RESUMO

Epiperipatus edwardsii (Blanchard, 1847) is redescribed based on fresh material collected near the type locality. Additionally, five new species of velvet worms of the genus Epiperipatus Clark, 1913 from Brazil are described: Epiperipatus hyperbolicus sp. nov., Epiperipatus lucerna sp. nov., Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. (Holotypes deposited in MNRJ: Murici, Alagoas State), Epiperipatus beckeri sp. nov. (Holotype female deposited in MNRJ: Camacan, Bahia State) and Epiperipatus marajoara sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in MZUSP: Breves, Marajó island, Pará State). The peculiar shape of the primary papillae (artichoke-like) of E. titanicus sp. nov. and E. beckerisp. nov. is documented for the first time. Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. has the largest number of pairs of oncopods (38 for males and 39 for females) among the Brazilian Onychophora. We also provide an identification key for Brazilian species of Epiperipatus.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Epiperipatus edwardsii (Blanchard, 1847) is redescribed based on fresh material collected near the type locality. Additionally, five new species of velvet worms of the genus Epiperipatus Clark, 1913 from Brazil are described: Epiperipatus hyperbolicus sp. nov., Epiperipatus lucerna sp. nov., Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. (Holotypes deposited in MNRJ: Murici, Alagoas State), Epiperipatus beckeri sp. nov. (Holotype female deposited in MNRJ: Camacan, Bahia State) and Epiperipatus marajoara sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in MZUSP: Breves, Marajó island, Pará State). The peculiar shape of the primary papillae (artichoke-like) of E. titanicus sp. nov. and E. beckerisp. nov. is documented for the first time. Epiperipatus titanicus sp. nov. has the largest number of pairs of oncopods (38 for males and 39 for females) among the Brazilian Onychophora. We also provide an identification key for Brazilian species of Epiperipatus.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Studies related to centipede feeding and predatory behavior are rare in the literature, and are limited to observations made during fieldwork. Furthermore, they lack descriptions of prey capture. We conducted a laboratory experiment using South American specimens of Scolopendra viridicornis Newport, 1844 (n = 5), Otostigmus tibialis Brõlemann, 1902 (n = 5), and Cryptops iheringi Brõlemann, 1902 (n = 5), as well as 13 different kinds of prey, to map and describe their predatory behavior. The analysis of video images (65 hours of recordings) resulted in 15 behavioral categories that describe foraging, prey capture, feeding, and cleaning habits. Almost all observations (95%) concluded with the centipede killing the prey. Although we witnessed that a stimulus triggered the movement of the centipede toward the prey in all observation events (suggesting a sit-and-wait strategy), our experiments also showed that these arthropods actively forage to seek food. Field observations during the experiment allowed us to document that scolopendromorphs feed on plants when animal prey items are not available. Moreover, we observed that the size and aggressiveness of the prey determined the centipede capture process. Our results revealed that two behavioral categories were performed only by S. viridicornis , and thus might be genus or species-specific. These are: raising the first third of the body while the rest of the body remains adjacent to the substrate; and restraining the prey along the ventral region of the first third of the body with the aid of locomotory legs. We also observed some peculiar behaviors performed only by O. tibialis . Our results confirm that S. viridicornis , O. tibialis and C. iheringi hold prey between their ultimate pair of legs.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Studies related to centipede feeding and predatory behavior are rare in the literature, and are limited to observations made during fieldwork. Furthermore, they lack descriptions of prey capture. We conducted a laboratory experiment using South American specimens of Scolopendra viridicornis Newport, 1844 (n = 5), Otostigmus tibialis Brõlemann, 1902 (n = 5), and Cryptops iheringi Brõlemann, 1902 (n = 5), as well as 13 different kinds of prey, to map and describe their predatory behavior. The analysis of video images (65 hours of recordings) resulted in 15 behavioral categories that describe foraging, prey capture, feeding, and cleaning habits. Almost all observations (95%) concluded with the centipede killing the prey. Although we witnessed that a stimulus triggered the movement of the centipede toward the prey in all observation events (suggesting a sit-and-wait strategy), our experiments also showed that these arthropods actively forage to seek food. Field observations during the experiment allowed us to document that scolopendromorphs feed on plants when animal prey items are not available. Moreover, we observed that the size and aggressiveness of the prey determined the centipede capture process. Our results revealed that two behavioral categories were performed only by S. viridicornis , and thus might be genus or species-specific. These are: raising the first third of the body while the rest of the body remains adjacent to the substrate; and restraining the prey along the ventral region of the first third of the body with the aid of locomotory legs. We also observed some peculiar behaviors performed only by O. tibialis . Our results confirm that S. viridicornis , O. tibialis and C. iheringi hold prey between their ultimate pair of legs.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Centipedes are opportunistic carnivore predators, and large species can feed on a wide variety of vertebrates, including bats. The aim of this study was to report the third record of bat predation by centipedes worldwide, the first record in the Amazon region, while covering aspects of foraging, capture and handling of prey. We observed the occurence in a fortuitous encounter at Cristalino State Park, located in the Amazon region of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The attack took place in a small wooden structure, at about three meters from the floor, and was observed for 20 minutes. During the observation, the centipede stung the neck and abdominal region of the bat several times, grabbing the prey with its 15 pairs of front legs while hanging from the ceiling with its hind legs. This type of observation suggests that vertebrates can be important preys for invertebrates such as giant centipedes, both for its nutritional composition and for the amount of energy available in a single prey.(AU)

Centopeias são predadores carnívoros oportunistas e grandes espécies podem se alimentar de uma grande variedade de vertebrados, inclusive de morcegos. O objetivo desse trabalho é reportar o terceiro registro de predação de morcego por centopeia, e o primeiro para a região Amazônica, abrangendo aspectos do forrageamento, captura e manipulação da presa. O registro foi realizado de forma fortuita, no Parque Estadual do Cristalino, região de Floresta Amazônica, no estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. O ataque ocorreu em uma estrutura de madeira a cerca de três metros de altura e foi observado por 20 minutos. Durante a observação, a centopeia picou várias vezes o pescoço e região abdominal do morcego, agarrando a presa com seus 15 pares de pernas anteriores e se pendurando ao teto com as pernas posteriores. Esse tipo de observação sugere que vertebrados podem ser importantes presas para invertebrados, como centopeias gigantes, tanto por sua composição nutricional quanto pela quantidade de energia disponível em uma única presa.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Centipedes are opportunistic carnivore predators, and large species can feed on a wide variety of vertebrates, including bats. The aim of this study was to report the third record of bat predation by centipedes worldwide, the first record in the Amazon region, while covering aspects of foraging, capture and handling of prey. We observed the occurence in a fortuitous encounter at Cristalino State Park, located in the Amazon region of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The attack took place in a small wooden structure, at about three meters from the floor, and was observed for 20 minutes. During the observation, the centipede stung the neck and abdominal region of the bat several times, grabbing the prey with its 15 pairs of front legs while hanging from the ceiling with its hind legs. This type of observation suggests that vertebrates can be important preys for invertebrates such as giant centipedes, both for its nutritional composition and for the amount of energy available in a single prey.

Centopeias são predadores carnívoros oportunistas e grandes espécies podem se alimentar de uma grande variedade de vertebrados, inclusive de morcegos. O objetivo desse trabalho é reportar o terceiro registro de predação de morcego por centopeia, e o primeiro para a região Amazônica, abrangendo aspectos do forrageamento, captura e manipulação da presa. O registro foi realizado de forma fortuita, no Parque Estadual do Cristalino, região de Floresta Amazônica, no estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. O ataque ocorreu em uma estrutura de madeira a cerca de três metros de altura e foi observado por 20 minutos. Durante a observação, a centopeia picou várias vezes o pescoço e região abdominal do morcego, agarrando a presa com seus 15 pares de pernas anteriores e se pendurando ao teto com as pernas posteriores. Esse tipo de observação sugere que vertebrados podem ser importantes presas para invertebrados, como centopeias gigantes, tanto por sua composição nutricional quanto pela quantidade de energia disponível em uma única presa.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Onychophora have undergone a new wave of taxonomic revisions in the last three years. After a recent revision, only two species of Macroperipatus are registered from Brazil: Macroperipatus ohausi and Macroperipatus geayi. The former was only the second species of Onychophora to be described from Brazil, and is herein redescribed, illustrated, and its taxonomic status revised. Macroperipatus ohausi had only been collected at the type locality, Petrópolis, state of Rio de Janeiro, but has not been found there since its discovery. In 2009 we collected two specimens of this species in an Atlantic rain forest fragment in Nova Iguaçu in RPPN dos Petroleiros (also state of Rio de Janeiro). The color of the new specimens was interpreted and described based on the NBS/ISCC System of Color Designation, and corresponds only weakly to that described in earlier publications on M ohausi. The identification of M. ohausi was based solely on its morphology and compared with its original description. In addition, a female syntype of M. ohausi deposited in the Zoologisches Museum (Hamburg) was examined. We reinvestigated its external morphology and concluded that the dorsal papillae have been misinterpreted in M ohausi in previous studies of its integument. The new specimens examined are conspecific with M ohausi mainly by having conical primary papillae, different sized accessory papillae, and by the number of legs. Our material resembles.the original description of M ohausi, for example, in spinous pad and nephridial tubercles, even though these features are not represented in the original description and redescription ofM. ohausi; these features are further detailed here. We concluded that the dorsal papillae morphology of M ohausi, shares diagnostic characters, for example, with representatives of the genera Peripatus and Epiperipatus. The dorsal papillae are rounded and not square as in the original description and redescription. Another argument that supports our conclusion is that the RPPN dos Petroleiros, the locality where the new samples were collected, belongs to the same mountain chain and Atlantic mosaic as the original material of M ohausi. Furthermore, a male of M. ohausi is described here for the first time. Based on our morphological data, we transfered this species to the genus Epiperipatus, proposing a new combination, E. ohausi.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Onychophora have undergone a new wave of taxonomic revisions in the last three years. After a recent revision, only two species of Macroperipatus are registered from Brazil: Macroperipatus ohausi and Macroperipatus geayi. The former was only the second species of Onychophora to be described from Brazil, and is herein redescribed, illustrated, and its taxonomic status revised. Macroperipatus ohausi had only been collected at the type locality, Petrópolis, state of Rio de Janeiro, but has not been found there since its discovery. In 2009 we collected two specimens of this species in an Atlantic rain forest fragment in Nova Iguaçu in RPPN dos Petroleiros (also state of Rio de Jane iro). The color of the new specimens was interpreted and described based on the NBS/ISCC System of Color Designation, and corresponds only weakly to that described in earlier publications on M. ohausi. The identification of M. ohausi was based solely on its morphology and compared with its original description. In addition, a female syntype of M. ohausi deposited in the Zoologisches Museum (Hamburg) was examined. We reinvestigated its external morphology and concluded that the dorsal papillae have been misinterpreted in M. ohausi in previous studies of its integument. The new specimens examined are conspecific with M. ohausi mainly by having conical primary papillae, different sized accessory papillae, and by the number of legs. Our material resembles the original description of M. ohausi, for example, in spinous pad and nephridial tubercles, even though these features are not represented in the original description and rede- scription of M. ohausi; these features are further detailed here. We concluded that the dorsal papillae morphology of M. ohausi, shares diagnostic characters, for example, with representatives of the genera Peripatus and Epiperipatus. The dorsal papillae are rounded and not square as in the original description and redescription. Another argument that supports our conclusion is that the RPPN dos Petroleiros, the locality where the new samples were collected, belongs to the same mountain chain and Atlantic mosaic as the original material of M. ohausi. Furthermore, a male of M. ohausi is described here for the first time. Based on our morphological data, we transfered this species to the genus Epiperipatus, proposing a new combination, E. ohausi.

Onychophora experimentó una nueva serie de revisiones taxonómicas en los últimos tres años. Después de una reciente revisión, sólo dos especies de Macroperipatus fueron registradas para Brasil: Macroperipatus ohausi y Macroperipatus geayi. La primera fue solo la segunda especie de Onychophora en ser descrita en Brasil y aquí es redescrita, ilustrada, y su estatus taxonómico revisado. Macroperipatus ohausi sólo se había recolectado en la localidad tipo, Petropolis, Estado de Rio de Janeiro, pero no se ha encontrado allí desde su descubrimiento. En 2009, recolectamos dos ejemplares de esta especie en un fragmento de la ‘Mata Atlantica’ en Nova Iguaçu en el RPPN de los Petroleiros (también en el estado de Rio de Janeiro). El color de los ejemplares nuevos fue interpretado y descrito, basado en el sistema NBS System/ISCC de designación de colores, y correspondió débilmente al descrito en publicaciones anteriores sobre M. ohausi. La identificación de M. ohausi se basó únicamente en su morfología, en comparación con la descripción original. Además, se examinó un sintipo hembra de M. ohausi depositado en Zoologisches Museum (Hamburgo). Nosotros reinvestigamos su morfología externa y concluimos que las papilas dorsales fueron mal interpretadas en M. ohausi en los estudios previos de su integumento. Los nuevos especímenes examinados son coespecíficos con M. ohausi principalmente por tener las papilas primarias cónicas, diferente tamaño de las papilas accesorias, y por el número de patas. Nuestro material se asemeja a la descripción original de M. ohausi, por ejemplo, la almohadilla espinosa y tubérculos nefridiales, aunque estas características no están representadas en la descripción original y redescripcion de M. ohausi, estas características también se detallan aquí. Llegamos a la conclusión de que la morfología de las papilas dorsales de M. ohausi, comparte caracteres de diagnóstico, por ejemplo, con los representantes de los géneros Peripatus y Epiperipatus. Las papilas dorsales son redondeadas y no cuadradas como en la descripción original y redescripción. Otro argumento que apoya nuestra conclusión es que la RPPN dos Petroleiros, la ubicación en la que se recogieron las nuevas muestras, pertenece a la misma cadena de montañas y al mosaico Atlántico, tal como el material original de M. ohausi. Por otra parte, se describe aquí por primera vez un macho de M. ohausi. Basado en nuestros datos morfológicos, transferimos esta especie al género Epiperipatus, que propone una nueva combinación, E. ohausi.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Seven species of the genus Rhysida Wood, 1862 from Venezuela and one subspecies from Peru described by Manuel Angel González Sponga and Wolfgang Bücherl respectively, are revised. Rhysida caripensis González-Sponga, 2002, Rhysida neoespartana González-Sponga, 2002, Rhysida guayanica González-Sponga, 2002, Rhysida maritima González-Sponga, 2002, Rhysida monaguensis González-Sponga, 2002, Rhysida porlamarensis González-Sponga 2002, Rhysida sucupanensis González-Sponga, 2002 and Rhysida celeris andina Bücherl, 1953 are junior synonyms of Rhysida celeris (Humbert & Saussure, 1870), which is redescribed and illustrated for the first time. Its geographic distribution is updated and a map showing its distribution is presented.

RESUMO

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

RESUMO

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

RESUMO

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

RESUMO

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.

RESUMO

A revision of the currently known distribution of Onychophora (velvet worms) in Brazil is presented. Twenty-four morphospecies (half of them undescribed) belonging to four genera of the Peripatidae (Peripatus Guilding, 1826, Epiperipatus Clark, 1913, Macroperipatus Clark, 1913 and Oroperipatus Cockerell, 1908) are recorded. This high number of "unidentified" morphospecies is due to three major reasons: the poor quality of the characters used in species-level identification, the inadequate specimen conservation in ethanol, and, in most cases, the lack of additional specimens for analysis of intra- and inter-specific variation. The morphological characters currently used to separate Peripatidae species present a large degree of variation and may not be sufficient to allow accurate identification. There are records of these animals from 16 states, located in four political regions of the country (North, Center-West, Northeast and Southeast). Oroperipatus balzani is recorded for the first time from Brazil. The southernmost record for Onychophora is Itacuruçá island, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State (E. edwardsii) and the northernmost is Vila Tepequém, Amajari, Roraima State (Epiperipatus sp. 4). Considering the large territorial area of Brazil and the paucity of localities where Onychophora have been collected, we may expect a total diversity of these animals much larger than the currently known one.