Pollination in Epidendrum densiflorum Hook. (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae): Fraudulent Trap-Flowers, Self-Incompatibility, and a Possible New Type of Mimicry.

The pollination and the breeding system of Epidendrum densiflorum (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) were studied through fieldwork and controlled pollinations in cultivated plants. Pollination is exclusively promoted by males of diurnal Lepidoptera: five species of Arctiinae and four of Ithomiinae were recorded as pollinators. These male insects are known to obtain alkaloids (through the nectar) in flowers of Asteraceae and Boraginaceae. However, the flowers of E. densiflorum are nectarless, despite presenting a cuniculus (a likely nectariferous cavity). Pollinators insert their proboscides into the flowers and remove or deposit the pollinaria while searching for nectar. The floral tube is very narrow, and insects struggle for up to 75 min to get rid of the flowers. Plants are pollinator-dependent and nearly fully self-incompatible. Pollinarium removal, pollination, and fruiting success (2.85%) were very low; facts that are consistent with the patterns globally observed in deceptive (rewardless) orchids. Nilsson's male efficiency factor (0.245) was also low, indicating pollen loss in the system. Based on our field observations, we suggest that the fragrance of E. densiflorum likely mimics these plants that are normally used as a source of alkaloids by male Lepidoptera, a hypothesis that we intend to test in the future.

Modelling Highly Biodiverse Areas in Brazil.

Traditional conservation techniques for mapping highly biodiverse areas assume there to be satisfactory knowledge about the geographic distribution of biodiversity. There are, however, large gaps in biological sampling and hence knowledge shortfalls. This problem is even more pronounced in the tropics. Indeed, the use of only a few taxonomic groups or environmental surrogates for modelling biodiversity is not viable in mega-diverse countries, such as Brazil. To overcome these limitations, we developed a comprehensive spatial model that includes phylogenetic information and other several biodiversity dimensions aimed at mapping areas with high relevance for biodiversity conservation. Our model applies a genetic algorithm tool for identifying the smallest possible region within a unique biota that contains the most number of species and phylogenetic diversity, as well as the highest endemicity and phylogenetic endemism. The model successfully pinpoints small highly biodiverse areas alongside regions with knowledge shortfalls where further sampling should be conducted. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should consider several taxonomic groups, the multiple dimensions of biodiversity, and associated sampling uncertainties.

Modelling highly biodiverse areas in Brazil

Traditional conservation techniques for mapping highly biodiverse areas assume there to be satisfactory knowledge about the geographic distribution of biodiversity. There are, however, large gaps in biological sampling and hence knowledge shortfalls. This problem is even more pronounced in the tropics. Indeed, the use of only a few taxonomic groups or environmental surrogates for modelling biodiversity is not viable in mega-diverse countries, such as Brazil. To overcome these limitations, we developed a comprehensive spatial model that includes phylogenetic information and other several biodiversity dimensions aimed at mapping areas with high relevance for biodiversity conservation. Our model applies a genetic algorithm tool for identifying the smallest possible region within a unique biota that contains the most number of species and phylogenetic diversity, as well as the highest endemicity and phylogenetic endemism. The model successfully pinpoints small highly biodiverse areas alongside regions with knowledge shortfalls where further sampling should be conducted. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should consider several taxonomic groups, the multiple dimensions of biodiversity, and associated sampling uncertainties.

Modelling highly biodiverse areas in Brazil

Traditional conservation techniques for mapping highly biodiverse areas assume there to be satisfactory knowledge about the geographic distribution of biodiversity. There are, however, large gaps in biological sampling and hence knowledge shortfalls. This problem is even more pronounced in the tropics. Indeed, the use of only a few taxonomic groups or environmental surrogates for modelling biodiversity is not viable in mega-diverse countries, such as Brazil. To overcome these limitations, we developed a comprehensive spatial model that includes phylogenetic information and other several biodiversity dimensions aimed at mapping areas with high relevance for biodiversity conservation. Our model applies a genetic algorithm tool for identifying the smallest possible region within a unique biota that contains the most number of species and phylogenetic diversity, as well as the highest endemicity and phylogenetic endemism. The model successfully pinpoints small highly biodiverse areas alongside regions with knowledge shortfalls where further sampling should be conducted. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should consider several taxonomic groups, the multiple dimensions of biodiversity, and associated sampling uncertainties.

Publisher Correction: Biodiversity conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Biodiversity conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas.

Although Brazil is a megadiverse country and thus a conservation priority, no study has yet quantified conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas (PAs) using extensive empirical data. Here, we evaluate the degree of biodiversity protection and knowledge within all the Brazilian PAs through a gap analysis of vertebrate, arthropod and angiosperm occurrences and phylogenetic data. Our results show that the knowledge on biodiversity in most Brazilian PAs remain scant as 71% of PAs have less than 0.01 species records per km2. Almost 55% of Brazilian species and about 40% of evolutionary lineages are not found in PAs, while most species have less than 30% of their geographic distribution within PAs. Moreover, the current PA network fails to protect the majority of endemic species. Most importantly, these results are similar for all taxonomic groups analysed here. The methods and results of our countrywide assessment are suggested to help design further inventories in order to map and secure the key biodiversity of the Brazilian PAs. In addition, our study illustrates the most common biodiversity knowledge shortfalls in the tropics.

