The Hooded Gnateater Conopophaga roberti Hellmayr, 1905 is an insectivorous understory passeriform with discrete behavior, whose reproductive attributes are poorly-known. In the present study, we describe the reproductive biology of the species and the growth pattern of the nestlings, based on observations conducted in remnants of the Cerrado savanna in eastern Maranhão state, in Brazil. The nests were identified during active searches conducted between June, 2018 and March, 2021. A total of 22 nests were found over the course of three breeding seasons. The cup-shaped nests were supported by small branches and were constructed at a mean height of 40.6 ± 16.1 cm (N = 21) above the ground. The nests were 23.1 ± 3.9 cm in length and 14.1 ± 1.6 cm in width (N = 21). The eggs were beige in color, with irregular brown mottling only at the rounded end of the egg, which had a mean length of 21.3 ± 0.8 mm, width of 17.2 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 3.1 ± 0.1 g (N = 23). Hatchlings are completely naked and weigh 3.1 ± 0.2 g (N = 7), and when they abandon the nest, they have yet to reach full adult size, with the total length being 65.4% of that of the adult, the wing, 65.4%, the head, 73.9%, the culmen, 74.2%, the body mass, 73.3%, and the tarsus, 89.0% that of the adult. The growth curves are sigmoidal and all the coefficients of determination are at least 0.96, with the body length having the highest value (R2 = 0.98). During the breeding season, the adult pair emitted alarm calls constantly when observers were in the vicinity of the nest. On a number of occasions, members of the breeding pair were observed moving away from the nest as it was approached by observers, while engaging in broken-wing display. The nest architecture, the color of the eggs, and the behaviors presented by this gnateater were similar to those described for other Conopophaga. With this work we contributed to improve the knowledge on the breeding behavior of this poorly know group of understory insectivorous birds.

Protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania spp., are the causative agents of many insect-borne infectious diseases with medical and veterinary importance. Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania spp., is transmitted by female phlebotomine sand flies. In the Alentejo region of Portugal, located at the north of Algarve, cases of human and canine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum have been notified. However, no recent studies regarding the sand fly fauna in the region are available. We therefore aimed to explore the phlebotomine sand fly species found in both, Évora and Beja Districts, to gain an insight about the leishmaniasis epidemiology in these areas. After the identification of the insect species, PCR molecular tests were used to assess L. infantum infection rate in the sand fly captured females, together with the analysis of blood meal sources of the insect vectors. One Sergentomyia minuta female was positive for L. infantum infection and another for human blood as a meal source. The occurrence of this phlebotomine species infected with L. infantum may suggest that, in the Mediterranean basin, leishmaniasis epidemiology is changing. Also, if the importance of S. minuta for the zoonotic and anthroponotic cycle of leishmaniasis is later proven, the strategies to control its vector will inevitably to be rethought.

Resumo. As borboletas constituem um dos grupos mais utilizados em estudos de monitoramento e mensuração do equilíbrio ambiental, uma vez que são sensíveis a qualquer tipo de alteração ambiental. O objetivo do presente estudo é divulgar a primeira lista de espécies de borboletas da REBIO do Gurupi e estimar a representatividade dessas espécies na comunidade. Foram realizadas coletas bimestrais, durante sete dias consecutivos, entre jan/2010 e jul/2011. Os espécimes foram obtidos com uso de rede entomológica e armadilhas do tipo Van Someren-Rydon. Na análise dos dados foram calculados a frequência das espécies, índices de diversidade, estimativas de riqueza e obteve-se a curva de acúmulo de espécies. Foram obtidos 413 espécimes de 91 espécies, 64 gêneros, 14 subfamílias e seis famílias. A espécie mais frequente foi Morpho menelaus (Linnaeus, 1758). Os índices de diversidades obtidos, quando comparados a outros estudos, são expressivos; a estimativa de espécies e a curva de acúmulo mostram que a comunidade amostrada está subestimada. Com esse trabalho, o Maranhão alcançou 358 espécies de borboletas registradas. Os dados ressaltam a importância da REBIO e das demais Unidades de Conservação para a manutenção da riqueza de borboletas da região.Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) from the Gurupi Biological Reserve, Maranhão State, BrazilAbstract. Butterflies are one of the groups most used in monitoring and measuring environmental balance studies, as they are sensitive to any type of environmental change. The objective of the present study is to disclose the first list of butterfly species of REBIO Gurupi and to estimate the representativeness of these species in the community. Were performed collected quarterly during seven consecutive days, between Jan/2010 and Jul/ 2011. The specimens were obtained using an entomological network and traps of the Van Someren-Rydon type. In the analysis of the data were calculated the frequency of species, diversity indexes, wealth estimates and the curve of species accumulation was obtained. The most frequent species was Morpho menelaus (Linnaeus, 1758). The diversity indexes obtained, when compared to other studies, are expressive; The species estimates and the accumulation curve show that the sampled community is underestimated. With this work, Maranhão reached 358 species of registered butterflies. The data emphasizes the importance of REBIO and other conservation units for the maintenance of the butterflies’ wealth of the region.

Resumo. Os esfingídeos são considerados um grupo bioindicador, com espécies indicadoras de continuidade da vegetação original e outras indicadoras de perturbação. O objetivo do presente estudo é realizar análise faunística das comunidades de Sphingidae em dois fragmentos de mata secundária na Região Leste maranhense. Foram realizadas coletas mensais em fragmentos de mata secundária, nos municípios de Caxias e Codó, entre fevereiro/2015 e outubro/2016. Os espécimes foram obtidos por meio de armadilha luminosa. Foram calculadas a frequência relativa, abundância, constância, dominância, diversidade, estimativas de riqueza e obteve-se a curva de acúmulo de espécies. Foram obtidos 254 espécimes de 33 espécies, distribuídas em 16 gêneros. No fragmento localizado em Caxias (Povoado Chapada-PC), três espécies são predominantes e sete espécies são raras; em Codó (Fazenda Santa Rita-FSR), duas espécies são predominantes e cinco são raras. O fragmento FSR expressa maior diversidade que o PC, no entanto, os estimadores de riqueza apontam para menor possibilidade de acréscimo no número de espécies da comunidade da FSR. As comunidades estudadas possuem maior similaridade com outras comunidades mais distantes que entre si. Os dados comprovam a heterogeneidade da composição faunística existente no Maranhão denota alta diversidade, mas também alta fragilidade.Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) Occurrents in The East of Maranhão, BrazilAbstract. The hawkmoths is considered a bioindicator group with indicator species of continuity of the original vegetation and other indicators of disturbance. The objective of this study is analysis of faunal Sphingidae communities in two secondary forest fragments in the Eastern Region Maranhão. Monthly collections were carried out in fragments of secondary forest, in the municipalities of Caxias and Codó, between February/2015 and October/2016. The specimens were obtained by light trap. Relative frequency, abundance, constancy, dominance, diversity, richness estimates were calculated and the species accumulation curve was obtained. 254 specimens were obtained from 33 species, distributed in 16 genera. In the fragment located in Caxias (Pavoado Chapada-PC), three species are predominant and seven species are rare; in Codó (Fazenda Santa Rita-FSR), two species are predominant and five are rare. The FSR fragment expressed greater diversity than the PC, however, the richness estimators indicate less likely to increase in the number of species of the FSR community. The communities studied have greater similarity with other communities more distant than each other. The data prove the heterogeneity of the existing fauna composition in Maranhão, denoting high diversity but high fragility.

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