Abstract We investigated the genetic control of the three yield components in cowpea: number of grains per pod, pod length and grain size, in a biparental cross. Genetic parameters were estimated in generations of a cross between two contrasting genitors, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Narrow-sense heritability estimates varied from 27% to 67%, suggesting that genetic gains can be achieved with selection. Pod length and grain size had the highest heritability values and genetic gains. The number of grains per pod is highly affected by the environment. Dominance was detected for all traits, mainly for pod length. However, additive gene effects accounted for more than 68% of the variation in all traits, which are controlled by at least 10 genes. It is possible to improve the evaluated traits via conventional breeding approaches, although large population sizes will be required in breeding stages. cowpea genitors replications Narrowsense Narrow sense 27 67 67% selection environment However 68 1 genes approaches stages 2 6

Abstract The diversity of galling insects may be associated with abiotic factors, such as hygrothermal stress, and biotic factors of the host plants, such as structural complexity and resource concentration. In the present study, we aimed evaluate the occurrence of galling insects Palaeomystella oligophaga (Lepidoptera, Agonoxenidae) associated with Macairea radula (Melastomataceae) in veredas of northern of Minas Gerais, testing the effect of environmental stress, resource concentration and plant architecture.The study was carried out in three veredas with distinct levels of soil drying and conservation (preserved, intermediate and degraded). In each vereda, were selected 20 individuals of the Macairea radula for galling sampling. For each focal plants were sampled the abundance of galls, plant height (m), number of branches and number of individuals close to the focal plant within a radius of 5 m. In total, were sampled 2,030 galls of Palaeomystella oligophaga on Macairea radula. The abundance of galls differed significantly between the plants of the different veredas, being higher in the plants of the Vereda da Almescla (intermediate conservation level). In addition, the abundance of galls was positively correlated with plant height, and the number of nearby individuals (considering all plant species). Our results demonstrate that both anthropic alterations that lead to the dryness of the veredas, and structural characteristics of the host plants, can affect the occurrence of galls of Palaeomystella oligophaga. stress Lepidoptera, Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera Agonoxenidae Melastomataceae (Melastomataceae Gerais architectureThe architecture preserved, preserved (preserved degraded. degraded . degraded) vereda 2 sampling m, m , (m) total 2030 030 2,03 level. level level) addition considering species. species species) (m 203 03 2,0 0 2,

Abstract Brazilian veredas are hygrophilous communities with high species diversity, featuring many floristic studies but a still incipient number of faunistic studies. In the present study, we conducted an inventory of insect galls in four different veredas located in the Northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Overall, we found 75 gall morphotypes, distributed across 50 host species representing 37 plant genera and 22 families. Fabaceae was the plant family with the greatest number of insect gall morphotypes (n = 21), followed by Malpighiaceae (n = 10). The plant genera that supported the highest diversity of insect galls were Copaifera (n = 8) and Byrsomima (n = 5). The plant species Copaifera oblongifolia (n = 6) and Anacardium humile (n = 4) exhibited the highest richness of insect galls. The leaves were the most attacked organs (89% of all galls). Most morphotypes are glabrous (83%), green (69%) and lenticular (60%). The taxa of gall-inducing insects were identified for 46 morphotypes (80%), and were recorded inducers from the orders Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera. Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) was the most representative galling group, with 42 morphotypes, making up 93.3% of the recorded inducers. Among the sampled veredas areas, the Vereda do Peruaçu presented the highest richness of insect gall morphotypes and host plant species. The faunistic similarity was higher in the Pedras and Tiririca veredas, followed by Almescla and Peruaçu veredas. This is the first systematic inventory of insect galls and their host plant in Brazilian veredas. The diversity of insect galls in the studied veredas is relatively high when compared to other Brazilian Cerrado vegetation types. study Gerais Brazil Overall 7 5 3 2 families n 21, 21 , 21) 10. 10 . 10) 8 5. 5) 6 4 89% 89 (89 galls) 83%, 83 83% (83%) 69% 69 (69% 60%. 60 60% (60%) gallinducing inducing 80%, 80 80% (80%) Diptera Lepidoptera Hymenoptera (Diptera group 933 93 93.3 areas types 1 (8 (83% (69 (60% (80% 9 93. ( (83 (6 (60 (80

Abstract In the present study we tested whether the distribution of insect galls induced by Jatrophobia brasiliensis (Rübsaamen, 1907) (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on Manihot caerulenses (Euphorbiaceae) differs between edge and interior environments in a Neotropical savanna in Brazil. We tested the hypothesis that the abundance of galls is higher in the vegetation edge, which is exposed to constant dust from an unpaved road, than in the interior of the savanna, where the penetration of dust is smaller. The study was in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Cabral where 28 plants were sampled, being selected 14 plants inside the vegetation and 14 plants on the road edge. We sampled a total of 269 galls of Jatrophobia brasiliensis, being 203 galls on edge plants and 66 galls on interior plants. Corroborating our expectation, we registered a higher number of insect galls on the edge plants than interior plants. We suggest that dust is the main stressor in border environments of Neotropical savannas, unlike forest vegetation, where microclimatic changes can be more important. Our findings suggest that the environmental changes caused by dust deposition in the edge affect the distribution of insect galls in Neotropical savannas. Rübsaamen, Rübsaamen (Rübsaamen 1907 Diptera, Diptera (Diptera Cecidomyiidae Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbiaceae Brazil smaller 2 1 26 20 6 expectation savannas important 190 19

Resumo Um inventário de galhas de insetos foi realizado em duas reservas da Amazônia peruana, Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana e Reserva Regional Quistococha, ambas situadas em Iquitos, nordeste do Peru. Quatro tipos de vegetação foram pesquisados entre dezembro de 2021 e dezembro de 2022: floresta de terra firme, floresta úmida de areia branca e floresta seca de areia branca na Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana, e floresta de pântano de palmeiras na Reserva Regional Quistococha. No total, encontramos 262 morfotipos de galhas, distribuídos em 75 espécies hospedeiras representando 66 gêneros de plantas e 30 famílias. Fabaceae foi a família de plantas com o maior número de morfotipos de galhas (n = 48), seguida por Calophyllaceae (n = 21) e Euphorbiaceae (n = 20). Os gêneros de plantas que apresentaram a maior diversidade de galhas foram Caraipa (n = 17), Eschweilera (n = 16), Tapirira (n = 16), Micrandra (n = 14) e Iryanthera (n = 10). As espécies de plantas Tapirira guianensis (n = 16), Caraipa utilis (n = 14), Micrandra elata (n = 14), Eschweilera coriacea (n = 11) e Sloanea parvifructa (n = 10) apresentaram a maior riqueza de galhas. Dentre as plantas hospedeiras, C. utilis destaca-se como a única espécie listada como endêmica da região amazônica e com um status de conservação Vulnerável (VU). As folhas foram os órgãos mais atacados (90% de todas as galhas). A maioria dos morfotipos é glabra (89%), verde (67%), globoide (53%) e possui apenas uma câmara interna (91%). Encontramos insetos galhadores pertencentes às ordens Diptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera e Hemiptera. Os insetos galhadores da família Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) foram os mais comuns, induzindo 22% dos morfotipos de galhas. Além dos galhadores, também observamos a presença de sucessores, cecidófagos e parasitoides. Entre os tipos de vegetação amostrados, a floresta de terra firme apresentou a maior riqueza de morfotipos de galhas e espécies de plantas hospedeiras. Este é o primeiro inventário sistemático de galhas de insetos nesta região da Amazônia peruana. peruana AllpahuayoMishana Allpahuayo Mishana Quistococha Iquitos Peru 202 2022 AllpahuayoMishana, Mishana, total 26 7 6 3 famílias n 48, 48 , 48) 21 20. 20 . 20) 17, 17 17) 16, 16 16) 14 10. 10 14, 11 C destacase destaca se VU. VU (VU) 90% 90 (90 galhas) 89%, 89 89% (89%) 67%, 67 67% (67%) 53% 53 (53% 91%. 91 91% (91%) Diptera Thysanoptera Hemiptera (Diptera comuns 22 sucessores parasitoides amostrados 2 4 1 (VU 9 (9 8 (89% (67% 5 (53 (91% ( (89 (67 (5 (91 (8 (6

Abstract An insect gall inventory was carried out in two reserves of the Peruvian Amazon, Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve and Quistococha Regional Reserve, both situated in Iquitos, northeastern Peru. Four vegetation types were surveyed between December, 2021 and December, 2022: terra firme forest, white-sand wet forest, and white-sand dry forest in Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve, and palm swamp forest in Quistococha Regional Reserve. Overall, we found 262 gall morphotypes, distributed across 75 host species representing 66 plant genera and 30 families. Fabaceae was the plant family with the greatest number of gall morphotypes (n = 48), followed by Calophyllaceae (n = 21) and Euphorbiaceae (n = 20). The plant genera that supported the highest diversity of galls were Caraipa (n = 17), Eschweilera (n = 16), Tapirira (n = 16), Micrandra (n = 14), and Iryanthera (n = 10). The plant species Tapirira guianensis (n = 16), Caraipa utilis (n = 14), Micrandra elata (n = 14), Eschweilera coriacea (n = 11), and Sloanea parvifructa (n = 10) exhibited the highest richness of galls. Among the host plants, C. utilis stands alone as the only species noted as both endemic to the Amazonian region and bearing a Vulnerable (VU) conservation status. The leaves were the most attacked organs (90% of all galls). Most morphotypes are glabrous (89%), green (67%), globoid (53%), and one-chambered (91%). We found galling insects belonging to the orders Diptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera. The galling insects of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) were the most common, inducing 22% of the gall morphotypes. In addition to the gallers, we also observed the presence of successors, cecidophages, and parasitoids. Among the sampled vegetation types, the terra firme forest presented the highest richness of gall morphotypes and host plant species. This is the first systematic inventory of insect galls in this part of the Peruvian Amazon. Amazon AllpahuayoMishana Allpahuayo Mishana Iquitos Peru December 202 2022 whitesand white sand Overall 26 7 6 3 families n 48, 48 , 48) 21 20. 20 . 20) 17, 17 17) 16, 16 16) 14, 14 14) 10. 10 11, 11 11) plants C VU (VU status 90% 90 (90 galls) 89%, 89 89% (89%) 67%, 67 67% (67%) 53%, 53 53% (53%) onechambered one chambered 91%. 91 91% (91%) Diptera Thysanoptera Lepidoptera Hemiptera (Diptera common 22 gallers successors cecidophages parasitoids 2 4 1 9 (9 8 (89% (67% 5 (53% (91% ( (89 (67 (53 (91 (8 (6 (5

RESUMO O Brasil abriga uma grande quantidade de água doce. Saber como essa água armazenada é repartida no espaço e no tempo entre os componentes superficiais e subsuperficiais é crucial para uma representação mais correta do ciclo hídrico do país, o que tem grandes implicações para a tomada de decisões relacionadas à gestão dos recursos hídricos. Neste estudo, extraímos a variabilidade mensal do armazenamento de água, de 2003 a 2020, com base em diferentes fontes que representam o estado da arte da informação sobre diferentes componentes de armazenamento - águas subterrâneas, umidade do solo, águas superficiais, e reservatórios artificiais – em todas as regiões hidrográficas brasileiras, e computamos a contribuição de cada componente em relação a variabilidade total. A maior parte da variabilidade pode ser atribuída a umidade do solo (40-68%), seguida por águas subterrâneas (18-40%). Águas superficiais tem grande influência nas regiões hidrográficas do noroeste (influência de sistemas de monção) com 18-40% e nas BHRs do sul (influência de sistemas subtropicais) com 5-10%. O estoque em reservatórios artificiais tem contribuições importantes nas regiões do Paraná com 12,1%, do São Francisco com 3,5% e do Tocantins-Araguaia com 2,1%. Em termos de variabilidade de longo prazo, os estoques de água têm geralmente diminuído nas regiões leste e aumentado no noroeste e no sul, sendo os estoques de águas subterrâneas e reservatórios os mais afetados, embora essa tendência também possa ser observada nos picos de água superficial. Comparações feitas com estudos anteriores mostram que a abordagem e os conjuntos de dados utilizados podem ter um impacto considerável nos resultados. Tal análise pode ter amplas implicações na identificação da natureza da variabilidade de amplitude e fase entre as regiões, a fim de melhor caracterizá-las e obter melhores avaliações das tendências hidrológicas.

