Morphology of the prothorax and procoxa in the New World Cryptocephalini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae)

The comparative morphology of the prothorax and procoxae of New World Cryptocephalini was studied based on representatives of 11 of the 13 genera of the tribe. This study revealed a set of characters of obvious diagnostic and possible phylogenetic value supporting the currently accepted generic classification and two subtribes instead of the three currently recognized. Two general types of prothoracies were found, the first occurring in Cryptocephalina and Monachulina and the second in Pachybrachina. Previously undescribed for Polyphaga, a monocondylic joint between the coxa and trochantin, was found in all the genera studied. Possible movement of the trochanter, including the transfer of advance movement into rotation, is described and illustrated

Morphology of the prothorax and procoxa in the New World Cryptocephalini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae)

The comparative morphology of the prothorax and procoxae of New World Cryptocephalini was studied based on representatives of 11 of the 13 genera of the tribe. This study revealed a set of characters of obvious diagnostic and possible phylogenetic value supporting the currently accepted generic classification and two subtribes instead of the three currently recognized. Two general types of prothoracies were found, the first occurring in Cryptocephalina and Monachulina and the second in Pachybrachina. Previously undescribed for Polyphaga, a monocondylic joint between the coxa and trochantin, was found in all the genera studied. Possible movement of the trochanter, including the transfer of advance movement into rotation, is described and illustrated

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF THE FEMALE GENITALIA AND SOME ABDOMINAL STRUCTURES OF NEOTROPICAL CRYPTOCEPHALINI (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: CRYPTOCEPHALINAE)

The female genitalia of New World Cryptocephalini was studied and illustrated based on representatives of 11 of the 13 genera of the tribe. It was found that female genitalia contain pleurites IX, a rare and apparently primitive feature among leaf beetles. In other features cryptocephaline female genitalia are simpler than genitalia of other leaf beetles in having a poorly sclerotized sternite VIII and lacking the tignum. It is also hypothesized that the vagina is formed by sternites IX (dorsally) and VIII (ventrally), and that sclerotized plate of sternite IX can be homologized with vaginal palpi of flea beetles. A set of characters of diagnostic and of possible phylogenetic value was found. In general, Cryptocephalina and Monachulina bear the greatest affinity in overall morphology of the female genitalia, with Pachybrachina possessing a different set of unique morphological states. Of particular diagnostic and phylogenetic value at the subtribal level, as revealed by this study, are the shape and degree of sclerotization of tergite VIII, tergite IX, and sternite VIII

One-step Sustainable Preparation of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Supported on Mesoporous SiO2

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) supported on high surface area mesoporous SiO2 are advanced materials of great interest in catalysis, adsorption and biomedicine. Here we present a new process to prepare SPION/SiO2 materials by the impregnation and insitu decomposition of Fe(NO3)3.9H2O on mesoporous SiO2 supports in a 25-50% mol ethanol + CO2 mixture at 523 K and 25.0 MPa. -Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) of average size between 6-9 nm were distributed homogeneously on the supports. NPs deposited into the SBA-15 mesopores but mostly on the external surface of MCM-41. Materials prepared with the highest ethanol content were very homogeneous. Magnetic measurements confirmed the superparamagnetic nature of the materials at room temperature. The process proposed is sustainable and scalable, avoids tedious preparations and the additional high temperature treatment under a controlled atmosphere, as the metal decomposition is performed insitu in the CO2-expanded liquid mixture

Ecología y distribución de Senecio pterophorus (Compositae) en la Península Ibérica

Field survey in Catalonia (Spain) has increased the known distribution and the number of populations of the South African daisy Senecio pterophorus DC. in the Iberian Peninsula and mainland Europe. The species colonizes relatively disturbed habitats such as river beds, road borders and disturbed helm-oak communities with no limitation in light and water. The analysis of population structure related to habitat type has revealed that in riparian and ruderal areas populations are large and well-established, with a large number of members per age class. However, in disturbed forests populations have only a few scattered adults. Senecio pterophorus also shows great morphological plasticity related with habitat type: in open environments plants are shorter, adopt a spherical habit, and have smaller leaves than in forests, where they are taller and have leaves twice in size. This species may be considered as invasive in the Iberian Peninsula and mainland Europe, where it has rapidly spread in recent years. Furthermore, we suggest that S. pterophorus may be a threat to native species and habitat diversity as occurs in Australia, where the species displaces the native plants and hybridizes with some native Senecio species.En este trabajo se describen el área de distribución y el número de poblaciones de la especie sudafricana Senecio pterophorus DC. en Cataluña, única área de la Europa continental de donde hasta ahora se conoce. Esta especie coloniza ambientes perturbados, como lechos de ríos, márgenes de carreteras y áreas forestales perturbadas, siempre que no haya limitación por la luz y la humedad. En los hábitats riparios y ruderales las poblaciones son más estables y densas, con un gran número de individuos de diversas clases de edad, mientras que en ambientes forestales las poblaciones suelen contar con pocos individuos adultos distribuidos de forma dispersa. Senecio pterophorus presenta, además, una acusada plasticidad morfológica en relación con el hábitat, de modo que en ambientes riparios y ruderales los individuos desarrollan un porte esférico, de menor tamaño, y unas hojas más pequeñas que en ambientes forestales, donde el porte de las plantas es más alargado y el tamaño de las hojas mucho mayor. Esta especie, en creciente expansión, debe ser considerada una planta invasora en la Península Ibérica, ya que ha aumentado considerablemente el número de sus poblaciones en un período relativamente corto. Además, se sugiere que S. pterophorus puede llegar a ser una amenaza para la conservación de la diversidad de especies y de hábitats naturales autóctonos, como ocurre en Australia, donde desplaza a las especies nativas e incluso se hibrida con otras especies de Senecio

Ecologia y distribucion de Senecio pterophorus (Compositae) en la Peninsula Iberica.

En este trabajo se describen el área de distribución y el número de poblaciones de la especie sudafricana Senecio pterophorus DC. en Cataluña, única área de la Europa continental de donde hasta ahora se conoce. Esta especie coloniza ambientes perturbados, como lechos de ríos, márgenes de carreteras y áreas forestales perturbadas, siempre que no haya limitación por la luz y la humedad. En los hábitats riparios y ruderales las poblaciones son más estables y densas, con un gran número de individuos de diversas clases de edad, mientras que en ambientes forestales las poblaciones suelen contar con pocos individuos adultos distribuidos de forma dispersa. Senecio pterophorus presenta, además, una acusada plasticidad morfológica en relación con el hábitat, de modo que en ambientes riparios y ruderales los individuos desarrollan un porte esférico, de menor tamaño, y unas hojas más pequeñas que en ambientes forestales, donde el porte de las plantas es más alargado y el tamaño de las hojas mucho mayor. Esta especie, en creciente expansión, debe ser considerada una planta invasora en la Península Ibérica, ya que ha aumentado considerablemente el número de sus poblaciones en un período relativamente corto. Además, se sugiere que S. pterophorus puede llegar a ser una amenaza para la conservación de la diversidad de especies y de hábitats naturales autóctonos, como ocurre en Australia, donde desplaza a las especies nativas e incluso se hibrida con otras especies de Senecio

Preimaginal Stages of the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): An Invasive Pest on Ash Trees (Fraxinus)

This study provides the most detailed description of the immature stages of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire to date and illustrates suites of larval characters useful in distinguishing among Agrilus Curtis species and instars. Immature stages of eight species of Agrilus were examined and imaged using light and scanning electron microscopy. For A. planipennis all preimaginal stages (egg, instars I-IV, prepupa and pupa) were described. A combination of 14 character states were identified that serve to identify larvae of A. planipennis. Our results support the segregation of Agrilus larvae into two informal assemblages based on characters of the mouthparts, prothorax, and abdomen: the A. viridis and A. ater assemblages, with A. planipennis being more similar to the former. Additional evidence is provided in favor of excluding A. planipennis from the subgenus Uragrilus

Diversity, dynamics, direction, and magnitude of high-altitude migrating insects in the Sahel

Long-distance migration of insects impacts food security, public health, and conservation–issues that are especially significant in Africa. Windborne migration is a key strategy enabling exploitation of ephemeral havens such as the Sahel, however, its knowledge remains sparse. In this first cross-season investigation (3 years) of the aerial fauna over Africa, we sampled insects flying 40–290 m above ground in Mali, using nets mounted on tethered helium-filled balloons. Nearly half a million insects were caught, representing at least 100 families from thirteen orders. Control nets confirmed that the insects were captured at altitude. Thirteen ecologically and phylogenetically diverse species were studied in detail. Migration of all species peaked during the wet season every year across localities, suggesting regular migrations. Species differed in flight altitude, seasonality, and associated weather conditions. All taxa exhibited frequent flights on southerly winds, accounting for the recolonization of the Sahel from southern source populations. “Return” southward movement occurred in most taxa. Estimates of the seasonal number of migrants per species crossing Mali at latitude 14°N were in the trillions, and the nightly distances traversed reached hundreds of kilometers. The magnitude and diversity of windborne insect migration highlight its importance and impacts on Sahelian and neighboring ecosystems

Windborne long-distance migration of malaria mosquitoes in the Sahel

Over the past two decades efforts to control malaria have halved the number of cases globally, yet burdens remain high in much of Africa and the elimination of malaria has not been achieved even in areas where extreme reductions have been sustained, such as South Africa1,2. Studies seeking to understand the paradoxical persistence of malaria in areas in which surface water is absent for 3–8 months of the year have suggested that some species of Anopheles mosquito use long-distance migration3. Here we confirm this hypothesis through aerial sampling of mosquitoes at 40–290 m above ground level and provide—to our knowledge—the first evidence of windborne migration of African malaria vectors, and consequently of the pathogens that they transmit. Ten species, including the primary malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii, were identified among 235 anopheline mosquitoes that were captured during 617 nocturnal aerial collections in the Sahel of Mali. Notably, females accounted for more than 80% of all of the mosquitoes that we collected. Of these, 90% had taken a blood meal before their migration, which implies that pathogens are probably transported over long distances by migrating females. The likelihood of capturing Anopheles species increased with altitude (the height of the sampling panel above ground level) and during the wet seasons, but variation between years and localities was minimal. Simulated trajectories of mosquito flights indicated that there would be mean nightly displacements of up to 300 km for 9-h flight durations. Annually, the estimated numbers of mosquitoes at altitude that cross a 100-km line perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction included 81,000 Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, 6 million A. coluzzii and 44 million Anopheles squamosus. These results provide compelling evidence that millions of malaria vectors that have previously fed on blood frequently migrate over hundreds of kilometres, and thus almost certainly spread malaria over these distances. The successful elimination of malaria may therefore depend on whether the sources of migrant vectors can be identified and controlled

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality