Resumo Produtos naturais têm apresentado potencial no controle de artrópodes-praga, bem como para ácaros do gênero Oligonychus. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a toxicidade, repelência e efeito ovicida de diferentes formulações comerciais à base de nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) no controle do Oligonychus punicae (Hirst, 1926) em minijardim clonal de eucalipto. Os produtos testados foram Natural Neem®, Off-Neem®, Nim-I-GO® e Azamax®. Para avaliar a toxicidade sobre fêmeas adultas de Oligonychus punicae, foram utilizados discos foliares de eucalipto, pulverizados com diferentes concentrações de cada produto, definidas a partir de testes preliminares. A mortalidade foi avaliada 48 h após aplicação dos produtos e calculadas as concentrações letais (CL50 e CL95) para cada um. O efeito repelente foi verificado através de teste com chance de escolha, utilizando-se discos foliares tratados com os produtos e água destilada. A concentração utilizada foi a CL50 dos produtos calculada no teste de toxicidade. O efeito ovicida foi determinado a partir da aplicação das soluções preparadas com as CL95 de cada produto sobre ovos de Oligonychus punicae em discos foliares de eucalipto. As CL50 variaram entre 0,10 a 0,56% para Off-Neem® e Azamax®, respectivamente, e as CL95 de 0,71 a 1,78% para Off-Neem® e Natural Neem®. Os inseticidas Off-Neem® e Natural Neem® reduziram significativamente o número de fêmeas de Oligonychus punicae, entretanto, Azamax® e Nim-I-GO® não apresentaram uma redução significativa, embora todos tenham sido classificados como repelentes. Os ovos de Oligonychus punicae tratados com as CL95 dos produtos foram inviabilizados, não havendo eclosão. Portanto, conclui-se que os produtos naturais testados apresentaram potencial para o controle de Oligonychus punicae em virtude da significativa toxicidade sobre ovos e fêmeas adultas.

Abstract Natural products have shown potential in the control of pest arthropods, as well as for mites of the genus Oligonychus. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity, repellency and ovicidal effect of different commercial formulations based on neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) in the control of Oligonychus punicae (Hirst) in a clonal mini-garden of eucalyptus. The tested products were Natural Neem®, Off-Neem®, NimI-GO® and Azamax®. To evaluate the toxicity on adult females of Oligonychus punicae were used leaf discs of eucalyptus, sprayed with different concentrations of the solution, defined from preliminary tests. Mortality was assessed 48 h after application of the products and lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC95) were calculated for each of them. The repellent effect was verified through a choice test, using leaf discs treated with the products and distilled water. The concentration used was the LC50 of the products calculated in the toxicity test. The ovicidal effect was determined by applying the solutions prepared with the LC95 of each product on Oligonychus punicae eggs in eucalyptus leaf disks. The LC50s ranged from 0.10 to 0.56% for Off-Neem® and Azamax®, respectively, and the LC95s from 0.71 to 1.78% for Off-Neem® and Natural Neem®. The insecticides Off-Neem® and Natural Neem® significantly reduced the number of Oligonychus punicae females, however Azamax® and Nim-I-GO® did not show a significant reduction, although all were classified as repellents. Oligonychus punicae eggs treated with the LC95 of the products were not viable, with no hatching. It is concluded that the tested natural products showed potential for the control of Oligonychus punicae due to the significant toxicity on eggs and adult females.

ABSTRACT Distyly is a floral polymorphism with reciprocal placement of male and female structures, heteromorphic self-incompatibility, and other ancillary traits. However, breeding system breakdowns and loss of polymorphism are common. Here we traced the diversification of breeding strategies in the type genera of tribes Palicoureeae and Psychotrieae and discussed the evolution of distyly in a phylogenetic framework. We used literature and field information for breeding systems transitions in 46 species of Palicourea and Psychotria. Beyond distyly, we found four additional breeding systems, including monomorphism with herkogamy, homostyly (without herkogamy), monoecy and dioecy. Breeding transitions arose independently and were mostly derived from distyly. Only two species presented monomorphism as an intermediate state into gender specialization. It was not possible to evaluate the origin and evolutionary pathways for distyly in Psychotria and Palicourea as a whole, since distyly seems to be ancestral to their diversification. Breeding transitions in Psychotria and Palicourea appeared to be phylogenetically and biogeographically independent and occurred mostly in islands or isolated forest fragments, with distinct divergence times. Breeding transitions were not related to changes in ploidy. We propose that evolution of breeding transitions in Psychotria and Palicourea represent phylogenetically independent strategies to reproductive assurance in isolated or disturbed habitats.

Resumo Diferentes citótipos na mesma espécie têm sido associados a mudanças na reprodução das plantas, da sexualidade à apomixia, e podem explicar o isolamento entre populações e espécies. Os híbridos resultantes de cruzamentos de interploidia podem contribuir para o entendimento de como essas populações e espécies podem ter se originado e evoluído. A morfometria estomática e as análises de citometria de fluxo foram realizadas para plântulas de diferentes populações de Eriotheca estevesiae, E. gracilipes e E. pubescens, espécies arbóreas dos Cerrados do Brasil Central. Polinizações cruzadas controladas entre indivíduos de citótipos distintos de E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92 e 2n = 6x = 276) e entre citótipos sexuais de E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92) e E. pubescens (2n = 4x = 184 ) foram realizadas. Apenas uma semente viável foi obtida a partir de cruzamentos interploidias de E. gracilipes. A hibridização entre citótipos sexuais não produziu frutos. As análises do tamanho do genoma indicaram que aparentemente não havia híbridos naturais ou população de ploidia mista entre as plântulas analisadas. O tamanho dos estômatos das plântulas era consistente com os citótipos e o nível de ploidia supostos; e quando comparados com os estômatos do híbrido de interploidia viável de E. gracilipes, indicou um nível de ploidia intermediário, tetraplóide. Embora os dados tenham confirmado a possibilidade de hibridização interploidia, os citótipos pareceram relativamente estáveis e a hibridização interploidia natural parece ser menos comum em árvores Eriotheca.

Abstract Hybridization and changes in ploidy have been associated with shifts from sexuality to apomixis, and may explain isolation among populations and species. Hybrids resulting from interploidy crosses may contribute to a broader understanding of how these populations and species have originated and evolved. Stomatal morphometrics and flow cytometry analyses were carried out for seedlings from different populations of Eriotheca estevesiae, E. gracilipes and E. pubescens, a group of closely related tree species in the Central Brazilian Cerrados. Controlled cross-pollinations between individuals of different cytotypes of E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92 and 2n = 6x = 276) and between sexual cytotypes of E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92) and E. pubescens (2n = 4x = 184) were performed. Only one viable seed was obtained from interploidy crosses of E. gracilipes. The hybridization between sexual cytotypes did not produce fruits. Genome size analyses indicated that there were apparently no natural hybrids or mixed ploidy populations among the seedlings analyzed. Seedlings stomatal size was consistent with previously reported cytotypes and ploidy levels; and when compared with the stomata of the viable interploidy hybrid of E. gracilipes, indicated a tetraploid, intermediate ploidy level. Although the data suggest the possibility of interploidy hybridization, cytotypes appeared relatively stable and natural interploidy hybridization seems to be uncommon among Eriotheca trees.

ABSTRACT Distyly is a floral polymorphism that promotes cross-pollination through precise pollination. Psychotria is a mostly tropical genus of distylous Rubiaceae. Although widely studied in Brazil, some regions/species are still poorly explored, which hinders the understanding of distyly system along a greater geographical range. Here, we studied a subtropical population of Psychotria brachyceras in southern Brazil. For this, we characterized morphs occurrence, reciprocity of sexual structures, mating and incompatibility systems. In addition, we compared the reciprocity values from other species of the genus based on values gathered from literature to understand how the population behaves. The population showed equal proportions of thrum (short stigma/high anthers) and pin (high stigma/short anthers) morphs. Reciprocity was higher than the average for the genus and inaccuracy values between sexual organs were evenly distributed between the organ types, indicating a trend to typical distyly. Higher fruit set rates in intermorph and open pollination treatments and pollen tube growth observations confirmed that the population has a functional heteromorphic incompatibility system. Psychotria brachyceras showed no signs of distinct traits to typical distylous populations, which seems to ensure reproductive success and distyly maintenance.

ABSTRACT Objective: Identifying significant fibrosis is crucial to evaluate the prognosis and therapeutic interventions in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We assessed the performance of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography, APRI, FIB-4, Forns, NFS and BARD scores in determining liver fibrosis in severe obesity. Subjects and methods: A prospective study included 108 patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Liver biopsy specimens were obtained intraoperatively and classified according to the NAFLD Activity Score. Patients were assessed with serological markers and shear wave velocity of the liver was measured with the Siemens S2000 ultrasound system preoperatively. Optimal cut-off values were determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC). Results: In the entire cohort prevalence of NAFLD was 80.6%, steatohepatitis 25.9% and significant fibrosis 19.4%. The best tests for predicting significant fibrosis were FIB-4 and Forns scores (both AUROC 0.78), followed by APRI (AUROC 0.74), NFS (AUROC 0.68), BARD (AUROC 0.64) and ARFI (AUROC 0.62). ARFI elastography was successful in 73% of the patients. Higher body mass index (BMI) correlated with invalid ARFI measurements. In patients with BMI < 42 kg/m2, ARFI showed 92.3% sensitivity and 82,6% specificity for the presence of significant fibrosis, with AUROC 0.86 and cut-off 1.32 m/s. Conclusions: FIB-4 and Forns scores were the most accurate for the prediction of significant fibrosis in bariatric patients. Applicability and accuracy of ARFI was limited in individuals with severe obesity. In patients with BMI < 42 kg/m2, ARFI elastography was capable for predicting significant fibrosis with relevant accuracy.

Resumo A heterostilia é um polimorfismo floral geneticamente controlado onde populações de plantas apresentam dois ou três morfos com peças reprodutivas em alturas recíprocas entre os morfos. Em populações naturais, espera-se encontrar uma razão igual entre os morfos (isopletia). O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar o sistema reprodutivo, a biologia floral, as características heterostílicas, incluindo reciprocidade das peças reprodutivas, fenologia e polinização em Palicourea crocea, uma espécie arbustiva do sub bosque de formações florestais do Cerrado. Para tal foram medidas estruturas florais, realizados cruzamentos controlados, observados os visitantes florais, além de acompanhamento fenológico. Palicourea crocea é uma espécie distílica típica, autoincompatível, com altos índices de hercogamia recíproca entre os morfos. Polinizada preferencialmente por beija-flores, além de mariposas e abelhas. Houve formação maior de frutos em polinização cruzada intermorfo (> 50%) e menor formação em polinização intramorfo (< 20%) e autopolinização (< 13%). Esses dados foram confirmados pelo não crescimento de tubos polínicos em pistilos autopolinizados e polinizados de forma intramorfo. A floração é anual, e ocorre entre os meses de novembro e fevereiro, com pico de floração em dezembro e janeiro. Os dados reprodutivos avaliados se mostram similares a outras espécies de Rubiaceae do sub bosque de ambientes florestais do Cerrado.

Abstract The heterostyly is a floral polimorphysm genetically controlled where populations of plants present two or three morphs with reproductive structures in reciprocal heights among the morphs. In natural populations, a balanced ratio between morphs (isoplethy) is expected. The objective of the study was to characterize the breeding system, the floral biology, the characteristics of heterostyly, including reciprocity of reproductive parts, the phenology and pollination in Palicourea crocea, a shrub species of the understory of forest formations of Cerrado. For such measures were floral structures, held controlled crossings, observed flower visitors, in addition to phenological monitoring. Palicourea crocea is proved to be a typical distylous species, self-incompatible, with high levels of reciprocal herkogamy between the morphs. Preferentially pollinated by hummingbirds, followed by moths and bees. There was a higher fruit formation in cross-pollination intermorph (> 50%) and lower fruit formation intramorph pollination (< 20%), and self-pollination (< 13%). These data were confirmed by the not growth of pollen tubes in self-pollination and pollinated intramorph pistils. Flowering is annual and occurs between the months of November and February, with peak flowering in December and January. Reproductive data evaluated to show similar to other species of Rubiaceae of the understory of forest formations of Cerrado.

Resumo A exposição ao bullying escolar é uma realidade para crianças e adolescentes, porém ainda não foram exploradas suficientemente algumas complexidades do fenômeno. Assim, este estudo objetivou sintetizar em um modelo teórico evidências empíricas sobre a relação entre bullying e variáveis familiares. Com delineamento misto, a amostra total foi constituída por 2.354 estudantes de 11 escolas públicas, os quais participaram da etapa quantitativa do estudo, respondendo a duas escalas. Na fase qualitativa, 55 estudantes foram selecionados aleatoriamente para participar de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados revelaram que interações familiares positivas possuem poder protetivo em relação ao bullying e à vitimização, ao passo que interações familiares negativas aumentam o risco de envolvimento dos estudantes nessas situações. Os fatores que influenciam no envolvimento dos estudantes em situações de bullying na escola pertenciam aos componentes analíticos da Teoria Bioecológica. Os resultados permitiram ampliar a compreensão sobre o bullying e dão apoio empírico para incluir a família no debate sobre essa questão.

Abstract Exposure to school bullying is a situation experienced in children and adolescents’ routine and a few bullying complex conditions have not yet been sufficiently explored. Thus, this study’s objective aimed at synthesizing empirical evidence concerning the relationship between bullying and family variables in a theoretical model. Adopting a mixed design, the total sample included 2,354 students from 11 public schools who participated in the quantitative stage study. Data were collected using two scales. In the quantitative stage 55 students were randomly selected for semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that positive family interactions have a protective power in relation to bullying and victimization, while negative family interactions increase the risk of students becoming involved in such situations. The factors that influence students’ involvement in school bullying belonged to the analytical components of the Bioecological Model. The outcome helped a better understanding of bullying and provided empirical support for family inclusion in the issue.

RESUMEN El uso de aceites esenciales de plantas há sido adoptado como menos peligroso para el medio ambiente y la salud humana que los insecticidas sintéticos utilizados para el control de insectos portadores de enfermedades. A pesar de ejercer actividades insecticidas contra varios insectos vectores de enfermedades, los impactos potenciales en los organismos no objetivo ejercidos por los aceites esenciales extraídos de Lippia sidoides (Cham.) no han recibido la atención adecuada. Evaluamos la susceptibilidad y los posibles cambios en las tasas de consumo de las abejas melíferas, Apis mellifera (L.), cuando se exponen a aceites esenciales extraídos de L. sidoides. Se expuso a las abejas recolectoras a jarabe de miel (50% v / v) que contenía aceite esencial de L. sidoides durante 5 h. Después de este período de exposición, las abejas recibieron jarabe de miel regular durante otro período de 19 h. Se utilizaron seis concentraciones de aceite essencial: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 y 3.5 µL de aceite esencial / mL de jarabe, y se evaluó el consumo de jarabe y la mortalidad de las abejas en ambos períodos (5 y 24 h). Los resultados revelan que, independientemente de la concentración de aceite esencial, las abejas recolectoras se alimentaron significativamente menos de jarabe de miel que contenía aceite esencial de L. sidoides. Sin embargo, la alimentación con jarabe de miel que contiene aceites esenciales de L. sidoides no causó una mortalidad significativa en comparación con las abejas que no estuvieron expuestas a los aceites esenciales. Por lo tanto, los resultados demuestran que los aceites esenciales de L. sidoides exhibieron una selectividad adecuada contra las abejas melíferas.

ABSTRACT The use of plant essential oils has been adopted as less hazardous to the environment and human health than synthetic insecticides used for the control of insects that transmit diseases. Despite of exerting insecticidal activities against several insect disease vectors, the potential impacts on non-target organisms exerted by essential oils extracted from Lippia sidoides (Cham.) have not received adequate attention. Here, we evaluated the susceptibility and potential changes in consumption rates of honey bees, Apis mellifera (L.), when exposed to essential oils extracted from L. sidoides. Was exposed forager bees to honey syrup (50% v/v) containing L. sidoides essential oil for 5 h. After this exposure period, the bees received regular honey syrup for another 19 h period. Six essential oil concentrations was used, namely 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 µL of essential oil/mL of syrup, and evaluated the syrup consumption and bees mortality in both periods (at the 5th and 24th h). The results reveal that independent of the essential oil concentration, the forager bees fed significantly less on L. sidoides essential oil-containing honey syrup. However, feeding on L. sidoides essential oil-containing honey syrup did not cause significant mortality when compared with bees that were not exposed to the essential oils. Thus, the results demonstrate that L. sidoides essential oils exhibited adequate selectivity against honey bees.

ABSTRACT In diploid late-acting self-incompatible (LSI) species of Bignoniaceae, self-pollinated pistils show a marked delay in ovule penetration by pollen tubes, followed by delayed, but otherwise normal, initial stages of endosperm development and subsequent pistil abscission. Most polyploid species of Bignoniaceae are apomictic and set selfed fruits with viable polyembryonic seeds carrying adventitious embryos. Handroanthus serratifolius is a polyploid species with sporophytic apomictic individuals that produce polyembryonic seeds after either self- or cross-pollination, and other LSI individuals that produce exclusively monoembryionic seeds. Our aim was to determine whether self-sterility events in the latter are similar to those observed in other diploid LSI species of Bignoniaceae. No conspicuous differences in the progress of ovule penetration, fertilization and early stages of endosperm development were observed between selfed and crossed pistils, which contrasts with the marked delay observed in these events after self-pollination in diploid LSI species of the family. Adventitious embryo precursor cells (AEPs) were observed in some ovules, but they apparently do not develop into embryos. We believe that the AEPs in these plants represent a ‘potential’ for sporophytic apomixis, which would explain the similar behaviour of post-pollination events in selfed vs. crossed pistils despite their inability to set fruits after selfing.

ABSTRACT The relationship between plants and frugivorous animals is modulated by morphological and nutritional characteristics of fruits, as well as their seasonal availability across habitats. We evaluated fruiting phenology, fruit morphology and nutritional characteristics of 35 abundant plant species from 15 families associated with frugivorous birds from distinct habitats in the Cerrado (savanna, forest, and palm swamp). For a subset of 16 plant species, we also evaluated the overlap in interactions with frugivorous birds using data from the literature. Open-habitat plants had their fruiting peak during the rainy season, while fruiting of forest species was evenly distributed across the year. Plants of the same family exhibited similar fruit morphology and nutritional characteristics. Most plants had fruits with more sugars than lipids, while all species with higher lipid content were from savanna habitats and produced fruits during the rainy season, the peak reproductive season for birds. Assemblages of frugivorous birds exhibited considerable overlap, irrespective of habitat or fruiting season of plants. The complementarity found among habitats, considering seasonal availability and nutritional profile of fruits for frugivorous birds, is relevant for community maintenance and regeneration. Therefore, this landscape level complexity should always be considered in conservation and restoration policies for the Cerrado.

ABSTRACT Pollination research in Brazil virtually started with Fritz Muller, whose insights supported Darwin's evolutionary theory. Pollination systems of Brazilian plants were studied mainly by travelling researchers until early last century when native or resident geneticists began to use floral biology information to deal with crop acclimatization and breeding, later applying similar experiments and techniques to investigate native plants. Bee geneticists studied common pollinators of crops, such as coffee and Citrus, and even the introduction of feral African honeybees, despite their associated problems, stimulated pollination research. Geneticists attracted Dobzhansky to Brazil, where his research on tree distribution in the Brazilian Amazon represented a turning point for tropical pollination research by prompting the discovery of long-distance pollinating bees, thus bringing pollination back to mainstream evolutionary research. Tropical pollination studies stimulated the emergence of research groups in the Amazon and São Paulo states. In 1998, a seminal conference held in São Paulo called for the need to conserve pollinators and pollination systems. Subsequent research has been integrated under the Brazilian Pollinators Initiative, with research groups established throughout the country. A revived International Pollination Course, a National Pollination Symposium, and cooperative efforts to tackle complex interaction networks may direct future pollination research in Brazil.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Autologous skin grafts are used for treatment of burn patients. These grafts can be stored and preserved, as long as the storage process is performed with strict quality control to reduce the risk of infection. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Burn Unit of the Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo from February 2015 to July 2016. During this period, a protocol was established to store refrigerated skin, with control of collection, preservation, and packaging, and recording of all processes. To ensure quality, graft biopsies were collected for preand poststorage microbiology testing and a cross-sectional study for contamination was performed. Results: Critical deficiencies included inadequate packaging, lack of processing records, lack of biopsies for microbiology testing, and failure to discard specimens. Most of the samples were contaminated before and after storage (84.2%). Only two samples were sterile before storage but became contaminated after storage, with growth of Gram-positive skin bacteria. Conclusion: A promising method for the storage of refrigerated skin was established, but requires minor adjustments in quality control.

RESUMO Introdução: Enxertos de pele autólogos são utilizados em tratamento de pacientes queimados. Esses enxertos podem ser armazenados e preservados, desde que o processo de armazenamento seja realizado com rígido controle de qualidade, para garantir a redução dos riscos de infecção. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo na Unidade de Queimados do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo no período de fevereiro de 2015 a julho de 2016, em que foi estabelecido um protocolo para armazenamento de pele refrigerada com controle de coleta, preservação, embalagem e registro de todos os processos. Para garantia de qualidade, foram coletadas biópsias dos enxertos para microbiologia pré e pós-armazenamento e realizado um estudo transversal de prevalência de contaminação pré e pós-estocagem. Resultados: Os pontos críticos encontrados foram inadequação de embalagem, ausência de registros de processos, falta de coleta de biópsias para microbiologia e falhas no descarte. A maior parte das amostras estava contaminada tanto pré como pós-estocagem (84,2%). Apenas dois pacientes apresentaram microbiologia estéril no pré e contaminada no pós, porém foram encontrados germes da pele do tipo gram+. Conclusão: Foi estabelecido um método promissor de armazenamento de pele refrigerada que necessita alguns pequenos ajustes para adequação ao controle de qualidade.

ABSTRACT Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is an angioproliferative disease of immunocompromised patients that usually presents as vascular tumors in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It is caused by chronic infections with either Bartonella henselae or B. quintana. Oral cavity BA is exceedingly rare and even rarer without simultaneous cutaneous disease. We report herein the case of a 51-year-old HIV-infected man who presented severe odynophagia and an eroded lesion on the hard palate that progressed to an oronasal fistula. No cutaneous lesions were recorded. Doxycycline led to complete resolution. To the best of our knowledge, only six previous cases of oral BA without tegumentary disease have been previously reported and none of them progressed to fistula.

Resumo Espécies distílicas possuem populações com dois morfos florais. O morfo longistilo possui flores com pistilos longos e estames curtos e o morfo brevistilo, pistilos curtos e estames longos. Normalmente, os morfos apresentam um sistema heteromórfico de incompatibilidade e os morfos estão em uma razão de 1:1 (isopletia) nas populações. Diferentes variações podem ser encontradas em espécies distílicas, como a presença de autocompatibilidade, anisopletia e variações no nível de reciprocidade entre anteras e estigmas dos dois morfos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar a ocorrência das características distílicas em duas espécies de Rubiaceae. Para isso, a razão dos morfos, a hercogamia recíproca, o sistema de incompatibilidade e os visitantes florais de Psychotria deflexa e Declieuxia fruticosa foram estudados. Ambas as espécies apresentaram os dois morfos em proporção semelhante, altos valores de reciprocidade entre a altura dos verticilos sexuais dos morfos florais e apenas insetos como visitantes florais. O morfo brevistilo das duas espécies apresentou autoincompatibilidade parcial. Dentro de Rubiaceae, mesmo em grupos filogenéticos distintos, o relaxamento ou quebra da distilia parece ocorrer em padrões similares e comumente tal variação é mais comum no morfo longistilo. Para as espécies estudadas, mesmo com a pseudocompatibilidade do morfo brevistilo, as populações apresentaram proporção igual dos morfos, indicando que fatores como a alta hercogamia recíproca e, possivelmente, o serviço de polinização podem promover a manutenção da isopletia característica da distilia.

Abstract Distylous species have populations with two floral morphs. The pin morph has long pistils and short stamens while the thrum morph presents short pistils and long stamens. Usually heterostylous plants present a diallelic system of incompatibility and morphs occur in a 1:1 ratio (isoplethy) in the populations. Different forms of variations occur in distylous species, such as the presence of self-compatibility, anisoplethy and variation in the reciprocity level between anthers and stigmas of the two floral morphs. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the distylous characteristics in two Rubiaceae species. For this purpose, morph ratio, reciprocal herkogamy, incompatibility system and flower visitors of Psychotria deflexa and Declieuxia fruticosa were studied. Both species have the two floral morphs in equal ratio, high reciprocity values for height of the reproductive whorls of the floral morphs and were visited only by insects. However, the thrum morph on both species presented partial self-incompatibility. Within the Rubiaceae, even in distinct phylogenetic groups, weakening or breakdown of distyly seems to occur in similar patterns, but deviations in the incompatibility system have been mostly recorded for the pin morph of distylous species. In the studied species the populations had equal morph ratio despite the pseudocompatibility of the thrum morph, which indicates that factors such as high reciprocal herkogamy and possibly efficient pollination services could promote the maintenance of distyly in these species.

ABSTRACT Flowers of species of Senna are very morphologically diverse, however, nothing has been reported regarding variation in the presence of a unicarpellate gynoecium, which is characteristic of the group. This study reports the occurrence of a bicarpellate gynoecium in two enantiostylous species of Senna in an area of dry forest (Caatinga) in NE Brazil. Observations of floral morphology and estimates of the proportions of floral morphs in the populations were performed. The species produce three floral types: left (L), right (R) and bicarpellate (B). The proportion of these floral morphs were similar in the populations of Senna macranthera var. micans, but the number of B flowers in populations of S. trachypus was lower than that recorded for L and R flowers. The occurrence of this morphological variation may be related to enhancing pollen capture in both species; in S. trachypus, this variation may also be related to reducing florivory by caterpillars that were observed eating sexual elements of the flowers.