RCAAP Repository

ABSTRACT Desmodus rotundus (É. Geoffroy, 1810) feeds preferably on mammal blood, including livestock animals, such as bovine cattle. In spite of using native preys in the wild, records of this feeding activity are scarce. In the present study, we investigated the foraging activity of D. rotundus based on video footage from camera traps in Atlantic Forest fragments in southern Goiás State, Brazil. Out of 23 mammal species recorded in the study area, four had interactions with Desmodus rotundus (Priodontes maximus, Tapirus terrestris, Mazama americana and Pecari tajacu). The records were obtained from early night to sunrise. There was a correlation between abundance of potential preys and the choice of the target by D. rotundus. Most of the bat-prey interaction occurred on the edge of fragments. The present study records for the first time the potential use of the collared peccary (P. tajacu) and the giant armadillo (P. maximus) in the diet of D. rotundus.

RESUMO Esse estudo analisou o estágio reprodutivo, a histologia e a morfometria dos testículos de Dermanura cinerea (Gervais, 1856) em fragmento de Mata Atlântica no Litoral Sul de Pernambuco. Os espécimes foram capturados por redes de neblina e as coletas ocorreram mensalmente, ao longo de duas noites consecutivas, durante 18 meses. Os dados meteorológicos foram agrupados em meses chuvosos e secos. Foram utilizados 18 espécimes adultos, os quais foram classificados em machos com testículos descendentes e não descendentes. Para as análises histológicas, os testículos foram coletados, fixados e processados seguindo a técnica histológica de rotina. As lâminas obtidas foram coradas por Hematoxilina-Eosina. Nas análises morfométricas foram mensuradas a área de ocupação do compartimento tubular e intertubular, quantificados o número de células de Leydig, de Sertoli, de espermatócitos e de espermátides alongadas. Os dados morfométricos foram submetidos às análises estatísticas. Dermanura cinerea apresentou maior atividade de produção espermática em meses secos e maior produção hormonal em meses chuvosos. Essas informações estão relacionadas também com o padrão reprodutivo das fêmeas e com a elevação nos índices pluviométricos, já que é um fator determinante na mediação da disponibilidade alimentar das espécies frugívoras, como D. cinerea em área de Mata Atlântica de Pernambuco.

ABSTRACT The genus Antillorena Jocqué, 1991 is reported in Colombia for the first time and A. sanjacintensis sp. nov. is described for the north of the country. This new species is diagnosed with the type species Antillorena polli (Simon, 1887). A taxonomic key and a map with the distribution of all species of the genus are included.

RESUMEN Se describen cuatro especies nuevas del género Drosophila. Drosophila valenteae sp. nov., recolectada en un remanente de bosque andino de la provincia de Pichincha, pertenece al grupo D. guarani. Drosophila cumanda sp. nov., recolectada en los andes orientales de la provincia de Napo, pertenece al grupo D. annulimana. Las especies D. cruzloma sp. nov., recolectada en el páramo de la provincia de Pichincha, y D. tinalandia sp. nov., recolectadas en los andes occidentales de la provincia de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, aunque pertenecen al subgénero Drosophila, no fueron asignadas a ningún grupo de especies. Sin embargo D. tinalandia sp. nov. fue capturada en inflorescencias de especies del género Xanthosoma spp. (Araceae), por lo tanto podría estar relacionada a un grupo antofílico.

ABSTRACT Batillipes specimens collected in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, on the Brazilian Coast (Campos Basin and Potiguar Basin) with a bifurcated caudal appendage similar to B. dicrocercus Pollock, 1970 were assigned to B. potiguarensis Santos, da Rocha, Gomes Jr & Fontoura, 2017. This species was described as having a roundish caudal protrusion but, as shown in this study, it exhibits intraspecific variability of the morphology of the caudal apparatus. The examination of specimens of B. dicrocercus from the type locality (Massachussetts, U.S.A.) and the analysis of the original description and two subsequent emended descriptions, one from the Gulf of Mexico (U.S.A.) and another from the Mediterranean Sea, used for comparison, revealed important differences among them concerning important taxonomic characters, suggesting that what was considered a single species should now be split into three different species. Therefore, an emended diagnosis of B. potiguarensis and comments on the geographic distribution of B. dicrocercus are provided, clarifying the taxonomic status of the two species.

ABSTRACT Tropical streams feature high variety of habitats and environmental gradients, which reflect on the greater richness of aquatic insects. In this way, we evaluate if the diversity of aquatic insects of prey and predator categories is influenced by the type of substrates or by longitudinal portions in Cerrado streams. Our hypothesis is that prey and predator diversity will be determined by the type of substrate, assuming that the substrate serves as a source for foraging and / or refuge. In addition, the folhiço substrate will present greater abundance and richness due to the availability of shelter and food provided by this type of substrate. There will be differences in prey and predator composition among substrates, since some species have associations with the substrate type. The portions of the stream will have no effect on the diversity of prey and predator, since in streams of up to third order does not present considerable changes in physical characteristics. The study was carried out in nascent (1st order), intermediate (2nd) and estuary (3rd), in two streams, during dry and rainy periods. Five subsamples of sand, gravel, rocks or boulders were collected, backwaters, rapids and roots (substrate). The substrate influenced all prey and predator responses (abundance, richness and composition), but the environment (longitudinal portions) did not influence the abundance and predator composition. The influence of substrates on the diversity of prey and predators evidences the importance of riparian vegetation as a source of allochthonous material in bedside streams.

RESUMO As descargas de água doce permanentes em praias arenosas, conhecidas como sangradouros, promovem alterações em diferentes escalas espaciais e temporais sobre as características ambientais, e consequentemente sobre as populações macrobentônicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as alterações da abundância, distribuição e estrutura populacional do isópode Tholozodium rhombofrontalis (Giambiagi, 1922) em um sangradouro permanente. Coletas sazonais foram realizadas na praia de Barrancos, cidade de Pontal do Paraná, estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil, em três locais: sangradouro (dentro do sangradouro), intermediário (a 30 m de distância do sangradouro) e distante (a 150 m de distância do sangradouro), durante as quatro estações dos anos de 2012 e 2013. A praia foi morfodinamicamente caracterizada como intermediária, composta de sedimentos finos e bem selecionados. No local sangradouro os perfis topográficos foram suaves e extensos, e o lençol freático raso e doce. Em contrapartida, no local distante os perfis foram íngremes e curtos, e o lençol freático profundo e salino. O local intermediário apresentou características similares ao do sangradouro. Houve uma variabilidade espacial e temporal na abundância e distribuição do isópode, estando as maiores abundâncias nos locais sangradouro e intermediário, com picos nas estações primavera e verão. Tais variações foram relacionadas à presença de águas salobras e altos valores de clorofila a. A proporção de juvenis foi a maior dentre todas as classes, e manteve-se regular temporalmente, indicando um recrutamento contínuo. As proporções de fêmeas mantiveram-se similares temporalmente confirmando a estabilidade da população. A proporção de machos foi baixa em todos os locais e durante todas as coletas, contudo, a baixa representatividade desta classe não afetou negativamente o estabelecimento da população. As fêmeas ovígeras estiveram presentes em todos os locais e em todas as coletas, com as maiores proporções no inverno, apontando uma possível preferência por uma estação mais fria para a reprodução. A presença de um sangradouro permanente proporcionou a esta praia condições de salinidade estuarina, o que possivelmente favoreceu o estabelecimento da população.

RESUMO Neste estudo é apresentada a revisão dos gêneros Lachaerus Thomson, 1868 e Clavidesmus Dillon & Dillon, 1945 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Onciderini). As espécies brasileiras são redescritas com base na morfologia externa e interna. Chaves para identificação de espécies e ilustrações são fornecidas. Os caracteres masculinos de Clavidesmus são apresentados pela primeira vez. Como resultados, são estabelecidas as sinonímias entre Orteguaza lichenigera Lane, 1958 e Clavidesmus metallicus (Thomson, 1868). Novas combinações: Clavidesmus rubigineus Dillon & Dillon, 1949 e Clavidesmus monnei Giorgi, 1998 são transferidas para Lachaerus. Novo registro de distribuição: Lachaerus fascinus (Audinet-Serville, 1835) para Argentina. Os gêneros de Onciderini que compartilham o engrossamento do antenômero III podem ser separados em dois grupos: (1) Lachaerus e Clavidesmus, que apresentam o terceiro antenômero nos dois sexos engrossados e (2) Eudesmus Audinet-Serville, 1835, Psyllotoxus Thomson, 1868, Oncideres Audinet-Serville, 1830, Taricanus Thomson, 1868 e Periergates Lacordaire 1872, com o terceiro antenômero engrossado somente nos machos.

