Do extrafloral nectaries present a defensive role against herbivores in two species of the family Bignoniaceae in a Neotropical savannas?

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

Chromosome banding and 18S rDNA in situ hybridization analysis of seven species of the family Achiridae (Teleostei : Pleuronectiformes)

Achiridae is an important family of the order Pleuronectiformes widely distributed in North, Central, and South America with freshwater and marine species. In the present study cytogenetic analyses comprising conventional and molecular techniques were carried out in seven species of this family. The following diploid numbers (2n) and fundamental numbers (FN) were obtained: Achirus declivis 2n = 34, FN = 52; Achirus lineatus 2n = 40, FN = 66; Catathyridium jenynsi 2n = 40 and FN = 50; Gymnachirus nudus 2n = 36 and FN = 50; Hypoclinemus mentalis 2n = 38 and FN = 54; Trinectes paulistanus 2n = 42 and FN = 52; and Trinectes sp. 2n = 38 and FN = 54. All species presented a single nucleolar organizer region (NOR) bearing chromosome pair and C-band positive segments mainly distributed at the pericentromeric position. The wide variation observed in chromosome number and FN suggests the occurrence of larger chromosome rearrangements in the family Achiridae if compared with other families of the same order.

Cytogenetic analysis of three catfish species of the family Pseudopimelodidae (Teleostei, Siluriformes)

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

Cytogenetics studies in Brazilian species of Pseudophyllinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae): 2n(♂)=35 and fn=35 the probable basic and ancestral karyotype of the family tettigoniidae

The karyotypes of five species of Brazilian Pseudophyllinae belonging to four tribes were here studied. The data available in the literature altogether with those obtained with species in here studied allowed us to infer that 2n(♂)=35 is the highest chromosome number found in the family Tettigoniidae and that it is present in species belonging to Pseudophyllinae, Zaprochilinae and in one species of Tettigoniinae. In spite of that all five species exhibit secondary karyotypes arisen surely by a mechanism of chromosomal rearrangement of centric fusion, tandem fusion and centric inversion types from those with 2n(♂)=35 and FN=35, they share some common traits. The X chromosome is submetacentric (FN=36), heteropicnotic during the first prophase, the largest of the set but its size is rather variable among the species and the sex chromosomal mechanism is of the XO( ♂ ), XX( ♀ ) type. The chromosomal rearrangements involved in the karyotype evolution of the Pseudophyllinae and its relationship with those of the family Tettigoniidae are discussed and we propose that the basic and the ancestral karyotype of the Tettigoniidae is formed by 2n(♂)=35, FN=35 and not by 2n(♂)=31, FN= 31, as usually accepted.

Comparative analysis of the testes and spermatogenesis in species of the family Pentatomidae (Heteroptera)

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

HETEROCHROMATIN AND KARYOTYPE REORGANIZATION IN FISH OF THE FAMILY ANOSTOMIDAE (CHARACIFORMES)

Mitotic chromosomes of four fish species of the family Anostomidae, belonging to the genera Leporinus, Leporellus, and Schizodon, were studied. With 2n = 54 meta- and submetacentric chromosomes, this family appears to be characterized by marked karyotypic stability. Although perceptible differences exist, mainly in the amount of constitutive heterochromatin present in the chromosomes of these species, these differences do not affect the structure and/or size of these chromosomes. Chromatin substitutions and/or modifications may have led, in one direction, to an increase in heterochromatin in some species and, in the opposite direction, to heterochromatin reduction in others. Whether these changes are accompanied by changes in the amount of euchromatin in the chromosomes is an open question. The nucleolar organizer regions, which may be located on different chromosomes in the various species, may also be indicators of reorganization of these karyotypes.

CYTOGENETIC STUDIES ON FISHES OF THE FAMILY PIMELODIDAE (SILUROIDEI)

Four fish species of the family Pimelodidae were analyzed. Bergiaria westermani and two different Pimelodus species have the same diploid chromosome number (2n - 56). Despite some differences in chromosome structure, these species are highly similar in karyotype and differ from Pimelodella sp., which presents a reduction in chromosome number to 2n = 46. The data confirm the extensive chromosome variability existing in this family, characterized by intraindividual and/or population polymorphisms of a structural nature which may or may not be sexlinked, and by the presence of supernumerary chromosomes.

