Variation of cleaning organ structures and setae of pedipalp tarsus in the family Phrynidae (Arachnida: Amblypygi).

The pedipalp tarsus of Amblypygi is used as a cleaning tool in grooming behavior and as a weapon in prey capture. The tarsus presents several structures with unknown functions that probably relate to both processes. The Amblypygi tarsus possesses a cleaning organ with two lines of projections and a group of setae distributed along the structure. We analyzed the morphological variation of the cleaning organ structures and the setae of the tarsus in species of the family Phrynidae using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, we made histological sections to evaluate the sensory function of the structures. We found variation in the shape and size of the setae, projections and granular area of the cleaning organ; however, the observed differences do not allow for differentiation of taxonomic genera. The setae and projections of the cleaning organ have an internal structure similar to tip-pore sensilla. Externally, the setae are similar to the sensorial hairs in spiders and differ from the cleaning organ projections, which probably are modified setae. Mechanoreception function is evident in the setae, and is probable in projections of the cleaning organ; the evidence observed indicates that both structures may be considered as putative chemoreceptors.

Two new species of the whip-spider genus Heterophrynus (Arachnida: Amblypygi) with complementary information of four species.

The family Phrynidae has been mainly recorded from America, including the Antilles, and Heterophrynus is one of its genera endemic of South America and is mainly associated with Amazonian ecosystems. Currently, the genus has 16 valid species, but many original descriptions are ambiguous or incomplete. The more complete work about this genus only includes seven of the currently valid species, and in some cases, some characters useful for the species identification, were not described. This situation hampers the species recognition and the comparison among species to propose diagnosis accurate. Using characters from the male and female genitalia to improve the diagnosis, we present complementary descriptions for four species of Heterophrynus and describe two new species. We present details of morphologic variation, compare the pedipalp spines among the species, present actualized distributions, and for first time, we present a complete illustration of the male genital of eight species using SEM pictures.

Convergent herbivory on conifers by Choristoneura moths after boreal forest formation.

Mitogenomes are useful markers for phylogenetic studies across a range of taxonomic levels. Here, we focus on mitogenome variation across the tortricid moth genus Choristoneura and particularly the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) species complex, a notorious pest group of North American conifer forests. Phylogenetic relationships of Tortricidae, representing two subfamilies, four tribes and nine genera, were analyzed using 21 mitogenomes. These included six newly-sequenced mitogenomes for species in the spruce budworm complex plus three additional Choristoneura species and 12 previously published mitogenomes from other tortricids and one from the Cossidae. We evaluated the phylogenetic informativeness of the mitogenomes and reconstructed a time-calibrated tree with fossil and secondary calibrations. We found that tortricid mitogenomes had conserved protein and ribosomal regions, and analysis of all protein-coding plus ribosomal genes together provided an efficient marker at any taxonomic rank. The time-calibrated phylogeny showed evolutionary convergence of conifer feeding within Choristoneura, with two independent lineages, the Nearctic spruce budworm complex and the Palearctic species Choristoneura murinana, both shifting onto conifers about 11 million years ago from angiosperms. These two host-plant shifts both occurred after the formation of boreal forest in the late Miocene. Haplotype diversification within the spruce budworm complex occurred in the last 4 million years, and is probably linked to the initial cooling cycles of the Northern Hemisphere in the Pliocene.

Diversification shifts in leafroller moths linked to continental colonization and the rise of angiosperms.

Tectonic dynamics and niche availability play intertwined roles in determining patterns of diversification. Such drivers explain the current distribution of many clades, whereas events such as the rise of angiosperms can have more specific impacts, such as on the diversification rates of herbivores. The Tortricidae, a diverse group of phytophagous moths, are ideal for testing the effects of these determinants on the diversification of herbivorous clades. To estimate ancestral areas and diversification patterns in Tortricidae, a complete tribal-level dated tree was inferred using molecular markers (one mitochondrial and five nuclear) and calibrated using fossil constraints. We found that Tortricidae diverged from their sister group c. 120 Myr ago (Ma) and diversified c. 97 Ma, a timeframe synchronous with the rise of angiosperms in the Early-mid Cretaceous. Ancestral areas analysis, based on updated Wallace's biogeographical regions, supports the hypothesis of a Gondwanan origin of Tortricidae in the South American plate. We also detected an increase in speciation rate that coincided with the peak of angiosperm diversification in the Cretaceous. This in turn probably was further heightened by continental colonization of the Palaeotropics when angiosperms became dominant by the end of the Late Cretaceous.

