RESUMO
Genetically modified plants can affect the biology of non-targeted organisms, and change the tritrofic relations in the agro-ecosystem. Bt cotton cultivars have led to changes in the biology of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and have influenced the population dynamics of this insect in the field. The objective of the present study was to assess some biological parameters of A. gossypii in genetically modified cotton NuOPAL (Bollgard I) and DeltaOPAL cultivars. The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions, at 25 ± 1º C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity, and a 12-hour photophase. The experiment was installed in a completely randomized design, with DeltaOPAL and NuOPAL (Bollgard I) cultivars considered treatments, and 40 replications. Leaf circles of 6 cm in diameter were placed into Petri dishes containing 1% solidified agar-water, and nymphs of up to one-day-old were placed individually on these circles. The evaluations were carried out on a daily basis, and the biological parameters evaluated were: duration of each nymph stage and total phase, duration of reproductive and post-reproductive periods, total nymphs/females, and longevity. The parameters of the fertility life table were also assessed. The duration of nymph states and nymph stages, duration of reproductive and post-reproductive periods, longevity, fertility and total number of nymphs per female did not present any significant differences. The genetically modified NuOPAL does not affect the biology of the cotton aphid A. gossypii.
Cultivares modificadas geneticamente podem afetar a biologia de organismos não-alvos e, com isso, modificar as relações tritróficas nos agroecossistemas. No caso de algodoeiro Bt, tem provocado alterações na biologia de Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) e influenciado a dinâmica populacional deste inseto no campo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar alguns aspectos biológicos do pulgão A. gossypii em folhas de cultivar de algodoeiro transgênico NuOPAL (Bollgard I) e de sua isolinha convencional DeltaOPAL. O experimento foi realizado em laboratório a 25 ± 1º C, umidade relativa de 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 12 horas. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pelos cultivares de algodoeiro, com 40 repetições cada, utilizando-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Cada parcela foi constituída por uma placa de Petri com tampa vazada e cobertas com voil, contendo solução ágar-água a 1% solidificada, sobre a qual foi disposto um disco foliar de 6 cm de diâmetro, onde ninfas de um dia de idade foram individualizadas. As placas foram vistoriadas duas vezes ao dia avaliando-se duração dos estádios ninfais, fase ninfal total, períodos reprodutivo e pós-reprodutivo, número total de ninfas/fêmea e longevidade. Com os dados biológicos foram elaboradas tabela de vida de fertilidade do pulgão em cada cultivar. A duração dos estádios imaturos, longevidade de fêmeas, aspectos reprodutivos e de fertilidade de A. gossypii não foram influenciados pelos cultivares de algodoeiro.
RESUMO
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) infection of wild native Brazilian psittacines (Psittaciformes) which died of any cause during sorting, rehabilitation, or conservation, was investigated by PCR. Two previously described PCR methodologies using Mg specific primers were employed for the analyses of 140 swab samples (cloaca, trachea, or palatine cleft). Average positive Mg detection in cloacal swabs was 51.9%, with 80.0% (n=5) of Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna), 60.0% (n=3) Dusky Parrots (Pionus fuscus), 52.5% (n=59) Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva), 50.0% (n=2) Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica), 50.0% (n=2) Jandaya Parakeetsor Jandaya Conures (Aratinga jandaya), 0% (n=2) Golden Conures or Golden Parakeets (Guarouba guarouba), and 0% (n=2) Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). Palatine cleft swab sampling was more sensitive to detect Mg, with 85.4% (n=17) detection rate, as compared to 67.4% (n=46) obtained with tracheal samples, and 53.5% (n=77) with cloacal swabs. The surprisingly high Mg incidence in psittacines kept in conservation or triage environments is possibly due to the proximity or cohabitation with several bird species during confinement and housing psittacines of different origins together. The implementation of biosecurity measures and species-specific facilities is recommended.
RESUMO
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) infection of wild native Brazilian psittacines (Psittaciformes) which died of any cause during sorting, rehabilitation, or conservation, was investigated by PCR. Two previously described PCR methodologies using Mg specific primers were employed for the analyses of 140 swab samples (cloaca, trachea, or palatine cleft). Average positive Mg detection in cloacal swabs was 51.9%, with 80.0% (n=5) of Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna), 60.0% (n=3) Dusky Parrots (Pionus fuscus), 52.5% (n=59) Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva), 50.0% (n=2) Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica), 50.0% (n=2) Jandaya Parakeetsor Jandaya Conures (Aratinga jandaya), 0% (n=2) Golden Conures or Golden Parakeets (Guarouba guarouba), and 0% (n=2) Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). Palatine cleft swab sampling was more sensitive to detect Mg, with 85.4% (n=17) detection rate, as compared to 67.4% (n=46) obtained with tracheal samples, and 53.5% (n=77) with cloacal swabs. The surprisingly high Mg incidence in psittacines kept in conservation or triage environments is possibly due to the proximity or cohabitation with several bird species during confinement and housing psittacines of different origins together. The implementation of biosecurity measures and species-specific facilities is recommended.