ArticlePDF Available

Two new and endangered species of Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae) from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil

Authors:

Abstract and Figures

We describe and illustrate two new species of Syngonanthus from Chapada dos Veadeiros (Central highlands of Brazil), an area known for its high number of endemic and threatened species, such as those described here. These species have a restricted distribution and inhabit critical areas. Syngonanthus incurvifolius has not been collected since 1994 and is criti- cally endangered; Syngonanthus vittatus is known only from a small somewhat disturbed area, on private property, and is endangered. Evaluation of threatened status was provided by CNCFlora, the IUCN Red List Authority in Brazil.
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
... The genus comprises approximately 120 species that exhibit a disjunct distribution in the American and African continents [1,4]. Some species of Syngonanthus occur in rupestrian grassland, upon shallow and sandy soils over quartzites and sandstones, like most taxa of Eriocaulaceae [3,10,11]. However, fieldwork observations have shown that some species of Syngonanthus also inhabit marshy or poorly drained soils [10]. ...
... Some species of Syngonanthus occur in rupestrian grassland, upon shallow and sandy soils over quartzites and sandstones, like most taxa of Eriocaulaceae [3,10,11]. However, fieldwork observations have shown that some species of Syngonanthus also inhabit marshy or poorly drained soils [10]. ...
Article
Full-text available
In the present study, we describe and illustrate a remarkable new species of Syngonanthus from South America (Bolivia, Brazil and Peru). This new species is quickly distinguished from all species in the genus by trimerous and bisexual flowers, a unique set of characteristics in Syngonanthus. Complementary to this study, sequences of 33 species were down-loaded from GenBank and four species had sequences newly generated for this study. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and the plastid regions psbA-trnH and trnL-F were performed to determine its systematic position. The results have shown S. androgynus closely related to a well-supported clade that has been treated as Syngonanthus sect. Carphocephalus. Floral traits associated with this new plant also were surveyed. Character reconstruction suggests that the bisexual flowers originated independently more than once in the genus. However, trimerous flowers appear to be an ancestral condition of the whole genus.
... According to recent phylogenies, the former section appears paraphyletic and includes the latter (Echternacht et al. 2014, Watanabe 2015. New species in Syngonanthus are not as frequent as in Paepalanthus, but have been described in the past decade especially for Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás (Watanabe et al. 2015a, 2015b, Watanabe & Sano 2016. ...
Article
Two new micro-endemic species of Eriocaulaceae are described from the Campos Rupestres of Serra Nova State Park, a conservation unit located in the Espinhaço Range in northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Herein we provide descriptions, illustrations, photographs and maps, together with notes on morphology, distribution, phenology, taxonomy, and conservation. Paepalanthus ferrugineus is distinguished mainly by the reddish-brown involucral bracts, surpassing the floral disc, with the apex attenuate and tufted adaxially, tufted sepals and hairy petals. Syngonanthus polyaxis is easily differentiated by the inflorescence architecture with three morphologically distinct axial parts. Both species are considered Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria.
... The species occurs in areas of campo sujo (grassland with scattered low shrubs and isolated small trees) or cerrado ralo (a continuous herbaceous layer but trees and shrubs representing up to about 20% of the cover (see Ribeiro & Walter 1998, for more detailed definitions), near water courses or periodically inundated areas. The Chapada dos Veadeiros has an acknowledged high degree of endemism (Munhoz & Proença 1998, Simon & Proença 2000, Munhoz & Felfili 2006, Watanabe et al. 2015, even though the local flora remains poorly known (Munhoz & Felfili 2006, Simon et al. 2010 (Ravenna 1974: 62) Meerow in Meerow et al. (1997: 17), H. leucobasis and H. puniceum (Lamarck 1783: 122) Voss (1895: 1033. Hippeastrum paradisiacum (Ravenna 1981: 59) Meerow in Meerow et al. (1997: 18) was published from material collected in Alto Paraíso de Goiás, but is considered a synonym of H. glaucescens (Dutilh & Oliveira 2015). ...
Article
Full-text available
Monographic work on the genus Hippeastrum in Brazil has revealed two new species endemic to the Cerrado biome, here described and illustrated. Hippeastrum lunaris is a species restricted to the region of Chapada dos Veadeiros; H. mauroi is so far found only in Chapada dos Guimarães. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and taxonomic comments on the conservation status of these species are provided, in addition to comparisons with morphologically similar species. An identification key to the species of Hippeastrum occurring in the Brazilian Cerrado is presented, accompanied by photographs of these species in their natural habitats.
... The new species is apparently endemic to the Chapada dos Veadeiros (Central highlands of Brazil), in Goiás state, only known to Alto Paraíso de Goiás municipality. Ten new species of Eriocaulaceae have been described as endemic to this region in the last decade (Trovó & Sano 2011, Trovó et al. 2015, Echternacht et al. 2015, three of them are members of the genus Syngonanthus (Watanabe et al. 2015a, Watanabe et al. 2015c). ...
