Beatriz Ronchi-Teles

Bio: Beatriz Ronchi-Teles is an academic researcher from National Institute of Amazonian Research. The author has contributed to research in topics: Anastrepha & Tephritidae. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 38 publications receiving 422 citations.

Primary seed dispersal by three Neotropical seed-predating primates (Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary, Chiropotes chiropotes and Chiropotes albinasus)

Abstract: The Neotropics house two guilds of large arboreal vertebrate seed predators: parrots and the pitheciin primates. Both have diets dominated by immature fruits. The possibility of members of the Pitheciinae (genera Cacajao, Chiropotes and Pithecia) acting as occasional seed dispersers has been mooted, but not experimentally shown. We combined primate behavioural data and seed germination data from three separate field studies in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Para to analyse patterns of post-consumption seed survivorship for seeds discarded by three pitheciin species (Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary, Chiropotes chiropotes and Chiropotes albinasus). We then calculated the frequency of dispersal events for four species eaten by C. m. ouakary. All three primate species dropped intact seeds while feeding, and 30.7% of 674 dropped seeds germinated ex situ. Undamaged seeds from unripe and ripe samples germinated (29.3% and 42.7%, respectively), and all three primate species carried some fruits up to 20 m from the parent tree before consuming them. Potential seed-dispersal events varied from 1 (Macrolobium acaciifolium) per fruiting cycle to more than 6500 (Duroia velutina), suggesting that there are differences in dispersal potential. In summary, although they are highly specialized seed predators, these primates may also act as important dispersers for some plant species, and effective dispersal is not restricted to ripe fruits, as immature fruits removed from a tree may continue to mature and the seeds later germinate, a much-neglected aspect of dispersal ecology. The possibility that similar events occur in parrots should be experimentally investigated.

Arthropod Predation by a Specialist Seed Predator, the Golden-backed Uacari ( Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary , Pitheciidae) in Brazilian Amazonia

Abstract: Morphological adaptations related to food processing generally reflect those elements of the diet that represent the greatest biomechanical challenge or that numerically dominate the diet. However, in periods of the annual cycle when the availability of such foods is low, items to which a species has low apparent morphological adaptation may be included in the diet. Here we test the responses of a diet-specialist primate to limitations in the supply of the resource it is specialized to exploit. Uacaris are primarily predators of immature seeds, in seasonally flooded forests in Amazonian Brazil, and have dental specializations to open hard-shelled fruits. We investigated the importance of arthropods in the diet of golden-backed uacaris (Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary), examining their seasonal importance in the uacari diet, and the ways C. m. ouakary used to access them. Using scan and ad libitum sampling of feeding and phenology from botanical study plots to assess fruit availability, we conducted an 18-mo study in Jau National Park, Amazonas State, Brazil. We recorded arthropod predation 298 times, with Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary feeding on 26 invertebrate taxa in ≥11 families and 9 different orders. Uacaris extracted wood-boring beetles dentally from rotting wood and smaller larvae from twigs, stems, and petioles, but this food class did not predominate. This food class (encapsulated foods) constituted 23.4 % of the arthropod records. The majority of arthropod food items were either manually removed from substrates (ants, beetle larvae, caterpillars, fulgorid bugs, grasshoppers, mayflies, spiders, termites, wasps, and a whip-scorpion) or plucked from the air (volant Lepidoptera). Uacaris appeared to avoid toxic caterpillars. Insectivory was most frequent when fruit and seeds were least available. Arthropods seem to be seasonally important to this primate, supplementing or making up for shortfalls in the hard fruits and immature seeds for which uacaris have highly developed dental, and possibly intestinal, adaptations.

Ants in their plants: Pseudomyrmex ants reduce primate, parrot and squirrel predation on Macrolobium acaciifolium (Fabaceae) seeds in Amazonian Brazil

Abstract: Although plant-inhabiting ants are known to act as effective deterrents to a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores, this has been reported only once before for primates, a group better known for their predation of ants. In the present study, we investigated the effects that colonies of Pseudomyrmex viduus ants living in individual Macrolobium acaciifolium (Fabaceae) trees have on the rates of visitation and fruit removal by four taxa of seed-predating vertebrates: the primate Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary; macaws (Ara spp.); large parrots (Amazona spp.); and the Northern Amazonian red squirrel (Sciurus igniventris). We found that ant presence significantly reduced both rates of visitation and of fruit removal by C. m. ouakary. The same pattern of reduced fruit removal was also observed for other seed predators (parrots, macaws, and squirrels) but not for visitation rates (although this may be a result of the small sample size). This appears to be only the second-known demonstration of the repellent effect of ants on primates and, indeed, the first for squirrels and psittacine birds. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 114, 260–273.

Flutuação populacional de espécies de Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) na região de Manaus, AM

Abstract: The population fluctuation of Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) species captured in McPhail traps was examined. Specimens of Anastrepha were collected weekly over a period of 80 weeks, from May 1996 to December 1997. The traps were baited with sugarcane syrup (10%) and distributed in two localities along the BR 174 highway: km 23 and km 40, north of Manaus, AM, Brazil. Thirteen species were collected: A. striata Schiner, A. obliqua (Macquart), A. leptozona Hendel, A. serpentina (Wied) , A. distincta Greene, A. bahiensis Lima, A. antunesi Lima, A. coronilli Carejo e Gonzalez, A. furcata Lima, A. atrigona Hendel, A. flavipennis Greene, A. zernyi Lima and Anastrepha sp. 2 (not identified). The decisive factor governing the occurrence and population fluctuation of fruit flies was found to be the presence of fruit hosts rather than the abiotic factors. There was low correlation (r = 0.074, P > 0.05) between the number of fly/trap/day (FTD) and the precipitation. The time of highest precipitation coincided with the peak period of fructification. Unmeasured factors, such as alternative hosts, natural enemies and host succession probably influence the population of flies. For our knowledge, this is the first record of A. zernyi in Northern of Brazil.

Species of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) captured in a guava orchard ( Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae) in Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil

Abstract: The guava fruit (Psidium guajava) is among the most strongly affected by fruit flies in Brazil. In the Brazilian Amazon, 11 species of Anastrepha have been reported in guava orchards to date. This work aimed to identify the species of Anastrepha present in a guava orchard in the municipality of Boa Vista, determine the species infesting the fruits, and identify any parasitoids present. Two McPhail traps with food bait were installed and weekly collections were made between January and December 2008. Fruits were also collected systematically during this period, with a view to determining the association between host plant and tephritid species. Nine species of Anastrepha were identified, in addition to one specimen belonging to a probable new species. Anastrepha striata Schiner, Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) were the dominant species in the orchard, accounting for 84.8% of all captured individuals. All females collected directly from fruits were A. striata. Doryctobracon areolatus (Szepligeti) was the only parasitoid species obtained. In this work, Anastrepha ethalea (Walker) is reported for the first time in the state of Roraima.

Synzoochory: the ecological and evolutionary relevance of a dual interaction.

Abstract: J.M.G. and P.J. were supported by CYTED program (Red Tematica 418RT0555). E.W.S. is supported by the Ecology Center and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (UAES), Utah State University. P.J. is supported by grant CGL2017‐82847‐P from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (AEI).

Fruit Flies of the Genus Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Associated Native Parasitoids (Hymenoptera) in the Tropical Rainforest Biosphere Reserve of Montes Azules, Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract: We report the results of a 2-yr survey that determined some of the host plant and parasitoid associations of Anastrepha fruit sies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the "Montes Azules" tropical rainforest biosphere reserve (State of Chiapas, Mexico). We collected a total of 57.38 kg of fruit representing 47 native species from 23 plant families. Of these, 13 plant species from eight plant families were found to be native hosts of 9 species of Anastrepha. The following Anastrepha host associations were observed: Bellucia pentamera Naudin (Melastomataceae) with A. coronilli Carrejo y Gonzalez; Malmea gaumeri (Greenm.) Lundell (Annonaceae) with A. bahiensis Lima; Tabernamontana alba Mill. (Apocynaceae) with A. cordata Aldrich; Quararibea yunckeri Standl. (Bombacaceae) with A. crebra Stone; Ampelocera hottlei (Standl.) Standl. (Ulmaceae) with A. obliqua (Macquart) and A. fraterculus (Wiedemann); Zuelania guidonia Britton and Millsp. and Casearia tremula (Griseb.) Griseb. ex C. Wright (Flacourtaceae) with A. zuelaniae Stone; Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg.) Nied (Myrtaceae) with A. fraterculus; Psidium guajava L. and P. sartorianum (Myrtaceae) with A. striata Schiner; and Manilkara zapota (L.) Van Royen, Pouteria sp., Bumelia sebolana Lundell, and Calocarpum mammosum (L.) Pierre (Sapotaceae) with A. serpentina (Wiedemann). The following are new host plant records: Malmea gaumeri for A. bahiensis; Quararibea yunckeri for A. crebra; Ampelocera hottlei for A. fraterculus and A. obliqua; Bumelia sebolana for A. serpentina; and Casearia tremula for A. zuelaniae. A. coronilli is reported for the Þrst time in Mexico. Infestation levels were variable and ranged between 0 and 1.63 larvae/g of fruit depending on host species. Larvae of eight species of Anastrepha on nine plant species from six plant families were found to be parasitized by Doryctobracon areolatus Szepligeti, D. crawfordi Viereck, D. zeteki Musebeck (new report for Mexico and northernmost record for the species), Opius hirtus Fisher, Utetes anastrephae Viereck (all Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi Brethes (Hymenoptera: Figitidae). Percent parasitism ranged from 0 to 76.5%. We discuss our Þndings in light of their practical (e.g., biological control) and theoretical (e.g., species radiation) implications and highlight the importance of these types of studies given the rampant deforestation of tropical forests in Latin America and the risk of extinction of rare fruit sy species that could shed light on the evolution of host plant and parasitoid associations within the genus Anastrepha.

Neotropical fish-fruit interactions: eco-evolutionary dynamics and conservation.

Abstract: Frugivorous fish play a prominent role in seed dispersal and reproductive dynamics of plant communities in riparian and floodplain habitats of tropical regions worldwide. In Neotropical wetlands, many plant species have fleshy fruits and synchronize their fruiting with the flood season, when fruit-eating fish forage in forest and savannahs for periods of up to 7 months. We conducted a comprehensive analysis to examine the evolutionary origin of fish-fruit interactions, describe fruit traits associated with seed dispersal and seed predation, and assess the influence of fish size on the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish (ichthyochory). To date, 62 studies have documented 566 species of fruits and seeds from 82 plant families in the diets of 69 Neotropical fish species. Fish interactions with flowering plants are likely to be as old as 70 million years in the Neotropics, pre-dating most modern bird-fruit and mammal-fruit interactions, and contributing to long-distance seed dispersal and possibly the radiation of early angiosperms. Ichthyochory occurs across the angiosperm phylogeny, and is more frequent among advanced eudicots. Numerous fish species are capable of dispersing small seeds, but only a limited number of species can disperse large seeds. The size of dispersed seeds and the probability of seed dispersal both increase with fish size. Large-bodied species are the most effective seed dispersal agents and remain the primary target of fishing activities in the Neotropics. Thus, conservation efforts should focus on these species to ensure continuity of plant recruitment dynamics and maintenance of plant diversity in riparian and floodplain ecosystems.

Insect Egg Size and Shape Evolve With Ecology but Not Developmental Rate

Abstract: Over the course of evolution, organism size has diversified markedly. Changes in size are thought to have occurred because of developmental, morphological and/or ecological pressures. To perform phylogenetic tests of the potential effects of these pressures, here we generated a dataset of more than ten thousand descriptions of insect eggs, and combined these with genetic and life-history datasets. We show that, across eight orders of magnitude of variation in egg volume, the relationship between size and shape itself evolves, such that previously predicted global patterns of scaling do not adequately explain the diversity in egg shapes. We show that egg size is not correlated with developmental rate and that, for many insects, egg size is not correlated with adult body size. Instead, we find that the evolution of parasitoidism and aquatic oviposition help to explain the diversification in the size and shape of insect eggs. Our study suggests that where eggs are laid, rather than universal allometric constants, underlies the evolution of insect egg size and shape. Analyses of insect eggs as well as genetic and life-history traits of insects show that where eggs are laid, rather than universal allometric constants, developmental rate or adult body size, underlies size and shape evolution.

Primates of the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project: A History

Abstract: The Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP), located approximately 80 km north of Manaus, Brazil, is the longest-running study of forest fragmentation in the world. The BDFFP was created in 1979 and the first primate census occurred in 1980. Six primate species inhabit the study area: red howler (Alouatta macconnelli), black spider (Ateles paniscus), brown capuchin (Sapajus apella), northern bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas chiropotes), golden-faced saki (Pithecia chrysocephala), and golden-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas). The distribution of these six species throughout the forest fragments has varied during the past three decades with some species (i.e., howler monkeys) being more prevalent than others (i.e., spider monkeys), particularly in the smaller fragments. Researchers did not find primates in some of the 1-ha forest fragments prior to 2007. Here we present a history of primate research at the BDFFP, including findings from three decades of primate censuses and behavioral and ecological studies of several species in the forest fragments, the surrounding matrix, and the continuous forest. These primate studies have provided information on seed dispersal in forest fragments, parasite infections, use of the matrix, and changes in group size, activity budget, and diet of groups in the forest fragments. Many of the once-cleared pastures surrounded by continuous primary forest are now dominated by various stages of secondary growth. Unfortunately, deforestation continues in many areas of the continuous forest north of Manaus. We discuss the implications of these land-cover changes on the primate community and suggest avenues for future primate research at the BDFFP.