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The allometric relationships of tropical trees change along ontogeny and ecological succession at the level of populations and communities. Tree size and shape can influence their survival and growth, affecting the community dynamics. In this study, we explored how the tree allometric relationship is altered along in the succession of a tropical forest. We measure stem diameter (SD), total height (H), crown volume (CV) of juvenile, and adult trees in areas of 7–17, 20–30, 35–55, and > 80 years of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The study was carried out for the community (all individuals were considered) and population (the most abundant species). We tested allometric relationships between H, SD and CV with the standardized major axis function. The results indicate that, in general, successional gradient establishes conditions that affect the way resources are invested in trees, despite variations among the type of allometric relationship, the ontogenetic phase, the successional stage and species considered. There are tendencies in individuals becoming taller, and proportionally, with crowns less voluminous along the succession. Variations in height, stem diameter and crown investment along the successional gradient suggest that shade tolerance is the main driver affecting the ontogenetic niche and shaping tree allometry. These results suggest that the successional age and the ontogeny of the individuals affect plant dynamics, and possibly, the coexistence of the species.

Climate change may impose extreme conditions which potentially affect species’ distributions, leading to spatio-temporal variation in biodiversity and ecosystem services patterns. Here we compared current climate conditions to future climate scenarios projected to 2050 to assess potential changes in the spatio-temporal patterns of the taxonomic and functional diversities of the woody species of the Restinga vegetation in Brazil. We generated Ecological Niche Models (ENM) for 796 woody plant species from which we estimated the spatio-temporal changes of beta diversity components, the community-weighted means (CWM) of selected traits and functional diversity indices. The pessimistic scenario indicated an overall threefold increase in woody plant species loss compared to the optimistic scenario, whereas at regional scales, species loss may reach percentages as high as 19%. Conversely, beta diversity may increase in the future, in which the turnover component had a greater contribution than nestedness. The CWM projection emphasized contrasts among traits and ecoregions, with an increase in most analysed traits (stem wood density, seed length and fruit length) and a decrease in one of them (maximum plant height). Functional divergence and richness may decrease in future, while functional evenness may increase. Our study highlighted important potential changes in the distribution of biodiversity that could lead to biotic homogenization in the Restinga vegetation and calls for the inclusion of this marginalized vegetation in plans for mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

TET3 is a member of the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of enzymes which oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Tet3 is highly expressed in the brain, where 5hmC levels are most abundant. In adult mice, we observed that TET3 is present in mature neurons and oligodendrocytes but is absent in astrocytes. To investigate the function of TET3 in adult postmitotic neurons, we crossed Tet3 floxed mice with a neuronal Cre-expressing mouse line, Camk2a-CreERT2, obtaining a Tet3 conditional KO (cKO) mouse line. Ablation of Tet3 in adult mature neurons resulted in increased anxiety-like behavior with concomitant hypercorticalism, and impaired hippocampal-dependent spatial orientation. Transcriptome and gene-specific expression analysis of the hippocampus showed dysregulation of genes involved in glucocorticoid signaling pathway (HPA axis) in the ventral hippocampus, whereas upregulation of immediate early genes was observed in both dorsal and ventral hippocampal areas. In addition, Tet3 cKO mice exhibit increased dendritic spine maturation in the ventral CA1 hippocampal subregion. Based on these observations, we suggest that TET3 is involved in molecular alterations that govern hippocampal-dependent functions. These results reveal a critical role for epigenetic modifications in modulating brain functions, opening new insights into the molecular basis of neurological disorders.

Understanding the drivers of species’ geographic distribution and assembly of communities is one of the most intriguing questions in ecology and has become extremely important in face of global changes. This study aims to assess broad-scale patterns of tree species diversity and compare the importance of environmental correlates relative to purely spatial factors in structuring communities in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We compiled abundance data from 2948 species in 117 localities across the entire biome and obtained climatic and soil variables that we hypothesized to be environmental filters. We constructed correlograms for species richness and composition and assessed the relative importance of correlates using spatially explicit generalized additive models coupled with information-theoretic analyses. Variation partitioning was used to infer the relative importance of environmental- and spatial-based hypotheses. Species richness presented positive spatial correlation of ~ 435 km beyond which it became negative and again positive at the furthest distances, whereas compositional turnover showed positive correlation of ~ 435–555 km with decreasing similarity in increasing distances. Climatic variables were important factors correlating with richness patterns, with soil being less important. Species composition was significantly correlated with environmental variables and spatial constraints. The spatial component showed similar amount of explanation in statistical models compared to the environmental component. Our results suggest a combined contribution of environment, stochasticity, and historical-dispersion processes in patterns of biodiversity. More interestingly, a similar set of variables was the better correlates of species richness and composition, indicating convergence of driving factors for both descriptors of plant communities.

Epigenetic mechanisms such as genomic imprinting have a fundamental role in embryo and fetal development. Hence, we here studied expression levels of epigenetic modifiers and imprinted genes in cases of ididopathic spontaneous abortion (SA). Thirty-five placental samples and 35 matched fetal tissues from second trimester SA were analysed; including 16 controls (placental and fetal infections as the known cause of spontaneous abortion) and 19 idiopathic SA cases. Transcript levels of epigenetic regulators and imprinted genes were measured by qRT-PCR and methylation at imprinted genes was studied by bisulfite genomic sequencing and MS-MLPA. Global DNA hydroxymethylation (5-hmC) levels were measured by an ELISA-based assay. We observed an upregulation of TET2 and TET3 in placental samples from idiopathic SA cases; however, no significant difference in global 5-hmC levels was observed. On the contrary, in fetal tissues, TET3 was markedly downregulated in idiopathic SA, showing an opposite trend to that observed in placental tissue. IGF2 and CDKN1C were upregulated and MEST downregulated in placentas from idiopathic SA cases; concordantly, IGF2 was also upregulated in fetal tissues from idiopathic SA cases. Although not reaching statistical significance, an increase in methylation levels of MEST, KvDMR1 and H19 DMRs was observed in idiopathic SA cases, concordantly with the observed changes in expression. Our study reveals, for the first time, deregulation of epigenetic modifiers and imprinted genes in both placental and fetal tissues from idiopathic SA cases in the second trimester of pregnancy, indicating a critical role during pregnancy.

With the intensification of global warming, the occurrence of large‐scale natural events is becoming even more common in tropical regions, which can impact the structure of plant communities. In this study, we evaluated the isolated and combined effects of an extratropical cyclone and the dominance of a native bamboo species (Merostachys skvortzovii) on floristic composition, diversity, demographic rates and the increment of trees in Atlantic Forest fragments in Southern Brazil. In 2014 (T1) and 2016 (T2), we sampled 56 plots of 200 m² for the effects of an extratropical cyclone in 2009 (T0). We also evaluated another 60 plots of the same size not in the direct path of this cyclone. Half of the plots in each group were covered by dense groupings of bamboos, as a result of past human activities, which could potentially limit natural regeneration. We observed an increase in richness and diversity indices (H′ and 1/D) from the first (T0) to the following assessments (T1 an T2) on the sites affected by the cyclone, when compared to non‐affected sites. After the cyclone, both density and basal area they decreased, but there was an increase in recruitment, mortality, turnover rates and basal area, as well as basal increment. The diameter increment on surviving individuals was higher in cyclone‐affected sites than in non‐affected sites. Bamboo cover did not affect richness or demographic rates (except mortality between T0 and T1). Natural impacts of this nature can lead to significant alterations of demographic rates, allowing the input of new species and influencing the pace of demographic processes.

Study question Should sperm aneuploidies and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDNAfrag) be included as valid tests in the routine investigation of male infertility? Summary answer Sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with male age, oligozoospermia (OZ), oligoteratozoospermia (OT), astenoteratozoospermia (AT) and oligoastenoteratozoospermia (OAT). Sperm aneuploidies were associated with OT and OAT. What is known already Semen parameters assist male infertility diagnosis and treatment, but sDNAfrag and aneuploidy analysis could add useful information, as abnormal values compromise fertility. To include these tests in the routine diagnosis it should be determined if behave as informative parameter and add information regarding the fertility status. For that, further studies comparing these tests to semen parameters are needed, since previous results are not consensual. Additionally, standardization of a sDNAfrag cut-off is needed, as different sample sizes and techniques originate distinct results. Also, until a standardization of the protocol is missing, a cut-off value should be defined for each laboratory. Study design, size, duration A retrospective and prospective investigation was performed, within a 12 years period (April 2007-December 2019). A total of 835 infertile males with a normal karyotype (46,XY) were included. Karyotyping and evaluation of sDNAfrag and sperm aneuploidies were made at a public Genetic unit. All normozoospermic (NZ) patients with a born child and patients whose infertility treatments were done due to female factors were selected from our database and used as controls (60 individuals). Participants/materials, setting, methods Semen analysis followed WHO–2010 guidelines. sDNAfrag was evaluated using the TUNEL assay. Sperm aneuploidies were detected using FISH (chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, Y). Several tests were applied: correlations for linear associations between numerical variables, ANOVA for comparisons between means, Dunn-test for post-hoc comparisons. To determine the sDNAfrag cut-off value, the area under the ROC curve, sensitivity and specificity, were calculated, with the Youden-Index used to find a threshold that maximizes both sensitivity and specificity. Main results and the role of chance Regarding male age, it was observed a positive correlation with sperm concentration, a negative correlation with sperm vitality (VT) and hypoosmolality, and a positive correlation with sDNAfrag. Regarding sDNAfrag, it was observed negative correlation with sperm concentration, total progressive motility (TPM), morphology, VT and hypoosmolality. Regarding sperm aneuploidies, both total sperm aneuploidy and total sperm disomy exhibited a negative association with sperm concentration, TPM and morphology. It was also investigated whose groups of individuals could be indicated for sDNAfrag or sperm aneuploidy testing. The NZ group evidenced significant lower sDNAfrag, total sperm aneuploidy and total sperm disomy in relation to the non-NZ group. In the NZ group, sDNAfrag was significantly lower in relation to the OZ, OT, AT and OAT groups. The NZ group presented significant lower percentages of sperm aneuploidy in relation to the OT and OAT groups, and significant lower percentages of sperm disomy in relation to the OAT group. Additionally, sDNAfrag was positively correlated with total sperm aneuploidy and total sperm disomy. From the present large population, ROC curve analysis allowed estimating a cut-off value of 18.8% for the TUNEL-assay (sDNAfrag), with 0.658 of area under the curve, 53.9% sensitivity and 76.7% specificity. Limitations, reasons for caution Although presenting a high number of cases and strict controls, the present study was unable to include as controls healthy men with proven fertility. Additionally, the present study did not take into account life-style factors and male associated pathologies besides infertility. Wider implications of the findings: Semen parameters were shown to be negatively correlated with sDNAfrag and sperm aneuploidies. As sDNAfrag testing and sperm aneuploidy testing were associated with semen abnormalities and male age, it is suggested their inclusion in the routine evaluation of infertile men, thus adding important complementary information about the fertility status. Trial registration number Not Appliable

PURPOSE: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a fetal growth complication that can be caused by ineffective nutrient transfer from the mother to the fetus via the placenta. Abnormal placental development and function have been correlated with abnormal expression of imprinted genes, which are regulated by epigenetic modifications at imprinting control regions (ICRs). In this study, we analyzed the expression of imprinted genes known to be involved in fetal growth and epigenetic regulators involved in DNA methylation, as well as DNA methylation at the KvDMR1 imprinting control region and global levels of DNA hydroxymethylation, in IUGR cases. METHODS: Expression levels of imprinted genes and epigenetic regulators were analyzed in term placental samples from 21 IUGR cases and 9 non-IUGR (control) samples, by RT-qPCR. Additionally, KvDMR1 methylation was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing and combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) techniques. Moreover, global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels were also measured. RESULTS: We observed increased expression of PHLDA2, CDKN1C, and PEG10 imprinted genes and of DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and TET3 epigenetic regulators in IUGR placentas. No differences in methylation levels at the KvDMR1 were observed between the IUGR and control groups; similarly, no differences in global DNA methylation and hydromethylation were detected. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms, namely increased expression of imprinted genes and epigenetic regulators, might be associated with IUGR etiology. Therefore, this study adds knowledge to the molecular mechanisms underlying IUGR, which may contribute to novel prediction tools and future therapeutic options for the management of IUGR pregnancies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10815-020-02047-3.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a group of genetic autosomal recessive disorders that affects adrenal steroidogenesis in the adrenal cortex. One of the most common defects associated with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is the deficiency of 21-hydroxylase enzyme, responsible for the conversion of 17-hydroxyprogesterone to 11-deoxycortisol and progesterone to deoxycorticosterone. The impairment of cortisol and aldosterone production is directly related to the clinical form of the disease that ranges from classic or severe to non-classic or mild late onset. The deficiency of 21-hydroxylase enzyme results from pathogenic variants on CYP21A2 gene that, in the majority of the cases, compromise enzymatic activity and are strongly correlated with the clinical severity of the disease. Due to the exceptionally high homology and proximity between the gene and the pseudogene, more than 90% of pathogenic variants result from intergenic recombination. Around 75% are deleterious variants transferred from the pseudogene by gene conversion, during mitosis. About 20% are due to unequal crossing over during meiosis and lead to duplications or deletions on CYP21A2 gene. Molecular genetic analysis of CYP21A2 variants is of major importance for confirmation of clinical diagnosis, predicting prognosis and for an appropriate genetic counselling. In this review we will present an update on the genetic analysis of CYP21A2 gene variants in CAH patients performed in our department.

During forest succession, changes in tree species composition and individual turnover may be affected by deterministic and stochastic processes. In this study, we used both population and community approaches to assess the relative effects of deterministic and stochastic processes along the secondary succession of a tropical forest. We aimed to identify the mechanisms of community assemblage based on an analysis of abiotic and biotic drivers of demography. We assessed the demography (recruitment and survival rates) of trees occurring in an edaphic-successional gradient (forests aged 7–17, 20–30, 30–55, and >80 years; two soil types) of a regenerating forest in Southern Brazil. We first tested for stochasticity by building null models (randomized species composition and abundance) for each forest age interval. The composition and abundance of plants in all communities were different from those expected by the null models, which indicated determinism at the studied scale. We then used the structural equation models to assess the importance of environmental drivers (such as soil type and forest age) and species interactions (such as basal area, individual density and function, and phylogenetic diversity) to predict recruitment and survival. We found that both abiotic and biotic drivers affected the community assembly in successional gradients. Environmental drivers (soil stress and limitations related to forest structural complexity) indirectly affected recruitment and survival via biotic drivers (competitive ability, facilitation and niche complementarity). Therefore, the community assembly during succession is the result of a multi-factor process acting on recruitment and survival rates, which ultimately affect individual and species turnover.

TET enzymes oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), a process thought to be intermediary in an active DNA demethylation mechanism. Notably, 5hmC is highly abundant in the brain and in neuronal cells. Here, we interrogated the function of Tet3 in neural precursor cells (NPCs), using a stable and inducible knockdown system and an in vitro neural differentiation protocol. We show that Tet3 is upregulated during neural differentiation, whereas Tet1 is downregulated. Surprisingly, Tet3 knockdown led to a de-repression of pluripotency-associated genes such as Oct4, Nanog or Tcl1, with concomitant hypomethylation. Moreover, in Tet3 knockdown NPCs, we observed the appearance of OCT4-positive cells forming cellular aggregates, suggesting de-differentiation of the cells. Notably, Tet3 KD led to a genome-scale loss of DNA methylation and hypermethylation of a smaller number of CpGs that are located at neurogenesis-related genes and at imprinting control regions (ICRs) of Peg10, Zrsr1 and Mcts2 imprinted genes. Overall, our results suggest that TET3 is necessary to maintain silencing of pluripotency genes and consequently neural stem cell identity, possibly through regulation of DNA methylation levels in neural precursor cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00018-019-03335-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:52:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) PDA/MMA Institute BioAdantica, PROBIO I [MCT/MMA/GEF] Institute BioAdantica, PROBIO II [MCT/MMA/GEF] FAPESB NERC UESC/PROPP Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Fundacao Grupo Boticario de Protecao a Natureza FAPESB Bol PROBIO I/MMA/GEF PROBIO II/MCT/MMA/GEF Recent studies suggest that habitat amount is the main determinant of species richness, whereas habitat fragmentation has weak and mostly positive effects. Here, we challenge these ideas using a multi-taxa database including 2230 estimates of forest-dependent species richness from 1097 sampling sites across the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We used a structural equation modeling approach, accounting not only for direct effects of habitat loss, but also for its indirect effects (via habitat fragmentation), on the richness of forest-dependent species. We reveal that in addition to the effects of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation has negative impacts on animal species richness at intermediate (30-60%) levels of habitat amount, and on richness of plants at high ( > 60%) levels of habitat amount, both of which are mediated by edge effects. Based on these results, we argue that dismissing habitat fragmentation as a powerful force driving species extinction in tropical forest landscapes is premature and unsafe. Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP, Brazil Int Inst Sustainabil, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Posgrad Ecol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Dept Ecol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Zool, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Imperial Coll London, Dept Life Sci, Silwood Pk Campus, Ascot SL5 7PY, Berks, England Univ Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Dept Ecol, Natal, RN, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Florestais, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Ecol & Zool, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Bahia, Posgrad Ecol Aplicada Gestao Ambiental, Salvador, BA, Brazil Univ Fed Mato Grosso, Inst Ciencias Nat Humanas & Sociais, Sinop, MT, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Posgrad Biol Vegetal, Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Santa Cruz, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Biodiversidade, Ilheus, BA, Brazil Univ Estado Rio de Janeiro, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Evolucao, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Bahia, Inst Biol, Salvador, BA, Brazil Inst Pro Carnivoros, Atibaia, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Engn Florestal, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil Inst Florestal Estado Sao Paulo, Secao Ecol Florestal, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Pernambuco, Dept Bot, Recife, PE, Brazil Univ Estadual Sudoeste Bahia, Dept Ciencias Biol, Jequie, BA, Brazil Univ Fed Bahia, Ctr Formacao Ciencias Agroflorestais, Ilheus, BA, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Parana, Dept Bot, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Univ Fed Vicosa, Dept Engn Florestal, Vicosa, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Sao Mateus, ES, Brazil Prefeitura Municipal Paulinia, Paulinia, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Feira de Santana, Dept Ciencias Biol, Feira De Santana, BA, Brazil Univ Veiga Almeida, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Paulista, Nucl Estudos Biodiversidade, Herbario UNIP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Biol Geral, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Lavras, Dept Biol, Lavras, MG, Brazil Univ East Anglia, Sch Environm Sci, Norwich NR4 7TJ, Norfolk, England Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol & Zootecnia, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Goias, Lab Genet & Biodiversidade, Goiania, Go, Brazil Univ Veiga Almeida, Ciencias Meio Ambiente, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Fed Sergipe, Dept Ecol, Sao Cristovao, SE, Brazil Inst Fed Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Univ Estadual Feira de Santana, Posgrad Modelagem Ciencias Terra & Ambiente, Feira De Santana, BA, Brazil Univ Brasilia, Dept Ecol, Brasilia, DF, Brazil Univ Estado Rio de Janeiro, Dept Ecol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Inst Nacl Mata Atlantica, Santa Teresa, ES, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol & Zootecnia, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil CAPES: 88881.064976/2014-01 CAPES: 02488/09-4 CAPES: 405693/2013-3 CAPES: 88881.118819/2016-01 CAPES: 01 FAPESP: 2004/04820-3 FAPESP: 2008/01866-3 FAPESP: 2008/03724-1 FAPESP: 05/56555-4 FAPESP: 2014/14503-7 FAPESP: 2011/19767-4 FAPESP: 2013/22679-5 FAPESP: 2014/10192-7 FAPESP: 2011/040460 FAPESP: 2014/09300-0 FAPESP: 134 97/07075-1 FAPESP: 97/07075-1 FAPESP: 2013/50718-5 FAPESP: 2005/00405-4 FAPESP: 2006/04878-7 FAPESP: 2008/03500-6 FAPESP: 2011/06782-5 FAPESP: 2010/053435 FAPESP: 2014/14925-9 CNPq: 305470/2013-2 CNPq: 550077/2010-3 CNPq: 561897/2010-7 CNPq: PNX0016/2009 CNPq: 304817/2015-5 CNPq: 303897/2016-3 CNPq: 473529/2007-6 CNPq: 302574/2010-7 CNPq: 304598/2011-9 CNPq: 479203/2010-5 CNPq: 146790/2010-3 CNPq: 304242/2009-8 CNPq: 307221/2012-1 CNPq: 310901/2015-4 CNPq: 308992/2013-0 CNPq: 69014416 FAPERJ: E -26/202.174/2015 FAPESB: BOL1661/2011 FAPESB: 462/2012 NERC: NE/1(016393/1 UESC/PROPP: 135 00220-1100.1171 CAPES: 8952/2014 Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz: 002011001171 FAPESP: 1999/09635-0 CNPq: P2 308503/2014-7 Fundacao Grupo Boticario de Protecao a Natureza: 201410014 CNPq: 309030/2013-7 CNPq: 308205/2014-6 CNPq: 70/2009 CNPq: 142205/2010-9 FAPESB Bol: 0104/09 CAPES: BEX 8495/11-4 CNPq: 690144/01-6 CAPES: 2923/2011 : CAPES/FAPERJ-PAPD-E-26/202.144/2015 : MCTIC/CNPq/FAPEG/465610/2014-5

Background Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an environmental β-proteobacterium that is capable of promoting the growth of economically relevant plants through biological nitrogen fixation and phytohormone production. However, strains of H. seropedicae have been isolated from immunocompromised patients and associated with human infections and deaths. In this work, we sequenced the genomes of two clinical strains of H. seropedicae, AU14040 and AU13965, and compared them with the genomes of strains described as having an environmental origin. Results Both genomes were closed, indicating a single circular chromosome; however, strain AU13965 also carried a plasmid of 42,977 bp, the first described in the genus Herbaspirillum. Genome comparison revealed that the clinical strains lost the gene sets related to biological nitrogen fixation (nif) and the type 3 secretion system (T3SS), which has been described to be essential for interactions with plants. Comparison of the pan-genomes of clinical and environmental strains revealed different sets of accessorial genes. However, antimicrobial resistance genes were found in the same proportion in all analyzed genomes. The clinical strains also acquired new genes and genomic islands that may be related to host interactions. Among the acquired islands was a cluster of genes related to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis. Although highly conserved in environmental strains, the LPS biosynthesis genes in the two clinical strains presented unique and non-orthologous genes within the genus Herbaspirillum. Furthermore, the AU14040 strain cluster contained the neuABC genes, which are responsible for sialic acid (Neu5Ac) biosynthesis, indicating that this bacterium could add it to its lipopolysaccharide. The Neu5Ac-linked LPS could increase the bacterial resilience in the host aiding in the evasion of the immune system. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the lifestyle transition from environment to opportunist led to the loss and acquisition of specific genes allowing adaptations to colonize and survive in new hosts. It is possible that these substitutions may be the starting point for interactions with new hosts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5982-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:15:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-12-01 EMBRAPA Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome is severely degraded and fragmented throughout its range. Developing effective techniques to restore pasture and agriculture back to native vegetation is therefore a priority for legal and conservation purposes. In this study, we evaluate the ability of artificial bird perches to enhance the arrival of new seeds and seedling establishment in a degraded, semi-deciduous seasonal portion of the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil. Specifically, we assess the influence of previous land use and habitat types on the abundance, species richness and ecological traits of bird-dispersed seeds, as well as on seedling establishment. Eight sampling sites were established, each containing one unit with seed traps and restoration plots under artificial perches and one similar unit without the perches. These sites were located in pasture and agriculture, distributed between riparian and sub-montane areas. Monthly sampling was conducted over two years between December 2005 and November 2007, resulting in the evaluation of 25,755 seeds and 56 endozoochoric seed species. The most abundant species were the pioneers Cecropia pachystachya Trecul and Solanum americanum Mill. Experimental units with perches received significantly more seeds than control units. Moreover, seed arrival was higher in sub-montane areas and on former pasture sites. Species richness followed a similar pattern of higher seed arrival, but there was no effect of vegetation type. Ecological characteristics of seeds were associated with land use type: former pastures received more tree seeds and pioneer species than expected by chance. Seedling establishment was very low in all treatments, with only eight seedlings established in perch plots by the end of the experiment. We conclude that despite artificial perches significantly increasing the arrival of endozoochoric seeds onto degraded lands, seedling establishment is drastically limited in these areas, compromising the efficacy of this technique for restoration purposes. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias Letras & Ciencias Exatas, Programa Posgrad Biol Anim, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Parana, Dept Bot, Plant Ecol Lab, CP 19031, BR-81531980 Curitiba, PR, Brazil Secretaria Municipal Saude, Prefeitura Curitiba, Rua Francisco Torres 830, BR-80060130 Curitiba, PR, Brazil Inst Brasileiro Meio Ambiente & Recursos Nat Reno, Trecho 2,Edificio Sede, BR-70818900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil Embrapa Florestas, Estr Ribeira Km 111,CP 319, BR-83411000 Colombo, PR, Brazil Univ Oxford, Dept Zool, South Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PS, England Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias Letras & Ciencias Exatas, Programa Posgrad Biol Anim, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil EMBRAPA: 02.03.2.011.0 CNPq: 108278/2008-5 CNPq: 308419/2008-1 CNPq: 304650/2012-9

The ability of aquatic stages of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), key vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, to survive in minimal residues of water has remained unstudied. We found that larvae eclosed from up to 50% of eggs set in permanent water films on water agar (at 1–2% agar), and some (≤9.5%) of these first-instar larvae developed to second instar (L2). Mean larval survival was about 2 weeks; the longest periods of survival were 31.6 and 38.7 days in a water film and in free water controls, respectively. In another test, L3 moved in the films, with the greatest displacements of the larvae being up to 45 mm per day in the first 3 days; subsequent displacements in the water film were distinctly reduced during the next 20 days by which time all L3 had died. L3 did not detect or move in any directed manner in the film towards nearby small quantities of free water. Most pupae (≥93.7%) placed into water films or in water survived and developed to adults within 3 days. The unexpected survival of aquatic immature stages in desiccating breeding sites might be a reason for both the tenacious persistence of mosquito populations in seasons with infrequent rainfall and failures of classical control strategies against this important vector.

Changes in species composition during the succession of ecological communities potentially reflect the differential effects of environmental filters and limiting similarity on structuring communities. As ecological succession can represent community assembly in action, understanding how successional time affects the functional and phylogenetic structure of communities can reveal the influence of different factors on the assembly process. We analysed functional patterns of multiple traits related to the succession of tropical forests to answer if there are trait convergence and/or divergence with regeneration age, and if functional and phylogenetic diversity can be predicted by forest age. We compiled checklists from studies of 23 successional forests in Brazilian Atlantic Forest, ranging from 4 to 120 years old. We also compiled functional traits for a total of 355 species. We analysed the data by a method that includes scaling-up trait-based data to the community level and matrix correlations of multiple...

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:16:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-02-01 Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. Instituto de Ciências da Natureza Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL), Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700 Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, S/n - Martelos Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915 Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUC-PR), Escola de Ciências da Vida, Rua Imaculada Conceição, 1155 Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Rodovia Jorge Amado Km 16 Departamento de Botânica Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Caixa Postal 19031, Jardim das Américas Instituto de Florestas Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Rodovia BR-465, Km 07 Centro de Ciências Biológicas Departamento de. Botânica Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n - Trindade Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Campus Experimental de Registro, Av. Nelson Brihi Badur, 430 Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC) Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais, Avenida Doutor Cândido Xavier de Almeida e Souza, 200 Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, São Vicente Prefeitura Municipal de Olaria, Meio Ambiente, Praça 1° de Março 13, Centro Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia Baiano (IF-Baiano), Campus Itaberaba, Av. Rio Branco, 1003, Centro Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB), Rua Antônio da Veiga, 140 Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB) CCAAB, Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Instituto de Biociências Cidade Universitária Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Departamento Biociências (DBCI) Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), Campus Universitário Prof. Alberto Carvalho,Av. Vereador Olímpio Grande, S/N - Bloco D, Centro Floresce Consultoria Ambiental, Rua Dr. Alexandre Gutierrez, 332 Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Ciências Naturais Departamento de Ciências Naturais UESB Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Estrada do Bem-Querer km 4, s.n., Bairro Universitário Centro de Ensino Superior em Juiz de Fora (CESJF), Campus Arnaldo Janssen, Luz Interior, 345, Santa Luzia Instituto de Botânica de São Paulo Núcleo de Pesquisas Orquidário do Estado, Avenida Miguel Stefano Faculdade de Engenharia Arquitetura e Urbanismo e Geografia Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Caixa Postal 594, 79070-900, Cidade Universitária Departamento de Genética Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 pr 43312 JB Consultoria Ambiental, Rua Joaquim Firmino, 1318 Departamento de Ciências Florestais Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Avenida Prefeito Lothário Meissner, 632 Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazônia (INPA) PPG-Botânica, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo Empresa Brazileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Florestas, Estrada da Ribeira, Km 111 Departamento de Ciências Florestais Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ) Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Avenida Pádua Dias 11 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), Campus I, Bairro São José, BR 285 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Rua do Matão, 277 Instituto de Biociências Herbário CGMS Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Avenida Costa e Silva s/n Instituto de Ecología Regional (UNT-CONICET), Casilla de Correo, 34, Yerba Buena Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde - Rodovia Washington Luís Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR), Km 335 - SP 310, 13565-905/C.P 676 Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida 24 A, 1515, CP. 199 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIFASF) NEMA, Brazil 407, Km 12, lote 543, Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, s/n Departamento de Biologia Vegetal Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), C. P. 6109 Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Museu Nacional, Horto Botânico, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão Laboratory of Palynostratigraphy and Paleobotany CICyTTP (CONICET-Entre Ríos-UADER), Dr. Matteri y España Diamante Departamento de Ecologia Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524 Ministério do Planejamento Desenvolvimentos e Gestão Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco K, Sala 352 Departamento de Biologia Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Campus de Ribeirão Preto, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900 Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Cidade Universitária Departamento de Biodiversidade Evolução e Meio Ambiente Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus, Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado Km 16 Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Avenida Alberto Lamego 2000, Parque Califórnia, 28013602 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ecossistemas Universidade Vila Velha (UVV), Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo, s/n, Boa Vista Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Ornitologia Departamento de Zoologia Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Caixa Postal 19031, Jardim das Américas Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Clima Temperado (Embrapa Clima Temperado), Rodovia BR-392, Km 78, 9° Distrito, Postal Code 403 Instituto de Humanidades Artes e Ciências and Herbário Centro de Pesquisa do Cacau - CEPEC Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia (UFSB), Campus Jorge Amado, Km 29 Rod. Ilhéus-Itabuna, CP. 07 Departamento de Zootecnia e Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Independência, n° 3751 Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária - INCRA/SR22 - Alagoas Setor de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais, Rua do Imperador, N° 105 Centro Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Botânica - Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Laboratório de Ecologia e Restauração Florestal (LERF) Universidade de São Paulo (USP) Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ), Avenida Pádua Dias 11, 13.418-900 Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Centro Universitario Regional del Este Universidad de la República, Tacuarembó y Bvar Departamento de Ciências e Matemática (DCM) Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP), Campus São Paulo, Rua Pedro Vicente, 625, Canindé Centro de Ciências Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus do PICI, Bloco 906 Reservas Votorantim, Rua Amauri, 255, 12° andar Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 3, 64st Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Morro do Cruzeiro Instituto de Botânica de São Paulo Núcleo de Pesquisas Curadoria do Herbário, Avenida Miguel Stefano Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), Rodovia RS 135, Km 25, Distrito Engenheiro Luiz Englert, Caixa Postal 21 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 pr 43433 Conselho Superior de Ensino Pesquisa e Extensão Universidade Paulista (UNIP), Avenida Paulista, 900, 1°. Andar – Herbário, UNIP - Núcleo de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade - Bela Vista, 01310100 Laboratorio de Planificación Territorial Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales Facultad de Recursos Naturales Universidad Católica de Temuco, Rudecindo Ortega, 02950 Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia – ECZ Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), AC/Cidade Universitária. Trindade. CEP 88.040-970 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235 - Cidade Universitária Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia (INPA), Rua Horizontina, 104, Centro Woods Hole Research Center, 149, Woods Hole Road Embrapa Cerrados/Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária dos Cerrados, BR-020, Km 18 Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca (CEFET-RJ), Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 30, Bairro Belo Horizonte Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (UNOESC), Campus de São Miguel do Oeste, Rua Oiapoc, 211, Bairro Agostini São Miguel do Oeste Facultad de Ciencias Iguá y Mataojo Universidad de la República Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, S/N Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo (IFES), Rod. ES-080, Km 93, São João de Petrópolis Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal, Caixa Postal 3037 Departamento de Microbiologia Imunologia e Parasitologia Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Universitário, s/n, Sala 05, MIP - Córrego Grande Faculdades Integradas do Vale do Ribeira Laboratório de Biologia Rua Oscar Yoshiaki Magário União das Instituições de Serviços Ensino e Pesquisa Ltda (UNISEP), 185, Jardim das Palmeiras Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais - Rua João Rosa Góes Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 1761 Reserva Natural Vale, Rodovia Brazil 101 Norte, Interior Divisão de Florestas e Estações Experimentais Instituto Florestal do Estado de São Paulo, Seção de Bauru, Av. Rodrigues Alves, 38-25, Horto Florestal Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Avenida Transnordestina s.n. División Plantas Vasculares CONICET Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470 Universidade Regional Integrada do Alto Uruguai e das Missões (URI), Ciências Biológicas Instituto Tecnológico Vale Biodiversidade e Serviços Ecossistêmicos, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955 Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais, Avenida Governador Lindemberg, 316, Centro Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Campus Experimental de Registro, Av. Nelson Brihi Badur, 430 Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, São Vicente Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida 24 A, 1515, CP. 199 Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, S/N

The dynamic nature of epigenetic DNA modifications is crucial for regulating gene expression in an experience-dependent manner and, thus, a potential mediator of neuronal plasticity and behavior. The discovery of the involvement of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and Ten Eleven Translocation (TET) family of enzymes in the demethylation pathway uncovered a potential link between neuronal TET protein function and cognitive processes. In this review, we provide an overview on how profile of 5hmC and TET enzymes are powerful mechanisms to explain neuronal plasticity and long-term behaviors, such as cognition. More specifically, we discuss how the current knowledge integrates the function of each TET enzyme in neurophysiology and brain function., Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) fellowships (PD/BD/106049/2015 to C.A., IF/01079/2014 to L.P. and IF/00047/2012 and CEECIND/00371/2017 to C.J.M); FCT project grant (PTDC/BIA-BCM/121276/2010) to C.J.M; EpiGeneSys Small Collaborative project to L.P.; BIAL Foundation Grant427/14 to L.P.; Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER; NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013); FEDER funds, through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and National Funds, through the FCT (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038)

The intensive production of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by anthropogenic activities is a serious environmental problem. Therefore, new bioremediation methods are required to avoid widespread contamination. In this work, Serratia sp. AC-11 strain isolated from a tropical peat was selected for immobilization into chitosan beads, which were employed in the biodegradation of fluoranthene. The sizes of the produced beads were relatively uniform with an average diameter of 3 mm. The material was characterized by SEM and FT-IR, confirming the cells immobilization and the protective barrier formed by the chitosan surrounding the biomass. The immobilized bacteria were able to degrade 56% of fluoranthene (the initial concentration was 100 mg L−1) in just 1 day at twice the degradation rate achieved by free-living cells. Furthermore, the immobilized bacteria showed excellent removal during five reuse cycles, from 76% to 59% of biodegradation. These results showed the potential of this approach for remediation of contaminated sites.

