Repositório RCAAP

Abstract Dorstenia, the second largest genus of Moraceae, comprises nine sections that are mainly found in Africa and America. Two of them are woody macrospermous, and the other seven are herbaceous microspermous. There are three sections in the Neotropics, all of which are herbaceous and taxonomically complex owing to their great morphological similarity. The most recent molecular phylogenetic studies of Dorstenia suggested that the neotropical sections are polyphyletic. These studies also showed that the neotropical species represent a sister group to an African woody macrospermous grade rather than African herbaceous microspermous plants. We have now expanded the number of taxa sampled and included other molecular markers to determine whether the previous phylogeny are to be corroborated or whether new taxonomic interpretations are to be followed. This study inferred the phylogeny of the group based on ITS, ETS, and trnL-F regions from 40 of the 58 neotropical species and added a new African taxon, thus including 17 of the 60 known species. Our results reaffirmed the polyphyletic nature of the neotropical sections. Dorstenia sect. Acauloma emerged within the main clade of D. sect. Kosaria (both African species), a result that confirms the affinity of these taxa already observed in previous morphological studies. We suggest Dorstenia sect. Dorstenia as the only neotropical section.

Abstract Given the extreme importance of understanding biodiversity in the contemporary context, this study performed a taxonomic survey of planktonic green algae from a subtropical river in Paraná state, broadening knowledge of the group’s geographic distribution and the environmental conditions related to its occurrence. Monthly samplings of phytoplanktonic material were carried out from February 2015 to January 2016, resulting in the identification of 26 taxa belonging to the classes Chlorophyceae and Trebouxiophyceae, distributed among 16 genera and six taxonomic families. Among the taxa identified, seven are new citations for Paraná.

Abstract We conducted an inventory of the fern, lycophyte and non-palm monocotyledon ground-herbs of terra firme riparian forests in the lower Tapajós region of the Brazilian Amazon. Eight 1.5 × 250 m plots, totaling 0.3 hectares, were surveyed along the watersheds of the Cupari and Curuá-Una rivers, located at the Tapajós National Forest, Pará, Brazil. To characterize the ground-herb community, we calculated species richness, abundance and Fisher’s alpha for each plot. To analyze turnover, we compared composition among plots by pairwise Bray-Curtis distance. In total, we sampled 3,130 individuals, 58 species, 27 genera and 20 families of riparian ground-herbs. Marantaceae (14 spp) was the richest family and Poaceae the most abundant family (738 individuals). The fern Triplophyllum glabrum (Tectariaceae) was the most frequent species, observed in 87.5 % of plots. Ground-herbs communities in the studied area have high species turnover, making it necessary to invest time and resources to adequately characterize and manage riparian habitats. The ground-herb community composition observed in the riparian zone here resembles that of other non-riparian forested sites in the Amazon with the plant families Marantaceae, Pteridaceae and Poaceae generally being the most commonly represented in the Amazonian ground-herb stratum. We highlight the importance of herb inventories, especially in conservation units.

Abstract Passovia includes Neotropical mistletoes characterised by inflorescences composed of bracteolate triads, rarely monads with one bract and two bracteoles; small tetra-hexamerous flowers; and laterally excavated filaments with basifixed anthers. The genus occurs from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil, including Jamaica. Twenty-four species were recognised, including four reinstated species: P. alternifolia, P. lepidobotrys, P. micrantha, P. myrsinites, and three new combinations are proposed: P. intermedia, comb. nov., P. lobaterae, comb. nov., and P. murcaei, comb. nov. An identification key to species, synonyms, and typifications are presented.

