ABSTRACT The family Cactaceae possesses considerable floral diversity and is exclusively zoophilic. Cipocereus crassisepalus is an endangered species of columnar cactus, whose floral characteristics fit the chiropterophily syndrome. This study aimed to assess the correspondence between floral traits and pollinators and whether the pollination system of C. crassisepalus is specialized, as suggested by the hypothesis of geographical dichotomy. Hand pollination treatments demonstrated that C. crassisepalus depends on cross-pollen flow mediated by pollinators to set fruit and seeds. Nocturnal film recordings, diurnal observations, analyses of pollen loads of flower visitors and visitor exclusion experiments provided strong evidence that bats are the sole pollinators of this cactus. During two flowering seasons, pollen grains of C. crassisepalus were found only on the bodies of the bat Anoura caudifer. Cipocereus crassisepalus possesses a pollination system specialized on nectar-feeding bats, which corroborates the geographical dichotomy hypothesis.

Resumo: De acordo com a hipótese da liberação do inimigo (HLI), a disseminação de espécies invasoras será facilitada pela liberação de seus inimigos ao ocuparem novas áreas. No entanto, a HLI raramente é testada comparando-se as populações de espécies nativas (não invasivas, estabelecidas há muito tempo) que apresentam expansão ou alteração de habitats, com populações das mesmas espécies em habitats que foram invadidos. Testamos a HLI com relação aos níveis de parasitas no sangue (prevalência e intensidade de Plasmodium spp. e Haemoproteus spp.). De (a) duas espécies estreitamente relacionadas e amplamente distribuídas de Turdus (Turdus leucomelas e T. merula), e (b) um pardal invasor (Passer domesticus) cujo alcance se expandiu do Velho Mundo para o Novo Mundo desde o século 18. Um total de 158 aves foram amostradas em Portugal e 99 no Brasil. Todas as espécies foram parasitadas e 55% dos indivíduos foram parasitados, sendo que a intensidade média da infecção foi de 28 parasitas por 10.000 eritrócitos. Avaliamos se as diferenças nos níveis de infecção (prevalência e intensidade) foram devidas ao local (tropical/Novo Mundo e temperado/Velho Mundo) ou espécies hospedeiras. A HLI foi corroborada: Passer domesticus e Turdus merula apresentaram valores mais elevados de parasitismo no Velho Mundo do que no Novo Mundo. Assim, P. domesticus parece estar se beneficiando de sua expansão "recente" em comparação com T. leucomelas, através da liberação ecológica de seus parasitas nativos porque os parasitas da área recentemente invadida parecem infestar espécies nativas.

Abstract: According to the enemy release hypothesis (ERH) the spread of invasive species will be facilitated by release from their enemies as they occupy new areas. However, the ERH has rarely been tested by comparing populations of native (non-invasive, long established) species with expanding or shifting ranges, to the same species as invasive in another area. We tested the ERH with respect to blood parasite levels (prevalence and intensity of Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp.) of (a) two closely related, widely distributed species of thrush (Turdus leucomelas and T. merula), and (b) an invasive sparrow (Passer domesticus) whose range has expanded from the Old World to the New World since the 18th century. A total of 158 birds were sampled in Portugal and 99 in Brazil. All bird species were parasitized, and 55% of the individuals collected were parasitized, and the mean intensity of infection was of 28 parasites per 10,000 erythrocytes. We assessed whether differences in levels of infection (prevalence and intensity) were due to site (tropical/New World and temperate/Old World) or host species. The ERH was supported: Passer domesticus and Turdus merula had higher levels of parasitism in the Old World than in the New World. Thus, P. domesticus seems to be benefitting from its "recent" range expansion, compared to T. leucomelas, through ecological release from its native parasites and because the parasites of the recently invaded area seem to be infesting native species instead.

Resumo A distribuição geográfica das leishmanioses, sem dúvida, tem se expandido, e agora está sendo relatada em áreas previamente consideradas como não endêmicas. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar se existe alguma variação na estrutura e na composição das comunidades de flebotomíneos ao longo de um gradiente ambiental – em habitats classificados como mesicos e xericos, em diferentes períodos climáticos (chuva e seca). Além disso, testamos se havia diferenças na razão sexual entre ambientes mais umidos e mais secos. Um total de 535 espécimes de flebotomíneos pertencentes a 18 espécies foram registradas. Riqueza, abundância e composição de espécies foram significativamente maiores nos habitats xericos (Floresta semidecidual) em comparação com os habitats mesicos (Floresta Ciliar). Revelamos diferenças específicas entre os habitats, nas assembleias de flebotomíneos, uma vez que a composição da comunidade muda com a distância geográfica entre os pontos de amostragem. Estes resultados levaram à conclusão de que as condições ambientais disponíveis para cada espécie de fletomonineo varia dentro do habitat, tendo em conta o grau de umidade na floresta assim como a estação climatica (seca-chuva). O presente estudo dá uma contribuição valiosa para o conhecimento da fauna de flebotomíneos, no bioma Mata Atlântica.

Abstract The geographical distribution of leishmaniasis has undoubtedly expanded, and is now being reported to be in areas that were previously non-endemic. This study therefore aimed to investigate whether there is any variation in the structure and in the composition of phlebotomine communities along an environmental gradient - from a mesic to a xeric environment, across different climatic periods (rainy and dry seasons). Furthermore, we test whether there were differences in sex ratio of sand flies between wet and dry environments. A total of 535 specimens of sand flies belonging to 18 species were recorded. Richness, abundance, and composition of species were significatively higher in the xeric environment (semidecidual Forest) compared to the mesic environment (Riparina Forest). We unveiled site specific differences in sand fly collections since the community composition changes with the geographic distance among the sampling points. These results led to the conclusion that for sand flies species, the environmental conditions available for each species could be different within the habitat taking into account the degree of humidity in the forest as well as the climatic season (dry or wet). The present study gives a valuable contribution to the knowledge of sand flies, as a group of insects, from the Atlantic Forest biome.

ABSTRACT During flight, hummingbirds achieve the maximum aerobic metabolism rates within vertebrates. To meet such demands, these birds have to take in as much energy as possible, using strategies such as selecting the best food resources and adopting behaviors that allow the greatest energy gains. We tested whether hummingbirds choose sources that have higher sugar concentrations, and investigated their behaviors near and at food resources. The study was conducted at Atlantic forest remnant in Brazil, between June and December 2012. Four patches were provided with artificial feeders, containing sucrose solutions at concentrations of 5%, 15%, 25% and 35% weight/volume. Hummingbird behaviors were recorded using the ad libitum method with continuous recording of behaviors. The following species were observed: the Brazilian ruby Clytolaema rubricauda (Boddaert, 1783), Violet-capped woodnymph Thalurania glaucopis (Gmelin, 1788), Scale-throated hermit Phaethornis eurynome (Lesson, 1832), White-throated hummingbird Leucochloris albicollis (Vieillot, 1818), Versicoloured emerald Amazilia versicolor (Vieillot, 1818), Glittering-bellied emerald Chlorostilbon lucidus (Shaw, 1812) and other Phaethornis spp. C. rubricauda, P. eurynome and Phaethornis spp. visited the 35%-sucrose feeders more often, while the T. glaucopis visited the 25%-sucrose feeders more often. L. albicollis and A. versicolor visited more often solutions with sugar concentration of 15%. C. lucidus visited all patches equally. Three behavioral strategies were observed: 1) C. rubricauda and T. glaucopis exhibited interspecific and intraspecific dominance; 2) the remaining species exhibited subordinance to the dominant hummingbirds, and 3) P. eurynome and Phaethornis spp. adopted a hide-and-wait strategy to the dominant hummingbird species. The frequency of aggressive behaviors was correlated with the time the hummingbird spent feeding, and bird size. Our results showed that hummingbirds can adopt different strategies to enhance food acquisition; that more aggressive species feeding more than less aggressive species; and that the birds, especially if they were dominant species, visited high quality food resources more often.

Our understanding of eumenine nesting biology is still elusive. The use of two nesting strategies, namely renting and building, are reported concomitantly for the first time for Minixi brasilianum (de Saussure, 1875). Ecological factors such as resource availability and protection against potential enemies may play an important role in eumenine nesting biology.

