Anurans exhibit a wide array of antipredator mechanisms in response to predation, including morphological traits such as cryptic coloration and body inflation that enhance camouflage, and conspicuous traits like aposematic coloration that serve to deter or warn predators. Physiological and behavioral responses include toxic skin secretions and defensive postures, functioning across all stages of the predation process, from detection to ingestion. These strategies are generally categorized as primary or secondary defenses. Primary defenses aim to avoid detection, whereas secondary mechanisms are triggered during predator-prey interactions and include escape behaviors, postural displays, and vocalizations. Here, we report a set of antipredator mechanisms observed in Proceratophrys cristiceps, including the first record of body contraction and death feigning in the species. The documentation of this behavior expands the known defensive repertoire of P. cristiceps and underscores the importance of continued natural history observations in Neotropical amphibians.
The aim of this study was to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the lethal and sublethal effects of eight commonly used pesticides on the phytophagous mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Tetranychidae) and the predatory mites Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) (Phytoseiidae), all associated with gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) and chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) production in southern Brazil. A residual spray contact bioassay was conducted using a handheld sprayer, and mortality, reproductive performance, and egg viability were assessed. Pesticides were classified according to IOBC/WPRS (International Organization for Biological Control / West Palaearctic Regional Section) criteria, considering both lethal and sublethal (reproductive) effects. The results showed that chlorfenapyr was the most effective against T. urticae (98.36% mortality), whereas copper sulfate was the least effective (32.79%). For N. californicus, chlorfenapyr, pyridaben, and abamectin caused the highest mortalities (>97%), while spiromesifen was the least harmful (39.71%). In contrast, reproduction of P. macropilis was stimulated by copper sulfate, hexythiazox, and spiromesifen, although most compounds were classified as harmful to this predator. According to the IOBC/WPRS categories, 50% of the pesticides tested were harmless to N. californicus, while 87% were harmful to P. macropilis. These findings provide valuable insights into the compatibility of chemical and biological control strategies in ornamental crop systems, supporting integrated pest management (IPM) programs that prioritize the conservation of predatory mites in greenhouse production.
The host plants are crucial for the survival of Lonomia spp. (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), particularly during the larval stage, which is the sole phase associated with human envenomation after accidental contact with their spines. This work aims to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between the two caterpillar species involved in such cases – Lonomia achelous and Lonomia obliqua, restricted to the tropical forests of South America – and their respective host plants, mainly focusing on features that may increase the risk of envenoming. A bibliographical survey about specific interactions (biological characteristics, human uses, and geographical distribution) was conducted. The data was sourced from scientific literature and/or opinion from experts in the Saturniidae family, covering the period from 2020 backwards. The findings revealed that both species are polyphagous. A common trait among their host plants is the presence of tannins in the leaves. Most host species have at least one human use, thereby increasing the risk of inadvertent contact with caterpillars. Additionally, the geographical distribution of both species aligns with the distribution of their native host plants, which are predominantly heliophilous. This work provides an extensive panoramic insight into the interactions between Lonomia spp., their hosts, and the environment, which is essential for designing effective prevention strategies for addressing Lonomia accidents in South America.
It is crucial to understand the ecology of the plant community that has established itself in areas where human impact has ceased in order to establish initial points of ecological restoration in those impacted areas. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to develop a floristic survey and to characterize the plant species found in abandoned iron ore caves in campo rupestre ferruginoso from a phylogenetic and ecological perspective. A floristic inventory was conducted in three abandoned mining pits in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero of Minas Gerais state: Serrinha Mine in Nova Ponte, Taquaril Mine in Nova Lima, and Lucape Mine in Ouro Preto. The sampled species were classified according to life forms, pollination agents, and predominant dispersal syndromes, as previously described in the literature. In total, 75 species belonging to 48 genera and 19 botanical families were sampled. The Asteraceae family was the most abundant, while the shrub life form was the most frequent. Insects were the most frequent pollinating agents, and anemocory was the predominant seed dispersal syndrome. These findings align with the typical life forms, dispersal agents, and dispersal syndrome observed in campo rupestre. In summary, this study’s findings are essential for understanding colonization mechanisms in areas with severe and restrictive environmental conditions, such as abandoned mining pits. This knowledge is also crucial for developing effective ecological restoration strategies in campo rupestre.
This study investigated the feeding patterns of fruit bats in a fragment of cloud forest enclave located in the Brazilian semiarid Caatinga and evaluated the role of bat species as potential seed dispersers. Bats were captured with mist nets during six nights each month between April 2015 and March 2016, and fecal samples were collected for content analysis. The physical integrity of the seeds was also confirmed by observing broken and intact seeds. A total of 703 bat specimens belonging to the family Phyllostomidae, including nine genera and 12 species, were captured during the fieldwork. At least 50 species of fruit-bearing plants that can be used by bats were identified, which together fruited for 12 months. Among the fruit bats, 512 fecal samples were found, of which 466 contained fruits, 44 contained insects, and two contained pollen grains. An analysis of fecal samples indicated a predominance of fruits with endozoochorous seeds (80%) in the bats' diet, which explored at least 31 different items, primarily from pioneer plants such as Ficus, Cecropia, and Solanum, even when other food sources were available. There was significant variation among bat species in the consumption of different items, except for the three Artibeus species, which had similar diets. Only 23 of the 243 (approximately 10%) fecal samples analyzed here contained damaged seeds; only one broken seed was found in each sample. The consumption of fruits from diverse plant species, the production of mixed seed rain, the release of intact seeds, and the predominance of fruits with endozoochorous seeds in the bats' diet reflect the importance of the frugivorous guild for the reproduction of diverse plant species. The concentration of the diet on fruits of pioneer plants weighing less than 5 g, whose small seeds are ingested together with the pulp, reinforces their role in the restoration of degraded areas and, in turn, in the regeneration of cloud forest enclaves found in the Brazilian semiarid region.
The spatial distribution and ecological interactions of Cecropia pachystachya, a newcomer and invasive species in the xeric campo rupestre were investigated. This species is dioecious and a frequent colonizer widely distributed in the Atlantic rainforest domain in southeastern Brazil. The aim of this study was to explore the ecological dynamics of this newly established species in an arid environment characterized by rich biodiversity and high environmental stress. The results showed that female individuals were predominantly located closer to watercourses. Herbivory rates were significantly higher in male plants, while females showed stronger physical defenses, which included thicker leaves and a higher density of trichomes. These findings highlight the complex interaction between resource availability, herbivory, and sex-based traits that influence the distribution and survival strategies of dioecious plants. The study also highlights the possible ecological impacts of the expansion of C. pachystachya in the Campo Rupestre, a fragile ecosystem rich in biodiversity that is under high pressure caused by human and climate disturbances. Understanding how this species interacts with its new environment is fundamental for predicting its long-term ecological dynamics and for devising strategies to mitigate biological invasion.
Few areas of native grassland remain within the city of Porto Alegre due to conversion to other uses, such as urban development, agriculture, and forestry. This study aimed to characterize the grassland area in Parque Natural Morro do Osso, one of the four Conservation Units within the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and to evaluate changes in its floristic composition compared to previous surveys. For this, we sampled the grassland vegetation in 25 plots of 1 m². The analysis included vegetation structure, phytosociological parameters, and the floristic composition of the park’s grassland communities. A total of 143 species were identified, distributed across 34 families, with an average of 28.5 species per plot. In the richest plot, 48 species were recorded. Only one exotic species (Melinis repens) was identified. Poaceae was the family with the greatest importance in the constitution of the phytophysiognomy and structure of the vegetation, due to the dominance exercised by caespitose species. A similarity analysis between the obtained data and other datasets from surveys conducted in 2006 (two areas) and 2017 resulted in 48% to 69% similarity, with an equivalent distribution of species by family and many common dominant species, suggesting that the structure of the community and the landscape remain stable over time.
