Inga ciatiformis (Leguminosae): A new species from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

A new species of Inga (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoid clade), restricted to the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is described, illustrated, and compared in an inedited identification key to the species with stipitate extrafloral nectaries in the biome, Inga ciatiformis is similar to Inga cabelo and Inga platyptera. It differs from I. cabelo by having appressed-sericeous young branches, leaves with 1–3 pairs of leaflets, a terminal appendix 7–12 mm long, cyathiform extrafloral nectaries, bracts 9–13 mm long, linear, persistent, and a sparsely sericeous calyx (vs. hirsute-hispid young branches, leaves with 2–5 leaflets pairs, terminal appendix 2.5 mm long, capitate extrafloral nectaries, bracts 2 mm long, triangular, caducous, and a hirsute calyx). It differs from I. platyptera by having appressed-sericeous young branches, a cylindrical petiole and rachis, rachis rarely winged in the superior portion of the apical pair of leaflets, extrafloral nectaries always cyathiform, and linear bracts (vs. hispid young branches, winged petioles and rachises, extrafloral nectaries generally cupuliform, and lanceolate to ovate bracts).

Nectar biosynthesis is conserved among floral and extrafloral nectaries

Nectar is a primary reward mediating plant-animal mutualisms to improve plant fitness and reproductive success. Four distinct trichomatic nectaries develop in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), one floral and three extrafloral, and the nectars they secrete serve different purposes. Floral nectar attracts bees for promoting pollination, while extrafloral nectar attracts predatory insects as a means of indirect protection from herbivores. Cotton therefore provides an ideal system for contrasting mechanisms of nectar production and nectar composition between different nectary types. Here, we report the transcriptome and ultrastructure of the four cotton nectary types throughout development and compare these with the metabolomes of secreted nectars. Integration of these datasets supports specialization among nectary types to fulfill their ecological niche, while conserving parallel coordination of the merocrine-based and eccrine-based models of nectar biosynthesis. Nectary ultrastructures indicate an abundance of rough endoplasmic reticulum positioned parallel to the cell walls and a profusion of vesicles fusing to the plasma membranes, supporting the merocrine model of nectar biosynthesis. The eccrine-based model of nectar biosynthesis is supported by global transcriptomics data, which indicate a progression from starch biosynthesis to starch degradation and sucrose biosynthesis and secretion. Moreover, our nectary global transcriptomics data provide evidence for novel metabolic processes supporting de novo biosynthesis of amino acids secreted in trace quantities in nectars. Collectively, these data demonstrate the conservation of nectar-producing models among trichomatic and extrafloral nectaries.

Turnera fasciculifolia (Turneraceae, Passifloraceae s. l.): A New Species From the Jalapão Region, Tocantins, Brazil

Abstract—We present a new species, Turnera fasciculifolia, from the Jalapão region, the largest continuous protected area of Cerrado in Tocantins State, in central Brazil. The new species belongs to Turnera series Leiocarpae, and it can be recognized by the linear ericoid leaves with revolute margin, generally without extrafloral nectaries, and the basal leaves of the young axillary branches gathered in fascicles. We provide a description, illustrations, a distribution map, and a comparison with T. genistoides and T. revoluta, which also have ericoid leaves.