CECAV
URI permanente desta comunidadehttps://bdc.icmbio.gov.br/handle/cecav/1
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Cavernas
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803 resultados
Resultados da Pesquisa
Item From the front door to the basement: Invertebrate communities' structure as a proxy for determining cave zonation in Neotropics(2024-06-25) Reis-Venâncio, Paulo C.; Ferreira, Rodrigo L.; Souza-Silva, MarconiIn caves, the absence of natural light in deeper regions starkly contrasts with the entrance areas, which still exhibit a light gradient extending into the cave interior. This interplay with the structural gradient of the environment potentially exerts distinct influences on invertebrate communities residing in different cave light zones. To investigate this, we formulated a hypothesis positing that communities within distinct cave light zones respond differently to habitat structure and microclimatic conditions. Our approach involved a spatial multi-scale sampling of invertebrates and the application of statistical analyses to contrast the responses of communities inhabiting photic and aphotic zones. Photic zone richness is influenced by factors such as air moisture, resource availability, root presence, and shelter diversity. In contrast, the richness of communities in aphotic zones is shaped by resource availability, the presence of roots, branches, and distance from the cave entrance. As expected, the richness in the photic zone surpasses that of the deeper regions, highlighting the challenges faced by invertebrates attempting to establish themselves in the aphotic zone. The species composition of faunal communities varied predictably from the entrance to the aphotic zone, and the three most important factors driving this variation were geographic distance, humidity, and distance from the entrance. The composition between these cave zones differs significantly, primarily due to the high number of obligate cave species predominantly inhabiting the aphotic region. Indeed, communities associated with different cave zones exhibit distinct responses to resource, microclimatic, and structural variables.Item xploring uncharted waters: insights into groundwater zooplankton of the Brazilian semiarid region.(2024-07-11) Carolina Teixeira Puppin-Gonçalves; Diego Medeiros Bento; Gilmar Perbiche-Neves; Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira; Marconi Souza-Silva; Vanessa Becker; Juliana Déo DiasThe subterranean environments of the Caatinga drylands (Brazilian biome) host a diverse array of aquatic systems and diversity, comprising both lentic and lotic ecosystems. Species diversity in these environmnts has been overlooked and remains poorly understood, especially regarding zooplankton. We studied the species richness and composition of zooplankton living in groundwater of the Caatinga drylands and explored how they vary in relation to habitat type (lentic and lotic) by testing two hypotheses: (1) species richness, gamma diversity, and zooplankton density are higher in lentic environments and (2) zooplankton species composition differs between habitat types. We sampled 12 lentic and lotic groundwater environments quarterly for 2 years, and identified 100 species of zooplankton in groundwater environments, including testate amoebae (50 species), Rotifera (25 species), Copepoda (16 species), and Cladocera (9 species). Rotifer species richness and copepod density differed between lentic and lotic habitats, as did zooplankton composition. Additionally, each habitat was found to harbor distinct indicator species based on their ecology and morphological characteristics. These findings contribute to current understanding of groundwater biodiversity and ecology, providing support for freshwater and speleological management and conservation programs.Item A New Genus of Prodidominae Cave Spider from a Paleoburrow and Ferruginous Caves in Brazil (Araneae: Prodidomidae)(2024-08-05) Cizauskas, Igor; Zampaulo, Robson de A.; Brescovit, Antonio D.A new monotypic genus of Prodidominae, Paleotoca gen. n., is proposed to include one cave species collected in a paleoburrow and ferruginous caves from Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Paleotoca diminas sp. n. (♂♀). The new genus is closely related to other Neotropical Prodidominae by sharing the classic claw tuft clasper. Paleotoca gen. n. is diagnosed by the absence of a dorsal abdominal scutum, a ventral parallel rows of strong spines on the tibia and metatarsus I–II, a lack of a conductor, a discrete median apophysis on the bulb and a bifid retrolateral tibial apophysis in the male palp, a posterior extension that is beak-shaped, and folds of a copulatory duct ventrally visible in the female epigyne. Like other Prodidominae species from caves, P. diminas sp. n. is a troglobitic spider with morphological characteristics that indicate specialization to live in subterranean environments, including reduction in cuticular pigments, eye loss, heavy spination and trichobothria.Item New cave species of Cyphoderus Nicolet and Pararrhopalites Bonet & Tellez (Hexapoda, Collembola) from Caatinga biome, Brazil(2024-06-27) SOUZA, PAOLLA GABRYELLE CAVALCANTE DE; MEDEIROS, GLEYCE DA SILVA; BENTO, DIEGO DE MEDEIROS; ZEPPELINI, DOUGLAS; BELLINI, BRUNO CAVALCANTEIn recent years, surveys have revealed a high diversity of troglophilic and troglobitic species of Brazilian Collembola, mainly represented by the Entomobryidae and Sminthuridae, which hold some representative genera in Brazilian caves such as Cyphoderus Nicolet and Pararrhopalites Bonet & Tellez. Here we describe in detail two new species of these genera sampled from caves of the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. Cyphoderus caatinguensis sp. nov. is similar to other Neotropical species of the tridenticulati group, but it is unique by the combination of labial chaetotaxy, ungues with a filamentous apical tooth and number of feathered chaetae on the dorsal face of the dens. Pararrhopalites iataganii sp. nov. differs from other Neotropical species of the genus especially by the number of subsegments of the fourth antennomere, number of cephalic spines, manubrium chaetotaxy and ventral dens formula. Recognition of these species enhances our understanding of the subterranean fauna in the Neotropics, and their identification may support future conservation policies for caves of the Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil.Item Microhabitat selection and niche overlap: Drivers of spider coexistence in a tropical limestone cave(2024-10-10) Laís da Glória Teixeira Silveira; Thais Giovannini Pellegrini; Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira; Marconi Souza SilvaStable temperature, humidity, and oligotrophy may be essential in microhabitat selection, shaping niche overlap and species coexistence within cave ecosystems. To explore this hypothesis, we assessed the distribution and microhabitat preferences of four non-obligate cave-dwelling spiders: Loxosceles anomala, Scytodes itapevi, Philoponella vittata, and the exotic Oecobius navus. Using 1-m2 quadrats, we surveyed spider distribution and abundance in a limestone cave, considering environmental conditions and prey availability during wet and dry periods. Significant differences were observed between moist and dry periods regarding light intensity, wind speed, air temperature and moisture, potential prey, and the abundance of L. anomala. The exotic spider O. navus was more specialist, preferred brighter habitats, and showed lower niche overlap. Conversely, the three native species displayed greater niche overlap and preferred darker and more humid environments. Spatial disparities, rather than temporal variation, in species distribution underscored the influence of cave habitat conditions on species segregation. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the limited ability of the non-native O. navus to occupy more illuminated cave areas, thereby potentially safeguarding these habitats against biological invasion by this species.Item Is banning Persistent Organic Pollutants efficient? A quantitative and qualitative systematic review in bats(2024-07-11) Monteiro-Alves, Priscila Stéfani; Lourenço, Elizabete Captivo; Meire, Rodrigo Ornellas; Bergallo, Helena GodoyAmong the several noxious characteristics of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a low environmental degradation rate, as they remain in the environment for decades. One of the measures adopted to mitigate environmental contamination is the imposition of bans and restrictions to several chemical compounds. But are bans being efficient to reduce the amount of such chemicals in the environment? In this systematic review, we analyzed the efficacy of banning POPs using bats as biomonitors in terrestrial habitats. Although bats provide relevant ecosystem services, these animals are highly exposed to chemical organic pollutants such as POPs due to their feeding and behavioral habits. POP concentrations were observed in biological tissues of bats in the genus Myotis (United States), with levels decreasing over the years since the ban. We also noticed a shortage of studies in neotropical regions, where the information gap on several POPs in tropical systems is still a concern in terms of history and intensive use of these toxic chemicals. Few studies were found on emerging POPs or on POPs recently included in the Stockholm Convention. Besides, the specimens in the analyses in the studies reviewed were not separated by sex or age, which may conceal the potential risk of POPs to the conservation of bat populations. We recommend that future research extends beyond chronic POP contamination in bats to also include risk assessment trials, as wild populations may be affected in the long-term, as well as their role in the ecosystem and the economy, requiring long-term studies.Item Iron Islands: The importance of iron caves in the eastern Amazon for bat conservation(2024-06-03) Torres, Dayana Ferreira; Bichuette, Maria ElinaThe Carajás region is home to the largest number of iron caves in Brazil, but studies that integrate elements of biological diversity and landscape characteristics are scarce. We present the first study based on the bat cave vulnerability index (BCVI), which uses bats as a key species for prioritizing caves in South America, whose objective was to assess the biotic potential and vulnerability of caves in the Carajás region, determining priority sites and the most effective conservation actions. The study took place from August 2021 to March 2023, where an inventory of the chiropterofauna of 12 caves was carried out. We recorded 16 bat species, two of which are vulnerable to extinction – Furipterus horrens (Cuvier, 1828) and Natalus macrourus (Gervais, 1856) – and two endemics to the Amazon region – Hsunycteris aff. thomasi (Allen, 1904) and Phyllostomus latifolius (Thomas, 1901); as well as one species with insufficient data to delimit its endemicity or threat status (Lonchophyllinae sp.). Mining is the main anthropogenic activity in the region, but tourism is also present and acts as a potential source of disturbance to the caves. The BCVI revealed three high priority caves for conservation and four with medium priority, indicating that these habitats are vulnerable to species loss and population decline due to exposure to anthropogenic activities and habitat destruction, thus requiring more effective conservation strategies. Considering the uniqueness of the subterranean habitats, we recommend re-evaluating the proposals for expanding mining activities, implementing controlled tourist visitation plans and conducting ecological studies and long-term monitoring.Item FOSSIL MAMMALS FROM LAJEDO DE SOLEDADE, QUATERNARY OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, BRAZIL(2024) COSTA, JOÃO PAULO DA; ADE, MARCUS VINÍCIUS BERAO; BERGQVIST, LÍLIAN PAGLARELLI; BARBOSA, FERNANDO HENRIQUE DE SOUZA; DANTAS, MÁRIO ANDRÉ TRINDADE; PORPINO, KLEBERSON DE OLIVEIRA; ARAÚJO-JÚNIOR, HERMÍNIO ISMAEL DEThe Lajedo de Soledade site, located in the municipality of Apodi, State of Rio Grande do Norte, is a vast karstic platform formed by carbonate rocks belonging to the Jandaíra Formation (Upper Cretaceous of the Potiguar Basin). The uplift of sedimentary rocks has exposed the formation to processes of erosion and leaching, leading to the creation of ravines and caves. These geological features, during the Quaternary Period, became repositories of sediments containing vertebrate remains. Recent collections conducted by the research team at the Paleontology Laboratory of the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro in the Araras Ravine and a new analysis of the fossil accumulation in the Leon Ravine have revealed new vertebrate taxa, especially mammals. The taxonomic study of these faunal accumulations identified at least thirteen different mammal taxa: Cerdocyon thous, Leopardus tigrinus, Puma concolor, Panthera onca, Mazama sp., Palaeolama major, Hippidion principale, Cuniculus sp., Euphractus sexcinctus, Glyptotherium sp., Tolypeutes cf. T. tricinctus, Dasypus novemcinctus, and Megalonychidae indet. The mammal taxa discovered in the layers of the Araras Ravine indicate the presence of at least two distinct environments in the Lajedo de Soledade Region: an open environment associated with denser areas resembling the Cerrado Bioma, and a drier environment akin to the current Caatinga Bioma. In the faunal assemblage of the Leon Ravine, four additional mammal taxa were identified: P. onca,Mazama sp.,Cuniculus sp., and Megalonychidae indet. The occurrence of Cuniculus sp. serves as a significant historical record for the genus within the state, further reinforcing the hypothesis that the paleoenvironment of the region comprised open areas intertwined with forested environments, potentially featuring small bodies of water. To gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the ravines and any potential environmental transitions, geochronological, isotopic studies, and other data collections are crucial.Item Conservation gaps for Brazilian bats, limited protection across conservation units and the importance of the indigenous lands(2024-10-05) Rodrigues, F.B.; Alexandre, R.J.R.; Pena, S.A; et al.In Brazil, there is 13% of the world’s bat diversity, is the second most diverse group of mammals, playing a crucial role in providing ecosystem services that benefit humans. However, anthropogenic disturbances exacerbate processes of species extinction, shifts in geographic distributions, and phenological changes, despite efforts to safeguard biodiversity through the creation of Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands. Moreover, gaps in taxonomic knowledge and challenges related to species distribution hinder the effective implementation of conservation strategies in protected areas. This study assesses the contribution of Brazilian Conservation Units (both Full Protection and Sustainable Use) and Indigenous Lands to the conservation of bat species and their ecosystem services. It also presents maps illustrating species richness by trophic guilds and threat classification according to IUCN, including species listed as Data Deficient. The findings reveal low percentages of potential bat distribution areas within these protected regions, especially for insectivorous, nectarivorous, and frugivorous bats in the Cerrado biome, which are classified as Near Threatened. Additionally, the highest bat species richness was observed in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes.Item Speleothem in Sandstone: Maranhão as a Geo-Speleological Scenario(2024-06-26) Castro, Cláudio Eduardo de; Silva, Flávia MartinsThe municipality of Carolina, located in the southern region of Maranhão, features a terrain composed of hills and plateaus formed from sandstone lithology originating from the Balsas Group formations. This region houses geological features such as caves and speleothems, which pertain to endokarst, primarily formed through erosive processes. Due to its significant speleological potential, the region has been studied by the Conservation Units Research Group (GEUC) of the Maranhão State University (UEMA) since 2013.