Atlantic Forest Biome Research Articles

Intranest mutualisms between the forest fire ant Solenopsis virulens (Fr. Smith) (Hymenoptera; Formicidae) and two families of Hemiptera (Membracidae, Monophlebidae) in Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Hemipterans and ants are frequently recorded in trophobiotic associations, generally mutualism. Nests of the fire-ant Solenopsis virulens (Smith) found at the base of trees in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil, were investigated for their commensal fauna. The present study provides new information about the mutualism between the fire-ant with hemipterans Membracidae and Monophlebidae found in their nests, this report is the first mention of this kind of relationships in South America. Such associations are very common between ants and treehoppers but have seldom been reported with the family Monophlebidae.

Effects of root hemiparasite Escobedia grandiflora (Orobanchaceae) on southern Brazilian grasslands: Diversity, composition, and functional groups

AbstractAimsEscobedia grandiflora is a root hemiparasite from Central and South America, and its orange roots are used as a phytomedicine and food coloring. Since root hemiparasites from South America have not been extensively investigated, here, in the first study conducted on a Latin American root hemiparasite species, we investigated how Escobedia grandiflora affects the structure and diversity of plant communities in four locations in southern Brazil, all belonging to the Atlantic Forest biome. Specifically, we asked if the presence of the hemiparasite would: (a) affect plant species composition; (b) influence the plant diversity; and (c) influence the percentage cover of dominant plant species.LocationSouthern Brazil.MethodsWe conducted a paired‐quadrat, i.e., with and without hemiparasite, observational study in four locations in southern Brazil. For each quadrat, species composition and percentage of the vegetative cover of each species were visually evaluated.ResultsSpecies composition differed between quadrats with and without Escobedia grandiflora. Quadrats with Escobedia grandiflora showed higher species richness, Shannon´s diversity, and Pielou’s evenness. These results varied also among functional groups. Furthermore, the percentage of dominant species decreased in the presence of Escobedia grandiflora.ConclusionsThere is a clear association between the neotropical root hemiparasite Escobedia grandiflora and the grassland plant community structure. Higher plant diversity, dominance reduction, and changes in species composition are associated with the presence of this perennial hemiparasite. These findings were consistent among four grasslands with markedly different physiognomies. However, future manipulative experiments are necessary to fully disentangle the cause–effect relation between higher plant diversity and the presence of Escobedia grandiflora.

Novelties in central Amazonian microcaddisflies: Three new species of Ochrotrichia Mosely (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae).

Ochrotrichia Mosely is the most species-rich group of microcaddisflies in the Neotropical Region. However, knowledge about this genus in Brazil is still limited; only 11 species are known, distributed in the Atlantic Forest (9), Caatinga (3), and Amazon (1) biomes. In this paper, three new species of Ochrotrichia are described and illustrated based on adult males collected in the Ducke Forest Reserve, a protected area administered by the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA), located in central Amazonia, Brazil. Ochrotrichia belodes sp. nov., O. buenosoria sp. nov. and O. ducke sp. nov. can be recognized mainly by the morphology of tergum X and the inferior appendages. Based on their simple, elongate tergum X, all new species are assigned to the Ochrotrichia xena Group.

Smicridea McLachlan (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from mountain ranges in Bahia state, Brazil: new species and male-female associations

ABSTRACT Smicridea McLachlan comprises 253 species divided into two subgenera: Smicridea and Rhyacophylax Müller. Smicridea (Smicridea) comprises species with males possessing two pairs of internal glands in abdominal segments VI and VII and hind legs bearing two pairs of spurs. Among species of this subgenus, those assigned to the Smicridea (Smicridea) fasciatella species group are characterized by a simple tubular phallus, presenting an apex with eversible sclerites. The aim of this paper is to describe and illustrate two new species in the S. (Smicridea) fasciatella species group and the female of Smicridea (Smicridea) capao Vilarino, Dias & Calor, 2019. Fieldwork was carried out in mountain ranges located in Bahia State, northeastern Brazil, both in the Atlantic Forest biome (Serra Bonita Reserve) and in the Caatinga biome (Chapada Diamantina Complex, Parque Municipal de Mucugê). Smicridea (Smicridea) kamakan sp. nov. and Smicridea (Smicridea) serrati sp. nov. can be recognized mainly by the morphology of tergum X and the inferior appendages. In addition, two couples of S. (Smicridea) capao were collected and resulted in the direct association of males and females; the female has a very conspicuous, oval sclerite VIII, with the apex constricted in the anterior portion, in ventral view. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CF8BAE97-7D6B-4460-8A9D-35BBBACF2BE0

Medium-sized and large mammals of the Floresta da Cicuta Area of Relevant Ecological Interest, a protected area in southeastern Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world and has been severely degraded and fragmented, with the extirpation of most medium-sized and large vertebrates from the forest remnants. Here we present the results of a survey of medium-sized and large mammals in an area of protected seasonal semideciduous forest, the Floresta da Cicuta Area of Relevant Ecological Interest (ARIE-FC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, part the Atlantic Forest biome. We used camera traps (2,257 camera days) and direct observations over a 23-month period. We recorded 19 species (including two domestic species), seven of which are classified as at-risk, such as Leopardus guttulus (Hensel, 1872), Sylvilagus tapetillus Thomas, 1913, Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940, and Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815). A diverse terrestrial mammal assemblage in the ARIE-FC reinforces the importance of small forest fragments for the conservation of biodiversity in human-modified landscapes of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Historical Ecology in Brazil: A Systematic Mapping of Scientific Articles (1998–2021)

Historical Ecology is a multidisciplinary field that studies long-term relationships between humanity and the environment. There is a missing synthesis effort to organize and present the state of the scholarship in Historical Ecology in Brazil. We aimed to characterize by whom, when, where, what, and how research in Historical Ecology has been conducted in Brazil. We made a systematic mapping of 118 scientific articles published in Portuguese, Spanish, and English that fit our inclusion criteria. The results showed articles from 1998 to May 2021, published in 79 different journals. We found 264 national and international authors (60% men and 40%women); 91% of all investigations were carried out in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes. There are few works about Cerrado, Caatinga, and Pampa, and none for Pantanal. The most mentioned keywords were historical ecology, Amazon, forest, and archaeology. Twenty-three articles focused on a particular species, primarily plants; 37% of all articles used Historical Ecology as its central axis of research, and 63% as auxiliary. We found more than 35 methodological procedures, both from the social and natural sciences. This overview revealed achievements, research gaps, and opportunities in this field.

Tick infestation on birds in an urban Atlantic Forest fragment in north-eastern Brazil.

Birds are important hosts for various tick species, playing a significant role in their biological life cycle and dispersion. In this study, we investigated tick infestations on birds trapped in an urban remnant of Atlantic Forest in Pernambuco state, Brazil. From February 2015 to March 2017, 541 birds belonging to 52 species were trapped with mist nets and examined for ectoparasites. Birds trapped in the late successional forest were significantly more infested than birds trapped in the early successional forest. In the same way, ectoparasite infestation varied significantly according to bird weight and collection plot. Overall, 198 birds (36.6%) belonging to 27 species were parasitized by ectoparasites (i.e., ticks, lice and/or mites). Ectoparasites were effectively collected from 111 birds, of which 99 belonging to 20 species were infested by ticks (n = 261), namely, Amblyomma longirostre (13 nymphs), Amblyomma nodosum (21 nymphs), Amblyomma varium (one nymph), and Amblyomma spp. (five nymphs and 221 larvae). Most of the ticks (> 90%) were collected from Passeriformes. This study provides the second record of A. varium in Pernambuco state and confirms that birds, especially Passeriformes, are important hosts for larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma spp. in the Atlantic Forest biome of Pernambuco.

Two new species and a new species group of Mycodrosophila Oldenberg, 1914 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from the Amazon.

