Search

This paper describes and identifies the biological elements depicted in Virgin with Child, Young St. John the Baptist and an Angel by Piero di Cosimo (1462-1522) from the permanent collection of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand, which include a bird, an insect, a mushroom and 10 vegetables, seven of which in flowering. Starting with an analysis of the probable symbolic roles of each biological element based on individual natural and biological properties then proceeding to interpret the presence of each vis-à-vis its relation to the others, this article shows the undeniable convergence of each object’s meaning: birth, death and regeneration (or reproduction) likened to the birth, death and resurrection of Christ.

Natural history collections (NHC) are guardians of biodiversity (Lane 1996) and essential to understand the natural world and its evolutionary processes. They hold samples of morphological and genetic heritages of living and extinct biotas, helping to reconstruct the timeline of life over the centuries (Gardner 2014). Primary data from specimens in NHC are crucial elements for research in many areas of biological sciences, considered the “bricks” of systematics and therefore one of the pillars for evolutionary studies (Troudet 2018). For this reason, studies carried out in NHC are essential for the development of the scientific knowledge and are pivotal for the scientific-technological progress of a nation (Camargo 2015). The digitization and availability of primary data on biodiversity from NHC represents a inexpensive, practical and secure means of exchanging information, allowing collaboration between institutions and researchers. In this sense, initiatives such as the Sistema de Informação sobre a Biodiversidade Brasileira (SiBBr), a country-level branch of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) platform, aim to encourage and establish ways for the informatization of biological collections and their type specimens. Known for housing one of the largest and oldest collections of insects in the world focused on Neotropical fauna, the Entomological Collection of the Museu Nacional of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ) had more than 3,000 primary types and approximately 12,005,000 specimens, of which about 96% were lost in the tragic fire occurred at the institution on September 2, 2018. The SiBBr project was active in that collection from 2016 to 2019 and enabled the digitization and preservation of data from the type material of many insect orders, including the charismatic dragonflies (order Odonata). Due to the end of the agreement between SiBBr and the Museu Nacional, most of the obtained primary data are pending full curation and, therefore, are not yet available to the public and researchers. The MNRJ housed the biggest and most important collection of dragonflies among all Central and South American institutions. It assembled most of the physical records of neotropical dragonfly fauna gathered over the last 80 years, many of which are of undescribed taxa. Unfortunately, almost all material was permanently lost. This study aims to gather, analyze and publicize primary data of the type material of dragonflies housed in the MNRJ, ensuring the preservation of its history, as well as providing data on the taxonomy and diversity of this marvelous group of insects. A total of 11 families, 50 genera and 131 species were recorded, belonging to the suborders Anisoptera and Zygoptera with distributional records widespread in South America. The MNRJ housed 105 holotypes of dragonflies' nomina representing 11.7% of the richness of the Brazilian Odonata fauna (901 spp.), a country with the highest number of species of the biosphere. The impact of the loss of this collection to studies of these insects is unprecedented, since some enigmatic and monotypic genera such as Brasiliogomphus, Fluminagrion and Roppaneura lost 100% of their type series, while others most diverse such as Lauromacromia, Oxyagrion and Neocordulia lost 50%, 35% and 31% of their holotypes. Therefore, due to the registration and preservation of primary biodiversity data, this work reiterates the importance of curating and digitizing biological scientific collections. Furthermore, it shows extreme relevance for preserving information on existing biodiversity permanently and providing support for future research. Digitization and interconnecting digital extended specimen data proves to be one of the main and most effective ways to protect NHC heritage and their primary data against catastrophic events.

The present study provides the first odonate survey for the Brazilian Caatinga, including species habitat information. Specimens were collected during five days in both dry and rainy seasons of 2011 in the municipality of Itatira, state of Ceara, located in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Adult individuals of 37 species were documented, the highest richness value thus far recorded for the region. Individuals of the majority of the species were recovered from small, temporary water bodies. In general, the local odonate community is composed of species with wide continental distributions, with the exception of Macrothemis lutea, M. griseofrons and Erythrodiplax leticia, which are restricted to northeastern Brazil. New occurrences and expanded distribution ranges of species are discussed.

The ultimate larval stadia of Macrothemis declivata, M. hemichlora, M. imitans imitans and M. tenuis are described and illustrated for the first time, based on material from Brazil. Six of the most used keys to larvae of libellulid genera of the New World are evaluated with respect to the correct identification of the 27 known larvae of Macrothemis, Brechmorhoga, Gynothemis and Scapanea. Macrothemis species were wrongly identified in more than 50% of the trials, being keyed as Brechmorhoga, Gynothemis and even Dythemis. The genus Macrothemis and its relatives need to be revaluated and adequately diagnosed based on larvae. A key to the 14 known larvae of species currently included in Macrothemis is presented.

Castoraeschna corbeti sp. nov. is described and diagnosed based on four males (holo- type: Brazil, Para State, Floresta Nacional de Carajas [6°06′13.9″S, 50°08′13.1″W, ca 600 m a.s.l.], 28 ix 2007 to be deposited in Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro). This species is similar to C. longfieldae and C. coronata but can be distinguished mainly by the absence of medio-dorsal spots on S8; postero-dorsal spots on S8-9 very narrow; cerci external margin almost straight in lateral view, without a distinct angulation between stem and base of lamina; cerci apex blunt. The probable ultimate stadium larva is described based on two individuals, male and female, collected at the type locality. Adults were observed flying along margins of a small shaded second-order stream where the larvae were taken. The surrounding forest is under impact of iron ore extraction and will probably disappear in the next years.

Orionothemis felixorioni n. gen., n. sp. from Bahia state, Brazil, is described and illustrated from larvae, reared adults and an immature adult male taken in association with its possible larval shuck. This taxon exhibits remarkable features among the Odonata, such as enormous dorsal and lateral spines perpendicular to the body axis, totally fused last abdominal segments in the larva, strongly differentiated and sexually dimorphic posterior legs, and the incompletely chitinized eighth abdominal tergite of the adult. Orionothemis is closely related to Elasmothemis (Neotropical) and Onychothemis (South-East Asia). The larvae were collected in the abundant immersed vegetation in a clear and cool stream in the Brazilian ‘planalto’ (central plateau) in an area that is endangered by deforestation and irrigation. Better knowledge of the libellulid or more generally odonata larvae could help taxonomy and phylogeny of the group.

Background Diversity and distribution of Neotropical aquatic insects is still poorly known, with many species to be recorded and many others to be described, due to the small number of taxonomists and sparse faunistic studies. This knowledge is especially poor in the Caatinga Domain in Northeastern Brazil, even though, this region may have played an important historical role in the spatial evolution of faunas of forested areas in northern South America.New information Aquatic insect checklists of 96 species from Parque Nacional de Ubajara (Ceará State, Brazil) and 112 species from Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades (Piauí State, Brazil) are presented, representing the following taxa: Elmidae, Epimetopidae, Hydrophilidae, and Torridincolidae (Coleoptera), Hemerodromiinae (Diptera: Empididae), Ephemeroptera, Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha (Hemiptera), Odonata, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. Because of the scarce number of biological inventories in Northeastern Brazil, several new distributional records (of species, genera, and families) for Brazil, Northeastern Brazil, and Ceará and Piauí states are provided. In addition, several undescribed species were detected, being 26 from Ubajara and 20 from Sete Cidades. Results represent a significant increase to the known fauna of these states, ranging from 13%-70% increase for Ceará and 41% to 91% increase for Piauí. Although both parks are relatively close to each other and within the Caatinga domain, their aquatic fauna display a very high complementarity (89% species), possibly due to structural differences of water bodies sampled in each park. Rarefaction curves based on quantitative light trap samples suggest a much higher expected species richness of aquatic insects at Sete Cidades than at Ubajara National Park. Discussion on biogeographical affinities of this sample of the Caatinga fauna is provided. © Takiya D et al.

No período de maio de 1999 a maio de 2000 foram efetuadas coletas de imaturos de Odonata (Insecta), em sete diferentes substratos, ao longo de 50 metros de um trecho do Rio Ubatiba, Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Um total de 1.279 larvas de Odonata foi coligido e identificado em 27 espécies de cinco famílias. Acanthagrion lancea (Selys, 1876), Hetaerina auripennis (Burmeister, 1839), Micrathyria hesperis Ris, 1911 e Telebasis filiola (Perty, 1834) foram as espécies mais numerosas. O substrato com o maior número de indivíduos foi "vegetação em áreas de remanso". Grande parte das espécies estudadas demonstrou preferência por algum dos substratos. Dythemis multipunctata Kirby,1894, Erythrodiplax sp., M. hesperis, T. filiola, A. lancea, Erythemis sp., Coryphaeschna adnexa (Hagen, 1861) e H. auripennis demonstraram preferência por substratos orgânicos, enquanto que Brechmorhoga sp., B. praeCOX (Hagen, 1869) e Progomphus complicatus (Selys, 1854), por inorgânicos.Composition and microhabitat preferences of Odonata (Insecta) immatures in a lowland section of the Rio Ubatiba, Maricá-RJ, Brazil. Monthly sampling was held from May, 1999 to May, 2000 in the Rio Ubatiba, a lowland river situated at Maricá district, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Seven different substrates were collected along fifty meters. A total of 1,279 larvae of Odonata were collected and identified in 27 species, belonging to five families. The most numerous species were Acanthagrion lancea (Selys, 1876), Hetaerina auripennis (Burmeister, 1839), Micrathyria hesperis Ris, 1911 and Telebasis filiola (Perty, 1834). The greatest number of individuals were found in "riparian plants in depositional areas". In general, the species recorded showed habitat preferences: Dythemis multipunctata Kirby, 1894, Erythrodiplax sp., M. hesperis, T. filiola, A. lancea, Erythemis sp., Coryphaeschna adnexa (Hagen, 1861) and H. auripennis seem to prefer organic substrates and Brechmorhoga sp., B. praeCOX (Hagen, 1969) and Progomphus complicatus Selys, 1854, inorganic substrates.

Lauromacromia melanica sp. nov. from Conceicao da Barra municipality, Espirito Santo State, Brazil, is described and illustrated based on two males (both in MNRJ no 135). The new species is similar to L. picinguaba differing from it mainly by the absence of pale spots on S3–6 and by the ellipsoid shape of metepisternal pale stripe. A key for males of all species of the genus is provided. A cladistic analysis encompassing 43 external morphological male characters carried out in two distinct procedures, the first with all characters unordered and the second with two or three state characters ordered. The unordered analysis generated only one most-parsimonious tree (66 steps of length, CI = 0.69, RI = 0.62). The hypothesis of monophyly of Lauromacromia is supported and includes three groups, one formed by the Atlantic Forest species ( L. melanica sp. nov. + L. picinguaba ), and another by the Cerrado species ( L. flaviae + ( L. bedei + L. luismoojeni )), and L. dubitalis , positioned in polytomy with these two groups. The ordered analysis also generated only one most-parsimonious tree (68 steps of length, CI = 0.70, RI = 0.67), which maintained the monophyly of Lauromacromia but L. dubitalis positioned basally as sister-group to the Atlantic Forest + Cerrado species groups. The geographic distribution of Lauromacromia is updated with a new record of L. luismoojeni based on one adult male (Brazil: Mato Grosso do Sul State) and probable first Brazilian records for L. dubitalis (Amazonas and Para States) based on two larvae. A vicariance hypothesis is proposed to explain spatial evolution of Lauromacromia, and based on current biogeographical classifications we consider Gomphomacromia and Rialla apart from Neotropical biota. Some aspects of biology and ecology of Lauromacromia are also discussed.

The ultimate stadium larva of Lauromacromia picinguaba Carvalho, Salgado & Werneck-de-Carvalho is described and illustrated based on reared specimens from Picinguaba, Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil, some of which belong to the type-series. All material is deposited in the Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro. General notes on larval biology and the breeding habitat are provided. A generic key for South American Corduliidae larvae is appended.

The ultimate instar larvae of C. colorata and C. longfieldae are described and illustrated based on reared specimens from Parque Nacional das Emas, GO, and Chapada dos Guimarnes, MT, Brazil, respectively. A comparative table and an identification key for all described larvae of Castoraeschna are also presented.

Lauromacromia picinguaba sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on a series composed by a male and four females from Picinguaba, Ubatuba, S o Paulo state, Brazil, all obtained from reared larvae. The type material is deposited in the Museu Nacional and the Instituto de Biologia, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro. This is the first description of a female and the southernmost record for the genus. A key to the genera of Corduliidae occurring in Brazil is appended.

Libellulidae compreende a maior família de Anisoptera com mais de mil espécies, sendo uma das mais abundantes de Odonata. As investigações do padrão de relacionamento filogenético entre os gêneros dessa família têm sido demonstradas complexas, com hipóteses largamente divergentes, sendo as análises consideradas complicadas. Nesse trabalho é apresentada pela primeira vez uma análise cladística de uma de suas maiores subfamílias \'Sympetrinae\' baseada em 171 caracteres morfológicos de adultos com ênfase no grupo com a armadura femoral especializada (Erythemismorpha) que contém os gêneros Acisoma, Carajathemis, Cyanothemis, Erythemis, Porpax, Rhodopygia, Rhodothemis e Viridithemis. Representantes de quase todas as subfamílias de Libellulidae, assim como de todos os gêneros de \'Sympetrinae\' foram incluídos, totalizando 69 táxons terminais. Essa ampla amostragem objetivou testar de modo robusto o monofiletismo de Erythemismorpha e identificar grupos monofiléticos em \'Sympetrinae\'. Duas análises diferentes foram executadas uma com a parcimônia de Fitch e outra a de Sankoff, ambas com diferentes esquemas de ponderação de caracteres. A parcimônia de Sankoff foi utilizada para minimizar a influência dos \"gaps\" e demonstrou ser inapropriada para cálculos de índices de estabilidade com técnicas de reamostragem devido às exigências computacionais. Erythemismorpha foi demonstrado monofilético e além dos gêneros previamente citados inclui pelo menos Erythrodiplax castanea. Os gêneros Rhodothemis, Rhodopygia e Acisoma também tiveram suas hipóteses de monofiletismo suportas, enquanto Erythemis demonstrou ser parafilético em quase todas as árvores contrariando resultados anteriores. A maior parte dos nós internos de Eyrthemismorpha é inconclusiva, no entanto Cyanothemis + Porpax, assim como Carajathemis + Rhodopygia apresentaram suporte alto. A composição completa de Erythemismorpha permanece em aberto e dados de outras fontes devem ser incorporados. Também são discutidos extensivamente alguns conceitos equivocados sobre homoplasia e suas implicações em relação aos caracteres da venação alar em Anisoptera, advogando em favor da prevalência do padrão sobre o processo no paradigma da cladística. Defende-se homoplasia como um erro, um erro no estabelecimento da homologia primária, portanto, convergência reversão e conceitos similares, ligados ao processo e fortemente dependes de hipótese ad hoc não são concretos e tampouco observados no mudo real Libellulidae comprises the largest family of Anisoptera with more than a thousand of species and one of the most abundant among dragonflies\' families. The investigations of its phylogenetic pattern of relationships, especially among their genera have been shown complex, with widely divergent hypotheses, and considered tricky. A first cladistic analysis of \'Sympetrinae\' based on 171 characters from adults morphology, with an emphasis on the \'armed leg group\' (Erythemismorpha) including the genera Acisoma, Carajathemis, Cyanothemis, Erythemis, Porpax, Rhodopygia, Rhodothemis and Viridithemis is presented here. Representatives of almost all Libellulidae subfamilies, as well as all genera of \'Sympetrinae\' were also included, summing up a total of 69 terminal taxa. This broad sampling aimed to provide a strong test to hypothesis of monophyly of Erythemismorpha and identify monophyletic groups in \'Sympetrinae\'. Two different analyzes were performed, each Fitch and Sankoff parsimony, both with distinct weighting schemes. The Sankoff parsimony was adopted to minimize the influence of \'gaps\' on the results, but proved be inappropriate for to obtain stability indexes with resampling techniques, due to the high cost of computational requirements. Erythemismorpha was shown be monophyletic and further than to those genera previously cited, also includes, at least Erythrodiplax castanea. The genera Acisoma, Rhodothemis, and Rhodopygia were has each their hypotheses of monophyly also supported by the analyses performed here, however Erythemis showed be paraphyletic in almost all trees contradicting previous results. Almost all of the internal nodes of Erythemismorpha are inconclusive, however Cyanothemis + Porpax, as well as Carajathemis + Rhodopygia presents both high support. The entire composition of Erythemismorpha still open, pending the inclusion of other data sources. Also was discussed the misconceptions about homoplasy and its implications on venational characters of Anisoptera dragonflies. Is advocated the already discussed prevalence of pattern over process in cladistics paradigm. Homoplasy in cladistics is an error, more precisely an error of establishment of homologues (primary homology), thus convergence, reversal and similar terms are process tied ad hoc hypotheses over a pattern of inclusive hierarchy and not is concrete neither observable in real world