Molecular Detection of Circovirus and Adenovirus in Feces of Fur Seals (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arctocephalus</Emphasis> spp.)

In some regions, little is known about exposure to viruses in coastal marine mammals. The present study aimed to detect viral RNA or DNA in 23 free-ranging fur seals on the northern coastline of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect nucleic acids of circoviruses, adenoviruses, morbilliviruses, vesiviruses, and coronaviruses in the feces from twenty-one South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and two Subantarctic fur seals (A. tropicalis). Adenovirus DNA fragments were detected in two South American fur seals; nucleotide sequences of these fragments revealed a high degree of similarity to human adenovirus type C. Circovirus DNA fragments were detected in six animals of the same species. Two were phylogenetically similar to the Circovirus genus, whereas the other four nucleotide fragments showed no similarity to any of the known genera within the family Circoviridae. RNA fragments indicating the presence of coronavirus, vesivirus, and morbillivirus were not detected. These findings suggest that adenoviruses and circoviruses are circulating in fur seal populations found along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul State, 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.     

Sub-inhibitory Concentrations of Antifungals Suppress Hemolysin Activity of Oral Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis Isolates from HIV-Infected Individuals

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a dimorphic pathogenic fungus, causes the principal form of systemic mycosis in Brazil. The literature furnishes only limited data on the ecology of this fungus in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fungal infection in wild animals, using serological tests and using the animals as sentinels of the presence of P. brasiliensis in three specified mesoregions of Rio Grande do Sul. A total of 128 wild animals from the three mesoregions were included in the study. The serum samples were evaluated by immunodiffusion and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique to detect anti-gp43 antibodies from P. brasiliensis. Two conjugates were tested and compared with the ELISA technique. Although no positive samples were detected by immunodiffusion, 26 animals (20 %), belonging to 13 distinct species, were found to be seropositive by the ELISA technique. The seropositive animals were from two mesoregions of the state. The results were similar according to the gender, age, and family of the animals, but differed significantly according to the conjugate used (p < 0.001), showing more sensitivity to protein A-peroxidase than to protein G-peroxidase. The finding that wild animals from the state of Rio Grande do Sul are exposed to P. brasiliensis suggests that the fungus can be found in this region despite the often-rigorous winters, which frequently include below-freezing temperatures.     

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.     

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.

     

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 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.     

New Karyotypes and Some Considerations about the Chromosomal Diversification of Ctenomys minutus (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) on the Coastal Plain of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul

The dominant mammals occupying the subterranean niche in South America are rodents of the genus Ctenomys, which form a large group of 56 species with chromosome numbers ranging from 2n= 10 to 70. In southern Brazil, Ctenomys minutus is the species with the widest geographic distribution, inhabiting sandy fields and dunes extending from Jaguaruna beach in the state of Santa Catarina to the town of São José do Norte in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Eleven karyotypes (2n= 42; 2n= 46a; 2n= 46b; 2n= 47a; 2n= 47b; 2n= 48a; 2n= 48b; 2n= 49a; 2n= 49b; 2n= 50a and 2n= 50b) were described for this species and zones of hybridization are also known. A sample of 51 C. minutus specimens was collected from five sampling sites about 20 km apart along the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul between the municipalities of Tavares (31°23′S 51°09′W) and São José do Norte (31°52′S 51°54′W). We were able to extend the known geographic distribution of C. minutus by 90 km, from Tavares southwards to São José do Norte. During our study we found five karyotypes (2n= 46b, 47b, 48b, 49b and 50b), four of which (2n= 47b, 48b, 49b and 50b) have not previously been described for this species.     

First 'Rauisuchian' archosaur (Pseudosuchia,Loricata) for the Middle Triassic Santacruzodon Assemblage Zone (Santa Maria Supersequence), Rio Grande do Sul State,Brazil

The ‘Rauisuchia’ are a group of Triassic pseudosuchian archosaurs that displayed a near worldwide distribution. In Brazil, their fossils are found only in the Santa Maria Formation (Paraná Basin) of the Rio Grande do Sul State, specifically in the Middle Triassic Dinodontosaurus assemblage zone (AZ) and the Late Triassic Hyperodapedon AZ (Rauisuchus tiradentes). Between these two cenozones is the Santacruzodon AZ (Middle Triassic), whose record was, until now, restricted to non-mammalian cynodonts and the proterochampsian Chanaresuchus bonapartei. Here we present the first occurrence of a rauisuchian archosaur for this cenozone, from the Schoenstatt outcrop, located near the city of Santa Cruz do Sul and propose a new species, based on biostratigraphical evidence and a comparative osteological analysis.     

Geophilic dermatophytes recovered from Rio Grande do Sul soil

Summary A total of 109 soil samples from a very large zone of Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil) was studied for the presence of dermatophytes.M. gypseum andK. ajelloi were the dermatophytes isolated.

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Sumário 109 amostras do solo de uma ampla zona do Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil) foram estudadas.OM. gypseum e oK. ajelloi foram os únicos dermatófitos isolados.É comentada a literatura brasileira sôbre isolamento dos dermatófitos do solo. São comparados dados do isolamento de dermatófitos do solo do Rio Grande do Sul e Uruguay — zonas fisiogeográficas semelhantes — e dos diversos estados brasileiroa — zonas fisiogeográficas distintas.

     

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.     

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.     

Occurrence of Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The occurrence of Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) is registered for the first time in tobacco [Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae)]. The specimens were collected in a Virginia tobacco field, in Venancio Aires, State of Rio Grande do Sul. Caterpillars occurred in large infestations, causing important damage to tobacco leaves, and demanding chemical control to minimize losses. This occurrence indicates that this species can feed on Virginia tobacco, which corresponds to 80% of the tobacco area of Rio Grande do Sul, and so presents high risk to become an important pest in tobacco fields.     

A submerged new species of Cypella (Iridaceae), and a new section for the genus (s.str.)

Cypella aquatilis is described as a new species of the Iridaceae, occurring in the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Parana. The plant is remarkable by being submersed in streamlets and rivers, and by the vegetative proliferation in the inflorescence. Additionally, a new section, Nais , with C. aquatilis as the type species, and the new name C. exilis Ravenna to replace the illegitimate C. gracilis (Kl.) Bak. are proposed.     

Essential oil variability within and among populations of Cunila incisa Benth.

To evaluate the intra- and interpopulational variability of volatile compounds in Cunila incisa, 72 samples representing 12 populations, were collected all over the distribution area of the species in Rio Grande do Sul State. The samples were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed using GC and GC–MS. A total of 19 volatile compounds were detected and identified. In average, the main compounds were 1,8-cineole, α-terpineol, p-cymene, sabinene, terpinene-4-ol, and γ-terpinene. Negative correlation was detected between the concentrations of 1,8-cineole and α-terpineol. Significant variation in the concentration of volatile compounds was detected within and among populations. Multivariate analysis of volatile oil composition identified three groups. Most populations exhibited low intra-populational variation indicating foundation effect. Relation between geographic distribution and chemical composition was observed.     

Leinendera achaeta sp. n., a new species of robber fly from Brazil (Diptera,Asilidae, Asilinae)

The third species of the Neotropical genus Leinendera Carrera, 1945, Leinendera achaeta sp. n., is described from Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The habitus, wing and male terminalia are described and illustrated, and a key to the three Brazilian species is provided.     

Novelties in Begonia (Begoniaceae) from the coastal forests of Brazil

Two new narrow endemic species ofBegonia from the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil,B. espiritosantensis andB. ibitiocensis, are described and illustrated.Begonia schenkii var.calvescens, an endemic taxon from the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, is transferred to species rank, and described and illustrated. A distribution map is provided for all three taxa.     

Late Quaternary grassland (Campos), gallery forest,fire and climate dynamics,studied by pollen,charcoal and multivariate analysis of the São Francisco de Assis core in western Rio Grande do Sul (southern Brazil)

We present a detailed pollen and charcoal record of a 368-cm-long sediment core from the lowland Campos (grassland) region near the city of São Francisco de Assis in the western Rio Grande do Sul State in southern Brazil. Based on four AMS radiocarbon dates, the record represents the last about 22,000 cal yr BP. The region was naturally covered by Campos throughout the recorded glacial and Holocene period under cold and relatively dry and warm and dry condition, respectively. Initial expansion of gallery forest after 5170 cal yr BP indicates a change to wetter climatic conditions. Maximum extent of gallery forest after 1550 cal yr BP reflects the wettest recorded period. There is some evidence of plant migration from the eastern Atlantic coastal lowland reaching the western lowland, first after mid Holocene times by Cecropia and, possibly, species of Myrsine and Moraceae and later, after about 1000 cal yr BP, by species of Alchornea and Acalypha. Multivariate analysis revealed that the long-term pollen composition dynamics is a two-phase process, with random, chaotic changes characterizing some periods when climate conditions were likely more stable, and directional compositional changes (phase transitions) in periods coincide with major climate and/or anthropogenic changes. Natural fires were rare during full- and lateglacial periods, but became frequent at the beginning of the Holocene, suggesting the beginning of human occupation of the western lowland at that time. Highest fire frequency is found during the wet late Holocene period, suggesting an increase of indigenous populations in the São Francisco de Assis region.     

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).

     

A new Brazilian species of Petunia (Solanaceae) from interior Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul,Brazil

Petunia interior, a new species from interior Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, is described, and its morphological distinction from related species and features of its habitat are discussed.