We demonstrate that tropical trees growing in wet climates can have a marked seasonality in cambium activity and stem growth associated with high temperature and day length of summer. Monitoring the rhythm of tree growth associated with the growth rings can contribute substantially to understanding forest dynamics and the management of tropical forests. In this study, we monitored the girth increment rhythm and described the wood characteristics (anatomy of growth rings, wood specific gravity) in 10 tropical tree species (103 individuals) naturally occurring in a wet and weakly seasonal region of Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil. We aimed to verify whether tree growth dynamics are associated with climate and woody anatomy in tropical trees with contrasting ecological characteristics. We installed permanent dendrometer bands and monthly assessed the girth increment for 22 months. We collected wood samples (non-destructive method), measured wood specific gravity and prepared permanent slides to characterize the growth ring markers. We found growth rings in all species (distinct in six species); deciduous species produced more distinguishable tree rings compared with semi-deciduous and evergreen tree species. Species varied in their accumulated girth growth (in average, from 1.83 to 62.64 mm), growth rates (1–15 %), and annual radial increment (0.16–5.44 mm). Girth increment was positively related to temperature and day length in five out of ten tree species, indicating the possible effects of these climatic variables in triggering cambial activity in these species. The growth pattern varied among species and was marginally associated to the tree deciduousness. We concluded that even in wet and less seasonal climates, there can be an association in the cambium activity and stem growth with the hotter and longer days of summer months.

Questions We analysed trait convergence and trait divergence assembly patterns across a metacommunity of grassland types (dry, wet and rocky) occurring along an edaphic gradient. We asked whether (1) floristics and phylogenetic structures vary among grassland types; (2) there is convergence and/or divergence in plant traits along the gradient; (3) the functional structure is influenced by phylogeny; and (4) abiotic or biotic filters generate the assembly patterns. Location Campos Gerais region, Parana State, southern Brazil (ca. 25°15′02″ S, 49°59′59″ W). Methods We sampled plant functional traits and soil variables at 81.1-m2 quadrats in three natural grassland vegetation types across three different sites. We analysed the relationship between species composition (abundance), phylogenetic relationships, functional traits and soil characteristics using matrix correlations, where soil characteristics were the predictors of functional and phylogenetic assembly patterns. Results A total of 168 plant species were sampled on the three vegetation types. Wet grassland quadrats were more similar to each other in species composition and phylogeny than with those on dry and rocky grasslands. We found trait convergence (not phylogenetically constrained) and trait divergence (phylogenetically constrained) assembly patterns in the three vegetation types along the edaphic gradient. Traits that generated convergence and divergence are related to strategies for survival in dry and low nutrient availability soils; nutritional soil gradient determined trait differences at small scales. Conclusion Species composition and phylogenetic structure of communities occurring in different grassland types are related to edaphic gradient. The occurrence of both trait convergence and trait divergence patterns suggests, respectively, that environmental filters and biotic filters (competition) are structuring the plant assemblages.

Recruitment limitation, measured by the failure of some species to arrive and establish in a site, is potentially an important process contributing to the diversity of plant communities. Limited seed production, seed dispersal, and seedling emergence due to abiotic and/or niche-dependent factors result in opportunities for less abundant species to persist. Whereas limitations affecting early phases of plant establishment are relatively well known, the less-examined limitations upon recruitment into more advanced life history stages may also contribute to the maintenance of diversity. We tested this hypothesis by decomposing recruitment limitation into seed limitation, emergence limitation (to seedlings), establishment limitation (saplings) and persistence limitation (adults) in high- and low-diversity communities. We found evidences of recruitment limitation in all ontogenetic stages, but no differences between the examined communities. Limitations in seed, seedling, saplings and adults were explained mainly by abundance in the previous stage. The negative effect of abundance of a given stage on the abundance of the next stage (negative density-dependent plant establishment) was more evident in the high diversity community. There was a reduction in species’ abundance and an increase in species richness from the seed to the adult stages, resulting in an increase in the evenness along ontogenetic stages in both communities; in all stages, the high-diversity community was richer than the low-diversity community. We found evidence that recruitment limitation operates at multiple stages and is density dependent in these two tropical forests. Our results also suggest that these effects may be stronger in the high-diversity community. Thus, recruitment limitation mediated by density dependence across multiple ontogenetic stages has to be considered in future studies of factors maintaining diversity in tropical forests.

The theory of complex networks has been recently used to explain ecological associations between nurses and seedlings in plant facilitation systems. The structure of these networks is potentially affected by morphological, ecological and evolutionary factors that can determine the facilitative interactions. In the present study, we evaluate the role of the projected crown area of the nurse plant, the dispersal syndrome, the abundance and the phylogeny relationships with seedlings as drivers of network structure in facilitation networks. To test these parameters, we used an ecotonal forest–grassland system in southern Brazil that experienced historical forest expansion over the grassland in the last few centuries. In two State Parks, Guartela (GUA) and Vila Velha (VVL), we sampled tree species (nurses and seedlings) along four transects parallel to the forest edge, with five sampling stations along each transect. Tree seedlings (height >0.3 m) were sampled below the nurse's crown (i.e. isolated woody plants, height >1.5 m) and over the grassland area. A total of 160 nurses and 358 seedlings were sampled. Seedling abundance and richness were greater below a nurse's crown than on open grassland. Nurse abundance was the best predictor of the observed interaction matrix. Probabilistic matrices based on abundance, abundance and phylogeny, and dominance were able to predict the observed nestedness values, and they were also closest to the observed connectance, although all of the probabilistic matrices have underestimated this property. Specialization was predicted by abundance and phylogeny, abundance and projected crown area drivers for VVL, and the abundance based models were closest to the predicted specialization for GUA. The result of a similar pattern in predictability between sites indicates that the influences of morphology and evolutionary and ecological processes over the facilitation interactions are equivalent on a regional scale. Woody plant abundance was a key factor for the facilitation networks, driving forest expansion along the subtropical forest–grassland ecotone.

Herbaspirillum bacteria are best known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria but have also been recovered from clinical samples. Here, biochemical tests, matrix-assisted laser deionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, adherence, and cytotoxicity to eukaryotic cells were used to compare clinical and environmental isolates of Herbaspirillum spp. Discrete biochemical differences were observed between human and environmental strains. All strains adhered to HeLa cells at low densities, and cytotoxic effects were discrete, supporting the view that Herbaspirillum bacteria are opportunists with low virulence potential.

Ocotea porosa (Ness) Barroso (Lauraceae), a typical tree of the southern Atlantic Forest in Brazil, was heavily exploited for timber in the last century. With the aim of examining the status of the remaining populations, we surveyed five forest fragments in the state of Paraná, in southern Brazil, and evaluated whether disturbances caused by selective logging and fragmentation were related to population structure of O. porosa. We assessed demographic aspects related to tree density, size hierarchy and individual allometry, correlating those parameters with fragment structure variables (fragment size, isolation and logging level). We found that, although all populations occurred in low densities (60-440 individuals ha−¹), the number of adults was significantly lower in the smaller and most disturbed fragments (13 and 35 individuals ha−¹, respectively). We did not detect changes in allometric relationships among individuals in the five populations studied. However, we found that populations in more heavily disturbed areas presented lower size hierarchy (i.e., less dominance of larger trees) than did those in undisturbed areas, suggesting that selective logging affects the population structure of O. porosa, possibly affecting the rates of reproduction and fecundity, which may ultimately increase the probability of local extinction.

The estimation of carbon accumulation in restoration areas over time is an important step for the evaluation of the success of restoration programs and to indicate the best practices for forest management and conservation. In the present study, we evaluated the aboveground biomass (AGB) of 10 tree species (fast-growing and slow-growing tree species) that are representative of the Brazilian Atlantic forest to test if biomass accumulation varies with tree age and ecological group (fast- and slow-growing). We also used regression models to simulate how much carbon is sequestered over time in restoration areas of tropical wet forests. The results exhibited differences between the two groups in terms of biomass accumulation; the slow-growing species accumulated an almost two-fold higher amount of total biomass (379.4 kg) than the fast-growing species (208.56 kg). The estimated age of the individuals explained the biomass accumulation: the long-lived and slow-growing species accumulate less biomass over a longer time, and the short-lived fast-growing species accumulate more biomass over a shorter period. These differences suggest that the fast-growing tree species contribute more to the carbon stock during the early years (approximately 37 years) of the restoration and that the slow-growing species contribute more significantly during the later stages of succession. We estimated that second-growth forests (41–60 years old) accumulate more than two-fold carbon than immature forest (21–40 years old) and much more than ten-fold carbon than young forests (7–20 years old). These differences in carbon sequestration magnitudes suggest that services provided by restoration areas, can increase exponentially in the first 60 years, and this is particularly important for future conservation and management of areas undergoing restoration.

