Submontane Rainforest Research Articles

Cookeina tricholoma (Pezizales): a new distributional record of an unexpected edible fungus in Brazilian Northeast rain forests

Cookeina tricholoma is an operculate discomycete belonging to Pezizomycetes, growing saprobe on dead trunks. The species distribution is widespread around the world, occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. It is characterized by its bright colors, hirsute/hairy surface, stipitate apothecia, operculate asci, and ascospores with longitudinal ribs. This paper provides a new distributional record of C. tricholoma in a “brejo de altitude” forest in the State of Paraíba and, in a submontane rain forest of the Federal Biological Reserve of Pedra Talhada, in the State of Alagoas, with morphological description of the ascomata, discussion and photographs

A new species of planthopper in the genus Haplaxius (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae) from disturbed submontane rainforest in Jamaica

Haplaxius is a large genus of cixiid planthopper found in the New World. The genus is of particular interest due to the ability of H. crudus to transmit the phytoplasmas for lethal decline in various palm species, primarily in the Caribbean and Florida, U.S.A. During recent vector survey work in Jamaica, a specimen was collected at Castleton Botanic Garden and determined to be a new species of Haplaxius. The novel taxon is herein described, Haplaxius fornicus sp. n., and corresponding DNA sequence data is provided for the barcoding region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, 18S rRNA gene, and histone 3 (H3) gene. An updated phylogeny of the genus is provided with currently available taxa demonstrating additional support for the placement of H. fornicus sp. n. in Haplaxius.

Forest Dynamics and Agroforestry History since AD 200 in the Highland of Sumatra, Indonesia

Understanding past forest dynamics and human influence is essential for future forest management and ecosystem conservation. This study aims to provide insights into the forest dynamics and agroforestry history in the highlands of Sumatra for the last 1800 years. We carried out palaeoecological multi-proxy analyses of pollen, spores, non-pollen palynomorphs, macro-charcoal, and X-ray fluorescence on a limnic sediment core taken from Danau Kecil in the submontane area of Kerinci Seblat National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our results provide an 1800-year record of forest dynamics under climate change and human influence including the transition from forest opening to shifting cultivation and eventually permanent agroforestry. Indicators for forest openings and secondary forest formation have been present since the beginning of records (AD 200). This is followed by the possible initiation of sugar palm (Arenga) cultivation (AD 400). Since AD 500, potential agroforestry and forest gardening practices have promoted major timber trees such as Lithocarpus/Castanopsis, Bischofia, and Dipterocarpaceae combined with sugar palm (Arenga). Permanent agroforestry systems were possibly established since AD 1760, evinced by an increase in commodity trees such as Dipterocarpaceae for resin production. With the Dutch invasion ca. AD 1900, agroforestry intensified and expanded to the Kerinci Valley. This was followed by land use intensification and potential rice cultivation around Danau Kecil since the 1940s. This study provides the first details on past forest dynamics around Danau Kecil since AD 200, showing among others how appropriate forest management and a closed canopy could reduce fire vulnerability in submontane rainforest.

Epiphyllous bryophytes in Arboretum Mlyňany (Slovakia)

Epiphyllous bryophytes in Arboretum Mlyňany (Slovakia)

Ecological drivers of pteridophyte diversity and distribution in Togo (West Africa)

• Submontane forests concentrate 90% of the local pteridophyte species in Togo. • Humidity, insolation and disturbance are the main drivers of pteridophyte presence. • Human disturbances are more damaging to terrestrial pteridophyte species. • Pteridophyte species are reliable indicators of conditions of their habitat in Togo. The conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity requires an understanding of the biotic and abiotic factors that condition the presence and survival of organisms in natural habitats. The global distribution and ecological hypersensitivity of pteridophytes have made them ideal candidates for studying the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on levels of biodiversity. This study aims to determine the effect of vegetation cover, human disturbance, and climatic factors on the distribution and diversity of pteridophytes in Togo with a view to guide conservation efforts. Our data comprises 130 plots of 500 m 2 representing all ecological zones of the country, complemented by several opportunistic collections. After determining the patterns of pteridophyte distribution, multivariate analysis of variance and the calculation of diversity indicators made it possible to determine the influence of the factors studied. We found that pteridophyte species diversity and distribution in Togo are strongly influenced by climatic variables, with more than 90% of species diversity being concentrated in the submontane forest areas. Humidity related variables, insolation, and human disturbances are the main drivers of their distribution. Species diversity is positively associated with an increase in humidity, but decreases with increasing insolation and human disturbance. Importantly, our results emphasize the association of specific species to particular conditions created by climate, land cover, and human disturbances, highlighting the role of pteridophyte species as indicators of environmental conditions or exposure to stress. Within humid forest areas, our analysis of the impact of disturbance indicates that about a quarter of the pteridophyte flora of humid forests is sensitive to minor disturbances, whereas almost all rainforest species decline in the face of high levels of disturbance. Agroforests are a particular case of moderately disturbed rainforests, and have the potential to harbour at least 30.5% of Togolese rainforest pteridophyte species diversity. We conclude that the conservation of pteridophytes in Togo requires the protection of submontane rainforests and the adoption of less destructive practices in terrestrial species habitats in coffee/cocoa-based agroforests.

