Interspecific association between an ungulate and a carnivore or a primate

In the Brazilian Pantanal, we observed collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) associating with South American coatis (Nasua nasua) 13 times and three times with black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya). The scansorial coati drop fruit whilst feeding that both collared peccaries and other coatis consume. Young coatis were also observed chewing on the pulp left over from seeds spat out by collared peccaries who had removed the hard exocarp. Both species react to each other’s alarm calls. Peccaries also benefited from the fruits dropped by black howler monkeys. Ecologically, coatis are omnivores; but taxonomically, they are carnivores. To our knowledge, the collared peccary/coati association is the first report of an interspecific association between an ungulate and a carnivore.     

Insights of the life history in the porcellanid crab Petrolisthes armatus (Gibbes, 1850) (Crustacea: Anomura: Porcellanidae) from the Southwestern Atlantic coast

Petrolisthes armatus (Gibbes, 1850) life history was evaluated based on growth and reproduction. Specimens were captured at Ubatuba (Brazil), identified, sexed and measured: carapace (CL, length; CW, width), larger cheliped propodus (PL, length; PW, width; and PH, height), and 2th and 5th abdominal somite (AW₂ and AW₅, width). Relative growth was studied using CL as independent variable and its relation with other variables (dependents), to estimate puberty size and morphological maturity. Fecundity was represented by number of eggs vs. body size CL, with a better fit using a power function. Considering the 257 specimens analyzed, males were larger than females, and the overall sex ratio was 1:1, with some differences among size classes. Maturity (puberty size) was revealed by: AW₂ × CL (males: 8.6 mm CL; females: 7.6 mm CL); and AW₅ × CL (7.1 and 7.6 mm CL, respectively). Reproduction was continuous, but more intense in rainy season and recruitment occurring in dry season. Fecundity of this species was 228 ± 163 eggs, with better fit by a power function (R² = 0.72). Maturity size and growth differed when a pristine area (Ubatuba) was compared with a polluted area (São Sebastião), in the same Brazilian area (São Paulo State).     

Vacuolaria tropicalis,a new species of Chloromonad from Southern Brazil

Vacuolaria tropicalis sp. nov. is here described as a new species of Chloromonadophyceae, observed in material collected during the summer of 1968–1969 from an artificial pool behind the greenhouses in the São Paulo Botanical Garden in the city of São Paulo. It is distinguished from the three previously described species of the genus chiefly by cell shape and by colour and localisation of the chromatophores.     

Evolutionary history of Scinax treefrogs on land‐bridge islands in south‐eastern Brazil

Aim We investigated how Pleistocene refugia and recent (c. 12,000 years ago) sea level incursions shaped genetic differentiation in mainland and island populations of the Scinax perpusillus treefrog group. Location Brazilian Atlantic Forest, São Paulo state, south‐eastern Brazil. Methods Using mitochondrial and microsatellite loci, we examined population structure and genetic diversity in three species from the S. perpusillus group, sampled from three land‐bridge islands and five mainland populations, in order to understand the roles of Pleistocene forest fragmentation and sea level incursions on genetic differentiation. We calculated metrics of relatedness and genetic diversity to assess whether island populations exhibit signatures of genetic drift and isolation. Two of the three island populations in this study have previously been described as new species based on a combination of distinct morphological and behavioural characters, thus we used the molecular datasets to determine whether phenotypic change is consistent with genetic differentiation. Results Our analyses recovered three distinct lineages or demes composed of northern mainland São Paulo populations, southern mainland São Paulo populations, and one divergent island population. The two remaining island populations clustered with samples from adjacent mainland populations. Estimates of allelic richness were significantly lower, and estimates of relatedness were significantly higher, in island populations relative to their mainland counterparts. Main conclusions Fine‐scale genetic structure across mainland populations indicates the possible existence of local refugia within São Paulo state, underscoring the small geographic scale at which populations diverge in this species‐rich region of the Atlantic Coastal Forest. Variation in genetic signatures across the three islands indicates that the populations experienced different demographic processes after marine incursions fragmented the distribution of the S. perpusillus group. Genetic signatures of inbreeding and drift in some island populations indicate that small population sizes, coupled with strong ecological selection, may be important evolutionary forces driving speciation on land‐bridge islands.     

Mental and Physical Health and Spiritual Healing: An Evaluation of Complementary Religious Therapies Provided by Spiritist Centers in the City of São Paulo,Brazil

The present study aims to describe the characteristics of the complementary religious treatment conducted by Spiritist centers in the city of São Paulo (Brazil), to understand how physical and mental health problems are addressed and how the directors of these centers differentiate between persons with spiritual experiences from those with psychiatric disorders. From 365 Spiritist centers, which received the questionnaire, 55 (15.1 %) were included in the final analysis. There were on average 261 people per week attending spiritual sessions in each center, totalizing approximately 15,000 attendees per week in all 55 centers. The most common treatment performed in these centers was disobsession (Spirit release therapy) (92.7 %); the least common was the ‘spiritual surgery’, present in only 5.5 %. The most frequent health problems reported by attendees were depression (45.1 %), cancer (43.1 %) and diseases in general (33.3 %). Concerning the directors’ awareness to differentiate between spiritual experiences and psychiatric disorders, we found some remarkable divergent opinions. In conclusion, the Spiritist centers are an important health related support system for the city of São Paulo, responsible for a significant share of the city’s total health consultations. The most common conditions the patients suffer from were depression and cancer.     

Movement patterns and space use of the first giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) monitored in São Paulo State,Brazil

This study analyzes a giant anteater’s (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) movement patterns and space use in São Paulo, Brazil. It is the first study to track a giant anteater with Iridium-GPS. The anteater traveled an average distance of 1326 m day^–1 with an average speed of 1.04 m min^–1. Home range by Kernel was 2.46 km² while the core area was 0.75 km², and estimates by Brownian bridge and minimum convex polygon were also provided. The anteater used shrub savanna, open savanna, and water habitats more than expected. Monitoring ended just after 10 days when the female giant anteater’s GPS was found on an illegal trail.     

Day and night sounds of the Guiana dolphin, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sotalia guianensis</Emphasis> (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in southeastern Brazil

Many cetaceans are known to be acoustically active at night. However, for most dolphin species, there is little information about their nocturnal acoustic activities. To study the acoustic repertoire of Sotalia guianensis, diurnal and nocturnal sounds (whistles, burst pulses, low-frequency narrowband (LFN) sounds, and clicks) were identified in the Cananéia estuary (25° 01′ S–25° 13′ S/47° 52′ W–48° 06′ W), south of the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, during April, June, and November of 2012. The emission rate of these sounds was compared between daytime and nighttime using the chi-squared statistical test. The mean values of the acoustic parameters of whistles, burst pulses, LFN sounds, and clicks were compared using the t test. Whistles, burst pulses, and LFN sounds were more frequent at night, as these individuals require greater acoustic communication in the absence of light, mainly for social communication. Echolocation emission rates were similar in both day and nighttime. Dolphin sound structure also varied throughout the day, with dolphins emitting lower-frequency sounds at night. Low-frequency sounds, with longer wavelengths, provide many advantages for dolphins active at night because such sounds propagate greater distances. This study demonstrates that the sounds produced by S. guianensis are dependent on the time of day, with social communication sounds being more influenced by the presence of light.     

Phylogeography of the red alga Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Gracilariales) along the Brazilian coast

Changes in the sea level during the Holocene are regarded as one of the most prevalent drivers of the diversity and distribution of macroalgae in Brazil, influenced by the emergence of the Vitória-Trindade seamount chain (VTC). Gracilariopsis tenuifrons has a wide geographic distribution along the Brazilian coast, from Maranhão state (2°48′64.3" S) to Santa Catarina state (27.5°73′83" S). The knowledge of historical processes affecting diversity may allow the development of conservation strategies in environments against anthropogenic influence. Therefore, knowledge about phylogeography and populational genetic diversity in G. tenuifrons is necessary. Six populations were sampled along the northeastern tropical (Maranhão—MA, Rio Grande do Norte—RN, Alagoas—AL, and Bahia—BA States) and southeastern subtropical (São Paulo “Ubatuba”—SP1 and São Paulo “Itanhaém”—SP2 States) regions along the Brazilian coast. The genetic diversity and structure of G. tenuifrons were inferred using mitochondrial (COI-5P and cox2-3 concatenated) DNA markers. Gracilariopsis tenuifrons populations showed an evident separation between the northeast (from 2°48′64.3" S to 14°18′23" S; 17 haplotypes) and the southeast (from 23°50′14.9" S to 24°20′04.7" S; 10 haplotypes) regions by two mutational steps between them. The main biogeographical barrier to gene flow is located nearby the VTC. The southeast region (São Paulo State) is separated by two subphylogroups (SP1, three haplotypes and SP2, six haplotypes), and Santos Bay (estuary) has been considered a biogeographical barrier between them. The presence of genetic structure and putative barriers to gene flow are in concordance with previous studies reporting biogeographic breaks in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, including the genetic isolation between northeast and southeast regions for red and brown algae in the vicinity of the VTC.     

Chromosome numbers and karyotypes of Catasetum species (Orchidaceae)

Mitotic chromosomes of 12 species of Catasetum were assessed to contribute with the karyotypic study of the subtribe Catasetinae (Orchidaceae), expanding the knowledge of this group in terms of chromosomes and supporting its taxonomic and evolutionary analysis. The species are maintained in cultivation in the greenhouse of the Department of Plant Biology/IB/UNICAMP and in the “Orquidário Frederico Carlos Hoehne” of the Botanical Garden of São Paulo. Chromosome counts ranged from 2n = 54 to 2n = 108. Karyotypes were prepared for all species studied, in which there was a predominance of metacentric chromosomes and some submetacentric ones. The chromosome size ranged from 0.5 to 4.9 μm, the total chromosome length ranged from 34.7 to 78.7 μm and the asymmetry index TF% ranged from 21.2 to 42.3. The results obtained so far favor the taxonomy of the genus, allowing to distinguish species with very similar external morphology.     

Vocal repertoire of cooperatively breeding Smooth‐billed Anis

Calls are functionally diverse signals that mediate behavior in a wide variety of contexts in both passerines and non‐passerines. However, the call‐based acoustic communication systems of non‐passerines have received less attention from investigators than those of passerines. We examined the vocal repertoire of Smooth‐billed Anis (Crotophaga ani), cooperatively breeding cuckoos that live in groups with multiple breeding pairs. We recorded calls from 22 groups over two breeding seasons at the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. We identified 11 call types and one group vocalization, and used an automated sound measurement program to quantify their acoustic features. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) correctly classified 74.2% of calls based on these features. The vocal repertoire of Smooth‐billed Anis is larger than that reported for the three other species in the subfamily Crotophaginae. Smooth‐billed Anis have at least two alarm calls, two nest‐specific calls, and one nest defense call. We also identified one possible signal of aggressive intent, one possible appeasement signal, and two calls that may communicate identity. The relatively large vocal repertoire of Smooth‐billed Anis and association of distinct call types with different functions and contexts supports the main prediction of the social complexity hypothesis, i.e., species with more complex social systems will have more complex communication systems.     

