No presente trabalho foi estudada a morfologia dos frutos, sementes e plântulas de cinco espécies de Clusiaceae presentes em vegetação de restinga do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os frutos das espécies estudadas apresentam características ligadas à zoocoria (Clusia fluminensis, C. lanceolata, C. criuva e Garcinia brasiliensis) e à anemocoria (Kielmeyera membranacea). As sementes recém-coletadas apresentam altas taxas de germinação: C. fluminensis (100%), C. lanceolata (100%), C. criuva (99,2%), G. brasiliensis (90,45%) e K. membranacea (91%). A germinação fanerocotiledonar foi registrada em C. fluminensis, C. lanceolata, C. criuva e K. membranacea e criptocotiledonar em G. brasiliensis. Plântulas de espécies de Clusia são frequentemente encontradas no habitat natural, especialmente associadas a espécies de Bromeliaceae, que funcionam como plantas-berçário.

In this work we studied the morphology of fruits, seeds and seedlings of five species of Clusiaceae present in vegetation of sandy coastal plains (restinga) from the State of Rio de Janeiro. The fruits of the studied species have characteristics of zoochoric (Clusia fluminensis, C. lanceolata, C. criuva and Garcinia brasiliensis) and anemocoric dispersion (Kielmeyera membranacea). The newly collected seeds have high germination rates: C. fluminensis (100%), C. lanceolata (100%), C. criuva (99.2%), G. brasiliensis (90.45%) and K. membranacea (91%). Germination is phanerocotyledonar in C. fluminensis, C. lanceolata, C. criuva and K. membranacea and cryptocotyledonar in G. brasiliensis. Seedlings of Clusia species are frequently found in the natural habitat especially associated with species of Bromeliaceae, that act as nursery plants.

Ensaios de germinação com sementes de Clusia criuva Cambess. e de Clusia fluminensis Planch. & Triana, espécies dioicas, arbóreas, presentes na restinga de Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, revelaram altos percentuais germinativos, 99,2% (n = 140) para C. criuva e 100% (n = 75) para C. fluminensis. Entre as sementes germinadas foi observada a ocorrência de poliembrionia num percentual de 2,1% para C. criuva e de 2,7% para C. fluminensis.

Germination tests with seeds of Clusia criuva Cambess. and Clusia fluminensis Planch. & Triana, dioecious tree species that occur in the sandy costal plains of Maricá municipality, Rio de Janeiro, revealed high germination rates, 99.2% (n = 140) to C. criuva and 100% (n = 75) for C. fluminensis. Polyembryony was observed in a percentage of 2.1% for C. criuva and 2.7% for C. fluminensis among the germinated seeds.

RESUMO No presente trabalho foi estudada a morfologia dos frutos e das sementes e características de plântulas de: Canavalia rosea, Ormosia arborea, Pithecellobium tortum e Swartzia apetala var. apetala, de janeiro de 2004 a outubro de 2006, na restinga de Maricá, Rio de Janeiro. As espécies possuem frutos deiscentes com dispersão autocórica. As sementes de S. apetala var. apetala sugerem também dispersão zoocórica pela presença de um arilo. As sementes recém-coletadas apresentam médias altas de germinação: C. rosea (99%), O. arborea (100%), P. tortum (75%) e S. apetala var. apetala (93%), entretanto, no habitat natural, só foram encontradas plântulas de C. rosea. A germinação é criptocotiledonar em O. arborea e S. apetala var. apetala e fanerocotiledonar em C. rosea e P. tortum.

ABSTRACT The morphology of fruits, seeds and seedlings of Canavalia rosea, Ormosia arborea, Pithecellobium tortum and Swartzia apetala var. apetala in the "restinga" of Maricá, state of Rio de Janeiro was studied between January 2004 and October 2006. All species present dehiscent fruits and autochorous dispersial, but the seeds of S. apetala var. apetala also suggest zoochorous dispersial by the presence of an aril. Newly collected seeds show high germination success: C. rosea (99%), O. arborea (100%), P. tortum (93%) and S. apetala var. apetala (75%), however, the only seedlings found in the natural habitat were of C. rosea. Cryptocotylar seedling was recorded for O. arborea and S. apetala var. apetala. while phanerocotylar seedling was observed in C. rosea and P. tortum.

Las restingas se consideran hábitats estresantes asociados al bosque del Atlántico brasileño y sus ecológicas se conocen poco. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue determinar el papel potencial de las aves frugívoras como dispersores de plantas en un hábitat de restinga. La información se recolectó en el Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, Brasil. Las aves se capturaron con redes de niebla y sus muestras fecales y de regurgitación se inspeccionaron en busca de semillas. Estudiamos seis especies de plantas de estas muestras. En general, el efecto del paso por el sistema digestivo de las aves sobre el porcentaje de germinación fue nulo (y negativo en la velocidad de germinación). Todas las especies de plantas estudiadas son numéricamente importantes a la comunidad y algunas de ellas tienen papeles principales en la sucesión de parches de vegetación. Entre las aves, Mimus gilvus es una especie residente importante, endémica de tales hábitats en Brasil, mientras que Turdus amaurochalinus es una especie visitante y puede ser importante para las plantas que fructifican durante su paso por el sitio del estudio. El efecto general de los pájaros en la dispersión de semillas en la restinga es probablemente positivo.

Restingas are considered stressful habitats associated with the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and their ecological interactions are poorly known. The goal of the present study was to determine the potential role of frugivorous birds as seed dispersers in a restinga habitat. Data were collected in Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, southeastern Brazil, where the main physiognomy (Open Clusia Formation) is characterized by the presence of patches of vegetation covering 20 to 48 % of the sandy soil and reaching a height of 5 m. Birds were captured with mist nets (12 x 2.5 m; 36 mm mesh; 1 680 net-hrs) and had their fecal and regurgitate samples inspected for seeds. Six plant species found in these bird samples were studied. The germination of seeds obtained from plants was compared to those from the birds. Both groups of seeds were set on Petri dishes at room temperature and washed when infected with fungi. In general, there was no effect on germination rate, and the effect on germination speed was negative. Germination of seeds from Pilosocereus arrabidae treated by the birds seemed to be influenced by storage of defecated seeds, while few Miconia cinnamomifolia seeds both from plants and from birds germinated. Ocotea notata presented a great variation in time to the onset of germination, perhaps an advantage against dissecation. Aechmea nudicaulis, Clusia hilariana and Erythroxylum subsessile probably take advantage of the arrival to favorable microhabitats, not by the gut effect on the seeds. All plant species studied are numerically important for the community and some of them are main actors in the succession of vegetation patches. Among the birds, Mimus gilvus is an important resident species, endemic to restingas in Brazil, while Turdus amaurochalinus is a visitor and may be important for plants that fructify during its passage by the study site. Although the effect of pulp removal was only tested for one species (Achmea nudicaulis) in the present study, we confirmed that the tested effect of restinga frugivorous birds on seed germination was generally null. Although there is a need for more detailed studies on specific animal-plant interactions on this habitat, the overall effect of the birds on seed dispersal in restinga is probably positive. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (1): 205-216. Epub 2008 March 31.

O trabalho aborda a biologia floral, a atividade forrageira dos visitantes florais (polinizadores e pilhadores), os eventos fenológicos e o sistema de reprodução de Arrabidaea conjugata (Vell.) Mart. (Bignoniaceae), em área de vegetação de restinga, município de Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, no período 1997 a 2000. A espécie estudada tem flores com antese diurna, lilases, tubulosas, hermafroditas, odoríferas e oferecem néctar como recurso floral. O néctar é secretado por um disco localizado na base do gineceu e é acumulado em câmara nectarífera. Os grãos de pólen são liberados gradativamente, prolongando-se a fase de doação de pólen. As abelhas Euglossa cordata Linnaeus, Centris analis Fabricius e C. tarsata Smith são os polinizadores da espécie. Destaca-se pilhagem primária de néctar, por abelhas, e secundária, por borboletas e beija-flor. A espécie é auto-incompatível, apresentando baixos índices de formação de frutos em condições naturais (Frutos/Flores = 12,2%). Foi registrado padrão de floração "cornucópia", entre os meses de dezembro a março (estação quente/chuvosa), com pico em janeiro. As sementes são anemocóricas e liberadas gradativamente na estação fria e seca.

This work deals with the floral biology, the foraging activities of floral visitors (pollinators and robbers), phenology and reproductive system of Arrabidaea conjugata (Vell.) Mart. (Bignoniaceae) in the "restinga" of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1997 to 2000. The flowers display daytime anthesis and last only one day. These attractive pink flowers are tubular, hermaphroditic, odoriferous and produce nectar as the floral reward. The nectar is secreted by a nectariferous disk concealed within a chamber. The pollen grains are gradually released throughout anthesis, extending the pollen presentation phase. The bees Euglossa cordata Linnaeus, Centris analis Fabricius and C. tarsata Smith are the pollinator species. Primary and secondary nectar pilferage by several bees, butterflies and a hummingbird is found in A. conjugata. The species is self-incompatible and has low fruit set (Fruit/Flower = 12.2%). Flowering of A. conjugata lasts from December to March (hot, rainy season) with a peak in January. The seeds are anemocoric and dispersal peaks in the cold, dry season.