Search

Argia koroivarum sp. nov. (BRAZIL, Minas Gerais state, São Roque de Minas, Parque Nacional Serra da Canastra, 9.iv.2019, (-20.2323, -46.6084, 1306m asl), D.S. Vilela, R. Guillermo, R. Koroiva leg., Laboratory of Ecological Studies on Ethology and Evolution (LESTES), Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil) is described, illustrated, and diagnosed based on specimens collected in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed from its congeners by the morphology of male ligula, dorsal branch of paraproct, and of female mesostigmal lobes.

Neocordulia is a Neotropical genus with 16 species distributed in the South and Central Americas. To date, only seven larvae of this genus have been described. Here we describe the final instar larva of Neocordulia volxemi (Selys, 1874), collected in the Environmental Protection Area of the Uberaba River Basin in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The metallic–green adults were found flying in a forested area in a Conservation Unit, while the larvae were found in a waterfall and surrounding rocky walls. The Cerrado remnant area is currently threatened by degraded pastures and increasing areas of monoculture agriculture.

Among the oldest winged insects, odonates are a monophyletic order that have become important models for ecological studies because of their highly diverse reproductive behaviors and their role as top predators and bioindicators. However, knowledge on evolutionary relationships within the order is still scarce compared to other taxa, and this situation is even more complicated in areas with high biodiversity, such as in the Amazon. Here, we sought to identify knowledge gaps on Amazonian Odonata regarding three main aspects: (i) how the inclusion of Amazonian taxa affects our interpretation of the evolutionary relationships of Zygoptera and Anisoptera; (ii) the position of Amazonian taxa in the existing supertree of the Odonata; (iii) dating evolutionary divergence between nodes using fossil records; (iv) assessing whether more species-rich basins (e.g., Amazon basin) have a larger phylogenetic gap when compared to basins with lower richness in South and Central America; and (v) in the light of our knowledge, we discuss diversification patterns found in the most predominant clades of Amazonian taxa. We built a supertree from currently available phylogenetic information of Odonata. The results show that there is no genetic information for 85% (n: 503) of the Amazonian species and that family level relationships are unknown for 17 genera. After compiling the data, we observed that clades belonging to Neotropical lineages are the most poorly resolved, with large polytomies. This problem was identified in many Anisoptera genera, such as Macrothemis, Dasythemis, Elasmothemis, and Erythrodiplax. Our results also suggest that not always the richest basins have the greatest phylogenetic gaps. As expected, we found important gaps in the existing Odonata phylogenies, especially in clades that include Amazonian representatives, that are also those less known from ecological and conservation perspectives.

The diversity of species and their interactions have been positively related with environmental complexity. Therefore, highly anthropized environments have their integrity under serious threat. These effects may last for years compromising the dynamics of natural communities, such as antagonistic and mutualistic interactions, including host-natural enemy interactions. To investigate these effects, trap nest methodology was used to assess the diversity of solitary bees, wasps and their natural enemies in three fragmented environments with different degree of anthropic perturbation, composed of aEucalyptusplantation (considered here as higher perturbation), a Cerrado area (medium perturbation) and a Riparian forest (lesser perturbation). Then, host-natural enemies associations were analysed to verify the size, specialization degree and modularity of interaction network. The gradient from highest to lowest degree of anthropic perturbation was evidenced in the species diversity index, the size of the interaction network and the specialization indexes of the host-natural enemy network. The environment withEucalyptusplantation showed higher values of diversity of natural enemies, greater number of species in the interaction network, lesser degree of specialization in the interaction and lesser modularity, than Cerrado and Riparian forest environments, respectively. The low degree of nestedness and lack of significance of this index to all sampled areas are indicative of a specialized pattern of networks. The results corroborate the notion that human impact may affect interaction networks, this being an important tool for checking the degree of anthropic alteration.

Dynamic signals are a widespread phenomenon in several taxa, usually associated with intraspecific communication. In contrast, dynamic iridescent signals are detectable only at specific angles of illumination; hence, the animal can hide the signal to avoid detection when necessary. This structural coloration is mostly dependent on the illumination, the contrast against the background and the vision of the receiver. Complex behavioural displays can be coupled with structural coloration to create dynamic visual signals that enhance these functions. Here, we address whether iridescence of the males of a damselfly that inhabits dark rainforests, Chalcopteryx scintillans, can be considered a dynamic visual signal. We analyse whether coloration is perceived by conspecifics, while reducing detectability to eavesdroppers against three types of backgrounds. Our results suggest that the visual background affects the detectability of male hindwings by different receivers, mostly predators and prey. We discuss whether these results and the angle dependence of colour could indicate a mechanism to avoid unwanted intraspecific interactions or even to lure both predators and prey. We conclude that the main functions of the dynamic iridescent signal are to communicate with conspecifics while hindering the signal for prey, adding evidence of the multifunctionality of structural coloration coupled with behavioural displays in animals.

Prevalence of parasites in wild animals may follow ecogeographic patterns, under the influence of climatic factors and macroecological features. One of the largest scale biological patterns on Earth is the latitudinal diversity gradient; however, latitudinal gradients may also exist regarding the frequency of interspecific interactions such as the prevalence of parasitism in host populations. Dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are hosts of a wide range of ecto- and endoparasites, interactions that can be affected by environmental factors that shape their occurrence and distribution, such as climatic variation, ultraviolet radiation and vegetation structure. Here, we retrieved data from the literature on parasites of Odonata, represented by 90 populations infected by ectoparasites (water mites) and 117 populations infected by endoparasites (intestinal gregarines). To test whether there is a latitudinal and bioclimatic gradient in the prevalence of water mites and gregarines parasitizing Odonata, we applied Bayesian phylogenetic comparative models. We found that prevalence of ectoparasites was partially associated with latitude, showing the opposite pattern from our expectations – prevalence was reduced at lower latitudes. Prevalence of endoparasites was not affected by latitude. While prevalence of water mites was also positively associated with vegetation biomass and climatic stability, we found no evidence of the effect of bioclimatic variables on the prevalence of gregarines. Our study suggests that infection by ectoparasites of dragonflies and damselflies is driven by latitudinal and bioclimatic variables. We add evidence of the role of global-scale biological patterns in shaping biodiversity, suggesting that parasitic organisms may prove reliable sources of information about climate change and its impact on ecological interactions.

Animals that live in hot environments must deal with extreme temperatures and overcome the constraints imposed by overheating. Some species exhibit remarkable adaptations to control body temperature, usually in the form of structures that act as thermal windows to cool down the body by dissipating heat. Here, we describe the case of the dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei, which inhabits open areas in the Neotropical Savannah and the Amazon. Males have striking and unique adaptations on the wings, not known in any other insect. The wings are covered with wax nanocrystals that reflect ultraviolet light and infrared radiation. Furthermore, the wing membrane is permeated by an intricate system of tracheae, another unique trait in Insecta. We hypothesized that these adaptations might be important not only for intraspecific communication, but also for thermoregulation. We analysed male body and wing temperatures and compared them with another dragonfly with common translucent wings. The results suggest that the dorsal wing surface acts as a cooling system, whereas the ventral surface might serve to elevate body temperature. Therefore, we conclude that Z. lanei possesses adaptations that are unique in nature; a complex system of thermoregulation with the dual function of cooling down or elevating body temperature, depending on wing position.

In the last decades, studies on sexual selection in odonates have shown a relationship between mating success and costly sexual ornaments, mainly male characters. Here, we conducted a scientometric analysis to assess the state of art of studies on sexual selection in odonates, especially on the role of male ornamentation (pre-copulatory traits) and sperm competition (post-copulatory traits). We found 51 papers focused on sexual ornamentation and 34 on sperm competition. Only one study simultaneously addressed both pre- and post-copulatory traits, nevertheless without an integrative approach. Results show that calopterygids are extensively studied regarding pre-copulatory traits (i.e., male wing pigmentation), while libellulids are mostly studied in post- copulatory traits (e.g., sperm competition) focused research. These preferences seem to be related to characteristics like presence of ornamentation and territoriality, large body size, variation and complexity of sperm removal structures, respectively. For the post-copulatory traits, sperm removal is frequently addressed, but few other strategies, like the investment in sperm quality and quantity, are investigated. Finally, we demonstrate that it is necessary to conduct studies focused on addressing the relationship between pre- and post- mating sexual traits.

