Amazonian Odonata Trait Bank.

Discussion regarding the gaps of knowledge on Odonata is common in the literature. Such gaps are even greater when dealing with basic biological data for biodiverse environments like the Amazon Rainforest. Therefore, studies that address, classify, and standardize functional traits allow the elaboration of a wide range of ecological and evolutionary hypotheses. Moreover, such endeavors aid conservation and management planning by providing a better understanding of which functional traits are filtered or favored under environmental changes. Here, our main goal was to produce a database with 68 functional traits of 218 Odonata species that occur in the Brazilian Amazon. We extracted data on behavior, habit/habitat (larvae and adults), thermoregulation, and geographic distribution from 419 literature sources classified into different research areas. Moreover, we measured 22 morphological traits of approximately 2500 adults and categorized species distributions based on approximately 40,000 geographic records for the Americas. As a result, we provided a functional matrix and identified different functional patterns for the Odonata suborders, as well as a strong relationship between the different trait categories. For this reason, we recommend the selection of key traits that represent a set of functional variables, reducing the sampling effort. In conclusion, we detect and discuss gaps in the literature and suggest research to be developed with the present Amazonian Odonata Trait Bank (AMO-TB).

Environmental integrity as a modeler of the composition of the Odonata community.

Human actions often alter natural environments, causing homogenization of micro-habitats and, consequently, the loss or replacement of species. Our research evaluates how the effects of environmental integrity and the physical and chemical characteristics of streams influence the adult Odonata community in a region of the Amazon, in western Pará. The data were obtained in 15 streams of first and second order in the municipality of Santarém, Pará, between October and December 2014 (dry season) and between March and May 2015 (rainy season). A total of 544 specimens were collected, distributed in 23 genera, 35 species. Significant differences were observed in the composition of Odonata based on the integrity of streams, and species are replaced as the habitat integrity gradient is reduced, with species that need more preserved conditions extinct locally, making room for generalist species. However, only Psaironeura tenuissima was an indicator of more preserved sites, while Argia sp.1 and Mnesarete smaragdina were indicative of altered sites. None of the variables had any influence on the richness or abundance of Odonata.

The female of Epipleoneura spatulata Rácenis, 1960 (Odonata: Protoneurinae).

Here we describe the hitherto unknown female of Epipleoneura spatulata Rácenis, 1960 and present a table of characters (all illustrated) to distinguish it from other known congeneric females. We suggest that the main diagnostic character of the female of E. spatulata is the shape of posterior margin of prothorax, which is flat medially with smoothly curved erect lateral projections.

Checklist of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of the Amazonas state, Brazil / Checklist das libélulas (Insecta: Odonata) do estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract: Here we provide a checklist of the odonates from Amazonas state, Brazil. We registered 324 species and 101 genera, making Amazonas the Brazilian state with the most Odonata species recorded. The families with the highest number of species were Coenagrionidae with 32 genera and 101 species, followed by Libellulidae with 28 genera and 100 species and Gomphidae with 12 genera and 45 species. Some regions of Amazonas state remain poorly explored, such as the southern area, and large municipalities, such as São Gabriel da Cachoeira. This work underlines the importance of the biological diversity from Amazonas state and the Amazonian Biome for Odonata species richness in Brazil and shows that many areas in the world's largest tropical forest have not yet been sampled.

Resumo: Aqui nós apresentamos a lista de espécies de libélulas presentes no estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Nós registramos 324 espécies e 101 gêneros, tornando o estado com o maior número de espécies de libélulas registradas no país. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram Coenagrionidae, com 32 gêneros e 101 espécies, seguido por Libellulidae, com 28 gêneros e 100 espécies e Gomphidae com 12 gêneros e 45 espécies. Regiões do estado do Amazonas permanecem pouco exploradas, como a parte sul e os municípios com grande extensão territorial, como São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Este trabalho reconhece a importância da diversidade biológica do estado do Amazonas e do bioma Amazônico para a riqueza de espécies de Odonata no Brasil e mostra que ainda existem muitas áreas não amostradas na maior floresta tropical do mundo.

