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

Erwinia chrysanthemi: pectolytic bacterium causing soft rot outbreaks of arracacha in Brazil Erwinia chrysanthemi: bactéria pectolítica envolvida na "mela" da mandioquinha-salsa no Brasil

The objetive of this work was to identify the pectolytic bacteria associated with soft rot of arracacha roots in Brazil. From 1998 to 2001, 227 isolates of Erwinia spp. were obtained from arracacha roots and identified by biochemical and physiological tests (pectolytic activity, lecithinase, a-methyl glucoside, phosphatase, erythromycin sensivity, growth at 37&ordm;C). Of these isolates, 89.9% were identified as E. chrysanthemi (Ech), 9.7% as E. carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) and 0.5% as E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica. The identity of seventeen out of twenty representative isolates of Ech and Ecc was confirmed by PCR (primers '149f', 'L1r', 'ADE1', 'ADE2').<br>O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as bactérias pectolíticas envolvidas na podridão-mole de raízes de mandioquinha-salsa no Brasil. De 1998 a 2001, 227 isolados de Erwinia spp. foram obtidos de raízes de mandioquinha-salsa e identificados por testes bioquímicos e fisiológicos (atividade pectolítica, lecitinase, a-methyl glucosídeo, fosfatase, sensibilidade à eritromicina, crescimento a 37&ordm;C). Destes isolados, 89,9% foram identificados como E. chrysanthemi (Ech), 9,7% como E. carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) e somente 0,5% como E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica. A identidade de 20 isolados representativos de Ech e Ecc foi confirmada por PCR (primers '149f', 'L1r', 'ADE1', 'ADE2'), com exceção de dois isolados de Ech e um de Ecc

Doenças da mandioquinha-salsa e sua situação atual no Brasil Present situation of arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) diseases in Brazil

Este artigo tem como objetivo principal relatar as doenças registradas para a mandioquinha-salsa até a data presente e descrever sua situação atual no País. Na literatura, foram registrados para a cultura 27 gêneros de fungos, três de bactérias, doze de nematóides e cinco espécies de vírus. Destes, já foram relatados no Brasil treze fungos, e todos nematóides e bactérias, enquanto nenhum vírus foi oficialmente registrado, embora já tenham sido observadas plantas com sintomas típicos de viroses a campo. A maior parte dos registros estão na forma de resumos, capítulos de livros ou publicações genéricas, desprovidos de uma série de dados relevantes, como provas de patogenicidade, importância da doença, perdas, identificação mais acurada, entre outras. A cultura da mandioquinha-salsa ainda é tida como rústica, sendo poucas as doenças consideradas limitantes. O nematóide das galhas (Meloidogyne spp.) e a podridão-mole pós-colheita causada por Erwinia spp. são os principais problemas atualmente, e causam perdas significativas. Também ocorrem com muita frequência manchas foliares causadas por Septoria, Cercospora e Xanthomonas campestris pv. arracaciae, e em algumas regiões podridão de plantas a campo causadas por Sclerotinia sclerotiorum e Sclerotium rolfsii. Como não existe nenhum produto químico oficialmente registrado para a mandioquinha-salsa no Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, as medidas de controle passíveis de recomendação incluem ações preventivas, como o uso de material propagativo sadio (preferencialmente mudas pré-enraizadas de origem conhecida), a adoção de rotação de culturas, a eliminação de plantas ou partes doentes, e a adubação e a irrigação adequadas. O estudo sistematizado das doenças e o registro cuidadoso de surtos ou novas enfermidades para a cultura são importantes para subsidiar futuras medidas de controle.<br>The diseases of arracacha that have already been recorded are described and their current situation in Brazil is discussed. Since its introduction in 1900-1910, arracacha has been considered a non-demanding crop, presenting some minor disease problems, especially when compared to other vegetable crops. Many of the recorded arracacha diseases in Brazil and other Latin American countries are poorly described, for there is hardly any information about pathogenicity tests, pathogen identity, crop losses and environmental conditions affecting diseases. Worldwide, 27 genera of fungi, three of bacteria, nine of nematodes and five species of viruses have been recorded. Of these, thirteen fungi and all bacteria and nematodes were recorded in Brazil. So far, no virus has been recorded, although virus-like symptoms have been observed. The most important diseases are the root knot, caused by Meloidogyne spp., and the postharvest soft rot caused by Erwinia spp. Commonly occurring diseases are leaf spots caused by Septoria spp., Cercospora spp. and Xanthomonas campestris pv. arracaciae, as well as plant rots caused by Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Viruses could become of great importance since this crop is vegetatively propagated, and part of the plantlets are now being produced in nurseries by a new technique (pre-rooting) and then disseminated to different areas throughout Brazil. As there is no pesticide officially registered for this crop in Brazil, preventive measures of control must be used, such as crop rotation, suitable fertilization and irrigation, and removal and destruction of diseased plants. Arracacha seems to be suitable for organic cropping systems, since few diseases are considered limitant

What are the chances of young Turks and Italians for equal education and employment in Germany? : the role of objective and subjective indicators

As the recent OECD PISA studies have shown, social background plays a greater role for achieving a solid education in Germany than in most other developed countries; this is especially so for migrant youths. This paper deals with the question, which level education and qualification migrants in Germany achieve, and how their chances for achieving qualifications and positions are compared to Germans. First, an overview over results of studies on educational participation, degrees, and social inequality among migrants is given. Then I show, using data from the 2000 BiB-Integration Survey, that young Turks and Italians have achieved notably lower levels of education than Germans. Finally, I discuss possible reasons and agencies that might cause these findings, which then are scrutinised by empirical analyses. It can be found that the marked under-representation with regard to higher educational and professional degrees of young Italians and Turks is clearly related to the low educational level of their parents, as well as factors of integration and attitudes. It does become obvious, however, that Turks have lower chances that cannot be explained by their parents’ qualification or other factors. This is also the case for the second immigrant generation