Ricardo da Silva Ribeiro

Background and aims – During ongoing morphological studies of Adenocalymma , we realized that nomenclatural updates are necessary in the genus. Here, we propose a new circumscription of A. acutissimum and the description of the new species A. darwinii . Material and methods – Morphological and phylogenetic evidence support the new circumscription of A. acutissimum , while the new species is recognized based on morphological grounds and compared to A hirtum and A. salmoneum . Key results – We removed the taxa A. comosum , A. comosum var. lanceolatum, and A. nitidum as synonyms of A. acutissimum . We also presented a detailed description for A. darwinii sp. nov., an illustration, and information on its distribution, habitat, phenology, and extinction risk. A map showing the occurrence of both A. comosum and A. darwinii sp. nov. is shown. Conclusion – These results emphasize once again the importance of taxonomic studies in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and highlight conservation concerns for its flora.

A remarkable new species of Anthurium, named A. petraeum, is here described. This new species is morphologically similar to A. sagrilloanum, differing in both vegetative and floral characters. Information on its distribution and habitat, preliminary conservation status, phenology and morphologically related species are given and photographs are presented.

Monitoring of Amazona rhodocorytha (Psittacidae) reveals new population of Handroanthus riodocensis (Bignoniaceae) in the Rio Doce basin, Brazil Amazona rhodocorytha (chauá), a bird endemic to the Atlantic Forest, is categorized as Vulnerable on both the IUCN and Brazilian Fauna Red Lists. The main threats to its survival are forest fragmentation and degradation, and the collection of eggs and chicks for the illegal trade. Recently, monitoring of A. rhodocorytha led to the discovery of new populations of Handroanthus riodocensis (ipê-amarelo), a tree endemic to the Atlantic Forest that was first described in  and is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN and Brazilian Flora Red Lists, and as Critically Endangered in the state of Espírito Santo. Its showy, abundant yellow flowers are an important food source for birds; the nectar is consumed by hummingbirds and the petals are eaten by psittacids. We located eight H. riodocensis in September  in Linhares, Espírito Santo, near the ES- highway: six in forest remnants, one in pasture and one in a cacao Theobroma cacao monoculture. Individuals were - m tall, with circumference at breast height of - cm; all were in flower. These trees stand out in the canopy, and provide both food and resting sites for A. rhodocorytha. These new records indicate that H. riodocensis plays an important role in the diet of A. rhodocorytha in early spring, a period that coincides with the avian breeding season in the Rio Doce basin. This region has suffered severe anthropogenic impacts, including contamination of waterbodies, soil and riparian forest by mine tailings as a result of the collapse of the Fundão dam in . These impacts are long-lasting and directly threaten the biodiversity of this region (Batista et al., Oryx, published  August , doi.org/./S). Our findings, besides expanding knowledge of the extent of occurrence of H. riodocensis, highlight the additional importance of conserving this species as a resource for A. rhodocorytha. We recommend joint monitoring of these two threatened species so that integrated and effective conservation strategies can be devised.

Brazil's National Forest Inventory (IFN), coordinated by the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB), provides essential data on the country's forest resources. The availability of IFN data, collected over more than a decade, through the National Forest Information System (SNIF), promotes transparency and facilitates access to comprehensive information about Brazilian forests. This detailed survey covers biophysical, botanical and socio-environmental aspects, as well as interviews about the use of forest resources.

The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Confap announced the launch of the 5^th edition of the Protax programme aimed at supporting the advancement of human resources in biological taxonomy. The funding for the programme has been increased from R$6 million (equivalent to 1,1 million US dollars) to R$14 million ($2,5 million), making grants of up to R$400,000 ($73 thousand) per project available. However, it is important to note that the programme primarily emphasises human resources, overlooking the crucial need for funding fieldwork, which plays a vital role in taxonomic research in diverse ecosystems like the Amazon. To ensure the success of Protax, a comprehensive approach including dedicated funds for expeditions and biological collections is essential.

As Bignoniaceae são um importante componente das florestas tropicais, especialmente no Brasil, onde a família é mais diversa. Apesar disso, o conhecimento desta família ainda é fragmentado em diversas regiões do país, especialmente na região Ocidental do Brasil. Neste estudo, nós apresentamos um checklist atualizado das Bignoniaceae do estado de Mato Grosso (MT), Brasil. Esta lista é baseada em múltiplas visitas a herbários locais, análise de exsicatas disponíveis on-line e expedições de campo. Ao todo, documentamos 115 espécies da família para o Mato Grosso, incluindo a primeira ocorrência do gênero Godmania e 12 novas ocorrências de espécies de Bignoniaceae para o estado. Nossos resultados enfatizam a importância de expedições de campo e estudos detalhados de coleções depositadas em herbários locais para a documentação precisa da biodiversidade. Listas de espécies compreensivas são extremamente importantes para orientar os esforços futuros de amostragens e conservação da biodiversidade.

A new species of Thismia is described and illustrated for the Brazilian Amazon Forest. Thismia pseudomelanomitra belongs to Thismia subg. Ophiomeris sect. Pyramidalis and is morphologically similar to T. melanomitra. However, it can be recognized by its orbicular outer tepals with revolute margins, inner tepals connate over the tube opening forming a subglobose mitre, outer surface bearing prominent irregularly dentate ribs and irregularly foveae on top. The new species is known from a single locality, collected at São Nicolau Farm, in the northwest of Mato Grosso State. Herein, we provide a detailed description with illustrations, photographic plates, distribution maps, and preliminary conservation status.