Francisco de Assis Ribeiro dos Santos

Molecular phylogeny, morphology and their implications for the taxonomy of Eriocaulaceae

Eriocaulaceae e uma familia pantropical com dez generos e cerca de 1.400 especies, com centro de diversidade no Novo Mundo, especialmente no Brasil. A ultima revisao da familia foi publicada ha mais de 100 anos, e ate recentemente, as relacoes genericas e infra-genericas ainda eram pouco resolvidas. Entretanto, tem havido nos ultimos 30 anos, um grande esforco por parte de pesquisadores brasileiros para preencher as lacunas existentes, utilizando caracteres morfologicos e anatomicos, complementados por dados adicionais de diferentes fontes, como palinologia, quimica, embriologia, genetica de populacoes, citologia e, mais recentemente, estudos de filogenia molecular. Tal conjunto de dados tem levado a uma re-avaliacao do relacionamento filogenetico dentro da familia. Neste trabalho sao apresentados novos dados para as regioes de ITS e trnL-F, analisadas separadamente e em combinacao, usando maxima parcimonia e inferencia Bayesiana. Os dados obtidos confirmam resultados ja publicados, e mostram que muitos caracteres tradicionalmente usados para diferenciacao e circunscricao dos generos dentro da familia sao homoplasicos. Uma nova descricao e chave generica para a familia, utilizando caracteres de varias fontes sao apresentadas, refletindo a taxonomia atual das Eriocaulaceae.

Palynological Origin, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Properties of Honeybee-Collected Pollen from Bahia, Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the palynological origin, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant properties of twenty-five samples of bee pollen harvested during a nine-month period (February–November) from the Canavieiras municipality (northeastern Brazil). Of the 25 samples analyzed, only two (February 01 and 02) were heterofloral. The predominant pollens in the samples analyzed during that month were: Cecropia, Eucalyptus, Elaeis, Mimosa pudica, Eupatorium, and Scoparia. Ethyl acetate fractions were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The flavonoids isoquercetin, myricetin, tricetin, quercetin, luteolin, selagin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin were detected. The flavonoid present in all 22 samples was isolated and identified as isorhamnetin 3-O-β-neohesperidoside. The total phenolic contents determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent ranged from 41.5 to 213.2 mg GAE/g. Antioxidant activities based on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and Fe2+ ion chelating activity assays were observed for all extracts, and correlated with the total phenolic content.

Botanical affinity of pollen harvested by Apis mellifera L. in a semi-arid area from Bahia, Brazil

Abstract We analysed the botanical composition of pollen harvested by Apis mellifera L. in the Canudos Biological Station, Bahia, Brazil, and the influence of climatic factors on pollen sample composition was assessed. Forty-six pollen types were identified belonging to species occurring in the study area. The family Leguminosae was of significant importance amongst the samples, represented by ten pollen types. Diodia radula, Rhaphiodon echinus, and Mimosa misera pollen types occurred most constantly among the samples. We observed that isolated pollen class characterises samples analysed. It was also observed that pollen type richness is directly linked to rainfall, reflecting the strong influence of this climatic parameter on flowering intensity, and thus on the ability of the bees to obtain food resources.Abstract We analysed the botanical composition of pollen harvested by Apis mellifera L. in the Canudos Biological Station, Bahia, Brazil, and the influence of climatic factors on pollen sample composition was assessed. Forty-six pollen types were identified belonging to species occurring in the study area. The family Leguminosae was of significant importance amongst the samples, represented by ten pollen types. Diodia radula, Rhaphiodon echinus, and Mimosa misera pollen types occurred most constantly among the samples. We observed that isolated pollen class characterises samples analysed. It was also observed that pollen type richness is directly linked to rainfall, reflecting the strong influence of this climatic parameter on flowering intensity, and thus on the ability of the bees to obtain food resources.

Pollen analysis of honeys from Caatinga vegetation of the state of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract Based on pollen analysis, 17 honey samples collected in the Caatinga area from Nova Soure city were classified by botanical origin to identify the most important floral sources. Most of the honey samples were obtained in August and September. A total of 73 pollen types were identified belonging to 30 families, 64 genera and 30 species. The families best represented by their number of pollen types were Mimosaceae (11), Caesalpiniaceae (9), Rubiaceae and Fabaceae (5 each). Predominant pollen types were: Mimosa arenosa in four samples, M. sensitiva and M. tenuiflora in one sample. Pollen from Mimosa ursina was registered for the first time in the pollen spectrum of the Caatinga vegetation. The correspondence analysis showed a similarity among the honey samples based on pollen composition. The high representation of pollen from native species such as Chamaecrista nictitans, C. ramosa, C. swainsonii and Copaifera martii (Caesalpiniaceae); Aeschynomene martii and Zornia sericea (Fabaceae); Herissantia tiubae (Malvaceae); Mimosa arenosa, M. quadrivalvis, M. sensitiva, M. tenuiflora, M. ursina, Piptadenia moniliformis and Plathymenia reticulata (Mimosaceae), and Ziziphus joazeiro (Rhamnaceae) supports the origin of these honeys from Caatinga vegetation.

