Intraspecific invariability of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA of the truffleTerfezia terfezioides in Europe

ITS regions (internal transcribed spacers—ITS1 andITS2—with the 5.8S gene of the nuclear rDNA) of 25 fruit body samples ofTerfezia terfezioides, originating from Hungary and Italy, were compared. The amplification and sequencing of the ITS region was successful with both theITS1-ITS4 andITSIF-ITS4 primer pairs. No differences of the restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles were detected among 19 samples collected in one place at the same time. The sequences of the ITS region of 9 samples collected in different localities were highly invariable, differing in only two bases. Thus the intraspecific homogeneity of the ITS region seems to be an important species-specific characteristic ofT. terfezioides in contrast to otherTerfezia species. As the samples of the species were collected from different and distant localities of Europe, the ITS sequence ofT. terfezioides can be considered a very conservative, reliable molecular marker of the fungus. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A00EN076 00008     

Triatominae in furnariid nests of the Argentine Gran Chaco

Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) are bloodsucking insects involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, an important public health problem in Latin America. The triatomine species found in sylvatic habitats generally play a limited epidemiological role compared to domestic species, but they may act as a reinfestation source of dwellings after insecticide spraying and have to be carefully considered in control strategies of Chagas disease transmission. The objectives of this work were to carry out a survey of the sylvatic triatomine species colonizing Furnariidae nests in a typical area of the Chaco region of Argentina during the winter and to study the parasites and natural enemies associated with the collected triatomines. Sixty‐three triatomine specimens were collected from Furnariidae nests (Coryphistera alaudina and Phacellodomus sibilatrix) randomly selected within the study area. Fifty‐four were identified as Psammolestes coreodes, seven as Triatoma platensis, and two as Triatoma infestans. Specimens of T. infestans and T. platensis were found in one nest. The first finding of instar nymphs of T. infestans x T. platensis in a sylvatic habitat is reported. For the first time, sylvatic collected specimens of T. platensis were found infected by T. cruzi. Triatoma virus was found in one Ps. coreodes specimen.     

Phylogenetic and phenotypic relationships among Triatoma carcavalloi (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) and related species collected in domiciles in Rio Grande do Sul State,Brazil

Triatoma carcavalloi is considered a rare Chagas disease vector often collected inside domiciles in Rio Grande do Sul State. In this Brazilian state, T. carcavalloi has been collected in the same ecotope (rock piles) with two other species (T. rubrovaria and T. circummaculata), with which it also shares morphological characteristics. Previous morphological studies placed T. carcavalloi in the same species complex (“infestans complex”) and subcomplex (“rubrovaria subcomplex”) as T. rubrovaria, whereas T. circummaculata was placed in the “circummaculata complex.” The phylogeny of a group composed of 16 species of triatomines was revaluated with the inclusion of T. carcavalloi by Bayesian analysis using mtDNA sequences of subunits 12S and 16S of the ribosomal RNA, and the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes. The phenotypic relationship among T. carcavalloi and related triatomines was also inferred from morphometrics. Phylogenetic results indicate that T. carcavalloi is a sister species of T. rubrovaria, and both were recovered as closely related to T. circummaculata. Morphometric studies confirmed the closeness among T. carcavalloi, T. rubrovaria, and T. circummaculata, prompting the placement of the latter species in the “infestans complex” and “rubrovaria subcomplex.”     

Molecular detection of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas</Emphasis> virulence aerolysin gene in retail meats from different animal sources in Egypt

Meat commonly contain the same Aeromonas spp. which occur in human diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal faecal samples. Motile Aeromonas were isolated from 5.6% of total 302 samples. The distribution of the isolates were 5.9 and 5.2% in fresh and frozen samples, respectively. Of the 302 samples taken of the four animal meat species investigated, the genus Aeromonas were isolated in 12.3% of the fresh samples collected from buffalo meat, in 6.5% of the samples collected from sheep meat and 14.0% from the samples collected from the cattle frozen meat samples. The camel meat did not reveal any Aeromonas isolates. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated as the most prevalent species with 6.8%, followed by Aeromonas caviae with 2.7% and Aeromonas sobria with 2.1% from the total meat samples. Aerolysin toxin gene (aerA) was detected in 3/17 isolates of A. hydrophila isolated from contaminated meat. Infection due to bacterial pathogen with such virulent factor through contact with contaminated meat while handling them, poses health hazards to humans.     

