Two New Species of Coronigoniella Young from Brazil with Taxonomic and Distributional Notes on the Genus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae)

Two new species of Coronigoniella Young are described and illustrated: C. osborni, sp. n., from SE. and S. Brazil (Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and Paraná states), and C. formosa, sp. n., from central W. and SE. Brazil (Goiás and Minas Gerais states, and the Distrito Federal). The presence of a sclerotized plate from the abdominal sternum VIII is reported in females of Coronigoniella for the first time. Taxonomic and morphological notes are given for C. spinosa (Osborn) based on specimens from its type-locality in Mato Grosso State. Tettigonia ruficaput (Walker), a species from Colombia previously considered of uncertain taxonomic position, is transferred to Coronigoniella. Possible host plants of C. osborni, sp. n. are Coleus sp. (Lamiaceae), Symphytum sp. (Boraginaceae), and Vernonia sp. (Asteraceae). The genus Coronigoniella is newly recorded from Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and São Paulo states, as well as from the Distrito Federal, Brazil. A map showing the known geographic distribution of the two new species is presented. Resumo Duas novas espécies de Coronigoniella Young são descritas e ilustradas: C. osborni, sp. n., do sudeste e sul do Brasil (estados do Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro e Paraná), e C. formosa, sp. n., do centro-oeste e sudeste do Brasil (estados de Goiás e Minas Gerais, assim como o Distrito Federal). A presença de uma placa esclerosada do esterno abdominal VIII é registrada em fêmeas de Coronigoniella pela primeira vez. Notas taxonômicas e morfológicas sobre C. spinosa (Osborn) são fornecidas, com base em espécimes provenientes da sua localidade-tipo no Estado do Mato Grosso. Tettigonia ruficaput (Walker), uma espécie da Colômbia anteriormente considerada como de posição taxonômica incerta, é transferida para Coronigoniella. Coleus sp. (Lamiaceae), Symphytum sp. (Boraginaceae) e Vernonia sp. (Asteraceae) são possíveis plantas hospedeiras de C. osborni, sp. n. O gênero Coronigoniella é pela primeira vez registrado nos estados de Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Paraná e São Paulo, assim como no Distrito Federal, Brasil. Um mapa mostrando a distribuição geográfica conhecida das duas novas espécies é apresentado.     

Inter- and Intra-Varietal Genetic Variability in Malvasia Cultivars

The DNA molecular analyses together with ampelography, ampelometry, and biochemistry are essential for grapevine identification and investigation of genetic differences among the Vitis vinifera L. cultivars and clones. Ten Malvasia cultivars (i.e., Istrian Malvasia; M. delle Lipari; M. bianca di Candia; M. di Candia Aromatica; M. del Lazio; M. bianca lunga, also known as Malvasia del Chianti; M. nera di Brindisi/Lecce; M. di Casorzo; M. di Schierano, and M. nera di Bolzano) were analyzed using molecular approaches to study the genetic inter-varietal variability. Thirty Istrian Malvasia genotypes (i.e., 8 Italian clones, such as ISV 1, ISV F6, VCR 4, VCR 113, VCR 114, VCR 115, ERSA 120, ERSA 121, and 22 autochthonous grapevine accessions grown in Istrian Peninsula, Croatia) were investigated to evaluate the morphological and genetic intra-varietal variability. DNA analysis allowed discrimination of all Malvasia genotypes at molecular level using AFLP, SAMPL, and M-AFLP markers. Italian clones and autochthonous Croatian accessions of Istrian Malvasia were grouped according to their different geographic origins. These results showed the great genetic variability of Malvasia genotypes suggesting the need for the preservation of autochthonous grapevine biotypes found on different areas to approve the correct choice and selection of the grape multiplication materials.     

The Impact of Exploitation on Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Hyriidae) in the Tocantins River,Brazil

Freshwater mussels in the Tocantins River are exploited for their shells to make buttons. Data were collected on mussel density, size frequency distribution, habitat and exploitation level at five sites. The most abundant species is Paxyodon syrmatophorus (Meuschen, 1781) and is preferred by fishermen. Mean harvested shell size is larger than that of randomly sampled mussels for all species. No individuals below 30 mm were found among harvested shells. Exploitation level varied among sites. Mussel density and mean shell size were correlated with exploitation level and with some habitat parameters. The results are discussed in relation to strategies for the management of existing stocks. Bivalves de água doce no rio Tocantins são explorados pelas conchas para a confecção de bot[otilde]es. Em cinco sítios, dados foram obtidos sobre densidade, distribuição em tamanho, hábitat e nível de exploração dos moluscos. O bivalve mais abundante e mais preferido pelos coletadores de conchas foi Paxyodon syrmatophorus (Meuschen, 1781). O tamanho em média das conchas coletadas é maior do que o das conchas amostradas aleatóriamente. Só indivíduos acima de 30 mm em tamanho foram encontrados entre conchas coletadas. O nível de exploração variou entre sítios. Densidade e tamanho média das conchas foram relacionados com o nível de exploração e alguns parâmetros de hábitat. Os resultados são discutidos em relação às estratégias de manejo dos estoques já existentes.     

Local Markets and Medicinal Plant Commerce: A Review with Emphasis on Brazil

Mercados locais e o comércio de plantas medicinais: Uma revisão com ênfase no Brasil. Os mercados tradicionais são importantes por reunir, concentrar, manter e difundir o saber empírico sobre a diversidade de recursos tanto da fauna como da flora, sendo fontes imprescindíveis para a resiliência e manutenção do conhecimento acerca dessas espécies medicinais. Essa proposta de revisão crítica enfocou a importância desses centros de compras, ressaltando a diversidade de produtos ofertados, os diferentes enfoques das pesquisas realizadas e a evolução das abordagens ao estudar os produtos vegetais comercializados nos mercados. Dessa forma, realizou-se uma busca em periódicos para evidenciar o desenvolvimento das pesquisas com mercados intencionando-se uma visão panorâmica das diferentes abordagens utilizadas. Sobre isso, foram abordados: a diversidade vegetal comercializada, as partes vegetais mais encontradas nos mercados, bem como os procedimentos metodológicos para coleta de informações e a natureza desses estudos. A partir das análises realizadas, recomendações foram sugeridas para futuras pesquisas em mercados tradicionais: a realização de inventários locais sobre espécies úteis associado a comparações com informações já existentes.     

Three new species of melastomataceae from the southeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil

Three species are described here that occur in montane and high-montane forests in Southeastern Brazil.Miconia shepherdii belongs to sectionGlossocentrum and occurs on the Serra da Mantiqueira, on the border between the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro.Miconia kollmannii belongs to sectionHypoxanthus (formerChaenanthera) and occurs in the state of Espírito Santo.Ossaea suprabasalis was also collected in the state of Espírito Santo.     

A Strategy to Investigate the Intravarietal Genetic Variability in Vitis vinifera L. for Clones and Biotypes Identification and to Correlate Molecular Profiles with Morphological Traits or Geographic Origins

Grapevine is the most economically important and widely cultivated fruit crop in the world. Molecular markers have been used on Vitis vinifera to distinguish among both varieties and clones. Microsatellites are used to fingerprint varieties and several other techniques, reported in many papers, are used to analyze the differences among clones, but it is not available in the literature as a well defined strategy to screen a large number of Vitis cultivars. In fact, it is often necessary to use different techniques to investigate the genetic variability in different grapevine varieties and a proposed technique is used to study a cultivar, which is often not suitable for either the study of another cultivar or compare the genetic relationship among various cultivars. We describe here a strategy used for the analysis of several grapevine cultivars to describe a universal method to obtain DNA polymorphisms of Vitis vinifera genotypes from the same cultivar by using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), selective amplification of microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL), microsatellites AFLP (M-AFLP), and ISSR molecular markers. The strategy here adopted permitted both to identify different biotypes (i.e., Primitivo), accessions (i.e., Garnacha tinta), and clones (i.e., Callet, Manto Negro, Moll) among the variability of same variety and to correlate the genetic differences to their geographical origins (i.e., Garnacha tinta; Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce) or morphological traits (i.e., Malvasia of Candia). Here is also described the application of the protocol that allows to highlight the genetic variability accumulated during centuries of cultivations and selections of the same variety in different environments by vine growers.     

Reproduction and Activity of the Snail-Eating Snake,Dipsas albifrons (Colubridae), in the Southern Atlantic Forest in Brazil

A study in a remnant of cerrado vegetation in São Paulo State, Brazil, was carried out to investigate the possible role of leaf-cutting ants in the creation of nutrient-rich patches and their consequent influence on plant establishment and growth. The results showed that leaf-cutting ants had neither detectable effect on local nutrient enrichment nor on plant community structure. It is suggested that leaf-cutting ants may affect early successional stages of the vegetation, when colonies are more abundant and disperse into the habitat. Foi feito um estudo em um remanescente de vegetação de cerrado no Estado de São Paulo, com o objetivo de testar o papel das sa£vas na criação de manchas ricas em nutrientes e sua conseqüente influência no estabelecimento e crescimento das plantas. Os resultados mostraram que as saúvas não tiveram nenhum efeito detectável no enriquecimento local de nutrientes e nem na estrutura das comunidades vegetais. Sugere-se que as saúvas possam afetar os estádios iniciais da sucessão vegetal, quando as colônias são mais abundantes e dispersam-se mais no habitat.     

Genetic and geographical structure in grapevines from northwestern Spain

The grapevine germplasm bank from Estación de Viticultura e Enoloxía de Galicia contains 110 accessions collected from more than 100‐year‐old grapevines from northwestern Spain. We identified 60 different genotypes (among which ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Shyrah’ were included as references) with 32 polymorphic microsatellites (SSRs), 21 of which were unlinked SSRs and without null alleles, which were used to detect genetic structure. We found four reconstructed populations that were highly differentiated by analysis of molecular variance (18.3%): (i) western Galician group (‘Caíño Bravo’); (ii) eastern Galician group (‘Merenzao’); (iii) Castilian group (‘Garnacha’) and (iv) southern Spanish group (‘Moscatel’). The greatest genetic differentiation was found between the western Galician/eastern Galician groups and the southern Spanish/Castilian groups, with Fst > 0.13. Western and eastern Galician groups contained most of the ancient Galician cultivars (86%) and included ancestors from central Europe, such as ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Shyrah’ in the western Galician group and the introgressant ‘Merenzao’ (French ‘Trousseau’) in the eastern Galician group; the Castilian and southern Spain groups included traditional cultivars from central and southern Spanish and suggest a further introduction of those cultivars in northwestern plantations. Genetic structure corresponded with East‐to‐West geographical differentiation in the northern Iberian Peninsula, following the old path to Santiago de Compostela from France, with the southern Spanish and Castilian groups in the East (Castilian plateau and southern Spain), the eastern Galician group and the western Galician group in the West. Five new relationships were discovered: ‘Caíño Bravo’/‘Caíño Longo2’, ‘Albarín Tinto’/‘Torrontés1’, ‘Treixadura’/‘Treixadura Francesa’, ‘Moscatel’/‘Moscatel de Bago Miúdo’ and ‘Moscatel’/‘Moscatel de Hamburgo’, indicating that hybridisation and further selection by growers have been the origin of most of the genetic diversity found in northwestern Spain.     

Biostratigraphic significance of a new early sauropodomorph specimen from the Upper Triassic of southern Brazil

The Wachholz site (Caturrita Formation, Late Triassic), in Agudo, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), southern Brazil, has yielded several sauropodomorphs. This includes CAPPA/UFSM 0002, described here based on associated elements from the basalmost portion of the site. The specimen possesses a set of traits shared with typical ‘prosauropods’: a concave caudal margin of the trunk neural spines and a broadly convex proximal end of metacarpal V. However, it also retains some plesiomorphic features, for instance, the slender pedal digit I. Some bones closely resemble those of Unaysaurus tolentinoi, the other definitive sauropodomorph from the Caturrita Formation, an affinity corroborated by a new phylogenetic analysis. An updated biostratigraphic framework correlates the Wachholz, Água Negra (São Martinho da Serra/RS) and Botucaraí Hill (Candelária/RS) sites based on their sample of sauropodomorphs. In addition, the record of Jachaleria in the Botucaraí Hill site, a dicynodont also known from early Norian deposits of Argentina, indicates an equivalent age to deposits bearing U. tolentioni. Accordingly, a more constrained age is proposed for the Água Negra site. This is important as the early Norian marks the transition from an epoch of low sauropodomorphs representativeness to a period of extreme abundance of the group in Early-to-Middle Mesozoic ecosystems.     

