Publications
Relationship between Hg accumulation and diet in bats from Atlantic forest reserves
A study on bats from the Atlantic Forest reserves reveals that insectivorous bats exhibit higher mercury (Hg) accumulation and δ¹⁵N values, indicating their susceptibility to Hg contamination through invertebrate consumption. The research analyzed 100 road-killed bats collected between 2012 and 2017, finding mean Hg concentrations of 5.6 mg/kg, with 23% exceeding the sub-clinical threshold linked to neurological effects. Hg levels varied significantly across feeding guilds, following the order carnivorous > insectivorous > omnivorous > nectarivorous > frugivorous. Stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) further highlighted dietary and habitat differences among guilds. The findings underscore bats' role as sentinels for Hg monitoring, particularly in tropical ecosystems facing anthropogenic pressures.
Ruellia capixaba (Acanthaceae, Acanthoideae), a new scandent species from espírito santo state, with taxonomic updates for other Ruellia of the Atlantic Forest of Brazil
Researchers have identified and described Ruellia capixaba, a new scandent species of the genus Ruellia (Acanthaceae) endemic to the Atlantic Forest in Espírito Santo, Brazil. This discovery adds to the 24 known Ruellia species in the Atlantic Forest, a critical biodiversity hotspot threatened by deforestation. The study also introduces Ruellia fatimae, a red-flowered scandent species previously misclassified under Stephanophysum, and lectotypifies Ruellia furcata. Additionally, an identification key for scandent Ruellia species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is provided. The research leverages taxonomic analysis to clarify species boundaries, contributing to the understanding of plant diversity in this vulnerable ecosystem.
Unveiling the diversity of avastroviruses in tropical wild birds from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil
A novel avastrovirus strain, Passerine Avastrovirus (PasAstV M1580), has been identified in wild birds from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, expanding the known diversity within the Avastrovirus genus. This discovery was made during a study investigating Reovirales-related viruses using next-generation sequencing (NGS) on fecal samples from 417 wild birds representing 89 species. Conventional RT-PCR detected avastroviruses in 7.67% of samples, with repeated detections in recaptured individuals, suggesting persistent infection or shedding. Genomic analysis revealed that PasAstV M1580 exhibits low amino acid identity (25.18% to 33.23%) compared to prototype strains, indicating it may represent a novel species within the genus. This study highlights the unexplored diversity of avastroviruses in tropical wild bird populations and provides insights into their ecological dynamics.
Conservation of Atlantic Forest fragments: is the iconic brazilwood Paubrasilia echinata adequately protected in south-east Brazil?
The iconic Brazilwood tree, Paubrasilia echinata, endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest and listed as Endangered by the IUCN, faces significant threats from habitat loss and overexploitation. A new study identifies five genetic lineages of this species, with one—arruda-RJ—being particularly vulnerable in Rio de Janeiro due to urbanization. Researchers analyzed 164 occurrence records from 2004–2024, classifying 43 forest fragments containing the arruda-RJ lineage as high, medium, or low priority for conservation. The study highlights that most fragments are small with uneven population structures and that northern regions, with more protected areas, hold the greatest genetic diversity. It proposes targeted conservation actions for eight high-priority fragments to safeguard this lineage, aligning with global biodiversity goals.
Description of pistillate flowers and conservation status of two species of Mollinedia (Monimiaceae, Laurales) from the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Scientists have made a significant discovery by describing the pistillate (female) flowers of two rare and endangered species of Mollinedia (Monimiaceae), complementing their previous descriptions based solely on staminate (male) flowers. This advancement enhances taxonomic understanding of Mollinedia dolichotricha and Mollinedia ruschii, both endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. The study also reassessed their conservation status—M. dolichotricha as 'Endangered' (EN) and M. ruschii as 'Critically Endangered' (CR)—due to new threats identified during field surveys. Highlighting the need for urgent conservation action, the research provides detailed descriptions, photographs, and recommendations to protect these vulnerable species amid ongoing habitat loss.
Vascular plants of Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: leveraging herbarium databases to address knowledge gaps in the Atlantic Forest
A comprehensive inventory of the Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Brazil—a critical Atlantic Forest reserve—reveals 1,301 vascular plant species, with over half (52.2%) endemic to the region. Among these, 97 are nationally threatened, including five Critically Endangered and 86 endemic species facing conservation risks. The study leveraged herbarium databases to compile an updated floristic list, addressing knowledge gaps in one of the world's most biodiverse yet urban-pressured ecosystems. Such data is vital for informing conservation strategies amid challenges like pollution and resource extraction in densely populated areas.
Butterflies of two atlantic forest conservation units from Paraíba state, northeast of Brazil
A comprehensive inventory of butterfly species in two Atlantic Forest Conservation Units in Paraíba, Brazil, revealed 212 species, including seven new records for northeast Brazil and 48 for the state. The study, conducted over multiple expeditions from 2013 to 2015 with additional sampling in 2021, employed Van Someren-Rydon traps and entomological nets. Hesperiidae was the most diverse family, followed by Nymphalidae and Riodinidae. Notably, the Critically Endangered subspecies Morpho menelaus eberti was recorded, underscoring the importance of protecting these forest remnants for biodiversity conservation. The findings highlight the need for targeted management and monitoring actions to safeguard butterflies and other invertebrates in the region.
