Analysis and comparison of cercarial emergence rhythms of Schistosoma haematobium, S. intercalatum, S. bovis, and their hybrid progeny

In identical experimental conditions, the three schistosomes of the terminal spined egg group (S. haematobium, S. intercalatum and S. bovis) showed significant differences in their cercarial shedding patterns. The cercariae of the F1 hybrids, obtained by experimental crosses between these three species, showed the same circadian emergence rhythm (with one peak) as the cercariae of the parental species. However, the mean shedding time of these hybrid parasites (12:14 +/- 1 h 34 min for S. haematobium x S. intercalatum; 09:58 +/- 1 h 24 min for S. haematobium x S. bovis; 08:57 +/- 1 h 19 min for S. bovis x S. intercalatum) was always in advance to the one of their parental species (13:51 +/- 2 h 04 min for S. haematobium; 13:59 +/- 1 h 55 min for S. intercalatum; 10:09 +/- 2 h 04 min for S. bovis). These results are compared with those obtained from crosses between schistosomes with lateral spined eggs, and from crosses between intraspecific chronobiological variants of S. mansoni. They corroborate the genetic determinism of the cercarial emergence of schistosomes. Moreover, such significant differences between the hybrids and their parents in the times of cercarial emission may be of value in the epidemiological research and characterization of naturally occurring hybrids.     

Transmission of urinary schistosomiasis in Sukumaland, Tanzania. 1. Snail infection rates and incidence of infection in school children

Seasonal density fluctuations of Bulinus nasutus populations with accompanying Schistosoma haematobium infection rates in relation to rainfall and habitat water volumes were studied at Ukiriguru, Mwanza, Tanzania. Alongside the snail investigations, 50 school children initially negative for urinary schistosomiasis were examined regularly to determine seasonal incidence rates for the infection. Of the 17,646 B. nasutus collected in 2 years, 156 (0.88%) were found shedding cercariae. Snail populations fluctuated seasonally as influenced by rainfall through its effects on habitat water volume. Monthly snail infection rates ranged from 0.09% to 3.19% and were highest in February and March, at the time of the short dry period. Monthly incidence of S. haematobium in school children ranged between 2.6% and 12.5%, being highest in April and May. There was a significant linear association between monthly snail infection rates and S. haematobium incidence rates in school children (r2s = 0.65 in 1982/83; r2s = 0.87 in 1983/84) suggesting that the maximum transmission period for urinary schistosomiasis in the area occurs during the short dry period, sometime in February/March so that most of the infections in the community would be detected in April/May.     

Studies on experimental mixed infections of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in hamsters

Golden hamsters were superinfected simultaneously with 100 Schistosoma haematobium cercariae, 1 and 3 weeks after initial infection with 100 S. mansoni cercariae. Results indicate that there was a higher degree of resistance to superinfection with S. haematobium at 1 week following initial infection with S. mansoni than that produced in the other two superinfections. This resistance was evidenced by a reduction in the number and size of worms of both species, decrease in S. haematobium egg extrusion per female and by a striking deviation in the egg distribution pattern of both species. Such an early host resistance was not recorded in previous works. Cross-mating was observed but no hybridization took place and the eggs produced were hatchable and typical of their species.     

Phenology of Tree Species in Bolivian Dry Forests

Phenological characteristics of 453 individuals representing 39 tree species were investigated in two dry forests of the Lomerío region, Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The leaf, flower, and fruit production of canopy and sub–canopy forest tree species were recorded monthly over a two–year period. Most canopy species lost their leaves during the dry season, whereas nearly all sub–canopy species retained their leaves. Peak leaf fall for canopy trees coincided with the peak of the dry season in July and August. Flushing of new leaves was complete by November in the early rainy season. Flowering and fruiting were bimodal, with a major peak occurring at the end of the dry season (August–October) and a minor peak during the rainy season (January). Fruit development was sufficiently long in this forest that fruiting peaks actually tended to precede flowering peaks by one month. A scarcity of fruit was observed in May, corresponding to the end of the rainy season. With the exception of figs (Ficus), most species had fairly synchronous fruit production. Most canopy trees had small, wind dispersed seeds or fruits that matured during the latter part of the dry season, whereas many sub–canopy tree species produced larger animal– or gravity–dispersed fruits that matured during the peak of the rainy season. Most species produced fruit annually. Lomerio received less rainfall than other tropical dry forests in which phenological studies have been conducted, but rainfall can be plentiful during the dry season in association with the passage of Antarctic cold fronts. Still, phenological patterns in Bolivian dry forests appear to be similar to those of other Neotropical dry forests.     