Factors Affecting Glucocorticoid and Thyroid Hormone Production of Island Foxes

The island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is native to 6 of the 8 Channel Islands of California, USA. The species experienced a population decline in the 1990s but recovered after predatory golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) were relocated and feral pigs (Sus scrofa), a main food source for the eagles, were removed. As part of an ongoing conservation program, the National Park Service conducts yearly health surveys on foxes residing on Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands. In this study, we document non-invasive measures of stress and nutritional status from fecal samples collected during surveys from 2009 to 2015. We collected samples defecated in traps overnight or during handling and measured concentrations of glucocorticoid (GC) and triiodothyronine (T3) metabolites using validated assays. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the relationships between hormones, season, island, age class, sex, body condition, reproductive status, and ectoparasite presence. Overall, males had marginally lower fecal T3 concentrations than females. Concentrations of both hormones positively correlated with body condition. Fecal GC production varied seasonally; concentrations were highest from December to February and declined through the summer and fall. During summer, younger females and those with signs of recent reproduction had higher fecal GC concentrations than older females or those without evidence of reproduction. Fecal T3 concentrations did not vary in relation to season, age, or reproductive status, but on San Miguel Island were positively correlated with ectoparasite presence. There were no other significant differences between islands. Our results provide hormone data for island foxes and demonstrate that production varies in relation to seasonal and biological factors. These reference data will serve as a comparison for future health surveys and allow managers to identify factors associated with increased stress or reduced nutritional state. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.     

Could the bug Triatoma sherlocki be vectoring Chagas disease in small mining communities in Bahia,Brazil?

Searches for Chagas disease vectors were performed at the type locality from which Triatoma sherlocki Papa et al. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) was described in the municipality of Gentio do Ouro, in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and in a small artisan quarry‐mining community ～13 km distant in a remote area of the same municipality. The latter site represents a new locality record for this species. Adults, nymphs and exuviae of T. sherlocki were found in 21% of human dwellings, indicating that the species is in the process of domiciliation. Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in collected bugs was 10.8%. Simple predictive approaches based on environmental similarity were used to identify additional sites likely suitable for this species. The approach successfully predicted an additional five sites for the species in surrounding landscapes. Ecological and entomological indicators were combined to discuss whether this scenario likely represents an isolated case or an emerging public health problem.     

Toxicity of blooms of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium to zooplankton

The marine filamentous bloom-forming cyanobacteria Trichodesmium thiebautii and T. erythraeum were collected at locations in the Carribean during Jan.–Feb. 1991. They were screened for toxicity using Artemia salina and several species of copepods, which were harpacticoid grazers, filter-feeding calanoids, or cyclopoid copepods. Approximately 50% of the 89 T. thiebautii samples caused> 50% lethality of A. salina, though none of the 16 T. erythraeum samples caused> 25% lethality. The T. thiebautii bloom samples were toxic to the calanoid and cyclopoid copepods and non-toxic to the harpacticoid grazers. In contrast the T. erythraeum bloom samples were not toxic to any copepods tested.     

Fungicides and some biological controller agents effects on the growth of fusarium oxysporum causing paprika wilt: Wirkung von fungiziden und einigen biologischen kontrollwirkstoffen auf das wachstum des paprikawelke verursachenden fusarium oxysporum

Soil samples from both healthy and diseased paprika roots were tested to identify their mycoflora. Thirty-one species belonging to 16 genera were collected from rhizosphere and rhizoplane samples. The most frequently isolated fungi were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. terreus, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium jensenii and Trichoderma harzianum. Fusarium oxysporum was the most common Fusarium species in the rhizoplane samples of diseased roots and identification was confirmed by RAPD-PCR technique. Trichoderma harzianum, T. pseudokoningii and Glioclaium roseum were chosen to study their biological control efficiency against Fusarium oxysporum. These fungal species reduced the percentage of seedling infection to 25, 40 and 50%, respectively. With the increasing of fungicide (Folicur and Ridomil) doses the dry weight of F. oxysporum decreased. Also, the increasing of fungicide dose lead to a slight decrease in the dry weight of T. harzianum, T. pseudokoningii and Glioclaium roseum.     

