Showing papers in "Biota Neotropica in 2008"

O que ganhamos 'confundindo' riqueza de espécies e equabilidade em um índice de diversidade?

Abstract: In Community Ecology and in many applications of Conservation Biology, diversity means variety of species, which may or not include information on the relative importance of each species. Diversity is one of the most important attributes in the study of communities and, as a result, many methods are available to its measurement. Among them, non-parametric diversity (or heterogeneity) indices such as Shannon and Simpson formulae are widely employed in a range of studies. These indices are composed of (or confound) two components, species richness and evenness. Different indices can be obtained combining the two components with different weights. The lack of an objective criteria to guide appropriate weighting of each component results in an arbitrary decision to use an index and not another. Additionally, depending on the weight the indices give to each component, an index may indicate that community A is more diversified than community B while a second index may indicate the contrary. Also, diversity indices applied to samples differing in species richness and evenness may produce similar values. Such problems can be avoided using alternative methods. One of them is diversity profile, which includes not one index but many diversity indices differing in the weight given to each component. Additional alternatives include the use of species richness only, Whittaker's diagram (or of dominance) and scatter diagrams with axes defined by species richness and an evenness index. Except by species richness, the cited alternative methods show graphically much more information than that contained in a single value produced by a diversity index. In studies requiring a response variable to be modeled in relation to predictor variables (Linear Models such as Regression and Analysis of Variance), I suggest the separate use of species richness and evenness as each one may reflect different aspect of communities.

Composition and natural history of a Cerrado snake assemblage at Itirapina, São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil

Abstract: Neotropical snake assemblages present high species richness and complex structures. The Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil, and was included among the 25 World's biodiversity hotspots. In southeastern Brazil, the remnant Cerrado areas have suffered intense destruction, and presently less than 2% of Cerrado natural vegetation remain in Sao Paulo state. Virtually no detailed study on Cerrado snakes was carried out in this region. The Itirapina region has one of the last well preserved remnants of open cerrado in Sao Paulo state. Our purpose in this work was the study of natural history and composition of the Cerrado snakes of Itirapina region. We performed an extensive field sampling combining six sampling methods in Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina and disturbed Cerrado areas in its surroundings (municipalities of Itirapina and Brotas), during 101 trips throughout 43 months, between September 1998 and March 2002, corresponding to 446 days of field sampling. We also collected additional data from museum specimens housed in scientific collections. We present data on size, general abundance, habitat and macrohabitat use, daily and seasonal activity, feeding, reproduction, and defense. We also compared the Itirapina snake assemblage with nine snake assemblages of Brazil, from Amazonia, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and other open habitats. We recorded a total of 36 snake species among 755 individuals found in the field and six records from scientific collections and literature, belonging to 25 genera and five families. The snake assemblage comparisons indicate that the Cerrado has its own identity regarding the snake composition. Although small (about 2,300 ha), the Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina encompasses well preserved and representative Cerrado physiognomic forms, which harbors a rich and typical Cerrado snake fauna. The occurrence of some species only inside the reserve also indicates that the Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina is of fundamental importance to the maintenance of Cerrado biodiversity.

Estimation of biomass and carbon stocks: the case of the Atlantic Forest

Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to present and discuss the best methods to estimate live above ground biomass in the Atlantic Forest. The methods presented and conclusions are the products of a workshop entitled "Estimation of Biomass and Carbon Stocks: the Case of Atlantic Rain Forest". Aboveground biomass (AGB) in tropical forests is mainly contained in trees. Tree biomass is a function of wood volume, obtained from the diameter and height, architecture and wood density (dry weight per unit volume of fresh wood). It can be quantified by the direct (destructive) or indirect method where the biomass quantification is estimated using mathematical models. The allometric model can be site specific when elaborated to a particular ecosystem or general that can be used in different sites. For the Atlantic Forest, despite the importance of it, there are only two direct measurements of tree biomass, resulting in allometric models specific for this ecosystem. To select one or other of the available models in the literature to estimate AGB it is necessary take into account what is the main question to be answered and the ease with which it is possible to measure the independent variables in the model. Models that present more accurate estimates should be preferred. However, more simple models (those with one independent variable, usually DBH) can be used when the focus is monitoring the variation in carbon storage through the time. Our observations in the Atlantic Forest suggest that pan-tropical relations proposed by Chave et al. (2005) can be confidently used to estimated tree biomass across biomes as long as tree diameter (DBH), height, and wood density are accounted for in the model. In Atlantic Forest, we recommend the quantification of biomass of lianas, bamboo, palms, tree ferns and epiphytes, which are an important component in this ecosystem. This paper is an outcome of the workshop entitled "Estimation of Biomass and Carbon Stocks: the Case of Atlantic Rain Forest", that was conducted at Ubatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, between 4 and 8 December 2006 as part of the Brazilian project "Ombrophylus Dense Forest floristic composition, structure and function at the Nucleos Picinguaba and Santa Virginia of the Serra do Mar State Park", BIOTA Gradiente.

