A contaminação biológica é uma das principais causas da perda de biodiversidade atualmente no planeta. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os impactos causados pela invasão biológica de Prosopis juliflora sobre a composição e a estrutura do componente arbustivo-arbóreo da caatinga, tanto no estrato adulto quanto na regeneração natural. Foram plotadas 20 parcelas de 400 m², sendo 10 em um remanescente de caatinga bem conservada (Ambiente I) e 10 em uma área de caatinga invadida por P. juliflora (Ambiente II). A área invadida apresentou-se muito mais pobre em relação à primeira, em todos os parâmetros avaliados. Os impactos causados pela invasora foram sentidos tanto na estrutura, quanto na diversidade biológica da comunidade. A Densidade Relativa de P. juliflora no estrato adulto da área invadida atingiu cerca de 90%, o que reflete a sua capacidade de competição e eliminação das demais espécies. O índice de diversidade de Shannon-Weaver (H') apresentou os valores de 2,81 e 0,61 para o componente adulto dos Ambientes I e II, respectivamente. Para a regeneração natural os valores desse índice foram de 2,31 e 1,14 para os mesmos Ambientes. Conclui-se que P. juliflora forma densos maciços populacionais e compete com as espécies nativas, afetando severamente a composição florística, a diversidade e a estrutura das comunidades autóctones invadidas.

The Cymbidioid phylad presents the widest chromosome number variation among orchids, with records varying from 2n = 10 in Psygmorchis pusilla to 2n = 168 in two species of Oncidium. In the present work, a total of 44 species were studied belonging to 20 Cymbidioid genera, as a contribution to clarifying the karyological evolution of the group. All the plants investigated were collected in Brazil, mainly in the northeast region. The chromosome variation found was similar to that previously registered in the literature. Chromosome numbers observed were: 2n = 54 (subtribe Eulophiinae), 2n = 44, 46, 92 (subtribe Cyrtopodiinae), 2n = 54, ca. 108 (subtribe Catasetinae), 2n = 52, ca. 96 (subtribe Zygopetalinae), 2n = 40, 80 (subtribe Lycastinae), 2n = 40, 42 (subtribe Maxillariinae), 2n = 40 (subtribe Stanhopeinae), 2n = 56 (subtribe Ornithocephalinae), and 2n = 12, 20, 30, 36, 42, 44, 56, 112, ca. 168 (subtribe Oncidiinae). Interphase nuclei varied widely from simple chromocenter to complex chromocenter types, with no apparent cytotaxonomic value. In the genera Catasetum and Oncidium, the terrestrial and lithophytic species presented higher ploidy levels than the epiphytic species, suggesting a higher adaptability of the polyploids to those habitats. The primary base number x = 7 seems to be associated to the haploid chromosome numbers of most Cymbidioid groups, although n = 7 was observed only in two extant genera of Oncidiinae. For each tribe, subtribe and genus the probable base numbers were discussed along with the possible relationships to the primary base number x 1 = 7 admitted for the whole phylad.

The chromosome numbers of 21 genera and 44 species of subfamily Epidendroideae belonging to tribes Sobralieae, Epidendreae, Malaxideae and Vandeae, and subtribe Dendrobiinae, were determined. Chromosome numbers varied from 2n = 24 in Malaxis pubescens to 2n = c. 240 in Epidendrum cinnabarinum. A revision of the chromosome numbers known for the subfamily was also performed, aimed at determining the basic numbers of the genera, subtribes and tribes. The first counts for 31 species and six genera of tribe Sobralieae and subtribe Ponerinae are presented. The basic number for each genus was evaluated. A predominance of x = 20 in genera of Epidendreae and Arethuseae, x = 19 in Vandeae and subtribe Dendrobiinae and x = 15 and 21 in Malaxideae was observed. Other tribes were more variable. A wide occurrence of x = 19 and 20 in Epidendroideae and of x = 21 in at least one genus of all tribes suggests that disploidy of one or a few chromosomes has played a decisive role in the establishment of the basic karyotypes. The karyotype variability observed in the subfamily is discussed in light of current phylogenetic proposals for the family.

BackgroundBecause of their fragmented nature, inselberg species are interesting biological models for studying the genetic consequences of disjoint populations. Inselbergs are commonly compared with oceanic islands, as most of them display a marked ecological isolation from the surrounding area. The isolation of these rock outcrops is reflected in the high number of recorded endemic species and the strong floristic differences between individual inselbergs and adjacent habitats. We examined the genetic connectivity of orchids Epidendrum cinnabarinum and E. secundum adapted to Neotropical inselbergs of northeastern Brazil. Our goals were to identify major genetic divergences or disjunctions across the range of the species and to investigate potential demographic and evolutionary mechanisms leading to lineage divergence in Neotropical mountain ecosystems.ResultsBased on plastid markers, high genetic differentiation was found for E. cinnabarinum (FST = 0.644) and E. secundum (FST = 0.636). Haplotypes were not geographically structured in either taxon, suggesting that restricted gene flow and genetic drift may be significant factors influencing the diversification of these inselberg populations. Moreover, strong differentiation was found between populations over short spatial scales, indicating substantial periods of isolation among populations. For E. secundum, nuclear markers indicated higher gene flow by pollen than by seeds.ConclusionsThe comparative approach adopted in this study contributed to the elucidation of patterns in both species. Our results confirm the ancient and highly isolated nature of inselberg populations. Both species showed similar patterns of genetic diversity and structure, highlighting the importance of seed-restricted gene flow and genetic drift as drivers of plant diversification in terrestrial islands such as inselbergs.

We investigated four orchids of the genus Maxillaria (M. discolor, M. acicularis, M. notylioglossa and M. desvauxiana) in regard to the position of heterochromatin blocks as revealed using chromomycin A 3 (CMA) and 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorochrome staining and 5S and 45S rDNA sites using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The species showed differences in chromosome number and a diversified pattern of CMA + and DAPI + bands, including heteromorphism for CMA + bands. The 5S and 45S rDNA sites also varied in number and most of them were co-localized with CMA + bands. The relationship between 5S rDNA sites and CMA + bands was more evident in M. notylioglossa, in which the brighter CMA + bands were associated with large 5S rDNA sites. However, not all 5S and 45S rDNA sites were co-localized with CMA + bands, probably due to technical constraints. We compare these results to banding data from other species and suggest that not all blocks of tandemly repetitive sequences, such as 5S rDNA sites, can be observed as heterochromatin blocks.

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RESUMO -(Comparações florísticas e estruturais entre comunidades de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta com diferentes idades, no Município de Areia, PB, Brasil). O presente estudo foi desenvolvido na Reserva Ecológica Estadual Mata do Pau-Ferro, localizada na Microrregião do Brejo Paraibano, Município de Areia. Com o objetivo de avaliar comparativamente a estrutura e a composição florística de floresta em trechos de diferentes idades, foram selecionadas seis capoeiras, assim caracterizadas: duas capoeiras de sete anos (C7); duas de 15 anos (C15) e duas de 20 anos (C20). Em cada uma das capoeiras foram plotados três transcectos medindo 4×35 m, nos quais foi efetuado o inventário do estrato arbustivo-arbóreo e da regeneração natural. Todos os indivíduos que apresentavam altura ≥ 0,2 m foram identificados pelo nome popular, tomados o diâmetro ao nível do solo e a altura total. Foram amostrados 4.997 indivíduos, pertencentes a 40 famílias, 74 gêneros e 90 espécies, em uma área amostral total de 2.520 m 2 . A área basal nas capoeiras de diferentes idades foi de 2,5; 11,5 e 37,6 m 2 ha -1 para C7, C15 e C20, respectivamente. As espécies que apresentaram os maiores Valores de Importância nos três grupos de capoeiras foram: Diplotropis purpurea (Rich) Amchoff, Machaerium aculeatum Raddi, Erytroxylum pauferrense Plowman, Albizia polycephala (Benth.) Killip, Verbesina diversifolia DC., Allophylus laevigatus Radlk, Guapira opposita (Vell.) Reitz, Malouetia cestroides Muell. Arg. e Talisia esculenta (A. St.-Hil.) Radlk. Constatou-se que há um aumento em complexidade das comunidades com o tempo após distúrbio, resultante do ingresso de novas espécies (aumento da riqueza), aumento da biomassa (área basal), densidade e eqüitabilidade. A estrutura da floresta de 20 anos aproxima-se do esperado para florestas maduras, com base na distribuição dos indivíduos entre classes de tamanho. Palavras-chave: sucessão secundária, brejo de altitude, regeneração natural, fitossociologiaABSTRACT -(Floristic and structural comparisons of Ombrophilous Forest communities of different ages, in Areia Municipality, Paraíba State, Brazil). This study was conducted at Mata do Pau-ferro State Ecological Reserve, Brejo Paraibano, Areia, Paraiba. Six regenerating sites were selected to evaluate structure and floristic composition of the forest at different ages: two sites were seven years old (C7); two were 15 (C15) and two were 20 (C20). The shrub-tree stratum and natural regeneration were surveyed in three plots (4×35 m) at each site. All individuals ≥ 0.2 m in height were identified by common name; diameter at ground level and total height were measured. We recorded 4997 individuals in 40 families, 74 genera and 90 species, in a total area of 2520 m 2 . The basal area of the forest at different ages was 2.5, 11.5 and 37.6 m 2 ha -1 for C7, C15 e C20, respectively. The species with highest importance values at the three sites were: Diplotropis purpurea (Rich) Amchoff, Machaerium aculeatum Raddi, Erythroxylum pauferrense Plowman, Albizia polycephala (Benth.) Ki...

The chromosomes of 15 species of Iridaceae of the genera Alophia, Cipura, Eleutherine, Neomarica and Trimezia (subfamily Iridoideae) were examined after conventional Giemsa staining. The karyotypes of Alophia drummondii (2n = 14+1B, 28, 42 and 56), Cipura paludosa (2n = 14), C. xanthomelas (2n = 28) and Eleutherine bulbosa (2n = 12) were asymmetric; Neomarica candida, N. caerulea, N. humilis, N. glauca, N. gracilis, N. northiana and Neomarica sp. (2n = 18); N. cf. paradoxa (2n = 28), Trimezia fosteriana (2n = 52), T. martinicensis (2n = 54) and T. connata (2n = 82) were all generally symmetric. New diploid numbers of 2n = 56 for Alophia drummondii, 2n = 18 for N. candida, N. humilis, N. glauca, and N. gracilis, 2n = 28 for N. cf. paradoxa, and 2n = 82 for T. connata are reported. The karyotypic evolution of the studied species is discussed.