The increasing use of dragonflies and damselflies as models in studies on biodiversity in the last decades has unraveled several features of natural processes and mechanisms for species conservation. Nevertheless, biodiversity is a polysemic concept that resolves multiple dimensions that, together, enroll what we observe as species and lineages diversity. One of these dimensions is Ethodiversity, which may represent the individual diversity of behavioral traits and higher organization levels. Hence, measures of Ethodiversity may be used as indicator tools to measure such dimensions of biodiversity. However, we still lack methods and protocols to measure this diversity. Therefore, here we addressed whether damselfly behaviors may act as indicators of environmental impacts. We collected behavioral data of 120 males in two sites, one in an ecological reserve and another in an impacted habitat. Our results show differences in behavioral syndromes and behavioral integrity when comparing populations in impacted and conserved environments. In conclusion, we hope that these results stimulate future endeavors to create a methodological framework to assess behavioral diversity.

Male calopterygid damselflies often exhibit colourful wings used during aggressive contests and courtship displays. Evidence suggests that male wing coloration is a secondary sexual character assessed by males and females to identify male quality. In some species, males adopt a lekking strategy, where females visit exhibition arenas and choose the best mate. Here, we addressed whether the behaviour of Mnesarete pudica males is influenced by female visitation when gathering in leks. We hypothesized that female visitation would increase male investment in courtship and fighting, while reducing patrolling flights and harassment attempts. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis that more ornamented males attract more females to the territory, following the hotshot model of lek evolution. Our results suggest that, indeed, males with more pigmented wings attract more visiting females, independently of male size. Our results also show that the number of females in a territory attracts more males and elicits male contest behaviour, reducing male harassment. We conclude that male ornament and male clustering is a good predictor of female visitation rates, suggesting that females may exert mate choice.

Capsule: Parent body colouration and nesting habitat may influence nest predation risk and, therefore, influence parental decisions on offspring care.Aims: To investigate the adaptiveness of bird c...

Female mimicry by males is a widespread phenomenon in several taxa and may be involved in aggression avoidance or facilitated access to resources. In early developmental stages, female mimicry may be a mechanism involved in signalling sexual immaturity or, when coupled with strategies related to visual camouflage, may be involved in the avoidance of male-male agonistic interactions. Here, we addressed whether the delayed colour maturation of a sexual ornament in males of Mnesarete pudica damselflies might be a case of crypsis, female mimicry or both. We analysed how conspecifics and predators perceive the pigmented wings of juvenile males by contrasting the wing spectra against a savannah background and the wings of both juvenile and sexually mature males and females. Our results based on the modelled visual system of conspecifics and predators suggest that the colour maturation of juvenile males may function as both crypsis and female mimicry. We discuss whether these results related to age- and sexual-dichromatism might be a mechanism to avoid unwanted intraspecific interactions or to avoid territorial and aggressive males. We conclude that the female mimicry and crypsis in juvenile males of M. pudica are mechanisms involved in avoidance of predators and unwanted intraspecific interactions, and the signalling of sexual maturity.

The urban environment can act as an ecological filter and impose several negative impacts on bird behaviour. Although some species are well adapted to anthropic habitats, others are sensitive to the effects of human disturbance. Here, we addressed whether noise pollution affects the territorial behaviour of the Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus. Here we conducted a field experiment on territorial individuals in urban and rural areas. We presented a model decoy along with the playback of the species’ song at 10 m from the focal individual to simulate a territory invasion. We used simulated territory intrusions as a method to stimulate bird territorial behaviour and notedthe time birds took to respond to the stimuli in urban and non-urban areas with different noise levels. The results show that response latency had a positive correlation with noise pollution. We conclude that noise pollution can interfere with intraspecific communication, affecting territorial behaviour.

Tree trunks and other cylindrical objects, where aggregated insects live, represent a very specific world for predator-prey interactions, which must differ from the situation on a 2D plane. In the present paper, in order to gain a better understanding of the specificity of predator-prey interaction in a cylindrical space, we applied a theoretical approach. Here we introduce a numerical model that allows us to test the effect of different interaction properties between predator and aggregated prey on the plane (2D) and on a cylinder (3D), taking into consideration different abilities of predators to visually detect the prey in these two types of space. The main aim was to test these interactions in an environment, which more realistically reproduces the conditions where aggregated insects usually live. We showed that the aggregation in conjunction with a specific environment may bring additional advantages for the prey. When one prey subgroup aggregates on the other side of the tree trunk and becomes invisible behind the horizon of events for the predator, the subgroup will survive with an extremely high probability. After all, the predator moving along one side of the tree will finally loose the major group completely.

Heteragrion gorbi sp. nov. (Zygoptera: Heteragrionidae) is described and diagnosed based on six ♂♂ and one ♀. The specimens were collected in a stream in a Neotropical savannah fragment in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. We present pictures of the holotype and the female. This is a species with blue coloration pattern, rare among its congeners.

Color traits are highly influenced by environmental conditions along the distributional range of many species. Studies on the variation of animal coloration across different geographic gradients are, therefore, fundamental for a better understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape color variation. Here, we address whether color lightness in velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) responds to latitudinal gradients and bioclimatic variations, testing three ecogeographic rules: The Thermal melanism hypothesis; the Photoprotection hypothesis; and Gloger's rule. We test these hypotheses across the New World. We used photographs of 482 specimens (n = 142 species) of female mutillid wasps and extracted data on color lightness (V). We analyzed whether variation in color is determined by bioclimatic factors, using Phylogenetic Generalized Least Square analysis. Our explanatory variables were temperature, ultraviolet radiation, humidity, and forest indicators. Our results were consistent with the Photoprotection hypothesis and Gloger's rule. Species with darker coloration occupied habitats with more vegetation, higher humidity, and UV-B radiation. However, our results refute one of the initial hypotheses suggesting that mutillids do not respond to the predictions of the Thermal melanism hypothesis. The results presented here provide the first evidence that abiotic components of the environment can act as ecological filters and as selective forces driving the body coloration of velvet ants. Finally, we suggest that studies using animals with melanin-based colors as a model for mimetic and aposematic coloration hypotheses consider that this coloration may also be under the influence of climatic factors and not only predators.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T17:36:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-07-09 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Incubation is an energetically costly parental task of breeding birds. Incubating parents respond to environmental variation and nest-site features to adjust the balance between the time spent incubating (i.e. nest attentiveness) and foraging to supply their own needs. Non-natural nesting substrates such as human buildings impose new environmental contexts that may affect time allocation of incubating birds but this topic remains little studied. Here, we tested whether nesting substrate type (buildings vs. trees) affects the temperature inside the incubation chamber (hereafter 'nest temperature') in the Pale-breasted ThrushTurdus leucomelas, either during 'day' (with incubation recesses) or 'night' periods (representing uninterrupted female presence at the nest). We also tested whether nesting substrate type affects the incubation time budget using air temperature and the day of the incubation cycle as covariates. Nest temperature, when controlled for microhabitat temperature, was higher at night and in nests in buildings but did not differ between daytime and night for nests in buildings, indicating that buildings partially compensate for incubation recesses by females with regard to nest temperature stability. Females from nests placed in buildings exhibited lower nest attentiveness (the overall percentage of time spent incubating) and had longer bouts off the nest. Higher air temperatures were significantly correlated with shorter bouts on the nest and longer bouts off the nest, but without affecting nest attentiveness. We suggest that the longer bouts off the nest taken by females of nests in buildings is a consequence of higher nest temperatures promoted by man-made structures around these nests. Use of buildings as nesting substrate may therefore increase parental fitness due to a relaxed incubation budget, and potentially drive the evolution of incubation behaviour in certain urban bird populations. Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Recursos Nat, Rod Washington Luiz Km 235, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Ave 24A 1515, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Hidrobiol, Rod Washington Luiz Km 235, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil Univ Nacl Sur, Dept Biol Bioquim & Farm, San Juan 670, RA-8000 Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Ave 24A 1515, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

Here we describe the hitherto unknown female of Epipleoneura spatulata Rácenis, 1960 and present a table of characters (all illustrated) to distinguish it from other known congeneric females. We suggest that the main diagnostic character of the female of E. spatulata is the shape of posterior margin of prothorax, which is flat medially with smoothly curved erect lateral projections.

