Seasonal Variation in Bee-Plant Interactions in an Inselberg in the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

Sociobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelita França Marques ◽  
Mariana Scaramussa Deprá ◽  
Maria Cristina Gaglianone
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Interaction Network ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Bee Plant

Studies on bee-plant interactions are relevant to the understanding of temporal patterns in neotropical communities. In isolated habitats such as inselbergs little is yet known about the temporal dynamics in the availability of fl oral resources and interacting bee. In the present study, the objective is to verify the eff ect of seasonality on the bee-plant interaction in an Atlantic Forest inselberg in southeastern Brazil. The bees were sampled monthly in the dry (April/2008-September/2008) and wet seasons (October/2008-March/2009) using an entomological net. A total of 322 bees of 33 species were captured on fl owers of 34 species of plants during the year. Bees richness was similar between seasons (22 species in the wet season and 21 in the dry season), but abundance was higher in the wet season (60% of individuals) and higher diversity occurred in the dry season. Augochloropsis sp1 were the most abundant species and visited the largest number of plant species at each season. In the interaction network, plants with the highest degree were distinct between the seasons. The number of possible interactions was higher in the dry season compared to the wet season and connectance was similar; nestedness however varied between the seasons. The composition of plant and bees species was distinct between the seasons, as well as the interactions between them, mainly due to the alteration in the composition of the plant species and the change in the choice of the bees for the floral resources between the seasons.

scholarly journals Temporal dynamics of the hummingbird-plant interaction network of a dry forest in Chamela, Mexico: a 30-year follow-up after two hurricanes

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8338
Author(s):  
Sergio Díaz Infante ◽  
Carlos Lara ◽  
Maria del Coro Arizmendi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Interaction Network ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Interaction Networks ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Temporal Perspective ◽  
Plant Interaction

Background Interactions among species are a driving force of community structure. The species composition of animal-plant interaction networks can be highly dynamic on a temporal scale, even though the general network structure is usually not altered. However, few studies have examined how interaction networks change over long periods of time, particularly after extreme natural events. We analyzed herein the structure of the hummingbird-plant interaction network in a dry forest of Chamela, Mexico, comparing the structure in 1985–1986 with that in 2016–2017 following the passage of two hurricanes (category 2 Jova in 2011 and category 4 Patricia in 2015). Methods The fieldwork was carried out in the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve in Jalisco, Mexico. In the last 30 years, three severe drought events and two hurricanes have affected this region. Previously, from 1985–1986, hummingbird-plant interactions were recorded monthly for one year in the study area. Then, from 2016–2017, we replicated the sampling in the same localities. We compared the network parameters describing the plant-hummingbird interactions of each period using adjacency matrices. Results We found differences in the number and identity of interacting species, especially plants. The plant species missing in 2016–2017 were either the least connected in the original network (1985–1986) or belonged to groups such as cacti, epiphytes, or trees. The new plant species incorporated in the 2016–2017 network were herbs, vines, and shrubs, or other species barely connected. These changes in the composition are consistent with reports on vegetation damage after strong hurricanes at other study sites. Conversely, all hummingbird species remained in the network, with the exception of Heliomaster constantii, which was primarily connected to a plant species absent in the 2016–2017 network. Migratory and habitat generalist species (i.e., Archilochus spp.) showed higher abundances following the disturbance events. Conclusions Most of the parameters describing the hummingbird-plant network structure remained unchanged after 30 years, with the exception of an increase in plant robustness and hummingbird niche overlap. However, the network’s generalist core was affected by the loss of some species. Also, core plant species such as Ipomoea bracteata, Combretum farinosum, and Justicia candicans were found to be important for maintaining the hummingbird-plant interaction network. The temporal perspective of this study provides unique insights into the conservation of plant-hummingbird networks across time and extreme natural events.

