Termofisiolofia da vespa Polybia (Trichothorax) ignobilis (Haliday, 1836) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini) durante a atividade de forrageamento

Many social wasps are known to use thermogenesis to warm up their flight muscles and are therefore able to forage under a broad range of ambient temperatures. However it is uncertain whether there exists a possible relation between ambient temperature and thermogenic capacity for tropical species, as we lack studies focusing on these species. Therefore, we examined the use of this mechanism in the neotropical Epiponini wasp Polybia ignobilis. More specifically, we used a thermographic camera to obtain data of the surface temperatures of three body regions (head, thorax and abdomen) of wasps during foraging activities (pre-flight, flight and post-flight) in cold [initial pe- riod of foraging activity: TAM : 15 − 20◦C] and warm [final period of foraging activity: TPM : 30 − 35◦C] conditions. Thorax temperature (Tth) was always higher than head (Th) and abdomen temperature (Tabd). In general, the lowest body temperatures were observed during the pre-flight period, while the highest values occurred upon the return of the wasps from the foraging flight. Except for the pre-flight period, Tth was always higher than Tabd, indicating that heat generated at the thorax was preferentially directed to the cephalic region. Therefore we confirmed the use of thermogenesis by a neotropical social wasp, although its magnitude was found modest compared to temperate species, which suggests a link between thermal environment and thermogenic capacity. We also showed that P. ignobilis modulates heat production as a function of ambient temperature (TA), maintaining a greater temperature difference (Tbody − TA) at cooler temperatures. Finally, we identified the cephalic region of wasps as an important route for the dissipation of the heat generated during flight

Comportamento de forrageamento de Surucuá-variado (Trogon Surrucura) (Aves, Trogonidae)

Os frugívoros desempenham papel fundamental na manutenção das florestas ao dispersarem as sementes dos frutos que consomem. Dentre as aves tropicais, a família Trogonidae é uma importante representante de tal relação ecológica e por serem sensíveis a alterações no ambiente, são bioindicadores da qualidade do habitat. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo descrever o comportamento de forrageamento de Trogon surrucura no Parque Estadual da Cantareira, São Paulo, e registrar e levantar na literatura os itens alimentares consumidos pela espécie. Foi observado que T. surrucura capturou presas preferencialmente em folhas verdes, utilizou-se da manobra investir-pairar na maior parte dos eventos de forrageamento, e não retornou aos poleiros de partida em 92% dos casos. Entre os itens alimentares levantados, os mais registrados foram artrópodes (principalmente insetos da família Tettigoniidae e lepidópteros), seguidos de frutos (Eugenia uniflora, Euterpe edulis entre outros), além de vertebrados (anuros da família Hylidae) e flores (do gênero Ipomoea). Como já citado em literatura, a espécie mostrou-se comum na área de estudo