Atlantic Forest Of Northeast Brazil Research Articles

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.

Diversity of miniaturized frogs of the genus Adelophryne (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae): A new species from the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil.

The number of species of frogs in the South American genus Adelophryne has increased in recent years, and it has become apparent that this group contains a substantial amount of undescribed diversity. Currently the genus contains nine described species and five candidate species. Here we describe the tenth species of the genus Adelophryne from the municipality of Igrapiúna, southern Bahia state, Brazil. The new species is characterized by its small body size, indistinct tympanum, and two phalanges in the finger IV. The species of the genus are distributed in three groups, Northern Amazonia Clade, Northern Atlantic Forest Clade and Southern Atlantic Forest Clade. The new species is phylogenetically related to species of the Northern Atlantic Forest Clade of Adelophryne and restricted to forested habitat, as typical for other Adelophryne. The species is restricted to the pristine forests in the type locality, and we consider its conservation status as Near Threatened. New morphological and molecular data of other Adelophryne species are presented, extending the distribution of Adelophryne sp. 2, Adelophryne sp. 4, Adelophryne mucronata and Adelophryne glandulata. However, a more comprehensive revision of the diversity and phylogenetic position of most Adelophryne species is needed, and the evolutionary relationships of A. meridionalis and A. pachydactyla remain unknown.

Pollination partial recovery across monospecific plantations of a native tree (Inga vera, Leguminosae) in the Atlantic forest: Lessons for restoration

In the last decades several approaches have been adopted for tropical assisted forest restoration from monospecific plantations to the establishment of highly-diverse tree stands. However, the long-term viability of restored forest and their capacity to provide the required services demand continuous evaluation to guide future initiatives. We aimed to evaluate the existence of pollination recovery in monospecific tree plantations in a hyper fragmented landscape of the Atlantic forest in northeast Brazil. By using Inga vera as a model species, we compared several relevant aspects relative to tree reproduction such as reproductive phenology, floral structures, nectar consumption, fruit- and seed-set, between monospecific plantations and native conspecific populations. Populations of I. vera from both native forest stands and planted areas flowered in overlapping periods in the dry season, while fruiting occurred at the beginning of the rainy season. Flowers of planted populations were significantly larger (11% in the size of the calyx, corolla and androecium – staminal tube and filaments) relative to natural populations. Flowers of both planted and natural populations secrete ca. 46 μl of nectar with concentration of 20.2% and 45.8 mg of sugars throughout the anthesis. However, the average volume of nectar consumed by visitors per flower in planted populations was 30% lower than in natural populations. The frequency of pistils with pollen tubes and the average number of seeds per fruit were similar between natural and planted populations. Nevertheless, surprisingly, the natural fruit set was 49% lower in planted relative to natural populations. Lower consumption of nectar and natural fruit set in planted populations of I. vera, in relation to the natural populations, indicate a partial recovery of the pollination process through the practice of planting single species of a tree in clusters of individuals. Our results add some doubts about the long-term viability and the ability of monospecific plantations in delivering services such as increased pollination capacity in human-modified landscapes.

Management practices may lead to loss of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in protected areas of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract The symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are among the ecologically most significant organisms in terrestrial ecosystems, but little is known about how soil AM fungal community composition responds to conservation management and different degrees of human impact on natural ecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of the management practices on the AM fungi community structure in protected areas of the Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil. During two seasons we assessed AM fungal diversity and mycorrhizal root colonization status in five strict-protected and five sustainable-use areas along a 900 km transect. The sampling effort was sufficient to recover more than 85% of the AM fungal species present in the protected areas. Fifty-six AM fungal species and morphotypes were identified. Most species belonged to Glomerales and Gigasporales, but all orders of Glomeromycotina were registered. Species diversity and mycorrhizal colonization were significantly higher in the strict-protection management areas, though the areas had the same richness and spore density. Seasonality and spatial distances did not affect the AM fungal community composition. Our results show that the conservation management, vegetation and soil characteristics are important local factors influencing AM fungal communities. This work provides a better understanding of AM fungal community structure in natural ecosystems and provides insight into distribution patterns at a broad landscape scale.

A new species of Hohenbergia (Bromeliaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil

Hohenbergia isepponae (Bromeliaceae), a new species from the Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco, Brazil is described and illustrated herewith. We also compared it with the morphologically similar species.

Comparative Study of the Physicochemical Properties of FAME from Seed Oils of Some Native Species of Brazilian Atlantic Forest

AbstractThe rapid decline in fossil fuel reserves in the world, rising oil prices, and growing concerns about the increase in pollutant gas emissions from this type of energy, have led to the exploration of new energy sources for the production of alternative fuels. The use of vegetable oils as a low‐cost raw material for biodiesel production is an effective way to reduce biodiesel costs. This paper reports on the production and biodiesel properties of the seed oils of six native species belonging to different families of plants from the Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil. The results are compared with those obtained from traditional crops such as soybean and olive. The relative oil content of the seeds ranged from 31.5 to 67.4 %, while the biodiesel yield from these oils ranged from 93.2 to 97.6 wt%. The fatty acid composition is mainly constituted of oleic acid in three species (Cissampelos andromorpha, Rauwolfia grandiflora, and Tabernaemontana flavicans), eicosenoic acid in two species (Serjania caracasana and Serjania salzmanniana) and palmitic acid in Protium heptaphyllum. The physicochemical parameters of oil (density, viscosity, % FFA, and % of linolenic acid) and biodiesel (density, viscosity, acid number, copper strip corrosion, flash point, sulfur content, sulfated ash, water, oxidative stability, free and total glycerin) were in agreement with ASTM 6751 and EN 14214 standards. The fatty acid composition, biodiesel yield, oil, and biodiesel properties of the six native species studied demonstrate the high potential for producing alternative fuel in conventional diesel engines.

Distribution and conservation of three important bird groups of the Atlantic Forest in north-east Brazil.

The Pernambuco Endemism Center in north-east Brazil has the most fragmented forest cover and the largest number of threatened birds of the whole Atlantic Forest. We analyzed the distribution of three groups of bird species: forest-dependent, endemic and/or threatened using the interpolation method of Inverse Distance Weighting. We also checked the concentration of these birds in protected and unprotected areas, suggesting new sites that need to be protected. The richness concentration of forest-dependent, endemic and/or threatened birds in 123 sites were analysed. There was a greater concentration of the three groups in north Alagoas, south and north Pernambuco, and north and west Paraíba. The distribution of the three groups was almost regular in different vegetation types, although a lower concentration was found in the pioneer formation. There was a greater concentration of birds from all three groups between Pernambuco and Alagoas, and this must be due to the presence of more forest fragments with better structure and vegetation heterogeneity. The protected and unprotected areas hosted important records of endemic and/or threatened birds. We suggested some important places for implementation of new protected areas due to the larger concentrations of the target birds and because they are located within the boundaries of the Important Bird Areas.

Sebacina aureomagnifica, a new heterobasidiomycete from the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil

Sebacina aureomagnifica is described as a new species based on collections from the Atlantic Forest of Paraiba and Rio Grande do Norte, in northeastern Brazil, and is molecularly attributed to the genus Sebacina based on its ribosomal DNA sequence. A striking feature of this newly described fungus is the production of erect, gelatinous yellow basidiomes growing epigeously.

