Brazilian Collection Research Articles

Integrating molecular and morphological data in the secondary sexual identification of museum specimens of Tamandua tetradactyla (Xenarthra, Pilosa)

Xenarthra is a superorder of placental mammals constituted by extant armadillos, sloths, anteaters and their fossil relatives. Considering the biogeographic abundance, the two species included in the Tamandua genus are the most expressive among the anteaters, being found of the north of Central America to the south of South America. Tamandua tetradactyla stand out as the most expressive species of anteater, with often records in Brazilian biological collections. However, the absence of sexual dimorphism in the external morphology of T. tetradactyla and other anteaters contributes to that sexing mistakes are frequently observed in museum specimens. Thus, evolutionary, anatomical, ecological and pathological issues related to the sex of T. tetradactyla remain mostly unknown. Here, we investigate the use of PCR amplification of the SRY gene obtained from muscular tissues of T. tetradactyla in the sexual identification of museum specimens. In addition, we used the molecular data to reveal possible intraspecific sexual variations in the skeleton of the analyzed samples. The results indicate that the anatomical data are concordant with the molecular analysis in this study, with the appendicular bones of the specimens of T. tetradactyla presented marked patterns of sexual distinctions. The molecular-morphological integration is probably a useful tool in the recognition of intraspecific variation still unknown in museum specimens of Xenarthra.

An overview of the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the state of Maranhão, Brazil

The state of Maranhão, located in northeastern Brazil, comprises three biomes: Amazonian, Caatinga, and the Cerrado. To date, 99 ant species have been recorded in the literature from the state. In the present work, we provide for the first time a profile of the ant fauna in the state based on data from the historical literature and Brazilian institutional collections. The updated records on ant diversity for the state of Maranhão revealed a total of 279 species, belonging to 71 genera and 10 subfamilies. In total, 180 species are recorded for the first time in the state, of which four species recorded for the first time in Brazil. In summary, apart from documenting the ant fauna of the region, these results provide a basis for further studies and may contribute to future conservation efforts for the biomes present in this complex landscape.

Investigating the origin and genetic diversity of improved Eucalyptus grandis populations in Brazil

To better understand the genetic variability among and within Eucalyptus grandis populations introduced in Brazil, we use microsatellite loci to investigate the mating system, genetic structure, and Australian origins of several introduced provenances. Our sample includes 981 trees from ten Brazilian populations and 254 trees from 18 Australian populations. Significant higher observed heterozygosity (Ho) and significant lower fixation index (F) was detected in grouped Brazilian provenance (Ho = 0.753, F = 0.140) than in Australian samples (Ho = 0.680, F = 0.220). However, Brazilian samples presented significantly lower genetic differentiation (GST′) among populations (0.541) than Australian populations (0.838) indicating that the overall genetic diversity captured in the Brazilian collection is low due to the limited number of populations represented. All sampled Brazilian populations showed 100% correct expectation of attribution to their reference population, showing consistency with historical information. A lower fixation index (F) was detected in Brazilian seed trees (−0.101) than their offspring (0.140), suggesting selection against inbred individuals between seedling and adult stages. The outcrossing rate (tm) was high (0.994) with low variability among populations (0.921–0.969). However, some mating occurred between related trees (tm-ts = 0.149) and were correlated (rp(m) = 0.113), indicating that some offspring are inbred and families are composed of different levels of relatedness. The coancestry (Θ = 0.141) was higher and the effective size within families (Ne = 3.09) lower than that expected for half-sib families (Θ = 0.125; Ne = 4). Brazilian E. grandis populations offer the possibility to develop new breeding populations with high genetic variability due to their differing origins combined with individual selection.

Selection and identification of xylose-fermenting yeast strains for ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass

Ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass is of economic interest due to the pressure to reduce fossil fuels consumption and land use for non-edible crops. Xylose is one of the main sugars obtained by hydrolysis of hemicellulose fraction of biomass, but industrial yeasts cannot ferment it. This work aimed to select, characterize and identify xylose-fermenting yeasts from Brazilian microorganisms collections with potential use in ethanol production. Xylose assimilation was tested by replica plating, and fermentation was tested with Durham tubes. Xylose-fermenting strains had their fermentative capacity quantified and compared to a reference strain (Scheffersomyces stipitis UFMG-IMH 43.2) and were identified by molecular techniques. Three strains isolated from plant exudates were able to ferment xylose and showed fermentative parameters similar to the reference strain. Two strains were identified as Candida parapsilosis and one was identified as Meyerozyma guilliermondii. The findings show the potential biotechnological use of these microorganisms.

Genetic variability in a Brazilian apple germplasm collection with low chilling requirements.

The apple (Malus domestica Borkh) originally evolved to require temperatures below 7.2 °C for the induction of budding and flowering. In Brazil, breeders have overcome the climate barrier and developed the cultivars Anabela, Julieta, Carícia, and Eva, with low chilling requirements and good yield characteristics. These cultivars are grown in many warmer climate countries in South America, Africa, and the Middle East. The apple germplasm collection that originated these cultivars has several genotypes with pedigrees for a low chilling requirement. Knowledge of the variability and genetic relationships among these genotypes may be useful in the development of superior new cultivars. In this work, we first selected the best ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) primers for genetic studies in apple, and then we used the selected primers to evaluate the genetic variability of the apple germplasm collection at the Instituto Agronômico do Paraná. The evaluation of 42 ISSR primers in 10 apple genotypes allowed us to select the best nine primers based on the polymorphic information content (PIC) and resolving power (RP) indexes. The primer selection step was robust since the dendrogram obtained with the nine selected primers was the same as the one obtained using all 26 polymorphic primers. Primer selection using PIC and RP indexes allowed us to save about 60% of time and costs in the genetic variability study. The nine ISSR primers showed high levels of genetic variability in the 60 apple genotypes evaluated. The relevance of the primer selection step is discussed from the perspective of saving time and money in germplasm characterization. The high genetic variability and the genetic relationships among the genotypes are discussed from the perspective of the development of new apple cultivars, mainly aiming for a low chilling requirement that can better adapt to current climatic conditions or those that may arise with global warming.

Characterization of Phenotypic Diversity of Feijoa Fruits of Germplasm Accessions in Brazil

Core Ideas Feijoa fruit combine unique flavor and medicinal properties. The Brazilian feijoa collection exhibit high variability in fruit traits. Years was the major effect to all fruit trait phenotype in south of Brazil. The aim of the present work was to physicochemically characterize the fruits of accessions of feijoa [Acca sellowiana (O. Berg.) Burret] active germplasm bank (BAG), located in São Joaquim, Brazil. The identification of accessions with desirable fruit traits will facilitate species breeding and cultivation. During seven harvests (2004–2017), 10 fruits per plant of 229 accessions were evaluated for fruit diameter, length and weight, skin and pulp weight, skin thickness, pH, titratable acidity, and soluble solids content, in addition to the qualitative descriptors insertion of sepals, fruit shape, sheen of skin, vacuum, color of skin and pulp, and texture and roughness of the skin. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and a multivariate analysis were applied to better understand the nature and magnitude of the variables. The mean +1SD was used to identify the best accessions for breeding purposes. Active germplasm bank accessions revealed significant phenotypic diversity for the physicochemical characteristics of the fruits, and the year effect represented the largest contribution to the variance for all evaluated characteristics, except fruit length. The characteristics total fruit weight, fruit diameter, and skin thickness are strongly related to pulp yield (%). There is high phenotypic diversity in accessions of feijoa conserved in the São Joaquim BAG, which will allow different traits of this species to be genetically improved.

Impact of economic factors on formal milk collection by the dairy industry in the main producing states in Brazil: a cointegration analysis

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to measure the short- and long-term elasticities of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), productivity, prices paid to producers, milk powder imports, minimum wages, and exchange ratios in milk collection between 1999 and 2016. For the measurement, the cointegration technique for data in a balanced panel was used, contemplating five states with great representativeness in the Brazilian industrial milk collection: Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Goias, and Sao Paulo. These states corresponded [...]

Arctiini Leach, [1815] (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) da Amazônia Brasileira. III - Subtribo Ctenuchina Kirby, 1837

Abstract: The Ctenuchina moths comprise 874 New World species. Here we provide a list of Ctenuchina species from the Brazilian Amazon. The list was produced from specimens deposited in the most important Brazilian collections and from literature data. Nearly 31% (273) of the New World Ctenuchina species were recorded, including 28 new occurrences for the Brazilian Amazon. Santarém and Belém were the municipalities with the highest number of species records, with 139 and 88, respectively. The high number of Ctenuchina records in the Amazon is underestimated because this subtribe has never been sampled in the vast majority of the biome. This is a worrying scenario because the Amazon has the world highest absolute rate of forest reduction. To suggest efficient conservation policies for the Arctiinae fauna of Amazon, it is urgent to intensify the sampling effort in this biome.

Autorretrato de Amedeo Modigliani do acervo do MAC USP à luz de sua história material

RESUMO Este artigo em duas partes (histórico e análise, seguida da parte de interpretação dos dados obtidos por técnicas analíticas) apresenta um estudo da obra Autorretrato (1919, óleo/tela, 100 x 65 cm) de Amedeo Modigliani, pertencente ao acervo do Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo (MAC USP). Através do cotejamento entre a documentação de procedência da obra, fontes críticas de abordagem da pintura de Modigliani, com as análises técnico-científicas físico-químicas e de imageamento, foi possível reavaliá-la na articulação entre sua materialidade e sua composição, bem como lançar nova luz sobre sua recepção pela crítica dos anos 1950, quando ela chegou ao Brasil e circulou no contexto internacional por meio de publicações e exposições, já como parte de uma coleção brasileira.

A preliminary overview of the Brazilian Apioninae (Coleoptera: Brentidae) with an illustrated key for genera, and a checklist with distribution information

Abstract: Here we examine the taxonomic diversity of the Brazilian Apioninae (Coleoptera: Brentidae) and provide an update based on the literature and through examination of material in primary Brazilian collections. Ten genera and 89 species are valid and we include 30 (25 genera, 5 species) new distribution records. Chrysapion Kissinger, 1968 is first reported in Brazil, restricted to the northeast. Ranges now include the Amazon (three genera and one subgenus) and Atlantic (four genera and one subgenus) forests, the Pantanal (five genera) and Cerrado (three genera). The ranges of several genera now include more than one new biome. An identification key (including images of adults and illustrations of male genitalia) also includes the 10 Brazilian genera of Apioninae for the first time.

Arctiini Leach, [1815] (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) of the Brazilian Amazon. IV - Subtribe Euchromiina Butler, 1876

Abstract: The Euchromiina moths comprise 735 species in the neotropics. Here we provide a list of Euchromiina species from the Brazilian Amazon. The list was produced from specimens deposited in the most important Brazilian collections and from literature data. Nearly 30% (219) of the neotropics Euchromiina species were recorded, including 13 new occurrences for the Brazilian Amazon. Santarém and Belém were the municipalities with the highest number of species records, with 96 and 74, respectively. Although the number of Euchromiina records is high in the Amazon, this value is underestimated because the fauna was never sampled in the vast majority of the biome. This is a worrying scenario because the Amazon has the world highest absolute rate of forest reduction. In order to suggest efficient conservation policies for the Amazon Arctiinae fauna, it is urgent to intensify the sampling effort in this biome.

O editor como curador: as estéticas da interrupção e da raridade nas coleções literárias contemporâneas

O artigo visa discutir histórico e conceitualmente os projetos editoriais brasileiros de coleções literárias. Após um traçado histórico, analisaremos os principais modelos de distribuição adotados pelos projetos de livros vendidos em volumes. Na sequência, a partir dos conceitos de estética da interrupção, dispositivos editorais e raridade, pensaremos nas coleções brasileiras contemporâneas, com ênfase na “Amores Expressos” (Cia. das Letras). Percebe-se que as coleções contemporâneas tendem a ser multiautorais e com temáticas que constituem uma originalidade a partir da escrita encomendada. Se as coleções são formas de comercialização e de construção de discursos, sugerimos que algumas obras, enquanto volumes de uma coletânea, devam ser analisadas levando em consideração o posicionamento de campo e o diálogo temático que desenvolvem entre si. *** The editor as a curator: the interruption and rarity aesthetics in contemporary collections ***We aims to discuss historically and conceptually the editorial projects of Brazilian literary collections. After a historic outline, we intend to analyze the main distribution models adopted by the book projects sold in volumes. Next, based on concepts of interruption aesthetics, editorial devices and rarity, we aim to analyze contemporary Brazilian collections, namely “Amores Expressos” (Cia. das Letras). Contemporary collections tend to be multi-author and have themes that constitute originality from the ordered manuscript. If collections are a way of commercialization and discourse construction, we suggest that some work should be analyzed taking into account the field positioning and the thematic dialogue that they develop amongst themselves.Keywords: Editorial projects; Literary collections; Amores Expressos.

An overview of the mite fauna (Acari) associated with eumenine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) found in Brazilian collections

ABSTRACTMites can be associated with other organisms as parasites, commensals, phoretic, among others, such as some Winterschmidtiidae that present cooperative relationships with solitary wasps (Eumeninae). These wasps have one or more cavities in their body surface that are capable of carrying mites, called acarinaria. Studies carried out in the northern hemisphere suggest that these relationships are species-specific. However, in South America, there are few studies in this field. Aiming to recognize and increase our knowledge of the species of solitary wasps from Brazil that are associated with mites, we examined 61 wasps belonging to 29 species and four genera from Brazilian museum collections. All of the specimens studied presented at least one type of acarinarium in their bodies. There were mites in all specimens of wasps, but not all of them were associated with an acarinarium. The mites belong to 11 different genera: six in Winterschmidtiidae (possibly cooperation relationships); one in Oplitidae (phoresy); one in Erythraeidae (parasitism); two in Acaridae (phoresy); and one in Histiostomatidae (phoresy). Detrended correspondence analysis and indicator species analysis were conducted to test the preference of the mite genera for species of wasp and for site (regions of the wasp’s body). These tests were significant only for the mite genus Vespacarus preferring Parancistrocerus wasp species and the metasomal acarinaria. Some of the mites did not have a specific host, and some wasps carried more than one species of mite, differing from the specific interactions reported for the northern hemisphere.

Direct transesterification of Mucor circinelloides biomass for biodiesel production: Effect of carbon sources on the accumulation of fungal lipids and biofuel properties

The wild strain of Mucor circinelloides URM 4182 from a Brazilian culture collection was previously recognized as potential oleaginous microorganism that supplied single cell oil (SCO) with suitable properties for biodiesel synthesis. This work focused on assessing the accumulation of storage lipid by this strain grown in various media containing different carbon sources and the subsequent conversion of the microbial lipids into biodiesel. The chosen carbon sources can be obtained from several agro-industrial residues such as sucrose and fructose (sugarcane molasses), xylose (hydrolysate of lignocellulosic materials like sugarcane bagasse), starch (corn milling), ethanol and glycerol (byproducts from biodiesel production). The carbon source was found to influence the obtained fatty acid profile of M. circinelloides oil, realizing important attributes that favor its use for biodiesel production, including good levels of saturated (Cn: 0) and monounsaturated (Cn: 1) fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids with two (linoleic acid) or three double (linolenic acid) bonds were also found, but their concentrations decreased from 33.2 to 19.8% when glucose was replaced by a substrate based on sucrose. The feasibility of using low-cost feedstocks in the synthesis of microbial lipids was demonstrated, with the exception of ethanol that inhibited fungal growth. The lipid-bearing biomass was then subjected to direct transesterification using a robust solid acid catalyst (12-molybdophosphoric acid supported on alumina) in a high-pressure reactor, producing ethyl esters as biodiesel material with very high conversion yields (98.5%) and minor levels of byproducts.

The New World species of Leucospis Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Leucospidae): an update of Bouček's revision with description of two new species from Brazil.

The revision of Leucospis Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Leucospidae) by Bouček (1974a) is updated for the New World species based on material deposited in Brazilian collections. We provide a key to the New World species including all species described after Bouček, describe two new Brazilian species, Leucospis copepucu sp. nov. and L. muru sp. nov. describe the male of Leucospis opalescens Weld, 1922, and provide diagnoses and illustrations for ten other Brazilian species and one Argentinian species and comments on new geographic records for Brazilian species, with maps.

NOTES ON TWO COPRINOID FUNGI (BASIDIOMYCOTA, AGARICALES) FROM THE BRAZILIAN SEMIARID REGION

Coprinellus phaeoxanthus A.R.Gomes & Wartchow is described as a new species and is characterised by cordiform basidiospores similar to those of the recently described Coprinellus arenicola. However, it differs in the presence of voluminous pleurocystidia in the velar elements, which are shorter than in Coprinellus arenicola, and in the lack of clamp connections. In addition, exsiccatae of a Brazilian collection identified as ‘Coprinus xerophilus’ are analysed, and because of the star-shaped velar patch on the pileus and the non-volvate stipe base, it is considered to be the same as Coprinus calyptratus, representing a new record from South America.

Analysis of analytical attitude propagators for spin-stabilized satellites

In this paper, analytical attitude propagators for spin-stabilized satellites are analyzed. For this purpose, external torques are introduced in the motion equations such as solar radiation pressure torque, aerodynamic torque, gravity gradient torque, and magnetic residual and eddy current torques. For the magnetic torques, it used both the dipole and quadripole Earth’s magnetic field models. The obtained analytical solution is applied and compared with actual data for Brazilian data collection satellites SCD1 and SCD2. The results, when a daily data update is applied, based on the INPE-Brazilian Institute for Space Research supplied data, show a good agreement of all involved parameters with the actual deviations in the parameter values within the precision required for the satellite mission. This permits to conclude that the used theory is suitable for the studied problem. Thus, the propagators presented in this work can be applied to predict the rotational motion of spin-stabilized artificial satellites, particularly for SCD1 and SCD2 satellites over the considered time period.

Genetic variability in Brazilian Capsicum baccatum germplasm collection assessed by morphological fruit traits and AFLP markers.

Capsicum baccatum is one of the main pepper species grown and consumed in South America. In Brazil, it is commonly cultivated by family farmers, using mostly the genotypes bishop's hat genotypes (locally cambuci) and red chili pepper (dedo-de-moça). This study had the objective of characterizing 116 C. baccatum accessions from different regions of Brazil, based on morphological fruit descriptors and AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) markers. Broad phenotypic variability among the C. baccatum accessions was detected when using morphological fruit descriptors. The Ward modified location model (Ward-MLM) discriminated five groups, based mainly on fruit shape. Six combinations of AFLP primers detected polymorphism in 97.93% of the 2466 identified bands, indicating the high genetic variability in the accessions. The UPGMA coincided with the Bayesian clustering analysis and three large groups were formed, separating the wild variety C. baccatum var. praetermissum from the other accessions. There was no relation between genetic distance and geographical origin of the accessions, probably due to the intense exchange of fruits and seeds between farmers. Morphological descriptors used together with AFLP markers proved efficient in detecting the levels of genetic variability among the accessions maintained in the germplasm collections. These results can be used as an additional source of helpful information to be exploited in C. baccatum breeding programs.

A new association between Ornithodoros saraivai (Acari, Argasidae) and a species of rock frog in the genus Thoropa (Amphibia, Cycloramphidae) in Brazil

ABSTRACTThe relationship between argasid ticks and cycloramphid frogs has only recently been described together with the description of new species of ticks, as is the case of Ornithodoros saraivai Muñoz-Leal & Labruna 2017. The type host of this recently described species is the rock frog, Cycloramphus boraceiensis Heyer, 1983. The basic knowledge regarding the use of host by these ticks is still incipient. Here in, we investigated of, a similar host, Thoropa taophora (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1923), also cycloramphid, a rock frog, that may be syntopic to C. boraceiensis and may serve as host to the same species of tick. We surveyed 270 specimens of T. taophora from a Brazilian herpetological collection in search of parasitism by species Ornithodoros. In these samples we found that 49 (18.15%) of the frogs were parasitized by 130 larvae of O. saraivai. The parasitized specimens of T. taophora were from three localities in the state of São Paulo: two continental and one isular. The dates associated with the frog specimens in the collection suggest that the parasite–host relationship is not incidental; the sample includes specimens collected at least five decades ago. This result represent the first record of O. saraivai parasitizing anurans of the genus Thoropa Cope, 1865.

Redescription of Dekeyseria picta (Siluriformes; Loricariidae), a poorly known ancistrin from the Amazon and Orinoco Basins

A re-evaluation of Dekeyseria brachyura and D. pulchra found them to be junior synonyms of D. picta, the oldest species among these congeners, based on continuous intraspecific variation in morphometrics and colour pattern. Examination of material deposited at Brazilian and Venezuelan collections, including the original type specimens of Ancistrus brachyurus and A. pictus, plus samples recently collected in the Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil, allowed re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of D. picta and provides additional information on its distribution, habitats and reproductive strategies.