Inter and intraspecific variation on reproductive phenology of the Brazilian Atlantic forest Rubiaceae: Ecology and phylogenetic constraints

The reproductive phenology of seven species of Rubiaceae from the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest was compared to evaluate the occurrence of phylogenetic constraints on flowering and fruiting phenologies. Since phenological patterns can be affected by phylogenetic constraints, we expected that reproductive phenology would be similar among plants within a family or genus, occurring during the same time (or season) of the year. Observations on flowering and fruiting phenology were carried out monthly, from December 1996 to January 1998, at Núcleo Picinguaba, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil. Nine phenological variables were calculated to characterize, quantify and compare the reproductive phenology of the Rubiaceae species. The flowering patterns were different among the seven species studied, and the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated significant differences in flowering duration, first flowering, peak flowering and flowering synchrony. The peaks and patterns of fruiting intensity were different among the Rubiaceae species studied and they differed significantly from conspecifics in the phenological variables fruiting duration, fruiting peak date, and fruiting synchrony (Kruskal-Wallis test). Therefore, we found no evidence supporting the phylogenetic hypotheses, and climate does not seem to constrain flowering and fruiting patterns of the Rubiaceae species in the understory of the Atlantic forest.

Assessing genetic variability in bat species of Emballonuridae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae and Molossidae families (Chiroptera) by RFLP-PCR

A PCR-RFLP analysis of the restriction pattern in nuclear (RAG2) and mitochondrial (12S/16S) gene sequences of bat species from the Molossidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Emballonuridae families produced a large number of fragments: 107 for RAG2 and 155 for 12S/16S combined in 139 and 402 haplotypes, respectively. The values detected for gene variation were low for both sequences (0.13 for RAG2 and 0.15 for 12S/16S) and reflected their conservative feature, reinforced by high values of inter- and intraspecies genetic identity (70-100%). The species with a high gene divergence were variable in the analyses of RAG2 (Eumops perotis, Artibeus lituratus, and Carollia perspicillata) and of 12S/16S (Nyctinomops laticaudatus, C. perspicillata, and Cynomops abrasus), and furthermore, one of them, C. perspicillata, also showed the highest intraspecific variation. The species that exhibited the lowest variation for both genes was Molossus rufus. In the families, the highest variation was observed in the Molossidae and this can be attributed to variation exhibited by Eumops and Nyctinomops species. The variations observed were interpreted as a natural variability within the species and genus that exhibited a conserved pattern in the two gene sequences in different species and family analyzed. Our data reinforce the idea that the analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genes contribute to our knowledge of the diversity of New World bats. The genetic variability found in different taxa suggests that an additional diversity, unnoticed by other methods, can be revealed with the use of different molecular strategies. ©FUNPEC-RP.

Inter-relações da variabilidade espacial da granulometria do solo e a produtividade do feijoeiro sob plantio direto

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Inter-relação da produtividade da soja com atributos de um latossolo vermelho distroférrico sob plantio direto no cerrado

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Inter-relações da produtividade de cana soca com a resistência à penetração, umidade e matéria orgânica do solo

The sugarcane crop plays an important role on Brazilian economy,, especially in the aspect related to alternative energy sources. Yield of ratoon cane (2nd cycle) was evaluated in relation to resistance to penetration, gravimetric moisture and organic matter in a Typic Tropustalf, in the municipality of Suzanápolis (SP), 20º28'10'' S and 50º49'20'' W, in the Brazilian cerrado, in 2009. The main purpose was to select, among the attributes surveyed, the one with the highest linear and spatial correlations that explains the variability of sugar cane yield. A geostatistical grid was installed in order to collect data from the soil as well from the plant, with 120 sampling points in an area of 14.53 ha. Organic matter correlated linearly and negatively with penetration resistance, indicating that the soil management practices that aim its increase in the soil profile can improve soil physical conditions, and consequently, the development and yield of sugarcane. Both gravimetric moisture (UG) and content of soil organic matter (OM) correlated directly, linearly (UG2 and MO1) and spatially (UG1 and MO1) with sugarcane yield, proving to be the best attributes, among the evaluated ones, to estimate and increase the sugarcane yield.

Genetic variability among Commelina weed species from the states of Paraná and São Paulo, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Inter- and intra-specific diversity of Cuban Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) based on morphometric analyses and its relation with geographical distribution

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)