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

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time, and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space. While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes, vast areas of the tropics remain understudied. In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity, but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases. To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge, it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Análise de fatores e estratificação ambiental na avaliação da adaptabilidade e estabilidade em soja Factor analysis and environmental stratification in the assessment of soybean adaptability and stability

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de diferentes métodos de estratificação ambiental, a representatividade dos locais de avaliação, e a adaptabilidade e estabilidade de genótipos de soja, por meio de ensaios de produtividade de grãos, nos estados do Paraná e Santa Catarina, nos anos agrícolas de 2000 a 2003, em um total de 15 ambientes. Foram utilizados, para estratificação ambiental, o método tradicional de Lin e a análise de fatores aliada ao porcentual de parte simples (PS%) da interação genótipo vs. ambiente (GxA). Na determinação da adaptabilidade e estabilidade dos genótipos, foram utilizados modelos baseados em regressão linear única e bissegmentada. Foram testados 21 genótipos de soja em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com três repetições, na avaliação da produtividade de grãos. O genótipo RB 605 apresenta ampla faixa de adaptação com elevada produtividade média de grãos. De acordo com ambos os métodos, as localidades de Palotina e Brasilândia do Sul podem ser reduzidas a somente um local de ensaio.A análise de fatores associada ao PS% da interação GxA é mais seletiva para estratificação ambiental, em relação ao método tradicional de Lin.<br>The objective of this work was to assess the efficiency of different methods of environmental stratification, the representation level of the evaluation places, and the adaptability and stability of soybean genotypes, through yield trials in the Paraná and Santa Catarina States, Brazil, in the agricultural years of 2000 to 2003, totaling 15 environments. For environmental stratification, the Lin's traditional method and factor analysis, allied to percentage of the simple portion (SP%) of genotype vs. environment interaction (GxE), were utilized. Adaptability and stability of the genotypes were determined by linear and bisegmented regression models. Twenty one soybean genotypes were evaluated on randomized complete blocks design, comprising three replications, and the analyzed variable was grain yield. RB 605 genotype is highly adapted and presents high yield. According to both methods, Palotina and Brasilândia do Sul localities can be reduced to one trial location. The factor analysis allied to SP% of GxE interaction is more selective to environmental stratification in relation to the Lin's traditional method

Avaliação da capacidade de infiltração de solos submetidos a diferentes tipos de manejo Evaluation of the infiltration capacity of soils under ferent types of management

O manejo inadequado da vegetação e do solo leva a mudanças físicas que afetam a recarga de aquíferos. A Chapada do Araripe possui centenas de fontes que jorram na encosta; porém, há indícios de redução de vazões. Neste trabalho foi estudada a capacidade de infiltração de solos submetidos a diferentes tipos de manejo florestal na Chapada. Amostras de solos de 21 localidades foram ordenadas em quatro grupos. O Grupo 1, de áreas de vegetação preservada e os demais de áreas antropizadas. Observou-se que a umidade e capacidade de infiltração apresentaram boa correlação linear com a matéria orgânica; a umidade média do Grupo 1, no período seco, foi superior à dos demais grupos mesmo no período chuvoso; as áreas antropizadas apresentaram baixo conteúdo de matéria orgânica, umidade e baixa capacidade de infiltração, indicando modificação na estrutura do solo capaz de reduzir a recarga.<br>Inadequate vegetation and soil management leads to physical changes that affect aquifer recharge. The Araripe Plateau feeds an elevated number of springs on its northern slope; however, there are indications that their yield is decreasing. Through this research, it was studied the infiltration capacity of soils under different types of management. Soil samples from 21 sites were grouped into four groups. Group 1 represents areas of preserved vegetation, the others, anthropized ones. It was observed that soil moisture and infiltration capacity are linearly well correlated with organic matter; mean soil moisture during the dry season was significantly higher for Group 1 than for the other groups, even during the rainy season and anthropized areas show low organic matter contents, soil moisture, and infiltration capacity, indicating modifications in the soil's structure that reduce aquifer recharge