Outside the pattern: Evolution of the genital asymmetry in Saicinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

Despite genital structures in insects being consistently important as systematic and taxonomy evidence, within assassin bugs (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) at least, the male and female genitalic structures of several subfamilies are poorly or totally unknown. The genital structure is mostly symmetric within Saicinae genera, but male genital asymmetry has been recorded in Gallobelgicus, Polytoxus, and recently Pseudosaica. The subfamily has been considered as closely related to Emesinae and Visayanocorinae but this hypothesis has never been tested using a comprehensive taxa sampling, being a constraint to test morphological traits changes or exploring characters' evolution hypotheses. Here, we compiled a morphological data set of 170 characters that includes external morphological characters and genitalia of both sexes of Saicinae which was analyzed cladistically including 55 terminals, comprising 16 genera (64% of the generic diversity), 43 species of Saicinae and 12 outgroups. Saicinae was recovered as polyphyletic, Saicireta correntina is recovered as sister-species of Empicoris armatus + Collartida (Emesinae), Oncerotrachelus, Carayonia (Visayanocorinae), and the Clade Saicinae sensu stricto. Carayonia orientalis is recovered as sister-species of Saicinae sensu stricto. Ancestral state reconstruction of symmetry of the male genitalia shows an ancestor with symmetric male genitalia, two independent emergences of asymmetrical male genitalia within Saicinae sensu stricto, and the asymmetrical endosomal sclerites appearing before the other asymmetric traits.

A review of the South American metalmark genus Alesa Doubleday, 1847 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Eurybiini) with the description of two new species.

The taxonomy of the South American metalmark butterflies of the genus Alesa Doubleday, 1847 is reviewed. A new taxonomic arrangement for Alesa is supported after the analysis of about 600 specimens, including the recognition of two new species, described herein, A. juliae sp. nov. and A. mariae sp. nov.. Alesa negra Röber, 1931, so far recognized as a junior subjective synonym of A. telephae (Boisduval, 1836), is here recognized as a valid species (stat. rev.) and A. amethystina Gallard & Fernandez, 2015 as a junior subjective synonym (syn. nov.) of A. negra, and A. fournierae Lathy, 1958 is recognized as a junior subjective synonym (syn. nov.) of A. amesis (Cramer, 1777). Neotypes are designated for Papilio amesis Cramer, 1777, Erycina prema Godart, [1824] and Mimocastinia egeria Biedermann, 1936. Lectotypes are designated for Erycina priolas Godart, [1824], Eurybia telephae Boisduval, 1836, A. smaragdifera Westwood, 1851, A. lipara Bates, 1868, A. hemiurga Bates, 1868, A. thelydrias Bates, 1868, and Mimocastnia rothschildi Seitz, 1913. Three previously established species groups are here supported by morphological characters including the following species, "prema group": A. prema, A. esmeralda Salazar & Constantino, 2007, A. beneluzi Gallard & Fernandez, 2015, A. rothschildi and A. juliae sp. nov.; "telephae group": A. telephae, A. humilis Brévignon, 2015, A. negra stat. rev. and A. suzana Ahrenholz & Hall, 2010; and "amesis group": A. amesis, A. mariae sp. nov., A. lipara Bates, 1867, A. hemiurga Bates, 1867 and A. thelydrias Bates, 1867. Adults and their genitalia are illustrated for all species available to examination. The main diagnostic characters used to distinguish the species belonging to the "amesis group" are illustrated, and pictures of adults images in situ and distribution maps are provided. Additionally, all species are diagnosed and discussed based on their morphology.

Elevating Omophoita octoguttata elytralis Bechyné, 1956 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) to species

An updated morphological description for Omophoita elytralis (Bechyné, 1956), stat. nov., is presented, including the first account of the genitalia for this species. The separation Omophoita elytralis from O. octoguttata (Fabricius, 1775) is supported by differences found in the median lobe of males, elytral tegument uniform in color (not patterned), and their allopatric geographical distribution.