Patterns of genetic variation of the genusCapsicum (Solanaceae) in Mexico

The evolutionary relationships of 186 accessions ofCapsicum from Mexico were studied through enzyme electrophoresis. A total of 76 alleles representing 20 genetic loci coding for nine enzyme systems were observed and the allelic variations of enzymes were studied for geographical distribution. Allele frequencies were used to estimate the apportionment of gene diversity within and between populations and to construct a dendrogram based on a similarity matrix containingNei genetic distances. — The gene diversity estimates suggest that the structure ofCapsicum populations in Mexico consists of predominantly homozygous genotypes presumably due to a self-pollinated breeding system and population bottlenecks. Significant genetic differentiation was found mainly between populations of differing geographical regions.—Based on the results of this study, three species of domesticatedCapsicum can be identified in Mexico,C. annuum var.annuum, C. chinense, andC. pubescens. Semidomesticated and wild forms include two species,C. frutescens andC. annuum var.glabriusculum. A sharp geographical division results between the latter species;C. frutescens was collected exclusively in the southeastern states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco; whereas wild and semidomesticated forms from the rest of the country areC. annuum. Based upon the similarity of enzyme genotypes of semidomesticated and wild forms, the primary center of domestication of cultivatedC. annuum was estimated to be the region comprising the states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and Hidalgo in eastern Mexico. A possible second center of domestication is suggested to be localized in the state of Nayarit, western Mexico.     

Misidentification of two Brazilian triatomes, Triatoma arthurneivai and Triatoma wygodzinskyi, revealed by geometric morphometrics

Triatoma arthurneivai Lent & Martins and Triatoma wygodzinskyi Lent (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) are two Brazilian species found in the sylvatic environment. Several authors may have misidentified T. arthurneivai and consequently published erroneous information. This work reports the use of geometric morphometric analysis on wings in order to differentiate T. arthurneivai and T. wygodzinskyi, and thus to detect possible misidentifications. Triatomines collected from the field in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, and from laboratory colonies, were used. Analyses show a clear differentiation between specimens of T. arthurneivai and T. wygodzinskyi. This indicates that T. arthurneivai populations from São Paulo state were misidentified and should be considered as T. wygodzinskyi. This study also suggests that T. arthurneivai is an endemic species from Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais state.     

A METHOD OF OBTAINING AXENIC CULTURES OF TRENTEPOHLIA SPP. (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Axenic cultures of Trentepohlia species are necessary for the study of growth and hysiological characters of the algae. We describe the use of a Sherman micromanipulator to isolate filaments from samples of T. aurea and T. odorata collected from their natural habitats. These filaments were then used as inocula for the establishment of axenic cultures. In the case of T. aurea, further treatment with lactic acid was necessary.     

Micro-scale distribution of some arthropods inhabiting a Mediterranean sandy beach in relation to environmental parameters

A study on the spatial distribution of two tenebrionids and an isopod species was conducted at a small extent. Two species of the genus Phaleria were chosen because of their sympatric distribution and apparently similar adaptations to the beach environment. These scavenger species were studied in association to Tylos europaeus. Distributions, both perpendicular and parallel to the shoreline, were studied simultaneously with a grid of 20 × 20 pitfall traps arranged at a distance of 1 m from each other. Faunal samples were collected at two different hours of the night and core samples of sand were taken next to each pitfall trap for successive laboratory analysis. An index of dispersion was applied to test for aggregation of all species and of environmental parameters on the total, across- and long-shore. Kolmogorov–Smirnov two-sample test was used to compare the distributions between species. Regression analyse were applied to evaluate relationships between environmental parameters and species distributions. The study showed that the distribution of Phaleria species and T. europaeus was scale-dependent. The species and the values of the environmental parameters showed aggregated distributions both across- and long-shore. Aggregations of each Phaleria species differed according to their resting and foraging phases. For all species, sand moisture and salinity were the most important parameters explaining distribution. Granulometric parameters were correlated with the choice of the resting areas of both Phaleria species, whereas the spatial distribution of T. europaeus was correlated to the distribution of the organic matter.     

Keratinophilic fungi isolated from soil of the Abruzzo National Park,Italy

One hundred sixty one soil samples from the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo were analyzed. The keratinophilic fungi present in the soil samples were isolated and classified with the hair-bait method. The most common was T. ajelloi (28.6% of the total samples) followed by Chrysosporium keratinophilum (14.3%), C. sp. (11.2%), C. asperatum and Trichophyton sp. (6.8%), T. terrestre (5.6%), C. pannorum and C. state of Ctenomyces serratus (3.7%), C. tropicum (3.1%), M. cookei (2.5%) and the C. state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (1.9%). Other species, not belonging to the dermatophytes, were also isolated. The absence of dermatophytes was correlated with low human and animal population density.Altitude and vegetation did not seem to influence their distribution.     

A new species of Castilleja (Orobanchaceae) from central Hidalgo, Mexico

Castilleja hidalgensis is described from several collections from xeric limestone sites in central Hidalgo, Mexico. The new species belongs to a small complex of poorly known and uncommon species within sect.Euchroma, sharing important characteristics withC. macrostigma, the first-described taxon in this assemblage. The new species appears to be rare and highly restricted both geographically and ecologically. A key to the species of theC. macrostigma group is provided.     

Larval habitats of sand flies in rural areas of southern Brazil

We report the results of an investigation of natural larval sand fly habitats in the Recanto Marista, Doutor Camargo municipality, Paraná state, Brazil, from May, 2010 to August, 2012. We used Alencar emergence traps (AT), experimental traps (ET), and soil samples incubated in a biochemical oxygen demand incubator. Eight sand flies were collected with ATs. One specimen was collected with an ET and 21 were collected in soil samples. The collected species were Brumptomyia brumpti, Micropygomyia ferreirana, Migonemyia bursiformis, Migonemyia migonei, Nyssomyia neivai, Nyssomyia whitmani, and Pintomyia pessoai. The laval habitats of sand flies were located in the Recanto Marista, especially between tree roots, but the number of adults that emerged in the traps and soil samples was small despite the high density of sand flies that has been recorded in the Recanto Marista.     

High bioassay values in Terminalia alata leaves: indication of Cu mineralisation in Malanjkhand Granitoid,Central India

Abstract

Eighteen plant species belonging to 11 families commonly growing in the Pathratola, Dhorli and Pipardhar areas of the Malanjkhand Copper Province were studied. High Cu values were observed in the leaves of the abundant species of Terminalia alata in Pipardhar area. The leaves of T. alata also show wide pre- and post-monsoon seasonal variations in their Cu contents (average: 593-1,713 μg g^-1). Amongst several samples from various species, most of the leaf samples of T. alata, collected from the Pipardhar area showed high Cu values that lie within and occupy the high ends of cumulative probability curves. Anomalous Cu values of > 200 and > 497 μg g^-1were obtained for most of the T. alata leaves of the Pipradhar area for pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. The correlation coefficient values between Cu contents of T. alata leaves and substrate soil do not show a significant relationship for any area in either season. However, t- test results between Cu contents of T. alata leaves and substrate soil samples indicated a significant relationship for the samples collected from the Pipardhar and Pathratola areas during the pre-monsoon period. For post-monsoon period, the t-test results show non-significant relationship in the Pipardhar area. Another sampling area selected adjacent to the Pipardhar area had significance in the t-test results between the two sample periods. Polynomial curves revealed that 465 and 480 μg g^-1 of Cu in the soil are the “toxicity threshold limits” for the pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. Possible reasons attributed to the high bioassay values found in the T. alata leaves have been discussed in the paper.     

