As subtribos Laeliinae e Ponerinae (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) No Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brasil

O Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca (PEIB) está localizado a sudeste na zona da mata mineira, nos municípios de Bias Fortes, Santa Rita de Ibitipoca e Lima Duarte. Destaca-se por apresentar um mosaico de vegetação com o campo rupestre como fisionomia principal. É um dos parques mais visitados do país e sofre, por isso, uma intensa ação antrópica. Foram encontradas na área 23 espécies de Laeliinae e uma de Ponerinae (Isochilus linearis (Jacq.) R.Br.). O gênero Epidendrum é o mais rico em espécies (11 spp.), seguido por Prosthechea (3 spp.), Cattleya, Hoffmanseggella e Isabelia (2 spp. cada), Encyclia, Hadrolaelia, Isochilus e Scaphyglottis (1 sp. cada). Entre os estudos realizados com as duas subtribos em Minas Gerais, a Serra Negra e a Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural do Caraça são as localidades que apresentam o número de espécies similar ao PEIB, embora ambas com maior extensão. Dentre as espécies listadas, seis encontram-se enquadradas em alguma categoria de ameaça de extinção em Minas Gerais: Cattleya bicolor, C. loddigesii, Hadrolaelia coccinea, Hoffmannseggella caulescens, H. crispata e Isabelia violacea. No Livro Vermelho da Flora do Brasil estão citadas Hoffmannseggella caulescens e Isabelia virginalis. Foi encontrado um novo registro para o PEIB, Epidendrum aff. filicaule na borda da nanofloresta nebular. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações e comentários sobre forma de vida e particularidades morfológicas, distribuição geográfica e habitat

EpIG‐DB: A database of vascular epiphyte assemblages in the Neotropics

Vascular epiphytes are a diverse and conspicuous component of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forests. Yet, the patterns and drivers of epiphyte assemblages are poorly studied in comparison with soil‐rooted plants. Current knowledge about diversity patterns of epiphytes mainly stems from local studies or floristic inventories, but this information has not yet been integrated to allow a better understanding of large‐scale distribution patterns. EpIG‐DB, the first database on epiphyte assemblages at the continental scale, resulted from an exhaustive compilation of published and unpublished inventory data from the Neotropics. The current version of EpIG‐DB consists of 463,196 individual epiphytes from 3,005 species, which were collected from a total of 18,148 relevés (host trees and ‘understory’ plots). EpIG‐DB reports the occurrence of ‘true’ epiphytes, hemiepiphytes and nomadic vines, including information on their cover, abundance, frequency and biomass. Most records (97%) correspond to sampled host trees, 76% of them aggregated in forest plots. The data is stored in a TURBOVEG database using the most up‐to‐date checklist of vascular epiphytes. A total of 18 additional fields were created for the standardization of associated data commonly used in epiphyte ecology (e.g. by considering different sampling methods). EpIG‐DB currently covers six major biomes across the whole latitudinal range of epiphytes in the Neotropics but welcomes data globally. This novel database provides, for the first time, unique biodiversity data on epiphytes for the Neotropics and unified guidelines for future collection of epiphyte data. EpIG‐DB will allow exploration of new ways to study the community ecology and biogeography of vascular epiphytes

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Biologia reprodutiva, distribuição espacial e conservação de Hadrolaelia coccinea (Lindl.) Chiron & V.P. Castro (Orchidaceae, Laeliinae) no Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Ecological interactions are of extreme importance to every ecosystem, once the relationships between plants and pollinators have a structuring role for natural and agricultural systems. The reproductive phase is a defining moment in the lifecycle of any organism, influenced by the biotic and abiotic conditions, that draws the reproductive characteristics. In this way the distribution of the species is highly related to the mechanisms of dispersion and conditions of the place to determine the density and the high diversity of species that we find in the planet. Furthermore, often the anthropogenic impact is a striking factor in this whole relationship. Orchidaceae is a cosmopolitan family found in almost all continents of the Earth, except in Antarctica, with about 24500 species. In Brazil the domain of the Atlantic Forest stands out in number of species, reaching 50% of all species found in the country. Laeliinae is the third largest subtribe of Orchidaceae, with about 2080 species exclusively distributed in the Neotropical Region, being often desired by collectors due to the morphological and chromatic diversity of their flowers. Hadrolaelia coccinea (Lindl.) Chiron & V.P.Castro occurs in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil, being endemic to the Atlantic Domain. The flowers are main characteristic is its intense red color, with great ornamental appeal. In the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca this species has a predatory collection history, where a subpopulation is extinct in the place. In this way, a study was carried out evaluating aspects of the reproductive biology, spatial distribution and anthropogenic impact in order to evaluate the situation of the species in said park. In the first chapter the study of biology reproductive was fullfiled assessing phenology, possible pollinators, aspects of floral biology, crossing systems and viable sees of natural pollinations, through the tretazolium test. The system is described annual - flowering patterns, with main strategy - GFD – Generalized Food Deception, for not offering floral reward for its pollinator, deceiving him through the another species with which she shares morphological characteristics and which offer nectar. By the floral characteristics the mechanism of pollination is "Key- hole flower" having the hummingbird as a potential pollinator. It presents a self- compatible and allogamic system, with cross-pollination as a rule, since there is the presence of a physical barrier that avoids self-pollination. Consequently, it presents a low fruiting rate, but with a high number of seeds. In the second chapter was evaluated the spatial distribution through of four transects of 200 x 8 m distributed inside and border of dwarf cloud forest, in transition cloud shrub. Your spatial distribution was evaluates through os Índice Morisita (IM) Variance/Avarage rate (R). The individuals in the both environment were accounted in groups of youth and adults, registering the forophytes. The statistical significance of test was compared by test t. The correlation of circumference of the trunks with the abundance of individuals of H. coccinea was done through of a linear regression. The results showed an aggregate distribution pattern, with differences of abundance between the interior and border environments of the dwarf cloud forest, but the density of young and mature individuals did not have significant difference. There is a preference for a species of phorophyte, Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish (Asteraceae), popularly called candeia, with CAP having a small influence on the density of individuals on the phorophytes. In the third chapter we evaluated the anthropogenic impact on H. coccinea in areas where the circulation of tourists, through the establishment of four transects of 200 x 8 m in two environment, at where tourists pass are allowed (T) and circulation is not allowed (ST), and registrer the abundance of individuals in the forophytes. The statistical significance was fulfill of Mann-Whitney. The subpopulation of T presents a low rate of individuals, opposing what occurs in the environment ST, which presents a subpopulation with high number of individuals.As interações ecológicas são de extrema importância para todo ecossistema, as relações entre plantas e polinizadores possuem um papel estruturador para os sistemas naturais e agrícolas. A fase reprodutiva é um momento marcante na vida de qualquer organismo, influenciado pelas condições bióticas e abióticas, que desenha as características reprodutivas. Desta forma, a distribuição das espécies está altamente relacionada com os mecanismos de dispersão e condições do local para determinar a densidade e a alta diversidade de espécies, que encontramos no planeta. Além disso, muitas vezes o impacto antrópico é um fator marcante em toda essa relação. Orchidaceae é uma família cosmopolita encontrada em quase todos os continentes da Terra, exceto na Antártida, com cerca de 24500 espécies. No Brasil o domínio da Floresta Atlântica se destaca em número de espécies, chegando a 50% de todas as espécies encontradas no país. Laeliinae é a terceira maior subtribo de Orchidaceae, com cerca de 2080 espécies exclusivamente distribuídas na Região Neotropical, sendo muitas vezes desejadas por colecionadores devido à imensa diversidade morfológica e cromática de suas flores. Hadrolaelia coccinea (Lindl.) Chiron & V.P.Castro ocorre nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil, sendo endêmica do domínio Atlântico. As flores têm como característica principal sua coloração vermelho intenso, tendo grande apelo ornamental. No Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca esta espécie possui um histórico de coleta predatória, onde uma subpopulação está extinta no local. Deste modo, foi realizado um estudo avaliando aspectos da biologia reprodutiva, distribuição espacial e impacto antrópico no intuito de avaliar a situação da espécie no referido parque. No primeiro capítulo foi realizado um estudo de biologia reprodutiva avaliando fenologia, ocorrência de possíveis polinizadores, aspectos da biologia floral, sistema de cruzamentos, e sementes viáveis de frutos provenientes da polinização natural, através do teste do tetrazólio. O sistema de floração encontrado é anual com duração intermediária, como principal estratégia GFD – Generalized Food Deception, por não oferecer recompensa floral para seu polinizador, enganando-o pela semelhança cromática com outra espécie, a qual compartilha características morfológicas e que oferta néctar. Pelas características florais, o mecanismo de polinização é “Key-hole flower” tendo o beija-flor como potencial polinizador. Apresenta um sistema autocompatível e alogâmico, com a polinização cruzada como via de regra, visto que existe a presença de uma barreira física que evita a autopolinização. Por conseqüência, apresenta baixa taxa de frutificação, mas com elevado número de sementes. No segundo capítulo foi avaliada a distribuição espacial de H. coccinea através de transectos de 200 x 8 m distribuídos no interior e borda da nanofloresta nebular, na transição com o arbustal nebular. Sua distribuição espacial foi avaliada através do Índice Morisita (IM) e da Razão da Variância/Média (R). Os indivíduos nos dois ambientes foram contabilizados em grupos de jovens e adultos, registrando-se os forófitos. A significância estatística dos testes foi comparada pelo teste t. A correlação da circunferência do tronco com a abundância de indivíduos de H. coccinea foi feita através de uma regressão linear. Os resultados mostraram um padrão de distribuição agregada, com diferença de abundância entre os ambientes de interior e borda da nanofloresta nebular, mas a densidade de indivíduos jovens e adultos não teve diferença significativa. Há preferência por uma espécie de forófito, Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish (Asteraceae), popularmente chamada de candeia, com o CAP apresentando uma pequena influência na densidade de indivíduos nos forófitos. No terceiro capítulo foi avaliado o impacto antrópico sobre H. coccinea pela atividade de turistas, através do estabelecimento de quatro transectos de 200 x 8 m em dois ambientes, onde a passagem dos turistas não é permitia (ST) e em que a passagem é permitida (T), e registrada a abundância de indivíduos nos forófitos. A significância estatística foi realizada pelo teste Mann-Whitney. A subpopulação onde a passagem dos turistas é permitida está com uma baixa taxa de indivíduos, contrapondo o que ocorre no ambiente em que a passagem de turistas não é permitida (ST), apresentando uma subpopulação com elevado número de indivíduos

Diversity, vertical structure and floristic relationships of vascular epiphytes in an urban remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT This study was conducted in a fragment of montane seasonal semi-deciduous forest (Minas Gerais State) with a history of anthropogenic disturbance. Our goals were to characterise the composition, structure and floristic diversity of vascular epiphytes and to investigate the floristic similarities of the community with other areas of urban seasonal forests in Brazil. We sampled 61 phorophytes with 47 epiphytic species. The richest families were Bromeliaceae (seven) and Polypodiaceae (seven). The most common ecological category was accidental holoepiphytes with 21 species - an unprecedented result for the Neotropical region. The Shannon index was 2.95 and the Pielou evenness index 0.77, showing a relatively high diversity with a few dominant species and numerous rare species. Similarity analyses showed a longitudinal gradient and strong influence of the distance from the ocean on floristic relationships as well as influence of dense ombrophilous forests on the composition of the vascular epiphytes of the surveyed area

Assessment of the Interferon-Lambda-3 Polymorphism in the Antibody Response to COVID-19 in Older Adults Seropositive for CMV

Background: Here, we investigated the impact of IFN-lambda-3 polymorphism on specific IgG responses for COVID-19 in older adults seropositive for CMV. Methods: Blood samples of 25 older adults of both sexes were obtained at three different times: during a micro-outbreak (MO) of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020; eight months after (CURE); and 30 days after the administration of the second dose of ChadOx-1 vaccine (VAC). The specific IgG for both SARS-CoV-2 and CMV antigens, neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and also the polymorphism profile for IFN-lambda-3 (rs12979860 C > T) were assessed. Results: Higher levels of specific IgG for SARS-CoV-2 antigens were found in the MO and VAC than in the CURE time-point. Volunteers with specific neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 showed better specific IgG responses for SARS-CoV-2 and lower specific IgG levels for CMV than volunteers without specific neutralizing antibodies. Significant negative correlations between the specific IgG levels for SARS-CoV-2 and CMV were found at the MO time-point, as well as in the group of individuals homozygous for allele 1 (C/C) in the MO time-point and heterozygotes (C/T) in the CURE time-point. Conclusion: Our results suggested that both CMV seropositivity and the homozygosis for allele 1 (C/C) in IFN-lambda-3 gene can negatively impact the antibody response to COVID-19 infection and vaccination in older adults