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Abstract The use of botanical insecticides is a sustainable alternative for the regulation of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in brassica crops. Similarly, biological control with parasitoids can be an effective tool when integrated with bioinsecticides. However, the safety of natural insect enemies must be prioritized within pest control programs. The objective was to evaluate the effects of the water-based extracts of Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae) and Serjania marginata Casar (Sapindaceae), at 5% and 10% concentrations, on the reproduction of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in larvae of P. xylostella, topically treated with extracts. In addition, we evaluated the survival of adult females of T. howardi exposed to the respective extracts of Serjania spp. For this purpose, two bioassays were conducted. In the first, 4th instar larvae of P. xylostella were selected, and 20 μL of each treatment was applied topically (S. erecta 5%, S. erecta 10%, S. marginata 5%, S. marginata 10%, distilled water) in each larva and then exposed to T. howardi parasitism for 48 hours. The percentage of parasitism and emergence (%), life cycle length (days), total number of progeny, sex ratio and adult longevity were evaluated. In the second bioassay, the ASPECLE (Evaluation of Pesticide Selectivity under Extended Laboratory Conditions) system, adapted from the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) standard model, was used. In this bioassay, five cabbage leaf disks were introduced in each glass cylinder of the ASPECLE system, duly treated with distilled water, aqueous extracts of S. erecta and S. marginata, at concentrations of 5% and 10%, or acephate. Subsequently, ten adult females of T. howardi were released in each cylinder and the system was activated. Parasitoid survival was evaluated for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. The aqueous extracts of S. marginata and S. erecta at concentrations of 5% and 10% did not interfere in the parasitism of T. howardi on 4th instar larvae of P. xylostella. Field experiments should be developed to prove the negative effect of aqueous extracts of S. marginata and S. erecta on other biological characteristics of T. howardi. As a precaution, releases of T. howardi and sprays of aqueous extracts of S. marginata and S. erecta should be made at different times for the biological management of P. xylostella. Resumo O uso de inseticidas botânicos é uma alternativa sustentável para a regulação de Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) em culturas de brássicas. Da mesma forma, o controle biológico com parasitóides pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz quando integrado a bioinseticidas. No entanto, a segurança dos inimigos naturais dos insetos deve ser priorizada nos programas de controlo de pragas. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos dos extratos aquosos de Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae) e Serjania marginata Casar (Sapindaceae), nas concentrações de 5% e 10%, na reprodução de Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) em larvas de P. xylostella, tratadas topicamente com extratos. Além disso, avaliamos a sobrevivência de fêmeas adultas de T. howardi expostas aos respectivos extratos de Serjania spp.. Para tanto, foram realizados dois bioensaios. No primeiro foram selecionadas larvas de 4º ínstar de P. xylostella e aplicados topicamente 20 μL de cada tratamento (S. erecta 5%, S. erecta 10%, S. marginata 5%, S. marginata 10%, água destilada) em cada larva e depois exposta ao parasitismo de T. howardi por 48 horas. Foram avaliadas a porcentagem de parasitismo e emergência (%), duração do ciclo de vida (dias), número total de progênies, razão sexual e longevidade dos adultos. No segundo bioensaio, foi utilizado o sistema ASPECLE (Avaliação da Seletividade de Pesticidas Sob Condições Laboratoriais Estendidas), adaptado do modelo padrão da Organização Internacional para Controle Biológico (IOBC). Neste bioensaio foram introduzidos cinco discos de folhas de repolho em cada cilindro de vidro do sistema ASPECLE, devidamente tratados com água destilada, extratos aquosos de S. erecta e S. marginata, nas concentrações de 5% e 10%, ou acefato. Posteriormente, dez fêmeas adultas de T. howardi foram liberadas em cada cilindro e o sistema foi acionado. A sobrevivência dos parasitóides foi avaliada por 24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 horas. Os extratos aquosos de S. marginata e S. erecta nas concentrações de 5% e 10% não interferiram no parasitismo de T. howardi sobre larvas de 4º ínstar de P. xylostella. Experimentos de campo deverão ser desenvolvidos para comprovar o efeito negativo dos extratos aquosos de S. marginata e S. erecta sobre outras características biológicas de T. howardi. Por precaução, liberações de T. howardi e pulverizações de extratos aquosos de S. marginata e S. erecta devem ser feitas em momentos diferentes para o manejo biológico de P. xylostella.

Laticifer occurrence and structure are poorly known in Sapindaceae. Occurrence is likely underestimated owing to the low production of latex in most species. We investigated 67 species from 23 genera of Sapindaceae to verify laticifer occurrence and their structural, developmental and chemical features, as well as their evolutionary history in the family. Shoots were collected from herbarium and fresh specimens for histological analyses. Three characters derived from laticifer features were coded and their ancestral states reconstructed through Bayesian stochastic mapping and maximum likelihood estimation. Only articulated non-anastomosing laticifers were found in Sapindaceae. Laticifers differentiate early during shoot development and are found in the cortex, phloem, and pith. Latex is mostly composed of lipids. Callose and suberin were detected in laticifer cell walls in some genera. Reconstruction of laticifer ancestral states showed that laticifers are present in most clades of Sapindaceae with some reversals. Callose in the laticifer cell wall was found exclusively in Serjania and Paullinia (tribe Paullinieae), a character regarded as independently derived. Occurrence of laticifers in Sapindaceae is broader than previously reported. Articulated non-anastomosing laticifers had five independent origins in Sapindaceae with some secondary losses, occurring in five out of six genera of Paullinieae and 10 other genera outside Paullinieae. Particularly, callose in the laticifer cell wall evolved independently twice in the family, and its occurrence may be interpreted as a key-innovation that promoted the diversification of Paullinia and Serjania . Our study suggests that laticifer characters may be useful in understanding the generic relationships within the family.

Medicinal plant microbiomes undergo selection due to secondary metabolite presence. Resident endophytic/epiphytic microorganisms directly influence plant’s bioactive compound synthesis. Hypothesizing low microbial diversity in Serjania erecta leaves, we assessed leaf colonization by epiphytic and endophytic fungi. Given its traditional medicinal importance, we estimated diversity in the endophytic fungal microbiome. Analyses included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), isolation of cultivable species, and metagenomics. Epiphytic fungi interacted with S. erecta leaf tissues, horizontally transmitted via stomata/trichome bases, expressing traits for nematode trapping. Cultivable endophytic fungi, known for phytopathogenic habits, didn’t induce dysbiosis symptoms. This study confirms low leaf microbiome diversity in S. erecta , with a tendency towards more fungal species, likely due to antibacterial secondary metabolite selection. The classification of Halicephalobus sp. sequence corroborated the presence of nematode eggs on the epidermal surface of S. erecta by SEM. In addition, we confirmed the presence of methanogenic archaea and a considerable number of methanotrophs of the genus Methylobacterium. The metagenomic study of endophytic fungi highlighted plant growth-promoting yeasts, mainly Malassezia , Leucosporidium , Meyerozyma , and Hannaella . Studying endophytic fungi and S. erecta microbiomes can elucidate their impact on beneficial bioactive compound production, on the other hand, it is possible that the bioactive compounds produced by this plant can recruit specific microorganisms, impacting the biological system.

The soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens , is a primary soybean pest that reduces crop productivity. This work examined control of C. includens populations with methanolic extract of Serjania erecta , a native Cerrado plant, while minimizing risks to pollinators, natural enemies and the environment. Serjania erecta specimens were collected, identified, and subjected to methanol extraction. Bioassays were performed using newly hatched and second-instar caterpillars and different extract concentrations on the diet surface to obtain IC 50 values. Two replicates, containing 10 caterpillars, were established in triplicate. The IC 50 values were 4.15 and 6.24 mg of extract mL −1 for first-instar and second-instar caterpillars, respectively. These growth inhibition results informed the extract concentrations assessed in subsequent development inhibition assays, in which the pupal weight was higher under the control than under the treatments. Extract treatments increased the duration of the larval, pupal and total development. The potential of different concentrations of S. erecta extract to inhibit the enzymes carboxylesterases was also evaluated. Carboxylesterases activity decreased by 41.96 and 43.43% at 7.8 and 15.6 μg mL −1 extract, respectively. At 31.3 μg mL −1 extract, enzymatic activity was not detected. Overall, S. erecta leaf methanolic extract showed inhibitory potential against carboxylesterases.

Serjania erecta Raldk is an essential genetic resource due to its anti-inflammatory, gastric protection, and anti-Alzheimer properties. However, the genetic and evolutionary aspects of the species remain poorly known. Here, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genome of S. erecta and used it in a comparative analysis within the Sapindaceae family. S. erecta has a chloroplast genome (cpDNA) of 159,297 bp, divided into a Large Single Copy region (LSC) of 84,556 bp and a Small Single Copy region (SSC) of 18,057 bp that are surrounded by two Inverted Repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 28,342 bp. Among the 12 species used in the comparative analysis, S. erecta has the fewest long and microsatellite repeats. The genome structure of Sapindaceae species is relatively conserved; the number of genes varies from 128 to 132 genes, and this variation is associated with three main factors: (1) Expansion and retraction events in the size of the IRs, resulting in variations in the number of rpl22 , rps19 , and rps3 genes; (2) Pseudogenization of the rps2 gene; and (3) Loss or duplication of genes encoding tRNAs, associated with the duplication of trnH-GUG in X. sorbifolium and the absence of trnT-CGU in the Dodonaeoideae subfamily. We identified 10 and 11 mutational hotspots for Sapindaceae and Sapindoideae, respectively, and identified six highly diverse regions ( tRNA-Lys — rps16, ndhC – tRNA-Val, petA – psbJ, ndhF, rpl32 – ccsA , and ycf1 ) are found in both groups, which show potential for the development of DNA barcode markers for molecular taxonomic identification of Serjania . We identified that the psaI gene evolves under neutrality in Sapindaceae, while all other chloroplast genes are under strong negative selection. However, local positive selection exists in the ndhF , rpoC2 , ycf1 , and ycf2 genes. The genes ndhF and ycf1 also present high nucleotide diversity and local positive selection, demonstrating significant potential as markers. Our findings include providing the first chloroplast genome of a member of the Paullinieae tribe. Furthermore, we identified patterns in variations in the number of genes and selection in genes possibly associated with the family’s evolutionary history.

The factors that generate the extraordinary biodiversity of tropical regions are likely multifaceted. In this study, we tested our working hypothesis that a mosaic of contrasting habitats plays a key role in shaping the diversity of tropical pygmy moths (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae). To explore this, we selected four ecologically distinct localities in Honduras and investigated whether closely related but distinct Nepticulidae species occur in different habitats. Collected specimens were dissected, and their genital structures photographed and analyzed. Molecular divergence was assessed using DnaSP, with Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic trees constructed in MEGA. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses and mitotype networks construction (TCS algorithm) were also performed. Our findings are presented in two case studies. In Case Study 1, three closely related yet distinct species were discovered in separate localities; in Case Study 2, four other closely related species were found in environmentally different sites. Comparative material from Colombia and Peru was also examined. Based on integrated morphological and molecular analyses, eight new species were identified and formally described. We conclude that contrasting environmental conditions exert selective pressures, and that morphologically and genetically similar species—likely derived from a common ancestor—have diverged, exemplifying the process of adaptive radiation.

Fil: Somner, Genise V.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil

The ethyl acetate extract (SsAcOEt) from Serjania schiedeana, select fractions (F-6, F-12, F-13, F-14), and one isolated compound, were evaluated in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) ear edema and kaolin/carrageenan (KC)-induced monoarthritis assays. SsEtOAc induced edema inhibition of 90% (2.0 mg/ear), fractions showed activity within a range of 67–89%. Due to the fact F-14 showed the highest effect, it was separated, yielding a proanthocyanidin-type called epicatechin–(4β → 8)–epicatechin–(4β → 8, 2β → O → 7) epicatechin (ETP). This compound (2.0 mg/ear) provoked 72% of edema inhibition (ED50 = 0.25 mg/ear, Emax = 52.9%). After 9 days of treatment, joint inflammation was decreasing, and on the last day, SsEtOAc (400 mg/kg), F-14 and ETP (10 mg/kg), SsEtOAc (200 mg/kg), methotrexate (MTX) 1.0 mg/kg and meloxicam (MEL) 1.5 mg/kg, produced an inhibition articulate edema of 94, 62, 36, 21, 80, and 54%, respectively. In the joint, pro-inflammatory molecules were elevated in animals without treatment (vehicle group, VEH). Treatments from S. schiedeana induced a decrease in the concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, and IL-6, and SsEtOAc at a higher dose diminished tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). IL-10 and IL-4 were fewer in the VEH group in comparison with healthy mice; the animals with treatments from S. schiedeana induced an increment in the levels of these cytokines in joint and spleen.

Se designa el lectotipo para el nombre perteneciente a la especie Serjania altissima (Poepp.) Radlk. y se proponen tres nuevos sinónimos.

Honey pollen samples of Melipona seminigra pernigraMoure & Kerr 1950 sampled between 2017 and 2019 from experimental apiaries installed in campo rupestre on canga (CRC) vegetation of the Serra dos Carajás aimed to evaluated seasonal floral availability of undisturbed and mining-influenced areas. Around one hundred pollen types were identified mainly belonging to Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Euphorbiaceae (31, 6 and 5 species, respectively). Mining area presented the highest pollen richness, almost twice those identified in the undisturbed areas. 80% of the pollen types are rare with concentrations ≤ 2,000 pollen grains/10 g, while the remaining were the most abundant, frequent and the primary bee sources. These latter correspond mostly to native plants species such as Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Protium spp., Aparisthmium cordatum (A.Juss.) Baill., Mimosa acutistipula var. ferrea Barneby, Periandra mediterranea (Vell.) Taub., Miconia spp., Pleroma carajasense K.Rocha, Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC., Serjania spp. and Solanum crinitum Lam. All pollen types were identified during both seasons, but higher concentration values are related to the dry period (June-September). The statistical analysis of the pollen data indicated that there was no significant difference between undisturbed and mining-influenced areas, since primary bee sources of this study are widespread used in revegetation of mined areas. Resumo: O conteúdo polínico de amostras de mel coletadas nos anos de 2017 e 2019 de apiários experimentais de Melipona seminigra pernigraMoure & Kerr 1950, instalado dentro de uma vegetação de campo rupestre em um afloramento de canga na Serra dos Carajás, sudeste da Amazônia, foi analisado para entender a variabilidade local dos recursos florais em áreas naturais e perturbadas. Aproximadamente 100% dos tipos polínicos foram identificados e pertencem principalmente às famílias Fabaceae, Myrtaceae e Euphorbiaceae (31, 6 e 5 espécies, respectivamente). Áreas de mineração apresentaram a maior riqueza de pólen, quase o dobro daquelas identificadas em áreas perturbadas. 80% dos tipos de pólen são raros com concentrações ≤ 2.000 grãos de pólen/10g, enquanto que os restantes foram os mais abundantes, frequentes e fontes primárias para as abelhas. Este últimos correspondem principalmente a plantas nativas como Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Protium spp., Aparisthmium cordatum (A.Juss.) Baill., Mimosa acutistipula var. ferrea Barneby, Periandra mediterrânea (Vell.) Taub., Miconia spp., Pleroma carajasense K.Rocha, Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC., Serjania spp. e Solanum crinitum Lam. Todos os tipos polínicos foram identificados durante ambas as estações, mas altas concentrações estão relacionadas ao período seco (junho-setembro). A análise estatística indicou que não houve diferença significativa nos dados de pólen de mel entre áreas naturais e áreas anteriormente degradadas, uma vez que as fontes primárias das abelhas deste estudo são amplamente utilizadas na revegetação de áreas mineradas.