Article
Full-text available
We describe and illustrate Syngonanthus hensoldiae, a new species of S. sect. Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae) endemic from Chapada dos Veadeiros (Central highlands of Brazil). This region is known for its high number of endemic and threatened species, including other members of Eriocaulaceae family. This new species is known only from small populations on private properties and is considered endangered. Resumo Neste trabalho descrevemos e ilustramos Syngonanthus hensoldiae, uma nova espécie pertencente a Syngonanthus sect. Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae), endêmica da Chapada dos Veadeiros (Brasil Central). Esta região é conhecida pelo seu alto grau de endemismo e de espécies ameaçadas, incluindo algumas Eriocaulaceae. Esta nova espécie é conhecida apenas por pequenas populações ocorrentes em áreas privadas e é considerada ameaçada.
Article
Full-text available
The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is a conservation unit established to preserve the highest savannahs of Central Brazil and their unique biodiversity. Eriocaulaceae are a relevant and conspicuous family in such high savannahs, but its diversity is poorly known, documented solely in general lists or in isolated efforts aimed at small groups. After a structured series of field expeditions and analysis of specimens from the relevant herbaria, we provide nomenclatural novelties, a first identification key, and an illustrated checklist for the species of Paepalanthoideae (Eriocaulaceae) in the area. We recorded 42 species of Paepalanthoideae from the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park: Actinocephalus (Körn.) Sano (2 spp.), Comanthera L.B.Sm. (1 sp.), Paepalanthus Mart. (24 spp.), and Syngonanthus Ruhland (15 spp.). Actinocephalus brevifolius Trovó & Echtern. sp. nov. and P. irwinii Trovó & Echtern. sp. nov. are newly described species and P. politus Trovó stat. et nom. nov. is a variety of P. elongatus (Bong.) Körn. raised to the species status with a new name. The generic and specific composition shows predominance of Paepalanthus and Syngonanthus, and with a low representation of Actinocephalus and Comanthera, as expected, outside of the Espinhaço Range. More than 50% of the species (22 spp.) are endemic to the area and 25 species are endemic to Central Brazil, the area being the main center of diversity for dimerous-flowered groups. The non-endemic diversity is a combination of widespread species and marginal distribution of species typical from the Amazon and southeastern savannahs. The species are unevenly distributed in the area, with their occurrence correlated to altitude, water availability, and lithology. We reinforce that the savannahs from Central Brazil are a secondary center of diversity for Eriocaulaceae, playing a central role in the conservation of an unique and irreplaceable piece of its diversity and the Cerrado biome as well.
Article
Full-text available
Abstract— Comanthera consists of 41 species grouped in two subgenera. Both subgenera are restricted to South America and include most of the species of Eriocaulaceae used commercially as everlasting plants. Molecular and morphological phylogenies have revealed the genus and both its subgenera as monophyletic, but relationships among species have yet to be investigated. The last revision of Comanthera subg. Thysanocephalus is more than one century old, and the recognition and circumscription of taxa are still poorly understood. The present work aims, therefore, to study the taxonomy of C. subg. Thysanocephalus. Herein, descriptions of the genus and subgenus are provided along with identification keys for the subgenera and species. This taxonomic treatment proposes 17 new synonyms, excludes three taxa, and designates four lectotypes. One new species, Comanthera dimera , is described and illustrated, one variety is elevated to species status, C. angustifolia , and one species is resurrected with a new combination, C. tricostata . Nine species are accepted with no sub-specific ranks, yielding a total of 35 species in the genus Comanthera. Comments on phenology, habitat, and distribution, along with diagnoses, taxonomic notes, and distribution maps are provided.
Article
Full-text available
Comanthera and Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae) are monocotyledonous herbs that occur mainly in neotropical savannas in the Guiana Shield and in southeastern Brazil, with a few species in Africa. Phylogenetic relationships in Syngonanthus and Comanthera are still unresolved and have not yet been assessed using a broad and comprehensive sampling. The present study aimed to test the monophyly of both genera and their putative infrageneric taxa and to evaluate their taxonomy and supporting synapomorphies in the light of a resolved phylogeny. The resulting phylogenetic hypotheses were then used to infer the biogeographical histories of the taxa, especially in Brazil. Molecular analyses based on plastid (trnL-F, psbA-trnH) and nuclear (ITS) markers using parsimony and Bayesian inference were conducted on 62 species belonging to the ingroup. Syngonanthus s.l. (composed of Syngonanthus, Philodice and Comanthera), Syngonanthus s.str. (including Philodice), Comanthera and both of its subgenera were retrieved as monophyletic, strongly supported by molecular and morphological apomorphies. However Syngonanthus sect. Carphocephalus appeared polyphyletic, and its species were embedded within a paraphyletic S. sect. Syngonanthus. Within Comanthera, clades restricted to equatorial savannas appeared to be sisters to clades restricted to southeastern Brazil, especially in the Espinhaço Range, with a disjunct pattern between Bahia and Minas Gerais states. Within Syngonanthus s.str., Andean and African species appeared embedded in Brazilian clades, but resolution and support within the genus must be improved in future research.
