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Myrmecophilous butterflies can establish complex symbiotic relationships with ants. A caterpillar wandering among the brood of the aggressive ponerine ant Neoponera villosa was found inside the core of a nest built in the myrmecophytic bromeliad Aechmea bracteata. This is the first caterpillar found living inside a ponerine ant nest. Its DNA barcode was sequenced, and an integrative approach was used to identify it as Pseudonymphidia agave, a poorly known member of the subtribe Pachythonina in the riodinid tribe Nymphidiini. The cuticle of the tank-like caterpillar lacks projections or tubercles and is covered dorsally by specialized flat setae that form an armor of small plates. Ant-organs potentially related to caterpillar-ant signaling, such as perforated cupola organs and tentacle nectary organs, are present. These morphological traits, together with evidence of social integration (direct contact with host brood, protective morphology, slow movement, no host aggressiveness), suggest that P. agave is a symbiotic, social parasite of N. villosa, preying on its host brood. However, several knowledge gaps remain, including oviposition site, dependence on bromeliad association, steps to colony integration, and larval diet through development. Carnivory has been reported in all known members of the subtribe Pachythonina (caterpillars prey on honeydew-producing hemipterans) suggesting a shift to myrmecophagy inside the ant nests as a possible evolutionary transition.

Knowledge on reproductive strategies and host use in insect parasitoids is fundamental for biological control purposes. Superparasitism and multiparasitism, oviposition in a previously parasitized host by a female of the same or different species, respectively, may impact pest management decisions. Our objective was to determine the occurrence of superparasitism and multiparasitism in three species of native larval−pupal solitary endoparasitoids that attack Anastrepha Shiner species (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Neotropical region, and the possible effect on offspring fitness parameters. Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), and Opius hirtus (Fischer) occur in sympatry in Mexico, and are currently under consideration for use as biocontrol agents. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions with females acting alone (self-superparasitism), females in groups of the same species (conspecific superparasitism), and females in mixed groups (multiparasitism). Our results showed that self-superparasitism is an uncommon strategy in the three native species and is rare under conditions of intraspecific competition. In the case of multiparasitism, a higher number of immature stages of U. anastrephae was observed, compared to those of D. crawfordi and O. hirtus. However, it is not clear yet if this was due to some adult female trait or to the competitive ability of the larvae. We conclude that most females of the native species studied appeared to avoid superparasitism, specifically when acting alone, suggesting a high discrimination ability, which is probably a result of a close relationship and evolutionary history with Anastrepha hosts.

La distribución espacial y temporal de la disponibilidad de agua impacta el comportamiento de las especies. Particularmente en hábitats áridos, los pozos de agua son fuentes de agua para muchas especies. Presentamos registros interesantes de vertebrados que visitaron pozos de agua naturales mediante cámaras-trampa durante la estación seca en un bosque tropical seco del centro de México. Durante la estación seca (diciembre de 2015, mayo de 2016 y abril-mayo de 2019), colocamos siete cámaras-trampa durante 135 días en siete pozos de agua. Este método utilizado fue parte de las actividades de monitoreo y conservación, implementadas dentro de una amplia unidad de manejo de vida silvestre en el centro de México. Registramos 20 especies de vertebrados visitando los pozos de agua: 15 mamíferos, cuatro aves, y un reptil. La co-ocurrencia entre especies sin interacciones negativas, y algunos registros de conducta incluyeron: eventos de juego, acicalamiento y frotamiento contra piedras; se observó a algunas especies esperando su turno para beber. Pudimos identificar al menos cuatro individuos de Mephitis macroura. Nuestro estudio también enfatiza un aspecto básico, pero quizás subestimado en los últimos años producto del uso de cámaras-trampa: la observación cualitativa de animales a través de fotografías. Estas observaciones pueden revelar aspectos básicos e interesantes de la historia natural de las especies que permiten mejorar el conocimiento sobre la coexistencia en un mismo lugar.

Doryctobracon areolatus(Szépligeti), a solitary endoparasitoid native to the Neotropics, attacks eggs and early instar larvae ofAnastrephafruit flies, and can enter diapause under tropical and subtropical conditions. We aimed to test if biological attributes, such as size, flight ability, starvation resistance, longevity and fecundity of diapausing individuals differ from those of non-diapausing ones. Parasitoids were obtained from a laboratory colony reared onAnastrepha ludens(Loew) larvae. Parasitized host puparia were sorted in two cohorts according to their diapause condition. Developmental time from egg to adult ranged from 18 to 31 days in non-diapausing parasitoids, and 70 to 278 days for diapausing individuals. Pupal weight and adult measurements were higher in non-diapausing than in diapausing parasitoids. There were no differences in adult longevity, starvation resistance, and emergence between diapausing and non-diapausing wasps. Flight ability and fecundity rates were greater in the non-diapausing than in the diapause cohort. The proportion of female offspring was greater in the non-diapausing cohort (42.5%), whereas in the diapausing cohort the male offspring proportion was greater (62.4%). Both cohorts produced diapause offspring, but the non-diapausing cohort produced more (26.6%) than the diapausing one (9.1%). Maternal age had a significant effect on the proportion of diapause offspring: in 26 to 34 days old non-diapausing females, 78.9% of their offspring entered into diapause. These results confirmed that diapause affects the biological attributes ofD. areolatus. The observed differences contribute to better understand the diapause influence on the colonization and rearing process of this species and its use as biocontrol agent.

Previous studies have shown that skunks present negative interactions with foxes. However, recently published observations have demonstrated that southern spotted skunk (Spilogale angustifrons) individuals follow gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (TCBR) in Mexico. In this paper, we reported the same interaction in other locations in the TCBR and evaluated whether this interaction is casual or statistically positive. In this analysis, we included data pertaining to three skunk species (S. angustifrons, Conepatus leuconotus, and Mephitis macroura) and U. cinereoargenteus. We sampled 172 sites using camera traps from 2011 to 2018 for a total effort of 49,764 trap-days. The four studied species were nocturnal; the overlap coefficient between foxes and skunks varied from 0.70 to 0.83. Of the 32 consecutive records between S. angustifrons and U. cinereoargenteus, 11 showed that individuals of this skunk species closely followed U. cinereoargenteus and that these encounters were not random (time interval U. cinereoargenteus with C. leuconotus and M. macroura.

Leprosy, a human chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), remains endemic in certain countries despite the use of multidrug therapy. Recently, several host genes modulating the immune responses to M. leprae infection have been suggested to influence the acquisition and clinical course of leprosy. Lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase, encoded by the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene, serves a negative regulatory role in T cell activation. The non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2476601 (1858C>T) has been associated with autoimmune diseases. Here, the present study investigated if rs2476601 polymorphism was associated with leprosy in a Mexican mestizo population. Genotyping was performed in patients with leprosy (n=189) and control subjects (n=231) from regions with higher incidence of leprosy. Genotypic (P=0.44) and allelic frequencies (P=0.45) of the rs2476601 polymorphism were similar between patients and controls; genotypic frequencies were 91 vs. 94% for CC and 9 vs. 6% for CT, and the TT genotype was absent in both groups. Allelic frequencies were 96 vs. 97% for C, and 4 vs. 3% for T. In the same way, the genotypic (P=0.46) and allelic frequencies (P=0.47) from MB patients and controls were similar. In conclusion, there was a lack of association of the PTPN22 rs2476601 polymorphism with the development of leprosy, which suggests that this SNP was not a genetic risk factor for leprosy in the Mexican mestizo population studied.

