Alaíde Aparecida Fonseca-Gessner

Comunidade de Odonata (Insecta) em áreas naturais de Cerrado e monocultura no nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: relação entre o uso do solo e a riqueza faunística

Stream ecosystems may be strongly influenced in different ways by land use. The effects of land-cover patterns on Odonata community were studied in eight streams and seven lakes-dams of northeastern Sao Paulo State. The pattern analyzed was monoculture (sugar cane) vs. nature reserve in terms of Odonata species richness and similarity. Eighty-five Odonata species were sampled. The species richness was higher in the monoculture (33 species) than nature reserve (30 species) and 22 species were common to both areas. There was not verified relationship between land use and physical or chemical characteristics of the streams or lakes-dams water. These results suggest that some Odonata species are benefited and other affected by anthropogenic actions, although more studies are necessary to evaluate this hypothesis. There were ten new records for Sao Paulo State (Neoneura sylvatica, Coryphaeschna adnexa, Erythemis haematogastra, E. mithroides, Micrathyria longifasciata, M. pseudeximia, Planiplax machadoi, Lauromacromia sp., Tibiagomphus sp. and Aeschnosoma sp.).

Choice of macroinvertebrate metrics to evaluate stream conditions in Atlantic Forest, Brazil

The development of biomonitoring programs based on the macroinvertebrate community requires the understanding of species distribution patterns, as well as of the responses of the community to anthropogenic stressors. In this study, 49 metrics were tested as potential means of assessing the condition of 29 first- and second-order streams located in areas of differing types of land use in São Paulo State, Brazil. Of the sampled streams, 15 were in well-preserved regions in the Atlantic Forest, 5 were among sugarcane cultivations, 5 were in areas of pasture, and 4 were among eucalyptus plantations. The metrics were assessed against the following criteria: (1) predictable response to the impact of human activity; (2) highest taxonomic resolution, and (3) operational and theoretical simplicity. We found that 18 metrics were correlated with the environmental and spatial predictors used, and seven of these satisfied the selection criteria and are thus candidates for inclusion in a multimetric system to assess low-order streams in São Paulo State. These metrics are family richness; Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness; proportion of Megaloptera and Hirudinea; proportion of EPT; Shannon diversity index for genus; and adapted Biological Monitoring Work Party biotic index.

Chave de famílias de Coleoptera aquáticos (Insecta) do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Coleoptera is the most species-rich order among the Insecta and although only 4% of its species are aquatic, it is an abundant group in the freshwater environments. This work aims to expand knowledge of the group primarily in lotic systems. Are proposed identification keys for larvae and adults of 17 families of aquatic Coleoptera known from the state, to assist researchers who are unfamiliar with the identification of this group. All material studied was collected in Sao Paulo, Brazil as part of the BIOTA/FAPESP Program.

Out of South America: phylogeny of non-biting midges in the genus Labrundinia suggests multiple dispersal events to Central and North America

Non‐biting midges of the genus Labrundinia (Chironomidae: Tanypodinae) are minute dipterans with immature stages living in a variety of unpolluted water bodies, from small streams and ponds to lakes and bays. Extensively recorded in ecological studies, the genus comprises 39 species, all except one described from areas outside the Palearctic region. Internal structure among Labrundinia species was postulated by S. S. Roback, who recognized four species groups based on morphological characters of immature stages. We examined phylogenetic relationships among known Labrundinia species using partial DNA sequences of the nuclear protein‐coding gene CAD and morphological characters. Both analyses with Bayesian inference and parsimony methods recovered the monophyly of Labrundinia, strongly supported by five morphological synapomorphies. Internal relationships within the genus partly supported Robacks species groups with the addition of later described species. Biogeographical inferences were obtained by applying Bayesian binary MCMC (BBM) analysis and favoured a scenario where Labrundinia had its initial diversification in the Neotropical region and that current presence in the Nearctic region and southern South America is due to subsequent dispersal.

Water beetles in mountainous regions in southeastern Brazil

Inventories provide information on the state of biodiversity at a site or for a geographic region. Species inventories are the basis for systematic study and critical to ecology, biogeography and identification of biological indicators and key species. They also provide key information for assessments of environmental change, for natural resource conservation or recovery of degraded ecosystems. Thus, inventories play a key role in planning strategies for conservation and sustainable use. This study aimed to inventory the fauna of water beetles, larvae and adults, in two mountainous regions in the state of São Paulo, in Serra da Mantiqueira (Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão and Pindamonhangaba region) and in Serra do Mar (Santa Virgínia and Picinguaba Divisions) as well as to generate information about the habitats used by the different genera recorded. Specimens were collected in lotic and lentic systems, between the years 2005 to 2010. In total 14,492 specimens were collected and 16 families and 50 genera of Coleoptera were identified. This study in mountainous regions showed a significant portion of the faunal composition of South America and the state of São Paulo. The composition of the fauna, in terms of richness and abundance by family, indicated the predominance of Elmidae, followed by Hydrophilidae and Dytiscidae. Despite the diversity found, the results of estimated richness indicated the need for additional sampling effort for both regions, since the curves of estimated richness did not reach an asymptote, suggesting that new species can be found in future surveys.

Fauna de Chironomidae (Diptera) associada à Salvinia sp. e Myriophyllum sp. num reservatório do córrego do espraiado, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil

The presence of vegetation in aquatic ecosystems often results in a substantial increase in the available area for colonization. Several studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between the presence of macrophytes and the abundance and diversity of Chironomidae. Environmental parameters and Chironomidae larvae associated with both macrophytes Salvinia sp. and Myriophyllum sp. were studied in a small reservoir in the state of S. Paulo, Brazil. Tanytarsus, Monopelopia and Labrundinia were dominant in abundance on Salvinia, however Cricotopus and Tanytarsus have alternated dominance on Myriophyllum. In addition the structure functional feeding groups were discussed.

The effect of riparian deforestation on macroinvertebrates associated with submerged woody debris

Riparian deforestation is one of the main causes of change in freshwater ecosystems, resulting in the reduction of biological integrity and the loss of ecosystem functions. Our goal was to understand how a gradient of deforestation may affect abundance and richness of specialist and generalist macroinvertebrates associated with submerged woody debris in Neotropical streams. We conducted an observational study sampling mixed-species woody debris from 16 streams along a deforestation gradient. We also conducted an incubation study with known woody debris species (Cecropia pachystachya Trécul) in six streams. We collected 781 specimens and identified 50 taxa in the observational study, and we found 99 individuals belonging to 17 taxa in incubation study. Results from the two complementary studies indicate that the effect of riparian deforestation was more pronounced for wood specialists than generalists. Deforestation decreased the abundance and richness of wood specialists, and some taxa were locally extinct. The incubation study showed that sedimentation, which leads to the burying of woody debris, is an important process impeding macroinvertebrate colonization. Our study highlights the importance of woody debris as habitat for aquatic communities and as a structural component of streams, with important implications for conservation and biomonitoring. We suggest that wood specialists could be a potential group for use in biomonitoring programs aimed at assessing the impact of deforestation.

A taxonomic revision of genus Labrundinia Fittkau, 1962 (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae)

The species of the genus Labrundinia (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae: Pentaneurini) are revised, described and figured. Keys to known adult males, pupae and larvae are provided. Fourteen previously known species are redescribed, and 25 species from Neotropical region are diagnosed and described as new to science. These species treated are L. amandae sp. n., L. amazonica sp. n., L. becki Beck et Beck, L. carolae sp. n., L. costaricae sp. n., L. fera Roback, L. fiorelinii sp. n., L. fittkaui sp. n., L. fosteri Roback, L. hirsuta Roback, L. gregi sp. n., L. jasoni sp. n., L. johannseni Beck et Beck, L. kogilamae sp. n., L. longipalpis Goetghebuer, L. mayaca sp. n., L. meta Roback, L. multidentata sp. n., L. nathani sp. n., L. neopilosella Beck et Beck, L. nicaraguensis sp. n., L. opela Roback, L. panamensis sp. n., L. parabecki Roback, L. parafittkaui sp. n., L. parareniformis sp. n., L. paravirescens sp. n., L. paulae sp. n., L. pilosella Loew, L. reniformis sp. n., L. robacki sp. n., L. semicurvata sp. n., L. setosa sp. n., L. separata Edwards, L. sofiae sp. n., L. tenata Roback, L. trilucida sp. n., L. unicolor sp. n., L. virescens Beck et Beck. A diagnosis of the genus is presented and morphological differences to closely related genera are discussed.

Larvae of Lutrochus germari (Lutrochidae: Coleoptera) and Stegoelmis sp. (Elmidae: Coleoptera): bore submerged woody debris in Neotropical streams

We report boring activity of larval Lutrochus germari Grouvelle, 1889 and Stegoelmis sp. in submerged woody debris and describe the resulting grooves and faecal pellet production. This ability of the larvae was shown by three types of evidence: 1) examination of collected woody debris, 2) rearing of larvae and 3) gut content analysis. The larvae excavated galleries deep into the submerged woody debris. This is the first record of gallery-forming behaviour in submerged woody debris by aquatic beetles, adding larval Lutrochus germari and Stegoelmis sp. to the list of borers in Neotropical aquatic systems.

Revision of Labrundinia maculata Roback, 1971, a new junior synonym of L. longipalpis (Goetghebuer, 1921) (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae)

Labrundinia maculata Roback, 1971 is placed as a new junior synonym of Labrundinia longipalpis (Goetghebuer, 1921). The male and female adults, pupa and larva of the species are redescribed and figured. The species is now considered Holarctic in distribution and new records are reported.