João A. N. Batista

Towards a phylogenetic generic classification of Thelypteridaceae: Additional sampling suggests alterations of neotropical taxa and further study of paleotropical genera

Thelypteridaceae is one of the largest fern families, having about 950 species and a cosmopolitan distribution but with most species occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. Its generic classification remains controversial, with different authors recognizing from one up to 32 genera. Phylogenetic relationships within the family have not been exhaustively studied, but previous studies have confirmed the monophyly of the lineage. Thus far, sampling has been inadequate for establishing a robust hypothesis of infrafamilial relationships within the family. In order to understand phylogenetic relationships within Thelypteridaceae and thus to improve generic reclassification, we expand the molecular sampling, including new samples of Old World taxa and, especially, many additional neotropical representatives. We also explore the monophyly of exclusively or mostly neotropical genera Amauropelta, Goniopteris, Meniscium, and Steiropteris. Our sampling includes 68 taxa and 134 newly generated sequences from two plastid genomic regions (rps4-trnS and trnL-trnF), plus 73 rps4 and 72 trnL-trnF sequences from GenBank. These data resulted in a concatenated matrix of 1980 molecular characters for 149 taxa. The combined data set was analyzed using maximum parsimony and bayesian inference of phylogeny. Our results are consistent with the general topological structure found in previous studies, including two main lineages within the family: phegopteroid and thelypteroid. The thelypteroid lineage comprises two clades; one of these included the segregates Metathelypteris, Coryphopteris, and Amauropelta (including part of Parathelypteris), whereas the other comprises all segregates of Cyclosorus s.l., such as Goniopteris, Meniscium, and Steiropteris (including Thelypteris polypodioides, previously incertae sedis). The three mainly neotropical segregates were found to be monophyletic but nested in a broadly defined Cyclosorus. The fourth mainly neotropical segregate, Amauropelta, was found to include species considered to be part of Parathelypteris. In Old World thelypteroids, which correspond to nearly half the diversity in the family, an increase in sampling is still needed to resolve relationships and circumscription of genera, particularly in the christelloid clade (i.e., Amphineuron, Chingia, Christella, Pneumatopteris, Pronephrium, and Sphaerostephanos). Based on currently available knowledge, we propose the recognition of 16 genera in the family.

Biodiversity conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas

Although Brazil is a megadiverse country and thus a conservation priority, no study has yet quantified conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas (PAs) using extensive empirical data. Here, we evaluate the degree of biodiversity protection and knowledge within all the Brazilian PAs through a gap analysis of vertebrate, arthropod and angiosperm occurrences and phylogenetic data. Our results show that the knowledge on biodiversity in most Brazilian PAs remain scant as 71% of PAs have less than 0.01 species records per km2. Almost 55% of Brazilian species and about 40% of evolutionary lineages are not found in PAs, while most species have less than 30% of their geographic distribution within PAs. Moreover, the current PA network fails to protect the majority of endemic species. Most importantly, these results are similar for all taxonomic groups analysed here. The methods and results of our countrywide assessment are suggested to help design further inventories in order to map and secure the key biodiversity of the Brazilian PAs. In addition, our study illustrates the most common biodiversity knowledge shortfalls in the tropics.

Meloidogyne incognita: Molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinase

Herein we describe the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding an aspartic proteinase from the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Using PCR techniques, a 1471-bp cDNA fragment encoding a cathepsin D-like (Mi-asp1) transcript was isolated from second-stage larvae mRNA. Its predicted amino acid sequence comprises a pro-region of 71 amino acid residues and a mature protease of 378 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 41.502kDa. Protein sequence comparisons of Mi-asp1 with GenBank (DQ360827) sequences showed 59-71% identity with nematode-specific cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinases. Southern blot analysis, RT-PCR amplification and EST mining suggest the existence of a developmentally expressed gene family encoding aspartic proteinases in M. incognita. Mi-asp1 may represent a potential target for molecular intervention for the purposes of plant-parasitic nematode control.

Taxonomy, distribution and new taxa from the Habenaria crucifera (section Nudae, Orchidaceae) aggregate from Brazil and the Guianas.

The taxonomy, morphology, and geographic distributions of Habenaria crucifera and related species in section Nudae were investigated. Habenaria galeandriformis and H. montiswilhelminae are included in the affinity of H. crucifera and four new taxa are described: H. cardiostigmatica, H. crucifera var. brevidactyla, H. guaraensis, and H. spanophytica. These species form a subgroup within section Nudae, characterized by linear grass-like leaves that are appressed to the stem; green flowers; simple or discretely bipartite petals; a tripartite lip; a rostellum midlobe completely placed between the two anther loci; stigma lobes that are closely parallel; and a separated hemipollinarium. This group of species ranges from the Guianas to the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, but is concentrated in the cerrado of central Brazil. Diagnostic characters, illustrations, descriptions and notes on the habitat, distribution, phenology, and conservation status are presented for all species here recognized.ResumoA taxonomia, morfologia e distribuição geográfica de Habenaria crucifera e espécies relacionada na seção Nudae foi investigada. Habenaria galeandriformis e H. montiswilhelminae são incluídas na afinidade de H. crucifera e quatro táxons novos são descritos: H. cardiostigmatica, H. crucifera var. brevidactyla, H. guaraensis e H. spanophytica. Essas espécies formam um subgrupo da seção Nudae caracterizado pelas folhas graminóides, lineares, apressas ao caule, flores verdes, pétala simples ou discretamente bipartida, labelo tripartido, lobo mediano do rostelo completamente compreendido entre os lóculos da antera, lobos do estigma próximos, paralelos, e hemipolinários separados. A distribuição das espécies estende-se das Guianas até o estado do Rio Grande do Sul no sul do Brasil, mas concentra-se no cerrado do Brasil central. Caracteres diagnósticos, ilustrações, descrição e comentários sobre o habitat, distribuição, fenologia e status de conservação são apresentados para cada espécie.

Genetic Structure Is Associated with Phenotypic Divergence in Floral Traits and Reproductive Investment in a High-Altitude Orchid from the Iron Quadrangle, Southeastern Brazil

Knowledge of the role of Neotropical montane landscapes in shaping genetic connectivity and local adaptation is essential for understanding the evolutionary processes that have shaped the extraordinary species diversity in these regions. In the present study, we examined the landscape genetics, estimated genetic diversity, and explored genetic relationships with morphological variability and reproductive strategies in seven natural populations of Cattleya liliputana (Orchidaceae). Nuclear microsatellite markers were used for genetic analyses. Spatial Bayesian clustering and population-based analyses revealed significant genetic structuring and high genetic diversity (He = 0.733 ± 0.03). Strong differentiation was found between populations over short spatial scales (FST = 0.138, p < 0.001), reflecting the landscape discontinuity and isolation. Monmonier´s maximum difference algorithm, Bayesian analysis on STRUCTURE and principal component analysis identified one major genetic discontinuity between populations. Divergent genetic groups showed phenotypic divergence in flower traits and reproductive strategies. Increased sexual reproductive effort was associated with rock outcrop type and may be a response to adverse conditions for growth and vegetative reproduction. Here we discuss the effect of restricted gene flow, local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity as drivers of population differentiation in Neotropical montane rock outcrops.

O gênero Habenaria (Orchidaceae) na Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brasil

The Serra da Canastra is located in the southwestern part of Minas Gerais within the Cerrado Biome. The floristic studies of the region began in the 1990s but are incomplete and Orchidaceae is one of the families that were not studied yet. This work presents a survey of the genus Habenaria in Serra da Canastra. 28 species were recorded for the region, two of which, H. canastrensis and H. pseudoculicina, are endemics from the study area. 30% of the Habenaria recorded for Minas Gerais occur in Serra da Canastra and the area is one of five conservation units with the highest diversity of the genus in the state. In the study area occur mainly species with broad distribution, as well as some species typical of the central plateau or typical of the Espinhaco range, but none species typical of high altitude grasslands of the Atlantic Forest domain.

Publisher Correction: Biodiversity conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas

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Reply to Biodiversity conservation gaps in Brazil: A role for systematic conservation planning

Fonseca and Venticinque (2018, hereafter FV) present a critial assessment of a paper in which we attempt to estimate the iodiversity coverage of the Brazilian conservation units (Oliveira t al., 2017). We appreciate their contribution to this important ebate. We have no doubts that conservation planning should be ased on a variety of information sources, including not only the overage of species’ ranges but also the contribution of each area o the preservation of ecosystem services, landscape features and ocioeconomic and cultural aspects. This systematic and integraive conservation planning is certainly a complex process, which equires the contribution of experts from different fields. However, e have shown, in this reply, that our paper (Oliveira et al., 2017) ims to quantify the knowledge and protection gaps of biodiversity n protected areas, not to propose priority areas or to test whether he current proposal of priority areas is efficient. Objectives and the onclusions of our paper. We hope this short response can clarify his debate. FV’s characterizes the dataset analyzed in our paper as “. . .an rbitrary set of widespread, abundant, and nonthreatened species. . .”, nd state that any study like ours should be based on species listed s threatened in red lists. Our study was based on the best database n Brazilian biodiversity we could assemble. We have compiled ata from the literature and scientific collections of a variety of axonomic groups, and the dataset was exhaustively checked for axonomic and geographic accuracy. Thus, it is not an arbitrary et of species, but the most comprehensive database on Brazilan biodiversity assembled so far. We understand the reasons to valuate conservation gaps based only (or mostly) on threatened pecies, but in our opinion such procedure would miss an imporant portion of the Brazilian biodiversity. As we demonstrated arlier (Oliveira et al., 2016). Brazilian biodiversity is incompletely nown and this shortened data on species distribution and natral history are used to assess threat levels. Therefore, we think any species could be currently threatened but not recognized as uch due to deficient data. Arthropods (the largest group of livng forms), in particular, are poorly represented for the production f these lists. Although red lists usually include species classified s “Data Deficient”, we think only a fraction of the species curently known are effectively evaluated for the production of those ists. Thus, restricting our analyses to species officially recognized s threatened could miss a significant portion of the Brazilian bioiversity and bias our results towards better known species. Even n Europe, knowledge of threat status is incomplete, e.g., for bees:

Taxonomy of Marcetieae: A New Neotropical Tribe of Melastomataceae

Premise of research. Phylogenetic analyses have shown that tribe Melastomateae is biphyletic, consisting of two nonsister clades, the core Melastomateae and the Marcetia alliance, both supported by molecular and morphological characters. Methodology. In this study, we describe the new tribe Marcetieae and revise its generic limits based on a molecular phylogeny and a reevaluation of morphological characters. A short description; notes on distribution, habitat, and taxonomy; and a list of species plus an identification key are presented for all accepted genera. Pivotal results. We propose the recognition of 19 genera in this tribe, including a new genus (Rostranthera) and the resurrection of Dicrananthera, Leiostegia, Noterophila, and Pseudoernestia. Conclusions. Ernestia and Macairea were not fully resolved either in the molecular phylogeny or morphologically, and these genera need additional sampling of taxa and molecular markers to define their generic limits.

Descriptions and phylogenetic relationships of four new species and a new name of Habenaria (Orchidaceae) from the cerrado and campos rupestres of Brazil

Four new orchid species and one variety from the cerrado and campos rupestres of central and south-eastern Brazil are described and illustrated: Habenaria brachydactyla, H. irwiniana, H. minuta, H. pansarinii, and H. pansarinii var. minuscula. Habenaria campylogyna is proposed as a new name for the illegitimate H. humilis Cogniaux. The five species differ from other Neotropical taxa by being small, slender plants with linear leaves concentrated at the base of the stem. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear and plastid DNA sequences revealed that they are not closely related, and do not belong to any of the previously identified Neotropical subclades. All of the new taxa were recovered in isolated positions, branching from basal nodes of larger subclades, suggesting that these morphological characters represent plesiomorphic traits in the Neotropical clade. Habenaria brachydactyla is genetically distinct and represents an early lineage of the Neotropical Habenaria clade. All taxa are considered threatened because of their small numbers of populations with few individuals and/or restricted distributions. Detailed descriptions, photographs, illustrations, notes, and a key to the species are presented.