Localities In Southeastern Brazil Research Articles

A new species and records of Helochares (Insecta: Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from Southeastern Brazil

A new species of Helochares Mulsant, 1844 (Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae) from Brazil is described and illustrated. Helochares (s. str.) atlanticus sp. nov. is distinct mainly by characteristics of the aedeagus whose phalobase is short, narrowed on basal third; parameres are thick, constricted on apical quarter, with small tooth-like projection on outer margin near apex; dorsal lobe longer than ventral lobe, shorter than parameres, very wide at base, abruptly narrowing toward apex until about half of its length where it dilates and divides into two long and narrow projections apart from each other at base, but turned inward at apex; ventral lobe acuminate and symmetrical. The rounded emargination on anteromedial margin of labrum bearing small tooth-like projections and the convex and slightly elevated mesoventral process, without high-elevated carina, also helps in identifying the species. Specimens of the new species were collected in the mountain region of the state of Rio de Janeiro (municipality of Teresópolis) and in the north coast of the state of São Paulo (municipality of Ubatuba), both localities in Southeastern Brazil. Helochares (s. str.) oculatus Sharp, 1882 and Helochares (Sindolus) femoratus (Brullé, 1841) are recorded for the first time from the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Multilocus Analysis of Divergence and Introgression in Sympatric and Allopatric Sibling Species of the Lutzomyia longipalpis Complex in Brazil

Background Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America, is a complex of sibling species. In Brazil, a number of very closely related sibling species have been revealed by the analyses of copulation songs, sex pheromones and molecular markers. However, the level of divergence and gene flow between the sibling species remains unclear. Brazilian populations of this vector can be divided in two main groups: one producing Burst-type songs and the Cembrene-1 pheromone and a second more diverse group producing various Pulse song subtypes and different pheromones.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe analyzed 21 nuclear loci in two pairs of Brazilian populations: two sympatric populations from the Sobral locality (1S and 2S) in northeastern Brazil and two allopatric populations from the Lapinha and Pancas localities in southeastern Brazil. Pancas and Sobral 2S are populations of the Burst/Cembrene-1 species while Lapinha and Sobral 1S are two putative incipient species producing the same pheromone and similar Pulse song subtypes. The multilocus analysis strongly suggests the occurrence of gene flow during the divergence between the sibling species, with different levels of introgression between loci. Moreover, this differential introgression is asymmetrical, with estimated gene flow being higher in the direction of the Burst/Cembrene-1 species.Conclusions/SignificanceThe results indicate that introgressive hybridization has been a crucial phenomenon in shaping the genome of the L. longipalpis complex. This has possible epidemiological implications and is particularly interesting considering the potential for increased introgression caused by man-made environmental changes and the current trend of leishmaniasis urbanization in Brazil.

Molossus aztecusand Other SmallMolossus(Chiroptera: Molossidae) in Brazil

We report the first record of Molossus aztecus from two localities in southeastern Brazil, Lavras and Vicosa, confirming the presence of this species in South America; both localities are located in the state of Minas Gerais. Samples from Lavras contained both M. aztecus and M. molossus, permitting direct comparison of the two taxa. At both sites, the original vegetation was Cerrado-Atlantic Forest ecotone and the bats were captured at elevations from 650 to 1,100 m. We compared our specimens of M. aztecus from southeastern Brazil with M. aztecus from Mexico, M. molossus from several parts of Brazil, M. coibensis from Panama, M. barnesi from French Guiana, and M. currentium from Paraguay. Capturing M. aztecus and M. molossus sympatrically reinforced their distinctiveness; they differ in morphometrical traits and qualitative characters of skull and pelage. We also found that specimens earlier identified as M. coibensis from Brazil, are referable to M. barnesi from French Guyana.

The Ant GenusSphinctomyrmexMayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Cerapachyinae) in the Neotropical Region, with the Description of Two New Species

The ant genusSphinctomyrmexhas been represented in the Neotropical Region until now by a single species,S. stali, known only from sparse localities in southeastern Brazil. Two new neotropical species are herein described,S. marcoyisp. n. andS. schoerederisp. n. from workers collected in the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest, respectively. New records forSphinctomyrmex staliare presented, and the species is redescribed together with discussions on its high morphological variation and the identity of its type specimen. A key for the neotropicalSphinctomyrmexworkers, images of all species presently known, and a distribution map are supplied.

Species richness, relative abundance, and habitat of reproduction of terrestrial frogs in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Cerrado biome, southeastern Brazil

Based on field observations and pitfall sampling, we determined the species richness, relative abundance, and reproductive habitat of terrestrial frogs in three municipalities in the Triângulo Mineiro region, south Cerrado biome, in southeastern Brazil. We found thirty-two species of terrestrial frogs, belonging to the families Brachycephalidae, Bufonidae, Cycloramphidae, Dendrobatidae, Leiuperidae, Leptodactylidae and Microhylidae. Most of the species were found in open areas and reproduced in human-generated environments, such as artificial lakes (10 species) and ponds (14 species). Dominance was high, with Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826 (Leiuperidae) representing 48% of sampled frogs. A larger number of individuals was captured in the wet season, when most of the species were reproducing. Compared to other areas of Cerrado biome, the Triângulo Mineiro sites presented a larger number of species, which may be attributed to the larger sampled area and greater sampling effort, lower altitude and presence of human generated habitats. The richness of terrestrial frogs was also larger than that in some forested localities in southeastern Brazil, indicating that the number of species cannot be explained only by precipitation and type of vegetation cover. The greater abundance of individuals during the wet season may be related to a greater movement of adults to breeding sites and to juvenile recruitment/dispersion. The heterogeneity of environments in the Cerrado biome, including its several isolated highlands, contributes to its high (local and regional) diversity of frogs.

Associations of Spiders of the Genus Peucetia (Oxyopidae) with Plants Bearing Glandular Hairs

ABSTRACTTwo common South American species of lynx spiders, Peucetia rubrolineata and P. flava (Oxyopidae), were surveyed on three localities in southeastern Brazil to determine plant choice. Both species were found to be associated with plants bearing glandular trichomes. A literature review and complementary data show that ten Peucetia species are associated with up to 55 plant species bearing glandular trichomes in at least 20 distinct vegetation types (phytophysiognomies) in more than 36 localities in the Neotropical, Neartic, Afrotropical, and Paleartic regions. The main plant families used by the spiders were Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Melastomataceae. The specialization of the Peucetia species for plants bearing glandular trichomes may have evolved because insects adhered to these sticky structures may be used as prey by the spiders.

New records of Uroderma magnirostrum Davis (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from southeastern Brazil, with comments on its natural history

Uroderma magnirostrum Davis, 1968 is reported from four new localities in southeastern Brazil, significantly extending its geographical distribution south and westward. A total of 12 adult specimens collected in areas of Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the states of Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro, including specimens from the new localities and museum specimens were examined. Females from southeastern Brazil were larger than males in all external measurements analyzed, but after univariate statistical analyses using corrected p values for multiple tests no significant sexual dimorphism was detected. Mean values obtained from this sample fall within the known range documented for the species in both external and cranial measurements, and are similar to those found in specimens from north and northeastern Brazil. The habitats of the new localities of U. magnirostrum in southeastern Brazil ranged from pristine and secondary forests to a small urban park. Uroderma magnirostrum is apparently a rare species in southeast Brazil, which corroborates most previous reports of populations of this bat at other localities.

Flower-visiting bees and the breakdown of the tristylous breeding system of Eichhornia azurea (Swartz) Kunth (Pontederiaceae)

Populations of Eichhornia azurea (Swartz) Kunth (Pontederiaceae) are often composed of three floral morphs that differ in style length and anther position. Hence, E. azurea is described as tristylous. For sexual reproduction the plant requires specialized pollinators able to transfer pollen from flowers with long-, mid-, or short-level anthers to flowers with long-, mid-, or short-styles, respectively. This is because within a floral morph, self-incompatibility is the rule. Populations of E. azurea were studied from six localities in south-eastern Brazil (São Paulo and Minas Gerais). The frequencies of floral morphs, floral morphology and flower-visiting bees were recorded in each population. Ten different bee species were observed visiting plants. Four of them were considered generalist bees and not appropriate for legitimate pollination of the three floral morphs. Another three species were considered opportunists and only three species were considered to be potential pollinators. At the coastal region (Juréia), the plant population lacked the short-styled morph and the mid-styled morph and exhibited a semi-homostylous condition, in which the low-level anthers were adjacent to the stigma. This morph showed high level of self-compatibility. The disappearance of the short-styled morph from this region is likely correlated with the absence of Ancyloscelis gigas Friese, a specialized long-tongued bee that is oligolectic on this plant in other localities.

Notes on the lesser white-lined bat, Saccopteryx leptura (Schreber) (Chiroptera, Emballonuridae), from southeastern Brazil

Saccopteryx leptura (Schreber, 1774) is reported from two new localities in southeastern Brazil, both in Atlantic forest remains in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Analysisof food material showed that individuals from both localities had preyedon insects in the order Hymenoptera. Cheek contents were available from one specimen, and in this case identification of the food item (flying ants) achieved generic level (Pheidole Westwood, 1841). Aspects in the social behavior observed in a colony suggest that the same traits documented in Central American populations (small colonies, monogamic mating system, and retention of young for up to a year in the parental unit) may also characterize this species in the southern most part of its range. In both external and craniodental selected measurements, specimens from Rio de Janeiro were close to the upper limits of the ranges known for the species.

Escalated aggressive behaviour and facultative parental care in the nest building gladiator frog, Hyla faber

Abstract Agonistic encounters and facultative parental care in Hyla faber were observed in two localities in southeastern Brazil. Maximum male density was 0.9 and 3.3 males/m2 in Campinas and Ribeirão Branco, respectively. Aggression was escalated and the highly variable aggressive calls were specific to each phase of the encounter. The last, more aggressive phases rarely occurred in Campinas; in Ribeirao Branco they occurred frequently. Male parental care (egg attendance) was common in Ribeirao Branco while it was never observed in Campinas. Egg attendance lasted one to two nights and was observed only during high male density. The main benefit of egg attendance seemed to be avoiding nest intrusion by other males (sunken eggs and/or embryos invariably die). Males may build additional nests during egg attendance, but attending males did not attract females (they did not call).

Decimations, Extinctions, and Colonizations of Frog Populations in Southeast Brazil and Their Evolutionary Implications

Analysis of a 35 year data base on frogs from species assemblages in southeastern Brazil, suggests three kinds of species changes: the appearance of Hyla albopunctata at Boraceia; the possible extinction of Fritziana ohausi at Boraceia when the bamboo species in which Fritziana reproduces flowered and died; and population reductions and extinctions of a number of species at several localities in southeastern Brazil in 1979. We argue that the cause of this latter event was most likely due to unusually heavy frosts. The unusual event in 1979 had differential effects on the species which resulted in both short-term ecological changes within the assemblages effected and potential long-term evolutionary effects on the assemblages and individual species involved. SHORT-TERM CLIMATIC EVENTS ARE NOT usually considered to have strong evolutionary consequences on biological populations. However, through study of frog collections made over the last 35 years at Boraceia, Brazil, together with our field observations, we are able to document dramatic short-term changes in the structure of certain herpetofaunal assemblages in Southeast Brazil that may have evolutionary consequences. We postulate that a dramatic change took place in 1979, which due to an unusual climatic event, was regional in scope. Boraceia is a field station run by the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo. The station is located in the forested watershed of the city of Sao Paulo at approximately 2 3?38'S, 45?50'W on the edge of the coastal escarpment at an elevation of about 850 m (Fig. 1). It is in the Atlantic Forest Morphoclimatic Domain; morphoclimatic domains are defined geomorphologically by superposition of features of relief, soils, climate, and vegetation (Ab'Saber 1977). The first collections of frogs from Boraceia date from the late 1940s. A description of this frog fauna is being published (Heyer et al., in press). Long term changes of species assemblages have never been reported for a diverse herpetofauna, and such data on single species are limited to a few studies, e.g., Beebee's (1983) work on Bufo calamita, Sweet's report on Rana boylii (pers. comm.-paper presented at the joint meeting of the Herpetologists' League and Society of Amphibians and Reptiles, 7-12 August 1983), and Tyler and Davies' (1985) report on Rheobatrachus silus. As these kinds of data are difficult to document, it is important to indicate the nature of the data base. The frog fauna of Boraceia consists of at least 63 species. Some of these species are encountered rarely, and although we expect that the effects we report pertain, as well, to these rarely encountered species at Boraceia, we cannot document them. We report only on common, conspicuous species, for which we are certain that we can ascertain a change in abundance. One possible sampling problem might be collecting techniques, by which different collectors visiting in different years capture some taxa more efficiently than others. This potential problem is avoided in this case, as one of us (Rand) collected extensively at Boraceia in 1963 and again in 1983 and in 1984. Another possible sampling problem relates to weather conditions. We have found frog activity at Boraceia limited below 15iC and normal above 15iC during moist or wet conditions. The data used for this paper were gathered when weather conditions were good to excellent for frog activity. The data base consists of field observations and data associated with museum specimens. At Boraceia, we have drawn on the field notes of James P. Bogart, Gene Miller, Charles W. Myers, Craig E. Nelson, and G. Bruce Williamson (representing almost 7 months of field time from 1969-1979) as well as our own field notes (representing about 4 months of field work from 1962-1985). We have examined data for 2970 museum specimens from Boraceia. We also include some observations from other localities in southeastern Brazil (Fig. 1). The herpetology ' Received 29July 1986, revised and accepted 17 February 1987. 230 BIOTROPICA 20(3): 230-235 1988 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.128 on Wed, 07 Sep 2016 05:13:07 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms FIGURE 1. South America with Atlantic Forest Morphoclimatic Domain in black. Insert (bounded by 150 on North, 500 on West) showing Brazilian localities mentioned in text: (1) Santa Teresa, Espirito Santo; (2) Teres6polis, Rio de Janeiro; (3) Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro; (4) Brejo da Lapa, limits of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais; (5) Sao Sebastiao, Sao Paulo; (6) Boraceia, Sao Paulo; (7) Paranapiacaba, Sao Paulo; (8) Santos, Sao Paulo; (9) type locality of Cycloramphus duseni, Parana. group from the Universidade Federal Rural de Rio de Janeiro (including Cruz and Peixoto) has made frequent field trips annually to Teresopolis (State of Rio de Janeiro) from 1960 to 1985 and Santa Teresa (State of Espirito Santo) from 1974 to 1986.