scholarly journals Habitat selection by anurofauna community at rocky seashore in coastal Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC. Pontes ◽  
RT. Santori ◽  
FC. Gonçalves e Cunha ◽  
JAL. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
Amphibian Community ◽  
Top View ◽  
Selection Of

Rocky seashores are low granitic hills distributed along the southeastern Brazilian coast with xeric-like vegetation due to the shallow soil. Knowledge on amphibian communities and their reproductive patterns is especially reduced on this kind of environment. Herein, we present a framework of two years monitoring an amphibian community at a rocky seashore environment located at the protected area of Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, municipality of Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We conducted diurnal and nocturnal searches for frogs in tank bromeliads, rocky surface and shrubby vegetation. Annual pattern of breeding activity of anurans was also estimated. Individuals of the most abundant tank-bromeliad, Alcantarea glaziouana were collected and measured according to several variables to understanding the selection of bromeliads by frogs. We checked the influence of the environmental conditions on amphibian abundance, association between the bromeliads measures, and the water storage in the tank. We recorded the species: Scinax aff. x-signatus; S. cuspidatus; S. littoreus; Thoropa miliaris and Gastrotheca sp. Bromeliads were the preferential habitat used by anurans. The nocturnal habit was predominant for all species and during diurnal searches, the specimens were found sheltered in bromeliads axils. The number of calling males as well as amphibian abundance was associated with the rainiest and warmest period of the year. The species S. littoreus was observed in breeding activity in the majority of sample period. Adult calling males of T. miliaris were observed especially in the rainy season. Rainfall and temperature combined are positively correlated to the total number of captured amphibians. However, individually, rainfall was not significantly correlated, while temperature was positively correlated with the amphibian abundance. Water storage capacity by bromeliads was correlated to characteristics and size of the plant. In the rainy season, the height of the plant and the diameter on top view were correlated with the occurrence of amphibians, while during the driest period there was no correlation among variables and the bromeliad usage by amphibians. Recorded species were strongly associated to the Atlantic Forest domain. Nevertheless, the occupation of rocky seashores by anurans may be more associated with the specialized reproductive modes presented by species, since there is no permanent water available in ponds or streams.

scholarly journals Oviposition observation of Tropidodryas serra (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-141
Author(s):  
Edelcio Muscat ◽  
Elsie Rotenberg ◽  
Iberê Farina Machado
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Reproductive Events

Tropidodryas serra is an endemic snake from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and despite its wide distribution, little is known about its ecology. Tropidodryas serra is an oviparous snake, but there are few available data on its  reproductive cycle. In this paper, we present the first report of oviposition of T. serra in captivity with successfully hatching. A pregnant female was captured in the area of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Dacnis Project, Ubatuba-SP, southeastern Brazil, and held captive. The spawning of 7 eggs and the development of offspring were observed. The eggs (measuring 4x1.35 cm in average) hatched in 90 days, with 6 healthy neonates and 1 stillborn. Based on a unique successful hatching of T. serra eggs in captivity, the present study confirmed with naturalistic data reproductive characteristics of the species, such as egg laying in December and low number of atresic eggs, corroborating that the species should present few reproductive events and concentrated throughout the rainy season.

scholarly journals FLOWERING AND POLLINATORS OF THREE DISTYLOUS SPECIES OF Psychotria (Rubiaceae) CO-OCCURRING IN THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST1

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 779-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celice Alexandre Silva ◽  
Milene Faria Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Native Bees ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Flowering Season ◽  
Floral Visitors

ABSTRACT This study investigates the flowering and pollinators of the floral morphs of three co-occurring distylous species, Psychotria conjugens Müll, P. hastisepala Müll. Arg. and P. sessilis Vell., in two consecutive flowering seasons in an Atlantic Forest fragment in southeastern Brazil. The species have diurnal, cream-colored, tubular, nectariferous flowers and their flowering occurs in the rainy season, from September to April, with little or no overlapping between species, characterizing a staggered flowering. The flowering of the long-and short-styled floral morphs of each species was synchronous, but the number of open flowers per day per morph tended to vary in each flowering season. These numbers were higher in P. sessilis and P. conjugens and, probably, resulted in higher total numbers of visits on its flowers (up to 1084 visits in P. sessilis and 756 in P. conjugens), compared to that observed in P. hastisepala (up to 71). There was a higher frequency of visits to long-styled flowers of all species. The bee Ariphanarthra palpalis was a common pollinator to all species. This bee is native to Brazil, solitary, considered relatively rare and its host plants were unknown. Other native bees (Melipona spp.) also visited the flowers of the Psychotria species. The availability of flowers with similar floral features over eight months, the staggered flowering and common pollinators appear to be part of a strategy to attract floral visitors, minimizing the competition for pollinators and then favoring the legitimate pollination of these plants.

scholarly journals The bryophytes of Trindade Island, South Atlantic, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 785-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Laid Alkimim Faria ◽  
Micheline Carvalho-Silva ◽  
Denise Pinheiro da Costa ◽  
Paulo Eduardo Aguiar Saraiva Câmara
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Oceanic Island ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Trindade Island