RESUMEN La mortalidad por pesca ha sido pocas veces estudiada aislando el efecto causado por las capturas. En este estudio se analizó este aspecto usando como modelo biológico al camarón fantasma Callichirus major (Say, 1818), el cual es colectado intensamente en varias regiones de la costa de Brasil. Para ello, la densidad de las galerías y la demografía poblacional de C. major fue analizada en las playas de Gonzaga e Itararé, dos playas contiguas del Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. La playa de Gonzaga fue considerada como control debido a que desde 1992 una ley municipal impide las capturas de C. major, mientras que Itararé fue considerada como tratamiento ya que en este lugar este camarón es recolectado durante todo el año. Los resultados mostraron que la densidad de las galerías y el tamaño de las hembras fueron significativamente mayores en la playa de Gonzaga que en Itararé. En Itararé, la proporción sexual no mostró diferencias significativas de la relación 1:1, lo cual no se ajustó a lo observado en el área sin mortalidad por pesca y al patrón general reportado en otras especies de camarones fantasma del mundo en donde las hembras predominan sobre los machos. El potencial reproductivo fue significativamente menor en Itararé, como efecto del menor número de hembras presentes en esta área sometida a la pesca intensiva de camarones. De acuerdo con una estimativa inicial, un 71% de los individuos murieron por efecto de la pesca en Itararé. Esto hace inviable el sostenimiento ambiental de C. major en esta área dada la actual presión de extracción. La presencia de C. major en la playa de Itararé y probablemente en otras áreas próximas donde es capturada, estaría favorecida por el permanente suministro de larvas procedentes de la playa de Gonzaga, en Santos, que está protegida por ley y fiscalización municipal.

ABSTRACT A complementary description for Neanopidium mexicanum Dajoz, 1975, type species of the genus, is provided based on specimens from the type locality Valle Nacional (Oaxaca, Mexico), including description and illustrations of male and female abdominal terminalia, which is provided for the first time to a Neanopidium species.

ABSTRACT A new species, Scopadus charynae sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Acanthomerosternoplini Tippmann, 1955 is reinstated. The female of Scopadus ciliatus Pascoe, 1857 is described, and previous misidentification of this species from is discussed; the distribution of this species is updated.

ABSTRACT Through field and laboratory experiments we investigated the effects of leaf traits of two tree species and microbial conditioning on the abundance, biomass, and feeding preference of a typical macroinvertebrate shredder. In the field, we compared the association of Phylloicus (Calamoceratidae, Trichoptera) with two tree species commonly found in riparian zones, which are representative of high and low nutritional quality, respectively: Nectandra megapotamica and Chusquea tenella. In the laboratory, we investigated the feeding preference of Phylloicus using unconditioned leaves and leaves conditioned by aquatic fungi. The same tree species used in the field experiment were used in the laboratory. Initially, C. tenella leaves were proved to be more nutritious and softer, while N. megapotamica leaves were harder and more lignified. The shredders preferred conditioned leaf detritus of reduced toughness (field: C. tenella; laboratory: N. megapotamica, both conditioned for 14 days). These leaf traits seem to be crucial for the choice process of Phylloicus. After 14 days, N. megapotamica leaves showed a decreased toughness associated with the microbial conditioning, which explained its consumption rate by Phylloicus. In both field and laboratory experiments, we found evidence that Phylloicus is a selective feeding shredder, and that the leaf traits, especially leaf structure (e.g., leaf toughness and lignin content), determine its association and preferences.

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to estimate the morphological sexual maturity of Macrobrachium brasiliense (Heller, 1862) and to analyze the relative growth of the species. During one year of sampling, from July 2012 to June 2013, 199 specimens were collected in a stream located in a Cerrado biome, in the Triângulo Mineiro region, state of Minas Gerais. Once identified and sexed, the length of the carapace, the length of the segments of the chelipeds (ischium, merus, carpus, propodus and dactyl) and width of the pleura were measured (mm). The maximum and mean sizes of the carapace length measured 20.5 mm (Mean: 9.6 ± 4.2 mm) and 20.1 mm (Mean: 7.7 ± 3.4 mm) for males and females, respectively. The propodus length for males, and the pleura width for females, were used for the classification of the specimens into juvenile and adult, using K-means analysis and discriminant analysis. The relative growth of the species was also evaluated through covariance analysis for all structures (ANCOVA, α = 0.05). In females, the growth of most structures occurred equally between juveniles and adults, with the exception of the merus and pleura structures. On the other hand, the growth of almost all structures of males differed between juveniles and adults. Only the carpus and the pleura growth were similar. We also estimated the size at onset of morphological sexual maturity at 8.64 mm CL for males (CL50% r = 1.71) and 8.03 mm CL for females (CL50% r = 0.07). Our results contribute to the understanding of some important questions related to the reproductive biology of M. brasiliense. We noted that males grow differently from females and become the largest individuals in the population, resulting in a sexual dimorphism. Such sexual dimorphism might promote the development of the temporary mating guarding behavior, a reproductive strategy very important for caridean shrimps.

RESUMO Moscas Streblidae ocorrem exclusivamente em morcegos e estão mundialmente distribuídas, com uma alta riqueza de moscas e hospedeiros no Brasil. Entretanto, o conhecimento dos aspectos ecológicos dessa relação é limitado à descrição das associações. O objetivo nesse trabalho foi caracterizar a comunidade de moscas ectoparasitas e de seus possíveis padrões de associação em uma área periurbana de Cerrado. Os morcegos foram capturados entre fevereiro e julho de 2011, com um esforço amostral de 9.504 h.m2. Os ectoparasitas foram coletados e identificados. A relação parasito-hospedeiro foi determinada usando índices como prevalência, intensidade média de infestação e especificidade. Capturamos 161 morcegos de sete espécies, dos quais 29,81% (n = 48) apresentaram-se infestados. Encontramos 83 moscas de seis espécies de Streblidae, com duas associações acidentais e oito associações não acidentais. A maior prevalência e intensidade de infestação foram verificadas na associação entre Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) e Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, 1966. Artibeus planirostris (Spix, 1823) também apresentou elevadas taxas de prevalência, enquanto Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) e Sturnira lilium (E, Geoffroy, 1810) revelaram baixas prevalências de infestação. Quatro espécies de Streblidae foram consideradas monoxênicas e duas oligoxênicas, o que é indicado pela análise de especificidade, o que demonstra o predomínio de espécies monoxênicas já relatado em outros trabalhos.

ABSTRACT Increased anthropogenic-made sounds such as traffic noises contribute to acoustic pollution, which produces deleterious effect on song-vertebrates. We compared the advertisement call of Scinax nasicus (Cope, 1862) males in natural (as a reference or control, Site A) and Sites affected by traffic noises (Site B). Call structure was recorded and it was amplified in sonograms (software Raven Pro 1.5). Seven variables were measured on its advertisement call: duration (s), number of notes, number of pulses per note, maximum and minimum frequency (kHz), dominant frequency (kHz) and amplitude (dB). In addition, at each Site the background noise (the fundamental frequency, F0 and amplitude, dB) was measured. The amplitude of background noise reached higher values (68.02 dB) in Site B, while in Site A was lower (34.81 dB). Thus, the F0 in Site A was 6.28 kHz and in Site B it was 4.15 kHz. Frog call in noisy environment (Site B) were characterized by lesser duration (s) and number of pulses per note, higher maximum and dominant frequencies (kHz), lower minimum frequencies, and amplitude (dB) when compared with control environment (Site A). Our study highlights, that S. nasicus males shift their vocal structure in traffic noisy ponds, mainly by vocal “adjust” of their frequencies and amplitude to counteract masking effect. Finally, acoustic monitoring of anurans on noise environments should be considering the spatial, temporal and spectral overlap between noise and species-specific acoustic behaviour.

ABSTRACT We herein propose the transfer of Metaphareus punctatus Roewer, 1913, to the genus Eutimesius Roewer, 1913 (Heterostygninae) based on the genital morphology of the species and morphology of tarsi III and IV, resulting in the new combination Eutimesius punctatus (Roewer, 1913), comb. nov. New geographical records for E. albicinctus (Roewer, 1915) are offered, recording sympatry between the congeneric species E. albicinctus and E. punctatus and data on the reproductive behavior of E. punctatus are presented, suggesting the existence of parental care in this species.

ABSTRACT A new species of orbiniid, Scoloplos maranhensis sp. nov., is described from a tropical mangrove (Quebra Pote, state of Maranhão, Brazil, 02°41.344’S; 44°12.604’W) along with a comparative table with all Scoloplos species. The main distinguishing characters of S. maranhensis sp. nov. are thorax with 12 chaetigers, neuropodia from first chaetiger, notopodia and neuropodia without papillae, conical branchiae from 12th chaetiger to the end of the body, being larger and more robust in the anterior segments. Thoracic notopodia with seven crenulated capillary chaetae and abdominal notopodia with furcated and capillary chaetae. Thoracic neuropodia rounded with two crenulated capillary chaetae and six slender-smooth hooks, abdominal neuropodia with a post-chaetal lobe and only capillary chaetae. Papillae absent from posterior parapodia; one pair of cirriform anal cirri.

ABSTRACT Lygophis flavifrenatus Cope, 1862 is a terrestrial dispsadid distributed in subtropical Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Herein, we present data on sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of this very poorly studied species. A total of 108 specimens (55 females, 50 males, three hatchlings with unidentified sex) from Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Mato Grosso do Sul were analyzed. Sexual dimorphism by size, body dimensions (tail length, head length, head width) and a number of ventral and subcaudal scales is not well marked in the species. Mature females attain the greater size and have a higher number of ventral scales than mature males. Mature males, in turn, presented longer tail, longer and wider head and a higher number of subcaudal scales. Meanwhile, marked overlaps were observed in ranges of all body dimensions proportions and a number of ventral and subcaudal scales. Females attained sexual maturity at a greater size than males. The smallest mature female showed snout-vent length (SVL) = 402 mm while the smallest mature male presented SVL = 285 mm. Females presented a seasonal reproductive cycle, with advanced stages (advanced development of secondary follicles and development of eggs) occurring in late winter and spring. Hatchlings were found in late summer. It is supposed that only one clutch is laid per cycle, considering that the great majority of secondary follicles found in females carrying eggs were irregular or lamellar shaped (possibly atresic). Clutch sizes varied from 6 to 12 eggs (mean = 8.2) and presented a tendency for positive correlation with progenitors SVL. The present study adds new information to the knowledge about the natural history of snakes from subtropical Neotropics.

ABSTRACT Larvivorous fish have been studied as potential biocontrol agents of mosquito larvae and pupae through their trophic interactions. The use of native fish for mosquito control may have benefits for both aquatic biodiversity and human health. Evaluating the effect of vegetation on the predatory efficacy is fundamental to determine if this species can be used as a biocontrol agent. With the aim of evaluating Jenynsia multidentata (Jenyns, 1842) as a biocontrol agent of Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758, we tested its predatory capacity in the presence or absence of aquatic vegetation under laboratory conditions. Two independent experiments were conducted. Larval consumption at a density of 60 larvae (6 larvae/l) was significantly reduced with the vegetation increased. On the other hand, when the larval density was 120 (12 larvae/l), the predatory capacity of J. multidentata did not vary in the presence or absence of vegetation. This result indicated that vegetation effect on consumption could be related to prey density, since at the higher density of prey the probability of predator-prey encounter might be increased. Jenynsia multidentata is a good consumer in presence of vegetation and could be used as a potential biocontrol agent of mosquito larvae in natural environments with similar characteristics to the ones tested in these experiments.

RESUMO Os besouros apresentam grande diversidade taxonômica e funcional, no entanto, para a Região Nordeste, especialmente para a porção com vegetação de Caatinga, o conhecimento da fauna de Coleoptera é muito restrito. Por se tratar de uma região com grande diversidade de paisagens, torna-se necessário conhecer a coleopterofauna que ocorre nas diferentes fitofisionomias, buscando com isso abranger a variabilidade espacial encontrada nessa região xérica. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento das espécies de besouros no Semiárido paraibano. As coletas foram realizadas semanalmente durante quatro anos (2009-2013) utilizando uma armadilha Malaise por fitofisionomia, sendo amostrada uma área com vegetação xerófila e outra com mata ciliar. Foram coletados 6.567 indivíduos pertencentes a 383 espécies e 42 famílias de Coleoptera. Chrysomelidae (78 spp.), Curculionidae (57 spp.) e Cerambycidae (28 spp.) foram as famílias mais ricas. Em relação às mais abundantes, Chrysomelidae (30,4% dos indivíduos), Curculionidae (8,3%) e Tenebrionidae (7,7%) se destacaram. Foi verificado um elevado número de singletons e doubletons, apesar do prolongado período amostral, indicando que deve haver ainda muitas espécies a serem registradas na área de estudos. Nossos resultados demonstram uma rica fauna de besouros na região semiárida estudada e fornece uma lista de besouros de ocorrência no Semiárido paraibano, com novos registros de espécies para o estado e contribui assim com o conhecimento da diversidade de Coleoptera no Nordeste do Brasil.