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Resumen Keller, H. A.; S. Liede-Schumann; A. Rapini & S. Cáceres Moral. 2020. El género Ruehssia (Apocynaceae) en la Argentina: filogenia, nuevas combinaciones y nuevos registros. Darwiniana, nueva serie 8(2): 414-437. Ruehssia se restableció recientemente para clasificar a todas las especies americanas de la tribu Marsdenieae. Aquí, ofrecemos una revisión del género en la Argentina, con una clave de identificación, comentarios, un mapa de distribución e imágenes de todas las especies. La posición filogenética de todas las especies se ha evaluado utilizando secuencias de ADN nuclear y cloroplástico. Reconocemos seis especies. Además de R. altissima y R. macrophylla, incluimos dos nuevos registros, R. hilariana y R. brasiliensis, y proponemos dos nuevas combinaciones en el género, R. castillonii (Lillo ex T. Mey.) H.A. Keller & Liede y R. tressensiae (S.A. Cáceres y Morillo) H.A. Keller & Liede. Ruehssia montana y R. ulei, previamente citadas para la Argentina, no habitan en el país. Abstract Keller, H. A.; S. Liede-Schumann; A. Rapini & S. Cáceres Moral. 2020. The genus Ruehssia (Apocynaceae) from Argentina: phylogeny, new combinations and new records. Darwiniana, nueva serie 8(2): 414-437. Ruehssia was recently reestablished to classify all American species of the tribe Marsdenieae. Here, we provide a revision of the genus in Argentina, with an identification key, comments, a distribution map, and images of all species. The phylogenetic position of all species has been assessed using chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences. We recognize six species. Besides R. altissima and R. macrophylla, we include two new records, R. hilariana and R. brasiliensis, and propose two new combinations in the genus, R. castillonii (Lillo ex T. Mey.) H.A. Keller & Liede and R. tressensiae (S.A. Cáceres & Morillo) H.A. Keller & Liede. Ruehssia montana and R. ulei, previously reported to Argentina, do not occur in the country.

Background and aims – Vegetation on ironstone outcrops is highly threatened, particularly due to the impact of mining. In this study, two new species of Ditassa (Metastelmatinae, Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) from the cangas of the Iron Quadrangle (Minas Gerais, Brazil) are described and illustrated, and their conservation status is discussed.Material and methods – Species recognition is based on a morphological and molecular study of recent and historical collections, including a survey of the main herbaria of Brazil, Europe and the United States. Conservation status assessments are based on the evaluation of areas of occupancy and the impact of iron mining in the region.Key results – The two new species are morphologically similar to species in the “Hemipogon from the Espinhaço” clade, which includes Morilloa. Nevertheless, they exhibit flowers with a double corona and are described in Ditassa here, following preliminary phylogenetic analyses with 73 plastid-coding regions. These species are known from only two highly disturbed locations each and are Critically Endangered. A key to identify the 14 species of Metastelmatinae currently recorded in cangas of the Iron Quadrangle is provided.Conclusion – The Critically Endangered Ditassa cangae and D. ferricola are examples of poorly known, nearly extinct species under strong anthropogenic pressure caused by intense mining activities and the lack of adequate legislation for the protection of canga landscapes.

The MOG clade is one of the four neotropical lineages of the subfamily Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae), and its core group is formed by the subtribes Metastelmatinae, Oxypetalinae, Gonolobinae, Tassadiinae and Topeinae, consisting of about 935 species and 63 genera. These subtribes form well-supported and morphologically distinguishable clades, but the relationships among them are yet to be resolved. Metastelmatinae is composed of approximately 300 species and 12 genera with complex circumscriptions. There is no agreement regarding the sequence of phylogenetic events at the beginning of the Metastelmatinae evolution. Petalostelma stands out for being a genus frequently assigned to the basal grade of Metastelmatinae. In this study, we evaluated the circumscription of Petalostelma, its phylogenetic position in Metastelmatinae and the relationships between the subtribes of the MOG core group, thus offering an overview of the initial diversification of Metastelmatinae. Our results support the monophyly of Petalostelma and a basal grade sequentially formed by Blepharodon s.s., Petalostelma, Barjonia and Minaria within Metastelmatinae; however, alternative hypotheses in which the positions of Petalostelma and Barjonia are interchanged cannot be rejected. The sister clades Metastelmatine–Gonolobinae and Oxypetalinae–Tassadiinae are the most likely within the MOG core group, although without statistical significance. We also present a taxonomic revision of Petalostelma in Brazil, including complete morphological descriptions, an identification key, illustrations, distribution maps, assessments of the conservation status and taxonomic comments for the nine species recognized in the country, including a new species from eastern Brazil, P. atlanticum, endemic to Espirito Santo and critically endangered.

A new species of Apocynaceae, Ruehssia quirinopolensis, endemic to Serra da Confusão do Rio Preto and Serra da Igrejinha, Quirinópolis, state of Goiás, Brazil, is described and illustrated. It resembles R. rupestris, differing by the white corolla, adaxially villose and with a longer tube, and by its corona lobes with the upper portion lanceolate. Besides a distribution map for the new species, we provide a key to identify the nine species of Ruehssia that occur in Goiás. Ruehssia quirinopolensis is assessed here as Critically Endangered (CR). Resumo Uma nova espécie de Apocynaceae, Ruehssia quirinopolensis, endêmica da Serra da Confusão do Rio Preto e Serra da Igrejinha, Quirinópolis, estado de Goiás, Brasil, é descrita e ilustrada. Ela se assemelha a R. rupestris, diferindo, pela corola branca, adaxialmente vilosa e com tubo mais longo, e pelos lobos da corona com a porção superior lanceolada. Além de um mapa de distribuição para a nova espécie, apresentamos uma chave para identificar as nove espécies de Ruehssia que ocorrem em Goiás. Ruehssia quirinopolensis é avaliada aqui como Criticamente em Perigo (CR).

Four new species of Marsdenia (M. avacanoeira, M. minutiflora, M. rupestris, and M. serpentina) endemic to the Cerrado domain are described and illustrated here. We also provide a geographical distribution map and notes about the species, as well as an identification key for the species of Marsdenia that occur in the Cerrado.

Three new species of Marsdenia (Apocynaceae) are described from Brazil: M. paganuccii, known from two disjunct populations, one in the Caatinga of Bahia and other in the Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo; M. paraibana, restricted to the Restinga of Cabedelo National Forest in the Atlantic Forest of Paraíba; and M. trisegmentata, known from two populations in Caatinga, one in Bahia and other in Ceará. Illustrations, a geographic distribution map and comparisons with morphologically similar species are also presented for each species.

The Marsdenieae (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) comprise approximately 750 species and 26 accepted genera, half of which contain just one or two species. The tribe has been under-represented in phylogenetic studies to date, most of which have focussed on the ornamental paleotropical genus Hoya and related genera. American Marsdenieae are all currently classified in Marsdenia, a heterogeneous genus with about 150 species distributed in the tropics and subtropics and whose broad circumscription has been questioned for a long time. Here, we perform phylogenetic analyses comprising half of the tribe's genera and using two plastid (trnL-F and psbD-trnT) and two nuclear (ITS and ETS) regions. Our analyses show that the American species of Marsdenia are monophyletic but not closely related to M. tinctoria, the type of the genus. Thus, we reinstate Ruehssia H.Karst. to classify this American clade of Marsdenieae. We present a taxonomic revision of the genus in Brazil, with 42 species (one with two varieties) recognised. Other than R. macrophylla, the type of Ruehssia, all names are new combinations. One new synonym is proposed and 10 lectotypes and two neotypes are selected. All species are described and illustrated, together with comments and distribution maps for their occurrence in Brazil.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:57:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-23 British Ecological Society Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Background and Aims: Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions. Methods: The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated. Key Results: Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented. Conclusions: Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades. Faculty of Arts Science and Technology University of Northampton, Newton Building, Avenue Campus Lehrstuhl für Pflanzensystematik Universität Bayreuth Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107 Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) Curso de Licenciatura em Educação do Campo - LEC Campus JK - Diamantina School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01 Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste UNNE-CONICET Department of Plant Biology Ecology and Evolution, 301 Physical Sciences Laboratorio de Plantas Vasculares Departamento de Biología Comparada Facultad de Ciencias UNAM Laboratório de Ecologia da Polinização e Interações - LEPI Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'- Unesp Saint Louis University Department of Biology Biology Extension Building, 1008 S. Spring Ave. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Mah. 269. Cad. Urankent Prestij Konutlarý Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town, P/Bag X3 Ecosystem Management Group ETH Zurich EDB UMR 5174 Université de Toulouse UPS, 118 route de Narbonne Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva - Biología Floral IMBIV (UNC-CONICET) Departamento de Botânica Museu Nacional Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Quinta da Boa Vista Department of Plant Sciences Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of the Free State, PO Box 339 Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro Departamento de Botânica - CB Laboratório de Biologia Floral e Reprodutiva - POLINIZAR Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Universidade Federal de São Carlos - UFSCar Centro de Ciências Agrárias Depto. Ciências da Natureza Matemática e Educação, Rod. Anhanguera Km 174 Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915 Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicas y Naturales Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC) IMBIV (CONICET-UNC) Herbarium - Royal Botanic Gardens Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas (LABIBO) Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Av. Bolivia 5150 Department of Biosciences University of Salzburg Biology Department Franklin and Marshall College Natural History Museum Georgia College, 231 W. Hancock Street Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter Penryn Campus Department of Biology Willamette University Department of Botany Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road Department of Biodiversity Earth and Environmental Sciences Academy of Natural Sciences Drexel University Center for Ecological Research Kyoto University, Hirano 2-509-3 Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Laboratório de Fenologia Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), PO Box 661 School of Biological Sciences Royal Holloway University of London Graduate School of Arts and Sciences University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Campus IX. Rodovia BR 242, km 4, s/n. Flamengo Tropical Biology Association David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street Instituto de Biologia - UFU, Campus Umuarama Bloco 2D Department of Botany Rhodes University, PO Box 94 Biospheres Eshwari, 52/403, Nanasaheb Peshva Marg, Near Ramna Ganpati Department of Evolution Ecology and Organismal Biology University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Av. Universitária s/n, Novo Horizonte Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia Kunming Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road Laboratorio de Ecología UBIPRO FES-Iztacala Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Tlalnepantla de Baz Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Departamento de Biologia Vegetal Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109 Department of Plant Sciences Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of the Free State, Qwaqwa campus, Kestell Road Penn State University, 542 ASI Building Department of Chemistry and Bioscience Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University, 3-11 Tsurukabuto Departamento de Biologia Vegetal Universidade Federal de VIçosa (UFV) Museo Botánico Córdoba y Cátedra de Morfologia Vegetal (IMBIVUNC-CONICET) Graduate School of Technology Industrial and Social Science Tokushima University, 2-1 Minamijyosanjima Centro Acadêmico de Vitória Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Departamento de Educação Universidade Federal da Paraiba Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente Universidade Federal da Paraiba Laboratório de Ecologia da Polinização e Interações - LEPI Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'- Unesp Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Laboratório de Fenologia

Phylogenetic studies in Acanthaceae revealed that Schaueria azaleiflora and three species of Streblacanthus are closely related to the genus Pachystachys. In the present study, we propose the enlargement of Pachystachys to reflect these relationships. Two new species are described and illustrated, P. gracilis from Brazil and P. linearibracteata from Peru, and four new combinations are proposed in the genus. A key to identify the 18 species of Pachystachys s.l. is also provided.

The genus Schaueria (Acanthaceae) has not been comprehensively treated for more than 150 years. Here, we propose a recircumscription of Schaueria based on molecular phylogenetic results and present a taxonomic revision of the genus. We recognise 14 species, which occur mainly in semideciduous montane forests, rain forests, and restingas, from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul states, Brazil. Three new species are described in the genus—S. hirta, S. pyramidalis, and S. thyrsiflora—and six are excluded from the genus. Four new combinations and two new synonyms are proposed, and five lectotypes are designated. Many species of Schaueria are endangered, critically endangered or vulnerable, and two species are assessed as near threatened because of continuous decline of habitat quality and extent of Atlantic forest. We provide a key to identify the genera of the Tetramerium lineage that occur in South America, and present descriptions, illustrations, and comments for the 14 species of Schaueria, as well as a key to identify them.

Current global warming causes range changes and affects the distribution of species. Microendemics are the first affected and the most threatened by climate change. Here, we model the potential range of the rupestrian grassland biome (campos rupestres) in a neotropical, endemic-rich mountain range to project changes in its distribution and biodiversity. Our approach is based on the distribution of 42 asclepiad species endemic to the Espinhaco Range, southeastern Brazil. Models were produced for the present and for 2020, 2050 and 2080, under two different scenarios of CO2 emission, by implementing a maximum-entropy machine-learning algorithm (maxent). The area suitable for campos rupestres was projected to be smaller in the future, and in 2080 would represent approximately half of the current area, most of which would be restricted to the southern portion of the Espinhaco Range. According to our models, by the end of the century, the area suitable for campos rupestres in the northern portion of the Espinhaco Range (Chapada Diamantina) would be reduced to only 1.7%, restricted to two small fragments that are not yet protected by the current reserves. This habitat loss corresponds to an estimated 56% richness loss and the likely extinction of 328 (97%) microendemic species of angiosperms. Our results highlight the importance of approaches at local and regional scales for conservation planning in a world undergoing anthropogenic climate change.

The taxonomic treatment of Begoniaceae for the state of Bahia, Brazil, led to the recognition of three new species of Begonia with narrow distributions, which are described and illustrated here: Begoniadelicata GregórioJ.A.S. Costa, sp. nov. is a herb restricted to the region of the Recôncavo; Begoniaelianeae GregórioJ.A.S. Costa, sp. nov. is a shrub endemic to the Atlantic forest of the southern part of the state; and Begoniapaganuccii GregórioJ.A.S. Costa, sp. nov. is a subshrub known only from the type material, collected in the Piedmont of Paraguaçu. Notes on morphology, comparisons with morphologically similar species, etymology, geographic distribution, habitat and phenological data for each species are also presented. Furthermore, keys are provided as an aid to separating the new species from congeneric species that occur in their surroundings. Due to the sparse knowledge of the new species, there is as yet insufficient data to accurately assess their conservation status.ResumoO tratamento taxonômico das Begoniaceae do estado da Bahia, Brasil, resultou no reconhecimento de três espécies novas de

The Espinhaco Range, eastern Brazil, is a region with remarkable floristic diversity and endemism, which are mainly concentrated in the campo rupestre. Minaria (Apocynaceae) is a genus with 21 species, most of which are endemic to the Espinhaco Range. In the present study, we investigated the biogeography of Minaria as the basis for understanding the origin and maintenance of plant diversity and endemism in the campo rupestre of the Espinhaco Range. We assessed the ecological divergence between clades, reconstructed the historical biogeography and dated the phylogeny of Minaria based on plastid and nuclear DNA. According to our estimates, Minaria arose in the Espinhaco Range during the Neogene. Its distribution is postulated to have been driven by a trend toward long-term retraction, interrupted by a few episodes of expansion. Ecologically, Minaria species do not present any obvious innovations that could explain their diversification by adaptive radiation. Appar- ently, the higher-altitude rocky savannas in the Espinhaco Range have offered stable environments in which dry seasons and fire regimes are less intense than in savannas at lower altitudes. Isolated on rocky outcrops, lineages would be more likely to differentiate by non-adaptive radiation, which may result in high plant diversity and endemism.

Analyses of cpDNA using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference reveal that Metastelma is polyphyletic in its present circumscription. Two species are transferred to Tassadia as T. richardiana and T. stricta. One species, M. eggersii, is retrieved as a member of subtribe Gonolobinae rather than Metastelmatinae, and several South American species fall within the “Stelmation” clade together with species of Ditassa. In Metastelma sensu stricto, the South American species are not monophyletic, falling into a M. tubatum Clade and a South American-Caribbean M. parviflorum Clade. Most Caribbean species, except for M. anegadense, M. decipiens, M. lineare, and M. parviflorum, form a clade in which the Cuban species are sister to the remaining taxa. The Central American mainland species show a clear geographical structure with a center of diversity in central Mexico, two radiations along the Occidental portion of Sierra Madre, and one radiation along the Oriental portion of Sierra Madr...

Petalostelma is a taxonomically neglected genus of Apocynaceae with only seven species of climbing plants and voluble subshrubs with the smallest flowers of Metastelmatinae (c. 6 mm in diam.), mainly characterized by rotate corolla and fleshy gynostegial corona, with or without an annular corolline corona. During the revision of the genus, we recognized three new species of Petalostelma, two of which had specimens misidentified as P. sarcostemma, a species originally known only from Argentina. Here, we describe and illustrate these new species – P. andinum, P. auriculatum and P. longipedunculatum – and compare them with the other species of Petalostelma that also have flowers without corolline corona. The three new species occur in the Andean dry forests of Bolivia, but P. andinum also occurs in Argentina and P. longipedunculatum in the Brazilian Cerrado. Additionally, the occurrence of P. sarcostemma is confirmed for Bolivia and reported for the first time in Brazil here.

In a world where changes in land cover and climate happen faster than ever due to the expansion of human activities, narrowly distributed species are predicted to be the first to go extinct. Studies projecting species extinction in tropical regions consider either habitat loss or climate change as drivers of biodiversity loss but rarely evaluate them together. Here, the contribution of these two factors to the extinction risk of narrowly distributed species (with ranges smaller than 10,000 km2) of seed plants endemic to a fifth-order watershed in Brazil (microendemics) is assessed. We estimated the Regional Climate Change Index (RCCI) of these watersheds (areas with microendemics) and projected three scenarios of land use up to the year 2100 based on the average annual rates of habitat loss in these watersheds from 2000 to 2014. These scenarios correspond to immediate conservation action (scenario 1), long-term conservation action (scenario 2), and no conservation action (scenario 3). In each scenario, areas with microendemics were classified into four classes: (1) areas with low risk, (2) areas threatened by habitat loss, (3) areas threatened by climate change, and (4) areas threatened by climate change and habitat loss. We found 2,354 microendemic species of seed plants in 776 areas that altogether cover 17.5% of Brazil. Almost 70% (1,597) of these species are projected to be under high extinction risk by the end of the century due to habitat loss, climate change, or both, assuming that these areas will not lose habitat in the future due to land use. However, if habitat loss in these areas continues at the prevailing annual rates, the number of threatened species is projected to increase to more than 85% (2,054). The importance of climate change and habitat loss as drivers of species extinction varies across phytogeographic domains, and this variation requires the adoption of retrospective and prospective conservation strategies that are context specific. We suggest that tropical countries, such as Brazil, should integrate biodiversity conservation and climate change policies (both mitigation and adaptation) to achieve win-win social and environmental gains while halting species extinction.

Although the high diversity of neotropical plants is often associated with rain forests, another important location is open vegetation at mountain tops. In the present study, we investigated the phytogeographic patterns of the Espinhaco Range, in eastern Brazil, a region characterized by campos rupestres and marked by high levels of plant richness and endemism. Based on the occurrence of Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae) in a grid of 0.5o × 0.5o cells, we conducted cluster analyses and parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE). We also calculated indexes of diversity and endemism and examined the distribution of palaeo- and neo-endemics. According to our data, the topographic gap between the Espinhaco Range of Minas Gerais and Bahia seems to be an important constraint for the dispersion of endemics, and the floristic similarity between northern Minas Gerais and Bahia is a result of species with broad distribution. Based on the seven areas of endemism that emerged from PAE, we defined five principal centres of en...

The protection of areas that shelter high evolutionary diversity represented by geographically and phylogenetically isolated lineages is becoming an important conservation strategy. Nevertheless, the spatial distribution of this component of biodiversity is still unknown for most groups, which limits its application for selecting priority areas to conserve. In the present study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Minaria (Apocynaceae) based on plastid (trnH-psbA, rps16, trnS-trnG and trnD-trnT) and nuclear (ITS and ETS) DNA markers and 34 morphological characters, and analysed the geographic distribution of the phylogenetic diversity (PD) and endemism (PE) in this genus. Minaria includes 21 species that are highly concentrated in the Espinhaco Range, in eastern Brazil, most of which (∼75%) are narrowly distributed. The spatial analyses of PD and PE of Minaria indicate four evolutionary relevant areas in this region. The Serra do Cipo and the Diamantina Plateau contain 10 endemic species and present the hig...

The Metastelmatinae (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) include 13 genera and approximately 260 species with complex morphological affinities that are broadly distributed in the Neotropics. This study investigated phylogenetic relationships within this subtribe using plastid (trnT-F, trnS-G, trnH-psbA, trnD-T, rps16, and matK) and nuclear (ITS) markers. The taxonomic sampling focused on the South American species, and included approximately 25% of the subtribe. Individual data partitions, and combined datasets were analyzed using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony. The results indicated that most genera of Metastelmatinae are not monophyletic. Internal relationships in the subtribe and key morphological characters used in the taxonomy of the group are discussed. The lack of resolution in the molecular phylogeny, incongruent phylogenetic signals between plastid and nuclear datasets, and the lack of morphological features for individual clades prevented major taxonomic changes...

A survey of the tribe Justicieae from the Caatinga biome, in the State of Bahia, revealed the following four new species of Justicia (Acanthaceae): J. angustissima, J. attenuata, J. chlamidocalyx and J. jacuipensis. J. attenuata and J. jacuipensis are known only from the types; the latter is considered Critically Endangered (CR) because the area where it was collected has been flooded since the construction of the Pedra do Cavalo dam and the region around this area has been extensively disturbed. J. angustissima and J. chlamidocalyx were found in six locations. They have a wide distribution in Central Bahia and the conservation status of both species should be classified as Least Concern (LC). The four species are described and illustrations and comments are provided.

Two endangered new species of Marsdenia R. Br. (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) from the semi-arid region of Brazil are described and illustrated: M. breviramosa (south-western Bahia) and M. nana (northern Minas Gerais). They are shrubs closely related to M. zehntneri and, like that species, are also associated with calcareous outcrops. The former can be recognised by linear leaves arranged in small, compact shoots and the latter is a subshrub less than 50 cm high whose flowers are unique because of the adaxially villous corolla and long-rostrate gynostegium.

Phylogenetic studies based on molecular data indicated that the Neotropical genus Anisacanthus Nees (Acanthaceae), as traditionally circumscribed, is not monophyletic. Based on the priority of the description of Thyrsacanthus ramosissimus Moric. versus the description of Thyrsacanthus Nees, we are reinstating the name Thyrsacanthus (Art. 42.1 of the ICBN) to include the South American species traditionally assigned to Anisacanthus. Drejera Nees is included in the synonymy of Thyrsacanthus, a new species (T. microphyllus A. Cortes & Rapini) is described, three new combinations are proposed, two new taxonomic synonyms at the species level indicated and three lectotypes designated. The positions ofAnisacanthus trilobus Lindau and A. pohlii Lindau are uncertain, requiring further investigations.

Limestone outcrops often harbour floras rich in threatened and narrowly endemic species. Still, these formations, usually associated with karst landscapes, remain floristically poorly known, and so are often neglected in conservation programmes. In Brazil, three species of Marsdenia (Apocynaceae) endemic to limestone outcrops are known: M. breviramosa, M. virgultorum and M. zehntneri. In this work, we describe and illustrate two new species of Marsdenia restricted to karst landscapes: M. calcaria from the state of Minas Gerais and M.phallica from the state of Goias. We also include illustrations of M. zehntneri, the species morphologically most similar to the two new species, and in situ images of the species of Marsdenia from limestone formations in Brazil (except for M. virgultorum, which is known only from the type). A geographic distribution map and an identification key for the five species known from limestone formations are also provided.

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 presentthe first comprehensive phylogenetic study of Eriocaulaceae based on individual and combined molecular datasets, including the plastidpsbA-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).

A new species of Apocynaceae, Rauvolfia anomala Rapini & I. Koch, is described and illustrated. It wasfound in low savanna of Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso state, sympatric with R. weddelliana . The twospecies seem to be closely related, but can be easily distinguished by the flowers, whose corolla is greenish,with lobes longer than the tube in R. anomala , or reddish with lobes shorter than the tube in R. weddelliana .The new species has remarkable floral polymorphism and possibly represents a new example of dioicy in thegenus. This is the first species of Rauvolfia with narrow distribution reported to Mato Grosso. Key words : dioicy, Neotropics, Rauvolfioideae, Central-West Region. Alessandro Rapini 1,4 , Ingrid Koch 2 & Andre Olmos Simoes 3 Rauvolfia anomala, uma nova especiede Apocynaceae da Chapada dos Guimaraes,Mato Grosso, Brasil Rauvolfia anomala , a new species of Apocynaceaefrom Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso, Brazil Introducao Rauvolfia L. (Apocynaceae) e um generoessencialmente pantropical, porem sem especiesnativas na Australia. Inclui cerca de 65 especies,com centro de diversidade nas Americas; sao 37especies neotropicais, sendo 26 exclusivamentesul-americanas, sete da America Central, incluindoas Antilhas, e quatro representadas nas duasporcoes (para a revisao das especies americanas,veja Rao 1956 e Koch 2002). O genero tem atraidoa atencao principalmente por causa de seuscompostos quimicos (especialmente os alcaloidesindolicos) e suas propriedades farmacologicas, comespecies utilizadas no tratamento de desarranjosintestinais, hipertensao, disturbios mentais e comoantidoto para veneno de cobra (

Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) is a neotropical genus which is well represented in Brazil. A recent taxonomic revision of the Brazilian species of Mandevilla subgenus Mandevilla included eight new species, one of them from the State of Pernambuco. Nevertheless, while preparing a survey of Apocynaceae from the Brazilian semi-arid region, a new species of the subgenus was recognised. Mandevilla catimbauensis Souza-Silva, Rapini & J.F.Morales is here described and illustrated. It is a twining plant with elliptic, glabrous leaves and hypocrateriform, purple flowers, known only from the Vale do Catimbau National Park, in the State of Pernambuco.

Allamanda calcicola Souza-Silva & Rapini, an overlooked new species endemic to the limestone outcrops along the Sao Francisco River Basin, in south-western Bahia and northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated. It was confused with A. martii and A. schottii, two species from eastern Brazil, which (along with A. polyantha) form a different complex of closely related species. However, A. calcicola is more closely related to A. puberula, another species from the semi-arid region of Brazil.

Plastid sequences of trnL-F are used to estimate the age of biogeographical events in New World Asclepiadoideae. These data suggest that the subfamily arose somewhere in the Old World in the Late Eocene (40 million years ago (Ma)) and that there were at least four independent episodes of dispersal to the New World. The MOG clade, comprising Metastelmatinae, Oxypetalinae, and Gonolobinae, probably colonized South America through transoceanic dispersal from Africa at 32 Ma. The three subtribes emerged at 24 Ma, radiating 15–16 Ma. Cynanchum L. subg. Mellichampia (A. Gray) Woodson (Cynanchinae) only arrived in the New World at 24 Ma and has since diversified gradually. Asclepias L. (Asclepiadinae) probably arrived in the New World through the Bering Strait at 20 Ma, dispersing to South America before the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama. More recently, tropical Marsdenia R. Br. (Marsdenineae) probably arrived in the New World by long-distance dispersal at 16 Ma. Most diversification in New World A...

An updated inventory of Brazilian seed plants is presented and offers important insights into the country's biodiversity. This work started in 2010, with the publication of the Plants and Fungi Catalogue, and has been updated since by more than 430 specialists working online. Brazil is home to 32,086 native Angiosperms and 23 native Gymnosperms, showing an increase of 3% in its species richness in relation to 2010. The Amazon Rainforest is the richest Brazilian biome for Gymnosperms, while the Atlantic Rainforest is the richest one for Angiosperms. There was a considerable increment in the number of species and endemism rates for biomes, except for the Amazon that showed a decrease of 2.5% of recorded endemics. However, well over half of Brazillian seed plant species (57.4%) is endemic to this territory. The proportion of life-forms varies among different biomes: trees are more expressive in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes while herbs predominate in the Pampa, and lianas are more expressive in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, and Pantanal. This compilation serves not only to quantify Brazilian biodiversity, but also to highlight areas where there information is lacking and to provide a framework for the challenge faced in conserving Brazil's unique and diverse flora. Resumo Um levantamento atualizado das plantas com sementes e análises relevantes acerca desta biodiversidade são apresentados. Este trabalho se iniciou em 2010 com a publicação do Catálogo de Plantas e Fungos e, desde então vem sendo atualizado por mais de 430 especialistas trabalhando online. O Brasil abriga atualmente 32.086 espécies nativas de Angiospermas e 23 espécies nativas de Gimnospermas e estes novos dados mostram um aumento de 3% da riqueza em relação a 2010. A Amazônia é o Domínio Fitogeográfico com o maior número de espécies de Gimnospermas, enquanto que a Floresta Atlântica possui a maior riqueza de Angiospermas. Houve um crescimento considerável no número de espécies e nas taxas de endemismo para a maioria dos Domínios (Caatinga, Cerrado, Floresta Atlântica, Pampa e Pantanal), com exceção da Amazônia que apresentou uma diminuição de 2,5% de endemicidade. Entretanto, a maior parte das plantas com sementes que ocorrem no Brasil (57,4%) é endêmica deste território. A proporção de formas de vida varia de acordo com os diferentes Domínios: árvores são mais expressivas na Amazônia e Floresta Atlântica do que nos outros biomas, ervas são dominantes no Pampa e as lianas apresentam riqueza expressiva na Amazônia, Floresta Atlântica e Pantanal. Este trabalho não só quantifica a biodiversidade brasileira, mas também indica as lacunas de conhecimento e o desafio a ser enfrentado para a conservação desta flora.

Combined analyses of plastid regions indicate that the genus Ditassa (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) is polyphyletic and reveal a highly supported clade composed of shrubby species with minute leaves. These molecular data provide clear support for the recognition of a segregate genus from Ditassa, which we propose here as Minaria. Keys to distinguish Minaria from closely related genera and to identify the species of Minaria are provided. Eighteen nomenclatural combinations are proposed and the new species M. campanuliflora is described. The new genus is centred on eastern Brazil with two more widely distributed species extending as far as eastern Bolivia and NE Argentina. All the species occur in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and it is from Minas that the name is derived; fourteen are endemic to the Espinhaco Range, and most are narrow endemics.

According to analyses of plastid DNA, New World Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae) fall into four clades; most species, however, are included in just one clade endemic to the New World that comprises Metastelmatinae, Oxypetalinae and Gonolobinae (the MOG clade). Looking for better support and resolution inside the MOG core group, we sequenced the nuclear ribosomal DNA region ITS and increased the number of plastid regions (trnS-G and matK) sequenced. Because of high levels of intra-individual polymorphisms and complex alignment among subtribes, ITS could not be used at the subtribal level. According to combined analysis of the plastid regions, Blepharodon lineare and Funastrum clausum are confirmed as sister group to the rest of Metastelmatinae and Oxypetalinae, respectively. The analysis indicates that Ditassa is polyphyletic. A highly supported clade composed of shrubby species with minute leaves that were traditionally classified in Ditassa comes out as sister to the rest of the subtribe apart from B. lineare. These data clearly support the recognition of a new genus in Metastelmatinae.

Analysis of the trnT-trnL spacer, the trnL intron, the trnL-trnF spacer, and the rps16 intron of 106 species in 34 of the 45 genera of New World Asclepiadeae in the former subtribes Metastelmatinae, Oxypetalinae, and Gonolobinae shows that these genera form a well-supported clade (“MOG”). The small Andean genus Pentacyphus is sister to the remaining MOG clade. The former Gonolobinae form a well-supported subclade closely related to members of Tassadia, Funastrum, and former Oxypetalinae. The only genera that are monophyletic as presently circumscribed are Tassadia and Funastrum. The separation of Tweedia from Oxypetalum is justified by our results. Philibertia is monophyletic only if Amblystigma, Fontellaea, Melinia, Mitostigma, and Podandra are also included. Most species of Blepharodon and Hemipogon are not monophyletic with the respective type species. Some former Astephanus and Cynanchum species as well as the monotypic Grisebachiella are imbedded in Diplolepis (D. descolei, D. geminiflora, D...

To provide an overview of New World Asclepiadoideae, we here evaluate Asclepiadeae classification by comparing the taxonomic arrangement of subtribes with a topology obtained through analyses of two plastid DNA regions (trnL intron and trnL-F intergenic spacer) for 111 species of Asclepiadoideae representing the major lineages of the subfamily. Without Jobinia, Nephradenia and Barjonia, Asclepiadeae are not monophyletic. The monotypic African genus Eustegia, with pendent pollinia, may represent the sister clade of MarsdenieaeCeropegieae, the group composed of plants with erect pollinia. Metastelmatinae including African plants are also non-monophyletic, and the circumscription of the recently re-instated Cynanchinae should be studied further. Overall, Asclepiadeae are composed of three main clades. The Old World Astephaninae are the sister group of the other Asclepiadeae, which are divided into the ACTG (Asclepiadinae, Cynanchinae, Tylophorinae and Glossonematinae) and MOG (Metastelmatinae, Oxypetalinae and Gonolobinae) clades. According to this study, the New World Asclepiadoideae fall into just four clades: (1) Marsdenia(Marsdenieae), (2) Asclepias (Asclepiadinae, Asclepiadeae), (3) Cynanchum subgenus Mellichampia(Cynanchinae, Asclepiadeae), and (4) MOG, the clade comprising the majority of New World Asclepiadoideae.

Floristic studies on the Loganiaceae from the state of Bahia, Brazil, allowed the recognition of a new species of Strychnos, S. nana, which is described and illustrated here. This is one of the few species of the genus inhabiting savannas, and can be promptly recognised by the small habit (< 50 cm high) and leaves (up to 1.1 × 1.1 cm). Besides, we are describing, for the first time, 1) the fruit and seed of S. alvimiana, species published based on sterile material, and 2) the inflorescence and flower of S. atlantica, which was established based on material only with fruits; epitypes are also designed for these two names.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Icacinaceae sensu stricto consist of a group of early branching lineages of lamiids whose relationships are not yet resolved and whose detailed floral morphology is poorly known. The most bizarre flowers occur in Emmotum: the gynoecium has three locules on one side and none on the other. It has been interpreted as consisting of three fertile and two sterile carpels or of one fertile carpel with two longitudinal septa and two sterile carpels. This study focused primarily on the outer and inner morphology of the gynoecium to resolve its disputed structure, and ovule structure was also studied. In addition, the perianth and androecium were investigated. METHODS Flowers and floral buds of two Emmotum species, E. harleyi and E. nitens, were collected and fixed in the field, and then studied by scanning electron microscopy. Microtome section series were used to reconstruct their morphology. KEY RESULTS The gynoecium in Emmotum was confirmed as pentamerous, consisting of three fertile and two sterile carpels. Each of the three locules behaves as the single locule in other Icacinaceae, with the placenta of the two ovules being identical, which shows that three fertile carpels are present. In addition, it was found that the ovules are bitegmic, which is almost unique in lamiids, and that the stamens have monosporangiate thecae, which also occurs in the closely related family Oncothecaceae, but is not known from any other Icacinaceae sensu lato so far. CONCLUSIONS The flowers of Emmotum have unique characters at different evolutionary levels: the pseudotrimerous gynoecium at angiosperm level, the bitegmic ovules at lamiid level and the monosporangiate thecae at family or family group level. However, in general, the floral morphology of Emmotum fits well in Icacinaceae. More comparative research on flower structure is necessary in Icacinaceae and other early branching lineages of lamiids to better understand the initial evolution of this large lineage of asterids.

A new species of Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae) with enigmatic taxonomic position was found in the Atlantic rainforest of Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. To ascertain its affinities within the Asclepiadeae, we performed phylogenetic analyses using the plastid regions trnT-L and rps16. Our results strongly support the new species close to the Orthosiinae, but do not support any generic relationship for this species. Based on the floral morphology, especially the corona lobes, which are highly fused, and curved inward at the top, covering the gynostegium, the new species is assigned to Monsanima. This genus is sister to the other Orthosiinae and included so far only one species narrowly endemic to the campos rupestres of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. The new species, Monsanima tinguaensis, occurs in a protected area, Tinguá Biological Reserve. However, it is known only by the type specimen and is probably vulnerable to extinction.

Two new species of Handroanthus Mattos (Bignoniaceae), endemic to Semideciduous Seasonal Forest of Bahia, are here described as H. diamantinensis and H. parviflorus. Illustrations, distribution maps, as well as a discussion about the morphological characteristics that distinguish the new species from related species are presented. Duas novas espécies de Handroanthus Mattos (Bignoniaceae), endêmicas da Floresta Estacional Semidecidual da Bahia, são aqui descritas sob o nome de H. diamantinensis e H. parviflorus. São apresentadas ilustrações, mapa de distribuição, bem como uma discussão sobre as diferenças morfológicas que distinguem tais espécies daquelas mais relacionadas.

The Apocynaceae comprise approximately 5,000 species and are widely distributed. The family belongs to the Gentianales and can be easily recognized by the presence of latex and a style-head derived from the fusion of two carpels at the apex of the styles. The largest subfamily in Apocynaceae is Asclepiadoideae. Treated as the Asclepiadaceae for almost two centuries, it comprises about 3,000 species and is defined by stamens with bisporangiate anthers and pollen transferred in specialized units called pollinaria. Since the 19th century, floristic studies and taxonomic monographs have significantly contributed to the taxonomy of Brazilian Asclepiadoideae. Nevertheless, advances in understanding the internal relationships in the subfamily were not done until this millennium, with the popularization of phylogenetic studies based on molecular data and powerful computer analyses. Advances in the systematics of Apocynaceae have provided new interpretations on the morphological evolution and biogeography of the family and have led to important changes in its classification. Nevertheless, several taxonomic rearrangements are still needed and it can be said that the taxonomy of Apocynaceae is "under construction". In this article, the major taxonomic changes in the family are reviewed, with special attention given to the systematics of Neotropical groups. A cladogram of the Apocynaceae is presented, which highlights the phylogenetic position of the Brazilian genera and their diversity in number of native species. The main studies and the diversity of Asclepiadoideae in Brazil are summarized and perspectives for future research on the subfamily are presented. As Apocynaceae compreendem aproximadamente 5.000 espécies e estão amplamente distribuídas. Pertencem às Gentianales e podem ser facilmente reconhecidas pela presença de látex e por uma cabeça estilar derivada da fusão dos dois carpelos no ápice do estilete. Asclepiadoideae é a sua maior subfamília. Tratada por quase dois séculos em Asclepiadaceae, ela inclui aproximadamente 3.000 espécies e é definida pelos estames com anteras biesporangiadas e pólen transferido em unidades especializadas denominadas polinários. Desde o século XIX, trabalhos florísticos e revisões taxonômicas têm contribuído significativamente para a taxonomia das Asclepiadoideae no Brasil. No entanto, foi apenas a partir deste milênio que estudos filogenéticos, principalmente com base em dados moleculares e um arsenal robusto de análises computacionais, propiciaram avanços significativos para a compreensão das relações internas na subfamília. Avanços na sistemática de Apocynaceae têm gerado novas interpretações sobre evolução morfológica e biogeografia e promovido mudanças substanciais na classificação da família. Vários arranjos taxonômicos ainda são necessários e pode-se dizer que a taxonomia de Apocynaceae encontra-se "em obras". Neste artigo, são revisadas as principais mudanças taxonômicas na família, com atenção especial para a sistemática dos grupos neotropicais. É apresentado um cladograma das Apocynaceae salientando a posição filogenética dos gêneros brasileiros e sua diversidade em número de espécies nativas. Os principais estudos e a diversidade de Asclepiadoideae no Brasil são sintetizados e perspectivas para futuras pesquisas na subfamília são apresentadas.

A description or diagnosis in Latin (or reference to one previously published) has been an obligatory condition for the valid publication of a name of a new plant taxon (except those of algae or fossils) since 1935 (Art. 36.1 of the ICBN) and of non-fossil algae published since 1958 (Art. 36.2). It is also one of the optionsEnglish being an alternative-for publication of names of plant fossils since 1996 (Art. 36.3). Prior to that, new plant fossil taxa could be described in any language. Besides the diagnosis or description, to be valid, publication of new fossil taxa and new non-fossil algal taxa must also be accompanied by an illustration or figure since 1912 (Art. 38.1) and 1958 (Art. 39.1), respectively. The discussion about the obligation to use Latin to validate the name of a new taxon is an old one and part of the 25 years of nomenclatural impasse in botany, until the requirement was finally implemented in the Cambridge Rules (Briquet, 1935; see Nicolson, 1991). McNeill & al. (1986) returned to the subject, proposing English as an alternative to Latin, but the proposal was vigorously rejected (Greuter & al., 1989: 96-97; McNeill, 1990; Voss, 1990). Since then, opinions have apparently been divided between the maintenance of Latin as the obligatory language (Steam, 1987; Bameby, 1990; Kabuye, 1990; Voss, 1990; Filgueiras, 1997) and the possibility of English as an alternative (Kostermans, 1990; McNeill, 1990, 1997; Traverse, 1990; Chaudhri, 1991, 1992) or a substitute (Craven, 1997) in the descriptions of new taxa. Bayer (1990) and Steyskal (1990) considered the age of Latin diagnoses as already past but did not associate this with the substitution of English, while Jorgensen (1998) and Llamas (1999) supported the use of Latin, but they did not discard the possibility of a multilingual system. Any proposal to modify a basic rule of the system of botanical nomenclature, such as the obligation of Latin descriptions in the publication of new taxa, normally suffers severe criticism. In part, these criticisms contribute to a refining of the original proposals, assuring the implementation of more efficient rules to help the progress of taxonomy. Therefore, I will re-evaluate the Latin description (or diagnosis) as an essential condition in the publication of valid names and then suggest the articles initially cited (Art. 36.1, 36.2, 36.3, 38.1 & 39.1) be unified, which certainly will contribute to the development of botanical taxonomy, without incurring unnecessary linguistic disputes. My proposal (Rapini, 2002) is basically to substitute the obligation to use a Latin description (or diagnosis) with that of a diagnostic illustration. It would mean that, for a name to be validly published, it would be necessary that the description of the taxon, regardless of the language chosen (including Latin), would have to be accompanied by an illustration (or reference to a previously published illustration) that would permit the identification of that taxon. A diagnosis (Art. 32.2) or abbreviated description in a language distinct from that utilised in the description (preferably one of English, or the language most used in the area in which the plant occurs, or even Latin) would, however, be recommended.

A new species of Oxypetalum , O. laciniatum Rapini & Farinaccio, is described and illustrated. It was collectedonly once in the moist forest of southern Bahia, and belongs to the O. cordifolium (Vent.) Schltr. speciescomplex. The new species, however, can be promptly distinguished from the others in this group by theflowers with longer lacinia (ca. 2.85 cm long), shorter pollinia (up to 0.3 mm long; about 1/3 of thecorpusculum length), and appendix of gynostegium with apex slightly bifid in subparallel branches.Key words : Asclepiadaceae, Atlantic forest, floristics, taxonomy. Introducao Oxypetalum R. Br. (Apocynaceae) e umgenero neotropical com cerca de 120 especies,ocorrendo da Argentina ao Mexico, mas comcentro de diversidade na porcao centro-leste daAmerica do Sul (Farinaccio 2006). A maioria dasespecies possui flores vistosas, geralmente comginostegio rostrado, simulando um estigma, epolinarios com caudiculos horizontais providosde um dente incluso. As especies brasileiras foramrevisadas por Hoehne (1916) e as argentinas porMeyer (1943); desde entao, varios estudos temcontribuido para a taxonomia do genero, comdestaque para floras estaduais recentes nasRegioes Sul e Sudeste do Brasil (

Kielmeyera ferruginosa, a new species of Calophyllaceae from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, is here described and illustrated. The species is critically endangered and can be easily distinguished from other Kielmeyera species by the rusty coloration of the trunk and branches, orange-colored latex, and the occurrence in flooded areas. It differs from the other species of the section Prolifera by the leaves with secondary veins relatively more distant from each other and prominent on the abaxial surface. Diagnostic characters and the state of conservation of the new species are discussed, and an identification key for K. ferruginosa and related species from series Rupestres and Neglectae is provided.

Begonia obdeltata, a new species of Begoniaceae from northeast Brazil, is described and illustrated. It is similar to B. grisea and B. petasitifolia, with which it is compared. Diagnostic characters, geographic distribution and conservation status of the new species are presented.

In this study, we describe and illustrate Piriqueta crenata, a new species from the Chapada Diamantina region, Bahia,Brazil. It is similar to and was initially identified as P. flammea from which it can be distinguished by the cuneate leafblade bases (vs. rounded), slightly discoloured leaves (vs. strongly discoloured), inflorescences of fewer flowers (1-3 vs. 3-6), olive-green calyx when dry (vs. blackened), and yellow corolla (vs. orange red). Piriqueta crenata is only knownfrom a single small savanna nested in the semiarid Chapada Diamantina region, close to areas under anthropogenicinfluence. Therefore, we evaluate the species as Critically Endangered. Fil: Rocha, Lamarck. Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Brasil Fil: Arbo, Maria Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste (i); Argentina Fil: Souza, Isys Mascarenhas. Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Brasil Fil: Rapini, Alessandro. Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Brasil

Handroanthis grandiflorus , a new species of Bignoniaceae from the Caatinga biome, is described and illustrated. The species is Critically Endangered, and can be distinguished from its congeners by having a corolla with larger lobes, reaching to 6.1 × 4.3 cm. The diagnostic characters of the new species are discussed.

Based on phylogenetic studies and morphological evidence, we propose the synonymization of Morrenia and Schistogyne under Araujia and Oxypetalum respectively. As a result, eight new combinations are proposed in Araujia (A. brachystephana, A. hassleriana, A. herzogii, A. odorata, A. scalae, A. stuckertiana, A. stuckertiana subsp. grandiflora and A. variegata), and eight in Oxypetalum, including two new names (O. fiebrigii, O. heptalobum, O. karstenianum, O. longipedunculatum, O. pentaseta, O. pubescens, O. sylvestre and O. tucumanense). We provide new synonymies and designate lectotypes for Lagenia megapotamica, Morrenia hassleriana, M. herzogii, M. intermedia, Schistogyne boliviensis, S. longipedunculata and S. sylvestris. We also clarify the typification of Tweedia.

In many cases phylogenetic studies based on molecular data have led to changes in the classification of the Asclepiadoideae, but in others they have corroborated relationships previously inferred from morphological data. This study combines results of molecular analysis and morphology to provide a new subtribal classification for the New World genera Gonioanthela, Jobinia, Macroditassa, Peplonia and Orthosia. Our data allow us to propose the inclusion of Gonioanthela in the formerly monotypic Peplonia. This inclusion leads

(001) Amend Article 36 to remove the Latin requirement by inserting the text indicated in italic below: "36.1. On or after 1 January 1935 and until 31 December 2006, a name of a new taxon (algal and all fossil taxa excepted) must, in order to be validly published, be accompanied by a Latin description or diagnosis or by a reference to a previously and effectively published Latin description or diagnosis (but see Art. H.9)." "36.2. In order to be validly published, a name of a new taxon of non-fossil algae published on or after 1 January 1958 and until 31 December 2006 must be accompanied by a Latin description or diagnosis or by a reference to a previously and effectively published Latin description or diagnosis." "36.3. In order to be validly published, a name of a new taxon of fossil plants published on or after 1 January 1996 and until 31 December 2006 must be accompanied by a Latin or English description or diagnosis or by a reference to a previously and effectively published Latin or English description or diagnosis."