Diversity of insect galls from Mato Grosso State, Brazil: Cerrado / Diversidade de galhas de insetos do Estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil: Cerrado

The Midwest region of Brazil possesses large areas dominated by the Cerrado that is poorly known concerning insect gall and their interactions. In this study, we inventory the gall morphology, host plants, and the gall makers from Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso State, in areas of natural vegetation from Cerrado, for the first time. Samplings occurred in two expeditions, July 2012 and January 2013. We characterized 295 morphotypes of insect galls in 140 host plant species, with 89 gall makers; the richest family in host plants was Fabaceae (16.7%), and the species was Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand (Burseraceae, 3.7%). Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães is the richest Brazilian cerrado area in gall morphotypes (295) and the second in average morphotypes/host plant species (2.1). Additionally, six genera and 38 species are new records as host plants; two of them, Bernardia similis Pax and K.Hoffm and Ormosia macrophylla Benth., are new occurrences for Mato Grosso State, and other two, Vochysia petraea Warm. and Talisia subalbens (Mart.) Radlk. are listed in the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN. This inventory data represents a testimony of insect-plant interactions in a Brazilian Cerrado area that was consumed by an unprecedented fire in the dry season of 2020.

A região Centro-Oeste do Brasil possui grandes áreas dominadas pelo Cerrado nas quais insetos e suas interações são pouco conhecidos. Neste estudo, fizemos o inventário de galhas, plantas hospedeiras e galhadores do Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, uma área de vegetação natural de Cerrado. As amostragens foram realizadas em duas expedições, em julho de 2012 e janeiro de 2013. Caracterizamos 295 morfotipos de galhas de insetos em 140 espécies de plantas hospedeiras; com identificação de 89 galhadores; a família de plantas com maior número de espécies hospedeiras de galhas foi Fabaceae (16,7%) e a espécie com maior número de galhas, Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand (Burseraceae, 3,7%). Esta é a área mais rica em morfotipos de galhas do cerrado brasileiro (295) e a segunda na média de morfotipos/espécie de planta hospedeira (2,1). Além disso, seis gêneros e 38 espécies são registros novos de ocorrência de plantas hospedeiras para galhas de insetos; duas delas, Bernardia similis Pax and K.Hoffm and Ormosia macrophylla Benth., são registros novos para o Estado do Mato Grosso e outras duas, Vochysia petraea Warm. and Talisia subalbens (Mart.) Radlk. estão listadas na Lista Vermelha de Espécies Ameaçadas IUCN. Os dados desse inventário representam um testemunho das interações inseto-planta para o Cerrado no Brasil, em uma área que foi consumida por um incêndio sem precedentes na estação seca de 2020.

Diversity of insect galls from Mato Grosso State, Brazil: North Pantanal / Diversidade de galhas de insetos do Estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil: Pantanal Norte

Abstract: The Pantanal Biome occupies 20% of the Brazilian territory extending its distribution over two Brazilian States, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. This Biome is one of Brazil's poorly known regions concerning insect gall and their interactions with host plants. In this study, we characterized for the first time the gall morphology, identified host plants and the gall makers from an area of Brazilian wetlands from Mato Grosso State, known as Pantanal Matogrossense. We sampled Pantanal Biome areas in Poconé municipality, along the Transpantaneira Road, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, in two expeditions, July 2012 and January 2013, with a total effort of 2 hours. We characterized 91 morphotypes of insect galls in 54 host plant species; 28 gall makers in 24 host plant species; the richest host plant families are Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Sapindaceae. Psidium guineense Sw. is the super host species. This area in Pantanal Matogrossense is the second in the richness of gall morphotypes (N=91) and average morphotypes/plant species (1.7), comparing phytophysiognomies. Additionally, 15 plant species are new record as host in galler-host plant interaction in the world. This number represents 30% of the total of host plant species sampled in Poconé. This inventory is new knowledge to the Pantanal Matogrossense and representing a unique testimony of insect-plant interactions consumed by the unprecedented fire that occurred in Pantanal Biome in the dry season of 2020.

Resumo: O Bioma Pantanal ocupa 20% do território brasileiro estendendo sua distribuição sobre dois Estados brasileiros, Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul. Esta é uma das regiões menos estudadas do Brasil com relação aos insetos e suas interações. Neste estudo, caracterizamos pela primeira vez a morfologia de galhas, identificamos plantas hospedeiras e galhadores em áreas do Pantanal Norte, conhecido como Pantanal Matogrossense. As amostragens foram feitas em áreas do Bioma Pantanal, no município de Poconé, ao longo da Estrada Transpantaneira, Mato Grosso, Brasil em duas expedições, julho de 2012 e janeiro de 2013. Caracterizamos 91 morfotipos de galhas entomógenas em 54 espécies de plantas hospedeiras; identificamos 28 galhadores em 24 espécies de plantas hospedeiras; as famílias de plantas hospedeiras mais ricas em galhas são Fabaceae, Myrtaceae e Sapindaceae. Psidium guineense Sw. é a espécie superhospedeira. Esta área no Pantanal Matogrossense é a segunda tanto em riqueza de morfotipos de galhas (N=91) quanto na média de morfotipos por espécie de planta hospedeira (1,7), em fitofisionomias comparáveis. Além disso, 15 espécies de plantas são novos registros como hospedeiras para galhas de insetos no mundo. Esse número representa 30% do total de plantas amostradas em Poconé. Todos os dados deste inventário são conhecimentos novos para o Pantanal Mato-grossense e para o estado do Mato Grosso, representando um testemunho único das interações inseto-planta que foram consumidas pelo fogo sem precedentes ocorrido no Bioma Pantanal em sua estação seca de 2020.

[Accidental intoxication by outdoor and garden plants : Data from two German poison centres]. / Akzidentelle Vergiftungen mit Gartenpflanzen und Pflanzen in der freien Natur : Daten aus zwei deutschen Giftinformationszentren.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Accidental exposure of children to plants occurs often and results in numerous calls to poison centres. The aim of this study was to identify outdoor plants that led to moderate or severe poisoning after accidental exposure and to identify patterns of paediatric plant exposures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human exposure data on accidental exposures provided by two German poison centres were retrospectively evaluated regarding the number and the routes of exposure. Special attention was turned to the kind and severity of symptoms. Based on these data a modified Litovitz factor was calculated. RESULTS: Out of 42,344 confirmed exposures to 227 plant species, 39,346 (93%) were asymptomatic, 2415 (5.7%) experienced minor, 580 (1.3%) moderate and 3 (0.007%) severe symptoms. Twenty-six plant genera were responsible for 70% of all exposures. Only eight of these plants (Arum spec., Laburnum anagyroides, Narcissus spec., Phaseolus vulgaris/coccineus, Prunus laurocerasus, Sambucus spec., Taxus baccata, Thuja spec.) led to at least moderate symptoms. Accidental exposure of children aged 0.5-5 years was mainly by oral ingestion (98%) and involved mostly fruits (60%). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure data collected by poison centres are very useful for hazard identification of outdoor plants. The data give a comprehensive overview of observed symptoms, which offers valuable instruments for use in clinical practice.

Characterization of entomogen galls from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT In this paper we performed a study of occurrence and characterization of entomogen galls from natural vegetation areas in Mato Grosso do Sul. We surveyed natural areas of four biomes from Mato Grosso do Sul State: Pantanal (Corumbá), Atlantic Forest (Bodoquena), Cerrado (Aquidauana), and Chaco (Porto Murtinho). We identified 186 morphotypes of galls in 115 host plant species from 35 families and 73 genera. The richest families were Fabaceae (N = 34), Sapindaceae (N = 24), Bignoniaceae (N = 17), and Myrtaceae (N = 15). Fifty morphotypes of insects (27%) were found in galls of 38 host plants, 78% of which belongs to Diptera, 10% to Hymenoptera, and the other 12% are divided among Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera. In this study, the geographic distribution of gall morphotypes associated to the cecidomyiids Youngomyia pouteriae Maia, 2004, and Trotteria quadridentata Maia, 2004 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae), and the wasp Mononeuron duguetiae Fischer, 1981 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Doryctinae) are expanded to the localities sampled in MS. In addition, four genera and 24 species of plants were recorded for the first time as hosts to entomogen galls. All occurrences of Cecidomyiidae in Mato Grosso do Sul's localities are new records for this family.

Interglacial microrefugia and diversification of a cactus species complex: phylogeography and palaeodistributional reconstructions for Pilosocereus aurisetus and allies.

