Wilson Huanca-Mamani

Prey identification in nests of the potter wasp Hypodynerus andeus (Packard) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) using DNA barcodes

Prey identification in nests of the potter wasp Hypodynerus andeus (Packard) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) using DNA barcodes. Geometrid larvae are the only prey known for larvae of the Neotropical potter wasp Hypodynerus andeus (Packard, 1869) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) in the coastal valleys of the northern Chilean Atacama Desert. A fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 was amplified from geometrid larvae collected from cells of H. andeus in the Azapa Valley, Arica Province, and used to provide taxonomic identifications. Two species, Iridopsis hausmanni Vargas, 2007 and Macaria mirthae Vargas, Parra & Hausmann, 2005 were identified, while three others could be identified only at higher taxonomic levels, because the barcode reference library of geometrid moths is still incomplete for northern Chile.

First Remarks on Genetic Variation of the Little Known Leaf Miner Angelabella tecomae Vargas & Parra (Gracillariidae) in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile

Knowledge of population genetic variation is important to achieve an adequate understanding of the evolutionary history of species and to plan conservation practices for endangered species (Méndez et al. 2006, Harper et al. 2008, Morales et al. 2011, Brito et al. 2013b, Cianferoni et al. 2013, Baranzelli et al. 2014, Carson et al. 2014, Wickson et al. 2014, Martins et al. 2015). A useful method to study population genetic diversity in animals is the analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms (Harper et al. 2008, Gonçalves et al. 2009, Morales et al. 2011, Silva-Brandão et al. 2011, Siti-Balkhis et al. 2011, Brito et al. 2013b), since recent genetic divergence (base substitutions, insertions and deletions) accumulates at a mean rate about 5–10 times faster than in nuclear DNA (Brown et al. 1979). Furthermore, the different regions of the mitochondrial genome evolve at different rates, allowing specific options for each study (Avise 2000). The Atacama Desert is one of the oldest regions under continuously arid conditions and the most arid desert of the world (Clarke 2006). Accordingly, its native biota lives in extremely fragile and isolated environments (Pinto et al. 2006, Vargas & Moreira 2012, Carevic et al. 2013). In some cases the Atacama Desert has imposed a significant barrier to gene flow among isolated populations, generating high levels of intraspecific divergence (Baranzelli et al. 2014). The coastal valleys of northern Chile have been largely recognized among the most important places for the biodiversity of the Atacama Desert; however, these valleys are currently impacted by heavy anthropic pressures mostly associated with intensive agricultural activities. Pristine habitats have been greatly reduced throughout these valleys, giving rise to many threats for all the native biota (Luebert & Pliscoff 2006, Estades et al. 2007, Vargas & Parra 2009, Méndez-Abarca et al. 2012). The Gracillariidae is a highly diverse plant-mining micromoth family, with 1,935 currently recognized species around the world (De Prins & De Prins 2014). Curiously, only a few more than 180 species have been described from the Neotropical Region until now (De Prins & De Prins 2014); however, this apparent low diversity is suggested to be an artifact arising from a poor sampling effort and a deficit of taxonomic descriptions for this fauna (Brito et al. 2012, Lees et al. 2014). The current knowledge of Chilean Gracillariidae is not an exception among the Neotropical representatives of this family, as only seven native species have been recorded (Davis 1994, Vargas & Landry 2005, Vargas & Parra 2005, De Prins & De Prins 2014, Mundaca et al. 2013a, b, Vargas et al. 2013). Angelabella tecomae Vargas & Parra, 2005 is a leaf miner gracillariid micromoth native to the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert of southern Peru and northern Chile (Vargas & Parra 2005, Vargas 2010). Its primary host plant is the native shrub Tecoma fulva fulva (Cav.) D. Don (Bignoniaceae) (Vargas & Parra 2005), whose geographic range is also restricted to a small area of the Atacama Desert, including some valleys of southern Peru and northern Chile (Wood 2008). Females of A. tecomae select new leaflets of the host plant for egg laying (Storey-Palma et al. 2014); hatching occurs through the surface of the egg adhered to the leaflet; the first instar larva enters into the leaflet, where it remains throughout the larval and pupal stages (Storey-Palma et al. 2012). Accordingly, the active dispersal of A. tecomae is only in the adult stage, as larvae and pupae are strictly endophytic. The life history traits of A. tecomae, together with the arid and highly human-modified environment, suggest the possibility of high genetic divergence among isolated populations; however, genetic studies dealing with populations of A. tecomae have not been performed.

Long Non-Coding RNAs Responsive to Salt and Boron Stress in the Hyper-Arid Lluteño Maize from Atacama Desert

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides, which lack significant protein coding potential and possess critical roles in diverse cellular processes. Long non-coding RNAs have recently been functionally characterized in plant stress–response mechanisms. In the present study, we perform a comprehensive identification of lncRNAs in response to combined stress induced by salinity and excess of boron in the Lluteño maize, a tolerant maize landrace from Atacama Desert, Chile. We use deep RNA sequencing to identify a set of 48,345 different lncRNAs, of which 28,012 (58.1%) are conserved with other maize (B73, Mo17 or Palomero), with the remaining 41.9% belonging to potentially Lluteño exclusive lncRNA transcripts. According to B73 maize reference genome sequence, most Lluteño lncRNAs correspond to intergenic transcripts. Interestingly, Lluteño lncRNAs presents an unusual overall higher expression compared to protein coding genes under exposure to stressed conditions. In total, we identified 1710 putatively responsive to the combined stressed conditions of salt and boron exposure. We also identified a set of 848 stress responsive potential trans natural antisense transcripts (trans-NAT) lncRNAs, which seems to be regulating genes associated with regulation of transcription, response to stress, response to abiotic stimulus and participating of the nicotianamine metabolic process. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) experiments were performed in a subset of lncRNAs, validating their existence and expression patterns. Our results suggest that a diverse set of maize lncRNAs from leaves and roots is responsive to combined salt and boron stress, being the first effort to identify lncRNAs from a maize landrace adapted to extreme conditions such as the Atacama Desert. The information generated is a starting point to understand the genomic adaptabilities suffered by this maize to surpass this extremely stressed environment.

LARVAL POLYCHROMATISM IN THE NEOTROPICAL HAIRSTREAK STRYMON BUBASTUS (STOLL) (LYCAENIDAE, THECLINAE, EUMAEINI) ASSOCIATED WITH TWO NEWLY DOCUMENTED HOST PLANTS IN THE ATACAMA DESERT

ABSTRACT. Host-associated larval polychromatism is described for the first time for the Neotropical hairstreak Strymon bubastus (Stoll, 1780) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Theclinae, Eumaeini) based on larvae collected in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile on inflorescences of Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene (Verbenaceae) and Waltheria ovata Cav. (Malvaceae) and reared to adult. This is the first record of a host plant in the family Verbenaceae for S. bubastus. Although other Malvaceae already have been recorded as its hosts, this is the first record of it feeding on W. ovata. Identical sequences (n=19) of the DNA barcode fragment (657 base pairs) of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were obtained from larvae collected on the two plants, providing additional support for conspecificity. However, deep divergence (>2%) was found among these sequences and others from geographically distant localities of the Neotropics. Deep divergence could be associated with phenotypic differentiation of S. bubastus over its wide geographic range.

A fast and efficient method for total DNA extraction from soil filamentous fungi

espanolLa extraccion de ADN de alta calidad de hongos puede ser afectada debido a la presencia de una pared celular compleja, alto contenido de polisacaridos o metabolitos secundarios. En esta investigacion se adapto un simple metodo de extraccion y purificacion de ADN de hongos filamentosos aislados del suelo, para aplicaciones tipo Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). La metodologia descrita es rapida y de bajo costo. EnglishExtraction of high quality of DNA from fungus can be affected because the presence of the complex cell wall, high content of polysaccharides or secondary metabolites. In this research, we adapt a simple method of DNA extraction and purification of from fungus isolated from soil for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) applications. The methodology described is both rapid and cost effective.

Description, natural history and genetic variation of Caloptilia guacanivora sp. nov. Vargas-Ortiz & Vargas (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in the Atacama Desert, Chile: A new Caloptilia leaf miner from the Atacama Desert

Although considered the driest desert in the world, the Atacama provides unique habitats and a reservoir of biodiversity for plants and insects. Caloptilia Hübner, 1825 (Gracillariinae), is a highly diverse genus of leaf miner micromoths that has not yet been recorded in Chile. In this study, we describe a new species of Caloptilia from a relict, vulnerable ecotone in the transverse valleys of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Adults, immature stages and natural history, including the mine of Caloptilia guacanivora Vargas‐Ortiz & Vargas sp. nov., are described and illustrated. The larva is a leaf miner of the vulnerable, native, guacano tree Morella pavonis (Myricaceae). DNA barcode sequences were used to infer the specific status of C. guacanivora sp. nov. Results indicate that the new species is monophyletic with a genetic distance of around 5% to the nearest congener. We also used genetic variation to make preliminary inferences on the population structure and demography of this new taxon. This data revealed the presence of haplotypes shared among distant valleys, suggesting an ancient polymorphism that is widespread throughout populations in the region.

Genetic divergence of isolated populations of the native micromoth Bucculatrix mirnae (Lepidoptera: Bucculatricidae) in the arid environments of Northern Chile

Abstract Analysis of maternally inherited genes is especially helpful in population studies of host-specialized insects, as female dispersal is key to find an adequate host plant to ensure larval survival. Bucculatrix mirnae (Lepidoptera: Bucculatricidae) is a little-known Neotropical micromoth native to the arid environments of northern Chile whose hypermetamorphic larvae are miners and skeletonizers on leaves of two species of Baccharis (Asteraceae) shrubs. This micromoth has been detected in three isolated locations embracing a narrow geographic range: two from the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert near sea level and one from the western slopes of the Andes at about 3000 m elevation. As the dispersal of B. mirnae is mostly restricted to the small adult stage, the altitudinal gradient and desert areas among the three localities could be effective barriers, triggering genetic differentiation among populations. Sequences of the DNA barcode fragment of the cytocrome oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene were analyzed to assess for the first time the patterns of genetic variation of B. mirnae. Fifteen haplotypes, each exclusive to one locality, were found in the 71 specimens analyzed. Genetic divergence (K2P) between haplotypes of different localities was at least 2.0%. A Bayesian analysis with sequences of congeneric species grouped all the B. mirnae haplotypes in a clade, in which three well-supported locality-specific haplogroups were found. In concordance with this pattern, an analysis of molecular variance showed that the highest genetic variation was found among populations. Furthermore, all the population pairwise comparisons (FST) were significant. These results suggest that female migration between isolated populations of B. mirnae is absent. This pattern must be considered in the current scenario of habitat destruction and modification in the arid environments of northern Chile.

Genetic Divergence of the Pest Moth Chloridea virescens (Noctuidae: Heliothinae) Feeding on a Newly Documented Host Plant in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile

The polyphagous moth Chloridea virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae) is a widely distributed pest in the New World, ranging from United States to Argentina (Poole et al. 1993). Along the Pacific coast it reaches the Pacific Northwest as its northern limit, including the states of Oregon and Washington, United States (Landolt 2008), while its southern limit is in the northernmost part of Chile (Parra et al. 1986). The wide host range of C. virescens includes a great number of plants, many of which are agricultural crops, belonging to many families (Pogue 2013, Ventura et al. 2016). It is known that characterization of the genetic variation is important to understanding the biology of insect pests, especially in widely distributed species, because these sometimes exhibit genetic differentiation throughout their geographic ranges, which can be especially interesting to develop pest management strategies at the local level (Salinas-Hernandez & Saldamandano-Benjumea 2011, Diaz-Montilla et al. 2013, Maia et al. 2016, Velasco-Cuervo et al. 2016). Albernaz et al. (2012) assessed the genetic variation of C. virescens populations feeding on cotton and soybean in Brazil based on sequence analysis of mitochondrial GENERAL NOTES

Exploring DNA Barcodes of Neotropical and Afrotropical Species of Eccopsis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

ABSTRACT. Originally described from Africa, the genus Eccopsis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) currently includes 25 Afrotropical and five Neotropical species. Adult morphological characters suggest that the Afrotropical and Neotropical species might not be congeneric. Here we present the first DNA sequences for Neotropical Eccopsis and use these data in a maximum likelihood (ML) analysis to evaluate the monophyly of the genus, and to examine the utility of DNA barcodes in separating the South American E. galapagana Razowski & Landry, 2008 and E. razowskii Vargas, 2011. Intraspecific and interspecific pairwise distances (K2P) were 0–0.5% and 4.9–5.2%, respectively, and each species was recovered as a distinct, well supported group of sequences (i.e., species) in the ML analysis. An analysis including barcodes of Afrotropical Eccopsis (four species), Afrotropical Paraeccopsis (one species), and Neotropical Eccopsis (two species) failed to recover Eccopsis as monophyletic. Consistent with previous suggestions based on adult morphology, this study highlights the necessity to reassess the congeneric status of Afrotropical and Neotropical species of Eccopsis.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF ARCHEOLOGICAL MAIZE FROM THE SITE OF SAN LORENZO (AZAPA, CHILE): A CONTRIBUTION TO THE PREHISPANIC MAIZE PROBLEM

We report the first genetic analysis of archeological maize specimens from the site of San Lorenzo (1,500-700 BP) (Azapa valley,Arica, Chile). Ancient DNA wa...