Passa Quatro Research Articles

The origin of the Daly gap by fractional crystallization in a transcrustal plumbing system in the Passa Quatro alkaline complex (SE Brazil)

ABSTRACT The surface gap of tephriphonolite compositions in the Passa Quatro alkaline complex, in SE Brazil, is attributed to non-buoyancy of these high viscosity intermediate compositions during magmatic fractional crystallization at different depths. Thermodynamic and Rayleigh models for three alkaline suites of a strongly silica-undersaturated series were integrated to demonstrate that parental (basanite, nephelinite and alkaline basalt) and residual (phonolites) magmas are cogenetic by fractional crystallization at pressures of 10 kbar and 5 kbar, i.e. at magma chambers located above and below the Conrad discontinuity within the Upper Cretaceous-Palaeogene 40 km-thick continental crust in SE Brazil. The fractional crystallization of the parental magmas produced an ultramafic residual solid (wehrlite, olivine-bearing clinopyroxenite and clinopyroxenite) and residual liquids (evolved basanite and alkaline basalt, and phonotephrite). The latter moved up and built magma chambers at lower depths in the continental crust where those magmas initially crystallized clinopyroxenite extracts and high viscosity residual liquid that was entrapped and prevented to ascent towards the surface. Then, an abrupt change in the extract mineralogy produced a feldspathic-rich extract (leucocratic leucite monzosyenite, mesocratic syenite or leucocratic monzodiorite) and a residual phonolitic liquid with low viscosity. Following the feldspar crystallization, the magma viscosity decreased, acquiring adequate buoyancy that resulted in shallow-crust magma chambers in which phonolite diversification took place. These processes occurred due to the existence of a transcrustal, plumbing architecture where the high viscosity intermediate tephriphonolites were prevented to reach shallower depths, resulting in the Daly gap observed in the Passa Quatro Alkaline Complex.

The Late Cretaceous alkaline magmatism in the SE Brazilian coast: new paleomagnetic data and age constraints

Alkaline dikes from the Santos-Rio de Janeiro coast, SE Brazil, mainly from São Sebastião and Búzios islands, yielded a Late Cretaceous paleomagnetic pole (SR) located at 319.7°E 81.2°S (N = 44, A95 = 3.0°, k = 44). This pole includes some sites of alkaline stocks from São Sebastião Island of the same age and supersedes the previous pole for this island. To match the available radiometric ages and the prevailing normal polarity remanence of the rocks with the geomagnetic polarity time scale, the SR pole is placed at 84 Myr. Another group of alkaline rocks, dikes located mainly in Rio de Janeiro, was assigned an age of less than 70 Myr. The ages of the Poços de Caldas, Itatiaia, and Passa Quatro paleomagnetic poles are also discussed based on available radiometric data. Assuming a rigid plate, the SR pole indicates the southward movement of about 7° with virtually no rotation between 100 and 84 Myr. From approximately 84 to 70 Myr, a clockwise rotation of 8° is postulated, with slight variation in latitude.

Pygidiapion De Sousa amp; Mermudes, a new genus of Apioninae (Brentidae: Apioninae: Apionini) associated with Fabaceae from Brazil, with the description of a new species and transfer of Apion zikani Heller, 1922.

The genus Pygidiapion De Sousa Mermudes gen. n., described and illustrated here, includes two species from Brazil: the type-species Pygidiapion zeppelinii De Sousa Mermudes sp. n. (type-locality: João Pessoa, Paraiba state), which develops in flower buds of Pterocarpus violaceus Vogel (Fabaceae); and Pygidiapion zikani (Heller, 1922) comb. n. (from Apion) (type-locality: Passa Quatro, Minas Gerais state), which develops in flower buds of Dalbergia foliolosa Benth. (Fabaceae). Pygidiapion is defined by the following set of characters: rostrum of males with two elongate longitudinal and punctate latero-ventral sulci; hind wings with small radial window; hypomeral lobes divided by median suture and sternellum distinctly exposed; meso- and metatibiae mucronate; pygidium of the apionine incomplete type; and tegminal plate fused with basal piece. Pygidiapion zeppelinii is diagnosed by: meso- and metatibiae mucronate; pygidium distinctly modified, with deep transverse dorsal sulcus, medially deeper and rounded, and proximal marginal rim angulate (apical flange), corresponding to the distal margin, which is emarginate; tegminal plate fused to basal piece, apical portion of parameroid lobes weakly notched medially, each side of suprafenestral plate with five macrochaetae, fenestral width 1.25 times length, separated by about 3.2 times fenestral width, linea arquata visible, prostegium protruding medially, tegminal apodeme 0.76 as long as basal piece, with apex narrow and rounded. Pygidiapion zikani is distinguished from P. zeppelinii by smaller size; head, rostrum and antennae brownish; scutellum subquadrate; and by association with Dalbergia spp. (Fabaceae). Association principally with the papilionoid group of Fabaceae suggest allocation of the new taxon to the subtribe Oxystomatina.

Tortoise beetles of an Atlantic Forest remnant in south Minas Gerais, Brazil: host plants and life history

ABSTRACT The diversity and natural history of Cassidinae s. str (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), popularly known as tortoise beetles, were recorded in a 335 ha remnant area of Atlantic Forest in Passa Quatro, south of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is the first inventory with beetles conducted within this conservation unit. Tortoise beetles and their host plants were collected manually at weekly visits conducted between November 2015 and December 2017. Biological and behavioural characteristics of these organisms were obtained. Forty-six species of tortoise beetles were identified, belonging to 23 genera and five tribes. New records include 13 species of cassidines for the state of Minas Gerais, the first host plant 22 record for nine species of beetles, and 15 new host plants for ten species of cassidines. The most common tribes were Cassidini (n = 22) and Mesomphaliini (n = 20). Identification of host plants was possible, at least at the family level, for 40 of the 46 cassidine species collected. The dominant host plant families were Convolvulaceae (43%) and Asteraceae (19%). The biological and behavioural findings are discussed by relating them to the defensive mechanisms that have been described or hypothesised previously in the literature. The present paper is a novel contribution to the tortoise beetle diversity studies in Brazil, as well as their natural history and life cycle within the Atlantic Forest, a diverse and endangered Neotropical biome.

Natural history and population dynamics of the subsocial tortoise beetle Omaspides (Paromaspides) brunneosignata Boheman 1854 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)

ABSTRACT Herbivorous insects have their density limited by biotic and abiotic factors, which influence their survival. For subsocial tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) little is known about natural history and what factors affect their densities, although they are promising models for ecological and evolutionary studies. We described (1) the biology, behaviour and natural enemies of Omaspides (P.) brunneosignata Boheman 1854 (Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini); (2) its population density, and (3) the possible correlation between its density and climatic factors (temperature and precipitation) and host plant, Ipomoea syringifolia Meisn. 1869 (Convolvulaceae). The study was conducted in the Floresta Nacional de Passa Quatro, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from: October/2010 to May/2011, to investigate the species life cycle and the population dynamics, correlating the density to the climatic variables and from October/2016 to January/2018, when population dynamics was monitored again, and the density was correlated to the climatic variables and phenology of the host plant. Parental care was observed only by the female of O. (P.) brunneosignata, which cares for the offspring for approximately 48 days, the total duration of immature development. Maternal care was fundamental in the egg stage, because in the absence of the female, all the egg masses were predated, mainly by ants. Immatures were predated and/or parasitised by Hymenoptera (ants, wasps) and Coccinellidae beetles. Omaspides (P.) brunneosignata is a bivoltine species, being abundant during the hot and rainy months and not being observed in the dry and cold season, a similar pattern to that of other cassidines of mountainous tropical areas in Brazil. The density did not correlate with the climatic variables or with the leaf density of the host plant. Other factors are discussed as possible causes for the population fluctuation of the species.

Fenologia, biometria e precocidade de plantas de caju arbóreo do Cerrado (<i>Anacardium othonianum</i> Rizz.)

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos analisar o comportamento fenológico do caju arbóreo do Cerrado (Anacardium othonianum Rizz.), relacionando a fenologia às condições meteorológicas do período e do local estudado, obtendo-se também dados biométricos das plantas, a fim de selecionar plantas precoces e indicá-las para um estudo de melhoramento genético, de forma a contribuir para uma futura domesticação da espécie. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em populações de caju da espécie Anacardium othonianum Rizz., oriundas das regiões norte, oeste, centro-leste do Estado de Goiás, um município do Tocantins e um da Bahia, e implantadas na área da Escola de Agronomia da Universidade Federal de Goiás (EA/UFG), em Goiânia - GO. Entre os períodos de 2012 e 2013 foram coletados dados mensais das fenofases de folhação, floração e frutificação. Para fins de estabelecer correlação, as médias mensais de temperatura máxima, temperatura mínima, temperatura média, umidade relativa, precipitação e insolação foram coletadas na Estação Evaporimétrica de Primeira Classe da EA/UFG. Dados biométricos como altura e diâmetro das plantas também foram realizadas de forma mensal. Nos meses de março, abril e maio há maior ocorrência de emissão de folhas novas; já para a floração o pico ocorreu no mês de julho, não apresentando correlação com nenhum dos dados climáticos relacionados. A altura das plantas variou entre 4,0 cm a 380,0 cm e o diâmetro de caule de 1,5 mm a 94 mm. Apenas três plantas produziram frutos durante o período de estudo. Progênies da UFG e da região de São Miguel do Passa Quatro se destacaram quanto à precocidade e produção de frutos, podendo ser indicadas para um futuro trabalho de melhoramento genético.

The Transition from Miaskitic to Agpaitic Rocks, as Highlighted by the Accessory Phase Assemblages in the Passa Quatro Alkaline Complex (SouthEastern Brazil)

The Transition from Miaskitic to Agpaitic Rocks, as Highlighted by the Accessory Phase Assemblages in the Passa Quatro Alkaline Complex (SouthEastern Brazil)

Influência entre relação de radiação fotossinteticamente ativa e radiação global na produtividade primária bruta para Santa Rita do Passa Quatro - SP

This work aims to establish a relationship between the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and the global radiation (Rg) for Santa Rita do Passa Quatro (SP), during the period from February 2005 to February 2006 and evaluate its impact on gross primary production (GPP). Data of Rg (Wm-2) and PAR (μmols s-1m-2) were obtained from the mirometeorological tower located in Gleba Cerrado Giant Foot. Data analysis allowed the establishment of a linear equation to express the relationship between PAR (MJ m-2) and Rg (MJ m-2) as: PAR = 0.3787 Rg or PAR = 1.742 Rg, for PAR (μmols s-1m-2) and Rg (MJ m-2). This relationship is indicated for the GPP determination when there is no PAR measurements.

Life history of Paraselenis (Spaethiechoma) dichroa (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) in natural conditions of Atlantic Forest from Brazil

ABSTRACTCassidinae Gyllenhaal​ is the second largest subfamily of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera), which presents characteristic morphology, biology and behaviour. The current study describes the life cycle of Paraselenis(Spaetiechoma) dichroa (Germar), ​determining biological and behavioural aspects as well as the action of natural enemies on populations, when the species has maternal care. The study was conducted between February and April 2015 in the National Forest of Passa Quatro, municipality of Passa Quatro, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Daily observations were made (morning and afternoon) to evaluate the offspring of females on Ipomoea sp. and Merremia macrocalyx (O’Donell​) (Convolvulaceae), as well as the actions of natural enemies on the young. The eggs are deposited on the midrib and abaxial surface of leaves (n = 25). Egg clusters are pedunculated, arranged in groups and devoid of any cover. On average, each female produced 27.3 ± 5.6 (n = 16) eggs, with a mean incubation period of 12.7 ± 2.9 days (n = 10 females with their young). The larvae remained grouped in the leaves throughout development, except when they fed. They retained faeces and exuviae as a stacked faecal structure on their mobile urogomphi (caudal process) like a faecal shield. The mean number of larvae per female was 12.7 ± 10.1 (n = 19) and the larval period lasted 24.9 ± 4.5 days (n = 12). Pupation occurred on the stem of the plant (n = 16). On average there were 8.1 ± 8.5 individuals for pupae progeny (n = 14). The mean duration of the pupal stage was 10.4 ± 3.3 days (n = 5). Overall, 3% of adults emerged (n = 13 individuals), with a total cycle time of 41.3 ± 8.4 days (n = 6). Adults are sexually dimorphic in the elytral shape. Females remain with the offspring throughout development. The natural enemies of immatures were Emersonella pubipennis Hansson​ (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Tachinidae (Diptera) and Stiretrus decastigmus (Herrich-Schaeffer​) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Conura sp. Spinola​ (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) and Brachymeria sp. Westwood​ (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae). The information presented here on the natural history of P. dichroa are important as they may serve as a starting point to understand evolutionary questions and multispecies interactions.

