Water balance in Monodelphis domestica (Didelphidae) from the semiarid Caatinga of Brazil

1. Water conservation and energy metabolism in a semiarid-area, neotropical marsupial (Monodelphis domestica) were studied in the laboratory. 2. The rate of energy consumption in this species is low, corresponding with results reported for Australian and other neotropical marsupials. 3. Evaporative water loss rate is low and comparable to that of several desert small rodents, when body size differences are taken into account; however, the ratio of metabolic water production-to-evaporative water loss is lower than in the rodents. 4. Urine osmotic, urea, and chloride concentrations in water-stressed animals are within the range of values reported for some arid-area granivorous rodents, for insectivorous/carnivorous Australian marsupials, and for a North American insectivorous desert rodent. 5. Water-balance computations indicate that this species should be able to maintain water balance at 25 degrees C on a high-protein diet with a water content of about 60% without access to drinking water; this water requirement is comparable to that of ecologically similar marsupials and placentas in arid areas of other continents.     

Determinants of resource use in lizard assemblages from the semiarid Caatinga,Brazil

Nonsessile animals could partition the use of resources in different axes, reducing the effects of competition and allowing coexistence. Here, we investigated the spatial and trophic niche dimensions in four lizard assemblages in the Neotropical semiarid Caatinga to investigate the determinants of resource use and the extent to which lizards partition their niches. We sampled each lizard assemblage once, for 10 days, in the dry season of 2017 and 2018. In two lizard assemblages, we detected nonrandom niche overlap patterns that were higher or lower than expected by chance. The high niche overlap patterns suggest that either there is intense current competition for available microhabitats or an abundance of microhabitats. The lower niche overlap may be influenced by the presence of species adapted to sandy habitats (psammophilous), suggesting that spatial partitioning detected has historical basis, which is supported by the pPCA results and by the lack of patterns in the realized niche distribution of species across niche space. We detected trophic niche partitioning in three lizard assemblages. In one assemblage, we discovered random spatial and trophic niche overlap patterns, revealing that competition is not a determining factor in the structure of that assemblage. In fact, phylogenetic effects were predominantly the main determinants of resource use in the four studied lizard assemblages. Arid and semiarid habitats cover about one third of land surface of the world. Comparisons between our findings and those from other regions of the world may aid identify general trends in the lizard ecology of dry environments.     

Manihot alterniflora and M. elongata spp. nov. (Euphorbiaceae) and the rediscovery of M. quinquefolia in Caatinga (semiarid) vegetation in Brazil

We describe and illustrate two species of Manihot that occur in Caatinga (semiarid) vegetation in Brazil and redescribe and lectotypify M. quinquefolia Pohl, which was only known from a single collection made by J. E. B. Pohl in 1827. Manihot elongata P.Carvalho & M.Martins is widely distributed and Manihot alterniflora P.Carvalho & M.Martins is endangered because of its small populations and restricted area of occurrence. We establish M. quinquefolia as the only species of Manihot in the Caatinga with compound leaves. An identification key is provided for the 13 species of Manihot present in the Caatinga.     

Phylogeography and genetic structure of the endemic cyprinid fish Microphysogobio brevirostris in northern Taiwan

This study used the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences to examine the population genetic structure of Microphysogobio brevirostris, an endemic cyprinid species in northern Taiwan. In total, 90 specimens were collected from six populations belonging to four major rivers. All haplotypes were identified as two major clades (Clades N and S), exhibiting a southern and a northern distribution. The results of statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis (S-DIVA) revealed that two vicariance events and one dispersal event shaped the phylogeographic pattern of M. brevirostris. These results suggest that the ancestral populations of M. brevirostris are widely distributed throughout northern Taiwan, north of the Miaoli Plateau. The ancestral populations then diverged into two clades (N and S) by the raising of the Taoyuan Plateau. Finally, two major rivers of the S clade diverged and dispersed into adjacent rivers. Besides, our results revealed that Microphysogobio alticorpus and M. brevirostris colonized Taiwan during the same ice age through different colonization routes.     

Pollen morphology of the Acalyphoideae and Euphorbioideae (Euphorbiaceae) of the Caatinga ecoregion in Brazil

This study dealt with six species of Acalyphoideae and 18 species of Euphorbioideae occurring in the Caatinga ecoregion, with emphasis on endemic species. Pollen samples were obtained from herbarium specimens and were acetolysed and analysed via light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen of three genera of Acalyphoideae was medium to large, 3-colporate or 3-colpate, with an echinate-perforate exine that was reticulate, bireticulate, and microreticulate. The six genera of Euphorbioideae studied exhibited pollen grains that were small, medium and large; 3-colporate with margines; and an exine with microreticulate, microreticulate-rugulate, microreticulate-caveate, and reticulate ornamentation. The pollen characteristics were more variable in the Acalyphoideae compared to the relatively homogeneous Euphorbioideae. This study provides new data and interpretations of the pollen morphology of two subfamilies of the Euphorbiaceae of the Caatinga ecoregion in Brazil.     

Mosses and liverworts show contrasting elevational distribution patterns in an oceanic island (Terceira,Azores): the influence of climate and space

Due to ongoing global changes, it is essential to establish a baseline record from which to determine future shifts in species distributions and community assembly patterns. In this context, we used digitised historical bryophyte distribution data along a 1021?m elevational gradient in Terceira Island (Azores) to determine how bryophyte species distribution varies with elevation and which spatial and climatic drivers contribute to this variation. We used ordinary least squares analysis to test for climatic and spatial data as explanatory variables for bryophyte richness and Mid-Domain Null simulations to assess the influence of spatial constraints on species distributions. Bryophyte richness follows a hump-shaped pattern, with mosses predominating in the first half of the gradient and liverworts in the second half. While moss richness did not correlate to any climatic variables and responded weakly to the presence of forest cover, liverwort presence was related to temperature, rainfall, humidity and the occurrence of native forest areas, suggesting that these plants are more sensitive to changes in their environment and can thus be used as better indicator species for climate change. Despite their inherent biases, our study shows that historically compiled data can be a valuable tool for preliminary assessment of macroecological patterns.     

Seasonality in the altitude–diversity pattern of Alpine moths

Altitudinal gradients are frequently used to study environmental effects on species diversity. Recent quantitative studies on Lepidoptera focussed on tropical mountain systems and often reported unimodal diversity peaks at “mid-elevations”;, a pattern also often found in other taxa. Here we used methodologically comparable, nocturnal Macrolepidoptera samples from the Swiss Alps to analyze environmental correlates of diversity. Using seasonal data (monthly samples from April to November at altitudes between 600 and 2400 m a.s.l.) allowed to decouple altitude and some climate variables for analyses. We found that the altitude–diversity pattern changes with season. In spring and autumn, diversity decreased with increasing altitude, while we found a unimodal peak of diversity at mid-elevations during summer. This excluded all hypothetical causes of diversity variation that do not allow for seasonality. Temperature was an important correlate of diversity, whereas precipitation was not. These results were separately corroborated for the two most common families (Noctuidae and Geometridae). However, diversity patterns of the two families were not particularly close, and unexplained variance of climatic explanations was substantial in all cases. The patterns of faunal overlap did not explain the unimodal diversity pattern, and we claim that we lack a generally valid explanation for this common phenomenon.     

Climatic factors and population density of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) in an urban endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in midwest Brazil

The life cycle of vectors and the reservoirs that participate in the chain of infectious diseases have a strong relationship with the environmental dynamics of the ecosystems in which they live. Oscillations in population abundance and seasonality of insects can be explained by factors inherent in each region and time period. Therefore, knowledge of the relationship and influence of environmental factors on the population of Lutzomyia longipalpis is necessary because of the high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil. This study evaluates the influence of abiotic variables on the population density and seasonal behavior of L. longipalpis in an urban endemic area of VL in Brazil. The sand fly captures were performed every two months between November, 2009 and November, 2010 in the peridomicile of 13 randomly selected residences. We captured 1,367 specimens of L. longipalpis, and the ratio of male/female flies was 2.86:1. The comparison of the total male specimens in the two seasons showed a statistical difference in the wet season, but there was no significant difference when considering the total females. With respect to climatic variables, a significant negative association was observed only with wind speed. During periods of high wind speeds, the population density of this vector decreased. The presence of L. longipalpis was found in all months of the study with bimodal behavior and population peaks during the wet season.     

Diversity of reproductive modes in anurans communities in the Caatinga (dryland) of northeastern Brazil

Anuran reproductive activities in xeric environments are strongly influenced by local rainfall and temperatures. Anuran species that inhabit the Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil demonstrate numerous behavioral and reproductive strategies that avoid or minimize the negative effects of elevated temperatures and scarce water resources on egg development. Among the various anuran species found in the Caatinga region, members of the family Leptodactylidae demonstrate the greatest number of reproductive modes adapted to a terrestrial life style while most of the Hylidae species are more susceptible to variations in water availability. Laying eggs in foam nests is a common strategy among species that inhabit environments with open vegetation forms and water resources that are restricted to only short periods during the year. Data concerning anuran communities in the localities examined here indicated a greater diversity of reproductive modes in ponds with more diverse vegetation structures and longer periods of water availability indicating that the deeper the temporary ponds (permitting a longer hydroperiod) the more diverse will be the aquatic and bordering vegetation, and the richer will be the diversity of anuran species observed and the number of reproductive modes encountered there.     

Synchronous fruiting and common seed dispersers of two endemic columnar cacti in the Caatinga,a dry forest in Brazil

This study evaluates the fruiting phenology, fruit traits, and seed dispersal in two Pilosocereus (Cactaceae) species that are widely distributed in Caatinga vegetation. We monitored the fruiting phenology of Pilosocereus gounellei and Pilosocereus chrysostele on a monthly basis for a period of 4 years (45 months from March 2009 to November 2012), including 30 individuals of each species. We also carried out focal observations, captured dispersers, and conducted germination tests, to identify the effective seed dispersers of these species. Both species exhibited sub-annual fruiting patterns and high fruiting synchrony index (O _jk 0.62), with peaks occurring from February to May for P. gounellei and February to April for P. chrysostele. In all, 248 visits by seven bird and two lizard species were recorded for P. gounellei, and 104 visits by five bird species were recorded for P. chrysostele. The two species shared five seed dispersers. The finch Lanio pileatus was the most frequently visiting bird species. The number of visits to the fruits of P. gounellei was higher than to the fruits of P. chrysostele. Passage of seeds through the digestive tracts of all bird species significantly increased the germination rate for P. chrysostele, whereas for P. gounellei, the birds Forpus xanthopterygius and L. pileatus decreased germination rates. Sub-annual fruiting patterns, similar fruit morphology, and high synchronous fruiting are factors that favor resource sharing among the dispersers of Pilosocereus in the Caatinga.     

Seasonality in foraging behaviour of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil

The foraging activity of Constrictotermes cyphergaster was investigated in the Caatinga of Northeast Brazil. Eight colonies were monitored for seven days, during both dry and wet seasons. Foraging activity occurred in exposed columns at night, generally between 22:00 and 05:00 h. During the wet season, foraging activity was significantly higher, with one bout every 1.6 ± 0.2 days, than the dry season, when foraging bouts were performed every 1.9 ± 0.3 days. Foraging activity throughout the study colonies presented high temporal synchronization. In both seasons, foraging was negatively correlated with air temperature and positively correlated with humidity. The foraging trails were often re-utilized and ranged from 1 to 18.5 meters in length. No difference between seasons in the area potentially utilized by the study colonies was observed. Approximately 51000 individuals participated in the foraging bout during the dry season, whereas some 87000 individuals participated in the foraging bout during the wet season. This corresponds to 43 and 74% of the estimated total nest population for the dry and wet seasons respectively. The average ratio soldiers:workers during foraging was 1:1.2 in the dry season and 1:2 in the wet season. The higher frequency and number of individuals foraging during the wet season in the present study are likely to be a strategy from C. cyphergaster to store energy reserves to be utilized during the dry season. Received 28 November 2005; revised 29 May 2006 and 16 August 2006; accepted 1 September 2006.     

Evaluating spatial autocorrelation and depletion in pitfall-trap studies of environmental gradients

Studies of environmental gradients like edge effects commonly employ designs where samples are collected at unequal distances within transects. This approach risks confounding species patterns caused by the environmental gradient with patterns resulting from the spatial arrangement of the sampling scheme. Spatial autocorrelation and depletion (reduced catch) have the potential to influence pitfall-trap collections of invertebrates. Readily available control data from a study of edge and riparian effects on forest litter beetles was used to assess autocorrelation and depletion effects. Data from control transects distant from the treatment transects located at habitat edges and streams were screened to determine whether the study design (pitfall traps at varying distances within transects) was imposing patterns on the data attributable to differential autocorrelation or depletion. Autocorrelation in species composition and assemblage structure was not detected within the 99 m transects. The abundance and species richness of beetles were not lower where traps were in closer proximity, indicating that the transect design was not causing measurable depletion or resulting in differential trap catch. These findings indicate that spatial autocorrelation and depletion are unlikely to impair further analyses of edge and riparian effects on litter beetles.     

