Search

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one the five main biodiversity hotspots in the world, still houses many organisms that are rare and unknown to science, mostly concentrated in mountain ranges. Herein, we describe a rare new species of Cambeva from the Rio Tietê drainage at the Serra da Mantiqueira, exhibiting a caudal fin color pattern comprising a light-yellowish–white bar posteriorly edged by a black pigmented area. A similar color pattern was described for C. castroi, C. diabola, and C. melanoptera, also endemic to the Rio Paraná basin, and considered evidence of close relationships among these three species. However, other morphological characteristics highly suggest that the new species is not closely related to C. castroi, C. diabola, and C. melanoptera). Herein, we perform a molecular phylogenetic analysis using two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene, including all species with that bicolored caudal pattern. The analysis strongly supports the new species as a member of the alpha-clade, and therefore as distantly related to those three species belonging to the beta-clade, indicating that this color pattern has homoplastically arisen in Cambeva. The data reported here reinforce the urgent need for field studies to better understand the different evolutionary patterns found in the genus, since an intense process of environmental degradation is in course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one the five main biodiversity hotspots in the world, still houses many organisms that are rare and unknown to science, mostly concentrated in mountain ranges. Herein, we describe a rare new species of Cambeva from the Rio Tietê drainage at the Serra da Mantiqueira, exhibiting a caudal fin color pattern comprising a light-yellowish–white bar posteriorly edged by a black pigmented area. A similar color pattern was described for C. castroi, C. diabola, and C. melanoptera, also endemic to the Rio Paraná basin, and considered evidence of close relationships among these three species. However, other morphological characteristics highly suggest that the new species is not closely related to C. castroi, C. diabola, and C. melanoptera). Herein, we perform a molecular phylogenetic analysis using two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene, including all species with that bicolored caudal pattern. The analysis strongly supports the new species as a member of the alpha-clade, and therefore as distantly related to those three species belonging to the beta-clade, indicating that this color pattern has homoplastically arisen in Cambeva. The data reported here reinforce the urgent need for field studies to better understand the different evolutionary patterns found in the genus, since an intense process of environmental degradation is in course.

In the group of tropical mountains on the Brazilian rift margin, Serra da Mantiqueira appears as the highest orographic level, supporting the largest extensions of highland fields. This article aims is to discuss the spatiality of the aforementioned phytophysiognomies in the Serra da Mantiqueira in Minas Gerais state, differentiating such plant formations according to their relationships with the physical environment. The vegetation mentioned here tends to occur at altitudes above 1800 m, with rock types being its main differentiating factor. In this way, five biogeographical units were discerned concerning the highlands of southeastern Brazil, in which the high altitude fields differ physiognomically and floristically, a division reinforced by phyto- and zoogeographical endemisms: (1) Itatiaia alkaline massif, marked in nepheline-syenites (2) Caparaó massif, a disjunct antiform framed in gneisses and migmatites, (3) Serra do Ibitipoca, supported by quartzites and (4) Serra do Papagaio, with gneissic-granitic lithology and (5) Campos do Jordão Plateau, also based predominantly by gneisses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colour patterns are diverse in trichomycterine catfishes and are often used to diagnose species. Here, we analyse the first case of adults of two syntopic species of Trichomycterus sharing nearly identical colour patterns: a rare new species of the subgenus Paracambeva and Trichomycterus maculosus, a distantly related species of the subgenus Trichomycterus. Both species are endemic to the upper Rio Paraíba do Sul basin (RPSB), which had a different course until the Tertiary period and is situated within the Southeastern Brazilian Continental Rift, mostly active in the Eocene-Oligocene. A time-calibrated multigene analysis, 3144 bp, supported the new species as sister to Trichomycterus itatiayae, both comprising a lineage with Middle Miocene age, when that colour pattern would have first arisen. The new species is diagnosed by characters from the latero-sensory system and bone morphology. Our results, combined with available biogeographical data, indicated the colour pattern of T. maculosus arising in the Late Pliocene, following the dispersal of its group to the upper RPSB after river course changing. Two hypotheses for the independent origin of the same colour pattern are discussed. First, a case of evolutionary convergence for adaptation to live on a similarly coloured gravel substrate, giving some cryptic advantage against predators. Second, mimetic association through anti-predation features. In the latter case, although trichomycterids lack fin spines to inoculate venom as in other catfishes, the species here studied have a supposed axillary gland above the pectoral fin, just posterior to the opercular odontodes, but with properties and functions still unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We discuss the importance of fern and lycophyte species in the Atlantic Forest ecosystem as well as the need for floristic inventories to understand their distribution and conservation status. We focus on the Serra do Papagaio region in southeastern Brazil, which is known for its high plant diversity but lacks comprehensive inventories of ferns and lycophytes. In this study, we conducted a floristic inventory of Serra do Papagaio and identified 172 fern and 29 lycophyte species. Our findings reveal 21 threatened species and two new records for Minas Gerais State. Additionally, we compared the floristic composition of Serra do Papagaio with that of other areas within the Atlantic Forest using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and generalized dissimilarity modeling (GDM) analyses. The results highlight distinct clusters of areas based on elevation and geographic location. We emphasize the need for further sampling and conservation efforts in Serra do Papagaio as well as provide valuable insights into the drivers of fern and lycophyte diversity in the Atlantic Forest.

Inventories provide important information about species, both from a biogeographic perspective and in terms of their conservation status. Among insects, dragonflies are extensively surveyed in Brazil; however, significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding the distribution of these organisms in the country, particularly in threatened biomes such as the Atlantic Forest. In this study, we present data on an Odonata community collected in the Serra do Papagaio State Park between 2015 and 2016. We recorded 64 species, including six new records for the state of Minas Gerais, along with ten species with problematic conservation status, either due to a lack of distribution data or some degree of extinction risk. Our results highlight the importance of inventories in expanding our knowledge of species distribution and providing data that can aid in the assessment of their conservation status.

The riodinid Eucorna sanarita (Schaus) is an "Endangered" (EN) butterfly with a confusing taxonomic history, restricted to a few sites of montane forest in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, Southeastern Brazil. This study aims to collate all previous and novel available information for this species, such as systematic position, taxonomic placement, and geographic distribution, and to identify potential areas of occurrence using niche-based models. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) and geographical range (area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO)) were estimated using a total of 14 known geographic sites for this taxon. Until recently, this species was included in the genus Voltinia Stichel, 1910, and based on molecular data, we find that it is sister to the recently reassigned Napaea Hübner, [1819]. Predictive maps generated from niche models extend the possible sites of occurrence and aid in EOO and AOO estimation, both of which are important in the application of IUCN assessments. Our findings can be applied to the identification of additional sites for populations of E. sanarita and possibly resolve its conservation status (based on geographical range). Implications for insect conservation Our study contributes to the filling of knowledge gaps in the ecology, systematics, and taxonomy of E. sanarita, an endemic butterfly to the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, and brings a new perspective on the use of ENM to AOO and EOO estimates that can directly inform the conservation status of the species following IUCN guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach of this research is based on the methodological proposals in tectonic geomorphology, present in the work developed by Keller and Pinter (1996). Tectonic geomorphology seeks to elucidate aspects of the geological history of terrestrial landscapes and how tectonic processes have influenced the framing of the relief. In view of this, the objective of this research is to identify the tectonic efforts in the drainage network of the Mantiqueira mountain range and to evaluate the neotectonic implications in the drainage network of Southern and Northern Mantiqueira. The Caparaó river basin (Northern Mantiqueira) and the Bananal river basin (Southern Mantiqueira) were selected for investigation and application of three geomorphometric indexes: Transverse Symmetry Factor - T (COX, 1994), Hypsometric Integral and Curve - HI (KELLER and PINTER, 1996) and Drainage Basin Asymmetry - AF (HARE and GARDNER, 1985). In general, the selected basins present a distinct configuration of the drainage network, a minor asymmetry was observed in the Caparaó river basin, which presented punctual deformations in the drainage network for the T index; in contrast, the Bananal river basin presented a set of anomalies and asymmetries more pronounced to a picture of more recent deformations, gathering high values of T and AF. In this context, it was possible to register how the drainage of the Meridional segment of the Serra da Mantiqueira has strong links with the efforts coming from the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic reactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterized as the country's largest coffee producer, Minas Gerais presents the development of several coffee-related tourist activities. This article, based on a literature review, takes as a case study the Specialty Coffee Route in the South and Southwest of Minas Gerais, which includes the municipalities of Carmo de Minas and São Lourenço, in the Mantiqueira Mountains. It is concluded that the granting of a Geographical Indication of the Indication of Origin type in 2011 added value to the coffee produced and boosted the tourist activity that was already being explored by the Unique Cafés company on local farms. Thus, the Geographical Indication is understood as a possible driver of rural coffee tourism due to the product appreciation and the unique production process in that region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pasos: Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural is the property of Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Politicas y Sociales 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.)

