First report of Elasmus polistis Burks (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) recovered from Polistes versicolor (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) nests in Brazil

The first record of Elasmus polistis Burks in Polistes versicolor (Olivier) nests in the Rio Grande do Sul state and in Brazil is provided. A total of 173 specimens of P. versicolor and 790 specimens of E. polistis were collected from two nests from Gramado and Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, Brazil.     

Three new species,four new records and an updated checklist of Habenaria (Orchidaceae) from Rio Grande do Sul,Brazil

Three new species of Habenaria (Orchidaceae) section Nudae from Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, are described and illustrated: Habenaria australis, H. kleinii and H. sobraliana. These are the first records of H. sect. Nudae for the state. Based on the examination of living and dried specimens, a total of 33 species and 400 collections of Habenaria were recorded for Rio Grande do Sul. Based on this survey, an updated checklist of the genus Habenaria for Rio Grande do Sul has been compiled. Four species are known only from this state, while seven other species are restricted to southern Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Habenaria hieronymi, previously known only from Argentina, is recorded for the first time from Brazil, and H. brachyphyton, H. ekmaniana and H. melanopoda are new records for Rio Grande do Sul.     

Deviation from the Groundplan: a unique new species of freshwater planarian from South Brazil (Platyhelminthes, Tridadida, Paludicola)

The species Girardia biapertura Sluys, sp. nov. is described from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A unique derived character distinguishes this species from its congeners and all other planarians known to date, namely separate openings of the vasa deferentia at the tip of the penial papilla. Present knowledge on the distribution of Girardia species in Rio Grande do Sul is summarized.     

Two new species of Petunia (Solanaceae) from southern Brazil

Two new species of Petunia Jussieu from Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states in Brazil are described and compared with the other seven specieS. A key and synopsis of all the species of Petunia are provided     

Microsporon canis infection in a pig

Summary The authors relate the first isolation ofM. canis from a pig in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

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Sumário Os autores relatam a primeiro isolamento doM. canis de um suino no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

     

Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Brazil: possible origins inferred by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II gene sequences

The Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi, originally from northeast India through Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Indonesian archipelago, is a major termite pest introduced in several countries around the world, including Brazil. We sequenced the mitochondrial COII gene from individuals representing 23 populations. Phylogenetic analysis of COII gene sequences from this and other studies resulted in two main groups: (1) populations of Cleveland (USA) and four populations of Malaysia and (2) populations of Brazil, four populations of Malaysia, and one population from each of Thailand, Puerto Rico, and Key West (USA). Three new localities are reported here, considerably enlarging the distribution of C.?gestroi in Brazil: Campo Grande (state of Mato Grosso do Sul), Itajaí (state of Santa Catarina), and Porto Alegre (state of Rio Grande do Sul).     

Occurrence of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) on aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in wheat plantation in Medianeira, Parana State, Brazil

This paper records the occurrence of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) attacking aphids in wheat plantation in Medianeira, in the west region of Paraná State, Brazil. This microhymenoptera was introduced and released by Embrapa Trigo, from 1978 to 1992 in the wheat production region at the state of Rio Grande do Sul, what suggests that individuals of this species may show high dispersal ability.     

Nasal mites (Gamasida: Rhinonyssidae) of Paroaria coronata (Miller) (Passeriformes: Emberezidae)

With the aim of identifying the species of nasal mites of Paroaria coronata (red-crested cardinal), the nasal cavity of 40 birds were examined. The nasal mites were identified as Ptilonyssus sairae de Castro and Sternostoma pirangae Pence, with 50% and 7.5% of prevalence, respectively. This is the first record of these mite species parasitizing P. coronata. This report also amplifies the area of occurrence of S. pirangae for Brazil and that of P. sairae for Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.     

Cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii in Brazilian patients with AIDS. Report of three cases

Three cases of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii infection in AIDS patients observed in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) are related. A brief comment on the epidemiology of cryptococcosis in Brazil is also made.     