Seasonal variation of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) species diversity and community structure in tropical streams of Thailand

Seasonal variation of the physicochemical conditions of streams plays an important role in aquatic insect diversity and community structure. Asian tropical streams profoundly change between seasons due to the effects of monsoons. However, little is known about how these changes affect aquatic insect diversity and community structure. The objectives of this study are to examine seasonal variations of the physicochemical conditions in tropical streams in Thailand and to assess the effects of these changes on black fly community structure and diversity. Black flies were sampled and physicochemical conditions recorded at eight sites between December 2007 and December 2008. A total of 10 black fly species were found. Comparisons of the streams between seasons revealed that physical conditions related to rainfall rate were significantly different. Canonical correspondence analysis differentiated sampling sites from each season. Streams in the rainy season were faster and deeper, with higher discharge and conductivity than those of the cold and dry seasons. Species richness was significantly higher in the rainy season than in the cold and dry seasons ( F  = 6.23, P  = 0.004). Community structure profoundly changed between the low-flow season (cold and dry) and high-flow season. Black fly species found predominantly in the low-flow season ( Simulium siamense "cytoform A", S. aureohirtum ) decreased dramatically during the high-flow season. In contrast, species found at high frequency during the high-flow season ( S. nakhonense , S. angulistylum ) disappeared in the low-flow season. The study demonstrates the importance of seasonal variation of stream conditions on black fly community structure and diversity.     

Early and late shedding patterns of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae: ecological significance in transmission to human and murine hosts

A comparative analysis of the cercarial shedding of 2 Schistosoma mansoni populations originating from the same endemic area (Guadeloupe) allows us to distinguish an early (peak emergence at 1100 hr) and a late (peak at 1600 hr) shedding patterns of cercariae. This intraspecific variation in the chronobiology of S. mansoni cercariae may be related to the ecology in the transmission site. The early shedding pattern characterizes schistosome populations originated from urbanized foci where man plays the main role in the parasite transmission; the late shedding pattern characterizes schistosome populations originated from sylvatic focus where a rat (R. rattus) is the main host. The late shedding of cercariae is considered as an adaptation favoring transmission to a murine host whose behavior is preferentially crepuscular.     

西双版纳热带季节雨林林窗内幼树叶生长与虫食动态

 研究了西双版纳热带季节雨林6种乔木幼树在林窗中的叶生长与叶虫食动态。6种幼树叶生长主要在雨季(5～10月),在旱季雾凉期(11～2月)叶停止生长。阳性树种旱季干热期(3～4月)开始叶生长,顶极树种至5月雨季初才开始叶生长。表明雾凉期低温抑制两类树种叶生长,干热期水分不足抑制顶极树种叶生长。叶生长同步性(每两个月的叶生长量变异系数C．V．)顺序为：望天树(Shorea chinensis,1.42)>金钩花(Pseuduvaria indochinensis,1.41)>八宝树(Duabanga grandiflora, 1.02)>云南石梓(Gmelina arborea,0.98)>团花树(Anthocephalus chinensis,0.84)和铁刀木(Cassia siamea,0.84)。旱季造成一些种类幼树出现落叶高峰,严重叶虫食也导致云南石梓在7～8月出现落叶高峰。叶虫食主要出现在雨季,团花树和云南石梓在干热期叶生长能减少昆虫取食,但此时铁刀木叶同步生长却不能降低食叶昆虫危害。6种幼树叶生长量年进程与叶虫食量年进程间存在正相关,其中望天树、金钩花、八宝树和团花树分别达到显著(p<0.05)或极显著(p<0.01)水平。望天树和金钩花在雨季初叶同步生长能减轻叶虫食。食叶昆虫偏爱取食幼叶,6种幼树平均幼叶的虫食量占总虫食量的72.9％,幼叶虫食速率平均为成熟叶的4.3倍。     

A comparative study of the death of schistosomula of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni in the skin of mice and hamsters.

This study shows that some cercariae of S. haematobium and S. mansoni die during penetration of mouse or hamster skin. Approximately 30-38% of cercariae of both species die in mouse skin and 14-16% die in hamster skin. The greater number of cercariae which die in the skin of mice seems to account for the higher yield of adult worms recovered in hamsters. Adult worm recoveries from animals infected with S. haematobium were, however, only about half the worm recoveries from hosts infected with S. mansoni.     

Phlebotominae and Trichomyiinae (Diptera: Psychodidae) diversity in a tropical dry forest of central Mexico: a comparison of conserved and anthropized habitats

We recorded and analyzed the diversity of Phlebotominae and Trichomyiinae in two types of landscape (conserved and anthropized) over the course of three seasons (rainy, cold and dry) in southwestern Puebla, Mexico. A total of 578 specimens belonging to five genera and 10 species were obtained. Phlebotominae was represented by eight species, six of them new records for the state of Puebla, and for Trichomyiinae two species were recorded in the state of Puebla for the first time. There were eight species in the anthropized area and 10 species were recorded in the conservation area. The abundance of both subfamilies was high in the conservation area, representing 83.6% of the total sample, whereas in the anthropized area only 16.4% of the total sample was recorded. Eight species were found during the rainy and dry seasons, and seven species during the cold season. Abundance was highest in the dry season (76.30%), and lowest in the rainy season (5.9%). This kind of information is useful for understanding the transmission patterns of visceral leishmaniasis – endemic to central Mexico – by phlebotomine sand flies.     

Leaf shedding and weather in tropical dry-seasonal forest shape the phenology of fungi – Lessons from two years of monthly surveys in southwestern Panama

In the present study, conducted in a secondary dry-seasonal forest in the pacific lowlands of southwestern Panama over 2 years, fungal diversity is linked to plant phenology, litter, and climatic data. Agaricales fungi showed maximum species richness at the beginning of rainy seasons, probably due to the important litter accumulation during the dry season and the increase in humidity favoring fungal growth. Species richness declined during the wet season possibly due to torrential rains, moulds, and decreasing availability of nutrients. Occurrence of foliar pathogenic microfungi correlated negatively with flushing of new leaves at the beginning of the rainy season. Their incidence increased during the wet season and remained high during the dry season. Synchronization of leaf shedding in most tree species significantly reduced the yearly incidence of foliar pathogenic fungi causing an annual turn-over of fungal pathogens that probably contributes to maintain a high diversity of plant pathogenic species.     

Ichthyofauna from wetlands of San Pedro, Balancán, Tabasco, México

San Pedro River's wetlands sustain trophic nets in the fluvial system, due to the high habitat availability, and space and temporal variations. In order to describe the relationship between environmental parameters and ichthyofauna, this study evaluated fish assemblages composition, distribution, abundance, density, biomass, richness species, diversity and equitability in the wetlands. Sampling considered three different sites and climatic seasons (dry, rainy and cold fronts). The physical and chemical parameters considered were dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, water transparency and the depth. Fishes were caught with a shrimp net, after six minutes towings and were identified afterwards. A total of 1 049 organisms of 25 fish species were caught, two of which were exotic species: Oreochromis niloticus and Parachromis managuense. A total of 23 species were found at site I (with the highest density 0.23 ind./m2), 17 at site II (0.23 ind./m2) and 14 at site III (0.12 ind./m2). The dry season had the highest species number with 21 species, followed by the rainy season with 17 species, and the cold season with five species. Similarly, the highest biomass (8.30 g/m2) was found in dry season, followed by the rainy (2.16 g/m2) and the cold seasons (0.03 g/m2). Considering seasons, highest density was found during the dry (0.436 ind./m2), followed by the rainy (0.213 ind./m2) and the cold (0.023 ind./m2) seasons. The dominant density species during the study period, according to the quadrants graphic of Olmstead-Tukey were: Petenia splendida, Vieja heterospila, Vieja synspila, Dorosoma petenense and Astyanax aeneus. There were significant differences in the species richness among sites. Temperature, depth and transparency showed differences among the seasons. The canonical correspondence analysis indicated that fish distribution was governed by environmental parameters during all seasons. In terms of fish abundance and composition, environmental parameters play an important role showing spatial and temporal differences in the ecosystem, this could be explained with the fact that most of young fishes have a movement behavior to the wetlands, searching refuge and feed during the dry season. Considering the diversity indexes variation, it may be concluded that San Pedro River's wetlands correspond to a system where the ichthyofauna composition fluctuates spatial and seasonally.     

Cercarial shedding patterns of Schistosoma bovis and S. haematobium from single and mixed infections of Bulinus truncatus

The cercarial shedding of Schistosoma bovis and S. haematobium were studied in single and mixed infections in the snail host Bulinus truncatus. The two species displayed a distinctive diurnal cercarial emergence with an earlier shedding pattern for S. bovis than S. haematobium (the average emergence peaks were respectively at 0800 h and 1200 h). In mixed infections, each species kept its own cercarial shedding rhythm with no marked alterations. The cercarial emergence pattern is proposed as a new method to identify natural mixed infections in the snail intermediate hosts. The interactions between the two parasites are discussed.     

邦亮东黑冠长臂猿日食性与活动节律的季节性变化

日食性变化和活动节律是动物行为的重要方面,通过对日食性变化与活动节律的研究,可以了解食物、温度和光照时间等环境因素的变化对动物行为的影响,以及动物在行为上的应对策略。2009 年1 -12 月,在广西靖西县邦亮东部黑冠长臂猿自治区级自然保护区内,采用瞬时扫描取样法对2 群东黑冠长臂猿觅食行为和活动节律进行了研究。结果显示,东黑冠长臂猿的活动和食性在旱季和雨季都具有明显的节律。鸣叫只发生在12:00之前,但旱季的鸣叫时间偏晚。在日节律上,东黑冠长臂猿在离开过夜树后和进入过夜树前各有一个取食高峰,07:00 喜欢取食果实和无花果,16:00 也选择更多的果实,但无花果较少,13:00 - 15:00 取食更多的叶和芽。在10:00 - 12:00,其用于休息和社会活动的时间增加。在雨季,东黑冠长臂猿以果实和无花果为主要食物,并且花大量时间觅食无脊椎动物;但在旱季,其食物以叶和芽为主。与之相适应,东黑冠长臂猿在旱季通过减少移动增加休息来节约能量开支和应对低温,同时它们增加取食的时间以获得等价的能量和营养。雨季时社会行为的比例明显高于旱季,而且其高峰出现在08:00 - 10:00,但旱季社会行为主要出现在11:00 - 14:00。在雨季东黑冠长臂猿没有出现休息高峰,相反在旱季10:00 左右出现一个明显的休息高峰。上述行为节律体现了东黑冠长臂猿对环境季节性变化的良好适应,使其能够在寒冷并且退化的喀斯特森林中生存繁衍。     

Acclimation of entomopathogenic nematodes to novel temperatures: trehalose accumulation and the acquisition of thermotolerance

The effect of thermal acclimation on trehalose accumulation and the acquisition of thermotolerance was studied in three species of entomopathogenic nematodes adapted to either cold or warm temperatures. All three Steinernema species accumulated trehalose when acclimated at either 5 or 35 degrees C, but the amount of trehalose accumulation differed by species and temperature. The trehalose content of the cold adapted Steinernema feltiae increased by 350 and 182%, of intermediate Steinernema carpocapsae by 146 and 122% and of warm adapted Steinernema riobrave by 30 and 87% over the initial level (18.25, 27.24 and 23.97 microg trehalose/mg dry weight, respectively) during acclimation at 5 and 35 degrees C, respectively. Warm and cold acclimation enhanced heat (40 degrees C for 8h) and freezing (-20 degrees C for 4h) tolerance of S. carpocapsae and the enhanced tolerance was positively correlated with the increased trehalose levels. Warm and cold acclimation also enhanced heat but not freezing tolerance of S. feltiae and the enhanced heat tolerance was positively correlated with the increased trehalose levels. In contrast, warm and cold acclimation enhanced the freezing but not heat tolerance of S. riobrave, and increased freezing tolerance of only warm acclimated S. riobrave was positively correlated with the increased trehalose levels. The effect of acclimation on maintenance of original virulence by either heat or freeze stressed nematodes against the wax moth Galleria mellonella larvae was temperature dependent and differed among species. During freezing stress, both cold and warm acclimated S. carpocapsae (84%) and during heat stress, only warm acclimated S. carpocapsae (95%) maintained significantly higher original virulence than the non-acclimated (36 and 47%, respectively) nematodes. Both cold and warm acclimated S. feltiae maintained significantly higher original virulence (69%) than the non-acclimated S. feltiae (0%) during heat but not freezing stress. In contrast, both warm and cold acclimated S. riobrave maintained significantly higher virulence (41%) than the non-acclimated (14%) nematodes during freezing, but not during heat stress. Our data indicate that trehalose accumulation is not only a cold associated phenomenon but is a general response of nematodes to thermal stress. However, the extent of enhanced thermal stress tolerance conferred by the accumulated trehalose differs with nematode species.     

Home range and birth seasonality of Saguinus nigricollis graellsi in Ecuadorian Amazonia

A field study ofSaguinus nigricollis graellsi in the Cuyabeno Faunal Production Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazonia, established the characteristics of the home range and some reproductive aspects of the species. Field data were collected in two climatic seasons: dry, from December 1989 through March 1990, and rainy, from May through August 1990. Eight groups visited and/or lived in the study area during the dry season and ten during the rainy season. Group sizes ranged from two to nine individuals. Population density was estimated at 22–33 individuals per square km. The central group, which was followed intensively, had a home range which included both flooded and non-flooded forests. Terra firme forest was most used by the species. The home range of this group was reduced from 56.2 hectares (ha) in the dry season to 41.7 ha in the rainy season, probably as a result of a differential distribution of food plants between seasons. The presence of dense undergrowth where monkeys could hide to avoid predation and or a high concentration of food plants seem related to the preferential use of certain areas in the home range. The home ranges of neighboring groups overlapped considerably and peaceful temporary large groups were frequently observed. A generalized birth peak occurred in January 1990, dry season. In June 1990, rainy season, 40% of the groups exhibited a second birth peak. This reproductive bimodality of S. nigricollis graellsi indicates a high productivity of the forests at the Cuyabeno site. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Phenology and dispersal modes of wood species in the Carrasco,a tropical deciduous shrubland in the Brazilian semiarid

We provide, for the first time, data on phenology and dispersal modes for the Carrasco, a tropical deciduous shrubland in the Brazilian semiarid. The study was conducted in the Serra das Almas Reserve (5°8′45″S, 40°55′43″W), northeastern Brazil. We sampled 2,790 individuals from 39 species, 30 genera, and 17 families. Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Myrtaceae were the most representative. All species lose leaves, fully or partially, during the dry season. Leaf flush was observed to increase at the end of the dry season with a peak during the rainy season. Similarly, the peak of flowering/fruiting occurred at the end of the dry and the beginning of the rainy season. Air humidity and maximum temperature were the only variables correlated with leaf flush. Most species showed annual flowering/fruiting. Flowering lasted 2–5 months, but even longer fruiting periods were observed. Zoochory was the most frequent dispersal mode, followed by autochory. Zoochoric, barochoric, and autochoric species fruited throughout the year, while for anemochorics fruiting occurred at the end of the rainy and/or during dry season. Despite both, the Carrasco and the Caatinga are deciduous, the Carrasco has a greater intensity and duration of phenological events and a higher frequency of zoochory, thus being more similar to less arid ecosystems. We discuss the local implications of these patterns, as well as how our results are in accordance with other regional and global studies with similar approaches.     

Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium: identification and characterization of glycoconjugate antigens in the hemolymph of infected vector snails

Two carbohydrate epitopes were identified by monoclonal antibodies (KCS and E2) and characterized with respect to their immunoreactivity, monosaccharide structure, and location. Immunofluorescence demonstrated the presence of both epitopes on the surfaces of sporocysts, cercariae, and miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, and Schistosoma japonicum. However, spatial distribution and density of expression varied among species and developmental stages, and neither epitope was detectable on adult worm surfaces. Both glycans were found in the hemolymph of infected, but not uninfected, intermediate snail hosts. The presence of epitopes in hemolymph, as well as in schistosome eggs, is species-specific for KCS, recognizing only S. mansoni, and partly specific for E2, which reacted predominantly with S. haematobium. Immunoaffinity purification of target antigens for KCS and E2 from hemolymph of infected Biomphalaria and Bulinus, respectively, followed by carbohydrate composition analysis revealed a high content of fucose in both glycans. Methylation analysis demonstrated exclusively terminal fucose for the target antigen of KCS and terminal as well as internal fucose for the one of E2. Removal of terminal fucose abolished reactivity with both monoclonal antibodies. Both glycans are different from previously characterized schistosome carbohydrates. Their biological function(s) remain to be defined.     

Effects of Season and Vegetation Type on Community Organization of Dung Beetles in a Tropical Dry Forest1

Dung beetles are important components of most terrestrial ecosystems. In tropical rain forests, dung beetle communities can be very rich in number of species and individuals, and they are known to be useful bioindicators of habitat disturbance. In contrast, very little is known about the organization of dung beetle communities in tropical dry forests. The aim of this study was to describe in detail the dung beetle community of a Mexican tropical dry forest and to assess the relative importance of rainfall seasonality and forest structure in affecting the temporal and spatial dynamics of this community. Dung beetles were captured with pitfall traps at the beginning of the rainy season, the middle of the rainy season, and the middle of the dry season, in two distinct forest types: deciduous forest (DF) and semideciduous forest (SDF) at the Estación de Biología Chamela. Both rainfall seasonality and forest structure affected the community organization of dung beetles. During both rainy periods, 14 species were captured, but only three during the dry season. Dung beetles captured during the dry season were only found in the SDF. When comparing the beginning and the middle of the rainy season, differences in abundance and guild structure were also observed between both periods and between forest types, but these differences were much less pronounced.     

垂叶榕榕小蜂群落及种间互作网络季节动态

群落中的物种相互作用构成了复杂的生态网络。有关物种的数量和组成的季节性动态变化已有较多的研究, 但是对于生态网络的动态变化知之甚少。揭示生态网络的动态变化对于理解群落的稳定性以及群落的动态变化过程和机理具有重要意义。本研究以垂叶榕(Ficus benjamina)榕小蜂群落为研究对象, 分别在西双版纳的干季和雨季采集了榕小蜂的种类和数量信息。比较了两个季节榕小蜂群落的动态变化以及共存网络的参数(例如网路直径、连接数、嵌套性和群落矩阵温度)变化。结果显示: 雨季榕果内传粉榕小蜂Eupristina koningsbergeri所占比例高于干季, 传粉榕小蜂的种群数量也高于干季, 而在干季非传粉榕小蜂的种类增加(干季15种小蜂, 雨季14种)。从榕树-传粉榕小蜂互利共生系统的适合度来看, 干季非传粉小蜂的增加对传粉榕小蜂和榕树的适合度是不利的。在干季, 共存网络物种间的连接数(干季0.95, 雨季0.47)多于雨季, 群落矩阵温度(干季23.24, 雨季2.64)也显著高于雨季。表明干季榕小蜂群落组成及种间关系较雨季更为复杂而多样, 高的矩阵温度暗示群落受到的干扰更大。     

The efficacy of performing field surveys during the dry and rainy seasons to estimate species richness and composition of local bat assemblages

Here we assessed the efficacy of performing field surveys during both dry and rainy seasons to estimate species richness and composition of phyllostomid bats in 12 sites of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Our goal was to elucidate two opposite scenarios. If bat species compositions differ between the dry and rainy seasons, then field surveys in both seasons will be considered complementary for estimating local bat assemblages. In contrast, if bat species compositions in the dry season are a nested subset of the species present in the rainy season, then field surveys in both seasons will be considered redundant. Our results showed that field surveys performed only during the rainy season exhibited the same efficacy in recording bat species as field surveys considering both dry and rainy seasons combined. Consequently, the rare species sampled in the rainy season contributed to the uniqueness of communities in terms of species composition. Considering that time, funding, and the number of field personnel available for work are important factors when determining the sampling effort in highly biodiverse regions like the tropics, our results can be useful in establishing protocols for research projects with limited resources aiming to create a comprehensive list of species.