ABSTRACT Brazil hosts a large amount of freshwater. Knowing how this stored water is partitioned in space and time between surface and subsurface components is a crucial step towards a more correct depiction of the country’s water cycle, which has major implications for decision making related to water resources management. Here, we extracted monthly water storage (WS) variability, from 2003 to 2020, based on multiple state-of-the-art datasets representing different WS components – groundwater (GW), soil moisture (SM), surface waters (SW), and artificial reservoirs (RS) – in all Brazilian Hydrographic Regions (BHRs), and computed each component’s contribution to the total variability. Most of the variability can be attributed to SM (40-68%), followed by GW (18-40%). SW has great influence in the north-western BHRs (humid monsoon influenced) with 18-40% and the southern BHRs (subtropical system influenced) with 5-10%. RS has important contributions in the Paraná with 12.1%, São Francisco with 3.5%, and Tocantins-Araguaia with 2.1%. In terms of long-term variability, water storages have been generally decreasing in the eastern and increasing in north-western and southern BHRs, with GW and RS being the most affected, although it can also be observed in SW peaks. Comparisons made with previous studies show that the approach and datasets used can have a considerable impact in the results. Such analysis can have broad implications in identifying the nature of amplitude and phase variability across regions in order to better characterize them and to obtain better evaluations of hydrological trends under a changing environment.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar linhagens de feijão-caupi de inflorescência composta que apresentam alto potencial para gerar a primeira cultivar comercial com esta característica no Brasil. Trinta e sete linhagens foram avaliadas em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com duas repetições, em 2021, no município de Teresina, no estado do Piauí. Foram avaliados os seguintes caracteres: número de dias para o início do florescimento, porte da planta, qualidade comercial do grão, número de grãos por vagem, peso de 100 grãos e rendimento de grãos. Foram realizadas análises de deviance pela metodologia da máxima verossimilhança restrita/melhor preditor linear não viesado, e estimados os valores e os parâmetros genéticos necessários para realização da seleção simultânea com base no índice de soma de postos. Foi detectada diferença estatística entre as linhagens avaliadas por meio do teste de razão de verossimilhança. Em geral, a variância genética foi o maior componente da variância fenotípica para os caracteres avaliados. As dez linhagens de feijão-caupi de inflorescência composta mais promissoras são: MNC15-33E-123, MNC15-33E-178, MNC15-33E-222, MNC15-33E-171, MNC15-33E-232, MNC15-33E-223, MNC15-33E-219, MNC15-33E-183, MNC15-33E-91 e MNC15-33E-165. Essas linhagens foram selecionadas para as próximas etapas de seleção e apresentam grande potencial para gerar a primeira cultivar comercial de feijão-caupi de inflorescência composta no Brasil.

Abstract The objective of this work was to select cowpea lines with compound inflorescences that show a high potential to generate the first commercial cultivar with this characteristic in Brazil. Thirty-seven lines were evaluated in a randomized complete block design, with two replicates, in 2021, in the municipality of Teresina, in the state of Piauí. The following traits were evaluated: number of days to the onset of flowering, plant size, commercial grain quality, number of grains per pod, weight of 100 grains, and grain yield. Deviance analyzes were performed by the restricted maximum likelihood/ best unbiased linear predictor methodology, and the values and genetic parameters necessary to carry out simultaneous selection were estimated based on the rank sum index. A statistical difference was detected between the lines evaluated by the likelihood ratio test (LRT). In general, genetic variance was the largest component of phenotypic variance for the evaluated traits. The ten most promising cowpea lines with compound inflorescences are: MNC15-33E-123, MNC15-33E-178, MNC15-33E-222, MNC15-33E-171, MNC15-33E-232, MNC15-33E-223, MNC15-33E-219, MNC15-33E-183, MNC15-33E-91, and MNC15-33E-165. These lines were selected for the next selection stages and show a high potential to generate the first commercial cowpea cultivar with compound inflorescences in Brazil.

Resumo Foram caracterizados morfologicamente umbus de quatro municípios paraibanos a fim de identificar genótipos promissores para consumo in natura e emprego agroindustrial. Foram utilizados 400 frutos de matrizes de São Vicente do Seridó; Queimadas; Boqueirão e Cabaceiras e 40 frutos comerciais de duas feiras de Campina Grande-PB. A unidade experimental foi constituída por 10 frutos. Foram analisados nos frutos: massa total (MTF); comprimento (CF); diâmetro (DF); matéria fresca (MMF), rendimento (RF) e presença de pelos. Nos endocarpos, foram avaliados massa (ME); o comprimento (CE), o diâmetro (DE) e a largura (LE). Foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, e os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, com as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, assim como a análise de componentes principais. Os frutos de Queimadas e São Vicente do Seridó apresentaram melhores caracteres morfológicos quanto à massa, ao comprimento, ao diâmetro, à matéria fresca e ao rendimento dos frutos, sendo mais promissores para comercialização agroindustrial. Já os frutos provenientes de Boqueirão apresentaram maior massa de endocarpo. A maioria dos frutos apresentou pelos nas cascas, exceto os comerciais. Foram formados quatro grupos de municípios, sendo os frutos provenientes de Queimadas os que apresentaram maior tamanho, enquanto os frutos provenientes de São Vicente do Seridó e de Soledade apresentaram maior rendimento.

Abstract Umbu fruits from four municipalities of Paraíba were morphologically characterized in order to identify promising genotypes for fresh consumption and agro-industrial use. We used 400 fruits from parent plants located in São Vicente do Seridó, Queimadas, Boqueirão, and Cabaceiras and 40 commercial fruits from two open fairs in Campina Grande, PB. The experimental unit consisted of ten fruits. The fruits were analyzed for total mass (MTF), length (LC), diameter (DF), fresh matter (MMF), yield (RF), and presence of hairs. In the endocarps, mass (ME), length (CE), diameter (DE), and width (LE) were the evaluated parameters. A completely randomized design was adopted, the data were subjected to variance analysis, and the means were compared by the Tukey test and principal component analysis. The fruits from Queimadas and São Vicente do Seridó showed the best morphological characters with regard to mass, length, diameter, fresh matter, and fruit yield, and were the most promising for agro-industrial commercialization. The fruits from Boqueirão showed the highest endocarp mass. Most fruits showed hairs on the peel, except the commercial ones. Four groups of municipalities were formed, with the fruits from Queimadas showing the largest size, while the fruits from São Vicente de Seridó and Soledade showed the highest yield.

RESUMO O feijão-caupi é uma leguminosa de grande importância socioeconômica no mundo. A cultura constitui uma excelente fonte de proteínas e minerais, principalmente para a população mais pobre. No Brasil, é cultivada em alguns estados. O semiárido piauiense é a zona de maior produção do Estado. Assim, a seleção de genótipos superiores de feijão-caupi para múltiplos caracteres e adaptados a esta área de cultivo é importante para os pequenos e médios agricultores do Piauí. O objetivo deste estudo foi selecionar linhagens superiores de feijão-caupi para múltiplos caracteres e adaptados à zona semiárida do Piauí, com base na abordagem Genotype by Yield*Trait (GYT) Biplot. Dezessete linhagens elite e três cultivares foram avaliadas em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, em regime de sequeiro em três ambientes do semiárido piauiense. Os seguintes caracteres foram avaliados: número de dias para início do florescimento, comprimento da vagem, número de grãos por vagem, peso de cem grãos, índice de grãos, produtividade de grãos, teores de Fe e Zn, e qualidade de cozimento. Análise de variância, agrupamento de médias e seleção simultânea por GYT Biplot foram implementados. Por meio da abordagem GYT Biplot, as linhagens MNC11-1013E-35 e MNC11-1013E-15 foram superiores porque combinaram a produtividade de grãos simultaneamente com os componentes de produção e nutricionais no cultivo do semiárido piauiense, porém, MNC11-1052E-3 foi melhor na combinação de produtividade e qualidade de cozimento do que as outras linhagens.