CYTOGENETIC AND DNA CONTENT IN 6 GENERA OF THE FAMILY CALLICHTHYIDAE (PISCES, SILURIFORMES)

Cytogenetic studies involving conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding analysis and silver staining of NORs were performed on nine species belonging to six genera of the family Callichthyidae. The diploid number ranged from 2n = 44 to 2n = 100, the number of chromosomal pairs with NORs ranged from 1 to 4 and constitutive heterochromatin was mainly distributed in the centromeric and/or pericentromeric position of the chromosomes. The DNA content of erythrocytes from six species studied ranged from 1.18 +/- 0.07 to 2.77 +/- 0.22 pg/nucleus. The extensive variability in karyotypes and in nuclear DNA content detected are in accordance with the initial hypothesis that chromosome rearrangements and polyploidy have played a significant role in the evolutionary history of Callichthyidae.

A new neotropical genus of the family Cunaxidae (Acari : Prostigmata : Bdelloidea)

A new Neotropical genus and its species, Allocunaxa heveae gen. et sp. nov., is described and figured. The generic features are provided. The subfamily Cunaxinae is discussed and a key to it is provided.

Genetic markers for the identification of hybrids among catfish species of the family Pimelodidae

Fish hybrids provide genetically manipulated products of excellent value for the commercial aquaculture industry. However, if handled or marketed incorrectly, they can cause great financial loss to producers as well as threaten the native species. Herein, molecular markers are established to identify hybrid lineages of pimelodids and characterize them in relation to their parental species, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus and Leiarius marmoratus. The results show that the mitochondrial genes are useful for identification of the cross-direction through the characterization of the maternal lineage. The nuclear genes allow identification of the interspecific hybrids. Use of genetic markers can avoid misidentification of hybrids that occur in simple morphological analysis. Thus, the present results allow the routine monitoring of pimelodid hybrids for their correct management and trade in aquaculture. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Between the processes of strengthening and weakening of the Family Health Strategy

This was a qualitative study with the purpose of designing a meta-model for the work process of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) team. It was based on the experience of six sample groups, composed of their members (physicians, professional nurses, dentists, dental assistants, licensed technical nurses and community health agents) in a city in São Paulo state, Brazil, totaling 54 subjects. Six theoretical models emerged from non-directive interviews. These were analyzed according to Grounded Theory and submitted to the meta-synthesis strategy, which produced the meta-model between the processes of strengthening and weakening of the FHS model: professional-team-community reciprocity as an intervening component. When analyzed in light of the Theory of Complexity (TC), it showed to be a work with a vertical and authoritarian tendency, which is largely hegemonic in the tradition of public health care policies.

Comparative analysis of the male reproductive accessory glands of bat species from the five Brazilian subfamilies of the family Phyllostomidae (Chiroptera)

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

Comparative analysis of the male reproductive accessory glands of bat species from the five brazilian subfamilies of the family phyllostomidae (Chiroptera)

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

Insecticidal potential of the annonaceae family plants

The use of plants compounds for the control of insects has increased worldwide. This occurs because the vegetal insecticides contains biodegradable compounds, nontoxic products and potentially suitable for use in pest control. Plants of the family Annonaceae are standing out as biopesticides because they are bioactive naturally in addition to presenting cytotoxic activity, antitumor, vermifuge, antimicrobial, immunosuppressive, anti-emetic, inhibiting appetite, antimalarial and also insecticide. The insecticidal activity of Annonaceae is due to the presence of acetogenins, substances that act on mitochondria inhibiting the NADH -ubiquinone oxidoreductase, causing the death of insects. In this review we report the use of Annonaceae in insect control, showing that so far, only 42 species of Annonaceae have information insecticidal activity against just over 60 species of insect pests. This information shows that much research is still needed, especially to get to know the insecticidal activity of other Annonaceae species, in addition to its effects on insect pests not yet studied. So we will have as an alternative to sustainable development, new vegetal insecticides such as those obtained from different Annonaceae species, which can act as an additional tool to balance the excesses of agriculture chemical or conventional.

Trends in the karyotypic evolution of the Neotropical catfish family Heptapteridae Bockmann 1998 (Teleostei: Siluriformes)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)