Atlantic Forest Of Northeast Brazil Research Articles

Laternea triscapa, an enigmatic stinkhorn from the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil

A specimen of Laternea was found in the Barra do Rio Mamanguape Environmental Protected Area, Paraíba, Brazil. The basidioma is composed of four vertical arms joined at the apex, and it presents a pendant glebifer below the junction. It is described here as an authentic specimen of L. triscapa from Northeast Brazil, with photographs and drawings of the basidioma and microstructures, and discussion of the names attributed to the genus.

Floral visitors of the muricizeiro Byrsonima verbascifolia (L.) rich in the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil

The muric tree (Byrsonima verbascifolia (L.) Rich) is a native fruit plant used by humans for various purposes, from edible fruits to the medicinal uses of its leaves, bark, and fruits. Bees are the main pollinators of wild and cultivated plants, and without pollination, there is no formation of fruits and seeds, so floral visitors perform ecosystem services in exchange for pollen, nectar, and oil. Muricizeiro offers pollen and oils to its floral visitors, which attracts several species of native bees to its inflorescences, mainly Centris and Epicharis bees, specialists in oil collection. Thus, the presence of muric trees close to the planting area can contribute to the pollination of the cultivated plants. The objective of this study was to survey floral visitors to muricizeiro in São Cristóvão. The work was carried out in the Emília Maria settlement in São Cristóvão, Sergipe, where the floral visiting bees of muricizeiro were captured with an entomological net, for ten days, in the morning and afternoon. Twelve bee species belonging to the Apidae and Halictidae families were collected, with the most abundant species being Euglossa chalybeata (38.41%) and Eulaema nigrita (25.42%). The presence of Eulaema nigrita is related to environmental changes during the implementation of agriculture. The specimens were deposited in the entomological collection of the IFS/Campus São Cristóvão.

Ecology of Phrynops geoffroanus and Mesoclemmys tuberculata (Testudines: Chelidae) in Climatically Distinct Areas of the Semi-Arid Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil

Ecology of Phrynops geoffroanus and Mesoclemmys tuberculata (Testudines: Chelidae) in Climatically Distinct Areas of the Semi-Arid Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil

Non-negligible role of dead organic matter in a rainforest remnant in Northeast Brazil

Abstract Dead organic matter represents an essential reservoir of carbon, especially that allocated in standing dead trees, coarse woody debris, and fine litter, playing a pivotal role in nutrient cycling and habitat provisioning. However, necromass is frequently disregarded in forest assessments. Here, we aimed to perform the first assessment of multiple necromass compartments in the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil, providing a basis for future integrative studies related to necromass in this region. We registered 17 standing dead trees in 0.5 hectare and 239 logs of coarse woody debris. Necromass had 3.9 Mg.ha-1 of standing dead trees, 54.24 Mg.ha-1 of coarse woody debris and 7.2 Mg.ha-1 of litter. We indicate that standing dead trees and coarse debris were mostly in the intermediate and final stages of decomposition. Leaves were the dominant component of litter, and drier months had more litterfall. Finally, we highlight that assessing standing dead trees and coarse woody debris adds 25.6% on top of aboveground tree mass, improving information about organic matter storage in rainforest ecosystems. Our findings emphasize that the necromass compartment must be considered in forest assessments, also including small pieces of coarse woody debris, which could inform better practices of forest management.

Free-living birds from Caatinga and Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil as hosts of Enterobacterales, Mycoplasma spp., and Chlamydia psittaci

Free-living birds from Caatinga and Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil as hosts of Enterobacterales, Mycoplasma spp., and Chlamydia psittaci

Carbon in forest species of the Atlantic Forest as an indicator of stocks and quality

The objective is to quantify the carbon content (C) of the reservoirs of plant biomass of different species in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil. Ten species of high absolute density were selected. We sampled biomass from the leaf and wood compartments of each species to determine the C content. There was a difference in leaf C levels between species. The C content in leaves of species varied between 451.4 and 456.7 g kg-1. The C content of the wood of species varied between 451.7 and 456.8 g kg-1. The group formed by the families Burseraceae, Moraceae, and Sapotaceae showed higher average levels of C in leaves. The Burseraceae family had the highest average C content in the species' wood. The use of a pre-established carbon content (500 g kg-1) may generate inconsistent estimates higher than the real values for the species and families in an Atlantic Forest environment. We suggest that C stock estimates use specific levels for species and/or families, contributing to a more realistic estimate of C storage patterns in the shoot biomass of Atlantic Forest species.Keywords: Carbon concentration; Carbon sequestration; Tropical Rainforest.

New species of Hassalstrongylus (Trichostrongyloidea: Heligmonellidae) in the large-headed rice rat Hylaeamys seuanezi, in the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil.

A new species of Trichostrongyloidea (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae), Hassalstrongylus lauroi n. sp., is described from specimens collected from the small intestine of the rodent Hylaeamys seuanezi in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil (Igrapiúna, state of Bahia). The genus Hassalstrongylus includes 17 species, which parasitize rodents occurring in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. It differs from the genus Stilestrongylus through its smaller number of ridges in the synlophe and through the size of the genital cone. The main taxonomic characteristics of this new species are the subsymmetrical caudal bursa of type 2-2-1, ray 8 branching out at the base of the dorsal trunk, right lobe smaller than the left, and rays 4 and 5 of robust nature. In addition, the ornamental ray 5 and the robustness of ray 4 on the male caudal bursa, along with the modification of the ridges of the posterior end of the female, allow us to consider the specimens found to be a new species.

Description of a new species of Corixidea from Brazil (Heteroptera: Dipsocoromorpha: Schizopteridae)

ABSTRACT The minute litter bug genus Corixidea Reuter, 1891 currently comprises nine valid American species. Herein, we describe Corixidea quaresmai sp. nov. from one of the last remaining remnants of Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil. The new species is characterized by the distal extension of the anophoric process parallel and close to the left lateral margin of the tergites, and the elongated process of tergum 8, with a pectinate distal half and a filiform tip. We provide diagnosis, images of habitus and male genitalia.

Anurofauna of a remnant of Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil

Studies on spatial occupation are fundamental to understand amphibian communities. The aim of this study was to record information on the spatial distribution of anurans in the Tejipió forest, state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out weekly between October 2011 and April 2012, with daytime and night-time excursions for time-constrained active searching, in forested and open areas, military construction area and water bodies. Pitfall traps and accidental sightings were also used as alternative collection methods. Data were used to calculate richness, rarefaction curves and richness estimators. A total of 21 species were recorded, distributed in six families: Bufonidae (2 spp.); Craugastoridae (1 sp.); Hylidae (8 spp.); Leptodactylidae (8 spp.); Microhylidae (1 sp.) and Phyllomedusidae (1 sp.). Only the speciesRhinella jimiwas found occupying all sampled habitats in the research area.Adenomera hylaedactylaandPristimantis ramagiideserve special care in the area because they are specialists, occupying a smaller number of habitats and microhabitats. The community of anurans of the Tejipió forest is similar to those recorded in other areas of the Atlantic Forest at the Pernambuco State, and its knowledge is essential as a basis for conservation of the area. The gradual recovery of this Atlantic Forest remnant would favor the recolonization of fauna and flora and the conservation of local biodiversity.