Article
The Eriocaulaceae are easily recognized because of the small unisexual flowers in long–pedunculate heads and spiraperturate pollen grains. Their monophyly has never been disputed but internal relationships within the family have not been broadly explored and genera are typically distinguished by few floral characters. Here, we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic study of Eriocaulaceae based on individual and combined molecular datasets, including the plastid psbA–trnH and trnL–F and the nuclear ITS. Results are largely congruent among DNA regions and support the internal dichotomy between the two subfamilies: Eriocauloideae and Paepalanthoideae. Eriocaulon and Leiothrix are strongly supported as monophyletic, whereas Paepalanthus, Blastocaulon, and Syngonanthus are not monophyletic. The phylogenetic nature of Actinocephalus is not resolved and Lachnocaulon, Mesanthemum, Philodice, Rondonanthus, and Tonina (monospecific) are represented in our analyses by a single species each. Based on our results, we suggest two principal generic realignments in the family. The first is the division of Syngonanthus in two genera: Syngonanthus s.str., including Philodice (conserving the former name against the latter), and Comanthera, which is being reinstated to include two sections segregated from Syngonanthus: S. sect. Eulepis and S. sect. Thysanocephalus. The second realignment suggested is the amalgamation of Actinocephalus, Blastocaulon, Lachnocaulon, and Tonina into Paepalanthus s.l. Three 'stat. nov.' within Paepalanthus are published (P. ser. Leptocephali, P. ser. Rosulati, and P. ser. Dimeri).
Article
Previous morphological and molecular studies indicate that Syngonanthus is polyphyletic. Syngonanthus sect. Syngonanthus and S. sect. Carphocephalus as well as Philodice cluster in a monophyletic clade and are included in Syngonanthus. Syngonanthus sect. Eulepis and S. sect. Thysanocephalus are also a monophyletic group that can be used to reestablish Comanthera with a new circumscription and two subgenera: Comanthera subg. Comanthera and C. subg. Thysanocephalus. Characterization of Comanthera and the necessary nomenclatural combinations are provided in this paper. The genus will now include 38 species, six varieties and four subspecies. Of the species, 34 are endemic to Brazil, occurring especially in the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais and Bahia. Three species extend from Brazil into other countries of northern South America and one is found only in Venezuela and Guyana. In this paper we also propose 43 new synonyms, 39 new combinations, one name change, three changes of status, eight lectotypifications and one neotypification.
Article
Four new species of Mimosa are described and illustrated: M. kalunga, M. pseudosetosa, M. viperina, and M. diminuta (all from section Habbasia, series Pachycarpae). All of them are apparently narrowly restricted endemics from the Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goiás, central Brazil. In addition, more complete data and an illustration are presented for M. pycnocoma Benth., previously incompletely known only from the type collection. The new species described here, as well as the new data on M. pycnocoma, provide interim increments to our knowledge of a group of around 55 Mimosa species, combining Barneby's (1991) series Setosae and Pachycarpae, that remains poorly and incompletely understood.
Article
The Brazilian cerrado (savanna) biome covers 2 million km2representing 23% of the area of the country. It is an ancient biome with rich biodiversity, estimated at 160000 species of plants, fungi and animals. There are about 800 species of trees and large shrubs in the savanna vegetation and several times that number of ground species (herbs and subshrubs). When the flora of gallery forests, mesophytic forests and other habitats occurring in the biome are included, the total number of vascular plant species is estimated to reach about 10000. During the last 25 years modern agriculture has been developed in the cerrado to produce soya, maize, rice, etc and enormous numbers of cattle are raised in planted pastures. Charcoal production for the Brazilian steel industry also causes great destruction of the cerrado. By 1994 an estimated 695000 km2of cerrado (representing 35% of its area) had been converted to ‘anthropic landscape’. This compares to the destruction of about 400000 km2of Brazilian Amazonian forest representing 12 or 13% of the area of this biome. Conservation initiatives are now desperately needed. Only 1.5% of the cerrado biome is preserved as Federal Reserves and this area needs to be at least tripled. Surveys of the vascular flora aimed at discovering biogeographic patterns are now in progress with the objective of choosing representative areas and biodiversity ‘hot spots’ for conservation.
Article
A list of flavonoids of 22 taxa of Syngonanthus Ruhl. (Eriocaulaceae) is presented. The specimens are distributed chiefly in areas of 'campos rupestres' of the States of Minas Gerais and Bahia (Brazil). Only flavone glycosides were obtained. Among the Eriocaulaceae, the results bring Syngonanthus close to Leiothrix and distinguish both taxa from Eriocaulon, a genus known to possess flavonols. At the infrageneric level, the flavonoid chemistry suggests a pairwise arrangement of the four sections of Syngonanthus, combining on the one hand Carpocephalus and Dimorphocaulon, and on the other hand, Eulepis and Thysanocephalus. Support for this realignment is provided by the exclusive finding of derivatives of 6- hydroxyluteolin in species of the former pair of sections and the nearly exclusive presence of C-glycosides of luteolin and galactose-containing O-glycosides in species of the latter pair.