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Herein, basel on novel data gathered by citizens scientists and specialists, we contribute to the improvement of scientific knowledge and conservation of the Near Threatened Proceratophrys paviotii in order to: 1) test for the first time the phylogenetic position and a species delimitation of P. paviotii through a molecular approach; 2) describe a larger sample of its advertisement call to properly encompass the species intraspecific variation; 3) describe for the first time the P. paviotii release call; and 4) provide novel insights on the species conservation status. Our 16S tree confidently grouped P. paviotii with P. cururu, P. renalis, and P. laticeps. The average sequence divergence between P. paviotii and its congeners ranged from 2.2% (P. laticeps) to 9.1% (P. redacta). Advertisement calls consisted of a single note with duration of 0.26–0.58 s, 17–41 pulses emitted at rate of 54.19–77.49 pulses/s and peak frequency of 775.19–947.46 Hz. Release calls consisted of a single note with duration of 0.04–0.43 s, 2–13 pulses emitted at rate of 21.17–81.58 pulses/s and peak frequency of 689.1–1,722.6 Hz. Additionally, our study strongly supports the notion that Citizen Science approaches can yield invaluable information concerning species' geographic distribution and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding species composition across temporal and spatial scales through participatory monitoring has contributed to the development of several studies focused on biodiversity in Neotropical ecosystems. Habitat loss and the illegal collection of bromeliads pose significant threats to bromeligenous frogs, which depend on the rainwater collected between bromeliad leaves for egg and tadpole development. In this study, we compiled a comprehensive dataset of bromeligenous frogs using data from "Projeto Bromélias" on the iNaturalist citizen science platform. Our dataset includes records of 85 species of bromeligenous frogs, representing 52% of the 164 known species that reproduce in bromeliads. These species belong to 33 genera and 10 families and are reported from 18 countries. Twenty-eight species are listed in threatened categories on a global scale. Our findings extended the known geographic distribution of four species. Notably, the green and black poison dart Frog, Dendrobates auratus, was recorded as a non-native species in Hawaii, USA. Regarding the temporal data, the number of bromeligenous records increased substantially after 2009. This study highlights the value of citizen science platforms as important tools for monitoring bromeliad inhabitants and contributing to management and conservation initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with interest in wildlife have traditionally made significant contributions to both scientific research and conservation efforts via the collection of biological data (Bock and Root [1]; Silvertown [37]). " Citizen Science in Schools: Students Collect Valuable Mammal Data for Science, Conservation, and Community Engagement." " Authentic Science with Citizen Science and Student-Driven Science Fair Projects." CS has provided substantial contributions to critical global issues related to science and conservation. [Extracted from the article]

Urbanization brings forth social challenges in emerging countries such as Brazil, encompassing food scarcity, health deterioration, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Despite this, urban areas like the city of São Paulo still boast ample green spaces, offering opportunities for nature appreciation and conservation, enhancing city resilience and livability. Citizen science is a collaborative endeavor between professional scientists and nonprofessional scientists in scientific research that may help to understand the dynamics of urban ecosystems. We believe citizen science has the potential to promote human and nature connection in urban areas and provide useful data on urban biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stressful conditions, such as mechanical damage, can significantly compromise the survival of algal beds by reducing their biomass, reproductive output, and even altering their production of defensive chemical compounds. In the present work, the effect of different intensities of trampling (no trampling, low and high trampling intensities) on reproduction, morphology, and phenolic content of Sargassum species was studied in three sites along the southwestern Atlantic Coast, Brazil, from March to October 2015. The parameters were evaluated in distinct periods (0, 90, and 180 days) after trampling, using 40- × 40-cm quadrats along transects. Trampling reduced algal reproductive biomass in two of the three studied sites (Pernambuco and Fortaleza beaches) shortly after the experimental treatment (T0). The mean thallus length was higher in trampled plots in all study sites, and the dry biomass of the individuals were higher in Pernambuco and Cigarras beaches, which also presented lower phenolic levels after damage. These results suggest a probable trade-off in resource allocation, with an immediate compromise of the individuals' reproduction followed by a decrease in the production of defense compounds, probably due to an investment in damage repairing of vegetative portions, maximizing the individuals' survival in the long term. Although the individuals reach larger sizes, they reproduce less and are more susceptible to other sources of stress that can compromise Sargassum spp. fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street trees provide several ecosystem services in urban areas, including food for fauna. Tree species richness, composition and the relative abundance of native vs. non-native species can affect the populations of pollinators and dispersers. This work aims to evaluate the potential availability of food resources provided by street trees, in space and time, considering different pollination and seed dispersal syndromes at Santo André city (Southeastern Brazil). The georeferenced data for all catalogued tree individuals in the Urban Macrozone constituted our sampling domain. The species were categorized according to its geographical origin, pollination and seed dispersal syndromes, flowering and fruiting season. We divided the study area into cells and calculated: number of individuals, species richness, species diversity; richness and diversity of potentially flowering and fruiting individuals in each season of the year. 38,379 trees were catalogued, representing 578 trees/km2, totalizing 230 species. Most individuals (73%) were non-native. The number of individuals, species richness and diversity varied spatially. The pollination syndrome with higher potential resources availability was melittophily (pollination by bees and wasps) has during spring whereas ornithochory (seed dispersal by birds) was the dispersal syndrome with higher potential resources availability which occurred in summer. Despite the dominance of exotic individuals, the most common syndromes are in accordance with what is expected for tropical Atlantic rainforest regions. However, some pollination and dispersal syndromes presented very low potential resource availability in different seasons and no availability in some regions. These results should be taken into account by stakeholders for a better planning of planting efforts, considering the distribution, in space and time, of the potential availability of resources provided by street trees to fauna in order to improve connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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As the effects of the Global Climate Changes on the costal regions of Central and South Americas advance, there is proportionally little research being made to understand such impacts. This commentary puts forward a series of propositions of strategies to improve performance of Central and South American science and policy making in order to cope with the future impacts of the Global Climate Changes in their coastal habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]