Descriptions of two new Pseudophacopteron species (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Phacopteronidae) inducing galls on Aspidosperma (Apocynaceae) in Brazil

Two new species of the large pantropical jumping plant-louse genus Pseudophacopteron Enderlein, 1921 (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Phacopteronidae) are described from dry woodland habitats in the Midwest, Southeast and South of Brazil. Pseudophacopteron aspidospermi sp. nov. is associated with Aspidosperma australe, P. longicaudatum sp. nov. has been found on Aspidosperma macrocarpon and A. tomentosum (Apocynaceae). Both species induce intralaminar lenticular galls on the leaves of their host trees which have been the subject of several structural, histochemical and ecological publications. Adult males and females, fifth instar immatures and galls are illustrated including diagnostic morphological details, and compared with other Neotropical and Old World species of Pseudophacopteron and Phacopteronidae. The distribution of Pseudophacopteron in the Neotropical Region is briefl y discussed

Biology and systematics of gall-inducing triozids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) associated with Psidium spp. (Myrtaceae)

Carneiro, Renê G. S., Burckhardt, Daniel, Isaias, Rosy M. S. (2013): Biology and systematics of gall-inducing triozids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) associated with Psidium spp. (Myrtaceae). Zootaxa 3620 (1): 129-146, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3620.1.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E903C5A6-C22C-4EB1-A732-1FDB8889908C

www.mapress.com/zootaxa

Reacquisition of New Meristematic Sites Determines the Development of a New Organ, the Cecidomyiidae Gall on Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae)

The development of gall shapes has been attributed to the feeding behavior of the galling insects and how the host tissues react to galling stimuli, which ultimately culminate in a variable set of structural responses. A superhost of galling herbivores, Copaifera langsdorffii, hosts a bizarre “horn-shaped” leaflet gall morphotype induced by an unidentified species of Diptera: Cecidomyiidae. By studying the development of this gall morphotype under the anatomical and physiological perspectives, we demonstrate the symptoms of the Cecidomyiidae manipulation over plant tissues, toward the cell redifferentiation and tissue neoformation. The most prominent feature of this gall is the shifting in shape from growth and development phase toward maturation, which imply in metabolites accumulation detected by histochemical tests in meristem-like group of cells within gall structure. We hypothesize that the development of complex galls, such as the horn-shaped demands the reacquisition of cell meristematic competence. Also, as mature galls are green, their photosynthetic activity should be sufficient for their oxygenation, thus compensating the low gas diffusion through the compacted gall parenchyma. We currently conclude that the galling Cecidomyiidae triggers the establishment of new sites of meristematic tissues, which are ultimately responsible for shifting from the young conical to the mature horn-shaped gall morphotype. Accordingly, the conservative photosynthesis activity in gall site maintains tissue homeostasis by avoiding hypoxia and hipercarbia in the highly compacted gall tissues

Sink Status and Photosynthetic Rate of the Leaflet Galls Induced by Bystracoccus mataybae (Eriococcidae) on Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae)

The galling insect Bystracoccus mataybae (Eriococcidae) induces green and intralaminar galls on leaflets of Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae), and promotes a high oxidative stress in host plant tissues. This biotic stress is assumed by the histochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose production alters gall physiology. Thus, we hypothesize that high levels of nutrients are accumulated during gall development in response to a local maintenance of photosynthesis and to the galling insect activity. Moreover, the maintenance of low levels of photosynthesis may guarantee O2 production and CO2 consumption, as well as may avoid hypoxia and hypercarbia in gall tissues. To access the photosynthesis performance, the distribution of chlorophyllous tissues and the photochemical and carboxylation rates in gall tissues were analyzed. In addition, histochemical tests for hydrogen peroxide and phenolic derivatives were performed to confirm the biotic stress, and set the possible sites where stress dissipation occurs. The contents of sugars and nitrogen were evaluated to quantify the gall sink. Currently, we assume that the homeostasis in gall tissues is ruptured by the oxidative stress promoted by the galling insect activity. Thus, to supply the demands of gall metabolism, the levels of water-soluble polysaccharides and starch increase in gall tissues. The low values of maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) indicate a low photosynthetic performance in gall tissues. In addition, the decrease of PSII operating efficiency, (F’m–F’)/F’m, and Rfd (instantaneous fluorescence decline ratio in light, to measure tissue vitality) demonstrate that the tissues of B. mataybae galls are more susceptible to damage caused by stressors than the non-galled tissues. Thus, the high oxidative stress in gall developmental sites is dissipated not only by the accumulation of phenolic derivatives in the protoplast, but also of lignins in the walls of neoformed sclereids

FIGURE 7 in Vallissiana universitaria (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae): a new genus and species of leaf-mining moth associated with Erythroxylum (Erythroxylaceae) in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

FIGURE 7. Pupal characters of V. universitaria. Head (A) dorsal, (B) ventral, (C) lateral; (D) left prothoracic depression in detail (indicated by rectangular area marked in A), dorsal; (E) spiracle on A3, latero-dorsal; (F) sixth and seventh abdominal segments, dorsal (right spiracles are indicated by arrows); last abdominal segment, (G) lateral, (H) dorsal; (I) lateral spine of last abdominal segment in detail (indicated by square area marked in H). Scale bars: (A–C) 100, (D) 20, (E) 10, (F) 100, (G–H) 50, (I) 10 µm

Antioxidant metabolism in galls due to the extended phenotypes of the associated organisms.

Animal-induced galls are considered extended phenotypes of their inducers, and therefore plant morphogenesis and metabolism may vary according to the species of gall inducers. The alterations in vacuolar and apoplastic polyphenols, carotenoids, chlorophyll fluorescence rates, PSII quantum yield, and phospholipid peroxidation were studied in galls induced by Ditylenchus gallaeformans (Nematoda) on Miconia albicans and M. ibaguensis (Melastomataceae), and by an unidentified Eriophyidae (Acarina) on M. ibaguensis. The focus currently addressed is gall metabolism as the extended phenotype of the gall inducers, and the neglected determination of gall functionalities over host plant peculiarities. Galls induced by D. gallaeformans on M. albicans and by the Eriophyidae on M. ibaguensis have increased accumulation of apoplastic and vacuolar phenolics, which is related to the control of phospholipid peroxidation and photoprotection. The galls induced by D. gallaeformans on M. ibaguensis have higher carotenoid and vacuolar polyphenol contents, which are related to excessive sunlight energy dissipation as heat, and photoprotection. Accordingly, antioxidant strategies varied according to the gall-inducing species and to the host plant species. The distinctive investments in carotenoid and/or in polyphenol concentrations in the studied galls seemed to be peculiar mechanisms to maintain oxidative homeostasis. These mechanisms were determined both by the stimuli of the gall-inducing organism and by the intrinsic physiological features of the host plant species. Therefore, the roles of both associated organisms in host plant-galling organisms systems over gall metabolism is attested