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In this paper, we describe a dynamic-model as a strategy to teach DNA transcription and translation in an active way. This activity aims to provide learning beyond memorisation through the simulation of molecular processes, stimulating the elaboration of questions and hypotheses by students. The dynamic consists of four steps, starting with different problem situations which provide a context and encouragement to start the activity. The next steps connect these problems with DNA transcription and translation, requiring the active participation of students to simulate these processes through a construction of a model based on an iron board and representations of cellular structures, enzymes and genetic sequences fixed in magnets. An implementation experience of this dynamic, applied to 21 undergraduate veterinary students at a public university in the city of Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil, is also described. Data from pre and post-questionnaires suggest knowledge about DNA transcription and translation was improved and some previous mistakes were clarified. Among the positive aspects that were cited by the students, the words visualisation and playful were more frequent, which reflect the didactic aspects of the dynamic. Some points of attention are discussed throughout the paper, as well as educational implications associated with the material and its potential to promote active learning.

This study is a follow-up to the analysis of an inquiry-based learning activity applied to students in a public university in Brazil. We advocate that an effective education in immunology must incorporate elements that are essential to research in the area, such as generating and analysing data. These elements would empower students to apply science reasoning to face professional challenges. Our protocol included two of these elements: experimentation and abstraction. The utmost aim was to examine the production of argument by groups engaged in three different activities: 1) performing experiments and analysing the data generated; 2) reading papers on the subject (activation of complement) prior to the activities in (1), and 3) reading papers on the subject and analysing data generated by others. Our analysis reveals that guided scientific paper presentation was more influential than performing an experiment in terms of production of complex arguments. Additionally, we found that some groups merely described the data rather than relating the obtained data to the original question that led to the experiments. The findings described herein show the importance of engaging students in procedures that actually generate knowledge and thus incorporate scientific reasoning and discourse in higher immunology education.

Aim/Purpose: This paper presented the framework for the integration of digital technologies in education, implemented in InTecEdu Program, developed by Remote Experimentation Laboratory (RExLab), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil. Background: The main objective of the model presented is to arouse interest in science and technology among adolescents. Therefore, it sought to develop STEM competencies (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in children and adolescents. Understanding learning in STAM areas can favor the development of professionals who can supply the demand in related sectors, especially in the scientific-technological scope. To fulfill the main objective, strategies related to students and teachers were developed. With activities aimed at students, it was hoped to promote vocations to scientific-technological careers and encourage entrepreneurship. On the other hand, the activities related to teachers aimed at training them to integrate technology into their lesson plans. Inspired by the Maker Culture, the model sought to make it possible for teachers to become the main agents in the process of integrating technology in their lesson plans, since they were in charge of building and producing their digital content and other resources to support their didactic activities. The maker movement is a technological extension of the "Do It Yourself!" culture, which encourages ordinary people to build, modify, repair, and manufacture their objects, with their own hands. The training actions were preceded by a diagnosis, inspired by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model, as well as the lesson plans prepared and made available by the teachers. Methodology: Methodologically, the framework's work plan was composed of five Work Packages (WP), which include management, resource mapping, strategies related to teachers, strategies related to students, and the dissemination and exploitation of results. In the 2014-2018 period, 367 teachers participated in training activities, intending to integrate technologies into lesson plans. At the end of 2018, 27 Basic Education schools, including an indigenous and a rural school, from the public-school system, in the states of Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais, and the Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, using the project's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). In these 70 teachers, 230 classes, and 6,766 students accessed didactic content, produced by teachers, at VLE. Also, 20 laboratories were available in 26 instances, for use in practical activities in disciplines in the STEM areas. Specifically, in the STEM areas, 3,360 students from 98 classes from 9 schools had integrated the Remote Laboratories, in lesson plans in the subjects of Physics and Biology (High School), Science (Elementary School). Contribution: The main results of the application of the framework are related to the training of human resources, knowledge production, and educational innovation. About the training of human resources, we sought to contribute to the training of teachers concerning technology in education and, with that, arouse greater interest on the part of students, as well as obtain improvements in their learning from teaching methodologies supported on the use of digital technologies. On the other hand, the production of knowledge, in the program and the socialization of research, is favored by the model based on open-source resources, both in terms of software and hardware and with open educational resources. This characteristic favor and expands the potential for reapplying research and, consequently, its contribution to educational innovation. Findings: The results, about students, indicated an increase in motivation due to the creation of new teaching and learning opportunities. The fact of extending the classroom and school, through remote laboratories, to support practical activities and the use of VLE, was also pointed out as a very positive factor. On the other hand, the realization of the workshops, inspired by practices of the Maker Culture, provided an approximation of these to the skills of the real world, which will certainly favor their employability. Regarding the teachers, it is noticed the continuity and expansion in the use of technological resources in the classroom; many sought and have participated in new training actions. Recommendations for Practitioners: Provision of a repository of practices for sharing and reuse of lesson plans developed by teachers participating in the research. Technical documents, manuals, and guides for robotics, computer programming, electronics and new technology workshops for students. Recommendations for Researchers: Technical documents, manuals, and guides for remote laboratories. Data collected in the applied questionnaires. Technical documents, manuals, and guides for robotics, computer programming, electronics and new technology workshops for students. Impact on Society: The main results of the framework application are related to human resources formation, knowledge production, and educational innovation. Regarding the formation of human resources, we sought to contribute to the formation of teachers concerning technology in education and, about the students the creation of teaching and learning opportunities, to extend the classroom and also the school, through the remote laboratories, to support the practical activities and the use of the VLE. Future Research: The socialization and reapplication of the framework since it is based on open-source resources, both software and hardware, and with open educational resources.

The goal of this paper is to propose tables of contextual cognition as a tool for research and a model to facilitate the intercultural dialogue on science education in schools. The proposal arose from a qualitative case study, involving the use of tables of compared cognition in biology classes in a Brazilian public school. The results indicate that these tables helped students to understand relationships of similarities and differences between their previous knowledge and scientific knowledge and, equally, to delimit the original context and applicability of each of these ways of knowing. However, I perceived the need to expand these tables to gain a new meaning for the practical purposes of research and culturally sensitive science teaching. Finally, tables of contextual cognition considering these changes are proposed and I discuss the possible implications for teaching and research in science education.

In this paper I report on the sociological and educational particulars of "The Biodiscovery Space" exhibition of the Life Museum of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using Basil Bernstein's framework of pedagogic discourse and recontextualization. Data for analysis was obtained from interviews with the exhibition developers, field observations of museum visitors and analysis of exhibition documents. Using the ideas of power, classification and framework, among others, I analyzed the recontextualization process of the production of expositive discourse. Thus, working with Bernstein's idea of classification, I explain the relationship between the discourses of the science of biology, history of science, museology, education, and communication in order to produce an expositive discourse. I also make explicit how agents of the Official Recontextualization Field of the Museum and the Pedagogic Recontextualization Field "....of the Museum determine partly the final expositive discourse of an exhibition". Using the idea of a pedagogic discourse framework, I discuss how the constraints imposed by objects and texts in exhibitions help to create a specific manner of visitor interaction with these elements, "even if they have some autonomy". Considerations about the audience and the intended process of acquisition are presented, when I discuss the control strategies of the exhibition. I propose that the Biodiscovery Space exhibit has a visible pedagogy. Finally, using the collected data I discuss the power tensions created in the production of expositive discourse showing how distributive, recontextualization and evaluation rules work in the context of exhibitions. The study of the dynamics in forming the expositive discourse using Bernstein's framework reveals the individuals and institutions, the selection criteria, the negotiations and the power relations involved. It has the potential to assist both educators and researchers in the museum education field, as well as designers to understand the teaching and learning processes that occur during a visit and to establish relevant criteria to evaluate quality to best produce exhibitions in science museums.

In this paper we discuss the results of an investigation aiming at mapping the conceptions of nature of protestant biology preservice teachers in a Brazilian university, State University of Feira de Santana, and elucidating their strategies to manage the coexistence of scientific and religious knowledge. We employ naturalistic semi-structured interviews about conceptualizations of nature to build first person interpretive narratives, which allow us to build a general characterization of the students' conceptualizations of nature and science, as well as strategies to deal with the coexistence of religious and scientific knowledge. We use students' personal statements to construct a general description of their religious and scientific upbringing. They are divided in two groups: (a) those with more scientifically compatible worldviews, who often make use of scientific ideas in their narratives about nature and build syntheses between scientific explanatory models and their religious worldviews; and (b) those who do not show evidence of meaningful learning of scientific ideas and are largely inclined to deliberately repudiate scientific knowledge. Our results show the complexity of the relationships between religious and scientific education in the trajectories of these preservice biology teachers.

This paper reports results obtained in pedagogical interventions in a Brazilian public high school which aimed at promoting a dialogue between scientific and traditional knowledge in the context of biology teaching. The interventions were based on the use of a didactic material and teaching sequence elaborated on the grounds of school knowledge about botany, as presented in biology textbooks, and interviews with students who were also farmers, so as to gather data about their ethnobiological knowledge. Our goal was to develop and test resources that can offer support for teachers who wish to build a dialogue between different ways of knowing in multicultural settings. Our results indicate that the use of the didactic material and teaching sequence indeed created possibilities for a dialogue between the students' ethnobiological knowledge and biology school knowledge. We observed some shortcomings in classroom practice, partly reflecting our very choice of subject matter to develop the teaching sequence. But the interventions also revealed important limitations that we regard as representative of problems that may generally make multicultural science teaching a hard goal to achieve. It was clear that important shortcomings were related to teachers' difficulties to conduct a dialogue between ways of knowing in a science classroom, and, thus, called attention to the importance of introducing a multicultural dimension into teacher education. We also observed that the fact that students did not show much sensitivity towards dealing with cultural diversity was a factor constraining the success of the interventions. These results highlight the importance of proposing and testing teacher education initiatives aiming at preparing them to teach science in a culturally sensitive manner, and also managing classroom tensions and conflicts so as to make it possible an effective dialogue between different ways of knowing in a multicultural setting.

On 22 July 2022, the Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos), a private institution and community university in southern Brazil, announced the interruption of 12 of its postgraduate programmes, including the Postgraduate Program of Biology (PPG Biologia), whose professors founded the journal, Neotropical Biology and Conservation. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of papers published by PPG Biologia in the past 20 years to assess its impact on biological research at a national level. The number of publications and citations increased constantly over the years, with publications growing exponentially. Although most collaborations with other research programmes occurred inside Brazil, a significant number of studies were co-authored by researchers from other countries from at least four continents. The main research lines focused on biological sciences, ecology, sociology, education, environmental sciences and genetics. Despite being affected by the decrease in research funding and the reduction of personnel, PPG Biologia kept its high impact score according to the national evaluation, above that of most programmes in private universities and similar to public ones. With a team of renowned researchers working on different and sometimes unique research lines, the interruption of PPG Biologia will harm the progress of biological research and conservation across the Neotropical realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophioderma appressum is a common and abundant ophiuroid species in tropical reef communities. Nevertheless, few studies analyse and describe its biology. In this paper, we evaluate and describe the diet of this species collected at Seixas reefs, João Pessoa, Brazil. Monthly diurnal samples were obtained between September 2018 and July 2019. In total, 143 individuals were analysed. The recorded diet was variable and consisted of 24 taxa and two additional items. Most material represented unidentifiable and/or digested remains, foraminiferans, crustacean fragments, and sediment particles, indicating omnivory. The number of individuals with stomach contents varied along the year (from two to 13 specimens per month). There was also significant temporal variation in the composition of the stomach contents. The months September 2018, May 2019 and June 2019 had the highest variety of items during the study. Our results suggest generalist and opportunistic feeding behaviour and highlight the role of O. appressum as an active predator on prey of diverse taxa and body size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity and natural history of Cassidinae s. str (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), popularly known as tortoise beetles, were recorded in a 335 ha remnant area of Atlantic Forest in Passa Quatro, south of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is the first inventory with beetles conducted within this conservation unit. Tortoise beetles and their host plants were collected manually at weekly visits conducted between November 2015 and December 2017. Biological and behavioural characteristics of these organisms were obtained. Forty-six species of tortoise beetles were identified, belonging to 23 genera and five tribes. New records include 13 species of cassidines for the state of Minas Gerais, the first host plant 22 record for nine species of beetles, and 15 new host plants for ten species of cassidines. The most common tribes were Cassidini (n = 22) and Mesomphaliini (n = 20). Identification of host plants was possible, at least at the family level, for 40 of the 46 cassidine species collected. The dominant host plant families were Convolvulaceae (43%) and Asteraceae (19%). The biological and behavioural findings are discussed by relating them to the defensive mechanisms that have been described or hypothesised previously in the literature. The present paper is a novel contribution to the tortoise beetle diversity studies in Brazil, as well as their natural history and life cycle within the Atlantic Forest, a diverse and endangered Neotropical biome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engaging recent social science work examining the truth making claims of science and biomedicine, this paper explores how biology is being localised in Brazilian cancer genetics. It draws from ethnographic fieldwork in urban regions of southern Brazil working with and alongside patients, families and practitioners in cancer genetic clinics. It examines how different sorts of ‘local biologies’ are articulated in the context of research, clinical practice and among implicated patient communities and the way these can ‘recursively’ move across different spheres and scales of social action to extend and transform the meaning of the biological. It shows how the mattering of the biological in Brazilian cancer genetics is fundamentally informed by questions of inequity and care, even while multiple local biologies may obscure rather than reveal the biopolitics of cancer. In an era of epigenetics this raises new opportunities and challenges for anthropological analysis as intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Diadiplosis multifila was recently discovered feeding on Planococcus citri eggs in vineyards in the semi-arid northeast region of Brazil. The objective of the present paper was to study the biology of D. multifila in P. citri under constant temperatures of 22, 25, 28, and 31 °C. We evaluated its embryonic stage, egg viability, development period, survival of larva and pupa, longevity, average number of eggs, and sex ratio. D. multifila completed its life cycle in all temperatures except for 31 °C. The length of the embryonic period ranged from 4 to 7 days. The larval stage was longer at a temperature of 22 °C (8.6 days) and shorter at 28 °C (6.4). The pupal stage exhibited durations of 12.9, 10.4, and 8.2 days for temperatures of 22, 25, and 28 °C, respectively. The average viability in the larval stage was 97% and 83% in the pupal stage. The total life cycle took 16.7 (28 °C), 20 (25 °C), and 27 (22 °C) days to complete. The adults lived for approximately 2 days and the females produced on average 34, 25, and 19 eggs at temperatures of 22, 25, and 28 °C, respectively. The sex ratio varied from 0.46 to 0.54. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mourecotelles Toro & Cabezas (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Colletinae) currently includes only nine valid species of cellophane bees found mostly in relatively-dry regions of western South America (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador). In this paper, we describe and illustrate a new species of the genus - M. braziliensis Ferrari & Melo, sp. nov. - based on individuals of both sexes captured through trap-nesting in an environmental protection area (Araucárias Municipal Natural Park) and in flowers in different localities in southern Brazil. In total, we obtained 16 nests of M. braziliensis, each consisting of two to eleven brood cells arranged horizontally and lined with a cellophane-like substance. Of the 57 adult bees that emerged, 41 were male (mean weight 46.5 mg) and 16 were female (mean weight 58.9 mg), resulting in biased sex and investment ratios of 2.56:1 and 2.02:1, respectively. Both the numbers of provisioned cells and mortality rate were higher for trap nests with the narrowest bore diameter, although the differences in relation to other trap nests were not statistically significant. Pollen of nine different plant families were found in brood cells of M. braziliensis, but the species showed a clear preference for Fabaceae and Polygalaceae. Indeed, some of the specimens were collected while foraging in flowers of an unidentified species of Monnina Ruiz & Pav. (Polygalaceae) growing in swampy areas. The evolutionary and biogeographical implications of our discovery are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axiidea housed in the collection of the Museu de Oceanografia Prof. Petrônio Alves Coelho, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (MOUFPE) were studied. This collection contains 66% of the total diversity of axiideans recorded from the continental shelf of the Brazilian coast. The species are listed by family and genus as follows: Axiidea: Axiidae (Axiopsis, Axiorygma, Calaxius, Coralaxius, Manaxius, Paraxiopsis), Callianassidae (Cheramoides), Callichiridae (Callichirus, Corallianassa, Lepidophthalmus, Neocallichirus), Ctenochelidae (Ctenocheles, Ctenocheloides, Dawsonius, Gourretia), Micheleidae (Marcusiaxius, Meticonaxius). Details on the biology and taxonomy of some of these species are given. In addition, certain poorly documented species are now better understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection with ZIKV during pregnancy is associated with fetal developmental problems. Although neurological issues are being explored more in experimental studies, limited research has focused on the reproductive health consequences for offspring born to infected mothers. In this context, this study aimed to assess the impact of ZIKV infection during pregnancy on the testes and sperm of adult male offspring. Female mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with a Brazil strain of ZIKV during the 5.5th day of embryonic gestation. The offspring were evaluated 12 weeks after birth to analyze cellular and molecular changes in the testes and sperm. A novel approach combining variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and machine learning modeling was also introduced for sperm sample analysis. The study revealed the presence of ZIKV protein in the testis parenchyma of adult male offspring born to infected mothers. It was shown that the testes exhibited altered steroidogenesis and inflammatory mediators, in addition to significant issues with spermiogenesis that resulted in sperm with DNA fragmentation, head defects, and protamination failure. Additionally, sperm dielectric properties and artificial intelligence showed potential for rapid identification and classification of sperm samples from infected mice. These findings provide crucial insights into the reproductive risks for men born from ZIKV-infected pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work describes the reproductive biology of the white marlin (Kajikia albida) caught in the southwestern and equatorial Atlantic Ocean. The gonads of 924 fish were collected by observers on board Brazilian tuna longliners, between November 2004 and December 2006. The spawning season was assessed by the monthly frequency distribution of distinct stages of maturity and monthly mean female gonadosomatic index GSI. Sixty‐one percent (n = 656) of the fish examined were female, with a Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) between 83 and 236 cm (mean = 155.5 ± 16.63). The 268 males had a LJFL between 90 and 220 cm (mean = 152.3 ± 34.62). Although the northeastern region of Brazil does not appear to be a significant spawning area for the species, the results suggest a higher reproductive activity in the third quarter of the year. Using a Bayesian logistic model approach, length at 50% maturity was estimated at 145.04 cm (credibility interval of 95%, 143.94–146.09 cm), for females, and at 140.03 cm (credibility interval of 95%, 137.28–142.52 cm), for males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is the most important tick species affecting cattle in the world. Under field conditions, the non-parasitic phase of R. (B.) microplus is unknown in the Amazon biome, including Brazil. The present study aimed to evaluate the non-parasitic phase of R. (B.) microplus in field (grass plots) and laboratory conditions. Methods: The study was conducted from September 2020 to April 2022 in an Amazonian region (Maranhão State, Brazil). We evaluated the biological parameters of R. (B.) microplus under laboratory and field conditions. Engorged females were exposed to experimental conditions every 14 days, totaling 20 months of study. The following biological parameters were observed: pre-oviposition period, egg mass incubation period, and maximum larval survival period. Results: Abiotic data (e.g., temperature and humidity) varied little throughout the year. Precipitation was the factor that varied the most throughout the year (dry ~ 30 mm3 and rain 400 mm3), and the parameters of pre-oviposition and pre-hatching are longer during the rainy season. A possible negative effect of the dry season on the percentage of hatched eggs was observed. Larval longevity in the plots of both control and free females was short (mean ~ 50–60 days), below that recorded for larvae under controlled conditions (mean ~ 95 days). Conclusions: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was able to complete its non-parasitic phase by producing host-seeking larvae in the pasture during all months of the study. The results indicate that R. (B.) microplus can complete up to six generations per year in biome Amazon. To our knowledge, this is the highest number of annual generations for R. (B.) microplus in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil, records of yam consumption exist among shellmound builders from at least 4000 years ago. Shellmounds (sambaquis) are anthropogenic structures in the form of mounds with layers of shells associated with other faunal remains, as well as with charcoal, artefacts and burial. Larger sambaquis are considered to be funerary monuments. The indigenous Jê and Guarani people also lived in the region before the European invasion and cultivated yams. Currently, exotic and domesticated yams are cultivated in the region by farmers. Our aim is to describe the long-term history between the people and Dioscorea in the Babitonga Bay region based on its consumption and occurrence in shellmounds and swiddens. Methods: Surveys of Dioscorea spp. and host were carried out in the vegetation of shellmounds and in the surrounding area using visual detection through intensive searches in transects using the walking method. The survey of Dioscorea species used and cultivated in the precolonial, colonial and current periods was carried out based on the literature. In the present study, only Dioscorea trifida cultivations were recorded. Results: Dioscorea cayennensis, Dioscorea chondrocarpa, Dioscorea dodecaneura, Dioscorea laxiflora, Dioscorea olfersiana, and Dioscorea scabra, all recorded in associated vegetation of shellmounds, in different combinations of the species. In swiddens, D. trifida is most common, followed by Dioscorea alata and, to a lesser extent, Dioscorea bulbifera and D. cayennensis. Records of food use prevail, but they are used as medicinal plants. Yams are integrated on anthropogenic soils of shellmounds and in swiddens in monoculture systems or in intercropping with Zea mays or Colocasia esculenta. The presence of exotic food trees and D. cayennensis in some shellmounds indicates the influence of colonizers on the composition of the vegetation. In sambaquis, there are overlapping processes of construction of cultural niches by different human groups at different times. Conclusions: The sambaquis and the associated vegetation and swiddens form part of a domesticated landscape. The native species of Dioscorea recorded in shellmounds and surrounding vegetation do not depend on human action to perpetuate themselves in the environment. However, this does not rule out human influence in the past, but it does not indicate horticulture among the Sambaquianos. Greater investment in genetic, archaeobotanical and ethnobotanical research can contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between people and yams over thousands of years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazilian scientific output exhibited a 4-fold increase in the last two decades because of the stability of the investment in research and development activities and of changes in the policies of the main funding agencies. Most of this production is concentrated in public universities and research institutes located in the richest part of the country. Among all areas of knowledge, the most productive are Health and Biological Sciences. During the 1998-2002 period these areas presented heterogeneous growth ranging from 4.5% (Pharmacology) to 191% (Psychiatry), with a median growth rate of 47.2%. In order to identify and rank the 20 most prolific institutions in these areas, searches were made in three databases (DataCAPES, ISI and MEDLINE) which permitted the identification of 109,507 original articles produced by the 592 Graduate Programs in Health and Biological Sciences offered by 118 public universities and research institutes. The 20 most productive centers, ranked according to the total number of ISI-indexed articles published during the 1998-2003 period, produced 78.7% of the papers in these areas and are strongly concentrated in the Southern part of the country, mainly in São Paulo State.

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The purpose of this paper was to analyze the diversity patterns of Cactaceae at a global scale, to identify those countries where conservation actions should be performed. In order to do this, the species richness and the number of endemic species for 34 American countries were determined. With these data, the relationship between the total number of species or the number of endemic species and the area of the countries were analyzed. In addition, a complementarity analysis was conducted to determine the most important countries for cactus conservation. Results showed that Mexico had the highest number of total and endemic species followed by Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, among others. There was a significant positive relationship between both, the total and endemic species, and the area of the countries. Despite this fact, the cactus diversity in Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Costa Rica was higher than expected according to their area. Further, these countries also presented the highest proportions of endemic species. The complementarity analysis indicated that 24 countries are necessary to preserve all cactus species. However, 94% of all species could be preserved with only 10 countries. Considering the diversity patterns and the complementarity analysis, three important groups for cactus conservation were identified: (1) Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Costa Rica, (2) Paraguay and Cuba, and (3) Brazil and USA. Conservation efforts should be focused on these countries in order to preserve cactus diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript summarizes the papers presented at the 19th International Papillomavirus Conference, held in Florianopolis, Brazil, September 1–7, 2001, divided in four main areas: Clinical diagnosis and screening, Epidemiology, Biology and Immunology. It provides an overview of what we know about the biology and life cycle of these viruses, their interaction with human and animal hosts, and the diseases that they cause. Highlights derive from the analysis of more than 500 papers presented at the Conference. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to characterize the reproductive system and determine the importance of pollinators for fruit production of Caryocar brasiliense, an economically important tree, in preserved and degraded Cerrado areas in southeastern Brazil. For this purpose, we performed pollinator exclusion experiments to determine the frequency of self- and cross-pollination, and to determine fruit set. In general, fruit set was extremely low; only 2.92% and 2.71% of the flowers developed into fruits in the degraded and preserved areas, respectively. Fruit sets by manual cross-pollination and natural (open) pollination were higher than self-pollination in both areas. Pollen deposition was significantly higher at night and in the preserved area, although a relatively high amount of pollen grains is found in the stigmas during the day. The number of ripened and aborted seeds did not differ among areas, but fruits and seeds were heavier in the degraded area than in the preserved area. The abortion level was very high (64.5%), which may be related to low pollen quality due to selfing. Our study presents evidence that Cerrado degradation affects the reproductive biology of C. brasiliense, but whether such effect is a consequence of pollinator decline in degraded areas remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The boll weevil is a key pest of cotton in Central and South America. Its thermal requirements, development time, oviposition, survival, adult longevity, and sex ratio were determined under laboratory conditions, and the data were used to construct a fertility life table. Based on the results and a GIS (Geographic Information System), the R0 was estimated for different Brazilian regions and represented on a map. This information can be useful for developing strategies to manage the pest in cotton crops. The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boh., is the most important cotton pest in Central and South America. The biological characteristics and thermal requirements of boll weevils reared on an artificial diet were assessed at seven constant temperatures (18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, and 32 ± 1 °C) under laboratory conditions. These data were used to determine the ecological zoning for the pest in Brazil. The development time; oviposition period; the number of eggs produced; survival of eggs, larvae, and pupae; adult longevity; and sex ratio were recorded, and additional life table parameters were calculated. The total development duration ranged from 16.1 (32 °C) to 46.2 (18 °C) days. Temperature significantly affected the number of eggs laid per female (fecundity), with the highest number of eggs observed at 25 °C (251 ± 15.8). The parameters from the fertility life table indicated the greatest population growth at 25 °C and 28 °C. The net reproductive rate (R0) at these temperatures was 22.25 times higher than at 18 °C. Based on R0 and temperature, an ecological zoning of the pest was developed for Brazil. Brazilian regions with mean temperatures above 20 °C and below 30 °C are most favorable for the population growth of the boll weevil. The most suitable crop areas were found to be the north, midwest, and part of the northeast region, although the weevil can occur throughout Brazil if the host plants are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species Sciopemyia sordellii (Diptera, Phlebotominae) is widely distributed throughout the American continent. This raises doubts about their identity as a single biological entity and points to the occurrence of species complex. Here, we review the geographic distribution of S. sordellii in the Neotropical region, as well as data on its biology and ecology. Records were obtained from literature and from specimens deposited in biological collections. In total, 149 records were analysed, from 12 countries in America. However, after taxonomic revision, some specimens were wrongly identified as S. sordellii, especially those from Peru, putting in doubt the occurrence of the species in that country. In Brazil, it has been recorded in all five geographic regions and collected in different biomes, besides to other ecotypes such as caves. Furthermore, its presence in an anthropized environment has also been reported. Some studies have also diagnosed Leishmania DNA in S. sordellii, indicating that parasite circulation is being maintained between the reservoir hosts. The data evaluated in our study allowed us to provide updated information on the distribution of S. sordellii in America, which may be useful in the taxonomy of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is a great need for inclusive practices and materials for visually impaired students (SVIs), especially from Biology. Thus, we developed two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) didactic models about cytology as well as a modeling-clay-based evaluation method. The two-dimensional tactile atlas included the representation of organelles with an explanatory text in two formats (written and Braille), whereas the 3D human cell model was made with a colorful polymer clay pasta. These models were tested by students of public schools, with and without visual impairment as well as by teachers of science/biology. Their perceptions were analyzed by using questionnaires, whereas the modeling clay-based evaluation method was used with the SVIs to identify their level of understanding about the cellular structures presented to them. According to all participants including SVIs, both materials facilitated the understanding of cell organelles. Interestingly, the modeling clay-based evaluation method confirmed that this blind audience could see (distinguish) as many details as those who have no visual impairment. Our results strengthen the fact that this blind public depends on the accessibility level that, apparently, is offered by our 2D and 3D models to them. In agreement with that conclusion, all teachers pointed this strategy as helpful to this public especially during teaching these overly complex topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate-resistant weeds are difficult to manage and can serve as hosts for pests that threaten cultivated crops. Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the main polyphagous pests of soybean in Brazil that can benefit from weeds' presence during season and off-season. Despite its pest status, little is known about C. includens survival and development on alternative hosts, including those resistant to glyphosate. Therefore, we assessed the biology, reproduction, preference, and survival at different feeding periods of C. includens on seven glyphosate-resistant weeds (Sumatran fleabane, Italian ryegrass, sourgrass, goosegrass, smooth pigweed, wild poinsettia, hairy beggarticks) commonly found in Brazilian agroecosystems, under laboratory conditions. Our results showed that C. includens survival and reproduction were similar on soybean and wild poinsettia. Survival and reproduction were lower on smooth pigweed and hairy beggarticks. Also, these plants prolonged the larval stage. Larvae did not pupate when fed on sourgrass, goosegrass, Italian ryegrass, and Sumatran fleabane. However, on Sumatran fleabane their biomass was higher. The mean generation time was lower on wild poinsettia. This weed was preferred to soybean. An antifeeding factor was observed on Sumatran fleabane. Larvae fed for 11 days on soybean, wild poinsettia and smooth pigweed developed into pupae. In agricultural systems, farmers must pay attention to the management of these weeds, especially wild poinsettia, smooth pigweed, and hairy beggarticks, to interrupt the cycle of this pest, since these plants can serve as main sources of infestation for the soybean crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing exploration of endemic Brazilian parrotfishes and their classification as threatened, there is an emergent need to gather biological and fisheries information to assess their stocks. We performed a comprehensive review of 134 studies addressing key topics of information related to stock assessments: (1) the distribution and population structure; (2) age, growth and mortality; (3) reproductive biology; (4) feeding ecology; (5) fishing data, and (6) management actions. This review focused on the most explored Brazilian parrotfish species: Scarus trispinosus, Scarus zelindae, Sparisoma amplum, Sparisoma axillare, and Sparisoma frondosum. The most abundant species, Sp. axillare, and the most threatened, Sc. trispinosus, are better studied; hence data-moderate stock assessments are viable for both species. As information gaps are largest for Sp. zelindae, only simple Risk analyses are possible for this species. Stock productivity and status may be obtained for the remaining species, enabling data-limited assessments. The few official fisheries statistics available are inaccurate and have been discontinued since 2010; scientific studies represent the main source of information about Brazilian parrotfishes' captures but are sparse. How stocks are structured and distributed along the coast must be defined, thus genetic structuring and site fidelity studies are necessary. Life-history traits such as mortality, growth, sexual modes, social organization, and maturity must be a subject prioritized for all species. Brazilian fisheries statistics programs must be resumed and improved urgently. The academic community and stakeholders must focus on filling these essential knowledge gaps to promote the successful evaluation of their stocks and solid recovery actions. Otherwise, Brazilian parrotfish populations—and the fisheries and ecosystem functions dependent on them—may be at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic monograph of the Trembleya s.s. clade is presented, a Brazilian endemic lineage of Melastomataceae comprising 11 species and currently recognised as part of Microlicia s.l. (Melastomataceae). First, we investigate phylogenetic relationships within Lavoisiereae using two nuclear markers and two sampling datasets (102 and 134 terminals). Then, we provide a systematic revision and new circumscription of the Trembleya s.s. clade, including line drawings, photos of living specimens, leaves and floral parts, distribution maps, a key to the 11 accepted species, comments on morphology, reproductive biology, richness, endemism, biogeography and recommended conservation assessments. A nomenclatural update of all taxa previously treated in Trembleya is also provided, including the designation of 45 lectotypes and the proposal of 38 new synonyms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weed species Spermacoce densiflora DC. and Spermacoce verticillata L. have shown an increase in their occurrence in cultivated areas in the northeast region of Brazil, and field observations have reported their ineffective control with chemicals. This study aimed to evaluate the germination of S. densiflora and S. verticillata under constant (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C) and alternating temperatures (20–30°C) in dark and in constant light; the emergence of seedlings from seven sowing depths (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 cm); the emergence of seedlings under five types of cover crop straw (Crotalaria juncea L., Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Dolichos lablab L., and Cajanus cajan L.) and four amounts (nil and the average, half and twice the amount of straw produced in the field); and germination at different aqueous cover crop extract concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60 and 100%) to measure allelopathic potential of cover crop straw. The results showed that S. densiflora has positive photoblastic behavior. The alternating temperature provided the highest percentage of germination and germination speed index (GSI) for both species. S. densiflora and S. verticillata seedling emergence decreased with an increase in depth, with no germination at a depth of 10 cm. The presence of straw impaired the emergence of seedlings of S. densiflora and S. verticillata by delaying and even preventing germination from occurring. The gradual increase in the aqueous extract concentrations was accompanied by lower percentages of germination and GSI for S. densiflora and S. verticillata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a literature survey, we evaluated the periods of cyanobacterial dominance in Brazil. We hypothesized that variability of environmental forces along the country will promote or facilitate temporal and spatial mosaic in cyanobacterial dominance. The most striking outcomes are related to the dominance of Cylindrospermopsis, Dolichospermum, and Microcystis. Although they share important adaptive strategies (e.g., aerotopes, large size and toxins production), our findings suggest that they have different environmental preferences. Dolichospermum and Microcystis dominated mainly in warm-rainy periods whereas Cylindrospermopsis was more common during dry periods and in mixed systems, or formed perennial dominance. Maximum phosphorus concentrations were observed in reservoirs dominated by Cylindrospermopsis. Although the main genera reached high biomass levels individually, different abilities to form dominance and co-dominance were observed. The number of co-dominance of Chroococales and Nostocales was almost the same as the individual occurrence of the main genera from these groups. This dataset reveals patterns of dominance of these cyanobacteria and also indicates that physiological features will cause differences in the mechanisms of interactions between species. The understanding of these processes and their relationship to environmental conditions will promote better understanding of cyanobacterial dominance and increase our ability to predict and manage these events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed aspects related to the relative growth and reproduction of females of Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) in a population of the semiarid Northeast Region of Brazil. Carapace (CL) and total length (TL) ranged 5.57–17.61 mm (mean 10.96 ± 2.07 mm) and 28.96–80.63 mm (mean 52.14 ± 9.13 mm), respectively. Relative growth analysis showed that total length increased in a higher proportion than carapace region (positive allometry). This region also increased in a higher proportion regarding weight (negative allometry) due to energy cost in reproduction. Of the three criteria used to determine size at the onset of maturity (SOM), the smallest size observed was obtained by physiological SOM I (based on advanced vitellogenesis): 8.22 mm CL, followed by functional SOM II (8.83 mm CL, based on ovigerous females) and physiological SOM III (9.48 mm, based on CL50). SOM was influenced by the population's phenotype, and SOM I and SOM II showed synchronicity. The estimated maximum fecundity was 2,805 eggs per female, with a mean value of 690 eggs. There was continuous reproduction and the dry season favored the percentage occurrence of ovigerous females (September-December 2016 and July-August 2017). The smaller lengths of the individuals, compared to other female populations, were due to the characteristics of the environment and the intrinsic traits of the studied population. The negative allometry for the length-weight relation and the continuous reproductive period with seasonal variation was similar as that recorded for other Brazilian localities. This suggests that these last characteristics are a pattern for this species, which shows a latitudinal variation only in the sizes reached. The fast maturation and continuous reproduction of M. amazonicum females make them a potential species for commercial exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rodriguésia is the property of Revista Rodriguesia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this paper is to discuss the formation of teachers for special education. The Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, was elected as the empirical field, in the period 1998-2001. Authors like Apple (1982), Sacristan (2000), Popkewitz (1989), Cambaeúva (1988) and Bueno (1993), Skrtic (1996), and Bourdieu (1989, 1992, 2001 and 2003) supported the reflections. One can perceive with this analysis the permanence of the biological basis and in a more accentuated manner, that of psychology, as explanations referring to special education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides for the first time information about the reproductive biology of Mimagoniates lateralis, an endangered species of inseminating Neotropical tetra that occurs in blackwater streams of southeastern Brazil. We analyzed 404 individuals, of which 214 were females, 117 were males, and 73 were immature juveniles. The sex ratio was 1.83 females/males. Males were larger than females. The estimated size at first maturation for females was 22.2 mm SL, and for males 23.4 mm SL. We also analyzed 94 ovaries from mature females, and the estimated absolute fecundity was 116.37 ± 26.68 oocytes, the oocyte diameter varying from 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The spawning type was classified as multiple, with two modal values corresponding to different oocyte lots. These data contribute to substantiate future assessments of the conservation status of M. lateralis, as well as future attempts to guarantee the preservation of this species and its natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mammal Review is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the events at the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Biology Symposium held in Curitiba, Brazil in July 2005. The author provides a history of these symposia and discusses the theme of this meeting which was "Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic. According to the author, it was held in South America for the first time and attracted many young scientists and students as well as some of the best known Antarctica researchers. Many workshops were held including Marine protected Areas and Conservation in the 21st Century. There were also discussions about the International Polar Year.

