Bromeliads in Caatinga: an oasis for invertebrates

Abstract

The Bromeliaceae family exhibits several adaptations that allow the occurrence of its members in different physiognomies, including the Caatinga. The arrangement of leaves in rosette forms a cistern or tank, in which nutrient-rich water accumulates. This provides a microhabitat for reproduction, feeding, and larval development of many invertebrates. The aim of this study was to survey the bromeliad-associated invertebrate fauna to test the hypothesis of seasonal changes in community composition. We conducted two surveys in the rainy (February, 2011) and dry (August, 2012) seasons in the Floresta Nacional (Flona) of Contendas do Sincorá, municipality of Contendas do Sincorá, Bahia state, Brazil. We delimited ifteen 5 m x 5 m sampling plots along a 355 m trail. Two terrestrial bromeliads (Aechmea bromeliifolia) were collected per plot. Invertebrate fauna were identiied and richness, abundance and composition were analyzed. The richness of taxa did not differ between seasons and was considered high for Caatinga. Abundance and composition differed between the rainy and dry seasons. The present study demonstrates the importance of bromeliads as available water resources for the local invertebrate community. Our indings also provide a framework for more in-depth studies on animal-plant interactions, and for the conservation of Caatinga animals and plants.