ABSTRACT Despite the growing number of studies on mayflies (Ephemeroptera), especially in terms of description of new species and distributional records, the knowledge generated remains scattered across specialized literature. This dispersion poses a challenge for non-specialists, such as ecologists, hindering their ability to promote studies and conservation actions. In order to fill this gap, we are launching EphemBrazil: an online database focusing on the distribution of mayflies in Brazil. The main objectives of this platform are to compile a dataset of distributional information for the valid species of Ephemeroptera in Brazil, provide open access to this dataset through an interactive and easily updated website, and offer dynamic distributional maps for species, genera, and families of Brazilian mayflies. EphemBrazil aims to facilitate the retrieval and access of distributional and basic taxonomic information for the order.

ABSTRACT Xenelmis is one of the 51 Neotropical genera of the aquatic beetle family Elmidae and is currently represented by 15 species distributed throughout the Neotropics. This genus of tiny beetles is especially well represented in South America, where all but one species can be found, and Brazil has the greatest richness, with ten species recorded so far. Here we describe and illustrate Xenelmis tuchaua sp. nov., a new Elmidae species with remarkable sexual dimorphism and unique diagnostic characteristics. The new species was found in an Amazonian stream located in Mount Roraima National Park, Roraima state, Brazil. We provide an updated species list for Xenelmis with comments on the occurrence of sexual dimorphism in the genus.

RESUMO Xenelmis é um dos 51 gêneros neotropicais da família de besouros aquáticos Elmidae. O gênero é atualmente representado por 15 espécies distribuídas pelo Neotrópico. Esse gênero de diminutos besouros é especialmente bem representado na América do Sul, onde apenas uma das espécies conhecidas não ocorre, e o Brasil possui a maior riqueza, com dez espécies registradas até o momento. Aqui nós descrevemos e ilustramos Xenelmis tuchaua sp. nov., uma nova espécie de Elmidae com marcado dimorfismo sexual e características diagnósticas únicas. A nova espécie foi encontrada em um riacho amazônico localizado no Parque Nacional do Monte Roraima, estado de Roraima, Brasil. Fornecemos uma lista atualizada das espécies conhecidas de Xenelmis, com comentários sobre a ocorrência de dimorfismo sexual no gênero.

Abstract The South Brazilian grasslands (Campos Sulinos) form the dominant vegetation in southern Brazil. They are species-rich ecosystems that occur under distinct geomorphological and climatic conditions but spatial variation of plant species diversity remains understudied. Here, we present a detailed description of plant communities across the region. Our data were obtained in 1080 plots, representing well-preserved grasslands in different ecological systems. Apart from describing alpha and beta diversity, we investigated the relations of plant communities with environmental features. We identified 759 plant species and found clear differences in community composition across the region. Northern and Southern highland grasslands, humid and dry coastal grasslands and the mesic Pampa grassland were clearly distinct, related to climatic and edaphic features. While species abundance distribution was markedly uneven, local species richness was high, above 20 species/m2, especially in the highlands and in mesic Pampa sites, on shallow soils. The predominant component of beta diversity was species turnover, which suggests that a network of well-conserved grasslands distributed across the region would be the best strategy to protect plant diversity. Our results establish regionalized reference values for richness and diversity that can be useful for initiatives of restoration and conservation of these grasslands.

Abstract The three new species of Brazilian Euplocania are described and illustrated, two species belong in the amabilis species group (Euplocania maraca sp. nov. and Euplocania ufrr sp. nov.) and one species belong in the marginata species group (Euplocania macuxi sp. nov.). Information on species groups, species subgroups and distribution by Brazilian states is included for known species of Euplocania.

Few studies have adequately described the floristic and structural features of natural grasslands associated with shallow basalt soils in southern Brazil. This study was carried out on natural grazing land used for livestock production in the municipality of Santana do Livramento, in the Campanha region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The aim of the study was to describe the floristic and structural diversity of the area. The floristic list obtained comprises 229 plant taxa from 40 botanical families, with a predominance of the families Poaceae (62), Asteraceae (28), Fabaceae (16) and Cyperaceae (12). The estimated diversity and evenness in the community were 3.00 and 0.874, respectively. Bare soil and rock outcrops accounted for 19.3% of the area, resulting in limited forage availability. Multivariate analysis revealed two well-defined groups among the sampling units. One group showed a high degree of internal aggregation, associated with deep soils, and was characterized by the presence of tussocks, whereas the other was less aggregate and was characterized by prostrate species growing on shallow soil. Ordination analysis indicated a gradient of moisture and of soil depth in the study area, resulting in different vegetation patterns. These patterns were analogous to the vegetation physiognomies described for Uruguayan grasslands. Overall, the grassland community studied is similar to others found throughout southern Brazil, although it harbors more winter forage species. In addition, the rare grass Paspalum indecorum Mez is locally dominant in some patches, behaving similarly to P. notatum Fl., a widespread grass that dominates extensive grassland areas in southern Brazil.

Tortopus Needham & Murphy, 1924 e Tortopsis Molineri, 2010 com seis e 10 espécies, respectivamente, são gêneros irmãos distribuídos nas regiões Neártica e Neotropical. A despeito da maioria das espécies ser conhecida de áreas tropicais da América do Sul, apenas uma espécie de cada um dos gêneros foi registrada para o Brasil. No presente estudo apresentamos dados que expandem significativamente a distribuição desses grupos, incluindo três registros inéditos para o Brasil: Tortopus igaranus Needham & Murphy, 1924, Tortopsis limoncocha Molineri, 2010 e Tortopsis spatula Molineri, 2010. Descrevemos uma nova espécie, Tortopus ipixuna sp. nov., a partir de imagos que apresentam um distinto pedestal subretangular. Adicionalmente redescrevemos a imago macho de Tortopus harrisi Traver 1950 (previamente conhecida apenas pelo holótipo), e registramos Tortopsis canum Gonçalves, Da-Silva & Nessimian, 2011 pela primeira vez para o Espírito Santo, e Tortopsis spatula para o Equador. Algumas variações em estruturas dessas espécies também são descritas, ilustradas e discutidas.

Tortopus Needham & Murphy, 1924 and Tortopsis Molineri, 2010 with six and 10 species, respectively, are sister genera distributed in the Neartic and Neotropical regions. In spite that most species are known from the tropics of South America, only one species of each of these groups have been recorded from Brazil. Here we present distributional data expanding greatly the range of these groups including three new country records for Brazil: Tortopus igaranus Needham & Murphy, 1924, Tortopsis limoncocha Molineri, 2010 and Tortopsis spatula Molineri, 2010. We describe a distinct new species, Tortopus ipixuna sp. nov., from male imagos, that present a unique subrectangular pedestal. Additionally we redescribe the male imago of Tortopus harrisi Traver, 1950 (previously known only from the holotype), and we give the first records for Tortopsis canum Gonçalves, Da-Silva & Nessimian, 2011 from Espírito Santo and for Tortopsis spatula from Ecuador. Some variations in morphological structures of these species are also described, illustrated and discussed.

A partir de coletas realizadas entre 2008 e 2009 no Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Reserva Biológica de Sooretama, entre outras áreas do Espírito Santo, apresentamos o primeiro levantamento da fauna de Ephemeroptera do estado. A despeito do seu pequeno tamanho, pois a área do estado representa apenas 0,53% do território nacional, uma surpreendente diversidade de Ephemeroptera foi encontrada. Ao todo foram identificadas 76 espécies, 41 gêneros e nove famílias, que representam aproximadamente 25% das espécies brasileiras, 65% dos gêneros e quase todas as famílias ocorrentes no Brasil. Destes táxons, 17 espécies (a maioria de Baetidae e Leptophlebiidae) são novos para a ciência. Cinco espécies, coletadas apenas no estágio ninfal, não puderam ser identificadas. O presente trabalho demonstra que, como para muitos organismos, a diversidade de Ephemeroptera para o estado é alta e mais pesquisas sobre a composição faunística de insetos aquáticos no Espírito Santo devem ser incentivadas.

Based on collections performed between 2008 and 2009 at Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Reserva Biológica de Sooretama, among other areas in Espírito Santo State, southeastern Brazil, we present the first survey of mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from the state. Despite the fact that the state is one of the smallest in Brazil, representing only 0.53% of the country area, a surprising diversity was found. Seventy-six species, 41 genera and nine families were identified, which represents about 25% of the species reported from Brazil, 65% of the genera, and almost all families. Of these, 17 species (most of Baetidae and Leptophlebiidae) are new to science. Five species, collected only at the nymphal stage, could not be identified to the species level. The present work demonstrates that, as for other organisms, the diversity of mayflies is high in the state, and more works aiming to investigate the aquatic insect composition of the Espírito Santo State should be encouraged.

A imago macho de Americabaetis longetron Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty é descrita a partir de ninfas criadas em campo no município de Alfredo Chaves, ES. A espécie pode ser diferenciada das outras imagos machos do gênero pela seguinte combinação de características: 1) olhos turbinados uniformemente separados, superfície dorsal elipsoidal; 2) tergitos com linha longitudinal mediana castanho-clara amarelada; 3) primeiro artículo do fórceps com uma constrição medioapical distinta; 4) comprimento do corpo relativamente longo (6,3 mm). É proposta a primeira chave para identificação das imagos machos do gênero.

The male imago of Americabaetis longetron Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty is described based on nymphs reared on field in the municipality Alfredo Chaves, Espírito Santo state, Brazil. The species can be distinguished from the others male imagos of the genus by the following combination of characters: 1) turbinate eyes uniformly separated from each other, upper surface ellipsoidal; 2) terga with a light yellowish brown band along midline; 3) genitalia with first segment distinctly constricted medioapically; 4) length of body relatively long (6.3 mm). The first key to the male imagos of the genus is also proposed.

Eleocharis ochrostachys Steud., previamente conhecida para o sudeste Asiático, Ilhas do Pacífico, Sri Lanka, Japão e Brasil (Estado de São Paulo), é citada neste trabalho para os Estados do Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina, Brasil. Apresenta-se descrição e ilustração da espécie, assim como chave para separá-la de E. acutangula (Roxb.) Schult., E. elongata Chapm., E. interstincta (Vahl) Roem. & Schult., E. mutata (L.) Roem. & Schult., E. obtusetrigona (Lindl. & Nees) Steud. e Eleocharis sp., espécies do subg. Limnochloa (P. Beauv. ex T. Lestib.) Torr., que ocorrem em ambos os Estados.

Eleocharis ochrostachys Steud. previously known from Southeastern Asia, Pacific Islands, Sri Lanka, Japan and Brazil (São Paulo State) is recorded in this paper for Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina States, Brazil. A description and illustration of the species is presented, as well as a key to distinguish it from E. acutangula (Roxb.) Schult., E. elongata Chapm., E. interstincta (Vahl) Roem. & Schult., E. mutata (L.) Roem. & Schult., E. obtusetrigona (Lindl. & Nees) Steud. and Eleocharis sp., the other species of subgenus Limnochloa (P. Beauv. ex T. Lestib.) Torr., which occur in both States.