Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Adaptações da Biota Aquática da Amazônia

Cerrado is the largest and most biodiverse savannah worldwide. However, only a reduced amount of this ecosystem is conserved, and in the last decades, the vast agricultural expansion resulted in the substitution of native vegetation for exotic pasturelands. Insects are key components for both native and exotic ecosystems in Cerrado, performing critical functions for ecosystem maintenance. Our goal was to evaluate how the transformation of natural Cerrado into cattle pastures (exotic pastures) affects the insect communities in this biome. We conducted a meta‐analysis using data on species richness and abundance data of insect assemblages from conserved Cerrado and exotic pastures. The analysis was based on a set of 23 scientific articles. Fourteen studies focused on Coleoptera and nine on Hymenoptera. Conserved Cerrado encompassed a higher species richness of insects than exotic pastures, but their abundance did not differ between these two habitats. However, dung beetle abundance increases significantly in disturbed Cerrado over time. Synanthropic species that thrive in altered environments could be masking the actual decline in abundance of species sensitive to environmental disturbances provoked by exotic pastures. Our results highlight the consequences of the structural homogenisation of the Cerrado into cattle pastures. That is, despite having a similar open‐canopy vegetation structure, this land‐use change leads to a significant loss of insect species, resulting in a drastic simplification of insect communities. This study reinforces the importance of maintaining native Cerrado patches in order to maintain diverse and functional ecosystems in this region.

Indigenous knowledges are being increasingly recognized as fundamental for environmental governance, ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. However, they tend to be recognized by Western science only when they converge with Western scientific knowledge, while ontological differences are generally treated as irrelevant or unreasonable beliefs. Given this scenario, embracing difference as a productive and fundamental aspect to truly understand these epistemologies is crucial to advance fair and symmetrical epistemological dialogues. Current domestication models are key to interpreting human‐plant‐animal‐landscape entanglements. However, they have been criticized in the Amazonian context for remaining steeped in the Western logic of human control over nature and for neglecting local worldviews, which do not assume a dichotomy between nature and culture. In light of this, we propose a thought‐provoking exercise that aims to broaden ideas on domestication as inspired by Indigenous worldviews. We integrate insights derived from Amazonian Indigenous knowledge systems to construct a conceptual model of domestication. We then engage the synthesis resulting from this approach with concepts and theories from ecology and anthropology. In our model, plants, animals, supernatural beings and humans care for, manage and cultivate their domains. Since, according to Indigenous ontologies, all these beings have agency, intentionality, and human qualities, they all share the status of domesticators in our model. The outcome of the combined actions of these beings is an entirely socialized forest, formed by a mosaic of domūs of both humans and non‐humans. Thus, in our model, the forest is fully domesticated by the action of a multiplicity of beings, who possess symmetrical agencies and are constantly interacting socially. By following the reflective path constructed in our approach, we invite the reader to ‘think with’ Indigenous Peoples. Instigated by this framework, we suggest directions to broaden conventional ecological approaches used for studying socio‐ecological systems and promote conservation. We hope to inspire the creativity of current ecological research dynamics to design investigations that go beyond the anthropocentric perspective and the nature/culture dichotomy. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) is a native fish of the Amazonian basin. It plays an essential role in food security and the maintenance of biodiversity. In the 1970s, researchers designated the species as endangered due to the deleterious effects of overfishing. The advancement of fish farming projects for large-scale production and management in protected areas have been a significant driving force behind scientific research. This pioneering study analyzes the global literature, scientific articles via the Scopus platform, and national interest through research projects registered on the Lattes platform. The authors employ data collection and organization techniques, including network science and topic modeling analysis. Brazilian research is prominent, with scientists leading national projects and ranking among the most productive in Scopus. Additionally, Brazilian institutions fund the majority of research on Scopus. The main areas of study focused on understanding the biological and technological aspects, especially those related to reproduction. Domestic research circuits mainly refer to applied research. The findings presented here illustrate the significance of conducting research in peripheral countries to address national concerns. Despite limited awareness of these findings beyond the local context, they offer substantial insights for developing local strategies.

The Amazon is the world's largest tropical forest, has a great diversity of species, and provides essential ecosystem services. However, anthropic exploratory processes have intensified and are seriously influencing this biome. Approaches that are based on ecological network theory are an excellent tool for describing the structure of communities, interactions between species, and the stability of ecosystems. Using a specific set of network metrics; the first epiphyte–phorophyte commensal network for the fragile white‐sand ecosystems of the central Amazon was created. The structure and organization of interactions were analyzed and described; we also tested the stability of the system to simulate species loss. A total of 725 interactions between 52 phorophyte species and 118 vascular epiphytes were recorded in the white‐sand ecosystem (WSE). The epiphyte–phorophyte network exhibited a nested structure, with a low degree of specialization ( H 2 ′), connectance, modularity, and robustness. When the elimination of highly connected phorophytes was simulated, secondary extinctions in epiphytes were high, which indicates low stability of the system when disturbances occur. The generalist phorophyte Aldina heterophylla was particularly important, interacting with 89.0% of the species and hosting 75.0% of the epiphytes. Our results indicate that the richness and abundance of vascular epiphytes in WSEs is concentrated in a few phorophytes species, especially in large trees. As such, removing this species from the system can disrupt interactions, change the network's structure, and unbalance the entire ecosystem.

This study employed a pre-amplification step using specific primers flanking a mini-barcode (105 bp) within the mitochondrial COI gene in Prochilodus nigricans to improve detection in environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples collected in Amazonian floodplain lakes. Detecting rare and economically important species through eDNA analysis can be challenging due to issues such as cross-amplification and false negatives in qPCR. The addition of Pre-amplification solved these problems, especially for P. nigricans. Without the pre-amplification step, specific targets were not detected by qPCR; however, Cq values ranged from 35.96 to 39.67 in the pre-amplified samples, except for in one of the sampled lakes. A linear and positive correlation between gDNA dilution and Cq values was observed, demonstrating improved qPCR performance with pre-amplification. In summary, pre-amplification is presented as a robust approach to enhance the sensitivity of detecting specific targets in eDNA from Amazonian lake ecosystems.

Stable understory microclimates within undisturbed rainforests are often considered refugia against climate change. However, this assumption contrasts with emerging evidence of Neotropical bird population declines in intact rainforests. We assessed the vulnerability of resident rainforest birds to climatic variability, focusing on dry season severity characterized by hotter temperatures and reduced rainfall. Analyzing 4264 individual bird captures over 27 years, we found that harsher Amazonian dry seasons significantly reduced apparent survival for 24 of 29 species, with longer-lived species being more strongly affected. Our model predicted that a 1°C increase in average dry season temperature would reduce the mean apparent survival of the understory bird community by 63%. These findings directly link climate change to declining bird survival in the Amazon, challenging the notion that pristine rainforests can fully protect their biodiversity under increasingly severe climate conditions.

Centromochlus heckelii has the lowest diploid chromosome number (2n = 46) and the only described heteromorphic sex chromosome system in Auchenipteridae. This study presents a population of C. heckelii from the Central Amazon basin with subtle variations in the karyotype composition and a variant W chromosome with distinct morphology and increased C-positive heterochromatin content. In this population, the W chromosome is subtelocentric, whereas the only previous study on C. heckelii reported a metacentric W chromosome. Constitutive heterochromatin (CH) and accumulation of microsatellite motifs have significantly contributed to this W chromosome enlargement. Notably, this population exhibits numerous interstitial telomeric sites (ITSs). Some of these ITSs might represent genuine chromosomal fusion points due to the reduced 2n; however, additional mechanisms, such as chromosomal inversions, translocations, transpositions, or association with satellite DNA, are likely responsible for this unusual pattern. The 18S rDNA sites were found in both the Z and W chromosomes of all individuals. However, two individuals exhibited an additional 18S rDNA site in a single homologous of the chromosome pair 20, characterizing an intrapopulation polymorphism. The 5S rDNA sites were found in two chromosome pairs, distinguishing this population from other Centromochlinae species and further supporting it as one of the most efficient cytotaxonomic markers within the subfamily.

The environmental pressures promoted by urban ecosystems can play a pivotal role in the sexual attributes of native species that persist in cities. Dung beetles' body size and cephalic appendages are determinant for mating success and couple acceptance, directly affecting individual fitness. The objective of this study was to test how different levels of urbanisation affect tubercle length–body size allometry of Dichotomius boreus individuals. Dung beetles were sampled in three habitats: city core, city outskirts and rural sites. Individuals had their body and tubercle lengths measured to assess their allometric relationships. There was a hyperallometric relationship between body size and tubercle length, which did not differ between sexes according to their habitat type. Moreover, there were no differences in allometric slopes between habitats in neither sex. The results of our study could suggest that the sexual selective force for the expression of different tubercle lengths in males and females is similar and responded similarly in the different studied habitats of the urban landscape of this study. Future studies encompassing Dichotomius dung beetles would be necessary to establish the evolution of allometric relationships in this clade and its relation to the intra‐ and interspecific interactions.

Although the Neotropics harbour almost half of the world's butterfly species, there are few assessments regarding the potential future suitability of habitats for this important bioindicator in the region. Here, we test if butterfly species restricted to the Amazonia rainforest will be more affected by environmental change than closely related, more widespread species. We compiled 1149 individually checked observation records of three closely related species pairs with distinct distribution patterns (Amazonian‐restricted and widely distributed in the Neotropics). Using MaxEnt species distribution models, we projected the future habitat suitability (2050 and 2100) under low (SSP126) and high (SSP585) greenhouse gas emission scenarios and also considering reduced forested cover. Estimated models showed that in the low‐emission scenario, most species will potentially expand their suitable habitats and distributions by 3.7%–11.4% in 2100. Contrastingly, in the high‐emission scenario, most species will potentially lose habitat and distribution ranges by 9.6%–49.7% in 2100, regardless of their original range extent or phylogenetic relatedness. Only one widespread generalist species might benefit from this scenario in 2100, increasing its suitable habitat area by 30%. Both Amazonian range‐restricted and more widely distributed Neotropical butterflies may be equally negatively affected by global change in high‐emission scenarios. The fact that only one generalist species might expand its suitable habitat suggests a butterfly fauna homogenisation in the Neotropics. This prospect requires further testing to consider whether global change will affect not only restricted but generalist species as well.

Loss of primary rainforest imperils species, communities, and ecosystem services. Secondary forests play a role in supporting primary forest species, making it important to assess how variation in landscape composition, sample area, and secondary forest age influence their value for maintaining biodiversity. We sampled bird communities in three 16‐ha sites in 31‐36‐year‐old secondary forest (SF) and three adjacent primary forest (PF) sites at the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project near Manaus, Brazil. SF sites were surrounded by vast, minimally broken PF. Spot‐map surveys revealed 204 species, with 48 found only in PF (SF estimate 117–144 species/site, PF estimate 163–180). SF communities were distinct, but composed almost entirely of PF species and overlapped PF communities in functional attributes. Cavity‐nesting species were slightly underrepresented in SF. Important differences in SF included much reduced abundance of canopy, terrestrial, and insectivorous species. Vegetation structure may limit canopy species: SF had a homogeneous canopy of 20–25 m, >10 m lower than the heterogeneous PF canopy. Sensitivity of terrestrial insectivores conforms to an expected pattern, perhaps exacerbated by a lack of colonists for these regionally declining species. Relatively better recovery of midstory and understory species does not align with some studies, perhaps because our landscape facilitated their colonization. In this system, SF bird communities appear to be recovering, with frugivores, nectarivores, and granivores (including game species) already well matched to PF. Complete recovery may be slowed not just by SF habitat suitability, but also by demographic processes in PF that limit availability of colonists. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

Understanding changes in species composition due to human‐induced habitat modification and environmental filtering is essential for formulating effective conservation strategies. Species turnover resulting from reduced‐impact logging (RIL) is expected in the short term, generally with species adapted to open areas replacing those dependent on old‐growth forest. However, little is known about how RIL activities influence assemblages after the perturbation ceased. We sampled lizards across an edaphic and vegetation‐structure gradient in 64 plots in the Brazilian Amazon to test the hypothesis that changes in assemblage composition and proportion of heliothermic species are due to canopy openness resulting from ceased RIL activities and individual tree falls or to other environmental gradients. Contrary to expectations, canopy openness did not significantly affect the overall composition of lizard assemblages, but nearby unforested areas influenced assemblage composition, resulting in a higher proportion of heliothermic species. The composition of lizard assemblages was also significantly influenced by the distance to the nearest water body, vegetation height, and soil sand content. However, leaf litter height did not have a detectable impact on the composition of lizard assemblages. We conclude that short‐term changes in species composition due to habitat modification by RIL do not persist in the long term after the perturbation ceases, and the assemblages may recover as vegetation regenerates. Although lizard species respond to spatial and temporal variation in environmental characteristics, we found evidence that lizard assemblages recover as reduced‐impact logging (RIL) activities cease and vegetation regenerates. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

The two main extensions of rain forest in South America are the Amazon (Amazônia) and the Atlantic rain forest (Mata Atlântica), which are separated by a wide ‘dry diagonal’ of seasonal vegetation. We used the species-rich tree genus Inga to test if Amazônia—Mata Atlântica dispersals have been clustered during specific time periods corresponding to past, humid climates. We performed hybrid capture DNA sequencing of 810 nuclear loci for 453 accessions representing 164 species that included 62% of Mata Atlântica species and estimated a dated phylogeny for all accessions using maximum likelihood, and a species-level tree using coalescent methods. There have been 16–20 dispersal events to the Mata Atlântica from Amazônia with only one or two dispersals in the reverse direction. These events have occurred over the evolutionary history of Inga, with no evidence for temporal clustering, and model comparisons of alternative biogeographic histories and null simulations showing the timing of dispersal events matches a random expectation. Time-specific biogeographic corridors are not required to explain dispersal between Amazônia and the Mata Atlântica for rain forest trees such as Inga, which are likely to have used a dendritic net of gallery forests to cross the dry diagonal.

In 2023, the biogeographic Amazon experienced temperature anomalies of 1.5°C above the 1991-2020 average from September to November. These conditions were driven by high sea surface temperature in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, together with reduced moisture advection from the Atlantic, causing large vapor pressure and water deficits in the second semester of 2023. Here, we evaluate the response of the Amazon carbon cycle to this extreme event across different spatial scales. We combined atmospheric CO2 mole fractions and eddy covariance flux data from the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO), near-real- time simulations by Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs), an atmospheric inversion, and remote sensing data. We find that in 2023 the Amazon region was, including fires, a net carbon source of 0.01 to 0.17 PgC. Fire emissions (0.15 [0.13-0.17] PgC) were within typical variability of the 2003-2023 period, thus we attribute the weak carbon source to reduced vegetation uptake during the dry season. A stronger-than-normal vegetation uptake early in the year (January to April), consistent across data streams and spatial scales, mitigated the total carbon losses by the end of the year. We find a shift from carbon sink to source in May and a peak source in October. Our findings show a reduced vegetation carbon uptake over the Amazon region, leading to a weak carbon source that contributed 30% of the net carbon loss in the tropical land in 2023.

Pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli can cause gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacteremia, and other severe infections. Some isolates of this species are capable of producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes, which mediate resistance against penicillin derivates and cephalosporins. Fungi of the Ascomycota phylum are known to produce antibiotics from different classes with activity against various bacterial agents. Among them, the genera Penicillium, Cephalosporium, Acremonium and Fusidium are known for the production of antimicrobial substances such as penicillin derivates, cephalosporins and fusidic acid. Currently, the search for new antimicrobials produced by species of the Ascomycota phylum includes the assessment of less explored habitats including aquatic environments, extreme environments, and the interior of plants/animals. The genus Penicillium remains promising for the discovery of new antimicrobial substances against resistant bacteria. In addition, those fungi have also been investigated regarding their usefulness for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity. This narrative review introduces clinically relevant Escherichia coli pathovars, the historical contributions of the phylum Ascomycota to the production of antimicrobials, aspects of bioprocesses in the production of antimicrobial metabolites and different approaches of research targeting new antimicrobials such as screenings for fungi in environments not yet studied and the green synthesis mediated by fungi with antimicrobial activity.

