Rickettsia bellii infecting Amblyomma sabanerae ticks in El Salvador

Four Amblyomma sabanerae ticks collected from a turtle (Kinosternon sp.) in San Miguel, El Salvador, were found by molecular analysis to be infected by Rickettsia bellii. We provide the first report of Rickettsia bellii in Central America, and the first report of a Rickettsia species in El Salvador.

Molecular phylogeny and morphometric analyses reveal deep divergence between Amazonia and Atlantic Forest species of Dendrophryniscus

Dendrophryniscus is an early diverging clade of bufonids represented by few small-bodied species distributed in Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest. We used mitochondrial (414 bp of 12S, 575 bp of 16S genes) and nuclear DNA (785 bp of RAG-1) to investigate phylogenetic relationships and the timing of diversification within the genus. These molecular data were gathered from 23 specimens from 19 populations, including eight out of the 10 nominal species of the genus as well as Rhinella boulengeri. Analyses also included sequences of representatives of 18 other bufonid genera that were publically available. We also examined morphological characters to analyze differences within Dendrophryniscus. We found deep genetic divergence between an Amazonian and an Atlantic Forest clade, dating back to Eocene. Morphological data corroborate this distinction. We thus propose to assign the Amazonian species to a new genus, Amazonella. The species currently named R. boulengeri, which has been previously assigned to the genus Rhamphophryne, is shown to be closely related to Dendrophryniscus species. Our findings illustrate cryptic trends in bufonid morphological evolution, and point to a deep history of persistence and diversification within the Amazonian and Atlantic rainforests. We discuss our results in light of available paleoecological data and the biogeographic patterns observed in other similarly distributed groups. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Two new species of Paraehlersia San Martin, 2003 (Polychaeta, Syllidae) from the Atlantic Coast of South America

Paraehlersia San Martin, 2003 is reported for the first time for the Atlantic coast off South America based on specimens collected off Brazil and Argentina. The specimens belong to two new species, which are herein described. Paraehlersia longichaetosa sp. nov., is characterized by having spiniger-like chaetae with long blades, up to 120 mu m in length, bidentate anterior falcigers, with relatively coarse subdistal tooth, bidentate dorsal simple chaetae, with teeth about same size, and subdistally irregularly inflated aciculae, apparently hollow, with acute tip. Paraehlersia martapolae sp. nov., has spiniger-like chaetae with shorter blades, up to 82 mu m in length, bidentate falcigers, with thin subdistal tooth, distally irregularly rounded dorsal simple chaetae, and aciculae subdistally bent at almost right angle, sometimes with apparently flattened top. These new species are compared to their most similar congeners. Additionally, a table summarizing relevant morphological traits of all currently known species of Paraehlersia is included.