Morphological and molecular characterisation of two cryptic species of Neodexiopsis (Diptera: Muscidae) from South America

Thaumastocoris peregrinus is a recently introduced invertebrate pest of non-native Eucalyptus plantations in the Southern Hemisphere. It was first reported from South Africa in 2003 and in Argentina in 2005. Since then, populations have grown explosively and it has attained an almost ubiquitous distribution over several regions in South Africa on 26 Eucalyptus species. Here we address three key questions regarding this invasion, namely whether only one species has been introduced, whether there were single or multiple introductions into South Africa and South America and what the source of the introduction might have been. To answer these questions, bar-coding using mitochondrial DNA (COI) sequence diversity was used to characterise the populations of this insect from Australia, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Uruguay. Analyses revealed three cryptic species in Australia, of which only T. peregrinus is represented in South Africa and South America. Thaumastocoris peregrinus populations contained eight haplotypes, with a pairwise nucleotide distance of 0.2-0.9% from seventeen locations in Australia. Three of these haplotypes are shared with populations in South America and South Africa, but the latter regions do not share haplotypes. These data, together with the current distribution of the haplotypes and the known direction of original spread in these regions, suggest that at least three distinct introductions of the insect occurred in South Africa and South America before 2005. The two most common haplotypes in Sydney, one of which was also found in Brisbane, are shared with the non-native regions. Sydney populations of T. peregrinus, which have regularly reached outbreak levels in recent years, might thus have served as source of these three distinct introductions into other regions of the Southern Hemisphere.

Avian Plasmodium parasites can be pathogenic to their vertebrate hosts. Although cases of anaemia are frequently reported in parasitized birds, the potential damage caused by the parasite during the exoerythrocytic reproduction phase remains poorly investigated. Here, we report 2 individuals of red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata) infected with 2 different lineages of Plasmodium huffi, one of them exhibiting potential malarial-compatible tissue lesions in the spleen, liver, brain and lungs, alongside molecular confirmation of parasite presence in the spleen. Previously classified as specific to birds from the order Piciformes, this parasite has shown different associated lineages amplified across diverse host orders in South America (Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Galliformes, Pelecaniformes and Passeriformes). Those infections, however, were defined as abortive due to the absence of gametocytes visualized in blood smear slides. Herein, we confirm P. huffi as a generalist parasite based on the first morphological characterization in the peripheral blood of a bird outside the Piciformes order. This is also the first morphological and molecular description of a Plasmodium species in Cariamiformes. In addition to the morphological analyses, we have also proposed a novel phylogenetic hypothesis based on the partial cytb gene and the near-complete mitochondrial genome of this parasite. Our findings support that the division of the genus Plasmodium into subgenera is not monophyletic, as P. (Huffia) huffi and its associated lineages cluster more closely with Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) gallinaceum than with Plasmodium (Huffia) elongatum.

Bertiella sp. is a typical parasite in non-human primates and only a few cases of bertiellosis have been reported in humans. We present a new case study of bertiellosis in a 42-year-old woman caretaker of howler monkeys in a wild rehabilitation center in Argentina. Bertiella sp. infection was also diagnosed in the monkeys. Proglottids and feces were collected from the caretaker and monkeys; the samples were submitted for parasitological examination by morphological characterization and molecular identification using both nuclear (18S and ITS1-5.8-ITS2 rDNA) and mitochondrial (cox1) markers. Morphological and molecular data were consistent and allowed the classification of the specimen to the genus level. The analyses also showed the presence of cysts of Giardia lamblia and oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. in howler monkeys, and cysts of Blastocystis sp. in both the caretaker and monkeys. This study recorded the fourth case of bertiellosis in a human host from Argentina and the eighth case in South America. Moreover, this is the first study that compares the morphological and molecular features of Bertiella sp. found in both a human and monkeys from the same geographical region. These results suggest that the cohabitation between humans and monkeys increases the opportunities of infection by Bertiella sp. and other potential zoonotic parasites.

PM 7/53 (2) <i>Liriomyza</i> spp.

Fossil remains of extinct mylodontine sloths have been discovered in numerous localities throughout the American supercontinent, but knowledge of them is still mainly centered on the Pleistocene forms rather than their Neogene relatives. In this contribution, previously unpublished cranial and postcranial materials herein ascribed to Glossotherium chapadmalense (Kraglievich), coming from the Pliocene Chapadmalal Formation (Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina), are presented. These remains are described and compared with those of other mylodontine species from South and North America, providing an exhaustive characterization of cranial morphology in G. chapadmalense and some preliminary insights into its postcranial anatomy. The results have revealed a unique combination of differences and similarities of this enigmatic species with the larger-sized representatives of Glossotherium. In addition, these materials allowed shedding light on the long-standing uncertainties regarding its taxonomic status, as this form has been alternately considered to belong to the genera Glossotherium or Glossotheridium over the last century. As a result, the genus Glossotherium was present, at least, at the Early–Late Pliocene transition in the Pampean region of Argentina, and is recorded by the Upper Pleistocene throughout the entire South American continent. The radiation of the Pleistocene species is associated with a consistent body mass increase that was probably a response to the cooling temperatures and higher predation pressure in South America during the Late Pliocene–Early Pleistocene. These phenomena were probably driven by the stable emergence of the Panamanian Isthmus around 3 Ma and the successive faunal turnover pulses of the Great American Biotic Interchange.

First Report of Colletotrichum karstii Causing Anthracnose on Strawberry in Brazil.

The present studies were undertaken to find out genetic diversity among twenty three genotypes of rose (Rosa species) using morphological and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Morphological characterization was done for 16 different morphological traits and genetic diversity of rose species based on morphological characters was determined using Jaccard’s pair wise similarity coefficient. R.damascena var. Rani Sahiba and R. moschata showed highest diversity. Molecular characterization was carried out using 50 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers, out of which 26 produced 168 polymorphic fragments. Analysis of genetic similarity based on Jaccard’s pair wise similarity coefficient showed that R. moschata and R. tomentosa has the highest similarity. There was good concurrence between morphological and molecular characterization with considerable diversity in R. damascena. R. damascena var. Rani Sahiba and R. damascena var. Himroz have shown divergence from R. damascena var. Jwala. The members of the Section Indicae; R. indica var. odorata, R. indica major, R. chinensis viridiflora and R. bourboniana were also grouped together by molecular characterization. Kakinada rose, a local variety of South India was found to cluster with R. damascena var. Himroz through both morphological and molecular characterization. Both morphological and molecular analysis showed a high degree of variation in the rose germplasm which is an invaluable source of genetic diversity for rose improvement.

The species Datura suaveolens W. belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is a natural shrub species of the Himalayas, is widely distributed in South America and Brazil. In Brazil it is cultivated for medicinal and ornamental purposes. The objective of this work was to perform the morphological characterization and verify the pollen viability of the D. suaveolens species by means of colorimetric tests in order to determine the best dye for the species. Flower buds of Datura suaveolens were collected with occurrence in the municipality of Alta Floresta, MT. The experiment was carried out at the Cytogenetic and Tissue Culture Laboratory at the State University of Mato Grosso, Alta Floresta University Campus. For the estimation of pollen viability, three different dyes were evaluated: lugol, Alexander’s reactive and acetic orcein. For the pollen morphology, forty pollen grains stained with 3% safranin were analyzed. The morphological parameters analyzed were: equatorial diameter, polar diameter, size and shape and opening of the pollen grains. The diameter measurements were measured with the help of ImageJ software. The Alexander’s reactive is the most recommended colorimetric method for the pollen viability analysis of Datura Suaveolens because it revealed the highest average of viable pollen and presents a better visual distinction between viable and non-viable pollen. The Datura Suaveolens species has large pollen grains with Oblate-Spheroidal shape, the opening of the pollen is 3-pore type. The mean polar diameter of the species is 70.99 μm and the equatorial diameter is 67.94 μm.

Hymenolepidid cestodes: Diversity, morphological and molecular characterization of a new species, and phylogeny of parasitic species of rodents from North and South America

As environmental and health concerns increase, the trend toward sustainable agriculture is moving toward using biological agents. About 60% of all biological fungicides have Trichoderma species as the active ingredient, with T. harzianum as the most common species in these products. However, the name T. harzianum has often been used incorrectly in culture collections, databases, and scientific literature due to the division of the Harzianum clade (HC) into more than 95 cryptic species, with only one being named T. harzianum. In this study, 49 strains previously identified as T. harzianum in three surveys of Trichoderma species from soils in South and Central America were re-identified using phylogenetic analyses based on tef1α, rpb2, and ITS sequences obtained from GenBank. These were combined with the HC species from two other studies, which were identified based on the current taxonomy. Based on the results of the five surveys of the total 148 strains in HC, 11 species were identified. T. afroharzianum, T. lentiforme, and T. endophyticum, followed by T. azevedoi and T. harzianum, were the dominant species of the HC in South and Central America. This is the first report to identify dominant Trichoderma species within the HC in South and Central American soil based on multiple studies. These results will be useful in selecting strains within the clade for the formulation of biocontrol and biofertilizer products on the continent.

The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genus Iguana Laurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the Common green iguana Iguana iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. No subspecies are currently recognised. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations of Iguana iguana and those from the continent. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes two subspecies of the Common green iguana Iguana iguana from the southern Lesser Antilles, specifically the countries of Saint Lucia Iguana iguana sanctaluciae and Iguana iguana insularis from St Vincent the Grenadines, and Grenada. The form on the island of Saint Vincent has not been identified. The new subspecies are described based on the following unique combination of characters: Presence of high median and medium to small lateral horns on the snout; Small subtympanic plate not exceeding 20% of the eardrum size; Two or three scales of decreasing size anterior to the subtympanic plate; Fewer than ten small to medium triangular gular spikes; Medium sized dewlap; Low number of small to medium dispersed nuchal tubercles; Dark brown iris, with the white of the eye visible; Oval, prominent nostril; Short and relatively flat head; High dorsal spines; No swelling of the jowls in reproductively active males. Iguana iguana sanctaluciae has in adults vertical black stripes on body and tail and a black dewlap whereas Iguana iguana insularis is pale grey or creamy white in adults. Both subspecies are globally threatened by unsustainable hunting (including the pet trade) and by invasive alien species, including hybridization from invasive iguanas from South and Central America (I. iguana iguana and I. rhinolopha, considered here as full species) that have become established in all three countries. The authors call for stronger measures to conserve the remaining purebred Iguana i. insularis and Iguana i. sanctaluciae ssp. nov. throughout their ranges and for further research to identify other cryptic species and subspecies of Iguana in the Lesser Antilles.

The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genus IguanaLaurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the common green iguana Iguana iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations of Iguana iguana and those from the continent. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes a third species Iguana insularis sp. nov. from the southern Lesser Antilles, specifically the countries of Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada. The new species is described based on the following unique combination of characters: Presence of high median and medium to small lateral horns on the snout; Small subtympanic plate not exceeding 20% of the eardrum size; Two or three scales of decreasing size anterior to the subtympanic plate; Fewer than ten small to medium triangular gular spikes; Medium sized dewlap; Low number of small to medium dispersed nuchal tubercles; Dark brown iris, with the white of the eye visible; Oval, prominent nostril; Short and relatively flat head; High dorsal spines; No swelling of the jowls in reproductively active males; Colour of head, body and tail changing from green to pale grey or creamy white in old adults; Vertical black stripes on body and tail, fading with age in some populations. This paper furthermore distinguishes two subspecies: Iguana insularis insularis from the Grenada Bank (comprising Grenada and the Grenadine islands), and Iguana insularis sanctaluciae from Saint Lucia. The form on the island of Saint Vincent has not been identified. Both subspecies are globally threatened by unsustainable hunting (including the pet trade) and by invasive alien species, including hybridization from invasive iguanas from South and Central America (I. iguana and I. rhinolopha, considered here as full species) that have become established in all three countries. The authors call for stronger measures to conserve the remaining purebred Iguana insularis sp. nov. throughout its range and for further research to identify other cryptic species and subspecies of Iguana in the Lesser Antilles.

Book Review

Schyzocotyle acheilognathi is a fish tapeworm native to Asia but has been reported as an alien species on practically all other continents. Its invasive potential is due to its low host specificity and high adaptability to different environments, and its spread to new areas can result in economic and ecological impacts. Studies reporting this species in South America are still scarce, indicating the need to monitor its dispersion to new areas. Herein, tapeworms found in guppies, Poecilia reticulata, from an urban stream located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in April 2021 were subjected to morphological and molecular characterization. As a result, 5/13 (38.5%) of the P. reticulata specimens evaluated were infected with intestinal tapeworms. It was verified a mean intensity of infection of 7.8 (1-25) and a mean abundance of infection of 3 (0-25). The morphology of the cestodes obtained was compatible with that of S. acheilognathi. Moreover, genetic analysis based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (Cox-1) revealed 97.89-99.77% similarity to isolates of this species from different localities. The possibility that S. acheilognathi is expanding to new regions of South America is discussed.

Objective: To determine the causal agent of powdery mildew in husk tomato and watermelon, as well as its morphological and molecular characterization. Design/methodology/approach: Leaves with powdery mildew symptoms were collected from husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico in 2018. From two isolates (Phyxa1 and Phyxa2) of husk tomato and two of watermelon (Citrus1 and Citrus2), the morphological characterization was carried out by assembling morphological structures and visualizing them under an optical microscope. For molecular characterization, the ITS region was amplified with the use of primers ITS1 and ITS4, PCR was performed and the products obtained were sequenced in the company Macrogen®. A phylogenetic analysis was performed with the resulting sequences and they were compared with other sequences available in GenBank. Results: It was determined that there is morphological and genetic variability between isolates from husk tomato and watermelon. The largest sizes of conidiophores and conidia were from Phyxa1 and Phyxa2 isolates, the smallest sizes were found in Citrus1 and Citrus2. The isolates presented a tendency to group according to the host, the Phyxa1 and Phyxa2 isolates were associated with Solanacea isolates, while the Citrus1 and Citrus2 isolates were grouped with isolates of the Cucurbitaceae family. Findings/conclusions: Podosphaera xanthii was shown to be the agent associated with powdery mildew in husk tomato and watermelon. The morphological and genetic variability of P. xanthii was determined, which was associated with the host of origin.