Evidências de atividade neotectônica nos maciços alcalinos de Itatiaia e Passa Quatro, sul de Minas Gerais

This paper aims to present and discuss neotectonic activity in the alcaline massifs of Itatiaia e Passa Quatro in its part situated in the Minas Gerais State through structural analysis techniques (geomorphic indexes, lineament extraction) and investigation of topographic levels entending to establish connections to geomorphic surfaces the exist in the area. The results recognized a recent and active tectonic, acting on the deformation of geomorphologic surfaces and on the relief’s and drainage’s configuration.

Caracterização fisiográfica e de uso das terras da região de Luiz Antônio e Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, com o uso de sensoriamento remoto e SIG

Neste trabalho, caracterizamos uma região de aproximadamente 82 655 ha, nos municípios de Luiz Antônio e Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, quanto aos aspectos físicos, vegetacionais e de uso humano, e delimitamos na paisagem unidades homogêneas que pudessem ser utilizadas no planejamento regional; verificamos a existencia de associação entre o uso das terras e a fisiografia regional. Por meio de SIG identificamos unidades homogêneas de paisagem, conforme suas características de relevo, solo, uso das terras e vegetação nativa. O teste de X2mostrou associações significativas entre os usos das terras e a fisiografia, sendo mais importante o tipo de solo. Seis unidades homogêneas de paisagem foram identificadas e, na maioria delas, os usos das terras estão adequados às características fisiográficas. Atividades agropecuárias e agroflorestais também estão presentes em áreas de uso considerado restrito, onde se recomenda a substituição dos atuais usos.

Biology ofOmaspides pallidipennisBoheman, 1854 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)

The biology and the feeding habits of the subsocial speciesOmaspides pallidipenniswere studied at the Floresta Nacional de Passa Quatro, MG, Brazil, during the period from October 2010 to April 2011. The species was bivoltine, beginning its reproductive and food cycle in October (spring) and seeking its diapause sites in April (autumn). The juveniles took 54.4 days on average to complete their development, a period in which the female remained close to offspring, only feeding during the larval stage of the juveniles. It is a monophagous species, feeding only onIpomoea albaLinnaeus (Convolvulaceae). In the first cycle, the average number of eggs was55.7±15.5eggs per egg cluster (n=1,837 eggs in 33 clusters) and in the second it was61.6±14.2eggs per egg cluster (n=5,607 eggs in 91 clusters). Oviposition peaks were observed in the months of November and February. The average durations of the incubation period and the larval and the pupal development in the first cycle were19.2±1.4;26.0±1.5;8.7±0.8days, respectively. In the second cycle they wrere16.7±1.4;27.0±2.4;10.2±1.5days, respectively.

