Serra De Itabaiana National Park Research Articles

Avifauna of the Serra de Itabaiana National Park revisited: additions and deletions in a period of 15 years

The Serra de Itabaiana National Park (PARNASI) is known as an important conservation area in the ecotone between the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga in Northeast Brazil and is one of the main areas of fauna and flora studies in Sergipe. For this reason, there are some studies on its avifauna, which date back to its creation in 2005. However, after 15 years of establishment of PARNASI, an update of the inventory of birds is necessary due to adjustments in the management of the park. The present study aimed to update the bird inventory of the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, chronologically comparing the new ornithological records obtained, aiming to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of Sergipe's avifauna. The data were compiled from scientific publications, personal files and from documented records on a specialized website. The resulting list includes 227 bird species belonging to 49 families, including Thraupidae (28 species; 12.4%), Tyrannidae (25 species; 11.1%) and Accipitridae (17 species; 7.5%) as the most representative. The most representative guilds were insectivorous (87 species; 38.3%) and omnivorous (60 species; 26.4%), and by species independent of the forest environment (87 species; 38.3%). Fourteen bird species are threatened with extinction. Nine species are endemic to the Caatinga biome, eight to the Atlantic Forest and one to the Cerrado. We added 104 species to the first checklist produced for the PARNASI created in 2005, including Nyctibius grandis (Nyctibiidae), a new record for the state of Sergipe. PARNASI's updated list of bird species allows for a better assessment of its effectiveness in the conservation of the local avifauna, facilitating management actions that allow the coexistence and perpetuation of species over time.

Leptagrion itabaiana sp. nov. (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe state, Northeastern Brazil.

Leptagrion itabaiana sp. nov. (Brazil, Sergipe, Areia Branca, Serra de Itabaiana National Park, (10.7517 S, 37.3415 W, 179 m asl), 3.ii.2021, J.C. Santos leg.) is described, diagnosed, illustrated and compared with morphologically close congeners based on male specimens. The new species can be separated from other Leptagrion species mainly by cercus morphology.

Heteragrion lencionii (Odonata: Heteragrionidae) sp. nov. from Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Northeastern Brazil.

The Neotropical genus Heteragrion Selys, 1862 is one of the most speciose among Zygoptera. Notwithstanding, most of its species are poorly known, especially those from undersampled areas such as Northeastern Brazil. Here, we describe Heteragrion lencionii sp. nov., from protected areas of Sergipe state (Holotype ♂, Brazil, Sergipe, Areia Branca, Serra de Itabaiana National Park, -10.7484, -37.3390, 179 m, 7.xii.2020, A.B. Farias A.E. dos Santos leg., in UFS). This is only the second Heteragrion species discovered as new for the Northeastern region of Brazil, separated from other congeners by cercus morphology and thoracic coloration pattern.

Avaliação da composição, riqueza e diversidade epifítica em forófitos específicos: nativas x mangueiras

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar a composição, riqueza e diversidade epifítica entre forofíticos específicos no Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, SE. Através de dois distintos grupos forófitos (Mangifera indica L. e espécies arbóreas nativas), todas os indivíduos das espécies epifíticas foram contabilizadas e com esses dados foram realizadas as análises estatísticas. No total foram amostrados 491 indivíduos sendo 163 nas mangueiras e 328 nas nativas, A diversidade medida pelo índice de Shannon-Wiener (H’) para o forófitos da espécie Mangifera indica foi de H’ = 1,7 e nas nativas foi de H’ = 2, 27, o valor de equabilidade também foi maior nas nativas (J’ = 0,83) quando comparado com as mangueiras (J’ = 0,71). O teste de permutação ANOSIM demostrou diferenças significativas na composição de espécies epifíticas entre os dois grupos forofíticos, tanto por Jaccard (p ? 0,01), como por Bray-Curtis (p ? 0,01). Tais resultados sugerem que a presença de forófitos não nativos afeta a composição, riqueza e a diversidade de espécies epifíticas.

INVASÃO BIOLÓGICA NO PARQUE NACIONAL SERRA DE ITABAIANA, SERGIPE, BRASIL

O Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana é uma Unidade de Conservação que foi criada em 15 de junho de 2005. Apesar de sua elevada riqueza de espécies, está ameaçado devido a uma série de fatores, dentre eles a presença de espécies não nativas. Diante dessa realidade, o presente trabalho buscou responder as seguintes perguntas: (i) quantas são e quem são as espécies naturalizadas e exóticas invasoras que ocorrem no Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana? (ii) como essas espécies estão distribuídas no local? As espécies não nativas (naturalizadas e exóticas invasoras) foram coletadas, herborizadas e depositadas no herbário ASE. Com os dados de georreferenciamento foi confeccionado um mapa de manchas de invasão utilizando-se o programa Google Fusion Tables. Ao todo foram amostradas 49 espécies distribuídas em 45 gêneros e 19 famílias. Dentre elas, 16 espécies foram consideradas naturalizadas e 33 exóticas invasoras. Também se observou que os sítios com maiores manchas de espécies estão associados especialmente a ambientes antropizados. Os resultados do presente estudo são alarmantes devido à grande quantidade de espécies não nativas e especialmente pela presença de táxons que causam distintos impactos ambientais.

Chemical Attributes and Carbon Fractions in Serra de Itabaiana National Park

Abstract This study aimed to assess soil chemical attributes, organic matter fractions and carbon stocks of forest in three different regeneration stages in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe. The study was conducted in three areas: open white sands, intermediate white sands, and closed white sands, with a history of differentiated degradation. Soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm depth for chemical characterization and for fractionation of soil organic matter and C stock. The open white sands obtained the best results regarding levels of macronutrients, total organic carbon, and total soil nitrogen, as well as higher carbon/nitrogen ratio compared with intermediate white sands and closed white sands, with such effects being attributed to recent exposure to fire. Carbon concentrations in humic fractions of organic matter were little influenced by different vegetation in regeneration, except the carbon fraction of humic acid, which is more sensitive to different management and soil usage.

Nest, eggs and nestling description of the Silvery-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula luctuosa (Pelzeln, 1868) in the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil

In the present study, we describe the nest, eggs, and nestlings of the Silvery-flanked Antwren, Myrmotherula luctuosa. One nest was found on 08 May 2017 on the edge of one of the forest fragments of the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, in the state of Sergipe, northeast Brazil, and was monitored until 21 May 2017. The nest, presented the following dimensions: external height: 7.6 cm; outside diameter: 21 × 19 cm; internal diameter: 13.3 × 11 cm; depth of the oologic chamber: 4.7 cm; and height in relation to the ground: 84 cm. The two eggs found in the nest were white with reddish-brown dots, patches and stripes and weighed 1.7 and 1.5 g. Incubation was performed by both the male and female, as well as feeding of the nestlings. A single egg hatched, giving rise to a 3.9 cm, 3.7 g nestling. According to our estimates, the young fledged with about 11 days. This is the first study to present information about the reproductive biology of the Silvery-flanked Antwren.

Epífitas vasculares do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brasil

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar um levantamento florístico das epífitas vasculares do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe. A falta de pesquisa sobre epifitismo no estado de Sergipe motivou o estudo no Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana (PARNASI), que detém uma grande importância para a conservação de espécies no estado. Diante disso, o trabalho buscou responder as seguintes perguntas: quantas e quem são as espécies de epífitas vasculares que ocorrem no PARNASI?; a quais categorias ecológicas as epífitas amostradas pertencem?; e qual a similaridade florística epifítica do PARNASI com outras áreas estudadas no Brasil? O inventário foi realizado através de caminhadas por todo o local (busca ativa), com coleta, herborização e acervo, no Herbário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (ASE), de amostras de todas as espécies epífitas vasculares presentes no local. Foram coletadas 47 espécies distribuídas em 29 gêneros e 10 famílias. Os resultados da análise de similaridade demonstraram uma baixa semelhança florística entre a área de estudo e demais regiões brasileiras. O elevado número de táxons exclusivos nas áreas, estudadas e comparadas, revelam a grande importância de cada local para a conservação das espécies epífitas.

EXTRAÇÃO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE SUBSTÂNCIAS HÚMICAS AQUÁTICAS (SHA) EXTRAÍDAS DE AMOSTRAS COLETADAS NO PARQUE NACIONAL SERRA DE ITABAIANA, SERGIPE, BRASIL

