Composition of the aquatic invertebrate fauna associated to the mangrove vegetation of a coastal river, analyzed through a manipulative experiment.

The present study analyzed the composition of the aquatic fauna associated to the mangrove forest in a southeastern Brazilian river. The composition of the macrofauna in the roots of the marginal vegetation located at three different salinity stretches was analyzed by sampling pieces of the submerged branches of the vegetation (natural substrate) and pieces of sisal rope (artificial substrate), installed close to the natural vegetation and sampled after a period of 14 colonization days. In both types of substrate, twelve taxonomic groups were sampled, representing three phyla (Cnidaria, Annelida and Arthropoda). The crustaceans, corresponding to the most diversified group, were represented by Copepoda, Tanaidacea, Isopoda, Amphipoda and Decapoda. The highest salinity stretch showed the highest abundance, with a progressive decrease from high to low salinity for both substrates. Copepoda and Tanaidacea predominated on both substrates, although the artificial substrate exhibited the highest total abundance and species richness. Considering the relative abundance of the taxonomic groups on both substrates, the majority of groups predominated in the highest salinity range. Significant differences on the longitudinal distribution of abundance were associated to the variation on salinity and with the complexity of the substrate.

Fat body cells of Amblyomma cajennense partially engorged females (Acari: Ixodidae) and their role on vitellogenesis process

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Karyotype of a termitophilic species of Diplopoda (Polydesmida, Chelodesmidae)

This report describes the karyotype of a Brazilian Diplopod species (Arthropoda), Sandalodesmus gasparae (Schubart, Acta Zool. Lilloana Inst. Miguel Lillo 2: 321-440,1944), collected from a termite mound Cornitermes bequaerti. This species has 2n = 12. The sex pair could not be distinguished.

A pest is a pest is a pest? The dilemma of neotropical leaf-cutting ants: Keystone taxa of natural ecosystems

Leaf-cutting ants of the genera Acromyrmex and Atta are considered the principal polyphagous pests of the Neotropics. Although some members of these genera are of economic importance, have a broad geographic distribution, and are extremely good colonizers, others are endemic and closely interact with native ecosystems. Control is generally practiced against any colony, irrespective of its taxonomic status. Indiscriminate control coupled with habitat destruction threatens endemic species with extinction, and, through habitat simplification, favors other pest species. As nests of Atta are large, having several square meters of nest surface, the endemic taxa can be easily used as environmental indicators for natural ecosystems. Likewise, the pest species can be used to detect environmental disturbance. As these ants are keystone species and easily identified by nonspecialists, efforts should be made to integrate these into viable conservation programs.

Western blot analysis of tick antigens from a Rhipicephalus sanguineus unfed larval extract and identification of antigenic sites in tick sections using immunohistochemistry. A comparative study between resistant and susceptible host species

Most parasite-host relationships are characterized by the development of resistance by the host, thus limiting the number of parasites. However, some cases are very unusual. In the relationship of the domestic dog with the brown dog-tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus this does not occur, whereas guinea pigs develop efficient resistance. Sera from domestic dogs, crab-eating foxes and guinea pigs collected before and after infestation with R. sanguineus ticks, and after immunization with a whole tick adult or larval homogenate, were used in Western blot analysis to compare and identify potential important antigens from a tick larval homogenate. The same sera were tested in an indirect immunohistochemistry assay in an attempt to compare relevant antigenic sites on histological tick sections. The immunoblotting displayed antigens recognized only by the guinea pigs, as well as several shared antigens between host species, depending on the kind of immunization. Immunohistochemistry revealed probable antigenic sites on the cells and tissues of ticks, which varied depending on the kind of immunization (infestation or vaccination) and the animal species involved.

Expanded food choice as a possible factor in the evolution of sociality of Vespidae (Hymenoptera)

A recent theory suggests that economic considerations are more important than genetic ones in the emergence and maintenance of social behavior. Evolution of social behavior in wasps, thus, could be based on the development of worker castes, which increase the efficiency of brood care and energy use of the colony. If so, social wasps should collect a larger range of prey, favoring polyethism, as social behavior should increase the adaptive value of social species among wasps by increasing the range of prey accessible. We explored the literature and showed that the Eumeninae, which are mostly solitary, draw prey from significantly fewer orders of arthropods than wasps in the subfamily Vespinae and Polistinae, which are mainly social, supporting the hypothesis that social behavior may have emerged as a more efficient way to feed and care for the young by opening a wider range of food sources, increasing the amount of food and quality of care provided to the young. Two alternative explanations of this data are also discussed.

Cytogenetic studies in Diplopoda

The Diplopoda have received little attention from cytogeneticists owing mostly to technical difficulties in obtaining mitotic chromosomes, restricting the studies to meiosis and eventual spermatogonial metaphases, which limits the use of modern cytogenetical techniques. A literature search shows that only about 0.1% of all known species have been cytogenetically studied. There are 80,000 species estimated for this group, making it the 3rd. larger class in Arthropoda, after Insecta and Arachnida. The diploid chromosomal number in diplopods varies from 2n=8 to 2n=30 and the sex determination mechanism commonly found is XY/XX. In meiotic prophase, the bouquet formation and the diffuse state in pachytene are typical events. The few works performed on Brazilian fauna add up to 16 species, out of an estimated number of 2000 to 3000 species. The present review reports all the species of diplopods that have been cytogenetically studied so far, each with its chromosome number and sex determination system.

Reproductive strategy of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Brazil

The termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Rhinotermitidae) is an exotic species in Brazil. This species forms colonies headed by primary reproductives, however, non-functional neotenics are commonly found even in the presence of the imaginai pair. The presence of non-functional neotenics in C. gestroi colonies may correspond to a strategy of this termite species for rapid colonization in foreign areas, instead of a response to chemical control methods.

Tabela de vida ecológica do minador-dos-citros, Phyllocnistis citrella stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

The construction of ecological life tables is a useful tool to understand the population dynamics of insects in the field. In this work, ecological life tables were developed for Phyllocnistis citrella (Stainton) in an orchard of Citrus sinensis situated in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, Sao Paulo State, during 2002. The occurrence of generation overlay in the field was avoided by obtaining the eggs from infestation on young citrus plants (Citrus limonia) kept under controlled conditions. The samples were taken every other day and the number of live, dead, predated and parasitized individuals were recorded. The occurrence of arthropod predators was determined through visual search on the plants of the orchard. The key factors of mortality acting on P.citrella populations were: pupae parasitism caused by Ageniaspis citricola (Logvinovskaya), action of uncertain factors on prepupae and predation of 3rd-instar larvae. The most abundant arthropod predators belonged to the families Formicidae, Chrysopidae, Coccinellidae, Reduviidae e Araneae. In two of five generations of P. citrella, approximately 4% of A. citricola pupae were hyperparasitized by Galeopsomyia fausta (LaSalle) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Fenologia e artrópodes de Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. no cerrado

There was evaluated the phenology and arthropods as well as the effect of weather on copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.) (Leguminoseae). The emission of new leaves and inflorescences as well as the opening of them occurred in the rainy period. There were observed the higher diversity and abundance of insects, principally galling insects.

Seletividade de alguns agrotóxicos em uso na citricultura ao ácaro predador Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

This work was carried out to determine the residual toxicity of the main pesticides used in citrus, on Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) under laboratory conditions. For this, it was used the residual contact bioassay. Citrus leaves of the variety Pêra were sprayed in a Potter tower. The residual action was evaluated at 2 hours and 1; 3; 5; 7; 10; 14 e 21 days after treatment. Ten adult females of N. californicus were transferred to each ring, together with an enough amount of Tetranychus urticae nymphs and adults to feed the predator. Mortality evaluations were performed at 72 hours after treatment. Bioassays indicate that the pesticides: acrinathrin, deltamethrin, dinocap, sulphur, fenpropathrin, fenbutatin oxide and propargite were innocuous to N. californicus. On the other hand, abamectin, azocyclotin e cyhexatin caused mortalities of 29.8; 32.0 e 34.1%, respectively, two hours after transference. Dicofol, pyridaben and chlorfenapyr were extremely toxic to the predator mite, causing 100% of mortality two hours after the application. This way, to this population of N. californicus, the releases can be performed safely 3 days after the application, except for cyhexatin (5 days), dicofol and pyridaben (14 days) and chlorfenapyr (21 days), without risk of significant adult mortality rates due to the application of pesticides.

Os Répteis do Município de São Paulo: Diversidade e ecologia da fauna pretérita e atual

