A New Miconia (Melastomataceae) from Bolivia, with Remarks on Angular-Branched Species in the Andes

We propose nine new synonyms, and five lectotypifications for South American Miconia (Melastomataceae). Miconia paulensis is synonymized under M. cinerascens var. cinerascens ; M.conferta as a synonym of M. inconspicua; Miconia riedelii and M. langsdorffii as a synonym of M. paucidens; M. camposnovaesii and M. coralliocarpa as a synonym of M. pseudonervosa ; and M. hispida, M. regnellii and M. brevipes var. longifolia under M. trianae. We propose lectotypes for M. conferta, M. hispida, M. langsdorffii, M. pseudonervosa, and M. trianae.

Melastomataceae are among the most abundant and diversified groups of plants throughout the tropics, but their intrafamily relationships and morphological evolution are poorly understood. Here we report the results of parsimony and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses of cpDNA sequences from the rbcL and ndhF genes and the rpl16 intron, generated for eight outgroups (Crypteroniaceae, Alzateaceae, Rhynchocalycaceae, Oliniaceae, Penaeaceae, Myrtaceae, and Onagraceae) and 54 species of melastomes. The sample represents 42 of the family’s currently recognized ~150 genera, the 13 traditional tribes, and the three subfamilies, Astronioideae, Melastomatoideae, and Memecyloideae (= Memecylaceae DC.). Parsimony and ML yield congruent topologies that place Memecylaceae as sister to Melastomataceae. Pternandra, a Southeast Asian genus of 15 species of which five were sampled, is the firstbranching Melastomataceae. This placement has low bootstrap support (72%), but agrees with morphological treatments that placed Pternandra in Melastomatacaeae because of its acrodromal leaf venation, usually ranked as a tribe or subfamily. The interxylary phloem islands found in Memecylaceae and Pternandra, but not most other Melastomataceae, likely evolved in parallel because Pternandra resembles Melastomataceae in its other wood characters. A newly discovered plesiomorphic character in Pternandra, also present in Memecylaceae, is a fibrous anther endothecium. Higher Melastomataceae lack an endothecium as do the closest relatives of Melastomataceae and Memecylaceae. The next deepest split is between Astronieae, with anthers opening by slits, and all remaining Melastomataceae, which have anthers opening by pores. Within the latter, several generic groups, corresponding to traditional tribes, receive solid statistical support, but relationships among them, with one exception, are different from anything predicted on the basis of morphological data. Thus, Miconieae and Merianieae are sister groups, and both are sister to a trichotomy of Bertolonieae, Microlicieae + Melastomeae, and Dissochaeteae + Blakeeae. Sonerileae/Oxysporeae are nested within Dissochaeteae, Rhexieae within Melastomeae, and African and Asian Melastomeae within neotropical Melastomeae. These findings have profound implications for our understanding of melastome morphological evolution (and biogeography), implying, for example, that berries evolved from capsules minimally four times, stamen connectives went from dorsally enlarged to basal/ventrally enlarged, and loss of an endothecium preceded poricidal dehiscence.

Melastomataceae and Memecylaceae are pantropically distributed sister groups for which an ndhF gene phylogeny for 91 species in 59 genera is here linked with Eurasian and North American fossils in a molecular clock approach to biogeographical reconstruction. Nine species from the eight next-closest families are used to root phylogenetic trees obtained under maximum likelihood criteria. Melastomataceae comprise ∼3000 species in the neotropics, ∼1000 in tropical Asia, 240 in Africa, and 225 in Madagascar in 150-166 genera, and the taxa sampled come from throughout this geographic range. Based on fossils, ranges of closest relatives, tree topology, and calibrated molecular divergences, Melastomataceae initially diversified in Paloecene/Eocene times in tropical forest north of the Tethys. Their earliest (Eocene) fossils are from northeastern North America, and during the Oligocene and Miocene melastomes occurred in North America as well as throughout Eurasia. They also entered South America, with earliest (Oligocene) South American fossils representing Merianieae. One clade (Melastomeae) reached Africa from the neotropics 14-12 million years ago and from there spread to Madagascar, India, and Indochina. Basalmost Melastomataceae (Kibessieae, Astronieae) are species-poor lineages restricted to Southeast Asia. However, a more derived Asian clade (Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae) repeatedly reached Madagascar and Africa during the Miocene and Pliocene. Contradicting earlier hypotheses, the current distribution of Melastomataceae is thus best explained by Neogene long-distance dispersal, not Gondwana fragmentation.

Leaves of six species of Leandra and Miconia were investigated to find structural characters of interest for the classification of species and genera, as well as those that may be related to water stress. Specimens were collected in Guartela State Park, Brazil, and described morphologically. Anatomical studies were performed on leaf samples embedded in historesin and sectioned through a rotating microtome. Scanning electron microscopy was done on material fixed in glutaraldehyde. Leandra leaves are lanceolate-ovate, while Miconia leaves have oblong-lanceolate and lanceolate blades. Both genera have a vascular system of the petiole composed of collateral, bicolateral, and anficrials bundles. The leaves are hypoestomatic and dorsiventral, varying in the number of strata of the parenchyma. The midrib consists of concentric collateral bundles (U-shaped, V-shaped or circular) or concentric bundles. The morphology of the indument, the structure of the mesophyll, and the vascularization of the midrib are characteristics of interest for the diagnosis of species. They are probably species that avoid drought and consist of plants capable of reducing or compensating for water loss.

New Melastomaceae Collected by Miguel Bang in Bolivia

New Melastomaceae Collected by Miguel Bang in Bolivia

Purpose : As part of our ongoing research on bioactive compounds from Brazilian plants for the treatment of tropical diseases, we have investigated the species Miconia ibaguensis . Methods : The leaves of M. ibaguensis were dehydrated at 40°C, powdered and extracted by maceration with ethanol/water (96:4 v/v) at room temperature. The hydroalcoolic extract was particioned with n- hexane, ethyl acetate and n -butanol. We have employed GC-MS to investigate the n -hexane fraction. The method here reported is rapid and simple and does not require previous derivatization of the crude botanical extract. Also, the crude extract and the fractions were evaluated against trypomastigostes forms of Trypanosoma cruzi . Results : The GC-MS analysis of the n -hexane fraction showed that the major compounds are: palmitic acid ethyl ester, phytol, oleic acid, 4,8,12,16-tetramethylheptadecan-4-olide, 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanona. The crude extract and n- hexane fraction showed an IC 50 of 101.8µg/mL and IC 50 >200.0µg/mL, respectively, against trypomastigostes forms of T. cruzi. Conclusion : In summary, we have reported here a simple and rapid method to identify compounds from non-polar bioactive botanical extracts and their fractions of Miconia species using GC-MS.

The Lienhuachih Forest Dynamics Plot (FDP), measured 500 m by 500 m square, is located in central Taiwan. The collected data, followed a unified method adopted for the worldwide FDP network, were analyzed for floristic composition, size-class structure, and species diversity. In total, the censused trees and shrubs belonged to 144 species in 86 genera and 39 families. The most dominant families were the Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Melastomataceae. In total, 153268 (6131 ha^(-1)) individuals were recorded, and the total basal area was 34.77 m^2 ha^(-1). Of the 144 species, the most abundant were Randia cochinchinensis and Blastus cochinchinensis. Pasania nantoensis had the highest basal area (8.38%), followed by Engelhardtia roxburghiana (8.12%) and Schefflera octophylla (7.23%). Calculation of the importance value (IV, incorporating relative values of abundance and basal area) showed that R. cochinchinensis, B. cochinchinensis, S. octophylla, Cryptocarya chinensis, and E. roxburghiana were the most dominant species with the highest IV values in the plot. The sum of the 30 top species' IV reached 83.06% of the whole. Although the 1st 2 species were understory and very dominant due to the large number of individuals, certain numbers of rare species however increased the floristic diversity in the plot. Based on the species composition, the forest is characteristic of the Machilus-Castanopsis forest zone of Taiwan, with certain dominant understory species and possessing 2 pioneer species in the major canopy composition. For the size-class structure, 102 (each with total stems ≥ 25) species showed 4 patterns of size-class distribution: L-shaped, inverse J-shaped, fluctuating, and bell-shaped. The former 3 patterns in a total of 98 species, including a great number of small-sized individuals, imply that most current species in this study site can display good recruitment with rich resources of saplings. The woody plant richness of the Lienhuachih FDP is the highest among low-elevation FDPs in Taiwan. Compared to other Center of Ttropical Forest Science forest dynamics plots on islands, Fisher's alpha diversity (ha^(-1)) index of the subtropical Lienhuachih FDP was similar to that of the Luquillo FDP in Puerto Rico but much lower than that of other FDPs in the tropics.

Adelobotrys (Merianieae: Melastomataceae) is a neotropical, primarily Amazonian genus of 23 lianas and eight arborescent species. A cladistic analysis was performed to test the monophyly of Adelobotrys, discover its synapomorphies, and clarify its internal relationships. The results also allowed a preliminary appraisal of generic limits within Merianieae. For the analysis, 117 morphological characters were coded for 53 ingroup taxa (52 of Adelobotrys plus Sarmentaria decora) and 12 outgroup species from the genera Meriania, Graffenrieda, Axinaea, Centronia, Phainantha, Behuria, Huberia, Pachyloma, and Pternandra. The analysis resulted in a single most parsimonious tree. The result suggests that Adelobotrys is polyphyletic. However, species that fall within the original circumscription of the genus form a well-supported monophyletic group. This group of lianoid species with narrow hypanthia; 5-locular ovaries; short fruiting pedicels; urceolate to globose fruiting hypanthia; elongated, winged seeds; and a vestiture of malpighian hairs is here termed Adelobotrys sensu stricto. Several well-defined lineages are recognized within Adelobotrys s.s., although most of them have only weak support. Purported problems persist with circumscriptions of merianean genera, in particular Meriania.

The objective of this study was to carry out the floristic survey and describe the structure of the arbo­real community of a forest residue about 8,17 ha located in the region of Taquaritinga. Thirty six 10 m X 10 m plots were allocated in order to sample individual trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) equal or superior to 5.0 cm. Fifty three species from 47 genera and 29 families with Shannon's diver­sity index (H') of 3.16 and equability (J‘) of 0.56 were found. Meliaceae, Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae and Fabaceae-Faboideae were the families with the highest number of species. Among the species with the highest importance values were Guarea guidonia , Alchornea triplinervia , Miconia cinnamomifolia , Nectandra megapotamica , Schizolobium parahyba, and Albizia niopoides . The size structure analysis indicated a community in regeneration with the majority of the individuals under 15 cm dbh and distributed between 7 and 14.9 m high. Moreover, a stand of young individuals was present, from pioneers and secondary spe­cies, ascertaining the future of the community. In terms of sucession, the investigated area is characte­rized as in initial stage. Additional keywords: floristic; phytosociology; arboreal diversity.

VELDKAMP, J. F. & KARTONEGORO, A. 2017. New species of Catanthera and Medinilla (Melastomataceae) from Halmahera, Indonesia and a new name for a Medinilla from Madagascar. Reinwardtia 16(1): 25 - 30. - One new species of Catanthera and four of Medinilla (Melastomataceae) from Halmahera, Moluccas, Indonesia, are described. One also occurs in Morotai. A new name was needed for M. intermedia H. Perrier (1932), non Blume (1831), from Madagascar.

It was performed the phytosociological study of gallery forest to known the composition and structure of this vegetation. The study area located in Lava Pes stream at the experimental farm of State University of Goias, Câmpus Ipameri. The point quadrant method was used with 10m between points and 20m between transects. Were sampled 412 individuals with DBH > or = 5 cm, at 103 points, totaling 1030 linear meters and 2.6ha. Was identified 78 species, 62 genera and 37 families. The Shannon diversity index H' was 3.58, considered high for the Cerrado. The most representative families in number of species: Fabaceae (15), Vochysiaceae (8), followed by Annonaceae, Sapindaceae, Anacardiaceae, Melastomataceae and Malvaceae (3). Chrysobalanaceae, Myrtaceae, Malpighiaceae, Sapotaceae, Callophyllaceae, Polygonaceae and Rutaceae were represented by two (2) species each and the rest by only a single species. Qualea grandiflora Mart. was the most abundant species, with 65 individuals, and showed the highest frequency, density, importance value and index cover. The total basal area was 12.82m² / ha, equivalent to other studies in similar vegetations. The species with the highest basal area were Cariniana rubra Gardner ex Miers (2.67m²/ha), followed by Qualea grandiflora (1.48m²/ha) and Qualea parviflora Mart. (1.22m²/ha). Due to high biodiversity, the conservation status, and presence of endangered species ( Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. and Euterpe edulis Mart.), this forest is important for the recovery of degraded areas and for biodiversity conservation.

Introduction: Natural products have been used since ancient times. The search for relief and cure of diseases by the ingestion of herbs and leaves may have been one of the first ways of using natural products. The Chemistry of Natural Products represents, within the area of research with plant species, a point of great importance and value, since only through the use of phytochemical methods can isolate new substances, obtain the correct structural determination of these and, thereafter obtaining derivatives by total or partial synthesis. Molecular biology and new genetic techniques allowed the isolation and purification of many enzymes, receptors directly associated with pathological processes, representing authentic molecular targets for new drugs. Most of the drugs available in modern therapy are synthesized, but many of them have been originally extracted from plants or used a prototype which, in turn, has also been extracted from plants. Purpose: The present project aims the preparation of crude extract of the plant species Miconia macrothyrsa , collected in cerrado region. The crude extract and fractions will be evaluated in vitro against to the parasites that cause leishmaniasis ( Leishmania amazonensis ), schistosomiasis ( Schistosoma mansoni ) and Chagas' disease ( Trypanosoma cruzi ), thus obtaining promising fractions for later fractionation and isolation of major constituents, aiming at obtaining of possible active compounds.

En este documento se describen la estructura y la composición florística de pequeños árboles y arbustos (1,5 m de altura y hasta 10 cm de DAP), de dos bosques de la llanura aluvial inundable del bajo Ucayali, en la Amazonía Peruana. Estos bosques son del tipo restinga alta y restinga baja, con una inundación anual promedio de alrededor de 1 a 2 meses, respectivamente. Los suelos son entisoles ricos en nutrientes, y la vegetación arbórea forma altas copas cerradas con la presencia de árboles emergentes. Se establecieron un total de 25 parcelas permanentes de muestreo cubriendo un área de 0,64 ha. Estas fueron colocadas dentro de seis parcelas permanentes de muestreo de una hectárea cuadrada, en donde se inventariaron individuos (>10 cm DAP). La densidad promedio total y el área basal del sotobosque es de 4 458 plantas/ ha y 5,0 m2 /ha, respectivamente. Dentro de las familias de árboles más importantes están Moraceae, Leguminosae, Annonaceae, Euphorbiaceae y Lauraceae; mientras que las familias de árboles pequeños y arbustos importantes son Violaceae, Rubiaceae, Melastomataceae y Olacaceae. De un total de 264 especies arbóreas, 208 se registraron en la restinga de estrato superior y 204 se registraron en la restinga de sotobosque. El 56% de las especies se encuentran compartiendo los dos estratos de bosque, mientras que cerca del 22% están confinados a uno de ellos solamente. Las especies presentes solamente en el sotobosque son predominantemente arbustos o arbolitos, mientras que algunas de las especies, presentes solamente en el estrato superior, son probablemente especies de sucesión temprana casi por desaparecer de los bosques.

Species of Gorybia Pascoe (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Piezocerini) occurring in Bolivia. The genus Gorybia (Cerambycinae, Piezocerini) consists of 45 described species with seven species recorded from Bolivia. Nine new species are described herein from Bolivia: G. abnormalis sp. nov.; G. alveolata sp. nov.; G. asyka sp. nov.; G. florida sp. nov.; G. inarmata sp. nov.; G. longithorax sp. nov.; G. guenda sp. nov.; G. tuberosa sp. nov. and G. wappesi sp. nov. A key to the species now known to occur in Bolivia is included.