Leptagrion jeromei (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) spec. nov. from Brazil, with notes on L. andromache Hagen in Selys, 1876

A new species of Leptagrion Selys, 1876 is described and named in honor to Dr. Jerome Constant: Leptagrion jeromei (Holotype: Brazil: Bahia, Jussari, RPPN Serra do Teimoso, Jequitiba tree (Cariniana legalis (Mart.) Kuntze, 1898) at 32 m, 10.v.2005, K.S. Furieri leg and deposited in FAAL). This species was confused for a long time with L. andromache Hagen in Selys, 1876 its closest congener. Diagnostic illustrations of L. andromache (lectotype and specimens collected at Amapá—Brazil) and L. jeromei spec. nov. are presented. We also present the northernmost record for L. andromache in Amapá state, Northern Brazil.

Effect of thermal modification on wood properties of 38-year-old Cariniana legalis cultivated at different spacing

Planting spacing influences wood production. However, for tropical species we have scarce information about the effect of spacing on production and wood quality. In general, wood from native species produced in reforestation does not have the same quality compared to that from natural forests. Then, wood thermal modification can help improve the potential for using wood. In this context, our goal was to evaluate the influence of thermal modification on properties of 38-year-old Cariniana legalis wood cultivated at different spacing (3 x 1.5m, 3 x 2m and 3 x 2.5m) at the Luiz Antônio Experimental Station, Luiz Antônio City, São Paulo. We felled 15 trees, five of each spacing, and from each tree, a log, 1 meter in length, a central plank was cut, and from these planks, we cut specimens for anatomical and wood properties investigations according to standard techniques. In the specimens, a thermal modification at a temperature of 200ºC was carried out for one hour and after the specimens were compared with the control specimens. According to the results presented, we found that spacing did not influence vessel diameter, apparent density and volumetric shrinkage significantly. Thermal modification reduced apparent density and volumetric shrinkage. The reduction in vessel diameter can be estimated as a function of the wood thermal modification.

Wood hydraulic characteristics of pioneers/early secondary and non-pioneer species

We aimed to determine any differences in hydraulic conductivity between pioneer species/early secondary and non-pioneers. To make this determination, we measured maximum vessel length (Mvl), specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks), percentage of embolized vessels (Pev), leaf hydraulic conductivity (Kl) and wood density at equilibrium moisture content-12% (Wd12). The pioneer/early secondary species we examined were Guazuma ulmifolia, Inga marginata and Maclura tinctoria. The non-pioneers we examined were Paubrasilia echinata, Cariniana legalis and Myroxylon peruiferum. The results were submitted to statistical analyses, including multiple comparison tests and t test, to verify differences between successional groups and regression analysis to verify the relationship between Ks and the other variables. Pioneer species had higher Ks than non-pioneers. Non-pioneers had a higher percentage of embolized vessels and wood density. Successional groups did not differ in Mvl, which is positively related to hydraulic conductivity in both successional groups since the percentage of embolized vessels was related negatively. Wood density is positively related to Ks in non-pioneer species, while a negative correlation was observed between Ks and Kl in the pioneer species.

Ethnobotany applied to the selection of medicinal plants for agroecological crops in rural communities in the Southern End of Bahia, Brazil

The present work targeted the ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants for introduction to agroecological crops in 9 rural communities in the southern end of the state of Bahia, Brazil, as an economic and therapeutic alternative for the local populations. Prior agreement from the communities was requested and the research was submitted to the ethics committee; the registration of access to genetic heritage and associated traditional knowledge was performed. The following methodologies were used: participant observation, "snowball", "walking in the woods"; semi-structured questionnaires and calculation of the Main Uses Concordance index (CUPc). The species were evaluated according to their origin and degree of threat. 233 species, distributed in 73 families, were cited, with emphasis on Asteraceae (27spp.), Fabaceae (18 spp.) and Lamiaceae (16 spp.). Among these, 48% are native, 52% are naturalized and/or exotic and one vulnerable species was found (Euterpe edulis Mart.) and one endangered (Cariniana legalis (Mart.) Kuntze). The CUPc revealed 25 spp. with a value equal to or greater than 50% in at least one community. These results are expected to contribute to the selection of medicinal plants that serve as an economic and therapeutic alternative for vulnerable communities, as well as in stimulating the preservation of sociobiodiversity.

Resistência de espécies arbóreas tropicais à ação de Ganoderma philippii

A resistência da madeira a fungos xilófagos é uma característica desejável em madeiras comerciais e nas empregadas na arborização urbana. Isso porque a ação desses fungos pode levar à perda das propriedades físicas, redução da resistência mecânica e durabilidade da madeira. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre a resistência de madeiras tropicais a fungos apodrecedores. Nesse contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a resistência natural da madeira de 28 espécies arbóreas tropicais submetidas à ação de Ganoderma philippii, através da análise da perda de massa obtida em um ensaio in vitro. Segundo os critérios de classificação de resistência a fungos da ASTM D2017 (2005), a maioria das espécies foi considerada altamente resistente, exceto Amburana cearensis, Pterocarpus rohrii, Joannesia princeps e Basiloxylon brasiliensis consideradas resistentes. A comparação dos valores de perda de massa obtidos entre todas as espécies arbóreas, após a ação de Ganoderma philippii, demonstrou que Joannesia princeps, Amburana cearensis, Pterocarpus rohrii, Basiloxylon brasiliensis, Barnebydendron riedelii, Parkia pendula, Cariniana legalis, Copaifera langsdorffii, Terminalia mameluco, Spondias venulosa, Astronium concinnum e Zeyheria tuberculosa tiveram perda de massa estatisticamente maior que as demais espécies.

Sobrevivência e crescimento inicial de espécies arbóreas em áreas degradadas

A análise do estabelecimento inicial das mudas no campo constitui etapa fundamental para a seleção de espécies arbóreas nativas com maior potencial de desenvolvimento em condições adversas. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento inicial e a sobrevivência de espécies nativas da Mata Atlântica em plantios de recomposição em áreas de pastagens degradadas no sul do Espírito Santo. O experimento foi montado em uma área de 720 m2, sendo implantadas aleatoriamente doze espécies de dois grupos sucessionais (pioneiras, secundárias). As avaliações de altura e sobrevivência foram realizadas bimestralmente por 180 dias. Dos 180 indivíduos implantados inicialmente neste estudo, a sobrevivência foi de 87,22%, considerando o grupo de pioneiras e secundárias. As maiores taxas de crescimento foram verificadas para as espécies Apeiba tibourbou (105,39 cm) e Clitoria fairchildiana (88,80 cm). Quanto a sobrevivência, as espécies Apeiba tibourbou, Cariniana legalis, Clitoria fairchildiana, Handroanthus impetiginosus, Jacaranda micranta e Zeyheria tuberculosa atingiram 100%. De modo geral, as espécies exibiram uma elevada diversidade funcional, subjacente à variação nas taxas de crescimento e sobrevivência. A ampla congruência dessas variações com as condições edafoclimáticas e as condições restritas no solo fomentou o conceito de que as plantas estão bem adaptadas às suas circunstâncias locais.