Synergistic effects of combining morphological and molecular data in resolving the phylogeny of butterflies and skippers

Phylogenetic relationships among major clades of butterflies and skippers have long been controversial, with no general consensus even today. Such lack of resolution is a substantial impediment to using the otherwise well studied butterflies as a model group in biology. Here we report the results of a combined analysis of DNA sequences from three genes and a morphological data matrix for 57 taxa (3258 characters, 1290 parsimony informative) representing all major lineages from the three putative butterfly super-families (Hedyloidea, Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea), plus out-groups representing other ditrysian Lepidoptera families. Recently, the utility of morphological data as a source of phylogenetic evidence has been debated. We present the first well supported phylogenetic hypothesis for the butterflies and skippers based on a total-evidence analysis of both traditional morphological characters and new molecular characters from three gene regions (COI, EF-1α and wingless). All four data partitions show substantial hidden support for the deeper nodes, which emerges only in a combined analysis in which the addition of morphological data plays a crucial role. With the exception of Nymphalidae, the traditionally recognized families are found to be strongly supported monophyletic clades with the following relationships: (Hesperiidae+(Papilionidae+(Pieridae+(Nymphalidae+(Lycaenidae+Riodinidae))))). Nymphalidae is recovered as a monophyletic clade but this clade does not have strong support. Lycaenidae and Riodinidae are sister groups with strong support and we suggest that the latter be given family rank. The position of Pieridae as the sister taxon to nymphalids, lycaenids and riodinids is supported by morphology and the EF-1α data but conflicted by the COI and wingless data. Hedylidae are more likely to be related to butterflies and skippers than geometrid moths and appear to be the sister group to Papilionoidea+Hesperioidea

Tratamento de esgoto sanitário em reator híbrido em bateladas sequenciais: eficiência e estabilidade na remoção de matéria orgânica e nutrientes (N, P) Sewage treatment in a sequencing batch hybrid reactor: efficiency and stability in organic matter and nutrient (N, P) removal

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de estudo sobre o comportamento de um reator híbrido, operado em bateladas sequenciais, na remoção conjunta de matéria carbonácea, nitrogênio e fósforo de esgoto sanitário. Operado em ciclos de 8 horas de duração, o reator possuía em seu interior um suporte fixo com rede de nylon. Foram testadas cargas compreendidas entre 0,39 e 1,35 kgDQO.m-3.dia-1, 42 e 60 gN-NH4-.m-3.dia e 51 e 70 gP-PO4-.m-3.dia. O reator funcionou como um sistema estável e apresentou boas condições de depuração. A remoção da matéria carbonácea mostrou-se elevada, com eficiências médias de 92% de DBO5 e 80% de DQO. A remoção de nutrientes variou entre 59 e 71% para nitrogênio total e entre 45 e 67% para fósforo total. Tanto no lodo em suspensão, quanto no biofilme, foi observada a ocorrência de bactérias oxidadoras de amônio e micro-organismos responsáveis pela desnitrificação e remoção biológica de fósforo.<br>This paper presents the results about the behavior of a sequencing batch hybrid reactor on combined removal of carbonaceous matter, nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage. Operated in 8-hour cycles, the reactor had a nylon net fixed inside. Loads between 0.39 and 1.35 kg COD.m-3.day-1, 42 and 60 gN-NH4-m-3.day-1 and 51 and 70 gP-PO4-m-3.day-1 were tested. The reactor operated as a stable system and showed good depuration conditions. The carbonaceous matter removal was high, with 92 and 80% efficiencies average to BOD5 and COD, respectively. The nutrients removal varied between 59 and 71% for total nitrogen and between 45 and 67% for total phosphorus. In both, sludge in suspension and the biofilm, occurrence of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria and microorganisms responsible for denitrification and biological phosphorus removal was observed