Biodiversity in Pristine Wetlands of Central Brazil: a Multi-Taxonomic Approach

This study main goal was to characterize biodiversity in tropical pristine wetlands of two protected areas from central Brazil under a multi-taxonomic approach, with special interest on the distribution and identity of those taxa that most represent these reference conditions. Samplings were conducted during dry and rainy seasons (2009), in nine wetlands. We reported 114 herbaceous macrophytes, 334 algae/cyanobacteria, 45 microcrustaceans and 139 testate amoebae. Macrophytes presented the highest beta diversity compared to the other groups (βw = 3.2), while microcrustaceans showed the lowest one (βw = 1.4). The microorganism diversity associated with the dominating emergent macrophytes (e.g., Poaceae and Cyperaceae) was mainly composed of zygnematophycean algae, branched heterocytous cyanobacteria, along with Chydoridae (Cladocera) and Cyclopoida (Copepoda) microcrustaceans and Lesquereusiidae testate amoebae. Many tropical rare/endemic taxa were reported, e.g., among genera Parallela (green algae) , Placocista and Quadrulella (testate amoebae) , Celsinotum, Ephemeroporus, Metacyclops and Paracyclops (microcrustaceans); also, the genus Paralimnetis (Laevicaudata) is cited for the first time in Brazil. These findings reinforce these small wetlands as potential biodiversity hotspots and stepping stones for dispersing organisms. Finally, the presence of temporary environments among Cerrado wetlands may contribute as an additional beta diversity driver that deserves more attention in future studies.