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Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:44:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Tropical regions are considered hotspots of biodiversity, and the genus Stigonema has been underexplored in all world, mainly due to the difficulties of culturing. In this study, we sequenced the 16S rRNA gene of a natural Stigonema population from the tropical Atlantic Rainforest (São Paulo, Brazil) and describe S. jureiensis sp. nov. based on phylogenetic and morphological data. For the molecular analysis, the genomic DNA was isolated from aliquots of the population, which were previously manually cleaned under a microscope, using a point–tapered Pasteur pipette to remove other organisms and debris. For morphological analysis, 30 individuals were analyzed and photographed using microscope. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies support S. jureiensis as a new species, and morphological analysis revealed the presence of a special type of mosaic ornate sheaths. Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research – CIIMAR Universidade do Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos S/N Department of Zoology and Botany Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas (UNESP), R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth CEA Centre de Sequençage Genoscope Institut de Biologie François Jacob EMBRAPA Environment Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology Agronomy Department Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center University of Florida / IFAS, 3205 College Avenue Institute of Botany Laboratory of Phycology, Av. Miguel Stéfano, 3687, Água Funda Department of Zoology and Botany Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas (UNESP), R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth FAPESP: 2014/26131–7 CNPq: Multi/04423/2019 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia: Multi/04423/2019

Systematic studies on 70 MACC isolates previously identified as ‘Chlamydomonas’, a unicellular flagellate, were carried out based on partial 18S rRNA. The aim of this study was to determine the phylogenetic affiliations of Chlamydomonas strains in the MACC collection. The study found that most of the strains were not Chlamydomonas. Nine clusters of phylogenetically similar taxa were identified. The previous determinations were completed with their new phylogenetic affiliations (partly due to changes in green algae classification). Molecular data revealed that 3 of the 70 strains are from Arenicolinia, 14 are members of the phylogroup Stephanosphaerinia, 11 are Oogamochlamydinia, 1 is Chloromonadinia, 19 are Reinhardtinia, 2 are Polytominia, 9 are Scenedesmaceae, 5 are Moewusinia, and 6 are Chlorella. Clades were established by 18S rRNA similarity and p-distances. This study reveals the need to revise established culture collections whose isolates are solely identified with morphology.

Methylated analogues of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent important environmental contaminants produced often at process of feedstock thermochemical conversion. In the present study, we determined and compared levels of 1-methylnaphtalene and 2-methylnaphtalene in municipal sewage sludge (MSS), sludge-derived pyrogenic carbonaceous materials produced at 350 °C (PCM350) and 500 °C (PCM500) in process of slow pyrolysis. The highest extraction efficiency of both aromatic structures from MSS, PCM350 and PCM500 for toluene as extraction agent and 36 h of extraction time was revealed. The total concentrations of 1-methylnaphtalene reached values 8.7 mg/kg for MSS, 14.6 mg/kg for PCM350 and 18.1 mg/kg for PCM500.2-methylnaphtalene was quantified in concentrations 12.5 mg/kg for MSS, 19.3 mg/kg for PCM350 and 23 mg/kg for PCM500. Available levels of 1-methylnaphtalene and 2-methylnaphtalene determined by Tenax resin desorption test during 36 days showed decreasing trend in order PCM500 > PCM350 > MSS. In summary, pyrolysis treatment of sewage sludge can increase total amount of methylated PAHs in produced carbonaceous materials but decrease their available forms. This fact can contribute to global ecotoxicological assessment of organic pollutants in biochars and pyrogenic carbonaceous materials applied in agronomy as soil amendments.

Greenhouses and nurseries provide ideal environments for facilitating the formation of nuisance algal mats. Algal growth poses safety concerns to horticulturists and stimulates the propagation of unwanted plant pests and pathogens. To date, few strategies and data are available to effectively manage algal problems. The effectiveness of five algaecides was tested on two varying surfaces of greenhouses in situ to elucidate the efficacy of chemical methods of removing algae. Moreover, Nostoc commune (Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault) was treated on ceramic tiles in vitro , as it is a common alga in greenhouses and nurseries. We found that each algaecide had different effects, depending on the chemical applied, the surface to which the chemical was applied, and finally the types of algae that were targeted. Algaecides across the surfaces tested demonstrated that algal cell characteristics and communal makeup played an important role in algaecide efficacy, where mucilaginous algae were replaced by sheath-forming filamentous cyanobacteria. We found sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate to be the most effective chemical in terms of controlling Nostoc on tarp, gravel, and ceramic surfaces.

1. This review summarises knowledge on the ecology, toxin production, and impacts of toxic freshwater benthic cyanobacterial proliferations. It documents monitoring, management, and sampling strategies, and explores mitigation options. 2. Toxic proliferations of freshwater benthic cyanobacteria (taxa that grow attached to substrates) occur in streams, rivers, lakes, and thermal and meltwater ponds, and have been reported in 19 countries. Anatoxin- and microcystin-containing mats are most commonly reported (eight and 10 countries, respectively). 3. Studies exploring factors that promote toxic benthic cyanobacterial proliferations are limited to a few species and habitats. There is a hierarchy of importance in environmental and biological factors that regulate proliferations with variables such as flow (rivers), fine sediment deposition, nutrients, associated microbes, and grazing identified as key drivers. Regulating factors differ among colonisation, expansion, and dispersal phases. 4. New -omics-based approaches are providing novel insights into the physiological attributes of benthic cyanobacteria and the role of associated microorganisms in facilitating their proliferation. 5. Proliferations are commonly comprised of both toxic and non-toxic strains, and the relative proportion of these is the key factor contributing to the overall toxin content of each mat. 6. While these events are becoming more commonly reported globally, we currently lack standardised approaches to detect, monitor, and manage this emerging health issue. To solve these critical gaps, global collaborations are needed to facilitate the rapid transfer of knowledge and promote the development of standardised techniques that can be applied to diverse habitats and species, and ultimately lead to improved management.

A 72 h small-scale trial was conducted in enclosed mesocosms in the Lake Okeechobee waterway to evaluate the effectiveness of a USEPA-registered peroxide-based algaecide (formulated as sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate) for controlling a natural cyanobacteria population. Mesocosms were initially subjected to either no algaecide or the maximum label rate of 10 mg H2O2·L−1. A subset of mesocosms were then subjected to a sequential application of 5 mg H2O2·L−1 at 48 h after initial treatment. Following application, peroxide concentrations rapidly decreased and were undetectable by 48 h. At 24 h after treatment, significant decreases in all biomass indicators were observed (compared to untreated mesocosms), including extracted chlorophyll a, microscopic counts (total phytoplankton and total cyanobacteria), and cyanobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene copies by over 71%. Although peroxide treatment reduced cyanobacteria biomass, there was no change in overall community structure and the remaining population was still dominated by cyanobacteria (>90%). After 48 h exposure, some biomass recovered in single application mesocosms resulting in only a 32–45% reduction in biomass. Repeated peroxide dosing resulted in the greatest efficacy, which had a sustained (60–91%) decrease in all biomass indicators for the entire study. While a single application of the peroxide was effective in the first 24 h, a sequential treatment is likely necessary to sustain efficacy when using this approach to manage cyanobacteria in the field. Results of this study support that this peroxide-based algaecide is a strong candidate to continue with scalable field trials to assess its potential future utility for operational management programs in the Lake Okeechobee waterway.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), is a medicinal and aromatic species used in the cosmetics and food processing industries. The present study aimed to evaluate the biomass production, content, ...

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the proliferative and genotoxic activity of juices from fruits of Psidium cattleianum, also known as strawberry guava, using the Allium cepa test. Fruits were collected and frozen for subsequent juice preparation at a concentration of 125 g l−1. The treatments consisted of T1: distilled water (negative control), T2: juice of yellow strawberry guava collected in Arroio Grande, T3: juice of yellow strawberry guava collected in Palma, T4: juice of red strawberry guava collected at UFSM, and T5: 1% glyphosate solution (positive control). Eight thousand cells per treatment were analysed and the mitotic indices (MI) were calculated. The juice samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). The results show irregularities in the cell division, mainly during metaphase, and an antimitotic effect in addition to an increase in the MI in treatments containin...

The economic potential of the germplasm of medicinal species is a rich resource that should be preserved and used. The medicinal species Echinodorus grandiflorus and Sagittaria montevidensis belong to the family Alismataceae. Depurative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antivenin, and anti-rheumatic actions have been associated with E. grandiflorus, where the leaves are the main part used. Sagittaria montevidensis does not yet have its medicinal properties known and has a wide morphological variability, and is sometimes confused with E. grandiflorus. The present study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic and antiproliferative potential of extracts of dry leaves of E. grandiflorus and S. montevidensis on the cell cycle of Allium cepa, as well as undertake analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) for the quantification of the compounds from the extracts. A. cepa bulb rootlets were submitted to the extracts for 24 h, prepared from plant material at two concentrations, 6 g dm−3 and 24 g dm...

Una de las especies de "malezas" más problemáticas en los viveros de Florida es Nostoc, una cianobacteria que se encuentra comúnmente en los caminos de grava, pasillos, telas de tierra y en muchas otras áreas de producción. Las colonias de Nostoc están compuestas por cadenas de cianobacterias que crecen en la superficie del suelo, la grava y el cemento con el crecimiento suficiente para producir grandes colonias macroscópicas. Cuando está seco, Nostoc se vuelve escamoso y apenas se nota. Cuando se introduce humedad a través del riego o la lluvia, Nostoc se hincha para formar masas espesas, de color verde oscuro y gelatinosas que pueden cubrir completamente las áreas de producción de contenedores. Si bien es muy desagradable, la principal preocupación de esta especie es que es extremadamente resbaladiza y húmeda. Como es común en los pasillos y en las áreas de producción de contenedores, Nostoc presenta serios riesgos para la salud de los empleados del vivero. En los últimos años, esta especie se ha convertido en la pesadilla de los administradores de viveros, ya que no se han desarrollado medidas de control efectivas. Otras preocupaciones son su capacidad para producir cianotoxinas y compuestos alelopáticos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue abordar el dilema de Nostoc utilizando una combinación de metodología de laboratorio y de campo para evaluar la eficacia de los tratamientos químicos para proponer a los productores una solución de manejo eficaz de Nostoc.

