Investigação de hemoparasitas em anfíbios anuros do gênero Leptodactylus

Hepatozoon spp. são parasitas que comumente infectam anfíbios anuros e artrópodes hematófagos. Possuem como uma das características a grande variabilidade morfológica e morfométrica e, devido a estas variações, a denominação correta da espécie é prejudicada. Assim, a visualização do ciclo esporogônico no vetor é a principal forma de resolver este problema. Recentemente, a utilização da genética molecular tem ajudado na denominação de espécies. Neste trabalho coletamos 145 anuros (68 Leptodactylus chaquensis e 77 Leptodactylus podicipinus) em dois diferentes locais de coleta, onde foram encontrados 18 (26,5%) L. chaquensis e 24 (31,3%) L. podicipinus positivos para o parasita. Além de gamontes, também foram observadas formas esquizogônicas nos órgãos dos animais. A diferença de prevalência entre os locais de coleta nas diferentes espécies de anuros não se mostrou estatíscamente significativa. Comparando os gamontes encontrados em cada espécie de anuro, observamos diferenças na morfologia. Infelizmente, não foi possível a comparação a nível molecular para L. podicipinus devido à pequena quantidade de sangue obtido, apenas L. chaquensis teve o DNA de seus parasitas sequenciados. Diante disso, vimos que embora a morfologia e morfometria do parasita em cada local coletado mostrassem diferenças, quando realizamos o sequenciamento, as amostras obtidas foram idênticas, ao passo que quando comparadas à espécies depositadas no GenBank, nossas amostras foram bem diferentesHepatozoon spp. are parasites that commonly infect frogs and arthropod vectors. This species has variability in morphological and morphometric characteristics. Due to these variations the name of the species is thus impaired and only by visualizing the sporogonic cycle in vector can be solved this problem. Recently the use of molecular genetics has helped the denomination of species. In this work we collected 145 frogs (68 Leptodactylus chaquensis and 77 Leptodactylus podicipinus) in different sampling sites, where they were found 18 (26.5%) L. chaquensis and 24 (31.3%) L. podicipinus positive for parasites. Besides of gamonts, schizogonic forms also were seen in organs of animals. The positivity difference between the sites for different frog species were not significant. Comparing gamonts found in each species of anuran, we observed differences in morphology. Unfortunately it was not possible in the molecular level comparation for L. podicipinus due to small amount of blood obtained, just L. chaquensis have had their DNA sequenced parasites.Therefore, we have seen that, although the morphology and morphometry of the parasite collected at each site showed differences, the sequencing of these samples revealed identical species of Hepatozoon, and different compared to those from GenBank. We also emphasize that the collection points did not influence the presence of this parasite, even located at a distance of approximately 76 km apart one of otherCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Characterization of Hepatozoon spp. in Leptodactylus chaquensis and Leptodactylus podicipinus from two regions of the Pantanal, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Hepatozoon sp. are parasites that commonly infect frogs and arthropod vectors. This species has variability in the morphological and morphometric characteristics. Due to these variations, the naming of the species is thus impaired and only by visualizing the sporogonic cycle in vector and by molecular studies this problem can be solved. Recently, the use of molecular genetics has helped the species denomination. In this work, we collected 145 frogs (68 Leptodactylus chaquensis and 77 Leptodactylus podicipinus) in different sampling sites, where were found 18 (26.47 %) L. chaquensis and 24 (31.17 %) L. podicipinus parasitized; besides of gamonts, schizogonic forms were also seen in animals organs. The positivity difference between the collection sites for both frog species was not significant (p=0.958). Comparing gamonts found in each species of anuran, we observed differences in morphology. The comparison in the molecular level for L. podicipinus was not possible due to small amount of blood obtained, just L. chaquensis had their parasites DNA sequenced. The amplified and sequenced samples, named HEP1 to HEP10, are presented in the phylogenetic tree as a different branch from other haemogregarines described on other hosts. Therefore, we have seen that, although the morphology and morphometry of the collected parasites at each site showed differences, the sequencing of these samples revealed identical species of Hepatozoon, and different compared to those from GenBank, thereby demonstrating that the species of Hepatozoon in L. chaquensis observed in this study probably represent a new species.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Morphological, morphometric, and molecular characterization of Hepatozoon spp. (Apicomplexa, Hepatozoidae) from naturally infected Caudisona durissa terrifica (Serpentes, Viperidae)

Hepatozoon spp. are the most frequent intracellular protozoa in snakes. Considering the variety of parasites infecting specimens of Caudisona durissa terrifica and the divergent data in literature where only two species, Hepatozoon romani and Hepatozoon capsulata, are described, the aim of this study was to morphologically, morphometrically, and molecularly characterize Hepatozoon spp. from some naturally infected specimens of C. durissa terrifica, and observe changes caused by these protozoa in parasitized erythrocytes. Four snakes were examined. Two of them had two morphological distinct gamonts, while the other two had only one type of gamont. The six distinct gamonts were provisionally named gamonts A, B, C, D, E, and F. Statistical analysis, however, confirmed the existence of only four parasite populations, those which were capable of inducing significant alterations in determined red blood cells variables. Attempts to infect Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were done for each snake specimen. Some mosquitoes became infected and oocysts were recovered and measured. The detection of Hepatozoon DNA was obtained with success but the molecular characterization was unable to differentiate species of the samples, with respect to the fragment studied.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora

Núcleos de Ensino da Unesp: artigos 2008

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Growing knowledge: an overview of Seed Plant diversity in Brazil

Abstract An updated inventory of Brazilian seed plants is presented and offers important insights into the country's biodiversity. This work started in 2010, with the publication of the Plants and Fungi Catalogue, and has been updated since by more than 430 specialists working online. Brazil is home to 32,086 native Angiosperms and 23 native Gymnosperms, showing an increase of 3% in its species richness in relation to 2010. The Amazon Rainforest is the richest Brazilian biome for Gymnosperms, while the Atlantic Rainforest is the richest one for Angiosperms. There was a considerable increment in the number of species and endemism rates for biomes, except for the Amazon that showed a decrease of 2.5% of recorded endemics. However, well over half of Brazillian seed plant species (57.4%) is endemic to this territory. The proportion of life-forms varies among different biomes: trees are more expressive in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes while herbs predominate in the Pampa, and lianas are more expressive in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, and Pantanal. This compilation serves not only to quantify Brazilian biodiversity, but also to highlight areas where there information is lacking and to provide a framework for the challenge faced in conserving Brazil's unique and diverse flora