Geraldo Jorge Barbosa de Moura

Caatinga revisited: ecology and conservation of an important seasonal dry forest.

Besides its extreme climate conditions, the Caatinga (a type of tropical seasonal forest) hosts an impressive faunal and floristic biodiversity. In the last 50 years there has been a considerable increase in the number of studies in the area. Here we aimed to present a review of these studies, focusing on four main fields: vertebrate ecology, plant ecology, human ecology, and ethnobiology. Furthermore, we identify directions for future research. We hope that the present paper will help defining actions and strategies for the conservation of the biological diversity of the Caatinga.

Natural products from ethnodirected studies: revisiting the ethnobiology of the zombie poison.

Wade Daviss study of Haitian “zombification” in the 1980s was a landmark in ethnobiological research. His research was an attempt to trace the origins of reports of “undead” Haitians, focusing on the preparation of the zombification poison. Starting with this influential ethnopharmacological research, this study examines advances in the pharmacology of natural products, focusing especially on those of animal-derived products. Ethnopharmacological, pharmacological, and chemical aspects are considered. We also update information on the animal species that reportedly constitute the zombie poison. Several components of the zombie powder are not unique to Haiti and are used as remedies in traditional medicine worldwide. This paper emphasizes the medicinal potential of products from zootherapy. These biological products are promising sources for the development of new drugs.

Marsupiais de uma área de caatinga (Pernambuco, Brasil) com registro de nova localidade para Caluromys philander (Linnaeus, 1758)

Unico bioma exclusivamente brasileiro, a Caatinga possui caracteristicas semiaridas, vegetacao tipicamente xerofitica e abriga uma fauna estimada de 148 especies de mamiferos. Porem, trabalhos com a mastofauna no semiarido nordestino do Brasil ainda sao escassos, principalmente em se tratando de pequenos mamiferos nao-voadores. Diante de tal necessidade, este trabalho teve como objetivo inventariar a fauna de marsupiais em uma area de Caatinga do Estado de Pernambuco. O levantamento ocorreu no periodo de julho de 2008 a junho de 2009, abrangendo tres macroambientes comuns na Caatinga: proximo a um corpo d’agua (acude), em afloramentos rochosos (rochas) e caatinga arbustiva (mata). A amostragem foi realizada com auxilio de armadilhas de contencao e queda (pitfall trap), com um esforco amostral de 864 armadilhas.noite. Um total de quatro especies de didelfideos foram encontradas: Caluromys philander, Didelphis albiventris, Marmosa murina e Monodelphis domestica, totalizando 57 individuos capturados. O sucesso de captura total foi de 6,6% (medio de 8,8%), sendo maior proximo ao corpo d’agua e nos afloramentos rochosos durante os periodos seco e chuvoso, respectivamente. D. albiventris foi a especie mais capturada seguida por M. murina. A ocorrencia de C. philander na regiao representa seu primeiro registro na Caatinga, incluindo os Brejos de Altitude, ampliando consideravelmente sua area de ocorrencia.

Herpetofauna of the Northwest Amazon forest in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, with remarks on the Gurupi Biological Reserve

Abstract Understanding the biodiversity of an area is the first step for establishing effective interventions for conservation, especially when it comes to herpetofauna, since 4.1% and 9.2%, respectively, of Brazilian amphibians and reptiles are endangered. The aim of this study is to identify the composition of the herpetofauna occurring in the Northwest Amazonian state of Maranhão, with a focus on the Gurupi Biological Reserve and surrounding areas. Samples were collected between May 2012 and October 2013 (18 months), through pitfall traps, time constrained active search, and opportunistic encounters, and these records were supplemented by specimens collected by third parties and by bibliographic records. A total of 131 species were recorded: 31 species of amphibians and 100 species of reptiles (six testudines, 30 lizards, two amphisbaenas, 60 snakes and two alligators), including some species new to the state of Maranhão and the northeast region of Brazil. This inventory contributes to the knowledge of the herpetofauna for the Belém Endemism Center, the most devastated region of the Brazilian Amazon, and considered poorly sampled.

Distribuição espaço-temporal e sucesso reprodutivo de Eretmochelys imbricata nas praias do Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brasil

ABSTRACT. Spatio-temporal distribution and reproductive success of Eretmochelys imbricata on the beaches of Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brazil. This study aimed to verify the spatio-temporal distribution of Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) and aspects of its reproductive biology, such as incubation time, reproductive success, biometric measurements of females, number of nests and fecundity. Data were collected during 2007 to 2010, on the beaches of Muro Alto, Cupe, Merepe, Porto de Galinhas, and Maracaipe, all of them located in the city of Ipojuca, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Parameters relating to reproductive biology and nesting areas of the species were comparatively analyzed. Eretmochelys imbricata was recorded nesting between October and May, when 350 nests were monitored through three seasons. The spawning peak happened from January to March, also revealing a seasonal pattern. The number of nests differed significantly between seasons. The Merepe beach presented an elevated occurrence of nests (46 nests/km) if compared to the other monitored beaches. On the aspects of reproductive biology, the reproductive success was 65,6% and the incubation time interval ranged from 54 to 56 days. Biometric measurements were collected from 59 specimens, resulting in an average of 92,5 cm ± 4,5 for the curved carapace length, and of 83,4 cm ± 5 for the curved carapace width. The results can be used for subsidize conservation plans and demonstrate that the beaches recorded in this study are relevant as nesting areas for

The first report on the medicinal use of fossils in latin america.

There have been very few ethnopharmacological studies performed on the traditional use of fossil species, although a few records have been conducted in Asia, Africa, and Europe. This study is the first ever to be performed on the use of Testudine (turtle) fossils for folk medicine in Latin America. An investigation was conducted in the Araripe Basin, which is one of the most important fossil-bearing reserves in the world due to the diversity, endemism, and quality of preservation of its fossils. We propose the formalization of a new discipline called ethnopaleontology, which will involve the study of the dynamic relationship between humans and fossils, from human perception to direct use.

Proposta de manejo das rodovias da REBIO Saltinho para mitigação do impacto sobre a anurofauna de solo

A principal ferramenta administrativa utilizada pelo governo brasileiro para a protecao da diversidade biologica e a criacao de Unidades de Conservacao. Para protegerem seus recursos, as Unidades de Conservacao devem possuir um plano de manejo que leve em conta as peculiaridades locais para protecao dos recursos naturais. A floresta atlântica e um dos ecossistemas mais ameacados pela fragmentacao de seu territorio. Essa fragmentacao e intensificada pela construcao de estradas, aumentando o efeito de borda sobre os fragmentos florestais. Esse trabalho objetivou complementar o plano de manejo da Reserva Biologica Saltinho – RBS, Pernambuco, visando a mitigar o impacto que as rodovias PE-060 e PE-076 causam sobre a anurofauna de solo, baseado nos resultados obtidos em pesquisa anterior e em varios trabalhos publicados em periodicos academicos. Como medida de manejo, a RBS ja apresenta redutores de velocidade e placas informativas de presenca de animais silvestres, que nao foram suficientes para evitar as colisoes com esses animais. Devido ao papel das rodovias como principal corredor turistico para o litoral sul do Estado, e pode nao ser viavel a interrupcao do fluxo de automoveis no local. Assim, sugerimos que o perimetro das rodovias seja cercado e que haja a implantacao de tuneis de passagem que permitam o deslocamento de animais de porte medio, sendo a cerca, um guia para tais tuneis, considerando as rotas migratorias das especies locais. Sao sugeridos sete tuneis, dispostos em conformidade com o relevo local. Eles devem ter aberturas para iluminacao e estar posicionados de modo a elevarem o assoalho da rodovia, criando novos redutores de velocidade. Esses tuneis devem ser monitorados para fornecer informacoes sobre as especies que os utilizam, a necessidade de enriquecimento ambiental, eficacia na reducao da mortalidade, manutencao da conectividade e persistencia do fluxo genico entre as populacoes em cada lado das rodovias. O sucesso dessas passagens deve visar a protecao da diversidade biologica ocorrente na RBS em conciliacao com o desenvolvimento economico, devido a localizacao da Reserva, minimizando o prejuizo para ambos os lados.

First Occurrence and Paleo-Ecological Implications of Insects (Orthoptera: Ensifera Gryllidae) in the Romualdo Member of the Santana Formation, Eo-Cretaceous of the Araripe Basin

The Romualdo Member of the Santana Formation, a lithostatigraphic unit attributed to a marine intrusion, is famous for its preserved fossils in calcareous concretions, which stand out for their diversity and excellent preservation levels. This paper aims to record the first occurrence of the Class Insecta in the Romualdo Member of the Santana Formation of the Araripe Basin, as well as to describe and discuss the paleo-ecological implications of such finding. The first occurrence of the order Orthoptera (family Gryllidae) is presented for this unit. This new species is attributed to the genus Araripegryllus, that lasted throughout the deposition of the Crato Member, which is under the Romualdo Member. In reference to its statigraphic origin, the specimens was named Araripegryllus romualdoi sp. nov.

Diurnal habitat segregation by tadpoles in two temporary ponds in an Atlantic Rainforest remnant, Northeastern Brazil

Tadpoles are found in diverse aquatic habitats, where they share resources in various dimensions. Tadpole assemblages were studied in two temporary ponds in Atlantic Rainforest. Our aim was to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution patterns and their correlation with abiotic factors. Tadpoles were sampled weekly using nets, from March to December 2008. Samples were collected during the day and at night, and taken near the shore and in the centre of the ponds. Samples in inshore and pond centres were taken from both areas with and without aquatic vegetation. The assemblage consisted of 15 species in pond A and 12 species in pond B. The majority of species was accidental, and used the pond continuously. The assemblage was predominantly diurnal, which may be related to greater activity rate. In pond A the tadpoles primarily used the centre of ponds, whereas in pond B tadpoles primarily used shore areas. However, some populations showed preferences for particular environments. In pond A, environmental heterogeneity in the centre had the greatest influence on tadpole abundance. Our data suggest that temporal distribution facilitated the coexistence of different species of tadpoles in the pond but this conclusion is tentative and requires verification. Hence, more data needs to be collected so that we can propose effective area management plans.

Rediscovery and first record of Sibynomorphus mikanii septentrionalis (Cunha, Nascimento & Hoge, 1980), (Squamata; Serpentes) for the state of Pará

We report a rediscovery and new occurrence of Sibynomorphus mikanii septentrionalis (Cunha, Nascimento & Hoge, 1980) in the state of Maranhao, and the first record for the state of Para, Brazil. Those records extend the species’ geographic distribution 270 km southeast of Vitoria do Mearin in Maranhao.