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).

     

Genetic Variation Along Time in a Brazilian Population of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aedes Aegypti</Emphasis> (Diptera: Culicidae), Detected by Changes in the Esterase Patterns

Aedes aegypti from the Brazilian cities of São José do Rio Preto (SJ) and Goiânia (GO) were analyzed as to their esterase patterns and the results were compared with data obtained about 5 years before for SJ population. Esterase bands not detected in the previous study were now observed in mosquitoes from both SJ and GO populations, being the last considered a population resistant to insecticides. Other similarities between SJ and GO populations in this study, and some differences in comparison with the previous data on SJ were observed, involving, in addition to changes in band type, changes in frequency of mosquitoes expressing them and differential gene activation during development. As it is generally true for genetic features, changes in the esterase patterns are expected to be the result of factors such as selection by environmental conditions and genetic drift. In the present case, continuous use of insecticides aiming mosquito population size control in SJ by sanitary authorities could be involved in the observed changes. Changed esterases were classified as carboxylesterases and cholinesterases, which are enzymes already shown to take part in the development of resistance in several organisms. In addition, data obtained in the elapsed time by authorities responsible for the mosquito control has shown increasing insecticide resistance of SJ population mosquitoes parallel to increase in the total amount of esterases, reinforcing the mentioned possibility.     

B Chromosome Polymorphism in the Fish, Astyanax scabripinnis

Four populations of Astyanax scabripinnis (Pisces, Characidae) were analyzed for B chromosome features. This species contains a metacentric macrochromosome (B_M), similar in size to the first chromosome of the karyotype, besides two variant forms, a large submetacentric (B_SM) and a small metacentric (B_m), both showing a reduced frequency. These variant forms were observed only in the populations from the Campos do Jordão region (São Paulo State, Brazil), although not present in all the populations sampled. The three B chromosome forms are heterochromatic and at least the B_M and B_SM are also GC-rich, as evidenced by C-banding and chromomycin A₃ staining. In spite of the morphological similarity between the B_M form and the first chromosome pair, they differ in the G-banding pattern, which does not favor a possible relationship among these chromosomes. FISH with a telomeric DNA probe evidenced signals on the terminal region of all chromosomes, including the Bs. Interstitial telomeric bands, indicative of some chromosomal rearrangements such as translocation or tandem fusion in the origin of the B chromosomes, were not observed. B_SM and B_m are probable derivative B chromosome forms from an ancestral B_M chromosome, showing a restricted occurrence and low frequency in the populations.     

Macrauchenia patachonica Owen (Mammalia, Litopterna) de la région de São Raimundo Nonato (Piauí, Nordeste brésilien) et la diversité des Macraucheniidae pléistocènes

The São Raimundo Nonato (Piauí, Northeastern Brazil) area yielded about 50 Macraucheniidae remains. The study of this material and of other fossils from Northeastern Brazil (Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte) shows a great similarity to Macrauchenia patachonica as it was defined in Argentina, which is the most abundant of the three species pertaining to the genus. Thus the taxon Xenorhinotherium bahiense created in 1988 by Cartelle et Lessa for a material discovered in the Bahia State and assigned to use for all the Quaternary Litopterns from tropical Brazil appears to be no more than a junior synonym of it. M. patachonica seems to have occupied very varied biotopes from sea level up to a high of 4000 m, and from the cold Southern Patagonia to the Equatorial Venezuela. The species lived from the Middle Pleistocene up to the beginning of the Holocene.     

Song dialects on the Atlantic islands: goldcrests of the Azores ( Regulus regulus azoricus, R. r. sanctae-mariae, R. r. inermis)

Territorial songs in island populations of songbirds are often highly divergent from those of neighbouring continental relatives. This is shown for the three goldcrest subspecies (Regulus regulus azoricus, R. r. sanctae-mariae and R. r. inermis) endemic on six islands of the Azorean archipelago. All investigated populations display a high intra- and inter-individual acoustic variation. On each island, up to six different song types have been found; and a single male sings up to three types. In contrast, all northwestern European populations of R. r. regulus and R. r. anglorum share only a single song type. In playback experiments, none of 18 tested dialect songs of Azorean goldcrests evoked notable territorial reaction in German and Czech goldcrest males (ssp. regulus). Two differing dialect groups of the goldcrest can be distinguished on the Azores. Populations of the eastern islands, São Miguel and Santa Maria, share common song types which are not found on the islands of the central and western groups. Dialect repertoires on the westernmost islands, Flores, Faial and Pico, are dominated by a different song type. In the geologically younger western crater of São Miguel, both western and eastern song types coexist. Acoustic similarities to a population from neighbouring Terceira suggest the western part of São Miguel as the origin for the westward expansion of R. regulus on the Azores.     

Influence ofOnthophagus gazella on hornfly,Haematobia irritans density in irrigated pastures

Haematobia irritans (L.) breeding in flood irrigated pastures of the lower Colorado Desert of southeastern California continues to remain unacceptably high during warm seasons (>1,000 adult flies per bovine head) despite the presence of moderately abundant populations ofOnthophagus gazella F. This study suggests that densities of > 40–70 adult beetles per dung pad and giving pronounced dung shredding activity, caused fly mortality of 38–56 %. The continued high abundance of adult horn flies on cattle suggests that at > 50% mortality, the pasture environment still produces sufficient flies to saturate cattle, although emigration might be reduced. Additional species of scarabs may be necessary to increase fly mortality. However, the dung drying activity of existingO. gazella significantly could interfere with resident staphylinid beetle breeding, which was significantly lower in pastures whereO. gazella reached densities of 40 per dung pad. Scarab beetle activity might also impede the introduction of superior predatory species for biological control.      

Predation on and by pelagic Turbellaria in some lakes in Brazil

Planktonic Turbellaria are of common occurrence in both natural and man-made lakes in Brazil. Experiments were performed in 1987 and 1989 to determine which zooplankton species are consumed by predatory Mesostoma sp. from three natural lakes in the Rio Doce Valley. Experiments were also performed in 1989 with a yet unidentified flatworm from Barra Bonita reservoir. Both predators consumed Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia at a high rate: 4 individuals per day in the case of Mesostoma sp., a large species and 1.5 ind day^–1 in the case of the smaller species from Barra Bonita reservoir. Consumption of copepod nauplii, copepodids and adults was much lower, and Ostracoda were not consumed at all. Experiments on food selectivity showed a clear preference by the flatworms for cladocerans.In the lakes studied, flatworms are heavily preyed upon by larvae of Chaoborus and by Mesocyclops species.Turbellaria densities in the natural lakes were around 300 individuals per cubic meter, whereas in Barra Bonita reservoir, 1000 individuals per cubic meter was a mean value in a fifteen days study.Federal University of São Carlos - Laboratory of LimnologyUniversity of São Paulo - Canter of Water Resource and Applied EcologyPost-graduate student - University of São Paulo     

Sexual dimorphism in canine length of woolly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides,E. Geoffroy 1806)

We measured canine teeth from 28 woolly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides) to assess sexual dimorphism and population differences. The specimens are from the Brazilian states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. We found strong sexual dimorphism in canine length for individuals belonging to populations south of 22°00 latitude but no sexual dimorphism in canine length from individuals of populations north of 21°00 latitude. Canine length did not vary among females of northern and southern populations. However, southern males had significantly longer canines than northern males. This geographical difference in canine morphology, together with the presence or absence of thumbs and published accounts of differences in genetics and social structure between northern and southern populations, suggests thatBrachyteles arachnoides may be composed of at least two subspecies, which appear to be separated by the rivers Grande and Paraiba do Sul and the Serra da Mantiqueira.     

Quantification of trehalose in biological samples with a conidial trehalase from the thermophilic fungus Humicola grisea var. thermoidea

The partially-purified, thermally-stable trehalase from conidia of Humicola grisea was highly specific for trehalose and was free of potentially interfering activities. The enzyme was fully stable when stored in solution at -15°C for at least 6 months. This preparation could be used to quantify trehalose from 0.05 to 1.25 mol/ml either in carbohydrate mixtures or in complex biological materials.M.J. Neves, H.F. Terenzi and J.A. Jorge are with Departmento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-901-Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; F.A. Leone is with Departamento de Quimica, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-901-Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.     

Endophytic fungi from Musa acuminata and their reintroduction into axenic plants

Sixteen fungal taxa were isolated from 2400 leaf fragments of mature Musa acuminata plants collected from three different localities in São Paulo State, Brazil. The most frequently found endophytic fungi were Xylaria sp., Colletotrichum musae and Cordana musae. The standard distribution of endophytes was similar in the three localities. Spontaneous resistant mutants to the fungicides thiabendazole (thi-1) and benomyl (ben-5), were obtained from Colletotrichum musae wild-type isolates. Equal amounts of conidia mixtures of combinations of wild-types and mutants were reintroduced in axenic banana plantlets derived from tissue culture; thi-1 showed a selective advantage when compared to both wild-types used. For ben-5, no significant difference was found. Results showed that wild-types and spontaneous mutants of endophytic fungi as Colletotrichum musae, can be successfully reintroduced in plantlets derived from tissue culture.     

A new southern limit for the distribution ofAlouatta caraya in Rio Grande do Sul State,Brazil

The discovery of two groups of the black howler monkey,Alouatta caraya, inhabiting two orchards on a cattle farm, Fazenda Casa Branca (29°56′S, 55°59′W), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, represents a new southern limit for the geographic distribution of this species.     

Disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Microsporum gypseum is not a common agent of human dermatophytosis. To the best of our knowledge, this fungus has not been described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We report a tinea corporis infection with atypical presentation caused by M. gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) studied at the São Paulo Hospital (São Paulo, Brazil).This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pectinase production by Penicillium frequentans

High activities of extracellular pectinase with viscosity-diminishing and reducing groups-releasing activities were produced by Penicillium frequentans after 48 h at 35°C, in agitated cultures supplemented with 0.5% citrus pectin and initial pH of 2.5. Under these conditions the fungus also produced high activity of pectinesterase. At an initial pH of 7.0 or 8.0, pectin lyase activity was also detected. Enzyme activity releasing reducing sugars was more stable at 50°C than viscosity-diminishing activity. Both activities were maximal at pH 2.5 to 5.2 and at 55°C.The authors are from the Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café, s/n^o, Bairro Monte Alegre, 14.049 Ribeirão Preto, S.P., Brazil.     

Two new species ofNeosartorya from Brazilian soil

Among the isolates from soil of corn and sugar cane plantations in São Paulo State, Brazil, two new species ofNeosartorya, N. botucatensis andN. paulistensis, are described and illustrated.Neosartorya botucatensis differs from the other known species of the genus in having ascospores with long spines on the convex walls.Neosartorya paulistensis is characterized by its ascospore walls with spinose and verruculose ornamentation. The former is compared with the closely related speciesN. spinosa, and the latter is closely related toN. glabra, N. pseudofischeri and N. stramenia.     

Use of Terra Firme Forest by Caicubi Caboclos,Middle Rio Negro,Amazonas, Brazil. A Quantitative Study

Use of Terra Firme Forest by Caicubi Caboclos, Middle Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil. A Quantitative Study. An ethnobotanical study was carried out with caboclos from the village of Caicubi, Roraima State, Brazil. This village is located between the Rio Negro and Rio Branco. The data were collected in 1 ha of terra firme forest and involved caboclo knowledge of the tree species with individuals dbh ≥ 10 cm. A total of 11 informants between 34 to 74 years of age were interviewed. The caboclos used 185 (98%) of the 189 species analyzed. The family with the highest use value for the community was Arecaceae. The species with the highest use value was Bertholletia excelsa. Arecaceae, Lecythidaceae, and Sapotaceae showed a wide variety of uses. The uses were grouped into eight categories; those with the highest use values were firewood, technology, and construction. The mean use value for species was 1.6. The most intensely used resources in the forest were wood, leaves, spines, and exudates.     

