Redescriptions of two species and descriptions of three new species of the louse genus Bizarrifrons Eichler, 1938 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae)

Redescriptions of Bizarrifrons magus (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866), the type species of Bizarrifrons, and B. picturatus Carriker & Diaz-Ungria, 1961 are given based on material from their type hosts. The nymphal instars of these two species are described and illustrated for the first time. Also, three new species are named and described: B. latifrons, from the russet-backed oropendola, Psarocolius angustifrons alfredi (Des Murs, 1856); B. wecksteini, from the Amazonian oropendola, Psarocolius b. bifasciatus (Spix, 1824); and B. quasisymmetricus, from the solitary cacique, Cacicus solitarius (Vieillot, 1816) (Passeriformes: Icteridae). Two species-groups are proposed, and a checklist and a key for the species of Bizarrifrons are also included. Sequences of a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and the nuclear elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) genes for two species are given for the first time in this genus.

Morphological and genetic variability in Hippolyte obliquimanus dana, 1852 (Decapoda, Caridea, Hippolytidae) from Brazil and the caribbean sea

Hippolyte obliquimanus is a marine shrimp reported from the Caribbean Sea and Brazil. The literature provides indications for morphological variation between populations from those regions and the species has a troubled taxonomic history. The aims of this study were to analyse morphological and genetic variation in the populations of H. obliquimanus from Brazil and the Caribbean Sea and to verify if those might support separation of H. obliquimanus into two or more species. This hypothesis was tested with the analysis of morphological and genetic data (mitochondrial gene 16S and the barcode region Cytochrome Oxidase I). The material analysed was obtained from samples and from loans of zoological collections. The rostrum as well as pereiopods 3, 4, and 5 were the adult morphological characters that showed variation, but this occurred in samples from both regions, Brazil and the Caribbean Sea. The sequences of the 16S gene were identical among all specimens analysed. There was, however, variation among the sequences of the barcoding gene COI (<2.0%); this divergence separated the specimens into two groups (Brazil versus the Caribbean) and these groups did not share haplotypes. In conclusion, specimens from the regions analysed showed both morphological and genetic variation, but these did not support the separation of H. obliquimanus into two or more species.

Systematics of the Oswaldoi Complex (Anopheles, Nyssorhynchus) in South America

Abstract Background Effective malaria control relies on accurate identification of those Anopheles mosquitoes responsible for the transmission of Plasmodium parasites. Anopheles oswaldoi s.l. has been incriminated as a malaria vector in Colombia and some localities in Brazil, but not ubiquitously throughout its Neotropical range. This evidence together with variable morphological characters and genetic differences supports that An. oswaldoi s.l. compromises a species complex. The recent fully integrated redescription of An. oswaldoi s.s. provides a solid taxonomic foundation from which to molecularly determine other members of the complex. Methods DNA sequences of the Second Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2 - rDNA) (n = 192) and the barcoding region of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene (COI - mtDNA) (n = 110) were generated from 255 specimens of An. oswaldoi s.l. from 33 localities: Brazil (8 localities, including the lectotype series of An. oswaldoi), Ecuador (4), Colombia (17), Trinidad and Tobago (1), and Peru (3). COI sequences were analyzed employing the Kimura-two-parameter model (K2P), Bayesian analysis (MrBayes), Mixed Yule-Coalescent model (MYC, for delimitation of clusters) and TCS genealogies. Results Separate and combined analysis of the COI and ITS2 data sets unequivocally supported four separate species: two previously determined (An. oswaldoi s.s. and An. oswaldoi B) and two newly designated species in the Oswaldoi Complex (An. oswaldoi A and An. sp. nr. konderi). The COI intra- and inter-specific genetic distances for the four taxa were non-overlapping, averaging 0.012 (0.007 to 0.020) and 0.052 (0.038 to 0.064), respectively. The concurring four clusters delineated by MrBayes and MYC, and four independent TCS networks, strongly confirmed their separate species status. In addition, An. konderi of Sallum should be regarded as unique with respect to the above. Despite initially being included as an outgroup taxon, this species falls well within the examined taxa, suggesting a combined analysis of these taxa would be most appropriate. Conclusions: Through novel data and retrospective comparison of available COI and ITS2 DNA sequences, evidence is shown to support the separate species status of An. oswaldoi s.s., An. oswaldoi A and An. oswaldoi B, and at least two species in the closely related An. konderi complex (An. sp. nr. konderi, An. konderi of Sallum). Although An. oswaldoi s.s. has never been implicated in malaria transmission, An. oswaldoi B is a confirmed vector and the new species An. oswaldoi A and An. sp. nr. konderi are circumstantially implicated, most likely acting as secondary vectors.

