Herbivoria e produção de serrapilheira em remanescentes florestais da floresta ombrófila densa sob diferentes estágios sucessionais, no sul de Santa Catarina

Dissertação apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais da Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense-UNESC, como requisito parcial para a obtenção do título de Mestre em Ciências Ambientais.O termo herbivoria é empregado como o consumo de tecidos vegetais por animais, destacando-se os insetos como os principais herbívoros. A herbivoria tem um papel importante na manutenção da diversidade de plantas pelo fato de exercer forte pressão seletiva, promovendo a coexistência de um maior número de espécies vegetais nas comunidades. A importância de se avaliar a produção de serapilheira está no entendimento dos reservatórios e fluxo de nutrientes nos ecossistemas, os quais se constituem na principal via de fornecimento de nutrientes, por meio da mineralização dos restos vegetais. O presente estudo objetivou verificar as taxas de herbivoria e a produção de serrapilheira de três áreas (A1, A2 e A3) da Floresta Ombrófila Densa Submontana, em diferentes estágios sucessionais, no município de Siderópolis, Sul de Santa Catarina. Para a verificação das taxas de herbivoria foram analisadas 60 plantas por área de estudo, e a quantificação da serrapilheira foi analisada através de três transectos de 40m de comprimento por área de estudo, em cada transecto foram instalados cinco coletores de 0,25m2. As espécies com maior índice de herbivoria (IH) na A1 foram Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum mauritianum e Myrsine coriacea. Na A2, Hyptis sp. e Pluchea sagittalis, foram as espécies que obtiveram os maiores IHs e na A3 Meliosma sellowii e Ouratea parviflora obtiveram os maiores IHs de herbivoria. A A3 apresentou os maiores índices de herbivoria em comparação com as outras áreas, corroborando a hipótese da disponibilidade de recursos que se baseia no conceito de nicho ecológico, onde uma maior complexidade e uma maior diversidade de plantas apresentam uma maior diversidade de nichos potenciais que podem ser ocupados por insetos herbívoros. Foram encontrados os maiores índices de herbivoria no verão e no outono com um pequeno decréscimo na primavera e inverno. A produção de serrapilheira total foi estimada em 15.123,74 kg/ha/ano, sendo que a maior produção ocorreu na A3 (8.130,89 kg/ha/ano), seguido pela A2 (4.252,67 kg/ha/ano) e, por fim pela A1 (2.740,18 kg/ha/ano). A produção de serrapilheira total foi significativamente maior na A3 comparado com as demais áreas (p<0,05). A fração foliar foi a dominante, com 62,19% do peso seco total da serrapilheira produzida, seguido pela fração ramos (22,27%), fração miscelânea (10,42%) e a fração material reprodutivo (5,13%). Os maiores valores da quantidade de serrapilheira total produzida foram alcançados na primavera e verão. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo ressaltam a importância da relação planta-herbívoro para o 14 conhecimento e preservação da biodiversidade, assim como a produção serrapilheira torna-se primordial para o entendimento da dinâmica nutricional dos ecossistemas.The term herbivory is used to denote consumption of plant tissues by animals, highlighting insects as main herbivores. The herbivory has an important role in the maintenance of plant diversity because exercises strong selective pressure, promoting the coexistence of a larger number of plant species in communities. The importancy of evaluate the production of litter lies in the understanding of reservoirs and nutrient flow in ecosystems, which constitute the main way to provide nutrients through mineralization of plants residues. The present study aimed to determine the rates of herbivory and litter production of three areas (A1, A2 e A3) of Submontane Tropical Rain Forest in different successional stages, in the municipality of Siderópolis, south of Santa Catarina. To check the rates of herbivory 60 plants per study area were analyzed, and the quantification of the litter was analyzed along three transects of 40m in each study area. In each transect were installed five collectors of 0,25m². The species with showed the highest rate of herbivory (RH) in A1 were Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum mauritianum and Myrsine coriacea. In A2 Hyptis sp. and Pluchea sagittalis were the species that had the highest RH’s, and in A3 Meliosma sellowii and Ouratea parviflora showed the highest RH’s. The A3 was the area that had the highest rate of herbivores compared with the other two arieas supporting the hypothesis of resource availability which is based on the concept of ecological niche, where a greater complexity and a greater diversity of plants present a greater diversity of potential niches that can be occupied by herbivores. The highest rates were found in summer and autumn with a small decrease in spring and winter. Litter production was estimated at 15123.74 kg/ha/year, with the highest production occurred in A3 (8130.89 kg/ha/year), followed by A2 (4252.67 kg/ha/year) and finally the A1 (2740.18 kg/ha/year). The litter production was significantly higher in A3 compared with other areas. The leaf fraction was dominant with 62.19% of the total dry weight of litter produced, followed by the fraction of branches (22.27%), miscellaneous fraction (10.42%) and the fraction of reproductive material (5.13%). The highest values of the amount of total litter produced were found in spring and summer. The results obtained in this study emphasize the importance of the plantherbivore relationship to the knowledge and preservation of biodiversity, as well as producing litter becomes paramount to understanding the nutritional dynamics of ecosystems

Representativity of the genus Asphondylia Loew, 1850 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) in Brazil

Representativity of the genus Asphondylia Loew, 1850 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) in Brazil. This cosmopolitan genus includes 272 galling species described, of which about 100 occur in the Neotropical Region. The present study goal to evaluate the richness of Asphondylia in Brazil, to provide an updated list of the host plant species, to determine the plant organs where galls are induced, to update the geographic distribution of the genus, to verify it distribution in the Brazilian biomes, and to the list the associated fauna. The survey data was carried out by consulting the Cecidomyiidae collection of the Museu Nacional/UFRJ, the database “Web of Science” using Asphondylia and Brasil/Brazil as keywords, 51 Brazilian inventories and two catalogues. Asphondylia is represented by 58 species in Brazil, among them, twenty are already known and 38 are still undetermined. The Brazilian described species represent 8% of the total of known species of Asphondylia in the world and 21% of species of the Neotropical fauna. This genus is associated with 51 plant species and 20 plant families in Brazil. Asteraceae comprise the greatest richness of Asphondylia species. This genus was found in five biomes, among them the Atlantic forest has the highest species richness. The associated fauna comprises parasitoids (Hymenoptera) and inquilines (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera)

DOIS NOVOS REGISTROS DE GALHAS DE INSETOS EM Guapira opposita (VELL.) REITZ. (NYCTAGINACEAE) E Casearia sylvestris SW. (SALICACEAE) NO PARQUE NACIONAL DO ITATIAIA (PNI), SUDESTE, BRASIL

In this study two new galls are presented, one in Guapira opposita (Nyctaginaceae) and the other Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae) for the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia (PNI) Southeast, Brazil. Host plants were found at different points along the Ruy Braga trail. Samples of the morphotypes of each species were photographed in the field and characterized for shape, color, occurrence in plant organs and indumentum. The two morphotypes were induced in the leaf, and the galls on G. opposita were induced by a species of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) and the galls on C. sylvestris were induced by a species of Liothrips sp. (Thysanoptera). With these new records the number of galls morphotypes in the PNI increases to 489. Assigning the PNI as an area with the highest number of insect galls and host plant species already registered in Atlantic Forest inventories.Keywords: Cecidomyiidae; Insect-plant interaction; Galling insect; Atlantic Forest.Nesse estudo são apresentados dois novos registros de galhas, um em Guapira opposita (Nyctaginaceae) e outro em Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae) para o Parque Nacional do Itatiaia (PNI) (Sudeste, Brasil). As plantas hospedeiras foram encontradas em pontos diferentes ao longo da trilha Ruy Braga. As amostras dos morfotipos de cada espécie foram fotografados no campo e caracterizados quanto à forma, cor, ocorrência nos órgãos vegetais e indumentária. Os dois morfotipos foram induzidos na folha, sendo que as galhas em G. opposita foram induzidas por uma espécie de Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) e as galhas em C. sylvestris foram induzidas por uma espécie de Liothrips sp. (Thysanoptera). Com os resultados encontrados no presente estudo o número de morfotipos eleva-se para 489 no PNI, atribuindo ao parque o status de área que possui a maior riqueza de galhas de insetos e o maior número de espécies de plantas hospedeiras já registradas em inventários da Mata Atlântica.Palavras-chave: Cecidomyiidae, Interação inseto-planta, Inseto galhador, Mata Atlântica

