Eucalyptus Grandis Hill Research Articles

Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden inoculated with Pisolithus microcarpus (UFSC-Pt116) in land subject to the sandy process in Southern Brazil.

Eucalypts is one of the main species used for commercial reforestation in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the survival and early growth of eucalyptus trees in an area subject to sandy process after three years of growth. The Eucalyptus grandis seedlings were grown in a greenhouse, inoculated or not with the isolated ectomycorrhizal Pisolithus microcarpus (UFSC-Pt116), produced in peat or Entisol. After 120 days, the seedlings were transplanted to an area subject to the sandy process, in the São Francisco de Assis city, RS. The plants have been evaluated regarding survival, height, stem diameter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels and total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus, organic phosphorus and wood production on different days after planting. The seedlings grown on the Entisol which was inoculated with the isolated UFSC-Pt116 presented higher survival rates, height, stem diameter, nitrogen concentration and wood production then non-inoculated seedlings. Inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi enhanced the production of E. grandis seedlings in survival rates, height, stem diameter.

Substrates and controlled-release fertilizations on the quality of eucalyptus cuttings

To produce cuttings with quality, the most appropriate nutritional management strategies should be sought to reduce wastage of fertilizer, while accounting for the characteristics of each substrate. This study evaluated the effect of substrates and doses of controlled-release fertilizer on the quality of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden x Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake cuttings. The substrates consisted of several mixtures: vermiculite+carbonized rice chaff+coconut fibre (1:1:1); vermiculite+coconut fibre (1:1); and vermiculite+carbonized rice chaff (1:1). These mixtures were added to 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg of controlled-release fertilizer per cubic meter of substrate. The substrates that do not support root development and have lower water retention, independently of the dose of controlled-release fertilizer, reduce the quality of the root system. For substrates with proper values of water retention, such as vermiculite+coconut fibre (1:1) and vermiculite+carbonised rice chaff+coconut fibre (1:1:1), the utilization of dose 2 kg of controlled-release fertilizer to each cubic meter is enough to promote cuttings with greater quality of the root systems and proper heights and stem diameters.

Registro de Leptocybe invasa no estado de Goiás

Registra-se a primeira ocorrência de Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) no estado de Goiás em Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden. A detecção ocorreu no município de Goiânia.

Biodiversity of Cetoniinae beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in introduced and native habitats in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

AbstractThe ecology of the beetles of the subfamily Cetoniinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is relatively poorly known worldwide. In the neotropics in particular, there are far less studies than in other biogeographic regions. In part due to this lack of knowledge, cetoniines are not considered indicators of habitat quality in the Neotropical region. In this study, we compare the abundance, diversity, and species composition of cetoniines in three different habitats in Brazil: two exotic (Brachiaria pasturelands and eucalyptus plantation) and one native (Brazilian Atlantic Forest). We also provide diagnostic images of both sexes and of the genitalia of males of all species to facilitate species identification in further studies. The beetles were collected weekly from September to December 2012 with traps baited with fermented fruit, in five eucalyptus plantations (Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden), five exotic pasturelands (Brachiaria spp.), and five patches of Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The abundance and diversity of cetoniines was found to be lower in the eucalyptus plantations and about the same in the forest and pasturelands. The low diversity found and the little information available on the ecology of Neotropical Cetoniinae is insufficient to propose these beetles as candidates for the habitat evaluation in Brazil.

