scholarly journals Shared Escovopsis parasites between leaf-cutting and non-leaf-cutting ants in the higher attine fungus-growing ant symbiosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (9) ◽  
pp. 150257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas A. Meirelles ◽  
Scott E. Solomon ◽  
Mauricio Bacci ◽  
April M. Wright ◽  
Ulrich G. Mueller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Tripartite Model ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Comprehensive Collection ◽  
Attine Ants ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Phylogenetic Divergence ◽  
Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms

Fungus-gardening (attine) ants grow fungus for food in protected gardens, which contain beneficial, auxiliary microbes, but also microbes harmful to gardens. Among these potentially pathogenic microorganisms, the most consistently isolated are fungi in the genus Escovopsis , which are thought to co-evolve with ants and their cultivar in a tripartite model. To test clade-to-clade correspondence between Escovopsis and ants in the higher attine symbiosis (including leaf-cutting and non-leaf-cutting ants), we amassed a geographically comprehensive collection of Escovopsis from Mexico to southern Brazil, and reconstructed the corresponding Escovopsis phylogeny. Contrary to previous analyses reporting phylogenetic divergence between Escovopsis from leafcutters and Trachymyrmex ants (non-leafcutter), we found no evidence for such specialization; rather, gardens from leafcutters and non-leafcutters genera can sometimes be infected by closely related strains of Escovopsis , suggesting switches at higher phylogenetic levels than previously reported within the higher attine symbiosis. Analyses identified rare Escovopsis strains that might represent biogeographically restricted endemic species. Phylogenetic patterns correspond to morphological variation of vesicle type (hyphal structures supporting spore-bearing cells), separating Escovopsis with phylogenetically derived cylindrical vesicles from ancestral Escovopsis with globose vesicles. The new phylogenetic insights provide an improved basis for future taxonomic and ecological studies of Escovopsis .

Valeriana iganciana (Valerianaceae), a new species from the highland grasslands of Serra do Tabuleiro, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 364 (3) ◽  
pp. 275
Author(s):  
CASSIO RABUSKE DA SILVA ◽  
JOSIMAR KÜLKAMP
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Entire Margin ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Santa Catarina State

Valeriana iganciana, an endemic species from the Serra do Tabuleiro highlands of Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species shares morphological affinities with V. ulei, from which it is distinguished mainly by leaves with entire margin, by the cymose architecture of the inflorescence and by the triquetrous and elliptical fruits with annular to dentate calyx.

Begonia medeiroii (Begoniaceae), a new species endemic to Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 423 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
LUÍS ADRIANO FUNEZ ◽  
JULIO CESAR JARAMILLO ◽  
ELISANDRO RICARDO DRECHSLER-SANTOS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Adaxial Surface ◽  
Narrow Endemic ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Iucn Criteria

We describe here Begonia medeiroii, a narrow endemic species from the Atlantic Rainforest. The conservation status of this species was assessed as critically endangered according to IUCN criteria. This species resembles to B. catharinensis and B. hirtella in some characteristics, differing among other features due the presence of adventitious vegetative buds on the adaxial surface of the leaves.

scholarly journals Genetic variability and social structure of colonies in Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

2001 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. DIEHI ◽  
A. M. de ARAÚJO ◽  
S. CAVALLI-MOLINA
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Genotypic Diversity ◽  
Inbreeding Coefficient ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Nuptial Flight ◽  
The Social ◽  
Leaf Cutting

The breeding structure of both colony and population of social insects can be examined by genetic analysis. Colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Myrmicinae, Attini) were thus analyzed for isoenzyme systems MDH, a-GPDH, and AMY to describe genotype variability and social structure. A total of five loci were investigated (three for amylase and one for each other system). Ninety-seven colonies of A. heyeri and 103 of A. striatus were sampled in different localities in Southern Brazil (State of Rio Grande do Sul). The genotypes found show the occurrence of monogyny and polygyny associated or not with polyandry, which indicates that the social organization is colony-specific. The polygyny and polyandry observed are likely to be responsible for the great genotypic diversity of the colonies. The average inbreeding coefficient per colony was higher in A. striatus than in A. heyeri, which may reflect the different patterns of production of sexual individuals and nuptial flight of those two species.

