Multi-User Equipment approved in the Grant FAPESP 2014/08458-9. Stereo microscope of high resolutions Hirox

Abstract

Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses (BTV) are known since early XXth century, but detailed knowledge about them only became available in the last 15 years. Great efforts were made especially on the most economically important among BTV, the Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) which resulted in the understanding of its molecular nature, relationship with the host plants and the vector and its epidemiology. Consequently, a rapid and precise method for virus detection and more efficient and economical management of these viruses were developed. One important finding about BTV was that there are at least two distinct types of BTV: the cytoplasmic (BTV-C) and nuclear type (BTV-N) and that these viruses cause consistently only localized infection, without becoming systemic in the infected plant. It became also clear the existence of numerous plant species, naturally infected by BTV. However, these advances brought up new challenges, as to understand the level of diversity of these BTV-C and BTV-N, and also to understand the taxonomy and diversity of Brevipalpus populations, the mechanisms of virus transmission, management of the mite by biological control, etc. This project intends to solve some of these questions, through an integrated action, with the participation of a group of researchers of different specialities, from several institutions, expecting to give an additional and significative advance on the knowledge of this important and peculiar group of plant viruses. The equipment, to be purchased, is a innovative stereoscopic microscope, unique of its kind. It permits the observation of specimens (living or not) from very low (10-20x) to extremely high magnifications (ca. 7.000x), with digitalized image and movie recording. It permits, p.ex., the visualization of the solenidium at the end of the tarsos (leg) of the mite in vivo. The Brazilian representative of Hirox, dpUnion, has specialized personnel to assure the maintenace of this microscope.In the presente Project it will be used for:a. Behavior of the predator mites (subproject 7).b. Observation of anatomical details of Brevipalpus mites(subprojects 3 and 4)C. Behavior analysis of Brevipalpus mites (feeding mating, egg laying, etc.) (subprojects 3 and 4).The Japanese company Hirox is the sole maker of this type of instrument.Since this stereomicroscope will be part of the NAP/MEPA facility, it will be available to the scientific community of Esalq and other research institutes. NAP/MEPA will train the new users and will manage its use as well as its maintenance. (AU)