Two's company, three's a crowd: co-occurring pollinators and parasite species in Breynia oblongifolia (Phyllanthaceae).

BACKGROUND: Obligate pollination mutualisms (OPMs) are specialized interactions in which female pollinators transport pollen between the male and female flowers of a single plant species and then lay eggs into those same flowers. The pollinator offspring hatch and feed upon some or all of the developing ovules pollinated by their mothers. Strong trait matching between plants and their pollinators in OPMs is expected to result in reciprocal partner specificity i.e., a single pollinator species using a single plant species and vice versa, and strict co-speciation. These issues have been studied extensively in figs and fig wasps, but little in the more recently discovered co-diversification of Epicephala moths and their Phyllanthaceae hosts. OPMs involving Epicephala moths are believed occur in approximately 500 species of Phyllanthaceae, making it the second largest OPM group after the Ficus radiation (> 750 species). In this study, we used a mixture of DNA barcoding, genital morphology and behavioral observations to determine the number of Epicephala moth species inhabiting the fruits of Breynia oblongifolia, their geographic distribution, pollinating behavior and phylogenetic relationships. RESULTS: We found that B. oblongifolia hosts two species of pollinator that co-occurred at all study sites, violating the assumption of reciprocal specificity. Male and female genital morphologies both differed considerably between the two moth species. In particular, females differed in the shape of their ovipositors, eggs and oviposition sites. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the two Epicephala spp. on B. oblongifolia likely co-exist due to a host switch. In addition, we discovered that Breynia fruits are also often inhabited by a third moth, an undescribed species of Herpystis, which is a non-pollinating seed parasite. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals new complexity in interactions between Phyllantheae and Epicephala pollinators and highlights that host switching, co-speciation and non-pollinating seed parasites can shape species interactions in OPMs. Our finding that co-occurring Epicephala species have contrasting oviposition modes parallels other studies and suggests that such traits are important in Epicephala species coexistence.

Response of Malpighia emarginata active germplasm bank accessions to Meloidogyne enterolobii parasitism.

Malpighia emarginata is cultivated in almost all Brazil and is considered an important agricultural crop. The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii has been described as a major threat to this crop, causing great production losses. Due to the scarcity of information about the severity of this parasite in M. emarginata plants in Brazil, this study investigated M. enterolobii resistance of ten M. emarginata genotypes from the active germplasm bank of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. The experiment was conducted adopting a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 11 x 2 x 5, where M. emarginata cuttings were inoculated with 10,000 eggs in a greenhouse. After 150 days, plants were evaluated for the following parameters: gall index, egg mass index, number of eggs per root system, number of eggs per gram of root, and reproduction factor. The accessions showed different responses depending on host x pathogen interaction, from susceptibility to moderate tolerance. Accessions 027-CMF and 031-CMF were considered tolerant to the nematode and could be of great value in new breeding programs for resistance to M. enterolobii infection.

A new species of gall midge associated with Diplopterys pubipetala (A.Juss.) Anderson and Davis (Malpighiaceae) from Altinópolis, São Paulo, Brazil.

Clinodiplosis bellum sp. nov. associated with Diplopterys pubipetala (A.Juss.) Anderson and Davis (Malpighiaceae) from Brazil are described. This is the first species of Clinodiplosis described to State of São Paulo and the first formal description of Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) as host plant of Cecidomyiidae species. Description and illustration of the Clinodiplosis bellum sp. nov. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are given.

A new species of gall midge associated with Diplopterys pubipetala (A.Juss.) Anderson and Davis (Malpighiaceae) from Altinópolis, São Paulo, Brazil / Nova espécie de galhador associado a Diplopterys pubipetala (A.Juss.) Anderson and Davis (Malpighiaceae) de Altinópolis, São Paulo, Brasil

Clinodiplosis bellum sp. nov. associated with Diplopterys pubipetala (A.Juss.) Anderson and Davis (Malpighiaceae) from Brazil are described. This is the first species of Clinodiplosis described to State of São Paulo and the first formal description of Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) as host plant of Cecidomyiidae species. Description and illustration of the Clinodiplosis bellum sp. nov. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are given.

Clinodiplosis bellum sp. nov. associada a Diplopterys pubipetala (A.Juss.) Anderson and Davis (Malpighiaceae) do Brasil é descrita. Esta é a primeira espécie de Clinodiplosis descrita para o Estado de São Paulo e a primeira descrição formal de Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) como planta hospedeira de uma espécie de Cecidomyiidae. Descrição e ilustrações de Clinodiplosis bellum sp. nov. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) são apresentadas.

Structure of floral galls of Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae) induced by Bruggmanniella byrsonimae (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) and their effects on host plants.

Galls are anomalies in plant development from parasitic origin, and affect cellular differentiation or growth of plants. This parasite-plant interaction occurs in many environments and typically in vegetative organs of plants. The existence of galls in reproductive organs and their effects on the host plant are seldom described in the literature. In this paper, we present a novel study of galls in plants of the neotropical region. Galls of Bruggmmaniella byrsonimae develop in the flower buds of Byrsonima sericea DC. (Malpighiaceae) and affect development of the reproductive organs and the reproductive effort of these plants. The sepals and petals show hypertrophy of parenchyma tissues after differentiation, and the stamens exhibit degeneration of the sporogenic tissue. The gynoecium is not entirely developed; ovary and ovules are often absent. Changes in vascular tissues are also frequent, which may indicate high demand for nutrient resources by the new tissues initiated by the larva. We compared the amount of inflorescences, galls and fruits to evaluate possible effects on host reproduction. The results suggest that the Cecidomyiidae galls in flower organs affect fruit set and the reproductive success of B. sericea.

A comparative study of aluminium and nutrient concentrations in mistletoes on aluminium-accumulating and non-accumulating hosts.

Mistletoes offer a unique model to study interactions among Al and nutrients in vascular plants, because they grow and reproduce on hosts with distinct Al uptake strategies. We investigated Al distribution and nutrient relations of mistletoes on Al-accumulating and non-accumulating hosts. We hypothesised that mistletoes would exhibit similar leaf nutrient and Al concentrations as their host plants, but a strong compartmentalisation of Al when growing on Al-accumulators. We measured concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn in leaves and Al in leaves, seeds and branches of Phthirusa ovata and Psittacanthus robustus infecting Miconia albicans, an Al-accumulator, and Ph. ovata infecting Byrsonima verbascifolia, a non-Al-accumulator. High leaf concentrations of Al in Ph. ovata only occurred while parasitizing the Al-accumulating host; there was no accumulation in branches or seeds. In P. robustus, large concentrations of Al were found in leaves, branches and seeds. Mistletoe seed viability and leaf nutrient concentrations were not affected by Al accumulation. Passive uptake of Al, Ca, Mg, Mn and Cu in mistletoes was evidenced by significant correlations between mistletoes and host leaf concentrations, but not of N, P and K. Al was retranslocated to different plant organs in P. robustus, whereas it was mostly restricted to leaves in Ph. ovata. We suggest that Al might have some specific function in P. robustus, which only parasitizes Al-accumulator hosts, while the host generalist Ph. ovata can be considered a facultative Al-accumulator.

New species of Chelonus (Microchelonus) Szépligeti, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) from Brazil.

Chelonus (Microchelonus) murici sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) is described in this work. It was reared from an unknown host in murici fruits, Byrsonima verbascifolia (L.) Rich. ex A. L. Juss. (Malpighiaceae), a species from the Brazilian savannah whose fruits are widely consumed by the population in northern Brazil. The adult of this new species is illustrated.

Detecção de sujidades leves e parasitas em polpas de acerola pasteurizadas comercializadas em Fortaleza, CE / Detection of light filth and parasites in pasteurized acerola pulp sold in Fortaleza, CE

As parasitoses constituem um grave problema de saúde pública no Brasil e em geral, são transmitidas por contato direto fecal-oral ou contaminação em alimentos ou em água e ambientes com condições sanitárias inadequadas. A qualidade das frutas constitui fator essencial no processamento das polpas, as quais devem ser sãs, limpas, isentas de matérias terrosas, de parasitas e de detritos de animais ou vegetais. Não podem conter fragmentos das partes não comestíveis das frutas, nem substâncias estranhas, observando-se também a ausência de sujidades, parasitas e larvas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a existência de parasitas e sujidades leves em polpas de frutas industrializadas e comercializadas em Fortaleza-CE, de acordo com os padrões estabelecidos na legislação em vigor...

New species of Chelonus (Microchelonus) Szépligeti, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) from Brazil / Nova espécie de Chelonus (Microchelonus) Szépligeti, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) do Brasil

Chelonus (Microchelonus) murici sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) is described in this work. It was reared from an unknown host in murici fruits, Byrsonima verbascifolia (L.) Rich. ex A. L. Juss. (Malpighiaceae), a species from the Brazilian savannah whose fruits are widely consumed by the population in northern Brazil. The adult of this new species is illustrated.

Chelonus (Microchelonus) murici sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) é descrita neste trabalho. Os espécimes foram obtidos de hospedeiros não conhecidos em frutos de murici, Byrsonima verbascifolia (L.) Rich. ex A. L. Juss. (Malpighiaceae), uma espécie vegetal do cerrado brasileiro, cujo fruto é muito consumido pelo povo do nordeste do Brasil. O adulto desta nova espécie é ilustrado.

Abundance and temporal distribution of Gonioterma exquisita Duckworth (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae, Stenomatinae) on Byrsonima pachyphylla Griseb. (Malpighiaceae) in the Brazilian Cerrado

The seasonal characteristics of the Cerrado region strongly influence food resource predictability and vegetal tissue nutritional content. The aims of this work were to record the abundance and temporal distribution of Gonioterma exquisita Duckworth, 1964 (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae) and its relation with phenological, physical, and chemical traits of the host plant Byrsonima pachyphylla Griseb. (Malpighiaceae). Four nutritional quality parameters were determined for new and mature leaves: gross protein and nitrogen content, dry matter, and in vitro digestibility. We inspected 200 plants per month, searching for G. exquisita caterpillars. About 35.8 percent of the 2,400 plants inspected presented caterpillars, with an abundance peak in the wet season. Caterpillar abundance was positively correlated with mature leaf availability, their food resource. Although mature leaves presented lower gross protein and nitrogen contents than new leaves, this difference was small during the abundance peak of G. exquisita.

As características sazonais da região do Cerrado influenciam fortemente a previsibilidade dos recursos alimentares no tempo e no espaço como também a qualidade nutricional dos tecidos vegetais. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram registrar a abundância e a distribuição temporal de Gonioterma exquisita Duckworth, 1964 (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae) e sua relação com aspectos fenológicos, físicos e químicos de sua planta hospedeira, Byrsonima pachyphylla Griseb. (Malpighiaceae). Quatro parâmetros nutricionais foram determinados para folhas novas e maduras: proteína bruta, conteúdo de Nitrogênio, matéria seca e digestibilidade in vitro. Inspecionamos, mensalmente, 200 plantas a procura de lagartas de G. exquisita. Das 2.400 plantas inspecionadas, 35.8 por cento apresentaram lagartas e seu pico de abundância ocorreu na estação chuvosa. A abundância de lagartas mostrou correlação positiva com a disponibilidade de folhas maduras, seu recurso alimentar. Embora as folhas maduras tenham apresentado taxas menores de proteína bruta e de Nitrogênio que as folhas novas, esta diferença foi muito pequena durante o pico de abundancia de G. exquisita.

Insetos fitófagos associados ao murici da praia, Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae), na Restinga de Jurubatiba (RJ) / Phytophagous insects associated with Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae) at Restinga de Jurubatiba (Rio de Janeiro State)

Este trabalho teve como objetivos descrever a composição de espécies de insetos fitófagos associados ao murici da praia, Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae), no Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (RJ, Brasil) e estudar sua distribuição, sua abundância e alguns aspectos de seu comportamento. Durante 14 meses, de abril de 2003 a maio de 2004, foram vistoriadas bimestralmente 120 plantas, enquanto observações sobre a entomofauna associada a essa planta vêm sendo feitas desde novembro de 2000. Foram encontradas, ao todo, 45 espécies de insetos associadas, sendo 20 de lepidópteros exofíticos, 17 de coleópteros exofíticos, quatro de minadores e quatro de galhadores. Lius sp. (Buprestidae), um besouro minador de folhas, foi a espécie mais abundante e freqüente em B. sericea, seguido pela lagarta Gonioterma indecora (Elachistidae). A comparação entre as lagartas de Lepidoptera associadas a B. sericea na restinga com outras espécies de Byrsonima do cerrado mostrou uma baixa similaridade de insetos destas com B. sericea e uma menor riqueza nesta espécie. Tanto as lagartas de Lepidoptera como os minadores apresentaram seu pico de abundância entre os meses de junho e agosto, precedendo o pico de plantas com folhas novas, enquanto a abundância dos besouros exofíticos aumentou simultaneamente ao brotamento de folhas novas. São discutidas as possíveis causas para os padrões de distribuição temporal observados, bem como descrições de aspectos ecológicos das principais espécies identificadas associadas a B. sericea.

This work aimed to investigate the composition, abundance and some behavioral aspects of phytophagous species associated with "murici da praia", Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae), in the National Park of Restinga de Jurubatiba, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. During 14 months, from April 2003 to May 2004, bimonthly surveys were conducted on 120 plants, while observations on B. sericea insects were made since November 2000. An overall of 45 associated insect species were found, being 20 exophytic lepidopteran caterpillars, 17 exophytic Coleoptera, four leaf miners and four galling species. Lius sp. (Buprestidae), a leaf miner beetle, was the most abundant and frequent species, followed by the caterpillar Gonioterma indecora (Elachistidae). A comparison between lepidopteran caterpillars on B. sericea in the restinga and other Byrsonima species of the cerrado vegetation showed low insect similarities between these and B. sericea, which also had the lowest species richness. Both caterpillars and leaf miners abundance peaked between June and August, prior to the leaf flush, while the abundance of exophytic Coleoptera immatures increased simultaneously with leaf production. Possible explanations for the temporal distribution patterns of insects on B. sericea are discussed and a brief description of the ecological aspects is given for the main identified phytophagous insect species.

Adaptation in the asexual false spider mite Brevipalpus phoenicis: evidence for frozen niche variation.

Because asexual species lack recombination, they have little opportunity to produce genetically variable offspring and cannot adapt to changes in their environment. However, a number of asexual species are very successful and appear to contradict this general view. One such species is the phytophagous mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), a species that is found in a wide range of environments. There are two general explanations for this pattern, the General Purpose Genotype (GPG) and Frozen Niche Variation (FNV). According to the GPG model, an asexual species consists of clones that can all survive and reproduce in all the different niches. Alternatively, the FNV model postulates that different clones are specialized to different niches. We have performed a test to distinguish between these models in B. phoenicis. Mites from three populations from three different host plant species (citrus, hibiscus and acerola) were transplanted to their own and the two alternative host plants and mite survival and egg production were measured. Additionally, the mite populations were genotyped using microsatellites. Fitness was seriously reduced when mites were transplanted to the alternative host plant species, except when the alternative host was acerola. We concluded that B. phoenicis clones are specialized to different niches and thus the FNV best describes the broad ecological niche of this species but that there is also some evidence for host plant generalization. This conclusion was strengthened by the observations that on each host plant species the native mite population performed better than the introduced ones, and that three microsatellite markers showed that the mite populations are genetically distinct.