Composição e história natural das serpentes de Cerrado de Itirapina, São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil

Abstract: As taxocenoses de serpentes neotropicais apresenta m alta riqueza de especies e estruturas complexas. O Cerrado e o segundo maior bioma do Brasil e foi incluido entre os 25 hotspots globais de biodiversidade. No sudeste do Brasil, as areas remanescentes de Cerrado tem sofrido intensa destruicao, e atualmente restam menos de 2% da vegetacao natural de Cerrado no estado de Sao Paulo. Praticamente nenhum estudo detalhado sobre serpentes do Cerrado foi realizado nesta regiao. A regiao de Itirapina apresenta um dos ultimos remanescentes bem preservados de cerrado aberto no estado de Sao Paulo. Nosso objetivo neste trabalho foi o estudo da historia natural e composicao das serpentes de Cerrado da regiao de Itirapina. Nos realizamos uma amostragem de campo extensiva combinando seis metodos de amostragem na Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina e areas alteradas de Cerrado nas proximidades (municipios de Itirapina e Brotas), em 101 viagens durante 43 meses, entre setembro de 1998 e marco de 2002, o que correspondeu a 446 dias de amostragem de campo. Tambem coletamos dados adicionais a partir de especimes de colecoes cientificas. Apresentamos dados sobre tamanho, abundância geral, uso do ambiente e substrato, atividade diaria e sazonal, dieta, reproducao e defesa. Tambem comparamos a taxocenose de serpentes de Itirapina com nove taxocenoses de serpentes do Brasil, incluindo a Amazonia, Mata Atlântica, Cerrado e outras formacoes abertas. Registramos na regiao de Itirapina 36 especies de serpentes entre 755 individuos encontrados no campo e seis registros de colecoes cientificas e literatura, pertencentes a 25 generos de cinco familias. As comparacoes entre taxocenoses indicam que o Cerrado apresenta uma identidade propria em relacao a composicao de especies de serpentes. Apesar de limitada a um pequeno fragmento (cerca de 2.300 ha), a Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina apresenta fisionomias conservadas e representativas de Cerrado, que abrigam uma fauna de serpentes rica e tipica do Cerrado. A ocorrencia de algumas especies apenas no interior da reserva tambem indica que a Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina e de importância fundamental para a manutencao da biodiversidade do Cerrado.

Ocorrência e caracterização de galhas de insetos em áreas de restinga de Bertioga (São Paulo, Brasil)

Abstract: Studies on entomogenous galls at restinga areas in the State of Sao Paulo are very scarce, and the diversity of galling insects is completely unknown in these areas. In this study, we investigated restinga environments in Bertioga (S.P.) in order to contribute to the knowledge of the galls and the taxonomy of the galling insects in this State. Two hundred thirty three kinds of insect gall were found on 123 plant species and 48 families. The Myrtaceae and Asteraceae showed the greatest number of attacked species (14 and 13, respectively) and the greatest richness of galls (31 and 29, respectively). Most galls (about 60%) were observed on leaves. Galls of Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera e Thysanoptera were found, being the majority (about 57%) induced by Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). Other dwellers were found in 117 kinds of gall (about 50%): inquilinous; sucessors; predators and parasitoids. Among them, the parasitoids and the inquilinous were the most frequent ones. The parasitoids belong to eigth families of Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae, Platygastridae, Pteromalidae, Torymidae, Braconidae, Encyrtidae, Mymaridae and Eupelmidae, being the first three the most frequent ones. The inquilinous belong to five insect orders: Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Thysanoptera, being the Diptera the most frequent.

Branqueamento de corais nos recifes da Bahia e sua relação com eventos de anomalias térmicas nas águas superficiais do oceano

Abstract: Since 1993 several coral bleaching events were registered in Bahia. There were no mass coral death associated to these events and the affected corals fully recovered after the impact. The first occurrence was registered during the southern hemisphere summer of 1993/1994, in Abrolhos, when 50 to 90% of the coral colonies were bleached. In the North Coast of Bahia, during the summer of 1997/1998, a sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly of 1 oC matched with SST registered in the field (29 to 30.5 oC). As a result, up to 60% corals bleached. From 1998 to 2005 anomalies of 0.25 oC, for two weeks, caused bleaching in more than 10% corals from the coastal reefs, which are located adjacent or less than 5 km from the coastline. However in the Abrolhos region, where reefs are located more than 10 km from the continent, only SST anomalies higher than 0.50 oC,persisting for more than two weeks, caused bleaching up to 10% of the investigated corals. Mussismilia hispida, Siderastreaspp., Montastraea cavernosa, Agaricia agaricites and Porites astreoides were the coral species most severely impacted by bleaching, and they are also the most common species in the coastal reefs. All species presented different levels of bleaching, 'light' or 'heavy'. In Bahia, there is a strong linkage between coral bleaching and periods of elevated sea surface temperature, and the most affected corals were the ones from the coastal reefs. These coastal reefs are exposed to the impacts from processes occurring in the continent, suggesting that corals exposed to high levels of nutrient and sediment loads, and large SST fluctuations, may be more resistant to the post bleaching effects, such as infectious diseases and mass mortality.

Composição e ameaças à conservação dos anfíbios anuros do Parque Estadual de Itapeva, município de Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Abstract: A species inventory is the first step to develop conservation strategies. The Itapeva State Park (PEVA) is a protected area located in a narrow zone between RS-389 (Estrada do Mar) and the Itapeva beach, near Torres city, extreme north of the coastal plain of the Rio Grande do Sul State (29° 21' S and 49° 45' W). The Park is covered by mobile dunes, fixed dunes, marshy forest, grasslands, dry forests, wetlands and streams. The aim of this study is to list the anuran species of PEVA, to describe their habitats, and to identify possible impact on these anurans inside the Park. The anuran fauna survey occurred from March 2000 to March 2003. The field trips were monthly from May de 2000 to March 2001 after this period, eigth adicional field trips were done. The surveys comprised two nights and two days. The sampling methods included periodic visits to all environments with potential anuran incidence, wet areas, pools, temporary pools, streams and wetlands. During the day we looked for animals under logs, stones, tiles, and near houses. Nocturnal collections were from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Eight environments were sampled: primary sand dunes (DP), wetlands (BD), movel dunes (DM), fixed dunes (DF), wet grasslands (CA), "capoeira" (regenerating forest), (CP), marshy forest (MP) and dry grasslands (CS). Twenty-nine anuran species from eight families were recorded: Hylidae (11 spp.), Leiuperidae (6 spp.), Bufonidae (4 spp.), Leptodactylidae (3 spp.), Brachycephalidae (2 spp.), Cycloramphidae (1 sp.), Microhylidae (1 sp.) e Ranidae (1 sp.). To date the PEVA is the area with the third highest number of species in Rio Grande do Sul State.Two species are threatened in Rio Grande do Sul: Haddadus binotatus and Melanophryniscus dorsalis. The main observed threats were: forest drainage, forest fragmentation, presence of invasive species and wetland degradation.

Detection of areas of endemism on two spatial scales using Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE): the Neotropical region and the Atlantic Forest

Abstract: 4 Complete article, including its appendix, is available with the corresponding author Abstract: An important biological challenge today is the conservation of biodiversity. Biogeography, the study of the distribution patterns of organisms, is an important tool for this challenge. Endemism, the co-occurrence of several species unique to the same area, has important implications for the preservation of biodiversity, since many areas of endemism are also areas with large human impact. More rigorously defined, areas of endemism are historical units of distributional congruence of monophyletic taxa. These areas often assumed to be due to nonrandom historical events that favored conditions associated with high rates of speciation. Thus, understanding endemism and the delimitation of endemic areas has important implications for conservation. Today, most studies delimit areas of endemism by superimposing maps of distribution for various species. This approach suffers from arbitrary delimitations, however, when a great distributional data is used. In this paper we used the method of Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) based on georeferenced quadrats in order to delimit areas of endemism. This modality of the method is important due to its testable nature and can also be used to infer area relationships. We applied the method to raw distributional data from 19 unrelated taxa to delimit general patterns of endemism in the Neotropical Region and in the Atlantic forest domain using different grid scales. Neotropical areas found are comprised over the Panama region, northern Andean region and the Atlantic forest. Atlantic forest showed a major division into two distinct components (northern x southern). Endemic areas delimited using smaller scale grids on the Atlantic forest should be considered for conservation priorities once they showed endemism at regional and local scales. The results were also compared to other studies using different taxa and methods. Finally, some considerations on the analysis scale and future perspectives of the method are presented.

Aves da Estação Ecológica de Itirapina, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract: Currently the Cerrado biome is one of the most threatened in the world because high taxes of destruction, mostly by agriculture and cattle. Few assessments of local bird diversity have been made in this biome, particularly in non core areas. The Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina (EEI) maintains one of the last natural grassland savannah remnants of state of Sao Paulo, south-east Brazil. We conducted casual and systematic observations of birds in this reserve between 1998 and 2007, which altogether with additional literature revision yielded 231 species with recent occurrence. We report 38 species (16.4%) threatened with extinction in Sao Paulo and/or endemic to the Cerrado Region, an impressive result in comparison to other cerrado areas in Sao Paulo and even in Central Brazil. These results reinforce the importance of EEI for bird conservation and mean EEI is maintaining its function as a conservation unity. However, as a result of several menaces observed to this reserve during our ten years study, we suggest some management practices for the maintenance or even increasing of bird diversity in this reserve.

Feeding habits of the ichthyofauna in a protected area in the State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil

Abstract: The trophic relationships of a fish community were studied in two basins subjected to a strong human pressure in the interior of the State of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. A total of 211 stomachs of 14 species were analyzed. Diets varied greatly, with the occurrence of piscivory, benthophagy, insectivory, herbivory, and illiophagy. Food items were described for each species and a great amount of insects was registered. Allochthonous and autochthonous food items showed different importance degrees according to the species analyzed. Stomach fullness was high in spring and summer in both basins; these areas were used as reproduction and foraging sites for the studied species.

