Herpetofauna associada à bromélia rupícola, encholirium spectabile, no semiárido brasileiro: revisão da literatura, ecologia das espécies e comportamento de psychosaura agmosticha (squamata: mabuyidae)

Bromeliads are an important microhabitat for the herpetofauna, for being widely used as refuge from predators and their leaf architecture allows humidity maintenance and relatively constant temperature inside, setting a favorable environment for amphibians and reptiles, especially in areas under hydric stress. However, studies addressing this relationship are still incipient and more concentrated in fitotelmatas bromeliad. For non-fitotelmatas rupicolous bromeliads of the gender Encholirium, which develops into rocky outcrops and contains species of semi-arid regions such as the Caatinga, animal-plant relationships are almost unknown. In this context, this study aimed to know the herpetological fauna inhabitant of macambiras bromeliads, Encholirium spectabile, analyzing occupation and use of these bromeliads by different taxa, and the behavioral ecology of the lizard Psychosaura agmosticha, seeking to identify factors associated with this strict relationship in Caatinga. An extensive review of the world literature on the subject “lizards in bromeliads” subsidized this study from the ecological perspective of this association. The field work was carried out at Fazenda Tanques, municipality of Santa Maria / RN, mesoregion of Agreste Potiguar. The observations and/or data collection in daytime and in the evening was conducted monthly during three consecutive days, from January 2011 to August 2012, totaling 450 hour.man of sampling effort. Sixteen species were registered: six lizards (Mabuyidae, Tropiduridae, Gekkonidae and Phyllodactylidae Families), six snakes (Boidae and Dipsadidae Families) and four of amphibians of Hylidae Family. The effect of the forest edge on the distribution of species along the outcrop was significant, with most species found in outcrop edges. Significant difference was found between some pairs of species concerning use of bromeliads, and almost total niche overlap in the use of microhabitat. 62.5% of the species are nocturnal and use these plants for sheltering, breeding and feeding. Regarding the relations between 4 the lizard Psychosaura agmosticha and macambiras bromeliads, behaviors of thermoregulation and foraging in the dry and wet seasons were recorded. Activity periods were concentrated between 7 and 10 am and between 3 and 5 pm in both seasons, showing a clear bimodal pattern. The species basically used the green leaves and there were no significant differences between males and females in the use of bromeliads. Positive associations were found between body temperature and temperatures of bromeliads and air. This species spent 1.95% ± 3.8 of the time moving (PTM) and moved on average 0:36 ± 2.1 seconds per minute (MPM), with significant differences between the wet and dry to PTM, and between the average time of stop and average duration of movements, being considered a sedentary forager. Psychosaura agmosticha, in the study area, is bromelicolous and uses macambiras primarily for thermoregulation and foraging. The results of this study elevate the rupicolous bromeliads Encholirium spectabile as key elements for the maintenance of amphibians and reptiles associated with it, and a clear advantageous association for the conservation of the groups involved.

O papel dos quintais urbanos na segurança alimentar, bem estar e conservação da biodiversidade

Residential homegardens have environmental and social roles in the urban environment. These green spaces can potentially minimize the impacts caused by the growth of cities, being an alternative to connect fragmented areas or offer refuge to wildlife and therefore support the conservation of biodiversity. In addition, the homegardens demonstrate a leading role in increasing human well-being by promoting socialization opportunities, contact with nature, local culture as well as improvements in food security for the urban families. Nevertheless, it is still unclear what specific characteristics of homegardens can act effectively in the conservation of the biodiversity, as well as in the construction of food security and well being of the homegardeners and their families. The first chapter of this thesis analyzed the diversity of plant species (native and exotic) and assessed the contribution of different types of urban gardens (ornamental and forest gardens alike) in the presence of wildlife such as birds, monkeys and lizards. In the second chapter we evaluated the contribution of those gardens to the welfare and food security of their owners. In order to do this, 41 gardens were visited in Pium, a southern coastal town in the northeastern Brazil, which also happens to be in a periurban region undergoing rapid urban expansion and pressure from the real estate market. We surveyed the planned biodiversity and fauna associated with homegardens. The data related to food security and welfare were sampled through interviews with the person in charge of taking care of the gardens. These interviews covered issues on the supply of food from the garden and absence of chemical products, as well as aspects of the GNH indicator (Gross National Happiness). The results showed that these homegardens generally contribute little to the maintenance of native plant species (native species = 29/ total = 187). From its main features, the gardens were classified as ornamental, forest gardens and forest farms. These groups had a different effect on the presence of the animals studied and the last two contained most of the sampled native species. The diversity of plants and trees was a good predictor of the presence of birds and monkeys. Thus, the contribution of yards for the conservation of biodiversity depends on the type of garden: some even can have negative effects on conservation. These results can direct new approaches to detailed understanding of gardens and also of public policies applied to urban planning. The results of the second chapter showed that the two types of forest gardens contributed to household food security, for providing food and medicinal herbs, which mostly did not have pesticides and chemical 12 fertilizers. But the three groups of gardens are important components for the well being of their stakeholders. Gardens help promote the transmission of knowledge on agriculture, socialization, contact with nature and bring up feelings related to peace and harmony. Thus, forest gardens can be considered important means to get through public projects and policies designed to encourage biodiversity and promote food security and well-being in urban areas

Las puestas comunales de Hemidactylus boavistensis en la isla de Sal (Archipiélago de Cabo Verde)

[ES]De acuerdo con Pough (1973), los requerimientos metabólicos de un saurio de pequeño tamaño determinan que su dieta deba ser básicamente insectívora. El mismo autor añadía que cuando el lagarto sobrepasa un determinado tamaño esa dieta basada en el consumo exclusivo de artrópodos ya no va a permitirle cubrir sus necesidades energéticas básicas y debe, por eso, buscar alternativas. Aunque en términos generales muchas especies se ajustan bastante bien a estas “reglas” ecofisiológicas, en los últimos 25 años han sido numerosos los trabajos publicados en los que se han recogido ejemplos que contravienen las previsiones de ese modelo, especialmente cuando se trata de lagartos que viven en comunidades insulares (Pérez Mellado & Corti, 1999; Cooper & Vitt, 2002; Espinoza et al., 2004).

¿Cuántas especies del género Gallotia había en la isla de El Hierro?

[ES] En la bibliografía reciente sobre los lacértidos de El Hierro se sugiere la coexistencia hasta tiempos relativamente recientes de tres especies en la isla: Gallotia caesaris, G. simonyi y G. goliath. Según esta bibliografía las diferencias específicas estarían basadas en la morfología dentaria, en el número de dientes, en el número de series de dientes en el pterigoides, en la morfología general del cráneo (estimada a partir de la longitud relativa de los procesos parietales) y en el tamaño de los individuos. El análisis comparativo de los numerosos restos subfósiles de lacértidos encontrados en El Hierro ha permitido concluir que si bien algunos de estos caracteres permiten distinguir a G. caesaris de otros lagartos de mayor tamaño, ninguno de ellos sirve para diferenciar a las otras dos especies propuestas.

Descripción de la distribución primitiva del lagarto gigante de El Hierro y de su regresión histórica

[ES] La distribución de 39 yacimientos paleontológicos y arqueológicos en los que se han encontrado restos de Gallotia simonyi en El Hierro muestra que su área primitiva de distribución estaba ligada a los ecosistemas xerófilos y termófilos de la isla. Lamentablemente, este paisaje ha sido fuertemente alterado por el hombre. La datación con 14C de restos procedentes de varios yacimientos ha puesto de manifiesto que en la zona llamada La Dehesa, en la que actualmente estos ecosistemas están bien conservados, todavía podían encontrarse lagartos gigantes en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, y que éstos podían ser muy longevos y alcanzar grandes tamaños.

Ecología del gato cimarrón en el ecosistema termófilo de El Hierro (Islas Canarias) y su impacto sobre el lagarto gigante (Gallotia simonyi).

[ES] El gato cimarrón es un predador introducido en el archipiélago canario. Se investigó la amenaza que suponen los gatos para la conservación y recuperación de Gallotia simonyi, un lacértido endémico amenazado de extinción en la isla de El Hierro. Para alcanzar conclusiones fiables, se estudió la demografía, la dieta, el patrón de reparto espacial y el patrón temporal de actividad de los gatos en el área de distribución histórica del lagarto gigante. Los gatos cimarrones de El Hierro mostraron ajustes ecológicos y sociales similares a los de otras poblaciones silvestres estudiadas. Se observó una fuerte dependencia trófica de la disponibilidad de conejos, pero los lagartos del género Gallotia parecieron ser también presas seleccionadas activamente.

Características reproductoras y procesos demográficos en una población de Gallotia caesaris (Lacertidae) de El Hierro (Islas Canarias)

[ES] Numerosas poblaciones y especies insulares de lagartos de gran tamaño se han extinguido tras la introducción de mamíferos predadores en islas. En cambio, las especies de pequeño tamaño se muestran más resistentes frente a la misma perturbación. Para la biología de la conservación, es interesante investigar si esto guarda alguna relación con el modo en que covarían las características reproductoras y demográficas de los lagartos con el tamaño corporal. En una población de G. caesaris (especie insular pequeña y abundante) sujeta a Predación por cernícalos y gatos cimarrones, la mortalidad se compensa fundamentalmente gracias a que la madurez es temprana y a que las hembras pueden hacer varias puestas por temporada.

Vulnerabilidad de Gallotia simonyi (Sauria, Lacertidae) ante depredadores aéreos: influencia del tamaño corporal.

