Euterpe Precatoria Research Articles

Topographic and spatial controls of palm species distributions in a montane rain forest, southern Ecuador

The northern Andes harbour a flora that is as species-rich or even richer than the 18-times larger lowland Amazon basin. Gaining an understanding of how the high species richness of the Andean region is generated and maintained is therefore of particular interest. Environmental sorting due to elevational gradients in climate has been emphasized as a driver of vegetation distribution and plant community assembly in tropical mountain areas such as the Andes for two centuries, while alternative mechanisms have been little studied. Here, we investigated the importance of topography and spatial location as factors controlling species distributions in a palm community in a montane rain forest landscape in the Andes of southern Ecuador (1900–2150 m above sea level). Eleven species were present: Aiphanes verrucosa, Ceroxylon parvifrons, Chamaedorea pinnatifrons, Dictyocaryum lamarckianum, Euterpe precatoria, Geonoma densa, Geonoma orbignyana, Geonoma paradoxa, Prestoea acuminata and Wettinia aequatorialis. To study their spatial distribution, forty 250 m2 (5 × 50 m2) plots were laid out perpendicular to four paths that were categorized into three areas and two topographic units (ridges and gullies). Mantel tests and indicator species analysis showed that both topography and spatial location imposed strong controls on palm species distributions at the study site. Our results suggest that species distributions in the studied montane forest landscape were partly determined by the species’ habitat requirements, but also by unknown spatial effects. Although a number of possible explanations exist for the latter, such as unmeasured environmental variables and historical disturbance events, we believe dispersal limitation is likely to be involved. Furthermore, although the gully- or ridge-association of some species corresponded to their general elevational ranges in southern Ecuador, this was not the case for other species. Based on such considerations, we conclude that elevational climatic gradients are likely to only form part of the explanation for the topographic effects on palm species distributions at the study site. Other factors must also be involved, notably wind-exposure and hydrology, as discussed for lowland palm communities. Our results show that to understand plant community assembly in the tropical montane forests of the Andes it is too simple to focus just on environmental sorting by elevational climatic gradients.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of 'açaí' (Euterpe precatoria Mart.)

Decoction of roots of the Amazonian palm acai (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) is widely used by Brazilian and Peruvian people as an anti-inflammatory, to heal kidney and liver diseases and against snake bites. In this study, the antioxidant activity of extracts and flavonoids (quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, rutin and astilbin) isolated from roots and leaf stalks of E. precatoria was investigated using β-carotene in TLC plates and DPPH radical scavenging in a spectrophotometric bioassay. All extracts and flavonoids showed activity. Also, the cytotoxic activity of these extracts was evaluated by the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvicide bioassay and was lower than that of lapachol, used as control. The presence of flavonoids and sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside in the extracts can justify the use of the plant in traditional medicine.

Diversity of palm uses in the western Amazon

We used palm knowledge to understand the interaction between people and the rainforests and the factors that influence this dynamic process. We interviewed 278 informants in 12 villages in the Pastaza and Madidi areas of the western Amazon basin. Together they used 38 different palm species for 38 different uses in six use-categories (food, construction, utensils, ritual, medicine, commercial). Euterpe precatoria, Iriartea deltoidea, and Oenocarpus bataua were best known and were mentioned as useful by 76–72% of the informants in the 12 villages. There was a great variation in number of uses and in how widespread the uses were and five of the 38 useful palms were mentioned by only one informant. Among the socioeconomic factors analyzed, the residence village influenced the informants’ knowledge of palms and their uses more than any other factor. Length of education, prosperity and for how long the informant had lived in the village were also positively correlated to how many palms and palm uses were known. Gender differences in informants’ knowledge of palm uses were not observed in our data. We suggest, that the high importance of forest products to the livelihood of the villagers, the great variation in the knowledge they possess, and the fact that the differences between villages is so great, are important elements to consider when developing management plans for the sustainable use of the rainforest resources in the western Amazon.

A new genus and five new species of Eriophyoidea (Prostigmata) associated with palm trees from Brazilian Amazon

A new genus and five new species of eriophyoid mites associated with native palm trees (Arecaceae) are described from Brazilian Amazon. The new genus and two new species are in the family Eriophyidae: Euterpia fissa n. gen. & n. sp. from Euterpe precatoria and Notostrix spinula n. sp. from Mauritia flexuosa. Three new species belong to the family Phytoptidae: Palmiphytoptus barbosae n. sp. from Astrocaryum acaule; Propilus alternatus n. sp. from Mauritia flexuosa and Propilus tavaresi n. sp. from Elaeis oleifera.

Constituintes químicos da raiz e do talo da folha do açaí (Euterpe precatoria Mart., Arecaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of roots and leaf stalks of Euterpe precatoria Mart. (acai), afforded stigmast-4-en-6b-ol-3-one (3); p-hydroxy benzoic acid (4); 3b-O-D-glucopyranosyl-sitosterol (5); b-sitosterol palmitate (6); mixtures of b-sitosterol and stigmasterol (1 and 2), a-, b-amirin and lupeol (7, 8 and 9), friedelin-3-one and 28-hydroxy-friedelin-3-one (10 and 11) and a-, b-D-glucose (12, 13). Except for 1, 2 and 4, the other isolated constituents are described in the genus for the first time. Compounds 3 and 5 gave good results in the brine shrimp bioassay, which detects compounds with potential uses as antitumor agents, pesticides, etc..

In vitro immunomodulatory activity of plants used by the Tacana ethnic group in Bolivia

One hundred and seventy-eight ethanolic plant extracts from the pharmacopoeia of the Tacana, an ethnic group from Bolivia, were screened for immunomodulatory activity using complement cascade inhibition and ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibition assays. Six impaired both complement pathways (classical and alternative): stem bark from Astronium urundeuvea (Anacardiaceae), Cochlospermum vitifolium (Cochlospermaceae), Terminalia amazonica (Combretaceae), Triplaris americana (Polygonaceae), Uncaria tomentosa (Rubiaceae) and Euterpe precatoria (Arecaceae) roots. Inhibition of complement cascade was independent of essential ion complexation, and was not due to direct hemolytic activity on target red blood cells. For A. urundeuvea, C. vitifolium, and T. amazonica, anti-inflammatory activity relied on cyclo-oxygenase inhibition. Four of these species (A. urundeuva, T. americana, U. tomentosa and E. precatoria) are used traditionally to treat inflammatory processes.

Potencial ecológico para o manejo de frutos de açaizeiro (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) em áreas extrativistas no Acre, Brasil

Uma das espécies potenciais para a diversificação da produção florestal não-madeireira é Euterpe precatoria Mart., cujo manejo de seus frutos para produção de polpa engloba aspectos sociais, econômicos e ecológicos concernentes à floresta. No presente estudo analisamos a densidade, estrutura, dinâmica e a estabilidade populacional desta espécie em florestas inundadas e de terra firme para avaliar o potencial ecológico de manejo. A densidade média de adultos na floresta de baixio foi de 60 indivíduos ha-1 e na terra firme de 23 indivíduos ha-1. A estrutura populacional apresentou-se em forma de J invertido. Houve uma alta produção de frutos e a sua produção por indivíduo não foi diferente entre os tipos florestais. A estabilidade populacional apresentou-se variável entre os tipos florestais e os sítios amostrados. Este estudo sugere que de modo geral Euterpe precatoria possui características ecológicas favoráveis para seu manejo sustentável, tais como alta densidade e freqüência, regeneração abundante e grande produção de frutos. Um maior potencial de manejo apresentou-se na floresta de baixio comparado ao da terra firme.

Morfo-anatomia da semente de Euterpe precatoria Mart. (Palmae)

Euterpe precatoria, vulgarmente conhecida como açaizeiro, é bastante popular na Região Norte pela produção de uma bebida saborosa, obtida da polpa do fruto, conhecida como "vinho do açaí". Neste trabalho foi feita a descrição morfo-anatômica da semente madura de Euterpe precatoria, com o intuito de contribuir para estudos de micropropagação e produção de mudas da referida espécie. As observações foram feitas em secções longitudinal e transversal da semente, utilizando-se lupa binocular e microscópio óptico. A semente é albuminosa, com forma globosa e preenche a maior parte do fruto, tendo um único poro germinativo. O endosperma é volumoso, homogêneo, sólido e duro. O embrião é indiviso, cônico e basal. O eixo embrionário é curvo, com pólo radicular indiferenciado e pólo caulinar diferenciado em três primórdios foliares.

Diversidad y caracterización florística de la vegetación en la zona de captación de aguas de la microcuenca El Tigre-Norcasia, Caldas

The diversity and cla. ssification of the floristic component behavior for five layers of the vegetation and tree community structure (DAP > 10cm), was evaluated in the high zone of the watershed El Tigre, Norcasia Caldas, by eight hazard sampling of a 1000 m 2 each one. The results of the classification defined the alliance Ingo codonanthae - Vismion guianensis and the associations Schefflero morototoni - Schizolo T bietum parahybi and Cariniano piriformydis Cordietum alliodorae. Moreover, meeting a community less development determine by Dendropanax arboreus - Euterpe precatoria. The diversity reported 37 families, 82 genera and 89 species, with the higher layer of larger richest. The community Dendropanax arboreus-Euterpe got the majors riches indexes, while the precatoria association Schefflero morototoni-Schizolobietum parahybi and the community Dendropanax arboreus-Euterpe precatoria, share the major diversity in proportional abundance.

An antiplasmodial lignan from Euterpe precatoria.

As a part of a study on new antiplasmodial natural products, a new 8-5' linked lignan dehydrodiconiferyl dibenzoate (2) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1) were isolated from the roots of the palm Euterpe precatoria. In contrast to compound 1, compound 2 showed a moderate antiplasmodial activity.

Aspectos morfo-anatômicos do embrião de Euterpe precatoria Mart. durante o processo germinativo

Euterpe precatoria Mart. é uma palmeira amplamente distribuída na bacia Amazônica, em terra firme e em solos de várzea. Dos frutos obtém-se o "vinho do açaí" e do ápice caulinar o palmito, que fazem desta palmeira um importante recurso alimentar. Foi feita a descrição morfo-anatômica do embrião de Euterpe precatoria, durante o processo germinativo, possibilitando o entendimento do mesmo. As observações foram realizadas em microscopio óptico, a partir de cortes histológicos de secções longitudinais e transversais da semente em diversos estádios da germinação. O eixo embrionário é curvo. No início da germinação, forma-se externamente o botão cotiledonar contendo a futura planta. A radícula emerge primeiro, apresentando coifa bem desenvolvida, desenvolvendo-se mais rapidamente que a plúmula. O processo de formação das primeiras folhas é contínuo. À medida que o embrião se desenvolve, a região distal aumenta de tamanho, formando o haustório e ocupando o lugar do endosperma.

Caracterización estructural, ordenación y dinámica de la vegetación en la zona de captación de aguas de la microcuenca El Tigre - municipio de Norcasia, Caldas

Structural behavior for five layers of the vegetation and tree community structure (DAP > 10cm), the classification and ordination of the floristic component and dynamic succession was evaluated in the high zone of a brook El Tigre, Norcasia Caldas, by eight hazard sampling of a 1000 m 2 each one. The results of the classification defined the alliance Ingo codonanthae - Vismion guianensis and the associations -Schefflero morototoni Schizolobietum parahybi and Cariniano piriformydis - Cordietum alliodorae. Moreover, meeting a community less development determine by Dendropanax arboreus - Euterpe precatoria. Three layers were difference with the tree lower layers more dominant. The specie obtained the larger IPF and IVI of the forest sinusie is facaranda copaia. Ocotea longifolia and Inga codonantha were dominant in the sociologic position. The IVIA was larger for Ocotea longifolia. The distributions in class to the forest sinusie define an inverse j. After of the ordination was definea a correlation between the hazards and the slope, arid a negative correlation between the slope and the basis saturation in the sames. The limited number of layers near to the dominion the ecological society heliofilos and hemisciofilos in the canopy and esciofilo in the low layers, determine an intermediate sucesional development of the vegetation.

Aspectos morfológicos da germinação e do desenvolvimento Plantular em Euterpe precatoria Mart. (Açaí-do-Amazonas)

Euterpe precatoria Mart. é uma palmeira amplamente distribuída na bacia Amazônica, em terra firme e em solos de várzea. Dos frutos obtêm-se o "vinho do açaí" e do ápice caulinar o palmito, que fazem desta palmeira um importante recurso alimentar. Neste trabalho é feita a descrição morfológica do desenvolvimento plantular durante a germinação da semente, contribuindo para o entendimento do processo e fornecendo subsídios para produção de mudas. A germinação é do tipo adjacente ligulada. A raiz primária emerge primeiro e desenvolve-se mais rapidamente que a plúmula; posteriormente, aparecem as raízes secundárias e terciárias.

Lianas and Trees in a Liana Forest of Amazonian Bolivia1

Abstract The distribution of lianas (woody climbing plants) on trees in a lowland “liana forest” of northeastern Bolivia was clumped and varied with characteristics of individual trees and tree neighbors. In twenty-four 900-m2 square plots established to estimate tree (≥10 cm DBH [diameter at breast height]) and liana (≥2 cm DBH) densities and to count the number of lianas a tree carried, we estimated a mean of 65 tree species and 51 liana species per hectare. Mean tree density at the study site (564 trees/ha, SE = 23.7) was similar to other tropical sites, but mean liana density was much higher (2471 lianas/ha, SE = 104.3). Basal area of trees ≥10 cm DBH was low in Oquiriquia (19.2 m2/ha) in comparison to other tropical forests. Liana diversity, as expressed by the ratio of liana/tree species, was higher in this forest than in any other so far reported. Of trees ≥10 cm DBH, 86 percent carried lianas. Four tree species (Astrocaryum aculeatum, Euterpe precatoria, Xylopia sericea, and Astronium fraxinifoliu...

Composition and Nutritive Value of Amazonian Palm Fruits

This paper is a contribution to the study of the use of natural resources from tropical moist forests with a view to avoiding deforestation for farming purposes. This study analysed the moisture, fat, protein, ash, total dietary fibre, nitrogen-free extract, and gross energy content of various parts of the fruits of several Amazonian palms belonging to the Aracaceae (Palmae) family—Attalea racemosa, Euterpe precatoria, Mauritia flexuosa, Oenocarpus bataua, and Oenocarpus bacaba— and also the fatty acid content of the oils extracted from the fractions of the fruit with the highest fat content. the high fat content of the mesocarp makes these foods an excellent source of energy, particularly those from A. racemosa, M. flexuosa, and O. bacaba, with fat contents of 58.1, 49.1, and 30.2 g/100 g of sample, respectively. the kernels have a high level of nitrogen-free extract, consisting basically of carbohydrates, particularly those of O. bataua and M. flexuosa, which have 83.9 and 72.5 g/100 g of sample, respectively. Apart from A. racemosa mesocarp oil, the fatty acid content of these oils, particularly oleic acid, is quite similar to that of oils with a high market value, such as olive, sunflower, corn, and soya oil. the cultivation of these species in the forest, just as the natives have always done, should be encouraged, since in addition to being potential sources of high-quality vegetable oils, they are alternative foods for the population in that region because of their nutritive value. the sale of these oils could increase the resources of tropical moist forests, which would in turn contribute considerably to the conservation of the forests.

Flowering, pollination, nectar standing crop, and nectaries ofEuterpe precatoria (Arecaceae), an Amazonian rain forest palm

Flowering and pollination biology of the monoecious palmEuterpe precatoria was studied in the forest of the “Reserva Ducke” near Manaus, Brazil, during two annual flowering periods (middle of October to end of March) between 1991 and 1993. Individuals produced one to four bisexual inflorescences per flowering period. Inflorescences have staminate and pistillate flowers in triads. The anthesis of the whole inflorescence averaged 26 days, with the male phase extending over the first 17 days, followed by six days without any open flowers, and the female phase covering the last three days. The distinct dichogamy of the inflorescence results in obligate outcrossing. The pollen-ovule ratio is high (42000). Both male and female flowers emit an almond oil-like scent and produce nectar in septal nectaries. The concentration and total amount of sugar of the nectar of female flowers (37% and 0.021 mg) were significantly higher than that of male flowers (9% and 0.007 mg). The nectar is hexose-rich and with a moderately high amino acid concentration (68 µg/ml).Euterpe precatoria seems to be a generally entomophilous palm with a predominance of beetles and bees as potential pollinators. The most constant visitors were beetles of the familiesCurculionidae, Chrysomelidae, Staphylinidae, and bees of the familyHalictidae. The actual composition of the insect spectrum depends on climatic and biotic factors. Additionally, wind pollination may occur. Fruit development lasted four months and ripe fruits are swallowed by toucans who thus disperse the seeds.

Palm communities in wetland forest ecosystems of Peruvian Amazonia

Palm surveys in most representative wetland forest ecosystems were carried out in the lower Ucayali and upper Huallaga River valleys, in the lowland and Andean piedmont regions of Peruvian Amazonia, respectively. These ecosystems are characterized by the species association, density, and vertical distribution of their palm communities. Palms may form almost monospecific stands, e.g., Mauritia flexuosa swamps (aguajal), or multispecific communities, e.g., the seasonal swamp forests in upland valleys (bosque de quebrada) which are dominated by Euterpe precatoria, Jessenia bataua, Mauritia flexuosa, and Socratea exorrhiza, and the forests on periodically flooded alluvial soils (restinga) dominated by some species of the genera Astrocaryum, Phytelephas, and Scheelea. Palm diversity is very low in the forests which are periodically flooded by blackwater streams (tahuampa); palm density, however, is often high with a characteristic patchy distribution due to clustered species.

A Forest Inventory in Amazonian Bolivia

A tree inventory was conducted in a terra firme Amazonian rainforest of northeastern Bolivia. A 1-ha linear transect (10 x 1000 m) was sampled for all trees with a DBH of 10 cm or greater to provide information about diversity, frequency, density, and dominance. Species and family importance values (FIV) were also calculated. The results show that 94 species, represented by 649 individuals with a total basal area of 214,844 cm2, occur in the hectare. Iryanthera juruensis, Pseudolmedia laevis, Euterpe precatoria, and Socratea exorrhiza are the most frequent species, occurring in at least 85 percent of the sampling subunits. The forest is dominated by relatively few species: 10.6 percent of them account for 47.4 percent of the importance value of the sample. The five most important families in order of importance are Moraceae, Myristicaceae, Palmae, Leguminosae sensu lato, and Melastomataceae. These five account for 60 percent of the total family importance values.