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Nomenclatural notes in the genus Schinopsis (Anacardiaceae). During the monographic study of the genus Schinopsis (Anacardiaceae) a nomenclatural revision of its species and synonyms was performed. The names Schinopsis brasiliensis, S. brasiliensis var. glabra, S. heterophylla, S. marginata, and S. peruviana are lectotypified, and some cases of inadvertent lectotypifications in previous works are indicated. An epitype for S. haenkeana, entity so far considered doubtful, is designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Seasonally dry tropical forests have been largely ignored in discussions of vegetation changes during the Quaternary. We distinguish dry forests, which are essentially tree-dominated ecosystems, from open savannas that have a xeromorphic fire-tolerant, grass layer and grow on dystrophic, acid soils. Seasonally dry tropical forests grow on fertile soils, usually have a closed canopy, have woody floras dominated by the Leguminosae and Bignoniaceae and a sparse ground flora with few grasses. They occur in disjunct areas throughout the Neotropics. The Chaco forests of central South America experience regular annual frosts, and are considered a subtropical extension of temperate vegetation formations. At least 104 plant species from a wide range of families are each found in two or more of the isolated areas of seasonally dry tropical forest scattered across the Neotropics, and these repeated patterns of distribution suggest a more widespread expanse of this vegetation, presumably in drier and cooler periods of the Pleistocene. We propose a new vegetation model for some areas of the Ice-Age Amazon: a type of seasonally dry tropical forest, with rain forest and montane taxa largely confined to gallery forest. This model is consistent with the distributions of contemporary seasonally dry tropical forest species in Amazonia and existing palynological data. The hypothesis of vicariance of a wider historical area of seasonally dry tropical forests could be tested using a cladistic biogeographic approach focusing on plant genera that have species showing high levels of endemicity in the different areas of these forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the preparation of the treatment of the genus Celtis for the Neotropical region, some names from Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay were found in need of typification. In this context lectotypes are designated for six names (Celtis tala fo. obtusata, Celtis tala fo. subtomentosa, Celtis tala fo. subpilosa, Celtis tala fo. velutina, Celtis williamsii, and Momisia flexuosa) and second-step lectotypes for two names (Momisia chichape and Momisia crenata). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The I International Field Symposium on Biogeography gathered researchers from Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Argentina institutions in the period of 8 trough 14 of september of 2015, in João Pessoa and Cabaceiras/Brazil. At the time, phytosociological data were collected in the Atlantic Rainforest and Caatinga areas. The obtained results, although insufficient to respond to several questions about these biomes, are promising, to which we highlight the identification of differentiated floristic groups, especially in the Caartinga, in function of local conditions, linked to geomorphological and pedological aspects, that allows the existence of high hydric requirement species in a mostly semiarid climatic environment. The event also helped to intensify the rapprochement between iberoamerican institutions and researchers that dedicate themselves for the Biogeographical studies, creating opportunities for the development of international researches [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Factors affecting bromeliad distribution depend on the life forms of the studied species; some could grow as terrestrial, saxicolous, or epiphytic depending on the type of habitat. We analysed the distribution patterns of the life forms of a bromeliad species in different biogeographic domains and associated them with environmental variables and vegetation types. Location: Chaquenian, Amazonian, and Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest domains; South America. Taxon: The tank bromeliad Aechmea distichantha (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae). Methods: We compiled records of the biogeographic distribution and the vegetation types where A. distichantha occurs based on bibliographic data, digital datasets, herbaria, and personal observations. We associated the distributional records of this species with altitude, five selected bioclimatic variables, four soil variables, and with the vegetation types where it occurs. Results: A. distichantha has been recorded as epiphytic, terrestrial and saxicolous in all biogeographic domains but showed contrasting patterns in life form proportions among them. In the Amazonian domain, characterized by evergreen tropical and subtropical forests with high precipitation, it mainly grows as epiphytic. In the Chaquenian domain, dominated by xerophytic forests with low rainfall, high soil pH and base saturation, it mainly grows as terrestrial, whereas in the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest domain, the three life forms were recorded in similar proportions. In azonal plant communities of all domains, it mainly grows as saxicolous. Main Conclusions: This tank bromeliad species can thrive in sites with contrasting habitat and environmental conditions. Its ability to survive in different environments could be associated with its high frost tolerance, the presence of the CAM photosynthetic pathway, a well‐developed phytotelma, and high phenotypic plasticity. The life form prevailing in each domain is influenced by water availability (i.e., the quantity of water available during each year, the precipitation in the driest month, and the plant water supply relative to demand). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Celtis L. (Cannabaceae) comprises around 73 species distributed in temperate and tropical regions of both hemispheres. Most South American species belong to the subgenus Mertensia Planch., and they are characterized by showing high morphological plasticity. A recent taxonomic revision of this group was carried out with an excessively reductionist criterion regarding the number of accepted species and that does not clearly reflect the morphological differences among them. In order to contribute to the correct delimitation of the specific entities, a morpho-descriptive approach is presented for ten taxa of the genus Celtis (C. brasiliensis, C. chichape, C. clausseniana, C. fluminensis, C. pallida var. pallida, C pallida var. discolor, C. serratissima, C. spinosa, C. spinosissima and C. tala) growing in South American Southern Cone. The morphology was analyzed through the use of a stereomicroscope and/or the tpsDig program for digital images of specimens. As a result, a key is provided for the determination of the aforementioned species and a detailed morphological description of the vegetative (habit, bark, branches, spines, brachyblasts, indumentum and leaves) and reproductive structures (inflorescences, flowers, fruits and endocarp -pyrene-). In addition, a specimen collection guide is proposed with a list of the main morphological characters that should be observed in the field, to facilitate future identifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Understanding of tropical forests has been revolutionized by monitoring in permanent plots. Data from global plot networks have transformed our knowledge of forests' diversity, function, contribution to global biogeochemical cycles, and sensitivity to climate change. Monitoring has thus far been concentrated in rain forests. Despite increasing appreciation of their threatened status, biodiversity, and importance to the global carbon cycle, monitoring in tropical dry forests is still in its infancy. We provide a protocol for permanent monitoring plots in tropical dry forests. Expanding monitoring into dry biomes is critical for overcoming the linked challenges of climate change, land use change, and the biodiversity crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds and aims: The genus Anadenanthera is represented in Argentina by a single species, A. colubrina, with two varieties var. cebil and var. colubrina. These varieties can be clearly distinguished by the venation pattern of the leaflets. In this work a third variety, var. glabra, is here circumscribed by a combination of characters of its leaves and bark. M&M: Specimens at CTES and MCNS were studied, and field observations were performed in Argentinean natural environments. The specimens were analyzed morphologically with optical and scanning electron microscopies. Results: The new variety glabra differs from varieties cebil and colubrina by its stems without mamelons, leaves with rachis glabrous on both surfaces or only on the abaxial surface, and leaflets with a reticulated, closed and complex venation. An illustration, photographs, a morphological comparative table, a key to the varieties, and a distribution map are provided. Conclusions: The three varieties of Anadenanthera colubrina, var. cebil, var. colubrina and var. glabra, inhabit the Seasonally Dry Neotropical Forests of northern Argentina, showing the new variety a restricted distribution to the northeastern region of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Ruprechtia apetala (Polygonaceae) is a woody Chaquenian species with large morphological variability throughout its distribution range. The present study attempts to evaluate this variability within Argentina. M&M: Forty-two individuals were collected from six Argentinian provinces, corresponding to the regions of Sierra Chaco, Piedmont Forest and the transition zone between them. Numerous morphological characters, both reproductive and vegetative, were analyzed. Principal Components and Conglomerates Analysis were performed, in order to establish the existence of morphogroups; the latter were evaluated by univariate analysis (Kruskal-Wallis test and cluster description by R) and multivariate (ANOSIM and PERMANOVA), to detect possible significant intraspecific differences. Additionally, a distribution map of the collected specimens was drawn up. Results: From the multivariate analysis two morphological groups were detected, mainly at foliar and growth habit levels. The ANOSIM and PERMANOVA analysis show a significant global difference among both groups (p-value < 0,05); however, the corresponding statistics indicate a high similarity between them. Additionally, it was demonstrated that no characters are mutually exclusive to either group. Conclusions: Observed morphological differences between specimens from different biogeographical regions, though not mutually exclusive, allow postulating the existence of ecotypes within the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Formosa forests of Argentina, belonging to Eastern Chaco District, are distributed following a gradient from the watercourse levee where the 'Bosque Ribereño' is placed, through an intermediate zone where the so-called 'Bosque Transicional' develops, up to the topographically lower zone where the 'Monte Fuerte' forest is located. It has been postulated that the distribution of woody species amongst these three types of forests could be explained by their ability to survive to different stress conditions of water availability. In such context, it is proposed that, to the seedling status, that capacity could differ between species belonging to these forests, related to the topographic height of them. The tolerance to 'restricted watering' and 'flooding' controlled conditions in seedlings of eight selected woody species, (Peltophorum dubium, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Gleditsia amorphoides, Microlobius foetidus, Diplokeleba floribunda, Caesalpinia paraguariensis, Prosopis nigra and Schinopsis balansae) belonging to the three forest types, was experimentally evaluated in this contribution. The results showed that the seedlings of all species were less tolerant to flooding prolonged conditions than to the 'drought' (restricted watering) level applied. None of them was affected in terms of growth under the 'restricted watering' treatment. In this way, the hypothesis could not be validated, nevertheless it is considered that such answer could be related to the fact these woody species usually thrive in the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gran Chaco is a wide ecologic-geographic region comprising northern Argentina, western Paraguay, southern Bolivia and the southwestern extreme of Brazil. This region exhibits extreme temperatures, annually regular frosts, and sedimentary soils; it has been dramatically threatened by agriculture expansion in recent decades. Therefore, increasing knowledge of plant diversity is critical for conservation purposes. We present a Legume checklist of the Gran Chaco ecoregion including conservation status of its endemic species. Leguminosae is the third most diverse plant family in the Neotropics. Assuming a rigorous spatial definition of the Gran Chaco, we recorded 98 genera, 362 species, and 404 specific and infraspecific taxa. Endemic/typical taxa were 17%, comparable to adjacent tropical plant formations, and they were found in higher percentages in Caesalpinioideae (24%) and Cercidoideae (33%) than Papilionoideae (11%) subfamily. We also analyzed the plant diversity comparing lineages and subregions. The Gran Chaco Legumes are predominantly widespread generalists, or they belong to either Chaco sensu stricto or Neotropical Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF) lineages. Though the Humid Chaco registered the highest species richness, Dry Chaco and Sierra Chaco, the most threatrened subregions, exhibited the highest percentages of exclusive and proper Chaco-lineage species. These results suggest that diversification of Legumes has been most relevant in Dry Chaco and Sierra Chaco, probably by their more demanding and harsh environmental conditions limiting the dispersion of generalists or intrusive-invading species. This study is paramount to reach an improved delimitation of the Gran Chaco ecoregion in transitional areas with the SDTF and Cerrado formations. Conservation status is critical in genera of high economic interest, such as Arachis, Mimosa and Prosopis. At least one third of endemic taxa exhibit a critical status of conservation or are endangered, many of them being relevant to inbreeding program or exhibiting multiple economic uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are numerous maps of the spontaneous vegetation of Argentina. However, a country-level map with enough detail to discriminate vegetation units within the phytogeographic provinces described by Cabrera (1976) is lacking. We analyzed vegetation descriptions published in recent decades, with special attention to those that produced physiognomic-floristic maps. As a result of this analysis, here we present a physiognomic-floristic map of spontaneous vegetation of Argentina that shows the heterogeneity within phytogeographic provinces. The map has 50 vegetation units as subdivisions of the phytogeographic ecotone and provinces early described, and a brief physiognomic-floristic description of each ecotone, province and vegetation unit. We propose a nomenclature of each vegetation unit based on dominant type of spontaneous vegetation and characteristic species and present digital cartographic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonally dry tropical forests are distributed across Latin America and the Caribbean and are highly threatened, with less than 10% of their original extent remaining in many countries. Using 835 inventories covering 4660 species of woody plants, we show marked floristic turnover among inventories and regions, which may be higher than in other neotropical biomes, such as savanna. Such high floristic turnover indicates that numerous conservation areas across many countries will be needed to protect the full diversity of tropical dry forests. Our results provide a scientific framework within which national decision-makers can contextualize the floristic significance of their dry forest at a regional and continental scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Genetic data and species distribution models reveal spatio-temporal dynamics of dry forest. • Climatic changes in the quaternary cannot be regarded as the main cause for the molecular divergence amongst the haplotypes of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil. • The distribution of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil was widespread and fragmented in the Pleistocene in South America even before the LGM. • Fossil data show the occurrence of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil in northern Argentina since the Miocene. Neotropical seasonally dry forest (dry forest) is a fragmented biome that occurs in regions with pronounced seasonal rainfall. There are several hypotheses about the evolution of the distribution of these forests concerning the influence of climatic changes during the Quaternary. Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil is a native tree that is considered the most paradigmatic and ecologically specialized key species of dry forest. The present work aims to test whether the current disjunct distribution of A. colubrina var. cebil is a remnant of a formerly widespread range during the cold and dry phases of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Here, we take an approach that combines chloroplast DNA, palaeodistribution modelling and fossil evidence to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of the distribution of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil. Seven haplotypes were detected in the two non-coding regions of cpDNA analysed and their divergence was dated to the Neogene. Maps of climatic suitability for A. colubrina var. cebil throughout South America showed that the potential distribution of the species was extensive and fragmented from the lower Pleistocene to modern times. Data from the fossil record confirm the occurrence of A. colubrina var. cebil at the southern limit of the dry forest distribution in historical times before the Quaternary. We found that climate change during the Pleistocene cannot be considered the main cause of molecular divergence of A. colubrina var. cebil haplotypes. We also found that A. colubrina var. cebil already had a widespread and fragmented distribution in South America during the Pleistocene, and that A. colubrina var. cebil was already present in northern Argentina in pre-Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinystematic Prodromus of Argentina and a brief introduction to the Phytosociological Studies. The Argentine vegetation Prodrome is presented; it constitutes the first version of the national synsystem detailed to association and sub-association level. In addition, the 57 vegetation classes until know for the country are described, and the possible presence of other 16. Plant communities without a syntaxonomic level are included. All vegetation units are framed into the current phytogeographic scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anacardiaceae is an important and worldwide distributed family of ecological and socio-economic relevance. Notwithstanding that, molecular studies in this family are scarce and problematic because of the particularly high concentration of secondary metabolites-i.e. tannins and oleoresins-that are present in almost all tissues of the many members of the group, which complicate the purification and amplification of the DNA. The objective of this work was to improve an available DNA isolation method for Schinopsis spp. and other related Anacardiaceae, as well as the PCR protocols for DNA amplification of the chloroplast trnL-F, rps16 and ndhF and nuclear ITS-ETS fragments. The modifications proposed allowed the extraction of 70-120 µg of non-degraded genomic DNA per gram of dry tissue that resulted useful for PCR amplification. PCR reactions produced the expected fragments that could be directly sequenced. Sequence analyses of amplicons showed similarity with the corresponding Schinopsis accessions available at GenBank. The methodology presented here can be routinely applied for molecular studies of the group aimed to clarify not only aspects on the molecular biology but also the taxonomy and phylogeny of this fascinating group of vascular plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper records for the first time the presence in the Argentine flora of the small tree Cynophalla polyantha (Triana & Planch.) Cornejo & Iltis (Capparaceae), which was recently found in the north of the province of Salta, close to the Bolivian border. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existe en Sudamérica un patrón de distribución altamente coincidente entre las diferentes especies de leñosas arbóreas de los bosques estacionalmente secos, que atraviesa el continente en forma de herradura o arco desde las Caatingas del NE del Brasil, atraviesa el sector de las antiguas misiones jesuíticas de Brasil, Paraguay y Argentina, la Chiquitanía boliviana, el Bosque Pedemontano Subandino del SW de Bolivia y NW de Argentina, e incluye algunos valles secos interandinos de Bolivia y Perú. Se ha propuesto establecer a esta distribución fragmentaria y disyunta de Bosques Secos Estacionales Neotropicales (BSEN) como un nuevo Dominio fitogeográfico, con el árbol Anadenanthera colubrina (Mimosoideae, Fabaceae) como su especie más paradigmática. El concepto actual de los BSEN abarca tipos de vegetación leñosa correlacionados con una fuerte estacionalidad climática en los trópicos de Sudamérica, con una estación seca bien definida pero de duración muy variable. El vínculo más fuerte entre los BSEN es su composición florística, lo cual ha sido demostrado tanto analizando los patrones de distribución biogeográfica de sus especies leñosas más importantes como comparando su vegetación (con análisis fitosociológico clásico y por análisis numérico). Esta nueva interpretación de los BSEN conduce a varias derivaciones con impactos biogeográficos (Teoría del Arco Pleistocénico), evolutivos (con estudios recientes a nivel molecular) y con impacto en otras ciencias (v.g. Zoología). Los BSEN han recibido poca atención de conservacionistas comparado con bosques tropicales lluviosos. Se realiza un urgente llamado a la preservación de sus recursos genéticos y de biodiversidad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of Anadenanthera colubrina var. colubrina for the Argentinean flora is confirmed. This variety is distinguished by three morphological characters: structure of the inflorescence, fruit characteristics and venation type of the folioles, being the latter very useful when studying vegetative material. The variety colubrina inhabits the same areas as var. cebil. A distribution map, illustrations and a key to identify the varieties are presented, and lectotypes are designated for Piptadenia macrocarpa and Niopa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the potential distribution of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTFs) during the Quaternary climatic fluctuations; to reassess the formerly proposed 'Pleistocenic arc hypothesis' (PAH); and to identify historically stable and unstable areas of SDTF distributions in the light of palaeodistribution modelling. SDTFs in lowland cis-Andean eastern-central South America. We first developed georeferenced maps depicting the current distributional extent of SDTFs under two distinct definitions (narrow and broad). We then generated occurrence datasets, which were used with current and past bioclimatic variables to predict SDTF occurrence by implementing the maximum entropy machine-learning algorithm. We obtained historical stability maps by overlapping the presence/absence projections of each of three climatic scenarios [current, 6 kyr during the Holocene, and 21 kyr during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)]. Finally, we checked the consistencies of the model prediction with qualitative comparisons of vegetation types inferred from available fossil pollen records. The present-day SDTF distribution is disjunct, but we provide evidence that it was even more disjunct during the LGM. Reconstructions support a progressive southward and eastward expansion of SDTFs on a continental scale since the LGM. No significant expansion of SDTFs into the Amazon Basin was detected. Areas of presumed long-term stability are identified and confirmed (the three nuclear regions, Caatinga, Misiones and Piedmont, plus the Chiquitano region), and these possibly acted as current and historical refugial areas. The LGM climate was probably too dry and cold to support large tracts of SDTF, which were restricted to climatically favourable areas relative to the present day (in contrast with the PAH, as it was originally conceived). Expansions of SDTFs are proposed to have occupied the southern portion of Caatinga nucleus more recently during the early-middle Holocene transition. We propose an alternative scenario amenable to further testing of an earlier SDTF expansion (either at the Lower Pleistocene or the Tertiary), followed by fragmentation in the LGM and secondary expansion in the Holocene. The stability maps were used to generate specific genetic predictions at both continental and regional scales (stable areas are expected to have higher genetic diversity and endemism levels than adjacent unstable areas) that can be used to direct field sampling to cover both stable (predicted refugia) and unstable (recently colonized) areas. Lastly, we discuss the possibility that SDTFs may experience future expansion under changing climate scenarios and that both stable and unstable areas should be prioritized by conservation initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]