Spatial and seasonal variation in niche partitioning between blue manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata) and greenish schiffornis (Schiffornis virescens) in southeastern Brazil

The diet of Chiroxiphia caudata and Schiffornis virescens were studied over three years in four forest sites in the southeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Theory suggests that coexistence of similar species is possible by resource-use differences. To test this, patterns of niche overlap and niche breadth in diet were measured in different seasons and forest sites, based on fruit morphological traits and plant life forms. The results suggest seasonal and spatial variation in resource partitioning. During periods of high fruit availability, there was no evidence of fruit trait selection. In contrast, during periods of fruit scarcity in primary forests, there was evidence of niche partitioning, where C. caudata foraged for larger fruits in canopy and S. virescens searched for understory plants. The niche overlap was higher in secondary forest during periods of scarcity, when both species used small understory fruits.

Foi estudada a dieta de Chiroxiphia caudata e Schiffornis virescens durante três anos, em quatro tipos de fisionomias florestais no sudeste da Mata Atlântica, Brasil. A teoria sugere que a coexistência de espécies semelhantes é possível pelas diferenças no uso dos recursos. Assim, nós mensuramos a amplitude e sobreposição de nicho considerando a morfologia dos frutos consumidos e a forma de vida das espécies de plantas utilizadas em quatro tipos florestais e em diferentes estações. Os resultados sugerem mudanças sazonais e espaciais na partilha de recursos. Durante períodos de alta disponibilidade de frutos, não há evidências de partilha de recursos. Já em períodos de escassez de frutos nas florestas primárias, C. caudata consumiu frutos grandes presentes no dossel enquanto S. virescens utilizou os frutos pequenos do sub-bosque. Na floresta secundária, o período de escassez foi marcado por sobreposição intensa de nicho onde ambas as espécies consumiram frutos pequenos de sub-bosque.     

Combined effect of virus infection and water stress on water flow and water economy in grapevines

Water limitation is one of the major threats affecting grapevine production. Thus, improving water‐use efficiency (WUE) is crucial for a sustainable viticulture industry in Mediterranean regions. Under field conditions, water stress (WS) is often combined with viral infections as those are present in major grape‐growing areas worldwide. Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 3 (GLRaV‐3) is one of the most important viruses affecting grapevines. Indeed, the optimization of water use in a real context of virus infection is an important topic that needs to be understood. In this work, we have focused our attention on determining the interaction of biotic and abiotic stresses on WUE and hydraulic conductance (K_h) parameters in two white grapevine cultivars (Malvasia de Banyalbufar and Giró Ros). Under well‐watered (WW) conditions, virus infection provokes a strong reduction (P < 0.001) in K_petiole in both cultivars; however, K_leaf was only reduced in Malvasia de Banyalbufar. Moreover, the presence of virus also reduced whole‐plant hydraulic conductance (K_hplant) in 2013 and 2014 for Malvasia de Banyalbufar and in 2014 for Giró Ros. Thus, the effect of virus infection on water flow might explain the imposed stomatal limitation. Under WS conditions, the virus effect on K_plant was negligible, because of the bigger effect of WS than virus infection. Whole‐plant WUE (WUE_WP) was not affected by the presence of virus neither under WW nor under WS conditions, indicating that plants may adjust their physiology to counteract the virus infection by maintaining a tight stomatal control and by sustaining a balanced carbon change.     

Discrimination of Portuguese grapevines based on microsatellite markers

A set of 46 grapevine denominations was genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci in order to discriminate them. Ninety four alleles with a mean number of 8.55 alleles per locus were observed in a total of 37 detected unique genotypes. Previously assumed synonyms were confirmed and several cases of homonymy resolved. Comparison of the data obtained in this study with data of 32 genotypes previously reported enabled the detection of three parent offspring relationships, and identified other putative parent/progeny relationships. These data allowed understanding the origin of some Portuguese cultivars. The integration of the obtained data with ampelographic data would be very important for the accurate identification of the Portuguese cultivars and can become a significant tool for the certification of quality wines produced in specific regions.     

Population genetics of four PKLR intragenic polymorphisms in Portugal and S?o Tomé e Príncipe (Gulf of Guinea).

Four intragenic PKLR polymorphisms [1705A/C, 1738C/T. T10/19, and (ATT)n microsatellite] were studied in normal population samples of Central Portugal and S?o Tomé e Príncipe, a small archipelago located in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. For all loci, the observed genotype distributions do not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The allele frequencies found in the Portuguese population are similar to those previously described in Caucasian populations. Mother-child pair analysis for the (ATT)n microsatellite does not show deviations to the Mendelian rules. In S?o Tomé e Príncipe the biallelic polymorphisms 1705A/C, 1738C/T, and T10/19 presented inverse allelic frequencies when compared with the Portuguese population. Two new alleles were found at the (ATT)n microsatellite. Significant statistical differences were found between both populations. The results showed that S?o Tomeans had higher haplotype diversity and lower linkage disequilibrium among the polymorphic sites. The PKLR intragenic polymorphisms, commonly used in haplotype analysis with the gene mutations in PK-deficient patients, can thus be successfully employed in anthropological genetics.     

A new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) from Brazil

A new species of the genusMicrolicia,M. flava, from the highland “campo rupestre” vegetation of Serra da Canastra National Park, São Roque de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated.     

A review of Diplosmittia Sæther,with the description of four new Neotropical species (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Palms are considered key species in tropical forests and represent a source of food for the community of frugivores in times of scarcity. Palms have also been used as a model to investigate how the processes of dispersal and seed predation are affected by fragmentation and alteration of tropical forests. This study examines the dispersal and seed predation of Syagrus romanzoffiana in two insular environments of different sizes (1500 ha and 50 ha) and faunal compositions, both located in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. We recorded 13 species of animals considered consumers and dispersers of fruits and seeds of S. romanzoffiana at the larger study area (Peri Lagoon Municipal Park, Santa Catarina Island) and five species on Campeche Island. In these areas, the rates of dispersal were high (Peri 57.5% to 75.5% and Campeche 81.5% to 93.0%, based on the removal experiments). In the smaller area, despite the low faunal richness, the coatis (Nasua nasua), introduced in the island were important seed dispersers. Only in Peri occurred predation by rodents (rates of 4%) due to the presence of agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) and there was no post-dispersal predation by insects. The greatest loss of seeds (52% in both locations, based on sampling of seeds accumulated under parent plants) were caused by predation of Revena rubiginosa (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), of which oviposition occurs in the pre-dispersal phase. Besides this factor, about 40% of the seeds showed up without endosperm. However, high seed production seems to compensate for these losses, with significant seedling stock of S. romanzoffiana in both areas.

Palmeiras são consideradas espécies-chave em florestas tropicais representando fonte de alimento para a comunidade de frugívoros em épocas de escassez. Palmeiras também têm sido usadas como modelo de estudo na avaliação de como os processos de dispersão e predação de sementes são afetados pela fragmentação e alteração das florestas tropicais. Este estudo examina a dispersão e predação das sementes de Syagrus romanzoffiana em dois ambientes insulares de diferentes tamanhos (1500ha e 50ha) e composições faunísticas, ambos localizados em área de Mata Atlântica no Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Foram registradas 13 espécies de animais considerados consumidores e dispersores dos frutos e sementes de S. romanzoffiana na maior área estudada (Parque Municipal da Lagoa do Peri, Ilha de Santa Catarina) e cinco espécies na Ilha do Campeche. Nestas áreas, as taxas de dispersão foram altas (Peri 57,5% a 75,5% e Campeche 81,5% a 93,0%, com base em experimentos de remoção). Na menor área, apesar da baixa riqueza faunística, os quatis (Nasua nasua), introduzidos nessa ilha, foram importantes dispersores das sementes. Somente ocorreu predação por roedores no Peri (taxas de 4%) devido à presença de cotias (Dasyprocta azarae) e não houve predação pós-dispersão causada por insetos. A maior perda de sementes (52% em ambas as localidades, com base em amostragem de sementes acumuladas sob plantas-mãe) foi causada por predação de larvas de Revena rubiginosa (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), cuja oviposição ocorre na fase de pré-dispersão. Além deste fator, cerca de 40% das sementes mostravam-se sem endosperma. Contudo, a alta produção de sementes parece compensar essas perdas, havendo expressivo estoque de plântulas de S. romanzoffiana em ambas as áreas.     

Taxonomic review of Bourguyiinae,cladistic analysis,and a new hypothesis of biogeographic relationships of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest (Arachnida: Opiliones,Gonyleptidae)

The subfamily Bourguyiinae Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Gonyleptidae) is revised, and both phylogenetic and biogeographic hypotheses are proposed. Bourguyiinae is monophyletic, and is the sister group of the remainder of the Gonyleptidae species used for analysis, except for the Metasarcinae, which collectively is the sister group of Metavononoides orientalis Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Cosmetidae). Bourguyiinae is divided into two genera: Bourguyia (six species) and Asarcus (four species). The genus‐level synonyms proposed here are as follows: Caldasius, Styloleptes, and Stylopisthos are junior synonyms of Bourguyia; Bogdana, Cnemoleptes, and Opisthoplites are junior synonyms of Asarcus. The species synonyms proposed here are as follows: Afranius amarali Mello‐Leitão, 1934 is a junior synonym of Bourguyia albiornata Mello‐Leitão, 1923 ; Drastus hamatus Roewer, 1943 and Styloleptes conspersus Piza, 1943 are junior synonyms of Bourguyia trochanteralis Roewer, 1930 ; Asarcus corallipes Simon, 1879 , Asarcus lutescens Sørensen, 1884 , Asarcus pallidus Mello‐Leitão, 1923 , and Opisthoplites ypsilon Sørensen, 1884 are junior synonyms of Asarcus longipes Kollar in Koch, 1839 ; Asarcus nigriconspersus Soares & Soares, 1945 is a junior synonym of Asarcus ingenuus Melo‐Leitão, 1940. New species described are: Bourguyia bocaina sp. nov. (Serra da Bocaina, São José do Barreiro, São Paulo), Bourguyia vinosa sp. nov. (E.B. Boracéia, Salesópolis, São Paulo), and Asarcus putunaberaba sp. nov. (Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Alto Caparaó, Minas Gerais). Bourguyiinae is endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Paraná. Based on the modified data matrix of Pinto‐da‐Rocha et al., we propose a new biogeographical hypothesis for the Atlantic Rainforest. We suggest that Bourguyiinae species were originally distributed from the coastal region of Paraná to the north of Rio de Janeiro and south‐east of Minas Gerais, with subsequent dispersals both to northern and southern areas. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 319–362.     

Design of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivar-specific SCAR primers for PCR fingerprinting

Among 34 grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.), eight putative genotype-specific RAPD markers, from ’Albariño’, ’Caíño blanco’, ’Chardonnay’, ’Folle blanche’, ’Grenache blanc’, ’Malvasía Sitges’, ’Torrontés’ and ’Treixadura’ respectively, were selected to transform into SCAR markers. Of these, seven markers were cloned and then five which showed a positive specific hybridization signal were sequenced. For these five markers, 30 sequence-specific primers ranging from 14 to 29 bases were designed to amplify genomic DNA from 64 grapevine cultivars under more-stringent PCR conditions. Only, two primer pairs, OpA11₁₁₇₅p17R/ p17F and OpD10₈₀₀p14R/p14F, still produced a specific SCAR marker, the ’Folle blanche’ ScA11₁₁₇₅ and the ’Malvasía Sitges’ ScD10₈₀₀ respectively. Moreover, the ScA11₁₁₇₅ marker was amplified only in ’Folle blanche’ among the 64 cultivars tested with a large annealing temperature range using either two different Taq DNA polymerases or two separate thermocyclers. In addition, we discuss the initial polymorphism originated by the RAPD technique and suggest a new design of SCAR primers to obtain reliable cultivar-specific SCAR markers from single PCR-based bands for identification purposes.     

Breeding and Migrating Birds in an Amazonian Savanna

Seasonal occurrence, breeding and migration records are presented for about 150 species of birds, monitored during a four years survey in an Amazonian savanna near Alter do Chão, Pará state, Brazil, by means of mist netting and observations along transects and on random walks. About half of the recorded species were Passeriformes. The local avifauna was mostly comprised of residents, with major breeding activities during the dry season, August through February. Thirteen non-resident species were classified as migrants which is considered a rather small fraction. Calculations of the total number of species expected to occur at the study site are presented. The composition of this savanna bird community is discussed under aspects of seasonality and migrational activity. The data are compared with records from other cerrado habitats in Amazonia and elsewhere, especially in Central Brazil. Resumo Registros de ocorrência sazonal, reprodução e migração são apresentados para cerca de 150 espécies de aves, monitoradas durante quatro anos de levantamentos em uma savana Amazônica perto de Alter do Chão, Estado do Pará, Brasil, através de redes ornitológicas, observaç[otilde]es ao longo de transectos e caminhadas ao acaso. Perto da metade das espécies registradas foram passeriformes. A avifauna local foi constituída principalmente de espécies residentes, com o pico de atividades reprodutivas durante a estação seca, ou seja 80% das espécies reproduzindo de Agosto até Fevereiro. Este padrão se repetiu em 1988 e 1989. Juvenis foram capturados durante todo o ano com picos durante a estação chuvosa. Treze espécies não residentes foram consideradas migrantes os quais são uma pequena fração da comunidade. Estimativas do número total esperado de espécies ocorrendo na área de estudo são apresentados. As capturas com redes ornitológicas em 4 ha resultaram em 41 espécies e para 13 ha, 64 espécies. Quando a área amostrada foi duplicada para 24 ha, o número de espécies aumentou em somente 4 e correspondeu à metade do total registrado para a área. O número assintótico estimado para 13 ha foi de 82 espécies o qual foi similar ao número estimado para 24 ha (80 espécies). A composição desta comunidade de aves de savana é discutida sob os aspectos de sasonalidade e atividades migratórias. Os resultados são comparados com registros de outros habitats de cerrado na Amazônia e outros locais especialmente no Brasil central.     

COVID-19 compromises iron homeostasis: Transferrin as a target of investigation

ImportanceSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous metabolic alterations have been observed in individuals with this disease. It is known that SARS-CoV-2 can mimic the action of hepcidin, altering intracellular iron metabolism, but gaps remain in the understanding of possible outcomes in other pathways involved in the iron cycle.ObjectiveTo profile iron, ferritin and hepcidin levels and transferrin receptor gene expression in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between June 2020 and September 2020.Design, setting and participantsCross-sectional study that evaluated iron metabolism markers in 427 participants, 218 with COVID-19 and 209 without the disease.ExposuresThe primary exposure was positive diagnose to COVID-19 in general population of Santo André and São Bernardo cities. The positive and negative diagnose were determinate through RT-qPCR.Main outcomes and measuresDevido a evidências de alterações do ciclo do ferro em pacientes diagnosticados com COVID-19 e devido a corregulação entre hepcidina e receptor de transferrina, uma análise da expressão gênica deste último, poderia trazer insights sobre o estado de ferro celular. A hipótese foi confirmada, mostrando aumento da expressão de receptor de transferrina concomitante com redução do nível de hepcidina circulante.ResultsSerum iron presented lower values in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, whereas serum ferritin presented much higher values in infected patients. Elderly subjects had lower serum iron levels and higher ferritin levels, and men with COVID-19 had higher ferritin values than women. Serum hepcidin was lower in the COVID-19 patient group and transferrin receptor gene expression was higher in the infected patient group compared to controls.Conclusions and relevanceCOVID-19 causes changes in several iron cycle pathways, with iron and ferritin levels being markers that reflect the state and evolution of infection, as well as the prognosis of the disease. The increased expression of the transferrin receptor gene suggests increased iron internalization and the mimicry of hepcidin action by SARS-CoV-2, reduces iron export via ferroportin, which would explain the low circulating levels of iron by intracellular trapping.     

Conservation genetics of the highly endangered Azorean endemics <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphrasia azorica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphrasia grandiflora</Emphasis> using new SSR data

In the Azores Islands, two Euphrasia L. (Orobanchaceae) endemic species are recognized: Euphrasia azorica H.C.Watson, an annual herb, in Flores and Corvo, and Euphrasia grandiflora Hochst. ex Seub., a semi-shrub, in Pico, São Jorge and Terceira. Both species are highly endangered and protected by the Bern Convention and Habitats Directive. A population genetics study was conducted with new microsatellite primer pairs in 159 individuals of E. azorica and E. grandifolia, sampled from populations in Flores, Corvo, Pico and São Jorge. Allele sizing suggested that E. azorica is a diploid while E. grandiflora is a tetraploid. Euphrasia grandiflora revealed higher genetic diversity then E. azorica. The E. grandiflora population of Morro Pelado in São Jorge, displayed higher genetic diversity when compared with all others, while the E. azorica population of Madeira Seca in Corvo, showed the lowest. Private and less common bands were also overall higher in E. grandiflora populations. Population genetic structure analysis confirmed a distinctiveness between the two Azorean endemic Euphrasia, in addition to island-specific genetic patterns in E. azorica. The genetic structure obtained for E. grandiflora was complex with the populations of Cabeço do Mistério in Pico Island and of Pico da Esperança in São Jorge sharing the same genetic group, while a putative spatial barrier to gene flow was still retrieved between both islands. Although some populations of both species might benefit from propagation actions, studies are needed on plant host species and translocations between islands or between some populations of a same island should be avoided, due to the occurrence of putative ESUs. Eradication of invasive species and control of grazing will be fundamental to promote in situ restauration.