Palinologia de espécies de Mimosa L. (Leguminosae - Mimosoideae) do Semi-Árido brasileiro

Pollen studies of Mimosa L. sought to characterize the species of this genus occurring within the caatinga vegetation of northeastern Brazil. A total of 39 species were examined. The pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured, described, and illustrated using optical light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated the existence of six basic pollen types and two sub-types, based on dispersal units. The occurrence of dyads (Mimosa adenophylla Taub., Mimosa ursina Mart.) and monads (Mimosa ursina Mart.) was recorded.

Pollen residues in nests of Centris tarsata Smith (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini) in a tropical semiarid area in NE Brazil

Pollen sources used by Centris tarsata bees were identified in an area of “caatinga” vegetation (Canudos Biological Station) in NE Bahia, NE Brazil, by analyzing the pollen residues encountered in the nests. The analysis of the pollen residues was performed by pulverizing the sediments used to construct the cells, followed by the application of the acetolysis method. Thirty-one pollen types were identified belonging to 13 botanical families (in associations of from 4 to 15 distinct pollen types per nest), indicating which plants were used by the bees to feed their offspring. The plant families most represented were Leguminosae and Malpighiaceae, while the pollen types most frequently found were Chamaecrista ramosa (46.5%), Senna rizzinii (19.7%), and Solanum paniculatum (19.6%). The identification of the pollen types and information about the resources offered by the plants indicated that many species were visited as nectar sources rather than as pollen or oil sources by C. tarsata.ZusammenfassungBienen der Gattung Centris sind potentielle Bestäuber von Kulturpflanzen in Brasilien und verschiedene Untersuchungen weisen bereits auf die Bedeutung dieser Bienen als Bestäuber verschiedener Pflanzenfamilien, einschließlich kommerzieller Früchte hin. Wenig ist allerdings darüber bekannt, welche floralen Ressourcen für den Erhalt der Populationen notwendig sind. Anhand der Analyse von Pollenresten im sandigen Substrat der Nistzellen dieser solitären Bienen untersuchten wir die von C. tarsata genutzten Pollen-, Öl- und Nektarquellen in einer Region mit nativer Vegetation in einer Halbtrockenregion im Nordosten Brasiliens, der Caatinga. Pollenkörner wurden quantifiziert, um die Bedeutung der verschiedenen Pflanzenarten für die Bienen abschätzen zu können. Hierzu wurden monatlich Nistfallen eingesammelt, so dass aus den Nestern (n = 13) nach dem Schlupf der Imagines die Pollenreste chemisch herausgelöst werden konnten. Pro Probe wurden sieben Mikrospopiepräparate erstellt. Die quantitative Analyse basierte auf jeweils 1000 Pollenkörnern. Wir identifizierten 31 verschiedene Pollentypen, wobei die von Chamaecrista ramosa, Senna rizzinii, Solanum paniculatum und Byrsonima vacciniifolia die größten Häufigkeiten aufwiesen (Tab. I) und damit vermutlich die wichtigsten Pollenquellen für C. tarsata in dieser Region darstellen. In geringen mittleren Häufigkeiten (<0,01 %) waren 11 Pollentypen vertreten, und 16 Pollentypen wiesen Häufigkeiten von 0,01 % bis 10 % auf, darunter Byrsonima vacciniifolia. Neun Arten der lokalen Flora im Pollenspektrum des Materials aus C. tarsata Nestern stellen vermutlich die Hauptpollenquellen dieser Bienen in der Caatinga dar. Die Mehrzahl der Pollentypen stellte weniger als 1 % des aus den Nestern gewonnen Pollenmaterials dar (Tab. II). Drei Malpighiaceen-Arten und eine Krameriacee konnten wir als Ölquellen von C. tarsata identifizieren. Wir konnten zeigen, dass Pollenanalysen in Nestmaterial interessante Ergebnisse liefern können. Eine Verbindung dieser Methode mit einer Sammelstrategie von Bienen an einzelnen Pflanzenarten sollte es dementsprechend ermöglichen, dass wir unser Wissen über die Nutzung floraler Ressourcen erweitern und daraus angemessene Strategien zum Erhalt und Nutzung von Centris-Arten als Bestäuber entwickeln können.