Fruiting and quality attributes of cambui (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg in the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil

Cambuizeiro is a fruit native to the Atlantic Forest biome that has potential for ornamental use and for human consumption, either raw or processed, due to the organoleptic characteristics of its fruits. Accordingly, the study objective was to evaluate the fruiting periods and quality attributes of two types of cambuizeiros, differentiated by fruit color. The plants studied were from a natural population from the Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros Experimental Station, in the municipality of Itaporanga d’Ajuda, state of Sergipe, Brazil. A total of 20 plants, 14 with orange and six with purple fruit, seven days after anthesis (DAA), were evaluated weekly during fruiting. After harvest, the fruits were evaluated for weight, length, width, number of seeds, pH, soluble solids (SS), total titratable acidity (TTA) and vitamin C content. There was heterogeneity in the ripening of the two cambuizeiro types. The highest peak of ripening occurred at 63 DAA (83.2% of orange and 68.3% of purple fruits). The purple fruits had superior physical attributes. However, the pulp of the orange colored fruits had a higher TTA content. Both types of fruits have potential characteristics for commercial exploration and use.

Nest, eggs and nestling description of the Silvery-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula luctuosa (Pelzeln, 1868) in the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil

In the present study, we describe the nest, eggs, and nestlings of the Silvery-flanked Antwren, Myrmotherula luctuosa. One nest was found on 08 May 2017 on the edge of one of the forest fragments of the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, in the state of Sergipe, northeast Brazil, and was monitored until 21 May 2017. The nest, presented the following dimensions: external height: 7.6 cm; outside diameter: 21 × 19 cm; internal diameter: 13.3 × 11 cm; depth of the oologic chamber: 4.7 cm; and height in relation to the ground: 84 cm. The two eggs found in the nest were white with reddish-brown dots, patches and stripes and weighed 1.7 and 1.5 g. Incubation was performed by both the male and female, as well as feeding of the nestlings. A single egg hatched, giving rise to a 3.9 cm, 3.7 g nestling. According to our estimates, the young fledged with about 11 days. This is the first study to present information about the reproductive biology of the Silvery-flanked Antwren.

Effect of habitat loss and fragmentation on fruit-feeding butterflies in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Habitat loss and fragmentation have drastically altered the availability and quality of tropical forest habitats, but information on how such changes influence local biodiversity is still insufficient. Here, we examine the effects of both patch and landscape metrics on fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages in a fragmented landscape of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Our study was carried out in three habitat types: eight fragments (ranging from 8 to 126 ha), eight areas of forest edge (50 m from forest border), and eight areas of forest interior (>200 m from forest border) of the largest remnant (3500 ha) of the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil. Our results demonstrated that fragment area is negatively correlated with observed and estimated richness and abundance of butterflies, whereas habitat type is correlated with estimated richness and abundance of butterflies. Species composition responded to habitat type, fragment area, and distance between sample units. These findings illustrated (i) fruit-feeding butterfly sensitivity to habitat loss and fragmentation, (ii) that species composition and abundance are adequate parameters to access the responses of fruit-feeding butterflies to habitat loss and fragmentation, and (iii) the relevance of a heterogeneous and connected landscape for conservation of butterflies, where small fragments are important for generalist or open-habitat specialists and large remnants are key for disturbance-sensitive and threatened taxa.

Genetic diversity in forest populations from conservation units in the Atlantic Rainforest in northeast Brazil

Fragmentation leads to changes in the size and dynamics of forest populations. Studies of genetic diversity support strategies for preserving the genetic resources, and the data to date for the Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil is scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Protium heptaphyllum (Burseraceae) tree species in three populations. We sampled 64 individuals in this study, for which seven primers used generated 90 loci, with 93% being polymorphic. The average number of alleles was 1.59, the effective number of alleles was 1.34, Nei’s genetic diversity was 0.20, and the Shannon index was 0.30. AMOVA indicated higher genetic variation among individuals within populations than among populations. Bayesian analysis revealed the existence of two distinct genetic groups, in which the MAC (Macaiba) population was the most differentiated. Genetic bottleneck tests indicated that all populations presented significant reductions in the population size. In situ conservation strategies must be adequately maintained considering the current isolation of studied populations, the genetic bottleneck, and the low average genetic diversity detected. Also, further recovery of degraded areas in the vicinity and ex situ conservation are recommended.

Comparison of aquatic hyphomycetes communities between lotic and lentic environments in the Atlantic rain forest of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil

Riparian forests are important to aquatic ecosystems and produce large quantities of organic matter that are recycled by the microbial community that includes microscopic fungi. The aim of this study was to unveil and compare the diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes associated to submerged leaf litter of tropical lotic and lentic environments in the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil. Six sampling events were carried out in six points of two study areas: Biological Reserve “Mata da Chuva” (MC) and Environmental Protection Area “Lagoa da Mata” (LM), in Pernambuco, Brazil. Twenty three taxa of hyphomycetes were identified resulting in 87 occurrences. In the lake LM, 13 taxa of hyphomycetes were identified with 34 occurrences and in the MC (stream), 20 taxa with 53 occurrences. Ten species were common to both areas. Diversity indices and fungal biomass (ergosterol) were mostly higher in the lotic system. The fungal community analysis did not show any structure regarding sampling periods or sampling points within an area, however the two areas are different. Although the turbulence of the water is considered important for the development of these aquatic fungi, it is possible to find a diverse community of hyphomycetes and considerable fungal biomass in the lentic environment.

Phylogenetic signal in leaf-cutting ant diet in the fragmented Atlantic rain forest

AbstractLeaf-cutting ants are dominant herbivores in Neotropical rain forests, and their colony densities increase in disturbed habitats such as forest edges. However, while it is well-established that leaf-cutting ants profit from changes to the food-plant community, the phylogenetic dimension of this ant–plant interaction remains poorly understood in fragmented forests. We studied diet composition of Atta cephalotes in the edge and interior of Atlantic forest in north-east Brazil (8°30′S, 35°50′W). We applied phylogenetic signal analysis to investigate the diet across plant lineages and performed phylogenetic generalized linear models to analyse the diet in both habitats. We found a phylogenetic signal in diet and in leaf mechanical resistance, which means that A. cephalotes selects closely related food plants with less resistant leaves. Most preferred species belong to Malpighiales, Rubiaceae and Melastomataceae. We also found that irrespective of phylogeny, ants select food plants with less resistant leaves, both in edge and interior. However, ants choose more abundant plants only in edges. High abundance of optimal diet facilitates foraging in forest edges and explains why colony densities increase in disturbed habitats. Finally, by favouring or disfavouring specific clades, leaf-cutting ants contribute to changes in the phylogenetic structure of tropical rain forests, e.g. phylogenetic impoverishment.

Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on the Knowledge and Consumption of Firewood in the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil

We aim to evaluate whether socioeconomic factors influence the knowledge, use, preference, and consumption of firewood in a rural community in Northeast Brazil. We conducted semi-structured interviews with heads of households to obtain socioeconomic data and measured daily consumption of firewood using in situ inventories during two distinct periods of the year. We performed GLM analyses to determine if the socioeconomic variables influence the knowledge, use, preference, and consumption of firewood per capita, per residence, and for the community over daily, monthly, and annual periods. The interviewees cited a total of 87 ethnospecies as known, 47 as used, and 29 as preferred for firewood. Age was the only variable that influenced species richness, whereas wood consumption was influenced by income, schooling, and number of residents. Although there is uniformity within the community in relation to cognitive aspects of richness known, used, and preferred, the consumption of firewood was influenced by socioeconomic factors.

Spatio-temporal variation and the use of host body surface by ectoparasites of the chelonians Phrynops geoffroanus and Mesoclemmys tuberculata in areas of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil.

Ectoparasites such as hematophagous leeches and monogeneans are common in chelonians, occupying different parts of the body. Thus, the present study aimed to identify and describe the fauna of ectoparasites that infest Phrynops geoffroanus and Mesoclemmys tuberculata to evaluate the effect of host conditions and seasonality (dry and rainy season) on the abundance and composition of ectoparasites. We verified the presence of ectoparasites in 73.2% of the examined turtles, with four species of leeches belonging to Glossiphoniidae, Haementeria brasiliensis sensu Cordero, 1937, Helobdella cf. adiastola, Haementeria sp1., and Haementeria sp2., and one monogenean Polystomatidae, Polystomoides brasiliensis. For both chelonians, we observed a significant difference in the abundance of ectoparasites in relation to sex, biome, and season, which was unrelated to length and mass. Leeches were more frequent in the cavities of the hind limbs in P. geoffroanus, and the anterior limbs of M. tuberculata. The general spatial niche overlap of ectoparasites was high, except for that of the monogenean P. brasiliensis, which did not overlap with those of other leech species. The present study is the first report of the presence of H. brasiliensis and P. brasiliensis parasitizing M. tuberculata, and Helobdella cf. adiastola in a phoretic relationship with P. geoffroanus and M. tuberculata. Finally, the differences in infestation levels may reflect ecological factors, differences in behavioral patterns of the hosts, and different anthropic alterations suffered in the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes.

Phylogenetic Placement of New Species with Fused Calyx Reveals Homoplastic Character in Eugenia (Myrtaceae)

Abstract—The hyper-diverse Eugenia with ca. 1050 species currently includes Calycorectes, which fits the morphological delimitation of the latter except its calyx lobes are fused in the bud and tear at anthesis. Previous phylogenetic reconstruction demonstrates a single evolutionary event of calyx fusion in Eugenia. A new species, Eugenia petaloidea, found in remnants of submontane Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil is morphologically unique with two external fused calyx lobes that split at anthesis and two internal free and petaloid calyx lobes. Only a few other Eugenia species share this condition, and Eugenia petaloidea can be distinguished from those by the externally glabrous hypanthium. The phylogenetic placement of Eugenia petaloidea based on three DNA markers (ITS, ETS, and psbA-trnH) indicates that this is the second clade of Eugenia known to have a fused calyx, indicating fusion of the calyx to be a homoplastic condition. The new species is here described, illustrated, and assessed according to IUCN criteria.

Competition during sugarcane crop raiding by blond capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius).

Shifting to fallback food (FBF) consumption and crop raiding are behavioral adjustments that support primates' ability to endure in human-altered habitats. Nutritional models predict that the consumption of preferred foods leads to increased competition, while consumption of staple fallback foods results in decreased competition. We analyzed the competitive regime faced by individuals in a group of 133 blond capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius), an endangered species that inhabits a 270-ha fragment of Atlantic forest in northeast Brazil. During the study year, quantitative analyses show that fruits were a preferred food, while sugarcane was used as a staple FBF. As predicted by primate fallback foraging models, the consumption of sugarcane helped the group to survive in this fragment by providing these animals with half of the food they consumed throughout the year. Contrary to predictions, group dispersion increased with greater fruit abundance, while direct competition peaked during the consumption of sugarcane. We suggest that, although it is abundant and scattered in the area, the long handling time required to process sugarcane before consumption facilitates the direct competition. Overall, the pattern found indicates that consumption of a staple FBF does not directly translate into decreased competition and increased stability of social groups in forest fragments.

Food-sharing behaviour within a group of free-living Endangered Coimbra-Filho’s titi monkeys

Socioecological studies related to food-sharing behaviours in titi monkeys are scarce, with no such reports for the Endangered Coimbra-Filho’s titi monkey, Callicebus coimbrai. We aimed to describe the pattern of food-sharing behaviours during monitoring (444 h) of a wild group of Coimbra-Filho’s titi monkeys inhabiting a fragment of Atlantic forest in Northeast Brazil. We reported 43 food-sharing events (23 food-begging and 20 transfer attempt events). For the food-begging events, infants were the main beggars (74 %) while adult males were the main possessors (48 %). High-quality foods were more shared between related and unrelated individuals. Infants were the most successful beggars, receiving most of the high-quality food. Coimbra-Filho’s titi monkeys did not require any special skills to access the high-quality or easy-to-process food items related to the food-sharing events, suggesting that food sharing in these monkeys is linked to the kin selection and sharing-under-pressure hypotheses.