Temporal stability of multivariate genetic divergence in cacao ( Theobroma cacao L.) in Southern Bahia conditions

Stability of the genetic divergence among five non-commercial cacao cultivars at advanced ages was investigated over a five-year period (1986–1990). Cluster analysis was performed on five yield components measured on harvests from each crop year and on the data pooled over five years. The temporal stability was assessed by using clustering procedure, which involved the calculation Mahalanobis distance (D²) and of Tocher's algorithm applied to the distance matrix. The comparison of D² and of clusters based upon pooled analysis, and taken as the standard, with D² values and clusters obtained from each year showed a stable clustering pattern in the most favourable year. For the rest of the years, inconsistency in number and composition of clusters formed was observed. An optimum environment was shown to be important for better expressing divergence by D². Consequently, the evaluation of the genetic divergence among the studied cultivars may be conducted based on a single favourable year. This will result in considerable savings in man power, financial resources, and time which would be wasted should the evaluation be extended for several years.     

Tectona grandis canopy cover predicted by remote sensing

The phytosanitary status of Tectona grandis plantations are monitored conventionally with periodic data collection in the field, which is often costly and has low efficiency. The objective of this research was to develop a methodology to predict the canopy cover of T. grandis plantations using multispectral images of the Sentinel-2 (S2) satellite and photographic imagery. The study was carried out in a T. grandis plantation of seminal origin, in Cáceres, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Hemispherical photographic (HP) images of the plant canopy were obtained with a digital camera coupled to a “fisheye” lens fixed at 1.3 m high at two dates in the rainy and the dry season. Cloudless and no shadow images of the S2 satellite bands were concurrently obtained with the field images. Multivariate permutative analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) were used to predict canopy cover percentage. The accuracy of the predicted T. grandis canopy cover (%) by the PLSR model approach was 77.8?±?0.09%. The results indicate that a PLS model calibrated with 28 HP sample images can accurately estimate the percentage canopy cover for a continuous area of T. grandis plantations and facilitate mapping of canopy heterogeneity to monitor threats of diseases, mortality, fires, pests and other disturbances.

     

Bird species abundance–occupancy patterns and sensitivity to forest fragmentation: Implications for conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic forest

Developing a predictive theory for species responses to habitat fragmentation is a large, complex challenge in conservation biology, and meeting this challenge likely requires tailoring predictions to specific habitats and taxa. We evaluate the effects of fragmentation on forest birds living in three distinct forest ecosystems found in Brazilian Atlantic forest: seasonal semi-deciduous forest (SF), mixed rain forest (MF), and dense rain forest (DF). We test the hypotheses that (1) bird species most prevalent in SF (relative to other habitat types) will be least vulnerable to population declines in fragmented SF, and (2) species with stronger affiliations with DF or MF will be relatively more sensitive to fragmentation in SF. Using an exploratory statistical technique called “Rank Occupancy–Abundance Profiles (ROAPs),” we compared distribution and abundance of birds among large “continuous” areas of each forest type, then compared abundances in continuous SF forests with patterns of abundance in small fragments of SF, where edge effects could play a marked role in population dynamics. Overall, 39 species showed substantially lower local abundance, occupancy, or both in SF fragments versus continuous SF. As predicted, a higher proportion of bird species associated with DF appeared sensitive to fragmentation in SF; by contrast, species most abundant in SF and MF were similarly abundant in fragmented SF. Our study demonstrates how quantifying distribution and abundance in diverse habitats may enhance managers’ ability to incorporate species-specific responses to human disturbances in their conservation plans, and points out ways that even small reserves may have significant conservation value.     

Genome-wide identification of runs of homozygosity islands in the Gyr breed (Bos indicus)

Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are contiguous homozygous regions of the genome. These regions can be used to identify genes associated with traits of economic interest, as well as inbreeding levels. The aim of the present study was to analyse the length and distribution of ROH islands in Gyr cattle and to identify genes within these regions. A population of 173 animals selected for beef production and a population of 291 animals selected for dairy production were used. Differences in the number of short ROH (ROH_{1-2 Mb}) were observed between the two populations, while the number of long ROH (ROH_{>16 Mb}) was similar. ROH islands with the highest incidences (>0.50) overlapped in several segments of the genome in the two populations. The genes identified were associated with milk production, growth, reproduction, immune response and resistance traits. Our results contribute to the understanding of how selection can shape the distribution of ROH and ROH islands within the same breed when animals are selected for different purposes such as dairy or beef production.     

Thermal decomposition,chemical composition,in vitro digestibility and gas production and in situ degradability of oilseed residues from the biofuel industry

Thermal analysis could rapidly and easily predict nutritional value of ruminant feeds. The hypothesis is that crambe meal (CM) has a quality similar to that of soybean meal (SM), and the objective of this study was to determine the nutritional characteristics of CM and compare them to those of SM. CM had greater concentrations of phytic acid (26.3 vs. 16.0 g/kg) and phenol compounds (615 vs. 393 mg gallic acid (GAE)/kg) than SM. In vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility was lower for CM than SM (752 vs. 975 g/kg DM). Cumulative in vitro gas production at 48 h of incubation (14.1 vs. 19.4 mL/100 mg substrate DM), and energy release (4.5 vs. 5.7 kJ/g substrate DM) were lower for CM than SM. CM had a higher concentration of low digestible fiber, hence degradability of DM was lower and the proportion of indigestible fraction was greater for CM than SM. High concentrations of indigestible compounds were likely responsible for lower gas production of CM compared to SM. These results suggest CM quality is lower than that of SM and that thermal analysis is a useful tool to precisely determine the nutritive value of oilseed residues.     

Protected areas and native freshwater bivalves are not in the same place in south-east Brazil

1. Bivalves are important components of freshwater ecosystems; however, they are also one of the most threatened animal groups, especially members of the order Unionida. The main threats to freshwater bivalves are habitat modification and invasive species. Protected areas are a common way to minimize impacts and preserve native species, but they are rarely designated with a focus on freshwater invertebrates.
2. The main goal of this article was to describe the distribution of freshwater bivalves in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and the relationship between these species and bioclimatic areas, land use and protected areas.
3. Five native and two invasive bivalve species have been reported in Rio de Janeiro. They occur mainly in bioclimatic areas related to the Paraíba do Sul River and Campista Lowlands. The few records of bivalves inside protected areas are in areas of sustainable use that offer a lower level of protection, and frequently in sympatry with invasive bivalves.
4. Thus, the established protected areas in Rio de Janeiro are not adequately effective for freshwater bivalve conservation, and some species remain under threat even within them. Freshwater bivalves thus remain largely unprotected in the state.
5. The development of new protected areas and management plans should consider other faunal groups that are usually ignored, such as freshwater bivalves, to achieve more inclusive and effective protection.