There are 130 described species in the genus Mycodrosophila Oldenberg, 1914, distributed across all biogeographic regions. Most of these species show essential mycophagy. Currently, ten species are known from the Neotropical Region, nine of which are found in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Pampa biomes of Brazil. In this study, we describe the adult external morphology and structures of male and/or female terminalia for two new species from the Amazon Biome of Brazil. In addition, we propose a new species group, the Mycodrosophila neoprojectans group, encompassing the two new species described here, together with three previously described species from the Neotropics.

Phenotypic and genomic differences between biomes of the South America marsh rat,Holochilus brasiliensis

AbstractAbiotic factors can influence genetic and phenotypic divergence in several ways, and identifying the mechanisms responsible for generating this variation is challenging. However, when evaluated in combination, ecological characteristics and genetic and phenotypic information can help us to understand how habitat preferences can influence morphological and genetic patterns exhibited by taxa distributed between distinct biomes, such as the Atlantic Forest and Pampas biomes in South America. By combining distributional, environmental, phenotypic and genomic information from a habitat-specialist semi-aquatic rodent (Holochilus brasiliensis), we quantified the relationship between ecological niche differences and the phenotypic and genetic variation. The results demonstrate notable segregation among the ecological niches of H. brasiliensis within each biome, although we could not refute the hypothesis of niche similarity or equivalency. Such differences are consistent with a solid morphometric variation associated with the size of these rodents. However, the ecological and morphometric differentiation is not accompanied by the same pattern of genetic variation. Despite differences in the connectivity patterns in both biomes, the genetic differences corroborate a consistent level of migration history between biomes. Additionally, the association tests show that the environment explains a small and non- significant part of the genetic variation but a significant portion of the morphometric variation.

ENVIRONMENTAL FRAGILITY PROVIDED BY SOILS OF A PLATEAU EDGE OF SOUTH BRAZIL, ON ATLANTIC FOREST BIOME

Plateau areas have been considered with high land-use capacity in the Brazilian Meridional Plateau Edge of South Brazil. These areas belong Atlantic Forest biome, the second most extinction threatened ecoregion in the world, and weak knowledge about the environment leads to intensive use and degradation. We aimed to identify soil fragility and land-use capacity and limitation of the Brazilian Meridional Plateau Edge, in South Brazil, by the soil properties. Soil morphology, steady-state water infiltration, and physical and chemical properties at 0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m layers were evaluated at 57 sampling points in a grid of 20 x 20 m. Although under a small elevation slope, these areas have high soils and their properties variability, which implies high natural fragility. Unlike the soils and properties expected by farmers and scientists, naturally fragile soils (Leptosols, Regosols) with only patches of developed soils (Cambisols, Alisols, Planosols/Gleysols) predominate in these areas. The proper land-use and management of the soil and its landscapes depend on a detailed knowledge of the soil. Because, considering only the expected soil and environment capacity without the evaluation obtained with this study, the soils were intensively used and degraded.

Serosurvey of anti-Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum antibodies in hunting dogs and hunters in Brazil.

Background and Aim:Although wild boar hunting activities and the hunting dog trade in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes of Brazil overlap both with endemic and with non-endemic areas for visceral leishmaniasis, no study to date has focused on Leishmania spp. exposure among hunting dogs and hunters. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of Leishmania spp. antibodies in hunting dogs and hunters in different anthropized areas of two Brazilian biomes.Materials and Methods:Blood samples were collected from 170 hunting dogs and 46 hunters between October 2016 and May 2018. The presence of antibodies against Leishmania spp. in hunting dogs was screened through a dual-path platform immunochromatographic test (DPP rapid test; Bio-Manguinhos/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and in hunters through an rK39-based rapid immunochromatographic test. Both tests were used in accordance with Brazilian Ministry of Health recommendations.Results:Overall, although antibodies were detected through the immunochromatographic test in 3/170 (0.02%) of these female asymptomatic hunting dogs, all living in anthropized areas of the Atlantic Forest biome in South Brazil, no sample was confirmed through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All the hunters were non-reactive in the rapid immunochromatographic test.Conclusion:Our study on three suspicious hunting dogs has suggested that Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum may circulate both in endemic and non-endemic areas in Brazil. In addition, a high rate of hunting dog replacement due to death and trade may have led to less chance of infection and transmission between animals and between animals and humans, which would corroborate the outcomes reported here. Further studies should be conducted to fully establish whether hunting dogs and hunters may be used as sentinels in other areas endemic for Leishmania spp.

Multivariate analysis of factors influencing the peak flow and runoff volume in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes in Brazil.

This study evaluates the influence of physiographic characteristics on the peak flow to runoff volume ratio in watersheds belonging to the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes, in the Center-South region of Brazil. Specifically, the peak flow and runoff volume values obtained in the outlet section are related to the physiographic characteristics of the watersheds. Using a geographic information system tool, 13 watersheds are delimited, and 38 variables are selected from each watershed. A recursive digital filter is used to separate the direct (surface) flow from base (groundwater) flow. Data are analyzed using multivariate statistics, which allows interpretation of the structure of a data set from the respective correlation matrices. The results indicate that the peak flow and runoff volume are strongly correlated with the physical characteristics of the watersheds and the types of anthropogenic activity in both biomes. Furthermore, the presence of woods and forests reduces the peak flow and runoff volume.

MAPPING THE RISK OF FOREST FIRES IN THE RIO PRETO NATIONAL FOREST IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST

The Atlantic Forest biome is annually exposed to forest fires that damage thousands of hectares of forest, promote the formation of forest fragments, the destruction of biodiversity, soil compaction, runoff and silting of water bodies. Thus, the prediction and suppression of fire outbreaks are important to minimize the damage caused by fire. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze and model the risk of forest fires occurring in the Rio Preto National Forest and its buffer zone using the Fuzzy artificial intelligence technique. To do so, the land use and occupation, proximity to roads, slope and relief orientation variables were used to compose the model. Thus, the influence of each variable on burning episodes was determined with the aid of geographic information systems (GIS), as well as the spatial distribution of each of the risk classes (very low, low, moderate and high). a historical series of fires between the years 2010 and 2020 was used to perform a comparative analysis of the model. The results showed that the study area does not present worrisome risks regarding the occurrence of fires, since it is mostly covered by very low and low risk classes. Thus, it can be concluded that the application of Fuzzy modeling enables evaluating the spatial distribution of fire risk classes for the protected area areas, for which the proposed comparative analysis indicated the model’s effectiveness.

Semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Gerromorpha) from Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil

Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is the southernmost state in Brazil and includes areas within the Pampa and Atlantic Forest biomes. The semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Gerromorpha) from RS are poorly known, with only 14 previously recorded species. We carried out two expeditions in this state, in 2002 and 2019, across 19 municipalities. Here, we provide new records for 19 species, of which 13 are recorded for the first time from the state, five have their distributions expanded, and one is recorded again from a same locality previously reported in the literature. Furthermore, 13 species were collected for the first time in the Pampa biome and one in the Atlantic Forest.

Use of physiological attributes to select native forest species for forest restoration in the southern Atlantic forest biome, Brazil

In subtropical regions, the selection of species for restoration is conducted as a part of phytosociological studies. This may be complemented by physiological characterization of the species in response to light. The objectives of this study were to identify the physiological attributes performance of native forest species that are conducive to restoration and to identify groups of species for planting in altered areas, under different light intensities south of the Atlantic Forest biome, in Brazil. Seedlings of 12 native species were cultivated in the nursery in full sun and shade, and the net CO2 assimilation rate (A), water use efficiency (WUE), and quantum yield potential of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) were determined for these seedlings. Cluster analysis allowed the differentiation of these species into three groups (Cl-I, Cl-II, and Cl-III) based on the similarity of physiological attributes. In Cl-I, we identified species with an A of 7 μmol CO2 m−2·s−1 and high Fv/Fm values when plants were growing in the shade. The Cl-II group had the highest A (≅12 μmol CO2 m−2·s−1) and WUE. The Cl-III group demonstrated an A of ≅ 5 μmol CO2 m−2·s−1 when the species was growing in full sun or under shade. The results demonstrate that forest species exhibit differences in terms of their A values in response to exposure to varying light intensities (that is, shade or full sun). The analysis of eco-physiological characteristics is fundamental in identifying the most suitable species for planting in forest restoration; this allows for adequate planning of recovery projects. Citharexylum montevidensis, Inga marginata, and Luehea divaricata are the species that were used for initial planting in full sun, which may complement the low density of Ceiba speciosa and Inga vera. For enrichment conditions in the southern Atlantic Forest biome, Cedrela fissilis, Handroanthus heptaphyllus, Vitex megapotamica, Ocotea puberula, Casearia sylvestris, Aspidosperma olivaceum, and Cupania vernalis are considered most appropriate for restoration.

Anthropogenic Dispersal of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in the Americas: A Plausible Hypothesis

There are several gaps in our knowledge on the origin and spread ofLeishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, an etiological agent of cutaneous and mucocutaneous or American tegumentary leishmaniasis, to different biomes, hosts, and vectors, with important epidemiological implications, including the possible existence of an anthroponotic component. Historical, biological, and epidemiological evidence suggests thatLeishmania (V.) braziliensisand its variants were preexistent in Amazonia with great genetic variability, where they dispersed with less variability to other regions (clonal expansion). During pre-Columbian times the parasite may have been transported by migrating humans and probably also their dogs, from western Amazonia to the high inter-Andean valleys and from there to other regions of South America. The same thing could have happened later, in the same way, when it spread to non-Amazonian regions of Brazil and other countries of South and Central America, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the so-called Rubber Boom and construction of the Madeira-Mamoré Railway in the Brazilian Amazon, by migrant workers who later returned to their places of origin, transporting the agent. The parasite’s dispersal in genetic correlated clusters, involving unexpectedly distinct ecosystems in Brazil (Amazonian, Cerrado, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes), has continued until the present through human displacement. The infection of certain species of domestic, synanthropic and even wild animals, could be secondary to anthropogenic introduction ofL. (V.) braziliensisin new environments. We admit the same phenomena happening in the probable transference ofLeishmania infantum(visceral leishmaniasis), and of Yersinia pestis (plague) from the Old world to the New world, generating domestic and wild enzotic cycles from these agents. These assumptions associated with human infections, chronicity and parasite persistence with possibility of recovery ofLeishmaniain peripheral blood, skin and scars of cured or asymptomatic patients, (that may provide an alternative blood meal), along with the sand flies’ adaptation to the peri-domicile and the high susceptibility of domestic dogs, horses, mules and cats to the parasite, can reinforce the evidence of anthropogenic spread ofL. (V.) braziliensis.

Middle Holocene marine and land-tetrapod biodiversity recovered from Galeão shell mound, Guanabara Bay, Brazil

Pristine environmental conditions and wide biodiversity are the best evidence of pre-colonial times, before anthropic interference in the Anthropocene. The Galeão shell mound represents the main example of an insular archaeological site located in the context of the Guanabara Bay in the Middle Holocene. The faunal remains from this shell mound were identified through comparative anatomy, to access the ichthyofauna and also amphibian, reptile and mammal paleodiversity. The diagnostic elements revealed the presence of predominantly demersal teleost fish, typical inhabitants of estuarine and marine systems, along with the usual species inhabiting rocky shores and rocky bottoms. Additionally, it revealed an exceptional diversity of sharks, including the presence of pelagic taxa, as well as stingrays. The local wildlife consists of species commonly found in swampy, mangrove, Brazilian restinga and Atlantic forest biomes. This study shows widely practiced fishery and hunting by the Amerindian using the resources of the Guanabara Bay and indicates specific targets during the Middle Holocene. Degradation of coastal environments and/or overfishing threaten the local biodiversity, with species now absent and some with statuses which go from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

Bryophytes of Rio Turvo State Park (SP), Brazil: integrating floristics, geographical distribution, reproduction and ecological traits to support the conservation of an Atlantic Forest fragment

Rio Turvo State Park (RTSP) is a Conservation Unit located within the Atlantic Forest biome in the Vale do Ribeira region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Considering the lack of knowledge regarding its bryoflora, we performed a floristic inventory of RTSP (following the random-walk method), the results of which we report here including discussion of the geographical distribution (Brazil and worldwide), substrate colonization, life forms and reproduction of the species. We found a total of 414 species, which represents 30 % of all known bryophyte species in Brazil. Dioicous species were predominant over monoicous species, the most colonized substrate was tree trunk (40 % of all species) and the predominant life form was mat (47 %), indicating that the floristic composition is influenced by the environmental conditions of the area (high humidity, dense vegetation and shading). Although anthropogenic intervention is present in RTSP, it harbors huge biodiverse potential, since 22 % of the species are rare. Furthermore, 16 new occurrences were recorded for the State of São Paulo. The information provided by this study exalts the importance of this Conservation Unit in the preservation of bryophytes, as well as all the biodiversity of its included ecosystems.

In vitro antiplasmodial activity, targeted LC-MS metabolite profiling, and identification of major natural products in the bioactive extracts of Palicourea and Psychotria species from the Amazonia and Atlantic Forest biomes, Brazil.

A great variety of bioactive natural products has been reported for different Palicourea and Psychotria species (Rubiaceae). However, few of them as well as few of species of these botanical genera have been evaluated for antiplasmodial activity. To assess the antiplasmodial activity of 24 extracts from Palicourea and Psychotria genera, along with the targeted LC-MS metabolite profiling, as well as identification of the main metabolites in the bioactive extracts. Twenty four ethanol and acid-base extracts from Palicourea and Psychotria genera collected in the Amazonia and Atlantic Forest, Brazil, were evaluated against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain by PfLDH. The metabolite profiling and putative identification of metabolites from bioactive extracts were determined by LC-DAD-ESI-MS and LC-HRMS, respectively. The ethanol extracts disclosed low antiplasmodial activity (% GI < 50%). High antiplasmodial effect was observed for the acid-base extracts from Psychotria apoda and Psychotria colorata with 100% inhibition of parasite growth inhibition. Fragment ions related to pyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids were observed by LC-DAD-ESI-MS mainly in the most bioactive extracts. The results of the in vitro screening associated with the LC-DAD-ESI-MS and LC-HRMSn data allowed to predict, for the first time, the pyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids as possible antiplasmodial representing, then, new potential natural antimalarial hits. In addition, other metabolite classes such as flavanones, lignans and chalcones were also putatively identified in the bioactive extracts of Psychotria apoda, Psychotria capitata, and Psychotria poeppigiana. The present results point to Palicourea and Psychotria species as sources of new antimalarial hits.

Machine learning models applied to TSS estimation in a reservoir using multispectral sensor onboard to RPA

Water quality monitoring is fundamental for the maintenance and conservation of water resources. However, the conventional monitoring method, which uses point sampling, does not adequately represent the spatial variability of its parameters, besides being costly. As a result, remote sensing techniques with the use of orbital sensors have been applied to map some water quality parameters, mainly the Optically Active Components (OACs), such as the Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM). However, the monitoring of small reservoirs with orbital sensors always presents limitations, such as spectral and spatial problems or time resolution issues, combined with the fact that the sensors are subject to atmospheric disturbances and clouds. Seeking to overcome these issues, the present work aimed to develop a system for monitoring the concentration of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in reservoirs, based on multispectral sensors onboard a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). A MicaSense RedEdge multispectral sensor was used, which has five bands in the blue, green, red-edge, and infrared (NIR) spectrum bands. Four campaigns were carried out in two water reservoirs within the Atlantic Forest biome at different seasons of the year. The data were submitted to five machine learning algorithms: the Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine Radial Sigma (SVM-RS), Enhanced Adaptive Regression Through Hinges (EARTH), Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and Cubist algorithms. The results demonstrated that the SVM-RS model was the best adapted to the data patterns (r2 = 0.87), while the RF, EARTH, MLR, and Cubist models presented limitations that hinder their use in the estimation of TSS in reservoirs. This study demonstrated that the use of a multispectral sensor onboard an RPA has high accuracy in estimating TSS in small reservoirs and that machine learning algorithms can generalize the TSS data well.