Macroinvertebrate diversity loss in urban streams from tropical forests.

The increase of human activities in recent years has significantly interfered and affected aquatic ecosystems. In this present study, we investigate the effects of urbanization in the community structure of aquatic macroinvertebrates from Atlantic Forest streams. The sampling was conducted in the mountainous region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 10 urban and 10 preserved streams during the dry season (August-September) of 2012. The streams were characterized for its environmental integrity conditions and physico-chemical properties of water. The macroinvertebrates were sampled on rocky substrates with a kicknet. A total of 5370 individuals were collected from all streams and were distributed among Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera. In urban sites, all those orders were found, except Megaloptera, while only Mollusca was not found in preserved streams. We performed a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis that separated two groups distributed among sites in urban communities and another group outside this area. The dominance was significantly higher at urban sites, while the α diversity and equitability were greater in preserved sites. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed, indicating that most taxa associated with high values of the Habitat Integrity Index (HII) and a few genus of the order Diptera with the high values of ammonia, total nitrogen, associated to streams in urban sites. Urban and preserved streams differ by physical-chemical variables and aquatic macroinvertebrates. In urban streams, there is most dominance, while α diversity and equitability are higher in preserved streams.

Water pollution and distribution of the black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil.

Black flies have medical importance because some species are vectors of the unenocerciasis and Mansonelosis, nevertheless, their ecology and potential use as bioindicators is still poorly studied in the Neotropical Region. In Brazil, bioindicators use is strongly focused in a multimetrical ecological index approach; this way, we investigated the black fly spatial distribution, in relation to abiotic factors correlated to water quality, to provide baseline information for their utilization as standalone indicators of lotic systems integrity. We have tested the hypothesis that environmental changes related to urbanization, lead to decreased abundance and loss in the number of species of the black fly fauna. The sampling was conducted in 10 urban and 10 preserved streams during the dry season (August-September) of 2012, in the mountainous region of Teres6polis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The streams were characterized for their environmental integrity conditions and physico-chemical properties of water. In each stream, five different rapid points were sampled in a section of 50 meters, 10 meters apart from each other. The black flies were sampled with a kick-net sampler on rocky substrates. The material was separated and the larvae were sorted in morphotypes, and later, the final instar specimens were dissected and identified with the help of taxonomical literature at species level. A total abundance of 488 larvae from nine species were collected, 5 (1.02 %) in extremely impacted streams, 470 (96.31 %) in intermediate streams and 13 (2.66 %) in preserved streams. The visual evaluation (HII) differed in relation to the water physico-chemical evaluation, in which more variation in the characterization of the sampling sites was observed. In Canonical Correspondence Analysis Simulium subpallidum, S. inscrustatum and S. pertinax were significantly associated with intermediate values of most of the variables, and then to intermediate impacted sites. On the other hand, Lutzsimulium hirticosta, S. subnigrzm and Simulium sp. A were associated to low values of chemical variables, and then to more preserved sites. Most studies on the bioindicator potential of Simuliidae have suggested an approach to agricultural impacts, while our results, on the other hand, showed that Simuliidae species were present in streams with intermediate urban pollution impacts, but absent in heavily impacted sites. Thus, our data suggested that some species are associated to more pristine breeding sites, such as L. hirticosta and Simulium sp. A, while others may be good bioindicators of moderately impacted streams, such as S. nertinax. S. subnigrum and S. subpallidum.

Oligoneuria macabaiba sp. nov. (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from Brazil.

The former monotypic genus Oligoneuria Pictet was known solely by a female subimago of the type-species Oligoneuria anomala Pictet. A new species of the genus Oligoneuria from the Atlantic rainforest of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro is described. The description was based in males and females imagos of Oligoneuria macabaiba sp. nov. caught with light traps. This species presents similar wing venation, abdominal posterolateral spines, as well as a membranous extension on anterior portion of the head as seen in the genus. Based on features of the new species, the genus is herein redefined. The species represents the first record of the genus from Southeastern Brazil.

Integrated terrestrial-freshwater planning doubles conservation of tropical aquatic species.

Conservation initiatives overwhelmingly focus on terrestrial biodiversity, and little is known about the freshwater cobenefits of terrestrial conservation actions. We sampled more than 1500 terrestrial and freshwater species in the Amazon and simulated conservation for species from both realms. Prioritizations based on terrestrial species yielded on average just 22% of the freshwater benefits achieved through freshwater-focused conservation. However, by using integrated cross-realm planning, freshwater benefits could be increased by up to 600% for a 1% reduction in terrestrial benefits. Where freshwater biodiversity data are unavailable but aquatic connectivity is accounted for, freshwater benefits could still be doubled for negligible losses of terrestrial coverage. Conservation actions are urgently needed to improve the status of freshwater species globally. Our results suggest that such gains can be achieved without compromising terrestrial conservation goals.

Integrative taxonomy of Metrichia Ross (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae: Ochrotrichiinae) microcaddisflies from Brazil: descriptions of twenty new species.

Metrichia is assigned to the Ochrotrichiinae, a group of almost exclusively Neotropical microcaddisflies. Metrichia comprises over 100 described species and, despite its diversity, only one species has been described from Brazil so far. In this paper, we provide descriptions for 20 new species from 8 Brazilian states: M. acuminata sp. nov., M. azul sp. nov., M. bonita sp. nov., M. bracui sp. nov., M. caraca sp. nov., M. circuliforme sp. nov., M. curta sp. nov., M. farofa sp. nov., M. forceps sp. nov., M. formosinha sp. nov., M. goiana sp. nov., M. itabaiana sp. nov., M. longissima sp. nov., M. peluda sp. nov., M. rafaeli sp. nov., M. simples sp. nov., M. talhada sp. nov., M. tere sp. nov., M. ubajara sp. nov., and M. vulgaris sp. nov. DNA barcode sequences (577 bp of the mitochondrial gene COI) were generated for 13 of the new species and two previously known species of Metrichia resulting in 64 sequences. In addition, COI sequences were obtained for other genera of Ochrotrichiinae (Angrisanoia, Nothotrichia, Ochrotrichia, Ragatrichia, and Rhyacopsyche). DNA sequences and morphological data were integrated to evaluate species delimitations. K2P pairwise distances were calculated to generate a neighbor-joining tree. COI sequences also were submitted to ABGD and GMYC methods to assess 'potential species' delimitation. Analyses showed a conspicuous barcoding gap among Metrichia sequences (highest intraspecific divergence: 4.8%; lowest interspecific divergence: 12.6%). Molecular analyses also allowed the association of larvae and adults of Metrichia bonita sp. nov. from Mato Grosso do Sul, representing the first record of microcaddisfly larvae occurring in calcareous tufa (or travertine). ABGD results agreed with the morphological delimitation of Metrichia species, while GMYC estimated a slightly higher number of species, suggesting the division of two morphological species, each one into two potential species. Because this could be due to unbalanced sampling and the lack of morphological diagnostic characters, we have maintained these two species as undivided.

Evidence for insectivory in two primate species (Callicebus torquatus lugens and Lagothrix lagothricha lagothricha) from northwestern Amazonia.

Insects were recovered and identified from stomach contents of two Callicebus torquatus lugens and one Lagothrix lagothricha lagothricha collected in a remote area of northwestern Amazonia. Both C. torquatus lugens showed little insect matter in stomach contents. Conversely, a minimum of 133 individual insects were recovered from stomach contents of the L. lagothricha lagothricha. These included various larger, rapid forms (Cicadellidae) unlikely to have been inadvertently consumed while the animal was eating fruit.

Discovery of an alien species of mayfly in South America (Ephemeroptera).

Despite its wide, almost worldwide distribution, the mayfly genus Cloeon Leach, 1815 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is restricted in the Western hemisphere to North America, where a single species is reported. In the Neotropics, except for some species wrongly attributed to the genus in the past, there are no records of Cloeon. Recently, however, specimens of true Cloeon were collected along the coast of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. In order to verify the hypothesis that this species was recently introduced to Brazil, our aim was to identify the species based on morphological and molecular characters and to confirm the presence of true representatives of the genus in the Neotropics. Our results revealed that the specimens found in Brazil belong to the Afrotropical species C. smaeleni Lestage, 1924. The identity of the species, its distribution, along with its previous absence in regularly sampled sites, is a clear sign that the specimens of C. smaeleni found in Espírito Santo are introduced, well established, and that the colonization took place very recently.

A new long-horned caddisfly in the genus Triplectides Kolenati (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from the Itatiaia massif, southeastern Brazil.

Triplectides itatiaia sp. nov. is described from specimens collected on the Itatiaia massif, Mantiqueira mountain range, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished by the presence of hind wing fork I petiolate, the long dorsal excision of segment X and the flat, apically rounded mesal lobes. Female and immature stages are unknown. A key to the Brazilian species in the genus is provided.

Water pollution and distribution of the black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil / Contaminación del agua y distribución de la mosca negra (Díptera: Simuliidae) en el bosque Atlán&tico, Brasil

Abstract:Black flies have medical importance because some species are vectors of the Onchocerciasis and Mansonelosis, nevertheless, their ecology and potential use as bioindicators is still poorly studied in the Neotropical Region. In Brazil, bioindicators use is strongly focused in a multimetrical ecological index approach; this way, we investigated the black fly spatial distribution, in relation to abiotic factors correlated to water quality, to provide baseline information for their utilization as standalone indicators of lotic systems integrity. We have tested the hypothesis that environmental changes related to urbanization, lead to decreased abundance and loss in the number of species of the black fly fauna. The sampling was conducted in 10 urban and 10 preserved streams during the dry season (August-September) of 2012, in the mountainous region of Teresópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The streams were characterized for their environmental integrity conditions and physico-chemical properties of water. In each stream, five different rapid points were sampled in a section of 50 meters, 10 meters apart from each other. The black flies were sampled with a kick-net sampler on rocky substrates. The material was separated and the larvae were sorted in morphotypes, and later, the final instar specimens were dissected and identified with the help of taxonomical literature at species level. A total abundance of 488 larvae from nine species were collected, 5 (1.02 %) in extremely impacted streams, 470 (96.31 %) in intermediate streams and 13 (2.66 %) in preserved streams. The visual evaluation (HII) differed in rela&tion to the water physico-chemical evaluation, in which more variation in the characterization of the sampling sites was observed. In Canonical Correspondence Analysis Simulium subpallidum, S. inscrustatumand S. pertinaxwere significantly associated with intermediate values of most of the variables, and then to intermediate impacted sites. On the other hand, Lutzsimulium hirticosta, S. subnigrumand Simuliumsp. A were associated to low values of chemical variables, and then to more preserved sites. Most studies on the bioindicator potential of Simuliidae have suggested an approach to agricultural impacts, while our results, on the other hand, showed that Simuliidae species were present in streams with intermediate urban pollution impacts, but absent in heavily impacted sites. Thus, our data suggested that some species are associated to more pristine breeding sites, such as L. hirticostaand Simuliumsp. A, while others may be good bioindicators of moderately impacted streams, such as S. pertinax, S. subnigrumand S. subpallidum.

Resumen:Aunque las moscas negras tienen importancia médica debido a que algunas de sus especies son vectores de la Oncocercosis y Mansonelosis, su ecología y su potencial como bioindicadores es aún poco estudiado en la Región Neotropical. En Brasil el uso de bioindicadores se centra principalmente en un índice ecológico multimétrico, en este estudio investigamos la distribución espacial de las moscas negras y su relación con los factores abióticos, para su utilización como indicadores de la integridad de los sis&temas lóticos. En este sentido, hemos probado la hipótesis de que los cambios ambientales relacionados con la urba&nización conducen a la disminución de la abundancia y la pérdida de especies de la mosca negra. El muestreo se llevó a cabo en la región montañosa del Estado de Río de Janei&ro, Brasil, en 10 zonas urbanas y 10 arroyos conservados durante la estación seca (agosto-septiembre) de 2012. Los arroyos se caracterizaron por sus condiciones de integridad del ambiente y las propiedades físico-químicas de agua. Las moscas negras se muestrearon en sustratos rocosos con un kick-net sampler.El material se separó y las larvas se ordenaron por morfotipos y más tarde los especímenes en último estadio se disectaron e identificaron con la ayuda de la literatura taxonómica a nivel de especie. Una abundancia total de 488 larvas de nueve especies fueron recolectadas, 5 (1.02 %) en arroyos muy afectados, 470 (96.31 %) en intermedios y 13 (2.66 %) en conservados. La evaluación visual (HII) difiere de la físico-química del agua, en la que se observó una mayor variación. En el Análisis Correspon&dencia Canónica, Simulium subpallidum, S. inscrustatumy S. pertinaxestaban asociadas significativamente con sitios de impacto intermedio, para la mayoría de las variables. Por otro lado, Lutzsimulium hirticosta, S. subnigrumy Simuliumsp. A se asocian con valores bajos de las varia&bles químicas, relacionado a sitios más conservados. La mayoría de los estudios sobre el potencial bioindicador de Simuliidae tienden a enfocarse en los impactos agrícolas, mientras que nuestros resultados, por otro lado, sugieren que las especies de Simuliidae están presentes en arroyos con impactos intermedios de contaminación urbana, pero ausentes en los sitios fuertemente afectados. Por lo tanto, nuestros datos sugieren que algunas especies tales como L. hirticostay Simuliumsp. A están asociadas a lugares de reproducción más prístinos, mientras que otras pueden ser bioindicadores de arroyos moderadamente afectados, como S. pertinax, S. subnigrumy S. subpallidum.

A new species of Contulma Flint (Trichoptera, Anomalopsychidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Contulma Flint (Trichoptera, Anomalopsychidae) from southeastern Brazil. Contulma sana sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in the Rio Macaé Basin, Macaé, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by the following male genitalia characters: long posterior lobes, dorsomedian processes of segment IX diverging on apical third, and well developed phallotremal sclerite. The female and immature stages are unknown.

Uma nova espécie de Contulma Flint (Trichoptera, Anomalopsychidae) do Sudeste do Brasil. Contulma sana sp. nov. é descrita e ilustrada com base nos espécimes coletados na Bacia do Rio Macaé, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A nova espécie pode ser distinguida das congêneres pelas seguintes características da genitália masculina: lobos posteriores longos, processos dorsomedianos do segmento IX divergindo a partir do terço apical e esclerito falotremal bem desenvolvido. A fêmea e estágios imaturos são desconhecidos.

Oligoneuria macabaiba sp. nov. (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from Brazil

The former monotypic genus Oligoneuria Pictet was known solely by a female subimago of the type-species Oligoneuria anomala Pictet. A new species of the genus Oligoneuria from the Atlantic rainforest of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro is described. The description was based in males and females imagos of Oligoneuria macabaiba sp. nov. caught with light traps. This species presents similar wing venation, abdominal posterolateral spines, as well as a membranous extension on anterior portion of the head as seen in the genus. Based on features of the new species, the genus is herein redefined. The species represents the first record of the genus from Southeastern Brazil. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (4): 1553-1557. Epub 2011 December 01.

En la Floresta Atlántica de Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, se describe una nueva especie del género Oligoneuria. La descripción fue basada en imagos machos y hembras de Oligoneuria macabaiba sp. nov. recolectados con trampas de luz. Estas especies presentan alas con venación y espinas abdominales posterolaterales similares al género, así como la expansión membranosa en la región anterior de la cabeza propia de Oligoneuria. Basado en las características de la nueva especie, el género es redefinido. La especie representa el primer registro del género para el Sudeste del Brasil.

A new long-horned Caddisfly in the genus Triplectides Kolenati (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from the Itatiaia massif, southeastern Brazil

Triplectides itatiaia sp. nov. is described from specimens collected on the Itatiaia massif, Mantiqueira mountain range, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished by the presence of hind wing fork I petiolate, the long dorsal excision of segment X and the flat, apically rounded mesal lobes. Female and immature stages are unknown. A key to the Brazilian species in the genus is provided.

A new species of Buenoa Kirkaldy (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Notonectidae) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Uma nova espécie de Buenoa Kirkaldy (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Notonectidae) ocorrente no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Members of Buenoa are restricted to the Western Hemisphere, with the greatest diversity of species in South America. There are about 50 described species and approximately 20 of them have been reported from Brazil. Buenoa pseudomutabilis Barbosa, Ribeiro and Nessimian, sp. nov. is described here from Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State. This species resembles B. mutabilis Truxal, 1953 because males have a stridulatory area on inner surface of forefemur, forefemur narrowed at apex, with length more than three times its width at apex, and rostral prong longer than third rostral segment. Males of B. pseudomutabilis sp. nov. can be readily recognized by the presence of 21 to 25 teeth in the stridulatory comb of foretibia, whereas in B. mutabilis the stridulatory comb of foretibia consists of approximately 33 to 38 teeth. Males of B. pseudomutabilis sp. nov. bear one nodule on each ventral laterotergite 1 of abdomen. A key to male species of Buenoa occurring in Rio de Janeiro State, including the new species, is provided.

Os representantes de Buenoa restringem-se ao hemisfério ocidental, sendo a América do Sul a região que abriga o maior número de espécies descritas. Das 50 espécies descritas, cerca de 20 ocorrem no Brasil. Buenoa pseudomutabilis Barbosa, Ribeiro & Nessimian, sp. nov. é descrita com base em representantes de Maricá, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, sendo similar à B. mutabilis Truxal, 1953 quanto à presença de uma área estridulatória na superfície interna do fêmur anterior dos machos, pelo aspecto estreito do ápice desse fêmur (com o comprimento maior que três vezes a largura do seu ápice) e pelo dente lateral do rostro maior que o seu terceiro segmento. Espécimes machos de B. pseudomutabilis sp. nov. podem ser distinguidos facilmente pela presença de um pente com 21 a 25 dentes na tíbia anterior, enquanto o dos machos de B. mutabilis consiste de aproximadamente 33 a 38 dentes. Os machos de B. pseudomutabilis sp. nov. apresentam um nódulo em ambos os lados do primeiro tergito látero-ventral do abdome. Uma chave de identificação para os representantes machos das espécies de Buenoa ocorrentes no Rio de Janeiro com a espécie nova incluída é fornecida.

Feeding habits of Thoracocharax stellatus (Characiformes: Gasteropelecidae) in the upper rio Tocantins, Brazil

The silver hatchetfish Thoracocharax stellatus is one of the approximately 200 fish species recorded for the upper rio Tocantins, in the region where it was impounded by the Serra da Mesa hydroelectric dam. Analysis of the stomach contents of 88 specimens revealed a diet consisting almost entirely of insects (99.6 percent), most of which were terrestrial (87.6 percent). Ants, beetles, and mayflies were the main food items. Dawn and dusk seemed to be the periods of highest foraging activity for T. stellatus. As a specialist on terrestrial insects, this species has a close connection with the region near the river bank, where prey is provided from the associated riparian vegetation. Despite the impoundment and depletion of the land-water ecotone observed in later stages of reservoir formation, no significant changes in the diet of the few remnant specimens were recorded, which seems to indicate little feeding flexibility. Thus, feeding seemed to be an overriding factor for the displacement of this species after river impoundment.

O peixe borboleta Thoracocharax stellatus é uma entre quase 200 espécies que ocorrem no alto rio Tocantins, no trecho represado pela UHE Serra da Mesa. A análise do conteúdo estomacal de 88 espécimes revelou uma dieta composta quase totalmente de insetos (99,6 por cento), sendo, a maioria desses, insetos terrestres (87,6 por cento). Formigas, besouros e efemerópteros foram os principais itens alimentares. A aurora e o crepúsculo parecem ser os períodos de maior atividade de forrageamento de T. stellatus. Sendo especializada em insetos terrestres, esta espécie apresenta uma estreita relação com a área próxima às margens, onde presas são fornecidas pela vegetação ripária associada. Apesar do represamento e da depleção do ecótono terra-água observado em fases posteriores da formação do reservatório, não foram registradas mudanças significativas na dieta dos poucos espécimes remanescentes, o que parece indicar uma baixa flexibilidade alimentar. Desta forma, a alimentação parece ter sido um fator determinante para o deslocamento desta espécie após o represamento.