Sand fly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) from the Goytacazes National Forest and surrounding areas of southeastern Brazil

Most studies of the sand fly fauna in southeastern Brazil are conducted in the peridomiciliary environment of leishmaniasis endemic regions. Therefore, to increase the knowledge about diversity and richness of sand fly conservation areas, we describe here the sand fly fauna from the National Forest of Goytacazes (NFG), state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, and its surroundings areas. We also used sand fly fauna records from eight conservations units within the state of Espírito Santo to understand the similarity and relationships among them. The sand flies were simultaneously collected from June, 2008 to May, 2009 in two different environments: a preserved environment represented by the NFG and a modified environment represented by a peridomicile. To establish the similarity among the conservation units, we used a method very similar to parsimony analysis of endemism. We collected 2,466 sand fly specimens belonging to 13 species. Pressatia choti and Nyssomyia intermedia were the most abundant sand fly species. Ny. intermedia is a known vector of Leishmania braziliensis and epidemiological surveillance must be conducted in the area. We discuss aspects regarding the diversity of sand flies as well as the risk of transmission of Leishmania parasites in the area. We also provide for the first time a hypothesis of similarity relationships among conservation units within the state of Espírito Santo.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kerianthera longiflora</Emphasis> (Rubiaceae), a remarkable new species from eastern Brazil,with some observations on <Emphasis Type="Italic">K. preclara</Emphasis>

A new species of Kerianthera, K. longiflora Zappi & C. T. Oliveira (Rubiaceae), has been discovered in relicts of Atlantic Forest in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, Brazil. This genus was, until now, thought to be monotypic and to occur only in the Amazon. The morphology, phenology and habitat of the new species are discussed and the IUCN conservation status of this and K. preclara are provided.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mezilaurus</Emphasis> (Lauraceae) from Brazil

Ongoing taxonomic work on Mezilaurus has revealed two new species of the genus in Brazil, which are here described and illustrated. The first one, Mezilaurus glabriantha, from the state of Espírito Santo, represents the third endemic species known from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, and Mezilaurus microphylla occurs in seasonally dry forests from the central Brazilian state of Tocantins. A key to distinguish the extra-Amazonian species of Mezilaurus from Brazil is provided.     

The endangered maned sloth Bradypus torquatus of the Brazilian Atlantic forest: a review and update of geographical distribution and habitat preferences

• 1 The endemic maned sloth Bradypus torquatus is globally threatened due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation and isolation of populations. Despite increased interest in the species in recent years, information on its geographic distribution is limited and is derived mainly from a few museum species and from a survey based mostly on interviews carried out more than 20 years ago. Information on its habitat and altitudinal preferences is lacking. We therefore compile, update and review all occurrence records of this species using geographical information system (GIS) tools and produce a distribution map for the species.
• 2 Our compilation totalled 188 occurrence records, of which 130 (69%) were considered confirmed (museum specimens or individuals captured or seen in the field), most of which (62%) were restricted to the states of Bahia and central‐south Espírito Santo (29%). The species occurs predominantly in ombrophilous forest (80%), from sea level to 1290m, but mainly (79%) below 200m altitude.
• 3 We used GIS techniques and the alpha shape algorithm to calculate the extent of occurrence of the species and compared the resulting map with distribution maps available in the literature. We found a great deal of variation in distribution area shape and an almost two‐fold variation in distribution area size among sources.
• 4 We confirmed the existence of a main distribution gap between southern Bahia and northern Espírito Santo and discovered a second smaller gap between southern Espírito Santo and northern Rio de Janeiro.
• 5 We also confirmed that B. torquatus is sympatric with the common three‐toed sloth Bradypus variegatus in a large part of the Atlantic forest and that the two species are syntopic in at least 11 locations.