Non-adaptedness and vulnerability to climate change threaten Plathymenia trees (Fabaceae) from the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest
Plathymenia trees, comprising P. reticulata from the Cerrado and P. foliolosa from the Atlantic Forest, face significant extinction risks due to climate change. Research combining species distribution models with genomic data reveals a high potential for non-adaptedness, particularly under pessimistic climate scenarios, indicating that these species may struggle to cope with future environmental shifts. The study highlights distinct vulnerabilities between the two lineages, with P. reticulata and P. foliolosa showing adaptations to different precipitation and temperature regimes, respectively. These findings underscore the need for reevaluating extinction risks and tailoring conservation strategies for Plathymenia species based on their unique vulnerability profiles.
Review of Community-Based Conservation Initiatives for Protecting a Primary Atlantic Forest Remnant: A Case Study
A four-decade community-based conservation initiative in northeastern Brazil's Atlantic Forest has demonstrated the enduring impact of collaborative efforts between local communities and researchers, showcasing how education and capacity development can drive sustainable biodiversity protection. The study highlights that successful conservation requires reciprocal learning—where educators adapt strategies based on community insights—to foster long-term environmental stewardship. This approach, led by Anita Studer, has influenced practices across 14 Brazilian states while aligning with global CBD targets set at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference. The research underscores the increasing resources needed for collective conservation goals and provides a blueprint for replicating such efforts in other primary forest remnants.
Small reserve but high diversity: butterfly community across an altitudinal gradient in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
A small reserve in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, RPPN Alto-Montana, demonstrates remarkably high butterfly diversity, with 124 species identified across six families. Despite its relatively modest area, the study predicts up to 40 additional species remain undocumented, suggesting even greater biodiversity than observed. The research, conducted along an altitudinal gradient from 1400 to 2100 meters over two seasons using Van-Someren Rydon traps and sweep nets, highlights the significance of this region for conservation, particularly due to the presence of endemic, rare, and endangered species. These findings underscore the need for robust conservation strategies to protect this biodiversity hotspot, contributing critical data to the management plans for UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Serra da Mantiqueira.
The Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Occupation, Death and Protection of Forest Remnants and Biodiversity
Less than five percent of Brazil's original Atlantic Forest remains, yet conservation efforts—including the Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves and other protected areas—offer a critical opportunity to reverse biodiversity loss. This study highlights the region's rapid deforestation due to urbanization and industrial expansion, particularly in the mid-20th century, while emphasizing the potential for restoration through coordinated social and governmental initiatives. By analyzing historical occupation patterns, it argues that targeted conservation strategies within the Biosphere Reserve could initiate a new cycle of ecological recovery.
The prey of the Harpy Eagle in its last reproductive refuges in the Atlantic Forest
The Harpy Eagle's diet in the Atlantic Forest, particularly within its last reproductive refuges in Brazil's Central Atlantic Forest Ecological Corridor (CAFEC), is dominated by medium-sized arboreal mammals, with significant conservation implications. The study identified 16 mammal species, including five globally threatened and seven regionally threatened species, alongside a parrot and other bird remains. Notably, the diet heavily features the threatened Sapajus robustus and the non-threatened Bradypus variegatus. This research highlights the potential impact of prey population declines on Harpy Eagle survival, adding to the challenges posed by habitat loss and hunting. The findings were derived from a comprehensive analysis of 152 prey remains and 285 camera trap photographs collected between 2017 and 2021 from seven active nests.
To print in red ink: two new species of Hippeastrum (Amaryllidaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Researchers have identified two new critically endangered species of Hippeastrum, a genus renowned for its vibrant flowers, within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. These microendemic species are distinguished by unique floral characteristics and are found in single known locations with small population sizes, highlighting their precarious conservation status. The study employed morphological descriptions from herbarium specimens, cultivated plants, and in situ observations to differentiate these new species from related taxa. An identification key for Brazilian Atlantic Forest Hippeastrum species was also provided, along with ecological data and photographs. The findings underscore the urgent need for further systematic sampling across the region and emphasize the role of specialist taxonomists in preserving biodiversity in one of the world's most significant hotspots.
Diversity and Abundance of Roadkilled Bats in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
A study of the Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves revealed that roadkill significantly impacts bat diversity, with 773 individuals from 47 species—nearly 40% of known Atlantic Forest bat species—found dead along a 25 km stretch of highway BR-101 between 2010 and 2015. Insectivorous bats, which constitute the majority (74%), were particularly vulnerable, with open-flying species accounting for 41.9% of roadkill cases. The research found no seasonal variation in mortality but noted a negative correlation between rainy days and roadkill rates. Foot-based monitoring proved more effective than vehicle-based surveys, while speed limits below 60 km/h reduced bat fatalities. This study highlights the severe conservation threat posed by roadkill to Neotropical bat populations.