This new 4-page document provides an overview of the biology and ecology of Nostoc-like cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in humid soils and discusses cultural, physical, and chemical methods to manage this weed in nursery environments. Written by H. Dail Laughinghouse IV, David E. Berthold, Chris Marble, and Debalina Saha, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, February 2019. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag430

Study on 37 MACC isolates previously identified as “Anabaena,” a freshwater filamentous heterocytous taxon, were carried out using the 16S rRNA. The study found that most of the strains were misidentified at genus level. Three clusters of phylogenetically and morphologically similar taxa were identified. The previous determinations were amended with their new taxonomic classifications (partly due to changes in cyanobacterial classification). Some morphological structures could not be found in the cultures (e.g. akinetes). Molecular data revealed that 6 of the 37 strains are Desmonostoc, 8 are members of the genus Nostoc, 19 strains bear genetic resemblance to the genus Trichormus and 4 strains remain unresolved. Clades were established by 16S rRNA similarity and p-distances. The goal of this study was to amend the strain designations in this collection. This study reveals the necessity to revisit established culture collections that originally used only morphological classifications for species identification.

A sequestered germline in Metazoa has been argued to be an obstacle to lateral gene transfer (LGT), though few studies have specifically assessed this claim. Here, we test the hypothesis that the origin of a sequestered germline reduced LGT events in Bilateria (i.e., triploblast lineages) as compared to early-diverging Metazoa (i.e., Ctenophora, Cnidaria, Porifera, and Placozoa). We analyze single-gene phylogenies generated with over 900 species sampled from among Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota to identify well-supported interdomain LGTs. We focus on ancient interdomain LGT (i.e., those between prokaryotes and multiple lineages of Metazoa) as systematic errors in single-gene tree reconstruction create uncertainties for interpreting eukaryote-to-eukaryote transfer. The breadth of the sampled Metazoa enables us to estimate the timing of LGTs, and to examine the pattern before versus after the evolution of a sequestered germline. We identified 58 LGTs found only in Metazoa and prokaryotes (i.e., bacteria and/or archaea), and seven genes transferred from prokaryotes into Metazoa plus one other eukaryotic clade. Our analyses indicate that more interdomain transfers occurred before the development of a sequestered germline, consistent with the hypothesis that this feature is an obstacle to LGT.

The taxonomy of four isolated strains of Anabaenopis elenkinii and A. arnoldii from North and South America were investigated using a polyphasic approach. The studied populations were collected from seven alkaline lakes of the Brazilian Pantanal and Nabor Carrillo Lake, Texcoco region (Mexico), between 2004 and 2012, where they frequently formed blooms during the dry season. The morphological plasticity of the populations, from natural and culture conditions, was described based on 200 individuals of each species. The 16S rRNA and the cpc-BA-IGS phylogenetic analyses show Anabaenopsis as a sister-taxon of Cyanospira . The Anabaenopsis clade has three strongly supported subclusters related to the origin of strains: Pantanal+Mexico, Kenya+Australia and one European clade. Although these data indicate that the currently known Anabaenopsis strains belong to more than one species, we are being conservative and not describing them as new species due to the lack of more molecular data. We highlight the need of a revision of the genus, considering also that Anabaenopsis sp. PCC 9215, the current reference strain used for the genus, is not identified as A. elenkinii and it is phylogenetically grouped with Anabaenopsis strains identified as A. circularis , A. arnoldii , A. nadsonii and A. elenkinii .

Eugenia uniflora (Surinam cherry tree) is an important species in traditional medicine and is used to decrease blood pressure and prevent heartburn, bronchitis, colic and stomachaches. The tealeaves have antirheumatic, anti-dysenteric, and febrifuge properties and are used to treat diabetes. This study aimed to assess the antiproliferative, mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the leaves and fruits of E. uniflora through the Allium cepa test. The infusions were prepared using dried leaves (6.l−1 and 24 gl−1) and the oil extraction was undertaken using hydrolyzation (0.25%, in ethanol). For juice preparation, fruit pulp with and without seeds was used. Allium cepa root tips were used for slide preparation following the squashing technique. Analysis of 500 cells for each bulb was undertaken, 250 of each root, summing 2500 cells per treatment, a total of 17,500 and 10,000 cells in the first and second experiments, respectively. The mitotic index was calculated and statistical analyses were performed. We fo...

