Tempo and mode in coevolution of Agave sensu lato (Agavoideae, Asparagaceae) and its bat pollinators, Glossophaginae (Phyllostomidae).

The genus Agave sensu lato contains ca. 211 described species, many of which are considered keystone species because of their ecological dominance and the quantity of resources they provide with their massive, nectar-rich inflorescences. The large diversity of Agave species has been hypothesized as being related to their reproductive strategy (predominantly monocarpic) and diverse pollinators (e.g., bats, hummingbirds, hawkmoths). In particular, Agave species provide resources that a few genera of nectar feeding bats from the subfamily Glosophaginae are dependent upon. To explore a possible coevolutionary relationship between Agave and the bat species that pollinate them, we calibrated molecular phylogenies of both groups and looked for a correlation in their dates of divergence. One coding and two non-coding regions of the chloroplast genome were sequenced from 49 species of the Agavoideae (Asparagaceae), and the mitochondrial gene Cyt-b and nuclear coding gene RAG2 were either sequenced or obtained from gene bank for 120 Phyllostomid bats. Results from the analyses indicate that Agave sensu lato is a young genus (estimated crown age 2.7-8.5/stem age 4.6-12.3 Ma), with an increasing diversification rate, and the highest speciation rate among Agavoideae's clades. The origin of the Glossophaginae bats (stem age 20.3-23.5 Ma) occurred prior to the stem age of Agave sensu lato, while the origin of the current pollinators of Agave species, members of the genera Glossophaga, Leptonycteris, Anoura, Choeronyscus, Musonycteris and Choeronycteris, was estimated to be around 6.3-16.2 Ma, overlapping with the stem age of Agave sensu lato, supporting the hypothesis of diffuse coevolution.

Morphological and molecular characterization of a new succulenticolous Physarum (Myxomycetes, Amoebozoa) with unique polygonal spores linked in chains.

A new plasmodiocarpic and sporocarpic species of myxomycete in the genus Physarum is described and illustrated. This new species appeared on decayed leaves and remains of succulent plants (Agave, Opuntia, Yucca) growing in arid zones. It differs from all other species in the genus in having polyhedral spores linked in chains like a string of beads, a unique feature within all known myxomycetes. Apart from detailed morphological data, partial sequences of both the small-subunit ribosomal RNA and elongation factor 1-alpha genes, generated from four isolates collected in two distant regions, i.e., Mexico and Canary Islands, are also provided in this study. Combined evidence supports the identity of the specimens under study as a new species.

From the Worm in a Bottle of Mezcal: iDNA Confirmation of a Leech Parasitizing the Antillean Manatee.

Invertebrate-derived ingested DNA (iDNA) is quickly proving to be a valuable, non-invasive tool for monitoring vertebrate species of conservation concern. Using the DNA barcoding locus, we successfully identified both the blood-feeding leech Haementeria acuecueyetzin and its blood meal-the latter is shown to be derived from the Caribbean manatee, Trichechus manatus . DNA amplification was successful despite the fact that the specimen was fixed in Mezcal (a beverage distilled from agave). We report the first confirmed case of a leech feeding on a manatee, the first record of H. acuecueyetzin for the State of Chiapas and, to our knowledge, the first case of successful DNA amplification of a biological sample fixed in Mezcal other than the caterpillar "worms" more commonly found in that beverage.

Descripción de las larvas de tercer instar de Melolonthidae (Coleoptera) asociadas al cultivo de Agave tequilana var. Azul y su fluctuación poblacional en Jalisco, México / Description of Melolonthidae (Coleoptera) third instar larvae associated to Agave tequilana var. Azul and their population fluctuation in Jalisco, Mexico

Third instars of white grubs of six species associated to agave tequilero in Jalisco, México were described from 1,145 specimens collected from soil samples from September 2006 to August 2007, in the municipalities of Ixtlahuacán del Río, Tepatitlán de Morelos and San Juan de Escobedo, Jalisco, México. Diagnostic characters were illustrated and a key was also included. Cyclocephala comata (Bates) was the most abundant species (63.2 percent), followed by Phyllophaga ravida (Blanchard) (21.9 percent), Phyllophaga polyphylla (Bates) (9.4 percent), Phyllophaga misteca (Bates) (4.1 percent), Strategus aloeus (L.) (1.1 percent) and Anomala hoepfneri (Bates) (0.3 percent). Phyllophaga ravida and A. hoepfneri are reported for the first time on the agave plant and the latter is a new record for the State of Jalisco. All Melolonthidae species showed a marked seasonality with lower number of larvae in June 2007 and high number in August 2007, which is associated with the region's rainy season and the agave plant age, respectively.

Se describen las larvas de tercer instar de seis especies de gallinas ciegas asociadas al cultivo de agave tequilero en el estado de Jalisco, México, con base en 1,145 especimenes, de muestras de suelo, colectados de Septiembre de 2006 a Agosto de 2007, en los municipios de Ixtlahuacán del Río, Tepatitlán de Morelos y San Juan de Escobedo, Jalisco, México. Se incluyen ilustraciones diagnósticas y una clave para el reconocimiento de las especies. Cyclocephala comata (Bates) fue la especie más abundante (63.2 por ciento), seguida por Phyllophaga ravida (Blanchard) (21.9 por ciento), Phyllophaga polyphylla (Bates) (9.4 por ciento), Phyllophaga misteca (Bates) (4.1 por ciento), Strategus aloeus (L.) (1.1 por ciento) y Anomala hoepfneri (Bates) (0.3 por ciento). Phyllophaga ravida y A. hoepfneri se reportan por primera vez asociadas al agave tequilero y esta última es nuevo registro para el estado de Jalisco. Las especies de melolóntidos presentaron una marcada estacionalidad, con un más bajo número de larvas en Junio de 2007 y mayor en el mes de Agosto de 2007, lo que coincidió con el periodo de lluvias en la región y edad de las plantas, respectivamente.

[Description of Melolonthidae (Coleoptera) third instar larvae associated to Agave tequilana var. Azul and their population fluctuation in Jalisco, Mexico]. / Descripción de las larvas de tercer instar de Melolonthidae (Coleoptera) asociadas al cultivo de Agave tequilana var. Azul y su fluctuación poblacional en Jalisco, México.

Third instars of white grubs of six species associated to agave tequilero in Jalisco, México were described from 1,145 specimens collected from soil samples from September 2006 to August 2007, in the municipalities of Ixtlahuacán del Río, Tepatitlán de Morelos and San Juan de Escobedo, Jalisco, México. Diagnostic characters were illustrated and a key was also included. Cyclocephala comata (Bates) was the most abundant species (63.2%), followed by Phyllophaga ravida (Blanchard) (21.9%), Phyllophaga polyphylla (Bates) (9.4%), Phyllophaga misteca (Bates) (4.1%), Strategus aloeus (L.) (1.1%) and Anomala hoepfneri (Bates) (0.3%). Phyllophaga ravida and A. hoepfneri are reported for the first time on the agave plant and the latter is a new record for the State of Jalisco. All Melolonthidae species showed a marked seasonality with lower number of larvae in June 2007 and high number in August 2007, which is associated with the region's rainy season and the agave plant age, respectively.