Bats are a complex and diverse group, making their study remarkably challenging. Several methods allow the study of bats, e.g. mist-nets and acoustic monitoring (AM). We compare the use of AM and mist-nets to inventory bats in a mountainous region of São Paulo state, Brazil. We provide a species list for the study area based on species registered with both methodologies, comparing with a species list known for the state, obtained from the literature. We calculated beta diversity between methodologies to evaluate the dissimilarity in species composition sampled with these methods. We also performed a PCA to evaluate if the bat fauna sampled with AM showed species-habitat associations. We recorded 15 species/sonotypes through AM and 22 species through mist-nets. Beta diversity revealed 97% of dissimilarity in species composition. The turnover component explained 96% of this dissimilarity. PCA revealed that Vespertilionidae bats were associated with border/cluttered habitats, while Molossidae bats were present in all habitat types. The species list for the state comprises eighty species. Our inventory recorded more than 25% of this fauna. Mist-nets are efficient for sampling low-flying/low-intensity echolocating bats. AM is crucial for sampling high-flying/high-intensity echolocating bats. This is the second study to use AM to inventory bats in this state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT During fieldwork in Serra Negra da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil, a new taxon of Passiflora, subgenus Astrophea, was collected in cloud forest areas. Passiflora purii, the new species, is characterized by the conical trochlea and the totally vinaceous corona, and was named in honor of the Puri ethnic group that inhabited the mountain range where its population was located. Detailed data on the distribution, habitat, reproductive phenology, and conservation status of the new species, as well as a key to closely related taxa of subgenus Astrophea are provided.

Abstract Studies conducted on vascular epiphytes in Minas Gerais have revealed high richness in the seasonal semi-deciduous forests (SSF) in comparison with those of other Brazilian states. This study aimed to present a vascular epiphyte checklist of the Serra do Relógio (SR) in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais, in order to analyze the similarity between two areas in different altitudes, as well as to discuss the high richness recorded for this synusia in the SSFs of this state. The survey was performed in two conservation units (CUs) apart from each other approximately 6 km and with elevations varying between ~500 and 1,434 m. The data were obtained from published articles and fieldwork performed between the years 2016 and 2019. We recorded 158 species distributed in 76 genera and 22 families. This richness is greater than those found in some ombrophilous forests, which was an unexpected result due to the high moisture of this phytophysionomy. Although approximately 66% of the species found in the SR are anemochoric and the compared CUs are geographically close, the similarity was only 22%, suggesting that the difference in altitude between the areas and the history of use can impose filters that influence the floristic composition of each one area. These results highlight the importance of preserving the forest remnants in Brazil and creating and maintain CUs to protect them.

Mountains present large climatic variations along elevational gradients, which can affect the distribution and abundance of species over space and time (e.g. reduction in richness towards higher elevations and seasonal variations). However, variations in biodiversity along elevational gradients within the Atlantic Forest – a hyperdiverse and highly threatened Neotropical biome – have been seldom studied. We characterize the elevational and temporal variation in species richness and abundance of Scarabaeinae dung beetles along the elevational gradient of the Itatiaia National Park. Surveys were carried out between 600 and 2400 m a.s.l., with 3 pitfall traps installed every 50 m of elevation, constituting the largest elevational range studied so far for Brazilian dung beetles. We found a total of 3,586 individuals from 53 species of Scarabaeinae, mostly paracoprids. Species richness and abundance were higher at intermediate elevations (1000-1500 m). Dung beetle communities showed a marked seasonality, with 31 species exclusive of summer and only two in winter. Winter populations were also less abundant, showing a bimodal pattern of distribution of species abundances that contrasts with the lognormal pattern observed in the summer. We showed that both elevation and season correlate with species richness and abundance. Further, eight out of the nine species with large populations showed significant shifts in their elevational distributions between winter and summer. Our results indicate that Itatiaia hosts an extremely rich fauna of Scarabaeinae, with large variations in richness and abundance along the elevational gradient and significant phenological changes at the community level associated with climatic variations between seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study gives evidence of the occurrence of foehn-like wind on the eastern slopes of the mountains at Southeastern Brazil. A particular case was detected based on observational evidence on 4 July 2015 near the city of Cruzeiro, state of Sao Paulo, on the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains. Results obtained from numerical simulations are consistent with the foehn wind occurrence deducted from the analysis of regional patterns and time series of selected meteorological parameters.

This study details the floristic diversity of Mentheae (Lamiaceae - Nepetoideae) from the Itatiaia National Park, the first Protected Area in Brazil. Among the 30 species of Lamiaceae cited for the Park, we recorded 15 species belonging to Mentheae arranged in seven genera: Cunila (2 spp.), Hedeoma (1 sp.), Hesperozygis (1 sp.), Lepechinia (1 sp.), Prunella (1 sp.), Rhabdocaulon (1 sp.), and Salvia (8 spp.). The region presents significant diversity, considering the 62 native species of Mentheae recorded in the Brazilian Southeast. The species are distributed in the Park's different vegetation types, mostly in shaded areas of the ombrophilous forests or throughout high-altitude grasslands. We provide a complete description for each species and an identification key, as well as comments on species distribution, habitat, morphological variation, and phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies conducted on vascular epiphytes in Minas Gerais have revealed high richness in the seasonal semideciduous forests (SSF) in comparison with those of other Brazilian states. This study aimed to present a vascular epiphyte checklist of the Serra do Relógio (SR) in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais, in order to analyze the similarity between two areas in different altitudes, as well as to discuss the high richness recorded for this synusia in the SSFs of this state. The survey was performed in two conservation units (CUs) apart from each other approximately 6 km and with elevations varying between ~500 and 1,434 m. The data were obtained from published articles and fieldwork performed between the years 2016 and 2019. We recorded 158 species distributed in 76 genera and 22 families. This richness is greater than those found in some ombrophilous forests, which was an unexpected result due to the high moisture of this phytophysionomy. Although approximately 66% of the species found in the SR are anemochoric and the compared CUs are geographically close, the similarity was only 22%, suggesting that the difference in altitude between the areas and the history of use can impose filters that influence the floristic composition of each one area. These results highlight the importance of preserving the forest remnants in Brazil and creating and maintain CUs to protect them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the floristic treatment for Acanthaceae in the Serra Negra, a region belonging to the Mantiqueira Range. We recorded nine genera and 16 species of Acanthaceae: Aphelandra longiflora, Hygrophila costata, Hypoestes phyllostachya, Justicia carnea, J. citrina, J. dasyclados, J. minensis, J. serrana, Lepidagathis kameyamana, Mendoncia puberula, M. velloziana, Odontonema barleriodes, Ruellia brevifolia, R. elegans, R. macrantha, and Staurogyne euryphylla. They occur naturally in the Atlantic Rainforest and other Brazilian domains, found predominantly in forest environments. Species studied had their distribution area expanded, with new records for the Atlantic Rainforest and for the state of Minas Gerais. Morphological descriptions, identification key, photographs, and the geographic distribution are provided for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Coffee sensory analysis is usually made by a sensory panel, which is formed by trained tasters, following the recommendations of the Specialty Coffee Association of America. However, the preference for a coffee is commonly determined by experimentation with consumers, who typically have no special skills in terms of sensory characteristics. Therefore, this study aimed at applying an intensive computational method to study sensory notes given by an untrained sensory panel, considering the probability distributions of the class of extreme values. Four types of specialty coffees produced under different processes and in varied altitudes in the mountainous region of Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais, were considered. We concluded that the generalized Pareto distribution can be applied to sensory analysis to discriminate types of specialty coffees. Furthermore, the method of importance sampling by Monte Carlo simulation showed greater variability considering a probabilistic model adjusted to identify specialty coffees.

Elucidating woody community diversity and structure change along environmental gradients is still a central issue of tropical forest ecology. We have evaluated changes in alpha and beta diversity, community composition and structure of woody communities along an elevational gradient in Dwarf Cloud Forests, Southeast Brazil. We selected five areas along an elevational gradient (1,300–1,600 m asl), and randomly allocated 10 plots (10 m × 20 m) in each area in the Ibitipoca State Park (ISP), Serra da Mantiqueira, southeastern Brazil. All woody species (diameter at breast height ⩾ 5.0 cm) were collected for taxonomic identification. Thus, we analysed the woody communities based on a phytosociological approach. Overall, 147 species and 37 families were recorded, distributed in 2,303 individuals. No differences in the species richness pattern were observed between areas using the rarefaction and extrapolation curves. Significant differences in species composition and structure between areas were observed. The high beta diversity observed, corroborated by the Jaccard coefficient, increases with decreasing altitude. Our results showed that woody communities in the studied Dwarf Cloud Forests have a higher diversity and structural variability along elevational gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência Agronômica is the property of Revista Ciencia Agronomica 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.)

Resumo O presente trabalho é parte dos estudos florísticos da Serra Negra, incluída no complexo da Mantiqueira, sul da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A Serra Negra é composta por um mosaico de vegetação, sendo o campo rupestre e as florestas de altitude as fisionomias dominantes. Convolvulaceae está representada na região por três gêneros e seis espécies: Distimake macrocalyx, Ipomoea aristolochiifolia, I. maurandioides, I. saopaulista, I. triloba e Jacquemontia blanchetii, espécies amplamente distribuídas no Brasil. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, fotos e comentários morfológicos, de ocorrência, floração e distribuição geográfica para as espécies.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to perform the floristic survey of the wetlands of the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca (PEIB), comparing them regarding richness, floristic composition and life forms, based on monthly expeditions to collect vascular plants. Eighty-one (81) species were found in the moist grassland, most of them being endemic to Brazil and included in 55 genera and 21 families. The most representative families were Asteraceae (22 spp.), Melastomataceae (nine spp.), Xyridaceae (seven spp.), Poaceae and Orchidaceae (six spp. each), totalizing 62% of the sampled species. Twenty-seven (27) species were found in the seasonal pond, distributed in 23 genera and 11 families. Families with the highest specific richness were Poaceae (eight spp.), Cyperaceae and Asteraceae (five spp. each), totalizing 67% of the sampled species. There was a predominance of hemicryptophyte life form (nearly 43% of the moist grasslands and 63% of the seasonal pond) in both areas. The floristic analysis results showed great importance to conservation with 22% of species under some threatened category, 12 species endemics to Minas Gerais state and one new species of Cyperaceae. Furthermore, only five species occur in both wetland types (5.1% of the species richness).

Resumo Este estudo compreende a flora de Verbenaceae no Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, um importante remanescente de Floresta Atlântica no Complexo da Serra da Mantiqueira. O trabalho foi realizado em toda a extensão do parque com base em materiais coletados em campo e espécimes depositados em herbários. Foram encontrados seis gêneros: Glandularia, Lantana, Lippia, Petrea, Stachytarpheta e Verbena e nove espécies, destacando-se Lippia pubescens e Stachytarpheta speciosa com ocorrência restrita ao Parque. As espécies ocorrem nas diversas fitofisionomias do Parque, desde sub-bosque de florestas ombrófilas a campos de altitude. São fornecidas descrições, chave de identificação, fotografias e comentários sobre ecologia, taxonomia e distribuição geográfica das espécies.

Epiphytes are an important component of the diversity of tropical forests, and they also have several ecological functions. Vegetation heterogeneity is one of the features responsible for the high biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, especially in the domain's seasonal semideciduous forest (SSF). This biodiversity presents as high endemism and species richness. Owing to the seasonal nature of SSF, organisms that require high humidity (e.g. epiphytes) would be expected to show low species richness in these forests. The aims of this study were to conduct a survey of the vascular epiphytes in remnants of montane SSF in the Serra do Ibitipoca, Brazil, and to evaluate the importance of habitat heterogeneity for the richness and composition of species in these areas. We also evaluated whether the intrinsic characteristics of the SSF phytophysiognomy and fragmentation could result in low species richness and a high number of accidental epiphyte species. The study was conducted in the course of 18 expeditions undertaken between September 2013 and December 2016, covering five fragments of montane SSF (totalling 23.6 ha). We recorded 96 species (only one of which is an accidental epiphyte), distributed across 41 genera and 10 families. This is the highest epiphytic species richness recorded in Brazilian SSF to date. The results refuted the initial hypothesis and reinforce the importance to the epiphytic community of conservation of fragments with different structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a recent collection, we present the rediscovery of Peperomia crypticola C. DC., a rare species only known from eastern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. This species was now found in western Rio de Janeiro, more than 200 km apart and more than hundred years after the original description. An emended description, distribution map, color photographs of the fresh collection and comparison of the species with the closely related Peperomia lanceolatopeltata C. DC. are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESUMO A Serra da Pedra Branca (SPB) localiza-se no sul do Estado de Minas Gerais, no município de Caldas (21°58’-21°55’S e 46°24’-46°22’W). Inserida no Domínio Atlântico e considerada área prioritária para a conservação da flora no Estado de Minas Gerais, é uma feição marcante no relevo, com cotas altimétricas entre 1100 e 1780 m.s.m. Apresenta um mosaico composto por campos de altitude (o qual ocupa maior extensão na área), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Montana, Floresta Ombrófila Densa Alto-Montana e Floresta Ombrófila Mista. A família Gesneriaceae está representada na SPB por cinco espécies do gênero Sinningia: S. aggregata (Ker Gawl.) Wiehler, S. allagophylla (Mart.) Wiehler, S. douglasii (Lindl) Chautems, S. magnifica (Otto & A.Dietr.) Wiehler) e S. striata (Fritsch) Chautems. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições morfológicas, ilustrações, comentários ecológicos, taxonômicos e de distribuição geográfica das espécies.

Reproductive rates in bats are higher when there is a greater availability of food, and when temperatures and rainfall are higher. Along elevational gradients, variation in these factors occurs over a small area, making them ideal natural laboratories for studies that aim to describe reproductive patterns and to identify possible vertical migrations for reproduction. We characterized the seasonal and elevational variation in reproductive rates of female and male Artibeus spp. Carollia perspicillata, and Sturnira lilium in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We sampled bats with mist nets at 13 sites in southeastern Brazil, between 23° and 24° of latitude, at elevations between 60 and 1,800 m a.s.l. The reproductive patterns of Artibeus spp. and S. lilium were seasonal, with higher reproductive rates in the period with higher rainfall, temperatures, and, consequently, greater availability of food. Moreover, elevation influenced reproductive activity in all study species. Reproductive rates for females of Artibeus spp. were higher at intermediate elevations (between 501 and 1,000 m a.s.l.), and for females of S. lilium at high elevations (above 1,000 m a.s.l.) with a less evident peak at intermediate elevations. Similarly, the proportions of reproductively active male Artibeus spp. and S. lilium were greater at intermediate and high elevations, respectively. In the dry season, reproductive rates of all females increased with local abundance of all females. Differences in reproductive rates along elevational gradients could influence population dynamics, and therefore entire elevational ranges should be protected to ensure conservation of the best reproductive habitats for a variety of bat species. Public policies are needed to ensure effective conservation of biodiversity, biological processes, and the ecosystem services provided by local fauna from the lower lands to the mountain peaks. Taxas reprodutivas em morcegos são altas quanto há maior disponibilidade de alimento e quando temperatura e precipitação (ou pluviosidade) são mais elevadas. Ao longo de gradientes altitudinais, a variação destes fatores ocorre em uma pequena área, tornando estes locais em laboratórios ideais para estudos com o objetivo de descrever padrões reprodutivos e para identificar possíveis migrações verticais para a reprodução. Nós caracterizamos a variação sazonal e altitudinal nas taxas reprodutivas de fêmeas e machos de Artibeus spp. Carollia perspicillata e Sturnira lilium na Floresta Atlântica brasileira. Nós amostramos morcegos com redes de neblina em 13 sítios no sudeste do Brasil, entre 23° e 24° de latitude, em altitudes entre 60 e 1.800 metros acima do nível do mar. Nossos resultados mostraram que Artibeus spp. e S. lilium tem um padrão reprodutivo sazonal, reproduzindo-se mais no período com maior quantidade de chuvas, temperatura e, consequentemente, maior disponibilidade de alimento. Além disso, nós encontramos que a altitude influencia a atividade reprodutiva em todas as espécies estudadas. A taxa reprodutiva das fêmeas de Artibeus spp. foi alta em altitudes intermediárias (entre 501 e 1.000 metros de altitude), e para as fêmeas de S. lilium foi alta em elevadas altitudes (acima de 1.000 metros de altitude), com um pico reprodutivo menos evidente em altitudes intermediárias. Igualmente, a proporção de machos reprodutivamente ativos de Artibeus spp. e S. lilium foi maior em altitude intermediária e elevada, respectivamente. Na estação seca houve um incremento na taxa de fêmeas reprodutivas com a abundância local de todas as fêmeas. Mudanças nas taxas reprodutivas podem ter enormes implicações para a dinâmica populacional e, portanto, toda área de gradientes altitudinais deve ser protegida para garantir a conservação dos melhores habitats reprodutivos para uma variedade de espécies de morcegos. Políticas públicas são necessárias para garantir a conservação efetiva da biodiversidade, dos processos biológicos e dos serviços ecossistêmicos fornecidos pela fauna local, desde as terras mais baixas até os picos das montanhas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Atlantic Ocean coast region of southeast Brazil contains two coast-parallel mountain ranges (the Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira) generated by tectonic activity pulses tens of millions years after the main continental rift event occurred around 120 Ma. Although the short-term erosion rates for the region are established, the relative importance of the factors controlling erosion is poorly constrained. We combine new and published catchment-averaged erosion rates (n = 48) using in situ-produced 10Be concentrations in quartz from river sediments to establish the regional erosion pattern. The river catchments are (i) escarpment topography, (ii) high-altitude low-relief and (iii) mixed topography, which record how escarpment fronts are migrating inland. Ocean-facing coastal escarpment catchments of the Serra do Mar (ε = 18–53 m/Ma) can be eroded approximately twice as fast as continent-facing escarpment catchments in the Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira (ε = 7–24 m/Ma). The correlation between the normalized channel steepness index (k sn) and slope angle indicates that river incision and hillslope erosion processes combine to maintain the high relief. The Serra do Mar catchments define a mean slope angle threshold indicating that landslides are the dominant erosional process when slope angles in excess of ~30°. Tectonic activity is low and plays no significant role in driving erosion. A first-order relationship between erosion rate and precipitation-temperature across the region implies that climate plays a key role in soil production, river incision and in triggering erosional processes. Although the high topographic relief is a pre-condition for the occurrence of significant erosion, the climatic condition is the outlining factor of the regional variation in erosion rates. Highlights • Erosion rates in the ocean-facing escarpment catchments are twice higher than those of the inland escarpment catchments. • Parameters for river incision and hillslope processes are correlated and they approach threshold values in escarpment areas. • Episodic river captures lead to