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Tillandsia landbeckii Phil. is a rootless epiphyte that grows on dunes of the Atacama Desert. There is little information on its naturalhistory, particularly concerning its reproductive ability. To better understand whether sexual reproduction can contribute torecruitment in T. landbeckii, we examined its basic reproductive traits and developed a germination protocol. We marked andcensused plants, as well as collected seeds from four localities along an inland-coast gradient of the southernmost Tillandsia dunein Chile. Seeds were tested for viability and used for germination trials using four culture mediums. Plants vary in size, capsulesize and number of seeds per capsule along the gradient, with larger plants occurring inland. Both the probability of flowering andof producing capsules increased with plant size. However, seed viability was low and did not differ across localities. Germination trialswere successful, but also yielded relatively low germination probabilities. In summary, our results revealed plant size-relatedvariation in T. landbeckii’s reproductive capacity. In spite of this variation, however, low seed viability supports previous findingsthat sexual reproduction scarcely contributes to recruitment in this population; hence propagation of this species may eventually benecessary to promote genetic diversity.

Despite the high diversity of vascular epiphytes (VE) reported in Peru, there is no updated checklist that is in line with the new taxonomic delimitations and the new concepts of epiphytes. In this study, we update the list of VE in Peru, based on a bibliographic search and visits to local herbaria. Species names were updated according to the World Flora Online, their presence in the EpiList was confirmed, as well as their altitudinal distribution and distribution by department, risk category, and endemism. Finally, the epiphyte coefficient was estimated. We found 2462 species, belonging to 18 orders, 25 families, and 249 genera. The families with the highest richness were Orchidaceae (1606), Bromeliaceae (201), and Piperaceae (139 spp.); 85% of the species were in the EpiList (2088 spp.). The department with the highest richness was Amazonas (709) and the lowest were Ica and Tacna (2 spp.). The altitudinal range with the highest richness is between 1501 - 2000 m (649); 689 species are endemic and 220 are in some risk category; the epiphyte quotient is 13.12. This update represents an approximate 40% increase, positioning Peru as the third country with the highest VE diversity. A more comprehensive list was obtained, in line with the concept of epiphytism, highlighting the need to include 384 species in the EpiList, which would help complement the global list of VE worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tank bromeliads provide a vast amount of stagnant water high up in the Neotropical forest canopy. However, the aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in this specialized habitat remains poorly explored. Here, we study obligatorily bromeliadicolous species of the diving beetle genus Copelatus Erichson, 1832. We review the known species Copelatus bromeliarum Scott, 1912 (Trinidad and Venezuela) and Copelatus bimaculatus Resende & Vanin, 1991 (Brazil). We describe three new species: Copelatus espinhasso sp. nov. (Brazil), Copelatus florae sp. nov. (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama) including its larva, and Copelatus panguana sp. nov. (Peru). Based on their male genital morphology, these species form a distinct clade within the genus. Other shared characters such as compact drop-shaped habitus, shortened appendages, and reduction of natatory setae on legs are interpreted as adaptations for what we call the 'hygrofloric' lifestyle. We document the thin water layer between leaf axils as the preferred habitat of both Copelatus adults and larvae, and not necessarily the central tank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dyckia, belonging to the Bromeliaceae, consists of species that share several morphological similarities. Recently, a proposal has grouped 13 species of the genus into a “D. selloa complex” based on their limited geographical distribution and seed characteristics. However, further investigation is required to gain a better understanding of this grouping. This study aimed to analyze the pollen grain morphology of the grouped species. The analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as light microscopy equipped with bright field and fluorescence optics. Various structures were measured. The pollen grains are heteropolar, oblate, and range in size from small to medium. They possess a simple sulcus type and exhibit a sexine (composed of tectum and infratectum columellate) and a nexine 1. Different patterns of ornamentation were identified, including reticulate, microreticulate, reticulate with free granules, reticulate with a partially discontinuous reticulum, and reticulate with a discontinuous reticulum. The aperture margin of some species differs from the described characteristics for the genus (Puya type) and is referred to here as the “Other” type. The results align with existing data for the genus Dyckia and contribute to understanding the pollen morphology within the genus and the studied group. The data obtained in this study, along with the observed variations, could facilitate a better understanding of the “D. selloa complex”.

Abstract Tapetal tissue plays essential roles in the formation of generative cells, as it is related to their nutrition and development in anthers. Among the few species of Bromeliaceae for which tapetal tissue has been describe, most have a secretory tapetum and one has an invasive tapetum. This study analyzed the developmental stages of the anthers of Dyckia strehliana, with emphasis on the tapetum, to identify variability in development and structure. Botanical material was collected on the banks of the Toropi River in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and processed using standard plant micro-techniques. During meiosis prophase, tapetal cells of some samples remained parietal while in the others, a proportional number, the invasion of the locular space begins, culminating in total invasion during the free microspore phase and without fusion of the protoplasts. Tapetal degeneration is complete before gametogenesis begins in both types. Thus, it is possible to describe two modes of development and tapetal structure, one parietal and one invasive, although the tapetum remains as a general secretory type in both cases. Thus, according to present work, the terms invasive and parietal are indicators of states of the secretory tapetum.

Floral nectar contains sugars and numerous other compounds, including amino acids, but little is known about their function and origin in nectar. Therefore, the amino acid, sugar, and inorganic ion concentrations, as well as the activity of alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in nectar, nectaries, and leaves were analyzed in 30 Pitcairnia species. These data were compared with various floral traits, the pollinator type, and the phylogenetic relationships of the species to find possible causes for the high amino acid concentrations in the nectar of some species. The highest concentrations of amino acids (especially alanine) in nectar were found in species with reddish flowers. Furthermore, the concentration of amino acids in nectar and nectaries is determined through analyzing flower color/pollination type rather than phylogenetic relations. This study provides new insights into the origin of amino acids in nectar. The presence of almost all amino acids in nectar is mainly due to their transport in the phloem to the nectaries, with the exception of alanine, which is partially produced in nectaries. In addition, active regulatory mechanisms are required in nectaries that retain most of the amino acids and allow the selective secretion of specific amino acids, such as alanine.

The objective of this paper was to present a survey of seed-producing Brazilian native species whose germination or emergence processes were evaluated by measurements of the dynamics of these processes (time, velocity, homogeneity, uncertainty and synchrony). The survey was restricted to publications from the 21st century. A total of 261 Brazilian species were surveyed, belonging to 52 families, with Fabaceae (50 spp.), Melastomataceae (29 spp.), Cactaceae (22 spp.), Bromeliaceae (17 spp.), Bignoniaceae (14 spp.), Malvaceae (13 spp.) and Asteraceae (11 spp.) as the most represented. The seeds of the surveyed species are very slow to fast and are also very asynchronous to very synchronous to germinate and emerge, which is compatible with the heterogeneity of the native species of the Brazilian flora. Seeds with very fast and very synchronous germination need smaller environmental windows to establish themselves than those with very slow and very asynchronous germination. Therefore, each environment, with its specific climate regime, must be carefully analyzed for the best choice of sowing season. This is important information to plan the conservation and management of native areas, as well as to restore or recover degraded areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Intraspecific variation in floral traits, such as nectar, could lead to differences in the identity and pollinator effectiveness of visitors between populations of a flowering plant. We studied the bat-pollinated bromeliad species Pseudalcantarea viridiflora to determine whether there are differences in the identity of its pollinators and in its nectar traits between two study sites located at different latitudes in Veracruz, Mexico. We studied phenology and determined the volume, concentration and quantity of dissolved sugars in the nectar at both sites. The northern P. viridiflora population produced nectar that was more sugar-rich, leading to pollination by a larger species, Anoura geoffroyi, whereas the southern populations were visited mainly by Glossophaga mutica, a smaller pollinator. The most abundant nectarivorous bats at each site differ in terms of their efficiency as pollinators, and we suggest that this might affect their contribution to the fitness of the bromeliad.

Tropical forests encompass a high diversity of plant species that depend on several pollinator bees, such as Melipona mondury. In the present study, we identified the pollen types in samples of honey, pollen (nest pots) and pollen baskets of M. mondury workers from a meliponary located in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Bahia, north-eastern Brazil. Samples of flowering plants were also collected monthly nearby the meliponary and from trails along the fragment borders. The botanic material was identified and stored as herbarium collections. The samples of honey and pollen from colonies of M. mondury were collected and prepared using the acetolysis method for palynological studies. Using the botanical inventory around the meliponary, palynological slides were prepared and pollen characterised from 43 genera and 46 species within 24 plant families. Asteraceae (23%), Fabaceae (14%), Anacardiaceae (5%), Myrtaceae (5%), and Melastomataceae (4%) were the most common and diverse families around the meliponary. A total of 44 and 54 pollen morphotypes were found in honey and pollen samples, respectively, comprising several plant families, particularly Myrtaceae (15%) and Melastomataceae (10%). The pollen baskets of workers contained 35 pollen morphotypes, with a predominance of Fabaceae-Mimosoideae (16%), Melastomataceae (13%), Sapindaceae (13%), Myrtaceae (10%) and Solanaceae (10%). The flora of the study area proved to be highly diverse and M. mondury utilises a wide variety of plants, albeit with some differences. The conservation of the Atlantic Forest fragments is essential to the maintenance of pollinators such as M. mondury to assure the functionality of local ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Quesnelia quesneliana is an endemic species from Brazil with restricted distribution in restinga areas and has been suffering from changes in its habitat. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of light on the morpho-anatomy and pigment content of Q. quesneliana. The samples were collected in the Liberdade neighborhood in São Mateus, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, which is impacted by anthropization. The influence of light was tested comparing individuals completely exposed to it and individuals under shade. For a morphobiometric analysis, 150 individuals were measured for each light condition, and for pigment determination, 10 leaves were used for each light condition. For anatomical analysis, samples were fixed in 50% FAA and transferred to 70 % ethanol solution after 48 hours. Cross sections were made on roots and stems, and transverse and paradermal sections on leaves. It was concluded that individuals exposed to light are smaller, with higher carotenoid content, while shaded individuals are larger, with more succulent and darker leaves due to greater accumulation of chlorophyll. Anatomically, the individual’s structure is similar.

In Mexico, plants with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) are part of the Mexican culture, have different uses and are even emblematic. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the Mexican CAM plants has been studied physiologically. For this review, the following questions were considered: What ecophysiological studies have been conducted with CAM species native to Mexico? What ecophysiological processes in Mexican CAM plants are the most studied? What type of ecophysiological studies with CAM plants are still needed? A database of scientific studies on CAM plant species from Mexico was documented, including field and laboratory works for species widely distributed, and those studies made outside Mexico with Mexican species. Physiological processes were grouped as germination, photosynthesis, and water relations. Most studies were done for CAM species of Cactaceae, Bromeliaceae, Asparagaceae and Orchidaceae, andmost ecophysiological studies have been done on germination of cacti. Field and laboratory studies on photosynthesis and water relations were mostly for terrestrial cacti and epiphytic bromeliads. There were few physiological studies with CAM seedlings in Mexico and few studies using stable isotopes of water and carbon of CAM plants in the field. More field and laboratory studies of physiological responses and plasticity of CAM plants to multiple stress factors are required to model plant responses to global climate change. In general, more physiological studies are essential for all CAM species and for species of the genus Clusia, with C3-CAM and CAM members, which can become ecologically important under some climate change scenarios.

One new species of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) from Ecuador is described and illustrated here. Tillandsia hiroi (subfamily Tillandsioideae) from the province of Azuay in the Valley of Oña region of south Ecuador is related to Tillandsia porphyrocraspeda (L.B. Smith) J. Grant. Distinguishing characteristics of the new species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puya asurgens L. B. Smith, nov. sp., se describe a partir de material cultivado que probablemente fue recolectado originalmente en Jujuy (Argentina). Tillandsia aëranthos (Loisel.) L. B. Smith, nov. comb., reemplaza al bien conocido pero posterior T. dianthoidea Rossi. El autor corrige su tratamiento previo de Tillandsia friesii Mez emend. Castellanos y ahora considera que sus pétalos violetas son el único carácter que la distingue de T. xiphioides.

El autor describe nueve novedades: Lindmania graminea, Pitcairnia crassa, Puya cardenasii, Puya cristata, Puya glareosa, Puya leptostachya, Tillandsia maxima var. densior, Tillondsia pardina y Tillandsia tricholepis var. macrophylla. Señala la extensión a Bolivia de la especie argentina Vriesia icterica.

The Atlantic Forest Central Corridor is the center of Bromeliaceae diversity in the Atlantic Forest domain, comprising most of the endemic and threatened species. The extreme south of Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil, is included within the corridor, with few taxonomic flora studies carried out in this area. Herein, we present a taxonomic study of the Bromeliaceae family from an important fragment in the extreme south of Bahia, based on field collections, herbarium material and specialized literature. Twelve species of Bromeliaceae were recorded, belonging to Aechmea (2 spp.), Araeococcus (1 sp.), Billbergia (1 sp.), Catopsis (1 sp.), Guzmania (1 sp.), Hohenbergia (1 sp.), Tillandsia (1 sp.), and Vriesea (4 spp.). Eight species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain. Identification keys, descriptions, and comments on their phenology, geographical distribution and habitat are provided, as well as an illustration of Hohenbergia sandrae, which was described for the first time in the Atlantic Forest domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the preliminary part the author publishes the news: Hohenbergia guatenialensis L. B. Smith, Piteairnia heterophylla (Lindl.) Beer forma albiflora Standley et L. B. Smith, P. nutckheimii Donn. Smith var. macrolepis L. B. Smith, Tillandsia ionantha Planch. var. scaposa L. B. Smith, T. penlandii L. B. Smith and their var. pedunculata L. B. Smith, T. polita L. B. Smith, Vriesia lancifolia (Baker) L. B. Smith, V. pectinata L. B. Smith and V. racinae L. B. Smith. In the second part the author continues his synopses of the Tribe Tillandsieae (now subfamily Tillandsioideae according to Harms). In this part he studies the species with simple inflorescences and flowers that all go to one side, with a total of 26 of the genus Vriesia. The first part of the synopses has been published in numbers LXXXVI and CVI of ?Contributions from the Gray Herbariam of Harvard University?.

Epiphyte species may also have some affinity for host tree species, which may be related to bark characteristics or architecture (Wagner et al. 2015), suggesting that tree diversity should influence epiphyte diversity. At Selva Negra, where overall bryophyte cover was significantly lower, associations became more apparent and both positive and negative associations with bryophyte mats were readily discernable among vascular epiphyte species (Appendix S6), suggesting that the presence and abundance of bryophytes may alter the species composition of epiphyte assemblages. Previous studies of vascular epiphyte responses to climate change have not taken into account facilitative relationships with bryophytes because transplant experiments included entire epiphyte mats (Nadkarni & Solano 2002; Rapp & Silman 2014). Keywords: agroforestry; climate change; cloud immersion; solar radiation; structural equation models; tropical montane forest; vapor pressure deficit; agrosilvicultura; bosque tropical de montaña; cambio climático; déficit de presión de vapor; inmersión en nubes; modelos de ecuaciones estructurales; radiación solar EN agroforestry climate change cloud immersion solar radiation structural equation models tropical montane forest vapor pressure deficit agrosilvicultura bosque tropical de montaña cambio climático déficit de presión de vapor inmersión en nubes modelos de ecuaciones estructurales radiación solar 1496 1506 11 10/05/21 20211001 NES 211001 Introduction Global biodiversity loss is one of the greatest crises of our time. [Extracted from the article]

One new species belonging to the genus Guzmania (Bromeliaceae) from Ecuador is described and illustrated. Guzmania peter-bakii (subfamily Tillandsioideae) from the province of Napo in the Cordillera de los Guacamayos region of norteastern Ecuador is related to Guzmania amplectens L.B. Smith. Distinguishing characteristics between these species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Bromeliaceae is restricted to the Neotropical region and has a high degree of endemism, which contributes to increased biodiversity because of the diverse morphological characteristics of individuals. In order to develop an in vitro conservation technology to obtain plants for reintroduction, seeds of Vriesea flammea L.B.Sm. were collected, sterilized and germinated in culture medium. The plants obtained were cultured for 180 days in MS medium with different concentrations of mineral nutrients (25 and 50% of nitrogenous salts and macronutrients), and different concentrations of sucrose (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 g L-1), and then acclimatized for 150 days on commercial substrate. When seeds were sterilized directly, only 4% of them were contaminated, whereas sterilization of capsules resulted in 43.6% contaminated seeds. Germination rates above 80% were recorded. Low concentrations of nitrogenous salts and macronutrients produced greater than 76% survival and promoted greater in vitro plant development than the complete MS medium. The development of the aerial system, root system, fresh mass and photosynthetic pigments were positively related to sucrose concentration in vitro. The highest sucrose concentration also indirectly promoted greater development of the aerial system and fresh mass of acclimatized plants. We established conditions for in vitro cultivation and acclimatization for efficient propagation of V. flammea with a view towards conservation of the species or reestablishment of natural populations.

Abstract In this paper we present an overview of the abstracts, scientific and social programs, field trips, and achievements in terms of participant number, represented countries, sponsorships, and themes treated during the Sixth International Conference on the Comparative Biology of Monocotyledons that took place in Natal, Brazil, October 7th -12th 2018. Some comments received by the organizers and a few suggestions for organizers of the next meeting, in Costa Rica, are also provided. The conference’s complete abstract book was published and provide additional information.

Abstract Dyckia pseudococcinea is a threatened species endemic to the restingas of the Atlantic Forest, an area under strong anthropic impact. From the perspective of conservation, plant embryology is interesting by the variety of approaches for in vitro culture of seedlings. With this in mind, the present study describes the endospermogenesis of D. pseudococcinea to provide data for conservation studies and indicate characters that may contribute to the systematics of Pitcairnioideae. Using anatomical analysis, samples of flowers and fruits at different developmental stages were analyzed. We observed the establishment of the primary endosperm nucleus and then the primary endosperm cell (PEC). Upon expansion of the central vacuole of PEC, nuclei migrate to the chalazal, peripheral, and micropylar domains. An early centripetal cellularization begins in the chalazal region, characterizing the endosperm as coenocytic/multicellular type. With cellularization, the endosperm enfolds the embryo. In addition, in the outermost layer of the endosperm, an aleurone layer is visible. These observations allowed some embryological characters to be identified, thus helping to clarify the systematic relationships of Pitcairnioideae and also the genus Dyckia, such as the presence of hypostasis, the persistence of the antipodals and synergids during the early stages of endospermogenesis and coenocytic/multicellular endospermogenesis. Having established the details of endospermogenesis, we then set forth guidelines for the development of in vitro culture protocols aimed at the conservation of D. pseudococcinea, an endangered Bromeliad species of the Atlantic Forest.

Two new species of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) from Ecuador are described and illustrated here. Tillandsia grovesiae from the province of Tungurahua in central Ecuador is related to Tillandsia orbicularis L.B. Sm., and Tillandsia riverae from the province of Azuay in southern Ecuador is also related to Tillandsia orbicularis L.B. Sm. Distinguishing characteristics between these species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species belonging to the genus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) from Ecuador are described and illustrated. Tillandsia kickae (Tillandsia subgenus Pseudovriesea) from the province of Loja in the southern region of Ecuador is related to Tillandsia espinosae L.B. Sm.; Tillandsia renateae (Tillandsia subgenus Allardtia) from the province of Azuay in southern Ecuador is related to Tillandsia coinaensis Ehlers from Peru; Tillandsia karinae (Tillandsia subgenus Pseudovriesea) from the province of Loja in southern Ecuador is related to Tillandsia gruberi (Ehlers) J.R. Grant from Colombia, Dept of Colima, La Honda. Distinguishing characteristics between these species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Ananas comosus var. ananassoides (Baker) Coppens & F.Leal is a native ornamental bromeliad of the endangered biome Cerrado. Therefore, approaches aimed at the preservation of this species, such as in vitro cultivation and micropropagation are needed. Nitrogen (N) is absorbed by plants, mainly as NO3- and/or NH4+, and assimilated into amino acids. The aim of this work was to evaluate the N assimilation in this bromeliad. Plants were grown in vitro for seven months in modified MS medium with 15, 30, 60, and 90 mM of N as NO3-, NH4+ or NH4NO3, and then transferred to ex vitro conditions for acclimatization. Plants grown with NH4+ had high mortality. During acclimatization plants cultivated with 30, 60, and 90 mM of N as NH4NO3 showed higher biomass. With regard to N assimilation, GS and NR showed the highest activity in plants cultivated with NH4NO3, whereas plants cultivated with NH4+ had the highest GDH activity. Consequently, in vitro and ex vitro cultivation of this species with 60 mM N as NH4NO3 is recommended.

We present the preliminary results of the biocultural recognition of the area of Cerro Andaraga located in the old territory of the farm and work of Uningambal in the divortium aquarum of the basins of the Virú and Chao rivers, within an ecological floor of Jalca. The archaeological information is related to other sites in the area such as Huasochugho, as well as its interrelations with the middle and lower part of the Chao valley, following a very ancient route, in the same way its ethno-knowledge and relationship with the various species of flora, fauna and its geographical environment, emphasizing the richness of the water element, the favorable habitat for camelids and the record of the new endemic species Jaltomata andagarae S. Leiva & Mione "sogorome" (Solanaceae) and the species Puya raimondii Harms (Bromeliaceae) "cahua", whose stands are threatened by anthropogenic action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a taxonomic treatment of Stryphnodendron (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade) for the Brazilian Flora 2020 Project, one new presumably critically endangered species from the Atlantic Forest domain was found, and is so far only known to western Espírito Santo state. Stryphnodendron flavotomentosum is described and illustrated, and information on its distribution, habitat, phenology, and preliminary conservation status is provided. Additionally, an identification key for the species of Stryphnodendron from the Brazilian rainforests is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present an overview of the abstracts, scientific and social programs, field trips, and achievements in terms of participant number, represented countries, sponsorships, and themes treated during the Sixth International Conference on the Comparative Biology of Monocotyledons that took place in Natal, Brazil, October 7th -12th 2018. Some comments received by the organizers and a few suggestions for organizers of the next meeting, in Costa Rica, are also provided. The conference's complete abstract book was published and provide additional information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antecedentes: El estado de Puebla tiene gran biodiversidad, resultado de su compleja historia biogeográfica y de su heterogeneidad topográfica y climática. Sin embargo, la exploración botánica en la entidad ha sido escasa y sesgada a ciertas regiones, quedando aún buena parte del territorio sin documentar. Preguntas: ¿Cuántas especies de angiospermas epífitas hay en Puebla? ¿Cómo se distribuyen en el rango altitudinal y por tipo de vegetación? Especies estudiadas: Las angiospermas epífitas. Sitio de estudio y fechas: Se recopilaron datos y se revisaron especímenes de angiospermas epífitas de Puebla, de 2011 a 2019. Se realizó trabajo de campo en el estado de 2012 a 2013. Métodos: Se revisó literatura, se consultaron bases de datos, se revisaron las colecciones AMO, ENCB, FCME, HUAP, MEXU, UAMIZ, XAL y se hicieron viajes de recolección. Resultados: Se reportan 18 familias, 92 géneros y 265 especies de angiospermas epífitas para Puebla, 72 de las cuales son endémicas de México. Se registran siete especies por primera vez para el estado. El mayor porcentaje de epífitas se registró en el bosque mesófilo de montaña (50 %), seguido por el bosque de Quercus (32 %); el mayor número de especies se reporta en el rango altitudinal de 1,090 a 1,700 m. Conclusiones: Puebla tiene alta diversidad de angiospermas epífitas; a pesar de la velocidad a la que su vegetación está siendo fragmentada, aún hay zonas favorables para el desarrollo de epífitas; es importante explorar y preservar dichas áreas, antes de que su biodiversidad se pierda sin haber sido documentada.

ABSTRACT Hummingbirds are the main pollinators of most bromeliad species, whose nectar traits usually respond to the selective pressures imposed by pollinators. Considering the specialization of hummingbird-pollinated bromeliads, we expect a close relationship between nectar ecophysiology and the needs of the main pollinators. In this sense, we studied the nectar ecology of the endemic epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea altodaserrae by assessing its nectar traits to address the following questions: i) do flowers respond to successive experimental removals of nectar? ii) is hummingbird visitation frequency related to nectar secretion pattern? We found that V. altodaserrae depended completely on hummingbirds for sexual reproduction, and nectar composition was consistent with that of most hummingbird-pollinated species. Most of the nectar was secreted at bud stage and, if not removed, flowers reabsorb it at the end of their lifespan. Total nectar production did not change after successive removals, and nectar secretion rhythm did not affect the frequency of hummingbird visits. Vriesea altodaserrae was visited by two-thirds of the hummingbird species recorded at the study site, but especially by those of Trochilinae subfamily, suggesting specialization for this group of hummingbirds and highlighting the importance this endemic bromeliad as a keystone species in areas of highland Atlantic forest.

Premise Microsatellite primers were developed for Puya raimondii (Bromeliaceae), an endangered species distributed in the Andean Mountains of Bolivia and Peru. Methods and Results Genome skimming of P. raimondii, P. macrura, and P. hutchisonii resulted in the selection of 46 pairs of cross‐species microsatellite markers. Of these, 12 microsatellite primer pairs produced clear and polymorphic bands in P. raimondii. These primer sets were then used for the detection of potential polymorphisms in 84 P. raimondii individuals collected from four populations in Peru. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to six, and the observed and expected levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 0.8929 and from 0.000 to 0.7662, respectively. Conclusions The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful for future population genetic analyses and breeding system studies in P. raimondii.

RESUMO O lençol freático vem assumindo papel de destaque nos últimos anos nos estudos sobre a estrutura das comunidades vegetais na Restinga, o que nos levou a comparar a estrutura florística e fitossociológica entre formações arbustivas abertas inundáveis e não inundáveis. Levantamento florístico e método do intercepto de linha foram realizados em ambas as fitofisionomias. Para a análise fitossociológica foram instaladas duas parcelas de 20 × 150 m em cada fitofisionomia, subdivididas em cinco subparcelas de 20 × 30 m. Foram amostradas 147 moitas, sendo 49 da formação inundável e 98 da não inundável, representando, respectivamente, 210,78 m2 e 30,45 m2 de área média. A formação inundável apresentou média de 4,9 moitas por subparcela, enquanto a área não inundável 9,8. Foram encontradas 100 espécies para as duas fitofisionomias, distribuídas em 40 famílias, sendo 87 espécies para a área inundável e 68 para a não inundável. As famílias com maior representatividade foram Orchidaceae e Bromeliaceae. Elevada distinção florística foi encontrada entre as fitofisionomias, sugerindo que o nível lençol freático afetou a estrutura das comunidades vegetais.

One new species belonging to the genus Racinaea (Bromeliaceae) from Ecuador is described and illustrated. The new species Racinaea neillii (subfamily Tillandsioideae) from the province of Zamora-Chinchipe in the Cordillera del Cóndor region of southeastern Ecuador is related to Racinaea tetrantha (Ruiz & Pavón) M.A. Spencer & L.B. Smith. Distinguishing characteristics between these species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to establish effective conservation strategy, drivers of local and regional patterns of biodiversity need to be understood. The composition of local biodiversity is dependent on a number of factors including evolution and redistribution of lineages through dispersal and environmental heterogeneity. Brazilian canga is characterised by a ferrugineous substrate, found both in the Iron Quadrangle of Minas Gerais and in the Carajás mountains in Amazonia. Canga is one of several specialised habitat types comprising Brazilian campo rupestre, a montane vegetation found within or adjacent to several major Brazilian bioregions, including the Atlantic Forest and Amazonia, with exceptionally high levels of diversity and endemism arising from both history of dispersal and environmental variation. In order to inform biodiversity conservation for canga, and more broadly for campo rupestre, we performed floristic and phylogenetic analyses investigating affinities between 28 sites on different substrates (canga and quartzite) and geographic locations (Carajás, Pará [Amazonia]; Cadeia do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais; Chapada Diamantina, Bahia). Through analysis of 11204 occurrences of 4705 species of angiosperms, we found that Amazonian Carajás canga plant communities formed a cohesive group, distinct from species assemblages found in Eastern Brazil (Minas Gerais, Bahia), either on canga or quartzite. The phylogenetic megatree of species across all sites investigated shows associations between certain clades and Amazonian canga, with few shared species between the Amazonian Carajás and Eastern Brazil sites, while the floristic comparison shows high levels of heterogeneity between sites. The need for reserves for Amazonian Carajás canga has been recognized and addressed by the creation of a national park. However, current sampling does not provide sufficient reassurance that the canga areas now benefitting from full legal protection adequately represent the regional canga flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Economic Botany is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Se describe, ilustra y discute una nueva especie de Pitcairnia (Bromeliaceae). Esta especie es endémica de Colombia y se encuentra en los enclaves secos de los valles interandinos de la cuenca alta del río Magdalena, departamento de Huila.

The objective of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution pattern at different altitude gradients as well as to investigate the flora associated with A. nahoumii, considered to be endemic and vulnerable. The study was carried out in Serra da Jibóia, Santa Teresinha, Bahia, Brazil. An inventory was conducted of young and adult A. nahoumii specimens along with taxonomic identification and quantification of the associated species. The cover percentage of A. nahoumii, rock slope, organic matter percentage and exposed rock percentage were calculated, as well as the following phytosociological parameters: absolute density, relative density, absolute frequency, relative frequency, and dominance of A. nahoumii. For the spatial distribution, three indices were tested (Morisita, McGuinnes and Payandech). Canonical correspondence analysis was also applied to test the association of the environmental variables with the species in the community. A total of 1,660 individuals were encountered and classified according to taxonomy in 17 families, 25 genera and 28 species. The spatial distribution pattern of the A. nahoumii population is aggregate. The results demonstrate that the population structure of A. nahoumii is stable, but events such as fires and extractive exploitation make the species vulnerable, along with the other species that inhabit the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]