Gynacantha dryadula sp. nov. from the Guiana Shield (Odonata, Anisoptera: Aeshnidae).

The new species is described and illustrated on the basis of two reared, subteneral males from Brazil, their larval exuviae, a mature male from French Guiana, a mature female from Venezuela, and a mature female from Surinam. One of the Brazilian males is the holotype (BRAZIL, Amazonas State, Manaus, Reserva Florestal Ducke, BR 174-km 26, trail to Acará creek, 02º55'47"S, 59º58'22"W, 0.7 m elevation, deposited in INPA). The new species (total length 50-54 mm) differs from other small species of same genus by color pattern of thorax, middle and hind tibiae dark with external (dorsal) yellow streak, male cercus with truncated tip lacking apical spine, and male epiproct reaching or slightly surpassing midlength of cercus. The larva, besides of its small size (28-31 mm), has an epiproct with well-developed and slightly diverging apical spines and an unusually long paraproct.

The community of Diptera (Insecta) colonizing axils of Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don (Araceae), with records of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in urban areas of Manaus, Amazonas / Comunidade de Diptera (Insecta) colonizando axilas de Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don (Araceae), com registros de Aedes aegypti (L.) e Aedes albopictus (Skuse) na área urbana de Manaus, Amazonas

Abstract Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don grows and proliferates in shaded areas in several forest fragments in urban zones. The adult plant has axils that accumulate rain water (phytotelmata) and serve as breeding sites for several families of aquatic insects. The objective of this study was to determine the composition of the entomofauna associated with water accumulations in axils of A. macrorrhizos in urban areas of Manaus, Brazil. Individuals of A. macrorrhizos were sampled in five forest fragments, between April/2005 and March/2007 in urban areas of Manaus, totaling 184 sampling units. A manual suction hose was used for the removal of entomofauna. A total of 1,941 immatures of Diptera were collected representing the following families: Culicidae (96.5%), Chironomidae (2%), Psychodidae (0.7%), Ephydridae (0.7%) and Corethrellidae (0.1%). Five Culicidae species were identified: Wyeomyia melanocephala Dyar & Knab, 1906 (91.7%), Wy. ypsipola Dyar, 1922 (4.3%), Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (2.3%), Ae. aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (1.5%) and Johnbelkinia longipes (Fabricius, 1805) (0.1%). The members of Culicidae were the most abundant, confirming the importance of this group in communities associated with phytotelmata, with a positive relation to the volume of water (p < 0.05). The occurrence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in axils of A. macrorrhizos demonstrates the potential of this Araceae as a breeding site of these medically important species. However, the real contribution of this Araceae in the maintenance and dispersion of populations of these two species of mosquitoes throughout the year should be further studied.

Resumo A. macrorrhizos (Araceae) é cultivada e se prolifera naturalmente em locais sombreados em diversos fragmentos de mata na zona urbana de Manaus. A planta adulta apresenta axilas que acumulam água da chuva (phytotelmata) e servem de criadouro para diversas famílias de insetos aquáticos. O objetivo do trabalho foi conhecer a composição da entomofauna associada às axilas de A. macrorrhizos, na área urbana de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Entre 2005 e 2007, indivíduos de A. macrorrhizos foram amostrados em cinco fragmentos urbanos de mata, totalizando 184 unidades amostrais. Uma mangueira de sucção manual foi utilizada para coletar a fauna associada. Um total de 1.941 imaturos de Diptera foram coletadas, representadas pelas seguintes famílias: Culicidae (96,5%), Chironomidae (2%), Psychodidae (0,7%), Ephydridae (0,7%) e Corethrellidae (0,1%). Foram identificadas cinco espécies de Culicidae: Wyeomyia melanocephala Dyar & Knab, 1906 (91,7%), Wy. ypsipola Dyar, 1922 (4,3%), Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (2,3%), Ae. aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (1,5%) e Johnbelkinia longipes (Fabricius, 1805) (0,1%). Os representantes de Culicidae foram os mais abundantes confirmando a importância desse grupo nas comunidades associadas a fitotelmatas, com relação positiva com o volume de água por planta (p < 0.05). A ocorrência de Ae. aegypti e Ae. albopictus nas axilas de A. macrorrhizos demonstra o potencial dessa Araceae como criadouro para estas espécies de importância médica. Contudo, a real contribuição dessa Araceae na manutenção e dispersão populacional dessas duas espécies de mosquitos ao longo do ano precisa ser melhor estudada.

