Transport and consumption of organic detritus in a neotropical limestone cave

Caves are permanently aphotic environments, a fact that precludes the occurrence of photosynthetic organisms. In these systems the resource is allochthonous, coming mainly from the surrounding epigean environment, being imported by physical and biological agents. Even knowing about the importance of the organic allochthonous resources in caves, little is known of their importation and processing. The present work had as an objective, the measuring the coarse particulate organic matter processing and import rates in the subterranean environment. The cave studied was Lapa da Fazenda Extrema I, limestone cave, located in Brazilian savanna biome. Through bimonthly collections, it was observed that the organic detritus penetrated into the cave in low amounts in dry season and high amounts in rainy season. The processing of the organic plant matter in the aquatic hypogean environment was moderate (K-day=0.025), in the epigean environment the processing was predominantly slow (K-day =0.0104). The detritus commonly brought to the interior of the cave were large woods (58.18 g/day), followed by leaves and fragmented material (12.76 g/day), fruits and seeds (0.0069 g/day), animal carcasses (0.002 g/day) and roots (0.001 g/day). The highest richness and abundances of invertebrates were found in the same periods in which there were the highest rates of organic matter import to the cave.Keywords: cave, detritus processing, energy flow

Primeiro registro de ácaros foréticos (Histiostomatidae) em um grilo cavernícola (Phalangopsidae) no Brasil

The first record of a phoretic mite of the genus Histiostoma (Sarcoptiformes: Histiostomatidae) associated with an individual of Endecous (Endecous) alejomesai (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae) is reported from a Brazilian cave. Although deutonymphs of histiostomatid mites are common phoretic on invertebrates, this is the first report of their phoretic association with a cave dwelling cricket.Keywords: Histiostoma, Endecous, simbiosis, hypogean habitat.O primeiro registro do ácaro forético do gênero Histiostoma (Sarcoptiformes: Histiostomatidae) associado a um indivíduo de Endecous (Endecous) alejomesai (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae) é relatado para uma caverna brasileira. Embora as deutoninfas de ácaros sejam comumente encontradas realizando forese em invertebrados, esse é o primeiro relato de sua associação com um grilo cavernícola.Palavras-chave: Histiostoma, Endecous, simbiose, habitat hipógeo

FAUNA SUBTERRÂNEA DO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE: CARACTERIZAÇÃO E IMPACTOS

Estudos referentes à fauna das cavernas do nordeste brasileiro ainda são escassos. Boa parte do conhecimento acerca da fauna hipógea brasileira provém de estudos realizados na região sudeste. Deste modo, neste trabalho são apresentados dados sobre a riqueza de espécies, estrutura das comunidades, além da relevância biológica de algumas cavernas presentes no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Nas 17 cavernas inventariadas foram encontrados invertebrados pertencentes a pelo menos 36 ordens e 91 famílias, além de 3 espécies de peixes e 8 espécies de morcegos. Dentre as espécies encontradas, 23 apresentam caracteres troglomórficos. Além disso, algumas das espécies troglóbias evidenciadas representam relictos de grupos originalmente oceânicos, sendo, desta forma, testemunhos das introgressões e regressões oceânicas ocorridas no passado da área. Tendo em vista o cenário bioespeleológico encontrado nas cavernas é importante que ações de manejo e conservação sejam implementadas na região, para que o frágil patrimônio espeleológico e biológico venham a ser preservados

Influência da precipitação pluvial na abundância de ácaros em cafeeiro

The coffee plant Coffea spp. suffers pest attack, which according to climatic conditions present in the culture system can reduce fruit production. Rainfall is considered an important natural factor in the regulation of arthropods populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of rainfall during the seasons, on the occurrence of the main species of mites in coffee. The experiment was carried out at the EPAMIG farm in São Sebastião do Paraíso, MG, from January 2011 to June 2012. The useful area of the experiment was 8,820 m² with a total of 3,150 trees, and the useful part of the plot consisting of 2,100 plants, where were monthly collected at random 25 leaves from the middle third in 84 plants, totaling 2.100 leaves. Among the pest mites, the phytophagous mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939 (Tenuipalpidae) was found in greater number on both dry and rainy seasons. The mite Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Tetranychidae) was found at a higher incidence on the months of low rainfall. Rainfall also influences the occurrence of predatory mites belonging to the family Phytoseiidae, however, the species Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, 1970 (Phytoseiidae), is found throughout the year.O cafeeiro Coffea spp. sofre ataque de pragas que, conforme as condições climáticas presentes no sistema de cultivo, podem reduzir a produção de frutos. A precipitação pluvial é um fator importante na regulação das populações de artrópodes. Avaliaram-se os efeitos da precipitação pluvial sobre a ocorrência das principais espécies de ácaros no cafeeiro, durante as épocas do ano. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental da EPAMIG- Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, em São Sebastião do Paraíso, MG, de janeiro de 2011 a junho de 2012. A área útil do experimento foi de 8.820 m2 com um total de 3.150 cafeeiros, sendo a parte útil do talhão constituída de 2.100 plantas, onde mensalmente foram coletadas aleatoriamente 25 folhas do terço médio em 84 plantas, totalizando 2.100 folhas. Entre os ácaros-praga Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Tenuipalpidae) foi encontrado em maior número, tanto na seca como no período chuvoso. Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Tetranychidae) foi encontrado em maior número nos meses de menor precipitação pluvial. A precipitação pluvial também influencia na ocorrência de ácaros predadores, pertencentes à família Phytoseiidae, entretanto, a espécie Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, 1970 (Phytoseiidae), é encontrada ao longo de todo ano

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Neocarus entrerios Vázquez & Bernardi & Klompen 2020, n. sp.

<i>Neocarus entrerios</i> n. sp. <p>Zoobank: 19D08729-13CF-4DC3-8EDF-9BFED58D6B9E</p> <p>Figures 5 D–F, 8B, 9–13</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis</b> — Palp genu without <i>p</i> - type setae, tarsus with 6 pairs of foliate setae with four rounded lobes each and 20 <i>ch</i> - type sensilla. Sexual dimorphism in setation of prodorsal shield distinct. Sternal setae <i>St2</i> and <i>St3</i> with attenuate tips. Pregenital area in males area with 6–10 stout, ribbed setae with relatively blunt tips, in genital area with 8–10 thinner, ribbed and tapering, setae. Females lacking pregenital setae, in genital area with 6–12 ribbed and tapering setae. Ovipositor lacking terminal sensilla, but with a very distinct pair of internal papillate hooks.</p> <p> <b>Description</b> — Based on 4 females and 3 males. Immatures unknown.</p> <p> <b>Gnathosoma</b></p> <p> <i>Chelicera</i> (Figure 9A). Basal segment in adults with 1 seta, fixed digit with 3, one of which (<i>ch1”</i>) distinctly larger. Seta <i>cht</i> on basal segment of male chelicera shorter than seta <i>ch1’’</i> on fixed digit. Setae <i>ch2’</i>, <i>ch2’’</i> and <i>cht</i> in males simple, with an attenuated tip. One large, somewhat blunt, ventral denticle on movable digit in all adults. Axial scale-like processes on movable digit in both adults absent.</p> <p> <i>Subcapitulum</i> (Figure 9B). All four pairs of paralabial setae present: <i>pl1</i> relatively large, conical, With <i>’</i> s organ (<i>pl2</i>) membranous and discoid with a biramous core; rutellum <i>pl</i> (<i>3</i>) with one row of 5 teeth, inserted dorso-lateral; <i>pl4</i> small, inserted dorsal. With 4 circumbuccal (<i>cb</i>) and 6–7 median and subcapitular <i>vm</i> (, <i>lvm</i>, <i>ldm</i>, <i>vp</i>, <i>lvp</i>) setae. Seta <i>vm1</i> on the male subcapitulum present. Lateral lips with distinct canals (<i>ogl1</i> and <i>ogl2</i>).</p> <p> <i>Palp</i> (Figure 10). Trochanter with 3–4 ribbed, tapering setae (= <i>r</i> - type); femur with 4–9 (6–9 in F; 3–6 in M) papilliform (= <i>p</i> - type) and 13 <i>r</i> - type setae; genu with 0 <i>p</i> - type and 43 <i>r</i> - type setae; tibia with 21 long, lightly serrate and pointed setae, 38 <i>r</i> - type setae, and 2 long, thin, and smooth sensilla. Tibia and genu ventrally with a small indistinct gland. Tibia and tarsus partially fused. Tarsus with 6 foliate (<i>d</i> - type), 10 <i>v</i>, 20 <i>ch</i>, and 10–12 <i>sm</i> sensilla, plus</p> <p> 3 solenidia (= <i>s</i> - type sensilla). Foliate setae each with 4 lobes and rounded, not filiform, tips. Modified <i>sm3</i> - type sensilla on male palp tarsus absent. Lyrifissures iα and iπ distinct. Pretarsus in shape of a pair of well-developed sessile claws.</p> <p> <b>Idiosoma</b></p> <p>Color: Violet-blue with the usual banding pattern. Color observed for alcohol preserved specimens only.</p> <p> <i>Dorsum</i>. Prodorsal shield with two pairs of lateral eyes. One pair of prodorsal lyrifissures present. Setation in females and males consisting of, respectively, 186–204 and 218–242 setae. Sexual dimorphism in anterior portion of prodorsal shield (between anterior margin and lyrifissures) distinct, with a dense grouping of 56–62 setae in males (Figure 11A) vs. 22– 24 in females (Figure 11B). Setal density in anterior area of females similar to that on the remaining shield. All setae somewhat rounded in appearance and “puffed-up” (Figure 11, detail). Dorsal idiosoma between the prodorsal shield and the preanal segment without setae, but with numerous lyrifissures arranged in transverse rows. Setation preanal segment limited to 1 dorsal, and 2 ventro-lateral setae. Anal valves with 12–16 stout, ribbed setae (14–16 in females; 12–16 in males).</p> <p> <i>Sternitogenital region</i> (Figure 12). Sternal verrucae in adults each with 2–3 large pointed, and 1 composite (<i>St1</i>) setae. Setae <i>St1</i> subequal in size to <i>St5</i>. Setae <i>St2</i> and <i>St 3</i> in females and males barbed, tapering to a fine tip. Remaining sternal region with 4–6 pairs of stout, ribbed setae with blunt tips. Pregenital capsules each with 1 long, tapering seta (<i>St5</i>) and 6–8 (female) or 5–6 (male) stout, ribbed setae. Pregenital and genital areas in female with, respectively, 0 and 6–12 smooth, tapering setae with rounded tip (Figure 5D), male with, respectively, 6–10 stout, ribbed, and relatively blunt-tipped setae and 8–10 ribbed and tapering setae (Figure 5 E–F). Ovipositor without terminal setiform sensilla, but ventrally with a pair of papillate, retrorse spines connected to a papillate ridge (Figure 13A, arrow). More dorsally two sets of sclerotized ridges, with the middle one connecting to form a W-shaped structure (Figure 13B, arrow). Male genital valves rectangular or curved, not triangular.</p> <p>100 µm.</p>Published as part of <i>Vázquez, Maria Magdalena, Bernardi, Leopoldo Ferreira de Oliveira & Klompen, Hans, 2020, The family Opilioacaridae (Acari: Parasitiformes) in Argentina, with description of two new species, pp. 505-519 in Acarologia 60 (3)</i> on pages 512-515, DOI: 10.24349/acarologia/20204380, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4503408">http://zenodo.org/record/4503408</a&gt

Neocarus Chamberlin and Mulaik 1942

Genus <i>Neocarus</i> Chamberlin and Mulaik, 1942 <p> All specimens examined in this study are assigned to the genus <i>Neocarus</i> Chamberlin and Mulaik, 1942. Generic assignment is based on the following characteristics. In the adults 3 setae on the penultimate body segment (0 or> 3 in all Old World taxa and <i>Amazonacarus</i> Vázquez <i>et al.</i>, 2014; shared with <i>Caribeacarus</i> Vázquez and Klompen, 2009 and <i>Brasilacarus</i> Vázquez <i>et al.</i>, 2015), 4–6 foliate setae on the palp tarsus (> 7 in <i>Caribeacarus</i> and <i>Brasilacarus</i>), eupathidium zeta–1 (ζ1, the sensillum with a “crown-like” tip) in the main sensillar group of tarsus I (usually distal in <i>Caribeacarus</i>), and shiny fleshy setae with a whip-like tip absent from the palps (present in <i>Brasilacarus</i>).</p> <p> Within <i>Neocarus</i> the Argentinean specimens share a few characteristics suggesting that they may be related: palp tarsus in adults carries 6 large, foliate sensilla with 4 prominent lobes (usually 3 lobes) and both pairs of genital glands in the males are distinct, large, and similar in size (generally indistinct in cleared specimens, or anterior pair much smaller than posterior).</p>Published as part of <i>Vázquez, Maria Magdalena, Bernardi, Leopoldo Ferreira de Oliveira & Klompen, Hans, 2020, The family Opilioacaridae (Acari: Parasitiformes) in Argentina, with description of two new species, pp. 505-519 in Acarologia 60 (3)</i> on pages 507-508, DOI: 10.24349/acarologia/20204380, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4503408">http://zenodo.org/record/4503408</a&gt