Austrodiplostomum spp. (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) are endoparasites with a broad geographic distribution in South America. During the larval stage, they parasitize the eyes, brains, muscles, gill, kidneys and swim bladder of a wide variety of fishes. The metacercariae of Austrodiplostomum spp. have several morphological characteristics during development, but are very similar among species, which makes it necessary to use molecular tools to contribute to the elucidation during the larval stage. The objective of this study was to perform morphological and molecular analyses of Austrodiplostomum sp. found in specimens of Hypostomus sourced from the Ivaí River in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Of the 93 analyzed specimens (H. hermanni [n = 50], H. albopunctatus [n = 9], Hypostomus sp. 1 [n = 24], and Hypostomus sp. 2 [n = 10]), 60 were parasitized. A total of 577 Austrodiplostomum sp. metacercariae was collected from the infected hosts; DNA from seven of these samples was extracted, amplified, and sequenced. The morphological data associated with the genetic distance values and the relationships observed in the COI gene tree, indicate that all metacercariae were A. compactum. This is the first record of A. compactum parasitizing H. hermanni, H. albopunctatus, Hypostomus sp. 1, and Hypostomus sp. 2 in the Ivaí River.

A citogenética humana conta com um conjunto de técnicas que permitem identificar os cromossomos e detectar anomalias como alterações numéricas, translocações, deleções, entre outras. A detecção dessas alterações pode levar ao diagnóstico de diversas doenças genéticas, descobrindo a causa de malformações congênitas, retardo mental, infertilidade, entre outros. Apesar de ser um exame essencial para o diagnóstico de diversas doenças, não há, na região de Maringá, qualquer estabelecimento que realize o procedimento via SUS. Dessa forma, este trabalho padronizou a técnica para obtenção de cariótipo para oferecimento gratuito através de um projeto de extensão. A técnica contou com um cultivo em meio RPMI 1640 enriquecido com soro bovino fetal e fitohemaglutinina. A obtenção de cromossomos metafásicos foi facilitada pela aplicação de colchicina, e os cromossomos foram corados por bandeamento G. O protocolo padronizado apresentou bons resultados, com alto número de células, várias delas em metáfase, e cromossomos bem corados, facilitando a análise microscópica.

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Poaceae has numerous species that are highly invasive thorough the planet. Urochloa, native to Africa, stands out in terms of invasion and impacts in South America. However, the correct identification of the species included in this genus is complex due to their morphological similarity with other species and there is a lack of studies involving the genetic variability of some species in Brazil, which is important for understanding the invasion mechanisms and planning control measures. In this study, we evaluated the genetic variability of the invasive exotic Poaceae Urochloa arrecta in different Brazilian regions, by using the nuclear marker ITS and the chloroplast marker trnL-trnF. The sequences obtained were compared with those available in GenBank (NCBI). The results indicated a low genetic differentiation among the sampled populations. Seven and ten distinct haplotypes were identified for ITS and trnL-trnF, respectively, and most specimens shared a single haplotype. These results indicate that a limited number of propagules were introduced in the invasive range and/or that this species reproduces mainly through asexual reproduction. This last possibility is suggested by the great regeneration and colonization rates of asexual propagules of this species. The data obtained are useful for understanding the invasion mechanisms of the group in the region.