A new combination in Peristethium (Loranthaceae) expands the genus' range into the Amazon-Cerrado ecotone

The genus Peristethium, characterized by determinate inflorescences protected by deciduous bracts, occurs in the northwest of South America, as well as Costa Rica and Panama. The main objective of this paper was to transfer one species to what we believe is its correct generic placement in Peristethium, that likewise implies in a shift of the genus' distribution beyond the Amazon. A new combination, Peristethium reticulatum, is proposed, based on Struthanthus reticulatus, described from Tocantins in 1980. The sexual dimorphism of the inflorescences of P. reticulatum (sessile male flowers and pedicellate female flowers) associated with male inflorescences that are inserted at leafless nodes are unique within the genus. The male flowers have dimorphic stamens, well-developed anthers and a pistiloid, whilst female flowers have robust styles and stigmas, and much reduced staminodes. Peristethium reticulatum and P. polystachyum occurs in the Amazon regions of Brazil, with the former recorded also in the ecotone with the Central Brazilian savannas (Cerrados).

Nomenclatural notes in Membracidae (Homoptera): new combination and new synonymies in Amastris Stål, 1862

The following nomenclatural changes are made: Amastris convoluta (Fabricius, 1781) comb. nov. (formerly Darnis; Hebetica); Amastris maculata Funkhouser, 1922 = Amastris fasciata Broomfield, 1976 syn. nov. = Amastris pseudomaculata Broomfield, 1976 syn. nov. = Amastris inermis Broomfield, 1976 syn. nov. = Amastris sakakibarai Broomfield, 1976 syn. nov.; Amastris elevata Funkhouser, 1922 = Amastris vismiae Haviland, 1925 syn. nov. = Amastris flavifolia Funkhouser, 1927 syn. nov.

A new combination in Brachygasterina Macquart (Diptera, Muscidae)

A new combination is proposed: Brachygasterina valdiviensis (Pamplona & Couri, 2000) comb. nov., formerly in Palpibracus Rondani, 1863. Its affinities with a closely related species B. violaceiventris Macquart, 1851 are discussed.

Proteocephalidea from Amazonian Freshwater Fishes: New Systematic Arrangement for the Species Described by Woodland as ANTHOBOTHRIUM (Tetraphyllidea)

The, taxonomic status of the Brazilian species Anthobothrium pristis, A. piramutab, A. mandubé and A. karuatayi has been reappraised. A. pristis from an elasmobranch in the Amazon, is confirmed as a member of the tetraphyllidean genus Anthobothrium, but the others, from siluroid teleosts, are transferred to Proteocephalidea. A. piramutab is transferred to Proteocephalus as a new combination. Gibsoniela n.g. is erected in Zygobothriinae for A. mandubé and Brayela n.g. is erected in a new subfamily, Brayelainae for A. Karuatayi.

New synonymy and new species in neotropical chloropidae (Diptera)

An ephydrid, Hyadina porteri Brèthes, 1919, is found to be a senior synonym of Hippelates australis Sabrosky, 1955. New combination: Liohippelates porteri (Brèthes). Two new species, Pseudogaurax souzalopesi from Peru and P. silbergliedi from Panama are described and placed in the synopsis by Sabrosky (1966).

Three new species and synonymy in Nealcidion Monné (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)

Three new species of Nealcidion Monné are described: N. antennatum Monné & Monné sp. nov. from Panamá and N. albolineatum Monné & Monné sp. nov. and N. elegans Monné & Monné sp. nov., from Venezuela. Alcidion deletum Bates, 1880 is considered a synonym of Nealcidion strigilis (Erichson, 1847) comb. nov. The four species are illustrated.

New data on Marthiella Buffington (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae), with description of a new species

New data on Marthiella Buffington (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae), with description of a new species. A new species of Marthiella Buffington (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) from Brazil and Nicaragua is described and illustrated. Rhabdeucoela semirufa Kieffer is transferred to Marthiella and a new combination was established: Marthiella semirufa. A key for identifying species of Marthiella is provided in this study.

Amazonian Foliicolous Fungi III. A preliminary list of Ascomycotina, mostly Dothideales, sensu lato

This paper records 65 leaf-inhabiting sac fungi collected in Amazonas and Roraima during 1977-78 as part of Projeto Flora Amazônica. Lembosia miconiae (Ryan) Farr is a new combination.

Revisão do gênero Satipoella (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)

The genus Satipoella Lane, 1964 is revised and a new synonym is proposed, Icarai Galileo & Martins, 1998, with Satipoella. A new species, S. ochroma, is described from Amazonas, Brazil. New combination: Satipoella bufo (Thomson, 1864) from Icarai. The three species of Satipoella are illustrated and keyed.

Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) da Colômbia. VI. Lamiinae com unhas tarsais divaricadas ou bífidas

New taxa described from Colombia: Desmiphora (D.) tristis sp. nov. from Cundinamarca; Blabia longipennis sp. nov. from Nariño; Anhanga gen. nov., type species A. diabolica sp. nov. from Valle del Cauca; Exalphus vicinus sp. nov. from Santander; Necalphus maranduba sp. nov. from Amazonas; Paradesmus gen. nov., type species, P. iuba sp. nov. from Atlántico. New combination proposed: Padesmus brunneus (Aurivillius, 1923) from Adesmus. New records for nineteen species (Acanthoderini, Acanthocinini, Aerenicini, Desmiphorini, Hemilophini, Polyrhaphidini) of Colombian fauna are given.

Apedilum griseistriatum comb. nov., placement of Chironomus (Polypedilum) griseistriatum (Diptera, Chironomidae)

The study of the type material of Chironomus (Polypedilum) griseistriatum Edwards, 1931 described from Patagonia lead us to formally transfer the species to Apedilum Townes, 1945 as a new combination, and a reared specimen allows us to describe its pupa. Based on several larvae belonging to Apedilum collected in the proximity of the localities in which the adults and pupae were found, we tentatively describe the larval stage. Subfossil larval head capsules of the same species were found in Laguna Stibnite at 46°S in Chile dated to about 2,500 years ago and in Puerto Blest, Lago Nahuel Huapi at 41°S in Argentina dated about 2,000 years ago. We discuss the habitat of the species based on both modern and subfossil material. Identification keys to male adult, pupae and fourth instar larvae are also provided.

Helminths parasites of freshwater fishes from Pirassununga, SP, Brazil

Twelve species of parasitic helminths, seven trematodes, four nematodes and one acanthocephalan are reported from various hosts. Creptotrema lynchi, a parasite from Bufo marinus in Colombia, is described for the first time in fish and from Brazil, parasitizing two different species. A list of the host species, measurements and figures of most parasites are included with particular reference to the tegument of Bellumcorpus major recovered from a new host. The genus Zonocotyloides Padilha, 1978 is considered a synonym of Zonocotyle and the new combination: Zonocotyle haroltravassosi is proposed to the species Zonocotyloides haroltravassosi Padilha, 1978. The nematodes Cucullanus pinnai and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and the trematode Pararhipidocotyle jeffersoni are reported in new hosts. The description of the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus curemais (new locality record) is supplemented. Other parasites recovered include the nematodes Travnema travnema (new locality record), Rondonia rondoni and the digenetic trematodes Cladocystis intestinalis, Pseudosellacotyla lutzi (new locality record), Teratotrema sp. and Zonocotyle bicaecata.

Unabiara, um novo gênero de Heteropsini Lacordaire, 1869 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)

Unabiara, a new genus of Heteropsini Lacordaire, 1869 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). Unabiara gen. nov. is proposed to include Callideriphus collaris Philippi & Philippi, 1864 (type species); provisionally it is maintained in Heteropsini Lacordaire, 1869. Unabiara collaris (Philippi & Philippi, 1864) new combination, is redescribed and illustrated, including the mouth pieces, endosternites, wing venation and male and female terminalia.

Breeding, genetic and genomic of citrus for disease resistance

Although the citriculture is one of the most important economic activities in Brazil, it is based on a small number of varieties. This fact has contributed for the vulnerability of the culture regarding the phytosanitary problems. A higher number of varieties/genotypes with potential for commercial growing, either for the industry or fresh market, has been one of the main objectives of citrus breeding programs. The genetic breeding of citrus has improved, in the last decades, due to the possibility of an association between biotechnological tools and classical methods of breeding. The use of molecular markers for early selection of zygotic seedlings from controlled crosses resulted in the possibility of selection of a high number of new combination and, as a consequence, the establishment of a great number of hybrids in field experiments. The faster new tools are incorporated in the program, the faster is possibility to reach new genotypes that can be tested as a new variety. Good traits should be kept or incorporate, whereas bad traits have to be excluded or minimized in the new genotype. Scion and rootstock can not be considered separately, and graft compatibility, fruit quality and productivity are essential traits to be evaluated in the last stages of the program. The mapping of QTLs has favored breeding programs of several perennial species and in citrus it was possible to map several characteristics with qualitative and quantitative inheritance. The existence of linkage maps and QTLs already mapped, the development of EST and BAC library and the sequencing of the Citrus complete genome altogether make very demanding and urgent the exploration of such data to launch a wider genetic study of citrus. The rising of information on genome of several organisms has opened new approaches looking for integration between breeding, genetic and genome. Genome assisted selection (GAS) involves more than gene or complete genome sequencing and is becoming an import support in breeding programs of annual and perennial species. An huge information amount can be derivate from genome analysis. The use and benefit of such informations will depend on the genetic basis of the breeding program.

Uma espécie e uma combinação novas de Alchornea Sw. (Euphorbiaceae) da Bolívia

Uma nova espécie, Alchornea anamariae R. Secco, e uma nova combinação, A. pubescens (Britton) R. Secco, baseada em Conceveiba pubescens Britton, são propostas para a Bolívia. A primeira tem maior afinidade com A. bogotensis Pax & K. Hoffm. e a segunda com A. sidifolia Muell. Arg. São apresentadas descrições, ilustrações, comentários sobre relações taxonômicas e distribuição geográfica dessas espécies.