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The municipality of Boa Nova, in northeastern Brazil, is in an ecotone zone between the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest phytogeographic domains. The transition phytophysiognomy is seasonal forest and known locally as mata de cipó. In these phytophysiognomies there are lajedos, which are rock outcrops colonized by vegetation well-adapted to extreme microclimatic variation and vegetation diversity is affected by the vegetation types of the surrounding areas. Due to the singularity of these environments and the relevance of floristic studies for conservation, this work aimed to identify the species richness and compare the similarity of the flora on four rock outcrops in Boa Nova. The flora was surveyed during exploratory walks along lajedos between 2016 and 2019. In total, 162 species were identified on the Boa Nova outcrops. The flora has a composition and structure similar to semiarid outcrops, as well as endemic species that also occur in surrounding phytophysiomies. Despite the proximity, a similarity index revealed there is floristic dissimilarity between the areas. Nine new occurrences were recorded for the region, five species are threatened with extinction (Aosa gilgiana, Ficus cyclophylla, Hippeastrum stigmovittatum, Pleroma caatingae and Trixis pruskii), and 43 species are common in anthropogenic areas. This reinforces the importance of actions to conserve these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cloud forests usually occur at high-altitude sites of the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil, albeit scattered and fragmented along the mountain tops. In this habitat, the vegetation occurs at low-temperature conditions and is usually provided by additional water sources that arise due to the horizontal precipitation of the frequent fogs. Together with the more considerable air movement and higher luminosity, these factors are conditioning for singular floras at high elevations, mainly the vascular epiphytes, which are macro and microclimate dependent. In the mountains range at the center of the Espírito Santo state, Southeastern Brazil, some mountain tops such as Pedra Azul (PA) hold these environmental features. Here, we aimed to present the first checklist of vascular epiphytes in the Pedra Azul State Park and surroundings based on fieldwork and herbarium specimens. The checklist comprises 152 species, 65 genera, and 17 families, the main families being Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Polypodiaceae, with the main genera represented by Vriesea, Acianthera, and Peperomia. The holoepiphytes were the main category among the epiphytes, although an unusually high number of facultative epiphytes were recorded. Asplenium theciferum and Octomeria cucullata are recorded in Espírito Santo for the first time, and we confirmed the occurrence of Rhipsalis cereuscula in the state. Overall, the richness recorded in PA is amongst the highest of the Atlantic Forest cloud forests. Six species are threatened at the national level and 32 at the state level. These results support the importance of the protected area for conserving the flora; however, several species - including threatened - were only recorded in the surroundings, demonstrating that the buffer zone of the Pedra Azul State Park must be included in the management plans.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar o levantamento de samambaias e licófitas do Morro do Pico (22°56'05.2''S,43°07'13.8''W), que está localizado na Área de Proteção Ambiental dos Fortes, litoral do município de Niterói, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A área é formada por afloramentos rochosos e remanescentes de Mata Atlântica adjacente. As coletas foram realizadas entre o mês de maio a outubro de 2014, o material foi herborizado e depositado no herbário do Museu Nacional (R). A chave de identificação é apresentada com base em características morfológicas diagnósticas. Foram encontradas dez famílias, distribuídas em quinze gêneros, totalizando vinte e seis espécies. As famílias com maior riqueza foram Pteridaceae (10 spp.), Anemiaceae (quatro spp.) e Selaginellaceae (três spp.). A mata adjacente apresenta maior riqueza em relação ao inselberg. Dentre os táxons encontrados somente nesta formação, destacam-se Anemia tomentosa var. anthriscifolia, Doryopteris collina, Selaginella convoluta e S. sellowii.

In the state of Paraíba, Brazil, there is an abundance of rocky outcrops, which are typical elements of the semi-arid landscape. Those outcrops provide refuge to species with morphological adaptations to stressful climates and to rare communities of plants, including bryophytes. Nevertheless, there have been no studies of bryophytes in such habitats in the state. Therefore, this work aimed to inventory bryophytes on two outcrops in the municipality of Puxinanã, in Paraíba, addressing some of the ecological aspects of survival in xerophytic environments. Samples were collected once every two weeks from February 2010 to May 2011. The usual techniques of bryophyte sampling and herbarium preservation were employed. We recorded 21 bryophyte species (six liverworts and 15 mosses), some of which are rare for Brazil. We performed cluster analysis, using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean, based on the Sørensen similarity index. We thus defined three clusters among the studied outcrops and similar areas recorded in the literature. The rocky outcrops proved to be singular in terms of bryophyte species composition, which, as in most xerophytic environments, included light-demanding and generalist species, featuring various morphological adaptations to resist water stress, primarily in terms of their leaf structure. Our results demonstrate the urgent need for additional studies in the state of Paraíba, including floristic, conservation, evolutionary and biogeographic studies.