scholarly journals Agricultural crops in the diet of bearded capuchin monkeys, Cebus libidinosus Spix (Primates: Cebidae), in forest fragments in southeast Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Henrique de Freitas ◽  
Eleonore Z. F. Setz ◽  
Alba R. B. Araújo ◽  
Nivar Gobbi
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Production ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Capuchin Monkeys ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Plant Matter ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cebus Libidinosus

Capuchin monkeys occupy a wide range of habitats where they feed on fruits, arthropods, and vertebrates. Their large home ranges (80-900 ha) suggest that living in forest fragments may challenge their adaptability. We identified and quantified the main food items of Cebus libidinosus Spix, 1823 in forests fragments (100 ha) in southeastern Brazil. We recorded the feeding activities of two groups using scan sampling over a 13-month period. The diet was composed of fruits, crops, animal prey, seeds, plant matter and undetermined. Fruit was eaten more in the wet season than in the dry season, and maize and sugar cane consumption peaked in the early dry season. The proportion of fruit in the diet was positively correlated with fruiting intensity of zoochorous trees. The plant diet included 54 species, with maize, Rhamnidium elaeocarpus, Acrocomia aculeata, Guazuma ulmifolia and Cariniana, being most important. Although dietary composition and diversity were similar to capuchins in larger forest fragments, feeding on crops attained higher percentages at times when zoochorous fruit production was low in fragments.

scholarly journals Seasonality of Mansonia titillans during dam construction, Biritiba-Mirim, São Paulo State, Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederico Alves D'Avila ◽  
Almério de Castro Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Early Spring ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Dam Construction ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Wilcoxon Rank Test

A two and a half year survey was conducted at a dam in southeastern Brazil. Shannon Traps were used for sampling. Kruskal-Wallis test showed little relation between rainfall and abundance. The data clearly show three abundance peaks, all of them in the end of the dry season, in consonance with the scarce literature existent. Although Kruskal-Wallis Test did not find a clear preference for the dry season, Pairwise Wilcoxon Rank Test revealed a significant difference between Fall and Spring samples. Ma. titillans population had a peak on late winter/early spring, close to the begin of wet season.

Diet determination of cattle grazing in the Sanyati communal areas in Zimbabwe

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Hanne H. Hansen ◽  
Jørgen Madsen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Particle Identification ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Communal Area ◽  
Communal Areas

SummaryThe diet of cattle grazing in the Sanyati communal area, Zimbabwe was determined using plant particle identification from faeces from intact animals, and faeces and oesophageal extrusa from fistulated animals. A total of 130 plant genus, species and types were identified. The twenty most frequently occurring species in the samples comprised between 76 and 90% of the identifiable diet. The most frequent grass species were more than half of the identified diet in the dry season while they were half or less of the identified diet in the wet season. There were more plant species identified in the wet season than in the dry season. Significant differences were found when comparing the plant species identified in faeces to those in oesophageal extrusa from fistulated animals. This may be due to incomplete recovery of ingesta in the bags, or to the loss of identifiable particles in the faeces when compared to oesophageal extrusa because of digestibility. More research is needed to validate the use of oesophageal extrusa for diet botanical determination.

scholarly journals Floral Resources Used by Euglossini Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Coastal Ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Rocha-Filho ◽  
C. Krug ◽  
C. I. Silva ◽  
C. A. Garófalo
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Coastal Ecosystems ◽  
The Body ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Orchid Bees ◽  
Tropical Ecosystems ◽  
Tropical Plants

In spite of playing an important ecological role as pollinators of tropical ecosystems, orchid bees are still poorly known regarding their floral resources. Aiming at a better comprehension of the importance of different plants visited by the Euglossini and, consequently, their role in the maintenance and reproduction of plant species in tropical ecosystems, this study aimed at identifying the flowers visited by those bees in two different areas of the Atlantic Forest in the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sampling was carried out from August 2007 to July 2009 in two coastal ecosystems in Ubatuba, Brazil. In order to obtain information on flower resources collected by Euglossini beesin loco, all bees observed on flowers were collected, pollinaria of Orchidaceae occasionally attached to the body of males were identified, and the pollinic analysis of 68 females was carried out. One hundred twelve bees from 14 species were associated to 105 plant species which represented pollen, nectar, resin, and fragrances sources. These data reinforce the relevance of orchid bees to the maintenance and reproductive success of many tropical plants.

Patterns and correlates of interspecific variation in foliar insect herbivory and pathogen attack in Brazilian cerrado

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT J. MARQUIS ◽  
IVONE R. DINIZ ◽  
HELENA C. MORAIS
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Mature Leaf ◽  
Insect Damage ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Leaf Toughness ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Pathogen Attack

Patterns of insect herbivore and leaf pathogen attack are described for 25 plant species (10 trees, 10 shrubs and five herbs) at a Brazilian savanna (cerrado) site. Plant and leaf traits were correlated with interspecific variation in attack by herbivores and pathogens in order to account for differences among plant species. Across all species, pathogen damage was 1.5 times higher than insect damage (17.3% vs. 6.8%, respectively). Most insect damage occurred to young leaves while they were expanding (end of the dry season). In contrast, pathogen attack was low on young expanding leaves at the end of the dry season, increased as those leaves matured in the wet season, but continued to increase through the next dry season. Protein-binding capacity was negatively associated with interspecific differences in insect damage to mature leaves. Protein availability and plant height were positive predictors of pathogen attack among plant species, while leaf expansion rate was a significant negative predictor. Interspecific differences in leaf phenology had little effect on the amount of damage caused by either insects or pathogens. However, new leaves produced during the wet season suffered less insect damage than leaves produced during the dry season, the time of greatest leaf production. Timing of young leaf production affected pathogen attack but the season of escape depended on plant species. In contrast, there was no evidence for escape in space as common species were less likely to suffer high pathogen attack than rare species. New and mature leaf toughness, and time for a leaf to reach full expansion all increased from herbs to shrub to trees, while mature leaf nitrogen decreased in that order.

scholarly journals Vertical Arthropod Dynamics across Organic Matter Fractions in Relation to Microclimate and Plant Phenology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María F. Barberena-Arias ◽  
Elvira Cuevas
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Temperature Pattern ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Organic Matter Fractions ◽  
One Year ◽  
Arthropod Abundance

Plant diversity is a key factor influencing belowground dynamics including microclimate and decomposer arthropod communities. This study addresses the effect of individual plant species on belowground arthropods by focusing on seasonal variations in precipitation, temperature and arthropods along the vertical organic matter profile. In the Guanica Dry Forest, Puerto Rico, microclimate was described and 5 plant species and 10 trees/species were selected. Under each tree, for one year, temperature was measured and samples collected along the organic matter fractions. Collected arthropods were standardized to ind/m2, identified to Order/Family and assigned to morphotypes. The annual temperature pattern was similar for all species and OM fractions. Arthropod abundance was similar among plant species and higher in humus than in litter fractions. Richness and species composition were different among plant species and OM fractions. All plant species and OM fractions showed low arthropod abundance and richness, and similar arthropod species composition in the dry season, while in the wet season abundance and richness were higher and species composition varied across plant species and OM fractions. These data suggest that arthropods form specific assemblages under plant species and stages of decomposition that, during the dry season, represent a subgroup adapted to extreme environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Hydrogeological, hydrochemical, and natural isotopes evaluation of groundwater and surface water interactions in the alluvial plain, tropical region of southeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waldilene Correa ◽  
Sueli Pereira ◽  
Joaquim Ernesto Bernardes ◽  
Paulo Ricardo Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Alluvial Plain ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Natural Isotopes ◽  
Abandoned Meanders

Groundwater-Surface water interactions in alluvial plains facing morphological features are the subject of the study. Considered transitions zones, alluvial plains have different morphological features interfering with groundwater flow and hydrochemistry. The alluvial plain of Mogi Guaçu river (southeastern Brazil) presented topography-controlled groundwater flow, nevertheless, natural levees, wet fields, oxbow lakes, and abandoned meanders can control local flow and interfere in discharges points of the main river. Two sampling water campaigns were done in the dry and wet season for physicochemical and natural isotopes analysis, collecting in total 44 groundwaters samples from monitoring wells and eight water samples from the river, creek, and lake. The groundwaters in wet fields and terraces, and surface waters from creek and lake presented low mineralization (EC from 8 to 37 μS.cm), pH acidic (4.98 to 5.8), and essentially Ca and Na-HCO composition. River waters samples presented pH between 5.92 e 7.69 (acidic in the rainy season and basic in the dry season), and EC from 24.2 and 181.1 μS/cm (lower values in the wet season), Na-HCO and Na-HCO-SO (dry season) and Ca-HCO and Na-HCO (rainy season) compositions. In dry season groundwaters composition showed evolution from sodium mixed (SO – HCO) to bicarbonate waters and higher mineralization; in wet season waters varied from Ca to Na-HCO composition and low mineralization, denoting dilution due to rainwater infiltration. Closer to the river margins, in abandoned meanders and oxbows, the groundwaters have increased values of EC and major ions indicating GW-SW mixtures, and effluent-influent changes (descendent and ascendent flux) in wet and dry seasons, respectively. Natural isotopes in groundwaters imply meteoric origin, without evaporation during recharge and high d-excess can be influenced by continental air masses and Amazonia Basin low-level jet. Shallow water table, permeable silty-sand material of vadose zone, flat terrain, and pristine conditions can contribute to direct infiltration of rainwaters, recharging the shallow aquifer.

scholarly journals ALGUNOS ASPECTOS SOBRE LA TEMPERATURA DE HOJAS PERTENECIENTES A PLANTAS DE LA REGIÓN XEROFÍTICA DE SANTA MARTA (COLOMBIA)

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhard Schnetter
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
Very High

Leaf temperatures of several plant species of the xerophytic vegetation near Santa Marta (Colombia) were studied during the dry and the wet season. The leaves of species growing in a cactus thorn scrub reached very high temperatures, especially in the dry season, while leaf temperatures of plants in the area of a disappeared semi-deciduous seasonal forest were lower because of more favorable conditions of water supply and microclimate.

Seed-dispersing bird assemblages in riparian environments of a partially urbanized river basin, Southeastern Brazil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. F. Lessi ◽  
M. G. Reis ◽  
C. Z. Fieker ◽  
M. M. Dias
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Abstract Birds play a key role in ecosystem dynamics, including urban and rural areas, bringing environmental quality improvements and ecological stability. Species contribute directly to natural regeneration of vegetation and succession processes, by offering ecosystem services as seed dispersal, an important role in human-modified areas. We studied the assemblages of fruit-eating birds in riparian environments of Monjolinho basin, central São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. Birds were recorded in 41 points distributed in riparian ecosystems alongside waterbodies, in landscapes with five types of surrounding matrices: urban, periurban, farmland, and native vegetation. We described how assemblages are structured aiming to evaluate the possible influence of seasonality and landscape type. We recorded 39 bird species that can play a role as seed-dispersers, 32 in wet season and 32 in dry season. There were no significant differences in the diversity and dominance of species between seasons considering the entire area, indicating stability of basic assemblage structure. However, total number of individuals of all species recorded in different landscapes were influenced by seasonality. Also, the composition and abundance of species significantly changed between seasons, leading to a high dissimilarity with almost 50% of the species contributing with almost 90% of the observed variation. A higher taxonomic diversity and distinctness pointed to a wider array of possible seed dispersal services in natural areas, while the lowest values of indexes were found in human-modified areas. The higher number of non-related bird species during dry season contrasted with the higher number of individuals during wet season, indicating that there is more possible ecosystem services offered by frugivorous birds in driest period of the year, while in the rainy period the carrying capacity of the riparian environments was increased.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document