Nádia Roque

Amazon plant diversity revealed by a taxonomically verified species list

Significance Large floristic datasets that purportedly represent the diversity and composition of the Amazon tree flora are being widely used to draw conclusions about the patterns and evolution of Amazon plant diversity, but these datasets are fundamentally flawed in both their methodology and the resulting content. We have assembled a comprehensive dataset of Amazonian seed plant species from published sources that includes falsifiable data based on voucher specimens identified by taxonomic specialists. This growing list should serve as a basis for addressing the long-standing debate on the number of plant species in the Amazon, as well as for downstream ecological and evolutionary analyses aimed at understanding the origin and function of the exceptional biodiversity of the vast Amazonian forests. Recent debates on the number of plant species in the vast lowland rain forests of the Amazon have been based largely on model estimates, neglecting published checklists based on verified voucher data. Here we collate taxonomically verified checklists to present a list of seed plant species from lowland Amazon rain forests. Our list comprises 14,003 species, of which 6,727 are trees. These figures are similar to estimates derived from nonparametric ecological models, but they contrast strongly with predictions of much higher tree diversity derived from parametric models. Based on the known proportion of tree species in neotropical lowland rain forest communities as measured in complete plot censuses, and on overall estimates of seed plant diversity in Brazil and in the neotropics in general, it is more likely that tree diversity in the Amazon is closer to the lower estimates derived from nonparametric models. Much remains unknown about Amazonian plant diversity, but this taxonomically verified dataset provides a valid starting point for macroecological and evolutionary studies aimed at understanding the origin, evolution, and ecology of the exceptional biodiversity of Amazonian forests.

Reinstatement of the name Richterago Kuntze and recircumscription of the genus to include species formerly treated as Actinoseris (Endl.) Cabrera (Compositae, Mutisieae)

Roque, N. & Pirani, J. R.: Reinstatement of the name Richterago Kuntze and recircumscription of the genus to include species formerly treated as Actinoseris (Endl.) Cabrera (Compositae, Mutisieae). - Taxon 50: 1155-1160. 2001. - ISSN 0040-0262. Morphological studies of Actinoseris (Endl.) Cabrera and Gochnatia Kunth indicate that the species currently included in Gochnatia sect. Discoseris Cabrera should be transferred to Actinoseris. With this new circumscription, Richterago Kuntze is the correct generic name, having priority over Actinoseris. This paper presents a morphological description of Richterago and a nomenclatural treatment with seven new combinations.

The family Euphorbiaceae on the sand dunes of the middle São Francisco River, Bahia State, Brazil

Euphorbiaceae e uma das familias mais representativas da caatinga, particularmente nas areas sobre dunas arenosas do medio rio Sao Francisco, no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. O levantamento das especies de Euphorbiaceae nessa formacao foi efetuado com base em coletas realizadas na regiao e materiais de herbario. A familia esta representada nas areas estudadas por 20 especies, distribuidas nos seguintes generos: Alchornea Swartz (uma especie); Chamaesyce S.F. Gray (3); Cnidoscolus Pohl (4); Croton L. (4); Dalechampia L. (1); Jatropha L. (3); Manihot Miller (2); Sapium P. Browne (1) e Tragia L. (1). Chamaesyce alsinifolia (Boiss.) Satiro, C. chamaeclada (Ule) Satiro, Croton paludosus Mull. Arg., Manihot catingae Ule e M. heptaphylla Ule sao endemicas do Estado da Bahia. Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl e C. urnigerus (Pax) Pax sao restritas as regioes de caatinga do Brasil. Sao apresentadas chaves para generos e especies, descricoes, ilustracoes, dados sobre distribuicao geografica e habitat, bem como comentarios sobre as especies.

Pollen morphology and its taxonomic significance in the tribe Gochnatieae (Compositae, Gochnatioideae)

In the context of recent molecular phylogenies of the basal grades of Compositae, we investigated the utility of pollen morphology within the tribe Gochnatieae. The pollen of 64 species of Anastraphia,Cnicothamnus, Cyclolepis, Gochnatia, Pentaphorus, and Richterago was studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, three extra-Gochnatieae genera (Ianthopappus, Leucomeris, and Nouelia) were examined as they were traditionally morphologically related to members of the tribe Gochnatieae. Three of the species of Gochnatieae were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Two pollen types, and two new subtypes, have been recognized on the basis of the pollen shape, size, and exine sculpture. The pollen features of Gochnatia sect. Moquiniastrum and G. cordata are similar and distinctive within the genus and support the recently re-circumscribed section Hedraiophyllum. Within the species with echinate pollen surface, the distinctive spine length of Anastraphia supports its recent resurrection as a genus. The identity of Pentaphorus could not be supported by pollen features as was for other morphological characteristics. The pollen features shared across Cyclolepis,Ianthopappus, Leucomeris, Nouelia and Gochnatia sect. Moquiniastrum, as well as those shared by Richterago and Anastraphia could be a result of parallel evolution.

Estudos taxonômicos do gênero Calea (Asteraceae, Neurolaeneae) no estado da Bahia, Brasil

Asteraceae is the largest family of angiosperms with ca. 24.000 species and 1600-1700 genera widely distributed. Calea L. is represented in the tropical and subtropical regions by ca. 125 species. This genus is very similar to Aspilia and Wedelia, however the former presents ligulate pistilate flowers and pappus composed of free pales. The aim of this paper is to present a taxonomic survey of Calea in the state of Bahia. The analyzed specimens included material collected in the field, as well as herbarium material. The following 10 species are known to occur in Bahia: C. angusta S.F. Blake, C. candolleana (Gardner) Baker, C. gardneriana Baker, C. harleyi H. Rob., C. microphylla (Gardner) Baker, C. morii H. Rob., C. pilosa Baker, C. pinheiroi H. Rob., C. purpurea G.M. Barroso e C. villosa Baker. The species are basically distinct by the sinflorescence arrangement (heads number and peduncle size), head radiate or discoid, receptacle (paleaceous × epaleaceous), flower numbers and pappus size. Within the genus, C. angusta is restricted to shrubby vegetation on dunes (Bahia and Sergipe States), C. candolleana has the widest geographical distribution (BA, TO, GO, MG and PE), C. pilose and C. morii are known only from Bahia. The other species occur in the Bahia, Distrito Federal, Goias and Minas Gerais states: C. gardneriana and C. purpurea (BA, GO), C. microphylla (BA, DF and GO), C. harleyi and C. pinheiroi (BA e MG) and C. villosa (BA, GO, MG). Keys, descriptions, geographic distribution, comments and illustrations are provided.

Two New Species of Richterago Kuntze emend. Roque (Compositae, Mutisieae) from Minas Gerais and Goias, Brazil

Richterago Kuntze (Compositae, Mutisieae) was recently re-established to include species previously placed in Actinoseris (Endl.) Cabrera and Gochnatia sect. Discoseris Cabrera. This genus comprises a total of ten Brazilian species (Roque & Pirani in press) and is a monophyletic clade on the basis of leaf anatomy, as well as other morphological and palynological characters (Roque 1999). The genus Richterago is very closely related to Gochnatia Kunth and lanthopappus Roque & D. J. N. Hind (Roque & Hind 2001), because of the presence of apiculate to acuminate anther appendages. Richterago is characterized by its predominantly herbaceous to sub-shrubby habit, rosette-forming or alternate leaves, pinnate venation, discoid homogamous or radiate heterogamous capitula, and especially by the uniseriate pappus of 25 42 bristles that are united at the base into a fleshy straw coloured ring (Roque 1999). Richterago is endemic to Brazil and has five species restricted to the Serra do Espinhaeo, Minas Gerais State, and another R. discoidea (Less.) Roque which also occurs disjunctly in Bahia State. Richterago amplexifolia (Gardner) Roque and R. polymorpha (Less.) Roque, are widely distributed in Minas Gerais State. Richterago suffrutescens (Cabrera) Roque is endemic to a single locality at Sao Joao del Rey, Minas Gerais State, while Richterago radiata (Vell.) Roque has the widest geographic distribution in the genus, reaching Distrito Federal and the states of Goiais, Minas Gerais, Sio Paulo, and Paranai (Roque & Pirani 1997 and Roque & Pirani, in press). Two new species, Richterago campestris and R. petiolata, occurring respectively in southern Minas Gerais State (Sao Joao Del Rey, Lavras, Itutinga and Sio Tome das Letras) and Goiis State (Chapada dos Veadeiros), were also collected in Serra da

Taxonomic Revision of Trichogonia (Eupatorieae, Asteraceae): A South American Genus

Abstract Eupatorieae is one of 43 tribes circumscribed in Asteraceae and it is characterized mainly by opposite leaves, discoid heads, tubular, white, pink, or lilac florets, style branches linear to clavate, and cypsela walls with black or carbonized resin-like deposits in mature stages. The tribe is essentially Neotropical, found in Mexico, Central America, and South America, with 29 genera, of which Trichogonia is one of them. Trichogonia is found only in South America and is characterized by stems with prominent longitudinal ridges and the presence of dense pubescence on the upper throat and lobes of the corolla. The present work is a taxonomic revision of Trichogonia with illustrations and geographic distribution maps for every species. Morphological data were obtained from the field and from specimens from 26 herbaria. From a total of 20 recognized species, 17 occur in Brazil, one is endemic to Bolivia (T. capitata), and two are endemic to Paraguay (T. chodatii and T. phlebodes). From the species currently known to occur in Brazil, 14 are endemic, while T. salviifolia Gardner and T. arguta have widespread distributions. Narrow endemics are found in the states of Bahia (T. harleyi, T. spathulifolia, T. tombadorensis) and Minas Gerais (T. hirtiflora). Other species share a distribution between Pernambuco and Bahia (T. heringeri), Tocantins, Piauí and Bahia (T. campestris), Bahia and Goiás (T. cinerea and T. laxa), Bahia and Minas Gerais (T. villosa), Goiás and Minas Gerais (T. grazielae). Trichogonia occur mostly in savannas cerrados, caatingas, campos gerais, and campos rupestres. Thirteen lectotypifications are designated and 14 new synonyms are proposed in this paper.

Contributions to the floristic and vegetation knowledge of Espinhaço Septentrional, Bahia, Brazil

The Espinhaço range is a mountain chain that extends from the municipality of Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais to the Chapada Diamantina region in Bahia, eastern Brazil. The Serra Geral of Licínio de Almeida (SGLA) is located in the Espinhaço Septentrional in southwestern Bahia, and its biodiversity is still poorly known. In order to contribute to a better understanding of floristic diversity and the vegetation of SGLA, we have compiled a checklist of its flowering plants and characterized the phyto-physiognomy of the different plant formations. A total of 811 species in 410 genera and 97 families are recorded in our study. Based on floristic composition and ecological parameters, we recognize five plant formations as follows: (1) deciduous forest, (2) semi-deciduous forest, (3) “Cerrado” s.str., (4) rocky fields (“Campos Rupestres”), and (5) rocky Caatinga (“Caatinga Rupestre”). Our results indicate that the SGLA is a transitional area between the “Cerrado” and “Caatinga” domains and constitutes an ecological corridor that links the northern and southern portions of the Espinhaço Range supported by 24 new occurrences recorded for the state of Bahia.

Levantamento florístico de Myrtaceae no município de Jacobina, Chapada Diamantina, Estado da Bahia, Brasil

Myrtaceae is a pantropical family with around 5500 species and 132 genera and is highlighted by its complex (cryptic characters) and difficult taxonomy. In Brazil, Myrtaceae is represented by 23 genera and 974 species and is one of the most representative in the Espinhaco Range. The main goal of this work was the floristic survey of Myrtaceae in Jacobina, Chapada Diamantina, Bahia. Five expeditions were conducted between June/2011 and April/2012; herbaria materials were examined in the State; and specialized references and Myrtaceae experts were consulted. Seven genera and 32 species of Myrtaceae were found andMyrcia DC. (14 spp.), Eugenia L. (nove spp.), and Psidium L. (quatro spp.) were the most representative, corresponding to 87% of total species. Myrcia blanchetiana (O. Berg) and Mattos is endemic to Bahia, two species (Eugenia rostrata O. Berg and Psidium brownianum DC.) are new occurrence to Jacobina and a new species ofMyrcia has been recognized. Generic and specific keys are presented, as well as discussion about the morphology and geographical distribution of the taxa.

A New Species for a Monotypic Genus: Anteremanthus (Asteraceae: Vernonieae)

Abstract Vernonieae (Asteraceae) is a natural tribe defined mainly by discoid and homogamous heads, phyllaries imbricate in three to nine series, style branches acute with trichomes extending below the bifurcation, and cypselae 3–20-ribbed. It has been classified with morphological and molecular phylogenetic data into 21 subtribes, 127 genera and more than 1,000 species, distributed in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The subtribe Lychnophorinae is almost completely restricted to the Central Brazilian Plateau with 11 genera, of which five are monotypic. It is usually defined by the lack of enlarged node at the base of the style and glands on the anther appendages, receptacle usually epaleaceous, and a pappus of capillary bristles or twisted straps. In the present paper we describe a new species, Anteremanthus piranii, and discuss its distribution and ecology. Morphological data were obtained from specimens collected during field trips (2011–2013) in the Serra Geral of Licínio de Almeida municipality, Bahia, Brazil. Anteremanthus piranii can be distinguished from the typical species A. hatschbachii mainly by the capitulescence terminal, 6–13 cm long (vs. axillar, 20–60 cm long), subinvolucral bracts linear at capitulum base (vs. subinvolucral bracts ovate), phyllaries pinkish-green (vs. greenish), florets 20–30, and corolla white, corolla lobes, anther, and style apex lavender (vs. florets 45–60, corolla green-cream). A distribution map, line drawing, and pictures of the new species are included.