Anatomia e densidade básica da madeira de Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. (Fabaceae), espécie endêmica da caatinga do Nordeste do Brasil

This work aimed to study the anatomy and basic density of Caesalpinia pyramidalis wood, used by local populations in the municipalities of Serra Talhada and Sertânia (Pernambuco), to assess the percentage of wood elements in the trunk and branches in both localities, and in the tree itself, in order to establish total wood potential for energy production. Samples of the trunk (dbh) and of branches from six trees of the species were collected in 2002. Sample analysis followed the usual methods of wood anatomy studies. Based on the anatomical parameters of the trunk and the high basic density (>0.84 g/cm3), we conclude that Caesalpinia pyramidalis wood contains an enormous amount of cellulose and lignin. Due to these features, this species showed good perspectives for the production of alcohol and charcoal. The trunk and branches can be used for fuel even at the immature stage because of high fiber concentration, low vessel concentration and low amount of parenchyma at this stage in both municipalities.

Plant sources for bee pollen load production in Sergipe, northeast Brazil

In Brazil, the production of bee pollen loads began modestly in the late 1980s, stimulated by consumption of natural products. Demand and consumption have increased, and there has been no increase in scientific studies. This work aims to expand scientific knowledge by identifying the plants used by Apis mellifera L. as sources of pollen loads in the State of Sergipe, Brazil. Twelve samples were collected from January to December 2011, in the municipalities of Barra dos Coqueiros, Brejo Grande, Estância and Pacatuba, all located in the eastern region of Sergipe. For the study of the pollen grains, the bee pollen underwent the usual laboratory processing techniques (acetolysis). For the analysis 500 grains were counted from each sample and, for botanical identification, the specialised literature and the pollen library were used. A total of 46 pollen types, distributed in 19 families, were found. Fabaceae was the family displaying the greatest diversity of pollen types (19), and the genus Mimosa L. was the most diverse (8). The families Asteraceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae were represented by three pollen types each, and Lamiaceae, only two types. The other 13 families presented one pollen type each. Only eight pollen types were classified as very frequent (> 50%); however, only Cocos nucifera occurred in 100% of the samples. It can be concluded that the families Arecaceae and Fabaceae are the major pollen sources for production of bee pollen in the state of Sergipe, followed by Asteraceae, Anacardiaceae, Poaceae and Rubiaceae. Pollen spectra revealed that at least 29 genera of plants contribute to the bee pollen load production in the tropical rainforest zone in northeastern Brazil.

Pollen types and levels of total phenolic compounds in propolis produced by Apis mellifera L. (Apidae) in an area of the Semiarid Region of Bahia, Brazil

Twenty-two propolis samples produced by Apis mellifera L. in an area of the Semiarid region the the State of Bahia (Agreste of Alagoinhas), Brazil, were palynologically analyzed and quantified regarding their levels of total phenolic compounds. These samples were processed using the acetolysis technique with the changes suggested for use with propolis. We found 59 pollen types belonging to 19 families and 36 genera. The family Fabaceae was the most representative in this study with nine pollen types, followed by the family Asteraceae with seven types. The types Mikania and Mimosa pudica occurred in all samples analyzed. The types Mimosa pudica and Eucalyptus had frequency of occurrence above 50% in at least one sample. The highest similarity index (c. 72%) occurred between the samples ER1 and ER2, belonging to the municipality of Entre Rios. Samples from the municipality of Inhambupe displayed the highest (36.78±1.52 mg/g EqAG) and lowest (7.68 ± 2.58 mg/g EqAG) levels of total phenolic compounds. Through the Spearman Correlation Coefficient we noticed that there was a negative linear correlation between the types Mimosa pudica (rs = -0.0419) and Eucalyptus (rs = -0.7090) with the profile of the levels of total phenolic compounds of the samples.

Botanical profile of bee pollen from the southern coastal region of Bahia, Brazil

This paper aims to identify the botanical origin of pollen loads collected by Apis mellifera L. in Canavieiras municipality, Bahia state. It provides a list of polliniferous plant species from the Atlantic Forest biome that are important for the development of regional apiculture. Using the acetolysis method, 35 bee-pollen samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results showed that pollen types Elaeis (23.99%), Mimosa pudica (22.78%) and Cecropia (13.68%) were the most abundant among the samples. These also showed the highest relative frequencies of the material studied and were important pollen sources for bees in the study area.