Southern Bahia State Research Articles

A new Anthurium (Araceae) species with silver leaves from Bahia Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Anthurium argyrophyllum, a new species from the Atlantic Forest is described, illustrated and its morphological affinities with other species are discussed. This species is only known from cocoa agroforests in Southern Bahia State, Brazil.

Dichorisandra flesheri (Commelinaceae), a new delicate species from South Bahia, Brazil

We describe, discuss, and illustrate Dichorisandra flesheri, a new species endemic to the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia state, Brazil, based on field and herbarium studies. The species was assessed as ‘Endangered’, especially for its restricted distribution and differs strongly from other species of the genus by a set of characters that includes stem, leaves and inflorescence with a hairy indument, a pendulous inflorescence and flowers with six stamens, anthers slightly sagittate at base, yellowish, opening introrsely with longitudinal slits, but functionally poricidal. Discussion of relevant characters, comparisons with similar species, descriptions, distribution map of the species, information on conservation status and illustrations are provided.

How and why did the transition process towards a fully sustainable production of cocoa beans in Bahia (Brazil) take place?

Abstract This paper theoretically models and empirically assesses the sociotechnical transition process experienced by a group of producers in southern Bahia State (Brazil). Driven by the search for economic sustainability in cocoa production, this group has achieved full sustainability through production chain upgrading, enabling the agroforestry system’s (cabruca) continuity in their properties. In order to understand how and why this process happened, our conceptual model advances on the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework, as it is an applied way of analyzing different niche transformations within the same regime, a typical situation in agrifood systems in emerging markets. Our analyses and empirical evidence suggest that interpersonal relationships play a crucial role in this process, particularly developing concepts and strategies, and in establishing operational structures. Rules and structure formalization may replace interpersonal relationships, as observed when the transition goes forward. Our findings evidence knowledge gathering, cooperation among actors, and information and support exchanging as critical factors to trigger the niche transition process.

Helminths of Wied's marmoset (Callithrix kuhlii (Coimbra-Filho, 1985) (Primates: Callitrichidae)) from the Atlantic Forest, Southern Bahia State, Brazil.

Callithrix kuhlii is present in forest mosaics, edge habitats, and abandoned fields in the Atlantic Forest. In Bahia and Minas Gerais. This study aimed to identify helminths from C. kuhlii and relate them to the clinical data, weights, and indices of the liver and gonads. Necropsies were performed on 13 adult marmosets that were run over on the BA-001 highway. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to describe the relationships between the variables investigated. Fifty-one helminths were collected from 30.77% (4/13) of the marmosets analyzed. Helminths were classified based on their morphological and morphometric characteristics. Primasubulura jacchi (Marcel, 1857), Platynosomum illiciens (Dougherty, 1946), and Prosthenorchis confusus (Dougherty, 1946) were the species identified, with prevalence rates of 7.69%, 7.69%, and 15.38%, respectively. In addition, this is a new host record of P. confusus. The two main axes of the PCA explained a high variability (PCA=67.7%), indicating reduced weight and indices of the organs of parasitized animals. This study expands the knowledge on parasites of C. kuhlii and its vulnerability to parasites, contributing to constructing an epidemiological profile of environmental health.

Systematic position and conservation aspects of Melinaea mnasias thera (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae)

The tribe Ithomiini (Nymphalidae: Danainae) includes nearly 400 species of butterflies distributed from Mexico to Northern Argentina, and adults of all species are aposematic and the main models in several Neotropical mimicry rings. The subtribe Melinaeina, a small group composed of five genera of large ithomiines, is the sister group of all remaining groups in the tribe Ithomiini. With 14 recognised species, the genus Melinaea is the most species rich, and also the most widespread within the Melinaeina. From all species of the genus, Melinaea mnasias is considered very rare and a little known one. This is also true for Melinaea mnasias thera, a subspecies from the Atlantic Forest with less than 20 specimens known in all world museums. Studies combining systematics, ecology, biogeography and natural history are priority in tropical areas, especially when focusing on threatened species. Thus, the aim of this study was to compile all available knowledge on the threatened M. mnasias thera, providing information to future management plans focusing on the conservation of this butterfly and its habitats. Data were compiled from scientific collections and personal observations, and the systematics of species of Melinaea was assessed by DNA sampling and analysis. The obtained phylogeny recovered the subtribe Melinaeina organised in two clades, the first composed by Olyras + Paititia and the second by Eutresis + (Athyrtis + Melinaea). Melinaea mnasias thera was recovered as a sister to M. mnasias lucifer. A total of only 17 specimens of M. mnasias thera from four Brazilian localities were found in all revised collections. However, well-preserved forests are present only at one of these localities, in the southern Bahia state, from where a recent specimen has been collected, suggesting that the last populations of M. mnasias thera are restricted to this region. If this is true, the real conservation status of this species could be much more critical than the estimated.

Description of two new genera and five new species of clade K92 from Bahia and Esprito Santo, southeastern Brazil (Arachnida, Opiliones, Gonyleptidae).

The systematics of gonyleptid harvestmen has recently been undergoing critical changes, especially regarding the Pachylinae and the K92 clade. In a recent cladistic analysis of the latter, the authors refrained from describing some of the detected new species to minimize the bulk of the alpha taxonomy in the manuscript. Herein, as a supplement and following the results of that analysis and the dismantlement of the genus Metagonyleptes Roewer, 1913, the formalization of two genera and five species belonging to clade K92 is proposed. Cajango gen. nov. is described in Caelopyginae based on three new species from southern Bahia State. Titanoleptes gen. nov. is proposed in Sodreaninae to include Metagonyleptes calcar Roewer, 1913, Metagonyleptoides cupidensis Soares & Soares, 1946, and two new species from Esprito Santo State.

Detrital zircon U–Pb analysis indicate a provenance shift on the Neogene Barreiras formation, atlantic coast of Brazil

The Neogene Barreiras Formation is composed of continental to shallow marine sedimentary rocks that fringe the Brazilian Atlantic coast. Due to the large outcropping extent, various open questions about the evolution of this unit are still under debate. We present new U–Pb detrital zircon age spectra of four samples from the southern Espírito Santo state (Marataízes section) and two samples from the southern Bahia state (Arraial section). In both of the studied outcrops, a basal succession composed of coarse-grained cross-bedded sandstone, conglomerate and arkose with mudstone and claystone intercalations is superposed by an upper succession composed of massive sandstone, conglomerate and wacke. The U–Pb detrital zircon age spectra of all samples are dominated by Cambrian and Neoproterozoic grains. However, while the lower portion of both sections is dominated by Ediacaran-Cambrian grains, their upper portions also present significant Cryogenian-Tonian and sparse Paleoproterozoic (mainly Rhyacian and Statherian) and Neoarchean grains. This marks an important provenance shift within the Barreiras Formation, with a simple, local provenance sourced from the G1 to G5 granite supersuites of the Brasiliano Araçuaí Orogen for the basal layers contrasting with exposure of older basement rocks and Neoproterozoic anorogenic suites during deposition of the superior layers. We interpret the lower coarse sandstone and arkose-rich succession as deposited in an alluvial setting, with mud/claystones related to local flooding plains. Tectonic movements related to the evolution of the Atlantic passive margin, as described in previous works, caused a renewed uplift of the basement areas, exposing and denuding older rocks. Then, the upper layers deposited through debris flows covering the first succession. Further geochronological data is needed to test if the erosional event responsible for exposure of older basement rocks and sourcing of the upper layers would correspond to the Tortonian Sea level fall, related to growth of the Antarctic ice sheet to its present size. In this case, deposition of the lower succession would have occurred during the early Miocene, and the upper succession during the Pliocene. Our results shed light in the complex evolution of the sedimentary rocks generally grouped under the Barreiras Formation, and suggest important tectonic and climatic shifts during the Neogene evolution of the Brazilian Atlantic coast.

Earthworms from natural and managed ecosystems in Southern Bahia, Brazil.

The earthworms (Crassiclitellata) of the Northern Atlantic Forest region are poorly known, and many new species are expected to be found in the region. Hence, quantitative and qualitative samples were taken in the Atlantic Forest region of southern Bahia State, Brazil, at eight sites to assess species presence and abundance in different land uses (forests, pastures, plantations). Earthworms were also qualitatively collected at an additional eight sites. Only one to two species per site were found in quantitative samples, while qualitative samples generally resulted in higher species recoveries, with highest richness observed at the native Atlantic Forest of Veracel in Porto Seguro. Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) was the dominant species at all sites and in most land use systems, probably favored by human migration and agricultural activities; it was only absent in one primary forest site where native Ocnerodrilidae species predominated. In total at least 14 species were found of which eight were new, belonging to the genus Rhinodrilus and three new genera in the Ocnerodrilidae family (Pauqueba, Parabauba and Diplomoela). Contrary to sites in Southern and Southeastern Brazil, where many native species belong to the Glossoscolecidae family, in southern Bahia, Ocnerodrilidae species tend to be more prevalent, occupying various habitats. More intensive sampling of these habitats, including surface litter, in and under fallen logs and dead tree trunks, under rocks, in bromeliad leaf tanks and deeper soil layers is essential in order to properly characterize earthworm communities in Brazilian Atlantic Forests.

An elusive giant: A new species of Vitreorana Guayasamin et al., 2009 (Anura: Centrolenidae) from the northern Atlantic Forest with an osteological description and comments on integumentary spicules

We describe a new species of Vitreorana from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia state, in north-eastern Brazil. Vitreorana assuh sp. nov. is by far the largest species of the genus (snout-to-vent length [SVL] = 30.9 mm and 34.1 mm in one male and female, respectively; maximum SVL recorded for all other species = 28.0 mm). The new species is morphologically most similar to V. franciscana, from the Cerrado biome in Brazil. Besides its large size, the new species has, among other diagnostic characters, the presence of vomerine teeth and the occurrence of enameled iridophores in the pericardium, hepatic and urinary bladder peritonea. Furthermore, we describe and compare the complete mineralized skeleton of the new species and V. uranoscopa, and describe and discuss the variation of integumentary spicules in all species of the genus and their relevance to Vitreorana systematics.

Bromeliaceae from a forest fragment in the Atlantic Forest Central Corridor, southern Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract The Atlantic Forest Central Corridor is the center of Bromeliaceae diversity in the Atlantic Forest domain, comprising most of the endemic and threatened species. The extreme south of Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil, is included within the corridor, with few taxonomic flora studies carried out in this area. Herein, we present a taxonomic study of the Bromeliaceae family from an important fragment in the extreme south of Bahia, based on field collections, herbarium material and specialized literature. Twelve species of Bromeliaceae were recorded, belonging to Aechmea (2 spp.), Araeococcus (1 sp.), Billbergia (1 sp.), Catopsis (1 sp.), Guzmania (1 sp.), Hohenbergia (1 sp.), Tillandsia (1 sp.), and Vriesea (4 spp.). Eight species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain. Identification keys, descriptions, and comments on their phenology, geographical distribution and habitat are provided, as well as an illustration of Hohenbergia sandrae, which was described for the first time in the Atlantic Forest domain.

Conservation of the endangered blue land crab Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille in Latreille, Le Peletier, Serville & Guérin, 1828 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinidae) in Brazil: optimal habitats and environmental factors

Abstract Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille in Latreille, Le Peletier, Serville & Guérin, 1828, the blue land crab, is a marine semi-terrestrial crab that builds burrows in different habitats along estuaries, an ecosystem severely modified and fundamental to this endangered species in Brazil. The presence of adequate habitats and physical, chemical, and biological conditions often determine the spatial distribution of populations. We aimed to characterize the most relevant environmental conditions among the main environments present in southern Bahia state, Brazil, and evaluate their influence on the spatial distributions of C. guanhumi to define which habitats are most critical for the conservation of the species. Our results showed that there is no relationship between spatial distributions and any particular habitat, but instead to the physical and other environmental parameters studied. Low-elevation areas along the river shore, shading, a supply of leaf litter, and bare sandy substrate are highlighted as priority for the conservation of C. guanhumi. These physical factors limit the distribution of juveniles, which form dense groups on river shores without significant differences between habitats. The preservation of the native forest and restinga shrubs that border rivers appear as fundamental for the conservation of the species.

A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil.

We describe a new species of the Scinax ruber clade from Northeastern Brazil that occurs in widely separated geographic areas in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia state and the Highland Humid Forest of Serra de Baturité, northeast Ceará state. Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. (holotype coordinates: -14.795694°, -39.172645°) is diagnosed from all 75 currently recognize species of the S. ruber clade by bioacoustical and morphological adult traits, such as duration (0.11-0.31 s) and dominant frequency (1.59-1.85 kHz) of the advertisement call, snout shape rounded, nearly rounded, or semi-circular in dorsal view and rounded to slightly protruding in profile, bilobate vocal sac, absence of pectoral glands and spicule-shaped papillary epidermal projections on nuptial pads, and color pattern on the dorsum of body and hidden surfaces of hindlimbs.

Initial production and fruit quality of fifty-seven sweet orange varieties on four rootstocks in southern state of Bahia

Abstract Prior knowledge of scion/rootstock combinations is essential for establishing appropriate citrus orchard management strategies. The objective of this work was to assess the initial yield and fruit quality among 228 scion/rootstock combinations set up in the municipality of Ibirapuã, extreme south of the state of Bahia in 2015. Harvests were carried out from April to August 2019, when trees reached 4 years of age. Number, total mass and cross-sectional diameter of fruits, productive efficiency, pulp yield, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and SS/AT ratio were evaluated. Statistical difference for all characteristics related to production and fruit quality regarding factors studied and their combinations was observed. Among ‘Pera’ orange clones, ‘Pera CNPMF A-15’/‘San Diego’ citrandarin and ‘Pera CNPMF D-3’/‘Riverside’ citrandarin combinations stood out. ‘Sincorá’ orange, in combination with ‘San Diego’ and ‘Indio’ citrandarins presented potential to be recommended to producers who wish to anticipate their harvests, as well as ‘Natal Ipeal’ orange in combination with ‘Indio’ citrandarin, in the sense of postponing them.

EQUATIONS OF INTENSITY, DURATION AND FREQUENCY FOR THE PERUÍPE, ITANHÉM AND JUCURUÇU RIVER BASINS

The intense rainfall equations present a great technical interest for hydraulic works projects. In the State of Bahia, there are only 19 equations of intensity, duration and frequency modeling, requiring a greater number of equations for the State. The most recent ones are almost 15 years old, with only two in the Peruípe, Itanhém and Jucuruçu river basins. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the parameters of the equations of intensity, duration and frequency (IDF) of the rainfall stations for different locations of the basins of the Peruípe, Itanhém and Jucuruçu rivers, located in the far southern Bahia State. Initially, 59 stations were selected, out of which only those with over 20 year-old data and records from 1980 onwards. Rainfall disaggregation was carried out using the method proposed by Cetesb (Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo, Brazil) and the parameters (K, a, b and c) were adjusted through nonlinear multiple regression using the nonlinear-generalized reduced gradient interaction method, where adjustment was evaluated by the coefficient of determination (R2). In the end, 29 equations were adjusted, with coefficient of determination greater than 0.99, therefore, improving the perspective of planning hydraulic works in the region. This correlation could also be observed by the regression equation of the observed data with the adjusted ones, where the slope coefficient of the line was close to 1.0 for all rainfall stations.

Optimization of the photocatalytic degradation process of aromatic organic compounds applied to mangrove sediment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are part of a class of organic compounds resistant to natural degradation. In this way, heterogeneous photocatalysis becomes useful to degrade persistent organic pollutants, however it can be influenced by environmental variables (i.e.: organic matter) and experimental factors such as: mass of the photocatalyst and irradiation time. The objective of this research was to use a factorial design 2k as a function of the multiple response (MR) to evaluate simultaneously experimental conditions for the photodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in contaminated mangrove sediment and its application in oil from Potiguar Basin in Brazil. The sediment samples collected in Belmonte city (Southern Bahia state) were contaminated with 0.25 mg kg−1 of Acenaphthene, Anthracene, Benzo[a]Anthracene, Indene[1,2,3cd]pyrene, Dibenzo[ah]anthracene, Benzo[ghi]pyrene. Factors such as mass of the photocatalyst and irradiation time were evaluated in factorial design 22, with triplicate from the central point, to 1g of the PAH contaminated sediment. After performing the experiments, it was found that the best experimental condition for the degradation of all PAHs indicated by MR was the central point (0.5 g of photocatalyst and 12h of irradiation). For such conditions, the half-life of PAHs varied from 3.51 to 9.37 h and the degradation speed constant between 0.0740 to 0.1973 h−1. The comparison of the optimized methodology between photolysis tests and heterogeneous photocatalysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, which indicated a difference for the reference solution, where heterogeneous photocatalysis was more efficient in the degradation of PAHs. The optimized methodology was apply in samples contaminated with crude oil from Potiguar Basin, no significant difference was observed in the aromatic fraction, using for the Kruskal-Wallis test. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has shown to be a promising remediation technique to remedy aromatic organic compounds in mangrove sediments.

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) from a Fragment of Atlantic Forest in the Southern Bahia State

The Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia comprises a zone of high levels of biodiversity and endemism of plants, vertebrates and insects. However, there are still several gaps on the knowledge of the local Lepidoptera diversity. The objective of this study was to conduct an inventory of butterflies in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil to provide information on species richness. Butterflies were sampled with insect net from March 2018 to March 2019, and November 2019 to February 2020, totaling 150 h of sampling effort. Additionally, we used Van Someren-Rydon traps for collecting frugivorous butterflies in September 2018 and February 2019 representing 1,080 trap-hours. A total of 228 butterfly species were recorded. Hesperiidae (86 spp.) and Nymphalidae (77 spp.) were the most representative families, followed by Riodinidae (32 spp.), Lycaenidae (21 spp.), Pieridae (10 spp.) and Papilionidae (2 spp.). The local butterfly fauna is composed of species found in open or disturbed forest edges, and secondary vegetation. Most of the sampled species is broadly distributed in Brazil Morpho menelaus coeruleus (Perry, 1810) (Nymphalidae), Jemadia hospita hephaestos (Plötz, 1879) (Hesperiidae) and several species of Lycaenidae and Riodinidae represents a new record for northeastern Brazil.

A New Persicula (Gastropoda: Cysticidae) from Central Brazil

A new small translucid Persicula dredged off Southern Bahia State at depths of 20 up to 30 meters is described and compared to other species.

Decreasing dietary diversity following habitat loss: the case of the thin-spined porcupine in the Atlantic forest

The thin-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus Olfers, 1818) is an endemic and threatened rodent from the Atlantic Forest biological hotspot. Previous studies have demonstrated it follows a strictly leaf-based diet, limited to a few tree species, although such information is derived from few individuals (n = 7) resident in small forest fragments. We aimed to evaluate whether such dietary specialization persists when animals inhabit larger forest fragments. For this, we assessed the diet composition of 19 radiotracked individuals inhabiting small ( 500 ha; n = 9) forest fragments in southern Bahia state. We compared the composition and diversity of the diet in terms of tree parts and species consumed in these contrasting fragment size environments. Secondly, we aimed to evaluate the influence of leaf chemical composition on the consumption of plant species. Our findings show that the thin-spined porcupine is a strict folivore, with individuals responding to the reduction in forest size by reducing the diversity of plant species consumed, but not by feeding on new plant parts. Although the diet was richer in larger forest fragments, certain tree species were the most consumed in both fragment-size categories and the unique item consumed were leaves. Fiber influenced positively the leaf consumption of the plant species, while there was no effect of other chemical characteristics. The influence of the habitat size reduction on food diversity may be a risk factor for the species.

Drepanolejeunea pinnatiloba Schiffn. (Lejeuneaceae): a rare species in Brazil rediscovered after 17 years

Drepanolejeunea pinnatiloba Schiffn. (Lejeuneaceae) has only been collected once in Brazil, from a single population in the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia state. Seventeen years later, we report the second record of D. pinnatiloba. This new record is from the Una Biological Reserve, also in southern Bahia. We discuss the geographic distribution and evaluate conservation status of this species for Brazil and the Neotropical region.

Terminalia nildae (Combretaceae): A New Tree Species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract—We describe a new species of Terminalia (Terminalia nildae), currently known only from southern Bahia State, an area of Brazilian Atlantic Forest characterized by high species richness and high levels of endemicity. A description, illustration, photographic plate, map of geographic distribution, as well as a table with morphological comparisons and key to the Terminalia species occurring in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including T. nildae, are provided herein.