Quantitative ethnopharmacological profiling of medicinal shrubs used by indigenous communities of Rawalakot, District Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract This paper presents the first comprehensive report on traditional uses of medicinal shrubs of Rawalakot city, district Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Ethobotanical data obtained from 120 informants were analyzed by relative frequency citation, use value, family use value, informant consensus factor, fidelity level and Jaccard index. In total, 41 shrubs belonging to 24 families and 34 genera were documented. Rosaceae was reported the most dominant family in the area (six species) and Berberidaceae showed maximum family use value (0.68). Leaves (35%) and fruits (33%) were the most commonly used plant parts and most of the medicines were prepared in the form of decoction. The high informant consensus factor value (0.94) was recorded for diabetic disease category. Medicinal plants with high fidelity level values (100% each) were Berberis lycium, Cydonia oblanga, Ricinus communis, Ziziphus jujuba and Nerium oleander. Berberis lycium was the most significant shrub in the area with highest use value (0.68). Relative frequency citation value was maximum for Rubus ellipticus (0.30), Nerium oleander and Indigofera heterantha (0.10 each). Percentage of similar plant uses ranged from 21.05 to 0.62% and dissimilarity percentage ranged from 32.50 to 0.66%. Out of the 41 shrub species, six were reported with new therapeutic uses and may represent new bioresources. These were Debregeasia salicifolia (diabetes), Desmodium elegans (anti-cancerous), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (jaundice), Hypericum oblongifolium (arthritis), Sarcococca saligna (tuberculosis), Rubus niveus (chronic cough) and Otostegia limbata (renal disorders). We suggest that species reported with high use value should be involved in cultivation and agricultural practices for their sustainable use and those reported with new therapeutic uses should be employed in further biotechnological, pharmacological and clinical studies in order to validate their traditional uses.

Threats of sedimentation to agricultural land due to land use and degradation of watershed physical environmental

Background:The Lake Lindu sub-watershed has experienced environmental damage, mainly as a result of various activities of the surrounding community who are less aware of the principles of environmental sustainability. This study aims to determine the effect of land use area and environmental physical conditions on sedimentation and water debit in the Lake Lindu sub-watershed. Methods:This research was carried out by implementing survey and non-experimental method at 3 rivers: Langko(P1), Wongkodono (P2), and Kati (P3). The dependent variable in this study is the area of land use (area of farm, shrub, paddy field, forest, and settlement) and the physical condition of the environment (the width of the catchment area and annual averagerainfall). Then, the independent variables are sedimentation and water debit. Statistical analysis used is a multiple regression model.Results:The results of this study are that the wider shrub (X2) reduces the sedimentation (Y1) and increases the water debit (Y2). Each addition of one shrub unit will reduce the sediment by 0.208 mg/L and affect the water debit of 0.258 m3/ s-1. The regression equation is Y1=185.903 -0.208X2-587.269X8and Y2=6.854+0.258 X2-71.708 X8. As for the coefficient of the shape of the river (X8). The bigger the shape of the river, the smaller the average of the water debit. Thus, each reduction of one coefficient unit of the river shape will affect the water debit of 71,708 m3/s-1.Conclusions:The significant predictor factors for sedimentation and river water debit are the shrubs and the coefficient of the river shape.

Estudio cariológico de Chrysobalanus icaco (Chrysobalanacea) en Paraíso, Tabasco, México / Caryological study of Chrysobalanus icaco (Chrysobalanacea) in Paraíso, Tabasco, México

Chrysobalanus icaco es una planta que pertenece a la familia Chrysobalanaceae. En Tabasco, Mexico, esta planta se distribuye en los municipios de la costa. La finalidad de esta investigacion fue la caracterizacion cromosomica de dos fenotipos con color de fruto rosa y purpura mediante tincion convencional. Con tal fin, se recolectaron frutos maduros en la comunidad de Penjamo, Paraiso, Tabasco. Las semillas se dejaron germinar por 30 dias a una temperatura constante de 30 °C. Se utilizaron raicillas de 1,00 cm de longitud, las cuales fueron sometidas a hidrolisis acida y posterior tincion con orceina. Se fotografiaron 295 metafases y se midieron los cromosomas de 35 placas metafasicas del fenotipo purpura y 30 del fenotipo rosado. Ambos fenotipos presentaron 18 cromosomas pequenos, los cuales se ordenaron en nueve pares homologos segun su tamano relativo. No se observaron diferencias morfologicas ni numericas entre los cariotipos de ambos fenotipos. Ademas la prueba de t-Student (α=0,05) revelo que no se encuentran diferencias significativas entre los complementos cromosomicos de ambos fenotipos.

Chrysobalanus icaco is a plant that belongs to the Chrysobalanaceae family. In Tabasco, Mexico, this plant is distributed in the municipalities of the coastline. The main purpose of this research was to characterize the chromosomal structure of phenotypes with pink and purple fruits by the use of conventional staining. To this end, mature fruits were collected in the community of Penjamo, Paraiso, Tabasco. Seeds were allowed to germinate for 30 days at a constant temperature of 30° C. Roots of 1.00 cm in length were subjected to acid hydrolysis and subsequent staining with orcein. A total of 295 metaphases were photographed and chromosomes of 35 metaphases of the purple phenotype and 30 of the pink phenotype were measured. Both phenotypes presented 18 small chromosomes, which were ordered in nine homologous pairs according to their relative size. No morphological or numerical differences were observed between the karyotypes of both phenotypes. In addition, the t-Student (α=0.05) test did not reveal significant differences between the chromosomes complements of both phenotypes.

Comparación de la digestibilidad de tres especies forrajeras estimada mediante diferentes técnicas / Comparison of the digestibility of three forage species estimated by different techniques / Comparação da digestibilidade de três espécies forrageiras estimadas por diferentes técnicas

Resumen Esta investigación se realizó en el municipio de Villavicencio, en la Universidad de los Llanos, cuyo objetivo fue determinar la digestibilidad de tres forrajes para bovinos mediante cuatro técnicas diferentes: una in situ y tres in vitro (inoculación con líquido ruminal, producción de gas, y enzimática) con el fin de validar las técnicas y los equipos que se están usando para estos procedimientos; se evaluaron las especies forrajeras y arbóreas: Pennisetum purpureum (PP), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (HR) y Gliricidia sepium (GS), además se valoró en todas las técnicas, la curva y tasa de degradación de la materia seca (MS), fibra detergente neutro (FDN) y proteína cruda (PC) (0 a 72 horas). Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo de medidas repetidas, bajo el cual se realizó el análisis de varianza para determinar los rangos de desviación entre las técnicas y así establecer la tendencia de los datos; las variables evaluadas fueron las digestibilidades de la MS, FDN y PC de los tres forrajes de las cuatro técnicas; luego de verificar las diferencias entre las varianzas de las digestibilidades, y comprobar el supuesto de esfericidad con el test de Mauchly, se realizó la comparación múltiple con la prueba de Bonferroni. La digestibilidad de la MS, FDN y PC varió entre 39.89-44.22, 54.18-64.26 y 47.54-57.05%; 79.29-84.18, 76.30-86.95 y 72.81-89.03%; 32.52-62.14, 69.12-76.52 y 42.00-66.54% respectivamente en los forrajes PP, HR y GS, en función de la técnica empleada para su estimación. A pesar de encontrar diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre varias de las comparaciones realizadas en las técnicas de digestibilidad, se encontró un alto coeficiente de determinación y alta correlación entre las estimaciones in vitro: inoculación con líquido ruminal, producción de gas y enzimática con respecto a la estimación in situ.

Abstract This research was conducted in the Villavicencio city, at the Universidad de los Llanos, whose objective was to determine the digestibility of three forages for cattle through four different techniques: one in situ and three in vitro (inoculation with ruminal fluid, gas production, and enzymatic), in order to validate the techniques and equipment that are being used for these procedures; the forage species were evaluated: Pennisetum purpureum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis y Gliricidia sepium, in addition it was evaluated both in all techniques: the curve and rate of degradation of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (PC) (0 to 72 hours). A repeated measures design was used, under which the analysis of variance was performed to determine the ranges of deviation between the techniques and thus establish the trend of the data; the variables evaluated were the digestibilities of DM, NDF and PC of the three forages of the four techniques; after verifying the differences between the variances of the digestibilities, and check the assumption of sphericity with the Mauchly test, the multiple comparison was performed with the Bonferroni test. The digestibility of DM, NDF and PC varied between 39.89-44.22, 54.18-64.26 and 47.54-57.05%; 79.29-84.18, 76.30-86.95 and 72.81-89.03%; 32.52-62.14, 69.12-76.52 and 42.00-66.54% respectively in the PP, HR and GS forages, depending on the technique used for their estimation. Despite finding statistically significant differences among several of the comparisons made in the techniques of digestibility, it was found a high determination coefficient and correlation between estimates in vitro: inoculation with ruminal fluid, gas production and enzymatic with respect to the in situ estimate.

