Abstract Banana tree bacterial wilt is caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum Moko ecotype. These strains vary in their symptom progression in banana, and are classified as typical Moko variants (phylotype IIA and IIB strains from across Central and South America), Bugtok variant (Philippines), and Sergipe facies (the states of Sergipe and Alagoas, Brazil). This study used comparative genomic and phylogenomic approaches to identify a correlation between the symptom progression of the Moko ecotypes based on the analysis of 23 available genomes. Average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization revealed a high correlation (>96% and >78%, respectively) between the genomes of Moko variants. Pan-genome analysis identified 21.3% of inheritable regions between representatives of the typical Moko and Sergipe facies variants, which could be traced to an abundance of exclusive homolog clusters. Moko ecotype genomes shared 1,951 orthologous genes, but representatives with typical symptoms did not display unique orthologues. Moreover, Bugtok disease and Sergipe facies genomes did not share any unique genes, suggesting convergent evolution to a shared symptom progression. Overall, genomic and phylogenomic analyses were insufficient to differentiate the Moko variants based on symptom progression.

ABSTRACT The green algal genus Bryopsis has simple morphology and high phenotypic plasticity, making it difficult to identify its species based on morphological characteristics alone. This study evaluated the diversity of Bryopsis in northeastern Brazil (the State of Pernambuco), based on morphological and molecular data using the markers tufA and rbcL. Molecular analyses were incongruent with morphology, demonstrating the existence of cryptic and polymorphic species in the genus. Of the four taxa cited for the area based only on morphological data (Bryopsis corymbosa, B. pennata, B. plumosa, Bryopsis sp.), only B. pennata was recorded. Typical specimens of B. pennata and B. plumosa were grouped with low genetic divergence, 0-0.21 % for tufA and no divergence for rbcL, indicating that B. pennata is an extremely plastic species that includes specimens with morphotype B. “plumosa”. Bryopsis pennata var. secunda is cited for the first time for northeastern Brazil, with divergence from the typical variety of 0.96-1.57 % for tufA and 0.4 % for rbcL. This study showed that broader sampling of Bryopsis is necessary in order to confirm the taxonomic status of the species referenced for Brazil, whose phenotypic plasticity may cause overestimation of diversity or reveal cryptic species.

Abstract Banana vascular wilt or Moko is a disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. This study aimed to sequence, assemble, annotate, and compare the genomes of R. solanacearum Moko ecotypes of different sequevar strains from Brazil. Average nucleotide identity analyses demonstrated a high correlation (> 96%) between the genome sequences of strains CCRMRs277 (sequevar IIA-24), CCRMRs287 (IIB-4), CCRMRs304 (IIA-24), and CCRMRsB7 (IIB-25), which were grouped into phylotypes IIA and IIB. The number of coding sequences present in chromosomes and megaplasmids varied from 3,070 to 3,521 and 1,669 to 1,750, respectively. Pangenome analysis identified 3,378 clusters in the chromosomes, of which 2,604 were shared by all four analyzed genomes and 2,580 were single copies. In megaplasmids, 1,834 clusters were identified, of which 1,005 were shared by all four genomes and 992 were identified as single copies. Strains CCRMRsB7 and CCRMRs287 differed from the others by having unique clusters in both their chromosomes and megaplasmids, and CCRMRsB7 possessed the largest genome among all Moko ecotype strains sequenced to date. Therefore, the genomic information obtained in this study provides a theoretical basis for the identification, characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of R. solanacearum Moko ecotypes.

Abstract Ralstonia solanacearum is the causal agent of Moko disease in bananas, which in the state of Sergipe in northeastern Brazil causes “Sergipe facies”. This disease induces atypical symptoms similar to those of Bugtok disease in the Philippines. This study was conducted to sequence, assemble, and annotate the genomes of the Sergipe facies-causing isolates SFC and IBSBF2570 (sequevar IIA-53) and compare their genomes with two representative isolates causing Bugtok disease. The genomes were sequenced and assembled, resulting in lengths of 5.58 Mb (SFC) and 5.46 Mb (IBSBF2570) in 185 and 174 contigs, respectively. The isolates of Sergipe facies and Bugtok disease showed similarities in their gene contents. We identified 5,668 information clusters, 3,752 of which were shared by all genomes (core genes). Moreover, 3,585 single-copy genes were identified. Isolates causing Bugtok disease exclusively shared 266 more information clusters than the isolates causing Sergipe facies. These results suggest that Sergipe facies and Bugtok disease isolates show high genomic similarity. However, the similarity is even greater between the Bugtok disease isolates. This may be because of their longer period of interaction compared to Sergipe facies isolates.