Abstract The coastal region of the municipalities of Curuçá and Maracanã, on the northeastern coast of Pará, shelters a valuable biological heritage, the last two remnants of Dense Rain Forest on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. On the Ipomonga Island (Curuçá) and at the Marieta Beach (Maracanã), the Lowland Dense Rain Forest is notable for its abrupt contact with the pioneer formation with marine influence, called as Restinga. This geomorphological interface favors floristic connectivity between different ecosystems. The research objective was to evaluate, through vegetation inventories, whether these forests remnants, about Lowland Dense Rain Forest, are sources of dispersal of woody species in Restinga. A total of 189 species were recorded in 50 botanical families with the greatest richness corresponds to the dense forest (67 species). Of this flora, 46 species (24%) were common to both vegetation typologies, with 18 species considered new occurrences in Restinga of the Amazonian coastal plains. The floristic affinities founded support the effect of Lowland Dense Rain Forest acting as the source for propagule dispersion over the pioneer formation with marine influence (Restinga), mostly dispersed by animals (zoocory).

Abstract Annonaceae is the most species-rich family in the order Magnoliales and has a pantropical distribution, includes 109 genera and 2,440 species. It is subdivided into four subfamilies, Anaxagoreoideae, Ambavioideae, Annonoideae and Malmeoideae. The latter comprises eight tribes, including the Malmeeae, the only tribe of Malmeoideae represented in Brazil, with 13 genera and 73 species. The Amazon is the center of diversity of the tribe, with eight genera restricted to this biome, the other five genera having broader distributions. The present study sought to characterize the species of Malmeeae that occur in the state of Rondônia. Seventeen species belonging to eight genera were identified and characterized: Oxandra with five species, Bocageopsis with three, Onychopetalum, Pseudoxandra and Unonopsis with two, and Cremastosperma, Ephedranthus and Klarobelia with one species each. Bocageopsis mattogrossensis and Pseudoxandra lucida are recorded for the state for the first time. A key to the species, morphological descriptions, geographical distribution and comments are provided.

Abstract Rock outcrop vegetation is recognized worldwide by its singular and biodiverse flora. Campo Rupestre forms hyperdiverse mosaics in rocky environments across a wide latitudinal and altitudinal gradient, with high species turnover at macro- and micro-scales. The surrounding biomes, climate, and geological formations are the main drivers of species turnover on a macro-scale while micro-habitat seems to be the main one determining the peculiarities of the Campo Rupestre on a micro-scale. In a quartzitic Campo Rupestre area we evaluate how the outcrop micro-habitats influence floristic composition and functional traits. The study area is located in the municipality of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. Two main outcrop habitats were considered: top surfaces, with bare rock, shallow depressions and ephemeral ponds; and lateral surfaces, with clefts and crevices. We recorded the vascular species, their respective life-forms (according to Raunkiaer’s system) as well as their coverage in 18 plots. We identified 71 species in 31 families. The floristic spectra and species composition were similar between top and lateral surfaces. There was no significant difference among the vegetational spectra. However, hemicryptophytes were slightly dominant on top, while on the sides chamaephytes were the dominant life-form. Understanding plant adaptations to these environments provides insights into the mechanisms underlying geomorphological heterogeneity in plant communities.

Abstract We present a checklist of the ferns and lycophytes from the Cerrado State Park, Jaguariaíva, Paraná, Brazil. This region represents the southernmost limit of Cerrado vegetation in Brazil. The park is located along the Devonian Escarpment, one of the most iconic geological formations in southern Brazil. The remnants of Cerrado in Paraná are relics of a colder and drier climate that occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum, about 5,600 years ago. They are now surrounded by natural grasslands and Araucaria Forest, which is typical of southern Brazil. We recorded 112 species (102 ferns and ten lycophytes), from 51 genera and 16 families. Ten species were first recorded in the Devonian Escarpment, and Ctenitis bigarellae and Tryonia areniticola are rare. None of the species are endemic to the Cerrado and most are typical of the humid forests of Eastern Brazil. We provide notes and illustrations for all species.

