Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Global Distribution of Mangroves-A Comprehensive Review.

Mangroves are ecologically important plants in marine habitats that occupy the coastlines of many countries. In addition to their key ecological importance, various parts of mangroves are widely used in folklore medicine and claimed to effectively manage a panoply of human pathologies. To date, no comprehensive attempt has been made to compile and critically analyze the published literature in light of its ethnopharmacological uses. This review aims to provide a comprehensive account of the morphological characteristics, ethnobotany, global distribution, taxonomy, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical profiles, and pharmacological activities of traditionally used mangroves. Out of 84 mangrove species, only 27 species were found to be traditionally used, however not all of them are pharmacologically validated. The most common pharmacological activities reported were antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. Mangroves traditionally reported against ulcers have not been extensively validated for possible pharmacological properties. Terpenoids, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were the main classes of phytochemicals isolated from mangroves. Given that mangroves have huge potential for a wide array of medicinal products and drug discovery to prevent and treat many diseases, there is a dire need for careful investigations substantiated with accurate scientific and clinical evidence to ensure safety and efficient use of these plants and validate their pharmacological properties and toxicity.

Leaf morphological strategies of seedlings and saplings of Rhizophora mangle (Rhizophoraceae), Laguncularia racemosa (Combretaceae) and Avicennia schaueriana (Acanthaceae) from Southern Brazil.

The initial phase of a plant life cycle is a short and critical period, when individuals are more vulnerable to environmental factors. The morphological and anatomical study of seedlings and saplings leaf type enables the understanding of species strategies of fundamental importance in their establishment and survival. The objective of this study was to analyze the structure of seedlings and saplings leaf types of three mangrove species, Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, to understand their early life adaptive strategies to the environment. A total of 30 fully expanded cotyledons (A. schaueriana and L. racemosa), 30 leaves of seedlings, and 30 leaves of saplings of each species were collected from a mangrove area in Guaratuba Bay, Paraná State, Brazil. Following standard methods, samples were prepared for morphological (leaf dry mass, density, thickness) and anatomical analysis (epidermis and sub-epidermal layers, stomata types, density of salt secretion glands, palisade and spongy parenchyma thickness). To compare leaf types among species one-way ANOVA and Principal Component Analysis were used, while Cluster Analysis evaluated differences between the species. We observed significant structural differences among species leaf types. A. schaueriana showed the thickest cotyledons, while L. racemosa presented a dorsiventral structure. Higher values of the specific leaf area were observed for seedlings leaves of A. schaueriana, cotyledons of L. racemosa and saplings leaves of A. schaueriana and R. mangle. Leaf density was similar to cotyledons and seedlings leaves in A. schaueriana and L. racemosa, while R. mangle had seedlings leaves denser than saplings. A. schaueriana and R. mangle showed hypostomatic leaves, while L. racemosa amphistomatic; besides, A. chaueriana showed diacytic stomata, while L. racemosa anomocytic, and R. mangle ciclocytic. Seedling leaves were thicker in R. mangle (535 µm) and L. racemosa (520 µm) than in A. schaueriana (470.3 µm); while saplings leaves were thicker in L. racemosa (568.3 µm) than in A. schaueriana seedlings (512.4 µm) and R. mangle (514.6 µm). Besides, seedlings leaves palisade parenchyma showed increasing thickness in L. racemosa (119.2 µm) < A. schaueriana (155.5 µm) < R. mangle (175.4 µm); while in saplings leaves as follows R. mangle (128.4 µm) < A. schaueriana (183.4 µm) < L. racemosa (193.9 µm). Similarly, seedlings leaves spongy parenchyma thickness values were as follows A. schaueriana (182.6 µm) = R. mangle (192.8 µm) < L. racemosa (354.4 µm); while in saplings were A. schaueriana (182.6 µm) = R. mangle (187.3 µm) < L. racemosa (331.3 µm). The analyzed traits, in different combinations, represent morphological adjustments of leaf types to reduce water loss, eliminate salt excess, increase the absorption of light, allowing a higher efficiency on the maintenance of physiological processes in this initial growth stage.

Species distribution and introgressive hybridization of two Avicennia species from the Western Hemisphere unveiled by phylogeographic patterns.

BACKGROUND: Mangrove plants grow in the intertidal zone in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The global latitudinal distribution of the mangrove is mainly influenced by climatic and oceanographic features. Because of current climate changes, poleward range expansions have been reported for the major biogeographic regions of mangrove forests in the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. There is evidence that mangrove forests also responded similarly after the last glaciation by expanding their ranges. In this context, the use of genetic tools is an informative approach for understanding how historical processes and factors impact the distribution of mangrove species. We investigated the phylogeographic patterns of two Avicennia species, A. germinans and A. schaueriana, from the Western Hemisphere using nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers. RESULTS: Our results indicate that, although Avicennia bicolor, A. germinans and A. schaueriana are independent lineages, hybridization between A. schaueriana and A. germinans is a relevant evolutionary process. Our findings also reinforce the role of long-distance dispersal in widespread mangrove species such as A. germinans, for which we observed signs of transatlantic dispersal, a process that has, most likely, contributed to the breadth of the distribution of A. germinans. However, along the southern coast of South America, A. schaueriana is the only representative of the genus. The distribution patterns of A. germinans and A. schaueriana are explained by their different responses to past climate changes and by the unequal historical effectiveness of relative gene flow by propagules and pollen. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that A. bicolor, A. germinans and A. schaueriana are three evolutionary lineages that present historical and ongoing hybridization on the American continent. We also inferred a new evidence of transatlantic dispersal for A. germinans, which may have contributed to its widespread distribution. Despite the generally wider distribution of A. germinans, only A. schaueriana is found in southern South America, which may be explained by the different demographic histories of these two species and the larger proportion of gene flow produced by propagules rather than pollen in A. schaueriana. These results highlight that these species responded in different ways to past events, indicating that such differences may also occur in the currently changing world.

Genetic diversity in three populations of Avicennia marina along the eastcoast of India by RAPD markers.

Genetic diversity was analysed in three populations of the mangrove species, Avicennia marina by using random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Ten random decamer primers were used to score the diversity from three locations of eastcoast of India: Parangipettai (Tamil Nadu), Kakkinada (Andhra Pradesh) and Sundarbans (West Bengal). These primers produced 388 scorable DNA fragments, of which 252 (64.98%) were polymorphic, 182 (46.90%) were monomorphic, and 14 (3.61%) were unique. RAPD banding patterns displayed variations between and within the populations, while, there was no morphological variation.

[Costa Rica mangroves: the north Pacific]. / Los manglares de Costa Rica: el Pacífico norte.

Costa Rica has mangrove forests on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The Pacific side has 99% of the mangrove area of the country. In this review we compile available information on the mangroves of the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica, from Bahía Salinas, on the border with Nicaragua, to the tip of the Peninsula de Nicoya at Cabo Blanco. We provide information on the location of the mangroves and all available information for each mangrove forest. These mangrove communities are smaller in extension and tree sizes, and have lower diversity compared to the mangroves on the southern section of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The dominant species are Rhizophora mangle and Rhizophora racemosa along the canal edges, backed by Avicennia germinans, and farther inland Avicennia bicolor, Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus. At Potrero Grande a healthy population of Pelliciera rhizophorae, a rare species, has been reported. We recognized 38 mangrove communities in this part of the country, based on the National Wetland Inventory, published papers, field observations, theses, technical reports, and the national topographic maps (1:50,000, Instituto Geográfico Nacional). Relatively detailed information could be found for only five mangrove forests, for 14 more only prelimary and incomplete lists of plants and in some cases of animal species are available, for nine there is even less information, and for nine more only their location is known, which in some cases was not correct. Detail mapping, characterization of the vegetation and fauna, physiological studies, analyses of biogeochemical and physical processes, economic valuations, and determination of the health status of the mangrove of the northern Pacific coast, as well as for the rest of Costa Rica, are neccesary and urgent.

Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities from the western sector of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba: III. Vertical distribution.

The vertical distribution of meiofauna within subtidal sediments was studied in four stations pertaining to mangrove or muddy flats habitats. In 2003, replicated samples were taken in dry (February) and wet (July) seasons at the Bacunagua Inlet, southwestern coast of Cuba. The abundance and number of meiofaunal taxa exhibited a vertical gradient possibly due to changes in the concentrations of oxygen and hydrogen sulphide, rather than food availability along this gradient. Nematodes are capable of distributing themselves throughout the whole sediment column due to their ability to tolerate reducing conditions; however depletion of communities along depth was evident. Their presence in deeper sediments (6 - 10 cm) suggests that certain species are adequately adapted to spend their entire life cycle in these harsh environments (where soluble tannins and decomposing organic matter predominate). Copepods showed a strong limitation to vertical distribution (concentrating in the top 2 cm), possibly in response to a sharp vertical decline in oxygenation within these organically enriched sediments.

Evaluation of multilocus marker efficacy for delineating mangrove species of West Coast India.

The plant DNA barcoding is a complex and requires more than one marker(s) as compared to animal barcoding. Mangroves are diverse estuarine ecosystem prevalent in the tropical and subtropical zone, but anthropogenic activity turned them into the vulnerable ecosystem. There is a need to build a molecular reference library of mangrove plant species based on molecular barcode marker along with morphological characteristics. In this study, we tested the core plant barcode (rbcL and matK) and four promising complementary barcodes (ITS2, psbK-psbI, rpoC1 and atpF-atpH) in 14 mangroves species belonging to 5 families from West Coast India. Data analysis was performed based on barcode gap analysis, intra- and inter-specific genetic distance, Automated Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), TaxonDNA (BM, BCM), Poisson Tree Processes (PTP) and General Mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC). matK+ITS2 marker based on GMYC method resolved 57.14% of mangroves species and TaxonDNA, ABGD, and PTP discriminated 42.85% of mangrove species. With a single locus analysis, ITS2 exhibited the higher discriminatory power (87.82%) and combinations of matK + ITS2 provided the highest discrimination success (89.74%) rate except for Avicennia genus. Further, we explored 3 additional markers (psbK-psbI, rpoC1, and atpF-atpH) for Avicennia genera (A. alba, A. officinalis and A. marina) and atpF-atpH locus was able to discriminate three species of Avicennia genera. Our analysis underscored the efficacy of matK + ITS2 markers along with atpF-atpH as the best combination for mangrove identification in West Coast India regions.

Estructura poblacional del árbol Avicennia germinans (Acanthaceae) en un manglar alterado del Golfo de México / Population structure of Avicennia germinans trees (Acanthaceae) in a disturbed mangrove in the Gulf of Mexico

Resumen Introducción: Los manglares están en declive en el mundo, conocer su estructura y regeneración en diferentes niveles de alteración puede ayudar a comprender la dinámica poblacional ante situaciones de estrés. Objetivo: La meta principal del estudio fue analizar la estructura comunitaria y estimar la trayectoria de las poblaciones de Avicenia germinans en diferentes sitios de manglar que presentan tres niveles de alteración. Métodos: Ocho transectos de aproximadamente 500 m de largo y colocados de manera perpendicular a la laguna de Tampamachoco, Veracruz, interceptaron tres niveles de alteración en los sitios estudiados del bosque de manglar. En cada transecto, cuadrantes de 10 x 10 m, 5 x 5 m, y 1 x 1 m sirvieron para contar todos los árboles de mangle por especie y estadio de madurez en 2017 y 2018. Resultados: La especie más abundante fue: A. germinans seguida de Rhizophora mangle y Laguncularia racemosa. Con base en su abundancia, se encontraron diferencias significativas según los tres grados de alteración (AM R = 0.6, P < 0.001), ilustrado en un análisis de ordenación no métrico (nMDS). Una tabla de vida para A. germinans permitió un análisis poblacional que mostró una tasa intrínseca de incremento poblacional (r) negativa para los sitios que presentan alteración (-0.0027 u -0.0774) y positiva (0.0289) en el sitio sin alteración aparente. La supervivencia del estadio de plántula a juvenil varia de 50 % en el sitio no alterados a 5 y 4 % en los otros dos sitios. Conclusiones: Se necesitan medidas para incrementar la sobrevivencia de las plántulas y revertir la disminución de las trayectorias en los sitios con alteración, de otra forma el manglar tendrá una viabilidad reducida en el término medio.

Abstract Introduction: Globally, mangroves are declining; characterizing their structure and regeneration at different disturbance levels can help understand their responses to stressful situations. Objective: The study's primary goal was to analyze the mangrove community structure and to estimate the populations' trajectories of Avicenia germinans at different mangrove sites that present three levels of disturbance. Methods: Eight transects of approximately 500 m in length and laid perpendicular to the Tamapamchoco lagoon, Veracruz, intersected three levels of disturbance currently present on the mangrove forest. On each transect, 10 x 10 m, 5 x 5 m, and 1 x 1 m quadrants served to account for all mangrove trees by species and stage of maturity in 2017 and 2018. Results: The most abundant species was: A. germinans followed by Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa. Based on their abundance, we found significant differences for the three levels of disturbance (ANOSIM R = 0.6, P < 0.001) presented in a non-metric ordination (nMDS). A life table for A. germinans allowed a population analysis that showed an intrinsic rate of population increase (r) that was negative at the disturbed sites (-0.0027 and -0.0774) and positive (0.0289) at the apparently undisturbed site. Seedling to juvenile stage survival ranged from 50 % at the undisturbed site to 5 and 4 % at the disturbed sites. Conclusions: Measures to increase the survival of seedlings are necessary to reverse the decreasing population trajectories at the disturbed sites; otherwise, the mangrove will have reduced viability in the medium term.

Changes in mangrove species assemblages and future prediction of the Bangladesh Sundarbans using Markov chain model and cellular automata.

The composition and assemblage of mangroves in the Bangladesh Sundarbans are changing systematically in response to several environmental factors. In order to understand the impact of the changing environmental conditions on the mangrove forest, species composition maps for the years 1985, 1995 and 2005 were studied. In the present study, 1985 and 1995 species zonation maps were considered as base data and the cellular automata-Markov chain model was run to predict the species zonation for the year 2005. The model output was validated against the actual dataset for 2005 and calibrated. Finally, using the model, mangrove species zonation maps for the years 2025, 2055 and 2105 have been prepared. The model was run with the assumption that the continuation of the current tempo and mode of drivers of environmental factors (temperature, rainfall, salinity change) of the last two decades will remain the same in the next few decades. Present findings show that the area distribution of the following species assemblages like Goran (Ceriops), Sundari (Heritiera), Passur (Xylocarpus), and Baen (Avicennia) would decrease in the descending order, whereas the area distribution of Gewa (Excoecaria), Keora (Sonneratia) and Kankra (Bruguiera) dominated assemblages would increase. The spatial distribution of projected mangrove species assemblages shows that more salt tolerant species will dominate in the future; which may be used as a proxy to predict the increase of salinity and its spatial variation in Sundarbans. Considering the present rate of loss of forest land, 17% of the total mangrove cover is predicted to be lost by the year 2105 with a significant loss of fresh water loving mangroves and related ecosystem services. This paper describes a unique approach to assess future changes in species composition and future forest zonation in mangroves under the 'business as usual' scenario of climate change.

Characterization and expression analysis of three CBF/DREB1 transcriptional factor genes from mangrove Avicennia marina.

Three CBF/DREB1 (C-repeat binding factor/dehydration responsive element-binding factor 1) homologues were isolated from mangrove Avicennia marina and designated AmCBF1, 2 and 3. Multiple sequence analysis showed that the three deduced proteins all contain an AP2 DNA-binding domain and two CBF signature sequences. According to the phylogenetic analysis, these proteins belong to the A-1 subgroup of the DREB subfamily. Expression analyses based on quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the AmCBF2 displayed relatively high expression under normal conditions, with the highest level in stems, while both AmCBF1 and 3 were weakly expressed without stress. The three genes also showed different responses to various environmental stimuli. The AmCBF2 was inducible by cold, drought, high salinity, heavy metals, as well as abscisic acid (ABA), and exhibited much stronger induction by cold, drought, Pb(2+) or Zn(2+) than by NaCl, ABA or Cd(2+). In contrast, both AmCBF1 and AmCBF3 displayed insignificant changes under these stimuli. These results indicate that the three AmCBF genes play different roles in A. marina and the AmCBF2 might be involved in the signaling pathway of cold, drought and heavy metal stress response.

Leaf morphological strategies of seedlings and saplings of Rhizophora mangle (Rhizophoraceae), Laguncularia racemosa (Combretaceae) and Avicennia schaueriana (Acanthaceae) from Southern Brazil

AbstractThe initial phase of a plant life cycle is a short and critical period, when individuals are more vulnerable to environmental factors. The morphological and anatomical study of seedlings and saplings leaf type enables the understanding of species strategies of fundamental importance in their establishment and survival. The objective of this study was to analyze the structure of seedlings and saplings leaf types of three mangrove species, Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, to understand their early life adaptive strategies to the environment. A total of 30 fully expanded cotyledons (A. schaueriana and L. racemosa), 30 leaves of seedlings, and 30 leaves of saplings of each species were collected from a mangrove area in Guaratuba Bay, Paraná State, Brazil. Following standard methods, samples were prepared for morphological (leaf dry mass, density, thickness) and anatomical analysis (epidermis and sub-epidermal layers, stomata types, density of salt secretion glands, palisade and spongy parenchyma thickness). To compare leaf types among species one-way ANOVA and Principal Component Analysis were used, while Cluster Analysis evaluated differences between the species. We observed significant structural differences among species leaf types. A. schaueriana showed the thickest cotyledons, while L. racemosa presented a dorsiventral structure. Higher values of the specific leaf area were observed for seedlings leaves of A. schaueriana, cotyledons of L. racemosa and saplings leaves of A. schaueriana and R. mangle. Leaf density was similar to cotyledons and seedlings leaves in A. schaueriana and L. racemosa, while R. mangle had seedlings leaves denser than saplings. A. schaueriana and R. mangle showed hypostomatic leaves, while L. racemosa amphistomatic; besides, A. chaueriana showed diacytic stomata, while L. racemosa anomocytic, and R. mangle ciclocytic. Seedling leaves were thicker in R. mangle (535 µm) and L.racemosa (520 µm) than in A. schaueriana (470.3 µm); while saplings leaves were thicker in L. racemosa (568.3 µm) than in A. schaueriana seedlings (512.4 µm) and R. mangle (514.6 µm). Besides, seedlings leaves palisade parenchyma showed increasing thickness in L. racemosa (119.2 µm) <A. schaueriana (155.5 µm) <R. mangle (175.4 µm); while in saplings leaves as follows R. mangle (128.4 µm) <A. schaueriana (183.4 µm) <L. racemosa (193.9 µm). Similarly, seedlings leaves spongy parenchyma thickness values were as follows A. schaueriana (182.6 µm) = R. mangle (192.8 µm) <L. racemosa (354.4 µm); while in saplings were A. schaueriana (182.6 µm) = R. mangle (187.3 µm) <L. racemosa (331.3 µm). The analyzed traits, in different combinations, represent morphological adjustments of leaf types to reduce water loss, eliminate salt excess, increase the absorption of light, allowing a higher efficiency on the maintenance of physiological processes in this initial growth stage. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (1): 305-317. Epub 2016 March 01.

ResumenLa fase inicial del ciclo de vida de una planta es un período corto y crítico, cuando los individuos son más vulnerables a factores ambientales. El estudio morfológico y anatómico del tipo de hojas de las plántulas y árboles pequeños, permite la comprensión de las estrategias de las especies, que es de importancia fundamental para su establecimiento y supervivencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la estructura de los tipos de hojas de las plántulas y árboles pequeños de tres especies de mangle: Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa y Rhizophora mangle, para entender sus estrategias de vida tempranas de adaptación al ambiente. Un total de 30 cotiledones completamente abiertos (A. schaueriana y L. racemosa), 30 hojas de plántulas, y 30 hojas de árboles pequeños de cada especie se recolectaron en una área de manglar en Bahía Guaratuba, Estado de Paraná, Brasil. Siguiendo los métodos estándares, se prepararon muestras para análisis morfológicos (biomasa de hoja seca, densidad y espesor) y anatómicos (epidermis y capas sub-epidérmicas, tipos de estomas, densidad de glándulas secretoras de sal y grosor del parénquima empalizado y del esponjoso). Para comparar los tipos de hojas entre las especies se utilizaron un modelo lineal y Análisis de Componentes Principales, mientras que un análisis de conglomerados evaluó las diferencias entre las especies. Observamos diferencias estructurales significativas entre tipos de hoja en las especies. A.schaueriana mostró cotiledones más gruesos, mientras que L. racemosa presenta una estructura dorsiventral. Se observaron valores más altos del área foliar específica para las hojas de las plántulas de A. schaueriana, cotiledones de L. racemosa y hojas de árboles pequeños de A. schaueriana y R. mangle. La densidad de la hoja fue similar a la de los cotiledones y hojas de plántulas de A. schaueriana y L. racemosa, mientras que R. mangle tenía las hojas de las plántulas más gruesas que los árboles pequeños. A. schaueriana y R. mangle mostraron hojas hipostomáticas; L. racemosa anfiestomáticas; por otro lado A. chaueriana mostró estomas diacíticos, L. racemosa anomocíticos y R. mangle ciclocíticos. Las hojas de las plántulas eran más gruesas en R. mangle (535 micras) y L. racemosa (520 micras) que en A. schaueriana (470.3 m); mientras que las hojas de las plántulas eran más gruesas en L. racemosa (568.3 m) que en A. schaueriana (512.4 micras) y R. mangle (514.6 m). Además el parénquima empalizado de las plántulas mostró un aumento de espesor en L. racemosa (119.2 m) <A. schaueriana (155.5 m) <R. mangle (175.4 m); mientras que en las hojas de los árboles pequeños fue de siguiente manera: R. mangle (128.4 m) <A. schaueriana (183.4 m) <L. racemosa (193.9 m). Del mismo modo, en las hojas de las plántulas los valores del espesor del parénquima esponjoso fueron: A. schaueriana (182.6 m) = R. mangle (192.8 m) <L. racemosa (354.4 m); mientras que en los árboles pequeños: A. schaueriana (182.6 m) = R. mangle (187.3 m) <L. racemosa (331.3 m). Los rasgos analizados, en diferentes combinaciones, representan ajustes morfológicos de tipos de hojas para reducir la pérdida de agua, eliminar el exceso de sal, aumentar la absorción de la luz, lo que permite una mayor eficiencia en el mantenimiento de los procesos fisiológicos en esta etapa de crecimiento inicial.

Spectral characterization of mangrove leaves in the Brazilian Amazonian Coast: Turiaçu Bay, Maranhão State.

Mangrove communities are tropical systems which have fewer species than tropical forests, especially in Latin America and display a single architecture, usually lacking the various strata commonly found in other forest ecosystems. The identification of mangrove communities by orbital data is not a difficult task but the most interesting challenge is to identify themselves by the dominant species. The first step toward that floristic identification is the spectral characterization of detached leaves. Leaves from four species of mangrove trees were spectrally characterized considering the Directional Hemispherical Reflectance Factor (DHRF) determined through radiometric measurements using an integrating sphere LICOR 1800 attached to a spectroradiometer SPECTRON SE-590. In the visible bands (0.45-0.69 microm) the button-shaped mangrove Conocarpus erectus was brighter and the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle was darker than the other two species which shows very close DHRF values. Otherwise the black mangrove Avicennia germinans and the white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa can be distinguished from one another in the Near Infra Red (NIR) region (0.76-0.90 microm and in this region of the spectrum the DHRF of C. erectus and R. mangle become very close.

[Resistant physiology of three mangrove species in a constructed wetland sewage treatment system].

This paper studied the resistant physiology of three mangrove species, Sonneratia caseolaris, Aegiceras corniculaturn and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza in a subsurface flow-constructed wetland sewage treatment system under freshwater condition. The results showed that in a year period, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities of three mangrove species increased gradually and maintained at a high level, the proline content reached the maximum from July to September, while the plasma membrane permeability did not show any obvious change. In comparing with those grown in the Futian Nature Reserve of Shenzhen, three mangrove species in the test sewage treatment system had lower SOD, POD and CAT activities and higher proline content, while no significant difference was observed in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and plasma membrane permeability. It was suggested that three mangrove species could adapt to the subsurface flow-constructed wetland sewage treatment system under freshwater condition.

Los manglares de Costa Rica: el Pacífico norte

Abstract: Costa Rica mangroves: the north Pacific. Costa Rica has mangrove forests on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The Pacific side has 99% of the mangrove area of the country. In this review we compile available information on the mangroves of the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica, from Bahía Salinas, on the border with Nicaragua, to the tip of the Peninsula de Nicoya at Cabo Blanco. We provide information on the location of the mangroves and all available information for each mangrove forest. These mangrove communities are smaller in extension and tree sizes, and have lower diversity compared to the mangroves on the southern section of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The dominant species are Rhizophora mangle and Rhizophora racemosa along the canal edges, backed by Avicennia germinans, and farther inland Avicennia bicolor, Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus. At Potrero Grande a healthy population of Pelliciera rhizophorae, a rare species, has been reported. We recognized 38 mangrove communities in this part of the country, based on the National Wetland Inventory, published papers, field observations, theses, technical reports, and the national topographic maps (1:50 000, Instituto Geográfico Nacional). Relatively detailed information could be found for only five mangrove forests, for 14 more only prelimary and incomplete lists of plants and in some cases of animal species are available, for nine there is even less information, and for nine more only their location is known, which in some cases was not correct. Detail mapping, characterization of the vegetation and fauna, physiological studies, analyses of biogeochemical and physical processes, economic valuations, and determination of the health status of the mangrove of the northern Pacific coast, as well as for the rest of Costa Rica, are neccesary and urgent. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (3): 473-488. Epub 2009 September 30.

Costa Rica tiene bosques de manglar en las costas Caribe y Pacífica. El 99% de los manglares del país se encuentran en la costa Pacífica. En este trabajo recopilamos la información disponible sobre los manglares del Pacífico norte de Costa Rica, desde la frontera con Nicaragua hasta la Reserva Absoluta de Cabo Blanco, en la punta sur de la Península de Nicoya. La ubicación de los manglares y cualquier información disponible para cada manglar es resumida. El clima de esta región es seco con estaciones de lluvia y sequía muy bien definidas. Los manglares del norte son relativamente pequeños en extensión y tamaño de árboles, y de baja diversidad comparados con los del Pacífico sur de Costa Rica. Las principales especies de mangle son: Rhizophora mangle, Rhizophora racemosa a lo largo de los bordes de los canales, seguido por Avicennia germinans, y más tierra adentro Avicennia bicolor, Laguncularia racemosa y Conocarpus erectus. En el manglar de Potrero Grande se informa de una población saludable de la especie de Pelliciera rhizophorae, especies muy poco abundante. Reconocemos 38 comunidades de manglares en el Pacífico norte de Costa Rica basado en el Inventario Nacional de Humedales, artículos publicados, observaciones de campo, tesis, informes técnicos y los mapas 1: 50 000 del Instituto Geográfico Nacional. Se pudo encontrar información relativamente detallada pero fragmentada de únicamente cinco manglares (los descritos en esta publicación), de 14 solamente hay listas preliminares e incompletas de plantas y en algunos casos de animales, de nueve manglares más hay información todavía más limitada, y de otros nueve se conoce solamente su ubicación, que en algunos casos se comprobó que era incorrecta. Trabajos de mapeo detallado, caracterización de la vegetación y la fauna, estudios fisiológicos, análisis de procesos biogeoquímicos, evaluaciones económicas, y determinación del estado de salud de los manglares del Pacífico norte de Costa Rica, y del resto del país son necesarios y urgentes.

Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities from the western sector of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba: III. Vertical distribution

The vertical distribution of meiofauna within subtidal sediments was studied in four stations pertaining to mangrove or muddy flats habitats. In 2003, replicated samples were taken in dry (February) and wet (July) seasons at the Bacunagua Inlet, southwestern coast of Cuba. The abundance and number of meiofaunal taxa exhibited a vertical gradient possibly due to changes in the concentrations of oxygen and hydrogen sulphide, rather than food availability along this gradient. Nematodes are capable of distributing themselves throughout the whole sediment column due to their ability to tolerate reducing conditions; however depletion of communities along depth was evident. Their presence in deeper sediments (6 - 10 cm) suggests that certain species are adequately adapted to spend their entire life cycle in these harsh environments (where soluble tannins and decomposing organic matter predominate). Copepods showed a strong limitation to vertical distribution (concentrating in the top 2 cm), possibly in response to a sharp vertical decline in oxygenation within these organically enriched sediments. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 1127-1134. Epub 2008 September 30.

Se estudió la distribución vertical de la meiofauna dentro de los sedimentos en cuatro estaciones ubicadas en manglares y planos fangosos. En el año 2003, tomamos muestras (con repetición) en época de seca (febrero) y de lluvia (julio) en la ensenada de Bacunagua, costa suroccidental de Cuba. La abundancia y el número de táxones de la meiofauna mostraron un gradiente vertical debido posiblemente a cambios en las concentraciones de oxígeno y sulfuro de hidrógeno, más que a la disponibilidad de alimento a lo largo del gradiente. Los nemátodos son capaces de distribuirse a través de la columna de sedimento debido a su habilidad para tolerar condiciones reducidas; sin embargo, fue evidente la reducción de las comunidades con la profundidad. Su presencia en los sedimentos profundos (6-10 cm) sugiere que ciertas especies están adecuadamente adaptadas a permanecer todo su ciclo de vida en un ambiente adverso (donde predominan los taninos solubles y la descomposición de la materia orgánica). Los copépodos mostraron una fuerte limitación en su distribución vertical (concentrándose en los 2 cm superficiales) posiblemente como respuesta a un gradiente marcado en la oxigenación dentro de estos sedimentos enriquecidos orgánicamente.

Spectral characterization of mangrove leaves in the Brazilian Amazonian Coast: Turiaçu Bay, Maranhão State

Mangrove communities are tropical systems which have fewer species than tropical forests, especially in Latin America and display a single architecture, usually lacking the various strata commonly found in other forest ecosystems. The identification of mangrove communities by orbital data is not a difficult task but the most interesting challenge is to identify themselves by the dominant species. The first step toward that floristic identification is the spectral characterization of detached leaves. Leaves from four species of mangrove trees were spectrally characterized considering the Directional Hemispherical Reflectance Factor (DHRF) determined through radiometric measurements using an integrating sphere LICOR 1800 attached to a spectroradiometer SPECTRON SE-590. In the visible bands (0.45-0.69 µm) the button-shaped mangrove Conocarpus erectus was brighter and the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle was darker than the other two species which shows very close DHRF values. Otherwise the black mangrove Avicennia germinans and the white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa can be distinguished from one another in the Near Infra Red (NIR) region (0.76-0.90 µm and in this region of the spectrum the DHRF of C. erectus and R. mangle become very close.

Comunidades de manguezais são sistemas tropicais que apresentam poucas espécies constituintes em relação às florestas tropicais úmidas, especialmente na América Latina e apresentam arquitetura simples, freqüentemente com a falta de vários estratos encontrados em outros ecossistemas florestais. A identificação de manguezais mediante a observação de dados orbitais não é uma tarefa muito complicada, porém um desafio interessante seria sua diferenciação mediante a identificação de espécies dominantes. O primeiro passo para essa identificação florística é a caracterização espectral de folhas isoladas. Folhas de quatro espécies arbóreas de manguezais foram caracterizadas espectralmente considerando o Fator de Reflectância Direcional-Hemisférico (FRDH) determinado através de medidas radiométricas realizadas com o uso de uma esfera integradora LICOR 1800, acoplada a um espectrorradiômetro SPECTRON SE-590. Na região do visível (0,45-0,69 mm), o denominado mangue de folhas arredondadas de Canocarpus erectus foi o mais brilhante e o mangue vermelho de Rhizophora mangle foi o mais escuro, em comparação com os dois demais manguezais estudados, que apresentaram valores de FRDH muito próximos entre si. O denominado mangue preto de Avicennia germinans pode ser distinguido do mangue branco de Laguncularia racemosa na região do Infravermelho Próximo (0,76-0,90 mm) e nessa mesma região, os espectros de FRDH de C. erectus e de R. mangle foram muito similares entre si.