The presence of frugivorous birds is essential for maintaining seed flow among forest fragments, especially in severely fragmented landscapes. This study assessed the functional diversity of frugivorous birds in a highly fragmented landscape in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil, dominated by sugarcane cultivation. We sampled linear forest fragments,non-linear forest fragments, their respective edges, and agricultural matrix areas. Recorded species were classified into ten functional groups based on ecological and morphological traits and analyzed in relation to their distribution and associations with environmental variables at local and landscape scales. The results indicated low functional richness across the studied landscape, with higher functional richness and greater diversity of functional groups in non-linear fragments, followed by linear fragments. Among the ten functional groups analyzed, non-linear fragments harbored nine groups, whereas linear fragments recorded eight groups, with the absence of groups formed by Pionus maximiliani and Penelope superciliaris, which were exclusive to non-linear fragments. Edges of non-linear fragments exhibited lower functional richness than other forested areas but higher diversity of functional traits. The agricultural matrix supported fewer than three frugivorous species and only two functional groups, preventing the calculation of functional diversity metrics. Analyses indicated trends of association between functional richness and landscape variables related to core area and connectivity, while the abundance of two functional groups, mainly associated with the families Pipridae and Turdidae, showed consistent responses to environmental gradients. These results suggest that environmental filters constrain functional diversity, favoring generalist species and restricting forest-specialist species. The conservation and expansion of forest fragments, through increased connectivity and core area, are essential for maintaining functional diversity and frugivory related ecosystem services in highly fragmented landscapes.
In order to obtain a perspective of the distribution of benthic foraminifera across the globe, we present the first comprehensive data compilation on living foraminifera from coastal lagoons. Benthic foraminifera are an important bioindicator of water and sediment conditions group, but there is a relative scarcity of studies in coastal lagoons about this group. Our literature search (following the PRISMA methodology) retrieved 1,380 peer-review publications, of which 902 came from the Web of Science database and 478 from Scopus. We removed the duplicates (n = 469) and with the remaining 911 manuscripts we applied the exclusion criteria filters to get our final database composed of 49 studies used for this review. We recorded a total of 458 benthic species distributed in 17 countries. Our results reveal the existence of studies not homogeneously distributed in coastal lagoons around the globe (Wallacean shortfall) that limit in-depth understanding of the biogeography of this important bioindicator group, directly reflecting on another’s knowledge gaps: the Linnean Shortfall (gap of species), Hutchinsonian shortfall (gap of abiotic tolerances) and Prestonian Shortfall (gap of populations dynamics).
In the past decades, studies on interaction networks may have zoomed in too much on arbitrary subsets of ecological communities. Consequently, the current “nestedness paradigm” is biased towards restricted taxonomic groups. This bias leads to a myopic understanding of ecological functions and ecosystem services, with serious consequences for basic and applied ecology.
The suppression of native forests for agricultural expansion is the primary driver of biodiversity loss in tropical regions. However, agroforests have been deemed biodiversity-friendly systems due to their ability to shelter forest species, including the shade-cocoa agroforests of southern Bahia (locally known as “cabrucas”). Nonetheless, most studies in cabrucas have focused on vertebrates, whereas research on insects (including wasps) is scarce, despite their significance for ecosystem functioning. Here, we investigated the effects of (i) environmental type (cabruca or native forest), (ii) landscape forest cover (from 8.5% to 82%), and (iii) regional deforestation context (i.e., high, intermediate and low levels of deforestation) on the richness and composition patterns of stinging ectoparasitoid wasp assemblages (Pompilidae and Mutillidae) in the agricultural landscapes of southern Bahia in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We carefully selected 30 landscapes varying in regional and landscape context and conducted wasp sampling within one cabruca and one Atlantic Forest remnant per landscape using Malaise flight interception traps. We thus performed Generalized Linear Mixed Models separately for each family to assess the influence of predictor variables on species richness. We further used the Sorensen dissimilarity index to investigate species composition dissimilarity among (i) environmental types and (ii) regional types, in addition to Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance, to examine the effects of landscape forest cover on species composition. In total, we collected 82 individuals belonging to 39 species considering all 60 sampling sites, resulting in reduced richness in both forest (mean ± SD = 1.10 (±1.31) and agricultural (1.23 ±1.31) environments. In contrast to our initial prediction, no variables affected patterns of species richness. Furthermore, we observed high dissimilarity in species composition between environments and regions, whereas species composition was unaffected by forest cover. Our results therefore suggest that cabrucas can act as supplementary habitats for parasitoid wasps but cannot replace native forests.
Reef ecosystems comprise natural and artificial environments in which consolidated substrates prevail, providing habitat for a rich community of sessile marine organisms, including macroalgae and invertebrates, in addition to serving as shelter for vagile invertebrates and as a feeding and breeding site for several species of megafauna. On the coast of Paraná, natural environments include slabs, submerged reefs and rocky shores in several areas, such as Ilha do Mel and other islands, both coastal and within estuarine bays. Artificial environments include ports and piers within bays, as well as artificial reefs and construction works on the shallow platform. In addition to describing these ecosystems, this review addresses their environmental threats, with the most studied being water contamination by industrial effluents, organic waste and plastic, bioinvasion by exotic species and fishing. This review, based on research in specialized literature and the authors’ experience in the region, highlights the importance of monitoring and protecting the rocky coasts of Paraná from these threats. There is a significant gap in research on the medium- and long-term impacts of pollution and climate change on coastal communities in the region, which highlights the urgent need for additional studies to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of these marine ecosystems.
The reef ecosystems of Paraná include rocky shores and artificial substrates, environments rich in biodiversity that provide several ecosystem services critical to environmental conservation and human well-being. This article explores and highlights the provisioning, regulatory, and cultural services these ecosystems provide, focusing on Paraná coast, south Brazil, based on a review of the scientific literature. Provisioning services include the supply of resources such as fish, shellfish, and macroalgae, which are essential for the subsistence of local communities and artisanal fisheries. These organisms not only sustain the fishing economy but also play a crucial role in the food security of populations that depend on these resources. In addition, the biodiversity present on rocky shores contributes to the prospecting and development of new food products, nutraceuticals, and pharmaco-cosmetics, highlighting their biological and economic value. As regulatory services, we highlight primary productivity and the resulting trophic cascade, the capacity of biota to serve as bioindicators in response to disturbances, and the ecological processes that help maintain water quality. The biodiversity and landscape associated with coastal areas are also linked to past and present human cultural activities, contributing to the identity of local populations. Preserving these ecosystems is crucial, and understanding their services should provide a database useful for formulating conservation and management policies.
Although the geographical distribution of the free-tailed bat, Nyctinomops laticaudatus (Chiroptera, Molossidae), is well documented, it presents discontinuities that may be caused by insufficient sampling or misidentified specimens. These geographical distribution gaps can hamper the interpretation of the effects of anthropic impacts on this species and the estimation of its conservation status since, in most cases, it is not possible to define whether a gap represents a species’ true absence. We compiled the southern records of the species and reported the first record in Tucumán Province, Argentina. We analyzed reports from the southernmost distribution, which consisted of 41 points of occurrence in Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. The information provided here may serve as a basis for future research on the conservation status of the species and its response to climate and environmental changes.
Echimyidae encompasses the highest rodent species richness within Caviomorpha, thus presenting different evolutionary histories. However, information regarding species’ biology, behavior, and ecology is still scarce for this group, precluding investigations of the role of phylogenetic and ecological factors on diversity. We investigated the reproduction and population traits of the semi-fossorial echimyid Clyomys laticeps. Clyomys laticeps individuals were captured through a capture-mark-recapture approach in the Cerrado domain at Serra de Caldas Novas State Park, state of Goiás, Brazil, from August 2018 to February 2020. The species presented a 1:1 sex ratio and sexual monomorphism in body mass, which probably reflected a dispersal behavior in both sexes or a weak competition for mates in the population. Clyomys laticeps reproduces year-round, and females are predominantly monotocous, with long gestation lengths, which likely contributes to low density and a lack of seasonal population fluctuations within a year.