Activity patterns of species are related to their physiology, their behaviour and the environment and can change in response to different factors, such as interactions between species. Bird species, typical of the understorey, show morphological and ecological similarities and must thus have some mechanism of ecological separation, such as temporal niche partitioning. The objective of this study was to provide information about activity patterns and activity overlap of bird species typical of the understorey. We expected temporal niche partitioning between ecologically-similar species. We placed camera traps in 29 sampling points in a high evergreen forest in the southeast of Mexico between 2011 and 2013. All species were mainly diurnal and, contrary to what we expected, there was temporal partitioning between tinamids, but not in galliforms and columbiforms. The degree of activity overlap might reflect a solitary or group lifestyle of the three sets of species, as well as shared behavioural preferences and similar adaptations. These results contribute to our knowledge of the basic biology and behavioural ecology of birds of the understorey.

In the Yucatan Peninsula, the ponerine ant Neoponera villosa nests almost exclusively in tank bromeliads, Aechmea bracteata. In this study, we aimed to determine the factors influencing nest site selection during nest relocation which is regularly promoted by hurricanes in this area. Using ants with and without previous experience of Ae. bracteata, we tested their preference for refuges consisting of Ae. bracteata leaves over two other bromeliads, Ae. bromeliifolia and Ananas comosus. We further evaluated bromeliad-associated traits that could influence nest site selection (form and size). Workers with and without previous contact with Ae. bracteata significantly preferred this species over others, suggesting the existence of an innate attraction to this bromeliad. However, preference was not influenced by previous contact with Ae. bracteata. Workers easily discriminated between shelters of Ae. bracteata and A. comosus, but not those of the closely related Ae. bromeliifolia. In marked contrast, ants discriminated between similar sized Ae. bracteata and Ae. bromeliifolia plants, suggesting that chemical cues and plant structure play an important role. Size was also significant as they selected the largest plant when provided two dissimilar Ae. bracteata plants. Nest site selection by N. villosa workers seems to depend on innate preferences but familiarization with plant stimuli is not excluded.

We studied the oviposition and host acceptance behavior of three braconid parasitoid species native to Mexico, Doryctobraconcrawfordi (Viereck), Opiushirtus (Fischer), and Utetesanastrephae (Viereck), with potential to be considered as biocontrol agents against tephritid fruit fly pests in the Neotropics. Third instar larvae of Anastrephaludens (Loew), with and without previous parasitization by conspecifics, were simultaneously offered to females of each species, and the individual behavior was video recorded to construct oviposition flow diagrams. The patterns of foraging and host acceptance were similar in the studied species; all rejected mostly parasitized hosts suggesting that this strategy is common in the guild of larval parasitoids attacking Anastrepha spp. The complete searching and host acceptance process took 2.2 ± 0.1 min (mean ± SE) in D.crawfordi, 1.7 ± 0.1 s in U.anastrephae and 1.5 ± 0.1 s in O.hirtus. Notably, because of toxins injected by parasitoid females during oviposition, the parasitized hosts experienced a transient paralysis of variable duration. Hosts attacked by U.anastrephae remained immobile for the shortest time (12.5 ± 1 min) (mean±SE), followed by D.crawfordi (20.5 ± 3.4 min) and O.hirtus (24.1 ± 2 min). Our data revealed a notable discrimination ability in all three species, and that behavioral differences lay mainly in the time of parasitization and in the duration of paralysis experienced by attacked hosts. This suggest that the three species could be valuable as biocontrol agents, but additional studies are necessary to better understand the advantages and limitations of each one as natural enemies of fruit fly pests.

Lionfish are successful invasive predators in the Caribbean region and inhabit a large range of habitats. Our study in the Caribbean has focused on the relationships between the biological characteristics of lionfish particularly their size, their activities and use of those different habitats. In this study, we observed a high number of lionfish individuals, focusing on the behavioural activities and biological traits in relation to different habitats and environmental characteristics. We monitored 793 individuals, recording their activities, biological traits, and habitat characteristics. Our results report that lionfish are not solitary, but frequently form groups for many activities. We provide evidence of differences between lionfish habitat use according to activity, and the size of individual fish. Considering the size is correlated with age, coral reefs appear to be the preferred habitat of older individuals, whereas the youngest lionfish use a diversity of habitats, ranging from mangroves to coral reefs. In addition, this study suggests that predation of lionfish is age-dependent strategy, and depends on time and the tone of the environment. Lionfish do not only use the head-down posture to catch prey but also horizontal and head-up postures. The youngest lionfish hunt mainly in dark areas and during the night while the older fish were observed hunting mostly during the day and in clear areas. These new aspects of lionfish ecology and behaviour are discussed in light of their invasive success.

The margay, Leopardus wiedii, and the ocelot, L. pardalis, are sympatric species through their distribution areas. Some studies indicate that L. pardalis exerts a strong influence on other smaller felids. Our goal in this study was to estimate the density and activity patterns of these felid species in two vegetation types at Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, southwestern Mexico. We expected that L. pardalis had a high density relative to other felids due to its ecological plasticity, as well as segregation in the activity pattern between species. We placed camera traps in 22 sites in the semi-evergreen forest and 22 sites in the cloud forest, from July 2014 to June 2015. We estimated density using the Cormack-Jolly-Seber probabilistic model with the program MARK and assessed the degree of activity overlapping between species by the coefficient of overlapping Δ1 in the program R. We recorded low abundance of L. pardalis (8.3 individuals) and a higher abundance of L. wiedii (51.5 individuals). The density of both species was 7.8 individuals /100 km2 and 81 individuals/100 km2, respectively. Both species displayed predominantly nocturnal activity. The overlap coefficient between species in the semi-evergreen forest was high (Δ1 = 0.75, CI = 0.63–0.90). Factors such as differences in vegetation type and the presence of a large number of transient individuals may influence the density of Leopardus. The lower density of L. pardalis and the high conservation status of the cloud forest may contribute to the higher density of L. wiedii in Sierra Norte of Oaxaca. Our results suggested that both species showed a highly overlapping activity pattern, and the activity pattern of the margay is seemingly unaffected by the presence of the ocelot. We provided information about density and activity of medium-sized felids, as well as on the factors that may potentially affect these patterns in mountain tropical forests.

Para contar con un protocolo eficiente y poder producir inulina en un futuro, se establecieron las condiciones experimentales para obtener cultivos artificiales de las lineas vegetales de Dahlia sp. A1, A2, P1, P2 y ENN con el objetivo de obtener brotes, callos, cultivos de celulas y raices en suspension con diferentes combinaciones de reguladores de crecimiento vegetal y condiciones ambientales. Los explantes usados fueron yemas axilares. Con estos se obtuvieron brotes y plantas completas en todas las line as. La linea P1 fue la mas rapida, necesito de 7 dias de incubacion para responder al medio MS sin reguladores de crecimiento vegetal. Los callos se obtuvieron con explantes de tallos despues de 10 dias con 0.5 mg/L de bencilaminopurina (BAP) y 1 mg/L de acido indolacetico (AIA). Los cultivos en suspension de callos se lograron con l a agitacion a 88 rpm y las mismas combinaciones de reguladores del crecimiento de las plantas que se obtuvieron para la formacion del callo . La induccion de tuberizacion y form acion de raices fueron con 5 mg/L de BAP, 0.5 mg/L de AIA, 80 g/L sacarosa y 0.2 mg/L BAP mas 60 g/L sacarosa, respectivamente. El tiempo de respuesta y la calidad de los brotes, callos y raices que obtuvimos de Dalhia sp. m o stra ro n condiciones experimenta les favorables para iniciar los experimentos para la estimulacion de inulina

In Caribbean reefs, the lionfish Pterois volitans is an invasive species that causes severe negative ecological effects, especially as this crepuscular predator consumes very diverse prey. Lionfish...

Mesocarnivores play an important ecological role in terrestrial communities. However, there is little information on the abundance of most of these species, which is essential for establishing conservation strategies. The aim of this study was to estimate the population density and temporal variation of species of mesocarnivores in two types of vegetation in southeastern Mexico, and to evaluate the relationship between abundance of each species with vegetation characteristics, human presence, predators, and prey. Using camera traps, we sampled from July 2014–June 2015 and estimated density through the random encounters model, obtaining 640 independent records of 11 species of mesocarnivores. Density in all species did not differ significantly between seasons, although Conepatus semistriatus, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, and Mustela frenata showed significant differences between vegetation types and were present in high densities. We found a positive relationship between abundance of C. s...

Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with an important proportion of endemism mainly because of the convergence of the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic regions, which generate great diversity and species turnover at different spatial scales. However, most of our knowledge of the Mexican ant biota is limited to a few well-studied taxa, and we lack a comprehensive synthesis of ant biodiversity information. For instance, most of the knowledge available in the literature on Mexican ant fauna refers only to species lists by states, or is focused on only a few regions of the country, which prevents the study of several basic and applied aspects of ants, from diversity and distribution to conservation. Our aims in this data paper are therefore (1) to compile all the information available regarding ants across the Mexican territory, and (2) to identify major patterns in the gathered data set and geographic gaps in order to direct future sampling efforts. All records were obtained from raw data, including both unpublished and published information. After exhaustive filtering and updating information and synonyms, we compiled a total of 21,731 records for 887 ant species distributed throughout Mexico from 1894 to 2018. These records were concentrated mainly in the states of Chiapas (n = 6,902, 32.76%) and Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave (n = 4,329, 19.92%), which together comprise half the records. The subfamily with the highest number of records was Myrmicinae (n = 10,458 records, 48.12%), followed by Formicinae (n = 3,284, 15.11%) and Ponerinae (n = 1,914, 8.8%). Most ant records were collected in the Neotropical region of the country (n = 12,646, 58.19%), followed by the Mexican transition zone (n = 5,237, 24.09%) and the Nearctic region (n = 3,848, 17.72%). Native species comprised 95.46% of the records (n = 20,745). To the best of our knowledge, this is the most complete data set available to date in the literature for the country. We hope that this compilation will encourage researchers to explore different aspects of the population and community research of ants at different spatial scales, and to aid in the establishment of conservation policies and actions. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using its data for publications or teaching events.

Notwithstanding their specialized herbivorous diet, leaf-cutting ants opportunistically exploit temporary resources such as insect or vertebrate carcasses. We report on the first case of attine workers, Atta cephalotes (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), foraging on the scar tissues of a living vertebrate, a wounded female Baird's tapir, Tapirus bairdii (Gill) (Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Tapiridae). We put forward 2, not mutually exclusive, hypotheses to explain such behavior: (1) utilization by the leaf-cutting ants of these tissues as a resource that provides rare essential nutrients, and (2) opportunistic sampling of polymicrobial communities associated with the skin of the wounded animal in search of new strains of their associated actinobacteria.

This paper aimed at implementing a treatment system for polluted water with textile dyes, starting with a photocatalytic decomposition process using sunlight as a source of energy and continuing with a bacterial biodegradation process, in order to reach degradation percentages higher than those obtained using only one of the processes mentioned above. When water treatment with the dye in the combined system was over, an acute ecotoxicity test was performed to make sure that toxic metabolites were not produced due to biodegradation. Solophenyl Blue azoic dye, and Erionyl Blue and Terasil Blue anthraquinone dye-colored solutions were treated with the Pd/Al 80 Ce 10 Zr 10 catalyst in a solar collector for the photocatalytic process. On the other hand, the waste dye, which was obtained from photocatalysis with a bacterial consortium from polluted areas by metals and hydrocarbons in aerobic conditions, was inoculated for biodegradation. Biodegradation was obtained for the dyes after both processes as 90.91% for the Solophenyl Blue azoic dye, and 87.80% and 87.94%, respectively, for the Erionyl Blue and Terasil Blue anthraquinone dyes. After the degradation processes, it was proven, via an ecotoxicity test with Daphnia magna , that toxic metabolites had not been produced.

A diversity of arthropods (myrmecophiles) thrives within ant nests, many of them unmolested though some, such as the specialized Eucharitidae parasitoids, may cause direct damage to their hosts. Ants are known to discriminate between nestmates and non-nestmates, but whether they recognize the strength of a threat and their capacity to adjust their behavior accordingly have not been fully explored. We aimed to determine whether Ectatomma tuberculatum ants exhibited specific behavioral responses to potential or actual intruders posing different threats to the host colony and to contribute to an understanding of complex ant-eucharitid interactions. Behavioral responses differed significantly according to intruder type. Ants evicted intruders that represented a threat to the colony's health (dead ants) or were not suitable as prey items (filter paper, eucharitid parasitoid wasps, non myrmecophilous adult weevils), but killed potential prey (weevil larvae, termites). The timing of detection was in accordance with the nature and size of the intruder: corpses (a potential source of contamination) were detected faster than any other intruder and transported to the refuse piles within 15 min. The structure and complexity of behavioral sequences differed among those intruders that were discarded. Workers not only recognized and discriminated between several distinct intruders but also adjusted their behavior to the type of intruder encountered. Our results confirm the previously documented recognition capabilities of E. tuberculatum workers and reveal a very fine-tuned intruder discrimination response. Colony-level prophylactic and hygienic behavioral responses through effective removal of inedible intruders appears to be the most general and flexible form of defense in ants against a diverse array of intruders. However, this generalized response to both potentially lethal and harmless intruders might have driven the evolution of ant-eucharitid interactions, opening a window for parasitoid attack and allowing adult parasitoid wasps to quickly leave the natal nest unharmed.

We compared abundance and activity patterns of medium-sized felids in the neotropics. We used 29 camera traps to record species in the region of Los Chimalapas, Oaxaca, Mexico, during 2011–2013. We estimated population size with the capture-recapture model (Cormack-Jolly-Seber model). We assessed the differences in activity patterns between species through the Mardia-Watson-Wheeler test. Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus wiedii, and Puma yagouaroundi were recorded by cameras. The population size of L. wiedii was high in comparison with L. pardalis, which presented a medium abundance compared to other regions. Puma yagouaroundi individuals were relatively rare, likely due to a difference in habitat selection. We provide evidence that in the southeastern region of Mexico there is a significant L. wiedii population despite the presence of L. pardalis.

This study provides information about relative abundance, herd size, activity pattern, and occupancy of ungulates at Los Chimalapas, southeastern Mexico, one of the last refuges inhabited by two conservation priority ungulate species:Tapirus bairdiiandTayassu pecari. For three years, four species of ungulates were recorded using camera traps:T. bairdii,T. pecari,Mazama temama, andTayassu tajacu, involving an effort of 8529 trap-days and 839 records.T. pecariwas found to be highest in relative abundance, whileT. tajacu’s abundance was lowest. Populations were composed principally of adults, but there were records of offspring for all four species. The herd size was smaller compared to other populations ofT. tajacuandT. pecari. Occupancy models were used to analyze the presence of the species in the region and showed thatM. temamaandT. bairdiihad a high occupancy probability. In comparison, the occupancy probability ofT. pecariwas low. This study shows that ungulate populations are still breeding, and have higher possibility of permanence, in Los Chimalapas, Southeastern Mexico. The region is an important area for the conservation ofT. bairdiiandT. pecari, both disappeared from some other areas of the southeast.

Ant parasitoidism has been reported in seven of the 26 recognized species of the mite genus Macrodinychus (Machrodynichidae). Macrodynichus sellnicki, previously reported as a parasitoid of the invasive ant Nylanderia fulva in Colombia, is now reported, in the same region, as attacking a native host, Ectatomma sp. 2 (E. ruidum complex). The mite develops within the protective silk cocoon of an Ectatomma pupa and waits for the emergence of the young ant before leaving the cocoon, unmolested. Overall nest prevalence was relatively high (34.6% of the 52 nests containing cocoons) but pupae prevalence was low (4.0%, n = 1401 cocoons). Mite life-history (parasite or parasitoid) was context dependent, shifting according to the intensity of the attack on a same host. Contrary to the strictly parasitoidic association of M. sellnicki with N. fulva, single mite attacks against E. ruidum did not result in host killing and solitary M. sellnicki (78.6% of the cases) behaved as parasites. However, in 21.4% of the attacks (0.9% of all available host pupae) more than one mite was involved and behaved as parasitoids, draining the host of its internal fluids and killing it. This is the first association of a macrodinychid mite with a species of the subfamily Ectatomminae, and the first ant associated mite for which such a context dependent life-style shift is described.

The understory has received little attention in studies of tropical forest birds. However, the growing use of camera traps for the study of vertebrates such as mammals has prompted studies on the diversity of terrestrial birds or birds with limited flying capacity. In this study we present an analysis of the diversity of understory birds in a perennial tropical forest of the Chimalapas region, in southeastern Mexico. We collected 967 independent bird records comprising 10 orders, 15 families, 22 genera, and 27 species with a total sampling effort of 8,529 trap-days. The effective number of species indicated the presence of 31 species while Clench's species accumulation model indicated 32, suggesting that over 15% of the species remain to be recorded. Although we did not register all the species potentially present in the understory, bird diversity was higher than in other studies using camera traps. Crax rubra, Tinamus major, and Geotrygon montana were the most abundant species recorded. We obtained records for small-sized (Anthracothorax prevostii, Leptotila plumbeiceps, and Zentrygon albifacies) and migratory (Hylocichla mustelina) species, highlighting the potential of camera traps for their study.

Gastrointestinal parasites of wild birds in a tropical riverine urban ecosystem in Heredia, Costa Rica. In urban ecosystems, rivers provide various ecosystem services, among them, serving as interurban bio logical corridor, allowing birds to move and shelter in the middle of the city. However, high levels of pollution expose them, and even humans, to several health problems. Hence the importance of performing environmental diagnoses that allows to identify alterations and mitigate them in a timely manner. This study provides a first diagnosis of the parasitic situation of wild birds along the Pirro river which is located in an urban environment, fragmented and with high levels of surface water pollution. The sampling was carried out at the upper and middle part of the Pirro river in Heredia, Costa Rica. Mist-nets were used to capture the birds, and a general objective exam (GOE) was conducted in order to evaluate their nutritional and hydration state, as well as their physical state. In addition, stool samples were collected in order to characterize the gastrointestinal parasites (GPI). This procedure was carried out on 158 birds, belonging to 30 species, three PGI groups were identified: protozoa, nematodes and cestodes. The highest percentages of infection were represented by coccidia, with 97.6 %, followed by nematodes and cestodes with 2.4 %. Within the group of coccidios, it was possible to identify Eimeria spp., Isospora spp., in the nematodes: at the Strongylida group level and at the Capillaria spp., and for the cestodes: Choanotaenia spp. GOE resulted regular-to-good in all individuals captured, however, a general linear model was used to identify that the oral cavity and the state of the plumage could be the more linked variables with the percentage of infection by gastrointestinal parasites in birds, due to the fact that the oral cavity is the bird’s main route of ingestion, as well as the state of the plumage shows its vigor. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 788-798. Epub 2018 June 01. Parásitos gastrointestinales de aves silvestres en un ecosistema urbano ribereño tropical en Heredia, Costa Rica. En los ecosistemas urbanos, los ríos brindan diversos servicios ecosistémicos, entre ellos, servir como corredor lógico biológico interurbano, permitiendo el tránsito y refugio de las aves en medio de la ciudad. Sin embargo, los altos niveles de contaminación los exponen, e incluso a los humanos, a varios problemas de salud. De allí la importancia de realizar diagnósticos ambientales que permitan identificar alteraciones y mitigarlas oportunamente. Este estudio proporciona un primer diagnóstico de la situación parasitaria de las aves silvestres a lo largo del río Pirro, que se encuentra en un entorno urbano, fragmentado y con altos niveles de contaminación de las aguas superficiales. Los muestreos se realizaron en la parte alta y media del río Pirro en Heredia, Costa Rica. Para la captura de las aves se utilizaron redes de niebla y se les realizó un examen objetivo general (GOE) para evaluar su estado nutricional y de hidratación, así como su estado físico. Además, se recolectaron muestras de heces para caracterizar los parásitos gastrointestinales (GPI). Este procedimiento se realizó en 158 aves, pertenecientes a 30 especies, se identificaron tres grupos PGI: protozoos, nematodos y cestodos. Los mayores porcentajes de infección estuvieron representados por coccidios, con un 97,6%, seguido de nematodos y cestodos con un 2,4%. Dentro del grupo de los coccidios, fue posible identificar Eimeria spp., Isospora spp., en los nematodos: a nivel del grupo Strongylida y a nivel de Capillaria spp., y para los cestodos: Choanotaenia spp. El GOE resultó regular a bueno en todos los individuos capturados, sin embargo, se utilizó un modelo lineal general para identificar que la cavidad oral y el estado del plumaje podrían ser las variables más vinculadas con el porcentaje de infección por parásitos gastrointestinales en las aves, debido a que la cavidad oral es la principal vía de ingestión del ave, así como el estado del plumaje muestra su vigor. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas

[Perez, Gabriela; Bello, Marilyn; Matilde Garcia, Maria; Bello, Rafael] Cent Univ Marta Abreu Las Villas, Dept Comp Sci, Santa Clara, Cuba. [Bello, Marilyn; Napoles, Gonzalo; Vanhoof, Koen] Hasselt Univ, Fac Business Econ, Hasselt, Belgium.

Mycobacterioses can produce nonspecific clinical signs in dogs and cats that make diagnosis difficult. Furthermore, the full characterization of mycobacterial agents is not always possible or practical. We characterized mycobacteria detected through cytology in 12 dogs and 7 cats with generalized clinical signs from the province of Buenos Aires in Argentina. In dogs, molecular testing confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) in 8 cases and M. fortuitum in 1 case. All dogs were Miniature Schnauzers, suggesting that this breed may be more susceptible to M. avium than other dog breeds. The cat isolates were 2 M. bovis, 1 M. fortuitum, and 1 MAH. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit–variablenumber tandem repeat patterns suggested possible links with cattle, swine, and humans studied previously in Argentina. The results show that pets may act as susceptible hosts with the potential risk of transmitting the infection to humans and other animals. Fil: Barandiaran, Soledad. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Martinez Vivot, Marcela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina Fil: Falzoni, Elvira María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina Fil: Marfil, Maria Jimena. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Pérez Tort, Gabriela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Hospital Veterinario Virreyes; Argentina Fil: Rovatti, Paula. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Clínica Veterinaria Privada; Argentina Fil: Fernández, Mónica. Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur; Argentina Fil: Iachini, Ricardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur; Argentina Fil: Satek, Fernanda. Clínica veterinaria Quirúrgica; Argentina Fil: Duchene, Adriana Graciela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina Fil: Zumárraga, Martín José. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

We studied the effects of extracellular ATP and Ca2+ on uptake of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli) and live yeast (Candida glabrata) by J774 macrophages to determine the role of endogenous P2X7 receptors in phagocytosis. Our findings show that phagocytosis of bio-particles coated with S. aureus or E. coli was blocked by ATP and the P2X7 receptor agonist BzATP, while yeast phagocytosis was not. A438079, an antagonist of P2X7 receptors, partially reverted the effects of ATP on bacterial phagocytosis. To determine if P2X7-mediated Ca2+ entry into macrophages was blocking the engulfment of bacteria, we measured phagocytic activity in the absence or presence of 2 mM extracellular Ca2+ with or without ATP. Ca2+, in the absence of ATP, was required for engulfment of E. coli and C. glabrata but not S. aureus. Adding ATP inhibited phagocytosis of S. aureus and E. coli regardless of Ca2+, suggesting that Ca2+ entry was not important for inhibiting phagocytosis. On the other hand, phagocytosis of normal or hyper-adherent C. glabrata mutants had an absolute requirement for extracellular Ca2+ due to yeast adhesion to macrophages mediated by Ca2+-dependent adhesion proteins. We conclude that unstimulated P2X7 from J774 cells act as scavenger receptor for the uptake of S. aureus and E. coli but not of yeast; Ca2+ entry via P2X7 receptors play no role in phagocytosis of S. aureus and E. coli; while the effect of Ca2+ on C. glabrata phagocytosis was mediated by the adhesins Epa1, Epa6 and Epa7.

Parasitoidism of ants by flies is known only for Phoridae and Tachinidae. We report the first record of a hoverfly (Syrphidae, Microdontinae, Hypselosyrphus) acting as a true primary parasitoid of ants. Previously, larvae of Microdontinae were known only as obligate predators of ant brood. This is also the first host record for any Hypselosyrphus species, the first reliable record of an association between a syrphid fly and a ponerine ant, and the first record of a dipteran parasitoid developing upon the immature stages of ants. We reared adults of Hypselosyrphus trigonus from cocoons of the arboreal ponerine ant, Pachycondyla villosa, nesting in Aechmea bracteata bromeliads in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico, and we succeeded in determining various aspects of the parasitoid's life history. The findings obtained in the present study provide novel insights into the evolutionary transformation and diversification of the feeding habits of microdontine syrphid larvae, from an obligatory, specific predatory association with the ant brood, to parasitoidism of ant prepupae. We also highlight the need for more detailed studies of the interactions of arboreal ants and their parasites. We conclude with an overview of the evolutionary transitions and diversification of larval feeding habits that have taken place within the family Syrphidae. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111, 462–472.

The incidence of superparasitism in field populations of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), a solitary larval–pupal endoparasitoid, attacking Anastrepha fruit fly species was determined. From 14,550 fruit fly larvae infesting mango fruits in the field, 68.9% (10,038) survived to the pupal stage. Of these pupae, 3780 (37.7%) were parasitized, of which 2075 (54.9%) were superparasitized. The number of oviposition scars per pupa ranged between 1 and 29, although high numbers were rare. The presence of one or two scars per host was frequent, but only 8.6% of pupae had more than three scars. Fruit size was positively related to the level of infestation by Anastrepha spp. and was significantly correlated with the numbers of parasitized and superparasitized pupae by D. longicaudata. The length and width of host pupae were positively related to superparasitism, and superparasitism was positively correlated with a sex ratio biased toward females. Our data show that superparasitism is present in natural populations of D. longicaudata at remarkable rates and confers some advantageous features such as a female-biased sex ratio. These findings favor the election of this species as a viable biocontrol agent for augmentative releases because the favorable proportion of adult females emerging from superparasitized pupa should contribute to better pest control.

Mites are frequent ant symbionts, yet the exact nature of their interactions with their hosts is poorly known. Generally, myrmecophilous mites show adaptations for dispersal through phoresis, but species that lack such an adaptation may have evolved unusual specialized relationships with their hosts. The immature stages of Macrodinychus multispinosus develop as ectoparasitoids of pupae of the invasive ant Paratrechina longicornis. Feeding stages show regressed locomotor appendages. These mites complete their development on a single host, sucking all of its body content and therefore killing it. Locally high proportions of parasitized host pupae suggest that M. multispinosus could serve as a biological control agent. This is the ninth species of Macrodinychus reported as ant parasite, and the third known as parasitoid of invasive ants, confirming a unique habit in the evolution of mite feeding strategies and suggesting that the entire genus might be parasitic on ants. Several mites’ characteristics, such as their protective morphology, possible viviparity, lack of a specialized stage for phoretic dispersal, and low host specificity, combined with both the general low aggressiveness of invasive P. longicornis towards other ants and its possible susceptibility to generalist ectoparasites would account for the host shift in native macrodinychid mites.

The White-nosed coati or tejon

Superparasitism, a strategy in which a female lays eggs in/on a previously parasitized host, was attributed in the past to the inability of females to discriminate between parasitized and non-parasitized hosts. However, superparasitism is now accepted as an adaptive strategy under specific conditions. In fruit fly parasitoids, superparasitism has mainly been studied as concerns the new association between Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), wherein this phenomenon is a common occurrence in both mass rearing and field conditions. Studies of this species have shown that moderate levels of superparasitism result in a female-biased sex ratio and that both massreared and wild females superparasitize their hosts without detrimental effects on offspring demographic parameters, including longevity and fecundity. These studies suggest that superparasitism in this species is advantageous. In this paper, we review superparasitism in D. longicaudata, discuss these findings in the context of mass rearing and field releases and address the possible implications of superparasitism in programs employing augmentative releases of parasitoids for the control of fruit fly pests.

The new genus Camponotophilus Gates is described, and characters of phylogenetic, diagnostic, and myrmecophilic importance are discussed. Camponotophilus delvarei Gates, new species is described. This is the first report of myrmecophily in Eurytomidae, and a discussion of morphological trends in myrmecophilic parasitic Hymenoptera is provided.

Eucharitidae are parasitoids that use immature stages of ants for their development.KapalaCameron is the genus most frequently collected in the Neotropics, but little is known about the biology and behavior of any of the species of this genus. We aimed to evaluate the effect of habitat type on eucharitid parasitism and to contribute to the knowledge of the host-parasite relationship betweenKapalasp. and the poneromorph antEctatomma ruidum(Roger) in Colombia. TwentyE. ruidumcolonies were extracted from two different habitat types (woodland and grassland), and larvae and cocoons (pupae) were examined in search for parasitoids in different stages of development. Globally, 60% of the colonies were parasitized, with 1.3% of larvae and 4% of pupae parasitized. Planidia (first-instar larvae), pupae, and adults of the parasitoid were observed. All of the pupae and adult parasitoids belonged toKapala iridicolorCameron. All the colonies collected in the woodlands were parasitized and contained more parasitized larvae (2%) and parasitized cocoons (8%) than those collected in grasslands (4/12 parasitized colonies, 0.5% parasitized larvae, 0.8% parasitized cocoons). The relationship observed between habitat type and parasitism prevalence is a novel aspect of the study of eucharitid impact on ant host populations.

Three new species of Eulophidae associated, or presumed to be associated with ants are described: two species of Horismenus Walker and one species of Microdonophagus Schauff. Information on the biology is also included. The two Horismenus species are from Chiapas, Mexico. Horismenus myrmecophagus sp. n. is known only from females and is a gregarious endoparasitoid in larvae of the weaver ant Camponotus sp. ca. textor. The parasitoids pupate inside the host larva, and an average of 6.7 individuals develops per host. This is the second time a species of genus Horismenus is found parasitizing the brood of a formicine ant of genus Camponotus. Horismenus microdonophagus sp. n. is described from both males and females, and is a gregarious endoparasitoid attacking the larvae of Microdon sp. (Diptera: Syrphidae), a predator on ant brood found in nests of Camponotus sp. ca. textor. The new species of Microdonophagus, M. tertius, is from Costa Rica, and known only from the female. Nothing is known about its biology but since another species in same genus, M. woodleyi Schauff, is associated with ants through its host, Microdon larva (with same biology as H. microdonophagus), it is possible that also M. tertius has this association. A new distributional record for M. woodleyi is also reported, extending its distribution from Panama and Colombia to Brazil.

We compared the oviposition behavior and host discrimination ability of wild and mass-reared Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) females parasitizing Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae. Both kinds of parasitoid females were presented simultaneously with parasitized and non-parasitized larvae in choice tests, and their superparasitism performance was evaluated under a mass-rearing situation. At the time of the test, D. longicaudata had 156 generations under mass-rearing conditions. Our goal was to determine the effect of the mass-rearing process on the foraging decisions of this species. One of the primary findings was the apparent ubiquity of superparasitism by D. longicaudata females. Both types of females showed similar patterns in each of the phases of oviposition behavior evaluated. The only notable differences were among the percentages of transition between behaviors, mainly related to the intensity with which each activity was performed. Under a mass-rearing...

Superparasitism frequency and its effects on the quality of mass-reared Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) parasitoids were investigated under laboratory conditions. Percentage of adult emergence, sex ratio, survival, fecundity and flight ability of adult parasitoids that emerged from Anastrepha ludens (Loew) pupae with different levels of superparasitism were determined. A high prevalence of superparasitism was observed. The number of scars per pupa, produced by insertion of the parasitoid ovipositor, ranged from 1 to 30, with an average (±SD) of 8.3 ± 6.2. Adult parasitoid emergence decreased as the level of superparasitism increased. However, the fraction of females rose with increasing superparasitism and the flight ability was lower in adults emerging from pupae with only one scar, compared with adults emerging from superparasitized hosts. Female longevity and fecundity were not affected by superparasitism. Our results support the hypothesis that superparasitism in D. longicaudata might be adaptive, since adults emerging from hosts with moderate levels of superparasitism showed the highest percentage of emergence and there were no significant differences in the other quality control parameters tested. Our findings are relevant to the mass rearing process, where the ratio of hosts to parasitoids can be optimized as well as the distribution of eggs deposited in host larvae. This contributes to efficient mass rearing methods for augmentative biological control programs.

Parasitism of ants that nest in rotting wood by eucharitid wasps was studied in order to examine whether habitat and season influence ant parasitism, vegetation complexity and agrochemical use correlate with ant parasitism, and whether specific local and landscape features of agricultural landscapes correlate with changes in ant parasitism. In a coffee landscape, 30 coffee and 10 forest sites were selected in which local management (e.g., vegetation, agrochemical use) and landscape features (e.g., distance to forest, percent of rustic coffee nearby) were characterized. Rotten logs were sampled and ant cocoons were collected from logs and cocoons were monitored for parasitoid emergence. Sixteen ant morphospecies in three ant subfamilies (Ectatomminae, Ponerinae, and Formicinae) were found. Seven ant species parasitized by two genera of Eucharitidae parasitoids (Kapala and Obeza) were reported and some ant-eucharitid associations were new. According to evaluated metrics, parasitism did not differ with habitat (forest, high-shade coffee, low-shade coffee), but did increase in the dry season for Gnamptogenys ants. Parasitism increased with vegetation complexity for Gnamptogenys and Pachycondyla and was high in sites with both high and low agrochemical use. Two landscape variables and two local factors positively correlated with parasitism for some ant genera and species. Thus, differences in vegetation complexity at the local and landscape scale and agrochemical use in coffee landscapes alter ecological interactions between parasitoids and their ant hosts.

Kapala (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae) are among the most frequently collected chalcidoid wasps from the Neotropics, but general information about their host plants, behavior, and life history is scarce. A new species, Kapala izapa n. sp., parasitizing Ectatomma ruidum Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is described from Chiapas, Mexico, with a general account of its biology. Field observations on the behavior of adults of Kapala iridicolor (Cameron), which also attack E. ruidum, Gnamptogenys regularis Mayr, Gnamptogenys sulcata (Fr. Smith), Gnamptogenys striatula Mayr, and Pachycondyla stigma (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), are included. Immature stages of Kapala izapa n. sp. follow the general morphology and behavior described for other eucharitids known to attack Ectatomminae and Ponerinae. More than one parasitoid can complete development on a single host larva. K. iridicolor females were observed laying masses of eggs on undeveloped flower buds of Melampodium divaricatum (L.C. Richard) D.C. (Aster...

