Wesley Rodrigues Silva

Frugivoria em morcegos (Mammalia, Chiroptera) no Parque Estadual Intervales, sudeste do Brasil

This study was carried out at the Intervales State Park, an Atlantic Rain Forest area in Southeastern Brazil. Bats were monthly mist netted over a full year, and fecal samples were collected for dietary analysis. The seeds found in each sample were identified in the laboratory under a stereoscopic microscope by comparison with seeds taken from ripe fruits collected in the study area. Three hundred and seventy one bats were collected, of which 316 (85.2%) were frugivorous. The total number of fecal samples with seeds and/or pulp was 121. Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810) was the most abundant species in the study area (n = 157 captures) and Solanaceae fruits accounted for 78.5% of the fecal samples with seeds (n = 56). Artibeus fimbriatus Gray, 1838 (n = 21 samples) fed mostly on Cecropiaceae (38%) and Moraceae fruits (24%), and Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (n = 7 samples) on Cecropiaceae (57%) and Moraceae (29%). Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 16 samples) fed mostly on Piperaceae fruits (56,3%), but Solanaceae (31,3%) and Rosaceae seeds (12,5%) were also found in feces. Overall, seeds found in bat feces belong to eight plant families: Solanaceae (n = 67 samples); Cecropiaceae (n = 14); Piperaceae (n = 14); Moraceae (n = 8); Rosaceae (n = 3); Cucurbitaceae (n = 3); Cluseaceae (n = 1), and Araceae (n = 1). The close association of different bat species with fruits of certain plant families and genus may be related to a possible mechanism of resource partitioning that shapes the structure of the community.

Diet and Abundance of the Bat Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera) in a Brazilian Montane Atlantic Forest

Abstract We studied variations in diet and abundance of the bat Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in a montane Atlantic Forest, in order to investigate if patterns in this habitat differ from those in the better-studied lowlands. The diet of S. lilium was assessed based on fecal samples, whereas possible variations in abundance were documented based on capture success. We also monitored and linked variability in air temperature to fruit production of Solanaceae, the main food of S. lilium. Bats fed exclusively on fruits, mostly on Solanaceae and occasionally on Piperaceae and Cecropiaceae. S. lilium was mostly absent in the area during the colder months, suggesting that they might migrate to lower and hence warmer elevations. Absence of the bats was not related to a distinct decline in availability of fruit of Solanaceae because fruit production was not related to temperature. We conclude that in tropical montane systems, abundance of some frugivorous bats might be affected more by air temperature than by food availability. Furthermore, we reinforce the idea that preserving elevational gradients is a crucial aspect for the conservation of migratory species.

Movements of the bat Sturnira lilium and its role as a seed disperser of Solanaceae in the Brazilian Atlantic forest

Bats and birds carry out most of the seed dispersal in the Neotropics (Galindo-Gonzales et al . 2000), and are crucial for the dynamics and regeneration of tropical forests (Whittaker & Jones 1994). However, only a few details are known about the interactions in particular bat–fruit systems. Most frugivorous bats are highly mobile (Bernard & Fenton 2003), and do not harm seeds (Fleming & Sosa 1994), suggesting that they are legitimate and effective seed dispersers ( sensu Fleming & Sosa 1994).

SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE DIET OF THE BRAZILIAN SLENDER OPOSSUM (MARMOSOPS PAULENSIS) IN A MONTANE ATLANTIC FOREST AREA, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract The diet of the Brazilian slender opossum (Marmosops paulensis) was determined through analysis of fecal samples collected in an area of montane Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil. M. paulensis consumed insects, arachnids, gastropods, fruits, flower parts, and small vertebrates. The observed preference for Piper fruits could be related to the spatiotemporal predictability of this item, whereas the observed preference for the Coleoptera, the Blattodea, and the Opiliones could be due to overestimation of hard-bodied prey. Diet composition varied seasonally, with invertebrates and flower parts being consumed more during the dry season, probably because of their higher relative abundance when compared to fruits in this season. Diet was more diverse during the dry season, because of the inclusion of new fruit species and the reduced contribution of Piper fruits in the diet. We suggest that M. paulensis is more frugivorous than previously thought and that this species can be an important seed disperser of pioneer plants, especially of Piper species.

Frugivores at higher risk of extinction are the key elements of a mutualistic network

Most tree species rely on vertebrates for seed dispersal, and many vertebrates use fruits as food resources in tropical forests. Therefore, plant–frugivore interactions affect population dynamics and persistence in ecological communities. Plant–frugivore interactions often involve many species, forming networks of interacting plants and animals that play different roles in determining network organization. The network organization is the way interactions are structured in the community, which may have consequences for its ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Some species have greater influences on network organization and may be particularly important to species persistence. We identified the frugivores most important to the organization of networks of plants and frugivorous birds in three contiguous Atlantic forest sites in southeastern Brazil. We found that the species that contributed most to network organization were at higher risk of extinction. Among the main contributors to network organization we...

Semelparity and Factors Affecting the Reproductive Activity of the Brazilian Slender Opossum (Marmosops paulensis) in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract Data on the reproductive patterns of the Brazilian slender opossum (Marmosops paulensis) were collected in an area of Montane Atlantic forest, southeastern Brazil, from August 2002 to July 2004. Reproduction occurred from September to March in both years, a period of high food supply, probably as a way to maximize survival of juveniles. There was nearly zero postmating survival, thus, no individual took part in more than 1 breeding event. This pattern characterizes a semelparous life history, which has been described in other small didelphids and dasyurids. Females were reproductively active during months with longer day lengths and abundant fruit supply. Breeding seems to be initiated by a 12L:12D photoperiod and a rapid rate of change in day length, as demonstrated in semelparous dasyurids. Hence, the effect of photoperiodic cues on the onset of reproduction also may stand for other semelparous didelphids. We suggest that fruit availability controlled the length of breeding activity in M. paulensis, and it could play a role in the occurrence of semelparity in this species. However, semelparity may occur only due to phylogenetic constraints, whereas food supply works as a selective force maintaining this trait.

Potential seed dispersal by Didelphis albiventris (Marsupialia, Didelphidae) in highly disturbed environment

Urban forests are usually isolated and highly disturbed, however they are important shelters for tolerant animal species. Their food habits expose the different ecological roles these animals perform in the habitat. We analyzed the contribution of Didelphis albiventris Lund (1840), as a seed disperser, to the vegetation renewal of an urban forest fragment, describing its frugivorous diet and testing the viability of ingested seeds. Both male and female of white-eared opossum included a vast variety of items in their diet, mainly invertebrates and fruits. Fruits were consumed during all year round and seasonality was not observed. The majority of consumed fruits was from pioneer plant species, which is common in disturbed areas, in accordance to the opossums opportunistic habits. The viability of ingested seeds, evaluated by linear logistic regression models applied to data from germination tests, was different of the seeds collected directly from ripe fruits; it varied among species, maybe due to the intrinsic characteristics of plant species. As a highly generalist species, D. albiventris can inhabit disturbed environments and then disperse seeds from pioneer plants, where the vegetation must be restored. It is crucial that this process does not depend only on the specialist frugivores, which are frequently absent in urban forest fragments. Therefore, the presence of generalist species of secondary environments has its importance emphasized.Florestas urbanas sao geralmente isoladas e altamente degradadas; contudo sao importantes abrigos para especies de animais tolerantes. Os habitos alimentares destes animais explicitam os diferentes papeis ecologicos que eles desempenham no habitat. Nos analisamos a contribuicao de Didelphis albiventris Lund (1840) como dispersor de sementes para a regeneracao da vegetacao de um fragmento florestal urbano. Para isso, descrevemos sua dieta frugivora e testamos a viabilidade das sementes por ele ingeridas. Tanto machos quanto femeas de gamba-de-orelha-branca incluiram uma grande variedade de itens alimentares na dieta, principalmente invertebrados e frutos. Frutos foram consumidos durante todo o ano e a sazonalidade nao foi observada. A maioria das sementes defecadas era proveniente de plantas pioneiras, comuns em ambientes perturbados, o que concorda com seu habito oportunista. A viabilidade das sementes ingeridas, verificada mediante modelos de regressao logistica linear aplicada a dados de testes de germinacao, foi diferente das sementes obtidas de frutos maduros e variou entre especies, talvez devido a caracteristicas intrinsecas da planta. Enquanto uma especie generalista, D. albiventris e capaz de habitar ambientes perturbados, e dispersar as sementes de plantas de estagio inicial de sucessao, onde a vegetacao necessita ser restaurada. E essencial que este processo nao dependa exclusivamente de frugivoros especialistas, que na maioria das vezes estao ausentes nos fragmentos florestais urbanos. Consequentemente, a presenca de especies generalistas de ambientes secundarios tem sua importância enfatizada.

Atlantic frugivory: a plant–frugivore interaction data set for the Atlantic Forest

The data set provided here includes 8,320 frugivory interactions (records of pairwise interactions between plant and frugivore species) reported for the Atlantic Forest. The data set includes interactions between 331 vertebrate species (232 birds, 90 mammals, 5 fishes, 1 amphibian, and 3 reptiles) and 788 plant species. We also present information on traits directly related to the frugivory process (endozoochory), such as the size of fruits and seeds and the body mass and gape size of frugivores. Data were extracted from 166 published and unpublished sources spanning from 1961 to 2016. While this is probably the most comprehensive data set available for a tropical ecosystem, it is arguably taxonomically and geographically biased. The plant families better represented are Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae, and Solanaceae. Myrsine coriacea, Alchornea glandulosa, Cecropia pachystachya, and Trema micrantha are the plant species with the most animal dispersers (83, 76, 76, and 74 species, respectively). Among the animal taxa, the highest number of interactions is reported for birds (3,883) followed by mammals (1,315). The woolly spider monkey or muriqui, Brachyteles arachnoides, and Rufous-bellied Thrush, Turdus rufiventris, are the frugivores with the most diverse fruit diets (137 and 121 plants species, respectively). The most important general patterns that we note are that larger seeded plant species (>12 mm) are mainly eaten by terrestrial mammals (rodents, ungulates, primates, and carnivores) and that birds are the main consumers of fruits with a high concentration of lipids. Our data set is geographically biased, with most interactions recorded for the southeast Atlantic Forest.

Nectar secretion dynamic links pollinator behavior to consequences for plant reproductive success in the ornithophilous mistletoe Psittacanthus robustus.

The mistletoe Psittacanthus robustus was studied as a model to link flower phenology and nectar secretion strategy to pollinator behaviour and the reproductive consequences for the plant. The bright-coloured flowers presented diurnal anthesis, opened asynchronously throughout the rainy season and produced copious dilute nectar as the main reward for pollinators. Most nectar was secreted just after flower opening, with little sugar replenishment after experimental removals. During the second day of anthesis in bagged flowers, the flowers quickly reabsorbed the offered nectar. Low values of nectar standing crop recorded in open flowers can be linked with high visitation rates by bird pollinators. Eight hummingbirds and two passerines were observed as potential pollinators. The most frequent flower visitors were the hummingbirds Eupetomena macroura and Colibri serrirostris, which actively defended flowering mistletoes. The spatial separation between anthers, stigma and nectar chamber promotes pollen deposition on flapping wings of hovering hummingbirds that usually probe many flowers per visit. Seed set did not differ between hand-, self- and cross-pollinated flowers, but these treatments set significantly more seeds than flowers naturally exposed to flower visitors. We suggest that the limitation observed in the reproductive success of this plant is not related to pollinator scarcity, but probably to the extreme frequency of visitation by territorial hummingbirds. We conclude that the costs and benefits of plant reproduction depend on the interaction strength between flowers and pollinators, and the assessment of nectar secretion dynamics, pollinator behaviour and plant breeding system allows clarification of the complexity of such associations.

Multiscale habitat selection by slender opossums (Marmosops spp.) in the Atlantic forest of Brazil

Abstract The relative importance of factors that influence the habitats that animals select often varies with spatial scale. We evaluated the hypotheses that habitat selection by 2 sympatric slender opossums (Marmosops) is scale-dependent, and that coexistence in the gray slender opossum (Marmosops incanus) and the Brazilian slender opossum (M. paulensis) is enabled through differential use of habitat components or segregation in the use of vertical strata, or both. At a mesohabitat scale both species selected areas with dense understory, especially vertical obstruction 0–0.5 m above the ground. At a finer, microhabitat scale M. incanus preferred places with higher plant cover and vertical obstruction 0.5–1.0 m above the ground, and M. paulensis showed no evident pattern of selection. This result supports the hypothesis that habitat selection is scale-dependent. Although both species selected similar habitats at the mesoscale, we found segregation in the use of vertical strata, with M. paulensis being more terrestrial than M. incanus. Habitat segregation could reflect the intrinsic habitat preferences of each species or potential competition for space between the 2 congeners.