Biodiversity conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas

Although Brazil is a megadiverse country and thus a conservation priority, no study has yet quantified conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas (PAs) using extensive empirical data. Here, we evaluate the degree of biodiversity protection and knowledge within all the Brazilian PAs through a gap analysis of vertebrate, arthropod and angiosperm occurrences and phylogenetic data. Our results show that the knowledge on biodiversity in most Brazilian PAs remain scant as 71% of PAs have less than 0.01 species records per km(2). Almost 55% of Brazilian species and about 40% of evolutionary lineages are not found in PAs, while most species have less than 30% of their geographic distribution within PAs. Moreover, the current PA network fails to protect the majority of endemic species. Most importantly, these results are similar for all taxonomic groups analysed here. The methods and results of our countrywide assessment are suggested to help design further inventories in order to map and secure the key biodiversity of the Brazilian PAs. In addition, our study illustrates the most common biodiversity knowledge shortfalls in the tropics.

Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

This study describes the composition and distribution of the Arctiinae species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Rio de Janeiro, generating the first list of Arctiinae species in the state. We assessed the variations in species composition and the different vegetation types in the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro. Data were collected primarily through surveys of museums and publication lists of species. We also conducted field sampling in March and September 2010. Of the 2,077 records covering 28 municipalities, 679 Arctiinae species were found in Rio de Janeiro state and were divided into two tribes and 220 genera. The location with the highest number of species recorded was Itatiaia, with 362 species, followed by Petrópolis and Angra dos Reis, with 320 and 306 species, respectively. Thirty-four percent (n = 230) of the species recorded were exclusive, i.e., occurred in only one location. The lowest dissimilarity values were observed between neighboring municipalities with the same type of plant formation, such as Petrópolis and Teresópolis (19%) or Itatiaia and Resende (24%). Some municipalities slightly further apart geographically, but with the same type of plant formation, also showed low levels of dissimilarity, for example, Petropolis and Resende (29%). However, most locations showed intermediate dissimilarity values of 40-60%, and in some cases, this figure rose to 96%. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, irrespective of its small geographical size and the predominance of a unique ecosystem, the Atlantic Forest shows a wide variation in relief, which may explain the high beta diversity values. Despite the large number of Arctiinae species recorded in Rio de Janeiro, few species were identified in areas with important forest remnants, such as Guapimirim, Nova Iguaçu, and Campos dos Goitacazes. Some regions of the northwestern part of the state were also subsampled. It is likely that new records of Arctiinae still exist in these locations, further increasing the list of Arctiinae species in Rio de Janeiro.

Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo descrever a composição e distribuição de espécies de Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) no estado do Rio de Janeiro, gerando a primeira lista de espécies de Arctiinae para o estado. Avaliou-se também a variação na composição de espécies nos municípios e nas diferentes formações vegetais do estado. Os dados foram obtidos através de levantamentos em museus e de publicações de listas de espécies. Foram também realizadas coletas de campo nos meses de março e setembro de 2010. De um total de 2.077 registros, abrangendo 28 municípios, encontrou-se 679 espécies de Arctiinae para o estado do Rio de Janeiro, distribuídas em duas tribos e 220 gêneros. O município com o maior número de espécies foi Itatiaia, com 362 espécies, seguido de Petrópolis e Angra dos Reis, com 320 e 306 espécies, respectivamente. Trinta e quatro por cento (n = 230) das espécies de Arctiinae registradas tiveram distribuição exclusiva, ou seja, ocorreram em apenas uma localidade. Os menores valores de dissimilaridade foram observados entre municípios próximos e localizados sob o mesmo tipo de formação vegetal, como Petrópolis e Teresópolis (19%) ou Itatiaia e Resende (24%). Alguns municípios mais afastados geograficamente, mas ainda localizados sob o mesmo tipo de formação vegetal, apresentaram também baixos valores de dissimilaridade, como Petrópolis e Resende (29%), por exemplo. Entretanto, a maior parte dos municípios apresentou valores intermediários de dissimilaridade, entre 40 e 60%, e em alguns casos esse valor chegou até a 96%. O estado do Rio de Janeiro, mesmo com sua pequena dimensão geográfica e predomínio de um único ecossistema, a Mata Atlântica, apresenta uma grande variação no seu relevo, o que pode explicar alguns valores altos de diversidade beta. Apesar da grande quantidade de espécies de Arctiinae registrada para o estado do Rio de Janeiro, foram identificadas algumas localidades com remanescentes florestais importantes, como Guapimirim, Nova Iguaçu e Campos dos Goitacazes, e também algumas regiões do noroeste do estado ainda subamostradas. É bem provável que nessas localidades sejam encontrados novos registros de Arctiinae, aumentando ainda mais a lista de espécies de Arctiinae do estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Mariposas Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil / The Arctiinae moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) of Santa Catarina state, Brazil

Uma lista de espécies foi preparada com base no exame de 2.772 espécimes depositados em 10 coleções brasileiras. Um total de 499 arctiíneos foi registrado em 30 municípios, sendo 1,4% dessas espécies endêmicas do estado de Santa Catarina. As localidades mais ricas em registros de espécies foram Joinville, São Bento do Sul, Seara e Brusque. Apenas 15 noites de amostragens foram realizadas no século 21. A floresta estacional decidual foi extremamente subamostrada no que diz respeito às mariposas Arctiinae em comparação com os outros tipos de vegetação encontrados no estado de Santa Catarina. Para um diagnóstico mais abrangente da riqueza e composição de espécies de mariposas Arctiinae no estado de Santa Catarina, visando estratégias de conservação de habitats e táxons vulneráveis, são necessárias amostragens em muitos municípios do estado, especialmente em áreas de floresta estacional decidual e de campos.

A list of species was prepared by examining 2,772 specimens deposited in 10 Brazilian collections. A total of 499 arctiines were recorded in 30 municipalities, 1.4% of these species are endemic to the state of Santa Catarina. The most species-rich localities were Joinville, São Bento do Sul, Seara, and Brusque. Only 15 nights of samplings were performed in the 21st century. The deciduous forest has been extremely subsampled with respect to Arctiinae moths compared to the other types of vegetation found in the state of Santa Catarina. For a more comprehensive diagnostic of the species richness and composition of Arctiinae moths in Santa Catarina state, aiming conservation strategies of vulnerable habitats and taxa, samplings are needed in many municipalities in the state, especially in areas of deciduous forest and grasslands.

Composição de espécies de Arctiidae (Lepidoptera) no sul do Brasil: relação entre tipos de vegetação e entre a configuração espacial do hábitat / Composition of the Arctiidae species (Lepidoptera) in southern Brazil: relationship among vegetation types and among habitat spatial configuration

Este trabalho descreve o padrão de diversidade beta das mariposas Arctiidae no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS) e avalia se esse padrão é relacionado com o tipo de vegetação ou com a distância geográfica entre as áreas. A partir da observação de 9420 espécimes depositados em 13 coleções científicas e de duas listas publicadas na literatura, obteve-se registro de 329 espécies de arctiídeos em 55 localidades do RS. Essa riqueza corresponde a 5,6 por cento da fauna Neotropical e 16,5 por cento da fauna estimada para o Brasil. Cinqüenta e duas espécies (15,8 por cento) foram registradas pela primeira vez no Estado. Não houve relação entre a diversidade beta (distância de Sorensen) e a distância geográfica entre as localidades, sugerindo que a configuração espacial do ambiente não influencia de forma significativa a locomoção das mariposas Arctiidae entre as paisagens. As análises multivariadas indicaram que a fauna de Arctiidae apresenta uma composição diferente em cada tipo de vegetação. A composição da fauna de áreas de Floresta Ombrófila Mista (Mata de Araucária) difere da fauna dos demais tipos de vegetação. Além disso, verificou-se uma maior riqueza de espécies em ambientes florestais do que em campestres.

We describe the beta-diversity pattern of the Arctiidae in Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) and assess whether this pattern is related to similarities in vegetation type or geographic distance among areas. We analysed 9420 specimens in 13 scientific collections, as well as two published checklists. Three hundred twenty nine arctiid species were recorded for 55 localities. This richness corresponded to 5.6 percent of the Neotropical fauna, and 16.5 percent of the estimated Brazilian fauna. Fifty two species (15.8 percent) were recorded for the first time in the state. There was no relationship between beta-diversity (Sorensen distance) and geographic distance among the localities, suggesting that the spatial configuration of the habitat did not influence significantly the locomotion of the Arctiidae moths among landscapes. The multivariate analysis suggested that the Arctiidae fauna differ among vegetation types. The composition of the fauna at the Floresta Ombrófila Mista (Araucaria forest) is very distinct from other vegetation type faunas. Species richness was higher on forest habitats than in open habitats.

Arctiidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) da Estação Biológica de Boracéia (Salesópolis, São Paulo, Brasil) / Arctiidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) of the Boracéia Biological Station (Salesópolis, São Paulo, Brazil)

Uma lista das espécies de mariposas Arctiidae com registro de ocorrência para a Estação Biológica de Boracéia (EBB) é apresentada. Esta listagem foi obtida através da observação de material depositado em quatro coleções científicas brasileiras. Um total de 237 espécies foi registrado. A EBB está entre as localidades mais ricas em espécies de Arctiidae do Brasil.

A checklist of the Arctiidae moth species with occurrence in the Boracéia Biological Station (EBB) is presented. The list was obtained from specimens deposited in four Brazilian scientific collections. A total of 237 arctiid species were recorded. The EBB is among the species-richest locations recorded in Brazil.