The parasitism of Ixodes luciae (Acari: Ixodidae) on marsupials and rodents in Peruvian Amazon

In this work the infestation with I. luciae on Didelphimorphia and Rodentia in different environments of Peruvian Amazon was studied. Didelphimorphia was represented by the family Didelphidae. Specimens belonging to Caluromys lanatus, Didelphis marsupialis, Marmosops sp.2, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Philander andersoni and Philander opossum were infested with adults I. luciae and one Micoureus sp. was infested with larvae. In Rodentia, the infestation with I. luciae nymphs was restricted to Hylaeamys perenensis, Hylaeamys yunganus and Oligoryzomys microtis, while one Oecomys bicolor (all Cricetidae) was infested with larvae of this species. The few larvae were found on rodents captured in primary forest. The only significant difference (P < 0.05) in prevalence of adult ticks on Didelphimorphia was between P. andersoni and M. nudicaudatus (chi-square distribution). Adult tick distribution was significant different in P. andersoni in comparison with M. nudicaudatus, P. opossum and D. marsupialis (Kruskal-Wallis test). No significant effect of month or environment was detected in relation to adult tick infestation on Didelphimorphia. The prevalence of nymphal infestation as well as tick distribution showed that H. perenensis and H. yunganus were significantly more prone to be infested with nymphs of I. luciae than O. microtis. Prevalence of nymph infestation was higher in primary and secondary forest than rural areas while abundance was higher in secondary forest when compared with rural areas (P < 0.05). Kruskal-Wallis test showed differences (P < 0.05) for nymphal infestation during December in relation to January, March, April and June. The natural cycle of I. luciae appeared to be continuous, bound to adult tick infestation on Philander and nymphal infestation on Hylaeamys in forested environs.

Mycotoxin contamination of Maize and Guinea corn from markets in Plateau State, Nigeria

Maize (Zea mays) and guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) are major food items in Plateau state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the markets and store/warehouses used for this study; sample collection employed a simple random sampling method from different sampling points within designated areas. A total of 18 representative samples were collected and analyzed for the following mycotoxins: aflatoxins (Aflatoxin B1 - AFB1, Aflatoxin B2 - AFB2, Aflatoxin G1 - AFG1 and Aflatoxin G2 - AFG2), fumonisins (Fumonisin B1 - FB1 and Fumonisin B2 - FB2 ) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Out of 12 samples analyzed for Aflatoxins, AFB1 was detected in 5, AFB2 in 1, AFG1 in 1 and AFG2 in 6 samples respectively. The highest concentration of AFB1 and AFG2 were found in maize samples from Pankshin market. Only maize samples from Mangu market were contaminated with AFB2 and also harboured the lowest concentration of AFG2. AFG1 contamination occurred in only guinea corn from Shendam market. and FB1 was detected in all 18 samples analyzed. The mycotoxin CPA was not detected in any of the samples. Aflatoxins levels in analyzed samples were regarded as safe based on Nigerian and European Union maximum permissible levels of 4g/kg. With the exception of two samples, FB1 levels in analyzed maize samples were within European Union maximum permissible levels of 1,000 to 3000g/kg. The health and food safety implications of these results for the human and animal population are further discussed.

Seleção de variedades de soja (Glycine Max (L.) Merril ): I. Analises Bromatológicas

O presente trabalho foi realizado com o fito de estabelecer uma seleção prévia entre 32 variedaeds de soja (Glycine max. (L.) Merril), com base nas análises bromatológicas das sementes. Foram determinados teores de umidade (U), cinzas (RM), proteína bruta (PB), gordura bruta ou extrato etéreo (EE), fibra bruta (F) e extrativo não nitrogenado (ENN). As análises da variância permitem tirar as seguintes conclusões: 1) Entre as variedades classificadas no grupo forrageiro e comestível, tem-se: Mandarin 8a (40,16% PB), Bicolor de Calai (39,64% PB) e Aliança (38,70% PB). 2) De acordo com a classificação estabelecida, para o grupo produtor de óleo, as variedades Lee, Hood, Lincoln (Blanco) Improved Pelican (2), Lincoln (Morado) e Improved Pelican (1), se destacam com 21,76, 21,65, 21,62, 21,35, 21,13 e 21,04% de EE respectivamente. 3) As variedades que apresentaram menor percentagem de fibra são: Hernónjn.0 107, Hood, Mogiana, Hill e Selection n.° 135, com 9,59; 9,62; 9,68; 10,02 e 10,12% F respectivamente. 4) Encontrou-se uma correlação positiva entre o teor de proteína bruta e o de cinzas.

Organization of the cysts in bee (Hymenoptera, Apidae) testis: number of spermatozoa per cyst

The morphology of the cyst cells in Apis mellifera Linné, 1758, Scaptotrigona postica Latreille, 1804, and Melipona bicolor bicolor Lepeletier, 1836 testis, as well as the average number of spermatic cells are reported. The data indicates a supporting and nourrishing role of the cyst cells to the developing cystocytes. The counts of immature spermatozoa in the cysts show an average of 202.8 ± 21.2 spermatozoa for A. mellifera, 117.4 ± 8.68 for S. postica and 88.8 ± 15.57 for M. bicolor, which predict the occurrence of 8 mitotic cycles in the cystocytes of A. mellifera and 7 in the meliponines, considering that only one spermatozoom originates of each final spermatogonium.

Distribuição geográfica de pequenos mamíferos não voadores nas bacias dos rios Araguaia e Paraná, região centro-sul do Brasil

Realizaram-se amostragens de pequenos mamíferos em duas bacias hidrográficas do Brasil central pertencentes aos rios Araguaia e Paraná com intuito de descrever a composição de espécies de pequenos mamíferos de hábito florestal e comparar suas distribuições geográficas. Quatorze pontos de coleta foram amostrados, subdivididos em oito na bacia do Rio Paraná e seis na bacia do Rio Araguaia. Foram registradas 20 espécies de pequenos mamíferos na região (oito de marsupiais e 12 de roedores), sendo 16 delas por meio de armadilhas metálicas (5.253 armadilhas-noite) e oito delas por meio de armadilhas de queda (224 baldes-noite), totalizando 161 capturas de 139 indivíduos. A bacia do Rio Paraná apresentou 16 espécies (armadilhas-noite: 3.115; baldes-noite: 104) e a bacia do Araguaia apresentou 11 espécies (armadilhas-noite: 2.138; baldes-noite: 120), sendo que as riquezas foram similares quando aplicado o método da rarefação. Das 20 espécies registradas, sete (35%) ocorreram em ambas as bacias. Apesar da elevada riqueza de espécies amostrada, destacou-se a elevada abundância do marsupial Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840. As espécies de marsupiais amostradas foram D. albiventris, Caluromys philander (Linnaeus, 1758), Cryptonanus cf. agricolai Voss, Lunde & Jansa, 2005, Gracilinanus agilis (Burmeister, 1854), G. microtarsus (Wagner, 1842), Lutreolina crassicaudata (Desmarest, 1804), Marmosa murina (Linnaeus, 1758), e Philander opossum (Linnaeus, 1758). As espécies de roedores amostradas foram Akodon gr. cursor, Calomys tener (Winge, 1887), Nectomys rattus (Pelzen, 1883), N. squamipes (Brants, 1827), Oecomys bicolor (Tomes, 1860), Oryzomys maracajuensis Langguth & Bonvicino, 2002, Oryzomys cf. marinhus, O. megacephalus (Fischer, 1814), Oligoryzomys fornesi (Massoia, 1973), Oligoryzomys sp., Proechimys longicaudatus (Rengger, 1830) e P. roberti (Thomas, 1901). A ampliação da distribuição de algumas espécies é discutida, assim como aspectos biogeográficos. A Serra dos Caiapós pode ter sido uma barreira geográfica para algumas espécies de pequenos mamíferos em face da retração e expansão das florestas ocorridas no passado.

