Atlantic Forest Vegetation Research Articles

HARVESTMEN (ARACHNIDA: OPILIONES) RECORDS IN ATLANTIC FOREST REMNANTS OF MINAS GERAIS STATE, BRAZIL

Although the Atlantic Forest harbors the world’s greatest diversity of harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones), many forest areas remain undersampled or lack comprehensive data. Given the significant degradation experienced by the biome, it becomes crucial to perform faunal inventories of this group across different regions. This study aimed to conduct a survey of harvestmen by rapid sampling forest fragments of a Semideciduous Forest, a type of Atlantic Forest vegetation, in Ouro Fino and Itatiaiuçu, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Harvestmen were collected at night using the active search method. A total of 140 individuals from six species and seven morphospecies were collected, revealing the importance of protecting forest fragments of deforestation. Moreover, the findings indicate that more extensive sampling efforts are needed to accurately assess harvestman richness in these forest fragments, which may be under anthropogenic pressure. Additionally, there is a need for further inventories to better understand the conservation status of harvestmen in Brazil, and further contribute for biodiversity management and conservation.

Sediment connectivity in a hot and humidity tropical watershed: Contribution to environmental planning and management

This study aims to identify and analyze the sediment connectivity in the Duas Bocas River watershed (BHRDB), in the Metropolitan Region of Greater Vitória (RMGV/Brazil), for the year 2019 and simulate an environmental degradation scenario for the watershed. For the modeling of sediment connectivity, a land use and land cover map from 2019 was used, followed by an environmental degradation scenario where the Atlantic Forest was replaced by exposed soil. The digital elevation model has a spatial resolution of 5 × 5m. The Index of Connectivity (IC) for the year 2019 ranged from −11.32 to 0.49, with lower values in the upper portion of the watershed, which is protected by the Atlantic Forest vegetation, minimizing the possibility of sediment production and transfer to the river. Regarding the environmental degradation scenario, the IC ranged from −11.32 to 1.68, with the highest IC occurring in the area of exposed soil in the upper portion of the watershed that was previously protected by the Atlantic Forest. It was also found that the estimation of IC is sensitive to the spatial resolution of the digital elevation model, making it challenging to assess the plain area near the outlet of BHRDB. The geospatial variability of sediment connectivity highlighted the importance of maintaining forests in headwater areas in relation to soil degradation in tropical environments. The IC proved to be an important tool for developing environmental scenarios, contributing to the management and environmental planning of watershed.

Flora of Pernambuco, Brazil: Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae)

Abstract Ipomoea L. is the largest genus in Convolvulaceae with approximately 150 species reported from Brazil, more than 50% of which are from the northeastern region of the country. The genus is represented by 48 species in Pernambuco state, occurring in Atlantic Forest and Caatinga vegetation as well as areas impacted by human activities. We present here an identification key, photographic documentation, taxonomic comments, and the geographical distributions of species in Pernambuco. New records of Ipomoea cearensis O’Donell, I. hirsutissima Gardner and I. squamosa Choisy for the state are reported.

Hohenbergia ymboreorum (Bromeliaceae): a new green-flowered bromeliad from Bahia, Brazil

The authors describe Hohenbergia ymboreorum, a new green-flowered species of Bromeliaceae from Bahia state. The new species was found growing in the municipality of Vitoria da Conquista as a terrestrial in a highland transitional area between Atlantic Forest and Caatinga vegetation. This new species is morphologically related to H. minor and H. augusta, but can be easily distinguished by its sparsely white-lanate inflorescence indument, longer and narrower leaves, smaller flowers, with golden-brown floral bracts not hiding the sepals, and the erect petals. Additionally, the conservation status and phenology are discussed, and a table for morphological comparison with the similar taxa is provided.

How can structure and composition of Eucalyptus plantation landscape reduce leaf-cutting ants?

Leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp.) are the main Eucalyptus plantation pests that cause successive defoliation, and productivity losses might be significant. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the influence of vegetation composition and landscape structure on the occurrence of leaf-cutting ants in Eucalyptus spp. plantations neighboring areas of Atlantic Forest vegetation. We collected data on the occurrence of ants (Atta spp.) and the amount of loose soil in each ant colony. We calculated the landscape metrics for the area that we divided in landscape planning unit. We proceeded with information-theoretic approach to identify the best set of models with AICc criteria. We found that 81.1% of the ant colonies had an area of loose soil smaller than 1 m2, and the diversity of Eucalyptus ages, edges of Eucalyptus plantation, and conservation of native fragments have influence on ant occurrence and reduce their effects. So, an increase in vegetation conservation status, decrease of roads that lead to edges in Eucalyptus plantations, and adoption of age mosaics in production areas disrupts ant occurrence. In addition, better functional and structural conditions favor ecosystem services, such as soil and water conservation, through a reduction in the use of formicidal baits.

Percepção local, conhecimento e uso de plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANC) por populações humanas no Brasil: Uma revisão sistemática

The food diversity provided by plants, offers food alternatives for different communities in different regions of Brazil. In this context, Unconventional Food Plant arise, the UFP, which are plants, or part of them, with great food potential, but which are not used by the general population. The UFP have great ecological and economic importance in different contexts. However, people's perception of these resources is not general. Because of this, this work sought, through a systematic review, to analyze ethnobotanical studies with thematic related to the, identify UFP which and where populations that use UFP are found, and extract other general information from these studies, such as their objectives and types of methodology used. The Atlantic Forest vegetation was the ecosystem whose resource extraction was most relevant, with 51%. Rural communities were the most addressed in the studies, with 56% representativeness in this regard. The Asteraceae family was the most represented botanical family in the articles, with 16%. However, Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott., popularly known as taioba, was the most cited species among all others.

Birds of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil

Parque Nacional do Caparaó is located in the Serra do Caparaó in the southeastern region of Brazil. It lies on the border between the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. It is a large fragment of Atlantic Forest vegetation, with altitudinal variation from 630 to 2,892 m. We present an annotated list of bird species found in the park based on data collected from 2012 to 2018. We recorded 216 species, including 66 endemic, 22 threatened, and 17 newly recorded species. To complete the list of species, we added data available in several bibliographic sources and digital databases, bringing the total number of bird species in the park to 348 and including 98 endemic and 33 threatened species. This work is the first to present an updated list of birds for the park, and the data presented show the importance of this protected area for conservation of birds in the region.

The impact of downsizing protected areas: How a misguided policy may enhance landscape fragmentation and biodiversity loss

Brazilian biodiversity is undergoing numerous attacks and misguided policies that aim to reduce protected areas (PAs) with the main argument of expanding agribusiness to improve the country's economic performance. An example is the draft law (DL) 527/2016, which aimed to reduce approximately 70% of the Devonian Escarpment Environmental Protection Area (DEEPA), a large PA in southern Brazil, hosts two biodiversity hotspot biomes. This study shows the possible downsizing damages to biodiversity and landscape by quantifying the size and connectivity of the vegetation remnants in the surrounding landscape concerning the degree of threat to the species that occur in both the Atlantic Forest and Brazilian Savanna domains. The DEEPA downsizing can affect natural savanna and Atlantic Forest vegetation area proposed by DL 527/2016 would fail in protecting 383 (56.82%) of the threatened species. Only three species evaluated as critically endangered, 13 classified as endangered, and 13 classified as vulnerable would be preserved; the reduction would also negatively affect essential ecosystem services and the quality of life in human populations. Furthermore, man-made fragmentation and habitat loss would jeopardize several biological and ecological aspects fundamental to biomes' maintenance and ecosystem services. In addition to reducing this environmental protection area, it would cut taxes from the current PA and could affect its surrounding municipalities in southern Brazil.

Vellozo's Florae Fluminensis: A new assessment of the São Paulo part of his collecting itinerary, its vegetation, and species list

AbstractOur analysis of Vellozo's itineraries and his manuscript annotations show that ca. 1/4 of the names described in his Florae Fluminensis were based on plants collected in the municipality of Cunha, state of São Paulo. This region, within the Atlantic Forest domain, encompasses various vegetation formations, such as montane ombrophilous forests, mixed ombrophilous forests, and high‐altitude open savanna enclaves. Using Vellozo's manuscripts, we traced his collecting itinerary, correlating his descriptive terms for the vegetation types to the toponyms and dates. In contrast to the term “maritimus”, associated in Florae Fluminensis with the Atlantic Forest vegetation in the state of Rio de Janeiro, the term “mediterraneus” is associated with the vegetation along the Royal Road (Estrada Real) in the region of Cunha, state of São Paulo and is usually related to the term “transalpinus” of the region of mountaintops delimiting the border between the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Maps of Vellozo's itinerary, as well as a discussion of species names most likely described from the state of São Paulo are provided.

MAMMAL FAUNA IN Eucalyptus PLANTATIONS AND FOREST REMNANTS IN TRÊS LAGOAS, MATO GROSSO DO SUL STATE, BRAZIL

The eastern portion of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul is considered a priority region for biodiversity conservation in Brazil. It lacks, however, not only large protected areas but also knowledge about wildlife species inhabiting these landscapes. This study was conducted on a farm composed of a mosaic of Eucalyptus plantations and remnants of Atlantic forest and Cerrado (Savannah) vegetation, located in the municipality of Tres Lagoas. Over nine years of monitoring, 69 mammal species were recorded, including 23 bats, 14 non-volant small-sized, and 32 medium or large-sized mammals. Twelve species are considered under a category of extinction threat. The results of this study contribute to the diagnostic of the local fauna and show the importance of this farm for mammal conservation in this region.

Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae, Acalyphoideae): synopsis of species from Northeast Brazil

Abstract: A synopsis of the Dalechampia from Northeastern Brazil is presented here, with discussions of their diagnostic features. The study was based on the analysis of herbarium material (including historical collections and types), specimens collected in the field, and bibliographic documentation. Twenty-eight species distributed among five sections were recognized, 19 of them endemic to Brazil. Most of the species are found in Caatinga and Atlantic Forest vegetation. A key for species identifications is provided, together with illustrations, and information on their geographic distributions and conservation statuses.

Rickettsial pathogens circulating in urban districts of Rio de Janeiro, without report of human Brazilian Spotted Fever.

Spotted fever group rickettsioses are emerging diseases. In some of these diseases, domestic dogs act as sentinels. Canine serological studies have demonstrated that rickettsial dispersion is concentrated in rural areas, seroprevalence being higher where human rickettsioses are endemic. In Rio de Janeiro, the Atlantic forest vegetation has been devastated by urbanization. In this context, we aimed to detect Rickettsia spp. in urban areas of the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Sera from 130 dogs were tested by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay, and ticks collected from these dogs were tested by polymerase chain reaction. We found the rate of serological reactions against R. rickettsii and R. parkeri in our study area to exceed those of rural and non-endemic areas, highlighting the importance of dogs as urban sentinels. The possibility of contact with opossums and capybaras increased the chances of exposure to Rickettsia spp., reinforcing the hypothetical link between the landscape and the rickettsial wild cycle. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was the tick most frequently observed. PCR-positive samples showed similarity with R. rickettsii and R. felis, an emerging pathogen rarely reported from ticks. We observed that rickettsiae circulate in urban places and ticks from indoor environments, which may be involved in bacterial epidemiology.

Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae, Acalyphoideae): synopsis of species from Northeast Brazil

Abstract: A synopsis of the Dalechampia from Northeastern Brazil is presented here, with discussions of their diagnostic features. The study was based on the analysis of herbarium material (including historical collections and types), specimens collected in the field, and bibliographic documentation. Twenty-eight species distributed among five sections were recognized, 19 of them endemic to Brazil. Most of the species are found in Caatinga and Atlantic Forest vegetation. A key for species identifications is provided, together with illustrations, and information on their geographic distributions and conservation statuses.

Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae, Acalyphoideae): synopsis of species from Northeast Brazil

A synopsis of the Dalechampia from Northeastern Brazil is presented here, with discussions of their diagnostic features. The study was based on the analysis of herbarium material (including historical collections and types), specimens collected in the field, and bibliographic documentation. Twenty-eight species distributed among five sections were recognized, 19 of them endemic to Brazil. Most of the species are found in Caatinga and Atlantic Forest vegetation. A key for species identifications is provided, together with illustrations, and information on their geographic distributions and conservation statuses.

Taxonomic Delimitation of Species Complexes: A Challenge for Conservation; First Steps with the Abarema cochliacarpos Complex

Abstract—Taxonomic and ecological knowledge of plant species complexes informs their conservation status. Poorly delimited species boundaries can lead to incorrect assessments of biodiversity, and a rare species might have its distribution range overestimated if considering other closely related taxa as the same one. The present study investigates the level of morphometric variation within the Abarema cochliacarpos complex throughout its entire distribution range in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Caatinga vegetation, and considers the drivers of this variation. A morphometric study using cluster, PERMANOVA, and NMDS analyses was conducted. We analyzed patterns of trait variation among and within populations, and their relationship with environmental factors along with their geographical gradient. From the four morphotypes previously cited for the complex, the analyses delimited three morphological groups. Their morphological characteristics differed in response to environmental drivers. We identified morphological characters that differentiated the groups within the complex. The development of conservation strategies and actions to fully protect a species complex requires the understanding of the morphological variation within the complex. In the Abarema cochliacarpos complex different threats and challenges are associated with the conservation of each morphotype. We highlight the importance of conserving the various morphotypes of a species complex which has a large distribution range as evolutionary significant units, something that is frequently neglected in the published literature.

Carbon-diversity hotspots and their owners in Brazilian southeastern Savanna, Atlantic Forest and Semi-Arid Woodland domains

Tropical vegetation provides a myriad of ecosystem services and at the same time is highly threatened. This creates a demand for more efficient conservation strategies that focus on multiple benefits at once. For instance, conservation actions that deliver returns for both aboveground carbon (AGC) and tree species diversity (TSD) would be an advance when compared to carbon-focused initiatives. Here we address this issue by identifying AGC-TSD hotspots in Savanna, Atlantic Forest and Semi-Arid Woodland vegetation domains in southeast Brazil. We modelled Fisher’s alpha as an indicator of TSD, using remote sensing, climate and terrain-related data to train the random forests algorithm. We thus defined, mapped and characterized the areas that deliver returns for both AGC and TSD (“hotspots”), identifying the hotspots owners (whether within public or private lands). Our results suggest that among the group of predictor variables, precipitation, valley depth, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and tree cover percent, are the main indicators of diversity across the state. The spatial patterns of carbon and diversity roughly coincide and indicate that Atlantic Forest has higher values for both indicators. AGC and TSD are weak related, so there is a potential risk for biodiversity if only a carbon-focused conservation approaches are considered across the studied domains. We estimate that 61% of the hotspots are located in unprotected areas within private properties making them highly susceptible to loss. Together, these hotspots account for 6,131,453 Mg of AGC and show mean values of Fisheŕs alpha of approximately 26. Our study reinforces the need to select natural areas on private lands to be considered as priority areas for protection..

Advanced understanding of phylogenetic relationships, morphological evolution and biogeographic history of the mega-diverse plant genus Myrcia and its relatives (Myrtaceae: Myrteae)

Myrcia is the largest exclusively Neotropical genus of the plant family Myrtaceae with c. 770 species. Although several studies have elucidated the relationships within particular sections of the genus, to date no phylogeny has been produced that includes a broad taxonomic and geographic representation. Here we present a phylogenetic hypothesis of Myrcia and close relatives comprising 253 species and based on two nuclear and seven plastid markers. We combine previously available sequence data with 234 new sequences of the genus Myrcia for this study. We use this phylogeny to investigate the evolution of selected morphological traits and to infer the biogeographic history of the genus. Our results yield a highly supported phylogenetic tree where the Myrceugenia group is sister to the Myrcia and Plinia groups. Five Myrcia species previously considered unplaced emerge in a newly circumscribed clade. The monophyly of two Myrcia sections previously considered uncertain, Aulomyrcia and Gomidesia, are confirmed with strong support. Flowers with free calyx lobes, 2-locular ovaries, and anthers with symmetrical thecae are ancestral features of Myrcia. The Myrcia sect. Gomidesia is highly supported and recovered as monophyletic, with asymmetric anthers that retain their curvature after dehiscence as a morphological synapomorphy. The Atlantic Forest is the most likely ancestral area of the genus and most of its internal clades, from where multiple lineages colonized different regions of South and Central America, in particular the Brazilian Cerrado through multiple unidirectional range expansions. The southern Atlantic Forest is the ancestral area for Myrcia sect. Gomidesia, with lineages reaching the northern Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Yungas, and other savanna vegetation of South America. Our results provide a solid backbone for further evolutionary and taxonomic work and clarify several previously uncertain relationships in this mega-diverse plant group, and shed light on its geographical range evolution.

First record of Wissadula hernandioides (L’Hér.) Garcke (Malvoideae, Malvaceae) for the Caatinga domain in Brazil

Wissadula hernandioides (L’Hér.) Garcke is native to Brazil and can be identified by its subshrub habit, cordate and discolor leaves with usually stellate trichomes, yellowish flowers arranged in paniculate inflorescences, and schizocarpic fruits. Before our finding, this species was recorded in Brazil only in Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Amazon and Pantanal vegetation. The population found in Caatinga domain and Pernambuco state expands the distribution of W. hernandioides. A morphological description, habitat, and the current geographic distribution, as well as original drawing are provided.

Integrating remote sensing and phytosociology of the Atlantic Forest to map a small continental island in southeastern Brazil: subsidies to protect the habitat of critically endangered species

Abstract Queimada Grande (QGI) is a small, legally protected island off the southeastern coast of Brazil that harbors two endemic and critically endangered herpetofauna species: the Golden Lancehead viper (Bothrops insularis) and a hylid frog (Scinax peixotoi); its vegetation, however, has been little studied. We integrated remote sensing and phytosociology of the Atlantic Forest on QGI to characterize the habitat of those two species and support their in situ conservation. QGI retains a mosaic of Atlantic Forest, rock outcrop and anthropogenic vegetation, including invasive alien species, and bare rock surfaces. Mature Atlantic Forest, the preferential habitat of B. insularis and S. peixotoi, currently covers ~28 ha (~50%) of QGI and shows very low tree richness and an oligarchic structure. The most important species are Guapira opposita, Rudgea minor and Aspidosperma australe. Anthropogenic formations cover ~9% of the island and do not seem to have expanded in recent years. Based on local conditions, we recommend permanent monitoring of QGI and the use of local tree species in projects to restore the habitat of those two endangered species.

Rubiacearum Americanarum Magna Hama Pars XLI: New Species, a New Section, and New Combinations inPalicoureafrom the Atlantic Forest of Eastern Brazil (Palicoureeae)

Recent study of the flora of eastern Brazil finds some new species of Palicourea Aubl. that are related to species currently classified in Psychotria L. subg. Heteropsychotria Steyerm. and found in Atlantic Forest vegetation. Two new species are described here in Palicourea pending transfer of their relatives to this genus: Palicourea alagoana C. M. Taylor from Alagoas and Palicourea amorimii C. M. Taylor & J. G. Jardim from Bahia. Another new species, Palicourea atlantica C. M. Taylor & J. G. Jardim, from Bahia is related to two previously described species that have been classified in Psychotria since 1881. Psychotria jambosioides Schltdl. is transferred to Palicourea here, as Palicourea jambosioides (Schltdl.) C. M. Taylor, and Psychotria schlechtendaliana Mull. Arg. is treated here under its type-bearing name Palicourea divaricata Schltdl. These last three species are separated in a new section, Palicourea sect. Jambosioides (Mull. Arg.) C. M. Taylor.