Universitas Scientiarum

Spatial distribution of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) immature taxocenoses from the Pedra Branca State Park, Brazil

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

To understand the relationship between environmental factors and black fly (Simuliidae) species’ distributions, we sampled immature individuals in Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the dry season in June 2018. We then correlated environmental variable values with black fly larvae abundances via redundancy analyses. The abundances of Simulium pertinax Kollar 1832, Simulium subpallidum Lutz 1910, Simulium (Thyrsopelma) spp., Simulium (Psaroniocompsa) spp., and Simulium (Inaequalium) spp. were negatively correlated with light and temperature, while Simulium (Hemicne tha) spp.’s abundance correlated positively with these variables. The abundances of Simulium pertinax Kollar 1832, Simulium (Hemicnetha) spp., and Simulium (Thyrsopelma) spp. were positively associated with altitude, while the abundances of the other species revealed negative correlations with this factor. Species richness was determined using pupae in a linear regression with the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera Trichoptera (EPT) index. This analysis showed that the most deteriorated sites have a higher species richness than more conserved sites within Pedra Branca State Park. Our results suggest that simuliid species richness reflects habitat integrity, thus becoming a reliable indicator of habitat conservatio status.

Notable range extension of the genus Biramus Oswald, 1993 (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) and first record in Colombia

Camilo Castillo-Avila, Dennis Castillo-Figueroa — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Biramus Oswald, 1993 is a hemerobiid genus (Neuroptera) distinguished by forewing morphological traits. This genus is distributed in Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Here, we report Biramus in Colombia for the first time, based on a single female specimen collected in an upper Andean tropical mountain forest at an altitude above 3 000 m, in Guasca - Cundinamarca. This new record extends the genus’ distribution by 440 km in the northwestern region of South America and represents its highest altitudinal record, expanding its elevational distribution by 1373 m.

Global Antiviral Peptide Research: A Bibliometric Analysis from 1951 to 2022

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Antiviral peptides (AVPs) are small molecules that inhibit the replication of viruses in living cells. AVPs are being investigated as potential alternatives to traditional antiviral drugs. The development of novel antiviral agents is of the highest concern because some traditional antiviral medications can be ineffective and lead to resistant viruses emergence. We conducted a bibliometric study on the global distribution of AVP research to comprehend the trends and patterns in the field. For this analysis, we retrieved data from the Scopus database on AVP-related publications from 1951 to 2022, including the number of publications, citations, and authors. Overall, 10,279 papers were published, with an annual average of 146 publications. The United States released the most documents, followed by China, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Since 2001, there has been a substantial increase in global publications on AVPs, with prominent themes including virology, genetics, protease inhibitors, polypeptide antimicrobial agents, and viral entry. This bibliometric analysis can be used to guide future research in this field.

An integrated anthracnose management approach in Tommy Atkins mango cultivars in Cundinamarca - Colombia

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in mango production, can lead to crop losses of 60 %. Synthetic fungicides constitute its leading management strategy. We evaluated combinations of different management practices to control anthracnose in a commercial Tommy Atkins mango grove in 2015 and 2016. We followed a randomized complete block experimental design with a subdivided plot arrangement composed of 12 treatments, three replicates per treatment, and one mango tree per replicate for 36 trees. Pruning was practiced at plot level (with and without pruning), nutrients were applied to subplots (soil fertilizer, foliar nutrient application, and no nutrient supply), and at sub-subplot level, three anthracnose management treatments were given (chemical, biological, and no treatment). In 2015 and 2016, the treatments involving natural or biological applications against anthracnose plus nutrient supply led to the most significant reductions in quiescent leaf infections and disease presence in flowers and fruits. In addition, pruning at specific crop development stages improved results. In light of our results, this integrated anthracnose management approach in mango production can deliver the expected results if implemented consistently.

First record of Forcipomyia (Microhelea) eriophora (Williston, 1896) ectoparasitic midges occurrence on Heraclides anchisiades capys (Hübner, 1809) butterfly caterpillar hosts in Brazil

Caique Dantas Vasconcelos, Caio Cezar Dias Corrêa, Gabriel Santos Vieira — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this work we report for the first time the occurrence of female adults of the biting midge Forcipomyia (Microhelea) eriophora feeding on butterfly Heraclides anchisiades capys caterpillars. We collected the caterpillars and Ceratopogonidae specimens on Citrus limon (L.) (Rutaceae) tree leaves from the campus of the Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. In Brazil, host records of Forcipomyia (Microhelea) eriophora on caterpillars remain scarce due to significant gaps in our understanding of ectoparasitic habits within Ceratopogonidae.