High aluminum concentration and initial establishment of Handroanthus impetiginosus : clues about an Al non-resistant species in Brazilian Cerrado

Cerrado soils are acidic and nutrient-poor,with high content of solubilized Al 3+.Plants growing in these conditions may display adaptations to cope with high aluminum concentrations especially during early developmental stages.We investigated leaf nutritional status,and photosynthetic and growth characteristics during the initial establishment of Handroanthus impetiginosus(Mart.Ex Dc.)Mattos,a secondary tree species distributed in the Brazilian Cerrado.Our goal was to understand leaf-level traits related to diff erent aluminum concentrations.H.impetiginosus plants were cultivated in four diff erent aluminum sulfate concentrations:0,1,2,and 4 mM Al,for 40 days.We performed analyses of growth,leaf gas exchange,chloroplast pigment content,and leaf mineral nutrients.We observed a linear increase of Al leaf content as a function of Al concentration in the nutrient solution.Plants grown in 1 mM Al showed a remarkable increase of K leaf content,net photosynthesis,stomatal conductance,and transpiration,while in 4 mM Al there were reductions of N,P,and K contents,gas exchange characteristics,and height.H.impetiginosus did not have mechanisms of avoidance,compartmentalization,or resistance to high Al concentrations.Indeed,this species showed a hormetic response,with low Al concentrations stimulating and high Al concentrations inhibiting plant responses.

Recognizing Brazilian Cerrado Enclaves by Modeling Geoenvironmental Parameters

This work focused on the prediction modeling of Cerrado occurrences in the Atlantic Rainforest predominance in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region (SPMR), the fourth largest urban area, in the city of Guarulhos, southeastern Brazil. The methodology was based on the selection of records of occurrence of Cerrado in georeferenced databases, thematic maps of geoenvironmental layers, and modeling of the distribution of species through the MaxEnt tool. Besides that, field research confirmed the presence or not of the species in the areas with a high probability of occurrence of Cerrado (≥0.7). As a result, the model observed a great capacity for the prediction of the occurrence of Cerrado in Ecotonal and anthropic regions (AUC = 0.82), revealing important hotspots such as relics from the past or Cerrado enclaves of high biodiversity. The work also points priority areas for the conservation and preservation of this increasingly endangered biome.

Cerrado:Agricultural Production and Areas Designated for Environmental Preservation Registered in the Brazilian Rural Environmental Registry(Cadastro Ambiental Rural)

In this study,authors analyzed value,production and area used for producing Cerrado’s main agricultural products,and data on the farms located within this biome and registered in CAR up until April 2019,by microregion.The territory considered here comprised all microregions with at least 25%of its area covered by the Cerrado biome.The production,agricultural production,and planted area values used were the averages of the 2015 to 2017 harvests,and are shown in graphs and tables,as are maps of planted areas and groups of main annual crops,semi-perennial and perennial crops.The areas designated for environmental preservation(ADPs)are the result of the sum of permanent preservation areas(APP),legal reserves(RL)and additional vegetation areas within the farms.Authors’study shows that most of Brazilian cotton,eucalyptus for charcoal,orange,sugarcane,maize and soybean are produced in Cerrado,that 28%of Cerrado are ADPs within farms,and that 16%are areas planted with cotton,eucalyptus,orange,sugarcane,maize,soybean,coffee,beans,and potatoes.The territory occupied by agricultural areas and ADPs required by the Brazilian Forest Code shows that agricultural production and environmental preservation do coexist,and gather the maintenance of essential ecosystem services provided by the ADPs together with the development of the country’s relevant agricultural production.

Antimicrobial Activity and Rates of Tannins in Stryphnodendron adstringens Mart.Accessions Collected in the Brazilian Cerrado

Inner bark extracts of Stryphnodendron adstringens, a leguminous tree species known as Barbatimão, are often incorporated to phytotherapic formulations due to their antimicrobial and healing activities. In this study, extracts from S. adstringens accessions collected in 12 distinct locations were investigated in order to determine the rates of tannins in inner barks and to validate S. adstringens antibacterial and antifungal effectiveness. Yields of tannins were quantified by colorimetric assay following methodology described in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and the antimicrobial activity was determined by microdilution technique proposed by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards using S. adstringens hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts and semi-purified fractions. Investigated extracts did not present significant antibacterial activity though aqueous extracts exhibited antifungal effect against both Trichophyton rubrum mutant and clinical strains (MIC 156 μg/mL). A positive correlation between tannin concentration and antifungal activity was observed and the accessions collected in Delfinópolis (MG) were considered elite.

Surface runoff and soil erosion in a natural regeneration area of the Brazilian Cerrado

The Brazilian Cerrado has been converted to farmland,and there is little evidence that this expansion will decrease,mainly because agriculture is the country's main economic sector.However,the impacts of intense modification of land use and land cover on surface runoff and soil erosion are still poorly un-derstood in this region.Here,we assessed surface runoff and soil loss in a woodland Cerrado area under a former pasture area,which was abandoned and has undergone a natural regeneration process for 7 years(RC).Its results were compared with that found in an undisturbed area of woodland Cerrado(CE),40-month-old eucalyptus(3.0×1.8 m)(EU),and pasture under rotational grazing(PA).The study was conducted on Red Acrisol located in the Brazilian Cerrado.We performed rainfall simulations on a plot of 0.7 m2 and using three constant rainfall intensities of 60,90,and 120 mm h-1 for 1 h.For each rainfall intensity,we carried out four repetitions using different plots in each treatment,i.e.12 plots per treat-ment studied and 48 plots in total.We noted that the soil physical properties were improved in RC and,consequently,water infiltration and soil erosion control;RC presented surface runoff and soil loss different from EU and PA(a=0.05).The macroporosity and soil bulk density affected surface runoff in RC and PA because the RC was used as pasture and is currently regenerating back to the cerrado vegetation.As the rainfall intensity increased,EU became more similar to PA,which showed the highest surface runoff and soil loss.Our findings indicate that natural regeneration processes(pasture to the cerrado vegetation)tend to improve the soil ecosystem services,improving infiltration and reducing surface runoff and soil erosion.

Shared-role of vegetation types,elevation and soil affecting plant diversity in an old-tropical mountain hotspot

Despite the exceptional species richness and endemism,the environmental drivers of plant diversity along old tropical mountains remain underexplored.The respective importance of vegetation types,elevation,slope,and soil to drive diversity across life-forms is poorly addressed.Here,we tested whether environmental variables drove local and regional plant diversity along an old tropical mountain according to the three main life-forms:graminoids,herbaceous and woody species.We sampled all Angiosperm species on 180 plots across five elevations,at the tropical old-mountain region of Serra do Cipó,South-eastern Brazil.We assessed soil,slope,and vegetation types,and calculated richness and beta-diversity,applying generalized least square models,linear mixed-models and partial Mantel tests to test for relationships.Richness of graminoids and herbaceous species increased with greater elevation and more nutrient-impoverished soils,while woody richness showed the inverse pattern.Beta-diversity was primarily driven by species turnover,correlated with elevation and soil and higher in less dominant vegetation types,with unique species.Despite the limited elevational range in these old mountains,it still played an important role in filtering woody species,while fostering graminoid and herbaceous species.Conservation and restoration actions need to foster the high regional diversity supported by the old mountain heterogeneous landscape and the diversity of life-forms,especially the dominant and highly diverse grassy component.

New patterns of the tree beta diversity and its determinants in the largest savanna and wetland biomes of South America

Clear and data-driven bioregionalizations can provide a framework to test hypotheses and base biodiversity conservation.Here we used occurrence and abundance data in combination with objective analytical methods to propose two bioregionalization schemes for tree species of the Cerrado and the Pantanal in South America.We also evaluated the contribution of three sets of determinants of the occurrence-and abundance-based subregions.We compiled data on tree species composition from 894 local assemblages based on species occurrences,and from 658 local assemblages based on species abundances.We used an unconstrained community-level modelling approach and clustering techniques to identify and map tree subregions for the occurrence and the abundance data sets,separately.Hierarchical clustering analyses were conducted to investigate floristic affinities between the subregions and to map broader floristic regions.We used multinomial logistic regression models,deviance partitioning,and rank-sum tests to assess the main subregion correlates.We identified 18 occurrence-and four abundance-based subregions in the Cerrado-Pantanal.The hierarchical classifications grouped the occurrence-based subregions into nine floristic zones and abundance-based subregions into two broad floristic zones.Variation in subregions were explained mainly by environmental factors and spatial structure in both occurrence and abundance data sets.The occurrence-and abundance-based subregions are complementary approaches to disentangle macroecological patterns and to plan conservation efforts in the Cerrado and the Pantanal.Our findings based on occurrence data revealed more complex and interdigitated boundaries between subregions of tree species than previously reported.The environment,historical stability,and human effects act in a synergetic way on the distribution of the subregions.Finally,the relevance of contemporary environmental factors to the subregion patterns we found alert us to the profound impact global warming may have on the spatial organization of the Cerrado-Pantanal tree flora.

Litter removal impacts on soil biodiversity and eucalypt plantation development in the seasonal tropics

The little layer of tree plantations provides primary nutrients for uptake,buff ers changes in soil moisture,and provides habitat and substrate to soil epigeic fauna.However,this layer in eucalypt plantations is often removed to reduce fuel load during the fi re season in the Brazilian savanna(Cerrado).Therefore,it is necessary to quantify the eff ects of changes in litter dynamics on the function of these plantations,on key nutrient cycling processes and on epigeic fauna diversity and abundance.In two adjacent stands(one juvenile and one mature),the consequences of two years of litter removal were quantifi ed as monthly litterfall,leaf and fi ne wood litter decomposition,epigeic fauna abundance and diversity,soil biogeochemical variables,and tree diameter and basal area increments.Monthly litterfall rates in juvenile and mature stands did not change with litter removal over the study period.Annual litterfall ranged from 4.1 to 4.9 Mg ha^(−1)a^(−1)in litter removal plots and from 3.9 to 4.8 Mg ha^(−1)a^(−1)in control plots.Fine wood litter decomposition was slower in litter removal plots compared to controls,while leaf decomposition rates were similar in both.Two years of litter removal in the juvenile stand did not aff ect topsoil biogeochemical parameters but decreased available phosphorus at 20–40 cm depth relative to controls.In the mature stand,total cation exchange capacity(0–20 cm)was higher in controls(6.4 cmol c dm^(−3))relative to litter removal plots(6.3 cmol c dm^(−3)),while soil moisture(0–40 cm depth)was lower in litter removal(25.45 m 3 m^(−3))compared to control plots(26 m^(3)m^(−3))in the dry season.A non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination revealed an increased homogeneity in epigeic fauna where litter was removed.Litterfall,decomposition,diameter increment,four soil physical parameters and fourteen chemical parameters at 0–20 and 20–40 cm depth explained the diff erences in soil epigeic fauna composition between litter removal and control plots.Diameter increment decreased with litter removal only in the juvenile stand,which had reached its growth peak.The results indicate that removing excess litter to decrease fuel volume can alter soil biodiversity and edaphic conditions that negatively aff ect nutrient cycling and tree growth.

Intraguild niche partitioning in granivorous birds from the late past

Niche partitioning is a widespread ecological strategy within trophic guilds,ensuring the coexistence of sympatric species by reducing interspecific competition.Stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen and isotopic niche metrics(width and overlap)are used as a proxy to investigate niche partitioning among species of a guild.In our study,we investigated if niche partitioning was an ecological mechanism contributing to the coexistence of granivorous birds from the same geographic region along time,employing an isotopic approach.We sampled and isotopically analyzed(δ^(13)C andδ^(15)N values)wing feathers from 58 specimens of granivorous birds collected between 1900 and 1966 in southeastern Brazil.We grouped birds according to the main habitat type used by them(forest:Cyanoloxia brissonii,Leptotila and Leptotila verreauxi;and grassland:Columbina squammata and Sicalis flaveola).We used the Isotopic Richness(IRic)metric to measure the isotopic niche width and the Isotopic Similarity(ISim)and Isotopic Nestedness(INes)metrics to measure the niche overlap between groups and species.The results of low isotopic niche overlap suggest that common granivorous birds had a clear niche partitioning in southeastern Brazil in the late past,especially through foraging in distinct habitat types(forest and grassland;ISim=0.1,INes=0.2).Niche overlaps in almost all species-by-species comparisons were low(ISim≤0.3,INes≤0.4),except between C.brissonii and L.verreauxi(ISim=0.6,INes=1.0).These results suggest that these birds,belonging to the same trophic guild,coexisted through niche and resource partitioning.Despite being considered a plastic trophic guild,the isotopic niche partitioning among granivorous birds indicates that each of these species uses a set of specific resources and habitats.This raises an ecological concern about the homogenization of landscapes across the Neotropics,oversimplifying food resources and habitats to granivorous birds.

Aspects of forest restoration and hydrology:the hydrological function of litter

Although forests play important roles in the hydrological cycle,there is little information that relates the water retention capacity of litter in areas under passive restoration,especially in Cerrado savannas.This study relates litter levels to water holding capacity and effective water retention among forest fragments under different passive restoration stages:46,11,and 8 years to better understand litter hydrological functions in the Cerrado.Water retention capacity and effective water retention capacity of litters(unstructured materials,branches and leaves)in the field were monitored on a monthly basis.Total litter accumulation at 46 years was significantly higher than that of the other succession stages.Unstructured litter mass was significantly higher than that of leaves and branches.The 46-year stage had the highest water holding capacity in the leaf fraction,followed by unstructured material and branches.Although the water holding capacity was lower in the oldest resto-ration,this site showed the highest efficiency under field conditions.The process was quickly reestablished,as the 11-year restoration showed results closer to that for the 46-year stage in comparison to the area at 8 years.Thus,passive restoration plays a key role in soil water mainte-nance due to the influence of litter in Cerrado savannas.Deforestation and the imminent need of restoring degraded sites,highlight the need for further studies focused on bet-ter understanding of the process of forest restoration and its temporal effect on soil water recovery dynamics.

Stability of Brazilian Seasonally Dry Forests under Climate Change: Inferences for Long-Term Conservation

We identified climatically stable areas of seasonally dry forests (SDFs) from Central Brazil through time and assessed the effectiveness of the current reserves network in representing these climatically stable areas, as well as areas of high suitability in the present or in the future only. We used an ensemble approach based on several methods for ecological niche modelling (ENMs) to obtain potential distributions 16 SDF’ species for past (last glacial maximum), present, and future (end of XXI century) climate scenarios. We then computed how many current Brazilian reserves matched both stable areas (suitable areas for all time periods), present and future geographical ranges alone for each species, in a multi-level gap analysis. We found range shifts due to climate changes for SDF’ species. Although the future geographical range and stable areas for all analyzed species matched at least with one reserve, many protected areas will lose importance in protecting suitable areas for species in the future. Moreover, the current Brazilian reserves cover only a small amount of their climatically stable areas. However, some reserves will be suitable for many SDF’ species (90%) at the same time, but climatically stable for only half of them. Our findings show that vegetation community from SDFs may persist in Brazilian territories until the end of XXI century, and challenges about long-term conservation of the SDFs may be partially reached with already existing Brazilian reserve network, however the reserves should be connected to permit habitat tracking.

Brazilian Tropical Grassland Ecosystems: Distribution and Research Advances

A few decades ago we sought the understanding of the functioning of Brazilian ecosystems. During these years, changes in the way land use were influenced primarily by economic issues involving the process of valuation of land in different regions. Furthermore, developments in research have provided productive increments that were well characterized in some phases. This paper aims to trace a brief history of the distribution of grassland ecosystems in Brazil and show how it has been the advances in research on forages and pastures in the country, pointing its evolution, transition times and trends. Moreover, it purports to show a perspective of the dynamics of occupation of Brazilian territory by these ecosystems. The information is presented on three occasions, seeking to encourage understanding of where livestock grazing occurs and how the dynamics of occupation of the area was favored by the search. Also, it shows how the research was fundamental for Brazil occupy little arable areas considered, making the country one of the largest producers of cattle in the world.

Fine-scale analysis reveals a potential influence of forest management on the spatial genetic structure of Eremanthus erythropappus

Forest management may have significant effects on forest connectivity and natural population sizes.Harvesting old-growth single trees may also change natural patterns of genetic variation and spatial genetic structure.This study evaluated the impacts of forest management using a silvicultural system of seed trees on the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of Eremanthus erythropappus(DC.)MacLeish.A complete survey of 275 trees on four plots was undertaken out to compare the genetic variation of a managed stand with an unmanaged stand.We genotyped all adult and juvenile individuals 60 months after the management and compared the genetic diversity and the spatial genetic structure parameters.Genetic diversity was considered high because of an efficient gene flow between stands.There were no genetic differences between stands and no evidence of inbreeding.Genetic clustering identified a single population(K=1),indicating no genetic differentiation between managed and unmanaged stands.Adult and juvenile individuals of the unmanaged stand were more geographically structured than individuals from the managed one.There was a tendency of coancestry among juveniles at the first class of distance of the managed stand,suggesting a drift of genetic structure possibly caused by management.Understanding early responses to management on genetic diversity and stand structure is a first step to ensuring the effectiveness of conservation practices of tree species.The sustainability of forest management of E.erythropappus on genetic diversity,and more accurately,on spatial genetic structure needs evaluation over time to promote effective conservation of the population size and genetic variability.

Vegetation structure and edaphic factors in veredas reflect different conservation status in these threatened areas

Background:In Cerrado humid areas,veredas are considered as hygrophilous communities,marked by the presence of the Mauritia flexuosa palm tree emerging in the wetter zones.Changes in veredas ecosystems due to drought and changes in the water table,which represent important areas for biodiversity maintenance in the Brazilian cerrado,can lead to the emergence of new landscapes and ecosystems.Assuming that the veredas are changed in species composition due to anthropogenic factors,in this study,we evaluated the flora composition and described the current vegetation profile of two veredas under different disturbances levels that are located in the north of Minas Gerais State,Brazil.Results:Altogether,2,268 individuals of 91 species belonging to 36 families were recorded.Our results demonstrated that the studied veredas were floristically different in terms of the arboreous-shrubby species composition,richness,and diversity.Despite the hygrophilous forest formations and open areas in the two veredas present typical species from these environments(same species with high importance values),the drought in the water table caused an expansion of Cerrado species in the open areas and in the hygrophilous forest.Furthermore,in the hygrophilous forest there was an increase in the abundance of species that occur in less saturated soils.Conclusion:Our results demonstrate that the studied veredas are changing in species composition due to anthropogenic factors which leads to the drought of these formations(water balance effect).These anthropogenic effects cause a modification with the expansion and increase in the abundance of typical species of other areas of Cerrado and resistant to less saturated soils,leading to the veredas collapse.Finally,future studies should investigate other veredas on a broader scale to detect changes in the water table that lead to a consequent change in vegetation structure.In this way,we will have support for the conscientious management and conservation of these areas that represent equilibrium places for the Cerrado biome.

Production of Pequi Powder by Drying Pulp

The pequi tree is a native plant of the Brazilian cerrado, and the scientific name is Caryocar brasiliense, whose fruits are called pequi, appreciated for its pleasant peculiarities of color, aroma and flavor. The objective of this work is to transform pequi pulp into powder, aiming at maintaining the flavor. By using the convection drying technique, the product is converted from the fluid state to the solid state in the form of a powder. Experiments were performed with drying at the following temperatures: 40&degC, 50&degC, 60&degC, 90&degC and 105&degC. Interpretations were made of the experimental drying and milling results. It was verified that for all the experimental temperatures, there was no loss of the sensory characteristics of pequi. The drying of the pequi pulp in a greenhouse at 105&degC consisted of a good result of preservation of the characteristics of the fruit: color, aroma and flavor. Using the Trojan Powder Coating scale, it is found that pequi powder, dried at 105&degC, differs little in terms of the color of the fruit in nature.

Study of the Process of Extraction and Refining of Pequi (<i>Caryocar brasiliense</i>Camb.) Oil

Pequi fruit is a characteristic of Central Brazil with high oil content. This study evaluated the extraction of oil from the fruit portions by chemical and physical methods and determined an optimal condition for neutralization and degumming of oil extracted by solvent pequi pulp. The solvent extraction of oil was better than the mechanical pressing method. The oil extracted by solvent of the pulp pequi had a higher yield compared to other portions of the fruit. The peels and impurities material of fruit has a negligible amount of oil. The oil extracted from the pulp has better commercial characteristics in relation to the oil obtained from almonds. The operating parameters (temperature and time) studied at the stage of degumming the crude oil were significant at the 5% significance. The Increase in temperature decreases the values of acidity and iodine of the degummed oil.

Seed Germination and Production of Erythrina mulungu and Erythrina velutina Plantlets

Species of the genus Erythrina are frequently used as ornamental plants and in projects to restore degraded areas. Also, extracts from its shoots and stems are popularly used as a herbal medicine with validated activity on the central nervous system. The objective of this study was to evaluate E. mulungu and E. velutina seed germination and seedling development potential aiming commercial scale production of those species. Seeds stored for one or twelve months at 10°C ± 2°C were sown in sand, soil or Plantmax? substrates and evaluated for germination and seedling development. Subsequently, seedlings sprouted in Plantmax? were transferred to polyethylene bags and kept in greenhouse, under direct sunlight for plant development (plant height, stem diameter and root length pivoting) evaluations. Four-month-old plantlets were transplanted to the field and after a period of one year the collar diameter and shoot height (of each plant were measured. Seed germination rates of both species grown in soil and in Plantmax? were significantly high (over 80%). Storing seeds for 1 month did not inhibit germination. However, seeds stored for twelve months had germination reduced by more than a quarter. The development of plants in greenhouse and in the field was satisfactory, indicating the viability of producing E. mulungu and E. velutina on a commercial scale, in order to meet the expanding market demand for herbal medicines.

Tree Crown Variation and Seasonal in the Phenolic Compounds Content of Stryphnodendron adstringens(Mart)Coville Leaves

The aim of this study was to compare phenolic compounds contents between different positions within the crown and between collection periods, and to evaluate the tannin contents by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The collections were performed in Lavras, in the southern region of the Brazilian state Minas Gerais. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (factorial 3 × 4);the first factor being the position (base, middle, top);and the months, the second factor (February, May, September and December). We verified that the leaves of S. adstringens present higher total phenolic and tannin contents at the top (23.05% and 18.23%) and base (21.42% and 16.61%) of the crown, in May (25.79% and 20.85%) and September (25.57% and 20.50%), respectively. There was no difference in the residual phenol and flavonoid contents between the positions within the crown or in the months of collection. These facts suggest that within the crown and climatic changes may be one of the factors affecting phenol levels in Stryphnodendron adstringens.

In Vitro Propagation and Conservation of Zeyheria montana Mart:An Endangered Medicinal Plant

Roots of Zeyheriamontana, a species native to the savanna (Cerrado) region of central Brazil, produce lapachol, a naphthoquinone with anticancer activity. Lapachol is also the precursor of β-lapachone, a novel drug candidate for preventive and adjuvant cancer therapies. The leaves of Z. montana are a renewable source of ursolic acid and oleanoic acid, compounds known for their anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The potential prophylactic use of β-lapachone, as well as the medicinal properties of ursolic acid, highlights the importance of this study on Z.montana’s germplasm conservation. Multiple shoots were induced on Woody Plant media with supplemented 0.1 mg·L-1 of thidiazuron (TDZ). Rooting was promoted on half strength WP (Woody Plant media containing 1.0 mg·L-1 of Indolbutiric acid-IBA). Plantlet acclimatization to ex-vitro condition was done at a 70% success rate using different substrates. It was possible to store Z.montana’s elite germplasm using in vitro cultures of media containing 2% sucrose plus 4% sorbitol for six months without subcultures.

Ant species diversity in ciliary forest and gallery forest areas in central Brazil

Ants make up an important group of insects of the Cerrado in terms of biomass, number of individuals, and ecological impact. The main goals of this study were to quantify the species richness and species diversity of the family Formicidae in two riparian Cerrado physiognomies: Ciliary Forest and Gallery Forest, and to evaluate the effectiveness of two collection techniques for these organisms. The study was conducted during the dry season, comprising the months of May to October 2012, in the municipality of Quirinópolis, Goiás State, Brazil. Samples were made using two capture techniques: sardine baits and pitfall traps. Manual collection was employed to extend the range of faunistic composition of the ants. We collected 24 species of ants in the Gallery Forest and 23 in the Ciliary Forest. The genus Megalomyrmex was the most representative, being present in 49.46% of the samples, and secondly the genus Pheidole, with 15.36% of the total individuals captured. From a total of 10,917 individuals, 9140 were captured using the bait technique, 1738 with traps, and 39 individuals through manual collection. Similar results were found in the Cerrado of Paineiras, with 45 ant species distributed in 16 genera belonging to 5 subfamilies.