O manguezal é um ecossistema de grande complexidade que ocorre na interface entre os ambientes marinhos e terrestres, mas que apresenta baixa riqueza de espécies vegetais adaptadas às suas condições diferenciadas. Avaliar a estrutura e distribuição da vegetação no manguezal do rio Piraquê-Açu, ES, associando-as com parâmetros abióticos ao longo de um gradiente, foi o objetivo deste estudo. Em seis parcelas de 100 m² cada, foram registrados 306 indivíduos vivos e um morto, pertencentes às espécies Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia schaueriana, Terminalia catappa e outras quatro indeterminadas, sendo L. racemosa de maior densidade, dominância, área basal e IVI. A altura média das árvores foi de 4,2 m (DP±1,9) e a CAP, de 12,4 cm (DP±9,5), estando a maioria dos indivíduos em classes de CAP até 10 cm. O manguezal encontrava-se em estado juvenil e pouco desenvolvido estruturalmente, e houve distinção na distribuição das espécies na área, com espécies associadas ocorrendo na parcela mais elevada e menos úmida. As variáveis abióticas diferiram entre as parcelas, contudo apenas a umidade do substrato apresentou relação significativa com a abundância de indivíduos e circunferência dos troncos.

The mangrove is an ecosystem of great complexity that occurs at the interface between the marine and terrestrial environments. Consequently, it has low richness of vegetables species, adapted to their different physical and chemical conditions. The objectives of this study were to assess the structure and distribution of vegetation in the mangrove river Piraquê-açu/ES, associated with abiotic parameters along a flooding gradient. Three hundred and six alive individuals and one dead were recorded in six 100m² plots. The plants belong to the following species: Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia schaueriana, Terminalia catappa and four undetermined. L. racemosa was the species with the highest density, dominance, basal area and IVI. The average height of the trees was 4.2 m (SD±1.9 m) and CBH (circumference at breast height) was 12.4 cm (SD±9.5), with the majority of individuals in CBH class of 10 cm. The mangrove forest studied is in juvenile stage, with minor structural development. A significant difference was found in the distribution of the species in the area, with associated species occurring in the plot on higher altitudes and lower soil water content. Although all abiotic variables differed among the plots, only substrate moisture showed significant relationship with the abundance of individuals and circumference of the trunks.

From an ecological point of view, parasites are considered important selective forces that influence all aspects of a host's life. The purpose of this study was to assess the health state of Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 (Turdidae: Passeriformes) inhabiting a Brazilian Cerrado in the breeding and molting seasons through a hematological parameter analysis and an evaluation of infection by blood parasites. The birds were collected with mist-nets, ringed and blood sampled to assess hematological parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and white blood cells) and blood parasites. We detected blood parasites through optical microscopy and subsequently used PCR (amplification of the 18sRNA gene) to verify the presence of Plasmodium spp. (avian malaria). During the breeding season, the hemoglobin level and CHGM percentage were greater. Global leukocyte count was positively related to hemoglobin level, CHGM percentage and body weight. Of the total 31 T. leucomelas individuals examined, 18 presented Plasmodium parasites (58% of prevalence). There was a significant relationship between the presence of Plasmodium spp. and decreased CHGM. These results suggest a connection between the health parameters of wild birds and the physiological stress associated with the breeding season.

We studied the ectoparasitic bat flies of three phyllostomid vampire bat species. Bats were collected monthly from April 2004-March 2005 in caves within the Cafuringa Environmental Protection Area in the Federal District of Brazil. A total of 1,259 specimens from six species in the Streblidae family were collected from 332 bats. High host affinity from the sampled bat fly species and high prevalence of bat flies confirms the primary fly-host associations (Strebla wiedemanni, Trichobius parasiticus and Trichobius furmani with Desmodus, Trichobius diaemi and Strebla diaemi with Diaemus and T. furmani with Diphylla). Male flies outnumbered females in several associations. Some of the observed associations (e.g., Strebla mirabilis with Desmodus and S. mirabilis, Trichobius uniformis and S. wiedemanni with Diphylla) were inconclusive and the causes of the associations were unclear. There are several explanations for these associations, including (i) accidental contamination during sampling, (ii) simultaneous capture of several host species in the same net or (iii) genuine, but rare, ecological associations. Although various species of vampire bats share roosts, have similar feeding habits and are close phylogenetic relatives, they generally do not share ectoparasitic streblid bat flies. T. diaemi and S. diaemi associations with Diaemus youngi have not been previously reported in this region.

The rates of infestation by chewing lice and feather mites on Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 (Aves: Turdidae) were used to test the hypothesis of that parasitism either increases or decreases according to, reproductive and molting seasons, respectively. Samples were obtained at the State Park of Rio Preto, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in October and December of 2006 and in March of 2007. The dust-ruffling technique was used in to remove the parasites from the body of their hosts. Five species of chewing-lice were found on the birds, with Myrsidea sp. and Brueelia sp. being the most prevalent parasites, whereas Menacanthus eurysternus Burmeister, 1838 was the least prevalent. No statistically significant difference was found between the infestation rates in the reproductive and molt seasons. Two suborders and four families of Acari were found on the birds.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer a fauna flebotomínica na Gruta do Caboclo, localizada no Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruaçu, MG, e associá-la ao risco de transmissão das leishmanioses. As capturas foram realizadas utilizando-se armadilhas luminosas tipo CDC, nos meses de fevereiro e março de 2003. O total de 436 flebotomíneos foi capturado, pertencendo a 14 espécies. A espécie predominante foi Lutzomyia ischnacantha Martins, Souza & Falcão, com 28,7%, seguida por L. renei (27,06%) e L. cavernicola (13,07%). O encontro de L. intermedia, espécie incriminada como vetora de leishmaniose cutânea, deve ser levado em consideração.

We surveyed the phlebotomine fauna in the Parque Nacional Cavernas Do Peruaçu, Minas Gerais, Brazil, aiming to associate the presence of vector with the risk of leishmaniasis transmission. Field captures were performed with CDC light traps between February and March 2003. A total of 436 sand flies were captured, belonging to 14 species. The predominant species (28.7%) was Lutzomyia ischnacantha Martins, Souza e Falcão, followed by L. renei (27,06%) and L. cavernicola (13,07%). The finding of L. intermedia, a species that is incriminated as vector of the cutaneous leishmaniasis, has to be taken into account.

Foi examinado o hábito alimentar das espécies de Vespertilionidae Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) e Eptesicus furinalis (d'Orbigny, 1847) por meio de análise de amostras fecais coletadas em animais capturados em área de cerrado sensu stricto e matas de galeria, na APA - Gama-Cabeça-de-Veado, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Um total de 20 amostras fecais foi analisado, sendo sete de E. furinalis e 13 de M. nigricans. A dieta de E. furinalis incluiu seis ordens de insetos: Coleoptera (5/7) (presença na amostra total), Lepidoptera e Hymenoptera (3/7), Diptera, Hemiptera e Homoptera (1/7). A dieta de M. nigricans incluiu todas as ordens consumidas por E. furinalis (6/13, 4/13, 4/13, 3/13, 1/13, and 4/13 respectively) e uma ordem a mais: Orthoptera (1/13). Homoptera, Diptera e Orthoptera só foram amostrados para morcegos capturados em mata de galeria. Há 80% de sobreposição na dieta destas duas espécies. A predação sobre espécies das famílias Scarabeidae, Hesperiidae, Sphingidae e Saturniidae confirma o potencial dos morcegos como agentes de controle biológicos de pragas em ecossistemas agrícolas.

We examined food habits of Vespertilionidae bats Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) and Eptesicus furinalis (d'Orbigny, 1847) by fecal analysis in cerrado sensu stricto and gallery forests, within APA - Gama-Cabeça-de-Veado, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil. Out of 20 fecal samples collected, seven were of Eptesicus furinalis and 13 of Myotis nigricans. The diet of E. furinalis included six orders of insects: Coleoptera (5/7 by items presence), Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera (3/7), Diptera, Hemiptera and Homoptera (1/7). The diet of M. nigricans included all the main orders consumed by E. furinalis (6/13, 4/13, 4/13, 3/13, 1/13, and 4/13 respectively) and one other order: Orthoptera (1/13). Homoptera, Diptera and Orthoptera were collected only in bats captured in gallery forest. There is 80% of overlap in the diet of these two species. Predation on species of Scarabeidae, Hesperiidae, Sphingidae and Saturniidae families confirms bats potential as biological control agents of pests in agricultural ecosystems.

A porção sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço apresenta amplas áreas cobertas por campos altitudinais tropicais, quartizíticos ou metalíferos. Esses ecossistemas estão extremamente ameaçados, devido ao alto impacto antrópico, como a mineração e a urbanização. Nesse estudo inventariou-se a fauna e flora apícola durante um ano em uma área de campo rupestre (Serra de Ouro Branco) e durante dois anos em uma área de canga (Ouro Preto). Foram realizadas coletadas quinzenais de 8:00h às 17:00h. Foram coletados 677 indivíduos pertencentes a 91 espécies de abelhas de cinco famílias. Apidae foi a família mais rica e abundante, seguida por Halictidae e Megachilidae. As abelhas visitaram 46 espécies de plantas e as famílias mais visitadas foram: Asteraceae (n = 220), Malpighiaceae (n = 95), Melastomataceae (n = 94), Fabaceae (n = 78), e Solanaceae (n = 63). A região de Ouro Branco apresentou maior diversidade (H = 1,47) que Ouro Preto (H = 1,17). A baixa riqueza e abundância de abelhas, quando comparada a outras regiões de cerrado, podem ser atribuídas aos fatores ambientais das áreas de estudo: alta altitude, temperatura e disponibilidade de recursos florais. Áreas de canga e campo rupestre abrigam espécies raras e ameaçadas de extinção da fauna e flora. Áreas no sul do Espinhaço podem, entretanto, serem consideradas possíveis áreas de conservação biológica permanente.

The Southern Espinhaço Range consists of large areas covered by quartzitic or metaliferous tropical altitudinal fields. The Espinhaço Range ecosystems are endangered by anthropic high impacts, particularly due to mining and urbanization. We conducted a one-year inventory of the bee flora and fauna at the quartzitic Ouro Branco Mountains and a two-year survey of the metaliferous Ouro Preto fields. The samples were collected twice a month, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The bees (677) belonged to 91 species, five families. The family Apidae was the richest and most abundant, followed by the Halictidae and Megachilidae. The bees visited 46 flowering plant species; the most visited plants were the Asteraceae (n = 220), the Malpighiaceae (n = 95), the Melastomataceae (n = 94), the Fabaceae (n = 78), and the Solanaceae (n = 63). Diversity was higher in Ouro Branco (H = 1.47) than in Ouro Preto (H = 1.17). The low richness and abundance of bees in our research site when compared to other Brazilian "Cerrado" areas can be due to the high altitude, low temperature, and low availability of flowers we found. "Canga" and rupestrian areas house fauna and flora species that are rare and threatened by extinction. The southern Espinhaço areas can, therefore, be given the status of permanent biodiversity preservation area.

Foi avaliada a influência de fatores abióticos e recursos florais na freqüência de visitas de insetos a Stachytarpheta glabra Cham, em uma área de campo ferruginoso, Ouro Preto, MG. Foram coletados 312 insetos visitantes pertencentes a 28 espécies. As maiores abundâncias foram as de Oxaea flavescens Klug (25%), Vespidae sp1 (11,5%), Vespidae sp2 (11%), Antheos clorinde Hubner (10,3%) e Vespidae sp3 (10%). A abundância de visitantes florais acompanhou a variação dos fatores abióticos ao longo do dia (intensidade luminosa: F = 6,968, P = 0,014, r² = 0,757; temperatura: F = 7,708, P = 0,010, r² = 0,762; umidade relativa: F = 5,263, P = 0,030, r² = 0,744). O número de flores e inflorescências (rS = 0,81, n = 20, P < 0,001 e rS = 0,82, n = 20, P < 0,001, respectivamente) influenciaram a abundância de visitantes. Não houve relação significativa entre a abundância de visitantes florais e a altura das plantas. Halictidae prefere altas luminosidades e temperaturas para forragear. Abelhas grandes (Apidae e Andrenidae), ao contrário, são mais tolerantes às variações de temperatura e forrageiam praticamente durante todo o dia. Vespidae prefere altas temperaturas, porém suporta bem as variações nas taxas de luminosidade. Lepidoptera forrageia preferencialmente em luminosidade e temperatura mais altas. Os potenciais polinizadores são borboletas, mariposas, Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier e Apis mellifera L. sendo os pilhadores de S. glabra Vespidae, Halictidae, Bombus atratus Franklin e O. flavescens.

The influence of abiotic factors and floral resources on the frequency of insect visitors to Stachytarpheta glabra Cham was assessed in an area of ferruginous fields, Ouro Preto, MG. A total of 312 insects were collected, belonging to 28 species. The highest abundances were for Oxaea flavescens Klug (25%), Vespidae sp1 (11.5%), Vespidae sp2 (11%), Antheos clorinde Hubner (10.3%) and Vespidae sp3 (10%). There was a positive relation of abundance with light intensity (r² = 0.66, b = 0.82, P < 0.001) and temperature (r² = 0.40, b = 0.65, P = 0.001), and a negative relation with relative humidity (r² = 0.34, b = -0.60, P < 0.001). The number of flowers and inflorescences (rS = 0.81, n = 20, P < 0.001 e rS = 0.82, n = 20, P < 0.001, respectively) influenced the abundance of visits. No significant relation was found with plant height. Halictidae prefer to forage at high temperatures and light intensity. Large bees (Apidae and Andrenidae), on the other hand, are more tolerant to temperature variations and forage during the whole day. Vespidae prefer high temperatures but tolerate variation in light intensity. Lepidoptera forage preferentially during periods of high light intensity and temperature. Butterflies, moths, Eulaema nigrita Lepeleier and Apis mellifera L. are the potential pollinators whereas Vespidae, Halictidae, Bombus atratus Franklin and O. flavescens were thieves in S. glabra flowers.

Inventariaram-se as espécies de abelhas silvestres da Estação Ecológica do Campus Pampulha da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, que é localizada em uma área intensamente urbanizada. As abelhas foram coletadas de janeiro a dezembro de 1996, quando visitavam plantas floridas. A fauna de abelhas é rica em espécies, mas suas populações têm baixas densidades (350 indivíduos em 98 espécies). A composição em espécies é sazonal (Q = 29,35; gl = 11; P < 0,002), entretanto composição em espécies das plantas floridas não é sazonal (Q = 17.30, gl = 11, P < 0,099). As abelhas visitaram 23 espécies de plantas em 11 famílias. Asteraceae (111 indivíduos de 53 espécies) e Convolvulaceae (88 indivíduos de 26 espécies) foram as mais visitadas. Houve uma correlação positiva entre a abundância de abelhas e o número de plantas floridas (r² = 0,72; P = 0,0011, n = 12) e entre a riqueza e abundância de plantas floridas (r² = 0,46; P = 0,010, n = 12). Na área estudada e em outros locais da Região Sudeste, Apidae foi a mais rica e abundante e na Região Sul do Brasil, Halictidae foi a mais rica e abundante. Apesar de circundada por área intensamente urbanizada, a estação ecológica mantém uma apifauna relativamente rica.

The richness and the composition of bee species at the ecological station of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, was recorded from January to December 1996. The bee fauna of the ecological station is rich (98 species) in low-density populations species (350 individuals). The composition of the bee fauna is seasonal (Q = 29.35, df = 11, P < 0.002), however the composition in flowering plants showed no seasonality (Q = 17.30, df = 11, P < 0,099). The bee species visited 23 flowering plant species from 11 families. Asteraceae (111 individuals in 53 species) and Convolvulaceae (88 individuals in 26 species) were the most visited families. There was a positive relation between bee abundance and the number of flowering plants (r² = 0.72, P = 0.0011, n = 12) and bee richness and abundance of flowering plants (r² = 0.46; P = 0.010, n = 12). In the studied area and other sites at Southeastern Brazil, Apidae was the richer and abundant family and Halictidae was the richer and abundant at South Brazil. Despite its localization in a heavily urbanized area, the ecological station supports a rich bee species assembly.