Forest In Northeastern Brazil Research Articles

Six new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

Six Eugenia species from the Atlantic Forest of Alagoas state, northeastern Brazil, are described here: Eugenia anthropophaga, E. cambemba, E. curuba, E. jussara, E. mammifera, and E. palmarina. Eugenia anthropophaga and E. jussara are morphologically similar to each other but distinguished by the ovate (vs. linear in E. jussara) bracts, fruiting pedicels not swollen (vs. swollen) at the base, and subglobose (vs. pyriform), pilose (vs. glabrescent) and deeply 8-costate (vs. slightly 8-costate) fruits with patent (vs. erect) calyx lobes. Eugenia cambemba is morphologically similar to E. valsuganana but differs by the leaf blades cuspidate at the apex, and fruits longer, obovoid, and reddish when ripe. Eugenia curuba is similar to E. pruinosa, differing by the leaf blades obtuse to rounded at the apex, with 12–14 secondary veins per side, and sessile fruits with subtly glandular-rugose surface. Eugenia mammifera differs from E. coffeifolia by the elliptic leaf blades with 14–17 secondary veins, eciliate calyx lobes, and fruits 8-costate and constricted at apex. Eugenia palmarina differs from E. barrana by the widely elliptic leaf blades with minute glandular dots on the adaxial surface, with 12–15 secondary veins per side, and longer triangular or linear bracts. Due to the restricted distribution and imminent threats, the new species are provisionally considered as Critically Endangered (CR), in accordance with the IUCN criteria. Data about geographical distribution, habitat, and comments on morphological affinities are provided.

A new species of Ouratea (Ochnaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in Northeastern Brazil

Ouratea robusta, a new species from the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil is described and illustrated. Comments about the habitat, phenology and distribution are presented. The new species is morphologically similar to O. crassa and O. fieldingiana, both occurring in the states of Alagoas, Bahia and Sergipe, but can be easily distinguished from these by the entire or slightly serrate leaves, flabellate petals and the showy, stout panicle.

New Records and Potential Distribution of the ant Gracilidris pombero Wild & Cuezzo (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Gracilidris pombero Wild & Cuezzo, 2006 is an ant that remains poorly studied. Endemic from South America, its geographical distribution is known from few and scattered collection points. In this study, we present new occurrence records of G. pombero obtained through extensive collections along the Cerrado biome and the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil. Based on the new and existing occurrence records we produced a model of the geographic distribution of G. pombero. Modelling method was chosen based on maximization of model performance after evaluating a series of modelling approaches, including different parametrizations of the Maxent algorithm and distinct runs of the GARP algorithm. We found a total of 43 new records of G. pombero in Brazil, including the first records of this species in the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Piauí, Sergipe and Tocantins. Based on our model, the areas of highest suitability of occurrence of G. pombero are located in two main zones in South America: one ranging from midwestern Brazil to southeastern Bolivia and Paraguay; and the other spanning the South of Brazil and Uruguay.

First record of Dermanura anderseni (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) for the Atlantic Forest

AbstractThe genusDermanuracurrently comprises 11 species, four of which occur in Brazil.Dermanura anderseniwas previously recorded only in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Here, we expand the known geographic distribution ofD. anderseniover 1000 km eastwards for the Atlantic Forest biome. We captured an adult male specimen in mist-nets set at ground level in the Caju Private Natural Heritage Reserve, Itaporanga D’Ajuda, Sergipe State, northeastern Brazil. Owing to their similarities in external morphology,D. andersenimay be easily mistaken forDermanura cinerea. Thus, considering thatD. cinereais one of the most common species in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, we are alert for the possibility of misidentified specimens in zoological collections.

Distinct edge effects and reproductive periods of sympatric litter-dwelling scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) in a Brazilian Atlantic forest

Edge effects have drastically affected species living in tropical forests. However, understanding how species respond to edge effects remains a challenge, owing to the many factors involved and different responses of each species thereto. Here, we analyzed how the abundance of two sympatric scorpion species (Tityus pusillus and Ananteris mauryi) and their potential prey varied as a function of microhabitat changes (litter depth, dry mass, and leaf shape) from edge to interior forest habitats. We further analyzed the contribution of potential prey to scorpion abundance and reproductive periods. Data were collected monthly at three 300-m² transects/site at distances of 10, 100, and 200m from the forest edge in a fragment of the Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil, between April 2016 and March 2017. Scorpions responded differentially to edge effects, with A. mauryi abundance being similar along the edge-interior gradient, whereas T. pusillus had a higher abundance in the interior. As T. pusillus inhabit the top layer of the leaf litter, this species will possibly be more influenced by edge effects. In contrast, being a humicolous scorpion and inhabiting the bottom layers of leaf litter, A. mauryi would not be influenced by edge effects as much as T. pusillus. The reproductive period also was distinct between the two species, with T. pusillus reproducing in the dry season and A. mauryi in the rainy season. The oscillation in the abundance of different groups of prey at different periods maintained the overall prey abundance at a relatively constant level throughout the year, mitigating the effects of prey availability on the abundance and reproductive period of the scorpions. These results suggest that microhabitat exploitation is a key factor to sustain litter-dwelling scorpions in disturbed forest remnants and that T. pusillus can be an ecological indicator of edge effects.

Expansion of the known range of Myiornis auricularis (Aves: Passeriformes) in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

We report the expansion of the known range of the eared pygmy-tyrant Myiornis auricularis , which had not been previously recorded in the state of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The present records expand the known distribution of the species to the northeast, by at least 400 km from central Bahia to Sergipe, and approximately 700 km further northeast to Pernambuco. We discuss the possible existence of a new subspecies, or even a new species, due to the isolation of this population by major rivers. Keywords: New records, digital databases, photographic database, vocalization database.

Nesting biology of three Megachile (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) species from Eastern Amazonia, Brazil

Megachile Latreille is a conspicuous genus of solitary bees distributed worldwide. However, the biology of tropical species is still little known. We present data on biology of Megachile brasiliensis Data Torre, Megachile sejuncta Cockerell and Megachile stilbonotaspis Moure found in two remnants of eastern Amazonian forest in northeastern Brazil. The study was conducted using the trap-nest methodology in two different areas during four periods. We collected a total of 24 nests of M. brasiliensis, 26 of M. sejuncta and 28 of M. stilbonotaspis. The differential abundance of collected nests may reflect the population size in each sampled place. The nesting activity was concentrated mainly between July and January and species presented a multivoltine pattern, except for M. sejuncta, which was partly univoltine. Assessed pollen use showed a predominant use of Attalea sp. (Arecaceae) and, for M. stilbonotaspis, Tylesia sp. and Lepidaploa sp. (Asteraceae). Babassu is a very common palm in the studied areas and the studied species seem to have a strong link with it. We also reported change of pollen use by M. sejuncta, probably due to competition with M. brasiliensis, which may have influenced the biased sex ratio observed in M. sejuncta toward males. Parasites reported here were also recorded for other Megachile species, such as Coelioxys, Brachymeria, Meloidae and Pyralidae species. Mites were observed in association with M. stilbonotaspis. The data presented here set up a background that encourages new studies on the ecology of these three Amazonian species, providing tools for proper biodiversity management and conservation.

Observation of Diurnal Soaring Raptors In Northeastern Brazil Depends On Weather Conditions and Time of Day

Weather conditions influence flight performance of soaring raptors, which take advantage of the strength of rising air currents to travel and forage. Most studies on soaring raptors are not conducted when precipitation and fog are present or during the hottest times of the day, when it is expected that these factors reduce species' detectability. The effect of weather on the movement of migratory birds has been studied extensively, but few studies have addressed these effects on nonmigratory tropical raptors. We described the richness, composition, and activity patterns of a diurnal soaring raptor community and we identified how daily weather conditions affected the probability of observing a species. For 11 mo, we surveyed five fixed points in an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area consisting mainly of montane Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil, for a total of 98 point counts. We recorded 12 species of soaring raptors, of which five made up 88% of all sightings. We added new records for three soaring raptor species, updating the previous richness list for the study region to 26 species. Daily wind velocity positively influenced the probability of observing Short-tailed Hawks (Buteo brachyurus). Daily relative humidity positively influenced the probability of observing Mantled Hawks (Pseudastur polionotus) and negatively influenced that of Roadside Hawks (Rupornis magnirostris). Six species would not have been recorded if afternoon samplings were not made. We demonstrated the need to consider weather conditions and time of day to increase the chance of observing diurnal soaring raptors.

Gathering Blue Carbon Fingerprints

Gathering Blue Carbon Fingerprints

Seasonality in abundance and detection bias of birds in a tropical dry forest in north-eastern South America

Abstract:Seasonal fluctuations in bird abundance are expected in semi-arid environments, but estimates may be biased if detectability is not considered. In a tropical dry forest in north-eastern Brazil, we evaluated whether bird abundance is highly seasonal, and associated with time-specific variability in detectability. We mark-recaptured birds with mist nets over three field visits (3487 records from 75 species), and used closed-capture models to estimate detectability and abundance in birds divided into three groups (all, residents, insectivores). In the two dry periods, the best models resulted in capture estimates at least three times larger than recapture, and both estimates were twice that of when rains occurred on the day preceding sampling. Abundance varied between dry and wet periods from 4.0 (from 115 ± 34 to 479 ± 144) to 13 times (183 ± 8 to 2463 ± 351). Estimates were 1.5–3.2 times greater in the dry period when behavioural responses of birds were excluded from capture-recapture models. Meanwhile, in the wet period the relative abundance was between 33–76% smaller than best-fit models estimated. This study found variation in avian abundance greater than that observed in other Neotropical dry forests, and indicates that biases may be common when not including detectability.

Non-Volant mammals of a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

Home of several endemic species, the Brazilian Atlantic Forest has been reduced to about 11-16% of its original area, and is currently considered to be one of the hotspots of global conservation. In the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe, the 900-hectare Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge was established in order to protect the regional fauna and flora. Mammals were surveyed in the Refuge on three days per month between June, 2011, and May, 2012, using a combination of sample methods. A total of 16 species representing 12 families were recorded, with the order Carnivora being the most common (seven species). Whereas three didelphimorph species were trapped, only one exotic rodent – Rattus norvegicus – was captured. Comparisons with surveys from other Atlantic Forest sites indicate an intermediate species richness in Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge and similar to that of other sites in the northern portion of the biome. Keywords: mammalian diversity, species richness, protected areas.

Influence of environmental factors on the distribution of Calymperes and Syrrhopodon (Calymperaceae, Bryophyta) in the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil

Calymperaceae is an acrocarpous moss family widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The main goal of this research was to study the distribution of species of the genera Calymperes and Syrrhopodon in the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil to determine how environmental factors influence the distribution of these taxa. We compiled a list of species based on literature review, analysis of herbarium specimens and samples taken from forest remnants. This information was complemented with environmental factors compiled for each locality. We registered 13 Calymperes and Syrrhopodon species, five of which had a regionally and/or locally abundant pattern of distribution, while eight had regionally and/or locally sparse distributions. Altitude and annual temperature ranges were the most influential factors for the distribution of C. tenerum, S. incompletus, S. prolifer and S. gaudichaudii. Potential distribution models were developed for taxa with restricted distributions, which were found to be informative. According to the potential distribution models, it is very likely that investment in fieldwork will increase the known distributions of the rare species (e.g., C. erosum, C. tenerum, S. africanus and S. brasiliensis). In the case of other species (e.g., S. cryptocarpus and S. gaudichaudii), rarity may be due to the decline of populations in face of current limited suitable microhabitats as a consequence of alteration and destruction processes of the northeastern Atlantic Forest.

Pleistocene climate changes shaped the population structure of Partamona seridoensis (Apidae, Meliponini), an endemic stingless bee from the Neotropical dry forest.

Partamona seridoensis is an endemic stingless bee from the Caatinga, a Neotropical dry forest in northeastern Brazil. Like other stingless bees, this species plays an important ecological role as a pollinator. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic structure and evolutionary history of P. seridoensis across its current geographic range. Workers from 84 nests from 17 localities were analyzed for COI and Cytb genic regions. The population structure tests (Bayesian phylogenetic inference, AMOVA and haplotype network) consistently characterized two haplogroups (northwestern and eastern), with little gene flow between them, generating a high differentiation between them as well as among the populations within each haplogroup. The Mantel test revealed no isolation by distance. No evidence of a potential geographic barrier in the present that could explain the diversification between the P. seridoensis haplogroups was found. However, Pleistocene climatic changes may explain this differentiation, since the initial time for the P. seridoensis lineages diversification took place during the mid-Pleistocene, specifically the interglacial period, when the biota is presumed to have been more associated with dry conditions and had more restricted, fragmented geographical distribution. This event may have driven diversification by isolating the two haplogroups. Otherwise, the climatic changes in the late Pleistocene must not have drastically affected the population dynamics of P. seridoensis, since the Bayesian Skyline Plot did not reveal any substantial fluctuation in effective population size in either haplogroup. Considering its importance and the fact that it is an endemic bee from a very threatened Neotropical dry forest, the results herein could be useful to the development of conservation strategies for P. seridoensis.

Pentatomidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in Herbaceous and Shrub Strata of Atlantic Forest Remnants in Northeastern Brazil.

Most pentatomids are phytophagous, many of which are economically important crop pests. The family may also be a potentially important group to monitor the health of neotropical forests. However, there is a lack of biological inventories of Pentatomidae, especially in forest remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. This is the first systematic survey of pentatomids reported in three Atlantic forest fragments in northeastern Brazil. In total, 997 individuals belonging to 38 species were recorded, some of which are considered economically important pests. Singletons and doubletons represented 45.9% of all species collected. The most abundant genera were Mormidea Amyot & Serville, 1843; Stictochilus Bergroth, 1918; Xynocoris Garbelotto & Campos 2014; and Edessa F., 1803. Species richness differed among fragments, with a richness gradient correlated with decreased urbanization and increased fragment size. The species abundance distribution fitted the logseries function but not the lognormal, in accordance with what is found for other assemblages in southern Brazil. Species composition also changed, in association with changes in temperature (revealed by the canonical correspondence analysis [CCA]), among fragments. Murici is one of the last remaining dense forests with high plant diversity in the region, having higher pentatomid species richness and a distinctive fauna. This first diversity study for Pentatomidae in fragments of tropical Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil reveals richness comparable with those from subtropical southern Brazil, with some species in common as well.

Evolutionary and Ecological Factors Influencing an Anuran Community Structure in an Atlantic Rainforest Urban Fragment

Many factors influence community structure, including stochastic, historical, or ecological factors. We test how phylogenetic relationships and morphology influence patterns of diet and microhabitat niche partitioning of an anuran community in the Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil. We conducted fieldwork in an urban fragment of the Atlantic forest. Niche breadth for microhabitat use was low for all species pairs, whereas diet niche breadth was high for most. The main prey categories were Coleoptera and Orthoptera, and closely related species showed a distinct diet. We also found a non-random pattern of resource use for diet and microhabitats. Phylogenetic relationships influenced microhabitat, but not diet, use of hylids and leptodactylids. Morphological variability was not clustered in only one node, nor in a few nodes, and trait values were not skewed to the root or the tips of the phylogeny and appear to concur with phylogenetic relationships for microhabitat use. Therefore, phylogenetic relationships influenced microhabitat use, whereas ecological processes determined diet.Muitos fatores influenciam a estrutura de uma comunidade, sejam de ordem estocástica, histórica ou ecológica. Nós testamos como as relações filogenéticas e a morfologia influenciam os padrões na partição de nicho da dieta e uso de microhabitat em uma comunidade de anuros de Mata Altântica do nordeste do Brasil. Nós conduzimos o estudo em um fragmento urbano de floresta atlântica no nordeste brasileiro. A largura de nicho de uso de microhábitat foi baixa para todos os pares de espécies, enquanto a de dieta foi alta para a maioria. As principais categorias alimentares foram Coleoptera e Orthoptera, sendo que espécies mais próximas filogeneticamente apresentaram dieta distinta. Nós também encontramos um padrão não aleatório no uso dos recursos de dieta e uso de microhábitat. O grau de parentesco influenciou o uso de microhábitat em hilídeos e leptodactilídeos, mas não a dieta. A variabilidade morfológica não foi agrupada em um nó, nem em poucos nós, e os valores dos atributos não estão enviesados em direção a raiz ou aos ramos terminais da filogenia, e, aparentemente, corrobora as relações filogenéticas para uso de microhábitat. Portanto, o parentesco filogenético influenciou o uso de microhábitat, enquanto a dieta foi mais influenciada por processos ecológicos.

Influence of functional traits on the demographic rates of 47 arboreal species in a tropical forest in northeastern Brazil

Influence of functional traits on the demographic rates of 47 arboreal species in a tropical forest in northeastern Brazil. Based on the premise that species use different strategies for acquiring and maintaining resources, it is possible to identify their similarities as determined by particular trade-offs between traits, the present work examined the specific leaf area (SLA), basic wood density (BWD), maximum height (Hmax) and seed shape (SS) of 47 arboreal species in a moist semi-evergreen tropical forest in northeastern Brazil and investigated the influence of those traits on plant mortality rates (MR) and growth (BAG). BWD and Hmax were the best predictors of mortality rates. The factorial analysis explained 70.4% of the total variability, distributed among three factors composed of traits and rates. MR and Hmax were found to be more readily observed when orthogonally rotated by the varimax method, with the first factor explaining 26.9% of the variance. Cluster analyses and principal component analyses, whose matrices contained the variables MR, BAG, SLA, and Hmax for each species, confirmed the discriminant analysis and allowed the identification of four functional groups. The fact that some of the correlations encountered differed from previously published results (such as the negative relationship between maximum height and mortality) may reflect regional climatic seasonality or indicate that this strategy benefits plant species that reach the upper canopy and thus become well-established.

Caryocar coriaceum (Caryocaraceae) diaspore removal and dispersal distance on the margin and in the interior of a Cerrado area in Northeastern Brazil.

The seed dispersal process is a crucial stage in plant regeneration and maintenance of forest biological diversity. While the number of removed seeds is quantitative, the distance to which a seed is removed from its origin is qualitative, because it affects the probability that a seed will germinate and recruit to the next life stage. However, the creation of forest margins can negatively affect the seed dispersal process, especially for large-diaspore plant species. In this study, the diaspore removal and dispersal distance of Caryocar coriaceum, a tree with large diaspores that is in danger of extinction, were analyzed. The study was conducted for two consecutive years in a protected forest in Northeastern Brazil. Each year, 1 200 diaspores with a nylon wire and a satin tape yellow were used and equally distributed in 120 experimental stations established on the forest margin and in the interior. During the first year of the study, no differences in diaspore removal and dispersal distance were found among the investigated environments. However, for the second year of the study, the number of removed diaspores differed significantly; nevertheless, the dispersal distance was not different between the forest margin and the interior. The low diaspore removal percentages suggest that species recruitment may be compromised because the diaspore accumulation close to the relatives enables higher fungi and insect attack. In addition, most of the few removed diaspores were found at short distances from their sources (up to 5 m), which can lead to low genetic variability. Virtually no diaspore was found buried by hoarding rodents, and no diaspore was found preyed upon by these animals. Evidence found in this study suggests the local loss of species dispersers, which can compromise the maintenance of forest biological diversity.

Heteropterys arcuata (Malpighiaceae): a new species from the dry forests of northeastern Brazil

A new species of Heteropterys series Rhodopetalis from the Northeast Region of Brazil is described and illustrated, and its geographical distribution is presented. The species can be recognized by its tomentose to glabrescent leaves with short petioles, flowers with pedicels 2.5–4.8 mm long, posterior petal with abaxially slightly carinate or smooth limb, stamens with short filaments and uniformly dark (red) connectives, the samara with an oblique and strongly curved dorsal wing and a nut that is deltoid or rounded, rugose, and without winglets. The diagnostic characters of the species of Heteropterys series Rhodopetalis are also discussed.

Foraging activity of leaf‐cutting ants changes light availability and plant assemblage in Atlantic forest

1. Leaf‐cutting ants (LCAs) have often been denoted as ecosystem engineers because of their multifarious effects on the vegetation, particularly via nest‐driven environmental changes. However, the non‐trophic impacts of LCAs on forest dynamics via foliage harvesting across sizeable foraging zones (so‐called associated ecosystem engineering) are still poorly investigated.2. Here, light availability and sapling assemblages were assessed within foraging areas and ant‐free control zones of 16 Atta cephalotes colonies located in a large remnant of Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil.3. Canopy openness and total light transmission were 1.4 and 1.6 times higher in foraging zones than in control areas. In parallel, sapling density and species richness decreased constantly from control to foraging zone plots. Additionally, shade‐tolerant species exhibited reduced abundance across foraging zones. A non‐metric multidimensional scaling ordination based on taxonomic similarity primarily segregated foraging zone and control plots; foraging zone plots converged to be more similar to each other as well. Finally, some plant species emerged as indicators of LCA‐free zones.4. These results suggest that LCA foraging activity in the forest canopy directly increases the light availability and indirectly affects the recruitment and the structure of local plant assemblages.5. Such a biologically significant effect on the light environment and its cascades confirms LCAs as potent ecosystem engineers, particularly as a plant assembly force, which operates beyond the spatial reach of their well‐described nest effects.

High Diversity of Drosophilidae in High-Altitude Wet Forests in Northeastern Brazil.

The high-altitude wet forests of northeastern Brazil, locally known as "Brejos de Altitude," are enclaves of the Atlantic Forest situated above 500m, surrounded by dryland vegetation, the Caatinga. The aim of this study was to characterize drosophilid communities in these upland forests, since few ecological studies on drosophilid communities have been conducted in northeastern Brazil. Four sites were investigated in three different times of the year throughout standardized traps. The results reveal the presence of 55 different species in a total of 13,064 specimens collected. The data were evaluated using ecological diversity measurements and compared with those obtained for other environments in the same geographic region. As for species composition, the Bonito upland forest, in a boundary forest location, stood out as having high species richness.