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This paper investigates the butterfly fauna of the 'Serra do Rola-Moça' State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We evaluate i) the seasonal variation of species richness and composition; and ii) the variation in composition of the local butterfly assemblage among three sampling sites and between the dry and rainy seasons. Sampling was carried out monthly between November 2012 and October 2013, using entomological nets. After a total sampling effort of 504 net hours, 311 species were recorded. One of them is endangered in Brazil, and eight are probable new species. Furthermore, two species were new records for the region and eight considered endemic of the Cerrado domain. There was no significant difference in species richness between the dry and the rainy seasons, however the species composition varies significantly among sampling sites. Due to its special, heterogeneous environment, which is home to a rich butterfly fauna, its preservation is important for the conservation of the regional butterfly fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty‐five species belonging to 14 genera of Lauraceae are recorded in the Reserva Natural Vale. In the present treatment, twenty‐one species are reported: Aiouea (3), Aniba (2), Beilschmiedia (1), Cassytha (1), Cryptocarya (3), Endlicheria (1), Licaria (2), Mezilaurus (1), Nectandra (4), Persea (1), Rhodostemonodaphne (1), and Urbanodendron (1). Descriptions, identification keys, comments and illustrations of the species are presented. The species of Ocotea will be treated in part II of this series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most work with frogs has provided high relevance of information focusing primarily on adults, which is mainly due to the difficulty of identifying the larval stage of these organisms. Ilha Grande, the third largest island at the Brazilian coast, is one of the most important remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest Biome in Brazil. This study aimed to characterize the morphology of the tadpoles of 11 frog species that occur in oceanic face (southwards) of the Ilha Grande, Southeastern Brazil. Using these characters, we provide a key for the identification of these tadpoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we broadly characterized the genetic diversity of two endangered tree species, Euterpe edulis and Ocotea catharinensis. These species represent different ecological characteristics and different landscape situations, and they were selected within a wide sampling network in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, aiming to elucidate the conservation status of both species and suggest conservation strategies. To accomplish this, we used isoenzyme markers to genotype 20 and 19 reproductive populations and 9 and 12 seedling populations for E. edulis and O. catharinensis, respectively. We also estimated metrics of the sampled fragments and constrained the variation of genetic diversity indexes to these metrics through redundancy analysis. High levels of genetic diversity were found for both species/cohorts. These levels and their fluctuations within species' cohorts were not significantly affected by the fragments metrics, suggesting that ecological characteristics may have greater importance in this context. This study shows that limitations to the gene flow and maintenance of allelic exchanges are crucial to define conservation efforts, even though fragmentation and exploitation can significantly impact the loss of diversity. As further conservation strategies, we suggest the use of E. edulis fruits and actions to increase population sizes for O. catharinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (PESB) is one of the largest fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, and it is relevant for native species conservation. However, monocultures settled around the Park resulted in extensive open areas that facilitate the establishment of alien species on the PESB perimeter, which may threaten native species conservation therein, since biological invasion is the second main cause of global biodiversity loss. In this region, there are also farmers planting agroforestry systems (AFS), characterized by tree-based intercropping, which are structurally more similar to the Atlantic Rainforest reminiscent fragments present in the region and may limit local occurrence of potentially invasive exotic weeds for several reasons, such as the high levels of shade provided by trees, the groundcover that result from loss of tree leaves and the increased competition for belowground resources. This study aimed to test whether AFS limit exotic species establishment when compared to monoculture systems. Accordingly, three coffee monocultures and three agroforestry coffee plantations around the PESB were studied. In each of the six study areas, 30 plots of 1 m2 were established between the lines of coffee plantation, where all species present were surveyed. In both treatments, rarefaction curves were constructed to evaluate native and exotic richness, and diversity of these two categories was estimated through Simpson index inverse (1/D). All 13 sampled exotic species were present in monocultures, but only three of them occurred in AFS. Besides, alien diversity in monocultures (1/D = 2.173 ± 0.011) was significantly higher than in AFS (1/D = 1.031 ± 0.001). Such changes in alien plant community between land-use show that AFSs limit invasive species establishment. Therefore, when planted around protected areas, AFS may contribute to the control of biological invasions