LEAF ASYMMETRY AND THE PRESENCE OF INSECT GALLS ON THREE PLANT SPECIES IN A PHYTOPHYSIOGNOMY OF ATLANTIC FOREST

A relação entre três espécies de plantas, suas respectivos galhadores e assimetria foliar foi avaliada no habitat de restinga da Área Protegida Ambiental de Maricá, RJ, Brasil. O trabalho de campo foi realizado em fevereiro de 2017, quando 20 folhas, dez galhadas e dez não galhadas, foram amostradas de cada um dos dez indivíduos escolhidos ao acaso para cada espécie de planta. A assimetria flutuante não foi encontrada no presente estudo, mas todas as espécies apresentaram antissimetria (AS). Clusia lanceolata Cambess. e Maytenus obtusifolia Mart. também exibiram assimetria direcional (DA). AS e DA são previstos em populações sob altos níveis de estresse. Folhas galhadas de C. lanceolata e Eugenia astringens Cambess. exibiram maior assimetria do que folhas não galhadas, mostrando que as galhas aumentam a assimetria das folhas ou que os insetos galhadores selecionam mais folhas assimétricas. Não foram encontradas diferenças na assimetria entre folhas galhadas e não galhadas de M. obtusifolia, o que pode indicar que esta espécie tolera e minimiza a presença de insetos galhadores, mostrando alta capacidade de homeostasia diante de um estresse biótico. A abundância de insetos galhadores foi significativamente maior em E. astringens do que em M. obtusifolia e C. lanceolata, possivelmente porque as folhas de M. obtusifolia apresentam maior esclerofilia e C. lanceolata possui látex, características que dificultam a herbivoria.Palavras-chave: antissimetria, assimetria direcional, assimetria flutuante, insetos galhadores, Restinga.The relationship among three plant species, their respective gallers and leaf asymmetry were evaluated in restinga habitat of the Environmental Protected Area of Maricá, RJ, Brazil. Fieldwork was done in February 2017, when 20 leaves, ten galled and ten ungalled, were sampled from each of ten haphazardly-chosen individuals of each plant species. Fluctuating asymmetry was not found in the present study, but all species showed antisymmetry (AS).  Clusia lanceolata Cambess. and Maytenus obtusifolia Mart. also exhibited directional asymmetry (DA). AS and DA are predicted in populations under high levels of stress. The galled leaves of C. lanceolata and Eugenia astringens Cambess. exhibited higher leaf asymmetry than did ungalled leaves, showing that galls increase leaf asymmetry or that galling insects select more asymmetric leaves. No differences in asymmetry were found between galled and ungalled leaves of M. obtusifolia, which may indicate that this plant tolerates and minimizes the presence of galling insects, showing a high capacity for homeostasis in face of biotic stress. The abundance of galling insects was significantly higher in E. astringens than in M. obtusifolia and C. lanceolata, possibly because the leaves of M. obtusifolia exhibit greater sclerophilia and C. lanceolata possesses latex, characteristics that make herbivory difficult.Keywords: antisymmetry; directional asymmetry; fluctuating asymmetry; galling insects; Restinga

Insect galls of the Floresta da Cicuta (Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil)

Abstract. Insect galls of the Floresta da Cicuta (Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil). Galls are changes in the pattern of growth and development of plant tissues or organs in response to the action of an inducing organism, usually an insect. The goal of the present study was to inventory the insect galls of the Floresta da Cicuta (Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil). The collections were carried out along all the trails, totaling 16 hours of sampling. Forty-three morphotypes of insect galls were found in 24 plant species (18 genera and 15 families). Sapindaceae and Euphorbiaceae were the most richness host plant families. Six new records of host plant species are presented: Senefeldera verticillata (Vell.) Croizat. (Euphorbiaceae), Inga acuminata (Fabaceae), Ocotea elegans (Lauraceae), Ouratea stipulata (Ochnaceae), Psychotria nuda (Rubiaceae) and Cestrum intermedium (Solanaceae). Most of the galls occurred on leaves (n = 21) and stems (n = 18), followed by buds (n = 2), two gall morphotypes occurred simultaneously on leaves and stems. One-chambered galls were more frequent (n = 31), as well as glabrous galls (n = 33). The gallers belong to three insect orders: Diptera (Cecidomyiidae), Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera. The associated fauna comprised parasitoids (Hymenoptera), inquilines (Hemiptera and Coleoptera) and successors (Isoptera and Acari)

Geographic distribution patterns of galling insects in a protected area of Atlantic forest (southeast, Brazil)

The present study aimed to increase knowledge about the diversity and factors that determine the distribution of galling insects in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia (PNI), Southeast, Brazil. For this, collections were performed in April, August and November 2015 and March 2016. Seventy gall morphotypes were found in 12 families, 32 genera and 61 species of host plants. The richness of galls did not vary with altitude, but increased with the richness of plants. The families and genera of plants with greater species richness harbored a greater number of galling insects. The number of gall morphotypes was higher in the autumn than in the other seasons. The spatial distribution of galling insects was better explained by factors such as floristic richness and species composition than by ecological effects, represented here by altitude. Regarding seasonality, the results indicate that the way resources are temporarily distributed to galling insects depends on factors such as the active growth of host plants, making some periods of the year more conducive to the development of galls

PRODUÇÃO DE SERAPILHEIRA EM DIFERENTES ESTÁDIOS SUCESSIONAIS DA FLORESTA OMBRÓFILA DENSA NO SUL DO BRASIL

This study aims to evaluate the litterfall production of three areas in the tropical rain forest, in different successional stages, in the municipality of Siderópolis, Southern Santa Catarina state. Fifteen collectors of 0.25 m2 each were used, distributed in three transects per study area (A1, A2 and AR). The highest litterfall production occurred in AR (8,131 kg.ha-1), followed by A2 (4,253 kg.ha-1) and A1 (2,740 kg.ha-1). The AR area produced significantly more leaves, reproductive material and wastes. This can be explained by its more developed forest structure, with large trees, more closed canopy and greater number of epiphytes. On the other hand, areas A1 and A2 produced significant amounts of thin stems. These areas have a higher proportion of species in early successional stages, a higher density of thin trees and a more open canopy, being subject to winds, which could result in greater production and fall of branches. The results of this study highlight the importance of litterfall production in different successional stages, becoming necessary studies with this emphasis to understand the nutritional dynamics of ecosystems, especially those that have suffered strong impacts in the past, such as open-pit coal mining.O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a produção de serapilheira de três áreas da Floresta Ombrófila Densa, em diferentes estádios sucessionais, no município de Siderópolis, Sul de Santa Catarina. Foram utilizados 15 coletores de 0,25 m2, distribuídos em três transectos por área de estudo (A1, A2 e AR). A maior produção de serapilheira ocorreu na AR (8,13 Mg ha-1), seguido pela A2 (4,26 Mg ha-1 ano1) e pela A1 (2,74 Mg ha-1ano1). A área AR produziu significativamente mais folhas, material reprodutivo e resíduos. Isso pode ser explicado por sua estrutura de mata mais desenvolvida, com árvores de grande porte, dossel mais fechado e maior quantidade de epífitas. Por outro lado, as áreas A1 e A2 produziram quantidades significativas de caules finos. Essas áreas se encontram com maior proporção de espécies de estádios sucessionais iniciais, maior densidade de árvores finas e com dossel mais aberto, podendo estar sujeitos a ventos, o que poderia resultar em maior produção e queda de ramos. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo ressaltam a importância da produção de serapilheira nos diferentes estádios sucessionais, tornando-se necessários para o entendimento da dinâmica nutricional dos ecossistemas, principalmente aqueles que sofreram fortes impactos no passado, como, por exemplo, a explotação de carvão ao céu aberto

REPRESENTATIVITY OF THE GENUS ASPHONDYLIA LOEW, 1850 (DIPTERA, CECIDOMYIIDAE) IN BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Representativity of the genus Asphondylia Loew, 1850 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) in Brazil. This cosmopolitan genus includes 272 galling species described, of which about 100 occur in the Neotropical Region. The present study goal to evaluate the richness of Asphondylia in Brazil, to provide an updated list of the host plant species, to determine the plant organs where galls are induced, to update the geographic distribution of the genus, to verify it distribution in the Brazilian biomes, and to the list the associated fauna. The survey data was carried out by consulting the Cecidomyiidae collection of the Museu Nacional/UFRJ, the database “Web of Science” using Asphondylia and Brasil/Brazil as keywords, 51 Brazilian inventories and two catalogues. Asphondylia is represented by 58 species in Brazil, among them, twenty are already known and 38 are still undetermined. The Brazilian described species represent 8% of the total of known species of Asphondylia in the world and 21% of species of the Neotropical fauna. This genus is associated with 51 plant species and 20 plant families in Brazil. Asteraceae comprise the greatest richness of Asphondylia species. This genus was found in five biomes, among them the Atlantic forest has the highest species richness. The associated fauna comprises parasitoids (Hymenoptera) and inquilines (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera)