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The present study contributes to the knowledge of the apifauna and its food sources on the Santa Catarina Island, SC, southern Brazil. Bees and their food sources were recorded through non-systematic collections, between November 1999 and April 2008, in several environments on the island. A total of 169 species of bees were captured on 126 species of melittophilous plants. The majority of plants recorded are subshrub and shrub species, with only nine species of trees. 91% of the bee species were collected on native plants, which represent 64% of the plant species, while only seven species of bees (4%) were captured exclusively on exotic plants (27% of the plant species). In our study, we show the importance of non-arboreal native plants in maintaining a rich diversity of bees and we indicate plant species that can be used as target species in rapid surveys of the subtropical apifauna in Brazil. The spectrum of species with oligolectic habits and their pollen sources as well as the recording of new food sources for rare species in surveys of bees on flowers are discussed.

Pteridophytes as ecological indicators: an overview). The pteridophytes present a great but poorly explored potential as ecological indicators (EIs), shown only in some sparse studies. Therefore, to analyze this potential, we reviewed published articles, websites, or books with pteridophytes as EIs, searching on five scholar databases and also on Google. We selected 134 studies, conducted in all continents (118 in mainland areas and 16 in islands). Brazil is the country with the highest number of studies (N = 33). In general, several species were considered as EIs in a given study, not only a single. The use of Pteridophytes in these works was classified in seven different types: a) classification of vegetation, soils, environments, and ecosystems (N = 65), b) environmental integrity (or quality) (N = 21), c) disturbance (N = 17), d) regeneration/restoration of habitats and/or ecosystems (N = 10), e) climate changes (N = 10), f) contamination of air, soil, or water (N = 14), and g) association with other groups of organisms (N = 12). The vast majority of these studies merely hypothesized the potential use of the Pteridophytes as EIs, with few presenting helpful criteria for the selection of EIs. Although there is an increasing recognition of the potential use of Pteridophytes as EIs, a more in-depth discussion about the criteria for selecting Pteridophytes as indicators and the real uses of such plants is needed.

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In order to verify the topical antiinflammatory effect of epicuticular wax from leaves of Eugenia beaurepaireana, it was tested in mice croton oil-induced inflammation. Our findings show that topical application of Eugenia beaurepaireana epicuticular wax was significantly active in inhibiting both oedema (Inhibitory dose 50 % (I D 50 ) = 0.31 (0.26 -0.39) mg.ear -1 , inhibition = 79 ± 6 %) and tissue myeloperoxidase activity (indicative of polymorphonuclear leukocytes influx) (I D 50 =0.34 (0.20 -0.41) mg.ear -1 , inhibition = 77 ± 4 %) in mice ear treated with croton oil. Two main compounds were detected on epicuticular wax of E. beaurepaireana. These compounds were identified as α-and β-amyrin by flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR 1 H and 13 C). In conclusion, the results indicate a topical antiinflammatory activity for the Eugenia specie studied and, that, at least in part, α-and β-amyrin are responsible for this activity.Uniterms: Eugenia beaurepaireana/pharmacognosy. α-amyrin. β-amyrin. Epicuticular wax/ antiinflammatory activity. Ear oedema/experimental study.A atividade antiinflamatória tópica da cera epicuticular das folhas de Eugenia beaurepaireana foi avaliada pelo modelo do edema de orelha induzido pelo óleo de cróton em camundongos. Os resultados do estudo mostram que a aplicação tópica da cera epicuticular de Eugenia beaurepaireana inibiu significativamente a formação do edema (Dose inibitória 50 % (DI 50 ) = 0,31 (0,26 -0,39) mg.orelha -1 , inibição = 79 ± 6 %) e a atividade da mieloperoxidase tissular (indicativo do influxo de leucócitos polimorfonucleares) (DI 50 =0,34 (0,20 -0,41) mg.orelha -1 , inibição = 77 ± 4 %) em camundongos tratados com o óleo de cróton. Dois compostos majoritários foram detectados e isolados da cera epicuticular de E. beaurepaireana. Estes compostos foram identificados como os triterpenos α-amirina e β-amirina, através de técnicas cromatográficas (CG-FID) e espectroscópicas (IV, RMN 1 H e 13 C). Em conclusão, os resultados indicam que a espécie E. beaurepaireana apresenta um efeito antiinflamatório tópico relevante, sendo os compostos α-amirina e β-amirina responsáveis, pelo menos em parte, por esta atividade.Unitermos: Eugenia beaurepaireana/farmacognosia. α-amirina. β-amirina. Cera epicuticular/atividade antiinflamatória. Edema de orelha/estudo experimental.

Aims Escobedia grandiflora is a root hemiparasite from Central and South America, and its orange roots are used as a phytomedicine and food coloring. Since root hemiparasites from South America have not been extensively investigated, here, in the first study conducted on a Latin American root hemiparasite species, we investigated how Escobedia grandiflora affects the structure and diversity of plant communities in four locations in southern Brazil, all belonging to the Atlantic Forest biome. Specifically, we asked if the presence of the hemiparasite would: (a) affect plant species composition; (b) influence the plant diversity; and (c) influence the percentage cover of dominant plant species. Location Southern Brazil. Methods We conducted a paired‐quadrat, i.e., with and without hemiparasite, observational study in four locations in southern Brazil. For each quadrat, species composition and percentage of the vegetative cover of each species were visually evaluated. Results Species composition differed between quadrats with and without Escobedia grandiflora. Quadrats with Escobedia grandiflora showed higher species richness, Shannon´s diversity, and Pielou’s evenness. These results varied also among functional groups. Furthermore, the percentage of dominant species decreased in the presence of Escobedia grandiflora. Conclusions There is a clear association between the neotropical root hemiparasite Escobedia grandiflora and the grassland plant community structure. Higher plant diversity, dominance reduction, and changes in species composition are associated with the presence of this perennial hemiparasite. These findings were consistent among four grasslands with markedly different physiognomies. However, future manipulative experiments are necessary to fully disentangle the cause–effect relation between higher plant diversity and the presence of Escobedia grandiflora.

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