Temporal and spatial variation of rocky shores intertidal benthic communities in Southeast Brazil

The relationships between environmental factors and temporal and spatial variations of benthic communities of three rocky shores of the state of Espírito Santo, Southeast Brazil, were studied. Sampling was conducted every three months, from August 2006 to May 2007, using intersection points. Chthamalus bisinuatus (Pilsbry, 1916) (Crustacea) and Brachidontes spp. (Mollusca) were the most abundant taxa, occupying the upper level of the intertidal zone of the rocky shore. The species richness was higher at the lower levels. The invasive species Isognomon bicolor (C. B. Adams, 1845) (Mollusca) occurred at low densities in the studied areas. The clustering analysis dendrogram indicated a separation of communities based on exposed and sheltered areas. According to the variance analyses, the communities were significantly different among the studied areas and seasons. The extent of wave exposure and shore slope influenced the species variability. The Setibão site showed the highest diversity and richness, most likely due to greater wave exposure. The communities showed greater variation in the lower levels where environmental conditions were less severe, relative to the other levels.

The Adolpho Lutz collection of Tabanidae: (Diptera): I. The described genera and species, condition of the collection, and selection of lectotypes

A study of the Adolpho Lutz Collection of Tabanidae at the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz and of additional Lutz material at the Instituto Butantan in São Paulo is reported. Of the ninety-four species of Tabanidae validly described by Lutz, type material of eighty-four was recognized, either holotypes, allotypes or syntypes. Lectotypes were selected from among syntype series or remaining specimens and all type material was labelled. Of the ten species of which no type material could be found, neotypes were designated in the case of two species, Erephosis nigricans and Erephosis pseudo-aurimaculata. Types of three species, Chrysops ecuadoriensis, Dichelacera salvadorensis and Esenbeckia nigricorpus are believed to have been in Hamburg and destroyed during the last war. Types of two species, Esenbeckia biscutellata and E. dubia, and additional type material of several others are believed to have been in Montevideo. A request for information about them remains unanswered. Types of the remaining three species, Dichelacera intermedia, Dichelacera laceriascia and Esenbeckia distinguenda could not be found, and it is believed that at least the type of the last species was accidentally destroyed. Three specific of subspecific names proposed by Lutz but palaced by others in synonymy have been revalidated, Acanthocera intermedia, Erephosis brevistria and Esenbeckia fenestrata. Generic placement of two names has been changed, Esenbeckia arcuata ricardoae to Proboscoides, and Selasoma giganteum to Stibasoma. Seven specific names proposed by Lutz appear to be synonyms of earlier names, as follows: Bombylopsis juxtaleonina Lutz and Castro, 1936 = B. leonina Lutz, 1909. Bombylopsis pseudoanalis Lutz, 1909 = B. erythronotata (Bigot, 1892). Esenbeckia fuscipennis var. flavescens Lutz, 1909 = Esenbeckia fuscipennis Wied., 1828. Fidena chrysopyga Lutz and Castro, 1936 = F. atra Lutz and Castro, 1936. Laphriomyia longipalpis Lutz and Castro, 1937 = L. mirabilis Lutz, 1911. Stibasoma semiflavum Lutz, 1915 = St. bicolor Bigot, 1892. Tabanus hesperus Lutz, 1912 = Chlorotabanus (Cryptolylus) innotescens (Walker, 1854). Four Lutz names appear to antedate names proposed by others, viz.: Diachlorus angustifrons Kröber, 1930 and D. ochraceus Kröb., 1928 not Macquart, 1850 = Diachlorus fuscistigma Lutz, 1913. Psalidia fairchildi Barretto, 1950 = dicladocera conspicua Lutz and Neiva, 1914. Fidena pseudo-fulvithorax Kröb., 1931 = Erephopsis flavicrinis Lutz, 1909. Esenbeckia lemniscata Enderlein, 1925 = Esenbeckia clari Lutz, 1909. Some comments on Lutz' system of classification are given together with notes on the genotypes and included species of his genera as revaled by his collection and notes.

Presença do Plasmodium brasilianum em macacos capturados na área de enchimento do reservatório da usina hidrelétrica de Tucuruí, Pará

Examinando-se o sangue de 2.046 primatas capturados durante a "Operação Curupira" encontraram-se plasmódios semelhantes ao Plasmodium brasilianum em sete espécies ou subespécies: Alouatta belzebul belzebul, Alouatta belzebul nigerrima, Alouatta seniculus, Chiropotes satanas, Callicebus moloch, Saimiri sciureus e Saguinus midas niger. Esta última espécie havia sido ainda encontrada naturalmente parasitada por plasmódios.

Ecology of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a restricted focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis en Northern Venezuela: I. Description of the study area, catching methods and species composition

A study on the ecology of phlebotomine sandfly fauna in a restricted focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northern Venezuela was undertaken in order to investigate the species responsible for the transmission. The study area and catching methods for phlebotomine sandflies are described. A total of 9,061 females and 1,662 males were collected during a year-term study. 12 species of Lutzomya and 1 species of Brumptomya sp. were identified. Absolute and relative abundance and ocurrence for each species were determined. The rel ative occurrence allowed to distinguish the common species, viz. L. panamensis, L. ovallesi, L. gomezi, L. tinidadensis, L. atroclavata, L. cayennensis, L. shannoni and L. olmeca bicolor from the rare species vis., L. punctigeniculata, L. rangeliana, L. evansi and L. dubitans. General comments on the species composition of the sandfly fauna in this locality are made.

Ecology of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a restricted focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northern Venezuela: II. Species composition in relation to habitat, catching method and hour of catching

The ecology of phlebotomine sandflies in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northern Venezuela (San Esteban, Carabobo State) was investigated through a year-term study. Three different habitats: viz. a house, a pridomestic area and a sylvatic area, were covered and the species composition, the abundance and occurrence of each species were analyzed in relation to the habitats, catching methods and hour of catching. L. panamensis, L. gomezi and L. ovallesi are the species which bite man, although almost exclusively at night. All of them hide by day and are common in the sylvatic area. Moreover, L. panamensis and L. gomezi successfully approach the house and seem to settle in the peridomestic area. L. shannoni and L. olmeca bicolor also approach and accidentally bite man. L. trinidadensis, L. atroclavata and L. cayennensis are the common non-antrhopophilic species in the area.

Ecology of sandflies Diptera: Psychodidae) in a restricted focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northern Venezuela: IV. Sandfly monthly fluctuation and leishmaniasis incidence relationship

An attempt has been made to correlate the monthly incidence of human leishmaniasis with the temporal distribution of sandfly species at San Esteban, Northern Venezuela. Upon statistical analysis, the seasonal fluctuation of L. ovallesi population correlated strongly with the human disease, while the dynamics of L. panamensis, generally believed to be the vector in the Central area of the country, showed only a very weak correlation. These findings support the hypothesis that L. panamensis might not be the main or unique species responsible for the transmission in this area and that L. ovallesi and additionally L. olmeca bicolor might be involved in the epidemiology of the disease.

Anthropogenic influence on the distribution, abundance and diversity of sandfly species (Diptera: Phlebotominae: Psychodidae), vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Panama

In Panama, species of the genus Lutzomyia are vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). There is no recent ecological information that may be used to develop tools for the control of this disease. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine the composition, distribution and diversity of Lutzomyia species that serve as vectors of ACL. Sandfly sampling was conducted in forests, fragmented forests and rural environments, in locations with records of ACL. Lutzomyia gomezi, Lutzomyia panamensis and Lutzomyia trapidoi were the most widely distributed and prevalent species. Analysis of each sampling point showed that the species abundance and diversity were greatest at points located in the fragmented forest landscape. However, when the samples were grouped according to the landscape characteristics of the locations, there was a greater diversity of species in the rural environment locations. The Kruskal Wallis analysis of species abundance found that Lu. gomezi and Lu. trapidoi were associated with fragmented environments, while Lu. panamensis, Lutzomyia olmeca bicolor and Lutzomyia ylephiletor were associated with forested environments. Therefore, we suggest that human activity influences the distribution, composition and diversity of the vector species responsible for leishmaniasis in Panama.