[ES] La predación por parte de las aves, especialmente por parte del cernícalo vulgar (Falco tinnunculus), muy abundante en la isla de El Hierro (Islas Canarias), es uno de los factores a tener en cuenta de cara a la reintroducción de Gallotia simonyi. En el presente trabajo evaluamos la presión de predación aérea potencial sobre G simonyi analizando la dieta de F. tinnunculus, y la tasa depredación estimada mediante modelos de plastilina. A su vez, tratamos de saber si existe una limitación del tamaño de la presa en la predación aérea F. tinnunculus parece ser el único potencial predador aéreo de G. simonyi, formando los lagartos parte importante de su dieta, aunque la presión depredación no sea alta.

Chorological analysis and morphological variations of Saurians of the genus uromastyx (Reptilia, Agamidae) in western Sahara: Description of two new taxa.

[ES]Se describe una nueva especie del género Uromastyx sobre la base de dos especímenes procedentes del Adrar Sutuf (Sahara Occidental). Los individuos del nuevo taxón difieren fuertemente de Uromastyx acanthinura por el gran tamaño que llegan a alcanzar los adultos, su siempre mayor número de escamas, la disposición diferente de los tubérculos en los muslos, y por su diseño y coloración. Sus características generales se asemejan a las de Uromastyx aegyptia, un hecho que sugiere la posible existencia de lagartos del complejo U. aegyptia en poblaciones relícticas a lo largo del desierto del Sahara.

Synopsis of the canarian herpetofauna

[ES] Once especies de reptiles terrestres endémicos viven en el archipiélago canario 4 especies de lagartos, 3 especies de eslizones (o lisas) y 4 de gecos (o perinquenes) Cuatro especies de tortugas marinas y otras especies introducidas (un geco y dos ranas) completan la lista de reptiles y anfibios en las islas Cananas Las diferencias entre la herpetofauna actual y la extinguida son señaladas, enfatizando el posible papel del hombre en la extinción de algunas formas de lagartos de gran tamaño Actualmente Gallotia simonyi es la especie más amenazada de reptil en España, seguida muy de cerca por la lisa de Fuerteventura o lisneja (Chalcides simonyi). Las restantes poblaciones, a excepción de aquellas que se encuentran restringidas a pequeños islotes o roques, no se encuentran amenazadas por lo general.

Ribeira, técnica versus natureza: transformações em prol de um projeto de modernização (1860-1932)

The necessity of the insertion of the capital of Rio Grande do Norte in the world-wide commercial scene and its claim as the seat of political power, in ends of nineteenth and beginning of twentieth century, determined the direction of urban interventions undertaken by government to restructure the city. In that matter, there were several actions of improvements and embellishment in Natal, which had, as a starting point, the adequacy works of the port, located in the Ribeira quarter, with the aim of ending the physical isolation that reinforced its economic stagnation. Besides the problems faced in the opening bar of the Potengi River, and would complement the required improvements, other barriers demonstrate the tension established between the physic-geographic field and the man: the flooded and slope which connected Cidade Alta and Ribeira the first two quarters of the city.The execution of these works demanded knowledge whose domain and application it was for engineering. But, how the actions done for the engineers, in sense to transform natural areas into constructed spaces made possible the intentional conformation of the quarter of the Ribeira in a commercial and politician-administrative center, in the middle of the XIX century and beginning of the XX? Understand, therefore, the employment effects of technology on the physical-geographical Ribeira, is the objective of this work that uses theoretical and methodological procedures of Urban Environmental History, by analyzing the relationship between the environment and the man, mediated by knowledge and use of technologies. The documental research was used, as primary sources, the Messages of the Provincial Assembly Government that later became the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Norte reports and articles on specialized publications, in addition to local newspapers. The work is structured in five chapters. First, some comments about Urban Environmental History (Chapter 1) supplemented with analysis of the conceptual construction of nature in the Contemporary Era and its application in the city (chapter 02), the following chapters (03 and 04) deal with the rise of engineers as a active group in the Brazilian government frameworks and their vision about the nature inside the urban environment and it is studied how the professional technicians dealt with the improvement work of the harbor and in the shock with the natural forces. Other works that would complement this "project" of modernization and had had natural obstacles to be removed the Ribeira flood and slope constitute the subject of the fifth chapter. Finally, some final considerations retake the initial discussions aiming an association between the technique and the nature as junction elements inside the process of constitution of a Modern Natal

Annaes do Parlamento Brazileiro. Tomo II [1830]

Anais do Parlamento Brasileiro, 1830.

Annaes do Parlamento Brazileiro. Tomo III [1876]

Anais do Parlamento Brasileiro, 1876

Annaes do Parlamento Brazileiro. Tomo I [1876]

Anais do Parlamento Brasileiro, 1876.

Annaes do Parlamento Brazileiro. Tomo I [1831]

Anais do Parlamento Brasileiro, 1831.