Lonchocarpus Sericeus Research Articles

Assessing the Provisioning of Ecosystem Services Provided by the Relics Forest in Togo’s Mono Biosphere Reserve

In most Sub-Saharan African countries, such as Togo, forest ecosystems provide ecosystem services to the local population. These ecosystem services are of vital importance to the local populations, who depend on the benefits derived from their use to meet their socio-economic needs. The permanent dependence of these populations on ecosystem services is a major factor accelerating the degradation of natural resources, which are already under pressure from climatic factors. The present study assesses the provisioning of ecosystem services provided by the relics forest in the southeast region of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Togo. Individual interviews and group discussions were carried out with 420 households in fourteen villages around the reserve to identify the current uses of woody species. The results show that 100% of the respondents cited plant species, such as Mitragyna inermis, Lonchocarpus sericeus, and Diospyros mespiliformis, as used for wood. Species, such as Mimusops andogensis and Triplohiton scleroxylon, were cited as exclusively used for wood by 94% and 86%, respectively. Other species, such as Vitex doniana and Dialium guineense, in addition to their use for wood (93% and 70%), were cited, respectively, by 97% and 98% of respondents as used for fruit, and by 82% and 90% for their leaves. The heavy daily use of these species compromises their sustainability. An analysis of Sorensen’s similarity index, according to gender, age, ethnic group, and sector of activity, revealed a variation in this index ranging from 0.6 to 1, reflecting households’ knowledge of the use of these seven species. The local populations are already feeling the effects of the low availability of these commonly used species. According to them, the depletion of these resources is caused mainly by agricultural clearing, illegal logging, and bushfires.

Gastroprotective and Ulcer Healing Effects of Lonchocarpus sericeus Seed Extract in Rodents

Gastroprotective and Ulcer Healing Effects of Lonchocarpus sericeus Seed Extract in Rodents

Phytotoxic potential and chemical composition of Commelina benghalensis L. (Commelinaceae) on Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) Kunth ex DC. (Fabaceae)

The objective of this work was to verify the phytotoxic action of the aqueous extract of Commelina benghalensis, on the initial development of Lonchocarpus sericeus. The parameters analyzed were germination, Germination Speed Index (GVI), average length of the stem and radicle, morphoanatomical alterations, cytotoxic activity and phytochemical characterization of the donor species. The 100 % extract was prepared by grinding 250 g of fresh leaves of the donor species in 1 L of distilled water and diluted to 25 %, 50 %, 75 % concentration (Treatments), the control group 0 %, consisted of distilled water only. The bioassays were placed in a germination chamber of the type BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) climate-controlled chambers with a constant temperature of 25 °C and a 12 h photoperiod (light/dark). The extract of C. benghalensis at 75 % and 100 % concentration promoted a negative phytotoxic action on the average length of the rootlets of L. sericeus. The length of the stems showed a reduction only at the 100 % concentration. A significant increase in the genotoxic effect of the extract at 75 and 100 % concentration was observed, with the presence of chromosomal bridges, chromosomal adhesion, chromosome loss, C-metaphase and absence of membrane. The treatments caused changes in the internal morphology of the plant tissues of the radicle, such as necrosis of the epidermis and vascular system and disorganization of the cortex tissues. The allelochemicals present in the extract of C. benghalensis, such as alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, chalcones, aurones, flavonones, flavonols, xanthones, catechins, flavonones, were probably responsible for the negative effect found on the mitotic index and on the development and organization from the radicle tissues of L. sericeus.

Flora and Typology of Wetlands of Haho River Watershed, Togo

Wetlands are recognized as hotspots of biodiversity and providers of several ecosystem services, including water purification, sediment stabilization, and flood, erosion, and climate regulation. This article aims to investigate the floristic diversity of the wetlands the Haho River watershed in southern Togo. Spatial data from Astrium service and Google Earth were collected, and phytosociological data were classified following the Braun–Blanquet approach. The findings indicate that 72 families in total have evolved in this environment, with Poaceae (14.95%) and Fabaceae (11.98%) dominating. The number of species was estimated to be 323; the three species that were most prevalent in the wetland’s habitats were Elaeis guineensis Jacq (2.44%), Panicum maximum Jacq (2.29%), and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir) H. B. K. (1.71%). The most prevalent and abundant life forms in these moist habitats were micro-phanerophytes (34.70%) and therophytes (23.50%). However, the most common and abundant chorological categories included pantropical (31.05%) and Guinean-Congolese species (21.46%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to examine how abiotic parameters, including depth/degree of immersion, influence the distribution of plant species in a wetland landscape. This research has the potential to be developed into a more robust action study for wetland classification and recognition.

Histological and Micromeritic Differences Between the Two Varieties of Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) Kunth ex DC. (Fabaceae)

Purpose: Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) kunth ex DC. (Fabaceae) is a tropical plant used in ethnomedicine as an analgesic, appetite stimulant, antibacterial and cytotoxic agent. This study aims to establish histological and micromeritic parameters as standards for the leaves of brown and white varieties. Methods: The leaves of both varieties were collected, dried under shade and pulverized. Microscopic evaluations were done on both the fresh and powdered samples. Micromeritic properties were determined for the plant organs collected. Carr’s index, angle of repose and Hausner’s ratio were calculated. Chemomicroscopic and fluorescence evaluations were also done on the powders. Results: The results obtained from the microscopy of the fresh leaves revealed hypostomatic stomatal distribution and anomocytic type of stomata for the brown variety and paracytic type of stomata for the white variety both on abaxial surfaces. The epidermal cell shapes for the abaxial and adaxial surfaces were both irregular. The stomatal number was found to be 36.9 ± 0.71 and 17.8 + 0.97 for the brown and white varieties respectively. The stomatal index was 8.13 %. and 7.45 % for the brown and white varieties respectively. The angle of repose for the brown and white varieties were 33.7 ± 0.72 and 40.05 ± 0.57 respectively. The chemomicroscopic result revealed that both leaves contained cellulose, mucilage, lignin, protein and starch. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study can be used to distinguish between the two varieties, and could also serve as pharmacopeial standards for quality assurance of the medicinal plant as a herbal drug. Keywords: Lonchocarpus sericeus, Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio, micromeritic, histological

Phytochemical constituents and assessment of crude extracts from Boerhavia diffusa L. and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) Kunth ex DC. leaves for antioxidant and antibacterial activities

Medicinal plants have been used by humans for therapeutic purposes since ancient times. Hence, this study investigated the human health benefits of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Boerhavia diffusa and Lonchocarpus sericeus leaves after these solvents’ extraction. The ethanolic L. sericeus extract (ELS), aqueous L. sericeus extract (ALS), ethanolic B. diffusa extract (EBD) and aqueous B. diffusa extract (ABD), were respectively evaluated for their phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Results showed that both plant species have various constituents such as flavonoid (7.11–21.05%), alkaloid (2.00–8.00%), oxalate (1.98- 3.51 mg/g), saponin (3.00–16.00%), tannin (9.70–18.10 mg/100 g), total phenol (7.36- 18.26 mg/100 g) and phytate (225.64–394.88 mg/100 g), respectively. The ethanolic extracts of the leaves showed higher phytochemicals values than the aqueous extracts, with the highest values in the L. sericeus species, which might be due to the less polarity nature of ethanol solvent when compared to the aqueous solvent. The antioxidant results showed that the ethanolic extracts of the L. sericeus species had higher DPPH (78.61%), ABTS (75.57%), Fe2+ chelation (72.13%), FRAP (2.89 mg AAE/g) and hydroxyl radical scavengers (79.81%) than the ethanolic extracts of the B. diffusa species (58.20%, 71.46%, 61.03%, 2.72 mg AAE/g, 66.58%), respectively. The leaves extracts possessed remarkable antibacterial effects against the selected bacterial strains such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and S. typhimurium. For instance, the ethanolic leaves extracts showed better inhibitory performances (2–14 mm) than the aqueous extracts (1–8 mm). Therefore, the study recorded the best activities from the ethanolic extracts of Lonchocarpus sericeus plant. Hence, the study substantiated the fact that the effective antibacterial performances of the ethanolic leaves extract is dependent on its high antioxidant capacities as well as the species of plants being used.

Soil seed bank characteristics along a gradient of past human disturbances in a tropical semi-deciduous forest: Insights for forest management

The soil seed bank (SSB) in forests is a key indicator of their resilience after disturbances. Despite the growing interest in describing patterns of SSB and understanding potential processes underpinning those patterns, we still know little about SSB patterns and drivers in semi-deciduous tropical forests. Using the regeneration emergence method, we assessed the patterns of SSB (i) across four vegetation types with variable intensity of past human disturbances: typical dense forest - degraded dense forest - young preforest fallow - old preforest fallow, and (ii) in relationships to soil depth (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–15 cm, 15–20 cm) in a protected tropical semi-deciduous dense forest in Benin, West-Africa. The standing vegetation (adults and regeneration) data and soil samples were collected using a systematic sampling of 60 plots of 10 m × 10 m in the four vegetation types. Herbaceous plants dominated (67% − 78%) the SSB. From the SSB, five tree species emerged: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn., Dialium guineense Willd., Ficus sur Forssk., Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit, and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) Kunth. Regarding tree species, the total densities of germinated seeds (seeds.m−2) were higher in typical dense forest (28.00 ± 7.22) and young preforest fallow (16.67 ± 7.07) than in old preforest fallow (10.00 ± 6.75) and degraded dense forest (8.89 ± 3.81). When only tree species were considered, the SSB was more diverse and dense in typical dense forest than in other vegetation types suggesting negative effect of past human disturbances on SSB. The similarity of the species composition between the SSB and the surrounding vegetation was low (Jaccard's similarity index ranged from 0 to 17.64%, indicating that the majority of tree species in the surrounding vegetation were absent in the SSB. This study highlighted a need of planting effort of native tree species to restore degraded areas.

Physical Properties, Chemical Composition and Nutritional Quality Potentials of Lonchocarpus sericeus (Cube root) Seeds and Seed Oil

Physical properties, chemical composition, and nutritional quality potentials of the seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus (cube root) were investigated. The water absorption properties of the seeds were measured both gravimetrically as hydration capacity (0.02±0.005 g/seed), and hydration index (0.06±0.01) and volumetrically as swelling capacity (0.01±0.00 mL/seed) and the swelling index (1.2x10-4±0.00). A 100 g of seeds contained 17.53±2.08, 38.83±4.16, 3.18±0.19, 24.93±3.21, 29.96±3.82, and 3.10±0.89 g moisture, crude fiber, ash, crude fat, crude protein, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE), respectively; Further, the sample had per 100 g 149.20±0.24 kJ gross energy, 848±16.1, 722±10.0, 720±9.1, 230±8.2, and 224±8.1 mg Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Na, respectively. The seed also contained 3.14±0.12, 2.18±0.32 and 4.30±0.06 mg/g tannin, oxalate, and saponin, respectively. The essential-to-total amino acid ratio (E/T, %) was 44.10 %; the average predicted protein efficiency ratio (PER) was 2.70, while the predicted biological value (BV) was 34.85. Elaidic acid was the most significant fatty acid (46.32 %) found in the seeds with a total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of 46.14 and 50.50 %, respectively. The oil of L. sericeus was equally rich in bioactive compounds, including tocopherols, sterols, phospholipids, tocotrienols, and terpenoids with a concentration of 50.09, 479.13, 333.14, 1.34, and 3.33 x 10-4 mg/100g, respectively. L. sericeus seed can be a potential source of dietary energy, industrial oil, bioactive compounds, and vegetable protein.

Variations in Physico-Mechanical Properties of Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir), a Lesser-Used Species in West Africa

Abstract This study investigates the properties of Lonchocarpus sericeus to determine its potential use for timber. Three matured trees of L. sericeus were selected from a forest located in Longe Village, Oluyole Local Government Area in Oyo State, Nigeria. Discs from the harvested trees were collected at the base (10%), middle (50%), and top (90%) and further partitioned into inner wood, center wood, and outer wood. An investigation was carried out to characterize the wood age, density, shrinkage, impact strength, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, compressive, and shear strength. The ages were 28, 29 and 32 years. The mean wood density at 12 percent moisture content was 836.63 kg/m3, which shows that it belongs to the high-density wood category. The mean shrinkage values in the radial, tangential, and longitudinal directions were 2.50, 3.99, and 0.78 percent respectively; the volumetric shrinkage was 6.36 percent. These shrinkage values were indicative of good dimensional stability. The mean impact bending strength, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, maximum shear strength parallel to grain, and maximum compression strength parallel to the grain were 24.14, 114.18, 11,276, 12.76, and 47.16 N/mm2, respectively. End-use assessments suggest that the wood species can be used in similar applications as well-known timbers. The study found L. sericeus to be very dense with high strength in comparison to well-known timbers. It was observed that the mechanical properties of the species decrease from the base to the top and also increase from the outer wood to the core wood.

The Chalcone Lonchocarpin Inhibits Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Proliferation.

The deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a central event in colorectal cancer progression, thus a promising target for drug development. Many natural compounds, such as flavonoids, have been described as Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors and consequently modulate important biological processes like inflammation, redox balance, cancer promotion and progress, as well as cancer cell death. In this context, we identified the chalcone lonchocarpin isolated from Lonchocarpus sericeus as a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor, both in vitro and in vivo. Lonchocarpin impairs β-catenin nuclear localization and also inhibits the constitutively active form of TCF4, dnTCF4-VP16. Xenopus laevis embryology assays suggest that lonchocarpin acts at the transcriptional level. Additionally, we described lonchocarpin inhibitory effects on cell migration and cell proliferation on HCT116, SW480, and DLD-1 colorectal cancer cell lines, without any detectable effects on the non-tumoral intestinal cell line IEC-6. Moreover, lonchocarpin reduces tumor proliferation on the colorectal cancer AOM/DSS mice model. Taken together, our results support lonchocarpin as a novel Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor compound that impairs colorectal cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

First insights into insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti and partial biochemical characterization of a novel low molecular mass chymotrypsin-trypsin inhibitor purified from Lonchocarpus sericeus seeds.

Arboviroses such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya represent a serious public health issue as a consequence of the absence of approved vaccines or specific antiviral drugs against the arboviruses that cause them. One way to prevent these diseases is by combating the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera), which has serine proteases in the midgut. Protease inhibitors are molecules that can block enzyme activity, impairing digestion and nutrition, which can lead to death. Thus, we purified and characterized a novel chymotrypsin-trypsin inhibitor (LsCTI) from Lonchocarpus sericeus seeds and investigated its effect upon Ae. aegypti egg hatching, larval development and digestive proteases. LsCTI showed a single protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and the molecular mass determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was 8870.45 Da. Kinetics analyses revealed a noncompetitive type of inhibition and low inhibition constant (Ki ) for chymotrypsin (8.24 x 10-8 m). The thermal resistance was remarkable, even at 100 °C for 180 min. The inhibitor concentration required for 50-percent enzyme inhibition (IC50 ) of LsCTI was 4.7 x 10-7 m for Ae. aegypti midgut larval enzymes. LsCTI did not affect egg hatchability at 0.3 mg mL-1 , but caused a high larval mortality rate (77%) and delayed development (37%). LsCTI is a novel protease inhibitor with remarkable biochemical characteristics and is a potential tool to control Ae. aegypti development. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY OF PIONEER SPECIES FOR SECONDARY FOREST RESTORATION IN BENIN IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

In this study, species distribution model- ling (SDM) was applied to the manage- ment of secondary forests in Benin. This study aims at identifying suitable areas where the use of candidate pioneer spe- cies, such as Lonchocarpus sericeus and Anogeissus leiocarpa, could be targeted to ensure at low cost, currently and in the context of global climate change, fast reconstitution of secondary forests and disturbed ecosystems and the recovery of their biodiversity. Using occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Infor- mation Facility (GBIF) website and cur- rent environmental data, the factors that affected the distribution of the species were assessed in West Africa. The models developed in MaxEnt and R software for West Africa only, for both species, showed good predictive power with AUC > 0.80 and AUC ratios well above 1.5. The results were projected in future climate at the horizon 2055, using AfriClim data under rcp4.5 and rcp8.5 and suggested a little reduction in the range of L. seri- ceus and any variation for A. leiocarpa. The potential distribution of the two spe- cies indicated that they could be used for vegetation restoration activities both now and in the mid-21st century. Improve- ment are needed through the use of com- plementary data, the extension to others species and the assessment of uncertain- ties related to these predictions.

Floristic and structural changes in secondary forests following agricultural disturbances: the case of Lama forest reserve in Southern Benin

Structural changes in secondary forests are less known in West Africa, and this precludes their management. This study aims at providing quantitative information on floristic composition and structure of the Lama secondary forests (Benin), so as to contribute to their restoration, and fill part of knowledge gaps on West African secondary forests. Data of 77 permanent plots each of 0.5 ha were used to analyze the floristic composition, the trajectory of the recovery and the recovery of stocking in these forests, compared to nearby old-growth forests. The results showed that the forests were less diversified with few species very common in the forest stands; the most dominant were Lonchocarpus sericeus and Anogeissus leiocarpa in the secondary forests, and Dialium guineense , Diospyros mespiliformis and Afzelia africana in the old-growth forests. The secondary forests hold more species than the mature ones. Their compositions will recover that of the original forest because species of the original forest were actively regenerating in the secondary forests. About 28 years after recovery, large trees were insufficient and basal area was about 60% of those of the mature forests. Further studies are needed to elucidate barriers to tree regeneration and dynamics of tree population. © 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Secondary forest, recovery, diversity, species composition, timber stock, Benin

Nutrient and Phytochemical Composition of Five Wild Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Erie-Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State

This work on nutrient and phytochemical composition of five wild green leafy vegetables consumed in Erei-Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria was aimed at identifying and determining the nutrient, and phytochemical compositions of Amaranthus viridis (Ikorodotaseach), Aeschylus glabra (Ididieriri), Alphanostylis lepthanta (Emornegbandip), Calcasia saxatilis, (Igbongonokpa) and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Ajuokoh). Analysis of moisture, protein, fiber, ash, fat and carbohydrate, micronutrients and phytochemicals was done using standard methods, while vitamins were done using AOAC, (1995). The data generated were subjected to T-test, standard deviation, standard error of the mean. The result of the proximate analysis showed that Amaranthus viridis had the highest protein value (9.73%) and the lowest carbohydrate value (4.60%) respectively. Aeschylea glabra recorded the highest fat value [9.73%]. The micro nutrient result revealed that copper (CU) and phosphorous (Ph) values were low and that the value for the other micro-nutrient differed significantly with the exception of calcium (Ca) values which did not differed significantly (P < 0.0.05). The vitamins content of the vegetables differed significantly while Amaranthus viridis had the highest value of Vitamin C. The phytochemicals and anti-nutrient contents of the vegetables were moderately high but not higher than the safe levels. Hence they are recommended for consumption.

Flavonoid profile, anthocyanin, carotenoid, sugar and vitamin compositions of Lonchocarpus sericeus seeds

This study reports analyses of flavonoid profile, anthocyanin, sugar, carotenoid and vitamin compositions in Lonchocarpus sericeus (L. sericeus) seeds. Flavonoid profile, anthocyanin, sugar, carotenoid were determined with gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) while vitamins were determined using pulse flame photometric detector (GC-PTPD). Total flavonoid concentration of L. sericeus seeds was 815.86 mg/100g and its profile consists of flavonol (72.5 %), flavanones (19.3 %), flavones (7.25 %), flavanol (0.93 %) and isoflavones (0.02 %). Quercetin was the most abundant with 28.8 %. L. sericeus seeds composed of 80.5 % disaccharides and 19.5 % monosaccharide with sucrose having 80.4 % abundance. Total vitamin, carotenoid and anthocyanin contents of the seeds were 70.32 mg/100g, 102.18 μg/100g and 12.18mg/100g respectively. Vitamin E (33.3 %), β-carotene (65.4 %) and cyanin (30.3 %) had highest abundance in vitamins, carotenoids and anthocyanins respectively. These results show that the seeds of L. sericeus have intrinsic sweetness and can scavenge for free radicals.

Análise de crescimento e trocas gasosas de plantas de &lt;i&gt;Lonchocarpus sericeus&lt;/i&gt; (Poir.) D.C. sob alagamento para uso na recuperação de matas de ciliares

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509812349Com o intuito de selecionar espécies para utilização na recuperação de matas ciliares na margem do rio São Francisco localizada no estado de Sergipe foi realizado um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar o crescimento e as trocas gasosas de plantas de Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) D.C., submetidas a alagamento em condição de viveiro. O experimento foi realizado no Viveiro Florestal do Departamento de Ciências Florestais, da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), no município de São Cristóvão-SE (11º01’ de latitude S e 37º12’ de longitude W, com altitude de 20 m), estado de Sergipe, Brasil, no período de outubro de 2006 a janeiro de 2007 em condição ambiente. Foi utilizado delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado (DIC), em fatorial (2x7), dois tratamentos (controle – T0, plantas em capacidade de campo e alagadas – T1) e dias após alagamento (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90 dias). Para simular a condição de alagamento, as plantas foram postas em vasos plásticos de cor preta com volume de 5 L e mais substrato. Após, estes vasos foram acoplados a vasos com volume de 10 L, onde foi acrescida a água até atingir lâmina d’água de 5 cm acima do colo das plantas. As plantas do controle permaneceram em vasos com volume de 5 L com substrato mantido na capacidade de campo. Nas variáveis não destrutivas foram utilizadas 4 repetições por tratamento, avaliadas a cada quinze dias, onde cada repetição consta de 6 plantas, totalizando 24. Para as variáveis destrutivas foram utilizadas 4 repetições por tratamento, avaliadas quinzenalmente a partir de 15 dias após o alagamento, onde cada repetição consta de uma planta totalizando 24 plantas. Desta forma foram utilizadas 48 plantas por tratamento. As variáveis não destrutivas foram altura, diâmetro do colo e número de folhas. Enquanto as variáveis destrutivas analisadas foram massa seca da raiz e parte aérea, razão da massa seca da raiz/parte aérea. Além disso, foram realizadas análises de trocas gasosas mensalmente, sendo avaliadas doze plantas por tratamento, com amostragem de duas folhas, completamente expandidas, por planta. As variáveis biométricas foram submetidas à análise de variância e posteriormente ao teste de média (Tukey p&lt;0,05), enquanto dos valores de trocas gasosas foram retirados os desvios padrões das médias. Diante disso, observamos que o alagamento promoveu a redução em altura e na razão massa seca da raiz/parte aérea, a partir dos 30 dias após aplicação do tratamento. Além disso, as plantas alagadas apresentaram modificações morfológicas como raízes adventícias e hipertrofia das lenticelas, características de espécies tolerantes ao alagamento. A taxa fotossintética líquida foi reduzida em 48,20% em relação ao controle aos 60 dias. Todavia, apesar das reduções nas variáveis de crescimento e trocas gasosas, a espécie Lonchocarpus sericeus mostrou-se promissora na recuperação de mata ciliar, por apresentar modificações morfológicas características de espécies tolerantes ao alagamento.

Chemical composition and dry matter degradation characteristics of multi-purpose trees and shrubs in the humid lowlands of southeastern Nigeria

Twenty weeks forage re-growth from 20 multipurpose trees and shrubs (MPTS) species (Albizia ferruginea, Albizia gummifera, Albizia niopoides, Berlinia grandiflora, Bauhimia monandra, Dialium guineense, Dalbergia sissoo, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Leucaena leucocephala, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Milletia griffoneanus, Milletia thoningii, Napoliana imperialis, Parkia bicolor, Pterocarpus santalinoides, Senna spectabilis, Treculia africana, Terminalia superba, Tetrapluera tetraptera and Xylia xylocarpa) were investigated for their feed value. The MPTS were grown on an ultisol in southeastern Nigeria and were subjected to proximate analyses, nylon bag degradability studies and cluster analysis. Among species, crude protein (CP) ranged from 104 g kg−1 DM in P. bicolor to 205 g kg−1 DM in A. gummifera, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ranged from 498 g kg−1 DM in L. leucocephala to 771 g kg−1 DM in L. sericeus, acid detergent fibre (ADF) ranged from 303 g kg−1 DM in T. superba to 661 g kg−1 DM in L. sericeus, acid detergent lignin (ADL) ranged from 75 g kg−1 DM in T. superba to 305 g kg−1 DM in L. sericeus. Also, ADF-ash ranged from 0.78 g kg−1 DM in E. cyclocarpum to 15.58 g kg−1 DM in D. guineense. Except E. cyclocarpum and S. spectabilis, the remaining 18 MPTS studied had effective degradabilities (ED) less than 500 g kg−1 DM effective degradability. Eight MPTS (A. ferruginea, A. niopoides, B. monandra, D. sissoo, E. cyclocarpum, L. leucocephala, S. spectabilis, T. superba) were classified as high quality, another eight (A. gummifera, B. grandiflora, L. sericeus, N. imperialis, P. bicolor, P. santalinoides, T. tetraptera and X. xylocarpa) as medium quality while, the remaining four (D. guineensis, M. griffoneanus, M. thoningii, T. africana) fell into the low quality class based on their nutrient composition and ruminal DM degradability. The results indicate that most of the MPTS could be used as good quality feed for small ruminants in Nigeria.

