number considering only two seasonal forest types sampled and few sampling points, showing how important surveys still are for these little know fauna both in taxonomic and ecological terms.

Galhas são alterações específicas induzidas por insetos sobre órgãos das plantas principalmente através de aumento no número e/ou tamanho das células vegetais. A diversidade de galhas é reconhecível em campo porque os galhadores são na sua vasta maioria espécie-específicos e assim cada morfotipo de galha serve como proxy para uma espécie de galhador. Insetos galhadores são virtualmente desconhecidos nas florestas estacionais deciduais e semideciduais do sul do Brasil. Galhas e plantas hospedeiras foram inventariadas entre 2015 e 2017 em quarto fragmentos florestais do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul nestas duas formações vegetacionais, em áreas com sucessão secundária e sob restauração. Foram encontrados 89 morfotipos de galhas, com galhadores pertencentes a Lepidoptera e Diptera, com os últimos representados principalmente por Cecidomyiidae. As galhas estiveram associadas a 46 espécies de plantas em 27 famílias. Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae e Lauraceae foram as famílias mais ricas em termos de galhas, sendo Piper aduncum e Mikania glomerata considerados super-hospedeiras. A maioria das galhas ocorreu em folhas e ramos. As formas mais comuns foram fusiforme, globoide e lenticular. Dos morfotipos de galhas registrados, 48 são novos para o Rio Grande do Sul e o Brasil, um número expressivo considerando que somente dois tipos de florestas foram amostradas em um número restrito de pontos amostrais, demonstrando a importância de levantamentos para esta fauna quase desconhecida tanto em termos taxonômicos quanto ecológicos.

Gall-inducing insects of deciduous and semideciduous forests in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

ABSTRACT Galls are specific changes induced by insects on plant organs mainly through increases in plant cell number and/or size. Gall diversity is easy to recognize in the field because gallers are mostly species-specific, and thus each gall morphotype can be a proxy for a galling species. Insect galls are virtually unknown in Seasonal Deciduous and Semi-Deciduous forests of southern Brazil. Here, galls and host plants were surveyed between 2015 and 2017 in four forest fragments of Rio Grande do Sul State in these two vegetation types, in secondary-growth and areas under restoration. We recorded 89 gall morphotypes, with gallers belonging to Lepidoptera and Diptera, with the latter represented mainly by Cecidomyiidae. Galls were associated to 46 plant species in 27 families. Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Lauraceae were the richest families in terms of galls, whilst Piper aduncum and Mikania glomerata were superhosts. Most galls occurred in leaves and shoots. The most common shapes were fusiform, globoid and lenticular. Forty-eight gall morphotype records are new for both Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, an expressive number considering only two seasonal forest types sampled and few sampling points, showing how important surveys still are for these little know fauna both in taxonomic and ecological terms.

RESUMO Galhas são alterações específicas induzidas por insetos sobre órgãos das plantas principalmente através de aumento no número e/ou tamanho das células vegetais. A diversidade de galhas é reconhecível em campo porque os galhadores são na sua vasta maioria espécie-específicos e assim cada morfotipo de galha serve como proxy para uma espécie de galhador. Insetos galhadores são virtualmente desconhecidos nas florestas estacionais deciduais e semideciduais do sul do Brasil. Galhas e plantas hospedeiras foram inventariadas entre 2015 e 2017 em quarto fragmentos florestais do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul nestas duas formações vegetacionais, em áreas com sucessão secundária e sob restauração. Foram encontrados 89 morfotipos de galhas, com galhadores pertencentes a Lepidoptera e Diptera, com os últimos representados principalmente por Cecidomyiidae. As galhas estiveram associadas a 46 espécies de plantas em 27 famílias. Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae e Lauraceae foram as famílias mais ricas em termos de galhas, sendo Piper aduncum e Mikania glomerata considerados super-hospedeiras. A maioria das galhas ocorreu em folhas e ramos. As formas mais comuns foram fusiforme, globoide e lenticular. Dos morfotipos de galhas registrados, 48 são novos para o Rio Grande do Sul e o Brasil, um número expressivo considerando que somente dois tipos de florestas foram amostradas em um número restrito de pontos amostrais, demonstrando a importância de levantamentos para esta fauna quase desconhecida tanto em termos taxonômicos quanto ecológicos.

Anatomical characterization of ultra-structures, biominerals and histolocalization of metabolites in leaves of Genipa americana

Abstract Inserted in one of the largest families among the Angiosperms, Genipa americana L., Rubiaceae, can be found in all Brazilian territory, presenting great medicinal importance, where several uses have been attributed. In view of this, this work has the purpose of analyzing the ultrastructural, biomineral, phytochemical and histochemical characteristics of the leaves of this native species from Brazil. For this, light microscopy, polarization and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used with X-ray scattering energy, associated to chromatographic and histochemical tests. The anatomical ultrastructural characteristics of the leaves detailed information about the type and arrangement of the cuticle, trichomes, surface and arrangement of the tissues that determine the botanical identity of this species. The phytochemical tests allowed determining their chromatographic pattern and histochemistry to determine the exact storage site of these substances in the leaf. It was observed that the characterization of the crystalline macro-pattern present in the analyzed species, as well as its exact elemental composition, can be considered an important differential diagnosis factor. The results characterize the leaves of this species in different aspects, being a native species and pharmacologically promising, with different popular uses and proven pharmacological activities, and more in depth studies is needed.

The cephalic lateral line system of temperate perches (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) from Argentinean Patagonia

The species of Percichthys (Percichthyidae) are endemic to southern South America. Some authors have pointed out that the genus includes four valid species, based on the morphology of the head, jaws, and fins. A phylogenetic analysis published by other authors suggests that three of them are morphotypes belonging to the same species, Percichthys trucha (Valenciennes, 1833). The aim of this study is to describe for the first time the morphology of the cephalic seismosensory system of Patagonian perches, and how these characters vary in the three morphotypes, in order to provide morphological elements to analyze the taxonomy of these fish species. Comparisons of the cephalic seismosensory system between juveniles and adults were also conducted. Juvenile and adult specimens were collected in the northwestern Argentinean Patagonia. Specimens were bleached in 5% H2O2 and the canal systems of their cephalic lateral line were filled with hematoxylin. Specimens were deposited in the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, Argentina. The cephalic lateral line of the studied specimens is a widened type of canal systems, is not connected to the trunk lateral line, and consists of preopercular-mandibular canal, infraorbital canal, supraorbital canal, temporal canal, supratemporal canal, and a supraorbital commisure. The number of pores increases during the ontogeny, while their diameters decrease. The number, position and size of infraorbital canal pores showed significant differences among morphotypes and juveniles. The interpopulation variation regarding the number, position, and size of pores seems to signal an ongoing process of speciation, which is the result adaptations to different environmental conditions. Our study contributes to the knowledge of the morphology of percichthids and describes for the first time the seismosensory system of temperate perches.