Lower Amazon Research Articles

The 2009 exceptional Amazon flood and interannual terrestrial water storage change observed by GRACE

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite gravity mission provides a new capability for measuring extreme climate events, such as floods and droughts associated with large‐scale terrestrial water storage (TWS) change. GRACE gravity measurements show significant TWS increases in the lower Amazon basin in the first half of 2009, clearly associated with the exceptional flood season in that region. The extended record of GRACE monthly gravity solutions reveals the temporal and spatial evolution of both nonseasonal and interannual TWS change in the Amazon basin over the 7 year mission period from April 2002 to August 2009. GRACE observes a very dry season in 2002–2003 and an extremely wet season in 2009. In March 2009 (approximately the peak of the recent Amazon flood), total TWS surplus in the entire Amazon basin is ∼624 ± 32 Gt, roughly equal to U.S. water consumption for a year. GRACE measurements are consistent with precipitation data. Interannual TWS changes in the Amazon basin are closely connected to ENSO events in the tropical Pacific. The 2002–2003 dry season is clearly tied to the 2002–2003 El Niño and the 2009 flood to the recent La Niña event. The most significant contribution of this study in the area of water resources is to confront the hydrological community with the latest results of the GRACE satellite mission and further demonstrates the unique strength of GRACE and follow‐up satellite gravity observations for measuring large‐scale extreme climate events.

Ultrastructural and Molecular Characterization of a New Microsporidium Parasite from the Amazonian Fish, Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Rhamphichthyidae)

A new species of a microsporidium found in the freshwater teleost Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni, collected on the lower Amazon River, is described based on light, ultrastructural, and phylogenetic studies. This parasite develops in the skeletal muscle of the abdominal cavity, forming whitish cyst-like structures containing numerous spores. Mature spores, lightly pyriform to ellipsoidal with rounded ends and measuring 4.25 ± 0.38 × 2.37 ± 0.42 µm (n = 30), were observed. The spore wall, which measured about 102 nm, was composed of 2 layers with approximately the same thickness. The isofilar polar filament was coiled, with 9-10 (rarely 8) turns. The posterior vacuole appeared as a pale area, occupying about 1/3 of the spore length, and contained a spherical posterosome composed of granular material that was denser at the periphery. The myofibrils located near the spores appeared to be in advanced degradation. Molecular analysis of the rRNA genes, including the ITS region, and phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Baysesian inference were performed. The ultrastructural characteristics of the spores and the phylogenetic data strongly suggested that it is a new species related to Kabatana, Microgemma, Potaspora, Spraguea, and Tetramicra. We named this new microsporidian from Amazonian fauna as Kabatana rondoni n. sp.

Colonial planktonic Eunotia (Bacillariophyceae) from Brazilian Amazon: Taxonomy and biogeographical considerations on the E. asterionelloides species complex

Colonial planktonic diatoms representative of the genus Eunotia Ehrenberg are common in phytoplankton assemblages from oligotrophic pristine rivers and streams in the Amazon hydrographical basin. A taxonomic account on E. asterionelloides and related species revealed the presence of four unknown taxa, which are formally described here. E. loboi sp. nov., E. gomesii sp. nov., E. tukanorum sp. nov., and E. waimiriorum sp. nov. differ from all described Eunotia species by their typical colonial life strategy, cell dimensions, striae density, short raphe, overall shape and ultrastructural features. E. tukanorum is the most common species found in the Negro River while E. loboi, E. gomesii and E. waimiriorum are representative of the Branco River, a tributary of the Negro River, which has marked different limnological features. In the light microscope, all South American species closely resemble E. zasuminensis, originally described from Europe (Poland) and commonly reported from the Northern hemisphere. E. asterionelloides was originally described from the Tapajos River in the lower Amazon and to date has not been found in the Negro nor Branco rivers. Given the small differences between these colonial planktonic forms, the global diversity of this species complex has almost certainly been underestimated.

