A revision of the Neotropical Solenopsidini ant genus Oxyepoecus Santschi, 1926 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae): 2. Final. Key for species and revision of the Rastratus species-group

In the first paper of this series (Albuquerque & Brandão, 2004) we revised the Vezenyii species group of the exclusively Neotropical solenopsidine (Myrmicinae) ant genus Oxyepoecus. In this closing paper we update distribution information on the Vezenyii group species and revise the other Oxyepoecus species-group (Rastratus). We describe two species (Oxyepoecus myops n. sp. and O. rosai n. sp.) and redescribe previously known species of the group [O. daguerrei (Santschi, 1933), O. mandibularis (Emery, 1913), O. plaumanni Kempf, 1974, O. rastratus Mayr, 1887, and O. reticulatus Kempf, 1974], adding locality records and comments on the meagre biological data of these species. We also present an identification key to Oxyepoecus species based on workers.No primeiro artigo desta série (Albuquerque & Brandão, 2004) revisamos o grupo de espécies Vezenyii do gênero exclusivamente neotropical de formigas Oxyepoecus (Myrmicinae: Solenopsidini). Completamos agora a série, atualizando informações sobre as espécies do grupo Vezenyii e revendo a taxonomia do outro grupo de espécies de Oxyepoecus (Rastratus), descrevendo Oxypoecus myops n. sp. e Oxyepoecus rosai n. sp. e redescrevendo as espécies já conhecidas [Oxyepoecus daguerrei (Santschi, 1933), O. mandibularis (Emery, 1913), O. plaumanni Kempf, 1974, O. rastratus Mayr, 1887, e O. reticulatus Kempf, 1974], adicionando registros de localidade e comentando o conjunto dos poucos dados sobre a biologia das espécies do grupo. Apresentamos também uma chave de identificação de espécies de Oxyepoecus baseada em operárias.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Uma crônica da integração dos museus estatutários à USP

O presente artigo historia o processo político da incorporação dos atuais museus estatutários à Universidade de São Paulo, como subsídio às discussões atuais sobre mudanças no Estatuto da USP. Relata os passos do processo de integração dos museus à USP, segundo os cenários em que ocorreram, concentrando-se no caso do Museu de Zoologia. Identifica os principais obstáculos que dificultaram e ainda impedem a plena inserção dos museus à vida acadêmica.This article offers a historical account of the political process behind the incorporation of today's statutory museums into the University of São Paulo, providing support for ongoing discussions about the changes to the university's bylaws. It describes the steps leading to the integration of the museums into USP while considering the environment in which this process took place, with a special focus on the Zoology Museum. It identifies the main obstacles that have stood in the way of their full integration into the academic life of the university

Catalogue of the Dolichoderinae, Formicinae and Martialinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) types deposited at the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

This catalogue lists types of three ant subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Formicinae and Martialinae) housed in the Formicidae Collection of the Hymenoptera Laboratory, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP), Brazil. It provides label information, morphological condition of specimens, nomenclatural changes, and type status, following recommendations of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Here we present information on types of 101 nominal species, of which 96 are still valid. Eight species are only represented by holotypes, 27 species only by paratypes, seven by holotypes and paratypes, 56 species by syntypes, two species by paralectotypes and one species by a lectotype and paralectotypes. With this issue we complete the publication of information regarding all MZSP ant types, summing 4,741 specimens of 892 nomenclaturally valid species

Type specimens of Chrysidoidea (Hymenoptera) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

The present catalogue lists type specimens of Chrysidoidea deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP). The Chrysidoidea collection includes a total of 75 holotypes, 791 paratypes, 2 lectotypes, 1 paralectotype and 5 syntypes of 97 nominal species. All information contained in the labels was compiled and is presented along with additional data taken from the original descriptions, MZSP records and other sources. We present also links to high resolution photographs of holotypes, lectotypes and syntypes uploaded to the Specimage, image database of the Ohio State University

Diversity of Ophioniformes wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in a Central-West Brazilian Savanna area

This study aimed to assess the diversity, abundance and seasonal dynamics of Ophioniformes wasps collected throughout a year, as recorded in Malaise traps set at the Reserva Ecológica da Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul, a Brazilian Savanna area in Aquidauana city, MS. A total of 621 specimens of Ophioniformes belonging to 11 subfamilies, 30 genera and 106 species were sampled. Despite the impressive number of species found, in a pattern of a few relatively abundant species and many rare ones, our data estimate even higher richness, probably between 125 to 165 species in the studied area. The genera Diadegma, Nonnus, Diradops, Meniscomorpha, Syzeuctus, Ophiopterus and Thyreodon are recorded for the first time in Mato Grosso do Sul State. Among the climatic variables evaluated, mean temperature and relative humidity were positively and significantly correlated with richness and abundance. Our data highlights the huge unknown species richness of these parasitoids in Brazil and the need of taxonomic studies efforts in the future

Redescoberta da espécie supostamente extinta de formigas, Simopelta minima (Brandão) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), com uma discussão sobre raridade e estado de conservação de espécies de formigas

Simopelta minima (Brandão, 1989) was originally described based on four workers collected in soil samples from a small cocoa plantation in Ilhéus, state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. In the subsequent years after the description, this cocoa plantation was eliminated and the species was then considered extinct by the Brazilian environmental institutions. The recent rediscovery of S. minima workers in subterranean pitfall trap samples from Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, over 1.000 km distant from type locality, suggests that the rarity and vulnerability status of some ant species may be explained by insufficient sampling of adequate microhabitats, in time and space.Simopelta minima (Brandão, 1989) foi originalmente descrita com base em quatro operárias coletadas em amostras de solo provenientes de uma pequena plantação de cacau localizada em Ilhéus, Estado da Bahia, nordeste do Brasil. Nos anos seguintes à descrição, esta pequena plantação de cacau foi eliminada e a espécie passou a ser considerada extinta pelas instituições ambientais brasileiras. Recentemente foram coletadas operárias de Simopelta minima em amostras de armadilhas subterrâneas do tipo "pitfall", em Viçosa, Estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil, a mais de 1.000 km de distância da localidade tipo. Esta redescoberta sugere que o status de raridade e/ou vulnerabilidade atribuído a algumas espécies de formigas pode ser explicado pela amostragem insuficiente de microhabitats adequados, no tempo e no espaço.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)CNPqFAPEMIGFAPES

Crabronidae and Sphecidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) type specimens deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

This catalogue lists the type specimens of Crabronidae and Sphecidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP). The collection includes a total of 83 type specimens (17 holotypes, 66 paratypes), 82 of which belong to nine genera and 35 species of Crabronidae and only one of Sphecidae. All labels contents and additional information obtained from other available sources are presented. High resolution photographs of the primary types are also provided

Crabronidae and Sphecidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) type specimens deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

This catalogue lists the type specimens of Crabronidae and Sphecidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP). The collection includes a total of 83 type specimens (17 holotypes, 66 paratypes), 82 of which belong to nine genera and 35 species of Crabronidae and only one of Sphecidae. All labels contents and additional information obtained from other available sources are presented. High resolution photographs of the primary types are also provided

Peginterferon plus ribavirin and sustained virological response rate in HCV-related advanced fibrosis: a real life study

Background: Tolerance and response to antiviral HCV treatment is poor in advanced fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess SVR rate and its predictive factors in HCV advanced fibrosis patients treated in real life with full dose PEG-IFN plus RBV and to evaluate the adverse events related to treatment. Methods: A multicentric, retrospective study was conducted at six university hospitals. METAVIR F3 and F4 HCV monoinfected patients who were treated with PEG-IFN and RBV had their data analyzed. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the variables independently related to SVR. Adverse events were recorded during treatment. Results: 308 patients were included, 75% genotype 1 and 23% genotype 3. METAVIR F3 was present in 39% and F4 in 61% of patients. The median Child Pugh score for F4 patients was 5 (5–9). The global SVR rate was 34%, 11% were relapsers and 55% were nonresponders. SVR rates were similar between patients treated with PEG-IFN alfa 2a or alfa 2b (p = 0.24). SVR rates according to Child–Pugh score were 26% (Child A) and 18% (Child B). The independent factors related to SVR in F4 patients were genotype 3, RVR and fewer Child Pugh score points. Treatment interruption occurred in 31% patients and death occurred in 1.9%, all with liver cirrhosis. Conclusion: Treatment of HCV in patients with advanced fibrosis should not be postponed. However, a very careful evaluation of cirrhotic patients must be performed before treatment is indicated and careful monitoring is required during treatment.Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Botucatu School of MedicineUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade Estadual de CampinasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Pontificia Universidade Catolica de São PauloUNIFESPSciEL