Larva of Palaemnema brasiliensis Machado (Odonata: Platystictidae), from Amazonas, Brazil.

The larva of Palaemnema brasiliensis Machado, 2009 is described and illustrated based on last-instar larvae and exuviae of reared larvae collected in a blackwater stream in Barcelos and Presidente Figueiredo municipalities, Amazonas state, Brazil. The larva of P. brasiliensis can be distinguished from the two South American species of the genus with described larvae (P. clementia Selys and P. mutans Calvert), mainly by presence of a single obtuse cusp on the labial palp, the presence and configuration of setae in the caudal lamellae, and the proportional length of terminal filaments of the caudal lamellae. The family is recorded here for the first time in Brazilian state of Amazonas.

Description of the adult male of Aeschnosoma auripennis Geijskes, 1970 (Odonata: Corduliidae s.s.).

The male of A eschnosoma auripennis is described for the first time, based on a specimen reared from a larva collected in the Reserva Biologica do Uatumã, Amazonas State, Brazil. The species is newly reported from the Roraima State, Brazil.

Description of the larva of Neuraeschna claviforcipata Martin, 1909 (Insecta: Odonata: Aeshnidae).

The ultimate stadium larva of Neuraeschna claviforcipata is described and illustrated based on an F-0 exuvia of a reared female from northern Amazonas State, Brazil. This larva differs from the other two known larvae of the genus in lacking the spiny lateral prominence of the mandible, and in having only a short spine each side of the median cleft of the prementum; labium is shorter and cercus longer. Noteworthy is the presence of a hair brush on each occipital lobe behind mesal angle of compound eye. The larva was found in a small blackwater pool with abundant leaf litter in an open, "campina"-type habitat, with sandy soil and low, bushy vegetation.

Velocidade da água e a distribuição de larvas e pupas de Chirostilbia pertinax (Kollar) (Diptera, Simuliidae) e macroinvertebrados associados / Water velocity and the distribution of larvae and pupae of Chirostilbia pertinax (Kollar) (Diptera, Simuliidae) and associated macroinvertebrates

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the distribution of the immature stages of Chirostilbia pertinax (Kollar, 1832) and associated bentic macroinvertebrates in relation to water velocity. This study was carried out on the upper course of Sinos river, in Rio Grande do Sul. Seasonal collections of larvae and pupae of black flies and associated benthic fauna were carried out at five places. In all sampling sites artificial substrates were installed, remaining submersed for 14 days in places of great water flow. Before removing the substrates the flow speeds on the collection sites were measured. To assess the distinct distribution patterns of the benthic fauna, the flow speed was divided in three classes: slow (0.20 - 0.63 m/s), medium (0.64 - 1.07 m/s) and fast (1.08 - 1.50 m/s). A total of 39,598 specimens were collected, from which 33,418 were black flies and 6,180 associated macroinvertebrates. From the total black flies, 5,704 were in the last larval instar and pupae from which 828 were C. pertinax. In the distribution of this species 30.8 percent occurred in slow flow, 24.9 percent in medium flow and 44.3 percent in fast flow. The abundance of C. pertinax is inversely related to the predatory macroinvertebrates (GLM, R² = 0.207; F 2.50 = 6.536; P = 0.003). These results demonstrate that the immature stages of C. pertinax have a tendency to occupy microhabitats with less predator occurrence.