Contributions to the taxonomy of the Brazilian Leurus Townes, 1946 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae)

Leurus Townes, 1946 is a small genus of Metopiinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), consisting of 13 described species distributed in the Neotropics and the Nearctic region. The present work aims to contribute to the taxonomic knowledge of Leurus in Brazil. A total of 109 specimens were identified and 15 literature records were analyzed. The genus geographical occurrence was evaluated according to data obtained from the literature and labels of analyzed specimens. Five species of Leurus were identified for the Brazilian fauna: L. angustignathus, L. caeruliventris, L. discus, L. gracius and L. nostrus. New municipality records of occurrence were made for L. angustignathus in the state of São Paulo, L. caeruliventris in the states of Bahia, Distrito Federal, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Piauí and Rondônia; for, L. discus in the state of Alagoas and São Paulo, and L. gracius in the state of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Females of L. angustignathus and L. gracius were described for the first time in the present study. The genitalia of males of L. caeruliventris, L. discus and L. gracius were described and illustrated for the first time.

A new species of emCosmoclopius/em Stål, 1866 from Argentina (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

A new species of Cosmoclopius Stål, 1866, C. joceliae sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected in northern Argentina. This new species is recognized by the vertical and truncate median process of pygophore, and the short-recurved spine on the apex of the dorsal phallothecal sclerite; and other features such as the dorsally black head, pronotum, and femora, and the thoracic sterna black with median pale markings; some females show lighter posterior pronotal lobe and femora with more conspicuous dark and pale bands. Digital images of the adult male and female and male genitalia are provided, as well as a comparison with the species of the genus are given.

Revised species definitions and nomenclature of the blue and purple/rose Cithaerias/ butterflies (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).

This study reassesses the taxonomic status of Neotropical blue and purple/rose-colored Cithaerias butterflies, thus complementing a previous study of the rose-colored species. Based on comparative study of wing coloration and genitalia morphology, I revise species definitions and the taxonomic status of: Cithaerias andromeda, C. azurina STAT. REV., C. esmeralda STAT. REV., C. bandusia STAT. REV., C. pyropina, and C. songoana STAT. REV. Photographs of adults and illustrations of male and female genitalia are provided for all species. Of particular importance are the genitalia illustrations of male and female C. azurina, presented here for the first time, as well as finding a putative first female of Ecuadorean subspecies C. pyropina julia.

Contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical Lycaenidae: taxonomy of Johnsonita/ Salazar amp; Constantino, 1995 with descriptions of seven new species (Theclinae: Eumaeini).

The Transandean-Andean genus Johnsonita Salazar Constantino, 1995 is revised on the basis of wing and genitalia morphology. Apart from eight species formerly placed in Johnsonita (Thecla assula Draudt, 1919; Thecla auda Hewitson, 1867; Thecla catadupa Hewitson, 1869; Thecla chaluma Schaus, 1902, Thecla chlamydem Druce, 1907; Thecla pardoa d'Abrera, 1995; Johnsonita johnsoni Salazar Constantino, 1995 and Johnsonita johnbanksi Bálint, 2003), seven new species are described: Johnsonita carpia Bálint, Boyer Pyrcz, sp. n. (Ecuador), Johnsonita iacinta Bálint, Boyer Pyrcz, sp. n. (Peru), Johnsonita ianusca Bálint, Lorenc-Brudecka Pyrcz, sp. n. (Ecuador), Johnsonita oxalida Bálint, Boyer Pyrcz, sp. n. (Peru), Johnsonita subcunicula Bálint, Cerdeña Pyrcz, sp. n. (Peru), Johnsonita turquisca Bálint, Boyer Pyrcz, sp. n. (Ecuador) and Johnsonita zubkova Bálint, Boyer Lorenc-Brudecka, sp. n. (Peru). One species, erroneously recorded from Bolivia under the name Thecla chaluma Schaus, 1902, is not formally described due to insufficient material. An identification key, type material revision, descriptions or redescriptions, and diagnosis for all the taxa recognized are given. Lectotypes for the nominal species Thecla assula Draudt, 1919 and Thecla chlamydem Druce, 1907 are designated. Male secondary wing characters are tabulated. A brief discussion on classification, life-history and male secondary characters of Johnsonita is presented.

Towards a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the Neotropical dung beetle subgenus Deltochilum (Deltohyboma) Lane, 1946 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae): Division into species-groups.

Deltochilum Eschscholtz, 1822 is perhaps the most speciose genus of the tribe Deltochilini sensu Tarasov & Dimitrov (2016) (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) and has been traditionally divided into eight subgenera. Among them, the subgenus Deltohyboma Lane, 1946, is the most speciose with 47 species, five of which are described here (D. genieri sp. nov., D. gilli sp. nov., D. susanae sp. nov., D. bolivariensis sp. nov. and D. inesae sp. nov.), and at least 165 species still undescribed. Due to the large number of species, and for practical purposes, the subgenus is here divided into 19 species-groups, with D. inesae sp. nov. left as incertae sedis. This division into species-groups will help in the reliable identification of species and will aid in the completion of the revision of subgenus. This report is the first part of the taxonomic revision of the subgenus Deltohyboma; it is based on the examination of all type specimens and almost 9,800 specimens of which approximately 1,200, mostly males, had their genitalia studied. The 19 species-groups recognized here are based mainly on characters described for the first time for Deltohyboma, namely, the state of a) the anterior margin of the clypeus (between the clypeal teeth), b) the internal margin of hypomera, c) the ventral face of the protibia, d) the posterior margin of the metafemur, and e) several new characters resulting from the first detailed study of the aedeagus and the endophallus of the group. Diagnosis, description, geographic distribution, composition and identifications keys (for males as well as males and females) for the species-groups are provided.

Anatomy of soft body of Pugilina cochlidium (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. erecta (Vermeij & Raben, 2009) (Neogastropoda: Melongenidae) from Thondi Coast-Palk Bay in Tamil Nadu, India / Anatomia do corpo mole de Pugilina cochlidium (Linnaeus, 1758) e P. erecta (Vermeij & Raben, 2009) (Neogastropoda: Melongenidae) de Thondi Coast-Palk Bay em Tamil Nadu, na Índia

The species of Pugilina cochlidium (Linnaeus, 1758) and P. erecta (Vermeij & Raben, 2009) has been studied in the present study. The female can be differentiated from the male by the absence of the cephalic penis and a complicated genital aparatus visible through the mantle skirt in both the sexes. In other aspects of the external features of female are quite to males. In both species the digestive system was similar with few differences in structure between each other. It consists of buccal mass, proboscis, salivary glands, accessory salivary glands, oesophagus, stomach, intestine, rectum and anus. The nervous system in both P. cochlidium and P. erecta is constituted by six ganglia which forms the circumoesophgeal ganglionic ring. Among the neogastropods there is a similarity in the organization of the reproductive systems. The female reproductive system is more complicated than that of male. The sexes are separated in these two species. The gross morphology of the reproductive system of P. cochlidium and P. erecta was almost similar. The present study aims to describe the digestive system, nervous system and reproductive system of two gastropods species P. cochlidium and P. erecta.

As espécies de Pugilina cochlidium (Linnaeus, 1758) e P. erecta (Vermeij & Raben, 2009) foram tomadas no presente estudo. A fêmea pode ser diferenciada do macho pela ausência do pênis cefálico e um complicado complexo genital visível através da saia do manto em ambos os sexos. Em outros aspectos das características externas da fêmea são bastante semelhantes aos dos machos. Em ambas as espécies, o sistema digestivo era semelhante, com poucas diferenças de estrutura entre si. Consiste em massa bucal, probóscide, glândulas salivares, glândulas salivares acessórias, esôfago, estômago, intestino, reto e ânus. O sistema nervoso em P. cochlidium e P. erecta é constituído por seis gânglios que formam um anel ganglionar circunoesofágico. Entre os neogastrópodes, há uma semelhança na organização dos sistemas reprodutivos. O sistema reprodutivo feminino é mais complicado que o masculino. Os sexos são separados nessas duas espécies. A morfologia macroscópica do sistema reprodutivo de P. cochlidium e P. erecta foi quase similar. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever o sistema digestivo, sistema nervoso e sistema reprodutivo de duas espécies, P. cochlidium e P. erecta.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Xenopholis Peters, 1869 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae): Integrating morphology with ecological niche.

