Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of SMase I, a sphingomyelinase from Loxosceles laeta spider venom

SMase I, a 32 kDa sphingomyelinase found in Loxosceles laeta venom, is responsible for the major pathological effects of spider envenomation. This toxin has been cloned and functionally expressed as a fusion protein containing a 6 x His tag at its N-terminus to yield a 33 kDa protein [Fernandes-Pedrosa et al. (2002), Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 298, 638 - 645]. The recombinant protein possesses all the biological properties ascribed to the whole L. laeta venom, including dermonecrotic and complement-dependent haemolytic activities. Dynamic light-scattering experiments conducted at 291 K demonstrate that the sample possesses a monomodal distribution, with a hydrodynamic radius of 3.57 nm. L. laeta SMase I was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion technique using the sparse-matrix method. Single crystals were obtained using a buffer solution consisting of 0.08 M HEPES and 0.9 M trisodium citrate, which was titrated to pH 7.5 using 0.25 M sodium hydroxide. Complete three-dimensional diffraction data were collected to 1.8 Angstrom at the Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Sincrotron (LNLS, Campinas, Brazil). The crystals belong to the hexagonal system ( space group P6(1) or P6(5)), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 140.6, c = 113.6 Angstrom. A search for heavy-atom derivatives has been initiated and elucidation of the crystal structure is currently in progress.

To be or not to be . . . a flower? A test of possible cues influencing hunting site selection in subadult females of the crab spider Epicadus heterogaster (Guerin 1812) (Araneae: Thomisidae)

Females of some Thomisidae species are known to use visual and olfactory stimuli to select high quality hunting sites. However, because studies about foraging behavior in this family are concentrated on a few species, the comprehension of the process related to hunting behavior evolution in crab spiders may be biased. In this study we investigated the hunting site selection of a previously unstudied crab spider, Epicadus heterogaster. We performed three experiments to evaluate the hypothesis that subadult females are able to use visual and olfactory stimuli to select hunting sites. In the first experiment, females did not preferentially select flower paper models that matched their body coloration. However, after choosing a model that had the same body color as the spider, they remained on it for longer periods than on models with different colors. In the second experiment, females did not discriminate between flower paper models, natural flower models and crumpled paper models. Females did also not discriminate among different olfactory stimuli in the third experiment. It is possible that subadult females of E. heterogaster need to establish and experience a given hunting site before evaluating its quality. However, it remains to be investigated if they use UV cues to select a foraging area before experiencing it.

Using visual cues of microhabitat traits to find home: the case study of a bromeliad-living jumping spider (Salticidae)

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

Bromeliad architectural complexity and vertical distribution predict spider abundance and richness

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

Fine-scale microhabitat selection in a bromeliad-dwelling jumping spider (Salticidae)

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

Maternal care in a neotropical jumping spider (Salticidae)

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

Spatial variation in the strength of mutualism between a jumping spider and a terrestrial bromeliad: Evidence from the stable isotope N-15

Psecas chapoda, a neotropical jumping spider strictly associated with the terrestrial bromeliad Bromelia balansae in cerrados and semi-deciduous forests in South America, effectively contributes to plant nutrition and growth. In this study, our goal was to investigate if spider density caused spatial variations in the strength of this spider-plant mutualism. We found a positive significant relationship between spider density and delta N-15 values for bromeliad leaves in different forest fragments. Open grassland Bromeliads were associated with spiders and had higher delta N-15 values compared to forest bromeliads. Although forest bromeliads had no association with spiders their total N concentrations were higher. These results suggest that bromeliad nutrition is likely more litter-based in forests and more spider-based in open grasslands. This study is one of the few to show nutrient provisioning and conditionality in a spider-plant system. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Effects of habitat fragmentation on the spider community (Arachnida: Araneae) in three Atlantic forest remnants in southeastern Brazil.

This work was developed in three remnants of Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil. We aimed to assess edge effects in the spider community in a well conserved fragment and to study the variation of spider diversity among fragments of different sizes. The spider families with the highest richness were Theridiidae (38 sp), Araneidae (31 sp) and Salticidae (25 sp). The control area showed the highest diversity (D=0.98) and exclusive species (58.9%). We concluded that spider richness is higher in the large and best preserved fragment. In addition, we found that species richness and abundance increased towards the interior.

Penetration time of Salmonella Heidelberg through shells of white and brown commercial eggs

This study aimed at determining the minimum time required for the penetration of Salmonella Heidelberg inside the eggs after contact with contaminated material. Recently-collected brown and white eggs from laying hens between 45-50 weeks of age, reared in a commercial poultry house, were artificially contaminated by contact with wood shavings moistened with liquid inoculum of Salmonella Heidelberg in stationary-growth phase (10³-10(4) CFU g-1). According to type (white or brown), eggs were distributed into three different groups, with four replicates each: negative control group (no artificial contamination), positive control group (analyzed externally immediately after contamination and internally after the maximum storage period of the test group) and test group. Eggs were stored at controlled environmental temperature varying from 25ºC to 30ºC. In the test group, eggs contents (yolk and albumen) were pooled and analyzed after 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, and 4:00 hours after contamination for the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg in 25g of this pool. The experimental unit consisted of five eggs in each test. The analysis protocol included pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, plating on selective agar, and biochemical and serological tests. The results obtained were submitted to logistic regression, which indicated that the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg was verified after 2:16 h and 2:44 h of contact with white and brown eggs, respectively.

Photosynthetic response of soybean to twospotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychydae) injury

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Composição química, digestibilidade dos nutrientes e da energia de diferentes milhetos (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Brown) em suínos

Foram conduzidos dois ensaios de digestibilidade, objetivando-se estudar o valor nutricional de quatro diferentes milhetos (BN2, COMUM, IAPAR e IAPAR-REPASSE) processados em moinhos com três tipos de peneiras (diâmetros de furo de 3, 2 e 1 mm). Os coeficientes de digestibilidade (CD) da energia bruta (CDEB) e o coeficiente de metabolizabilidade (CM) da energia bruta (CMEB) relativos à peneira de 3 mm foram: 63,09 e 61,20% (COMUM); 71,57 e 69,66% (IAPAR) e 67,39 e 65,60% (BN2). Os CD e CM da energia do COMUM foram inferiores ao IAPAR e ambos foram semelhantes ao BN2. O IAPAR-REPASSE apresentou CDEB de 70,62% e CMEB de 68,49%, semelhante ao IAPAR. O IAPAR-1 mm apresentou maior CDEB e CMEB (84,61 e 81,41%) que o IAPAR-3 mm (70,59 e 68,71%) e o IAPAR-2 mm (77,73 e 75,46%). Os valores de energia digestível (ED) e energia metabolizável (EM) para o IAPAR (3 mm) foram de 3.030 kcal/kg e 3.001 kcal/kg, respectivamente. Verificou-se ED de 3.083 e 3.355 kcal/kg e em de 2.993 e 3.228 kcal/kg para o IAPAR (2 e 1 mm). O IAPAR-REPASSE apresentou valores de 2.849 kcal/kg (ED) e 2.763 kcal/kg (EM), enquanto o COMUM (3 e 2 mm), de 2.574 e 3.022 kcal/kg (ED) e 2.497 e 2.932 kcal/kg (EM), e o BN2 (3 e 2 mm), de 2.692 e 3.047 kcal/kg (ED) e 2.620 e 2.966 kcal/kg (EM). As diferentes variedades de milheto apresentaram variações em sua composição química que resultaram em diferenças no valor nutricional, sendo o milheto IAPAR o que apresentou melhor valor, seguido pelo BN2 e o COMUM.

Hanbury-Brown-Twiss interferometry for sonoluminescence bubble

Two-photon correlation of the light pulse emitted from a sonoluminescence bubble is discussed. It is shown that several important features of the mechanism of light emission, such as the time scale and the shape of the emission region, could be obtained from Hanbury-Brown-Twiss interferometry. We also argue that such a measurement may serve to reject one of the two currently suggested emission mechanisms, i.e., the thermal process versus the dynamical Casimir effect.

DIET OF THE BROWN HOWLER MONKEY ALOUATTA-FUSCA IN A FOREST FRAGMENT IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

The diet of the brown howler monkey Alouatta fusca in a 250 ha forest fragment in southeastern Brazil was studied for 42 consecutive months. The howlers were observed eating in 366 feeding records (one group or a monkey eating a single plant) of 52 plant species. Twenty three percent of the leaves and 52 % of the flowers in the howler's diet came from lianas. Eighteen fruit species were recorded as being dispersed by howlers and seeds of two liana species were eaten. In small forest fragments where most large specialized frugivores are absent howlers may be the main seed disperser of large fruits.

Mantispa minuta Fabricius (Neuroptera : Mantispidae) on egg sacs of the orb-weaver spider Parawixia bistriata (Araneidae) in forests of Eucalyptus grandis in Brazil

This is the first report of the interaction between the two entomophagous agents Mantispa minuta Fabricius (Mantispidae) and Parawixia bistriata Rengger, an orb-weaver spider (Araneidae). From egg sacs kept in the laboratory we observed the emergence of adult neuropterans followed by the emergence of a high number of spiderlings. This association illustrates the interactions among the invertebrate predators coexisting in Eucalyptus plantations managed without chemical treatment, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Efficacy of pre- and postinoculation application of Fungicides to expanding young citrus leaves for control of melanose, scab, and alternarial brown spot

In greenhouse trials, copper hydroxide, pyraclostrobin, and famoxadone were applied to actively crowing young citrus seedlings to determine the duration of protection of young leaves provided by these fungicides against melanose, caused by Diaporthe citri, citrus scab, caused by Elsinoe fawcettii, and Alternaria brown spot, caused by Alternaria alternata. Fungicides were applied to different sets of potted plants of grapefruit for control of melanose, of rough lemon for control of scab, and of Dancy tangerine for control of Afternaria brown spot 1 to 6 days prior to inoculation. as well as on the day of inoculation. Leaf area of treated shoots was estimated on the day of fungicide application and the day of inoculation and disease severity evaluated subsequently. In most cases. copper hydroxide and famoxadone provided at least 50% control of all three diseases for only about 2 days after application. Generally, there was little or no disease control when the products were applied 4 or more days before inoculation. In contrast, pyraclostrobin usually provided a high level of control of all three diseases when applied up to 5 days prior to inoculation. The level of disease control decreased as the interval between a fungicide application and inoculation increased and the relationship between disease control and leaf expansion best fit a quadratic equation. Effective disease control was observed with copper hydroxide and famoxadone until leaf area had increased by 100 to 200%, whereas control with pyraclostrobin was observed up to 400 to 500% increase in leaf area. In postinoculation tests with scab and melanose, pyraclostrobin provided high levels of disease control (>75%) when applied up to 2 days after inoculation. whereas copper hydroxide and famoxadone had minimal postinoculation activity. Applications of pyraclostrobin to the spring flush growth of citrus trees are much more likely to provide control of melanose, scab, and Alternaria brown spot than those of famoxadone or copper hydroxide.