Atlantic Rainforest Area Research Articles

Spermatogenic dynamics of the spiny rat Kannabateomys amblyonyx (Wagner, 1845) (Rodentia, Echimyidae)

Rodents are distributed worldwide, playing important ecological roles regarding preservation of forest areas. Thus, the study of their reproductive biology is a key for conservation initiatives that prevent extinction and/or improve species management. The present study aimed to describe the spermatogenic dynamics of the spiny rat Kannabateomys amblyonyx, an endemic species from Atlantic Rainforest areas, in Brazil. The average body weight was 418.43g with a gonadosomatic index of 0.41%. The testicular parenchyma organization followed the pattern described for other rodent species, with a large amount of seminiferous tubules occupying 93.57% of the organ, in a total of 26.04m per testicle. Stage I of the seminiferous tubule cycle was the most frequent in K. amblyonyx, while stage IV the most scarce. Each tubular section in stage I showed 0.47 type-A spermatogonia, 11.78 primary spermatocytes in pre-leptotene, 3.81 in zygotene and 14.31 in pachytene, whereas 32.19 cells were round spermatids and 6.23 were Sertoli cells. From these results it was possible to determine the sperm reserve of 274.49×106 cells per gram of testis. The mitotic and meiotic indexes were 25.06 and 2.25 cells, respectively, whereas the spermatogenic yield was 69.73 cells. Those findings are significant since this is the first study regarding the reproductive aspects of the only Echimyidae species in Brazil, which shows a monogamous mating system.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediments from an urban- and industrial-impacted subtropical estuary (Babitonga Bay, Brazil)

Babitonga Bay is a large estuary, which has been under pressure from anthropogenic activities coexisting with a natural area of Atlantic rainforest and mangrove systems. The concentration of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was determined to evaluate the contamination status and the determine possible pollution sources in the estuary. The ∑DDT (sum of DDT, DDE and DDD concentrations) was the predominant OCP group, with concentrations ranging from <DL (below detection limit) to 122ng g−1. The exceptionally high concentration of p,p′-DDT (80%) found near São Francisco harbour exceeded SQG limits indicating highly toxic conditions in the area that may be attributed to a recent contamination from some local input. In contrast, other sites in the estuary presented higher concentration of the metabolite p,p′-DDE (34%). The results suggest strongly anthropogenic impact in specific sites of this estuary, which need further investigation.

Monomachus (Hymenoptera, Monomachidae) from Atlantic rainforests in São Paulo State, Brazil

A survey of Monomachus (Hymenoptera, Monomachidae) was carried out with five Malaise traps/area in five areas of Atlantic Rainforest in São Paulo State, Brazil. The sampling effort in all localities amounted to 9,900 traps-day. Data were obtained from a total of 304 exemplars of Monomachus: 66 females and 238 males. The highest occurrence of Monomachus was observed between June and September with a frequency peak in July, and they were most frequent in Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo (PEMD) (350 m above sea level), where the sampling effort to catch each exemplar was 65.1 traps-day. From the sample of females of Monomachus captured in the Parque Estadual Intervales, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar/Núcleo Santa Virgínia (PESM/NSV), PEMD and Estação Ecológica Juréia Itatins, between December 2009 and December 2010, two species were recognized: M. fuscator (N = 58 / 87.9 %) and M. cubiceps (8 / 12.1 %). In additional samplings in 2011 at PESM/NSV two exemplars of M. klugii recorded only from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil were obtained, showing that its distribution has extended to São Paulo State.

Floristic survey of the Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge, Capela, Sergipe State, Brazil

ABSTRACT Seeking to expand the floristic studies for the Atlantic rainforest, we herein present, based on field trips (January 2011 to April 2013) and herbarium records, a list of vascular plants found in the Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge, State of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil. We registered a total of 380 species, 244 genera and 80 families, with 45 new occurrences for the Atlantic rainforest of the State of Sergipe. The most representative families were Fabaceae (36 species), Cyperaceae (29) and Poaceae (28). Herbs were the most representative regarding habit (167 species or 44%). We found two threatened species: Caesalpinia echinata Lam. and Campylocentrum pernambucense Hoehne, both in the "endangered" category. Overall, the results indicate that the Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge is floristically similar to other areas of Atlantic rainforest in the State of Sergipe. Moreover, the existence of new records and of a threatened native species reinforces its importance for conservation.

Predation on a tropical house gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia by a juvenile colubrid snake, Chironius bicarinatus, in a Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest area.

Snakes in the Neotropical genus Chironius are mainly batrachophagous, and tend to consume relatively small prey. We present a report of a juvenile Chironius bicarinatus that had ingested a house gecko ( Hemidactylus mabouia ) corresponding to ca. 62% of its preserved body mass. The ingestion of such a large prey item is unusual for a snake of the genus Chironius , as is the consumption of lizards. Consumption of unusually large prey items may be more common in young snakes than in adults, possibly due to a lower availability of prey of appropriate size and/or to a lower capacity to evaluate the size of potential prey.

SURVEILLANCE FOR NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS, AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS AND MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM IN WILD BIRDS NEAR COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARMS SURROUNDED BY ATLANTIC RAINFOREST REMNANTS, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

The geographic overlap between areas of Atlantic rainforest and human activities allows interactions to occur between humans and wild and domestic animals. Despite the great importance of the domestic animal-wildlife-human interface that occurs at poultry farms in terms of public health, economic production and wildlife conservation, there are few studies in Brazil examining the distribution and health of wild birds that interact with poultry farms. From January to December 2010, mist nets were used to capture 166 free-ranging birds that were within close proximity to three poultry farms in Atlantic rainforest remnants in south-eastern Brazil. The species composition was examined, and molecular methods were used to test for avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus, and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The avian communities near the poultry farms were dominated by three synanthropic species, which corresponded to 70% of all captured individuals: house sparrows Passer domesticus (33%), saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola) (22%), and ruddy ground-doves (Columbina talpacoti) (15%). These predominant bird species were in poor body condition (27%), were infested with feather mites (43%), or presented both conditions (23%). No evidence of infection by avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus or M. gallisepticum was identified in any of the studied birds. Although no evidence of the studied pathogens was, our findings demonstrate that differences in the environmental characteristics and biosecurity practices influence the wild bird community near poultry farms, which in turn may affect the health status of these synanthropic birds and strengthen their role in the transmission of pathogens.

RECOVERY OF RICHNESS, BIOMASS AND DENSITY IN ATLANTIC RAINFOREST AREAS AFTER CLEARCUTTING

ABSTRACT Our aim was to analyze areas of Atlantic rainforest after clearcutting with different types of management (pasture establishment followed (PA) by abandonment and simple abandonment (NR)). We then compared composition parameters, structure and ecological processes with native forest as a reference. Our study was conducted in Sete Barras municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data collection was performed six years after clearcutting, including all woody plants found in two strata (DBH (diameter at 1.3 m soil) &gt;5cm and DBH&lt;5cm and height &gt;1.5m, respectively). PA and RN showed lower values of richness, density, basal area, and diversity index (H´) when compared with F for both strata. Thus, independently of management type, six years of abandonment were not enough to recover the parameters analyzed, compared to native forest. Type of management influences ecological succession and structural parameters considering the second strata only.

Conocimiento etnoagrícola al borde de la desaparición: el caso de una comunidad de la Mata Atlántica brasileña

This paper aims to survey ethnoagricultural knowledge by a community living in an area of Atlantic tropical rainforest in Brazil. Interviews were conducted to 20 persons who are still related to the use of plants. All of them had cultivated rocas in the past, activity they reported to have abandoned due to changes in environmental law, tourism activities and lack of land for planting. There is still a rich ethnoagricultural memory based on the traditional practices of cultivation of plants, management of the land, and the observation of nature. However, this knowledge is rapidly disappearing albeit its high socioenvironmental value and its recognized tangible and intangible biocultural heritage.

