Phylogeny of Thylamys (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) species, with special reference to Thylamys karimii

The genus Thylamys Gray, 1843 lives in the central and southern portions of South America inhabiting open and shrub-like vegetation, from prairies to dry forest habitats in contrast to the preference of other Didelphidae genera for more mesic environments. Thylamys is a speciose genus including T. elegans (Waterhouse, 1839), T. macrurus (Olfers, 1818), T. pallidior (Thomas, 1902), T. pusillus (Desmarest, 1804), T. venustus (Thomas, 1902), T. sponsorius (Thomas, 1921), T. cinderella (Thomas, 1902), T. tatei (Handley, 1957), T. karimii (Petter, 1968), and T. velutinus (Wagner, 1842) species. Previous phylogenetic analyses in this genus did not include the Brazilian species T. karimii, which is widely distributed in this country. In this study, phylogenetic analyses were performed to establish the relationships among the Brazilian T. karimii and all other previously analyzed species. We used 402-bp fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and the phylogeny estimates were conducted employing maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML), Bayesian (BY), and neighbor-joining (NJ). The topologies of the trees obtained in the different analyses were all similar and pointed out that T. karimii is the sister taxon of a group constituted of taxa from dry and arid environments named the dryland species. The dryland species consists of T. pusillus, T. pallidior, T. tatei, and T. elegans. The results of this work suggest five species groups in Thylamys. In one of them, T. velutinus and T. kariimi could constitute a sister group forming one Thylamys clade that colonized Brazil.

New Host, geographical record and a synonym for Phyllodistomum Spatula Odhner, 1902 (Trematoda, Gorgoderidae)

In the present note Phyllodistomum spatula Odhner, 1902 is recorded for the first time from Brazil and in a New host Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1818) (Pisces, serrasalmidae), and Plyllodistomum spatulaeforme Odhner, 1902 is considered its synonym.

Sobre uma nova espécie neotrópica do gênero Djalmabatista Fittkau, 1968 (Diptera, Chironomidae)

A new non-biting midge for the genus Djalmabatista Fittkau, 1968 (Tanipodinae, Chironomidae) from Brazil is described.

Report of Didymocystis wedli Ariola, 1902 (Digenea; Didymozoidae) from Thunnus albacares in Brazil

Didymocystis wedli a parasite from the gills of Thunnus albacares from the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, is described by use of light and scanning electron microscopy. This is the first report of this species in Brazil and South America. New data are presented on the surface topography as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy.

Spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in Didymocystis wedli Ariola, 1902 (Didymozoidae, Digenea)

The ultrastructure of the male reproductive system of Didymocystis wedli was studied for the first time, demonstrating spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis at different cell stages. The spermatozoa morphology was compared with that of other Digenea species. It was observed that the different cells of the spermatogenesis process follow the classic pattern reported for the majority of the parasitic platyhelminthes. During spermiogenesis, rootlet fibers, electrondense bodies and median cytoplasmic process were not observed. The mature spermatozoa of D. wedli were filiform, presenting nucleus, mitochondrion and two 9+1 axonemes, with a biflagellate distal extremity.

Pathology and first report of natural infections of the eye trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus Braun, 1902 (Digenea, Philophthalmidae) in a non-human mammalian host

The avian eye trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus Braun, 1902 is for the first time referred naturally occurring in a non-human mammalian host. Previously, natural infections with P. lachrymosus and other species of Philophthalmus have been occasionally reported from man, with few data on experimental infections of non-human mammals. Results presented here are related to the report of two cases of philophthalmosis due to natural infections of wild Brazilian capybaras, Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L., 1766 with P. lachrymosus and associated pathology. Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions as well as new morphometric data on the parasite are presented.

A new Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), possessing mitra-shaped oocysts, from the Neotropical chelid turtle Batrachemys heliostemma (Testudines: Chelidae), and its comparison with Eimeria mitraria (Laveran & Mesnil 1902)

Eimeria jirkamoraveci sp. n. is described from faeces of two specimens of the toad-headed, side-necked turtle Batrachemys heliostemma collected at Iquitos in Peru. Oocysts are ovoid to almost spherical, 10.6 (8-12) × 8.9 (7-10) mum, without micropyle, polar granule and oocyst residuum. One conically stretched end and three blunt conical tubercles at the opposite end of oocyst give it mitra-like appearance. Sporocysts are elongated, ellipsoidal, 7.2 (6-8) × 4.1 (4-4.5) mum, with a small, knob-like Stieda body and sporocyst residuum composed of fine granules. To avoid possible conspecificity, the described new species is thoroughly compared with the most similar coccidium, E. mitraria, collected from its type host, Chinemys reevesii.

Revisão do gênero Paramecocephala Benvegnú, 1968 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

Revision of the genus Paramecocephala Benvegnú, 1968 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae). The Neotropical genus Paramecocephala Benvegnú, 1968 is revised based on morphological characters, particularly of the genitalia of both sexes. Formerly monobasic with P. foveata Benvegnú, 1968, type species, the genus received two species recently transferred from Mecocephala Dallas, 1851: M. fusca Haglund, 1868 and M. uruguayensis Pirán, 1970. Five new species are herein described: P. australis Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov., P. bachmanni Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov., P. bergrothi Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov., P. guianensis Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov. and P. subsolana Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov. Illustrations of the genitalia, a key to the species and a distribution map are provided.

A phylogenetic study of the subtribe Dicrepidiina (Elateridae, Elaterinae, Ampedini)

It is presented a cladistic analysis of the Dicrepidiina aiming to test the monophyletism of the subtribe and to establish the relationships among the genera. The subtribe is composed by 36 genera and all of them, except Asebis, Lamononia, Neopsephus, Semiotopsis and Spilomorphus were included in the analysis. Fifty two species, especially the type-species of each genus were studied: Achrestus flavocinctus (Candèze, 1859), A. venustus Champion, 1895, Adiaphorus gracilis Schwarz, 1901, A. ponticerianus Candèze, 1859, Anoplischiopsis bivittatus Champion, 1895, Anoplischius bicarinatus Candèze, 1859, A. conicus Candèze, 1900, A. haematopus Candèze, 1859, A. pyronotus Candèze, 1859, Atractosomus flavescens (Germar, 1839), Blauta cribraria (Germar, 1844), Calopsephus apicalis (Schwarz, 1903), Catalamprus angustus (Fleutiaux, 1902), Crepidius flabellifer (Erichson, 1847), C. resectus Candèze, 1859, Cyathodera auripilosus Costa, 1968, C. lanugicollis (Candèze, 1859), C. longicornis Blanchard, 1843, Dayakus angularis Candèze, 1893, Dicrepidius ramicornis (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805), Dipropus brasilianus (Germar, 1824), D. factuellus Candèze, 1859, D. laticollis (Eschscholtz, 1829), D. pinguis (Candèze, 1859), D. schwarzi (Becker, 1961), Elius birmanicus Candèze, 1893, E. dilatatus Candèze, 1878, Heterocrepidius gilvellus Candèze, 1859, H. ventralis Guérin-Méneville, 1838, Lampropsephus cyaneus (Candèze, 1878), Loboederus appendiculatus (Perty, 1830), Olophoeus gibbus Candèze, 1859, Ovipalpus pubescens Solier, 1851, Pantolamprus ligneus Candèze, 1896, P. mirabilis Candèze, 1896, P. perpulcher Westwood, 1842, Paraloboderus glaber Golbach, 1990, Proloboderus crassipes Fleutiaux, 1912, Propsephus beniensis (Candèze, 1859), P. cavifrons (Erichson, 1843), Pseudolophoeus guineensis (Candèze, 1881), Rhinopsephus apicalis (Schwarz, 1903), Sephilus formosanus Schwarz, 1912, S. frontalis Candèze, 1878, Singhalenus gibbus Candèze, 1892, S. taprobanicus Candèze, 1859, Sphenomerus antennalis Candèze, 1859, S. brunneus Candèze, 1865, Spilus atractomorphus Candèze, 1859, S. nitidus Candèze, 1859, Stenocrepidius simonii Fleutiaux, 1891 and Trielasmus varians Blanchard, 1846. Chalcolepidius zonatus (Hemirhipini, Agrypninae), Ctenicera silvatica (Prosternini, Prosterninae), and species of the other subtribes of Ampedini (Elaterinae): Ampedus sanguineus (Ampedina), Melanotus spernendus (Melanotina) and Anchastus digittatus and Physorhinus xanthocephalus (Physorhinina) were used as outgroups. The results of the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Dicrepidiina, as formerly defined, does not form a monophyletic group. One genus, represented by Ovipalpus pubescens, was removed from the subtribe. The subtribe is characterized by presence of lamella under 2nd and 3rd tarsomeres of all legs. Also, it was revealed that the genera Achrestus, Anoplischius, Dipropus and Propsephus are not monophyletic. Due to the scarcity of information, all the studied species are redescribed and illustrated.

Entre a batuta e o tubo de ensaio: a carreira admirável de Alexandre Borodin

Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) is a singularity in the history of science. Whereas other scientists may have kept lifelong interests in some artistic field, he was unique in pursuing with great success two parallel careers in both chemistry and music, managing to excell in both to the end of his life. Although he considered himself primarily a chemist, present-day appreciation of his powerful music has greatly surpassed interest for his chemistry. This article treats the life and the unusual double career of the Russian chemist-musician.

O químico e naturalista luso-brasileiro Alexandre Antonio Vandelli

Alexandre Vandelli was the heir of two illustrious scientific traditions in the Luso-Brazilian world of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, that of his father, the celebrated Italian-Portuguese naturalist and chemist Domingos (Domenico) Vandelli, and that of his father-in-law, that protean figure in several scientific specialties as well as in politics, José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, who in later life was of paramount importance in the process of Brazilian independence from Portugal. The younger Vandelli followed their footsteps but soon engaged in a multiple career, at first in Portugal and later in Brazil, of which little is known and is here presented for the first time.

Achados de necropsia relacionados com a morte de 335 eqüinos: 1968-2007

Os protocolos de necropsia de 335 eqüinos necropsiados no LPV-UFSM entre 1968-2007 foram revisados com o objetivo de determinar os achados de necropsia relacionados com a causa da morte ou razão de eutanásia. A distribuição desses achados de acordo com os sistemas afetados foi a seguinte: digestivo (79/335 [23,6%]), músculo-esquelético (47/335 ([14,0%]), nervoso (37/335 [11,0%]), respiratório (35/335 [10,4%]), tegumentar (31/335 [9,3%]), hematopoético (24/335 [7,2%]), cardiovascular (13/335 [3,9%]), reprodutor (12/335 [3,5%]), urinário (7/335 [2,1%]) e endócrino (3/335 [0,9%]). Não foi possível determinar a causa da morte em 47 (14,0%) eqüinos necropsiados. As principais afecções do sistema digestivo foram as alterações na posição dos intestinos (17/79 [21,5%]), seguidas pelas obstruções e impactações (14/79 [17,7%]). As torções foram as principais alterações da posição dos intestinos (14/17 [82,4%]). Dentre as torções, as mais prevalentes foram as localizadas no intestino delgado (7/14 [50%]). A maioria dos eqüinos que morreram em razão de fratura óssea tinham idades entre 1-5 anos. As duas doenças mais freqüentemente diagnosticadas no sistema nervoso foram leucoencefalomalacia e tripanossomíase. Depressão respiratória causada por anestesia foi a principal causa de morte relacionada com o sistema respiratório. A anemia infecciosa eqüina foi a doença infecciosa mais diagnosticada e a principal razão para eutanásia observada neste estudo.