Mabea

Abstract: This research aimed to characterize the floristic composition of the tree synusiae in a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest patch located in Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (20o45'S and 42o55'W). The regional climate is classified as Cwa by the Koppen system. For the phytosociological survey, five groups of four contiguous 10 x 25 m plots were installed, at 80 m intervals, in which all the individuals with 15 cm CBH (circunference at breast height) or more were sampled. A total of 124 species were identified, belonging to 80 genus and 41 botanical families. Based on their importance value (VI), the most representative species were Mabea fistulifera (14,51%), Xylopia sericea (5,09%), Piptadenia gonoacantha (4,89%), Xylopia brasiliensis (3,79%) and Lacistema pubescens (3,65%). The most important families were Euphorbiaceae, Annonaceae, Mimosaceae, Lauraceae, and Myrtaceae. The Shannon diversity index (H') was 3,56 and the estimated basal area was 28,7 m². Typical species secondary sucession advanced stages were registered.

Abstract: The floral biology of the tree Mabea fistulifera and the behavior of its floral visitors were studied in Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. M. fistulifera is monoecious and self-incompatible. Its inflorescences present a female phase that lasts ten days, followed by a bisexual phase of three days during which animals exploit the nectar and pollen produced by male flowers. Pollination is effected by nocturnal as well as diurnal visitors, including mammals, birds and insects. The bats Artibeus lituratus, Vampyrops lineatus and Sturnira lilium and the opossum Didelphis marsupialis are the nocturnal pollinators. Several passerine birds and bees are the diurnal pollinators. The broad spectrum of unspecialized pollinators suggests that M. fistulifera reproduction may be little affected by disturbances of the animal community. Besides being visited by pollinators, the inflorescences are also visited by nectar thieves such as the flower bat Glossophaga soricina and hummingbirds.

Abstract: The pr-esenit study r-eports oni the exploitationi of the nectar of A'Iabea fistzilifreia (Euphorbiaceae) by two platyr-rhilne primate species (B-aclhyteles ar-aclhoides and Callithlrixfiazziceps) inI the Atlanitic Foi-est of sotith-east Br-azil. Nectar-feeding by botlh primnates was observed betwveell late April and May, durinig whiclh a peak in the floristic activity of M'I. fistlllijer'a was recorded, in terms of both the nium-lber of tr-ees flowerinig anid the niumber- of flower-s available on each tr-ee. Phenological recor-ds inidicate, by contr-ast, that eclible fruit was relatively scarce during this per-iod, the early dry season at the study site. Oni the days when niectar- was consumlled, it accounited for 25%' of records of planit feeding for B. aratluhoides an-d 29(), for C.flaziReps, althouglh the former species was observecd niectar- feedinig over a much loniger period. The evidenice inidicates that Al. fistldifer is a valuable, but niot essenitial r-esource for both primiates at a time of year whleni edible fruit is relatively difficult to obtain. Al. fistulfdrera, in turn, can be seeni as anl oppoituniistic plant whose floral char-acteristics perm-iit pollinationi by a wvide range of volant anid non-volant vertebrates, inicludinig pr-imates. KEY WVORDS: Brach vteles arachluoides, Brazil, Callithrix flaz)ieps, Alabea fistdulifera, nectar-feeding,