Rafael Batista Louzada

Chromosome number of Orthophytum species (Bromeliaceae)

SummaryThe genus Orthophytum Beer comprises 53 species, all narrow endemics to south-eastern and north-eastern Brazil. In this study we present meiotic and mitotic chromosome numbers of 12 species of this important genus in Bromeliaceae. For six of these taxa we are reporting the first cytogenetic study. Orthophytum albopictum, O. amoenum and O. burle-marxii presented 2n = 100 chromosomes and O. hatschbachii, O. mucugense, O. vagans, O. supthutii, O. zanonii and O. ophiuroides showed 2n = 50 chromosomes. These results are consistent with the proposed basic number of x = 25 for Bromeliaceae family. In the genus Orthophytum, polyploidy seems to play an important role in chromosome evolution associated with habitat differentiation among diploid and polyploid species.

Molecular phylogeny of the Brazilian endemic genus Orthophytum (Bromelioideae, Bromeliaceae) and its implications on morphological character evolution

The saxicolous genus Orthophytum (∼60 species, Bromeliaceae) is endemic to eastern Brazil and diversified in xeric habitats of the Atlantic Rainforest, Caatinga and campos rupestres. Within the genus, two main groups are discerned based on the presence or absence of a pedunculate inflorescence, which are further subdivided into several morphological subgroups. However, these systematic hypotheses have not yet been tested in a molecular phylogenetic framework. Here we present the first phylogenetic analysis of Orthophytum using nuclear and plastid markers (phytochrome C, and trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF spacers). Forty species representing the two main groups and all subgroups of Orthophytum, and the related genera Cryptanthus (8 spp.) and Lapanthus (2 spp.) were analyzed. The phylogenetic reconstruction revealed a well-supported clade termed Eu-Orthophytum, containing species with pedunculate inflorescences only. The Orthophytum species with sessile inflorescence formed two clades: (1) the amoenum group and (2) the vagans group plus O. foliosum, the only pedunculate Orthophytum species found outside Eu-Orthophytum. The vagans clade is in sister group position to Eu-Orthophytum. Within the latter, the subgroup mello-barretoi was sister to the most diversified clade, termed Core Orthophytum. Morphological character state reconstructions of floral characters used in previous taxonomic treatments as key diagnostic characters (penduncle presence, corolla form, and petal appendage form) showed different levels of homoplasy.

Microsatellite Loci for Orthophytum ophiuroides (Bromelioideae, Bromeliaceae) Species Adapted to Neotropical Rock Outcrops

Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Orthophytum ophiuroides, a rupicolous bromeliad species endemic to neotropical rocky fields. These microsatellite loci will be used to investigate population differentiation and species cohesion in such fragmented environments. The loci were tested for cross-amplification in related bromeliad species. Methods and Results: Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from an enriched library of O. ophiuroides. The loci were tested on 42 individuals from two populations of this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to nine and the expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.167 to 0.870 and from 0.369 to 0.958, respectively. Seven loci successfully amplified in other related bromeliad species. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the microsatellite loci developed here will be useful to assess genetic diversity and gene flow in O. ophiuroides for the investigation of population differentiation and species cohesion in neotropical mountainous habitats.

Uma nova espécie de Orthophytum Beer (Bromeliaceae) relacionada a Orthophytum navioides (L.B. Sm.) L.B. Sm

The present work aimed and describing and illustrating a new species Orthophytum ophiuroides restricted from Lencois in Bahia state, Brazil, besides elucidate the circumscription of Orthophytum navioides (L.B. Sm.) L.B. Sm. Orthophytum ophiuroides is closely related to O. navioides (L.B. Sm.) L.B. Sm., however, O. ophiuroides has floral bracts and sepals red (vs. green), small petals (ca. 1,5 × 0,4 vs. 2,5 × 0,7 cm), capitate trichomes in sepals and petals absent (vs. capitate trichomes in sepals and petals).