What does a phytophysiognomic mosaic reveal about mosses and liverworts from the subtropical Atlantic Forest?
A phytophysiognomic mosaic analysis of the Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves revealed significant bryophyte species richness and endemism, with sandy Restinga forests showing the highest diversity. Approximately 75% of the species and 42% of families were unique to specific phytophysiognomies (humid lowlands, sandy Restinga forests, swampy Restinga forests), indicating elevated floristic differentiation among these environments. The study also found that substrate types significantly influenced bryophyte composition, with mat-forming life forms and corticolous groups being predominant. This research underscores the importance of studying all Atlantic Forest phytophysiognomies for biodiversity conservation and highlights the ecological value of bryophytes as bio-indicators for ecosystem monitoring and restoration.
Areas of endemism of land planarians (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) in the Southern Atlantic Forest
Researchers identified nine distinct areas of endemism (AoE) for land planarians in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest, from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul. These AoE, characterized by two or more endemic species with congruent range limits, provide critical insights into biogeographic patterns and evolutionary processes. The study employed Endemicity Analysis (EA) and Geographical Interpolation of Endemism (GIE) methods, revealing that land planarians often exhibit very small distributional ranges. This makes them valuable models for fine-scale studies of endemism, with their AoE showing congruence with other taxa like harvestmen. The findings suggest that these patterns are influenced by vicariance events and the species' physiological and ecological limitations.
Conservation of Genetic Resources: A Study with Medicinal Plants on the Coast of Paraná - Brazil
A significant portion of the traditional communities along Paraná's Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves relies on fishing and farming, with 64% of residents being retired. This study highlights the critical role of women in preserving knowledge about medicinal plants, while men demonstrate expertise in identifying tree species for construction purposes. The research identified 67 plant species with medicinal or non-conventional food uses, emphasizing the potential of traditional knowledge for discovering bioactive compounds and generating sustainable income. Conducted through structured interviews with local communities, this study underscores the importance of integrating cultural diversity and genetic resource conservation to support both ecological sustainability and economic resilience in these regions.
Hidden diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest: the discovery of Jurasaidae, a new beetle family (Coleoptera, Elateroidea) with neotenic females
Researchers have uncovered a new beetle family, Jurasaidae, within the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, one of the planet's most biodiverse yet endangered ecosystems. This discovery, based on newly collected material, introduces three species in two genera, distinguished by their soft-bodied, neotenic females and varying degrees of morphological divergence across life stages. Phylogenetic analysis places Jurasaidae as a basal lineage within Elateroidea, closely related to rare click beetles (Cerophytidae), with shared larval traits such as modified mouthparts supporting this classification. The limited dispersal capability and cryptic lifestyle of the wingless females, tied to long-term stable habitats, underscore the Atlantic rainforest's critical role in biodiversity conservation. This finding highlights the ongoing potential for new discoveries even in well-studied insect groups like beetles.
The local extinction of one of the greatest terrestrial ecosystem engineers, the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), in one of its last refuges in the Atlantic Forest, will be felt by a large vertebrate community
The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), one of the largest terrestrial ecosystem engineers, faces imminent local extinction in Sooretama, a critical refuge within the Atlantic Forest. Recent fieldwork (2018–2019) recorded only three adult individuals and evidence of poaching, down from 70 records over 14 years. The study highlights P. maximus's vital role as an ecosystem engineer, with at least 37 vertebrate species relying on its excavations for foraging and shelter. These findings underscore the ecological consequences of its potential loss, threatening biodiversity in one of its last strongholds.
Timber Exploitation in Colonial Brazil: A Historical Perspective of the Atlantic Forest
Extensive timber exploitation during the colonial period in Brazil significantly altered the Atlantic Forest's vegetation, contributing to the current rarity and endangerment of once-abundant species. This study reveals that historical records, when analyzed through an interdisciplinary approach combining historical, botanical, and ethnobotanical methods, can provide critical insights into past harvest impacts on local forests. By developing a standardized protocol for folk names of timber trees, researchers bridged historical data with ecological information, despite the scarcity and contradictions in archival material. The findings underscore the long-term consequences of colonial-era resource extraction on biodiversity conservation efforts today.
Using DNA Barcodes to Identify Road-Killed Animals in Two Atlantic Forest Nature Reserves, Brazil
A groundbreaking study demonstrates that DNA barcoding is a highly effective tool for identifying road-killed animals, particularly in fragmented habitats where morphological identification is challenging. Researchers analyzed 222 vertebrate samples collected along the BR-101 highway in Brazil's Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves, successfully identifying 62 different species, including several threatened or vulnerable ones such as Pyrrhura cruentata and Puma yagouaroundi. The most frequently encountered roadkill species were Molossus molossus (a bat), Didelphis aurita (an opossum), and Trachycephalus mesophaeus (a frog). However, the study noted a significant gap in reptile identification due to limited reference sequences in databases like BOLD. This research not only sheds light on the impact of road mortality on biodiversity but also highlights the potential of DNA barcoding as a critical tool for road ecology studies.
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