A new genus and three new species of mites, with a revised concept of the family Ameroseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ascoidea).

This paper describes a new genus and three new species of mites found in litter and soil samples from Brazil and Egypt. Endopodoseius Abo-Shnaf & Moraes n. gen., Endopodoseius erikae Abo-Shnaf & Marticorena n. sp., Endopodoseius zaheri Abo-Shnaf & Moraes n. sp. and Endopodoseius edmilsoni Abo-Shnaf & Castilho n. sp. are considered to belong to the Superfamily Ascoidea and the Family Ameroseiidae. The concept of the family is expanded to include species with one or more of the following character states-the podonotal and opisthonotal shields partially or totally separate; poroid iv1 absent; dorsal idiosomal setae J1, J5 and R1 present; genital seta st5 inserted outside the epigynal shield; opisthogaster with 7-10 pairs of setae; and femur II with 11 setae.

The Microbiota of a Mite Prey-Predator System on Different Host Plants Are Characterized by Dysbiosis and Potential Functional Redundancy.

Microbiota has diverse roles in the life cycles of their hosts, affecting their growth, development, behavior, and reproduction. Changes in physiological conditions of the host can also impact the assemblage of host-associated microorganisms. However, little is known of the effects of host plant-prey-predatory mite interactions on mite microbiota. We compared the microbial communities of eggs and adult females of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), and of adult females of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on four different host plants (cotton, maize, pinto bean, and tomato) by metabarcoding sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA), using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Only the egg microbiota of T. urticae was affected by the host plant. The microbiota of the predatory mite N. californicus was very different from that of its prey, and the predator microbiota was unaffected by the different host plant-prey systems tested. Only the microbiota of the eggs of T. urticae carried Serratia as a high fidelity-biomarker, but their low abundance in T. urticae adult females suggests that the association between Serratia and T. urticae is accidental. Biomarker bacteria were also detected in the microbiota of adult females of T. urticae and N. californicus, with different biomarkers in each host plant species. The microbiota associated with eggs and adult females of T. urticae and adult females of N. californicus differed in their functional potential contributions to the host mite.

Liver dysfunction and energy storage mobilization in traíra, Hoplias malabaricus (Teleostei, Erythrinidae) induced by subchronic exposure to toxic cyanobacterial crude extract.

Microcystins (MC) are hepatotoxic for organisms. Liver MC accumulation and structural change are intensely studied, but the functional hepatic enzymes and energy metabolism have received little attention. This study investigated the liver and hepatocyte structures and the activity of key hepatic functional enzymes with emphasis on energetic metabolism changes after subchronic fish exposure to cyanobacterial crude extract (CE) containing MC. The Neotropical erythrinid fish, Hoplias malabaricus, were exposed intraperitoneally to CE containing 100 µg MC-LR eq kg-1 for 30 days and, thereafter, the plasma, liver, and white muscle was sampled for analyses. Liver tissue lost cellular structure organization showing round hepatocytes, hyperemia, and biliary duct obstruction. At the ultrastructural level, the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum exhibited disorganization. Direct and total bilirubin increased in plasma. In the liver, the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) increased, and the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased; AST increased in plasma. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were unchanged in the liver, muscle, and plasma. Glycogen stores and the energetic metabolites as glucose, lactate, and pyruvate decrease in the liver; pyruvate decreased in plasma and lactate decreased in muscle. Ammonia levels increased and protein concentration decreased in plasma. CE alters liver morphology by causing hepatocyte intracellular disorder, obstructive cholestasis, and dysfunction in the activity of key liver enzymes. The increasing energy demand implies glucose mobilization and metabolic adjustments maintaining protein preservation and lipid recruitment to supply the needs for detoxification allowing fish survival.

Tarsonemid mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on myrtaceous plants of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil, with description of a new species of Tarsonemus Canestrini amp; Fanzago.

A survey of tarsonemid mites associated with plants of the family Myrtaceae was conducted in seven areas of the Atlantic Forest biome. Fourteen known species were registered; other 21 morphospecies was identified up to genus level. Additionally, a new species, Tarsonemus conduru Lofego Cavalcante sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected in the Atlantic Forest of Bahia state.

Catalogue of the free-living and arthropod-associated Laelapidae Canestrini (Acari: Mesostigmata), with revised generic concepts and a key to genera.

