Laís Barbosa Ribeiro

The Drosophilid family comprises over 4000 species, with several species posing potential threats to agriculture, as identified by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO). Among these species, Drosophila suzukii, Zaprionus tuberculatus and Z. indianus have received attention due to their geographic expansion and potential risks to crops. This research aims to consolidate global data on Z. tuberculatus hosts, with a specific focus on this species' presence in Brazil's Federal District, its first reported location in the Americas. Reviewing existing literature and conducting fieldwork, we identified 61 plant species from 25 botanical families as potential hosts for Z. tuberculatus worldwide, from which 23 species are new hosts. It was noted that Z. tuberculatus had a high density on certain fruits, raising concerns about its potential as a pest. The presence of Z. tuberculatus alongside other pest species, such as Z. indianus and Drosophila suzukii, highlights the complexity of invasive species' interactions and their ecological impacts. These findings emphasize the need for standardized methodologies to evaluate invasive drosophilids' ecological and economic implications, enabling informed management strategies to mitigate their adverse effects on agriculture and ecosystems.

Os conteúdos de Astronomia são ministrados no Ensino Fundamental Anos Finais na disciplina de Ciências, por profissionais formados em Licenciaturas Científicas, como Ciências Biológicas. Nesse contexto, a formação inicial desses docentes é questionada, mas investigações sobre o currículo desses cursos para o ensino de Astronomia são escassas. Com isso, o objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar os currículos dos cursos de Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas das Universidades Federais do Brasil em relação aos conteúdos de Astronomia. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo exploratório que utiliza como método a pesquisa documental, através da busca de palavras-chave relacionadas a Astronomia, nos Projetos Pedagógicos dos Cursos. As disciplinas e conteúdos de Astronomia encontrados foram classificados conforme a Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin. Foram analisadas 55 instituições do total de 61 Universidades Federais Brasileiras que possuem curso de Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas. Dessas, apenas 18 possuem conteúdos de Astronomia no currículo. Ao todo, foram encontradas 23 disciplinas, sendo que apenas quatro possuem a ementa composta exclusivamente por conteúdos de Astronomia. Por fim, o presente estudo corrobora a hipótese de que cursos de Biologia negligenciam os assuntos astronômicos e colabora com as discussões acerca da formação inicial de professores de Ciências para o ensino de Astronomia.

Although drosophilids have been extensively studied in laboratories worldwide, their ecology is still relatively poorly understood. This is unfortunate because some species are currently expanding their geographic distribution and infesting fruit crops. Here, we investigated the relationship between drosophilids and potential plant hosts in a commercial fruit and vegetable distribution center in the Neotropical region. We collected discarded fruits and vegetables from this commercial center during two time periods (2007–2008 and 2017–2018). Resources were weighted and individually monitored in the laboratory. The drosophilids that emerged were identified, and the relationship between them and their resources was explored. From the 99,478 kg of potential hosts collected, we identified 48 plant taxa, from which 48,894 drosophilids of 16 species emerged. On both collecting occasions, drosophilid assemblages were strongly dominated by basically the same exotic species, which explore a broader range of resources, especially those of exotic origin, when compared to neotropical drosophilids. These results are concerning because the studied site, Along with other urban markets around the world, might be acting as sources of generalist widespread species that disperse to surrounding natural vegetation and contribute to biotic homogenization.

Due to the increase in global transport in recent decades, species that flourish in human-altered environments are widening their geographical distribution. Consequently, endemic species are either declining or going to extinction. Here, we report the first occurrence of the Afrotropical fly Zaprionus tuberculatus Malloch in the Americas. This species has been recognized as invasive by the Invasive Species Compendium, and we argue that it will probably impact drosophilid communities. Our study was conducted on the natural and urban environments of the Brazilian Savanna, a biodiversity hotspot where drosophilid communities have been monitored since 1999. Z. tuberculatus was first collected in January 2020, at low abundances, in urban parks located in Brasília. In December 2020, we recorded it in a preserved area approximately 200 km away from the urban parks. From January to March 2021, we found the species in seven urban parks in Brasília and three natural reserves (conservation units) located around the city. The species’ relative abundance increased from 0.9% in 2020 (n = 11,244 drosophilids) to 17% in 2021 (n = 6,002 drosophilids). This is a rare opportunity to monitor a recent invasion event in a well-studied area. Based on the impact of Z. indianus Gupta, which invaded the Brazilian Savanna in 1999 and remained the dominant species during the rainy seasons, we fear that this new arrival will reduce the diversity of drosophilids in the Neotropics.