The reptile fauna in the municipality of São Paulo is well sampled due to intensive collection in the last 100 years. In the present work we provide a checklist of reptile species in São Paulo municipality based on preserved specimens in scientific collections. The reptile fauna was also characterized by three ecological parameters: habitat use, substrate use, and diet. We recorded a total of 97 reptile species (two turtles, one crocodilian, 19 lizards, seven amphisbaenians, and 68 snakes). Approximately 70% of the lizards and 40% of the snakes are typical of forest habitats of the Serra do Mar mountain range. Other squamates are typical of open formations that occur mainly on inland Cerrado habitats. All turtles and the crocodilian are associated to riparian habitats. Approximately 63% of the lizards are predominantly terrestrial, and the remaining species are arboreal. Most species of snakes are terrestrial (38%) or subterranean/criptozoic (25%) whereas a smaller proportion are arboreal (18%) or aquatic (9%). Lizards feed upon arthropods. Almost 50% of the snake species are specialized or feed mainly upon anuran amphibians. Other important items consumed by snakes are mammals (24%), lizards (18%), subterranean vertebrates (10%), and invertebrates (earthworms, mollusks and arthropods; 15%). A total of 51 reptile species have not been recorded for the last six years. Probably many of these species are extinct in the region due the intense local urbanization and habitat loss. The survey of species collected in São Paulo municipality and received in the Instituto Butantan in recent years allowed the identification of 10 lizards at least 42 snake species already occurring in the region. The high species richness of the original fauna seems related to the geographic location of the municipality, in a contact zone between forested areas of the Atlantic Forest (ombrophilous forest) and open formations (savannas, high-altitude grassland). Thus, the original habitat composition probably allowed sympatry among different species pools typical of both open and forested formations. The extant snake fauna recorded in the last three years indicates a higher loss of the species in open formations when compared to the forested areas.

Presence and distribution of the endosymbiont Wolbachia among Solenopsis spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Brazil and its evolutionary history

Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria that commonly infect arthropods. Its prevalence among ants of the genus Solenopsis is high. In the present study, the presence and distribution of these endosymbionts was examined among populations of Solenopsis spp. from Brazil. A phylogenetic analysis based on the wsp gene was conducted to infer the evolutionary history of Wolbachia infections within the populations surveyed. A high frequency of Wolbachia bacteria was observed among the genus Solenopsis, 51% of the colonies examined were infected. Incidence was higher in populations from southern Brazil. However, little genetic variability was found among different Wolbachia strains within supergroups A and B. Our findings also suggest that horizontal transmission events can occur through the social parasite S. daguerrei. © 2012 Elsevier Inc..

Fluazuron-induced morphophysiological changes in the cuticle formation and midgut of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, 1806 (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs

The present study demonstrated the effects of the arthropod growth regulator, fluazuron (Acatak®), in the formation of the integument and digestive processes of Rhipicephalus sanguineus nymphs fed on rabbits treated with different doses of this chemical acaricide. For this, three different doses of fluazuron (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg) were applied pour on to the hosts (groups II, III, and IV), as well as distilled water to the control group. On the first day after treatment (24 h), the hosts were artificially infested with R. sanguineus nymphs. After full engorgement (7 days), the nymphs were removed, placed on labeled Petri dishes, and kept in biochemical oxygen demand incubator for 7 days. The engorged nymphs were then taken for morphological, histochemical, and histological analyses. The results showed the occurrence of cytological, morphohistological, and histochemical alterations in the integument and midgut of nymphs from all the different treated groups. These alterations occurred at cuticular level in the subdivisions of the cuticle, related to the size of the digestive cells, amount of accumulated blood elements, and digestive residues, as well as the presence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the digestive cells. Thus, this study demonstrated that fluazuron acts on the integument and midgut cells of R. sanguineus nymphs fed on treated rabbits and pointed out the possibility of the use of this chemical - which is more specific, less toxic, and less harmful to the environment and nontarget organisms - in the control of R. sanguineus, at least in the nymphal stage of its biological cycle. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Responses of aquatic insect functional diversity to landscape changes in Atlantic forest

The Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 25 world's hotspots for biodiversity, has experienced dramatic changes in its landscape. While the loss of species diversity is well documented, functional diversity has not received the same amount of attention. In this study, we evaluated functional diversity of insects in streams utilizing three indices: functional diversity (FD), functional dispersion (FDis), and functional divergence (FDiv), seeking to understand the roles of three predictor sets in explaining functional patterns: (1) bioclimatic and landscape variables; (2) spatial variables; and (3) local environmental variables. We determined the amount of variation in different measures of functional diversity that was explained by each predictor set and their interplays using variation partitioning. Our study showed that variation in functional diversity is better explained by a set of variables linked to different scales dependent on spatial structures, indicating the importance of landscape and mainly environmental variables in the functional organization of aquatic insect communities, and that the relative importance of predictor sets depends on the indices considered. Variation in FD was better explained by the interplay among the three predictor sets and by local environmental variables, whereas variation in FDis was better explained by spatial variables and by the interplay between environmental and spatial variables. Variation in FDiv was not significantly explained by any predictors. Our study adds more evidence on the harmful effects caused by landscape changes on biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest, suggesting that these effects also influence the functional organization of stream insect communities. © 2013 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2013 by The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation.