High Levels of Diversity Uncovered in a Widespread Nominal Taxon: Continental Phylogeography of the Neotropical Tree Frog

Species distributed across vast continental areas and across major biomes provide unique model systems for studies of biotic diversification, yet also constitute daunting financial, logistic and political challenges for data collection across such regions. The tree frog Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) is a nominal species, continentally distributed in South America, that may represent a complex of multiple species, each with a more limited distribution. To understand the spatial pattern of molecular diversity throughout the range of this species complex, we obtained DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and the 16S rhibosomal gene (16S) for 407 samples of D. minutus and closely related species distributed across eleven countries, effectively comprising the entire range of the group. We performed phylogenetic and spatially explicit phylogeographic analyses to assess the genetic structure of lineages and infer ancestral areas. We found 43 statistically supported, deep mitochondrial lineages, several of which may represent currently unrecognized distinct species. One major clade, containing 25 divergent lineages, includes samples from the type locality of D. minutus. We defined that clade as the D. minutus complex. The remaining lineages together with the D. minutus complex constitute the D. minutus species group. Historical analyses support an Amazonian origin for the D. minutus species group with a subsequent dispersal to eastern Brazil where the D. minutus complex originated. According to our dataset, a total of eight mtDNA lineages have ranges >100,000 km2. One of them occupies an area of almost one million km2 encompassing multiple biomes. Our results, at a spatial scale and resolution unprecedented for a Neotropical vertebrate, confirm that widespread amphibian species occur in lowland South America, yet at the same time a large proportion of cryptic diversity still remains to be discovered

Oxidative stress in healthy and pathological red blood cells

Red cell diseases encompass a group of inherited or acquired erythrocyte disorders that affect the structure, function, or production of red blood cells (RBCs). These disorders can lead to various clinical manifestations, including anemia, hemolysis, inflammation, and impaired oxygencarrying capacity. Oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant defense mechanisms, plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of red cell diseases. In this review, we discuss the most relevant oxidant species involved in RBC damage, the enzymatic and low molecular weight antioxidant systems that protect RBCs against oxidative injury, and finally, the role of oxidative stress in different red cell diseases, including sickle cell disease, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and pyruvate kinase deficiency, highlighting the underlying mechanisms leading to pathological RBC phenotypes.CSIC: I+D_2020_55

Larval anatomy of Dendropsophus decipiens (A. Lutz 1925) (Anura: Hylidae: Dendropsophini) with considerations to larvae of this genus

The Dendropsophus decipiens clade comprises four species: D. berthalutzae, D. decipiens, D. haddadi, and D. oliveirai. Tadpoles of these species were described, but data on their internal morphology are lacking. We provide the first description of the buccopharyngeal anatomy, chondrocranial morphology, and cranial, hyoid and hyobranchial musculature of the tadpole of D. decipiens. Larvae of D. decipiens are characterized by the absence of lingual papillae, presence of fan-like papilla on the buccal floor, presence of a single-element suprarostral cartilage, presence of a small triangular process at the basis of the processus muscularis, m. levator mandibulae lateralis inserted on the nasal sac, and m. subarcualis rectus II-IV with a single, continuous slip. Tadpoles are likely macrophagous, although not as specialized as those of other species of the genus, suggesting some degree of diversification on the feeding habits within Dendropsophus.Fil: Dias, Pedro H. S.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: de Araujo Vieira, Katyuscia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: de Carvalho-e-Silva, Ana Maria P. T.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Orrico, Victor G. D.. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz; Brasi

Valorization of fish waste using biochar and crude glycerin as additives in composting.

During composting, nitrogen loss primarily occurs in the form of ammonia, which negatively affects the quality of organic fertilizers, because nitrogen is a crucial macronutrient for plant growth. Additives are often employed to mitigate these losses, particularly when composted waste contains high nitrogen levels. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of biochar and crude glycerin as additives in the composting of fish waste in static windrows. Based on fresh weight, five treatments were evaluated: control (no additive), 5 and 10% biochar, and 5 and 10% crude glycerin, over three time periods (50, 70, and 90 days of composting). A 3:1 (mass/mass) ratio of fish waste to bulking agent was used, and the mixture was placed in nylon bags to enhance additive assessment. Thermophilic temperatures were achieved during the early stages of composting and after turning. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the control and additive treatments in terms of the reduction in total solids, volatile solids, carbon, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, with averages of 52.0%, 57.8%, 52.3%, 77.3%, 63.9%, and 60.7%, respectively. The additives accelerated fiber degradation (P 0.05). Thus, biochar and crude glycerin are recommended as additives to reduce nitrogen loss without impairing the organic matter degradation

Composição química da silagem de quatro variedades de sorgo-sacarino.

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A new “Bat-Voiced” species of Dendropsophus Fitzinger, 1843 (Anura, Hylidae) from the Amazon Basin, Brazil

We describe Dendropsophus ozzyi sp. nov., a new species of treefrog, tentatively included in the Dendropsophus microcephalus Group and most notably diagnosed by the presence of pointed fingers and an advertisement call with a very high dominant frequency. The new species is known from three localities in the Brazilian Amazon forest, two on western State of Pará and one (the type locality) in eastern State of Amazonas (03°56’50”S and 58°26’36”W, 45 m a.s.l.).Fil: Orrico, Victor G. D.. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz; BrasilFil: Peloso, Pedro L. V.. American Museum Of Natural History; Estados Unidos. Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi; BrasilFil: Sturaro, Marcelo J.. Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi; Brasil. Universidade Federal Do Pará; BrasilFil: Silva Filho, Heriberto F. Da. Universidade Federal Do Pará; BrasilFil: Neckel Oliveira, Selvino. Universidade Federal Da Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Gordo, Marcelo. Universidade Federal do Amazonas; BrasilFil: Faivovich, Julián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Haddad, Celio F. B.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasi

Is organic fertilizer application a viable alternative to synthetic fertilizer for Piatã grass.

Organic fertilizer in many cases can replace mineral fertilizers and in consequence reduce production costs and improve soil quality. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate productive, morphogenic and structural characteristics of Piatã grass (Urochloa brizantha) fertilized with urea, organic compost and biofertilizer throughout a year. The trial design was a block split-plot in time (seasons) design with 4 treatments (fertilizing with urea, organic compost, biofertilizer and Control) and 6 repetitions. The evaluated parameters were: dry matter production (DMP), leaf elongation rate (LER), leaf appearance rate (LAR), phyllochron (PHYL), leaf lifespan (LLS), pseudostem elongation rate (SER), final leaf length (FLL), number of live leaves (NLL) and number of tillers (NT). The highest LAR values were observed during summer and spring for the treatment with urea, which also produced the highest LER values. No difference was found in SER among the fertilizer treatments but all fertilized treatments were superior to Control. NT and DMP values were highest (P<0.05) in the treatment with urea, followed by biofertilizer, organic compost and Control. In conclusion, while the use of urea provided greatest forage production, applying biofertilizer gave superior yields to organic compost. Other benefits of organic fertilizers should be assessed as well as combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers