Revisão do gênero Seuratia Skrjabin, 1916 e redescrição da espécie Seuratia Shipleyi (Stossich, 1900) Skrjabin, 1916 (Nematoda, Spiruroidea)

Durante a terceira excursão realizada pela Seção de Helmintologia do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, à localidade de Arraial do Cabo, em Cabo Frio, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, em junho de 1963, tivemos a oportunidade de encontrar ao amanhecer do dia 22 um exemplar fêmea de Diomodea melanophris Temm. (Albatroz), pousado no chão, nas proximidades da praia, provàvelmente levado para lá pela forte ventania que ocorrera durante a noite. Ao necropsiarmos essa ave encontramos, localizados mo estômago, alguns nematódeos dos quais um macho e quatro fêmeas pertencentes ao gênero Seuratia Skrjabin, 1916 e devido à sua raridade nas costas brasileiras e ao achado dos parasitos, resolvemos efetuar o reestudo dêsses helmintos, descritos por Stossich, e rever o gênero proposto por Skrjabin.

Estudos sobre o comportamento dos planorbídeos: II - enterramento de Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) como meio de proteção contra a dessecação

Os a.a confirmaram em laboratório a ocorrência de enterramento no repertório comportamental de Biomphalaria glabrata. Verificaram que os indivíduos enterrados se recuperaram com maior rapidez, depois de um período de 20 dias de dessecação, do que os outros que permaneceram sobre o solo. Estudos mais detalhados a respeito são necessários para avaliar a importância epidemiológica desse comportamento.

Comportamento de Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) como critério de toxicidade em ensaios biológicos com moluscicidas

Visando à aplicação sistemática de parâmetros comportamentais como indicadores da ação tóxica de moluscicidas empregados no combate aos hospedeiros intermediários do Schistosoma mansoni, um procedimento para avaliação quantitativa do efeito de dose sobre o comprotamento de Biomphalaria glabrata foi desenvolvido, com base no paradigma recomendado pela O.M.S. para ensaios biológicos e envolvendo registro comportamental por cenematografia ocm lapso de tempo: caramujos com 5 7/8 ± 1/8 giros eram subemtidos a diferentes concentrações subletais de sulfato de cobre durante 24 horas e em seguida transferidos para recuperação em água destilada desionizada; a partir da análise dos registros foram computados (a) a freqüência total de subidas à superfície por indivíduo, (b) a frqüência total de saídas da água por indivíduo e (c) a proporção média de indivíduos no terço superior do recipiente de teste. O método Litchfield-Wilcoxon foi empregaod para determinação de índices de referência (denominados "concentrações de efieto comportamental de 50%" ou CEC50) em relação a cada parâmetro, e os valores obtidos - (a) 0,010, (b) 0,006 e (c) 0,029 ppm de cobre - não só evidenciaram a exeqüibilidade da aplicação sistemática de critérios comportamentais de toxidade, como se revelaram capazes de detectar o efieto tóxico do produto em concentrações muito infereiores às obtidas nas determinações convencionais de letalidade. Os dados também mostraram alterações na atividade dos caramujos em decorrência do ciclo de iluminação dia-noite. Embora o esclarecimento dos aspectos etológicos envolvidos no problema do controle químico do vetor dependa da análise das relações entre o indivíduo e seu ambiente natural, estudos de laboratório com mensurações acuradas de parâmetros relacionados a comportamentos de proteção podem fornecer subsídios relevantes a respeito.

Orientation to light of juvenile and adult forms of melanic and albino populations of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818)

The process of light orientation by the snail Biomphalaria glabrata was studied using the selection technique in a Y-shaped aquarium under vertical or horizontal lighting schemes. Snail behavior was measured on the basis of distance (cm) covered per hour, direction of locomotion, and localization of the animal in the aquarium. A comparison was made of the action of the light stimulus on young and adult animals of albino populations from Santa Luzia (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil) and of a melanic population from Touros (State of Rio Grande do Norte) studied in groups and separately. All groups studied were attracted to light. Analysis of the data suggests the exitence of two orientation mechanisms with respect to light in these animals, i.e. high photo-orthokinesia and positive phototaxis, which influence their motion in the environment. This evidence permitted us to discuss features of the distribution dynamics of these mollusks in the environment and their relationship with the larval phases of Schistosoma mansoni, for which they act as intermediated hosts.

Effects of Laurus nobilis (Lauraceae) on Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818)

Experiments were carried out using aqueous extracts from leaves and flowers of Laurus nobilis on Biomphalaria glabrata. Treatments were performed on blastula stage (± 15 h after first cleavage) and on adult snails (11-18 mm). In both instances they were exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of the extracts on snails (200 to 2500 ppm) and embryos (20 to 300 ppm) at 25 ± 1ºC. The embryos were observed for a period of 20 days after treatment and the snails for 10 days. Results obtained with leaf aqueous extracts have shown a degree of toxicity on embryos starting at a concentration of 125 ppm, the flower extract being effective at 35 ppm. The malformation obtained with the different concentrations falls into the unespecific type category, however some cephalic and shell malformations were found in embryos treated with concentrations over 50 ppm (leaves) and 25 ppm (flowers). The LD90 on adult snails obtained by treatments with flower and leaf extract was observed at concentrations of 340 ppm and 1900 ppm respectively.

Uma nova espécie de Punaphyto Townsend, 1916 (Diptera, Sarcophagidae)

Male and female of Punaphyto lopesi, a new species from Equador are described and illustrated.

Contribuição para o conhecimento do gênero Dimecoenia Cresson, 1916: V. Sobre uma espécie nova do Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Diptera: Ephydridae)

New species of several speciemens of several specimens from Rio de Janeiro county, caught on the Spinosa platensis microalgae breeding in the concret thanks is described.

Biphally in Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) (Pulmonata, Planorbidae)

We describe a biphallic specimen of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) from the municipality of Caeté, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The conformation of the two penial complexes, with a common genital pore on the left side. suggests that both have copulatory capacity. Based on a review of literature type of biphally appears to be reported for the first time in planorbids.

Effect of Niclosamide (Bayluscide WP 70 (R)), Anacardium occidentale hexane extract and Euphorbia splendens latex on behavior of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818), under laboratory conditions

The repellent effect of the molluscicides Niclosamide (Bayluscide WP 70 (R)), Anacardium occidentale and the latex of Euphorbia splendens on Biomphalaria glabrata was observed through the investigation of the occurrence of escape behavior among molluscs that were exposed to dosages lower than the LD 50. The total number of individuals out of water among the surviving snails in the control group provided a "Natural Escape Index". The comparison between this total and the total number of surviving snails in each group exposed to the different dosages of the molluscicides after 24 hr provided the "Molluscicide Escape Index" and the detection of a "Repellency Range" to these snails. The escape indexes for Niclosamide, A. occidentale and E. splendens were 10, 6.22 and 6.44 respectively. Repellency occurred at the following concentration ranges: 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 ppm Bayluscide, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 ppm A. occidentale and 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 ppm E. splendens. The Natural Escape Index obtained in the control group was zero.

Behavior of Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818 (Gastropoda: Planorbidae): I. Morphophysiology of the Mantle Cavity

Using longitudinal and transverse anatomical sections, we observed that the three cristae of the mantle of Biomphalaria glabrata (renal, rectal and dorsolateral cristae) divide the mantle cavity into three chambers which we designated air or pulmonary chamber, water inflow chamber and water outflow chamber. Using videotape filming, we observed the inflow and outflow of air and water into and from the mantle cavity and we related their probable functions such as flotation, oxygen reservoir and transport, excreta circulation and elimination, water skeleton, and modification of specific weight. To determine whether the air bubble may function as a physical gill in this species we submitted three groups of snails to different systems in which water contained the same level of dissolved oxygen whereas the gas phases were atmospheric air, pure nitrogen or pure oxygen. We observed the following parameters: time of permanence on the surface, time of immersion, and frequency at which the snails reached the surface. These results did not demonstrate a physical gill function; morphological analysis of the mantle cavity indicates this possibility

Physiological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata say, 1818 (Pulmonata: Planorbidae) caused by sub-lethal concentrations of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B (Euphorbiaceae)

Molluscides have been used as one of the strategies to control schistosomiasis. Many plant extracts with molluscidal effects have been tested, but the action of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii is considered the most promising because it meets the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective of this study was to determine the lethal dose and identify the effects of the different doses of latex of E. splendens var. hislopii on the physiology of Biomphalaria glabrata submitted to treatment for 24 h. The concentrations of glucose, uric acid and total proteins in the hemolymph and of glycogen in the digestive gland and cephalopodal mass were determined. The LD50 value was 1 mg/l. The highest escape index was found to be at a concentration of 0.6 mg/l. The results showed that the latex of E. splendens var. hislopii caused a sharp reduction in the reserves of glycogen in the digestive gland and elevation of the protein content in the hemolymph of B. glabrata.

Changes induced in Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) following trials for artificial stimulation of its internal defense system

Biomphalaria glabrata can react through different pathways to Schistosoma mansoni miracidium penetration, according to the degree of resistance/susceptibility presented by different snail strains, which is a genetically determined character, resistance being the dominant feature. However, it has been observed that previous susceptible snail strain may change its reactive behavior along the course of infection, exhibiting later a pattern of cercarial shedding and histopatopathological picture compatible with high resistance. Such observation suggests the possibility of B. glabrata to develop a sort of adaptative immunity face a schistosome infection. To explore on this aspect, the present investigation looked for the behavior of S. mansoni infection in B. glabrata previously subjected to different means of artificial stimulation of its internal defense system. Snails previously inoculated with irradiated miracídia (Group I); treated with S. mansoni antigens (Group II) or with a non-related parasite antigen (Group III) were challenged with 20 viable S. mansoni miracidia, and later looked for cercarial shedding and histopathologic changes at different times from exposition. Nodules of hemocyte accumulations were found at the site of antigen injection. These nodules resembled solid granulomas, and were larger and more frequent in snails injected with S. mansoni products as compared to those injected with Capillaria hepatica. However, the presence of such granulomas did not avoid the S. mansoni challenge infection from developing in a similar way as that seen in controls. The data are indicative that hemocytes are able to proliferate locally when stimulated, such capacity also remaining localized, not being shared by the population of hemocytes located elsewhere within the snail body.

Incidência natural e biologia de Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner, 1983 (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) em ovos de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner is an egg parasitoid of the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), and has recently been collected from eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner on soybeans. In order to evaluate the suitability of A. gemmatalis eggs as hosts of T. atopovirilia, field surveys were conducted in 1999 and 2000 on corn and soybeans, and a colony of the parasitoid was established in laboratory. At 25 ºC, development from oviposition to emergence lasted nine days and a sex-ratio of 0.58 (females:males) was obtained. Females lived significantly longer (11.4 days) when kept in ovipositional activity, than in the absence of host eggs (6.6 days). Total fecundity averaged 104.5 parasitized eggs, resulting in the emergence of 138.3 descendents. Mean daily fecundity was highest (30 eggs/female) on the first day. Oviposition continued until one day before the death of the females, however 70% of the eggs were laid during the first four days after emergence. A female-biased progeny was produced during the first three days of oviposition, whereas further ovipositions were male-biased. Females lived significantly longer when exposed to host eggs in comparison to females deprived of eggs. The results show that eggs of A. gemmatalis are suitable for the development of T. atopovirilia, and this parasitoid should be considered in future programs of biological control of the velvetbean caterpillar.