Comparison of fish assemblages recorded by visual census and video census / Comparación de ensamblajes de peces registrados por censo visual y censo por video

Abstract Introduction: Underwater visual censuses are the basis of many studies on fish ecology, however, a series of limitations and errors influence the traditional visual estimation of fish richness and abundance. Video techniques have been proposed to mitigate such errors, but there are few studies that compare the effectiveness of both methods. Objective: To compare the estimates obtained through the traditional census and the video census of the fish community of two localities in the central Mexican Pacific. Methods: We studied the fish community of two bays of Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico. We established sampling points in each bay and applied a traditional census and a diver-operated video census. We used comparison tests and analysis of similarity tests to compare richness, abundance and diversity by locality; and permutation tests for the same parameters at each sampling point. Results: Both censuses provide similar estimates regarding the richness, abundance, and diversity by locality and by sampling points. There were no statistically significant differences between traditional census and a diver-operated video census in terms of richness, abundance, and diversity. Conclusions: Video census using the diver-operated video technique can be used as a complement or as an alternative to traditional census. Its use can provide a more complete assessment, increase data acquisition, and implement long-term monitoring programs in areas where there are economic limitations for its operation.

Resumen Introducción: Los censos visuales submarinos son la base de muchos estudios sobre ecología de peces, sin embargo, una serie de limitaciones y errores influyen en la estimación visual tradicional de la riqueza y abundancia de peces. Se han propuesto las técnicas de video para mitigar tales errores, pero existen pocos estudios que comparen la efectividad de ambos métodos. Objetivo: Comparar las estimaciones obtenidas mediante el censo tradicional y el video censo de la comunidad de peces de dos localidades del Pacífico central mexicano. Métodos: Se estudió la comunidad de peces de dos bahías de Huatulco, Oaxaca, México. Se establecieron puntos de muestreo en cada bahía y se aplicó el censo tradicional y video censo operado por buzo. Se emplearon pruebas de comparación y análisis de pruebas de similitud para comparar riqueza, abundancia y diversidad por localidad; y pruebas de permutación para los mismos parámetros en cada punto de muestreo. Resultados: Ambos censos proporcionan estimaciones similares en cuanto a la riqueza, abundancia y diversidad por localidad y por punto de muestreo. No existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el censo tradicional y video censo operado por buzo respecto a riqueza, abundancia y diversidad. Conclusiones: El video censo mediante la técnica de video operado por buzo puede utilizarse como complemento o como alternativa al censo tradicional. Su uso puede proporcionar una evaluación más completa, aumentar la adquisición de datos e implementar programas de monitoreo a largo plazo en áreas donde existen limitaciones económicas para su operación.

Respondent-driven sampling: Advantages and disadvantages from a sampling method. / Respondent-driven sampling: ventajas e inconvenientes de un método de muestreo.

This article summarizes the main elements, advantages, and disadvantages of Respondent-driven Sampling (RDS). Some criticisms regarding the feasibility of the inherent assumptions, their point estimators, and the obtained variances are pointed out. This article also comments on the problems observed in the quality of reports. Surveys using RDS should be methodologically sound as they are being applied to define priorities in health programs and develop national and international policies for financing service delivery, among other uses. However, there is considerable potential for bias related to implementation and analytical errors. There is limited empirical evidence on how representative the results obtained by RDS are, and the quest to improve the methodology is still in progress. Nevertheless, to have confidence in RDS results, we must verify that the social structure of the networks conforms to the assumptions required by the theory, that the sampling assumptions are reasonably fulfilled, and that the quality of the report is optimal, particularly for methodological and analytical items.

Este artículo resume algunas consideraciones, ventajas e inconvenientes de esta técnica de muestreo conocida como Respondent-driven Sampling (RDS). Se señalan algunas críticas que han aparecido en la literatura científica respecto a la viabilidad de los supuestos inherentes a esta técnica y, en consecuencia, respecto a los estimadores puntuales y de las varianzas así obtenidas. También, se comentan los problemas observados en la literatura acerca de la calidad de los reportes de este tipo de estudios. Las encuestas que utilizan RDS deben ser metodológicamente de buena calidad, pues están siendo aplicadas extensamente para definir prioridades de programas sanitarios, para desarrollar políticas nacionales e internacionales de financiamiento de prestación de servicios, entre otras aplicaciones. Sin embargo, existe un amplio potencial de sesgo al usar este método, muchos de los cuales están relacionados con la implementación y los errores analíticos. La evidencia empírica sobre cuán representativos son los resultados obtenidos mediante RDS es limitada, y la búsqueda para mejorar la metodología es un área de investigación aún en progreso. No obstante, para tener confianza en los resultados publicados debe verificarse que la estructura social de las redes estudiadas se ajusta a los supuestos requeridos por la teoría de RDS, que los supuestos del muestreo se cumplen razonablemente y que la calidad del reporte es óptima, en particular respecto a los ítems metodológicos y analíticos.

