The cost-effectiveness of biodiversity surveys in tropical forests.

The identification of high-performance indicator taxa that combine practical feasibility and ecological value requires an understanding of the costs and benefits of surveying different taxa. We present a generic and novel framework for identifying such taxa, and illustrate our approach using a large-scale assessment of 14 different higher taxa across three forest types in the Brazilian Amazon, estimating both the standardized survey cost and the ecological and biodiversity indicator value for each taxon. Survey costs varied by three orders of magnitude, and dung beetles and birds were identified as especially suitable for evaluating and monitoring the ecological consequences of habitat change in our study region. However, an exclusive focus on such taxa occurs at the expense of understanding patterns of diversity in other groups. To improve the cost-effectiveness of biodiversity research we encourage a combination of clearer research goals and the use of an objective evidence-based approach to selecting study taxa.

BIOFRAG - a new database for analyzing BIOdiversity responses to forest FRAGmentation.

Habitat fragmentation studies have produced complex results that are challenging to synthesize. Inconsistencies among studies may result from variation in the choice of landscape metrics and response variables, which is often compounded by a lack of key statistical or methodological information. Collating primary datasets on biodiversity responses to fragmentation in a consistent and flexible database permits simple data retrieval for subsequent analyses. We present a relational database that links such field data to taxonomic nomenclature, spatial and temporal plot attributes, and environmental characteristics. Field assessments include measurements of the response(s) (e.g., presence, abundance, ground cover) of one or more species linked to plots in fragments within a partially forested landscape. The database currently holds 9830 unique species recorded in plots of 58 unique landscapes in six of eight realms: mammals 315, birds 1286, herptiles 460, insects 4521, spiders 204, other arthropods 85, gastropods 70, annelids 8, platyhelminthes 4, Onychophora 2, vascular plants 2112, nonvascular plants and lichens 320, and fungi 449. Three landscapes were sampled as long-term time series (>10 years). Seven hundred and eleven species are found in two or more landscapes. Consolidating the substantial amount of primary data available on biodiversity responses to fragmentation in the context of land-use change and natural disturbances is an essential part of understanding the effects of increasing anthropogenic pressures on land. The consistent format of this database facilitates testing of generalizations concerning biologic responses to fragmentation across diverse systems and taxa. It also allows the re-examination of existing datasets with alternative landscape metrics and robust statistical methods, for example, helping to address pseudo-replication problems. The database can thus help researchers in producing broad syntheses of the effects of land use. The database is dynamic and inclusive, and contributions from individual and large-scale data-collection efforts are welcome.

Baniwa yavitensis lichy, 1981 (lepidoptera: sphingidae) na amazônia brasileira

The first known female and a male of Baniwa yavitensis Lichy, 1981 are described, including their genitalia, respectively from Amazonas and Pará State, Brazil.

O trabalho documenta o primeiro registro de uma fêmea de Baniwa yavitensis Lichy, 1981, para os Estados do Amazonas e do Pará, Brasil. A genitália da fêmea é descrita e a do macho redescrita.

Esfingofauna (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) do Parque Nacional do Jaú e arredores, Amazonas, Brasil

A survey of Sphingidae fauna (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) were studied at Parque Nacional do Jaú and surroundings, Amazonas, Brazil during july/1993 to june/1996. The collects were made using a mixed mercury vapor lamp and black light UV on a white sheet in periods of 12 consecutive hours. 79 hawkmoths species, 25 genera in 2362 specimens were collected with predominance of the species of tribe Dilophonotini (45 species), followed by Sphingini (13), Macroglossini (8), Philampelini (7) and Ambulycini (6). Data are compared with others areas of brazilian Amazonia: municipal district of Itacoatiara (AM), Ilha de Maracá and Pacaraima (RR). It is presented a list of species of hawk moths including 16 new register for the State of Amazonas and equal for all localities were collected.

A fauna de esfingídeos (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) foi estudada no Parque Nacional do Jaú e arredores, Amazonas, Brasil, durante o período de julho de 1993 a junho de 1996. O método empregado para as coletas foi luz mista de mercúrio e luz negra UV montadas sobre um lençol branco em períodos de 12 horas consecutivas. Foram coletados 2362 espécimes de 25 gêneros e 79 espécies, com a predominância de espécies das tribos Dilophonotini (45 espécies), seguida por Sphingini (13 spp.), Macroglossini (8 spp.), Philampelini (7 spp.) e Ambulycini (6 spp.). Os dados são comparados a outras áreas da Amazônia brasileira: Município de Itacoatiara (AM), Ilha de Maracá e Pacaraima (RR). Apresenta-se uma lista das espécies de esfingídeos incluindo 16 registros novos para o Estado do Amazonas e igualmente para todas as localidades em que foram coletadas.

Besouros dinastíneos (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae) de Querari, município de São Gabriel da Cachoeira, estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Dynastinae beetles were collected at Querari, District of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, upper rio Negro, State of Amazonas in April-May/1993. A mixed 250W mercury vapor lamp, a black light (BL) and black light blue (BLB) lamps were used to atract insects on a white sheet in 33 collecting night periods of 12 consecutive hours. 76 specimens were collected, of 20 species, and 10 genera were identified. The tribe Cyclocephalini was the most representative (10 species), followed by Phileurini (4 spp.), Oryctini (3 spp.), Dynastini (2 spp.) and Pentodontini (1 sp.). 7 species were recorded for the first time to the State of Amazonas, 5 to Brazil.

Besouros dinastíneos foram coletados em Querari, Município de São Gabriel da Cachoeira, região do alto rio Negro, Estado do Amazonas, de abril a maio de 1993. Utilizaram-se lâmpadas de luz mista de mercúrio de 250 W, BL e BLB, sobre um lençol branco, em 33 noites de coletas de 12 horas consecutivas. Foram coletados 76 indivíduos de 20 espécies e 10 gêneros. A tribo Cyclocephalini foi a mais representada (10 espécies), seguida por Phileurini (4 spp.), Oryctini (3 spp.), Dynastini (2 spp.) e Pentodontini (1sp.). Dessas, 7 espécies são registradas pela primeira vez para o Amazonas, 5 delas para o Brasil.

Sobre a esfingofauna da Ilha de Maracá e da Serra de Pacaraima, Roraima (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae)

The hawk moth species collected on Maraca island an at Pacaraima Mountain, in Roraima , are listed.

São listadas as espécies de esfingídeos coletadas na Ilha de Maracã e na Serra de Pacaraima, em Roraima.

Aspectos da esfingofauna (lepidoptera, sphingidae), em área de terra-firme, no estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Abundance, richness, flight hour, sex ratio of Sphingidae were recorded at Itacoatiara, State of Amazonas, on a disturbed area of upland rainforest brazilian Amazon during thirten months (40 nights) between july/1990 - july/1991. 61 species including all collected material were obtained with predominance of Dilophonotini (29 species) followed by Sphingini (14), Philampelini (7), Smerinthini (6) and Macroglossini (5). The community of Sphingidae is compared with others localities data of Neotropical region (South and Central America).

Abundância, riqueza, horário de vôo, razão sexual de Sphingidae são estudadas no Município de Itacoatiara, Estado do Amazonas, em área perturbada de terra-firme na Amazônia brasileira, durante treze meses consecutivos (40 noites), entre julho/1990 - julho/1991. Obteve-se 61 espécies, incluindo todo material coletado, com a predominância de Dilophonotini (29 espécies), seguida por Sphingini (14), Philampelini (7), Smerinthini (6) e Macroglossini (5). A comunidade de Sphingidae é comparada com dados de outras localidades da região Neotropical (Américas do Sul e Central).