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This study aimed to catalogue and characterize the shrub and tree species in a fragment of Cerradao, in order to produce a dichotomous key based on dendrological characteristics, for the identification of the species in the region. The study area is located in the Cerrado-Pantanal transition, in Caceres, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and presents an area of 3 hectares that was divided into 32 plots of 48x20 m. The survey was carried out by inventorying the individuals with a diameter ≥ 5.0 cm, at 30 cm from the ground. The key was elaborated upon the observed dendrological characters. A total of 84 species, 73 genera and 34 families were recorded. Fabaceae (21 spp.), Malvaceae (6 spp.), Anacardiaceae/Bignoniaceae (5 spp.), Rubiaceae (4 spp.) and Euphorbiaceae/Vochysiaceae (3 spp.) accounted for 55.95% of the species richness. Among the genera, Bauhinia stood out with three species. The studied fragment has a high species richness, and whereas it presents the most typical components of the region, it also presented low similarity with other areas of the same phytophysiognomy.

A new species of Erisma Rudge, E. panamense M. L. Kawas., S. Castillo & McPherson, is here described, illustrated, and assigned IUCN conservation status.

Enantiostyly is a floral polymorphism in which two floral forms in the same species differ in deflection of the stigma to right or left position. In monomorphic enantiostylous plants, flowers of the two morphs occur within the same individual, usually in the same proportion. In self-compatible species the function of monomorphic enantiostyly is proposed to increase outcrossing rates and offer a reproductive advantage under pollination limitation. Enantiostylous species are usually self-compatible and show heteranthery, with poricide anthers and pollen as pollinator reward; however, there are families, such as Vochysiaceae, that have different characteristics. We analysed the reproductive system and pollination biology of Qualea parviflora and Q. multiflora, two enantiostylous species from the Brazilian Cerrado that have specific morphological and physiological traits. For this, we characterized flower traits, performed hand pollinations and studied floral visitors. We found no differences between morphs in the proportion of flowers, nectar produced or its concentration, pollen quantity and fruit set. Both species were self-incompatible and quite generalist regarding floral visitors. Enantiostyly in self-incompatible plants seems to confer a reproductive advantage by reducing self-interference resulting from stigma clogging. This novel result helps to expand our knowledge on this complex floral polymorphism and opens new avenues for future research on this topic.

Premise Despite the fast pace of exploration of the patterns and processes influencing Neotropical plant hyperdiversity, the taxa explored are mostly from large groups that are widely distributed, morphologically diverse, or economically important. Vochysiaceae is an example of an undersampled taxon, providing an excellent system for investigating Neotropical biogeography. We present a phylogenomics-based hypothesis of species relationships in Vochysiaceae to investigate its evolutionary history through space and time. Methods We inferred a phylogeny for 122 species from Vochysiaceae and seven other families of Myrtales. Fossils from four myrtalean families were used to estimate the divergence times within Vochysiaceae. Historical biogeography was estimated using ancestral range probabilities and stochastic mapping. Results Monophyly of all genera was supported except for Qualea, which was split by Ruizterania into two clades. Vochysiaceae originated ~100 mya, splitting into an Afrotropical and a Neotropical lineage ~50 mya, and its ancestral range is in the area currently occupied by the Cerrado. Conclusions The most recent common ancestor of Vochysiaceae + Myrtaceae had a West Gondwanan distribution, supporting a South American + African ancestral range of Vochysiaceae. On a global scale, geographic range reduction was the principal biogeographic event. At a finer scale, initial range reduction was also important and the Cerrado region was the most ancestral area with multiple colonization events to the Amazon, Central America, and the Atlantic Forest. Colonization events occurred from open areas to forest vegetation, an unusual finding regarding the evolution of plants in the Neotropics.

