ABSTRACT. In this study different sampling techniques for Diplopoda in soil, tree trunks and canopies were applied in an integrated way in the northern region of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. This was done in order to assess the relationship within the fauna in each forest strata, as well as its richness and temporal distribution. In all these habitats there were a total of 1,354 diplopods, distributed in four taxonomic orders, with Polyxenida being predominant over Polydesmida, Spirostreptida and Spirobolida. The largest representation was found on the trunks of the Vochysia divergens (721 ind.), intercepted by tree photoecletors, whereas in the canopies sampling reached only 65 specimens. In the edaphic stratum 568 diplopods were captured, most with the use of the Winkler extractor, followed by pitfall traps and soil photoecletors. In spite of being an important group in these environments, both in terms of richness and diversity, this was less than has been observed in other Neotropical areas. However, due to seasonal changes in the Pantanal the existence of a relationship between the soil and the tree fauna was found as well as different survival strategies observed during the flood period. Regarding vertical distribution, the greatest richness and variety of taxonomic groups was found in the forest's edaphic environment demonstrating its association mainly with this forest stratum.
Myriapods constitute important edaphic macrofauna taxa which dwell in different trophic levels and influence the dynamics of these environments. This study evaluated the variation in composition, richness and abundance of edaphic myriapod assemblages as a function of the distribution and structure of flooded and non-flooded habitats (spatial variation) and hydrological seasonality (temporal variation) in a floodplain of the northern Pantanal region of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Sampling was carried out in three areas of the Poconé Pantanal, along an altitudinal and inundation gradient consisting of inundated and non-inundated habitats and different vegetation formations. Three quadrats (10 x 10 m) were delimited within each habitat type, where sampling was performed using pitfall traps and mini-Winkler extractors during the dry, rising water, high water and receding water periods of two hydrological cycles within the Pantanal (2010/2011 and 2011/2012). A total of 549 millipedes were collected, consisting of 407 Diplopoda and 142 Chilopoda distributed in six orders, 12 families and 20 species. The assemblages composition varied throughout the seasonal periods, indicating that the rising water and dry periods differed from the high water and receding water periods. In addition to the variation between seasonal periods, myriapod richness and abundance also varied in relation to areas consisting of different vegetation formations. Thus, it can be concluded that the hydrological seasonality associated with the inundation gradient and different vegetation types were determinant in the heterogeneous spatial and temporal distribution of myriapod assemblages, validating that the conservation of these invertebrates in the Pantanal is directly linked to the preservation of vegetation, and consequently, ecosystem integrity.
Corbicula fluminea is an invasive clam originally from Asia that threatens the biodiversity of freshwater communities around the world. It has greatly expanded in Brazil since its first record. We report here the occurrence of C. fluminea from Piauí state, Parnaíba river basin and, provide an assessment of its current distribution in Brazil. The compiled data include 382 records in 22 states and the Federal District, encompassing a variety of ecosystems. These results contribute to a discussion about the invasion and expansion process of C. fluminea in Brazil over time.
The digestive tract of millipedes is a straight tube, differentiated into three large regions: foregut, midgut, and hindgut (Fig. 5.1). Except for the midgut, of mesodermal origin, the other two regions, of ectodermal origin, are internally lined by cuticle (Hopkin & Read, 1992). A pair of salivary glands, or a single one, runs along the foregut and is responsible for the production of a secretion that in addition to lubricating the food, may contain digestive enzymes. From the pylorus, the first portion of the hindgut, a pair of Malphighian tubules arise which play a role in the osmoregulation and excretion of nitrogen residues and inorganic material (Hopkin & Read, 1992; Fantazzini et al., 1998; Moreira-de-Sousa & Fontanetti, 2012). Histological and, to a very limited extent, ultrastrucural studies have been performed in the last fifty years on representatives of most millipede orders, i.e. Polyxenida: Polyx
Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) was recorded during field surveys of the malacofauna of Território Vale do Guaribas in Piauí state, northeastern Brazil. Individuals were observed every month (June 2017–September 2018) in both lotic and lentic habitats. Considering that M. tuberculata has high reproductive and adaptative capacities besides being an intermediate host of digenetic trematodes, this invasive species is expected to be a threat to native biodiversity. Furthermore, it may become a serious environmental problem considering the multiple uses of the water bodies where it lives.
The pronounced dry season determines the characteristics of the semiarid region of Brazil. Numerous small reservoirs are built to overcome this condition, accumulating multiple uses and causing important changes in the landscape and the local biota. Considering the limited amount of information about the malacofauna of reservoirs, mainly in the Northeast region of the country, this inventory provides a list of mollusks from three important reservoirs located in the city of São Julião, state of Piauí. The collections were carried out monthly between May/2017 and April/2018, sampling a total of 11,149 mollusks, corresponding to the species Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) (n = 9,724), Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848) (n = 1,361) and Pomacea lineata (Spix, 1827) (n = 64). The richness of mollusks from the three reservoirs was low, similar to those described in studies conducted in other regions of Northeast Brazil. There was a significant difference in the abundance of M. tuberculata and B. straminea among the studied reservoirs. These environments are not connected and are installed in urban and rural areas, presenting different ecological conditions. The relationship between the human population and the reservoirs, associated with the lack of sanitation, increases the risks of spreading waterborne diseases besides the development of environmental imbalance by the introduction of exotic species.
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