DETERMINAÇÃO DO PERÍODO REPRODUTIVO E DO TAMANHO DE MATURAÇÃO FUNCIONAL DOS OVÁRIOS DE UCIDES CORDATUS (LINNAEUS, 1763) (BRACHYURA, OCYPODIDAE) NA BAÍA DE VITÓRIA, ESPÍRITO SANTO.

O caranguejo Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763), conhecido vulgarmente como caranguejo-uçá, destaca-se como importante recurso pesqueiro na costa Brasileira, possuindo legislação específica para sua proteção. Este estudo teve como objetivo a análise do período reprodutivo e o tamanho de primeira maturação de fêmeas de U. cordatus, como subsídio à legislação de proteção à espécie no Estado do Espírito Santo. Os animais foram coletados mensalmente, em uma área do manguezal da Baía de Vitória (20º 14’ 20” S e 40º 18’ 30” W), no município da Serra, ES, durante o período de um ano (outubro de 1998 a setembro de 1999). As coletas foram realizadas manualmente com o auxílio de caranguejeiros. No laboratório, procedeu-se à biometria dos caranguejos. As 280 fêmeas coletadas foram mensuradas, pesadas e a presença de ovos nos pleópodos, registrada. A determinação do período reprodutivo foi feita através da análise da Relação Gonadossomática, do Fator de Condição Alométrico e da presença de fêmeas ovígeras. No ano analisado, o período reprodutivo estendeu-se de dezembro a abril. O tamanho mínimo de primeira maturação das fêmeas foi de 43,2 mm de largura e 32,7 mm de comprimento de carapaça

Características estruturais de bosques de mangue do estuário do rio São Mateus, ES, Brasil Structural characteristics of the mangrove forests at São Mateus River Estuary, Espírito Santo State, Brazil

A estrutura da vegetação do manguezal do estuário do rio São Mateus foi analisada pelo método de parcelas em quatro sítios de estudo. Nesse manguezal, foram registradas as espécies Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn., Avicennia schaueriana Stapft & Leechm., Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. e Rhizophora mangle L. Considerando todas as parcelas, o DAP médio variou de 8,12 a 29,6 cm, a altura média de 5,4 a 12,0 m, a área basal de 7,21 a 31,1 m².ha-1 e a densidade de 450 a 1.450 ind.ha-1. Os sítios de estudo sob maior influência das marés apresentaram menor desenvolvimento estrutural e dominância de R. mangle, enquanto que o melhor desenvolvimento estrutural, com dominância de L. racemosa e A. germinans, foi observado nos sítios sujeitos ao maior aporte de ��gua doce. Os resultados demonstraram que o manguezal do estuário do rio São Mateus apresenta bom desenvolvimento estrutural em relação a outros manguezais do Estado do Espírito Santo.The structure of the mangrove forests at São Mateus River Estuary was analyzed using the plot method. Mangrove species at the estuary are Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn., Avicennia schaueriana Stapft & Leechm., Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn., and Rhizophora mangle L. Structural analyzes were performed in four sites. In all stands, the DBH varied from 8.12 to 29.6 cm, average height from 5.4 to 12.0 m, the basal area from 7.21 to 31.1 m².ha-1, and the density from 450 a 1,450 ind.ha-1. Sites under larger influence of the tides, presented smaller structural development and dominance of R. mangle. L. racemosa and A. germinans were dominant in sites with fresh water predominance. The results obtained demonstrated that mangrove which was studied presented a good structural development in relation to other mangroves located in the Espírito Santo State

Morphology and histology of the female reproductive system of the mangrove land crab, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Brachyura: Ocypodidae)

This study provides a detailed description of the macro- and microscopic anatomy of the female reproductive system of the mangrove land crab, Ucides cordatus. A total of 277 females were collected between October 1998 and September 1999 in mangroves of the Victoria Bay, State of Espírito Santo, Southeast Brazil. The reproductive system of this species is composed of two ovaries united together by a bridge, present in the form of an H when viewed dorsally, and two seminal receptacles. Histological analysis revealed the following six stages of oocyte development: I. young germ cells (oogonias); II. oocytes of the germinative centers; III. oocytes with lipid vitellogenesis; IV. vitellogenic oocytes with lipid and protein; V. oocytes with completed vitellogenesis; and VI. oocytes in hyalinization. The anatomy of the ovary is characterized by the following six stages of development: I. immature; II. at maturity; III. mature; IV. partly spawned; V. fully spawned; and VI. in recovery. Reproduction was observed in summer, and the results suggesting that this species showed multiple spawnings

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora