El virus de nilo occidental y sus vectores: reseña histórica, biología y ecología de aedes albopictus, culex pipiens y cx. quinquefasciatus / Western Nile virus and its vectors: a historic review, biology and ecology of Aedes albopictus, Culex pipiens and Cx. Quinquefasciatus

Resumen Este trabajo obedece a la primera iniciativa para compilar el conocimiento de los mosquitos vectores del Virus del Nilo Occidental en Costa Rica, como parte del primer Congreso para el estudio de la epidemiología de este arbovirus. Se incluye la revisión de las bases de datos de mayor prestigio y mayor cantidad de artículos para completar la información referente a lo que se ha informado acerca de las especies de mosquitos en Costa Rica, acerca de los cuales la información es fragmentaria y de difícil acceso en muchos casos. Se recomienda incentivar la investigación en este importante grupo de insectos, además de la necesidad de estudios de la ecología de estas especies en nuestro país. Se incluye una clave para los principales géneros de mosquitos hallados en Costa Rica en los cuales hay especies informadas como posibles vectores en otras latitudes. Se hace una sinopsis de la necesidad de incluir factores psicosociales en el diseño de las campañas educativas.

Abstract This work is the first initiative to compile the knowledge of mosquito vectors of West Nile Virus in Costa Rica, as part of the first Congress to study the epidemiology of this arbovirus. It includes a review of the most prestigious databases and a greater number of articles to complete the information regarding what has been reported about mosquito species in Costa Rica, about which the information is fragmentary and difficult to access in many cases. It is recommended to encourage research in this important group of insects, in addition to the need for studies of the ecology of these species in our country. A key is included for the main genera of mosquitoes found in Costa Rica in which there are species reported as possible vectors in other latitudes. A synopsis is made of the need to include psychosocial factors in the design of educational campaigns.

The oribatid mite genus Benoibates (Acari, Oribatida, Oripodidae).

Two species of oribatid mites of the genus Benoibates (Oribatida, Oripodidae), i.e., Benoibatesbolivianus Balogh & Mahunka, 1969(a) and Benoibatesminimus Mahunka, 1985, are recorded for the first time in Costa Rica. Both are redescribed in details, using drawings, images and SEM micrographs, on the basis of Costa Rican specimens. An identification key to the known species of Benoibates is given.

Two new species of Pergalumna (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae) from Costa Rica, including a key to all species of the genus from the Neotropical region.

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Pergalumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae), P. elongatiporosa sp. n. and P. striatiprodorsum sp. n., are described from leaf litter of a secondary forest in Costa Rica. Pergalumna elongatiporosa sp. n. is most similar morphologically to P. horvathorum P. Balogh, 1997 and P. sura P. Balogh, 1997, however, it differs from both by the body size, body surface ornamentation and morphology of notogastral porose areas A1 and A3. Pergalumna striatiprodorsum sp. n. is most similar morphologically to P. hawaiiensis hawaiiensis (Jacot, 1934) and P. strigulata Mahunka, 1978, however, it differs from P. hawaiiensis by the length of interlamellar setae and surface ornamentation of the prodorsum; from P. strigulata by the surface of ornamentation of the notogaster, length of interlamellar setae and morphology of bothridial setae. An identification key to known species of Pergalumna from the Neotropical region is given.

Anatomía de la agalla en Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) asociada a "thrips" (Tubulifera: Phlaeothripidae) / Gall anatomy in Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) associated with "thrips" (Tubulifera: Phlaeothripidae)

Anatomy of the gall in Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) associated with thrips (Tubulifera: Phlaeothripidae). The galls are generally recognized as abnormal growths of tissues affected by insects when lay the eggs or feed on plant tissues. In, Ficus benjamina the insect Gynaikothrips garitacambroneroi, when feeding on leaf tissues, causes a gall which consists on the bending of the leaves. In this paper we analyzed the ultrastructure of sections of healthy leaves, and leaves with galls of F. benjamina using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We analyzed the number of stomata per area and found no significant changes, although there is less cuticular wax on the surface of the affected area by the barb. In the leaf area affected by G. garitacambroneroi, bacilli and fungi were observed and eggs of other organisms as possible invaders. Moreover, the inner tissues of leaves with galls had some problems in the differentiation of palisade and spongy mesophylls, and only parenchymatous tissue was observed. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (Suppl. 1): 179-186. Epub 2009 November 30.

Las agallas son reconocidas generalmente como crecimientos anormales de los tejidos afectados por insectos cuando estos realizan la deposición de los huevecillos o se alimentan de los tejidos de la planta. En Ficus benjamina la acción del thrips Gynaikothrips garitacambroneroi al alimentarse de los tejidos de la hoja, provoca una agalla que consiste en el doblamiento de la hoja. En este trabajo se analizó la ultraestructura de secciones de hojas sanas y hojas con agallas de F. benjamina mediante el uso de la microscopia electrónica de barrido. Se analizó la cantidad de estomas por área y no se determinó alteración significativa, aunque se observa menor cantidad de cera cuticular en la superficie del área afectada por la agalla. En la zona de la hoja afectada por G. garitacambroneroi se observó bacilos y hongos y huevecillos de otros organismos, aparentemente invasores. Además, en los tejidos internos de las hojas con agallas se pudo determinar problemas de diferenciación de los mesófilos de empalizada y esponjoso, observándose sólo tejido parenquimático.

Characterization and phylogenetic relationships of strains of Dengue type 1 virus from Costa Rica

Phylogenetic analysis of the envelope gene sequence (E) of three isolated Dengue virus type 1 (DEN1) sequences from the Costa Rican 1993 epidemic was performed. All the strains fell into genotype V. Genotype V has grouped all the strains isolated from America, three strains from Africa and two strains from Asia. Costa Rican strains are closely related to the strain from Angola and to the Brazil 1990 strain. Costa Rican strains are able to cause DHF but with low clinical disease severity and low incidence maybe because of low virulence. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (2): 365-372. Epub 2007 Jun 29.

Tres aislamientos del gen de la envoltura (E) de Dengue tipo 1 del período epidémico de 1993 en Costa Rica se analizaron filogenéticamente. Todas las cepas pertenecen al genotipo V. El genotipo V ha agrupado todos los aislamientos de América, tres cepas de África y dos cepas de Asia. Los aislamientos costarricenses están cercanamente relacionados a la cepa de Angola y al aislamiento brasileño de 1990. Las cepas costarricenses son capaces de causar Fiebre de Dengue Hemorrágico pero con baja severidad clínica y baja incidencia quizá debido a una baja virulencia.

Revisión taxonómica del grupo Haplothrips-Karnyothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Taxonomic revision of the Haplothrips-Karnyothrips group (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae). The generic group ("ensemble") Haplothrips-Karnyothrips is reviewed, following the most recently published criteria for distinguishing generic characters. We establish a new diagnosis for each genus. A review of a Central American collection is included and a new genus of Phlaeothripidae is described from the Central Pacific of Costa Rica from specimens collected on Cyperaceae flowers during the dry season. The genus can be distinguished by widely separated maxillary stylets, absent maxillary bridge, pelta shape and the setae B1, which measures two thirds of the tube length. We include a key based on characters of phylogenetic importance. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (2): 627-635. Epub 2007 Jun 29.

Se revisa el estado taxonómico del grupo Haplothrips y al mismo tiempo del grupo Karnyothrips, separándose este en varios nuevos géneros por considerarse parafilético; se describen los nuevos géneros Vargasia, Willeia y Aguilaria separados del antiguo Karnyothrips. Se describe un nuevo género de Thysanoptera-Phlaeothripidae procedente del Pacífico Central de Costa Rica. Este género se distingue por los estiletes maxilares muy apartados entre sí, carece de puente maxilar, la forma de la pelta y la seta B1 que es 2/3 la longitud del tubo. Se presenta el análisis crítico de este género y los posibles táxones emparentados, estableciendo un nuevo grupo a partir de las condiciones presentadas por Jironiella gen. n.

Los tisanópteros del grupo genérico Anaphothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), con écnfasis en América Central / Thysanopterans of the generic group Anaphothrips (Thripidae: Thripinae) with emphasis in Central America

A taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the generic group Anaphothrips are presented. Several genera in Central America are closely related to this generic group. Based on the analysis of characters and its possible evolution, the new genus Nakaharathrips has been segregated from Anaphothrips, and the taxonomic status of the subspecies of Aurantothrips has been changed to the species level. The phylogenetic analysis shows a close relationship between the genera Anaphothrips, Ranjana, Nakaharathrips n.gen., Aurantothrips, Nicolemma n.gen., Ameranathrips, Baileyothrips and Gonzalezya n.gen., where the first lineage is formed by the genera (Ranjana (Aurantothrips+Nicolemma)) and the second lineage contains the genera [(Anaphothrips+Nakaharathrips)(Baileyothrips (Ameranathrips+Gonzalezya)].

Characterization and phylogenetic relationships of strains of Dengue type 1 virus from Costa Rica.

Phylogenetic analysis of the envelope gene sequence (E) of three isolated Dengue virus type 1 (DEN-1) sequences from the Costa Rican 1993 epidemic was performed. All the strains fell into genotype V. Genotype V has grouped all the strains isolated from America, three strains from Africa and two strains from Asia. Costa Rican strains are closely related to the strain from Angola and to the Brazil 1990 strain. Costa Rican strains are able to cause DHF but with low clinical disease severity and low incidence maybe because of low virulence.

[Taxonomic revision of the Haplothrips-Karnyothrips group (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)]. / Revisión taxonómica del grupo Haplothrips-Karnyothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae).

The generic group ("ensemble") Haplothrips-Karnyothrips is reviewed, following the most recently published criteria for distinguishing generic characters. We establish a new diagnosis for each genus. A review of a Central American collection is included and a new genus of Phlaeothripidae is described from the Central Pacific of Costa Rica from specimens collected on Cyperaceae flowers during the dry season. The genus can be distinguished by widely separated maxillary stylets, absent maxillary bridge, pelta shape and the setae B1, which measures two thirds of the tube length. We include a key based on characters of phylogenetic importance.

[Thysanopterans of the generic group Anaphothrips (Thripidae: Thripinae) with emphasis in Central America]. / Los tisanópteros del grupo genérico Anaphothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), con écnfasis en América Central.

A taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the generic group Anaphothrips are presented. Several genera in Central America are closely related to this generic group. Based on the analysis of characters and its possible evolution, the new genus Nakaharathrips has been segregated from Anaphothrips, and the taxonomic status of the subspecies of Aurantothrips has been changed to the species level. The phylogenetic analysis shows a close relationship between the genera Anaphothrips, Ranjana, Nakaharathrips n.gen., Aurantothrips, Nicolemma n.gen., Ameranathrips, Baileyothrips and Gonzalezya n.gen., where the first lineage is formed by the genera (Ranjana (Aurantothrips+Nicolemma)) and the second lineage contains the genera [(Anaphothrips+Nakaharathrips)(Baileyothrips (Ameranathrips+Gonzalezya)].

Tabla de vida y patrón de distribución de Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae)en condiciones de laboratorio / Life table for Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae) under laboratory conditions

The tropical thrip Selenothrips rubrocinctus Giard is a polyphagous species sometimes found in commercially important crops that include cocoa and cotton. Laboratory data from specimens collected in Psidium friedrichsthalianum trees in Costa Rica were used to prepare a life table. There was a high mortality in the egg (72.5%) and larva II (18.4%) stages. On leaves, inmature stages presented subvascular distribution and pupae presented submarginal distribution

Se utilizaron datos obtenidos en el laboratorio para la construcción de la tabla de vida de Selenothrips rubrocinctus Giard (Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae). Se obtuvo una alta mortalidad en los estados de huevo (72.5%) y larva II (18.4%). En los patrones de distribución observados en las hojas, los estados inmaduros presentaron una distribución subvascular y la pupa presentó una distribución submarginal

Una especie nueva de tisanóptero del género Frankliniella (grupo cephalica; Thysanoptera: Thripidae) de Costa Rica / A new species of thrip, genus Frankliniella (group cephalica; Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Costa Rica

A new species of the Frankliniella cephalica group, from Central Costa Rica, is described under the name "Frankliniella morerai n.sp.". It is closely related to Frankliniella sandovalensis. Both species have translucent bodies, but the new species can be distinguished by these characteristics: setae io III in position 1/2, a complete comb on abdominal segment VIII, antennal segments without coloration and setae po IV longer. It was found in low density in crops of chilli, tomato, lettuce, sweet potato and coriander. A comparative table with other species of this group is included to facilitate diagnosis

Se describe una nueva especie de Frankliniella para el grupo cephalica: Frankliniella morerai. La nueva especie es similar a F. sandovalensis en el cuerpo translúcido, pero se distingue por las setas io III en posición 1/2, su peine completo en el segmento abdominal VIII, los segmentos antenales sin coloración y la seta po IV de mayor longitud. Se encontró en baja densidad en cultivos de chile, tomate, lechuga, camote y culantro. Se presenta un cuadro comparativo con las especies del grupo y se incluyen ilustraciones de la nueva especie

[Life table for Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae) under laboratory conditions]. / Tabla de vida y patrón de distribución de Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae) en condiciones de laboratorio.

The tropical thrip Selenothrips rubrocinctus Giard is a polyphagous species sometimes found in commercially important crops that include cocoa and cotton. Laboratory data from specimens collected in Psidium friedrichsthalianum trees in Costa Rica were used to prepare a life table. There was a high mortality in the egg (72.5%) and larva II (18.4%) stages. On leaves, inmature stages presented subvascular distribution and pupae presented submarginal distribution.

[A new species of thrip, genus Frankliniella (group Cephalica; Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Costa Rica]. / Una especie nueva de tisan6ptero del género Frankliniella (grupo cephalica; Thysanoptera: Thripidae) de Costa Rica.

A new species of the Frankliniella cephalica group, from Central Costa Rica, is described under the name "Frankliniella morerai n.sp.". It is closely related to Frankliniella sandovalensis. Both species have translucent bodies, but the new species can be distinguished by these characteristics: setae io II in position 1/2, a complete comb on abdominal segment VIII, antennal segments without coloration and setae po IV longer. It was found in low density in crops of chilli, tomato, lettuce, sweet potato and coriander. A comparative table with other species of this group is included to facilitate diagnosis.

[Towards a simple logic in the determination of biological groups: the species and supraspecific groups]. / Hacia una lógica simple en la determinación de grupos biológicos: la especie y los grupos supraespecíficos.

In this paper we discuss about the utility of the species concept as real definition, particularly the Mayr concept. We propose a method for the logical separation of taxa based in the statements of the logical mathematics and the application of the sets theory to the concepts in systematic. We attempt to provide an objective methodology for the interpretation of natural groups in biology including the species as a basic group in evolution. We introduce the concept of the hypothetical ancestor as a mathematical possibility derived from the use of matrix calculations for non square matrix.

Filogenia de los piojos (Insecta: Anoplura) de los monos del Viejo Mundo (Catarrhini) / Phylogeny of lice (Insecta: Anoplura) of the Old World Monkey (Catarrhina)

The genera Pediculus and Pthirus were studied cladistically, although the genus Pedicinus was also taken into account. Morphological characters from the literature, and some established through direct study were analyzed. Using five methods of cladistic analysis, one most parsimonious tree with a c.i.=0.84 and a length of 38 was obtained ((Pedicinus)+(Paenipediculus+(Parapediculus+(Pediculus humanus capitis+Pediculus humanus humanus). A novelty of this study is the inclusion of the subgenus