Diversidade dos Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica Ombrófila Densa
Resumo
This work aimed to describe the Braconidae diversity in remainders of the Atlantic
Rain Forest in Brazil and to verify if there are patterns of distribution along a latitudinal
gradient and at low and high altitudes. Since the Braconidae community might be
considered an exception to the established patterns of diversity and the scarceness of
studies focusing the group, they were chosen in this study. Besides, they have a very
important role in the balance of the ecosystems; they are natural enemies of
phytophagous insects considered crop pests. In order to sample the largest proportion of
the resident fauna in the sites three sampling techniques were used; two passive
(Malaise and Moericke traps) and one active ("sweeping" the vegetation). The sample
efforts and periods were standardized to avoid possible seasonal influences. This work is
part of the BIOTA/FAPESP Project: "Richness and Diversity of Hymenoptera and
Isoptera along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic forest - the Eastern Brazilian Rain
Forest" and included 18 sample sites from the Northeast to the Southern Brazil. The
Richness Index and Relative Density were used to determine the conservation status of
the forest remainders sampled. The Braconidae community did not demonstrate a pattern
of distribution along the latitudinal gradient and also no predominant distribution in the
two altitude classes was found; however, the sites in higher altitudes showed a more
homogeneous and diverse fauna. Many of the entomofauna surveys in Neotropical region
allowed the description of new species and new records; here, we present three new
records and the description of four new species of Alabagrus Enderlein (Braconidae,
Agathidinae) to Brazil. It is suggested that Peruíbe (SP), Linhares (ES), Porto Seguro
(BA), Santa Luzia de Itanhy (SE), Recife (PE) and João Pessoa (PB) are places under
influence of anthropic activities, and Intervales (SP) and Nova Iguaçu (RJ) are the most
preserved. Doryctinae and Alysiinae are suggested as bioindicators of disturbance and
environmental conservation, respectively. Cheloninae, Doryctinae, Hormiinae and
Rogadinae were assigned as indicators for studies on anthropic impacts assessment in
the Atlantic Rain Forest biome due to their wide distribution. The fragment size was not
correlated with the abundance and richness of Braconidae specimens. The more efficient
sampling method was "sweeping" the vegetation for the Braconidae fauna.