Gustavo Hassemer

The use of potential distribution models in the study of the distribution and conservation status of plants: The case of Plantago L. (Plantaginaceae) in Brazil1

Abstract This work reviews the distribution and the conservation status of the 12 species of Plantago (Plantaginaceae) native to Brazil and presents potential distribution models for 8 of these species. The modeling procedure was carried out with a new online system dedicated to increase the biogeographic knowledge about plants and fungi in Brazil using different modeling strategies, depending on the number of points available. The models reflected reasonably well the known distribution of each species and can be used for conservation purposes, with the exception of one model for P. brasiliensis. The same points selected for model creation were also used to estimate the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of these species in Brazil. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) criteria, six species qualified as being of least concern, one as near threatened, three as endangered, and two as critically endangered. Also, six species of Plantago are exclusive to Brazil (P. catharinea, P. corvensis, P. guilleminiana, P. rahniana, P. trinitatis, and P. turficola), and four threatened species (P. commersoniana, P. corvensis, P. rahniana, and P. trinitatis) are absent or inadequately classified in the “Red List of the Flora of Brazil.” Three nonnative species of Plantago occur in Brazil, all originating from Europe: P. coronopus, P. lanceolata, and P. major.

A review of vascular plant endemisms in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, highlights critical knowledge gaps and urgent need of conservation efforts1

Abstract The State of Santa Catarina, located in southern Brazil, presents great diversity of topography, landscapes and vegetation types. It also harbors a very rich biodiversity, and many species are exclusive to this territory. As a consequence of the destruction of most of its original vegetation, a considerable part of this biodiversity is threatened. This work presents a survey of the vascular flora exclusive to Santa Catarina, based on a thorough literature review. The compilation provides information on the distribution, environments, latest recorded date of collection, and conservation status of these species with bibliographic references. This information has great potential value for biodiversity conservation. More taxonomic and conservation studies are warranted since our results present strong evidence that there are profound knowledge gaps on Neotropical biodiversity, even for allegedly well-studied areas, thwarting the implementation of effective conservation policies.

Plantago rahniana (Plantaginaceae): A Narrow Endemic, New Species from Southern Brazil

Abstract A new species, Plantago rahniana, is described and illustrated. This species has an extremely restricted distribution and is only known from two localities in Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil, which are high-elevation grasslands that are often covered in fog. Based on the IUCN criteria, this species is considered endangered. Material of this species was erroneously identified as Plantago commersoniana, which is also rare and potentially threatened. These two species mainly differ by the shape of their leaves and seeds, and by the pattern of the trichomes on their leaves, bracts, and anterior sepals. The first key to all of the species of Plantago from Brazil is also provided.

Yet another new species from one of the best-studied neotropical areas: Plantago humboldtiana (Plantaginaceae), an extremely narrow endemic new species from a waterfall in southern Brazil.

This article presents and describes Plantago humboldtiana, an extremely narrow endemic rheophytic new species from a waterfall in Corupá, Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. The new species is unique in presenting a combination of type-G antrorse trichomes on scapes, pendulous inflorescences and 1-seeded pyxidia. Only one population is known to exist, despite intensive search efforts in nearby, similar environments. Its conservation status is assessed as critically endangered (CR) as the only known population is restricted to a dramatically small area, and is subject to extreme fluctuation due to occasional floods, and also to intense visitation by tourists, which can disturb its fragile habitat. We also present an updated identification key to the species of Plantago that occur in Santa Catarina. The recent description of three narrow endemic, threatened new species of Plantago in Santa Catarina, which is the Brazilian state with its flora best studied, highlights the need for more taxonomic research, especially in the neotropics.

Plantago corvensis (Plantaginaceae): a new narrowly endemic species from rocky cliffs in southern Brazil1

Abstract This paper describes Plantago corvensis, a new species endemic to rocky cliffs in Serra do Corvo Branco, southern Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. The new species is morphologically very distinct from other Plantago species native to South America because of the distinctly petiolate ovate leaves, the retrorse trichomes on scape, and the 4-seeded fruits. Plantago corvensis is known from only one locality and, according to the IUCN criteria, is considered critically endangered (CR).

First records of Melilotus albus Medik. (Fabaceae, Faboideae) in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

Melilotus albus Medik. is a cosmopolite and invasive species, native to the Old World, which in Brazil had its occurrence hitherto recorded only in the states of Sao Paulo, Parana and Rio Grande do Sul. This study extends its distribution to Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, due to the recent discovery of populations in the municipalities of Florianopolis and Xanxere. These new records are ca. 250 km distant from the nearest records, in Parana state, also in southern Brazil.

Fifty-five new records of vascular plants, and other discoveries for the flora of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

Abstract The flora of Santa Catarina is the best known in Brazil, and yet considerable knowledge gaps remain. Aiming at filling these gaps, we present here 55 new records of vascular plants for this Brazilian state, and the re-collection of four species after more than 50 years. About 50% of new records are non-native in the area. We present short descriptions of each of these species, citations to published illustrations, and also comments and field pictures of most of them.

Clarifying the occurrence and conservation status of Plantago dielsiana Pilg. and P. australis Lam. subsp. pretoana Rahn (Plantaginaceae) in Brazil

Problems in the original description of a species can have long-lasting consequences. This is the case of Plantago dielsiana and P. australis subsp. pretoana , two taxa referred to occur in Brazil by different authors. This work has the objective of clarifying the long standing misunderstanding about the occurrence of these two taxa in Brazil. Additionally, we revise the distribution and assess the conservation status of P. australis subsp. pretoana , an endangered, rather poorly understood subspecies endemic to southeastern Brazil.

Phyllanthus timboënsis (Phyllanthaceae), a new species from Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

ABSTRACT This work describes Phyllanthus timboënsis, a narrowly endemic new species from Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. We provide a detailed morphological description, a distribution map and photographs of the new species, and assess its conservation status. Furthermore, we provide an identification key to species of Phyllanthus that occur in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, southern Brazil.

First record of the invasive species Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Poaceae, Andropogoneae) in the South Region of Brazil

Rottboellia cochinchinensis is an aggressive invasive species native to Asia. This species is known worldwide for invading crops and disturbed habitats in tropical and subtropical regions. In Brazil, R. cochinchinensis had its southernmost record in Sao Paulo state; however, in this study we expand its distribution to Santa Catarina state, in the South Region of Brazil, based on the discovery of a population in Blumenau municipality. These new records are ca. 440 km distant from the nearest known population, in Sao Paulo municipality, Sao Paulo state, Brazil.