Polinizadores e dispersores de sementes de espinheira-santa (Monteverdia ilicifolia - Celastraceae), uma planta medicinal Brasileira

Espinheira-santa (Monteverdia ilicifolia) is a native plant of Brazil widely used in folk medicine because it has several therapeutic properties. Regarding the pollination biology and seed dispersal of this species, there is no information available in the literature. In this study, pollinators and dispersers of M. ilicifolia were observed and identified, as well as the behavior of these biological agents during the period of flowering and fruiting. In addition, the frequency of pollinator visits and the efficiency of the seed disperser were recorded. It was verified that in espinheira-santa, pollination is carried out by diptera and by hymenoptera. Among the main groups of pollinators are the flies, being Lucilia eximia, Limnophora sp. and Eristalis sp. the most frequent, and the wasps, in which Brachygastra mellifica, Polistes canadensis, Mischocyttarus sp. and one species of the Tiphiidae family were the most frequent. Eight species of birds consumed diaspores (arils with seeds), acting as dispersers of this species. However, the following birds were more efficient in the dispersion of seeds: Tangara sayaca, Elaenia sp. and Pipraeidea bonariensis. In this sense, M. ilicifolia is a species that has entomophilous pollination and ornithochoric dispersion.A espinheira-santa (Monteverdia ilicifolia) é uma planta nativa do Brasil amplamente utilizada na medicina popular por possuir várias propriedades terapêuticas. No que diz respeito à biologia da polinização e da dispersão de sementes dessa espécie não há informações disponíveis na literatura. Neste sentido foram observados e identificados polinizadores e dispersores de M. ilicifolia, bem como o comportamento desses agentes biológicos durante o período de floração e frutificação. Além disso, a frequência de visitas dos polinizadores e a eficiência do dispersor de sementes foram registradas. Verificou-se que na espinheira-santa, a polinização é realizada por dípteros e por himenópteros. Entre os principais grupos de polinizadores estão as moscas, sendo Lucilia eximia, Limnophora sp. e Eristalis sp. as mais frequentes e as vespas, nas quais Brachygastra mellifica, Polistes canadensis, Mischocyttarus sp. e uma espécie da família Tiphiidae foram as mais frequentes. Oito espécies de aves consumiram diásporos (arilos com sementes), atuando como dispersores dessa espécie. No entanto, as seguintes aves foram mais eficientes na dispersão das sementes: Tangara sayaca, Elaenia sp. e Pipraeidea bonariensis. Nesse sentido, M. ilicifolia é uma espécie que possui polinização entomófila e dispersão ornitocórica

Adaptation of rice cultivation to climate and socio-economic changes in the Ifugao Region (Philippines)/Adaptación del cultivo de arroz a los cambios climáticos y socioeconómicos en la región de Ifugao (Filipinas)

Based on ethnographical studies undertaken among Ifugao people in the Philippines, this paper aims at contributing to produce knowledge about the construction of rice agricultural practices forced to adapt to socio-economic and climate change. However, six years after having classified the site as a patrimony of humanity, UNESCO, announced its concern for these rice terraces by including them on the list of world heritage sites in danger. Indeed, the Batad rice terraces are showing signs of deterioration. The destruction of rice terraces and the fragile ecosystem they rely on, would generate a disaster, not in terms of loss of human life, but in agricultural and cultural terms. The object of this article is to analyze the forms and limits of adaptation of the region’s rice cultivation combined with the changing local ecological conditions and a changing socio-economic environment. / Basado en estudios etnográficos realizados entre personas de Ifugao en las Filipinas, este artículo tiene como objetivo contribuir a producir conocimiento sobre la construcción de prácticas agrícolas de arroz obligadas a adaptarse al cambio socioeconómico y climático. Sin embargo, seis años después de haber clasificado el sitio como patrimonio de la humanidad, la UNESCO anunció su preocupación por estas terrazas de arroz al incluirlas en la lista de sitios del patrimonio mundial en peligro. De hecho, las terrazas de arroz de Batad muestran signos de deterioro. La destrucción de las terrazas de arroz y el frágil ecosistema del que dependen generaría un desastre, no en términos de pérdida de vidas humanas, sino en términos agrícolas y culturales. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las formas y los límites de adaptación del cultivo de arroz de la región combinado con las cambiantes condiciones ecológicas locales y un entorno socioeconómico cambiante

Diversity as a political strategy in contemporary german urban development / La diversidad como estrategia política en el desarrollo urbano contemporáneo alemán

This paper wants to show new modes of urban governance in the field of diversity politics focusing on a case study in the German City of Essen. Diversity politics have a tremendous influence on the rapidly changing urban societies in Europe and occur also as strategic tool to implement post-politics in urban development and urban planning. How this process helps to strengthen neoliberal politics in the ongoing global economic competition between cities shall be demonstrated.En este trabajo se proponen nuevos modos de gobernanza urbana en el ámbito de la política de diversidad se centra en un estudio de caso en la ciudad alemana de Essen. La política de diversidad tiene una enorme influencia en las sociedades urbanas que cambian rápidamente en Europa y se producen también como herramienta estratégica para implementar después de la política en el desarrollo urbano y la planificación urbana. Se demuestra cómo este proceso ayuda a fortalecer las políticas neoliberales en la competencia económica global en curso entre las ciudades

Evaluation of the Biotechnological Potential of Monteverdia salicifolia (Mart ex. Reissek) Biral

Plant extracts are a good alternative of reducing agents in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles. In this paper, we report the evaluation of the cytotoxic activity against T3 cell lines of the ethanolic extract of Monteverdia salicifolia (Mart ex. Reissek) Biral roots (MS) as well as a green one-pot route of synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using that extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. The extract exhibited dose dependent activity. The smallest particle size (48.01 nm) was achieved in just 25 minutes by employing a temperature of 65 °C and AgNO3 and MS concentrations equal to 0.9 mmol.L−1 and 0.67 mg.mL−1, respectively. The AgNPs-MS nanocomposite was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, FEG microscope and zeta potential, which proved that MS was effective at reducing and capping the AgNPs. In order to emphasize the advantage of the methodology applied in this synthesis, it was compared to a usual procedure using NaBH4 as a reducing agent and the greenness analysis was also carried out, using the Green Star. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v13i2.154

Estrutura, composição florística e relações ambientais da regeneração natural em uma floresta estacional semidecidual

This paper aims to evaluate the floristic and structure of natural regeneration in a forest fragment located in the south of Espírito Santo State, as well as to verify the interaction between vegetation and environmental variables. The study was developed in Private Reserve of Nature Patrimony (RPPN) Cafundó, with twelve sample units (1 x 20m), where three classes based on size - Class 1 (plants between 0.1 and 1m high), Class 2 (plants between 1.1 and 3m high) and Class 3 (plants higher than 3m and less than 5cm DBH). This RPPN has a total area of 517ha, which approximately 358ha were used for allocation of experimental units. Individuals were classified according to ecological group and dispersion syndrome. Floristic diversity, equability, density and frequency of species were also calculated. Analysis of natural regeneration, floristic similarity between natural regeneration and the upper layer as well the regenerating layer interaction with environmental variables was performed through Canonical Correspondence Analysis. We found 678 individuals distributed in 73 morphospecies/species, with Actinostemon klotzschii and Goniorrhachis marginata being the most abundant. Sorensen's similarity between natural regeneration and the adult tree layer was 29%. The most dominant ecological groups were late secondary, while zoochory was the predominant dispersion syndrome among existing species. Shannon diversity index was 3.13 and equability 0.72. Goniorrhachis marginata, Actinostemon klotzschii and Psychotria carthagenensis species had correlation with carbon (C), phosphorus (P), declivity and canopy cover. We concluded that the natural regeneration component within studied area has a high richness and density of individuals when compared to studies developed in similar phytophysiognomies. The studied environmental variables seem to have little influence on the distribution of natural regeneration species in the RPPN, once only carbon, phosphorus, declivity and canopy cover have explained the species distribution within fragment.O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a florística e estrutura da regeneração natural do estrato arbustivo-arbóreo em um fragmento florestal no sul do estado do Espírito Santo, bem como verificar a interação da vegetação com algumas variáveis ambientais selecionadas. Foi desenvolvido na Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) Cafundó, em doze subparcelas de 1 x 20 m, onde foram delimitadas três classes de tamanho - classe 1 (plantas entre 0,1 e 1 m de altura), classe 2 (1,1 e 3 m de altura) e classe 3 (altura maior que 3 m e menor que 5 cm DAP). A RPPN possui uma área de 517 ha, onde 358 ha foram utilizados para alocação das unidades experimentais. Os indivíduos foram classificados quanto ao grupo ecológico e síndrome de dispersão. Foi calculado o índice de diversidade, equabilidade, densidade e frequência das espécies e a similaridade de Sorensen entre o estrato regenerante e adulto. A interação do estrato regenerante com variáveis ambientais foi realizada através da Análise de Correspondência Canônica. Foram amostrados 678 indivíduos, distribuídos em 73 espécies/morfoespécies, sendo Actinostemon klotzschii e Goniorrhachis marginata as mais abundantes. A similaridade entre regeneração e estrato arbóreo foi 29%. O grupo ecológico e a dispersão predominante, respectivamente, foram secundária tardia e zoocoria. A diversidade de Shannon (H’) foi 3,13 e equabilidade de 0,72. As espécies Goniorrhachis marginata, Actinostemon klotzschii e Psychotria carthagenensis tiveram correlação com carbono (C), fósforo (P), declividade e cobertura de dossel. Concluiu-se que a regeneração natural na área estudada possui elevada riqueza e densidade de indivíduos quando comparado a estudos desenvolvidos na mesma fitofisionomia. As variáveis ambientais estudadas parecem ter pouca influência na distribuição das espécies da regeneração natural, uma vez que apenas o carbono, o fósforo, a declividade e a cobertura do dossel explicaram parte da distribuição das espécies no fragmento

Resurrección del género Monteverdia(Celastraceae) y el rescate de la memoria de Manuel de Monteverde y Bello

Background:The taxonomic rehabilitation of the genus Monteverdiain in 2017 has motivated numerous changes in the name of neotropical plants. Objective:Assess the current status of the nomenclature of Cuban taxa currently located in Monteverdia A. Rich. (Celastraceae). Methods: Historical-logical, analytical-synthetic and inductive-deductive to assess empirical information provided by the documentary analysis of printed sources and botanical collections. Results:The nomenclature of Cuban plants belonging to the Monteverdia genus is updated, for which it is designated: a lectotype in thefirst step and three in the second; clarifications in relation to three lectotypes and two localities where samples of significant interest were collected for this purpose and the existence of 15 specimens (from 7 herbaria) that they classify as typological material is disclosed, for the first time are made. 104 collections are listed, carried out over 190 years in the national territory, which corresponds to 19 numbers present in 17 specialized institutions in 9 countries, associated with names once assigned to taxa of this group. Conclusions:The mark of Manuel de Monteverde y Bello in the nomenclatureof the plants it has extended to wide spaces of the tropical America, fact that reinforces the cultural and patrimonial dimension of the Camagüey's science.Contexto:La rehabilitación taxonómica del género MonteverdiaA. Rich. en 2017 ha motivado numerosos cambios en el nombre de plantas neotropicales. Objetivo:Valorar el estado actual de la nomenclatura de los taxones cubanos ubicados actualmente en Monteverdia A. Rich. (Celastraceae). Métodos:Histórico-lógico, analítico-sintético e inductivo-deductivo para valorar información empírica aportada por el análisis documental de fuentes impresas y colecciones botánicas. Resultados:Se actualiza la nomenclatura de las plantas cubanas pertenecientes al género Monteverdia, para lo cual se designa: un lectotipo en primer paso y tres en segundo; se realizan precisiones con relación a tres lectotipos y dos localidades donde fueron colectadas muestras de significativo interés a tal efecto y se da a conocer, por primera vez, la existencia de 15 especímenes (procedentes de 7 herbarios) que clasifican como material tipológico. Se relacionan 104 recolecciones, realizadas a lo largo de 190 años en el territorio nacional, que corresponde a 19 números presentes en 17 instituciones especializados de 9 países, asociados a nombres alguna vez asignados a taxones de este grupo. Conclusiones:La huella de Manuel de Monteverde y Bello en la nomenclatura de las plantas se ha extendido a amplios espacios de la América tropical, lo cual refuerza la dimensión cultural y patrimonial de la ciencia camagüeyana

Obituario: Dr. Humberto Maturana Romesín

Simple and brief tribute to Humberto Maturana Romesín, prominent researcher in fields such as theoretical biology, systems theory, complex thinking, neurophysiology and cognitive sciences. Some significant elements of his biography and his most relevant contributions are highlighted, as well as his impact on the scientific community and the recognition that he was deserving of.Sencillo y breve homenaje a Humberto Maturana Romesín, destacado investigador en campos como la biología teórica, la teoría de sistemas, el pensamiento complejo, la neurofisiología y las ciencias cognitivas. Se destacan algunos elementos significativos de su biografía y de sus aportes más relevantes, así como su impacto en la comunidad científica y reconocimientos de los que fue merecedor