Oviposition preference of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) at different times after pruning 'Italia' table grapes grown in Brazil.

Studies investigating oviposition preference of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) in table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivated in the São Francisco River Valley can provide important information to guide control measures, therefore minimizing damage caused by this species in the region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oviposition preference of C. capitata females for berries cv. 'Italia' collected at five different times (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 d after production pruning [DAPP]), representing five grapevine growth stages. We also assessed the performance of immature stages of C. capitata regarding the physiological development of the berry. The total soluble solid content was significantly higher in berries at more advanced physiological developmental stages (90 and 100 DAPP). Conversely, these berries showed the lowest values of firmness and titratable acidity. With the onset of physiological development, the average number of punctures per berry increased and reached 5.2 per berry in 100 DAPP berries. The infestation level and pupal weight showed a positive correlation with the growth stage. The highest recovery of pupae was observed in 100 DAPP berries (1.54). Pupal viability values ranged from 50.9 to 64.7% independent of berry maturity stage. The physiological developmental stage of the berry did not affect offspring sex ratio. Results obtained suggest that regardless of the female preference for laying eggs on berries in a more advanced physiological developmental stage, females can initiate the attack to bunches of this cultivar at 60 DAPP, even if the berries have unfavorable physicochemical parameters for oviposition and development of larvae.

Genetic Characterization of Some Neoponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Populations Within the foetida Species Complex.

The foetida species complex comprises 13 Neotropical species in the ant genus Neoponera. Neoponera villosa Fabricius (1804) , Neoponera inversa Smith (1858), Neoponera bactronica Fernandes, Oliveira & Delabie (2013), and Neoponera curvinodis (Forel, 1899) have had an ambiguous taxonomic status for more than two decades. In southern Bahia, Brazil, these four species are frequently found in sympatry. Here we used Bayesian Inference and maximum likelihood analyses of COI and 16S mtDNA sequence data and conventional cytogenetic data together with observations on morphology to characterize sympatric populations of N. villosa, N. inversa, N. bactronica, and N. curvinodis. Our results showed marked differences in the karyotype of these ants. Both N. curvinodis and N. inversa have chromosome number of 2n = 30. Their chromosome composition, however, is distinct, which indicates that N. curvinodis is more closely related to N. bactronica. These four species clustered into three distinct groups. The close relationship between N. bactronica and N. curvinodis deserves further investigation since it has not been fully resolved here. Our results confirm that N. inversa, N. villosa, N. bactronica + N. curvinodis indeed represent four distinct taxa within the foetida species complex.

On the identity of Adelophryne pachydactyla Hoogmoed, Borges, and Cascon, 1994 (Brachycephaloidea: Eleutherodactylidae).

The use of molecular data for documenting biodiversity has become more common over time as larger datasets can be generated faster. Nevertheless, studies addressing phenotypical data have not become as common. As a collateral effect, many samples used in molecular studies are assigned to a species without checking phenomic characters of the vouchers. Correct specific assignment is paramount for any biological hypothesis. A recent review of Phyzelaphryninae, while producing interesting results, has not specified how some vouchers used in molecular analyses were assigned to each species. Using new sequences from fresh material collected in Southern Bahia, we re-identify Adelophryne specimens based on molecular and morphological grounds. This new taxonomic understanding clarifies the phylogenetic position of A. pachydactyla and highlights a more parsimonious explanation for the evolution of a morphological character-the reduction of a phalange on Finger IV-within Adelophryne.

Not endemic after all: Imparipecten Freeman, 1961 (Diptera: Chironomidae) described from the Neotropical Region.

Imparipecten, a previously monotypic genus, was considered endemic to Australia. Here, we report Imparipecten from the Neotropical region for the first time and describe Imparipecten sychnacanthus sp. n. from Brazil. The association between larvae and adults was established by sequencing a fragment of one ribosomal gene (28S), two fragments of a nuclear protein-coding gene (CAD1 and CAD4), and one mitochondrial protein-coding gene (COI). We also show the close molecular proximity with Imparipecten pictipes through analyses of genetic distances and Bayesian phylogenetics.

Genetic structure and diversity in Brazilian populations of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), the West Indian fruit fly, is one of the most economically important pest species in the Neotropical region. It infests an extensive range of host plants that include over 60 species. The geographic range of A. obliqua is from northern Mexico to southern Brazil and includes the Caribbean Islands. Previous molecular studies have revealed significant genetic structure among populations. We used sequences from a fragment of the mitochondrial protein-coding gene cytochrome c oxidase I to estimate structure and genetic diversity of A. obliqua populations from Brazil. We analyzed a total of 153 specimens from the Amazon Forest, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga biomes. Our study revealed weak genetic structure among the A. obliqua Brazilian populations sampled. Collections from the Amazon Forest had similar haplotype diversity compared to previously reported estimates for collections from the Caribbean and both populations are also closely related to each other, thus challenging the hypothesis that A. obliqua originated in the Caribbean and then moved to other regions of the Americas. Therefore, further evidence is necessary to draw a definite conclusion about the putative center of origin for A. obliqua. Additionally, we suggest a putative historical migration from the west to the east for the A. obliqua Brazilian populations, which could explain the high genetic diversity for this fly in the Amazon Forest and low genetic diversity in the other Brazilian biomes.