Abstract This study presents the floristic-taxonomic treatment of Passifloraceae s.s. from the state of Ceará. Identifications were based on the analysis of collections deposited in national herbaria and photos of international herbarium collections, including types specimens, specialized bibliography and samples collected in the field. The family is represented in Ceará by 18 taxa of Passiflora, of which three are new records for the state: P. capsularis, P. kermesina and P. morifolia. Ten species were registered in Conservation Units in Ceará. The species occur in various types of vegetaion, but prefer more humid environments. Identification key, comments, images and distribution maps of the species are provided.

Abstract We evaluated the diversity of Myrtaceae in Chapada Diamantina National Park (CDNP) and neighboring municipalities (NM), identifying the areas with the highest richness and those with the lowest sampling efforts, collecting specimens in situ, and analyzing herbarium collections. The geographic data and maps include collection efforts (CE), species richness (SR), and estimated richness (J1). Ninety-seven species and nine genera were recorded for NM, with 82 species and nine genera occurring in CDNP. The CE and SR were similar in NM and CDNP, and the quadrants with the highest values were in the municipalities of Lençóis and Palmeiras. The J1 was also similar in NM and CDNP. Fifteen species found in NM do not occur in CDNP, and some are considered endangered or are restricted to non-protected areas, especially caatinga areas. Some species showed distributions limited to only one or two vegetation types, although many areas have been only superficially surveyed. Endemic species are subject to anthropic pressure, and some are currently considered endangered or vulnerable. The expansion of the limits of the CDNP to encompass areas of caatinga vegetation will improve the conservation status of the family.

Abstract Restingas are extreme environments present in the Atlantic Rainforest biome. These ecosystems show peculiar characteristics, like sandy soil, high salinity, and high solar exposure, which brings scientific interest to their native species. Stachytarpheta schottiana is an endemic Brazilian species found in Jurubatiba Restinga, and just like other species of the genus Stachytarpheta, is used in folk medicine. In this paper, we describe, for the first time, 28 secondary metabolites from S. schottiana polar extract, among them iridoids, flavonoids, lignans and phenylethanoids, with the use of LC-HRMS/MS dereplication and molecular networking methodologies. Many of these compounds have not been described yet for the genus Stachytarpheta, like astragalin, taxifolin, lamiide and the lignans secondary metabolites class. Also, in this paper, High Speed Counter-Current Chromatography (HSCCC) isolation and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of two compounds were used to correct a misidentification in the dereplication procedure and to create seeds for molecular networking. Some of the suggested known compounds found in this work have had their biological activities described in the literature, such as the hepatoprotective activity of verbascoside, that matches those already related for the genus Stachytarpheta and for the folk use of Stachytarpheta schottiana itself.

Abstract Nectariferous and polliniferous resources are key to the survival of social bees, so identifying the origin sources allows the implementation of management actions aimed at a greater supply of nutrients for the colonies. Besides, defining the floral origin of honeys contributes to their characterization and commercialization. The objective of our work was to identify the plants that provide nectar to the bees Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca fiebrigi in northern Misiones, through palynological analysis of honey samples collected between 2006 and 2008. Both bees showed a polylectic foraging habit. Richness of pollen types per sample ranged between 10 and 34 (mean = 20.5 ± 7.7) for A. mellifera, and between 13 and 43 (mean = 24.8 ± 7.1) for T. fiebrigi. The 15 most abundant pollen types in the honeys of A. mellifera were, in decreasing order of importance, Euphorbiaceae, Euterpe edulis, Holocalyx balansae, Calyptranthes concinna-type, Actinostemon, Salix, Ruprechtia laxiflora, Myrcianthes pungens-type, Thinouia mucronata, Allophylus edulis, Ilex, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Gouania latifolia-type, Parapiptadenia rigida, and Baccharis-type, whereas in the honeys of T. fiebrigi the most important pollen types included S. romanzoffiana, Schinus weinmannifolius-type, Baccharis-type, H. balansae, E. edulis, Rhamnaceae, Citrus, Leonurus japonicus, G. latifolia-type, A. edulis, Gomphrena perennis-type, Pouteria gardneriana, P. rigida, Zanthoxylum, and Actinostemon.

Abstract We conducted a study to assess the morphometric attributes of Genipa americana fruit, and their relationship with variations in elevation and distances between sampling sites on the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil. Eight fruit were used per sampling site (ten sites; n = 80). Mantel’s test revealed that the spatial distance between sample sites, and elevation of all sampling sites were significantly correlated with the similarities found in fruit diameter (DF), fruit length (FL), and fresh fruit mass (FFM), but the spatial distance between sites, independently of the elevation, was only correlated with the number of seeds per fruit (NSF) and total fresh mass of seeds per fruit (FMSF). The morphometric attributes of fruits, and their associated relationships with elevation and distance between sampling sites are demonstrated.

Abstract The genus Pentacalia belongs to the tribe Senecioneae. It is represented by approximately 160 species predominantly distributed in the Andes. Species of Pentacalia are characterized by having a scandent habit, usually alternate leaves, axillary or terminal capitulescence, homogamous or heterogamous capitula, commonly yellow ray-florets, yellowish, creamy, or whitish disc-florets, sagittate to caudate anther-bases, and cypselae with five to ten ribs. The aim of the present study was to perform a taxonomic treatment of Pentacalia in Brazil, where it is represented by two species, P. desiderabilis and P. tropicalis, from the Atlantic Forest Domain. Detailed descriptions, taxonomic discussions, geographical distributions, an identification key, illustrations and a new record of P. tropicalis for the Northeast Region are presented. Moreover, three names (Senecio desiderabilis, S. ellipticus, and S. tropicalis) are lectotypified.

Abstract This study shows a taxonomic treatment for all species of Bignonieae from the state of Pernambuco (Brazil). Through extensive herbarium and field work, we documented 42 species and 13 genera for Pernambuco, of which six species represent new records for the state (i.e., Adenocalymma coriaceum, Anemopaegma gracile, Anemopaegma velutinum, Bignonia sciuripabulum, Callichlamys latifolia and Fridericia cuneifolia). In addition, Anemopaegma citrinum was documented for the first time in the Atlantic Forest domain. We provide identification keys for genera and species, taxonomic descriptions, data on geographic distribution, habitat, phenology, and illustrations for all species.

Abstract Senna comprises about 350 species worldwide, of which 80 species occur in Brazil. This work brings an update taxonomic treatment of Senna species in the state of Minas Gerais, the second most diverse state for the genus, through the morphological analysis of about 2,348 specimens from herbaria and fieldwork. Thirty-six species and 29 varieties were recognized, including 34 native species and 2 cultivated species. Of the 39 species reported in literature for the state, but 4 species were excluded from the list produced. The occurrence of Senna acuruensis was confirmed; S. macranthera var. striata and S. pilifera var. tubata are new records, and S. hirsuta var. acuminata is endemic to Minas Gerais. There are 28 species in the Cerrado, 26 species in the Atlantic Forest and 20 species in the Caatinga. The distribution of Senna pentagonia var. pentagonia is extended to include the Atlantic Forest. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, taxonomic comments and geographic distribution are provided for the species and varities.

Abstract Medicinal plants are an important therapeutic option for a large share of the world’s population. To establish an in vitro culture system for the production of secondary metabolites from Hovenia dulcis, we studied the effect of auxins, cytokinins, absence of light, and silver nitrate on the development of friable callus. Callus cultures were established for the first time and used to obtain cell suspension cultures. Supplementation with KIN (Kinetin) produced calli with both compact and friable areas, while the addition of TDZ (Thidiazuron) only produced compact callus. The maintenance of cultures in the dark induced a slight enhancement on friability when the auxin PIC (Picloram) was present in the culture medium. The addition of silver nitrate promoted the formation of friable calli. Dry weight analysis showed no significant differences in biomass growth, and, therefore, 2.0 mg.L-1 was considered the most suitable treatment. The presence of silver nitrate was not required for the establishment of cell suspension cultures. Dry weight analysis of cell suspensions showed higher biomass production in the absence of silver nitrate. PIC promoted 100% of cell suspension culture formation in the absence of silver nitrate, and higher biomass production was observed with the lowest concentration (0.625 mg.L-1). No morphological differences were observed among the different concentrations of PIC. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, flavonols and catechins in the extracts obtained from H. dulcis calli. These results show that the cell cultures herein established are potential sources for the production of H. dulcis secondary metabolites of medicinal interest.

Abstract The importance of continuously conducting botanical inventories has been questioned in recent decades, generating a lack of investment and interest in this area. However, several applied studies are only possible after obtaining the primary data from such surveys. Despite having the greatest richness of plants known in Brazil, several areas with knowledge gaps remain in Minas Gerais (MG) state. This is the case for the Serra da Mantiqueira, an important area for biodiversity conservation in the country. In this scenario, the phytophysiognomy of Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (SSF) deserves attention, as it is broadly distributed and has great relevance in the state, although subsampled. Therefore, this study aimed to present records of species for the flora of MG and discuss the need for floristic surveys in Brazil. These species were recorded in three of 10 studied remnants along expeditions performed between the years of 2012 and 2019 as part of a wide study performed in SSF remnants in the Serra da Mantiqueira which have a deficit of floristic data. Three species are recorded for the first time in MG, one species was rediscovered after more than two centuries from the last collection (which represents its nomenclatural type), in addition to nine other species which must be considered rare in the state. This study contributed to filling gaps in knowledge on Brazilian flora and also demonstrated the relevance of continuing new collections, mainly in specific subsampled areas in the interior of the country such as in SSF remnants.

Abstract The present study is aimed to evaluate the richness, composition and spatial distribution of bryophytes occurring in Mosqueiro Island, in the Amazon forest. Forty-one 100-m² plots in 37 flooded and 4 non-flooded environments were selected for data collection, all substrate found were considered. The results were compared with surveys in other islands from the state of Pará and were analyzed according to frequency of populations, colonized substrates, light tolerance guilds, and distribution in Brazilian biomes. Ninety-seven species were recorded, distributed in 36 genera and 17 families, being 57 (58.7%) liverwort and 40 (41.2%) moss species. The rare species stood out with 53 species (54.08%). High similarity was observed between corticolous and epixylic communities, and between the terricolous community and the bryophytes found growing on charcoal, which is an artificial substrate. In relation to light tolerance guilds, generalist species prevailed (52 species, 53.6%). As for phytogeographic distribution, there was a predominance of taxa with occurrence in the Amazon and Atlantic rainforest (35 species, 37.11%). Ceratolejeunea ceratantha is reported for the first time for the state of Pará. The level of anthropization in the island was showed mainly by high richness and occurrence of generalist species underscores and well-adapted species to stressed conditions, evidencing changes in the bryophyte community structure.

Abstract Natural products have been touted as important tools because of their vast potential for the development of compounds with antimicrobial activity and the possible inhibitory activity and/or adjuvant resistance mechanisms. Propolis has been empirically used for many years for the treatment of diseases, mainly due to its antioxidant, anti inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimycobacterial activity of the ethanol extract of propolis alone and in combination with rifampicin (RIF), amikacin (AMI) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The ethanol extract of propolis showed antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium chelonae and M. kansasii and was capable of increasing AMI, RIF and CIP activity in combination. On the other hand, compared to M. absecessus, M. fortuitum and M. avium, the extract was not active at 200 µg/mL and did not show pronounced adjuvant capacity when evaluated in association with the drugs. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the ethanol extract of propolis could be an alternative in the development of new drugs and can be used complementary with the current mycobacteriosis treatment.