Este trabalho descreve o estudo da capacidade de complexação (CC) das substâncias húmicas aquáticas (SHA) extraídas de amostras de água coletadas no Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana (Sergipe) pelos íons metálicos Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu e Pb, bem como a avaliação da concentração dos metais totais das amostras de água. Os parâmetros físicos e químicos das amostras de água foram determinados por pH, temperatura, condutividade elétrica e COD, assim como a determinação dos metais totais foram quantificados por ICP OES. As SHA foram extraídas com resina XAD 8, segundo o procedimento reconhecido pela International Humic Substances Society (IHSS), e foram caracterizadas por TGA, análise elementar e por FTIR. Posteriormente foi estudado a CC das SHA pelos íons metálicos Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn pelo método de ultrafiltração. O valor do pH da amostra estudada apresentou valor abaixo dos estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA N° 357. No entanto, o valor da condutividade elétrica está em conformidade com a Portaria N° 2914 do Ministério da Saúde. As concentrações dos metais totais estão em acordo com a Resolução CONAMA N° 357, exceto para o Pb. As SHA apresentaram três processos principais de perda de massa (de acordo com as curvas TGA/DTGA), e o espectro FTIR apresentou bandas características de SHA. A CC das SHA por íons metálicos estabeleceu a seguinte ordem decrescente: Mn(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) >> Cu(II) > Pb(II). Esses resultados reforçam que as SHA podem ser classificadas como agentes complexantes naturais que desempenham uma função importante no meio ambiente.

ESTRUTURA ARBÓREA E SAZONALIDADE DA COBERTURA DO DOSSEL EM VEGETAÇÃO FLORESTADA E ABERTA NO PARQUE NACIONAL SERRA DE ITABAIANA, SERGIPE, BRASIL

As florestas de areias brancas quartzosas constituem um tipo de ecossistema oligotrófico, cujos caracteres fitofisionômicos são afetados pela sazonalidade climática. Entre tais características está a abertura do dossel, cujas variações influenciam na distribuição espacial da luz solar no ambiente. Este estudo avaliou e comparou a estrutura da vegetação e as alterações sazonais do dossel em habitat de areias brancas do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe. Os dados foram coletados em dois ambientes: vegetação aberta de areias brancas strictu sensu (VA) e mata fechada de vegetação ripária (MR). Para estimar a densidade arbórea utilizou-se o método quadrante, no qual foram amostradas árvores com CAP ≥ 5 cm. Para avaliar a dinâmica do dossel foram estabelecidos, em cada área, dois transectos compostos por cinco pontos equidistantes 20 m, totalizando 10 pontos por ambiente. Em cada ponto foram obtidas fotografias hemisféricas do dossel nos meses de janeiro (seca) e junho (chuva). As imagens foram analisadas pelo software Gap Light Analyzer, sendo avaliadas as variáveis abertura do dossel e índice de área foliar (IAF). A vegetação ripária apresentou densidade arbórea de 498 ind ha-1 e a vegetação aberta 296 ind ha-1. Esta última, não evidenciou variações na abertura do dossel (t = 2,0146; p > 0,05) e no IAF (t = -2,0052; p > 0,05) entre os períodos de chuva (52,24% ± 18,13% e 0,68 ± 0,45) e seca (67,39% ± 15,38% e 0,36 ± 0,23). Na mata ripária, a abertura do dossel (t = 7,1739; p < 0,05) e o IAF (t = -5,1609; p < 0,05) variou entre os períodos de chuva (13,70% ± 2,24% e 2,13 ± 0,23) e seca (21,08% ± 2,36% e 1,63 ± 0,20). As diferenças observadas destacam a heterogeneidade ambiental na Serra de Itabaiana e demonstram que as formações florestais de areias bancas respondem de maneira distinta à sazonalidade hídrica deste ecossistema. Por estar localizada em uma área de ecótono entre floresta perene e Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, a mata ripária tende a perder parte de suas folhas durante o período seco. Além disso, o padrão de distribuição das plantas pode contribuir para as diferenças entre os habitat estudados.

Ectoparasites of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Atlantic forest fragments in north-eastern Brazil.

In Brazil, most studies involving parasites of bats (bat flies) treat the mid-west, south-east, and south of the country. This work aimed to characterize the ectoparasites community associated with bats in the Atlantic forest in the state of Sergipe, north-eastern Brazil. Sampling was conducted between January and June 2013 in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park (PNSI) and between November 2013 and June 2015 in the Wildlife Refuge Mata doJunco (RVSMJ). Parasitological indexes were determined, and the influence of host sex and the seasonality in prevalence rates and mean intensity for the most abundant parasites was evaluated. Some 129 parasites were collected in PNSI and 296 in RVSMJ, and 100 and 70.6%, respectively, belong to the family Streblidae. The differences in parasitological rates in Sergipe in relation to other studies may be associated with the environmental characteristics and the composition of the host community. The influence of sex and the seasonal prevalence of Speiseria ambigua and Trichobius joblingi, associated with Carollia perspicillata, may be associated with a lower rate of female captures and low sampling in the dry season. This is a pioneer study in Sergipe that reveals the occurrence of 16 species of streblids and representatives of Acari and Basilia spp., highlighting the need for more studies to increase the wealth and understanding of host-parasite associations in the state.

