Suitability of the predatory mites Iphiseiodes zuluagai and Euseius concordis in controlling Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Tetranychus bastosi on Jatropha curcas plants in Brazil

One of the most promising plant species for biofuel production in Brazil is the physic nut Jatropha curcas. Major phytosanitary problems include the attack of two pest mite species, the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus and the spider mite Tetranychus bastosi. Owing to pesticide-related problems, there is an increasing demand for sustainable environmental-friendly control methods such as biological control. In this study we evaluated the suitability of the predatory mite species Iphiseiodes zuluagai and Euseius concordis in controlling P. latus and T. bastosi on J. curcas. The number of T. bastosi killed by I. zuluagai was lower than the number of P. latus consumed.Euseius concordis preyed upon both T. bastosi and P. latus but the number of prey killed was always lower in comparison with I. zuluagai. However, P. latus and T. bastosi are suitable for the development of I. zuluagai and E. concordis as oviposition of both predators did not differ in relation to prey species. The preference of I. zuluagai for leaves of plants infested by either P. latus or T. bastosi, combined with the higher values for predation obtained by this predatory mite when fed on P. latus, compared to those values obtained by E. concordis, suggests that I. zuluagai can be more efficient than E. concordis in reducing populations of P. latus and T. bastosi under field conditions. Furthermore, we report here on the first record of predatory mites associated with P. latus and T. bastosi on native J. curcas plants in Brazil. In conclusion, we emphasize the crucial importance of predatory mites as agents of natural biological control of mite pests on J. curcas in small farms

Comparison of cephalometric measurements from three radiological clinics Comparação de grandezas cefalométricas obtidas em três clínicas radiológicas

The orthodontic documentation carried out in radiological clinics is essential for diagnosis, planning and control of the orthodontic treatment. Amongst the diagnosis elements used are the cephalometric measurements, and errors can be incorporated as they are obtained. The objective of this work was to evaluate the values of some cephalometric measurements obtained in three radiological clinics using 30 lateral cephalometric radiographs of the head randomly chosen from the archives of the Department of Child Dentistry (Discipline of Orthodontics), School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, UNICAMP. These values were compared with the measurements obtained manually (control group) using variance analysis and Tukey’s and Friedman’s tests. Of the fourteen cephalometric measurements evaluated, the results demonstrated that only four of them presented statistically significant differences: IMPA, 1-NA, FMA, and H-nose. We concluded that although the majority of the mean cephalometric values did not present statistically significant differences, a great variability in the results was found when all the radiographic values were compared. This variability may influence the interpretation of the cephalometric measurements. Hence, we suggest that when the practitioner receives orthodontic documentation, he/she should redo the cephalometric analysis and compare the measurement values found with those presented to him. In addition, the practitioner should be prepared to use other elements for diagnosis, planning and control of the orthodontic treatment.<br>A documentação ortodôntica realizada em clínicas radiológicas é essencial para diagnóstico, planejamento e controle do tratamento ortodôntico. Dentre os elementos de diagnóstico utilizados estão as grandezas cefalométricas, e erros podem ser incorporados durante a obtenção das mesmas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os valores de algumas grandezas cefalométricas obtidas em três clínicas radiológicas, utilizando-se 30 telerradiografias da cabeça em norma lateral, escolhidas ao acaso, do arquivo do Departamento de Clínica Infantil (Disciplina de Ortodontia) da Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba - UNICAMP. Esses valores foram comparados com os das grandezas obtidas manualmente (grupo controle), utilizando-se a análise de variância e os testes de Tukey e Friedman. Os resultados demonstraram que das 14 medidas cefalométricas avaliadas, apenas 4 apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes: IMPA, 1-NA, FMA, e H-nariz. Concluímos que apesar de a maioria dos valores médios das grandezas cefalométricas não apresentarem diferenças estatisticamente significantes, ao compararmos todos os valores obtidos em cada uma das radiografias, encontramos grande variabilidade nos resultados, o que pode interferir na interpretação das grandezas cefalométricas. Assim, os autores sugerem ao ortodontista, quando receber a documentação ortodôntica, realizar novamente as análises cefalométricas para comparar os valores das grandezas, e utilizar outros elementos para diagnóstico, planejamento e controle do tratamento ortodôntico

Response of a small felid of conservation concern to habitat fragmentation

Habitat loss and fragmentation are major drivers of biodiversity loss. A key question, particularly relevant to carnivore conservation, is to which extent species are able to survive in human-modified landscapes. Currently, conservationists are concerned about the impact habitat fragmentation may have on the long-term persistence of the forestdwelling guin˜a (Leopardus guigna), given the increasingly modified landscapes in which they live. Here we evaluate the effect habitat cover, fragmentation and anthropogenic pressure have on the occupancy probability for guin˜as in privately-owned forest fragments. We collected camera-trap data from 100 temperate rainforest sites in Chile and used singleseason occupancy modeling to evaluate the influence of 13 parameters of landscape structure/anthropogenic pressure and four parameters of detection probability on the ocurrence of guin˜as. The camera-trap survey data comprised 4168 camera-trap days and 112 independent records of guin˜as. Surprisingly, fragmented (defined as having a high perimeter-to-area ratio) and moderately sized habitat patches best predicted site occupancy. Occupancy also increased where habitat patches were closer to continuous forest and nearer to buildings. Our results imply that guin˜as can benefit from a high degree of edge type habitats in fragmented landscapes, capable of adapting to habitat fragmentation in the proximity to large continuous forest patches. This suggests that guin˜as have a broader niche than previously believed. Additionally, the guin˜a is tolerant of human infrastructure. Further research is required to identify potential ecological traps, long-term source-sink dynamics, and the habitat loss/fragmentation threshold beyond which guin˜a populations are no longer viable