Evaluation of soil fauna associated with litter in three forest types in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a fauna edáfica associada à serapilheira, em três formações florestais: mata nativa, Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden e Pinus elliottii Engelm. Para tanto, foram instaladas, semanalmente, de setembro a novembro de 2008, seis armadilhas de queda, contendo conservante, expostas por um período de 48 horas. Em laboratório, o material recolhido nas armadilhas foi triado e separado em grupos taxonômicos. Para fins de comparação com a composição química da serapilheira, retiraram-se seis amostras da mesma, em cada ecossistema, utilizando uma sonda de metal de 25 cm x 25 cm, sendo este material devidamente embalado e identificado, e em seguida enviado ao laboratório. Em laboratório amostras foram secas, trituradas, e determinados os teores de macros (g kg-1) e micronutrientes (mg kg-1) e, após, comparadas as médias estatisticamente (Teste t, p<0,05). Dos 1.633 artrópodos, distribuídos em dez grupos taxonômicos; a maior abundância foi encontrada em mata nativa (46,8 %). Verificou-se uma maior dissimilaridade entre a mata nativa, em relação aos artrópodos coletados nos plantios homogêneos compostos por E. grandis e P. elliottii , sendo que estes últimos apresentaram maiores riquezas (ambos com nove grupos taxonômicos), e índices de diversidade H’=0,5345 e H’=0,530, respectivamente. A mata nativa também apresentou maiores valores para a maioria dos macro e micronutrientes encontrados na serapilheira. Assim, a partir os resultados encontrados, infere-se que haja uma relação entre abundância de artrópodos e as concentrações dos nutrientes encontrados na serapilheira, sendo estes valores maiores em ambientes mais heterogêneos, como é o caso da mata nativa. Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the soil fauna associated with litter in three forest types: native forest, Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden. and Pinus elliottii Engelm. So, were installed, weekly, from September to November 2008, six pitfall traps containing preservative, exposed for a period of 48 hours. In the laboratory, the material collected in the traps was sorted and separated into taxonomic groups. For purposes of comparison to the chemical composition of litter, were removed from six samples of the same in each ecosystem, using a metal probe of 25 cm x 25 cm, this material being appropriately packaged and labeled, then at the laboratory, samples were dried, crushed, and the levels of certain macros (g kg-1) and micronutrients (mg kg-1) and after comparing the mean, statistically (t test, p<0.05). 1633 of arthropods, divided into 10 taxonomic groups, the highest abundance was found in bushland (46.8%). There was a greater dissimilarity between native forest, compared to arthropods collected in homogeneous stands composed of E. grandis and P. elliottii , and the latter had greater wealth (both with nine taxonomic groups), and diversity index H’ = 0.5345 and H’ = 0.530, respectively. The native forest also showed higher values for most macro and micronutrients found in burlap. Thus, from the results it appears that there is a relationship between arthropod abundance and concentrations of nutrients found in leaf litter, these values being higher in more heterogeneous environments, such as the native forest.

Atlantic Rainforest Remnant Harbors Greater Biotic Diversity but Reduced Lepidopteran Populations Compared to aEucalyptusPlantation

ABSTRACT Study of the dynamics and distribution of lepidopteran defoliators is important because some of them are major pests of eucalyptus. More than 3,000,000 ha of eucalyptus are now planted in Brazil even though the genus is not native there. The goal of this study was to document the frequency and constancy indexes of lepidopteran pests of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (Myrtaceae) collected with 5 light traps (replicates) in different habitats. The first and second traps were installed in a eucalyptus plantation at 400 and 200 m, respectively, from the interface with a native vegetation area (Atlantic Rainforest); the third in the interface and the fourth and the fifth in native vegetation at 200 and 400 m, respectively, from the interface zone. The most frequent primary pest species were Stenalcidia grosica Schaus, 1901 (Geometridae) and Thyrinteina leucoceraea Rindge, 1961 (Geometridae) with greater frequencies in the eucalyptus plantation at 400 and 200 m from the interface with the native veg...

