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The breeding success of birds can be influenced by habitat characteristics (e.g., vegetation cover and weather), species interactions (e.g., predation and parasitism), and species' intrinsic factors (e.g., behavior and nest structure and location). Information about breeding traits is crucial to better understand population dynamics. Here, we performed probabilistic modeling of Dark-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus melacoryphus) nests to assess the effect of habitat and nest parameters (e.g., time, season, nest site, clutch size, and brood size) on daily survival. We carried out this study in northeastern Brazil during the rainy seasons (Jan–Jun) of 2017 and 2018. To assess daily nest survival and the effects of habitat and nest covariates, we located and monitored 61 nests every 2–3 d following the Mayfield protocol and analyzed these data using information-theoretic model-selection program MARK. We found a higher daily survival during incubation than during the nestling period, with a positive effect of clutch and brood size. Models constrained by the covariates year, breeding season time, species of plant supporting the nest, nest height, and nest concealment were not supported. Success for the incubation and nestling periods were 19% and 11% by Mayfield, and 33% and 4% by MARK model averaging, corresponding to a total nest-period success of 2.1% and 1.5% for each method, respectively. The positive relationship found between survival and clutch size for the Dark-billed Cuckoo seldom occurs in birds from tropical regions. As expected for tropical birds, we recorded high predation and low breeding success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neophobia (i.e. the degree of avoidance to novel situations) is a personality trait that may predict the ability to exploit new resources, which potentially affects the success of settlement of urban animal populations. Despite the increasing amount of information on birds using artificial structures as nesting supports, the hypothesis that the propensity to nest on buildings is related to parental personality has never been tested. In a field experiment, we addressed the relationship between female neophobia and the use of buildings as nesting sites in an urban population of the pale-breasted thrush, Turdus leucomelas , in southeast Brazil. We placed novel objects near active nests placed on buildings (N = 16) and trees (N = 12) and measured the latency of incubating females to resume incubation. Using linear mixed-effects models, we estimated the individual repeatability of this behavioural response and tested whether latency times differed between neophobia and control tests within nesting substrate types. We found significant repeatability for the latency to resume incubation during neophobia tests (r = 0.353), indicating that this behaviour was consistent at the individual level as expected for personality-mediated responses. Latency was higher in neophobia than in control tests, but only among females that nested on trees. Previous studies suggest that less neophobic individuals tend to express more exploratory and innovative behaviours, which may have enhanced the use of buildings as nesting sites by fearless females. We conclude that less neophobic females are more prone to nest on buildings in the pale-breasted thrush. Our study is the first to link bird neophobia and the use of buildings as nesting substrates, evidencing that the exploitation of artificial resources may be associated with the predominance of certain animal personalities in anthropic environments. • We examined how personality affects nest site choice in T. leucomelas. • We compared neophobia of incubating females that nested on trees and on buildings. • We placed objects near nests and measured female latency to resume parental tasks. • Females that nested in trees showed higher neophobia. • Anthropogenic resources may favour dominance of certain personalities in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding biology data are crucial for avian life history theory, but this information is unavailable for nearly half of the current living tropical bird species. Predation is the main driver of nest survival among tropical birds, and spatial and temporal factors may affect nest predation risk and survival. In this study, we describe the breeding biology of the Rusty-backed Antwren (Formicivora rufa), a bird that inhabits a coastal sandy plain in southeastern Brazil, and examine the effects of date and microhabitat features on nest survival. We found 47 nests over 2 breeding seasons. The nesting season lasted 7–8 months. The mean (± SD) nest-building time was 7.3 ± 1.1 d, the mean incubation period was 16 ± 1.9 d, and nestlings remained in the nest for 10 ± 0.8 d for a full nesting cycle that lasted for ∼26 d. Clutches invariably had 2 eggs and egg-laying occurred over 2 consecutive days. Males and females were both observed building nests, incubating eggs, and feeding nestlings and fledglings. We also report a nestling with a depigmented body, which may represent albinism. Most nests were depredated (68.1%, n = 32). Nest survival was constant throughout the breeding seasons and did not vary with microhabitat features (nest height above the ground, and vertical and horizontal distances between nest and shrub edges). The nesting biology of the Rusty-backed Antwren fits the general pattern typical of antbirds, and micro-spatial or temporal features cannot predict nest survival in our study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the nesting behavior of the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) along the northeastern coast of Brazil, specifically in southern Rio Grande do Norte. We compare the peak of nesting activity for several seasons from 2006 to 2016. The raw data consist of daily records of the presence of hawksbill turtle on a beach (N = 3,717). In the statistical analysis, we construct a cumulative sum of data and perform a logistic fitting. Furthermore, we use the derivative of the fitting to find the peak of nesting season. We observed a drift in the oviposition peak of the Hawksbill Turtle. In addition, the peak of maximal sea surface temperature in the nesting area followed a similar drift. The results suggest that the Hawksbill Turtle population has been responding to warming environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Descriptions of individual breeding bird biologies provide important insights to our understanding of avian life history strategies. The present study focused on the reproductive biology and nesting ecology of the Olivaceous Flatbill (Rhynchocyclus olivaceus) in the Parque Zoobotânico (∼100 ha) of the Universidade Federal do Acre, Brazil, between April 2015 and March 2016. We found 91 nests, of which 14 were active and 77 were abandoned. Due to multiple nest failure incidents, we only monitored a single nest throughout the breeding period from nest construction to offspring fledging. This nest was built in 14 d, eggs were incubated for 26 d, and nestlings remained in the nest for additional 21 d. The nest was classified as closed, retort-shaped, and pensile. We deconstructed one nest that had a weight of 65 g composed of twigs (31.6% of the total weight), fibers (28.9%), leaves (14.5%), bark (9.2%), bamboo pieces (9.2%), and tendrils (6.6%). We found the nests at heights of 1–9 m above the ground, with a preference for a 2–4 m stratum, built atop 25 different plant species. The 4 species that were the most frequently used as nest substrate were Protium unifoliolatum (n = 16 nests), Casearia sp. (n = 11), Siparuna guianensis (n = 10), and Couepia sp. (n = 9). The Olivaceous Flatbill breeds throughout the year, in both rainy and dry seasons, and it seems to be highly sensitive to human disturbance during the breeding season. The reproductive parameters recorded in the present study were consistent with those reported for other species of this genus, although most of the findings are novel for the Olivaceous Flatbill and provide important insights into its reproductive biology in the Amazon region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reasons for the decline of bee diversity and abundance include the destruction and loss of natural habitats. Protected areas are created for biodiversity conservation, but these areas vary strongly in their level of vegetation disturbance. Using trap-nests, we assessed changes in solitary bee abundance, richness, and composition in areas ranging from naturally conserved to degraded. Solitary bees were sampled during an 18-month period in three areas of southeastern Brazil: a preserved area in Rio Preto State Park – PERP; a restored/altered area with exotic plants at the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys – JK Campus; and a degraded area in Biribiri State Park – PEBi. A total of seven species of bees built 115 nests. In the degraded area, only two nests were built. Abundance of built nests was higher in the preserved area (PERP), but diversity was higher in the restored area (JK Campus). Our results show that the solitary bee population responds positively to habitat complexity (local scale). The presence of a diverse solitary bee fauna in the restored area indicates that altered areas should also be protected as suitable areas for re-colonization of cavity-nesting bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recently described solitary bee Monoeca catarina Aguiar (Apidae, Tapinotaspidini) is only known from two nest aggregations on Santa Catarina Island, state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Nests are excavated in sandy soils along trails near dunes and beaches. Up to 287 nests were counted in one aggregation. Bees were active for about seven weeks from late November to mid-January suggesting a univoltine life cycle. Males perform patrolling flights over the nest area and mate with females sitting on low vegetation. Males and females visited Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Verbenaceae) for nectar, and females were observed foraging on Tetrapterys sp. or Heteropterys sp. flowers (Malpighiaceae). Pollen loads consisted almost exclusively of Malpighiaceae pollen. Potential natural enemies are the cleptoparasitic bee Protosiris Roig-Alsina sp. (Apidae, Osirini) recorded within the aggregations, and the mutillid wasp Hoplocrates specularis (Gerstaecker) (Mutillidae, Sphaeropthalmini) seen entering the Monoeca nests and mating within the aggregations. Except for the soil characteristics, our observations on nesting and foraging behavior and associated potential enemies fit well into the facts reported from other Monoeca species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thraupis is a genus of the American endemic Thraupidae (subfamily Thraupinae), comprising seven species that inhabit tropical forests to urban centres. The Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca) is a disturbance-tolerant species of high representativeness in plant-frugivore networks, but information on its breeding biology is scarce and often restricted to non-systematic surveys. We studied the breeding biology of the T. sayaca, following 39 active nests in a periurban area of southeast Brazil during two breeding seasons (2017/2018, 2018/2019). The breeding season ranged from early September to middle December, and the nests were placed in native and exotic plants and human buildings (nest height above ground: 3.35 ± 1.73 m, mean ± SD). Only females incubated and brooded, but both adults built the nests, fed the nestlings, and removed their faecal sacs. Clutch size was 2.86 ± 0.38 eggs and nest attentiveness was 71.2%. The incubation and nestling periods were, respectively, 13.4 and 17.4 days. Males and females did not differ on nestling provisioning and nest sanitation rates. Nestling provisioning (13.35 ± 6.25 trips/hour) increased with nestling age, while mean brooding time was 37.2% and decreased with nestling age. Apparent nest success was 38.7%, and nest survival according to the Mayfield method was 27.2%. Five nests (20.8%) were parasitised by the Shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), and we recorded five events of nest-site reuse. We concluded that the most remarkable breeding traits of T. sayaca in comparison with close-related tanagers are the use of anthropogenic nest sites, the higher clutch size and number of feeding trips, and the longer nestling period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aggregation of the oil-collecting bee Epicharis dejeanii Lepeletier was studied at Ilha das Flores, southern Brazil. Data on seasonality, types of floral resources collected, and nesting biology were registered. The nesting area occupied 120 m2 with density of up to 8 nests/m2. The tunnel entrances remained always open and surrounded by a tumulus. Adult activity lasted approximately 70 days. The females built the nest, provisioned food, and layed the egg in 4 days. The nest's architecture was very diverse, and they were between 40 and 140 cm in depth with one or two brood cells at the end of the tunnel. Diapause occurred in the postdefecating larval stage, and there was no cocoon. Immature stages and nest architecture are described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of information about basic life history traits of endangered species hinders conservation efforts, since such data have important implications for species' long-term survival. Little is known about the reproductive biology, ecology, and behavior of the Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni), despite its highly threatened status in Brazil. In this study, we provide detailed information about the Araripe Manakin's breeding biology and discuss ecological factors that affected nest survival rates across 3 breeding seasons. Females lay 1- or 2-egg clutches and may attempt renesting if the nest fails. The open-cup nests are built in the forking branches of 14 different identified plant species. The Araripe Manakin's nesting period corresponds to the rainy season of approximately 6 months, and its annual reproductive capacity is 2 fledglings. Nesting success of the species was high (72%) compared to other Neotropical species with similar nests, but varied across seasons and sampled areas. Fewer nests were associated with periods of less rainfall, more fragmented forest areas, and areas with higher rates of human activity. The shape of the nest also seemed relevant for nest success, where external diameter of the nest appeared to play an important role. Only females provided parental care in all nesting stages and no differences were found in parental investment between nests with 1 or 2 nestlings. We believe our findings are crucial for future population viability analyses and effective conservation strategies. We argue that although these results point toward this species' critical situation, they also suggest its intrinsic resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocnemis expansa is the only freshwater turtle species that presents a social nesting behavior in South America, where thousands of females congregate on nesting beaches. We recorded the death of 15 females that were found fully or partially buried by other females at a gregarious nesting site from 2013 to 2017 on 2 beaches of the Tabuleiro of Monte Cristo, Pará, Brazil; another 2 buried females were rescued while still alive. This is the first study to quantify and record biometrical information of females' deaths not caused by predation or harvesting in a nesting area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the breeding biology of Rusty-collared Seedeater (Sporophila collaris) from the grasslands in southern Brazil. Data from 52 nests were collected during the 2015–2016 breeding season. Breeding started in mid-September with a peak in early December and extended to early April, a period of ∼203 d, which is clearly longer than the period recorded for Argentine populations. Only females built the nests, which were open cups. The nests were built in herbaceous and shrubby plants at an average height of 116.3 ± 40.6 cm; 85% were located above the ground and 15% over water. The most common clutch size was 2 eggs (n = 12 nests), followed by 3 eggs (n = 7 nests), with egglaying occurring on consecutive days. Only the female is in charge of incubation, spending an average of 12.8 ± 0.7 d on this activity. The average on-bout was 20.9 ± 15.92 min and the average off-bout was 12.23 ± 8.62 min. The hatching rate was 81% and the fertility rate was 90%. Both parents took care of the nestlings. Visiting frequency to the nest differed between the sexes (female = 5.67 visits/h, n = 170 visits; male = 1.83 visits/h, n = 55 visits; z = 2.80, P = 0.005). The nestlings remained in the nest for an average 11.1 ± 0.78 d. The apparent success was 25% and the nest success estimation varied from 13% (Mayfield method) to 29% (MARK). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associations between social insects, such as wasps and bees, and birds are a common strategy related to nest protection. Several examples exist in the literature of bird–wasp interactions, many in the Neotropics, but some bird families, including swifts (Apodidae), lack information regarding this kind of association. This work reports 2 cases of Neotropical swift species nesting adjacent to wasp nests in southeastern Brazil: the Sooty Swift (Cypseloides fumigatus) and Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift (Panyptila cayennensis). These are the first records of this kind of association in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the nest of Glaucis dohrnii (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1852 - Passeriformes: Trochilidae) and characteristics of the "vine forest" (mata de cipó) in the municipality of Boa Nova, Bahia, where the bird and its nest were evaluated. The area is considered a transition zone between the biomes of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest, rich in the biodiversity of bromeliad species, whose inflorescences are the principal food source of this species. The nest of Glaucis dohrnii was recorded on a bromeliad leaf (Bromelia sp). The municipality of Boa Nova is 80 kilometers from Jequié, the locale where the G. dohrnii was observed by Oliveiro Pinto in 1932, and both of these municipalities are composed of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes and ecotonal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we describe the distribution pattern of bat species and select priority areas for the conservation of the Cerrado based on a systematic planning approach. We estimated species richness and calculated the total beta diversity based on Sørensen’s dissimilarity index (βsor). We estimated the species turnover using Simpson’s dissimilarity index (βsim). We then evaluated the nesting (βsne) by the difference between the dissimilarity indices (βsor and βsim). Based on this analysis, we identified the priority areas for the conservation of bats in the Cerrado based on the zonation approach. We found that the species richness and beta diversity of bats in the Cerrado are concentrated primarily in the central and northern portions of the biome. We also discovered that the conservation units of the Cerrado are ineffective for the protection of species with a restricted distribution (≤ 150 grid cells), such as Vampyrum spectrum, for which we propose the creation of new conservation units that better cover the diversity patterns observed in the present study. By conserving this diversity, we will also be protecting local habitats, which will in turn enable the survival of a wide range of species, and provide the ecosystems with the capacity to respond adequately to future changes in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, we observed and photographed nests of the elusive and endangered Russet rice rat, Euryoryzomys russatus. Sensitive to deforestation, the Russet rice rat is restricted to areas of contiguous Atlantic Forest in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. All five nests that we found were located at the base of endangered tree species, suggesting that loss of nesting habitat in deforested areas might contribute to population declines. We also observed litter size, antagonistic behavior and behavior suggestive of monogamy, rare in small mammals. Our discoveries open new questions about Russet rice rat ecology; questions that will likely help us to better understand why they're more sensitive to deforestation than other closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subgenusXylocopa(Dasyxylocopa) Hurd and Moure is revised, with recognition of three valid species, one of them newly described from the highlands of eastern Brazil. In addition toX. fortuitasp. nov. and the type speciesX. bimaculataFriese, the subgenus includesX. piligeraMaidl n. stat., havingX. leucopusFriese as its junior synonym, both names here removed from synonymy underX. bimaculataand for which lectotypes are presently designated. Notes are provided on the nesting habits ofX. piligera. http:/zoobank.org/lsid:zoobank.org:pub:339CE18B-37F2-47F5-881D-A8C9C22E42F5 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Neotropical bee Centris (Hemisiella) dichrootricha is a solitary bee that nests in pre-existing cavities that occur in the rain forest. This study describes the nesting biology of C. dichrootricha and its preference for nesting in Cerrado and gallery forest habitats. The study was conducted from January 2012 and December 2013, in Mirador State Park in the municipality of Formosa da Serra Negra, Maranhão State, Brazil. For this, wooden trap-nests of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 mm in diameter were used; a total of 300 trap-nests were placed in the gallery forest and Cerrado areas, respectively. Traps were monitored monthly and all completed nests were collected and replaced with empty ones. The nests were then taken to the laboratory to analyze bee development and emergence, nests characteristics and parasites presence. The species used 29 of the trap-nests, which had diameters of 8, 10, 12 and 14 mm. A total of 87 C. dichrootricha specimens emerged. The nests were parasitized by two bee species, Mesocheira bicolor (Apinae) and Coelioxys sp. (Megachilinae), and one fly species, Antrax sp. (Diptera). The highest nesting incidence of 72.4% was observed in the gallery forest, whereas only 27.6% in the Cerrado; this difference in habitat use was significant (χ&#178 = 5.56; p < 0.05; DF = 1). For the nests that were built in the gallery forest, 80.9% of the soil originated from the Cerrado. The females were significantly larger than the males (F1, 76 = 595.19; p < 0.001). There were 11 pollen types that belonged to six families. Pollen of the family Malpighiaceae was most frequently used, with four species represented (Byrsonima crassifolia, B. rotunda, B. spicata and Heteropterys sp.). C. dichrootricha showed a preference for nesting in cavities of various diameters in gallery forest sites. The present study provides a novel description of the nesting habits and biology of C. dichrootricha in habitats of Central/Southern Maranhão. C. dichrootricha primarily used resources from the Cerrado, including soil to build their nests, pollen and floral oils; we concluded that gallery forest and Cerrado areas are intrinsically related to the maintenance of local populations of this species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1041-1056. Epub 2016 September 01. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different ecological parameters are associated with the selection of nests and breeding sites in birds. Understanding nest-site selection and the subsequent consequences for reproductive success are critical to a full understanding of how natural selection shapes birds' nesting behavior. Between 2007 and 2008, we evaluated nest-site characteristics and nesting success of Tropical Screech-Owls ( Megascops choliba) in an area of Cerrado interspersed with cultivated areas in central Brazil. We compared the characteristics of cavities used for nesting by owls and unused nesting cavities and modeled nest survival in MARK. Models were assessed using Akaike's Information Criterion for small sample sizes (AIC c) and model averaging was used to infer model parameters. Tropical Screech-Owls nested in tree and termite-mound cavities. Nest success was 44.4%, with predation being the main cause of nest failure. We found that Tropical Screech-Owls nested in cavities with different orientations, and closer to the ground than unused cavities. Although the top-ranked models included nest height and nest concealment, multimodel inference showed that these variables had no clear effect on nest survival. Despite the lack of effect of these variables on nest survival, nest-site characteristics commonly associated with a cavity's microclimate (i.e., orientation of cavity entrance) may still have a stronger influence on nest-site selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe for the first time the nesting behavior and the colony of Bombus ( Thoracobombus) brevivillus, a Neotropical species native only to South America. We discovered and observed seven B. brevivillus colonies between August and September 2012 in the state of Ceará, NE Brazil. Observations showed that B. brevivillus seems to be opportunistic in relation to nesting sites and brood protection, even though there is meager investment in nest building and offspring protection. Observations suggest that may be young B. brevivillus colonies invest strongly in brood production and colony development, before reproducing. More studies are necessary to evaluate the feasibility of captivity breeding of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a review on the principal interactions between birds and termites in Brazil. We found 218 bird species feeding on termites or using termitaria for nesting or perching. Termites were mentioned as food source for 179 bird species. Alates were the most consumed caste. Termitaria were mentioned as nest site for 45 bird species. Some bird species also perch on the top of termite mounds to search for their prey or to conduct territorial and/or courtship displays. Considering all interactions between both animal groups, little is known about the identification of termite genera or species. Therefore, we suggest more detailed studies to be conducted on the natural history and ecology of interactions between birds and termites in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied nesting of Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, in flooded forest around the Amazon River, and streams draining into the Brazilian Pantanal. Nests were located by searching on foot. Eighty nests were located in the Amazonian sites between 2001 and 2010, and 35 nests were found in the Serra das Araras Ecological Station and streams draining Urucum Mountain on the periphery of the Pantanal between 2006 and 2011. Sizes of embryos indicated that nesting occurs in the Amazonian sites during the dry season and coincides with falling water levels. Although nesting coincides with the warmest and wettest months in the streams around the Pantanal, the streams are not subject to long-term floods. Clutch size varied from eight to 21 eggs, was correlated with female size, and the mean clutch size did not differ between the Amazonian sites and those around the Pantanal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Brazil harbors five species of Cypseloidinae swifts. Those from Streptoprocne and Cypseloides genera have a very distinct ecology. They shelter at night and build nests in moist cliffs by waterfalls. Information about tick infestation of these birds is virtually non-existent and restricted to the description of a new species, Ixodes paranaensis, in Streptoprocne biscutata in Paraná State and another record of this species in Streptoprocne zonaris in Minas Gerais State. We herein report tick infestation of swifts at eight waterfalls in the Cerrado biome of Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Swifts were captured during six campaigns from November 2008 to April 2013. Overall, 584 swifts were captured (527 C. senex, four C. fumigatus and 53 S. zonaris). Four birds were tick infested (prevalence of 0.7 %). Three individuals of C. senex hosted one tick each; a nymph of I. paranaensis, a female of I. paranaensis and a nymph of Amblyomma cajennense. One S. zonaris hosted an I. paranaensis nymph and an Ornithodoros sp. larva (Argasidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We studied hawksbills from Brazilian feeding aggregates and nesting colonies to ascertain the origin and genealogical relationship of individuals in the largest southern Atlantic remnant population by using sequences of the mitochondrial (mtDNA) control region and five autosomal genes. A phylogeographic analysis of 246 hawksbills showed four distinct mtDNA haplogroups in the feeding grounds, while only one was found in Brazilian rookeries. We found significant differences among nesting sites in Brazil, and among them and other rookeries worldwide. Differences among Brazilian feeding aggregation sites and others around the world were also found. We were able to show that hawksbills from feeding aggregates at the Brazilian islands of Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll were mainly derived from Brazilian and Caribbean rookeries, although some were related to individuals from the eastern Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, indicating large transoceanic migrations for this species. The nuclear data presented no structure and no signal of demographic change. Mixed stock analyses indicated that Brazilian rookeries contribute mostly to Brazilian feeding grounds, and in a smaller proportion to feeding aggregations in the Caribbean and eastern Atlantic. Finally, hybrids found frequently in rookeries of the Bahia State are not present in the feeding grounds, and thus, may display different feeding and migratory behaviors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In reptiles, the hatching and emergence of a single clutch may be synchronized or may take place over a number of days, weeks, or even months, depending primarily on the microenvironment of the nest. The present study focused on the patterns of hatching and emergence of Podocnemis unifilis hatchlings in an area of varzea floodplain on the lower Amazon River in Santarém, in the Brazilian state of Para, in 2007 and 2009. Two groups of nests were monitored for hatching and emergence, with the nests in one group being undisturbed during the entire study period. The difference between the oviposition-hatching and oviposition-emergence intervals was determined based on the monitoring of these processes in the monitored clutches. Hatchlings took 1.5 d to leave the eggshell and the eggs at the top of the nest hatched first. The size of the clutch influenced the length of the interval between the first and last hatching. Most hatchlings emerged from a nest during a single night. Hatchlings in late nests and those closer to vegetation took significantly longer to emerge. The hatching-emergence interval was greater in 2007 (11.0 d) than in 2009 (7.3 d). This study contributes to the understanding of hatching and emergence patterns in P. unifilis and the physical and environmental factors that influence them, including the variation between reproductive seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rio Grande wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) nests suffer high predation rates exceeding 65%, which may limit recruitment. We evaluated post-nesting movements of reproductively active female Rio Grande wild turkeys. We monitored 194 nesting attempts between 2005 and 2010 and documented 17% and 32% overall apparent nest success for the Edwards Plateau and Central Rio Grande Plains study regions, respectively. Rio Grande wild turkey hens move approximately 1.2 km (SD = 0.7) between nesting attempts within a nesting season and approximately 1.4 km (SD = 1.6) between initial nesting attempts among years. Rio Grande wild turkey hens selected open areas with moderate woody cover for nesting ( ${\bar {x}}$ = 37.7%; range = 3.0-88.2%). Patchiness of vegetation in the nesting landscape also was borne out by typically low edge-to-area ratios ( ${\bar {x}}$ = 0.20; range = 0.040-0.732). We found no clear pattern in movement distance and either landscape composition or edge-to-area ratio for within or between breeding season nest site selection for either the Edwards Plateau or Central Rio Grande Plains study region. Based on our results, movement distances post-nest failure do not seem to influence habitat selection. © 2012 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting in the Southwest Atlantic has been monitored for decades, but information from northern Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil) has been lacking until now. In this study, we documented 11,086 nests laid between the 1992/1993 and 2010/2011 nesting seasons (-1000 nests per season) and found significant variations in incubation period and hatching success among in situ and relocated nests. Because loggerhead nests in Rio de Janeiro are presumed to produce a large proportion of male hatchlings because of lower average incubation temperatures, this area is an important component of loggerhead population biology and conservation in Brazil and the southwest Atlantic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surprisingly, a high frequency of interspecific sea turtle hybrids has been previously recorded in a nesting site along a short stretch of the Brazilian coast. Mitochondrial DNA data indicated that as much as 43% of the females identified as Eretmochelys imbricata are hybrids in this area (Bahia State of Brazil). It is a remarkable find, because most of the nesting sites surveyed worldwide, including some in northern Brazil, presents no hybrids, and rare Caribbean sites present no more than 2% of hybrids. Thus, a detailed understanding of the hybridization process is needed to evaluate natural or anthropogenic causes of this regional phenomenon in Brazil, which could be an important factor affecting the conservation of this population. We analysed a set of 12 nuclear markers to investigate the pattern of hybridization involving three species of sea turtles: hawksbill ( E. imbricata), loggerhead ( Caretta caretta) and olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea). Our data indicate that most of the individuals in the crossings L. olivacea × E. imbricata and L. olivacea × C. caretta are F1 hybrids, whereas C. caretta × E. imbricata crossings present F1 and backcrosses with both parental species. In addition, the C. caretta × E. imbricata hybridization seems to be gender and species biased, and we also found one individual with evidence of multispecies hybridization among C. caretta × E. imbricata × Chelonia mydas. The overall results also indicate that hybridization in this area is a recent phenomenon, spanning at least two generations or ∼40 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive ridley sea turtles display two different types of nesting behavior: in arribada (synchronous mass nesting) or solitarily. Contrarily to arribadas, little has been published about solitary nesters. This study aimed to expand the knowledge on internesting interval and site fidelity of solitary nesting olive ridleys and to test a possible development of arribada nesting behavior. Data were collected in Sergipe (Brazil) over 125 km of beach from 10°30′S/36º23′W to 11°26′S/37º19′W, between nesting seasons 2004/2005 and 2006/2007. From 962 tagged females, 173 were seen renesting. The average internesting interval found was longer (22.35 ± 7.01 days) than previously described, which might relate to lower water temperatures during the internesting period. Olive ridleys at Sergipe showed high nesting site fidelity, with consecutive nesting events occurring in close proximity, non-randomly and dependently of previous events. Most of the consecutive nests were separated by 4.06-5.59 km. Development of arribada nesting behavior was not confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Biociencias is the property of Revista Brasileira de Biociencias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In tropical forests, the leaf-litter stratum exhibits one of the greatest abundances of ant species. This diversity is associated with the variety of available locations for nest building. Ant nests can be found in various microhabitats, including tree trunks and fallen twigs in different stages of decomposition. In this study, we aimed to investigate undecomposed twigs as nest-building resources in the leaf litter of dense ombrophilous forest areas in the southeastern region of Brazil. Demographic data concerning the ant colonies, the physical characteristics of the nests, and the population and structural of the forest were observed. Collections were performed manually over four months in closed canopy locations that did not have trails or flooded areas. A total of 294 nests were collected, and 34 ant species were recorded. Pheidole, Camponotus, and Hypoponera were the richest genera observed; these genera were also among the most populous and exhibited the greatest abundance of nests. We found no association between population size and nest diameter. Only tree cover influenced the nest abundance and species richness. Our data indicate that undecomposed twigs may be part of the life cycle of many species and are important for maintaining ant diversity in the leaf litter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied reproductive parameters and noted predation of Phrynops geoffroanus nests along the Guaporé River of the Brazilian and Bolivian Amazon during the beginning of the falling water level season (vazante) in July 1989 and 2008. We searched for nests on the banks of the Guaporé River every morning navigating by outboard along the Guaporé River between Divisa sector state of Rondônia in Brazil and Versalles village, Department El Beni in Bolivia. We found 10 nests in 1989 and 46 nests in 2008. Clutch size ranged from 7 to 16 eggs and was larger in 2008. There was no relationship between egg size and nest size or the size of eggs between year 1989 and year 2008. The predation rate in 2008 was 89.1%, all depredated by the lizard Tupinambis teguxin. Habitat loss for the lizard may be creating habitat utilization shifting and increased turtle nest depredation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the diversity of solitary bees nesting in pre-existing cavities (trap-nests) and their natural enemies in a neotropical savanna. The study was carried out in two savanna areas in the Triângulo Mineiro, Brazil, from February 2007 to September 2008. In both areas, trap-nests were introduced and inspected biweekly. Two hundred and seventy-eight nests were founded by eleven bee species. Centris analis (Fabricius 1804), Centris tarsata Smith 1874 and Tetrapedia curvitarsis Friese 1899 had the highest numbers of nests. Eight species of natural enemies were recorded, the most abundant being Physocephala bipunctata Macquart 1843 and Coelioxys sp. Information about the most abundant ground-nesting species and the trap-nest types used to attract them will be useful to maintain these bees in pre-established areas and to conserve them for applied pollination in neotropical savannas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae) usually build nests using vegetable materials mixed with water and salivary secretion, resulting in a product similar to paper. Between April 2009 and March 2010 an inventory of these wasps was made at Unilavras/Boqueirão Biological Reserve, located in the municipality of Ingaí-MG. Thirty four species of social wasps belonging to ten genera were recorded, Polybia fastidiosuscula Saussure (1854) was the most common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shrike-like Tanager (Neothraupis fasciata) is a Cerrado bird considered as near threatened. Its life history is poorly known, especially its reproduction. We monitored reproduction during four breeding seasons (2003-2006) with 120 nests in a protected area in central Brazil. Nesting began at the end of the dry season and start of the rainy season. The incubation (13.0 days) and nestling (11.7 days) periods were shorter than for most neotropical birds, but similar to some other tanagers. Clutch size (2-3 eggs) was similar to most tropical birds. However, clutch size increased and nest initiation date advanced ~30 days in a year of early precipitation compared to 3 other years with regular or late precipitation. The Shrike-like Tanager had breeding flexibility and ability to adapt to changes in temporal precipitation patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Termites play an important role in the carbon cycling of several ecosystems. Part of this C is directed to the formation of nests or mounds, but few published estimations have been made of the proportions of this C in relation to those in the vegetation and/or in the litter. The dynamics of C of Constrictotermes cyphergaster nests, in the driest part of caatinga, in semiarid northeast Brazil, was calculated considering all present, formed and abandoned nests in 1ha, for two years. Carbon concentrations were determined from samples taken from the core and the external layer of nests. Total aboveground biomasses of trees and shrubs in the 1ha were estimated by allometric equations. C concentrations were lower in the external layer (24–33gkg−1) than in the nest cores (38–76gkg−1). The stock of C in the nests of the sampled ha was 61.5kg, which represents about 0.6% of that in the plant aboveground biomass (10.25MgCha−1). The C in the annual formation and abandonment of nests (10.2kgha−1 year−1) corresponded to 16% of the stock of C in the nests, 1.1% of the carbon in the annual litter production (925kgCha−1 year−1) and 3.1% of the non-leaf litter. Although lower than the few values reported for more humid areas, these proportions indicate that C. cyphergaster nest formation contributes to C cycling in this very dry semiarid caatinga site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the number of termite epigeal nests and estimate the soil turning capacity of termites in cultivated pasture environments and in a native vegetation area. Surveys were conducted in four areas: three pasture areas and a Cerrado area, measuring 5 ha each. For each nest, the height, the perimeter and diameter at the base were measured. The volume of each mound was calculated. Turned soil was determined by randomly sampling 30 termite mounds in a pasture area for bulk density determinations. The mean number of termite mounds per ha was 408; the highest number of termite nests (672 per ha) was found in the 10-year-old pasture. In terms of termite mound density, there was no difference between the Cerrado, 3-year-old pasture, and 3-year-old intercropped pasture treatments. The total area occupied by termite nests ranged from 0.4 to 1.0%. The mean bulk density of the nest materials was 1.05 g cm-3. The total nests volume ranged from 4 to 11 m3 ha-1. The total mass of the soil turned by the termites ranged from 3.4 to 13.4 ton. ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Weaver ants use silk produced by their larvae to build their nests. This behaviour is one of the more notable instances of social cooperation in animals; however, there are few studies of Brazilian species. This study investigated the ecology, natural history and behaviour of the weaver ant Camponotus (Myrmobrachys) senex in Brazil and showed that the weaver larvae have a fundamental function in nest building. The nests were always arboreal (one nest/plant), with a round form, beige in colour, and with leaves and shoots adhered to the silk nest. The average size was 34.24 cm and the average weight was 163.87 g; nests contained up to 50,000 individuals and several queens. Fusion and fission of colony parts were observed for C. senex. Worker ants were frequently observed feeding on honeydew, fruits and insects; and defended their territory. We suggest that C. senex larvae could be considered an effective caste, valuable in nest construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which described the nesting behavior, natural enemies and potential floral resources of Epicharis bicolor Hymenoptera Apidae in order to understand the ecological interactions among these sympatric congeneric species in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The nesting site featured densely aggregated nests on flat sandy soil and sand banks with herbaceous and shrub vegetation. Cleptoparasite bees Mesoplia and beetles Tetraonyx sexguttate were the only enemies to emerge from laboratory-maintained cells. The study found that the nest structure and natural enemies of E. bicolor were very similar to the records for Epicharis nigritta.

Copyright of Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management / Revista de Gestão Costeira Integrada is the property of Associacao Portuguesa dos Recursos Hidricos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We determined the relationship between incubation success and physical characteristics of Podocnemis expansa nests on 4 sand beaches of the Araguaia River in the southern Amazon basin, Brazil. Sand samples measuring grain size, humidity, and density were collected during the first 7 days after egg laying. The choice of nest site seems to be more relevant for the reproductive success of a P. expansa than the female's capacity to build a nest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, the only area where regular leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting is known to occur is located on the northern coast of the state of Espírito Santo, around latitude 19°S. In this study, we present the field methods used by Projeto TAMAR-IBAMA (the Brazilian Sea Turtle Conservation Program) in the state of Espírito Santo and analyze data on leatherback nesting from 1988-1989 to 2003-2004. In that period, 527 nests were observed in the study area. The annual number of nests varied between 6 (in 1993-1994) and 92 (in 2002-2003). Between 1995-1996 and 2003-2004, the annual number of nests increased at about 20.4% per year on average. Among the 527 clutches observed, 358 (67.9%) were left in situ, 50 (9.5%) were relocated to another spot on the beach, 88 (16.7%) were relocated to open-air beach hatcheries. and 31 clutches (5.9%) did not have their management decision recorded. Curved carapace length of nesting females was in the range of 139-182 cm (mean = 159.8 cm). At present, there is no significant alteration of the nesting habitat in Espírito Santo, egg poaching has been reduced to very Ion levels, and there is no subsistence hunting for sea turtles of any species. The main challenges to leatherback conservation currently are the incidental capture in artisanal fisheries operating close to nesting beaches and in high seas fisheries operating in the South Atlantic, as well as activities related to the oil industry. An overview of Projeto TAMAR's actions addressing current sea turtle conservation issues in the State of Espírito Santo is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal structure of three nests of Atta laevigata was studied in Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Two nests were excavated through the opening of trenches and one was cement-moulded to enable a better view of the internal structures. The three nests presented a similar structure, with the depths and number of chambers varying as a function of the loose soil area of the nests. The number of chambers ranged from 1149 to 7864, reaching as deep as 7 m underground. Chamber volume ranged from 0.03 to 51 l. The foraging tunnels extended as far as 70 m from the loose soil region. The nests of this species are the deepest within the genus Atta and have the highest number of chambers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]