Habitat loss threatens biodiversity in tropical forests, having harmful effects on population dynamics and, ultimately, determining the evolutionary destiny of species. Thus, understanding how habitat loss affects microevolutionary processes is an important step in the conservation of genetic resources. However, few studies have explored landscape genetics for plants in tropical environments. Our study evaluated the effects of a landscape-scale reduction in forest cover on genetic diversity and structure of Euterpe edulis (Arecaceae). The research was conducted in Atlantic Forest landscapes in Northeastern Brazil. We randomly chose 16 forest sites, each located in a 13 km 2 landscape with forest cover ranging from 6 to 83 %. After a survey of adults and seedlings in each sampling site, we found a minimum of five individuals of E. edulis at nine sites and sampled leafs from all adults within a 15 9 400 m plot and all seedlings within a 2 9 400 m subplot in each sampling site. We found that the gradient of remaining forest cover at the landscape scale did not affect the genetic diversity measured by any of the descriptors analyzed and each sampling site still harbored populations with high levels of genetic variability. However, we detected the presence of two distinct genetic groups with signs of admixture; the structural pattern of these groups differed between adults and seedlings, mainly in less forested landscapes areas. We believe that E. edulis is a good example of a tropical palm that is experiencing local extirpation before suffering loss of genetic alterations.

Abstract:The Crested Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus lophotes) is a member of the Tyrannidae family that occurs throughout open areas in central, southeastern and southern Brazil. Although this species occurs in regions that surround the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, there had never been a recorded sighting in the state. Thus, information on its distribution across Brazil's midwestern region is scarce. In this study, we report the first sightings of K. lophotes in Mato Grosso do Sul. These records extend the known distribution range of the species in midwestern Brazil and contribute to expanding knowledge of bird species composition in this region. We believe that the absence of K. lophotes from the lists of bird species recorded in different localities in Mato Grosso do Sul may be a reflection of its local rarity and the lack of bird inventory efforts in this region, which underscores the need for further research into bird communities in this poorly known region of Brazil. Keywords: birds, Tyrannidae, range extension, Cerrado, mid-western Brazil. GODOI, M.N., COSTACURTA, M.B., NUNES, A.P., PATRIAL, E.W. & MORANTE FILHO, J.C. Primeiros registros da maria-preta-de-penacho (Knipolegus lophotes, Tyrannidae) no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Biota Neotrop. 12(3): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v12n3/pt/abstract?shortcommunication+bn01012032012Resumo: A Maria-Preta-de-Penacho (Knipolegus lophotes) é um membro da família Tyrannidae que no Brasil ocorre em áreas abertas das regiões sudeste, central e sul. Apesar de ocorrer em regiões próximas ao estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, a espécie nunca foi registrada neste estado, e assim informações sobre sua distribuição no centro-oeste do país são escassas. Neste artigo reportamos os primeiros registros da ocorrência de K. lophotes no Mato Grosso do Sul. Estes registros ampliam a área de distribuição conhecida dessa espécie na região centrooeste do Brasil e contribuem para o conhecimento da avifauna desta região. Acredita-se que o registro recente de K. lophotes no Mato Grosso do Sul se deva tanto a sua raridade local quanto a falta de estudos ornitológicos mais amplos no estado, apontando a necessidade da realização de mais estudos nesta região pouco conhecida do país em relação a sua avifauna. Palavras-chave: aves, Tyrannidae, extensão de distribuição geográfica, Cerrado, M.N. et al.

A better understanding of patterns of species distribution is critical to carrying out the ecological studies needed to develop more appropriate conservation plans. Here we present records for six bird species in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Five of these species (Trogon rufus, Baryphthengus ruficapillus, Notharchus swainsoni, Synallaxis ruficapilla and Procnias nudicollis) are rare and their distribution range is still poorly understood; one species (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) was recorded for the first time in the state.