Padrões de miniestacas e sazonalidade na produção de mudas clonais de Eucalyptus grandis Hill X E. urophylla S. T. Black

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a influência de diferentes padrões de miniestacas no enraizamento e produção de mudas do híbrido do Eucalyptus grandis Hill x E. urophylla S.T. Black no verão e no inverno. Experimentos com cinco clones e 12 diferentes padrões de miniestacas foram conduzidos em duas épocas do ano (verão e inverno). A sobrevivência e enraizamento das miniestacas foram avaliados na saída da casa de vegetação e na saída da casa de sombra e, a pleno sol, a sobrevivência, a altura, o diâmetro do colo, o peso de massa seca da parte aérea e o da raiz. Os resultados indicaram que a manutenção das folhas é importante para o enraizamento de miniestacas de Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla, e as folhas basais obtiveram maiores valores de enraizamento. Mudas produzidas no verão, utilizando miniestacas de 10 cm de tamanho, tiveram maior crescimento. A metodologia de não redução das folhas mostrou-se procedimento adequado para produção de mudas nas duas épocas do ano.

Ergonomic aspects and productivity of different pruning tools for a first pruning lift of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden

Ergonomic aspects and productivity of different pruning tools for a first pruning lift of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden

Validation of reference genes from Eucalyptus spp. under different stress conditions

BackgroundThe genus Eucalyptus consists of approximately 600 species and subspecies and has a physiological plasticity that allows some species to propagate in different regions of the world. Eucalyptus is a major source of cellulose for paper manufacturing, and its cultivation is limited by weather conditions, particularly water stress and low temperatures. Gene expression studies using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) require reference genes, which must have stable expression to facilitate the comparison of the results from analyses using different species, tissues, and treatments. Such studies have been limited in eucalyptus.ResultsEucalyptus globulus Labill, Eucalyptus urograndis (hybrid from Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake X Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex-Maiden) and E. uroglobulus (hybrid from E. urograndis X E. globulus) were subjected to different treatments, including water deficiency and stress recovery, low temperatures, presence or absence of light, and their respective controls. Except for treatment with light, which examined the seedling hypocotyl or apical portion of the stem, the expression analyses were conducted in the apical and basal parts of the stem. To select the best pair of genes, the bioinformatics tools GeNorm and NormFinder were compared. Comprehensive analyses that did not differentiate between species, treatments, or tissue types, showed that IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase), SAND (SAND protein), ACT (actin), and A-Tub (α-tubulin) genes were the most stable. IDH was the most stable gene in all of the treatments.ConclusionComparing these results with those of other studies on eucalyptus, we concluded that five genes are stable in different species and experimental conditions: IDH, SAND, ACT, A-Tub, and UBQ (ubiquitin). It is usually recommended a minimum of two reference genes is expression analysis; therefore, we propose that IDH and two others genes among the five identified genes in this study should be used as reference genes for a wide range of conditions in eucalyptus.

Heritability for resistance to Puccinia psidii Winter rust in Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden in Southwestern Brazil

The climates of the central and southern regions of Sao Paulo state in Brazil favor pathogens such as Puccinia psidii Winter, which causes a common and severe disease in Eucalyptus plantations under 2 years old. We studied genetic parameters including genotype by environment interaction (G × E) of resistance to P. psidii rust in Eucalyptus grandis at nine sites in Sao Paulo State. Open-pollinated progeny from ten ‘provenances’ were established in a randomized complete block design; at individual sites there were from 134 to 160 progenies, from four to eight blocks, and five to six trees per plot. Significant provenance and progeny(provenance) differences were detected, as was G × E involving progeny(provenance). However, the G × E involved little if any rank changes, indicating that selection can be done efficiently at a single site, if the disease level is sufficient. The estimated coefficient of genetic variation among the progeny within provenances $$ \left( {{{{\widehat{\mathrm{CV}}}}_{\mathrm{g}}}} \right) $$ was high and variable among the sites (ranging from 11 % to 36.7 %), demonstrating different expression of genetic variability among the sites. The estimated heritability at the individual-tree level $$ \left( {{{\widehat{h}}^2}} \right) $$ and within a plot $$ \left( {\widehat{h}_{\mathrm{w}}^2} \right) $$ ranged from low to intermediate (ranging from 0.04 to 0.46) and was high at the progeny-mean level $$ \left( {\widehat{h}_{\mathrm{f}}^2} \right) $$ (ranging from 0.30 to 0.86). Our study shows good prospects of controlling this disease by selection among and within progenies in a single site.

Avaliação De Extratos Vegetais Aquosos Sobre Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) is a polyphagous species that feeds on several crops, causing major damage. However, its control is difficult. Then, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Capsicum baccatum L., Eucalyptus grandis (Hill) and Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt on the development of S. eridania when incorporated in artificial diet. After obtaining the aqueous extract (10% w/v), these were incorporated into the diet and offered to the caterpillars. To the control group was offered only diet. The experimental design was completely randomized, and each treatment consisted of 4 replicates with 15 larvae per replicate. The larval mortality, the weight of larvae and pupae, and larval duration of the cycle were evaluated. E. grandis presented the higher efficiency upon S. eridania, causing 100% of mortality and the lowest larval weight (1.0±0.3mg), followed by C. baccatum, which caused 61,7% of mortality, reduced larval (21.1±2.3mg) and puppal weight (197.0±5.7mg). These results indicate that both plants affect the development of S. eridania and are potential options to control this insect. KEYWORDS: Cymbopogon winterianus, Capsicum baccatum, Eucalyptus grandis, insecticide plant

Composição do substrato sobre o desenvolvimento, qualidade e custo de produção de mudas de <i>Eucalyptus grandis</i> Hill ex Maiden × <i>Eucalyptus urophylla</i> S. T. Blake.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050985082Os componentes utilizados na produção de substratos influem diretamente no ciclo vegetativo, na qualidade e consequentemente nos custos de produção das mudas. Nesse experimento estudou-se o desenvolvimento, qualidade e custos de produção de mudas de Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden × Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake, por meio de propagação sexuada, utilizando 12 composições de substrato. A análise dos resultados evidenciou que os substratos puros, a exceção da fibra de coco, não apresentaram características físicas adequadas para a produção de mudas, via sexuada, de Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden × Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake em tubetes. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos nos substratos com mistura 1:1 de casca de arroz carbonizada e fibra de coco e na mistura 1:1 de vermiculita e fibra de coco, devido às melhores características morfológicas apresentadas e da possibilidade de redução do tempo de produção, levando à redução no custo final das mudas.

ANÁLISE DA RESISTÊNCIA E ELASTICIDADE EM FLEXÃO ESTÁTICA EM PAINÉIS LVL DE Eucalyptus grandis PRODUZIDOS COM LÂMINAS PRÉ-CLASSIFICADAS

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resistência e elasticidade em flexão estática em painéis LVL produzidos com lâminas pré-classificadas de Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden de diferentes idades. Foram selecionadas 15 árvores, sendo oito com idade de 15 anos e sete com idade 20 anos, processadas em torno laminador e em seguida pré-classificadas não destrutivamente. Foram geradas três classes de rigidez para 15 anos e três para 20 anos, sendo os painéis produzidos dentro de cada classe. Para avaliar o confronto intraclasses de rigidez, foi realizada uma Anova a 95% de probabilidade, e um teste de médias de Tukey a 95 % de significância. Para o mor foi observada uma relação direta entre as classes de rigidez, ou seja, com o aumento da classe houve uma resposta direta na variável. O efeito é observado tanto na idade de 15 quanto de 20 anos. O moe teve comportamento semelhante à densidade dos painéis. Para a idade de 15 anos, existe relação direta entre as classes de rigidez e valores do moe. Na idade de 20 anos não houve relação entre moe e classe de rigidez. Assim, a propriedade avaliada indica a possibilidade de produção, em escala comercial, de painéis com características diferenciadas por classe de rigidez.

