Abundance and Habitat Preference of the Genus Euplectes in Protected and Non protected Habitats of Jos East Plateau State, Nigeria

The knowledge on the factors influencing habitat selection is of uttermost importance because it guides the development of conservation action plan for species. Till date, there is no baseline study on the genus Euplectes in Northern Nigeria thus, an attempt to investigate the habitat preference of the genus was carried out in Amurum Forest Reserve and the nonprotected habitats of Fobur. Line transects of 200m were randomly laid across the study sites. The abundance of Bishop species was highest in farmland compared to grassland and rocky outcrop. Therefore, the number of the species was significantly different between habitats (F2, 573 = 5.454, P = 0.0015). There was a significant relationship between flock size and number of seeds across habitat types. Number of individual birds increased with increase in seed number (F1, 57 = 21687.786, P < 0.001). With the exception of grass height, there was a highly significant difference in relation to vegetation variables taken between plots where Bishop species were sighted and the random points where they were not seen (P < 0.001). The finding suggests that farmlands should be integrated into conservation plan in the nonprotected area based on the high population of the genus recorded.

Structure of Plants across Habitat Types in Amurum Forest Reserve, Plateau State Nigeria

The Amurum Forest Reserve is one of the nature reserves in Plateau State North central Nigeria. Strict Nature reserve is prominent among the methods for in situ conservation of biodiversity in Nigeria and also the world at large. A study was conducted in the Forest across three habitat types in order to measure tree height and diameter at breast height (dbh) of trees. 50m x 50m plots were marked across the habitat types by simple random sampling technique. Trees and shrubs were identified to species level. Measurement were limited to all woody plants with diameter at breast height (dbh) of ≥ 10cm. Data collected was analyzed in excel. A total of 397 woody species were identified during the study period. 87.7 of the plants were shrubs while 12.3% were trees. The gallery forest had the highest diameter class(30-35cm) followed by the savanna(25-30cm) and lastly the rocky outcrop with the diameter class of 20-25cm.The rocky outcrop had the highest number of trees with the lowest dbh (10-15cm) while the gallery forest had more trees in the highest diameter class (30-35) (Figure 2). The highest mean height distribution in the Gallery forest shows that the plant communities in this habitat type has grown over the years without disturbance since the place is a protected site. Therefore, other surrounding bushes should be protected in order to preserve species from local extinction.

Diversidade Florística dos Afloramentos Rochosos da Reserva Biológica de Pedra Talhada, Quebrangulo, Alagoas

Os afloramentos rochosos ocorrem principalmente em regiões de climas áridos e são reconhecidos por apresentarem uma flora altamente especializada, com altos níveis de diversidade e endemismo. O objetivo do estudo foi realizar um levantamento florístico em ambientes de afloramentos rochosos visando registrar a diversidade local e contribuir para a ampliação do conhecimento da flora brasileira. O estudo foi desenvolvido nos afloramentos rochosos conhecidos popularmente como Pedra Talhada, Três Lagoas e dos Bois, todos localizados na Reserva Biológica de Pedra Talhada no município de Quebrangulo, Alagoas. Coletas mensais foram realizadas durante dois anos (2013 - 2014). Para a identificação dos táxons foram consultadas bibliografias especializadas, guias e sítios de imagens, além de especialistas. Na Rebio de Pedra Talhada foram identificadas 160 espécies de angiospermas pertencentes a 132 gêneros e 60 famílias. Nas três áreas estudadas predomina o estrato herbáceo-arbustivo (77,3%), no entanto, diferem quanto a riqueza e composição florística. As famílias com maior representatividade foram Orchidaceae (13 spp.), Rubiaceae (12 spp.) e Asteraceae (11 spp.). São indicadas 15 novas ocorrências para Alagoas; cinco para o domínio Mata Atlântica e um novo registro para a região Nordeste do Brasil. Floristic Diversity of the Rocky Outcrops in the Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve, Quebrangulo, Alagoas ABSTRACTThe rocky outcrops occur mainly in regions with arid climates and are recognized for having a highly specialized flora, with high levels of diversity and endemism. The aim of the study was to carry out a floristic survey in rocky outcrop environments in order to register the local diversity and contribute to the expansion of knowledge of Brazilian flora. The study was carried out on rocky outcrops popularly known as Pedra Talhada, Três Lagoas and dos Bois, all located in the Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve in the municipality of Quebrangulo, Alagoas. Monthly collections were carried out for two years (2013 - 2014). For the taxa identification, specialized bibliographies, guides and image sites were consulted, in addition to specialists. In Rebio de Pedra Talhada, 160 species of angiosperms belonging to 132 genera and 60 families were identified. In the three areas studied, the herbaceous-shrub stratum predominates (77.3%), however, they differ in terms of richness and floristic composition. The most representative families were Orchidaceae (13 spp.), Rubiaceae (12 spp.) and Asteraceae (11 spp.). 15 new occurrences are indicated for Alagoas; five for the Atlantic Forest domain and a new record for the Northeast region of Brazil.Keywords: Angiosperms, Atlantic Forest, new occurrences, Northeast of Brazil.