As the demand for biofuel products continues to rise along with the need for tertiary wastewater treatment processes to facilitate the removal of phosphorus, increasing importance is placed on the design of cultivation systems for the production of algal biomass. In addition to traditional open ponds and photobioreactors, attached algal growth systems can provide high rates of biomass production while simultaneously removing nutrients from wastewater effluent. The potential economic viability of these attached growth systems is dependent on the optimization of bed flow characteristics, inflow water quality parameters, and hydrodynamic regimes in order to maximize biomass productivity. This study monitored the productivity and nutrient removal rates of a pilot-scale attached growth system (AGS1) used to remove phosphorus from wastewater effluent at a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Fayetteville, Arkansas. These results were compared with the results from a similar system in the same watershed that was monitored in a previous study (AGS2). The performance of AGS2 was documented in a companion article in Ecological Engineering . In spite of the similarities between the systems’ locations and influent characteristics, the productivities of the two systems were very different. The rates of biomass production in AGS1 and AGS2 were 4.4 ± 4.8 and 26.7 ± 16.0 g dry weight m −2 d −1 , respectively. Potential reasons for the dramatic differences in performance between the two systems are explored in this article.

Microscopy has revealed a tremendous diversity of bacterial and eukaryotic forms. More recent molecular analyses show discordance in estimates of biodiversity based on morphological analyses. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses of the diversity of microbial forms have revealed evidence of convergence at scales as large as interdomain – i.e. convergent forms shared between bacteria and eukaryotes. Here, we highlight examples of such discordance, focusing on exemplary lineages such as testate amoebae, ciliates and cyanobacteria, which have long histories of morphological study. We discuss examples in two categories: 1) morphologically identical (or highly similar) individuals that are genetically distinct and 2) morphologically distinct individuals that are genetically distinct. We argue that hypotheses about discordance can be tested using the concept of neutral morphologies, or more broadly neutral phenotypes, as a null hypothesis.

The aims of this study were to determine the meiotic behavior and to estimate pollen grains via- bility in bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars. Flower buds were collected during different developmental stages of the Mesoamerican bean cultivars IAPAR 44, Guapo Brilhante, BRS Expedito, BRS Valente, Guateian 6662 and Perola, and the Andean bean cultivar Irai, grown in a greenhouse. The meiotic index was determined by anther squashing of material fixed in absolute ethanol-glacial acetic acid (3:1) and stained with acetic orcein. No meiotic abnormalities were observed and the meiotic indices were high for all cultivars, indicating that the mismatch generated during crosses is not related to any meiotic changes. Estimation of pollen viability was made by comparing acetic orcein staining vs. Alexander's reactive: pollen viability was high in all cultivars with either stain, but was significantly higher when using the acetic orcein stain (>99%). Though some cultivar showed a significantly smaller pollen size, the range of variation among cultivars was low (means' range 51-66 μm).

Biological assays are widely used to monitor toxic and allelopathic substances. The present study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic, genotoxic, and antiproliferative potential of aqueous extracts ...

The medicinal and tree species Luehea divaricata is known as ‘acoita-cavalo’ and widely used for wood, reclamation, and in popular medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of infusions of two populations of this species on the Allium cepa cell cycle. Cells of root tips of Allium cepa were used as an in vivo test system for monitoring the genotoxicity of this medicinal plant. Leaves and bark of two populations of Luehea divaricata were collected during the vegetative stage and used to prepare infusions in two concentrations: for the leaves (6 g/L and 30 g/L) and two concentrations for the bark (32 g/L and 160 g/L), using distilled water as negative control and glyphosate 3% as positive control. For this study, 10 groups of four bulbs were utilized, with one group of bulbs for each treatment. The slides were prepared by the squashing technique, scoring 4000 cells for each group of bulbs. The mitotic index (MI) was calculated and then a statistical analysis ...

Werner V.R., Laughinghouse IV H.D., Fiore M.F., Sant'Anna C.L., Hoff C., Santos K.R.d.S., Neuhaus E.B., Molica R.J.R., Honda R.Y. and Echenique R.O. 2012. Morphological and molecular studies of Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae (Cyanobacteria, Nostocales) from South American water blooms. Phycologia 51: 228–238. DOI: 10.2216/11-32.1 Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae (Komarek) Werner, Laughinghouse IV, Fiore & Sant'Anna comb. nov. was originally described as Anabaena torques-reginae Komarek from planktonic populations of Cuban eutrophic environments, characterized by twisted trichomes with spherical akinetes adjacent to the heterocytes. Recently, using molecular analyses, all planktonic Anabaena Bory ex Bornet & Flahault morphospecies were transferred into the genus Dolichospermum (Ralfs ex Bornet & Flahault) Wacklin et al., including Dolichospermum torques-reginae (Komarek) Wacklin et al. However, by a polyphasic characterization of strains of Anabaena reniformis Lemmermann and Aphanizomenon apha...