Phylogeography and population diversity of Simulium hirtipupa Lutz (Diptera: Simuliidae) based on mitochondrial COI sequences.

High morphological homogeneity and cryptic speciation may cause the diversity within Simuliidae to be underestimated. Recent molecular studies on population genetics and phylogeography have contributed to reveal which factors influenced the diversity within this group. This study aimed at examining the genetic diversity of Simulium hirtipupa Lutz, 1910 in populations from the biomes Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest. In this study, we carried out phylogeographic and population genetic analyses using a fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI. The 19 populations studied were clustered into seven groups, most of which are associated with geography indicating certain genetic structure. The northern region of the state of Minas Gerais is most likely the center of origin of this species. The average intergroup genetic distance was 3.7%, indicating the presence of cryptic species. The species tree as well as the haplotype network recovered all groups forming two major groups: the first comprises groups Gr-Bahia (in which the São Francisco river has not acted as geographical barrier), Gr-Pernambuco, and Gr-Mato Grosso do Sul. The second included groups comprising populations of the states of Goiás, Tocantins, Minas Gerais, Bahia, São Paulo, and Espírito Santo. The mismatch distribution for groups was consistent with the model of demographic expansion, except for the Gr-Central-East_1 group. The diversification in this group occurred about 1.19 Mya during the Pleistocene, influenced by paleoclimatic oscillations during the Quaternary glacial cycles.

Recent Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) infestations in Florida--a genetic perspective.

Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability data were used to study infestations of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) in Florida in 1997 and 1998. A total of 132 flies collected in monitoring traps or as larvae removed from fruit were examined at three polymorphic mtDNA restriction sites and two microsatellite loci. All of the flies sampled in Florida in 1997 displayed the mitochondrial AAB haplotype and represent a novel introduction of Mediterranean fruit flies into the state. All flies collected in central Florida in 1998 also displayed the AAB haplotype. Microsatellite analysis of these specimens from 1998 detected only alleles that were present in 1997. These results strongly indicate that the 1998 Florida outbreaks were derived from the Florida populations from the previous year. According to our analyses, the Mediterranean region is the most likely source for the 1997 Florida infestation. Flies from a small outbreak in Miami Springs, Dade County, FL, early in 1998 had a different mtDNA haplotype, characterized by the AAC restriction pattern. Microsatellites of these specimens showed significant differences in their allelic distribution from AAB flies, indicating an origin from a separate source population. South America is the most likely source for the Miami Springs flies.

Diversity of Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) and associated braconid parasitoids from native and exotic hosts in southeastern Bahia, Brazil.

We documented fruit fly-host associations and infestation rates over 5 yr in the state of Bahia, Brazil, by systematically collecting native and introduced fruits in backyard and commercial orchards, experimental stations, and patches of native vegetation. Fruit were collected in multiple sites in the southern and southernmost regions of Bahia. A total of 942.22 kg from 27 fruit species in 15 plant families was collected throughout this study. Of these, 15 plant species from six families were infested by Anastrepha species. A total of 11,614 fruit flies was reared from the fruit (5,178 females and 6,436 males). No specimens of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) were recovered. Eleven Anastrepha species were recovered from the collected fruit: Anastrepha antunesi Lima (0.04%), Anastrepha distincta Greene (0.1%), Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (53.5%), Anastrepha leptozona Hendel (4.5%), Anastrepha manihoti Lima (0.1%), Anastrepha montei Lima (1.0%), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (33.0%), Anastrepha pickeli Lima (2.0%), Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) (1.0%), Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi (3.0%), and Anastrepha zenildae Zucchi (1.8%). We recovered 1,265 parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Anastrepha pupae. Three species of braconids were found to parasitize larvae of nine Anastrepha species. The most common parasitoid species recovered was Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (81.7%), followed by Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) (12.2%) and Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck) (6.1%). We report A. fraterculus infesting Malay apple Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry and A. fraterculus, A. sororcula, and A. zenildae infesting araza Eugenia stipitata McVaugh for the first time in Brazil.

Faunistic analysis of Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) on a guava orchard under organic management in the municipality of Una, Bahia, Brazil.

We carried out a study to characterize fruit fly populations on an organic guava orchard (Psidium guajava cv. Paluma) in the municipality of Una, southern region of the state of Bahia, Brazil, using faunistic analysis of the adult fruit fly specimens captured in McPhail traps from January 2004 through March 2007. A total of 22,673 specimens of Anastrepha (15,306 females and 7,367 males) were captured. Thirteen species of Anastrepha were recorded. A. fraterculus and A. obliqua were the more frequent and dominant species, accounting for 90.1% of all females captured in the traps. A. fraterculus was the predominant species (more frequent, constant and dominant). The high value of the Simpson index (0.62) and the low values of Shannon-Wiener (0.83) and equitability (0.49) indices indicated the dominance and high frequency of A. fraterculus and A. obliqua on the guava orchard despite the presence of other fruit species as potential hosts of fruit flies.

Karyotype, heterochromatin distribution and meiosis of Zabrotes subfasciatus (Bohemann) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae).

Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boh.) has been extensively studied in its agronomic and biochemical aspects due to its importance as a damaging insect to leguminous grains during storage. The few cytogenetic studies published on this species yielded conflicting results. In this study, the karyotype was analyzed in order to accurately describe the chromosome C-banding patterns and meiosis. The brain ganglion at the prepupa and the adult and pupal testes were analyzed. All individuals had 26 chromosomes in both brain ganglion and spermatogonic mitotic metaphases. These chromosomes were classified as follows: the 12th pair and the Y chromosome were telocentric; the X chromosome was acrocentric; the 4th and 5th pairs were submetacentric; and the remaining pairs were all metacentric. One of the members of the 5th pair presented a secondary constriction. All chromosomes presented pericentromeric heterochromatin. The large arms of the pairs 5, 9 and X presented heterochromatin. The X chromosome showed to be heteropyknotic throughout the prophase of the first meiotic division. The subphases of prophase I were atypical and meiosis II was rarely identified. Testes of all males showed a few cells; the bivalents were rod-like shaped in metaphase I. Karyological formulae were 2n = 24 + XX in females and 2n = 24 + XYp and either n = 12 + X or n = 12 + Y in males.

Faunistic analysis of Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) on a guava orchard under organic management in the municipality of Una, Bahia, Brazil / Análise faunística de Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) em um pomar de goiaba sob manejo orgânico, no município de Una, BA

We carried out a study to characterize fruit fly populations on an organic guava orchard (Psidium guajava cv. Paluma) in the municipality of Una, southern region of the state of Bahia, Brazil, using faunistic analysis of the adult fruit fly specimens captured in McPhail traps from January 2004 through March 2007. A total of 22,673 specimens of Anastrepha (15,306 females and 7,367 males) were captured. Thirteen species of Anastrepha were recorded. A. fraterculus and A. obliqua were the more frequent and dominant species, accounting for 90.1 percent of all females captured in the traps. A. fraterculus was the predominant species (more frequent, constant and dominant). The high value of the Simpson index (0.62) and the low values of Shannon-Wiener (0.83) and equitability (0.49) indices indicated the dominance and high frequency of A. fraterculus and A. obliqua on the guava orchard despite the presence of other fruit species as potential hosts of fruit flies.

Foi realizado estudo para caracterizar as populações de moscas-das-frutas em pomar orgânico de goiaba (Psidium guajava cv. Paluma) no município de Una, Sul da Bahia, por meio da análise faunística dos espécimes capturados em armadilhas McPhail de janeiro de 2004 a março de 2007. Foram capturados 22.673 espécimes de Anastrepha (15.306 fêmeas e 7.367 machos). Treze espécies de Anastrepha foram registradas. A. fraterculus e A. obliqua foram as mais frequentes e dominantes, perfazendo 90,1 por cento de todos as fêmeas capturadas nas armadilhas. A. fraterculus foi a espécie predominante (mais frequente, constante e dominante). O alto valor do índice de Simpson (0,62) e os baixos valores dos índices de Shannon-Wiener (0,83) e equitabilidade (0,49) indicaram a dominância e a alta frequência de A. fraterculus e A. obliqua no pomar de goiaba, mesmo na presença de outras espécies frutíferas potencialmente hospedeiras de moscas-das-frutas.

Karyotype, heterochromatin distribution and meiosis of Zabrotes subfasciatus (Bohemann) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) / Cariótipo, distribuição da heterocromatina e meiose de Zabrotes subfasciatus (Bohemann) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae)

Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boh.) é estudada intensivamente em termos agronômicos e bioquímicos por causar danos aos grãos de leguminosas armazenados. No entanto, os dados publicados sobre o seu cariótipo são escassos e conflitantes. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o cariótipo e a meiose desse inseto e analisar o padrão de bandas-C de seus cromossomos. Foram analisados os gânglios cerebrais de pré-pupas e os testículos de adultos e pupas com adaptação de uma técnica que permitiu boa qualidade de preparo dos cromossomos dessa espécie. Todos os indivíduos apresentaram 26 cromossomos nas metáfases mitóticas. Esses cromossomos foram classificados em: acrocêntricos (cromossomo X); submetacêntricos (pares 4 e 5); subtelocêntricos (par 12 e cromossomo y); metacêntricos (demais pares). O cromossomo 5 apresentou uma constrição secundária. Todos os cromossomos apresentaram heterocromatina próximo ao centrômero e os cromossomos 5, 9 e X, nos braços longos. O cromossomo X mostrou-se heteropicnótico durante toda a prófase da primeira divisão meiótica. As subfases da prófase I foram pouco distintas e a meiose II de difícil identificação. Os testículos de todos os machos apresentaram poucas células. Os bivalentes apresentaram a forma de bastão na metáfase I. O seu cariótipo constitui-se de 26 cromossomos, sendo as fórmulas cariotípicas 2n = 24 + XX nas fêmeas e 2n = 24 + Xyp e n = 12 + X ou n = 12 + y nos machos.

Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boh.) has been extensively studied in its agronomic and biochemical aspects due to its importance as a damaging insect to leguminous grains during storage. The few cytogenetic studies published on this species yielded conflicting results. In this study, the karyotype was analyzed in order to accurately describe the chromosome C-banding patterns and meiosis. The brain ganglion at the prepupa and the adult and pupal testes were analyzed. All individuals had 26 chromosomes in both brain ganglion and spermatogonic mitotic metaphases. These chromosomes were classified as follows: the 12th pair and the Y chromosome were telocentric; the X chromosome was acrocentric; the 4th and 5th pairs were submetacentric; and the remaining pairs were all metacentric. One of the members of the 5th pair presented a secondary constriction. All chromosomes presented pericentromeric heterochromatin. The large arms of the pairs 5, 9 and X presented heterochromatin. The X chromosome showed to be heteropyknotic throughout the prophase of the first meiotic division. The subphases of prophase I were atypical and meiosis II was rarely identified. Testes of all males showed a few cells; the bivalents were rod-like shaped in metaphase I. Karyological formulae were 2n = 24 + XX in females and 2n = 24 + XYp and either n = 12 + X or n = 12 + Y in males.

Phylogenetic Relationships Among Species of the fraterculus Group (Anastrepha: Diptera: Tephritidae) Inferred from DNA Sequences of Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I / Relações Filogenéticas Entre Espécies de Anastrepha do Grupo fraterculus (Diptera; Tephritidae) Através do Sequenciamento do Gene Mitocondrial COI

Foi analisado um fragmento de 808 pares de base do gene mitocondrial citocromo oxidase I (COI) para 15 espécies de Anastrepha: 12 pertencentes ao grupo fraterculus, uma espécie sem grupo definido e duas como grupo externo. As relações filogenéticas entre os táxons incluídos foram inferidas pelos métodos de "neighbor-joining" e máxima parcimônia. A distância genética média (Jukes-Cantor) entre as espécies foi 0,033 ± 0,006, tendo o nível de divergência das seqüências variado de 0,0 a 0,083. Os resultados do estudo com o COI indicaram a inclusão de A. acris Stone, espécie sem grupo morfologicamente definido, no grupo fraterculus. A inclusão de A. barbiellinii Lima no grupo fraterculus e a monifilia do referido grupo são também discutidas. Além disso, a presença de múltiplos conjuntos gênicos na espécie nominal A. fraterculus (Wiedemann) e a não-monofilia de A.fraterculus são corroboradas pelos dados obtidos no presente estudo. As espécies A. amita Zucchi, A. turpiniae Stone e A. zenildae Zucchi foram analisadas geneticamente pela primeira vez.

A fragment of 808 base pairs within the mtDNA gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) was analyzed for 15 species of Anastrepha: 12 within the fraterculus group, one unplaced species and two outgroups. Phylogenetic relationships among the included taxa were inferred using neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony methods. The average Jukes-Cantor genetic distance among the species was 0.033±0.006 and the level of sequence divergence ranged from 0.0 to 0.083. Our results of COI indicate the placement of A. acris Stone, an unplaced species, in the fraterculus group. The membership of A. barbiellinii Lima in the fraterculus group and the monophyly of the aforementioned group are also discussed. Moreover, the presence of multiple gene pools in the nominal species A. fraterculus (Wiedemann) and the nonmonophyly of A. fraterculus are corroborated by data obtained in our study. The species A. amita Zucchi, A. turpiniae Stone and A. zenildae Zucchi were genetically studied for the first time.