Pedro Luís Rodrigues de Moraes

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.

Epiderme e padrão de venação foliar de espécies de Lauraceae

The epidermal and leaf venation pattern of eophylls and nomophylls of Ctyptocarya moschata Nees, Endlicheria paniculata (Spreng.) MacBride, and Ocotea catharinensis Mez are described. Both C. moschata and O. catharinensis presented a pronounced variation in the rate of ondulation in the anticlinal cell walls as well as in the minor venation of nomophylls. This makes it difficult to use these features for taxonomical purposes.

Generic Status and Lectotypifications for Gymnospora (Polygalaceae)

Abstract.  Polygala sect. Gymnospora Chodat (Polygalaceae) is recognized at the generic rank based on recent phylogenetic evidence as Gymnospora (Chodat) J. F. B. Pastore with two new combinations, G. blanchetii (Chodat) J. F. B. Pastore and G. violoides (A. St.-Hil. & Moq.) J. F. B. Pastore. We also present a taxonomic key for species identification and argue that P. blanchetii Chodat should not be treated as a synonym of P. pedicellaris A. St.-Hil. & Moq. and that P. pedicellaris is better treated as a synonym of P. violoides A. St.-Hil. & Moq. (as G. violoides). Thus, the name P. blanchetii (as G. blanchetii) is established, in keeping with its traditional treatment. Lectotypifications are provided for the following five names: P. blanchetii, P. laxa Nees & Mart., P. maritima Vell., P. pedicellaris, and P. violoides. Resumo.  Polygala seção Gymnospora Chodat (Polygalaceae) é reconhecida com status genérico, como Gymnospora (Chodat) J. F. B. Pastore, baseado nas evidências filogenéticas. Nós apresentamos duas novas combinações G. blanchetii (Chodat) J. F. B. Pastore e G. violoides (A. St.-Hil. & Moq.) J. F. B. Pastore, uma chave taxonômica para identificação das duas espécies e defendemos que P. blanchetii Chodat não deveria ser tratada como um sinônimo de P. pedicellaris A. St.-Hil. & Moq., enquanto que P. pedicellaris é melhor tratada como sinônimo de P. violoides A. St.-Hil. & Moq. (como G. violoides). Assim, o nome P. blanchetii (como G. blanchetii) é estabelecido, mantendo o seu tratamento mais tradicional. São também indicados lectótipos para os seguintes nomes: P. blanchetii, P. laxa Nees & Mart., P. maritima Vell., P. pedicellaris e P. violoides.

Neither Phoebe nor Cinnamomum – the tetrasporangiate species of Aiouea (Lauraceae)

Cinnamomum is among the largest genera of the Lauraceae, including species from tropical to temperate Asia and from tropical to subtropical America. However, previous studies indicated that Cinnamomum might not be monophyletic in its current circumscription. We therefore re-investigated the genus and possible relatives with an increased taxon sample, particularly of the Neotropical species. Our results, based on sequences of the nuclear ITS region and the chloroplast spacers psbA-trnH and trnG-trnS, show that the Neotropical Cinnamomum species indeed do not form a monophyletic group with the Paleotropical species. Instead, the American species form a clade in which most species of the Neotropical genus Aiouea are nested within several subclades. According to the ITS data the Aiouea/Cinnamomum clade is sister to the likewise predominantly Neotropical Ocotea complex, rather than the two Paleotropical Cinnamomum clades. Therefore, Cinnamomum cannot be upheld in its current circumscription. As the type C. verum, is from Asia, the Neotropical species need to be placed in a different genus. We decided to transfer them to Aiouea here, because this is the oldest generic name in the Aiouea/Cinnamomum clade, and the only character separating Aiouea from Neotropical Cinnamomum is the number of pollen sacs per anther (di-vs. tetrasporangiate), a feature that is known to be variable within several other genera as well. This transfer requires 42 new combinations and two nomina nova. In addition, six species described in the unpublished Ph.D. thesis of one of the authors (FLH) are validated in Aiouea here, and the only species of the genus Mocinnodaphne is transferred to Aiouea as well.

Five new species of Ocotea (lauraceae) from Bahia, Brazil

Abstract. Five South-American species of the genus Ocotea from Bahia, Brazil, are described and illustrated. The new species are Ocotea adamantina, O. rohweri, O. sperata, O. thinicola, and O. vegrandis. Their relationships within the genus are discussed.

Notes on the Lectotypification of Nectandra sanguinea (Lauraceae)

Abstract. Notes on the lecotypification of Nectandra sanguinea, the type of Nectandra, are presented, complementing the prior one proposed by Luciano Bernardi. This is necessary in order to clarify the confusion that arose after his analysis whereby the sheet designated by him as “holotypus” was subsequently altered, and because he mixed elements of two different sheets in the photographic plate indicated as being a single sheet of the “holotypus.” Corrections of authorship and the place and date of publication of the species name are also discussed, having been overlooked by most authors who were seemingly unaware of the existence of the original dissertation published by Rottbøll in 1776.

Current Taxonomic Status of Daniel Rolander's Species Published by Rottbøll in 1776

Abstract. In 1776, Rottbøll published 12 species from Rolanders collection of plants of Suriname. Here, we update the taxonomic identity of those species, discussing, whenever pertinent, their nomenclatural status. Six of the 12 names and also two of their synonyms, one the name of a species described by Linné filius and another described by Kunth, are lectotypified. Type localities and dates are provided, whenever possible.

Two New Species of Cryptocarya (Lauraceae) from Panama and Ecuador

Two new species of Cryptocarya R. Br., C. panamensis P. L. R. Moraes & van der Werff, from Colón, Panama, and C. yasuniensis P. L. R. Moraes & van der Werff, from Napo, Ecuador, are described and illustrated. Additionally, the occurrence of C. guianensis Meisn. in Ecuador is here reported for the first time.Two new species of Cryptocarya R. Br., C. panamensis P. L. R. Moraes & van der Werff, from Colon, Panama, and C. yasuniensis P. L. R. Moraes & van der Werff, from Napo, Ecuador, are described and illustrated. Additionally, the occurrence of C. guianensis Meisn. in Ecuador is here reported for the first time.