Frog diversity in the Floresta Nacional de Chapecó, Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil

Abstract: The Atlantic Forest is considered one of the world's biological diversity hotspots but is nevertheless increasingly threatened with the rapid destruction and fragmentation of its natural areas. In the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, remnants of the mixed ombrophilous forest and seasonal deciduous forest exist as islands within large areas of agriculture, pastures and human settlements. Here we present information on species richness and habitat use by anurans in the Floresta Nacional de Chapeco, located in the western portion of the state of Santa Catarina. Anurans were surveyed by active search of potential reproductive sites from December 1998 to December 2001. A total of 29 species were recorded, most of which have a known distribution restricted to southern Brazil and adjacent countries (Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and use open areas for reproduction. The species composition was most similar to other areas of mixed ombrophilous forest and seasonal deciduous forest from the extreme south of Brazil. The information in this study may support the implementation of conservation and management strategies in the area.

Anuros da Reserva Rio das Pedras, Mangaratiba, RJ, Brasil

Abstract: Um estudo de composicao de fauna foi realizado em um reduto de Mata Atlântica na regiao sul Fluminense, municipio de Mangaratiba, RJ, no periodo de maio de 1997 a setembro de 2006. As coletas foram feitas mensalmente nos cinco primeiros anos e bimensalmente nos outros cinco anos, totalizando 82 excursoes. As visitas tiveram duracao media de duas noites, com uma equipe de quatro pessoas, utilizando a metodologia de busca ativa visual e auditiva. Ao todo foram registradas para a regiao quarenta e uma especies de vinte e um generos, distribuidos em nove familias: Amphignathodontidae (tres), Brachycephalidae (seis), Bufonidae (dois), Centrolenidae (um), Cyclorhamphidae (dois), Hylidae (21), Hylodidae (dois), Leptodactylidae (tres) e Microhylidae (um). As especies foram relacionadas aos diversos micro-ambientes de reproducao encontrados na Reserva Rio das Pedras (ReRP) e foram feitas consideracoes sobre seu estado de conservacao. A distribuicao geografica e a variacao altitudinal de Gastrotheca albolineata foram ampliadas. Proceratophrys appendiculata e Bokermannohyla circumdata tiveram tambem sua variacao altitudinal ampliada. Scinax angrensis e Aplastodiscus eugenioi foram incluidas na lista de anfibios do estado do Rio de Janeiro. A anurofauna da ReRP representa 25% do total de especies de anuros do estado do Rio de Janeiro, contendo uma especie ameacada de extincao na categoria " em perigo" (EN), uma " quase ameacada" (NT) e outra com distribuicao restrita. O numero de especies foi considerado expressivo quando comparado com outras areas de Mata Atlântica do Estado de Sao Paulo.

O status do conhecimento sobre a fauna de mamíferos do Espírito Santo baseado em registros de museus e literatura científica

Abstract: The state of Espirito Santo has been recognized as one of the richest Brazilian states in terms of species diversity, but the knowledge on its mammal fauna is still limited. Due to the lack of a complete list of wild mammals occurring in the state and to the scarcity of information associated to species records, we carried out a study on the state of scientific knowledge on mammal species in the state of Espirito Santo. We compiled a digital database with locality records of mammal species from published data and museum specimens. We used the software DIVA to verify where efforts for recording mammals are located and also where species richness is higher. As a result, we generated a list of 138 Espirito Santo mammals, which includes threatened animals and Atlantic Forest endemic species, and two species typical of the Cerrado. We found regions that are knowledge gaps, especially in the northern part of the state. There have been more mammal surveys in the micro regions "Central Serrana" and "Polo Linhares". The list of mammal species is a guideline for future research, even though it is not exhaustive. We recommend conducting faunal surveys focusing on larger geographic areas and intensive sampling efforts, mainly in those regions where information is scarce.

Mamíferos do Parque Estadual do Desengano, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract: Even after the devastation of large part of its forests, Rio de Janeiro State still harbors a rich terrestrial mammal fauna. However, information on the distribution and abundance of mammal species in the State is still scarce. This study aims to survey the mammals of the Desengano State Park, located on the northern part of Rio de Janeiro, one of the least studied and most altered regions of the State. The inventory was conducted using Sherman, Tomahawk, and pitfall traps for non-volant small mammals, mist nets for bats, camera traps, sightings and reports of residents and officials of the Park for large mammals. We recorded 56 species of mammals, of which 15 are on the list of threatened fauna of Rio de Janeiro State and 10 on the list of Brazilian threatened fauna, including Brachyteles arachnoides. The most abundant species were the bat Sturnira lilium and the rodent Akodon serrensis. Moreover, Thaptomys nigrita, a rodent not commonly captured in the State, was relatively abundant in the Desengano State Park. Results indicate that the park harbors 33.7% of the species of mammals known to occur in the State, highlighting the importance of the area for the conservation of Rio de Janeiro fauna.

Cladóceros fitófilos (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) do Parque Nacional das Emas, estado de Goiás

Abstract: This paper presents a preliminary inventory of the phytophylous cladocerans from the Parque Nacional das Emas. Eleven qualitative samples were taken from different sites (lagoon, vereda, and wet campo), from 2000 to 2006. Eighteen species, belonging to typically non-planktonic families, were identified; the most specious family was the Chydoridae. All species are recorded for the first time in Southwest region of Goias.

Allometric models for estimating the phytomass of a secondary Atlantic Forest area of southeastern Brazil

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate equations to estimate the aboveground phytomass of a 30 years old plot of Atlantic Forest. In two plots of 100 m2, a total of 82 trees were cut down at ground level. For each tree, height and diameter were measured. Leaves and woody material were separated in order to determine their fresh weights in field conditions. Samples of each fraction were oven dried at 80 °C to constant weight to determine their dry weight. Tree data were divided into two random samples. One sample was used for the development of the regression equations, and the other for validation. The models were developed using single linear regression analysis, where the dependent variable was the dry mass, and the independent variables were height (h), diameter (d) and d2h. The validation was carried out using Pearson correlation coefficient, paired t-Student test and standard error of estimation. The best equations to estimate aboveground phytomass were: lnDW = -3.068+2.522lnd (r2 = 0.91; sy/x = 0.67) and lnDW = -3.676+0.951ln d2h (r2 = 0.94; sy/x = 0.56).

Revisão taxonômica de Croton sect. Lamprocroton (Müll. Arg.) Pax (Euphorbiaceae s.s.)

Abstract: Croton is the second bigger and more diverse genus in the family Euphorbiaceae, with about 1,200 species distributed in 40 sections, occurring in all tropical areas, most of them in Americas. In South America, Brazil is the country in which a larger number of taxa are found, ca. 356. According to recent classification, the genus belongs to the tribe Crotoneae, and despite the wide and morphological diversity, it would be a monophyletic taxon. However, a phylogenetic analysis using markers of ITS region from nuclear ribosomal DNA, and of trnL-F from plastidial DNA, showed that Croton, like traditionally circumscribed, is not a monophyletic taxon. A taxonomic revision of Croton section Lamprocroton (Mull. Arg.) Pax is presented here. It is a Neotropical group with most of its species occurring from Southeast and South Brazil to southern South America (Uruguay and Argentina). Morphologically, the members of Lamprocroton are characterized as monoecious or dioecious shrubs or subshrubs, with a lepidote indumentum at least in part of foliage, entire leaves with no glands. The staminate flowers have 9 to 16 stamens and the pistillate flowers may have equal or unequal sepals, reduced to absent petals, and styles once or twice bifid. Overall, are recognized 26 species in the group, three of them new to the science. Identification key, morphological descriptions, illustrations, phenological period, as well as data on geographic distribution and general comments of each species are presented. Four taxa were excluded from C. sect. Lamprocroton because they do not show the morphological features that are diagnostics of the section. Four species that are poorly known were not included in the taxonomic treatment.

Diversidade de abelhas (Hymenoptera, Apidae) ao longo de um gradiente latitudinal na Mata Atlântica

Abstract: GONCALVES, R.B. & BRANDAO, C.R.F. Diversity of bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae) along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Forest. Biota Neotrop. 8(4): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v8n4/en/ abstract?article+bn00908042008 Abstract: The Atlantic Forest is one of the most rich and endangered natural environments in the world. It is expected then that this situation would have encouraged the study and conservation of this biome; the Atlantic forest Hymenoptera fauna, however, remains virtually unknown. The bee fauna, for instance, is less studied than that of the Brazilian open areas. The overall ignorance on most of the Atlantic Forest insect faunas based the elaboration of the project "Biodiversity of Hymenoptera and Isoptera: richness and diversity along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Forest - the humid eastern forest of Brazil", within the Biota-Fapesp Program, that aimed to catalog the termites, ants and several wasp families along the Atlantic forest and to publish data that could contribute to the biome conservation. Similar sampling protocols were applied for wasp surveys: the same number of Malaise and pan traps and similar effort on vegetation swapping, along 17 selected localities, representing a gradient of almost 20° of latitude in evergreen pristine Atlantic Forest, from Paraiba to Santa Catarina Brazilian states. These protocols were defined to optimize the collecting of wasps; bees represented a 'secondary product' of the sampling protocol. A sum of 797 specimens representing 105 bee species was sampled; the richest and more abundant bee taxon was the Meliponina. Unfortunately the applied sampling method does not afford comparisons among Atlantic Forest bee assemblages with those of other biomes. The detrended correspondence analysis using only the relative frequencies of Meliponina species revealed a weak correspondence of the stingless bee assemblages' composition with the latitudinal gradient. Despite that, the sampled taxa are possibly restricted to the Atlantic forest and additional data on their distribution deserves to be published. A complete checklist of the sampled bees, their relative frequencies, and the localities where they were recorded is presented and discussed.

Gastric lesions associated with the presence of Anisakis spp. Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Cetaceans stranded on the coast of Ceara, Brazil

Abstract: The gastric compartments of ten cetaceans stranded on the coast of Ceara State, Northeast Brazil were analyzed in this study. Gastric Anisakis spp. was diagnosed in all individuals involved in this study. Parasites and tissue samples were collected during necropsy. The presence of Anisakis parasites showed similar distribution across the three gastric compartments and the majority was free within the gastric lumen. Macroscopically, the lesions were predominantly characterized by the presence of ulcers (60%, 6/10) within the gastric mucosa, occasionally associated with edema and hemorrhage (30%, 3/10). Eight cetaceans (8/10 - 80%) presented gastric microscopic alterations and in 75% (6/8) of these animals, chronic lymphoplasmocytic gastritis was observed with varying degrees of distribution and severity. Additionally, eosinophilic and granulomatous inflammation with giant cells, hemosiderosis, fibrosis and areas of necrosis were associated with location of parasites within the gastric mucosa. In this study, it was shown that the majority of cetaceans with the presence of Anisakis parasites presented macro and microscopic gastric alterations. These nematodes are probably associated with the development of these alterations; however, more pathological approaches are still required.

The phytoplankton biodiversity of the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: O objetivo deste estudo e compilar o inventario de quase 100 anos de pesquisa sobre a composicao de especies do fitoplâncton do litoral do Estado de Sao Paulo, Brasil. O retrato atualizado da biodiversidade local e necessario para establecer um dignostico para comparacoes futuras. Este tipo de informacao encontra-se dispersa em antigas publicacoes e em material considerado como "literatura cinza" e requer atualizacao nomenclatural. Vinte e seis publicacoes foram consideradas neste estudo. O registro mais antigo e de 1913 (?) e o mais recente de 2002. Esta lista de especies, compilada a partir de dados preteritos, foi complementada com dados primarios coletados entre agosto de 2004 e julho de 2006 nas zonas de arrebentacao de 20 praias paulistas e em area de maricultura da praia da Cocanha em Caraguatatuba. A lista de especies completa inclui 572 taxons: a maioria de diatomaceas (82%), seguidas por dinoflagelados (16%), com uma pequena contribuicao de silicoflagelados, cocolitoforideos, ebriideas e cianobacterias. As areas mais estudadas foram: Ubatuba, Sao Sebastiao, Santos e Cananeia. O levantamento atual tem uma cobertura espacial mais abrangente. Ao longo dos anos, os objetivos dos estudos preteritos variaram desde puramente taxonomicos ate investigacoes de aspectos funcionais do ecossistema. Desta forma, os inventarios mais longos e a maioria dos primeiros registros foram publicados antes de 1980 e as publicacoes mais recentes fazem mencao apenas a especies mais abundantes/frequentes. Microscopia eletronica foi empregada pela primeira vez no levantamento atual e novos registros incluem 38 diatomaceas, 42 dinoflagelados, 1 silicoflagelado, 1 ebriidea e 2 cianobacterias. O uso e interpretacao deste inventario exige cautela. Se por um lado, nao e viavel questionar a identificacao feita por outros pesquisadores, por outro lado, a capacidade de amostrar, analisar e identificar especies evoluiu ao longo do tempo. Algumas consideracoes sobre esta questao sao apresentadas.

Ácaros plumícolas (Acari: Astigmata) em aves do Cerrado do Distrito Federal, Brasil

Abstract: The goal of this study was to identify feather mites on Cerrado birds. This study was conducted at Fazenda Agua Limpa (FAL), Distrito Federal, Brazil, between January and August 2002. Birds were captured with mist nets and banded. Were sampled 696 birds, belonging to 83 species and 25 bird families of Passeriformes and non-Passeriformes. Feather mites were found on five families: Analgidae, Trouessartiidae, Proctophyllodidae, Avenzoariidae and Psoroptoididae. The present work reports new occurrences of feather mites on captured hosts. The family Proctophyllodidae and the genus Pterodectes were the most prevalent group of feather mites collected. Tyrannidae, Pipridae, Emberizidae and Thraupidae were the bird families with most host numbers, with parasites from three taxa: Trouessartiidae, Proctophyllodidae and Analgidae. Considering the birds captured the prevalence was 44.98%. Trochilidae, Conopophagidae, Furnariidae, Tityridae, Turdidae, Mimidae, Cardinalidae, and Parulidae were the families with major feather mites prevalence (≥50%).

