Southeastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest Research Articles

Two new Dismodix Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) with an exceptionally broad occipital carina

Dismodix colai sp. nov., from a reforested legal reserve of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, and D. gladiata sp. nov., from central Brazil, are described and illustrated. Each new taxon is compared with similar species from both Dismodix Townes and the related Acerastes Cushman. Both species can be separated from all others within each genus by having the occipital carina distinctly widened.

Neea bradeana (Nyctaginaceae: Pisonieae), a new species with whorled leaf arrangement from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil

Neea bradeana is here described for the Atlantic Rainforest of Southeastern Brazil. This new species had been confused for decades with N. verticillata, the type species of the genus which is described for Peru. N. bradeana is characterized by its unbranched shrubs with whorled sessile or short-petiolate leaves and erect-congested inflorescences. This species is here described and illustrated; remarks on taxonomic and morphologic affinities, distribution map, and conservation assessment are also provided.

Using ecological niche modelling to prioritise areas for conservation of the critically endangered Buffy-Headed marmoset (Callithrix flaviceps).

Endemic to the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil, the critically endangered Buffy-Headed marmoset (Callithrix flaviceps) is lacking the required attention for effective conservation. We modelled its ecological niche with the main objectives of (1) defining suitable habitat and (2) prioritising areas for conservation and/or restoration. The current geographical range of Callithrix flaviceps in the Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil. We used Ensemble Species Distribution Modelling to define current habitat suitability considering four climate and two landscape variables. To identify areas to prioritise for conservation and/or restoration, we predicted future habitat suitability considering the intermediate (RCP4.5) and extreme (RCP8.5) climate change scenarios for the years 2050 and 2070. Among the variables included to predict current species distribution, tree canopy cover, precipitation seasonality and temperature seasonality were the most important whereas digital elevation model and precipitation during the wettest month were the least important. Callithrix flaviceps was most likely to occur in areas with tree canopy cover >80%, high precipitation seasonality and temperature seasonality between 21 and 23°C. From the future suitability prediction maps, the Caparaó National Park stands out as a likely key area for the preservation of the species. Furthermore, high climatic suitability but low landscape suitability suggests that habitat restoration in 'Serra das Torres' (South of the current distribution area) might be a useful strategy. However, creating ecological corridors on the west side of Caparaó would be necessary to improve connectivity. More surveys within and beyond the current geographical range are required to define more precisely the distribution of the species. Our results support the notion that seasonality is important for Callithrix flaviceps and that as a montane species, it prefers colder environments and higher altitudes. Within both climate change scenarios, Caparaó National Park was predicted to be highly suitable, with a high probability of presence.

Massive Bird Nest Losses: A Neglected Threat for Passerine Birds in Atlantic Forest Fragments from the Pernambuco Endemism Center

Understanding the mechanisms by which tropical forest fragmentation can affect the persistence of species and populations is of scientific and practical interest. However, nest survival has been one the least addressed of the potentially harmful effects associated with habitat fragmentation, and studies involving nest predator’s identification are still underdeveloped. The Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC) is the part of the Atlantic Forest located north of the São Francisco River, in northeastern Brazil, where large forest tracts no longer exist and a wave of bird extinctions has occurred recently. Here, we investigated the nest survival of forest understory birds from three PEC fragments (690, 979, and 1036 ha), and we used infra-red camera traps for predators’ identification. Overall, the apparent nest survival was 15.5%, and nest-day-based survival probability for the four more representative species (including two endemic and threatened taxa) were 2.6, 4.4, 6.9, and 18.9%, being 2.7 to 8.5 times smaller than populations or related taxa from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Predators were marmosets (25%), opossums (25%), tegu (19.4%), coati (16.7%), snakes (8.3%), and hawks (5.5%). Jackknife2 model-predicted nest predator’s richness was 20.7 (SD = 1.6). We reinforce the evidence that nest predation associated with fragmentation can affect negatively the bird populations from tropical forests.

First Capture of a Jaguar Using a Minimally Invasive Capture System for GPS Tracking in an Isolated Patch of Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil.

This study presents the first successful capture using GPS tagging of a jaguar (Panthera onca) using a minimally invasive capture system (MICS). We used snare-foot traps and a MICS during two capture campaigns in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. The specimen disarmed snares on different occasions, and capture was only possible with the MICS. The captured jaguar, an estimated 16-year-old adult male, was monitored using a GPS Vertex Plus Iridium collar with an optimal performance of 86% in expected locations. The jaguar's home range (659 km2 by MPC and 174 km2 by 95%K) was within the observed range for the species and the animal was primarily maintained in protected areas. The habitat types most frequently used were native grassland (27.2% of 4798 fixes), marsh (24.8%), and dense lowland forest (24.7%). The use of a MICS for trapping jaguars is a promising technique that shows advantages in terms of efficiency, selectivity, portability, reduced potential risk of injury to animals or trappers, and animal stress compared to other capture methods used for the species.

Influence of forest type on the diversity, abundance, and naïve occupancy of the mammal assemblage in the southeastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest has the highest rate of native vegetation destruction, which is one of the principal drivers of mammal extinctions. Therefore, reducing information gaps regarding diversity patterns, abundance, and habitat use is crucial to understand mammal persistence in fragmented landscapes. Our objective was to establish the γ diversity and to assess the extent to which the α, and β diversity, the relative abundance, and naïve occupation of medium and large-sized mammal communities differ between seasonal and ombrophilous forests. Between January 2019 and March 2020, we placed 22 camera traps in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais. We calculate Hill's numbers using iNEXT.4steps package, the β-diversity with the Betapart package, as well as the relative abundance index (RAI), and naïve occupancy (PAO). We used Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney statistical tests to compare the RAIs between different species and forest types. Finally, we calculated the correlation between the RAIs and PAOs. We found 32 species, principally from the orders Carnivora and Artiodactyla. The alpha diversity and evenness profiles were not different between the two forest types (seasonal q0 = 0.91, q1 = 0.99, q2 = 1, J = 0.83; ombrophilous q0 = 0.96, q1 = 0.99, q2 = 1, J = 0.85). The beta diversity was low (βJAC = 0.37) which was mostly associated with species turnover (βJTU = 0.34), while nestedness was almost non-existent (βJNE = 0.02). The RAIs varied among mammalian species (H = 115.24, P = 0.000), with the highest values for Didelphis aurita (RAI = 4.55 ± 7.66) and Cuniculus paca (RAI = 2.35 ± 3.73) and the minor values for Speothos venaticus (RAI = 0.04 ± 0.24) and Galictis cuja (RAI = 0.06 ± 1.19). The RAIs of species was not significantly different between forests (U = 453.5; Z = 0.37; P = 0.70), and only Leopardus wiedii showed significant differences between forests (U = 84.5; P = 0.01). Most of the mammalian species had restricted occupancy to a few localities (< 50 %). The species Eira barbara and Didelphis aurita had the highest PAOs in both forests (> 50 %), and the species Tayassu pecari, Tamandua tetradactyla, and Speothos venaticus, the lowest values (5 %). We found a correlation of 75 % between the average RAI and naïve occupancy. The γ diversity was representative and consistent with the species found in the Atlantic Forest, and the relative abundance and naïve occupancy reflected the rarity of most species in the area. Additionally, the only difference between the two forests corresponds to species turnover. Therefore, we must conserve native remnants of both forests to ensure the existence of native mammals, mainly the most threatened species, to prevent more dramatic scenarios of local extinction in Minas Gerais.

Rediscovery of Forcipomyia (Trichohelea) opilionivora (Lane, 1947) (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in Brazil after 75 years

The species Forcipomyia (Trichohelea) opilionivora (Lane, 1947) (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) was rediscovered in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 75 years after its original description. This study aimed to investigate the ectoparasitic relationship between F. (T.) opilionivora and its host and document its occurrence, which was recorded serendipitously during the collection of Opiliones (harvestmen) specimens in Parque Nacional do Itatiaia in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After the collection, both specimens were subjected to photographic documentation and preserved for further examination. This study presents the first photographic record of the ectoparasitic relationship between F. (T.) opilionivora and a harvestman, shedding light on a poorly studied interaction. The host specimen was identified as a female of Holcobunus nigripalpis Roewer, 1910 (Opiliones, Sclerosomatidae), a gagrelline commonlyfound in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Previous records of ectoparasitism between Ceratopogonidae and harvestmen were limited to the family level (Sclerosomatidae species, specifically Gagrellinae or Leiobuninae). However, no specific host species had been identified until now. The rediscovery of F. (T.) opilionivora, along with the identification of its host, addresses a significant gap in our knowledge regarding the biology and distribution of this species and provides valuable insights into the intricate relationships between biting midges and arachnids. This study emphasizes the need for further investigations into the biology of these ectoparasitic species and underscores the importance of documenting and studying lesser-known interactions within ecosystems.

Impacts of Slash-and-Burn Cultivation on the Soil and Vegetation of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

Impacts of Slash-and-Burn Cultivation on the Soil and Vegetation of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

The spatial arrangement of sexes is related to reproductive allocation in mosses: a comparative study of reproductive allocation in three different monoicous sexual systems.

We examined the relationship between reproductive allocation and vegetative growth in three monoicous sexual systems of bryophytes. The sexual systems show a gradient of increasing distance between the sexes, from gonioautoicous to cladautoicous to rhizautoicous. Here, we investigated the following two hypotheses: (1) reproductive allocation differs between sexes and sexual systems, and male reproductive allocation increases with increasing distance between male and female gametangia; and (2) reproductive allocation is negatively related to vegetative growth. We sampled the three sexual systems, represented by three moss species of the genus Fissidens in the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil. Ramets were washed in the laboratory; the reproductive structures were detached from the vegetative ramets and sorted regarding sex and individual, dried at 70 °C for 72 h, and weighed in an ultramicrobalance. We calculated the mean reproductive and vegetative mass and reproductive allocation and used generalized linear models to test our predictions. Reproductive allocation differed between species and sexes. It was higher in the rhizautoicous than in the cladautoicous and gonioautoicous species. Mean reproductive allocation was greater in males than in females of the rhizautoicous species, greater in females than males of the cladautoicous species, and did not differ between the sexes in the gonioautoicous species. Estimates of reproductive and vegetative mass were positively related in females of the rhizautoicous species. Vegetative mass was not related to reproductive allocation in the gonioautoicous species, but negatively related to reproductive allocation in the male and female branchlets of the cladautoicous species and in the female ramets of the rhizautoicous species. The reproductive allocation patterns differ between the rhizautoicous species and the 'truly' monoicous species, with shorter intersexual distances, which implies that our hypotheses were supported only in part. We suggest that the hypotheses should be reformulated and tested further by comparing 'truly' monoicous species with dioicous species and by including other genera.

A new species of Parasycorax, Duckhouse (Diptera, Psychodidae, Sycoracinae) from the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil and Geographic Distribution of the genus.

A new species of Parasycorax, Duckhouse (Diptera, Psychodidae, Sycoracinae) from the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil and Geographic Distribution of the genus.

Taking care of the enemy: egg predation by the Darwin wasp Tromatobia sp. (Ichneumonidae) on the cobweb spider Chrysso compressa (Araneae, Theridiidae)

Some wasp species use spiders as food resources, overcoming several anti-predator barriers that are exerted by spiders. Tromatobia ichneumonid wasps are spider egg predators that usually attack Araneidae species, although there are few records of predation on Clubionidae, Philodromidae, Linyphiidae, Tetragnathidae, and Theridiidae spiders. Here, we describe the interaction between Tromatobia sp. and Chrysso compressa, a subsocial theridiid spider that exhibits extended maternal care, in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. We observed that the larva of Tromatobia sp. develop inside the egg sacs of C. compressa, preying on the entire egg mass and building cocoons that change the color and morphology of the egg sacs. Despite these structural modifications, we registered an adult female of C. compressa guarding and caring for the cocoons (attacked egg sac) of the predators as if they were offspring (non-attacked egg sac). To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first record of Tromatobia preying on Chrysso eggs.

Floral scent chemistry of sympatric species of Philodendron (Araceae) sharing a common pollinator in the fragmented coastal Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Floral volatiles are crucial components in flower advertisement, often contributing to the reproductive isolation of angiosperms through scent-mediated differential pollinator attraction. Recently, there were significant advances in our understanding of the chemical communication between plants and cyclocephaline beetles, a predominant group of Neotropical pollinators. However, details on how the floral scent chemistry differs or converges among species pollinated by different or the same cyclocephaline beetle species are still unknown. Here, we used dynamic headspace sampling and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to investigate the floral fragrance chemistry of eight co-flowering Philodendron (Araceae) species that share a single pollinator, Cyclocephala variolosa (Melolonthidae, Cyclocephalini). Additionally, we compared our results to published data on the floral fragrances of different conspecifics pollinated by other species of cyclocephaline beetles. Although all the investigated Philodendron spp. emitted perceivably intense floral scents, the number of volatile organic compounds in the analyzed samples varied between 1 and 50 among species. Also, the overall relative scent composition strongly differed among species (or chemotypes). The floral scents of four of the investigated species (P. appendiculatum, P. cordatum, P. crassinervium, and P. eximium) and one of the two chemotypes of P. corcovadense were dominated by (Z)-jasmone (46 to 100% total relative concentration). High relative amounts of (Z)-2-pentenyl acetate (44 to 66%) characterized the samples of P. undulatum and Philodendron bipinnatifidum, while (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene was the main constituent in samples of P. curvilobium (75%) and the other P. corcovadense chemotype (56%). The scents of Philodendron spp. pollinated by C. variolosa differed from those of conspecifics associated with other cyclocephaline beetle species, but we also verified significant interspecific variation among these species sharing a common pollinator. We hypothesize that this community of co-flowering plants might be reproductively isolated despite being pollinated by the same pollinator species and having partly overlapping scent compositions.

Citizen science expanding knowledge: a new record of the lizard Heterodactylusimbricatus (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in south-eastern Brazil.

Through citizen science projects, like Projeto Bromélias, community members contribute valuable data on species diversity, notably those with low detectability like the Heterodactylusimbricatus lizard. A recent observation in the State of Espírito Santo (south-eastern Brazil), amidst coffee and eucalyptus crops, highlights the utility of widespread technology use in tracking and documenting wildlife. Such initiatives are especially beneficial for mapping the distribution of rare, endemic or endangered reptiles. Therefore, we advocate for more citizen science initiatives near protected areas, involving local communities. We provide a new record for the species Heterodactylusimbricatus, a microteiid lizard of low detectability from the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil. Heterodactylusimbricatus (Rio de Janeiro Teiid) was recorded near the protected area "Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi" by a citizen volunteer who contributes herpetofauna records to the Bromelias Project (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/projeto-bromelias). Heterodactylusimbricatus is a very poorly-known species in the localities where it occurs, probably due to its fossorial habit, genera's restricted occurrence range, habitat specificity and the absence of proper survey methods fitted to fossorial species, such as the utilisation of pitfall traps. By publishing the records of volunteer citizens, we hope that more people will contribute to increase the knowledge of biodiversity in the mountainous region of Espírito Santo State and expand our collective knowledge.

New species of Philodendron (Araceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract A new species of Araceae, Philodendron madalenense, endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil, is described. It belongs to the subgenus Philodendron sect. Macrobelium due to the cordate leaf blade, inflorescence longer than 5 cm in length, and ovary with 6-12 locules, basal placentation, and 3-4 ovules per locule. This species is rare, endemic to the state of Rio de Janeiro, and it is morphologically related to Philodendron follii.

Consumption of fruits of Dimorphandra jorgei M.F.Silva by Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) in a Remnant of Atlantic Forest in Southeast Brazil

The Fabaceae family holds great ecological and economic importance. Some species contribute to increased nitrogen levels in the soil (association with mycorrhizae), benefiting the natural regeneration process. Other species have high therapeutic value, while another can be used for ornamentation and urbanization. This study reports the presence of seeds from a tree species in the Fabaceae family, Dimorphandra jorgei M.F.Silva, in the fecal sample of South American tapir, Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758), in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil. The fecal sample was found on an unpaved road, between the forest edge and an area undergoing reforestation with native species. Our record corroborates that D. jorgei can be an important supplementary food item in the tapir’s diet in the region, with its consumption linked to dry periods. The fruits of D. jorgei are not morphologically attractive to vertebrate fauna in general, highlighting the importance of tapirs in the dispersal of this and other species with similar fruits. It is also emphasized that seed dispersal contributes to the maintenance and regeneration of vegetation, serving as an Ecosystem Service of Support.

Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis (Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae), home range in the Lowland Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil

The ocelot is an important Neotropical mesopredator and information on its spatial ecology remains scarce. Here we estimated the ocelot home range in a remnant of Lowland Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil. The data were collected by camera traps installed at eight known ocelot latrines. We estimated the home range both based on the Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) and the 95% adaptive Kernel density estimator (95%K) to compare with other published studies. We identified 22 ocelots (adult males = 8; adult females = 12; cubs = 2). Six males were recorded at more than one latrine, while all females were recorded at only one sampling point. In addition to male ocelots being recorded at a large number of points, they showed greater intrasexual spatial overlap as they used the same latrines, suggesting larger home ranges than females. The mean home range size for males was 12.1 ± SE 4.4 km2(range = 6.2 to 20.8 km2) using MCP, and 19.9 ± SE 9.5 km2(range = 10.1 to 38.9 km2) applying 95%K. Despite our estimates representing an approximation of the total area used by males, both values are consistent with those reported from other locations. Our data complemented the gradient of vegetation type sampled for ocelots in Atlantic Forest and support the suggestion that this environmental variable and, consequently, its effect on prey availability, influence the home range size of ocelot. Information on population ecology and other spatial ecology data are also presented.

Two New Species of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) from Southeastern Brazil

Abstract— Two new species, Phyllanthus lilliputianus and Phyllanthus sobralii are described for the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil, for the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, respectively. The presence of deeply emarginate anthers and four-colporate pollen grains with reticulate and microreticulate exine indicate that both species belong to Phyllanthus sect. Phyllanthus subsect. Claussenianii. Phyllanthus lilliputianus is an erect and small herb, with mucilaginous-hyaline branchlets, stipules, and petiole, an elliptical leaf blade that is membranaceous and sparsely mucilaginous-hyaline, staminate flowers with 5 sepals rhombic to widely obovate, and pistillate flowers with 5 slightly unguiculate sepals. P. sobralii is characterized by an herbaceous habit, with cylindrical branchlets that are glabrous, fractiflex and pinnatiform, leaf blades broadly elliptical to oval-elliptical, turquoise with prominent ribs on both surfaces, staminate and pistillate flowers with 5 sepals, with an accentuated central strip. Detailed description, colored plates, line drawing, notes on distribution, and conservation assessment are provided below.

Advertisement calls of 18 anuran species in the megadiverse Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil: review and update.

Advertisement calls constitute the main acoustic signals emitted by frogs during reproductive seasons and are considered species-specific. Currently, many studies explore the advertisement calls in this group, including descriptions, taxonomy status, influence of social and ecological aspects, character displacement and plasticity. Although some patterns are detected in several anuran species, the possible intra and interpopulation variation is not well established for the group. Furthermore, new approaches have been proposed to standardize studies in the area and contribute to the description and interpretation of anuran calls, highlighting the urgency of a literature review. We aimed to review and update the advertisement calls of 18 anurans species from the megadiverse Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil. We analyzed 1612 advertisement calls from 175 males of 18 anuran species recorded in ten communities between September 2018 and March 2019. We reviewed the information available in 23 scientific papers and describe each advertisement call based on recent papers. Our results include the definition of sound type for all species recorded, providing temporal and spectral parameters for each species along different localities, including intra and interpopulation variations. We provide new information on the frequency range (minimum and maximum frequencies) for eight species. A new description of the advertisement and territorial call of Boana bandeirantes is also provided based on our fieldwork observations. We emphasize that many species present interpopulation variance throughout their distribution in the megadiverse Atlantic Forest. We hope this information will contribute to future research on amphibian anuran bioacoustics and natural history.

Fruit selection by birds: the influence of interspecific variation in the fruit display and carbohydrate content of two sympatric congener plants in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Fruit selection by birds: the influence of interspecific variation in the fruit display and carbohydrate content of two sympatric congener plants in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Comparative morphology and key to Amydetinae genera, with description of three new firefly species (Coleoptera, Lampyridae).

Amydetinae is an exclusively Neotropical subfamily of fireflies, distributed among three genera: Amydetes Illiger, 1807, Magnoculus McDermott, 1964, and Memoan Silveira & Mermudes, 2013. Here, we describe three new species of Amydetinae: two belonging to Amydetes (A.alexi sp. nov. and A.marolae sp. nov.) and one to the previously monotypic Memoan (Me.conani sp. nov.). All three species are known only from the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Endoskeletal structures of Memoan and Magnoculus species are described and compared with those of Amydetes for the first time. After studying the type material, Photinusfruhstorferi Pic, 1942 is transferred to Memoan, generating Memoanfruhstorferi comb. nov., and Me.ciceroi Silveira & Mermudes, 2013 syn. nov. is placed as a junior synonym. We also redescribe Magnoculusobscurus Olivier, 1885 and compare it to other species of genus and to other amydetine taxa to identify potential new diagnostic traits for the Amydetinae and its constituting genera. We provide an updated diagnosis for Memoan, illustrations for all four species, and a distribution map for the three new species, as well as a key to adult males of the three amydetine genera, and an updated key to Amydetes species based on males.