Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

About: Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro is a education organization based out in Seropédica, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Species richness. The organization has 6405 authors who have published 9852 publications receiving 105911 citations.

Exploitation of Fallen Diaspores by Ants: Are there Ant-Plant Partner Choices?

Abstract: Ants frequently interact with fleshy fallen diaspores (fruits or seeds) not adapted for ant-dispersal. Such interactions are usually considered as opportunistic, but recent evidence has indicated that these ants may differ in their effects on diaspore survival and plant recruitment. We investigated if partner choices are recognizable among genera of ants and plants, and if ant and plant traits may influence such preferences in cerrado (savanna-like vegetation) from southeast Brazil. During a 2-yr period, 521 ant–diaspore interactions were recorded through various methods, yielding 71 ant species and 38 plant species. Exploitation of fallen diaspores was common among several ant genera, and included carnivorous, omnivorous, and fungivorous ants. Contrary to others areas around the world, where true myrmecochory (seed dispersal by ants) is common among shrubs, ants also exploited diaspores from several cerrado trees. Plant life form, diaspore size, and ant body size did not seem to explain the pattern of interactions observed. Two subsets of preferential interactions, however, segregated fungivorous ants from another group composed of carnivorous and omnivorous ants, probably influenced by the chemical composition of the plant diaspores. Omnivorous ants usually remove the fleshy portion of diaspores on spot and probably provide limited benefits to plants. Carnivorous and fungivorous ants usually remove the whole diaspore to the nest. As each of these ant groups may influence the fitness of diaspores in different ways, there are possible subtle pathways for the evolution of partner choices between ants and these non-myrmecochorous diaspores.

Physicochemical properties and carotenoid content of extruded and non-extruded corn and peach palm (Bactris gasipaes, Kunth)

Abstract: Increasing demands for ready-to-eat products that also involve claims of being healthy food have motivated the investigation of new sources of foods, such as regional fruits with high carotenoid content. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of extrusion on the physicochemical properties and carotenoid content of corn with added peach palm pulp flour (0, 15 and 25 g/100 g). The chemical composition and total and profile of carotenoids were measured in raw and extrudate materials. Data on the sectional expansion, apparent density, paste viscosity, X-ray diffraction, and image analysis were collected from the extrudates. The sectional expansion reduced from 6.1 to 3.8 as peach pulp flour increased and the apparent density increased from 0.22 to 0.35 g/cm3. The paste viscosity profile was influenced by the addition of peach palm pulp flour, which reduced the cold peak viscosity from 244.0 to 60.5 mPa.s and increased the peak viscosity from 149.0 to 306.3 mPa.s. The extruded blends showed V-type crystals; however, other peaks appeared, indicating the formation of other complex forms of lipids. Red palm raw flour presented higher β-carotene content (8.1 μg/g), which was the major isomer. The total carotenoid content did not decrease with extrusion.

Network of small no-take marine reserves reveals greater abundance and body size of fisheries target species

Abstract: No-take marine reserves (NTRs), i.e. areas with total fishing restrictions, have been established worldwide aiming to promote biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Brazil has 3.3% of its exclusive economic zone protected by 73 different NTRs, however, most of them currently lack scientific knowledge and understanding of their ecological role, particularly regarding rocky reefs in subtropical regions. In this context, this study aimed to contrast a network of NTRs with comparable fished sites across a coastal biogeographic gradient to investigate the effect of fishing and habitat variability on the abundance and body size of rocky reef fish. We used Baited Remote Underwater stereo-Video (stereo-BRUVs) and Diver Operated stereo-Video (stereo-DOVs) systems to simultaneously sample reef fish and habitat. Model selection and results identified habitat and biogeographic variables, such as distance from shore, as important predictor variables, explaining several aspects of the fish assemblage. The effect of protection was important in determining the abundance and body size of targeted species, in particular for epinephelids and carangids. Conversely, species richness was correlated with habitat complexity but not with protection status. This is the first study using these survey methods in the Southwestern Atlantic, demonstrating how a network of NTRs can provide benchmarks for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management.

Risk of malnutrition among Brazilian institutionalized elderly: A study with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire

Abstract: Background Brazilian population has passed for a process of demographic transition throughout latest years, characterized for the increase of the elderly population. Malnutrition is a serious problem to frail elderly.