Pseudolaelia is a genus endemic to eastern Brazil. The species are often epiphytes on Velloziaceae or are saxicolous, predominantly on granitic and gneissic outcrops (inselbergs) in the Atlantic Forest and, less often, in the campos rupestres (dry, rocky grasslands) of the cerrado (savanna) and caatinga (shrublands). The genus is characterized by homoblastic pseudobulbs, long rhizomes, long and usually slender inflorescences, racemes or panicles, bearing pink, yellow or whitish flowers, labellum often 3-lobed, with simple, fimbriate or erose margin, semi-cylindrical or claviform column, cuniculus present. Twelve species are recognized; seven binomials are placed in synonymy. Of those seven, three are considered illegitimate because, contrary to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature guidelines, there are no corresponding type specimens deposited in a recognized herbarium, and those three were therefore lectotypified. We present descriptions of, illustrations of and a dichotomous key to Pseudolaelia species, as well as addressing their taxonomy, ecology, conservation and geographic distribution.

Este trabalho apresenta dados sobre a fenologia reprodutiva, a biologia floral e a ecologia da polinização de Vellozia candida Mikan (Velloziaceae) nos afloramentos rochosos do Costão de Itacoatiara, Niterói, RJ. Uma população de dez indivíduos da espécie foi estudada nessa localidade no período de junho de 2006 a dezembro de 2008. Foram realizadas observações sobre período de floração, morfologia, cor e odor das flores, ocorrência e comportamento dos visitantes florais. A floração de V. candida ocorreu de setembro a dezembro nos dois anos consecutivos do estudo. As flores são brancas, nectaríferas e exalam odor suave e adocicado. Reúnem características típicas da síndrome da melitofilia e foram intensamente visitadas por três espécies de abelhas. Xylocopa ordinaria Smith se destacou como o polinizador efetivo da espécie estudada. Por ser uma abelha de grande porte e robusta, durante a coleta de néctar e de pólen, deposita este último no estigma, polinizando as flores. Pollination of Vellozia candida Mikan (Velloziaceae) on Rock Outcrops of Costão de Itacoatiara, Niterói, RJ: A Case of Mellitophily Inselberg Brazil Abstract. This paper presents data on the reproductive phenology, floral biology and pollination ecology of Vellozia candida Mikan (Velloziaceae) on rocky outcrops of Costão Itacoatiara, Niterói, RJ. A population of ten individuals of the species was studied in this location from June 2006 to December 2008. Observations were made on flowering period, morphology, color and odor of flowers, the occurrence and behavior of floral visitors. The flowering of V. candida occurred from September to December in two successive years of study. The flowers are white, exude nectar and sweet odor. Meet typical syndrome melitophyly and were intensively visited by three species of bees. Xylocopa ordinaria Smith stood out as the effective pollinator of the species studied. Being a bee large and robust, while collecting nectar and pollen, the latter deposited on the stigma, pollinating the flowers.

Ilhas de vegetação rodeadas de superfície rochosa foram estudadas em dois platôs do Morro do Pai Inácio (41°28'W e 12°27'S), na Chapada Diamantina. Tais platôs possuem afloramentos de quartzito-arenito entremeados por solos arenosos e ácidos, situados nas porções mais elevadas do Morro, entre 1.100 e 1.170 m acima do nível do mar, sob clima com estação seca bem definida. As ilhas foram assumidas como agrupamentos de uma ou mais espécies de plantas vasculares limitados pela superfície rochosa sem plantas vasculares em toda borda. O estudo incluiu 39 ilhas de vegetação de diferentes tamanhos em cada platô, onde predominaram ervas e arbustos de 63 espécies, sendo 22 comuns a ambos os platôs. Espécies de Liliopsida foram mais numerosas, freqüentes e dominantes, com predomínio das famílias Velloziaceae, Cyperaceae, Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae e Guttiferae nas ilhas de vegetação em ambos os platôs, assim como a forma de vida caméfita. Foram constatadas riquezas similares nas ilhas de ambos os platôs, sendo a maioria delas formada por até cinco espécies. O agrupamento das espécies utilizando UPGMA e o índice de similaridade de Jaccard revelou quatro grupos, dois deles constituídos por espécies características das ilhas mais expostas ao sol, enquanto outro é constituído por espécies mais relacionadas aos locais mais sombreados e um quarto relacionado a espécies mais generalistas. A associação entre Vellozia hemisphaerica Seub. e Trilepis lhotzkiana Nees mostrou-se típica dos afloramentos do Morro do Pai Inácio. Apenas as famílias Orchidaceae e Cyperaceae estiveram presentes nas duas menores classes de tamanho insular, enquanto Guttiferae, Rubiaceae e Bromeliaceae tiveram maior proporção de ocorrência na maior classe. Diferenças na composição e abundância de espécies entre os platôs sugerem a existência de diferenças ambientais e isolamentos, interferindo na distribuição espacial das espécies nas ilhas de vegetação em cada platô.Islands of vegetation on rocky surfaces were studied on two plateaus at Pai Inácio Mountain (41°28'; 12°27'S) in the Chapada Diamantina. Both plateaus have quartzite-sandstone outcrops interspersed with sandy, acidic soils at the summit between 1,100 and 1,170 meters above sea level, with a well-defined dry season. Islands are defined as clumps of one or more species of vascular plants completely surrounded by a rocky surface devoid of vascular plants. The study included 39 vegetation islands of different sizes on each plateau, with 63 herb and shrub species, of which 22 are common to both plateaus. Liliopsida species had the highest abundance, frequency and dominance, with Velloziaceae, Cyperaceae, Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Guttiferae families predominating on both plateaus. The chamaephyte life-form was also predominant. Similar species richness was detected on both plateaus, with most of the islands composed of up to five species. Four species groups were revealed using UPGMA and Jaccard´s similarity index, two groups with species typical of sunlit islands, one group with species from shadier sites, and a fourth composed of more generalist species. The Vellozia hemisphaerica - Trilepis lhotzkiana association was typical of rocky outcrops at Pai Inácio Mountain. Orchidaceae and Cyperaceae were the only families present in the two smallest island-size classes, while Guttiferae, Rubiaceae and Bromeliaceae were mostly present in the largest class. Variation in species composition and abundance between the two plateaus suggest environmental and isolation differences affecting the species spatial distribution in the vegetation islands on each plateau.

Dioon merolae (Zamiaceae) es una especie arborescente, longeva, con tallos curvados e inclinados, posiblemente por fototropismo, que crece en laderas de montículos abruptos con suelos arenosos delgados. Se estimo el ambiente lumínico de 144 plantas en ocho montículos mediante inclinación de la ladera, altura del talud y distancia desde la base y la copa al borde del talud, y se comparo con el modelo nulo del individuo vertical no fototropico. La mayoría de las plantas (64%), y de mayor tamaño, se encontraron en laderas noreste; en menor numero (3%) y mas pequeñas en orientación sureste. La longitud y volumen total de tallos y del tallo principal se ajustaron a una regresión cuadrática (P < 0.013; R2 = 0.044-0.193). Mas plantas femeninas y masculinas correspondieron a diferencias de valor intermedio y alto, respectivamente, entre los individuos inclinados respecto al modelo nulo del individuo vertical no fototropico. Se propone que la distribución espacial y la inclinación de los tallos de D. merolae pueden ser adaptativos sobre gradientes lumínicos.

To identify the relative contributions of environmental determinism, dispersal limitation and historical factors in the spatial structure of the floristic data of inselbergs at the local and regional scales, and to test if the extent of species spatial aggregation is related to dispersal abilities.Rain forest inselbergs of Equatorial Guinea, northern Gabon and southern Cameroon (western central Africa).We use phytosociological relevés and herbarium collections obtained from 27 inselbergs using a stratified sampling scheme considering six plant formations. Data analysis focused on Rubiaceae, Orchidaceae, Melastomataceae, Poaceae, Commelinaceae, Acanthaceae, Begoniaceae and Pteridophytes. Data were investigated using ordination methods (detrended correspondence analysis, DCA; canonical correspondence analysis, CCA), Sørensen's coefficient of similarity and spatial autocorrelation statistics. Comparisons were made at the local and regional scales using ordinations of life-form spectra and ordinations of species data.At the local scale, the forest-inselberg ecotone is the main gradient structuring the floristic data. At the regional scale, this is still the main gradient in the ordination of life-form spectra, but other factors become predominant in analyses of species assemblages. CCA identified three environmental variables explaining a significant part of the variation in floristic data. Spatial autocorrelation analyses showed that both the flora and the environmental factors are spatially autocorrelated: the similarity of species compositions within plant formations decreasing approximately linearly with the logarithm of the spatial distance. The extent of species distribution was correlated with theira prioridispersal abilities as assessed by their diaspore types.At a local scale, species composition is best explained by a continuous cline of edaphic conditions along the forest-inselberg ecotone, generating a wide array of ecological niches. At a regional scale, these ecological niches are occupied by different species depending on the available local species pool. These subregional species pools probably result from varying environmental conditions, dispersal limitation and the history of past vegetation changes due to climatic fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the study: We developed a set of primers for Encholirium horridum, a species closely associated with inselbergs of the Atlantic Forest, to assess genetic diversity, genetic structure, and gene flow between populations of this species. Methods and Results: From an enriched genomic library, 10 primer pairs for polymorphic microsatellite regions were developed. The average number of alleles ranged from eight to 20, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 1.000, and from 0.000 to 0.929, respectively, across the populations. Conclusions: These markers will be useful in evaluating genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure, analysis of gene flow by paternity, and characterization of mating system of E. horridum.

The floral composition of an inselberg archipelago in the southern Namib desert was investigated with regard to species diversity, geographic range of the species, habitat niches, seed dispersal abilities and plant herbivore defence. Although no endemic species were found, the archipelago forms an extreme and often isolated outlier for a large number of species in their distribution area. The hypothesis is proposed that the isolated extreme habitat allowed survival of relic populations due to low immigration rate and low competition. The high proportion of species favouring long-range dispersal might explain the lack of endemic species as well as the large contribution of species at their distributional boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcantarea patriae Versieux & Wand. (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae), a new species from southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. It grows on inselbergs within the Atlantic Forest vegetation at Jerônimo Monteiro County, Espírito Santo State. The new taxon shows some morphological similarities with A. odorata (Leme) J.R. Grant, having ligulate long attenuate leaves and sweet scent yellow flowers. However, A. patriae has a very characteristic inflorescence, with the primary bracts shorter than the lateral peduncles, suberect to erect flowering branches (vs. patent to pendulous in A. odorata), with more spaced flowers (20-30 vs. 8-15 mm) and also a wider rosette, up to 1.6 m diam.

ABSTRACT As part of a floristic survey of the vascular flora of Pedra do Elefante, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, a taxonomic treatment of the Anemiaceae is here presented. Fieldwork was conducted monthly from March 2015 to July 2016. Samples were collected and dried according to the usual methodology and incorporated into the VIC and VIES herbaria. In addition to VIC and VIES, we also studied the specimens form MBML herbarium. Eight species, one variety, and a new hybrid were recorded: Anemia collina, A. ×elephantensis nothosp. nov., A. ferruginea var. ferruginea, A. hirsuta, A. luetzelburgii, A. organensis, A. patens, A. phyllitidis, A. tomentosa var. tomentosa, and A. tomentosa var. anthriscifolia. Besides the new hybrid, A. tomentosa var. tomentosa is also a new record for the state. Identification key, descriptions, comments, geographical distribution and illustrations are provided for all taxa.

Abstract Espírito Santo is a hotspot of diversity in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, where five new species of Vernonieae from the genera Cololobus, Lepidaploa, Lessingianthus, Piptocarpha, and Vernonanthura were found, and four of them occur in the municipality of Santa Teresa. These discoveries show that current knowledge on biodiversity in Espírito Santo is incipient, even in sites with decades of biological inventories, such as Santa Teresa. Here, all five species are described with comments about distribution, conservations status, phenology and taxonomic affinities. We also provide illustrations and a distribution map of the new species. According to the criteria of IUCN red list, Cololobus argenteus and Vernonanthura spathulata must be included in endangered (EN) category.