Increasing petroleum costs and climate change have resulted in microalgae receiving attention as potential biofuel producers. Little information is available on the diversity and functions of bacterial communities associated with biofuel-producing algae. A potential biofuel-producing microalgal strain, Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1, was grown in Permian groundwater. Changes in the bacterial community structure at three temperatures were monitored by two culture-independent methods, and culturable bacteria were characterized. After 9 days of incubation, N. oceanica IMET1 began to aggregate and precipitate in cultures grown at 30°C, whereas cells remained uniformly distributed at 15°C and 25°C. The bacterial communities in cultures at 30°C changed markedly. Some bacteria isolated only at 30°C were tested for their potential for aggregating microalgae. A novel bacterium designated HW001 showed a remarkable ability to aggregate N. oceanica IMET1, causing microalgal cells to aggregate after 3 days of incubation, while the total lipid content of the microalgal cells was not affected. Direct interaction of HW001 and N. oceanica is necessary for aggregation. HW001 can also aggregate the microalgae N. oceanica CT-1, Tetraselmis suecica , and T. chuii as well as the cyanobacterium Synechococcus WH8007. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated the great novelty of this strain, which exhibited only 89% sequence similarity with any previously cultured bacteria. Specific primers targeted to HW001 revealed that the strain originated from the Permian groundwater. This study of the bacterial communities associated with potential biofuel-producing microalgae addresses a little-investigated area of microalgal biofuel research and provides a novel approach to harvest biofuel-producing microalgae by using the novel bacterium strain HW001.

Aloysia gratissima is used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of digestive and respiratory diseases. The infusions (6 and 24 g L-1) and essential oils (0.25%, on ethanol) were prepared and we used groups of five Allium cepa bulbs for each treatment. A total of 2500 cells per treatment were analyzed and the mitotic indexes were calculated. The antiproliferative effect of infusions and essential oils of Aloysia gratissima on the Allium cepa (onion) cell cycle was evaluated using the leaves of studied specimens. The infusions presented a significant decrease in the mitotic index (4.55% at 6 g L-1 and 2.04% at 24 g L-1) compared to the control-water (6.83%), as well as for the essential oil (2.58%), in comparison to the control-ethanol (3.65%). This investigation showed that the infusions and essential oil of Aloysia gratissima present important antiproliferative effects on the Allium cepa cell cycle.

Reports of cyanobacterial blooms developing worldwide have considerably increased, and, in most cases, the predominant toxins are microcystins. The present study reports a cyanobacterial bloom in Lake Violão, Torres, Rio Grande do Sul State, in January 2005. Samples collected on January 13, 2005, were submitted to taxonomical, toxicological, and chemical studies. The taxonomical analysis showed many different species of cyanobacteria, and that Microcystis protocystis and Sphaerocavum cf. brasiliense were dominant. Besides these, Microcystis panniformis, Anabaena oumiana,Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, and Anabaenopsis elenkinii f. circularis were also present. The toxicity of the bloom was confirmed through intraperitoneal tests in mice, and chemical analyses of bloom extracts showed that the major substance was anabaenopeptin F, followed by anabaenopeptin B, microcystin-LR, and microcystin-RR.O número de relatos de ocorrências de florações de cianobactérias em todo o mundo vem aumentando consideravelmente e na maioria desses episódios, as toxinas dominantes são as microcistinas. O presente estudo relata a ocorrência de floração na Lagoa do Violão, município de Torres, RS, em janeiro de 2005. As amostras coletadas em 13/01/2005 foram submetidas a estudos taxonômicos, toxicológicos e químicos. O exame microscópico do fitoplancton mostrou a dominância das espécies Microcystis protocystis e Sphaerocavum cf. brasiliense; foram observadas, também, Microcystis panniformis, Anabaena oumiana,Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii e Anabaenopsis elenkinii f. circularis. A toxicidade da floração foi confirmada através de ensaio intraperitonial em camundongos e a análise química de extratos obtidos da biomassa liofilizada mostrou que a substância majoritária era a anabaenopeptina F, seguida por anabaenopeptina B, microcistina-LR e microcistina-RR.

Some species of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) are important in herbal medicine, where their extracts are used internally for infections of the female reproductive system, bronchitis, gastrointestinal disturbances, skin irritations, tumors, ulcers, and eye disturbances. The antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of Psychotria myriantha Mull. Arg. and P. leiocarpa Cham. et Schlecht infusions on the Allium cepa L. cell cycle were evaluated. The teas were prepared by infusing the leaves in distilled water, in two concentrations: 1.13 mg/mL and 6.78 mg/mL. Three groups of four bulbs were used for each Psychotria species. After the bulbs rooted in distilled water, they were transferred to the teas for 24 hours, except for the control that stayed in water. The rootlets were then collected, fixed in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours, and stored in 70% ethanol. For each group of bulbs, 4000 cells were analyzed, calculating the mitotic indexes, submitting them to statistic analysis, using the χ 2 test (p = 0.05). The results showed a decrease in mitotic index with an increase in tea concentration in both species. In P. leiocarpa, the mitotic index values differed significantly between the control and concentration of 6.78 mg/mL (χ 2 = 9.863). For P. myriantha, the values referring to the mitotic index differed greatly between the control and the treatments (χ 2 = 124.8). With this study, it was determined that P. myriantha and P. leiocarpa infusions possess antiproliferative effects on the A. cepa cell cycle, and teas of P. myriantha also have genotoxic activity.

Bidens pilosa is a medicinal species from the Asteraceae family, with a wide geographical distribution, found all over Brazil. There are no reports on chromosomal studies from the Brazilian South. Mitotic chromosomes, meiotic behavior, and pollen viability were studied in 6 populations of B. pilosa from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, using conventional staining with acetic orcein 2%. The populations include cytotypes with a variable number of chromosomes: 2n=36, 2n=48 and 2n=54, indicating polyploidy and aneuploidy. The meiotic process was considered regular, even though irregular chromosomal pairing appeared, which is normal in cytotypes from a polyploid complex. The irregularities observed were mainly on univalent, trivalent, and tetravalent pairing associations. However, the pollen viability estimative was high.

The study of Antarctic cyanobacterial diversity has been mostly limited to morphological identification and traditional molecular techniques. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) allows a much better understanding of microbial distribution in the environment, but its application is hampered by several methodological and analytical challenges. In this work, we explored the use of HTS as a tool for the study of cyanobacterial diversity in Antarctic aquatic mats. Our results highlight the importance of using artificial communities to validate the parameters of the bioinformatics procedure used to analyze natural communities, since pipeline-dependent biases had a strong effect on the observed community structures. Analysis of microbial mats from five Antarctic lakes and an aquatic biofilm from the Sub-Antarctic showed that HTS is a valuable tool for the assessment of cyanobacterial diversity. The majority of the operational taxonomic units retrieved were related to filamentous taxa such as Leptolyngbya and Phormidium, which are common genera in Antarctic lacustrine microbial mats. However, other phylotypes related to different taxa such as Geitlerinema, Pseudanabaena, Synechococcus, Chamaesiphon, Calothrix, and Coleodesmium were also found. Results revealed a much higher diversity than what had been reported using traditional methods and also highlighted remarkable differences between the cyanobacterial communities of the studied lakes. The aquatic biofilm from the Sub-Antarctic had a distinct cyanobacterial community from the Antarctic lakes, which in turn displayed a salinity-dependent community structure at the phylotype level.

The species Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (orange) is used in folk medicine as an infusion (tea) for the treatment of nerve irritation, insomnia, spasms, whooping cough, flue, and gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts of C. sinensis testing by Allium cepa L., as well as to determine the components in the complex mixture (tea). Leaves from two populations of this species were used in the preparation of infusions at two concentrations: 6g.L-1 and 24g.L-1, besides using distilled water as a negative control and 9.6% glyphosate as a positive control. Six groups of four bulbs of A. cepa were used, each group corresponding to one of the treatments. The bulbs were rooted in distilled water and then transferred to the respective treatments where they remained for 24 hours (the bulbs of the negative control remained in distilled water). The rootlets were collected, fixated in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours and stored in 70% alcohol. 4,000 cells were analyzed per group of bulbs, and the calculated mitotic indices were submitted to statistical analysis using the c2 test. The aqueous extracts of C. sinensis have as main components flavonoids and phenolic acids. The values of the mitotic index decreased with increasing concentration of the extracts relative to the control in water. The results indicated that the orange aqueous extracts in the studied concentrations in both populations have antiproliferative and genotoxic effects on the cell cycle of A. cepa. The species Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (orange) is used in folk medicine as an infusion (tea) for the treatment of nerve irritation, insomnia, spasms, whooping cough, flue, and gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts of C. sinensis testing by Allium cepa L., as well as to determine the components in the complex mixture (tea). Leaves from two populations of this species were used in the preparation of infusions at two concentrations: 6g.L-1 and 24g.L-1, besides using distilled water as a negative control and 9.6% glyphosate as a positive control. Six groups of four bulbs of A. cepa were used, each group corresponding to one of the treatments. The bulbs were rooted in distilled water and then transferred to the respective treatments where they remained for 24 hours (the bulbs of the negative control remained in distilled water). The rootlets were collected, fixated in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours and stored in 70% alcohol. 4,000 cells were analyzed per group of bulbs, and the calculated mitotic indices were submitted to statistical analysis using the c2 test. The aqueous extracts of C. sinensis have as main components flavonoids and phenolic acids. The values of the mitotic index decreased with increasing concentration of the extracts relative to the control in water. The results indicated that the orange aqueous extracts in the studied concentrations in both populations have antiproliferative and genotoxic effects on the cell cycle of A. cepa.

For more than a decade, the taxonomy of the Phormidiaceae has been problematic, since morphologically similar organisms represent phylogenetically distinct entities. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, the polyphyletic genus Phormidium and other gas-vacuolated oscillatorioids appear scattered throughout the cyanobacterial tree of life. Recently, several studies have focused on understanding the oscillatorioid taxa at the generic level. At the specific level, few studies have characterized cyanobacterial strains using combined datasets (morphology, ultrastructure and molecular multilocus analyses). Using a multifaceted approach, we propose a new, well-defined genus, Cephalothrix gen. nov., by analysing seven filamentous strains that are morphologically ‘intermediate’ between gas-vacuolated taxa and Phormidium. Furthermore, we characterize two novel species: Cephalothrix komarekiana sp. nov. (strains CCIBt 3277, CCIBt 3279, CCIBt 3523, CCALA 155, SAG 75.79 and UTEX 1580) and Cephalothrix lacustris sp. nov. (strain CCIBt 3261). The generic name and specific epithets are proposed under the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants.

A sequestered germline in Metazoa has been argued to be an obstacle to lateral gene transfer (LGT), though few studies have specifically assessed this claim. Here, we test the hypothesis that the origin of a sequestered germline reduced LGT events in Bilateria (i.e., triploblast lineages) as compared to early-diverging Metazoa (i.e., Ctenophora, Cnidaria, Porifera, and Placozoa). We analyze single-gene phylogenies generated with over 900 species sampled from among Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota to identify well-supported interdomain LGTs. We focus on ancient interdomain LGT (i.e., those between prokaryotes and multiple lineages of Metazoa) as systematic errors in single-gene tree reconstruction create uncertainties for interpreting eukaryote-to-eukaryote transfer. The breadth of the sampled Metazoa enables us to estimate the timing of LGTs, and to examine the pattern before versus after the evolution of a sequestered germline. We identified 58 LGTs found only in Metazoa and prokaryotes (i.e., bacteria and/or archaea), and seven genes transferred from prokaryotes into Metazoa plus one other eukaryotic clade. Our analyses indicate that more interdomain transfers occurred before the development of a sequestered germline, consistent with the hypothesis that this feature is an obstacle to LGT.

Punica granatum L., conhecida como romanzeira, é originária da Ásia e encontra-se distribuída por todo Brasil. É usada para o tratamento de doenças inflamatórias, infecciosas e respiratórias. Em decorrência da grande utilização de recursos fitoterápicos, é necessário esclarecer à população sobre a grande quantidade de substâncias existentes nas plantas e sobre os benefícios e prejuízos de tais substâncias à saúde. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar a análise cromatográfica e o estudo da genotoxicidade dos extratos aquosos das cascas dos frutos de P. granatum através do teste de Allium cepa L. Para a montagem do experimento, foram utilizados 7 tratamentos: T1-água destilada, T2-chá 5 g.L-1, T3-chá 10 g.L-1, T4-glifosato a 9,6%, T5-glifosato para recuperação em água destilada, T6-glifosato para recuperação em chá 5 g.L-1 e T7-glifosato para recuperação em chá 10 g.L-1. As radículas foram coletadas e fixadas em etanol:ácido acético (3:1) por 24 horas, e armazenadas em álcool 70%, sob refrigeração. Realizou-se análise por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência para quantificação dos compostos fenólicos. Nos extratos de P. granatum foram observados em maior quantidade: ácido gálico, catequina, ácido cafeico e rutina. Além disso, os extratos demonstraram potencial antiproliferativo, sem apresentar atividade antimutagênica e genotóxica. Punica granatum L., locally known as romanzeira, is native to Asia but found throughout Brazil. P. granatum is used for treating inflammatory, infectious and respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chromatography and genotoxicity of an aqueous extract of P. granatum (pomegranate) fruit peel using the Allium cepa L. test. The experiment set-up entailed 7 treatments: T1-distilled water, T2-tea 5 g.L-1, T3-tea 10 g.L-1, T4-glyphosate at 9.6%, T5-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in distilled water, T6-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 5 g.L-1 and T7-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 10 g.L-1. The rootlets were collected and fixed in ethanol:acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours, then stored in 70% ethanol under refrigeration. Analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography for the quantification of the extracted phenolic compounds. Gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin were abundant in the extracts of P. granatum. The extracts were found to exhibit antiproliferative potential but not antimutagenic or genotoxic activity.

Polygala paniculata L. is a medicinal plant that grows in the Brazilian Atlantic coast, known as 'barba-de-Sao-Joao', 'barba-de-bode', 'vassourinha branca', and 'mimosa'. In this study, pollen viability was estimated by three different staining methods: 2% acetic orcein, 2% acetic carmine, and Alexander's stain. The young inflorescences of twenty accessions were collected and fixed in a solution of ethanol: acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours, then stored in ethanol 70% under refrigeration. Six slides per plant, two for each stain, were prepared by squashing, and 300 pollen grains per slide were analyzed. Pollen viability was high (> 70%) for most accessions of P. paniculata using the Alexander's stain, which proved the most adequate method to estimate pollen viability.

Aphanothece saxicola Nägeli (1849: 60) (Figs. 1A–1B). Round to irregular colonies, 8.3–80.3 µm diam. Sheath gelatinous, hyaline to brownish, inconspicuous to conspicuous. Cells sparsely disposed, oblong to ellipsoidal, 2.7–4.2 × 1.5–2.6 µm, 1.5–2.4 times longer than wide. Cell content slightly granulated, blue-green. Habitat: —Wet rocks. Studied material: — BRAZIL. São Paulo: Peruíbe, Ecological Station “Juréia-Itatins”, 24° 24.146’ S, 47° 3.648’ W, 15 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427310); 24° 22.783’ S, 47° 1.287’ W, 16 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427312); 24° 23.737’ S, 47° 0.699’ W, 16 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427320); 24° 23.708’ S, 47° 7.324’ W, 17 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427330)., Published as part of Jr, Watson Arantes Gama, Iv, Haywood Dail Laughinghouse & Sant'Anna, Célia Leite, 2014, How diverse are coccoid cyanobacteria? A case study of terrestrial habitats from the Atlantic Rainforest (São Paulo, Brazil), pp. 61-97 in Phytotaxa 178 (2) on page 62, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.178.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5145178, {"references":["Nageli, C. (1849) Gattungen einzelliger Algen, physiologisch und systematisch bearbeitet. Neue Denkschriften der Allg. Schweizerischen Gesellschaft fur die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften 10 (7): 1 - 139. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 6805"]}