Uebelmannia pectinifera Buining subsp. pectinifera (Cactaceae) is an endangered species endemic to quartzitic rocks in campo rupestre vegetation of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Understanding its reproductive biology and pollinators is needed for effective conservation planning for the species. The study took place in the Parque Nacional Sempre Vivas where 35 individuals were monitored. Analyses of floral morphology, pollen/ovule ratio, stigma receptivity and presence of osmophores were carried out, while observations of floral visitors were made and, according to their behavior, the potential pollinators were ascertained. The reproductive system of the plant was evaluated by means of manual self‐ and cross‐pollination and growth and morphology of pollen tubes were observed. The anthesis occurs by 06 a.m. and ends around 03 p.m., the flowers re‐opening for two days and finishing on the third day, being protandrous and melittophilous, offering pollen only. Two species of solitary bees (Ceratina sp. and Chilicola huberi) were observed pollinating the flowers, the female bees collecting pollen. The reproductive system is allogamic with endogamic self‐incompatibility and is served by specific pollinators. U. pectinifera subsp. pectinifera occurs in small populations, its reproduction relies on the presence of pollen‐gathering bees that also depend on the associated flora for nectar provision, highlighting the importance of maintaining its surrounding habitat in good condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The description of life-history traits is a prerequisite to understand the complex patterns of bird biodiversity. However, most of the highly diverse Neotropical avifauna still lack basic information on their reproductive behavior. Here, we describe the breeding biology of the Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) in a periurban area of southeast Brazil. We found 67 nests between early September and December in 2017 and 2018. Nests were 3.8 ± 1.9 m (mean ± SD) above ground, in native plants (43.3%), exotic plants (43.3%), and anthropogenic structures (13.4%). Clutch size was 2.9 ± 0.3 eggs, which were incubated exclusively by females during 75.6 ± 18.1% of the time. Both sexes reared the nestlings, but females performed more feeding trips and removed more fecal sacs than males. Incubation and nestling periods lasted, respectively, 13.0 ± 0.6 and 13.2 ± 1.5 days. Overall nesting success according to Mayfield method was 31.6%, and predation was the major cause of nest failure (52.8%). We concluded that this species had higher nest attentiveness, shorter nestling period, and higher nest survival compared to other Neotropical thrushes. The use of exotic plants and anthropogenic structures as nesting substrate may enhance the settlement of this migratory thrush in human-modified areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital multimedia environment where research communication develops nowadays has important consequences for EAP course design (Pérez-Llantada 2016), since speaking and visuals are ever more decisive for communicative success (Crawford-Camiciottoli and Fortanet-Gómez 2015). However, intonation manuals have remained virtually unchanged for decades, reflecting a time of limited access to actual academic intonation in use. To countervail this situation, we draw on Hafner's (2018) multimodal analysis of experimental biology Video Methods Articles by examining the intonation used in an exploratory corpus of the Researcher's Introduction section, identified as the most hybrid in generic nature. Our analysis suggests that traditional Hallidayan intonation explained in handbooks like Hewings (2007) and Brazil (1994) fails to capture phenomena observed in our corpus. These intonational phenomena (mostly deviations from traditional tonicity) have been found to be consistent with genre- specific factors like communicative purpose and move structure. Consequently, a broader revision of academic intonation materials is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the influence of several factors on the hunting of game meat, we investigated how the seasonality of the environment, the abundance, and the biomass of wild animals, as well as the proximity to these resources, can affect the hunting. Methods: The research was developed with the Fulni-ô people in the municipality of Águas Belas, Agreste of Pernambuco, Northeast of Brazil. In order to do this, we applied snowball sampling to select the participants. Data from potentially useful game species were obtained from lists and semi-structured interviews to register their particular kind of uses, capture periods (daytime, night, or both), preferences, and perceived abundance. The hunters who allowed their game meat captured to be weighed and identified were followed for 1 year. Results: Our records pointed to a vast repertoire of potentially hunting animals. However, we did not verify relationships between the abundance, seasonality, and biomass of the animals that were hunted by the Fulni-ô. We observed a total of 209,866 (kg) of game meat hunted in the studied group, belonging to 23 species, distributed in three taxonomic groups, the birds being the most representative group with 59% of total reported. Conclusion: Such consumption by the group is well below in terms of biomass when compared to other ethnic or local groups in other regions of Brazil, or in Caatinga areas, characterizing an activity much more of cultural character than subsistence. Also, the use of game meat among the Fulni-ô seems to be actively directed to the preferred species, suggesting that in the case of an urbanized indigenous community, where other sources of income are available, the demand for game meat is lower when compared to other ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cactaceae display a wide array of pollination systems, with many different animals already confirmed as pollinators. Pilosocereus is one of the most conspicuous bat-pollinated genera characteristic of the tropical dry forests of Brazil, known as Caatinga. The role of bats, hawkmoths and bees as pollinators in natural populations was investigated for four Pilosocereus species (P. catingicola, P. chrysostele, P. gounellei and P. pachycladus). Earlier results obtained with P. tuberculatus were also included in the comparative discussion. These species depend mainly upon nocturnal visitors; however, Xylocopa grisescens bees also play a secondary role in the fruit set. Although chiropterophily is predominant in Pilosocereus, P. gounellei was visited and pollinated at night exclusively by sphingids. All species are described as presenting a chiropterophilous syndrome based on their nocturnal anthesis, strong and unpleasant flower scent, pale, white or cream inner perianth, compact and abundant flower parts, and large volume of nectar with low sugar concentration. Pollen is available and the stigma is receptive throughout anthesis. With the exception of P. gounellei, there was no fruit set from spontaneous or manual self-pollination, indicating that allogamy is the predominant reproductive system in all the species studied. These species thus rely on animals that function as efficient pollen vectors for their sexual reproduction. The Pilosocereus species present different levels of dependence on bats, from the participation of secondary pollinators to not being visited by bats at all. Dependence levels are associated with the species floral attributes, which, although subdued, can determine different pollination systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thraupis is a genus of the American endemic Thraupidae (subfamily Thraupinae), comprising seven species that inhabit tropical forests to urban centres. The Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca) is a disturbance-tolerant species of high representativeness in plant-frugivore networks, but information on its breeding biology is scarce and often restricted to non-systematic surveys. We studied the breeding biology of the T. sayaca, following 39 active nests in a periurban area of southeast Brazil during two breeding seasons (2017/2018, 2018/2019). The breeding season ranged from early September to middle December, and the nests were placed in native and exotic plants and human buildings (nest height above ground: 3.35 ± 1.73 m, mean ± SD). Only females incubated and brooded, but both adults built the nests, fed the nestlings, and removed their faecal sacs. Clutch size was 2.86 ± 0.38 eggs and nest attentiveness was 71.2%. The incubation and nestling periods were, respectively, 13.4 and 17.4 days. Males and females did not differ on nestling provisioning and nest sanitation rates. Nestling provisioning (13.35 ± 6.25 trips/hour) increased with nestling age, while mean brooding time was 37.2% and decreased with nestling age. Apparent nest success was 38.7%, and nest survival according to the Mayfield method was 27.2%. Five nests (20.8%) were parasitised by the Shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), and we recorded five events of nest-site reuse. We concluded that the most remarkable breeding traits of T. sayaca in comparison