A reliable identification and delimitation of species is an essential pre-requisite for many fields of science and conservation. The Neotropical herpetofauna is the world's most diverse, including many taxa of uncertain or debated taxonomy. Here we tackle one such species complex, by evaluating the taxonomic status of species currently allocated in the snake genus Xenopholis (X. scalaris, X. undulatus, and X. werdingorum). We base our conclusions on concordance between quantitative (meristic and morphometric) and qualitative (color pattern, hemipenes and skull features) analyses of morphological characters, in combination with ecological niche modeling. We recognize all three taxa as valid species and improve their respective diagnosis, including new data on color in life, pholidosis, bony morphology, and male genitalia. We find low overlap among the niches of each species, corroborating the independent source of phenotypic evidence. Even though all three species occur in the leaf litter of distinct forested habitats, Xenopholis undulatus is found in the elevated areas of the Brazilian Shield (Caatinga, Cerrado and Chaco), whereas X. scalaris occurs in the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, and X. werdingorum in the Chiquitanos forest and Pantanal wetlands. We discuss the disjunct distribution between Amazonian and Atlantic Forest snake species in the light of available natural history and ecological aspects. This study shows the advantages of combining multiple data sources for reliable identification and circumscription of ecologically similar species.

Identification keys to the Anopheles mosquitoes of South America (Diptera: Culicidae). IV. Adult females.

BACKGROUND: Morphological identification of adult females of described species of the genus Anopheles Meigen, 1818 in South America is problematic, but necessary due to their differing roles in the transmission of human malaria. The increase in the number of species complexes uncovered by molecular taxonomy challenges accurate identification using morphology. In addition, the majority of newly discovered species have not been formally described and in some cases the identities of the nominotypical species of species complexes have not been resolved. Here, we provide an up-to-date key to identify Neotropical Anopheles species using female external morphology and employing traditionally used and new characters. METHODS: Morphological characters of the females of South American species of the genus Anopheles were examined and employed to construct a species/group identification key. Photographs of key characters were obtained using a digital Canon Eos T3i, attached to a microscope. The program Helicon Focus was used to build single in-focus images by stacking multiple images of the same structure. RESULTS: A morphological identification key to the adult females of species of the genus Anopheles described in South America is presented. Definitions and illustrations of the key characters are provided to facilitate use of key. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of species of the genus Anopheles based on female morphology is challenging because some key characters can be variable and overlapping among species. In addition, the majority of key characters are linked to color and shape of scales, their distribution on the head, scutum, abdomen, maxillary palpi, labium and legs, and pattern of pale and dark scales on dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wing veins. Thus, it is understandable that a specimen needs to be in good condition to be accurately identified. Morphologically similar species, such as those of the Konderi, Oswaldoi, Nuneztovari, Benarrochi and Albitarsis Complexes, and the Triannulatus and Strodei Groups, among others, cannot be accurately identified using characters included in the key. Further investigation will be required to exploit morphological characteristics for identification of members of those complexes, with formal description of new species.

Identification keys to the Anopheles mosquitoes of South America (Diptera: Culicidae). II. Fourth-instar larvae.

BACKGROUND: Accurate species identification of South American anophelines using morphological characters of the fourth-instar larva is problematic, because of the lack of up-to-date identification keys. In addition, taxonomic studies, employing scanning electron microscopy of the eggs and DNA sequence data, have uncovered multiple complexes of morphologically similar species, and resulted in the resurrection of other species from synonymy, mainly in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus. Consequently, the identification keys urgently need to be updated to provide accurate morphological tools to identify fourth-instar larvae of all valid species and species complexes. METHODS: Morphological characters of the fourth-instar larvae of South American species of the genus Anopheles were examined and employed to elaborate a fully illustrated identification key. For species for which no specimens were available, illustrations were based on published literature records. RESULTS: A fully illustrated key to the fourth-instar larvae of South American species of the genus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) is presented. Definitions of the morphological terms used in the key are provided and illustrated. CONCLUSIONS: Morphological identification of South American Anopheles species based on the fourth-instar larvae has been updated. Characters of the spiracular apparatus were determined useful for the identification of morphologically similar species, in the Strodei Group and some taxa in the Myzorhynchella Section. The single versus branched abdominal seta 6-IV used to differentiate Myzorhynchella species from other Nyssorhynchus species was shown to be variable in Myzorhynchella species. Also, the abdominal setae 1-IV,V of Anopheles atacamensis and Anopheles pictipennis were shown to be slightly serrate at the edges. Recognition of this character is important to avoid inaccurate identification of these species as members of the subgenus Anopheles.

Identification keys to the Anopheles mosquitoes of South America (Diptera: Culicidae). I. Introduction.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide genus Anopheles Meigen, 1918 is the only genus containing species evolved as vectors of human and simian malaria. Morbidity and mortality caused by Plasmodium Marchiafava & Celli, 1885 is tremendous, which has made these parasites and their vectors the objects of intense research aimed at mosquito identification, malaria control and elimination. DNA tools make the identification of Anopheles species both easier and more difficult. Easier in that putative species can nearly always be separated based on DNA data; more difficult in that attaching a scientific name to a species is often problematic because morphological characters are often difficult to interpret or even see; and DNA technology might not be available and affordable. Added to this are the many species that are either not yet recognized or are similar to, or identical with, named species. The first step in solving Anopheles identification problem is to attach a morphology-based formal or informal name to a specimen. These names are hypotheses to be tested with further morphological observations and/or DNA evidence. The overarching objective is to be able to communicate about a given species under study. In South America, morphological identification which is the first step in the above process is often difficult because of lack of taxonomic expertise and/or inadequate identification keys, written for local fauna, containing the most consequential species, or obviously, do not include species described subsequent to key publication. METHODS: Holotypes and paratypes and other specimens deposited in the Coleção Entomológica de Referência, Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP-USP), Museo de Entomología, Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV) and the US National Mosquito Collection, Smithsonian Institution (USNMC) were examined and employed to illustrate the identification keys for female, male and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles. RESULTS: We presented, in four concurrent parts, introduction and three keys to aid the identification of South American Anopheles based on the morphology of the larvae, male genitalia and adult females, with the former two keys fully illustrated. CONCLUSIONS: Taxonomic information and identification keys for species of the genus Anopheles are updated. The need for further morphology-based studies and description of new species are reinforced.

Pseudacanthus alani, a New Species of Mesoamerican Bess Beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae) of Oaxaca, Mexico and Nomenclatural Notes for the Genus.

A new species, Pseudacanthus alani n. sp., is described from cloud forest in Oaxaca, Mexico. This species is similar to Pseudacanthus junctistriatus Kuwert 1891 in size, shape of antennal lamella, and the absence of pubescence on abdominal terga, but has larger internal tubercles, an apex of central tubercle that is not free, glabrous elytral humerus, pubescent mesepisternum and mesepimeron and mesosternal scar, and male sexual characters. Photographs are provided of the head, male and female genitalia, and plectrum. Additionally, a taxonomic key to species of Pseudacanthus Kaup 1869 is provided, complemented with photographs of diagnostic characters. Finally, we propose two junior synonyms: Pseudacanthus solidus (Arrow 1907) n. syn. of Pseudacanthus junctistriatus and Pseudacanthus truquii Kuwert 1891 n. syn. of Pseudacanthus mexicanus (Truqui 1857).

Functional morphology of the sperm-containing chambers of the sea slug Okenia polycerelloides in the context of sexual selection.

Sea slugs are interesting models to study post-copulatory sexual selection in simultaneous hermaphrodites due to the enormous variation of their reproductive systems. However, the knowledge of the functional morphology of their reproductive system is limited to few species, and it is rarely discussed in the context of sexual selection theory. In this study, we investigated the functional morphology of the sperm-containing chambers (i.e., ampulla, seminal receptacle, and bursa copulatrix) of the reproductive system of Okenia polycerelloides (Ortea & Bouchet, 1983), based on light, confocal, and electron microscopy. Although the morphology of the ampulla is similar to other species, indicating that it is a site for autosperm storage, we found some sperm facing the ampullar epithelium, a feature commonly regarded as characteristic of the seminal receptacle of sea slugs. The seminal receptacle of O. polycerelloides showed secretory activity and contained sperm with distribution and orientation suggestive of stratification of allosperm from distinct mating events, a feature that would affect sperm competition. The bursa copulatrix had epithelial cells with secretory and absorptive characteristics, and contained degraded sperm and yolk granules within its lumen. Comparative analyses of the contents of each organ demonstrated that sperm digestion occurs in the bursa copulatrix and affects sperm heads first, changing their morphology from slender and curved to shorter and ellipsoid before complete lysis. Although digestion and absorption of surplus sperm are currently the main hypothesized functions for the bursa copulatrix, its role in cryptic female choice should not be ruled out. The close structural connection between the seminal receptacle and bursa copulatrix, as well as their muscular walls, would enable control over the fate of the sperm received in each mating event, that is, storage or digestion.

Description of the puparium and adult genitalia of Dactylodeictes brevifacies James, 1974 (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

The puparium of Dactylodeictes brevifacies was described based on fifty-eight specimens reared in laboratory until the emergence of adults. Larvae were collected under the bark of fallen trees in a Cerrado vegetation, Gallery forest; Palm swamp (Vereda) and open grassland (Campo Limpo) in States of Goiás and Tocantins, Brazil (New Record). The puparium was compared with that of Brachyodina lopesi, the most closely related species with a described puparium. Despite this species clearly shared the larval pachygastrinae features it has a remarkable character not know before for this subfamily: the presence of four pairs of ventral setae (V) in the eighth abdominal segment in ventral view, while in other larvae and puparia of this subfamily, there are five pairs of ventral setae. The adult male and female were described and figured.(AU)

Tratamento de queimaduras de segundo grau profundo em abdômen, coxas e genitália: uso da pele de tilápia como um xenoenxerto / Treatment of deep second-degree burns on the abdomen, thighs, and genitalia: use of tilapia skin as a xenograft

A pele de tilápia possui microbiota não infecciosa e estrutura morfológica semelhante à pele humana. Estudos clínicos fase II, ainda não publicados, mostraram resultados promissores na sua utilização para tratamento de queimaduras. Nos protocolos destes estudos, pacientes com lesões em áreas de dobras de pele, como genitais e região inguinal, foram excluídos, pois achava-se que o biomaterial não aderiria apropriadamente, resultando em um grau de cicatrização inferior. Relato de caso de paciente do sexo feminino, 18 anos, sem comorbidades, com queimaduras de segundo grau profundo em abdômen, região inguinal, parte da genitália e metade superior de ambas as coxas, envolvendo 13,5% da área total da superfície corporal. A pele de tilápia foi aplicada nas lesões levando a uma reepitelização completa com 16 dias de tratamento. Não foram observados efeitos colaterais. A pele de tilápia traz, portanto, a promessa de um produto inovador, de fácil aplicação e alta disponibilidade, que pode se tornar a primeira pele animal nacionalmente estudada e registrada pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, para uso no tratamento de queimaduras. Este relato de caso contribui para reduzir as limitações em relação às áreas anatômicas apropriadas para a aplicação da pele de tilápia, uma vez que, mesmo com a necessidade de reposição de pele, foram obtidos bons resultados com aplicação na genitália e região inguinal.

Tilapia skin has a non-infectious microbiota and a morphological structure similar to human skin. Phase II clinical studies, not yet published, have shown promising results in their use for the treatment of burns. In the protocols of these studies, patients with lesions in areas of skin folds, such as genitals and inguinal regions, were excluded, as it was thought that the biomaterial would not adhere properly, resulting in a lower degree of healing. Case report of a female patient, 18 years old, without comorbidities, with deep second-degree burns in the abdomen, inguinal region, part of the genitalia and upper half of both thighs, involving 13.5% of the total body surface area. Tilapia skin was applied to the lesions leading to a complete re-epithelialization with 16 days of treatment. No side effects were observed. Tilapia skin, therefore, brings the promise of an innovative product, easy to apply, and highly available, which can become the first animal skin nationally studied and registered by the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, for use in the treatment of burns. This case report contributes to reduce the limitations concerning the anatomical areas appropriate for the application of tilapia skin, since, even with the need for skin replacement, good results were obtained with application to the genitalia and inguinal region.

The morphology of mating plugs and its formation in scorpions: Implications for intersexual participation.

Mating plugs have been proposed as a mechanism that has evolved to avoid sperm competition. Their structure and composition vary across taxa and are related to the effectiveness of its function. This effectiveness could be related to different evolutionary interests of the sexes. Urophonius brachycentrus and Urophonius achalensis (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) are highly suitable species to study mating plugs because both are monandrous species with specific morphological and physiological responses in the female's genitalia. Here, we analyze (a) the morphology and fine structure of the mating plugs of both species, (b) the site of production in males and the formation process of the mating plug, and (c) the changes that it undergoes over time in the female's reproductive tract. In both species, a complex mating plug obliterates the female's genital aperture and fills the genital atrium. We observed considerable interspecific variation in the mating plug morphology. A mating hemi-plug was found surrounding the capsular lobes of the hemispermatophore, which could have a mixed composition (involving portions of the hemispermatophore and glandular products). The glandular portion was transferred in a semi-solid state filling the female's genital atrium and then hardening. Changes that the plug undergoes in the female's genitalia (darkening and increase of the "distal" area of the plug) indicate a participation of the female to the formation of this type of plug. Our study provides new insights into the plugging phenomenon in scorpions, and we discussed the adaptive significance as a post-copulatory mechanism to avoid sperm competition.

A New and Rare Actinote Hübner (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Acraeini) from Southeastern Brazil.

The present paper describes a new species of Actinote (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae, Acraeini), Actinote keithbrowni Freitas, Francini & Mielke sp. nov., from southeastern Brazil, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is very similar in wing pattern to Actinote eberti, within what we term the "light-gray mimicry complex." The host plants and immature stages of the new species are unknown. Actinote keithbrowni sp. nov. is one of the rarest species of Actinote from Brazil: in total, only eight individuals of this species are known from a narrow region of the Itatiaia massif despite years of collecting effort in that region since the 1940s.

Copulatory function and development shape modular architecture of genitalia differently in males and females.

Genitalia are multitasking structures whose development is mediated by numerous regulatory pathways. This multifactorial nature provides an avenue for multiple sources of selection. As a result, genitalia tend to evolve as modular systems comprising semi-independent subsets of structures, yet the processes that give rise to those patterns are still poorly understood. Here, we ask what are the relative roles of development and function in shaping modular patterns of genitalia within populations and across species of stink-bugs. We found that male genitalia are less integrated, more modular, and primarily shaped by functional demands. In contrast, females show higher integration, lower modularity, and a predominant role of developmental processes. Further, interactions among parts of each sex are more determinant to modularity than those between the sexes, and patterns of modularity are equivalent between and within species. Our results strongly indicate that genitalia have been subjected to sex-specific selection, although male and female genitalia are homologous and functionally associated. Moreover, modular patterns are seemingly constant in the evolutionary history of stink-bugs, suggesting a scenario of multivariate stabilizing selection within each sex. Our study demonstrates that interactions among genital parts of the same sex may be more fundamental to genital evolution than previously thought.