Gloeocapsa compacta Kützing (1845: 24) (Figs. 8I – 9A) Round, elliptical to irregular colonies, 7.3–168.8 µm diam., 2–4–8 celled, rarely more. Sheath firm in outer layer, diffluent in inner, brown to purple, conspicuous, rarely lamellate, smooth to slightly granulated. Cells spherical to hemispherical, 4.3–5.4 µm diam. Cell content homogenous to sparsely granulated, blue-green. Spores dark orange, solitary or in groups after released, 3.3–4.0 µm diam. Habitat: —Tree bark and dry rocks. Studied material: — BRAZIL. São Paulo: Cananéia, “Recanto do Mar” Inn, 25º 1’ 16” S, 47º 55’ 31” W, 30 June 2010, W.A. Gama-Jr. & C.F.S. Malone (SP 401447); Peruíbe, Ecological Station “Juréia-Itatins”, 24° 23.018’ S, 47° 4.847’ W, 17 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427326)., Published as part of Jr, Watson Arantes Gama, Iv, Haywood Dail Laughinghouse & Sant'Anna, Célia Leite, 2014, How diverse are coccoid cyanobacteria? A case study of terrestrial habitats from the Atlantic Rainforest (São Paulo, Brazil), pp. 61-97 in Phytotaxa 178 (2) on page 78, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.178.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5145178, {"references":["Kutzing, F. T. (1845) Phycologia germanica - Deutschlands Algen in bundigen Beschreibungen. In: Kohne, W. (Ed.) Nebst einer Anleitung zum Untersuchen und Bestimmen dieser Gewachse fur Anfanger, Nordhausen, 340 pp. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 13687"]}

Entophysalis granulosa Kützing (1843: 177) (Figs. 12A–12C). Polarized, arboriform to irregular colonies, 29.5–118.7 µm length. Sheath firm, hyaline to red-brownish or purplebrownish, conspicuous, lamellate, smooth to finely granulated. Cells spherical, hemispherical to ellipsoid, 2.1–3.7(4.2) µm diam. Cell content granulated, blue-green. Habitat: —Rocks in tidal zone. Studied material: — BRAZIL. São Paulo: Peruíbe, Ecological Station “Juréia-Itatins”, 24° 24.146’ S, 47° 3.648’ W, 15 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427310); 24° 22.783’ S, 47° 1.287’ W, 16 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427312); 24° 22.796’ S, 47° 1.231’ W, 16 August 2011, W.A. Gama-Jr., G.S. Hentschke, C.F.S. Malone & C.L. Sant’Anna (SP 427313)., Published as part of Jr, Watson Arantes Gama, Iv, Haywood Dail Laughinghouse & Sant'Anna, Célia Leite, 2014, How diverse are coccoid cyanobacteria? A case study of terrestrial habitats from the Atlantic Rainforest (São Paulo, Brazil), pp. 61-97 in Phytotaxa 178 (2) on page 86, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.178.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5145178, {"references":["Kutzing, F. T. (1843) Phycologia generalis oder Anatomie, Physiologie und Systemkunde der Tange. F. A. Brockhaus, Leipzig, 458 pp. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 4746"]}

Chlorogloea cf. novacekii Kom��rek & Montejano (1994: 6) (Figs. 10D���10E). Polarized, elongated colonies, 58.3���95.0 ��m length. Sheath firm to diffluent, hyaline, conspicuous, non-lamellate, smooth. Cells spherical, 2.6���3.2 ��m diam., to cylindrical 1.3���1.9 �� 2.7���3.3 ��m, arranged in rows. Cell content homogenous or 2���4 granules per cell, pale blue-green. Habitat: ���Wet rocks. Notes: ��� Chlorogloea novacekii was described from a wet cave with a mean temperature lower than 20 ��C (Kom��rek & Montejano 1994), different than the environmental conditions found in the Atlantic Rainforest. Studied material: ��� BRAZIL. S��o Paulo: S��o Lu��s do Paraitinga, State Park of ���Serra do Mar��� (Santa Virg��nia), 23�� 20��� 16��� S, 45�� 9��� 1��� W, 22 February 2010, W.A. Gama-Jr. (SP 401418)., Published as part of Jr, Watson Arantes Gama, Iv, Haywood Dail Laughinghouse & Sant'Anna, C��lia Leite, 2014, How diverse are coccoid cyanobacteria? A case study of terrestrial habitats from the Atlantic Rainforest (S��o Paulo, Brazil), pp. 61-97 in Phytotaxa 178 (2) on page 82, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.178.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5145178, {"references":["Komarek, J. & Montejano, G. (1994) Taxonomic evaluation of several Chlorogloea species (Cyanoprocaryota) from inland biotopes. Algological Studies 74: 1 - 26."]}