| PHYTOTELMATA |
| Phytotelmata are plant-held waters. They are also known as container habitats or microcosms. Several organisms are found inside these micro-ecosystems since bacterias and protozoarians up to vertebrates such as amphibians and reptiles. |
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| In Brazil, bromeliads are the most important natural containers because their abundance and wide distribuition. |
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| Bromeliaceae is an exclusively Neotropical family except for one african species. Brazil presents a high diversity of bromeliad species which are adapted either to mesic or xeric habitats. Thus, bromeliads can be found in rainforests, desertic environments in northeastern Brazil or in the highlands. Many species have the ability to impound water among their leaves and support a wide variety of organisms. Such relationship between bromeliad and associated fauna generated a large number of endemisms. The study of the community associated to these plants shows a complex interaction among species and plant itself. |
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| This page is under construction and many information is still to be edited BACK |
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| Paepalanthus bromelioides, a new phytotelm |
| Paepalanthus bromelioides is an Eriocaulaceae plant endemic to Serra do Cipó, a campo rupestre region in Brazil. Sharing the same habitats in Serra do cipó, P. bromelioides resambles to a bromeliad and can hold water among their leaves. Several organisms that are found in bromeliad tanks are also found in P. bromelioides tanks. |
| Marco Aurelio Horta works with structure of communities associated to bromeliad tanks in Brazil |
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