Simão Dias Vasconcelos

Insects (Diptera) associated with cadavers at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Pernambuco, Brazil: implications for forensic entomology.

Increasing rates of unsolved homicides in Brazil prompt the need for applied entomological data to be used as a complementary tool by criminal investigators. In that context, we analyzed the occurrence of forensically important insect species (Order Diptera) on 14 cadavers taken into the Institute of Legal Medicine (ILM), in Pernambuco, Brazil, according to the conditions of the body and the pattern of colonisation by insects. Simultaneously, we surveyed the diversity of insects in the surrounding environment using bait traps. Five species were present on cadavers: Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala and Cochliomyia macellaria (Calliphoridae), Oxysarcodexia riograndensis and Ravinia belforti (Sarcophagidae). A total of 4689 adult insects belonging to 24 species of seven dipteran families (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Fanniidae, Phoridae, Anthomyiidae and Stratiomyidae) was collected at the ILM premises. C. albiceps was the most frequent species on the corpses and the most abundant in the traps. Species referred to as of forensic importance, such as Lucilia eximia, Chrysomya putoria, Oxysarcodexia modesta and Ophyra chalcogaster were collected on traps, but not on cadavers. There seems to be a limited colonisation of cadavers at the scene of the death, despite the ubiquity of necrophagous species in the area. The results contribute to differentiate between species that are involved in decomposition and those found in and around the mortuary installations of the ILM, thus providing potential clues about the locality of death and the post-mortem interval.

O livro didático de ciências no ensino fundamental proposta de critérios para análise do conteúdo zoológico

A crescente discussao sobre a qualidade dos livros didaticos tem provocado sensiveis alteracoes na producao editorial nos ultimos anos. Apesar dos significativos avancos, uma consideravel quantidade de professores anda nao tem acesso a instrumentos de analise de livros didaticos. Neste contexto, nos propomos uma serie de criterios a serem utilizados por professores de ensino fundamental (6a. serie) na escolha de seu livro de Ciencias, tendo como modelo o conteudo zoologico. Os seguintes topicos foram considerados: conteudo teorico, recursos visuais, atividades praticas e informacoes complementares. Pretende-se, com este trabalho, contribuir para o debate sobre a necessidade de um maior envolvimento dos professores no processo de escolha do livro.

Feeding habits of six anuran (Amphibia: Anura) species in a rainforest fragment in Northeastern Brazil

Although Brazil encompasses one of the most abundant anuran faunas in the world, quantitative information on anuran ecology and diet are limited, especially in the Northeastern region. We analyzed the diet of six species: Hyla albomarginata, Hyla cf. branneri, Hyla minuta, Phyllomedusa aff. hypochondrialis (Hylidae), Leptodactylus natalensis, and Physalaemus cuvieri (Leptodactylidae) in a temporary pond in a rainforest remnant in Pernambuco, between 1999-2000. We analyzed diet composition, degree of food preference, and seasonal variations in diet. Leptodactylus natalensis and P. cuvieri showed higher diet diversity, whereas H. minuta consumed fewer food items. Insecta, Arachnida, and plants were preferential items for most species. Acari were consumed by all species; Hymenoptera, Odonata, and Coleoptera were also often consumed. A slight increase in diet diversity occurred in the rainy season. The species showed a generalist feeding behaviour, although P. cuvieri consumed Formicidae as major prey item.

Potencialidade inseticida de extratos aquosos de essências florestais sobre mosca-branca

Resumo – O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial inseticida de extratos aquosos foliares de quatro essencias florestais: algaroba (Prosopis juliflora), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva), leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) e sabia (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia), preparadas em quatro concentracoes, 3, 5, 7 e 10%. Foram avaliados tres parâmetros em mosca-branca (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): presenca de compostos secundarios, mortalidade de ovos e ninfas, e alteracoes na fertilidade do inseto. Determinou-se a presenca de tanino nas quatro especies, e de alcaloides em P. juliflora e M. urundeuva; as saponinas nao foram detectadas em nenhuma especie. Apenas os extratos de P. juliflora e L. leucocephala causaram mortalidade significativa de ovos e ninfas, tendo atingido, em alguns tratamentos, 75% de mortalidade sobre as ninfas. Esses extratos, com o de M. caesalpiniifolia, afetaram a fertilidade do inseto, tendo reduzido a taxa de reproducao, o tempo medio de geracao e a taxa intrinseca de crescimento para tres geracoes de B. tabaci. Os efeitos variam de acordo com a concentracao do extrato testado. Termos para indexacao: Bemisia tabaci, Anacardiaceae, Leguminosae, taninos, plantas inseticidas. Insecticidal potential of aqueous extracts from arboreous species against whitefly

Necrophagous species of Diptera and Coleoptera in northeastern Brazil: state of the art and challenges for the Forensic Entomologist

Inventories on necrophagous insects carried out in Brazil encompass mostly species from the southeastern and central-western regions of the country. This review aims to produce the first checklist of necrophagous Diptera and Coleoptera species of forensic relevance in northeastern Brazil, an area that concentrates high rates of homicides. We performed a literature survey on scientific articles, theses and dissertations regarding necrophagous insect species in the region, and contacted scientists who develop research on forensic entomology. Fifty-two species of Diptera belonging to eight families with previous record of necrophagy were reported in the region: Sarcophagidae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Fanniidae, Piophilidae, Phoridae, Anthomyiidae and Stratiomyidae. Coleopteran species from six families of forensic relevance were registered, although taxonomical identification remained superficial. Bait traps were the most frequent methodology used, followed by collection on animal carcasses. Seven Dipteran species from two families were registered on human cadavers. All species had been previously reported in other Brazilian states and/or other countries, although none has been effectively used in legal procedures in the region. The status of research on forensic entomology in northeastern Brazil is incipient, and the checklist produced here contributes to the knowledge on the local diversity of necrophagous insects.

An ecoregional classification for the state of Roraima, Brazil: the importance of landscape in malaria biology

Understanding the different background landscapes in which malaria transmission occurs is fundamental to understanding malaria epidemiology and to designing effective local malaria control programs. Geology, geomorphology, vegetation, climate, land use, and anopheline distribution were used as a basis for an ecological classification of the state of Roraima, Brazil, in the northern Amazon Basin, focused on the natural history of malaria and transmission. We used unsupervised maximum likelihood classification, principal components analysis, and weighted overlay with equal contribution analyses to fine-scale thematic maps that resulted in clustered regions. We used ecological niche modeling techniques to develop a fine-scale picture of malaria vector distributions in the state. Eight ecoregions were identified and malaria-related aspects are discussed based on this classification, including 5 types of dense tropical rain forest and 3 types of savannah. Ecoregions formed by dense tropical rain forest were named as montane (ecoregion I), submontane (II), plateau (III), lowland (IV), and alluvial (V). Ecoregions formed by savannah were divided into steppe (VI, campos de Roraima), savannah (VII, cerrado), and wetland (VIII, campinarana). Such ecoregional mappings are important tools in integrated malaria control programs that aim to identify specific characteristics of malaria transmission, classify transmission risk, and define priority areas and appropriate interventions. For some areas, extension of these approaches to still-finer resolutions will provide an improved picture of malaria transmission patterns.

Necrophagous beetles associated with carcasses in a semi-arid environment in northeastern Brazil: implications for forensic entomology.

Data on the ecology and bionomics of necrophagous beetles are scarce in tropical countries despite their relevance in forensic investigations. We performed a survey on the diversity and temporal pattern of colonization of beetles on pig carcasses in a fragment of dry forest in northeastern Brazil. We collected 1550 adults of diverse feeding habits from 12 families, of which 96% had necrophagous and/or copro-necrophagous habits and belonged to four families: Dermestidae, Scarabaeidae, Cleridae and Trogidae. Three species, Dermestes maculatus, Necrobia rufipes and Omorgus suberosus are reported for the first time with an expanded geographical distribution that includes the semi-arid region in Brazil. Adult beetles were collected as early as 24h after death. One endemic species, Deltochilum verruciferum, stood out in terms of numerical dominance and temporal occurrence during different stages of decomposition. Its intimate association with carrion emphasizes their potential role in forensic entomology in the region.