Community modeling reveals the importance of elevation and land cover in shaping migratory bird abundance in the Andes.

The tropical Andes are characterized by extreme topographic and climatic complexity, which has likely contributed to their outstanding current species diversity, composed of many range-restricted species. However, little is known about how the distribution and abundance of highly mobile organisms, like long-distance migratory birds, varies across different land covers, elevations, and climatic conditions within the Andes. We conducted 1,606 distance-sampling point counts across the Colombian Andes, spanning elevations from 253 to 3,708 m, a range of precipitation regimes and representative land covers. We then employed a novel application of a multispecies hierarchical modeling approach to evaluate how elevation, local land cover, aboveground woody biomass, cloud cover, precipitation, and seasonality in precipitation shape the abundance of the migratory land bird community in the Andes. We detected 1,824 individuals of 29 species of migratory land birds, six of which were considered incidental in our study region. We modeled the abundance of the remaining 23 species, while considering observer and time of day effects on detectability. We found that both elevation and land cover had an overriding influence on the abundance of migratory species across the Andes, with strong evidence for a mid-elevation peak in abundance, and species-specific responses to both variables. As a community, migratory birds had the highest mean abundance in shade coffee plantations, secondary forest, and mature forest. Aboveground woody biomass did not affect the abundance of all species as a group, but a few showed strong responses to this variable. Contrary to predictions of a positive correlation between abundance and precipitation, we found no evidence for community-level responses to precipitation, aside for a weak tendency for birds to select areas with intermediate levels of precipitation. This novel use of a multispecies model sheds new light on the mechanisms shaping the winter distribution of migratory birds and highlights the importance of elevation and land cover types over climatic variables in the context of the Colombian Andes.

Ant diversity sampling in the Brazilian Amazon: a comparison of litter collection and pitfall trapping / Muestreo de la diversidad de hormigas en la Amazonía brasileña: una comparación de recolección de hojarasca y trampas de caída

Abstract Introduction: Ants in tropical forests are a hyper-diverse group that plays important ecological roles. Several studies on tropical forests have used different sampling protocols to capture soil ants, making it difficult to compare responses and patterns of diversity between studies. Thus, research that compares different well-structured and standardized sampling methodologies to adequately estimate the richness of ant species in tropical forests is necessary. Objective: In this study, we examined the combination of catches with pitfall traps with and without baits and litter collections for soil ant sampling. Methods: In the fall traps, we use two baited (sardines and bananas) and one non-baited. For the manual collections (litter sampling), the litter and only the topsoil of the loose soil were collected. Results: We found that traps containing sardine baits collected a greater abundance of ants, whereas non-baited traps collected a greater richness of ant species. On the other hand, litter collections captured the largest number of exclusive species, presenting a different species composition from the pitfall traps (with and without baits). In general, baited traps showed greater abundance in more degraded locations, while manual collections and unbaited pitfalls captured more individuals in preserved environments. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that, for accurate sampling of soil ant assemblages in tropical forests, the use of different methodologies is necessary to capture a greater diversity of species because the methods differ in effectiveness according to habitat.

Resumen Introducción: Las hormigas en los bosques tropicales son un grupo hiperdiverso que juega un papel ecológico importante. Varios estudios en los bosques tropicales han utilizado diferentes protocolos de muestreo para capturar las hormigas de suelo, lo que dificulta la comparación de respuestas y patrones de diversidad entre estudios. Por lo tanto, es necesaria una investigación que compare diferentes metodologías de muestreo bien estructuradas y estandarizadas para estimar adecuadamente la riqueza y uniformidad de las especies de hormigas en los bosques tropicales. Objetivo: En este estudio, examinamos la combinación de capturas con trampas de caída con y sin cebos y recolecciones manuales para muestreo de hormigas en el suelo. Métodos: En las trampas de otoño, utilizamos dos cebos (sardinas y plátanos) y uno sin cebo. Para las recolecciones manuales (muestreo de hojarasca), se recogió la hojarasca y solo la capa superior de suelo suelto. Resultados: Encontramos que las trampas que contenían cebos de sardina recolectaron una mayor abundancia de hormigas, mientras que las trampas sin cebo recolectaron una mayor riqueza de especies de hormigas. Por otro lado, las recolecciones de hojarasca capturaron el mayor número de especies exclusivas, presentando una composición de especies diferente a las trampas de caída (con y sin cebo). En general, las trampas con cebo mostraron mayor abundancia en lugares más degradados, mientras que las recolecciones manuales y las trampas sin cebo capturaron más individuos en ambientes preservados. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados proporcionan evidencia de que, para un muestreo preciso de ensambles de las hormigas de suelo en los bosques tropicales, el uso de diferentes metodologías es necesario para capturar una mayor diversidad de especies, ya que los métodos difieren en la efectividad de acuerdo con el hábitat.

Sequential and Binomial Sampling Plans to Estimate Thrips tabaci Population Density on Onion.

Thrips tabaci Lindeman is a worldwide onion pest that causes economic losses of 10-60%, depending on many factors. Population sampling is essential for applying control tactics and preventing damage by the insect. Conventional sampling methods are criticized as time consuming, while fixed-precision binomial and sequential sampling plans may allow reliable estimations with a more efficient use of time. The aim of this work was to develop binomial and sequential sampling for fast reliable estimation of T. tabaci density on an onion. Forty-one commercial 1.0-ha onion plots were sampled (sample size n = 200) to characterize the spatial distribution of T. tabaci using Taylor's power law (a = 2.586 and b = 1.511). Binomial and sequential enumerative sampling plans were then developed with precision levels of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.25. Sampling plans were validated with bootstrap simulations (1000 samples) using 10 independent data sets. Bootstrap simulation indicated that precision was satisfactory for all repetitions of the sequential sampling plan, while binomial sampling met the fixed precision in 80% of cases. Both methods reduced sampling time by around 80% relative to conventional sampling. These precise and less time-consuming sampling methods can contribute to implementation of control tactics within the integrated pest management approach.

Mexico ants: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface.

Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with an important proportion of endemism mainly because of the convergence of the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic regions, which generate great diversity and species turnover at different spatial scales. However, most of our knowledge of the Mexican ant biota is limited to a few well-studied taxa, and we lack a comprehensive synthesis of ant biodiversity information. For instance, most of the knowledge available in the literature on Mexican ant fauna refers only to species lists by states, or is focused on only a few regions of the country, which prevents the study of several basic and applied aspects of ants, from diversity and distribution to conservation. Our aims in this data paper are therefore (1) to compile all the information available regarding ants across the Mexican territory, and (2) to identify major patterns in the gathered data set and geographic gaps in order to direct future sampling efforts. All records were obtained from raw data, including both unpublished and published information. After exhaustive filtering and updating information and synonyms, we compiled a total of 21,731 records for 887 ant species distributed throughout Mexico from 1894 to 2018. These records were concentrated mainly in the states of Chiapas (n = 6,902, 32.76%) and Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave (n = 4,329, 19.92%), which together comprise half the records. The subfamily with the highest number of records was Myrmicinae (n = 10,458 records, 48.12%), followed by Formicinae (n = 3,284, 15.11%) and Ponerinae (n = 1,914, 8.8%). Most ant records were collected in the Neotropical region of the country (n = 12,646, 58.19%), followed by the Mexican transition zone (n = 5,237, 24.09%) and the Nearctic region (n = 3,848, 17.72%). Native species comprised 95.46% of the records (n = 20,745). To the best of our knowledge, this is the most complete data set available to date in the literature for the country. We hope that this compilation will encourage researchers to explore different aspects of the population and community research of ants at different spatial scales, and to aid in the establishment of conservation policies and actions. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using its data for publications or teaching events.

Child-rearing routines among Mexican-heritage children with autism spectrum disorder.

This study examined the daily routines and activities of Mexican-heritage mothers and their children with autism spectrum disorder. Experienced sampling methods were used to capture families' current daily routines and activities, how parents valued those activities, and whether the activity was part of the child's autism spectrum disorder intervention. A total of 32 mothers were texted five times per day over five consecutive days for a total of 721 observations. Mothers frequently engaged in Self-Care (e.g. showering), General Caregiving (e.g. cooking), and House Chores (e.g. laundry). Children engaged in activities in which interventions could easily be integrated (e.g. Academics, Self-Care, and Playing with Others). Families spent less than one-third (26.1%) of their activities participating in interventions. Mothers and children jointly spent time in General Caregiving, Playing with Others, and Using Electronics. Practitioners should focus on integrating evidence-based interventions into daily joint routine activities.

First fish fauna assessment in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago with BRUVS: Species catalog with underwater imagery / Primeira avaliação da fauna de peixes no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha com BRUVS: Catálogo de espécies com imagens subaquáticas

Abstract: Fish fauna assessments with traditional catch methods are undesired in marine reserves. Underwater visual census on the other hand is biased due to fish-diver interactions, such as shyness or avoidance behavior of large-bodied target species. This study presents the first marine ichthyofauna inventory of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off northeastern Brazil, sampled with non-destructive, independent Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS). High fish species richness, totaling 66 species from 28 families and 10 orders, including five elasmobranch species and other large predatory fish, such as barracudas, groupers and snappers, were recorded from 81 underwater video samples. Additionally, all of the 4,398 individuals sighted were associated to up to four different benthic habitat types. A catalog of underwater fish images and a detailed species list with additional information, such as conservation status, are provided.

Resumo: Inventários de ictiofauna com métodos tradicionais de captura são indesejáveis em reservas marinhas. O censo visual subaquático, porém, sofre o viés das interações peixe-mergulhador, tais como comportamentos de timidez ou fuga exercido pelas grandes espécies-alvo de pressões pesqueiras, incluindo, a caça submarina. Esse estudo representa o primeiro inventário da ictiofauna marinha do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, costa nordeste do Brasil, utilizando sistemas não-destrutivos independentes de vídeos subaquáticos com iscas (BRUVS). Uma elevada riqueza de espécies de peixes, com 66 espécies de 28 famílias e 10 ordens, incluindo cinco espécies de elasmobrânquios e outros grandes peixes predadores como barracudas, garoupas e dentões, foi registrada em 81 amostras de vídeos subaquáticos. Adicionalmente, todos os 4.398 indivíduos avistados foram associados a até quatro diferentes tipos de habitats bentônicos. Um catálogo de imagens subaquáticas dos peixes e uma lista de espécies detalhada com informações adicionais, tais como o status de conservação, são fornecidos.

Species richness and composition of snake assemblages in poorly accessible areas in the Brazilian Amazonia / Riqueza de espécies e composição de assembleias de serpentes em áreas pouco acessíveis na Amazônia Brasileira

Abstract: Snakes are a diverse group of terrestrial vertebrates of the order Squamata. Despite that, in the Amazonian biome, information about distribution and identification of snakes is limited when compared to other groups. Additionally, in Amazonia there is a sampling bias towards areas geographically close to urban centers and more densely populated areas. This in turn leads to false distribution gaps in poorly accessible areas of Amazonia. In this article we report the composition of snake assemblages in six areas of the Brazilian Amazonia, based on field sampling conducted over four years using standardized methods. We sampled 70 species from eight families: Typhlopidae (n=1), Leptotyphlopidae (n=1), Anillidae (n=1), Boidae (n=5), Colubridae (n=15), Dipsadidae (n=35), Elapidae (n=7), and Viperidae (n=5). The largest number of species was recorded in the Trombetas River area and the lowest in the Jatapu River area. The total beta diversity was 0.40 and the snake assemblages were structured mainly by replacement (72.5%). The time-limited search was the method that recorded the greatest number of individuals in the studied areas (44.1%) and also the greatest number of species (n=40). However, some species were recorded only by other methods such as interception by pitfall traps with directional fences. Despite the large number of species sampled in the study, no particular area comprised more than 40% of species registered in all the areas, indicating that snakes are poorly detected even with large sampling effort across multiple areas of a species distribution.

Resumo: Serpentes compõem um diverso grupo de animais vertebrados terrestres pertencentes à ordem Squamata. Apesar de serem um dos grupos mais diversos do mundo, na Amazônia, as informações acerca da taxonomia e distribuição de serpentes são limitadas quando comparadas com as disponíveis para outros grupos de vertebrados. Além disso, na Amazônia existe um viés de amostragem em áreas geograficamente próximas aos centros urbanos e locais densamente povoados. Isso por sua vez leva a falsas diferenças de distribuição em áreas pouco amostradas. Neste artigo nós apresentamos a composição de assembleias de serpentes em seis áreas na Amazônia brasileira, baseada em amostragens de campo padronizadas e realizadas durante quatro anos. Foram amostradas 70 espécies de oito famílias: Typhlopidae (n=1), Leptotyphlopidae (n=1), Anillidae (n=1), Boidae (n=5), Colubridae (n=15), Dipsadidae (n=35), Elapidae (n=7) e Viperidae (n=5). A maior riqueza foi registrada no Rio Trombetas e a menor no Rio Jatapu. A beta diversidade total foi de 0.40 e a substituição foi a principal força que estruturou as comunidades (72.5%). A Procura Visual Limitada por Tempo foi o método que registrou a maior abundância de serpentes nas áreas amostradas (44.1%) e também a maior riqueza (n=40). Entretanto, algumas espécies foram registradas somente por outros métodos como armadilhas de interceptação e queda. Apesar do grande número de espécies registradas, nenhuma das áreas compreendeu mais de 40% das espécies amostradas em todas as áreas, indicando que as serpentes são pouco detectadas mesmo com grande esforço amostral em diferentes áreas da distribuição das espécies.

Integrating Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Computational methods, applied at the early stages of the drug design process, use current technology to provide valuable insights into the understanding of chemical systems in a virtual manner, complementing experimental analysis. Molecular docking is an in silico method employed to foresee binding modes of small compounds or macromolecules in contact with a receptor and to predict their molecular interactions. Moreover, the methodology opens up the possibility of ranking these compounds according to a hierarchy determined using particular scoring functions. Docking protocols assign many approximations, and most of them lack receptor flexibility. Therefore, the reliability of the resulting protein-ligand complexes is uncertain. The association with the costly but more accurate MD techniques provides significant complementary with docking. MD simulations can be used before docking since a series of "new" and broader protein conformations can be extracted from the processing of the resulting trajectory and employed as targets for docking. They also can be utilized a posteriori to optimize the structures of the final complexes from docking, calculate more detailed interaction energies, and provide information about the ligand binding mechanism. Here, we focus on protocols that offer the docking-MD combination as a logical approach to improving the drug discovery process.

Representatividade da amostragem com emprego do trier na caracterização de leiras de compostagem de resíduos sólidos urbanos com base na Teoria da Amostragem de Pierre Gy / Sampling representativeness using trier in characterizing composting windrows of solid urban waste based on Pierre Gy's Sampling Theory

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho do amostrador trier (NBR 10007/2004) na representatividade das propriedades de leiras de compostagem confeccionadas com resíduos sólidos urbanos, no início da degradação dos resíduos (8 dias) e no composto orgânico pronto (120 dias), utilizando como referência um método adaptado à compostagem a partir da Teoria da Amostragem de materiais heterogêneos. A compostagem foi conduzida em sistema de leiras revolvidas, e cada unidade contou com aproximadamente 30 toneladas de resíduos. O método do trier mostrou-se adequado para a caracterização do composto (120 dias), pois não apresentou diferenças significativas em relação ao método de referência na estimativa dos teores de matéria orgânica, nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio. Além disso, o revolvimento da leira antes da amostragem tem potencial para melhorar a representatividade do teor de água e do pH. Por outro lado, o amostrador trier mostrou-se limitado na amostragem de leiras em estágio inicial de compostagem, quando empregados resíduos com acentuada diferença de forma, tamanho e conteúdo de água das partículas. Embora reduza em menor magnitude os erros intrínsecos ao processo de amostragem, o método do trier é mais simples de ser conduzido e não demanda mecanização, espaço físico ou recursos humanos adicionais.

ABSTRACT This study was performed to assess the trier sampler performance (NBR 10007/2004) in representing the properties of windrows composting built with urban solid waste. It was evaluated in the beginning (8 days) and in the end of the composting process (120 days), using as a reference the Pierre Gy's Sampling Theory for heterogeneous materials. Composting windrows were built of 30 tons and carried out in turned windrow system. We found the trier method appropriate for characterizing mature compost (120 days) because it was similar to the reference method in estimating organic matter content, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Besides, turning windrow before sampling might improve the representativeness of water content and pH. In contrast, more heterogeneous particles (shape, size, water content) may have influenced the trier's performance at the beginning of waste degradation and consequently the sample's accuracy. Although trier method is less efficient to reduce sampling errors than the method based on Sampling Theory, the former is simpler and does not need mechanization, extra space or additional human resources.

A Scouting Method for Estimating Insect Populations in an Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) Mass Rearing System.

Encarsia formosa (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) has been used to control for the biological control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in greenhouse tomato crops. One aspect that influences the success of this method is the continuous availability of large numbers of E. formosa that enable the grower to release them at the proper time and in the quantity required. Rearing facilities of this parasitoid require reliable and low time-consuming methods for scouting populations of insects to forecast production. In this work, we develop a time-effective method for estimating insect populations in a mass rearing system with T. vaporariorum, using common bean plants as hosts. The population density of T. vaporariorum in highly infested leaves was determined to be 27.5 nymphs/cm2 using a linear regression model. Using an effort curve and binomial distribution, we determined that 14 and 54 leaves are the minimum number of sampling units required to estimate the T. vaporariorum nymphs and E. formosa pupae populations, respectively. A wasp ratio was determined by dividing the number of E. formosa produced by the total number used in the process. This index was higher when less than 7000 E. formosa were released per production batch in 1 week. When high populations of E. formosa are released in a batch, the production efficiency decreases, producing fewer new adults per adult used in the batch.

Diversity of settlement-stage reef fishes captured by light-trap in a tropical south-west Atlantic Ocean coastal reef system.

This study reports the results of 5 years of monitoring reef fish post-larvae using light traps in the Bay of Tamandaré, north-east Brazil. An annotated checklist of pre-settlement fish species, their frequency of occurrence and taxonomic characteristics are provided. In total, 4,422 post-larval fishes belonging to 36 families, 56 genera and 76 species were captured. The most species-rich families were Carangidae (7), Lutjanidae (6) and Pomacentridae (4), while the families Gerreidae (30.47%), Holocentridae (16.54%), Blenniidae (12.01%), Labrisomidae (8.36%), Lutjanidae (8.29%) and Acanthuridae (5.95%) were the most abundant. This is the first study of the taxonomic diversity and assemblage structure of settlement-stage reef fishes in the tropical south-west Atlantic Ocean. Although a few common species were not captured due to selectivity of light traps, the composition and taxonomic diversity of this first collection suggests that light traps are useful for studies of the early life history of a wide range of pre-settlement reef fishes.

