Communities and occurrences of Squamata reptiles in different vegetation types of the Serra de São José, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract The objective of the present study was to learn which species of Squamata reptiles occur in Protected Area São José, in Tiradentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Between November 2009 and December 2010 reptiles were captured. In total 157 specimens were recorded of 29 species, 16 snakes, 12 lizards and one amphisbaena. Among the snakes, Dipsadidae showed the greatest richness, with a total of nine species. The group of snakes had the highest number of species present in the community, but 79% of sampled specimens were lizards, Enyalius bilineatus being the most abundant species, with 21% of occurrence. The area with the highest richness was the Cerradão. The lower abundance was found in the Gallery Forest area (n=14), but it was the vegetation type with the highest equitability. Areas of Cerradão and Cerrado sensu strictu showed the most similarity. In these areas five species were recorded in common, Bothrops neuwiedi (n=3) being the only species of snake, and the two species of lizards most abundant in both environments were Enyalius bilineatus (n=32) and Ameivula ocellifera (n=19). Ophiodes striatus and Xenodon merremii were common to Cerradão and Dirty Field areas. There was no species recorded that were common to the environments of Cerrado and Dirty Field but two species not sympatric were found of the same genus, Tropidurus torquatus, which was found only in the Cerrado sensu strictu and Tropidurus itambere exclusively in Dirty Field. Since none of the rarefaction curves reached full asymptote, this highlights the need for further study due to the high probability of new species being recorded for the studied area.

Download Full-text

Flower-mediated plant-butterfly interactions in an heterogeneous tropical coastal ecosystem

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.5493 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e5493 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cristian A. Martínez-Adriano ◽

Cecilia Díaz-Castelazo ◽

Armando Aguirre-Jaimes

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Protected Area ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

Interspecific Interactions ◽

Flowering Plants ◽

Interaction Networks ◽

Butterfly Species ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Plant Interactions ◽

Plant Interaction

Background Interspecific interactions play an important role in determining species richness and persistence in a given locality. However at some sites, the studies, especially for interaction networks on adult butterflies are scarce. The present study aimed the following objectives: (1) determine butterfly species richness and diversity that visit flowering plants, (2) compare species richness and diversity in butterfly-plant interactions among six different vegetation types and (3) analyze the structure of butterfly-flowering plant interaction networks mediated by flowers. Methods The study was developed in six vegetation types within the natural reserve of La Mancha, located in Veracruz, Mexico. In each vegetation type, we recorded the frequency of flower visits by butterflies monthly in round plots (of radius 5 m) for 12 months. We calculated Shannon diversity for butterfly species and diversity of interactions per vegetation type. We determined the classic Jaccard similarity index among vegetation types and estimated parameters at network and species-level. Results We found 123 species of butterflies belonging to 11 families and 87 genera. The highest number of species belonged to Hesperiidae (46 species), followed by Nymphalidae (28) and Pieridae (14). The highest butterfly diversity and interaction diversity was observed in pioneer dune vegetation (PDV), coastal dune scrub (CDS) and tropical deciduous flooding forest and wetland (TDF-W). The same order of vegetation types was found for interaction diversity. Highest species similarity was found between PDV-CDS and PDV-TDF. The butterfly-plant interaction network showed a nested structure with one module. The species Ascia monuste, Euptoieta hegesia and Leptotes cassius were the most generalist in the network, while Horama oedippus, E. hegesia, and L. cassius were the species with highest dependencies per plant species. Discussion Our study is important because it constitutes a pioneer study of butterfly-plant interactions in this protected area, at least for adult butterflies; it shows the diversity of interactions among flowering plants and butterflies. Our research constitutes the first approach (at a community level) to explore the functional role of pollination services that butterflies provide to plant communities. We highlighted that open areas show a higher diversity and these areas shared a higher number of species that shaded sites. In the interaction networks parameters, our results highlighted the higher dependence of butterflies by the flowers on which they feed than vice versa. In conclusion, the plant species (as a feeding resource) seem to limit the presence of butterfly species. Thus, this protected area is highly relevant for Lepidoptera diversity and the interaction between these insects and flowering plants. We suggest that studying plant and butterfly diversity in tropical habitats will provide insight into their interspecific interactions and community structure.

Download Full-text

ECOLOGIC FEATURES OF WOOD ANATOMY OF Casearia sylvestris SW (SALICACEAE) IN THREE BRAZILIAN ECOSYSTEMS

CERNE ◽

10.1590/01047760201723042387 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 445-453 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Graciene da Silva Mota ◽

Luiz Eduardo de Lima Melo ◽

Alessandra de Oliveira Ribeiro ◽

Anderson Oliveira Selvati ◽

Helena Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wood Anatomy ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Survival Strategies ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Perennial Species ◽

Gallery Forest ◽

Anatomical Features ◽

Ecological Features ◽

Casearia Sylvestris ◽

Quantitative Results

ABSTRACT Casearia sylvestris SW (Salicaceae) is a highly adaptive perennial species that is found throughout Latin America and widely spread in Brazil. This work analyzed the ecological features of wood anatomy of C. sylvestris occurring in three ecosystem types: Cerrado, Gallery Forest (Northern of Minas Gerais) and Mata Atlântica (Southern of Minas Gerais). Qualitative features were similar among plants in the three ecosystems, differing only in the distribution of pith flecks and neighboring tyloses that were more frequent in Cerrado and Gallery Forest. The quantitative results showed significant differences for several parameters, as well as variation between individuals of vegetation types of Northern and Southern of Minas Gerais. The correlation matrix of variables including quantitative anatomical characteristics, soil characteristics, height and diameter of the plants showed that plants were grouped by ecosystem type. Casearia sylvestris might adopt different survival strategies regarding safety and efficiency of water transport by wood anatomy ecological adaptation. The adaptive anatomical features to drought were mostly an decrease of vessel frequency and an increase of ray width and frequency.

Download Full-text

Habitat choices of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and plains zebra (Equus quagga) in a heterogeneous protected area

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr18201 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 106

Author(s):

Bob Mandinyenya ◽

Norman Monks ◽

Peter J. Mundy ◽

Allan Sebata ◽

Albert Chirima

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Protected Area ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

African Buffalo ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Syncerus Caffer ◽

Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ◽

Acid Detergent Fibre ◽

Grass Biomass ◽

Plains Zebra

Abstract ContextAn understanding of large herbivore habitat choices in heterogeneous African protected areas is important for the better management of these key ecosystems. AimsTo determine habitat use of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and plains zebra (Equus quagga) in a heterogeneous protected area. MethodsZambezi National Park (ZNP), Zimbabwe, was divided into five vegetation types using an unsupervised classification on a Landsat satellite image that was classified into five land cover classes, using the K-means classification algorithm. African buffalo and plains zebra densities were then determined in each vegetation type using road transect surveys monthly between January 2013 and December 2015. Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), grass biomass, grass height and grass quality (nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and acid detergent fibre content) were determined in each vegetation type during the wet (November to April) and dry (August to October) seasons to establish their quality as habitats for African buffalo and plains zebra. Key resultsBoth African buffalo and plains zebra mostly foraged in mixed and grassland areas, and avoided Zambezi teak vegetation type. Zambezi teak vegetation type had high NDVI due to the dense tree cover. Both African buffalo and plains zebra preferred vegetation types with intermediate grass biomass (approximately 300gm−2) and grass height (approximately 16cm). Grass nutritive value (in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and acid detergent fibre) declined from wet to dry season in all vegetation types. ConclusionsAfrican buffalo and plains zebra in the ZNP confined their habitat use mostly to two vegetation types (mixed and grassland), which together covered 25% of the protected area. ImplicationsTeak (Baikiaea plurijuga) vegetation, which accounted for about 60% of the ZNP, was avoided by both African buffalo and plains zebra, suggesting that a significant part of the protected area was not used by the two herbivores.

Download Full-text

Three new species of the spider genus Plato and the new genus Cuacuba from caves of the states of Pará and Minas Gerais, Brazil (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae)

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.753.20805 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 753 ◽

pp. 107-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pedro H. Prete ◽

Igor Cizauskas ◽

Antonio D. Brescovit

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Type Species ◽

New Genus ◽

First Record ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Male Specimen ◽

Karst Areas ◽

Three New Species ◽

Southeastern Region

Three new species of the genusPlatofrom caves in the states of Pará and Minas Gerais, Brazil, are described.P.novalimasp. n., from Minas Gerais, is the first record of the genus in the southeastern region of Brazil.P.ferriferussp. n.andP.striatussp. n., from Carajás, Pará, north of Brazil, are also described. The former is an extremely abundant species, whereas the latter has only one known male specimen.Cuacubagen. n.is proposed and represented by two new species,C.marianasp. n.(type species) andC.morrodopilarsp. n., both from the state of Minas Gerais. Morphology of genitalia inCuacubagen. n.is similar to other Theridiosomatidae genera and is herein discussed. None of the proposed species presents troglomorphic adaptations. They are widespread, abundant inside caves in different and large karst areas, and each genus prefers different lithologies.

Download Full-text

A New Species of Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia (Myrtaceae, Myrteae) from Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364420x15935294613518 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 537-543

Author(s):

Karinne Sampaio Valdemarin ◽

Jair Eustáquio Quintino Faria ◽

Fiorella Fernanda Mazine ◽

Vinicius Castro Souza

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Forest Vegetation ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Flower Buds ◽

Diagnostic Features ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Lowland Forests ◽

A New Species

Abstract—A new species of Eugenia from the Atlantic forest of Brazil is described and illustrated. Eugenia flavicarpa is restricted to the Floresta de Tabuleiro (lowland forests) of Espírito Santo state and is nested in Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia. Considering all other species of the subgenus that occur in forest vegetation types of the Atlantic forest phytogeographic domain, Eugenia flavicarpa can be distinguished mainly by the combination of smooth leaves with indumentum on both surfaces, with two marginal veins, usually ramiflorous inflorescences, pedicels 4.5‐9.7 mm long, flower buds 3.5‐4 mm in diameter, and by the calyx lobes that are 2‐3 mm long with rounded to obtuse apices. Morphological analyses were performed to explore the significance of quantitative diagnostic features between the new species and the closely related species, Eugenia farneyi. Notes on the habitat, distribution, phenology, and conservation status of Eugenia flavicarpa are provided, as well as a key for all species of Eugenia subg. Pseudeugenia from forest vegetation of the Atlantic forest phytogeographic domain.

Download Full-text

Turnera fasciculifolia (Turneraceae, Passifloraceae s. l.): A New Species From the Jalapão Region, Tocantins, Brazil

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364420x16033962925286 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 833-838

Author(s):

Lamarck Rocha ◽

Patrícia Luz Ribeiro ◽

Maria Mercedes Arbo

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Protected Area ◽

Extrafloral Nectaries ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Central Brazil ◽

Axillary Branches ◽

Revolute Margin ◽

A New Species

Abstract—We present a new species, Turnera fasciculifolia, from the Jalapão region, the largest continuous protected area of Cerrado in Tocantins State, in central Brazil. The new species belongs to Turnera series Leiocarpae, and it can be recognized by the linear ericoid leaves with revolute margin, generally without extrafloral nectaries, and the basal leaves of the young axillary branches gathered in fascicles. We provide a description, illustrations, a distribution map, and a comparison with T. genistoides and T. revoluta, which also have ericoid leaves.

Download Full-text

A new species of the genus Cymatopus (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from Madagascar

Zoosystematica Rossica ◽

10.31610/zsr/2012.21.2.308 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 308-311

Author(s):

I.Ya. Grichanov

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Fore Tarsus ◽

Species Being ◽

A New Species

A new species Cymatopus madagascarensis is described from Madagascar. It belongs to the C. tibialis group of species, being remarkably similar to Oriental C. thaicus Grootaert et Meuffels, 2001, and differs mainly in the morphology of the male fore tarsus.

Download Full-text

Taxonomy of Neomuscina Townsend (Diptera, Muscidae) from Brazil

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.3504.1.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3504 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

ALESSANDRE PEREIRA-COLAVITE ◽

CLAUDIO J. B. DE CARVALHO

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Species Distributions ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Identification Key ◽

Male And Female ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Three New Species ◽

New Distribution

Neomuscina Townsend includes 41 species distributed throughout the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions. Although the genus has a large number of species, it has been ignored and its taxonomy is confusing and has many flaws. In this work we analyzed the following species recorded for Brazil: Neomuscina atincta Snyder, N. atincticosta Snyder, N. capalta Snyder, N. currani Snyder, N. douradensis Lopes & Khouri, N. goianensis Lopes & Khouri, N. inflexa (Stein), N. instabilis Snyder, N. mediana Snyder, N. mimosa Lopes & Khouri, N. neosimilis Snyder, N. nigricosta Snyder, N. paramediana Lopes & Khouri, N. pictipennis pictipennis (Bigot), N. ponti Lopes & Khouri, N. sanespra Snyder, N. schadei Snyder, N. similata Snyder, N. stabilis (Stein), N. transporta Snyder, N. vitoriae Lopes & Khouri and N. zosteris (Shannon & Del Ponte). Neomuscina nigricosta and N. transporta are new distribution records for Brazil. Three new species are described: Neomuscina anajeensis sp. nov. from Anagé (Bahia), Neomuscina maculata sp. nov. from Botelhos (Minas Gerais) and Neomuscina snyderi sp. nov. from Mata de São João (Bahia). An identification key based on the morphological characters of both male and female is provided. Species distributions are discussed and updated, and the number of species now recorded for Brazil is 29.

Download Full-text

Taxonomic revision of the genus Panca Evans, 1955 (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Hesperiini: Moncina) with the description of two new species

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4830.3.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4830 (3) ◽

pp. 503-543

Author(s):

ADALBERTO DANTAS DE MEDEIROS ◽

DIEGO RODRIGO DOLIBAINA ◽

EDUARDO CARNEIRO ◽

OLAF HERMANN HENDRIK MIELKE ◽

MIRNA MARTINS CASAGRANDE

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

South American ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Natural Grasslands ◽

Two New Species ◽

Distrito Federal ◽

Respective Species

The South American genus Panca Evans, 1955 and its respective species are revised. Previous to this study, the genus included solely its type species, Lerodea subpunctuli Hayward, 1934, until Panca moseri Dolibaina, Carneiro & O. Mielke, 2017 was described recently. However, as a result of a broader morphological study including closely related genera, we here propose that Panca assembles 12 species, most of which inhabit open environments such as the Cerrado biome and the natural grasslands of the Atlantic Forest biome. Eight species formerly included among other genera of Moncina are here combined with Panca: Panca satyr (Evans, 1955) comb. nov., Panca tobiasi (Mielke, 1992) comb. nov., Panca trogon (Evans, 1955) comb. nov., Panca steinhauseri (Dolibaina & A. Warren, 2015) comb. nov., Panca acroleuca (Plötz, 1884) comb. nov., and Panca mirnae (O. Mielke, Dolibaina, Carneiro & A. Warren, 2015) comb. nov. (all formerly in Artines Godman, 1901), Panca paulo (Bell, 1932) comb. nov. (formerly in Eutocus Godman, 1901), and Panca mictra (Evans, 1955) comb. nov. (formerly in Vidius Evans, 1955). Additionally, two new species are described from Brazil: Panca puri Medeiros, O. Mielke & Casagrande sp. nov. (from Pará, Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Paraná) and Panca xavante Medeiros, O. Mielke & Dolibaina sp. nov. (from Mato Grosso, Goiás, Distrito Federal and Minas Gerais). A neotype for Apaustus acroleuca Plötz, 1884 is designated. Illustrations of the male and female genitalia and distribution maps are presented for all the species of Panca and an identification key is provided for both sexes.

Download Full-text

Satellite monitoring of different vegetation types by differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) in the red spectral range

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-7-69-2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 69-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

T. Wagner ◽

S. Beirle ◽

T. Deutschmann ◽

M. Grzegorski ◽

U. Platt

Keyword(s):

Optical Absorption ◽

Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Spectral Range ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Trace Gas ◽

Satellite Monitoring ◽

Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Vegetation Types

Abstract. A new method for the satellite remote sensing of different types of vegetation and ocean colour is presented. In contrast to existing algorithms relying on the strong change of the reflectivity in the red and near infrared spectral region, our method analyses weak narrow-band (few nm) reflectance structures (i.e. "fingerprint" structures) of vegetation in the red spectral range. It is based on differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS), which is usually applied for the analysis of atmospheric trace gas absorptions. Since the spectra of atmospheric absorption and vegetation reflectance are simultaneously included in the analysis, the effects of atmospheric absorptions are automatically corrected (in contrast to other algorithms). The inclusion of the vegetation spectra also significantly improves the results of the trace gas retrieval. The global maps of the results illustrate the seasonal cycles of different vegetation types. In addition to the vegetation distribution on land, they also show patterns of biological activity in the oceans. Our results indicate that improved sets of vegetation spectra might lead to more accurate and more specific identification of vegetation type in the future.

Download Full-text