An approach to map landscape functions in Atlantic Forest—Brazil

Assessing the landscape as a whole is an important step towards the understanding the landscape’s functionality and, consequently, identifying areas with different levels of ecosystem functions (EF)/landscape functions (LF) and services (ES). The main aim of this paper is present a framework to map LF considering the landscape approach. Our study case was a watershed located in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro state. To achieve the goal, we defined landscape units and ecosystem functions. Based on it, a correlation matrix was produced and sent to experts for consultation. Then, we map the potential of landscape units to provide EF. The result showed that, of 23 landscape units, six units had relevance for habitat, information and regulation functions; five showed potential to perform production and regulation functions, one unit showed potential to perform habitat maintenance and information functions. Seven units showed relevance for only one function category. This study highlights how multifunctional a landscape can be. It was evident that different landscape components are able to provide a wild range of EF. Moreover, this represent a high capacity to propose sustainable alternatives for landscapes—knowing the landscape unit potential to provide LF it is possible to indicate the best options for its use and potentialize the LF provision. It was evident that well managed landscapes are also capable to provide LF.     

Orchid Bee (Apidae: Euglossini) Communities in Atlantic Forest Remnants and Restored Areas in Paraná State,Brazil

In this study, we compare orchid bee communities surveyed in four forest remnants of the Atlantic Forest and four reforested areas characterized by seasonal semi-deciduous forest vegetation in different successional stages (mature and secondary vegetation), located in southern Brazil. The sizes of forest remnants and reforested areas varied from 32.1 to 583.9 ha and from 11.3 to 33.3 ha, respectively. All reforested areas were located near one forest remnant. During samplings, totaling nine per study area, euglossine males were attracted to eight scent baits and captured with bait trap and entomological nets. Each forest remnant and its respective reforested area were sampled simultaneously by two collectors. We collected 435 males belonging to nine species of orchid bees distributed in four genera. The number of individuals and species did not differ significantly between different areas, except for a reforested area (size 33.3 ha), which was located far from its respective forest remnant. Our findings also revealed an apparent association between an orchid bee species (Euglossa annectans Dressler 1982) and the most preserved area surveyed in our study, suggesting that this bee is a potential indicator of good habitat quality in recuperating or preserved areas. Our results suggest that reforested habitats located near forest remnants have a higher probability of having reinstated their euglossine communities.     

Diversity of plant uses in two Caiçara communities from the Atlantic Forest coast, Brazil

Caiçaras are native inhabitants of the Atlantic coast on southeastern Brazil, whose subsistence is based especially on agriculture and artisanal fishing. Because of their knowledge about the environment acquired through generations, Caiçara people can play an important role in Atlantic Forest conservation. An ethnobotanical study was conducted within two Caiçara communities (Ponta do Almada and Camburí beach, São Paulo State, Brazil), focusing on plant uses. In 102 interviews, 227 plant ethnospecies were quoted, mainly for food, medicine, handicraft and construction of houses and canoes. People from studied communities depend on the native vegetation for more than a half of the species known and used. Using diversity indices, plant uses are compared between studied communities and between gender and age categories within each community. We found quantitative differences in the knowledge about plants between gender categories for each kind of use (medicinal, food and handicrafts). Older and younger informants also have different knowledge about plants for handicraft and medicine, but not for edible plants.     

Populations and production of fish in two small tributaries of the Paraná River,Paraná, Brazil

Mean biomass (153-1) and production (P) of fish in two small tributaries of the Paraná River (Paraná, Brazil) were 61 kg ha^–1 and 48 kg ha^–1 yr^–1 in the Caracu River and 29 kg ha^–1 and 26 kg ha^–1 yr^–1 in the Agua do Rancho River, respectively. Matrix correlation analysis revealed high positive correlations of both 153-2 and P to maximum depth and hiding places and, at a lower level of significance, to mean depth, pH and oxygen level. Lower 153-3 and P values were found in the Agua do Rancho River, whose valley has retained a more natural character, rich canopy and scarcity of macrophytes, but also lower conductivity and nitrogen and phosphate levels than those in the Caracu River.Address for correspondence     

Population Structure and Genetic Diversity in Sweet Cassava Cultivars from Paraná, Brazil

F _is (0.170) and F _it (0.259) values indicated a number of heterozygotes present in the population under study lower than that necessary to reach the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic variability found among the traditional sweet cassava cultivars assessed was considered wide, and the groups that were most distant were mostly cultivars from Toledo and Maringá.     

Gap-phase regeneration in a semideciduous mesophytic forest, south–eastern Brazil

The study was carried out in ten natural canopy gaps in the SantaGenebra County Reserve (22°4945S, 47°0633W)in the county of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. The size and canopyopenness of the gaps were studied using hemispherical photographs. Thevegetation survey included all shrubs and trees with height 0.50m in the gaps interiors and all the individuals with PBH(perimeterat breast height) 15 cm in a 3 m surroundingborder of the gaps. The similarity among the gaps and among their surroundingareas was assessed by the Jaccard similarity index and by cluster analyzes. Thegap size varied from 20.09 to 468 m², with apredominance of small gaps. The families with the greatest species richness inthe gaps were Rutaceae, Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The species with thegreatest number of individuals in the gaps were Coffeaarabica L., Hybanthus atropurpureus (St. Hil.)Taub. and Actinostemon klotschii (Muell. Arg.) Pax, allwidely distributed in the understorey. Shade-tolerant species (late secondaryspecies) predominated in function of the predominance of small gaps. The highnumber of species found in the gaps reflects the importance of thesedisturbances in the maintenance of species diversity in the studied forest.     

Survey of microcystins in water between 1995 and 1996 in Paraná, Brazil using ELISA

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a monoclonal antibody was used to determine microcystin (MC) concentrations in water supplies and water plant samples collected between November 1995 and October 1996, from five regions of Paraná, Brazil. In addition, the presence of Microcystis sp. was monitored. Of the 50 samples obtained, 12 were from an urban lake, 8 from human water supplies, 10 from recreational lakes, 13 from farm waters used for animal pasture and 7 from aquaculture facilities. M. aeruginosa was positive in all locations. MCs were positive (>50 pg ml(-1)) in 9 samples (2 samples from human water supplies, 5 from recreational lakes and 2 from animal pasture). Heavy contamination with MCs was observed in water samples collected in May 1996 from 2 recreation (swimming-fishing sites at Itaipu dam, 6380 and 10,000 pg ml(-1)) and human supplies (6627 pg ml(-1)) samples. At these sites, a large bloom of Microcystis sp. was detected. Treatment with 1 ppm Cl- reduced MCs levels, although 267 pg ml(-1) remained in the water plant samples. Our data showed frequent occurrence of Microcystis sp., which may be a hazard to humans and animals in the state of Paraná. More detailed investigations are required to evaluate the risk of natural MC contamination in the water supplied in this region.     

Correlation of Candida species and symptoms among patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infection caused by abnormal yeast growth in the mucosa of the female genital tract which is commonly diagnosed in gynecology. The aim of this study was to correlate the frequency of yeasts and their respective species in asymptomatic women with different clinical manifestation of VVC; evaluate possible relationships between number of fungus colonies and symptoms in this pathology. All patients who visited the laboratory within a period of five months, for routine examinations of vaginal secretion, independent of the presence or absence of symptoms of VVC were included in this study. Of these, women with immunodeficiency or with an infection of the genital tract by another agent were excluded. Candida albicans was the most frequently yeast isolated (60%). Among non-C. albicans yeasts, 61.5% were isolated of the asymptomatic women, 38.7% from patients with VVC and 11.1% of those from patients with RVVC. C. albicans was associated with symptoms of VVC and while, the presence of non-C. albicans yeasts with asymptomatic women. However, there was no association between the number of fungal colonies and symptoms.     

Brumptomyia angelae, a new species of Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae) of the Atlantic forest of the state of Paraná, Brazil

The male of Brumptomyia angelae, sp. nov., a new species of Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae) of the Atlantic forest of the state of Paraná, Brazil, is described and illustrated. This new taxon is closely related to Brumptomyia ortizi Martins, Silva & Falc?o 1971, Brumptomyia nitzulescui (Costa Lima, 1932), and Brumptomyia troglodytes (Lutz, 1922). The male genitalia of these three latter species have also been drawn.     

Biological behaviour in mice of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from Amazonas and Paraná, Brazil

The biological behaviour of 23 Trypanosoma cruzi isolates in Swiss mice was compared. Nineteen isolates were obtained from patients in the acute phase of Chagas disease (13), sylvatic reservoir hosts (Didelphis marsupialis) (3), and triatomine bugs (Rhodnius robustus) (3) from four regions of the State of Amazonas (AM). Four isolates were obtained from chronic chagasic patients in the State of Paraná (PR): three autochthones, and one allochthone from the State of Minas Gerais. Only one isolate was unable to infect the mice. The AM and PR isolates showed the largest number of significant differences from each other. The former had lower mean values in the pre-patent (5.4 days) and patent (4.6 days) periods (PP), with the parasitaemia (Pmax) reaching a peak of 9.9×10(4) blood trypomastigotes (BT)/mL of blood by the 7th day following inoculation. The AM isolates also had higher positivity to fresh-blood examination (FBE) (84.1%) compared to haemoculture (HC) (58.7%) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (33.3%), in addition to higher mortality (2.9%). The PR isolates had higher values for PP (18.5 days) and Pmax (99.9×10(4)BT/mL) as well as higher positivity to FBE (87.2%), HC (100%), and PCR (83.3%). The correlations between the biological behaviour of the T. cruzi isolates and the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Chagas disease are discussed.     

Length-Weight Relationships for freshwater fishes from streams of the Atlantic Rainforest,State of Paraná, Brazil

This study reports the Length-Weight Relationships (LWR) for 10 freshwater fish species sampled in the Atlantic Rainforest, Southern Brazil. Sampling was conducted between 2016 and 2017, in nine streams, using electrofishing. Collected fishes were fixed in formalin, and thus some shrinking was unavoidable. The values of parameter b of the LWR (W = aL^b) ranged between 2.5 and 3.5. We report for the first time the LWR for seven species: Geophagus iporanguensis, Isbrueckerichthys duseni, Hypostomus interruptus, Kronichthys lacerta, Chasmocranu lopezi, Astyanax lacustris e Neoplecostomus ribeirensis. We highlight the importance of the LWR data in supporting further studies on fish stocks and environment in the Atlantic Rainforest, thereby contributing to the database needed to develop fisheries management and maintenance of ecosystem services.     

Prion protein gene polymorphisms in sheep in the state of Paraná, Brazil

To determine the polymorphisms of the prion protein gene in sheep from the state of Paraná, Brazil, 323 animals of meat breeds (Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Texel, Ile de France, Dorper, Dorset, Santa Inês and crossbreds) were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The most frequent allele was ARQ, with a frequency of 0.61, followed by ARR (0.30). VRQ and AHQ alleles were present at very low frequencies (0.13 and 0.05 respectively), and the ARH allele was not found. Seven genotypes were identified (ARR/ARR, ARR/ARQ, ARQ/ARQ, ARR/VRQ, ARR/AHQ, ARQ/VRQ and ARQ/AHQ), of which ARQ/ARQ was the most frequent (0.41). The Santa Inês breed and crossbred animals showed the highest genotypic variability.     

Primate Population Densities and Sizes in Atlantic Forest Remnants of Northern Espírito Santo,Brazil

We surveyed primates in seven fragments of Atlantic forest ranging from 210 to 24,250 ha in Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. The objective was to assess their population densities and fragment-specific population sizes in order to discuss the survival of primates in this highly fragmented landscape. We used line-transect sampling for censusing primates and estimated densities via DISTANCE program. Alouatta fusca, Cebus apella, Callicebus personatus, and Callithrix geoffroyi live in the study area. Although variable, primate numbers were higher in larger than in smaller fragments, the likely reasons being the lack of space and food resources (fruits) and higher impact of mesopredators (small cats) in small fragments. The estimated densities are within the range reported for other Atlantic forest sites, except for brown howlers (Alouatta fusca), which were extremely rare. Estimates of population sizes were on the order of several hundreds to thousands of individuals/species in the large-sized fragments (ca. 20,000 ha), while comparable estimates for the other areas indicate <500 individuals/species in the medium-sized reserves (ca. 2,000 ha), and <50 individuals/species in the small fragments (ca. 200 ha). These estimates suggest that only Atlantic forest fragments 20,000 ha can harbor primate populations large enough to escape extinction in the long term. Given that <20% of all protected areas remaining in the Atlantic forest are 20,000 ha, management measures are urgently needed to improve primate conservation in this biome.     

Ethnobotany of Atlantic Forest coastal communities: Diversity of plant uses in Gamboa (Itacuruçá island,Brazil)

Local plants are a very important resource for the community of Gamboa, located at Itacuruçá Island, Sepetiba Bay, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Ninety species of plants, belonging to 40 families, are used for a variety of purposes, such as food, construction, handicraft, and medicine. In a survey medicinal uses for plants were the most quoted by the community. Uses of medicinal plants within Gamboa and with other coastal communities are analyzed using diversity indices. Use by different categories of people based on sex, age, and economic activity was compared and significant differences were found among the groups compared, except for economic categories (fishermen and non-fishermen). The theory of island biogeography is shown to be useful for analyzing different levels of resource uses on different islands.     

Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in native and reforested areas in Rancho Alegre, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract: Generally, natural environments have been transformed into small forest remnants, with the consequent habitat loss and species extinction. The North Paraná State is not an exception, since only 2 to 4% of the original ecosystem occurs in small fragments of Stational Semidecidual Forest. We studied the species richness and abundance of bats in two forest fragments from the Fazenda Congonhas, in Rancho Alegre city, Parana State, Brazil. Four samplings were undertaken in a legally protected native area (107.8 ha) and in a reforested area (11.8 ha) between April 2007 and March 2008. Samplings began at nightfall and lasted six hours,during two consecutive nights in each location. The individuals were captured using eight mist nets, with the same capture effort in both environments. A total of 397 individuals, 14 species and 10 genera were captured in the native area; while in the reforested area, 105 individuals, six species and four genera. Artibeus lituratus was the most common species in both fragments (n = 328, 65.3%), followed by Artibeus fimbriatus (n = 44, 8.8%) and Artibeus jamaicensis (n = 30, 6.0%). Other species including Platyrrhinus lineatus, Carollia perspicillata, Sturnira lilium, Chrotopterus aurintus, Desmodus rotundus, Michronycteris megalotis, Phyllostomus hastatus, Phyllostomus discolor, Myoti levis, Myotis nigricans and Lasiurus blossevillii, accounted for 19.9% of the captures. The native area presented higher values of species richness (S = 14) and diversity (H' = 1.4802) in comparison to the reforested area (S = 6, H '= 0.57015). The t-test evidenced a significant difference between diversity among the sites (t = 7.1075). Chao 1 index indicated that the sampling effort recorded approximately 78% from the total species richness for the native area and 75% for the reforested area. Therefore, the preservation of the forest fragment is essential since it provides habitat for a diverse community of bats. Forest management and reforestation actions may prevent drastic changes in the microclimate of neighboring areas within the forest fragment, and could allow the occupation of available niches in the area, by opportunistic and generalist species.     

Indicators of ecosystem services in a military Atlantic Forest area,Pernambuco—Brazil

The use of Ecosystem Services (ES) indicators can help designing, implementing and monitoring public environmental policies. Such indicators may be used as a support tool for natural resources management, like in forest areas, which are important ES providers. In this context, military areas are particularly challenging due to the nature of the activities conducted and the need to conciliate them with ecological protection, without undermining military readiness. It is argued that in addition to technical issues, considering stakeholders’ opinions is beneficial for the selection and design of ES indicators. The main aim of this research is to develop forest ES indicators supported by a participatory indicator selection process. A case study is made of an Atlantic Forest area in the Northeast of Brazil, under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Army. To accomplish that aim, a questionnaire survey was sent to a group of stakeholders in order to evaluate an initial set of proposed 44 indicators for several forest ES. Through a weighting of stakeholders’ scores, 25 ES indicators for the Atlantic forest were obtained. The selected indicators portray the study area mainly as a provider of regulating, cultural and habitat services and less of provisioning services, which can be related with military and nature protection restrictions on the use of provisioning ES. Nevertheless, the three top-rated indicators dealt with water availability, regulation and quality (for human consumption). Together with the predominance of water-related ES that was observed (ten out of 25 indicators), this points out the relevance of forest water-related ES in the study area. On the other hand, the specificity of the military context was not clearly reflected by the indicators selected, since most of them are applicable in areas or contexts other than a military one. Alongside indicators expressing the benefits provided by nature, stakeholders’ scorings reveal recognition of the importance of biodiversity and resilience of the area. This stresses the importance of biodiversity and resilience to support ES supply, but is also linked with one of the major challenges for managing a military area with high natural value: that of conciliating military activities (that support military readiness) with nature protection. Other forest areas under military or similar particular jurisdiction, often representing a major fraction of national forests, could learn from this approach and identify areas for priority response measures. These indicators could be also a driver to increase and improve environmental management of military training activities and safeguarding natural resources in important ES providing areas like Atlantic forests.     

HLA polymorphism and evaluation of European, African, and Amerindian contribution to the white and mulatto populations from Paraná, Brazil

Polymorphism of classical HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ genes differs greatly among populations, both in frequencies and in the presence of alleles and haplotypes particular to population groups, making these genes powerful tools for the study of origins of populations and their degree of admixture. Antigen, allele, and haplotype frequencies, together with linkage disequilibrium patterns, are reported for 2 populations in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná, one of predominantly European ancestry (white), the other of predominantly African and European ancestry (mulatto). Genetic distance estimates between the 2 groups and other populations studied previously, and of degree of admixture, were performed. In accordance with phenotypic classification, the white population is of predominantly European origin (80.6%), with a smaller contribution of African (12.5%) and Amerindian (7.0%) genes. The mulatto population consists of African (49.5%) and European (41.8%) ancestry, with a smaller but significant contribution of Amerindian (8.7%) ancestry. On the basis of history and population genetics, there is controversy regarding the Amerindian contribution to Paraná's gene pool. These results provide a better picture of Paraná's ethnic constitution and on the Amerindian contribution to the white and mulatto populations.     

Trends of fumonisin contamination and animal intoxication through monitoring 1991 to 1997 corn crop in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Eleven feed samples associated with six animal (horse and poultry) intoxication outbreaks (1991) in the state of Paraná, Brazil, were evaluated for fungal and fumonisin contamination. In order to estimate the␣trend of livestock intoxication, fumonisin contamination was monitored in corn produced both at the commercial level (1991, 1995 crop), and in an experimental field at a local Agronomy Institute (1997 crop). The total mould count in the feed samples ranged from 2.9 × 10³ to 1.9 × 10⁷ CFU/g, with Fusarium verticillioides as the predominant species, at a high count of 2.4 × 10⁴–6.5 × 10⁵ CFU/g. Fumonisins (FB₁ + FB₂) were detected in all corn-based feed samples at levels ranging from 2.89 to 14.54 μg/g. All 27 Northern corn samples (1991 crop) were contaminated with fumonisins at levels ranging from 2.32 to 16.64 μg/g. Twenty-six (96.3%) out of 27 corn samples from the Central-Southern region (1995 crop) were positive for fumonisins (FB₁+FB₂), with the range of 0.07–3.66 μg/g, while all 37 Northern samples (1995 crop) were contaminated with fumonisins ranging from 0.57 to 9.97 μg/g. Twenty-one out of 37 corn samples from the Northern region (1997 crop) were positive for fumonisins, but at low level (range of 0.05–2.67 μg/g). The results showed a decreasing trend in fumonisin contamination over the years. Nowadays animal intoxication outbreaks rarely occur in this State, as both animal producers and feed industries have become conscious about monitoring of corn and other raw materials at the quality control level.     

Butterfly Communities of Urban Forest Fragments in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil: Structure, Instability, Environmental Correlates, and Conservation

A comparative study of butterfly communities in 15 urban/suburban remnants of tropical semideciduous forest in Campinas (São Paulo state, SE Brazil; 24°S, 47°W), with areas from 1.0 to 252ha and widely varying histories and environments, shows that the most significant factors, besides area and sampling time, distinguishing the sites and influencing their diversity (80–702 species) and composition are connectivity, permanent water, vegetation, flowers, and human impact (negative, including pollution). The diversified Nymphalidae butterflies (38–213 species) and especially two fermented-bait-attracted groups (Satyrinae, 2–30 species, and Biblidini, 9–44 species), are among the more useful indicators of the quality and diversity of the environments in these fragments. Effective conservation of butterfly communities in tropical cities may be achieved by maintenance of arboreal green corridors along streets and watercourses between moderately large (>10ha) humid areas, not near to the most built-up or polluted city centre(s), and the inclusion within these areas of ponds or streams, diversified native forest, and open vegetation including abundant nectar-rich flowers.     

Environmental Influence on Planktonic Cladocerans and Copepods in the Floodplain of the Upper River Paraná, Brazil

The abundance of microcrustacean species recorded in plankton samples from the littoral and pelagic zones of the Upper Paran River, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, was evaluated in relation to abiotic and biotic environmental factors. The cladocerans Bosminopsis deitersi and Bosmina hagmann i were most abundant. The presence or absence of aquatic macrophytes also influenced abundance and species composition. The true zooplankton species were most abundant at the pelagic stations, while species of Chydoridae and Macrothricidae contributed markedly to microcrustacean abundance and species richness at littoral stations. Species abundance was also strongly affected by water level variation. Microcrustaceans, mainly bosminids, were most abundant during low water. During high water, bosminids decreased in abundance while most other species increased. The higher variation of the environmental factors during high water probably explains the shift in abundance patterns. Changes in water level increased mixing of littoral and pelagic microcrustaceans between sampling stations.