Taxonomical use of scale ornamentation: Challenges by intraspecific and intra-individual variations in four adult specimens of Polypterus bichir.

Many actinopterygian fish groups, including fossil and extant polypteriforms and lepisosteiforms, fossil halecomorphs, and some basal teleosts, have stout bony scales covered by layers of ganoin-an enamel layer ornamented with minute tubercles. Ganoid scales preserve well as disarticulated remains and notably constitute most of the fossil record for polypteriform in both South America and Africa. Based on two variables (tubercle size and distance between tubercles), some authors reported that the ganoin tubercle ornamentation in these scales is constant within a species and differs between species and allows distinguishing species or at least groups of species. However, despite its promising potential for assessing polypteriform paleodiversity, this tool has remained unused, probably because the variables are not well defined, and intraspecific variation does not seem to have been considered. To address this gap, we aimed to test the intraspecific and intra-individual variation in the ornamentation of ganoid scales in the type species Polypterus bichir. We propose three different parameters to describe the tubercle ornamentation: the distance between contiguous tubercles centers, their density, and their relative spatial organization. With these parameters, we investigate the variation in ganoin ornamentation among four specimens and across different regions of the body. Our results show that the distribution of the tubercles is highly variable within a same species, regardless of the body region, and sometimes even between different sectors of a same scale. Moreover, the variation observed in P. bichir overlaps with the distribution described in the literature for several extant and fossil species. Thus far, the ornamentation of ganoid scales is not a reliable diagnostical feature for polypterids.

Taxonomic revision of the Scaled Antbird Drymophila squamata (Aves: Thamnophilidae) reveals a new and critically endangered taxon from northeastern Brazil.

The Scaled Antbird Drymophila squamata is a suboscine passerine endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. Two subspecies, putatively diagnosed by the presence/absence of white spots on the crown, have traditionally been recognized: the nominate, ranging from Pernambuco to Bahia in northeastern Brazil, and D. squamata stictocorypha, from Minas Gerais to Santa Catarina in southeastern and southern Brazil. Here we combine morphological, acoustic, and genetic data to examine geographic variation in and revise the taxonomy of D. squamata. We show that there are two separately evolving population lineages in D. squamata, one south and the other north of the So Francisco River. The latter is unnamed and is thus described herein. We found that crown variation is not as geographically structured as previously thought, and thus we suggest that D. squamata stictocorypha is not a valid taxon. Finally, we also provide evidence of clinal variation in the species vocalizations and underscore the importance of broad geographic sampling when assessing species limits using vocalizations.

Development of a Pavement-Embedded Piezoelectric Harvester in a Real Traffic Environment.

Road pavements are spread over large areas and convey various possibilities for energy sources such as high thermal gradients due to their materials and colors, wind corridors, large flat areas for solar harvesting, and heavy loading from traffic. The latest advances in road energy generation have been discretely implemented and have mainly focused on photovoltaic surface applications; other studies have explored the use of piezoelectric transducers with high stresses for better energy-production performance but limited life span. This study explores the stresses on pavement surfaces from traffic loading shockwaves that yield to the natural frequency vibration a piezoelectric harvester using a cantilever array. The passing vehicles triggered 16 piezoelectric sensors divided into four embedded steel profiles. The peak electrical power obtained in the experiment was 55.6 µW with a single transducer using a tip mass of 16 g. The proposed harvester demonstrated potential for applications in micro-generation of energy with limited infrastructure modification and high endurance under traffic loading over time. Its generation capacity is around 50 mWh a month with 16 piezoelectric cantilevers installed (for a commercial traffic volume of 1500 vehicles a day), enough to power a 200 m flashing LED raised marker strip to guide drivers for lane alignment during night shifts.

PSA nadir predicts biochemical recurrence after external beam radiation therapy combined to high dose rate brachytherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent neoplasm among men in the world. Its treatment has a wide spectrum of alternatives and variables, ranging from active surveillance through radio and/or brachytherapy, to surgery. OBJECTIVE: The present work aimed to identify the predictive factors for biochemical recurrence and to evaluate the toxicity of the treatment using the association of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) applied in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Longitudinal retrospective study, using a prospectively collected database between 2005 and 2014 of 186 consecutive patients records with a diagnosis of low, intermediate, or high-risk prostate cancer treated with EBRT combined with HDR-BT, in a single medical institution located in the city of Campinas, SP, Brazil (Radium Institute). PSA increase over 2 ng/ml above the nadir PSA was considered as biochemical recurrence, following the definition of the Phoenix Consensus. Continuous and clinically relevant categorical variables (age, initial PSA, delivered dose in EBRT, number of implants, number of positive cores in transrectal biopsy, use of hormone blockade, Gleason score, TNM staging, post treatment PSA and PSA Nadir) were evaluated with absolute (n) and percentage (%) values using multiple logistic regression and validated our previously described optimal PSA nadir as predictor of biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: Post treatment PSA was the only independent predictor of biochemical recurrence, P<0.0001. The lower the PSA nadir the lower the biochemical recurrence risk (P=0.0009). PSA nadir >1 was the best cutoff (P=0.018) determinant of biochemical recurrence. The incidence of grade 3 late toxicity to the genitourinary tract was 0.6%, and there were no cases of severe complications to the gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSION: External Beam Radiation Therapy conjugated to Brachytherapy in the treatment of Prostate Cancer has demonstrated low biochemical recurrence rates, mainly when PSA nadir <1, with low toxicity into both GU and GI tracts.

Rugged relief and climate promote isolation and divergence between two neotropical cold-associated birds.

The role of historical factors in establishing patterns of diversity in tropical mountains is of interest to understand the buildup of megadiverse biotas. In these regions, the historical processes of range fragmentation and contraction followed by dispersal are thought to be mediated by the interplay between rugged relief (complex topography) and climate fluctuations and likely explain most of the dynamics of diversification in plants and animals. Although empirical studies addressing the interaction between climate and topography have provided invaluable insights into population divergence and speciation patterns in tropical montane organisms, a more detailed and robust test of such processes in an explicit spatio-temporal framework is still lacking. Consequently, our ability to gain insights into historical range shifts over time and the genomic footprint left by them is limited. Here, we used niche modeling and subgenomic population-level datasets to explore the evolution of two species of warbling finches (genus Microspingus) disjunctly distributed across the Montane Atlantic Forest, a Neotropical region with complex geological and environmental histories. Population structure inferences suggest a scenario of three genetically differentiated populations, which are congruent with both geography and phenotypic variation. Demographic simulations support asynchronous isolation of these populations as recently as ∼40,000 years ago, relatively stable population sizes over recent time, and past gene flow subsequent to divergence. Throughout the last 800,000 years, niche models predicted extensive expansion into lowland areas with increasing overlap of species distributions during glacial periods, with prominent retractions and isolation into higher altitudes during interglacials, which are in line with signs of introgression of currently isolated populations. These results support a dual role of cyclical climatic changes: population divergence and persistence in mountain tops during warm periods followed by periods of expansion and admixture in lower elevations during cold periods. Our results underscore the role of the interplay between landscape and climate as an important mechanism in the evolution of the Neotropical montane biota.

Life history and ecology might explain incongruent population structure in two co-distributed montane bird species of the Atlantic Forest.

Comparative phylogeography is a powerful approach to investigate the role of historical and environmental processes in the evolution of biodiversity within a region. In this regard, comparative studies of species with similar habitat preferences are valuable to reduce the confounding influence of habitat association when interpreting phylogeographic patterns. In the Atlantic Forest of South America, phylogeographic studies of highland and lowland species have shown distinct population structure patterns so far, suggesting that such species have responded differently to Pleistocene glacial cycles. Herein, we performed a comparative analysis using molecular data and paleodistribution models of two Montane Atlantic Forest (MAF) co-distributed passerine birds with similar habitat requirements but with distinct life-history traits and ecologies: the frugivore lek-breeding Blue Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata) and the insectivore and socially monogamous Drab-Breasted Bamboo Tyrant (Hemitriccus diops). We aimed to shed light on the role of contrasting life histories and ecologies onto the demography and population structure of MAF species. We sampled both species throughout most of their distribution range, sequenced a mitochondrial and a nuclear molecular marker, and used standard phylogeographic methods to investigate population structure and ecological niche modeling (ENM) to infer the species' paleodistributions. Our analyses recovered a phylogeographic break in H. diops in the region of the Doce River, but no genetic structure in C. caudata. We also found higher differentiation among subpopulations within each lineage of H. diops than among subpopulations of C. caudata. We suggest that these discrepancies in population structure might be due to distinct life-history traits and their impact on gene flow and generation time. For example, while H. diops is an insectivore species, C. caudata is a frugivore and the latter ecological aspect likely selects for a higher dispersion distance. Additionally, because C. caudata is a lek-breeding species, it has a longer generation time than H. diops. These traits could hinder genetic differentiation when populations become geographically isolated. Nonetheless, both species showed some common biological features, such as signatures of synchronous population expansion and larger distribution ranges during the Last Glacial Maximum, possibly due to similar cold tolerance.

Historical climate changes and hybridization shaped the evolution of Atlantic Forest spinetails (Aves: Furnariidae).

Combining phylogeographic approaches and hybrid zone inference in a single framework is a robust way to depict respectively the biogeographic history of lineages and the evolutionary processes responsible for speciation. Here, we studied the spatiotemporal patterns of diversification and characterize the hybrid zone between two Atlantic Forest spinetails (Synallaxis ruficapilla and Synallaxis cinerea) using mitochondrial DNA and nuclear (autosomal and Z-linked) genes. We consistently recovered divergence between and within the two species during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene using an isolation with migration model. Also, our results indicate distinct levels of introgression among lineages. Ecological niche models and demographic inferences, used to infer range distributions throughout the late Quaternary, were not consistent with the hypothesis of a large river as a primary barrier responsible for the divergence of the two species. Instead, a scenario of isolation and divergence followed by geographic expansion and admixture as a consequence of Quaternary climatic oscillations was supported. Paleomodels also were not consistent with the idea that the hybrid zone originated in primary differentiation and favor a secondary contact scenario. Model fitting indicated that clines of different loci spanning the hybrid zone are coincident and concordant. The narrow cline for one Z-linked locus could be indicative of some form of post-zygotic selection hindering genetic homogenization between the two species.

Recent chapters of Neotropical history overlooked in phylogeography: Shallow divergence explains phenotype and genotype uncoupling in Antilophia manakins.

Establishing links between phenotypic and genotypic variation is a central goal of evolutionary biology, as they might provide important insights into evolutionary processes shaping genetic and species diversity in nature. One of the more intriguing possibilities is when no genetic divergence is found to be associated with conspicuous phenotypic divergence. In that case, speciation theory predicts that phenotypic divergence may still occur in the presence of significant gene flow-thereby resulting in little genomic divergence-when genetic loci underpinning phenotypes are under strong divergent selection. However, a finding of phenotypic distinctiveness with weak or no population genetic structure may simply result from low statistical power to detect shallow genetic divergences when small data sets are used. Here, we used a subgenomic data set of 2,386 ultraconserved elements to explore genomewide divergence between two species of Antilophia manakins, which are phenotypically distinct yet evidently lack strong genetic differentiation according to previous studies based on a limited number of loci. Our results revealed clear population structure that matches the two phenotypes, supporting the idea that smaller data sets lacked the power to detect this recent divergence event (likely <100 k ya). Indeed, we found little or no introgression between the species, as well as evidence of genomewide divergence. One implication of our study is that the Araripe plateau may be a hot spot of cryptic-diverging forest Cerrado populations. Besides their use in biogeography, subgenomic data sets may help redefine local conservation programmes by revealing cryptic population structure that may be key to population management.

Productivity in seeds of the green bean produced under conventional and organic systems / Produtividade de sementes de feijão-vagem produzidas sob sistemas convencional e orgânico

Two experiments were carried out during 2016 at the Anápolis Experimental Station of EMATER in the State of Goiás, with the aim of studying the yield of seeds of 18 strains and two indeterminate cultivars of the green bean, one experiment under a conventional system and the other under an organic system. A randomized block experimental design was used, with twenty treatments and three replications, to evaluate the mean number of seeds per pod (NSP), 100-seed weight (100SW) and productivity (PROD). Under the conventional system, the 100SW ranged from 19.3 to 25.0 grams. The highest productivity was achieved with the UEG 0212, UEG 0212, UEG 0712 and UEG 3014 strains, which were superior to the other strains, including the controls. Under the organic system, there was a range of 6.66 to 8.33 for the NSP, while for the 100SW, the range was from 23 to 32 grams. The UEG 0212, UEG 1012, UEG 2014 and UEG 3014 strains, all with cylindrical pods and white seeds, can be used as alternatives for planting, being superior to the ‘Favorito cultivar and equal to the ‘Macarrão Bragança cultivar, whereas UEG 1112 and UEG 0714, with cylindrical pods and cream-colored seeds, can be used as dual-adapted cultivars, with green pods and dry grain that can be used as end-of-cycle pods if there are defects that are not accepted by the market.(AU)

Com o objetivo de estudar o rendimento de sementes de 18 linhagens e duas cultivares de crescimento indeterminado de feijão-vagem, dois experimentos foram conduzidos em 2016, na Estação Experimental de Anápolis, EMATER-Goiás, sendo um em sistema convencional e outro em orgânico. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com vinte tratamentos e três repetições, avaliando, número médio de sementes por vagem (NSV), massa de 100 sementes (M100S) e produtividade (PROD). No sistema convencional a M100S teve amplitude de 19,3 a 25,0 gramas. As maiores produtividades foram alcançadas pelas linhagens UEG 0212, UEG 0212, UEG 0712e UEG 3014 superando as demais, inclusive, as testemunhas. No sistema orgânico, houve uma amplitude de 6,66 a 8,33 para NSV; para M100S a amplitude foi de 23 a 32 gramas. As linhagens UEG 0212, UEG 1012, UEG 2014 e UEG 3014, todas com vagens cilíndricas e sementes brancas podem ser indicadas como alternativa de plantio, pois superaram a cultivar Favorito e igualaram com Macarrão Bragança, enquanto que UEG 1112 e UEG 0714, com vagens cilíndricas e sementes creme, podem ser utilizadas como cultivares de dupla aptidão, vagens verdes e grãos secos, principalmente utilizando-se as vagens de final de ciclo que, em qualquer cultivar, apresentam defeitos que não são aceitos, como hortaliça, pelo mercado.(AU)

-Morphological variations in the dorsal fin finlets of extant polypterids raise questions about their taxonomical validity.

Fossil polypterids are mainly represented by disarticulated material, most of them pinnules. However, there is no study that proves the taxonomical validity of these structures. Here we describe the pinnules of four species of extant polypterids and report for the first time intraindividual variations in the pinnules according to their position in the dorsal fin. Nevertheless, when comparing two different specimens of one species there is little or no interindividual variation, suggesting that pinnule morphology may have taxonomical validity. As the fossil polypterid record is based mainly on the articular head of the pinnules, we suggest caution when describing new taxa, especially if different fragments corresponding to specific positions in the dorsal fin occur in the same locality.

Productivity in seeds of the green bean produced under conventional and organic systems / Produtividade de sementes de feijão-vagem produzidas sob sistemas convencional e orgânico

Two experiments were carried out during 2016 at the Anápolis Experimental Station of EMATER in the State of Goiás, with the aim of studying the yield of seeds of 18 strains and two indeterminate cultivars of the green bean, one experiment under a conventional system and the other under an organic system. A randomized block experimental design was used, with twenty treatments and three replications, to evaluate the mean number of seeds per pod (NSP), 100-seed weight (100SW) and productivity (PROD). Under the conventional system, the 100SW ranged from 19.3 to 25.0 grams. The highest productivity was achieved with the UEG 0212, UEG 0212, UEG 0712 and UEG 3014 strains, which were superior to the other strains, including the controls. Under the organic system, there was a range of 6.66 to 8.33 for the NSP, while for the 100SW, the range was from 23 to 32 grams. The UEG 0212, UEG 1012, UEG 2014 and UEG 3014 strains, all with cylindrical pods and white seeds, can be used as alternatives for planting, being superior to the ‘Favorito’ cultivar and equal to the ‘Macarrão Bragança’ cultivar, whereas UEG 1112 and UEG 0714, with cylindrical pods and cream-colored seeds, can be used as dual-adapted cultivars, with green pods and dry grain that can be used as end-of-cycle pods if there are defects that are not accepted by the market.

Com o objetivo de estudar o rendimento de sementes de 18 linhagens e duas cultivares de crescimento indeterminado de feijão-vagem, dois experimentos foram conduzidos em 2016, na Estação Experimental de Anápolis, EMATER-Goiás, sendo um em sistema convencional e outro em orgânico. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com vinte tratamentos e três repetições, avaliando, número médio de sementes por vagem (NSV), massa de 100 sementes (M100S) e produtividade (PROD). No sistema convencional a M100S teve amplitude de 19,3 a 25,0 gramas. As maiores produtividades foram alcançadas pelas linhagens UEG 0212, UEG 0212, UEG 0712e UEG 3014 superando as demais, inclusive, as testemunhas. No sistema orgânico, houve uma amplitude de 6,66 a 8,33 para NSV; para M100S a amplitude foi de 23 a 32 gramas. As linhagens UEG 0212, UEG 1012, UEG 2014 e UEG 3014, todas com vagens cilíndricas e sementes brancas podem ser indicadas como alternativa de plantio, pois superaram a cultivar Favorito e igualaram com Macarrão Bragança, enquanto que UEG 1112 e UEG 0714, com vagens cilíndricas e sementes creme, podem ser utilizadas como cultivares de dupla aptidão, vagens verdes e grãos secos, principalmente utilizando-se as vagens de final de ciclo que, em qualquer cultivar, apresentam defeitos que não são aceitos, como hortaliça, pelo mercado.

O idoso e a úlcera por pressão em serviço de atendimento domiciliar / Elderly people and ulcer caused by pressure at home care service

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo estimar a prevalência de úlcera por pressão num serviço de atendimento domiciliar. Estudo transversal realizado em julho/agosto de 2009, com 194 idosos acamados. Para coleta dos dados, aplicou-se a Escala de Braden e um instrumento composto por dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e medidas preventivas para úlcera por pressão. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa SPSS 16.0 e apresentados em estatística descritiva. Do total, 69,6% (n = 135) eram mulheres; 68% (n = 132) ≥ 80 anos; 33% (n = 64) tinham Alzheimer e 26,3% (n = 51) sequela de acidente vascular encefálico; 31,4% (n = 61) apresentavam úlcera por pressão, sendo 54,1% (n = 33) hospitalar. Identificou-se prevalência de 31,4% e risco moderado (13,2) para úlcera por pressão. Recomenda-se estudo longitudinal para avaliar a relação dos indicadores da Escala de Braden com o desenvolvimento das úlceras por pressão.

Aves da Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, Brasil: uma síntese histórica do conhecimento

Here we present a historical review of all known ornithological surveys carried out at Chapada dos Guimarães, central-western Brazil. We characterize the avifauna of the region following a critical review of all bird species listed by several generations of ornithologists. The final species account was produced based on extensive literature and museum consultation and on recent field work. Special attention is given to the series of papers by J.A. Allen, which was based on the monumental collecting work by H.H. Smith and his wife on the 19th century. The study area is predominantly characterized by a Cerrado bird assemblage and in a lesser extent, by Amazonian elements. A total of 393 bird species have confident records for the region. Other 52 species were cited for the region, but were judged unlikely to occur in the study area under our stringent criteria. Twenty four species collected by the Smiths are no longer recorded in the region. Six of these species are sensitive grassland specialists, and three are popular cagebirds. These species are probably extinct in the area. Seven species are waterbirds and two are Amazonian species, all of them have probably always been very rare in the region due to the lack of apropriate habitat. Six species are naturally rare, and could be overlooked. We report the first documented record of Caprimulgus longirostris for Mato Grosso and the second record of Pipraeidea melanonota for the state. We also comment on several apparently rare species on the region such as Ictinia mississipensis, Buteo melanoleucus, Harpia harpyja, Megascops usta, Asio flammeus, Berlepschia rikeri, Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Xenopsaris albinucha, and Poospiza cinerea.

É apresentada uma revisão histórica dos inventários ornitológicos conduzidos na Chapada dos Guimarães, centro-oeste do Brasil. A avifauna da região é caracterizada a partir de uma revisão crítica de todas as listas de espécies produzidas por várias gerações de ornitólogos, espécimes depositados em museus e meticulosos trabalhos de campo. Especial atenção foi dada às publicações de J.A. Allen, baseadas na monumental coleção preparada por H.H. Smith e sua esposa no final do século XIX. A avifauna da região é típica do Cerrado, abrigando também espécies amazônicas. Um total de 393 espécies de aves é listado para a região, sendo outras 52 espécies citadas pela literatura consideradas de ocorrência improvável baseado nos critérios restritivos adotados. Vinte e quatro espécies coletadas pelos Smith não foram mais registradas para a região. Seis destas espécies são campestres e bastante sensíveis a alterações antrópicas, enquanto que outras três são perseguidas pelo comércio ilegal de aves. Estas espécies provavelmente se encontram extintas na região. Sete outras espécies associadas a corpos hídricos, e duas de distribuição predominantemente Amazônica, eram provavelmente raras na região, mesmo em tempos históricos, principalmente devido à falta de hábitat adequado. Seis outras são normalmente raras, podendo ter passado despercebidas. São apresentados o primeiro registro documentado de Caprimulgus longirostris para o Mato Grosso e o segundo registro de Pipraeidea melanonota para o estado. Também são discutidos os registros de outras espécies raras na região, tais como Ictinia mississipensis, Buteo melanoleucus, Harpia harpyja, Megascops usta, Asio flammeus, Berlepschia rikeri, Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Xenopsaris albinucha e Poospiza cinerea.

Aves da Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, Brasil: uma síntese histórica do conhecimento

Here we present a historical review of all known ornithological surveys carried out at Chapada dos Guimarães, central-western Brazil. We characterize the avifauna of the region following a critical review of all bird species listed by several generations of ornithologists. The final species account was produced based on extensive literature and museum consultation and on recent field work. Special attention is given to the series of papers by J.A. Allen, which was based on the monumental collecting work by H.H. Smith and his wife on the 19th century. The study area is predominantly characterized by a Cerrado bird assemblage and in a lesser extent, by Amazonian elements. A total of 393 bird species have confident records for the region. Other 52 species were cited for the region, but were judged unlikely to occur in the study area under our stringent criteria. Twenty four species collected by the Smiths are no longer recorded in the region. Six of these species are sensitive grassland specialists, and three are popular cagebirds. These species are probably extinct in the area. Seven species are waterbirds and two are Amazonian species, all of them have probably always been very rare in the region due to the lack of apropriate habitat. Six species are naturally rare, and could be overlooked. We report the first documented record of Caprimulgus longirostris for Mato Grosso and the second record of Pipraeidea melanonota for the state. We also comment on several apparently rare species on the region such as Ictinia mississipensis, Buteo melanoleucus, Harpia harpyja, Megascops usta, Asio flammeus, Berlepschia rikeri, Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Xenopsaris albinucha, and Poospiza cinerea.

É apresentada uma revisão histórica dos inventários ornitológicos conduzidos na Chapada dos Guimarães, centro-oeste do Brasil. A avifauna da região é caracterizada a partir de uma revisão crítica de todas as listas de espécies produzidas por várias gerações de ornitólogos, espécimes depositados em museus e meticulosos trabalhos de campo. Especial atenção foi dada às publicações de J.A. Allen, baseadas na monumental coleção preparada por H.H. Smith e sua esposa no final do século XIX. A avifauna da região é típica do Cerrado, abrigando também espécies amazônicas. Um total de 393 espécies de aves é listado para a região, sendo outras 52 espécies citadas pela literatura consideradas de ocorrência improvável baseado nos critérios restritivos adotados. Vinte e quatro espécies coletadas pelos Smith não foram mais registradas para a região. Seis destas espécies são campestres e bastante sensíveis a alterações antrópicas, enquanto que outras três são perseguidas pelo comércio ilegal de aves. Estas espécies provavelmente se encontram extintas na região. Sete outras espécies associadas a corpos hídricos, e duas de distribuição predominantemente Amazônica, eram provavelmente raras na região, mesmo em tempos históricos, principalmente devido à falta de hábitat adequado. Seis outras são normalmente raras, podendo ter passado despercebidas. São apresentados o primeiro registro documentado de Caprimulgus longirostris para o Mato Grosso e o segundo registro de Pipraeidea melanonota para o estado. Também são discutidos os registros de outras espécies raras na região, tais como Ictinia mississipensis, Buteo melanoleucus, Harpia harpyja, Megascops usta, Asio flammeus, Berlepschia rikeri, Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Xenopsaris albinucha e Poospiza cinerea.

Composição de bandos mistos de aves em fragmentos de mata atlântica no sudeste do Brasil

Habitat fragmentation has been one of the most important subjects for conservation biology during the last years. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of forest fragmentation on mixed-species bird flocks. These flocks are associations of two or more species, which cohesion is related to networks of interactions between flock members. Decreased predation and increased foraging efficiency are two main selective advantages thought to explain the evolution of mixed-species flocking behavior. The aim of this work was to analyse mixed-species flock composition in relation to the size of Atlantic Forest fragments during rainy and dry seasons, at Zona da Mata region, Southeastern of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Three distinct kinds of mixed-species flocks were identified at the study area: heterogeneous flocks, understory flocks and canopy flocks. The first one was observed in all forest fragments, although understory flocks were observed in only three. Canopy flocks were rare in all fragments. Some species were presente in two different kinds of flocks. The Black-goggled Tanager (Trichothraupis melanops) and the Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) were nuclear species of heterogeneous flocks. The Red-crowned Ant-tanager (Habia rubica) was the most important species in understory flock formation and cohesion. In canopy flocks none of the species had similar characteristics. Here we analyzed the effect of season and forest fragment area on the composition of understory and heterogeneous mixed-flock based on two approaches: 1) - frequency of species and 2) - ecological traits of flocking species. In relation to species' frequencies, seasonality affected heterogeneous flocks composition more strongly than fragment area. Only two forest fragments differed slightly in heterogeneous flocks' composition. Both area and seasonality influenced understory flock composition. Excluding the category of canopy species of heterogeneous flocks, which decreased with fragment area in the rainy season, the overall proportion of species in the categories forest-dependence, foraging strata and foraging characteristics did not change in relation to forest fragment area or season, neither for heterogeneous nor for understory flocks.

A fragmentação de habitats tem sido um dos assuntos mais discutidos na biologia da conservação nos últimos anos. Entretanto, poucos estudos tem avaliado os efeitos da fragmentação de florestas em bandos mistos de aves. Esses bandos são associações de duas ou mais espécies, cuja coesão está relacionada à cadeia de interações entre os membros dos bandos. As duas vantagens seletivas invocadas para explicar a evolução do comportamento de viver em bandos mistos de espécies são o declínio no risco de predação e aumento na eficiência no forrageamento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a composição de bandos mistos em relação ao tamanho dos fragmentos de Mata Atlântica durante as estações seca e chuvosa, na região da Zona da Mata, sudoeste do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram identificados três tipos distintos de bandos mistos na área estudada: bandos heterogêneos, bandos do sub-bosque e bandos de copa. O primeiro foi observado em todos os fragmentos florestais, enquanto bandos do sub-bosque foram observados em apenas três fragmentos. Bandos de copa são raros em todos os fragmentos. Algumas espécies participaram de dois tipos de bandos. Trichothraupis melanops e Basileurus culicivorus foram as espécies nucleares dos bandos heterogêneos. Habia rubica foi a espécie mais importante na formação e coesão de bandos do sub-bosque. Em bandos de copa, nenhuma das espécies apresentou características similares. Analisamos aqui o efeito da estação e da área do fragmento florestal na composição de bandos heterogêneos e de sub-bosque, baseados em dois enfoques: 1) - freqüência de espécies e 2) - características ecológicas das espécies do bando. Em relação à freqüência das espécies, a sazonalidade afetou a composição de bandos heterogêneos mais fortemente que a área do fragmento. Apenas dois fragmentos florestais diferiram levemente na composição de bandos heterogêneos. Tanto a área quanto a sazonalidade influenciaram a composição de bandos do sub-bosque. Excluindo a categoria de espécies de dossel dos bandos heterogêneos, que decresceu com a área do fragmento na estação chuvosa, a proporção geral de espécies nas categorias dependentes da floresta, estrato de forrageamento e características de forrageamento, não se alterou em relação à área do fragmento florestal ou estação, tanto para bandos heterogêneos quanto para bandos do sub-bosque.

Composição de bandos mistos de aves em fragmentos de mata atlântica no sudeste do Brasil

Habitat fragmentation has been one of the most important subjects for conservation biology during the last years. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of forest fragmentation on mixed-species bird flocks. These flocks are associations of two or more species, which cohesion is related to networks of interactions between flock members. Decreased predation and increased foraging efficiency are two main selective advantages thought to explain the evolution of mixed-species flocking behavior. The aim of this work was to analyse mixed-species flock composition in relation to the size of Atlantic Forest fragments during rainy and dry seasons, at Zona da Mata region, Southeastern of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Three distinct kinds of mixed-species flocks were identified at the study area: heterogeneous flocks, understory flocks and canopy flocks. The first one was observed in all forest fragments, although understory flocks were observed in only three. Canopy flocks were rare in all fragments. Some species were presente in two different kinds of flocks. The Black-goggled Tanager (Trichothraupis melanops) and the Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) were nuclear species of heterogeneous flocks. The Red-crowned Ant-tanager (Habia rubica) was the most important species in understory flock formation and cohesion. In canopy flocks none of the species had similar characteristics. Here we analyzed the effect of season and forest fragment area on the composition of understory and heterogeneous mixed-flock based on two approaches: 1) - frequency of species and 2) - ecological traits of flocking species. In relation to species' frequencies, seasonality affected heterogeneous flocks composition more strongly than fragment area. Only two forest fragments differed slightly in heterogeneous flocks' composition. Both area and seasonality influenced understory flock composition. Excluding the category of canopy species of heterogeneous flocks, which decreased with fragment area in the rainy season, the overall proportion of species in the categories forest-dependence, foraging strata and foraging characteristics did not change in relation to forest fragment area or season, neither for heterogeneous nor for understory flocks.

A fragmentação de habitats tem sido um dos assuntos mais discutidos na biologia da conservação nos últimos anos. Entretanto, poucos estudos tem avaliado os efeitos da fragmentação de florestas em bandos mistos de aves. Esses bandos são associações de duas ou mais espécies, cuja coesão está relacionada à cadeia de interações entre os membros dos bandos. As duas vantagens seletivas invocadas para explicar a evolução do comportamento de viver em bandos mistos de espécies são o declínio no risco de predação e aumento na eficiência no forrageamento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a composição de bandos mistos em relação ao tamanho dos fragmentos de Mata Atlântica durante as estações seca e chuvosa, na região da Zona da Mata, sudoeste do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram identificados três tipos distintos de bandos mistos na área estudada: bandos heterogêneos, bandos do sub-bosque e bandos de copa. O primeiro foi observado em todos os fragmentos florestais, enquanto bandos do sub-bosque foram observados em apenas três fragmentos. Bandos de copa são raros em todos os fragmentos. Algumas espécies participaram de dois tipos de bandos. Trichothraupis melanops e Basileurus culicivorus foram as espécies nucleares dos bandos heterogêneos. Habia rubica foi a espécie mais importante na formação e coesão de bandos do sub-bosque. Em bandos de copa, nenhuma das espécies apresentou características similares. Analisamos aqui o efeito da estação e da área do fragmento florestal na composição de bandos heterogêneos e de sub-bosque, baseados em dois enfoques: 1) - freqüência de espécies e 2) - características ecológicas das espécies do bando. Em relação à freqüência das espécies, a sazonalidade afetou a composição de bandos heterogêneos mais fortemente que a área do fragmento. Apenas dois fragmentos florestais diferiram levemente na composição de bandos heterogêneos. Tanto a área quanto a sazonalidade influenciaram a composição de bandos do sub-bosque. Excluindo a categoria de espécies de dossel dos bandos heterogêneos, que decresceu com a área do fragmento na estação chuvosa, a proporção geral de espécies nas categorias dependentes da floresta, estrato de forrageamento e características de forrageamento, não se alterou em relação à área do fragmento florestal ou estação, tanto para bandos heterogêneos quanto para bandos do sub-bosque.