Dipterans Associated with a Decomposing Animal Carcass in a Rainforest Fragment in Brazil: Notes on the Early Arrival and Colonization by Necrophagous Species

Abstract This study aimed to provide the first checklist of forensically-important dipteran species in a rainforest environment in Northeastern Brazil, a region exposed to high rates of homicides. Using a decomposing pig, Sus scrofa L. (Artiodactyla: Suidae), carcass as a model, adult flies were collected immediately after death and in the early stages of carcass decomposition. To confirm actual colonization of the carcass, insects that completed their larval development on the resource were also collected and reared until adult stage. A diverse assemblage of dipterans composed of at least 28 species from seven families with necrophagous habits was observed within minutes after death. Besides Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae, species from forensically-important families such as Phoridae, Anthomyiidae, and Fanniidae were also registered. Eleven species were shown to complete their development on the carcass. The majority of individuals emerged from larvae collected at the dry stage of decomposition. Hemilucilia segmentaria Fabricius (Diptera: Calliphoridae), H. semidiaphana (Rondani), and Ophyra chalcogaster (Wiedemann) (Muscidae) were the dominant species among the colonizers, which supports their importance as forensic evidence in Brazil.

Does the presence of weeds affect Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) infestation on tomato plants in a semi-arid agro-ecosystem?

Integrated Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) management requires quantitative knowledge on the mechanisms of persistence of pest populations in non-commercial host plants. We investigated B. tabaci oviposition preference among tomato and four weed species, and the insect population fluctuation under field conditions in the semi-arid region. At weekly intervals, we determined the level (number of eggs and nymphs per leaf) and the density of infestation (number of eggs and nymphs per leaf area) in all species. We observed an oviposition preference gradient among the species, with different degrees of attractiveness; Acanthospermum hispidum was the most infested species whereas Amaranthus deflexus was the least infested one. We also detected a significantly higher infestation on tomato when planted solely, which indicates a dilution effect on tomato infestation in the presence of weeds. Weeds can act as important reservoirs for whiteflies and/or their natural enemies or even as viral sources for cultivated plants. Their incorporation in integrated B. tabaci management programs depends on how those variables can be manoeuvred for the reduction of insect damage.

Parity and age composition for Anopheles darlingi Root (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anopheles albitarsis Lynch-Arribálzaga (Diptera: Culicidae) of the northern Amazon Basin, Brazil

ABSTRACT Parity and age composition for Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles albitarsis in the northern Amazon Basin, Brazil, were investigated. Anopheline ovaries and ovarioles were examined in order to determine whether hourly and seasonal parity status for the vectors An. albitarsis and An. darlingi would vary in two different landscapes (forest and savanna/forest) where malaria is endemic in the northern Amazon Basin. A total of 1,199 anophelines (535 An. darlingi and 664 An. albitarsis) was dissected for parity status, ovariole dilatations, and follicular stages. The total number of nulliparous and parous females for both species varied by time of collection, locality, and season. During the rainy season for the first two h of collection, more nulliparous An. albitarsis and An. darlingi females were collected in the first hour (18:00–19:00), but during the second hour (19:00–20:00) more parous females of both species were captured. During the dry season in Copaíbas, more parous females of An. albitarsis were observed in the first hour while more nulliparous females were observed in the second hour. Nulliparous and parous females of both species for both hours were not significantly different at Road 19 in the dry season. This location was characterized by a forest malaria pattern of transmission with higher numbers of parous females and population stability in the dry season. In Copaíbas, the density and parity of An. darlingi increased during the rainy season, and it could be classified as an alluvial malaria pattern of transmission. For Copaíbas, control measures would be more successful if adopted at the transition from dry to rainy season. Further investigation on longitudinal spatiotemporal change in longevity and survival rates would help us to clarify differences in vector competence for An. darlingi and An. albitarsis and add to the understanding of differences regarding prevailing landscapes in malaria epidemiology in the northern Amazon Basin.