Two new species of Lejeuneaceae tribe Lejeuneeae (Marchantiophyta) from Colombia

Abstract We describe the new liverwort species Lejeunea ryszardii from montane rainforest in the Central Cordillera of Colombia (Dept. Quindío) and Rectolejeunea halinae from submontane rainforest in the Western Cordillera (Dept. Risaralda). Both species stand out by copious vegetative reproduction via caducous leaves. Lejeunea ryszardii resembles the Caribbean L. paucidentata in the leaf lobes with toothed margins and a narrow base but strikingly differs from the latter species in: 1) leaf margins with mamillose cells, which are sometimes crowned by a small papilla, and with scattered rhizoids with or without a tooth-like base; 2) lobules with narrowly elongate, curved, sharp tooth; 3) stem epidermis brownish and somewhat thick-walled; 4) copious production of caducous leaf lobes. Moreover, L. ryszardii is dark green to brown in color and probably dioicous while L. paucidentata is light green and autoicous. Rectolejeunea halinae resembles the neotropical R. flagelliformis in having ciliate caducous leaves but clearly differs from the latter in the pointed leaf tips, the presence of ocelli in underleaves, and the flagelliform shoots with flat, entire-margined underleaves. The discovery of these new species adds two further endemic taxa to the rich bryophyte flora of the Colombian Andes.

Mine versus Wild: a plant conservation checklist of the rich Iron-Ore Ngovayang Massif Area (South Cameroon)

Background and aims – The rapid expansion of human activities in South Cameroon, particularly mining in mountainous areas, threatens this region’s exceptional biodiversity. To comprehend the effects of land-use change on plant diversity and identify conservation priorities, we aim at providing a first comprehensive plant checklist of the Ngovayang Massif, focusing on the two richest plant families, Orchidaceae and Rubiaceae.Location – The Ngovayang Massif Area (NMA) is located in the South Region of Cameroon. It is covered by lowland and submontane rainforest (100 to 1110 m elevation).Methods – We compiled a dataset of 6116 georeferenced herbarium specimens, of which 2787 belong to Rubiaceae and Orchidaceae. We used rarefaction methods to explore sampling and diversity patterns, and investigated the altitudinal distribution of rare and/or threatened taxa.Key results – The NMA, which houses about 1500 vascular plant taxa, is the richest documented area for Rubiaceae in Atlantic Central Africa (ACA) and the fifth for Orchidaceae, with respectively 281 and 111 taxa. Among these taxa, 178 (45%) are endemic to ACA and 67 (17%) are considered globally threatened according to IUCN categories and criteria. We show that higher elevation areas (> 750 m), which are also the main areas targeted for mining, are the richest in endangered and/or rare species. Three new records for Cameroon are reported here.Conclusion – The NMA represents an Important Plant Area of Cameroon as confirmed by its exceptional plant diversity (> 20% of the total Flora of Cameroon), by the concentration of many threatened and/or restricted range species (10 taxa are strict endemics of the massif) as well as by the threat on rare habitats (i.e. the submontane vegetation above ~750 m elevation). A management plan involving in situ and ex situ conservation actions is urgently needed to reduce the potential threats of future mining activities.

Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation favor range expansion of a Neotropical palm.

One of the most intriguing questions in plant ecology is which evolutionary strategy allows widely distributed species to increase their ecological range and grow in changing environmental conditions. Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptations are major processes governing species range margins, but little is known about their relative contribution for tree species distribution in tropical forest regions. We investigated the relative role of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation in the ecological distribution of the widespread palm Euterpe edulis in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Genetic sampling and experiments were performed in old‐growth remnants of two forest types with higher (Seasonal Semideciduous Forests vs. Submontane Rainforest) and lower biogeographic association and environmental similarities (Submontane Rainforest vs. Restinga Forest). We first assessed the molecular genetic differentiation among populations, focusing on the group of loci potentially under selection in each forest, using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) outliers. Further, we looked for potential adaptive divergence among populations in a common garden experiment and in reciprocal transplants for two plant development phases: seedling establishment and sapling growth. Analysis with outlier loci indicated that all individuals from the Semideciduous Forest formed a single group, while another group was formed by overlapping individuals from Submontane Rainforest and Restinga Forest. Molecular differentiation was corroborated by reciprocal transplants, which yielded strong evidence of local adaptations for seedling establishment in the biogeographically divergent Rainforest and Semideciduous Forest, but not for Restinga Forest and Submontane Rainforest. Phenotypic plasticity for palm seedling establishment favors range expansion to biogeographically related or recently colonized forest types, while persistence in the newly colonized ecosystem may be favored by local adaptations if climatic conditions diverge over time, reducing gene flow between populations. SNPs obtained by next‐generation sequencing can help exploring adaptive genetic variation in tropical trees, which impose several challenges to the use of reciprocal transplants.

Taxonomic changes in Synanthedonini from Madagascar, with description of two new genera and species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

A checklist of the Synanthedonini of Madagascar is presented. The following taxonomic changes are suggested: Malgassesia pauliani Viette, 1955 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Rodolphia hombergi Le Cerf, 1911a; Malgassesia biedermanni Viette, 1982 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Malgassesia rufescens Le Cerf, 1922; Epitarsipus Le Cerf, 1922 stat. rev. is resurrected from the synonymy with Malgassesia Le Cerf, 1922, the earlier consisting of the single species E. rufithorax Le Cerf, 1922 comb. rev. The taxonomic position of three species, which were originally described in Chamaesphecia Spuler, 1910 and later excluded from this genus as "incertae sedis", remains unclear. These species are here transferred to Malgassesia: M. andrianony Viette, 1982 comb. nov.; M. lemur Le Cerf, 1957 comb. nov.; and M. ferdinandi nom. nov., a replacement name for Ch. seyrigi Le Cerf, 1957. Two new species and genera of Synanthedonini, Cinctosesia polistiformis and Nesosphecia mystica gen. nov. et sp. nov., are described from a submontane rainforest in the vicinity of Andasibe in the East of Madagascar.

<b>Spatial distribution pattern and diameter structure of <i>Protium</i> Burm. f. in Iratapuru river sustainable development reserve, Amapá, Brazil

The present work aims to determine the spatial distribution pattern of Protium Burm. f and the diametric structure of these species in a dense tropical submontane rainforest along the Sustainable Development Reserve (SDR) of the Iratapuru river. The area of study was divided into three plateau compartments called Mane Preto Sierra, Banco Grande Sierra and Alaska Sierra. In each plateau compartment it was settled a single area transect with 1,000 x 20 m, where DAP ≥ 10 cm of the entire Protium population within the transects was measured. The data was processed in the specific software Mata Nativa 2. There were inventoried Protium tenuifolium, Protium altsoni, Protium polybotryum subsp. blackii and Protium paniculatum var. riedelianum. Most individuals concentrated in smaller diametric classes, decreasing progressively to a lesser extent in larger classes. It can be concluded that the population has medium size and its vertical structure is characterized by the presence of three strata, however, its phytocenoses is defined by two clear constants: the first groups individuals of up to 15 m of height and forms the uniform and dominant stratum; the second is composed by emerging up to 35 m high and whose diameter structure shows a population in dynamic balance.

LITTERFALL PRODUCTION AS A FUNCTION OF PLANTING SEEDLINGS SYSTEM IN A TWO YEARS FOREST RESTORATION AREA IN THE COASTAL - PLAIN OF CARAGUATATUBA, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Seedlings plantation combining pioneer and non-pioneer species facilitates the restoration of ecological processes, such as litterfall production. Litterfall is fundamental to reestablish nutrient cycling and to recover soil fertility in early stages of restoration. This study evaluated litterfall production in a two-year forest restoration area (transitional rain forest: Restinga high forest - submontane rain forest) by comparing differences in litter production between seedlings plantation in rows (LI, 2x2m spacing) and in clusters (NU, 30x30cm spacing). Litterfall was collected monthly during 24 months in 62 plots (27 LI; 27 NU and 8 controls without plantation). Litterfall dry mass, litter fractions (leaves, twigs, reproductive and miscellaneous), dry mass from seedling material and dry mass from vegetation prior to the restoration were determined. Annual litter production was higher in restored plots (254.91 g.m-2) than in control ones (120.99 g.m-2) and there was no difference between rows (259.39 g.m-2) and clusters (250.59 g.m-2). There was substitution of the litter type with time, which was higher in restored than in control plots, but there was no difference between rows and clusters. Results indicated that: (1) planting seedlings facilitates litterfall recovery; (2) there is litter substitution as from the beginning of the restoration; and (3) planting seedlings in rows or clusters is equally efficient to restore litter production. In conclusion, planting seedlings leads to higher litter production and it could benefit the recovery of nutrients cycling in degraded areas, regardless of the disposition of seedlings in rows or clusters.

The effect of volcanism on submontane rainforest vegetation composition: Paleoecological evidence from Danau Njalau, Sumatra (Indonesia)

Volcanic processes might have played an important role in the vegetation history of Sumatra, one of the largest and most tectonically active region in Southeast Asia. Palynological and macro-charco...

A remarkable new species of Cheilolejeunea (Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae) from Colombia.

We describe the new liverwort species Cheilolejeunea schiavoneana M.E.Reiner & Gradst. from submontane rainforest in the Western Cordillera of Colombia. The new species is related to C. adnata (C. sect. Cheilolejeunea) but differs by larger plant, leaf and underleaf size, robust stems, a 5-6 cells wide ventral merophyte, abundance of microphyllous branches, and vegetative reproduction by caducous leaf lobes produced on flagelliform shoots. The latter feature is characteristic of the genus Rectolejeunea and its presence in Cheilolejeunea is apparently a case of parallel evolution. The discovery of C. schiavoneana adds a further endemic taxon to the rich flora of the Colombian Western Cordillera. Key

Tree diversity in sub-montane and lower montane primary rain forests in Central Sulawesi

Tree diversity in sub-montane and lower montane primary rain forests in Central Sulawesi

Spatial distribution of Araceae on phorophytes in different areas of submontane rainforest, Santa Catarina Island (SC), Southern Brazil

Araceae is well represented in Brazil but there are few studies on spatial distribution of species on phorophytes. Aiming to analyze vegetation variations, four different areas of submontane rainforest were studied: bottom of valley (BV); middle slope (MS); mountaintop (M); and rocky mountaintop (RM) in Santa Catarina Island, southern Brazil. To study the aroids, the quadrant points method with 60 phorophyte sampled by area was used. Each phorophyte was divided in 2-m-height intervals to obtain the vertical distribution. Eight species of aroids belonging to four genera were recorded, among which Anthurium Schott and Philodendron Schott were the most representative. Species richness, Shannon diversity, and evenness index were the highest in MS and the lowest in RM. The most similar areas were MS and M (J = 0.88). Most species of aroids showed low horizontal and vertical frequency; however, the aroids were present in 35.4 % of the phorophytes surveyed; 60 % of families and 50 % of phorophyte species sampled; and 8.9 % of the height intervals sampled. The occurrence of the species in the strata close to the ground and intermediates may be related to the prevalence of nomadic vine species. Species of aroids showed no specificity for host tree.

Hymenophyllum senterreanum Dubuisson & Deblauwe, sp. nov. (Hymenophyllaceae) and its relatives in western Central Africa

The fern genus Hymenophyllum (Hymenophyllaceae) so far encompassed not more than five species in western Central Africa. New investigations into BRLU and P collections on Hymenophyllaceae specimens collected in western Central Africa allowed us to identify a new species for the area. The species Hymenophyllum senterreanum sp. nov. displays indusia with an original and particular campanulate-like shape, usually observed in the distinct trichomanoid lineage. It seems endemic to sub-montane rainforests of coastal west-south Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and is currently known only from four localities. The novelty is considered as Endangered according to IUCN Categories and Criteria. An updated key is proposed for the genus Hymenophyllum for the region.

Production and stock of coarse woody debris across a hydro-edaphic gradient of oligotrophic forests in the northern Brazilian Amazon

Most studies on coarse woody debris (CWD) in Brazilian Amazonia have been done in disturbed and undisturbed upland forests. However, oligotrophic forest types occupying seasonal flooding environments have been neglected, although they occupy about one-third of the Amazon region. We examined the effect of an environmental gradient with different hydro-edaphic features on production and stock of CWD in an area of the Rio Negro-Rio Branco basin, in Brazil’s state of Roraima. We used 60km of trails (production) and 30 permanent plots (stock) in a sampling grid established at Viruá National Park. Our study demonstrated that production and stock of CWD carbon are the lowest in all of Amazonia. The highest CWD carbon production was found in open-canopy submontane rainforest (0.58±0.63MgCha−1yr−1), which occur in environments that are free of any influence of seasonal flooding. The lowest stocks of CWD carbon (0.35±0.30MgCha−1) was associated with low tree biomass in forest types occurring on sandy soils that are strongly influenced by seasonal flooding. CWD stocks in oligotrophic forests at Viruá are partially explained (∼21%) by tree biomass, which is determined by different environmental conditions across hydro-edaphic gradients. Reference values (CWD carbon as a percentage of tree carbon) were among the lowest in Amazonia (0.91–4.38%), with lower values being associated with formations with low production and stock of CWD. This finding suggests that values vary among oligotrophic forest types and that separate reference values should be adopted for estimates of undisturbed forest carbon stocks in the different ecosystems in Brazilian Amazonia. Different reference values represent the variability of CWD among forest types and contribute to reducing uncertainties in current estimates of carbon stock in Amazonia.

Foliicolous lichen collections on Mount Kanga, Tanzania (East Africa)

Abstract The Tanzanian Mt Kanga was at first visited by Tamas Pocs in 1987 when he collected foliicolous lichens in lowland rainforest between 800 and 900 m elevation and in submontane rainforest between 900 and 1,250 m. Later, in 1989 he returned there with participants of the Nguru Mts expedition, when the author collected further lichens including foliicolous ones in three different forest types (dry evergreen and semi-evergreen forest at 600–800 m, submontane rainforest at 850–1,200 m and rocky forest at 1,200–1,300 m). Altogether 37 species became known from the area. The comparison of collections revealed that submontane rainforests (including rocky forests) are the richest of the studied forest types in foliicolous lichens. Mt Kanga is characterised by rare species like Calopadia editae discovered by Antonin Vězda in material from Mt Kanga, described and validated in 2011 by Chaves and Lucking based on materials from Mt Kanga and Costa Rica. The new combination Brasilicia dimerelloides (Vězda) Fark...

Thismia singeri (Thismiaceae), an augmented description and first record for Brazil

Thismia singeri, is described for the first time for Brazil, being the first record of this family for Para State and the third record for this rare species in nature. In Para state, northern Brazil, this species was found growing in Itaituba municipality near the River Tapajos, in a well preserved submontane rain forest with a dense canopy. Due to the holotype is incomplete, we provide a more comprehensive description for this species based on complete individuals, thus clarifying some aspects of its morphology such as the parietal placenta, the root system, and tepal morphology. This is the second species of Thismiaceae described for Amazonia. Thismia hyalina, the other Amazonian species, is easily distinguished from T. singeri by its tubers, leaves inserted just below the flower, the latter with two tepal whorls, the upper one clawed, reniform and erect, and the lower one linear triangular.

A New Species ofArchilejeunea(Spruce) Schiffn. (Lejeuneaceae) from Ecuador

Abstract The liverwort Archilejeunea nebeliana Gradst. et Schaf.-Verw. sp. nov. (Lejeuneaceae) is described from submontane rain forest of southern Ecuador. The new species is a member of A. subg. Archilejeunea and differs from all other species of this group by narrowly and obtusely pointed leaves, thin-walled lobule cells, stem epidermis with darker-colored middle lamella, and narrowly elongate female bracts and bracteoles with acute to acuminate apices. The new species constitutes the first record of subg. Archilejeunea from the Andes and is a further addition to the unusually rich flora of the Andes of southern Ecuador. The species is named in honor of Dr. Martin Nebel.