The restoration of cattle grazing areas is a significant challenge for tropical forest restoration because of the effects of soil degradation and the competition between native trees and exotic grasses. To identify the major factors that impede forest restoration efforts, we examined the effects of different grass species, soil types and management techniques on the outcome of two species of tree seedlings in abandoned pastures. We compared the initial (12 months) seedling survival rates and growth of a fast-growing tree (Inga edulis) and a slow-growing tree (Campomanesia xanthocarpa), growing in Cambisols and Gleysols, using different management practices (till vs. no-till) and in the presence of two exotic grass species. Soil conditions were the most significant factor for influencing seedling performance, for both species; the grass species used in the pasture was less important. The flooding conditions in Gleysols may have potentially limited the seedling growth by affecting the height and diameter of C. xanthocarpa. Our results support the claim that soil conditions are the primary factors that negatively affect the growth and survival of native tree seedlings in abandoned farmlands. Restoration efforts that employ fast-growing native species should be chosen to increase the chances of restoration success in wet pasture areas.

We report 12 cases of aggressive natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms diagnosed in Portugal, with emphasis on flow cytometry. Ten patients had extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type and two had aggressive NK cell leukemia, and seven were men and five were women, with a median age of 50 years. NK cells brightly expressed the CD56 adhesion molecule and CD94 lectin type killer receptor and had an activation-related HLA-DR+ CD45RA+ CD45RO+ immunophenotype, in most cases. In contrast, dim CD16 expression was found in a minor proportion of cases, whereas CD57 and the CD158a and CD158e1 killer immunoglobulin-like receptors were negative. One-third of cases showed a hyperploid DNA content and nearly all had a very high S-phase proliferative rate. The phenotypic features of the neoplastic NK cells would suggest that they represent the transformed counterpart of the CD56 + bright NK cells that circulate in normal blood.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:02:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-04-28 The seasonal climate drivers of the carbon cycle in tropical forests remain poorly known, although these forests account for more carbon assimilation and storage than any other terrestrial ecosystem. Based on a unique combination of seasonal pan-tropical data sets from 89 experimental sites (68 include aboveground wood productivity measurements and 35 litter productivity measurements), their associated canopy photosynthetic capacity (enhanced vegetation index, EVI) and climate, we ask how carbon assimilation and aboveground allocation are related to climate seasonality in tropical forests and how they interact in the seasonal carbon cycle. We found that canopy photosynthetic capacity seasonality responds positively to precipitation when rainfall is < 2000ĝ€-mmĝ€-yrĝ'1 (water-limited forests) and to radiation otherwise (light-limited forests). On the other hand, independent of climate limitations, wood productivity and litterfall are driven by seasonal variation in precipitation and evapotranspiration, respectively. Consequently, light-limited forests present an asynchronism between canopy photosynthetic capacity and wood productivity. First-order control by precipitation likely indicates a decrease in tropical forest productivity in a drier climate in water-limited forest, and in current light-limited forest with future rainfall < 2000ĝ€-mmĝ€-yrĝ'1. Author(s) 2016. Remote Sensing Division National Institute for Space Research - INPE São José Dos Campos CIRAD UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane INRA UMR EEF 1137 INRA UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane Department of Biology University of Antwerp National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters - CEMADEN São José Dos Campos School of Geography University of Leeds Institute of Botany University of Hohenheim Laboratory for Wood Biology and Xylarium Royal Museum for Central Africa Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências de Florestas Tropicais Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Embrapa Florestas Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Institute of Geography University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing Wageningen University Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza Laboratóio de Botânica e Ecologia Vegetal Universidade Federal Do Acre Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (IPE-CSIC) Instituto Boliviano de Investigacion Forestal (IBIF) Santa Cruz de la Sierra Centro de Energia Nuclear Na Agricultura Laboratóio de Ecologia Isotópica Universidade de SÃo Paulo Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal Do Paraná Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF) Programa de Pós-Graduação Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais Universidade Federal Do Acre Departamento de Ecologia Do Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo (USP) UMR 5174 Laboratoire Evolution et DiversitéBiologique CNRS and UniversitéPaul Sabatier Biological Sciences Department University of Zambia Department of Biology University of Missouri-St. Louis Coordenação de Pesquisas em Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV) Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Federal Do Paraná Centro de Ciêcias Biológicas e da Natureza Laboratório de Botânica e Ecologia Vegetal Universidade Federal Do Acre Prefeitura Municipal de Rio Branco Département Hommes Natures Sociétés Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) et UMR 208 Patrimoines Locaux et Gouvernance, Cedex 05 Dept. Forest and Wood Science University of Stellenbosch Meisterschule Ebern für das Schreinerhandwerk Floresta Estadual de Assis Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI), P.O. Box Departamento de Ciências Florestais Universidade de São Paulo Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Departamento de Engenharia Florestal - DEF Universidade Estadual Do Centro-Oeste Departamento de Ciências Florestais Centro de Ciências Rurais Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Departamento de Botânica Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegeta Universidade de Brasília Instituto de Ciências Biológicas World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box Coordenação de Pesquisa em Ecologia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, C.P. 478 Departement of Land Resource Management Northern Territory Government Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Department of Biological Sciences Mount Holyoke College Department of Earth System Science Stanford University Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Department of Plant Ecology Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences University of Göttingen Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC Tropical Peat Research Institute Biological Research Division Malaysian Palm Oil Board Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Ciências Biologicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Division of Science and Environmental Policy California State University Monterey Bay Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal de Sergipe Programa Forestal Colegio de Postgraduados Department of Geosciences and Geography University of Helsinki School of Geography and the Environment University of Oxford Departamento de Solos e Engenharia Agrícola Universidade Federal Do Paraná Laboratoria de Dendrochronologia y Anatomia de Maderas Espinoza Universidad Nacional de Loja Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Center for Forest Disturbance Science USDA Forest Service Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University Institut Français de Pondicherry UMR AMAP (BotAnique et BioinforMatique de l'Architecture des Plantes) IRD Tree Ring and Environmental History Laboratory Instituto Argentino de Nivología Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales - CONICET Department of Earth and Environment Southeast Environmental Research Center Florida International University Departamento de Biologia Aplicada FCAV Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP UR BandSEF (Biens et Services des Écosystèmes Forestiers Tropicaux) CIRAD School of Geosciences University of Edinburgh CarboForExpert HJ Andrews Experimental Forest Oregon State University Ibama PRONAT - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recurso Naturais Universidade Federal de Roraima - UFRR School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Departamento de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal Do Amapá Embrapa Cocais Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Instituto Boliviano de Investigacion Forestal (IBIF) Universidad Autonoma Gabriel René Moreno Department of Forest Vegetation Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas Ambientais (NEPAM) Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Embrapa Roraima Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Crop Production Systems in the Tropics Georg-August-Universit Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Centro de Educação Superior Norte Universidade Federal de Santa Maria College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Departamento de Biologia Aplicada FCAV Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP

Facilitation is an important ecological mechanism with potential applications to forest restoration. We hypothesized that different facilitation treatments, distance from the forest edge and time since initiation of the experiment would affect forest restoration on abandoned pastures. Seed and seedling abundance, species richness and composition were recorded monthly during two years under isolated trees, bird perches and in open pasture. Seed arrival and seedling establishment were measured at 10 m and 300 m from the forest edge. We sampled a total of 131,826 seeds from 115 species and 487 seedlings from 46 species. Isolated trees and bird perches increased re-establishment of forest species; however, species richness was higher under isolated trees. Overall, abundance and richness of seeds and seedlings differed between sampling years, but was unaffected by distance from the forest edge. On the other hand, species composition of seeds and seedlings differed among facilitation treatments, distance from the forest edge and between years. Seedling establishment success rate was larger in large-seeded species than medium- and small-seeded species. Our results suggest that isolated trees enhance forest re-establishment, while bird perches provide a complementary effort to restore tree abundance in abandoned pastures. However, the importance of seed arrival facilitation shifts toward establishment facilitation over time. Arriving species may vary depending on the distance from the forest edge and disperser attractors. Efforts to restore tropical forests on abandoned pastures should take into account a combination of both restoration strategies, effects of time and proximity to forest edge to maximize regeneration.

Ecological restoration is potentially affected by factors acting at both micro(characteristics of the site for seedling establishment) and meso-scales (landscape features). We evaluated areas undergoing restoration to define the relative importance of some micro-scale factors (soil type, restoration strategy, pasture type) and macro-scale factors (proportion of old-growth forest, immature forest, degraded and humid areas, and the nearest-neighbor distance) at determining forest structure (tree abundance, basal area and species richness) of young (3-11 years) restoration areas. We found that the areas under restoration have higher tree species richness and abundance if old-growth forests are present within distances up to 200 m. We also found that the use of non-invasive fodder grass species in the pasture prior to restoration resulted in higher abundance and basal area of native trees in restoration sites; other factors were less important. These results point to the importance of certain landscape features for the success of restoration, and that the presence of preserved forests nearby is a key factor to be considered when planning recovery of tree species diversity in forest restoration.

Summary Imprinting errors have been described in spermatozoa from infertile patients with oligozoospermia and azoospermia. However, little is known about methylation of imprinted genes in other spermatogenic cells from azoospermic patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the methylation status of single CpGs located in the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of two imprinted genes, one paternally (H19) and one maternally (MEST) methylated, in primary spermatocytes of azoospermic patients presenting complete (MAc, n = 7) and incomplete (MAi, n = 8) maturation arrest, as well as in other spermatogenic cells from MAi patients that presented focus of complete spermatogenesis in some seminiferous tubules. We observed H19 imprinting errors in primary spermatocytes from one MAi patient and MEST imprinting errors in one MAi and two MAc patients. Additionally, H19 imprinting errors were observed in elongated spermatids/spermatozoa from one MAi patient. Nevertheless, no statistical differences were found for H19 and MEST global methylation levels (percentage of methylated and unmethylated CpGs, respectively) between patients with complete and incomplete MA and also between MA groups and a control group. These results provide further evidence that imprinting errors occur in spermatogenic cells from patients presenting impaired spermatogenesis, as we and others have previously described in ejaculated and testicular spermatozoa. As paternal imprinting errors can be transmitted to the embryo by the sperm cell, they can provide a possible explanation for poor embryo development and/or low pregnancy rates as correct expression of imprinted genes is crucial for embryo and placental development and function. Therefore, in cases with male factor infertility where unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments are recurrent, analysis of imprinting marks in spermatozoa might be a useful diagnostic tool.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is a common autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the steroid 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21A2). Complete DNA sequencing of CYP21A2 was performed in 5 patients, 3 non-classic and 2 classic forms of the disease, that were previously screened for the 10 most common mutations, in order to detect additional mutations that could justify the phenotype of the patients. 5 mutations were identified with the whole gene extended analysis. The mutations, p.Pro432Leu and p.Ala434Glu, the first previously reported by our group and the second a novel one were structurally analyzed with ICM-Pro software regarding biochemical properties such as protein stability, accessibility to surface and hydrophobicity, in order to elucidate their effects on the CYP21A2 protein. The 2 affected residues, Pro432 and Ala434, were also studied for conservation purposes in order to predict the severity of both mutations with PolyPhen-2 software and were considered as "probably damaging". Prediction of clinical severity, based on molecular modelling and sequence conservation, was in accordance with the patient's clinical diagnosis.

Natural killer (NK)-cells are a lymphocyte population playing a critical role in the immune surveillance against tumors and virally infected cells. The development of human hematopoietic stem cells (hHSC) into fully differentiated NK-cells pass through discrete stages of differentiation involving a variety of factors such as cytokines, membrane factors, and transcription factors (TFs). Because there is lack of studies in this field, we decided to perform an extended analysis of TFs during in vitro differentiation of NK-cells. At several points of differentiation, cells were characterized by their mRNA expression either for NK-cell cell markers, for a number of mature NK-cell receptors or a large panel of TFs. Our data suggests that some TFs (ID2, EGR-2 and T-BET) play a role in NK-cell commitment, differentiation and maturation. Although delayed on its expression, BLIMP1 also seems to be involved in differentiation and maturation of NK cells, but not in NK-cell commitment. E4BP4 and TOX are more related with initial stages of NK-cell commitment. PU.1, MEF, Ikaros, EGR-1, BCL11B and IRF-2 revealed less involvement in maturation and were more associated with NK-cell commitment and pNK cell production. GATA-3 showed a differential role during the ontogeny of NK-cells. We show that assessment of the transcripts present in the differentiating NK-cells demonstrated, a pattern of preserved and differential gene expression remarkably similar to that seen in mice except for E4BP4 that showed constant downregulation throughout the culture period. A thorough understanding of NK-cell developmental mechanisms is important as it may enable future therapeutic manipulation.

Phenological variations in tropical forests are usually explained by climate. Nevertheless, considering that soil water availability and nutrient content also influence plant water status and metabolism, soil conditions may also be important in the regulation of plant reproductive and vegetative activities over time. We investigated whether phenological patterns and stem growth differ in trees growing in two types of soil that display contrasting water and nutrient availability, namely, Gleysol (moist and nutrient-poor) and Cambisol (drier and nutrient-rich). Phenological observations (flushing, leaf fall, flowering and fruiting) and stem diameter growth were recorded for 120 trees fitted with fixed dendrometer bands, at 15 days intervals, for 1 year. Two species of contrasting deciduousness were investigated: Senna multijuga (semi-deciduous) and Citharexylum myrianthum (deciduous). Both species were seasonal in all phenophases, regardless of soil type. However, frequency, mean date and intensity of phenophases varied according to soil type. Girth increment of C. myrianthum was four times greater in Cambisol than in Gleysol, whereas the type of soil had no significant effect on that of S. multijuga. These results show that soil characteristics also play an important role in determining phenological patterns and growth and must be considered when analysing phenological patterns in tropical forests.

The expectations that shade-tolerant forest species show 1) a population structure composed by a high amount of small individuals, and 2) biomass allocation for diameter higher than for height growth, were tested for Rudgea parquioides, a typical shrub in Southern Brazil. We described the size structure (height and stem diameter) and allometrical relations of a R. parquioides population by counting and measuring all the individuals in a 725m² area in the municipality of Curitiba (25"25'S; 49"19'W). A total of 916 individuals (12,634 ind.ha-1) were recorded in the area. The firstexpectation was supported, since distribution by height and diameter classes showed a predominance of small individuals (skewness coefficients > 1). On the other hand, the regression between height and stem base diameter showed slope β < 1, which indicates that growth in height is higher than in diameter, not supporting the second expectation. These results show that life strategies in shade-tolerant species may imply in more trade-off combinations than previously described.Foram testadas duas hipóteses relativas a espécies florestaistolerantes à sombra em uma população de Rudgea parquioides, um arbusto característico do sul do Brasil: 1) espécies tolerantes à sombra possuem uma estrutura populacional composta por um grande número de indivíduos pequenos e 2) a alocação de biomassa para o crescimento em diâmetro é maior que para o crescimento em altura. Foram descritas as estruturas de tamanho (altura e diâmetro do tronco) e relações alométricas através da contagem e medição de todos os indivíduos de R. parquioides em uma área de 725m² no município de Curitiba (25"25'S; 49"19'W). Um total de 916 indivíduos(12.634 ind.ha-1) foi medido nesta área. A primeira hipótese foi aceita, uma vez que a distribuição em classes de altura e de diâmetro mostrou um predomínio de indivíduos pequenos (coeficiente de assimetria > 1). Por outro lado, a regressão entre altura e diâmetro na base do caule mostrou inclinação β < 1, o que indica que o crescimento em altura é maior que em diâmetro, não suportando a segunda hipótese. Esses resultados mostram que as estratégias de crescimento em espécies tolerantes à sombra podem implicar em outras relações ecológicas além das já descritas.

Direct tree planting restoration systems are frequently used for recovering degraded tropical landscapes. Although manual planting tends to be more viable economically and logistically over small areas, in large restorations the use of agricultural equipment that optimizes effort is preferable. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of the two native tree species planting systems—manual and mechanized—used in the restoration of Atlantic Forest landscapes that have been converted to pasture. In recently abandoned grazing areas with abundant cover of the exotic grass Brachiaria humidicola, 393 seedlings of 6 species were planted in two treatments: a mechanized planting system (soil prepared with a rotary tiller attached to a tractor; seedlings in polypropylene tubes) and a manual planting system (holes dug with a manual excavator; seedlings wrapped in polyethylene bags). After 12 months, survival (manual: 85%; mechanized: 71%) and growth rates (RGRheight: manual = 0.88 ± 0.06 and mechanized = 0.98 ± 0.06 cm/cm; RGRdiameter: manual = 0.77 ± 0.05 and mechanized = 0.86 ± 0.05 cm/cm) were high in both treatments, but no differences were found between them. Both planting systems proved efficient for planting native tree seedlings in pastures. The excellent results demonstrated in this study by the mechanized planting system are important because this cheap and readily available technique provides a good, but less frequently used, alternative to the manual planting system.

A conversão de áreas florestais em pastagens constitui uma das atividades que mais degradam a Floresta Ombrófila Densa. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se áreas de pastagens abandonadas há oito, 14, 48, 50 e 96 meses, em Antonina (Estado do Paraná, 25º19'15'' S e 45º24'24'' W), com o objetivo de verificar se a presença da cobertura herbácea diminui a regeneração natural das espécies arbóreas. Foram identificadas as espécies e avaliada a biomassa de espécies herbáceas (em 24 parcelas de 1 m²) e volume das espécies lenhosas (altura igual ou superior a 1 m; 24 parcelas de 25 m²). Nas cinco áreas estudadas foram amostradas 59 espécies herbáceas (1.062 indivíduos), das quais, a maioria (95%) era exótica (incluindo Brachiaria decumbens e B. humidicola). Para a comunidade de hábito arbustivo-arbóreo, foram amostradas 104 espécies (2.234 indivíduos). Houve significativa modificação florística e estrutural da vegetação nos primeiros quatro anos após o abandono das pastagens. O desenvolvimento da vegetação lenhosa foi inversamente relacionado à presença de espécies herbáceas, o que sugere que a cobertura vegetal promovida pelas ervas, principalmente B. decumbens, seja um dos fatores que influenciam negativamente a regeneração natural. Estes resultados sugerem que práticas de manejo que incluam a remoção ou redução dos efeitos de Brachiaria spp sejam necessárias na restauração de pastagens abandonadas. Deforestation and conversion of forests to pasture is one of the most degrading activities impacting the Atlantic Rain Forest. We analyzed pastures abandoned for 8, 14, 48, 50 and 96 months in Antonina (Paraná state; 25º19'15'' S; 45º24'24'' W) to verify if herb cover reduces the natural regeneration of the Atlantic forest. We identified species and assessed shoot biomass of herbaceous species (in 24 1 m² plots), and calculated the volume of all woody species (height > 1m; in 24 25 m² plots). We collected 59 herbaceous species (1,062 individuals) most of which were allochthonous species (95%), including Brachiaria decumbens and B. humidicola. We also sampled 104 woody species (2,234 individuals). There were significant floristic and structural changes in the community during the first four years since the pasture was abandoned. Woody vegetation development was negatively related to herb species' biomass, suggesting that grasses (B. decumbens) inhibited forest regeneration. Our results suggested that management, including Brachiaria spp removal, is necessary for the restoration of abandoned pastures in the Atlantic Forest region.