Associações entre as biomassas de peixes Sciaenidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) e de camarões Penaeoidea (Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata) no litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo

Abstract: To study the relationships among Sciaenidae fish and Penaeoidea shrimp biomass, fieldwork was carried out in the north coast of Sao Paulo state, Brazil, during the four seasons of 2001. Samples were collected in transects from different depths at Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba, and Sao Sebastiao cities. Water and sediment were collected from each transect. The hypotheses that the environmental factors were different among the seasons and depths were tested by ANOVAs. The statistical dependence among the biomasses of fishes (response variable) and the biomasses of shrimps (covariable) in the three sections was tested by an ANCOVA model. CCA was used to quantify the relationships among each species’ biomass. The seasons and sections important at the CCA results were evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis test and depth by Spearman’s test. The temperatures and salinities were significantly different among seasons but organic matter and phi were not. A total of 378,618 g of fish and 79,338 g of shrimp were collected and the majority was captured during the winter and in shallow transects. The greatest biomass of both groups was captured at Caraguatatuba and the correlation between fish and shrimp captures was negative. A positive correlation was found in the other areas. Therefore, data from Caraguatatuba was removed from the final ANCOVA model, in which 47% of Sciaenidae biomass variability was explained by the presence of Penaeoidea shrimps. Xiphopenaeus kroyeri was the only important factor in Sciaenidae distribution in the axis 1, while axis 2 indirectly evidenced the depth gradient. The results suggest that many fish species search for the same areas where shrimp occurs, related to abiotic factors, and use them as food resource.

Deslocamento de Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (Mammalia, Chiroptera) entre ilha e continente no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract: One individual of Artibeus lituratus, marked with a colored and numbered plastic color necklace was recaptured on July 18 th , 2007 at the Parque Natural Municipal da Serra do Mendanha, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 96 days after being captured and marked at Itacuruca Island, located on southern Rio de Janeiro State. The linear distance between the plots of marking and recapture suggests a minimum movement of 35 km, being 500 m oversea.

Surface and subterranean ichthyofauna in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, northeastern Brazil, with updated lists of Brazilian troglobitic and troglophilic fishes

Abstract: After an ichthyofaunistic survey in several epigean (surface) water bodies of the Serra do Ramalho, southern Bahia, conducted in May 2007, 44 species were recorded; in addition, three non-troglomorphic (normally eyed and pigmented) and two troglomorphic species were recorded only in caves, totaling 49 species of fishes for the area, which represents a little more than one fourth of the total registered in the literature for the entire Rio Sao Francisco basin. In these caves, which have been studied since 2005, eight non-troglomorphic species were sampled and their presence in both epigean and subterranean habitats, associated to the lack of morphological differences, indicate that they may be either troglophiles (species encompassing individuals able to live and complete their life cycle either in the surface or in the subterranean environment), trogloxenes (individuals regularly found in subterranean habitats, but which must return periodically to the surface in order to complete their life cycle) or even accidental in caves. In addition, two troglomorphic species (with reduced eyes and melanic pigmentation when compared to close epigean relatives), belonging respectively to the genera Rhamdia and Trichomycterus, were recorded exclusively in caves, thus classified as troglobites. Interestingly, no epigean representative of the genus Trichomycterus was collected. The new data are integrated into updated lists of Brazilian troglobitic and troglophilic fishes, based on published data and new records recently confirmed.

Frogs of Marambaia: a naturally isolated Restinga and Atlantic Forest remnant of southeastern Brazil

Abstract: We report the results of a seven-year survey of the anurans of Marambaia, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, where 24 species were recorded. The species represented nine families: Hylidae (10 species), Bufonidae (3), Leptodactylidae (3), Hylodidae (2), Microhylidae (2), Craugastoridae (1), Centrolenidae (1), Cycloramphidae (1), and Leiuperidae (1). We also present notes on the natural history and habitat usage by the anurans.

Bioacústica e sítio de vocalização em taxocenoses de anuros de área aberta no noroeste paulista

Abstract: The calling site and the acoustic parameters of the advertisement call were determined for 18 anuran species in six ponds in the northwest region of Sao Paulo State. The dominant frequency of the advertisement call was positively correlated with the CRC of the species: small size species vocalized in a higher frequency, whereas larger species vocalized in a lower frequency. The similarity in the spectral and temporal parameters of the advertisement call was high among 94% of the recorded species. The similarity on calling site was low; only 22% of species presented high overlap, in spite of about a half of the species have been generalist in calling site use. Analysing simultaneously the similarity on calling site, habitat and advertisement call parameters, the proportion of species with high overlap decreased from 94 to 11%, corresponding to the overlap between a single pair of species: Dendropsophus elianeae and D. minutus. The species that overlap in calling site presented segregation in acoustic parameters, and those that overlap in acoustic parameters tended to partition the calling site. This result suggests the occurrence of niche complementarity, since species that occupied a similar position in one dimension tended to differ in another dimension. The structural homogeneity of ponds, the climatic severity of the region and the high degree of habitat loss restrict the abundance of population and the species richness of the anuran assemblages. The low overlap on the calling site is probably associated with the insaturation of the sampled communities.

Oligochaeta (Annelida, Clitellata) of lotic environments at Parque Estadual Intervales (São Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract: Studies on benthic macroinvertebrates of lotic environments usually focus on the occurrence, distribution, and richness of aquatic insects and decapod crustaceans. Only rarely these studies include the Oligochaeta. The aim of the present study was to examine the occurrence and species richness of Oligochaeta in different substrata patches of lotic environments. The studied included seven stream sites at Parque Estadual Intervales (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Stream sites differed in size and ranged from first to fourth order. In each stream, qualitative collections were made using a D-type net sampler with 0.21 mm mesh. Measures of pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and water turbidity were taken in the studied sites during collections of Oligochaeta. Specimens of the Tubificidae (including Naidinae) and Enchytraeidae families were collected. The Tubificidae Aulodrilus limnobius, Limnodrilus neotropicus and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri were associated with low-flow habitats containing fine organic material. The most representative species among the Naidinae, Nais communis, was predominantly associated with rocky substrates present in fast current locations. The two other Naidinae species, Pristina osborni and Amphichaeta leydigi, presented low frequency in the studied streams. The Enchytraeidae family was present in only one of the sampled habitats.

Germinação de espécies arbóreas de floresta estacional decidual do vale do rio Paranã em Goiás após três tipos de armazenamento por até 15 meses

Abstract: Seed dispersal in tropical deciduous forests occurs mostly in the dry season and germination at the onset of the rainy season The delay of the first rains and dry spells are major mortality factors in dry forest regions Storing seeds to plant during the constant rains could increase germination and seedling survival We investigated the germination percentage of deciduous forest tree species after being stored i) at -20 °C and -196 °C (liquid nitrogen), and ii) at natural conditions for three and 15 months Seeds of 19 tree species of deciduous forests of Parana river basin, Goias state, were collected from August to October 2005 Two experiments were run: i) storage for three and 15 months in brown bags at environmental temperature, ii) storage for 72 hours at -20 °C cameras, liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) and a control Storage at environmental temperature decreased germination of only two species after three months, Cordia trichotoma (73 to 38%) and Copaifera langsdorffii (85 to 65%) Three species decreased germination after 15 months (Cordia trichotoma, 73 to 5%; Cavanillesia arborea, 77% to 12%; and Anadenanthera colubrina, 93% to 76%) and two species, Aspidosperma pyrifolium and Tabebuia impetiginosa, lost completely their germination Temperatures -20 and -196 °C decreased germination of only one species each, Tabebuia impetiginosa (90 to 70%) and Aspidosperma pyrifolium (90 to 43%), respectively In general, environmental temperature storage up to 15 months and -20 and -196 °C storage were efficient to preserve seed germinability of many dry forest tree species from Parana river basin These are feasible options to ex situ conservation and to increase germination for direct seeding strategies of restoration

Echinodermata da Praia do Cabo Branco, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil

Abstract: The present study examined the fauna of echinoderms at Cabo Branco Beach, Joao Pessoa, state of Paraiba, Brazil. The beach was formed by the erosion of a sandstone terrace. Thirty two species from four echinoderm classes (Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea and Holothuroidea) distributed among 18 families and 24 genera were identified. The number of identified taxons corresponds to 9.7% of the total number of species registered for the entire Brazilian coast, and demonstrates the significant diversity of echinoderm species in this area. Class Ophiuroidea was the most diverse, with 13 species, followed by Holothuroidea (10 spp.), Asteroidea (5 spp.) and Echinoidea (4 spp.). Among the recorded species, the following were new occurrences for the state of Paraiba: Ophiocnida scabriuscula, Ophiomyxa flaccida, Ophiactis lymani, Ophionereis reticulata, Ophioderma januarii, Ophiophragmus brachyatis, Thyone cognita, T. suspecta, Ocnus suspectus, Phyllophorus occidentalis, P. communis, Lissothuria sp., Holothuria grisea, Holothuria arenicola, Chiridota rotifera, Synaptula hydriformis, Echinaster nudus, Linckia guildingii, Lytechinus variegatus, Mellita quinquiesperforata and Leodia sexiesperforata.

História natural de Leptodactylus mystacinus e Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) no Cerrado do Brasil Central

Abstract: Aspects of the ecology of Leptodactylus mystacinus and Leptodactylus fuscus were investigated in an area of the Cerrado of Central Brazil The study included use of microhabitat, activity patterns, diet and, morphometry Observations were conducted between April, 2006, and February, 2007 The species are sexually dimorphic - females larger than males - and body size in L mystacinus is larger than that of L fuscus Both species preferred the ground surface (microhabitat) of wetland habitats with herbaceous vegetation close to lentic water bodies Leptodactylus mystacinus was observed most often in October and November (8:00-8:59 PM and 11:00-11:59 PM), and L fuscus in November and October between 7:00 PM and 8:59 PM The diet of both populations was based on Arthropoda, primarily Coleoptera, which was the most important order (IVI) Differences in the volumetric proportions of the categories of then preys used, and in the periods when they were most observed, are probably the factors that contribute the most to the coexistence of both species in the area Intersexual differences in the diet were observed in both species These differences were probably associated with the differential allocation of resources to the production of gametes or occasional differences in the use of space by the two sexes