Variability of Wing Size and Shape in Three Populations of a Recent Brazilian Invader, Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae), from Different Habitats

Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an African species that was introduced in Brazil near the end of the 1990’s decade. To evaluate the adaptive potential of morphological traits in natural populations of this recently introduced species, we have investigated wing size and shape variation at Rio de Janeiro populations only two years after the first record of Z. indianus in Brazil. Significant genetic differences among populations from three distinct ecological habitats were detected. The heritability and evolvability estimates show that, even with the population bottleneck that should have occurred during the invasion event, an appreciable amount of additive genetic variation for wing size and shape was retained. Our results also indicated a greater influence of environmental variation on wing size than on wing shape. The importance of quantitative genetic variability and plasticity in the successful establishment and dispersal of Z. indianus in the Brazilian territory is then discussed.     

Wide but not impermeable: Testing the riverine barrier hypothesis for an Amazonian plant species

Wallace's riverine barrier hypothesis postulates that large rivers, such as the Amazon and its tributaries, reduce or prevent gene flow between populations on opposite banks, leading to allopatry and areas of species endemism occupying interfluvial regions. Several studies have shown that two major tributaries, Rio Branco and Rio Negro, are important barriers to gene flow for birds, amphibians and primates. No botanical studies have considered the potential role of the Rio Branco as a barrier, while a single botanical study has evaluated the Rio Negro as a barrier. We studied an Amazon shrub, Amphirrhox longifolia (A. St.‐Hil.) Spreng (Violaceae), as a model to test the riverine barrier hypothesis. Twenty‐six populations of A. longifolia were sampled on both banks of the Rio Branco and Rio Negro in the core Amazon Basin. Double‐digest RADseq was used to identify 8,010 unlinked SNP markers from the nuclear genome of 156 individuals. Data relating to population structure support the hypothesis that the Rio Negro acted as a significant genetic barrier for A. longifolia. On the other hand, no genetic differentiation was detected among populations spanning the narrower Rio Branco, which is a tributary of the Rio Negro. This study shows that the strength of riverine barriers for Amazon plants is dependent on the width of the river separating populations and species‐specific dispersal traits. Future studies of plants with contrasting life history traits will further improve our understanding of the landscape genetics and allopatric speciation history of Amazon plant diversity.     

Medicinal Plants in the Atlantic Forest (Brazil): Knowledge, Use, and Conservation

This study focuses on knowledge of medicinal plants among the Caiçaras (rural inhabitants of the Atlantic Forest coast, Brazil). In particular, we examine the use of medicinal plants according to sex and age to reveal general patterns of Caiçara knowledge and use of plant resources. Data collected through 449 interviews at 12 Caiçara communities (Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo coastal sites) include citations of 249 plants and identification of 227 species. We show the importance of introduced as opposed to native plants and of key individuals for the conservation of the Caiçaras-Atlantic Forest.     

Effects of genotoxic agents on his + revertants and survival of spores of Streptomyces aureofaciens

The effects of u.v. light and of several chemical agents on spores of the tetracycline producer Streptomyces aureofaciens MT1 were studied using survival curves and induction of histidine prototrophic revertants (his ⁺). Spores were highly resistant to u.v.; NTG induced most his ⁺ revertants. 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide and methyl methanesulphonate also gave good yields of revertants. Whereas ethyl methanesulphonate had the least effect on inducing the revertants.M. Marins is with the Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. S.O.P. Costa and G. Padilla are with the Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, SP, Brazil, CEP 05508-900     

Distribution and ecology of the genusLeontopithecus lesson, 1840 in Brazil

The three forms of the genusLeontopithecus are found only in restricted localities in the States of Rio de Janeiro (Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia), Bahia and Espirito Santo (Leontopithecus rosalia chrysomelas) and São Paulo (Leontopithecus rosalia chrysopygus) in southeastern Brazil. All three are gravely threatened with extinction, mainly by destruction of primitive forest habitat. Diet ofLeontopithecus ssp. consists of fruit, buds, small vertebrates and insects. Group size varies from two to eight, but temporary congregations of up to 15–16 have been observed. Within the forest, the animals frequent the middle layers of the canopy, between three and ten meters above the ground.