Assemblage of drosophilids (Diptera, Drosophilidae) inhabiting flooded and nonflooded areas in the extreme South of Brazil

ABSTRACT Several studies on the potential use of drosophilid assemblages as bioindicator systems have been carried out in the last years. Nevertheless, the successful application of these organisms in these systems requires adequate filling of several knowledge gaps. In this sense, little is known about drosophilid assemblages in wetlands and flooded areas. The present study provides the first survey of drosophilid species inhabiting such environments in the extreme South of Brazil and compares general beta-diversity patterns between assemblages of flooded versus nonflooded areas. The specimens were collected with banana-baited traps, and the assemblages recovered in eight wetlands of the southernmost coast of Brazil were compared to those recovered from seven nonflooded areas of the Pampa and Atlantic Forest biomes. A total of 5028 and 2571 individuals encompassing 27 and 37 species were collected in the flooded and nonflooded areas, respectively. The differential species composition patterns presented between these areas was statistically supported, which seems to be related to the lower beta-diversity presented by swamps, especially in regard to dominance patterns. So, the open and climatically harsher environment provided by wetlands possibly constitutes a hostile environment for the entry and, mainly, for the persistence of several native Drosophilidae species, in contrast to some exotic and more plastic species (as Drosophila simulans and Zaprionus indianus). Since the diversity gradient of flooded areas does not seem to be related to the conservation status of the swamp, our results question the use of Drosophilidae species as bioindicators of environmental disturbance and antropic influence in wetlands.

Spatial patterns of diversity at local and regional scales in a tropical lagoon

The present study reports estimates of alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (Γ) diversity for the fish community of Chacmochuch Lagoon (SE Mexico), a natural protected area located in the northern portion of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Fish specimens were sampled in 2004 and 2006. Field work was carried out at three climatic peaks: at 13 stations using a 70 m-long beach seine. The collected data were supplemented with information obtained from a previous work conducted in 2002 and were then analyzed with multivariate statistical methods. In addition, fish composition results from this study were compared to those reported for other similar ecosystems of the region. A total of 68 fish species were recorded, determined as peripheral (high-salinity species, usually marine affinity) most of them. Most of the fish species collected were determined as rare, and a few number of species were determined as common and dominant. Salinity, TSD, temperature, dissolved oxygen and other variables were measured to determine the influence over the fish communities, four groups of sites where determined. Results indicated a gradual decrease in the degree of species replacement towards the interior of the system (away from the coast). The estimated value of gamma diversity was high compared to that reported for other coastal systems of the region and, due to the high degree of habitat heterogeneity found in this system; beta diversity had a greater contribution to gamma diversity than alpha diversity. This lagoon acts as a nursing area for many of the fish species collected in this study as indicated by the presence of juvenile stages.

En el presente estudio, se midió y se determinó la biodiversidad alfa (α), beta (β) y gamma (Γ) de la comunidad de peces en el Sistema Lagunar Chacmochuch, un Área Natural Protegida (ANP) localizada en la zona norte del Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano. El trabajo de campo se realizó en 13 sitios de muestreo durante los ciclos anuales 2004 y 2006, considerando los tres picos climáticos representativos de la región. Para la captura se utilizo un chinchorro de 70 m de largo. La matriz de información utilizada para el análisis se complemento con datos obtenidos a partir de un trabajo realizado durante el periodo 2002. Análisis multivariados fueron utilizados para la generación de resultados. Los resultados de la composición de peces se compararon con los reportados para otros ecosistemas similares de la región. Un total de 68 especies fueron registradas siendo periféricas (especies de alta salinidad y afinidad marina) la mayoría de ellas. Del registro, la mayoría de las especies se determinaron como especies raras, un número menor fueron especies comunes y dominantes. La salinidad, SDT, temperatura, oxigeno disuelto y otras variables fueron medidas para determinar su efecto sobre la comunidad de peces, encontrando cuatro agrupaciones de sitios. Los resultados indican una disminución gradual de las especies hacia el interior del sistema (al alejarse de la costa). La diversidad gamma es alta comparada a otros sistemas costeros de la región; sin embargo la taza de recambio beta es la que determina su alta heterogeneidad. Especies en estadios juveniles y de importancia económica fueron dominantes en el sistema, lo que determinan la zona como un área de crianza.

