Novelty for the flora of Espírito Santo, Brazil: a new species of Ouratea Aubl. (Ochnaceae)

Leaf vein pattern is proposed to be specified by directional auxin transport through presumptive vein cells. Activation of auxin response, which induces downstream genes that entrain auxin transport and lead to vascular differentiation, occurs through a set of transcription factors, the auxin response factors. In the absence of auxin, auxin response factors are inactive because they interact with repressor proteins, the Aux/IAA proteins. One member of the auxin response factor protein family, Auxin Response Factor 5/MONOPTEROS (MP), is critical to vein formation as indicated by reduced vein formation in loss-of-function MP alleles. We have identified a semi-dominant, gain-of-function allele of MP, autobahn or mp ( abn ), which results in vein proliferation in leaves and cotyledons. mp ( abn ) is predicted to encode a truncated product that lacks domain IV required for interaction with its Aux/IAA repressor BODENLOS (BDL). We show that the truncated product fails to interact with BDL in yeast two-hybrid assays. Ectopic expression of MP targets including the auxin efflux protein PINFORMED1 (PIN1) further supports the irrepressible nature of mp ( abn ). Asymmetric PIN1:GFP cellular localization does not occur within the enlarged PIN1:GFP expression domains, suggesting the asymmetry requires differential auxin response in neighbouring cells. Organ initiation from mp ( abn ) meristems is altered, consistent with disruption to source/sink relationships within the meristem and possible changes in gene expression. Finally, mp ( abn ) anthers fail to dehisce and their indehiscence can be relieved by jasmonic acid treatment, suggesting a specific role for MP in late anther development.

To investigate possible roles of polar auxin transport in vein patterning, cotyledon and leaf vein patterns were compared for plants grown in medium containing polar auxin transport inhibitors (N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid, 9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylic acid, and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid) and in medium containing a less well-characterized inhibitor of auxin-mediated processes, 2-(p-chlorophynoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid. Cotyledon vein pattern was not affected by any inhibitor treatments, although vein morphology was altered. In contrast, leaf vein pattern was affected by inhibitor treatments. Growth in polar auxin transport inhibitors resulted in leaves that lacked vascular continuity through the petiole and had broad, loosely organized midveins, an increased number of secondary veins, and a dense band of misshapen tracheary elements adjacent to the leaf margin. Analysis of leaf vein pattern developmental time courses suggested that the primary vein did not develop in polar auxin transport inhibitor-grown plants, and that the broad midvein observed in these seedlings resulted from the coalescence of proximal regions of secondary veins. Possible models for leaf vein patterning that could account for these observations are discussed.

—Parinari is a pantropical genus with 39 species of mostly emergent trees. Nineteen species are found in the Neotropical region, with a taxonomic history complicated by several species complexes and little morphological variation. In this paper, I conducted a taxonomic treatment of species of Parinari that occur in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including an identification key, species descriptions, distribution maps, and preliminary conservation status for each taxon. Additionally, new floral characters not previously explored in the taxonomy of the genus are introduced. Four species of Parinari are recognized in the Atlantic Forest, while P. leonthopitheci is synonymized, and names incorrectly applied to the Parinari excelsa complex are investigated. Parinari pohlii, a taxon treated for 50 yr as a synonym of P. brasiliensis, is reestablished, and lectotypes are designated for both names. Preliminary conservation status assessments indicate that three species are likely Endangered (EN): P. alvimii, P. littoralis, and P. pohlii. Finally, I indicate the exclusion from the treatment of two taxa, Parinari excelsa and Parinari parvifolia that do not occur in the Atlantic Forest but were erroneously identified in herbarium collections and in the literature.

This study presents a compilation of fruit-feeding butterflies species for Rio Grande do Sul Atlantic Forest aiming to be a tool for identification of these lepidopterans from two phytophysiognomies of this biome. Samples were carried out for more than four years with entomological nets and bait traps techniques in areas of Subtropical Atlantic Forest (SAF) and Araucaria Moist Forest (AMF). Seventy-six butterfly species were recorded in this region of Atlantic Forest, 60 species for SAF and 53 for AMF. Fruit-feeding butterflies represent about 50% of the total species richness of the Nymphalidae recorded for the region, a value of the same order of those found for similar studies in tropical forests regions. Dasyophthalma rusina is a new record for Rio Grande do Sul.