Chromosomal comparisons among and within populations of Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax (Diptera, Simuliidae)

Chromosomal studies were carried on six larval populations of Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax from different locations in Brazil. Larvae were collected in the states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro and S?o Paulo. Polytene chromosome map comparisons within and among populations showed no differences in banding pattern, except for some limited polymorphism (secondary NOR and four band polymorphisms). There were no chromosomal variations associated with the resistance or susceptibility of the larvae to temephos. The chromosomal homosequentiality found among the six populations suggests that S. pertinax may be a monomorphic species.     

Two new species of Petunia (Solanaceae) from southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Petunia bajeensis and P. riograndensis, two new species from southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil are described, and their morphological distinction from related species and features of their habitats are discussed.     

A new species of Lupinus (Fabaceae: Lupininae) from southeastern Brazil

Lupinus rubriflorus Planchuelo, from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is described and illustrated. This species is related toL. bracteolaris s.l. differing in pubescence, stipules, and floral characters.     

Progressive pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis a study of 34 cases observed in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

Data on 34 patients with progressive pulmonary paracoccidioi domycosis seen in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) are reviewed. Clinical manifestations were similar to those of a prolonged or a recurrent undifferentiated respiratory infection. Roentgenographic findings were also non-characteristic. A mycologic diagnosis was readily made when sputum was available.Pesquisador IB, Conselhor Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico (CNPq).     

A new species of Dendrocerus (Hymenoptera,Megaspilidae) from southern Brazil

A new species of the megaspiline genus Dendrocerus Ratzeburg is described and figured. Dendrocerus riograndensis sp. n., is known from a series of males from the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and were captured with Malaise traps from an agricultural tobacco field.     

Egg-cases and size at hatching of Sympterygia acuta in the south-western Atlantic

Ten egg-cases of Sympterygia acuta were collected from the surf line at Cassino Beach, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and incubated in the laboratory. The egg-cases and neonates (77–84 mm total length) are described.     

Description of a new phlebotomine species, Evandromyia gaucha sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The present paper describes a new phlebotomine species, Evandromyia gaucha sp. nov., based on seven females found in the municipality of Ca?apava do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The new species belong to rupicola series and differs from other sand flies of the genus Evandromyia due to the presence of a rounded spermatheca head with its size very close to that of the spermatheca body.     

Trichophyton verrucosum in Brazil

Summary The authors review Brazilian literature on human and cattle ringworm infection withT. verrucosum.They report the first time on human and bovine autochtonous infections in Rio Grande do Sul. They try to explain the origin of this epizootic focus verified in Bajé (Rio Granje do Sul, Brazil).

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Sumário Os autores revisam a literatura nacional sôbre infecção humana e animal porTrichophyton verrucosum no Brasil.Relatam a verificação de casos autoctones em 3 pessoas e uma epizootia em animais; tentam explicar a origem dêsse foco epizoótico em Bajé (R. Grande do Sul).

     

Seasonal variations in the biochemical composition and lipoperoxidation of Hyalella curvispina (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

We assessed the effect of seasonal variations on the biochemical composition and lipoperoxidation of an amphipod crustacean, Hyalella curvispina, which inhabits the coastal plain of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and correlated this with information on the biology of the species. The animals were collected monthly from September 2003 to August 2005, in Gentil Lagoon, Tramandaí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Glycogen levels, total proteins, total lipids, triglycerides, and lipoperoxidation were measured for each sex separately. The results suggest that these animals have seasonal storage and degradation of the energy substrates investigated. During summer, glycogen, total lipids, and triglycerides were stored, and were utilized especially during autumn and winter. Proteins were utilized differently in males and females. Females stored proteins especially in spring and used them in summer; whereas males stored proteins especially in spring and used them in winter. The levels of lipoperoxidation during the year differed between females and males. These variations may be related to biotic factors (e.g., reproduction period and others) and to abiotic factors (e.g., water temperature, salinity and others).     

Short CommunicationFirst detection of blood in the gut of wild caught male sandflies in southern Brazil

During a study on the dynamics of the transmission of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, male phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) were found with blood in the alimentary canal although it is common belief that only females take bloodmeals.