The knowledge about the richness and distribution of Brazilian dragonflies is still being unveiled. Over the years, inventories, reviews, and descriptions have been made. These contributions, apart from the taxonomic value, also provide valuable data on the occurrence of species and their distributions, which are rarely accompanied by notes about natural history and behavior. Keeping this legacy in mind, we collected dragonflies between 2011 and 2019 in Minas Gerais state, which resulted in the registration of 90 species, 41 genera and 11 families. Our results also increase distribution data, an important tool for conservation actions, and provide additional information about habitat and biology of species. Resumo: O conhecimento sobre a riqueza e distribuição das libélulas do Brasil ainda está sendo desvelado. Ao longo dos anos, inventários, revisões e descrições foram feitas. Essas contribuições, além do valor taxonômico, também fornecem um conjunto de dados precioso sobre a ocorrência das espécies e suas distribuições, estas que raramente são acompanhadas de anotações sobre história natural e comportamento. Mantendo este legado em mente, nós realizamos coletas de libélulas entre 2011 e 2019 no estado de Minas Gerais, o que resultou no registro de 90 espécies, 41 gêneros e 11 famílias. Nossos resultados aumentam os dados de distribuição, uma ferramenta importante para ações de conservação, e fornecem informações sobre o habitat e a biologia das espécies.

The effects of environmental factors have been considered important for the evolution of morphological complexity in organisms. The water flow exhibits constant disturbance on stream dwellers, independently of their taxonomic group. Thus, we assessed whether two different kinds of organisms (insects and algae) exhibit any ecological similarity by facing stream current. For this, we used several previous studies in order to relate the morphological complexity of insect gills and algal filaments to water velocity, in micro and mesohabitats. The results for micro-scale showed that complex body shape tends to favor taxa that colonize stream areas with lower velocity for both kind of organisms. However, mesohabitats exhibited no relationship between morphology and water velocity. We suggest that morphological complexity in organisms from different lineages (algae and insects) are similarly related to water velocity in stream habitats. Moreover, the methodology of stream samplings must be carefully designed to get more precisely the environmental factors that organisms experience.

Oviposition site selection by aquatic insects is usually influenced by both aquatic and terrestrial cues. Landscape changes (e.g. native vegetation loss) can affect the level of the reproductive success in aquatic insects, changing local species composition and richness. We investigate whether forest cover loss around streams influences the number of species with exophytic (species which lay eggs directly on the water surface), endophytic (species which lay their eggs directly into plant tissue), or epiphytic (species which lay eggs on the exposed surface of rocks, leaves, trunks or other substrates protruding from the stream surface) oviposition behaviour in dragonfly assemblages. We sampled adult dragonflies in 116 streams in a Neotropical savanna region in Brazil. The relationship between species richness for each behavioural category, and the proportion of forest cover around the streams, was tested using regression analysis. We collected 2413 dragonfly (Anisoptera and Zygoptera) individuals, belonging to 8 families, 30 genera, and 63 species. Of these, 25 species were classified as exophytic, 28 as epiphytic, and 10 as endophytic. Our results show that the number of species with exophytic or epiphytic behaviour was strongly related to riparian forest loss. Forest loss changes the habitat, and here, specifically changes site suitability for oviposition. We highlight the importance of using behavioural traits as a bioindicator tool for the assessment of anthropogenic impacts on tropical forest.

1. Determining which environmental traits enable animals to inhabit and choose preferred habitats is key to understanding ecological processes. Habitat complexity and background colour patterns can act as selective pressures on animal behaviour, and ultimately affect habitat choice. 2. To investigate the role of environmental features on habitat selection, this study looked at whether dragonfly and damselfly larvae show a preference between dark/light or complex environments. Last‐instar larvae of Micrathyria didyma (Odonata: Libellulidae) and Acanthagrion lancea (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) were collected in the Neotropical savanna, and five experiments in laboratory conditions were subsequently carried out. The first experiment tested the preference of larvae for leaves in contrast to a white background. The second experiment compared a preference for white and black backgrounds. As both experiments showed a significant preference for darker backgrounds, a predator was included in the black background in the third experiment, and a macrophyte was included in the white background in the fourth experiment. In this way, favourable and unfavourable conditions were included in the habitat of choice. The fifth experiment tested the influence of environmental complexity on habitat choice. 3. The results of these experiments showed that larvae choose darker backgrounds independently of predation risk, and that macrophytes are as attractive as a dark background. They also suggest that the coenagrionid, but not the libellulid, prefer more complex environments. 4. Overall, these findings suggest that larvae exhibit behavioural preferences for background colour and complexity, which may ultimately drive habitat occupation.

∙ Toucans (Ramphastidae) are primarily frugivorous birds that occasionally prey on eggs and nestlings of other birds, often Passeriformes. Here, we report predation events by the Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) on eggs and nestlings of the Buff‐necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus) at the “Buraco das Araras” ecological reserve, Mato Grosso do Sul, central Brazil. At least three of six ibis nests monitored between October 2016 and January 2017 were depredated by the Toco Toucan. In one nest, the single egg was carried to a nearby perch, where the embryo was swallowed completely. In two other nests, the nestlings were 10–15 days old when are depredated. The toucan killed the nestlings by grabbing the head with the beak and shaking vigorously, probably attempting to break the neck. During the attack, the nestlings tried to defend themselves by snapping their bills at the toucan. Once a nestling stopped reacting (dead or dying), the toucan fed on pieces of flesh from the neck. To our knowledge, these are the largest eggs and the heaviest birds preyed upon by toucans. Resumo ∙ Predação pelo tucano‐toco (Ramphastos toco) em ovos e ninhegos de curicaca (Theristicus caudatus) Tucanos (Ramphastidae) são aves tipicamente frugívoras que eventualmente predam ovos e filhotes de outras espé‐ cies de aves, geralmente de Passeriformes. Neste estudo, descrevemos eventos de predação pelo Tucano‐toco (Ramphastos toco) em ninhos da Curicaca (Theristicus caudatus), na RPPN Buraco das Araras, Mato Grosso do Sul, região central do Brasil. Ao menos três dos seis ninhos de curicaca monitorados entre outubro de 2016 e janeiro de 2017 foram predados pelo Tucano‐toco. Em um dos ninhos, o único ovo foi carregado para uma árvore próxima, onde o embrião foi engolido por inteiro. Em dois outros ninhos, os ninhegos estavam com 10–15 dias de vida quando foram predados. O tucano matou os ninhegos agarrando suas cabeças com o bico e agitando‐as vigorosamente, provavelmente tentando quebrar seus pescoços. Durante o ataque, os ninhegos tentaram se defender projetando seus bicos contra o tucano. Assim que as reações dos ninhegos cessaram (mortos ou morrendo), o tucano alimentou‐se de alguns pedaços de carne do pescoço dos filhotes. Ao nosso conhecimento, esses são o maior ovo e a maior ave preda‐ das por um tucano.

Alternative mating tactics (AMT) occur in several animal taxa as a way to respond to physiological or environmental factors that affect reproductive success. In other words, males can exhibit different mate acquisition tactics associated with phenotypic variations. Here we present the case of Epipleoneura williamsoni, a non-territorial Neotropical damselfly in which larger males actively search for females along the margins of streams and smaller males remain perched on the vegetation and adopt a sit-and-wait strategy. Males were captured, marked and behavioral observations were conducted to take notes on the spatial displacement of individuals. We then measured male body size and agility to test whether these traits could be used to predict flight ability and thus AMT’s. Agility was measured by the ȓ2(S) coefficient, which is a surrogate of flight ability and maneuverability. The results show that body size was positively correlated with male flight ability and agility. However, male agility did not predict the adopted AMT. These results suggest that the strategies adopted by E. williamsoni males may be a reflection of body condition. This study adds evidence on how selection may act on different phenotypes within a population and how body size variations may result in different displacement capacities and flight agility.

Human disturbance may have several negative impacts on bird biology. Although some species may habituate to human presence, other species do not show any signs of habituation, and may even be sensitized or affected by human disturbance. Furthermore, anthropogenic effects on bird behaviour have been rarely explored to address the alteration of frequencies of aggressive and fear associated behaviours. Such behavioural approaches may provide substantial data for bird conservation and management. Therefore, we assessed whether human disturbance disrupts the normal behaviour of Burrowing Owls Athene cunicularia. Specifically, we assessed whether guarding parents exhibited aggressive and fearful behaviours differentially in areas where human contact was more common. Burrowing Owls showed increased frequencies of threat displays in sites with more people walking by the nests, but not fear behaviours. These results suggest that different domains of behaviour (aggression versus fear) may respond differently to human disturbance. We highlight the importance of quantifying a wide range of behavioural acts as indicators of bird stress in studies of anthropogenic impact. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Polymorphism in coenagrionids is widely known, mainly for Ischnura. Here, we present the case of I. capreolus, a Neotropical species of which, until now, little information concerning color polymorphism and ontogenetic color changes was known. We used a marking and recapture method to evidence ontogenetic coloration changes in females. We show that, in addition to the gynochrome morph, I. capreolus females also exhibit at least one additional morph: an androchrome color pattern. Gynochrome females (97.1% of marked females) are green-yellow when young and change to a brownish pattern with age, within a week. Androchrome females (2.9% of marked females) exhibit blue coloration, similarly to males. Our study provides the first evidence of ontogenetic color change in I. capreolus. Furthermore, field observations show that I. capreolus is similar to other Ischnura species regarding sexual harassment behavior.

∙ Although vultures are scavengers that feed mainly carcasses, they occasionally may feed on living tissue of vulnerable vertebrates. In South America, most records of vulture attacks on live animals refer to newborns of domes‐ tic mammals. Here, we describe the behavior of a group of Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) feeding on a live capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). The capybara had low mobility, high alopecia, and showed injuries in its dorsal region. The vultures insistently pursued the capybara and pecked directly on its injuries to feed on live tissue. The capybara tried to shake‐off and bite the vultures and escaped from them by diving into the water. We suggest that the observed behaviors are compatible with an extreme case of semi‐parasitic cleaning behavior by vultures on a live wild mammal.Resumo ∙ “Procurado vivo ou morto”: Urubus‐de‐cabeça‐preta (Coragyps atratus) alimentando‐se de capivara viva (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) Os urubus são aves necrófagas que se alimentam principalmente de carcaças, mas ocasionalmente alimentam‐se de tecidos vivos de vertebrados vulneráveis. Na América do Sul, a maioria dos ataques de urubus a animais vivos tem como vítimas mamíferos domésticos recém‐nascidos. Neste trabalho descrevemos o comportamento de um grande grupo de Urubus‐de‐cabeça‐preta (Coragyps atratus) que bicavam e alimentavam‐se de tecidos vivos de uma capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). A capivara apresentava mobilidade reduzida, com elevada alopecia e ferimentos na região dorsal de seu corpo. Os urubus perseguiram insistentemente a capivara e bicaram diretamente sobre suas feridas para alimentarem‐se de tecido vivo. A capivara sacudiu‐se e tentou morder os urubus e mergulhou em um reservatório para fugir das aves. Assim, concluímos que os comportamentos observados referem‐se a um caso extremo de semiparasitismo entre um grupo de urubus e um mamífero herbívoro silvestre.

Philogenia gaiae sp. nov. (Holotype ♂, Ecuador, Orellana, Tiputini Biodiversity Station, -0.6349, -76.1501, 241 m, 13 xii 2012, A. Cordero-Rivera & M. Sánchez-Herrera leg., in MUAE) from the helena group is described, illustrated, diagnosed and compared with morphologically close species of the genus. Philogenia gaiae can be distinguished from its most similar congener P. minteri Dunkle, 1986 by the enlarged cerci and the club-like paraprocts. We also describe the female of P. macuma Dunkle, 1986, from a pair collected at Jatún Sacha Biological Reserve, which is also similar to P. gaiae and can be distinguished by the intersternite morphology, ovipositor length and vulvar lamina shape.

Heteragrion denisye sp. nov. (Zygoptera: Heteragrionidae) is described and diagnosed on specimens collected near a Vereda (i.e. palm swamp) area of the National Park of Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brazil (-20.2323, -46.6085, 1305 m, 25 x 2018, Vilela, Koroiva, Nobrega & Lera leg.). This species is unique within the genus and it is easily distinguished from congeners due to its blue coloration pattern and cerci morphology, which is robust and presents a reduced apical portion, longer on most Heteragrion species.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T00:57:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-11-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Iridescence is an optical effect that produces angle dependent coloration in animals. Recently, studies have attempted to unveil structures behind such elaborated visual signals and associated behaviors in Odonata. Here, we studied males of the Amazonian damselfly Chalcopteryx scintillans, which have hindwings that exhibit pronounced iridescence. This optical feature is used by the damselflies for intra-specific communication during territorial fights and courtship. The main question we addressed was whether male wing structural coloration may predict the outcome of male-male contests. We also studied the wing ultrastructure, in order to reveal the mechanisms that are responsible for wing coloration. Using various microscopal and spectroscopal techniques, we demonstrate that hindwing coloration is derived from two main effects: (1) light interference in the cuticle multilayer and (2) a specific angle dependent light scattering and antireflective properties of the epicuticular wax coverage. The results of our field experiment show that wing pigmentation and the hue of the dorsal surface of the hindwings is correlated with the outcome of territorial contests. This is one of the first studies showing that structural coloration derived from multilayer interference may influence the outcome of intrasexual agonistic interactions. This indicates that multicomponent structural coloration in visually guided insects may be under selective forces of male-male competition for resources and females. Department of Hydrobiology Federal University of São Carlos – UFSCar Biology Department University of São Paulo Department of Biological Sciences São Paulo State University - UNESP Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics Zoological Institute Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9 Department of Biological Sciences São Paulo State University - UNESP FAPESP: 12/21196-8 FAPESP: 13/00406-7 CNPq: 237120/2012-7 CNPq: 3303260/2018-1

The female of Heteragrion icterops Selys, 1862, incompletely mentioned in 1886, is described, illustrated, keyed and diagnosed based on specimens collected in Pará State, North Brazil. We also provide an identification key and diagnostic comments on other two Group B females occurring in Brazil: H. angustipenne Selys, 1886 and H. bariai De Marmels, 1989. Heteragrion icterops females can be distinguished from other female congeners by having the genital valves tips leveling the posterior margin of S10 and by the morphology of the intersternites, presenting a well-developed dorsal plate and lacking a posterior plate.

Studies concerning the occurrence of species and seasonality are of great importance for both the elucidation of species distribution and conservation of natural habitats. We performed a survey of Odonata species and studied their seasonality in an endemic endangered palm swamp (i.e. Veredas) environment of the Ecological Reserve of Clube de Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia, Southestern Brazil. Between July 2010 and June 2011, we recorded 31 species of five different families and 21 genera. The community was strongly seasonal, since 24 species occurred in the wet season, while ten occurred in both dry and wet season, and only two species occured only in the dry season. All Anisoptera species preferred lentic habitats, whereas seven of the 18 Zygopera species preferred lentic habitats and 11 species preferred lotic sites. The five Calopterygidae and Protoneuridae species preferred lotic habitats. The study site exhibits a great diversity of dragonflies and damselflies, which are important elements of the trophic chain in the Cerrado aquatic and neighboring land environments. This justifies the development of conservation actions in palm swamp areas, which are poorly known and threatened by the constant advance of urban, monoculture and pasture areas in Cerrado.

Environments with higher complexity harbor a greater biodiversity and can directly influence on certain behaviors of aquatic animals. Here, we tested whether habitat complexity predicts odonate larvae emergence and mortality rates by rearing larvae in aquaria with or without artificial complexity. The results show a shorter emergence time in more complex environments, and a higher mortality rate on less complex habitats.

The female of Argia tupi Calvert, 1909 (BRAZIL, Mato Grosso, Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, Cachoeira do Marimbondo (15.4330° S, 55.7198° W, 370 m), 01 xi 2015) is described, illustrated and diagnosed based on comparison with sympatric species of Argia Rambur, 1842. We also augmented the description of Argia bicellulata (Calvert, 1909) female (BRAZIL, Mato Grosso, Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, Rio Paciencia (15.3438° S, 55.8322° W, 280 m), 25 x 2015).

Lopez, Vinicius M., Guillermo-Ferreira, Rhainer, Trad, Bhrenno M., Silvestre, Rogerio (2018): Description of the male of Darditilla araxa (Cresson, 1902) (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae) with geographical distribution, biological notes and key to males of Brazil. Zootaxa 4532 (1): 104-112, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4532.1.6