Bruno Corrêa Barbosa

Flower-Visiting Social Wasps and Plants Interaction: Network Pattern and Environmental Complexity

Network analysis as a tool for ecological interactions studies has been widely used since last decade. However, there are few studies on the factors that shape network patterns in communities. In this sense, we compared the topological properties of the interaction network between flower-visiting social wasps and plants in two distinct phytophysiognomies in a Brazilian savanna (Riparian Forest and Rocky Grassland). Results showed that the landscapes differed in species richness and composition, and also the interaction networks between wasps and plants had different patterns. The network was more complex in the Riparian Forest, with a larger number of species and individuals and a greater amount of connections between them. The network specialization degree was more generalist in the Riparian Forest than in the Rocky Grassland. This result was corroborated by means of the nestedness index. In both networks was found asymmetry, with a large number of wasps per plant species. In general aspects, most wasps had low niche amplitude, visiting from one to three plant species. Our results suggest that differences in structural complexity of the environment directly influence the structure of the interaction network between flower-visiting social wasps and plants.

Marine debris ingestion by sea turtles (Testudines) on the Brazilian coast: an underestimated threat?

Assessment of marine debris ingestion by sea turtles is important, especially to ensure their survival. From January to December 2011, 23 specimens of five species of sea turtles were found dead or dying after being rehabilitated, along the coast of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To detect the presence of marine debris in the digestive tract of these turtles, we conducted a postmortem examination from the esophagus until the distal portion of the large intestine for each specimen. Of the total number of turtles, 39% had ingested marine debris such as soft plastic, hard plastic, metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle caps, human hair, tampons, and latex condoms. Five of the seven sea turtles species are found along the Brazilian coast, where they feed and breed. A large number of animals are exposed to various kinds of threats, including debris ingestion.

No Evidence of Intersexual Kin Recognition by Males of the Neotropical Paper Wasp Polistes versicolor

We investigated the effect of kinship on mate selection by males of the neotropical primitively eusocial paper wasp Polistes versicolor. By conducting short-time, paired, consecutive, dyadic encounters, in which a male was randomly introduced separately to a related and an unrelated female in a small glass arena, we were able to observe and measure the male sexual display. We found that male sexual interest toward a female was not affected by kinship, even after controlling the differences in female behavior. Despite our finding that males were as eager to harass females, regardless of kinship, previous evidence suggested that incestuous copulation (inbreeding) in natural populations of P. versicolor appeared to be avoided. We suggest that in the natural mating habitat of the native population that we studied, in which many colonies were able to produce males and reproductive females in a short time window, the probability of finding related sexual partners was low, hence, intersexual kin discrimination did not evolve.

Record of foraging of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in vertebrate carcasses

Knowing the importance of participation by insects at cadaverous decomposition processes, and the limited use of the family Formicidae in criminal investigations, this study aims to record the foraging activity of four genera of ants in carcasses of birds and mammals. Observations occurred accidentally in two locations in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In total, seven species of ants foraging in eight vertebrate carcasses were recorded. In addition, the study reported for the first time the presence of Wasmannia in carcasses in Brazil.

Variation in Nesting Behavior of the Arboreal Ant Camponotus sericeiventris (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This is the first record of nesting in the soil by the ant Camponotus sericeiventris (Guerin-Meneville, 1838), which has arboreal habit. The study was conducted in southeastern Brazil, in an ant colony located in a subterranean site. This study describes, for the first time, the ability of this arboreal species to vary its nesting site by the occupation of an unusual place in an urban environment; and this study demonstrates that this species is an interesting model for studies in urban environments. Este e o primeiro registro de nidificacao em solo para a formiga Camponotus sericeiventris (Guerin-Meneville, 1838). O estudo foi desenvolvido no sudeste do Brasil, em uma colonia localizada em area subterrânea, que possui habito arboricola. Esse estudo e o primeiro relato que descreve a capacidade de variar o local de nidificacao da especie arboricola, por meio da ocupacao de local incomum em ambiente urbano o que torna a especie um modelo interessante para estudos nesse tipo de ambiente. View this article in BioOne

Resource Storage in the Neotropical Social Wasp Mischocyttarus socialis (Saussure, 1854) (Vespidae: Polistini)

Like other Hymenoptera, the social wasps can store liquid and solid resources inside the cells of their nests as reserve for periods of foof shortage. This study describes the occurrence of honey storage in colonies of the neotropical independently-founding wasp Mischocyttarus socialis. During August 2016, in the dry season, 15 colonies in the post-emergence phase were recorded at the botanical garden of Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora in southwestern of Brazil. Five of the colonies showed honey stored inside empty and immature (eggs) cells. The presence of these two patterns for this species suggests that the storage behavior can be a short-term strategy to feed larvae as soon as they emerge and also a long-term storage to complement population diet during food shortages.

Armadilhas Atrativas como Ferramenta de Amostragem de Vespas Sociais (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): Uma Meta-Análise

Dado o reconhecido papel das vespas sociais no equilibrio dos ecossistemas e clara a importância de estudos sobre a diversidade desses insetos e, para isso, e essencial o uso de um metodo apropriado. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar uma analise detalhada dos estudos de diversidade em vespas sociais conduzidos em Minas Gerais avaliando o uso das armadilhas atrativas. Attractive Traps as a Sampling Tool of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): a Meta-Synthesis Abstract. Studying social wasp diversity, with special concern regarding the chosen study method, is of increasing importance due to the acknowledgement of this group’s role in keeping the balance of ecosystems. The objective of this study, therefore, was to assess the using of bait traps in social wasp diversity studies in the Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil.

Record of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato, the zombie-ant fungus, parasitizing Camponotus in an urban fragment of Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil

Ophiocordyceps is a fungal pathogen of ants of the tribe Camponotini. It is called zombie fungus, since it changes the host behavior, causing them to die in an exposed position, typically clinging onto and biting into the adaxial surface of shrub leaves. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of parasitic associations between Ophiocordyceps and ants of the genus Camponotus in an urban fragment of Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil and to measure the rate of hyperparasitism in Ophiocordyceps by other fungi in the same location. We found 57 individuals of four species of ants and three species of fungus. The age categories of fungi were equally distributed, and rate of hyperparasitism was 17.5% (n = 10). The sampled area was recognized as an important site of Ophiocordyceps occurrence.

Flies infected by entomopathogenic fungi in an Urban Fragment of Semideciduous Forest

This study aims to describe associations between the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi and parasitic flies of the family Muscidae and behaviors presented by these flies parasitized in an urban fragment of semideciduous forest in Brazil. Were recorded two species of entomopathogenic fungi parasitizing flies collected for the first time in the localities, E. muscae and O. sp. Different from Diptera parasitized by different fungi behaviors were observed. These new records of occurrence, along with data on their hosts, suggest that many species of this group have not yet registered.Entomopathogenic fungi parasitize a wide variety of hosts may be involved in regulating the populations of these arthropods helping maintain stability in tropical forest ecosystems. The genus Ophiocordyceps and Entomophthora contains several species of entomopathogenic fungi specialized to infect and kill their hosts due to development and the need for transmission by manipulating host behavior. Despite mounting research in the area, works with parasitized flies are scarce. This study aims to describe associations between the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi and parasitic flies of the family Muscidae and behaviors presented by these flies parasitized in an urban fragment of semideciduous forest in southeastern Brazil. Were recorded two species of entomopathogenic fungi parasitizing flies collected for the first time in this locality, E. muscae and O. dipterigena. Different from Diptera parasitized by different fungi behaviors were observed. These new records of occurrence, along with data on their hosts, suggest that many species of this group have not yet registered. Therefore, more studies in tropical forests will certainly increase the knowledge about these interactions.

Diagnóstico da fauna silvestre recebida e resgatada pelo Instituto Ecológico Búzios de Mata Atlântica aos arredores da Área de Proteção Ambiental Pau-Brasil na Região dos Lagos

Este estudo objetivou o levantamento das especies silvestres recebidas voluntariamente ou resgatadas no ano de 2011 na Regiao dos Lagos no estado do Rio de Janeiro, visando identificar aquelas ameacadas de extincao, quantificar os grupos mais apreendidos e conhecer a destinacao dada aos especimes. Foram analisados os registros obtidos do Instituto Ecologico Buzios Mata Atlântica, organizacao nao governamental (ONG) responsavel pela Area de Protecao Ambiental Pau-Brasil e pela Regiao dos Lagos. Constatou-se a apreensao de 181 animais. Do total de animais apreendidos, 51% eram mamiferos (13 especies), 25% repteis (13 especies), 24% aves (11 especies) e 1% peixes (1 especie). Entre os animais, 12 especies constam na Lista das Especies da Fauna Brasileira Ameacadas de Extincao.