New Insights into the Phylogeny of Tortopus Needham and Murphy and Tortopsis Molineri (Ephemeroptera, Polymitarcyidae) with Description of Three New Species

The family Polymitarcyidae, with a worldwide distribution, includes mayflies with large burrowing nymphs. South America harbors the highest diversity of this family, including the subfamilies Asthenopodinae and Campsurinae. In this work, three new species belonging to the genera Tortopsis and Tortopus (Campsurinae) are described based on adults and nymphs from Colombia: Tortopsis toro sp. nov., Tortopsis andaki sp. nov. and Tortopus coreguaje sp. nov. Additionally, Tortopsis limoncocha is firstly recorded from Colombia. A cladistic analysis of all the species in these genera is presented, using external morphological characters of adults and eggs. Keys to male and female adults of all the species of both genera are presented.Fil: Molineri, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical; ArgentinaFil: Gomes Dias, Lucimar. Universidad de Caldas; ColombiaFil: Zúñiga, María del Carmen. Universidad del Valle; Colombi

Description of a new species of lichen-mantis for Colombia: Carrikerella amazonica sp. n., (MANTODEA: THESPIDAE, OLIGONYCHINAE)

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo describir una nueva especie de mantis-liquen: Carrikerella amazonica n. sp., basada en ejemplares femeninos capturados en varios lugares amazónicos de Colombia. Alcance: en la actualidad es la tercera especie conocida del género. Metodológicamente los ejemplares se recogieron manualmente en su hábitat tipo sobre troncos de árboles. Resultados: se incluyen notas relativas al género Carrikerella y sus especies, además de su hábitat natural y comportamiento. Se concluye que sus especies habitan los bosques tropicales de bajura.The present article aims to describe a new species of lichen-mantis: Carrikerella amazonica sp. nov., based on female specimens captured in various Amazonian locations of Colombia. Scope: is the third species known of the genus currently. Methodology: all specimens were captured manually in their typical habitat on tree trunks. Results: notes are included regarding the Carrikerella genus and its species, as well as its natural habitat and behavior. Conclusions: It is concluded that their species inhabit the tropical rain forest of the lowlands

First records of ectoparasitic insects (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea) of bats in the department of Caldas, Colombia

In Colombia, the taxonomical understanding of ectoparasites (Diptera: Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) of bats is scarce, despite the high diversity of hosts. This fact reflects the lack of important information on the group and poses the need for studies that expand the knowledge on bat ectoparasites in different regions of the country. The aim of this study was to contribute pioneer knowledge on bat ectoparasitic insects in the department of Caldas, located in the Central Andes Mountain range of Colombia. We assessed 318 bats from four eco parks in the city of Manizales, and collected 234 ectoparasitic insects. We provide the first report of the family Streblidae for Caldas, with seven genera and eight species: Anastrebla caudiferae Wenzel, 1976, Anatrichobius scorzai Wenzel, 1966, Exastinion oculatum Wenzel, 1976, Megistopoda proxima (Séguy‚ 1926), Paratrichobius longicrus Ribeiro, 1907, Paraeuctenodes similis Wenzel, 1976, Trichobius longipes Rudow, 1871, and Trichobius tiptoni Wenzel, 1976. In addition, we report the species Basilia ferrisi Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1931 and Basilia sp. for the family Nycteribiidae

Actual knowledge and expansion of the distribution of the Tricorythopsis rondoniensis (Ephemeroptera, Leptohyphidae).

With this work, the known distribution of Tricorythopsis rondoniensis in Colombia is expanded, with the first record of this species for the Amazonas and Guaviare Colombian departments. Additionally, the known distribution of T. rondoniensis expands in the department of Meta, with a new record for the Municipality of San Juan de Arama, the closest to Andean region for the genus. These findings extend the records of this species in Colombia and corroborate the proposed distribution for the genus Tricorythopsis

Structural Changes in the Male Reproductive Tract of the Stingless Bee Scaptotrigona xanthotricha Moure 1950 (Meliponini, Apidae) During Sexual Maturation

Stingless bees are social insects widely distributed in the Neotropical region but the loss of habitats and the increased use of pesticides in agriculture have threatened the bee populations. Thus, the knowledge of the biology of these insects, including reproductive biology is important for their conservation and management. This study describes the morphological changes in the male reproductive tract during the sexual maturation in the stingless bee Scaptotrigona xanthotricha (Moure 1950). The reproductive tract was investigated under light microscopy from young pupae to 22 days old adults. The male reproductive organs in S. xanthotricha are a pair of testes, each with four follicles, pair of vasa deferentia with enlarged region forming the seminal vesicle that open in an ejaculatory duct. In the male reproductive system of these bees there is no structure that can be recognized as accessory glands as seen in insects in general. From brown-eyed pupae to newly-emerged adults, the epithelia of the seminal vesicles and post-vesicular vasa deferentia have prismatic cells that release secretion to the organs lumen. In 5-days old adults the testes undergo degeneration, the seminal vesicles filled with secretion and spermatozoa, and the epithelium has cubic cells rich in inclusions in the basal region suggesting that this is the age in which males reach the sexual maturation. Structural modifications in the reproductive tract during sexual maturation are discussed concerning the reproductive biology of Meliponini

Colonization by aquatic macroinvertebrates in leaves of Miconia sp. and Eucalyptus sp. in hight microcatchment of Chinchiná river, Colombia

Los procesos de colonización en ambientes lóticos son regulados por la interacción entre el tipo de vegetación y la cantidad de hojarasca que se incorpora a los ríos e influye sobre la estructura y dinámica del bentos. Los macroinvertebrados bentónicos son un componente importante en los ecosistemas dulceacuícolas, cumplen un papel fundamental en la descomposición y recirculación de nutrientes, además de contribuir en la red trófica como alimento de otros animales. Con el objetivo de comparar la colonización de macroinvertebrados en hojas de árboles nativos e introducidos a través del tiempo en las quebradas El Diamante, La Oliva y el río Chinchiná, se utilizó la metodología de paquetes de hojarasca. La primera quebrada presenta como vegetación ribereña un bosque nativo, la segunda está influenciada por plantaciones de Eucalyptussp. y la tercera no presenta vegetación ribereña. Para el estudio se utilizaron paquetes de tela plástica, donde fueron depositadas hojas de Miconia sp. (especie nativa), hojas de Eucalyptussp. y una mezcla de las dos especies, las cuales demoraron aproximadamente 60 días para descomponerse. En total, se colectaron 8595 individuos de macroinvertebrados, la menor riqueza se presentó a los 30 días y la mayor entre los 45 y 60 días. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la riqueza y abundancia de macroinvertebrados con respecto a las dos especies vegetales utilizadas. Al evaluar la diversidad (q=0, q=1) no se encontraron diferencias significativas en el número efectivo de géneros o morfotipos entre sustratos (paquetes con hojas nativas, introducidas y mezcladas). El grupo funcional de los recolectores generalistas fue dominante entre los macroinvertebrados colectados.Colonization processes in lotic environments are regulated by the interaction between the type of forest and the amount of litter that goes to the rivers and influences the structure and dynamics of the benthos. Benthic macroinvertebrates are an important component of freshwater ecosystems, playing a fundamental role in decomposition and nutrient recirculation, in addition to contributing to the food chain as food for other animals. Leaf litter methodology was used with the objective of to compare the colonization by macroinvertebrates on native and introduced tree leaves throughout time, in El Diamante Creek, La Oliva Creek, and the Chinchiná River. The first creek presents native forest riparian vegetation, the second creek is influenced by Eucalyptussp. plantations, and the third creek does not present riverine vegetation. In the study, plastic cloth bags were used, in which leaves from a native species (Miconia sp.), leaves from a Eucalyptussp., and a mix of leaves from both species were deposited; the native and introduced leaves decomposed in approximately 60 days. In total, 8595 macroinvertebrate individuals were collected, the least richness was seen after 30 days and the greatest richness was seen between 45 days and 60 days. With diversity (q=0, q=1) no significant differences in the effective number of genres and/or morphotypes found between substrates (packs with native, introduced and mixed leaves). The dominant group within the macroinvertebrates collected was the trophic guild of the generalist collectors

First record of the genus Cabecar Baumgardner & Avila (EPHEMEROPTERA: LEPTOHYPHIDAE) for the Tayrona natural national park, Colombia

El género Cabecar fue reportado para diferentes localidades de Centroamérica y una de Suramérica. En este trabajo se presenta la ampliación de la distribución del género Cabecar para Colombia, con el primer registro en el Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, en el Caribe colombiano.The genus Cabecar was reported for different locations in Central America and one in South America. This work presents the extension of the Cabecar genus distribution for Colombia, with the first record in the Tayrona National Natural Park in the Colombian Caribbean

New record of Coryphorus (INSECTA: EPHEMEROPTERA) and additional notes on its morphology

Se presenta la distribución actual de la familia Coryphoridae con dos nuevos registros del género Coryphorus para el departamento del Putumayo, Colombia. Adicionalmente, se muestran detalles de las espinas y setas de las ninfas mediante microscopía electrónica (SEM), y se describen variaciones morfológicas de la genitalia del adulto.The current distribution of the Coryphoridae family and two new records of the Coryphorus genus from the Department of Putumayo in Colombia are presented. Additionally, details of the spines and setae of the nymphs are shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and morphological variations of the adult genitalia are described

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana dos óleos essenciais extraídos de frutas nativas Buriti e Cupuaçu do Cerrado Maranhense / Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted from natural fruit Buriti and Cupuaçu from the Cerrado Maranhense

A grande biodiversidade de espécies vegetais presentes no Brasil constitui uma de suas maiores riquezas e se destaca como fonte para obtenção de novas substâncias com finalidade terapêutica. A flora do cerrado possui diversas espécies frutíferas com grande potencial de utilização agrícola, que são tradicionalmente utilizadas pela população local. Os frutos, em geral, são consumidos in natura ou na forma de sucos, licores, sorvetes, geléias e doces diversos. Os frutos do cerrado apresentam sabores sui generis  e elevados teores de açúcares, proteínas, sais minerais, ácidos graxos, vitaminas do complexo B e carotenoides. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a atividade antimicrobiana dos óleos essenciais extraídos das frutas nativas do cerrado maranhense. As amostras das frutas nativas Buriti ( Mauritius flexuosa  Lineus) e Cupuaçu   (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.) foram coletadas nos municípios de Porto Franco, Edson Lobão e Imperatriz. A extração dos óleos essenciais em estudo foi feita com o solvente o hexano P.A. Os óleos extraídos foram pesado, armazenado em frasco, hermeticamente fechado e colocado sob-refrigeração (2 a 8°C) em geladeira comercial. A susceptibilidade dos óleos essenciais dos frutos foi determinada pelo método de difusão de disco . Os resultados obtidos quanto à possível atividade antimicrobiana dos frutos buriti e cupuaçu frente a micro-organismos patogênicos Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, não foram muito satisfatórios, mas isso não implica que os referidos óleos não possam apresentar uma atividade antimicrobiana frente a outros microorganismos patogênicos tornando-se agentes antimicrobianos, em alternativa terapêutica promissora, sobretudo para a população mais carente.