Diversity of bryophytes in priority areas for conservation in the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil

The northeastern Brazilian Atlantic forest is the region with the greatest diversity of bryophytes in the country. However, knowledge about bryophytes is irregularly distributed among Brazilian regions. Therefore, we aimed to contribute to knowledge about bryophytes on a regional scale in the northeastern Atlantic forest, to identify the centers of bryophyte diversity in that region, and to reiterate the importance and identify locations for which new protected areas should be created. We built a database of bryophytes in 23 locations of the region, based on a literature review and new floristic inventories. To identify the locations of greatest relevance to bryophyte conservation, we considered 1) total and endemic species richness, 2) phylogenetic diversity (PD), and 3) functional diversity (proportion of shade specialists). The northeastern Atlantic rainforest contains 396 spp., representing 26% of the taxa occurring in the country, 13 of which are endemic. Generalist species predominated (164 spp.), followed by shade (133 spp.) and sun (92 spp.) specialists. The Murici Ecological Station had the highest richness, number of endemic species, and phylogenetic diversity.

Spatially Heterogeneous Nest-Clearing Behavior Coincides with Rain Event in the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta cephalotes (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta construct the probably largest nests among ants and are ecosystem engineers because they alter light and nutrient availability at nest sites. Besides creating canopy gaps in the forest, workers remove all vegetation from atop their nest mounds. Here, we examined the extent and spatial distribution of this nest-clearing behavior by transplanting Licania tomentosa seedlings on Atta cephalotes (Linnaeus) nest mounds in the Atlantic forest in northeast Brazil and documented defoliation patterns by the workers. Within 9 days, workers removed around 53% of the total leaf area planted per colony. All colonies showed a synchronized start of defoliation after a rain event in the fifth night after the seedlings had been transplanted. Defoliation increased with time elapsed since transplanting and with the number of entrances surrounding each seedling. In addition, workers started defoliation on the top of the mound. In contrast, the distance to the next entrance and the size of the seedling did not affect the defoliation pattern. Defoliation was not part of the colony foraging activities but was identified as an element of nest maintenance. Possible cues triggering nest-clearing behavior and the potential link between nest-clearing activities and the control of microclimate of ant nests are discussed.

<I>Geastrum</I> from the Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil — new records for Brazil

<I>Geastrum</I> from the Atlantic Forest in northeast Brazil — new records for Brazil

Can green iguanas compensate for vanishing seed dispersers in the A tlantic forest fragments of north‐east B razil?

The Atlantic forest of Brazil is a biodiversity hot spot, but is extremely fragmented. Local extinction of important seed dispersers, such as primates, threatens the maintenance of these fragments. It is important to evaluate the capacity of fragment-tolerant species to disperse seeds and help maintain plant communities within fragments. Green iguanas Iguana iguana are large, fragment-tolerant, canopy-dwelling lizards and have been noted to disperse seeds. We described the seed dispersal patterns produced by green iguanas in six urban forest fragments (1.2–8 ha in size) in the Atlantic forest of north-east Brazil, over 20 months. A total of 294 seeds were counted in 321 scats, and 12 plant species were dispersed. The largest seeds dispersed were 14.9 mm long and up to 9.2 mm wide. Iguanas deposited 86.9% of scats within latrines, which were used over a mean of at least 9 months. We show that iguanas can be effective seed dispersers and might partially replicate deposition patterns produced by howler monkeys in other studies. It is critical that we improve our understanding on the functional roles played by these cryptic, yet common, iguanas in order to determine whether they could buffer the negative effects caused by the local extinction of primates from forest fragments.

A new genus and two new species of Luzarinae cricket from the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil (Orthoptera, Grylloidea).

A new genus and two new species of Luzarinae crickets (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) are described from the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil. Marcgraviella muriciensis Souza-Dias n. gen., n. sp. and M. christianae Desutter-Grandcolas & Souza-Dias n. gen., n. sp. are described using characters of morphology and male genitalia. The new genus is characterized by male genitalia singularities, presenting elongated and inflatable pseudepiphallic parameres, which lies in vertical or almost vertical position, and long and tubular pseudepiphallic arms associated to phallic glands. We provide a discussion about the morphology of male genitalia and the function of the phallic glands and pseudepiphallic arms in Marcgraviella n. gen. and related taxa. An identification key for Marcgraviella n. gen. and related genera is proposed. These genera, which bear phallic glands, are placed in the newly named group, the Aracambiae.

(2260) Proposal to conserve the name Piresia against Reitzia (Poaceae, Bambusoideae)

Piresia Swallen and Reitzia Swallen are two genera of Neotropical herbaceous bamboos that belong to the grass tribe Olyreae and include, respectively, five (Carvalho & al. in Syst. Bot. 37: 134–138. 2012) and only one described species (Judziewicz & al. in Amer. Bamboos: 314–316. 1999). Piresia presents a wide distribution in South America, occurring as a clear disjunction between the Amazon basin and the Atlantic forest in northeast Brazil, from the state of Pernambuco to Bahia (Judziewicz & al., l.c.; Carvalho & al., l.c.). On the other hand, Reitzia ranges in a smaller area, covered exclusively by Atlantic forest, and it was originally considered by Swallen (l.c. 1956) as endemic to the state of Santa Catarina, in south Brazil, being afterwards cited for Sao Paulo (Clark in Wanderley & al., Fl. Sao Paulo 1: 49. 2001) and Rio de Janeiro, both in southern Brazil (Oliveira & al. in Almeida & Teixeira, Anais I Semin. Nac. Bambu, ed. 2: 62–68. 2011). In the original publication of Piresia (Swallen, l.c. 1964), it was considered closely related to Reitzia, based on glumes of fertile spikelet 3-nerved, and differing from it by glume nerves prominent, fruit pubescent and culms biform (vs. glume nerves faint, fruit glabrous and culms all alike in Reitzia). Piresia has raceme-like inflorescences in culms of two types: aerial ones, bearing broad and flat leaf blades at the top; and fertile ones, often decumbent, shorter, bladeless or with very much reduced leaf blades, usually hidden among leaf litter or even burrowing through it (Soderstrom in Brittonia 34: 199–209. 1982; Soderstrom & Calderon in Biotropica 6: 141–153. 1974), while Reitzia also includes raceme-like inflorescences, but only at the apex of aerial culms, partially covered by the leaf blades (Judziewicz & al., l.c). There are other characters described in Clayton & al. (Grass Base; http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db/www/imp08878.htm, accessed 23 Jun 2013) that are quite similar between Piresia and Reitzia, such as the number of culms, shape and distribution of the leaves in the culms, the number and position of male and female spikelets in the inflorescences (the female being terminal, with two male adjacent), the absence of glumes in male spikelet, as well as three lodicules and three stamens. Beside this, Reitzia shares with some members of Piresia bisexual and not typically dimorphic spikelets, being unusual among genera of herbaceous bamboos, which display predominantly unisexual and dimorphic spikelets (Soderstrom & Calderon, l.c.). This little differentiation between male and female spikelets of Reitzia occurs especially in species of Piresia from the Atlantic forest (Carvalho & al., l.c.), as well as in Diandrolyra Stapf, another herbaceous bamboo genus endemic to the same Brazilian biome (Oliveira & Clark in Novon 19: 209–215. 2009). Based especially on the type and position of the inflorescence, Clayton & Renvoize (Genera Graminum: 64–65. 1986) considered Piresia to be close to Diandrolyra, while Reitzia was treated together with Maclurolyra Calderon & Soderstr. and Rehia Fijten. However, recent phylogenetic studies in Olyreae did not indicate a relationship between Piresia and Diandrolyra (Oliveira & al., subm.). Ongoing studies on the systematics and evolution of Piresia based on multiple approaches (Carvalho, Estud. Biossistematicos Piresia [thesis, UEFS, Bahia]: 232. 2013) have shown that the diversity of this genus is high, as early suggested by Clayton & Renvoize (l.c.), including at least nine undescribed species. Using five regions of plastid and nuclear DNA, Carvalho (l.c.) identified Reitzia as nested in a clade together with the species of Piresia, but without clear resolution of their relationships. In order to resolve the status of the group as monophyletic, Piresia and Reitzia will likely be considered a single genus, and there are many more species that resemble the morphology of Piresia than

Effects of habitat fragmentation on ant richness and functional composition in Brazilian Atlantic forest

Ants are a dominant faunal group in tropical forests, but their responses to human disturbances remain poorly investigated. Here we examine the relative effects of habitat fragmentation (fragment size and amount of forest cover retained in the sur- rounding landscape) and habitat structure (tree density and richness) on ant species and functional composition in the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil. Our study was carried out in 19 fragments ranging in size from 10 to 3,500 ha. We recorded 146 ant species from 41 genera. Fragment size and tree density were the most important variables predicting species richness and functional diversity. Additionally, fragment area and tree density also explained the richness of a range of global functional groups (Cryptic Species, Specialists Predators and Tropical-climate Specialists) and Atlantic forest functional groups (Cryptic Predators, Cryptic Omnivores, Epigaeic Predators and Epigaeic Omnivores). Taxonomic composition was influenced by fragment area and tree richness, while functional compo- sition responded to forest cover and tree density. Overall variation of global functional groups was also affected by tree richness. Our results suggest that specialist ants (espe- cially cryptic species, specialist predators and climate specialists) are particularly sensitive to forest fragmentation. Such functional groups would make useful indicators of ant responses to forest fragmentation.

A new species of Coleodactylus Parker, 1926 (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil

A new species, Coleodactylus elizae sp. nov., is described for the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil. It is distinguishedfrom other Coleodactylus species by the following character combinations: one nearly completely divided or two rostralscales, dorsal scales smooth and four scales forming the ungual sheath. The color pattern consists of white spots distributed over a pinkish background. Coleodactylus elizae sp. nov. is a forest species inhabiting bromeliads.

Reduced availability of large seeds constrains Atlantic forest regeneration

Secondary forests are expanding in defaunated fragmented tropical landscapes, but their resilience potential remains poorly understood. In this study we used a chronosequence of advancing (19–62-yr old) Atlantic forest regeneration following slash-and-burn agriculture to infer successional shifts in seed rain in terms of seed density, species richness, taxonomic and functional composition, and local spatial distribution. After monitoring seed rain during 12 months in 60 1-m2 seed traps, we recorded over 400,000 seeds belonging to 180 morphospecies. From early to late-successional stage, seed rain decreased in density, increased in per capita species richness, gradually changed in species composition, and became less aggregated spatially. Regardless the age of forest stand, vertebrate-dispersed seeds accounted for 67–75% of all species recorded. Large-seeded species typical of old-growth forests, on the other hand, accounted for only 5–8% of the species recorded in the seed rain, a proportion around five times smaller than that reported for the old-growth forests of the same study site (31%). Our results suggest that the secondary forests considered, which are embedded in one of the largest (3500 ha) and best preserved remnant of the severely fragmented Atlantic forest of Northeast Brazil, may fail attaining older successional stages due to the reduced availability of large-seeded late-successional species. This regeneration constraint may be even stronger in smaller, more isolated forest remnants of the region, potentially reducing their ability to provide ecosystem services.

Carbon Storage in a Fragmented Landscape of Atlantic Forest: The Role Played by Edge-Affected Habitats and Emergent Trees

Patterns of carbon retention and distribution across human-modified landscapes have been poorly investigated. In this paper carbon distribution across three forest habitats of a fragmented Atlantic forest landscape in northeast Brazil is examined. Data on tree assemblages (DBH ≥10 cm) inhabiting forest interior stands, forest edges and fragments (2.05–365 ha) were obtained via information from 59 0.1-ha plots (a total of 4,845 stems and 198 tree species), and it was further incorporated in four allometric equations for estimation of above-ground biomass and carbon. Stocks of carbon were highly variable within habitats of Serra Grande, but forest interior plots retained almost three times more carbon (202.8 ± 23.7 TonC/ha) than edge and fragment plots, while these edge-affected habitats exhibited similar scores. Moreover, emergent tree species accounted for the majority of the carbon retained (59.13%) in interior plots with understorey species playing a minor role. However, carbon retained by emergent species decreased by a half across forest edges and forest fragment since large stems (> 70 cm DBH) and very tall trees (> 31 m height) were very rare in these habitats. Finally, a forest cover mapping revealed the occurrence of 213.19 km2 of forest interior habitat in the whole Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil. This figure means that only 8% of total remaining forest habitat has a full potential for carbon storage, with the other 92% (edge-affected habitats) storing just a half of that. Our results suggest that habitat fragmentation and the consequent establishment of edge-affected habitats (forest edges and fragments) drastically limit forest capacity for carbon storage across human-modified landscapes since the loss of carbon due to reduced abundance of large trees is not compensated by either canopy or understorey species.

Forest fragmentation drives Atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil to biotic homogenization

AbstractAim To examine whether the tree flora of the Atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil has experienced detectable taxonomic homogenization via the proliferation of native pioneer species in response to habitat loss and fragmentation.Location Biotic homogenization (BH) was examined across the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil, i.e. a 56,000 km2 piece of tropical forest and a distinct centre of species endemism in South America.Methods We assessed a dataset consisting of 5122 tree records and compared the similarity of tree floras from 12 semi‐natural sub‐regions of the Atlantic forest between two time periods: pre‐1980 (plant records between 1902 and 1980), and post‐1980 (between 1981 and 2006). To understand the mechanisms leading to BH (1) tree floras were ordered (via non‐metric multidimensional scaling – NMDS) by date (pre/post 1980) based on species occurrence and frequency, (2) NMDS axes were regressed against the proportion of those species that increased their occurrence post‐1980 (i.e. the winner species), and (3) patterns of geographic distribution and frequency of particular life‐history traits were examined across winner species and a control group.Results Tree floras across the Atlantic forest became c. 20–40% more similar to each other post‐1980, but patterns of species similarity were also influenced by between‐plot geographical distance. NMDS ordination clearly segregated pre‐ and post‐1980 floras with a clear signal of floristic convergence. Furthermore, winner tree species were largely composed of short‐lived and small‐seeded pioneer species that exhibit wide geographic distributions.Main conclusions Our results suggest that tropical forest biotas are susceptible to taxonomic homogenization (i.e. increasing levels of similarity) in the context of severe human‐disturbance via the proliferation of particular groups of native species comprised mainly by ecologically‐plastic, generalist species. We are thus extending the concept of homogenization to address and highlight a pervasive biological shift in the structure of tropical forest communities currently taking place across hyper‐fragmented landscapes.

Resposta da comunidade de formigas aos atributos dos fragmentos e da vegetação em uma paisagem da Floresta Atlântica nordestina

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of forest fragmentation on ant richness in a landscape of Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil. More specifically, the ant richness was related to the attributes of fragments (area and distance from the fragment central point to the edge), landscape (forest cover surrounding the fragments), and tree community (plant density, richness, and percentage of shade tolerant species). The surveys were carried out in 19 fragments located in Alagoas State from October 2007 to March 2008. Samples were collected through a 300 m transect established in the center of each fragment, where 30 1-m² leaf litter samples were collected at 10 m intervals. A total of 146 ant species was collected, which belonged to 42 genera, 24 tribes and nine subfamilies. The attributes of fragments and landscape did not influence ant richness. On the other hand, tree density explained ca. 23% of ant richness. In relation to functional groups, both density and richness of trees explained the richness of general myrmicines (the whole model explained ca. 42% of the variation in this group) and percentage of shade tolerant trees explained the richness of specialist predator ants (30% for the whole model). These results indicate that ant fauna is more influenced by vegetation integrity than by fragment size, distance to edge or forest cover surrounding fragments.