Mata Dos Godoy State Park Research Articles

CONNECTIVITY OF THE HABITAT OF TAPIRUS TERRESTRIS (LINNAEUS, 1758) IN THE MATA DOS GODOY STATE PARK AND ITS BUFFER ZONE

This study aimed to assess the functional connectivity of Mata dos Godoy State Park (PEMG) and its buffer zone (ZA), covering an area of 38,950.45 hectares, spanning parts of the municipalities of Londrina, Arapongas, and Apucarana. The objective was to identify forest patches with enhanced connective capacity among themselves, which are utilized by Tapirus terrestris. The land use and land cover shapefile provided by the Instituto Água e Terra (IAT) was employed for spatial delineation of the studied landscape mosaic. Landscape structure analyses were conducted using ArcGIS 10.3, and functional connectivity assessments were carried out using Conefor Sensinode 2.6. This spatial delineation resulted in the functional analysis of 266 remnants of native vegetation, encompassing a wide range of area sizes, accounting for 28.75% (11,209.74 hectares) of the studied landscape mosaic. Among these patches, 255 (95.86%) were categorized as having low connectivity, 10 (3.76%) as having moderate connectivity, and only one (0.38%) as having high connectivity. The dIIC index for the high-priority patch (=78.50%) indicates that, despite the current landscape conditions differing significantly from the original state, it remains suitable for Tapirus terrestris. The most crucial habitat patch for functional landscape connectivity, considering the species' dispersal capacity of 2,000 meters, is the one encompassing PEMG. In conclusion, despite having a predominantly anthropogenic matrix, the buffer zone (ZA) of PEMG exhibits connectivity indices demonstrating a substantial degree of connectivity, primarily maintained by a single habitat patch that includes PEMG.

Allometric growth, sexual maturity, and life cycle of Aegla lata (Decapoda, Anomura), a critically endangered species

AbstractAegla lata Bond-Buckup & Buckup, 1994 is a critically endangered species, extinct in its type-locality. Its currently known geographical distribution is restricted to small streams of the lower Tibagi River Basin (Paraná state, southern Brazil), where it is vulnerable to the environmental degradation that takes place in these watersheds. Scientific knowledge on the species is limited to the original description and a few occurrence records. No information about its biology is available. Aiming to fill this gap, we investigated the relative growth, sexual maturity, sexual dimorphism, and the reproductive and recruitment periods of A. lata. Monthly sampling occurred from May 2014 through June 2015 in the Bule stream in the southern limit of Mata dos Godoy State Park, Londrina, Paraná state, Brazil (23°27ʹ20.86″S, 51°16ʹ32.44″W). The analysis of allometric growth was used to differentiate juveniles and adults. According to the development stage of the chelae, two sequential groups of adult males were recognized (morphotypes I and II). The estimated average cephalothorax length (CL) at the onset of morphometric maturity of males and females are similar, suggesting puberty molt takes place at nearly the same size in both sexes. Males and females are heterochelous, with a clear predominance of the left chela as the most developed of the pair. Both chelae are larger in adult males than in adult females of similar CL. The reproductive period is markedly seasonal, extending from the austral autumn to winter (May to August), as well as those recorded in other species of Aegla from similar latitudes. A single annual recruitment pulse was detected from October 2014 to February 2015.

Twenty-three years of bird monitoring reveal low extinction and colonization of species in a reserve surrounded by an extremely fragmented landscape in southern Brazil

Human activities have modified landscapes worldwide, promoting fragmentation and isolation of forest habitats. Such landscape modifications are responsible for changes in species composition due to extinction and colonization events. Forest species dynamism is usually affected by forest fragmentation when remaining fragments are small and isolated, but forest dynamism is usually more stable when forest fragments are large and connected. In this study we verified changes in bird composition during 23 years of bird monitoring at the Mata dos Godoy State Park (PEMG). We aimed to evaluate the avian community dynamism of this reserve, as well as its effectiveness in protecting biodiversity in an extremely fragmented landscape. We reviewed historical records of bird species composition and checked for any possible misidentifications, updated the list and created an annual data set of bird species occurrence. We used this list to evaluate species persistence, species loss, and colonization over the study period. Additionally, species were classified according to their guilds in order to determine which species traits were associated with local extinction. A total of 331 bird species were recorded in PEMG over 23 years of monitoring, 17 of which were considered locally extinct or possibly extinct, and 11 were recent local colonizations. This indicates that bird composition in PEMG has been relatively stable over the years. However, local extinction was more likely for large frugivores and insectivores, which are guilds already known to be more susceptible to local extinction. Colonizations, in turn, were associated with guilds of more open habitats, like edge insectivores. We suggest that extinctions and colonizations are also potentially related to species distribution ranges and climate change. Although local extinctions occurred, PEMG still maintains a significant fraction of its historical avifauna and may potentially maintain source populations for many bird species, thus making it an important reserve for the north of Parana.

