Abstract Lychnophorinae comprises 19 genera and 117 species. Its representatives are found mostly in the rocky grasslands (“campos rupestres”) of Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Goiás States, Brazil. This study presents a palynological investigation of 10 species belonging to the genus Piptolepis, endemic to the rocky grasslands of the Espinhaço Mountains, in Minas Gerais State. The plant material used in this investigation was obtained from specimens deposited in Brazilian herbaria. Pollen grains were processed by the acetolysis method, measured, described, and photomicrographed in light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological observations revealed Piptolepis pollen to be large, prolate spheroidal in most species, 3-colporate, ectoapertures long, sexine subechinolophate or sublophate. Endoapertures vary from almost circular, lalongate or lalongate, with a median constriction observed only in three species. Three types of spines were identified: prostrate and disorganized, elongated and narrow, and conical, erect, apex acute in the other species. This first palynological study of Piptolepis species allowed the separation of representatives of the genus using pollen keys. The most significant characters were pollen shape, ornamentation, endoaperture, and presence of median constriction in the endoaperture. The findings presented here do not support the infrageneric classification of Piptolepis, as pollen characters were not unique to any section.

ABSTRACT This work aimed to morphologically characterize 22 species of Spermacoceae s.s found in the Atlantic Forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro with the purpose of improving palynological knowledge of the studied species. The studied species included six species of Borreria and Denscantia cymosa, Emmeorhiza umbellata, Hexasepalum apiculatum, H. radula, H. teres, Manettia fimbriata, Mitracarpus eichleri, M. frigidus, M. hirtus, M. lhotzkyanus, M. megapotamicus, Oldenlandia salzmannii, Pentodon pentandrus, Richardia brasiliensis, Richardia scabra and Spermacoce rubescens. Acetolysed pollen grains were analyzed using light (LM) and scanning electron miscroscopy (SEM). The pollen grains varied in size (polar diameter) from medium to large, with the exception of Hexasepalum teres which was very large. Pollen grains were oblate spheroidal in most species, suboblate in six species, prolate spheroidal in Spermacoce rubescens and subprolate in Manettia fimbriata. All pollen grains were colporate, while number of apertures varied (three-19). The endoaperture was lolongate in most species and lalongate in four species. Sexine ornamentation varied among reticulate, reticulate-granulate, microreticulate, granulate with perforation, echinate-perforate and vermiculate. Pollen attributes were found to distinguish the studied species, but do not separate genera, confirming that Spermacoceae is euripolynic.

Resumo O objetivo desse estudo foi caracterizar a morfologia polínica das espécies de Grewioideae ocorrentes no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Grãos de pólen de 12 espécies foram examinados: tribo Apeibeae (Apeiba tibourbou, Corchorus hirsutus, Triumfetta althaeoides, T. grandiflora, T. obscura, T. rhomboidea) e tribo Grewieae (Luehea candicans, L. conwentzii, L. divaricata, L. grandiflora, L. ochrophylla, L. paniculata). Os grãos de pólen foram acetolisados, medidos, descritos e ilustrados sob microscopia de luz (ML). Para observar detalhes da superfície e abertura, grãos de pólen não acetolisados foram analisados em microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) e, posteriormente, eletromicrografados. Foram caracterizados os grãos de pólen quanto à forma, ao tamanho, ao tipo de abertura, à polaridade e à constituição da exina. As espécies analisadas possuem grãos de pólen médios a grandes, isopolares, peroblatos a prolatos, 3-cólporos e sexina reticulada. Na chave polínica, a maioria das espécies pôde ser separada pelos atributos palinológicos. Isso permite considerar que as espécies aqui estudadas são euripolinícas, uma vez que é possível reconhecer a maioria das espécies pelas características palinológicas. Acredita-se que, o presente estudo fornece dados polínicos que podem auxiliar na identificação das espécies de Grewioideae que ocorrem no estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Abstract The objective of this study was to characterize the pollen morphology of the Grewioideae species occurring in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Pollen grains of 12 species were examined: tribe Apeibeae (Apeiba tibourbou, Corchorus hirsutus, Triumfetta althaeoides, T. grandiflora, T. obscura, T. rhomboidea) and tribe Grewieae (Luehea candicans, L. conwentzii, L. divaricata, L. grandiflora, L. ochrophylla, L. paniculata). The pollen grains were acetolysed, measured, described and illustrated under light microscopy (LM). To observe the surface and opening, pollen grains not acetolysed were analyzed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) and subsequently eletromicrographs. Were characterized pollen grains as the shape, size, opening type, the polarity and the exina constitution. The analyzed species have pollen grains medium to large, isopolar, peroblate to prolate, 3-colporate and reticulated sexine. In pollen key, most species could be separated those attributes palynological. It allows consider that species which were studied here are euripolinic, since it is possible to recognize most species by palynological characteristics. It is believed that the present study provides pollen characteristics data that may help identify the species of Grewioideae that occur in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

ABSTRACT The palynological diversity of Blechnaceae in the Atlantic Forest was investigated. While the monophyletic family belongs to the group of leptosporangiate ferns, a new classification proposed by recent phylogenetic study reorganizes the family and adds new genera. To expand palynological knowledge of the group, the spore morphology of 23 species and a hybrid, distributed among 10 genera, was described. Material from herbarium collections were submitted to acetolysis and mounted on slides, with subsequent statistical analysis of spore measurements. Photomicrographs of the material were taken under both light and scanning electron microscopy. Perine ornamentation varied among psilate, rugulate and scabrate; granules and gemmae were present along with thin, smooth cristae. Species of Blechnum and Austroblechnum exhibited the greatest diversity. The attributes of the spores obtained here were able to differentiate the analyzed species, although the spore morphology of some taxa was found to be very similar. Multivariate analysis assessed the relevance of quantitative data for differentiating the taxa.

ABSTRACT The subgenus Astrophea is one of the most critical and neglected subgenera of the genus Passiflora. Seven Brazilian species of P. subg. Astrophea were found to be in need of typification. Lectotypes are designated for the following names: Passiflora cauliflora, P. leptopoda, P. ceratocarpa, P. faroana, P. rhamnifolia, P. sclerophylla and P. tessmannii. An epitype was also designated for the name P. tessmannii. In addition, Passiflora alliacea was synonymized with Passiflora pentagona.

Abstract There are nine species of the plant genus Verbesina in Brazil, which are distributed in the Northeast, Center-West, Southeast and South regions of the country. The objective of the present study was to describe the pollinic morphology of eight of these species to better characterize them and evaluate potential species-level taxonomic characters. Acetolysed pollen material was measured within seven days under light microscopy, while non-acetolyzsed pollen grains were used for scanning electronic microscopy. The pollen grains were found to be oblate-spheroidal, medium-sized, isopolar, monads that are 3-colporate with a subtriangular amb, a small polar area, a long colpus, a lalongate endoaperture, a caveate exine and an echinate sexine. Although the shape of the pollen grains of these Brazilian species of Verbesina is homogeneous, some attributes were observed to be useful for characterizing the species, such as exine thickness, distance between spines and side of the apocolpus.

ABSTRACT The procedures for a set of techniques to recover grains of pollen 26 and spores from liquid samples are described. Liquefied samples of matrices, such as melting lakes, snow and ice, can provide a record of climatic and environmental events at different geographic and temporal scales. The need for standardization of techniques was demonstrated in research carried out with matrices of snow and water of thawing lakes and snow collected on King George and Joinville islands (Antarctica). The use of the methods described can permit increased rescue of palynomorphs from liquid matrices, thereby adding greater reliability to palynological data and its use as a biotracer of environmental events. Methods of sieving and centrifugation were tested, and sieving proved more efficient for the matrices analyzed.

ABSTRACT Based on molecular data, the tribe Chironieae (Gentianaceae) is divided into three subtribes. This study aims to describe the pollen morphology of representatives of two of the three subtribes that occur in the Atlantic Forest in order to contribute to a better understanding of the palynology of these taxa and to clarify the taxonomy of the family: subtribe Chironiinae (Centaurium erythraea and Zygostigma australe) and subtribe Coutoubeinae (Coutoubea ramosa, C. spicata, Deianira chiquitiana, D. damazioi, D. erubescens, D. nervosa and D. pallescens). Botanical material was obtained from exsicates and treated by acetolysis for light microscopy. Pollen grains were measured and photomicrographed, and the results statistically analyzed. For SEM study, non-acetolyzed pollen grains were sprayed onto metal stubs. The results show that the pollen grains in Chironiinae are medium-sized, prolate-spheroidal or subprolate, 3-colporate, monads, with striate-reticulate ornamentation. In Coutoubeinae the pollen grains are large or medium-sized tetrads with aperture varying between 3-porate or 3-hemicolpates and the sexine microreticulate (D. erubescens) or varied reticulate (the other species). Pollen morphology proved to be an important tool for the systematics of the family since it corroborated the existing placement of species into subtribes based on molecular data.

