scholarly journals The role of parabiotic ants and environment on epiphyte composition and protection in ant gardens

Sociobiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Carolina Leal ◽  
Catarina C Jacovak ◽  
Paulo Estefano D Bobrowiec ◽  
José Luiz C Camargo ◽  
Paulo Enrique C Peixoto
Keyword(s):  
Forest Edge ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Feeding Resources ◽  
Camponotus Femoratus ◽  
Crematogaster Levior ◽  
Ant Gardens ◽  
Water Treatments ◽  
Epiphyte Species ◽  
Epiphyte Community

Ant gardens (AGs) are a multi-partner specialized ant-plant interaction involving several ant and epiphyte species. Although studies on AGs have reported possible roles for some species in this system, there are unanswered questions regarding the process of epiphyte incorporation in the AGs and the role of less aggressive ant species in AG protection. In this study, we used AGs in the Brazilian Amazon forest formed by two parabiotic ant species to test a set of hypothesis regarding two main questions: 1) How is AG plant community composition affected by the surrounding environment? 2) Does Crematogaster levior play a role in the chemical detection of herbivory in the AGs? After identifying epiphytes occurring at AGs at the forest edge and in the interior, we found that ant gardens in each environment exhibited different compositions, and that plant species bearing oil or extrafloral nectar glands were more frequent in AGs located in the forest interior than in those at the forest edge. By performing experiments with volatile compounds emitted from injured epiphytes, we detected that only Camponotus femoratus was responsive, responding almost eight times faster in response to plant extracts than water treatments. Our results support the idea that environmental conditions affect ant preference for feeding resources provided by epiphytes and consequently shape the structure of the epiphyte community in AGs. On the other hand, the role of C. levior in AGs remains unknown, since it seems to play no direct or indirect role in AG protection.

Defining Habitat Use by the Parabiotic Ants Camponotus femoratus (Fabricius, 1804) and Crematogaster levior Longino, 2003

Sociobiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Eduardo Vicente ◽  
Thiago Junqueira Izzo
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Colony Size ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
The Other ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Forest Gaps ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Camponotus Femoratus ◽  
Crematogaster Levior ◽  
Ant Gardens

Ant-garden ants have a strong relationship with epiphytes that need light to grow, for these reason, it has been previously documented in forest gaps. Moreover, larger gaps have more available area for nesting and habitats for use as forage. Thus we hypothesize that 1) canopy openness influence the presence of ant´s gardens in gaps, and 2) greater gaps will have more nests, and 3) both openness canopy and area determine the colony size in forest gaps. Furthermore, it is known that parabiotic ants foraging on the ground and in vegetation, the nests are arboreal. So, we also hypothesize that 4) parabiotic ants are more often sampled in arboreal strata and 5) increasing vegetation connectivity and the volume of accumulated litter in the soil increase the foraging of the ants in vegetation and ground, respectively, with the increase in canopy openness increasing the activity of the two species in both strata. Presence, number of Ant-gardens, as colony size, was affected by area and locality, but not by canopy openness. Nevertheless, there was not overall difference in the use of strata by Camponotus femoratus, neither by Crematogaster levior. On the other hand, frequency of C. femoratus on the ground decreases with canopy openness but is not affected by the vegetation connectivity.  Also, C. levior frequency on the ground also decreases with the increase of complexity of vegetation and canopy openness. In addition, neither vegetation connectivity, or canopy openness influence the frequency of foraging of these ants in understory.

scholarly journals Jardins de formigas na Amazônia Central: um experimento de campo utilizando cupins vivos como iscas

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana D'Arc de Paula ◽  
Aline Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Camponotus Femoratus ◽  
Crematogaster Levior

Jardins de formigas são um tipo especial de associação entre formigas e epífitas, em que duas ou mais espécies de formigas podem compartilhar o mesmo ninho por parabiose. Essa associação que ocorre em florestas tropicais ainda foi pouco estudada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar jardins de formigas na Amazônia Central determinando se as formigas identificam e removem potenciais herbívoros que estejam visitando as árvores hospedeiras de jardins de formigas ocupados pelas espécies Camponotus femoratus e Crematogaster levior. No estudo foram observadas 42 árvores contendo jardins de formigas. Em cada árvore foi colocado um cupim, como isca, a diferentes distâncias do ninho, contabilizado o tempo para sua remoção e observado se havia recrutamento de outras formigas para realizar a remoção da isca. Os resultados evidenciaram que ambas as espécies examinam as árvores hospedeiras para forragear. Durante a captura da isca, C. levior foi mais eficiente para detectar o cupim, não tendo sido observado recrutamento para carregá-lo ao ninho. Em alguns casos, indivíduos de C. femoratus identificaram a isca e indivíduos de C. levior a carregaram ao ninho. A relação entre árvore hospedeira e formigas beneficiam ambas, pois a árvore recebe proteção indireta contra cupins e fornece apoio para o ninho das formigas.

Influence of the vertical structure of macrophyte stands on epiphyte community metabolism

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1014-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Vis ◽  
Christiane Hudon ◽  
Richard Carignan
Keyword(s):  
Light Attenuation ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Oxygen Balance ◽  
Submerged Aquatic Plant ◽  
Epiphyte Communities ◽  
The Vertical Distribution ◽  
Photosynthesis And Respiration ◽  
Epiphyte Community ◽  
St Lawrence River

The physical structure of submerged aquatic plant communities differentially influences the availability of light and substratum in the water column and, thus, the functional role of epiphytes growing on macrophytes. We examined the depth distribution of photosynthesis and respiration of epiphyte communities within macrophyte stands of contrasting growth forms over a 2-year period in Lake Saint-Pierre (St. Lawrence River). To do so, we used a modelling approach, combining laboratory measurements of photosynthesis and respiration with field data of macrophyte and epiphyte biomass and vertical light attenuation. In stands dominated by canopy-forming macrophytes, shading resulted in strong vertical gradients in epiphyte metabolism, with a positive net oxygen balance in the canopy and a negative net oxygen balance in the bottom portion of the stand. In low-growing macrophyte stands, the net oxygen balance of epiphytes was either positive or negative, depending on water transparency and depth. Epiphyte communities had a daily negative net oxygen balance under light conditions below ~10% of surface light intensity. Areal production simulations demonstrated that neglecting variations in the vertical distribution of epiphytes, macrophytes, and light within macrophyte stands can result in errors in areal production estimates of >100%.

scholarly journals The double role of pigmentation and convolute leaves in community assemblage of Amazonian epiphytic Lejeuneaceae

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Mota de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Vertical Gradient ◽  
Carbon Gain ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
Character State ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Reproduction Mode ◽  
High Dispersal ◽  
Dark Pigmentation

Background Epiphytic bryophyte communities in the Amazon forest show a vertical gradient in species composition along the trunk of the host trees. The investigation of species traits related to this pattern has focused on the physiology of selected taxa with a clear preference for one of the extremes of the gradient. Although some species are indeed only found on the tree base or in the outer canopy, the vertical gradient is composed mainly by the variation in the abundances of species with a broader occurrence along the height zones. Therefore, this study approaches the differences among community assemblages, rather than among species, to test the role of morphological and dispersal traits on the establishment of the vertical gradient in species composition. Methods A character state matrix was built for 104 species of the family Lejeuneaceae recorded as epiphytes in the Amazonian terra firme forests, and six binary traits supposed to influence species occurrence: dark pigmentation on leaves; ability to convolute leaves when drying; possession of thickened cell walls; reproduction mode (monoicous or dioicous); occurrence of asexual reproduction; and facultative epiphyllous habit. Based on a previous dataset on community composition along the vertical gradient, trait occurrences in random draws of the metacommunity was compared to trait occurrences in field data, in order to detect significant deviations in the different height zones. Results Four out of the six traits tested showed significantly higher or lower occurrence in the species composition of canopy and/or understory communities. Traits related to high dispersal ability did not vary much along the vertical gradient; although facultative epiphylls were overrepresented on tree base. Dark pigmentation and convolute leaves were significantly more frequent in the canopy communities, but also significantly less frequent in communities at the base of the tree. Discussion Dark pigmentation and convolute leaves seem to be advantageous for the establishment in the canopy zones. They may, respectively, prevent light damage and allow longer periods of photosynthesis. Interestingly, these traits occur randomly along the trunk, but are wiped out of communities on the tree base. In the relatively deep shade of the first meters of the understory, they possibly hamper net carbon gain, the first by darkening the leaf surface and the second by delaying desiccation—which can be damaging under high temperatures and low light. The fact that production of asexual propagules is not overrepresented in the most dynamic microenvironment along the gradient, the canopy, challenges current views of bryophyte life strategy theory.

Review of the genus Ceratotarsonemus De Leon, 1956 (Acari: Prostigmata: Tarsonemidae), with description of a new species from the Amazon Forest

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4483 (2) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
JOSÉ MARCOS REZENDE ◽  
ANTONIO CARLOS LOFEGO ◽  
CONNOR GULBRONSON ◽  
GARY BAUCHAN ◽  
RONALD OCHOA
Keyword(s):  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Amazon Rainforest ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Differential Interference Contrast ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
Temperature Scanning ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Scanning Electron

The genus Ceratotarsonemus De Leon (Acari: Prostigmata: Tarsonemidae) is reviewed here, with the addition of an updated key for the genus. Ceratotarsonemus amazonicus, sp. nov., found in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, is described. Phase contrast (PC), differential interference contrast (DIC), low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM) and confocal microscopy (CLSM) micrographs are provided. Biological and ecological aspects about the role of this species in its ecosystem are also discussed. 

Sampling Flower Chafer Beetles (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) in the Amazon Rainforest: The Role of Bait Types and Trap Installation Heights

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1096-1104
Author(s):  
Anderson Puker ◽  
Kleyton R Ferreira ◽  
César M A Correa
Keyword(s):  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Sugarcane Juice ◽  
Amazon Rainforest ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Ripe Fruit ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Abstract The role of different bait types and trap installation heights for an accurate trapping of flower chafer beetles (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) is still poorly understand worldwide, especially in the Neotropical region. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated how the type of bait and trap installation height can influence flower chafer beetle sampling in the Amazon rainforest. For this, we sampled flower chafer beetles monthly from June to December 2019 in five Amazon forest fragments, in Juína, Mato Grosso, Brazil. In each collecting fragment, we installed aerial traps at different heights (i.e., 1.5, 4.5, 7.5, and 10.5 m above ground) and randomly baited with 300 ml of each of the following bait types: banana + sugarcane juice mixture; pineapple + sugarcane juice mixture; beer; or red wine. We collected 412 individuals belonging to 12 species of Cetoniidae beetles. Traps baited with pineapple + sugarcane juice mixture captured greater abundance and species richness of flower chafer beetles. Moreover, traps at 4.5, 7.5, and 10.5 m caught a similar number of individuals and species, and significantly more than traps at 1.5 m. Thus, our results provide evidence that for an accurate sampling of flower chafer beetle assemblages in tropical forests, traps baited preferably with a ripe fruit (e.g., pineapple) and sugarcane juice mixture should are installed at least 4.5 m above ground.

Formation of nitrogenous disinfection byproducts in MP UV-based water treatments of natural organic matters: The role of nitrate

2021 ◽  
pp. 117583
Author(s):  
Xiao Liu ◽  
Minkyu Park ◽  
Shawn C. Beitel ◽  
Christiane Hoppe-Jones ◽  
Xiang-Zhou Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disinfection Byproducts ◽  
Organic Matters ◽  
Natural Organic Matters ◽  
Water Treatments

scholarly journals Storehouse and sanctuary: the role of Brazil in world food security

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
James Augusto Pires Tiburcio ◽  
Marcel Bursztyn
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
International Political Economy ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
World Food ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
World Food Security

Natural endowments such as land availability, abundant water, fertile soils, and favorable climate combined with decreasing population growth place Brazil as the leading force in world food production. Brazil is also the guardian of the most diverse eco-systems in the planet and is continuously wrestling between the expansion of the agricultural land area and the preservation of the most diverse fauna and flora, embodied in the Amazon forest. Addressing the international political economy of trade and food security from a Brazilian perspective, this paper argues that the main obstacles facing Brazil in food security are not domestic, but international. International political issues are at the core of the most relevant hurdles and understanding the reciprocal relationship between world food security and the emerging economies position especially that of Brazil in food production and trade is crucial. I argue that comprehending the elements that constrain the present and future role of Brazil in fulfilling its potential as food supplier in an ecologically and economically sustainable path, as well as its new found role as agricultural cooperation partner in the promotion of a food safe world is paramount if the world is to feed 7 billion mouths.

The role of forests in securing water for agriculture globally

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Pranindita ◽  
Adriaan J Teuling ◽  
Ingo Fetzer ◽  
Lan Wang-Erlandsson
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Moisture Recycling ◽  
Source To Sink ◽  
Coverage Analysis ◽  
Forest Cover Changes ◽  
Global Coverage ◽  
Tracking Model ◽  
Agricultural Areas

<p>Forests worldwide supply moisture to downwind precipitation through moisture recycling. Agricultural areas located downwind of forests are, hence, susceptible to changes in precipitation caused by upwind forest changes. In fact, human activities have driven extensive forest cover changes in different parts of the world, in different directions, and at different rates. Nevertheless, the forest-agriculture relationship has yet to be systematically quantified and mapped globally. Previous regional studies in South America show that upwind deforestation of the Amazon forest can reduce downwind precipitation and thus decrease agricultural production. A global coverage analysis of forest-agriculture relationship is therefore necessary to identify other hotspot regions where downwind agriculture relies heavily on upwind forests. In this study, we establish the global source-to-sink relationship between forests and their downwind agriculture by analysing 10 years of high resolution (0.25°x0.25°) ERA5-based moisture flows processed by the UTrack moisture tracking model. We assess the seasonality of the reliance on forests considering the growing season of crops cultivated in the downwind regions. Our study provides a global overview of the cross-sectoral and remote dependence of agriculture on forests globally through moisture recycling.</p>

scholarly journals The role of organic matter in soil acidification

Soil Research ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 569 ◽  
Author(s):  
GSP Ritchie ◽  
PJ Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Buffer Capacity ◽  
Organic Anion ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Ph Changes ◽  
Initial Soil ◽  
Buffer Capacities ◽  
Water Treatments

The pH and buffer capacity of two soils increased or remained constant after incubation with different amounts of plant material (lucerne cham at field capacity and when air dry. For both soils, the pH changes were greater at field capacity, whereas the buffer capacities were independent of the water treatments. The pH changes observed could be explained in terms of the organic anion concentration of the plant material. The results indicate that the initial soil pH and the anion concentration (i.e. the per cent dissociation of soluble organic acids when released into the soil) determine the acidifying effect of organic matter.

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