Variation in a Darwin Wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) Community along an Elevation Gradient in a Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot: Implications for Ecology and Conservation.

Understanding how biodiversity varies from place to place is a fundamental goal of ecology and an important tool for halting biodiversity loss. Parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera) are a diverse and functionally important animal group, but spatial variation in their diversity is poorly understood. We survey a community of parasitic wasps (Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) using Malaise traps up a mountain in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, and relate the catch to biotic and abiotic habitat characteristics. We find high species richness compared with previous similar studies, with abundance, richness, and diversity peaking at low to intermediate elevation. There is a marked change in community composition with elevation. Habitat factors strongly correlated with elevation also strongly predict changes in the pimpline community, including temperature as well as the density of bamboo, lianas, epiphytes, small trees, and herbs. These results identify several possible surrogates of pimpline communities in tropical forests, which could be used as a tool in conservation. They also contribute to the growing evidence for a typical latitudinal gradient in ichneumonid species richness, and suggest that low to medium elevations in tropical regions will sometimes conserve the greatest number of species locally, but to conserve maximal biodiversity, a wider range of elevations should also be targeted.

Chrysomelinae species (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) and new biological data from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Chrysomelinae is one of the largest subfamilies in Chrysomelidae, yet much basic information remains unknown for Neotropical species. The present study aims to compile the first regional list of Chrysomelinae for the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and assemble natural history traits obtained from our fieldwork from 2005 to 2010 in Serra dos Órgãos National Park, a mountainous area of Atlantic forest. The species list was compiled from data from field work, collections, and literature, and recorded a total of 100 species, belonging to 21 genera in one tribe (Chrysomelini) and three subtribes: Chrysolinina (91 species), Chrysomelina (eight species) and Entomoscelina (one species). Of these, 91 species are new records for the state. Serra dos Órgaõs National Park holds records of 43 species, with Platyphora being the most species-rich genus, and Solanaceae the most common host plant family. Some new records of reproductive mode (larviparous vs. oviparous) and larval behavior are also given. These Brazil Chrysomelinae species exhibited a clear seasonal pattern, with more species recorded in the hot and rainy season from October to January, and considerably fewer species from June to August, during the drier and colder months. The fraction of new records in comparison with published species and natural history information illustrates how little we know of Chrysomelinae in the state and in the country.

Elevation and temporal distributions of Chrysomelidae in southeast Brazil with emphasis on the Galerucinae.

In this study we present an ecological pattern of elevation and temporal variations found in the Chrysomelidae in one of the highest mountains in southeastern Brazil. Monthly surveys using an entomological sweep-net were conducted between April 2011 and June 2012, at five different elevations (800 m, 1000 m, 1750 m, 2200 m and 2450 m). A total of 2318 individuals were collected, belonging to 91 species. The elevation and temporal patterns of distribution of Chrysomelidae were heavily dominated by the Galerucinae. This subfamily had the highest richness and abundance at intermediate altitudes and during the rainy season. Probably the food availability as well as abiotic factors this time of the year favor the development of Galerucinae. Also, most of the more abundant Galerucinae species showed broad elevation ranges but approximately 20% of these species were only collected on the mountaintop sites. We would expect these species to be ones most prone to extinction in a scenario of climate warming or even after local disturbances.

Biology and phenology of three leaf beetle species (Chrysomelidae) in a montane forest in southeast Brazil.

The population phenology of the cassidines, Coptocycla arcuata and Omaspides trichroa, and the chrysomeline, Platyphora axillaris, was studied at Serra dos Órgãos National Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, southeast Brazil. Monthly surveys of larvae and adults were conducted between 2008 and 2011 at approximately 1000 m altitude on their respective host plants, Cordia polycephala (Boraginaceae), Ipomoea philomega (Convolvulaceae) and Solanum scuticum (Solanaceae). This is the first observation of larviparity and host record for Platyphora axillaris. Although having different life history traits, all species showed similar phenologies. They were abundant from October to March, months of high temperatures and intense rainfall, with two distinct reproductive peaks in the same season. Abundance dropped abruptly during the coldest and driest months, from May to August. Frequently none of these species were recorded during June and July. This phenological pattern is similar to other Chrysomelidae living in subtropical areas of Brazil. Temperature and rainfall appear to be the major factors influencing the fluctuation of these three species.

Altitudinal and temporal distribution of Plagiometriona Spaeth, 1899 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) in a tropical forest in southeast Brazil.

Species richness and abundance of seven Plagiometriona species on their host plants were studied along a single trail in the mountainous Serra dos Órgãos National Park in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Six sites were chosen along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1300 m to 2050 m, where all Solanaceae host plants were inspected in search of adults every two months from June 2006 to June 2007. Species richness did not vary clearly with altitude, but abundance increased up to 1800 m, where the highest mean host plant density was found, and abruptly decreased at the last elevational site. Most species showed a restricted distribution and just one occurred across the entire gradient. For at least four species, altitudinal distribution seems to be strongly related to host plant availability, while for the others it is difficult to access which factors are decisive, due to their low numbers. Only in October all species were found in the field, although February was the month with the highest total abundance. Over the course of the study, the greatest abundances were recorded from October to February, comprehending the hottest and rainiest months, and the lowest abundances were found from June to August, which include the coldest and driest months. Thus, species seasonal distribution, supported by other studies in the same area, seems to be related to the local climate.

Ecologia e variação espacial de Naupactus lar Germar (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae) no Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, RJ / Ecology and spatial variation of Naupactus lar Germar (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae) at the National Park of Restinga de Jurubatiba, State of Rio de Janeiro

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos descrever o padrão de variação espacial na coloração de N. lar no Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba e estudar aspectos da sua ecologia e de seu comportamento. O trabalho foi realizado de fevereiro de 2003 a maio de 2004, em excursões bimestrais a quatro diferentes áreas do parque, vistoriando um total de 120 plantas de Byrsonima sericea, um de seus principais hospedeiros. Foram encontrados quatro tipos de coloração (amarelo, rosa, laranja e branco), sendo que nem todas as formas ocorreram juntas no mesmo local. Quase todos os machos adultos observados em campo apresentaram coloração amarela, com exceção de um indivíduo alaranjado. Já as fêmeas apresentaram todos os padrões de cores citados. Cruzamentos realizados em laboratório demonstraram que indivíduos de diferentes colorações e/ou diferentes áreas copulam normalmente entre si, indicando não haver barreira mecânica ou comportamental que impeça a cópula entre as diferentes formas. Adultos de N. lar ocorreram o ano todo, apresentando as maiores abundâncias entre outubro e fevereiro, e as mais baixas, entre abril e agosto. Tanto a porcentagem de ocupação das plantas, quanto a densidade de indivíduos de N. lar nas plantas acompanharam o padrão de sua flutuação populacional. Assim, parece que N. lar apresenta uma estação reprodutiva por ano, entre os meses de outubro e fevereiro, época coincidente com a estação chuvosa e emissão de ramos novos pela planta de alimentação.

The present work aimed to describe the pattern of spatial variation of N. lar at the National Park of Restinga de Jurubatiba and to study aspects of the species ecology and behavior. Bimonthly surveys were conducted on 120 Byrsonima sericea plants, one of its main hosts, from February 2003 to May 2004, in four different areas of the park. Four color morphs were found (yellow, pink, orange and white), but not all occurred together in the same area. Almost all adult males observed in field were yellow, except for one orange individual. Females, however, showed all cited color morphs. Tests in laboratory showed that individuals of different colors and/or from different sites mated normally among themselves, indicating that there is no mechanical or behavioral barrier preventing copulation among them. Adults of N. lar occurred throughout the year, showing an abundance peak between October and February, and lower numbers between April and August. Both percentage of plant occupation and density of individuals on plants followed the pattern of the populational fluctuation. In this way, it seems that N. lar presents one reproductive season per year, between October and February, period of rainy season and production of new leaves of the food plants.

Insetos fitófagos associados ao murici da praia, Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae), na Restinga de Jurubatiba (RJ) / Phytophagous insects associated with Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae) at Restinga de Jurubatiba (Rio de Janeiro State)

Este trabalho teve como objetivos descrever a composição de espécies de insetos fitófagos associados ao murici da praia, Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae), no Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (RJ, Brasil) e estudar sua distribuição, sua abundância e alguns aspectos de seu comportamento. Durante 14 meses, de abril de 2003 a maio de 2004, foram vistoriadas bimestralmente 120 plantas, enquanto observações sobre a entomofauna associada a essa planta vêm sendo feitas desde novembro de 2000. Foram encontradas, ao todo, 45 espécies de insetos associadas, sendo 20 de lepidópteros exofíticos, 17 de coleópteros exofíticos, quatro de minadores e quatro de galhadores. Lius sp. (Buprestidae), um besouro minador de folhas, foi a espécie mais abundante e freqüente em B. sericea, seguido pela lagarta Gonioterma indecora (Elachistidae). A comparação entre as lagartas de Lepidoptera associadas a B. sericea na restinga com outras espécies de Byrsonima do cerrado mostrou uma baixa similaridade de insetos destas com B. sericea e uma menor riqueza nesta espécie. Tanto as lagartas de Lepidoptera como os minadores apresentaram seu pico de abundância entre os meses de junho e agosto, precedendo o pico de plantas com folhas novas, enquanto a abundância dos besouros exofíticos aumentou simultaneamente ao brotamento de folhas novas. São discutidas as possíveis causas para os padrões de distribuição temporal observados, bem como descrições de aspectos ecológicos das principais espécies identificadas associadas a B. sericea.

This work aimed to investigate the composition, abundance and some behavioral aspects of phytophagous species associated with "murici da praia", Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae), in the National Park of Restinga de Jurubatiba, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. During 14 months, from April 2003 to May 2004, bimonthly surveys were conducted on 120 plants, while observations on B. sericea insects were made since November 2000. An overall of 45 associated insect species were found, being 20 exophytic lepidopteran caterpillars, 17 exophytic Coleoptera, four leaf miners and four galling species. Lius sp. (Buprestidae), a leaf miner beetle, was the most abundant and frequent species, followed by the caterpillar Gonioterma indecora (Elachistidae). A comparison between lepidopteran caterpillars on B. sericea in the restinga and other Byrsonima species of the cerrado vegetation showed low insect similarities between these and B. sericea, which also had the lowest species richness. Both caterpillars and leaf miners abundance peaked between June and August, prior to the leaf flush, while the abundance of exophytic Coleoptera immatures increased simultaneously with leaf production. Possible explanations for the temporal distribution patterns of insects on B. sericea are discussed and a brief description of the ecological aspects is given for the main identified phytophagous insect species.