BIRDS OF PARQUE ESTADUAL DO BIRIBIRI, CENTRAL ESPINHAÇO RANGE, BRAZIL

The Central Espinhaço Range forms a large biogeographical barrier that contains areas of ecological transition between two important conservation hotspots in Brazil: the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. This research aims to present the first consolidated list of bird species from Parque Estadual do Biribiri (PEBI) located in the Central Espinhaço Range at Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. We recorded 172 bird species between August/November 2018 and January/April 2019, of which 15 are associated with the surrounding biomes (Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest) and three species restricted to the southeastern Brazilian mountain tops. Among those species, four are considered globally Near Threatened and 41 species are listed under wildlife trafficking species, indicating the importance of conserving this area. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of PEBI and stress the importance of such transitional areas for maintaining diversity of birds in the Espinhaço Range.

Mitrapsylla rupestris sp. nov., a psyllid (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) associated with Poiretia bahiana (Fabaceae) endemic to the Espinhaço mountain range (Brazil, Bahía)

Mitrapsylla rupestrissp. nov., associated with Poiretia bahiana C. Mueller (Fabaceae, Faboideae, Dalbergieae), is described, diagnosed and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to M. aeschynomenis, M. aurantia, M. cubana and M. didyma from which it differs in details of the terminalia and the host plant. Poiretia constitutes a previously unknown psyllid host. As its host, Mitrapsylla rupestrissp. nov. is probably endemic to rock habitats of the Espinhaço Range in eastern Brazil. These rock habitats display a high species diversity but are seriously threatened by human activities. More research on these habitats is urgently needed to design efficient conservation strategies.

Novelties from the Serra Nova State Park (Minas Gerais, Brazil): two new endemic species of Eriocaulaceae

Two new micro-endemic species of Eriocaulaceae are described from the Campos Rupestres of Serra Nova State Park, a conservation unit located in the Espinhaço Range in northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Herein we provide descriptions, illustrations, photographs and maps, together with notes on morphology, distribution, phenology, taxonomy, and conservation. Paepalanthus ferrugineus is distinguished mainly by the reddish-brown involucral bracts, surpassing the floral disc, with the apex attenuate and tufted adaxially, tufted sepals and hairy petals. Syngonanthus polyaxis is easily differentiated by the inflorescence architecture with three morphologically distinct axial parts. Both species are considered Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Integrative assessment of the floristic diversity of Gentianaceae in an area of campo rupestre of the Espinhaço Range in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil

This study aimed to assess the diversity of species in the Espinhaço Range (ER), eastern Brazil, using as a model the diverse plant family Gentianaceae and focusing on the Parque Municipal de Mucugê—Projeto Sempre Viva (PMM), a conservation unit with predominance of “campo rupestre”. For this purpose, fieldwork expeditions were carried out between the years 2016–2018 along with a survey of species of this family recorded for this conservation unit in public databases. For comparative purposes, the listing of species from other five areas of the ER were also surveyed and we modeled the distribution of species endemic to these mountains, taking into account that they have their restrict distribution, high habitat specificity and importance to the ecosystem. The results indicated the presence of 33 species of Gentianaceae for the ER, eight of them occurring in the PMM. Comparatively, the results pointed to a greater floristic similarity between the PMM, Pico das Almas and Catolés, due to the presence of seven common species. Predictive distribution modeling supports high endemicity of the analyzed species, given their low environmental suitability outside the ER. The models also allowed us to identify possible areas showing high Wallacean shortfall for these species. Thus, the results reinforce the importance of field work, access to physical and digital botanical collections and the integrated use of tools for a more reliable survey of biodiversity.

THE VIOLETS OF THE BRAZILIAN SAVANNA: A REVISION OF THE POMBALIA LANATA COMPLEX (VIOLACEAE), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES

Pombalia Vand. (Violaceae) is represented in the Cerrado by a well-supported monophyletic group of species known as the Pombalia lanata complex, characterised by some unique vegetative and reproductive features within the genus. This group includes six species – Pombalia cristalina, P. insignis, P. lanata, P. poaya, P. strigoides and P. velutina – the first two of which are new to science. Pombalia lanata shows the widest geographical distribution throughout the Central Brazilian Plateau and the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais state, with a disjunction in Misiones Province, Argentina. Because most species in this group are narrow endemics, we evaluated the conservation status of all taxa. An identification key for the species, descriptions, illustrations, maps of geographical distribution and nomenclatural notes are also provided.

An escape from the Espinhaço Range: a new species of Paepalanthus subg. Xeractis (Eriocaulaceae) from the campos rupestres of Serra do Padre Ângelo, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Background and aims – Recent botanical discoveries have highlighted the occurrence of campos rupestres in the Serra do Padre Ângelo (SPA), eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Here, we introduce the first new species of Paepalanthus subg. Xeractis to be described in the last three decades. Discovered in the SPA, it belongs to an emblematic lineage endemic to the campos rupestres of Minas Gerais.Material and methods – The new species is described based on herbarium material and in situ observations. A morphological phylogenetic analysis was carried out by including the new species in a previously published character matrix. Its spatial distribution is discussed based on the obtained topology.Key results – The new species is endemic to the SPA, but its closest related taxa are endemic to the Espinhaço Range (ER), ca 200 km distant. Its placement in the phylogeny supports the inclusion in P. ser. Fuscati, representing an escape from the ER. We present a clear morphological differentiation between the new species and its closest related taxa. Other similar cases of disjunct distribution among these areas of campos rupestres (SPA vs ER) are reviewed and discussed.Conclusion – Based on the restricted distribution, allied with threats to the habitat, the new species is inserted in the IUCN category of Critically Endangered (CR). This new discovery reinforces the singularity of the SPA and the relevance of biodiversity inventories and conservation studies in the easternmost campos rupestres, and their classification as a priority area for conservation.