ABSTRACT

The physical and chemical variables of the water, and the composition and structure of the zooplankton communities, in Três Marias and Furnas Reservoirs in Minas Gerais, Brazil, were compared to characterize these environments in relation to their trophic state. Higher values of electrical conductivity and chlorophyll-a, total solids, suspended organic matter and total nitrogen concentrations were recorded in Três Marias Reservoir. Higher water transparency and nitrite and nitrate concentrations were observed in Furnas (P < 0.000). Higher zooplankton densities were always obtained in Três Marias Reservoir and, during the rainy period (P < 0.000), with mean values in the dry and rainy periods of 23 721 and 90 872 org m )3 , respectively, in Três Marias Reservoir and 9022 and 40 434 org m )3 , respectively, in Furnas Reservoir. Copepoda was the dominant group in both reservoirs, mainly the younger stages (nauplii and copepodids). Based on the absolute and relative values, the contribution of rotifers was higher in Três Marias Reservoir than in Furnas Reservoir. Although the Trophic State Index, based on water transparency and chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus concentrations, indicated an oligotrophic state for both reservoirs, the higher densities of the zooplankton community in Três Marias Reservoir, as well as the predominance of cyclopoids and smaller-sized species such as bosminids, characterized this environment as mesotrophic. Larger-sized species such as calanoids, daphniids and sidids in Furnas Reservoir characterized the better water quality of this reservoir.

The present study was carried out in Lake Dom Helvécio, in the state of Minas Gerais, with two main objectives: to demonstrate the contribution of the littoral zone, in order to better characterize zooplankton fauna; and to assess the distribution of zooplankton species in different habitats, i.e., the littoral zone with and without aquatic vegetation. The samples were collected in February and July 2006, throughout the littoral zone of the lake, in areas with and without aquatic vegetation. We identified a total of 188 species, of which 130 are new records for Lake Dom Helvécio. One hundred and eighty-four species were identified in the littoral zone with aquatic vegetation, and 117 in the zone with no vegetation. The higher zooplankton richness in areas of the littoral zone with aquatic vegetation can be related to the greater environmental heterogeneity. Compared to previous studies on the littoral zones of lakes along the middle River Doce, the present study expended greater sampling effort, and identified many more species. In relation to biological conservation, this study demonstrated the importance of the littoral zone for better characterization and conservation of the zooplankton fauna, especially when it is colonized by aquatic vegetation. Underestimating the richness of species may provide inaccurate data on the biota, as well as on the ecological conditions in an environment.Keywords: zooplankton, littoral zone, Lake Dom Helvécio, species richness. Zooplâncton da região litorânea de um lago tropical: a biodiversidade revisitadaResumo O presente estudo foi realizado no lago Dom Helvécio (MG) tendo como principais objetivos: demonstrar a contribuição da região litorânea para uma melhor caracterização da fauna zooplanctônica, avaliar a distribuição destas espécies em diferentes habitats (região litorânea com e sem vegetação aquática). As amostras foram coletadas nos meses de fevereiro e julho de 2006, ao longo da região litorânea, em pontos amostrais com e sem vegetação aquática. Um total de 188 espécies foi identificado. Desses organismos, 130 representaram novos registros para o lago Dom Helvécio. Foram identificadas 184 espécies na região litorânea com vegetação aquática e 117 na região litorânea sem vegetação. A maior riqueza em espécies zooplanctônicas na região litorânea com vegetação aquática está relacionada com a maior heterogeneidade ambiental. Quando comparado aos estudos realizados anteriormente na região litorânea de lagos do médio rio Doce, este estudo destaca-se pelo maior esforço amostral e número de espécies identificadas. No tocante à conservação biológica, o presente estudo mostrou a importância da região litorânea, especialmente quando colonizada por vegetação aquática para uma melhor caracterização e conservação da fauna zooplanctônica. A riqueza em espécies subestimada pode fornecer dados irreais sobre a biota, bem como das condições ecológicas de um ambiente.Palavras-chave: zooplâncton, região litorânea, lago Dom Helvécio, riqueza em espécies.

Resting eggs of rotifers and cladocerans were collected within 5 cm of sediments from the eutrophic Pampulha Reservoir. All the collected species were successfully hatched and reared in the laboratory. Although the hatching success of rotifer eggs was high (60-80%), it constituted only about 10% of the level of cladoceran eggs. The egg abundance in Pampulha Reservoir varied from 203.2 ϫ 10 3 eggs m -2 to 80 ϫ 10 3 eggs m -2 . The low densities of resting eggs suggest that the recovery activities directed to the reservoir, such as constant dredging of the sediment, might be affecting this potential genetic pool and, consequently, the maintenance of the remaining and pioneer zooplanktonic populations.

The present study deals with the ecological impacts of the introduction of two alien species of piscivorous fish in several lakes of the Middle Rio Doce lake district in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was demonstrated that these effects were not restricted only to the fish community. The introduction of the predatory red piranha Pygocentrus nattereri and the tucunaré Cichla cf. ocellaris caused not only a sharp decrease in the number of native fish species, but also major shifts in other trophic levels. Just after the fish were introduced, most lakes began to show conspicuous changes in phytoplankton species composition, in which Cyanophyceae gradually came to dominate. The zooplankton community lost several species, and in some cases, such as Lake Carioca, all the cladoceran species disappeared. On the other hand, invertebrate predators, represented by the dipteran Chaoboridae, boomed in the lake, with higher densities of exotic species, probably as a result of the "ecological release" by reduction of the original fish fauna. There was a general trend of species loss in different trophic levels. All these changes are apparently associated with decreases in water quality. The present situation in these lakes demands new approaches to the management and conservation of these ecosystems.Keywords: exotic species, eutrophication, trophic cascade, zooplankton, introductions.A cascata trófica invertida em comunidades planctônicas tropicais: Impactos da introdução de peixes exóticos no distrito de lagos do médio rio Doce, MG Resumo O presente estudo trata dos impactos ecológicos da introdução de duas espécies invasoras de peixes piscívoros em diversos lagos da região lacustre do médio rio Doce em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Demonstrou-se que estes efeitos não se restringiram às comunidade de peixes. A introdução dos predadores Pygocentrus nattereri (piranha-vermelha) e Cichla cf. ocelaris (tucunaré) não só causou uma forte redução no número de espécies de peixes nativos, como também mudanças nos níveis tróficos inferiores. Pouco depois das introduções, a maioria dos lagos começou a mostrar alterações na comunidade fitoplanctônica, tais como o aparecimento da dominância de Cyanophyceae. A comunidade zooplanctônica perdeu diversas espécies e, em alguns casos, houve o desaparecimento de todas as espécies de cladóceros limnéticos, como é o caso da lagoa Carioca. Por outro lado, predadores invertebrados, representados pelos dípteros da família Chaoboridae, floresceram nos lagos com maiores densidades de espécies exóticas de peixes, provavelmente como resultado da "liberação ecológica" causada pela redução da ictiofauna original. Além de uma Pinto-Coelho, RM. et al. 1026 Braz. J. Biol., 68(4, Suppl.): [1025][1026][1027][1028][1029][1030][1031][1032][1033][1034][1035][1036][1037] 2008 tendência geral de perda de espécies em diferentes níveis tróficos, outras mudanças estão aparentemente associadas com a redução da qualidade de água. Dessa forma, esses ecossistemas estão necessitando urgentemente de novas abordagens nas est...

Local knowledge of biodiversity has been applied in support of research focused on utilizing and management of natural resources and promotion of conservation. Among these resources, Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess.) is important as a source of income and food for communities living in the Cerrado biome. In Pontinha, a "quilombola" community, which is located in the central region of State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, an ethnoecological study about Pequi was conducted to support initiatives for generating income for this community. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and crossing. The most relevant uses of Pequi were family food (97%), soap production (67%), oil production (37%), medical treatments (17%), and trade (3%). Bees were the floral visitors with the highest Salience Index (S=0.639). Among frugivores that feed on unfallen fruits, birds showed a higher Salience (S=0.359) and among frugivores who use fallen fruits insects were the most important (S=0.574). Borers (folivorous caterpillars) that attack trunks and roots were the most common pests cited. According to the respondents, young individuals of Pequi are the most affected by fire due to their smaller size and thinner bark. Recognition of the cultural and ecological importance of Pequi has mobilized the community, which has shown interest in incorporating this species as an alternative source of income.Keywords: Cerrado, traditional communities, ethnoecology, income. Conhecimento tradicional e usos de

Temperature and light are acknowledged as important factors for hatching of resting eggs. The knowledge of how they affect hatching rates of this type of egg is important for the comprehension of the consequences of warming waters in recolonization of aquatic ecosystems dependent on dormant populations. This study aimed at comparing the infl uence of different temperature and light conditions on hatching rates of Daphnia ambigua and Daphnia laevis resting eggs from tropical environments. The ephippia were collected in the sediment of three aquatic ecosystems, in southeastern Brazil. For each lake, the resting eggs were exposed to temperatures of 20, 24, 28 and 32 °C, under light (12 h photoperiod) and dark conditions. The results showed that the absence of light and high temperatures have a negative infl uence on the hatching rates. Statistical differences for hatching rates were also found when comparing the studied ecosystems (ranging from 0.6 to 31%), indicating the importance of local environmental factors for diapause and maintenance of active populations.

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