ABSTRACT DNA fingerprinting based on SSR amplification profiles was applied to native species of Piper from the Atlantic Forest to compare the utility of this type of molecular marker with the morphological characters traditionally applied in Piper taxonomy and identification. Fifty-one SSR markers developed for four species of Piper native to Asia and Mesoamerica were applied to 16 species, together with 63 morphological characters, for species characterization. Molecular and morphological data were analysed by cluster analysis, followed by a cluster sharpness test and the construction of a heat map to visualize the association of characters with species groups. A multivariate regression tree determined the number of loci needed for species identification. Forty-five primers were transferable to at least four species. Molecular data were more efficient in detecting sharp groups than morphological data. Species groups delimited by a set of shared morphological characters were differentiated based on molecular data. The sixteen studied species could be separated by nine primers, demonstrating the cross-species transferability of SSR markers and the usefulness of DNA fingerprinting for both the delimitation and the identification of species of Piper.

ABSTRACT Although a species’ sexual system may influence the genetic diversity of its populations in their natural environment, there have been few such studies involving indigenous species of the Atlantic Forest. Here we study Myrsine coriacea, a dioecious tree widely used in reforestation programs despite a lack of information about its natural interpopulation genetic variation. To address this knowledge gap, intra- and interpopulation genetic diversity were measured for male and female individuals of ten natural populations using ISSR markers. Greater intrapopulation genetic diversity indicated interpopulation gene flow, regardless of isolation and distance between populations. Multivariate analyses detected significant differences in genetic diversity between populations, but not between males and females, which indicates that genetic diversity did not differ between the two sex morphs. Distance between populations was unrelated to genetic diversity. Myrsine coriacea has not experienced a loss of genetic variability despite the characteristic segregated spatial distribution of its populations. These results suggest that obligatory cross-pollination and dispersal by birds may be important mechanisms for the maintenance of genetic diversity in natural populations of M. coriacea.

Resumo A conservação e o manejo da Floresta Atlântica dependem de conhecimento confiável sobre quantas e quais espécies este bioma abriga. Inventários florísticos têm um importante papel neste processo, especialmente quando conduzidos em remanescentes pouco conhecidos com alta prioridade de conservação. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo realizado no gênero Piper (Piperaceae) no Parque Estadual de Mata das Flores, município de Castelo, estado do Espírito Santo (ES). O estudo foi baseado na análise de espécimes herborizados, assim como observados a campo, em expedições realizadas de fevereiro de 2012 a agosto de 2015. Vinte espécies de Piper foram identificadas. Destas, Piper dilatatum, P. macedoi e P. piliovarium foram registradas pela primeira vez para o estado do Espírito Santo. Piper bicorne, espécie endêmica do ES e conhecida apenas para o Município de Santa Leopoldina, teve a sua distribuição geográfica expandida para o Município de Castelo. A maior parte das espécies de Piper no PEMF ocorre nas áreas de vale, e frequentemente próximas a cursos d'água. Tal fato gera preocupação em relação à conservação destas espécies, dado que estas áreas são justamente as mais afetadas pela expansão das áreas urbana e rural do entorno.

Abstract The conservation and management of the Atlantic Forest depends upon reliable knowledge about how many and which species this biome shelters. Floristic inventories have an important role in this process, especially when conducted in poorly known remnants, with a high conservation priority. This paper presents the study of the genus Piper (Piperaceae) in the Mata das Flores State Park, Castelo municipality, Espírito Santo state (ES). The study was based on the analysis of dried specimens, as well as those observed in the field, from February 2012 to August 2015. Twenty species of piper were identified. Amongst these species, Piper dilatatum, P. macedoi and P. piliovarium were recorded for the first time for the Espírito Santo state. Piper bicorne, an endemic species from ES and known only for the Santa Leopoldina municipality, had its geographical distribution expanded to the Castelo municipality. Most of the Piper species in the MFSP occur in valleys, and they are commonly found near watercourses. This is worrying given that these areas are just the most affected by the expansion of the rural and urban areas that surround the Park.