Temperature constraints on foraging behaviour of male Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) in summer

In arctic and alpine environments, warm summer temperatures may force a reduction in foraging time of large herbivores, whose tolerance for heat is lower than for species adapted to warmer weather. We constructed time budgets for marked ibex (Capra ibex) males over two summers to test whether warm temperatures constrained foraging behaviour and forced altitudinal migrations. As daily temperature and solar radiation increased, feeding activity was reduced at midday and evening, but increased in the early morning, probably to anticipate for an expected reduction in foraging later in the day. With increasing temperature and solar radiation, ibex moved to higher elevations where they spent very little time feeding. Changes in forage quality and availability could not explain altitudinal migration. Temperatures above 15–20°C apparently result in heat discomfort in male Alpine ibex. As temperature and solar radiation increased, older and larger ibex spent less time feeding during daylight and showed a steeper decrease in feeding time than younger and smaller ibex. Larger males may be more sensitive to temperature and solar radiation, or may have more flexibility in allocating time to different activities, given their lower relative energetic requirements. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

中国特有属秤锤树属植物的潜在分布区预测

秤锤树属（Sinojackia）是中国特有属,包括7个物种,各物种的种群及个体数量均较少,预测其潜在适宜分布区及其主要影响因素对制定保护措施至关重要。该研究在全面收集秤锤树属植物分布位点数据的基础上,结合气候、土壤和植被数据,运用物种分布模型（MaxEnt）和ArcGIS,预测该属植物当前的分布范围以及未来（2050s和2070s）潜在分布区的变化,分析影响该属植物分布的主要环境变量。预测结果显示：（1）当前秤锤树属高适宜地区主要在我国的亚热带地区,分布在长江中下游平原,包括湖南、浙江的大部分地区,河南、安徽和江苏南部地区以及湖北和江西两省交界处,四川、贵州零星分布着高适宜度位点;纬度范围为25.42°~31.84°N。（2）当前秤锤树属的高适宜性（0.665）生境面积仅为4.07×10⁴ km²,占国土面积的4.23％,分布区极为狭窄。未来（2050s和2070s）的高适宜分布地区将大幅度缩减,其中在2070s的RCP8.5排放情景下减少最多。（3）随着温度的上升,秤锤树属植物有向高纬度迁移的趋势。研究结果可为濒危植物的就地保护提供科学依据,同时也可为其迁地保护位点的选择提供参考。     

A new species of nectar-feeding bat,genus Lonchophylla,from the Caatinga of Brazil (Chiroptera,Phyllostomidae)

We describe Lonchophylla inexpectata sp. n. from the Caatinga of Brazil. This new species can be distinguished from all known species of Lonchophylla that occur in Brazil by dental traits, cranial size, and fur colour. Specimens of Lonchophylla inexpectata have been misidentified as Lonchophylla mordax; but Lonchophylla inexpectata is a pale-venter species, similar in external appearance to Lonchophylla dekeyseri. We have found Lonchophylla inexpectata in the Caatinga of North-eastern Brazil; Lonchophylla mordax along the eastern border of the Caatinga and in the Atlantic Forest–Caatinga ecotone in North-eastern Brazil; and Lonchophylla dekeyseri in the Cerrado of Mid-western Brazil, in the Brazilian Cerrado–Caatinga ecotone, and as far west as the Cerrado of Bolivia.     

Global phylogeography of the dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus): the influence of large effective population size and recent dispersal on the divergence of a marine pelagic cosmopolitan species

Pelagic fish that are distributed circumtropically are characterised by a low population structure level as a result of a high capacity for dispersion and large population sizes. Nevertheless, historical and contemporary processes, including past demographic and/or range expansions, secondary contact, dispersal, gene flow, and the achievement of large effective population sizes, may play a part in the detection of divergence signals, especially in the case of tropical pelagic species, whose distribution range depends strongly on the sea surface temperature. The connectivity and historical demography of Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Mediterranean populations of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) was studied using partial sequences of the mitochondrial DNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1). AMOVA analyses revealed significant inter-oceanic divergence with three phylogroups located in the Indo-Pacific, Eastern Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea, the last one being the most divergent. However, it was not possible to clearly observe any genetic differentiation between the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic populations, as has been reported for most tropical pelagic species of tuna and billfishes. This supports the assumption of recent dispersal among basins facilitated by the actual continuous distribution of dolphinfish populations. Moreover, the lack of a divergence signal for populations separated by the Panamanian Isthmus reveals that genetic drift does not exert a strong influence on tropical pelagic species with large effective population sizes.     

Diversification and vicariance of desert plants: Evidence inferred from chloroplast DNA sequence variation of Lagochilus ilicifolius (Lamiaceae)

To document arid Northern China as a diversification center for desert plants, and to better understand the mechanisms of desert taxa diversification, we used five cpDNA spacers (trnL-trnF, rps16, psbA-trnH, psbK-psbI and trnS-trnG) to investigate Lagochilus ilicifolius in all distribution areas, including Northern China, Mongolia and Russia. Phylogenetic analyses showed that L. ilicifolius comprises two distinctive lineages, one distributed in China, and another in Mongolia–Russia. Our data confirmed that arid Northern China, is a distinctive area with many endemic genera. Biogeographic inferences, based on a Bayesian uncorrelated lognormal model together with molecular dating, suggested that the main diversification within the species occurred in the Pleistocene (ca. 1.38–0.3 Ma), resulting from the transition of the climate of Eurasia to a dry-cold pattern as well as the desertification caused the vicariance of desert plants.     

Dendrochronological potential of the Azorean endemic gymnosperm Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine

Tree-ring inter-annual pattern variation is crucial in dendrochronology, allowing the identification of possible limiting factors on growth. Thus, trees exposed to subtropical or tropical climates without a marked seasonality may show a low degree of interannual variation, impeding a straightforward dendroclimatological approach. Meanwhile, subtropical regions, and areas in transitional climates such as the Azores archipelago, are widely unexplored in terms of dendroclimatology, providing opportunities to work with endemic trees, including the dominant Azorean tree Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine. To evaluate the dendrochronological potential of J. brevifolia, we analyzed tree-ring patterns, crossdating capabilities, and correlation with climate parameters. We sampled 48 individual trees from two natural populations (São Miguel and Terceira islands) using an increment borer. Besides, a Trephor tool was used to obtain wood microcores for micro-anatomical analysis. Although the transition between early and latewood was evident, partially indistinct ring boundaries and wedging rings were present in some cases, affecting the crossdating process, but not impeding the establishment of reliable ring-width chronologies. Following detrending, master chronologies were built and correlated with monthly temperature and precipitation data using the treeclim R package. The climate-growth relationships indicated negative correlations with late summer temperature in both populations. Considering our results and the importance of J. brevifolia as a dominant tree in the Azores natural forests, we conclude that it shows an acceptable potential for dendrochronological research. Thus, this study provides baseline information to help fill the knowledge gap regarding the climate-growth relationship of Azorean trees.     

A model-based framework for assessing the vulnerability of low dispersal vertebrates to landscape fragmentation under environmental change

Environmental changes are driving rapid geographic shifts of suitable environmental conditions for species. These might survive by tracking those shifts, however successful responses will depend on the spatial distribution of suitable habitats (current and future) and on their connectivity. Most herptiles (i.e., amphibians and reptiles) have low dispersal abilities, and therefore herptiles are among the most vulnerable groups to environmental changes. Here we assessed the vulnerability of herptile species to future climate and land use changes in fragmented landscapes. We developed and tested a methodological approach combining the strengths of Species Distribution Models (SDMs) and of functional connectivity analysis. First, using SDMs we forecasted current and future distributions of potential suitable areas as well as range dynamics for four herptile species in Portugal. SDM forecasts for 2050 were obtained under two contrasting emission scenarios, translated into moderate (low-emissions scenario) or large (high-emissions scenario) changes in climate and land use conditions. Then, we calculated and analysed functional connectivity from areas projected to lose environmental suitability towards areas keeping suitable conditions. Landscape matrix resistance and barrier effects of the national motorway network were incorporated as the main sources of fragmentation. Potential suitable area was projected to decrease under future conditions for most test species, with the high-emissions scenario amplifying the losses or gains. Spatiotemporal patterns of connectivity between potentially suitable areas signalled the most important locations for maintaining linkages and migration corridors, as well as potential conflicts due to overlaps with the current motorway network. By integrating SDM projections with functional connectivity analysis, we were able to assess and map the vulnerability of distinct herptile species to isolation or extinction under environmental change scenarios. Our framework provides valuable information, with fairly low data requirements, for optimizing biodiversity management and mitigation efforts, aiming to reduce the complex and often synergistic negative impacts of multiple environmental change drivers. Implications for conservation planning and management are discussed from a global change adaptation perspective.