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Verbenaceae is an important element of Neotropical flora, and Stachytarpheta is the second largest genus in the family. Whereas pollen morphology has helped in the differentiation of several taxonomic groups, palynological data on Stachytarpheta are still scarce, especially for Brazil, where its greatest species richness is concentrated. The present work aimed to analyze the pollen morphology of selected species of Stachytarpheta sect. Stachytarpheta, to aid in the taxonomy of the group. Pollen grains from 11 species were analyzed before and after chemical treatment, measured and treated statistically; multivariate analyses were also performed. The pollen grains of S. sect. Stachytarpheta are large or very large monads, that are radially symmetric and isopolar, with amb varying among triangular, subtriangular, subcircular, and quadrangular, and shape among subspheroidal, oblate-spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal, and subprolate. The three or four apertures are of the colpus type and narrow. The ornamentation is verrucate, with perforations at the base of the verrucae and isolated granules. The pollen grains also possess a margin and an anapertural membrane, which are the main characteristics useful for differentiating the species of the section. The size, amb, shape, apertural type, and ornamentation are also important for morphological differentiation, but multivariate analyses did not support the groups formed based on pollen characterization. An identification key is provided to distinguish the 11 studied species based on pollen morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stachytarpheta is mainly distributed in Brazil, where the knowledge of species richness is still in progress. Here, we describe S. meninii, a new micro‐endemic species from the Diamantina Plateau, Espinhaço Range. It is a shrub that can reach up to 1.8 meters in height, with abundant pedicellate glandular trichomes, viscous, aromatic leaves, inflorescences with oblong‐triangular bracts, and blue corollas, with a tube that is barely exserted from the calyx. The new species has been recorded from two gatherings from the same locality in the municipality of Serro, Minas Gerais state, and can be considered Critically Endangered (CR). Illustrations and a distribution map are provided for the recognition of S. meninii, along with an identification key for species of the genus found in Diamantina Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the Brazilian Stachytarpheta, the small group of species treated as the Stachytarpheta longispicata complex is morphologically recognised by its inflorescences with pedicellate flowers. This character is also present in S. longibracteata and S. rizzoi, two new species herein described based on the morphological species concept. Both species have a restricted distribution in the Cerrado domain, with S. longibracetata found in the Jalapão region (State of Tocantins) and S. rizzoi in the Serra Dourada region (State of Goiás). Detailed diagnosis, morphological comparisons, line drawings, ecological and taxonomic data, provisional conservation status, and a distribution map are provided for each new species. With these findings, we improve the taxonomy of the S. longispicata complex by increasing the number of known species to seven, and providing an identification key for this peculiar group with pedicellate flowers exclusive to the Cerrado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbenaceae includes 32 genera and approximately 800 species distributed mainly in the Neotropical region, especially diversified in Brazil, where the campo rupestre stands out as an important vegetation type for the family. The Itacolomi State Park (ISP) is located in the southeast of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais state (MG), Brazil. Vegetation at the Park is composed of campo rupestre and forest remnants among degraded areas. The present research provides a floristic treatment of Verbenaceae in this protected area. Data were obtained from fieldwork and herbarium study. A total of 13 species were recorded: Glandularia phlogiflora, Lantana camara, Lantan fucata, Lantana tiliaefolia, Lantana trifolia, Lippia brasiliensis, Lippia hermannioides, Lippia origanoides, Petrea volubilis, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Stachytarpheta commutata, Verbena litoralis and Verbena rigida. Among them, six are new records for the ISP. Stachytarpheta glabra, endemic to MG, was found in an area of canga very close to the boundaries of the Park. Additionally, S. viscidula, whose type locality is close to the Park, is proposed as a new synonym for S. commutata, whose type specimen comes from the Park. We provide an identification key, descriptions, photographs and comments on taxonomy, ecology and distribution for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A floristic treatment is presented for Cunoniaceae in the Caparaó National Park (PNC), located in the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, on the border of the Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states. This conservation unit comprises the highest mountain peak in southeastern Brazil, Bandeira Peak, at 2,890 m of elevation. Its vegetation encompasses different phytophysiognomies, including Dense Ombrophilous Forests, Montane Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests, and High-Altitude Grasslands. Cunoniaceae was represented in the PNC by four species: Lamanonia ternata, L. ulei, Weinmannia humilis, and W. paulliniifolia. To contribute to further taxonomic studies and species conservation in the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, morphological descriptions, identification keys, photographs in vivo, and comments on the taxonomy, geographic distribution of the recorded species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the preparation of the treatment of the genus Lippia for the Flora do Brasil 2020 online project, dozens of names were found in need of typification or typification clarifications. In this context, lectotypes are designated for 18 names (L. asperrima, L. cordata, L. dracocephaloides, L. elliptica, L. florida, L. glabrescens, L. hederifolia, L. herbacea, L. hermannioides, L. hirta, L. iodophylla, L. maximiliani, L. microcephala, L. oxycnemis, L. primulina var. goyazensis, L. pseudothea, L. reticulata, and L. rhodocnemis), and a second-step lectotypification is made for L. aristata. A neotype is proposed for L. corymbosa, whereas the erroneous application of the term "holotype" is corrected to lectotype for the names L. pumila and L. turnerifolia. Furthermore, supporting information for the holotype of L. gardneriana is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Typhochlaena C.L. Koch, 1850 consists of five small size arboreal tarantula species with remarkable colored abdominal patterns and a very restricted geographic range in Brazil. Here, we describe the male of Typhochlaena curumim Bertani, 2012, which was collected in an area of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The new record extends the northern limit of the geographic range for both the genus and species. As Typhochlaena spp. are now especially popular and requested in the pet market, and because T. curumim is classified as Critically Endangered, we discuss the impacts of the international trade and other challenges on conservation of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic study of Aquifoliaceae is presented for Serra Negra, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Serra Negra is part of the Mantiqueira Complex, located in the southern portion of Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais. The floristic inventory was performed based on materials from expeditions linked to the “Estudos florísticos na Serra Negra, Minas Gerais” project. Those expeditions occurred between 2003 and 2010. In Serra Negra, Aquifoliaceae is represented by four species: Ilex dumosa, I. paraguariensis, I. subcordata, and I. theezans. Descriptions, identification key, illustrations of diagnostic characters and comments on the taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic study of the Verbenaceae in the Serra Negra, included in the Mantiqueira Complex, located in the south of the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is presented. Four genera and five species were found: Lantana camara, L. fucata, Lippia origanoides, Stachytarpheta mexiae and Verbena rigida. The first record of the S. mexiae for the Atlantic Domain is presented. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, taxonomic comments, ecological and of geographic distribuition for the species are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Red List Index (RLI) measures change in the aggregate extinction risk of species. It is a key indicator for tracking progress toward nine of the Aichi and many proposed post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Targets. Here, we consider two formulations of the RLI used for reporting biodiversity trends at national scales. Disaggregated global RLIs measure changing national contributions to global extinction risk and are currently based on five taxonomic groups, while national RLIs measure changing national extinction risk and are based on taxonomic groups assessed multiple times in country. For 74% of nations, the disaggregated global RLI is currently based on three or fewer taxonomic groups. Meanwhile, national RLIs from selected pilot countries Finland, South Africa, and Brazil are computed from twelve, eight, and nine taxonomic groups, respectively. The national RLI and the disaggregated global RLI measure different aspects of biodiversity, in that the former detects national trends in populations of species for which each country is responsible while the latter provides standardized comparisons of nations' contributions to the global extinction risk of the same species groups. As governments commit to the post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, we encourage them to monitor a standard set of taxonomic groups representing different biomes using both RLI formulations to ensure effective target tracking and accurate feedback on their conservation investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Verbenaceae) has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases. To investigate the effects of different doses of standardized hydro-ethanolic (SCH) and aqueous (SCA) extracts of aerial parts of S. cayennensis using a murine ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. The major constituents of the plant extracts were identified and standardized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA solution and treated concomitantly by intraperitoneal injection of standardized SCH or SCA extracts at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg concentrations. OVA-challenged control animals were treated with either dexamethasone (OVA-DEX) or saline solution (OVA-SAL). After challenge, we assessed in vivo bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation (number of cells), peribronchial inflammation (histological analysis) and production of OVA-specific IgE and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 (ELISA). Acteoside, isoacteoside, and ipolamiide were the major constituents of SCH and SCA. The respective concentrations of acteoside in SCH and SCA were 78 and 98 μg/mL, while those of ipolamiide were 30 and 19 μg/mL. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of SCH or SCA decreased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in lung homogenates. These reductions were accompanied by a lower influx of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) to the airways and lungs. In addition to the anti-inflammatory effects, administration of SCA, but not SCH, ameliorated the parameters of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decreased levels of circulating OVA-specific IgE. The results presented herein demonstrate for the first time the anti-asthmatic activity of S. cayennensis extracts in a murine model, thereby supporting the ethnopharmacological uses of the plant. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the penalty imposed by Brazil's environmental regulatory agency on social media company Meta for its failure to remove online posts that had been flagged for selling illegal wildlife. Topics discussed include the amount of fine imposed on Meta, the significance of the ruling to the battle of conservationists and technology policy reformists against technology companies hosting wildlife crime, and the role of conservationists in the punishment imposed on Meta.