The cosmopolitan mite family Laelapidae includes both free-living predatory species and species associated with arthropods, mammals or birds. This work presents a list of free-living and arthropod-associated species of laelapids, with corresponding taxonomic information and references. It includes 1088 species (in addition to three subspecies) assigned to 73 genera, 61 new combinations and two new synonymies at the generic level. Laelaps (Apolaelaps) Silvestri is raised to the generic level. Many of the species described before about 1950 are poorly characterised and cannot be classified with confidence at the family or generic level. Hence, ten genera, one subgenus, 121 species (ca. 70% of which were reported as Hypoaspis Canestrini or Laelaps (Hypoaspis) Canestrini) and one subspecies, are considered incertae sedis, because of their inadequate morphological characterisation in the literature. Some of these may not even belong to the Laelapidae or to the groups of interest for this publication. A total of 89 species, 30 genera, one subgenus, one tribe and one subfamily previously associated with genera treated in this catalogue are now placed in other families or, less commonly, in laelapid genera not considered here because they are considered essentially vertebrate parasites (taxa excluded). Twenty-six other species (one cited as a "variety") are cited as nomina nuda. An illustrated key to the 73 genera included in the catalogue along with revised generic diagnoses are provided.

Semi-field evaluation of the predation of Macrocheles embersoni and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae) on the house fly and the stable fly (Diptera: Muscidae).

BACKGROUND: The house fly, Musca domestica L., and the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are important and harmful organisms. The cosmopolitan house fly is not parasitic, but the adults are annoying and a known vector of several pathogens. The importance of the stable fly has increased in Brazil in the last 40 years, after major changes in sugarcane cultivation practices were implemented, including the widespread application of vinasse (byproduct in sugarcane mills) and the parallel reduction of sugarcane preharvest burning. These changes have favored the development of this fly, which can reach high populations, that can negatively affect cattle and other animals. The control of these flies relies heavily on the use of chemical products, which very often do not provide adequate population reduction. Predatory mites of the family Macrochelidae have been evaluated under laboratory conditions for the biological control of these organisms, especially of the house fly. The objective of this study was to examine the predation capacity of the macrochelids Macrocheles embersoni Azevedo, Castilho & Berto and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) on the house fly and the stable fly, under semi-field conditions (screen-houses). RESULTS: Reductions of 83 to 90% of the house fly and 66 to 73% of the stable fly populations were observed, with the release of 100 of these predators per square meter. CONCLUSIONS: The number of adults of both fly species was much lower in the units where the predators had been released than in the others. However it is suggested that provisioning and or conserving alternative food sources for these macrochelids, such as free-living nematodes, could further improve biocontrol efficacy.

The contribution of the BIOTA/FAPESP Program to the advancement of the knowledge on terrestrial invertebrates / A contribuição do Programa BIOTA/FAPESP para o avanço no conhecimento sobre os invertebrados terrestres

Abstract The variability of the organisms living in a given area constitute what is referred to as biodiversity, one of nature's fundamental properties, responsible for the balance and stability of ecosystems. The loss of biodiversity has been of great concern to scientists, especially because of the role played by human activities in this regard, able to lead to irreversible circumstances. The São Paulo Research Foundation (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, FAPESP) plays a major role in supporting research efforts in the most diverse branches of science. In the late 1990´s, FAPESP launched a major program to promote research on biodiversity, named BIOTA/FAPESP. So far, this program has financed the conduction of 26 projects, involving research activities in most of Brazil, while focusing mainly the State of São Paulo. These projects have generated about 1140 publications in peer-reviewed journals of high standard, providing relevant information, including the original description of 1187 species and 76 genera, the complementary description of 350 species, as well as a number of inventory works, biological studies, etc. The program has also been instrumental in the establishment or adequacy of research facilities and training of new taxonomists. Most extensively studied groups of terrestrial invertebrates include Insecta of the orders Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera, and Arachnida of the subclasses Araneae and Acari. Distinct projects have also contributed to the detection of organisms potentially useful as biological control agents and in the determination of maps of major interest for the establishment of public policies. In the future, priority groups for study should include the Annelida and the Nematoda, for the potential both have as beneficial organisms, or for the potential some Nematoda have as organisms harmful to plants and animals.

Resumo A variabilidade dos organismos em uma determinada área constitui o que se denomina biodiversidade, uma das propriedades fundamentais da natureza, responsável pelo equilíbrio e estabilidade dos ecossistemas. A perda da biodiversidade tem sido uma grande preocupação para os cientistas, principalmente pelo papel desempenhado pelas atividades humanas, com potencial para desencadear circunstâncias irreversíveis. A Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) desempenha um papel importante no apoio às pesquisas nos mais diversos ramos da ciência. No final da década de 1990, a FAPESP lançou um grande programa de fomento à pesquisa em biodiversidade, denominado BIOTA/FAPESP. Até o momento, este programa financiou a realização de 26 projetos, envolvendo atividades na maior parte do Brasil, embora tenham como foco principal o estado de São Paulo. Esses projetos geraram cerca de 1.140 publicações em periódicos de alto impacto, fornecendo informações relevantes que incluem a descrição original de 1.187 espécies e 76 gêneros e a descrição complementar de 350 espécies, além de diversos trabalhos de inventário, estudos biológicos etc. O programa também tem sido fundamental para o estabelecimento ou adequação de instalações de pesquisa científica e o treinamento de novos taxonomistas. Os grupos de invertebrados terrestres mais estudados incluem os Insecta das ordens Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera e Diptera, e os Arachnida das subclasses Araneae e Acari. Projetos distintos também têm contribuído para a detecção de organismos potencialmente úteis como agentes de controle biológico e na determinação de mapas de áreas preferenciais para o estabelecimento de políticas públicas. No futuro, os grupos prioritários de estudo devem incluir os Annelida e os Nematoda, pelo potencial que ambos têm como organismos benéficos, ou pelo potencial que alguns Nematoda têm como organismos prejudiciais a plantas e animais.

Natural history museums and zoological collections of São Paulo State / Museus de história natural e coleções zoológicas do Estado de São Paulo

Abstract Scientific collections constitute a valuable source for contributions to scientific research and the training of human resources in systematics, but also other areas of biological knowledge. In this contribution, we intend to discuss these advancements in collections and the role played by FAPESP in sponsoring them, as well as a general overview of the zoological collections in São Paulo state. We also aim to stress the importance of zoological collections and the need for continuous logistic and financial support from institutions and research agencies to maintain and develop these unique repositories of biodiversity. From 1980 to the present, FAPESP supported 118 research projects focused on several areas of zoology that are directly or indirectly associated with collections. There is a constant growth in the number of projects, and the financial support provided by FAPESP through the Biota Program was paramount for the advancement of our knowledge of biodiversity in Brazil. Parallel to the scientific advances, but not less important, this support allowed curators to increase the number of specimens, and to organize, maintain and digitize them in these valuable and irreplaceable collections. Regarding the lack of new taxonomists, it is essential that FAPESP and universities in São Paulo encourage the formation of new academics in zoological groups where specialists are rare. Considering the investment provided by FAPESP, it is quite important that the institutions that benefited from these resources took greater responsibility to safeguard these collections, and they should consider including resources on their budgets to obtain safety certificates, ensuring their permanence for many generations to come. Zoological collections are a heritage of humanity and are essential not only for the improvement of our knowledge of biodiversity but also with direct applications, among other services provided by these biological resources. It is important that research and teaching institutions in São Paulo that house specimens under their care start to value more this important patrimony and this heritage, as these collections represent the most valuable testimony of our impressive biodiversity, records of our past, and windows to our future, essential to our academic, scientific, cultural and social sovereignty.

Resumo As coleções científicas constituem uma fonte valiosa para contribuições à pesquisa científica e para a formação de recursos humanos em sistemática, mas também em outras áreas do conhecimento biológico. Nesta contribuição, pretendemos discutir esses avanços nas coleções e o papel desempenhado pela FAPESP no seu patrocínio, bem como um panorama geral das coleções zoológicas do estado de São Paulo. Também pretendemos enfatizar a importância das coleções zoológicas e a necessidade de apoio logístico e financeiro contínuo de instituições e agências de pesquisa para manter e desenvolver esses repositórios únicos de biodiversidade. Ao longo de 1980 até os dias atuais, a FAPESP apoiou 118 projetos de pesquisa focados em diversas áreas da zoologia, direta ou indiretamente associados a coleções. Há um crescimento constante no número de projetos, e o apoio financeiro da FAPESP por meio do Programa Biota foi fundamental para o avanço do nosso conhecimento sobre a biodiversidade no Brasil. Paralelamente aos avanços científicos, mas não menos importante, este apoio permitiu aos curadores aumentar o número de exemplares, e organizá-los, mantê-los e digitalizá-los nestas valiosas e insubstituíveis coleções. Em relação à falta de novos taxonomistas, é fundamental que a FAPESP e as universidades paulistas estimulem a formação de novos acadêmicos em grupos zoológicos onde os especialistas são raros. Considerando o investimento realizado pela FAPESP, é de suma importância que as instituições beneficiadas com esses recursos tenham maior responsabilidade na salvaguarda desses acervos, devendo considerar a inclusão de recursos em seus orçamentos para obtenção de certificados de segurança, garantindo sua permanência por muitas gerações. As coleções zoológicas são patrimônio da humanidade, e são essenciais não apenas para o aprimoramento do nosso conhecimento sobre a biodiversidade, mas também com aplicações diretas, entre outros serviços prestados por esses recursos biológicos. É importante que as instituições de pesquisa e ensino paulistas que abrigam exemplares sob seus cuidados passem a valorizar mais esse importante patrimônio e essa herança, pois essas coleções representam o testemunho mais valioso de nossa impressionante biodiversidade, registros do nosso passado e janelas para o nosso futuro, essenciais à nossa soberania acadêmica, científica, cultural e social.

Gamasiphis species (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Ecuador, with description of a new species and new records.

Gamasiphis Berlese is the most diverse genus of Ologamasidae, with 74 described species, seven of which were described from Ecuador. The main objective of this paper is to report the Gamasiphis species found in surveys recently conducted in Ecuador, including a new species here described, Gamasiphis vikkiae Melo-Molina Santos n. sp. Complementary descriptions of two previously described species, also collected in this study, are presented.

A new species of Lasioseius (Acari: Blattisociidae) from Brazil with morphological and DNA barcode data.

Lasioseius foliatisetus n. sp. is described based on the morphology and molecular markers of adult females collected in litter/soil samples of the Caatinga and Pantanal, extensive Brazilian biomes. This new species can be distinguished from other Lasioseius species mainly by having fixed cheliceral digit with three teeth in addition to apical tooth, most dorsal shield setae leaf-shaped, and ventrianal shield with seven pairs of setae (including Jv5) in addition to the circumanal setae. The determined nucleotide sequences of the CytB gene and of ITSS of Lasioseius foliatisetus n. sp. are the first data of these types deposited in a published database (GenBank) for a species of this genus. The phylogenetic tree generated in the analysis of ITSS sequences showed a clade constituted only by species of the superfamily Phytoseoidea, including L. foliatisetus n. sp.. The phylogenetic tree generated in the ML analysis based on CytB showed a separation of the blattisociid species (including L. foliatisetus n. sp.) in one clade and the phytoseiid species in another clade. The analysis of the 28S 13 domain by itself did not allow the separation of the new species here described from species of other blattisociid genera.

Small-Scale Production of Amblyseius tamatavensis with Thyreophagus cracentiseta (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Acaridae).

Amblyseius tamatavensis, a predatory mite, has been mentioned as potentially useful for the control of Bemisia tabaci. The objective of this work was to compare the production rates of A. tamatavensis in closed units containing T. cracentiseta as food, at different combinations of numbers of predator inoculated, periods of production and volumes of rearing units. Final predator densities increased with increasing production periods up to 30-45 days, reducing afterward. Likewise, maximum final densities increased with increasing predator inoculation levels, up to 200 predators per rearing unit. The results led us to select the proportion of 150 predators per unit for a production period of 30 days to evaluate the effect of the size of the experimental unit. Then, in the second part of the study, a direct relationship was observed between volume and final predator density (y = 8610.25x + 2166.04; R2 = 0.99; p < 0.0001). It was also calculated that ri value was quite stable (0113-0.119), with a calculated value of 0.115 at all volumes of rearing units. It can be concluded that progressively larger numbers of predators can be obtained with progressively larger rearing units.

Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) from Mato Grosso State, Central-Western Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to conduct a survey of mites of the family Phytoseiidae associated with plants of the natural vegetation and cultivated forests in sites of three biomes (Amazon Forest, Cerrado and Pantanal) in the Mato Grosso State. Twenty-one species of 11 genera, of the three phytoseiid subfamilies were registered. Amblyseius Berlese was the most diverse genus, with five species. Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma was the most common species, collected from 12 plant species in five collection sites. Eleven phytoseiid species were reported for the first time in the Mato Grosso State.

Performance of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on three hop cultivars (Humulus lupulus).

Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a major pest species in numerous crops including hop (Humulus lupulus L.). Substantial T. urticae infestation was observed to occur in this recently introduced crop in Brazil. The adoption of less suitable cultivars to the pest species is highly desirable for integrated pest management. We used free-choice trials and two-sex life table analysis to determine the preference and population growth of T. urticae under laboratory conditions using three of hop cultivars currently expanding in Brazil (Mantiqueira, Victoria, and Yakima Gold). We also estimated the density of non-glandular trichomes and lupulin glands found on the abaxial leaf surface of these cultivars and correlated them with performance parameters of T. urticae. Mantiqueira appeared to be the least preferred by adult females for attractiveness and oviposition suggesting existence of antixenosis on this cultivar. Female immature stages developed slower on Yakima Gold and Mantiqueira, but no difference was observed between the latter and Victoria. Fecundity and longevity were significantly lower on Mantiqueira than on Victoria and Yakima Gold. No significant differences were observed among cultivars for intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net rate of reproduction (R0), suggesting the absence of antibiosis. Although, lupilin gland densities were higher on Mantiqueira and Yakima Gold than on Victoria, no significant correlations were observed between these defensive traits and performance parameters of T. urticae. However, 30-day population simulations of T. urticae suggest that Yakima Gold is the least susceptible, Mantiqueira is moderately susceptible, and Victoria is highly susceptible.

A new species of Neoparaphytoseius (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) from Brazil, with a review of the genus.

Neoparaphytoseius Chant McMurtry is a genus in the family Phytoseiidae, subfamily Amblyseiinae. The genus includes only two known species from Brazil and Peru, and the third is described here. Neoparaphytoseius caatinga n. sp. is described from the Caatinga biome of Alagoas State, where it was found on Croton blanchetianus Baill (Euphorbiaceae). The new species is compared with the closely related species, Neoparaphytoseius charapa Jiménez, McMurtry Moraes, and N. sooretamus (El-Banhawy). An identification key for the species of this genus is provided, based on the examination of the type specimens.

Ontogeny of the digestive system and the profile of proteases in larvae of cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) and its hybrid (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans × Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum).

The development of the digestive system and digestive proteases was studied in cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum) and its hybrid (P. reticulatum × Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) during the first 25 days after fertilization. Both groups presented a fast and similar development of the digestive system, and the unspecific alkaline protease profile suggested that the digestive capacity of hybrid larvae is higher than that of cachara after the last half of the studied phase. The activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin were similar and observed since the oocyte. These observations suggested that cachara and its hybrid has similar digestive capacity and digestive system development.

A newly available database of an important family of phytophagous mites: Tenuipalpidae Database.

This paper announces a database on the taxonomy, distribution and host plants of mites of the family Tenuipalpidae Berlese (Acari: Tetranychoidea), available online at https://www.tenuipalpidae.ibilce.unesp.br/. In the Tenuipalpidae Database the recorded world distribution and range of host plants are provided for each tenuipalpid species, including synonyms, with a list of all relevant publications.

Mites of the genus Gaeolaelaps (Acari: Laelapidae) from southern Brazil, with description of two new species.

Gaeolaelaps Evans Till is a laelapid genus composed of free living mites, some of which have been produced commercially for use as biological control agents of pest organisms. They are edaphic and poorly known in Brazil, from where a single species has so far been reported (Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini)). The objective of this paper is to report the occurrence of three other species from this country, two of which are new to science (G. azul n. sp., G. cerrii n. sp. and G. circularis Hyatt).

Catalogue of the mite family Podocinidae Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata).

The mite family Podocinidae consists of 38 species in three genera, namely Africoseius Krantz (two species), Podocinella Evans Hyatt (five species) and Podocinum Berlese (31 species). They are free living, but their biology is poorly known. The objective of this work was to summarise the history of the classification of the podocinids, to provide a brief diagnosis of the family, a key to the genera, and to assemble the scattered taxonomic information about the species and the genera in which they are placed.

A new species of Gamasellodes Athias-Henriot (Mesostigmata: Ascidae) from Brazil and a key to the world species of the genus.

Gamasellodes lavafesii Castro, Azevedo Castilho sp. nov. is described based on the morphology of adult females collected from litter and soil in a transition region between Cerrado and Amazon Rainforest of Mato Grosso state and in the Caatinga biome of Alagoas state, respectively in midwestern and northeastern Brazil. A key for the separation of females of the 26 recognisable world species of Gamasellodes is provided.

A key to the species of Protogamasellus (Acari: Ascidae), with a new species from the Brazilian Pantanal.

A study of soil mites in the Brazilian Pantanal, southwestern Brazil, has shown the frequent occurrence of the genus Protogamasellus, especially in cultivated land. Three species were found in this study, Protogamasellus mica (Athias-Henriot), Protogamasellus sigillophorus Mineiro, Lindquist Moraes, and a new species, Protogamasellus pantanal n. sp., which is here described. A taxonomic key for the identification of species of the genus was prepared, based on the examination of the type specimens of the new species here described, of specimens of other species found in Brazil in this and previous studies, and on the information found in the literature for other species.