Uso de la tierra y diversidades alfa, beta y gamma de diplópodos en la cuenca del río Otún, Colombia / Land use and alpha, beta, and gamma diversity of Diplopoda in the Otún basin, Colombia / Diversidade alfa, beta, gama de diplópodes segundo o uso do solo na bacia do Rio Otún, Colômbia

Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre los cambios promovidos por la intervención humana en ecosistemas y agrosistemas y la diversidad alfa, beta y gamma de Diplopoda de la cuenca media del río Otún. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizó un diseño sistemático estratificado con la selección de siete ventanas y 16 puntos de muestreo. Se separaron los diplópodos en familias y morfotipos para calcular la diversidad alfa, beta y gamma relacionada con la heterogeneidad de usos del terreno. Resultados: Se identificaron 35 morfotipos de 12 familias y cinco órdenes. La diversidad alfa de Diplopoda evidenció diferencias significativas entre usos del terreno (P < 0,05) y la disminución de ésta desde áreas más conservadas hacia las transformadas por procesos antrópicos. Se encontró alto número de morfotipos exclusivos entre relicto de selva y barbecho con bajo recambio de especies entre ellos, mientras que los pastizales, cultivos y plantaciones presentaron similar número de morfotipos pero el recambio entre ellos fue alto (complementariedad > 85%) a pesar de la baja diversidad en los usos, lo que determinó la alta contribución de la diversidad beta a la diversidad gamma del paisaje. Conclusión: La heterogeneidad de usos de la tierra mostró que los cambios modifican la estructura de la diversidad de diplópodos con gradientes que se separan desde los conservados hasta los altamente transformados.

Objective: To determine the relationship between changes in ecosystems and agrosystems provoked by human intervention and the alpha, beta and gamma diversity of the Diplopoda in the middle basin of the Otún river. Materials and methods: In this research we used a stratified systematic design with seven sampling windows and 16 sampling points. Millipedes were divided into families and morphotypes to calculate the alpha, beta and gamma diversity related to the heterogeneity of land uses. Results: We identified 35 morphotypes from 12 families and five orders. Alpha diversity of Diplopoda revealed significant differences between land uses (P <0.05) and a decrease of richness from preserved areas to transformed areas by human activity. A high number of exclusive morphotypes were found in forest relicts and fallow with low species turnover between them, while the pastures, crop fields and plantations presented similar numbers of morphotypes but the species turnover between them was high (complementarity > 85%) in spite of the low diversity in the land uses, which determined the high contribution of the beta diversity to the gamma diversity of the landscape. Conclusion: The heterogeneity of land uses showed that the changes modify the structure of diversity in Diplopoda with gradients diverging from the preserved ones to the highly transformed ones.

Objetivo: Determinar as relações entre as alterações provocadas pela intervençõo humana nos ecossistemas e agrossistemas e a diversidade alfa, beta e gama de Diplopoda da bacia meia do rio Otún. Materiais e métodos: Foi utilizado um desenho amostral estratificado sistemático com a seleçõo de sete janelas de estudo e 16 pontos de amostragem. Os diplópodes foram separados em famílias e morfotipos para o cálculo da diversidade alfa, beta e gama e posteriormente estas foram relacionadas com a heterogeneidade dos usos do solo. Resultados: Foram identificados 35 morfotipos de 12 famílias e cinco ordens. A diversidade alfa de Diplopoda apresentou diferenças significativas entre os usos da terra (P <0,05) e diminuiçõo desde áreas mais conservadas até aquelas transformadas por processos antrópicos. Observou-se um elevado número de morfotipos exclusivos entre vestígio de floresta e barbechos com baixa mudança de espécies entre eles, enquanto pastagens, lavouras e plantações tiveram números semelhantes de morfotipos; embora, a mudança de especies entre eles foi alta (complementaridade> 85%), apesar da baixa diversidade nos usos, o qual determinou à alta contribuiçõo da diversidade beta à diversidade gama da paisagem. Conclusõo: A heterogeneidade dos usos do solo apresentou que as mudanças alteram a estrutura da diversidade dos diplópodes com gradientes desde os conservados até os altamente transformados.