Tetragonisca angustula resin gathering behaviour of Schizolobium parahyba

Tetragonisca angustula is a very important stingless bees species. This study aimed to report the resin gathering behaviour of this species of a possible new resin source: Schizolobium parahyba. Evaluations of temperature, number of bees in gathering activity, time and season were used to characterize bee’s behaviour. Resin gathering activities were concentered between 10 and 14 hours, with a moderate linear positive correlation index with the temperature. No bee activity was observed when temperatures were below 16.69°C. Gathering suffered extreme reduction during winter and greater activity in summer. Bees exploration were concentered on the younger leafs and apical portion of S. parahyba. Older leafs were mainly ignored, and gradually the exploring activity was constantly migrating to most young parts, while apical exploration was consistent all the studied period.

Establishment of the Hohenbergia capitata complex (Bromeliaceae) with notes on leaf anatomy and description of a new endangered species

We here establish the Hohenbergia capitata complex composed of three species endemic to the Atlantic Forest, in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. When compared with other Hohenbergia species endemic to the Atlantic Forest, the complex is recognized by the small size of the plants (shorter than 1 m tall when flowering), lanceolate leaf blades, inflorescence with main axis short and congested branches, concentrated on the apical portion of the inflorescence (creating a capitulate shape), primary branches short pedunculate (short stipes), basal primary bracts sub-orbicular, large flowers (over 3 cm long) with spatulate petals with a cuspidate apex. Within this complex, we describe H. nidularioides sp. nov., a critically endangered species from the southern coastal region of Bahia, only known from a small fragment of Restinga forest in Una municipality. This species is very similar to H. capitata but differs by the nidular aspect of the inflorescence, which is only short-pedunculate and more or less hidden inside the rosette. In addition to the taxonomic treatment, we provide illustrations, the geographic distribution, taxonomic comments, and anatomical comparison of the species in the H. capitata complex.

EFFECT OF 2,4-D AND NAA ON SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS FROM APICAL PORTION OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.)

Somatic embryogenesis was carried out epicotyl portion of the mature embryo/apical portion. The somatic embryo induction medium containing 2,4-D or NAA (10.0 to 50.0 mg/l). Of the two concentrations tested 2,4-D (30.0mg/l) recorded the highest percentage of response followed by NAA (30.0mg/l). But the highest number of somatic embryo were recorded in 30.0mg/l of 2,4-D followed by NAA. The apical portion of the mature embryo formed direct embryos without any intervention of callus. The maximum percentage of embryogenic cultures were noticed in 30.0mg/l of 2,4-D followed by NAA at 30.0mg/l. for the differentiation of somatic embryos, the embryogenic masses were transferred to medium without any growth regulator. The maximum number of somatic embryos per culture was recorded in 30 mg/l of 2,4-D followed by 30.0 mg/l of NAA. Keywords: Arachis hypogaea L.,Somatic Embryogenesis, 2,4-D and NAA

First record of tiger beetles (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) from Rovno amber, with the description of a new genus and species

A new fossil tiger beetle species, Goriresina fungifora gen. n., sp. n. (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae), is described from Eocene Rovno amber. The new genus belongs to the subtribe Iresiina, tribe Cicindelini, due to the glabrous head, the labrum with six submarginal setae (latero-basal setae very long) and two apical teeth with notch between them, the glabrous and globular pronotum, the lack of setae on the metepisternum and metepimeron, as well as on the visible parts of abdominal sternites, the single long seta each on the fore- and mesotrochanter. The new species is characterized by the long and moderately convex labrum, two clypeal setae, the elongate and apicad converging elytra with an angularly, but smoothly rounded apex, the small and sharp sutural spine, the probable presence of an apical portion of the elytral humeral spot, a slightly sinuate, transverse medial fascia with an extended and downward directed apical portion, and a slightly transverse basal portion of the apical spot. This is the first record of a tiger beetle in Rovno amber and only a fourth well-preserved Cicindelidae from fossil resins.

Osteoconductivity of Porous Titanium Structure on Implants in Osteoporosis

In compromised bone conditions such as osteoporosis, developments of the implant surface are necessary to secure the stability of implants. This study investigated the effect of the surface porous titanium structure (PS) on the osseointegration of implants in osteoporotic bone. Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) was performed in 4 female beagle dogs to induce osteoporosis for 32 wk. Success of induction was based on the evaluation of bone mineral density by Hounsfield units (HU) in computed tomography images. Posterior teeth in both mandibles were extracted 1 wk after OVX, and a total of 30 implants (15 implants in each group) were placed after 32 wk of osteoporosis induction. The control group implant underwent resorbable blast media (RBM) surface treatment, whereas the test group underwent RBM surface treatment in the coronal two-thirds and a PS added to the apical 3-mm portion. HU values in the mandibular trabecular bone, lumbar, and femoral head significantly decreased 32 wk after OVX, confirming osteoporotic condition after induction. Resonance frequency analysis and removal torque test showed comparable values between the 2 groups at 4 wk after implant placement. The surface topography of the implant after removal showed hard tissue integration at the PS in the test group. Bone-to-implant contact length was greater in the apical portion of the test group, although statistical significance was not found between the groups. Interthread bone area in the apical portion of the test group showed a significant increase compared to the control group (control: 0.059 ± 0.041 mm2, test: 0.121 ± 0.060 mm2, P = 0.028) with the histological feature of bone ingrowth at the PS. The findings of the study demonstrated that the surface PS could improve osteoconductivity in the osteoporotic trabecular bone by bone ingrowth at the pore space, thereby enhancing the osseointegration and stability of the implants.

Symptomatic Complete Discoid Medial Meniscus Completely Coalesced With the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: a Case Report

Rationale: Complete discoid medial meniscus is an extremely rare abnormality of the knee joint whose meniscus has a discoid shape rather than a normal semilunar one. Several medial meniscus anomalies including anomalous insertion have been reported in the literature. This report presents a rare case of symptomatic complete discoid medial meniscus whose anterolateral (apical) portion was completely coalesced with the ACL. MRI, radiographic and arthroscopic findings in the medial compartment are to be submitted.Patient concerns and diagnoses: A 29-year-old male presented with intermittent pain and swelling of the right knee for 2 years. Based on radiographic, MRI and physical examination findings, he was diagnosed with discoid medial meniscus tears. Interventions and outcomes: Arthroscopic saucerization were performed for the torn discoid medial meniscus of the right knee. Arthroscopic examination revealed a complete discoid medial meniscus and the anterolateral (apical) portion of which was completely coalesced with the ACL. Careful Probing of the meniscal surface revealed there was a longitudinal tear extending from the tibial spine to the midportion of the meniscus. Arthroscopic saucerization of the discoid meniscus were performed After closely cutting the meniscus around the ACL. The patient reported a satisfactory results at the 12-month follow-up.Lessons: Complete discoid medial meniscus is an extremely rare abnormality, and this case presents the third complete discoid medial meniscus whose anterolateral (apical) portion was completely coalesced with the ACL. The current case we present strongly supports the theory that ACL and meniscus were differentiated from the same mesenchyme.

Pygidiapion De Sousa & Mermudes, a new genus of Apioninae (Brentidae: Apioninae: Apionini) associated with Fabaceae from Brazil, with the description of a new species and transfer of Apion zikani Heller, 1922

