RESUMO
The molecular and ultrastructural profiles of the symbionts found in the midgut and ileum of Cephalotes atratus, Cephalotes clypeatus, and Cephalotes pusillus were determined using the V3 region of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene and transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.). Two samples of C. atratus, three of C. clypeatus, and six of C. pusillus were analyzed. The coefficients of similarity ranged from 80% to 94% for the samples of symbionts from C. clypeatus and C. atratus, despite being collected in geographically distant sites. The variability within symbionts found in the samples of C. pusillus varied from 29% to 55%, in samples geographically close as well as distant. PCR-DGGE was effective for the purpose of this study and can be considered a versatile tool to analyze gut microbiota. Details of the ultrastructural aspect of these bacteria are presented.
Assuntos
Bactérias/genética , Bactérias/ultraestrutura , Fenômenos Fisiológicos Bacterianos , Biodiversidade , Himenópteros/microbiologia , Simbiose , Animais , Análise por Conglomerados , DNA Bacteriano/química , DNA Bacteriano/genética , DNA Ribossômico/química , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Trato Gastrointestinal/microbiologia , Geografia , Metagenoma , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Desnaturação de Ácido Nucleico , Filogenia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Ant communities are sensitive to fragmentation responding through: extinction of specialist species compared with large habitats, invasion of generalist species, changes in community composition and richness of species. Because of these characteristics, this review aims at examining the main risks that ants have been facing to maintain their communities, as well as to report current conservation practices in Brazil and in the world.
Comunidades de formigas são sensíveis à fragmentação e respondem por meio: da extinção de espécies especialistas comparadas com grandes habitats, invasão de espécies generalistas, mudanças na composição da comunidade e na riqueza de espécies. Por causa dessas características, esta revisão pretende descrever os principais riscos que as formigas têm enfrentado para manter suas comunidades, como também descrever práticas atuais no Brasil e no mundo.
Assuntos
Animais , Formigas/classificação , Espécies Sentinelas , Monitoramento Biológico/métodosRESUMO
The location and ultrastructure of bacteria associated with microvilli in the midgut of Odontomachus bauri were examined by transmission electron microscopy. These filamentous type bacteria are the second morphotype described in the midgut of this ant. They colonizes only the ectoperitrophic space, more specifically attaching along microvilli. A thick capsule attaches bacteria to microvilli and protect them from acidic pH and digestive enzymes. Details of the location and association with microvilli are discussed.
Assuntos
Formigas/microbiologia , Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Bactérias/ultraestrutura , Trato Gastrointestinal/microbiologia , Trato Gastrointestinal/ultraestrutura , Mucosa Intestinal/microbiologia , Mucosa Intestinal/ultraestrutura , Microscopia Eletrônica de TransmissãoRESUMO
ABSTRACT Ant communities are sensitive to fragmentation responding through: extinction of specialist species compared with large habitats, invasion of generalist species, changes in community composition and richness of species. Because of these characteristics, this review aims at examining the main risks that ants have been facing to maintain their communities, as well as to report current conservation practices in Brazil and in the world.
RESUMO Comunidades de formigas são sensíveis à fragmentação e respondem por meio: da extinção de espécies especialistas comparadas com grandes habitats, invasão de espécies generalistas, mudanças na composição da comunidade e na riqueza de espécies. Por causa dessas características, esta revisão pretende descrever os principais riscos que as formigas têm enfrentado para manter suas comunidades, como também descrever práticas atuais no Brasil e no mundo.
RESUMO
We conducted ultrastructural studies to examine the presence of microorganisms in the midgut of the ant Odontomachus bauri (Ponerinae), as a contribution towards understanding the relationships between microorganisms and their hosts. The presence of microorganisms in this region, including inside the cells, suggests their participation in food digestion as symbiontic organisms and represent a new possibility to exploit food sources in the environment.
Assuntos
Formigas/microbiologia , Trato Gastrointestinal/microbiologia , Simbiose , Animais , Formigas/anatomia & histologia , Formigas/ultraestrutura , Trato Gastrointestinal/ultraestrutura , Microscopia Eletrônica de TransmissãoRESUMO
Given the physiological importance of the Malpighian tubules to homeostasis in ants, this study aimed to characterize the enzymology, histology, histochemistry, and ultramorphology of the Malpighian tubules of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus, and C. pusillus, as a contribution for the understanding of this organ, as well as to examine its role in the maintenance of symbiontic microorganisms in the ileum of these ants.
Assuntos
Formigas/microbiologia , Túbulos de Malpighi/microbiologia , Simbiose , Adenosina Trifosfatases/análise , Animais , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Túbulos de Malpighi/enzimologia , Túbulos de Malpighi/ultraestruturaRESUMO
In this study we histologically and histochemically describe the ventriculus of Dolichoderus bispinosus. The epithelium consists of two basic cell types, highly basophilic generative cells, and digestive cells. The latter present several cytoplasmic vesicles, rich in acidic and neutral polysaccharides, and basic proteins. Also, these cells exhibit an apocrine secretion pattern. A mass of fibrous material is observed on the surface of the epithelium. Finally, we discuss the results obtained.