ABSTRACT The center of diversity for Passiflora subg. Astrophea is in low altitude areas of northern South America. The majority of species of this group are difficult to find in nature. Seed morphology was described in detail for 25 species of Passiflora subgenus Astrophea, a subgenus that until now did not exist. For morphological analysis, 20 seeds per species were measured for length, width and thickness, and the arithmetic means calculated. The seeds varied in length, width and thickness. Eight types of ornamentation were found. The margins varied among crestate, dentate, parted, entire and parted-crestate. The seed apex can be distinguished by the shape and position of the apical appendage. Seed shape varied among obovate, lanceolate, cordiform, and oblong to elliptical. An identification key was developed and a PCA was performed both using the principal morphological characters. Morphological characters of seeds are a new source of data for delimiting taxa with quite conflicting morphological boundaries, such as seen here with the Passiflora subgenus Astrophea. Furthermore, seed morphology is especially useful for the identification of specimens with only fruits and, consequently, seeds available.

Resumo A andiroba (Carapa) representa uma importante fonte de recursos naturais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a morfologia polínica das três espécies de Carapa (Meliaceae) registradas na Amazônia brasileira. Os grãos de pólen foram obtidos de botões florais, flores pistiladas e estaminadas de Carapa guianensis, C. surinamensis e C. vasquezii. A fim de explorar as implicações taxonômicas do estudo de pólen para estas espécies de Carapa, o material foi preparado de acordo com o método de acetólise láctico, permitindo a utilização de estudos de microscopia de luz. Além disso, o material não-acetolisado foi utilizado no estudo da microscopia eletrônica de varredura. O estudo mostra que as três espécies de Carapa apresentam pequenas variações na morfologia polínica. Comparada com as outras espécies deste estudo, Carapa vasquezii têm valores mais elevados para o comprimento e largura da endoabertura, entretanto, tem valores inferiores para diâmetro polar, equatorial, diâmetro equatorial em vista polar e lado do apocolpo.

Abstract The crabwood (Carapa) represents an important source of natural resources. The objective of this work was to study the pollen morphology of the three species of Carapa (Meliaceae) registered in the Brazilian Amazon. The pollen grains were obtained from floral buds, pistillate and staminate flowers of Carapa guianensis, C. surinamensis and C. vasquezii. In order to explore the taxonomic implications of the pollen study for these species of Carapa, lactic acetolysis method was used for light microscopy study. Furthermore, the non-acetolyzed material was used in the study of the scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the three Carapa species present little variations in pollen morphology. Compared to the other species this study, Carapa vasquezii has higher values for the length and width of endoaperture; however, it has lower values for polar and equatorial diameter, equatorial diameter in polar view and apocolpium side.

Resumo Beija-flores são o grupo de aves polinizadoras mais importantes nos Neotrópicos e tendem a utilizar, concomitantemente, mais de uma espécie de planta como fonte de alimento. O pólen pode estar misturado no corpo dos beija-flores devido às visitas em diferentes espécies de plantas, portanto, essas aves podem promover deposição de pólen heterospecífico (DPH). O potencial dos beija-flores em promover DPH, a ocorrência de DPH e suas consequências na reprodução das plantas são pouco conhecidas na Mata Atlântica. Nós estudamos o transporte de pólen por três espécies de beija-flores da Mata Atlântica brasileira. Nós também verificamos a ocorrência de DPH em condições naturais em duas espécies de planta, Canistropsis seidelii e Psychotria nuda. Além disso, nós investigamos o sistema reprodutivo de Nidularium innocentii, avaliando o efeito de DPH em sua reprodução ao simular uma polinização com mistura de pólen. Nós encontramos beija-flores transportando misturas de pólen heterospecífico em seus corpos, que por sua vez foram depositados nos estigmas de diferentes espécies. Nós também encontramos que a deposição de mistura de pólen tem um efeito negativo na aptidão de N. innocentii. Nós concluimos que beija-flores carregam misturas de pólen na mesma região do corpo, levando a um potencial DPH ao nível da comunidade. Além disso, comunidades de plantas e beija-flores na Floresta Atlântica exibem diversas similaridades em sua organização temporal e padrão de interações. Isso sugere que DPH pode ser um fenômeno difundido nestas comunidades.

Abstract Hummingbirds are the most important group of pollinating birds in the Neotropics and tend to use, concomitantly, more than one plant species as food source. Pollen may be mixed on hummingbirds' body due to the visits to different plant species; therefore, these birds may promote heterospecific pollen deposition (HPD). The hummingbirds potential to promote HPD, the occurrence of HPD and its implications in plant reproduction are scarcely known in the Atlantic Forest. We have studied the transport of pollen by three hummingbird species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We have also checked the actual HPD occurrence under natural conditions in two plant species, namely Canistropsis seidelii and Psychotria nuda. Moreover, we investigated Nidularium innocentii reproductive system evaluating the effect of HPD on its reproduction by simulating a pollen mixture pollination. We found hummingbirds transporting heterospecific pollen mixtures on their bodies, which in turn were deposited onto stigmas of different species. We have also found that mixed pollen deposition had negative effect on the fitness of N. innocentii. We conclude that hummingbirds carry pollen mixtures at the same body parts, leading to potential HPD at the community level. Moreover, hummingbird-plant communities in the Atlantic Rainforest show remarkable similarities in temporal organization and interaction pattern. This suggests that HPD may be a widespread phenomena in these communities.

This paper presents the results of a palynological study of the species ofGraphistylis that were segregated fromSenecio (s.l.) (Seneciosect. Dichroa) and that are all endemic of Brazil. These species are found in mountainous regions of the states of Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina. The pollen grains of eight species were acetolyzed and analyzed and photographed using light microscopy. Unacetolyzed pollen grains were analyzed and photomicrographed using scanning electron microscopy. The current study undertook a palynologically analysis of Graphistylis in order to obtain information useful for making a better ranking of these genus. The results show medium-sized pollen grains that were oblate spheroidal or prolate spheroidal and subtriangular amb and tricolporate. The pollen grains possessed lalongate endoapertures with a median constriction and the presence of costa in only two species. The exine is echinate with a varying number of spines in the apocolpium region around the central spine in polar view. The spines are short with basal perforations at varying distances. Although the morphology of the pollen of species ofGraphistylis is very similar, multivariate analysis highlights the importance of quantitative traits in distinguishing species.

Pollen grains from twelve species of the Passifloraceae family from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest were analyzed: Passiflora subg. Astrophea (1sp.), P.subg. Decaloba (1sp.) and P.subg. Passiflora (10spp.). The current study aims to acquire additional information and feature the pollen morphology of the herein studied species to help setting a more precise taxa delimitation. Acetolyzed pollen grains were measured, described and illustrated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains were medium or large sized, oblate spheroidal, suboblate, prolate spheroidal and subprolate; 4-colpate (P. kermesina), 6-12-pantocolporate (P. mediterranea), 6-colpate (P. mucronata), 6-colporate (P. pentagona), 12-colporate (P. misera) or 6-syncolpate (in most species). The presence of reticulate sexine, pseudopercula, pontopercula and/or opercula was observed. The endoaperture was just found in P. pentagonaand P. misera. It was concluded that pollen morphology is an important source of taxonomic features useful for distinguishing species and characterizing the three subgenera. The current study provides additional information that, along with other previously published studies, will enable a better understanding of phylogenetic relations among these strains.

This paper presents morphological descriptions and ecological data of cryptogam spores and other non-pollen palynomorphs from Quaternary sediments of Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro, SE Brazil. The ages were derived from biostratigraphy of planktonic foraminifers and two radiocarbon dates, and suggest that sediment deposition started in the last 140,000 years BP. Thirty different types of palynomorphs were identified, described, and photographed: two bryophyte spores (sensu lato); 21 pteridophyte spores; four freshwater microalgae; onePseudoschizaea; and two microfungi. Some of the identified spores (Sphagnum, Blechnum, Cyatheaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Lycopodiella, Microgramma, Polypodium, Acrostichum, Pityrogramma, and Lygodium) are related to the modern flora found on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State, at the Restinga of Jurubatiba, from vegetation types such as shrub swamp/coastal swamp formation, seasonally flooded forest, Clusia and Ericaceae woods, and disturbed vegetation. The freshwater microalgae and the microfungi are also presently recorded from the coastal lagoons of this region. The high spore concentration in slope sediments reflects the intense terrigenous influx, caused by a relative low sealevel during glacial stages. Palynological analysis suggests the presence of taxa from flooded forests and humid areas in the coastal plain during glacial and interglacial stages of the Late Pleistocene.

We analyzed the pollen grains of 11 species within the subfamily Bombacoideae. The pollen grains were acetolyzed, after which they were analyzed and photographed under light microscopy. Unacetolyzed pollen grains were analyzed and photomicrographed under scanning electron microscopy. We studied pollen characters such as shape, size, exine ornamentation and aperture type. The species were separated by a pollen key, which considers the presence or absence of "calotte" in the pollen grains. This attribute separated Ceiba and Eriotheca from the other genera. Some species are differentiated by specific characters: in Bombacopsis glabra and B. stenopetala, the sexine is rugulate or "vermiculate" with isolated pilate elements; in B. calophylla, the pollen grains are sinu-aperturate; Ceiba speciosa show atypical, duplicolumellate sexine; C. erianthos is the only species with 5-colporate pollen grains and a pentagonal amb; in Pachira aquatica the reticulum has muri with spiculaspinulose muri ("reticulum cristate"). The variation in the pollen morphology confirms the eurypalynous status of the genera studied here.