Diversidade, diferenciação e biogeografia de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores na Mata Atlântica ao norte do rio São Francisco Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco

As florestas tropicais brasileiras (Amazônia e a Mata Atlântica) possuem alta diversidade de espécies e atualmente estão separadas por um cinturão de vegetação aberta. Parte deste cinturão é ocupada pela Caatinga, onde se encontram os Brejos de Altitude, testemunhos das conexões históricas entre a Mata Atlântica e a Amazônia. O Centro de Endemismos Pernambuco (CEPE) é a unidade biogeográfica que compõe a Mata Atlântica ao norte do rio São Francisco e contém diversos táxons endêmicos. Esta região apresenta uma mastofauna compartilhada com a Amazônia, devido às conexões existentes durante o Cenozóico. A presença do rio São Francisco em seu limite sul pode atuar como barreira ao fluxo gênico e explicar os endemismos encontrados no CEPE. Contrastando com sua situação peculiar, a mastofauna do CEPE ainda carece de estudos aprofundados sobre a identificação de suas espécies, padrões geográficos e relações filogenéticas. Revisões recentes têm identificado espécies diferentes ao norte e ao sul do rio São Francisco, mas poucos trabalhos têm proposto hipóteses biogeográficas para o CEPE. Para ampliar o conhecimento sobre a identidade e distribuição geográfica dos pequenos mamíferos do CEPE e sua estrutura filogeográfica, foram realizados levantamentos de espécies e análises de diversidade genética e morfométrica para algumas espécies. Os levantamentos consistiram de visitas às coleções científicas a fim de identificar as espécies ocorrentes no CEPE e excursões de coleta com 5 a 17 noites consecutivas em 12 localidades ao longo do CEPE, que totalizaram 64691 armadilhas noites e resultaram na coleta de 476 exemplares de 31 espécies. As espécies foram identificadas com base na morfologia externa e craniana e por análises citogenéticas. Para investigar a biogeografia do CEPE, análises de genética de populações, filogeográficas e morfométricas foram realizadas para os marsupiais Caluromys philander, Didelphis aurita, Marmosa murina, Metachirus nudicaudatus e os roedores Akodon cursor, Oecomys catherinae e Rhipidomys mastacalis para avaliar a existência de diferenciação nas populações do CEPE e suas relações com as linhagens Amazônicas e Atlânticas. Estes resultados mostraram que a diversificação dos pequenos mamíferos do CEPE ocorreu tanto no Terciário quanto no Quaternário. Algumas populações, como em Caluromys philander e Oecomys catherinae, mostraram afinidades com linhagens amazônicas, enquanto outras, como em Metachirus nudicaudatus e Rhipidomys mastacalis, apresentaram afinidades com linhagens atlânticas. Os pequenos mamíferos do CEPE apresentaram diferenciação em relação às suas linhagens irmãs, com algumas linhagens podendo tratar-se de espécies ainda não descritas (e.g. Didelphis aff. aurita e Rhipidomys aff. mastacalis). Esta diferenciação provavelmente foi causada pelos eventos cíclicos de flutuações climáticas que provocaram elevações no nível do mar e retração das florestas tropicais, isolando as populações do CEPE. Por fim, para auxiliar na identificação das espécies em novas coletas, de suas distribuições geográficas e de suas características citogenéticas e ecológicas, foi elaborado um guia reunindo todas as informações disponíveis sobre as espécies de pequenos mamíferos do CEPE.

O Gênero Cyathus haller: pers. (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) em áreas de caatinga do Nordeste brasileiro

Fungi of the family Nidulariaceae or bird s nest fungi present a vase-shaped basidiomata with the wall surface smooth or striated lengthwise and internal structures resembling small bird eggs in a nest, the peridioles. Among the five genera that comprise the group, the more representative is Cyathus Haller: Pers. The Brazilian Northeast region shows major importance for the world s diversity by containing a Brazilian unique and exclusively phytoecological domain, the Caatinga, which lacks particular attention regarding macrofungi. Although the gradual growth of knowledge in recent years, studies are still insipient in the Caatinga domain. Between their various vegetal formations are the Brejos de Altitude , described as islands with moist perennial vegetation, low soil fertility and annual precipitation of 900 1.300 mm. This study aimed to evaluate the taxonomic richness of Nidulariaceae fungi in Caatinga s areas of Northeastern Brazil, describing and identifying species, as well as expanding the collection of Herbarium UFRN Fungos. For description of Nidulariaceae fungi was followed the proposed by specialized literature in the group. We have found and described 10 species of the genus Cyathus, namely: C. earlei Lloyd, C. gayanus Tul. & C. Tul., C. gracilis H.J. Brodie, C. intermedius (Mont.) Tul. & C. Tul., C. limbatus Tul. & C. Tul., C. montagnei Tul. & C. Tul., C. pallidus Berk. & M.A. Curtis, C. poeppigii Tul. & C. Tul., C. striatus (Huds.) Willd. and C. tríplex Lloyd. Beyond these have been described four new species to science: Cyathus calvescens R. Cruz & Baseia sp. nov., C. hortum R. Cruz & Baseia sp. nov., C. magnomuralis R. Cruz & Baseia sp. nov. and C. parvocinereus R. Cruz & Baseia sp. nov. Two samples were identified only to genus level. No member of Mycocalia J.T. Palmer, Nidula V.S. White, Nidularia Fr. and Crucibulum Tul. & C. Tul. has been found, however the results were extremely valuable for being an unprecedented work in Caatinga, and importante tool for implementation of conservation projects and sustainable utilization of this domain

Herpetofauna do Planalto da Ibiapaba, Ceará: composição, aspectos reprodutivos, distribuição espaço-temporal e conservação

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Biogeografia histórica e conservação das serpentes da floresta pluvial atlântica costeira do Brasil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

O gênero Geastrum Pers. (Geastraceae, Basidiomycota): ocorrência, chave taxonômica e descrições de novas espécies do Nordeste brasileiro

Geastraceae is a monophyletic family included in the gomphoid-phalloid clade, it is composed only by two genus: Geastrum and Myriostoma. These genus are closely related in their morphology and phylogeny, both showing angiocarpic basidiomata, apical stoma, basidiospores passively released by the bellows mechanism and exoperidium dehiscent in rays, these genus are distinct by the number of stomas and pedicels. Because of dehiscense of exoperidium they are popularly known as “earthstars”. Usually they occur on decomposing leaf-litter and decaying wood. They are, thus, saprophytic, with rare exceptions of ectomycorrhizal species. Geastrum is the most diverse gasteroid genus in Brazil, with an estimated 51 records. However, there are large gaps in the geographic distribution and systematics studies about the Geastrum in this country, especially because of the characteristics found in the Brazilian territory (megadiverse, hotspots and continental size), which makes it a priority area for species inventory. Thus, this work was aimed at realizing inventory of species of Geastrum, which occur in Caatinga and Northeastern Atlantic Rainforest. At least two field expeditions were realized, during about four days on rainy season of 2013 and 2014 in the areas: Reserva Biológica de Guaribas, located in Atlantic Rainforest domain, Paraíba State and Reserva Ecológica Estadual Mata do Pau Ferro, located on “Brejos Paraibanos”, Paraíba State. Furthermore, specimens deposited in the Herbarium of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, which were collected in Parque Nacional Vale do Catimbau, Caatinga of Pernambuco State, were analyzed. The specimens were identified according to analysis of macro and micro morphology based on specific literature. Approximately 400 basidiomata, distributed in 73 exsiccates were analyzed. 21 species were identified, 19 are in specie level, which two are proposed to new species. (Geastrum magnosporum sp. nov. e G. pusillupilosum sp. nov.) and two in genera level (sp. e aff.). We emphasize one new record for Brazil, 12 new records for Paraíba State, four new records for semiarid region in Brazil and six new records to Atlantic Rainforest relicts “Brejo de Altitude”. So, the results improved the knowledge about Geastrum in Paraíba State by 200%, 24 % in Brazilian semiarid region and 55% in Atlantic Rainforest relicts “Brejo de Altitude”, evincing that Northeastern Brazil has high species richness.

História das paisagens florestais mésicas dentro da diagonal de formações abertas : contribuições de paleomodelagem, filogeografia de espécies associadas e de conservação

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, 2016.

Developmental components of resting ventilation among high- and low-altitude Andean children and adults

This paper evaluates the age-associated changes of resting ventilation of 115 high- and low-altitude Aymara subjects, of whom 61 were from the rural Aymara village of Ventilla situated at an average altitude of 4,200 m and 54 from the rural village of Caranavi situated at an average altitude of 900 m. Comparison of the age patterns of resting ventilation suggests the following conclusions: 1) the resting ventilation (ml/kg/min) of high-altitude natives is markedly higher than that of low-altitude natives; 2) the age decline of ventilation is similar in both lowlanders and highlanders, but the starting point and therefore the age decline are much higher at high altitude; 3) the resting ventilation that characterizes high-altitude Andean natives is developmentally expressed in the same manner as it is at low altitude; and 4) the resting ventilation (ml/kg/min) of Aymara high-altitude natives is between 40–80% lower than that of Tibetans. Am J Phys Anthropol 109:295–301, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

High altitude stereo visual odometry

Stereo visual odometry has received little investigation in high altitude applications due to the generally poor performance of rigid stereo rigs at extremely small baseline-to-depth ratios. Without additional sensing, metric scale is considered lost and odometry is seen as effective only for monocular perspectives. This paper presents a novel modification to stereo based visual odometry that allows accurate, metric pose estimation from high altitudes, even in the presence of poor calibration and without additional sensor inputs. By relaxing the (typically fixed) stereo transform during bundle adjustment and reducing the dependence on the fixed geometry for triangulation, metrically scaled visual odometry can be obtained in situations where high altitude and structural deformation from vibration would cause traditional algorithms to fail. This is achieved through the use of a novel constrained bundle adjustment routine and accurately scaled pose initializer. We present visual odometry results demonstrating the technique on a short-baseline stereo pair inside a fixed-wing UAV flying at significant height (~30-100m).

Editorial for the JFR special issue on low altitude flight of UAVs

This special issue of the Journal of Field Robotics focuses on low altitude flight of UAVs with a particular emphasis on fully implemented systems that were tested in relevant environments or deployed in regular operations.

LiDAR Augmented Optimal Path Planning for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during Remote Sensing at Low Altitude and Network Sensor Data Acquisition

This technical report describes a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) augmented optimal path planning at low level flight methodology for remote sensing and sampling Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The UAV is used to perform remote air sampling and data acquisition from a network of sensors on the ground. The data that contains information on the terrain is in the form of a 3D point clouds maps is processed by the algorithms to find an optimal path. The results show that the method and algorithm are able to use the LiDAR data to avoid obstacles when planning a path from a start to a target point. The report compares the performance of the method as the resolution of the LIDAR map is increased and when a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is included. From a practical point of view, the optimal path plan is loaded and works seemingly with the UAV ground station and also shows the UAV ground station software augmented with more accurate LIDAR data.

Detecting the attributes of a wheat crop using digital imagery acquired from a low-altitude platform

A low-altitude platform utilising a 1.8-m diameter tethered helium balloon was used to position a multispectral sensor, consisting of two digital cameras, above a fertiliser trial plot where wheat (Triticum spp.) was being grown. Located in Cecil Plains, Queensland, Australia, the plot was a long-term fertiliser trial being conducted by a fertiliser company to monitor the response of crops to various levels of nutrition. The different levels of nutrition were achieved by varying nitrogen application rates between 0 and 120 units of N at 40 unit increments. Each plot had received the same application rate for 10 years. Colour and near-infrared images were acquired that captured the whole 2 ha plot. These images were examined and relationships sought between the captured digital information and the crop parameters imaged at anthesis and the at-harvest quality and quantity parameters. The statistical analysis techniques used were correlation analysis, discriminant analysis and partial least squares regression. A high correlation was found between the image and yield (R2 = 0.91) and a moderate correlation between the image and grain protein content (R2 = 0.66). The utility of the system could be extended by choosing a more mobile platform. This would increase the potential for the system to be used to diagnose the causes of the variability and allow remediation, and/or to segregate the crop at harvest to meet certain quality parameters.

Altitude variation of aerosol properties over the Himalayan range inferred from spatial measurements

Altitude variations of the mass concentration of black carbon, number concentration of composite aerosols are examined along with the columnar spectral aerosol optical depths using state of the art instruments and the Angstrom parameters are inferred from the ground based measurements at several altitude levels, en route from Manora Peak, Nainital (similar to 1950 m above mean sea level) to a low altitude station Haldwani (similar to 330 m above mean sea level) at its foothill within an aerial distance of <10,000 m. The measurements were done during the winter months (November-February) of 2005, 2006 and 2007 under fair weather conditions. The results show a rapid decrease in all the measured parameters with increase in altitude, with >60% contribution to the AOD coming from the regions below 1000 m. The Angstrom wavelength exponent remained high in the well mixed region, and decreased above. The normalized AOD gradient was used to estimate aerosol mixing height, which was found to be in the altitude range 1000-1500 m, above which the particle concentrations are slowly varying as a function of altitude. The heating rate at the surface is found to be maximum but decreases sharply with increase in altitude. Analysis of the wavelength dependence of absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD) showed that the aerosol absorption over the site is generally due to mixed aerosols. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dependence of climate forcing and response on the altitude of black carbon aerosols

Black carbon aerosols absorb solar radiation and decrease planetary albedo, and thus can contribute to climate warming. In this paper, the dependence of equilibrium climate response on the altitude of black carbon is explored using an atmospheric general circulation model coupled to a mixed layer ocean model. The simulations model aerosol direct and semi-direct effects, but not indirect effects. Aerosol concentrations are prescribed and not interactive. It is shown that climate response of black carbon is highly dependent on the altitude of the aerosol. As the altitude of black carbon increases, surface temperatures decrease; black carbon near the surface causes surface warming, whereas black carbon near the tropopause and in the stratosphere causes surface cooling. This cooling occurs despite increasing planetary absorption of sunlight (i.e. decreasing planetary albedo). We find that the trend in surface air temperature response versus the altitude of black carbon is consistent with our calculations of radiative forcing after the troposphere, stratosphere, and land surface have undergone rapid adjustment, calculated as ``regressed'' radiative forcing. The variation in climate response from black carbon at different altitudes occurs largely from different fast climate responses; temperature dependent feedbacks are not statistically distinguishable. Impacts of black carbon at various altitudes on the hydrological cycle are also discussed; black carbon in the lowest atmospheric layer increases precipitation despite reductions in solar radiation reaching the surface, whereas black carbon at higher altitudes decreases precipitation.

Relative effect of slope and equilibrium line altitude on the retreat of Himalayan glaciers

It has been observed that a majority of glaciers in the Himalayas have been retreating. In this paper, we show that there are two major factors which control the advance/retreat of the Himalayan glaciers. They are the slope of the glacier and changes in the equilibrium line altitude. While it is well known, that these factors are important, we propose a new way of combining them and use it to predict retreat. The functional form of this model has been derived from numerical simulations using an ice-flow code. The model has been successfully applied to the movement of eight Himalayan glaciers during the past 25 years. It explains why the Gangotri glacier is retreating while Zemu of nearly the same length is stationary, even if they are subject to similar environmental changes. The model has also been applied to a larger set of glaciers in the Parbati basin, for which retreat based on satellite data is available, though over a shorter time period.