André Laurênio de Melo

Dalechampia microcalyx is described as new to science and Dalechampia viridissima is recorded for the first time for the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Both species occur in remnants of the Atlantic Forest in the state, found in the municipalities of Vicência and São Lourenço da Mata, respectively. Both are compared morphologically, by means of tables, with their related species. In addition, illustrations, photographs, distribution maps, information on conservation status using IUCN criteria [this for the new species] and an updated identification key of Dalechampia for the State of Pernambuco are provided.

The analysis of herbarium collections and field surveys revealed the occurrence of 14 genera and 38 species of Euphorbiaceae in the threatened flora of the Brejos de Altitude of the Pajeú region, a semi-arid area of Pernambuco. Crotonoideae was the most representative subfamily, with Croton (10 spp.), Euphorbia (8 spp.), Dalechampia (3 spp.) and Acalypha (3 spp.) being the genera with the highest number of species. Twelve species are considered endemic to Brazil, five of which are exclusive to the Caatinga domain. The relatively high number of Euphorbiaceae species in the areas studied and the fact that some species are exclusively related to Brejos de Altitude vegetation highlight the need to preserve these forests and to create Conservation Units in these environments. An identification key, photographic plates and comments on the geographical distribution and diagnostic characteristics of the species are presented here. In addition, the presence of Euphorbia ophthalmica in Pernambuco is confirmed, and the typification of Cnidoscolus halteris is clarified and is illustrated.

Euphorbiaceae is the largest family of Malpighiales. There are approximately 1,000 species in Brazil (60% of which are endemic), which makes Brazil the center of diversity for this group. Considering the breadth of the geographic distribution, the number of species and the economic and biological importance of Euphorbiaceae in Brazil, this study set out to analyze the progress of research on the taxonomy of Euphorbiaceae native to Brazil in the current millennium and to verify if there has been a quantitative advance in knowledge about this family. A total of 157 manuscripts published from 2001 to 2021 and involving taxa or the family as a whole was identified and examined. The results indicate a significant increase in papers published in the last seven years of this period, highlighting 2020, especially the discovery of new taxa (96). Moreover, some gaps have been filled with regard to the genera Actinostemon, Dalechampia, Gymnanthes, Manihot, Sapium and Sebastiania, which the literature in 2012 reported as understudied taxa. Despite the relevance and recent advances, published knowledge about the family is still out-of-date, with gaps as to the real range of its geographic distribution and the number of species throughout Brazil. Further studies are needed on the genera Acalypha, Cnidoscolus, Hevea and Jatropha.

Asteraceae is one of the largest angiosperm families in the world with a cosmopolitan distribution. In Brazil, the family is distributed in all phytogeographic domains and stands out for its diversity and economic, medicinal and ornamental importance. However, Asteraceae is of complex taxonomy and is neglected in floristic studies mainly in the Brejos de Altitude, “humid islands” within the Caatinga. The aim of this study was to conduct a floristic and systematic survey of Asteraceae in Camocim de São Félix, Pernambuco. This is the first study of the vegetation of the Brejos de Altitude. Botanical collections were carried out to compose a list of species in addition to online database. A total of 37 species were identified, belonging to three subfamilies, distributed in 13 tribes and 33 genera. Chaptalia nutans and Lepidaploa remotiflora are new occurrences for Pernambuco state. The results of this work increase botanical knowledge for the recognition of Asteraceae species, as well as supporting future management plans for the municipality of Camocim de São Félix. Descriptions, identification key, comments on affinities and geographical distribution of species are provided.

The present study is a synopsis of the species of Myrcia occurring in Pernambuco, Brazil. We recorded 30 species distributed in eight sections: M. sect. Aguava (4), Myrcia sect. Aulomyrcia (9), M. sect. Calyptranthes (3), M. sect. Gomidesia (5), M. sect. Myrcia (4), M. sect. Reticulosae (2), M. sect. Sympodiomyrcia (2) and M. sect. Tomentosae (1), beyond Myrcia sp. which has not been included in any section yet. Myrcia laricina (O. Berg) Burret ex Luetzelb. and M. hirtiflora DC. are new records for the State. Myrcia arenaria had the first record for humid forest in the municipality of Brejo da Madre de Deus. This study provides an identification key, comments on morphological distinction, geographic distribution and habitat for all taxa. In addition, distribution maps, photographic plates with the distinctive characteristics of the species are included and the updating names of Calyptranthes, Gomidesia and Marlierea under Myrcia.

We present here a taxonomic treatment of Croton sect. Lasiogyne occurring in Brazil. This study is based on field collections and analyses of more than 1,300 specimens held in 47 herbaria. Eleven species are recorded in Brazil, occurring in almost all phytogeographic domains (except the Pampa). Six species of those species are endemic to that country (Croton blanchetianus, C. claussenianus, C. compressus, C. jacobinensis, C. limae, and C. suassunae). The total absence of extrafloral nectaries and reduplicate-valvate sepals, or valvate sepals, are proposed here as morphological characteristics for the recognition of Brazilian species of the section Lasiogyne. The main characters used to differentiate the species are: branching pattern, stipule shape, venation, trichome type, shape of the sepals of the pistillate flower, shape and number of ramifications of the style, capsule shape, and seed surface texture. Croton macrocalyx is excluded here from this section and positioned in C. sect. Barhamia.

Tragia peltata was published by Friar José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo in 1831, with a brief description of the leaf blade and a rudimentary illustration, subsequently Müller Argoviensis measured the size leaf blade—those being the only references to this species for more than 190 years. Specimens collected from 1971 onwards from the Brazilian states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro were recently encountered, however, in herbaria in that country. It is therefore possible to complement the description of T. peltata, update its geographic distribution range, and determine its conservation status; the species is also lectotypified here.

Phytotelmata bromeliads provide microhabitats for many organisms and maintain high aquatic diversity within Neotropical forests. However, they are more vulnerable to different environmental stressors that shape community structure. While most studies have been carried out in large rainforests, gaps remain about the bromeliad-dwelling community for the wettest points in the Caatinga domain (Brazilian semiarid region). Here, we investigated the influence of abiotic and temporal variables and bromeliad size on community structure between urban and forest sectors. Between 2014 and 2017, we randomly selected 20 urban and 40 forest bromeliads and compared functional groups of invertebrates for richness, abundance, and diversity. We recorded 41 morphospecies, especially Rotifera (19) and Insecta (13). Urban bromeliads exhibited higher richness of filter-feeder, while forest fragment bromeliads were dominated by predators, shredders, and gatherers. We did not observe differences in community structure regarding bromeliad size. However, the wetter period exhibited higher species richness, and higher diversity was associated with the highest rainfall. This study presents for the first time a list of aquatic microinvertebrate species and the influence of environmental parameters on the community structure associated with bromeliads of Caatinga. We have also expanded the list of species associated with phytotelmata in the Neotropical region.

The Mata da Pimenteira State Park (MPSP) is an important remnant of caatinga vegetation in the semiarid region of Pernambuco state, Brazil. The park holds great biodiversity, but relatively few taxonomic studies have been undertaken in the area. We present a taxonomic study of Ipomoea in the MPSP based on field observations and collections deposited in the Herbarium of the Semiarid of Brazil - UAST / UFRPE (HESBRA). The species were identified based on the specialized literature, comparisons with type images available online, and protologues. Fourteen species of Ipomoea were identified - more than three times the previously known number. Two Ipomoea species recorded in the MPSP are endemic to Brazil (I. bahiensis and I. brasiliana), three others are exclusive to the Caatinga domain (I. marcellia, I. rosea, and I. tenera), and the remaining are widely distributed in South America. The habit, type and shape of leaf blade and sepals, corolla size and shapes, and presence or absence of subapical rostrum on the external sepals were the most relevant distinctive characteristics. An identification key, descriptions, comments on distribution and diagnostic characteristics, and phenological data of the species are presented.