Creating robust datasets of plant–insect interactions is important for understanding ecosystem dynamics, and data on species interactions can be used to evaluate conservation interventions. In the ...present work, we collected plant–herbivore–parasitoid data on an understudied but critical ecosystem—gallery forests in the Brazilian cerrado. We collected caterpillars on shrubs of
Piper
(Piperaceae) over the course of a year in seven gallery forests of varying sizes in order to compare seasonal changes in
α
- and
β
- diversity and tritrophic interaction networks as well as the role of fragment size in determining species and interaction diversity. Caterpillars were more abundant and diverse in the wet season and also increased with resource availability—the more
Piper
individuals present, the greater the abundance and richness of herbivores. The number of unique interactions between (i) plants and herbivores and (ii) herbivores and parasitoids did not change across seasons, but there was a high degree of turnover in the herbivore fauna between sites and seasons. Specialization was greatest in the dry-rainy season transition, when new leaves typically flush. Consistent with records of parasitism rates in the cerrado sensu stricto
,
parasitism in the gallery forests was greatest in the dry-rainy seasons. Forest size was not related to caterpillar richness. Overall, this work demonstrates the conservation value of gallery forests in supporting plant species that span the Amazon and the Atlantic Rainforest as well as diverse and highly seasonal trophic interactions.
This study examined temporal variation in the abundance of immature stages of Elbella luteizona (Hesperiidae) and describes the morphology and behavior of the larvae on their host plants, Byrsonima ...coccolobifolia and Myrsine guianensis. Five hundred sixty-eight 10m diameter plots were searched for caterpillars in the Brazilian Cerrado over a period of one year. We inspected 5968 host plants, and found 31 eggs and 262 larvae on 244 plants. Similar numbers of immatures were found in both species of host plants. The abundance of immature stages varied monthly and was significantly higher in the dry season on both host plants, which may be due to the low density of natural enemies during that time. E. luteizona is univoltine, and larvae present relatively little morphological variation. However, during development, substantial changes occur in the architecture of leaf shelters that caterpillars construct. In addition, E. luteizona larvae develop very slowly, taking more than 300 days to complete metamorphosis.
The Cerrado biome is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich biota, and intense anthropogenic pressures. Despite its importance, it is still poorly understood how insects occupy different spatial ...dimensions of the landscape.
We investigated how the beta diversity of plants influences the beta diversity of nymphalids at the regional‐scale (gallery forest vs. savannah) and local‐scale (transects). We expected greater beta‐diversity in nymphalid assemblages in gallery forests given the heterogeneity of plants and canopy structure.
We sampled nymphalids in each habitat monthly for 1 year and observed 3459 individuals from 62 species. Nymphalidae abundance was significantly higher in the understory than in the canopy. Specifically, only 18% of the individuals were captured in the canopy of gallery forests compared to 11% in savannah canopies. Species richness was higher in gallery forests (55 species) compared to savannahs (34 species).
Savannah transects were very similar in plant species composition and butterfly assemblages within the understory and canopy, whereas the species composition of plants and butterflies in gallery forests was highly heterogeneous which is consistent with the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis.
Gallery forests are spatially more complex, which probably results in higher niche availability that may contribute to reduce the community saturation and help to maintain greater beta diversity in these habitats.
The Cerrado biome has different habitat types ranging from grasslands to forests. In the present study, we have investigated how spatial heterogeneity influences the beta diversity of Nymphalidae species.
Nymphalidae species composition has changed from understory to canopy in gallery forests. Moreover, beta diversity of both plants and nymphalids were greater in gallery forest than in savannah transects.
Gallery forests are spatially more complex, which probably reflects in higher niche availability that may contribute to reduce community saturation, thus maintaining greater beta diversity in this habitat.
ABSTRACT Objectives: to validate the content of an instrument for assessing leprosy care in individuals under 15 years old in the context of Primary Health Care. Methods: methodological study of ...content validation, based on the evaluation of essential and derived attributes in primary care, in the professional version. For data analysis, the Content Validation Index (CVI ≥ 0.8) and Cronbach’s Alpha were calculated. Results: a higher percentage of judges among nurses (61.5%) was observed; with a doctorate (46.2%), and engaged in teaching and research (77%). The overall Content Validation Index of the instrument was 0.98. In the analysis of Cronbach’s Alpha of the instrument, the assigned value was 0.717. Conclusions: the instrument represents an advancement in the measurement of health evaluation policies and can significantly contribute to improving the quality of care provided to children and adolescents with leprosy.
