Restinga Areas Research Articles

Epiphytic orchids show specificity for phorophyte and strata on palm trees in a restinga area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Epiphytic orchids show specificity for phorophyte and strata on palm trees in a restinga area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

New record of Youngomyia pouteriae Maia, 2001 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) in Pouteria caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk. (Sapotaceae) in the Peruvian Amazon

We report for the first time cylindrical galls of Youngomyia pouteriae Maia, 2001 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on Pouteria caimito (Ruiz & Pav.) Radlk. (Sapotaceae) in Peru. Youngomyia pouteriae were exclusively found in the Atlantic Forest biome, in restinga areas of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. In this study, the geographic distribution of this galling species is extended to the western Amazon lowland rainforest in Peru.

Occupancy and detectability of a critically threatened lizard endemic from sandy coastal plains areas of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

AbstractLiolaemus lutzae is a small liolaemid lizard critically endangered and restricted to coastal restinga (salty sand dune habitats covered by herbaceous and shrubby vegetation by seaside) habitats of the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This lizard has been predicted to be extinct by 2080. We studied some of the environmental factors that influence occupancy by the species and detectability by the observer, in addition to investigating which populations remain occupying the areas along its original geographical distribution. We sampled 25 different beach habitats of restinga areas in the state, by 100‐meter replicates of linear transects. The estimated probability of occupancy was 69% (0.69 ± 0.05), and the estimated detectability was 50% (0.50 ± 0.03). The detection model with the best fit contained only the air temperature variable. Occupancy was best described by four variables: number of disturbance sources on the transect, vegetation cover in a 50‐meter buffer, exposed sand cover substrate in a 20‐meter buffer, and built‐up area cover in a 50‐meter buffer. No observations of L. lutzae were made in eight of the 25 restinga areas sampled along the original distribution of the lizard. In seven of these areas, the species had its populations extirpated many years ago, based on the 2007/2008 monitoring data. Conversely, in one area where the species was frequently observed during field surveys and different ecological studies on the species made in last decade, it was not recorded in the present study, indicating a possible recent population extirpation. We recommend that conservation measures be urgently implemented to mitigate anthropogenic impacts on the areas of the remaining populations of this lizard throughout its range, especially preserving the structure and functions of the remaining vegetation of beach habitat along restinga areas.

Monitoramento da qualidade ambiental de restingas no litoral do sul do Brasil utilizando imagens de alta resolução: uma ferramenta para gestão ambiental

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental quality of the Atlantic coast restinga, in south Brazil, using red, green and blue (RGB) drone images obtained in September of 2020 and 2021. The generated orthoimage was classified into different vegetation classes like herbaceous, shrubs and arboreal as well as other classes such as degraded and constructed areas. Classification was performed using the Random Forest algorithm, available from the Dzetsaka plugin for Quantum GIS. Of the total assessed area of restinga (289.17 ha), in 2020, 61.54% were conserved and 36.72% were degraded. In 2021 there was a decrease in conserved areas to 59.56%, and an increase in degraded areas to 38.85%. Regarding the sectors (1–8) evaluated in the two different years, sector 6 had the smallest preserved area of restinga (5.40 and 8.14 ha in 2020 and 2021, respectively), and sector 2 had the largest preservation area, with 44.07 ha in 2020 and 43.55 ha in 2021. Sectors 1,2,4, and 5 showed a reduction in conserved restinga areas (on average, 6.75%). An increase in conserved areas was observed in sectors 6 and 7 (on average, 20.4%) and in sector 8 (2%). These results show the potential of using images obtained by drone, in multi-temporal analyses of fragile areas such as restingas, helping with protection and conservation measures for these ecosystems.

Functional traits and water-transport strategies of woody species in an insular environment in a tropical forest.

Plants survive in habitats with limited resource availability and contrasting environments by responding to variation in environmental factors through morphophysiological traits related to species performance in different ecosystems. However, how different plant strategies influence the megadiversity of tropical species has remained a knowledge gap. We analyzed variations in 27 morphophysiological traits of leaves and secondary xylem in Erythroxylum pulchrum and Tapirira guianensis, which have the highest absolute dominance in these physiognomies and occur together in areas of restinga and dense ombrophilous forest to infer water-transport strategies of Atlantic Forest woody plants. The two species presented different sets of morphophysiological traits, strategies to avoid embolism and ensure water transport, in different phytophysiognomies. Tapirira guianensis showed possible adaptations influenced by phytophysiognomy, while E. pulchrum showed less variation in the set of characteristics between different phytophysiognomies. Our results provide essential tools to understand how the environment can modulate morphofunctional traits and how each species adjusts differently to adapt to different phytophysiognomies. In this sense, the results for these species reveal new species-specific responses in the tropical forest. Such knowledge is a prerequisite to predict future development of the most vulnerable forests as climate changes.

Reproductive maturity and sexual dimorphism of a population of Amerotyphlops brongersmianus from a Restinga area in southeastern Brazil (Serpentes: Typhlopidae).

Natural history data are important for a better understanding of distinct aspects of snake biology, and this information in scarce on Scolecophidia. Here we focus on sexual maturity and sexual dimorphism within a population of Amerotyphlops brongersmianus from the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The smallest sexually active male and female showed snout-vent length of 117.5 and 158.4 mm, respectively. Females had statistically significant larger body and head length sizes, whereas males had longer tails. Juveniles showed no sexual dimorphism for any analyzed feature. Secondary vitellogenic follicles had a more opaque, yellowish/darker aspect, being larger than 3.5 mm. We reinforce that in addition to traditional features for determining sexual maturity, morphological and histological characteristics of kidneys should be evaluated in males, as well as the morphology of the infundibulum in females. Histological data show development of seminiferous tubules and presence of spermatozoa in males, and infundibulum receptacles and uterine glands in females as a sign of sexual maturity. This type of information is essential for a more accurate description of data on sexual maturity, allowing access to information on the development of reproductive structures that are not available macroscopically.

The environmental gradient influences the concentrations of carbon compounds in the biomass of Protium icicariba (DC.) Marchand in restinga area

The environmental gradient influences the concentrations of carbon compounds in the biomass of Protium icicariba (DC.) Marchand in restinga area

Melissopalynology in Brazilian restinga areas, a mini review

A restinga is an ecosystem of the Atlantic Forest biome that occurs along the Brazilian coastal plains. The restinga areas studied here occur in the states of Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, Alagoas, Paraíba and Maranhão. Honey, bee pollen, propolis and geopropolis produced by Apis mellifera and native stingless bees are characterised through the pollen morphology of bee plants. The main nectariferous sources in honey samples are Schinus terebinthifolia, Euterpe edulis and Syagrus romanzoffiana in São Paulo state; Burseraceae and Myrtaceae in Bahia state; Copaifera, Humiria balsamifera and mangrove plants in Maranhão state. The main polliniferous sources are Myrtaceae and Solanaceae in bee pollen samples in Santa Catarina state and Myrcia as monofloral samples in Rio de Janeiro state; Astrocaryum aculeatissimum is predominant and Cocos nucifera is always present in Bahia state. In propolis samples of Rio de Janeiro state Eucalyptus and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia are the most common pollen types; in Bahia state were Mimosa sensitiva and Cocos nucifera; Borreria, Cocos nucifera and Mimosa sensitiva in Alagoas state; Borreria and Symphonia globulifera in Paraíba state. Geopropolis samples from Maranhão state are strongly heterogeneous. Trees and shrubs in the resting areas considered here dominate over herbaceous plants and are predominant in the use by both Apis and native stingless bees. The wide presence of Eugenia catharinae pollen in the southern region samples, of Schinus terebinthifolia pollen in the south-eastern region, and of Avicennia, Cocos, Copaifera and Humiria pollen in samples of the north-eastern region are highlighted.

Diversity and distribution of Lentibulariaceae in Bahia state, Brazil: implications for phytogeography and conservation

Bahia state harbours an immense diversity of plant species with several cases of endemism, especially in the savanna wetlands, typical ecosystems where most Lentibulariaceae representatives occur. In this context, we aimed to improve the characterization of these savanna wetlands in terms of species richness of Lentibulariaceae, their phytogeographic patterns, endemism, forms of rarity, threats to their habitats, and conservation efforts. Herein we present the synopsis of the 42 species of Lentibulariaceae that occur in Bahia state, providing short diagnostic characterization, photographs of living specimens, updated geographic distribution displayed in maps, new records, and discussion concerning phytogeographic patterns, endemism, rarity, habitat characterization and current scenario of threats and conservation. Our results show a disjunct distribution and similarity in Lentibulariaceae species composition between savanna wetlands, corroborating previous hypotheses of vegetation connections during moister climatic conditions in the past. Moreover, differences in species composition among different restinga areas are consistent with biogeographical and paleomodelling studies pointing the São Francisco River as a geographic barrier influencing speciation and genetic diversity. Finally, we emphasize the situation of abandonment in some Protected Areas, lacking proper infrastructure, managers, management plans and board, and insufficient results for the effective conservation and protection of the environment and species.

Two new species of Neocarus (Acari: Opilioacaridae) from Piauí and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with remarks on integument and seta shape as characters

Two new opilioacarid species from Northeast and Southeast of Brazil are described. Neocarus setilatus sp. nov. from a gallery forest in Piauí and Neocarus marambaia sp. nov. from a restinga area in Rio de Janeiro. Both species have the similar starshaped integument character and smaller, broader setae. We discuss the importance of these characters with systematic value and present an updated taxonomic key for the genus Neocarus.

FRUIT AND SEED MORPHOLOGY, AND GERMINATION OF Quesnelia quesneliana (BRONGNIART) L.B. SMITH

ABSTRACT Bromeliad Quesnelia quesneliana (Brongniart) L.B. Smith has been reported in the Atlantic Forest, Rainforest, Mesophilic Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, Mangroves and Restingas in the Brazilian southeastern states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, but information about their fruit and seed morphology, and germination is limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the external morphology of fruit and seeds, germination rate and post-seminal stages of Q. quesneliana. Fruits were collected from Restinga area in the Armação dos Búzios city, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The width and length of fruit and seeds (external morphology) were measured, the post-seminal development of the seeds was analyzed and botanical illustrations were made. The indexes t50, uniformity of germination, mean germination time and germination speed coefficient were also calculated. Germination was assessed for 20 days by counting individuals to obtain the post-seminal stages. Ripe Q. quesneliana fruits are pyriform, reddish-brown in color, with light spots, 26 mm long and 10 mm wide, with an average of 148 seeds per fruit and wrapped in a transparent mucilage. The seeds are 2 mm long and 1 mm wide, with epigeal germination, and its seedlings are cryptocotyledonary. The seeds of this species germinate quickly and have no dormancy.

Influência da Luminosidade nos Atributos Funcionais em Quesnelia quesneliana (Brongn.) L.B.Sm

ABSTRACT Quesnelia quesneliana is an endemic species from Brazil with restricted distribution in restinga areas and has been suffering from changes in its habitat. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of light on the morpho-anatomy and pigment content of Q. quesneliana. The samples were collected in the Liberdade neighborhood in São Mateus, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, which is impacted by anthropization. The influence of light was tested comparing individuals completely exposed to it and individuals under shade. For a morphobiometric analysis, 150 individuals were measured for each light condition, and for pigment determination, 10 leaves were used for each light condition. For anatomical analysis, samples were fixed in 50% FAA and transferred to 70 % ethanol solution after 48 hours. Cross sections were made on roots and stems, and transverse and paradermal sections on leaves. It was concluded that individuals exposed to light are smaller, with higher carotenoid content, while shaded individuals are larger, with more succulent and darker leaves due to greater accumulation of chlorophyll. Anatomically, the individual’s structure is similar.

Angiosperm checklist and conservation of one the richest restingas in southeastern Brazil

Abstract The Paulo César Vinha State Park (PEPCV), an important conservation unit in the state of Espírito Santo, has one of the richest angiosperm communities of any restinga area in Brazil, making it a priority area for biodiversity conservation. In this study, we perform an inventory of the PEPCV flora through an exploratory collection over the park area and compilation of data from botanical collections available in virtual herbaria. A total of 634 species were listed, distributed into 367 genera and 111 families of angiosperms, representing 43.75% of the species documented in the restingas of Espírito Santo. The richest families were Fabaceae (54 spp.), Cyperaceae (40 spp.), Orchidaceae (40 spp.), Myrtaceae (36 spp.), and Poaceae (30 spp.). Six species were recorded for the first time in the park, ten are endemic to the Espírito Santo, and about 10% of the species are threatened with extinction. We provide data on the habit, species distribution in phytophysiognomies, and endangered species. Finally, we discussed the importance of broad knowledge about the park’s plants, exposing points to conserve specific areas with high antopic rate, and plans to preserve the biodiversity of this ecosystem.

Bee Diversity Associated with Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae) in an Peri-Urban Patch of “Restinga”

The Restinga is one of the physiognomies of the Atlantic Forest biome with the highest degree of anthropic impact, mainly due to disordered urbanization. The impacts generate habitat loss and threaten the animals and plants that inhabit this ecosystem. In the Restinga, the psammophilous vegetation have an important role in stabilizing the sandy substrate and maintaining the pollinator community. In this study, we analyzed the floral resources offered by Canavalia rosea to floral visitors between October 2019 and September 2020, in the Municipal Natural Park of Barreto’s Restinga, in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sampling was carried out from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, covering a 250-meter transect in the sandy cord, counting the total number of open flowers and collecting visiting bees. The morphology of C. rosea flowers was described to relate to the functional traits of visitors, related to pollen and nectar collection. The pollen load of visitors was analyzed to estimate the degree of specialization in relation to C. rosea. A total of 192 individuals of 14 bee species were captured. There was a significant relationship between the availability of floral resources, measured by the number of open flowers and the richness and abundance of bees. The greatest richness of bees was observed between January and March and the greatest abundance in January. The most frequent visiting genera in C. rosea were Eufriesea, Centris and Xylocopa. The greatest richness of pollen types was observed in Eufriesea species. Most Xylocopa individuals showed C. rosea pollen. In this study, the importance of C. rosea as a source of floral resources for fourteen species of solitary bees was demonstrated. The data generated increases the knowledge about the ecological patterns of C. rosea and its floral visitors and may contribute to the maintenance and expansion of Restinga areas in urban environments.

Survival, seedlings growth and natural regeneration in areas under ecological restoration in a sandy coastal plain (restinga) of southeastern Brazil

AbstractRestinga is an ecosystem associated mainly with the Atlantic Forest that can be defined as vegetation of the coastal plain established on sandy soil. This study was carried out in degraded areas of restinga in a Conservation Unit in São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2012, a restoration project was initiated in the area, with implementation of plantings in hexagonal rings and artificial perches. Seedlings were planted in two contrasting situations: sandbanks (dry areas) and depression zones (areas prone to seasonal flooding). The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of seedlings planted in both areas and accompany natural regeneration. We hypothesised that species planted and recruited in depressions should have better survival rates and increments in height (H) and diameter at the ground level (DGL) than the ones planted in sandbanks. Monitoring of planted seedlings was carried out in November 2016. Both communities had similar mortality (c. 50%). Greater increments in H were found for Inga laurina and Schinus terebinthifolia in depressions. Higher increments in DGL were observed especially for I. laurina, Inga vera and S. terebinthifolia with good performance in both areas. In general, seedlings planted in depressions showed greater performances, which can be related to higher water and nutrient availability. The most abundant natural regenerant species were Scoparia dulcis in sandbanks and S. terebinthifolia in depressions. A high number of regenerants was found associated with artificial perches, especially Cynophalla flexuosa, which demonstrates that the technique facilitated regeneration in the area.

Bats in a restinga area in Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil

There is little known about the bats of the Brazilian restinga as most studies have concentrated on the country’s south and southeast regions. In Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil, the only study previously carried out registered 17 species in different restinga habitats. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the bat community in a restinga area in Sergipe and update the list of species that occur in the area. The study was carried out in the Caju Private Natural Heritage Reserve, on the south coast of the state of Sergipe. Monthly campaigns were carried out from October 2016 to September 2017 over two consecutive nights and alternating between two sites to capture the bats. We captured Bats using 10 mist nets that remained open between 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. We determined the abundance and trophic guilds of the captured species. In addition, we obtained the occurrence frequency degree through the Constancy Index. We captured 457 individuals distributed over 13 species and two families, where three species represented a new record for the locality. The family Phyllostomidae was the richest and most abundant. Most species were frugivorous (61.5%). According to the Constancy Index, only four species were considered common. Using Jackknife 1 estimator, we estimated 14.83 species for the area, indicating that the richness obtained in this study corresponds to 87.6% of this estimate. This study resulted in an 17.6% increase in bat richness known for the area. The high representativeness of the Phyllostomidae family may be related to the capture method used. The predominance of frugivores bats in this study may be associated with the presence of many fruit trees in the area. The low occurrence of species considered common is often reported and can be explained by the species’ trophic specializations and by the sampling methods. Considering the scarcity of studies in restinga areas in Northeastern Brazil, this work becomes important for the knowledge of the bats in this environment, especially for Sergipe.

Topological structure of a tritrophic network composed of host plants, gall‐inducing insects and parasitoids in a restinga area in Brazil

AbstractPlants, insect herbivores and parasitoids can form tritrophic networks that are species rich and complex in interactions. In the present study, we describe the network structure of an assemblage composed of host plants, cecidomyiid gall midges and hymenopteran parasitoids in a restinga in Brazil. We used data collected between 1992 and 2011 to build plant‐galling and galling‐parasitoid networks. In total we recorded 44 species of host plants, 79 species of gall midges and 70 taxa of parasitoids. The network of host plants and gall midges was very specialized, being characterized by 79 distinct interactions, low connectance, low linkage density and high modularity. This specialized pattern is because all species of gall midges have been monophages. In contrast, galling‐parasitoid interactions were more numerous (203 distinct interactions) and were more connected, and less modular than expected based on the null model. The occurrence of generalist parasitoids (i.e. 35.7% of parasitoid species occurring on two or more hosts) is the main factor that explains this lower specialization in the galling‐parasitoid network when compared to the plant‐galling network. Our findings corroborate previous studies indicating high specialization for the interactions of gall midges with their plants but indicate a slightly smaller specialization of the parasitoids in relation to the gall midge species.

Bromeliad habitat regulates the richness of associated terrestrial and aquatic fauna

AbstractBromeliads harbour a great diversity of fauna species. The epiphytic habit of bromeliads is subject to higher temperatures and higher incidence of light than is the epigeic habit, so we expected individuals of the Vriesea neoglutinosa species to differ in terms of the composition, richness and abundance of their fauna associated with different bromeliad habits. We carried out a study in a restinga area on Marambaia Island, Brazil. We collected 32 bromeliads, of which 16 were epigeic and 16 were epiphytic, and found a total of 1125 individual animals of 88 morphospecies. Arthropods stood out in the sample, among which 68.2% were insects. Aquatic fauna was richer in epigeic bromeliads, and terrestrial fauna was richer in epiphytic bromeliads. As expected, species composition was different for aquatic and terrestrial fauna. The heterogeneity of the restinga environment and differences in the development stages of the fauna may be factors that influence its composition. Both bromeliad habits sustain fauna with several trophic guilds that compose a complex food web and depend on the bromeliad environment. As different habits lead to different fauna types, both epigeic and epiphytic bromeliads play a role in the maintenance of local biodiversity and are important for macrofauna conservation in restingas.

Nest Structure, Seasonality and Female Behavior of Epicharis (Anepicharis) dejeanii Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini) in a Restinga Ecosystem, in Southern Brazil

We investigated the nesting behavior of females of Epicharis dejeanii and the architecture of their nests, in a large aggregation in a Restinga area, on Ilha do Superagui, southern Brazil. Surveys were carried out intermittently through the warm-wet seasons from different years between 2013 and 2017. The nest aggregation occupied an area of approximately 2,000 m2 and was situated on a sand bank and on flat sandy soil. Each nest consisted of a long unbranched tunnel, averaging 1.45 ± 0.35 m (N = 8), connected to a single brood cell with a mean length of 3.13 ± 0.2 cm (N = 13) and mean diameter of 1.2 ± 0.1 cm (N = 11). On average, females carried out 4.0 ± 2.4 foraging trips per day (N = 109) to collect floral resources for provisioning brood cells. Similar times were spent by females in their foraging trips for: only pollen (15.8 ± 14.3 min, N = 72), oil (22.5 ± 15.7 min, N = 45), or both resources (17.0 ± 15.1, N = 63). Our findings reveal that some variation in both nesting architecture and female behavior of E. dejeanii during nesting activities can occur in different locations from the same region.

Richness and community structure of sand dunes (restinga) in Santa Catarina: subsidies for ecological restoration

The coast of Balneario Piçarras city (Santa Catarina) is being constantly degraded by human action. This study aimed to characterize the richness and vegetation structure of two areas of herbaceous restinga (preserved and degraded) of the coastal plain of this city. The flora was mapped by using the patrolling method. Identification was done by comparative morphology and specialized bibliography. The phytosociology was based on the plot method with allocation oriented parallel to the coast line. There were 48 species, 44 genera and 22 families identified. Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Poaceae are the richest families. The H’ index was 3.9 in the preserved area and 2.1 in the degraded area. The community structure was represented by eight and 16 species in the degraded and preserved areas, respectively. In degraded areas, species as Spartina ciliata, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Sphagneticola trilobata and Paspalum vaginatum have the greater importance of coverage, structuring the community. In the preserved area, the organization structure of the community is given by Canavalia rosea, Remirea maritima, Stenotaphrum secundatum, Spartina ciliata and Acicarpha spathulata species. These species are considered pioneers and with a great potential of fixing dunes, which reflects their importance to the achievement of a future restoration work of the damaged area of the restinga in question.