Antonio Bruno Silva Farias

This is the first documented case of human injury caused by a dragonfly species (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae). Females of this group possess a well-developed endophytic ovipositor, specialized for inserting eggs into plant tissues. To date, there are no reports in the scientific literature on the use of ovipositors as defensive structures. This case highlights the importance of the safe and informed handling of these organisms, especially considering their increasing use in research and educational settings.

The Atlantic Forest has undergone significant territorial reduction due to anthropogenic activities, adversely affecting its biodiversity. Consequently, it is imperative to identify the species constituting this megadiverse ecosystem, focusing on local diversity and, on a broader scale, regional diversity (beta diversity). This study inventories Odonata species and analyzes beta diversity patterns in the Atlantic Forest of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. Sampling across the seven sites yielded 1468 specimens representing 66 species, including 14 new state records. Species richness did not differ significantly between lentic and lotic habitats; however, community composition varied markedly, primarily due to species turnover. Anisoptera were more abundant and diverse in lentic habitats, whereas Zygoptera preferred lotic environments with well-preserved riparian vegetation. High beta diversity at regional and local scales reflects strong environmental heterogeneity, with spatial and habitat factors shaping community structure. This study highlights the ecological distinctions between the two suborders, which are linked to their dispersal abilities and habitat specialisation. These findings emphasise the importance of conserving diverse aquatic habitats and riparian vegetation to maintain Odonata diversity, thereby supporting their role as bioindicators. This study fills a critical knowledge gap in northeastern Brazil and provides baseline data to guide conservation and management strategies in this threatened biome.

Checklists are essential for elucidating species distributions. Hawkmoths, known for their extensive distribution, are considered cosmopolitan. However, in Brazil, surveys of Sphingidae are unevenly distributed across the region, with Northeastern Brazil being particularly under-sampled. To address the Wallacean shortfall for these species, this study presents new records of Sphingidae, thereby extending their documented distribution to Northeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected opportunistically within the campus of the Federal University of Sergipe, resting on the walls, throughout the day. Eight individuals representing six species were identified, of which two were new records for the state of Sergipe: Eupyrrhoglossum sagra (Poey, 1832) and Unzela japix (Cramer, 1776) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). These species are considered rare in Brazilian fauna inventories. The distribution range of E. sagra was extended by 388 km, with the nearest previous record in Pernambuco, whereas U. japix exhibited an extended range of 1,043 km, with the closest record in Piauí. This study emphasizes the biodiversity of Sergipe and highlights existing knowledge gaps concerning Sphingidae in Northeastern Brazil.

In this study, we report the first record of Telebasis vulcanoae (Machado 1980) in the state of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil, expanding its known distribution previously restricted to Minas Gerais and Bahia. Specimens were collected on the campus of the Federal University of Sergipe in areas with temporary rainwater pools and small semi-deciduous forest fragments. We also investigated the potential distribution of species in South America using a niche modelling procedure that adopted the described occurrence records and bioclimatic variables. Eighteen specimens (10 females and eight males) were sampled. Niche modelling revealed that T. vulcanoae has high environmental suitability in the northern and central-western regions of Brazil, mainly in coastal and forested areas. Our study contributes to future research on the conservation status of T. vulcanoae, which is currently classified as Data Deficient in the IUCN Threatened Species List.

Understanding the factors shaping phenological patterns is essential to unravel species coexistence and biodiversity dynamics. This study investigated the phylogenetic and climatic drivers of reproductive phenology in Myrcia species from the Restingas of the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. We monitored the reproductive phenology of nine sympatric Myrcia species for one year and assessed the influence of climatic variables (precipitation and day length) and phylogenetic relatedness using phylogenetic signal metrics and eigenvector regression. Our findings indicate a strong climatic control over reproductive phenology. Flowering predominantly occurred during periods of lower precipitation and longer days, whereas fruiting was concentrated in the rainy season. Day length significantly influenced floral bud and flowering activity, whereas precipitation negatively affected these phases but promoted fruit maturation. Despite the close phylogenetic relationships among species, we found no significant phylogenetic signal in phenological traits, suggesting that reproductive timing is shaped more by environmental factors than by evolutionary history. The lack of phylogenetic conservatism in phenology highlights the role of ecological adaptation in shaping reproductive strategies in this diverse community. Although temporal overlap among species was observed, it did not align with phylogenetic relatedness, suggesting that competition or facilitation mechanisms operate independently of evolutionary history. These findings highlight how tropical plant communities adjust their reproductive cycles in response to environmental constraints, reinforcing the dominant role of ecological factors over phylogenetic constraints in shaping phenological patterns.

The present study provides a preliminary Odonata inventory for the Serra do Japi Biological Reserve, an important Atlantic Forest conservation unit in São Paulo State, Brazil. We recorded 22 species, representing 7.5% of the Odonata fauna previously known for the state. Among them, three are new records for São Paulo, highlighting the potential for further discoveries in unexplored Atlantic Forest remnants. Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae were the most diverse and abundant families, a pattern similar to that observed in other studies of Atlantic Forest odonate assemblages. Species richness was similar between the lentic and lotic habitats, with some taxa exhibiting clear habitat preferences. The recorded species composition reflects the environmental heterogeneity of the SJBR and the availability of suitable microhabitats for odonates. Additionally, the presence of Brechmorhoga goncalvensis Vilela, Stefani-Santos & Ávila Júnior, 2021, and Heteragrion tiradentense Machado & Bedê, 2006, both listed as near threatened, underscores the role of the SJBR as an essential refuge for range-restricted and sensitive species. These findings reinforce the importance of Atlantic Forest reserves in maintaining regional Odonata diversity and contribute to a broader understanding of species distribution patterns.

Lestes tricolor has been recorded in southern and south-eastern states of Brazil, as well as in Bahia in the north-east, and in Amazonas in the north. In this study, we expanded the knowledge of its distribution to Sergipe and reviewed its occurrence in other Brazilian states. The establishment of large populations of this species is uncertain owing to the low number of individuals collected. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of conservation efforts for the north-eastern remnants of the Atlantic Forest to ensure continuous monitoring of this species and its habitats.

Megaloptera comprises approximately 400 species, of which 25 are recorded in Brazil and belong to Corydalidae and Sialidae. Here, we provide new occurrence records for Corydalus diasi Navás, 1915 (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) in Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe, where two females and five males were collected using light traps from June 2022 to May 2023. Specimens were identified using morphological analysis. We provide illustrations that will aid in the elucidation of the species and can be used to understand its morphological variation. Originally described in Ceará in 1915, C. diasi is now known to occur in several Brazilian states, expanding its distribution to 2,231,711 km², covering ecotonal areas between the Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga in Northeastern Brazil. We highlight the lack of information on Megaloptera in the Northeast, a region affected by Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls, and emphasize the need for further sampling in ecologically diverse areas to uncover invertebrate diversity and support the development of conservation policies.