Effective Purification of Water from Iron Ions and Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms Using a Montmorillonite Composite Sorbent

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (9) ◽  
pp. 1806-1812
Author(s):  
A. I. Vezentsev ◽  
V. A. Peristiy ◽  
V. D. Bukhanov ◽  
L. F. Peristaya ◽  
P. V. Sokolovskiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Iron Ions ◽  
Composite Sorbent ◽  
Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Purification Of Water

Pectinariidae (Annelida, Terebelliformia) from off southeastern Brazil, southwestern Atlantic

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4571 (4) ◽  
pp. 489
Author(s):  
JOÃO MIGUEL DE MATOS NOGUEIRA ◽  
WILLIAM M. G. RIBEIRO ◽  
ORLEMIR CARRERETTE ◽  
PAT HUTCHINGS
Keyword(s):  
New Record ◽  
First Record ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Nomen Nudum ◽  
Southwestern Atlantic ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Unpublished Thesis ◽  
A New Species

Two of the species of Pectinariidae previously reported from the Brazilian coast are herein described, together with a new species and also new record for the genus Petta Malmgren, 1866 for the southern Atlantic. Amphictene catharinensis (Grube, 1870) was described from material from off Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, but the most recent description for these animals comes from Nilsson (1928); a redescription for A. catharinensis is herein provided. Pectinaria nonatoi n. sp. was informally described as P. (Pectinaria) laelia nomen nudum in an unpublished thesis and a formal description has never been provided, although the species has been reported from several other localities off the Brazilian shoreline, mostly in ecological studies; the species is formally described herein and compared to the most similar congeners. Petta alissoni n. sp. is also described and compared to the most similar congeners and this is the first record for animals of this genus from southern Atlantic. There are also records for Pectinaria gouldii (Verrill, 1874) and P. regalis Verrill, 1901 from off the Brazilian coast, and a doubtful record for Lagis pseudokoreni (Day, 1955), but we did not find any material belonging to those taxa. 

scholarly journals Assessment of Postvaccine Immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae in Patients with Asplenia, including an Analysis of Its Impact on Bacterial Flora of the Upper Respiratory Tract and Incidence of Infections

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Olender ◽  
Katarzyna Małkińska ◽  
Jacek Roliński ◽  
Ewelina Grywalska ◽  
Elżbieta Pels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Carrier State ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms

S. pneumoniae is a microorganism that may cause a serious threat in postsplenectomy patients due to a potentially invasive course of infection. In order to assess a protective activity after vaccination with the 23-valent vaccine, we made an analysis of the level of antibodies in patients with asplenia compared to a control group of healthy donors. Additionally, colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms of the upper respiratory tract was analyzed to determine the carrier state by strains with vaccine serotype. No such strains were found in the research, yet three non-vaccine-serotype strains were found. Colonization of the upper respiratory tract by potentially pathogenic microorganisms may be connected with increased susceptibility observed and incidence of infections in patients with asplenia. However, colonization by S. pneumoniae may not have an effect on the level of specific antibodies with the 23-valent vaccine against S. pneumoniae (PPV23) in postsplenectomy patients and healthy people. The response to vaccination against S. pneumoniae showed a lower level of specific antibodies in patients with splenectomy performed more than 2 years before the test than in patients with a recently removed spleen, i.e., from 1 month to 2 years before the test. Vaccination against pneumococci also has positive effects on incidence of other etiology infections, which is of high significance in the prophylaxis of infectious diseases in this group of patients.

Genetic diversity and structure of Hypochaeris catharinensis Cabrera (Asteraceae), an endemic species of Southern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 305 (8) ◽  
pp. 675-686
Author(s):  
Camila L. Chaves ◽  
Eduardo A. Ruas ◽  
Claudete F. Ruas ◽  
Estrella Urtubey ◽  
Paulo M. Ruas
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Genetic Diversity And Structure

Blood Pressure Cuff as a Potential Vector of Pathogenic Microorganisms A Prospective Study in a Teaching Hospital

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 940-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. de Gialluly ◽  
V. Morange ◽  
E. de Gialluly ◽  
J. Loulergue ◽  
N. van der Mee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Hospital Units ◽  
High Level ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms

Objective.To investigate the potential role of blood pressure (BP) cuffs in the spread of bacterial infections in hospitals.Design.A comprehensive, prospective study quantitatively and qualitatively evaluating the bacterial contamination on BP cuffs of 203 sphygmomanometers in use in 18 hospital units from January through March 2003.Setting.A university hospital with surgical, medical, and pediatric units.Results.A level of contamination reaching 100 or more colony-forming units per 25 cm2was observed on 92 (45%) of inner sides and 46 (23%) of outer sides of 203 cuffs. The highest rates of contamination occurred on the inner side of BP cuffs kept in intensive care units (ICUs) (20 [83%] of 24) or on nurses' trolleys (27 [77%] of 35). None of the 18 BP cuffs presumed to be clean (ie, those that had not been used since the last decontamination procedure) had a high level of contamination. Potentially pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from 27 (13%) of the 203 BP cuffs: 20 of these microorganisms wereStaphylococcus aureus, including 9 methicillin-resistant strains. The highest rates of contamination with potentially pathogenic microorganisms were observed on cuffs used in ICUs and those kept on nurses' trolleys. For 4 patients with a personal sphygmomanometer, a genetic link was found between the strains isolated from the BP cuffs and the strains isolated from the patients.Conclusions.The results of this survey highlight the importance of recognizing BP cuffs as potential vectors of pathogenic bacteria among patients and as a source of reinfection when dedicated to a single patient, emphasizing the urgent need for validated procedures for their use and maintenance.

Taxonomic Revision of Dolichandra (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 301 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIZ HENRIQUE M. FONSECA ◽  
SIMONE MIRANDA CABRAL ◽  
MARIA DE FATIMA AGRA ◽  
LÚCIA G. LOHMANN
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Gallery Forest ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Juvenile Form ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Lowland Forests ◽  
Northeastern Argentina

Dolichandra Cham. emend. L.G.Lohmann is a genus of Neotropical lianas in tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) that comprises nine species. It is centered in Paraguay, southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina, where six species occur and three are endemic. Species of Dolichandra are generally climbers of dry and wet lowland forests, also growing in swamps and gallery forest formations. The genus is characterized by four main synapomorphies: (i) stems with multiple dissected phloem wedges in cross-section, (ii) trifid and uncate tendrils, (iii) psilate and 3-colpate pollen, and (iv) capsules with four lines of dehiscense. Other features of the genus are the large and membranaceous calyces, dimorphic growth with the juvenile form attaching by its uncinate tendrils, lanceolate prophylls of the axillary buds, congested-cymose inflorescences, and a lobed nectary disk. In this taxonomic revision, we present detailed descriptions for all species recognized, taxonomic and nomenclatural comments, distribution maps and information on the habitat and distribution of each species, as well as information on their conservation status (i.e., IUCN categories), and illustrations of diagnostic characters. Thirty-five names are treated as synonyms, six of which are newly proposed. More specifically, Tecoma maximiliani Mart. ex DC. is synonymized under Dolichandra unguiculata (Vell.) L.G. Lohmann, Bignonia pseudounguis Desf., Bignonia unguis-cati var. radicans DC., and Macfadyena hassleri Sprague are synonymized under Dolichandra uncata (Andrews) L.G. Lohmann, while Bignonia tweediana Lindley and Dolichandra kohautiana Presl are synonymized under Dolichandra ungui-cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann. Lectotypes are proposed for 13 species names, namely Bignonia californica Brandegee, Bignonia gracilis G. Lodd., Bignonia inflata Griseb. Bignonia tweediana Lindley, Bignonia unguis-cati var. guatemalensis K. Schum. & Loes., Bignonia unguis-cati var. serrata Bureau & K. schum., Dolichandra cynanchoides Cham., Dolichandra fenzliana Miq. Macfadyena hassleri Sprague, Parabignonia steyermarkii Sandwith, Paradolichandra chodatii var. brachycalyx , Spathodea mollis and Tecoma maximiliani Mart. ex DC.

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