DESENVOLVIMENTO DE PELLETS CONTENDO AGREGADOS DE HIFAS DE METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE PARA CONTROLE BIOLÓGICO DE ARTRÓPODES

ntrodução e objetivos: Artrópodes são responsáveis por sérios danos a agricultura e a saúde humana e animal, causando expressivos prejuízos à economia brasileira1. Métodos de controle biológico de tais artrópodes estão sendo desenvolvidos com a utilização de propágulos do fungo Metarhizium anisopliae2,3. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver pellets contendo agregados de hifas de M. anisopliae CG 47, e avaliar sua viabilidade pós-processamento. Metodologia: Os agregados de hifas foram obtidos através da inoculação de conídios em meio descrito por Mascarin et al. (2014)4, seguido de incubação orbital por 4 dias, a 27ºC e 250 rpm. Os pellets foram desenvolvidos utilizando-se celulose microcristalina e biomassa (1:1,1, p/v) através da técnica de extrusão-esferonização, seguida de secagem em leito fluidizado a 40ºC. A umidade residual dos pellets foi determinada em balança de infravermelho. A viabilidade foi determinada incubando-se 30 mg de pellets em meio ágar-água, a 27ºC por 15 dias, e a germinação dos conídios resultantes foi quantificada após 48h de incubação em meio BDAY. Resultados e discussão: Os pellets apresentaram umidade residual de 5,3% após 90 minutos de secagem em leito fluidizado. A viabilidade dos conídios foi de 96,67%. Conclusões: Os conídios produzidos a partir dos agregados de hifas mantiveram-se viáveis após sua incorporação em pellets de celulose e secagem por 90 minutos a 40ºC; dessa forma, permite-se inferir que foi estabelecida uma metodologia eficiente para formulação de um propágulo de M. anisopliae que apresenta potencial para controle biológico de artrópodes. Agradecimentos: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Visible light during mycelial growth and conidiation of Metarhizium robertsii produces conidia with increased stress tolerance

Light conditions during mycelial growth are known to influence fungi in many ways. The effect of visible-light exposure during mycelial growth was investigated on conidial tolerance to UVB irradiation and wet heat of Metarhizium robertsii, an insect-pathogenic fungus. Two nutrient media and two light regimens were compared. Conidia were produced on (A) potato dextrose agar plus yeast extract medium (PDAY) (A1) under dark conditions or (A2) under continuous visible light (provided by two fluorescent lamps with intensity 5.4 W m-2). For comparison, the fungus was also produced on (B) minimal medium (MM) under continuous-dark incubation, which is known to produce conidia with increased tolerance to heat and UVB radiation. The UVB tolerances of conidia produced on PDAY under continuous visible light were twofold higher than conidia produced on PDAY medium under dark conditions, and this elevated UVB tolerance was similar to that of conidia produced on MM in the dark. The heat tolerance of conidia produced under continuous light was, however, similar to that of conidia produced on MM or PDAY in the dark. Conidial yield on PDAY medium was equivalent when the fungus was grown either under continuous-dark or under continuous-light conditions.Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)[GDE 200382/02-0]Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)[SWE 2006412005-0]Utah Department of Agriculture and Foo

A simple method for the detection of Leptolegnia chapmanii from infected Aedes Aegypti larvae

Significant progress in developing Leptolegnia chapmanii as a biological control agent against mosquitoes will be accelerated by improved and simpler methods to detect and to isolate this virulent and rapidly lethal watermold from fieldcollected mosquito larvae. To date, however, this oomycete has remained understudied and little used. This study presents a simplified method to detect Leptolegnia in infected Aedes aegypti larvae. The development of L. chapmanii inside mosquitoes is easily monitored when pathogen-treated larvae are quasi-immobilized for an initial 48 h in the water film on plates of water agar amended with antibiotic (chloramphenicol, 0.5–1 g/L) and fungicide (thiabendazole, 4–8 g/L) and then transferred to a larger volume of water for an additional 48 h. Surprisingly, chloramphenicol stimulated oosporogenesis by L. chapmanii. The method permits processing of large numbers of A. aegypti and other culicid larvae and is useful for both obtaining new strains and also monitoring the efficacy of L. chapmanii during field tests.Des méthodes de détection et d’isolation de Leptolegnia chapmanii améliorées et simplifiées, a` partir de larves de moustiques prélevées sur le terrain, pourraient fortement accélérer l’élaboration d’agents de lutte biologique s’attaquant aux moustiques et s’appuyant sur ce oomycète virulent et rapidement mortel. Or, a` ce jour, cet oomycète demeure mal étudié et sous utilisé. La présente étude illustre une méthode simplifiée permettant la détection de Leptolegnia dans des larves de Aedes aegypti. Le développement de L. chapmanii a` l’intérieur des moustiques peut être facilement observé en continu lorsque les larves traitées avec le pathogène sont presque immobilisées pendant une durée initiale de 48 h dans la pellicule d’eau de géloses d’agar aqueux auxquelles on a ajouté un antibiotique (chloramphénicol a` 0,5–1 g/L) et un fongicide (thiabendazole a` 4–8 g/L), pour ensuite être transférées dans un plus grand volume d’eau pour un autre 48 h. Fait surprenant, le chloramphénicol stimule l’oosporogénèse chez L. chapmanii. La méthode permet d’examiner un grand nombre de A. aegypti et d’autre larves de culicidés et facilite l’identification de nouvelles souches et la surveillance de l’efficacité de L. chapmanii lors d’essais sur le terrain.Fil: Leles, Renan N.. Universidade Federal de Goias; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Lastra, Claudia Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: García, Juan J.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Fernandes, Everton K. K.. Universidade Federal de Goias; BrasilFil: Luz, Christian. Universidade Federal de Goias; Brasi