Ecophysiology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with Araucaria angustifólia (Bert.) O. Ktze.

A Araucaria angustifólia (Bert.) O. Ktze., o pinheiro do Paraná, é uma espécie nativa ameaçada de extinção e, dentro de suas matas, encontra-se uma grande diversidade biológica que corre o risco de desaparecer. Por causa disso e diante da escassêz de literatura sobre esta espécie, torna-se necessário aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a ecologia da araucária e os estudos sobre a diversidade biológica de fungos MA (micorrízicos arbusculares) que estão presentes na sua rizosfera e em suas raízes. Visto que não há informações seguras sobre estes aspectos, procurou-se avaliar neste trabalho a possível dependência do pinheiro-do-paraná de fungos MA e identificar as espécies desses fungos que colonizam as raízes. As amostras de raízes e solo rizosférico foram coletados de floresta nativa e área de replantio de araucária, localizadas no Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão, Campos do Jordão, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Destas amostras foi determinada a porcentagem de colonização radicular e o número de esporos no solo, em duas épocas do ano (fevereiro e setembro), correspondendo às estações chuvosa e de seca, respectivamente. Foi feita também, a identificação de espécies de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) encontrados na rizosfera da araucária, com base nas características morfológicas dos esporos. Fez-se um levantamento das espécies de fungos MA presentes em condições de campo, por meio da multiplicação dos esporos encontrados. Para isso, plantas de sorgo foram utilizadas como hospedeiras durante dois ciclos de multiplicação em casa de vegetação, possibilitando o aumento da quantidade de esporos encontrados em campo, o que auxiliou na classificação taxonômica. Já em condições de casa-de-vegetação foi montado um experimento com plantas de A. angustifólia, fazendo-se inoculação com os fungos micorrízicos Gigaspora rósea, Glomus intraradices (provenientes da coleção do Laboratório de Microbiologia do Solo da ESALQ/USP) e inóculo nativo, proveniente da mata de araucária, mantendo-se um tratamento sem inoculação (controle). No experimento foram utilizados quatro níveis de P (0, 20, 50 e 150 mg de P Kg-1 de solo), determinando-se qual tratamento apresentou melhor desenvolvimento das plantas. Observou-se que a inoculação com Gi. Rósea, ao nível de 20 mg Kg-1 de P foi o tratamento que mais se destacou com relação ao desenvolvimento das plantas e pela economia de insumos. Plantas não inoculadas com FMA (fungos micorrízicos arbusculares) diferiram de plantas inoculadas. Fez-se, também, a identificação de esporos de fungos MA por meio de técnicas moleculares. O produto da PCR foi sequenciado e fez-se a homologia com as seqüências descritas no GenBank, em seguida, foram desenhados primers específicos para Gigaspora rósea e pôde-se verificar que esta espécie estava colonizando raízes de A. angustifólia. Outro aspecto estudado foi a avaliação de método para auxiliar na germinação precoce de sementes de A. angustifólia, visto que a sua germinação lenta retarda o estabelecimento da planta e favorece o desenvolvimento de fungos que prejudicam as plântulas. Após a escarificação mecânica das sementes desinfestadas foi possível obter plântulas mais homogêneas de boa qualidade e, com maior precocidade. Os principais objetivos deste trabalho foram conhecer a biodiversidade das espécies de fungos MA que se associam a Araucaria angustifólia e obter isolados de fungos MA mais eficientes na produção de mudas, com baixos níveis de P no soloAraucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze., known as the pine of Paraná, is a native Brazilian plant specie that is threatened with extinction. The microorganisms associated with this pine are also endangered. Few studies have documented the interaction observed between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Araucaria angustifolia (Milanez & Monteiro, 1950; Oliveira & Ventura, 1952), and very little is known about the dependence of this pine on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Moreover, nothing has been documented about the biodiversity of AMF in the rhizosphere or the association of AMF with the roots of this tree. Therefore, to better understand the association of AMF with A. angustifolia, we conducted studies to evaluate the possible mycorrhizal dependence of the pine of Paraná, as well as to identify some of these fungal species that colonize its roots. Root samples were collected from a native forest located at the Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão (PECJ), Campos do Jordão, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The percentage of roots colonized and the number of spores found in the rhizosphere was evaluated during the wet (February) and dry (September) seasons. AMF species were identified based upon the morphological characteristics of the harvested spores that were propagated on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench, cv. L.) plants, which were used as a host during two multiplication cycles done in greenhouse. This procedure increased the amount of spores collected from the field and facilitated their taxonomic classification. To evaluate the absorption of phosphorus (P) under greenhouse conditions, A. angustifolia plants were inoculated with Gigaspora rósea, Glomus intraradices (both were from the collection at the Soil Microbiology Laboratory - ESALQ/USP), and with native AMF inoculum, which was collected from the respective forest. Four levels of P were tested (0, 20, 50 and 150 mg P kg-1 of soil) to determine the best level for the development of the plants. It was observed that Gi. Rosea in combination with 20 mg Kg-1 P was the treatment that combined the best plant development with the lowest fertilizer cost. Inoculated plants differed significantly from non-inoculated plants. Molecular techniques (PCR) were also applied to identify the AMF spores using the ITS and l 8S primers. With the sequences of the amplifications in hand we found homology of the segments of interest in GenBank, and primers specific for Gi. Rosea were used to confirm that this was the specie that was colonizing the roots of A. angustifolia. Successful seedling development for A. angustifolia was obtained through mechanic scarification of surface sterilized seeds, which allowed an earlier, faster and uniform germination, thus making it possible to work with healthier and homogeneous batches of plants. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to discover the biodiversity of AMF species that were associated with A. angustifolia and to select highly efficient AMF isolates that adapted to low P condition

Effect of leguminosae crop and mulching on the soil properties and on the performance of young rubber trees

Com o objetivo de conhecer o efeito da cobertura do solo dentro de um seringal em formação foram utilizadas duas leguminosas o guandu (Cajanus cajan (L) Millps ) e a mucuna-preta (Mucuna aterrima Merr.), como cobertura permanente e cobertura morta, determinando-se a temperatura, o teor de umidade e o nitrogênio do solo e o teor de nitrogênio nas plantas de seringueira. O experimento foi conduzido durante o período de fevereiro de 1995 a fevereiro de 1996. O delineamento experimental empregado foi de parcelas subdivididas, utilizando 4 tratamentos e 4 repetições, para obtenção de dados referentes ao teor de nitrogênio e umidade do solo, teor de nitrogênio nas plantas de seringueira, temperatura mínima e máxima do solo. Os tratamentos foram os seguintes: guandu (cobertura permanente), guandu ( cobertura morta), mucuna-preta (cobertura morta) e testemunha (solo nu).Com base nos resultados obtidos, concluímos: O emprego da cobertura permanente de guandu evita a erosão e o aquecimento excessivo do solo. O emprego da cobertura permanente de guandu reduz o nitrogênio mineral e o teor de água a 10 cm de profundidade do solo. A cobertura morta de mucuna-preta mantém o mesmo valor de nitrogênio mineral no solo, evita a erosão e o aquecimento excessivo do solo. A cobertura morta de mucuna-preta reduz o teor de umidade nas duas profundidades do solo (10 e a 30 em)The present study had the objective of determining the effect of the soil cover by two leguminosae species, used as cover crop or mulching, on the growth and performance of young rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in southern Brazil (Piracicaba, São Paulo State). The experiment was carried out from February 1995 through February 1996. The statistical design selected for the study was the split-plot, with 4 treatments and 4 replications. The data collected included soil moisture, maximum and minimum soil temperatures, soil and foliar N contents. The treatments were the following: guandu (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp) (crop), guandu (mulching), mucuna-preta (Mucuna aterrima Merr.) (mulching), and control (uncovered soil). The results allowed the followin conclusions: 1. Guandu used as a crop reduced soil temperature and protectedit against erosion. 2. Guandu used as a crop reduced soil mineral N and reduced soil moisture at the depth of 10 cm. 3. Mucuna-preta used as mulching kept the same concentration of mineral N in the soil and avoided high soil temperatures. 4. Mucuna-preta used as mulching reduced soil moisture at both soil depths (10 and 30 cm) as well as soil erosio

Effect of leguminosae crop and mulching on the soil properties and on the performance of young rubber trees

Com o objetivo de conhecer o efeito da cobertura do solo dentro de um seringal em formação foram utilizadas duas leguminosas o guandu (Cajanus cajan (L) Millps ) e a mucuna-preta (Mucuna aterrima Merr.), como cobertura permanente e cobertura morta, determinando-se a temperatura, o teor de umidade e o nitrogênio do solo e o teor de nitrogênio nas plantas de seringueira. O experimento foi conduzido durante o período de fevereiro de 1995 a fevereiro de 1996. O delineamento experimental empregado foi de parcelas subdivididas, utilizando 4 tratamentos e 4 repetições, para obtenção de dados referentes ao teor de nitrogênio e umidade do solo, teor de nitrogênio nas plantas de seringueira, temperatura mínima e máxima do solo. Os tratamentos foram os seguintes: guandu (cobertura permanente), guandu ( cobertura morta), mucuna-preta (cobertura morta) e testemunha (solo nu).Com base nos resultados obtidos, concluímos: O emprego da cobertura permanente de guandu evita a erosão e o aquecimento excessivo do solo. O emprego da cobertura permanente de guandu reduz o nitrogênio mineral e o teor de água a 10 cm de profundidade do solo. A cobertura morta de mucuna-preta mantém o mesmo valor de nitrogênio mineral no solo, evita a erosão e o aquecimento excessivo do solo. A cobertura morta de mucuna-preta reduz o teor de umidade nas duas profundidades do solo (10 e a 30 em)The present study had the objective of determining the effect of the soil cover by two leguminosae species, used as cover crop or mulching, on the growth and performance of young rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in southern Brazil (Piracicaba, São Paulo State). The experiment was carried out from February 1995 through February 1996. The statistical design selected for the study was the split-plot, with 4 treatments and 4 replications. The data collected included soil moisture, maximum and minimum soil temperatures, soil and foliar N contents. The treatments were the following: guandu (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp) (crop), guandu (mulching), mucuna-preta (Mucuna aterrima Merr.) (mulching), and control (uncovered soil). The results allowed the followin conclusions: 1. Guandu used as a crop reduced soil temperature and protectedit against erosion. 2. Guandu used as a crop reduced soil mineral N and reduced soil moisture at the depth of 10 cm. 3. Mucuna-preta used as mulching kept the same concentration of mineral N in the soil and avoided high soil temperatures. 4. Mucuna-preta used as mulching reduced soil moisture at both soil depths (10 and 30 cm) as well as soil erosio

Ecophysiology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with Araucaria angustifólia (Bert.) O. Ktze.

