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M A Motta

Publications and source records attributed to M A Motta.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Wyeomyia (Prosopolepis) confusa (Lutz): subgeneric validation, species description, and recognition of Wyeomyia flui (Bonne-Wepster and Bonne) as the senior synonym of Wyeomyia kerri del Ponte and Cerqueira.

Prosopolepis Lutz is validated as a monotypic subgenus of Wyeomyia Theobald and the type species, Weomyia confusa (Lutz), is redescribed. The description includes illustrations of the male and female genitalia, the 4th-stage larva, and the pupa. Prosopolepis flui Bonne-Wepster and Bonne is resurrected from synonymy with Wy. confusa and recognized as the senior synonym of Wyeomyia kerri del Ponte and Cerqueira. Wyeomyia flui does not belong in the subgenus Prosopolepis and remains in the genus Wyeomyia without subgeneric placement. Trichoprosopon pusillum Lutz and Nuñez-Tovar is not synonymous with Wy. confusa and is provisionally regarded as a nomen dubium within Wyeomyia. The identity of Wy. confusa is fixed by neotype selection.

Animals↗

Changes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae development induced by magnetic fields.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures exposed to 110 mT and 220 mT steady magnetic fields (SMF) were studied to observe eventual induced growth alterations and changes in metabolic activity. Cell mass (biomass) growth was evaluated by light spectrometry, and metabolic alterations were estimated on the basis of the CO2 pressure produced and by the culture media pH changes, measured at the beginning and the end of the observation. The yeast strain DAUFPE-1012, cultivated in a nonaerated liquid agar Sabouraud glucose medium, was exposed to SMF generated by NdFeBr magnets. Results showed alterations induced by 220 mT SMF as an increment in cell proliferation (1.84%) and an increased CO2 production (36.1%) as compared to control groups. Furthermore, the initial-to-final pH difference in 220 mT SMF exposed cultures was higher than the 110 mT SMF and the control values. The whole acidification and the rise in CO2 production observed after 220 mT SMF exposure did not correspond to the biomass growth values, as compared to the other cultures, and was apparently provoked by a enhancement in the cellular metabolic rate. This technique becomes very promising for future biotechnological applications in fermentative processes.

Biomass↗

Gamma (60)Co DL(50/30) of Biomphalaria glabrata (SAY, 1818).

The variation of resistance to (60)Co gamma-rays of Biomphalaria glabrata was studied. A population of 480 mollusks was observed during 30 days - distributed in 8 groups of snails isolated and 8 groups of snails in colonies - after exposure (30 snails per group per dose) to increasing doses of gamma radiation. Doses of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 160, 320 and 640 Gy from a Gamma-cell (60)Co irradiator, were applied to the test groups and two groups control (non-irradiated) of snails - isolated and colony - were kept apart. After have been exposed, the snails were drew back to the aquaria where they were maintained before. The survival was estimated on a daily score of the alive animals in each group-dose, starting after the irradiation exposure day. As a result, the survival self-fertilization forms (DL(50/30) = 218.2 Gy) was found greater than in cross-fecundation forms. These data point to a low radio-resistance on the cross-fertilization forms - the sexual reproductive form - which is most found in nature. The lower radio-resistance of the cross-fertilization forms suggests the presence of some sex-linked hormonal factor related to this phenomenon.

Animals↗

Anopheline species, some of their habits and relation to malaria in endemic areas of Rondônia State, Amazon region of Brazil.

In view of recent studies incriminating several species of anophelines, besides Anopheles darlingi, as malaria vectors in the Brazilian Amazon, we performed an anopheline survey in four localities--Ariquemes, Cujubim, Machadinho and Itapoã do Oeste--in Rondônia, the most malarious State in the Country. Twenty species were found. An. darlingi was, by far, the dominant species and the only one whose density coincided with that of malaria. On human baits it was more numerous in the immediate vicinity of houses than indoors where, however, it was almost the only species encountered. On both situations it fed mostly at sunset and during the first half of the night. It was less numerous far from houses and scarce inside the forest. Other species (An. triannulatus, An. evansae, An. albitarsis, An. strodei) appeared in appreciable numbers only in Ariquemes, both in areas with and without malaria. The remaining species were scanty. An. darlingi was confirmed as the primary local vector.

Animals↗

Preliminary evaluation of the genetic relatedness of three species of the subgenus Dendromyia Theobald and other species of the genus Wyeomyia Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae).

An eletrophoretic analysis of three species of the subgenus Dendromyia (Wyeomyia luteoventralis, Wy. ypsipola and Wy. testei) and three species belonging to different groups in the genus Wyeomyia (Wy. negrensis, Wy. mystes and Wy. confusa) was performed. Eight enzyme loci were analyzed. High values of genetic identify were detected among the species of the subgenus Dendromyia: Wy. luteoventralis, Wy. ypsipola and Wy. testei (mean value 0.63). On the other hand low values of genetic identify were observed among Wy. negrensis, Wy. mystes and Wy. confusa (mean value 0.23), suggesting that they belong, at least, to distinct subgenera within the Genus Wyeomyia. The UPGMA phenogram revealed the grouping of the Dendromyia species, while the others clustered at lower identity levels.

Animals↗

Growth changes induced by gamma radiation on Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848).

Doses of 60Co gamma radiation with 2.5; 5; 7.5; 10; 15; 20; 25; 30; 35; 40; 45; 50; 55; 60; 80; 160; 320 and 640 Gy were applied to 1, 080 snails Biomphalaria straminea, an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, divided in groups containing 30 mollusks. In addition, 60 non irradiated snails were kept as control. Fifty percent of the population was kept in colonies (allowing cross fertilization) while the other half was maintained in sexual isolation (allowing self fertilization) and during one month their growth was observed through the daily measurement of the shell diameter. Results showed that after 20 Gy doses the growth in shell diameter of irradiated snails was greater than that of the control group after 30 days. At this dose the snail size was the greatest, among all isolated groups. The 80 Gy doses also induced the final shell diameter of isolated snails to be greater then that observed in the control groups. As this effect was most evident among the isolated snails, a possible hormonal role may have been involved in the observed phenomena, which is under investigation with the objective of identifying any future applications that this could have to schistosomiasis control.

Animals↗

The subgenus Dendromyia theobald: a review with redescriptions of four species (Diptera: Culicidae).

A morphological study of larval, pupal and adult life stages (including genitalia characters) was performed in order to evaluate the classification of the subgenus Dendromyia, genus Wyeomyia Theobald. Six species are included: Wy. ypsipola Dyar, Wy. jocosa (Dyar & Knab), Wy. testei Senevet & Abonnenc, Wy. complosa (Dyar), Wy. luteoventralis Theobald and Wy. trifurcata Clastrier, the first four of which are redescribed. The descriptions include illustrations of the male and female genitalia, fourth-instar larva and pupa. The result firmly supports Dendromyia as a monophyletic group, with well defined characters. Keys for the identification of all life stages of species included in Dendromyia are provided.

Animals↗