In tropical forests with low seasonality, climatic variables generally exert a weak influence on the phenology of species. The seasonality of phenophases in closely related taxa can be controlled by phylogenetic constraints in such environments. In this study, our aim was to describe the phenology of Rubiaceae in the understory of the Atlantic Forest in the southern part of Bahia, Brazil, as well as to evaluate the seasonality and phenological synchrony of this family. For two years, we observed 90 individuals belonging to 13 species, in an area of 0.2 ha. Leaf flushing and leaf fall did not demonstrate any seasonality, were continuous for most species and correlated with few of the climatic variables. Flowering was seasonal and correlated positively with all climatic variables. Species exhibited seasonality for this phenophase with high flowering overlap among species of Psychotria, indicating an aggregated pattern for this genus. Fruiting was also seasonal and correlated with all the climatic variables, unripe fruit development peaking at the beginning of the season during which humidity is highest and fruit ripening peaking in the season during which humidity is slightly lower. The vegetative and flowering patterns observed in the study area are commonly seen in other tropical forests. The reproductive seasonality of this family can facilitate the attraction of biotic agents, as postulated in the facilitation hypothesis. Our results demonstrate that climatic variables influenced the phenological patterns observed here, although the high reproductive seasonality and interspecific synchrony, especially in congeneric species, raises the possibility that phylogenetic proximity plays a role in the pattern of the family Rubiaceae.

Apesar de Miconia mirabilis ser uma espécie comum em áreas de floresta perturbada e conhecida por fornecer recursos alimentares para a fauna local, pouco se sabe sobre sua fenologia reprodutiva e outros aspectos ecológicos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar os padrões intra e interanual das fenofases reprodutivas da espécie em três fisionomias distintas de Floresta Atlântica no sudeste da Bahia com base em observações semi-quantitativas, realizadas num período de três anos. Também procurou por possíveis relações com as variáveis climáticas, diferenças entre os locais e sincronia. Ambas as estratégias, floração e frutificação, de M. mirabilis foram classificadas como anuais estendidas em todos os três locais de estudo. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os anos. Apesar do clima regional apresentar baixa sazonalidade, as intensidades das diferentes fenofases foram negativamente correlacionadas com o comprimento do dia e temperatura. Em geral, a sincronia inter e intra populacional para a floração e frutificação foi alta (entre 0,65 e 0,78), exceto para a floresta inundada, provavelmente devido ao estresse causado pelo solo alagado. Assim, Miconia mirabilis tem potencial de ser um importante recurso alimentar para a fauna local, devido a grande quantidade de flores e frutos produzidos, sua disponibilidade quase o ano todo, e por ocupar áreas empobrecidas, a espécie pode ser considerada potencialmente interessante em programas de restauração e capaz de atrair animais frugívoros em áreas perturbadas.

Although Miconia mirabilis is a very common species in disturbed forest areas and is known for providing food resources for the local fauna, little is known about its reproductive phenology and other ecological aspects. The present study compares intra- and inter-annual patterns in the reproductive phenophases of that species in three distinct physiognomies of Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Bahia based on semi-quantitative observations conducted over a period of three years. We searched for possiblerelationships with climatic variables, differences among sites and synchrony. Both the flowering and fruiting strategies of M. mirabilis were classified as annual extended in all three study sites. We found no significant differences among years. Despite low seasonality of the regional climate, intensities of the different phenophases were negatively correlated with day length and temperature. In general, inter- and intra-population synchrony for flowering and fruiting was high (between 0.65 and 0.78), except for inundated forest, probably due to the stress caused by flooding. Given that Miconia mirabilis has the potential to be an important food resource for the local fauna due to the large quantities of flowers and fruits produced and their almost year-round availability, and its capacity for occupying impoverished areas, the species may be considered in restoration programs as a potentially interesting species capable of attracting frugivores to disturbed areas.

O presente estudo visou determinar os padrões fenológicos reprodutivos e vegetativos para espécies arbóreas da floresta superúmida de planície litorânea e relacionar os padrões observados com os fatores próximos (abióticos) e os evolutivos (bióticos). O estudo foi realizado no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo Picinguaba, Ubatuba, SP (23°22'30"S; 44°46'-44°51'45"W). O clima da região é tropical chuvoso, com precipitação alta e bem distribuída ao longo do ano todo. Observações fenológicas foram realizadas mensalmente, de julho de 1993 a junho de 1994 em 290 indivíduos pertencentes a 46 espécies arbóreas. A fenofase queda de folhas não foi sazonal (teste Rayleigh não significativo), enquanto as demais fenofases foram pouco sazonais (teste Rayleigh significativo, mas com valores baixos de r). A floração e o brotamento foram mais intensos nos meses mais úmidos, de novembro a fevereiro, enquanto a frutificação ocorreu ao longo do ano todo. Cerca de 90% das espécies não são decíduas, com predomínio da dispersão por animais (87%). A floresta de planície mostrou padrões fenológicos pouco sazonais, bastante distintos dos observados para as florestas semidecíduas do interior do estado de São Paulo.

The present study aimed to characterize the reproductive and leafing phenology of tree species of a coastal-plain forest from Southeastern Brazil and to relate the observed patterns with the local biotic and abiotic factors. The study was carried out in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo de Picinguaba, Ubatuba, São Paulo State (23°22'30"S; 44°46'-44°51'45"W). The climate is tropical-wet, with a high rainfall well distributed throughout the year. Monthly observations were carried out from July 1993 to June 1994 on 290 individuals of 46 tree species. The leaf fall was considered non-seasonal (Rayleigh test not significantly), while leaf flushing > 25%, flowering and fruiting were defined as weakly seasonal (Rayleigh test significantly, but low r values). Flowering and leaf flushing were more intense during the wettest months, from November to February. Fruit production was constant along the year. Ninety percent of the species were defined as evergreen and 87% of the species present animal-dispersed fruits. The phenological patterns observed for the coastal-plain forest at Picinguaba were weakly seasonal, contrasting with the very seasonal patterns found in the semideciduous forests from Southeastern Brazil.