Importance of estimating matrix quality for modeling species distribution in complex tropical landscapes: a test with Atlantic forest small mammals

Information to guide decision making is especially urgent in human dominated landscapes in the tropics, where urban and agricultural frontiers are still expanding in an unplanned manner. Nevertheless, most studies that have investigated the influence of landscape structure on species distribution have not considered the heterogeneity of altered habitats of the matrix, which is usually high in human dominated landscapes. Using the distribution of small mammals in forest remnants and in the four main altered habitats in an Atlantic forest landscape, we investigated 1) how explanatory power of models describing species distribution in forest remnants varies between landscape structure variables that do or do not incorporate matrix quality and 2) the importance of spatial scale for analyzing the influence of landscape structure. We used standardized sampling in remnants and altered habitats to generate two indices of habitat quality, corresponding to the abundance and to the occurrence of small mammals. For each remnant, we calculated habitat quantity and connectivity in different spatial scales, considering or not the quality of surrounding habitats. The incorporation of matrix quality increased model explanatory power across all spatial scales for half the species that occurred in the matrix, but only when taking into account the distance between habitat patches (connectivity). These connectivity models were also less affected by spatial scale than habitat quantity models. The few consistent responses to the variation in spatial scales indicate that despite their small size, small mammals perceive landscape features at large spatial scales. Matrix quality index corresponding to species occurrence presented a better or similar performance compared to that of species abundance. Results indicate the importance of the matrix for the dynamics of fragmented landscapes and suggest that relatively simple indices can improve our understanding of species distribution, and could be applied in modeling, monitoring and managing complex tropical landscapes.

A new species of Vriesea Lindl. (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae) from Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

A new species of Vriesea Lindl. belonging to section Xiphion (E. Morren) E. Morren ex Mez. - V. sanfranciscana Versieux & Wand.- is described and illustrated. The species is only known to occur in the Serra da Canastra National Park, located in the southwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil, and is morphologically related to V. atropurpurea Silveira from serra do Cipo, Espinhaco range.

The novel ruthenium-gamma-linolenic complex [Ru(2)(aGLA)(4)Cl] inhibits C6 rat glioma cell proliferation and induces changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis in vitro

The present study reports the synthesis of a novel compound with the formula [Ru(2)(aGLA)(4)Cl] according to elemental analyses data, referred to as Ru(2)GLA. The electronic spectra of Ru(2)GLA is typical of a mixed valent diruthenium(II,III) carboxylate. Ru(2)GLA was synthesized with the aim of combining and possibly improving the anti-tumour properties of the two active components ruthenium and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The properties of Ru(2)GLA were tested in C6 rat glioma cells by analysing cell number, viability, lipid droplet formation, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species. Ru(2)GLA inhibited cell proliferation in a time and concentration dependent manner. Nile Red staining suggested that Ru(2)GLA enters the cells and ICP-AES elemental analysis found all increase in ruthenium from <0.02 to 425 mg/Kg in treated cells. The sub-G1 apoptotic cell population was increased by Ru(2)GLA (22 +/- 5.2%) when analysed by FACS and this was confirmed by Hoechst staining of nuclei. Mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased in the presence of Ru(2)GLA (44 +/- 2.3%). In contrast, the cells which maintained a high mitochondrial membrane potential had an increase (18 +/- 1.5%) in reactive oxygen species generation. Both decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased reactive oxygen species generation may be involved in triggering apoptosis in Ru(2)GLA exposed cells. The EC(50) for Ru(2)GLA decreased with increasing time of exposure from 285 mu M at 24h, 211 mu M at 48 h to 81 mu M at 72 h. In conclusion, Ru(2)GLA is a novel drug with anti proliferative properties in C6 glioma cells and is a potential candidate for novel therapies in gliomas. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A set of polymorphic microsatellite loci for Vriesea gigantea and Alcantarea imperialis (Bromeliaceae) and cross-amplification in other bromeliad species

Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in two species of Bromeliaceae: Vriesea gigantea and Alcantarea imperialis. The number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from three to 16. The loci will be used for studies of the genetic structure of natural populations, reproductive biology, and evolutionary relationships among and within these genera. A cross-amplification test in 22 taxa suggests that the markers will be useful for similar applications in numerous other bromeliad species.

Faunal analysis of the species Anastrepha in the fruit growing complex Gaviao River, Bahia, Brazil

Besides being considered the greatest pests of fruit growing, fruit flies constitute a large obstacle to the growth of the exportation of fresh fruit. Knowledge of the structure of fruit fly communities is of great importance to the bioecological studies of these insects, but there is a lack of information about the faunistic composition of fruit flies in Brazil. The objective of this work was to analysis the composition of the species of Anastrepha, in eleven mango orchards of the fruit growing complex Gaviao River, Bahia, Brazil. These studies were done in 2004 and 2005, in Anage, Caraibas and Belo Campo town, 23 McPhail traps, which collected 798 female fruit flies from the genus Anastrepha. The structure of these communities was evaluated in each orchard by means of faunistic indexes frequency, constancy, dominance, diversity and similarity. The number of species varied from four to eight in each orchard; and the following species was recorded: Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), Anastrepha dissimilis Stone, Anastrepha amita Zucchi, Anastrepha distincta Greene, Anastrepha pickeli Lima. Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi and Anastrepha zenildae Zucchi. The most frequent and dominant species were A. fraterculus and A. obliqua. The indexes of diversity varied from 1.01 to 1.62. In general, the similarity between orchards was high (above 55.0%). We observed the formation of groups, one constituted by Frutvale, Carlan, Santa Clara and Panorama orchards; another composed of Cofet, Campo Gaviao and Ouro Verde and a third group formed by Boa Vista orchard. Barra da Onca and Arruda are distinguished from other orchards.

Synaptonemal complex analysis in the fish species Piaractus mesopotamicus and Colossoma macropomum, and in their interspecific hybrid

The surface-spreading technique for visualization of whole cell synaptonemal complex (SC) complements was employed to study the chromosome synapsis in spermatocytes of P. mesopotamicus, C. macropomum and in their interspecific hybrid (tambacu) with the main objective to analyze possible errors in chromosome pairing that could result in hybrid sterility. SC analysis showed that the parental species P. mesopotamicus and C. macropomum have 27 bivalents homogeneously synapsed. The SC in spermatocytes from the hybrid tambacu showed gross meiotic configurations in all cells analyzed. The spermatocytes exhibited a few chromosomes or well synapsed chromosome segments, while many chromosome segments did not have any synapsis. This result, allied to other genetical and cytogenetical evidence, reinforces the hypothesis that the hybrid tambacu is sterile. Further studies involving other aspects, such as behavior and physiology, should be conduced before the introduction of these hybrids in rivers and lakes.

Wolbachia endosymbiont in a species of the Anastrepha fraterculus complex (Diptera: Tephritidae)

In Anastrepha sp.2 aff. fraterculus, the egg-cell harbours a large population of endosymbionts. The bacteria were identified as belonging to genus Wolbachia by PCR assay using primers of the ftsZ gene followed by sequencing of the amplified band. Newly deposited eggs stained in toto by Hoechst show that the bacteria are unevenly dispersed throughout the egg-cell, with a higher accumulation at the posterior pole, and that the degree of infestation varies from egg to egg. Analysis by transmission electron microscopy shows that bacteria are present in the female germ line of embryonic and larval stages, as well as in the different cell types of the ovaries at the adult stage. Mature ova within the follicles harbour a large population of the symbionts. The results indicate the existence of a transovarian transmission of the endosymbionts in this fly.

A systematic review of feather mites of the pterodectes generic complex (acari: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) with redescriptions of species described by vladimír cerný

Five species of feather mites originally described in the genus Pterodectes by Vladimir černý (1974) are redescribed: Pterodectes havliki, P. maculatus , P. reticulatus, P. storkani, P. thraupicola and P. troglodytis. The formerly unknown males of P. thraupicola and P. reticulatus and the female of P. maculatus are described for the first time. A synopsis of known species of the Pterodectes generic complex is presented, and species content of the genus Pterodectes is revised. Fifteen species previously included in this genus are transferred to the new genus Amerodectes gen. n.: Amerodectes atyeoi (OConnor et al., 2005) comb. n., A. bilineatus (Berla, 1958) comb. n., A. geothlypis (Berla, 1973) comb. n., A. gracilis (Trouessart, 1885) comb. n., A. maculatus comb. n., A. molothrus (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. nordestensis (Berla, 1958) comb. n., A. paroariae (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. pitangi (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. tangarae (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. turdinus (Berla, 1959) comb. n., A. sialiarum (Stoll, 1893) comb. n., A. storkani (černý, 1974) comb. n., A. thraupicola (cčerný, 1974) comb. n., and A. troglodytis (černý, 1974) comb. n. Five species are transferred to the genus Tyrannidectes Mironov, 2008: Tyrannidectes amaurochalinus (Hernandes et Valim, 2006) comb. n., T. banksi (Valim et Hernandes, 2008) comb. n., T. crassus (Trouessart, 1885) comb. n., T. fissuratus (Hernandes et Valim, 2005) comb. n., and T. reticulatus (Cerný, 1974) comb. n.; and one species is moved to the genus Metapterodectes Mironov, 2008: Metapterodectes muticus (Banks, 1909) comb. n. The genus Pterodectes remains monotypic, with the type species P. rutilus Robin, 1877. © Acarina 2010.

At least two indigenous species of the Bemisia tabaci complex are present in Brazil

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important global agricultural insect pests, being a vector of emerging plant viruses such as begomoviruses and criniviruses that cause serious problems in many countries. Although knowledge of the genetic diversity of B. tabaci populations is important for controlling this pest and understanding viral epidemics, limited information is available on this pest in Brazil. A survey was conducted in different locations of São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, and the phylogenetic relationships of B. tabaci individuals from 43 populations sampled from different hosts were analysed based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (mtCOI) sequences. According to the recently proposed classification of the B. tabaci complex, which employs the 3.5% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold for species demarcation, most of the specimens collected were found to belong to the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 species, which includes the invasive populations of the commonly known B biotype, within the Africa/Middle East/Asia Minor high-level group. Three specimens collected from Solanun gilo and Ipomoea sp. were grouped together and could be classified in the New World species that includes the commonly known A biotype. However, six specimens collected from Euphorbia heterophylla, Xanthium cavanillesii and Glycine maxima could not be classified into any of the 28 previously proposed species, although according to the 11% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold, they belong to the New World high-level group. These specimens were classified into a new recently proposed species named New World 2 that includes populations from Argentina. Middle East-Asia Minor 1, New World and New World 2 were differentiated by RFLP analysis of the mtCOI gene using TaqI enzyme. Taq I analysis in silico also differentiates these from Mediterranean species, thus making this method a convenient tool to determine population dynamics, especially critical for monitoring the presence of this exotic pest in Brazil. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag, GmbH.

Analysis of inteins in the Candida parapsilosis complex for simple and accurate species identification

Inteins are coding sequences that are transcribed and translated with flanking sequences and then are excised by an autocatalytic process. There are two types of inteins in fungi, mini-inteins and full-length inteins, both of which present a splicing domain containing well-conserved amino acid sequences. Full-length inteins also present a homing endonuclease domain that makes the intein a mobile genetic element. These parasitic genetic elements are located in highly conserved genes and may allow for the differentiation of closely related species of the Candida parapsilosis (psilosis) complex. The correct identification of the three psilosis complex species C. parapsilosis, Candida metapsilosis, and Candida orthopsilosis is very important in the clinical setting for improving antifungal therapy and patient care. In this work, we analyzed inteins that are present in the vacuolar ATPase gene VMA and in the threonyl-tRNA synthetase gene ThrRS in 85 strains of the Candida psilosis complex (46 C. parapsilosis, 17 C. metapsilosis, and 22 C. orthopsilosis). Here, we describe an accessible and accurate technique based on a single PCR that is able to differentiate the psilosis complex based on the VMA intein. Although the ThrRS intein does not distinguish the three species of the psilosis complex by PCR product size, it can differentiate them by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, this intein is unusually present as both mini- and full-length forms in C. orthopsilosis. Additional population studies should be performed to address whether this represents a common intraspecific variability or the presence of subspecies within C. orthopsilosis. Copyright © 2013, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Indigenous American species of the Bemisia tabaci complex are still widespread in the Americas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cystic spermatogenesis in three species of the prolixus complex (Hemiptera: Triatominae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Taxonomic and distributional notes on Telebasis Selys, 1865, with a redescription of T. pallida Machado, 2010, and an evaluation of the T. racenisi Bick & Bick, 1995 "complex" of species (Odonata, Coenagrionidae)

A full checklist of the species of Telebasis Selys, 1865, housed in the Brazilian collections Colecao Entomologica Prof. Jose Alfredo Pinheiro Dutra, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio do Janeiro (DZRJ), and Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo (MZSP) is presented. A total of 325 specimens representing 19 species were studied. Ten new records for Brazilian States were found for T. carmesina Calvert, 1909 (Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul), T. corallina (Selys, 1876) (Pernambuco), T. demarara (Williamson, 1917) (Maranhao), T. filiola (Perty, 1834) (Paraiba and Santa Catarina), T. gigantea Daigle, 2002 (Sao Paulo), T. inalata (Calvert, 1961) (Mato Grosso do Sul), T. pallida Machado, 2010 (Goias) and T. obsoleta (Selys, 1876) (Mato Grosso do Sul), as well as a new record of T. carminita Calvert, 1909 for Suriname. Telebasis pallida Machado, 2010 is redescribed and diagnosed based on 14 males collected near the type locality, and its genital ligula is described and illustrated for the first time. Furthermore, the status of the three species of the Telebasis racenisi Bick & Bick, 1995 complex is evaluated. Of these, Telebasis pareci Machado, 2010 syn. n. is proposed as junior subjective synonym of Telebasis lenkoi Machado, 2010, and a possible synonymy among the three species is discussed under T. racenisi. ((c) 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Scorpiodinipora costulata (Canu & Bassler, 1929) (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata), a taxonomic and biogeographic dilemma: complex of cryptic species or human-mediated cosmopolitan colonizer?

Despite implausible cosmopolitanism, the species Scorpiodinipora costulata (Canu & Bassler, 1929) has been attributed with reservations to small encrusting colonies with similar morphological features whose known distribution is scattered in tropical and subtropical seas: Pacific Ocean (Philippines), Indian Ocean (Oman), Red Sea, SE Mediterranean, SE Atlantic (Ghana) and SW Atlantic (Brazil). This material raised questions about its generic assignment. The genus Scorpiodinipora Balavoine, 1959 is redescribed with Schizoporella costulata Canu & Bassler, 1929, from the Philippines as the type species, as Balavoine misidentified the specimens to define the genus as Cellepora bernardii Audouin, 1826. Moreover, SEM examination of the cotypes of S. costulata showed that Canu & Bassler confused two genera among them. A lectotype and paralectorype were thus chosen from Canu & Bassler's syntypes corresponding with the present morphotype. Hippodiplosia ottomuelleriana var. parva Marcus, 1938, from Brazil, which presents the same morphotype, is provisionally considered as the junior synonym of S. costulata. Considering the broad allopatric distribution of this morphotype across the oceans and the low capacity of dispersal of species with short-lived larvae, it is likely that this material includes several sibling species. However, the role of man-mediated dispersal is not excluded, at least in regions with high shipping activity, such as that comprising the Suez Canal.