ABSTRACT Forest stands in seasonal environments can differ spatially and seasonally in the diversity of fleshy fruits available as resources for fauna. The aim of this study was to quantify spatial and seasonal variation in the richness and abundance of the dominant fleshy-fruited tree species in gallery forests of the Cerrado domain. Tree species composition and abundance were compiled from the literature for 10 gallery forest stands. Data were interpolated and extrapolated by the sample coverage method, using Hill numbers to determine the typical species as well as the most abundant species in each fruiting season. Stands differed in the occurrence of fleshy-fruited tree species and in the number of fleshy-fruited tree individuals. Probabilities for the occurrence of fleshy fruit were similar between in the wet and dry. However, across all stands, species that fruit primarily in the dry season were less common than those that fruit in the wet season. The sharing of fleshy-fruited tree species was low and the most abundant species differed among the studied stands. Fleshy fruits were available all year round and periods of high fruit availability are highly synchronized while periods of low fruit availability were much less so.

ABSTRACT Endemic species play an important role in the preservation of natural environments. Riparian forests are common places for endemism and are important for keeping water supply. Raulinoa echinata is an endemic species from the riparian forest of the Itajai-Açu River. Stem cuttings of similar length were produced from adult individual trees. This study was divided in two phases: the first phase comprised six treatments with species response assessment in different water concentrations and substrates; the second phase comprised eight treatments with species response assessment in different water concentrations, presence of injuries in the stem cuttings and apical and basal cutting types. The different water concentrations were significant just for the first phase, when associated with histosol substrate. In the second phase, there were significant differences only between the types of stem cuttings (apical or basal). The results obtained do not preclude the use of stem cuttings for the species conservation.

RESUMO Espécies endêmicas desempenham papel importante na preservação dos ambientes naturais. As matas ciliares são locais de endemismo e são importantes para a manutenção de todo um aporte hídrico. Raulinoa echinata é uma espécie endêmica das matas ciliares do rio Itajaí-Açu. A partir de indivíduos adultos dessa espécie, foram produzidas estacas com comprimentos similares. O trabalho teve duas fases: a primeira com seis tratamentos, testando a resposta da espécie a diferentes concentrações de água e a diferentes substratos; e a segunda com oito tratamentos, testando a resposta da espécie a diferentes concentrações de água, a presença de injúrias nas estacas e a tipos de estacas (basal ou apical). A presença da água foi significativa apenas na primeira fase do trabalho, quando associada ao substrato organossolo. Já na segunda fase, diferenças significativas apenas entre as estacas basais e apicais. Os resultados obtidos não descartam o uso da estaquia para a conservação da espécie.

Resumo Nesse estudo foram analisados aspectos da ecofisiologia e da morfologia da semente e da plântula de Raulinoa echinata, visando a obtenção de dados que possam contribuir para estudos taxonômicos, ecologia e preservação desta espécie. As sementes foram obtidas de frutos coletados de uma população localizada em Apiúna (SC). As plântulas, obtidas da germinação das sementes, foram plantadas em bandejas contendo substrato composto por nitossolo vermelho distroférrico e areia (1:1), irrigadas diariamente e avaliadas após 15 dias de crescimento. A análise das sementes mostrou que estas apresentam formato ovóide, são exariladas, exalbuminosas, apresentando embrião axial e cotilédones carnosos, características morfológicas comuns para a família Rutaceae. Contudo, as sementes apresentaram micrópila conspícua, característica não descrita para a família. A plântula não expõe os cotilédones, mantendo-os no interior do tegumento e abaixo do solo, classificando-a como cripto-hipógeo-reserva. Alguns desses aspectos encontrados são importantes para elucidar a relação da espécie com a vegetação ciliar e com outros gêneros de Rutaceae.

Abstract In this study aspects of the ecophysiology and morphology of the seed and seedling of Raulinoa echinata was analyzed aiming to contribute with taxonomic studies, ecology and the preservation of this species. Fruit and seeds were collected from a population located in Apiúna (SC). The seedlings obtained from germination were grown in trays filled with substratum composed of dystroferric red nitosoil and sand (1:1) and were irrigated daily. After 15 days of growth, the morphology of the seedlings was observed. The seeds presented ovoid format, axial embryo and fleshy cotyledons, and were exarillate and exalbuminous like are the seeds of other Rutaceae species. Nevertheless, the seeds presented a conspicuous micropyle, an uncommon feature for Rutaceae. The seedlings did not expose the cotyledons, keeping them in the interior of the integument and below the ground, a characteristic of cryptohypogeal germination. Some of these features are important to elucidate the relationship between the species and the riparian forest and the other taxons of the Rutaceae.