ABSTRACT Cowpea is a great socioeconomically important leguminous plant worldwide. The crop is an excellent source of proteins and minerals, mainly for the poorest populations. It is cultivated in some states of Brazil. The Piauí semi-arid is the most yielding zone in the state. Thus, the selection of superior cowpea genotypes for multi-traits and adaptabilities to this growing area is very important for the small-scale and medium-scale farmers in Piauí. The objective of this study was to select the superior cowpea lines for their multi-traits and adaptabilities to the Piauí semi-arid zone based on the genotype by the yield*trait (GYT) Biplot approach. Seventeen elite lines and three cultivars were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications under the rainfed growing condition at three different locations away from the Piauí semi-arid zone. The following traits were evaluated: the number of days to flowering, pod length, the number of grains per pod, weight of one hundred grains, grain index, grain yield, Fe and Zn contents, and also the cooking quality. The analysis of variance (ANOVA), the grouping of means, and simultaneous selection by the GYT Biplot were implemented. Through the GYT Biplot approach, the two lines, MNC11-1013E-35 and MNC11-1013E-15, were found superior because they combined the traits, grain-yield with the yield components and nutritional traits simultaneously during the cultivation in the Piauí semi-arid zone. However, the MNC11-1052E-3 line was better in the combination of yield and cooking quality than the other lines.

ABSTRACT The water deficit is one of the main limiting factors to the yield of sweet oranges. The present study aimed to determine alternative rootstocks to ‘Rangpur’ lime for ‘Pera’ sweet oranges grown on tropical hardsetting soils with greater potential tolerance to water deficit. Six citrus scion/rootstock combinations were grown during eight years in an orchard established in Sergipe, Brazil. The tree height, number of fruits per plant, cumulated fruit yield, leaf proline content and survival rate of trees were evaluated between 6th and 8th year after planting. Greater rate of tree loss occurred among the sweet orange onto ‘Orlando’ tangelo, which also induced the lowest cumulative fruit yield. After prolonged water deficit, moderate to high proline content was found in trees grafted on Sunki of Florida mandarin × C13 citrange – 012° (TSKFL × CTC13-012), ‘Orlando’ tangelo, ‘Indio’ and ‘Riverside’ citrandarin. Conversely, after a short water deficit during the wet season, trees on ‘San Diego’ citrandarin and Rangpur lime clone of Centro Nacional de Pesquisa Mandioca e Fruticultura – CNPMF 03 ‘Rangpur’ lime showed higher proline content. Trees onto TSKFL × CTC13-012 and ‘Indio’ also induced the greatest accumulated fruit yield at the 8th year after planting. It is assumed that ‘San Diego’ and CNPMF 03 ‘Rangpur’ induce response more quickly to water deficit, whereas TSKFL × CTC13-012 and ‘Indio’ are less susceptible to prolonged deficit. Therefore, trees on ‘San Diego’ and Indio citrandarin, CNPMF-03 ‘Rangpur’ lime, TSKFL × CTC13-012 hybrid present greater potential to tolerate water deficit and produce more fruits on the hardsetting soils of the coastal tablelands of the Brazilian Northeast.

Abstract In the present study we described the structure of a trophic network composed by gall-midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and their host plants in the Restinga of Barra de Maricá (Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Species data were retrieved from literature and different topological descriptors (links per species, connectance, and modularity of interactions) were used. All gall-midge species were monophages, with connectance of 2.8% of the 2,016 possible interactions. The network of host plants and gall midges had low number of links per species and high modularity, which indicates high specificity and specialization of plant-galling interactions in the area. This is the first characterization of a trophic network with good taxonomic resolution for the Neotropical gall midges.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate genetic control of the traits number of days to flowering (NDF) and number of days to maturity (NDM) in a cowpea cross. Genetic parameters were estimated in segregating and non-segregating generations of a cross between two contrasting cowpea genotypes (MNC05-828C-1-9-1 × MNC04-792F-146). No evidence for maternal effect was found for either trait. Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates were above 50%, allowing genetic gains from selection of plants in the F2 generation. High significance of additive gene effects and low contribution of dominance and epistatic effects were detected for both traits. The estimated number of genes controlling the traits was around 4 for NDF and 5 for NDM. The results suggest that early-maturing cowpea self-fertilized cultivars can be developed through standard breeding approaches, meeting the demands of modern agricultural systems for more crop seasons per year and mechanized harvesting.

Abstract Calacarus heveae is considered the most common pest mite in rubber tree crops in Southeast and Midwest Brazil. We evaluated the population dynamics of mites in GT 1, PB 235, PR 255 and RRIM 600 rubber tree clones from crops in the Goiás State, Brazil. We sampled leaves between June 2013 and June 2014 in 10 trees for each rubber tree clone. Calacarus heveae and Tenuipalpus heveae populations were counted in four 1 cm2-areas distributed on each middle leaflet sampled, whereas all other mites were found on lateral leaflets. Calacarus heveae reached a population peak between March and May 2014. PR 255 and RRIM 600 sheltered the densest population of C. heveae. We sampled six predatory mite species, highlighting Euseius citrifolius. GT 1 and PB 235 had higher abundance of predatory mites. This is the first study carried out on the population dynamics of phytophagous mites associated with rubber trees in the state of Goiás.

Abstract Several plant-related factors can influence the diversity of gall-inducing species communities. In the present study we performed an inventory of gall-inducing arthropods and we tested if the plant species richness and the abundance of super-host plants (Copaifera oblongifolia) influenced positively in the diversity of gall-inducing arthropod species. The study was realized in an area of Neotropical savanna (cerrado sensu stricto) in the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Rio Pandeiros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Host-plant species and gall-inducing arthropods were sampled in 18 10 × 10 m plots distributed in the vegetation. In total we found 40 arthropod gall morphotypes, distributed on 17 botanical families and 29 plant species. Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) induced the most arthropod galls (85%), and the plant family Fabaceae had the greatest richness of gall morphotypes (16). The plant species Copaifera oblongifolia and Andira humilis (Fabaceae) were the most important host species with five and three morphotypes, respectively. Galling species richness was not affected by none of explanatory variables (plant species richness and abundance of super-host plants). On the other hand, galling species per plant species was negatively affected by plant species richness and positively affected by abundance of super-host plants. This is the first study of arthropod-induced galls conducted in EPA of Rio Pandeiros, Brazil. Our results corroborate previous studies that highlight the importance of super-host plants for galling arthropod diversity on a local scale.

Resumo O desenvolvimento e crescimento ósseo é um processo contínuo, que dura toda a vida, variando muito entre os indivíduos e grande parte dessa variação pode ser modulada por fatores genéticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação entre os polimorfismos no gene TNF-a e a má oclusão da classe II esquelética. Polimorfismos no gene TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) foram estudados em 79 indivíduos com má oclusão esquelética de classe II e 102 indivíduos com má oclusão esquelética classe I do Grupo de Estudos em Ortodontia e Ortopedia Funcional dos Maxilares do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A genotipagem destes polimorfismos foi realizada por PCR em tempo real, através de DNA genômico extraído de células bucais. Todas as frequências alélicas e genotípicas foram comparadas entre os grupos utilizando o software PLINK® em um modelo livre, dominante e recessivo. Foi aplicado o teste do qui-quadrado (p≤0,05). Não houve associação significativa na distribuição genotipica e alélica do gene TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) com a má oclusão de classe II esquelética. Independentemente do modelo genético dominante ou recessivo, as associações genotípicas preferenciais para rs1799724 e rs1800629 foram insignificantes. Pode-se concluir que, não existe evidência de associação entre polimorfismos genéticos envolvendo TNF-a e má oclusão esquelética de classe II ou a posição da maxila e mandíbula na direção póstero-anterior.

Abstract Bone development and growth is a non-going, life-long process, varying greatly among individuals and much of this variation could be modulated by genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the polymorphisms in the TNF-a gene and skeletal class II malocclusion. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) gene were studied in 79 skeletal class II malocclusion and 102 skeletal class I malocclusion subjects from Straight Wire Group of Studies on Orthodontics and Functional Orthopedics for Maxillary from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Genotyping of these selected polymorphisms was carried out by TaqMan real-time PCR using genomic DNA extracted from buccal cells. All allele and genotype frequencies were compared between the groups using the PLINK® software in a free, in a dominant and in a recessive model using a chi-square test (p≤0.05). There was no significant association of TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) genotype and allele distribution with skeletal class II malocclusion. Regardless of the dominant or recessive genetic model, the preferential genotype associations for rs1799724 and rs1800629 was insignificant. In conclusion, no evidence of association is apparent between genetic polymorphisms involving TNF-a and skeletal class II malocclusion or the position of the maxilla and mandible in the postero-anterior direction.