Tatiana Tavares Carrijo

Angiosperm Checklist of Espírito Santo: using electronic tools to improve the knowledge of an Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot

A checklist of angiosperm species for the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil is presented. A total of 6,204 native species was recorded, representing an increase of 16% in species richness for the area. Espirito Santo shelters 32% of the native species of Brazils Atlantic Forest and holds 516 endemic species (8.3% of the total registered taxa for the State). Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae are the families with highest number of endemic species (142 spp. and 80 spp., respectively), followed by Myrtaceae (33 spp.), Melastomataceae (30 spp.), and Araceae (23 spp.). This paper represents an important landmark for future research in plant diversity in Espirito Santo, and highlights the importance of consulting online databases in order to update the knowledge presented by the Brazilian flora checklist.

SSR markers: a tool for species identification in Psidium (Myrtaceae)

Molecular DNA markers are used for detection of polymorphisms in individuals. As they are independent of developmental stage of the plant and environmental influences, they can be useful tools in taxonomy. The alleles of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (or microsatellites) are traditionally used to identify taxonomic units. This application demands the laborious and costly delimitation of exclusive alleles in order to avoid homoplasy. Here, we propose a method for identification of species based on the amplification profile of groups of SSR markers obtained by a transferability study. The approach considers that the SSR are conserved among related species. In this context, using Psidium as a model, 141 SSR markers developed for Psidium guajava were transferred to 13 indigenous species of Psidium from the Atlantic Rainforest. Transferability of the markers was high and 28 SSR were conserved in all species. Four SSR groups were defined and they can help in the identification of all 13 Psidium species studied. A group of 31 SSR was genotyped, with one to six alleles each. The H0 varied from 0.0 to 0.46, and PIC from 0.0 to 0.74. Cluster analysis revealed shared alleles among species. The high percentage of SSR transferability found in Psidium evidences the narrow phylogenetic relationship existing among these species since transferability occurs by the preservation of the microsatellites and anchoring regions. The proposed method was useful for distinguishing the species of Psidium, being useful in taxonomic studies.

List of angiosperm species in an Atlantic Forest fragment reveals collection gaps in Espírito Santo state, Brazil

This study presents a list of angiosperm species in an Atlantic Forest fragment in the southern portion of Espirito Santo state, Brazil, a region that represents a collection gap within the Atlantic Forest. The studied site is a relatively small fragment of 144 ha located within a conservation unit, the Mata das Flores State Park. The site belongs to a conservation priority area for the Atlantic Forest in Espirito Santo, and is under strong anthropic pressure. Of the 239 species listed here, 21 are new records for the state, eight are endemic, and 20 figure either in the country’s or the state’s Red Lists of endangered species. Rubiaceae and Piperaceae were the families with the highest number of species. We show that small fragments that were never inventoried before can reveal a relatively large number of threatened species and that collection gaps need to be filled in order to refine our understanding about conservation priorities within the Atlantic Forest Biome.

A First Record of Freziera (Pentaphylacaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with the Description of a New Species

Abstract Freziera atlantica is described and illustrated. The species resembles F. grisebachii in terms of the size and shape of its leaves but differs especially by the serrate and villous margin of the leaf blade and larger petals. The new species is known from two disjunct localities in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, in extremely endangered environments. All known specimens of F. atlantica were collected within the last three years. This new generic record for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest highlights the need for further floristic studies of forest remnants in the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo.

Taxonomic significance of pollen morphology for species delimitation in Psidium (Myrtaceae)

Previous studies reported Psidium as one of the most difficult genera to delimit within the American Myrtaceae. Even though palynology has improved the taxonomy of Angiosperms, information about the usefulness of pollen morphology for taxonomic purposes in Myrtaceae remains contradictory. Here, we investigate the significance of pollen morphology for Psidium taxonomy with specific focus on its usefulness for determining species groups of taxonomic significance. Pollen traits observed by light and scanning electron microscopy were quantified and examined using cluster and ordination analyses. Average size of pollen grains was visualized by boxplots. Pollen grains of Psidium are isopolar, oblate, peroblate or oblate-spheroidal, 3-syncolporate or 4-syncolporate. The sexine ornamentation is rugulate, granulate or spinulose-granulate and differs between the mesocolpium and apocolpium. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct groups: Psidium cauliflorum (G1) and Psidium oligospermum (G3) as single-species groups; Psidium brownianum, P. oblongatum, P. ovale, P. sartorianum, P. guajava, Psidium sp. 1, Psidium sp. 2 (G2), and Psidium cattleianum, P. longipetiolatum, P. guineense, P. myrtoides (G4). Supported by ordination analysis, three traits better explained these groups: type of exine ornamentation, size of P-EV and pollen shape. The used approach efficiently distinguished related species, as well as explained species groups of taxonomic significance suggesting pollen morphology to be a significant source of information for taxonomic studies in Psidium.

New records of angiosperms from Espírito Santo, Brazil

This study aims to report six new occurrences of angiosperm species from the state of Espirito Santo, widening their geographic distribution. These floristic novelties evidence the presence of knowledge gaps regarding the flora and little collecting effort in Espirito Santo, in addition to demonstrating the floristic importance of Serra do Valentim, with restricted distribution species.

The Genus Stylogyne (Myrsinoideae - Primulaceae) in Brazil

Abstract The Neotropical genus Stylogyne (Myrsinoideae - Primulaceae) is revised for Brazil. Eighteen species occur in this country exclusively in the Atlantic and Amazon forests. Stylogyne incognita, S. lasseri, S. serpentina, and S. spruceana are new records for Brazil. Stylogyne araujoana, S. martiana, S. sordida, S. carautae, S. depauperata, S. leptantha, and S. warmingii were considered threatened species. This paper provides diagnostic descriptions, keys for identification, and maps detailing the distribution of species in Brazil. New synonyms are proposed for S. atra, S. cauliflora, S. nigricans, and S. pauciflora.

Comparative leaf anatomy of neotropical Stylogyne species (Myrsinoideae - Primulaceae)

Abstract Anatomical studies were performed here in order to provide diagnostic characteristics to differentiate the species Stylogyne depauperata , S. pauciflora , S. sordida and S. warmingii . Fully expanded leaves were processed by the usual techniques of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Traits common to all species were observed, such as dorsiventral mesophyll, unistratified epidermis, anisocytic stomata, druses and secretory cavities distributed throughout the mesophyll. Cuticular ornamentation, configuration of the vascular system in the petiole and shape of the secretory cavities provide diagnostic characteristics. Variance analysis proved that these characters are potentially efficient to differentiate these species. Anatomia foliar comparada de especies neotropicais de Stylogyne (Myrsinoideae – Primulaceae) Resumo Estudos anatomicos foram realizados com o objetivo de buscar caracteres diagnosticos para diferenciar Stylogyne depauperata , S. pauciflora , S. sordida and S. warmingii . Folhas totalmente expandidas foram submetidas aos procedimentos usuais em microscopia optica e eletronica de varredura. As especies analisadas apresentam mesofilo dorsiventral, epiderme uniestratificada, estomatos anisociticos, idioblastos com cristais em drusas e cavidades secretoras dispersas pelo mesofilo. Caracteres diagnosticos sao a ornamentacao cuticular, disposicao do sistema vascular no peciolo e forma das cavidades secretoras. As analises de variância reforcam a eficiencia desses caracteres para a segregacao das especies.

Pollen morphology of some related genera of Vernonieae (Asteraceae) and its taxonomic significance

Pollen morphology is an important source of information to increase systematic resolution in Asteraceae, especially in Vernonieae. Aiming to investigate if palynological traits give support to Caatinganthus, Strophopappus and Xiphochaeta as separate genera from Stilpnopappus, we used cluster analysis followed by a test of group sharpness. Further, ordination analysis was applied to detect informative pollen traits associated with the revealed groups. The analyses evidenced five groups: (G1) Caatinganthusrubropappus as a single-species group; (G2) species of Stilpnopappus; (G3) Xiphochaetaaquatica as a single-species group; (G4) Strophopappusbicolor, S.glomeratus, S.villosus, S.ferrugineus, S.pohlii and S.speciosus; (G5) Strophopappusbullatus and S.regnelli. The interruption in the middle of the muri in apertural lacunae explains the single-species group Caatinganthusrubropappus. The thickness of sexine, the type of apertures (porate or colporate), and spine dimensions (length, thickness and distance from each other) are the traits explaining differences between species of Stilpnopappus and Strophopappus. Equatorial lacunae give support to Xiphochaetaaquatica as a single-species group, despite the smaller size of pollen grains of this species as compared to the others species analyzed. The differences among pollen morphology give support to Caatinganthus, Stilpnopappus, Strophopappus and Xiphochaeta as genera according to the taxonomic classification currently accepted. The used approach was efficient to reveal individual pollen traits informative to explain the sharp groups, and was an effective alternative to the use of “pollen types”.

Flora of Espírito Santo: Psidium (Myrtaceae)

This study presents a floristic-taxonomic treatment of Psidium in the state of Espírito Santo, and is a result of fieldwork combined with analyses of herbarium specimens. Fourteen species of the genus were recognized in Espírito Santo state (P. brownianum, P. cattleianum, P. cauliflorum, P. guajava, P. guineense, P. longipetiolatum, P. myrtoides, P. oblongatum, P. oligospermum, P. ovale, P. rhombeum, P. rufum P. sartorianum, and Psidium sp.), accounting for about 34% of the species richness estimated for the genus in the Atlantic Rainforest biome. The species occur predominantly in lowland forests up to 700 meters above sea level. These areas are highly threatened due to urbanization of coastal areas and agricultural expansion in the state Espírito Santo. Therefore, the conservation of Psidium species in this state requires the creation of more lowland protected areas.