and to biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Serra da Mantiqueira is one of the least inventoried physiographic areas of southeastern Brazil. There is great potential for detection of endemic species for which little or nothing is known about basic aspects of natural history. The Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio (PESP) within the Serra da Mantiqueira is an area of extreme biological importance because it houses mixed formations of grasslands, ombrophilous forests, and enclaves of Araucaria forests (mixed ombrophilous forest). Currently, the mixed ombrophilous forest covers less than 5% of its original range and areas occupied by this forest type, and associated ecosystems constitute refuges, housing several endemic, high altitude species. Between September 2015 and April 2016, field samplings were performed in the PESP using four distinct methods. The objective was to determine the composition and natural history of snakes from an isolated, high altitude area of the Serra da Mantiqueira. In PESP and surrounding areas, 80 individuals representing 24 species, 19 genera, and three families were recorded. Data are presented on abundance, habitat, daily activity, diet, reproduction, and defense. Comparison of the PESP snake assemblage with 30 other Atlantic Forest areas in southeastern Brazil indicate the Serra da Mantiqueira presents particular characteristics regarding snake composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the biogeography of Stigmaphyllon, the second-largest lianescent genus of Malpighiaceae, as a model genus to reconstruct the age and biogeographic history of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest (BAF). Few studies to date have focused on the tertiary diversification of plant lineages in the BAFs, especially on Stigmaphyllon. Phylogenetic relationships for 24 species of Stigmaphyllon (18 ssp. From the Atlantic forest (out of 31 spp.), three spp. from the Amazon Rainforest, two spp. from the Caatinga biome, and a single species from the Cerrado biome) were inferred based on one nuclear DNA (PHYC) and two ribosomal DNA (ETS, ITS) regions using parsimony and Bayesian methods. A time-calibrated phylogenetic tree for ancestral area reconstructions was additionally generated, coupled with a meta-analysis of vascular plant lineages diversified in the BAFs. Our results show that: (1) Stigmaphyllon is monophyletic, but its subgenera are paraphyletic; (2) the most recent common ancestor of Stigmaphyllon originated in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest/Caatinga region in Northeastern Brazil ca. 26.0 Mya; (3) the genus colonized the Amazon Rainforest at two different times (ca. 22.0 and 6.0 Mya), the Caatinga biome at least four other times (ca. 14.0, 9.0, 7.0, and 1.0 Mya), the Cerrado biome a single time (ca. 15.0 Mya), and the Southern Atlantic Rainforests five times (from 26.0 to 9.0 Mya); (4) a history of at least seven expansion events connecting the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest to other biomes from 26.0 to 9.0 Mya, and (5) a single dispersion event from South America to Southeastern Asia and Oceania at 22.0 Mya via Antarctica was proposed. Compared to a meta-analysis of time-calibrated phylogenies for 64 lineages of vascular plants diversified in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforests, our results point to a late Eocene origin for this megadiverse biome.

Abstract Helicina variabilis Wagner, 1827 (Neritimorpha, Helicinidae) is redescribed based on a sample collected in Nanuque, northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The species description, previously based only on the shell, is expanded to the phenotypic features. The study revealed absorption of the internal shell whorls; a diaphragm muscle connected to the floor of the pallial cavity; a monoaulic pallial oviduct, with the female genital aperture inside the anal aperture, and the lack of a seminal receptacle and provaginal sac; and the pleural ganglia of the nerve ring connected with each other. The significance of these findings is discussed in the light of current taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge.

ABSTRACT Associating description of unrecorded tropical tree community structure to sampling approaches that can help determine mechanisms behind floristic variation is important to further the comprehension of how plant species coexist at tropical forests. Thus, this study had the goals of (i) evaluating tree community structure on the continental island of Marambaia (23°4’37.09”S; 43°59’2.15”W) and (ii) testing the prediction that there are local scale changes in a tropical tree community structure between slopes facing different geographic orientation and with distinct human interference history. We established 60 (0.6 ha) sampling units in three different slope sites with distinct predominant geographic orientation and human interference. We sampled all woody trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm. We found a total of 1.170 individuals representing 220 species, 120 genera and 50 families. The overall tree community structure and structural descriptors (abundance of individuals, basal area, species richness and diversity) varied extensively between the sites. The evidence presented here supports that local scale topography variations and human interference history can be important factors contributing to the known floristic heterogeneity of the Atlantic Rainforest. Future work on the study area should focus on disentangling effects from distinct causal factors over tree community variation and species occurrence.