RESUMO No Brasil, as espécies do gênero Liriomyza têm importância econômica e são amplamente distribuídos no país, causando danos a pelo menos 14 famílias de plantas, especialmente Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae e Fabaceae. Estudos sugerem a existência de um complexo de espécies dentro deste gênero com base na presença de semelhança morfológica nas espécies Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), L. sativae (Blanchard) e L. huidobrensis (Blanchard). Este estudo teve como objetivo empregar o DNA Barcode em novas áreas para estabelecer novos registros de Liriomyza sativae no Brasil e também a determinação da diversidade genética intra e interpopulacional, e reconstruir a filogenia das espécies Liriomyza utilizando sequências do DNA barcode. Os valores de identidade foram entre 97% a 99%, confirmando que as todas as populações brasileiras avaliadas pertencem à espécie L. sativae. A análise filogenética indicou a presença de um único clado de L. sativae composto pelas sete populações. A análise intrapopulacional indicou níveis baixos de diversidade nucleotidica e haplótipica de indivíduos dessas populações. A rede de haplótipos indicou a presença de apenas 14 haplótipos distribuídos entre populações brasileiras. As semelhanças genéticas compartilhadas pelas populações brasileiras de L. sativae sugere que essas populações estão intimamente relacionados. Os padrões genéticos observados em populações de L. sativae pode estar associada a eventos gargalos ou efeito fundador durante o estabelecimento deste minadora no Brasil.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, species of the genus Liriomyza are widely distributed and have economic importance as they cause damage to at least 14 plant families, especially Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae. Studies suggest existence of a species complex within this genus, based on the presence of morphological similarities among the species Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), L. sativae Blanchard and L. huidobrensis (Blanchard). The present study aimed to use DNA barcoding to establish new distribution records of L. sativae in distinct regions in Brazil, determine intra- and inter-population genetic diversity, and reconstruct the phylogeny of Liriomyza species using the DNA barcode sequences. Identity values were between 97% and 99%, confirming that all the examined Brazilian populations belonged to the species L. sativae. Phylogenetic analyses indicated the presence of a single clade of L. sativae, composed of seven populations. Intra-population analysis on individuals of these populations indicated low levels of nucleotide and haplotype diversity. The haplotype network indicated presence of only 14 haplotypes distributed among the Brazilian populations. The genetic similarities shared by the Brazilian populations of L. sativae suggest that these populations are closely related. Genetic patterns observed among populations of L. sativae might be associated with bottleneck events or founder effect during establishment of this leafminer in Brazil.

INTRODUÇÃO: Flebotomíneos são pequenos insetos de grande importância médica e veterinária. Este artigo apresenta uma lista atualizada dos flebotomíneos que ocorrem no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Uma revisão da literatura publicada desde a década de 40 até maio de 2010 foi realizada e material testemunho depositado em coleções de referência foi estudado. RESULTADOS: Um total de 37 espécies de flebotomíneos foram previamente relatadas como presentes em Pernambuco, mas o registro de seis delas necessita de confirmação. CONCLUSÕES: Esse trabalho fornece uma lista atualizada de flebotomíneos de Pernambuco, com algumas notas sobre a sua taxonomia, ecologia, distribuição e relevância epidemiológica.

INTRODUCTION: Phlebotomine sand flies are small insects of great medical relevance. This article presents an updated list of the phlebotomine sand flies occurring in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: A review of literature published since the 1940s up to May 2010 was conducted and voucher material deposited in reference collections were studied. RESULTS: A total of 37 phlebotomine species have previously been reported as occurring in Pernambuco, but the record of six species needs confirmation. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides an updated list of phlebotomine sand flies of Pernambuco, with some notes on their taxonomy, ecology, distribution and epidemiological relevance.

INTRODUÇÃO: Além de mosquitos adaptados ao ambiente urbano (Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti e Ae. albopictus), apenas 15 espécies de Anopheles haviam sido relatadas no Estado de Pernambuco. MÉTODOS: Mosquitos que pousavam em humanos no Parque Dois Irmãos, em Recife foram coletados. RESULTADOS: Haemagogus janthinomys, importante vetor de vírus de febre amarela, e outras 14 espécies são relatadas pela primeira vez no estado, incluindo Trichoprosopon lampropus, relatado pela primeira vez no Brasil. CONCLUSÕES: A fauna de mosquitos na área é muito diversificada e tem potencial importância médica e veterinária.

INTRODUCTION: Besides mosquito species adapted to urban environments (Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), only 15 species of Anopheles had been recorded in the State of Pernambuco. METHODS: Human-landing mosquitoes were collected in Dois Irmãos Park, in Recife. RESULTS: The first report for the state of Haemagogus janthinomys, an important vector of yellow fever virus, and 14 other species, including Trichoprosopon lampropus, a first reported for Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: The mosquito fauna in the area is diversified and has potential medical and veterinary importance.

The pigmentation (pgm) locus is a large unstable area of the Yersinia pestis chromosome composed of a segment of iron acquisition (HPI) linked to a pigmentation segment. In this work we examined the mobility of HPI and the pigmentation segment in three Y. pestis isolates using successive subcultures on Congo red agar (CRA) plates. Strain P. CE 882 was shown to be highly stable while strains P. Exu 340 and P. Peru 375 dissociated into several phenotypes, PCR analysis showing evidence of changes in the pgm locus of the derived cultures. Strains P. Exu 340 and P. Peru 375 produced previously unreported cultures positive for the pesticin/yersiniabactin outer membrane receptor (psn+) but negative for the iron-regulated protein (irp2-), suggesting the occurrence of rearrangements in this chromosomal region and either a sequential loss or the loss of separated segments. These results provide evidence that besides deletion en bloc, specific rearrangements are also involved in the deletion events for that locus.