ABSTRACT Congeneric species have similarities in phenotypic and ecological traits. The sympatry of congeneric species constitutes an opportunity for studies on coexistence. Two bird species of Mimidae, the native Tropical mockingbird, Mimus gilvus Oberholser, 1919, and the restinga invader Chalk-browed mockingbird, Mimus saturninus (Lichtenstein, 1823), currently occur in sympatry across the sandy-coastal ecosystem (restinga) of Espírito Santo state, Southeastern Brazil. We studied the spatial distribution of Tropical mockingbird and Chalk-browed mockingbird to understand the degree of competition across a preserved and urban gradient. We sampled 1,451 sampling units across a preserved and urban landscape in a coastal area of southeastern Brazil. The best-fitting model for abundance (Punctual Abundance Index) included urbanization index, distance from the coast, and distance from the closest protected area, which explained 63% and 97% of the abundance of Tropical mockingbird and Chalk-browed mockingbird, respectively. The species exhibited a segregated spatial pattern at small scale, indicating that both species are avoiding one another. Chalk-browed mockingbird showed ecological plasticity in modified environments, whereas Tropical mockingbird was more sensitive to urbanization. We suggested that the coexistence of these species is associated with resource partitioning. Monitoring Tropical mockingbird populations may be a proxy for the assessment of habitat quality and restoration success in the highly threatened restinga ecosystem.

Abstract We investigated whether essential oil and aqueous and ethanolic extracts from M. vittoriana leaves have phytotoxic effects on the germination and initial development, and cytogenotoxic effects on the cell cycle, of model plants. The essential oil and extracts of M. vittoriana were characterized and used as treatments in phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests. The results indicated a reduction in germinative parameters and plant growth, with the higher concentrations of extracts and essential oil having the most evident effects. The cell cycle was also affected with a reduction of the mitotic index and the presence of chromosomal and nuclear alterations. All treatments showed clastogenic and aneugenic modes of action. The results can be associated with the synergistic effects of metabolites found in the extracts and essential oil, mainly the presence of the sesquiterpene germacrene D in the essential oil and of catechins, saponins, and tannins in the extracts. These substances inhibit plant germination and growth, confirming the phytotoxic effects of M. vittoriana in plant models, which should now be tested under field conditions.

Resumo O gênero Schinus (Anacardiaceae) compreende aproximadamente 30 espécies sul americanas distribuídas no Peru, Bolívia, Chile, Paraguai, Brasil, Argentina e Uruguai. S. terebinthifolia (pimenta vermelha brasileira) é socioeconomicamente importante no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Populações naturais vêm sendo exploradas devido à coleta não sustentável de frutos e sementes que são utilizados na indústria alimentícia. Estudos sobre o comportamento meiótico e a viabilidade polínica dessa espécie são essenciais sob o ponto de vista ecológico e evolutivo, pois estão relacionadas com o seu sucesso reprodutivo, promovendo estratégias de manejo sustentável. Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento meiótico e as características polínicas de indivíduos de uma população natural de S. terebinthifolia localizada no município de Vitória-ES (Brasil). Anteras jovens foram esmagadas em carmim acético 1% para a obtenção das células-mãe dos grãos de pólen. A coloração com carmim acético 1%, solução de Lugol e Sudan IV e a forma dos grãos de pólen foram utilizadas para avaliar a viabilidade potencial, a citoquímica e a morfologia polínicas. Todos os indivíduos apresentam um número gamético de n=7 e um comportamento meiótico regular, sugerindo um número cromossômico somático de 2n=2x=14 cromossomos. Viabilidades polínicas de 94%, em média, foram observadas. Os grãos de pólen apresentaram-se dispersos como mônades, tricolporados e subesferoidais com ornamentação estriada-reticulada sendo amido positivos e lipídeo negativos. Esse é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de diploidia para a espécie. As elevadas viabilidades polínicas são resultantes da ocorrência de meiose regular. A presença de amido pode aumentar a resistência dos grãos-de-pólen dessa espécie a ambientes hostis.

Abstract The genus Schinus (Anacardiaceae) comprises 30 species found in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. Schinus terebinthifolia (Brazilian pepper tree) is socioeconomically important in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. Dried fruit is used as a pepper-like spice and natural populations are exploited. Studies on the meiotic behavior and pollen stainability from an ecological and evolutionary point of view are essential, since they can promote future sustainable management strategies for this species. The objective was to evaluate meiotic behavior and characteristics of pollen grains of individuals from a natural population of S. terebinthifolia localized in the municipality of Vitória, Espírito Santo state, Brazil. Young anthers were squashed in 1% acetocarmine dye to obtain the pollen mother cells. The pollen stainability with 1% acetocarmine, Lugol’s iodine solution and Sudan IV and pollen shape were used to assess the pollen potential viability, cytochemistry and morphology. All individuals had a gametic number of n = 7, a regular meiotic behavior and so the somatic number is 2n = 2x = 14 chromosomes. Median pollen stainability was 94%. Pollen grains are dispersed as monads, 3 - colporate and subspheroidal. The exine has striate-reticulate ornamentation. Pollen grains are starch positive and lipid negative. This is the first report of the occurrence of diploidy for the species. The high pollen stainability is the result of the occurrence of regular meiosis. The presence of starch as pollen reserve can increase the resistance of pollen grains to hostile environments in this species.

ABSTRACT Tropical forests with high species diversity are commonly found in rugged montane areas. We investigated causes of local tropical forest tree community assembly on a continental island with heterogeneous terrain. We recorded tree community (absolute species abundance), topography, soil, litter and location in 40 sampling units on two opposite sides of the island with similar heterogeneous terrain. We used transformation based Redundancy Analyses and variation partitioning to determine the contribution of environment (topography, soil and litter), spatial structure (geographic location and Moran Eigenvector Maps) and the shared effects of these to explain community assembly. The environment made a significant contribution to explain tree community patterns (species composition and abundance) across all models. Conversely, spatial structure showed minor impact. Contribution of strictly environmental effects and spatially structured environmental effects varied when evaluating each site independently as well as when evaluating the combined data. Evidence suggests that local tropical tree community assembly on heterogeneous terrain may be located much closer to the niche end of the hypothetic niche-neutral continuum. Findings indicate additionally that heterogeneity of environmental factors present in dissected mountainous terrain can affect the way tropical community assembly processes are perceived.

ABSTRACT DNA fingerprinting based on SSR amplification profiles was applied to native species of Piper from the Atlantic Forest to compare the utility of this type of molecular marker with the morphological characters traditionally applied in Piper taxonomy and identification. Fifty-one SSR markers developed for four species of Piper native to Asia and Mesoamerica were applied to 16 species, together with 63 morphological characters, for species characterization. Molecular and morphological data were analysed by cluster analysis, followed by a cluster sharpness test and the construction of a heat map to visualize the association of characters with species groups. A multivariate regression tree determined the number of loci needed for species identification. Forty-five primers were transferable to at least four species. Molecular data were more efficient in detecting sharp groups than morphological data. Species groups delimited by a set of shared morphological characters were differentiated based on molecular data. The sixteen studied species could be separated by nine primers, demonstrating the cross-species transferability of SSR markers and the usefulness of DNA fingerprinting for both the delimitation and the identification of species of Piper.

ABSTRACT Although a species’ sexual system may influence the genetic diversity of its populations in their natural environment, there have been few such studies involving indigenous species of the Atlantic Forest. Here we study Myrsine coriacea, a dioecious tree widely used in reforestation programs despite a lack of information about its natural interpopulation genetic variation. To address this knowledge gap, intra- and interpopulation genetic diversity were measured for male and female individuals of ten natural populations using ISSR markers. Greater intrapopulation genetic diversity indicated interpopulation gene flow, regardless of isolation and distance between populations. Multivariate analyses detected significant differences in genetic diversity between populations, but not between males and females, which indicates that genetic diversity did not differ between the two sex morphs. Distance between populations was unrelated to genetic diversity. Myrsine coriacea has not experienced a loss of genetic variability despite the characteristic segregated spatial distribution of its populations. These results suggest that obligatory cross-pollination and dispersal by birds may be important mechanisms for the maintenance of genetic diversity in natural populations of M. coriacea.

Resumo Este estudo apresenta o inventário florístico atualizado para Rubiaceae no Parque Estadual de Mata das Flores (PEMF), município de Castelo, no Espírito Santo. O remanescente florestal estudado está localizado em uma das áreas prioritárias para conservação da Floresta Atlântica ao sul do estado. A listagem elaborada embasou a análise da similaridade florística de Rubiaceae no fragmento estudado com outras 17 áreas de Floresta Atlântica, por meio de análise de agrupamentos e métodos de ordenação. Foram identificadas 45 espécies e duas subespécies, pertencentes a 20 gêneros. Psychotria (8 spp.) foi o gênero mais representativo, seguido de Faramea (6 spp.) e Rudgea (4 pp.). Quatro táxons constituem novas espécies para a ciência. Quatro táxons estão listados em diferentes categorias de ameaça. As análises de agrupamento e ordenação evidenciaram que Mata das Flores se distingue das demais áreas comparadas da Floresta Atlântica quanto à composição florística de Rubiaceae. Os resultados indicam que o Parque Estadual de Mata das Flores é um importante centro de diversidade para Rubiaceae no Espírito Santo.

Abstract This study presents the updated floristic inventory of the family Rubiaceae in Mata das Flores State park (MFSP), Castelo, Espírito Santo. The studied forest remnant is located in one of the priority areas for Atlantic Forest conservation on the southern portion of the state. The list gave support to the analysis of floristic similarity between the studied fragment and 17 other areas of the Atlantic Forest, using cluster analysis and ordination methods. A total of 45 species and two subspecies were identified. They belong to 20 genera. Psychotria (8 spp.) was the most representative genus, followed by Faramea (6 spp.) and Rudgea (4 spp.). Four taxa are new species to science. Four taxa are listed in different threat categories. Cluster and ordination analysis revealed that Mata das Flores is distinct from the other areas in the Atlantic Forest. The results point to the Mata das Flores State Park as an important center of diversity for Rubiaceae in Espirito Santo.

Resumo Macrófitas aquáticas são organismos visíveis a olho nu e que apresentam partes fotossinteticamente ativas, permanente a temporariamente submersas ou flutuantes. Dada a relevância ecológica e fisionômica do grupo, este estudo objetivou determinar a riqueza de macrófitas aquáticas do Parque Estadual de Itaúnas, Espírito Santo, Brasil, e suas relações florísticas com outras sete áreas na Floresta Atlântica. Foram encontradas 66 espécies, 48 gêneros e 31 famílias de macrófitas aquáticas para o PEI, dessas, duas constituem registros inéditos para o Brasil (Sesbania herbacea e Utricularia biloba), cinco para o estado (Ipomoea bahiensis, Ludwigia cf. filiformis, Ludwigia hyssopifolia, Mollugo verticillata, Paspalum repens) e 49 novas ocorrências para o PEI. A grande maioria constitui-se por angiospermas e apenas três são pertencentes ao grupo das Samambaias e Licófitas. Os resultados da análise de agrupamento revelaram dois grupos, onde um é constituído exclusivamente por áreas cujas fitofisionomias são de restinga enquanto o outro é formado por áreas de fitofisionomias distintas. Dessa maneira, os novos registros aliados a baixa similaridade da composição de espécies, tornam evidente a importância da área para a conservação de macrófitas aquáticas dentro da Floresta Atlântica.

Abstract Macrophytes are organisms that have active photosynthetic parts and may be permanently or seasonally submerged, or floating. Given the ecological and physiognomic relevance of the group, this study aimed to determine the richness of aquatic plants from the Parque Estadual de Itaúnas (PEI), Espírito Santo, Brazil, and its floristic links with other areas in the Atlantic Forest. A total of 66 species, 48 genera and 31 families of aquatic macrophytes were found for PEI, of which two are unpublished records for Brazil (Sesbania herbacea and Utricularia biloba), five for the state (Ipomoea bahiensis, Ludwigia cf filiformis, Ludwigia hyssopifolia, Mollugo verticillata, Paspalum repens) and 49 new occurrences for PEI. Most of species are represented by angiosperms and only three species belong to Ferns and Licophytes. The similarity analysis results revealed two groups, one formed exclusively by areas considered as “restingas” while another is composed by areas with different plant physiognomies. Thus, new records allied to the low similarity of species composition make evident the importance of the area for the conservation of aquatic macrophytes from the Atlantic Forest.

Resumo A conservação e o manejo da Floresta Atlântica dependem de conhecimento confiável sobre quantas e quais espécies este bioma abriga. Inventários florísticos têm um importante papel neste processo, especialmente quando conduzidos em remanescentes pouco conhecidos com alta prioridade de conservação. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo realizado no gênero Piper (Piperaceae) no Parque Estadual de Mata das Flores, município de Castelo, estado do Espírito Santo (ES). O estudo foi baseado na análise de espécimes herborizados, assim como observados a campo, em expedições realizadas de fevereiro de 2012 a agosto de 2015. Vinte espécies de Piper foram identificadas. Destas, Piper dilatatum, P. macedoi e P. piliovarium foram registradas pela primeira vez para o estado do Espírito Santo. Piper bicorne, espécie endêmica do ES e conhecida apenas para o Município de Santa Leopoldina, teve a sua distribuição geográfica expandida para o Município de Castelo. A maior parte das espécies de Piper no PEMF ocorre nas áreas de vale, e frequentemente próximas a cursos d'água. Tal fato gera preocupação em relação à conservação destas espécies, dado que estas áreas são justamente as mais afetadas pela expansão das áreas urbana e rural do entorno.

Abstract The conservation and management of the Atlantic Forest depends upon reliable knowledge about how many and which species this biome shelters. Floristic inventories have an important role in this process, especially when conducted in poorly known remnants, with a high conservation priority. This paper presents the study of the genus Piper (Piperaceae) in the Mata das Flores State Park, Castelo municipality, Espírito Santo state (ES). The study was based on the analysis of dried specimens, as well as those observed in the field, from February 2012 to August 2015. Twenty species of piper were identified. Amongst these species, Piper dilatatum, P. macedoi and P. piliovarium were recorded for the first time for the Espírito Santo state. Piper bicorne, an endemic species from ES and known only for the Santa Leopoldina municipality, had its geographical distribution expanded to the Castelo municipality. Most of the Piper species in the MFSP occur in valleys, and they are commonly found near watercourses. This is worrying given that these areas are just the most affected by the expansion of the rural and urban areas that surround the Park.