No abstract

Tardigrades are microscopic animals, commonly referred to as “water bears”, and comprise the phylum Tardigrada. They are found in diverse habitats in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments worldwide. In this paper, it is presented a brief history of the study of tardigrades in Brazil and an updated species checklist of Brazilian tardigrades. Since the first report in 1913, the number of tardigrades records has increased, reflecting advances in the understanding the diversity of tardigrades in Brazil. A total of 100 species known from Brazil are listed, being 30 in marine and 70 in terrestrial and freshwater environments. The records are concentrated in Southeast (47.1%) and Northeast (41.3%) regions. Despite the advances, further research and sampling of new areas is still needed, besides reanalysis and confirmation of old records. Brazil, with its vast territory, extensive continental shelf and great diversity of biomes, has great potential to expand our knowledge of tardigrades fauna.

Fungal peritonitis is frequent on peritoneal dialysis, with rare cases by Exophiala dermatitidis . A 25-month-old female admitted to the pediatric ICU with acute renal failure was submitted to peritoneal dialysis. After 10 days patient presented fever. Peritoneal fluid culture showed yeast colonies molecularly identified as E. dermatitidis . Patient was treated with voriconazole and hemodialysis. The literature was reviewed. Disseminated infections are frequently fatal, but appropriate diagnose and therapeutic led to cure in this case.

The routine use of DNA sequencing techniques and phylogenetic analysis has resulted in the discovery of many cryptic species, especially in the oceans. The common, globally introduced species Styela canopus is suspected to be a complex of cryptic species because of its widespread distribution and variable external morphology. We tested this possibility using COI and ANT marker sequences to uncover the phylogenetic relationship among 19 populations, and to examine genetic variability as well as gene flow. We obtained 271 COI and 67 ANT sequences and found surprising diversity among the 19 populations (COI: π = 0.18, hd = 0.99; ANT: π = 0.13, hd = 0.95). Corresponding topologies were found using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood for both simple locus (COI) and multilocus (COI + ANT) analyses and so the clades received strong support. We used simple (ABGD, bPTP, GMYC) and multiple (BSD) locus methods to delimit species. The simple locus methods indicated that the current Styela canopus comprises at least 15 species. The BSD method for concatenated data supported 7 of the 15 species. We suggest that S. canopus should be treated as the Styela canopus complex. The large number of cryptic species found, often with more than one clade found in sympatry, creates opportunities for better understanding reproductive isolation, hybridisation or speciation. As several lineages have already been introduced widely around the world, we must quickly understand their diversity and invasive abilities.

Dipl-251 26/01/12 Formalin Atlantic Brazil ES Guarapari Naufrágio 20°41'23"S 40°23'24"W Gamba, G. A. Dipl-182 28/03/17 Formalin Atlantic Brazil ES Guarapari Escalvada face norte 20°41'55.3"S 40°24'20.8"W Rocha, R.M, Paiva, S. V. Dipl-184 28/03/17 Formalin Atlantic Brazil ES Guarapari Escalvada face norte 20°41'55.3"S 40°24'20.8"W Rocha, R.M, Paiva, S. V. Dipl-061 12/02/11 Formalin Atlantic Brazil ES Guarapari Ilha Escalvada 20º42'00"S 40º24'30''W Gamba, G.A.