Chromosomal analysis of Astyanax fasciatus (PISCES, CHARACIDAE) from the Araguari river, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

Species delimitation in Psalidodon fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819) complex (Teleostei: Characidae) from three hydrographic basins

Psalidodon fasciatus is a complex of several fish species widely distributed in Brazilian hydrographic systems that share morphological characteristics and show a high taxonomic complexity and genetic variability. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses were carried out in populations from three Brazilian hydrographic basins, aiming to contribute to systematic and biogeographical knowledge of the group. The chromosomal markers verified the occurrence of species-specific characters and indicated the existence of six distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs): P. fasciatus (São Francisco River basin), Psalidodon sp. 1, Psalidodon sp. 2 and Psalidodon eigenmanniorum (Uruguay River basin); and Psalidodon sp. 3 and Psalidodon sp. 4 (Paraná River basin). The chromosomal markers showed more similarities among species from the Uruguay River and São Francisco River basins. DNA barcoding analyses (assemble species by automatic partitioning, neighbour-joining, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony) indicated the existence of at least three distinct OTUs. The chromosomal evolution rates were demonstrated to be higher than the molecular evolution rates, reinforcing the importance of using chromosomal markers to delimit OTUs in integrative taxonomy studies. These results suggest that the São Francisco River Basin population (the type locality) should be considered as true P. fasciatus, and the others, until now treated as Psalidodon aff. fasciatus, are cryptic species.

Is Planting Trees Enough? The Effect of Different Types of Reforestation on the Offspring of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in the Southern Amazon

The deforestation has led to local loss of species and important ecosystem services performed by them, causing ecological and economic losses. It is proposed that the reforestation of such areas aims to reduce those impacts. However, particularly in the tropics, little is known about the real success of different types of reforestation in the recovery of the species, and especially of the population parameters. Here we evaluated whether different types of reforestations affect Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse Saussure (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in terms of abundance, percentage of emergence, proportion of males, fluctuating asymmetry, and foraging capacity. We compared primary forest (control) data to data collected in five different habitats: pasture, secondary forest, and tree plantations of Teak, Ficus, and a mixture of native species. The abundance of T. lactitarse was higher in tree plantations than in pasture. However, among the analyzed parameters, Teak plantation presented lower emergence percentage and the majority of individuals born were males. The emerged females in this habitat showed higher asymmetry and lower foraging capacity. Ficus showed lower individual abundance and mixed plantation showed lower emergence percentage, with both plantation types showing higher male emergence. On the other hand, in secondary forest, the analyzed parameters did not differ in relation to the primary forest, being the habitat more efficient in relation to those with tree planting. The changes in population parameters of T. lactitarse in different reforestations and particularly on Teak monocultures were probably attributed to indirect effects, such as low food availability and inadequate environmental conditions.