Brazilian Biome Research Articles

Exploring the funga of the Brazilian Cerrado biome: Richness of aquatic hyphomycetes in lotic ecosystems of the São Francisco and Tocantins River basins1

Exploring the funga of the Brazilian Cerrado biome: Richness of aquatic hyphomycetes in lotic ecosystems of the São Francisco and Tocantins River basins1

New species of Binodacarus and Rhodacarus mites (Mesostigmata: Rhodacaridae) from Brazilian Cerrado biome, and a key to the world species of the genera

Binodacarus tocantinensis sp. nov. and Rhodacarus emilianoi sp. nov. are described based on the morphology of adult females collected from litter/soil in a fragment of the Cerrado biome, in Tocantins state, northern Brazil. In addition, the keys for the separation of females of the world species of Binodacarus and Rhodacarus are provided.

Genetic and morphometric variation in populations of Partamona cupira and Partamona mulata, stingless bees endemic to the Cerrado biome in Brazil

Genetic and morphometric variation in populations of <i>Partamona cupira</i> and <i>Partamona mulata</i>, stingless bees endemic to the <i>Cerrado</i> biome in Brazil

Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from free-range chickens in the Caatinga biome.

Antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli is a global health challenge from a One Health perspective. However, data on its emergence in the Caatinga biome are limited. This biome is exclusive to the Brazilian Northeast and offers unique epidemiological conditions that can influence the occurrence of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. In this study, the carriage proportion, antimicrobial susceptibility, and population structure of cephalosporin-resistant E. coli were assessed in 300 cloacal swab samples of free-range chickens from three Brazilian states covered by the Caatinga biome. The results showed that 44 (14.7%) samples were positive for cephalosporin-resistant E. coli, and Paraíba state had the highest frequency of isolates (68.2%). Genes encoding cephotaximase-Munich or ampicillin class C (AmpC) enzymes were identified in 30 (68.2%) and 8 (18.2%) isolates, respectively, comprising 31 E. coli isolates. Overall, molecular typing by genome restriction using XbaI endonuclease followed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed four clusters from two properties of Paraíba state composed by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and AmpC-producing E. coli carrying blaCTX-M-1-like and blaMIR-1/ACT-1 genes and belonging to different phylogenetic groups. There is a need to control antimicrobial resistance while taking into account the genetic diversity of the strains and their implications for animal and public health, especially in free-range chickens reared in the Brazilian Caatinga biome.

Volumetric and energy production assessment of wood in managed forest in the Brazilian arid biome

There is a growing demand for wood products from forests located in dry regions, which includes the Caatinga, a biome in Northeast Brazil. This study evaluates the relationship between volumetric production, energy potential, and the rotation cycle. Information was collected from forest stands in different stages of regeneration located in an arid region of Brazil. Based on the forest management plan, four fields were selected with post-logging ages of 9, 11, 13, and 16 years. This inventory recorded circumference at chest height, circumference at base height, total height, volume, stored energy, technical cutting age, and rainfall index. The results showed that the species that presented the most significant quantity of stems did not always correspond to those that obtained the most significant amount of biomass. The technical cutting age was determined at 16 years, aiming to maximize wood utilization. Regarding energy density, the 9-year-old field reached 7,281 kcal ha-1, the 11-year-old field obtained 14,448 kcal ha-1, the 13-year-old field recorded 41,526 kcal ha-1, and the 16-year-old field reached 98,190 kcal ha-1. The species that contributed most to energy accumulation included Mimosa tenuiflora with 3,740 kcal m–³, Piptadenia stipulacea with 3,271 kcal m-3, and Cenostigma pyramidale with 3,101 kcal m-3.

Distribution of Sarcophagidae (Diptera, Oestroidea) in Brazilian biomes: richness, endemism, and sampling gaps

ABSTRACT Sarcophagid experts have made several efforts to associate biodiversity data and comprehend where each species occurs, but comprehensive faunal inventories remain scarce. Our aim was to provide a list of distributional patterns and endemic species and allow assessment of the sampling effort conducted within Brazilian biomes. We produced a dataset of Brazilian sarcophagids and overlaid with a biome map, to investigate distributional patterns, endemism and to build species accumulation curves. Additionally, we calculated nonparametric asymptotic species richness estimators and extrapolation of species diversity (Hill numbers). Our dataset comprised 288 sarcophagid species, which 21 were identified as endemic. The biomes with the highest species richness were the Atlantic Rainforest and the Amazon Forest, and no biome exhibited a stabilized asymptotic curve. This is the first proposal of listing Sarcophagidae species by biomes and essential to understand the spatial distribution of this family in Brazil. We present maps and richness estimators that allow identifying gaps and guiding survey planning.

Nesting behaviour of Neotropical social wasps of the genus Clypearia de Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae)

ABSTRACT Social insects have developed different nest defence strategies; for example, social wasps use nonaggressive mechanisms or aggressiveness, including stinging. This subject has been widely examined in the literature, and it may help improve our understanding of wasps’ ecology. The nesting behaviour of some genera is still poorly known. In this paper, we report new information on the nesting behaviour of the species Clypearia in different Brazilian biomes. We observed six nesting events in natural and anthropic environments of the Amazon rainforest, Atlantic forest, and Cerrado domains, sporadically from 2004 to 2022. From our observations, we suggest that Clypearia nest defence includes (i) preference for nest camouflage rather than aggressive behaviour; (ii) selection of nesting sites close to water sources in natural or anthropic environments, and eventually obtaining food from the substrate; (iii) nesting association with ants for mutual protection against predators; and (iv) variations in the nests’ height. Our records suggest nest camouflage and association with ants are strategies for nest defence. These may have influenced nest height in relation to the ground, which may also vary according to the environment explored by the species.

The economic impacts of the rural credit: An analysis of the Brazilian National Family Farming Strengthening Program by biome

This study aims to assess the economic impacts of the National Family Farming Strengthening Program (Pronaf) in the various Brazilian biomes. The impacts at the sectoral, regional, and macroeconomic levels, arising from increases in rural credit to farmers in Brazilian territory – family and non-family farmers separately considered –, are carried out using the Computable General Equilibrium model, TERM-Biomas, specially built for analysis of the rural sectors in the Brazilian biomes. The key conclusion is that all regions of the model win, in the most varied magnitudes. Regions with higher participation in family farming production earn more than others. Up to the year 2020, some regions – from the Caatinga biome – show comparative losses. This may be because traditionally family farming regions would have their demands for primary factors more drastically increased, investments and jobs migrate, for example, from those regions of Caatinga. When the results are analyzed in a wider time limit, however, the results suggest general gains. The more vulnerable and specialized in family farming sectors are the regions, the greater the gains.

The invasive Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae): new record of host plant, predator and biome in Brazil

The invasive Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae): new record of host plant, predator and biome in Brazil

Estimation of energy properties of wood from Brazilian Cerrado biome by NIR spectroscopy

Estimation of energy properties of wood from Brazilian Cerrado biome by NIR spectroscopy

Spatial heterogeneity in climate change effects across Brazilian biomes

We present a methodology designed to study the spatial heterogeneity of climate change. Our approach involves decomposing the observed changes in temperature patterns into multiple trend, cycle, and seasonal components within a spatio-temporal model. We apply this method to test the hypothesis of a global long-term temperature trend against multiple trends in distinct biomes. Applying this methodology, we delve into the examination of heterogeneity of climate change in Brazil—a country characterized by a spectrum of climate zones. The findings challenge the notion of a global trend, revealing the presence of distinct trends in warming effects, and more accelerated trends for the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, indicating a composition between global warming and deforestation in determining changes in permanent temperature patterns.

Diversity and relative abundance of immature mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Hohenbergia catingae Ule bromeliads and larvitraps in the Nísia Floresta National Forest, northeast Brazil.

The Nísia Floresta National Forest, located in Rio Grande do Norte (RN), is an important remnant of the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil. Bromeliad tanks in this forest offer suitable breeding sites for mosquito species that may act as viral vectors, thus posing an epidemiological concern. However, studies investigating the presence of immature Culicidae in natural breeding sites in RN have thus far been restricted to Caatinga vegetation. This study investigated mosquitoes and their natural breeding sites in bromeliads growing in the Nísia Floresta National Forest. From March 2013 to February 2014, monthly samples were collected from the tanks of five randomly selected bromeliads and larvitraps placed in each of the three forest management areas. Hohenbergia catingae Ule (Hohenbergia bromeliad) is an important shelter for immature mosquitoes. Culex (Microculex) was the predominant species, representing 86% of the immature mosquitoes collected. A rare occurrence of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (generally associated with urban areas under high anthropogenic influence) was observed, highlighting the importance of investigating the presence of mosquitoes in different natural habitats. An analysis of species diversity revealed that species such as Culex imitator Theobald, 1903 and Culex davisi Kumm, 1933, have a strong association with bromeliads. In tire traps (larvitraps) Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Skuse, 1894 was predominant. Environmental changes, such as deforestation, removal of bromeliads, and climate change in the area, can influence the migration of species and adaptation to new habitats in a peridomiciliary environment around the forest, consequently the possibility of transmission of virus and other pathogens.

Determination and characterization of the junction angles in river channels in Brazil with Google Earth Pro imagesn angles in river channels in Brazil with Google Earth Pro images

The determination of the junction angles and the river dynamics that form them have been studied since the 1930s. These studies normally have three approaches: reduced models, field investigation, and numerical simulation. To collaborate the scientific advances in this topic, the present study proposes a new methodology to determine junction angles in river channels, based on the Cosine Law, employing high-resolution remote sensing imagery. To verify your performance, 135 confluences located in six Brazilian biomes have been analyzed. These confluences were characterized with different magnitudes of channel width and different angles. Thus, relationship between width of the channels and their junction angles were evaluated, it has been obtained values α between 79° and 101°, values β between 133° and 150° and values γ between 117° and 140°. Results show that the channel width influences the magnitude of the junction angles.

Genetic Parameters Estimated in the Early Growth of Dimorphandra mollis Benth. Progenies

The extractivism of Dimorphandra mollis Benth., which is a native tree from the Brazilian Cerrado biome, popularly known as fava d’anta, combined with the reduction in native vegetation area in the country over the years may result in a decrease in the specie’s natural populations. The objective of this study was to estimate the quantitative genetic parameters in nursery, hardening, and field phases, based on a progeny test. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks (six blocks for the nursery and hardening phases, and four blocks for the field phase with 5 plants/plot and 72 mother trees), with evaluations of the collar diameter and seedling height at 30, 90, 150, 480, and 570 days after sowing, between the production and planting phases. Among the coefficients of variance, the phenotypic and additive ones showed the highest values. Heritabilities for height ranged from moderate to high (0.15 to 0.43), indicating good genetic control of the traits, high potential for selection, and possibility of genetic gains. The genetic divergence of the progenies resulted in division into five groups, confirming the existence of genetic variability among the evaluated progenies and the potential for conservation and breeding programs.

Monitoring agricultural drought using different indices based on remote sensing data in the Brazilian biomes of Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.

Several remote sensing indices have been used to monitor droughts, mainly in semi-arid regions with limited coverage by meteorological stations. The objective of this study was to estimate and monitor agricultural drought conditions in the Jequitinhonha Valley region, located in the Brazilian biomes of the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, from 2001 to 2021, using vegetation indices and the meteorological drought index from remote sensing data. Linear regression was applied to analyze drought trends and Pearson's correlation coefficient was applied to evaluate the relationship between vegetation indices and climatic conditions in agricultural areas using the Standardized Precipitation Index. The results revealed divergences in the occurrences of regional droughts, predominantly covering mild to moderate drought conditions. Analysis spatial of drought trends revealed a decreasing pattern, indicating an increase in drought in the Middle and Low Jequitinhonha sub-regions. On the other hand, a reduction in drought was observed in the High Jequitinhonha region. Notably, the Vegetation Condition Index demonstrated the most robust correlation with the Standardized Precipitation Index, with R values ​​greater than 0.5 in all subregions of the study area. This index showed a strong association with precipitation, proving its suitability for monitoring agricultural drought in heterogeneous areas and with different climatic attributes. The use of remote sensing technology made it possible to detect regional variations in the spatio-temporal patterns of drought in the Jequitinhonha Valley. This vision helps in the implementation of personalized strategies and public policies, taking into account the particularities of each area, in order to mitigate the negative impacts of drought on agricultural activities in the region.

Zoonotic assemblages A and B of Giardia duodenalis in Chiroptera from Brazilian Amazon biome

Bats are important reservoirs and spreaders of pathogens. Giardia duodenalis is a globally important protozoan that infects humans and other mammals with considerable public health burden, particularly on the child development. Based on genetic variation and host specificity, G. duodenalis is categorized into eight genotypes/assemblages A-H. Assemblages A and B are widespread globally and are associated with human and animal disease. There is evidence of Giardia in the bat feces from diverse geographic regions, but the G. duodenalis assemblages are unknown, which is a key point for the One Health view. Here, we successfully amplified the BG/GDH/DIS3/HCMP2/HCMP3 targets of G. duodenalis from five bat species captured in the Brazilian Amazon biome revealing the presence of zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblages A and B in the feces of these flying mammals. Our study reveals that bats may play a role in transmission of zoonotic G. duodenalis, at least in this biome.

Performance and projections of the NEX‐GDDP‐CMIP6 in simulating precipitation in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado biomes

AbstractThe objective of this work is to provide projections of mean annual and monthly precipitation for the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado biomes, in the near‐term (2021–2040), medium‐term (2041–2060) and long‐term (2081–2100). The intermediate and most pessimistic Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) greenhouse gas emissions scenarios were considered. Thus, 34 high‐resolution global climate models (GCMs) from the NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX‐GDDP) Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) were evaluated. The base period evaluated was from 1981 to 2010. The NEX‐GDDP simulations are bias‐corrected and spatially disaggregated. The Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station v2.0 was chosen as the source of observed data due to low availability in situ data. The Kling‐Gupta efficiency (KGE) and the global performance indicator were implemented in Google Earth Engine to evaluate the GCMs. The results show that the GCMs perform satisfactorily, except for KACE‐1‐0‐G and IITM‐ESM. The median KGE is 0.86 for the biomes. Thus, the Ensemble Model of 32 GCMs (EM‐32) indicates a reduction in precipitation in the biomes, except the northern Cerrado. In the most pessimistic scenario, changes in annual precipitation range from 3% to −33% until the end of the century. The north‐central Amazon and the northwestern Cerrado are the most affected regions. In general, the monthly precipitations between September and November show the most intense decreasing rates. It is estimated that 91% and 23% of areas in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, respectively, show robust signs of reduction in mean annual precipitation. Thus, EM‐32 shows more intense and robust climate projections, in comparison to the total annual precipitation of the subset of 33 raw CMIP6 models from Working Group I of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. Therefore, the EM‐32 precipitation projections can be applied to future hydrological and hydrosedimentological investigations.

Comparative genomic analysis of Bradyrhizobium strains with natural variability in the efficiency of nitrogen fixation, competitiveness, and adaptation to stressful edaphoclimatic conditions.

Bradyrhizobium is known for fixing atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with agronomically important crops. This study focused on two groups of strains, each containing eight natural variants of the parental strains, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 586 (=CNPSo 17) or Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens SEMIA 566 (=CNPSo 10). CNPSo 17 and CNPSo 10 were used as commercial inoculants for soybean crops in Brazil at the beginning of the crop expansion in the southern region in the 1960s-1970s. Variants derived from these parental strains were obtained in the late 1980s through a strain selection program aimed at identifying elite strains adapted to a new cropping frontier in the central-western Cerrado region, with a higher capacity of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and competitiveness. Here, we aimed to detect genetic variations possibly related to BNF, competitiveness for nodule occupancy, and adaptation to the stressful conditions of the Brazilian Cerrado soils. High-quality genome assemblies were produced for all strains. The core genome phylogeny revealed that strains of each group are closely related, as confirmed by high average nucleotide identity values. However, variants accumulated divergences resulting from horizontal gene transfer, genomic rearrangements, and nucleotide polymorphisms. The B. japonicum group presented a larger pangenome and a higher number of nucleotide polymorphisms than the B. diazoefficiens group, possibly due to its longer adaptation time to the Cerrado soil. Interestingly, five strains of the B. japonicum group carry two plasmids. The genetic variability found in both groups is discussed considering the observed differences in their BNF capacity, competitiveness for nodule occupancy, and environmental adaptation.IMPORTANCEToday, Brazil is a global leader in the study and use of biological nitrogen fixation with soybean crops. As Brazilian soils are naturally void of soybean-compatible bradyrhizobia, strain selection programs were established, starting with foreign isolates. Selection searched for adaptation to the local edaphoclimatic conditions, higher efficiency of nitrogen fixation, and strong competitiveness for nodule occupancy. We analyzed the genomes of two parental strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens and eight variant strains derived from each parental strain. We detected two plasmids in five strains and several genetic differences that might be related to adaptation to the stressful conditions of the soils of the Brazilian Cerrado biome. We also detected genetic variations in specific regions that may impact symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Our analysis contributes to new insights into the evolution of Bradyrhizobium, and some of the identified differences may be applied as genetic markers to assist strain selection programs.

Between Wires and Wings: What Are the Impacts of Power Transmission Lines on the Diversity of Insectivorous Bats?

Energy consumption in the world is growing every year, and there is an increasing demand on the energy system to meet the increase in consumption, resulting in the installation of new power transmission lines. The understanding of how power transmission lines affect biodiversity is predominantly focused on birds, with limited information available on other organisms. In this study, we assessed the potential effect of power transmission lines on bat communities in a locality in the Cerrado biome in Brazil. More specifically, we used a paired sample design and acoustically sampled bats in locations near and far from the transmission lines. Our findings suggest that power transmission lines do not have a generally positive or negative effect on insectivorous bat communities in the study area. However, their presence seems to be associated with increased diversity in specific functional groups and changes in the activity patterns of some bat species and families. We believe that this information is of particular importance for establishing appropriate programs during the environmental licensing process, assisting in the development of projects in the different stages of construction as well as in monitoring programs during operation.

Long temporal trend and seasonal variation analysis of forest fires in Brazilian biomes: A stochastic approach

Long temporal trend and seasonal variation analysis of forest fires in Brazilian biomes: A stochastic approach