Repositório RCAAP

Mestre em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais

Rivulus giarettai was recently described and is the first record of a rivulid in tributaries of the left bank of the Paranaíba River, southeastern Brazil. This study describes the habitat, the spatial distribution pattern and the abundance of Rivulus giarettai in lakes and palm swamps at the Municipality of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Quantitative data obtained for other species, Phalloceros harpagos (Teleostei, Poecilidae) and tadpoles of H. albopunctatus (Anura, Hylidae) are also presented and used as environmental variables. Quantitative samples were made in plots of 0.25 m2, in June 2004 and July 2008. The correlations between the abundance of R. giarettai and the variables measured were verified. Rivulus giarettai inhabits only sunny palm swamps environments, absent at temporary pools and pasture rivers. Rivulus giarettai and P. harpagos had an aggregated distribution in palm swamps and tadpoles aggregated in lakes and palm swamps. The average densities of R. giarettai, Phalloceros harpagos and tadpoles of Hypsiboas albopunctatus in palm swamps were higher than in lakes. In palm swamps, there was positive correlation between the probability of occurrence of R. giarettai and the quantity of plant substratum. The number of individuals was higher within deeper plots and in those with more quantity of plant substratum. The aggregations of tadpoles and the focal species may be an indirect function of free space availability. The aggregated pattern of P. harpagos may be linked to the formation of shoals. The greater average densities founded at palm swamps may be related to higher densities of predators in lakes and the variables deep and quantity of plant substratum may be linked to provision of micro-habitat for refuge.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais

The monitoring of populations throughout the year provides information about how birds respond to seasonal variations of the environment. By their feeding behavior, it is also possible to understand how birds establish in the habitat. The objectives of this study were to verify if three species of birds that have different diets showed populational variation throughout the year. The species studied were Mimus saturninus, that is omnivorous, Polioptila dumicola is insectivorous and Saltator atricollis is granivorous. Moreover, the abundance of M. saturninus was compared between a preserved cerrado and an urban area. The foraging behavior of the three species was also featured. The study was developed at Reserva Ecológica Particular do Caça e Pesca and in Parque Municipal do Sabiá (Uberlândia, Minas Gerais). The weather in this region has two well-defined seasons, hot and rainy summer, and cold and dry winter. The stricto sensu cerrado is the dominant phytophisiognomy in Caça e Pesca reserve, in addition to palm swamp and forest. In Parque do Sabiá there are forests, palm swamp and gardens. The punctual abundance was estimated in transects with 20 points in each area, with 15 days intervals, during one year. Twenty points were distributed in two transects in Caça e Pesca, and 20 points in three transects in Parque do Sabiá. The feeding behavior observations of the species occurred during the end of the rainy and at the beginning of the dry season. Saltator atricollis was also observed during the dry season. Observations were conducted for attack behavior and location of foraging. The abundance of M. saturninus was higher in the Caça e Pesca than in the Parque do Sabiá, and did not vary between the dry and rainy seasons. The abundance of S. atricollis also did not differ significantly between the seasons because it was found high amount of individuals in the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season. Polioptila dumicola was recorded only during the rainy season at Caça e Pesca and at Parque do Sabiá was found with high frequency in the dry season. Mimus saturninus constantly forage on the ground in two areas and at Caça e Pesca it also consumed high proportion of fruits from shrubby and arboreous layer. Polioptila dumicola consumed mainly insects in the arboreous layer. Saltator atricollis fed predominantly in the herbaceous/ ground and shrubs layer, consuming mainly grains and flower buds. The species responded in different ways to seasonality. Mimus saturninus did not present populational variation between the seasons because its omnivorous diet allows a higher tolerance to the seasonal alterations of the food resources. Saltator atricollis was abundant in the rainy season and in the beginning of the dry season probably due to seasonal availability of fruits and grains. Polioptila dumicola also showed populational variation during the seasons. The abundance of resources of the cerrado in Caça e Pesca during the rainy season possibly favored the presence of the P. dumicola. This specie was abundant in the dry season in Parque do Sabiá due to insects availability in forest environments and other arboreous layers in the park.

Ethnobotany and Environmental Education assignments have the interdisciplinary in common and can be supplementary. While the Ethnobotanic worries, for instance, with the vision and the knowledge about native Cerrado plants, working with its basis on botanic and in the anthropology, the Environmental Education worries about arranging the values and necessary knowledge to the sustainability of a population. The research has had as its aim to evaluate through some ethnobotany methodologies, the knowledge of native vegetal species and their uses in the urban area of Martinésia (Uberlândia MG) and develop, through the Intervention-Research, future Environmental Education projects in a more social-interactionist view to the referred environment conservation. In order to reach this goal interviews were made with the community to identify partnerships that could advertise their knowledge on Cerrado plants (Key Informants) as well as partnerships which had the capacity of intervening in the popular and scientific knowledge and finally organize Environmental Education practices (Multipliers). Ethnobotanic methodologies were adopted (Interviews, walk-in-thewoods, and boards) with the Key Informers in order to check out their popular knowledge, while the Multipliers passed through interviews and helped in the Environmental Education workshop. 49 species of useful plants were identified through the ethnobotanic method walk-in-the-woods , being the most frequent uses the medicinal (45%) and the nourishing (28%). Within the native medicinal plants use, 57% from the highlighted procedures were the ones through tea, the leaf was the most used part from the plant (33%) and the prescriptions from the most treated illnesses per such plants were to the breathing system (20%), genitor (18%), digestive (17%),and in the skin (14%). The boards utility in the interviews weren t enough to the Key Informers to talk about their knowledge, its application in the workshops presented an efficient result. The interviews (with the community, the Key Informers and the Multipliers) highlighted the community physical knowledge (social aspects, economics, biodiversity and others) as well as the symbolic (values). The Environmental Education should base in several factors from this community like: the social-economical, to a better selection from the target group; the educational in order to have a close approach to the community language and to contrast the formal and informal education; moreover the cultural aspects that permeate this population environment and knowledge. The local culture might also be respected, in which can have rational elements or not, due to two reasons: in order not to people feel hurt according to their ideologies and in order to have a continuity in the discussions about the environment as a whole (from the natural to the human aspects) to the social-environmental sustainability.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

The study of cerradões is very important to improve knowledge phytosociological and edaphics characteristics physiognomy that significantly amended and fragmented. Given this reality, the objective of this study was to determine the phytosociological and soil characteristics of two fragments of cerradão located in Araguari and Uberlândia, MG. To achieve the phytosociological survey were sampled in each area all individuals with circumference at breast height (CAP) ≥ 15 cm in 25 plots of 20m x 20m. The percentage of canopy cover was estimated using a spherical densiômetro located in 38 points at the ends of the plots. As for the parameters edaphic, soil was collected from each plot at a depth of 0 to 20 cm in order to determine the pH (H2O), P, K1+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Fe3+ and Mn2+, clay, silt, dense sand and fine sand. To verify the relationship between floristic plots was a Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and the relationship between the variables of soil and the distribution of species using a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). The soil under Araguari fragment is more clay, shallower and more nutrient content, while in Uberlândia is more gritty, deep and low in nutrients. Whereas the percentage of base saturation and the availability of Ca, the soil of the fragment Araguari was classified as mesotrophic while that of Uberlândia, dystrophic. The cerradão of Uberlândia presented greater coverage of canopy in the two seasons. As for phytosociological parameters in the fragment of Araguari were sampled 1,340 individuals belonging to 90 species, while in Uberlândia, 83 species distributed among the 1,797 individuals sampled. Fabaceae and Vochysiaceae families had the largest number of species in both areas. In Araguari species with the highest importance value were Terminalia argentea, Qualea grandiflora and Myracrodruon urundeuva while in Uberlândia, Sclerolobium paniculatum, Qualea grandiflora and Miconia albicans were the most important. The Shannon diversity index (H') in Araguari was 3.5 nats. individual-1 and Uberlândia 3.2 nats.individual-1. The DCA in Uberlândia showed that most species are distributed in all plots and only a minority is in particular regions of the area. Araguari already demonstrated a more pronounced difference between the most abundant species distributed in the area. The CCA did not allow major conclusions about the interference of soil variables in the distribution of species in Uberlândia, since only K was significantly related. In soil of Araguari characteristics significantly related to the abundance of species were: Mn, Al, Ca, silt and dense sand may have interfered more in the distribution of species. The interaction of species X environment goes beyond the restricted information and requires greater care in interpreting the results. Conclusions on the distribution of species in terms of environmental variables will have better explanations only after studies in different environments with edaphic physiognomies cerradão of like the present study.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais

Bird feathers exhibit colors that are important for intra- and inter-specific communication. These colours transmit information that be conclusive for sexual selection, predator/prey relations or to indicate the nutritional condition of the individual, besides other aspects. Information about the functionality of plumage colouration in Brazilian birds is practically nonexistent. Most studies are concentrated in temperate areas. This study had the following objectives (1) to identify species that have criptic dimorfism in relation to ultraviolet (UV) coloration ocurring, (2) verify if there is association between colouration and body condition of crown of Antilophia galeata adult males. The methods involved a combination of field and laboratory activities. The capture of birds was made with mist-nets in fragmented environments of Cerrado habitat in the in the municipality of Uberlândia (Minas Gerais State) from November 2007 to June 2008. The individuals had their feather coloration evaluated with spectrophotometric techniques in June 2008. Was analized six species to find criptic dimorfism about UV reflectance, wich nobody had criptic dimorfism. Crown brightness in Antilophia galeata showed a significant positive correlation with mass (r = 0.59; p = 0.025) and mass/tarsus index (r = 0.62; p = 0.017). This sugest that males may advertise to their potential partners and co-specifics body condition and nutritional state.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

The acoustics communication is well developed in birds. According to Acoustics Adaptation Hypothesis the birds tend to maximize the transmission of the acoustic signals in accordance with the environment where they are adapted. This work had as objective to describe the vocalizations of Herpsilochmus longirostris, Pelzeln, 1868 (Passeriformes: Tamnophilidae), an endemic species of the Cerrado, and to test the Acoustics Adaptation Hypothesis, from the comparison of recorded cantos of the species in different areas urban and natural environments. The writings had been carried through in the Municipal Park of Sabiá, the Victório Siquierolli Municipal Park and the Acampamento Manancial. The songs had been recorded, digitalized and for it analyzes structural of the sound had been generated spectrograms. The following parameters had been used: frequency, maximum frequency, minimum frequency, amplitude and duration of song and notes. The description of these songs includes: the average and the error standard of the frequency, the frequencies minimum and maximum, the duration of the song of it and the duration between the song and the amplitude. In the natural area the frequency was the greats found with 1854 ±153 Hz (n=8) and the minor in 45 the Siquierolli Park was of 1059 ± Hz (n= 5). The maximum frequency in the natural areas was of 2200 ± 80 Hz (n=8), being lesser in the Park Siquierolli 1300 ± 210 Hz (n=5). The minimum frequency was of 424 ± 60 Hz (n=8) in the natural area being higher in the Park of Sabiá was of 886 ± 43 Hz (n=13). The song of H. longirostris on average 8 (± 0.1) notes for second in the natural area and the greater was in the Siquierolli Park of 9 (±0.1). The duration of the songs in the natural areas was of 2 (±0.1) and was 1.8 (±0.1) seconds in the Park of Sabiái of duration between cantos sufficiently was varied having on average a duration of: 16s (±3.0) in natural environments, 37s (±9.0) in the Park of Sabiá; 6s (±2.0) and in the Siquierolli. The maximum amplitude was 30 dB (±4.0) in the natural areas; of 20dB (±2.0) in the park of Sabiá. The song of H. longirostris shows a larger duration and lower frequency in the natural areas, when compared with the espectrogramas of the parks. There was significant difference in the minimum frequency and in the duration of the songs between the Park of Sabiá and the natural area. In the Park of Siquierolli there was difference in the frequency, maximum and minimum frequency, interval and duration when compared with the natural areas. Among the two parks there was difference in the frequency, maximum frequency. In the comparison the note of the song between the parks and the natural areas, some variations were verified in the acoustic parameters. The variations observed in the acoustic parameters of Herpsilochmus longirostris corroborate with adaptation hypothesis acoustics, a time that evidences the influence of the environment in the election of a characteristic genetically determined.

Some pollination mechanisms represent mutualistics interactions, in which the plants offer nectar and pollen and the pollinators carry the pollen grains. The hummingbirds are the more specialized pollinators among the birds, and their high energetic cost to fly, force them to develop feeding strategies to obtain the highest energetic gains with the lowest costs. These strategies are defined by hummingbird morphophysiological features and by the amount and distribution of floral resources offered by the plants. Changes in resource offer or distribution pattern can modify bird behaviour and feeding strategy. Some studies show which these strategies interfere on the pollen flow, and that territorial feeding behavior could be a factor decreasing this flow. The aim of this work was analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of floral resources offered by Palicourea rigida (Rubiaceae) populations and their relation with the feeding strategies presented by hummingbird visitors, evaluating also if these strategies would interfere in the reproductive success of P. rigida. The field work was carried out in the RPPN of the Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia, MG (CCPIU) and in the Parque Estadual da Serra de Caldas Novas, GO (PESCAN), from November of 2008 to February of 2009. The distribution of the plants and floral resources in the P. rigida populations was surveyed using ten 100m long transects along which all plants as far as 5m from each side were mapped. Nectar volume and sugar content measurements by using micropippetes and hand refractometer were used to estimate mean energy offer per flower. Maps of the populations with isolines for density of plants and floral resources were organized using the SURFFER program. The dispersion index was used to determine floral resources distribution and fruit set patterns. Pollen tube growth was evaluated by fluorescency microscopy in pistils from flowers exposed to pollination by territorial and non-territorial hummingbirds. Observations of feeding strategies were carried out along transects, both in the CCPIU and PESCAN populations, in patches with different floral resource offer. Further observations were done in the CCPIU, by manipulating the amount of floral resources in patches and verifying if these variations would change hummingbird feeding strategy. The spatial distribution of floral seems to be associated with larger scale plant distribution and no finer well defined patches could be observed. There was no variation of these general patterns through time. Differences in the fruit set rate between plants that produced high e low buds, and the larger number of pollen tubes growing in the flowers that were pollinated by non-territorial hummingbirds indicated that the territorial activity reduces effective pollination. However, territorial feeding strategy was not a limitation for fruit production, since there was a strong correlation between the number of flower buds and fruit-set. Eupetomena macroura and Amazilia fimbriata were the main species of territorial hummingbirds. The mean number of flowers that supported territorial activity was 45,48 ± 19,68 flowers/patch in the CCPIU, and 46,8 ± 15,9 flowers/patch in the PESCAN. Nonetheless, these values varied according to specie, since for E. macroura the value that supported territorial behavior was 58,36 ± 6,78 flowers/patch in the CCPIU and 59,35 ± 12,02 flowers/patch in the PESCAN, while to A. fimbriata these value was 32,89 ± 5,61 flowers/patch in the CCPIU and 37,19 ± 5,77 flowers/patch in the PESCAN. The floral resource manipulation modified the territorial hummingbird species and feeding strategies, but these modifications were noticed only when resources decreased. Increase in flower number or reward per patch seems to have made territorial behavior more complex since they led to the rise of the number invasions by non-territorial hummingbirds. These two factors are related, so a patch with a lot of flowers exhibited a larger number of non-territorial invasions, which could minimize the negative effects caused by the territorialism on cross pollen flow.

The recent and human caused environmental changes interfered with the evolutionary interactions between parasites and hosts. These changes accidentally benefited those few animals species, more adapted to the altered environment. However, the biodiversity of parasites was affected, and some parasitic species were benefited as well. In the case of ticks, those species which, after the changes, found abundant hosts and suitable environment were benefited. In Brazil, capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris Linnaeus 1766) and the associated ticks Amblyomma cajennense Fabricius 1787 and Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann 1899, expanded in many urban areas where they threaten human well-being and domestic animals. These ticks cause pruritic skin lesions and blood feed on their hosts moreover, they are associated, in some places, with the transmission of Spotted fever, a highly lethal disease for man. This study aimed to analyze the factors that determine the establishment and expansion of capybaras and ticks in urban areas in the city of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. For this purpose in 2008 monthly direct counting of capybaras per transect in four urban areas and an ecological reserve were held and abundance and density index were calculated. Ticks were collected from the environment in the summer of 2008 using CO2 traps and flannel dragging on the same transects. It was observed that populations of capybara, in groups with number of individuals higher then those found in natural areas, were established in such places that, in addition to food and water bodies, were protected day and night surveillance. The greater abundance of ticks of the species A. cajennense and A. dubitatum was found at the site with the greatest abundance of capybaras. The results therefore indicate that beyond the minimum requirements for the establishment of capybaras such as food and water, protection from men itself, even though accidentally, is a major factor in the establishment and proliferation of capybaras in urban areas. This increase in the number of such host always implies in high environmental infestation of ticks and increased risk of bites and of pathogen transmission. Therefore, capybaras in urban areas should be considered synanthropic and effective methods of population control must be developed.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior