Identification of Alfalfa Chromosomes Using Giemas Banding and Image Analysis Techniques

Chromosomes of two diploid (2n=2x=16) subspecies of Medicago sativa, ssp. caerulea and ssp. falcata, their hybrid and tetraploid (2n=4x=32) cultivated alfalfa (M. sativa, ssp. sativa) were studied. Feulgen’s staining, C- and N-banding techniques and an image analysis system were used. The chromosomes of ssp. falcata have only centromeric bands, however, a multitude of bands were observed in both the C- and N-banding pattern of ssp. caerulea and ssp. sativa enabling the precise identification of each of the eight sets of chromosomes and development of a karyotype. The differences in banding patterns between the diploid subspecies makes it possible to identify hybrids between these subspecies. Karyotypic analysis of tetraploid alfalfa revealed that alfalfa has four nearly identical sets of chromosomes based on their identical chromosome morphology and C-banding patterns, thus providing support that alfalfa is an autotetraploid

Utilization of SSR to Distinguish Alfalfa Cultivars

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) or microsatellite markers are co-dominant, abundant and hyper-variable molecular markers from eukaryotic genomes that are being widely used in genetic mapping and phylogenetic studies. Currently, the number of available SSR markers is still very limited for use in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Thus, this study was conducted to develop SSR from alfalfa genomic libraries and EST and BAC sequence data from M. truncatula for use in distinguishing the nine historically recognized U.S. germplasm sources and eleven fall dormancy check cultivars of alfalfa

A contribution to the knowledge of Quadraseta brasiliensis Goff and Gettinger, 1989 (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), with description of the deutonymph instar

In the Neotropical region the genus Quadraseta Brennan, 1970, includes 14 species, with ectoparasitic habits during the larval stage. Quadraseta brasiliensis Goff and Gettinger, 1989, was described from larvae collected on the rodent Hylaeamys megacephalus (Fisher), cited as Oryzomys capito (Olfers). According to these authors, the holotype was deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo and the paratypes were deposited in three other collections: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and United States National Museum of Natural History, however, no type specimens were found in any of these museums. Here we redescribe the larva, describe the deutonymph instar obtained from field-collected larvae, and report new hosts and localities for this species in Brazil. In addition we provide sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene for this species

A new species of Zambedania (Acari : Heterostigmatina : Pygmephoridae) from the two rivers platinum mine in South Africa and notes on the life-cycle of the genus

A new species of relatively poorly known genus Zambedania Mahunka, 1972 was found on the baboon spider, Harpactirella overdijki Gallon, 2010 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in South Africa. Besides the abundantly available phoretic females, several males and one larva of this species in the spiders’ nests were also collected. Zambedania sekhukhunensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on the phoretic females, males and larva. Improved diagnosis of the genus and a new key to species are also supplied. The descriptions and illustrations of the male and larva of this species represent the first ones of these stages in the genus Zambedania. Due to their discovery the generic diagnosis has been significantly improved.This paper is part of a South Africa/ Poland Research Cooperation Programme.The National Research Foundation of South Africa through the University of the Witwatersrand and Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education through the A. Mickiewicz University (Poznań).http://www.zoologicalstudies.comam2017Zoology and Entomolog

Dorsal setae in Raoiella (Acari: Tenuipalpidae): Their functional morphology and implication in fluid secretion

The setae of mites are not regarded as secretory structures, yet in the flat mite genus Raoiella, each developmental stage presents droplets of fluid associated with the tips of their dorsal setae. To understand the origin of this fluid, the ultrastructure of the dorsal setae is investigated in females of Raoiella bauchani Beard & Ochoa and the invasive pest species Raoiella indica Hirst using scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The dorsal setae are barbed along their entire length and have either a broadened plumose or a flat spatulate tip. Ultrastructurally, they present the typical features of mechanoreceptors, but have a “hollow” axis represented by a protoplasmatic core containing dendritic branches. This combination of ultrastructural characters indicates that the setae might be multimodal receptors: acting as both mechanoreceptors and contact chemoreceptors. The epidermal cells that underlie the setal sockets are columnar and have an ultrastructure that suggests they have a glandular function. Moreover, these cells present regular microvilli apically and form extracellular cuticular canals, containing epicuticular filaments, that are connected with the microvilli proximally and which open via pores onto the surface of the setal base distally. This arrangement indicates that the secretion from the microvilli passes into the canals and is then conducted to pores at the base of the seta, where it then accumulates and moves up the setal shaft, along the longitudinal grooves of the barbs. Based on similar arrangements in some insect taxa, the organization of the structures here observed in Raoiella suggests the passage of a non-polar, water insoluble, lipoid fluid through the cuticle, the function of which is still obscure

Dermatitis in humans caused by Ornithonyssus bursa (Berlese 1888) (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) and new records from Brazil

Abstract Ornithonyssus bursa, known as the “tropical fowl mite”, is a hematophagous mite of domestic and wild birds, occasionally biting humans. Infestation on humans occurs mainly when the abandoned nests are close to homes, or by manipulation of infested birds by humans. In Brazil, this species occurs in the south and southeast of the country. In the present study we are reporting bites on humans, new localities records, host associations, and molecular information of O. bursa