Differential diagnosis of the genera in the family Trichodinidae (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) with the description of a new genus ectoparasitic on freshwater fish from southern Africa

A trichodinid ectoparasite was collected from mormyrid fish in the Olifants River System, South Africa. A new genus, Hemitrichodina, is described to accomodate these trichodinid ciliophorans of which the blades are reduced and with an adoral spiral of more than 360°, but less than two full turns. A differential diagnosis of the genera within the family Trichodinidae is presented.     

Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of wild and cultured freshwater fishes in Taiwan,with notes on their origin

During 1988 parasitological surveys were carried out on the freshwater fish fauna on the island of Taiwan in 12 localities that included fishery stations, reservoirs, fish markets as well as natural rivers and swamps. A total of 28 fish species were examined, representing 14 families. This paper reports on the parasites of the genus Trichodina (Ciliophora, Peritrichida) of Taiwan. Fourteen trichodinid species were recorded of which five are new. Trichodinids collected in this study can be divided into four categories, based on their host association and possible region of origin. The first category includes trichodinids with an African origin, T. centrostrigeata Basson, Van As & Paperna, 1983, T. heterodentata Duncan, 1977, T. compacta Van As & Basson, 1989 and possibly T. canton n. sp. The second category is species with an Eurasian origin and includes T. acuta Lom, 1961, T. modesta Lom, 1970, T. mutabilis Hirschmann & Partsch, 1955, T. nigra Lom, 1961 and T. nobilis Chan, 1963. The third category comprises one species, T. maritinkae Basson & Van As, 1990, with an Afro-Asian distribution. The last category is composed of new species that are most likely native to Asia: these are T. matsu n. sp., T. mandarin n. sp., T. wulai n. sp. and T. pagoda n. sp.     

Cannibalistic Interactions Resulting from Indiscriminate Predatory Behavior in Tadpoles of Poison Frogs (Anura: Dendrobatidae)1

Poison frogs in the genus Dendrobates have very small clutch sizes (2–6 eggs among species for which there are data) and typically transport their tadpoles singly to small phytotelmata, such as bromeliad tanks, leaf axils, fallen fruit capsules, and treeholes. Tadpoles of many species are predaceous, consuming larvae of insects that use the same microhabitat for breeding, such as giant damselflies and mosquitoes. Previous studies and observations on the behavior of poison frog tadpoles led us to question whether tadpoles might be cannibalistic. We studied a population of Dendrobates castaneoticus in lowland rainforest in Pará, Brazil; additional data were collected on Dendrobates auratus in Nicaragua. At the study site in Brazil, we established a grid of 40 Brazil nut capsules, the microhabitat used by D. castaneoticus for tadpole deposition. Of 42 tadpoles deposited during the 55 days of the study, 20 were killed or died; 16 of these were presumably killed by conspecific tadpoles. Growth rate and time to metamorphosis was higher among tadpoles that consumed three or more tadpoles or relatively large larvae of the mosquito Trichoprosopon digitatum, a colonist of newly opened Brazil nut capsules. We propose that selection has favored the development of predatory behavior in poison frog tadpoles primarily as a mechanism to eliminate predators from the small phytotelmata in which they develop and that cannibalism is a secondary outcome of this behavior. Predatory behavior also provides tadpoles with a source of food, which is frequently limited in these microhabitats. Additional studies of the biology of tadpoles of other species of Dendrobates are needed to determine the evolution of predatory and cannibalistic behavior in the clade.     

Interactions of two natural enemies of Tetranychus evansi, the fungal pathogen Neozygites floridana (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) and the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus longipes (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Tetranychus evansi is an exotic pest of Solanaceous crops in Africa discovered in Zimbabwe in 1979. Two natural enemies, the predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes and the fungal pathogen Neozygites floridana are important causes of mortality in T. evansi populations in Brazil. The first part of this study assessed the effects of N. floridana on predation and oviposition of P. longipes fed on N. floridana infected T. evansi and T. urticae. No N. floridana hyphal bodies were found in P. longipes after this feeding, demonstrating that N. floridana is not pathogenic to P. longipes and does not affect its oviposition. The second part of the study investigated the time spent on searching for and consuming of eggs on leaf discs with and without N. floridana capilliconidia. Both the searching and the feeding time on the first egg were similar on leaf discs with and without capilliconidia. When P. longipes was offered the choice of feeding on eggs on leaf discs with or without capilliconidia, the numbers of eggs consumed were not different. The only N. floridana effect observed on P. longipes was reduced egg predation. In addition, increased time spent grooming on leaf discs with capilliconidia was observed. P. longipes was efficient in removing most capilliconidia attached to the body through self-grooming behavior. This suggests that although the predator did not avoid areas with capilliconidia, it detected and removed most capilliconidia attached to the body. Increased grooming may account for the lower egg predation rates.     

Competing tadpoles: Australian native frogs affect invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) in natural waterbodies

The cane toad (Rhinella marina) is one of the most successful invasive species worldwide, and has caused significant negative impacts on Australian fauna. Experimental work in the laboratory and in mesocosms has shown that tadpoles of native frogs can affect survival, size at metamorphosis and duration of larval period of cane toad tadpoles. To test if these effects occur in nature, we conducted a field experiment using two temporary ponds where we set up enclosures with tadpoles of native green tree frogs (Litoria caerulea) and cane toads in treatments with a range of densities and combinations. The presence of green tree frog tadpoles significantly decreased the growth rate of toad tadpoles and increased the duration of their larval period in both ponds; in one pond, frog tadpoles also significantly reduced the body length and mass of metamorph toads. Toad tadpoles did not have any significant negative effects on green tree frog tadpoles, but there was strong intraspecific competition within the latter species: increased frog tadpole density resulted in increased larval period and reduced survival, growth rate and size at metamorphosis for frogs at one or both ponds. Our results are encouraging for the possibility of using native frogs as one component of an integrated approach to the biological control of cane toads.     

不同程度的尾损伤对镇海林蛙(Rana zhenhaiensis)蝌蚪游泳速度的影响

无尾两栖类蝌蚪的尾巴通过产生强大的游泳速度在反捕食中起到了重要的作用。以镇海林蛙(Rana zhenhaiensis)蝌蚪为实验动物来评估断尾的运动代价。以74尾具有完整尾蝌蚪作为实验组,通过截去不同尾长片段,人为分成轻微尾损伤组(30%)和严重尾损伤组(30%)并测定两组蝌蚪在断尾前后的游泳速度。以16尾完整尾蝌蚪作为对照组在实验组断尾前后同时进行游泳速度的测定。实验结果显示断尾影响蝌蚪的游泳速度,但仅在尾损伤程度达到尾长的30%以上时才产生不利的影响。这表明轻微尾损伤并不对镇海林蛙蝌蚪的游泳速度产生严重影响。在断尾前后实验组蝌蚪的游泳速度均与尾长呈正相关。在相同尾长状态下,尾损伤蝌蚪的相对游泳速度明显快于完整尾蝌蚪。因此,尾损伤的镇海林蛙蝌蚪有可能通过改变尾和身体的摆动频次等方式在断尾后对游泳速度进行了一定的补偿。尾损伤在野外频繁发生于蝌蚪的尾远端,据此推测镇海林蛙蝌蚪在自然条件下的尾损伤并不会产生严重运动代价。     

Trichodinids (Ciliophora: Peritrichia) from a calanoid copepod and catfish from South Africa with notes on host specificity

A case study is presented in which a trichodinid infestation was found on Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) larvae in a hatchery. Upon examination of copepods in the water system, it was found that they too hosted this trichodinid species. After following the infestation for some time it was found that the trichodinids on the catfish disappeared, whilst the infestation on the calanoid copepods persisted. It was concluded that the trichodinid originated from the copepods and could not establish a viable infestation on the catfish larvae. Specimens of catfish fry from the same farm, however, hosted a different trichodinid which is described as a new species. After analysis of published information, it was concluded that the trichodinid from these calanoid copepods belongs to the same species as described by different authors from various localities from Eurasia. In order to provide a specific identification of this trichodinid, a literature review is presented. In a discussion of host specificity, it is concluded that the trichodinid involved is specific to planktonic copepods and cannot establish an infestation on fish.     

Ecological implications on the aggregation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyomma fuscum</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae) on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thrichomys laurentius</Emphasis> (Rodentia: Echimyidae), in northeastern Brazil

We investigated the Amblyomma fuscum load on a pullulating wild rodent population and the environmental and biological factors influencing the tick load on the hosts. One hundred and three individuals of Thrichomys laurentius were caught in an Atlantic forest fragment in northeastern Brazil, as part of a longitudinal survey on ticks infesting non-volant small mammals. Ticks (n = 342) were found on 45 individuals and the overall mean intensity of infestation was 7.6 ticks per infested rodent. Ticks were highly aggregated in the host population and the negative binomial distribution model provides a statistically satisfactory fit. The aggregated distribution was influenced by sex and age of the host. The microhabitat preference by T. laurentius probably increases contact opportunities between hosts and aggregated infesting stages of the ticks and represents important clues about the habitat suitability for A. fuscum.     