with close-related tanagers are the use of anthropogenic nest sites, the higher clutch size and number of feeding trips, and the longer nestling period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aggregation of the oil-collecting bee Epicharis dejeanii Lepeletier was studied at Ilha das Flores, southern Brazil. Data on seasonality, types of floral resources collected, and nesting biology were registered. The nesting area occupied 120 m2 with density of up to 8 nests/m2. The tunnel entrances remained always open and surrounded by a tumulus. Adult activity lasted approximately 70 days. The females built the nest, provisioned food, and layed the egg in 4 days. The nest's architecture was very diverse, and they were between 40 and 140 cm in depth with one or two brood cells at the end of the tunnel. Diapause occurred in the postdefecating larval stage, and there was no cocoon. Immature stages and nest architecture are described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The banana moth, Opogona sacchari (Bojer, 1856), is a polyphagous pest that causes serious damage to different crops around the world, particularly to bananas in southern Brazil. The insect is designated a quarantine pest in several countries including Argentina, the main consumer market for bananas produced in southern Brazil. To provide support for the management of O. sacchari , the present study investigated the biology and thermal requirements at eight temperatures (18, 22, 25, 28, 30, 32, 33, and 34 ± 1°C) and constructed a fertility life table at five temperatures (18, 22, 25, 28, and 30 ± 1°C). Above 30°C, the mortality of all life stages was 100%; the best temperature for development was 25°C. Based on this information, an ecological zoning of the pest was developed for Brazil. The lower temperature threshold was 8.6°C. The zoning indicated that the pest does not occur in regions with warmer climates, corresponding to the actual distribution of this pest in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pale-bellied Tyrant-manakin (Neopelma pallescens) inhabits semi-deciduous and riparian forests in central-north South America. Contrary to most manakins, there is no evident sexual dichromatism in the species and little is known about its breeding biology. We studied the breeding biology of a colour-banded population of the species from August to December 2016 and from August to October 2017 in the Campus Florestal of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, south-eastern Brazil. The breeding season extended from early September to late November. The species is promiscuous, with males exhibiting simple courtship displays (exploded leks) in individual arenas. The nest (n = 13) is a cup attached by its top lip between forked branches and is very simple, with a structural layer made with dry grass stems and heads, attached to the branch with spider silk. The outer and lining layers are absent. The mean clutch size was 1.8 eggs (n = 11), which are oval and pale coloured, covered with spots of different shades of brown, often concentrated in the larger pole. Mean egg length and width (± SD) were 21.0 ± 0.9 × 15.8 ± 0.7 mm (n = 14) and the mean weight was 2.8 ± 0.4 g (n = 10). The incubation period could not be estimated, but the nestling period was 15 days (n = 2). The simple percentage of successful nests was 15.4%, with 76.9% of the nests depredated and 7.7% abandoned. This is the first detailed study about the breeding biology of any Neopelma species, providing relevant data for the study of the evolution of life history strategies not only for the genus, but for the whole family Pipridae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is an important disease of common bean, resulting in major economic losses worldwide. Genetic diversity of the C. lindemuthianum population contributes to its ability to adapt rapidly to new sources of host resistance. The origin of this diversity is unknown, but sexual recombination, via the Glomerella teleomorph, is one possibility. This study tested the hypothesis that Glomerella strains that are frequently recovered from bean anthracnose lesions represent the teleomorph of C. lindemuthianum. A large collection of Glomerella isolates could be separated into two groups based on phylogenetic analysis, morphology, and pathogenicity to beans. Both groups were unrelated to C. lindemuthianum. One group clustered with the C. gloeosporioides species complex and produced mild symptoms on bean tissues. The other group, which belonged to a clade that included the cucurbit anthracnose pathogen C. magna, caused no symptoms. Individual ascospores recovered from Glomerella perithecia gave rise to either fertile (perithecial) or infertile (conidial) colonies. Some pairings of perithecial and conidial strains resulted in induced homothallism in the conidial partner, while others led to apparent heterothallic matings. Pairings involving two perithecial, or two conidial, colonies produced neither outcome. Conidia efficiently formed conidial anastomosis tubes (CATs), but ascospores never formed CATs. The Glomerella strains formed appressoria and hyphae on the plant surface, but did not penetrate or form infection structures within the tissues. Their behavior was similar whether the beans were susceptible or resistant to anthracnose. These same Glomerella strains produced thick intracellular hyphae, and eventually acervuli, if host cell death was induced. When Glomerella was co-inoculated with C. lindemuthianum, it readily invaded anthracnose lesions. Thus, the hypothesis was not supported: Glomerella strains from anthracnose lesions do not represent the teleomorphic phase of C. lindemuthianum, and instead appear to be bean epiphytes that opportunistically invade and sporulate in the lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current control methodologies have not prevented the spread of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) across Brazil. Here, we describe the development of a new tool for controlling the sand fly vector of the disease: a long-lasting lure, which releases a synthetic male sex pheromone, attractive to both sexes of Lutzomyia longipalpis. This device could be used to improve the effectiveness of residual insecticide spraying as a means of sand fly control, attracting L. longipalpis to insecticide-treated animal houses, where they could be killed in potentially large numbers over a number of weeks. Different lure designs releasing the synthetic pheromone (±)-9-methylgermacrene-B (CAS 183158-38-5) were field-tested in Araçatuba, São Paulo (SP). Experiments compared numbers of sand flies caught overnight in experimental chicken sheds with pheromone lures, to numbers caught in control sheds without pheromone. Prototype lures, designed to last one night, were first used to confirm the attractiveness of the pheromone in SP, and shown to attract significantly more flies to test sheds than controls. Longer-lasting lures were tested when new, and at fortnightly intervals. Lures loaded with 1 mg of pheromone did not attract sand flies for more than two weeks. However, lures loaded with 10 mg of pheromone, with a releasing surface of 15 cm2 or 7.5 cm2, attracted female L. longipalpis for up to ten weeks, and males for up to twelve weeks. Approximately five times more sand flies were caught with 7.5 cm2 10 mg lures when first used than occurred naturally in non-experimental chicken resting sites. These results demonstrate that these lures are suitably long-lasting and attractive for use in sand fly control programmes in SP. To our knowledge, this is the first sex pheromone-based technology targeting an insect vector of a neglected human disease. Further studies should explore the general applicability of this approach for combating other insect-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current knowledge of the microbial diversity and metabolic pathways involved in hydrocarbon degradation in petroleum reservoirs is still limited, mostly due to the difficulty in recovering the complex community from such an extreme environment. Metagenomics is a valuable tool to investigate the genetic and functional diversity of previously uncultured microorganisms in natural environments. Using a function-driven metagenomic approach, we investigated the metabolic abilities of microbial communities in oil reservoirs. Here, we describe novel functional metabolic pathways involved in the biodegradation of aromatic compounds in a metagenomic library obtained from an oil reservoir. Although many of the deduced proteins shared homology with known enzymes of different well-described aerobic and anaerobic catabolic pathways, the metagenomic fragments did not contain the complete clusters known to be involved in hydrocarbon degradation. Instead, the metagenomic fragments comprised genes belonging to different pathways, showing novel gene arrangements. These results reinforce the potential of the metagenomic approach for the identification and elucidation of new genes and pathways in poorly studied environments and contribute to a broader perspective on the hydrocarbon degradation processes in petroleum reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]