Cipo National Park Research Articles

Yeast in plant phytotelmata: Is there a "core" community in different localities of rupestrian savannas of Brazil?

Ephemeral microbial communities usually undergo priority effect and result in higher diversity with a few representatives of each species. Community structure of yeasts in bromeliad tanks was compared between two rupestrian savanna (Cerrado) areas in Brazil and to yeasts isolated from water holes in the same areas. Water samples were collected from 60 tanks of bromeliads Bromelia karatas and Encholirium sp. and rock holes at the Karstic Area of Aurora, Tocantins State and 60 tanks of Vriesea minarum (Bromeliaceae) and Paepalanthus bromelioides (Eriocaulaceae) at Serra do Cipó National Park, Minas Gerais State in Brazil. The yeast diversity comprised 90 species from which 60% are basidiomycetous yeasts usually associated with phylloplane, soils, and aquatic habitats. The species Papiliotrema laurentii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Pa. nemorosus, and Pseudozyma hubeiensis were the most frequent species associated with bromeliads. Eighteen yeast species, two ascomycetous and 16 basidiomycetous, were consistently isolated from the substrates in both areas and may represent a core community in bromeliads in rupestrian fields. Singlets occurred in 38 to 69% of samples, and 32 species were isolated only once. Our findings reinforce the ephemeral nature of the yeast communities associated with tank-forming plants in which individual phytotelmata act as patches or aquatic islands prone to rapid colonization-extinction rates receiving inocula from plant and soil debris. Ephemeral rock holes also represent a transitory habitat for yeast species associated with plants and soil.

Pedological aspects as environmental quality indicators of a touristic trail in the Serra do Cipó National Park/MG

Abstract Soil provides important support for anthropogenic activities, and earthen trails, which have always been present in the natural landscape, are routes of access to various tourist attractions. In recent decades, trails have been widely used as a method of access and visitation to geotouristic attractions. Because trails are restricted routes, transit along these paths also transforms the route into a pathway for the spread of various negative environmental impacts, including compaction and soil erosion of the trailbed. Soil compaction is caused by changes in the soil structure that are partly induced by the use of agricultural or geotechnical machinery and traffic, and the damage is also manifested in a remarkable decrease in porosity, which has clear implications for the infiltration and percolation of water and air associated with the functional porosity of soil. Soil micromorphological characteristics contribute to the analysis of soil porous systems, and the macroporous characteristics visible at this scale include the size, shape and connectivity among voids, which can be studied using different methods of identification, measurement and interpretation. Such methods are applied to understand the pore genesis and, more importantly, the physical behavior of soil-water order management. This work presents the results of analyses of the macromorphological and micromorphological characteristics, porosity, texture and penetrometry resistance of soil profiles on the Farofa Waterfall trail in the Serra do Cipo National Park, and the aim is to provide recommendations for compaction studies along special trails. The results showed that most of the trailbed is more compressed than at the margins, which suggests the need for geoindicator studies of soil quality to monitor the visitation of the trail and improve the conservation of natural resources.

MAPPING, EXTINCTION RISK ASSESSMENT AND IMPORTANCE FOR EPIPHYTE COMMUNITY OF Vellozia gigantea (VELLOZIACEAE), AN ENDEMIC GIANT DRACENOID PLANT FROM MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

We investigated the geographic distribution and population size and structure of Vellozia gigantea (Velloziaceae) to assess its risk of extinction according to the IUCN criteria and categories, and to propose effective conservation actions for the species. V. gigantea is endemic to campos rupestres of Serra do Cipo (Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil), a highly endemic species rich grassland vegetation associated to nutrient-poor, well drained, sandy soils. Locally very abundant, V. gigantea is phorophyte for many epiphytes, and its conservation contributes to the maintenance of a diverse array of species. Historically known from a single small patch (1 ha), our mapping efforts increased its known occurrence to a total of 44 patches (2,946 ha). Amidst, 21.4% of this area is within Serra do Cipo National Park (IUCN category II), 56.5% within a surrounding IUCN category V protected area, and 22.1% remain unprotected. We determined the area of occurrence (AOO, 196 km2), the extent of occurrence (EOO, 443 km2), and generation time (higher than 100 years) to define the species risk of extinction. Population size and structure were estimated using ten 5 ×50m transects, which were placed in five patches well apart from each other (two transects in each). Plant and epiphyte abundance were estimated and signs of fire were verified, since it was considered the main incident threat. Based on IUCN criteria B1 and B2 (geographic range, EOO and/or AOO) and subcriteria a and b (number of locations and inferred/projected continuing decline in area of occupancy, area, extent and/or quality of habitat), V. gigantea should be classified as a threatened species under the IUCN Vulnerable category (EEO: 442.86 km2; AOO: 196.00 km2 and seven locations - VU B1ab(iii) + 2ab(iii.) This status differs from the present official one – Endangered (EN). The whole population was estimated in 6 million plants with a proportion of ca. 75% of mature individuals, well above any threshold of concern. Nevertheless, a large portion of the population is outside any protected area and epiphytes are strongly pressured by gatherers. Fire management should be improved in order to avoid late season severe burnings that kill even old plants, and we reinforce the importance of increasing Serra do Cipo National Park limits towards eastern slopes, where V. gigantea prevail.

Patterns of leaf biochemical and structural properties of cerrado life forms: implications for remote sensing.

AimThe general goal of this study is to investigate and analyze patterns of ecophysiological leaf traits and spectral response among life forms (trees, shrubs and lianas) in the Cerrado ecosystem. In this study, we first tested whether life forms are discriminated through leaf level functional traits. We then explored the correlation between leaf-level plant functional traits and spectral reflectance.LocationSerra do Cipo National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil.MethodsSix ecophysiological leaf traits were selected to best characterize differences between life forms in the woody plant community of the Cerrado. Results were compared to spectral vegetation indices to determine if plant groups provide means to separate leaf spectral responses.ResultsValues obtained from leaf traits were similar to results reported from other tropical dry sites. Trees and shrubs significantly differed from lianas in terms of the percentage of leaf water content and Specific Leaf Area. Spectral indices were insufficient to capture the differences of these key traits between groups, though indices were still adequately correlated to overall trait variation.ConclusionThe importance of life forms as biochemical and structurally distinctive groups is a significant finding for future remote sensing studies of vegetation, especially in arid and semi-arid environments. The traits we found as indicative of these groups (SLA and water content) are good candidates for spectral characterization. Future studies need to use the full wavelength (400 nm–2500 nm) in order to capture the potential response of these traits. The ecological linkage to water balance and life strategies encourages these traits as starting points for modeling plant communities using hyperspectral remote sensing.

Blood values diverge between two populations of a Neotropical wild canid

The evaluation of the health status of wild populations has received much attention in conservation projects, as it is considered an important but neglected component of species’ ecological fitness. Considering the increasing interest in the conservation and health of Neotropical wildlife species, the aim of this study was to improve the knowledge on blood parameters of maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) populations from two different protected areas. We performed comparisons of hematological and serum biochemistry data (urea and creatinine dosage) from a total of 17 healthy adult maned wolves cage-trapped and chemically restrained in Serra do Cipo National Park (four females and three males) and Galheiro Private Natural Reserve (four females and six males), both located in Southeast Brazil. Lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in males from the smallest and non-buffered area, the private reserve, which most likely reflects differences in pathogen exposure. Serum creatinine and urea concentrations were higher in females and in animals of both genders from the largest and buffered area, the national park, the latter of which we hypothesized to be an effect of greater protein intake due to higher prey availability. The results highlight that there are slight differences in physiological parameters between populations of wild mammal species, which must be taken into account in health evaluations or assessments of the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on wildlife health.

Caracterização Morfométrica dos Compartimentos do Relevo do Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó, Serra do Espinhaço Meridional – Minas Gerais

The morphological mapping is an important tool for processes interpretation, materials and regional relief forms.Especially in protected areas, assist in environmental planning and management of protected areas. The main objective of thiswork is to characterize the morphological compartments in The Serra do Cipo National Park by measuring some morphometricparameters. Methodological procedures are based on overlaying cartographic data, preparation of topographic profiles,knickpoints identification and, finally, morphometric measures. Results show that The Serra do Cipo National Park can bedivided in eleven morphological compartments in the scale of 1:50.000, demonstrating that morphometry is fundamental toindividualize the relief units. It is expected that the results and the methodological advances of this work can collaborate to futureresearches as well as to the management of Conservation Units in The Serra do Cipo.

Qualidade do Solo como Geoindicador para o Manejo de uma Trilha no Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó, MG, Brasil

The trails in natural areas are recognized as a means of travel between the visitor and tourist attractions. Thus, in protected areas, while providing visitors direct contact with nature, visitation results in environmental changes such as, among others, soil compaction and erosion in the bed of the trails. The objective of this study was to characterize soil quality in Farofa Trail, located in the Serra do Cipo National Park, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The trail, which connects the park headquarters to the natural attraction Farofa Waterfall, located in quartzitic rocky cliff of great scenic beauty, is the most visited and utilized to achieve that natural attraction, besides serving for the practice of hiking, biking, horseback riding and vehicles traffic allowed. This trail offers outstanding environmental impacts of erosion and soil compaction, the latter barely visible to lay observations. To characterize the impact, we performed a survey of soil profiles in the bed of the trail and its surroundings, as well as measures of penetration resistance (penetrometer), using a cone penetrometer with dynamometric ring and collecting soil samples of disturbed and undisturbed soil surface for soil studies. The results show that soils the bed of the trails are compressed relative to adjacent soil and that these need to be managed to promote the conservation of associated biogeodiversity, and its viability as a means of access to the Farofa Waterfall and quartzitic rocky cliff present there, the highlighting the importance of using pedological attributes for the management of trails, encouraging conservation through environmentally sustainable practices.

Territory Distribution and Habitat Selection of the Serra Finch (Embernagra longicauda) in Serra Do Cipó, Brazil

Abstract The near-threatened Serra Finch (Embernagra longicauda) is restricted to the main mountain ranges in eastern Brazil inhabiting campos rupestres (rocky fields). We mapped 17 mated pairs in a 138-ha area within Serra do Cipo National Park; a density of 0.25 adults/ha. Estimated average territory size varied from 2.52 ± 0.77 ha (95% kernel) to 3.35 ± 0.90 ha (100% minimum convex polygon). The distance between territory centers of neighboring pairs was 162.38 ± 28.93 m. The overlap between neighboring territories was 15.3 ± 5.9% (95% kernel) and 2.0 ± 2.3% (polygon method). Pairs remained together throughout the year in the same territories and defended these against intruding neighbors. Analyses of habitat selection indicated preference for woodland and scrubland habitats associated with humid valleys, while grasslands were avoided. The Serra Finch used the available habitats more than expected from random at different spatial scales. Our data identified habitats that should be priority for conserva...

Caracterização físico-química de solos quartzíticos degradados e áreas adjacentes de campo rupestre na Serra do Cipó, MG, Brasil

Apesar de obras rodoviárias serem importante fonte de degradação de solos e paisagens, existem poucos estudos de restauração destes ambientes. Processos erosivos causados por estas ações acabam por comprometer a regeneração natural e a capacidade do solo em armazenar carbono e água, bem como sua resiliência frente a precipitações intensas. O impacto sobre a segurança de comunidades urbanas e sobreo ecoturismo é significativo. Além disso, a falta de conhecimento básico sobre solos e a qualidade de sua cobertura acaba por tornar limitante a qualidade de processosde recuperação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a comparação das características físico-químicas dos solos das áreas degradadas pelas obras de implantação da rodovia MG-010 com os solos da vegetação preservada no entorno. Esta rodovia corta áreas de campo rupestre na Área de Proteção Ambiental Morro da Pedreira, adjacente ao Parque Nacional Serra do Cipó. Foram feitas análises físico-químicas em amostras de solo coletadas em seis áreas degradadas e suas respectivas áreas adjacentes preservadas. Os solos nas áreas degradadas diferiram significativamente das áreas adjacentes em quase todos os atributos químicos e físicos avaliados. Com exceção do pH e do teor de alumínio, as áreas degradadas mostraram-se significativamente menos férteis que as áreas adjacentes de campo rupestre. Não foi observado nenhum tipo de regeneração substancial da vegetação local mesmo após décadas de retirada do solo superficial, sugerindo que a qualidade física e química destes solos tenha sido o principal fator que impediu sua regeneração. Tal fato indica que os campos rupestres sejam ambientes extremamente frágeis e de baixa resiliência, demandando estratégias de restauração ecológica condizentes com suas peculiaridades bióticas e abióticas.Palavras-chave: Cadeia do Espinhaço, conservação, fertilidade do solo, obras rodoviárias.

Size Dimorphism, Juvenal Plumage, and Timing of Breeding of the Hyacinth Visorbearer (Augastes scutatus)

Abstract The Hyacinth Visorbearer (Augastes scutatus) is a poorly known hummingbird endemic to the Cadeia do Espinhaco in southeastern Brazil and is classified as near threatened with global extinction. We verified size dimorphism of males and females, describe the plumage patterns of juveniles, and detail the reproductive period of this species in Serra do Cipo National Park within the municipality of Morro do Pilar in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil during August 2007 to July 2009. Adult males were significantly larger than adult females in all measurements assessed. Variables that best differentiate males and females are body mass, total body length, occipital width, bill length, and wing chord. We demonstrated that it may be possible to assign gender of the majority of young of this species, based primarily on the color of the side of the neck and the tract of feathers that circles the visor. There is some indication of a greater concentration of reproductive effort during the dry season, when more ...

Isolation and screening of fungal species isolated from Brazilian cerrado soil for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus pyogenes and Listeria monocytogenes

Summary Objective To study the antimicrobial activity of fungi isolated from Brazilian cerrado soil. Material and methods A total of 200 fungal strains were isolated from soil samples collected from Serra do Cipo National Park in Brazil. Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella typhimurium , Streptococcus pyogenes and Listeria monocytogenes was screened. Results Around 67% of the extracts showed activity against at least one of the tested bacteria. Thirteen isolates, selected as the most common species found in the studied soil samples (over 50% of all isolates), were microscopically identified as Chaetomium cupreum, Curvularia senegalensis, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium janthinellum, Penicillium paxilli, Penicillium sclerotiorum, Penicillium simplicissimum, Penicillium waksmanii, Rhizopus stolonifer, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Trichoderma koningii and Trichoderma reesei . Large scale experiment proved positive antibacterial results for Penicillium sclerotiorum and Penicillium simplicissimum , since bioactive metabolites (sclerotiorin, isochromophilone VI, pencolide and penicillic acid) were recovered from their fermentation in preparative scale. Conclusion Cerrado soil fungi constitute another important source of antibiotics producing micro-organisms that can be further exploited as source of lead compounds for anti-infective agents industry.

Deposição diária e sazonal de gordura subcutânea em Phacellodomus rufifrons (Wied) (Aves, Furnariidae)

It is known that birds inhabiting temperate regions accumulate fat in order to survive a night of extreme conditions. Levels of fat depots arise as the day goes by, reaching its pick at dusk and decreasing along the night hours when no feeding is possible. Allied to this fact, there is a seasonal increase of the lipid stores as the winter gets closer, which enable the bird to survive through this season. Data on tropical birds are however rare. This study concerns the knowledge of the fat dynamics of the Rufous-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons (Wied, 1821), an ovenbird (Passeriformes, Furnariidae) endemic of the Neotropical region, on a seasonal tropical environment, the Southeastern Brazilian Cerrado, a savannah-like ecosystem. The fieldwork was carried out between August 2001 and July 2002 at Serra do Cipo National Park, municipality of Jaboticatubas in the state of Minas Gerais. The data on subcutaneous fat was visually scored on the captured individuals. As the furcular subcutaneous amount of lipid varied, it was established four categories for this parameter. We found out that there was a significant increase of the fat levels along the day, as in the temperate region species, but there was not a significant seasonal variation. Also the mean body weight did not change throughout the year or throughout the day. Our results show that the daily variation in the Cerrado region can act as a stressing situation that could lead to overnight physiological adaptation. On the other hand, seasonal variation could be balanced by the habit of sleeping all year long inside the nest, a behavior relatively rare for passerine birds.

Macroinvertebrados como alimento de girinos: importância e relações com tamanho de corpo

Macroinvertebrates as food were recorded for three anurans tadpoles: Hyla saxicola (Bokermann, 1964) (Hylidae), Scinax machadoi (Bokermann & Sazima, 1973) (Hylidae), and Bufo rubescens (Lutz, 1925) (Bufonidae). These species are commonly found in the mountain streams at Serra do Cipo National Park, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Tadpoles were collected in pools of second-order reach in Mascates stream and third and fourth order reaches of Indaia stream from March-October, 2003. Biometrical data were recorded before dissecting each individual and a feeding importance index was estimated. Eight taxa of chironomids and three taxa of mayfly exuviae were found in the guts, but no significantly differences were found between tadpole species (ANOVA, p > 0.05). The results support the drift transport hypothesis that predicts that tadpoles commonly ingest suspended matter in lotic ecosystems, are generalist feeders, and macroinvertebrates are probably incidental ingested.