Aspectos morfo-anatômicos e fisiológicos de Peltophorum dubium (Spr.) Taub. submetida ao alagamento e à aplicação de etrel

Visando elucidar aspectos de tolerância das plantas à hipoxia, estudaram-se os efeitos do alagamento e da aplicação de etrel em P. dubium (canafístula), num período de 70 dias. Durante o experimento foram avaliados a espessura da base do caule e a alocação de matéria seca para as raízes, caules e folhas. A inundação provocou aumento da espessura da base do caule e grande hipertrofia de lenticelas. A aplicação de etrel não induziu a formação de raízes adventícias, porém estimulou a hipertrofia de lenticelas. O alagamento e/ou aplicação de etrel afetaram significativamente o crescimento e o desenvolvimento das plantas. Este efeito foi maior nas plantas alagadas que tiveram suas lenticelas vedadas. Os resultados indicam que P. dubium pode tolerar certos períodos de inundação, possivelmente em razão das modificações morfo-anatômicas induzidas por variações nos níveis hormonais, lideradas pelo etileno.

Population ecology of Paepalanthus polyanthus (Bong.) Kunth: demography and life history of a sand dune monocarpic plant

Aspects of population dynamics and life history of Paepalanthus polyanthus (Bong.) Kunth, a sand dune monocarpic plant, were evaluated. A five year study was carried out on three permanent plots (5 m x 5 m) in a sand dune slack at Joaquina beach, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. From December 1986 to June 1989, the population decreased due to the death of the post reproductive plants and a low emergence of seedlings. In June 1989, a great recruitment occurred, but no plants survived. The population re-established itself by 1990-1991. The emergence and high survival of seedlings depended on periods of high pluviosity. Nevertheless, the summer flooding and episodes of drought represented key factors in mortality. The birth and mortality rates varied among the areas. It is suggested that these differences are related with depth of the ground water and with vegetation cover at each site. Paepalanthus polyanthus can reproduce in the second year of life, but few plants do this. The chances of survival and reproduction increase with the size of the basal leaf rosette. Although the production of seeds increases with size, the risk of unexpected flooding, for instance, suggest that a great delay in reproduction might not be the most favorable strategy.

Crescimento inicial de Piptadenia gonoacantha (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae) sob inundação em diferentes níveis de luminosidade

Este estudo aborda aspectos ecológicos da inundação em plântulas de Piptadenia gonoacantha, uma espécie ocorrente em Matas de Galeria. O crescimento de plântulas com cinco meses de idade foi avaliado em duas condições de solo (capacidade de campo e inundado) combinados com três níveis de luz solar (100%, 70% e 40%). A inundação reduziu o crescimento aéreo e radicial das plântulas. Não houve interação entre luz e inundação, exceto para massa seca foliar aos 60 dias e razão parte aérea/raiz aos 20 dias. Plântulas inundadas a pleno sol apresentaram massa seca foliar aos 60 dias cerca de 67% menor que aquelas inundadas sombreadas. A razão parte aérea/raiz de plântulas inundadas foi significativamente maior aos 60 dias. Plântulas inundadas produziram lenticelas hipertrofiadas na base do caule, a partir dos 20 dias, em todos os níveis de luz. Além disso, a inundação induziu a decomposição das raízes e raízes adventícias não foram observadas. Após 60 dias de inundação, plântulas de P. gonoacantha apresentaram 100% de sobrevivência sem sintomas significantes de injúria na parte aérea.

Floristic composition and topographic variation in a tidal floodplain forest in the Amazon Estuary

Slight topographic variations appear to exert dramatic effects on the structure of forests subject to inundation. In a late successional tidal floodplain forest near the Amazon port of Belém, Brazil, we examined these effects by studying floristic composition along a topographic gradient. We predicted that, relative to high sites, low sites would be characterized by high representation of life forms and taxa characteristic of inundated sites. We found striking variations in floristic composition along a slight topographic gradient. In comparison with topographically high sites, low sites were characterized by a high representation of Palm trees (Arecaceae), low diversity of trees and lianas, and high plant density. These variations appear to reflect edaphic limitations imposed by periodic flooding. The high spatial variation in floristic composition found in this ecosystem suggest caution in implementing intensive forms of agriculture.

Phenology, litterfall, growth, and root biomass in a tidal floodplain forest in the Amazon estuary

The dynamics of forests subject to inundation appears to be strongly influenced by the frequency and intensity of natural disturbances such as flooding. In a late successional tidal floodplain forest near the Amazon port of Belém, Brazil, we tested this prediction by measuring seasonal patterns of phenology and litterfall in relation to two key variables: rainfall and tide levels. In addition, we estimated the root biomass and the annual growth of the forest community by measuring stem increments over time. Our results showed high correlations between phenological events (flowering and fruiting) and rainfall and tide levels, while correlations between litterfall and these variations were generally weaker. Contrary to our prediction, root biomass to 1 m depth showed no significant differences along the topographic gradient, and the root biomass at all topographic levels was low to intermediate compared with other neotropical forests. Both litterfall and total stem increment were high compared to other tropical forest, indicating the high productivity of this ecosystem.

The neurobiology of infant maternal odor learning

Infant rats must learn to identify their mother’s diet-dependent odor. Once learned, maternal odor controls pups’ approach to the mother, their social behavior and nipple attachment. Here we present a review of the research from four different laboratories, which suggests that neural and behavioral responses to the natural maternal odor and neonatal learned odors are similar. Together, these data indicate that pups have a unique learning circuit relying on the olfactory bulb for neural plasticity and on the hyperfunctioning noradrenergic locus coeruleus flooding the olfactory bulb with norepinephrine to support the neural changes. Another important factor making this system unique is the inability of the amygdala to become incorporated into the infant learning circuit. Thus, infant rats appear to be primed in early life to learn odors that will evoke approach responses supporting attachment to the caregiver.