Cytogenetics as a tool for Triatomine species distinction (Hemiptera-Reduviidae)

Several cytogenetic traits were tested a species diagnostic characters on five triatomine species: Rhodnius pictipes, R. nasutus, R. robustus, Triatoma matogrossensis and T. pseudomaculata. Four of them are described for the first time. The detailed analysis of the meiotic process and the application of C-banding allowed us to identify seven cytogenetic characters wich result useful to characterize and differentiate triatomine species.

El Giravolt de la Família Robafaves

Treball de recerca realitzat per un alumne d'ensenyament secundari i guardonat amb un Premi CIRIT per fomentar l'esperit cientí­fic del Jovent l'any 2009. 'El Giravolt de la Família Robafaves' és un treball de recerca que engloba tota la història del fet geganter a Mataró des dels seus orígens fins a l'actualitat. Es tracta d'una activitat amb una dimensió cultural, folklòrica i històrica que ha servit per donar respostes a molts dels interrogants promulgats abans de dur a terme aquest projecte. Aquesta família de Gegants ha estat víctima de molts dels entrebancs vigents al llarg de la història així com guerres, revoltes, dictadures, etc. De manera que s'ha pogut comprovar com la política interior i exterior ha afectat a la Família Robafaves d'una manera directa. S'ha fet una investigació a través de les revistes publicades durant la transició democràtica. També cal dir que, s'ha tingut el recolzament d'entrevistes fetes a persones puntals en la història dels Gegants com ara geganters, Caps de Colla, la primera gegantera de la Família Robafaves, etc. Per poder corroborar la base teòrica i documental d'aquest treball s'ha fet un estudi estadístic de la significació social de la Festa Major de Mataró per poder valorar en quina situació es troba actualment. Així doncs, s'ha pogut valorar la influència i importància que tenen els Gegants per Mataró.

A new filaria of a lizard transmitted by sandflies

A description is given of Madathamugadia wanjii n. sp., a Splendidofilariinae parasite of the gecko Ptyodactylus hasselquistii, on the west bank of the River Jordan and of its life cycle in Phlebotomus duboscqi. The new species is close to M. ivaschkini (Annaev, 1976) n. comb., of Turkmenistan, wich is also transmitted by sandflies (Reznik, 1982). The genus Madathamugadia is now comprised of four species, two from Madagascar and two from the Mediterranean sub-region; it differs from the genus Thamugadia by the presence of a double row of papillae anterior to the cloaca of the male. The larval characters of Splendidofilarinae of lizards confirm the affinity of these parasites to the Splendidofilarinae of birds (Chandlerella and Splendidofilaria); the first group could have arisen from the second by "captures" wich could have occurred in several places.

Estudo comparativo da genitália externa masculina de Triatoma neotomae Neiva, 1911 e Triatoma nitida Usinger, 1939 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

The morphological comparative study of the phallus organs, of both species, shown five structures wich may be used as taxonomic characters. They are: parameres (Pa), median process pygophore (PrP), basal plate (EPbi), gonopore (PrG) and endosoma process (PrEn).

Halipegus dubius Klein, 1905 (Trematoda, Hemiuridae): a redescription, with notes on the working of the ovarian complex

A redescription of Halipegus dubius Klein, 1905, of Brazilian frogs Leptodactylus pentadactylus and L. ocellatus, is presented. The parasite was found exclusively in the buccal cavity, in number varying from 1 (in most instances) to 3, and exceptionally 25 (one instance). Morphological data were based on 40 whole-mounted specimens and 4 serially sectioned ones. Larval development takes place in planorbid snails (Biomphalaria glabrata and B. tenagophila) and in an undetermined species of cyclops. Working of the ovarian complex was followed by microscopical observation of life specimens. Constrating with the similarity of the four American species of Halipegus currently recognized as valid, they can be easily separated by the characters of their cercariae.

Mirall trencat, del llibre a la televisió: anàlisi comparativa dels personatges femenins

Treball de recerca realitzat per una alumna d'ensenyament secundari i guardonat amb un Premi CIRIT per fomentar l'esperit científic del Jovent l'any 2009. Partint de l’obra ‘Mirall trencat’ de Mercè Rodoreda, una de les més grans escriptores catalanes de tots els temps nascuda enguany fa un centenari, hem pretès fer una anàlisi interdisciplinària en relació amb l’adaptació televisiva duta a terme per J. M. Benet i Jornet. Amb la documentació prèvia com a antecedent, hem pres els personatges femenins principals (aquells més ben dibuixats en la novel•la) com a objecte del nostre estudi de manera que el treball pugui ser el més rigorós possible. Així doncs, el nostre resultat és una extensa anàlisi comparativa que parteix dels trets més característics de Teresa, Sofia, Maria i Armanda per arribar a reflectir la manera com aquests mateixos personatges són retratats a la sèrie.

Revision of the genus Vampirolepis Spasskij, 1954 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae)

The genus Vampirolepis Spasskij, 1954 is re-defined on the basis of the original description and the first detailed redescription by Andreiko et al. (1969). A restricted definitions is proposed, the main features being the arrangement of testicles on a straight line snd numerous hooks of fraternoid shape. Other important characters are the strobila with numerous proglottids, the cirrus pouch of moderate size and the cirrus, smooth or armed with minute spines. Formerly included Hymenolepidid cestodes with reduced strobila, particularly long cirrus pouch and different arrangement of gonads do not belong to Vampirolepis. Members of Vampirolepis in the restricted sense show a cosmopolitan repartition and parasitize only bats. The author does not accept the synonymy of Rodentolepis Spasskiji, 1954 with Vampirolepis. A tentative list of the species belonging to the genus is proposed.

Triatoma melanosoma, novo status para Triatoma infestans melanosoma Martinez, Olmedo & Carcavallo, 1987 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Triatoma infestans melanosoma was described in 1987 by Martinez, Olmedo & Carcavallo. In the present work the authors make a redescription, adding new characters, and based on biological and morphological aspects raise up to the level of species and being identified as Triatoma melanosoma. A detailed morphological study of the external male genitalia was made.

Belminus laportei sp.n. da Região Amazônica (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

The new species resembles B.herreri Lent & Wygodzinsky, 1979 from which it differs by the following characters: the color pattern, the rostral segments ratio, the shape of the post-ocular region of the head and the general shape of the pronotum, without the conspicuous angle in the lateral side where fore and hind lobes joint.

The snail hosts of schistosomiasis: some evolutionary and ecological perspectives in relation to control

Despite opportunities for radiation provided by spatio-temporal isolation, the basic morphological plan of pulmonate snails has remained conservative. In consequence of the resulting dearth of morphological characters and their plasticity, there is a case for using biochemical characters such as exogenous chemicals released by the snails (e.g. amino acids) and their chemoreception niche as taxonomic aids to classify snails of medical importance. As these same chemicals are used by snails to distinguish conspecifics they could also be used as "environmental antibodies" in controlled release formulations (CRF's) designed to remove target snails in a specific, cost-effective and ecologically acceptable manner. The snails, surface-living bacteria, algae and macrophytic plants are considered as co-evolved, interactive modular systems with strong mutualistic elements. Recently, anthropogenic perturbations such as deforestation, and damming of flowing waters, have benefited these modules whereas others such as river canalization, acid deposition, accumulation of pesticide residues and eutrophication have harmed them. Research is needed to elucidate the factors which limit the growth of snails in primitive habitats, uninfluenced by man, as well as in those subject to harmful anthropogenic factors. The understanding thus gained could be applied to develop cost-effective primary health care strategies to reduce or prevent transmission of schistosomiasis and other water related diseases.

The identification of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) rondoni (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mato Grosso, Brazil: an analysis of key character variability

A morphological study was made of a population of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) rondoni (Neiva and Pinto) from northern Mato Grosso, Brazil. This population usually lacked the primary key character of a dark basal band on hindtarsomere 3, i.e., hindtarsomere 3 was all white as in most other members of the subgenus. It was determined that this species can be recognized instead by the presence of a dark spot on the thorax made up of a large dark prescutellar space that is contiguous with a concolorous central area on the scutellum. A secondary character of a dark area on the costa created by the fusion of the humeral dark, presector dark and sector dark proximal spots is also usually reliable. Regression analyses comparing the lengths and ratios of the dark bands on hindtarsomeres 2 to those on 3 describe a straight line relationship. This suggests that the "atypical" population is at one end of a character gradient. We propose that in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus individuals that have a long basal band on hindtarsomere 2 are more likely to also have a basal band on hindtarsomere 3. The pupal stage of this species has not been previously described. Reared-associated specimens from this study show that the pupa can be easily differentiated from all other Nyssorhynchus by the relatively stout, usually 2 or 3 branched (1-5), setae 1 and 5 on segments IV-VII.

New species of Proteocephalus (Cestoda - Proteocephalidae) parasitic in fishes from the Paraná River, Paraná, Brazil

Two species of the genus Proteocephalus (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) were collected in fishes from the Paraná River. Proteocephalus vazzolerae n. sp. from Piaractus mesopotamicus and Proteocephalus chubbi, n. sp. from Gymnotus carapo are new species, and are described and illustrated. Proteocephalus vazzolerae n. sp. is characterized mainly by the number of testes and the development of vitellaria. Proteocephalus chubbi n. sp. can be differentiated from its congeners by a combination of characters which include, number of testes, number of proglottids, strobila length, scolex shape and disposition of vitellaria. This is the first record of proteocephalidean in P. mesopotamicus and G. carapo.

Classification of immature stage habitats of Culicidae (Diptera) collected in Córdoba, Argentina

In order to classify mosquito immature stage habitats, samples were taken in 42 localities of Córdoba Province, Argentina, representing the phytogeographic regions of Chaco, Espinal and Pampa. Immature stage habitats were described and classified according to the following criteria: natural or artificial; size; location related to light and neighboring houses; vegetation; water: permanence, movement, turbidity and pH. Four groups of species were associated based on the habitat similarity by means of cluster analysis: Aedes albifasciatus, Culex saltanensis, Cx. mollis, Cx. brethesi, Psorophora ciliata, Anopheles albitarsis, and Uranotaenia lowii (Group A); Cx. acharistus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. bidens, Cx. dolosus, Cx. maxi and Cx. apicinus (Group B); Cx. coronator, Cx. chidesteri, Mansonia titillans and Ps. ferox (Group C); Ae. fluviatilis and Ae. milleri (Group D). The principal component analysis (ordination method) pointed out that the different types of habitats, their nature (natural or artificial), plant species, water movement and depth are the main characters explaining the observed variation among the mosquito species. The distribution of mosquito species by phytogeographic region did not affect the species groups, since species belonging to different groups were collected in the same region.

Variation between geographical populations of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939) sensu lato (Diptera:Psychodidae:Phlebotominae) in Brazil

Phylogenetic analysis of morphometric and biological characters indicated that there are two distinct forms of Lutzomyia whitmani in Brazil: one is present both north and south of the River Amazonas in the State of Pará while the other occurs in northeast Brazil, in the State of Ceará, and further south, including the type locality in State of Bahia. The Amazonian form is reportedly neither strongly anthropophilic nor synanthropic, and it is the vector of Leishmania shawi; whereas the southern form is often collected peridomestically, while biting man, and has been found infected with Le.(V.) braziliensis. The ratio of the length of the genital filaments to that the genital pump was found to be consistently smaller in males of the Amazonian populations. A middle repetitive DNA element was isolated by differentially screening a genomic library made using Amazonian material, and the sequence was diagnostic for this form of Lu. whitmani (being absent or occurring in low copy number in the southern form). The total evidence suggests there are at least two, geographically-isolated forms of Lu. whitmani, which may represent different cryptic species.

Programa d'introducció al dret espanyol per a estudiants d'intercanvi

El projecte "Programa d'introducció al dret espanyol per a estudiants d'intercanvi" s'ha dut a terme a la Facultat de dret de la Universitat de Barcelona des del mes de juny de 2007 al mes de setembre de 2008. Ha consistit en iniciar l’esmentat programa que suposava, pels estudiants d’intercanvi sol·licitants, la consecució d’un Diploma d’Introducció al Dret espanyol, expedit per la Facultat de Dret de la UB, a banda del reconeixement dels crèdits cursats a Barcelona. L’objectiu va ser proposar canvis en el plantejament curricular, en concret la posada en marxa de les assignatures del Diploma: Introducció al Dret Privat, Introducció al Dret públic, Introducció al sistema processal espanyol, i Bases del sistema legal espanyol. Com a tasca prèvia que havia de garnatir l’èxit es va fer una difusió del programa a les universitats d’origen i es va articular un sistema d’acollida als estudiants que es va demostrar molt útil al principi de curs per a informacions diverses, però que després va ser infrautilitzat. Pel que fa a les assignatures, es van plantejar com un anàlisi dels trets fonamentals i diferencials del nostre dret, utilitzant elements de comparació amb els ordenaments dels països dels alumnes, però sense fer un exercici estricte de dret comparat. La taxa de rediment va ser alta – 75% - però es va detectar un problema, la insuficient preparació idomàtica, que depassa l’organització del programa. També es va considerar un repte pedagògic important: la heterogeneïtat dels estudiants tant en la seva formació jurídica prèvia –assignatures cursades en la seva Universitat-, com en relació al sistema legal del país del qual provenien, en relació al sistema espanyol. Per aquest motiu, el plantejament del curs i els materials a utilitzar va dependre en bona mesura del conjunt del grup al qual es va dirigr cada assignatura en concret.