Instituto Nacional De Pesquisas Da Amazonia Research Articles

Use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) as a tool to discriminate species of the genus Dimorphandra Schott (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

This work aimed to use near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a tool to discriminate species of the genus Dimorphandra Schott (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae). Spectra were collected from 315 individuals (six readings per individual) distributed in 20 species of Dimorphandra using a Thermo Nicollet spectrophotometer, FT-NIR Antaris II Method Development System (MDS) in the INPA (National Institute of Amazonian Research) Herbarium. Absorbance values comprise the wavenumbers from 4,000 to 10,000 cm-1, corresponding to the near infrared region, recorded for 16 scans at a resolution of 8 cm-1. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to visualize the spectral distribution. Discriminant functions were generated in order to evaluate the potential of the data to correctly distinguish the species and the 70-30 cross-validation technique was used to validate the generated models, with selections randomized 1, 10, 50 and 100 times. Excellent results were obtained in the PCA, with prediction values of 95-92%, using the 70-30 validation test in the linear discriminant analyses (LDA), thus indicating high predictive power in the discrimination of species of the genus Dimorphandra. Thus, it is inferred that NIRS contributes to the discrimination of species of the genus and elucidation of taxonomic problems.

Nectarivore butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) from an Urban Forest Fragment in Manaus, Amazonas

Lepidoptera is a diverse and abundant group of insects, widely used in biodiversity and conservation studies, as it has great social appeal. From this perspective, this study was aimed to conduct a survey of flower – visiting butterfly species in Bosque da Ciência, at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), an urban forest fragment open to public visitation in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. Thus, attractive plants for nectarivorous butterflies were observed, and the best location and conditions for viewing such diversity, as well as a guide for their identification was proposed. Forty-three species of flower – visiting butterflies were identified, among which Anthoptus epictetus (Fabricius), Ascia monuste (Linnaeus), Anartia jatrophae (Linnaeus), Eurema albula (Cramer) were observed to be more frequent. According to the species accumulation curve, the species richness of butterflies would be higher if greater collection effort were employed. The period of greatest flight activity and flower - visitation occurred from 9 am to 11 am. Of the six attractive plants identified, Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich.) and Lantana camara L. were the most visited, so we consider that these species are important for butterfly attractiveness. The butterflies of Bosque da Ciência are a representation of the nectarivores guild of the city of Manaus, Amazonas, and the establishment of an attractive butterfly garden in this place can contribute to the promotion of environmental education by stimulating the knowledge and awareness for biodiversity preservation.

Parasitoides de Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) em zona urbana de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

In Brazil, synanthropic cockroaches are considered one of the insect groups of greatest economic importance. Aprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzeburg, 1852) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Evania appendigaster (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) are parasitoid species that are natural enemies of Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) and can be adopted in biological control. Here we point out the occurrence of A. hagenowii parasitizing P. americana oothecae as the first record of this species for the northern region of Brazil, in the Amazonas State. Furthermore, we highlight the synanthropic distribution of E. appendigaster, based on specimens deposited in the Coleção de Invertebrados do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Brazil.

Macroscopic anatomical characteristics of amazon forest species in the development of visual patterns in Surface Design

The Amazon rainforest presents a diversity of species that can be explored and disseminated through Surface Design in conjunction with the area of wood anatomy. Therefore, this study aimed to generate visual patterns from the use of macroscopic images generated through the analysis of tangential, radial and transversal sections of an Amazonian species. Thus, samples of Amazonian species were collected at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), which were scientifically identified and one of them was selected to obtain macroscopic images of the wood and visual analysis of the anatomical elements and development of visual patterns. the species Pithecellobium racemosum (Angelim Rajado) was selected. Through the results obtained, it was concluded that scientific knowledge about the anatomy of wood can be used as a creative source in Surface Design in order to disseminate and value the Amazonian Forest diversity.

Novelties in central Amazonian microcaddisflies: Three new species of Ochrotrichia Mosely (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae).

Ochrotrichia Mosely is the most species-rich group of microcaddisflies in the Neotropical Region. However, knowledge about this genus in Brazil is still limited; only 11 species are known, distributed in the Atlantic Forest (9), Caatinga (3), and Amazon (1) biomes. In this paper, three new species of Ochrotrichia are described and illustrated based on adult males collected in the Ducke Forest Reserve, a protected area administered by the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA), located in central Amazonia, Brazil. Ochrotrichia belodes sp. nov., O. buenosoria sp. nov. and O. ducke sp. nov. can be recognized mainly by the morphology of tergum X and the inferior appendages. Based on their simple, elongate tergum X, all new species are assigned to the Ochrotrichia xena Group.

Necromys lasiurus: Lessons From a 38-Year Study in an Amazonian Savanna

Amazonian savannas are isolated patches of open habitats within an array of extensive tropical forest. The mammal fauna of the savannas in the Alter do Chão region (Santarém Municipality), is dominated byNecromys lasiurus, whose populations have been studied by researchers of the National Institute of Amazonian Research since 1983. Here, we summarize the studies and advances made so far to better understand aspects related to population dynamics and ecology of savanna rodents and the strategies they use to persist in an environment with frequent fires subject to global climatic influences. In the Amazonian savannas the species acts as a seed disperser and population fluctuations are related to invertebrate availability, but not with fire or vegetation structure. Global climate appears to affectN. lasiuruspopulation dynamics at local scale (i.e., plot scale) but not at the regional scale of the Alter do Chão savannas. The long-term studies in Alter do Chão generated many advances aboutNecromys lasiuruspopulation dynamics and ecology, including aspects relating to feeding, home range, animal-plant interactions, the effects of fire and climate change.

Birds of a feather speak together: Understanding the different dialects of animals can help to decipher their communication.

As humans, many animal species that communicate via vocalization show a wide range of accents and dialects driven by environmental and social factors.

Sensory characteristics of wood from naturally fallen Amazonian trees for manufacture of products in Extractive Reserves

In view of the national and international demand for wood for industrial use, solutions are being created to combat and reduce deforestation. One such solution is to use wood from naturally fallen trees. However, there has been limited evaluation of the technological potential of this material. This study therefore aimed to assess the general characteristics of wood from naturally fallen tree species in the Auatí-Paraná Extractive Reserve (RESEX), for potential use in product development. The characteristics analyzed were color, texture, grain, heartwood, sapwood and density. The species of naturally fallen trees were assessed using online databases, specialized literature and the xylotheque at the Wood Anatomy and Identification Laboratory of the National Institute of Amazonian Research (LAIM/INPA). This study and its results confirm the great quantity and quality of wood from naturally fallen trees with technological potential for the development of products, based on the classification of the sensory characteristics of the woods.

First record of Conostigmus Dahlbom, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) from Brazil and description of the female of Conostigmus binasutus Dessart & Cancemi, 1986

Conostigmus Dahlbom, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) is reported for the first time from Brazil. Here, we provide a diagnosis of Conostigmus binasutus Dessart & Cancemi, 1986 and the description and illustration of the female, previously unknown. The analyzed material was collected utilizing Malaise traps, in Manaus, Amazon, Brazil and deposited at the Invertebrate collection of INPA (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia) of Manaus. A identification key and distribution map to the Neotropical species of Conostigmus is provided.

Two new species of Enderleina Jewett (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from northern Brazil.

Enderleina Jewett, 1960 is a small genus of Perlidae with seven species occurring in Venezuela and northern Brazil. Specimens deposited in the Invertebrate Collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil, identified formerly as E. flinti Stark, 1989 (n = 3) and E. yano Stark, 1989 (n = 6), were determined to represent three taxa, two of which are new species. Both new species were collected in Amazonas State, Brazil and are distinctive within the genus due to their unique adult color patterns. The third taxon is represented by a female similar to E. khazeni Derka Tierno Figueroa, 2013, the male of which was described from the nearby Gran Sabana, Venezuela. However, since the female of this species is not known, the specific identity of this female cannot be assigned specifically with confidence. In this paper, we describe two new species of Enderleina from Brazil, clarifying the specific status of the Enderleina specimens in the collection of INPA, and correcting the geographical distributions of E. flinti and E. yano. There are no valid records of these two species for Brazil. Currently, four species of the genus are known from Brazil.

Hydric-stress Tolerance in Cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal)

Aims: The present work aims to assess hydric stress tolerance in cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum).
 Study Design: Four cocona genotypes were planted in completely randomized blocks design with three replicates. Each replicate was irrigated with different water volumes, tantamount to 50, 100 and 150% of evapotranspiration (ET) respectively.
 Place and Duration of Study: The present study was developed in National Institute of Amazonian Research at the agricultural experimental station, which is located on Km 14 AM-10 roadway, from September 2013 to April 2014.
 Methodology: The fruits were harvested each 15 days by three months. The assessed characters were plant stand, stem diameter, plant height, fruit yield, number of fruits per plant; fruit mass, length, diameter and length/diameter ratio.
 Results: Irrigation treatments, both 50 and 150% ET, reduced height plant, fruit mass and length. Other characters were no affected by the hydric stress.
 Conclusion: Cocona is tolerant to both hydric stress, being the major hydric stress effect fruit size and mass decreasing. Other studies must to be performed to determinate the hydric stress threshold which lead to decrease fruit yield and dead plant.

Nutrients of Cubiu Fruits (<i>Solanum sessiliflorum</i> Dunal, Solanaceae) as a Function of Tissues and Ripening Stages

Cubiu fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal, Solanaceae) are nutritionally dense. However, most studies have investigated cubiu nutrients in whole fruits. This study evaluated cubiu fruit nutrients as a function of different tissues (peel, pulp, and placenta) and ripening stages (green, turning, ripe, and fully ripe). Fruits (n = 118) were harvested to investigate weight, macronutrients (moisture, ash, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and energy) and selected macrominerals-calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Analyses were performed at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Brazil. Macronutrient results were expressed in g/100 g fresh weight, macrominerals as g/kg fresh weight. Fruit weight increased throughout ripening. Moisture reached a maximum value (91.77) in the fully ripe pulp. Ash displayed a maximum value (0.86) in the fully ripe placenta. Energy reached a maximum value (356.66 kJ, 86.57 kcal) in the fully ripe placenta. Carbohydrates decreased from the peel to the placenta (lowest values). K exhibited a maximum value (42.257) in the green pulp. The P peaked in ripe pulp (24.450) and placenta (21.240). In the ripe placenta, Ca had a maximum value (7.860) followed by Mg (7.573). This detailed knowledge of the edible parts of ripening cubiu fruits will broaden their use in health and disease.

New human case reports of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi in the Amazon region, Brazil

ABSTRACT Few cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania naiffi were described in the medical literature. The aim of this study was to report and analyze new cases of L. naiffi in the period between the years 1992 to 2011. The strains were characterized by isoenzyme analysis. All patients assisted had small lesions; ranging from 1.0x1.0 mm and 13.5x11.5 mm. The lesions observed were widely distributed: 55.5% on the lower limb, 5.5% in the abdominal area, 16.6% on upper limb and 22.2% in upper limb and back. Seventy-two percent of patients had ulcerated lesions. Clinical course of the disease varied from 1 to 10 months. According to gender, most infected individuals were men (83.3%). The patients came from Amazonas (10), Pará (01) and Rondônia (01), north States of Brazil. Five patients were infected in experimental stations of the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). Although the results of this study were similar to other reports in the literature, some of the patients had more of one skin lesion. It is also reported the first case of CL caused by L. naiffi in the State of Rondônia and identified an area of disease transmission in the experimental station of INPA.

Response to playback test in the captive Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis) in Brazil

Previous studies suggested that manatee calls were primarily for communication and not for navigational purposes. In this study, the vocal response of captive Amazonian manatees to playbacks of several acoustic stimuli was investigated. Experiments were conducted using nine captive Amazonian manatees at the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), Brazil, in 2014. All manatees, except one, are orphan calves rescued from the illegal hunting or incidental catch. They were kept in the outdoor pool with a group of 2-3 individuals, which are considered to be related. Manatees were exposed to five different playback stimuli: a recorded vocal from a related manatee, a recorded vocal from an unrelated manatee, a synthesized constant frequency based on the fundamental frequency of a related manatee vocal, a synthesized sound which entirely different from manatee vocal, and silence. A total of 58 playback sessions was conducted and 22,590 calls were recorded. While manatees showed inter-individual variability in the response to the playback stimuli, they tended to produce more vocalization during the playback of the related manatee vocal. They also tended to vocalize more to the playback of the constant frequency sound. Some individual showed strong reactions; touching or staying near the speaker during the experiment.

Pollen morphology of 25 species in the family Apocynaceae from the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil

The Apocynaceae family consists of approximately 4555 species worldwide, distributed among 415 genera. In Brazil, this family is represented by 90 genera and 850 species. The Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, part of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) since 1963, comprises 100 km2 of non-isolated continuous primary forest, and 40 species and 16 genera of Apocynaceae have been recorded in this area. Pollen grains, collected from flower buds and/or flowers of voucher specimens deposited at the INPA Herbarium collection, were processed using the acetolysis method, and measured, described and photographed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The study included 25 Apocynaceae species distributed among 14 genera. The pollen grains were porate to colporate, with exine ornamentation varying from psilate or scabrate to microreticulate. Other morphological characteristics were pores with granules at the base of the annulus in Odontadenia, a distinct margo forming arches around the colpus in Geissospermum, and the presence of a thick endocingulum in the equatorial region in species of Tabernaemontana.

A new species of Falsocaenia Pic, 1922 from Amazonian Rainforest (Coleoptera: Lycidae) with an updated key to the species.

While searching for Calochromini (Coleoptera: Lycidae) specimens in entomological collections and identifying other Lycidae, a new species of Falsocaenia Pic, 1922 was found in the collection of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA). This genus is one of the smallest in the tribe Calopterini with 13 known species, two of which were recently described by Bocákova et al. (2012) in their revision of the genus, and can be found in Central and South America.

Exudates used as medicine by the “caboclos river-dwellers” of the Unini River, AM, Brazil – classification based in their chemical composition

Although the use of exudates in traditional medicine has been commonly observed during ethnopharmacological surveys, few records have been made concerning the scientific merits of these products. The aim of this study was to document ethnopharmacological data and to classify exudates used as medicine by the “caboclos” river-dwellers from the Unini River of Amazonas, Brazil, on chemical analyses basis. Using an ethnographic approach, indicated plants and their respective exudates were collected, identified and incorporated into herbarium of the National Institute of Amazonian Research. To classify these exudates, plant material was extracted using methanol, and obtained extracts were analyzed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and mass spectrometry aiming identification of main compounds. Fifteen exudates were indicated by “caboclos” river-dwellers as home remedies; among their therapeutic uses, inflammatory processes, culture-bound syndromes and respiratory diseases are most prominent. Based on their solubility and chemicals classes, fifteen exudates were classified into: latex (7), resins (5), sap (1), gum (1), oleoresin (1); and eleven of them have not been mentioned on pharmacological literature until this moment. The obtained results may contribute to chemical/pharmacological application of exudates from these species, several of which have been classically used in Brazilian folk medicine.

Biochemical Changes of Cubiu Fruits (<i>Solanum sessiliflorum</i> Dunal, Solanaceae) According to Different Tissue Portions and Ripening Stages

Cubiu fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal, Solanaceae) are known for their high nutritional value and low caloric content. This work aimed at evaluating biochemical indices of cubiu fruits according to different tissues (peel, pulp and placenta) and ripening stages (green, turning, ripe and fully ripe). The fruits were randomly harvested to investigate sensory aspects (colorimetry, blanching effect, pigments) and biochemical indices (moisture and dry matter, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), pH, Titratable Acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio, ascorbic acid, Alcohol-Insoluble Solids (AIS), pectinesterase activity and pectin content). The analyses were performed at the laboratory of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil. The blanching process preserved pulp colors at all ripening stages. Chlorophylls were higher in green peels; flavonoids and carotenoids, in fully ripe peels. Anthocyanins were entirely absent. Pulp (turning fruits) showed the highest moisture content (91.05), followed by ripe pulp (90.70) and fully ripe pulp (90.62). Pulp TSS changed little whereas placenta TSS declined and were associated with increased TA and pH reduction (fully ripe fruits). Pulp pH and TA varied little whereas placenta pH was notably low and TA was remarkably high (fully ripe fruits). Pulp TSS/TA ratio showed predominance of TSS while in placenta, there was predominance of organic acids. AIS, precursors of pectin, were stable during ripening. The statistical analysis of dietary fiber content showed one modal value in the AIS. In pulp, pectinesterase activity correlated inversely with pectin content. Cubiu fruits were significant sources of bioactive compounds, e.g. chlorophylls, flavonoids and carotenoids, predominantly in the peel and the pulp; soluble functional fibers, e.g. pectin (g/100 g fresh weight), particularly in the green peel (1.00) and the fully ripe pulp (1.12), and other versatile molecules, e.g. ascorbic acid (mg/100 g fresh weight), especially in the fully ripe peel (32.45) and placenta (24.84) and the turning placenta (21.27). Cubiu fruits are rich in ascorbic acid and should be included in the human diet.

Nutritional Value and Sensorial Attributes of Tucum Paste

Aims: The objective was to evaluate different formulations of tucum ( Astrocaryum aculeatum ) paste about the nutritional value, sensory characteristics and acceptability. Study Design: Physicochemical analysis; sensorial evaluation; analysis of variance and Tukey test ( p≤0.05 ). Place and Duration of Study: The ripe fruits of tucum (under the condition of mixed progeny) were purchased in markets in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in the Department of Food Technology of the National Institute of Amazonian Research - INPA between Original Research Article

The Dung- and Carrion-Feeding Scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) of an Amazonian Blackwater Rainforest: Results of a Continuous, 56-Week, Baited-PitfallTrap Study

Abstract A guild of Neotropical rainforest dung- and carrion-feeding beetles (Scarabaeinae, Aphodiinae, Trogidae) at Reserva Florestal Ducke in Amazonian Brazil was inventoried using baited pitfall traps continuously for 56 weeks during September 1977 to October 1978. The 20 traps were baited with either dung or carrion, and the preservatives in the traps were solutions of either chloral hydrate or picric acid so that all combinations of bait and preservatives were present. A total of 19,416 specimens, 66 species, 20 genera, two subfamilies of Scarabaeidae (Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae), and two families (Scarabaeidae and Trogidae) were collected during the 56-week study. The by-catch of approximately 300,000 other insects was retained at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA) for further studies. In the dung traps, 14,413 specimens were collected (74% of all scarabaeoids collected). In the carrion traps, 5,003 specimens were collected (26% of all scarabaeoids collected). The mean number of...