The Impact of Biosolid Application on Soil and Native Plants in a Degraded Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Soil

We conducted a field experiment to determine whether application of biosolids (municipal sewage sludge) to degraded areas of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest had the potential to contaminate native forest species with trace metals in the sandy soils of the region. Treatments consisted of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dry Mg biosolids ha−1, with nine native pioneer, secondary, and climax tree species assessed for metal uptake: capixingui, aroeira-pimenteria, canafistula, cedro-rosa, mutamba, angico-vermelho, copaiba, jatoba, and jequitiba. Biosolid application did not have a statistically significant effect on metal concentrations in soil, and Cd was the only metal with increased availability. No increased metal uptake was seen in tree foliage sampled at 6 and 12 months after application. Additional longer-term study is recommended; however, the results of this study indicate biosolids could be used in Atlantic rainforest reclamation in degraded sandy soils with little impact on soil accumulation and tree uptake of trace metals.

Suábios do Danúbio na Mata Atlântica do sul do Brasil

This article discusses the settlement process carried out by the Donauschwaben or DanubeSwabians in Southern Brazil, from an environmental history point of view on landscapechange in Atlantic Rainforest areas of Parana State. We believe that the group sought tobuild a new agricultural landscape based on its previous experience as farmers in pre-WorldWar II Europe. In Brazil, Swabians had to negotiate their identity with natural conditionsfound in the west of the State of Parana. Immigrants tried to recreate their identity by theappropriatin of technical discourses to be defined as the regional progress promoters ofmodern agriculture and ethnic labor values. The research made use of technical reports,images and other documents produced by immigrants and local media to read this historicalprocess.

Two new species of Dryinidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from areas of Atlantic Rainforest at São Paulo State, Brazil.

Two new species of Dryinidae are described and illustrated Dryinus auratus Martins, Lara, Perioto & Olmi sp. nov. and Gonatopus mariae Martins, Lara, Perioto & Olmi sp. nov., both from areas of Atlantic Rainforest at São Paulo State, Brazil. Keys to species are provided.

Differential success in sampling of Atlantic Forest amphibians among different periods of the day.

In general, anurans tend to be nocturnal, though diurnal activity is characteristic of some groups. Studies show that frog activity may be inferred based on the number of individuals collected at different periods of the day, during large-scale field surveys. We investigated the best period of the day to conduct amphibian sampling in nine Atlantic Rainforest areas in southeastern Brazil, based on intensive field surveys. At each locality we employed similar sampling effort during diurnal, crepuscular and nocturnal searches (totaling 704.5 sampling hours). We pooled data from all localities for each period and estimated the proportion of frogs of each species active at each period based on the total number of individuals and on the number of species found during all surveys for that period. We recorded a total of 817 individual frogs from 69 species. Species richness was highest at night (median = 12 species), intermediate at dusk (median = 8), and lowest during the day (median = 4). The percentage of the total number of individual frogs found (pooled species) was highest during the night (ca. 53%) and lowest during the day (ca. 14%). Analyzing each species separately, the number of individuals recorded was consistently higher at dusk and night for most species. Our study evidences a trend for nocturnal activity for most Atlantic Rainforest frogs, with few species having primarily diurnal habits. Those results may favor future studies and conservation efforts for amphibian species.

Living in a same microhabitat should means eating the same food? Diet and trophic niche of sympatric leaf-litter frogs Ischnocnema henselii and Adenomera marmorata in a forest of Southern Brazil.

In this study we analyzed diet composition, niche breadth and overlap of the two leaf-litter frogs Ischnocnema henselii and Adenomera marmorata. Frogs were collected in an Atlantic Rainforest area in the Reserva Natural Salto Morato, in Paraná State, Southern Brazil, using plots of 16 m2 established on forest floor. Ischnocnemahenselii consumed18differenttypes of prey and the diet of this species was composed predominantly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (15.4%), Araneae (13.83%), Orthoptera (6.15%) and Opiliones (6.15%), whereas Adenomera marmorata consumed 15 different types of prey and its diet was composed mainly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (45.7%), Acari (31.8%) and Blattodea (14.8%). The niche breadth of I.henselii was BA = 0.43 and that of A. marmorata was BA = 0.19. The diet of the two sympatric species of leaf-litter frogs was basically composed by arthropods and the trophic niche overlap among them did not differ from expected at random. The differences in prey consumption should potentially facilitate the coexistence of two sympatric frogs on the forest floor. Possibly, this difference of prey consumption partly reflects differences in jaw width, species-specific body size of the two species and the period of activity of these two species.

Sinopse de Hibiscus L. (Malvoideae, Malvaceae) do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: espécies nativas e cultivadas ornamentais

O estudo taxonômico das espécies de Hibiscus foi realizado com base no exame de mais de 100 coleções depositadas nos acervos dos herbários do Estado de São Paulo, além de materiais coletados pelas autoras. Foram levantadas 14 espécies (seis nativas e oito cultivadas com fim ornamental). As espécies nativas ocorrem preferencialmente em áreas brejosas nos domínios da Floresta Ombrófila densa e do Cerrado, enquanto que as espécies cultivadas foram encontradas em praças, canteiros públicos, parques, hortos, jardins residenciais e de instituições de pesquisa e ensino. São apresentadas chave de identificação, ilustrações de caracteres diagnósticos, dados de distribuição geográfica e comentários sobre a morfologia e taxonomia das espécies. Hibiscus urticifolius A. St.-Hil. &amp; Naudin é uma nova ocorrência para o Estado de São Paulo.

Polypores from an Atlantic rainforest area in southeast Brazil: pileate species

Polypores from an Atlantic rainforest area in southeast Brazil: pileate species

Conservation study of an endangered stingless bee (Melipona capixaba—Hymenoptera: Apidae) with restricted distribution in Brazil

Melipona capixaba, popularly known as “urucu preta”, is a stingless bee restricted to the mountainous Atlantic Rainforest areas of Espirito Santo State, Brazil. Due to the endemism and small population size, this species discovered in 1994 is now considered “vulnerable to extinction”. Using ISSR, PCR–RFLP and microsatellites markers, we studied the genetic variability and structure of M. capixaba from 88 colonies collected throughout the distribution area of the species within Espirito Santo State. The microsatellite, ISSR and mitochondrial haplotype analyses showed that M. capixaba has low genetic variability compared to other insect species. The molecular analyses also indicated a high genetic similarity among the M. capixaba samples, with no clear pattern of structuring. The analyses of molecular variance results indicated that most of the total genetic variation in M. capixaba was explained by the genetic diversity within local populations. Results suggest that the analyzed samples could be treated as a single population for preservation purposes. Thus, given its endemism, local adaptation and low number of natural colonies, efforts for the conservation of M. capixaba should focus on preservation and increasing the number of colonies in the wild, so that M. capixaba can support constant captures and the effects of habitat deforestation in Espirito Santo State.

Survey of Trypanosoma and Leishmania in wild and domestic animals in an Atlantic rainforest fragment and surroundings in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Trypanosoma and Leishmania infections affect wild and domestic animals and human populations. The growing process of deforestation and urbanization of Atlantic Rainforest areas has given rise to introduction of humans and domestic animals to the sylvatic cycles of Trypanosoma and Leishmania species. Serological, parasitological, and molecular surveys among wild and domestic animals in the Corrego do Veado Biological Reserve, which is an Atlantic Rainforest fragment in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, were evaluated. In total, 154 wild animals of 25 species and 67 domestic animals (47 dogs and 20 horses) were sampled. All the domestic animals were serologically negative for anti-Leishmania infantum chagasi antibodies and negative in parasitological approaches. Only the Order Chiroptera presented positive blood cultures and cryopreserved isolates. The phylogenetic trees based on SSU rDNA and gGAPDH genes confirmed the occurrence of Trypanosoma dionisii and provided the first record of Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei in southeastern Brazil. The studies conducted in Atlantic Rainforest remaining trees provide the knowledge of parasite diversity or detect parasites that can accelerate the loss of hosts diversity.

Environmental parameters affecting the structure of leaf-litter frog (Amphibia: Anura) communities in tropical forests: a case study from an Atlantic Rainforest area in southeastern Brazil

Despite a recent increase of information on leaf litter frog communities from Atlantic rainforests, few studies have analyzed the relationship between environmental parameters and community structure of these animals. We analyzed the effects of some environmental factors on a leaf litter frog community at an Atlantic Rainforest area in southeastern Brazil. Data collection lasted ten consecutive days in January 2010, at elevations ranging between 300 and 520 m above sea level. We established 50 quadrats of 5 x 5 m on the forest floor, totaling 1,250 m2 of sampled area, and recorded the mean leaf-litter depth and the number of trees within the plot, as well as altitude. We found 307 individuals belonging to ten frog species within the plots. The overall density of leaf-litter frogs estimated from the plots was 24.6 ind/100m2, with Euparkerella brasiliensis (Parker, 1926), Ischnocnema guentheri (Steindachner, 1864), Ischnocnema parva (Girard, 1853) and Haddadus binotatus (Spix, 1824) presenting the highest estimated densities. Among the environmental variables analyzed, only altitude influenced the parameters of anuran community. Our results indicate that the study area has a very high density of forest floor leaf litter frogs at altitudes of 300-500 m. Future estimates of litter frog density might benefit from taking the local altitudinal variation into consideration. Neglecting such variation might result in underestimated/overestimated values if they are extrapolated to the whole area.

Some new species and new varieties of Marasmius (Marasmiaceae, Basidiomycota) from Atlantic Rainforest areas of São Paulo State, Brazil

Marasmius is a widely represented genus in tropical areas, particularly in the Neotropics, which holds exceptional diversity. Previous studies have shown that traditional sections of the genus (e.g. sensu Singer) are still in conflict with phylogenetic data. This paper addresses some issues concerning morphology at the sectional level, section Neosessiles in particular, with regards to taxonomic concepts and partial phylogenetic relationships of new Neotropical species with interesting combinations of inter-sectional characteristics. Taxa descriptions in this study include Marasmius conchiformis sp. nov., M. conchiformis var. dispar var. nov., M. conchiformis var. lenipileatus var. nov., M. griseoroseus, M. griseoroseus var. diminutus var. nov., M. linderoides sp. nov., and M. longisetosus sp. nov. Some of these taxa have pleurotoid habit, and because this condition is poorly known in Marasmius, we considered it appropriate to look at their phylogenetic placement with respect to other species of the genus. We conducted Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses on ribosomal 28S long subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) alignments to verify the singularity of the new taxa and to make an assessment of their relationships, regarding morphology, to other species of Marasmius. Overall, molecular and morphological data do support three new distinctive species and three varieties. Part of our findings also supports the view of some macromorphological and micromorphological characters as being highly homoplasic.

Functional and Taxonomic Diversity of Stinging Wasps in Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Areas.

Vespoidea are the most functionally diverse superfamily of Hymenoptera. Ecological studies involving this family are primarily based on eusocial groups, including ants and social paper wasps. In the present study, we examine stinging wasp (Vespoidea) faunal diversity in the Atlantic Rain Forest, which is one of the most diverse and threatened ecosystems in the World. Three conservation areas were sampled employing a standardized sample protocol. Families and functional groups of Vespoidea were collected in each area, with the exception ants (Formicidae), and analyzed using diversity analyses, to generate taxonomic diversity and distinctness indices. Results indicated Pompilidae was the most diverse family, and the idiobiont parasitoid type was the most diverse functional group in the three study areas. Núcleo Picinguaba of the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar was taxonomically and functionally the most diverse and species rich area. Parque Estadual Intervales showed the highest number of dominant species and diversity of koinobiont parasitoids, while the Rebio Sooretama exhibited a decrease in several diversity parameters.