Field trials of chemical suppression of embryonic cane toads (Rhinella marina) by older conspecifics

1. Laboratory experiments have shown that the viability of embryos of the invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina) can be reduced by exposure to chemical cues from older conspecific larvae. These effects (very strong in laboratory trials) may offer an exciting new approach to controlling this problematic invasive species in Australia. However, the degree to which the method works in natural environments has yet to be assessed.
2. Our experiments in the laboratory and in seminatural outdoor waterbodies show that chemical cues from tadpoles do indeed suppress the growth, development, and survival of conspecific larvae that are exposed as embryos and do so in a dose‐dependent manner; higher tadpole densities cause greater suppression of embryos.
3. In seminatural outdoor waterbodies, suppressor‐exposed tadpoles were less than half as likely to survive to metamorphosis as were controls, and were much smaller when they did so and hence, less likely to survive the metamorph stage. Additionally, female cane toads were less likely to oviposit in a waterbody containing free‐ranging (but not cage‐enclosed) tadpoles, suggesting that the presence of tadpoles (rather than the chemical cues they produce) may discourage oviposition.
4. Broadly, our results suggest that the suppression effect documented in laboratory studies does indeed occur in the field also, and hence that we may be able to translate that approach to develop new and more effective ways to reduce rates of recruitment of peri‐urban populations of cane toads in their invasive range.

     

Suitability of the predatory mites Iphiseiodes zuluagai and Euseius concordis in controlling Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Tetranychus bastosi on Jatropha curcas plants in Brazil

One of the most promising plant species for biofuel production in Brazil is the physic nut Jatropha curcas. Major phytosanitary problems include the attack of two pest mite species, the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus and the spider mite Tetranychus bastosi. Owing to pesticide-related problems, there is an increasing demand for sustainable environmental-friendly control methods such as biological control. In this study we evaluated the suitability of the predatory mite species Iphiseiodes zuluagai and Euseius concordis in controlling P. latus and T. bastosi on J. curcas. The number of T. bastosi killed by I. zuluagai was lower than the number of P. latus consumed. Euseius concordis preyed upon both T. bastosi and P. latus but the number of prey killed was always lower in comparison with I. zuluagai. However, P. latus and T. bastosi are suitable for the development of I. zuluagai and E. concordis as oviposition of both predators did not differ in relation to prey species. The preference of I. zuluagai for leaves of plants infested by either P. latus or T. bastosi, combined with the higher values for predation obtained by this predatory mite when fed on P. latus, compared to those values obtained by E. concordis, suggests that I. zuluagai can be more efficient than E. concordis in reducing populations of P. latus and T. bastosi under field conditions. Furthermore, we report here on the first record of predatory mites associated with P. latus and T. bastosi on native J. curcas plants in Brazil. In conclusion, we emphasize the crucial importance of predatory mites as agents of natural biological control of mite pests on J. curcas in small farms.     

The oral apparatus of tadpoles of Rana dalmatina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, and Bufo viridis (Anura)

The morphology and development of the larval oral apparatus of Rana dalmatina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, and Bufo viridis are described and compared using scanning electron microscopy. The species show different arrangements of the mouthparts. The small oral apparatus of R. dalmatina larvae has three labial tooth rows on the upper labium, while there are four tooth rows on the lower labium with a medial gap in row proximal to the mouth. The margins of the oral apparatus are defined by papillae that encircle the lower labium. B. variegata tadpoles have two upper labial tooth rows and three lower labial tooth rows that are uninterrupted, unlike the ones of R. dalmatina. The mouth is encircled by papillae that are larger than those of R. dalmatina. The oral discs of tadpoles of both B. bufo and B. viridis are similar. They are defined by two upper labial tooth rows (the second of which is interrupted by a medial gap) and by three lower tooth rows that differ in lengths in the two Bufo species. Both species develop papillae on the mouth angles and in two rows on the upper labium. Some morphological differences among the oral discs of R. dalmatina, B. variegata, B. bufo, and B. viridis tadpoles can be attributed to phylogenetic differences, but most can be related to their varying feeding habits and/or to their dietary specializations.     

Mechanisms of competition between tadpoles of Australian frogs (Litoria spp.) and invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina)

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外来捕食者克氏原螯虾对黑斑侧褶蛙不同发育阶段幼体表型与运动能力的影响

外来物种入侵是造成本土无尾两栖类种群下降和灭绝的最严重威胁之一。在中国南部丽水地区,克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkiion)是一种捕食本土无尾类蝌蚪的入侵物种。在实验室条件下,通过对黑斑侧褶蛙(Pelophylax nigromaculatus)受精卵和蝌蚪先后进行克氏原螯虾捕食风险的不同处理,检测孵出蝌蚪的形态特征、中期蝌蚪的形态特征、游泳表现及活动水平、变态时间与大小以及幼蛙跳跃表现,评估克氏原螯虾的捕食风险对黑斑侧褶蛙不同生长阶段幼体生长发育、运动能力及行为的综合影响。单因素方差分析表明,捕食者长期存在条件下黑斑侧褶蛙孵出蝌蚪的体长、尾长和尾肌宽均显著短于无捕食者的空白对照组和捕食者仅存在2 d的实验组,后两者处理下的蝌蚪体长差异显著,但尾长和尾肌宽差异不显著。长期捕食者存在条件下黑斑侧褶蛙蝌蚪的游泳总路程和平均游速均显著小于无捕食者和捕食者存在2 d的实验组,而蝌蚪体长、尾长、尾鳍高和尾肌高的组间差异均不显著。有捕食者存在下黑斑侧褶幼蛙的体长和体重均显著大于无捕食者和捕食者存在2 d的实验组的情况,而变态时间和幼蛙跳跃距离组间差异不显著。两因素方差分析表明,测试时间、捕食者设置和两因素的相互作用均显著影响蝌蚪的活动频次。不同实验时间,长期捕食者存在实验组蝌蚪活动频次均小于无捕食者和捕食者存在2 d的实验组。无捕食者实验组蝌蚪的活动频次前期高于捕食者存在2 d的实验组,后期低于捕食者存在2 d的实验组。线性回归分析结果显示,捕食者存在2 d实验组蝌蚪相对活动频次与检测时间相关不显著,长期捕食者存在实验组相对蝌蚪活动频次与检测时间呈显著的正相关。本研究表明了黑斑侧褶蛙蝌蚪能够感知来自入侵捕食者克氏原螯虾的捕食风险,诱导产生较小的孵出个体、蝌蚪较低的活动水平,但这种不足可通过后期补偿生长,不影响进入陆地生境的变态个体的表型与运动能力。     

用功能生态学方法揭示峨眉髭蟾蝌蚪和棘腹蛙蟾蝌蚪共存的原因

采用功能生态学的研究方法,选取了3个指标(功能丰富度、功能定位和功能生态位的重叠程度)对峨眉山清音阁黑龙江中峨眉髭蟾蝌蚪和棘腹蛙蝌蚪共存的原因进行了解析。结果表明,峨眉髭蟾蝌蚪功能丰富度的实测值远远小于棘腹蛙蝌蚪。采用自助法随机抽样15和51个个体时,峨眉髭蟾蝌蚪的功能丰富度值显著小于棘腹蛙蝌蚪。同时,非参数多元方差分析的结果显示二者的功能定位存在显著差异。此外,二者功能生态位重叠程度的实测值与采用自助法计算所得值均极低。以上结果表明二者的功能生态位存在明显分化,表现为峨眉髭蟾蝌蚪个体较大,开口较小,眼间距较大,尾部发达且多采用背腹弯曲的游泳模式;而棘腹蛙蝌蚪开口较大,眼睛间距较小,尾部较为短小且多采用脊椎弯曲的游泳模式。鉴于功能性状可以反映生物体对生长环境的响应,推测两种蝌蚪主要栖息地的微生境也存在分化。     

New records of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) predation by Brazilian Hemipteran predatory bugs

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta, native to western South America, is an extremely devastating pest in tomato crops in most of South America, Europe and Africa North of the Sahel, causes yield losses up to 100% and decreases fruit quality in open field and greenhouse crops if control methods are not applied. In Brazil two other important lepidopteran pests – Neoleucinodes elegantalis and Helicoverpa zea – occur in tomato, as well as thrips, whiteflies and aphids. For control of these pests, frequent applications of pesticides of up to 5 times per week are needed, and these resulted in the appearance of resistant populations to a number of active ingredients and decimation of natural enemies. Biological control may offer a better, safer and more sustainable opportunity for pest management. Mirid predatory bugs are currently used with success in southern Europe to control T. absoluta and other pests. In Brazil, four Hemipteran predatory bugs, not yet known to attack T. absoluta, were found to successfully prey on eggs and larvae of this pest. The first results on their predation capacity, development, survival and reproduction on T. absoluta on tomato plants are presented.     

Living in fast‐flowing water: Morphology of the gastromyzophorous tadpole of the bufonid Rhinella quechua (R. veraguensis group)

We describe the bufonid gastromyzophorous tadpoles of Rhinella quechua from montane forest streams in Bolivia. Specimens were cleared and stained, and the external morphology, buccopharyngeal structures, and the musculoskeletal system were studied. These tadpoles show a combination of some traits common in Rhinella larvae (e.g., emarginate oral disc with large ventral gap in the marginal papillae, labial tooth row formula 2/3, prenarial ridge, two infralabial papillae, quadratoorbital commissure present, larval otic process absent, mm. mandibulolabialis superior, interhyoideus posterior, and diaphragmatopraecordialis absent, m. subarcualis rectus I composed of three slips), some traits apparently exclusive for the described species of the R. veraguensis group (e.g., second anterior labial tooth row complete, lingual papillae absent, adrostral cartilages present), and some traits that are shared with other gastromyzophorous tadpoles (e.g., enlarged oral disc, short and wide articular process of the palatoquadrate, several muscles inserting on the abdominal sucker). In the context of the substantial taxonomic and nomenclatural changes that the former genus Bufo has undergone, and despite the conspicuous morphological differences related to the presence of an abdominal sucker, the larval morphology of R. quechua supports including it in the genus Rhinella and placing it close to species of the R. veraguensis assemblage. J. Morphol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

First record of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) infesting laboratory colonies of Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Megaselia scalaris (Loew) is a cosmopolitan and synanthropic scuttle fly, eclectic in its feeding habits and acts as detritivore, parasite, facultative parasite, and parasitoid. Here we report for the first time M. scalaris infesting laboratory colonies of Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, the most important Chagas disease vector in semiarid areas of Brazil. M. scalaris larvae were found feeding inside bugs; pupae were found in the esophagus and intestinal regions of T. brasiliensis through dissection. Other relevant information about this finding is also described in this note, including some preventive measures to avoid laboratory colonies infestations.     

Risk of predation and behavioural response in three anuran species: influence of tadpole size and predator type

Many species alter their activity, microhabitat use, morphology and life history in response to predators. Predation risk is related to predator size and palatability of prey among others factors. We analyzed the predation risk of three species of tadpoles that occur in norwestern Patagonia, Argentina: Pleurodema thaul, Pleurodema bufoninum and Rhinella spinulosa. We sampled aquatic insect predators in 18 ponds to determine predator–tadpole assemblage in the study area. In laboratory conditions, we analysed the predation rate imposed by each predator on each tadpole species at different tadpole sizes. Finally, we tested whether tadpoles alter their activity in the presence of chemical and visual cues from predators. Small P. thaul and P. bufoninum tadpoles were the most vulnerable prey species, while small R. spinulosa tadpoles were only consumed by water bugs. Dragonflies and water bugs were the most dangerous tadpole predators. Small P. thaul tadpoles reduced their activity when they were exposed to all predators, while large tadpoles only reduced the activity in the presence of large predators (dragonfly larvae and water bugs). Small P. bufoninum tadpoles reduced the activity when they were exposed to beetle larvae and dragonfly larvae, while large tadpoles only reduced activity when they were exposed to larger predators (water bugs and dragonfly larvae). R. spinulosa tadpoles were the less sensitive to presence of predators, only larger tadpoles responded significantly to dragonfly larvae by reducing their activity. We conclude that behavioural responses of these anuran species were predator-specific and related to the risk imposed by each predator.     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Delineating geographic boundaries of the woolly mouse opossums, Micoureusdemerarae and Micoureus paraguayanus (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae)

This paper reports on molecular classification of the woolly mouse opossum, Micoureus spp., in the southeastern Atlantic Forest in Brazil, a hotspot of critically threatened biodiversity. Phylogenetic analysis and character-based diagnosis were done using DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes, and exon 6 of the nuclear dentine matrix protein 1 gene (DMP1). Although the nuclear DMP1 gene showed insufficient genetic variation for species diagnosis, the mtDNA analyses resulted in the robust grouping of samples of the M. paraguayanus/M. demerarae complex into three clades with distinct DNA sequence diagnostics for the species units in this study. The results support the species status of M. paraguayanus (Tate in Am Mus Novit 493: 1–13, 1931), which has a geographic distribution in the Atlantic Forest from the North and Northeast of Minas Gerais state in Brazil, going south along the coastal region of Brazil, to Paraguay and Argentina. Evidence of the boundary for this species and the provided diagnostics should facilitate and improve accuracy of studies that have been done in critical threatened fragments of the Atlantic Forest, especially in Minas Gerais and Bahia states, Brazil.