Diversity of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) in Parque da Onça Parda, southeastern Brazil

The environment most diverse in harvestmen species is the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo. However, there remains a lack of studies regarding their communities in certain regions. Among these regions is one south of the Paranapiacaba mountain range in the state of São Paulo, the Parque da Onça Parda (POP). Through nocturnal collections and pitfall traps, the region's harvestmen community has been studied. The observed richness of this site included 27 species, with dominance of three species: Holcobunus nigripalpis Roewer, 1910, Neosadocus maximus (Giltay, 1928) and Munequita sp., accounting for 68.4% of harvestmen abundance. This makes the diversity of POP more similar to the semideciduous Atlantic Forest communities of the interior than to those of the Coastal Atlantic Forest that contains the park. Its geographic location places it within the Southern São Paulo State (SSP) area of endemism, along with the Parque Turístico do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), with which it shares up to 12% similarity regarding harvestmen fauna. Richness and abundance of harvestmen were positively related to temperature and humidity. The period of animal activity (as measured by abundance and richness) varied throughout the night, being highest in the early hours during both studied seasons (summer and winter).

Parasitic arthropods of some wild rodents from Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station, State of São Paulo, Brazil

A study of the associations between three species of rodents in the Atlantic forest and their parasitic arthropods was undertaken at the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station, located in the State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, from March 1989 to February 1990. Individuals of three species, Oryzomys russatus, Proechimys iheringi and Nectomys squamipes were captured and examined for ectoparasites. Eleven species of parasitic arthropods were found, including four species of insects and seven of Acari. Parasitism intensity, phenology, and rainfall were positively correlated with the abundance of the ectoparasites and their hosts. The most abundant host was O. russatus (Muridae: Sigmodontinae), and the most common parasite on it was the laelapid mite Gigantolaelaps oudemansi. The cuterebrid Metacuterebra apicalis caused myiasis in O. russatus. A mutualistic association between the staphylinid beetle Amblyopinus sp. and its host P. iheringi (Echimyidae) was observed. The few N. squamipes captured had small numbers of ectoparasites.

Breeding sites of Neotropical Drosophilidae (Diptera): IV. living and fallen flowers of Sessea brasiliensis and Cestrum spp. (Solanaceae)

The flowering phenologies of Sessea brasiliensis and three species of Cestrum (C. amictum, C. schlechtendalii and C. sendtnerianum), all belonging to the Solanaceae, were monitored in a fragment of the montane Atlantic rain forest within São Paulo city from July 1993 through June 1995. A total of 11,021 flies belonging to five species of the flavopilosa group of Drosophila (D. cestri, D. cordeiroi, D. hollisae, D. incompta and D. mariaehelenae), plus 1,244 flies belonging to four species of Zygothrica (Z. dispar, Z. vittimaculosa, Z. vittinubila and Z. aff. vittipunctata) emerged from 33,955 sampled flowers. Cestrum amictum, C. sendtnerianum and Sessea brasiliensis are recorded for the first time as host plants for the species of the Neotropical flavopilosa group ofDrosophila. Additionally, at least ten less abundant taxa belonging also to the Drosophilidae, plus 1,073 microhymenopteran parasitoids (Braconidae, Eucoilidae, and Pteromalidae), emerged from the sampled flowers of S. brasiliensis e Cestrum spp. The present study raised from nine to eleven the number of species of Cestrum previously recorded as breeding sites for these flies. A comprehensive list of species of Solanaceae known to host six species of Drosophila and four species of Zygothrica in southeastern and southern Brazil is included.

Floral biology of Stachytarpheta maximiliani Scham. (Verbenaceae) and its floral visitors

This study describes the reproductive system of Stachytarpheta maximiliani (Verbenaceae), including its floral biology, nectar and pollen availability and insect foraging patterns, identifying whose species act as pollinators. It was carried out in a Brazilian Atlantic rain forest site. Observations on the pollination biology of the Verbenaceae S. maximiliani indicate that their flowering period extends from September through May. Anthesis occurs from 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and nectar and pollen are available during all the anthesis. Many species of beetles, hemipterans, flies, wasps, bees and butterflies visit their flowers, but bees and butterflies are the most frequent visitors. The flowers are generally small, gathered in dense showy inflorescences. A complex of floral characteristcs, such as violet-blue color of flowers, long floral tubes, without scents, nectar not exposed, high concentration of sugar in nectar (about 32%), allowed identification of floral syndromes (melittophily and psicophily) and function for each visitor. The bees, Bombus morio, B. atratus, Trigonopedia ferruginea, Xylocopa brasilianorum and Apis mellifera and the butterflies Corticea mendica mendica, Corticea sp., Vehilius clavicula, Urbanus simplicius, U. teleus and Heraclides thoas brasiliensis, are the most important pollinators.

Systematics and distribution of the genus Johnsonius Marsh (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Doryctinae) with description of two new species from Brazil

The genus Johnsonius Marsh includes five species, most of them known from Costa Rica and one known from Venezuela, Peru and Costa Rica. Two of these species and two new species were recently collected in Atlantic rain forest. Description of the new species, illustrations of some morphological characters, a key for identification of all known species and the new geographic records are presented.

Composição florística de um trecho de floresta ripária na Mata Atlântica em Picinguaba, Ubatuba, SP

O presente trabalho trata do estudo florístico da vegetação arbórea que ocorre ao longo de um trecho das margens do rio da Fazenda, localizado no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo de Picinguaba, no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo, município de Ubatuba (44°48' W e 23°22' S). Para a realização do levantamento, foram alocadas 40 parcelas de 10 m x 10 m, ao longo de um trecho do rio, sendo amostrados todos indivíduos com perímetro à altura do peito maior ou igual a 20 cm (DAP = 6,36 cm). Os 673 indivíduos amostrados distribuíram-se entre 120 espécies, 83 gêneros e 37 famílias. Myrtaceae foi a família de maior riqueza, com 28 espécies, seguida por Fabaceae (11), Rubiaceae e Lauraceae (8 cada uma). Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae), Chrysophyllum flexuosum Mart. (Sapotaceae), Coussarea nodosa Müll. Arg. (Rubiaceae) e Sloanea guianensis Benth. (Elaeocarpaceae) foram as populações com maior número de indivíduos. O índice de diversidade de Shannon encontrado foi H' = 4,07 nats/indivíduo, mostrando a grande diversidade da vegetação na área de estudo. As informações obtidas neste trabalho ressaltam a alta complexidade da Floresta Pluvial Tropical da Encosta Atlântica ao longo de sua extensão e fornecem dados para estudos comparativos com outros trechos de Mata Atlântica ou mesmo com outras formações florestais.

A riqueza de espécies arbóreas na floresta atlântica de encosta no estado de São Paulo (Brasil)

Extensa literatura refere-se à floresta atlântica de encosta no estado de São Paulo como possuidora de elevada diversidade florística. Esta afirmação está baseada em dados e conclusões de estudos florísticos e fitossociológicos locais. A maioria destes trabalhos não define com clareza o que considera diversidade, de que grupos estão tratando, a escala de abordagem e, principalmente, quais as florestas usadas para comparação. Neste estudo, são comparados dados sobre riqueza de plantas arbóreas (³ 2,5 cm dap) na floresta atlântica de encosta em São Paulo com os de outras florestas neotropicais. Posteriormente, são discutidas as principais relações conhecidas entre a riqueza de plantas lenhosas nas florestas neotropicais e fatores históricos e ecológicos. Nem os dados sobre riqueza nem as características de latitude, altitude, precipitação e solo na região da encosta atlântica suportam a hipótese de riqueza elevada nesta floresta em São Paulo. Estudos realizados a partir de base de dados comparáveis são necessários para caracterizar a riqueza de espécies lenhosas em todos os tipos de floresta, bem como para sugerir hipóteses sobre os processos responsáveis pelos padrões observados em diferentes escalas.

Growth and leaf demography of two Cecropia species

Allometry, growth and leaf demography of two Cecropia species, one with ant mutualist (C. glazioui) and another without it (C. hololeuca), were studied in an Atlantic Rain Forest area in the State of Rio de Janeiro, SE Brazil. Stem diameter was allometrically related to height in both species. Cecropia glazioui showed higher annual growth rates and longer internodes than C. hololeuca. Leaf phenology showed a seasonal pattern in both species, but the number of leaves on each plant was more variable along the year in C. hololeuca than in C. glazioui. Survivorship curves for leaves were intermediate between Deevey's Type I and Type II curves, with young leaves of C. glazioui showing a greater survival rate and life expectancy than those of C. hololeuca. Low variability in leaf production throughout the year and high survival rate for young leaves of C. glazioui may be characteristics related to its association with ants.

Hyphomycetes decompositores do folhedo de Tibouchina pulchra Cogn.

Durante o levantamento de fungos mitospóricos associados ao folhedo de Tibouchina pulchra Cogn. coletado na Reserva Biológica de Paranapiacaba (Mata Atlântica), Santo André, estado de São Paulo, vinte e dois Hyphomycetes foram isolados. As folhas passaram pela técnica da lavagem sucessiva de substratos com água destilada esterilizada e foram incubadas em câmaras-úmidas. Três espécies constituem novos registros para o Brasil, Rhinocladiella cristaspora Matsushima, Venustusynnema ciliata (Castañeda, G. Arnold & A. Guerra) Castañeda & Kendrick e Vermiculariopsiella cubensis (Castañeda) Nawawi, Kuthubutheen & Sutton; para essas são apresentadas descrições, distribuição geográfica, comentários e ilustrações.

O mosaico vegetacional numa área de floresta contínua da planície litorânea, Parque Estadual da Campina do Encantado, Pariquera-Açu, SP

Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a florística, estrutura e fisionomia de três florestas em distintas situações fisiográficas da planície litorânea. Foram amostradas uma floresta sobre turfeira pouco profunda (floresta turfosa rasa), uma floresta sobre turfeira profunda (floresta turfosa profunda) e uma floresta em solo firme e seco (floresta sobre morrote), todas situadas na área de floresta contínua do Parque Estadual da Campina do Encantado, Pariquera-Açu SP. Foi realizado o levantamento fitossociológico através de blocos de parcelas contíguas de 10 × 10 m -- totalizando 1,04 ha -- e amostradas todas as árvores com DAP > ou = 4,8 cm. Foram encontradas ao todo 144 espécies, sendo 112 na floresta sobre morrote, 46 na floresta turfosa rasa e cinco na floresta turfosa profunda. A similaridade entre as três florestas foi baixa, com poucas espécies em comum, principalmente em relação às florestas turfosas e a floresta sobre morrote. A floresta sobre morrote apresentou alta diversidade, típica de ambientes florestais tropicais (H' = 4,06 nat.ind.-1). A floresta turfosa rasa apresentou o valor de diversidade dentro do esperado para formações alagáveis das planícies litorâneas (H' = 2,98 nat.ind.-1). A diversidade na floresta turfosa profunda foi muito baixa (H' = 0,82 nat.ind.-1), sendo a menor já registrada para florestas sem perturbação antrópica das regiões sul e sudeste brasileira. A heterogeneidade vegetacional em áreas de floresta contínua, condicionada aos fatores fisiográficos das planícies litorâneas, indica a necessidade de se proteger o maior número de situações ambientais possíveis, objetivando a conservação da biodiversidade in situ.

Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in populations of two legume trees: Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Mimosoideae) and Cassia ferruginea (Schrad.) Schrad. ex DC. (Caesalpinoideae)

The aim of this study was to investigate the photosynthetic performance in populations of two legume tree species, Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mimosoideae), typical from Cerrado, and Cassia ferruginea (Caesalpinoideae) from the Atlantic Rain Forest. The photosynthetic traits were assessed by measures of chlorophyll fluorescence in progenies of naturally pollinated plants from three populations of S. adstringens and a population of C. ferruginea. Plants of S. adstringens growing under similar conditions of C. ferruginea plants demanded higher light values for photosynthesis saturation, 600 µmol.m-2.s-1 and 350 µmol.m-2.s-1 respectively, and showed higher intrinsic photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II, Fv/Fm of 0.814 versus 0.783 in C. ferruginea. The highest values of Fv/Fm observed in S. adstringens can explain the highest electron transport rates (ETR) obtained for this species. No significant differences were found among progenies from different C. ferruginea trees nor among populations of S. adstringens, and only in few cases, variation among progenies within populations were found for S. adstringens plants. The fact that fluorescence parameters distinguished species but not populations or most of progenies may be related to low intraspecific genetic variation of these chlorophyll fluorescence traits or due to lack of expression on genetic differences in plants under no stressful conditions.

Distyly and variation in floral traits in natural populations of Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) Stokes (Rubiaceae)

Psychotria ipecacuanha is a perennial, medicinal herb that grows in clusters in the understory of humid, shady areas of the Atlantic Rain Forest of southeastern Brazil. The present study characterized the variation in floral traits among 35 clusters from three natural populations of this plant species. Field observations showed that the clusters are isomorphic, that is, a given cluster will either set long-styled or short-styled flowers. Stigmas and anthers are reciprocally placed in each morph, a dimorphism characteristic of distyly. The populations are isoplethic, that is, a given population exhibits an equilibrium 1:1 ratio of floral morphs. Morphometric analyses revealed that anther length, stigma length, corolla diameter, and pollen grain diameter were consistently greater in short-styled flowers, regardless of the population investigated. Significant differences for floral traits in the short-styled morph were found among populations. Floral traits in the long-styled morph also showed some significant differences among populations, but not for stigma height and corolla length. Controlled pollinations carried out in natural populations showed that fruit production was higher after inter-morph pollination. Nevertheless, observations of pollen tube growth in style, and also fruit production after spontaneous self-pollination and intra-morph pollination, indicated partial intramorph compatibility in this plant species.

Species composition and biogeographic relations of the rock outcrop flora on the high plateau of Itatiaia, SE-Brazil

We studied the flora of vegetation islands on rock outcrops on the Itatiaia Plateau (22°21'S and 44°40'W), at 2,400 m.a.s.l. A total of 114 vascular plant species, which correspond to ca. 20%-25% of the currently inventoried flora of the plateau, were sampled in 197 small vegetation islands (total area of 0.034 ha). Xerophytes and hydrophytes were often found side by side due to environmental heterogeneity at a small scale, explaining in part the high species diversity. Rock outcrops may support floras quite distinct from those in neighbouring habitats, due to the action of strong environmental filters, but in Itatiaia the geographic distribution patterns among rupicolous plants appear to mimic those described for the whole flora around it, with 15.1% of narrow endemic species and six strictly rupicolous plants. Underlining the "temperate" nature of the high elevation climate in Itatiaia, the sampled flora was dominated by species of the families Asteraceae and Poaceae, and the number of CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) species was very low. A few endemic species of tropical origin - Pleurostima gounelleana (Beauv.) Men. (Velloziaceae) and Fernseea itatiaiae (Wawra) Baker (Bromeliaceae) - play a crucial role in this vegetation, as pioneer mat-formers facilitating later establishment of numerous other species. Hemicryptophytes prevail in the sampled flora, while therophytes are exceptionally rare and mainly consist of opportunistic species associated with disturbances. Numerous microhabitats and strong environmental gradients in these high elevation rock outcrops afford opportunities for establishment of a highly diversified flora. These island-like environments may represent an important refuge for grassland species from fire and other disturbances in the surrounding grasslands.

A new spot-thoraxed species of Drosophila from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

Drosophila boraceia sp. nov. is described from a single male specimen collected at the Estação Biológica de Boracéia, Salesópolis, state of São Paulo, Brazil. At first inspection it looks like a species of Drosophila belonging to the fasciola subgroup of the repleta group, mainly because of the fasciola-like pattern of fused spots on the thorax. However, mostly due to the quite distinct structures of the male terminalia, it seems to be more similar to one ungrouped and also spot-thoraxed South American species, Drosophila atalaia Vilela & Sene, 1982. Illustrations of the terminalia are also provided.

Mosquito community composition in dynamic landscapes from the Atlantic Forest biome (Diptera, Culicidae)

Mosquito community composition in dynamic landscapes from the Atlantic Forest biome (Diptera, Culicidae). Considering that some species of Culicidae are vectors of pathogens, both the knowledge of the diversity of the mosquito fauna and how some environment factors influence in it, are important subjects. In order to address the composition of Culicidae species in a forest reserve in southern Atlantic Forest, we compared biotic and abiotic environmental determinants and how they were associated with the occurrence of species between sunset and sunrise. The level of conservation of the area was also considered. The investigation was carried out at Reserva Natural do Morro da Mina, in Antonina, state of Paraná, Brazil. We performed sixteen mosquito collections employing Shannon traps at three-hour intervals, from July 2008 to June 2009. The characterization of the area was determined using ecological indices of diversity, evenness, dominance and similarity. We compared the frequency of specimens with abiotic variables, i.e., temperature, relative humidity and pluviosity. Seven thousand four hundred ten mosquito females were captured. They belong to 48 species of 12 genera. The most abundant genera were Anopheles, Culex, Coquillettidia, Aedes and Runchomyia. Among the species, the most abundant was Anopheles cruzii, the primary vector of Plasmodium spp. in the Atlantic Forest. Results of the analyses showed that the abiotic variables we tested did not influence the occurrence of species, although certain values suggested that there was an optimum range for the occurrence of culicid species. It was possible to detect the presence of species of Culicidae with different epidemiologic profiles and habitat preference.