Diversity and evolution of stem structure in Eleocharis (Cyperaceae)

Eleocharis (Cyperaceae) includes more than 300 species of perennial or annual herbs, frequently found on poorly drained soils. The species are morphologicaly similar, and the taxonomy is difficult because their vegetative and reproductive structures are very reduced. Previous study on the stem architecture in the subgenus Limnochloa showed that anatomical features help in the interpretation of the evolution, taxonomy and ecological aspects of the group. Our objectives were to add new characters from the stem (= culm) structure, to explore the characters in a greater number of Eleocharis species, representatives of the other subgenera, and add these data in a new phylogenetic analysis with molecular data. The study covered 68 species obtained from herbaria and fixed material. In addition to the stem architecture, the internal organization of the tissues, the cross-section format, the presence or absence of stretched cells in aerenchyma air gaps and the plant size were included in the morphological analysis. Our data confirm that spongy aerenchyma pattern is the ancestral condition while the mixed and septate patterns occurred independent and punctually. Only the cross-section format was variable among specimens while the other characters were uniform and relevant for taxonomic use.

An interactive identification key for Atlantic Forest tree species based on macroscopic wood anatomy

The Atlantic Forest is considered a biodiversity hotspot because of its exceptional species richness, endemism, and habitat losses. Commercial logging, industrial forestry, and agriculture represent threats to the Atlantic Forest, and even though it has been protected by law since 2006, forest suppression continues and large volumes of Atlantic Forest wood are traded every year. To promote environmental conservation and prevent illegal logging, the verification of wood species’ identifications is fundamental throughout several stages of the wood supply chain by supervisory bodies, traders, and even consumers. Macroscopic wood anatomy analysis has been shown to be an efficient method for screening, although tools to streamline the efficiency of that process are necessary. We introduce here an interactive identification key for Atlantic Forest tree species, based on standard wood macroscopic features that is now available online at http://gbg.sites.uff.br/lamad/.

Synopsis of Pentacalia (Compositae: Senecioneae) in Brazil

The genus Pentacalia belongs to the tribe Senecioneae. It is represented by approximately 160 species predominantly distributed in the Andes. Species of Pentacalia are characterized by having a scandent habit, usually alternate leaves, axillary or terminal capitulescence, homogamous or heterogamous capitula, commonly yellow ray-florets, yellowish, creamy, or whitish disc-florets, sagittate to caudate anther-bases, and cypselae with five to ten ribs. The aim of the present study was to perform a taxonomic treatment of Pentacalia in Brazil, where it is represented by two species, P. desiderabilis and P. tropicalis, from the Atlantic Forest Domain. Detailed descriptions, taxonomic discussions, geographical distributions, an identification key, illustrations and a new record of P. tropicalis for the Northeast Region are presented. Moreover, three names (Senecio desiderabilis, S. ellipticus, and S. tropicalis) are lectotypified.

Diversity of macrophytes in the Amazon deforestation arc: information on their distribution, life-forms and habits

The Amazon possesses the largest fluvial system on the planet, harboring a diverse biota. Still, many species remain undescribed, because of the Amazon’s immense scale and complexity, and because many habitats are now increasingly under pressure from anthropogenic activities. Macrophytes are important to physical and biological processes in aquatic ecosystems but remain poorly studied in Northern Brazil. The objective of this study was to provide a checklist of macrophyte species that occur in municipalities that form part of the Arc of Deforestation, Pará state, Brazil, bringing information on their habits and life-forms. We sampled 36 sites at three types of aquatic ecosystems (streams, ponds and lakes). In total, we recorded 50 species, 38 genera and 24 families. Most species were amphibious or emergent. Degraded streams have environmental characteristics similar to lentic habitats, which could provide more suitable habitats for macrophytes that otherwise would not occur in lotic habitats, thus explaining the higher diversity in these ecosystems. Macrophyte diversity in this region follows similar patterns to other Brazilian regions. This study contributes to the assessment of aquatic macrophytes in the Amazon, especially in more degraded regions, such as the Amazon deforestation arc.

Too many floristic inventories? New records in seasonal semi-deciduous forest in the Serra da Mantiqueira in Minas Gerais state answer this question

The importance of continuously conducting botanical inventories has been questioned in recent decades, generating a lack of investment and interest in this area. However, several applied studies are only possible after obtaining the primary data from such surveys. Despite having the greatest richness of plants known in Brazil, several areas with knowledge gaps remain in Minas Gerais (MG) state. This is the case for the Serra da Mantiqueira, an important area for biodiversity conservation in the country. In this scenario, the phytophysiognomy of Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (SSF) deserves attention, as it is broadly distributed and has great relevance in the state, although subsampled. Therefore, this study aimed to present records of species for the flora of MG and discuss the need for floristic surveys in Brazil. These species were recorded in three of 10 studied remnants along expeditions performed between the years of 2012 and 2019 as part of a wide study performed in SSF remnants in the Serra da Mantiqueira which have a deficit of floristic data. Three species are recorded for the first time in MG, one species was rediscovered after more than two centuries from the last collection (which represents its nomenclatural type), in addition to nine other species which must be considered rare in the state. This study contributed to filling gaps in knowledge on Brazilian flora and also demonstrated the relevance of continuing new collections, mainly in specific subsampled areas in the interior of the country such as in SSF remnants.

Diversity of Convolvulaceae from Meruoca Massif, Ceará, Brazil

We present the taxonomic treatment of Convolvulaceae for the Meruoca Massif, located in the Northwest region of the Ceará state, where there are remnants of Tropical Pluvial Sub-deciduous Forest (Dry Forest) and Tropical Pluvial-Nebular Rainforest (Wet Forest). The present study was based on the morphological analysis of specimens collected in the field and from the collections EAC, HUEFS, HUVA, PEUFR, and SPF. We recorded 24 species distributed in four genera: Ipomoea (18 species), Jacquemontia (three species), Distimake (two species), and Camonea (one species). We report the first records of I. cearensis for Atlantic Forest and I. aristolochiifolia to the state of Ceará. The taxonomic treatment includes identification key, morphological descriptions, geographic distribution, taxonomic and ecological comments, the period of flowering and fruiting, and photos and illustrations of the diagnostic characters.

Flora do Ceará, Brasil: Salicaceae

Resumo O presente estudo faz parte da série de monografias taxonômicas realizadas para o Ceará. A partir de observações de campo e análise de materiais de herbário foram registradas 17 espécies, pertencentes aos gêneros Banara, Casearia, Prockia e Xylosma. As áreas do Norte do Planalto da Ibiapaba, Serra da Meruoca e Maciços de Baturite e Uruburetama são as mais ricas em espécies, enquanto que o maior número de registros de coletas está na Chapada do Araripe e adjacências. Chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, dados de distribuição geográfica e habitat são apresentados.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for two subspecies of Handroanthus chrysanthus

An understanding of the genetic diversity and structure of plant species is essential in order to comprehend the degree of biodiversity loss and to develop successful restoration programs. Handroanthus is an important genus that presents one of the most valuable timbers of South America. Handroanthus chrysanthus is an important species distributed in Central and South America. Microsatellite markers are not previously developed for this species. Ten microsatellites for Handroanthus chrysanthus developed using high-throughput sequencing are presented here. The usefulness of these microsatellite loci for the genetic analysis of subspecies H. chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus (distributed in coastal dry forests) and subspecies H. chrysanthus subsp. meridionalis (distributed in premontane moist forests) is analyzed. At least eight polymorphic microsatellites are useful for each subspecies, seven of which can be used in both subspecies.

Disentangling Cuscuta identification in Brazil: a first taxonomic contribution to the northeast region species

Cuscuta is a genus of Convolvulaceae distributed worldwide and comprises about 200 species, of which 26 were reported to Brazil. They are characterized by being holoparasites, leafless, gamopetalous, bisexual and usually pentamerous flowers. Studies available for South American Cuscuta are mostly from late XIX and early XX centuries. The restriction of taxonomic bibliographies, together with the fact that taxonomic informative characters are restricted to their tiny flowers, make the species identification a challenge. In this context, this work aimed to study the diversity of Cuscuta for the northeast region of Brazil and allow species identification. Field works were carried out in all northeast region states and about 150 specimens from 17 herbarium collections were analyzed. A lectotypification is proposed for C. racemosa. Cuscuta orbiculata, cited to Mexico, Guatemala and Brazil (Goiás and northeast region), is synonymized under C. tinctoria. Eight species were recognized, occurring mainly in areas of Caatinga, that predominates in the region. Descriptions, taxonomic comments, illustrations and an identification key are presented.

Screening for inhibitory activity of volatile oils from Piper spp. on acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase

The Atlantic Forest is regarded a rich source of aromatic plants with a broad spectrum of biological properties. The leaves of seven Piper species were collected from the Atlantic Forest domain in the coastal region of Paraná state in winter (W) and spring (S). The volatile oils were extracted from the leaves through hydrodistillation method. The volatile oils were characterized by means of GC-FID and GC-MS. Sesquiterpenes were among the major compounds in all species studied, with many dozens of representatives. However, very low concentrations of monoterpenes were observed; α-pinene in Piper mosenii and P. cernuum, δ-3-carene in P. rivinoides, camphene and β-pinene in P. cernuum are exceptions. The arylpropanoides myristicine and elemicin were found in considerable amount in P. diospyrifolium (26.2%/S) and P. mosenii (16.4%/W), respectively. These oils were also screened for inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-glucosidase (AG). For AChE the most active samples were P. diospyrifolium, P. aduncum and P. cernuum, with inhibiting level > 93%. For the less sensitive AG, the most promising candidates were P. diospyrifolium and P. mosenii, with inhibiting level > 65%. These results highlight the importance of native plants as renewable source of new inhibitors for AChE and AG. Further investigation is required to identify the most active constituents or fractions from the selected volatile oils.