Synthesis and characterization of [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)X][PF6] (X = Cl, Br, I, SnF3) compounds: The X-ray structure of [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)Cl][SnCl3]center dot 0.45CH(2)Cl(2)

The arene-ruthenium complex [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)Cl]PF6 (1) was used as a precursor for the syntheses of the [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)Br]PF6 (2), [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)I]PF6 (3). [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)SnF3]PF6 (4) and [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)Cl][SnCl3]center dot 0.45CH(2)Cl(2) (5) complexes by its reactions with KBr, Kl, SnF2 and SnCl2. respectively. All of the compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, Fe-57 and Sn-119-Mossbauer spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of the [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dppf)Cl] [SnCl3]center dot 0.45CH(2)Cl(2) complex revealed the expected piano-stool geometry. Cyclic voltammograms of the complexes showed only one quasi-reversible electrochemical process, involving the oxidation of Fe(II) and Ru(II) at the same potential, which was confirmed by exhaustive electrolysis experiments. Fe-57-Mossbauer parameters obtained for the complexes (1-5) were fitted with one doublet corresponding to a site of one iron(II). The Sn-119-Mossbauer parameters of the complex (4) indicate that tin is tetra covalent. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genetic variability and demographic history of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations from Brazil inferred by mtDNA sequences

Intra-and inter-population genetic variability and the demographic history of Heliothis virescens (F.) populations were evaluated by using mtDNA markers (coxI, coxII and nad6) with samples from the major cotton-and soybean-producing regions in Brazil in the growing seasons 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10. AMOVA indicated low and non-significant genetic structure, regardless of geographical scale, growing season or crop, with most of genetic variation occurring within populations. Clustering analyzes also indicated low genetic differentiation. The haplotype network obtained with combined datasets resulted in 35 haplotypes, with 28 exclusive occurrences, four of them sampled only from soybean fields. The minimum spanning network showed star-shaped structures typical of populations that underwent a recent demographic expansion. The recent expansion was supported by other demographic analyzes, such as the Bayesian skyline plot, the unimodal distribution of paired differences among mitochondrial sequences, and negative and significant values of neutrality tests for the Tajima's D and Fu's F-S parameters. In addition, high values of haplotype diversity ((H) over cap) and low values of nucleotide diversity (pi), combined with a high number of low frequency haplotypes and values of theta(pi)<theta(W), suggested a recent demographic expansion of H. virescens populations in Brazil. This demographic event could be responsible for the low genetic structure currently found; however, haplotypes present uniquely at the same geographic regions and from one specific host plant suggest an initial differentiation among H. virescens populations within Brazil.

Morphological, molecular and cross-breeding analysis of geographic populations of coconut-mite associated predatory mites identified as Neoseiulus baraki: evidence for cryptic species?

Surveys were conducted in Brazil, Benin and Tanzania to collect predatory mites as candidates for control of the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis Keifer, a serious pest of coconut fruits. At all locations surveyed, one of the most dominant predators on infested coconut fruits was identified as Neoseiulus baraki Athias-Henriot, based on morphological similarity with regard to taxonomically relevant characters. However, scrutiny of our own and published descriptions suggests that consistent morphological differences may exist between the Benin population and those from the other geographic origins. In this study, we combined three methods to assess whether these populations belong to one species or a few distinct, yet closely related species. First, multivariate analysis of 32 morphological characters showed that the Benin population differed from the other three populations. Second, DNA sequence analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) showed the same difference between these populations. Third, cross-breeding between populations was unsuccessful in all combinations. These data provide evidence for the existence of cryptic species. Subsequent morphological research showed that the Benin population can be distinguished from the others by a new character (not included in the multivariate analysis), viz. the number of teeth on the fixed digit of the female chelicera.