the dissection of the low-relief highlands and to the migration of escarpments inland. • Precipitation-temperature gradient explains the higher erosion rates in the coastal escarpment catchments of Serra do Mar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) are characterised principally by frequent immersion in ground-level clouds, which influences their structure. This study aimed to characterise TMCFs in Serra do Papagaio State Park, Minas Gerais State, Southeast Brazil, and to test the hypothesis that TMCF areas can be highly heterogeneous by comparing the tree species composition and structural parameters of 10 TMCF patches in the studied landscape. TMCFs of Serra do Papagaio State Park are of particular interest for conservation, because they contain important populations of threatened tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was developed in Ibitipoca State Park (ISP), a mountainous massif that stands out in the Serra da Mantiqueira, in the Southeastern Region of Brazil. The vegetation is represented by a phytophysiognomic mosaic where areas of campos rupestres interspersed with cloud dwarf forests predominate, at altitudes of 1100 to 1700 m.s.m. The cloud dwarf forests exist in narrow altitude belts on the mountain peaks, immersed in a layer of clouds. They form a peculiar landscape high in the mountains by the short stature of the arboreal elements and richness of lichens and bryophytes, which develop under constant condensation of humidity, low temperatures, and frequent winds. The objective of the present work was to determine the floristic composition and phytogeography of the cloud dwarf forests of ISP. Twelve monthly campaigns were conducted to collect botanical material during the years 2014 and 2015. The collected material was deposited in the collection of the CESJ Herbarium. A total of 372 species, 209 genera, and 73 families of phanerogams were found. The richest families were Orchidaceae (84 spp.), Asteraceae (39 spp.), and Melastomataceae (21 spp). The genera with the greatest wealth were Leandra (09 spp.), Epidendrum (09 spp.), Pleurothallis (09 spp.), Mikania (07 spp.), and Miconia (07 spp). The arboreal habit was predominant with 103 species (27.7%), followed by 83 shrubs (22.3%), 82 epiphytic herbs (22%), 80 terrestrial herbs (21.5%), and 23 lianas (6.5%). The floristic composition presents elements typical of altitude vegetation, including species of campos rupestres and high epiphytes richness, especially of the families Orchidaceae and Bromeliaceae. The genera with tropical distribution represent 86.5%, whereas the temperate elements represent 13.5% of the total. The cloud dwarf forests presented similarity, at the family and gender levels, with the upper montane forests of the Andes, besides phytogeographic characteristics that allow to associate them to a transition environment between the campos rupestres and the upper montane forests of the Southeast Region of Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study goal was to survey the taxonomic diversity of Passifloraceae sensu stricto in the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (PESB), Minas Gerais and to investigate the ecological aspects related to the distribution, state of conservation and occurrence of the species in different altitude classes within the study area. Eleven species of the genus Passiflora were identified: P. alata, P. amethystina, P. capsularis, P. edulis, P. filamentosa, P. mediterranea, P. miersii, P. porophylla, P. rhamnifolia, P. speciosa and P. tetraden, of which four are new records for the PESB (P. alata, P. capsularis, P. filamentosa and P. rhamnifolia). Most of the species are considered endangered at a regional level, with exception of P. filamentosa and P. miersii, classified as “Data Deficient”, and P. speciosa and P. mediterranea, considered as “Least Concern”. Only P. alata and P. rhamnifolia reached the highest elevations in the area, in campos de altitude (1.700–1.800 m). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest is amongst the most diverse biomes in the world, but the processes that shaped its biodiversity are still poorly understood. We used one mitochondrial and two nuclear markers to evaluate the phylogeographic patterns of the endemic harvestmanAcutisoma longipesand its closely related species to investigate the biogeographic history of this biome. The results showed low intrapopulation diversity and strong population structure, suggesting poor dispersion amongst locations. Phylogenetic analyses pointed to three main mitochondrial lineages congruent with the geomorphology of the south-eastern region of Brazil (Serra do Mar, Serra da Mantiqueira, and interior plateau). These older divergences occurred in the middle-Neogene, suggesting that events in this period drove the diversification of the species, but Quaternary events also affected the populations locally. We detected some congruence betweenA. longipesdemographic patterns and the areas of endemism delimited for harvestmen, suggesting that some regions of the distribution could have been more stable in the past (especially in Serra da Mantiqueira). Our findings corroborate that harvestmen are a suitable group for the study of ancient biogeographic events in the Atlantic Rain Forest, even at small-scale ranges.Acutisoma hamatumis here considered as a new junior synonym ofA. longipes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Esse texto tem como objetivo analisar a presença dos índios Puris e Goitacazes na região do Vale do Paraíba e da Serra da Mantiqueira do século XVII ao XVIII, partindo da corrida do ouro. Analisa um recorte bibliográfico específico proveniente da historiografia, antropologia e relatos de viajantes que registram a passagem de grupos indígenas percorrendo a região. Busca-se identificar e investigar sobre a presença destes grupos no Vale do Paraíba e Serra da Mantiqueira. Procura evidenciar aspectos de sua cultura, bem como a análise dos nomes atuais de algumas localidades. Para responder ao questionamento de como surgiu essa presença indígena na região, a presente pesquisa parte da hipótese de que a evidência está associada ao desbravamento e exploração da região pelos exploradores e bandeirantes do Brasil e exterior.

Apresenta-se o estudo taxonômico de Cactaceae na Serra Negra, Minas Gerais. A família está representada na área por cinco gêneros e nove espécies, listados a seguir: Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. magnus, Hatiora salicornioides, Lepismium houlletianum, Opuntia monacantha, Rhipsalis elliptica, R. floccosa subsp. pulvinigera, R. juengeri, R. lindbergiana e R. pilocarpa, sendo a primeira e a última consideradas ameaçadas de extinção na flora de Minas Gerais. Ainda deve ser destacado o fato de que Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. magnus teve o conhecimento de sua área de distribuição ampliada, pois era considerada endêmica do Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca. Os dados apresentados demonstram que a conservação de áreas como a Serra Negra, uma área atualmente não protegida, é de suma importância. Esta região vem sofrendo distúrbios devido a frequente visitação desorganizada, acompanhada de coleta ilegal de plantas, assim como transformação de remanescentes florestais e áreas de campo em áreas de pastagem aumentando o status de ameaça que já atinge algumas das espécies ali encontradas. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos e ecológicos para as espécies.

O presente trabalho é parte dos estudos florísticos da Serra Negra, incluída no Complexo da Mantiqueira, situada no sul da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rubiaceae está representada nesta região por 26 gêneros e 48 espécies. Psychotria é o gênero mais representativo com 12 espécies, seguido por Borreria (5), Coccocypselum (4), Manettia (3), Margaritopsis (2) e Palicourea (2), enquanto Alseis, Amaioua, Bathysa, Chomelia, Cordiera, Coussarea, Coutarea, Diodia, Emmeorhiza, Faramea, Galianthe, Galium, Guettarda, Hillia, Hindsia, Ladenbergia, Posoqueria, Remijia, Rudgea e Schizocalyx estão representados por uma espécie cada. É apresentado um novo registro para a flora de Minas Gerais, Psychotria pallens, e uma nova localidade para Hindsia ibitipocensis, espécie ameaçada de extinção e conhecida até este trabalho apenas para o Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca. São incluídos chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos, ecológicos e distribuição geográfica para as espécies.

Nova Baden State Park (NBSP) is located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest which is a biodiversity hotspot and priority for conservation. Our aim is to provide a list of large and medium-sized mammal species recorded in NBSP. We made a camera trap survey and opportunistic observations from December 2014 to September 2015, and searched the grey literature. We recorded 12 large and medium-sized mammals in our survey and 11 more species listed in grey literature. The 23 species registered for NBSP belong to eight orders (Carnivora, Primates, Rodents, Cingulata, Pilosa, Didephimorphia, Lagomorpha and Artiodactyla), including threatened species at local, national and global levels. With an important mammal biodiversity, we concluded that avoidance of poaching and the control of domestic dogs need to be priorities for biodiversity conservation of NBSP, with a political management that includes the local community in Park activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serra Negra is part of the Mantiqueira mountain range within the Atlantic domain and is composed of a vegetation mosaic of campos rupestres and different forest types. It lies in the southern part of the Zona da Mata (21°58'24"S e 43°53'15"W, within the municipalities of Lima Duarte, Olaria, Rio Preto and Santa Bárbara do Monte Verde. The Sapindaceae family is represented in this area by five genera and 14 species: Allophylus semidentatus, Cupania ludowigii, C. vernalis, Matayba juglandifolia, M. marginata, Paullinia carpopoda, P. trigonia, Serjania deflexa, S. elegans, S. fuscifolia, S. laruotteana, S. laxiflora, S. multiflora and Serjania reticulata. Among these, S. laxiflora stands out as an endemic species of Minas Gerais. Allophylus semidentatus, C. vernalis, P. trigonia, S. fuscifolia, S. laruotteana and S. reticulata have wide geographic distributions. A taxonomic treatment of the family in this area is presented, including an identification key, morphological descriptions, illustrations, geographical distributions and commentary on each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic study of family Campanulaceae of Serra Negra is presented, a region where campos rupestres and montane forests predominate, located in the south of Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range. We recorded 10 species in three genera: Centropogon cornutus, Lobelia exaltata, L. hilaireana, L. fistulosa, L. thapsoidea, Siphocampylus aff. fluminensis, S. longipedunculatus, S. macropodus, S. nitidus, and S. psilophyllus. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, comments on taxonomic, ecological and geographic distribution are provided. It is worth noting the rediscovery of S. psilophyllus after 30 years without collection records for the species, which advised further analysis due to being indicative of an endangered species, currently known only in five locations in small patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentibulariaceae is cosmopolitan, composed of three genera, Genlisea, Pinguicula, and Utricularia, containing ca. of 29, 100, and 220 species, respectively. The Itatiaia National Park is an elevated area with many rising rivers, lakes, wet places, and bromeliads. Therefore, it is promising to the occurrence of Lentibulariaceae species. However, studies in Lentibulariaceae in the area are scarce, restricted to a few old species lists. We present here the floristic treatment of the family in the Itatiaia National Park. Eight species were recorded, all belonging to Utricularia. All species occur in wet places of the Itatiaia Plateau, and only U. reniformis also occurs in the rivers of non-elevated areas. An identification key to the species, detailed descriptions, comments, and photos are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]