RESUMO Insetos da ordem Ephemeroptera tem sido utilizado como bioindicadores de qualidade de água por responderem a inúmeros impactos antrópicos. Neste estudo avaliamos o uso dos Ephemeroptera como bioindicadores de riachos influenciados por atividades agrícolas. Coletamos ninfas de Ephemeroptera em seis riachos com diferentes usos e cobertura do solo em sua área de drenagem localizados na região norte do Rio Grande do Sul. A partir da análise do uso e cobertura do solo, categorizamos os riachos em ‘naturais’ (área de drenagem com >42% de vegetação arbórea nativa) e ‘agrícolas’ (área de drenagem com >72% de uso agrícola na área de drenagem). Coletamos um total de 2767 organismos, distribuídos em quatro famílias e 11 gêneros. Observamos maior abundância (68%) e riqueza taxonômica (11 gêneros) de Ephemeroptera nos riachos agrícolas. Os riachos naturais perfazem um total de 32% da fauna coletada com oito gêneros. Este padrão foi determinado, especialmente, pelas famílias Baetidae e Leptohyphidae. Os gêneros Cloeodes e Tricorytopsis foram abundantes nos riachos agrícolas. Neste estudo, observamos que gêneros de Ephemeroptera são tolerantes a alterações ambientais, sobretudo aquelas causadas por atividades agrícolas. Assim, o uso da ordem em estudos de avaliação da qualidade da água deve ser considerado com cautela. antrópicos agrícolas Sul ‘naturais 42 >42 nativa ‘agrícolas 72 >72 drenagem. . drenagem) 276 organismos 1 68% 68 (68% (1 32 determinado especialmente Leptohyphidae ambientais Assim cautela 4 >4 7 >7 27 6 (68 ( 3 > 2 (6

ABSTRACT Insects of the Ephemeroptera order have been used as bioindicators of water quality as they respond to countless anthropic impacts. In this study, we assessed the use of Ephemeroptera as bioindicators of streams impacted by agricultural activities. We collected Ephemeroptera nymphs in six streams with different uses and soil cover in their drainage areas located in the northern region of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Based on soil use and cover analysis, we categorized the streams as ‘natural’ (drainage area with >42% native arboreal vegetation) and ‘agricultural’ (drainage area with >72% agricultural use). We collected a total of 2,767 organisms, distributed into four families and eleven genera. We observed greater abundance (68%) and taxonomic richness (11 genera) of Ephemeroptera in the agricultural streams. The natural streams comprise 32% of the fauna collected, with eight genera. That pattern was especially determined by the Baetidae and Leptohyphidae families. The genera Caenis, Cloeodes, and Tricorythopsis were abundant in the agricultural streams. In this study, we observed that genera of Ephemeroptera are tolerant to environmental changes, particularly those caused by agricultural activities. Therefore, the use of the order in studies to assess water quality must be carried out with caution. impacts study activities Sul analysis ‘natural 42 >42 vegetation ‘agricultural 72 >72 use. . use) 2767 2 767 2,76 organisms 68% 68 (68% 11 (1 32 Caenis Cloeodes changes Therefore caution 4 >4 7 >7 276 76 2,7 6 (68 1 ( 3 > 27 2, (6

RESUMO Grupos de artrópodes terrestres, incluindo insetos, aranhas e milípedes, representam um importante recurso alimentar para muitos primatas. Porém, espécies consumidas e padrões de consumo de artrópodes ainda são pouco conhecidos para a maioria dos primatas frugívoros. Nós examinamos o conteúdo estomacal de 178 espécimes de primatas amazônicos, de nove gêneros e três famílias, provenientes de coletas de base comunitária, doados voluntariamente por caçadores de subsistência. Com base em nossos resultados, avaliamos se os padrões de consumo seguem a relação negativa esperada em relação ao tamanho corporal, conforme postulado nos modelos de Jarman-Bell e Kay. Identificamos 12 taxa de artrópodes consumidos, incluindo insetos (besouros, gafanhotos, formigas, moscas, lagartas, louva-a-deuses, entre outros), aranhas e milípedes. Primatas de médio e grande porte consumiram maior diversidade (medida pelo índice de diversidade de Simpson) e riqueza de artrópodes, mas difeririam na composição dos taxa consumidos. Cacajao, Sapajus e Cebus consumiram proporcionalmente mais Orthoptera e Coleoptera que os outros gêneros analizados. Não encontramos correlações significativas entre riqueza ou diversidade de artrópodes consumidos e a massa corporal dos primatas. Houve uma leve tendência de diminuição no conteúdo relativo de artrópodes na dieta com o aumento da massa corporal de primatas médios e grandes, o que não fornece suporte completo para os modelos de Jarman-Bell e de Kay. O estudo do consumo de artrópodes por primatas arborícolas na natureza continua sendo desafiador. Nosso estudo sugere que os artrópodes fornecem nutrientes essenciais para primatas frugívoros, e apresenta um método alternativo para estudar padrões de consumo de fauna por primatas.

ABSTRACT Terrestrial arthropod groups, including insects, spiders, and millipedes, represent an important food resource for primates. However, species consumed and patterns and rates of arthropod-related feeding for most frugivorous primates are still poorly known. We examined stomach contents of 178 Amazonian primate specimens of nine genera and three families obtained from community-based collections voluntarily donated by subsistence hunters. Based on our results, we assessed whether consumption patterns followed the expected negative relationship between arthropod ingestion and body size as postulated in the Jarman-Bell and Kay models. We identified 12 consumed arthropod taxa, including insects (beetles, grasshoppers, ants, flies, caterpillars, praying mantises, and others), spiders and millipedes. Medium and large-bodied primates consumed a greater diversity (measured by Simpson’s diversity index) and richness of arthropods, but differed in terms of composition of taxa consumed. Cacajao, Sapajus and Cebus consumed proportionally more Orthoptera and Coleoptera compared to the other primate genera analyzed. We did not find significant correlations between richness and diversity of arthropods consumed and primate body mass. There was a slight tendency for the decrease in the relative content of arthropods in the diet with increased body mass in medium and large primates, which does not provide full support for the Jarman-Bell and Kay models. The study of arthropod consumption by arboreal primates in the wild remains challenging. Our study suggests that arthropods supply essential nutrients for frugivorous primates, and provides an alternative method to analyse faunal consumption patterns in primates.

SUMMARY: Spatial distribution of arthropods in forests has crucial implications for biodiversity conservation and forest management. In this environment, ants represent a good model for studies on vertical stratification of fauna. They are abundantly found in soil and well distributed in all vegetation strata. Factors determining the diversity and distribution of ant communities have deserved attention for years due to the essential role of these insects in many ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, energy turnover, herbivory, seed dispersal and seed predation. The aim of this study was to compare the richness and structure of ant assemblages among vertical strata (soil, shrubs and trees) in two phytophysiognomies of the Brazilian Savanna. The capture of ground-dwelling ants and arboreal ants was carried out with traps containing attractive baits. Sixty-six ant species were identified, and in both phytophysiognomies. Soil (litter) showed higher richness of ant species when compared to the others (Jackkinife 1). There was a distinction between soil and canopy (shrubs/trees) strata, shown in the composition and capture frequency of ant species (ANOSIM, P = 0.001), therefore, evidencing the vertical stratification of the ant assemblage.

RESUMEN: La distribución espacial de artrópodos en los bosques tiene implicaciones cruciales para la conservación de la biodiversidad y la gestión forestal. En este ambiente, las hormigas representan un buen modelo para los estudios de estratificación vertical de la fauna. Se encuentran abundantemente en el suelo y están bien distribuidos en todos los estratos de la vegetación. Los factores que determinan la diversidad y distribución de las comunidades de hormigas han merecido atención durante años debido al papel esencial de estos insectos en muchos procesos ecológicos, como el ciclo de nutrientes, el recambio de energía, la herbivoría, la dispersión de semillas y la depredación de semillas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar la riqueza y la estructura del ensamble de hormigas entre los estratos verticales (suelo, arbustos y árboles) en dos fitofisionomías de la sabana brasileña. La captura de hormigas que viven en el suelo y hormigas arbóreas se llevó a cabo con trampas que contenían cebos atractivos. Se identificaron sesenta y seis especies de hormigas, y en ambas fitofisionomías, el estrato del suelo (epigeo) mostró una mayor riqueza de especies de hormigas en comparación con los otros (Jackkinife 1). Se encontró una distinción entre los estratos de suelo y dosel (arbustos/árboles), que se muestran en la composición y frecuencia de captura de las especies de hormigas (ANOSIM, P = 0,001), lo que evidencia la estratificación vertical de los ensambles de hormigas.

RESUMO As aves podem se agregar a diversos tipos de insetos sociais (formigas, vespas, cupins). Estas associações podem ser agrupadas em três tipos, um deles relacionado a atividade alimentar e dois, a atividade reprodutiva: 1) forragear seguindo formigas de correição; 2) nidificar nas proximidades de colônias ativas de vespas e formigas; 3) nidificar em colônia ativas de cupins. Os três tipos de associação podem ser considerados como exemplos de comensalismo. Sumariamos aqui as associações de aves com insetos sociais que observamos no Sudeste do Brasil. Seguir formigas de correição foi habitual a raro para uma grande variedade de espécies, de Accipitridae a Tyrannidae. Nidificar nas proximidades de colônias ativas de vespas foi habitual para uma espécie de Rhynchocyclidae. Nidificar em cupinzeiros arborícolas ativos foi habitual para duas espécies de Trogonidae e ocasional para duas espécies de Psittacidae. Nidificar em cupinzeiros terrestres ativos foi raro para uma espécie de Picidae e uma espécie de Strigidae. Entretanto, variações quali e quantitativas regionais provavelmente ocorrem, o que justificaria este tipo de estudo em habitats e regiões distintas das aqui estudadas. Estudos orientados para história natural deverão revelar maior riqueza de espécies e variedade de aves que se associam a colônias ativas de insetos sociais.

ABSTRACT Birds may aggregate with various kinds of social insects (ants, wasps, termites). These associations may be grouped in three types, one of them related to feeding activity and the other two, to breeding activity: 1) foraging with army ants; 2) nesting close to active wasp or ant colonies; 3) nesting in active termitaria. These three association types are examples of commensalism. Herein we summarise associations of birds with social insects that we recorded in South-eastern Brazil. Following army ants was usual to rare for a great variety of bird species, from the Accipitridae to Tyrannidae. Nesting close to active wasp colonies was usual for a species of the Rhynchocyclidae. Nesting in active arboreal termitaria was usual for two species of the Trogonidae and rare for two species of the Psittacidae. Nesting in active ground termitaria was rare for a species of the Picidae and a species of the Strigidae. However, regional qualitative and quantitative variations probably occur, which would merit this study type across habitats and regions distinct from those we studied. Natural history-oriented studies will likely disclose a greater species richness and variety of birds that associate with active colonies of social insects.

Através de um experimento de manipulação, a colonização de detritos foliares por invertebrados foi analisada em duas seções de um riacho tropical (escala espacial), que diferem em função da cobertura do dossel , um com a presença (área fechada) e outro sem vegetação ciliar (área aberta), durante um mês da estação seca e um da chuvosa (escala temporal). O trabalho teve como objetivo verificar as diferenças relacionadas a quatro variáveis: estação, cobertura vegetal, tipo e condição da folha. Sacos de náilon contendo folhas de uma planta arbórea e uma herbácea (tipo folha), não- condicionadas e pré-condicionadas (condição da folha) foram colocadas em cada área e estação do ano e removidos após 13 dias de colonização. A análise da massa seca remanescente dos detritos enfatizou diferenças relacionadas principalmente à sazonalidade, cobertura do dossel e tipo folha, embora a condição da folha também tenha sido importante quando combinado com esses três fatores. Comparando a abundância de invertebrados por tratamento, houve uma tendência de predominância de Chironomidae durante a estação seca e maior diversidade e equidade durante a estação chuvosa, quando o aumento do fluxo de água pode alterar a disponibilidade de micro-habitats para a fauna local. Apesar de cobertura do dossel sozinha não ter sido uma importante fonte de variação na abundância de invertebrados, os resultados mostraram uma tendência de um efeito combinado da cobertura do dossel com a sazonalidade e condição folha.

Through a manipulative experiment, the colonization of leaf litter by invertebrates was investigated in two sections of a tropical stream (spatial scale) that differed in function of the canopy cover, one with the presence (closed area) and another without riparian vegetation (open area), during one month of the dry and one of the wet season (temporal scale). The work aimed to verify differences related to four variables: season, canopy cover, leaf type and leaf condition. Litter bags containing arboreal and herbaceous leaves (leaf type variable), non-conditioned and preconditioned (leaf condition variable) were placed at the bottom of the stream in each area (canopy cover variable) and season (dry and wet), and removed after 13-day colonization. The analysis of the remaining litter dry mass per leaf bag emphasizes differences related mainly to seasonality, canopy cover and leaf type, although leaf condition was also important when combined with those three factors. Comparing the abundance of invertebrates per treatment, there was a tendency of high predominance of Chironomidae during the dry season and greater taxa diversity and evenness during the wet season, when the water flow increase could alter the availability of microhabitats for local fauna. Even though canopy cover alone was not a significant source of variation in the abundance of invertebrates, the results showed a tendency of a combined effect of canopy cover with seasonality and leaf condition.

<title>Abstract</title><sec><title>Background</title><p>Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) represent an important source of novel biologically active compounds that target a variety of ion channels and cell receptors in both insects and mammals. In this study, we evaluate and compare the pharmacological activity of venoms from three taxonomically different theraphosid spiders bred in captivity: Poecilotheria regalis, an aggressive arboreal tarantula from southeastern India; Ceratogyrus darlingi, an aggressive tarantula from southern Africa; and Brachypelma epicureanum, a docile tarantula from the Yucatan dry forest of Mexico. Prior to this study, no research had been conducted with regard to the composition and pharmacological activity of these venoms.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>The pharmacological characterization of the venoms was described for the first time by the assessment of their toxicity in crickets (LD₅₀) along with their nociceptive (by using the formalin test), hyaluronidase, phospholipase A₂, edematogenic and caseinolytic activity.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>P. regalis and B. epicureanum venoms induced a similar lethal effect on crickets (LD₅₀ = 5.23 ± 3.1 and 14.4 ± 5.0 μg protein/g 48 h post-injection, respectively), whereas C. darlingi venom (119.4 ± 29.5 μg protein/g 48 h post-injection) was significantly less lethal than the other two venoms. All three venoms induced similar edematogenic activity on rats but did not induce nociceptive behavior. The assessment of enzymatic activity indicated that P. regalis venom induces significantly higher hyaluronidase activity (27.6 ± 0.9 TRU/mg) than both C. darlingi (99.7 ± 1.9 TRU/mg) and B. epicureanum (99.6 ± 1.6 TRU/mg); these latter venoms did not display phospholipase A₂or caseinolytic activity.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>This study demonstrates that these theraphosid spiders of different habitats produce venoms with different activities. P. regalis venom displays a high level of hyaluronidase activity, which may be associated with its potentially medically significant bite.</p></sec>

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo establecer la diversidad de Psocoptera en cuatro hábitats (Playas, Poblado, Senderos y Estratos arbóreos) del Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona, Colombia. Se realizaron dos campañas de recolecta durante los meses de noviembre de 2009 y octubre de 2010, con un total de 30 horas/hombre. Se revisó además el material de artrópodos arbóreos del muestreo realizado en el parque en noviembre de 2007, depositado en el Museo de Entomología de la Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV). Los especímenes recolectados en los cuatro sitios, se identificaron como mínimo a nivel de género, y posteriormente se cuantificaron para comparar la riqueza específica y diversidad entre los sitios. Aunque no hubo diferencia significativa en la diversidad estimada por el índice de Shannon-Wiener, se registró una alta riqueza de especies y abundancia para los hábitats “Playas” y “Poblado”. Se observó una tendencia de los Psocoptera del PNN Gorgona a ocupar espacios donde la cubierta vegetal es baja.

Diversity of Psocoptera (Insecta: Psocodea) at the National Natural Park Gorgona (Pacific Ocean, Colombia). Psocopterans are insects that have been recorded from all zoogeographic regions but have more species in the tropics. We studied their diversity of in four habitats (Beaches, Village, Trails and Arboreal strata) at the Gorgona National Natural Park, Colombia, from samples collected during November 2009 and October 2010. We added the arboreal Psocoptera collected by canopy fogging in November 2007. The specimens collected were identified to genus and/or to species or morphospecies level. Comparisons were made of the richness and diversity among sites. Although there was no significant difference in the diversity estimated by the Shannon-Wiener index, high species richness and abundance were recorded for the Beaches and Village habitats. The psocid community of Gorgona occurs mainly where vegetation cover is low. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 1): 257-264. Epub 2014 February 01.

Los machos de Tettigoniidae producen sonido frotando las alas anteriores para atraer a sus hembras coespecíficas con fines reproductivos (mecanismo conocido como estridulación). Un borde esclerotizado (o raspador) en el ala derecha es frotado sobre una vena modificada con dientecillos en el ala izquierda. Durante la estridulación las alas abren y cierran, pero es durante el cierre que el raspador contacta los dientecillos de la lima y produce vibraciones que son amplificadas por celdas adyacentes especializadas para radiar sonido. Sonidos que superen los 20 000Hz, se consideran ultrasónicos, en los Tettigoniidae, la mayoría de los cantos superan el umbral sónico y pueden ocurrir a más de 40 000Hz, con casos extremos de hasta 148 000Hz. La esencia de este trabajo es el estudio de esta gama espectacular de frecuencias de la familia Tettigoniidae y su relación con la distribución vertical de los individuos en las especies que habitan en Gorgona. Se muestrearon 16 árboles a cuatro niveles diferentes de altitud entre 1 y ~20m sobre el sotobosque, instalando sabanas colectoras a intervalos de 4-5m. Los insectos se colectaron mediante el método de nebulización térmica. El análisis indica que no hay correlación entre la distribución vertical de las especies y la frecuencia del canto. Sin embargo se observó una preferencia por espacios abiertos en especies que cantan a frecuencias extremas. Este estudio representa la primera descripción cuantitativa de la distribución vertical de Tettigoniidae Neotropicales y su relación con la frecuencia del canto.

Male Tettigoniidae emit sound to attract conspecific females. The sound is produced by stridulation. During stridulation the forewings open and close, but it is during the closing stroke that the scraper contacts the file teeth to generate the predominant sound components, which are amplified by adjacent wing cells specialized in sound radiation. The sounds usually exceed the sonic boundary and might occur above 40 kHz, reaching extreme ultrasonic frequencies of 150kHz in some species. Here we test the hypothesis that Tettigoniidae species should prefer microhabitats that favour efficient signal transmission, i.e. that there is a relationship of sound frequency with the vertical distribution of the species (from ground to canopy) at Gorgona National Natural Park, Colombia. We sampled 16 trees and four different altitudinal levels between 1 and 20m above the understory vegetation. We placed collecting blankets separated by vertical distances of 5m, and knocked insects down using the technique known as fogging. We found no correlation between vertical distribution and carrier frequency, but there was a preference for open spaces (below the canopy and above the understory) in species using extreme ultrasound. This is the first quantitative description of the vertical distribution in neotropical species of the family Tettigoniidae and its relationship to the calling song frequency. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 1): 289-296. Epub 2014 February 01.

El conocimiento de la diversidad de estafilínidos en Colombia es aún escaso, y lo es aún más en ecosistemas de alta montaña que son uno de los hábitats más amenazados. En este estudio se caracterizó la comunidad de Staphylinidae en un paisaje alto andino en proceso de restauración ecológica, sobre los Andes Centrales. Utilizando características ambientales y de vegetación, se diferenciaron cinco elementos del paisaje: pastizal, plantación forestal, plantación forestal en regeneración, bosque secundario y bosque secundario maduro. Se definieron transectos lineales empleando sacos Winkler y necrotrampas como métodos de colecta. Se comparó la abundancia, riqueza y estructura de la comunidad entre los elementos; y se realizó una correlación múltiple para evaluar la relación entre algunas variables ambientales y la riqueza de estafilínidos. Se realizó un análisis de escalamiento multidimensional no métrico basado en la composición de especies de los sitios. El índice de complementariedad se usó como medida de diversidad beta. Se colectaron 3.065 individuos representando, 11 subfamilias, 34 géneros y 122 morfoespecies. Los valores de diversidad alfa fueron diferentes en los cinco elementos del paisaje, siendo mayor en los sitios con mayor regeneración. La abundancia y riqueza de estafilínidos se correlacionó negativamente con la temperatura del suelo y positivamente con la cobertura vegetal. Aunque la composición de especies fue estadísticamente diferente entre los sitios, no se encontró una separación entre los bosques secundarios y la plantación en regeneración. La alta diversidad beta de este paisaje altoandino evidencia su importancia para la conservación biológica.

Rove beetle diversity in Colombia is still scarce and even more in high mountain ecosystems which are one of the most vulnerable habitats. So, community diversity of these insects was studied in a high-Andean landscape on the Colombian Central Andes, which is being ecologically restored. Pasture, forest plantation, regenerating forest plantation, secondary forest and mature secondary forest, were chosen by using environmental and vegetation features. In each landscape element, a linear transect was defined applying Winkler bags and carriontraps as collecting methods. Abundance, richness and community structure were compared between habitats. In order to correlate environmental variables with richness of staphylinids, a multiple correlation was carried out. A non-metrical multidimensional scaling analysis based on species composition was made for landscape elements. Complementarity Index was used as beta diversity measure. 3,065 specimens representing, 11 subfamilies, 34 genera and 122 morphospecies were collected. Alfa diversity between landscape elements was statistically different, being higher for sites with higher regeneration. Staphylinid abundance and richness were negatively correlated with soil temperature and positively with arboreal coverage percentage. Although species composition was statistically different between elements, a separation between secondary forest and regenerating plantation was not found. The high beta diversity values made evident the importance of high- Andean landscapes for biological conservation.

Los "talares" del E de la provincia de Buenos Aires son bosques xerófitos costeros estructurados por pocas especies arbóreas rodeados de una matriz de suelos más bajos y húmedos. Estudiamos los parámetros reproductivos de las especies arbóreas más representativas (Celtis tala, Scutia buxifolia, Jodina rhombifolia y Schinus longifolia). La dispersión polínica fue estudiada a través de trampas para visitantes florales (dispersión biótica) y utilizando recolectores gravimétricos de polen (dispersión abiótica). El éxito reproductivo (tasa de formación de frutos) de las especies focales fue estudiado a través de embolsado de flores con bolsas de distintos tipos de malla. El sistema reproductivo varió entre las especies. C. tala resultó anemófila y autocompatible, S. buxifolia fue entomófila y dependiente de los visitantes florales. J. rhombifolia fue una especie entomófila, aunque la autogamia espontánea podría favorecer al aseguramiento reproductivo en caso de falta de polinizadores. Finalmente, S. longifolia podría ser una especie ambófila (polinizada por insectos y por el viento). Este sistema dual podría ser el resultado de un mecanismo de flexibilidad del sistema de polinización o una transición evolutiva.

Pollen dispersion and reproductive success of four tree species of a xerophytic forest from Argentina. The "talares" in eastern Buenos Aires province, Argentina, are coastal xerophitic forests structured by few arboreal species surrounded by a lower and moister soil matrix. We studied the reproductive parameters of the most representative arboreal species (Celtis tala, Scutia buxifolia, Jodina rhombifolia,and Schinus longifolia). Pollen dispersion was studied through floral visitor traps (biotic dispersion) and using gravimetric pollen collectors (abiotic dispersion). The reproductive success (fruit formation rate) of the focal species was studied by enclosing flowers with different mesh bags. The reproductive system varied among the different species. C. tala was anemophilous and selfcompatible. S. buxifolia was entomophilous and floral visitors dependant. J. rhombifolia was entomophylous, although spontaneous autogamy could favor reproduction in the absence of pollinators. Lastly, S. longifolia could be an ambophilous species (pollinated by insects and by the wind). This dual system may be the result of system flexibility mechanism or an evolutionary transition. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (1-2): 283-292. Epub 2009 June 30.

Os Microcoryphia são na maioria noturnos que vivem na serrapilheira, sobre cascas de árvores, em fendas, sob pedras e troncos. Alimentam-se principalmente de algas, liquens, musgos, restos de vegetais e frutas em decomposição. No Brasil as informações sobre este grupo de insetos ainda são escassas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a fenologia, a abundância e a densidade dos Microcoryphia em uma área inundável por água mista na Amazônia Central. Foram feitas 2 coletas mensais com fotoeclectores de solo, durante o período não inundado (agosto/1987 a maio/1988) para registrar a densidade de atividade e coletas semanais com fotoeclectores arbóreos para registrar a migração nos troncos. Foram capturados 145 indivíduos, dos quais 37,2% (n = 54) foram coletados em fotoeclectores de solo e 62,8% (n = 91) em fotoeclectores arbóreos direcionados para cima e para baixo. As espécies coletadas foram: Meinertellus adisi Sturm, 1983; Neomachilellus scandens Wygodzinsky, 1978 e N. adisi Wygodzinisky, 1978. N. scandens foi coletado apenas na serrapilheira e sua reprodução ocorreu no inicio da época não inundada, com desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de aproximadamente 40 a 50 dias (de ovo a subadulto). A maioria de M. adisi foi de indivíduos imaturos, coletados nos troncos e a reprodução foi polivoltina. Não houve migração vertical no período em estudo. Não foram obtidos resultados estatisticamente significativos entre a densidade populacional de N. scandens ou de M. adisi e os fatores abióticos da área experimental.

Most of the Microcoryphia are nocturnal that live in litter, soil cavities, on tree barks, under stones and logs. Essentially they feed on algae, lichens, plant remains and decaying fruits. In Brazil scientific information about this group of insects is scarce yet. The aim of the present work is to investigate the phenology, abundance and density of the Microcoryphia inhabiting flooded mixed-water forest in Central Amazon. Two monthly samplings with ground photo-eclectors, were carried out during the dry season (August/1987 to May/1988) to register the activity and density meanwhile weekly samplings with arboreal photo-eclectors were performed to detect vertical migration on trunks upwards and downwards. A total of 145 individuals were captured, from which 37.2% (n=54) were collected in ground photo-eclectors and 62.8% (n=91) in arboreal photo-eclectors. The species collected were: Meinertellus adisi Sturm, 1983; Neomachilellus scandens Wygodzinsky, 1978 e N. adisi Wygodzinisky, 1978. N. scandens were only collected on litter and their reproduction occurred at the beginning of the dry season with post-embryonic development of approximately 40 to 50 days (from egg to sub-adult). The majority of M. adisi were immature, collected on trunks and the reproduction was plurivoltine. No vertical migration was observed during the sampling periods. We found no statistical significance between the population density of neither N. scandens of M. adisi and abiotic factors in the studied area.

Los Microcoryphia son en la mayoría de hábitos nocturnos, viven en la hojarasca, en la corteza de árboles, en hendiduras, sobre piedras y troncos. Se alimentan principalmente de algas, líquenes, musgos y restos de vegetales. En el Brasil las informaciones sobre este grupo de insectos todavía son escasas. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar la fenología, la abundancia y la densidad de los Microcoryphia en una área inundada por agua mixta en la Amazonia central brasilera. Fueron realizadas 2 recolecciones mensuales con fotoeclectores de suelo, durante el período no inundado (agosto/1987 a mayo/1988) para registrar la densidad de la actividad y recolecciones semanales con fotoeclectores arbóreos para registrar la migración en los troncos. Fueron recolectados un total de 145 individuos, de los cuales 37.2% (n = 54) fueron realizados en fotoeclectores de suelo y 62.8% (n = 91) en fotoeclectores arbóreos direccionados para arriba y para abajo. Las especies encontradas fueron: Meinertellus adisi Sturm, 1983; Neomachilellus scandens Wygodzinsky, 1978 y N. adisi Wygodzinisky, 1978. N. scandens fue recolectada en la hojarasca y su reproducción ocurrió en el inicio de la época no inundada, con desarrollo post-embrionario de aproximadamente 40 a 50 días (del huevo a sub adulto). La especie M. adisi presentó una reproducción polivoltina durante el período de estudio. La mayoría de los individuos de M. adisi fueron juveniles, siendo encontrados en troncos. No fue observada migración vertical en el período de estudio. La correlación entre los factores abióticos del área experimental y la densidad poblacional de N. scandens y M. adisi, no fue estadísticamente significativa.

Neste artigo são apresentadas informações sobre a biologia floral de Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. (Myristicaceae), espécie florestal dióica de relevante importância econômica na região amazônica. O estudo foi realizado em uma área de várzea próximo à bacia do igarapé Murutucum, lado direito do rio Guamá, localizada no Campus da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias do Pará, na cidade de Belém, Estado do Pará, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2001. Avaliou-se a biologia floral desde o aparecimento dos botões florais até a senescência das flores estaminadas, bem como a formação de frutos nas flores pistiladas. Testes bioquímicos foram aplicados para verificação de odor, pigmentos, osmóforos e receptividade do estigma. A observação no comportamento dos visitantes florais foi realizada durante o período diurno, registrando-se os horários de visitas, tempo de permanência na flor e freqüência; alguns indivíduos foram coletados com rede entomológica e identificados no Departamento de Zoologia do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. A antese ocorreu entre 6 e 16 h nas flores estaminadas e entre 8 e 16 h nas flores pistiladas; a presença de odor foi constatada apenas nas flores estaminadas, enquanto os pigmentos e osmóforos foram encontrados em ambas as flores; o estigma mostrou-se receptivo no período entre 12 e 14 h. Os insetos da ordem diptera foram os visitantes mais freqüentes nas flores estaminadas e pistiladas e as espécies Copestylum sp. e Erystalys sp., as responsáveis pela polinização.

Information was obtained on the floral biology of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. (Myristicaceae), a dioecious arboreal species of great importance for the Amazon region economy. The study was carried out in the floodplain area near the Murucutu stream, on the right side of the Guamá River, at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia-UFRA, Belém-Pará , from January to December 2001. Floral biology was assessed from floral bud phase to senescence stage in male flowers and fruit formation in female flowers. Biochemical tests were carried out to verify odor, pigment, osmophore pigments and stigma receptivity. Floral visitors were observed during the diurnal period and visiting time, flower permanence time and frequency were recorded. Some individuals were collected with entomological net and identified by the Zoology Department of the Emílio Goeldi Paranaense Museum. Anthesis occurred between 06:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the staminate flowers, and between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the pistilate flowers. Odor was reported only in the staminate flowers and osmophore pigments in both flowers types. The stigma showed to be receptive between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Diptera order insects were the most frequent visitors on the staminate and pistilate flowers. The Copestylum sp. and Erystalys sp. were responsible for pollination.

Using three taxonomic groups of beetles we examine how alpha and beta diversity influence the species richness of a landscape (gamma diversity), and vice versa. That is, how the species richness of a landscape - which is a historical and biogeographical phenomenon - contributes to the values of alpha diversity (1) at a given site, (2) in a community, (3) in terms of cumulative species richness by community, and also contributes to (4) the intensity of species exchange between communities. To explore this question, we used two subfamilies of Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeinae and Geotrupinae, and the family Silphidae. In all analyses these three taxonomic groups are considered as a single indicator group: the copronecrophagous beetles. Information is also included on the subfamily Aphodiinae (Scarabaeoidea), coprophagous beetles not included in the indicator group. Several types of vegetation located in three landscapes (tropical, transition and mountain) were studied, and these are located along an altitudinal gradient in the central part of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. We base this study on the following concepts. The alpha diversity of an indicator group reflects the number of species that use a given environment or resource in a given place or community. Spacial beta diversity is related to the response of organisms to spatial heterogeneity. Gamma diversity depends primarily on the historical and geographic processes that operate on the mesoscale level and is also affected by alpha and beta diversity. It is on this scale of landscape that human actions, such as the modification and fragmentation of vegetation, have their most important effects. These are, however, often beyond the scope of ecological analyses carried out on a local scale. In the three landscapes, sampling was carried out regularly at 67 sites, with complementary sampling at another 69 sites. Twenty-six types of vegetation communities were studied. A total of 16,152 specimens representing 60 species were captured (52 species of Scarabaeinae, 4 Geotrupinae and 4 Silphidae). In the tropical landscape the community richest in species was low deciduous forest. In the transition landscape, cloud forest was the richest. Each of these communities is the most representative of their respective altitudinal bands. In contrast, the greatest species richness in the mountain landscape occurred in the mountain grasslands and pastures; types of community favoured by or even created by human intervention. This is explained by the expansion of heliophilous species from the Mexican High Plateau into these areas. In the tropical landscape the species richness of the pastures is similar to that of its forests, but with a partially different composition which is characterized by the dominance of heliophilous and coprophagous species; the latter, in addition to the more ubiquitous species that are shared with the tropical forest. In the transition landscape the cloud forest and the coffee plantations with polyspecific shade are important in the context of conserving the fauna. This type of community offers arboreal cover and occupies the majority of this landscape, allowing the groups of insects studied to move between remnant fragments of cloud forest. On the landscape scale but not locally, the fragmentation of natural communities does not appear to have reduced the number of species for the beetles of the indicator group. In each landscape disturbance by human activity appears to have been overcome for distinct reasons. In the tropical landscape we find the heliophilous beetle fauna characteristic of pastures, and this has increased by two species of recent invaders. In the transition landscape, the coffee plantations with polyspecific shade create a communication matrix, while in the mountain landscape the expansion of the mountain pastures has made conditions more favourable for heliophilous species. These results are not necessarily expected for other groups of organisms.

Utilizando tres grupos taxonómicos en este trabajo examinamos como las diversidades alfa y beta influyen en la riqueza de especies de un paisaje (diversidad gamma), así como el fenómeno recíproco. Es decir, como la riqueza en especies de un paisaje (un fenómeno histórico-biogeográfico) contribuye a determinar los valores de la diversidad alfa por sitio, por comunidad, la riqueza acumulada de especies por comunidad y la intensidad del recambio entre comunidades. Los grupos utilizados son dos subfamilias de Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeinae y Geotrupinae, y la familia Silphidae. En todos los análisis los tres grupos taxonómicos son manejados como un grupo indicador: los escarabajos copronecrófagos. De una manera lateral se incluye información sobre la subfamilia Aphodiinae (Scarabaeoidea), escarabajos coprófagos no incorporados al manejo del grupo indicador. Los paisajes estudiados son tres (tropical, de transición y de montaña), situados en un gradiente altitudinal en la parte central del estado de Veracruz. Partimos de las premisas siguientes. La diversidad alfa de un grupo indicador refleja el número de especies que utiliza un mismo ambiente o recurso en un lugar o comunidad. La diversidad beta espacial se relaciona con la respuesta de los organismos a la heterogeneidad del espacio. La diversidad gamma depende fundamentalmente de los procesos histórico-geográficos que actúan a nivel de mesoescala y está también condicionada por las diversidades alfa y beta. Es a nivel de paisaje o mesoescala donde las acciones humanas como cambio y fragmentación de comunidades, tienen sus efectos más importantes, efectos que en muchas ocasiones escapan al análisis ecológico puntual. En el conjunto de los tres paisajes se realizaron muestreos regulares en 67 sitios, más muestreos complementarios en 69 lugares más. Se estudiaron 26 tipos de comunidades vegetales. Se capturó un total de 16,152 ejemplares de 60 especies, 52 especies de Scarabaeinae, 4 de Geotrupinae y 4 de Silphidae. En el paisaje tropical la comunidad más rica en especies es la selva baja caducifolia; en el paisaje de transición es el bosque mesófilo. Ambas, son las comunidades naturales más importantes de sus pisos altitudinales. Por el contrario, en el paisaje de montaña la mayor riqueza se encuentra en praderas y potreros, un tipo de comunidad favorecido o incluso creado por la intervención humana. Esto se explica por la expansión a estos lugares de especies heliófilas del Altiplano mexicano. En el paisaje tropical los potreros presentan una riqueza en especies próxima a la de las selvas, pero una composición parcialmente diferente, caracterizada por la dominancia de especies heliófilas y coprófagas, a las que se suman las especies más ubicuistas compartidas con la selva. En el paisaje de transición se puso en relieve la importancia para la conservación de la fauna del bosque mesófilo, de los cafetales de sombra poliespecífica. Estos cafetales, el tipo de comunidad con cubierta arbórea que ocupa la mayor superficie en este paisaje, permiten a los grupos estudiados la intercomunicación entre los fragmentos remanentes de bosque mesófilo. Para los escarabajos que constituyen el grupo indicador, a nivel de paisaje (no puntualmente) la fragmentación de las comunidades naturales no parece haber ocasionado pérdidas en el número de especies. Aparentemente, la perturbación humana ha sido superada por razones distintas en cada paisaje. En el tropical porque existe una fauna heliófila característica de los potreros, fauna que incluso ha aumentado con dos especies invasoras recientes. En el paisaje de transición por el efecto de los cafetales de sombra poliespecífica que crean una matriz de intercomunicación. En el de montaña porque la expansión de las praderas ha ampliado las condiciones favorables para las especies heliófilas. Estos resultados no tienen forzosamente que repetirse con otros grupos de organismos.