Cloud Forest Research Articles

Montane rainforest dynamics under changes in climate and human impact during the past millennia in northern Madagascar.

Although it is well known that humans substantially altered the Malagasy ecosystems, the timing of the human arrival as well as the extension of their environmental impact is yet not well understood. This research aims to study the influence of early human impact and climate change on rainforests and wildlife in northern Madagascar during the past millennia. Results obtained from the lake sediment in a montane environment showed significant changes in vegetation within the lake catchment associated with a major drought that started approximately 1100 years ago. Human impact, revealed by fires, began at roughly the same time and occurred outside the lake catchment. Although this does not dismiss the impacts that humans had at a regional scale, this result demonstrates that the late Holocene natural drought also significantly impacted the ecosystems independently of anthropogenic activities. At a regional scale, a review of species demographic history revealed a substantial number of population bottlenecks during the last millennia, probably resulting from this combination of human-related impact and natural climate changes. This research highlights the importance of a multi-site and multi-proxy comparison for deciphering the nature and succession of environmental changes.

ADDITIONAL NEW SPECIES OF FROGS (GENUS ELEUTHERODACTYLUS) FROM CLOUD FORESTS OF EASTERN DEPARTAMENTO DE CALDAS, COLOMBIA

Four additional species of the genus Eleutherodactylus are described from the high cloud forests of the municipalities of Pensilvania and Samaná, Caldas. With these descriptions, 18 species of the genus have been recorded from this small region lying between 1800 and 2150 meters.

Ontogenetic instars of Basilobelba werneri Mahunka, 1982 (Acari, Oribatida, Basilobelbidae)

Basilobelba werneri (Oribatida, Basilobelbidae) was collected from an alpine cloud forest in Guatemala. This is the first representative of the family Basilobelbidae in the Guatemalan fauna. A supplementary description of adult B. werneri is presented along with summarized diagnostic morphological traits. The juvenile instars of B. werneri are described for the first time. The larva is characterized by the presence of 11 pairs of gastronotic setae, of which c1 (short), da and dm (medium-sized) slightly thickened, barbed, la, lm, lp, h1, and h2 long, thick, narrowed distally, heavily barbed, and c2, c3 and h3 short, setiform, roughened. The proto-, deuto- and tritonymph are characterized by the presence of 12 pairs of short, setiform gastronotic setae.

A new cloud forest tree Lychnodiscus bali (Sapindaceae), Critically Endangered from the Bali-Ngemba Forest Reserve, NW Region, Cameroon

SummaryWe describe and illustrate Lychnodiscus bali Cheek (Sapindaceae), a new species to science, from the Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve of NW Region Cameroon, the last major remnant of cloud forest in the Bamenda Highlands of Cameroon, recently evidenced as a Tropical Important Plant Area (TIPA or IPA). Confined on current evidence to upper submontane forest, the new species is threatened by expanding habitat clearance for farms and is assessed as Critically Endangered. A small tree, attaining 3 – 4 m height, it is the first new species to be added to this Guineo-Congolian tree genus in 50 years, the third recorded from Cameroon and takes the number of species in the genus to eight. It has the highest known altitudinal range (1700 – 1950 m alt.) of any species of the genus. We discuss its discovery in the context of other recently discovered and highly threatened or even extinct plant species in the Cameroon Highlands, and the importance of their conservation. The new species was previously identified as Lychnodiscus grandifolius Radlk., but differs in the shorter length of the distal leaflets (12 – 18 cm vs 22 – 39 cm long); in the abaxial leaf surface lacking glands (vs glands flat and conspicuous); in being sparsely hairy all over (vs glabrous except the main veins) and in its larger flowers, 8 – 11 mm long at anthesis (vs 5 – 7 mm long). We present an identification key of the species of Lychnodiscus and discuss their classification in the context of recent molecular phylogenetic and phylogenomic studies. The authors contend that Lychnodiscus Radlk., previously placed in Cupanieae by Radlkofer, should now be placed in the reconstituted Nephelieae in the revised 2021 intrafamilial classification of Buerki et al., probably close to the genera Aporrhiza Radlk. and Laccodiscus Radlk. However, until the genus is included in molecular studies this cannot be confirmed and a sister relationship remains speculative.

To stay or not to stay? Temporal shifts in dung beetle occupancy in a cloud forest landscape

Abstract Dynamic occupancy model estimates the probabilities of occupancy, detection, extinction and colonization of individuals throughout seasons and is, thus, a useful tool for identifying whether individuals select a site to improve population phenology and fitness. We used multi‐season dynamics occupancy models to assess how abiotic factors (monthly variation, percentage of forest and edge and temperature) and biotic factors (female abundance) affect the demographic dynamics of coprophagous beetles Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas that differ in their habitat preferences in a human‐modified landscape in a cloud forest in Mexico. For both species, we captured a total of 1069 individuals with a density of 48.2 individuals per trap in forest areas and 14.8 individuals per trap in non‐forest areas. The species differed in their spatiotemporal occupancy dynamics in the landscape. Specifically, we found that monthly variation, percentage of forest cover and percentage of edge affected the models for both species. Each species showed a specific set of explanatory covariates for the model parameters, indicating that phenological and demographic regulatory mechanisms act as drivers of the spatiotemporal occupancy in a year period. We highlight the importance of considering abiotic factors (landscape characteristics) as drivers of occupancy, especially in highly heterogeneous landscapes. Such understanding is relevant to establish the effects of the landscape on the distribution and occurrence of dung beetles by determining how forest and generalist species differ in colonization and extinction patterns with respect to their phenology.

Justicia darienensis (Acanthaceae: Justicieae: Justiciinae), a new species endemic to a tropical sky island in Panama

A new species, Justicia darienensis T.F. Daniel & M. Vargas P., is described from a biodiverse “hotspot” in an isolated cloud forest of Darién Province in eastern Panama. It is compared to morphologically and palynologically similar species in southern Central America. Justicia darienensis is characterized by a complex inflorescence with heteromorphic (shape and fertility) bracts, white corollas with purple markings on the lower lip, glabrous anther thecae, 4-aperturate pollen, and pubescent capsules. Images of the plant and its pollen are provided.

A new species of Centrozoros Kukalová-Peck & Peck, 1993 (Zoraptera: Spiralizoridae) from high elevations in the northwestern Andes of Colombia

This study aims to expand the knowledge of angel insects in Colombia. A new species of Centrozoros Kukalová-Peck & Peck, 1993 (Zoraptera: Spiralizoridae) from a high elevation area of Colombia is described. Centrozoros mesenia Lima, Oliveira & Rafael sp. nov. was collected from Andean cloud forest at the Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve. The new species is described based on a male specimen and is characterized mainly by the presence of a leaf-like sclerotized projection at the base of the aedeagus. We present digital images of the new species and a distribution map of the species of Zoraptera registered for Colombia until now.

A new and threatened species of Bondarzewia from the Brazilian cloud forests

ABSTRACT A new and threatened polypore species, Bondarzewia loguerciae, is described from the cloud forests of southern Brazil. It is characterized by single-pileate basidiomata that grow on dead branches and along living stems of standing trunks and present a context with dark lines and resinous tubes. When growing in axenic culture, this species also develops chlamydospores. We provide an illustrated morphological description and molecular analysis. Our specimens from Brazil form a monophyletic group among other species of the Southern Hemisphere. The conservation status of B. loguerciae is assessed and published as “Critically Endangered” based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. Additionally, a key to the species is provided.

Ecological stress memory in wood architecture of two Neotropical hickory species from central-eastern Mexico

BackgroundDrought periods are major evolutionary triggers of wood anatomical adaptive variation in Lower Tropical Montane Cloud Forests tree species. We tested the influence of historical drought events on the effects of ecological stress memory on latewood width and xylem vessel traits in two relict hickory species (Carya palmeri and Carya myristiciformis) from central-eastern Mexico. We hypothesized that latewood width would decrease during historical drought years, establishing correlations between growth and water stress conditions, and that moisture deficit during past tree growth between successive drought events, would impact on wood anatomical features. We analyzed latewood anatomical traits that developed during historical drought and pre- and post-drought years in both species.ResultsWe found that repeated periods of hydric stress left climatic signatures for annual latewood growth and xylem vessel traits that are essential for hydric adaptation in tropical montane hickory species.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the existence of cause‒effect relationships in wood anatomical architecture and highlight the ecological stress memory linked with historical drought events. Thus, combined time-series analysis of latewood width and xylem vessel traits is a powerful tool for understanding the ecological behavior of hickory species.

<i>Rhynchospora </i>y <i>Carex </i>(Cyperaceae) en los Andes de Lambayeque, Perú

A total of four species of Cyperaceae in the genus Rhynchospora (Rhynchosporeae) and five of Carex (Cariceae) are reported for the first time as members of the flora of the department of Lambayeque, in the northeast of the Peruvian territory, occupying the Andean ecoregions of Northwest Montane Rainforests (BPMN), Jalca, and Desert Shrub-Dry Forest transition (MD-BS). The distribution of the species and presence in herbaria are also discussed.

Two new species of Amboroppia (Quintanoppia) (Acari, Oribatida, Oppiidae) from Guatemala

Two new species of oppiid mites of the subgenus Amboroppia (Quintanoppia) (Oribatida, Oppiidae) —A. (Q.) guatemalaensis n. sp. and A. (Q.) zacapaensis n. sp.— are described, based on materials collected from damp litter in cloud forest in Guatemala. An identification key to the known species of Amboroppia (Quintanoppia) is provided.

How environmental factors condition natural regeneration in the altitudinal gradient of a montane rainforest

How environmental factors condition natural regeneration in the altitudinal gradient of a montane rainforest

A Rapid Assessment of Pronophilina Reuter, 1896 community structure and diversity in the uppermost cloud forests near timberline in Manu National Park, Peru (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)

A Rapid Assessment of Pronophilina Reuter, 1896 community structure and diversity in the uppermost cloud forests near timberline in Manu National Park, Peru (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)

Ants in the clouds: A preliminary checklist of the ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) fauna of a Honduran cloud forest ecosystem, featuring a key to country genera

Ants in the clouds: A preliminary checklist of the ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) fauna of a Honduran cloud forest ecosystem, featuring a key to country genera

Diversity, composition, and structure of a 1-hectare tree plot in the cloud forest of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Key MessageWe present data from a new delimited 1-ha forest plot on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia and describe its tree diversity, composition, and structure. This data can be used in regional analyses and help to refine remote sensing models. Future censuses will provide data on the demographics of rare, endangered, and endemic trees that can be used for their conservation. Dataset access is at https://doi.org/10.15472/ftwol2. Associated metadata are available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/a4a7855f-4cb2-459b-a1a2-287bd1e6d587.

Soil organic carbon sequestration under Araucaria angustifolia plantations but not under exotic tree species on a mountain range

ABSTRACT Plantation forests can be efficient C sinks in biomass and soil organic carbon (SOC), but the latter depends on many factors, including climate. Tropical humid, mountain areas have cooler temperatures, slowing microbial decomposition, and thus can store considerable SOC. However, the effects of forest plantations on SOC of these montane areas are still poorly studied. Here, we aimed to assess changes in SOC, and related soil properties, after conversion of native rainforest to plantations of five tree species, with rotation cycles varying from 7 to 30 years, on the Mantiqueira Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We measured SOC contents and stocks (0.00-0.40 m layer) under a native montane rainforest (control) and plantations of Eucalyptus, Pinus, Cunninghamia, Cupressus and Araucaria, all planted in 3 × 3 m spacing, at an altitude of ca. 1,300 m, marked by humid and cool climate, where SOC contents are naturally high. Soil organic carbon varied from 55 g kg -1 under Eucalyptus to 105 g kg -1 under Araucaria (0.00-0.05 m layer), decreasing in depth (0.20-0.40 m) to the still high values of 20-40 g kg -1 . Soil organic carbon stocks for the top 0.20 m were also high, reaching ca. 140 Mg ha -1 under Araucaria, significantly higher value than the native forest (ca. 90 Mg ha -1 , p<0.05), which did not differ from the other species. Soil organic carbon stocks were not affected in the 0.20-0.40 m soil layer, whereas soil structure patterns changed under some species, without however resulting in bulk density changes, and pH decreased under Araucaria. Such data showed large SOC stocks under montane native forests can not only be preserved upon conversion to forest plantations, but considerable SOC sequestration can be achieved in 30-years rotation cycles plantations of indigenous Araucaria angustifolia, marked by more open canopies and greater understory biomass.

Implementing ITS1 metabarcoding for the analysis of soil microeukariotic diversity in the Mountain Cloud Forest

PurposeIn threatened diversity hotspots, such as mountain cloud forests, microbiome studies have focused essentially on bacteria. Unlike prokaryotic microbiomes, the study of the microeukaryotes has largely been restricted to the visual identification of specific groups. Herein, microeukaryotic edaphic diversity from a pristine mountain cloud forest (MCF) of Mexico was analyzed via the metabarcoding of the ITS1 region of ribosomal DNA.Materials and methodsAn exploratory triangular sampling was conducted in the mountain cloud forest located in El Relámpago Mount, Santiago Comaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Each vertex was located adjacent to a dominant plant species in the ecosystem (Oreomunnea mexicana and Alsophila salvinii). After DNA extraction the ITS1 region (rDNA) was amplified. Microeukaryotic sequences were filtered by computational subtraction against the ITS2 Database. Next, alpha and beta diversity indexes were calculated, and the relationship between abiotic variables and diversity patterns were inferred by means of a Canonical Correspondence Analysis.ResultsOverall, 138 inferred sequence variants were identified, including 87 protists, 35 animals (microfauna), and 16 algae. Within the animals, the nematodes were the dominant group, chlorophytes dominated algae, and in Protista, no dominance patterns were observed given the high diversity and equitability of this group. Soil available carbon, carbon degrading enzymes and the pH play a key role in modeling the community structure. Remarkably, high beta diversity levels were obtained, evidencing a strong spatial heterogeneity at the small scale.ConclusionsThe ITS metabarcoding proved to be a useful tool to conduct multi-taxa diversity assessments for microeukaryotes, allowing the identification of alpha and beta diversity patterns and overcoming limitations of sampling and the direct observation of individuals. The results presented in this work evidenced high microeukaryotic diversity levels in the soil of MCF and encourage future studies aiming to explore the taxonomic diversity of individual taxa.

Structure of the assemblage of fruit-feeding butterflies in a high Andean anthropogenic landscape

The high Andean mountains are ecosystems subject to high human pressure activities, resulting in disturbed areas increasingly dominating the landscapes. However, there needs to have more knowledge about the contributions of different vegetation coverages and species to global diversity at the local level. For three consecutive years, we studied a guild of fruit-feeding butterflies in four different land covers (cloud forests, paramo, mixed anthropogenic habitats, and cattle pastures) in the northern Andes in Colombia, analyzing the diversity and structure of the butterfly assemblage in the region. The assembly showed significant differences between land covers. The mixed habitat was the most diverse in order q1 (exponential of Shannon entropy) and q2 (inverse of Gini-Simpson dominance index) diversity, and the cloud forest contained the higher abundance and species richness. Abundance decreased from forest to pasture, significantly reducing diversity in pastures, with cloud forest and paramo containing the key endemic species. These results indicate the value of landscape diversity in providing resources and conditions required for the diversity conservation of high Andean butterflies.

Complete phylogeny of Micrathena spiders suggests multiple dispersal events among Neotropical rainforests, islands and landmasses, and indicates that Andean orogeny promotes speciation.

The Neotropical region is the most diverse on the planet, largely owing to its mosaic of tropical rainforests. Multiple tectonic and climatic processes have been hypothesized to contribute to generating this diversity, including Andean orogeny, the closure of the Isthmus of Panama, the GAARlandia land bridge and historical connections among currently isolated forests. Micrathena spiders are diverse and widespread in the region, and thus a complete phylogeny of this genus allows the testing of hypotheses at multiple scales. We estimated a complete, dated phylogeny using morphological data for 117 Micrathena species and molecular data of up to five genes for a subset of 79 species. Employing event-based approaches and biogeographic stochastic mapping while considering phylogenetic uncertainty, we estimated ancestral distributions, the timing and direction of dispersal events and diversification rates among areas. The phylogeny is generally robust, with uncertainty in the position of some of the species lacking sequences. Micrathena started diversifying around 25 Ma. Andean cloud forests show the highest in-situ speciation, while the Amazon is the major dispersal source for adjacent areas. The Dry Diagonal generated few species and is a sink of diversity. Species exchange between Central and South America involved approximately 23 dispersal events and started ~20 Ma, which is consistent with a Miocene age for the Isthmus of Panama closure. We inferred four dispersal events from Central America to the Antilles in the last 20 Myr, indicating the spiders did not reach the islands through the GAARlandia land bridge. We identified important species exchange routes among the Amazon, Andean cloud forests and Atlantic forests during the Plio-Pleistocene. Sampling all species of the genus was fundamental to the conclusions above, especially in identifying the Andean forests as the area that generated the majority of species. This highlights the importance of complete taxonomic sampling in biogeographic studies.

Lighting up mountain coexistence: Understanding the effects of environment and livestock on habitat use by Andean bear in a conflict zone in Peruvian Andes

In Tropical Andes, livestock predation is the main cause of conflict between Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus) and humans. In central Peru, the small village of San Pedro de Churco, located in buffer zone of Pampa Hermosa National Sanctuary, has experienced a conflict with Andean bears since 2013 due to the livestock depredation of cattle. To create a baseline for formulating mitigation measures, we seek to analyze which environmental and anthropogenic characteristics best explain the habitat use by the Andean bear in this conflict region. Using camera traps, transects, and occupancy modeling, we distributed 16 sampling units in the conflict area from May 2019 to November 2020. We collected seven variables: slope, forest cover, the occurrence of Puya bromeliads, livestock abundance, distance from S.P. Churco village, distance to trails, and rainfall. We expected that variables linked to food resources would have a large explanatory weight (w+) positively on habitat use by the Andean bear, while anthropogenic variables would have a negative impact on the species’ habitat use due to disturbances caused by human activity. Our results demonstrated the importance of maintaining the cloud forests (w+=0.61) and the high-Andean grasslands with Puya (w+=0.66) for the establishment of the Andean bear in conflict areas, in addition to the effect of seasonality (w+=0.63) on the use of different habitats and the resource availability for the species. However, the presence of abundant livestock (w+=-0.64) may be causing the displacement of bears, negatively impacting the availability of their habitats in conflict zones. The habitat use rate by bears across the study area was 0.69 with a detectability of 0.15, and we identified six individuals through the body marks. Based on the results and the conflict landscape, we mapped the focal areas sampling with the greatest potential for livestock depredation by Andean bears and the implications for management and coexistence. Measures that conserve cloud forests and the Puya grasslands, as well as more sustainable and profitable livestock management practices can be prioritized to reduce human-bear conflict in the region.