Variation in a Darwin Wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) Community along an Elevation Gradient in a Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot: Implications for Ecology and Conservation.

Understanding how biodiversity varies from place to place is a fundamental goal of ecology and an important tool for halting biodiversity loss. Parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera) are a diverse and functionally important animal group, but spatial variation in their diversity is poorly understood. We survey a community of parasitic wasps (Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) using Malaise traps up a mountain in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, and relate the catch to biotic and abiotic habitat characteristics. We find high species richness compared with previous similar studies, with abundance, richness, and diversity peaking at low to intermediate elevation. There is a marked change in community composition with elevation. Habitat factors strongly correlated with elevation also strongly predict changes in the pimpline community, including temperature as well as the density of bamboo, lianas, epiphytes, small trees, and herbs. These results identify several possible surrogates of pimpline communities in tropical forests, which could be used as a tool in conservation. They also contribute to the growing evidence for a typical latitudinal gradient in ichneumonid species richness, and suggest that low to medium elevations in tropical regions will sometimes conserve the greatest number of species locally, but to conserve maximal biodiversity, a wider range of elevations should also be targeted.

(Fern flora of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: Dennstaedtiaceae, Lindsaeaceae and Saccolomataceae / Flora de samambaias de Viçosa, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil: Dennstaedtiaceae, Lindsaeaceae and Saccolomataceae

As part of an ongoing project treating the ferns and lycophytes from the region of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, we here present the taxonomic treatment of the early divergent lineages of the leptosporangiate ferns: the families Dennstaedtiaceae, Lindsaeaceae and Saccolomataceae. We have been sampling the remnant forest patches since 2012; we also fully reviewed the collection of herbarium VIC and other online collections: F, IAN, NY, PH, RB, U, UC, UPCB, US, and WTU. In the region of Viçosa, six taxa belonging to those families occur Dennstaedtia cicutaria and Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum (Dennstaedtiaceae); Lindsaea lancea var. lancea, L. quadrangularis subsp. quadrangularis, and L. stricta var. stricta (Lindsaeaceae); and Saccoloma elegans (Saccolomataceae). Among these taxa, only L. quadrangularis subsp. quadrangularis and S. elegans are endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest; the remaining are widespread in the Neotropics. We present keys, descriptions, illustrations, examined specimens, and comments.

Como parte de um projeto em andamento sobre samambaias e licófitas da região de Viçosa, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, o tratamento taxonômico das primeiras linhagens divergentes de samambaias leptosporangiadas: as famílias Dennstaedtiaceae, Lindsaeaceae e Saccolomataceae são apresentadas. Expedições de campo foram realizadas desde 2012 em remanescentes florestais da região. Também foi realizada uma revisão completa da coleção do herbário VIC, cuja data de início é 1930, bem como de outras coleções online de herbários: F, IAN, NY, PH, RB, U, UC, UPCB, US, and WTU. Na região de Viçosa, existem seis táxons pertencentes a essas famílias: Dennstaedtia cicutaria e Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum (Dennstaedtiaceae); Lindsaea lancea var. lancea, L. quadrangularis subsp. quadrangularis e L. stricta var. stricta (Lindsaeaceae); e Saccoloma elegans (Saccolomataceae). Dentre esses táxons, apenas L. quadrangularis subsp. quadrangularis e S. elegans são endêmicos da Mata Atlântica brasileira; as demais estão amplamente distribuídas na região Neotropical. São apresentadas chaves, descrições, ilustrações, materiais examinados e comentários.

Description of the male of the Critically Endangered tarantula Typhochlaena curumim Bertani, 2012 (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with comments on tarantula trade and conservation.

The genus Typhochlaena C.L. Koch, 1850 consists of five small size arboreal tarantula species with remarkable colored abdominal patterns and a very restricted geographic range in Brazil. Here, we describe the male of Typhochlaena curumim Bertani, 2012, which was collected in an area of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The new record extends the northern limit of the geographic range for both the genus and species. As Typhochlaena spp. are now especially popular and requested in the pet market, and because T. curumim is classified as Critically Endangered, we discuss the impacts of the international trade and other challenges on conservation of the genus.

Description of the male of the critically endangered tarantula Typhochlaena curumim bertani, 2012 (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with comments on tarantula trade and conservation

The genus Typhochlaena C.L. Koch, 1850 consists of five small size arboreal tarantula species with remarkable colored abdominal patterns and a very restricted geographic range in Brazil. Here, we describe the male of Typhochlaena curumim Bertani, 2012, which was collected in an area of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The new record extends the northern limit of the geographic range for both the genus and species. As Typhochlaena spp. are now especially popular and requested in the pet market, and because T. curumim is classified as Critically Endangered, we discuss the impacts of the international trade and other challenges on conservation of the genus.

Jamesonia (Pteridaceae) in Brazil / Jamesonia (Pteridaceae) no Brasil

Abstract: Jamesonia is a genus of Neotropical ferns that comprises about 50 species, distributed from Mexico to Uruguay. In spite of this wide distribution, this group is more diverse in Andean páramos and subpáramos. Due to the recent changes in its circumscription, with the junction of Eriosorus and segregation of Tryonia, the objective of this work was to carry out the taxonomic study of Jamesonia for Brazil, in order to elaborate its monograph to the Flora of Brazil 2020. This study was based on morphological analyses of specimens deposited in 25 Brazilian herbaria, plus online images of types, field expeditions in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil, revision of the literature, and scanning electronic microscopy of the spores. Seven species and two hybrids were recognized: J. biardii, J. brasiliensis, J. cheilanthoides, J. flexuosa, J. insignis, J. osteniana, J. rufescens, J. brasiliensis × J. cheilanthoides, and J. ×intermedia, respectively. A distinct specimen, from the border of Brazil (Amazonas) and Venezuela, was treated as Jamesonia sp., due to the presence of only one material. Identification key, descriptions and illustrations are provided for the species and hybrids, as well as, geographical distribution data, comments, list of selected material examined for each taxon, and a full list of all exsiccatae analyzed. We also present an identification key for the genera Jamesonia and Tryonia.

Resumo: Jamesonia é um gênero de samambaias Neotropical, que compreende cerca de 50 espécies, distribuídas do México ao Uruguai. Apesar dessa ampla distribuição, o grupo é mais diverso nos páramos e subpáramos andinos. Devido às recentes mudanças na sua circunscrição, com a junção de Eriosorus e a segregação de Tryonia, o objetivo desse trabalho foi realizar o estudo taxonômico de Jamesonia para o Brasil, a fim de elaborar sua monografia para a Flora do Brasil 2020. Esse estudo foi baseado na análise morfológica de espécimes depositados em 25 herbários nacionais, mais imagens dos tipos online, expedições de campo para as regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil, revisão de literatura, e microscopia eletrônica de varredura dos esporos. Sete espécies e dois híbridos foram reconhecidos: J. biardii, J. brasiliensis, J. cheilanthoides, J. flexuosa, J. insignis, J. osteniana, J. rufescens, J. brasiliensis × J. cheilanthoides e J. ×intermedia, respectivamente. Um espécime distinto, oriundo da fronteira do Brasil (Amazonas) com a Venezuela, foi tratado como Jamesonia sp., devido à presença de somente um material. Chaves de identificação, descrições e ilustrações foram apresentadas para as espécies e híbridos, bem como, dados de distribuição geográfica, comentários, lista de material selecionado examinado para cada táxon e uma lista contendo todas as exsicatas analisadas. Nós também apresentamos uma chave de identificação para os gêneros Jamesonia e Tryonia.

Incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization in the evolutionary history of closely related, endemic yellow-flowered Aechmea species of subgenus Ortgiesia (Bromeliaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The yellow-flowered Aechmea subgenus Ortgiesia (yfAsO) (Bromeliaceae) is a group of seven morphologically similar bromeliads found mostly in the southern Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. The recent origin of this group probably contributes to its taxonomic complexity. The aims of this study were to investigate the levels of genetic diversity and structure at the population and species levels, to gain insight into the processes behind the diversification of the group, and to contribute to the establishment of species boundaries. METHODS: We sequenced two noncoding regions of the chloroplast genome (rpl32-trnL and rps16-trnK) and the nuclear phyC gene in 204 and 153 individuals, respectively, representing the seven species of the group. Phylogeographical and population genetics approaches were used. KEY RESULTS: Three of the seven yfAsO showed some degree of genetic differentiation among species. Divergence time for the group was dated to around 4 million years ago. Areas of conservation value were identified, and a scenario of multiple refugia in the southern Brazilian Atlantic rainforest during the Pleistocene climatic oscillations is suggested. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesized that incomplete lineage sorting and localized hybridization events are responsible for the low levels of genetic differentiation and the taxonomic complexity observed among and within the seven yfAsO species. Further studies on Aechmea comata and Aechmea kertesziae will be necessary to clarify the boundary between these two species. Most of the populations sampled showed high genetic diversity and/or unique haplotypes; they should be prioritized for conservation purposes.

Lianas, tree ferns and understory species: indicators of conservation status in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest remnants, southeastern Brazil / Lianas, fetos arborescentes e espécies de sub-bosque: indicadores do estado de conservação da Mata Atlântica brasileira

Abstract Indicators are applied faster and at lower costs than conventional surveys, providing quick and efficient responses that can facilitate protected areas management. Our aim was to select indicators from vegetation to monitor protected areas. For this purpose, we analyzed understory and quantified lianas and tree ferns in protected and non-protected areas, in order to find indicator species. Our study areas are located in Vale do Ribeira, southeastern São Paulo state, Brazil. One of the areas is under two protection categories (IUCN's categories II and V), and the other is a privately owned farm. Lianas with large diameters (> 13 cm) and tree ferns with great heights (> 19 m) were considered indicators of undisturbed areas (protected areas) because their growth is directly related to forest successional stage. Indicator species within the protected area were shade tolerant species, such as Bathysa australis (A.St.-Hil.) K.Schum., whereas outside the protected area were pioneer species, such as Pera glabrata (Schott) Poepp. ex Baill. e Nectandra oppositifolia Ness. All of the suggested indicators can be used in management actions, especially in protected areas, to guarantee forest maintenance and ensure fulfillment of the conservation objectives of these areas.

Resumo Os indicadores são aplicados com menores custos e mais rapidez em comparação com levantamentos convencionais, fornecendo respostas rápidas e eficientes que podem facilitar a gestão das áreas protegidas. Nosso objetivo foi selecionar indicadores de vegetação para monitorar áreas protegidas. Para este fim, analisamos o sub-bosque e quantificamos as lianas e fetos arborescentes em áreas protegidas e não-protegidas em busca de espécies indicadoras. Nossas áreas de estudo estão localizadas na região do Vale do Ribeira, sudeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Uma delas é uma área protegida (categorias da IUCN II e V) e outra uma fazenda de propriedade privada. Lianas com grandes diâmetros (>13 cm) e fetos arborescentes com grandes alturas (>19 m) foram considerados indicadores de áreas não perturbadas (área protegida), pois seu crescimento está diretamente associado com o estágio sucessional das florestas. As espécies indicadoras da área protegida são não pioneiras, como Bathysa australis (A.St.-Hil.) K.Schum., já as da fazenda (não protegida) são pioneiras, como Pera glabrata (Schott) Poepp. ex Baill. e Nectandra oppositifolia Ness. Todos indicadores sugeridos podem ser utilizados em ações de gestão e conservação, especialmente em áreas protegidas, para garantir a manutenção dos remanescentes florestais e para assegurar o cumprimento dos objetivos destas áreas.

About rats and jackfruit trees: modeling the carrying capacity of a Brazilian Atlantic Forest spiny-rat Trinomys dimidiatus (Günther, 1877) – Rodentia, Echimyidae – population with varying jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) abundances / Sobre ratos e jaqueiras: modelando a capacidade suporte de uma população do rato-de-espinho da Mata Atlântica Trinomys dimidiatus (Günther, 1877) – Rodentia, Echimyidae – em relação a diferentes abundâncias de jaqueiras (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.)

We carried out a six-year study aimed at evaluating if and how a Brazilian Atlantic Forest small mammal community responded to the presence of the invasive exotic species Artocarpus heterophyllus, the jackfruit tree. In the surroundings of Vila Dois Rios, Ilha Grande, RJ, 18 grids were established, 10 where the jackfruit tree was present and eight were it was absent. Previous results indicated that the composition and abundance of this small mammal community were altered by the presence and density of A. heterophyllus. One observed effect was the increased population size of the spiny-rat Trinomys dimidiatus within the grids where the jackfruit trees were present. Therefore we decided to create a mathematical model for this species, based on the Verhulst-Pearl logistic equation. Our objectives were i) to calculate the carrying capacity K based on real data of the involved species and the environment; ii) propose and evaluate a mathematical model to estimate the population size of T. dimidiatus based on the monthly seed production of jackfruit tree, Artocarpus heterophyllus and iii) determinate the minimum jackfruit tree seed production to maintain at least two T. dimidiatus individuals in one study grid. Our results indicated that the predicted values by the model for the carrying capacity K were significantly correlated with real data. The best fit was found considering 20~35% energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels. Within the scope of assumed premises, our model showed itself to be an adequate simulator for Trinomys dimidiatus populations where the invasive jackfruit tree is present.

Realizamos um estudo de seis anos para avaliar se e como uma comunidade de pequenos mamíferos terrestres da Mata Atlântica respondia à presença da jaqueira Artocarpus heterophyllus, espécie possivelmente nativa da Índia. Nos arredores da Vila Dois Rios, Ilha Grande, RJ, nós estabelecemos 18 grades de estudo, sendo 10 com jaqueiras e oito sem jaqueiras. Resultados prévios indicaram que a composição e a abundância dessa comunidade de pequenos mamíferos foram alteradas pela presença e densidade de A. heterophyllus. Um dos efeitos observados foi o aumento das populações do rato-de-espinho Trinomys dimidiatus nas grades onde a jaqueira estava presente. Criamos um modelo matemático para prever a capacidade de suporte dessa espécie, baseado na equação logística de Verhulst-Pearl. Nossos objetivos foram i) calcular a capacidade de suporte K com base em dados reais coletados tanto para T. dimidiatus quanto de seu ambiente; ii) propor e avaliar um modelo matemático para estimar o tamanho populacional de T. dimidiatu baseado na produção mensal de sementes de jaqueira e iii) determinar a produção mínima de sementes de jaqueira necessária para manter pelo menos dois indivíduos de T. dimidiatus. Nossos resultados indicaram que os valores previstos para K gerados pelo modelo foram significativamente correlacionados com os dados reais coletados. O melhor ajuste foi obtido considerando uma eficiência de transferência de energia entre níveis tróficos entre 20 e 35%. Dentro do escopo das premissas assumidas, nosso modelo se mostrou um simulador adequado para populações de T. dimidiatus em áreas onde a jaqueira já tenha invadido.

Three new species of Fufius Simon, 1888 (Araneae, Cyrtaucheniidae) from Brazil with the redescription of Fufius funebris Vellard, 1924 and description of the female of Fufius lucasae Guadanucci & Indicatti, 2004.

The mygalomorph neotropical genus Fufius Simon, 1888 comprises ten species, distributed from Guatemala in Central America to southeastern Brazil, in South America. Most of the species were described from northern South America, in the Amazonian region. Only F. funebris Vellard, 1924 and F. lucasae Guadanucci & Indicatti, 2004 are known from regions more to the south of the continent. Herein we describe three new Brazilian species, Fufius minusculus sp. n. and F. jalapensis sp. n. from the state of Tocantins, and F. candango sp. n. from Distrito Federal. The female of F. lucasae is described for first time and the male and female of F. funebris are redescribed based on specimens collected at the type locality.

D-xylose-fermenting and xylanase-producing yeast species from rotting wood of two Atlantic Rainforest habitats in Brazil.

This study investigated the yeast species associated with rotting wood in Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest ecosystems focusing on the identification of D-xylose-fermenting and/or xylanase-producing species. A total of 321 yeast strains were isolated from rotting wood samples collected in two Atlantic Rainforest areas. These samples were cultured in yeast nitrogen base (YNB)-D-xylose or YNB-xylan media. Schwanniomyces polymorphus, Scheffersomyces queiroziae, Barnettozyma californica, and Candida (Ogataea) boidinii were the most frequently isolated yeasts. The rarefaction curves for the yeast communities isolated in YNB-D-xylose and YNB-xylan from both areas continued to rise and did not reach an asymptote, indicating that not all yeast diversity had been recovered. Additionally, the yeast composition was variable among the samples and areas, which was confirmed by the values of the Sorensen index. Among the 69 species identified, only 12 were found in both areas sampled. Fifteen possible new species were obtained. Among them, two species (Sugiyamaella sp. 1 and Sugiyamaella xylanicola) showed the ability to ferment D-xylose into ethanol, and three species (Spencermartinsiella sp. 1, Su. xylanicola and Tremella sp.) were able to produce extracellular xylanases. Indeed, most of the xylanase-producing isolates belong to the new species Su. xylanicola, which was also positive for D-xylose fermentation. S.queiroziae and S. stipitis were the main D-xylose-fermenting yeasts identified. The results of this work showed that rotting wood collected from the Atlantic Rainforests is a huge source of yeasts, including new species, with promising biotechnological properties.

Revision, cladistic analysis and biogeography of Typhochlaena C. L. Koch, 1850, Pachistopelma Pocock, 1901 and Iridopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae).

Three aviculariine genera endemic to Brazil are revised. Typhochlaena C. L. Koch, 1850 is resurrected, including five species; Pachistopelma Pocock, 1901 includes two species; and Iridopelma Pocock, 1901, six species. Nine species are newly described: Typhochlaena ammasp. n., Typhochlaena costaesp. n., Typhochlaena curumimsp. n., Typhochlaena paschoalisp. n., Pachistopelma bromelicolasp. n., Iridopelma katiaesp. n., Iridopelma marcoisp. n., Iridopelma oliveiraisp. n. and Iridopelma vaninisp. n. Three new synonymies are established: Avicularia pulchra Mello-Leitão, 1933 and Avicularia recifiensis Struchen & Brändle, 1996 are junior synonyms of Pachistopelma rufonigrum Pocock, 1901 syn. n., and Avicularia palmicola Mello-Leitão, 1945 is a junior synonym of Iridopelma hirsutum Pocock, 1901 syn. n.Pachistopelma concolor Caporiacco, 1947 is transferred to Tapinauchenius Ausserer, 1871, making the new combination Tapinauchenius concolor (Caporiacco, 1947)comb. n. Lectotypes are newly designed for Pachistopelma rufonigrum Pocock, 1901 , Iridopelma hirsutum Pocock, 1901 and Pachistopelma concolor Caporiacco, 1947. Cladistic analyses using both equal and implied weights were carried out with a matrix comprising 62 characters and 38 terminal taxa. The chosen cladogram found with X-Pee-Wee and concavity 6 suggests they are monophyletic. All species are keyed and mapped and information on species habitat and area cladograms are presented. Discussion on biogeography and conservation is provided.

Eufriesea violacea (Blanchard) (Hymenoptera: Apidae): an orchid Bee apparently sensitive to size reduction in forest patches / Eufriesea violacea (Blanchard) (Hymenoptera: Apidae): uma abelha das orquídeas aparentemente sensível à redução no tamanho dos fragmentos florestais

Eufriesea violacea (Blanchard) is a very seasonal euglossine species, more frequently found in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil. A number of studies have revealed large variations in the abundance of males of this species present in Atlantic Forest remnants throughout both regions. In this paper, we report variations in the abundance of E. violacea males sampled in several forest patches of different sizes (ranging from 10 to 580 ha), and we propose that this species is possibly sensitive to the reduction in size of forest remnants. Surveys were carried out in nine forest remnants of Atlantic rainforest located in northern Paraná State, southern Brazil. Male euglossine bees were collected with an entomological net when visiting scent-baits, between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, from October to December of 2001 and 2006. A total of 360 E. violacea males were captured in the nine forest fragments studied. The number of bees attracted to scent baits in each forest patch varied from zero to 261. A very high association (r = 0.993) was detected between the forest patch size and the visitation rate of E. violacea males at different sites, with the highest mean number of males visiting baits/sampling (43.5) being observed for bees from the largest forest remnant. Although alternative hypothesis should not be discharged for the decline in the abundance or absence of E. violacea in small forest patches, our results indicate that populations of this euglossine species need larger forest areas for existing.

Eufriesea violacea (Blanchard) é uma espécie de Euglossini bastante sazonal, de ocorrência mais frequente no Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Vários estudos revelaram grandes variações na abundância de machos de E. violacea em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica dessas duas regiões brasileiras. Neste artigo, relatamos variações na abundância de machos de E. violacea de vários fragmentos florestais de tamanhos distintos (variando de 10 a 580 ha), e sugerimos que a espécie seja provavelmente sensível à redução no tamanho da área do fragmento florestal. As amostragens foram realizadas em nove remanescentes florestais de Mata Atlântica, localizados no Norte do Paraná, Sul do Brasil. Machos euglossíneos foram coletados com rede entomológica durante suas visitas às iscas-odores, entre 10:00h e 13:00h, de outubro a dezembro de 2001 e 2006. O total de 360 machos de E. violacea foi coletado nos fragmentos estudados. O número de abelhas atraídas às iscas em cada área variou de zero a 261 indivíduos. O tamanho do fragmento foi proporcionalmente relacionado (r = 0,993) à taxa de visitação de machos de E. violacea nas diferentes áreas, sendo que o maior número médio de machos (43,5) por amostragem foi observado para abelhas do fragmento florestal maior. Embora hipóteses alternativas para o declínio na abundância ou ausência de E. violacea em fragmentos florestais menores não devam ser descartadas, esses resultados indicam que populações de E. violacea necessitam de áreas florestais maiores para sua sobrevivência.