Phylogeography of Plathymenia reticulata (Leguminosae) reveals patterns of recent range expansion towards northeastern Brazil and southern Cerrados in Eastern Tropical South America

Little is known about past vegetation dynamics in Eastern Tropical South America (ETSA). Here we describe patterns of chloroplast (cp) DNA variation in Plathymenia reticulata, a widespread tree in the ETSA Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes, but not found in the xeromorphic Caatinga. Forty one populations, comprising 220 individuals, were analysed by sequencing the trnS‐trnG and trnL‐trnL‐trnF cpDNA regions. Combined, they resulted in 18 geographically structured haplotypes. The central region of the sampling area, comprising Minas Gerais and Goiás Brazilian states, is a centre of genetic diversity and probably the most longstanding area of the distribution range of the species. In contrast, populations from northeastern Brazil and the southern Cerrados showed very low diversity levels, almost exclusively with common haplotypes which are also found in the central region. Coupled with a long‐branched star‐like network, these patterns suggest a recent range expansion of P. reticulata to those regions from central region sources. The recent origin of the species (in the early Pleistocene) or the extinction of some populations due to drier and cooler climate during the last glacial maximum could have been responsible for that phylogeographic pattern. The populations from northeastern Brazil originated from two colonization routes, one eastern (Atlantic) and one western (inland). Due to its high diversity and complex landscape, the central region, especially central‐north Minas Gerais (between 15°–18° S and 42°–46° W), should be given the highest priority for conservation.     

Investigating aerial diversity of non-fungal eukaryotes across a 40° latitudinal transect using DNA metabarcoding

The high number of bipolar and widespread bryophyte and microbial taxa in the Antarctic flora suggests the effective Long-Distance Dispersal (LDD) of spores and other propagules from lower latitudes and even the Northern Hemisphere to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic regions. However, few studies have attempted to document the transfer mechanisms by which potential newcomers may arrive in Antarctica. Commonly suggested or assumed mechanisms include transport in air currents, adventitious transfer with migrating or vagrant birds, and with human assistance. In this study, we investigated the biodiversity present in the air along a 40° latitudinal transect, from the port city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (ca. 22°S) to Comandante Ferraz Station on King George Island (South Shetland Islands, ca. 62°S), maritime Antarctica, to shed light on the potential role of LDD in species distribution. Air samples were collected in October 2021 on the Brazilian polar support vessel Ary Rongel using air filters with membranes of 0.22 μm. Total DNA was extracted from the filters and the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) DNA sequence was used for metabarcoding. A total of 53 non-fungal taxa representing three kingdoms (most abundantly Viridiplantae) and six phyla (most abundantly Bryophyta and Magnoliophyta) were assigned from the sequences found. Aerial biodiversity was greater closer to the coast and generally decreased with increasing latitude, although a small increase was apparent in the South Shetland Islands. The taxa assigned are generally present in coastal biomes, although a small proportion of the assignments represented taxa of more distant origin, supporting the occurrence of LDD in the air column.     

A new Veturius (Veturius) of the “cephalotes” group from southern Colombia,Putumayo (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

A new species of Veturius (Veturius) Kaup from southern Colombia, Putumayo, lowland forests, is described and illustrated. V. paya n. sp. belongs to the South American “cephalotes” species group and is sister species of V. cephalotes (Le Peletier & Serville, 1825). Both species are distinguished by few characters of the head and thorax. They seem to be allopatric close to the western distributional limits of V. cephalotes. The endemism of V. paya n. sp. corresponds to a geographic vicariance in the axis of the Amazon Basin. An overview is given on the phylogeny and the chorology of the completed “cephalotes” species group.     

A new species of Amblyodus Westwood, 1878 (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Dynastinae) from South America

A second species of Amblyodus Westwood, 1878, Amblyodus castroi sp. n., is described from the northern South America based on 12 specimens from Brazil and Peru (Amazonian subregion). The new species is here compared with the type species of the genus, Amblyodus taurus Westwood, 1878 and both species and their male genitalia are illustrated. Diagnostic characters for the genus are discussed, especially the metatibial teeth. A distribution map including the type species and the new species is provided. The genus Amblyodus is recorded for the first time from Peru and from Brazil states of Pará and Rondônia.     

First report on the dragonflies from Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso,state of São Paulo,Brazil, with notes on the morphology and behavior of Lauromacromia picinguaba (Odonata: Corduliidae s.l.)

The dragonflies from the Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso, municipality of Cananéia, located at the southern limit of the state of São Paulo in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, were surveyed for the first time through a short sampling effort lasting four days in October 2011. A total of 36 species, including four new state records for species of the genera Lestes, Phyllocycla, Navicordulia and ‘Schizocordulia’, and three undescribed species of damselflies belonging to Cyanallagma, Forcepsioneura and Idioneura were identified. Some notes are also given for other species, as well as on the morphology and behavior of the intriguing corduliid Lauromacromia picinguaba (incertae sedis). The results, based on a small sample, indicate that the local dragonfly biota at Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso is rich and impressive, and needs to be investigated and protected.     

Two new species of Edmockfordia García Aldrete (Psocodea, ‘Psocoptera’, Epipsocidae), from Valle del Cauca,Colombia, and description of the female E. chiquibulensis García Aldrete

Two new species of Edmockfordia García Aldrete, from Valle del Cauca, Colombia, and the female of Edmockfordia chiquibulensis García Aldrete, are described and illustrated. A key to the species of Edmockfordia is included; the genus was previously known only from Belize. The genus is re-diagnosed to include female characters. The distribution of the genus is considerably widened, from Belize to northeastern South America.