RESUMO -(Espectro e distribuição vertical das estratégias de dispersão de diásporos do componente arbóreo em uma floresta estacional no sul do Brasil). A dispersão de diásporos é um evento de elevada importância para as espécies vegetais, que dispõem de diversas estratégias para este fim. O presente estudo teve por objetivos conhecer e caracterizar o espectro das diferentes estratégias de dispersão do componente arbóreo em uma floresta estacional de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil (próximo às coordenadas 53º54'W e 29º38'S) e, a partir desses dados, investigar sua relação com os estratos verticais da floresta. Foram amostrados todos os indivíduos com perímetro à altura do peito ≥ 15 cm, em 100 unidades amostrais de 10×10 m. A caracterização das estratégias de dispersão foi realizada por meio de observações a campo de frutos e potenciais dispersores, e consulta à bibliografia especializada. Foram amostradas 58 espécies pertencentes a 26 famílias botânicas. Dessas espécies, 74% apresentaram estratégia de dispersão zoocórica; 24%, estratégia de dispersão anemocórica e apenas Gymnanthes concolor Spreng. apresentou a estratégia autocórica. Analisando-se a proporção das estratégias de dispersão por meio da densidade relativa, verificou-se que 80% dos indivíduos são zoocóricos, 12% anemocóricos e 8% autocóricos. Para a floresta analisada foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos padrões de distribuição vertical das espécies agrupadas de acordo com a estratégia de dispersão. A zoocoria ocorreu em espécies de todos os estratos, enquanto a autocoria ficou limitada ao sub-bosque. Já a anemocoria foi mais importante entre as espécies com indivíduos emergentes. Palavras-chave: estratégias de dispersão, estrutura vertical, dispersão de sementes, zoocoria, espectro de dispersãoABSTRACT -(Spectrum and vertical distribution of diaspore dispersal modes in a seasonal forest in Southern Brazil). Diaspore dispersal is presumed to have great fitness for plants, which could be enhanced by different dispersal modes. Our aim was to generate a dispersal spectrum and to seek for analyze relative ecological importance of tree-species dispersal modes in a seasonal forest in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (approximately 53º54'W and 29º38'S) and, with these data, to investigate the relationship between vertical structure of the forest and dispersal strategies. The tree survey included all individuals with perimeter at breast height ≥ 15 cm, in 100 sample units (10×10 m). We classified dispersal modes by diaspores and potential dispersers in the field, and when necessary through specialized bibliography. Fifty-eight tree species from 26 families were sampled. Of these species, 74% are zoochoric, 24% anemochoric and only Gymnanthes concolor Spreng. is autochoric. By analyzing the proportion of dispersal strategies based on relative density, we found that 80% of the trees are zoochoric, 12% anemochoric and 8% autochoric. In the study area, we found significant differences in vertical distribution patterns of species grouped b...

RESUMO(Composição florística de trepadeiras ocorrentes em bordas de fragmentos de floresta estacional, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil) Foi realizado o levantamento das espécies de trepadeiras ocorrentes em bordas de fragmentos de floresta estacional em Santa Maria, RS. As coletas foram quinzenais, durante o período de março de 2006 a março de 2007, e se restringiram às margens dos fragmentos florestais que se estendem ao longo das principais rodovias de acesso ao município. Com base no modo de ascensão, hábito e ocorrência, as espécies foram classificadas respectivamente em: trepadeiras volúveis, com gavinhas ou apoiantes; herbáceas ou lenhosas; raras, ocasionais ou abundantes. Foram registradas 73 espécies, distribuídas em 47 gêneros e 24 famílias. Apocynaceae (nove espécies), Sapindaceae (oito), Bignoniaceae (sete), Convolvulaceae (sete) e Passifloraceae (seis) foram as famílias de maior riqueza específica. Constatou-se o predomínio de trepadeiras volúveis, seguido pelas formas dotadas de gavinhas e das apoiantes. O hábito herbáceo prevaleceu sobre o lenhoso e, quanto à ocorrência, a maioria das espécies foi abundante, seguida pelas ocasionais e raras. Palavras-chave: fragmentos florestais, plantas trepadoras, lianas. ABSTRACT(Floristic composition of climbers along the edges of seasonal forest fragments, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) A survey of climbing species growing along the edge of seasonal forest fragments in Santa Maria, RS, was carried out. Collections were made between March 2006 and March 2007, only at the edge of forest fragments found along main access roads. Based on climbing pattern, habit, and occurrence, the species were classified into: twiners, plants with tendrils or scandent; herbaceous or woody; rare, occasional or abundant. Seventy three species were registered, distributed in 47 genera, and 24 families. Apocynaceae (nine species), Sapindaceae (eight), Bignoniaceae (seven), Convolvulaceae (seven) and Passifloraceae (six) were the families with the highest species richness. Twiners were dominant, followed by forms with tendrils, and scandent forms. Herbaceous habit was predominant over woody and, regarding to the occurrence, most species were considered abundant, followed by occasional and rare.

In Brazil leaf infusions of the plant Pterocaulon polystachyum DC (Asteraceae) are used to treat digestive problems. We used plants from six P. polystachyum populations to prepare fresh aqueous leaf infusions at the concentration normally used in Brazil (2.5 g L -1) and at twice (5 g L -1) and four times (10 g L -1) this concentration. We rooted onion bulbs in a water control or one of the infusions for 24 h and used the in vivo onion (Allium cepa) root-tip cell test to investigate the potential mutagenicity of the infusions by calculating the mitotic index for the control and the experimental treatments and comparing them using the Chi-squared test (c 2 , p = 0.05). There was a highly significant decrease in the mitotic index of root-tip cells treated with infusion as compared to those exposed to water only. These results indicate that P. polystachyum infusions present cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activity and therefore have therapeutic potential.

A survey done in the districts of Santa Maria, RS, revealed that people make continuous use of medicinal plants. This study was based on interviews made with the residents of seven districts of the city: Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Medianeira, Nossa Senhora das Dores, Centro, Nossa Senhora do Rosário, ltararé and Patronato. A total of 148 species were registered, belonging to 134 genus and arranged in 64 families. Lists are shown containing the species mentioned in the questionaries, along with the popular name, family, therapeutic indication and pharrnacogeno.

INTRODUÇÃOAs plantas com potencial medicinal têm sido muito utilizadas para o tratamento de doenças no Brasil, sendo, algumas vezes, o único medicamento disponível à população (Fachinetto & Tedesco, Efeito genotóxico e antiproliferativo de Mikania cordifolia (L. For each one, two treatments were prepared in different concentrations: 4g/500mL and 16g/500mL. A positive control consisting of 10% glyphosate in 90% water, which is an herbicide widely used and known for its genotoxic potential, was also prepared. Distilled water was used as negative control. After a 24-hour period, the infusion of the root tips was collected, fixed in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours and stored in 70% ethanol. Cells were analyzed in all phases of the cell cycle of A. cepa, a total of 2500, for each group of bulbs. The mitotic index (MI) was calculated and statistically analyzed by the c 2 test at 5%. Results showed that, in both populations of M. cordifolia, a reduction of the MI in all treatments compared with the negative control was observed. In both populations, an increase in the mitotic index values was obtained with increasing concentration of the infusion. Chromosomal aberrations were observed in both populations studied. In conclusion, infusions of M. cordifolia possess antiproliferative and mutagenic effects for the concentrations tested on the cell cycle of A. cepa.