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FIGURE 7 in RedescriptionofAcropsisGrant,1958(Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae:Phaneropterinae Microcentrini) and description of new species from Brazilian and Colombian Amazon Rainforest

FIGURE 7. Acropsis solimoesensis sp. nov., holotype male. A: habitus, dorsal view; B: head, frontal view; C: head and pronotum, dorsal view; D: head and pronotum, lateral view; E: Thoracic sternites, ventral view; F: foreleg, lateral view; G: midleg, lateral view; H: hindleg, lateral view; I–J: Terminalia in ventral and dorsal view respectively; K: Apex of cerci, dorsal view. Abbreviations: Mes: mesobasisternum; Met: metabasisternum; Cer: cerci; Sty: styli; Pl: subgenital plate.

FIGURE 6. Acropsis tectiformis, male specimen alive. A–B in RedescriptionofAcropsisGrant,1958(Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae:Phaneropterinae Microcentrini) and description of new species from Brazilian and Colombian Amazon Rainforest

FIGURE 6. Acropsis tectiformis, male specimen alive. A–B: habitus, lateral view; C: head, frontal view.

FIGURE 8 in RedescriptionofAcropsisGrant,1958(Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae:Phaneropterinae Microcentrini) and description of new species from Brazilian and Colombian Amazon Rainforest

FIGURE 8. Acropsis solimoesensis sp. nov., left tegmina of male in dorsal view. Abbreviations: AP: Posterior anal vein; AA: anterior anal vein; CuA: anterior cubital vein; CuP: posterior cubital vein; MA: anterior median vein; MP: posterior median vein; R: radial vein; Sc: subcostal vein.

FIGURE 4. Acropsis tectiformis, male internal genitalia. A–B in RedescriptionofAcropsisGrant,1958(Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae:Phaneropterinae Microcentrini) and description of new species from Brazilian and Colombian Amazon Rainforest

FIGURE 4. Acropsis tectiformis, male internal genitalia. A–B: phallus, ventral view; C–D: phallus, dorsal view. Abbreviations: DF: dorsal fold; DL: dorsal lobe(s); EV: ejaculatory vesicles; TI: titillator process; Lw. vl.: lower folds of ventral lobe; Up. vl.: upper folds of ventral lobe.

FIGURE 2 in RedescriptionofAcropsisGrant,1958(Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae:Phaneropterinae Microcentrini) and description of new species from Brazilian and Colombian Amazon Rainforest

FIGURE 2. Acropsis tectiformis, left tegmina of male in dorsal view. Abbreviations: AP: Posterior anal vein; AA: anterior anal vein; CuA: anterior cubital vein; CuP: posterior cubital vein; MA: anterior median vein; MP: posterior median vein; R: radial vein; Sc: subcostal vein.

FIGURE 1. Acropsis tectiformis, male. A in RedescriptionofAcropsisGrant,1958(Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae:Phaneropterinae Microcentrini) and description of new species from Brazilian and Colombian Amazon Rainforest

FIGURE 1. Acropsis tectiformis, male. A: habitus, dorsal view; B: head, frontal view; C: head and pronotum, dorsal view; D: head and pronotum, lateral view; E: Thoracic sternites, ventral view; F: foreleg, lateral view; G: midleg, lateral view; H: hindleg, lateral view; I–J: Terminalia in ventral and dorsal view respectively; K: Apex of cerci, dorsal view. Abbreviations: Mes: mesobasisternum; Met: metabasisternum; Cer: cerci; Sty: styli; Pl: subgenital plate.

opennotspecifiedJun 2020View details →

FIGURES 9–14 in A new genus and species of odiniids (Diptera: Odiniidae) from the canopy of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

FIGURES 9–14. Umbodinia bella, sp. nov., Holotype ♂. 9, terminalia, dorsal view; 10, phallapodeme, hypandrium, tergite 6, syntergosternite, sternite 6, epandrium and surstylar lobe, lateral view; 11, tergite 6 and sternite 6, epandrium and surstyli, posterior view; 12, terminalia, hypandrium, gonocoxal apodeme and phallus, ventral view; 13, epandrium, hypandrium, phallapodeme and phallus, lateral view; 14, epandrium, hypandrium and subepandrial sclerite, anterior view.

opennotspecifiedJun 2020View details →

FIGURES 3–8 in A new genus and species of odiniids (Diptera: Odiniidae) from the canopy of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

FIGURES 3–8. Umbodinia bella, sp. nov., Holotype ♂. 3, habitus, lateral view; 4, head, frontal view; 5, head, lateral view; 6, head and thorax, dorsal view; 7, wing; 8, abdomen, dorsal view.

opennotspecifiedJun 2020View details →

FIGURES 1–2 in A new genus and species of odiniids (Diptera: Odiniidae) from the canopy of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

FIGURES 1–2. Malaise trap, model Gressit & Gressit (1972), different angles, mounted 32 meters high in a metallic tower of the Tropical Silviculture Experimental Station, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

opencc-zeroAug 2020View details →

Data from: Seasonal dynamics of flock interaction networks across a human-modified landscape in lowland Amazonian rainforest

Although lowland tropical rainforests were once widely believed to be the archetype of stability, seasonal variation exists. In these environments, seasonality is defined by rainfall, leading to a predictable pattern of biotic and abiotic changes. Only the full annual cycle reveals niche breadth, yet most studies of tropical organisms ignore seasonality, thereby underestimating realized conditions. If human-modified habitats display more seasonal stress than intact habitats, then ignoring seasonality will have particularly important repercussions for conservation. We examined the seasonal dynamics of Amazonian mixed-species flocks—an important species interaction network—across three habitats with increasing human disturbance. We quantified seasonal space use, species richness and attendance, and four ecological network metrics for flocks in primary forest, small forest fragments, and regenerating secondary forest in central Amazonia. Our results indicate that, even in intact, lowland rainforest, mixed-species flocks exhibit seasonal differences. During the dry season, flocks included more species, generally ranged over larger areas, and displayed network structures that were less complex and less cohesive. We speculate that because most flocking species nest during the dry season—a time of reduced arthropod abundance—flocks are simultaneously constrained by these two competing pressures. Moreover, these seasonal differences were most pronounced in forest fragments and secondary forest, habitats that are less buffered from the changing seasons. Our results suggest that seasonality influences the conservation value of human-modified habitats, raising important questions about how rainforest organisms will cope with an increasingly unstable climate.

The Influence of Environmental Variation on the Genetic Structure of a Poison Frog Distributed Across Continuous Amazonian Rainforest

Biogeographic barriers such as rivers have been shown to shape spatial patterns of biodiversity in the Amazon basin, yet relatively little is known about the distribution of genetic variation across continuous rainforest. Here, we characterize the genetic structure of the brilliant-thighed poison frog (Allobates femoralis) across an 880-km-long transect along the Purus-Madeira interfluve south of the Amazon river, based on 64 individuals genotyped at 7609 single-nucleotide polymorphism loci. A population tree and clustering analyses revealed 4 distinct genetic groups, one of which was strongly divergent. These genetic groups were concomitant with femoral spot coloration differences, which was intermediate within a zone of admixture between two of the groups. The location of these genetic groups did not consistently correspond to current ecological transitions between major forest types. A multimodel approach to quantify the relative influence of isolation-by-geographic distance (IBD) and isolation-by-environmental resistance (IBR) nevertheless revealed that, in addition to a strong signal of IBD, spatial genetic differentiation was explained by IBR primarily linked to dry season intensity (r2 = 8.4%) and canopy cover (r2 = 6.4%). We show significant phylogenetic divergence in the absence of obvious biogeographical barriers and that finer-scaled measures of genetic structure show patterns that are associated with environmental variables also known to predict the density of A. femoralis.

Diversification history of clown tree frogs in Neotropical rainforests (Anura, Hylidae, Dendropsophus leucophyllatus group)

General consensus emphasizes that no single biological process can explain the patterns of species' distributions and diversification in the Neotropics. Instead, the interplay of several processes across space and time must be taken into account. Here we investigated the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of tree frogs in the Dendropsophus leucophyllatus species group (Amphibia: Hylidae), which is distributed across Amazonia and the Atlantic rainforests. Using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRADseq), we inferred phylogenetic relationships, species limits, and temporal and geographic patterns of diversification relative to the history of these biomes. Our results indicate that the D. leucophyllatus species group includes at least 14 independent lineages, which are currently arranged into ten described species. Therefore, a significant portion of species in the group are still unnamed. Different processes were associated to the group diversification history. For instance, the Andes uplift likely caused allopatric speciation for Cis-Andean species, whereas it may also be responsible for changes in the Amazonian landscape triggering parapatric speciation by local adaptation to ecological factors. Meanwhile, Atlantic Forest ancestors unable to cross the dry diagonal biomes after the rainforest's retraction, evolved in isolation into different species. Diversification in the group began in the early Miocene, when connections between Atlantic Forest and the Andes (Pacific Dominion) by way of a south corridor were possible. The historical scenario in Amazonia, characterized by several speciation events and habitat heterogeneity, helped promoting species diversification, resulting in the highest species diversity for the group. This marked species diversification did not happen in Atlantic Forest, where speciation is very recent (late Pliocene and Pleistocene), despite its remarkable climatic heterogeneity.

Data from: Assessing the Function of Geophagy in a Malagasy Rainforest Lemur

Geophagy has been observed in nearly every long-term study of folivorous primates. Yet despite frequent observations of this behavior, conclusive explanations for soil consumption remain ambiguous. This study tests the most frequently proposed hypotheses for geophagy using data collected on the geophagic behavior of the Milne-Edwards' sifaka (Propithecus edwardsi) living in two forests with varying levels of disturbance within Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. Field data were collected from December 2002 to November 2003, during which time soil samples were collected for mineral analyses from 102 sites selected for geophagy and 42 control sites at which no geophagy was recorded. Results indicate that control soils differ significantly between the two study sites, and that this difference is primarily attributable to varying levels of habitat disturbance. The frequency of soil consumption also does not vary significantly by sex or between logged and unlogged habitats. Soil consumption significantly correlated with fruit/seed consumption overall, but to a lesser degree in logged compared to unlogged sites. Clay minerals found in soils likely prevent absorption of dietary toxins in the gut and/or may mediate gut pH. This provides strong evidence for the protection hypothesis for geophagy, which may be especially important in areas where logging, or other forms of habitat disturbance, have been experienced.

Data from: Assessing the effectiveness of protected areas for conserving range-restricted rainforest butterflies in Sabah, Borneo

Rainforests on Borneo support exceptional concentrations of endemic insect biodiversity, but many of these forest-dependent species are threatened by land-use change. Totally protected areas (TPAs) of forest are key for conserving biodiversity, and we examined the effectiveness of the current TPA network for conserving range-restricted butterflies in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo). We found that mean diurnal temperature range and precipitation of the wettest quarter of the year were the most important predictors of butterfly distributions (N = 77 range-restricted species), and that species richness increased with elevation and aboveground forest carbon. On average across all species, TPAs were effective at conserving ~43% of species' ranges, but encompassed only ~40% of areas with high species richness (i.e. containing at least 50% of our study species). The TPA network also included only 33-40% of areas identified as high priority for conserving range-restricted species, as determined by a systematic conservation prioritization analysis. Hence, the current TPA network is reasonably effective at conserving range-restricted butterflies, although considerable areas of high species richness (6565 km2) and high conservation priority (11,152-12,531 km2) are not currently protected. Sabah's remaining forests, and the range-restricted species they support, are under continued threat from agricultural expansion and urban development, and our study highlights important areas of rainforest that require enhanced protection.

opencc-zeroOct 2020View details →

Data from: Butterfly and moth communities differ in their response to habitat structure in rainforests of Mount Cameroon

Mechanisms structuring tropical communities are still under-studied, especially in Afrotropical rainforests. Although insect herbivores are considered to depend on plant diversity, we hypothesized that vegetation structure, together with other microhabitat characteristics, can be more important for some insects. Here, we compared habitat associations of fruit-feeding butterflies and moths, two ecologically different groups of Lepidoptera, in three rainforest localities in foothills of Mount Cameroon, West/Central Africa. Based on a comprehensive dataset of 16,040 specimens of 398 species systematically collected by 240 traps at 48 plots (altogether 9.68 ha), we analyzed how plant community composition, habitat openness, and forest structure affect communities of butterflies and moths. We expected different habitat descriptors to predict communities of the two insect groups. Habitats of tropical fruit-feeding moth communities have never been studied before. In both analyses of species richness and community structure, butterfly communities depended mostly on forest openness. Moth species richness depended on plant diversity and forest openness, whilst the latter substantially influenced their community composition. Additionally, we revealed differences in habitat associations between understory and canopy communities of both groups. Whilst species richness of understory communities was not influenced by any habitat characteristics, it generally followed the general patterns in canopies. By contrast, composition of understory communities followed the general patterns, whilst effects of habitat characteristics on canopy communities were minor for butterflies and none for moths. The differences between such closely related groups of herbivorous insects warn against generalization based on single-taxon studies and highlight the need of community-wide research of tropical rainforests.

opencc-zeroNov 2020View details →

Data from: Environmental and spatial effects on coastal stream fishes in the Atlantic rainforest

Contemporary and historical factors influence assemblage structure. The environmental and spatial influences acting on fish organization of rainforest coastal streams in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil were examined. Fish (and functional traits such as morphology, diet, velocity preference, body size), environmental variables (pH, water conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, stream width, flow, depth, substrate) and altitude were measured from 59 stream reaches. Asymmetric eigenvector maps were used to model the spatial structure considering direction of fish movements. Elevation played an important role – fish abundance, biomass, and richness all decrease with increasing elevation. Fish communities are influenced by both environmental and spatial factors, but downstream movements were shown to be more important in explaining the observed spatial variation than were bidirectional and upstream movements. Spatial factors, as well as environmental variables influenced by the spatial structure, explained most of the variation in fish assemblages. The strong spatial structuring is probably attributable to asymmetric dispersal limitation along the altitudinal profile: dispersal is likely to be more limiting moving upstream than downstream. These fish assemblages reflect scale-dependent processes: at the stream reach-scale, fish respond to local environmental filters (habitat structure, water chemistry, and food supply), which are in turn influenced by a larger scale, namely the altitudinal gradient expected in steep coastal mountains. Thus, environmental drivers are not independent of spatial factors, and the effects of local factors can be confounded across the altitudinal gradient. These results may have implications for conservation, because downstream reaches are often neglected in management and conservation plans.

FIGURE 14 in Description of a new Neotropical spider genus in the family Ctenidae Keyserling 1877 (Araneae: Lycosoidea) from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

FIGURE 14. Bulboctenus munduruku sp. nov., genitalia. A–C (MPEG(ARA)36743), male palp; A, ventral; B, retrolateral; C, prolateral. D–E (MPEG(ARA)002411), female epigyne; D, ventral (arrow indicating the opening of the copulatory duct); E, dorsal. Abbreviations: CD, copulatory duct; E, embolus; FD, fertilization duct; LP, lateral projection; MA, median apophysis; MS, median sector; PLP, posterior lateral projection; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; S, spermathecae.

FIGURE 16 in Description of a new Neotropical spider genus in the family Ctenidae Keyserling 1877 (Araneae: Lycosoidea) from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

FIGURE 16. Bulboctenus itunaitata sp. nov., genitalia. A–C (MPEG(ARA)002419), male palp; A, ventral; B, retrolateral; C, prolateral. D–E (MPEG(ARA)002420), female epigyne; D, ventral (arrow indicating opening of the copulatory duct); E, dorsal. Abbreviations: CD, copulatory duct; E, embolus; FD, fertilization duct; LP, lateral projection; MA, median apophysis; MS, median sector; PLP, posterior lateral projection; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; S, spermathecae.

FIGURE 13 in Description of a new Neotropical spider genus in the family Ctenidae Keyserling 1877 (Araneae: Lycosoidea) from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

FIGURE 13. Bulboctenus munduruku sp. nov., habit, dorsal. A (MPEG(ARA)36743), male; B (MPEG(ARA)002411), female.

FIGURE 10 in Description of a new Neotropical spider genus in the family Ctenidae Keyserling 1877 (Araneae: Lycosoidea) from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

FIGURE 10. Bulboctenus kayapo sp. nov., genitalia. A–C (MPEG(ARA)001723), male palp; A, ventral; B, retrolateral; C, prolateral. D–E (MPEG(ARA)001712), female epigyne; D, ventral (arrow indicating the opening of the copulatory duct); E, dorsal. Abbreviations: CD, copulatory duct; E, embolus; FD, fertilization duct; LP, lateral projection; MA, median apophysis; MS, median sector; PLP, posterior lateral projection; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; S, spermathecae.