New histochemical and morphological findings in the female genital tract of Boophilus microplus (Acari, Ixodidae): an attempt toward the elucidation of fertilization in ticks

At present not only is the site of fertilization in ticks still unknown but it is also unclear as to how this mystery can be solved. Signs of fertilization can be observed throughout the female genital tract and these can be clues for the elucidation of the unsolved questions relating to ticks fertilization. In Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) the most important signs are the following: the final eversion of the acrosomal canal in females ready for oviposition; the presence of small tubules, resembling the subplasmalemal process of the spermatozoon between the oviduct cells; budding nuclei throughout the female genital tract; and the two Feulgen and DAPI positive areas in the oocyte at vitelogenesis. These morphological characteristics suggest that fertilization takes place in the internal cylinder which extends from the uterus to the ovary itself.

New records, and the first description of a female, for Psychoda simillima (Diptera, Psychodidae) in southern South America

Based onmale and female, Psychoda simillima Tonnoir, 1929 is redescribed, with a discussion of generic and subgeneric classifications. This is the first record for Chile as well as the first description of a female for this species.

Correlation of male genital filaments and female spermathecal ducts in New World sand flies of the Lutzomyia intermedia species complex (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)

The lengths of the male genital filaments and female spermathecal ducts were measured in phlebotomine sand flies of the Lutzomyia intermedia species complex and the ratios between these characters calculated. Ratios for L. intermedia s. s. from Northeast vs Southeast Brazil (Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais), Espírito Santo/Minas Gerais vs Rio de Janeiro/São Paulo and L. intermedia vs L. neivai were significantly different at P < 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 respectively when compared using ANOVA. The spermathecal ducts and genital filaments of L. intermedia were significantly longer than those of L. neivai (P < 0.01) and could be used to differentiate these species. The taxonomic and biological significance of these differences is discussed.

Description of two new species of Marilia Müller (Trichoptera, Odontoceridae) from southeastern Brazil, including the description of the female of Marilia major Müller

Two new species of Marilia Müller (Odontoceridae), M. aiuruoca sp. nov. and M. huamantincoae sp. nov., are described and figured from Itatiaia massif, Mantiqueira mountain range, southeastern Brazil. The female of M. major Müller, 1880 is described and the species is recorded for the first time from Rio de Janeiro state.

Description of the female of Ctenodontina nairae Vieira (Diptera, Asilidae, Asilinae), with new distribution records

Description of the female of Ctenodontina nairae Vieira (Diptera, Asilidae, Asilinae), with new distribution records. The female of Ctenodontina nairae Vieira, 2012 is described for the first time. Description and illustrations of the habitus, wing and terminalia of the female are provided. The distribution is extended to Bolivia and Peru.

Capture of Triatoma arthurneivai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) using a new luminous trap in Southeast Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Triatomine bug captures in the wild are laborious and time-consuming. Some traps may assist in this task. We report a new trap design and the capture of a specimen of a triatomine rarely found. METHODS: Two luminous traps were installed in the city of Diamantina, State of Minas Gerais, and surveyed weekly for a year. RESULTS: A Triatoma arthurneivai female and other triatomine bugs were caught. CONCLUSIONS: A new trap design may be used in triatomine bugs field captures, mainly in low density areas. We assume the center of endemism of Triatoma arthurneivai is the Espinhaço Mountain range.

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).

A new proposal to guide velocity and inclination in the ramp protocol for the treadmill ergometer

OBJECTIVE: To suggest criteria to guide protocol prescription in ramp treadmill testing, according to sex and age, based on velocity, inclination, and max VO2 reached by the population studied. METHODS: Prospective study describing heart rate (HR), time, velocity, inclination, and VO2 estimated at maximum effort of 1840 individuals from 4 to 79 years old, who performed a treadmill test (TT) according to the ramp protocol. A paired Student t test was used to assess the difference between predicted and reached max VO2, calculated according to the formulas of the "American College of Sports Medicine". RESULTS: Submaximal HR was surpassed in 90.1% of the examinations, with a mean time of 10.0±2.0 minute. Initial and peak inclination velocity of the exercise and max VO2 were inversely proportional to age and were greater in male patients. Predicted Max VO2 was significantly lower than that reached in all patients, except for female children and adolescents (age < 20 years old). CONCLUSION: Use of velocity, inclination, and maximum VO2 actually reached, as a criterion in prescribing the ramp protocol may help in the performance of exercise in treadmill testing. The ramp protocol was well accepted in all age groups and sexes with exercise time within the programmed 8 to 12 minutes.

New Brazilian spider mites (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Seven species of spider mites namely, Tetranyohus (T.) paschoali Paschoal, 1970, Tetranyohus (T.) esoolastioae Paschoal, 1970, Tetranyohus (T.) zamithi Paschoal, 1970, Oligonyohus (0.) anonae Paschoal, 1970, Mononyohus bondari Paschoal, 1970, Mononyohus ohemosetosus Paschoal, 1970, and Allonyohus reisi Paschoal, 1970, are described. The male allotype of Allonychus braziliensis (McGregor, 1950) is described and the female redescribed. These species were described as new in a thesis submited to Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Brazil, on June 13, 1970.

Five new Brazilian species of the genus Trybliophorus (Orthoptera, Romaleidae)

The new species Trybliophorus amazonicus, T. nigrus, T. rubricerus, T. olivaceus and T. paraensis from Amazonian region are described. Illustrations of male and female genitalia, as well as a map showing the geographical distribution of the species are included.

A new species of Schizomyia (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Asphondyliini) associated with Tetrapterys phlomoides (Malpighiaceae)

Schizomyia maricaensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on the pupa, male, female, and gall. This species induces rosette galls on Tetrapterys phlomoides (Malpighiaceae).

Culicoides huaynacapaci, a new species from the Department of Cajamarca, Peru (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)

A new species of Culicoides of the subgenus Mataemyia Vargas, Culicoides huaynacapaci Felippe-Bauer, is described and illustrated based on female and male specimens collected biting humans in Department of Cajamarca, in Peruvian Amazonia. The new species is compared with its similar congener C. albuquerquei Wirth & Blanton.

Downeshela oliveirai, a new neotropical predaceous midge from northern Brazil (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)

A new species of Downeshelea Wirth & Grogan, 1988, D. oliveirai, is described and illustrated based on male and female characteristics. The specimens were collected in Rondônia and Pará states, northern Brazil.

On Munduruku, a new Theraphosid genus from Oriental Amazonia (Araneae, Mygalomorphae)

Munduruku gen. nov. is proposed for the type species Munduruku bicoloratum sp. nov., from Juruti and Santarém, Pará, Brazil. The main diagnostic character of Munduruku gen. nov. is the presence of a subapical, lanceolate keel on the male palpal bulb, which is unique among the basal taxa of Theraphosinae with type III-IV urticating setae. The female spermathecae consist of two spheroid receptacles with funnel-shaped necks, each of which bears a sclerotized area. In both sexes, the abdomen is remarkably patterned, an uncommon feature in adults of New World theraphosids. Both the bulbus lanceolate keel and the abdominal color pattern are hypothesized as synapomorphies of the genus.

New species of Lopesia (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) associated with Eichhornia azurea (Pontederiaceae) from Brazil

A new species of gall midge, Lopesia eichhorniae sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera), associated with rhizomes of Eichhornia azurea (Sw.) Kunth (Pontederiaceae) is described. This is the first record of Lopesia galls in this species of macrophyte, quite common in natural and artificial lakes in Southeast Brazil. Illustrations of the adults (male and female), pupa, larva, and gall of the new species are presented.