Choosing sampling methods for Chilopoda, Diplopoda and Isopoda (Oniscidea): a case study for ferruginous landscapes in Brazilian Amazonia

The edaphic fauna plays an important role in the organic matter dynamics of the soil. Millipeds (Diplopoda),centipeds (Chilopoda) and isopods (Isopoda) are among the main components of the soil fauna. Vegetationstructure represents one of the main factors influencing composition and diversity of these species that inhabitleaf litter and soil, what is particularly important in the Amazon Forest, where there are several singular ve-getation types. Savannah and forest areas stand out in ferruginous hills, which represents one of the most poorlyknown and highly threatened ecosystems in the Amazon. However, sampling the edaphic fauna in high diversitysites represents a challenging task. Studies have shown that sampling method may influence observed patterns ofdiversity. From this perspective, the present study aimed to (i) investigate whether assemblages of Chilopoda,Diplopoda and Isopoda differ between vegetation types in the Amazon, (ii) indicate how biological parametersbehave in such communities, (iii) identify which method or combination of methods is better suited to samplespecies richness and (iv) quantify the efficiency of each method regarding time of work and cost. Sampling wasconducted by means of hand collection, leaf litter collection, hay-bait traps and soil sampling in four patches,two in the savannah (also called canga) and two in the forest. Richness was higher in forest habitats forChilopoda and Diplopoda, while for Isopoda there was no significant difference. Species composition also dif-fered between vegetation types for Chilopoda and Isopoda, but not for Diplopoda. Beta diversity between ve-getation types was mainly determined by nestedness and balancing, while turnover was the main beta diversitycomponent responsible for differences among methods. Soil sampling and hand collection added more species tothe samples, therefore, this combination was the most efficient to access diversity. Our results support thehypothesis that differences in the soil cover promoted by distinct vegetation types influence the species diversityand composition of edaphic fauna. The differences were mainly determined by nestedness and balancing, in-dicating that the fauna sampled in the canga represents a subset of those present in the surrounding forest. In thissense, even in ecosystems with distinct vegetation types, the combination of soil and surface sampling methods isrecommended. Lastly, the present study proposes a set of decision rules and a key to select the most appropriatemethod to sample the studied taxonomic groups

Analysis of Sampling Methodologies for Noise Pollution Assessment and the Impact on the Population.

Today, noise pollution is an increasing environmental stressor. Noise maps are recognised as the main tool for assessing and managing environmental noise, but their accuracy largely depends on the sampling method used. The sampling methods most commonly used by different researchers (grid, legislative road types and categorisation methods) were analysed and compared using the city of Talca (Chile) as a test case. The results show that the stratification of sound values in road categories has a significantly lower prediction error and a higher capacity for discrimination and prediction than in the legislative road types used by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications in Chile. Also, the use of one or another method implies significant differences in the assessment of population exposure to noise pollution. Thus, the selection of a suitable method for performing noise maps through measurements is essential to achieve an accurate assessment of the impact of noise pollution on the population.

Comparison of beat cloth and entomological net methods for determining faunistic indices of soybean in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Estimates of diversity indices provide information on distribution, richness and abundance of species within a community. The aim of the current study was to estimate faunistic indices (richness, constancy, dominance and abundance) of the species collected by beat cloth and entomological net sampling methods in different soybean crops and to determine the sample size necessary to estimate faunistic indices. Fauna density from 100 soybeans crops located in nine municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were evaluated. Thirty points, 20 meters apart from one another, were marked in the crops. At each point, insect pests and natural enemies were collected using the two sampling methods. Faunistic indices, including the average and interval estimates carried out by the resampling method, were calculated for each soybean crop. In the samplings using the beat cloth, richness > dominance = abundance > constancy, and using the entomological nets, richness > dominance > abundance > constancy. All faunistic indices other than dominance were greater when using the beat cloth method than those estimated by the entomological net method. The sample sizes required to estimate richness, constancy, dominance and abundance indices were 38, 78, 47 and more than 300, respectively, with an estimation error of 20 % of the average (p = 0.05). Higher values were observed when entomological net was used.

Comparison of beat cloth and entomological net methods for determining faunistic indices of soybean in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Estimates of diversity indices provide information on distribution, richness and abundance of species within a community. The aim of the current study was to estimate faunistic indices (richness, constancy, dominance and abundance) of the species collected by beat cloth and entomological net sampling methods in different soybean crops and to determine the sample size necessary to estimate faunistic indices. Fauna density from 100 soybeans crops located in nine municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were evaluated. Thirty points, 20 meters apart from one another, were marked in the crops. At each point, insect pests and natural enemies were collected using the two sampling methods. Faunistic indices, including the average and interval estimates carried out by the resampling method, were calculated for each soybean crop. In the samplings using the beat cloth, richness > dominance = abundance > constancy, and using the entomological nets, richness > dominance > abundance > constancy. All faunistic indices other than dominance were greater when using the beat cloth method than those estimated by the entomological net method. The sample sizes required to estimate richness, constancy, dominance and abundance indices were 38, 78, 47 and more than 300, respectively, with an estimation error of 20 % of the average (p = 0.05). Higher values were observed when entomological net was used.(AU)

Anurofauna de um remanescente alterado de floresta estacional semidecidual as margens do Rio Paranapanema / Anurofauna an altered remant of Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest the banks of the Paranapanema River

With the evidence of decline in amphibian populations caused by habitat changes, Brazilian hotspots need to be studied in order to increase knowledge about the group and provide better prospects for conservation. The Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest (MSF) is one of the most critically endangered ecosystems, whose extent was reduced to about 7% of the original cover, scattered in small fragments. This study aims to describe the anurofauna of a site in MSF landscape in Paranapanema River Basin, considered a geographical gap in knowledge of amphibians. In addition, we evaluated the efficiency of anuran sampling methods and verified the similarity with assemblages of the same basin. The study was conducted on the banks of the Paranapanema River, the border between São Paulo and Paraná states. We conducted nine quarterly samplings from November 2005 to November 2007, resulting in an effort of 45 sampling days. We recorded 25 amphibian species of six families. The sampling sites of reproduction method recorded the highest number of species (88.5%), and pitfall traps were also an efficient method, providing a record of about 45% of the species. By this method we recorded Physalaemus nattereri (Steindachner, 1863) andRhinella ornata (Spix, 1824), 90% of terrestrial species recorded that are typically categorized as open area species. Comparing with other Paranapanema basin assemblages, we observed a segregation of species even in areas closer, and the similarity between locations of the studies was not determined by geographic distance. Distinguishing features of the recorded species, such as reproductive mode and association to different habitats, together with degree of diversity found among assemblages, highlights the importance of preserving this region for the amphibian conservation.(AU)

Com o declínio evidente de populações de anfíbios causadas pela alteração do hábitat, muitas áreas que estão inseridas em hotspots do Brasil ainda precisam ser estudadas, a fim de aumentar o conhecimento sobre a anurofauna e fornecer melhores perspectivas de conservação. Um dos ecossistemas criticamente ameaçados é a Floresta Estacional Semidecidual (FES), cuja extensão foi reduzida a aproximadamente 7% da cobertura original, dispersos em pequenos fragmentos. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a anurofauna de uma localidade inserida em paisagem de FES na região da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Paranapanema, considerada uma lacuna geográfica no conhecimento de anfíbios. Além disso, foi avaliada a eficiência de métodos de amostragem de anuros e verificada a similaridade com taxocenoses inseridas em FES e/ou Cerrado de diferentes regiões da mesma bacia hidrográfica. O estudo foi conduzido nas margens do Rio Paranapanema, divisa dos estados de São Paulo e Paraná. Foram realizadas nove fases de campo trimestrais, entre novembro de 2005 a novembro de 2007 que resultou em um esforço de 45 dias de amostragem. Foram registradas 25 espécies de anfíbios anuros distribuídas em seis famílias. Pelo método de amostragem em sítio de reprodução obteve-se o maior registro de espécies (88,5%). O método de armadilhas de interceptação e queda também foi eficiente, proporcionando o registro de cerca de 45% das espécies, além de possibilitar o registro exclusivo de Physalaemus nattereri (Steindachner, 1863) eRhinella ornata (Spix, 1824). Além disso, 90% das espécies terrícolas registradas, que são tipicamente categorizadas como espécies de área aberta, foram registradas no interior dos remanescentes florestais por este método. Através da comparação com as outras taxocenoses, verificou-se uma alta dissimilaridade de espécies mesmo em áreas mais próximas e que a composição de espécies entre as localidades não está sendo determinada pela distância geográfica. Características distintas entre as espécies registradas, como modo reprodutivo e associação a diferentes hábitats, em conjunto com grau de diversidade encontrada entre as taxocenoses, deixa clara a importância da preservação desta região para a conservação de anfíbios.(AU)

Anurofauna de um remanescente alterado de floresta estacional semidecidual as margens do Rio Paranapanema / Anurofauna an altered remant of Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest the banks of the Paranapanema River

With the evidence of decline in amphibian populations caused by habitat changes, Brazilian hotspots need to be studied in order to increase knowledge about the group and provide better prospects for conservation. The Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest (MSF) is one of the most critically endangered ecosystems, whose extent was reduced to about 7% of the original cover, scattered in small fragments. This study aims to describe the anurofauna of a site in MSF landscape in Paranapanema River Basin, considered a geographical gap in knowledge of amphibians. In addition, we evaluated the efficiency of anuran sampling methods and verified the similarity with assemblages of the same basin. The study was conducted on the banks of the Paranapanema River, the border between São Paulo and Paraná states. We conducted nine quarterly samplings from November 2005 to November 2007, resulting in an effort of 45 sampling days. We recorded 25 amphibian species of six families. The sampling sites of reproduction method recorded the highest number of species (88.5%), and pitfall traps were also an efficient method, providing a record of about 45% of the species. By this method we recorded Physalaemus nattereri (Steindachner, 1863) andRhinella ornata (Spix, 1824), 90% of terrestrial species recorded that are typically categorized as open area species. Comparing with other Paranapanema basin assemblages, we observed a segregation of species even in areas closer, and the similarity between locations of the studies was not determined by geographic distance. Distinguishing features of the recorded species, such as reproductive mode and association to different habitats, together with degree of diversity found among assemblages, highlights the importance of preserving this region for the amphibian conservation.

Com o declínio evidente de populações de anfíbios causadas pela alteração do hábitat, muitas áreas que estão inseridas em hotspots do Brasil ainda precisam ser estudadas, a fim de aumentar o conhecimento sobre a anurofauna e fornecer melhores perspectivas de conservação. Um dos ecossistemas criticamente ameaçados é a Floresta Estacional Semidecidual (FES), cuja extensão foi reduzida a aproximadamente 7% da cobertura original, dispersos em pequenos fragmentos. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a anurofauna de uma localidade inserida em paisagem de FES na região da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Paranapanema, considerada uma lacuna geográfica no conhecimento de anfíbios. Além disso, foi avaliada a eficiência de métodos de amostragem de anuros e verificada a similaridade com taxocenoses inseridas em FES e/ou Cerrado de diferentes regiões da mesma bacia hidrográfica. O estudo foi conduzido nas margens do Rio Paranapanema, divisa dos estados de São Paulo e Paraná. Foram realizadas nove fases de campo trimestrais, entre novembro de 2005 a novembro de 2007 que resultou em um esforço de 45 dias de amostragem. Foram registradas 25 espécies de anfíbios anuros distribuídas em seis famílias. Pelo método de amostragem em sítio de reprodução obteve-se o maior registro de espécies (88,5%). O método de armadilhas de interceptação e queda também foi eficiente, proporcionando o registro de cerca de 45% das espécies, além de possibilitar o registro exclusivo de Physalaemus nattereri (Steindachner, 1863) eRhinella ornata (Spix, 1824). Além disso, 90% das espécies terrícolas registradas, que são tipicamente categorizadas como espécies de área aberta, foram registradas no interior dos remanescentes florestais por este método. Através da comparação com as outras taxocenoses, verificou-se uma alta dissimilaridade de espécies mesmo em áreas mais próximas e que a composição de espécies entre as localidades não está sendo determinada pela distância geográfica. Características distintas entre as espécies registradas, como modo reprodutivo e associação a diferentes hábitats, em conjunto com grau de diversidade encontrada entre as taxocenoses, deixa clara a importância da preservação desta região para a conservação de anfíbios.

Non-volant mammals from Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Serra do Mar State Park, São Paulo, Brazil / Mamíferos não voadores do Núcleo Santa Virgínia, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, São Paulo, Brazil

This study presents data on the composition and species richness of non-flying mammals in the northern part of the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, called Núcleo Santa Virgínia (NSV - around 17000 hectares of Atlantic Forest), São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. The species list was based on ca. 660 km of line-transects, 25512 hours of cameras traps, 7740 trap.nights for small mammals, and 394 track-station.days, as well as occasional records and registers from local people (period 2002 to 2009). Based on these complementary methods, a total of 58 species were recorded from the 85-104 possible. Eighteen taxa are listed in the Brazilian endangered species list, 29 in the state list. The high species richness of non-volant mammals and the presence of threatened species show the importance of NSV for the conservation of Atlantic Forest mammals.

Este estudo apresenta dados de composição e riqueza de espécies de mamíferos não voadores da porção norte do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, que corresponde è região do núcleo Santa Virgínia (NSV - cerca de 17.000 hectares de Floresta Atlântica), estado de São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil. A listagem de espécies foi elaborada durante o período de 2002 a 2009, por meio de ca. 660 km de transecções lineares, 25.512 horas de armadilha fotográfica, 394 armadilhas-de-pegada.dia, registros ocasionais e relatos de moradores da região (entrevistas) para mamíferos de médio e grande porte, e 7.740 armadilhas.noite para pequenos mamíferos. Foram registradas 58 espécies de 85-104 de possível ocorrência dada suas potenciais distribuições. Dezoito espécies fazem parte da lista nacional da fauna ameaçada de extinção e 29 da lista estadual. A elevada riqueza de mamíferos não voadores com a presença de várias espécies ameaçadas, indica a importância do NSV para conservação da mastofauna regional.