Aechmea Ruiz & Pavón from the northern portion of the Atlantic Forest

Herein we present a taxonomic synopsis of Aechmea species from Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceara states. The lack of a taxonomic key for identification of species, the high rate of endemism and the recent novelties published within Aechmea from this region motivated this work. Samplings were conducted in areas of all states studied between 2010 and 2014. We identified 27 species in the study areas while two names were excluded from the species list compiled from the literature. The subgenus Aechmea was the most representative with 20 species. Of particular importance was the Gravisia complex, represented by ten of the 14 species that form this informal taxonomic group. Pernambuco and Alagoas were the most species-rich compared to the other states. For each species found in the study area, we present identification keys, comments on the taxonomic relationships, habitat information and geographical distribution.

Cross-amplification of nuclear microsatellite markers in two species of Cryptanthus Otto & A. Dietr. (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract Thirty-eight nuclear microsatellite loci originally developed for Aechmea caudata Lindm., Orthophytum ophiuroides Louzada & Wand., Pitcairnia albiflos Herb., Vriesea gigantea (Gaud.) and V. simplex (Vell.) Beer were tested in Cryptanthus burle-marxii Leme and C. zonatus (Vis.) Vis. Of the 38 loci tested, 13 were polymorphic. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were selected to be amplified and genotyped in one population each of C. burle-marxii and C. zonatus. The observed and expected heterozygosity per locus in the C. burle-marxii population ranged from 0.050 to 0.850 and 0.050 to 0.770, respectively. In C. zonatus, the observed and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.167 to 0.846 and 0.290 to 0.692, respectively. The O. ophiuroides locus Op52 for the C. zonatus population and P. albiflos locus PaC05 for the two species showed significant departure from HWE. These ten polymorphic loci tested will be used to assess the genetic diversity and structure of the two species of Cryptanthus.

Flora da Usina São José, Igarassu, Pernambuco: Bignoniaceae

Bignoniaceae is predominantly neotropical, with significant diversity of species throughout Brazil. Although it is very representative in northeast, few detailed studies of the group were carried out in the region until now. This study contributes knowledge of Bignoniaceae in northeast by sampling species from Usina São José, a set of Atlantic Forest fragments in Pernambuco. Ten species from eight genera were recorded, most of which endemic to Brazil. The taxonomic treatment includes identification key, descriptions, comments, and illustrations.

Flora da Usina São José, Igarassu, Pernambuco: Apocynaceae

Apocynaceae comprises a group of lactescent plants and is represented by approximately 5,000 species and 400 genera, with pantropical distribution. In Brazil, it is estimated about 77 genera and 754 species. The Atlantic Forest harbors the most of species of the family. Floristic studies in the northern region of São Francisco River are still scarce, limited to general floristic checklists. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to produce the taxonomic treatment of the species of Apocynaceae of the forests fragments of Usina São José, in the city of Igarassu, Pernambuco. For this study we conducted field work between 2015 and 2016 and we analyzed vouchers deposited in important herbaria from the Brazilian region of Northeast. We found 17 species and 11 genera: Aspidosperma discolor, A. spruceanum, Blepharodon pictum, Ditassa hispida, Hancornia speciosa, Himatanthus bracteatus, Mandevilla hirsuta, M. moricandiana, M. scabra, Matelea ganglinosa, M. orthosioides, Odontadenia lutea, Rauvolfia grandiflora, R. ligustrina, Tabernaemontana flavicans, T. salzmannii and Temnadenia odorifera. The study follows with identification key, relevant comments about the species and illustrations.

A new combination in Lapanthus (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract A new combination, Lapanthus vidaliorum (O.B.C. Ribeiro & C.C. Paula) Louzada & Wand. is proposed for Orthophytum vidaliorum O.B.C. Ribeiro & C.C. Paula. In addition notes on taxonomy, geographic distribution and conservation are provided.