Second world record for two Calvatia species (Agaricaceae: Basidiomycota)

Calvatia is a genus of gasteroid fungi, comprising about 47 species worldwide. In this paper we report the second worldwide occurrence of two poorly known species of Calvatia, recorded in the Cerrado biome of Brazil: C. oblongispora and C. nodulata. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations, including scanning electron micrographs of hyphae and basidiospores are provided, as well a discussion on their taxonomy and geographic distribution.

Potato genotypes and environments under potato in the Brazilian Cerrado biome

ABSTRACT: The objective was to estimate the physiological and productive performance of potato genotypes in two organic cultivation systems. Two trials were conducted, being one in a protected and on in an open-field environment. A randomized complete block design with four replicates and five treatments (genotypes ‘Agata’, ‘Atlantic’, ‘BRS Ana’, ‘BRSIPR Bel’ and ‘BRS Clara’) was used. Physiological, productive characteristics and defects associated with tubers were obtained. The protected environment is the most appropriate to produce organic potatoes under the evaluated conditions. Genotypes ‘BRSIPR Bel’ and ‘BRS Ana’ exhibit a high productive potential in organic conditions.

Re-evaluation of Praxelis (Asteraceae, Eupatorieae) in Brazil and Description of Praxelis scaturicola, an Unusual Riverine Species

Abstract— Praxelis scaturicola, a new Cerrado biome species, is described and illustrated. The main morphological features of this new species are: i) capitula usually isolated; ii) vinaceous involucral bracts; iii) reduced glabrous leaves well-spaced on the stem. This study also presents information on aspects of the new species’ habitat, as well as field images and illustrations. Praxelis scaturicola is known only from the Paraúna municipality in Goiás state, Brazil. A key and comments on the Brazilian species of Praxelis are also presented with a special note on the status of P. grandiflora. Additionally, the synonymy of P. macrocarpa under P. capillaris is proposed.

Methodology for mapping the probability of fire occurrence in the Brazilian cerrado biome based on the danger of fire propagation variables

The area covered by the Brazilian cerrado biome has been greatly reduced in recent years due to the expansion of agricultural land and the increased number of fire outbreaks. The objective of this paper is to propose a methodology based on geospatial analysis and logistic regression analysis (LRA) for mapping the probability of fire occurrence in Brazilian cerrado conservation units. This model was applied in the Serra da Canastra National Park (SCNP) in the Southeast of Brazil. The methodology uses the maps of the following environmental variables, which are related to the danger of fire propagation: wind effect (WIN), terrain convexity (CVX), slope (SLO), drainage density (DRD), altitude (ELV), vegetation index (NDVI), and road density (ROD). The results of the LRA showed that the variables SLO, ELV, NDVI, ROD (p<0.0001), DRD (p=0.0005) and WIN (p=0.0007) contributed significantly to the occurrence of fire outbreaks. The model correctly classified 94.26% of cases. We conclude that this methodology can be used to inform the planning of firefighting actions in the Brazilian cerrado biome.

WILDLIFE ROADKILL IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF EMAS NATIONAL PARK, CERRADO BIOME, BRAZIL

Roadkill is a serious threat to biodiversity conservation especially when roads are near natural habitats of wildlife, such as the Emas National Park (ENP), a Protected Area in Mid-west Brazil in the Cerrado Biome. We aimed to identify the species killed on a stretch of the GO-341 highway that is tangent to the ENP. We investigated if roadkills were influenced by seasonality, sugar cane harvest and by the activity pattern of the animals (diurnal/nocturnal). We also analyzed if roadkills were aggregated in space, where the roadkill hotspots were located, if they were influenced by seasonality, and if they were different for the most abundant species. The highway was monitored with a vehicle, in the morning, at a speed of 40 to 60 km/hour, daily, with two observers. We covered a total of 4,230 km during the 90-day monitoring period, which included dry and rainy seasons. We recorded 132 wild animals’ roadkills: 67 birds (51 %), 60 mammals (45 %) and 5 reptiles (4 %). We identified 22 vertebrate species, including 13 birds, six mammals and three reptiles. The roadkill rate was 0.03 animals/km/day. During the dry season, the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) had higher roadkill rates. The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) was the only species with higher roadkill rates during the sugarcane harvest. Most birds killed had diurnal habits, for mammals, no difference was observed concerning the activity pattern. Bird roadkills were aggregated considering the entire data set, as well as for the dry and rainy seasons separately. Mammal roadkills were aggregated only when considering the entire data set. The location of bird roadkill hotspots differed between seasons. The roadkill hotspot location of birds and mammals highly overlapped those observed for the two most abundant species of these taxa, respectively, Ara ararauna and Euphractus sexcinctus.

First record and range extension of Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) (Bivalvia, Cyrenidae) in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region, Goiás, Brazil

Corbicula fluminea (M&uuml;ller, 1774) is an Asian freshwater clam that is widely distributed throughout the world through multiple introductions. Its invasion can cause environmental and economic damage. In Brazil, C. fluminea is recorded in all major hydrographic basins. Here, we report the first record of C. fluminea in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region of Goi&aacute;s, Brazil. This new record extends the known distribution of this species to a conserved area in the Cerrado biome, towards areas of interest for conservation and integral protection units of the biodiversity.

Hydrological regionalization of streamflows for the Tocantins River Basin in Brazilian Cerrado biome

The Brazilian Cerrado biome is the largest and richest tropical savanna in the world and is among the 25 biodiversity hotspots identified worldwide. However, the lack of adequate hydrological monitoring in this region has led to problems in the management of water resources. In order to provide tools for the adequate management of water resources in the Brazilian Cerrado biome region, this paper develops the regionalization of maximum, mean and minimum streamflows in the Tocantins River Basin (287,405.5 km2), fully located in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. The streamflow records of 32 gauging stations in the Tocantins River Basin are examined using the Mann-Kendall test and the hydrological homogeneity non-parametric index-flood method. One homogeneous region was identified for the estimate of the streamflows Qltm (long-term mean streamflow), Q90% (streamflow with 90% of exceeding time), Q95% (streamflow with 95% of exceeding time) and Q7,10 (minimum annual streamflow over 7 days and return period of 10 years). Two homogeneous regions were identified for maximum annual streamflow estimation and the Generalized Extreme Value distribution is found to describe the distribution of maximus events appropriately within the both regions. Regional models were developed for each streamflow of each region and evaluated by cross-validation. These models can be used for the estimation of maximum, mean and minimum streamflows in ungauged basins within the Tocantins River Basin within the area boundaries identified. Therefore, the results provided in this paper are valuable tools for practicing water-resource managers in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. Keywords: l-moments, statistical hydrology, water use rights concessions.