Distribuição de Biomphalaria straminea ao Sul da Região Neotropical, Brasil Distribution of Biomphalaria straminea in the Southern Neotropical Region of Brazil

Objetivou-se atualizar os conhecimentos sobre a área colonizada pela Biomphalaria straminea e de alguns dos determinantes envolvidos na dispersão dessa espécie hospedeira intermediária de Schistosoma mansoni. Foram examinados 10.616 exemplares de caramujos procedentes de 76 localidades do Estado de São Paulo (Brasil), e realizado levantamento dos registros de ocorrência da espécie disponíveis na literatura especializada. Ficou demonstrada a expansão dos domínios territoriais de B. straminea na região, ressaltando que na parte superior da bacia hidrográfica do rio Paraná, a disseminação dos caramujos mostra estreita relação com o aproveitamento de longos trechos de rios para a navegação fluvial. Dados os riscos epidemiológicos associados à propagação desses transmissores da esquistossomose, ressalta-se a necessidade da manutenção do controle e vigilância da endemia na região.<br>A careful anatomical revision of 10,616 preserved specimens of snails from 76 localities of the State of S. Paulo, Brazil, was made with a view better to determining the geographical distribution of Biomphalaria straminea in the Neotropical Region of Southern Brazil. The analysis has shown that previous determinations were correct. The study was then complemented with a survey of information from the literature about distribution of the species. The distribution pattern of the species has expanded greatly over the last few years, perhaps an account of the construction of new dams, and the navigation system in the upper Paraná Basin. Epidemiological data have shown that B. straminea is a good host to S. mansoni. Continuous schistosomiasis control must be exercised so as to prevent the further expansion of the disease

Devonian pearls and ammonoid-endoparasite co-evolution

Raised shell projections on the inner shell walls that form pits on the internal moulds of Devonian ammonoids have been known for several decades. New specimens from Morocco reveal novel details of these structures; most, if not all, of which consist of a capsule of ammonoid shell that covers tiny tubes attached to the outer (=lateral or ventral) shell wall from the inside. In accordance with comparable Recent occurrences of similar structures in molluscs, we use the term “pearls” for these structures and the pits they form on the internal moulds. The nature of these encapsulated tubes is described and discussed. Because of the presence of these tubes inside the pearls, pearl arrangement, and their similarity to Recent mollusc occurrences, the tubes are interpreted as traces of parasitoses. The pearls and pits were grouped into five types based on differences in morphology, size, and arrangement. Then, having used these traits to perform a simple cladistic analysis, the resulting cladogram was compared to the phylogeny of ammonoids. Based on this comparison, it appears likely that the parasites underwent a co-evolution with the ammonoids, which lasted 10 to 15 Ma. Patterns of evolutionary events include co-speciation, “drowning on arrival” (end of parasite lineage near base of a new host clade), and “missing the boat” (parasite lineage does not adapt to a new host clade, thus not evolving a new parasite clade). Because of the lack of fossilised soft tissue, only speculations can be made about the systematic affiliation of the parasites, their life-cycle, infection strategy, and ecological framework. Some co-occurring bivalves also have pits reminiscent to structures caused by trematodes in Recent forms. Based on the available information, the tubes are interpreted as artefacts of trematode infestations, which, if correct, would extend the fossil record of parasitic trematodes into the Early Devonian