Entre os fatores que influenciam a distribuição de espécies nas comunidades vegetais localizadas em regiões ribeirinhas, as características do solo são consideradas os mais importantes. No presente estudo, foram avaliadas a composição florística, a diversidade e a estrutura de três estratos da vegetação e suas relações com as características do solo em um fragmento de floresta aluvial na bacia do rio Iguaçu, no estado do Paraná. Buscou-se verificar se a estrutura e a diversidade da floresta nos diferentes estratos podem ser explicadas por fatores edáficos e hídricos. Caracterizaram-se os parâmetros estruturais e a composição florística de três estratos da vegetação % de regeneração (20 cm < altura < 1,30 m; 80 sub-parcelas de 1 m×1 m), intermediário (perímetro à altura do peito - PAP < 15 cm, altura > 1,30 m; 20 sub-parcelas de 5 m×5 m) e superior (PAP > 15 cm, 20 parcelas de 10 m×10 m) - e correlacionaram-se as abundâncias das espécies com os parâmetros do solo e do lençol freático de cada parcela. A floresta caracterizou-se por baixa diversidade (H' = 2,36 no estrato de regeneração, 2,49 no estrato no estrato intermediário e 1,59 no estrato superior) e alta similaridade florística entre estratos (índices de similaridade de Sørensen > 0,65). As relações entre a distribuição espacial das espécies e as características do solo foram distintas entre estratos: no estrato superior correlacionou-se com a profundidade do lençol freático e o teor de matéria orgânica; no intermediário, com profundidade do lençol e teor de alumínio, porém no estrato inferior nenhum dos fatores ambientais analisados explicou a distribuição das espécies. Os resultados sugerem que a estrutura e a composição florística destas comunidades aluviais refletem os diferentes níveis de interação ao longo do ciclo de vida dos indivíduos.

Seasonal tropical forests show rhythms in reproductive activities due to water stress during dry seasons. If both seed dispersal and seed germination occur in the best environmental conditions, mortality will be minimised and forest regeneration will occur. To evaluate whether non-seasonal forests also show rhythms, for 2 years we studied the seed rain and seedling emergence in two sandy coastal forests (flooded and unflooded) in southern Brazil. In each forest, one 100 x 30-m grid was marked and inside it 30 stations comprising two seed traps (0.5 x 0.5 m each) and one plot (2 x 2 m) were established for monthly monitoring of seed rain and a seedling emergence study, respectively. Despite differences in soil moisture and incident light on the understorey, flooded and unflooded forests had similar dispersal and germination patterns. Seed rain was seasonal and bimodal (peaks at the end of the wetter season and in the less wet season) and seedling emergence was seasonal and unimodal (peaking in the wetter season). Approximately 57% of the total species number had seedling emergence 4 or more months after dispersal. Therefore, both seed dormancy and the timing of seed dispersal drive the rhythm of seedling emergence in these forests. The peak in germination occurs in the wetter season, when soil fertility is higher and other phenological events also occur. The strong seasonality in these plant communities, even in this weakly seasonal climate, suggests that factors such as daylength, plant sensitivity to small changes in the environment (e.g. water and nutrient availability) or phylogenetic constraints cause seasonal rhythms in the plants.

The relative importance of sexual reproduction (seed) and sprouting as sources for regeneration in Brazilian Atlantic Forest was evaluated in three different successional forest stages: young forest, immature forest, and late-successional forest. Young plants (10–100 cm tall) of tree species were classified into the following categories: (1) seedlings that are nonsprouting—plants that originated through sexual reproduction as seeds; (2) stem base sprouting—plants that sprouted at the base of an existing plant; and (3) underground stem sprouting—plants that sprouted from subterranean stems of an existing plant. A total of 1,030 individuals of 48 species were collected. Underground stem sprouting is the rarest form of propagation, with stem base sprouting somewhat more common and possibly associated with recovery of damaged parts. The greatest contribution to regeneration was due to seeds: 92% of the individuals counted in 67% of the plant species. However, 13 species were ‘‘facultative’’ sprouters as seedlings and sprouters were observed in this group. The three forest ages differed in the proportion of regeneration strategies; in immature forest, sprouting was more common (15%) than in young (7%) and late-successional (3%; p < 0.05) forest. In these three forest stages, germinating seeds are the major source of new plants; although sprouting as a reproductive strategy is rare, it is related to recovery after damage of an already existing plant and may be due to previous land use history (agriculture) and low soil fertility. Restoration using natural regeneration should consider these factors to understand seed arrival as seed is the main source of regeneration.

The Atlantic Forest is a hotspot for biodiversity conservation because of its high levels of endemism and threatened areas. Three main forest types, differentiated by their floras, compose the Atlantic Forest: ‘Atlantic Forest’ sensu strictu, ‘Araucaria Mixed Forest’ and ‘Seasonal Forest’. The flora comprises taxa from the Amazon forest, Cerrado gallery forests and the Andean region, which makes the Atlantic Forest a relevant study system for ecologists and biogeographers. Here, we present data from 206 floris- tic checklists describing the occurrence of 1,916 species across the southern portion of the Atlantic Forest. This dataset can be useful for understanding mechanisms underlying plant community assembly processes and the historical relationships between different forest formations.

Aims The aim of this study was to test the activity of seven Tolypocladium cylindrosporum isolates against different developmental stages of Aedes aegypti. Methods and results Ovicidal activity (≤30% of eclosion; at a 84% eclosion of control eggs) and lowest cumulative emergence of adults (≤30%; at a 66·3% control emergence) originating from eclosing larvae was found 15 and 30 days, respectively, after applying conidia of ARSEF 962 or 1580 onto the eggs. All isolates induced larval mortality when third-instar larvae were treated with conidia (≤5% control mortality); the lowest lethal concentration (LC50) at 5 days after treatment was found with ARSEF 1580 (9·2 × 10(5) conidia ml(-1)), and the shortest lethal time (LT50 ) with ARSEF 2912 (2·8 days at 3·3 × 10(6) conidia ml(-1)). The pathogenicity of T. cylindrosporum to A. aegypti adults is corroborated. ARSEF 1027, 1580 and 2912 induced the highest cumulative mortality in adults (≥90%) 15 days after application (≤5% control mortality). Conclusions Findings emphasized an isolate- and developmental stage-related virulence of T. cylindrosporum. Significance and impact of the study ARSEF 1580, in the group of tested isolates, is the most promising isolate for use against terrestrial eggs, aquatic larvae and adults of this important vector.

Studies on great apes, Old World monkeys, and New World monkeys suggest that anthropoid primates may retain a detailed spatial representation of the distribution of important food resources in their home range. This is evidenced by selecting the shortest travel routes between sets of feeding sites. In this research, I tested whether distance influences between-patch foraging decisions of free-ranging social groups of black-chinned emperor tamarins Saguinus imperator imperator and Weddell’s saddleback tamarins Saguinus fuscicollis weddelli living in a 100-ha forest reserve (Zoobotanical Park of the Universidade Federal do Acre) located in Rio Branco, State of Acre, Brazil. Four artificial feeding sites (feeding stations) were established within the home ranges of one group of each species. They were distributed in a diamond configuration and located from 58 to 256 m from each other. Each feeding station was composed of eight feeding platforms (two of which baited with one banana). Data collection was conducted from 3 October to 28 November 1997 (54 days). To determine whether distance among feeding sites influences tamarin daily between-patch foraging decisions, it was recorded whether a group visited the nearest, intermediate or farthest station after departing from a particular one. The emperor tamarin group visited the feeding stations 207 times (average = 3.8 visits day � 1 ) and the saddleback tamarin group visited the feeding stations 265 times (average = 4.9 visits day � 1 ). After arriving at a feeding station, both species tended to choose the nearest station to visit and to avoid the farthest one at a frequency greater than chance, supporting the contention that these tamarins know the distribution and spatial relationships of their main food resources.