Trindade is a Brazilian oceanic island located about 1,200 Km east of the Brazilian coast (between 20º 31' 30" S, 29º 19' 30'' W). The island originated from the abissal zone about 3 million years ago, has a maximum altitude of 620 meters and an area of 9.28 Km². Even though the fanerogamic flora is known, there were virtually no data on the bryophyte flora. Four expeditions to the island were carried out during two years and approximately 431 specimens collected. This work presents the Bryoflora of this island, which comprises 32 species, including 20 species of liverworts distributed among six families; the most speciose being Lejeuneaceae with 11 species and Frullaniaceae with four. There are also 11 species of mosses distributed among eight families, the most diverse being Fissidentaceae, Leocobryaceae and Pottiaceae with two species each. Only one species of hornworts was found. The bryophyte flora of Trindade most likely originated from the threatened Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil and, therefore, has conservation implications. Keys and comments are provided.

scholarly journals The Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous) as a secondary seed disperser of Eugenia umbelliflora (Myrtaceae) in a Restinga forest of southeastern Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliana Cazetta ◽  
Mauro Galetti
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Plant Recruitment ◽  
Seed Disperser ◽  
Cerdocyon Thous ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
And Control ◽  
Selection Of

The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) exhibits a very generalist habit and fruits compose a large proportion of its diet. However, few studies evaluated the importance of this animal as seed disperser. In the Restinga forest, in the Atlantic forest of Brazil, C. thous consumes fruits of Eugenia umbelliflora, a Myrtaceae species, which is dispersed chiefly by birds. This study evaluated the effects of gut transit on seed germination, and size selection of E. umbelliflora fruits by the crab-eating fox. We did not find differences on germination rates between seeds dispersed by foxes and control ones, but seeds dispersed by foxes germinated faster, which may be important for plant recruitment. Seeds consumed by C. thous were smaller than those available on the ground, indicating selection for small fruits. Regardless of the selection of small fruits, C. thous appears to be an important secondary disperser of E. umbelliflora, distributing large quantities of viable seeds of this Myrtaceae in the Restinga forest.

scholarly journals Description and distribution of the larvae of two species of Fistulariidae (Teleostei, Syngnathiformes) in the southeastern Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Bernardo Anacreto Gomes de Barros ◽  
Márcia Salustiano de Castro ◽  
Ana Cristina Teixeira Bonecker
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Depth ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Single Genus

Fistulariidae contains the single genus, Fistularia, with four species. Two of these species are recorded from Brazil: Fistularia petimba and F. tabacaria. This study describes larvae of these two species of Fistularia, recording their distribution along the southeastern Brazilian coast, which is limited in the north by Real River (12° S) and in the south by São Tomé Cape (22° S). Samples were collected using a bongo net with mesh apertures of 330 and 500 µm during three oceanographic cruises conducted on spring/98 (Central III), winter/99 (Bahia 1) and autumn/00 (Central IV). The net was towed obliquely and the maximum depth was 200 m. Larvae of F. petimba were the most abundant and most widely distributed within the study area, including the seamounts of the Vitória-Trindade Ridge. Larvae of F. tabacaria were recorded only between 14° S and 21° S.

scholarly journals Laboratory model test study of the hydrological effect on granite residual soil slopes considering different vegetation types

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Xue-wen Lei ◽  
Han-lin Zhang ◽  
Zhi Lin ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root System ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Granite Residual Soil ◽  
Stem Leaf

AbstractThe problems caused by the interaction between slopes and hydrologic environment in traffic civil engineering are very serious in the granite residual soil area of China, especially in Guangdong Province. Against the background of two heavy rainfall events occurring during a short period due to a typhoon making landfall twice or even two typhoons consecutively making landfall, laboratory model tests were carried out on the hydrological effects of the granite residual soil slope considering three vegetation types under artificial rainfall. The variation in slope surface runoff, soil moisture content and rain seepage over time was recorded during the tests. The results indicate that surface vegetation first effectively reduces the splash erosion impact of rainwater on slopes and then influences the slope hydrological effect through rainwater forms adjustment. (1) The exposed slope has weak resistance to two consecutive heavy rains, the degree of slope scouring and soil erosion damage will increase greatly during the second rainfall. (2) The multiple hindrances of the stem leaf of Zoysia japonica plays a leading role in regulating the hydrological effect of slope, the root system has little effect on the permeability and water storage capacity of slope soil, but improves the erosion resistance of it. (3) Both the stem leaf and root system of Nephrolepis cordifolia have important roles on the hydrological effect. The stem leaf can stabilize the infiltration of rainwater, and successfully inhibit the surface runoff under continuous secondary heavy rainfall. The root system significantly enhances the water storage capacity of the slope, and greatly increases the permeability of the slope soil in the second rainfall, which is totally different from that of the exposed and Zoysia japonica slopes. (4) Zoysia is a suitable vegetation species in terms of slope protection because of its comprehensive slope protection effect. Nephrolepis cordifolia should be cautiously planted as slope protection vegetation. Only on slopes with no stability issues should Nephrolepis cordifolia be considered to preserve soil and water.

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