Goupia Glabra Research Articles

Evaluation of the mechanical properties of Brazilian lumber ( Goupia glabra) by nondestructive techniques

The purpose of this work was to ascertain the accuracy of the ultrasonic and transverse vibration techniques in comparison with the values obtained from static tests on structural lumber, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge about nondestructive testing of timber. The experimental methodology involved studies on pieces of structural dimensions of the species Goupia glabra, a Brazilian hardwood, which were classified mechanically using the nondestructive ultrasonic and transverse vibration techniques to determine the dynamic modulus of elasticity ( E d ). Concomitantly to the nondestructive tests, static bending tests were conducted to determine the static modulus of elasticity (MOE) and compare it with the values of dynamic modulus of elasticity. The values of the coefficient of determination for the ultrasonic technique ( R 2 = 0.88) and for the transverse vibration technique ( R 2 = 0.88) obtained for the species G. glabra were significant, demonstrating that the ultrasonic and transverse vibration techniques are important tools for the nondestructive inference of the modulus of elasticity of timber.

Comportamento da castanha-do-brasil (Bertholletia excelsa) e da cupiúba (Goupia glabra) em sistema agrosilvicultural na região da Confiança, Cantá - Roraima

O presente trabalho objetivou estudar o desempenho das espécies castanha-do-brasil (Bertholetia excelsa) e cupiúba (Goupia glabra) e o ajuste de uma função de crescimento e uma equação para estimar o diâmetro de copa em um modelo de sistema agroflorestal - SAF implantado em 1995 no Campo Experimental Confiança, Cantá, Estado de Roraima. Foram medidas 71 árvores de castanheira e 50 de cupiúbas totalizando 121 árvores, sendo tomados o CAP (circunferência a 1,30 m do solo), altura total, altura de inserção da copa, diâmetro da copa e dados qualitativos como sobrevivência, qualidade do fuste, bifurcações e aspectos fitossanitários como doenças ou pragas. Das 71 árvores de castanheira avaliadas 20 (27,8%) produziram frutos. A cupiúba apresentou alta porcentagem de indivíduos com bifurcação (cerca de 87,5%). A análise estatística indicou a função de Backman como a de melhor ajuste para as espécies observadas e com base nas equações construídas para estimar o diâmetro da copa em função do DAP pode-se fazer inferências sobre o espaço vital necessário para atingir uma determinada dimensão. Ambas as espécies apresentaram potencial silvicultural para recuperação de áreas alteradas em sistemas agroflorestais ou plantios homogêneos.

Análise da estrutura de comunidades arbóreas de uma floresta amazônica de Terra Firme aplicada ao manejo florestal

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de identificar e descrever a estrutura das comunidades arbóreas de uma floresta de terra firme sob regime de manejo na Amazônia Oriental, localizada no município de Almeirim, Pará, Brasil. O levantamento florístico foi realizado em 1.400,30 ha de uma Unidade de Produção Anual (UPA), do Plano de Manejo Florestal da empresa ORSA Florestal. Todos os indivíduos com DAP > 30 cm foram inventariados, registrando-se 77.834 árvores distribuídas em 57 famílias, 229 gêneros e 556 espécies. Oito comunidades foram identificadas por meio de uma analise de agrupamento, apresentando alta diversidade e equibilidade florística (H" médio = 4,25 e J" médio = 0,75). As comunidades apresentaram 138 espécies comuns, 119 espécies de ocorrência exclusiva e 377 espécies raras, representadas por apenas um indivíduo. As espécies que mais se destacaram foram: Dinizia excelsa, Vouacapoua americana, Goupia glabra, Mouriri brachyanthera, Parinari excelsa, Manilkara bidentada, Tachigalia mymecophyla e Licania micrantha. Algumas espécies de valor comercial apresentaram variações importantes na densidade, sugerindo risco de extinção em comunidades onde as espécies apresentam densidade muito baixa. Sugerimos que os planos de manejo considerem as várias comunidades ecológicas encontradas nas UPAs evitando assim variações significativas, causadas pela exploração e seus impactos, na composição florística e estrutura das comunidades existentes.

Crescimento de espécies nativas da Amazônia submetidas ao plantio no estado de Roraima.

Um importante desafio para a pesquisa florestal na Amazônia é o de encontrar formas de reflorestar áreas degradadas com a utilização de um maior número de espécies nativas e identificar espécies tropicais comercialmente atrativas adaptadas a plantios a pleno sol. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento inicial em diâmetro e altura de seis espécies nativas da Amazônia em um ensaio preliminar de espécies. Os dados para a realização deste estudo foram oriundos de remedições de 72 árvores em um período de 9 anos. As espécies selecionadas para este trabalho foram a cupiúba (Goupia glabra), o cumaru (Dipterix odorata), a andiroba (Carapa guianensis), a castanheira-do-brasil (Bertholletia excelsa), o pará-pará (Jacaranda copaia) e a tatajuba (Bagassa guianensis). As curvas cumulativas de crescimento em diâmetro e altura foram obtidas pelo ajuste da função de Chapman-Richards. Apesar da pouca idade dos plantios, obteve-se bom ajuste da função para as espécies estudadas, sendo o pará-pará a espécie que apresentou maior crescimento em diâmetro e altura em todas as idades. A análise do incremento médio anual em diâmetro indicou que, com exceção da cupiúba, pode-se esperar incrementos médios superiores a 2 cm, mediante a adoção de espaçamentos e programas de desbaste adequados.

Nest site selection and induced response in a dominant arboreal ant species

It is well known that arboreal ants, both territorially dominant species and plant ants (e.g., species associated with myrmecophytes or plants housing them in hollow structures), protect their host trees from defoliators. Nevertheless, the presence of an induced defense, suggested by the fact that the workers discovering a leaf wound recruit nestmates, is only known for plant ants. Based on the results from a field study, we show here (1) that colonies of Azteca chartifex, a territorially dominant, neotropical arboreal ant species, mostly selected Goupia glabra (Goupiaceae) trees in which to build their principal carton nests and (2) that plant signals induced workers to recruit nestmates, which patrol the leaves, likely providing the plant with a biotic defense. Furthermore, the number of recruited workers was clearly higher on G. glabra, their most frequently selected host tree species, than on other tree species. These results show that contrary to what was previously believed, induced responses are also found in territorially dominant arboreal ants and so are not limited to the specific associations between myrmecophytes and plant ants.

Laboratory screening of tropical hardwoods for natural resistance to the marine borer Limnoria quadripunctata: The role of leachable and non-leachable factors

Abstract The marine borer Limnoria ingests essential wood components including the extractives the wood contains. Some extractives may confer borer resistance on certain timbers. Feeding by Limnoria correlates with the rate of production of faecal pellets. The faecal pellet production rate and mortality on over 40 test timbers and non-resistant Pinus sylvestris sapwood was measured over 15 days. By placing animals in leachate from wood and with wood in flowing seawater, the effects of leaching-resistant and water-soluble compounds were measured. Some previously untested timbers affected Limnoria as strongly as timbers reputed for durability in marine construction. Wood of Minquartia guianensis, Nectandra rubra and Bruguiera gymnorhiza caused high mortality, and pellet production on them was less than 10% of production on P. sylvestris. Suppressed feeding rates, but with no heavy mortality, were observed on known durable species such as Chlorocardium rodiei, Dicorynia guianensis, Lophira alata and Nauclea trillesii, but also on Cynometra ananta, Distemonanthus benthamianus, Enterolobium schomburgkii, Goupia glabra, Hymenaea courabil, Mammea africana, Shorea sp. and Sacoglottis guianensis. Leachate from B. gymnorhiza, G. glabra, H. coubaril, N. rubra and Shorea sp. caused high mortality. These short-term bioassays thus detected clear differences between wood species in their resistance to Limnoria that matched findings from long-term marine trials, while indicating new species worthy of detailed testing.

The fruits of selectivity: how birds forage on Goupia glabra fruits of different ripeness

Although many studies have been published on avian fruit selection, few have addressed the effects of fruit scarcity on the patterns of fruit choice. Here, we compared the consumption of seven bird species for six simultaneously present maturation stages of Goupia glabra fruits. Ripe G. glabra fruits contain more lipids, carbohydrates and energy, and fewer phenols, than unripe fruits. All bird species selected from among ripening stages and removed a higher proportion of ripe fruits than of intermediate or unripe fruits. Importantly, however, fruit choice was flexible in all species. Whether birds preferred or avoided fruits of intermediate ripeness depended on the overall fruit supply. When ripe fruits were scarce, birds showed a higher acceptance of fruits of intermediate ripeness, but still rejected the least ripe fruit stages. In a foraging bout, most birds fed on fruits of the same ripeness. By doing so, birds maximised instantaneous energy gain per time, because search time was longer for riper fruits while energy intake was lower for less ripe fruits. The results suggest that birds select fruits based on fine-scale differences in profitability, but accept less profitable fruits during low fruit abundance. If environmental factors such as overall fruit availability influence avian fruit choice, we suggest that the potential for directional selective pressures on fruit compounds is restricted.

Relationship between density and ultrasonic velocity in Brazilian tropical woods

In this study, the effect of density on the velocity of an ultrasonic wave in wood is investigated. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of density on the longitudinal velocity of an ultrasonic wave, propagated in the longitudinal direction. Experiments were conducted on 5 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm wood specimens selected from the following species: pinus caribea ( Pinus caribea var . caribea), eucalyptus citriodora ( Eucalyptus citriodora), eucalyptus grandis ( Eucalyptus grandis), cupiúba ( Goupia glabra) and jatobá ( Hymenaea sp.). The relationship between density and velocity was analyzed in two different manners: between and within species. The results obtained between species indicated that ultrasonic velocity tends to increase with increasing density. The results obtained within species also showed an increasing trend in ultrasonic velocity as density increased, but the relationship was not as significant as it was for between species.

Moisture content effect on ultrasonic velocity in Goupia glabra

This paper discusses the application of ultrasound waves on a Brazilian hardwood, Goupia glabra, to evaluate the sensitivity of the ultrasonic technique to the moisture content in wood. The velocity of ultrasonic wave is sensitive to the material's quality-determining factors; hence, this technique is an important industrial tool to improve the quality control of processes. The nature of the response of velocity of sound to changes in moisture content led us to conclude that moisture gradients during drying exert a dominating effect. The ultrasonic velocity was measured both parallel and perpendicular to the fibers of Goupia glabra during drying from green to 6% moisture content. The results of this study showed that velocity of ultrasonic waves is sensitive to changes in moisture content of lumber during drying. The velocity under dry conditions was always higher than the velocity under more humid conditions, in both directions of propagation.

A technical note on the relationship between ultrasonic velocity and moisture content of Brazilian hardwood ( Goupia glabra)

This paper reports the application of ultrasound waves in Brazilian hardwood Goupia glabra with the purpose of evaluating the sensitivity of the ultrasonic technique to the moisture content of wood. The velocity of ultrasonic wave is sensitive to the material quality-determining factors; hence, this technique is an important industrial tool to improve the quality control of processes. The nature of the response of velocity of sound to moisture content changes in Goupia glabra led us to conclude that moisture gradients during drying have a dominating effect. The ultrasonic velocity was measured both parallel and perpendicular to the grain during drying from green to 7% moisture content. It was demonstrated that the ultrasonic velocity is sensitive to changes in moisture content of lumber during drying. The FSP can be determined analytically from data related to the velocity perpendicular to the grain and moisture content. The intersection point of the regression line calculated for moisture content variation between 7–20% and 20–55% corresponds to the FSP.

Novel DNA‐Damaging Tropolone Derivatives from Goupia glabra

AbstractTwo novel tropolone derivatives 1 and 2 have been isolated from Goupia glabra. Their structures were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Compound 2 constitutes the first example isolated from a natural source of a Diels−Alder adduct between a tropolone and a naphthalene derivative. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit significant toxicity towards a panel of DNA damage checkpoint defective yeast mutants, and behave as genotoxins, which highlights their potential to be used as anticancer drugs. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)

Finding the host tree species of Notiobia nebrioides Perty (Coleoptera, Carabidae), a member of the seed-feeding guild at fruit falls in Amazonian non-inundated lowland rainforest

Feeding on very small seeds at tree fruit falls is a recently discovered adaptation of ground beetles living in tropical lowland rainforests. A seed-feeding guild of eight species of the genus Notiobia is known from fig fruit falls at a terra firme rainforest near Manaus (Central Amazonia). Only two of these species also reproduce at fig fruit falls. The remaining six species use fig fruit falls as 'stepping-stones' when migrating between the more seasonally restricted fruit falls of their host tree species. Four species are known to feed and reproduce at fruit falls of the Melastomataceae genera Bellucia, Loreya and Miconia. One of the remaining species, N. disparilis is only known from four specimens and the host tree species where it reproduces is still unknown. The sixth species, N. nebrioides, appears in comparatively high numbers at both fig and Melastomataceae fruit falls but does not reproduce there. In this study we looked for its host tree species and found it to be the most abundant carabid beetle at fruit falls of Coussapoa asperifolia (Cecropiaceae) and Vismia guianensis (Clusiaceae) and to reproduce there. Recently, Arndt and Kirmse (in press) found N. nebrioides reproducing at fruit falls of Goupia glabra (Celestraceae) in south Venezuela. So N. nebrioides seems to be the most pronounced generalist among the seed-feeding ground beetles in Amazonian non-inundated lowland rainforests, reproducing at fruit falls of trees belonging to three different families.

Regeneration of five commercially-valuable tree species after experimental logging in an Amazonian forest

This study investigated the regeneration variation of five commercially valuable tree species in relation to different intensities of felling in fourteen 4-ha plots in an area under experimental forest management. This experiment was carried out in a typical Amazonian tropical forest sample on "terra-firme," in Manaus (AM). Plots were logged 7 and 8 years (1987 and 1988), or 3 years (1993) before the study. All trees with height greater than 2 m, and diameter at breast height (DBH) smaller than 10 cm were measured. Only Aniba hostmanniana, Ocotea aciphylla, Licaria pachycarpa, Eschweilera coriacea and Goupia glabra were sufficiently common for individual analyses. These species have high timber values in the local market. Eight years after logging, the species responded differently to logging intensities. The numbers of individuals of Goupia glabra and Aniba hostmanniana were positively related to the intensity of logging, while Ocotea aciphylla, Licaria pachycarpa, and Eschweilera coriacea showed no statistically significant response. In the most recently (1993) logged areas, Goupia glabra and Aniba hostmanniana had higher numbers of individuals than the control plots.

Adaptation to Seed-Feeding in Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Harpalini) of South Venezuela

Seed-feeding communities of ground beetles (Carabidae) were examined on fruit falls of two tree species in the upper Orinoco region of Venezuela: Miconia poeppigii (Melastomataceae) and Goupia glabra (Celastraceae). Two ground beetle species of the genus Notiobia and one species of Selenophorus reproduced on fruit fall of M. poeppigii. Two other species of Notiobia reproduced on fruit falls of G. glabra though both fruit fall sites were in the direct vicinity. Larvae of all five ground beetle species were examined. The structure of the larval mandible is specialized and plays an important role in the adaptation to feeding on a specific fruit in the genus Notiobia. The apical part of the mandible maintains about the same length during all three larval instars in seed feeders. In contrast, the length of the mandibular apex increases about 30-50% from instar to instar in carabid larvae which are polyphagous or generalized predators. The relation head width : length of mandible varies greatly from instar to instar in seed-feeding Notiobia species (40-66%). It is nearly constant in generalized predators (Platynus assimilis : 12%) and other phytophagous larvae as Zabrus tenebrioides or Amara spp.

Ultrasonic Measurements In Brazilian Hardwood

This paper reports on a study of the application of ultrasound waves in wood with the purpose of evaluating the latter's mechanical properties. The evaluation is based on the correlation between the speed of sound, modulus of elasticity and density. The speed of transmission is sensitive to the material's quality-determining factors; hence, this technique is an important industrial tool to improve the quality control of processes. The species used in the experimental procedure were cupiuba (Goupia glabra) and jatoba (Hymenaea sp). Tests were carried out to determine the properties of apparent density at 12% humidity content (rap,12%), modulus of elasticity in static deflection (EM), and modulus of rupture (MOR). Ultrasound tests were also performed to find the stiffness matrix coefficient (CLL), for purposes of comparison with the static findings. The results and analyses lead us to conclude that the nondestructive ultrasound method can be employed to obtain reliable evaluations of the mechanical properties of dicotyledons.

How plants shape the ant community in the Amazonian rainforest canopy: the key role of extrafloral nectaries and homopteran honeydew

Ant-plant interactions in the canopy of a lowland Amazonian rainforest of the upper Orinoco, Venezuela, were studied using a modified commercial crane on rails (Surumoni project). Our observations show a strong correlation between plant sap exudates and both abundance of ants and co-occurrence of ant species in tree canopies. Two types of plant sap sources were compared: extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) and honeydew secretions by homopterans. EFNs were a frequent food source for ants on epiphytes (Philodendron spp., Araceae) and lianas (Dioclea, Fabaceae), but rare on canopy trees in the study area, whereas the majority of trees were host to aggregations of homopterans tended by honeydew-seeking ants (on 62% of the trees examined). These aggregations rarely occurred on epiphytes. Baited ant traps were installed on plants with EFNs and in the crowns of trees from three common genera, including trees with and without ant-tended homopterans: Goupia glabra (Celastraceae), Vochysia spp. (Vochysiaceae), and Xylopia spp. (Annonaceae). The number of ant workers per trap was significantly higher on plants offering one of the two plant sap sources than on trees without such resources. Extrafloral nectaries were used by a much broader spectrum of ant species and genera than honeydew, and co-occurrence of ant species (in traps) was significantly higher on plants bearing EFNs than on trees. Homopteran honeydew (Coccidae and Membracidae), on the other hand, was mostly monopolised by a single ant colony per tree. Homopteran-tending ants were generally among the most dominant ants in the canopy. The most prominent genera were Azteca, Dolichoderus (both Dolichoderinae), Cephalotes, Pheidole, Crematogaster (all Myrmicinae), and Ectatomma (Ponerinae). Potential preferences were recorded between ant and homopteran species, and also between ant-homopteran associations and tree genera. We hypothesize that the high availability of homopteran honeydew provides a key resource for ant mosaics, where dominant ant colonies and species maintain mutually exclusive territories on trees. In turn, we propose that for nourishment of numerous ants of lower competitive capacity, Philodendron and other sources of EFNs might be particularly important.

The effect of tree height and light availability on photosynthetic leaf traits of four neotropical species differing in shade tolerance

Abstract1. Light‐saturated rate of photosynthesis (Amax), nitrogen (N), chlorophyll (Chl) content and leaf mass per unit area (LMA) were measured in leaves of trees of different heights along a natural light gradient in a French Guiana rain forest. The following four species, arranged in order from most shade‐tolerant to pioneer, were studied: Duguetia surinamensis, Vouacapoua americana, Dicorynia guianensis and Goupia glabra. Light availability of trees was estimated using hemispherical photography.2. The pioneer species Goupia had the lowest LMA and leaf N on both an area and mass basis, whereas Duguetia had the highest values. In general, leaf variables of Vouacapoua and Dicorynia tended to be intermediates. Because Amax/area was similar among species, Goupia showed both a much higher light‐saturated photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency (PNUEmax) and Amax/mass. Leaves of Vouacapoua demonstrated the greatest plasticity in Amax/area, particularly in small saplings.3. A distinction could be made between the effect of tree height and light availability on the structural, i.e. LMA, and photosynthetic leaf characteristics of all four species. The direction and magnitude of the variation in variables were similar among species.4. LMA was the key variable that mainly determined variation in the other leaf variables along tree height and light availability gradients, with the exception of changes in chlorophyll concentration. Amax/area, N/area, LMA and stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) increased, whereas Chl/mass decreased, with both increasing tree height and canopy openness. Amax/mass, PNUEmax and Amax/Chl increased with increasing openness only. N/mass and Chl/area were independent of tree height and openness, except for small saplings of Goupia which had a much lower Chl/area.

Análise ecológica de um hectare em floresta Ombrófila densa de terra-firme, estrada da Várzea, Amazonas, Brasil1

Foi amostrada fítossociologicamente 1 ha. de floresta tropical densa de terra-firme, em um trecho da Estrada da Várzea, que liga Manaus aos municípios de Silves c Itapiranga, no estado do Amazonas. O trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a composição florística e os parâmetros fitossociológicos, necessários para a determinação do índice de valor de importância ecológica das espécies (IVI), bem como a estrutura da vegetação. A distribuição da amostra foi efetuada mediante a análise da imagem de satélite. A amostragem foi na forma de transecto de 10 x 1 .000m dividida em 20 subparcelas de 10 x 50m, totalizando 10.000rn2. Foram abordados todos os indivíduos arbóreos, palmeiras, cipós e ervas terrestres com CAP ≥ 30cm, dos quais obteve-se amostras botânicas para posterior identificação, a qual obedeceu ao sistema de classificação de Cronquist. Como resultado foram registrados 527 indivíduos, que estão distribuídos em 47 famílias, 118 gêneros e 196 espécies. As famílias que apresentaram maior diversidade foram Lecythidaceae (20), Lauraceae (19), Sapotaceae (17), Chrysobalanaceae, Burscraceae (12) c Annonaceae (9) representando 47% da diversidade familiar, demonstrando que a diversidade local está concentrada em poucas famílias. As espécies com maior valor de importância (IVI) foram Goupia glabra Aubl. (9,34), Ocotea rubra(Meiss.) Allen (8,71), influenciados pela exuberância dos seus diâmetros, representados na dominância relativa. Contudo, quando da comparação de densidade local com as obtidas em outros trabalhos, sob os mesmos critérios amostrais, concluiu-se que o local é menos abundante quanto ao número de indivíduos por hectare. Todavia, a diversidade por família c espécies não difere dos resultados alcançados em outras áreas da Amazônia, para florestas de terra-firme.

Arthropods obtained from the Amazonian tree species "Cupiuba" (Goupia glabra) by repeated canopy fogging with natural Pyrethrum

Two canopies of a widely distributed Amazonian tree species, Goupia glabra Aubl. (Celastraceae, height 38 and 45m) were fogged several times with 1% natural pyrethrum during the rainy and dry seasons (1991-1994) in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve near Manaus/Brazil. Between 50 and 158 ind./m2 of arthropods were obtained per tree and fogging event. Hymenoptera, mostly Formicidae, and Diptcra dominated. A total of 95 ant species occurred on a single tree. Most ants were permanently foraging in the canopy and their recolonization after fogging seems to follow stochastic pathways. Data indicated an interaction between - 1) predating Formicidae and gall building Cecidomyiidae and - 2) Cecidomyiidae and the parasitic Hymenoptera.

Ants obtained from trees of a "Jacareuba" (Calophyllum brasiliense) forest plantation in Central Amazonia by canopy fogging: first results

Canopies of the locally occurring Amazonian tree species Calophyllum brasiliense. Camb. (Guttiferae, height 10 m) were fogged after dawn on the same day at five adjacent localities in a 20-year-old plantation at the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve near Manaus/Brazil, using natural pyrethrum (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%), Baythroid (0.3%) and diesel oil, respectively. The 1152 ants collected represented 52 species, 17 genera and five subfamilies. The highest number of ant species was obtained with the synthetic pyrethrum Baythroid 0.3% and with natural pyrethrum 1.5%. About 46% of the total ant species were only collected in the first hour after fogging, and 17% only during the second hour, after trees had been heavily shaken. About 73% of the total ant specimens dropped in the first hour. Data on alpha-diversity, eveness and frequency of ants indicated a rapidly decreasing knock-down effect of both the synthetic and natural pyrethrum after application. The ant fauna in the canopy of C. brasiliense is somewhat distinct compared with that of Goupia glabra Aubl. (Celastraceae, height 45 m) from the primary forest of the reserve.