Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Tomada de decisão de controle da traça-do-tomateiro através de armadilhas com feromônio sexual Decision making for integrated pest management of the South American tomato pinworm based on sexual pheromone traps

Visou-se estabelecer a relação entre a infestação da traça-do-tomateiro, Tuta absoluta, na planta e adultos capturados em armadilhas com feromônio sexual e a produtividade, para avaliar a influência da infestação na produção da cultura do tomate e aperfeiçoar a tomada de decisão de controle pela densidade de adultos. Armadilhas com feromônio sexual foram instaladas e avaliadas duas vezes por semana, em três áreas de cultivo comercial de tomateiro em São Paulo (Mogi-Guaçu, Tambaú e Sorocaba), em sistema estaqueado, divididas em áreas experimentais com cerca de 18.000 plantas cada (1,5 ha). Nas mesmas datas foi avaliada a infestação de pragas nas plantas, estendendo-se até o término da colheita. A produtividade foi definida pelo total de caixas (24 kg) comercializadas/1.000 plantas. A relação entre a produção da cultura do tomate e a infestação de T. absoluta na planta ou nas armadilhas com feromônio foi expressa por uma equação linear e negativa. A ocorrência de adultos nas armadilhas e a infestação da praga em plantas foram relacionados significativamente com a redução da produtividade. O nível de controle de T. absoluta através do monitoramento com feromônio sexual foi de 45 &plusmn; 19,50 insetos/dia na armadilha.<br>The relationship between the productivity and the infestation of Tuta absoluta on tomato plants and adults caught in sexual pheromone traps was established to evaluate the effect of pest infestation on yield losses as well as on adults' density for decision-making improvement. Sexual pheromone traps were installed in three commercial fields of tomato in São Paulo State, Brazil (Mogi Guaçu, Tambaú and Sorocaba counties) with experimental plots of 18,000 plants each (1.5 ha). The presence of insects in the traps as well as the infestation on plants were evaluated twice a week on the same dates. The evaluations took place until harvesting. The productivity was expressed as marketable boxes of 24 kg/1000 plants. The relationship between tomato production and pest infestation on plants or pheromone traps was linear and negative. The adults' occurrence on traps and plant infestation showed an influence on yield losses. The action level of T. absoluta with sexual pheromone traps was 45 &plusmn; 19.50 insects daily

Studies of selected biological parameters of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under natural conditions

This study was conducted in summer-winter 2012 to determine the longevity, fecundity and developmental period of each stage of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under natural conditions in Canakkale province, Turkey. During the tomato growing season, T. absoluta completed 5 generations. The generation time changed according to temperature. Longevity was recorded as 3.37-6.14 days in males and 7.7-9.75 days in females. The fecundity was 75.5-138.4 eggs. Developmental period of the eggs ranged between 3.72 and 10.54 days. The larval developmental period was 12.82-26.7 days and the pupal developmental period ranged from 7.52 to 20.62 days. The total number of eggs per female for each generation varied between 31 and 186 and the females laid 68-72% of their eggs in the first five days. Degree days per generation changed between 461.02 DD and 470.94 DD. Biological properties of the pest changed in each generation. In this study, the biological parameters of T. absoluta were determined and this data can be used as an important step towards developing successful Integrated Pest Management strategies.Scientific Research Projects Committee of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey [BAP 2012/16]Financial support from the Scientific Research Projects Committee (Project: BAP 2012/16) of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey is gratefully acknowledged

Biological, environmental and socioeconomic threats to citrus lime production

Limes as a fruit crop are of great economic importance, key to Asian and South American cuisines and cultivated in nearlyall tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Demand for limes is increasing, driven by World Health Organizationrecommendations. Pests and pathogens have significantly reduced global productivity, while changes in agronomictechniques aim to alleviate this stress. We present here a holistic examination of the major biotic (pests and pathogens) andabiotic (environment and socioeconomic) factors that presently limit global production of lime. The major producers oflimes are India, China and Mexico, while loss of lime production in the United States from 2006 has led many countries inthe Western Hemisphere (Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil) to export primarily to the USA. The most widespread inver-tebrate pests of lime areToxoptera citricidaandScirtothrips citri. Another insect,Diaphorina citri, vectors both Huan-glongbing (HLB) and Witches Broom of Lime, which are particularly destructive diseases. Developing agronomictechniques focus on production of resistant and pathogen-free planting materials and control of insect vectors. HLB infectscitrus in nearly all growing regions, and has been particularly devastating in Asian citrus. Meanwhile,Citrus tristeza virushas infected over 100 million citrus trees, mainly in the Americas and Mediterranean. Currently, Witches Broom Disease ofLime is localised to the Middle East, but recently it has been detected in South America. The range of its vectors (D. citriandHishimonus phycitis) further raises concerns about the potential spread of this disease. Abiotic threats to limeproduction are also a significant concern; key areas of lime production such as Mexico, India and the Middle East sufferfrom increasing water stress and high soil salinity, which combined with invasive pests and pathogens, may eliminate limeproduction in these areas. To ensure future security in lime production, policy makers, researchers and growers will need toexamine the potential of more resistant lime cultivars and establish novel areas of cultivation