Reyjane Patricia Oliveira

Bactris comprises 79 species with a Neotropical distribution, exhibiting its greatest diversity in humid forests. Bactris glassmanii was described as part of the Flora Neotropica, characterized by staminate flowers with pedicels ca. 1 mm long. Based on field expeditions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and analyses of herbarium material, we propose a taxonomic re-delimitation of B. glassmanii into two distinct taxa, including a new species here described, named B. atlantica. They are distinguished mainly by the leaflets’ apex form, number of rachilla, and the size of the staminate flower pedicel. Both are endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. B. glassmanii occurs in Bahia and Pernambuco states, and B. atlantica occurs from Sergipe to Espírito Santo states, especially in humid forests. The new species is provisionally considered as Endangered (EN) based on IUCN criteria.

In Brazil, Agarista is the second most diverse genus of the family Ericaceae, comprising 22 species, 20 of which are endemic. In this study, we analyzed mature leaves from the third node of 26 specimens representing ten Agarista species using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nine of the analyzed species are endemic to Brazil (except Agarista eucalyptoides), and nearly all have their leaf anatomy described here for the first time (except A. oleifolia). We emphasized leaf morphology and architecture, as well as epidermal and anatomical patterns in transverse sections, to understand the implications of these data for taxonomic proposals within the genus. Most epidermal patterns and leaf architecture were similar among the analyzed species. However, the presence, absence, and types of trichomes proved to be important diagnostic characters. In transverse sections, additional taxonomically relevant features were observed, such as a hypodermis associated with secondary veins, variation in the collenchyma of the leaf margins, and in the structure of the central and secondary vascular bundles. Expanding this study to include additional Agarista species will significantly enhance the taxonomic and anatomical understanding of South American genera.

Chusquea subg. Chusquea, with over 100 accepted species, is the most diverse subgenus of Chusquea. This diversity is divided into six sections and the C. meyeriana informal group, the latter currently comprising nine species endemic to eastern Brazil. Recent studies have focused on updating the taxonomy of this group to understand its diagnostic features and placement within the genus. We confirm the presence of another new species within the C. meyeriana informal group, herein described as Chusquea giuliettiae. The new species is morphologically similar to C. clemirae, C. cordata, C. longispiculata, and C. parviligulata based on its triangular central bud, culm leaf sheaths free or only slightly fused at the base, and culm leaves deciduous to late deciduous, as well as synflorescence structure. Chusquea giuliettiae is distinguished by having smaller and more foliage leaves per complement and smaller synflorescences and spikelets than these other four species. It occurs along the Espinhaço Range, from the Chapada Diamantina, in Bahia state, to the Diamantina Plateau in Minas Gerais state. After the description of C. giuliettiae, the C. meyeriana informal group will consist of 10 species, and the genus Chusquea will comprise 51 species occurring in Brazil, 47 of which are endemic.

As a result of a taxonomic survey of Gaylussacia (Ericaceae) in Brazil, a new species, Gaylussacia itambensis, is herein described and illustrated. The species is restricted to campos rupestres, from the Pico do Itambé, Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais state, Brazil and characterized by mature defoliated branches, with persistent cataphylls only on the axillary buds, and leaves with a distinctly revolute margin. A description, an illustration, and commentary on geographic distribution, ecology, phenology and conservation status of the new species are provided. The new species is proposed as Critically Endangered in accordance with IUCN categories and criteria.

Species distribution modeling (SDM) is a vital tool for ecological and biogeographical research, allowing precise predictions of species distributions based on environmental variables. This study reviews the evolution of SDM techniques from 1985 to 2023, focusing on model development and applications in conservation, climate change adaptation, and invasive species management. We employed a mixed review with bibliometric and systematic element approaches using the Scopus database, analyzing 982 documents from 275 sources. The MaxEnt model emerged as the most frequently used technique, applied in 85% of the studies due to its adaptability and accuracy. Our findings highlight the increasing trend in international collaboration, particularly between China, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. The study reveals a significant annual growth rate of 11.99%, driven by technological advancements and the urgency to address biodiversity loss. Our analysis also shows that while MaxEnt remains dominant, deep learning and other advanced computational techniques are gaining traction, reflecting a shift toward integrating AI in ecological modeling. The results emphasize the importance of global cooperation and the continued evolution of SDM methodologies, projecting further integration of real-time data sources like UAVs and satellite imagery to enhance model precision and applicability in future conservation efforts.

Panicum was once one of the largest grass genera with >450 species associated to >4000 names. The revelation of its polyphyletic nature emerged with the use of molecular data in phylogenetic studies. Consequently, most of its species have been transferred to other genera. A notable case occurred with Panicum (subg. Phanopyrum) sect. Stolonifera, whose species were recovered in tribe Paspaleae, distantly related to Panicum s.s. (P. subg. Panicum), placed in tribe Paniceae. Most species from the section were transferred to Ocellochloa, leaving only one enigmatic species, P. venezuelae, remaining as incertae sedis. In this study, we endeavoured to clarify the phylogenetic placement of P. venezuelae by expanding the taxon sampling and increasing the number of molecular markers. The nuclear External Transcribed Spacer marker was used for the first time in a comprehensive analysis of Paspalinae genera. Additionally, we reviewed the literature and herbarium records to provide a comprehensive update on the morphology and distribution of the species, and a conservation assessment. Our findings confirm that Panicum venezuelae belongs to the tribe Paspaleae, which is here transferred to a new genus, Drakkaria. However, identifying its closest relative remains an open question within Paspaleae. The new genus is considered here endemic to the diverse and threatened Neotropical Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests.