Species composition and structure of Thysanoptera communities in different microhabitats at the Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, RS.

Although thrips are known as inhabitants of flowers, they are also abundant and diverse in other microhabitats. There is an information gap concerning them, especially related to the native fauna in southern Brazil. The structure and composition of the thysanopteran community in different microhabitats was studied at the "Parque Estadual de Itapuã" (30 degrees 22' S 51 degrees 02' W), RS, southern Brazil. Between June 1999 and May 2001, branches (n = 1,274), flowers (n = 774), grass tussocks (n = 596) and leaf litter (n = 603) were sampled systematically in 20 points of four trails (T1 - Pedreira beach, T2 - Araçá beach, T3 - Lagoinha, and T4 - Grota hill). We found 2,197 adult thrips determined in 73 species in 41 genera, of which 37 could be nominated. Four families are represented, Thripidae, Phlaeothripidae, Heterothripidae and Merothripidae, with the first the most abundant (N = 1,599) and with the highest species richness (S = 32). The highest thrips abundance occurred in flowers N = 1,224 and the highest number of exclusive species occurred in the leaf litter (27). Frankliniella rodeos Moulton, 1933, Frankliniella gemina Bagnall, 1919 and Smicrothrips particula Hood, 1952 comprise 49.4% of the total sampled. Regarding T2, we obtained the highest abundance (N = 935) and highest species richness (S = 43). The composition of the faunas in each kind of environment proved very particular.

Species composition and structure of Thysanoptera communities in different microhabitats at the Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, RS / Estrutura e composição de espécies de comunidades de Thysanoptera em diferentes micro-hábitats no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, RS

Although thrips are known as inhabitants of flowers, they are also abundant and diverse in other microhabitats. There is an information gap concerning them, especially related to the native fauna in southern Brazil. The structure and composition of the thysanopteran community in different microhabitats was studied at the "Parque Estadual de Itapuã" (30° 22' S 51° 02' W), RS, southern Brazil. Between June 1999 and May 2001, branches (n = 1,274), flowers (n = 774), grass tussocks (n = 596) and leaf litter (n = 603) were sampled systematically in 20 points of four trails (T1 - Pedreira beach, T2 - Araçá beach, T3 - Lagoinha, and T4 - Grota hill). We found 2,197 adult thrips determined in 73 species in 41 genera, of which 37 could be nominated. Four families are represented, Thripidae, Phlaeothripidae, Heterothripidae and Merothripidae, with the first the most abundant (N = 1,599) and with the highest species richness (S = 32). The highest thrips abundance occurred in flowers N = 1,224 and the highest number of exclusive species occurred in the leaf litter (27). Frankliniella rodeos Moulton, 1933, Frankliniella gemina Bagnall, 1919 and Smicrothrips particula Hood, 1952 comprise 49.4 percent of the total sampled. Regarding T2, we obtained the highest abundance (N = 935) and highest species richness (S = 43). The composition of the faunas in each kind of environment proved very particular.

Embora os tripes sejam conhecidos como habitantes de flores, também são abundantes e diversos em outros micro-hábitats. Há uma lacuna de informações neste sentido, especialmente sobre a fauna nativa no Sul do Brasil. Entre junho de 1999 a maio de 2001, ramos (n = 1.274), flores (n = 774), touceiras de gramíneas (n = 596) e folhedo (n = 603) foram amostrados sistematicamente em 20 pontos de quatro trilhas (T1 - Praia da Pedreira, T2 - Praia do Araçá, T3 - Lagoinha, e T4 - Morro da Grota). Resultaram 2.197 tripes adultos determinados em 73 espécies de 41 gêneros, das quais 37 puderam ser nominadas. Quatro famílias estão representadas, Thripidae, Phlaeothripidae, Heterothripidae e Merothripidae, sendo a primeira mais abundante (N = 1.599) com a maior riqueza de espécies (S = 32). A maior abundância de tripes ocorreu nas flores (N = 1.224) e o maior número de espécies exclusivas ocorreu no folhedo (27). Frankliniella rodeos Moulton, 1933, Frankliniella gemina Bagnall, 1919 and Smicrothrips particula Hood, 1952 compõem 49,4 por cento do total da amostra. Na T2 foi obtida maior abundância (N = 935) e maior riqueza de espécies (S = 43). A composição das faunas de cada tipo de ambiente revelou-se muito particular.