ABSTRACT A new species of Petunia (Solanaceae) is described and illustrated for the Brazilian flora. Petunia toropiensis Stehmann & Larocca is known only from a few sites along the middle Toropi river basin, in the central region of the Rio Grande do Sul state. The new species is easily recognizable by its erect or ascending habit, infundibuliform corolla with yellow tube and purple limb, yellow pollen, and erect peduncle in fruiting. The species was assessed as Critically Endangered due to the narrow geographic distribution, the few populations known, and the loss of habitat quality. A key for identification of Petunia species from Rio Grande do Sul is given. We also discuss the impact of the dams on the populations of the new species and the conservation efforts needed.

Abstract Solanaceae comprises many species complexes, taxonomically challenging lineages that require specialized effort to be reliably delimited, and thus develop a reasoned hypothesis at the species level. To obtain an overview of aspects that permeate species complexes studies in Solanaceae, we collected and summarized details of selected works, resulting in 83 published articles comprising nine genera. Solanum, the most studied genus, spans all explored biogeographic realms, characterized by taxonomic complexity related to its long history of domestication. Capsicum is a unique case due to the adoption of complexes as an indicator of gene pool, while Petunia can potentially serve as a model for the use of species complexes to improve evolutionary knowledge given their phylogeographic studies. The Neotropical region concentrates the majority of research and presents the highest number of genera studied. Morphometrics is the main applied approach probably due to its low cost, followed by population genetics, reproductive biology, phylogeny, and others. Most studies do not present taxonomic decisions or apply integrated methods. We encourage studies with some neglected genera that may have hidden species complexes; a major effort to resolve the Solanum nigrum complex; and the use of effective, less applied fields of study such as ecology and palynology.

Abstract As part of an ongoing treatment of species of the Brevantherum clade of Solanum, a new species from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil was discovered and is described here. Solanum helix Giacomin & Stehmann sp. nov. is a species well represented in herbaria that has been overlooked for almost two centuries. It has a unique expanded non-inflated fruiting calyx that resembles a propeller and that is not found in any unarmed species of Solanum. This discovery highlights the importance of continued herbarium and field work in hyperdiverse ecosystems, such as the Atlantic Forest in South America. Taxonomic affinities are discussed and images, as well as mapped distribution, are given. A key to closely related species for NE Brazil is also provided.

Resumo speciesLink é um portal de informações em larga escala sobre biodiversidade, que existe graças a uma ampla rede colaborativa de pessoas e instituições. O envolvimento do CRIA com a comunidade científica do Brasil e de outros países é responsável pelos resultados expressivos alcançados, atingindo atualmente mais de 15 milhões de registros de dados primários de biodiversidade, sendo 95% associados a espécimes preservados e cerca de 25% a imagens digitais de alta qualidade. A rede fornece dados sobre mais de 200.000 espécies, das quais mais de 110.000 ocorrem no Brasil. Este artigo descreve as redes temáticas do speciesLink, bem como algumas das ferramentas mais úteis desenvolvidas. A importância e as contribuições do speciesLink são destacadas, assim como as preocupações em garantir um apoio financeiro estável para e-infraestruturas de dados sobre biodiversidade. Aqui revisamos o valor do speciesLink como uma das principais fontes de informação sobre biodiversidade para pesquisa, educação, tomada de decisão, desenvolvimento de políticas e bioeconomia.

Abstract speciesLink is a large-scale biodiversity information portal that exists thanks to a broad collaborative network of people and institutions. CRIA’s involvement with the scientific community of Brazil and other countries is responsible for the significant results achieved, currently reaching more than 15 million primary biodiversity data records, 95% of which are associated with preserved specimens and about 25% with high-quality digital images. The network provides data on over 200,000 species, of which over 110,000 occur in Brazil. This article describes thematic networks within speciesLink, as well as some of the most useful tools developed. The importance and contributions of speciesLink are outlined, as are concerns about securing stable budgetary support for such biodiversity data e-infrastructures. Here we review the value of speciesLink as a major source of biodiversity information for research, education, informed decision-making, policy development, and bioeconomy.

ABSTRACT Herbaria represent irreplaceable repositories of biodiversity and are used to answer questions about conservation, ecology, systematics, and other sciences. In this sense, we characterize the infrastructure, human resources, and idiosyncrasies of Brazilian herbaria. To achieve this goal, curators were sent a structured and standardized questionnaire to gather information about herbaria. The Brazilian Herbaria Network listed 216 active herbaria in the year 2018, of which 139 answered the questionnaire. These herbaria hold 6,741,469 samples in their collections and more than 39,000 type samples. Most herbaria are in federal universities (40.28 %). Only 24 % of the curators considered that their herbarium is valued by their institutions and 52 % indicated inadequate storage areas. Only nine collections have smoke sensors. Our analysis showed that if an herbarium has an institutional policy the curator is 78 % more likely to consider its herbarium valued. Therefore, it is important for all herbaria to institute their policy. These numbers reflect the difficulty in maintaining herbaria, in many cases cared for only by its curator without institutional recognition and support. Despite recent losses in Brazilian natural history collections, herbaria are still threatened by a lack of basic infrastructure.

ABSTRACT Initiatives directed at managing information on aquatic plants can support different areas of scientific research, educational practices and political decisions for sustainable management and protection of wetlands and natural resources, as well as reveal knowledge gaps regarding aquatic plants and wetlands. Furthermore, such initiatives can contribute directly to consolidating wetland classification systems in Brazil. The objectives of this work are to present and explore the use of a data repository and online platform created specifically for the management of data on aquatic plants in Brazil. The data repository for aquatic plants was developed to store information on species occurrence records in a standardized form considering: systematics, taxonomy, habit, life form, geographic distribution, hydrographic basin, wetland, bibliographic references and herbarium material. A total of 3,903 records referring to the Southeast Region of Brazil were generated for the data repository. This total encompassed 1,036 species distributed among 132 families and 466 genera. Our results illustrate the diversity of information available regarding aquatic plants, circumscribe this group of species and serve as a source of data about them. Similar databases and electronic infrastructures can be developed for other flora in the future.

Resumo Senecioneae está representada em Minas Gerais por oito gêneros e 41 espécies (Dendrophorbium 3 spp., Emilia 2 spp., Erechtites 3 spp., Graphistylis 5 spp., Hoehnephytum 1 sp., Pentacalia 1 sp., Pseudogynoxys 1 sp. e Senecio 25 spp.). Três espécies são culvitadas como ornamentais: Curio rowleyanus, Senecio flaccidus e S. tamoides. Seis espécies são novas ocorrências para o estado: Dendrophorbium fastigiaticephalum, Graphistylis argyrotricha, Senecio paulensis, S. paucijugus, S. pseudostigophlebius e S. stigophlebius. São apresentadas chaves de identificação para os gêneros e espécies, descrições, comentários sobre a taxonomia, distribuição geográfica e habitat, além de ilustrações das espécies estudadas.

Abstract Senecioneae is represented in Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil, by eight genera and 41 species (Dendrophorbium 3 spp., Emilia 2 spp., Erechtites 3 spp., Graphistylis 5 spp., Hoehnephytum 1 sp., Pentacalia 1 sp., Pseudogynoxys 1 sp., and Senecio 25 spp.). Three species are cultivated as ornamental: Curio rowleyanus, Senecio flaccidus and S. tamoides. Six species are new occurrences: Dendrophorbium fastigiaticephalum, Graphistylis argyrotricha, S. paulensis, S. paucijugus, S. pseudostigophlebius and S. stigophlebius. Identification key of genera and species from Minas Gerais, descriptions, and comments on the taxonomy, geographical distribution and habitats, besides illustrations are given.

Although biological surveys and taxonomic revisions provide key information to ecological and evolutionary studies, there is a clear lack of floristic and phytogeographic studies of the mountainous regions of Brazil, which harbor some of the most threatened plant ecosystems on the planet. Myrtaceae has been reported to be one of the most important families in the upland areas of Brazil, as well as in the Atlantic Forest Domain. In this study, we investigated the floristic composition of Myrtaceae throughout the Espinhaço Mountain Range and adjacent highlands of central-eastern Brazil, testing the following hypotheses: floristic similarity increases with geographic proximity; and species distribution is affected by geoclimatic variables. We performed statistical analyses using a database containing records of 199 species in 19 areas and of their respective geoclimatic variables. We also performed ordination analysis using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), the first and second axes of which explained 69% and 78% of the variation, respectively. The NMDS analysis demonstrated that variations in the Myrtaceae flora are highly sensitive to geoclimatic variables and geographic proximity. The NMDS ordination also showed a predominantly south-north gradient, as did the cluster analysis. This gradient was highly correlated with variations in rainfall and temperature, which are also associated with the three domains that coincide with the Espinhaço Mountain Range.

Rare and narrowly endemic species are more vulnerable to extinction due to their restricted geographical distribution. the genus Petunia has 14 species and most of them are endemic to a restricted area. Four Petunia species that grow in Southern Brazil were studied: P. bonjardinensis, P. reitzii, P. integrifolia subsp. depauperata, and P. exserta. We presented a preliminary study on the genetic diversity of five populations of Petunia, using allozyme markers. For the genetic analyses, allozyme electrophoresis was carried out and eight enzyme systems were reliably scored. Standard measures of allozyme diversity were calculated. The highest genetic diversity and the highest fixation index was found in the two studied populations of P. bonjardinensis (P = 90, Âp= 2.2 and 1.9, e Hˆ = 0.33 and 0.30, F = 0.31 and 0.27); this species occurs in small isolated patches, that may restrict gene flow among populations. Petunia reitzii showed the second highest genetic diversity values (P = 78, Âp= 1.78, e Hˆ= 0.28), and Petunia integrifolia subsp. depauperata showed moderate values (P = 40, Âp= 1.4 and e Hˆ= 0.11). Petunia exserta did not show any polymorphic locus. Our results show the urgency of preserving the studied population of P. exserta that did not show any allozyme variation and occurs in a very particular and threatened habitat.

Las especies raras y estrictamente endémicas son más vulnerables a la extinción debido a su distribución geográfica restringida. El genero Petunia tiene 14 especies y la mayoría de ellas son endémicas de áreas restringidas. Se estudiaron cuatro taxones de Petunia que crecen en el sur de Brasil: P. bonjardinensis, P. reitzii, P. integrifolia subsp. depauperata y P. exserta. Se presenta un estudio preliminar de la diversidad genética de cinco poblaciones de Petunia utilizando marcadores de alozimas. Para los análisis de electroforesis de alozimas se llevaron a cabo ocho sistemas enzimáticos. Se calcularon las medidas estándar de diversidad. La mayor diversidad genética y también el índice de fijación más alto se encontró en las dos poblaciones estudiadas de P. bonjardinensis (P = 90, Âp= 2.2 y 1.9, e Hˆ = 0.33 y 0.30, F = 0.31 y 0.27); esta especie se encuentra en pequeñas zonas aisladas entre sí, lo que puede dificultar el flujo génico interpoblacional. Petunia reitzii mostró los segundos valores más altos de diversidad genética (P = 78, Âp= 1.78, e Hˆ = 0.28) y P. integrifolia mostró valores moderados (P = 40, Âp= 1.4 y e Hˆ = 0.11). Petunia exserta no mostró loci polimórficos. Nuestros resultados muestran la urgencia de preservar la población estudiada de P. exserta, que no mostró ninguna variación alozímica y se encuentra en un hábitat muy particular y amenazado.

A Mata Atlântica do médio rio Doce é considerada uma das formações vegetais mais ameaçadas de Minas Gerais, devido à intensa destruição ocorrida no passado. As florestas encontradas representam a única fonte de informação sobre a vegetação da região. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar algumas comunidades arbóreas do Parque Estadual do Rio Doce e de fragmentos do entorno quanto à estrutura, composição, similaridade florística e distribuição das espécies. Foram estudadas seis áreas usando o método de ponto quadrante. Em cada área foram amostrados 70 pontos tomando-se as medidas de circunferência (> 15 cm) e altura das árvores. No total foram identificadas 61 famílias, 195 gêneros e 373 espécies. O número de famílias variou de 30 a 36 por área de estudo e o de espécies de 80 a 101. A similaridade florística (Jaccard) entre as áreas variou de 6,3 a 24,1 %, mostrando serem as florestas bastante distintas. Houve correlação significativa (CCA) entre a distribuição de espécies e as variáveis de solo. Os índices de diversidade de Shannon (H') variaram de 3,66 a 4,10. O valor mediano dos diâmetros variou de 8,0 a 10,9 cm e o das alturas de 7,0 a 10,0 m. A heterogeneidade florística encontrada no Parque Estadual do Rio Doce e nos fragmentos do entorno refletiu o histórico de perturbações e a influência dos fatores edáficos na distribuição das espécies arbóreas no médio rio Doce.

The Atlantic Forest of the middle Rio Doce is considered one of the most endangered vegetation of Minas Gerais, because of intensive destruction occurred in the past. The forests are the only sources of information of the original vegetation in the region. The aim of this study was to characterize the floristic composition, structure, floristic similarity and the species distribution of the forest community from Rio Doce state park and neighboring areas. We studied six sites, using the point-centered quarter method. In each area, we sampled 70 points, and measured circumference (> 15 cm) and height of trees. We found 61 families, 195 genera and 373 species. The number of families varied from 30 to 36 for study area and, the number of species from 80 to 101. Floristic similarity indexes (Jaccard) among areas ranged from 6.3 to 24.1 %, showing that the areas were very different. There was significant relationship between species distribution and soil variables. Shannon Diversity Indexes varied from 3.66 to 4.10. The median diameter varied from 8.0 to 10.9 cm and the height from 7.0 to 10.0 m. The floristic heterogeneity seems to reflect the disturbance history and the influence of soil factors in the distribution of tree species in the middle Rio Doce.

Apresentamos neste trabalho o estudo taxonômico das Myrtaceae ocorrentes no Parque Estadual do Itacolomi (PEIT), uma Unidade de Conservação localizada no estado de Minas Gerais, no sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço. A vegetação da área é formada por florestas montanas tropicais e campos rupestres. Para o tratamento taxonômico foram elaboradas descrições, comentários, chaves de identificação e ilustrações. Foram realizadas coletas de setembro 2009 a dezembro de 2010 e foram revisados os herbários BHCB, OUPR, RB e VIC. A família está representada no PEIT por 11 gêneros e 44 espécies: Blepharocalyx (1 sp.), Calyptranthes (1 sp.), Campomanesia (4 spp.), Eugenia (4 spp.), Marlierea (3 spp.), Myrceugenia (2 spp.), Myrcia (20 spp.), Myrciaria (1 sp.), Plinia (1 sp.), Psidium (3 spp.) e Siphoneugena (4 spp.).

This work aims identify and characterize species of Myrtaceae occurring in the Itacolomi State Park (PEIT), located in the state of Minas Gerais, in southern Espinhaço Range. The vegetation in the area comprises tropical montane forests and "campos rupestres". Descriptions, comments, identification keys and illustrations are presented. Collections were made in the PEIT from September 2009 to December 2010 and the BHCB, OUPR, RB and VIC herbaria were revised. The survey resulted in 44 species occurring in the PEIT, belonging to 11 genera: Blepharocalyx (1 sp.), Calyptranthes (1 sp.), Campomanesia (4 spp.), Eugenia (4 spp.), Marlierea (3 spp.), Myrceugenia (2 spp.), Myrcia (20 spp.), Myrciaria (1 spp.), Plinia (1 spp.), Psidium (3 spp.) and Siphoneugena (4 spp.).

Extratos etanólicos de dezoito espécies vegetais pertencentes à família Bignoniaceae, das quais sete são descritas como de uso medicinal, foram avaliados, pelo ensaio colorimétrico do MTT, para atividades citotóxica, em células Vero, e antiviral, frente aos vírus herpes simplex-tipo 1, vaccinia e encefalomiocardite murina. A maior parte dos extratos não apresentou citotoxicidade até a concentração de 500 μg/mL. Dos 28 extratos testados quatorze (50%) apresentaram atividade antiviral com valores de CE50 na faixa de 4,6+03 a 377,2+17,7 μg/mL. Somente duas espécies, Arrabidaea samydoides e Callichlamys latifolia, foram ativas frente aos três vírus. Os extratos foram caracterizados pelos seus perfís cromatográficos em CCD e CLAE-FR. Análises por CLAE-FR mostraram que a mangiferina é o constituinte majoritário em A. samydoides mas a substância isolada foi menos ativa do que o extrato bruto. Esta é a primeira vez que se relata a atividade antiviral de extratos das dezoito espécies avaliadas.

