A remarkable new Dimorphic species of Solenopsis from Argentina

Solenopsis Westwood (Myrmicinae: Solenopsidini) is an ant genus that represents a taxonomical challenge including about 117 species in the New World, most of them Neotropical. Solenopsis can be divided in two artificial groups: “fire ants” and “thief ants”. The second group is represented by species often difficult to identify because of their small size and uniformity of color and sculpture. Most of the thief ants are pale yellow, monomorphic, and develop lestobiosis, inhabiting small colonies, often inside the nests of other species of ants. In this paper we describe a new species of thief ant, Solenopsis longicephalus sp. n. caracterized to be extremely dimorphic and with a set of characters probably convergent with other genera of Myrmicinae, such as Carebara and Pheidole.Fil: Cuezzo, Fabiana del Carmen. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Superior de Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, F.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Colombi

Key to the soldiers of Angularitermes Emerson with a new species from Brazilian Amazonia (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)

An identification key based on characters of the soldier caste is provided for species of Angularitermes. Soldiers of previously described species in the genus, A. clypeatus, A. nasutissimus, A. orestes, A. pinocchio and A. tiguassu, are illustrated along with a new species, Angularitermes coninasus, n. sp., that is described and illustrated from soldier and worker castes. Samples of the new species were collected from epigeal nests at the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. The soldier of A. coninasus, n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by having a short conical frontal tube, much wider at its base.Fil: Carrijo, Tiago F.. Universidade de São Paulo; BrasilFil: Rocha, Mauricio M.. Universidade de São Paulo; BrasilFil: Cuezzo, Adriana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Superior de Entomología; ArgentinaFil: Cancello, Eliana M.. Universidade de São Paulo; Brasi

Timeless standards for species delimitation

published_or_final_versio

an individual participant data meta-analysis

Background The impact of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) on influenza-related pneumonia (IRP) is not established. Our objective was to investigate the association between NAI treatment and IRP incidence and outcomes in patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. Methods A worldwide meta- analysis of individual participant data from 20 634 hospitalised patients with laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 (n = 20 021) or clinically diagnosed (n = 613) ‘pandemic influenza’. The primary outcome was radiologically confirmed IRP. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using generalised linear mixed modelling, adjusting for NAI treatment propensity, antibiotics and corticosteroids. Results Of 20 634 included participants, 5978 (29·0%) had IRP; conversely, 3349 (16·2%) had confirmed the absence of radiographic pneumonia (the comparator). Early NAI treatment (within 2 days of symptom onset) versus no NAI was not significantly associated with IRP [adj. OR 0·83 (95% CI 0·64–1·06; P = 0·136)]. Among the 5978 patients with IRP, early NAI treatment versus none did not impact on mortality [adj. OR = 0·72 (0·44–1·17; P = 0·180)] or likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 1·17 (0·71–1·92; P = 0·537)], but early treatment versus later significantly reduced mortality [adj. OR = 0·70 (0·55–0·88; P = 0·003)] and likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 0·68 (0·54–0·85; P = 0·001)]. Conclusions Early NAI treatment of patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection versus no treatment did not reduce the likelihood of IRP. However, in patients who developed IRP, early NAI treatment versus later reduced the likelihood of mortality and needing ventilatory support

Especies de moluscos no-nativos de América del Sur

Una de las mayores amenazas para la biodiversidad es la introducción de especies no-nativas. Algunas de estas desarrollan un comportamiento invasivo, causando graves daños en los ecosistemas receptores. En América del Sur, los moluscos nonativos e invasores fueron uno de los focos de discusión en el 1CAM (1er. Congreso Argentino de Malacología, 2013). Ese encuentro permitió resaltar que la información sobre las especies no-nativas en la región era escasa, dispersa, incompleta y críptica. En el año 2016 se inició el relevamiento de especies de moluscos no-nativas e invasoras de América del Sur, a fin de generar el conocimiento base para futuros estudios, el cual considera solo las especies introducidas desde otros continentes y aquellas criptogénicas (no se conoce con certeza su origen).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Impact of neuraminidase inhibitors on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09‐related pneumonia: an individual participant data meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: The impact of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) on influenza‐related pneumonia (IRP) is not established. Our objective was to investigate the association between NAI treatment and IRP incidence and outcomes in patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. METHODS: A worldwide meta‐analysis of individual participant data from 20 634 hospitalised patients with laboratory‐confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 (n = 20 021) or clinically diagnosed (n = 613) ‘pandemic influenza’. The primary outcome was radiologically confirmed IRP. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using generalised linear mixed modelling, adjusting for NAI treatment propensity, antibiotics and corticosteroids. RESULTS: Of 20 634 included participants, 5978 (29·0%) had IRP; conversely, 3349 (16·2%) had confirmed the absence of radiographic pneumonia (the comparator). Early NAI treatment (within 2 days of symptom onset) versus no NAI was not significantly associated with IRP [adj. OR 0·83 (95% CI 0·64–1·06; P = 0·136)]. Among the 5978 patients with IRP, early NAI treatment versus none did not impact on mortality [adj. OR = 0·72 (0·44–1·17; P = 0·180)] or likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 1·17 (0·71–1·92; P = 0·537)], but early treatment versus later significantly reduced mortality [adj. OR = 0·70 (0·55–0·88; P = 0·003)] and likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 0·68 (0·54–0·85; P = 0·001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Early NAI treatment of patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection versus no treatment did not reduce the likelihood of IRP. However, in patients who developed IRP, early NAI treatment versus later reduced the likelihood of mortality and needing ventilatory support

Sandsitermes robustus Holmgren, new combination

<i>Sandsitermes robustus</i> (Holmgren), new combination <p>Figs 1–23</p> <p> <i>Eutermes robustus</i> Holmgren 1906: 67 –68 (soldier, fig. O; worker, fig. P). Syntypes: NHRS (soldiers and workers); type locality: Peru, Chaquimayo, Llinquipata [examined].</p> <p> <i>Eutermes robustus,</i> Holmgren 1910: 283 –284 (soldier, fig. 56; worker).</p> <p> <i>Nasutitermes robustus</i>, Snyder 1949: 295 (catalogue), new combination.</p> <p> <i>Nasutitermes robustus</i>, Krishna <i>et al.</i> 2013: 1780 (catalogue).</p> <p> <b>Description of the imago caste and redescription of soldier and worker castes.</b> Imago (Figs 1–3). Head capsule covered with short fine decumbent hairs projecting toward front, few long erect setae, plus short scattered erect setae in front of ocelli and around fontanelle. Postclypeus with short hairs over surface, pair of erect bristles at posterior margin, and shorter decumbent bristles over anterior margin. Labrum covered with hairs, with three pairs of erect bristles at midline. Pronotum with erect bristles along lateral and posterior margins, and many fine decumbent bristles over its entire surface. Wing scales with some erect bristles and shorter decumbent bristles over entire surface. Meso- and metanotum with short decumbent bristles. Tergites with dense covering of short fine decumbent bristles, in addition to row of erect bristles on posterior margin, not visible in Fig. 3. Sternites with long erect bristles and short decumbent bristles over entire surface. Head capsule chestnut brown with yellowish frontal marks. Postclypeus, antennal articles and legs yellowish, paler than head capsule. Labrum yellowish white. Thoracic nota yellowish brown with dark-brown margins. Tergites yellowish, sternites lighter-colored than tergites. Posterior region of meso- and metanotum with rugose surface, with two small protuberances slightly lighter-toned than posterior area. Range of measurements (mm) of two females and one male from MZUSP 8051: LH, 0.93– 1.13; WH, 1.00–1.10; OF, 0.38–0.50; DE, 0.48–0.50; LO, 0.15–0.18; WO, 0.11–0.13; EOD, 0.06–0.08; LP, 0.80– 0.83; WP, 1.13–1.20; LT, 1.78–1.93.</p> <p>Soldier (Figs 4–5). In dorsal view, head capsule varying from oval to rounded, widest at middle. Antenna with 13 articles: 1st largest; 2nd smallest; 3rd larger than 2nd and 4th but smaller than 1st; 2nd similar to 4th; 5th to apex, gradually increasing in size. Pronotum with anterior lobe rounded, not emarginate. Anterior lobe of pronotum less developed than posterior lobe, and forming angle of more than 90° between them. Head capsule with long erect bristles, four at base of nasus, plus two more on vertex, and scattered microscopic hairs over entire surface of head capsule. Postclypeus and labrum with microscopic hairs. Postmentum with bristles and short hairs. Nasus with four bristles, short hairs on apical third, and no microscopic hairs over surface. Anterior margin of anterior lobe of pronotum with short bristles, posterior margin of anterior lobe of pronotum with short hairs and noticeable very short hairs over pronotum surface. Meso- and metanotum with microscopic hairs over entire surface, no bristles or short hairs on posterior margin of thoracic nota. First abdominal tergite with two long thick erect bristles on middle posterior margin, very short hairs over lateral margins, and microscopic hairs over surface; remaining abdominal tergites equal but with four bristles instead of two. Sternites with thick erect bristles on posterior margin and many decumbent hairs of different sizes over surface. Procoxa with noticeably short microscopic hairs on upper surface. Head capsule yellow to light brown, with the nasus distinctly darker than head capsule. Thoracic nota yellow with darker margins. Tergites, sternites, antennal articles and legs whitish yellow. Range of measurements (mm) of 10 soldiers from MZUSP 8051; 6 from NHRS 16; 2 from NHRS 17: LH, 1.83–2.45; LHp, 1.13–1.55; HH, 0.75–1.03; WH, 1.05–1.53; LT, 1.35–1.75; WNs, 0.33–0.45; WP, 0.53–0.73.</p> <p> Worker (Figs 6–23). Short scattered hairs on frontal area of head and at least six long erect bristles on rear; postclypeus with two long erect bristles, some very short hairs over surface and short decumbent bristles on posterior margin; pro-, meso- and metanotum with short hairs on margins; tergites each with row of long bristles on posterior margin and many short bristles over surface. Mandibles (Figs 12–14) and digestive tube (Figs 15–23), see genus description. Measurements (mm) of workers from the type colony, NHRS 0 0 17. <i>Type 2 worker</i>: WH, 1.35, LT, 1.75; minor <i>type 1</i> worker WH, 1.25, LT, 1.42; major <i>type 1</i> worker, WH, 1.27, LT, 1.50.</p> <p> <b>Material examined</b>. Syntypes: PERU. Chaquimayo, Cotype “ <i>Eutermes</i> ” N. Holmgren det., three soldiers and four workers, USNM Isoptera Type 059; Chaquimayo, Lat -13.4335, Long. -70.4112, N. Holmgren det., several soldier and workers, NHRS 0 0 16, NHRS 0 0 17. Other non-type material: Llinquipata, Lat. -13.4572, Long. - 70.3919, soldiers, NHRS (Sthlm 862/10). <b>New records, with imago.</b> PERU. <i>Junín.</i> San Ramón Valle de Chanchamayo, 830 m, 17.x.1956, W Weyrauch, Lat. -11.1232, Long. -75.3675, MZUSP 8051. <b>New records, without imagoes.</b> PERU. Chatarra forest, 26.v.2014, Lat. -10.51303, Long. -75.07276 UF (PU154.0); 8 km SW von Humbolt, 30.v.2014, Lat. -8.85449, Long. -75.11904, UF (PU751.0); 15 km W von Humbolt, 30.v.2014, Lat. - 8.84806, Long. -75.18536, UF (PU765.0, PU769.0); 76 km NE Tingo María, 30.v.2014, UF (PU791.0); 54 km NE Tingo María, 30.v.2014, Lat. -9.05222, Long. -75.57818, UF (PU835.0, PU836.0, PU837.0, PU839.0, PU840.0, PU841.0, PU850.0); Parque Nacional Tingo María, 31.v.2014, Lat. -9.37830, Long. -76.03231, UF (PU912.0).</p>Published as part of <i>Cuezzo, Carolina, Cancello, Eliana M. & Carrijo, Tiago F., 2017, Sandsitermes gen. nov., a new nasute termite genus from South America (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae), pp. 562-574 in Zootaxa 4221 (5)</i> on pages 571-572, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4221.5.5, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/253522">http://zenodo.org/record/253522</a&gt

Caetetermes taquarussu Fontes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae): description of the imago caste and new distributional records

Cuezzo, Carolina, Carrijo, Tiago F., Cancello, Eliana M. (2015): Caetetermes taquarussu Fontes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae): description of the imago caste and new distributional records. Zootaxa 3918 (2): 295-300, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3918.2.1