The Neotropical freshwater ichthyofauna is the world’s richest, and its considerable diversity has been molded by a variety of processes at both local and regional scales. Despite this diversity, the biota of many aquatic environments is still poorly known, particularly in the headwater tributaries draining the central Brazilian Plateau. The aim of this study was to analyze the species richness, species composition, and abundance of the fish assemblages from the southern and northern drainage basins of the Serra Azul State Park and Serra do Taquaral in southeastern Mato Grosso (Brazil), which form part of the upper Araguaia River basin, including tributaries of the Araguaia and das Mortes River subdrainages. A total of 5,083 fish specimens were captured, representing six orders, 20 families, 52 genera, and 77 species. In total, 15% of the species were exclusive to the Araguaia River basin and 51% were exclusive to the Rio das Morte basin, with 33% of them common to both drainages. Neither the environmental variables nor the species richness and abundance varied significantly between the two subdrainages, although the species composition was mostly distinct between them.
Species coexistence relies on niche partitioning, where species utilize different niche dimensions, such as time and space, to minimize interspecific competition and predation. This study aimed to describe the activity patterns and prey-predator dynamics of medium and large-sized mammals in two Protected Areas, Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve and Três Picos State Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Using camera traps deployed across 42 stations for a total of 200 camera-trap days, we recorded 1,502 detections of 10 mammal species. Prey species accounted for the majority of records, with Didelphis aurita (588 detections) being the most frequently observed. Among predators, the puma (Puma concolor) had the highest number of detections (113). The results revealed variation in activity patterns among the recorded species, with some being primarily diurnal, others nocturnal — most of them prey species — and P. concolor exhibiting cathemeral activity. These patterns suggest temporal segregation as a potential mechanism to reduce predation risk and interspecific competition. These findings contribute to understanding how ecological factors shape species behavior and coexistence in biodiverse tropical regions.
Thelyschista ghillanyi (Orchidaceae) is a rare species hitherto endemic to campos rupestres (rocky fields) of Chapada Diamantina, in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil, within the phytogeographic domain of Caatinga. We report here the first record of T. ghillanyi in the Atlantic Forest and present an ecological niche model of the species under current and future (2041-2060) scenarios. We found approximately 15-20 individuals of T. ghillanyi in a shrubby restinga formation in Parque Municipal das Dunas, in the municipality of Salvador, Bahia, but this population is exposed to the risk of local suppression due to habitat destruction and stochastic events. The ideal conditions for the occurrence of T. ghyllanyi include precipitation in the warmest quarter approximately 350 mm and elevation approximately 900 meters. Our results suggest that the species may have a wider distribution in the Atlantic Forest, which is not limited to the coast of Bahia.
Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata are invasive species in the Atlantic Forest areas of southern and southeastern Brazil, where they were probably introduced through illegal wildlife trafficking and indiscriminate release, and have managed to expand their geographical distribution in a context of habitat loss in the original regions (northeastern and central Brazil, respectively). In the city of Rio de Janeiro, biological invasions shaped the urban forests that grew on the ruins of the sugar cane and coffee plantations that dominated the landscape during the colonial period. The biological invasions unfold, in this case, in goods and human and non-human lives that have formed and reforested the modern metropolis throughout its history. In this context, the aim of this study is to discuss the ecological risks and social dynamics involved in the introduction of marmosets into the Atlantic Forest, pointing out the challenges of managing and conserving biodiversity in anthropized landscapes. In discussing the case of the marmosets, we have inserted broader debates on biological invasions, forest regeneration and socio-environmental conservation, highlighting the need for policies that integrate the ecological and social dimensions of the problem presented. Further studies into the ecology of forests in urban areas could provide new insights into the role of invasive species in anthropized ecosystems.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the parasitic fauna of Monogenea in curimatã (Prochilodus nigricans) from natural and aquaculture environments. Specimens were collected from the Croa River and aquaculture facilities in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, state of Acre, Brazil. From March 2022 to April 2023, 80 specimens of P. nigricans were captured, 40 from the natural environment and 40 from aquaculture. The gills were removed and screened for the collection of monogenean ectoparasites. Seventy fish were parasitized by at least one Monogenea species. In the aquaculture system, higher abundance and prevalence were observed, whereas in the natural environment, greater species richness was recorded. The following species were identified: Anacanthoroides mizellei, Curvianchoratus sp., Tereancistrum curimba, and Tereancistrum toksonum. This study expands knowledge on the geographical distribution of these parasites and provides insights into the influence of environmental type on the occurrence of these species.