Ethanol extracts of eighteen Bignoniaceae species have been evaluated by the MTT assay for cytotoxicity in Vero cells and for antiviral activity against Human herpes virus type 1, Vaccinia virus and murine Encephalomyocarditis virus. Among such species, seven are reported to be of traditional medicinal use No cytotoxicity was observed for most of the extracts up to the concentration of 500 μg/mL. Fourteen (50%) of the 28 extracts assayed have disclosed antiviral activity with EC50 values in the range of 4.6+0.3 to 377.2+17.7 μg/mL. Only two species, Arrabidaea samydoides and Callichlamys latifolia, have shown activity against all the three viruses. The extracts were chemically characterized by their TLC and HPLC-DAD profiles. Mangiferin is the major constituent of A. samydoides but the isolated compound has been less active than the crude extract. This is the first report on the antiviral evaluation of the eighteen Bignoniaceae species assayed.

Resumo São apresentadas novidades taxonômicas para Dilleniaceae da flora brasileira provenientes da revisão de dados bibliográficos e da revisão de herbários. Uma nova espécie, Davilla lanosa Fraga & Stehmann, é descrita, ilustrada e comentada acerca dos caracteres diagnósticos e das afinidades com outras espécies do gênero, sendo conhecida de duas localidades em Rondônia e uma ao sul do Amazonas, Brasil. É também estabelecida uma nova combinação e um novo status para Doliocarpus littoralis (Kubitzki) Fraga & Stehmann, baseado em uma subespécie de Doliocarpus major J.F.Gmel, e comentada a ocorrência de Neodillenia peruviana Aymard, um novo registro para a flora do Brasil.

Abstract Updates on Dilleniaceae from the Brazilian flora are presented from bibliographic databases and herbaria collections. A new species Davilla lanosa Fraga & Stehmann is described morphologically and illustrated and its affinities to other species of the genus are discussed. The new species is known from two localities in Rondônia and one in southwestern Amazonas, Brazil. A new combination and new status for Doliocarpus littoralis (Kubitzki) Fraga & Stehmann is also proposed that assumes a specific level to be segregated from Doliocarpus major J. F. Gmel. The occurrence of Neodillenia peruviana Aymar is reported and commented on for Brazil.

O subgênero Decaloba, ao qual pertencem as espécies de Passiflora L. com flores pequenas, é pouco estudado do ponto de vista reprodutivo, o qual pode contribuir para esclarecimento das relações filogenéticas no gênero Passiflora. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a biologia reprodutiva e a polinização de populações de duas espécies desse subgênero, P. capsularis e P. pohlii, ocorrentes no estado de Minas Gerais. Determinou-se a receptividade do estigma, viabilidade dos grãos de pólen e a concentração do néctar. Foram realizadas polinizações controladas para verificar o sistema reprodutivo. Foram registrados os visitantes florais e a carga polínica. As flores de ambas as espécies abrem à noite; em P. pohlii a antese iniciou-se por volta das 3 h e a senescência ocorreu por volta das 11 h, já em P. capsularis, a abertura se deu no mesmo horário, mas a senescência ocorreu por volta das 14h. A concentração do néctar e viabilidade do pólen foram, respectivamente, 34,88 ± 7,66% e 80 ± 0,15% em P. pohlii e 22,33 ± 5,82% e 92 ± 0,06% em P. capsularis. Passiflora pohlii é alógama e autoincompatível, enquanto que P. capsularis é autógama e autocompatível. Passiflora pohlii teve como polinizadores três espécies de abelhas do gênero Ptiloglossa (Colletidae), enquanto que em P. capsularis os visitantes florais observados foram considerados pilhadores de pólen e néctar. A antese noturna encontrada nas espécies de Passiflora estudadas sugere haver uma relação evolutiva entre espécies de Passiflora subg. Decaloba e himenópteros com hábito noturno, especialmente abelhas do gênero Ptiloglossa.

