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Beach monitoring programmes along the Brazilian coast in recent years have provided stranding data which can be analysed to show the effects of human impacts on sea turtle populations. In Brazil, the five species recorded are threatened with extinction. In this study, data from strandings of sea turtles on the northern coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, over six years (2015–2021), were used to evaluate whether human activities are associated with impacts on the populations and to analyse the effects of seasonality on abundance. There were 6411 strandings of sea turtles, the majority being Chelonia mydas, followed by Caretta caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea, Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea. Strandings occurred mainly during winter and spring. Where it was possible to determine the cause of death of an individual, there were several associations with anthropogenic factors, mainly solid waste, fishing gear, collisions with vessels, injuries and dredging. The high incidence of strandings of sea turtles on the Brazilian coast, mostly juveniles, and the great impact of anthropogenic factors in the causa mortis indicate the need to adopt ocean education strategies and public policies that can establish effective management and conservation plans of marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cities, habitats classified as green areas are especially important for the conservation of species. Therefore, understanding how different biological groups are influenced by differences in the structures of green areas is relevant when planning urban environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different types of green areas to the taxonomic and functional diversities of ants and spiders and to discuss the importance of green area management for both groups. We sampled three categories of green areas: forest fragments (40 sample points), vacant lots (20) and gardens/backyards (20), where we evaluated the taxonomic and functional richness and composition of both groups of organisms. At each sample point, we used several techniques, such as: entomological umbrella, Winkler extractors and manual collection. We sampled 149 ant species and 97 spider species. Our results demonstrate that there are differences in the diversity of ants and spiders, as well as in the number of functional groups of ants between the different types of green areas. As expected, forest fragments are the ones that most contribute to the observed diversity, and our findings highlight the importance of evaluating the biotic influence of green areas at a smaller spatial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss and fragmentation have highlighted the importance of monitoring remaining habitats. For megadiverse groups such as arthropods, of which many species are still being discovered, the use of higher taxonomic levels as substitutes for diversity may be a useful tool. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of substitute taxonomic resolutions to assess the richness and composition of Laniatores harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones). The five resolutions selected were as follows: genus, family, subfamily, indicator taxa and intermediate resolution (combination of genus and species identification levels). In addition, we evaluated whether the diversity substitutes provide good estimates of latitudinal gradients. Nineteen Atlantic Forest sites located along a latitudinal gradient in northeastern Brazil were sampled. We recorded a total of 88 harvestmen species/morpho‐species, distributed in 7 families, 15 subfamilies and 36 genera. Genus and intermediate resolution were excellent substitutes for harvestmen species richness. The efficiency differed according to the substitute resolution used. Four resolutions were adequate to replace the harvestmen composition: genus, intermediate resolution, indicator taxa, and subfamily. The number of harvestmen species recorded was significantly different between Seasonal Semideciduous Forest and Costal Atlantic Rainforest. The same relationship was also observed the same relationship was observed when we consider genus and intermediate resolution. Our results suggest the use of genus as a substitute for richness and composition of harvestmen for reducing monitoring costs and providing evaluation in a shorter time and a more practical way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the activity of ants during the rainy and dry seasons in a transitional environment (ecotone) at the interface of Cerrado and Caatinga biomes situated in the state of Piauí, where studies of local ant fauna are still incipient. The research was carried out at Floriano, state of Piauí, Brazil. Ants were sampled during the rainy season in December 2018 and during the dry season in June 2019. Three parallel transects were established at least 100 m apart. At each point, three sampling methods were used, with attractive baits placed on the trees and ground, and pitfall traps on the ground. Thirty-one ant species belonging to 14 genera and five subfamilies were collected, with 27 recorded in the rainy season and 17 in the dry season. The only species reported with the three collection methods and the two seasons was Camponotus crassus Mayr, 1862. Seven ant species sampled in this study are new reports for the state of Piauí. There was a significant difference in the average number of ants and the composition of the assemblages between the rainy and dry seasons. We demonstrate that the activity of ants is influenced by seasonality, corroborating our hypotheses. This is only the second study on ant diversity in the state of Piauí, and more studies are necessary to understand the processes and factors which regulate the activity patterns of ants in ecotonal situations like those observed in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity and distribution of arthropods associated with seasons and environmental variables in two different wetlands sites was estimated and study was performed on monthly basis for a whole year. The arthropods were collected by sweep net, direct hand picking, forceps. For each sampling day in each month, 20 sweeps were randomly taken in each block. The insects at rest or on shrubs were manually collected. Overall, 5867 individuals were recorded pertaining to 152 species. Among the arthropods collected from two fields, number of the order Diptera was most diverse followed by those of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Araneae and Neuroptera. The number of arthropod species differed between localities and between the studied seasons. The arthropod composition varied significantly according to the sampled sites and according to the seasons studied. Temperature was positively correlated to diversity while humidity was negatively correlated to diversity and abundance. Results might be beneficial in developing the strategy for natural biological control. This can only be achieved by coordinated planning and conservation measures among sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions by exotic species are among the major threats to biodiversity worldwide. The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM) Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive mealybug species that has been reported in Brazil since 2010. This species is sometimes found in mutualistic association with ants, which help spread this pest and also prey on or remove its natural enemies. Here, we describe for the first time the interactions between ants and M. hirsutus in Brazil, focusing on cocoa trees, Theobroma cacao (L., Malvaceae), and on the ornamental species Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth (Mimosaceae), and hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae), all in the state of Bahia, Brazil. We collected M. hirsutus and associated ants on 50 randomly selected plants of these three species at three sites. We found a high diversity of ants (46 species) in trophobiotic interaction with the exotic mealybug. The highest ant species richness was found on hibiscus, with 33 species recorded interacting with the mealybug. Thirty ant species were observed associated with M. hirsutus on cocoa trees. We found significant differences in the ant assemblages according to site and plant species. Mutualisms with exotic species can cause profound alterations in the communities where they are inserted. This description of ant—M. hirsutus associations in Brazil is an initial step towards a better understanding of the mechanisms by which these mutual interactions become structured in the Neotropics and of their impacts on environment and agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of Par in northern Brazil is located entirely within the Amazon Basin and harbors a great diversity of landscape and vegetation types that support high levels of biodiversity. Here, we provide a comprehensive inventory of ant species and their distribution in Par. This regional list is based on an extensive review of species records from published and unpublished sources covering a period of 134 years (18862020) and includes the five most representative ant collections in Brazil. In total, we documented 12 subfamilies, 90 genera and 753 ant species, including 97 species recorded for the first time in Par and 12 species newly reported in Brazil. Sampling effort across the state is highly uneven, and most records may be associated with research areas near the state capital, mining areas, hydroelectric dams, and research field stations run by the state or universities. In addition, our results suggest a strong bias in ant collection in Par in terms of proximity of sampled sites to access routes, such as roads and rivers. We also found that species records were highly unevenly distributed based on areas of endemism within the Amazon, vegetation type, and protected areas within the state. Ant surveys are still lacking from most protected areas of Par, and further sampling is urgently needed in view of the current trend of expansion of major infrastructure projects and natural resource harvesting within protected areas of Par. Our database represents an extremely valuable and rich source of information for further studies on ant biodiversity and conservation in the Amazon Basin.