Spotted fever is the main rickettsial disease in Brazil. We report 12 cases of human parasitism by Amblyomma parkeri in the Atlantic rainforest, an area of Brazil to which spotted fever is endemic. Nine of the ticks were infected with Candidatus Rickettsia paranaensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present a review of the dataset resulting from the 11-years follow-up of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in free-ranging populations of Leontopithecus rosalia (golden lion tamarin) and Leontopithecus chrysomelas (golden-headed lion tamarin) from distinct forest fragments in Atlantic Coastal Rainforest. Additionally, we present new data regarding T. cruzi infection of small mammals (rodents and marsupials) that live in the same areas as golden lion tamarins and characterisation at discrete typing unit (DTU) level of 77 of these isolates. DTU TcII was found to exclusively infect primates, while TcI infected Didelphis aurita and lion tamarins. The majority of T. cruzi isolates derived from L. rosalia were shown to be TcII (33 out 42) Nine T. cruzi isolates displayed a TcI profile. Golden-headed lion tamarins demonstrated to be excellent reservoirs of TcII, as 24 of 26 T. cruzi isolates exhibited the TcII profile. We concluded the following: (i) the transmission cycle of T. cruzi in a same host species and forest fragment is modified over time, (ii) the infectivity competence of the golden lion tamarin population fluctuates in waves that peak every other year and (iii) both golden and golden-headed lion tamarins are able to maintain long-lasting infections by TcII and TcI.

Restinga forests are commonly known to be plant communities rather poor in tree species. This study aimed to describe and explain the association between the floristic-structural similarities and the environmental conditions in three Swamp Restinga Forest communities in southern Brazil. In 13 plots of 100 m2 each, we sampled all individual trees (circumference at breast height >12 cm and height ≥3 m). We collected soil samples in each plot for chemical and textural analyses. Phytosociological parameters were calculated and different structural variables were compared between areas. The density of individuals did not differ between areas; however, the maximum height and abundance of species differed between the site with Histosols and the other two sites with Gleysols. Further, a canonical correspondence analysis based on a matrix of vegetation and that of environmental characteristics explained 31.5% of the total variation. The high floristic and environmental heterogeneity indicate that swamp-forests can shelter many species with low frequency. Most species were generalists that were not exclusive to this type of forest. Overall, our study showed that swamp-forests within the same region can show considerable differences in composition and structure and can include species-rich communities, mostly due to the presence of species with a broader distribution in the Atlantic Rainforest domain on sites with less stressful environmental conditions and without waterlogged conditions.

Com o objetivo de contribuir para o conhecimento da fauna de Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) ocorrentes no Estado de Santa Catarina, elaborou-se uma lista das espécies depositadas no Museu Entomológico Ceslau Biezanko. Os dados são referentes a coletas realizadas na região entre os anos 1943 e 1976 por Ceslau Maria Biezanko, Vitor Becker e Fritz Plauman. Foram encontradas 101 espécies, distribuídas em 57 gêneros e 238 indivíduos de Arctiini. Um total de 15 espécies é novo registro para o estado. Contribution to the Knowledge of the Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) Fauna in the Santa Catarina State, Brazil Abstract. Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of the Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Family: Erebidae) fauna occurring in the Santa Catarina State, drew up a list of species deposited in the Entomological Museum Ceslau Biezanko. The data relating to collections made in the region between 1943 and 1976 by Maria Ceslau Biezanko, Vitor Becker and Fritz Plauman. We found 101 species in 57 genera and 238 individuals of Arctiini. A total of 15 species are new record for the state.

We describe and illustrate Selaginella kriegeriana, a narrow endemic species from Caparaó National Park, Brazil, and discuss its affinities. Scanning electron micrograph images of spores and leaves supplement our discussion. In addition, we present a synopsis of the Selaginella species from Caparaó National Park, with an identification key and geographical distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal 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.)

Campos Gerais National Park lies within the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, a biodiversity hotspot and a priority for conservation. Current analysis, featuring a list of large and medium-sized mammal species in the park, was conducted between July 2013 and July 2014 and between May 2016 and April 2017. With a 780-hour sampling effort in active research and 157,516 hours in camera traps, 31 species of 17 families and 8 orders were recorded. Furthermore, 42% of recorded mammals in the park proved to be endangered species at state, national, or international levels. Two exotic and 1 domestic species were reported in the park. Results contribute towards an in-depth knowledge of the fauna in south Brazil and may help in further research work and management, complying with conservation proposals in the biodiversity of the Campos Gerais region in the state of Paraná, Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersal mechanism, species height, sexual system, and wood density are potential drivers of the spatial distribution pattern of tropical tree populations. These traits are usually conserved among closely related species, thus populations of these species should have more similar spatial distribution patterns than populations of phylogenetically distant species. Additionally, variation in the abiotic and biotic environment might result in distinct spatial distribution patterns of local populations of the same species. We employed variation partitioning to determine the degree to which traits, shared evolutionary history, site characteristics, and their joint effects govern the degree of overdispersion or aggregation of tree populations at different spatial scales within fourteen 1-ha plots of the Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil. We quantified the degree of overdispersion or aggregation with a new standardized index err(r) based on standardized effect sizes of the pair correlation function. Variation in err(r) was mostly explained by phylogenetic relationships among species (70–95%, depending on spatial scale), indicating that traits not included in our analysis are important drivers of the spatial distribution pattern. Site characteristics explained a smaller part of the variation, indicating context-dependence. Finally, the traits studied here provided the smallest explanation of the variation, suggesting a minor role of seed dispersal. Residual variation in err(r) ranged from 5–29%, indicating that stochasticity and/or variables not included in the models (e.g. direct measures of post-dispersal processes) also influence the spatial distribution pattern of the populations. Our results suggest that many ecological processes act in concert at the study site and that their importance changes with spatial scale. Additionally, the relative importance of these processes differs from that previously described for other tropical forests. Determining why a given ecological process is more important in some tropical tree communities than in others are promising venues for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cleptobiosis in social insects refers to a relationship in which members of a species rob food resources, or other valuable items, from members of the same or a different species. Here, we report and document in field videos the first case of cleptobiosis in fungus-growing ants (Atta group) from a coastal, Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Workers of Mycetarotes parallelus roam near the nest and foraging paths of Mycetophylax morschi and attack loaded returning foragers of M. morschi, from which they rob cultivating material for the fungus garden. Typically, a robbing Mycetarotes stops a loaded returning Mycetophylax, vigorously pulls away the fecal item from the forager’s mandibles, and brings the robbed item to its nearby nest. In our observations, all robbed items consisted of arthropod feces, the most common culturing material used by M. parallelus. Robbing behavior is considered a form of interference action to obtain essential resources needed by ant colonies to cultivate the symbiont fungus. Cleptobiosis between fungus-growing ants may increase colony contamination, affect foraging and intracolonial behavior, as well as associated microbiota, with possible effects on the symbiont fungus. The long-term effects of this unusual behavior, and associated costs and benefits for the species involved, clearly deserve further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have tested whether model predictions based on species' occurrence can predict the spatial pattern of population abundance. The relationship between predicted environmental suitability and population abundance varies in shape, strength and predictive power. However, little attention has been paid to the congruence in predictions of different models fed with occurrence or abundance data, in particular when comparing metrics of climate change impact. Here, we used the ecological niche modeling fit with presence--absence and abundance data of orchid bees to predict the effect of climate change on species and assembly level distribution patterns. In addition, we assessed whether predictions of presence--absence models can be used as a proxy to abundance patterns. We obtained georeferenced abundance data of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossina) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Sampling method consisted in attracting male orchid bees to baits of at least five different aromatic compounds and collecting the individuals with entomological nets or bait traps. We limited abundance data to those obtained by similar standard sampling protocol to avoid bias in abundance estimation. We used boosted regression trees to model ecological niches and project them into six climate models and two Representative Concentration Pathways. We found that models based on species occurrences worked as a proxy for changes in population abundance when the output of the models were continuous; results were very different when outputs were discretized to binary predictions. We found an overall trend of diminishing abundance in the future, but a clear retention of climatically suitable sites too. Furthermore, geographic distance to gained climatic suitable areas can be very short, although it embraces great variation. Changes in species richness and turnover would be concentrated in western and southern Atlantic Forest. Our findings offer support to the ongoing debate of suitability--abundance models and can be used to support spatial conservation prioritization schemes and species triage in Atlantic Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the chemical composition of leaf essential oils and volatiles in Neomitranthes obscura from different sandy coastal plains in Rio de Janeiro State. These sites present different environmental conditions. Leaf essential oils and volatiles were characterized by GC/MS after simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) and hydrodistillation (HD). All samples were rich in sesquiterpenes, mainly those from cadinene, germacrene and caryophyllene cyclization pathways, including ( E )-caryophyllene, α-copaene, β-selinene, α-cadinene, selina-3,7 (11)-diene, germacrene B and caryophyllene oxide. Chemical profiles of N. obscura from different restingas presented high variation in the relative amount of some compounds. Fewer compounds were produced in a semi-arid climate (Massambaba restinga ). Comparing samples collected during different seasons in Marambaia restinga , ( E )-caryophyllene presented highly variable concentrations. The highest concentration was observed in August, which is the month of least rainfall. In contrast, germacrene B presented the lowest concentration in August. Leaf secretory structures were described using light and scanning microscopy and histochemical tests. The main sites of lipophilic and terpenoid accumulation are located in the secretory cavities of mesophyll. Our data indicate that the production of essential oils and volatiles in N. obscura is influenced by both plant developmental stage and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we employ an integrated demographic-genetic approach with the aim of informing efforts to conserve Ocotea catharinensis Mez., an endangered tree species from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. After establishing two permanent plots (15 and 15.5 ha) within protected areas in Santa Catarina state, Brazil, we evaluated demographic aspects (density, recruitment, mortality, and growth), spatial pattern, genetic diversity, and spatial genetic structure (SGS) in three categories (seedlings, juveniles, and reproductive individuals) over 2 years. Studied populations presented low recruitment of individuals and low rates of increment in diameter and height. Aggregation was the main spatial pattern observed for both populations. High levels of genetic diversity were estimated for both populations, as well as high levels of fixation index, signaling the risk of losing genetic diversity over generations. Significant SGS was found for both populations, reflecting nonrandom distribution of the genotypes. Demographic and genetic surveys also allowed the estimation of minimum viable areas for genetic conservation (>170 ha), deme sizes (around 10 ha), and distances for seed collection (at least 60 m). Effective population size is restricted in studied populations, locally threatening the species perpetuation over generations. Further research can clarify how this condition will change in subsequent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Gesneriaceae has seven genera and 39 species in the state of Paraná: Besleria (1 sp), Codonanthe (3), Gloxinia (1), Napeanthus (2), Nematanthus (6), Seemannia (1) and Sinningia (25). In this work we present a taxonomic treatment for the first six genera, i.e. for the whole family except for Sinningia, whose monograph is in preparation. We provide an identification key for species, descriptions, data on distribution and phenology and illustrations for each species recorded to Paraná. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two strains of a novel yeast species were isolated from rotting wood of an ornamental tree (purple quaresmeira, Tibouchina granulosa, Melastomataceae) in an Atlantic Rainforest area in Brazil. Analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-5.8S) region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that this species belongs to the Spathaspora clade, and is phylogenetically related to Spathaspora brasiliensis, Candida materiae and Sp. girioi. The novel species ferments D-xylose, producing ethanol, with amounts between 3.37 and 3.48 g L−1 ethanol from 2% d-xylose. Ascospores were not observed from this new species. The name Spathaspora piracicabensis f. a., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The type strain is UFMG-CM-Y5867T (= CBS 15054T = ESALQ-I54T). The MycoBank number is MB 822,320. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ivierhipidius Barclay, 2015 is a genus of little modified ripiphorids. Ivierhipidius monneorum Barclay, 2015 was described based on five specimens from the Corcovado, the famous site of the Christ Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, southern Brazil. To this date, the species is published only from the type location and type specimens. This paper provides a new distributional record for the species (in Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro State), along with a map of its distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the structure of genetic diversity in populations of Passiflora contracta across the range of the species in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest to understand better the impact of forest fragmentation on genetic structure. One hundred and ninety-eight samples were taken at 11 sites and genotyped using seven microsatellite loci. Complementary methods including F-statistics, analyses of molecular variance and clustering analyses were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Most of the genetic diversity was partitioned within populations, and c. 28% was due to differences among populations. The mean expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.65 and 0.48, respectively, with an FIS of 0.27, suggesting high levels of inbreeding. Samples were sorted into two Bayesian groups, which were not associated with geographical distribution. Admixture levels varied between populations, but estimated migration levels were low, with less than one individual per generation migrating among populations. The mean genetic diversity of P. contracta was 0.66. Combined with previous studies, our results provide evidence that populations of P. contracta evolved under geographical, but not genetic, isolation. This pattern of genetic diversity is shared with other phylogenetically unrelated taxa associated with the Atlantic Forest that have similar life history traits and ecological attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree crown growth reflects many aspects of the species’ life history. It was postulated that the potential for a pioneer species to invade a deforested area, or maintain a viable population in a forest under intermediate disturbance regime, is related to the tree trunk growth rates, patterns of crown construction, as well as the ability to regenerate broken branches. We investigated if Mabea fistulifera Mart. (Euphorbiaceae) crown architecture and tree allometry varies in two contrasted environments in a secondary fragment of Atlantic rainforest: forest edge and interior. First, we described the development of crown architecture by following the growth of the crown in 15 young individuals, with special attention to growth and branching models and to the morphologic differentiation of axes. Secondly, allometric differences in crown construction patterns between environments were studied by quantifying 10 traits in 20 individuals from each environment. Nozeran architectural model was found, a process of parenchymatization of the terminal meristem and a tier of branches form distally followed by an orthotropic shoot forming the next relay axis. This results in modular sympodial branching and polyaxial morphology of branches, allowing this tree species to occupy different environments by quick expansion wherever light availability is higher, towards the upper canopy (forest interior) or towards one side (forest edge). Crown asymmetry occurred towards border sunlit spaces or in response to inner canopy openings caused by hilly topography. Crown structure and growth patterns here found are suitable for a pioneer species adapted to intermediate disturbance regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents reflections regarding the agroecology in the different management models designed for protected natural areas. Our research is particularly focused in debates about Sustainable Conservation Units in Sao Paulo State in Brazil. Vale do Ribeira is an area that has one of the largest continuous remnants of Atlantic Rainforest of the country. The research methodology included bibliographic analysis and collection of primary data through field notes; oral histories obtained in management and land use participatory spaces at Despraiado RDS in the context of restructuration of Jureia-Itatins Ecological Station in Conservation Units Mosaics; and semi-structured interviews with the managers and researchers of Vale do Ribeira Conservation Units. It was possible to find evidence that the way of life and agricultural production of the area favor local sensitivity in regard of an agroecological transition process. However, even with the impact of successful agroecological experiences at Vale do Ribeira, sociobiodiversity conservation initiatives and cultural valorization of sustainable development of traditional populations are still rudimentary at Conservation Units in the State of Sao Paulo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences 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.)

Helicina variabilis Wagner, 1827 (Neritimorpha, Helicinidae) is redescribed based on a sample collected in Nanuque, northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The species description, previously based only on the shell, is expanded to the phenotypic features. The study revealed absorption of the internal shell whorls; a diaphragm muscle connected to the floor of the pallial cavity; a monoaulic pallial oviduct, with the female genital aperture inside the anal aperture, and the lack of a seminal receptacle and provaginal sac; and the pleural ganglia of the nerve ring connected with each other. The significance of these findings is discussed in the light of current taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two new species of miniaturized toadlet in the B. pernix group of Brachycephalus (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from the Atlantic Forest of the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. The first new species is distinguished from all congeners by the pale red coloration from the head to the pelvic region, with sides of the body and thighs dorsally yellowish green. It is known only from the type locality in a cloud forest at altitudes ranging between 1,144–1,228 m a.s.l. The second species, although more closely related to B. izecksohni, is morphologically similar to B. brunneus in its overall brown coloration, but distinct from that species in the color of the iris (black with conspicuous golden spots, instead of entirely black). It was found on three mountains, at altitudes between 1,095–1,320 m a.s.l., and in vegetation types including cloud forest, montane forest, and secondary forest. The two new species exhibit neither vertebral fusions nor osteoderms, but one has both a distinct neopalatine and well-developed odontoids on the maxillae. We discuss the conservation status of both species.

Background Yeasts are a necessary requisite in the diet of most Drosophila species that, in turn, may vector their dispersal in natural environments. Differential attractiveness experiments and the isolation of yeasts consumed by Drosophila may be informative for characterizing this association. Hanseniaspora uvarum is among the most common yeast species isolated from Drosophila crops, with high attractiveness to drosophilids. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been widely used to collect flies, and it allows broad sampling of almost all local Drosophila species. Pronounced differences in the field concerning Drosophila attractivity to baits seeded with these yeast species have been previously reported. However, few explicit generalizations have been set. Since late fifties, no field experiments of Drosophila attractivity were carried out in the Neotropical region, which is facing shifts in abiotic and biotic factors. Our objective is to characterize preference behavior that mediates the interaction in the wild among Neotropical Drosophila species and yeasts associated with them. We want to set a broad generalization about drosophilids attracted to these yeasts. Here we present the results of a differential attractiveness experiment we carried out in a natural Atlantic Rainforest fragment to assess the preferences of Drosophila species groups to baits inoculated with H. uvarum and S. cerevisiae. Methods Both yeast species were cultured in GYMP broth and separately poured in autoclaved mashed banana that was left fermenting. In the field, we collected drosophilids over five arrays of three different baits: non-inoculated autoclaved banana and banana inoculated with each yeast. In the laboratory the drosophilids were sorted to five sets according to their external morphology and/or genitalia: tripunctata; guarani; willistoni; exotic; and the remaining flies pooled in others. Results and Conclusions Uninoculated banana baits attracted virtually no flies. We found significant departures from random distribution over the other two baits (1:1 proportion) for all sets, except the pooled others. Flies of the sets willistoni and exotic preferred H. uvarum over S. cerevisiae, while the remaining sets were more attracted to S. cerevisiae. Previously, various authors reported similar patterns in attraction experiments with S. cerevisiae and H. uvarum. It is also noteworthy that both yeast species have been isolated from natural substrates and crops of Drosophila species. Taken together, these results suggest that the preferences among Drosophila species groups may be reflecting deep and stable relations with yeast species in natural environments. They can be summarized as: forest dwelling species from subgenus Drosophila (such as tripunctata and guarani groups) are attracted to banana baits seeded with S. cerevisiae; while exotic (as D. melanogaster) and subgenus Sophophora species are preferentially attracted to baits seeded with H. uvarum.

Chrysophyllum is the second largest genus of Sapotaceae, with 81 species distributed in the neotropics. Little data are found in the literature regarding the morphology of seedlings and the early development of this genus. This study aims to morphologically characterize the fruit, seeds and seedlings of Chrysophyllum rufum Mart. Fruits were collected from individuals present in two fragments of the Atlantic Forest, Pernambuco. A sample of 100 seeds and 100 fruits was randomly selected to obtain the morphological data. The seeds were sown in plastic trays in a greenhouse. The fruits are bacoid, obovoid and globose with one or two functional seeds per fruit. The seeds are obovate, with the shape of the hilum ranging from elliptical transverse to oblong transverse. The embryo is cotyledonar, with a spatulated form. The cotyledons are foliaceous and whitish-translucent. The endosperm is abundant and whitish. Germination is epigeal, phanerocotylar and unipolar. The seedling has different characteristics than those of the adult individual, such as the shape and leaf consistency, type of leaf margin, type of venation variation, number of pairs of secondary veins, trichome coloring and abundance of latex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a floristic inventory of Angiosperms from rocky outcrops of the Área de Proteção Ambiental Pedra do Elefante, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Fieldwork was performed monthly from March/2015 to July/2016. A checklist with 302 species belonging to 219 genera and 74 families is provided. Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Cactaceae, Convolvulaceae, Rubiaceae, Bignoniaceae and Cyperaceae are the richest families with around 50% of the listed species. One hundred forty seven species are exclusively rupicolous, 125 spp. exclusively terricolous, 26 spp. are epiphytes, and six species are found as both rupicolous and terricolous. Phanerophytes and chamaephytes were predominant life forms. Our results added 18 new records to the Espírito Santo state, indicated the occurrence of nine endemic species for the state and noticed that only 55 taxa of the total of species have threat assessments according to IUCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with 14 species of the genus Cladonia, occurring at Restinga vegetation of Espírito Santo state, with eight belonging to the Supergroup Cladonia and six to the Supergroup Cocciferae. Cladonia corallifera, C. crustacea, C. subminiata, C. pityrophylla, and C. polyscypha are new records for the state. An identification key, comments and illustrations are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we provide information about morphological data, geographic distribution and conservation status for native species of Micropholis from Espírito Santo state (ES), Brazil. A total of five species were found: M. compta, M. crassipedicellata, M. gardneriana, M. guyanensis subsp. guyanensis, and M. venulosa. They represent 100% of the known species of Micropholis from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. The most important characters for distinguishing the species are: type and color of indument on the young branches, leaf shape, midrib sunken or not on the upper leaf surface, distinguishable secondary veins from the tertiary ones. Micropholis gardneriana constitutes a new record for the Espírito Santo state. Amongst Micropholis species from ES, only Micropholis compta is considered as Near Threatened (NT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a floristic-taxonomic treatment of Psidium in the state of Espírito Santo, and is a result of fieldwork combined with analyses of herbarium specimens. Fourteen species of the genus were recognized in Espírito Santo state (P. brownianum, P. cattleianum, P. cauliflorum, P. guajava, P. guineense, P. longipetiolatum, P. myrtoides, P. oblongatum, P. oligospermum, P. ovale, P. rhombeum, P. rufum P. sartorianum, and Psidium sp.), accounting for about 34% of the species richness estimated for the genus in the Atlantic Rainforest biome. The species occur predominantly in lowland forests up to 700 meters above sea level. These areas are highly threatened due to urbanization of coastal areas and agricultural expansion in the state Espírito Santo. Therefore, the conservation of Psidium species in this state requires the creation of more lowland protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribe Mimoseae (Mimosoid clade - Leguminosae) has 41 genera and about 860 species, of which, 16 genera and 614 species are recorded in Brazil. As a very representative group from Brazilian flora and from Atlantic Rainforest, this paper aims to provide the floristic and taxonomic treatment for genera Anadenanthera, Leucaena, Neptunia, Parapiptadenia, Parkia, Piptadenia, Plathymenia, Pseudopiptadenia, and Stryphnodendron from Espírito Santo state (ES). Fieldwork was performed from April 2014 to July 2015 and vouchers housed at herbaria were examined. A total of 24 taxa (22 species and two varieties) were found in the state. Piptadenia (six spp.), Pseudopiptadenia (six spp.), Stryphnodendron (three spp.), and Anadenanthera (two spp.) are the richest genera amongst analyzed. Leucaena, Neptunia, Parapiptadenia, Parkia, and Plathymenia were represented by only one species each. Compared to the previously known for ES, results increased two genera and nine taxa (specific and infraspecific), as follow: Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil, A. colubrina var. colubrina, A. peregrina var. peregrina, Neptunia plena, Piptadenia santosii, Pseudopiptadenia bahiana, P. psilostachya, Stryphnodendron polyphyllum, and S. pulcherrimum. Identification keys, descriptions, taxonomic comments, illustrations, and geographic distribution maps are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]