Atlantic Forest Of Northeastern Brazil Research Articles

Foraging activity of leaf‐cutting ants changes light availability and plant assemblage in Atlantic forest

1. Leaf‐cutting ants (LCAs) have often been denoted as ecosystem engineers because of their multifarious effects on the vegetation, particularly via nest‐driven environmental changes. However, the non‐trophic impacts of LCAs on forest dynamics via foliage harvesting across sizeable foraging zones (so‐called associated ecosystem engineering) are still poorly investigated.2. Here, light availability and sapling assemblages were assessed within foraging areas and ant‐free control zones of 16 Atta cephalotes colonies located in a large remnant of Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil.3. Canopy openness and total light transmission were 1.4 and 1.6 times higher in foraging zones than in control areas. In parallel, sapling density and species richness decreased constantly from control to foraging zone plots. Additionally, shade‐tolerant species exhibited reduced abundance across foraging zones. A non‐metric multidimensional scaling ordination based on taxonomic similarity primarily segregated foraging zone and control plots; foraging zone plots converged to be more similar to each other as well. Finally, some plant species emerged as indicators of LCA‐free zones.4. These results suggest that LCA foraging activity in the forest canopy directly increases the light availability and indirectly affects the recruitment and the structure of local plant assemblages.5. Such a biologically significant effect on the light environment and its cascades confirms LCAs as potent ecosystem engineers, particularly as a plant assembly force, which operates beyond the spatial reach of their well‐described nest effects.

Insights into reproductive strategies of Tityus (Archaeotityus) pusillus Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones, Buthidae)

A remarkable diversity of life history strategies has evolved among species for achieving reproductive success, including adaptive growth, protandry, iteroparity, and extra molting. Here, we report on the reproductive strategies of the litter-dwelling scorpion, Tityus (Archaeotityus) pusillus, the most abundant and widespread scorpion species in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil. We observed both iteroparity and protandry reproductive strategies in this species. Females were competent to produce up to three broods after a single insemination, and no correlation between female size and litter size was observed. Most males reached adulthood 1 month before females following four molts, characterizing protandry. Nevertheless, an extra molt was observed to occur in some males (n=4) and females (n=1). These findings highlight the life history traits of T. (A.) pusillus, which may imply in reproductive success and adaptation to changes in environmental conditions.

Solanum knappiae sp. nov. (Solanaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

While preparing a taxonomic survey of the species of Solanum in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, a new species, here described as Solanum knappiae Agra & Sampaio, was recognized based on its distinctive morphology. It is a member of Solanum sect. Geminata and is most similar to S. bahianum, from which it differs by its geographic distribution and by having glabrous young stems and leaves, smaller corollas and stamens, cuspidate calyx lobes, and pedicels with a constriction at the distal end that becomes swollen in the fruit. The new species is described and illustrated here, and comments on its distribution and conservation status are included.

Nest Maintenance Activity of Dinoponera quadriceps in a Natural Environment

In social insects, task allocation can be more complex than workers merely falling into discrete task groups. Any activity performed by the colony cannot be fully understood in isolation from other activities because they may be interrelated. Investigating activities other than foraging is crucial to understanding the global functioning and organization of ant colonies. This study attempts to characterize the nest maintenance activity of the ponerine queenless ant, Dinoponera quadriceps, in its natural environment to determine the effects of environmental variables on the variations in both seasonal and daily rhythms and to discuss its differences and possible relationships to foraging. Four colonies of D. quadriceps were observed in an area of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. Data collection was performed over a period of 72 h every three months during an entire annual cycle. Nest maintenance activity in D. quadriceps colonies was observed during both the light and dark phases of the day. There was no significant difference between the day phases in the number of workers involved in this task. On the other hand, D. quadriceps colonies exhibited seasonal variation in nest maintenance activity, peaking in the early rainy season. The seasonal rhythm of nest maintenance was positively correlated with relative humidity and negatively correlated with prey availability and rainfall. Our results indicate the existence of an annual variation in the nest maintenance activity of D. quadriceps associated with environmental variables. However, it occurs equally both at night and day, countering the hypothesis that there is a daily rhythm.

Range extension of Lonchophylla peracchii (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) to Northeastern Brazil

Lonchophylla peracchii was recently described from Rio de Janeiro Atlantic Forest samples previously assigned to either L. bokermanni Sazima, Vizotto & Taddei, 1978 or L. mordax Thomas, 1903. The species is currently restricted to the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil. Based on museum specimens, we extend the species distribution to the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil. The specimens reported here were collected in Ilhéus, Bahia state, representing a range extension of ca. 500 km northward.

Composition and Ecological Aspects of a Snake Assemblage on the Savanna Enclave of the Atlantic Forest of the Guaribas Biological Reserve in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract. We studied the composition, richness, abundance, and influence of abiotic factors on the seasonal activity of a snake assemblage at a fragment of savanna enclave (tabuleiro forest) of the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. The sampling methods used were pitfall traps with drift fences, timed visual encounter survey, donations from local collectors, incidental encounters, and road sampling. We obtained a total of 164 individuals distributed across 29 snake species and six families over 2 years of study. The most frequently encountered species were the two blindsnakes Amerotyphlops paucisquamus and A. brongersmianus and the two false coral snakes Tantilla melanocephala and Oxyrhopus trigeminus. Monthly snake captures were significantly correlated only with the lowest temperatures. Our results show that the study area has a rich diversity of snakes of similar composition to other Brazilian open areas with a dominance of fossorial and cryptozoic species.

Four new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

There are described, illustrated and compared to similar taxa Eugenia caatingicola, E. funchiana, E. coccinea and E. potiraguensis. The first three species occur in areas of caatinga (dryland) vegetation (Bahia and Piauí states),while E. potiraguensis is encountered in the Atlantic Forest (Bahia), Brazil. Eugenia caatingicola can be distinguished from Eugenia subreticula by the texture of the periderm of the older branches, leaf apices retuse, and hypanthium sericeous. Eugenia funchiana is similar to E.dentata, but have undulate leaves, smaller petioles and pedicels, and hypanthium not costate. Eugenia coccinea differs from E. duarteana by having membranaceous leaves, calyx lobes with reddish trichomes at apex, and hypanthium glabrous. Eugenia potiraguensis differs from E. plicata by having central veins glabrous, larger petioles, and calyx lobes equal between them. Additionally, each species is evaluated in its conservation status.

Green remnants are hotspots for bat activity in a large Brazilian urban area

Urbanization tends to remove or isolate green areas into fragments or restrict them to narrow corridors inserted in a matrix of buildings. Nevertheless, urban green areas may act as refuges for fauna and bats are among the animals able to use such habitats. Using bioacoustics we investigated the influence of green areas on the activity of insectivorous bats in the metropolitan area of Recife, a conurbation of 4 million people in the Atlantic forest of Northeastern Brazil. Bat activity was statistically higher in green areas, based on calls (t = 2.5298, p = 0.0165), but not on feeding buzzes (t = 1.8132, p = 0.0817) or social calls (t = −1.5551, p = 0.1329). Several species were able to persist in an urban matrix and calls were classified into 16 sonotypes, belonging to five families (Emballonuridae, Molossidae, Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae). However, activity was significantly more associated with areas with vegetation, indicating that green remnants are hotspots for bat activity. Our results indicate that most insectivorous bats have a biased use of the urban landscape and the maintenance of urban green areas is essential to preserve them and the environmental services they provide.

Apinagia brejoagrestinensis (Podostemaceae): a new rheophyte from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

We describe and illustrate a new Podostemaceae species for the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil: Apinagia brejoagrestinensis. Among the characteristics that separate this species from other congenerics are: flower arrangement, shape and number of tepals, and presence of trichomes on spathella and tepals. The latter characteristic is reported for the first time in the genus Apinagia. The new species is known through a single and small population restricted to a short reach of a dammed river with deforested margins, and so it is assumed to be vulnerable to extinction.

Edge effect on vascular epiphytic composition in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

Epiphytes are common in the canopy of temperate and tropical forests, where they substantially contribute to species diversity and to key ecosystem processes. However, little is known about the effects caused by deforestation on this group of species, especially in northeastern Brazil, an area experiencing intense anthropogenic pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of environmental variables on the structure of assemblies of vascular epiphytes in a fragment of open ombrophilous forest, Areia, northeastern Brazil. Sixty 10 × 10 m sampling plots were installed to cover different environments within the fragment. The relationship between environmental variables and species composition was evaluated by means of a generalized linear mixed model. The composition of assemblies of epiphytes differed with respect to distance from the edge and luminosity. In the study area, deforestation led to a change in the composition of epiphytic species both at the edge and the interior of the fragment.

Diversity of birds in the Mata do Junco State Wildlife Refuge, a remnant of the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil

This study presents an inventory of the bird fauna of the Mata do Junco State Wildlife Refuge in Capela, in the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe. Monthly samples were collected between January 2011 and May 2012. Each 3-day sample was based on mist-netting (100 m) in two areas and the compilation of MacKinnon lists of 10 species. During the 17 months of the study period, the occurrence of 129 bird species belonging to 41 families was confirmed for the study area. In the mist-nets, a total of 469 individuals representing 58 species were captured in 3400 net-hours of sampling effort. A total of 100 MacKinnon lists were compiled, resulting in an inventory of 119 bird species. Eight of the species are endemic to Brazil, of which, five are restricted to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Three of the species are included in the IUCN Red List, at different levels of concern. Overall, the results of the study indicate that the Mata do Junco represents an important area for the protection of the region’s avian fauna and the habitats they rely on.

Synopsis of Orchidaceae from Serra do Urubu: an area of montane forest, Pernambuco State, Brazil

This study provides a survey of Orchidaceae species in an area of montane Atlantic Forest in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The study area comprises two conservation units (RPPN Frei Caneca and RPPN Pedra D’Anta), forming together the Serra do Urubu, which is located in the border of the Borborema plateau. Orchidaceae is represented in this study area by 81 species and 50 genera. Epidendrum L. (10 spp.) and Habenaria Willd. (four spp.) are the most representative genera. The subtribes Laeliinae (22 spp.) and Pleurothallidinae (14 spp.) together represent about half of the number of species. The high number of orchid species distinguishes Serra do Urubu as one of the richest areas for the family in the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. Our study also provides 18 new records of species to Pernambuco as well as reporting on about 40% of the species and 60% of the genera cited to the State. Campylocentrum pernambucense, Cattleya labiata, Cattleya granulosa, Phragmipedium sargentianum and Zygostates bradeiare cited as endangered, 14 species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest, and other seven have distributions restricted to northeastern Brazil. All these facts reinforce the importance of this area as well as management strategies for the conservation of Orchidaceae.

Three new species in Brazilian Erythroxylum (Erythroxylaceae)

Three new species of Erythroxylum (Erythroxylaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil are described and illustrated: Erythroxylum stenopetalum from the states of Paraíba and Pernambuco, and E. rhodappendiculatum and E. tapacuranum from Pernambuco. Due to their restricted distribution, and in accordance with the IUCN criteria, the new species are provisionally considered as Critically Endangered (CR) or Data Deficient (DD).Geographical distribution, habitat, and comments on their morphological affinities are provided.

Home Range, Diet, and Activity Patterns of Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) in Very Small and Isolated Fragments of the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil

We evaluate the impact of very small and isolated forest fragments on the common marmosets home range, diet, and activity patterns, in the northeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Three groups were studied in three forest fragments, from January to October 2010, totaling 360 hours of observations and 1,080 field-hours. Systematic observations were recorded using Instantaneous Scan Sampling, and a checklist of the items exploited was built throughad libitumobservations. We recorded location of the groups and calculated home range. We recorded 11,639 scans and 236ad libitumfeeding records. 83.4% (n=10) of food items were plant species, the only animal protein was from insects (n=2; 16.6%), and the diet was based almost exclusively on gums. Mean home range was 5.5 ha, mean daily path length was 1,167 meters, and no differences were detected between seasons. Resting dominated their activity budget and varied between seasons. Common marmosets survived in this environment through a remarkable increase in their exploitation of tree gums (up to 98% of their feeding bouts) to compensate for the lack of food, in home ranges slightly larger than in the literature. Thus, they travelled and foraged less than expected and rested more since food was easily obtained.

Coendou speratus Mendes Pontes, Gadelha, Melo, Sá, Loss, Caldara Jr., Costa & Leite, 2013 (Mammalia, Rodentia, Erethizontidae) in northeastern Brazil: Filling gaps in its geographical distribution

Coendou speratus Mendes Pontes, Gadelha, Melo, Sa, Loss, Caldara Jr., Costa & Leite, 2013 is a recently described Neotropical prehensile-tailed porcupine from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil. It is known only from the Pernambuco Centre of Endemism. Here we present a new locality record, in the Estacao Ecologica Murici (ESEC Murici), Municipality of Murici, Alagoas State, Brazil, 105 km southeast of the type locality and 60 km west from the closest record (from more than 50 yr ago), in Municipality of Vicosa, also in Alagoas State.

Diversity of myxomycetes in an environmentally protected area of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

The present study was carried out on three trails, each presenting a different degree of disturbance, within the Pau-Ferro Forest Environmentally Protected Area, a 600 ha area of highland forest located in the municipality of Areia (06°58'12"S; 35°42'15"W; elevation, 400-600 m), in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. In 2005, we analyzed the species richness, abundance, constancy and phenology of myxomycetes over seven consecutive months (rainy and dry seasons) in five types of microhabitats: dead tree trunks, the bark of living trees, basidiomata, ground litter and aerial litter. A total of 753 specimens of 48 species were obtained from the trails known as Flores (4 km), Boa Vista (3 km) and Cumbe (700 m). The Sørensen similarity coefficient revealed that the three trails are similar. The most constant and abundant species were Hemitrichia calyculata, H. serpula, Arcyria cinerea, A. denudata and Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa. Although myxomycetes sporulate throughout the year, some species have well-defined sporulation seasons. In terms of the constancy and abundance of species, Trichiaceae is the most important family in the rain forest studied, which is representative of the highland forests of northeastern Brazil.

High termite richness in an urban fragment of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

Termites are very abundant in tropical ecosystems and have active roles in nutrient cycling and soil formation, but few studies of their assemblages have been undertaken in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The present study analyzed the composition of termite assemblages in a fragment of Atlantic Forest embedded within an urban matrix in northeastern Brazil. Five standardized sampling protocols of termites were applied, with a total sampling effort of 1500m2. We encountered 45 species of termites belonging to 25 genera and three families. The soil-feeders group demonstrated the greatest species richness, while wood-feeders species were the most abundant. The species richness of termite in the study area was the greatest yet recorded for an Atlantic forest site in Brazil, indicating the importance of urban fragments for conserving tropical biodiversity.

Characters of leaf epidermis in Solanum (clade Brevantherum) species from Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil

Solanum is the richest and most diverse genus of the Solanaceae and one of the largest among angiosperms. The high number of species in the genus and the morphological plasticity of vegetative organs make the taxonomy of the group quite complex. We carried out an anatomical study of the leaf epidermis of six species of the Brevantherum Clade occurring in the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil (Solanum asperum, Solanum maranguapense, Solanum anisocladum, Solanum rugosum, Solanum stipulaceum and Solanum swartzianum), in order to support their taxonomy. Analyses were performed by the usual techniques for leaf anatomy, followed by light and scanning electron microscopy. All species showed leaf epidermis cells with sinuous anticlinal walls, and anisocytic stomata. Anomocytic stomata were also observed in S. asperum, S. anisocladum and S. swartzianum. Except for S. stipulaceum with amphistomatic leaves, the hypostomatic pattern was predominant. A great diversity of stellate trichomes was observed, mainly porrect-stellate and multiangulate, and peltate trichomes were only observed in S. swartzianum. The characters of leaf epidermis and its annexes, mainly the morphology of trichomes, are useful in distinguishing the Solanum species (clade Brevantherum) from Northeastern Brazil.

Genetic and ecological outcomes of Inga vera subsp. affinis (Leguminosae) tree plantations in a fragmented tropical landscape.

Planting of native trees for habitat restoration is a widespread practice, but the consequences for the retention and transmission of genetic diversity in planted and natural populations are unclear. Using Inga vera subsp. affinis as a model species, we genotyped five natural and five planted populations in the Atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil at polymorphic microsatellite loci. We studied the breeding system and population structure to test how much genetic diversity is retained in planted relative to natural populations. We then genotyped seedlings from these populations to test whether genetic diversity in planted populations is restored by outcrossing to natural populations of I. vera. The breeding system of natural I. vera populations was confirmed to be highly outcrossing (t = 0.92; FIS = −0.061, P = 0.04), with populations showing weak population substructure (FST = 0.028). Genetic diversity in planted populations was 50% less than that of natural populations (planted: AR = 14.9, HO = 0.865 and natural: AR = 30.8, HO = 0.655). However, seedlings from planted populations showed a 30% higher allelic richness relative to their parents (seedlings AR = 10.5, parents AR = 7.6). Understanding the processes and interactions that shape this system are necessary to provide ecologically sensible goals and successfully restore hyper-fragmented habitats. Future restoration plans for I. vera must consider the genetic diversity of planted populations and the potential for gene flow between natural populations in the landscape, in order to preserve ecological interactions (i.e. pollination), and promote opportunities for outcrossing.

A new Epidendrum (Laeliinae-Orchidaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil: Evidence from morphology and cytogenetics

Uma nova especie epifita Epidendrum sanchezii e descrita para a regiao Nordeste do Brasil, para a Floresta Atlântica montana dos estados do Ceara e Pernambuco. Esta e relacionada ao complexo E. difforme, e e morfologicamente semelhante com E. angustatum, mas se diferencia por flores menores, sepalas com 7 venulas, labelo com apice cuspidado e coluna fortemente sigmoide. Adicionalmente e apresentada uma descricao cariologica da especie nova, comparando-a com E. campaccii, incluindo o padrao de bandas CMA/DAPI e uma chave de identificacao para as especies relacionadas do Nordeste do Brasil.