Phylogenetic relationships within the speciose family Characidae (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes) based on multilocus analysis and extensive ingroup sampling

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

TAXONOMIC POSITION of GUIRATINGIA MENDESI (MEGADESMIDAE) and THE EVOLUTION of PERMIAN ENDEMIC BIVALVE FAUNA of THE PARANA BASIN, BRAZIL

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

Chromosomal organization of the 18S and 5S rRNAs and histone H3 genes in Scarabaeinae coleopterans: insights into the evolutionary dynamics of multigene families and heterochromatin

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

Cryptic sexual populations account for genetic diversity and ecological success in a widely distributed, asexual fungus-growing ant

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

Phylogeny of Celastraceae Subfamily Salacioideae and Tribe Lophopetaleae Inferred from Morphological Characters and Nuclear and Plastid Genes

The phylogeny of Celastraceae subfamily Salacioideae (ca. 255 species in the Old and New World tropics) and tribe Lophopetaleae (ca. 29 species in southern Asia and the Austral-Pacific) was inferred using morphological characters together with plastid (matK, trnL-F) and nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) genes. Brassiantha, a monotypic genus endemic to New Guinea, is inferred to be more closely related to the clade of Dicarpellum (New Caledonia) and Hypsophila (Queensland, Australia) than it is to Hippocrateoideae or Salacioideae. This unambiguously supported resolution indicates that a nectary disk positioned outside the stamens has been convergently derived in these two lineages. The clade of Kokoona and Lophopetalum is resolved as more closely related to Breria and Elaeodendron than it is to Hippocrateoideae or Salacioideae. Sarawakodendron, a monotypic genus endemic to Borneo, is resolved as sister to Salacioideae. Salacioideae are inferred to have an Old World origin that was followed by a single successful radiation within Central and South America. We infer that capsular fruits are primitive within the clade of Hippocrateoideae + Sarawakodendron + Salacioideae, with berries a synapomorphy for Salacioideae. Based on the resolution of Sarawakodendron as sister to Salacioideae, we hypothesize that the filaments of Sarawakodendron arils are homologous to the spiral filaments in the mucilagenous pulp of Salacioideae.

From Amazonia to the Atlantic forest: Molecular phylogeny of Phyzelaphryninae frogs reveals unexpected diversity and a striking biogeographic pattern emphasizing conservation challenges

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Delimiting genetic units in Neotropical toads under incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization

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

DNA barcode discovers two cryptic species and two geographical radiations in the invasive drosophilid Zaprionus indianus

Comparing introduced to ancestral populations within a phylogeographical context is crucial in any study aiming to understand the ecological genetics of an invasive species. Zaprionus indianus is a cosmopolitan drosophilid that has recently succeeded to expand its geographical range upon three continents (Africa, Asia and the Americas). We studied the distribution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes for two genes (CO-I and CO-II) among 23 geographical populations. mtDNA revealed the presence of two well-supported phylogenetic lineages (phylads), with bootstrap value of 100%. Phylad I included three African populations, reinforcing the African-origin hypothesis of the species. Within phylad II, a distinct phylogeographical pattern was discovered: Atlantic populations (from the Americas and Madeira) were closer to the ancestral African populations than to Eastern ones (from Madagascar, Middle East and India). This means that during its passage from endemism to cosmopolitanism, Z. indianus exhibited two independent radiations, the older (the Eastern) to the East, and the younger (the Atlantic) to the West. Discriminant function analysis using 13 morphometrical characters was also able to discriminate between the two molecular phylads (93.34 +/- 1.67%), although detailed morphological analysis of male genitalia using scanning electron microscopy showed no significant differences. Finally, crossing experiments revealed the presence of reproductive barrier between populations from the two phylads, and further between populations within phylad I. Hence, a bona species status was assigned to two new, cryptic species: Zaprionus africanus and Zaprionus gabonicus, and both were encompassed along with Z. indianus and Zaprionus megalorchis into the indianus complex. The ecology of these two species reveals that they are forest dwellers, which explains their restricted endemic distribution, in contrast to their relative cosmopolitan Z. indianus, known to be a human-commensal. Our results reconfirm the great utility of mtDNA at both inter- and intraspecific analyses within the frame of an integrated taxonomical project.

A new Coniacian-Santonian conchostracan genus from the Bauru Group, south-east Brazil: Taxonomy, palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology

Abundant conchostracans occur in Coniacian-Santonian dark grey, argillaceous, lacustrine sediments of the Sao Carlos Formation, Bauru Group, Parana Basin, in the central part of São Paulo State, south-east Brazil. They are ascribed to a new genus and species, Bauruestheria sancarlensis, included in the family Jilinestheriidae. The new taxon is similar to some Late Cretaceous species from China and Mongolia. It probably evolved from a Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous ancestral form (Migransia), which first lived in West Gondwana, and later dispersed to Europe and Asia, originating distinct parallel lineages with increasing ornamental complexity. The conchostracans probably lived in oxygenated marginal areas of a very calm, perennial lake with an anoxic bottom, and were transported in suspension to the depositional site by weak turbidity currents or storm-induced flows. Great concentrations of juvenile conchostracans in some thin layers can be related to mass mortality, episodes caused by convection and dispersion of anoxic water during storms. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mitochondrial DNA of Nellore and European x Nellore crossing cattle of high performance

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

Association of GH and IGF-1 polymorphisms with growth traits in a synthetic beef cattle breed

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

GENETIC INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF PROTEOLYTIC CLOSTRIDIUM-BOTULINUM TYPE-A, TYPE-B, AND TYPE-F AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CLOSTRIDIUM-BOTULINUM COMPLEX AS REVEALED BY SMALL-SUBUNIT RIBOSOMAL-RNA GENE-SEQUENCES

The phylogenetic interrelationships of members of the Clostridium botulinum complex of species was investigated by direct sequencing of their 16S rRNA genes. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences demonstrated the presence of four phylogenetically distinct lineages corresponding to: i) proteolytic C. botulinum types Al B, and F, and C. sporogenes, ii) saccharolytic types B, E and F, iii) types C and D and C. novyi type A, and iv) type G and C. subterminale. The phylogenetic groupings obtained from the 16S rRNA were in complete agreement with the four divisions recognised within the 'species complex' on the basis of phenotypic criteria.

Genetic analysis of phosphoprotein and matrix protein of rabies viruses isolated in Brazil

To investigate the genetic characteristics of phosphoprotein (P) and matrix protein (M) genes of variable rabies virus (RV) prevalent in Brazil, the authors genetically characterized the P and M genes from 30 Brazilian RV field isolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on the P and M genes revealed the presence of six RV variants that consisted primarily of three insectivorous bats, the vampire bat, dog and fox in Brazil. Specific amino acid substitutions corresponding to these phylogenetic lineages were observed, with ASP(42) and GlU(62) in the P protein found to be characteristic of Brazilian chiroptera- and carnivora-related RVs, respectively. Amino acid sequence motifs predicted to associate with a viral function in the P and M proteins were conserved among Brazilian RV variants.

Evaluation of macrophage activity and antibody production in genetically selected mice infected with Leptospira serovar pomona

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of macrophage activity and antibody production in experimental infection with Leptospira Pomona in mice genetically selected for high (H) or low (L) humoral immune response. To evaluate macrophage activity, reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates were determined. Also, the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and the recovery of Leptospira-specific antibodies in the kidneys and liver were assessed; histological lesions were analyzed using the hematoxylin-eosin technique, and Leptospira antigens in tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that recovery of microorganisms from the analyzed organs was lower in LIV-A mice. However, HIV-A animals showed total restraint since the 14th day after infection, whereas LIV-A mice still had bacteria in the liver at the 21st post-infection day. Immune response against Pomona serovar in those lineages was characterized as high production of antibodies, mainly in late periods of the infectious process. The production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates also contributed to the elimination of Leptospira Pomona in all two lineages; H2O2 production was an important factor in HIV-A mice, as well as NO production in the LIV-A animals, mainly at the latest post-inoculation periods. The same occurred regarding TNF-alpha production. Severe renal lesions were observed at periods in which larger numbers of leptospires were isolated using the culture technique. Tissue alterations persisted in LIV-A mice, even at periods in which leptospires were not recovered. Immunohistochemistry showed to be more sensitive than culturing. However, both techniques were appropriate for the agent identification in the studied lineages. Results suggest that such lineages could represent an important model to investigate pathogenesis and immune response against the varied serovars of leptospires.