Survey of entomofauna (Arthropoda: Hexapoda) from mangroves of Ecological Station Juréia-Itatins, Peruíbe (SP)

• Grant number: 10/15202-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: April 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Antonio Amaro Pinheiro
• Grantee: Leonardo Mendes de Souza Mesquita
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Little is known about the richness and diversity of entomofauna in Brazilian mangroves, although such information is a priority to assessing the conservation status of this environment, identification of endemic species and the possible threat levels which are subject. This project aims to conduct the survey of species of insects in a mangrove protected area (ecological station), to estimate its association with structural elements of the ecosystem (sediments and strata of vegetation), besides presenting a survey of past data about geographical distribution, locality, synonymy and size. Will collected four seasonal samples, during a year, comprising mangrove forests of the Ecological Station Juréia-Itatins, Municipality of Peruíbe (SP) (24º25'40''S - 47º05'20''W). During November/2010 to October/2011 will collect four times, one each season on year. Each insect will be deposited individually in plastic bottle, with a number of identification, geographic coordinate (GPS) and association with the structural elements of the sediment (litter) and vegetation, in the latter case, identifying the arboreal species and sampling stratum (e.g., roots anchor / air base trunk / Bostrychietum, branches and leaves). In laboratory the specimens will be mounted with entomological pins, getting labeled with key data for your future reference, which will also be available in a spreadsheet for reference. The specimens will be identified to family level, separated by morphospecies and classified by genus and species level, with the help of taxonomic keys. The confirmation of the classification of this material will be occurs by entomologist (co-supervisor), FCAV / UNESP Jaboticabal, and if necessary, by another specialist. The data collected will be included in the inventory, plus additional information about their association with structural elements of the mangrove. Specimens collected will be deposited in the collections of the Museum of Zoology / USP and UNESP / CLP. The data obtained will be used in the calculation of richness (Margaleff) and diversity (Shannon) indices, as well as for making rarefaction curve of species for the study area. (AU)