Analysis of genetic diversity of Laeliinae (Orchidaceae) in the State of Sergipe using ISSR markers

The Orchidaceae represent one of the largest and most diverse families on the planet. However, this family is constantly threatened by predators and by the advancement of urban centers over its natural habitats. The objective of this study was to use inter-simple sequence repeat markers to evaluate the genetic diversity between orchid accessions of the Laeliinae subtribe, which comprise part of the Orchidaceae study collection at the Department of Agronomic Engineering of the Federal University of Sergipe. DNA was extracted from each specimen by using an adapted 2% cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide protocol. Similarity between individuals was calculated using the Jaccard method. Clustering was carried out by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean method, with resampling and 10,000 bootstraps. Eighty-seven fragments were obtained, all of which were polymorphic, revealing high variability between accessions. The mean similarity was 35.77% between Encyclia sp individuals, and 35.90% between specimens of Cattleya tigrina. For Epidendrum secundum, a relationship between geographic and genetic distances was observed, and the accession collected in the southern part of the State of Sergipe (Serra de Itabaiana National Park) was more divergent than that of the other parts of the state. The data generated in this study will guide further research aimed at the ex situ conservation of these materials.

Activity and space use of Tropidurus semitaeniatus (Iguania) in an area of Atlantic Forest, Northeastern Brazil

Thermal variability and composition of available micro-habitats influence directly on the activity patterns of lizards, generating specific temperature regulation and resource allocation. Aspects of natural history of Tropidurus semitaeniatus , such as daily and seasonal activity and habitat use, were studied in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, state of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil. Between January and December 2008, lizards were captured by contention necklaces. Specimens of T. semitaeniatus were observed throughout the year, with relatively constant activity patterns. However, there was seasonal variation with lower number of observations in the beginning and at the end of the day during the rainy season in relation to the dry season. Individuals were usually observed on sunny days, exposed to direct sunlight. They were usually found on the surface of rocks, running after the observer’s approach, in most cases getting on this same substrate. In the coolest hours of the day, lizards prefer to escape to rock crevices, demonstrating less tolerance to the observer’s approach while at unfavorable thermal moments. We conclude that Tropidurus semitaeniatus activity is affected by seasonality and they choose refuges according to their daily thermal needs. Keywords: micro-habitat, thermoregulation, activity time.

Aspectos da História Natural de Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Iguania: Tropiduridae) em área de Mata Atlântica, nordeste do Brasil

Seasonality, pattern of activity, habitat composition and temperature are factors that exert strong influence on the lives of lizards. Aspects of the natural history (daily and seasonal activity and habitat and microhabitat use) of Tropidurus hispidus were studied in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, northeastern Brazil. Lizards were caught by noosing between April 2008 and March 2009. Specimens of Tropidurus hispidus were observed throughout the year with higher records in the warmer months (April 2008 and March 2009). They were principally observed in sunny days and were mainly exposed to direct sunlight. The specimens were usually motionless on rocky surfaces but ran after the observer’s approach, hiding in various substrates such as rocks, soil, and bromeliads, among others. Lizards were active throughout the day, with a peak between 8h e 11h. Our results show that the behavior of T. hispidus is affected by seasonality variations, resulting in different patterns of behavior throughout the year.Keywords: Seasonality, microhabitat, niche, lizards.

Dynamics of the production and decomposition of litterfall in a brazilian northeastern tropical forest (Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe State)

This study was carried out in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park from October, 2006, to October, 2007. The main objective was to quantify litterfall production and analyze decomposition rates in a tropical seasonal semideciduous forest. Forty 0.25 m² collectors were used to quantify the litterfall and 36 litterbags to record the rate of decomposition of the foliar biomass. The total litterfall production was 8.6 ton ha -1 in 11 months, of which 54.6% of leaves. The constant of leaf decomposition (K) was 0.52, and the half-life of the leaf biomass was estimated to be 495 days. A significant correlation was observed between leaf fall and monthly precipitation, but no relationship was found between decomposition rates and rainfall.

Two new species of Cryptothecia from NE Brazil

AbstractThe new species Cryptothecia fabispora and C. lichexanthonica are described from NE Brazil. The first has domed asci with two large, reniform ascospores and the thallus contains psoromic acid. The second contains lichexanthone and has globose asci. Cryptothecia fabispora was found at the Serra de Itabaiana National Park which represents one of the few rainforest remnants in the state, and is a transitional area with Mata Atlantica influence and also open vegetation spots like Caatinga. It was also found in Caxiuaná in Amazonian Para and may well occur elsewhere. Cryptothecia lichexanthonica was collected at Vale do Catimbau National Park in Pernambuco, which is in a Caatinga area.

Rainfall analysis and its influence in forest fire occurrence in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe, Brazil

Rainfall analysis and its influence in forest fire occurrence in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe, Brazil

Characterization of interactions between natural organic matter and metals by tangential-flow ultrafiltration and ICP OES

Molecular size fractionation of the natural organic matter (NOM) in water samples from the Serra de Itabaiana National Park (Brazil) was used to characterize the temporal behavior of metal ion complexation. A special five-stage tangential-flow ultrafiltration device was used to separate NOM in six size fractions (F1: > 100; F2: 100-50; F3: 50-30; F4: 30-10; F5: 10-5; F6: > F3 > F2 = F4 > F6 > F5. Fractions F2 and F5 were the most humified, and F6 the least. New distributions of DOC and metals were observed after 30 days when high concentrations of metals were added to filtered samples. Highest DOC was still found in F1, with carbon contents decreasing in the following order: F1 > F2 > F3 > F4 > F5 > F6. The studied metals presented similar and homogeneous distributions in all fractions. Values of log K were similar for samples in natura and 30 days after addition of metals (7.1 and 7.0, 6.6 and 6.9, and 7.2 and 7.0 for Al, Cu and Fe-NOM, respectively), indicating a new dynamic equilibrium in the metals distribution after 30 days. The species formed between NOM and spiked metals showed distribution patterns that changed as a function of complexation time, indicating a transformation of the NOM binding sites, suggesting that the collective effect of the fractions is more important than individual site properties, and confirming that the most humified fractions exert a large influence on the complexation of metals in aquatic environments.

Florística e estrutura da vegetação arbustivo-arbórea das Areias Brancas do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana/Sergipe, Brasil

The Serra de Itabaiana National Park is distinguished by its phytophysiognomic diversity, among which, a locally known as Areias Brancas (white sands), an open vegetation, ranging from herb-shrub to shrub-tree and classified by some authors as restinga or cerrado, depending on its size. Aiming to characterize and classify vegetational type were selected two sites in Areias Brancas of Serra de Itabaiana National Park and built a list following deposited material in the ASE Herbarium and additional sampling. To the phytosociological study it was used the wandering quarter method, sampling all individuals with trunk circumference (> 15 cm) at breast height (1.30 m). It was verified, at the Areias Brancas, the occurrence of 193 species belonging to 145 genera and 60 families that are mostly represented by herb and shrub species. It is noticeable the high number of species found in Areias Brancas when compared with studies conducted throughout the National Park. There are significant floristic similarity between sampling sites, but structurally the two areas should be considered as different sucessional faces, due to variations in density, height and dominance. Even with plant species in common, the Areias Brancas of the National Park can not be classified as restinga or cerrado for not having common origins for these formations. The Areias Brancas should be considered as an ecological refuge, an azonal vegetation derived from the special conditions of substrate formation.

Floristic inventory of a zone of ecological tension in the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract The Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe, is situated in a transition area between Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga and is considered by the Ministério do Meio Ambiente to be extremely important for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest flora. The paucity of floristic information from Sergipe state and areas of ecological tension motivated this floristic survey in the only National Park in the state. Botanical collections were made from 2006 to 2009, in six expedictions, by means of random walking. A total of 552 species distributed in 99 families of angiosperms and one gymnosperm were found. Of the species collected, 187 occurred in shrubby-herbaceous, 304 in shrubby, and 247 in arborescent physiognomy, with 23 common to all physiognomies. Leguminosae (41 spp.), Cyperaceae (40 spp.), Poaceae (38 spp.), Orchidaceae (30 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (27 spp.), Rubiaceae (24 spp.), Melastomataceae (21 spp.) and Bromeliaceae (20 spp.) were the richest families. The study revealed the presence of species in common with the Caatinga, Cerrado, Seasonal Forest, campo rupestre, restinga, tabuleiro and areas of ecological tension, corroborating floristically the classification of the locality as an area of ecological tension and reasserting its importance for the conservation of biodiversity.