Pollen morphology of the genus Eremanthus Less. (Vernonieae, Asteraceae)

(Pollen morphology of the genus Eremanthus Less. (Vernonieae, Asteraceae)). In order to evaluate the significance of the pollen morphology for generic and infrageneric taxonomy of the genus Eremanthus (Vernonieae, Asteraceae), and to provide additional data for its phylogenetic reconstruction, the pollen of 20 of the 23 species of the genus was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Acetolysed pollen grains were measured, described, and illustrated using light microscopy, while non-acetolysed pollen grains were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains of these species are isopolar, oblate-spheroidal in most of the species, more rarely prolate spheroidal or suboblate, subtriangular amb, tricolporate and subechinolophate. The variation among quantitative characters does not correlate with the macromorphological subdivision of the genus or with the generic or specific limits.

EVALUATION OF IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EFFECTS OF SEMIPURIFIED PROTEINASE INHIBITORS FROM THEOBROMA SEEDS ON MIDGUT PROTEASE ACTIVITY OF LEPIDOPTERAN PEST INSECTS

We have characterized in vitro and in vivo effects of trypsin inhibitors from Theobroma seeds on the activity of trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like proteins from Lepidopteran pest insects. The action of semipurified trypsin inhibitors from Theobroma was evaluated by the inhibition of bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin activities determined by the hydrolysis of N-Benzoyl-DL-Arginine-p-Nitroanilide (BAPA) and N-Succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pho-Phe p-Nitroanilide (S-(Ala)2ProPhe-pNA). Proteinase inhibitor activities from Theobroma cacao and T. obovatum seeds were the most effective in inhibiting trypsin-like proteins, whereas those from T. obovatum and T. sylvestre were the most efficient against chymotrypsin-like proteins. All larvae midgut extracts showed trypsin-like proteolytic activities, and the putative trypsin inhibitors from Theobroma seeds significantly inhibited purified bovine trypsin. With respect to the influence of Theobroma trypsin inhibitors on intact insects, the inclusion of T. cacao extracts in artificial diets of velvet bean caterpillars (Anticarsia gemmatalis) and sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) produced a significant increase in the percentage of adult deformation, which is directly related to both the survival rate of the insects and oviposition.

A eletroinstabilidade da Guanina.

A dissociação induzida pela captura eletrônica em biomoléculas e, em especial, em diferentes sítios de DNA tem sido alvo de muitos estudos teóricos e experimentais. No presente trabalho, apresentarei estudos envolvendo a captura eletrônica da guanina monofosfato (GMP) em fase gasosa, a análise da estabilidade do ânion, e perspectivas futuras do projeto.

On wing disparity and morphological variation of the Santana Group pterosaurs

Pterosaurs were widely spread throughout the Mesozoic Era, populating the whole world. Among this great diversity, two groups are commonly found in Brazil: the Anhangueridae and Tapejaridae. These can be mainly identified by cranial synapomorphies. However, because of the fragility of the pterosaur skeleton and rarity of the fossilisation process, the fossils found are usually incomplete, which hampers a proper taxonomic identification of the specimens. The specific proportions of these two groups of pterosaurs were obtained from bibliographic data and measurements of specimens. Eight Anhangueridae-like and seven Tapejaridae were used: Anhanguera piscator, Anhanguera santanae, Anhanguera spielbergi, Araripesaurus castilhoi, Barbosania gracilisrostris and three Anhangueridae sp. indet.; Sinopterus dongi, Tapejara wellnhoferi and five Tapejaridae sp. indet. We find that proportions of the humerus, wing metacarpal, first phalanx of the wing digit, femur and tibia are sufficient to identify partial remains of Araripe pterosaurs. A principal component analysis shows that each clade has different, non-overlapping scores in the studied ratios and these can be used with precision. Specific bone ratios for fast identification of anhanguerids and tapejarids are given, opening a broader way to diagnostic fragmentary bones.