RESUMEN Objetivos: validar el contenido de un instrumento para evaluar la atención a la lepra en menores de 15 años en el contexto de la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Métodos: estudio metodológico de validación de contenido, según la evaluación de atributos esenciales y derivados en la atención primaria, en su versión profesional. Para el análisis de los datos, se calcularon el Índice de Validación de Contenido (IVC ≥ 0,8) y el Alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: se observó un mayor porcentaje de jueces entre enfermeros (61,5%); con doctorado (46,2%), y que trabajaban en enseñanza e investigación (77%). El Índice de Validación de Contenido general del instrumento fue de 0,98. En el análisis del Alfa de Cronbach del instrumento, se atribuyó un valor de 0,717. Conclusiones: el instrumento representa un avance en la medición de políticas evaluativas de salud y puede contribuir significativamente a la mejora de la calidad de la atención prestada a niños y adolescentes con lepra.
RESUMO Objetivos: validar o conteúdo de um instrumento para a avaliação da assistência à hanseníase em menores de 15 anos no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos: estudo metodológico de validação de conteúdo, segundo a avaliação de atributos essenciais e derivados na atenção primária, na versão profissional. Para a análise dos dados, foram calculados o Índice de Validação de Conteúdo (IVC ≥ 0,8) e o Alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: observou-se um maior percentual de juízes entre enfermeiros (61,5%); com doutorado (46,2%), e que atuavam no ensino e na pesquisa (77%). O Índice de Validação de Conteúdo geral do instrumento foi de 0,98. Na análise do Alfa de Cronbach do instrumento, o valor atribuído foi de 0,717. Conclusões: o instrumento representa um avanço na mensuração de políticas avaliativas de saúde e pode contribuir significativamente para a melhoria da qualidade da atenção prestada a crianças e adolescentes com hanseníase.
RESUMO Objetivos: validar o conteúdo de um instrumento para a avaliação da assistência à hanseníase em menores de 15 anos no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos: estudo metodológico de ...validação de conteúdo, segundo a avaliação de atributos essenciais e derivados na atenção primária, na versão profissional. Para a análise dos dados, foram calculados o Índice de Validação de Conteúdo (IVC ≥ 0,8) e o Alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: observou-se um maior percentual de juízes entre enfermeiros (61,5%); com doutorado (46,2%), e que atuavam no ensino e na pesquisa (77%). O Índice de Validação de Conteúdo geral do instrumento foi de 0,98. Na análise do Alfa de Cronbach do instrumento, o valor atribuído foi de 0,717. Conclusões: o instrumento representa um avanço na mensuração de políticas avaliativas de saúde e pode contribuir significativamente para a melhoria da qualidade da atenção prestada a crianças e adolescentes com hanseníase.
ABSTRACT Objectives: to validate the content of an instrument for assessing leprosy care in individuals under 15 years old in the context of Primary Health Care. Methods: methodological study of content validation, based on the evaluation of essential and derived attributes in primary care, in the professional version. For data analysis, the Content Validation Index (CVI ≥ 0.8) and Cronbach’s Alpha were calculated. Results: a higher percentage of judges among nurses (61.5%) was observed; with a doctorate (46.2%), and engaged in teaching and research (77%). The overall Content Validation Index of the instrument was 0.98. In the analysis of Cronbach’s Alpha of the instrument, the assigned value was 0.717. Conclusions: the instrument represents an advancement in the measurement of health evaluation policies and can significantly contribute to improving the quality of care provided to children and adolescents with leprosy.
RESUMEN Objetivos: validar el contenido de un instrumento para evaluar la atención a la lepra en menores de 15 años en el contexto de la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Métodos: estudio metodológico de validación de contenido, según la evaluación de atributos esenciales y derivados en la atención primaria, en su versión profesional. Para el análisis de los datos, se calcularon el Índice de Validación de Contenido (IVC ≥ 0,8) y el Alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: se observó un mayor porcentaje de jueces entre enfermeros (61,5%); con doctorado (46,2%), y que trabajaban en enseñanza e investigación (77%). El Índice de Validación de Contenido general del instrumento fue de 0,98. En el análisis del Alfa de Cronbach del instrumento, se atribuyó un valor de 0,717. Conclusiones: el instrumento representa un avance en la medición de políticas evaluativas de salud y puede contribuir significativamente a la mejora de la calidad de la atención prestada a niños y adolescentes con lepra.
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