A Araucaria angustifólia (Bert.) O. Ktze., o pinheiro do Paraná, é uma espécie nativa ameaçada de extinção e, dentro de suas matas, encontra-se uma grande diversidade biológica que corre o risco de desaparecer. Por causa disso e diante da escassêz de literatura sobre esta espécie, torna-se necessário aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a ecologia da araucária e os estudos sobre a diversidade biológica de fungos MA (micorrízicos arbusculares) que estão presentes na sua rizosfera e em suas raízes. Visto que não há informações seguras sobre estes aspectos, procurou-se avaliar neste trabalho a possível dependência do pinheiro-do-paraná de fungos MA e identificar as espécies desses fungos que colonizam as raízes. As amostras de raízes e solo rizosférico foram coletados de floresta nativa e área de replantio de araucária, localizadas no Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão, Campos do Jordão, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Destas amostras foi determinada a porcentagem de colonização radicular e o número de esporos no solo, em duas épocas do ano (fevereiro e setembro), correspondendo às estações chuvosa e de seca, respectivamente. Foi feita também, a identificação de espécies de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) encontrados na rizosfera da araucária, com base nas características morfológicas dos esporos. Fez-se um levantamento das espécies de fungos MA presentes em condições de campo, por meio da multiplicação dos esporos encontrados. Para isso, plantas de sorgo foram utilizadas como hospedeiras durante dois ciclos de multiplicação em casa de vegetação, possibilitando o aumento da quantidade de esporos encontrados em campo, o que auxiliou na classificação taxonômica. Já em condições de casa-de-vegetação foi montado um experimento com plantas de A. angustifólia, fazendo-se inoculação com os fungos micorrízicos Gigaspora rósea, Glomus intraradices (provenientes da coleção do Laboratório de Microbiologia do Solo da ESALQ/USP) e inóculo nativo, proveniente da mata de araucária, mantendo-se um tratamento sem inoculação (controle). No experimento foram utilizados quatro níveis de P (0, 20, 50 e 150 mg de P Kg-1 de solo), determinando-se qual tratamento apresentou melhor desenvolvimento das plantas. Observou-se que a inoculação com Gi. Rósea, ao nível de 20 mg Kg-1 de P foi o tratamento que mais se destacou com relação ao desenvolvimento das plantas e pela economia de insumos. Plantas não inoculadas com FMA (fungos micorrízicos arbusculares) diferiram de plantas inoculadas. Fez-se, também, a identificação de esporos de fungos MA por meio de técnicas moleculares. O produto da PCR foi sequenciado e fez-se a homologia com as seqüências descritas no GenBank, em seguida, foram desenhados primers específicos para Gigaspora rósea e pôde-se verificar que esta espécie estava colonizando raízes de A. angustifólia. Outro aspecto estudado foi a avaliação de método para auxiliar na germinação precoce de sementes de A. angustifólia, visto que a sua germinação lenta retarda o estabelecimento da planta e favorece o desenvolvimento de fungos que prejudicam as plântulas. Após a escarificação mecânica das sementes desinfestadas foi possível obter plântulas mais homogêneas de boa qualidade e, com maior precocidade. Os principais objetivos deste trabalho foram conhecer a biodiversidade das espécies de fungos MA que se associam a Araucaria angustifólia e obter isolados de fungos MA mais eficientes na produção de mudas, com baixos níveis de P no soloAraucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze., known as the pine of Paraná, is a native Brazilian plant specie that is threatened with extinction. The microorganisms associated with this pine are also endangered. Few studies have documented the interaction observed between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Araucaria angustifolia (Milanez & Monteiro, 1950; Oliveira & Ventura, 1952), and very little is known about the dependence of this pine on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Moreover, nothing has been documented about the biodiversity of AMF in the rhizosphere or the association of AMF with the roots of this tree. Therefore, to better understand the association of AMF with A. angustifolia, we conducted studies to evaluate the possible mycorrhizal dependence of the pine of Paraná, as well as to identify some of these fungal species that colonize its roots. Root samples were collected from a native forest located at the Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão (PECJ), Campos do Jordão, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The percentage of roots colonized and the number of spores found in the rhizosphere was evaluated during the wet (February) and dry (September) seasons. AMF species were identified based upon the morphological characteristics of the harvested spores that were propagated on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench, cv. L.) plants, which were used as a host during two multiplication cycles done in greenhouse. This procedure increased the amount of spores collected from the field and facilitated their taxonomic classification. To evaluate the absorption of phosphorus (P) under greenhouse conditions, A. angustifolia plants were inoculated with Gigaspora rósea, Glomus intraradices (both were from the collection at the Soil Microbiology Laboratory - ESALQ/USP), and with native AMF inoculum, which was collected from the respective forest. Four levels of P were tested (0, 20, 50 and 150 mg P kg-1 of soil) to determine the best level for the development of the plants. It was observed that Gi. Rosea in combination with 20 mg Kg-1 P was the treatment that combined the best plant development with the lowest fertilizer cost. Inoculated plants differed significantly from non-inoculated plants. Molecular techniques (PCR) were also applied to identify the AMF spores using the ITS and l 8S primers. With the sequences of the amplifications in hand we found homology of the segments of interest in GenBank, and primers specific for Gi. Rosea were used to confirm that this was the specie that was colonizing the roots of A. angustifolia. Successful seedling development for A. angustifolia was obtained through mechanic scarification of surface sterilized seeds, which allowed an earlier, faster and uniform germination, thus making it possible to work with healthier and homogeneous batches of plants. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to discover the biodiversity of AMF species that were associated with A. angustifolia and to select highly efficient AMF isolates that adapted to low P condition

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the 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

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

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved