Brazilian Species Research Articles

Feeding Ecology of Reintroduced Golden Parakeets (Guaruba guarouba, Psittacidae) in a Protected Area in the Amazon Forest

The Golden Parakeet is an endemic Brazilian flagship species that has suffered from poaching and habitat loss, leading to local extinctions in the urbanized parts of the Amazon. We reintroduced six groups of mostly captive-bred parakeets in a protected area. The birds were acclimatized for at least five months at the release site, where they were trained to recognize native foods and develop foraging skills. Subsequently, we conducted a soft release, followed by daily supplementation and monitoring. For three years following the release we recorded their diet, feeding behavior, and how they adapted to wild foraging. The reintroduced birds fed on 23 plant species, with 13 not being previously listed in past studies. The three most consumed species corresponded to 77% of their feeding records. Parakeets spent more time feeding in altered landscapes and secondary vegetation than in the preserved forest. Most of the feeding happened during the rainy season when most of their favorite plants are fruiting. The parakeets’ incorporation of new species in their diet and their transition from supplemental to natural feeding happened gradually, as we did not reduce food offerings. Parakeets that showed site fidelity were able to find native food rapidly following release, but individuals that dispersed immediately had more difficulty finding food. This study showed that captive-bred Golden Parakeets can transition to a wild diet following a gradual reintroduction process.

New data about Calomys tocantinsi (Sigmodontinae) distribution

Calomys is a rodent genus widely distributed in South America comprising 13 species, the most of species associated with savannas and grasslands in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile. Among Calomys species, two Brazilian endemic species have small distributions, C. cerqueirai and C. tocantinsi, this latter known only for seven localities. Here we extend the distribution of C. tocantinsi in 400km to the north, up to Canaã dos Carajás, in the Brazilian state of Pará. Our data suggest that this species is not endemic to the Cerrado and transition areas, but also occurs in the Amazon domain.

NURSERY AREA FOR THE THREATENED GUIANA DOLPHIN, SOTALIA GUIANENSIS, ON THE NORTHEAST COAST OF BRAZIL

Cetacean calves are considered fragile and vulnerable, especially in the first year of life. To guarantee safety and increase the likelihood of survival, females with calves use habitats with unique characteristics, called nursery areas. In the present study, we investigated whether the Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis, considered a threatened species in Brazil, uses the Tibau do Sul Coastal Wildlife Reserve (REFAUTS) as a nursery area. We identified the Guiana dolphins through photographs and recorded the composition of the groups during the 41-day sampling period, between 2013 and 2019. We identified 17 adults/juveniles in the company of calves, five of which were recorded in three or more years of the study. The average size of the Guiana dolphin groups (mean±SE) was 2.4±0.08 individuals, ranging from 2 to 5 individuals (n = 98). Groups with calves were recorded in every year of the study and on 53.7% of the sampling days. A total of 35.8% of the Guiana dolphin groups had calves. These results suggest that REFAUTS is an important nursery area for Guiana dolphins on the Northeast coast of Brazil.

New Records of Polymeridium (MüLl.Arg.) R.C.Harris from Brazil with Description of a New Species from the Caatinga, and a Checklist of the Brazilian Species

New Records of Polymeridium (MüLl.Arg.) R.C.Harris from Brazil with Description of a New Species from the Caatinga, and a Checklist of the Brazilian Species

Viruses in Brazilian stingless bees

Stingless bees are important pollinators in tropical and subtropical areas. The breeding of native stingless bee species from the Meliponini tribe to obtain honey, pollen, and geopropolis (meliponiculture) is a promising activity in Brazil with economic, social, and environmental impacts. Stingless bees can share food sources with Apis mellifera and other insects that can be vectors of pathogens. Here, we investigated seven stingless bee species from Brazil (Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides, Melipona scutellaris, Nannotrigona testaceicornis, Partamona helleri, Scaptotrigona xanthotricha, Tetragonisca angustula, and Trigona spinipes) screening for seven of the most common pathogenic viruses (ABPV, IAPV, BQCV, CBPV, SBV, KBV, and DWV) in A. mellifera in summer and winter seasons. All seven stingless bee species studied were positive for ABPV and IAPV (only in M. quadrifasciata anthidioides and T. spinipes), while ABPV was found in samples from summer and winter, IAPV was only found in winter. This is the first study detecting viruses in seven native stingless bee species in Brazil and because of the novelty of this area in Brazil, it is necessary to monitor native stingless bee colonies to investigate the impact of those viruses at a colony and individual level to avoid losses and impact to the native bees.

Dataset of the impacts of invasive alien species in Brazil

AbstractThis dataset summarizes the research on the impacts of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) documented in Brazil from 1981 to 2022 and was used to subsidize the Brazilian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Impacts of non‐native plants and animals, but not microorganisms and fungi, on terrestrial and aquatic (freshwater and marine) environments were included in this review. Most of the literature reviewed consisted of published articles, plus a few book chapters, dissertations, theses, and reports. We found 1003 records of ecological and economic impacts (970 negative and 33 positive) caused by 239 different species, as well as effects on people's well‐being. Understanding and assessing all ecological interactions of IAS in nature, as well as evaluating their contributions to humans, can be a complex task. However, the current scientific evidence from Brazil suggests that negative impacts of IAS are far more common than positive impacts, highlighting the importance of avoiding novel introductions. From a conservationist perspective, the simple presence of IAS may cause the negative impact of changing the original structure and processes of nature. This is of special concern in megadiverse countries like Brazil, where interactions among species are multiple and complex. Therefore, we believe this extensive review is an important contribution to the national knowledge of IAS and the improvement of global databases, which must be periodically reviewed. The complete dataset for this abstract published in the Data Article section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2024-01.1/jalter-en.

Total mercury in three small tunas from southeastern Brazil: Stable isotope relations and human risk assessment

Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation can be highly variable in marine species. Its concentration is influenced by several physico-chemical and biotic processes, including size, age, diet composition and foraging habitats. Herein, we addressed total mercury (THg) concentrations in three small tuna species in Brazil: the frigate tuna Auxis thazard, the little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus and the skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis. Samples were collected from commercial landings in the SE Brazilian coast from 2017 to 2019. The influence of trophic ecology and habitat preference on Hg accumulation was assessed through stable isotope [carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N)] measurements. Additionally, the human health risk regarding the species consumption was assessed by the estimated weekly intake (EWI) and the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for total consumers, adult men and adult women. Variables such as size and age were positively correlated to Hg, due to the bioaccumulation process. Trophic position appears to positively influence the mercury concentrations for A. thazard and K. pelamis, since relationship between δ15N and THg was significant. For E. alletteratus, the lack of relationship suggests that δ15N values do not vary much among adult fish (> 300 mm). Muscle THg concentrations in the three species did not exceed the established tolerable limit for mercury by Brazilian and international organs, as indicated by the %PTWI. This finding suggests that the consumption of those species caught off southeast Brazil at the considered amounts does not present a risk for healthy adults.

The subfamily Cercidoideae (Fabaceae Lindl.) in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeast Brazil

The Fabaceae family holds the greatest floral diversity and number of species in Brazil, having high economic, ecological, and medicinal importance, and is currently divided into six subfamilies. This study consisted of a survey and description of species of the Cercidoideae subfamily occurring in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeast Brazil. Nine species belonging to the genera Bauhinia and Schnella were cataloged, and one species (B. forficata) is presented here as a new record in Ceará state. This article provides botanical identification keys, data on phenology, and distribution, and a geographic distribution map aiming to expand knowledge of the regional flora and to support preservation actions in the Chapada do Araripe.

Synopsis of the Darwin wasp Chirotica Frster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Phygadeuontinae) in Brazil.

The Darwin wasp genus Chirotica Frster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Phygadeuontinae) is poorly represented in Brazilian entomological collections, with only three previously described species. Herein, four new species are described and illustrated: C. juquia sp. nov., C. maraca sp. nov., C. mariua sp. nov. and C. nigra sp. nov.. Four other species are recorded for the first time for Brazil: Chirotica brevilabris Townes, 1983, C. pothina (Marshall, 1982), C. bruchii (Brthes, 1904) and C. stangei Townes, 1983. New morphological characters, comparative diagnoses, distribution maps and an illustrated key to the Brazilian species are also provided.

Divergence in toxin antigenicity and venom enzymes in Tityus melici, a medically important scorpion, despite transcriptomic and phylogenetic affinities with problematic Brazilian species

The Brazilian scorpion Tityus melici, native to Minas Gerais and Bahia, is morphologically related to Tityus serrulatus, the most medically significant species in Brazil. Despite inhabiting scorpion-envenomation endemic regions, T. melici venom remains unexplored. This work evaluates T. melici venom composition and function using transcriptomics, enzymatic activities, and in vivo and in vitro immunological analyses. Next-Generation Sequencing unveiled 86 components putatively involved in venom toxicity: 39 toxins, 28 metalloproteases, seven disulfide isomerases, six hyaluronidases, three phospholipases and three amidating enzymes. T. serrulatus showed the highest number of toxin matches with 80–100 % sequence similarity. T. melici is of medical importance as it has a venom LD50 of 0.85 mg/kg in mice. We demonstrated venom phospholipase A2 activity, and elevated hyaluronidase and metalloprotease activities compared to T. serrulatus, paralleling our transcriptomic findings. Comparison of transcriptional levels for T. serrulatus and T. melici venom metalloenzymes suggests species-specific expression patterns in Tityus. Despite close phylogenetic association with T. serrulatus inferred from COI sequences and toxin similarities, partial neutralization of T. melici venom toxicity was achieved when using the anti-T. serrulatus antivenom, implying antigenic divergence among their toxins. We suggest that the Brazilian therapeutic scorpion antivenom could be improved to effectively neutralize T. melici venom.

Genomic characterisation and dissection of the onset of resistance to acetyl CoA carboxylase-inhibiting herbicides in a large collection of Digitaria insularis from Brazil.

An in-depth genotypic characterisation of a diverse collection of Digitaria insularis was undertaken to explore the neutral genetic variation across the natural expansion range of this weed species in Brazil. With the exception of Minas Gerais, populations from all other states showed high estimates of expected heterozygosity (HE > 0.60) and genetic diversity. There was a lack of population structure based on geographic origin and a low population differentiation between populations across the landscape as evidenced by average Fst value of 0.02. On combining haloxyfop [acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicide] efficacy data with neutral genetic variation, we found evidence of presence of two scenarios of resistance evolution in this weed species. Whilst populations originating from north-eastern region demonstrated an active role of gene flow, populations from the mid-western region displayed multiple, independent resistance evolution as the major evolutionary mechanism. A target-site mutation (Trp2027Cys) in the ACCase gene, observed in less than 1% of resistant populations, could not explain the reduced sensitivity of 15% of the populations to haloxyfop. The genetic architecture of resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides was dissected using a genome wide association study (GWAS) approach. GWAS revealed association of three SNPs with reduced sensitivity to haloxyfop and clethodim. In silico analysis of these SNPs revealed important non-target site genes belonging to families involved in herbicide detoxification, including UDPGT91C1 and GT2, and genes involved in vacuolar sequestration-based degradation pathway. Exploration of five genomic prediction models revealed that the highest prediction power (≥0.80) was achieved with the models Bayes A and RKHS, incorporating SNPs with additive effects and epistatic interactions, respectively.

Taxonomic notes on some little known Brazilian Plagiochila (Plagiochilaceae, Marchantiophyta)

Here we present several taxonomic notes resulting from taxonomic studies on the Brazilian species of Plagiochila. We are proposing 4 lectotypes and 11 new synonyms, providing taxonomic notes and illustrations of some little-known taxa.

Morphological characterization of extrafloral nectaries in Brazilian Amazonian plant species

Background and Aims: Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are secretory glands of an aqueous solution composed mainly of sugars, amino acids and lipids, frequently used as food resource by ants, which tend to protect their host plants against herbivorous insects. Although the Amazon forest is recognized worldwide for its high plant diversity, few studies have been carried out in the region that characterize the different morphotypes of EFNs. In this context, our main aim was to perform a brief morphological description of EFNs in the Brazilian Amazonian rainforest. Methods: We established a plot of 6250 m2 in ten forest fragments situated in the state of Acre, Brazilian Amazon. In these plots, we performed intensive field surveys to locate EFN-bearing plant species. Subsequently, we used scanning electron microscopy images to morphologically characterize the EFNs. The morphological descriptions included information about the life form of EFN-bearing plant species, morphotypes of EFNs and their location in different plant structures. Key results: We morphologically characterized 67 EFN-bearing plant species, distributed in 28 genera and 19 families. The botanical families with the highest taxonomic representativeness were Fabaceae, Bignoniaceae and Malpighiaceae. Lianas were the life form with the largest number of EFN-bearing plant species, while elevated EFNs were the most frequent morphotype. Conclusions: The high frequency of elevated EFNs evidences the importance of the ant defense system against herbivory in these Brazilian Amazonian forests, since it has been documented in others works that this morphotype secretes a larger nectar volume, which is an advantage in relation to the attraction potential. Finally, our results indicate the existence of a high diversity of EFN-bearing plant species in this region of the Brazilian Amazon, and an important morphological diversity of associated extrafloral nectaries.

Antifungal and antibacterial activity of the extract from the fruit of Aiouea trinervis Meisn. (Lauraceae)

Aiouea trinervis is a Brazilian shrub species of the Lauraceae family. In this study, the antifungal and antibacterial activity of the hydroethanolic extract 70% of the fruit of A. trinervis on the genus Candida, Staphylococcus and Salmonella sp. was evaluated using the paper disk diffusion method. Antifungal activity was observed for C. albicans (7-4 mm) and C. tropicalis (11-3 mm), and in the antibacterial test for S. aureus (9-2 mm) and S. serovar Enteritidis (14-4 mm) in concentrations greater than 50 mg mL-1 of the hydroethanolic extract of the fruit. The results confirm the potential antifungal and antibacterial activity of the hydroethanolic extract of the fruit of A. trinervis.

Hidden in the caves: a new troglobitic species of Spaeleoleptes and the type species redescription (Opiliones, Laniatores)

The genus Spaeleoleptes was proposed by H. Soares in 1966 to accommodate the first Brazilian troglobitic species of harvestmen, Spaeleoleptes spaeleus H. Soares, 1966. In this work, we redescribe this species, including digital images of the type material and drawings of the male genitalia. Since its description, Spaeleoleptes has remained monotypic, and after 56 years, herein is described the second species of the genus, the troglobitic Spaeleoleptes gimli sp. nov. Both species share sexually dimorphic legs I and II with modified regions and swelling on the tibiae and patellae I and II; a penis with robust conductors covering all or part of the capsula interna and a capsula interna with two lateral projections. They are clearly separated by the shape of the modified region of the tibia; by the presence of an apical projection on the apical lamina of the pars distalis in S. spaeleus; and the lateral projections of the capsula interna, which is flattened in S. gimli. Spaeleoleptes gimli greatly increases the distributional range of the genus, as it is now recorded from caves located in two Brazilian phytophysiognomies from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais to the Caatinga of Bahia.

On the classification of sphecodine bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Taxonomic notes are presented for the exclusively cleptoparasitic halictine bee subtribe Sphecodina (Halictinae: Halictini). Keys are presented to the Western and Eastern Hemisphere genera of Sphecondina. In the New World fauna, the genus Melissocleptis Gonçalves is considered a subgenus of Austrosphecodes Michener s. l ., and the following species transferred: Austrosphecodes ( Melissocleptis ) albifacies (Gibbs), A. ( M .)capriciosus (Schrottky), A. ( M .) coriae (Moure & Hurd), A. ( M .) diablotinus (Gibbs), A. ( M .) genaroi (Engel), A. ( M .) nigritus (Ashmead), A. ( M .) tainoi (Engel), A. ( M .) variabilis (Schrottky) comb. n. A key is provided to the subgenera of Microsphecodes Eickwort & Stage s. l ., with Trichosphecodes subgen. n., established for those species with elongate ocular setae. Keys are also presented for the species of Microsphecodes s. str. and Trichosphecodes, along with the descriptions of the species Microsphecodes ( Microsphecodes ) eickworti sp. n., M. ( M .) multirugosus sp. n., M. ( M .) quechua sp. n., and M. ( Trichosphecodes ) trichophthalmus sp. n. The Brazilian species Nesosphecodes depressus Gonçalves is transferred to Notoclops gen. n., resulting in the new combination Notoclops depressus (Gonçalves) comb. n. A key is presented to New World subgenera of Sphecodes Latreille, with the following new or resurrected groups: Proteraner Robertson, Drepanium Robertson, Sphecodium Robertson, Asphecodium subgen. n., and Boreosphecodes subgen. n. The following new species are described among New World Sphecodes : Sphecodes (Asphecodium) brevisulcatus sp. n., S. ( Sphecodium ) eustauros sp. n., S. ( S .) electrum sp. n., S. ( Sphecodes ) zacatuche sp. n. The genus Caenosphecodes gen. n. is proposed for Sphecodes pseudoredivivus Astafurova & Proshchalykin and S. redivivus Blüthgen, differing from Sphecodes by the elongate free part of the marginal cell, in this respect resembling New World Microsphecodes. This results in the combinations Caenosphecodes pseudoredivivus (Astafurova & Proshchalykin), C . sauteri (Meyer), C. simlaensis (Blüthgen), and C. redivivus (Blüthgen) comb. n. The currently employed characters for subgenera of Eupetersia Blüthgen s. l. fail to distinguish the groups. Accordingly, the key to subgenera is revised and the species newly organized as to subgenera. Cephalosphecodes subgen. n. is established for Eupetersia macrocephala Pauly and E . mandibulata Blüthgen, Xanthocleptis subgen. n. is proposed for E . reticulata (Benoist), and Pollinicleptis subgen. n. is erected for E . nathani Baker, E . malayensis (Blüthgen), E . sabahensis Pauly, and E . singaporensis Pauly. A new species of Nesoeupetersia , E. dnophera sp. n., is described from Sabah, Malaysia and a tentative key provided to species of the subgenus. Thrausmus Buysson and Callosphecodes Friese are treated as independent genera, and the latter considered close to Melittocleptes gen. n., with Melittocleptes insularis (Smith) comb. n. as type species. A key is presented to Old World subgenera of Sphecodes, with the following new or resurrected groups: Proteraneropsis subgen. n., Paradrepanium subgen. n., Eusphecodes subgen. n.,Sabulicola Verhoeff, Caenocleptes subgen. n., Xystoclops subgen. n., Callocleptes subgen. n., and Nomiocleptes subgen. n.

Rediscovery and revalidation of the Brazilian endemic Vanilla schwackeana Hoehne (Orchidaceae): its distribution and phylogenetic position

Background and aims – With 40 species, Brazil is the centre of diversity for Vanilla. Frederico Carlos Hoehne described eight Vanilla species for the Brazilian flora, including Vanilla schwackeana, an obscure taxon currently assumed to be a synonym of V. planifolia. While studying Neotropical Vanilla, plants were found in gallery forests of the Vale do Rio Doce region, Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Based on the examination of the protologues of the Brazilian species, in addition to the study of herbarium specimens, it was verified that the plants correspond to the rare V. schwackeana. Material and methods – A redescription of V. schwackeana is provided, and a morphological comparison with other Neotropical taxa is presented. An illustration of V. schwackeana based on living specimens is provided, and its geographic distribution is presented based on recent findings. The position of V. schwackeana within Vanilla is discussed based on both morphological data and a molecular phylogeny. Key results – Vanilla schwackeana is distinguishable by its pseudopetiolate leaves, by its largely elliptic to obelliptic leaf blades with attenuate base and acuminate apex, by its apical racemes with small flowers, by its yellow labellum with white undulate-crenulate margins, and by its papillous appendages on the apical portion of the labellar crest. Both morphological and molecular data suggest a close relationship of V. schwackeana with V. appendiculata, V. hartii, and the Brazilian endemic V. rupicola. Based on current data, V. schwackeana is assessed as Critically Endangered. Conclusion – Integrative taxonomy was crucial to understand the identity and species boundaries of V. schwackeana. The V. appendiculata/V. schwackeana/(V. hartii/V. rupicola) clade comprises an unrecognized infrageneric Vanilla group. It seems plausible that the formation of a new infrageneric group will be necessary. As the habitat of V. schwackeana has been devastated by iron ore extraction, conservation strategies for this Brazilian endemic species will be necessary.

Biological activities and phytochemical prospection of plant extracts of Myrsine Umbellata mart

Myrsine umbellata is a Brazilian native species from the Primulaceae family, popularly known as “Capororocão.” Considering that plants have been used to treat various illnesses, explaining interest in research with Brazilian native species in the search for plant bioactives with biological potential that can act on the control of pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the phytochemical compounds of the leaves of the native species M. umbellata, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of Methanolic (ME), Acetonic (AE), Ethanolic (EE), and Hexanic (HE) plant extracts against bacteria of clinical and veterinary importance. The presence of secondary metabolites was analyzed by observing color changes or precipitate formation reactions, and the antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution methodology. Through phytochemical prospecting, the presence of nine classes of metabolites was detected: tannins, saponins, free steroids, alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, flavones, flavonoids, and flavanonols. The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested strains. ME showed the best MIC results for the standard strains. The most susceptible strains were gram-positive: Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis and gram-negative: Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis besides the yeast Candida albicans. The results indicate that the species M. umbellata shows the potential for isolating natural bioactives and the potential development of products such as non-synthetic antimicrobials.

Two new species of Grotea Cresson (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Labeninae) from Brazil.

Two new species of Grotea Cresson are described from Brazil, Grotea claudiae Kumagai sp. n. and G. fernandoi Lima sp. n. New records and identification key for Brazilian species of Grotea are provided. Grotea amazonensis Herrera-Flrez, 2019 is proposed as nomen nudum.

Effects of Choline Supplementation in Diets on Juvenile Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): Productive Performance, Proximate Composition and Serum Lipid Level.

Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is a Brazilian fish species of high commercial value and has emerged as one of the main species with potential for intensive farming. This study aimed to investigate the impact of choline supplementation on productive performance, visceral fat, hepatosomatic indices, proximate composition, serum biochemical profile, and liver coloration in juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). The 60-day experiment was conducted in the experimental hatchery of the Study Group of Aquaculture Management - GEMAq of the State University of West Paraná, Brazil. The completely randomized design consisted of five treatments with four replicates each. A total of 200 fish, with an average initial weight and length of 4.25 g and 5.97 cm, were distributed among 20 experimental hapas, resulting in a stocking density of 10 fish per experimental unit. Fish fed a choline-deficient diet exhibited the lowest values for final weight, weight gain, visceral fat, and hepatosomatic index. Conversely, in terms of proximate composition, fish fed choline-deficient diets had the highest moisture content but the lowest crude fat content. Triglyceride levels in juvenile pacu were significantly higher in groups fed diets containing choline (400 to 1200 mg kg-1 ). We also observed significant differences in the cyan color of the liver (P < 0.05). Notably, we observed significant differences in the cyan coloration of the liver (P < 0.05). Other parameters did not exhibit significant changes in response to varying choline levels in the diets. Our study demonstrated that choline supplementation in P. mesopotamicus juveniles at an optimal concentration of 400 mg kg-1 significantly impacted growth, metabolism, productive performance, proximate composition, biochemical parameters, and liver color. These findings offer crucial guidance for aquaculture professionals, enabling them to enhance growth and health in P. mesopotamicus farming. Further research on choline's influence on lipid metabolism holds potential for more precise dietary recommendations, ultimately improving the efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture practices for this species.