The Arrow Macambira (Encholirium spectabile: Bromeliaceae) as an Important Habitat for the Arthropod Fauna in Rocky Outcrops of the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region.

Bromeliads play a vital role in preserving biodiversity in the Neotropical region. To understand their impact on arthropod diversity in Brazil's semi-arid region, we studied the rupicolous bromeliad Encholirium spectabile. From 2011 to 2018, we observed the arthropod fauna in E. spectabile clumps, documenting the associated taxa, their abundance, and interactions. We also investigated how seasonality affects arthropod richness and composition during the dry and rainy seasons. Over the observation period, 15 orders and 57 arthropod families were recorded in association with E. spectabile. Insecta dominated, followed by predatory chelicerates. Eight usage categories were identified, with Shelter being the most prevalent, followed by Predators, Nesters, and Nectarivores. Significant differences in taxonomic richness were noted between rainy and dry seasons, with the rainy season exhibiting higher diversity. Seasonal variation was also observed in species composition. Clumps of E. spectabile emerged as crucial habitats for surrounding arthropod fauna. This research underscores the importance of non-phylotelm bromeliads, particularly in high abiotic stress environments like semi-arid regions. The taxonomic diversity observed aligns with findings from diverse environments, shedding light on the relevance of E. spectabile for associated arthropod fauna. These results prompt further exploration of non-phylotelm bromeliads in semi-arid settings, providing a fresh perspective on their significance in shaping arthropod communities.

A new genus and five new species of pseudoscorpions (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones, Withiidae) from Colombia.

The pseudoscorpion family Withiidae is widely distributed around the world, with most of its diversity in tropical areas. Five new species and a new genus from Colombia are described: Cystowithiusflorezisp. nov., Parawithiusbromelicolasp. nov., Oligowithiusachaguasp. nov., and the genus Paciwithiusgen. nov. with two species Paciwithiusvalduparensissp. nov. and Paciwithiuschimbilacussp. nov. A reassessment of the subgenus Dolichowithius (Oligowithius) Beier, 1936 allows the elevation to a full generic level, and the transfer of the only known species to Oligowithius, forming the new combination Oligowithiusabnormis (Beier, 1936), comb. nov.

Anatomical and physiological responses of Aechmea blanchetiana (Bromeliaceae) induced by silicon and sodium chloride stress during in vitro culture.

Salt stress is one of the most severe abiotic stresses affecting plant growth and development. The application of silicon (Si) is an alternative that can increase the tolerance of plants to various types of biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective was to evaluate salt stress's effect in vitro and Si's mitigation potential on Aechmea blanchetiana plants. For this purpose, plants already established in vitro were transferred to a culture medium with 0 or 14 µM of Si (CaSiO3). After growth for 30 days, a stationary liquid medium containing different concentrations of NaCl (0, 100, 200, or 300 µM) was added to the flasks. Anatomical and physiological analyses were performed after growth for 45 days. The plants cultivated with excess NaCl presented reduced root diameter and effective photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) (ΦPSII) and increased non-photochemical dissipation of fluorescence (qN). Plants that grew with the presence of Si also had greater content of photosynthetic pigments and activity of the enzymes of the antioxidant system, as well as higher values of maximum quantum yield of PSII (FV/FM), photochemical dissipation coefficient of fluorescence (qP) and fresh weight bioaccumulation of roots and shoots. The anatomical, physiological and biochemical responses, and growth induced by Si mitigated the effect of salt stress on the A. blanchetiana plants cultivated in vitro, which can be partly explained by the tolerance of this species to grow in sandbank (Restinga) areas.

New Proposal of Epiphytic Bromeliaceae Functional Groups to Include Nebulophytes and Shallow Tanks.

The Bromeliaceae family has been used as a model to study adaptive radiation due to its terrestrial, epilithic, and epiphytic habits with wide morpho-physiological variation. Functional groups described by Pittendrigh in 1948 have been an integral part of ecophysiological studies. In the current study, we revisited the functional groups of epiphytic bromeliads using a 204 species trait database sampled throughout the Americas. Our objective was to define epiphytic functional groups within bromeliads based on unsupervised classification, including species from the dry to the wet end of the Neotropics. We performed a hierarchical cluster analysis with 16 functional traits and a discriminant analysis, to test for the separation between these groups. Herbarium records were used to map species distributions and to analyze the climate and ecosystems inhabited. The clustering supported five groups, C3 tank and CAM tank bromeliads with deep tanks, while the atmospheric group (according to Pittendrigh) was divided into nebulophytes, bromeliads with shallow tanks, and bromeliads with pseudobulbs. The two former groups showed distinct traits related to resource (water) acquisition, such as fog (nebulophytes) and dew (shallow tanks). We discuss how the functional traits relate to the ecosystems inhabited and the relevance of acknowledging the new functional groups.

Metabarcoding of the phytotelmata of Pseudalcantarea grandis (Bromeliaceae) from an arid zone.

BACKGROUND: Pseudalcantarea grandis (Schltdl.) Pinzón & Barfuss is a tank bromeliad that grows on cliffs in the southernmost portion of the Chihuahuan desert. Phytotelmata are water bodies formed by plants that function as micro-ecosystems where bacteria, algae, protists, insects, fungi, and some vertebrates can develop. We hypothesized that the bacterial diversity contained in the phytotelma formed in a bromeliad from an arid zone would differ in sites with and without surrounding vegetation. Our study aimed to characterize the bacterial composition and putative metabolic functions in P. grandis phytotelmata collected in vegetated and non-vegetated sites. METHODS: Water from 10 individuals was sampled. Five individuals had abundant surrounding vegetation, and five had little or no vegetation. We extracted DNA and amplified seven hypervariable regions of the 16S gene (V2, V4, V8, V3-6, 7-9). Metabarcoding sequencing was performed on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. Taxonomic identity was assigned by the binning reads and coverage between hit and query from the reference database of at least 90%. Putative metabolic functions of the bacterial families were assigned mainly using the FAPROTAX database. The dominance patterns in each site were visualized with rank/abundance curves using the number of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) per family. A percentage similarity analysis (SIMPER) was used to estimate dissimilarity between the sites. Relationships among bacterial families (identified by the dominance analysis and SIMPER), sites, and their respective putative functions were analyzed with shade plots. RESULTS: A total of 1.5 million useful bacterial sequences were obtained. Sequences were clustered into OTUs, and taxonomic assignment was conducted using BLAST in the Greengenes databases. Bacterial diversity was 23 phyla, 52 classes, 98 orders, 218 families, and 297 genera. Proteobacteria (37%), Actinobacteria (19%), and Firmicutes (15%) comprised the highest percentage (71%). There was a 68.3% similarity between the two sites at family level, with 149 families shared. Aerobic chemoheterotrophy and fermentation were the main metabolic functions in both sites, followed by ureolysis, nitrate reduction, aromatic compound degradation, and nitrogen fixation. The dominant bacteria shared most of the metabolic functions between sites. Some functions were recorded for one site only and were related to families with the lowest OTUs richness. Bacterial diversity in the P. grandis tanks included dominant phyla and families present at low percentage that could be considered part of a rare biosphere. A rare biosphere can form genetic reservoirs, the local abundance of which depends on external abiotic and biotic factors, while their interactions could favor micro-ecosystem resilience and resistance.

Pristimantis achupalla sp. n., a new minute species of direct-developing frog (Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae) inhabiting bromeliads of the montane forest of the Amazonian Andes of Puno, Peru.

We describe a new species of bromeliad-dwelling Pristimantis from primary montane forest (2,225 m a.s.l.) in southern Peru. The type locality is near Thiuni, in the Department of Puno (province of Carabaya) in the upper watershed of a tributary of the Inambari River. Pristimantis achupalla sp. n. is characterized by a snout-vent length of 10.0-12.8 mm in adult males (n = 4), unknown in adult females, and is compared morphologically and genetically with species in the Pristimantis lacrimosus group, and with other similar species of Pristimantis. The new species is characterized by having skin on dorsum and flanks rugose, green brownish color, distinctive scapular folds, subacuminate or acuminate snout profile, upper eyelid bearing two or three subconical tubercles and some rounded tubercles, rostral papilla, flanks light brown to brown, with irregular dark brown marks.

Warming of aquatic ecosystems disrupts aquatic-terrestrial linkages in the tropics.

Aquatic ecosystems are tightly linked to terrestrial ecosystems by exchanges of resources, which influence species interactions, community dynamics and functioning in both ecosystem types. However, our understanding of how this coupling responds to climate warming is restricted to temperate, boreal and arctic regions, with limited knowledge from tropical ecosystems. We investigated how warming aquatic ecosystems impact cross-ecosystem exchanges in the tropics, through the export of aquatic resources into the terrestrial environment and the breakdown of terrestrial resources within the aquatic environment. We experimentally heated 50 naturally assembled aquatic communities, contained within different-sized tank-bromeliads, to a 23.5-32°C gradient of mean water temperatures. The biomass, abundance and richness of aquatic insects emerging into the terrestrial environment all declined with rising temperatures over a 45-day experiment. Structural equation and linear mixed effects modelling suggested that these impacts were driven by deleterious effects of warming on insect development and survival, rather than being mediated by aquatic predation, nutrient availability or reduced body size. Decomposition was primarily driven by microbial activity. However, total decomposition by both microbes and macroinvertebrates increased with temperature in all but the largest ecosystems, where it decreased. Thus, warming decoupled aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, by reducing the flux of aquatic resources to terrestrial ecosystems but variably enhancing or reducing terrestrial resource breakdown in aquatic ecosystems. In contrast with increased emergence observed in warmed temperate ecosystems, future climate change is likely to reduce connectivity between tropical terrestrial and aquatic habitats, potentially impacting consumers in both ecosystem types. As tropical ectotherms live closer to their thermal tolerance limits compared to temperate species, warming can disrupt cross-ecosystem dynamics in an interconnected tropical landscape and should be considered when investigating ecosystem-level consequences of climate change.

Os ecossistemas aquáticos estão intimamente ligados aos ecossistemas terrestres por meio das trocas de recursos, que influenciam as interações entre as espécies, a dinâmica da comunidade e o funcionamento de ambos os tipos de ecossistemas. No entanto, nosso entendimento de como esse acoplamento responde ao aquecimento do clima é restrito às regiões temperadas, boreais e árticas, com conhecimento limitado para os ecossistemas tropicais. Investigamos como o aquecimento dos ecossistemas aquáticos impacta as trocas entre os ecossistemas nos trópicos, por meio da exportação de recursos aquáticos para o ambiente terrestre e da decomposição dos detritos de origem terrestre no ambiente aquático. Nós aquecemos experimentalmente 50 comunidades aquáticas que habitam tanques de bromélias de diferentes tamanhos, submetidas a um gradiente de temperatura média da água variando de 23,5 a 32°C. Em um experimento de 45 dias, a biomassa, abundância e riqueza de insetos aquáticos emergindo para o ambiente terrestre diminuíram com o aumento da temperatura. Modelos lineares mistos e de equações estruturais sugerem que esses impactos foram causados por efeitos deletérios do aquecimento no desenvolvimento e sobrevivência dos insetos, ao invés de serem mediados por predadores aquáticos, disponibilidade de nutrientes ou tamanho corporal reduzido. A decomposição foi determinada principalmente pela atividade microbiana. A decomposição total por micro-organismos e macro invertebrados aumentou com a temperatura, exceto em ecossistemas maiores. Assim, o aquecimento dissociou os ecossistemas aquáticos e terrestres, reduzindo o fluxo de recursos aquáticos para os ecossistemas terrestres, mas aumentando ou reduzindo de forma variável a decomposição dos recursos terrestres nos ecossistemas aquáticos. Em contraste com o aumento da emergência observada em ecossistemas temperados aquecidos, as mudanças climáticas futuras provavelmente reduzirão a conectividade entre os habitats terrestres e aquáticos tropicais, impactando potencialmente os consumidores em ambos os tipos de ecossistemas. Como organismos ectotérmicos tropicais vivem mais perto dos seus limites de tolerância térmica em comparação com espécies temperadas, o aquecimento pode comprometer a dinâmica entre os ecossistemas em uma paisagem tropical interconectada e deve ser considerado ao investigar as consequências das mudanças climáticas no nível do ecossistema.

Cryopreservation and low-temperature storage of seeds of Tillandsia species (Bromeliaceae) with ornamental potential.

Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) species have high endemism, and due to their strong ornamental potential, predatory extraction is threatening the extinction or drastic population reduction of many of them. In light of this scenario, it is necessary to find strategies for the conservation of these endangered species. The objective of this study was to evaluate two seed preservation strategies (freezing at - 5 °C and cryopreservation at - 196 °C) for 20 Tillandsia species occurring in the state of Bahia. We initially evaluated the morphometry, thousand-seed weight, and water content, followed by tests of germination and desiccation. After selecting the best result of the germination test (Germitest paper and incubation at 30 °C) and desiccation (3 h on silica gel), we established conservation tests utilizing two temperatures (freezing at - 5 °C and liquid nitrogen at - 196 °C), with storage times of 1, 7, 30, 180 and 450 days. Analysis of variance indicated that the 20 species had different behaviors when submitted to the two temperatures and different storage times. After 450 days there was a reduction in the germination percentage and germination speed index (GSI) of all the species studied when the seeds were preserved in the freezer. The storage in liquid nitrogen was efficient for the preservation of Tillandsia seeds when dried to a moisture content of approximately 7%. Our results support the establishment of a cryobank for Tillandsia to conserve these endemic species.

Checklist of ciliates (Alveolata: Ciliophora) that inhabit in bromeliads from the Neotropical Region.

Species from almost all classes of ciliates are prone to be found inhabiting bromeliads in the Neotropics, from Mexico to Brazil, and the Antilles. Studies of ciliates recorded from bromeliads have been carried out from few bromeliad species, mainly in tropical forest. We compiled all available data of free living and sessile ciliates from bromeliads, including their geographic distribution and bromeliad identity. We provide a list of 170 ciliate species that have been recorded in 52 epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliad species, distributed in ten Neotropical countries . Most of the species belong to the Classes Oligohymenophorea, Colpodea and Spirotrichea. The largest number of ciliate species has been recorded in Brazil and Mexico. Bromeliothrix metopoides and Glaucomides bromelicola were the two species with the widest geographical distribution, 19 species have been recorded only in Mexico, 11 in the Antillean islands, and 89 only in Southamerica. Free living species prevailed over sessile species, and both represent 2% of the total ciliate species number. Sixteen ciliate species have been recorded only inhabiting in bromeliads. Although bromeliads show a high endemicity, their specificity is low in relation to ciliates.

Early Diverging and Core Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) Reveal Contrasting Patterns of Genome Size Evolution and Polyploidy.

The subfamily Bromelioideae is one of the most diverse groups among the neotropical Bromeliaceae. Previously, key innovations have been identified which account for the extraordinary radiation and species richness of this subfamily, especially in the so-called core Bromelioideae. However, in order to extend our understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms, the genomic mechanisms (e.g. polyploidy, dysploidy) that potentially underlie this accelerated speciation also need to be tested. Here, using PI and DAPI staining and flow cytometry we estimated genome size and GC content of 231 plants covering 30 genera and 165 species and combined it with published data. The evolutionary and ecological significance of all three genomic characters was tested within a previously generated dated phylogenetic framework using ancestral state reconstructions, comparative phylogenetic methods, and multiple regressions with climatic variables. The absolute genome size (2C) of Bromelioideae varied between 0.59 and 4.11 pg, and the GC content ranged between 36.73 and 41.43%. The monoploid genome sizes (Cx) differed significantly between core and early diverging lineages. The occurrence of dysploidy and polyploidy was, with few exceptions, limited to the phylogenetically isolated early diverging tank-less lineages. For Cx and GC content Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models outperformed the Brownian motion models suggesting adaptive potential linked to the temperature conditions. 2C-values revealed different rates of evolution in core and early diverging lineages also related to climatic conditions. Our results suggest that polyploidy is not associated with higher net diversification and fast radiation in core bromelioids. On the other hand, although coupled with higher extinction rates, dysploidy, polyploidy, and resulting genomic reorganizations might have played a role in the survival of the early diverging bromelioids in hot and arid environments.

Prey colonization in freshwater landscapes can be stimulated or inhibited by the proximity of remote predators.

Recent findings suggest that the colonization of habitat patches may be affected by the quality of surrounding patches. For instance, patches that lack predators may be avoided when located near others with predators, a pattern known as risk contagion. Alternatively, predator avoidance might also redirect dispersal towards nearby predator-free patches resulting in so-called habitat compression. However, it is largely unknown how predators continue to influence these habitat selection behaviours at increasing distances from outside of their own habitat patch. In addition, current information is derived from artificial mesocosm experiments, while support from natural ecosystems is lacking. This study used bromeliad landscapes as a natural model system to study how oviposition habitat selection of Diptera responds to the cues of a distant predator, the carnivorous elephant mosquito larva. We established landscapes containing predator-free bromeliad habitat patches placed at increasing distances from a predator-containing patch, along with replicate control landscapes. These patches were then left to be colonized by ovipositing bromeliad insects. We found that distance to predators modulates habitat selection decisions. Moreover, different dipteran families had different responses suggesting different habitat selection strategies. In some families, predator-free patches at certain distances from the predator patch were avoided, confirming risk contagion. In other families, these patches received higher numbers of colonists providing evidence of predator-induced habitat compression. We confirm that effects of predators in a natural ecosystem can extend beyond the patch in which the predator is present and that the presence or absence of remote predator effects on habitat selection depends on the distance to predators. The notion that perceived habitat quality can depend on conditions in neighbouring patches forces habitat selection studies to adopt a landscape perspective and account for the effects of both present and remote predators when explaining community assembly in metacommunities.

The low-copy nuclear gene Agt1 as a novel DNA barcoding marker for Bromeliaceae.

BACKGROUND: The angiosperm family Bromeliaceae comprises over 3.500 species characterized by exceptionally high morphological and ecological diversity, but a very low genetic variation. In many genera, plants are vegetatively very similar which makes determination of non flowering bromeliads difficult. This is particularly problematic with living collections where plants are often cultivated over decades without flowering. DNA barcoding is therefore a very promising approach to provide reliable and convenient assistance in species determination. However, the observed low genetic variation of canonical barcoding markers in bromeliads causes problems. RESULT: In this study the low-copy nuclear gene Agt1 is identified as a novel DNA barcoding marker suitable for molecular identification of closely related bromeliad species. Combining a comparatively slowly evolving exon sequence with an adjacent, genetically highly variable intron, correctly matching MegaBLAST based species identification rate was found to be approximately double the highest rate yet reported for bromeliads using other barcode markers. CONCLUSION: In the present work, we characterize Agt1 as a novel plant DNA barcoding marker to be used for barcoding of bromeliads, a plant group with low genetic variation. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive marker sequence dataset for further use in the bromeliad research community.

Unravelling intricate interactions among atmospheric bromeliads with highly overlapping niches in seasonal systems.

Biotic and abiotic interactions are important factors that explain community assembly. For example, epiphytic communities are shaped by tree traits that can act as environmental filters, but also by positive and/or negative interactions among coexisting epiphytes on a tree. Here, we studied interactions among three widespread atmospheric bromeliads with overlapping niches (Tillandsia recurvata, T. tricholepis and T. pohliana), using experimental data about facilitation through seed capture, interspecific interaction during seed germination and competition among adult individuals. We aim to understand how species interactions are reflected in the natural coexisting patterns of epiphytes in communities at high and low tree densities. Tillandsia pohliana showed higher facilitation by capturing almost all wind-dispersing seeds, and had the largest reduction in seed germination in the presence of any adult individual, also presenting a relatively high rate of adult mortality in the presence of other individuals. Our results indicate higher colonisation ability for T. pohliana and distinct strategies of rapid exploitation of T. recurvata and T. tricholepis individuals. In natural communities, the coexistence among atmospheric bromeliads may be hampered by dispersal limitations in wind-dispersed epiphytes at high tree density conditions, but a negative effect of T. recurvata on T. pohliana is still reflected in their reduced coexistence. However, competitive patterns observed in the experimental data may be overshadowed by a possible mass effect driving large communities under such conditions. Our results show the joint effect of positive interactions and high dispersal levels on the community patterns of atmospheric bromeliads.

First report and damage description of Calodesma collaris (Drury, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) caterpillars on Aechmea winkleri Reitz, 1975 (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract We report for the first time the occurrence of Calodesma collaris (Drury, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) caterpillars on Aechmea winkleri Reitz, 1975 (Bromeliaceae) and describe the damage it causes on these plants. The consumption of leaf tissue, accumulation of excrements and inhibition of inflorescence emission caused by larvae of C. collaris can result in plants of A. winkleri that are not suitable for ornamental or landscaping purposes.

Beta diversity patterns of Bromeliaceae growing on rocky cliffs within the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil / Padrões de diversidade beta de Bromeliaceae crescendo em falésias rochosas dentro da Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil

Abstract: In recent years there has been increasing attention in patterns of β-diversity and mechanisms related to variations in species composition. In this study, we evaluated beta diversity patterns of bromeliads growing on cliffs immersed in Atlantic Forest. We hypothesized that the species composition varies according to the spatial scale, inferring that there is a replacement of species influenced mainly by environmental factors. The study was carried out on sandstone cliffs included in contiguous but distinct vegetation formations: Evergreen and Seasonal forests. Twenty-four vertical rocky outcrops were sampled. The spatial variation in species composition was evaluated by two β-diversity components, turnover and nestedness. Multivariate analysis and variation partitioning were performed to distinguish niche and stochastic processes. We recorded 26 bromeliad species and a significantly higher contribution of turnover explaining beta diversity. Environmental factors affect β-diversity patterns of Bromeliaceae. However, individually, the environmental predictors do not explain the data variation. Environmental variations spatially structured, and spatial variables determinate the dissimilarity in the composition of bromeliads on cliffs. Thus, our results revealed that both environmental and spatial effects can act together to define the floristic composition of rock-dwelling bromeliad communities.

Resumo: Nos últimos anos tem havido uma crescente atenção em relação aos padrões de diversidade β e aos mecanismos relacionados às variações na composição de espécies. Neste estudo, nós avaliamos os padrões de diversidade beta de bromélias crescendo em escarpas rochosas imersas em matriz de Floresta Atlântica. Hipotetizamos que a composição das espécies varia de acordo com a escala espacial, inferindo que há uma substituição de espécies influenciadas principalmente por fatores ambientais. O estudo foi realizado em escarpas areníticas inseridas em formações vegetacionais contíguas, mas distintas: Florestas Ombrófila e Estacional. Vinte e quatro afloramentos rochosos verticais foram amostrados. A variação espacial na composição de espécies foi avaliada por dois componentes de diversidade β, turnover e aninhamento. Análise multivariada e particionamento da variação foram realizados para distinguir processos de nicho e estocásticos. Registramos 26 espécies de bromélias, com uma contribuição significativamente maior do turnover explicando a diversidade beta. Os fatores ambientais afetam os padrões de diversidade β de Bromeliaceae, no entanto, individualmente, esses preditores não explicam a variação dos dados. Assim, variações espaciais e variações ambientais espacialmente estruturadas determinam a dissimilaridade na composição de bromélias nas escarpas avaliadas. Desse modo, tanto os fatores ambientais determinísticos quanto os efeitos espaciais podem atuar em conjunto para definir a composição florística das comunidades de bromélias que se estabelecem sobre rochas.

Microhabitat determines uneven distribution of Amblyomma parvum but not of Amblyomma sculptum ticks within forest patches in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Environmental distribution of the two most abundant ticks in forest areas in the Brazilian Pantanal was evaluated by CO2 traps methodology in the wet season (peak of adult ticks) of 2012 and 2013. Adults of Amblyomma parvum were concentrated inside agglomerates of Bromelia balansae, in the border of forest patches. Adults of Amblyomma sculptum occurred in similar numbers both in bromeliad clumps and in bromeliad-free areas. Differential distribution of ticks in this habitat could be associated to the frequent use of bromeliad clumps by wild animals (potential hosts) and to the microclimate conditions inside this vegetation in the Pantanal. It is important to verify whether larvae and nymphs of A. parvum have a similar pattern of distribution in the same areas, during the dry season. These stages are more susceptible to desiccation and their principal hosts, non-volant small mammals, also use these bromeliad areas.

A record of Disparalona hamata (Birge, 1879) (Cladocera: Chydoridae) in phytotelmata of Tillandsia aguascalentensis Gardner, 1984 (Poales: Bromeliaceae).

Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are an extremely diverse family of the angiosperms widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and West Africa. They often serve as phytotelmata, accumulating rainwater between leaves. Such water reservoirs can be inhabited by diverse organisms. But to date not much attention is paid to inventory of these organisms, with careful identification of each taxon. We found a microcrustacean Disparalona hamata (Birge, 1879) (Crustacea: Cladocera) in the bromeliad Tillandsia aguascalentensis Gardner, 1984 in Mexico. Investigated population included parthenogenetic females, gamogenetic females and males. Hereby the population apparently can pass the full life cycle under conditions of phytotelmata. Along with ecological observations, we provide additional taxonomic notes on the genus Disparalona Fryer, 1968 itself. Recently a series of morphological revisions was conducted for this genus. It was subdivided into two subgenera: Disparalona s.str. and Mixopleuroxus Hudec, 2010. But, in fact, the second taxon is a junior synonym of Leptorhynchus Daday, 1905. In this regard here we provide an updated list of taxonomic synonyms for the subgenus Leptorhynchus.

On three new species of Elpidium Müller, 1880 and the re-description of Elpidium laesslei (Tressler, 1956) from Jamaica (Ostracoda: Podocopida: Limnocytheridae).

Elpidium ostracods are known by their very particular niche (water accumulated in tank-bromeliads), their relatively low dispersal ability and their dependency on amphibians for dispersal and colonization of new bromeliads. All these characteristics make the genus an interesting group for evolutionary, ecological and even taxonomic studies. However, the diversity of the group remains poorly studied. Here, we describe three new species of Elpidium, Elpidium littlei n. sp., Elpidium heberti n. sp. and Elpidium wolfi n. sp., and re-describe Elpidium laesslei, all from Jamaica. These species are characterized by a copulatory process with separated ejaculatory duct and distal glans, a feature so far unique within the genus. Each species can, in turn, be diagnosed by soft part and carapace morphology, most notably comparing hemipenis, valve ornamentation and degree of sexual dimorphism. The observed morphological diversity of Elpidium is discussed in relation to previous genetic estimates that suggested an even higher diversity in Jamaica. We point to intraspecific variation and lack of complete morphological descriptions as possible explanations. We also reaffirm the need of multidisciplinary studies in order to do more objective and secure taxonomic classifications in future studies.

Dispersal and local persistence shape the genetic structure of a widespread Neotropical plant species with a patchy distribution.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Isolated populations constitute an ideal laboratory to study the consequences of intraspecific divergence, because intrinsic incompatibilities are more likely to accumulate under reduced gene flow. Here, we use a widespread bromeliad with a patchy distribution, Pitcairnia lanuginosa, as a model to infer processes driving Neotropical diversification and, thus, to improve our understanding of the origin and evolutionary dynamics of biodiversity in this highly speciose region. METHODS: We assessed the timing of lineage divergence, genetic structural patterns and historical demography of P. lanuginosa, based on microsatellites, and plastid and nuclear sequence data sets using coalescent analyses and an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework. Additionally, we used species distribution models (SDMs) to independently estimate potential changes in habitat suitability. KEY RESULTS: Despite morphological uniformity, plastid and nuclear DNA data revealed two distinct P. lanuginosa lineages that probably diverged through dispersal from the Cerrado to the Central Andean Yungas, following the final uplift of the Andes, and passed through long-term isolation with no evidence of migration. Microsatellite data indicate low genetic diversity and high levels of inbreeding within populations, and restricted gene flow among populations, which are likely to be a consequence of bottlenecks (or founder events), and high selfing rates promoting population persistence in isolation. SDMs showed a slight expansion of the suitable range for P. lanuginosa lineages during the Last Glacial Maximum, although molecular data revealed a signature of older divergence. Pleistocene climatic oscillations thus seem to have played only a minor role in the diversification of P. lanuginosa, which probably persisted through adverse conditions in riparian forests. CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply drift as a major force shaping the evolution of P. lanuginosa, and suggest that dispersal events have a prominent role in connecting Neotropical open and forest biomes.

Involvement of aquaporins on nitrogen-acquisition strategies of juvenile and adult plants of an epiphytic tank-forming bromeliad.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Depending on the N source and plant ontogenetic state, the epiphytic tank-forming bromeliad Vriesea gigantea can modulate aquaporin expression to maximize the absorption of the most available nitrogen source. Epiphytic bromeliads frequently present a structure formed by the overlapping of leaf bases where water and nutrients can be accumulated and absorbed, called tank. However, this structure is not present during the juvenile ontogenetic phase, leading to differences in nutrient acquisition strategies. Recent studies have shown a high capacity of the bromeliad Vriesea gigantea, an epiphytic tank-forming bromeliad, to absorb urea by their leaves. Since plant aquaporins can facilitate the diffusion of urea through the membranes, we cloned three foliar aquaporin genes, VgPIP1;1, VgPIP1;2 and VgTIP2;1 from V. gigantea plants. Through functional studies, we observed that besides water, VgTIP2;1 was capable of transporting urea while VgPIP1;2 may facilitate ammonium/ammonia diffusion. Moreover, aiming at identifying urea and ammonium-induced changes in aquaporin expression in leaves of juvenile and adult-tank plants, we showed that VgPIP1;1 and VgPIP1;2 transcripts were up-regulated in response to either urea or ammonium only in juvenile plants, while VgTIP2;1 was up-regulated in response to urea only in adult-tank plants. Thereby, an ontogenetic shift from juvenile to adult-tank-forming-plant appears to occur with metabolic changes regarding nitrogen metabolism regulation. Investigating urea metabolism in wild species that naturally cope with organic N sources, such as V. gigantea, may provide the knowledge to modify nitrogen use efficiency of crop plants.