Growth responses to thinning and pruning in Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens, and Eucalyptus grandis plantations in southeastern Australia

Growth responses to pruning or thinning are well documented but their interactions are not, even though they are sometimes performed simultaneously. Growth responses to thinning and pruning were examined in nine plantation silvicultural experiments at five sites in southeastern mainland Australia. The species studied were Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Eucalyptus nitens (Deane and Maiden) Maiden, and Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden. Thinning from about 1100–1300 trees·ha–1 to about 300 or 500 trees·ha–1 at either age 3–4 years or 7–10 years increased the volume of sawlog crop trees in all species. Multiple lift pruning to 6.5 m height on the sawlog crop trees that retained at least 70% of the live crown length at any lift significantly reduced tree growth at only one of the six site–species combinations where both thinning and pruning were studied. And here, thinning interacted with pruning such that the pruning effects were not significant in unthinned stands because only shaded and inefficient foliage was removed. This study shows that thinning and pruning can interact to influence sawlog crop tree growth and this interaction is influenced by site.

Influence of Moisture Content, Specific Gravity and Specimen Geometry on the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity in Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden Wood

The use of ultrasound for the characterization of mechanical and physical properties is a well-defined technique for homogeneous materials such as metals. However, its application on heterogeneous and anisotropic materials like wood is more problematic. This study analyzes the influence of moisture content, specific gravity, and effect of specimen cross-section on ultrasonic pulse velocity in Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden. To do so, specimens of fixed length and height (3 and 25 cm, respectively) and varying width (5; 10 and 15 cm) were confectioned in order to obtain distinct base-height ratios: 1.67, 3.33, and 5. These specimens were dried in oven and monitored to determine the ultrasonic pulse velocity taking into account the longitudinal direction of the wood. Results indicated the moisture content as the main influence factor, and the specific gravity was revealed as having minor influence, whereas the base-height ratio of the specimens showed no statistically significant influence.

Correlações dendroclimatológicas do <i>Eucalyptus grandis</i> Hill ex Maiden na região de Rio Claro, RJ

O plantio de florestas comerciais contribui decisivamente na geração de benefícios socioeconômicos e ambientais, conferindo caráter de sustentabilidade aos empreendimentos de base florestal. O Eucalyptus grandis Hill Ex Maiden se destaca por ser uma das espécies mais cultivadas em reflorestamentos no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as correlações entre a precipitação e a produção da madeira de Eucalyptus grandis com 23 anos de idade provenientes de um plantio comercial no município de Rio Claro, RJ. O incremento anual da madeira foi determinado através da técnica da densitometria de raios X, a qual permitiu a obtenção de um perfil detalhado da densidade na direção radial para cada amostra. Considerou-se como um ano de vida da árvore, o período decorrido para a formação de dois anéis outonais consecutivos, ou seja, dois picos de alta densidade (REZENDE e FERRAZ, 1985 e FERRAZ, 1993). Os resultados mostraram uma correlação positiva entre os dados de precipitação e o incremento anual da madeira, denotando o potencial dendroclimatológico da espécie nessa Região.

Resistência de espécies arbóreas submetidas a extremos climáticos de geada em diferentes sistemas agroflorestais

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a resposta das espécies arbóreas Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake (guapuruvu), Mimosa scabrella Benth. (bracatinga), Peltophorum dubium (Spr.) Taubert (canafístula), Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan (angico-vermelho) e o híbrido Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake x Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (eucalipto) em consórcio com a cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) em dois arranjos de sistemas agroflorestais (faixa - 3x3m + 12m e linha - 6x1,5m) submetidos a extremos climáticos de geada, na região Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Os danos (resistência á geada) foram avaliados segundo o sistema de notas utilizado por HIGA et al. (2000) no qual atribuiu-se uma nota de 0 a 10 conforme a intensidade do dano na planta. Para os graus de resistência à geada, adaptou-se metodologia utilizada por CARVALHO (1981), a qual também é em função da intensidade do dano na planta. Diante da condição de geada estudada, observa-se que os diferentes arranjos de sistemas agroflorestais afetam a resistência da espécie guapuruvu, sendo sensível no sistema agroflorestal faixa e moderadamente tolerante no sistema linha. Em ambos os sistemas, as espécies angico-vermelho, bracatinga e eucalipto mostram-se resistentes, enquanto que a canafístula demonstra ser tolerante.

Rearing the Predator <i>Brontocoris tabidus</i> (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) with <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Pupa on <i>Eucalyptus grandis</i> in the Field

The use of natural enemies represents an important strategy in programs of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Asopinae predators are reared with alternative prey, but supplementary plant may enhance the fecundity and longevity of their females. The objective of this research was to evaluate the development and reproduction of the predator Brontocoris tabidus Signoret, 1852 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) fed with Tenebrio molitor L., 1785 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae in a Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (Myrtaceae) plant in the field. The duration and survival of the nymphal stage of B. tabidus were 32.07 ± 8.95 days and 77.00 ± 0.42%, respectively with 15.55 ± 8.19 egg masses, 603.00 ± 379.20 eggs and 387.45 ± 291.40 nymphs per female of this predator while longevity of its males and females was 119.80 ± 32.80 and 160.20 ± 42.13 days, respectively. Better results with E. grandis plant in the field and the fact that B. tabidus will be adapted at release time show that this predator should be reared in these conditions.

Nondestructive evaluation of heat-treated Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden wood using stress wave method

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of heat treatment of eucalypt wood (Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden) on the dynamic modulus of elasticity by using the stress wave nondestructive method and also to determine the air-dry density variation, weight loss and equilibrium moisture content following treatment. Heat treatments were performed at four different temperatures (180, 200, 215 and 230°C) and for three different durations (15 min, 2 and 4 h). The results revealed a significant reduction in air-dry density following heat treatment independent of temperature and time. A significant weight loss was observed between and within treatments. The treatment at 230°C for 2 and 4 h produced a weight loss of 20.5 and 26.5%, respectively, which was statistically different from other treatment conditions. The dynamic modulus of elasticity decreased by about 13% in the most severe treatment (230°C for 4 h). Depending on the temperature and time, the equilibrium moisture content was significantly reduced within the range of 40–74%.

Leaf breakdown and invertebrate colonization of Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) and Hirtella glandulosa (Chrysobalanaceae) in two Neotropical lakes

Aim: This study compared the leaf breakdown of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex. Maiden (an exotic species) and Hyrtella glandulosa Spreng. (a native species), in order to assess the role of invertebrates in decomposition in two tropical lakes (Aguape and Barra) of the Rio Doce State Park in Southeast Brazil, receiving allochthonous organic matter during the dry and rainy seasons; Methods: Senescent leaves (4 ± 0.1 g dry weight) were placed in litter bags (30 × 30 cm, 5 mm mesh size) and submerged in the lakes. Replicate bags (n = 4) were then retrieved after 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days; Results: The breakdown of E. grandis leaves (range k = –0.007 to –0.015) was faster than H. glandulosa (range k = –0.005 to –0.008). Breakdown rates were higher during the rainy season than the dry season. Leaves of E. grandis and H. glandulosa did not differ in terms of invertebrate colonization. The highest densities were observed in Aguape Lake during the rainy season. Taxonomic richness was higher in E. grandis and in Aguape Lake, but no differences between the rainy and dry seasons were observed. Functional trophic groups differed between leaf types and seasons. Gatherer-collectors and scrapers predominated in E. grandis and in the dry season; Conclusions: The higher breakdown observed in Barra Lake was probably a consequence of the elevated temperatures and the presence of Gastropoda (scrapers). Aquatic invertebrates did not have difficulties in the colonization of exotic leaves (E. grandis) compared with native leaves (H. glandulosa). We observed that in the rainy season, the higher decay rates and density of invertebrate communities, indicating the increased temperatures, nutrient inflow and organic matter brought by the rain, accelerated this process compared with the dry season.