This study investigated the orchid-bee community in a conservation gradient of the high-altitude rocky fields in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Sampling was performed at two sites with different anthropic influences: a disturbed area (DA), with exotic plant species, and a preserved area (PA). From September 2009 through February 2011, males of euglossine bees were sampled using aromatic bait-traps. We collected a total of 819 specimens belonging to 11 species and three genera: Euglossa Latreille, Eulaema Lepeletier, and Eufriesea Cockerell. Despite the proximity of DA and PA (about 1.2 km), differences in orchid-bee abundance and richness were observed. Higher abundance was observed in the PA (n = 485) compared with the DA (n = 334). Eight species were common to both sites, and only the DA showed exclusive species. The DA showed higher diversity and higher estimated species richness. Euglossa leucotricha Rebêlo & Moure was the most abundant species at both sites followed by Euglossa melanotricha Moure. Higher abundance and richness were found in the warm rainy season. This study contributes to the knowledge of the orchid-bee fauna in the rocky fields and suggests that the greater resource availability in the DA was responsible for the higher orchid-bee diversity.

Orchid bees are endemic to the Neotropics and were sampled more intensively in the Atlantic Forest in the last decade than in that of other Brazilian biomes. In this study, we aimed at identifying the main distributional patterns and areas of endemism of Euglossini orchid bee species in the Atlantic Forest using parsimony analysis of endemism and endemicity analysis. The results of these analyses were partly congruent and supported the idea that the distribution of orchid bees is structured into at least five areas of endemism: Pernambuco/coastal Bahia; Espírito Santo/Rio de Janeiro/south of Minas Gerais; north of Minas Gerais/central Bahia; southeast of Minas Gerais/ northeast, central and coast of São Paulo/central and coastal Paraná; and central/coast of Santa Catarina-Rio Grande do Sul. Most of these areas were consistent with other groups of organisms and indicate the existence of real areas of endemism in the Atlantic Rain Forest. distribution pattern / insects / PAE / NDM / orchid bees Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

Cerrado sensu stricto (a physiognomy of the Cerrado domain, the Brazilian savanna) is subject to the annual occurrence of fire. Data on the epiphytic community in this physiognomy is scarce, as is evaluation of the influence of fire on its structure and composition. The aim of this study was to describe the structure of the vascular epiphyte community and its relationships with phorophytes in the Cerrado domain, Southeast Region of Brazil, after the passage of fire. We found the greatest abundance of epiphytes in the upper strata (65% of the individuals occurring above 3 m in height) and the dominance of three generalist species (Tillandsia streptocarpa, T. recurvata and Epiphyllum phyllanthus), suggesting that fire has an influence on the structure and composition of the epiphytic community.

The Polychaeta collected during three distinct Brazilian Antarctic Expeditions (December 1996 to January-1997 December 1997 to January 1998 January to April 2001)

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