PRESERVANDO CECROPIAIS NATIVOS EM PAISAGENS AMAZÔNICAS: UMA ESTRATÉGIA ECOLÓGICA EM SOLOS DEFICIENTES POR FÓSFORO

A conservação de espécies prestadoras de serviços ecológicos em paisagens amazônicas como os agros-ecossistemas locais do Baixo Amazonas é de extrema importância no input de minerais através da serrapilheira produzida por estas espécies. Os cecropiais nativos, formados pela espécie Cecropia palmata, dentre outras, a qual é acumuladora de fósforo (P) em tecidos foliares e cascas podem prestar um serviço ecológico em paisagens amazônicas com deficiência por fósforo. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram a observação da translocação do fósforo em folhas ontogeneticamentes diferentes de Cecropia palmata; bem como, a análise da dinâmica do fósforo em solos sob conglomerados de Cecropia palmata. Os teores de fósforo (P) em tecidos foliares de Cecropia palmata demonstraram valores elevados, em torno de 8.4 mg/kg em folhas novas e 5,6mg/kg em folhas com maturação fisiológica, sugerindo serrapilheira de alta qualidade para o ambiente. Além disso, os solos sob influência da rizosfera desta espécie apresentaram importantes hot spots de fósforo.

Variation in agro-morphological characteristics of cacao, Theobroma cacao L., in farmers' fields in Nigeria

Knowledge of available variability in a crop species provides a guide for the utilization and conservation of useful variation. Seventeen agro-morphological traits were studied in 184 accessions of cacao, Theobroma cacao L. collected from farmers' fields (138) and field genebank collections (46). Descriptive statistics—univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA)—were used to determine variation among accessions. Multivariate analysis with principal component analysis (PCA) was done and a cluster dendrogram was generated based on the unweighted pair group mean with arithmetic average (UPGMA). The first three principal component axes accounted for 43.6% of total variation observed among accessions studied. Quantitative bean traits—dry bean weight, nib weight, fresh weight, cotyledon length and cotyledon width—and qualitative fruit traits—basal constriction, apex form, ridge colour, fruit shape, flush colour and cotyledon shape—were the most important traits accounting for the variability observed. Six groups of accessions were obtained from cluster analysis. Fruit and bean traits of Upper Amazon Forasteros observed in farmers' accessions provided evidence of a shift from previously grown local ‘West African Amelonado’ from the Lower Amazon Forastero population. In conclusion, this study revealed some accessions with useful trait combinations in farmers' plantations and indicated a need to conserve the local ‘Amelonado’ landrace variety to avoid extinction and to preserve the unique flavour of ‘West African Amelonado’ in cocoa breeding programmes.

The taxonomic status of some spiny-backed treefrogs, genus Osteocephalus (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae)

A reassessment of some Amazonian spiny-backed treefrogs (Osteocephalus) either considered to be junior synonyms or not associated yet with Osteocephalus reveals that O. cabrerai (Cochran and Goin, 1970) from lowland Colombia and Peru is distinct from a frog previously used to revalidate the species, that O. festae (Peracca, 1904) is a valid species from the foothills of the Andes in Ecuador, and that Hyla inframaculata Boulenger, 1882, from the lower Amazon in Brazil, is a member of this genus. The oldest available name for O. elkejungingerae (Henle, 1981) from the Andean foothills in Peru is O. mimeticus (Melin, 1941). Another Melin (1941) species, Hyla vilarsi from the Rio Negro watershed in Brazil, is also an Osteocephalus revalidated from the synonymies of several other frogs.

Atributos químicos, físico-hídricos e mineralogia da fração argila em solos do Baixo Amazonas: Serra de Parintins

Estudos sobre os atributos dos solos amazônicos geram informações para compor um levantamento atual sobre suas condições frente às várias formas de alterações que estão sujeitos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever e avaliar a evolução química, físico-hídrica, bem como a mineralogia de Latossolos no Baixo Amazonas como forma de entender as variações desses atributos em diferentes coberturas vegetais. Coletaram-se amostras deformadas e indeformadas para análises físicas, químicas, mineralógicas e hídricas, em dois pontos de uma topossequência na Serra de Parintins: platô e vertente, sendo três perfis de solo em cada posição. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a floresta predominante sobre os perfis do topo e vertente promove condições físicas e hídricas adequadas para uma boa agregação, maior intensidade de poros grandes, maior condutividade hidráulica saturada (Ko) e melhor retenção hídrica dos solos. Fato semelhante ocorrendo com as áreas de capoeira, apresentando boa permeabilidade, porosidade e retenção de água no solo. O acúmulo de carbono é maior dos perfis da vertente, decrescendo em profundidade, relacionando-se diretamente com Ko e com o sistema radicular. A análise mineralógica da fração argila indicou a caulinita como argilomineral predominante, seguido pelos minerais gibbsita, goethita, quartzo e anatásio, não havendo variações ao longo da paisagem. A Serra de Parintins possui um solo pobre em nutrientes, ácido, com textura média a muito argilosa com acúmulo de plintita nos horizontes subsuperficiais, evitando o fenômeno de terras caídas. Um gradiente elevado de umidade volumétrica é observado nos horizontes subsuperficiais, havendo mais água retida, quando comparado com horizontes superficiais.

Seleção de ideótipos de espécies florestais de múltiplo uso em planícies fluviais do Baixo Amazonas, Pará

A pesquisa objetivou selecionar ideótipos arbóreos de múltiplo uso, baseado em informações etnobotânicas de comunidades ribeirinhas de planícies fluviais do Baixo Amazonas, Pará, para uso em sistemas silvipastoris. Como essas áreas foram antropizadas pela agricultura seguida da pecuária, esses sistemas são considerados alternativas viáveis para sua recuperação. Por meio de pesquisa participativa junto aos ribeirinhos, foi utilizado um questionário semi-estruturado para determinar as espécies arbóreas de maior importância para essas populações, enfocando sua finalidade e formas de uso, consumidor destino e a abundância nas comunidades estudadas. As espécies florestais de interesse dos ribeirinhos concentraram-se nas frutíferas, para alimentação humana e animal, seguidas daquelas com função madeireira. Em sua grande maioria, essas espécies são utilizadas internamente na propriedade, não gerando produtos excedentes e foram consideradas, pelos entrevistados como de “grande" abundância na região.

Reconstructing Indigenous Ethnicities: The Arapium and Jaraqui Peoples of the Lower Amazon, Brazil

In Latin America, indigenous identity claims among people not previously recognized as such by the state have become a key topic of anthropological and sociological research. Scholars have analyzed the motivations and political implications of this trend and the impacts of indigenous population's growth on national demographic indicators. However, little is known about how people claiming indigenous status constructs the meaning of their indigenous ethnicity. Drawing from sixty-four indepth interviews, focus-group analyses, and participant observation, this article explores the double process of identity construction: the reconstruction of the Arapium indigenous identity and the creation of the Jaraqui indigenous identity in Brazil's Lower Amazon. The findings reveal six themes that contribute to the embodiment of a definition of indigenous identity and the establishment of a discursive basis to claim recognition: sense of rootedness, historical memory, historical transformation, consciousness, social exclusion, and identity politics.

Recurrent selection of cocoa populations in Côte d’Ivoire: comparative genetic diversity between the first and second cycles

AbstractIn Côte d’Ivoire, the cocoa breeding programme has been based on the creation of hybrids between different genetic groups. From 1990 onward, a reciprocal recurrent selection programme has been set up with the purpose of improving simultaneously the characteristics of the two main genetic groups: Upper Amazon Forastero (UA) and a mixture of Lower Amazon Forastero (LA) and Trinitario (T). Based on data obtained from 12 microsatellite primers, the genetic diversity and genetic distances of the parental populations used in the first and second selection cycles are presented. The results revealed that the diversity of populations UA0 and UA1 on the one hand and (LA+T)0 and (LA+T)1 on the other is similar. The genetic distances were small between the parental populations used for the first and second cycles. Genetic diversity was greater in the UA group than in the LA+T group. The number of rare and of private alleles was reduced for both genetic groups, as well as the number of the frequent alleles in the LA+T group.

Campylorhamphus procurvoides successor (Aves: Dendrocolaptidae) is a junior synonym of Campylorhamphus trochilirostris notabilis

The taxonomy of the genus Campylorhamphus Bertoni, 1901 is still uncertain, with many inconsistent evolutionary patterns implied by current taxonomy. A re-analysis of the type-series of Campylorhamphus procurvoides successor Todd, 1948 revealed that the holotype is indistinguishable from Campylorhamphus trochilirostris notabilis Zimmer, 1934, while the paratypes belonged either to the latter taxon or to a second already named taxon (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris snethlageae Zimmer, 1934), and a third and yet undescribed taxon allied to Campylorhamphus procurvoides. Here, we present statistical analyses of morphological data supporting the synonymization of C. p. successor into C. t. notabilis, the name with priority. Our findings resolve the long-standing controversy related to the distribution of Campylorhamphus procurvoides populations in the várzea habitats of the lower Amazon River.

Differences between the content of phenolic compounds in Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario cocoa seed (Theobroma cacao L.)

Phenolic compounds contribute to the quality of raw cocoa, the basis of all chocolate products. Detailed research is needed about the variability of these substances in unprocessed cocoa seed and during seed processing. For the present study, seed samples of Upper Amazon Foras- tero, Lower Amazon Forastero, Nacional, Criollo and Trinitario from different origins were compared in order to estimate the influence of genetic and site-specific features on the phenolics. Besides ripe, fresh cocoa seed, different fermentation stages of Criollo samples were analysed. Total polyphenols were examined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. RP-HPLC-PDA was adapted to analyse the monomeric cocoa polyphenols. Criollo seed contains no anthocyanins, but greater amounts of caffeic acid aspartate than samples of other cocoa types. No genetically deter- mined differences in the amounts of total polyphenols and (-)-epicatechin were found. In contrast, soil fertilisation may lead to cocoa seed with significantly smaller amounts of total polyphenols, flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins, but larger quantities of caffeic acid aspartate than those from unfertilised locations. The diminution of catechins found during fermentation and drying is stronger in the Criollo seed samples than described for other genotype groups. This may be responsible for the mild flavour of Criollo chocolates. Caffeic acid aspartate turned out to be highly resistant to degradation, with an average of 33% of the original content remaining in fully fermented cocoa seed. The results could be used in trials to produce raw cocoa with specific contents of phenolics.

Mocambos: natureza, cultura e memória

In this article it is discussed the established relations between the hut inhabitants (quilombolas) in low Amazon rainforest and the nature. It is observed these individuals in the escape and societal reproduction process. Also, it is discussed the life experiences of the Macombo descendants’ communities established at the rivers and lakes in that Amazon region during the nineteenth century. Th ese communities have in cultural practices, their memories and stories the sense of belonging and legitimacy of land ownership.Key words: quilombos, nature, Amazon.

Modelling sustainable international tourism demand to the Brazilian Amazon

The Amazon rainforest is one of the world's greatest natural wonders and holds great importance and significance for the world's environmental balance. Around 60% of the Amazon rainforest is located in the Brazilian territory. The two biggest states of the Amazon region are Amazonas (the upper Amazon) and Pará (the lower Amazon), which together account for around 73% of the Brazilian Legal Amazon, and are the only states that are serviced by international airports in Brazil's north region. The purpose of this paper is to model and forecast sustainable international tourism demand for the states of Amazonas, Pará, and the aggregate of the two states. By sustainable tourism is meant a distinctive type of tourism that has relatively low environmental and cultural impacts. Economic progress brought about by illegal wood extraction and commercial agriculture has destroyed large areas of the Amazon rainforest. The sustainable tourism industry has the potential to contribute to the economic development of the Amazon region without destroying the rainforest. The paper presents unit root tests for monthly and annual data, estimates alternative time series models and conditional volatility models of the shocks to international tourist arrivals, and provides forecasts for 2006 and 2007.

Morphological and genetical description of Loma psittaca sp. n. isolated from the Amazonian fish species Colomesus psittacus

A previously unrecognised fish-infecting microsporidia (Loma psittaca n. sp.), found adherent to the intestinal mucosa of the freshwater puffer fish Colomesus psittacus (Teleostei, Tetraodontidae) from lower Amazon River, was described based on light and transmission electron microscope and phylogenetic analysis. The whitish xenoma was completely filled by numerous spores, including several developmental stages of the parasite. In all of these stages, the nuclei were monokaryotic. The merogonial plasmodium divided by binary fission and the sporont gave rise to disporoblastic ovoid spores measuring 4.2 +/- 0.4 x 2.8 +/- 0.4 microm. In mature spores, the polar filament was arranged in 10-11 (rarely 12) coils in one row in turn of posterior vacuole. The polaroplast had two distinct regions around the manubrium. The polyribosomes were organised in coiled tapes. The small subunit rRNA gene was sequenced and maximum parsimony analysis placed the microsporidian described here in the clade that includes the genera Ichthyosporidium, Loma and Pseudoloma. Based on differences from previously described microsporidians, such as ultrastructural characteristics of the xenoma, developmental stages including the spore and phylogenetic analysis supported the recognition of a new species, herein named L. psittaca n. sp.

Hemigrammus arua, a new species of characid (Characiformes: Characidae) from the lower Amazon, Brazil

A new Hemigrammus species is described from tributaries of the igarapé Juruti Grande and rio Arapiuns, lower rio Amazonas, Pará State, Brazil. The new species can be easily diagnosed from all its congeners, except from Hemigrammus stictus (Durbin), by possessing a single, large humeral spot which extends longitudinally from the fifth or sixth to the posterior margin of eighth to tenth, lateral line scales. It can be distinguished from Hemigrammus stictus by possessing a pronounced upper, anteriorly-oriented extension in the humeral blotch, conferring an inverted-comma shape to it, and by displaying a distinct life color pattern.

Três contribuições de Emílio Goeldi (1859-1917) à arqueologia e etnologia amazônica

O texto apresenta três contribuições do zoólogo suíço Emílio Augusto Goeldi (1859-1917) à arqueologia e etnologia amazônica, publicadas em alemão entre 1900 e 1906, quando era diretor do Museu Paraense, em Belém (PA), Brasil. A primeira é um artigo de divulgação científica sobre a descoberta da cerâmica Cunani, ocorrida em 1895, no norte do Amapá, Brasil. A segunda expõe os achados arqueológicos do Museu Paraense na foz do Amazonas, área identificada como prioritária para pesquisas do gênero, incluindo as cerâmicas encontradas em Maracá (AP) e na ilha de Marajó (PA), e as estatuetas líticas originárias do Baixo Amazonas. A terceira descreve o uso dos machados de pedra pelos índios Baikiri. As três contribuições comprovam o interesse de Goeldi pelo estudo da cultura material e pela compilação de dados que permitissem um melhor arranjo dos troncos etnolinguísticos indígenas, fazendo a junção, de maneira bastante habilidosa, dos recursos intelectuais proporcionados, na época, pela etnologia, pela arqueologia e pela linguística.

Uma memória histórica da pesquisa arqueológica no Brasil (1981-2007)

This memoir gives a history of my archaeological research in Brazil and especially the theoretical issues, empirical interests, collaborations, and events that motivated it. I begin with my early course and field experiences as a student, my work as a museum curator and university professor, my research in literature, archives, and collections, and my early collaborations and interactions with other students and with scholars. Then I trace the relationship of my Venezuelan Orinoco dissertation work to my interest in the Amazon, and explain how that led subsequently to my field research in Brazil. I then summarize the work at the four regional foci of the project in the Lower Amazon of Brazil and point to what might be the theoretical implications of the results in light of the results of work by other scholars. I conclude with an explanation of how the Brazilian research relates to my preliminary research in Central Africa and conclude with the implications of the South American and African research for changing concepts of human evolution, human ecology, and culture history.

A Swiss biologist in Brazil between Rio de Janeiro and Amazonia at the fin-de-siècle

year of Emil August Goeldi’s anniversary (August 28, 1859), several events were planned in his honour, starting in February 2009 with a Belem ‘samba school’ taking as its motif for this year’s samba and for decoration of its floats, Emil Goeldi and the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi (MPEG). The school won third place in this years ranking, despite the fact that in the text of the samba Emil Goeldi was described as a “jovem cientista, zoologo, naturista” (young scientist, zoologist, naturist). Apparently the difference between a naturalist and a naturist had escaped the attention of the songwriter, but the samba was a success.Other activities planned for this year by the MPEG in Belem are an exhibition about Goeldi, the publication of a catalogue of the photo collection of MPEG that was started by Goeldi, the three issues of the “Boletim do Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi. Ciencias Humanas” will be dedicated to Goeldi, with the April issue being dedicated to the history of archeology in the Amazon basin, with three texts published by Goeldi in German translated into Portuguese, and finally there are plans for a small symposium about Brazilian-German relations in science, also dedicated to Goeldi.Nelson Sanjad, director of Communications of MPEG, trained as a journalist and a science historian, and with a vast knowledge of MPEG’s history, contributes to the honours to be bestowed upon Goeldi this year by a very well written and illustrated biography that deals with all aspects of Goeldi’s scientific and politic life, and with some flashes of his more personal family life.The book is well executed. The jacket consists of a superposition of a colourplate of Goeldi’s “Album de Aves Amazonicas”, showing a colony of red ibis, on top of a map in grey of the lower Amazon river. The layout of the book is attractive, with 21 pages in full colour (some of them showing species described by Goeldi) and many more with black and white figures. Many pages have a figure in the background, with other figures or text superimposed on it, providing a lively environment. Pictures may represent photo’s or drawings of animals, landscapes, floor plans, letters, pages from journals or books and portraits, taken from historical publications (mostly by Goeldi), and from the archives of MPEG, but also from the archives of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nelson Sanjad writes in a clear and pleasant style that makes reading a relaxing exercise, helped by the visual attractiveness of the layout.The book is divided in two parts. The first part (“Itinerary”) is a classical biography, dealing with many aspects of Goeldi’s life from birth to death. This part is subdivided in the following chapters: New roads; Doctorate and applied science; Moving to Rio de Janeiro; Applied zoology in agriculture; Conflicts in the museum;

Modelling Sustainable International Tourism Demand to the Brazilian Amazon

The Amazon rainforest is one of the world's greatest natural wonders and holds great importance and significance for the world's environmental balance. Around 60% of the Amazon rainforest is located in the Brazilian territory. The two biggest states of the Amazon region are Amazonas (the upper Amazon) and Para (the lower Amazon), which together account for around 73% of the Brazilian Legal Amazon, and are the only states that are serviced by international airports in Brazil's North region. The purpose of this paper is to model and forecast sustainable international tourism demand for the states of Amazonas, Para, and the aggregate of the two states. By sustainable tourism is meant a distinctive type of tourism that has relatively low environmental and cultural impacts. Economic progress brought about by illegal wood extraction and commercial agriculture has destroyed large areas of the Amazon rainforest. The sustainable tourism industry has the potential to contribute to the economic development of the Amazon region without destroying the rainforest. The paper presents unit root tests for monthly and annual data, estimates alternative time series models and conditional volatility models of the shocks to international tourist arrivals, and provides forecasts for 2006 and 2007.