Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

Biometric analysis in half-sib families of Conilon coffee derived from recurrent selection

Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a performance de uma população de maturação tardia de Coffea canephora, variedade Conilon, oriunda do primeiro ciclo de seleção recorrente do programa de melhoramento genético do Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (Incaper). O experimento foi implantado na fazenda experimental de Marilândia, no município de Marilândia/ES no ano de 2000, sendo a população formada por 11 famílias de meios-irmãos com um total de 1.019 progênies. Foram realizadas as seguintes avaliações, no período de 2006 a 2011, por progênie: a) produção de grãos (PROD); b) época de maturação dos frutos (MAT); c) tamanho de fruto (TF); d) uniformidade de maturação dos frutos (UMAT) e e) reação a ferrugem (FE). Com base nos dados coletados por progênie de cada família, realizou-se a análise da variabilidade genética, a estimativa dos parâmetros genéticos, dos ganhos genéticos e da diversidade genética das progênies selecionadas. As estimativas de herdabilidade mostraram valores maiores para PROD e TF, e os resultados obtidos para os ganhos de seleção foram consequentemente superiores para as duas características. Nas características UMAT e FE, apesar dos ganhos terem sido menos expressivos, possibilitou a obtenção de indivíduos com melhor maturação e mais tolerantes a ferrugem. A intensidade de seleção na qual obtiveram maiores ganhos foi de 50%, entre famílias, e 20% dentro de famílias, mas sugere-se a utilização da intensidade de seleção com maior probabilidade de seleção de progênies contrastantes e geneticamente compatíveis. Os resultados confirmaram a existência de variabilidade genética para as características PROD, MAT e TF no conjunto de progênies avaliadas, permitindo a continuidade do processo de seleção recorrente com possibilidades de sucesso. Na análise de diversidade genética observaram-se materiais dissimilares com potencial para hibridações significativas, porém é importante frisar que a dissimilaridade geral entre todas as progênies foi discreta, indicando a necessidade da introdução de materiais em posteriores ciclos de seleção recorrente, com objetivo de aumentar a variabilidade genética da população.The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a population of late maturity of Coffea canephora variety Conilon, derived from the first cycle of recurrent selection of Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (INCAPER). The experiment was carried out at the experimental station of Marilândia/ES, in the municipality of Marilândia/ES (Brazil) in 2000, with a population comprised of 11 half siblings families with a total of 1,019 progenies. The following evaluations were performed in the period 2006-2011: a) yield (YD); b) time to fruit maturation (MAT); c) fruit size (FS); d) uniformity of fruit maturation (UMAT) and e) reaction to rust (RR). Based on data collected by progeny on each family, it was performed the analysis of genetic variability, estimation of genetic parameters, genetic gain and genetic diversity of selected progenies. Heritability estimates showed higher values for YD and FS, and the results obtained for the selection gains were therefore higher for both traits. Although for UMAT and RR the gains were smaller, it was possible to select individuals with better maturation and more tolerant to rust. The selection intensity in which it was achieved major gains was 50%, for selection between families and, 20% for selection within families, but it is suggested to use the selection intensity with higher probability of selection of progeny with contrasting genetically compatible. The results confirmed the existence of genetic variability for PROD, and MAT TF in the studied progenies, allowing the continuation of the recurrent selection process with success possibilities. During the analysis of genetic diversity there was progenies with great dissimilarity with good potential to be used as parents, but it is important to note that the overall dissimilarity between all progenies was small, indicating the need for the introduction of exotic materials in later cycles of recurrent selection, aiming to increase genetic variability of the population.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

Potential of alternative technologies on two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch on strawberry Fragaria x ananassa Duch

O ácaro rajado Tetranychus urticae Koch (1836) (Acari: Tetranychidae) é uma praga que causa dano ao morangueiro, atacando as folhas e acarretando grandes prejuízos. Portanto, este trabalho avalia os efeitos dos extratos de plantas e indutores de resistência sobre o ácaro rajado no morangueiro. No experimento com extratos botânicos, concentrações de extratos de folhas de Cymbopogon winterianus (citronela), extratos de frutos de Sapindus saponaria (saboneteira), formulado de nim (Azamax®) e Emulsionável Pratissoli (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5%) foram aplicadas sobre discos de folhas de morangueiro da cultivar Camarosa, acondicionadas em placa de Petri e infestadas com 10 fêmeas de T. urticae, sendo utilizadas 10 repetições por concentração. Na testemunha, foi utilizada água destilada. As avaliações foram realizadas 24, 72 e 120 horas após o início do experimento, observando-se a mortalidade e o número de ovos do ácaro rajado. A partir dos dados obtidos, foram estimadas as CL50. O experimento foi mantido em câmara climatizada, a temperatura de 25 ± 1 ºC, 70 ± 10% de UR e fotofase de 12 h. O formulado Azamax®, o emulsionável Pratissoli e todos os extratos vegetais causaram mortalidade em fêmeas do ácaro rajado, além de interferir na oviposição. Destacaram-se o extrato de saboneteira e o emulsionável Pratissoli por obterem menores CL50, portanto, são mais tóxicos. Dessa forma, a utilização dos extratos vegetais e do emulsionável Pratissoli pode ser uma alternativa com potencial de manejo para o ácaro rajado. Em relação aos indutores de resistência, avaliou-se o efeito da indução de resistência em morangueiro em relação ao ácaro rajado, utilizando argila silicatada, silicato de potássio e metassilicato de sódio em concentrações de 1%, avaliando-se a mortalidade de fêmeas adultas de T. urticae e o número de ovos. As avaliações foram realizadas após a 1°, 2° e 3° aplicações foliares dos produtos em plantas de morangueiro cultivar Camarosa. Na testemunha, foi aplicado água destilada. Após as aplicações, discos de folhas foram retiradas das plantas e acondicionadas em placas de Petri, logo, foram infestadas com 10 fêmeas de ácaro rajado em um total de 10 discos de folhas e, finalmente, mantidas em câmara climatizada a temperatura de 25 ± 1 ºC, 70 ± 10% de UR e fotofase de 12 h. Após 120 horas, a mortalidade foi quantificada e posteriormente corrigida pela fórmula de Abbott (1925), sendo também observado o número de ovos. Os tratamentos submetidos à argila silicatada e silicato de potássio apresentaram maior mortalidade quando comparados à testemunha, obtendo, resultados significativamente melhores com 3 aplicações. A redução do número de ovos foi significativa para todos os tratamentos quando comparados à testemunha na terceira aplicação, ressaltando o tratamento com silicato de potássio que conferiu maior redução. Esses resultados demonstram que a indução de resistência é uma medida com potencial para o manejo dessa praga em cultivos de morangueiroTwo-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (1836) (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a pest that causes damage to the strawberry, attacking the leaves and causing extensive damage. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant extracts and inducers of resistance on the mite in strawberry. In the experiment with botanical extracts, concentrations of leaf extracts of Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella), extracts of Sapindus saponaria (saboneteira), formulated neem (Azamax ®) and Emulsionável Pratissoli (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5%) were applied to discs leaves of the strawberry variety Camarosa placed in a Petri dish and infested with 10 females of T. urticae, using 10 replicates per concentration. In witness it was used distilled water. Evaluations were performed 24, 72 and 120 hours after the start of the experiment, observing the mortality and the number of spider mite eggs. LC50 was estimated from data obtained. The experiment was kept at temperature of 25 ± 1º C, 70 ± 10% RH and photophase of 12 h. The formulated Azamax ®, emulsionável Pratissoli and all plant extracts caused mortality on female spider mite, and interfere with the oviposition. The extract of S. saponaria and emulsionável Pratissoli were the most notorious for having lower LC50,thus are more toxic. Thus, the plant extracts and emulsionável Pratissoli can be an alternative with potential for management mite. In the test with inductons of resistance, it was evaluated the effect of induction in strawberry against the spider mite, calcium silicate, potassium silicate and sodium metasilicate applications at concentrations of 1%, assessing the mortality of adult females of T. urticae and the number of eggs. The evaluations were performed after 1, 2 and 3 foliar applications of products on Camarosa strawberry plants cultivar. Test control was applied distilled water. Forward the applications, leaf discs from plants was placed in Petri dishes, then, were infested with 10 female mite in a total of 10 leaf discs, and kept at temperature of 25 ± 1 º C, 70 ± 10% RH and photophase of 12 h. After 120 hours the mortality was quantified and subsequently corrected by Abbotts formula (1925), and also observed the number of eggs. Tests underwent silicate clay and potassium silicate showed higher mortality compared to the control, obtaining significantly better results with 3 applications. Reducing the number of eggs was significant for all tests when compared to the control at the third application, with emphasis on test with potassium silicate assigning higher reduction. These results show that the induction of resistance is a potential method for this pest in strawberry crop

Occurrence of Faustinus sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Southeastern Brazil tomato crops

Occurrence of Faustinus sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plantations in the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil, was confirmed through field observations carried out between April 2006 and March 2008. Larvae of Faustinus sp. bore the stems of tomato plants, whereas adults feed on the leaves. Bored stems are then easily broken by the wind, by manual handling or by plant weight itself. Crop rotation and removal of crop residues may help reduce pest population levels

Ethanol extract of Cymbopogon winterianus on mortality and number of eggs of Tetranychus urticae

Plant extracts have been studied as a promising source of natural insecticides. This study assessed the effect of the ethanol extract of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (citronella grass) in comparison with an insecticide containing azadirachtin (ICA) on mortality and number of eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in laboratory conditions. For the tests, the mites were sprayed with the aid of a Potter spray tower. To assess the mortality of females, LC50 value for extract of citronella grass and ICA was, respectively, 2.63 and 2.83%. With respect to the number of eggs, the greatest reduction was observed at a concentration of 5% for the evaluation period of 120h, both for the extract of citronella grass (86%) and for ICA (81%). These results suggest the potential of the ethanol extract of citronella grass to control of T. urticae. However, experiments, under field conditions, involving other populations of T. urticae should be performed to verify the efficacy of this extract as an alternative to be used in pest management program