Plumage variation in the Planalto Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes platyrostris) and the melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R)

The Planalto Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes platyrostris) presents “pale” and “dark” plumage variants, which are distributed throughout the Cerrado and Caatinga, and throughout the Atlantic Forest, respectively. To understand the genetic nature of the plumage variation in the species, we partially sequenced the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene, which is associated with melanic phenotypes in vertebrates. We found no correlation between variation at MC1R sequences and plumage color in D. platyrostris. Aminoacid sites that were correlated with variation in melanic plumage in other bird species were monomorphic in D. platyrostris. Our results suggested that MC1R seems not to be involved in controlling plumage variation in D. platyrostris.Fil: Corso, Josmael. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Departamento de Genética; BrasilFil: Cabanne, Gustavo Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Mendonça d'Horta, Fernando. Universidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Biociências; BrasilFil: da Silva Loreto, Elgion Lucio. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Departamento de Biologia; BrasilFil: Miyaki, Cristina Yumi. Universidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Biocièncias; Brasi

Imagine study on Microorganisms on the web

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar concepções que perpassam as imagens de microrganismos, disponibilizadas on-line, avaliando se estas contribuem para a construção adequada, reducionista ou equivocada do ensino em microbiologia. O estudo, de caráter qualitativo, orientou-se pelo enfoque exploratório, utilizando como metodologia a construção de um banco de imagens selecionadas por meio da ferramenta Google Imagens de pesquisa na web. Foram analisadas 1421 imagens agrupadas pelas palavras-chave: “microrganismos” e “micro-organismos”, originando onze categorias de análise. Os resultados indicam que nas imagens on-line os microrganismos são lembrados por sua nocividade para a saúde humana. Em contrapartida, revelam uma escassez de recursos imagéticos no que tange aos benefícios proporcionados pelos microrganismos. Tal resultado contribui para uma concepção equivocada, cabendo ao professor utilizar as imagens de forma crítica e responsável.This study aimed to identify conceptions that permeate the microorganism’s images, that are available online, evaluating whether they contribute to the adequate, reductionist or mistaken construction of microbiology teaching. The study, with a qualitative character, was guided by the exploratory approach, using as methodology the construction of a bank of images, which were selected through Google Images, a tool of research on the web. 1421 images were analyzed, which was grouped by the keywords: “microrganismos” and “micro-organismos”, in Portuguese, leading to eleven categories of analysis. The results indicate that in the online images the microorganisms are remembered for their harmfulness to human health. On the other hand, they revealed a scarcity of imagery resources concerning the benefits provided by microorganisms. This result contributes to a mistaken conception, giving the task to the teachers to use the images with critically and responsibly

Investigação das concepções sobre higiene e uso de metodologias alternativas

This paper shows the results of research about hygiene. The sample group was from a school in the municipality Cachoeira do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. The group studied was composed of 19 pupils from both the nursery and basic education phases of the school. This study aims to research of spontaneous conceptions and propose a roadmap of activities on identify the contributions of a teaching method, centered in a ludic education approach, for the teaching and learning of students in the health area. To assess the responses from the children, an interview was made using an experimental methodology was applied with one of the groups surveyed. Students who participated in the methodological activity, were interviewed again. The main perceptions showed that  the developed game made the learning process easier and allowed a stronger involvement, moments of  distraction and enabled subjects review and it showed that previous knowledge was demanded. Based on these results some educational implications are presented for discussion in the early yearsEste artigo relata a investigação sobre higiene, com uma amostra de 19 alunos de anos iniciais em uma escola privada de Cachoeira do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Tem por objetivo investigar as concepções espontâneas sobre a higiene e identificar as contribuições de um método de ensino, centrado numa abordagem lúdica de educação, para o ensino e a aprendizagem de crianças na área da saúde. Como método de estudo, foi aplicada uma atividade prática com a turma pesquisada. As principais percepções assinalam que atividades práticas desenvolvidas facilitam a aprendizagem, possibilitam maior envolvimento, permitem momentos de distração, possibilitam revisão de conteúdos e necessitam de conhecimentos prévios. Com base nestes resultados são apresentadas algumas implicações educativas para discussão nos anos iniciais

The Genome of Anopheles darlingi, the main neotropical Malaria vector

Anopheles darlingi is the principal neotropical malaria vector, responsible for more than a million cases of malaria per year on the American continent. Anopheles darlingi diverged from the African and Asian malaria vectors ∼100 million years ago (mya) and successfully adapted to the New World environment. Here we present an annotated reference A. darlingi genome, sequenced from a wild population of males and females collected in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10 481 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated, 72% of which have their closest counterpart in Anopheles gambiae and 21% have highest similarity with other mosquito species. In spite of a long period of divergent evolution, conserved gene synteny was observed between A. darlingi and A. gambiae. More than 10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and short indels with potential use as genetic markers were identified. Transposable elements correspond to 2.3% of the A. darlingi genome. Genes associated with hematophagy, immunity and insecticide resistance, directly involved in vector–human and vector–parasite interactions, were identified and discussed. This study represents the first effort to sequence the genome of a neotropical malaria vector, and opens a new window through which we can contemplate the evolutionary history of anopheline mosquitoes. It also provides valuable information that may lead to novel strategies to reduce malaria transmission on the South American continent. The A. darlingi genome is accessible a

The Genome of Anopheles darlingi, the main neotropical malaria vector

Anopheles darlingi is the principal neotropical malaria vector, responsible for more than a million cases of malaria per year on the American continent. Anopheles darlingi diverged from the African and Asian malaria vectors ∼100 million years ago (mya) and successfully adapted to the New World environment. Here we present an annotated reference A. darlingi genome, sequenced from a wild population of males and females collected in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10 481 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated, 72% of which have their closest counterpart in Anopheles gambiae and 21% have highest similarity with other mosquito species. In spite of a long period of divergent evolution, conserved gene synteny was observed between A. darlingi and A. gambiae. More than 10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and short indels with potential use as genetic markers were identified. Transposable elements correspond to 2.3% of the A. darlingi genome. Genes associated with hematophagy, immunity and insecticide resistance, directly involved in vectorhuman and vectorparasite interactions, were identified and discussed. This study represents the first effort to sequence the genome of a neotropical malaria vector, and opens a new window through which we can contemplate the evolutionary history of anopheline mosquitoes. It also provides valuable information that may lead to novel strategies to reduce malaria transmission on the South American continent. The A. darlingi genome is accessible at www.labinfo.lncc.br/index.php/anopheles- darlingi. © 2013 The Author(s)

Phylogenetic relationships among four species of the guarani group of Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae) as inferred by molecular and morphological analyses

Traditionally, the Drosophila guarani species group has been divided into two subgroups: the guarani and the guaramunu subgroups. Two, out of the four species included in this research, are members of the guarani subgroup (D. ornatifrons Duda, 1927 and D. subbadia Paterson & Mainland, 1943) and two are included in the guaramunu subgroup (D. maculifrons Duda, 1927 and D. griseolineata Duda, 1927). However, some authors have suggested that D. maculifrons and D. griseolineata are much closer to some species of the Drosophila tripunctata group than to some of the species of the guarani group. To add new data to the matter under dispute, Polyacrylamide Gel Eletrophoresis (PAGE-SDS) was used for the analysis and comparison of protein composition and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to find differences in genomic DNA, in addition to the analysis of quantitative morphological characters previously described. Analysis of PAGE-SDS results in a dendrogram that pointed out D. subbadia as being the most distant within the Drosophila guarani group. However, these results were not supported either by RAPD analysis or by the analysis of continuous morphological characters, which supplied the clustering of D. subbadia with D. ornatifrons. Although our data give strong support to the clustering of D. subbadia and D. ornatifrons, none of the dendrograms provided a clade comprising D. maculifrons and D. griseolineata. Thus, this research does not support the traditional subdivision of the D. guarani group into those two subgroups