1
|
Medeiros TCT, Dabija LG, Parasecolo L, Melo IS, Moraes LAB, Ifa DR. Differentiation of the metabolic profile of actinobacteria isolated from the soil of the caatinga biome by paper spray mass spectrometry. J Mass Spectrom 2023; 58:e4956. [PMID: 37401101 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is an ambient ionization technique that allows for rapid and direct mass spectrometry analysis for a wide range of chemical compounds due to its portability, little to no sample preparation, and cost-effective materials. As applications with this technique continue to expand, the identification and discrimination of bacteria at the strain level remain a promising avenue for researchers. Although studies in the past demonstrated the applicability of PS-MS to discriminate bacteria at the strain level, no one has reported the strain-level differentiation of actinobacteria without using solvent for PS-MS. Hence, this study demonstrates that optimization of PS-MS permits the investigation and differentiation of the metabolic profiles of actinobacteria without the need for solvents, diminishing the potential for sample contamination and consequently increasing the versatility of this technique. In doing so, strains of actinobacteria (CAAT P5-21, CAAT P5-16, CAAT 8-25, CAAT P8-92, and CAAT P11-13) were grown and transferred to produce a crude growth medium. The supernatant was used for the PS-MS analyses using a Thermo Scientific LTQ mass spectrometer. Multivariate statistical analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA), was employed to chemically distinguish the strains of bacteria. As a result, each strain of actinobacteria could be visually differentiated based on their metabolic profile. These findings demonstrate the practicability of using a liquid medium as an alternative to many other organic solvents when analyzing bacteria, making PS-MS a crucial addition to a microbiologist's research toolkit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talita C T Medeiros
- Departament of Chemistry, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Itamar S Melo
- EMBRAPA, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Jaguariúna, Brazil
| | - Luiz Alberto B Moraes
- Departament of Chemistry, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Demian R Ifa
- Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Biffi G, Rosa SP, Kundrata R. Hide-and-Seek with Tiny Neotenic Beetles in One of the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots: Towards an Understanding of the Real Diversity of Jurasaidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:420. [PMID: 34065103 PMCID: PMC8151716 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Jurasaidae are a family of neotenic elateroid beetles which was described recently from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot based on three species in two genera. All life stages live in the soil, including the larviform females, and only adult males are able to fly. Here, we report the discovery of two new species, Jurasai miraculum sp. nov. and J. vanini sp. nov., and a new, morphologically remarkable population of J. digitusdei Rosa et al., 2020. Our discovery sheds further light on the diversity and biogeography of the group. Most species of Jurasaidae are known from the rainforest remnants of the Atlantic Forest, but here for the first time we report a jurasaid species from the relatively drier Atlantic Forest/Caatinga transitional zone. Considering our recent findings, minute body size and cryptic lifestyle of all jurasaids, together with potentially high numbers of yet undescribed species of this family from the Atlantic Forest and possibly also other surrounding ecoregions, we call for both field research in potentially suitable localities as well as for a detailed investigation of a massive amount of already collected but still unprocessed materials deposited in a number of Brazilian institutes, laboratories and collections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Biffi
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga, São Paulo, SP 04263-000, Brazil;
| | - Simone Policena Rosa
- Instituto de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Av. BPS, 1303, Itajubá, MG 37500-903, Brazil;
| | - Robin Kundrata
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 77146 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
de Oliveira J, da Rosa JA, Fontes FM, Andrade DC, Madi RR, de Melo CM. Psammolestes tertius Lent & Jurberg, 1965 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): first report in Sergipe State, Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021; 54:e0708-2020. [PMID: 33759924 PMCID: PMC8008867 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0708-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study reports the first occurrence of Psammolestes tertius (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. METHODS In 2020, 95 specimens were collected from the municipality of Porto da Folha, Sergipe, Brazil. RESULTS This finding expands the geographical distribution of the species from 15 states in Brazil to 16 and increases the biodiversity of triatomines in the state of Sergipe. CONCLUSIONS The presence of P. tertius in the state of Sergipe demonstrated a wider distribution of this species in northeastern Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jader de Oliveira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - João Aristeu da Rosa
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - Felipe Mendes Fontes
- Universidade Tiradentes, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Ambiente, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - David Campos Andrade
- Universidade Tiradentes, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Ambiente, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Rubens Riscala Madi
- Universidade Tiradentes, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Ambiente, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
- Instituto de Tecnologia e Pesquisa, Laboratório de Biologia Tropical, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Cláudia Moura de Melo
- Universidade Tiradentes, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Ambiente, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
- Instituto de Tecnologia e Pesquisa, Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Costa WK, Gomes NODC, Souza Dos Santos B, Bezerra Filho CM, Oliveira AMD, da Silva GC, Veras BOD, Oliveira FGDS, Aguiar JCRDOFD, Navarro DMDAF, Correia MTDS, Silva MVD. First report on the chemical composition of leaf essential oil of Myrciaria pilosa Sobral & Couto and its antimicrobial and antivirulence activities against Staphylococcus aureus. Nat Prod Res 2020; 36:2429-2433. [PMID: 33107338 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1837805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Myrciaria pilosa is a tree species of the Brazilian Caatinga biome. This paper is the first report on the chemical composition and the antimicrobial and antivirulence activities of essential oil extracted from its leaves. The oil was extracted by hydrodistillation. Chemical composition determined by GC-MS and CG-FID revealed 63 compounds; the sesquiterpenes guaiol (13.17%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (11.26%) dominated. Antimicrobial activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated by the broth microdilution method. It showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 5 μg/mL against evaluated strains and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) ranging from 10 to 20 μg/mL. Evaluation of antivirulence activity showed reductions of 92.0% and 47.2%, respectively, in haemolytic action and production of staphyloxanthin. These findings show that the essential oil of M. pilosa has potential as an antimicrobial drug to control infection by multi-resistant strains of S. aureus.
Collapse
|
5
|
Andrade DC, Morais SA, Marteis LS, Gama RA, Freire RCDM, Rekowski BS, Ueno HM, La Corte R. Diversity of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Caatinga Biome, Brazil, from the Widespread to the Endemic. Insects 2020; 11:insects11080468. [PMID: 32722308 PMCID: PMC7469145 DOI: 10.3390/insects11080468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito fauna in the northeast semiarid region of Brazil, Caatinga biome, are poorly known. Studies on the diversity are scarce and the few surveys available focus on local fauna. In order to understand the ecological pattern of mosquito's distribution, information available from studies from 2008 to 2015 were gathered. A partitioning framework of the beta diversity, the turnover (βJTU) and nestedness (βJNE) components were used to determine dissimilarity among communities. Eighty-two morphospecies were recorded and 47 of the species were not shared between the areas. The most representative genera were Aedes, Anopheles, Psorophora, Haemagogus, Coquillettidia, and Mansonia, which all include species of medical interest. The communities had high rates of variation, and the mechanism of turnover accounted for the observed diversity pattern. Despite differences in collection methods, the observed dissimilarity may be related to the broad environmental heterogeneity of the biome, the intrinsic relationships of the species with their habitats, and the environmental degradation caused by different types of anthropogenic interference. Considering the mosquito species richness and endemicity, the hypothesis that the Caatinga harbor poor biodiversity is rejected. The spatial variation observed is of particular importance and should be taken into account for the knowledge of Caatinga biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Campos Andrade
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil; (D.C.A.); (B.S.R.)
| | - Sirlei Antunes Morais
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Avenida Marechal Rondon, S/N, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil;
| | - Letícia Silva Marteis
- Colegiado de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Av. José de Sá Maniçoba, S/N, Centro, Petrolina 56304-917, PE, Brazil;
| | - Renata Antonaci Gama
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida Senador Salgado Filho 3000, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil;
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil;
| | - Renato Cesar de Melo Freire
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil;
| | - Belgrano Santiago Rekowski
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil; (D.C.A.); (B.S.R.)
| | - Helene Mariko Ueno
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sustentabilidade—Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades da Universidade de São Paulo. Av. Arlindo Béttio, 1000, São Paulo 03828-000, SP, Brazil;
| | - Roseli La Corte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil; (D.C.A.); (B.S.R.)
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Avenida Marechal Rondon, S/N, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-79-3194-6626
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Oliveira MT, Souza GM, Pereira S, Oliveira DAS, Figueiredo-Lima KV, Arruda E, Santos MG. Seasonal variability in physiological and anatomical traits contributes to invasion success of Prosopis juliflora in tropical dry forest. Tree Physiol 2017; 37:326-337. [PMID: 28062726 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpw123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated whether there were consistent differences in the physiological and anatomical traits and phenotypic variability of an invasive (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.) and native species (Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan) in response to seasonality in a tropical dry forest. The water potential, organic solutes, gas exchange, enzymes of the antioxidant system, products of oxidative stress and anatomical parameters were evaluated in both species in response to seasonality. An analysis of physiological responses indicated that the invasive P. juliflora exhibited higher response in net photosynthetic rate to that of the native species between seasons. Higher values of water potential of the invasive species than those of the native species in the dry season indicate a more efficient mechanism for water regulation in the invasive species. The invasive species exhibits a thicker cuticle and trichomes, which can reduce transpiration. In combination, the increased epidermal thickness and the decreased thickness of the parenchyma in the dry season may contribute to water saving. Our data suggest a higher variability in anatomical traits in the invasive species as a response to seasonality, whereas physiological traits did not present a clear pattern of response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marciel T Oliveira
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil
| | - Gustavo M Souza
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão/RS, Brazil
| | - Silvia Pereira
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Emília Arruda
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil
| | - Mauro G Santos
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vasconcelos SD, Salgado RL, Barbosa TM, Souza JRB. Diptera of Medico-Legal Importance Associated With Pig Carrion in a Tropical Dry Forest. J Med Entomol 2016; 53:1131-1139. [PMID: 27330102 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of necrophagous Diptera is largely unknown in seasonally dry tropical forests, despite their medical, veterinary, and forensic relevance. We performed a study in the dry Caatinga forest exclusive to Brazil in order to assess the diversity and temporal pattern of Diptera species using pig carcasses as substrates. Adults were collected daily until complete skeletonization. We collected 17,142 adults from 18 families, 10 of which comprise species with known necrophagous habits. The most abundant families were Calliphoridae (47.3% of specimens), Sarcophagidae (20.8%), and Muscidae (15.5%), whereas Sarcophagidae stood out in terms of richness with 21 species. The native Cochliomyia macellaria (F.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and the invasive Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedmann) (Calliphoridae) were the dominant species. A total of 18 species reached the carcass during the first 48 h postdeath. The bloated and active decay stages had the highest richness and abundance of dipterans. From a forensic standpoint, C. macellaria and C. albiceps are likely to aid in establishing postmortem interval due to their early arrival and high abundance on the carcass. Despite harsh environmental conditions, the Caatinga harbors a rich assemblage of dipterans that play a key role in carrion decomposition. Their medico-veterinary importance is strengthened by the poor local sanitary conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S D Vasconcelos
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
| | - R L Salgado
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
| | - T M Barbosa
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
| | - J R B Souza
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pacchioni RG, Carvalho FM, Thompson CE, Faustino ALF, Nicolini F, Pereira TS, Silva RCB, Cantão ME, Gerber A, Vasconcelos ATR, Agnez-Lima LF. Taxonomic and functional profiles of soil samples from Atlantic forest and Caatinga biomes in northeastern Brazil. Microbiologyopen 2014; 3:299-315. [PMID: 24706600 PMCID: PMC4082704 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although microorganisms play crucial roles in ecosystems, metagenomic analyses of soil samples are quite scarce, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. In this work, the microbial diversity of soil samples from an Atlantic Forest and Caatinga was analyzed using a metagenomic approach. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla in both samples. Among which, a significant proportion of stress-resistant bacteria associated to organic matter degradation was found. Sequences related to metabolism of amino acids, nitrogen, and DNA and stress resistance were more frequent in Caatinga soil, while the forest sample showed the highest occurrence of hits annotated in phosphorous metabolism, defense mechanisms, and aromatic compound degradation subsystems. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that our samples are close to the desert metagenomes in relation to taxonomy, but are more similar to rhizosphere microbiota in relation to the functional profiles. The data indicate that soil characteristics affect the taxonomic and functional distribution; these characteristics include low nutrient content, high drainage (both are sandy soils), vegetation, and exposure to stress. In both samples, a rapid turnover of organic matter with low greenhouse gas emission was suggested by the functional profiles obtained, reinforcing the importance of preserving natural areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralfo G Pacchioni
- Department of Cellular Biology and Genetics, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Neto EMFL, Almeida ALS, Peroni N, Castro CC, Albuquerque UP. Phenology of Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae) under different landscape management regimes and a proposal for a rapid phenological diagnosis using local knowledge. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2013; 9:10. [PMID: 23369197 PMCID: PMC3570449 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies aimed at investigating the influence of habitat change on species phenology. Studies that investigate people's perceptions of the phenology of certain species still area few; yet this approach is important for effective decision-making for conservation. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenology of Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae), a native species of economic and ecological importance in northeastern Brazil, in five landscape units (LUs) (Mountain, Mountain Base, Pasture, Cultivated Areas and Homegardens) of a Caatinga region in Altinho, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. These data could then be compared with local people's perceptions of the species' phenophases. METHOD Collection of phenological data was carried out monthly from February 2007 to January 2009 and included activity, intensity and synchronization of reproductive and vegetative phenophases. Ethnobotanical data were gathered using a collaborative approach to access local people's knowledge about the species' phenological schedule. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the intensity of phenophases among LUs, and there was a correspondence between people's perception of phenophases and the phenological data collected. The data show that the different management practices for LUs did not influence the phenology of the species. CONCLUSION The main conclusion of this study is the use of traditional knowledge as interesting tool for rapid phenological diagnosis. However further studies need to be developed to test this tool in other environments and cultural contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ernani MF Lins Neto
- Biology Department, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Campus Professora Cinobelina Elvas, BR 135, km 3, Planalto Horizonte, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Alyson LS Almeida
- Laboratório de Etnobotânica Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Brazil
| | - Nivaldo Peroni
- Department of Ecology and Zoology, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Cibele C Castro
- Department of Biology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bezerra DMM, de Araujo HFP, Alves ÂGC, Alves RRN. Birds and people in semiarid northeastern Brazil: symbolic and medicinal relationships. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2013; 9:3. [PMID: 23295130 PMCID: PMC3599870 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At least 511 species of birds occur in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil and many of them interact with human populations in a number of different ways, including their use in zootherapeutics and their links with local beliefs. OBJECTIVE The present work examined these types of birds/human interactions (use in zootherapeutics and their links with local beliefs) in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte State in northeastern Brazil. METHODS Information was obtained through semi-structured interviews with 120 local residents. RESULTS A total of 16 wild bird species distributed among 11 families were found to interact directly with humans, with Columbidae being the best represented family. Seven species were identified in the medicinal category, five were related to symbolic aspects, while four species were identified as being related to both categories (medicinal and symbolic). CONCLUSION The accumulated folk knowledge, beliefs, and practices involving the avifauna in the semiarid region of Brazil, whether symbolic or medicinal, demonstrated the cultural importance of this vertebrate group to local human populations and revealed a belief system intrinsically related to cynegetic practices in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ângelo Giuseppe Chaves Alves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Manoel de Medeiros, S/N, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, Pernambuco
| | - Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúda, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, 58109-753, Paraíba, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Milet-Pinheiro P, Schlindwein C. Mutual reproductive dependence of distylic Cordia leucocephala (Cordiaceae) and oligolectic Ceblurgus longipalpis (Halictidae, Rophitinae) in the Caatinga. Ann Bot 2010; 106:17-27. [PMID: 20400457 PMCID: PMC2889792 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcq077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Revised: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 03/05/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The close relationship between distylic Cordia leucocephala and the bee Ceblurgus longipalpis, both endemic to the Caatinga, north-east Brazil, was investigated, emphasizing reproductive dependence, morphological adaptations of the partners, and pollen flow. METHODS In the municipality of Pedra, in the Caatinga of Pernambuco, the breeding system and reproductive success of C. leucocephala, its interaction with flower visitors and inter- and intramorph pollen flow were determined. KEY RESULTS The bee Ceblurgus longipalpis, the unique flower visitor and effective pollinator of self-incompatible Cordia leucocephala, presents morphological features adapted to exploit hidden pollen and nectar in the long and narrow corolla tubes. Pollen of low-level anthers is collected with hairs on prolonged mouthparts and pollen of high-level anthers with clypeus, mandibles, and labrum, showing pollen removal from both levels with the same effectiveness. In both morphs, this results in similar legitimate, i.e. intermorph cross-pollen flow. Illegitimate pollen flow to stigmas of pin flowers, however, was much higher than to stigmas of thrum flowers. Moreover, more illegitimate pollen was transported to stigmas of pin and less to those of thrum flowers when compared with legitimate pollen flow. CONCLUSIONS The study reveals a one-to-one reproductive inter-dependence between both partners. Data indicate that this relationship between bee species and plant species is one of the rare cases of monolecty among bees. Monotypic Ceblurgus longipalpis, the only rophitine species of Brazil, evolved prolonged mouthparts rare among short-tongued bees that enable them to access pollen from flowers with short-level anthers hidden for bees of other species, and nectar at the base of the flower tube.
Collapse
|
12
|
de Luna RG, Coutinho HDM, Grisi BM. Evaluation of pasture soil productivity in the semi-arid zone of Brazil by microbial analyses. Braz J Microbiol 2008; 39:409-13. [PMID: 24031238 PMCID: PMC3768422 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-83822008000300001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2007] [Revised: 10/16/2007] [Accepted: 07/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The productivity of a pasture soil (caatinga) located in the region of São João do Cariri, PB, Brazil was evaluated based an the following microbiological parameters: biomass (measured by fumigation-incubation method), activity (estimated from basal respiration and cellulose decomposition rate), qCO2, and Cmic : Corg ratio. This analysis demonstrated that livestock management in the ‘caatinga’ is probably causing environment damage by affecting the soil properties, reducing the microbial biomass and soil respiration and increasing the qCO2, affecting the recovery of this ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo Gil de Luna
- Programa Regional de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente, Universidade Federal da Paraíba , João Pessoa, PB , Brasil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Myrmecochory is a conspicuous feature of several sclerophyll ecosystems around the world but it has received little attention in the semi-arid areas of South America. This study addresses the importance of seed dispersal by ants in a 2500-km(2) area of the Caatinga ecosystem (north-east Brazil) and investigates ant-derived benefits to the plant through myrmecochory. METHODS Seed manipulation and dispersal by ants was investigated during a 3-year period in the Xingó region. Both plant and ant assemblages involved in seed dispersal were described and ant behaviour was characterized. True myrmecochorous seeds of seven Euphorbiaceae species (i.e. elaiosome-bearing seeds) were used in experiments designed to: (1) quantify the rates of seed cleaning/removal and the influence of both seed size and elaiosome presence on seed removal; (2) identify the fate of seeds dispersed by ants; and (3) document the benefits of seed dispersal by ants in terms of seed germination and seedling growth. KEY RESULTS Seed dispersal by ants involved one-quarter of the woody flora inhabiting the Xingó region, but true myrmecochory was restricted to 12.8 % of the woody plant species. Myrmecochorous seeds manipulated by ants faced high levels of seed removal (38-84 %) and 83 % of removed seeds were discarded on ant nests. Moreover, seed removal positively correlated with the presence of elaiosome, and elaiosome removal increased germination success by at least 30 %. Finally, some Euphorbiaceae species presented both increased germination and seedling growth on ant-nest soils. CONCLUSIONS Myrmecochory is a relevant seed dispersal mode in the Caatinga ecosystem, and is particularly frequent among Euphorbiaceae trees and shrubs. The fact that seeds reach micro-sites suitable for establishment (ant nests) supports the directed dispersal hypothesis as a possible force favouring myrmecochory in this ecosystem. Ecosystems with a high frequency of myrmecochorous plants appear not to be restricted to regions of nutrient-impoverished soil or to fire-prone regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inara R Leal
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Machado IC, Lopes AV, Sazima M. Plant sexual systems and a review of the breeding system studies in the Caatinga, a Brazilian tropical dry forest. Ann Bot 2006; 97:277-87. [PMID: 16377654 PMCID: PMC2803361 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcj029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS The reproductive biology of a community can provide answers to questions related to the maintenance of the intraspecific pollen flow and reproductive success of populations, sharing and competition for pollinators and also questions on conservation of natural habitats affected by fragmentation processes. This work presents, for the first time, data on the occurrence and frequency of plant sexual systems for Caatinga communities, and a review of the breeding system studies of Caatinga species. METHODS The sexual systems of 147 species from 34 families and 91 genera occurring in three Caatinga areas in north-eastern Brazil were analysed and compared with worldwide studies focusing on reproductive biology of different tropical communities. KEY RESULTS The frequency of hermaphrodite species was 83.0 % (122 species), seven of these (or 4.8 % of the total) being heterostylous. Monoecy occurred in 9.5 % (14) of the species, and andromonoecy in 4.8 % (seven). Only 2.7 % (four) of the species were dioecious. A high percentage of hermaphrodite species was expected and has been reported for other tropical ecosystems. With respect to the breeding system studies with species of the Caatinga, the authors' data for 21 species and an additional 18 species studied by others (n = 39) revealed a high percentage (61.5 %) of obligatory self-incompatibility. Agamospermy was not recorded among the Caatinga studied species. CONCLUSIONS The plant sexual systems in the Caatinga, despite the semi-arid climate, are similar to other tropical dry and wet forest communities, including those with high rainfall levels, except for the much lower percentage of dioecious species. The high frequency of self-incompatible species is similar to that reported for Savanna areas in Brazil, and also for dry (deciduous and semideciduous) and humid tropical forest communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Cristina Machado
- Departamento de Botânica-CCB-Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50372-970, Recife-PE, Brazil.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pollination is a critical stage in plant reproduction and thus in the maintenance and evolution of species and communities. The Caatinga is the fourth largest ecosystem in Brazil, but despite its great extent and its importance few studies providing ecological information are available, with a notable lack of work focusing on pollination biology. Here, general data are presented regarding the frequency of pollination systems within Caatinga communities, with the aim of characterizing patterns related to floral attributes in order to make possible comparisons with data for plant communities in other tropical areas, and to test ideas about the utility of syndromes. This paper also intends to provide a reference point for further studies on pollination ecology in this threatened ecosystem. METHODS The floral traits and the pollination systems of 147 species were analysed in three areas of Caatinga vegetation in northeastern Brazil, and compared with world-wide studies focusing on the same subject. For each species, floral attributes were recorded as form, size, colour, rewards and pollination units. The species were grouped into 12 guilds according to the main pollinator vector. Analyses of the frequencies of the floral traits and pollination systems were undertaken. KEY RESULTS Nectar and pollen were the most common floral resources and insect pollination was the most frequent, occurring in 69.9 % of the studied species. Of the entomophilous species, 61.7 % were considered to be melittophilous (43.1 % of the total). Vertebrate pollination occurred in 28.1 % of the species (ornithophily in 15.0 % and chiropterophily in 13.1 %), and anemophily was recorded in only 2.0 %. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that the pollination systems in Caatinga, despite climatic restrictions, are diversified, with a low percentage of generalist flowers, and similar to other tropical dry and wet forest communities, including those with high rainfall levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Cristina Machado
- Departamento de Botânica-CCB -- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50.372-970, Recife-PE, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|