Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae): frugivoria por aves em remanescente de cerrado do Centro-Oeste brasileiro

Fruits are important food resources for frugivorous birds and also for insectivores and omnivores. In this paper, we describe the fruit phenology, seed frugivory and potential dispersers of Matayba guianensis by birds in an urban savanna area in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, from October 2007 to September 2008 and January 2009. Focal observations were conducted between 6h00–10h00 AM and 4h00–6h00 PM, totalling 54 h. Twelve species of Passeriformes of the families Tyrannidae (6 species), Thraupidae (3), Turdidae (2) and Passeridae (1) visited and/or consumed fruits of M. guianensis, with 184 records. Most birds are omnivores (8 species) and insectivores (3), and one nectarivore (Cyanerpes cyaneus). Tyrannidae predominated with the highest frequency of visits (87%), consumption rates (96.2%) and method of seed capture, with seeds predominantly gathered in flight. Pitangus sulphuratus was the most frequent visitor (37.5%), consuming the greatest number of seeds (48.3%), followed by Tyrannus melancholicus and Empidonomus varius. These Tyrannidae are the main potential seed dispersers of M. guianensis and as most Tyrannidae they are synanthropic species, common in urban habitats, having also great ability to identify and exploit new food resources. The other bird species consumed only the aril, discarding the seeds on or near the parent plant, thus limiting seed dispersal.Frutos são recursos alimentares importantes, tanto para aves primariamente frugívoras quanto para espécies insetívoras e generalistas. Neste estudo, acompanhamos a frutificação de Matayba guianensis e registramos o consumo e a potencial dispersão de suas sementes por aves em remanescente urbano de cerrado em Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, de outubro de 2007 a setembro de 2008 e janeiro de 2009. Observações focais foram realizadas entre 06h00–10h00 e 16h00–18h00 no período de frutificação, totalizando 54 h. Matayba guianensis frutificou por dois meses, na estação úmida, com maior produção de frutos imaturos em janeiro e maduros em fevereiro de 2008. Doze espécies de Passeriformes das famílias Tyrannidae (6 espécies), Thraupidae (3), Turdidae (2) e Passeridae (1) visitaram os frutos e/ou consumiram as sementes de M. guianensis, com 184 visitas registradas. A maioria das aves é onívora (8 espécies) e insetívora (3), com uma espécie nectarívora (Cyanerpes cyaneus). Tyrannidae predominou quanto à freqüência de visitas (87%), quantidade de sementes consumidas (96,2%) e versatilidade na obtenção das sementes, com predomínio da coleta em voo. Pitangus sulphuratus foi a espécie mais frequente (37,5%) e a que consumiu maior número de sementes (48,3%), seguida por Tyrannus melancholicus e Empidonomus varius. Estes tiranídeos são os principais potenciais dispersores de M. guianensis e, como a maioria das espécies desta família, são aves sinantrópicas, comuns em áreas urbanas e com grande habilidade para identificar e explorar novos recursos alimentares. As demais espécies de aves consumiram o arilo e descartaram as sementes próximas ou sob a planta-mãe, limitando sua dispersão

Fenologia reprodutiva, polinização e reprodução de Dipteryx alata Vogel (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

Vangedevej 178, Dyssegård, Denmarkexterior, 196

Floral traits as potential indicators of pollination vs. theft

Abstract Floral visitation does not necessarily mean pollination, as several animals utilize floral resources without transferring pollen. Since pollinators and thieves can affect the reproduction, morphology and diversification of flowering plants, we here investigated if attributes of flowers and flowering of plant species collected in the central Brazilian vereda would predict the pollination (pollen seeking) or theft (pollen/nectar theft) during the visits. It was hypothesized that non specialized flowers would have a higher incidence of thievery, where as specialization, for example, the presence of large and medium flowers with long corolla, making it difficult to access nectar, would lead to increased pollination. As a result, four attributes were mainly associated with illegitimate visits, and in order of importance, they are size (small), quantity of flowers per plant (large), flowering time (< 10 months) and floral type (inconspicuous). The richest and most abundant visitor groups, including bees, flies and wasps, acted mainly as potential pollinators, while cockroaches, butterflies, beetles, ants and hemipterans acted as thieves. However, further studies are required to confirm that this pattern is repeated in other larger and more diverse communities, thus confirming the possible preference for floral thieves

Flora of Brazilian humid Chaco: composition and reproductive phenology

We present the floristic composition and reproductive phenological data for a remnant of Arborized Stepic Savanna, vegetation type of humid Chaco, Porto Murtinho, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. We recorded 87 species of 31 families; Leguminosae presented the highest richness (14 species), followed by Malvaceae (9), Cactaceae (7) and Asteraceae (7). The herbaceous layer is relevant in the seasonal studied community (53.5% of the species) and there is predominance of non-perennial species (hemicryptophytes and therophytes), which demonstrate the importance of underground structures or seed banks in the vegetation. The community has continual flowering and fruiting with highest intensity in the rainy season, the most favorable period for plant growth and reproduction. The predominance of autochoric species in relation to anemochoric and zoochoric ones suggests partial independence of seed/fruit dispersal agents. Zoochorous species predominated in the rainy season, whereas anemochorous and autochorous species were more representative in the dry season

Flora of Brazilian humid Chaco: composition and reproductive phenology

We present the floristic composition and reproductive phenological data for a remnant of Arborized Stepic Savanna, vegetation type of humid Chaco, Porto Murtinho, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. We recorded 87 species of 31 families; Leguminosae presented the highest richness (14 species), followed by Malvaceae (9), Cactaceae (7) and Asteraceae (7). The herbaceous layer is relevant in the seasonal studied community (53.5% of the species) and there is predominance of non-perennial species (hemicryptophytes and therophytes), which demonstrate the importance of underground structures or seed banks in the vegetation. The community has continual flowering and fruiting with highest intensity in the rainy season, the most favorable period for plant growth and reproduction. The predominance of autochoric species in relation to anemochoric and zoochoric ones suggests partial independence of seed/fruit dispersal agents. Zoochorous species predominated in the rainy season, whereas anemochorous and autochorous species were more representative in the dry season