The role of auxin in leaf vein patterning, as expressed through auxin signaling and polar transport, is well established and supported by both experimental and computational data. In contrast, the involvement of plasmodesmata (PDs) in the auxin-driven vein patterning process has only been considered in computational models. Recent experimental data have provided support for the involvement of PDs, specifically their facilitation of auxin movement, in the patterned vein formation process. This review highlights the current model for patterned vein formation in Arabidopsis, examines the various pathways by which PDs enable auxin signal movement, discusses unresolved questions arising from findings on plasmodesmata-enabled auxin signal movement (PEASM), and proposes new research questions that may provide potential mechanistic insights into leaf vein patterning mechanisms.

Leaf vein pattern response to heat and drought requires genes that influence PINFORMED1 localization and is mimicked by ABA treatment

A recent large phylogenetic tree for the angraecoid orchids has shown that the Afrotropical genus Diaphananthe is polyphyletic with a small group of four species sister to Aerangis and Eurychone. These species have diagnostic morphological features different from any other angraecoids, notably an erose to fringed surface of the stipes and a calceiform viscidium. Diaphananthe quintasii, which has been regarded as conspecific with D. rohrii, is reinstated as a valid species and lectotypified, and Diaphananthe alfredii and Rhipidoglossum magnicalcar are put in synonymy under D. quintasii. To accommodate this group of species, along with three new taxa from West and Central Africa, a new genus named Kylicanthe is here described. Four new combinations are thus proposed, and K. bueae is chosen as the type species of the new genus and neotypified. Additionally, K. arcuata, K. cornuata, and K. perezverae are described as new species. An identification key for Kylicanthe and allied genera is presented, as well as one for the seven species in the genus. Notes on ecology and distribution in addition to a preliminary assessment of conservation status following the IUCN Red List are also provided.

A new species of Ceropegia (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae-Ceropegieae-Stapeliinae) is described from Ngome in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This new species shares a subset of vegetative and floral characters with the long-lost C. rudatisii, but is clearly separated by its sophisticated floral morphology. Ceropegia heidukiae occurs in Northern Zululand Mistbelt Grassland, an endangered vegetation type. A comprehensive species description is provided together with information on habitat and distribution; photographs of plants in habitat are also provided. A preliminary assessment of conservation status according to IUCN criteria suggests that C. heidukiae is Critically Endangered (CR).

A new species of Solanum (Solanaceae) from the Geminata clade is described for the Brazilian flora. Solanumlagoense Stehmann is only known from Lapinha, a rocky massif located in the Lagoa Santa karst region of Minas Gerais State. The flora of this area, including Solanaceae, was studied in detail in the second half of the 19th century by the Danish botanist Eugene Warming. The species differs from other members of the Geminata clade in Brazil in its geminate leaves of different sizes, simple multicellular trichomes present on the new growth and young stems, short extra-axillary inflorescences with few (1-3) flowers, and its stellate corollas with cucullate and strongly reflexed lobes. Here we present a description, taxonomic comments and a preliminary assessment of conservation status of this critically endangered species.

Abstract— During a taxonomic and phylogenetic study of Xylopia from the Amazon River basin, South America, we examined collections from the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, and Tocantins that resembled Xylopia nitida by some characteristics of the leaves, but differed consistently from the latter in a number of floral and fruit characters. On the basis of these specimens we describe here a new species, Xylopia maasiana. The new species is a small to medium-sized tree encountered mostly in riparian habitats across the southern Brazilian Amazon and in some transition areas between the Amazon forest and cerrado biomes in Central Brazil. In addition to the detailed description, we include a preliminary assessment of conservation status, taxonomic comments, illustrations, a distribution map of the new species, and comparison with X. nitida.

A new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Luzon, Philippines – Syzygium crystalliferum is described and illustrated here as species new to science. Syzygium crystalliferum is similar to S. purpuriflorum by having sessile leaves, cordate base, terminal inflorescence, large flowers and free perianth lobes. However, it is unique in pustules in dried leaves and inflorescence, and having chartaceous‐coriaceous leaf texture, coarser secondary leaf venation, individual flowers borne on a distinct pedicel, shorter hypanthium, smaller calyx lobes, and red fruit turning deep purple when ripe. Preliminary assessment of conservation status following IUCN guidelines assign S. crystalliferum as Critically Endangered (CR). This discovery makes the first addition to Philippine Syzygium in over 70 years since Elmer D. Merrill's last taxonomic work on the genus. Additionally, a lectotype for the basionym Eugenia purpuriflora is designated.

Capsicum regale Barboza & Bohs, sp. nov., a new species from the tropical wet forests of the eastern Andean slopes (Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru) is described and illustrated. This new species belongs to the Andean clade (all species 2n = 26) of Capsicum and is similar to C. longifolium Barboza & S.Leiva in its glabrescence, calyx morphology, and corolla and seed color but differs in its membranous and elliptic leaves, fleshy calyces, deeper stellate corollas, longer filaments, longer and purple fruiting pedicels, purple berries, and larger seeds. Its chromosome number was counted (2n = 26), a preliminary assessment of conservation status is given and discussed, and an updated identification key to the species of the Andean clade is provided.

Natural vanilla is a high-value crop with demand increasing globally. Crop wild relatives (CWR) represent valuable agrobiodiversity and are prioritized in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Vanilla species are naturally rare with historically infrequent botanical collections. Despite their importance as CWR, fewer than 10% of Vanilla species have been evaluated for the IUCN Red List. Colombia is a diversity center for Vanilla species, yet many remote regions are lacking detailed floristic characterization. We show that the participation of rural communities in scientific endeavor enhances capacity to register biodiversity. We report two Vanilla species in the under-explored region of the Serranía de las Quinchas in the mid–Magdalena River valley in Colombia, including the first report for Colombia of Vanilla karen-christianae. For this, and the second species, Vanilla dressleri, we present descriptions with photographic botanical illustrations, updated distribution maps, and preliminary conservation status assessment. Both species are of elevated conservation concern, categorized as Endangered – EN: B2a,b(ii,iii,iv,v) following IUCN criteria. Within Colombia, all recorded occurrences for both species fall outside protected areas. Vanilla crop wild relatives in Colombia have urgent conservation needs. The Serranía de las Quinchas is a priority for further botanical exploration for Vanilla, as well as other protected areas with appropriate habitat. In situ conservation should be complemented with ex situ actions. Community participation in biodiversity research is recommended in this and other remote regions as an integral step towards enhancing biodiversity research and community-based conservation.

SummaryMischogyne (Annonaceae, tribe Monodoreae) is a genus of small- to medium-sized tropical trees and shrubs. It is characterised by a combination of: (1) stamens and carpels on a more or less extended torus; (2) carpels divergent from each other at the apex of the torus above the anthers; (3) anthers linear and anther connectives not expanded above the thecae; (4) inflorescences extra-axillary (or sometimes terminal in M. michelioides) with usually solitary flowers; (5) petals reflexed at anthesis (except M. michelioides), and (6) prominent reticulate tertiary veins. The genus is found in the lowland tropical rainforests of Africa with annual precipitation of 1000 – 4000 mm and in the dry coastal foothills of Angola. Five species and one variety of Mischogyne are recognised. One newly discovered species from the Eastern Arc Mountains, M. iddii, is described. The variety M. elliotiana var. glabra is reduced into synonymy with M. elliotiana var. elliotiana. Mischogyne elliotiana var. gabonensis is raised to species level as M. gabonensis. Specimens from the Congo are recognised as a new species, M. congensis. Preliminary conservation status assessments are provided for each species, as well as an identification key and detailed species descriptions. An unusual distribution pattern for the genus is discussed: dry coastal Angola as well as West, Central and East African wet forest.

Syzygium ngheanense (Myrtaceae), a new species from Nghe An Province, in Central Vietnam is described and illustrated. The species is most similar to S. vestitum, S. scarbum and S. levinei but differs from the three latter in having glabrous bracts and bracteoles, sparsely scabrid flower buds and hypanthia, larger sepals and petals, longer stamens and styles. Information on phenology, ecology and distribution is provided, together with a preliminary conservation status assessment and taxonomic notes for the new species and a key to distinguish it from three hairy Syzygium species in Indochina.