Five New and Narrowly Distributed Species of Paepalanthus Section Diphyomene (Eriocaulaceae) from Central Brazil

Five new species of Paepalanthus section Diphyomene are described and illustrated: P. brevis, P. flexuosus, P. longiciliatus, P. macer, and P. stellatus. Paepalanthus brevis, similar to P. decussus, is easily distinguished by its short reproductive axis, and pilose and mucronate leaves. Paepalanthus flexuosus, morphologically related to P. urbanianus, possesses a distinctive short and tortuous reproductive axis. Paepalanthus longiciliatus, morphologically similar to P. weddellianus, possesses long trichomes on the margins of the reproductive axis bracts, considered a diagnostic feature. Paepalanthus macer shares similarities with P. amoenus, differing by its sulfurous capitula and adpressed reproductive axis bracts. Paepalanthus stellatus also has affinity with P. decussus, but possesses unique, membranaceous, reproductive-axis bracts and a punctual inner-capitulum arrangement of pistillate flowers. Four of the described species are narrowly distributed in the state of Goias, whereas P. brevis is endemic to Distrito Federal. All are considered critically endangered. Detailed comparisons of these species are presented in tables. Comments on phenology, distribution, habitat and etymology, along with an identification key, are provided.

Phylogenetic Analyses of Eriotheca and Related Genera (Bombacoideae, Malvaceae)

Molecular and morphological data have shown that Bombacoideae and Malvoideae together form a well-supported Malvatheca clade. Phylogenetic relationships in Bombacoideae have been studied, but some genera in Bombax s. I. have not been adequately sampled for sufficiently variable molecular markers. The relationships of Eriotheca, for example, have yet to be resolved. Here, nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (trnL-Fand matK) sequence data from 50 exemplars of Bombacoideae and seven additional taxa from other genera of Malvatheca were used to test monophyly of Eriotheca and its relationships with related genera of Bombax s. I. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of individual and combined sequence data suggest that Eriotheca is not monophyletic as currently circumscribed but forms a paraphyletic grade containing Pachira s. 1. The newly discovered Eriotheca + Pachira clade has a probable synapomorphy of striate seeds. In addition, two other moderately supported clades emerged within the core Bombacoideae: Pseudobombax + Ceiba s. 1. and Bombax + Spirotheca + Pachira quinata. These three clades, and the African Rhodognaphalon together constitute the major clade of core Bombacoideae, whereas Adansonia appears to be more closely related to Catostemma, Scleronema, and Cavanillesia. The phylogenetic results imply three independent migrations from the New to Old World and homoplasy in staminal morphology.

Croton campanulatus (Euphorbiaceae s.s.), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest

Croton campanulatus, a new species from southeastern Brazil in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, is here described and illustrated. Morphological data indicate that this species belongs to Croton section Cleodora based on its arborescent habit, pistillate flowers with imbricate sepals, reduced petals, and multifid styles that are fused at the base.

Lapanthus (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae): A New Genus from the Southern Espinhaco Range, Brazil

In this paper we describe a new genus of Bromehaceae, Lapanthus, restricted to the southern portion of the Espinhaco Range, Minas Germs State, in southeastern Brazil Two new combinations to accommodate species previously described in the genera Orthophytum and cryptanthus and one new synonym are proposed Lapanthus has morphological affinities with both Cryptanthus and Orthophytum but nevertheless differs by the combination of margins of the petals ciliate, presence of lanceolate petal appendages and free stamens, and also by molecular data Cryptanthus and Orthophytum have petals entire along the margins, and the filaments of the most internal whorl are adnate to the petals Lapanthus stands out by having a pair of lanceolate petal appendages, which are almost completely adnate to the petals In Orthophytum, however, appendages are cupuhform or sacciform and they are totally absent in the genus Cryptanthus Lapanthus and Orthophytum present meiotic and mitotic chromosome numbers equal to n=25 and 2n=50, 100 and 150 respectively, while Cryptanthus presents meiotic and mitotic chromosome numbers n=17 and 2n=34, 36, 54 respectively, and this difference is considered to be an autapomorphic feature of Cryptanthus Descriptions of the genus and species, identification keys, illustrations, photographs of living specimens, and taxonomic comments are provided

A New Species of Rhipsalis (Cactaceae) from Brazil

A new species of Rhipsalis (Cactaceae) from Rio de Janeiro State, in southwestern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new Rhipsalis aurea is circumscribed in the subgenus Eryhtrorhipsalis and is morphologically most similar to R. pulchra Loefgr., but is distinct by the smaller, suberect habit, smaller secondary stem segments of determinated growth, golden yellow flowers, depressed-globose fruit, and epidermis and pollen grain features. Following the IUCN criteria this new species is vulnerable due to its restricted area of occurrence and reduction of the quality of habitat observed in the present and projected for the future. A taxonomic key to the subgenus Erythrorhipsalis is included.

