CB - TCC - Ecologia
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Bachelor Thesis Cetáceos à vista: esforço amostral, registros de ocorrência e taxa de encontro na Amazônia Azul(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2026-06-30) Leite, Nicolas Araújo Alves; Sousa-Lima, Renata Santoro de; Freitas, Diana Carvalho de; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9089-3302; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0194403654132765; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-1695; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1514389007687960; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4921040722475320; Bassoi, Manuela; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6997001427168037; Ferreira, Luane Maria Stamatto; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9237-5528; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8906977726202357This study investigated the regional and seasonal variation in cetacean encounter rates (ER) in the North, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the Blue Amazon, aiming to expand knowledge about occurrence and distribution in this group. Using visual monitoring through the Distance Sampling method via linear transects and using Brazilian Navy vessels as platforms of opportunity, 11 expeditions were carried out between 2018 and 2025, totaling a sampling effort of 6,422.68 nautical miles navigated. The results indicated that mysticetes, largely represented by the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), have an occurrence restricted to winter, with the highest ER peak recorded in the region under the Southeast shelf (1.0975 N/m). In contrast, odontocetes exhibited a wider seasonal distribution, with the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) being the most frequent species in all regions on the continental shelf and the one that presented the highest ER on the Northeast shelf during the summer (0.0367 N/mn). Thus, we observed that the regional division we used highlighted important records of deep-water and oceanic species, such as the melon-headed dolphin (Peponocephala electra) and the rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), in the oceanic and neritic zones of the studied regions. The work concludes that platforms of opportunity are effective and low-cost tools to fill historical data gaps, being essential to support conservation and management strategies in regions under increasing anthropogenic pressure, in addition to confirming ecological aspects of occurrence and providing new data for poorly sampled species and áreas.Bachelor Thesis Assobios de baleias-piloto-de-peitoral-curta (Globicephala macrorhynchus) em um evento de encalhe na praia de Pititinga/RN(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2026-06-30) Silva, Wigna Carla da; Sousa-Lima, Renata Santoro de; Freitas, Diana Carvalho de; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9089-3302; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0194403654132765; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-1695; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1514389007687960; https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2192-5284; https://lattes.cnpq.br/6395129612044152; Ferreira, Luane Maria Stamatto; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9237-5528; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8906977726202357; Moron, Juliana Rodrigues; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9310301739879224Cetaceans use acoustic communication as an important mechanism for social interaction, particularly delphinids, whose whistles may reflect different levels of behavioral complexity. Among them, the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) is characterized by strong social bonds and the formation of large groups, although information on its vocal behavior remains limited, especially in Brazil. This study aimed to describe the acoustic parameters of whistles produced by this species during a mass stranding event that occurred between May 31 and June 2, 2024, at Pititinga Beach, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, involving 21 individuals. Data were collected using Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) throughout the three days during which the animals remained in the area. Whistle contour classification was based on frequency modulation throughout the signal. Whistles were categorized as simple when they exhibited a single continuous frequency modulation, and as complex when composed of two (S2) or three segments (S3), in addition to biphonic whistles, whose nomenclature was defined according to the combination of their constituent contours. A total of 742 whistles were identified and classified into nine acoustic contour types. Of these, 391 were simple whistles distributed among five contour types, whereas 351 were complex whistles distributed among four contour types. The detailed classification of the variations and segments of complex whistles (S2, biphonic whistles, and S3) resulted in a total of 929 analyzed segments. The results also revealed the occurrence of complex biphonic whistles, which exhibited variation in frequency parameters, duration, and harmonic richness among the analyzed categories. Among the simple whistles, the ascending contour was the most frequent, accounting for 51.01% of all records. Among the two-segment complex whistles (S2), the S2-i contour was recorded exclusively on the third day of monitoring, as were its constituent descending (S2-i-D) and constant (S2-i-C) segments. The three-segment complex whistles (S3) exhibited high structural diversity and considerable variation in their acoustic parameters. Overall, the analyses revealed differences among whistle categories in frequency, duration, and harmonic richness. In addition, whistle frequencies ranged from 0.11 to 36 kHz. The characterization of these acoustic parameters provides an important baseline for future comparisons with populations observed under different behavioral and geographic contexts, while also contributing to a better understanding of the acoustic communication, social cohesion, and group dynamics of G. macrorhynchus.Bachelor Thesis Conhecimento ecológico local revela mudanças temporais na abundância e no consumo de tartarugas marinhas no Nordeste do Brasil(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2026-07-02) Melo, Madhylene Kelyanne Silva Macedo de; Lopes, Priscila Fabiana Macedo; Farias, Daniel Solon Dias de; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5923-8625; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7813685791586480; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0025274238475995; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4642025730433049; Silva, Andrea Leme da; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9944-3052; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1437384786936034; Manzan, Maíra Fontes; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8708-0263; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0999234674544026Changes in historical research on the relationships between human communities and exploited species are fundamental to understanding how ecological and sociocultural transformations influence biodiversity conservation. However, it remains somewhat unclear whether these changes reflect alterations in the abundance of natural landscapes, in resource use patterns, or in the combined action of these processes. In this study, we used the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of 96 artisanal fishermen from the coast of Rio Grande do Norte to: 1) reconstruct changes in perceived abundance and 2) in consumption practices of five species of sea turtles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to support the development of the Virtual Abundance Model (VAC) (for objective 1) and generalized mixed linear models (GLMM and GLM) (objective 2). The fishermen demonstrated extensive ecological knowledge about the species, reporting a high frequency of incidental capture and a predominance of release of captured animals. Historical perception indicated an increase in abundance for most species over the last few decades, while consumption showed a significant reduction over time, mainly concentrated among the most experienced fishermen. Taken together, the results suggest that ecological changes and sociocultural transformations acted in an integrated way, modifying both the perceived occurrence and the forms of interaction between fishermen and sea turtles. This scenario indicates a transition in the relationships between fishing communities and these species, in which the perceived recovery of the situation tends to expand opportunities for interaction with artisanal fishing, reinforcing the need for strategies that reconcile conservation and coexistence. Thus, the study highlights the potential of the CEL (Local Ecological Center) to reconstruct socioecological trajectories.Bachelor Thesis Resiliência e conservação na Caatinga: aplicando modelo de configuração de paisagens em florestas tropicais secas(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2026-07-03) Miranda, Otoniel Dionisio de; Souza, Alexandre Fadigas de; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7468-3631; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7844758818522706; https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7921-8421; https://lattes.cnpq.br/5822283791417557; Almeida, Adriana Monteiro de; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5447-8593; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1733681004723492; Venticinque, Eduardo Martins; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3455-9107; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3582966116563351This paper presents an integrative synthesis on sustainable landscape planning in the Caatinga, based on the guidelines by Arroyo-Rodríguez et al. (2020) for Tropical Dry Forests. The objective was to analyze how habitat amount, landscape configuration, and matrix quality influence biodiversity and ecological resilience in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The methodology was based on a review of recent literature, connecting the 'optimal landscape' paradigm—which advocates for a minimum threshold of 40% forest cover—to case studies involving different taxonomic groups, such as birds, beetles, ants, and primates. The results indicate that total habitat amount is the main predictor of species richness, corroborating the Habitat Amount Hypothesis. It was observed that maintaining a contiguous fragment covering 10% of the landscape is vital for specialist species, while distributing 30% across smaller fragments increases environmental heterogeneity and regional biodiversity. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the importance of heterogeneous agricultural matrices for functional connectivity and food security, mitigating the negative effects of fragmentation and slash-and-burn management.Bachelor Thesis Branqueamento de corais nos recifes potiguares de Pirangi e Maracajaú: uma análise dos efeitos da anomalia térmica de 2024(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-09) Sales, Alanny Vitoria Alexandre; Mendes, Liana de Figueiredo; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8630238560783274; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7338091411087307; Ganade, Gislene Maria da Silva; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3024078007563102; Agostinho, Lorena Soares; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2304904247515839Coral bleaching has intensified globally due to rising ocean temperatures, with recurring events associated with thermal anomalies and phenomena such as El Niño. In Brazil, reefs have been affected since the 1980s, with records of mass bleaching in several states, including Rio Grande do Norte, in the reefs of the Coral Reefs Environmental Protection Area (APARC), located in Maracajaú, and in the Pirangi reefs. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the 2024 thermal anomaly on the health of corals in the Maracajaú and Pirangi reefs, comparing the extent of bleaching between the summer and winter seasons, and analyzing the response of different coral species to this thermal stress. The Reef Check and CoralWatch protocols were used, through visual censuses, with 48 samples distributed between the two locations, evaluating the colonies of Siderastrea spp., Favia gravida, Porites astreoides, and Millepora alcicornis. In the summer, 72% of the colonies in the Maracajaú reefs were affected by bleaching, and 69% in the Pirangi reefs. The species showed different responses to the anomaly. M. alcicornis was the most vulnerable species, with 99% bleaching in the summer. There were few records of F. gravida and P. astreoides, but both species suffered from bleaching. In contrast, Siderastrea spp. demonstrated greater resilience, with records of bleaching and significant recovery of colonies, especially recruits. Smaller colonies were the most affected, but also showed a greater capacity for recovery. Descriptive statistics were used to assess bleaching and recovery of the species found. It is concluded that the 2024 thermal anomaly severely impacted the studied reefs, with significant differences in susceptibility and resilience among species, reinforcing the urgency of conservation actions and continuous monitoring.Bachelor Thesis Ecologia, importância funcional e conservação dos besouros rola-bosta (Scarabaeinae)(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-08) Souza, Ana Theresa Viana de; Fonseca, Carlos Roberto Sorensen Dutra da; Lima, Maiara Beatriz; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5700-6794; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1492371411074961; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0292-0399; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2567786500828682; Venticinque, Eduardo Martins; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3455-9107; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3582966116563351; Leal, Anderson Dantas; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2028-8035; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7111368661624251This work presents a comprehensive review of the functional ecology, diversity, and conservation of dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) in tropical ecosystems, with emphasis on the Brazilian context. Based on a critical analysis of both classic and contemporary studies, the review discusses the main functional guilds and their roles in nutrient cycling, secondary seed dispersal, and soil fertility maintenance. The synthesis highlights how anthropogenic processes—such as forest fragmentation, defaunation, climate change, and habitat loss—affect community structure and reduce the efficiency of the ecosystem services provided by the group. Important knowledge gaps are also identified, particularly those related to functional responses to environmental change, dependence on mammalian fauna, and the scarcity of long-term studies. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the potential of Scarabaeinae as bioindicators of environmental quality and as agents of ecological restoration, reinforcing the need to integrate the conservation of native vegetation, vertebrate fauna, and landscape heterogeneity to ensure the maintenance of ecological processes that sustain tropical biodiversity.Bachelor Thesis Estudo da entomofauna de um fragmento urbano de Mata Atlântica em Natal, Rio Grande do Norte(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-02) Cruz, Maristela do Nascimento; Molin, Anamaria Dal; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3998974987052314; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2293259002695413; Primitivo, Maria Gabriela de Alcantara; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1416587832842762; Pinto, Miriam Plaza; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4030-5015; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7876219494961528; Ferreira, Thais da Silva; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3648458622370844Insects constitute a large part of Earth’s biodiversity, with over 1 million described species. The Atlantic Forest is one of the main regions of global biological diversity and harbors a great variety of insects, but knowledge about this fauna is still limited. The objective of this study was to compile a synthesis of the entomofauna sampled with undergraduate courses in an urban fragment of the Atlantic Forest known as Mata dos Saguis. The fragment is located in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, within the central campus of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). To this end, a survey of the accession books and specimens collected in Mata dos Saguis by the General Entomology classes from 2016.2 to 2015.1 was conducted. The survey was carried out using specimens and physical and digital accession books produced by the students. Among the records, 69 accession books were compiled, totalling 192 specimens, encompassing 13 orders and 42 insect families. The most frequently collected groups were Lepidoptera (46 individuals), Hymenoptera (34), and Blattaria (25). The results suggest that the fragment harbors a diverse entomofauna, acting as an essential micro-habitat that offers resources and functions as an important refuge area for insects and other organisms.Bachelor Thesis Dinâmica de uso e cobertura do solo na APA Piquiri-Una: análise comparativa dos anos de 2003, 2013 e 2023(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-11-26) Farias, Maria Antônia Leite; Almeida, Adriana Monteiro de; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5447-8593; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1733681004723492; Fernandes, Karla Simone da Silva; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6458-1746; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6234478582099038; Amaral, Ricardo Farias do; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3725-5616; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5120081491389865; Vasquez, Vagner Lacerda; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3288-5475; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4732567677631192The way humans interact with nature is marked by the exploitation of natural resources. These actions cause changes in vegetation and land use, affecting the climate, biodiversity, and local communities. Environmental Protection Areas (APAs) are Sustainable Use Protected Areas that aim to unite natural resources protection with humans (BRAZIL, 2000). Areas such as the Piquiri-UNA APA, in Rio Grande do Norte, are especially important because they protect both Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes, home to a wide variety of species. In addition to its ecological value, the Piquiri-UNA APA holds a great cultural importance, mainly because of the presence of the Indigenous Community Katu, which depends on the area for both its livelihood and cultural identity. Nowadays, the region faces challenges to its conservation and Sustainability, due to the expansion of human activities and land use change, which makes it urgent to map the area to define effective strategies. To observe land cover and land use changes in the area, we compared satellite images from 2003, 2013, and 2023. We observed that small scale agriculture was mainly substituted by temporary crops (mainly sugarcane) and also an increase in non-vegetated areas. Non-vegetated areas, include young plants of suggarcane or recently suggarcane harvested Fields. We also noted smaller changes, such as an increase in urban areas and a reduction in wetlands, rivers, and lakes. We conclude that, through the past two decades, agriculture changed from small-scale crops to large-scale cultivation focused mainly on sugarcane. We understand that mapping land cover and land use in the Piquiri-UNA APA is essential to identify its environmental pressures, plan conservation actions, and ensure the sustainability of the natural and cultural resources present in the area.Bachelor Thesis Fenologia reprodutiva de espécies da família Rubiaceae na Floresta Nacional de Nísia Floresta/RN(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-08) Ferreira, Maria Luiza de Souza; Staggemeier, Vanessa Graziele; Calvente, Alice de Moraes; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7557922092763217; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4911-9574; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4357034543526737; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4302440462357619; Aoki, Camila; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0604953142672041; Gressler, Eliana; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8557254418282155Phenology studies repetitive biological events, such as flowering and fruiting, and is crucial for understanding the timing and intensity with which resources like leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds will be available to fauna. The Atlantic Forest, one of the most biodiverse and also one of the most threatened biomes in the world, has not yet been sufficiently explored in this aspect, especially in areas of northeastern Brazil, where seasonal variations in climate are less pronounced than in the southern part of the biome. This study seeks to investigate how environmental factors (day length, radiation, humidity, temperature, and precipitation) influence the reproductive cycles of plants in this biome. The Rubiaceae family was used as a study model due to its high diversity in the biome and the presence of species that stand out in abundance. Seven species and 324 individuals were sampled fortnightly for 12 months (August 2022 to July 2023) in the Nísia Floresta National Forest, located 40 km from the capital of Rio Grande do Norte. This forest is one of the last remnants in the far north of the biome. Considering the hypothesis that the reproductive phenology (anthesis and fruiting) of species of the Rubiaceae family is significantly influenced by seasonal environmental factors (day length, radiation, humidity, temperature, and precipitation), it was found that flowering showed strong seasonality and synchrony in this assemblage, concentrating in the period of highest temperature and precipitation (December to March), and fruiting occurred more continuously, although with a peak shortly after flowering (January to March). The main trigger for flowering was day length, which showed a significant correlation with the onset of reproductive phenophases, and, for fruiting, radiation was the negative factor, indicating that the availability of fruit increases on days with less solar radiation. These patterns differ from those already described for the south of the biome by revealing that temperature is the most important environmental factor, surpassing the influence of precipitation and day length, which suggests a local adaptation to the less seasonal climatic conditions of the Northeast. This study fills important gaps in knowledge about phenology in the far north of the Atlantic Forest, and the summarized information on the phenology of each species is valuable for improving environmental management and conservation strategies at the regional scale.Bachelor Thesis Influência da facilitação e diversidade de plantas sobre o sequestro de carbono de uma planta pioneira durante a restauração da Caatinga(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-08) Xavier, José Victor Gouveia Nobre; Ganade, Gislene; Neves, Rainara da Silva; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1774929049634678; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3024078007563102; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3167330054833602; Silva, Adriano Caliman Ferreira da; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9218-5601; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4147444251852878; Lopes, Milena Cordeiro de Amorim; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1459643441710337Forest restoration has great potential for mitigating climate change. In seasonally dry tropical forests such as the Caatinga in Brazil, natural regeneration plays an important role in this process, but its dynamics are poorly understood. This study sought to understand how tree species diversity and the facilitation potential of these trees influence carbon input in a key species of natural regeneration, Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill. (pinhão), in a Caatinga restoration experiment. A total of 3,519 individuals of J. mollissima were sampled in an experimental gradient of planted species diversity (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 species). Above-ground biomass was estimated using a specific allometric equation (exponential model, R² = 0.95). It was observed that carbon accumulation by the pine nut was mediated by a significant interaction between the richness of planted species and the potential for facilitation. At low levels of diversity, facilitation negatively influenced carbon stocks. In contrast, in plots with high species richness, facilitation positively affected carbon sequestration by pinhão. The results demonstrate that pinhão successfully colonizes degraded areas, exhibiting high abundance at all levels of diversity. Furthermore, we conclude that the high diversity of planted species, together with a high facilitation potential, increases the capacity of this regenerating species to contribute to carbon stocks. The results of the study emphasize that planning restoration projects with a high diversity of facilitating species is a strategy that can maximize restoration success and carbon sequestration in seasonally dry tropical forests.Bachelor Thesis Desenvolvimento de um modelo taxidermizado de caranguejo para substituição de animais vivos em pesquisas comportamentais(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-04) Guerreiro, Maria Carolina de Oliveira; Pessoa, Daniel Marques de Almeida; Cordeiro, Thiago de Freitas; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1380766959284471; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2516-6766; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8413512010176898; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2371843473653163; Ferreira, Renata Gonçalves; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9370-6309; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6566269393468726; Costa, Felipe Pernambuco da; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0531406821003902This study aimed to produce taxidermied models of female Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille, 1828, representing the species’ four color patterns described by Gifford (1962), and to evaluate their applicability as substitutes for live animals in behavioral tests. The development of non-living models is particularly relevant for C. guanhumi, a species classified as Critically Endangered, for which specimen collection should be minimized. Females were taxidermied using a method adapted from Oliveira (1964) and painted with matte PVA acrylic paint. To assess the viability of the models in behavioral research, experiments were conducted in arenas that replicated identically the protocol used by Cordeiro (2025), who tested live females. Males were exposed to the same contrasts between color patterns employed in the original study, allowing direct comparison between artificial and natural stimuli. The results showed that males did not exhibit significant preference for any of the color patterns of the taxidermied females, faithfully replicating the findings of Cordeiro (2025). This correspondence indicates that, under the experimental conditions applied, taxidermied models are capable of eliciting behavioral responses equivalent to those produced by live individuals. In addition to their experimental effectiveness, the use of taxidermy represents a strategy aligned with the replacement and reduction principles of the 3Rs, helping reduce impacts on natural populations and strengthening sustainable methodological approaches in research involving threatened species. Thus, the study demonstrates that taxidermied models constitute a viable, ethical, and promising tool for behavioral ecology investigations of C. guanhumi.Bachelor Thesis “Another hit on the wall?” Formigas gigantes através da aprendizagem espacial rápida ganham tempo evitando esbarrar com obstáculos(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-08) Campos, Cláudio Augusto dos Santos; Souza, Arrilton Araújo de; Moreira, Igor Eloi; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8013-8963; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0409116554762893; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4804-389X; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8822052460371633; https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4006-550X; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7542051924522673; Luchiari, Ana Carolina; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3294-7859; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7859231596449028; Santana, Melquisedec Abiare Dantas de; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9110-6294; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4944438955549917Foraging is a fundamental animal behavior involving complex cognitive processes, such as decision-making and spatial learning, which can be functionally compared across different lineages, including insects. This study aimed to investigate Rapid Spatial Learning (RSL) in worker ants of the giant, solitary forager Dinoponera quadriceps, specifically how experience in a structured environment influences the optimization of their trajectory. Four D. quadriceps colonies were used, subjecting five worker ants from each colony to five consecutive foraging sessions in an acrylic maze simulating the heterogeneity of leaf litter. The worker ant's performance was monitored by video, measuring the total travel time and the number of collisions with obstacles. The data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs). The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the total return time to the nest over the five trials, as well as a progressive decrease in the time spent in contact with obstacles. This improvement in performance, resulting in more direct and efficient trajectories, confirms AER's hypothesis. The behavioral optimization pattern is interpreted as the dynamic construction and enhancement of an internal map of the environment, mediated by higher neural structures, such as mushroom bodies, and is fully consistent with models of multimodal navigation and cognitive plasticity in insects. The study reinforces the relevance of D. quadriceps as a model for understanding how simple nervous systems support complex and adaptive decisions in challenging ecological contexts.Bachelor Thesis Contribuição da epicarste na dispersão do zooplâncton para ambientes aquáticos cavernícolas(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-05) Mota, Camila Estefany Alves; Dias, Juliana Déo; Gonçalves, Carolina Teixeira Puppin; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9087447446660580; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8119278936427700; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4591511594897174; Costa, Mariana Rodrigues Amaral da; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8768-8546; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9565880232504027; Silva, Irma Carvalho e; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1715791969636653Subterranean aquatic environments exhibit an absence of light, low or absent primary productivity, and generally stable conditions. These habitats are sustained in part by the infiltration of rainwater that passes through fractures in carbonate rocks and feeds the epikarst, transporting water, organic matter, and organisms into the caves. In semiarid regions, the irregularity of rainfall makes this process even more critical for the maintenance of these habitats. Zooplankton, an important component of nutrient cycling and sensitive to environmental variations, remains understudied in these systems. The aim of this study was to assess the composition and taxonomic richness of zooplankton associated with epikarst drip water and subterranean aquatic environments in three limestone caves in Rio Grande do Norte. Sampling was conducted during the rainy season (between December 2023 and June 2024), using traps placed under drip points and direct collections from a pond and a phreatic pool. In total, 18 taxa were identified, including rotifers, copepods, cladocerans, and testate amoebae. The results showed a higher number of taxa in the drip water, indicating a strong influence of infiltration on community composition. Caverna dos Crotes exhibited the greatest richness, whereas Furna Feia showed lower overlap between the epikarst and the pool. In Olho d’Água do Mamede, only drip-water taxa were recorded due to the absence of standing water in the subterranean environment. These findings highlight the important role of the epikarst as a pathway for the input and renewal of subterranean zooplankton fauna.Bachelor Thesis Dinâmica de eclosão de formas dormentes de zooplâncton em reservatórios do semiárido potiguar(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-05) Silva, Amanda Maia da; Dias, Juliana Déo; Gonçalves, Carolina Teixeira Puppin; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9087447446660580; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8119278936427700; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8485913701715704; Costa, Mariana Rodrigues Amaral da; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8768-8546; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9565880232504027; Silva, Irma Carvalho e; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1715791969636653Semi-arid regions are highly vulnerable to prolonged droughts, which can lead to the reduction or even complete desiccation of reservoirs, directly affecting ecological processes and aquatic biodiversity. Zooplankton, an essential component of the food web, uses dormancy strategies to survive when environmental conditions are adverse, including drought, ensuring the persistence of populations through the formation of banks of dormant forms in the sediment. This study experimentally evaluated the hatching dynamics of dormant forms in three reservoirs in the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte (Gargalheiras, Dourado, and Boqueirão de Parelhas), comparing active and passive communities. Sediment samples were collected from the reservoirs in April 2025, naturally dried, and incubated in plastic microcosms under ambient light and temperature conditions for 128 days. Zooplankton was simultaneously sampled in the water column. A total of 3,718 hatched individuals belonging to nine taxa were recorded, predominantly testate amoebae and rotifers. The abundance and richness of the passive community differed significantly between reservoirs, with the Gargalheiras reservoir showing the lowest values. No difference was observed in species composition between the active and passive communities. The dormant form bank functions as a partial and functional biological reserve, contributing to the recovery and persistence of zooplankton communities in ecosystems subject to environmental changes.Bachelor Thesis Polinização na Caatinga: a relevância das abelhas nativas para a conservação do bioma(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-12-01) Souza, Joana Denize Silva de; Lira, Gunthinéia Alves de; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2709677136318071; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6065442421554837; Attayde, José Luiz de; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4121209629385349; Lima, Camilla Figueredo de; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1131666890203455This study analyzed the importance of native bees in pollination and the sustainability of the Caatinga biome, considering their influence on plant regeneration and biodiversity maintenance. Through a literature review, scientific articles, theses, and dissertations addressing the interaction between bees and native plants were examined, as well as the impacts caused by human activities and the introduction of exotic species. The research found that native bees play an essential role in plant reproduction and ecological stability, being responsible for most of the pollination in the Caatinga biome. However, factors such as deforestation, pesticide use, climate change, and competition with exotic bees threaten their survival. It was also found that meliponiculture represents a sustainable alternative that contributes to the conservation of species and strengthens the local economy. It is concluded that the preservation of native bees is essential for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the sustainability of the Caatinga biome.Bachelor Thesis Mudanças na conectividade da paisagem na área de ocorrência de Guigó-da-Caatinga (Callicebus barbarabrownae)(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-11-07) Pereira, Kathelly Isabelle Silva; Pinto, Míriam Plaza; Guerreiro, Bianca Villar Carvalho; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8845335554512350; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4030-5015; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7876219494961528; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5634725185201931; Almeida, Adriana Monteiro de; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1733681004723492; Mendes, Raone Beltrão; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3631-5229; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0147268304079829Habitat loss and fragmentation threaten the survival of Neotropical primate species. Landscape attributes such as connectivity allow individuals to move between patches and are important for maintaining the ecological dynamics of these animals, including dispersal, gene flow, and the organization of social groups. The guigó-da-Caatinga (Callicebus barbarabrownae) is a primate endemic to the Caatinga of the states of Sergipe and Bahia. The species is classified as Critically Endangered, threatened mainly by habitat loss and fragmentation. We analyzed changes in the structure of landscapes within the extent of occurrence of C. barbarabrownae over a 37-year interval (1985–2021). We used occurrence data for the species found in the literature and defined landscapes (3-km-radius buffers) with confirmed presence of C. barbarabrownae. We used land-use and land-cover classification from MapBiomas Collection 7 to assess landscape structure over time. For each landscape, we calculated forest cover, fragment density, clumpiness index, contiguity, and the mean Euclidean nearest-neighbor distance. Sixty-one percent of the landscapes lost forest cover and entire fragments over time. Furthermore, the mean distance between nearest neighbors is increasing, indicating a reduction in overall landscape connectivity. Conservation strategies should focus not only on preserving current remnants but also on restoring vegetation, in order to reestablish connectivity, especially in landscapes with intense habitat loss, located in the northeastern portion of the species’ range.Bachelor Thesis Resposta de copépodes neotropicais ao estresse salino promovido por diferentes tipos de sais(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-11-26) Silva, Doroth Miranda Almeida; Ger, Kemal Ali; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0949406269847477; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6420612867303464; Longhini, Cybelle Menolli; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9860249629296525; Bonecker, Claudia Costa; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4338-9012; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4793096112812953The salinization process of continental waters has been intensifying, mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as mining, urbanization, the use of de-icing salts, and other changes in land use. Each of these sources contributes in a distinct way to the chemical alterations in water bodies, making it necessary to understand how different salts affect aquatic organisms. Therefore, this study evaluated how copepods dominant in neotropical regions respond to the saline increase promoted by different types of salts (NaCl, KCl, MgCl₂, and CaCl₂). KCl and CaCl₂ consistently proved to be the most and least toxic salts, respectively. However, the difference between the toxicity of sodium and magnesium was significant only from the analysis of cation concentration, which showed the following pattern: K⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ >> Ca²⁺. Analyzing the relationship between salt concentration and their respective electrical conductivities reveals a different pattern, with KCl and NaCl showing the lowest conductivity values and not differing statistically from each other, while MgCl₂ showed the highest conductivity values. We therefore propose that electrical conductivity does not appear to be a good parameter for assessing the risks related to the salinization process. Thus, this work provides important data for the development of more precise diagnostic and environmental monitoring protocols for the salinization process of continental waters, especially for arid and semi-arid environments in the Neotropical region.Bachelor Thesis Mapeando tubarões do Atlântico Sul e suas interações com a pesca industrial(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-11-14) Silva, João Gabriel Felizardo da; Lopes, Priscila Fabiana Macedo; Cunha, Giulliana Karine Gabriel; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5895687486774790; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0025274238475995; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9923933058221309; Attayde, José Luiz de; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4121209629385349; Silva, Angela Zaccaron da; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1590-6847; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2985030947983094The industrial pelagic longline fishery is one of the main activities affecting elasmobranch populations in the South Atlantic, especially due to the spatial overlap between the distribution of these species and the operational zones of fishing fleets. This study analyzed how the spatial distribution of target species (yellowfin tuna – Thunnus albacares; bigeye tuna – T. obesus; albacore – T. alalunga; swordfish – Xiphias gladius; and blue shark – Prionace glauca) may influence the catches of non-target elasmobranchs (shortfin mako – Isurus oxyrinchus and hammerhead sharks – Sphyrna spp.). It also assessed whether the materials used in longline gear, particularly the branchline leader (whether steel or nylon), affect the degree of incidental capture. A total of 2,916 logbooks from fishing operations conducted between 2021 and 2024 were analyzed, encompassing 81 vessels authorized to operate in marine protected areas. The logbooks contain records of catch by species, fishing effort, and geographic location, which were mapped to identify overlaps between areas of higher fishing intensity and incidental catches. The results revealed differences in the catch of pelagic sharks between northern and southern regions and between leader types, indicating that the material may influence non-target catch rates. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the technical factors affecting longline selectivity and provide valuable support for the sustainable management of pelagic fisheries in the South Atlantic.Bachelor Thesis Estrutura da vegetação de mangue na foz do Rio Piranhas-Açu (Macau, RN)(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-07-14) Nunes, Ana Beatriz da Silva; Costa, Diógenes Félix da Silva; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4210-7805; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4149669138364420; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1996634959496390; Viana, Graco Aurélio Câmara de Melo; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6427674742059098; Souza, Yuri Gomes de; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4198-0004; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4751266447174208Mangrove vegetation plays a crucial role in the stability of coastal zones, functioning as a natural filter, a nursery for biodiversity, and a barrier against erosion. This study aimed to analyze the composition and structure of the mangrove vegetation at the mouth of the Piranhas-Açu River, in Macau (RN), northeastern Brazil. The methodology included phytosociological sampling in 10 × 10 meter plots on both estuarine margins, with measurements of tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and number of individuals. Three main species were recorded: Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle, with a marked predominance of the first. The results indicated a young forest structure, low floristic diversity, and signs of regeneration in impacted areas. Given this scenario, the implementation of management policies is necessary, including continuous vegetation monitoring, ecological restoration projects in degraded areas, and environmental education actions aimed at local communities. These strategies, already applied with positive results in other Brazilian estuaries, can strengthen both the ecological and social resilience of the studied region, ensuring the conservation of this strategic ecosystem.Bachelor Thesis Recifes potiguares frente à anomalia térmica de 2024(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2025-07-03) Esposito, Amanda Tereso; Mendes, Liana de Figueiredo; Agostinho, Lorena Soares; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2304904247515839; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5290-9054; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8630238560783274; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0539971205984259; Soriano, Eliane Marinho; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6736-3795; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2017823516741199; Torquato, Felipe de Oliveira; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1746-7980; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0208873455623533Coral reefs are ecosystems of high ecological and socioeconomic importance, supporting a wide range of marine biodiversity, protecting coastal zones, and promoting activities such as fishing and tourism. However, these environments have been increasingly pressured by rising ocean temperatures and anthropogenic impacts, such as pollution, sedimentation, and eutrophication. Global climate change, associated with events like El Niño, has intensified coral bleaching and mortality, threatening the integrity of these habitats. This study assessed the impacts of the thermal anomaly related to the 2024 El Niño event on coral reefs along the Potiguar coast, focusing on the areas of Pirangi and Maracajaú in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Variations in benthic substrate cover, coral health, fish assemblages, and trophic groups were analyzed, comparing the dry (summer) and rainy (winter) seasons. In Pirangi, an increase in foliose and turf algae was observed, along with a rise in hard coral cover (from 8% to 14%). In Maracajaú, high cover of bleached corals was recorded during the dry season, later replaced in the rainy season by dead corals and Palythoa, in addition to an increase in hard coral cover (from 3% to 15%). The fish assemblage in Pirangi was dominated by the Pomacentridae family in both seasons, with increased specimen abundance, whereas in Maracajaú, a greater total abundance was observed during the dry season and a slight increase in species richness during the rainy season. In both locations, herbivore-detritivore species were the predominant trophic group (e.g., Stegastes fuscus, Sparisoma sp.). In Pirangi, during the rainy season, increases in herbivore-detritivores, omnivores, and mobile invertebrate feeders were recorded, a trend not observed in Maracajaú, where mobile invertebrate feeders did not follow the same pattern. It is concluded that thermal stress triggered processes of degradation and ecological transition in the evaluated reefs, with signs of partial recovery during the rainy season. This reinforces the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptive management strategies for the conservation of these ecosystems.