Births during 7 years after the translocation of a pair of black-and-gold howler monkeys (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alouatta caraya</Emphasis>) to a forest fragment in southeast Brazil

Fecundity in female primates is influenced by the nutritional condition. If when translocated howler monkeys exhibit the same breeding patterns as non-translocated members of the same genus, it is an indication that the translocated monkeys have become well adapted to their release site and that they are likely in good nutritional condition. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate this pattern by recording copulations (over 5 years) and births (over 7 years) after the translocation of a pair of black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) and to evaluate their gestation period, seasonality of births, and intervals between births. The pair was released in November 2009 on the campus of the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data on copulations were collected from January 2010 to March 2011 and from January 2012 to December 2014. Births were collected from January 2010 to December 2016. During the 5-year observation period, 25 copulations were recorded. Seven births were recorded over a period of 7 years, which included reproduction of the offspring of the translocated pair. Births occurred in the dry season between April and August. The interval between births was approximately 1 year. Our data provide insight into the reproduction of howler monkeys that have been translocated to a new habitat. Translocation can provide a valuable approach for rescuing or restoring Alouatta, whose populations have been detrimentally impacted by long-term habitat fragmentation.     

Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of juvenile pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus paulensis) in culture: temperature effects

We evaluated oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion by juveniles of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis at three different temperatures (15, 20 and 25 °C). The shrimp were collected in the coastal region of Cananéia, São Paulo State, Brazil. The selected temperatures are the limits recorded in aquaculture tanks in the coastal region of Cananéia. We measured oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion as proxies for metabolic activity. Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion increased with increasing temperature, but no change was observed at 15 and 20 °C. It is possible that within this temperature range, there is thermal independence in juvenile F. paulensis do not need to allocate additional energy to compensate for temperature changes because they are physiologically adapted for this range.     

Seasonal variation of nutritional and antioxidant properties of different Kappaphycus alvarezii strains (Rhodophyta) farmed in Brazil

Journal of Applied Phycology - Antioxidant potential, carbohydrate content, ash, minerals, proteins, and amino acids of Kappaphycus alvarezii farmed along the São Paulo coast, Brazil, were...     

Taxonomic review of Bourguyiinae,cladistic analysis,and a new hypothesis of biogeographic relationships of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest (Arachnida: Opiliones,Gonyleptidae)

The subfamily Bourguyiinae Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Gonyleptidae) is revised, and both phylogenetic and biogeographic hypotheses are proposed. Bourguyiinae is monophyletic, and is the sister group of the remainder of the Gonyleptidae species used for analysis, except for the Metasarcinae, which collectively is the sister group of Metavononoides orientalis Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Cosmetidae). Bourguyiinae is divided into two genera: Bourguyia (six species) and Asarcus (four species). The genus‐level synonyms proposed here are as follows: Caldasius, Styloleptes, and Stylopisthos are junior synonyms of Bourguyia; Bogdana, Cnemoleptes, and Opisthoplites are junior synonyms of Asarcus. The species synonyms proposed here are as follows: Afranius amarali Mello‐Leitão, 1934 is a junior synonym of Bourguyia albiornata Mello‐Leitão, 1923 ; Drastus hamatus Roewer, 1943 and Styloleptes conspersus Piza, 1943 are junior synonyms of Bourguyia trochanteralis Roewer, 1930 ; Asarcus corallipes Simon, 1879 , Asarcus lutescens Sørensen, 1884 , Asarcus pallidus Mello‐Leitão, 1923 , and Opisthoplites ypsilon Sørensen, 1884 are junior synonyms of Asarcus longipes Kollar in Koch, 1839 ; Asarcus nigriconspersus Soares & Soares, 1945 is a junior synonym of Asarcus ingenuus Melo‐Leitão, 1940. New species described are: Bourguyia bocaina sp. nov. (Serra da Bocaina, São José do Barreiro, São Paulo), Bourguyia vinosa sp. nov. (E.B. Boracéia, Salesópolis, São Paulo), and Asarcus putunaberaba sp. nov. (Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Alto Caparaó, Minas Gerais). Bourguyiinae is endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Paraná. Based on the modified data matrix of Pinto‐da‐Rocha et al., we propose a new biogeographical hypothesis for the Atlantic Rainforest. We suggest that Bourguyiinae species were originally distributed from the coastal region of Paraná to the north of Rio de Janeiro and south‐east of Minas Gerais, with subsequent dispersals both to northern and southern areas. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 319–362.     

Palynological analysis of Brazilian geopropolis sediments

The sediments of 10 samples of geopropolis collected from 3 species of Meliponinae in the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Brazil, and obtained after chemical treatment, were analysed. Pollen grains, hyphae and spores of fungi, organic material and burned plant fragments were observed in the majority of samples. Sandy or earth materials was present in all geopropolis sediments. Pollen analysis identified the dominant, accessory and isolated plant taxa occurring in the areas of geopropolis sample recovery. The most important pollen types found were Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in samples from the state of São Paulo only, Schinus (Anacardiaceae) mainly in samples from the state of Minas Gerais and Myrcia (Myrtaceae) in every state. Two samples were devoid of pollen grains. Only one sample contained plant trichomes and was considered a propolis sample of Apis bees. Compared to propolis samples examined previously, the geopropolis pollen spectra reflect the characteristic regional vegetation and also a higher variability of plant species visited by the Meliponinae. It is established that geopropolis samples can be distinguished from propolis samples by light microscope analysis of sediments. Mineral and soil constituents, as well as the lack of trichomes, are characteristic only of geopropolis.     

Monitoring a Puma (Puma concolor) Population in a Fragmented Landscape in Southeast Brazil

ABSTRACT The northeast area of São Paulo state has been intensively deforested, resulting in a highly fragmented landscape composed of a few large patches and several small patches of natural vegetation surrounded by sugarcane, eucalyptus, and citrus plantations. In this scenario, we investigated the puma (Puma concolor) population size, sex ratio, and relatedness in two of the last, and largest, natural refuges in the area using a noninvasive method during 2004–2008. By collecting and individualizing fecal samples by microsatellites, we identified 17 individuals, 13 females (76.4%) and 4 males (23.6%) in these areas. Five females were sampled in distinct years and over an extended time and probably represented resident adults. By investigating the relatedness among individual pumas inhabiting the area, we found that only three animals were not related to each other. We also found evidence that young females might establish an adjacent or overlapping territory to their mothers (phylopatry). Moreover, we registered 11 road‐killed individuals nearby the study area, ten males and one female, and six human–puma conflicts. The study area may act as a source of individuals that disperse across the matrix to occupy new home ranges, maintaining some degree of gene flow in a source–sink metapopulation structure. Finally, we recommend that puma management should be conducted at the landscape level to provide effective puma conservation in northeastern São Paulo state. Abstract in Portuguese is available in the online version of this article.     

CO2 and O2 dynamics in human-impacted watersheds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

We studied the spatial and temporal variation in O₂ and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) forms concentrations in ten subtropical watersheds located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with different degrees of impact by urbanization and land-use changes. Additionally, we used stable carbon isotopic composition of DIC to explain observed patterns. We found that land-cover changes and watershed geology are the main drivers of DIC distribution. Land-cover/use changes influence the riverine DIC in two ways: by replacing the original Cerrado 3 (C3)-type forest vegetation by C4-type vegetation composed of grasses (pasture), and by sugarcane. Most domestic sewage is dumped untreated into rivers in the state of São Paulo. Consequently, in the most densely populated watersheds, sewage is an important source of labile carbon and consequently of DIC to rivers. In terms of geology, although silicate weathering that produces kaolinite is the main type of weathering in the watersheds, the weathering of carbonate cements present in the geological formations of the western portion of the state of São Paulo are also an important source of DIC to rivers.     

Two new species of Plinia (Myrtaceae) from coastal forests of Brazil

Plinia complanata andPlinia pauciflora, two new species from coastal forests of São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, are described and illustrated.