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Genome insights into the Bacillus paramycoides RZ3MS14: a multitrait plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium from Amazonian rainforest able to improve the sugarcane growth.

The genus Bacillus features species with remarkable plant growth-promoting traits (PGPTs) and is widely recognized for its biotechnological potential in sustainable agriculture. Among them, Bacillus paramycoides has recently attracted attention for its versatility in green synthesis of biopolymers, metal-based nanoparticles, and inhibition fungal phytopathogens; however, its PGPTs remain poorly underexplored. In this study, an integrated genomic and physiological approach was applied to B. paramycoides RZ3MS14, isolated from the guarana rhizosphere in Amazonian rainforest, to explore and correlate its potential PGPTs through in vitro and in vivo assays. The genome of B. paramycoides RZ3MS14 harbors genes related to N/P/Fe mobilization, bacillibactin synthesis, exopolysaccharides and biofilm formation, plant signaling, stress tolerance, biocontrol, and antibiotic resistance. Functional validation through in vitro assays, confirmed the strain's ability to solubilize phosphate, mineralize phytate, and produce siderophores, auxins, exopolysaccharides, and biofilm. These findings point diverse plant-growth promoting (PGP) traits that contributed to significant improvements in sugarcane growth and root architecture in the greenhouse. Specifically, root dry mass, shoot dry mass, root length, root surface area, and root volume increased by 225.92%, 520.89%, 231.47%, 242.25%, and 252.92%, respectively. Bacillus paramycoides RZ3MS14 exhibited a low antagonistic effect against the phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium verticillioides and Ceratocystis paradoxa. In contrast, microbial volatiles defined synergistic interactions with beneficial fungi Trichoderma afroharzianum and Purpureocillium lilacinum. This is the first study to unveil the PGP attributes of B. paramycoides, underscoring RZ3MS14's potential as a sugarcane bioinput and providing insights into its combined application with other microorganisms.

Saccharum

Metschnikowia maris comb. nov., a large-spored yeast species endemic to Serra do Mar Atlantic Rainforest biome, Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

Two yeast isolates from passion flowers were sampled in the southern part of the Serra do Mar Atlantic Rainforest in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Barcode sequencing and mating experiments showed them to be representatives of Metschnikowia matae var. maris, thus originally named due to the availability of only a single isolate and uncertainties regarding reproductive isolation. The two new isolates being of the complementary mating type to the previously known strain, intravarietal crosses were performed. They yielded a preponderance of two-spored asci, unlike crosses with M. matae var. matae, which led to largely sterile asci. We therefore elevate the variety maris to the rank of species, with the name Metschnikowia maris comb. nov. The holotype is UFMG-CM-Y397T (MATα). Strain UFMG-CM-Y7613A (MAT a) is designated as allotype. The new combination is registered as MB 859665.

Brazil

Incidence of Fusarium moniliforme Sheld. in Zea mays L. in the rainforest zone of Nigeria.

45 seed samples from 7 states of the rainforest zone of Nigeria (Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Bendel, Anambra, Imo, and Cross River) were screened for phytopathogen incidence. Whereas Drechslera maydis was found in 30 and Cephalosporium maydis in 79% of the samples were infected by Fusarium moniliforme, with 70% of the samples showing heavy infection. In view of the widespread nature of this economically important fungus on maize in the main cultivation area of Nigeria, the necessity for routine laboratory seed health tests is clearly indicated.

Animals

Rodent zoonoses in North Queensland: the occurrence and distribution of zoonotic infections in North Queensland rodents.

A study of potentially zoonotic infections was carried out on 351 rodents trapped in north-eastern Queensland. Their ecosystems included towns, agricultural and livestock areas, wookland and rainforest. Nine serotypes of salmonellae were obtained from asymptomatic carries in predominantly settled locations. Two strains of Ps. pseudomallei occurred in rainforest near Innisfail and one on a cattle property adjacent to Townsville. Ps. aeruginosa caused bronchopneumonia in one animal from Townsville harbour. Ifection by leptospirae of six serogroups and seven serovars were identified by serological or cultural examinations. Enzootic foci occurred on the Mount Spec rainforest where celledoni and australis were being excreted by rats adjacent to the Paluma dam system. In addition to the scrub typhus locations at Rocky Creek, Atherton Tableland and Bullocky Creek, near Ingham, which were confirmed, a new focus of infection by R. tsutsugamushi was identified at El Arish near Tully. Water rat (H. chrysogaster) at Townsville harbour constituted a reservoir of toxoplasmosis. In addition to the known human pathogenic helminths H. nana and H. diminuta, localized foci of hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.) were found. Histological evidence of cytomegalic disease of the salivary glands or kidneys was a common finding.

Animals

A survey for Ilesha Bunyamwera group virus antibodies in sera from domestic animals and humans in three ecological zones of Nigeria.

343 persons, 58 children and 285 adults, from three ecological zones: rainforest, savannah, and plateau were tested for the presence of Ilesha virus N antibodies in their sera. Neutralization tests were conducted in suckling mice using the constant virus--constant serum technique. 155 subjects (45%) had Ilesha immunity: 22 children (38%) and 133 adults (44%). The highest percentage of positive sera was found in the savannah (54%), followed by the plateau and rainforest. A further analysis of the results shows that the virus is more active in rural communities than in urban centres. A total of 68 sera from domestic animals (cows, sheep, goats, and pigs) were tested. Antibodies were found only in cows and goats. The absence of antibodies in sheep and pigs may be due to the small number of sera tested.

Adult

There is gold in the graveyard: a new lineage of zombie-ant fungi in the genus Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Ophiocordyceps serves as a key model for studying cryptic fungal diversity and behavioural manipulation of hymenopterous insects. Here, we describe Ophiocordyceps acanthoponerae, a newly discovered species infecting Acanthoponera mucronata (Heteroponerini: Formicidae) in a Brazilian Atlantic rainforest-Cerrado ecotone. Morphological analyses revealed mixed traits characteristic of Ophiocordyceps lineages associated with ants and wasps, including leaf biting behaviour manipulation, dark brown ascostromata covering 360º of the stalk, ascospores producing capilliconidia and hirsutelloid asexual morphs. Phylogenetic analyses based on four genomic regions (SSU, LSU, TEF and RPB1) placed this species outside the traditional myrmecophilous hirsutelloid clades O. unilateralis and O. kniphofioides, and within a novel clade closely related to the wasp pathogen O. humbertii. This discovery represents the first record of Ophiocordyceps infecting Heteroponerini and highlights an unexplored lineage of manipulative fungi. Our findings expand the known host range for myrmecophilous Ophiocordyceps and underscore the importance of studying fungal diversity in under-sampled ecological niches. Citation: Lima-Santos SJ, Araújo JPM, Feitosa RM, Mendes-Pereira T, Elliot SL, Evans HC (2025). There is gold in the graveyard: a new lineage of zombie-ant fungi in the genus Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 243-264. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.14.

Acanthoponera

Studies on onchocerciasis in the United Cameroon Republic. III. A four year follow-up of 6 rain-forest and 6 Sudan-savanna villages.

After an interval of four years the same observers used the same standardized techniques to re-examine 1,016 people in 12 heavily infected rain-forest and savanna villages in Cameroon. The changes in the number of nodules and in the concentration of microfilariae in the skin and eye are described. These latter changes are correlated with the development and/or deterioration of eye lesions and visual impairment. In both the rainforest and the savanna there was a strong association between the development of eye lesions and a high concentration of microfilariae, not only in the eye but also in the skin, and more so at the shoulder than at the buttock. The importance of these findings for the prevention of blindness is discussed.

Adolescent

Urine marking and territoriality in Galago alleni (Waterhouse, 1837--Lorisoidea, Primates)--a field study by radio-telemetry.

A wild population of Galago alleni was controlled by trapping and followed by radio-tracking in the equatorial rainforest of Gaboon during three study periods of 3 months each in 1972, 73 and 75. The disposition of territories and the social organization are described, as well as their evolution through time. A new technique of radio telemetry permitted identification and localization of urine marking in wild galagos. Urine marking took place throughout the territory, with a fourfold increase in frequency in zones where there is a slight overlap with neighbouring territories (female--female or male--male). The function of urine washing (wetting of the soles of the feet with urine) is discussed in relation to five hypotheses proposed by different authors, and th data obtained in the field in Gaboon. We interpret this behaviour as a means of dispersal of urine marks (social signals) in a three-dimensional milieu where displacement by a combination of leaping and running creates numerous pathways.

Animals

Bancroftian filariasis in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica.

In four neighborhoods of Puerto Limón, a Caribbean coastal city in a tropical rainforest area of Costa Rica, examination of 1-ml samples of night blood from 1,142 randomly selected, and 1,196 associated, persons by the Knott and filter-chamber techniques revealed microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti in about 3% of the 2,338 samples. The frequency of infection was higher in males (3.9%) than in females (1.9%), higher in persons of black (4.1%) than of white (1.0%) race, and highest in persons aged 10-19 (4.0%) and over 50 years (4.8%), lowest in those under 10 years (1.1%). The median microfilaria density was 3.5, the highest 45, per 20 lambdas of blood. Microfilaremia was distinctly periodic. Dissection of 663 female Culex pipiens fatigans from 42 houses of infected persons revealed filarial larvae in 25; only 1 larva was third (infective) stage. Of 64 infected persons, 11 had clinical findings suggestive of filariasis. Elephantiasis was seen in 21 others. Other forms of symptomatic filariasis without microfilaremia, though presumed to be present, were not assessed specifically.

Adolescent

Neutralizing antibodies to Orungo virus in man and animals in Nigeria.

Sera from humans, birds, domestic and wild animals, from 17 localities in four ecological zones of Nigeria were tested for neutralizing antibody to Orungo virus. A total of 1197 human sera were tested, of which 277 (23.1%) were positive for Rungo antibody. The highest prevalence (34.2%) was found in the northern Guinea Savannah zone. The prevalence in the other zones were 29.9% in the Southern Guinea Savannah, 24.3% in the Derived Savannah and 17.0% in the rainforest. Significant differences in antibody prevalence were found between, the wet forested area and the drier Savannah regions, with an increasing trend from the wetter to the drier zones. Over 50% of sheep, with about 24% of monkeys and 14% of cows tested were positive for Orungo virus N antibody. It is suggested that man and animals are involved in the transmission cycle of Orungo virus in Nigeria, possibly with Aedes spp. mosquitoes acting as an important vector.

Animals

Pattern of heart disease in adults of the Nigerian Savanna: a prospective clinical study.

The pattern of heart disease in 404 patients seen prospectively from the guinea savanna region of Africa is presented. Over 90% presented with cardiac failure. Hypertension, Peripartal Cardiac Failure (PPCF), Congestive Cardiomyopathy and Rheumatic Heart Disease are major problems. The highest incidence of PPCF in the world probably occurs in this area but the prognosis is good. The reasons for this and the possible interrelationship of hypertension with cardiomyopathy and PPCF are discussed. In contrast to the tropical rainforests, no case of endomyocardial fibrosis was seen. During the period of study, vascular thrombosis is uncommon and coronary heart disease is non-existent in Zaria.

Adolescent