Abstract
This work validates two Waltheria species endemic to campo rupestre with complete descriptions, illustrations, updated geographical distributions and comments on taxonomic affinities. Waltheria biribiriensis and Waltheria terminans are restricted to the Southern Espinhaço Province in eastern South America, occurring on mountain tops where campo rupestre vegetation prevails. Furthermore, Waltheria brachypetala, a species of dry deciduous forests in Brazil that was long considered as conspecific with W. ferruginea due to its shrubby lifeform and similar indumentum, is re-established based on differences of phyllotaxy, blade shape and inflorescence type. The first occurrence records of W. brachypetala in the state of Paraíba are also provided, as well as the first record in the Atlantic Forest domain. Lastly, a lectotype is designated for W. ferruginea.
Highlights
Waltheria is a pantropical genus including c. 50–60 species (Bayer & Kubitzki 2005), with 23 of them native to Brazil (Silva-Coutinho et al 2019)
Waltheria biribiriensis and Waltheria terminans are restricted to the Southern Espinhaço Province in eastern South America, occurring on mountain tops where campo rupestre vegetation prevails
Esteves (2010) listed 26 species of Waltheria occurring in Brazil, considering W. brachypetala and W. ferruginea as distinct entities, but not presenting arguments to support her decision
Summary
Waltheria is a pantropical genus including c. 50–60 species (Bayer & Kubitzki 2005), with 23 of them native to Brazil (Silva-Coutinho et al 2019). According to Saunders (1995, unpublished), the areas of campo rupestre in the eastern South American mountaintops are the major center of species richness of Waltheria, with many species or potential clades, such as the Waltheria ferruginea alliance sensu Saunders (1995, unpublished), restricted to this high-elevation habitat These species are found in different areas of campo rupestre determined as the newly recognized districts of the Southern Espinhaço province (Colli-Silva et al 2019). Given this background, we hereby present taxonomical and nomenclatural novelties in a set of species that belong in the informal Waltheria ferruginea alliance sensu Saunders (1995, unpublished). We review the circumscription of the most widespread species of the alliance, Waltheria brachypetala, and its related taxon, W. ferruginea, providing detailed descriptions and a brief nomenclatural history, as both species were traditionally treated as conspecific, and data on biogeography and ecology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
