-The use of arthropods for monitoring habitat changes has grown widely in the last decades. In Brazil, however, most of the studies in restored areas have involved only vegetation changes. The present study aimed at investigating recolonization patterns of epigeic arthropods in recently restored sites of semideciduous forests in southeastern Brazil. We compared the community structure of adjoining sites 5, 17, 29 and 36 months old with that at a nearby forest remnant (reference site). We also determined the most abundant species and looked for ecological indicator species of each site age. Arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps, and their assemblages were described and compared with multi-and univariate statistical methods. Species abundance and richness equivalent to the reference site were reached at fi ve months after planting, however species composition was very distinctive not only in relation to the reference site, but also among restored sites. Some of the main species found in this restoration stage are common in agroecosystems or cerrado vegetation. Nevertheless, there was a clear trend of arthropod fauna in restored sites moving toward the fauna in the forest remnant over time. Our results also highlighted ants and termites because of their abundance and ants because of their high value as ecological indicators of restoration age.KEY WORDS: Formicidae, seasonal forest, monitoring, ecological indicatorThe landscape of southeastern Brazil has been entirely transformed over time by human activities (Dean 1997). Changes were especially dramatic in the inner lands originally covered by mesophytic seasonal forests (deciduous and semideciduous forests) since their soils are particularly suitable for agriculture (Oliveira-Filho & Ratter 2002). Such forests are now restricted to few small patches in the agricultural-urban matrix. Some attempts of restoration have been made in the last decades, but their effectiveness has not been properly evaluated. Long-term monitoring of sites where attempts have already been performed is necessary for evaluating restoration success and improving restoration protocols. If techniques involve tree planting, special attention should be dispensed to the fi rst years of the restored site, when the greatest habitat changes occur due to the fast growing of pioneer trees.Most of the studies in restored areas are concerned with recovery and development of vegetation, especially tree species (Amador & Viana 2000, Souza & Batista 2004, whereas fauna is usually ignored (but see Majer 1992).Because of the high turnover and growth rates for most species, arthropods serve as probes that quickly respond to environmental changes. Another special attribute lies in their microgeographic distribution, which may refl ect fi nescale heterogeneity in habitats to which most vertebrates are insensitive (Mattoni et al 2000). Arthropods often provide a more sensitive indication than plants of the overall state of the ecosystem in which they occur (Rosenberg et al 1986, Andersen & Sparli...

Susceptibility of Didymopanax vinosum (Apiaceae) to insect herbivores was investigated in three sites of a cerrado mosaic -composed of campo cerrado (a grassland with scattered trees and shrubs), cerradão (a tall woodland) and cerrado sensu stricto (intermediate between the two) -situated in Cerrado Pé-deGigante, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, Brazil. We also examined the relationship of folivory with the composition and abundance of the insect herbivore fauna, and with several nutritional and defensive plant characteristics (water, nitrogen, cellulose, lignin, tannin leaf contents, and leaf toughness). We collected insects associated with D. vinosum every month, and we measured leaf damage every three months. In general, the annual folivory differed among sites. It reached the highest rates in site 1 and site 3: 7.33 and 8.5 percent, respectively. Only 1.32 percent of annual folivory was observed in site 2. These levels resulted from the higher abundance, in sites 1 and 3, of the thrips Liothrips didymopanacis (Phlaeothripidae), the most abundant herbivore sampled, responsible for more than 90 percent of the observed damage. However, no significant relationship was found between insect activity and the chemical and physical composition of the leaves. Our findings suggest that, at least in this species, other chemical compounds or variables related to plant apparency and resource availability to herbivores (e.g. plant architecture) might play a more decisive role in the spatial variation of folivory than the nutritional and defensive traits that were analyzed.Keywords: cerrado, Didymopanax vinosum, folivory, herbivory, plant defenses. RESUMO Folivoria por insetos em Didymopanax vinosum (Apiaceae) em um mosaico de vegetação no cerrado brasileiroA susceptibilidade de Didymopanax vinosum (Apiaceae) a insetos herbívoros foi investigada em três localidades de um mosaico de cerrado -composto de campo cerrado, cerrado sensu stricto e cerradão -localizado no Cerrado Pé-de-Gigante, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, Brasil. Nosso objetivo foi também relacionar a folivoria com a composição e abundância da fauna de insetos herbívoros, e com várias características nutritivas e defensivas da planta (conteúdo foliar de água, nitrogênio, celulose, lignina, taninos e dureza foliar). Para tanto, coletamos mensalmente os insetos associados a D. vinosum e a cada três meses medimos as injúrias foliares. De modo geral, a herbivoria anual variou entre as localidades. Os maiores valores foram encontrados em plantas da localidade 1 e localidade 3: 7,33 e 8,5 por cento, aproximadamente, contra apenas 1,32 por cento na localidade 2. Esses níveis são resultado da maior abundância, nas localidades 1 e 3, do trips Liothrips didymopanacis (Phlaeothripidae), o principal herbívoro amostrado, responsável por mais de 90% das injúrias observadas. Entretanto, não se encontrou relação entre a atividade desses insetos e a composição química e física das folhas. Nossos resultados indicam que, ao menos para esta espécie, outros compostos químico...

cortadeiras foram também responsáveis por uma grande elevação nos níveis de herbivoria do primeiro para o segundo ano de acompanhamento, tanto em espécies iniciais quanto tardias.

-(Variation in plant defenses of Didymopanax vinosum (Cham. & Schltdl.) Seem. (Apiaceae) across a vegetation gradient in a Brazilian cerrado). Cerrado vegetation is composed of a mosaic of vegetation types, from campo sujo, dominated by herbs; campo cerrado and cerrado sensu stricto, with shrubby vegetation; to cerradão, with trees forming a denser forest. This physiognomic mosaic is related to differences in the water availability in the soil. Cerrado plants are considered physically and chemically well defended against herbivores, but there are no studies showing how plants allocate investment to various types of defensive mechanisms in different habitat physiognomies. The defensive mechanisms and the nutritional traits of a cerrado plant, Didymopanax vinosum (Cham. & Schltdl.) Seem. (Apiaceae), were compared along a vegetation gradient. Toughness, as well as water, nitrogen, cellulose, lignin, and tannin contents were measured in young and mature leaves of D. vinosum collected in campo cerrado, cerrado sensu stricto (s.s.) and cerradão. Plants from cerrado s.s. and cerradão were of better nutritional quality but also had higher tannin contents than campo cerrado plants. Some type of compensation mechanism could have been selected to provide an optimum investment in defense, according to limitations imposed by water deficits in the habitat. Key words -cerrado, plant defenses, tannins, vegetation gradient, water stress RESUMO -(Variações no investimento em defesas emDidymopanax vinosum (Cham. & Schltdl.) Seem. (Apiaceae) ao longo de um gradiente de vegetação num cerrado brasileiro). A vegetação de cerrado é composta por um mosaico de fisionomias, abrangendo desde o campo sujo, dominado por herbáceas, passando pelo campo cerrado e cerrado sensu stricto, com predomínio de vegetação arbustiva, até o cerradão, basicamente uma formação florestal. Este mosaico fisionômico está relacionado com diferenças na disponibilidade de água no solo. Considera-se que as plantas de cerrado são física e quimicamente bem protegidas contra herbívoros, embora não existam estudos mostrando como as plantas investem em defesas nas diferentes fisionomias. Nosso objetivo foi comparar o investimento em algumas defesas e caracteres nutritivos em Didymopanax vinosum (Cham. & Schltdl.) Seem. (Apiaceae), uma espécie vegetal típica de cerrado, ao longo de um gradiente fisionômico. Foram mensurados a dureza e os conteúdos de água, nitrogênio, celulose, lignina e taninos de folhas jovens e adultas de D. vinosum coletadas no campo cerrado, cerrado sensu stricto (s.s.) e cerradão. As plantas de cerrado s.s. e do cerradão apresentaram melhores características nutritivas, mas também maiores valores de taninos que as plantas do campo