Fine-scale analysis of habitat occupancy by Kura lizard (Darevskia portschinskii) and its daughter parthenogenetic form (Darevskia dahli)

Two species of rock lizards, the parthenogenetic D. dahli and the sexually reproducing D. portschinskii, coexist in a rocky outcrop in an area of ca. 1 ha, in the vicinity of Tbilisi, Georgia; the location has been well-known since the middle 1960s. The population density of the parthenogenetic lizard is five times higher than that of the sexual breeder. We studied the distribution of active lizards in space and time over three consecutive years, during the spring and autumn activity periods, to explore spatial and temporal differences between the species on a fine spatial scale. We studied the influence of temperature, humidity, and quantitative characteristics of the surface and the distance from permanent water source on the spatial distribution of D. dahli and D. portschinskii. Darevskia portschinskii was less dependent on the distance from the water source and more evenly distributed in space and time than D. dahli. Despite potential competitive interactions, the species did not avoid each other on the microhabitat scale, suggesting that the observed ecological differences are not caused by a niche shift. More individuals of the sexual breeder than individuals of the parthenogen were found in suboptimal habitats. This feature may increase the evolutionary success of D. portschinskii in a long-term perspective.

A New Species of Cryptanthus (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest north of the São Francisco River, and its Contribution to the Taxonomy of the Genus

Abstract—Cryptanthus cinereus D.M.C. Ferreira & Louzada, a new rare species of Bromeliaceae restricted to northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Cryptanthus cinereus is a rupicolous plant that occurs in the Atlantic Forest on the top of a rocky outcrop and is known only from a single record. This new species is morphologically similar to Cryptanthus felixii, but differs mainly by its narrowly triangular leaves that are wider at base, primary bracts with adaxial surfaces densely lepidote (vs. glabrous or glabrous with base densely lepidote), shorter flowers (39‐52 mm), sepal lobes lanceolate, with shorter connate sepals (1.6‐5 mm) and petals (1‐1.2 mm). An identification key to Cryptanthus cinereus and other species that occur in the Atlantic Forest north of the São Francisco River is provided. In addition, two species complexes are characterized for the area.

Phytosociological and Environmental Analysis of a Rocky Outcrop Located in Caldas County, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

The Atlantic Forest and Cerrado are domains of Brazil. We should pay more attention to the lesser assessed points in these biomes, as well as to their rocky outcrops. These sites are under great anthropogenic pressure due to the mineral exploitation present. This results in environmental degradation and loss of species that have not yet been studied. In the present study we aimed to characterize the structure and composition of a rocky outcrop in order to provide aids for the creation of protected areas and on the adoption of management techniques in areas degraded by mining activities. In total, we surveyed vegetation and environmental conditions in 10 plots (50 x 2m) allocated in the Environmental Protection Area of Pedra Branca Ecological Sanctuary, MG. We found 60 species distributed within 30 families and 52 genera, and diversity of 2.83 nats/ind. The most important family was Orchidaceae, which was followed by Poaceae, Polypodiaceae, Bromeliaceae and Piperace. The most important species were Cyperus coriifolius, Brasiliorchis picta, Tibouchina heteromalla, Paspalum notatum and Aechmea distichantha. The area has a higher Shannon diversity index (H’) than other quartzite outcrops.

Typifications, synonymizations and nomenclatural notes in Myrcia sect. Reticulosae (Myrtaceae)

Myrcia sect. Reticulosae comprises ca. 15 Brazilian endemic species distributed mainly in Atlantic Forest, Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and Campo Rupestre (rocky outcrop vegetation). These species appeared as a cohesive group for the first time in recent phylogenetic hypotheses and their taxonomic revision is currently underway. In this context, this study aims to properly link the names to their respective type materials, presenting necessary lectotypifications and neotypifications, along with nomenclatural notes for nine species. Additionally, two new synonyms are proposed.

Influence of a Reef Flat on Beach Profiles Along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco

The North Atlantic coast of Morocco is characterised by a flat rocky outcrop in the south (Asilah Beach) and a sandy beach free of rocky outcrops in the north (Charf el-Akab). These natural beaches were monitored for a period of two years (April 2005–January 2007) and two different profiles (one for each beach) were analysed based on differences in the substrate. Topographic data were analysed using statistics and empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) to determine beach slope and volumetric changes over time. Several morphologic phenomena were identified (accretion/erosion and seasonal tilting of beach profiles around different hinge points), attesting to their importance in explaining variability in the data. Periods of accretion were similar in both profiles, but the volumetric rate of change was faster in the sand-rich (SR) profile than in the reef flat (RF) profile. Moreover, the erosion rate for the SR profile was greater than the RF profile (135.18 m3/year vs. 55.39 m3/year). Therefore, the RF acted as a geological control on the evolution of its profile because of wave energy attenuation. Thus, special attention should be given to the RF profile, which has larger slopes, less amounts of mobilised sand, and slower erosion/accretion rates than the SR profile.

The lizard that never sleeps: activity of the pampa marked gecko Homonota uruguayensis

ABSTRACT It is generally assumed that lizards are active whenever climatic conditions are favorable. Homonota uruguayensis (Vaz-Ferreira & Sierra de Soriano, 1961) is the only native gecko - and nocturnal lizard - living in the northern Pampa biome, and its ecology is poorly known. This study aimed at describing this species’ pattern of daily and annual activity and its relation with environmental temperatures. The study was conducted in the extreme south of Brazil (Rosário do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul), between May 2010 and January 2011 at a rocky outcrop located in the Pampa biome. The study was carried out in a total of four seasonal field trips, totalizing 1185 hours of field work. The data were collected, both during the day and the night in 6-hour shifts (duration of the sampling period). The area was randomly covered at each shift to record activity and microhabitat use by the lizards. In total 1541 specimens were recorded throughout the study. Homonota uruguayensis showed diurnal and nocturnal activity in the four seasons, with periods of daily activity varying significantly between all seasons in a cyclic and multimodal pattern, with no significant relation with environmental temperatures. There was no difference in activity related to sex and age classes. Most active lizards were found when air temperatures ranged from 14 °C to 32.9 °C (82% of active lizards) and substrate temperatures ranged from 10 °C to 32.9 °C (87% of active lizards).

Woody vegetation associated with rocky outcrops in Southern Amazonia: a starting point to unveil a unique flora

Vegetation associated with rocky outcrops is responsible for increasing floristic and landscape diversity, since its flora can be different from the adjacent landscape. Our objective was to characterize the woody vegetation associated with the rocky outcrop of the RPPN Mirante da Serra, Cristalino region, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. In a Deciduous Seasonal Forest associated with granite outcrops, we demarcated a plot of 1ha. We performed collections on this plot, installed for conducting monitoring studies, and also random collections on trails near the plot to better represent the outcrop flora. We totaled 126 species, 95 genera and 39 families. Overall, 18 species were increased to the Flora of Cristalino - with seven new records to the flora of Mato Grosso and four new records to the Amazon Domain. We found two threatened and 17 Brazilian endemic species. The rocky outcrop present in the RPPN Mirante da Serra is an important conservation area for a continuous execution of floristic studies in a manner to enable a monitoring program of the area, considering the new occurrence records and also because it contains threatened species.