Túlio Dornas

Distribuição e conservação das aves na região do Cantão, Tocantins: ecótono Amazônia/Cerrado

The Cantao region is a complex transition between Amazonia and Cerrado. Human interference is widespread even though the region is covered by two protected areas: the Cantao State Park and the Bananal Island/Cantao Environmental Protection Area. Bird inventories identified 418 species in the region, 382 on the present study. Of those, 27 are Amazonian and 9 Cerrado endemics. Four bird species are listed in the IUCNs red list as vulnerable: Penelope ochrogaster, Harpyhaliaetus coronatus, Cercomacra ferdinandi and Synallaxis simoni. This study also added eight species to the Cerrado biome list. The Cantao region is important for ten nearctic migrant species, including Pluvialis dominica, Actites macularia, Falco peregrinus and Progne subis. Habitat loss and deterioration caused by unsustainable tourism within the State Park, as well as cattle ranching and agriculture expansion within the Environmental Protected Area may have a strong impact on the populations of several bird species. We suggest that management actions should be focused on improving management and increasing coverage of protected areas to encompass marshlands and the Ipucas (natural forest patches) that are still well preserved in the region.

Mixing the waters: a linear hybrid zone between two riverine Neotropical cardinals (Paroaria baeri and P. gularis)

ABSTRACT Amazonian rivers have been more frequently conceptualised as barriers rather than as habitats for birds with their own ecological and biogeographic histories. However, many river-restricted bird species have differentiated within the formidable network formed by the Amazon and its tributaries. Here we demonstrate that the riverine-distributed Crimson-fronted Cardinal (Paroaria baeri) is narrowly distributed along the middle Rio Araguaia basin, where it comes into contact and hybridises with the geographically widespread Red-capped Cardinal (P. gularis). This one-dimensional hybrid zone, which is situated over ca.160 km along the Araguaia and Javaés Rivers, appears to be of recent origin. Admixed individuals between the non-sister P. baeri and P. gularis are phenotypically intermediate between the parental species, and superficially resemble the geographically disjunct and phylogenetically distant Masked Cardinal (P. nigrogenis). Two phenotypically admixed specimens were confirmed as such based on sequences of the mitochondrial Cytb and the Z-linked MUSK gene. Field observations and genetic data indicate that P. baeri × P. gularis hybrids are capable of producing viable offspring, but more data are necessary to confirm hybrid viability and fertility. The non-sister hybridising species P. baeri and P. gularis last shared a common ancestor 1.8–2.8 mya (uncorrected genetic p-distance of 4%), which corresponds closely to when the Araguaia/Tocantins river basin last discharged directly into the Amazon.

Range extension and conservation of Psophia interjecta Griscom & Greenway, 1937 (Aves: Psophidae) in the Tocantins–Araguaia interfluve, state of Tocantins, Brazil

The genus Psophia includes terrestrial birds endemic to the Amazon. The number of species in this genus is still controversial, with alternative taxonomic treatments currently available. We present new and historical records of P. interjecta for the state of Tocantins, which extend this species’ range to the Tocantins–Araguaia interfluve, in southeasternmost Amazonia. Psophia interjecta is considered Vulnerable in Brazil, but we discuss that the species is likely more Critically Endangered in Tocantins due to drastic deforestation and hunting.

Reptilia, Testudines, Geoemydidae, Rhinoclemmys punctularia (Daudin, 1802): new geographical distribution and first record for the state of Tocantins, Brazil

We present new records of the Spot-legged Turtle ( Rhinoclemmys punctularia ) for the states of Para and Tocantins, Brazil. These records increase the known geographical distribution of R. punctularia ca. 500 km southward, reaching the southeastern extreme of the Amazon biome. The Tocantins records are from Amazon rainforests habitats as in most of the known range of the species. These new findings highlight the importance of future investigations in order to better understand the distribution of R. punctularia in the South Amazon Basin and ecotones areas.