Anurans of Turvo State Park: testing the validity of Seasonal Forest as a new biome in Brazil

The composition of the anuran community of Turvo State Park was compared with that of other localities of Mesophytic semideciduous Forest, aiming to test the hypothesis that localities situated nearest the Misiones nucleus support the new phytogeographic unit, known as Tropical Seasonal Forests Region. In total 32 amphibian species were recorded in the park area and surroundings: Anura, 30 native species and one exotic; Gymnophiona, one species. The ordination among the 20 localities of Seasonal Forest showed the formation of three groups with 45% similarity: group 1, composed of localities of south-eastern and central western regions; group 2, composed of the localities of the transitional portion with the Atlantic Forest sensu stricto and group 3, composed of the southern localities. The consolidation of the second group, which includes the occurrence of endemic species, supports the proposal of a new phytogeographic unit.     

Faunistic analysis of Cerambycidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) in an area of Atlantic Forest

The Atlantic Forest is considered a hotspot biome, one of the most diverse in the world. Currently, due to deforestation, only 22% of the original cover remains, and only 7.5% well preserved. Despite the global importance of this biome, it still lacks basic studies, e.g. primary inventories. Cerambycidae is one of the most diverse groups of beetles, with high ecological and economic importance. The aim of this work was to survey the longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in three fragments (Pacangê, Vila 5 and Pancada Grande) of Atlantic Forest within Reserva Ecológica da Michelin (southern Bahia State, Brazil). A total of 166 individuals belonging to 53 species were recorded, 15 of them new geographical records for the state, and one for Brazil. The Shannon index (H) shows Pacangê (H = 2.665) as the most diverse fragment, followed by Pancada Grande (H = 2.658) and Vila 5 (H = 2.565). The most abundant species were Nyssodrysina lignaria (38 specimens collected), followed by Compsibidion vanum (31 specimens). One hundred and ten specimens were captured in Malaise traps, while in light traps only 56 specimens were caught; however, the richness and consequently the diversity in light traps was higher. This is one of the few studies carried out in Atlantic Forest surveying longhorn beetles, and provides primary data on these taxa, to help develop conservation policies for this threatened biome.     

The social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) of a fragment of Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia,Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems in Brazil, with only 22% of its original coverage remaining. Despite around 900 species of Polistinae being described worldwide and their being widely distributed in the Neotropical region, they are still poorly known in northeastern Brazil, especially in Atlantic Forest. The aim of this work was a survey of social wasps in three fragments of Atlantic Forest with differences in the level of regeneration and in the physiognomy, performed at Michelin Ecological Reserve (located in Igrapiúna, southern Bahia State, Brazil) and employing three methodologies – attractive solution, Malaise trap and light trap ‘Luiz de Queiroz’ – for 12 months in transects. A total of 1066 specimens, belonging to 29 species from nine genera, were collected in the reserve. Epiponini was the richest tribe (23 species) followed by Mischocyttarini (five species) and Polistini (one species). The Malaise trap was not efficient during the night, having a deficit of 5110 hours; the only nocturnal genus, Apoica, was collected with a light trap – an attractive solution that was more efficient. Once it was left for 12 discontinuous days (72 hours), showing that more than one methodology is desirable for wasp surveys. Latitudinal analysis comparing the study area with other areas grouped the Michelin Ecological Reserve with areas in southeastern Brazil, which may be related to a lack of standardization in collecting methods. This study presented the highest richness in this region.     

Deep-water crisiids (Bryozoa: Cyclostomata) from the northeast Atlantic Ocean

Eight Crisia and two Bicrisia species are recorded from the Celtic Sea (330–1175 m, Thalassa, 1973) and from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar (110–903 m, Cryos, Balgim). Two new species are described: Crisia pyrula n. sp., and Bicrisia gibraltarensis n. sp. Systematics and morphology of five other species are detailed. A southern morphotype of C. aculeata is distinguished. Except for the boreal species B. abyssicola, all species occur both in Atlantic and Mediterranean localities. The upper bathyal crisiid fauna (>200 m) is richer in the Celtic Sea than in the Gibraltar area (6 spp. vs. 3 spp). Only three crisiids seem to be true deep-water species. The crisiid stock from stations located in the Gulf of Cadiz in Atlantic water is twice as rich as (1) that from stations of the same area washed by the Mediterranean water outflow; (2) that from the Alboran Sea.     

The fishes of Saint Helena Island,South Atlantic Ocean. II. The pelagic fishes

The pelagic fishes of St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean (15°58′S 5°43′W) are reviewed. A checklist of 53 taxa of pelagic fishes, with notes on fisheries significance, ecology and geographical distribution, is presented. Twelve of the taxa have not before been recorded at St Helena. Of particular interest are records of three primarily Indo-Pacific species: Decapterus muroadsi (Temminck and Schlegel), Uraspis helvola (Forster) and Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepède). Apart from U. helvola, which is known also from Ascension Island, these species are not otherwise recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

Of the 49 pelagic fishes whose identities are clear, 81·6% are wide-ranging species known from both the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, 12·2% are pan-Atlantic warm-water species and 4·1% are eastern Atlantic species which reach their western limit in the central Atlantic. In addition, the subspecies Platybelone argalus trachura is found only at St Helena and Ascension.

The principal pelagic species caught by St Helena fisheries are Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares, T. obesus, T. alalunga, Scomber japonicus, Acanthocybium solandri and Pseudocaranx dentex, which together accounted for almost 95% of fish landings in 1982–1983 fiscal year.     

Diversity of leaf-litter anurans in a fragmented landscape of the Atlantic Plateau of São Paulo State,southeastern Brazil

Brazil is a tropical country and has the greatest anuran species richness in the world: the Atlantic Forest has roughly half of these species. We contribute to the knowledge of the anurans of the Brazilian Atlantic Plateau, determining the composition of anuran fauna associated with leaf litter in six landscapes, patterns of spatial distribution and levels of similarity among these landscapes and other communities. The sampling by pitfall traps was conducted in São Paulo state, at a total of 68 sites distributed among continuous and fragmented landscapes. The anuran fauna of these sites is typical of dense ombrophilous forest, and the composition resembled those of other localities of the Atlantic Forest. A cluster analysis comparing the six landscapes resulted in three main groups (Caucaia + Reserva do Morro Grande; Tapiraí + Ribeirão Grande; Fazenda Paraíso + Parque Estadual Jurupará). In the cluster analysis comparing these faunas to those of other localities, we could not find an effect of geographic distance on the differences in composition among areas.     

Two new species of miniature psammophilic sarcoglanidine catfishes of the genus Microcambeva from the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

ABSTRACT

Trichomycterid catfishes of the Sarcoglanidinae, which includes small-sized species living in sandy river substratum, have been poorly represented in collections. We herein describe two new species of the sarcoglanidine genus Microcambeva, endemic to river basins draining the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The presence of a distal widening on the posterior process of the autopalatine and a rudimentary anterior autopalatine ossification shared by the two new species, M. mucuriensis sp. nov. from the Rio Mucuri and M. jucuensis sp. nov. from the Rio Jucu basin, and M. draco from the Rio Jucuruçu basin indicates that these three species are more closely related to each other than to other congeners. Microcambeva mucuriensis seems to be more closely related to M. draco than to M. jucuensis in that the first two species share the presence of a well-developed anterior process of the interopercle. The two new species are also distinguished from congeners by the number of opercular odontodes and premaxillary teeth, and the relative size of the sesamoid supraorbital. Available evidence taken from this study and previous reports indicates that different sarcoglanidine lineages have adapted to live in distinct riverine habitats, with species of Atlantic Forest Microcambeva inhabiting clearwater streams and Amazonian sarcoglanidines found in tea-stained acidic-water streams.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8CFF9C88-1CEC-44AF-AD26-1D4A56F3D946     

Two new species of Microprosthema from the Western Atlantic (Crustacea: Decapoda: Stenopodidea)

Two new species of shrimp in the genus Microprosthema are described and figured on the basis of materials collected recently from the tropical western Atlantic. Specimens of one, Microprosthema manningi, have been collected from Florida, Mexico, Belize and Old Providence Island. The other new species, Microprosthema looensis, was taken from a single site in the Florida Keys. Microprosthema manningi is closely related to the western Atlantic M. semilaeve, while M. looensis is closely related to the Indo-Pacific M. scabricaudatum. However, both new species can be distinguished by numerous morphological differences, as well as by coloration.     

Stenothoidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) of hydrothermal vents and surroundings on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge,Azores Triple Junction zone

Four new species of Stenothoidae were collected from the Azores Triple Junction zone during different French cruises on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. One of the species belongs to the genus Torometopa (T. saldanhae) and is the first record of this genus in the Atlantic Ocean. The three other species belong to the genus Stenothoe (S. divae, S. marvela, and S. menezgweni). It is not possible to determine from morphological and ecological characters whether these amphipod species are endemic to hydrothermal systems or are bathyal species that may be found away from vent sites.     

A new genus of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT

A new genus of the tribe Deltochilini, Atlantemolanum new genus, endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, is proposed here to include two species formerly described in the genus Deltochilum based on the unique morphologic characters shared by Deltochilum riehli = Atlantemolanum riehli (Harold 1868) new combination and Deltochilum costalimai = Atlantemolanum costalimai (Pereira and D’Andretta 1955) new combination.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:7BBD89C3-2F23-4CEF-9560-C29695631E04     

Assembly of Myrmelachista Roger (Formicidae: Formicinae) in twigs fallen on the leaf litter of Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The nests of Myrmelachista are found in tree trunk cavities and branches. The biology of these arboreal ants is still relatively unknown. We investigated the nesting behaviour of this genus in fallen dry twigs in the Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil. Physical characteristics of the nests, colony demographics, presence of breeders and ant worker sizes were recorded. Samples were collected weekly for 12 months, along open, sunny and undisturbed trails within forest remnants. In all, 202 nests were collected and six species were recorded. Myrmelachista ruszkii had the highest population of immatures and the greatest number of nests found. Myrmelachista nodigera had the smallest workers, was the least populous and the colony was housed in the finest branches. These results expand the current knowledge about the diversity and biology of Myrmelachista in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and describe polydomic nests and competitive behaviour of M. ruszkii.     

Rissoidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from northeast Atlantic seamounts

The gastropod family Rissoidae is revised at the species level for the Lusitanian seamounts, situated between Portugal and Madeira, and the Meteor group of seamounts, situated south of the Azores in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Based on material obtained by dredging and trawling, 48 species are reported, of which 30 are described as new. There is very little overlap between the assemblages found on both groups of seamounts, with only two shared species. On the Lusitanian seamounts, 24 species were collected. Seven species (six with planktotrophic development) are shared with the mainland shelf or slope and are represented in low numbers. Eleven species are endemic to this seamount group as a whole and of these, three account for 75% of individuals. Of the species not shared with the mainland, only one is found on the four seamounts, eight (three new) are found on two or three seamounts and/or neighbouring islands, and six (all new) are endemic to a single seamount. On the Meteor group, 26 species were found, of which five are shared with the Azores and 20 (all new) are endemic to the seamount group as a whole. Most species are found on only two or three seamounts, whereas nine species are endemic to only one of the seamounts, and of these five are concentrated on Atlantis seamount. Eight endemic species of the Meteor group included in Porosalvania n. gen. have very different shapes and occupy discrete bathymetric intervals, but are best interpreted as a local radiation originating from a relatively old colonization of this seamount group. The endemic species, and among them the successful ones, all have a paucispiral protoconch denoting non‐planktotrophic development. As in the Macaronesian archipelagos, the Rissoidae are the most species‐rich molluscan family on the northeast Atlantic seamounts.     

Metazoan endoparasites of 18 anuran species from the mesophytic semideciduous Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil

Brazil has the richest anuran biodiversity in the world and many species have not yet been studied for parasites. One hundred and forty frogs belonging to 18 species (Rhinella schneideri, Dendropsophus aff. minutus, Dendropsophus nanus, Hypsiboas albopunctatus, Hypsiboas punctatus, Hypsiboas raniceps, Phyllomedusa tetraploidea, Pseudis platensis, Scinax fuscovarius, Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus aff. latrans, Leptodactylus mystacinus, Leptodactylus podicipinus, Physalaemus cuvieri, Physalaemus nattereri and Elachistocleis bicolor) collected in aquatic habitats in forest remnants and surrounding agricultural landscapes in southern Brazil were examined for endoparasites. Twenty-four species of endoparasites were identified among 21 adult and three larval individuals: one species of Monogenea, Polystoma lopezromani; eight species of Digenea, Catadiscus marinholutzi, Catadiscus propinquus, Choledocystus simulans, Gordoderina sp., Neohaematoloechus neivai, Rauschiella lenti, Rauschiella linguatula, Rauschiella repandum; one species of Cestoda, Ophiotaenia sp.; one species of Acanthocephala, Centrorhyncus sp.; 12 species of Nematoda, Aplectana sp., Aplectana travassosi, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Raillietnema sp., Schrankiana formolusa, Falcaustra mascula, Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Physaloptera sp., Brevimulticecum sp., Rhabdias sp., Parapharyngodon hylidae; and one species of Annelida, Dero (Allodero) lutzi. The endoparasite fauna found is constituted by generalist species. Two new records of occurrence in Brazil and 33 new host records are reported.     

A new species of Passalus (Passalus) from Atlantic Rainforest,with a key and checklist for the Brazilian Petrejus group (Coleoptera,Passalidae)

ABSTRACT

A new species of Passalus is described from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. A synthesis of the current state of knowledge concerning the Brazilian species of the Petrejus group is presented with a new key to the described Passalus lockerum sp. nov., which is characterized by the frontal area finely and sparsely punctate, interstices shiny; anteriorly with distinct rounded, coarse and shallow punctures, contiguous or not. Also, the secondary median frontal tubercles are close, vestigial to small and subcontiguous at base. Unique characteristic specific to the aedeagus are also important. The species is restricted to a protected conservation area of the Atlantic Forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A0A6251E-DFD0-4BB7-90EE-D7FA29AE8243     

Two zoogeographically remarkable mite species from Finland (Acari,Oribatida, Oribotritiidae)

Species of the genus Mesothuria (fam. Synallactidae) occurring in the Atlantic Ocean are revised. The genus includes 25 valid species, nine of them known from the Atlantic. The new species Mesothuria milleri sp. nov. is described from the north-east Atlantic. It is argued that the genus Zygothuria, established by Perrier in 1898 and recognized later only by Deichmann, should be maintained as a separate genus. Mesothuria and Zygothuria differ in body form, arrangement of ambulacral appendages, and structure of segments of calcareous ring and ossicles from the body wall. The six known species of Zygothuria are reviewed. Zygothuria oxysclera, a former variation of Zygothuria lactea, is proposed as a valid species. Identification keys to species of the genus Zygothuria and Atlantic species of the genus Mesothuria are provided. Data on the life history and reproductive biology of Mesothuria milleri and Zygothuria lactea are given. Both species are common in the north-east Atlantic.     

The Mediterranean species of Malmgreniella Hartman, 1967 (Polychaeta: Polynoidae: Polynoinae), including the description of a new species

The present review is based on material from different localities in the Mediterranean Sea, and where appropriate, on type material; it comprises all Malmgreniella species known to occur in this area: i.e. Malmgreniella andreapolis (McIntosh, 1874), M. castanea (McIntosh, 1876), M. darbouxi Pettibone, 1993, M. lilianae Pettibone, 1993, M. ljungmani (Malmgren, 1867), M. lunulata (Delle Chiaje, 1830), M. polypapillata sp. nov. Two species are new for the Mediterranean: M. lilianae, previously only known from the southwest Atlantic, represents a new record, and M. polypapillata is a new species, occurring not only in the Mediterranean, but probably also in the northeast Atlantic. The seven Malmgreniella species listed above are described and figured, and an identification key is provided. Furthermore, the subfamily affiliation of the genus Malmgreniella Hartman, 1967 and the validity of Malmgrenia McIntosh, 1874 are discussed.     

A new genus of Atlantic octocorals (Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae): systematics of gorgoniids with asymmetric sclerites

Gorgonian corals from the families Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae are among the most abundant and diverse shallow‐water cnidarians found along tropical and temperate Atlantic coasts and reefs. Some morphological traits in the Gorgoniidae comprise a taxonomic challenge due to their morphological plasticity as well as a lack of discrete character states among most genera. Some gorgoniids have asymmetrical sclerites in the surface coenenchyme, a character trait that consists of a continuum among several genera and can cause confusion with members of the family Plexauridae. The collection of a unique gorgoniid in Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago), which contains this trait but also maintains affinities to many different genera, stimulated a wider morphological comparison of gorgoniids using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using the morphology of asymmetrical sclerites, gorgoniids could be grouped in four monophyletic clades that were compatible with recent molecular phylogenies and provide a provisional subfamilial classification: (1) a derived clade including gorgoniids with scaphoid sclerites, comprising the reef fauna from the western Atlantic (e.g. Gorgonia, Pseudopterogorgia [ = Antillogorgia], Pterogorgia, and Phyllogorgia); (2) a related group with taxa containing capstan sclerites including genera with short capstans and/or disk‐spindles sclerites such as Pacifogorgia and Leptogorgia ( = Lophogorgia); (3) a clade of gorgoniids with asymmetrical spiny sclerites including the Atlantic genus Muriceopsis and the Indopacific Pinnigorgia together with the distant single species from the new genus and species Tobagogorgia hardyi (it is worth noting that Muriceopsis was previously classified in the Plexauridae, but there is overwhelming molecular support that groups it with the Gorgoniidae and morphological evidence that suggests affinity with Pinnigorgia); and finally (4) a basal clade with long and spiny spindles, which includes some African species such as Filigorgia angolana and F. schoutedeni as well as other new combinations (all species previously classified as Leptogorgia but not phylogenetically related). The combined set of sclerites of Tobagogorgia (e.g. both asymmetrical and irregularly bent spindles) separates it from the diagnostic characters of related genera such as Muriceopsis and Pinnigorgia. The latter two genera are also profusely branched, including pinnate patterns, whereas T. hardyi has only one or two branches. Externally, T. hardyi looks like some Leptogorgia colonies that branch minimally but it is clear that the sclerites are very different and thus also their phylogenetic divergence.     

Deep-sea Tanaidacea (Crustacea) of the North-east Atlantic: the tribe Agathotanaini

The tanaidacean tribe Agathotanaini, which was formerly the family Agathotanaidae, is well-represented in the Rockall Trough and Bay of Biscay areas of the North-east Atlantic. Five species have been recorded from depths of 1160–4829 m. Agathotanais ingolfi is the most numerous and one of the most widely distributed tanaidacean species in the region, and is often predominant in epibenthic sled samples from 1500–2500 m. Less numerous and frequent are three new species of Paragathotanais: P. nanus, P. robustus and P. gracilis. The first two are bathyal in distribution, and the last is abyssal. A new monospecific genus is established for Metagathotanais insulcatus, which has been recorded from the deepest part of the study region (4600–4800 m). Males of this tribe are characterized by their rigid pleopods bearing short terminal setae, and are otherwise very similar to the females. A key is provided for the identification of agathotanaids from the North-east Atlantic, including Agathotanais hanseni, and the genera Allodaposia and Paranarthrura, which should also be classified in the Agathotanaini.     

Breeding behaviour of Bokermannohyla nanuzae (Anura: Hylidae) at an Atlantic Forest site in southeastern Brazil

We studied the breeding activities of Bokermannohyla nanuzae at an Atlantic Forest site in southeastern Brazil from August 2010 to April 2012. We described courtship behaviour, acoustic parameters of calls, egg clutch features and the egg-laying site, and characterized the reproductive mode. We recorded calling males and gravid females almost year-round, except for a few months in the dry season. We observed the interaction of five male–female pairs that exhibited stereotyped behavioural sequences including visual and tactile signals. We identified three different types of calls that we considered as the advertisement call and two types of courtship calls. Egg clutches were placed in rocky crevices with water or in streamside puddles, among rocks, that would be likely to be flooded as stream water level raises, which characterizes a reproductive mode different from the one previously recognized for this species. The breeding biology of B. nanuzae is complex, with elaborate courtship behaviour and signalling.