Cambios en composición y abundancia de califóridos de interés forense en Bogotá / Change in composition and abundance of blowflies of forensic interest in Bogota / Alterares em composicáo e abundancia de califorídeos de interesse forense em Bogotá

Los califóridos son los primeros artrópodos en colonizar cadáveres y varían localmente en composición y abundancia; siendo utilizados para estimar el intervalo postmortem e inferir traslado de cadáveres. Reconocer variaciones locales en composición y abundancia es importante para identificar eventos de traslado. Se estudió la variación en composición y abundancia de califóridos en 11 sitios de Bogotá. Se realizó un pre-muestreo (estación seca) para escoger método de captura e identificar los sitios de muestreo y un muestreo formal (estación lluviosa) usando jameo ad hoc direccionado. Se comparó la riqueza, diversidad, dominancia y composición por sitio. Se registraron seis especies: Lucilia sericata, Roraimomusca roraima, Compsomyiops verena, Calliphora nigribasis, Calliphora vicina y Sarconesiopsis magellanica. Mayor riqueza se evidenció en Chicó-Lago (Chapinero), y menor en Alcázares (Barrios Unidos). Bolivia (Engativá) fue el más diverso y 20 de julio (San Cristóbal) el menos diverso, la dominancia fue mayor en 20 de julio y menor en Apogeo (Bosa). La composición y abundancia por especie variaron entre sitios lo cual puede ser evidencia de apoyo para casos de traslado de cuerpos en Bogotá.

Calliphorids are the first arthropods to colonize cadavers, their composition and abundance vary according to location. They are used to estimate post-mortem intervals and surmise the relocation of corpses; making the identification of these local variations are key in detecting the relocation of a body. We assessed these blowfly variations in 11 sites in Bogotá. A pre-sampling (dry season) was conducted to select a trapping method and sampling sites; the formal sampling (rainy season) was conducted using a directed sweep net. We identified the following species: Ludlia sericata, Roraimomusca roraima, Compsomyiops verena, Calliphora nigribasis, Calliphora vidua and Sarconesiopsis magellanica and compared their richness, diversity, dominance and composition for each site. The highest richness was found in Chico-Lago (Chico) while the lowest was Alcazares (Barrios Unidos). Bolivia (Engativá) was the most diverse and 20 de Julio (San Cristobal) the least; dominance was higher in 20 de Julio and lower in Apogeo (Bosa). Species' composition and abundance varied between sites; this may be used as evidence to support cases in Bogotá in which cadavers have been relocated.

Os califorídeos sao os primeiros artrópodes em colonizar cadáveres e variam localmente em composicao e abundancia; sendo utilizados para estimar o intervalo post-mortem e inferir transferencia de corpos. Reconhecer variacoes locais em composicao e abundancia é importante para identificar acontecimientos de transferencia. Estudou-se a variacao na composicao e abundancia de califorídeos em 11 locais de Bogotá. Realizou-se uma amostragem previa (estacao seca) para escolher o método de captura e identificar os sitios de amostragem e realizar uma amostragem formal (estacao chuvosa) utilizando jameo ad hoc direccionado. Comparou-se a riqueza, diversidade, dominancia e composicao por localidade. Registaram-se seis espécies: Luália sericata, Roraimomusca roraima, Compsomyiops verena, Calliphora nigribasis, Calliphora vicina y Sarconesiopsis magellanica. Evidenciou-se maior riqueza em Chicó-Lago (Chapinero), e menor em Alcázares (Barrios Unidos). Bolivia (Engativá) foi o mais diverso e 20 de julio (San Cristóbal) o menos diverso, a dominancia foi maior em 20 de julio e menor em Apogeo (Bosa). A composicao e abundancia por espécie variaram entre os locais, o qual pode ser evidencia de apoio para casos de transferencia de corpos em Bogotá.

DISTRIBUCIÓN VERTICAL DE ARAÑAS ASOCIADAS A Quercus humboldtii Y Clusia spp. EN EL SANTUARIO DE FAUNA Y FLORA IGUAQUE, COLOMBIA / Vertical Distribution of Spiders Associated to Quercus humboldtii and Clusia spp. at Sanctuary of Fauna and Flora Iguaque, Colombia

Se estudió la distribución vertical de arañas asociadas a árboles de Quercus humboldtii y Clusia spp. con diferentes modelos arquitecturales en el Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, Colombia. Se seleccionaron árboles de cada modelo arquitectural, estratificándolos verticalmente cada tres metros desde la base hasta el dosel. Se realizaron colectas en cada estrato por 20 minutos durante el día y en la noche. También se tomaron muestras en la parcela aledaña (4 m²). Se colectaron 1261 individuos pertenecientes a 104 morfoespecies y 20 familias; las familias más frecuentes fueron Theridiidae, Salticidae, Araneidae, Linyphiidae, Anyphaenidae y Theridiosomatidae. Se encontraron diferencias en la distribución vertical de arañas en cuanto a la abundancia, la riqueza, la composición, la distribución de sexos y las épocas climáticas atribuibles a las arquitecturas vegetales y a su estratificación. Clusia presentó la comunidad de arañas más diversa, Quercus la de mayor dominancia. La composición estuvo influida por las lluvias, el período del día y la disponibilidad de soportes vegetales.

The vertical distribution of spiders associated to trees of Quercus humboldtii and Clusia spp. with different architectural model, was studied at Sanctuary of Fauna and Flora of Iguaque; for this, we selected trees of each architectural model, stratified them each three m in high starting at the base to the canopy of the tree. We took samples in each stratus for 20 min during the day and at night. Also, we took samples in the nearest ground plot (4 m²). We collected 1,261 specimens of 104 morphospecies and 20 families. The most frequent families were Theridiidae, Salticidae, Araneidae, Linyphiidae, Anyphaenidae, and Theridiosomatidae. We observed differences in the spiders' vertical distribution in abundance, richness, composition, time period, and sex ratio, all of them attributable to plant architectures and its stratification. Clusia spider community was the most diverse, Quercus spider community was the riechest. Rain, period of time at day, and support availability affected the spiders' composition.

FILOGENIA DE ESPECIES DEL SUBGENERO Parides (LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONIDAE) BASADA EN SECUENCIAS DEL GEN CITOCROMO OXIDASA I / Species phylogeny of the Subgenus Parides (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) Based in Sequences of Citochrome Oxidase I Gene

Parides Hübner es el taxón terminal de Troidini, un grupo de mariposas aposemáticas diversificado en el trópico y subtrópico, y modelos de varios complejos miméticos batesianos y mullerianos. Varias de las especies americanas de Parides son simpátricas e involucran poblaciones con variaciones intraespecíficas en los patrones de coloración, lo que genera confusiones en la definición del estatus taxonómico, especialmente en Colombia, punto de convergencia de las biotas de Norte y Suramérica. Este trabajo genera una aproximación a la filogenia de este grupo de mariposas y establece una definición más robusta de algunos de los taxones. Para ello se analizaron ejemplares pertenecientes a 15 taxones del subgénero americano Parides ( Parides ) como grupo interno y se utilizó como grupo externo especies de otros dos géneros estrechamente relacionados de Troidini. Para la extracción del ADN se utilizó el protocolo de Pascual et al. (1997) y DNeasy Kit. Se amplificó el fragmento final del gen Citocromo Oxidasa I (COI) de 476 pb. Para obtener una hipótesis filogenética se realizaron análisis de máxima parsimonia y se evaluó el soporte de cada nodo mediante Jackknife y soporte absoluto de Bremer. También se realizó un análisis bayesiano. La hipótesis resultante sugiere que el subgénero Parides es un grupo parafilético. Molecularmente se hicieron también válidas una especie y cinco subespecies. Los ejemplares analizados de Parides se dividieron en tres grupos principales coincidentes con los grupos Lysander (grupo 1) y Aeneas (grupos 2 y 3) de Rothschild y Jordan (1906).

Parides Hübner is a terminal taxon of Troidini, an aposematic butterfly group that is diverse in the tropics and subtropics, and a model of mullerian and batesian mimetic complexes. Several American species of Parides are sympatric and include populations with intraspecific variation in color pattern, thus creating confusion on their taxonomic status, mainly in Colombia where the biota of North and South America converge. This work presents a phylogenetic hypothesis of these butterflies and proposes a more robust definition of some taxa. For this, 15 taxa of the subgenus Parides were analyzed as ingroup; species of other two genera of Troidini, closer to Parides , were used as out-group. DNA was extracted using the Pascual et al. (1997) protocol and Quiagen DNAeasy kit. A terminal fragment of Cytochrome Oxidase I gen (476 bp) were amplified. We obtained a phylogenetic approximation using maximum parsimony and evaluated the branch support with Jackknife and absolute Bremer support. We also conducted a bayesian analysis. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis suggested that Parides is a paraphyletic group; the molecular evidence support one species and five subspecies. The analyzed taxa were divided in three principal groups coincident with the Lysander (group 1) and Aeneas (groups 1 and 2) groups proposed by Rothschild and Jordan (1906).

Sequestration of aristolochic acid I from Aristolochia pilosa by Mapeta xanthomelas Walker, 1863.

Sequestration of secondary plant chemicals and brightly colored bodies occur in a number of unpalatable insects. The utilization of toxic plant chemicals has been proposed as a strategy of chemical defense, while aposematic coloration may advertise unpalatability. Here, we tested for the presence of aristolochic acid I in leaves of Aristolochia pilosa and female bodies of Mapeta xanthomelas, obtained from larvae feeding on the plant, using high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The presence of aristolochic acid I in females of this conspicuous diurnal moth, an oligophagous herbivore of Aristolochia, is the first report of sequestration of aristolochic acids by an herbivore other than a species of Papilionidae.