AMBIENTES DE OCORRÊNCIA NATURAL DE MACAÚBA

Acrocomia aculeata, a palm tree common in the Brazilian Savannah region, has been increasingly drawing attention for its high fruit yield and several uses, such as food for humans, fodder, and oil source. The objective of this research was to characterize natural A. aculeata environments in the central and southern Goiás State, Brazil. Ten areas, in seven municipalities (Santa Cruz de Goiás, São Miguel do Passa Quatro, São Francisco de Goiás, Paraúna, Jandaia, Indiara, and Jaraguá), were selected. Soil samples made up of ten subsamples were used for chemical and physical characterization of each area, and toposequences were briefly described and classified. Climatic data were obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology through climate normals. Descriptive statistics and correlations among soil fertility variables were calculated. Data showed that A. aculeata occurs in soils with more than 50% of base saturation, considered eutrophic, with medium to high fertility and high potassium levels. Its populations are present in areas with total annual rainfall of 1,300-1,700 mm and corrected annual average air temperature of 21.5-22.5ºC. Areas with a predominance of cambisols and neosols, with medium texture and in the convex slope, talus, and concave slope of the landscape presented higher plant density.

Albedo à superfície a partir de imagens Landsat 5 em áreas de cana-de-açúcar e cerrado

Propôs-se, neste trabalho, estimar dados de albedo à superfície terrestre usando-se o sensor Thematic Mapper (TM) do satélite LANDSAT 5 e compará-lo com dados de duas estações agrometeorológicas localizadas em região de Cerrado e a outra em cultivo da cana-de-açúcar. A região de estudo está localizada no município de Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, Brasil. Para a realização do estudo obtiveram-se seis imagens orbitais do satélite Landsat 5 sensores TM, na órbita 220 e ponto 75, nas datas de 22/02, 11/04, 29/05, 01/08, 17/08 e 21/11, todas do ano de 2005, a que correspondem os dias juliano de 53, 101, 149, 213, 229 e 325, respectivamente. As correções geométricas para as imagens foram realizadas e geradas as cartas de albedo. O algoritmo SEBAL estimou satisfatoriamente os valores de albedo de superfícies sobre áreas de cerrado e de cana-de-açúcar, na região de Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, consistentes com observações realizadas do albedo à superfície.

Nutritional deficiency in citrus with symptoms of citrus variegated chlorosis disease

It is well known that citrus plants that have been infected by Xylella fastidiosa display nutritional deficiencies, probably caused by production of extracellular polymers by the bacteria that block normal nutrient flow through the xylem. The aim of this work was to study the mineral composition of specific foliar areas in different stages of infection in citrus. Thus, the concentrations of macro and micronutrients in leaves of citrus infected by X. fastidiosa were measured. Samples from four infected citrus orchards in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, were respectively collected from Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, Neves Paulista, Gavião Peixoto and Paraíso counties. The presence of X. fastidiosa in leaves was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific PCR primers. To understand the variation in leaf-nutrient content in citrus plants, we used foliar nutrient values from control (non-symptomatic) plants as a reference. Chemometric analysis showed that the deficiency of P and K in symptomatic trees for all orchards and high concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn were observed in chlorotic areas, although other studies revealed deficiency of zinc in leaves. This is the first report showing that a correlation between chlorotic citrus leaf and higher concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn are observed when infected and healthy plants were compared.

Bee communities (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) of the “Cerrado” ecosystem in São Paulo State, Brazil

Five surveys of the bee communities in four "Cerrado" ecosystem reserves in São Paulo State were compared for species richness and similarity. These areas are fragment vegetation reser-ves located in the Cerrado Corumbataí Reserve (Corumbataí), Jataí Ecological Park (Luiz Antônio), Cajuru (Cajuru), and Vassununga State Park - "Gleba de Cerrado de Pé-de-Gigante" (Santa Rita do Passa Quatro). The methodology consisted of capturing bees foraging on flowers along transects, though with small differences between surveys. These "cerrado" areas have a large number of species of native bees, which are important pollinators in several Brazilian ecosystems. The community of bees varied among these different fragments. Based on 500 individuals (standardized by rarefaction), Cajuru, Corumbataí 1 and Corumbataí 2 were the areas with highest species richness, and Jataí and Pé-de-Gigante had the lowest species richness in the bee communities. The bee faunas of Corumbataí 2 and Pé-de-Gigante had the highest similarity, forming a group with the bee fauna of Cajuru. The bee faunas of Corumbataí 1 and Jataí were isolated from this group. We found that the bee species richness and similarity found in these "cerrado" areas cannot be explained by general factors such as the size of the fragment, the species richness of plants and the distance between the areas. Therefore, we suppose that local factors that differ among areas, such as interactions between populations, and competition and interference from surrounding areas influence and determine bee species richness and similarity in these reserves.