This dataset brief is about the descriptive proteome of Qualea grandiflora plants by label free mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Q. grandiflora is a plant that accumulates aluminum (Al) in high quantities and requires it for growth and development. Although quite relevant for the understanding of Al effects on plants, the proteome of Q. grandiflora has not been studied yet. Therefore, the current proteome analysis identifies a total of 2010 proteins. Furthermore, the identified Q. grandiflora root proteins are associated with several crucial molecular functions, biological processes, and cellular sites. Hence, the proteome analysis of Q. grandiflora will contribute to unravel how plants evolved to cope with high levels of Al in soils. All data can be accessed at the Centre for Computational Mass Spectrometry - MassIVE MSV000082284 - https://massive.ucsd.edu/ProteoSAFe/dataset.jsp?task=adb9647282a5421a9cffe3124c060f46.

Scientific research based on medicinal plants has been highlighted as a complementary treatment to T2DM, stand out the Vochysiaceae family, which have been widely used in folk medicine by traditional South American communities to treat some diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antiglycation activities of ethanol extracts of leaves (LF) and stem barks (SB) of Vochysiaceae species, evaluated their capacities to inhibit glycoside and lipid hydrolases related to T2DM and molecular identification by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Our main findings indicate that the ethanolic extract of four of eight analyzed plants such as LF and SB of Q. grandiflora, Q. parviflora, V. elliptica and Calisthene major exhibited, respectively, potential of α-amylase inhibition (IC50 of LF: 5.7 ± 0.6, 4.1 ± 0.5, 5.8 ± 0.5, 3.2 ± 0.6 and IC50 of SB: 3.3 ± 0.7, 6.2 ± 2.0, 121.0 ± 8.6 and 11.2 ± 2.8 μg/mL), capacities of antioxidant (ORAC of LF: 516.2 ± 0.1, 547.6 ± 4.9, 544.3 ± 6.1, 442.6 ± 2.4 and ORAC of SB: 593.6 ± 22.3, 497.7 ± 0.8, 578 ± 12.3, 593.6 ± 19.5 µmol trolox eq/g; FRAP of LF: 796.1 ± 0.9, 427.7 ± 22.0, 81.0 ± 1.9, 685 ± 37.9 and FRAP of SB: 947.4 ± 24.9, 738.6 ± 24.3, 98.8 ± 7.9, 970.8 ± 13.9 µmol trolox eq/g; DPPH IC50 of LF: 14.2 ± 1.8, 36.3 ± 6.9, 11.8 ± 1.9, 13.3 ± 1.2 and DPPH IC50 of SB: 16.0 ± 3.0, 15.5 ± 1.9, 126.1 ± 23. 6, 5.3 ± 0.3 μg/mL, respectively) and antiglycation (BSA/Frutose IC50 of LF: 43.1 ± 3.4, 52.1 ± 6.0, 175.5 ± 32, 8, 111.8 ± 14.7 and BSA/Frutose IC50 of SB:, 40.1 ± 11.9, 51.2 ± 16. 7, 46.6 ± 5.7, 53.5 ± 13.6 μg/mL) and presence of polyphenols, such as flavonoids and condensed tannins. The extracts presented low ability to inhibit α-glycosidase and lipase enzymes in the initial assays, with values below 40% of inhibition. In BSA/methylglyoxal, only Q. grandiflora SB, V. eliptica LF and V. tucanorum LF showed activity (IC50: 655.5 ± 208.5, 401.9 ± 135.2 and 617.1 ± 80.6 μg/mL, respectively) and only C. major LF and SB, in Arg/methylglyoxal (IC50: 485.1 ± 130.8 and 468.0 ± 150.5 μg/ml, respectively). This study presented new findings about the biological and pharmacological potential of some species of Vochysiaceae family, contributing to the understanding of the action and efficacy in use of these plants, in their management of postprandial hyperglycemia and in glycation and oxidative processes that contribute to managing diabetes mellitus.

In T. cruzi, a causative agent of Chagas disease, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (TcPEPCK) is associated with carbohydrate catabolism. Due to its importance in the metabolism of the parasite, it has become a promising target for the development of new drugs against Chagas disease. Aiming to investigate different approaches for ligands screening, TcPEPCK was immobilized on amine-terminated magnetic beads (TcPEPCK-MB) and kinetically characterized by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry activity assay with a KMapp value of 10 ± 1 μM to oxaloacetate as substrate. Natural products library affords highly diverse molecular frameworks through their secondary metabolites, herein a ligand fishing TcPEPCK-MB assay is described for prospecting ligands in four ethanolic extracts of Brazilian Cerrado plants: Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae), Diospyros burchellii (Ebenaceae), Anadenanthera falcata (Fabaceae) and Byrsonima coccolobifolia (Malpighiaceae). The chemical characterization of eleven identified ligands was carried out by liquid chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry experiments. Senecic acid, syneilesinolide A, phytosphingosine and vanillic acid 4-glucopyranoside are herein reported for the first time for Q. grandiflora, D. burchellii, A. falcata, respectively. In addition, the specificity of the assay was observed since only catechin was fished out from the ethanolic extract of B. coccolobifolia leaves, despite the presence of epicatechin epimer.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:27:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-07-01 Aims: Aluminum (Al) accumulating plants are distributed throughout the world. In the Cerrado, Al-accumulating and non-accumulating species coexist. Therefore, we anatomically/histochemically explore the sites of Al deposits in Al-accumulating species, and we also ask whether Al can be observed in non-accumulating species. Methods: The anatomical patterns of Al storage in leaf tissues of Al-accumulating [Miconia albicans, M. rubiginosa (Melastomataceae), Qualea grandiflora, and Q. parviflora (Vochysiaceae)] and non-accumulating species [(Styrax ferrugineus and S. camporum (Styracaceae)] were described using different Al indicator dyes: hematoxylin and chrome azurol S (CAS). In addition, Al-specific x-ray spectra from different regions of leaf tissues were measured and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: When compared to hematoxylin, it was confirmed by x-ray spectra in SEM that CAS was a more contrasting indicator of Al presence. Silica granules associated to Al were observed on cell walls of non-lignified leaf tissues of Al-accumulating species. However, granules were also found in leaf midribs of S. camporum. Conclusions: The anatomical description of Al accumulation in leaves and the consistent pattern of Al association with cell walls strongly suggest that Al has structural rather than physiological roles in leaves of Cerrado woody plants, and that Al is perhaps isolated from metabolism. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515 Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515 Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515

We examine the eudicot order Myrtales, a clade with strong Gondwanan representation for most of its families. Although previous phylogenetic studies greatly improved our understanding of intergeneric and interspecific relationships within the order, our understanding of inter-familial relationships still remains unresolved; hence, we also lack a robust time-calibrated chronogram to address hypotheses (e.g., biogeography and diversification rates) that have implicit time assumptions. Six loci (rbcL, ndhF, matK, matR, 18S, and 26S) were amplified and sequenced for 102 taxa across Myrtales for phylogenetic reconstruction and ten fossil priors were utilized to produce a chronogram in BEAST. Combretaceae is identified as the sister clade to all remaining families with moderate support, and within the latter clade, two strongly supported groups are seen: (1) Onagraceae+Lythraceae, and (2) Melastomataceae+the Crypteroniaceae, Alzateaceae, Penaeaceae clade along with Myrtaceae+Vochysiaceae. Divergence time estimates suggest Myrtales diverged from Geraniales ∼124Mya during the Aptian of the Early Cretaceous. The crown date for Myrtales is estimated at ∼116Mya (Albian-Aptian). BioGeoBEARS showed significant improvement in the likelihood score when the "jump dispersal" parameter was added. South America and/or Africa are implicated as important ancestral areas in all deeper nodes. BAMM analyses indicate that the best configuration included three significant shifts in diversification rates within Myrtales: near the crown of Melastomataceae (∼67-64Mya), along the stem of subfamily Myrtoideae (Myrtaceae; ∼75Mya), and along the stem of tribe Combreteae (Combretaceae; ∼50-45Mya). Issues with conducting diversification analyses more generally are examined in the context of scale, taxon sampling, and larger sets of phylogenetic trees.

The ant-plant mutualism mediated by extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) is based on the provision of extrafloral nectar (a sugar-rich liquid) in exchange for ant defense against herbivores. The extrafloral nectar production can vary depending on the intensity or types of leaf damage caused by different mouthparts of insect herbivores (i.e., sucking or chewing insects). However, it is poorly known how the type of herbivore damage changes the outcomes of tri-trophic interactions. Here, we address how the damage inflicted by different herbivore groups affects extrafloral nectar production and ants’ attendance and aggressiveness. Through an experimental field study, we tested whether the type of leaf damage, sucking or chewing, changes extrafloral nectar volume and sugar concentration, and subsequently ant composition and behavior. We evaluated the extrafloral nectar production and ant attendance and aggressiveness before and after simulated herbivory in Qualea parviflora (Vochysiaceae), a Brazilian savanna EFN-bearing plant. We found that only plants with sucking damage increased the sugar concentration of their extrafloral nectar, only plants with chewing damage increased ant abundance, and surrogate herbivore predation differed before and after simulated herbivory only for sucking damage. We provided the first evidence that the type of damage can influence ant aggressiveness via changes in extrafloral nectar production, translating to changes in the outcomes of this ant-plant mutualism. Ultimately, studies should consider the effects of herbivore damage type when studying insect-plant interactions.

Studies on arthropods associated with tropical rainforest canopies contribute to a further understanding of forest canopy community dynamics and their relationship to the structure and function of this ecosystem. This study evaluated arthropod community composition in monodominant Callisthene fasciculata forest canopy throughout the high water and dry periods in the northern region of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso, Brazil, as a part of a project about arboreal canopy arthropods associated with monodominant areas in this region. Sampling was conducted on 12 individuals of C. fasciculata, six from the high-water season (2010) and six from the dry season (2011), using insecticide fogging. A total of 28,197 arthropods were collected. Hymenoptera (the majority being Formicidae), Diptera, Acari, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera, were the most representative groups. Although the analysis did not show variation in the abundance of individuals between the high water and dry seasons, the arthropod community varied significantly in taxa composition. Opiliones, Embioptera, Ephemeroptera and Scorpiones occurred only during the high-water period, with Polyxenida and Strepsiptera occurring only in the dry season. Thysanoptera was more abundant in the dry season, showing a relationship with the beginning of the C. fasciculata flowering period. In general, the high water and dry seasons maintain distinct communities in this habitat, illustrating how the temporal variation in the phenology of C. fasciculata imposed by the Pantanal’s hydrological regime alters the composition of the associated arthropod communities in the canopy of these monodominant formations in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso.

Typophorus florigradus Bechyne & Springlova, 1961 (Chrysomelidae, Eumolpinae) has been described based on material sampled from flowers of Convolvulaceae and Commelinaceae species in Utinga, state of Para, Brazil, in 1960. After its description, there have been no new reports about its behavior or host plants. The present note thus aims to record its abundant presence in canopies of Callisthene fasciculata (Spr.) Mart. (Vochysiaceae) in the northern Pantanal region of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Submitted by Anna Carolina Gressler Bressan (bioacbressan@gmail.com) on 2019-01-04T13:03:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese completa final.pdf: 7783838 bytes, checksum: a7d287811488ac14105d34d65620bdff (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Aparecida Puerta null (dripuerta@rc.unesp.br) on 2019-01-07T18:23:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bressan_acg_dr_rcla.pdf: 7783838 bytes, checksum: a7d287811488ac14105d34d65620bdff (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2019-01-07T18:23:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bressan_acg_dr_rcla.pdf: 7783838 bytes, checksum: a7d287811488ac14105d34d65620bdff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-11-23 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) O alumínio (Al) é um elemento tóxico para muitas espécies de plantas, porém, diferentes respostas à presença deste elemento podem ser observadas. No Brasil, espécies acumuladoras e não acumuladoras de Al ocorrem naturalmente em áreas de solo ácido, como no Cerrado brasileiro, e este fato evidencia a riqueza de mecanismos desenvolvidos pelas plantas para lidar com a alta disponibilidade de Al no solo. Nesta Tese avaliamos os efeitos provocados em espécies nativas do Cerrado quando expostas a diferentes concentrações de Al. Em casa de vegetação, plantas de Styrax camporum foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva contendo 0, 740 e 1480 uM Al por 90 dias. Plantas expostas a 1480 uM Al apresentaram sistema radicular menos desenvolvido, menor altura da planta e baixas taxas de troca de gasosas em relação àquelas expostas a 0 e 740 uM Al. Plantas expostas a 0 e 740 uM Al apresentaram valores semelhantes para estes parâmetros, indicando que o Al não causa efeitos benéficos para o desenvolvimento desta espécie. Análises em microscopia de luz, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão também foram realizadas. Em um estudo de campo comparamos as concentrações foliares de Ca e Al em duas espécies do gênero Qualea (Vochysiaceae), ocorrendo em um fragmento de Cerrado localizado em solo calcário, com os valores apresentados pelas mesmas espécies, ocorrendo em um fragmento de Cerrado localizado em solo ácido e rico em Al. O teor foliar de Ca foi positivamente associado à saturação no solo, enquanto o teor de Al foi o mesmo nas plantas que cresceram nos dois solos. Além disso, independentemente do tipo de solo, estes elementos são armazenados em diferentes regiões da folha, indicando não existir uma competição entre estes elementos em espécies acumuladoras de Al. Aluminum (Al) is a toxic element for many plant species, however, different responses to the presence of this element can be observed. In Brazil, Al - accu mulating and non - accumulating species occur naturally in acid ic soil areas, such as in the Brazilian Cerrado, and this fact evidences the richness of mecha nisms developed to deal with high availability of Al in the soil. In this T hesis, we evaluated the effects caused in native species when exposed to different Al con centrations . In a greenhouse experiment , plants of Styrax camporum (Styracaceae) grown in a nutrient solu tion containing 0,740 and 1480  M Al for 90 days. Plants exposed to 1480  M showed a less developed root system, lower plant height and low gas exchang e rates in relation to those exposed to 0 and 740  M Al. Plants exposed to 0 and 740  M Al showed similar values f or these parameters, indicating that Al does not cause beneficial effects to development of this species. Analyses in light microscopy, scanni ng electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were a lso performed. In a field study, we compared the Ca and Al leaf contents in two species of the genus Qualea (Vochysiaceae) , occurring in a Cerrado fragment located in calcareous soil , with t he values presented by the same species occurring in a Cerrado fragment located in acid ic soil , rich in Al. The Ca leaf content was positively associated with the soil saturation, while the Al content was the same in plants growing i n both soils In addition, regardless of soil type, these elements are stored in different regions of the leaf, indicating that there is no competition between these elements in Al accumulating species. FAPESP: 2014/14386-0.

Aluminium in acid soils is a hindrance to crop growth. Nonetheless, Brazilian Cerrado possesses many species such asQualea grandiflora, which are adapted to acid soils with large amounts of Al and accumulate this metal in its tissues and organs. Nonetheless, the mechanisms involved in these processes are poorly understood, mainly at molecular level. Thus, a root proteomic analysis was accomplished to identify Al-responsive proteins inQ. grandifloraplants. Concomitantly, a root growth analysis of plants grown with and without Al supplementation was conducted to determine the effects of Al on the whole plant. Subsequently, proteins from both treatments were identified and quantified by LC-MS/MS in a label-free fashion. From the 2,520 identified proteins, 410 were differentially abundant between the two treatments, which were associated with carbohydrate metabolism, redox activity, stress response and catabolism of organic compounds. Furthermore, Al was crucial for the growth and development ofQ. grandiflora. In fact, this species may have an Al-dependent metabolism. Moreover, it was possible to correlate plant growth to Al-upregulated proteins that were directly involved in cell wall synthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, genetic information processing, and amino acid metabolism. Additionally, this work provides an extensive dataset of Al-regulated protein inQ. grandiflora, which will be crucial to understanding the functions of Al in this species.

Popularly known as red mandioqueira, ‘mandioqueira vermelha’, Qualea paraensis Ducke is a plant species belonging to the family Vochysiaceae, with a natural distribution in the Amazon region. It is used in traditional medicine, by native communities of the Amazon and Bolivia, for the treatment of skin lesions caused by microorganisms. Previous studies of the species have found antimalarial activity in vivo assays. However, studies involving the investigation of numerous biological activities of Q. paraensis are incipient. Biological assays already performed with plants of other species of the genus Qualea have shown promising biological activities. Therefore, this study describes the evaluation of the biological activities (bactericide, fungicide, toxicity, and anticholinesterase) of an ethanolic extract of the bark of Q. paraensis from the state of Roraima, Brazil. For the evaluation of the toxicity of the extract, a system with microcrustacean Artemia salina was used. Antimicrobial activity was tested for the pathogenic groups of fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium proliferatum), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella tiphymurium), and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sanguinis). The potential of the extract for the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was also evaluated. The assays for determining the antimicrobial activity for Gram-positive bacteria revealed satisfactory IC50 (29.98μg/mL) inhibition values for S. sanguinis strains, showing inhibition of 64.6% of their growth. The assay for S. aureus, however, presented low inhibition. For Gram-negative bacteria, there was moderate inhibition of E. coli strains. The extract showed low toxicity to A. salina and inhibition of 23.66% of the AChE enzyme.

The evolutionary processes underlying the high diversity and endemism in the Cerrado, the most extensive Neotropical savanna, remain unclear, including the factors promoting the presence and evolution of savanna enclaves in the Amazon forest. In this study, we investigated the effects of past climate changes on genetic diversity, dynamics of species range and the historical connections between the savanna enclaves and Cerrado core for Qualea grandiflora, a tree species widely distributed in the biome. Totally, 40 populations distributed in the Cerrado core and Amazon savannas were analyzed using chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences. We used phylogeographic, coalescent and ecological niche modeling approaches. Genetic data revealed a phylogeographic structure shaped by Pleistocene climatic oscillations. An eastern-western split in the Cerrado core was observed. The central portion of the Cerrado core harbored most of the sampled diversity for cpDNA. Ecological niche models predicted the presence of a large historical refuge in this region and multiple small refuges in peripheral areas. Relaxed Random Walk (RRW) models indicated the ancestral population in the north-western border of the central portion of the Cerrado core and cyclical dynamics of colonization related to Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Central and western ancient connections between Cerrado core and Amazonian savannas were observed. No evidence of connections among the Amazonian savannas was detected. Our study highlights the importance of Pleistocene climatic oscillations for structuring the genetic diversity of Q. grandiflora and complex evolutionary history of ecotonal areas in the Cerrado. Our results do not support the recent replacement of a large area in the Amazon forest by savanna vegetation. The Amazonian savannas appear to be fragmented and isolated from each other, evolving independently a long ago.

The total phenol concentration present in Vochysia divergens Pohl. (Vochysiaceae) leaves in the Pantanal was analyzed. Work was carried out between September/2012 and June/2013 which is made up by the dry season (September/2012), the beginning of the rising water (December/2012), the high water (March/2013) followed by the receding water period (June/2013). For the purpose of the research fifteen trees were selected, five from each sample area. The phenolic content in the leaves was obtained from the samples which were dried, steeped with ethanol: water and centrifuged. The extract was used to determine the concentration of total phenols using the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrometric method. There was no difference among the sampling areas; however the values were different in relation to seasonal periods. The lowest concentration was recorded in the dry season (young leaves) increasing gradually at the beginning of the rising water, with higher levels at the end of high water and receding water season. The highest concentration of phenols occurred during the receding water period (end of the life cycle of V. divergens leaves), followed by high and rising water periods. The increase in phenol concentration is associated with the Pantanal flood cycle, and related to the phenology of the V. divergens leaves. RESUMO Analisou-se a concentração de fenóis totais presentes nas folhas de Vochysia divergens Pohl. (Vochysiaceae) na região norte do Pantanal, coletadas entre setembro de 2012 e junho de 2013, compreendendo o período de seca (setembro/2012), o começo do período de inundação (dezembro/2012), período de cheia (março/2013) seguido pela vazante (junho/2013). Para a coleta foram selecionadas 15 árvores, cinco em cada área amostral. A concentração de fenóis nas folhas foi obtida com as amostras secas à 40ºC, maceradas com etanol: água e centrifugada. O extrato foi usado para determinação da concentração de fenóis totais utilizando-se o método espectrométrico de Folin-Ciocalteu. Não houve diferença entre as áreas amostrais, entretanto os valores foram diferentes em relação aos períodos sazonais. A menor concentração foi registrada no período da seca (folhas jovens) aumentando gradativamente no início do período de enchente com maiores níveis no final do período de inundação. A maior concentração de fenóis ocorreu durante a vazante (final do ciclo de vida das folhas de V. divergens), seguida pela cheia e enchente. O aumento na concentração de fenóis, provavelmente, está associado ao ciclo de inundações do Pantanal, e relacionado com a fenologia das folhas de V. divergens.

Rhinoleucophenga myrmecophaga sp. nov., a Drosophilidae species associated with extrafloral nectaries of Qualea grandiflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae) and whose larvae are mostly predaceous on ants, is described from specimens collected in the Cerrado biome of Itirapina, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Illustrations of imagos, male terminalia, and immatures are also included. This is the first evidence of dipteran larvae that are closely associated with extrafloral nectaries and that feed on visiting ants.

RESUMOO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a florística e a fitossociologia das espécies presentes em áreas de cerradão e mata mesofítica na Estação Ecológica de Pirapitinga, MG. Para o levantamento da florística e da fitossociologia, foram marcadas 108 parcelas de 100 m2 cada, amostrando-se todos os indivíduos com circunferência à altura do solo (CAS) ≥ 16 cm. Foram calculadas a frequência, densidade, dominância, os valores de importância e de cobertura, índices de Shannon e Pielou e similaridade florística através do índice de Sorensen. Nas duas áreas de estudo, foi amostrado um total de 1.716 indivíduos distribuídos em 67 espécies, 60 gêneros e 35 famílias. As famílias mais ricas foram Fabaceae e Vochysiaceae. O cerradão foi a formação vegetal com maior riqueza de espécies (67) e maior densidade, enquanto a área de mata mesofítica foi a que apresentou uma vegetação com maior desenvolvimento das espécies. ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the floristic and phytosociological parameters of the species present in areas of mesophytic forest and dense woodland in the Pirapitinga Ecological Station, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. For the survey of floristic and phytosociological parameters, a total of 108 plots of 100 m2 were implanted, where all individuals with circumference at ground height (CGH) ≥ 16 cm were sampled in areas of dense woodland and mesophytic forest. The following parameters were calculated: frequency, density, dominance, values of importance and cover, Shannon and evenness indices, and floristic similarity by the Sorensen index. In both study areas, a total of 1,716 individuals of 67 species, 60 genera, and 35 families were sampled. The richest families were Vochysiaceae and Fabaceae. The dense woodland area presented the highest species richness (67) and the highest density, while the mesophytic forest area presented the greatest species development.

Se cultivó plántulas de Qualea granditlóra a partir de semillas de "Cerrado", con distintas cantidades de agua, en invernadero o cámara de crecimiento, eligiendo 5 o 10 plantas al azar. Reaccionaron al limitado aporte hídrico disminuyendo la conductividad estomática y los potenciales hídrico y de turgencia. En las plantas bajo deficit hídrico no se observó ajuste osmótico. La relación raiz: vástago fue más alta bajo estrés hídrico, presentando la parte aérea menor crecimiento debido a la menor producción y expansión foliares.

a b s t r a c t Knowledge about plant defense systems against herbivory is crucial to understanding trophic relation- ships in terrestrial ecosystems. Distinct defenses may act either alone or in combination during foliar sprouting. In our study, we explored the effect of the three most conspicuous defenses found in the leaves of Qualea multiflora (Vochysiaceae) during foliar sprouting, which are: (1) the presence of tri- chomes, (2) foliar toughness and (3) activity of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). In addition, we quantified foliar herbivory at different leaf stages. We determined that the three defenses evaluated vary in effec- tiveness during leaf development. The number of trichomes was higher during early leaf development, toughness at the end, and the activity of EFNs (biotic defense) during the middle period. Foliar herbivory was similar at different leaf ages. The results indicate that Q. multiflora synchronizes its foliar defenses in order to optimize performance in anti-herbivory protection over time.