RCAAP Repository

Many gall-inducing insects have been reported as pests in the Old World and North America, although few such examples are known from South America. A list of gall-inducing insects of potential economic importance, with a focus on those of restinga environments, was compiled using Maia (2013a) as starting point and updated with the database “Thompson ISI”, using ‘Insect (title) and gall (topic)’ as keywords. Botanical names were updated using the site “Flora do Brasil, 2020”, while potential economic significance of host plant species was acquired from Santos et al. (2009) and the site “Useful Tropical Plants”. Fifty-eight galling species were associated with 29 economically important plant species of 18 families in Brazilian restingas. The gallers were found to belong to Diptera (Cecidomyiidae and Agromyzidae) and Hemiptera (Eriococcidae and Psyllidae), among which Cecidomyiidae were the most important, with 55 gall-inducing species distributed among 28 genera. Six of the found genera are endemic to the Atlantic Forest and, until now, have been exclusively reported in restingas. About 78% of the gallers have been recorded only in Southeast Brazil and about 64% only in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Most gallers were found to be mainly associated with edible and/or medicinal plant species. Data on natural enemies are scarce with most records having been published at the taxonomic level of family or genus. Natural enemies were found associated with 43 gall-inducing species and included parasitoids, predators and inquilines. The first were the most diverse, being represented by 13 hymenopteran families, but the impacts of all of these guilds on galler populations are poorly known. Although 58 gall-inducing species were identified in the present study, the number of insect galls associated with plants of economic interests in restinga environments is about three times greater, since a total of 186 gall morphotypes have been reported. Nonetheless, many gallers are still undetermined, thus revealing how deficient their taxonomical knowledge remains.

Despite its success as an invasive species, little is known about the ecological aspects of the gekkonid lizard Hemidactylus frenatus in Colombia. In the present study the size at maturity, sexual dimorphism, reproductive activity, and diet composition of a population of this species in an urban locality of Northern Colombia were determined. We conducted eleven samplings from September 2011 to August 2012 in buildings of the municipality of Sincelejo. A total of 264 specimens H. frenatus were captured, 112 were adult females, 133 adult males and 19 juveniles. Males reach sexual maturity at a smaller size (snout-vent length) than females (males: 35.7 mm; females: 42.7 mm), also they are larger and have proportionally larger heads and mouths than females. Males were reproductive throughout the year; although testicular volume varied significantly between samples, this variation was not associated with body size and precipitation in the study area. Reproductive adult females were found during all the sampling period. Females have an invariable clutch size of two eggs and we found no differences in the diameter and weight of eggs in each oviduct. The diet of H. frenatus is varied, with Diptera, Hemiptera and Formicidae being the prey types with the greatest relative importance values. Individuals of both sexes consume a similar volume and number of prey. Thus, the studied population of H. frenatus has continuous reproductive activity and a generalist-opportunistic feeding behavior. The climatic conditions of the study area, environmental availability of prey and intrinsic features of this species appear to be responsible for their abundance and colonizing success in this and other localities.

Knowledge of Andean anurans is constantly increasing; for this reason, it needs an update. We reviewed scientific literature and museum records to determine the species richness of anurans in the northern Andes and their conservation status based on the IUCN categories. The northern Andes harbor 740 species of anurans, belonging to 13 families and 63 genera. The family with the highest species number was Craugastoridae (334 spp.), followed by Bufonidae (92 spp.), and Centrolenidae (81 spp.). The Cordillera Central of Colombia harbors the highest species richness (199 spp.), while the Cordillera de la Costa Oriental de Venezuela contains the lowest species number (17 spp.). Most species (74%) is endemic to the northern Andes, but no family is endemic to the northern Andes. About 50% species is threatened and 20% is included in the category of deficient data. The species richness patterns in northern Andes might be caused, among other reasons, by historical factors, but also result of sampling lack in some areas.

Ilha Grande is a large continental island (total area of 19,300 ha) situated at the southern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in southeast Brazil, within the Atlantic Forest Biome. Here we provide an update to the previous knowledge of the fauna of amphibians and reptiles occurring in Ilha Grande, based on primary data from our own fieldwork and on secondary data (from institutional collections and from the literature). We report the occurrence at Ilha Grande of a total of 74 species, being 34 amphibians (all of them anurans) and 40 reptiles (27 snakes, 11 lizards, one amphisbaenian and one crocodylian). Our survey added 14 species to the herpetofaunal list of Ilha Grande (three of amphibians and eleven of reptiles) and removed one species (the amphibian Cycloramphus fuliginosus) from the previous list. The data indicated that Ilha Grande houses a considerable portion of the Atlantic Forest amphibian and reptile diversity (ca. 6% and 19%, respectively, of the species occurring in this biome) together with high occurrence of species endemic to this biome plus a few amphibian species endemic to this island. Ilha Grande is thus an important reservoir of both biodiversity and endemism of amphibians and reptiles of the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, which highlights the importance of the conservation of the island and of its different habitats along the insular landscape.

Muscidae (Diptera) comprises one of the most important taxa in medical, veterinary and forensic entomology, especially due to their association with decomposing carcasses and cadavers. Yet, knowledge on their distribution and behaviour is still incipient in several biomes, which is the case of dry tropical forests. This study aimed to evaluate the attractiveness of different organic substrates to species of Muscidae in areas of seasonally dry forests (Caatinga) in Northern Brazil. Sampling was carried out in five Caatinga areas between 2015 and 2017, using suspended traps baited with bovine spleen, fish or human faeces. When all samplings were combined, 3,176 adults of nine species were collected. The assemblages of muscids had higher richness and abundances on bovine spleen, which attracted 66% of all specimens, when compared to the other substrates. Musca domestica was the most abundant species, and it was dominant in assemblages associated with spleen and fish. Assemblages attracted to spleen and fish had higher similarity, differing from those associated with faeces. Differences in food attractiveness are presented for species of medical interest as pathogen vectors (e.g., Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp, 1883)) and of forensic relevance as colonizers of human corpses (e.g., Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830)).

Heterelmis Sharp, 1882, comprises 22 species and subspecies with 3 species assigned to Brazil so far. Here the forth species, Heterelmis debilis sp. nov. from Brazil, is described and illustrated. The type material is deposited in the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (MZSP) and Natural History Museum, London, UK (NHMUK). Additionally, an identification key with distributional data for Brazilian species is proposed.

Loneuroides is registered for the first time in Brazil. A new species from the Brazilian state of Bahia, is here described and illustrated. It differs from all the other species in the genus in details of the female ninth sternum and by number of primary branches in vein M of fore- and hind- wings. A map with the distribution of the species of Loneuroides is included.

The genus Novamundoniscus includes eight species with distribution in Brazil and Venezuela. The new species Novamundoniscus adhara Campos-Filho & Cardoso sp. nov. from the state of Tocantins, northern Brazil, is described, which represents the first record to the family for the state of Tocantins.

Triplocania umbrataoides sp. nov., from the Río Tambopata Reserved Zone, in Madre de Dios, Peru, is here described and illustrated. Triplocania magnifica Roesler and the male of Triplocania spinosa Mockford are redescribed and illustrated. The female Triplocania spinosa is here described and illustrated. The original combination of Belicania cervantesi (García Aldrete) is revalidated.

Fishes from the coastal basins of the Mid-Northeastern Caatinga ecoregion (MNCE) were first sampled by the Stanford expedition at the beginning of the 20th century, and published by Edwin C. Starks in 1913. This material included specimens from the Papary lake (= Papari lagoon) in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin, draining towards the eastern coast of Rio Grande do Norte State. In 1941, Henry Fowler provided a broad taxonomic study of the freshwater fishes from northeastern Brazil, including material from the Papari lagoon, besides describing four species assigned to this locality. However, these previous surveys focused only in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin and might be incomplete. Given this framework, the present study aimed at perform a wide ichthyofaunal inventory of Trairí river basin and compared with previously surveys performed in the regions. In 2013 and 2014, four expeditions along the whole basin, including the Papari lagoon itself, resulted in 28 species of fishes belonging to 17 families and seven orders. At Papari lagoon area 16 species were registered whereas 26 and 18 species were recorded by Starks and Fowler’s studies, respectively. Considering all records, 50 species were documented in the basin with 14 (28%) new records, including Serrapinnus potiguar, whose distribution was extended to the south. Two species described by Fowler, Pimelodella papariae and Pseudancistrus papariae, were not found in this study or in any fish collection, and are only known from their type-material. These two species can be naturally rare, locally extinct, or there were inaccuracies in their type-locality. However, species of these genera are only found in larger basins of the MNCE, which drains to the north, corroborating the latter assumption. Although not being a definitive list, the recent extensive fish surveys conducted in the MNCE’s coastal basins are helping to elucidate species’ geographic distribution and little knowing taxonomic issues.

The Hymenoptera collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZSP) houses one of the most important collections for the Brazilian and Neotropical wasp faunas. The present catalogue lists the type specimens of Pompiloidea, Thynnoidea and Vespoidea (Insecta, Hymenoptera) deposited in the MZSP. The collection includes a total of 301 type specimens (66 holotypes, 27 lectotypes, 158 paratypes, 45 paralectotypes, and five syntpes), being 91 Pompiloidea (40 Mutillidae type specimens of 10 genera and 25 species, 51 Pompilidae type specimens of 4 genera and 27 species), 191 Vespoidea (15 genera and 85 species of Vespidae), and 18 Thynnoidea (eight genera and 12 species of Thynnidae). All information written in labels was compiled and is presented along with additional data from the original descriptions, MZSP records and other sources. We provice Specimage links to high resolution photographs of holotypes and lectotypes at the Hymenoptera image database of the Ohio State University.

The state of Mato Grosso is the 3rd largest Brazilian state, is covered with three major Brazilian biomes, including the Pantanal, Cerrado, and Amazonia. To date, 449 ant species are recorded in literature for the state. In the present work, we documented the ants sampled along a fragmented landscape, in the municipality of Juara, in the Cerrado-Amazon transition zone in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The ant species were captured with Pitfall traps installed in 20 trails with 10 traps in each (totaling 200). Our results show 151 species, belonging to 43 genera and eight subfamilies, of which 28 species were recorded for the first time in the state and five species recorded for the first time in Brazil. Most genera collected were Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (45 species) followed by Crematogaster Lund, 1831 (11 species). By highlighting species recorded for the first time in state of Mato Grosso and Brazil, we hope to encourage new discoveries and increase the general knowledge of the ant fauna of different biomes in the region.

The male of Cyphomyiactia costai Artigas, Papavero & Serra, 1991 is described and illustrated for the first time. New records are provided from the states of Bahia, Maranhão and Mato Grosso, Brazil. The holotype is illustrated, as well as structures of male and female terminalia.

This paper investigates the butterfly fauna of the ‘Serra do Rola-Moça’ State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We evaluate i) the seasonal variation of species richness and composition; and ii) the variation in composition of the local butterfly assemblage among three sampling sites and between the dry and rainy seasons. Sampling was carried out monthly between November 2012 and October 2013, using entomological nets. After a total sampling effort of 504 net hours, 311 species were recorded, one of them endangered in Brazil, and eight probable new species. Furthermore, two species were new records for the region and seven considered endemic of the Cerrado. There was no significant difference in species richness between the dry and the rainy seasons, however the species composition varies significantly among sampling sites. Due to its special, heterogeneous environment, which is home to a rich butterfly fauna, its preservation is important for the conservation of the regional butterfly fauna.

As an add-on to the work of Clarkson et al. (2016), new distributional data on species of Helobata Bergroth, 1888 (Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae) from Brazil is provided. Helobata amazonensis Clarkson, Santos & Ferreira‑Jr., 2016, is recorded for the first time for Roraima State and its female is recorded for the first time. Helobata quatipuru Fernández & Bachmann, 1987 and H. larvalis (Horn, 1873) are recorded for the first time for Minas Gerais, Cerrado Biome area. The genus is recorded for the first time for Goiás State. Additions and modifications in the previously published key to Brazilian species are provided.

Glyptoscapus letiziae, a new species of Hexoplonini Martins, 2006, is described from Brazil (Minas Gerais). Glyptoscapus cicatricosus Aurivillius, 1899 and G. vanettii Martins, 1959 are synonymized with G. pallidulus (White, 1855). A key to species of Glyptoscapus is provided. New state records are presented for Thoracibidion io (Thomson, 1867) (Neoibidionini), Coleoxestia rafaeli Santos-Silva & Wappes, 2017 and C. denticornis (Gahan, 1892) (Cerambycini). The female of C. rafaeli is described for the first time.

In recent years, an increase in knowledge about the diversity and biogeography of Brazilian Cladocera fauna has been evident. To keep up with these changes, it is opportune to carry out an update of the taxonomy and biogeography for the main cladoceran groups. Since 2008, some progress has been observed in Ilyocryptidae, with reports of four new taxa. In this study, an updated checklist of Ilyocryptidae from Brazil is provided, with a diagnosis for each cited taxon, as well as an identification key. Some of these taxa are considered rare; however, this issue might be an artifact of sampling. As this is the first in a series of papers compiling current information about Brazilian Cladocera, an identification key to orders and families occurring in Brazil is also provided.

Following a recommendation of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, this paper provides a catalogue of the type specimens of Bibionidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) held in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP). Label data and the condition of 21 type specimens (two holotypes and 19 paratypes) of two Neotropical species is provided. Photographs of the male terminalia of the holotypes are also presented.

Studies in remnants of semi-deciduous seasonal forest of the Cerrado are needed to fill sampling gaps and improve basic knowledge of biodiversity. This study presents data on the herpetofauna of Parque Estadual Altamiro de Moura Pacheco, one of the last protected areas of seasonal forest in the core region of the Brazilian Cerrado. Fourteen sites were sampled between March 2007 and April 2008 using pitfall traps and active searches. A total of 35 anuran species were recorded, most of which were found in hygrophilous environments near forest fragments, open areas and riparian or gallery forest. A total of 29 reptile species were recorded, most of which were found in semi-deciduous forest and riparian or gallery forest. Fourteen of the amphibians and five of the reptiles are endemic to the Cerrado. The richness of amphibians and reptiles found in Parque Estadual Altamiro de Moura Pacheco is regionally representative, with communities typical of forest environments.

This paper describes and illustrates Trichomyia muiraquita Araújo & Bravo sp. nov. from the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Furthermore, with the aid of a scanning electron microscope and light microscope, we report for the first time the presence of two small sensilla in flagellomeres of the Trichomyia species.