Species diversity and spatial distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from La Isla Amazon Park, Napo Province, Ecuador / Diversidad de especies y distribución espacial de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) del Parque Amazónico La Isla, provincia de Napo, Ecuador

Abstract Introduction: Vector-borne diseases are prevalent in the Amazon and Coastal regions of Ecuador. However, there is a scarcity of mosquito ecology studies in these areas. The most recent list of species reported for the country comprises 8 tribes, 22 genera, and 200 species. Objectives: To document the Culicidae species found in La Isla Amazon Park, Napo, Ecuador, including those with epidemiological significance; and to analyze their composition, abundance, and diversity, focusing on larval habitats during the dry and rainy periods. Methods: We evaluated different larval habitats, considering collection duration as the primary criterion. We used CDC and Shannon traps to collect adult mosquitoes during both rainy and dry periods. To assess sampling effort, we used accumulation curves and non-parametric estimators of species richness, while we employed Hill numbers to determine diversity. Additionally, we used the Berger-Parker and Pielou indices to evaluate species dominance and evenness. We conducted cluster analysis and ANOSIM tests to assess the similarity between habitats and the differences in taxonomic composition between periods. Results: We collected a total of 802 individuals from 15 species and 4 taxonomic units, 5 genera, and 4 tribes. Notably, this may be the first records of Wyeomyia felicia Dyar & Núñez Tovar and Culex derivator Dyar & Knab from Ecuador. Additionally, the presence of Culex dunni Dyar and Psorophora ferox von Humboldt (both recognized as vectors) was correlated with increased rainfall. Conclusions: The abundance of mosquitoes, including potential vector species, increased during the rainy season, indicating a higher risk of pathogen transmission. However, the relationship between rainfall amount and diversity patterns is not well-defined.

Resumen Introducción: Las enfermedades vectoriales son prevalentes en las regiones amazónica y costera de Ecuador. Sin embargo, hay una escasez de estudios de ecología de mosquitos en estas áreas. En el país se ha reportado 8 tribus, 22 géneros y 200 especies. Objetivos: Documentar las especies de Culicidae encontradas en el Parque Amazónico La Isla, Napo, Ecuador, incluyendo aquellas con importancia epidemiológica; y analizar su composición, abundancia y diversidad, enfocándose en los hábitats de las larvas durante los períodos seco y lluvioso. Métodos: Evaluamos diferentes hábitats larvarios, con la duración de la recolecta como criterio. Las trampas CDC y Shannon recolectaron mosquitos adultos durante los períodos seco y lluvioso. Evaluamos la riqueza de especies con curvas de acumulación y estimadores no paramétricos, mientras que determinamos la diversidad con los números de Hill. Además, utilizamos los índices de Berger-Parker y Pielou para evaluar la dominancia y la uniformidad de las especies. Realizamos análisis de conglomerados y la prueba ANOSIM para evaluar la similitud entre hábitats y estaciones, así como las diferencias en la composición taxonómica, respectivamente. Resultados: Recolectamos un total de 802 individuos de 15 especies y 4 unidades taxonómicas, 5 géneros y 4 tribus. Este podría ser el primer registro de Wyeomyia felicia Dyar & Núñez Tovar y Culex derivator Dyar & Knab en Ecuador. Además, la presencia de Culex dunni Dyar y Psorophora ferox von Humboldt (ambos potenciales vectores) se correlacionó con el aumento de las precipitaciones. Conclusiones: El aumento de la abundancia de mosquitos durante el periodo lluvioso indica un mayor riesgo de transmisión de patógenos. Sin embargo, la relación entre la cantidad de precipitaciones y los patrones de diversidad no está bien definida.

Arthropod diversity in phytotelmata of Calathea capitata (Zingiberales; Marantaceae) host plants from Peru

Cryptic habitats are often overlooked in biodiversity surveys. Phytotelmata, or plant pools, are one type of cryptic habitat that supports diverse fauna in a miniature ecosystem. This study surveys the arthropod community of two types of phytotelmata, bracts and leaf rolls, on a single species, Calathea capitata (Ruiz and Pav.) Lindl. (Zingiberales: Marantaceae), from one Amazon site in Peru. Specimens were collected from eight bracts and eight leaf rolls. A total of 55 arthropods (36 adults, 19 juveniles) were found in both phytotelmata types. In the bract samples were found: spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae), beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Erotylidae, Staphylindae), flies (Diptera: Limoniidae), a leafhopper nymph (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and unidentified larvae. In leaf roll samples were found: Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), an earwig (Dermaptera: Spongiforidae), flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae), and an adult leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). A similar survey of Calathea lutea Schultes in Peru revealed a community dominated by Coleoptera in leaf rolls and Diptera in bracts, with a few Dermaptera and Hymenoptera, but no Araneae or Hemiptera. This study demonstrates that phytotelmata host diverse taxa and serve as a nursery to immature stages thus impacting the life cycles of local fauna, which in turn affect local biodiversity.

Los hábitats crípticos a menudo son ignorados en los estudios de biodiversidad. fitotelmata, o piscinas de plantas, son un tipo de hábitat críptico que sustenta una fauna diversa en un ecosistema en miniatura. Este estudio examina la comunidad de artrópodos de dos tipos de fitotelmata, brácteas y hojas enrolladas presentes en una sola especie, Calathea capitata (Ruiz y Pav.) Lindl. (Zingiberales: Marantaceae), de un sitio de la Amazonia peruana. Se recolectaron artrópodos de ocho brácteas y ocho rollos de hojas. Se encontraron un total de 55 artrópodos (36 adultos, 19 juveniles) en ambos tipos de fitotelmata. En los fitotelmata de brácteas se encontraron: arañas (Araneae: Corinnidae), escarabajos (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Erotylidae, Staphylindae), moscas (Diptera: Limoniidae), una ninfa saltahojas (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) y larvas no identificadas se encontraron en muestras de brácteas. En los fitotelmata de hojas enrolladas, se encontraron escarabajos de las hojas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), una tijereta (Dermaptera: Spongiforidae), moscas (Diptera: Drosophilidae), y un saltahojas adulto (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Un estudio similar de Calathea lutea Schultes en Perú reveló una comunidad dominada por Coleoptera en fitotelmatas de hojas enrolladas y Diptera en brácteas, con algunos Dermaptera e Hymenoptera, pero sin Araneae o Hemiptera. Este estudio demuestra que los fitotelmata albergan diversos taxones y sirven como vivero para las etapas inmaduras, lo que impacta en los ciclos de vida de la fauna local, lo que a su vez afecta la biodiversidad local.

Description of the immature stages, biology and DNA-barcoding of Quichuana pogonosa (Diptera: Syrphidae) collected in Bromeliaceae in Paraná, Brazil

Quichuana Knab, 1913 is a Neotropical genus of flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) with 50 valid species. Adults of this genus are flower visitors and their larvae are usually associated with the phytotelmata of bromeliads and heliconias, actively participating in the recycling of nutrients in forest environments. Despite their importance in ecosystem dynamics, Quichuana larvae are poorly known. Herein we describe the immature stages of Quichuana pogonosa Fluke, 1937 from samples collected from the phytotelmata of two terrestrial bromeliad species in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We provide illustrations of the egg, third instar larva and puparium, as well as information on the life cycle of the species. Additionally, we describe and illustrate the male genitalia and present the DNA-barcoding based on larva and adult specimens.

Description of the immature stages, biology and DNA-barcoding of Quichuana pogonosa (Diptera: Syrphidae) collected in Bromeliaceae in Paraná, Brazil

ABSTRACT Quichuana Knab, 1913 is a Neotropical genus of flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) with 50 valid species. Adults of this genus are flower visitors and their larvae are usually associated with the phytotelmata of bromeliads and heliconias, actively participating in the recycling of nutrients in forest environments. Despite their importance in ecosystem dynamics, Quichuana larvae are poorly known. Herein we describe the immature stages of Quichuana pogonosa Fluke, 1937 from samples collected from the phytotelmata of two terrestrial bromeliad species in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We provide illustrations of the egg, third instar larva and puparium, as well as information on the life cycle of the species. Additionally, we describe and illustrate the male genitalia and present the DNA-barcoding based on larva and adult specimens.

Aspects of the reproductive ecology of Trachycephalus cunauaru (Anura: Hylidae) in the southern Amazon / Aspectos da ecologia reprodutiva de Trachycephalus cunauaru (Anura: Hylidae) na Amazônia meridional

Trachycephalus cunauaru is an Amazonian hylid that uses phytotelmata to reproduce. There is relatively little information about the species, mainly due to the difficulty of accessing their reproductive sites. In this study, we gathered data on the ecology and natural history of T. cunauaru in the southern Amazon, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. In addition to natural phytotelmata, we used buckets installed at a height of 10 m as artificial phytotelmata. We compared physical and chemical characteristics, as well as the presence of tadpoles between natural and artificial phytotelmata. We also collected data on the reproductive behavior of the species through the use of camera traps. We recorded a density of 14.1 reproductive sites per km². Environmental parameters differed significantly between artificial and natural phytotelmata. In artificial sites, the presence of tadpoles was directly related to trees with a larger diameter. We registered oophagy for the first time for the species and observed that males can use more than one phytotelm. We also recorded the presence of snakes within the reproductive sites. We determined that artificial sites and digital camera traps are a satisfactory alternative for behavioral observations of T. cunauaru and possibly for other species with a similar habit.(AU)

Trachycephalus cunauaru é um hilídeo amazônico que utiliza fitotelmatas para se reproduzir. Existem relativamente poucas informações sobre a espécie, principalmente devido à dificuldade de acesso aos seus sítios reprodutivos. Nesse trabalho, reunimos dados de ecologia e história natural de T. cunauaru em uma área da Amazônia meridional, no estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Além de fitotelmatas naturais, utilizamos baldes instalados a uma altura de 10 m como fitotelmatas artificiais. Comparamos características físicas e químicas, bem como a presença e ausência de girinos, entre fitotelmatas naturais e artificiais. Também coletamos dados sobre o comportamento reprodutivo da espécie por meio de armadilhas fotográficas. Registramos uma densidade de 14,1 sítios reprodutivos por km2. Os parâmetros ambientais diferiram significativamente entre fitotelmatas artificiais e naturais. Em sítios artificiais a presença de girinos esteve diretamente relacionada à árvores com maior diâmetro. Registramos, pela primeira vez, oofagia para a espécie e observamos que machos podem utilizar mais de um fitotelmata. Também registramos a presença de cobras nos sítios reprodutivos. Constatamos que sítios artificiais e armadilhas fotográficas representam uma alternativa satisfatória para registros comportamentais para T. cunauaru e, possivelmente, para outras espécies com hábitos similares.(AU)

Description of the immature stages, biology and DNA-barcoding of Quichuana pogonosa (Diptera: Syrphidae) collected in Bromeliaceae in Paraná, Brazil

Quichuana Knab, 1913 is a Neotropical genus of flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) with 50 valid species. Adults of this genus are flower visitors and their larvae are usually associated with the phytotelmata of bromeliads and heliconias, actively participating in the recycling of nutrients in forest environments. Despite their importance in ecosystem dynamics, Quichuana larvae are poorly known. Herein we describe the immature stages of Quichuana pogonosa Fluke, 1937 from samples collected from the phytotelmata of two terrestrial bromeliad species in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We provide illustrations of the egg, third instar larva and puparium, as well as information on the life cycle of the species. Additionally, we describe and illustrate the male genitalia and present the DNA-barcoding based on larva and adult specimens.(AU)

Redescription and placement of Wyeomyia rorotai Senevet, Chabelard amp; Abonnenc (Diptera: Culicidae) in the subgenus Decamyia based on morphological and molecular analyses.

Decamyia Dyar is a subgenus of Wyeomyia Theobald with three valid species. Wyeomyia rorotai Senevet, Chabelard Abonnenc, a species originally described rather briefly in the subgenus Dendromyia, is without subgeneric position in the genus. In the present work, we redescribe Wy. rorotai in all life stages and formally define its taxonomic placement in the subgenus Decamyia by combining morphological and molecular analyses based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. We also show that Decamyia is a rather homogeneous group of four species, i.e. Wy. ulocoma (Theobald), Wy. pseudopecten Dyar Knab, Wy. felicia Dyar Núñez Tovar and Wy. rorotai, the immature stages of which almost exclusively inhabit the flower bracts of Heliconiaceae.

Description of two females of Leptagrion Selys (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).

In this paper, we provide taxonomic updates on the genus Leptagrion Selys: the females of L. acutum Santos and L. porrectum Selys are illustrated and diagnosed for the first time. We also add to the original description of L. acutum based on a male collected in the Atlantic Forest. A key for females is also provided for the currently known species of Southeast of Brazil.

Heterotrophic flagellates (Amorpha and Diaphoretiches) in phytotelmata bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) / Flagelados heterotróficos (Amorpha e Diaphoretiches) em fitotelmata de bromélia (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract Many plants may accumulate rainwater, forming phytotelmata, aquatic microhabitats inhabited by various organisms. The aim of this study was to conduct an inventory of heterotrophic flagellates associated with phytotelmata of the bromeliad Aechmea distichantha Lem., found in rocky cliffs on the Upper Paraná River. The bromeliads were removed manually from the rocky wall, the water was removed and cultures of organisms of each plant were mounted in Petri dishes. Sixteen species of heterotrophic flagellate were recorded, drawn and described, among them one species belonging to the Amorpha Domain and 15 species to the Diaphoretiches Domain. The groups with most species were Euglenida and Kinetoplastea. The low diversity of heterotrophic flagellates recorded in this study, compared to the plankton of lakes and reservoirs, is probably related to the fact that phytotelmata are habitats with extreme environmental conditions, thus selecting organisms tolerant to these environments.

Resumo Em sua superfície externa, muitas plantas podem acumular água da chuva formando fitotelmata, ou seja, micro-habitat aquáticos colonizados por diversos organismos, entre eles, os flagelados protistas. Fez-se um inventário de flagelados heterotróficos associados ao fitotelmata da bromélia Aechmea distichantha Lem., encontrada em paredões rochosos em um trecho da bacia do alto rio Paraná. As bromélias foram retiradas manualmente de paredão rochoso e, em laboratório, a água foi retirada dos tanques de cada planta, e foram montadas culturas dos organismos em placas de Petri. Os flagelados heterotróficos foram, então, observados in vivo sob microscópio óptico Olympus BX51, com sistema de contraste de interferência diferencial (DIC) acoplado. Dezesseis espécies flagelados heterotróficos foram registradas, desenhadas e descritas, sendo uma espécie pertencente ao Domínio Amorpha e 15 espécies ao Domínio Diaphoretiches. Os grupos mais especiosos foram Euglenida e Kinetoplastea. A diversidade relativamente reduzida de flagelados heterotróficos, quando comparada ao plâncton de lagos e reservatórios, pode estar relacionada ao fato de os fitotelmata serem habitats limitados, com condições ambientais extremas, selecionando, assim, organismos tolerantes a esses ambientes.

Remarkably Complex Microbial Community Composition in Bromeliad Tank Waters Revealed by eDNA Metabarcoding.

To investigate patterns of biotic community composition at different spatial scales and biological contexts, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to characterize eukaryotic and prokaryotic assemblages present in the phytotelmata of three bromeliad species (Aechmea gamosepala, Vriesea friburgensis, and Vriesea platynema) at a single Atlantic Forest site in southern Brazil. We sampled multiple individuals per species and multiple tanks from each individual, totalizing 30 samples. We observed very high levels of diversity in these communities, and remarkable variation across individuals and even among tanks from the same individual. The alpha diversity was higher for prokaryotes than eukaryotes, especially for A. gamosepala and V. platynema samples. Some biotic components appeared to be species-specific, while most of the biota was shared among species, but varied substantially in frequency among samples. Interestingly, V. friburgensis communities (which were sampled at nearby locations) tended to be more heterogeneous across samples, for both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The opposite was true for V. platynema, whose samples were more broadly spaced but whose communities were more similar to each other. Our results indicate that additional attention should be devoted to within-individual heterogeneity when assessing bromeliad phytotelmata biodiversity, and highlight the complexity of the biotic assemblages gathered in these unique habitats.

Implementation of bamboo and monkey-pot traps for the sampling cavity-breeding mosquitoes in Darién, Panama.

Despite the importance of Aedes, Haemagogus and Sabethes in the transmission of yellow fever virus (YFV) and the public health impacts of recent YFV epidemics in the Americas, relatively little has been reported on the biology and ecology of these vectors. Many Aedes, Haemagogus and Sabethes spp. in the American tropics inhabit and develop in the forest canopy and are difficult to sample with conventional entomological surveillance methods. We tested the utility of two previously developed phytotelmata-style oviposition traps (bamboo Guadua angustifolia) and (monkey-pot Lecythis minor), for collecting immature forms of these mosquitoes in a forest near the community of Aruza Abajo, Darién Province, Panama. Our results showed distribution of mosquito species emerging from the two types of traps was found to be significantly different (X2 = 210.23; df = 14; P < 0.001), with significantly greater numbers of Sabethes (Peytonulus) aurescens (Lutz) and Sabethes (Peytonulus) undosus (Coquillett) emerging from the bamboo traps. More females of Sabethes (Sabethes) cyaneus (Fabricius) were captured in the monkey-pot traps, although the difference was not significant. No differences were observed in the average time to emergence for the two traps. These results suggest that various phytotelmata-style traps, including monkey-pot and bamboo, could be used to improve entomological surveillance of YFV vectors in the American tropic.

Description of the larva of Leptagrion dispar Selys, 1876 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) with notes on distribution and ecology of the specie.

The genus Leptagrion Selys, 1876 comprises 17 described species. Of these species, only eight have their immature stage described. In this work, we describe the last instar larva of Leptagrion dispar Selys, 1876. The specimens were collected in areas of Atlantic Forest in three municipalities of the southern region of Bahia, Brazil, in phytotelmata habitats of bromeliads. Larvae were described based on the characteristics of the preserved F-0 larvae and exuviae of the emerged specimens in the laboratory. We added information about the habitats where the specimens were found. We extended occurrence records to other regions of the state of Bahia and presented a comparative table with morphological characteristics of all Leptagrion larvae already described.

In bromeliad phytotelma, anthropic disturbance does not affect the nematode trophic structure.

Phytotelmata (sing. phytotelma) are plant-associated reservoirs of rainwater and organic debris. These freshwater ecosystems are found in tree and bamboo holes, pitcher plants, and tank-forming bromeliads. Some studies suggest that anthropic disturbance (AD) may change the physico-chemical properties (PCPs) of the water retained in the phytotelma, and indirectly impact its biota. Hence, new AD-bioindicators could be found in the phytotelma biota. To test this hypothesis, three areas of Atlantic Forest were selected, distinct only by the level of long-term AD. In these areas, we monitored the nematode trophic structure and the water PCPs in the bromeliad Neoregelia cruenta during two years (eight seasons). Significant differences among areas were found in some seasons for total nematode abundance and/or the abundance of some trophic groups, but no pattern emerged relative to the level of AD. Anthropic disturbance did not impact nematode trophic structure possibly because the water PCPs remained fairly similar in all three areas. Our results do not corroborate previous reports that AD alters phytotelma water. On the other hand, our findings support previous studies suggesting that nematodes inhabiting bromeliad phytotelma are not good candidates for AD-bioindicators.

Nematode trophic structure in the phytotelma of Neoregelia cruenta (Bromeliaceae) in relation to microenvironmental and climate variables.

The term phytotelma (pl. phytotelmata) designates a plant-associated reservoir of fresh water and organic debris. Phytotelmata in tank bromeliads are abundant in tropical forests, and they provide shelter, food, and water for many metazoans. Among the invertebrates known to inhabit phytotelmata, nematodes are the least studied, despite their important role in nutrient and energy cycles in freshwater ecosystems. This study was conceived to characterize the nematode trophic structure in the phytotelma of the bromeliad N. cruenta, and to identify climate and microenvironmental variables that impact it. Nematode abundance (total and per trophic group), rainfall, air temperature, the amount of organic debris fallen into the phytotelma, and eight physico-chemical properties (PCPs) of the water retained in the bromeliad tank - volume; temperature; pH; dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and solids; and electrical conductivity - were monitored during two years in a natural reserve in Brazil. Bacterial and hyphal feeder nematodes predominated over other trophic groups. Nematode abundance (total and per trophic group) was not impacted by fluctuations in rainfall or air temperature. The amount of organic debris fallen into the phytotelma correlated positively with nematode abundance (total and per trophic group). Regarding the PCPs of water, the only significant correlation - positive - was between the amount of dissolved oxygen and the abundance of hyphal feeder nematodes. These results bring a clearer understanding of the ecology of nematodes inhabiting phytotelmata, which are peculiar and understudied freshwater ecosystems.

Heterotrophic flagellates (Amorpha and Diaphoretiches) in phytotelmata bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) / Flagelados heterotróficos (Amorpha e Diaphoretiches) em fitotelmata de bromélia (Bromeliaceae)

Many plants may accumulate rainwater, forming phytotelmata, aquatic microhabitats inhabited by various organisms. The aim of this study was to conduct an inventory of heterotrophic flagellates associated with phytotelmata of the bromeliad Aechmea distichantha Lem., found in rocky cliffs on the Upper Paraná River. The bromeliads were removed manually from the rocky wall, the water was removed and cultures of organisms of each plant were mounted in Petri dishes. Sixteen species of heterotrophic flagellate were recorded, drawn and described, among them one species belonging to the Amorpha Domain and 15 species to the Diaphoretiches Domain. The groups with most species were Euglenida and Kinetoplastea. The low diversity of heterotrophic flagellates recorded in this study, compared to the plankton of lakes and reservoirs, is probably related to the fact that phytotelmata are habitats with extreme environmental conditions, thus selecting organisms tolerant to these environments.(AU)

Em sua superfície externa, muitas plantas podem acumular água da chuva formando fitotelmata, ou seja, micro-habitat aquáticos colonizados por diversos organismos, entre eles, os flagelados protistas. Fez-se um inventário de flagelados heterotróficos associados ao fitotelmata da bromélia Aechmea distichantha Lem., encontrada em paredões rochosos em um trecho da bacia do alto rio Paraná. As bromélias foram retiradas manualmente de paredão rochoso e, em laboratório, a água foi retirada dos tanques de cada planta, e foram montadas culturas dos organismos em placas de Petri. Os flagelados heterotróficos foram, então, observados in vivo sob microscópio óptico Olympus BX51, com sistema de contraste de interferência diferencial (DIC) acoplado. Dezesseis espécies flagelados heterotróficos foram registradas, desenhadas e descritas, sendo uma espécie pertencente ao Domínio Amorpha e 15 espécies ao Domínio Diaphoretiches. Os grupos mais especiosos foram Euglenida e Kinetoplastea. A diversidade relativamente reduzida de flagelados heterotróficos, quando comparada ao plâncton de lagos e reservatórios, pode estar relacionada ao fato de os fitotelmata serem habitats limitados, com condições ambientais extremas, selecionando, assim, organismos tolerantes a esses ambientes.(AU)

Abundance and microhabitat use by the frog Platymantis hazelae (Anura: Ceratobatrachidae)

Introduction: Forest frogs that undergo direct development (no tadpole stage) rely heavily on moist microhabitats for their survival. Objective: To describe the abundance and microhabitat use and some aspects of the breeding behaviour of the threatened forest frog Platymantis hazelae at Twin Lakes Balinsasayao Natural Park, Negros Island, Philippines. Methods: From September 2016 to February 2017, we surveyed Platymantis hazelae using 27 (400 m2) plots in Twin Lakes Balinsasayao-Danao Natural Park in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Results: After a total of six months survey P. hazelae was found abundant in the montane zone with mean density ranging from 30.56±6.94 to 86.11±15.65 ind./ha. Fourteen environmental variables were measured and subjected to multivariate principal component analysis (PCA). PCA revealed that rainfall, altitude, relative humidity, and air temperature influenced the density of P. hazelae. Screwpines (Pandanus) leaf axils and leaves (51.56 %) and palm leaves (14 %) were the preferred microhabitats for the species. Details of physical characters of embryos and froglets are also described. Conclusions: P. hazelae was found abundant in higher elevations (sub-montane and montane zones) where ambient temperature was generally lower, higher rainfall and relative humidity and microhabitats (e.g. screwpines) remain intact and abundant.

Introducción: las ranas de bosque que se desarrollan directamente (sin etapa de renacuajo) dependen en gran medida de los microhábitats húmedos para sobrevivir. Objetivo: describir la abundancia y el uso de microhábitats y algunos aspectos del comportamiento reproductivo ante la amenaza de la rana del bosque Platymantis hazelae en el Parque Natural Twin Lakes Balinsasayao, Isla Negros, Filipinas. Métodos: de septiembre 2016 a febrero 2017, examinamos Platymantis hazelae utilizando 27 parcelas (400 m2) en el Parque Natural Twin Lakes Balinsasayao-Danao en Negros Oriental, Filipinas. Resultados: Después de un muestreo total de seis meses, se encontró que P. hazelae era abundante en la zona montañosa, con una densidad media que oscila entre 30.56±6.94 y 86.11±15.65 ind./ha. Catorce variables ambientales se midieron y se sometieron a un análisis de componentes principales multivariantes (PCA). El PCA reveló que la lluvia, la altitud, la humedad relativa y la temperatura del aire influyeron en la densidad de P. hazelae. Los microhábitats preferidos para la especie fueron las axilas foliares y hojas (51.56 %) y las hojas de palma (14 %). También se describen los detalles de los caracteres físicos de embriones y ranas. Conclusiones: P. hazelae se encontró abundante en elevaciones más altas (zonas sub-montanas y montanas) donde la temperatura ambiente fue generalmente más baja, las precipitaciones y la humedad relativa más altas y los microhábitats (por ejemplo, screwpines) permanecen intactos y abundantes.

Heterotrophic flagellates (Amorpha and Diaphoretiches) in phytotelmata bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract Many plants may accumulate rainwater, forming phytotelmata, aquatic microhabitats inhabited by various organisms. The aim of this study was to conduct an inventory of heterotrophic flagellates associated with phytotelmata of the bromeliad Aechmea distichantha Lem., found in rocky cliffs on the Upper Paraná River. The bromeliads were removed manually from the rocky wall, the water was removed and cultures of organisms of each plant were mounted in Petri dishes. Sixteen species of heterotrophic flagellate were recorded, drawn and described, among them one species belonging to the Amorpha Domain and 15 species to the Diaphoretiches Domain. The groups with most species were Euglenida and Kinetoplastea. The low diversity of heterotrophic flagellates recorded in this study, compared to the plankton of lakes and reservoirs, is probably related to the fact that phytotelmata are habitats with extreme environmental conditions, thus selecting organisms tolerant to these environments.

Resumo Em sua superfície externa, muitas plantas podem acumular água da chuva formando fitotelmata, ou seja, micro-habitat aquáticos colonizados por diversos organismos, entre eles, os flagelados protistas. Fez-se um inventário de flagelados heterotróficos associados ao fitotelmata da bromélia Aechmea distichantha Lem., encontrada em paredões rochosos em um trecho da bacia do alto rio Paraná. As bromélias foram retiradas manualmente de paredão rochoso e, em laboratório, a água foi retirada dos tanques de cada planta, e foram montadas culturas dos organismos em placas de Petri. Os flagelados heterotróficos foram, então, observados in vivo sob microscópio óptico Olympus BX51, com sistema de contraste de interferência diferencial (DIC) acoplado. Dezesseis espécies flagelados heterotróficos foram registradas, desenhadas e descritas, sendo uma espécie pertencente ao Domínio Amorpha e 15 espécies ao Domínio Diaphoretiches. Os grupos mais especiosos foram Euglenida e Kinetoplastea. A diversidade relativamente reduzida de flagelados heterotróficos, quando comparada ao plâncton de lagos e reservatórios, pode estar relacionada ao fato de os fitotelmata serem habitats limitados, com condições ambientais extremas, selecionando, assim, organismos tolerantes a esses ambientes.

Aquatic life in Neotropical rainforest canopies: Techniques using artificial phytotelmata to study the invertebrate communities inhabiting therein.

In Neotropical rainforest canopies, phytotelmata ("plant-held waters") shelter diverse aquatic macroinvertebrate communities, including vectors of animal diseases. Studying these communities is difficult because phytotelmata are widely dispersed, hard to find from the ground and often inaccessible. We propose here a method for placing in tree crowns "artificial phytotelmata" whose size and shape can be tailored to different research targets. The efficacy of this method was shown while comparing the patterns of community diversity of three forest formations. We noted a difference between a riparian forest and a rainforest, whereas trees alongside a dirt road cutting through that rainforest corresponded to a subset of the latter. Because rarefied species richness was significantly lower when the phytotelmata were left for three weeks rather than for six or nine weeks, we recommend leaving the phytotelmata for twelve weeks to permit predators and phoretic species to fully establish themselves.

Tree hole mosquito species composition and relative abundances differ between urban and adjacent forest habitats in northwestern Argentina.

Water-holding tree holes are main larval habitats for many pathogen vectors, especially mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Along 3 years, the diversity and composition of mosquito species in tree holes of two neighbouring but completely different environments, a city and its adjacent forest, were compared using generalized linear mixed models, PERMANOVA, SIMPER and species association indexes. The city area (Northwest Argentina) is highly relevant epidemiologically due to the presence of Aedes aegypti L. (main dengue vector) and occurrence of dengue outbreaks; the Yungas rainforests are highly biologically diverse. In total seven mosquito species were recorded, in descending order of abundance: Ae. aegypti, Haemagogus spegazzinii Brèthes, Sabethes purpureus (Theobald), Toxorhynchites guadeloupensis Dyar and Knab, Aedes terrens Walker, Haemagogus leucocelaenus Dyar & Shannon and Sabethes petrocchiae (Shannon and Del Ponte). The seven mosquito species were recorded in both city sites and forested areas; however, their mosquito communities significantly diverged because of marked differences in the frequency and relative abundance of some species: Tx. guadeloupensis and Ae. aegypti were significantly more abundant in forest and urban areas, respectively. Positive significant associations were detected between Ae. aegypti, Hg. spegazzinii and Hg. leucocelaenus. The combined presence of Ae. aegypti, Haemagogus and Sabethes in the area also highlight a potential risk of yellow fever epidemics. Overall results show an impoverished tree hole mosquito fauna in urban environments, reflecting negative effects of urbanization on mosquito diversity.

Monopelopia Fittkau, 1962 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Neotropical region: five new species, new records and updated keys.

Five new species of Monopelopia from Brazil are described and illustrated, four of which are based on all life stages and one on adult male and pupa. The immature stages of Monopelopia edentata sp. nov. were collected in bromeliad phytotelmata, while the other species were collected associated with aquatic vegetation. New records for M. boliekae Beck & Beck and M. caraguata Mendes, Marcondes & Pinho are provided, as well as updated identification keys for males and immatures of the Nearctic and Neotropical Monopelopia species.