Pedigree analysis and inbreeding depression on growth traits in Brazilian Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds

The study of population structure by pedigree analysis is useful to identify important circumstances that affect the genetic history of populations. The intensive use of a small number of superior individuals may reduce the genetic diversity of populations. This situation is very common for the beef cattle breeds. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to analyze the pedigree and possible inbreeding depression on traits of economic interest in the Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds and to test the inclusion of the individual inbreeding coefficient (F-i) or individual increases in inbreeding coefficient (Delta F-i) in the genetic evaluation model for the quantification of inbreeding depression. The complete pedigree file of the Marchigiana breed included 29,411 animals born between 1950 and 2003. For the Bonsmara breed, the pedigree file included 18,695 animals born between 1988 and 2006. Only animals with at least 2 equivalent generations of known pedigree were kept in the analyses of inbreeding effect on birth weight, weaning weight measured at about 205 d, and BW at 14 mo in the Marchigiana breed, and on birth weight, weaning weight, and scro-tal circumference measured at 12 mo in the Bonsmara breed. The degree of pedigree knowledge was greater for Marchigiana than for Bonsmara animals. The average generation interval was 7.02 and 3.19 for the Marchigiana and Bonsmara breed, respectively. The average inbreeding coefficient was 1.33% for Marchigiana and 0.26% for Bonsmara. The number of ancestors explaining 50% of the gene pool and effective population size computed via individual increase in coancestry were 13 and 97.79 for Marchigiana and 41 and 54.57 for Bonsmara, respectively. These estimates indicate reduction in genetic variability in both breeds. Inbreeding depression was observed for most of the growth traits. The model including Delta F-i can be considered more adequate to quantify inbreeding depression. The inclusion of F-i or Delta F-i in the genetic evaluation model may not result in better fit to the data. A genetic evaluation with simultaneous estimation of inbreeding depression can be performed in Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds, providing additional information to producers and breeders.

LOW GENETIC DIVERSITY IN Wolbachia-INFECTED Culex quinquefasciatus (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) FROM BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA

Culex quinquefasciatus is a vector of human pathogens, including filarial nematodes and several viruses. Although its epidemiological relevance is known to vary across geographical regions, an understanding of its population genetic structure is still incipient. In light of this, we evaluated the genetic diversity of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. pipiens x Cx. quinquefasciatus hybrids collected from nine localities in Brazil and one site in Argentina. We used mitochondrial genes cox1 and nd4, along with the coxA and wsp genes of the maternally-inherited Wolbachia endosymbiont. The nd4 fragment was invariant between samples, whilst cox1 exhibited four haplotypes that separated two types of Cx. quinquefasciatus, one clustered in southern Brazil. Low sequence diversity was generally observed, being discussed. Both Brazilian and Argentinian mosquitoes were infected with a single Wolbachia strain. As reported in previous studies with these populations, cox1 and nd4 diversity is not congruent with the population structure revealed by nuclear markers or alar morphology. Future Cx. quinquefasciatus research should, if possible, evaluate mtDNA diversity in light of other markers.

Phylogenetic relationships of rock-wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) and their biogeographic history within Australia

The rock-wallaby genus Petrogale comprises a group of habitat-specialist macropodids endemic to Australia. Their restriction to rocky outcrops, with infrequent interpopulation dispersal, has been suggested as the cause of their recent and rapid diversification. Molecular phylogenetic relationships within and among species of Petrogale were analysed using mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1, cytochrome b. NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2) and nuclear (omega-globin intron, breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene) sequence data with representatives that encompassed the morphological and chromosomal variation within the genus, including for the first time both Petrogale concinna and Petrogale purpureicollis. Four distinct lineages were identified, (1) the brachyotis group, (2) Petrogale persephone, (3) Petrogale xanthopus and (4) the lateralis-penicillata group. Three of these lineages include taxa with the ancestral karyotype (2n = 22). Paraphyletic relationships within the brachyotis group indicate the need for a focused phylogeographic study. There was support for P. purpureicollis being reinstated as a full species and P. concinna being placed within Petrogale rather than in the monotypic genus Peradorcas. Bayesian analyses of divergence times suggest that episodes of diversification commenced in the late Miocene-Pliocene and continued throughout the Pleistocene. Ancestral state reconstructions suggest that Petrogale originated in a mesic environment and dispersed into more arid environments, events that correlate with the timing of radiations in other arid zone vertebrate taxa across Australia. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Phylogeography of an Atlantic forest passerine reveals demographic stability through the last glacial maximum

In this study we analyzed the phylogeographic pattern and historical demography of an endemic Atlantic forest (AF) bird, Basileuterus leucoblepharus, and test the influence of the last glacial maximum (LGM) on its population effective size using coalescent simulations. We address two main questions: (i) Does B. leucoblepharus present population genetic structure congruent with the patterns observed for other AF organisms? (ii) How did the LGM affect the effective population size of B. leucoblepharus? We sequenced 914 bp of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and 512 bp of the nuclear intron 5 of beta-fibrinogen of 62 individuals from 15 localities along the AF. Both molecular markers revealed no genetic structure in B. leucoblepharus. Neutrality tests based on both loci showed significant demographic expansion. The extended Bayesian skyline plot showed that the species seems to have experienced demographic expansion starting around 300,000 years ago, during the late Pleistocene. This date does not coincide with the LGM and the dynamics of population size showed stability during the LGM. To further test the effect of the LGM on this species, we simulated seven demographic scenarios to explore whether populations suffered specific bottlenecks. The scenarios most congruent with our data were population stability during the LGM with bottlenecks older than this period. This is the first example of an AF organism that does not show phylogeographic breaks caused by vicariant events associated to climate change and geotectonic activities in the Quaternary. Differential ecological, environmental tolerances and habitat requirements are possibly influencing the different evolutionary histories of these organisms. Our results show that the history of organism diversification in this megadiverse Neotropical forest is complex. Crown Copyright (c) 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The genetic diversity of Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium brasilianum from human, simian and mosquito hosts in Brazil

Plasmodium malariae is a protozoan parasite that causes malaria in humans and is genetically indistinguishable from Plasmodium brasilianum, a parasite infecting New World monkeys in Central and South America. P. malariae has a wide and patchy global distribution in tropical and subtropical regions, being found in South America, Asia, and Africa. However, little is known regarding the genetics of these parasites and the similarity between them could be because until now there are only a very few genomic sequences available from simian Plasmodium species. This study presents the first molecular epidemiological data for P. malariae and P. brasilianum from Brazil obtained from different hosts and uses them to explore the genetic diversity in relation to geographical origin and hosts. By using microsatellite genotyping, we discovered that of the 14 human samples obtained from areas of the Atlantic forest, 5 different multilocus genotypes were recorded, while in a sample from an infected mosquito from the same region a different haplotype was found. We also analyzed the longitudinal change of circulating plasmodial genetic profile in two untreated non-symptomatic patients during a 12-months interval. The circulating genotypes in the two samples from the same patient presented nearly identical multilocus haplotypes (differing by a single locus). The more frequent haplotype persisted for almost 3 years in the human population. The allele Pm09-299 described previously as a genetic marker for South American P. malariae was not found in our samples. Of the 3 non-human primate samples from the Amazon Region, 3 different multilocus genotypes were recorded indicating a greater diversity among isolates of P. brasilianum compared to P. malariae and thus, P. malariae might in fact derive from P. brasilianum as has been proposed in recent studies. Taken together, our data show that based on the microsatellite data there is a relatively restricted polymorphism of P. malariae parasites as opposed to other geographic locations. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recruitment and growth variation of Ophionereis reticulata (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Two growth patterns are recognized in shallow-water ophiuroids: (I) slow growth and early reproductive maturity over a long life span and (2) rapid growth with a short life span. For species with the first pattern, both growth and recruitment would reflect a reproductive pattern with long periods of resting and spawning concentrated in certain months of the year. To evaluate this hypothesis, the recruitment, population dynamics, and growth of the intertidal brittle star Ophionereis reticulata were analyzed from January 2001 to December 2002 at the Baleciro Isthmus on the southeast coast of Brazil. The species shows an annual gametogenic cycle with spawning taking place in summer. Densities varied from 0.46 to 9.46 individuals m(-2). Density variations and seawater temperature were not significantly correlated. The population structure of O. reticulata was polymodal, with at least four co-occurring cohorts. Recruitment events were recorded in March 2001, October 2001, January 2002, and September 2002. As indicated by the asymptote size (D(infinity)=11.47 mm +/- 1.46), growth constant (K=0.42 year(-1)+/- 0.12), and oscillation index (C=0.97 +/- 0.51), the growth pattern of O. reticulata seems to be based on high survivorship of juveniles and adults, where sexual maturity is reached at a small size with rapid growth in the first 2 years of life. A low level of settlement is to be expected based on these data; however, there must be a minimum successful survivorship and development for juveniles and adults. Another explanation for the lack of small individuals (disc diameter <1.0 mm) could be that recruitment is located in a different area and a post-settlement migration might be involved in the maintenance of the population.

Low polymorphism revealed in new microsatellite markers for Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is actually a complex of morphologically indistinct species that vary in their capacity to transmit plant viruses and to induce physiological disorders in plants of economic importance. The worldwide impact of this whitefly has increased greatly, as it is a vector of various types of phytovirus, especially geminiviruses, in plants of economic importance. The adaptability of B. tabaci to many regions of the world has fostered the appearance of various biotypes that attack a broad spectrum of host plants. We developed microsatellite markers to study genetic variability and population structure of this whitefly in Brazil. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in 20 individuals from a natural population that were collected in soybean in Campinas (SP). The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to two, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 0.505. These microsatellite markers will be useful for studies and management of B. tabaci. The low polymorphism found in these molecular markers is probably associated with homology of genes expressed in these markers.

The use of participant-observation protocol in an industrial engineering research

Based on literature, this article aims to present the "participant-observation" research protocol, and its practical application in the industrial engineering field, more specifically within the area of design development, and in the case shown by this article, of interiors' design. The main target is to identify the concept of the method, i.e., from its characteristics to structure a general sense about the subject, so that the protocol can be used in different areas of knowledge, especially those ones which are committed with the scientific research involving the expertise from researchers, and subjective feelings and opinions of the users of an engineering product, and how this knowledge can be benefic for product design, contributing since the earliest stage of design.

Phylogeography of the neotropical Anopheles triannulatus complex (Diptera: Culicidae) supports deep structure and complex patterns

Abstract Background The molecular phylogenetic relationships and population structure of the species of the Anopheles triannulatus complex: Anopheles triannulatus s.s., Anopheles halophylus and the putative species Anopheles triannulatus C were investigated. Methods The mitochondrial COI gene, the nuclear white gene and rDNA ITS2 of samples that include the known geographic distribution of these taxa were analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using Bayesian inference, Maximum parsimony and Maximum likelihood approaches. Results Each data set analyzed septely yielded a different topology but none provided evidence for the seption of An. halophylus and An. triannulatus C, consistent with the hypothesis that the two are undergoing incipient speciation. The phylogenetic analyses of the white gene found three main clades, whereas the statistical parsimony network detected only a single metapopulation of Anopheles triannulatus s.l. Seven COI lineages were detected by phylogenetic and network analysis. In contrast, the network, but not the phylogenetic analyses, strongly supported three ITS2 groups. Combined data analyses provided the best resolution of the trees, with two major clades, Amazonian (clade I) and trans-Andean + Amazon Delta (clade II). Clade I consists of multiple subclades: An. halophylus + An. triannulatus C; trans-Andean Venezuela; central Amazonia + central Bolivia; Atlantic coastal lowland; and Amazon delta. Clade II includes three subclades: Panama; cis-Andean Colombia; and cis-Venezuela. The Amazon delta specimens are in both clades, likely indicating local sympatry. Spatial and molecular variance analyses detected nine groups, corroborating some of subclades obtained in the combined data analysis. Conclusion Combination of the three molecular markers provided the best resolution for differentiation within An. triannulatus s.s. and An. halophylus and C. The latest two species seem to be very closely related and the analyses performed were not conclusive regarding species differentiation. Further studies including new molecular markers would be desirable to solve this species status question. Besides, results of the study indicate a trans-Andean origin for An. triannulatus s.l. The potential implications for malaria epidemiology remain to be investigated.