Spatial pattern of parasitism in Diatraea saccharalis Fab. (Lep., Crambidae) populations at two different spatial scales in sugarcane fields in Brazil

The biological control of Diatraea saccharalis is regarded as one of the best examples of successful classical biological control in Brazil. Since the introduction of the exotic parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes, the decrease in D. saccharalis infestation in sugarcane fields has been attributed to the effectiveness of this agent. Native Tachinidae fly parasitoids (Lydella minense and Paratheresia claripalpis) have also been implicated in the success. Quantitative data confirming the actual contribution of these agents to the control of D. saccharalis are, however, rather scant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatial pattern of parasitism of these parasitoids in D. saccharalis populations at two large spatial scales (fields and zones). To investigate this subject, a large data set comprising information collected from a sugarcane mill located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil (São João sugarcane mill) was analysed. When regressions between the proportion parasitism against host density were computed, the percentage of significant regressions with either a positive or a negative slope was very small at both spatial scales for both parasitoid species. Regressing the densities of tachinid-parasitized hosts against host densities per field showed that these parasitoids presented a 'moderate aggregative' response to host densities, as 53.33% of the regressions were positively significant. Cotesia flavipes was 'weakly aggregated' on host densities at the field level, because only 33.33% of the regressions were positively significant. At the zone level, neither aggregative nor spatial proportion parasitism responses were evident for either parasitoid species due to the small percentage of significant regressions computed.

Alien fishes in lakes of the Doce river basin (Brazil): Range, new occurrences and conservation of native communities

The present study shows the distribution of alien fish species in tropical lakes in the middle Doce river basin, southeastern Brazil, obtained from a rapid assessment program. The causes for their introductions were sport-fishing improvement in some specific lakes and aquaculture in the studied basin. Presently, these species have a wide distribution occurring in 41 of the 54 lakes studied, representing an actual threat to regional native fish community. The natural connection among lakes and streams during the rainy season and the dispersal mediated by local people are the main invasion agents for alien fishes. The success of these invaders is probably due to absence of pre-existing effective competitors or top-predators in the invaded communities. We consider that the eradication of alien fishes by means of the available management tools may be very difficult due to the large number of lakes invaded and to the wide spectrum of lake conditions and resources exploited by these alien species. We recommend the use of environmental education as a tool to stop the human-mediated dispersion of aliens and to improve conservation of native fish community in lakes where these alien species are not present yet. © 2004 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG.

Interspecific interactions between Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) under laboratory conditions

Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis are termite pests. Both species have cryptic habits, and are known as subterranean termites. The aim of this study was to verify if food availability and alterations in the proportion of soldiers interfere in the interactions between these termites, since the introduced species C. gestroi occupies the same niche as the native species H. tenuis. Different bioassays were conducted in order to evaluate these interspecific interactions. The results showed that C. gestroi presented advantages in the occupation of territory in all bioassays and suggest a higher efficiency of this species in the search for alternative food sources, especially when the number of soldiers was higher than that of H. tenuis. Additionally, it is possible to conclude that food availability and the different proportion of soldiers involved in the interspecific confrontations interfere in the occupation of territory and in the agonistic behavior between these two species of termites.

Escape of the fiddler crab Uca rapax (Smith, 1870) (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

A escape of the fiddler crab Uca rapax (Smith, 1870), in the state of Minas Gerais is reported for the first time. This record was made more than 200 km away from its original habitat, a mangrove area in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The species has been introduced in ponds in the study area, located in the largest ornamental pisciculture/aquaculture center of Brazil. Male individuals of U. rapax were observed engaged in territorial and courtship displays around their burrows. Despite this, there is no well-established population of the species in the area, due to the physiological dependence of the larvae on brackish water. © 2007 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG.

Espécies invasoras: Conceitos, modelose atributos

The distribution of species in ecosystems is influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors, and physical barriers operate as filters to dispersion. The ancient processes of human migration and settlement, and the recent globalization trends are the main responsible factors for the transposition of geographic barriers by organisms and species introduction in regions outside their original distribution range. In order to designate introduced species, the adopted terminology may eventually lead to a lack of operational definitions, misleading the interpretation of paradigms concerning the invasion process. According to the literature, the criteria i) biogeographic, ii) population growth, and iii) spreading in the invaded region, should be taken into account as a manner to avoid subjective interpretations. Most of the presented models are inserted in the same paradigms to explain the status of the invasion process (arrival, establishment and invasion), although each model has its own concepts. Many authors consider both characteristics of the invader species and of the invaded environments to explain species success and establishment. The use of clear concepts, well established and non subjective concepts of introduced and invading species as well as its derivatives is crucial to unify the paradigms of the invasion process.

Drosofilídeos e seus himenópteros parasitoides em coffea arabica L

The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of Drosophilidae and their parasitoids in coffee fruits in Cravinhos, SP, Brazil. The fruits were collected directly from the tree, and a portion was exposed under the canopy. Fifty-nine drosophilid pupae were collected in all, of which 31 adults (including two Ganaspis exemplars) emerged. The survival rate of all pupae was 49.2%. Thirty-five drosopholid pupae were obtained from the fruit trees, 24 of which later emerged, three different species: Zaprionus indianus Gupta, Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant and D. simulans Sturtevant. From the fruits under the canopy of plants were obtained 24 pupae of four different species: Z. indianus, D. cardini Sturtevant, D. immigrans Sturtevant and D. willistoni Sturtevant. The emergence of two Ganaspis sp. (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) examples, with a parasitism rate of 8.3%, was also observed. Half of the drosophilids collected are introduced species and represented 79% of the adults emerged. Associations between Z. indianus, D. cardini, D. immigrans, D. nebulosa, D. simulans and D. willistoni and the coffee crop are reported herein.

Analysis of artisanal fisheries in two reservoirs of the upper Paraná River basin (Southeastern Brazil)

We compared the artisanal fisheries, in terms of catch strategies, productivity, and gross per capita income, at two reservoirs: The Barra Bonita (an eutrophic reservoir with some introduced species), and the Jurumirim (an oligotrophic reservoir, with no introduced species). Published data and structured interviews with fishers were used to evaluate fishing activity, fish biomass, and the financial performance of the fisheries. In the Barra Bonita Reservoir we analysed data from 745 fishing trips, from which 86,691.9 kg of fish were landed, with a mean CPUE of 62.4 kg/fisher-1 day-1. The main type of fish caught was tilapia (71,513.5 kg; CPUE of 51.5 kg/fisher-1 day-1), which constituted 82.5% of the biomass caught. In the Jurumirim Reservoir, we analysed data from 2,401 fishing trips, from which 25,093.6 kg of fish were landed, with a mean CPUE of 10.4 kg/fisher-1 day-1. The main type of fish caught was traíra (6,158.6 kg; CPUE of 2.6 kg/fisher-1 day-1), which constituted 24.5% of the biomass caught. Ordination analysis (PCA) indicated that there was a difference in composition between the fishing reservoirs and ANCOVA showed that there was a significant difference in fish production between the reservoirs. A Student's t-test showed that fishers in the Barra Bonita Reservoir had a significantly higher gross per capita income than those from the Jurumirim Reservoir. Although the Barra Bonita Reservoir has a higher fish production and the fishers earn a higher gross per capita income, we recommend the Jurumirim Reservoir as a model for artisanal fishery management because fishing activity in this reservoir is viable in the long term and such a model would promote conservation and sustainability. This contrasts with the Barra Bonita Reservoir, in which the fishery is not viable in the long term, due to environmental problems caused by artificial eutrophication and the introduction of alien species. It is also noted that in many countries, management of fisheries based on exotic species has not been viable in the long term. © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia.

Bioecologia comparada de duas linhagens de Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) parasitando ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

As assembléias de peixes da represa de Jurumirim (alto rio Paranapanema, SP): status atual e mudanças históricas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo etnobotânico nas comunidades de Porto Limão, Porto Alambrado e Campo Alegre, na fronteira Brasil-Bolívia, Mato Grosso Brasil

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Invasion of the Indo-Pacific blenny Omobranchus punctatus (Perciformes: Blenniidae) on the Atlantic Coast of Central and South America

Nós examinamos 308 espécimes do blenídeo Omobranchus punctatus, de origem Indo-Pacífica, depositados em coleções de quatro museus. Os dados de distribuição foram analisados com o objetivo de avaliar a invasão das águas costeiras do Oceano Atlântico nas Américas do Sul e Central. Em sua área de distribuição original, O. punctatus ocorre em ambientes marinhos e estuarinos. Amostragens datadas de 1930 e de 2004 produziram 20 registros da espécie no Atlântico Oeste tropical, incluindo amostras do Panamá, Colômbia, Venezuela, Trinidade e Brasil. Neste trabalho nós apresentamos 17 novos registros em áreas da Venezuela e nordeste do Brasil. O padrão temporal dos dados (1930-2009) e a proximidade da maioria das áreas de amostragem a regiões portuárias indicam que a espécie foi inicialmente introduzida no Atlântico pela água de lastro de navios navegando na rota India-Trinidade. No Brasil, a introdução parece estar associada ao movimento de navios em torno das plataformas de petróleo. No Maranhão e no Pará, a introdução está associada ao movimento de navios entre os portos próximos à foz do rio Amazonas. Alternativamente, a expansão de área desta espécie ao longo da costa da América pode ter acontecido através de dispersão larval, acompanhando as correntes em direção ao norte. Nós recomendamos o monitoramento desta espécie, bem como o desenvolvimento de estudos sobre sua ecologia em ambientes do Atlântico ocidental agora ocupados por ela.

Influence of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on the Use of the Most Abundant and Attractive Floral Resources in a Plant Community

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Reconstructing past ecological networks: the reconfiguration of seed-dispersal interactions after megafaunal extinction

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

Lack of COI variation for Clavelina oblonga (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) in Brazil: Evidence for its human-mediated transportation?

Recent studies indicate that ascidians are efficiently dispersed by human transport. We have chosen the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) to address whether Clavelina oblonga is an introduced species in the Brazilian coast. Colonies of C. oblonga were sampled in different localities along Atlantic coasts of USA, Panama, and Brazil. The sequencing of 92 colonies resulted in three haplotypes for the species, two unique to Florida and the other shared by exemplars collected in Brazil and Panama; the latter haplotype is identical to the published sequence of Azores. Our evidence, including the absence of C. oblonga in the country's northern tropical waters, its association with artificial habitats and lack of COI variation suggest that the species has been introduced in the southeastern and southern Brazilian coasts. Previous records (85 years old) suggest that it could be a relatively long-term introduction.

Plant invasions research in Latin America: fast track to a more focused agenda

While many developed countries have invested heavily in research on plant invasions over the last 50 years, the immense region of Latin America has made little progress. Recognising this, a group of scientists working on plant invasions in Latin America met in Chile in late 2010 to develop a research agenda for the region based on lessons learned elsewhere. Our three main findings are as follows. (1) Globalisation is inevitable, but the resultant plant introductions can be slowed or prevented by effective quarantine and early intervention. Development of spatially explicit inventories, research on the invasion process and weed risk assessments can help prioritise and streamline action. (2) Eradication has limited application for plants and control is expensive and requires strict prioritisation and careful planning and evaluation. (3) Accepting the concept of novel ecosystems, new combinations of native and introduced species that no longer depend on human intervention, may help optimise invasive species management. Our vision of novel ecosystem management is through actions that: (a) maintain as much native biodiversity and ecosystem functionality as possible, (b) minimise management intervention to invasives with known impact, and (c) maximise the area of intervention. We propose the creation of a Latin American Invasive Plants Network to help focus the new research agenda for member countries. The network would coordinate research and training and establish funding priorities, develop and strengthen tools to share knowledge, and raise awareness at the community, governmental and intergovernmental levels about the social, economic and environmental costs of plant invasions.