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During a survey on the arachnid fauna in the Central Brazilian Cerrado, Goiás State, a new species of the genus Cheiridium Menge, 1855, was found. This specimen represents the third record of this genus in Brazil, and it is described as a new species, Cheiridium piracanjubae sp. n. The species represents an important record for a biome considered a biodiversity hotspot, but with a still poorly known arachnid fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerrado is a large savanna in central Brazil, which extends north to the Amazon Forest and the caatinga (xeric vegetation) and includes disjunct areas in both of those biomes. Cerrado plant diversification is understudied, especially in disjunct areas and in peripheral areas bordering other biomes. Here we investigated the effects of Quaternary climatic fluctuations on the distribution, genetic diversity and divergence of two closely related species, Qualea multiflora and Qualea parviflora. Both species are widely distributed in the cerrado, including disjunct and peripheral areas. We sequenced plastid DNA from individuals of both species across their distributions, including core, disjunct and peripheral areas of the cerrado. Both species showed similar responses to Quaternary climatic fluctuations with range retractions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Phylogeographic analyses and ecological niche modelling revealed a large historical glacial refugium across central Brazil and multiple refugia in peripheral areas of the south-west, north-west (bordering the Amazon) and north-east (in transition with the caatinga). The genetic diversity, diversification and geographical structuring of Q. multiflora and Q. parviflora were mainly shaped by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. The presence of several refugia at the Amazon Forest boundary suggests that savanna vegetation could have covered parts of the south-western Amazon during the LGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to isolate and characterize microsatellite markers for Qualea grandiflora and to test their transferability to congeneric species Qualea multiflora and Qualea parviflora . These three species are widespread in the Cerrado, the largest, richest and probably the most threatened tropical savanna in the world. We characterized ten markers in 40 individuals belonging to two populations of Q. grandiflora and eight markers in 20 individuals belonging to one population of Q. multiflora and Q. parviflora . In Q. grandiflora , considering all 40 analyzed individuals, the number of alleles per locus ranged from eight to 21, and the average was 11.60. The mean number of alleles per locus was 8.8 and 7.3 in each population. The observed and expected heterozygosities ( H o and H e ) within populations varied from 0.235 to 0.944 and from 0.225 to 0.932, respectively. In Q. multiflora the number of alleles varied from two to 11 with an average of 5.75; the H o ranged from 0.150 to 0.950, while H e ranged from 0.191 to 0.817. In Q. parviflora , considering the seven polymorphic loci, the number of alleles ranged from two to 13, with an average of 7.5, while H o ranged from 0.211 to 0.944, and H e ranged from 0.193 to 0.906. The polymorphism level of the microsatellite markers here described enable them as powerful tools for future population genetic studies in these species, helping to answer ecological and evolutionary questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The species Qualea grandiflora and Qualea multiflora, which belong to the Vochysiaceae family, are common in the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado biome), and the local inhabitants use these species to treat external ulcers and gastric diseases and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have demonstrated that these plants contain compounds that exhibit pharmacological activities; however, the risks associated with their consumption are not known. Material and methods: In the present study, the mutagenicity of polar and apolar extracts from Qualea grandiflora and Qualea multiflora were assessed by employing the Ames assay with and without metabolic activation. Additionally, phytochemical analyses (HPLC–ESI-IT-MS, HPLC–UV-PDA and GC–IT-MS) were performed to identify the chemical constituents present in these species, including the evaluation of physico-chemical properties, such as polarity or apolarity of the organic compounds, which are related to each fraction obtained. These studies provide important information regarding the biochemical behaviour of these compounds. Results: All extracts exhibited mutagenicity, inducing frameshift mutations and base substitutions in DNA. Phytochemical analysis identified terpenes, ellagic acid derivatives and phytosteroids. Conclusions: The mutagenicity observed might be due to the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes and polyphenols, which are able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and result in the potential to cause DNA damage. The genetic risk identified in this present work shows that special attention should be considered for the use of compounds obtained from these plant species in medicinal treatments. Further studies must be conducted to identify safe therapeutic doses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, the host-plant range of Onciderini beetles was investigated during 4 years in an Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil. Twelve species of Onciderini beetles girdled thirty-six plant species in the study site. In total, 1046 plants were girdled by Onciderini beetles as follows: 44.6% were Vochysiaceae, 15% were Mymosaceae, 12% were Melastomataceae, 9% were Lauraceae, 4% were Anacardiaceae and 15% were distributed among Meliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Bombacaceae, Fabaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Cecropiaceae, Myrtaceae, Lecythidaceae, and Myrsinaceae. Onciderini beetles did not select hosts randomly. Most of the associations (70%) with host plants were caused by polyphagous beetles and different plant families showed different ratios of polyphagous, oligophagous and monophagous Onciderini in the study site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the pattern of aluminum (Al) accumulation in leaf tissues of native hyperaccumulator Vochysiaceae species Qualea grandiflora , Callisthene major, and Vochysia pyramidalis, from the Brazilian Cerrado. Non-accumulator Sclerolobium paniculatum was used as a control species. We expected a strong compartmentalization of Al in non-active leaf cell compartments such as cell walls and vacuoles in Al-accumulating species and the absence of Al in critical metabolic sites such as the chloroplasts. Plant leaves were harvested in the field and cut in small segments for histological analysis; hematoxylin dye was used for Al localization in tissues. Results of soil analysis of the three sites and the concentration of Al in leaves indicated that there is no direct relationship between Al availability in soils and Al hyperaccumulation among the Vochysiaceae species evaluated. The cross-sections of leaf tissues showed hematoxylin color in the palisade and spongy parenchyma cells (chloroplast) of Q. grandiflora and C. major. The vascular system of Q. grandiflora was not colored, but some cells from the xylem region of C. major were stained. In contrast, the adaxial and abaxial epidermal cells of V. pyramidalis were colored by hematoxylin, as were some cells from the vascular bundle, but color formation was not observed in the cells of palisade parenchyma. Al was not detected in leaves of S. paniculatum. We concluded that, although hyperaccumulation of Al is a common trait in the Vochysiaceae family, the processes of storage and detoxification in leaf tissues differ among the species. Two of the three hyperaccumulator species use chloroplasts as a sink for Al, with no apparent signs of toxicity. Therefore, the physiological role of Al in plant tissues remains to be elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new Stenella species were found on native cerrado plants. Stenella euthroxyli-campestris, S. erythroxyli-suberosi and S. erythroxylicola were associated with plant species belonging in the family Erythroxylaceae; S. cyrtopodii was found infecting the rare Cyrtopodium eugenii (Orchidaceae), and S. ocoteae occurred on Ocotea sp. (Lauraceae). Finally Parastenella callisthenis-fasciculatae was collected on a Vochysiaceae (viz. Callisthene fasciculate) endemic to the cerrado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Qualea grandiflora is one of the species widely used in folk medicine to treat gastric ulcers in Cerrado of the central region of Brazil. The hydroalcoholic extract of bark (HE) of Qualea grandiflora was investigated for their ability to prevent and heal lesions in the gastric mucosa. The oral administration of HE exhibited antiulcer activity decreasing the ulcerative index induced by HCl/ethanol solution, indomethacin/bethanechol and stress. In the Shay model, results showed that HE (p.o.) only reduced the severity of gastric lesions without effects on pH, gastric acidity or volume. When given by intraduodenal route, HE changed the pH, but did not modify the other parameters of the gastric juice. These data were in accordance with those obtained when HE was administered orally for 14 days after gastric ulcers were induced by acetic acid in rats. HE presented healing process in subacute gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in rats. Moreover, histological examinations showed the simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria with simple branched tubular glandules with dilated lumen and large amounts of mucus secretion. Phytochemical investigation of HE led to the detection of terpenes, steroids, saponins, phenolic compounds and tannins in this extract, which may be involved in the observed activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent decades, cattle ranchers of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, have pointed to the accelerated spread of several herbaceous and woody plant species that invade natural and artificial pastures (campos). It has been speculated that overgrazing by an increasing number of cattle, lack of grazing in abandoned areas,or large-scale changes in environmental conditions may be the reason for this invasion. This study focuses on ecological and ecophysiological aspects of Vochysia divergens (cambará), a flood-tolerant tree that began spreading in the Pantanal during the last 30 years and is considered a very aggressive invasive plant. The study shows that the spread of cambará can be related to natural multi-years wet periods. During multi-years dry periods the species is reduced by the increasing impact of fires in the Pantanal. This points to the great importance of multi-years climatic events on the vegetation cover of the Pantanal and indicates a very dynamic development in plant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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