Phylogeny of Celastraceae Subfamily Salacioideae and Tribe Lophopetaleae Inferred from Morphological Characters and Nuclear and Plastid Genes

The phylogeny of Celastraceae subfamily Salacioideae (ca. 255 species in the Old and New World tropics) and tribe Lophopetaleae (ca. 29 species in southern Asia and the Austral-Pacific) was inferred using morphological characters together with plastid (matK, trnL-F) and nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) genes. Brassiantha, a monotypic genus endemic to New Guinea, is inferred to be more closely related to the clade of Dicarpellum (New Caledonia) and Hypsophila (Queensland, Australia) than it is to Hippocrateoideae or Salacioideae. This unambiguously supported resolution indicates that a nectary disk positioned outside the stamens has been convergently derived in these two lineages. The clade of Kokoona and Lophopetalum is resolved as more closely related to Breria and Elaeodendron than it is to Hippocrateoideae or Salacioideae. Sarawakodendron, a monotypic genus endemic to Borneo, is resolved as sister to Salacioideae. Salacioideae are inferred to have an Old World origin that was followed by a single successful radiation within Central and South America. We infer that capsular fruits are primitive within the clade of Hippocrateoideae + Sarawakodendron + Salacioideae, with berries a synapomorphy for Salacioideae. Based on the resolution of Sarawakodendron as sister to Salacioideae, we hypothesize that the filaments of Sarawakodendron arils are homologous to the spiral filaments in the mucilagenous pulp of Salacioideae.

Delimitation of the Segregate Genera of Maytenus s. l. (Celastraceae) Based on Morphological and Molecular Characters

Maytenus s. l. (including Gymnosporia) is a morphologically diverse genus of about 300 species that is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics of both the Old and New Worlds. Its delimitation has been extensively debated and despite the segregation of Gymnosporia, Maytenus s. s. remains a heterogeneous, polyphyletic group. To delimit natural segregate genera we increased taxon sampling and generated sequences from two nuclear gene regions (ITS and 26S rDNA) and two plastid loci (matK and trnL-F) to analyze together with morphological characters. Both Moya and Tricerma were found to be nested within the New World Maytenus and are recognized as synonyms of Maytenus s. s.. In contrast, the three New World species of Gymnosporia are recognized as a new genus that is closely related to Gyminda. Haydenia is erected for these three species: H. gentryi, H. haberiana, and H. urbaniana. One or more previously proposed or novel genera are required to accommodate the systematically difficult African Maytenus. Putterlickia, and most likely Gloveria, are nested within Gymnosporia and should be synonymized with that genus. New binomials are required for four Chinese and one Rapan species of Gymnosporia that have been previously treated only as Maytenus: Gymnosporia austroyunnanensis, G. confertiflora, G. dongfangensis, G. guangxiensis, and G. pertinax. Austral-Pacific Maytenus are transferred to Denhamia, requiring eight new binomials: Denhamia bilocularis, D. cunninghamii, D. cupularis, D. disperma, D. fasciculiflora, D. ferdinandii, D. fournieri, and D. silvestris. Existing intrageneric classifications of Gymnosporia and Maytenus s. s. were not supported in their entirety. Gymnosporia is inferred to have had an African origin followed by dispersals to Madagascar, southeast Asia and the Austral-Pacific.

Phylogenetic Relationships in Eleocharis (Cyperaceae): C-4 Photosynthesis Origins and Patterns of Diversification in the Spikerushes

Eleocharis (Cyperaceae) is a morphologically and physiologically diverse lineage of 250 + species with a cosmopolitan distribution. We here explore phylogenetic relationships in this lineage using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses of nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnC-ycf6 and ycf6-psbM sequence data with the goals of comparing our phylogenetic hypotheses to previous classifications, morphological variation, and photosynthetic pathway variation. Our results suggest that in Eleocharis C, photosynthesis has been derived at least three times, with several cases of possible reversion to C-3-like or intermediate pathways and several additional origins of C-3-C-4 intermediate photosynthetic pathways, as inferred by carbon isotope ratio measurements. Many classification units currently recognized in Eleocharis are not monophyletic, however, E. subgenus Limnochloa and E. subgenus Scirpidium are monophyletic. Other classification units largely corresponding to clades include E. subgenus Zinserlingia, E. subseries Chaetariae, and E. series Maculosae. Problems with species circumscription and morphological variation in several groups are discussed in light of the phylogeny, particularly in the context of species membership of seven focal clades found in the analyses.

Estudo taxonômico de Leptogium (ACH.) S.F. Gray (Collemataceae, fungos liquenizados)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A New Species of Maytenus (Celastraceae) with Fleshy Fruits from Eastern Brazil, with Notes on the Delimitation of Maytenus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Persea pumila (Lauraceae), a New Species from the Brazilian Serra da Mantiqueira Mountain Range

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudos polifásicos de populações de Phormidioideae (Oscillatoriales, Cyanobacteria)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Phylogeny of Lundia (Bignoniaceae) based on ndhF and PepC sequences

The circumscription of genera belonging to tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) has traditionally been complex, with only a few genera having stable circumscriptions in the various classification systems proposed for the tribe. The genus Lundia, for instance, is well characterized by a series of morphological synapomorphies and its circumscription has remained quite stable throughout its history. Despite the stable circumscription of Lundia, the circumscription of species within the genus has remained problematic. This study aims to reconstruct the phylogeny of Lundia in order to refine species circumscriptions, gain a better understanding of relationships between taxa, and identify potential morphological synapomorphies for species and major clades. We sampled 26 accessions representing 13 species of Lundia, and 5 outgroups, and reconstructed the phylogeny of the genus using a chloroplast (ndhF) and a nuclear marker (PepC). Data derived from sequences of the individual loci were analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian inference, and the combined molecular dataset was analyzed with Bayesian methods. The monophyly of Lundia nitidula, a species with a particularly complex circumscription, was tested using Shimodaira-Hasegawa (SH) test and the approximately unbiased test for phylogenetic tree selection (AU test). In addition, 40 morphological characters were mapped onto the tree that resulted from the analysis of the combined molecular dataset in order to identify morphological synapomorphies of individual species and major clades. Lundia and most species currently recognized within the genus were strongly supported as monophyletic in all analyses. One species, Lundia nitidula, was not resolved as monophyletic, but the monophyly of this species was not rejected by the AU and SH tests. Lundia sect. Eriolundia is resolved as paraphyletic in all analyses, while Lundia sect. Eulundia is monophyletic and supported by the same morphological characters traditionally used to circumscribe this section. The phylogeny of Lundia contributed important information for a better circumscription of species and served as basis the taxonomic revision of the genus.

A New Subgeneric Classification of Rhipsalis (Cactoideae, Cactaceae)

Most Cactaceae have succulent stems and inhabit dry or arid areas, but some are epiphytes of humid regions. Rhipsalis is the largest genus of epiphytic cacti. Species of Rhipsalis are notoriously difficult to identify, and the subgeneric classification of the genus has remained controversial. Between 1837 and 1995, eight different subgeneric classifications have been proposed for Rhipsalis. The most comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus recognized five subgenera, Phyllarthrorhipsalis, Rhipsalis, Epallagogonium, Calamorhipsalis, and Erythrorhipsalis, characterized mainly by stem morphology. Here, molecular phylogenetic information combined with morphological data is used to re-evaluate the former subgeneric classifications proposed for the genus. Three monophyletic subgenera are recognized, Rhipsalis, Calamorhipsalis and Erythrorhipsalis, which are mainly characterized by floral traits. The changes proposed include expanding the circumscription of Rhipsalis by the inclusion of species previously included in Phyllarthrorhipsalis and Epallagogoniwn and recognizing a broader Calamorhipsalis, also including species from subgenus Epallagogonium. The circumscription of Erythrorhipsalis remains unchanged. For each subgenus a list of synonyms, a brief description and a list of species included are presented. A key for the identification of subgenera is also provided.

A Revision of Hortia (Rutaceae)

A taxonomic revision of the genus Hortia (Rutaceae) is presented. Hortia is a Neotropical genus with most of the species occurring in the Amazonian region. The species are woody, nearly all trees, with simple leaves crowded near the apices of the branches, showy broad corymbose terminal inflorescences, reddish to pink flowers, and berries with abundant oil glands. Ten species are recognized here, most of them occurring in Brazil. A key to the species, descriptions, synonyms, illustrations, as (yell as comments on the geographic distribution, ecology, and economic uses of each species are presented.