Eastern Cottontail (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sylvilagus Floridanus)</Emphasis> as Carrier of Dermatophyte Fungi

Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus, fam. Leporidae), introduced into Piedmont (Italy) in the 1960s, was studied as carrier of dermatophyte fungi. Of 216 hair samples collected from animals culled between September 1999 and July 2000 in the Province of Alessandria (Piedmont, Italy) during a pest control project, 57 (26.4%) yielded dermatophyte colonies. As two different species of dermatophytes grew from two samples, a total of 59 fungal isolates (26.5%) were obtained. Six dermatophyte species both geophilic (M. gypseum, M. cookei, Trichophyton ajelloi, T. terrestre) and zoophilic (M. canis, T. mentagrophytes) were identified. No sex-related differences were found but season-related differences were observed. The highest prevalence of dermatophyte-positive samples was recorded in May–September, due to the geophilic fungi whose prevalence decreased during colder and increased during warmer months ( p < 0.001). The presence of zoophilic dermatophytes, T. mentagrophytes, commonly associated with rodents, small mammals and lagomorphs and M. canis, usually correlated with domestic environment, did not change the whole year round. As Eastern cottontail has been showed to be a carrier of dermatophytes transmissible to man (M. canis, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum), it may represent a source of infection for gamekeepers, hunters and veterinarians.     

Phylogenetic and populational study of the Tuber indicum complex

When examined using SEM, Chinese samples of Tuber indicum and T. sinense displayed the same ascospore ornamentation as that of T. pseudohimalayense, T. indicum, collected in India by Duthie in 1899, and samples renamed T. himalayense in 1988. The different authors who named the four taxa (T. indicum, T. himalayense, T. sinense, T. pseudohimalyense) described differences in the surface of the peridium which could be considered as usual variations within a single species. We consider T. indicum, T. himalayense, T. sinense and T. pseudohimalayense as one species, T. indicum. Within this T. indicum complex, according to ITS and β-tubulin sequences, there are two groups in China, which could be considered as geographical ecotypes. This study is the first to identify a genetic and phylogeographical structure within the Chinese Tuber species.     

Palynological analysis of Brazilian geopropolis sediments

The sediments of 10 samples of geopropolis collected from 3 species of Meliponinae in the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Brazil, and obtained after chemical treatment, were analysed. Pollen grains, hyphae and spores of fungi, organic material and burned plant fragments were observed in the majority of samples. Sandy or earth materials was present in all geopropolis sediments. Pollen analysis identified the dominant, accessory and isolated plant taxa occurring in the areas of geopropolis sample recovery. The most important pollen types found were Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in samples from the state of São Paulo only, Schinus (Anacardiaceae) mainly in samples from the state of Minas Gerais and Myrcia (Myrtaceae) in every state. Two samples were devoid of pollen grains. Only one sample contained plant trichomes and was considered a propolis sample of Apis bees. Compared to propolis samples examined previously, the geopropolis pollen spectra reflect the characteristic regional vegetation and also a higher variability of plant species visited by the Meliponinae. It is established that geopropolis samples can be distinguished from propolis samples by light microscope analysis of sediments. Mineral and soil constituents, as well as the lack of trichomes, are characteristic only of geopropolis.     

Long-term survival of marine planktonic diatoms and dinoflagellates in stored sediment samples

Sediment samples from Scottish coastal sites, taken over the last 9 years, were stored in closed containers at 5C. Slurry cultures were used to determine the survival of phytoplankton in these sediments. A range of diatom and dinoflagellate species survived for at least 27 months in these stored samples. A number of species grew for which no resting stage has yet been described: Thalassiosira angulata, T.pacifica, T.punctigera, T.eccentrica, T.minima and T.anguste-lineata. Notable results were survival times of 73 months for Skeletonema costatum, 96 months for Chaetoceros socialis, C.didymus and C.diadema, 109 months for Scrippsiella sp. and 112 months for Lingulodinium polyedrum. A single sample was stored and repeatedly cultured for diatoms over a period of 16 months. The number of species cultured from the sediment declined over this time. Lingulodinium polyedrum cysts isolated from sediments collected at least 18 months previously gave a hatching success of 97%, and cysts isolated from a 9-year-old sample gave a hatching success of 3%. The study indicated the potential importance of coastal sediments as a source of phytoplankton to their overlying waters. The validity of using marine planktonic diatoms and dinoflagellates for modelling geological events is discussed.