Despite the development of efficient boar semen extenders, there is still room for improvement of new formulas using new molecules that could increase fertilisation outcomes and substitute cryoprotectants and antibiotics. The goal of this work was to evaluate if the essential oils from the leaves of Myrrhinium atropurpureum and Cymbopogon citratus are suitable as additives in boar semen extender. The major compounds found in the essential oils from M. atropurpureum were 1,8-cineole (37.37%) and terpinolene (19.18%); and geranial (49.8%) and neral (33.24%) in essential oil of C. citratus. The addition of 1% and 0.1% of both essential oils to extended semen had immediate spermicidal effects (p < 0.05). Lower concentrations were tested and no cytotoxic effect was observed when M. atropurpureum essential oil was added at 0.001%. Differently, essential oil from C. citratus reduced sperm motility, membrane functionality and integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential even in concentrations as low as 0.001%. Also, addition of essential oils in low concentrations had no inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth. We conclude that the essential oils from C. citratus and M. atropurpureum, rich in monoterpenes, are cytotoxic to swine spermatozoa, therefore unsuitable as semen extender additives.

The dispersion of insects and mites can be favored by many factors, including the increasing circulation of plant materials. Special attention is needed to the eriophyoid mites, which have a greater potential as introduced species, due to their physical and biological characteristics. Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa) (Eriophyidae, Apple Rust Mite - ARM) is considered an important apple pest in several countries, being recently reported for the first time in Brazil. This study aimed to carry out a survey of the abundance and distribution of ARM in the Southern region of Brazil, in the cultivars Fuji, Gala and Eva, grown in the states of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC) and Paraná (PR). In addition, Moran's I autocorrelation was used as an analytical tool to assess the spatial dependence between the sample points. A total of 94 orchards were sampled in 19 municipalities, distributed in the three evaluated states. Regarding cultivars, there were 40 orchards of Fuji cultivar, 43 of Gala and 11 of Eva. At each one, 20 plants were selected, from which four leaves were collected, totaling 80 leaves/orchard. The screening and identification of the mites occurred at the Laboratório de Acarologia at the Universidade do Vale do Taquari – Univates, and the statistical analysis were made using generalized linear mixed models with subsequent paired analysis, using R-software. A total of 1,647 specimens of ARM were found in 66 orchards located in 17 municipalities, with an average number (mean ± standard deviation) of 24 ± 55 mites/orchard, 44 ± 83 in Fuji, 10 ± 19 in Gala and 17 ± 21 in Eva. The average number of mites differed between cultivars and states, with the lowest number in the cultivar Gala and in Rio Grande do Sul. No spatial autocorrelation was observed between the points, indicating that the dispersion of ARM in Southern Brazil has occurred at random, without a predefined pattern that would indicate a possible hotspot. The presence of this species serves as an alert for the apple production industry, regarding the distribution of a species previously not reported in the region. The recognition of the presence, abundance and distribution of this species will help in the monitoring and future management decisions, as well as the understanding of the distribution pattern.

The production of apples (Malus domestica: Rosaceae) in Brazil is concentrated in three states in the southern region of the country. This crop is of great economic importance for the region, and is usually susceptible to infestations of mite populations. However, recent surveys of mite species associated to apples are scarce. The aim of the present study was to fill this void by analyzing species abundance and composition on three apple cultivars in the southern region of Brazil. The survey was carried out in the states of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC), and Paraná (PR). A total of 94 apple orchards were evaluated (43 Gala, 40 Fuji and 11 Eva), in 19 municipalities. Twenty plants were sampled from each orchard in March 2019, with four leaves collected from each plant, thus totaling 80 leaves/orchard. Mites were screened and identified in the Laboratório de Acarologia of Universidade do Vale do Taquari - UNIVATES. Data were analyzed using the R software with mixed generalized linear models, non-metric multidimensional scaling, and PERMANOVA. A total of 4,909 mite specimens were identified, belonging to eight species and six genera, of which 1,833 were classified as phytophagous, 1,758 as predators, and 1,318 as generalists. The most abundant phytophagous species was Aculus schlechtendali (33.55%), followed by the predator Neoseiulus californicus (33.14%) and by the generalist Tarsonemus (Tarsonemus) sp. (23.99%). Abundance was similar between Eva and Fuji cultivars. However, these cultivars differed in composition, as did Eva and Gala. The mean number of mites found in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul was similar, although Paraná had a higher number. Species composition also differed among the three states evaluated. Considering the importance of the apple production in the southern region of Brazil, studies on species composition and abundance are important, aiming to monitor potential damage-causing organisms to the crop and associated predators.

RESUMOAs matas ciliares são fundamentais na proteção de mananciais hídricos. O estudo objetivou conhecer a estrutura da comunidade arbórea de uma faixa de mata ciliar do Rio Taquari, no município de Colinas, Rio Grande do Sul. A amostragem foi realizada através da distribuição de 18 unidades amostrais (UA's) de 100 m 2 , a cada 20 metros, formando um transecto paralelo ao rio. Nas UA's foram amostrados os indivíduos com circunferência do caule à altura do peito igual ou superior a 20 cm. Foram definidos os parâmetros de densidade, frequência e dominância, absolutas e relativas, e o índice de valor de importância (IVI). A diversidade foi estimada pelos índices de Shannon (H') e equabilidade de Pielou (J). Foram amostrados 415 indivíduos, 39 espécies e 21 famílias botânicas, sendo Fabaceae a família de maior riqueza. A densidade de indivíduos por hectare foi estimada foi 2.306 ind.ha -1 . Machaerium paraguariense Hassl. apresentou os maiores valores de densidade (367 ind.ha -1 ) e também de IVI (16,0). A diversidade florística estimada pelos índices de H' e J resultou em 3,09 nats.ind. -1 e 0,84, respectivamente. Apesar de ser constituído por uma estreita faixa de mata, o fragmento estudado encontra-se em bom estado de conservação, pois apresenta altos índices de diversidade e o registro de apenas duas espécies exóticas, ambas com baixo IVI.Palavras chaves: Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Taquari-Antas. Floresta de galeria. Florística. Formação ribeirinha. Fitossociologia. Mata ribeirinha. ABSTRACTThe riparian forests are fundamental for the protection of water springs. This study intended to investigate the community arboreal structure of a Taquari River riparian fragment, in Colinas, Rio Grande do Sul. The sample was done through the distribution of 18 sampling units of 100 m 2 , taken every 20 meters, forming a transect parallel to the river. In the units were sampled the individuals which had from the circumference of the stem to the height of the chest equal or higher than 20 cm. The parameters of density, frequency and dominance, absolute and relatives, and the index of importance value (IVI) were defined and the diversity was estimated for the Shannon (H') and equability of Pielou (J). 415 individuals, 39 species and 21 botanical families were sampled, being Fabaceae the family with higher wealth. The individuals density for hectare were estimated in 2.306 ind.ha -1 . Machaerium paraguariense Hassl showed the highest values of density (367 ind.ha -1 ) and also of IVI (16,0). The floristic

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