Resumo Esta pesquisa foi realizada na cidade de Villavicencio, na Universidad de los Llanos, cujo objetivo foi determinar a digestibilidade de três forragens em bovinos através de quatro técnicas in vitro diferentes: um in situ e três in vitro (inoculação com fluido ruminai, produção de gás, e enzimática), com a fim de validar as técnicas e equipamentos que estão sendo usados para estes procedimentos; foram avaliadas espécies forrageiras e árvore: Pennisetum purpureum (PP), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (HR) y Gliricidia sepium (GS), além disso foi avaliado em todas as técnicas: curva e a taxa de degradação de matéria seca (MS), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e proteína bruta (PB) (0 a 72 horas). Utilizou-se um desenho de medidas repetidas, sob as quais foi realizado o análise de variância para determinar as gamas de desvio entre as técnicas e assim estabelecer a tendência dos dados; as variáveis avaliadas foram a digestibilidade da MS, FDN e PB dos três forragens das quatro técnicas; depois de verificar as diferenças entre as variâncias de digestibilidade, e verificar a hipótese de esfericidade com o teste de Mauchly, foi realizado a comparação múltipla com o teste de Bonferroni. A digestibilidade de MS, FDN e PB variou entre 39,89-44,22, 54,18-64,26 e 47,54-57,05%; 79,29-84,18, 76,30-86,95 e 72,81-89,03%; 32,52-62,14, 69,12-76,52 e 42,00-66,54%, respectivamente nas forragens PP, HR e GS, dependendo da técnica utilizada para sua estimação. Apesar de encontrar diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre varios das comparações realizadas nas técnicas de digestibilidade, foi encontrado un alto coeficiente de determinação y uma elevada correlação entre as estimativas in vitro: inoculação líquido ruminal, produção de gás e enzimática com respeito à estimativa in situ.

APLICACIÓN DE MODELOS MATEMÁTICOS NO LINEALES PARA LA ESTIMACIÓN DE BIOMASA FORRAJERA DE Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray / APPLICATION OF NON-LINEAR MATHEMATICAL MODELS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF FORAGE BIOMASS OF Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray

RESUMEN La determinación de la biomasa forrajera de los arbustos, generalmente, se realiza con métodos destructivos, por ello, la predicción de la biomasa con métodos no destructivos representa una herramienta para los finqueros e investigadores agropecuarios, lo cual, justifica este estudio, dado el ahorro de tiempo y de recursos en los procesos de planificación del recurso forrajero. La construcción de ecuaciones alométricas es una metodología para la estimación de la biomasa de especies leñosas; estos procedimientos son útiles para los investigadores de los recursos agroforestales. El objetivo de este estudio fue formular una ecuación para estimar la biomasa de arbustos de Tithonia diversifolia, usando mediciones lineales; se analizaron estadísticamente, a través de coeficientes de correlación de Pearson, mediante los cuales, se seleccionaron las variables más correlacionadas con la biomasa. El trabajo de campo fue realizado desde noviembre hasta diciembre de 2013, en el Centro Experimental de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia - CEUNP, Palmira, en un área experimental de 880m, con diseño de surcos cada 2m y distancia entre plantas de 1m, para un total de 440 plantas. El volumen de dosel fue estimado mediante la medición de la altura y dos diámetros, para ser incluidos en una fórmula modificada del volumen básico de un elipsoide. La ecuación de Mitcherlich tuvo el mejor ajuste, siendo el modelo Ӯ =15,06 (1-1,06) -0,12X, el que mejor predice la biomasa forrajera.

SUMMARY Determination of the forage biomass of the bushes is usually done with destructive methods, therefore the prediction of biomass with non-destructive methods represents a tool for farmers and agricultural researchers, which justifies this study, given the saving of time and resources in the planning processes of forage resources. The construction of allometrics equations is a methodology for estimating the biomass of woody species; these procedures are useful for researchers of agroforestry resources. The objective of this study was to generate an equation to estimate the biomass of a shrub, Tithonia diversifolia, using linear measurements; which were statistically analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficients, through which the variables most correlated with the biomass were selected. The work field was conducted from November to December 2013 at the Experimental Center of the National University of Colombia - CEUNP, Palmira, in an experimental area of 880 m, with row design every 2 m and distance between plants of 1 m, for a total of 440 plants. The canopy volume was estimated by measuring the height and two diameters to be included in a modified formula of the basic volume of an ellipsoid. A Mitcherlich equation had the best fit, under the model Ӯ = 15,06 (1-1,06) -0,12X. This equation was the best predictor of biomass for this species.

Trend and Structure of Populations of Balanites aegyptiaca in Parkland Agroforestsin Western Niger

Current and future trends of the parklands and the population of Balanites aegyptiaca in western Niger were investigated through the analysis of the diversity, the regeneration status and the size class distributions of the woody plants. A total of 21 plots, measuring 2500 m2 (50 m x 50 m) each were randomly selected to represent the parklands of B. aegyptiaca in the study area. Across all plots 1180 individual plants were recorded, representing 13 species, 10 genera and 7 families. The most diverse family is Fabaceae and the most dominant family is Balanitaceae represented by only one species B. aegyptiaca. The density of the regeneration was 71.16 and 33.31 plants ha-1 for the entire parkland and the population of Balanites aegyptiaca, respectively, while the diversity and the evenness indices of B. aegyptiaca were 2.52 and 0.24, respectively. B. aegyptica, Faidherbia albida, Hyphaene thebeica and Acacia nilotica populations had the highest values for the importance value index (IVI). Results from the analysis of the size class distribution indicate that the parklands and the population of B. aegyptiaca appear to be healthy and stable with high regeneration rates. However, low recruitment of juveniles to adults was observed due to seedling and sapling mortality, and high disturbance regimes, which in the long term can affect the population turnover.Acacia tortilis, A. senegal, Azadirachta indica and Prosopis juliflora populations had the lowest IVI values and may be the most sensitive to the disturbance regimes in the study area. Therefore, we suggest designing and implementing a conservation programme in the study area, which will protect and facilitate the growth of the juveniles of both overexploited and underexploited populations.

Aportes al estudio de la vegetación de playa la vaca, localidad de importancia florística en el municipio moa, holguín, cuba / Contributions to the study of the vegetation from playa la vaca, a locality with floristic significance located at the municipality of moa, holguín, cuba

Playa La Vaca está ubicada al noroeste de la ciudad de Moa y desde principios del siglo XX ha sido objeto de interés para los botánicos. Aunque no se ha constatado la existencia de obras publicadas que caractericen la vegetación de esta área clásica de colecta existen muestras de materiales depositados en los herbarios cubanos y extranjeros. La flora y vegetación de esta localiad se desarrolló en suelos derivados de serpentinitas, de las cuales varios autores expresan que son áreas de gran endemismo; esto fundamenta la necesidad de conocer y registrar los valores de diversidad vegetal de esta localidad. Este trabajo abarca una primera parte de la investigación realizada en esta localidad y tiene como objetivo la delimitación y caracterización de las formaciones vegetales presentes en Playa La Vaca. Para esto se recopiló información de la bibliografía y las colectas de plantas realizadas en Playa La Vaca depositadas en el herbario HAC provenientes de las expediciones botánicas y se efectuaron anotaciones en recorridos del trabajo de campo, identificándose 10 formaciones vegetales. Se obtuvo el mapa de vegetación a través del uso de un Sistema de Información Geográfica.

Playa La Vaca is located northwest of Moa city. Since the early twentieth century it has been an interestin site for botanists. There aren't any publication characterizing the vegetation of this classic collection area but it is possible to find a lot of sample materials from this site in Cuban and foreign herbals instead. The flora and vegetation of Playa La Vaca was developed on soils wich are derived from serpentinite rock, because of this, several authors states that this area is of high endemism. This fact, substantiates the need to study and record the diversity value of Playa La Vaca, thus contributing with the sustainable management of the area. This paper covers the first part of the research work conducted in Playa La Vaca locality and it aims to the characterization of plant communities of this site. For this work, it was used information obtained from fieldwork. Information from bibliography and plants collections from Playa La Vaca, deposited in the HAC herbarium were consulted too. Ten plants communities were identified in the locality. The vegetation map was obtained through the use of a Geographic Information System.

Rasgos morfológicos regenerativos en una comunidad de especies leñosas en un bosque seco tropical tumbesino / Regenerative morphological traits in a woody species community in Tumbesian tropical dry forest

ResumenEl estudio de rasgos morfológicos funcionales nos permite conocer muchos aspectos fundamentales de la dinámica de las comunidades vegetales en hábitats particulares y a nivel mundial, los rasgos morfológicos regenerativos cumplen un rol importante en la ecología e historia de las plantas por estar relacionados con la dispersión, germinación, colonización y establecimiento de las plántulas en determinados hábitas, sin embargo estos rasgos no han sido debidamente estudiados a nivel de toda una comunidad de especies leñosas en los bosques secos neotropicales. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron; a) evaluar rasgos morfológicos funcionales en frutos, semillas y embriones de especies leñosas, b).- determinar que patrones morfológicos caracterizan a las semillas de la comunidad de especies leñosas y c) analizar la masa de la semillas con respecto a otros bosques tropicales. Entre el 2010 y 2014 se recolectaron en un bosque seco tumbesino ubicado al sur occidente del Ecuador frutos con semillas maduras de 79 especies pertenecientes a 42 árboles y 37 arbustos de 31 familias más representativas de los bosques secos tumbesinos. Se midió y describió un total de 18 rasgos morfológicos, 7 cuantitativos y 11 cualitativos en frutos, semillas y embriones. La descripción y análisis de los rasgos se realizaron en el Banco de Germoplasma de la UTPL. Los resultados mostraron gran heterogeneidad en los rasgos cuantitativos medidos, el tamaño de las semillas varió de 1.3 a 39 mm de largo x 0.6 a 25 mm de ancho, mientras que el promedio del largo de los embriones fue de 8.1 mm. El volumen, masa y número de semillas por fruto fueron los rasgos que presentaron mayor variabilidad. La mayoría de especies de bosque seco se caracterizaron por presentar frutos secos dispersados por animales, con semillas ovaladas sin areola, lisas y de testa dura. Encontramos solamente seis tipos de embriones en las semillas, el 40 % de las especies se caracterizó por presentar embriones invertidos bien desarrollados con cotiledones grandes y gruesos que ocupan todo el interior de la semillas y cumplen la función de almacenamiento de reservas nutritivas. En conclusión, existe gran variabilidad y heterogeneidad en los rasgos morfológicos de las semillas de especies leñosas del bosque seco, lo que les permitiría tener un amplio rango de mecanismos y comportamiento para soportar condiciones de estrés ambiental en zonas áridas. Las implicaciones ecológicas que podrían tener los rasgos que caraterizan a los frutos, semillas y embriones de la comunidad de especies leñosas posiblemente les permitan estar mejor preparadas para soportar los cambios climáticos globales pronosticados para los próximos años.

AbstractThe study of functional morphological traits enables us to know fundamental aspects of the dynamics of plant communities in local and global habitats. Regenerative morphological traits play an important role in defining plant history and ecological behavior. Seed and fruit characteristics determine to a large extent the patterns for dispersal, germination, establishment and seedling recruitment a given species exhibits on its natural habitat. Despite their prominent role, seed and fruit traits have been poorly studied at the community level of woody plant species in neo-tropical dry forests. In the present study we aimed at i) evaluate the functional role of morphological traits of seeds, fruits and embryo in woody plant species; ii) determine which are the morphological patterns present in seeds collected from the community of woody species that occur in neo-tropical dry forests; and iii) compare woody plant species seed mass values comparatively between neo-tropical dry and tropical forests. To do so, mature seeds were collected from 79 plant species that occur in the Tumbesian forest of Southwest Ecuador. The studied species included the 42 and 37 most representative tree and shrubbery species of the Tumbesian forest respectively. A total of 18 morphological traits (seven quantitative and 11 qualitative) were measured and evaluated in the seeds, fruits and embryos of the selected species, and we compared the seeds mass with other forest types. Our results showed a huge heterogeneity among traits values in the studied species. Seed mass, volume and number were the traits that vary the most at the community level, i.e. seed length ranged from 1.3 to 39 mm, and seed width from 0.6 to 25 mm. Only six embryo types were found among the 79 plant species. In 40 % of the cases, fully developed inverted embryos with large and thick cotyledons to store considerable amount of nutrients were recorded. We concluded that highly variable and functionally complementary morphological traits occur among the studied woody plants of the Tumbesian dry forest. The latter favors a plethora of behavioral mechanisms to coexist among woody species of the dry forest in response to the environmental stress that is typical of arid areas. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 859-873. Epub 2016 June 01.

Composição florística e estrutural de um cerrado sentido restrito na área de proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, Distrito Federal / Floristic composition and structural of the cerrado sensu stricto in Mestre D'armas watershed protection area, Distrito Federal, Brazil

O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar o levantamento fitossociológico da comunidade arbustivo-arbórea em área de Cerrado sentido restrito na Área de Proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, em Planaltina, Distrito Federal. Para isso foram instaladas 10 parcelas aleatórias de 1.000 m2 (20 x 50 m) e identificados e medidos todos os indivíduos lenhosos (Db30 cm) 5 cm. Os valores de riqueza (75 espécies/51 gêneros/34 famílias), de diversidade de Shannon (3,39) e de equabilidade (0,85) estão na faixa de variação encontrados em outros estudos realizados no Brasil Central e refletem alta diversidade na área estudada. Foram registrados 960 indivíduos/ha e uma área basal total de 8,61 m2/ha. As dez espécies mais importantes (Miconia burchellii, Qualea parviflora, Roupala montana, Kielmeyera coriaceae, Annona crassiflora, Miconia ferruginea, Vochysia thyrsoidea, Miconia albicans, Erythoxylum suberosum e Rapanea guianensis) corresponderam 59% da densidade total, 50% do IVI total e 61% da área basal da comunidade. Assim, essas são as espécies que representam a estrutura principal do Cerrado sentido restrito no presente trabalho. Miconia burchellii ocorreu com a maior densidade (180 ind.ha-1) já registrada para a espécie no Brasil Central. Os resultados contribuem para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a fisionomia Cerrado sentido restrito e indicam que o fragmento está em bom estado de conservação, de acordo com o índice de diversidade. Essa área é importante no contexto do Distrito Federal, uma vez que forma elos entre os fragmentos remanescentes, o Parque Nacional de Brasília e a Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas.

This study aimed to describe the floristic composition, diversity and community structure of woody community in Cerrado sensu stricto in the Área de Proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, Distrito Federal, Brazil. Ten random plots (20 x 50 m) were installed and identified and measured all the individuals with diameter (Dh30 cm) 5 cm. The results showed richness (75 species/51 genus/34 family), Shannon diversity (3.39 nats. nats.ind-1) and evenness (0.85) reflect high diversity in the studied area and similar to the range of variation found in other studies in Central Brazil. In this study were registered 960 individuals/ha and 8.61 m2/ha of basal area. The ten most important species (Miconia burchellii, Qualea parviflora, Roupala montana, Kielmeyera coriaceae, Annona crassiflora, Miconia ferruginea, Vochysia thyrsoidea, Miconia albicans, Erythoxylum suberosum and Rapanea guianensis) accounted for 59% of the total density, 50% of the IVI and 61% of the basal area of the community. So, these are the species that represent the main structure of Cerrado stricto sensu in that area. Miconia burchellii occurred with the highest density (180 ind.ha-1) ever recorded for the species in Central Brazil. The results contribute to increase the knowledge about the physiognomy Cerrado stricto sensu and indicate that the fragment is in good condition, and it is important in the context of the Federal District, once that form links between the remaining fragments, the Parque Nacional de Brasília and the Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas.

Phytophagous mites (Tetranychoidea: Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae) from natural vegetations in Lara, Venezuela / Ácaros fitófagos (Tetranychoidea: Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae) de vegetación natural en Lara, Venezuela

Phytophagous mites from natural vegetation have been scarcely studied in Venezuela. Surveys were carried out from March 2007 to November 2008 to determine diversity of phytophagous mites inhabiting in different plant taxa in Iribarren, Jiménez, Palavecino, Morán and Crespo municipalities from Lara state, Venezuela. In each sampling site, a 500 m- transect was established and the most frequent plant species were sampled. In field, 15 leaves were examined for mite presence by using hand lens. In laboratory, plant material was examined under magnification and mite morpho-species belonging to tetranychid and tenuipalpid were picked up. A total of two tenuipalpid species and eight tetranychid species were identified. Tenuipalpid mites identified were Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) on Cassia siamea (Caesalpinaceae), Capparis linearis (Capparidaceae), Spathodea campanulata (Bignoniaceae), Randia sp. (Rubiaceae), Melicoccus bijugatus (Sapindaceae) and Tenuipalpus sp. was collected from Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae). On the other hand, tetranychid included Tetranychus urticae Koch on Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae), Euphorbia pulcherrima (Euphorbiaceae) and Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Mimosaceae). Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) on Lycopersicon sp. (Solanaceae), Ipomoea sp., Convolvulus sp. (Convolvulaceae) and Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae). Tetranychus desertorum Banks on Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor) on C. siamea, Chlorophora tinctoria (Moraceae), Dalechampia sp. (Euphobiaceae) and Malpighia glabra (Malpighiaceae). Eotetranychus cf. willamettei on Sterculia apetala (Sterculiaceae). Oligonychus biharensis (Hirst) on Clitoria sp. (Papilionaceae) and Ziziphus cyclocardia (Rhamnaceae). Oligonychus sp. on S. campanulata and Neotetranychus gloriosus Estebanes & Baker on Croton sp. (Euphorbiaceae). In this study, B. phoenicis is recorded for the first time on C. siamea, S. campanulata, Randia...

Los ácaros fitófagos de especies vegetales no cultivadas han sido poco estudiados en Venezuela. Desde marzo 2007 hasta noviembre del 2008, se realizaron muestreos para determinar la diversidad de ácaros fitófagos habitantes de diferentes taxa vegetales en los municipios Iribarren, Jiménez, Palavecino, Morán y Crespo en el estado Lara, Venezuela. En cada sitio de muestreo, se trazó una transecta de 500 m de longitud donde fueron muestreadas las plantas más frecuentes. En el campo, 15 hojas fueron examinadas para determinar la presencia de ácaros con el uso de una lupa de mano. En el laboratorio, el material vegetal fue examinado bajo aumento de una lupa estereoscopio para seleccionar las morfo-especies de tetraníquidos y tenuipálpidos. Se identificaron dos especies de Tenuipalpidae y ocho de Tetranychidae. Los ácaros tenuipálpidos identificados fueron Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) sobre Cassia siamea (Caesalpinaceae), Capparis linearis (Capparidaceae), Spathodea campanulata (Bignoniaceae), Randia sp. (Rubiaceae), Melicoccus bijugatus (Sapindaceae) y Tenuipalpus sp. fue colectado sobre Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae). Por otra parte, las especies de tetraníquidos incluyeron a Tetranychus urticae Koch sobre Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae), Euphorbia pulcherrima (Euphorbiaceae) y Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Mimosaceae). Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) sobre Lycopersicon sp. (Solanaceae), Ipomoea sp., Convolvulus sp. (Convolvulaceae) y Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae). Tetranychus desertorum Banks sobre Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor) sobre C. siamea, Chlorophora tinctoria (Moraceae), Dalechampia sp. (Euphorbiaceae) y Malpighia glabra (Malpighiaceae). Eotetranychus cf. willamettei sobre Sterculia apetala (Sterculiaceae), Oligonychus biharensis (Hirst) sobre Clitoria sp. (Papilionaceae) y Ziziphus cyclocardia (Rhamnaceae). Oligonychus sp. sobre S. campanulata y Neotetranychus gloriosus Estebanes...

Flora vascular não-arbórea de uma floresta de grota na Serra da Mantiqueira, Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Non-arboreal vascular flora of a ravine forest in the Mantiqueira Range, Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, Brazil

A região da Serra Negra constitui um importante remanescente de floresta atlântica situado no sul da Zona da Mata mineira, na Serra da Mantiqueira, composta por um mosaico de campos rupestres (nos afloramentos de quartzito) a arbustais nebulares, florestas estacionais semideciduifólias a perenifólias e florestas nebulares, de ambientes inferomontanos a superomontanos ripícolas a interfluviais. A área de estudo é um fragmento de floresta de grota (floresta perenifólia ripícola), de aproximadamente 0,9 ha, situada no Cânion do Ribeirão do Funil, na Vila do Funil, município de Rio Preto, localizada no sul da Serra Negra. O presente trabalho foi realizado entre os anos de 2004 e 2009 e teve como objetivos o conhecimento da flora vascular não-arbórea, a discussão dos hábitos e habitats das plantas e a descrição da fisionomia do fragmento. Foram registrados 157 táxons de plantas vasculares (sendo 41 pteridófitas e 116 angiospermas), pertencentes a 48 famílias (10 de pteridófitas e 38 de angiospermas). As famílias de maior riqueza específica foram Orchidaceae, dentre as angiospermas, com 27 espécies e Pteridaceae, dentre as pteridófitas, apresentando 11 espécies. O hábito mais representativo foi o herbáceo (124 spp.), destacando-se as espécies epífitas (42 spp.), que perfazem cerca de 25 por cento de todas as espécies registradas na área. Doze espécies estão incluídas na lista de espécies ameaçadas de extinção no estado de Minas Gerais (duas pteridófitas e 10 angiospermas). O elevado número de espécies encontradas em uma área consideravelmente pequena ressalta a importância deste fragmento para a diversidade da Serra Negra e aponta para a necessidade de implantação de um plano de ação para sua conservação.

Serra Negra is an important remnant of Atlantic Forest located in the southern part of the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, in Mantiqueira Range, composed by a mosaic of "campos rupestres" (on quartzite outcrops), cloud scrubs, lower-montane to upper montane seasonal semi-deciduous forests or evergreen cloud forests, and riparian to interfluvial forests. Despite floristic importance of this area, there are only two Natural Patrimony Private Reserves: São Lourenço do Funil and Serra Negra. The study area is a ravine forest fragment (evergreen forest), comprising ca. 0.9 ha, localized in the Cânion do Ribeirão do Funil, in Funil Village, municipality of Rio Preto, southern of Serra Negra. The present study was carried out from 2004 to 2009 and its goals were: (1) to survey the non-arboreal vascular flora of the area, (2) discuss plant habits and habitats, and (3) describe the physiognomy of this forest fragment. A total of 157 taxa of vascular plants (41 ferns and 116 angiosperms) were recorded, belonging to 48 families (10 of ferns and 38 of angiosperms). The richest families of ferns and angiosperms were Pteridaceae (11 spp.) and Orchidaceae (27 spp.), respectively. The most representative habit was herbaceous (124 spp.), within which epiphyte species (42 spp.) must be emphasized, representing about 25 percent of all recorded species. Twelve species are cited in the endangered species list of Minas Gerais State (two ferns and 10 angiosperms). The high number of species found in this small area remarks the importance of this fragment for the knowledge of biodiversity of Serra Negra, in particular, and Minas Gerais, in general. In addition, the results reinforce the need of an action plan addressed to the conservation of the region.

Extent and structure of genetic diversity in a collection of the tropical multipurpose shrub legume Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze as revealed by RAPD markers

The tropical multipurpose shrub legume Cratylia argentea is well adapted to acid soils of low to medium fertility and has excellent drought-tolerance. Due to its high nutritive value it is particularly suited as forage for dry-season supplementation. A collection of 47 C. argentea accessions in a collection, derived from seed replicating of original accessions with differing geographic origin and morphological and agronomic characteristics was investigated using molecular markers (RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA)). Genetic diversity (H T = 0.145) in the collection was low, with 30% of differentiation among groups and high genetic similarity among accessions (GS = 0.805). Within-accession variability was high. One taxonomic mismatch and five possible duplicate accessions were identified. Our results suggest that the genetic diversity in the C. argentea accessions studied is relatively homogeneously distributed, indicating the likelihood of extensive outcrossing. The genetic diversity of original accessions should be assessed to determine if outcrossing has occurred during or before ex situ storage. This might also support any decision on whether accessions should be bulked rather than maintaining them individually.