Importance of fish biodiversity in conservation planning of Brazilian National Parks

Protected areas are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity. In Brazil, national parks encompass one of the most important portions of this area (26.864.003,74ha) that needs to be adequately managed to achieve conservation. Aiming to understand how the ichthyofauna data is included in management plans of Brazilian National Parks, we review 55 Brazilian national parks management plans to compare how data of freshwater fish fauna are included in these documents. The data evaluated from management plans were Hydrography, ichthyofauna list, participation of professionals trained in rapid ecological assessment and species richness, endangered and invasive species. This information was used to categorize the management plans through two sets of assessing: quality of rapid ecological assessment and coverage of species diversity. The categorization results were assumed as an indicator of the potential for biodiversity conservation of the management plans. We compare obtained results between biomes. We were able to understand that many of the Brazilian National Parks do not have management plans, and among the plans that are prepared, the lack of essential information compromises their potential for the conservation of biodiversity. We highlight the need to improve management plans for the Caatinga parks and expand the analysis of invasive species for all biomes.

Species composition and distribution of Alcyonacea (Octocorallia) in the northern Persian Gulf

Studies concerning octocoral species from the Persian Gulf coral reefs are few. This study documents the diversity and abundance of octocoral communities from three islands in the north Persian Gulf, namely, Larak Island, Hengam Island and Qeshm Island. Belt transects were used to survey the octocoral communities at these islands. We used a rapid ecological assessment technique (REA) to assess the status and abundance of octocorals. Also, K Independent sample analysis was conducted on abundance and Shannon Diversity index data to determine if octocoral abundance and species diversity varied between islands. A total of 22 morphospecies, belonging to seven alcyonacean families, including Plexauridae, Ellisellidae, Alcyoniidae, Nephtheidae, Briareidae, Acanthogorgiidae and Subergorgiidae, were identified in this study. Statistical analysis indicated octocoral abundance and diversity at Larak Island reefs were higher than those around Hengam and Qeshm islands. The primary data presented in this study could serve as the baseline data for long-term biomonitoring programmes to estimate the status of octocorals in the Persian Gulf.

Species richness and ethnozoological annotations on mammals at the Boanamo indigenous community, Waorani territory, Orellana and Pastaza provinces, Ecuador

We present the results of a rapid ecological assessment conducted in 2012 in the community of Boanamo, in the Waorani Ethnic Reserve and Yasuní National Park, Orellana and Pastaza provinces, Ecuadorian Amazon. The study included surveys and observations of mammals by different methodologies over a 16-day sampling period. The results show the presence of 89 species of mammals, but there are several other mammal species expected in the area, increasing the projected diversity to 119 species, a high diverse community when compared with similar locations. Statistical analyses show that Boanamo is an area of high species richness and heterogeneity, consistent with comparable surveys in other areas of primary lowland rainforest in Amazonia. In addition, we documented nine distinct ways and 130 different usages in which 43 species are utilized in Boanamo. To estimate the importance of mammal diversity, we used a Cultural Importance Index, which shows that the species with the highest value are Panthera onca and Nasua nasua. However, the most frequently hunted species were Tayassu pecari and Lagothrix lagothricha. Our final conclusion is the community of Boanamo is entirely dependent on the surrounding forest, and mammals are an important part of their culture and subsistence.

A rapid ecological assessment for necrophagous flies (Diptera, Calyptratae) in a mosaic landscape of the Colombian Andes

A necrophagous flies ensemble (Diptera, Calyptratae) was rapidly assessed in four coverages of an anthropogenic landscape in the east range of the Colombian Andes. Ninety-seven individuals belonging to eight species were collected in only two hours of sampling. The highest diversity values and the occurrence of asynanthropic flies in the forest under conservation management may indicate a positive effect of the natural restoration process in the area assessed. Grassland, rural and urban coverages were similarly low in diversity and composition. A brief discussion about the flies’ bionomy and their environment association is offered. Necrophagous flies ensembles by coverage behave as an indicator of the anthropic impact on the landscape.

Avaliação Ecológica Rápida da Ictiofauna Lacustre do Campus Central da Universidade Federal do Acre

Os ambientes lacustres abrigam grande diversidade faunística, sendo essa composta principalmente por peixes. A aplicação do método AER é uma via mais prática para planos emergenciais, pois à medida que se estuda a fauna de uma área, mesmo que seja em curto prazo de tempo, se tem uma ideia das espécies que a habitam. O presente estudo teve por objetivo realizar uma avaliação ecológica rápida para conhecer a comunidade de peixes existente, nos ambientes lacustres, presentes no campus da Universidade Federal do Acre. As coletas foram realizadas em sete lagos com auxílio de redes-de-emalhar nos períodos de seca e cheia, que são bem evidentes na região. Foram calculados os valores dos índices de riqueza de Jaccard (S), diversidade de Shannon-Wiener (H’), equitabilidade de Pielou (E), dominância de Simpson (D) e constância (C). Foi coletado um total de 317 espécimes, sendo 156 coletados no período chuvoso e 161 no período da seca. A ordem predominante foi Characiformes, com cinco famílias e sete espécies, sendo a família Characidae a mais abundante. As espécies mais abundantes foram a Aequidens tetramerus com 96 indivíduos, sendo a espécie de maior constância (30,15%) e Steindachnerina cf. guentheri com 59 indivíduos e constância de 11,11%. As espécies Moenkhausia oligolepis e Piaractus brachypomus obtiveram menor constância, enquanto que as outras espécies ficaram abaixo de 12%. A avaliação ecológica revelou baixa diversidade, sendo que a sazonalidade não influenciou, significativamente, a composição da ictiofauna.Palavras-chave: Ambientes Lacustres. Diversidade. Peixes.AbstractThe lacustrine environments have relevant fauna diversity, composed mainly by fish. The application of the AER method is a more practical way for emergency plans, as the fauna of an area is studied even in a short time, may offer an idea of the species that inhabit there. The objective of this study is rapid ecological assessment lacustrian icthyofauna from the Central Campus of the Federal University of Acre to know the existing fish community. Collections were performed in seven sampling lakes with the aid of gillnets in dry and rainy periods, which are very evident in the region. Jaccard (S), Shannon-Wiener (H ‘) diversity, Pielou (E), Simpson (D) and constancy (C) equitability values were calculated. A total of 317 specimens were collected, 156 collected in the rainy season and 161 in the dry season. The predominant order was Characiformes, with five families and seven species, the highest contribution from Characidae. The most abundant species were: the Aequidens tetramerus with 96 individuals, being the species of greater constancy (30.15%) and Steindachnerina cf. guentheri with 59 individuals and constancy of 11.11%. The species Moenkhausia oligolepis and Piaractus brachypomus obtained lower constancy, while the other species were below 12%. The ecological evaluation revealed low diversity, and the seasonality did not significant influence the ichthyofauna composition.Keywords: Lacustrine environments. Diversity. Fish.

Rapid ecological assessment of mammals from a locality of middle basin at Palmar River, Zulia state, Venezuela

Here we present the results from a rapid ecological assessment of mammals within Campo Boscán, located in the middle basin of the Palmar River in Zulia state, Venezuela. Records for species inventories were obtained from mist-nets and traps surveys and direct observation across three-vegetation types; we also include data from surveys to local communities. We identified 47 mammal species–representing 24 families and nine orders–, including the first record of the Hairy Big-eared Bat (Micronycteris hirsuta) for the Maracaibo Lake Depression region. Orders Chiroptera, Rodentia and Carnivora represented the most diverse and abundant taxa. Insectivores and carnivores were the most diverse trophic groups. Approximately 13% of the species are included within some threat category. Our results can be used for developing future monitoring programs in order to increase the knowledge on terrestrial vertebrates and biodiversity in general within the region. Key words: Ecology, species richness, mammals, Maracaibo Lake Depression, Zulia state

Mariposas Frugívoras Capturadas por Armadilhas Atrativas em Fragmento Urbano

Lepidópteros frugívoros, em geral, apresentam grande importância ecológica, sendo frequentemente utilizados como bioindicadores em estudos de avaliação ambiental. Contudo, as metodologias propostas para a captura de mariposas requerem grande esforço em campo para instalação e monitoramento das armadilhas, além de apresentarem alto custo. Com isso, iscas atrativas têm sido avaliadas para auxiliar os trabalhos de detecção e monitoramento de mariposas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi, portanto, registrar a diversidade da família Noctuidae capturada por armadilhas com atrativos alimentares e avaliar o desempenho desse modelo metodológico para sua utilização em futuros trabalhos com noctuídeos. O estudo foi realizado em área de Fragmento urbano de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual onde foram utilizados três tipos de isca: “Abacaxi com Caldo de Cana”, “Banana com Caldo de Cana” e “Banana com Água” e coletados 49 indivíduos da família Noctuidae distribuídos por seis gêneros e onze espécies. A isca “Abacaxi com caldo de cana” foi a que apresentou o maior índice de diversidade, contudo a isca que apresentou maior riqueza e maior dominância foi “Banana com água”, já a isca “Banana com caldo de cana” foi a que apresentou o maior índice de equitabilidade. A partir dos resultados, pode-se inferir que o uso de armadilhas com atrativos alimentares, em especial “Banana com água”, pode ser uma alternativa vantajosa em Avaliação Ecológica Rápida ou determinação da presença de alguns grupos como Noctuidae em determinada área, explicitando a necessidade do aprimoramento das armadilhas e testes de iscas para se obter melhor resposta das mariposas à essa metodologia.Frugivorous Moths Captured by Attractive Traps in Urban FragmentAbstract. Generally, frugivorous lepidopteran, have great ecological importance and are often used as bioindicator in environmental assessment studies. However, the proposed methodologies for capturing moths require great effort on the field for installation and monitoring of traps, in addition to their high cost. Thereat attractive baits have been evaluated to assist the work of detection and monitoring of moths. The aim of this study was, therefore, to record the diversity of the Noctuidae family captured by traps with food attractions evaluate the performance of this methodology model for its use in future work with cutworms. The study was conducted in urban semideciduous seasonal forest fragment in which three types of bait were used: pineapple with sugarcane juice, banana with sugarcane juice, and banana with water and collected 49 individuals of the Noctuidae family spread over six genera and eleven species. The bait of pineapple with sugarcane juice was the one with the highest diversity index, but the bait that showed greater wealth and greater dominance was banana with water as bait banana with sugarcane juice showed the highest equitability. From the results, it can be inferred that the use of attractive traps can be an advantageous alternative for Rapid Ecological Assessment or determining the presence of some groups as Noctuidae in a given area, explaining the need for the improvement of traps and bait tests to obtain best response of moths to this methodology.