The Atlantic Forest - a Biodiversity Hotspot

The Atlantic Forest is one of the world's top biodiversity hotspots. Having evolved in geographical isolation from other forest regions such as the Amazon, the Atlantic Forest is a unique ecosystem with high biodiversity and extremely high levels of endemism.

REGUA is largely comprised of lowland humid evergreen forest but also contains montane eflin forest and important restored wetlands. The reserve contains forest covering the complete altitudinal range from 30 m to 2,000 m above sea level, making REGUA one of the most important Atlantic Forest remnants for biodiversity.

Amphibians of REGUAAmphibians: 456 species are found in the Atlantic Forest and 282 (62%) of these are endemic, including 15 genera and one family - Brachycephalidae.1 So far 47 species have been recorded at REGUA.

Arachnids of REGUAArachnids: 58 species of arachnids have been identified so far at REGUA, including 48 spiders (Arachnida), eight species of harvestmen and daddy-longlegs (Opiliones) and two species of scorpion (Scorpiones).

Birds of REGUABirds: 682 species of birds are found in the Atlantic Forest biome and 199 (29%) of these are endemic to the Atlantic Forest.2 To date 436 species have been recorded at REGUA including the Endangered Crowned Eagle and Brown-backed Parrotlet. Rarities such as Blue-bellied Parrot, Salvadori's Antwren and Russet-winged Spadebill are regularly seen and REGUA is also an important site for the Vulnerable Shrike-like cotinga.

Dragonflies of REGUADragonflies: 48 species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded at REGUA, 20 of which are endemic.

Mammals of REGUAMammals: 264 species of mammals are found in the Atlantic Forest, 72 (27%) of which are endemic which include 12 genera.1 61 species have been recorded at REGUA. Notable species present include a population of the Critically Endangered Southern Woolly Spider Monkey or Muriqui Brachyteles arachnoids.

Moths of REGUAMoths: There is clearly a huge diversity of moths at REGUA, although we currently do not know how many species are present. We are slowly building up an image database, concentrating initially on hawkmoths (Sphingidae). So far 33 species of hawkmoths have been identified.

Reptiles of REGUAReptiles: 311 species are found in the Atlantic Forest region and 94 (30%) of these, including eight genera, are endemic.1 At REGUA 42 species have been recorded so far.

1 Conservation International
2 Neotropical Birds Ecology and Conservation, Stotz et al. (1996)