     

Mouriri morleyii sp. nov. (Melastomataceae) from Brazil,with notes on its foliar stomatal crypts

Mouriri morleyii R. Goldenb. & Meirelles sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other species in the genus by its large stomatal crypts (the largest ones in the genus), columnar sclereids, tetramerous flowers and calyx closed in bud. This new species was collected on an inselberg in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scleria rubrostriata,</Emphasis> a new species of Cyperaceae from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

A new species is here described: Scleria rubrostriata A. C. Araújo & N. A. Brummitt, a herb from the Atlantic forest of Espírito Santo State, south-eastern Brazil. A key to the sections of Scleria and to the American species of Scleria sect. Schizolepis is provided, and an illustration of the new species and comparison to similar taxa are given.     

Peridomiciliary colonies of Triatoma vitticeps (Stal, 1859) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in rural areas of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil

In Brazil, the colonization of human dwellings by triatomines occurs in areas with native vegetation of the caatinga or cerrado types. In areas of Atlantic forest such as in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, there are no species adapted to live in human habitations. The few autochthonous cases of Chagas disease encountered in Espírito Santo have been attributed to adult specimens of Triatoma vitticeps that invade houses from forest remnants. In recent years, the entomology unit of the Espírito Santo State Health Secretariat has recorded nymphs infected with flagellates similar to Trypanosoma cruzi in rural localities. Entomological surveys were carried out in the residences and outbuildings in which the insects were found, and serological examinations for Chagas disease performed on the inhabitants. Four colonies were found, all associated with nests of opossums (Didelphis aurita), 111 specimens of T. vitticeps, and 159 eggs being collected. All the triatomines presented flagellates in their frass. Mice inoculated with the faeces presented trypomastigotes in the circulating blood and groups of amastigotes in the cardiac muscle fibres. Serological tests performed on the inhabitants were negative for T. cruzi. Even with the intense devastation of the forest in Espírito Santo, there are no indications of change in the sylvatic habits of T. vitticeps. Colonies of this insect associated with opossum nests would indicate an expansion of the sylvatic environment into the peridomicile.     

Length–weight relationships of four freshwater fish species from two Atlantic coastal drainage areas in Brazil

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for four fish species from two drainage areas, those of the Itapemirim and Jucu River, in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Fishes were collected between May 2015 and November 2016, with gill nets, casting net, dip net, and sieve. Herein are presented LWRs for Astyanax lacustris, Astyanax taeniatus, Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus and Oligosarcus acutirostris.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplazium mickelii</Emphasis> — a new species of Woodsiaceae from Brazil

A new species, Diplazium mickelii Mynssen & Sylvestre, only known from the mountain forests of Espírito Santo, Brazil, is described and illustrated.     

Morphometrics of herbaceous bamboos of the Raddia brasiliensis complex (Poaceae − Bambusoideae): implications for the taxonomy of the genus and new species from Brazil

Morphometric studies were conducted using 25 quantitative characters in 14 populations of the Raddia brasiliensis complex, occurring from Ceará to Rio de Janeiro States, Brazil, in order to identify how many entities exist in this group and how they can be distinguished morphologically. Results of the discriminant and cluster analyses show that we are dealing with five distinct taxa, four of them here described as new species. A group of populations from northern Espírito Santo and southern Bahia showed high differentiation in relation to other areas. They are here considered as the new species R. megaphylla. Two other distinct populations also showed significant differentiation, described as R. lancifolia and R. stolonifera. Raddia brasiliensis s.s. turned out to be polymorphic and closely related to another new species, R. soderstromii. They present some ecological preferences related to soil and water conditions. These conclusions were supported by genetic data based on allozymes analysis.     

Conservation study of an endangered stingless bee (Melipona capixaba—Hymenoptera: Apidae) with restricted distribution in Brazil

Melipona capixaba, popularly known as “uruçu preta”, is a stingless bee restricted to the mountainous Atlantic Rainforest areas of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Due to the endemism and small population size, this species discovered in 1994 is now considered “vulnerable to extinction”. Using ISSR, PCR–RFLP and microsatellites markers, we studied the genetic variability and structure of M. capixaba from 88 colonies collected throughout the distribution area of the species within Espírito Santo State. The microsatellite, ISSR and mitochondrial haplotype analyses showed that M. capixaba has low genetic variability compared to other insect species. The molecular analyses also indicated a high genetic similarity among the M. capixaba samples, with no clear pattern of structuring. The analyses of molecular variance results indicated that most of the total genetic variation in M. capixaba was explained by the genetic diversity within local populations. Results suggest that the analyzed samples could be treated as a single population for preservation purposes. Thus, given its endemism, local adaptation and low number of natural colonies, efforts for the conservation of M. capixaba should focus on preservation and increasing the number of colonies in the wild, so that M. capixaba can support constant captures and the effects of habitat deforestation in Espírito Santo State.     

Aristolochia zebrina sp. nov. (Aristolochiaceae) from southeastern Brazil

Aristolochia zebrina is described, illustrated and discussed in comparison with the two most similar species, A. papillaris Mast. and A. tamnifolia (Klotzsch) Duch. The new species is distinguished from its relatives mainly by the ellipsoid utricle, the narrowly ovate, revolute, and efimbriate floral limb with dark purple longitudinal stripes inside, and the glabrous and smooth capsules, which are broadly cylindrical. So far, the new species has only been found in ‘restingas’ (sandy soils) and wet tropical Tabuleiro forests in northern Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil.     

Two new species of Hanshumba from Southeastern Brazil and a key to males of the genus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)

The genus Hanshumba Young, 1977 is recorded from Southeastern and Southern Brazil (Atlantic Forest) and currently includes only three species. Here we describe and illustrate, based mainly on features of the male terminalia, two new species from State of Espírito Santo, Municipality of Santa Teresa: H. setifera sp. nov. and H. teresa sp. nov. The former can be distinguished by the male pygofer and anal tube with large processes bearing numerous setae and the aedeagus with pair of dentiform processes on median portion, whereas the latter has three pairs of longitudinal flanges on the aedeagal shaft. A key to males of the genus is added and its taxonomic status is briefly discussed.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrcia</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gomidesia</Emphasis> (Myrtaceae) — from Espírito Santo,Brazil

Three new species of Myrcia sect. Gomidesia: M. curtipendula Nic Lughadha, M. aurea Nic Lughadha and M. teresensis Nic Lughadha, from Espírito Santo are described. Their diagnostic characters and habitat are discussed; IUCN categories of threat are assigned.     

A new species of campomanesia (Myrtaceae) from Brazil

Campomanesia espiritosantensis Landrum is described from the coastal forests of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Its relationship to other species in the genus is discussed.     

Anthurium viridivinosum sp. nov. (Araceae; A. sect. Urospadix subsect. Flaviscentiviridia) from a sedimentary coastal plain in southeastern Brazil

During a floristic survey of the family Araceae in a sedimentary coastal plain in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, we found an unknown species with an intriguing combination of characteristics intermediate among Anthurium harrisii, A. intermedium, A. jilekii, A. riodocense and A. zeneidae. Herein, we describe and illustrate this novelity as Anthurium viridivinosum with a comparative analysis of characters that distinguishes it from similar species, and comments about its ecology, distribution and conservation.     

Two new species of Campomanesia (Myrtaceae) from Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil

Campomanesia macrobracteolata andC. anemonea, apparently closely related species from Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil, are described as new and are illustrated. Comparisons are made with two other similar species.     

Three new species of melastomataceae from the southeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil

Three species are described here that occur in montane and high-montane forests in Southeastern Brazil.Miconia shepherdii belongs to sectionGlossocentrum and occurs on the Serra da Mantiqueira, on the border between the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro.Miconia kollmannii belongs to sectionHypoxanthus (formerChaenanthera) and occurs in the state of Espírito Santo.Ossaea suprabasalis was also collected in the state of Espírito Santo.