The subgenus Decaloba (Passifloraceae) is poorly studied on reproductive aspects, which may help our understanding on phylogenetic relationships in the genus. The purpose of this work was to study the reproductive biology and pollination of Passiflora pohlii and P. capsularis, two species belonging to this subgenus with occurrence in Minas Gerais state. Stigma receptivity, pollen viability and nectar concentration were determined. Controlled pollination experiments were done to assess the breeding system. Floral visitors and pollen load were observed. In both species, the flowers start to open during the night. P. pohlii anthesis begins about 3:00 a.m. and its senescence about 11:00 a.m.; the flowers of P. capsularis opened about 3:00 a.m. and closed about 2:00 p.m. The concentration of the nectar and viability of the pollen had been, respectively, 34.88 ± 7.66% and 80 ± 0.15% in P. pohlii and 22.33 ± 5.82% and 92 ± 0.06% in P. capsularis. Passiflora pohlii was xenogamous and self-incompatible and P. capsularis autogamous and self-compatible. Passiflora pohlii had as pollinators three species of Ptiloglossa (Colletidae) and in P. capsularis all observed visitors were considered nectar and pollen thieves. The nocturnal anthesis showed by studied species of Passiflora suggests an evolutionary relationship among Passiflora subg. Decaloba and hymenoptera, especially Ptiloglossa bees.

RESUMO A Estação de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Ambiental de Peti, um mosaico sucessional, localizase na região mineradora do Alto Rio Doce, bacia do rio Santa Bárbara. Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a estrutura fitossociológica de cinco áreas de floresta em diferentes estádios sucessionais e avaliar relações entre vegetação e solo. Em cada área foram amostrados 48 pontos-quadrantes e medidas as alturas e circunferências (≥ 15 cm) dos troncos das árvores. No total, foram identificadas 45 famílias, 116 gêneros e 191 espécies. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, Melastomataceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae. Pogonophora schomburgkiana, Cupania ludowigii, Astronium fraxinifolium e Mabea fistulifera foram espécies de maior valor de importância. A altura média dos indivíduos variou, entre as áreas, de 7,1 ± 2,1 a 9,2 ± 3,4 m e o diâmetro médio de 8,9 ± 5,1 a 12,1 ± 7,1 cm. Duas áreas apresentaram constituição florística diferentes, de acordo com o resultado da análise de similaridade. O índice de diversidade de Shannon para espécies foi 4,58 nats/indivíduo, o que indica alta diversidade, resultante da presença de mosaico sucessional. A área que sofreu corte seletivo apresentou maior riqueza florística em comparação as demais áreas estudadas, estando todas sobre solos pobres em nutrientes e com altos níveis de alumínio.

ABSTRACT The Estação de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Ambiental de Peti, a successional mosaic of forests, is located in a mining region at the Upper Doce River in the municipalities of Santa Bárbara and São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo, Minas Gerais. The aim of this study was to describe the phytosociological structure and evaluate the relationship between vegetation and soil of five forest areas in different successional stages. In each area, we sampled 48 points using the Point-centered quarter method, and measured circunference at breast height (CBH≥ 15 cm) and heigh of trees. We registered a total of 45 families, 116 genera and 191 tree species. Families with highest number of species were Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, Melastomataceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae. Pogonophora schomburgkiana, Cupania ludowigii, Astronium fraxinifolium and Mabea fistulifera had the highest importance value index. Mean height ranged from 7.1 ± 2.1 to 9.2 ± 3.4 m and mean diameter from 8.9 ± 5.1 to 12.1 ± 7.1 cm. Two areas showed different floristic composition, according to similarity analysis. Shannon Diversity Index was 4.58 nats/individual, indicating considerable diversity, a result of the successional mosaic. The area submitted to selective cut presented highest floristic richness in comparison to the other areas analyzed, all of them occurring on poor soils with high levels of aluminum.