BACKGROUND With the growing human awareness of the environmental and animal stress caused by the meat industry, the consumption of plant‐based products has expanded. Plant proteins have gained market prominence due to their sustainable origin, economic value and health benefits. Well‐established plant proteins in the market, such as those of soy and pea, have various applications as ingredients in the food industry. However, given the wide variety of protein sources, it is necessary to conduct studies on the chemical and techno‐functional characterization of other raw materials to further diversify their properties. In this context, the present study introduces jack bean protein concentrate (JBPC) as a potential alternative to proteins already established in the market. Techno‐functional properties such as surface hydrophobicity, solubility, zeta potential, water‐ and oil‐holding capacity, foam capacity and stability, emulsion stability and gel formation and rheology were analyzed. RESULTS The protein content obtained from the extraction of the JBPC was 73 g (100 g)⁻¹ on a dry weight basis, with an extraction yield of approximately 10% (w/w). Least gelation concentration for JBPC was 20%. JBPC exhibited a predominantly hydrophobic nature, with good oil retention capacity and emulsion and foam stabilization properties. The structure of JBPC was more linear, stable and rigid, which primarily influenced gel stiffness. CONCLUSION Based on the study of techno‐functional properties, JBPC proved to be an excellent alternative to soy protein isolate and pea protein concentrate in various applications, with potential for becoming an innovative ingredient in the food industry. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Societal Impact Statement The physiological effects of increased atmospheric CO2 (CO2 fertilization) on intact forests are generally seen as a process that might buffer them against the impacts of climate change. However, CO2 fertilization can also cause adverse changes in forest conditions, such as alterations in species composition and reduced ecosystem moisture availability. Because of this, we argue that the effect of CO2 fertilization is a disturbance that leads to changes in the functioning of worldwide forests and causes low‐intensity degradation of these ecosystems. This demonstrates that even the most remote forests in the world have been altered by human action via CO2 fertilization, and the responsibility for their integrity must be shared globally.

Pentaclethra macroloba is a hyperdominant species with multiple uses in the Amazon. This species tolerates varying flood amplitudes, however the effect of flood topographic gradient on its ecophysiology remains unclear. We want to know if individuals from the high (10 trees) and low (20 trees) várzea show distinct phenological patterns as a function of the flood gradient, as well as their colonization strategies and their seed predators. From February 2018 to December 2019, we monitored the phenology of P. macroloba. There was no difference in phenological patterns between the two environments, but flooding caused different phenological responses. The increase in temperature favored the production of flower buds and increased precipitation reduced the proportion of flowering trees in both environments. The increase in rainfall and river flood level favored the ripe fruit only in the low várzea where individuals were most exposed to flooding. When the flood level increased, there was a greater proportion of trees losing leaves in both environments. The species produces high variability in seed size (length: H = 49.2, p > 0.001; width: H = 62.5, p > 0.001; weight: H = 70.4, p > 0.001). The seed predation rate was 5%, mainly caused by Carmenta surinamensis moth larva. The flood gradient established different phenological responses in the species, directing trees to have a better reproductive performance. The low predation rate and the variability in seed size are factors that contribute to the formation of large population densities in the Amazon River estuary.

Campinarana is a fragile white‐sand rainforest ecosystem in Amazonia, where mining activities have been an important driver of landscape transformation, threatening biodiversity. Despite its importance for biodiversity, few studies have investigated insects' response to environmental disturbance in campinaranas . Here, we assess the differences between the dung beetle assemblages of undisturbed and disturbed campinaranas . The studied campinaranas differ substantially in their vegetation structure, the disturbed one strongly affected by mining activities. Dung beetle taxonomic diversity, abundance, biomass, and assemblage structure (species' distribution and relative abundances) from total and functional group perspective and indicator species were recorded in undisturbed and disturbed campinaranas . A total of 1592 beetles belonging to 42 species were collected in undisturbed campinaranas and 459 beetles from 11 species in disturbed campinaranas . Undisturbed campinaranas encompassed higher diversity, abundance, number of indicator species, and biomass, and their assemblages' structure were distinct from disturbed campinaranas . The abundance of roller dung beetles was the only parameter that was not affected by habitat type. Our results suggest that undisturbed campinaranas host sensitive ecological communities, with most of the species unable to cope with the changes brought by mining activities. In addition, dung beetle species can be a useful indicator for monitoring environmental disturbance in campinaranas . Considering the extension of the latter across the Amazon, this study provides information to support public policies to mitigate losses caused by deforestation in this hyperdiverse area.