Revisão taxonômica de Lonchocarpus s. str. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) do Brasil

É apresentada a revisão das espécies brasileiras de Lonchocarpus s. str., a qual baseou-se em estudos de campo e na análise de aproximadamente 1.200 coleções de herbários. Foram reconhecidas nove espécies: L. cultratus, L. hedyosmus, L. latifolius, L. macrocarpus, L. nitidus, L. pluvialis, L. sericeus, L. spiciflorus e L. violaceus, ocorrendo em formações florestais geralmente associadas às margens de rios. Lonchocarpus sericeus e L. cultratus apresentam distribuição ampla em todo o Brasil, enquanto L. hedyosmus, L. macrocarpus, L. spiciflorus e L. latifolius são restritas ao domínio amazônico. Lonchocarpus pluvialis ocorre nas Regiões Centro-Oeste (Mato Grosso do Sul e Goiás) e Sudeste (São Paulo) e L. violaceus é encontrada nos Estados da Bahia e Espírito Santo, sendo este o seu primeiro registro para o Brasil. São apresentadas chaves de identificação, descrições e ilustrações, informações sobre habitat e distribuição geográfica, além de comentários taxonômicos e nomenclaturais das espécies. São propostas quatro novas sinonimizações e cinco lectotipificações.

Estabelecimento de espécies florestais nativas por meio de semeadura direta para recuperação de áreas degradadas

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização da semeadura direta e a influência de um protetor físico sobre o estabelecimento de espécies florestais nativas em uma área com pastagem e outra com agricultura. O experimento foi executado no Município de São Cristóvão, SE (10º55'20"S e 37º12'00"W), em delineamento em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial, com três repetições. Foram utilizadas sementes de Erythrina velutina Wild., Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth., Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Machaerium aculeatum Raddi, Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir) DC. e Sapindus saponaria L. As avaliações feitas em campo foram: emergência, sobrevivência e desenvolvimento inicial das mudas das espécies (altura e diâmetro). Com relação à emergência e sobrevivência de plântulas, houve diferença significativa entre os dois ambientes, com melhores resultados no subsistema agricultura. Considerando o desenvolvimento das espécies, E. velutina destacou-se das demais por ter apresentado as maiores médias de altura e diâmetro nas duas áreas, em ambos os tratamentos. A semeadura direta foi viável na recuperação de áreas degradadas com espécies florestais nativas, nos ambientes estudados.

Effect of Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) host plants on life‐history parameters of the parasitoid Apanteles taragamae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract The effect of four host plant species of the herbivore Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on development time, longevity, fecundity and sex ratio of the parasitoid Apanteles taragamae Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was investigated under laboratory conditions. The larvae were parasitized when in the second instar. Maruca vitrata larvae were fed with flowers of four legumes, that is, Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Sesbania rostrata, Lonchocarpus sericeus and Pterocarpus santalinoides, or an artificial diet both before and after parasitization. The parasitoid did not develop in hosts feeding on L. sericeus or V. unguiculata at 25°C, or on P. santalinoides at 25°C or 29°C. Apanteles taragamae had the shortest development time on artificial diet at both 25°C and 29°C while the longest development time was recorded on L. sericeus at 29°C. Female wasps took longer to develop compared to males at the two temperatures, regardless of the feeding substrate of their host. The longevity of the wasps at 25°C varied among feeding substrates, but not at 29°C. Survival rate of parasitized larvae depends on the feeding substrate. Moreover, infection of host larvae with Maruca vitrata multi‐nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV) killed larger proportions of parasitized larvae at 25°C than at 29°C, which was likely caused by the difference in parasitoid developmental rate. The proportion of female parasitoids was lowest on L. sericeus. The daily fecundity showed a nonlinear trend regardless of the feeding substrate, indicating that A. taragamae is a pro‐ovigenic species. The data support the slow growth–high mortality hypothesis.