Occupancy of different types of forest habitats by tyrant flycatchers (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae)

The abundance distribution of the tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae family) was evaluated in three main forest habitats of Mata dos Godoy State Park (PEMG), north of the state of Paraná. We conducted point counts and from the collected data we calculated the Index of Point Abundance (I. P. A.) of each species in the habitats of interior of mature forest (FLI), slope forest (FLE) and reforestation (REF). Among the 22 recorded species, eight occurred in all habitats, while other eight occurred in two habitats and six were exclusive of one habitat. Among the 16 recorded species in more than one habitat, 10 were more abundant in only one. On the contrary to our expectation and despite the clear habitat segregation among species, the abundance distribution was not significantly influenced by the foraging strategies. Maybe, phylogenetic relationships could better explain the found pattern. Some partially frugivorous species were present in REF and FLI. Those species could be considered as potential ecological restoration agents and thus to promote seed dispersal among habitats. Indeed, the greater similarity of tyrant flycatchers abundance distribution in FLI and REF indicates that these two habitats could be part of the same gradient. FLE, however, can be considered a separated habitat by its abundance of bamboo clusters and the six tyrant flycatcher species which are commonly associated with this vegetation type.

Vascular flora of the Mata dos Godoy State Park, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

The Mata dos Godoy State Park (MGSP) is a remnant of the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest in northern Paraná, with an area of 690 hectares. The MGSP flora inventory was produced from a survey of herbarium specimens deposited in the FUEL Herbarium. The result was the catalogue of 508 species, among which we screened 40 specimens of ferns and lycophytes, and the remainder was classified as angiosperms. The two richest families among the ferns were Polypodiaceae and Pteridaceae, whereas among the arboreal angiosperms, Leguminosae and Myrtaceae stood out, confirming the floristic profile of the lower Tibagi River basin. Among the species, 12 can be classified as naturalized and 21 are among the threatened species in the state of Paraná, besides the inclusion of species whose collections were reduced in Brazil. These results indicate the MGSP as an important area for the representation of the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest in northern Paraná.

Demography and structures population of Actinostemon concolor (Spreng.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) in flooded areas in Southern Brazil

The aim of this work was to analyze the size and sp atial structures and demography of Actinostemon concolor (Spreng.) Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) in the flooded areas of Mata dos Godoy State Park . Fifty plots of 100 m 2 were established and three surveys were conducted. All t he individuals were measured, mapped and divided in to categories as seedlings, juveniles and adults. The coefficient of skewness, L-function of Ripley, and the matrix population models were used in the study. The popul ation showed positive coefficient of skewness and t he individuals were distributed in groups. The populat ion growth rates ( λ) were equal or lower than 1.0 and the adult survival and recruitment of juvenile to adult were the vital rates that most affected the values of λ. Considering these results and the unpredictability of the envir onment, it could be concluded that the individual n umbers of A. concolor would fluctuate over time, but the species would re main as one of the most important in the Park.

Sensitivity of populations of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in relation to human development in northern Paraná, southern Brazil

Most natural forests have been converted for human use, restricting biological life to small forest fragments. Many animals, including some species of bats are disappearing and the list of these species grows every day. It seems that the destruction of the habitat is one of its major causes. This study aimed to analyze how this community of bats was made up in environments with different sizes and quality of habitat. Data from studies conducted in the region of Londrina, Parana, Brazil, from 1982 to 2000 were used. Originally, this area was covered by a semi deciduous forest, especially Aspidosperma polyneuron (Apocynaceae), Ficus insipida (Moraceae), Euterpe edulis (Arecaceae), Croton floribundus (Euforbiaceae), and currently, only small remnants of the original vegetation still exist. The results showed a decline in the number of species caught in smaller areas compared to the largest remnant. In about 18 years of sampling, 42 species of bats were found in the region, representing 67% of the species that occur in Paraná and 24.4% in Brazil. There were two species of Noctilionidae; 21 of Phyllostoma; 11 Vespertilionidae and eight Molossidae. Eight of these were captured only in the largest fragment, Mata dos Godoy State Park (680 ha). Ten species had a low capture rate in the smaller areas with less than three individuals. Of the total sampled, 14 species were found in human buildings, and were able to tolerate modified environments, foraging and even using them as shelter. As the size of the forest area increases, there is a greater variety of ecological opportunities and their physical conditions become more stable, i.e., conditions favorable for growth and survival of a greater number of species. Forest fragmentation limits and creates subpopulations, preserving only long-lived K-strategist animals for some time, where the supporting capacity of the environment is a limiting factor. The reduction of habitats, species and genetic diversity resulting from human activities are endangering the future adaptability in natural ecosystems, which promotes the disappearance of low adaptive potential species.

A comparison of dung beetle assemblage structure (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) between an Atlantic forest fragment and adjacent abandoned pasture in Paraná, Brazil

The study was conducted at the Mata dos Godoy State Park in Londrina, state of Paraná, Brazil. Baited pitfall traps were installed in the forest, in adjacent abandoned pasture land, and on the borders between these two environments. Every two weeks, from June 1999 to May 2000, the traps were placed for 24 hours and the material was collected every 12 hours. The 4687 specimens of Scarabaeinae collected belong to 13 genera and 27 species. The most frequent species were Onthophagus catharinensis (Paulian, 1936) (22.1%), Onthophagus hirculus (Mannerhein, 1829) (20.1%), Dichotomius mormon (Ljungh, 1799) (13.1%), Sulcophanaeus menelas (Laporte, 1840) (12.8%), and Eurystemus parallelus (Dalman, 1824) (10.6%). The other species collected amounted to less than 4.7%. The difference in numbers of specimens collected in the three environments was not significant (K(2.72) = 0.63, p = 0.729). The distribution patterns of species composition for the different environments (ANOSIM R = 0.29, p < 0.01) and activity periods (ANOSIM R = 0.18, p < 0.01) were different. Sulcophanaeus menelas, Canthidium aff. trinodosum, O. hirculus, and E. parallelus were the most abundant species, being predominantly diurnal; the first three species were more active on abandoned pasture. Most of the Dichothomius assifer (Eschscholtz, 1822) and D. mormon specimens were captured at night. The latter species was the most abundant in edges, whereas D. assifer, Scybalochantum aff. zischkai, and O. catharinensis can be considered bioindicators because they were either exclusively or highly predominant in the best preserved areas. A larger number of individuals was observed from December 1999 through March 2000, which is the time of the year when adults of Scarabaeinae normally emerge and fly, in the studied region. The highest diversity (88.89%) was observed in February.

Associação de aves a agrupamentos de bambu na porção Sul da Mata Atlântica, Londrina, Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Agrupamentos de bambu têm sido considerados relativamente importantes para um grande número de espécies de aves, principalmente na Amazônia. No presente estudo avaliamos as variações na abundância de aves associadas ao bambu Chusquea sp. em áreas com diferentes disponibilidades deste microhábitat no interior de floresta nativa, na porção sul da Mata Atlântica, Estado do Paraná. Amostragens por ponto-de-escuta foram realizadas durante 25 dias em cinco trilhas, três em áreas com agrupamentos de bambu e duas em áreas onde este microhábitat estava ausente; as trilhas diferiram na disponibilidade de bambu. As áreas de estudos foram o Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy e um fragmento florestal adjacente que, juntos, formam uma área maior que 2.000 ha no Norte do Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil. Das dezenove espécies de aves analisadas, apenas cinco foram registradas nas trilhas onde não havia bambu. Cinco espécies diminuíram significativamente suas abundâncias de acordo com a disponibilidade decrescente de aglomerados de bambu (teste-G, P &lt; 0,01). Nenhuma espécie de ave apresentou maior abundância nas trilhas onde o bambu estava ausente. Diferente da Amazônia, agrupamentos de bambu na porção sul da Mata Atlântica brasileira não formam áreas extensas, sendo encontrados mais esparsos pelo sub-bosque. Ainda assim, este microhábitat pode ser importante para a conservação de certas espécies de aves na Mata Atlântica.

Diversidade de formigas epigéicas (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) em três ambientes no Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy, Londrina, Paraná

Considerando o escasso conhecimento sobre a mirmecofauna do estado do Paraná, o presente estudo objetivou comparar as assembleias de formigas encontradas em três ambientes (mata primária, área de reflorestamento e capoeira) do Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy, Londrina, Paraná. Para as coletas foram utilizadas iscas de sardinha e armadilhas pitfalls. Foram coletadas 102 espécies, pertencentes a 38 gêneros de nove subfamílias de formigas. Myrmicinae foi a subfamília com o maior número de espécies (58 spp.), seguida por Formicinae (20 spp.), Ponerinae (9 spp.), Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae, Ecitoninae e Pseudomyrmecinae (3 espécies cada), Dolichoderinae (2 spp.) e Proceratiinae (1 espécie). Os gêneros mais ricos em espécies foram Pheidole Westwood, 1839 e Camponotus Mayr, 1861, respectivamente com 14 e 11 espécies. A mata primária apresentou os maiores valores de riqueza, número de espécies exclusivas e diversidade (92 spp., 20 spp. e H' = 3,51, respectivamente), seguida da área de reflorestamento (73 spp., 6 spp. e H' = 3,47) e capoeira (67 spp., 4 spp. e H' = 3,34). Os valores de similaridade entre os três ambientes foram próximos. A riqueza observada, em cada série de amostra, foi entre 33 e 53 espécies e a riqueza estimada foi entre 35 e 86 espécies. A ocorrência de sete guildas de formigas foi definida em espécies onívoras, predadoras especialistas, predadoras generalistas de serapilheira, formigas legionárias, arborícolas dominantes, dominantes de solo e cultivadoras de fungo.

Terrestrial passerines in an Atlantic forest remnant of Southern Brazil

Microhabitats of four terrestrial passerines were studied in an Atlantic forest remnant of southern Brazil, in two areas (northern and southern) of the Mata dos Godoy State Park (PG). Grallaria varia and Hylopezus nattereri showed low abundance and occurred in only one PG area, while Chamaeza campanisona and Corythopis delalandi were recorded in two. The microhabitats of C. campanisona, G. varia, and H. nattereri had many large trees and a dense understory. Corythopis delalandi was in areas having few large trees.

Mycorrhizal response and successional status in 80 woody species from south Brazil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonization and response were studied in seedlings of 80 native woody species belonging to different successional groups from the Tibagi River Basin, Paraná State, south Brazil. This study includes data from 43 native woody species already published. The results with 80 species did not differ from the results of the 43 species. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in plastic bags filled with a mix of subsoil (85%) and sand (15%), inoculated or not with spores of native AM fungi obtained from rhizosphere soil of different native tree species in an area with natural vegetation dominated by woody pioneer species. The successional groups were represented by 16 pioneer, 20 early secondary, 29 late-secondary and 15 climax species. The AM response and colonization in the greenhouse were 5.9 and 4.2 times greater in the early successional species than in the late-successional species, respectively. Seedlings of 49 woody species were collected in the interior under the canopy of the tropical forest of the Mata dos Godoy State Park and in a cleared area dominated by woody pioneer species. The percentage of AM colonization in the field was 54.9, 40.4, 7.2 and 3.1 for the pioneer, early secondary, late-secondary and climax species, respectively. The response to AM inoculation was strongly and directly related to AM colonization in the greenhouse and field and inversely related to seed weight. The AM colonization in the greenhouse was strongly and directly related to AM colonization in field. The late-successional species showed lower AM colonization and response than early successional species. The accentuated mycotrophism of the early successional species may be involved in their establishment, growth, survival and early forest structuring on low-fertility soils.

Spatial and temporal variation in the canopy cover in a tropical semi-deciduous forest

This study was developed in the Mata dos Godoy State Park (23° 27’S, 51° 15’W) South Brazil which present great environmental heterogeneity when its north portion (ridge) is compared with the southern portion (valley), where there are some flooded areas. The forest formation is classified as tropical semi-deciduous forest. Spatial and temporal variations in the degree of the canopy cover were compared at flooded and unflooded sites. The measures were taken seasonally in 100m² plots using a spherical densiometer from spring 1995 to winter 1996. The flooded area was more open and lighter and had a greater spatial and temporal variation in the canopy cover than the unflooded areas. The greater heterogeneity in the flooded area could be due to structural characteristics of the canopy (greater spacing between individual trees, lower canopy and less stratified canopy), more frequent natural disturbances and a greater degree of deciduousness. These causes seemed to be related to the presence of the river and flooding.

Mycorrhizal dependency, inoculum potential and habitat preference of native woody species in South Brazil

Seedlings from 43 native woody species belonging to different successional groups from the Tibagi River Basin, Paraná State, South Brazil were studied to obtain information on the importance of colonization by native arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse for 15 to 45 wk, with soil-mix treatments and four successional groups. The mycorrhizal dependency was 90, 48, 12 and 14% of the pioneer, early secondary, late secondary and climax species, respectively. The content of P, Ca and K was 20, 17 and 23 times greater, respectively, in the leaves of the pioneer species than in the other successional groups. The colonization by AM fungi in field was studied in seedlings of 36 native woody species collected in the interior of the forest of the Mata dos Godoy State Park, and in open area at the beginning of arboreal succession. The mycorrhizal colonization in the field was 55.5, 26.9, 6.1 and 2.2% for the pioneer, early secondary, late secondary and climax species, respectively. To assess the mycorrhizal inoculum potential, rhizosphere soil was collected in the interior of the forest and a gap in the same forest and in a cleared area abandoned for natural regeneration. The inoculum potentials and the spore number in the area at the beginning of succession were 5.6 and 53.4 times greater than in the interior of the forest. The results show that the initial growth of the woody species which take part in the initial phases of succession may be more dependent on the AM fungi, in soils poor in minerals, while those that make up the final succession phases may be less dependent. The potential of the AM fungi inoculum decreases throughout the successional process and there is a relation between the inoculum potential found in the field and the occurrence for the different habitats of the species of adult plants belonging to different successional groups.