Development of a methodology of collection and rearing of the invasive ant Paratrechina longicornis Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the laboratory.

The genus Paratrechina is a cosmopolitan group, with some species invading residences and hospitals. In Brazil, the most important species are: Paratrechina fulva and Paratrechina longicornis. In spite of the importance of these species as urban pests, there is a lack of information on their biology, since studies on urban ants are rather recent in our country and also due to the difficulty of keeping colonies of P. longicornis in the laboratory. Therefore, the present study was aimed at developing two methodologies: one suitable for collecting and another for keeping colonies of P. longicornis in the laboratory. Concerning the collections, four methodologies were analyzed, while for keeping colonies in the laboratory, the types of containers where the colonies would be stored as well as the food items that would comprise their diet were evaluated. The most adequate methodology for collecting was the one performed using an entomological aspirator. Regarding the maintenance of colonies, the most adequate container was the test tube with cotton steeped in water, while in the tests on food attractiveness, the workers showed preference for sugary liquids and dead insects, mainly termites. Moreover, two infestations of mites from the families Acaridae, Macrochelidae (genus Macrocheles) and Uropodidae in the colonies of P. longicornis have occurred, which caused a significant mortality of the colonies, due to an unbalance in the social behavior of the ants.

Spatio-temporal segregation and size distribution of fish assemblages as related to non-native species occurrence in the middle rio Doce Valley, MG, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Oral Candida albicans isolates from HIV-positive individuals have similar in vitro biofilm-forming ability and pathogenicity as invasive Candida isolates

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A simple protocol for a low invasive DNA accessing in Stenella longirostris (Cetacea: Delphinidae)

The most significant studies about the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean were conducted in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off Northeastern Brazil. The continuity of these studies depends upon the development of non-invasive methods. In this work, we present results from the skin swabbing sampling procedure for this species. We tested the performance of this method for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis, unknown for this population. A total of skin 161 samples were collected during two expeditions. After the contacts the most of the dolphins remained close to the boat. Microsatellites markers and cytochrome b region primers were evaluated and the respective fragments were successfully amplified. Thus, skin swabbing may be considered an efficient strategy to obtain tissue samples for spinner dolphin genetic analysis in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.

Entomopathogens isolated from invasive ants and tests of their pathogenicity

Some ant species cause severe ecological and health impact in urban areas. Many attempts have been tested to control such species, although they do not always succeed. Biological control is an alternative to chemical control and has gained great prominence in research, and fungi and nematodes are among the successful organisms controlling insects. This study aimed to clarify some questions regarding the biological control of ants. Invasive ant species in Brazil had their nests evaluated for the presence of entomopathogens. Isolated entomopathogens were later applied in colonies of Monomorium floricola under laboratory conditions to evaluate their effectiveness and the behavior of the ant colonies after treatment. The entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis sp. and Steinernema sp. and the fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Paecilomyces sp. were isolated from the invasive ant nests. M. floricola colonies treated with Steinernema sp. and Heterorhabditis sp. showed a higher mortality of workers than control. The fungus Beauveria bassiana caused higher mortality of M. floricola workers. However, no colony reduction or elimination was observed in any treatment. The defensive behaviors of ants, such as grooming behavior and colony budding, must be considered when using fungi and nematodes for biological control of ants. Copyright © 2012 Maria Fernanda Miori de Zarzuela et al.

At least two indigenous species of the Bemisia tabaci complex are present in Brazil

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important global agricultural insect pests, being a vector of emerging plant viruses such as begomoviruses and criniviruses that cause serious problems in many countries. Although knowledge of the genetic diversity of B. tabaci populations is important for controlling this pest and understanding viral epidemics, limited information is available on this pest in Brazil. A survey was conducted in different locations of São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, and the phylogenetic relationships of B. tabaci individuals from 43 populations sampled from different hosts were analysed based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (mtCOI) sequences. According to the recently proposed classification of the B. tabaci complex, which employs the 3.5% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold for species demarcation, most of the specimens collected were found to belong to the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 species, which includes the invasive populations of the commonly known B biotype, within the Africa/Middle East/Asia Minor high-level group. Three specimens collected from Solanun gilo and Ipomoea sp. were grouped together and could be classified in the New World species that includes the commonly known A biotype. However, six specimens collected from Euphorbia heterophylla, Xanthium cavanillesii and Glycine maxima could not be classified into any of the 28 previously proposed species, although according to the 11% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold, they belong to the New World high-level group. These specimens were classified into a new recently proposed species named New World 2 that includes populations from Argentina. Middle East-Asia Minor 1, New World and New World 2 were differentiated by RFLP analysis of the mtCOI gene using TaqI enzyme. Taq I analysis in silico also differentiates these from Mediterranean species, thus making this method a convenient tool to determine population dynamics, especially critical for monitoring the presence of this exotic pest in Brazil. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag, GmbH.

Efeito da biomassa de espécie exótica (Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) Hitchc.) e nativa (Eichhornia azurea (SW. Kunth) sobre a estrutura da comunidade de macrófitas aquáticas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

An analysis of publications on invasive macrophytes in aquatic ecosystems

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Candida species biofilm and Candida albicans ALS3 polymorphisms in clinical isolates

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

How can an invasive grass affect fire behavior in a tropical savanna? A community and individual plant level approach

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

How the fluctuations of water levels affect populations of invasive bivalve Corbicula fluminea (Muller, 1774) in a Neotropical reservoir?

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fenologia reprodutiva e distribuição espacial de Oeceoclades maculata (Lindl.) Lindl. (Orchidaceae) em Cerrado do município de Mogi Guaçu, São Paulo, Brasil

Oeceoclades aculate (Lindl.) Lindl., an invasive orchid, was analyzed as to its reproductive phenology and spatial distribution, correlation between abundance of mature and immature individuals, and verifying these with microclimate patterns in the Cerrado (savanna-like vegetation) of Mogi Guacu, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. For the reproductive phenology 100 plants were followed and the distribution pattern was identified by the Morisita Index (MI) and the Variance Ratio/Average (R) in 20 plots of 20x10m, reduced to 10x10m afterwards. The phenology presented seasonality, with flowering from November to February, fructification from February to June, and dehiscence from June to July. Mature and immature individuals aggregated and correlated to each other, indicating dependence between the ontogenetic stages. The luminosity was the preponderant microclimatic factor in the allocation of plants. Seasonal climatic changes and intensity of anthropogenic disturbances seem to be more important for the establishment of the species than microclimate.

A mini review of Candida species in hospital infection: epidemiology, virulence factor and drugs resistance and prophylaxis

The introduction of more efficient diagnostic methods, new techniques in surgery and transplantation, antibiotics and chemotherapeutics more potent and novel materials for prostheses, catheters and probes significantly increased the life expectancy and quality of life of critically ill patients, on the other hand, hospital-acquired infections emerged as important iatrogenic complications. Invasive infections are a growing problem in public health hospitals in Brazil and worldwide. Among the various etiological agents found in the hospital environment, the genus Candida has been the third most frequently isolated pathogen. In general, invasive fungal infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality, difficulties in diagnosis, antimicrobial resistance, length of hospital stay and increased hospital costs. This mini review of the literature describes about epidemiology of hospital infection of Candida species, as well as its virulence factors and drugs resistance