Sebastião José da Silva Neto

Periodicity of growth rings in some flood-prone trees of the Atlantic Rain Forest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract. The periodicity of growth ring formation was studied in Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC, Tabebuia umbellata (Sond.) Sandwith, Symphonia globulifera L., and Alchornea sidifolia Müll. Arg. in a swamp forest within the Atlantic Rain Forest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Mechanical wounds of the vascular cambium allowed cyclic growth to be observed, and the position of latewood relative to the wounds was analysed. Radial growth was correlated with phenology, temperature, precipitation, photoperiod, flooding regime, and endogenous rhythms. All species showed annual growth rings; however, there were different patterns of radial growth. Phenology was an important factor influencing the activity of the vascular cambium. The period of leaf abscission was correlated with the formation of latewood in three of the species studied, but it occurred at different times for each species. Flooding was a determinant of periodic growth in T. cassinoides; photoperiod was indirectly responsible for radial growth rhythm in T. umbellata, and endogenous rhythms accounted for the radial growth rhythm of S. globulifera and A. sidifolia.

ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF GROWTH RINGS IN FLOOD-PRONE TREES OF THE ATLANTIC RAIN FOREST IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

The anatomical features of growth rings of 13 representative species of the swamp forests within the Atlantic rain forest of the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, were studied. Most species showed distinct rings. The growth ring boundaries were marked by fibrous zones frequently associated with marginal parenchyma bands, and growth ring boundary features were characteristic of the particular families and genera analysed. Leaf fall can be related to the occurrence of growth rings in seven species, whereas in evergreen species growth rings can be related to flooding. In Euphorbiaceae species, flooding regime differences (periodical or permanent) are related to the shape and distribution of new cells produced by the cambium and, thus, growth ring structure.

Comparative leaf anatomy and micromorphology of Psychotria species (Rubiaceae) from the Atlantic Rainforest

The genus Psychotria comprises approximately 2,000 species that are mostly shrubs distributed in forests of the tropics and subtropics. Within the Rubiaceae, Psychotria is well known for its species that produce bioactive alkaloids and for its taxonomic complexity. The anatomical and micromorphological characters of the leaves of P. hoffmannseggiana, P. carthagenensis, P. deflexa, P. glaziovii, P. leiocarpa, P. racemosa, and P. vellosiana were investigated and described to understand the interspecific variation of these species, which will contribute to the systematics of the genus. Principal component analysis (PCA) and unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA) indicated four groups based on the presence or absence of some of the characters studied. Dorsiventral mesophyll, hypostomatic leaves, paracytic stomata, organization of the vascular system of the petiole and midrib in an arc and the presence of accessory bundles are common in the species examined and are typical characteristics of the Rubiaceae. The presence of styloid crystals and alkaloids are considered diagnostic characters of Psychotria. Other characteristics used to separate species in the genus are the petiole contour, cuticle ornamentation, and presence of trichomes. The results of the UPGMA cluster analyses indicated that there is similarity between Psychotria (subg. Heteropsychotria) and Palicourea species.

RADIAL GROWTH DYNAMICS OF TABEBUIA UMBELLATA (BIGNONIACEAE), A FLOOD-TOLERANT TREE FROM THE ATLANTIC FOREST SWAMPS IN BRAZIL

We studied the annual radial growth of Tabebuia umbellata (Sond.) Sandwith (Bignoniaceae) and its relationship to rainfall, temperature, photoperiod, flooding and phenology. This species showed cyclic annual growth. Growth was the greatest during the rainy season and flooding. Growth was associated with the presence of mature leaves on the trees. No increase in girth was observed during the dry season or during defoliation or flowering. The mean rate of radial growth was c. 6 mm/year. This flood-tolerant species maintained and increased radial growth during flooding.

A New Species of Simira (Rubiaceae, Simireae) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABSTRACT Simira walteri Silva Neto & Callado (Rubiaceae, Simireae) is described and illustrated. It grows in the Atlantic Forest region in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to an altitude of 600 m. The new species resembles S. viridiflora (Allemão & Saldanha) Steyermark, which also occurs in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Simira walteri mainly differs in having elliptic leaves with apices acute to slightly acuminate, base acute, tufted pocket-domatia, and a single row of colleters on the internal stipule base.

Miconia gigantea, a long-forgotten endemic and endangered species of Melastomataceae in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Taxonomic and floristic studies in the state of Rio de Janeiro allowed the rediscovery of Miconia gigantea, an endemic species to the Atlantic Forest, until recently known only from the type specimen, collected over 100 years by A.F.M. Glaziou. We present an amended and detailed description of M. gigantea, providing characteristics of the flowers, fruits and seeds, in addition to illustrations, comments about taxonomic affinities with closely related species, the presently known distribution together with new occurrence records, and the conservation status.