O presente trabalho objetivou investigar a relação entre a velocidade da água e a distribuição dos estágios imaturos de Chirostilbia pertinax (Kollar, 1832) e os macroinvertebrados bentônicos associados. As coletas foram realizadas em cinco pontos, no trecho superior do Rio dos Sinos, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A fauna bentônica foi amostrada com substratos artificiais, que permaneceram instalados nos locais de maior corenteza d'água por períodos de 14 dias. Antes do recolhimento dos substratos foram realizadas medidas de velocidade d'água no local da sua instalação. Essas medidas foram agrupadas em três classes: baixa (0,20 a 0,63 m/s), média (0,64 a 1,07 m/s) e alta (1,08 a 1,50 m/s) para posterior relação com a distribuição da fauna coletada. Para avaliar a influência da velocidade de água sobre a distribuição dos macroinvertebrados e a abundância de C. pertinax foi realizada uma regressão múltipla. As coletas resultaram em 39.598 indivíduos, sendo 33.418 simulídeos e 6.180 macroinvertebrados associados. Entre os simulídeos 5.704 espécimes correspondem a larvas do último ínstar e pupas, dos quais 828 são de C. pertinax. Quanto à distribuição dessa espécie, 30,8 por cento ocorreram na classe de baixa velocidade d'água, 24,9 por cento na velocidade média e 44,3 por cento na alta velocidade. Foi observado que a abundância de C. petinax aumenta à medida que os macroinvertebrados predadores diminuem e os organismos não predadores aumentam (GLM, R² = 0,207; F 2,50 = 6,536; P = 0,003). Esses resultados revelam que os imaturos de C. pertinax têm uma tendência em ocupar um microhábitat com menor ocorrência de predadores.

Distribuição de Paravelia recens (Drake & Harris, 1935) (Hemíptera, Heteroptera, Veliidae) em Guzmania brasiliensis Ule, 1907 (Bromeliaceae) na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Amazonas, Brasil / Distribution of Paravelia recens (Drake & Harris, 1935) (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Veliidae) in Guzmania brasiliensis Ule, 1907 (Bromeliaceae) at Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil

Este é o primeiro registro de Paravelia recens (Drake & Harris, 1935) (Heteroptera: Veliidae) em fitotelmata de Guzmania brasiliensis Ule, 1907 (Bromeliaceae). O estudo foi conduzido na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, localizada na rodovia AM 010 km 26, Manaus, Amazonas. Foram realizadas doze amostragens, entre abril de 2003 e abril de 2005, seis no período chuvoso e seis no período de seca. Para cada amostragem, 12 bromélias foram analisadas, seis terrestres e seis epífitas, totalizando 144 amostras. Com exceção das amostras de março e outubro de 2004, 94 espécimes de P. recens foram encontrados. O número de indivíduos coletados foi semelhante nos estratos amostrados, sendo 46 terrestres e 48 epífitas. No período chuvoso foi encontrado um maior número de P. recens (teste-t entre períodos; t =2,57; p=0,011), assim como a abundância de indivíduos esteve positivamente correlacionada com o volume de água por bromélia (r s= 0,18; p=0,033). Este fato pode ser explicado pelo maior aporte de água no período chuvoso acarretando o aumento do volume médio de água nas bromélias.

This is the first record of Paravelia recens (Drake & Harris, 1935) (Heteroptera: Veliidae) in phytotelmata of Guzmania brasiliensis Ule, 1907 (Bromeliaceae). The study was conduced at Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, located on road AM 010 Km 26, Manaus, Amazonas. Twelve samplings were taken between April 2003 and April 2005, namely, six in the wet season and six in the dry season. Twelve bromeliads were analysed for each sampling, six terrestrials and six epiphytics, totaling 144 samples. With the exception of the 2004 March and October samples, 94 specimens of P. recens were found. The number of individuals was similar in the stratums sampled, accounting for 46 terrestrials and 48 epiphytics. P. recens were found in great abundance in the wet season (t-test between season; t=2,57; p=0,011), and the abundance of individuals was positively correlated with water volume by bromeliad (r s= 0,18; p=0,033). This fact could be explained by the major input of water in the wet season, causing the increase of mean water volume by bromeliad.