Paulo Minatel Gonella

A new rupicolous species of Anthurium (Araceae) is described from the campos rupestres of eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Anthurium occultum is restricted to quartzitic rocky outcrops of the Serra do Padre Ângelo and adjacent sectors, where it occurs in small and localized populations. The species is characterized by a combination of morphological features, including a peduncle shorter than the petiole and recurved during fruiting, matte dark green leaf blades, and a greenish-yellow to greenish-purplish spadix at anthesis. Detailed morphological description, illustrations, and comparisons with the most similar species are provided. Notes on habitat, distribution, phenology, and conservation status are presented, highlighting the vulnerability of this narrowly endemic taxon to ongoing threats affecting the campos rupestres of eastern Minas Gerais.

From forests to fields, from knowledge to action: the challenge of conserving the Atlantic Forest - Volume 59 Issue 4

(Lentibulariaceae (Lamiales) of Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses, Maranhão, Brazil). We conducted a floristic survey of the Lentibulariaceae in the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses. This protected area is in the northwestern portion of the state of Maranhão, Northwest Brazil. Lentibulariaceae is the largest family among carnivorous plants and one of the most important families of Angiosperms in wetlands, being responsible for the increase of biomass in these regions. In this study we found two genera and 19 species of Lentibulariaceae: Genlisea oxycentron, Utricularia adpressa, U. amethystina, U. benjaminiana, U. breviscapa, U. cornuta, U. cutleri, U. erectiflora, U. foliosa, U. gibba, U. guyanensis, U. hispida, U. hydrocarpa, U. myriocista, U. nana, U. resupinata, U. simulans, U. tricolor and U. triloba. In this paper, U. tricolor is considered new record for Maranhão. Identification key, species descriptions, photographs of the species, and notes on geographic distribution are presented.

The Serra do Padre Ângelo (SPA), a quartzitic mountain complex in the Atlantic Forest of Rio Doce Valley, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, harbors exceptional biodiversity. Recent studies have uncovered numerous new species, particularly in the campos rupestres, a unique ecosystem. Despite its ecological importance, the SPA remains legally unprotected. This study initiates a series of taxonomic studies on SPA’s plant families, focusing on Eriocaulaceae, a key group in the campos rupestres. Field expeditions, herbarium studies, and SEM seed imaging revealed eight Eriocaulaceae species belonging to four genera: Giuliettia, Gnomus, Paepalanthus, and Syngonanthus. Two species are endemic to SPA and its vicinity, while three are classified as Critically Endangered. The study highlights significant biogeographic, taxonomic, and conservation insights, including the rediscovery of one species. These findings emphasize SPA’s critical role in biodiversity conservation amid mounting anthropogenic threats that risk species extinction.

Drosera é um gênero cosmopolita de plantas carnívoras com cerca de 250 espécies e centros de diversidade na Austrália, Brasil e África do Sul. É caraterístico de paisagens abertas, ensolaradas e solos oligotróficos sazonalmente úmidos. No Brasil, ocorrem 32 espécies, sendo que no estado do Maranhão, até o momento, apenas Drosera sessilifolia havia sido registrada. Apesar da riqueza da flora maranhense, o estado continua carente de diversidade botânica. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a diversidade do gênero Drosera no Maranhão através de amostragem de campo, revisão de literatura e consulta a bancos de dados online com exsicatas do Maranhão. Estudos realizados entre 2016 e 2023 possibilitaram a ampliação da lista de espécies de Drosera do Maranhão de uma para quatro. Além da espécie já registrada anteriormente para a flora maranhense (D. sessilifolia), foram acrescentadas mais três (um aumento de 300%): D. cayennensis, D. communis e D. intermedia. Destas, D. intermedia teve seu primeiro registro para o Cerrado brasileiro e também seu primeiro registro como forma de vida aquática flutuante no Brasil (sem nenhum contato com o solo durante todo o ano). São apresentadas descrições taxonômicas, chaves de identificação, mapas de distribuição geográfica e placas fotográficas destas espécies.

Background and aims – Huberia is a genus with 37 species mostly occurring in high elevation grasslands in eastern Brazil, except for four species in the Andes of Ecuador and Peru. It belongs to tribe Pyramieae (Melastomataceae) and can be recognized by tetra- to heptamerous flowers with a campanulate or apically constricted hypanthium, white to light-pink or purple petals, and stamens bearing dorsal connective appendages. Material and methods – We describe five new species in Huberia and also provide detailed photographs, taxonomic notes, distribution maps, and conservation assessments. Key results – Huberia campostriniae, H. ciliata, H. mayarae, H. revoluta, and H. rubricalyx are taxonomically described from rocky outcrops in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro in eastern Brazil. We recommend that these species be classified as Critically Endangered or Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Drosera schwackei (Droseraceae) is a carnivorous species with high ornamental potential, but no established protocols exist for its cultivation and conservation. This study aimed to develop a protocol for in vitro germination, plant development, and cryopreservation of D. schwackei seeds. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 2 x 4 factorial scheme (two concentrations of sodium hypochlorite and four immersion times), with four replications, each containing 30 seeds. The seeds were cultivated in different concentrations of MS medium (MS1/3, MS1/2, MS100%, and control with agar/water). Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the in vitro development of seedlings: 1) Testing different salt concentrations of MS medium (1/3, 1/2, and 100%); 2) MS1/3 medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (6-benzylaminopurine). For cryopreservation, seeds were stored in cryotubes and immersed in liquid nitrogen for 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 120 hours, with a control group inoculated on the same day. Disinfestation with 2% sodium hypochlorite for 10 minutes effectively stimulated germination. MS1/3 and MS1/2 media favored seed germination and seedling growth, while low concentrations of BAP promoted better plant development. The seeds survived cryopreservation for up to 120 hours in liquid nitrogen without impairing plant development or morphology. Sphagnum moss proved an efficient substrate for acclimating D. schwackei seedlings from in vitro cultivation.