Insect societies are characterized by a relatively sophisticated division of labor; they form tightly knit groups that must effectively exclude non-members from the colony. However, the Neotropical predatory ant Ectatomma tuberculatum can harbor several specific myrmecophiles and, in particular, various eucharitid parasitoid wasp species. Adult wasps eclose in the host nests and are removed by worker ants without harm. Previous observations suggest that only a few workers perform this task. To test this hypothesis, we introduced different types of intruders, live and dead, pentane-washed broad-nosed grain weevil individuals (Caulophilus oryzae) and dead, pentane-washed eucharitids (Dilocantha lachaudii), into laboratory colonies containing individually marked workers. We recorded all encounters and behaviors until the intruders were removed. Certain workers removed intruders more frequently than expected by chance. The number of encounters with an intruder was positively correlated with the number of removals performed by the workers. For each nest, a small group of workers was identified as specialized in intruder removal. A subset of very committed workers in the specialists group that performed up to 57% of removals qualified as hyperspecialists or elite workers. The behavioral sequences differed based on the type and condition of the intruder: the sequence was more complex and included numerous aggressive behaviors (mandibular strikes and attempts at stinging) when workers encountered a live weevil. In contrast, the behavioral sequences with dead, pentane-washed insects were characterized by numerous detections through contact that did not lead to rejection and by the intruders simply being seized and removed from the nest. Overall, the data show that the ants discriminated between live and pentane-washed intruders and adjusted their behavior accordingly. This is the first demonstration in ants of both behavioral specialization and hyperspecialization in intruder removal.

International audience; Communication in ants is based to a great extent on chemical compounds. Recognition of intruders is primarily based on cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile matching but is prone to being cheated. Eucharitid wasps are specific parasitoids of the brood of ants; the immature stages are either well integrated within the colony or are protected within the host cocoons, whereas adult wasps at emergence must leave their host nest to reproduce and need to circumvent the ant recognition system to escape unscathed. The behavioral interactions between eucharitid wasps and workers of their host, the Neotropical ant Ectatomma tuberculatum, are characterized. In experimental bioassays, newly emerged parasitoids were not violently aggressed. They remained still and were grabbed by ants upon contact and transported outside the nest; host workers were even observed struggling to reject them. Parasitoids were removed from the nest within five minutes, and most were unharmed, although two wasps (out of 30) were killed during the interaction with the ants. We analyzed the CHCs of the ant and its two parasitoids, Dilocantha lachaudii and Isomerala coronata, and found that although wasps shared all of their compounds with the ants, each wasp species had typical blends and hydrocarbon abundance was also species specific. Furthermore, the wasps had relatively few CHCs compared to E. tuberculatum (22–44% of the host components), and these were present in low amounts. Wasps, only partially mimicking the host CHC profile, were immediately recognized as alien and actively removed from the nest by the ants. Hexane-washed wasps were also transported to the refuse piles, but only after being thoroughly inspected and after most of the workers had initially ignored them. Being recognized as intruder may be to the parasitoids' advantage , allowing them to quickly leave the natal nest, and therefore enhancing the fitness of these very short lived parasitoids. We suggest that eucharitids take advantage of the hygienic behavior of ants to quickly escape from their host nests.

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) causes substantial reductions in coffee production. It originates from Africa but is now present in almost all of the major coffee producing countries. Classical biological control attempts around the world, including South and Central America, the Caribbean, Indian sub-continent, Indonesia, and Polynesia, including introductions of the African bethylid wasps Prorops nasuta Waterston and Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem, have not yet proved sufficiently successful. In Mexico, a bethylid wasp indigenous to North America and Europe, Cephalonomia hyalinipennis Ashmead, has naturally started to attack the borer. The presence of multiple species of natural enemies has the potential to disrupt biological control via negative interspecific interactions. We evaluate both inter- and intraspecific competition among these three bethylids in the laboratory, focussing on pairs of adult females competing directly for hosts. In interspecific contests, the loser is frequently killed. C. stephanoderis is the most successful species, while P. nasuta females never killed their opponents. Intraspecific interactions often involved fighting behavior but were non-fatal. We discuss the implications of the differing strengths of such inter- and intraspecific interactions for the coexistence of these natural enemies of the coffee berry borer and for biological control.

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), originates from Africa and has since invaded all major coffee growing areas in the world. The parasitoid species, Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem and Prorops nasuta Waterston (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) have been introduced into many countries as biological control agents. Recently, a further bethylid, Cephalonomia hyalinipennis Ashmead, was found naturally attacking the coffee berry borer in southern Mexico. The biologies of these three species are broadly similar. We evaluate the potential for interspecific competition by observing direct behavioral contests for hosts occurring between adult female parasitoids. We show that such contests readily occur and the loser is frequently killed. Prior ownership of hosts and ovipositional experience influence contest outcome, probably via the dynamics of egg maturation. There are also competitive asymmetries between these species: C. stephanoderis is generally the most successful. We discuss the implications of interspecific competition on the question of the best number and combination of natural enemy species for biological pest control.

Cuticular hydrocarbons of an ectoparasitic wasp attacking two beetle hosts have been identified and examined for the influence of age, gender, mating status, and host on hydrocarbon composition. The 37 wasp hydrocarbons identified consisted of a series of n-alkanes (C16 to C33), 3-, 5-, 9-, 10-, 11-, and 12-methyl alkanes and a series of Z-7 and Z-9 monoenes (C23:1 to C27:1). One C25:2 diene was found. No effects of hydrocarbon composition as a function of age, gender, or mating status were found for the wasps. Wasps reared on Hypothenemus hampei, however, had 12/37 significant abundance differences to those reared on Caulophilus oryzae, although all but one of these differences were for components in less than 2% relative abundance. The C25:2 diene from wasps reared on H. hampei was present in about 10% whereas from wasps reared on C. oryzae it was present in about 2%. The hydrocarbons of one host for this wasp, the coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), have been previously reported [Howard and Infante, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 89:700-709 (1996)]. The hydrocarbons of the alternative host, C. oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) consists of n-alkanes (C17 to C31), 3-, 4-, 5-, 7-, 9-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, and 15-methyl alkanes, and a series of dimethyl alkanes of the series 3, 17-; 5, 11-; 5, 17-; 7, 11-; 7, 13-; 13, 17-; and 15, 19-. No unsaturated hydrocarbons were found. No significant differences in hydrocarbon composition were found between male and female C. oryzae. Hydrocarbon patterns of four species of Cephalonomia are compared and shown to be species-specific. The data are discussed in terms of ecological and physiological parameters.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the irreversible loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway with subsequent dopamine deficiency. Environmental causes have been proposed through molecules, such as 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), to induce oxidative stress. The methanolic extract of plants of the genus Buddleja has been reported to have in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties to protect against neuronal death. In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of Buddleja cordata methanolic extract in the MPP(+) PD rat model was investigated. Animals were administered orally with 50 or 100 mg/kg of methanolic extract every 24 h for 14 days. Twenty hours later, rats were infused with an intrastriatal stereotaxic microinjection of 10 µg MPP(+) in 8 μl sterile saline solution. Six days later, the animals were treated with 1 mg/kg apomorphine to record ipsilateral rotations for 1 h. All the rats were killed by decapitation and the lesioned striatum was dissected for dopamine and lipid peroxidation quantifications. Both methanolic extract doses led to a significantly lower (P 0.05) number of ipsilateral rotations (75-80 %). This behavioral protection was corroborated with 60 % level of dopamine preservation (P 0.05) and 90 % decrease in the formation of lipidic fluorescent products in the striatum (P 0.05). This study demonstrates the antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of Buddleja cordata methanolic extract in the MPP(+) PD rat model, possibly due to the involvement of phenylpropanoids.

Background.Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the intracellular acid-fast bacilliMycobacterium leprae; it has been determined that genetic factors of the host play an important role in the disease susceptibility. Thus, in this case-control study, we evaluated the possible association between theIL-17A G-197A(rs227593) andIL-17F A7488G(His161Arg, rs763780) gene SNPs and susceptibility to leprosy disease in Mexican population.Methods.Seventy-five leprosy patients and sixty-nine control subjects were included. Both SNPs were genotyped with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.Results.We found nonsignificant differences in genotype and allele frequencies related toIL-17A G-197A(rs227593) andIL-17F A7488G(His161Arg, rs763780) gene SNPs in MB as well as subclinical forms of leprosy disease versus healthy individuals.Conclusions.Since the sample size is not large enough, it is difficult to sustain an association of susceptibility to leprosy with genotypes or allele frequencies ofIL-17A G-197A(rs227593) andIL-17F A7488G(His161Arg, rs763780), suggesting thatIL-17polymorphisms have no significant role in the genetic susceptibility to development of this disease in the Mexican Mestizo population.

Three species of bethylid wasps, Prorops nasuta Waterston, Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem, and C. hyalinipennis Ashmead, attack the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), by both predation and parasitism. C. hyalinipennis has only recently been reported to attack H. hampei. Its previously recorded hosts belong to the coleopteran families Curculionidae, Anobiidae, and Scolytidae. We evaluated five further coleopteran species, in the families Curculionidae, Bostrichidae, and Bruchidae, as alternative hosts. High proportions of all five species were both fed upon and oviposited on (normally by concurrent host feeding). Offspring developmental mortality varied greatly (12–95%) on different host species. Offspring production per host was about three times greater than on H. hampei when females were presented with the curculionids Caulophilus oryzae (Gyllenhal) and two species of Sitophilus. C. stephanoderis and P. nasuta are currently the main biological control agents of H. hampei: they have long been thought to be monophagous but C. stephanoderis has recently been reported to attack H. obscurus. We evaluated C. oryzae, as a potential host or prey for P. nasuta, and both C. oryzae and Sitophilus sp. for C. stephanoderis. Host feeding was very common in both parasitoid species. The majority of females also oviposited on C. oryzae (71% P. nasuta, 60% C. stephanoderis) and 20% of C. stephanoderis parasitized Sitophilus sp. Fifty-two percent of C. stephanoderis and 7% of P. nasuta offspring survived to adulthood when developing on C. oryzae. The lifetime fecundities of these parasitoids presented with these host species were, however, low (maximum 17 eggs, mean ≤ 8.25) and preoviposition periods were generally long (ca. 19 days). Adult female C. stephanoderis lived longer when presented C. oryzae rather than Sitophilus sp. Host feeding also increased longevity. We discuss these results in the context of mass rearing these bethylids for release as biological control agents.

Cuticular hydrocarbons from the ponerine ant Ectatomma ruidum Roger and a highly integrated eucharitid myrmecophile, Kapala sulcifacies (Cameron), associated with it, have been characterized. Ninety hydrocarbons were identified from the ant, 55 hydrocarbons from the female wasp and 54 hydrocarbons from the male wasp. The wasps and ants share 40 hydrocarbons. These shared 40 hydrocarbons represent 92.6% of their hydrocarbon composition for female Kapala, 84.3% for male Kapala and 67.7% for the ants. The wasps have a carbon number range of C27 to C35; the ants have a range of C23 to C35. Both species possess n-alkanes, C27 to C33 for the wasps, C23 to C34 for the ants. Both species also possess major quantities of Z-7- and Z-9 alkenes: C29 to C33 for the wasps; C23 to C35 for the ants. The female wasps possess a low amount of a conjugated C31 diene (neither the ants nor the male wasps possess this hydrocarbon), and the ants, but not the wasps, contain low quantities of nonconjugated dienes (carbon ...

We describe behavioral sequences and daily activities of pre-ovipositing and ovipositing females of Cephalonomia stephanoderis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), an ectoparasitoid of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Noticeable behavioral differences among preovipositing and ovipositing females include host examination, host stinging—probing, host feeding, and the oviposition per se. The female of C. stephanoderis feeds primarily on host eggs, but pupae are also exploited, mainly by pre-ovipositing females. After the onset of the oviposition period, C. stephanoderis examines the pupae repeatedly, stings them at frequent intervals, and spends more time feeding than during the pre-oviposition period. Host paralysis is linked both to host feeding and oviposition. It induces irreversible developmental arrest, which presumably allows preservation of the host until subsequent utilization, and contributes to successful offspring development, particularly by reducing host motility. Oviposition consists in a host selection process, a prolonged period of preparation of the potential host, and the egg-laying phase itself. Under our experimental conditions, pre-ovipositing and ovipositing females are active 17% and 36% of the day, respectively. Host handling time averages 6% and 23% in pre-ovipositing and ovipositing females, respectively. All coffee berry borer developmental stages are exploited by C. stephanoderis females, either for host feeding and/or oviposition activities. Such flexible behavior is advantageous given that host availability is limited inside the coffee berries.

The influence of female body size and adult feeding on the fecundity and longevity of female Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), attacking the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was examined under laboratory conditions. Size and fecundity were positively correlated, whereas size had no influence on longevity of females continually provided with hosts. In contrast to theoretical models of host feeding, host feeding rate in C. stephanoderis increased over the parasitoid's lifespan, whereas oviposition rate decreased with age. The oviposition rate was higher and the oviposition period longer in large females than in small ones. As C. stephanoderis grew older, egg and sperm exhaustion were observed, especially in small females where a single mating was not sufficient for fertilization of all the eggs deposited during their lifetime. Developmental mortality of the offspring of small females was higher compared with large females, which may be attributed to a greater ability of large females to subdue and parasitize coffee berry borer pupae. Host feeding, by itself, promoted female survival. All host stages enhanced wasp longevity, but eggs and pupae were the most effective host stages in increasing longevity. Our findings have significant implications in mass rearing and management programs by determining conditions likely to improve parasitoid production and defining desirable biological attributes of C. stephanoderis as a biological control agent of the coffee berry borer.