Two new feather mite species (Acari, pteronyssidae) from the white-barred piculet, picumnus cirratus (Aves, piciformes)

Two new species of the feather mite family Pteronyssidae Oudemans, 1941 are described from the white-barred piculet, Picumnus cirratus Temminck from Brazil: Pterotrogus picumni sp. n. and Ramphastobius scutatus sp. n., representing the first mites described from this host. Pterotrogus picumni sp. n. can be readily distinguished from all previous species of the simplex group by having dorsal crest on femora I and II in both sexes. This is the first representative of the genus Pterotrogus Gaud, 1981 recorded on a host of the genus Picumnus Temminck. Ramphastobius scutatus sp. n. is unique among species of the genus by having in both sexes the prodorsal and scapular shields fused into a single propodonotal shield covering all prodorsum. An updated key to known species of the genus Ramphastobius Gaud, 1981 is presented. © Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR.

The role of multiple partners in a digestive mutualism with a protocarnivorous plant

Background and aimsThe protocarnivorous plant Paepalanthus bromelioides (Eriocaulaceae) is similar to bromeliads in that this plant has a rosette-like structure that allows rainwater to accumulate in leaf axils (i.e. phytotelmata). Although the rosettes of P. bromelioides are commonly inhabited by predators (e.g. spiders), their roots are wrapped by a cylindrical termite mound that grows beneath the rosette. In this study it is predicted that these plants can derive nutrients from recycling processes carried out by termites and from predation events that take place inside the rosette. It is also predicted that bacteria living in phytotelmata can accelerate nutrient cycling derived from predators.MethodsThe predictions were tested by surveying plants and animals, and also by performing field experiments in rocky fields from Serra do Cipó, Brazil, using natural abundance and enriched isotopes of 15N. Laboratory bioassays were also conducted to test proteolytic activities of bacteria from P. bromelioides rosettes.Key ResultsAnalyses of 15N in natural nitrogen abundances showed that the isotopic signature of P. bromelioides is similar to that of carnivorous plants and higher than that of non-carnivorous plants in the study area. Linear mixing models showed that predatory activities on the rosettes (i.e. spider faeces and prey carcass) resulted in overall nitrogen contributions of 26·5 % (a top-down flux). Although nitrogen flux was not detected from termites to plants via decomposition of labelled cardboard, the data on 15N in natural nitrogen abundance indicated that 67 % of nitrogen from P. bromelioides is derived from termites (a bottom-up flux). Bacteria did not affect nutrient cycling or nitrogen uptake from prey carcasses and spider faeces.ConclusionsThe results suggest that P. bromelioides derive nitrogen from associated predators and termites, despite differences in nitrogen cycling velocities, which seem to have been higher in nitrogen derived from predators (leaves) than from termites (roots). This is the first study that demonstrates partitioning effects from multiple partners in a digestion-based mutualism. Despite most of the nitrogen being absorbed through their roots (via termites), P. bromelioides has all the attributes necessary to be considered as a carnivorous plant in the context of digestive mutualism. © 2012 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved.

Revision of Nathan Banks type specimens of Bdellidae Dugès (Acari: Trombidiformes) of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge

In this article, seven Bdellidae Dugès (Acari: Trombidiformes) of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, originally described by Nathan Banks are studied: Cyta americana (Banks, 1902), Bdella tenella Banks, 1896, Bdella utilis Banks, 1914, Bdella californica Banks, 1904, Bdella cardinalis Banks, 1894, Bdella peregrina Banks, 1894 and Bdella brevitarsis Banks. Bdella tenella and Bdella californica are transferred to the genera Spinibdella and Bdellodes, respectively. Bdella brevitarsis, previously a nomen nudum, is herein described for the first time under the genus Hexabdella. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid: zoobank.org:pub:A18C8C10-8C8A-4873-AF0B-D1A9164CD7E8 © 2013 Copyright 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Sequential Sampling Plan for Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) on Rubber Tree

The objective of the present study was to develop a sequential sampling plan for the decision-making process to control Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), an important pest of the rubber tree crop. The experimental area was represented by 1,000 plants of the RRIM 600 clone divided in 100 plots with 10 plants each. Leaves were collected and the number of mites determined under laboratory conditions. The sequential sampling plan was developed in accordance with the Sequential Test Likelihood Ratio. The value 0.10 was pre-established for α and β representing type I and type II errors, respectively. The level of control adopted was six mites per 12 cm2. The operating characteristic curve and the curve of maximum expected sample were determined. Two lines were generated: the upper one, when the condition for chemical control is recommended (S1 = 23.3080 + 2.1972); and the lower, when chemical control is not recommended (S0 = -23.3080 + 2.1972). Sample size for the decision-making process to control T. heveae requires 6 to 18 plants. © 2013 Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil.

Contrasting engineering effects of leaf-rolling caterpillars on a tropical mite community

Ecosystem engineers are organisms that change the physical structure of environments and provide habitats for other organisms. Lepidopteran caterpillars may act as ecosystem engineers by rolling leaves as shelters to complete metamorphosis. After being abandoned, these structures may provide shelter for other organisms. In this study, the influence of leaf-rolling caterpillars on tropical mite communities was reported. Expanded leaves and leaves rolled by larvae and also developed field experiments using leaves rolled manually with different shapes and sizes (i.e. different architectures) in different seasons were surveyed (dry and rainy). While the abundance and diversity of predatory mites were higher in rolled leaves, the abundance of phytophages decreased in these leaves. Species composition differed between rolled and expanded leaves. The structure of shelters affected the distribution of predatory mites, with higher abundances found on funnel-shaped leaves. Predatory mites only benefited from the rolled leaves in the dry season. This is the first study showing (i) the contrasting effects of ecosystem engineers on microarthropod communities, favouring some feeding guilds and inhibiting others; (ii) that the shape of rolled leaves has variable effects on mite communities; and (iii) that facilitation was temporally dependent, i.e. occurred only in the dry season. © 2013 The Royal Entomological Society.

Mite (Acari; Arachnida) diversity of two native plants in fragments of a semideciduous seasonal forest in Brazil

Studies to determine mite species richness in natural environments are still scarce, and have been conducted mainly in tropical ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine the species richness of mites on two common native plants in fragments of the semideciduous seasonal forest in the Northwest of São Paulo State, Brazil. In each of eight fragments, 10 specimens of Actinostemon communis (Euphorbiaceae) and 10 of Trichilia casaretti (Meliaceae) were selected and marked. In total, 124 species of mites belonging to 21 families were found on the two plants. Tarsonemidae had the highest diversity (34 species), followed by Phytoseiidae (31), Tetranychidae (9) and Tenuipalpidae (8). Species accumulation curves for the two sampled plants did not reach an asymptote, even with the large sampling effort. Hence, it is estimated that a greater sampling effort may lead to an increase in species richness compared with what was found in this study. The richness of this mite fauna suggests that preservation of these plant species is important to maintain the mite diversity in these forest fragments. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

A new genus and species of pterodectine feather mite (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from Tod-Tyrants in Brazil (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae)

A new genus and species of feather mite, Hemitriccodectes furcatus gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from passerines of the genus Hemitriccus from Brazil: Hemitriccus furcatus, H. margaritaceiventer and H. striaticollis (Tyrannidae). The new genus belongs to the Pterodectes generic complex and most clearly differs from previously established genera of this complex by the following combination of features: trochanteral setae sRIII are present, and solenidia σ are absent from genua III. The new genus also lacks dorsal hysteroromal setae c1. © 2013 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.

A review of the genus Anisodiscus Gaud & Mouchet (Acari, Proctophyllodidae) from Madagascar sunbirds (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae), with observations on male genital morphology

In the present article, we review the feather mites of the genus Anisodiscus Gaud & Mouchet, 1957 associated with sunbirds of Madagascar (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae). Anisodiscus goodmani sp. nov. is described from Cinnyris sovimanga (Gmelin, 1788). This species, as far as we know, bears the longest male intromittent organ (aedeagus) in relation to its body size of any described mite. Anisodiscus megalurus (Trouessart, 1899) is redescribed and illustrated for the first time based on type specimens from the Trouessart collection and recently collected material.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F1E8A6DB-63CD-4A36-99C5-DC54184FAAE7. © 2013 Copyright Taylor & Francis.

A new species of hydrogamasellus (acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from brazil, with a key to the world species of the genus

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Toxicidade aguda e risco ecotoxicológico do fipronil para o guarú (Poecilia reticulata) e dissipação no ambiente aquático

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Epidemiologia de Otodectes cynotis (Acari: Sarcoptiformes) e sua associação com a infecção por Malassezia pachydermatis (Cryptococcales: cryptococcaceae) no canal auditivo de cães naturalmente infectados

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Estudo do padrão morfológico e da biologia Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) de diferentes locais e hospedeiros

Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal - IBILCE

Diversidade de ácaros em indivíduos masculinos e femininos de Triplaris americana L. (Polygonaceae) e eficiência de seu pólen como alimento para Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

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Emabaúba como reservatório para ácaros predadores e hospedeiro alternativo para o percevejo-de-renda em cultivo de seringueira, no estado de São Paulo

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Estudo da atividade acaricida de ésteres de sacarose em ácaros (Acari) de Hevea brasiliensis Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

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