MORFOMETRIA DO RELEVO NA BACIA DO RIO DA CACHOEIRA NO CONTEXTO DO PLANO DE MANEJO DA FLORESTA NACIONAL DE PASSA QUATRO (MG)

Este artigo mostra aspectos morfométricos do relevo (declividade, dissecação vertical e dissecação horizontal) na bacia do rio da Cachoeira, área da Floresta Nacional de Passa Quatro (MG) sob coordenação do IBAMA como subsídio ao plano de manejo.

Leaf development in Xylopia aromatica (Lam) Mart. (Annonaceae): implications for palatability to Stenoma scitiorella Walker 1864 (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae)

Variations in specific foliar mass and water content, nitrogen, soluble carbohydrates and tannins were studied during the growth and maturation processes of the Xylopia aromatica leaves, to determine the effects of such alterations on the herbivory of Stenoma scitiorella caterpillars. This work was carried out in the physiognomy of the typical cerrado of the Parque Estadual de Vassununga, Gleba Pé-de Gigante, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, São Paulo State, Brazil. While nutritional quality (water and nitrogen) decreases during expansion and maturation of Xylopia aromatica leaves, the chemical (tannins) and physical (sclerophylly) defenses are raised. In agreement with the observations on herbivory, the results support the hypothesis that the reduction in palatability and increase in chemical defenses of Xylopia aromatica leaves account for the caterpillars' preference for young expanding leaves.

The perception of environmental impacts by teachers of the Primary Level associated to the soil use and occupation

The current model of development based mainly on the conversion of natural areas in agricultural areas is consideredthe main way human activities produce environmental impacts and it constitutes a constant threat to biodiversity. Its cause may beassociated to the level of understanding and perception society has of relationships between environmental problems and regionalproduction activities. Thus, the investigation of environmental perception constitutes an essential tool for research projects regardinghuman-environment relationships and environmental management. The objective of this work was to investigate the perception ofenvironmental impacts by a group of teachers of the Primary Level in towns near the Ecological Station of Jatai (Luiz Antonio, Rincao,Santa Rita do Passa Quatro e Sao Simao, SP). Environmental perception of these teachers had an explict content of lived experiencesregarding the environmental impacts sometimes associated to the local standards of soil use. So, the results of this investigation madepossible to identify the values of the region in the technical and human context, essential to establish the specific objectives of aneffective Program of Environmental Education aiming a unity of conservation.

Carnivore mammals in a fragmented landscape in northeast of São Paulo State, Brazil

Sao Paulo is the most developed state in Brazil and little of its native vegetation remains. In Luiz Antonio and Santa Rita do Passa Quatro municipalities, only small fragments of cerrado (Brazilian savanna) physiognomies (cerradao, cerrado sensu stricto) and of semideciduous forest have been left, surrounded by eucalyptus silviculture and sugar-cane agriculture. However, that vegetation mosaic still shelters large mammals, including several carnivore species. To detect the carnivores present in such a mosaic area (50,000 ha), and to find out how they use the landscape, we recorded them through 21 camera traps and 21 track plots, during 18 months. Species richness, diversity and relative frequency were evaluated according to the habitat. Ten species were recorded, some of them locally threatened to extinction (Puma concolor, Leopardus pardalis, Chrysocyon brachyurus). Species diversity did not significantly differ among fragments, and although most species preferred one or another habitat, the carnivore community as a whole explored all the study area regardless of the vegetation cover; eucalyptus plantations were as used by the carnivores as the native fragments. Therefore, it seems possible to maintain such animals in agricultural landscapes, where some large native fragments are left and the matrix is permeable to native fauna.