Estudo taxonômico de Leschenaultia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae)

Taxonomic study of Leschenaultia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae). The genus Leschenaultia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is redescribed. Two genera are considered as its junior synonyms: Echinomasicera Townsend, 1915 syn. nov. and Parachaetopsis Blanchard, 1959 syn. nov. Thirty two especies are treated, as follows: 18 described as new, Leschenaultia aldrichi, sp. nov. (Brazil, Santa Catarina), L. arnaudi sp. nov. (Haiti, La Salle), L. bergenstammi sp. nov. (Peru, San Martin), L. bessi sp. nov. (Brazil, Santa Catarina), L. bigoti sp. nov. (Peru, Huanuco), L. blanchardi sp. nov. (Equador, Cuenca), L. braueri sp. nov. (Brazil, Mato Grosso), L. brooksi sp. nov. (Brazil, Rio de Janeiro), L. coquilletti sp. nov. (Brazil, Santa Catarina); L. cortesi sp. nov. (Venezuela, Maracay), L. currani sp. nov. (Brazil, São Paulo), L. loewi sp. nov. (Mexico, Vera Cruz), L. macquarti sp. nov. (U. S. A., Arizona), L. reinhardi sp. nov. (Canada, Quebec), L. sabroskyi sp. nov. from (U. S. A., California), L. schineri sp. nov. (U. S. A., California), L. thompsoni sp. nov. (Mexico, Mexico City), L. townsendi sp. nov. (Mexico, Puebla), and 14 known species, for these, diagnoses are given: L. adusta (Loew, 1872); L. americana (Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1893); L. bicolor (Macquart, 1846) = L. fusca (Townsend, 1916) syn. nov.; = Parachaetopsis proseni Blanchard, 1959 syn. nov.; L. ciliata (Macquart, 1848); L. exul (Townsend, 1892); L. fulvipes (Bigot, 1887); L. grossa Brooks, 1947; L. halisidotae Brooks, 1947; L. hospita Reinhard, 1952; L. hystrix (Townsend, 1915) comb. nov., L. jurinioides (Townsend, 1895); L. leucophrys (Wiedemann, 1830) = Leschenaultia latifrons (Walker, 1852) syn. nov. = Parachaeta nigricalyptrata (Macquart, 1855) syn. nov.; L. montagna (Townsend, 1912); L. nuda Thompson, 1963. One species was not examined, Leschenaultia nigrisquamis (Townsend, 1892), and two were not recognized, L. trichopsis (Bigot, 1887) and L. hirta Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. Keys for Nearctic and Neotropical species (only for males) are provided, as well as geographical distribution and illustrations for each species.

Caracterização morfológica de adultos de Nusalala tessellata (Gerstaecker, 1888) (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae)

Morphologic characterization of adult of Nusalala tessellata (Gerstaecker, 1888) (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae). Adult of N. tessellata is redescribed based on morphological characters. 533 specimens were collected in São Paulo state in plantations of citrus (Santa Rosa de Viterbo), soybean (Nuporanga), cotton (Ribeirão Preto) and corn (Ribeirão Preto and Jaboticabal). Some other additional specimens collected on Sorghum bicolor (Lavras-MG) and Ilex paraguariensis (São Mateus do Sul, Cascavel-PR) were also studied. Illustrations obtained by SEM are given by first time.

Contribuição ao conhecimento dos Hemilophini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae), principalmente da Costa Rica

Novos registros: Sphallonycha irundisa Galileo & Martins, 2001 para o Ecuador; Hilaroleopsis icuapira Martins & Galileo, 1992, para a Costa Rica. Novos táxons descritos da Costa Rica: Apebusu gen. nov., espécie-tipo A. rubriventris sp. nov.; Esamirim gen. nov., espécie-tipo E. fasciatus sp. nov.; E. carinatus sp. nov.; Kuatinga gen. nov. espécie-tipo, K.. bicolor sp. nov.: Hilaroleopsis theurgus sp. nov.; Abanycha pectoralis sp. nov.; do Panamá: Esamirim divisus sp. nov. Nova combinação: Esamirim chionides (Bates,1885) comb. nov. (anteriormente em Adesmus). Chaves para gêneros de Hemilophini com garras tarsais internas reduzidas e para as espécies de Esamirim são fornecidas.