The role of Pleistocene climate changes in promoting evolutionary diversification in global biota is well documented, but the great majority of data regarding this subject come from North America and Europe, which were greatly affected by glaciation. The effects of Pleistocene changes on cold- and/or dry-adapted species in tropical areas where glaciers were not present remain sparsely investigated. Many such species are restricted to small areas surrounded by unfavourable habitats, which may represent potential interglacial microrefugia. Here, we analysed the phylogeographic structure and diversification history of seven cactus species in the Pilosocereus aurisetus complex that are restricted to rocky areas with high diversity and endemism within the Neotropical savannas of eastern South America. We combined palaeodistributional estimates with standard phylogeographic approaches based on two chloroplast DNA regions (trnT-trnL and trnS-trnG), exon 1 of the nuclear gene PhyC and 10 nuclear microsatellite loci. Our analyses revealed a phylogeographic history marked by multiple levels of distributional fragmentation, isolation leading to allopatric differentiation and secondary contact among divergent lineages within the complex. Diversification and demographic events appear to have been affected by the Quaternary climatic cycles as a result of isolation in multiple patches of xerophytic vegetation. These small patches presently harbouring P. aurisetus populations seem to operate as microrefugia, both at present and during Pleistocene interglacial periods; the role of such microrefugia should be explored and analysed in greater detail.

Evaluation of morpho-anatomical and chemical differences between varieties of the medicinal plant Casearia sylvestris Swartz.

Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Salicaceae) has been used in traditional medicine and its leaf extracts have been exhibited important pharmacological activities. The species presents morphological, chemical and genetic variation. Two varieties are considered due external morphological differences: C. sylvestris var. sylvestris and var. lingua. There are difficulties in definition of these varieties. The objective of this work is to evaluate chemical and morpho-anatomical differences between C. sylvestris varieties that can be applied in their distinction for pharmaceutical or botanical purposes. Transverse and paradermic sections of leaves were prepared for morpho-anatomical, histochemical and quantitative microscopy (stomatal and palisade index) analyses. Diterpene profiles of the specimens were obtained by HPLC-DAD and TLC. Morpho-anatomical analyses demonstrated significant differences between the varieties only in paradermic sections: var. sylvestris--polygonal epidermic cell walls and hypostomatic; var. lingua--rounded epidermic cell walls and amphistomatic. No differences were observed for stomatal index; palisade index was found 2.8 for var. lingua and 3.9 for var. sylvestris. Chromatographic analyses confirmed previous results demonstrating that diterpene profile in varieties differs, with predominance of these metabolites in var. sylvestris. In conclusion, this work indicates that chromatographic analysis besides morpho-anatomical analysis can be applied in distinction of C. sylvestris varieties.

Checklist das Spermatophyta do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Checklist of Spermatophyta of the São Paulo State, Brazil

O projeto Flora Fanerogâmica do Estado de São Paulo tem se dedicado a inventariar a flora paulistana há quase 20 anos. Conta com a atuação de mais de 200 colaboradores, a maioria do próprio estado, além de pesquisadores de outros estados e do exterior. Desde 2001, foram publicados sete volumes com as monografias de 151 famílias, contendo 3.237 espécies em 722 gêneros. Este projeto foi o ponto de partida para o conhecimento da diversidade das espécies de espermatófitas do estado de São Paulo. A apresentação do checklist neste momento é oportuna por constituir a produção de uma listagem das espécies com identificações certificadas pelos especialistas, além de conter a referência de uma coleção de herbário para a maior parte dos táxons (material-testemunho) ou referência à bibliografia em que a espécie é citada como ocorrente, de forma nativa ou subespontânea, no estado. Dessa forma, é aqui apresentada a listagem das espermatófitas do estado de São Paulo, com 7.305 espécies, distribuídas em 1.776 gêneros e em 197 famílias (segundo Cronquist 1981) ou então 195 (segundo o APG III). Em relação à flora do Brasil, com 31.728 espécies de espermatófitas, o estado São Paulo compartilha de 23% dessas espécies. As famílias mais representativas são Orchidaceae (797 espécies), Asteraceae (676 espécies), Fabaceae (513 espécies), Poaceae (500 espécies), Myrtaceae (304), Rubiaceae (265 espécies) e Melastomataceae (253 espécies) que, juntas, somam 3.308 espécies e constituem mais de 45% do total de espécies de espermatófitas do estado. Considerando a grande diversidade vegetal brasileira, parcialmente expressa em um estado, depreende-se a grande importância da continuidade dos estudos florísticos no Brasil, país provavelmente detentor da maior diversidade vegetal do planeta.

The Phanerogamic Flora of São Paulo State project has been dedicated to create an inventory of the flora for 20 years. More than 200 collaborators are involved, mostly from the State of São Paulo, with the contributions of researchers from other states and from abroad. Since 2001, seven books with monographs of 151 families were published, dealing with 3,237 species within 722 genera. This project was the starting-point of the gathering of information about the diversity of spermatophytes of the State of São Paulo. The current checklist, at this point, presents an updated and virtually complete list of species, all certified by specialists. It also contains references to scientific collections for most of the taxa (vouchers) or to bibliography referring to the natural or subspontaneous occurrence of the species in the State. The list now contains 7,305 species distributed in 1,776 genera and in 197 spermatophyte families (according to Cronquist 1981) or 195 (according to APG III). 23% of the 31,728 species of spermatophytes listed in the Flora of Brazil occur in São Paulo State. The most representative families are Orchidaceae (797 species), Asteraceae (676 species), Fabaceae (513 species), Poaceae (500 species), Myrtaceae (304), Rubiaceae (265 species) and Melastomataceae (253 species), which, altogether, accumulate 3,308 species and constitute 45% of total species of spermatophytes in the state. The wealth of the Brazilian plant diversity, partially expressed in São Paulo, shows how important is the continuity of floristic studies in a country that is very likely to hold the largest plant diversity in the planet.

[Carbon monoxide poisoning from indoor barbecues--incidents reported to the German-speaking Poison Information Centers and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Berlin]. / Kohlenmonoxidvergiftungen durch Grillen in Innenräumen--Mitteilungen an die deutschsprachigen Giftinformationszentren und das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung Berlin.

From 2008 to the end of 2009 the Joint Poison Information Center (PIC) in Erfurt observed 7 incidents involving 17 persons (1 fatality) with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning from indoor barbecues (COFIB). To find out whether COFIB is a regional or a general phenomenon in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, all information about COFIBs recorded by the 11 German-speaking Poison Information Centers and the BfR Berlin were retrospectively analyzed for the period 2000 to 2009. In all, 60 COFIBs (accidental: 90.0 %, suicidal: 8.3%, reason unknown: 1.7%) involving 146 individuals were reported. The number of incidents increased from one case with 2 persons in 2000 to 18 cases involving 34 persons in 2009. The 146 victims (female 26.7%, male 27.4%, gender unknown 45.9%; adults 58.2%, children 24.7%, age unknown 17.1%) lived in 15 of the 16 federal states of Germany and in Switzerland. The highest number of victims was found in Bavaria (23), Brandenburg (18), and Baden-Wuerttemberg (18). The symptoms according to the Poisoning Severity Score were none to mild in 60.3%, moderate in 13.7%, severe in 11.6%, fatal in 6.9% and unratable in 7.5%. No clear correlation was found between the carboxyhemoglobin concentration and the severity of the symptoms. As a rising number of COFIBs often involving several individuals was observed from 2000 to 2009, the general public was informed about the risks of indoor barbecues.

Pediatric plant exposures in Germany, 1998-2004.

INTRODUCTION: Each year, 80,000 to 100,000 calls to the Poison Information Centres (PIC) concern pediatric exposures in Germany. Plant exposures are the fourth most common category, accounting for 22% of pediatric exposures. METHODS: Information on plant exposures in children (0-14 years) was collected from annual reports of German PIC. The severity of pediatric plant exposures was classified using the number of ingestions and a calculated hazard factor. RESULTS: A total of 58,641 cases involving 248 different plant genera were reported from 1998 to 2004. Most plant exposures were not associated with clinical effects at time of call, but 9.6% of cases had noticeable effects, including 0.4% classified as moderate and major effect. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of plant genera have low hazard factors. Most severe poisoning (highest hazard factors and exposures) in children involved Brugmansia, Laburnum, Phaseolus, and Thuja.

Indole alkaloids from Rauvolfia bahiensis A.DC. (Apocynaceae).

Four indole alkaloids, 12-methoxy-N(a)-methyl-vellosimine, demethoxypurpeline, 12-methoxyaffinisine, and 12-methoxy-vellosimine, in addition to picrinine, vinorine, raucaffrinoline, normacusine B, norseredamine, seredamine, 10-methoxynormacusine B, norpurpeline and purpeline, were isolated from the bark or leaf extracts of Rauvolfia bahiensis.