The genus Pygidiapion De Sousa & Mermudes gen. n., described and illustrated here, includes two species from Brazil: the type-species Pygidiapion zeppelinii De Sousa & Mermudes sp. n. (type-locality: João Pessoa, Paraiba state), which develops in flower buds of Pterocarpus violaceus Vogel (Fabaceae); and Pygidiapion zikani (Heller, 1922) comb. n. (from Apion) (type-locality: Passa Quatro, Minas Gerais state), which develops in flower buds of Dalbergia foliolosa Benth. (Fabaceae). Pygidiapion is defined by the following set of characters: rostrum of males with two elongate longitudinal and punctate latero-ventral sulci; hind wings with small radial window; hypomeral lobes divided by median suture and sternellum distinctly exposed; meso- and metatibiae mucronate; pygidium of the apionine incomplete type; and tegminal plate fused with basal piece. Pygidiapion zeppelinii is diagnosed by: meso- and metatibiae mucronate; pygidium distinctly modified, with deep transverse dorsal sulcus, medially deeper and rounded, and proximal marginal rim angulate (apical flange), corresponding to the distal margin, which is emarginate; tegminal plate fused to basal piece, apical portion of parameroid lobes weakly notched medially, each side of suprafenestral plate with five macrochaetae, fenestral width 1.25 times length, separated by about 3.2 times fenestral width, linea arquata visible, prostegium protruding medially, tegminal apodeme 0.76 as long as basal piece, with apex narrow and rounded. Pygidiapion zikani is distinguished from P. zeppelinii by smaller size; head, rostrum and antennae brownish; scutellum subquadrate; and by association with Dalbergia spp. (Fabaceae). Association principally with the papilionoid group of Fabaceae suggest allocation of the new taxon to the subtribe Oxystomatina.

A new genus and species of the family Dinglidae (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) in Burmese amber

A new genus and species of the family Dinglidae Szwedo & Drohojowska , 2020 (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha), Alloeopterus anomeotarsus, is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new genus is characterized by a simplified forewing venation with thick veins of R and M+Cu emerging separately from the wing base, a diffuse pterostigma close to termination of RA vein, reduced vein A1, veins M and Cu unbranched, a reduced clavus, a small hindwing with a costal margin and terminal R vein weakened in apical portion; a long first flagellomere, approximately 1.5 times as long as the second flagellomere and rhinaria with sensory pits on the apex of the pedicel and flagellomeres 5 and 6. The fossil increases our knowledge of the morphological variation that occurred during the evolution of Cretaceous Sternorrhynchia.

A review of Triops granarius (Lucas, 1864) sensu lato (Notostraca: Triopsidae) of southern Africa and Madagascar, with comments on the group

We review the current knowledge surrounding the Triops granarius morphological species group globally, and present a revision of the southern African T. granarius forms based on collections from southern Africa and Madagascar. We also provide comparisons with other material of T. granarius from outside this region. We revise the morphological descriptions of T. numidicus (Grube, 1865) and T. namaquensis (Richters, 1886) using modern standards, and resurrect T. sakalavus Nobili, 1905 from synonymy, using both morphological and molecular techniques. Morphological definitions focus primarily on the form of the apical portion of the thoracopod II endite. Differential diagnoses are presented for the three species, including characters that separate them from the other members with similar morphology. Furthermore, we treat T. dybowskii (Braem, 1893), T. orientalis (Tiwari, 1951), and T. mavliensis (Tiwari, 1951), which had been recently resurrected, as species inquirenda.

Dental enamel structure in long-nosed armadillos (Xenarthra: Dasypus) and its evolutionary implications

Most xenarthrans have a reduced and simplified dentition that lacks enamel. However, the presence of prismatic enamel has been recorded in the Eocene armadillos Utaetus buccatus (Euphractinae) and Astegotherium dichotomus (Astegotheriini). Among extant xenarthrans, the occurrence of enamel has been recognized only in the long-nosed armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus (Dasypodinae), but its microstructure has never been described. In this contribution, we analyse the enamel microstructure in deciduous and permanent teeth of four Dasypus species. In deciduous molariform teeth of some species, we identify an apical cap of vestigial enamel (without crystalline structure), interpreted as an amorphous ameloblastic secretion. In permanent teeth, a thin layer of true enamel is found in the apical portion of unworn molariforms. The enamel is prismatic in D. novemcinctus, but in Dasypus hybridus, Dasypus sabanicola and Dasypus punctatus it is prismless. Taking into account the Eocene species of armadillos, the ancestral condition of enamel in cingulates could have been more complex (as in other placentals) and undergone progressive reduction, as shown in the Dasypus lineage. In light of previous genetic and developmental studies, we review and briefly discuss the processes that can account for the reduction/loss of enamel in extant and extinct armadillos. The retention of enamel and the fact that this genus is the only living xenarthran with two functional generations of teeth support the early divergence of the Dasypus lineage among living cingulates. This is in agreement with morphological and molecular analyses.