ECHINODERMS AS CLUES TO ANTARCTIC ~ SOUTH AMERICAN CONNECTIVITY

table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; } Isolation and climate change has lead to an Antarctic marine biota rich in endemic taxa. But evidence exists for the occurrence of several shared marine species between the Southern Ocean and other basins. This manuscript reviews on the echinoderm taxa known from the Antarctic and South America, and evaluates some evidences for the connectivity between these continents. Metadata from several studies and data from the Brazilian continental margin were used for the analyses. A total of 602 echinoderm species have been recorded so far at both regions, 82 of those (~14 %) are shared between Antarctica and South America, and from these around 46 % are typically deep-sea ones. A high species richness was found at the Antarctica Peninsula, South Shetland Is. and South Georgia, possibly resultant from highest sampling effort at these regions. Distinct geological history and the tectonic activities play an important role in regulating the benthic faunal assemblage of these regions. A overlap was found between the echinoderm fauna from the South American cone, and mainly the regions around the Antarctic Peninsula. The echinoderm fauna from the Brazilian margin distinguished from those at the tip of the continent, although a few shared taxa occurred. A species assemblage turnover was identified from the Uruguayan margin. Also, the whole Magellanic region showed more affinities with the Argentinean Atlantic margin and the Falkland/Malvinas Is. than the southern Pacific Chilean margin. South Georgia, as transition between the South American and Antarctic regions, shared species with both continents. The considerably low ratio between the number of shared and total species records from the Antarctic regions revealed that most species are most likely endemic to the Southern Ocean. But future explorations of the South American and Antarctic deep sea margins and basins could reveal a higher number of shared echinoderm species than that reported here. All these comparisons should be backed up by taxonomic calibration and use of molecular tools in order to distinguish cryptic species and evaluate genetic populations' structure, as these would lead to a better understanding of observed biogeographical patterns.EQUINODERMOS    COMO    EVIDENCIA        DE    LA    CONECTIVIDAD    ANTÁRTIDA~ SUDAMERICA .  El aislamiento y el cambio climático han llevado a una biota marina Antártica rica en taxones endémicos. Sin embargo, hay evidencia de la ocurrencia de varias especies compartidas entre el Océano Antártico y otras cuencas oceánicas. El presente manuscrito revisa los taxones de equinodermos conocidos  en  la  Antártida  y  Sudamérica  y  evalúa  algunas  evidencias  de  la  conectividad  entre  estos continentes. Para los análisis fueron usados metadatos de varios estudios y datos del margen continental brasileño. Un total de 602 especies de equinodermos han sido registradas hasta ahora en ambas regiones, de las cuales 101 (~17%) son compartidas por ambas regiones. De éstas, 47% son especies típicas de mares profundos. Se encontró una alta riqueza de especies en la Península Antártica, en las islas Shetland del Sur y Georgia del Sur, posiblemente debido a un mayor esfuerzo de muestreo en estas regiones. Una historia geológica particular y la actividad tectónica juegan un rol importante en la regulación del ensamblaje de la fauna bentónica de estas regiones. Se encontró una superposición en la fauna de equinodermos del Cono Sur y de las regiones alrededor de la Península Antártica. La fauna de equinodermos del margen brasileño se distinguió de aquella del extremo sur del continente, aunque se encontraron algunos taxones compartidos. Se identificó un recambio de la composición de especies desde el margen uruguayo. Por otro lado, la región Magallánica mostró más afinidad con el margen atlántico argentino y las islas Malvinas/Falkland, que con el margen pacífico chileno. Las islas Georgia del Sur y Sandwich del Sur, como transiciones entre Sudamérica y  la Antártida,  compartieron  especies  con  ambos  continentes.  La  proporción  considerablemente  baja  de especies compartidas sobre registros totales de especies de las regiones antárticas reveló que la mayoría de  las  especies  es  endémica  del  Océano Antártico.  Sin  embargo,  la  exploración  futura  de  los  márgenes y  cuencas  del  mar  profundo  de  Sudamérica  y  la Antártida  puede  revelar  un  mayor  número  de  especies compartidas  de  equinodermos  que  el  reportado.  Todas  estas  comparaciones  deberían  ser  soportadas  por una revisión taxonómica y el uso de herramientas moleculares para distinguir especies crípticas y evaluar la  estructura  genética  de  las  poblaciones,  ya  que  esto  llevaría  a  un  mejor  entendimiento  de  los  patrones biogeográficos observados. Palabras clave: Zoogeografía; echinodermata; biodiversidad; frente polar; Océano Antártico.EQUINODERMOS COMO INDICADORES  DA CONECTIVIDADE ANTÁRTICA ~ AMÉRICA DO  SUL.  O isolamento  e  mudanças  climáticas  levaram  a  uma  biota  marinha  antártica  rica  em  táxons endêmicos.  Entretanto  existem  evidências  de  ocorrência  de  várias  espécies  marinhas  compartilhadas  entre o  Oceano Austral  e  outras  bacias  oceânicas.  Este  manuscrito  revê  os  táxons  de  equinodermos  conhecidos para a Antártica e América do Sul e avalia algumas evidências para a conectividade entre estes continentes. Metadados de vários estudos e dados da margem continental brasileira foram utilizados para as análises. Um total de 602 espécies de equinodermos foi registrado até o presente para as duas regiões, 101 das quais (~17%) são  compartilhadas  entre Antártica  e América  do  Sul  e,  destas,  aproximadamente  47%  são  tipicamente  de oceano profundo. Uma elevada riqueza de espécies foi encontrada na Península Antártica, Ilhas Shetland do Sul e Geórgia do Sul, possivelmente resultante do maior esforço amostral nessas regiões. A distinta história geológica e atividades tectônicas desempenham um papel importante na  regulação das associações faunísticas bentônicas dessas regiões. Foi encontrada uma considerável sobreposição entre a fauna de equinodermos do cone Sul Americano e, especialmente, as regiões no entorno da Península Antártica. Os equinodermos da  margem  profunda  brasileira  distinguiram-se  daqueles  encontrados  na  extremidade  do  continente, embora  tenham  ocorrido  algumas  espécies  compartilhadas.  Uma  transição  das  associações  de  espécies foi  encontrada  na  margem  uruguaia. Além  disso,  a  região  magelânica  apresentou  mais  afinidades  com  a margem Atlântica argentina e com as Ilhas Falkland/Malvinas do que com a margem chilena no Pacífico. As Ilhas Geórgia do Sul e Sandwich do Sul apresentaram-se como regiões de transição entre as regiões Sul Americanas e Antárticas, possuindo espécies compartilhadas com os dois continentes. A taxa relativamente baixa entre o número de espécies compartilhadas e o número total de espécies registradas para as regiões na Antártica  mostraram  que  a  maioria  das  espécies  é  provavelmente  endêmica  do  Oceano Austral.  Mas, futuras  explorações  das  margens  profundas  tanto  da América  do  Sul  quanto  da Antártica  e  suas  bacias oceânicas podem revelar um número maior de espécies compartilhadas que as registradas aqui. Todas estas comparações devem ser apoiadas por calibração taxonômica e uso de ferramentas moleculares para que se possa distinguir adequadamente espécies crípticas e avaliar a estrutura genética das populações, já que essas informações podem levar a uma melhor compreensão dos padrões biogeográficos observados. Palavras-chave: Zoogeografia; echinodermata; biodiversidade; frente polar; Oceano Austral

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Viabilidade populacional do Muriqui-do-Norte, Brachyteles hypoxanthus (Kuhl, 1820) em área fragmentada

O muriqui-do-norte, Brachyteles hypoxanthus, endêmico da Mata Atlântica, ocorria historicamente em Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo e Bahia. A destruição desta floresta resultou na drástica redução do hábitat natural da espécie que ocorre atualmente em apenas 14 localidades, com aproximadamente 1.000 indivíduos. Duas dessas áreas estão na região centro-serrana do Espírito Santo, onde os grupos vivem parcialmente isolados nos municípios de Santa Maria de Jetibá (SMJ) e Santa Teresa (ST). Pelo isolamento, algumas fêmeas jovens que emigram tornam-se solitárias por falta de conexão de habitat com uma segunda área com muriquis. Para investigar a viabilidade desses grupos sociais, realizamos Análises da Viabilidade Populacional (AVPs) no programa Vortex. Após estimativa da viabilidade populacional nas atuais condições, fizemos simulações de ações de manejo, como translocações de indivíduos e reflorestamento. As populações formadas pelos 88 muriquis monitorados em SMJ e os 25 em ST estão vulneráveis pela perda de conexão de habitat entre grupos, o que reduz o sucesso de migração de fêmeas jovens. Quando em fragmentos isolados, os grupos de muriquis tendem à extinção em apenas 30 anos nos casos com maior redução de fêmeas se reproduzindo. No isolamento, as populações apresentam taxa de crescimento negativa e elevada probabilidade de extinção nos 100 anos modelados. Pela proximidade entre os cinco grupos de muriquis em SMJ, o manejo de habitat, com reflorestamento entre os fragmentos, é uma estratégia promissora para o aumento da viabilidade populacional. Com a possibilidade das fêmeas jovens migrarem entre grupos, eles tenderão ao crescimento e a população de SMJ aumentará para até 350 muriquis em aproximadamente 50 anos. De forma distinta, em ST está a Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, que possui 3.562 ha protegidos e apenas um grupo com 25 muriquis confirmados, dos quais 12 são machos adultos. Permanecendo o isolamento do grupo, essa população tenderá à extinção. Contudo, a introdução de fêmeas jovens poderá aumentar a viabilidade populacional, por exemplo, pela formação de um segundo grupo social. A modelagem sugere que, com a formação de um segundo grupo, a perda de fêmeas migrantes será reduzida e a população irá crescer durante os próximos 100 anos. Concluímos que a viabilidade das populações de muriquis depende do contato entre no mínimo dois grupos sociais, evitando assim a perda de fêmeas jovens migrantes.The northern muriqui, Brachyteles hypoxanthus, is an endemic primate of the Atlantic Forest. Its historic distribution comprises Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Bahia. The forest destruction resulted in drastic reduction of muriqui’s natural habitat and currently, they are found in only 14 localities. All groups sum about 1,000 individuals. Two of these areas are the municipalities of Santa Maria de Jetibá (SMJ) and Santa Teresa (ST) in the central mountainous region of Espírito Santo, where the groups are isolated from each other or partially connected. Due to isolation, some young females who emigrate often become solitary probably because of the lack of habitat connection with other social groups. We conducted a Population Viability Analyzes (PVA) in the Vortex program to investigate the viability of these social groups. Besides estimating population viability in current conditions, we also did simulations predicting management actions, such as translocations of individuals and reforestation. We found that the muriqui populations (88 muriquis monitored in SMJ and 25 in ST) are vulnerable specially due to the loss of habitat connection between social groups, which reduces the success of migration of young females. When in isolated forest fragments and with greater reduction of reproductive females, the groups of muriquis tend to extinction in just 30 years. In completely isolation, the model predicts the negative growth rate of populations and high probability of extinction in the next 100 years. Due to the proximity of the five groups of muriquis in SMJ, the reforestation between fragments is a promising strategy for increasing population viability. Considering the possibility of young females migration between social groups, the model present a growth trend with the increasing of the SMJ population up to 350 muriquis in about 50 years. However, in ST, the 3,562 ha Biological Reserve Augusto Ruschi, comprises only one known group of muriquis with 25 individuals, 12 of them males. If this group remains in isolation, they will tend to extinction. However, the introduction of young females may increase population viability, for example, by the formation of a second social group. Modeling suggests that the formation of a second group decreases the loss of female migrants, ensuring the growth of the population over the next 100 years. We concluded that the viability of muriquis population depends mostly on the connection between at least two social groups, thus avoiding the loss of migrant young females.CNP

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions forecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosys-tem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts withdomestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their fulldistribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths.Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae(3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data onDasypus pilo-sus(Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized,but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In thisdata paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence andquantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is fromthe southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of theNeotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regardinganteaters,Myrmecophaga tridactylahas the most records (n=5,941), andCyclopessp. havethe fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data isDasypus novemcinctus(n=11,588), and the fewest data are recorded forCalyptophractus retusus(n=33). Withregard to sloth species,Bradypus variegatushas the most records (n=962), andBradypus pyg-maeushas the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to makeoccurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly ifwe integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, andNeotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure,habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possiblewith the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data inpublications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are usingthese data

Neotropical xenarthrans: a dataset of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics.

International audienceXenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions forecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosys-tem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts withdomestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their fulldistribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths.Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae(3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data onDasypus pilo-sus(Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized,but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In thisdata paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence andquantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is fromthe southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of theNeotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regardinganteaters,Myrmecophaga tridactylahas the most records (n=5,941), andCyclopessp. havethe fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data isDasypus novemcinctus(n=11,588), and the fewest data are recorded forCalyptophractus retusus(n=33). Withregard to sloth species,Bradypus variegatushas the most records (n=962), andBradypus pyg-maeushas the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to makeoccurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly ifwe integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, andNeotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure,habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possiblewith the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data inpublications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are usingthese data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data