DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.140559

Authors: Kamila Grzebielucka, Felipe Micali Nuvoloni, Rosângela Capuano Tardivo

Abstract: Background and aims – This study investigates the phenotypic plasticity of Wittrockia cyathiformis (Bromeliaceae), an endemic species of the Atlantic Rainforest, with the aim of evaluating its morphological variation in relation to different life forms and forest types, specifically Dense Ombrophilous Forest and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. Material and methods – Field collections were conducted in State Conservation Units and Campos Gerais National Park in Paraná during 2022 and 2023. We measured vegetative morphometric parameters of six to eight bromeliads for each life form (epiphytic, saxicolous, and terrestrial) in each forest type, totalling 43 specimens, with 22 from Dense Ombrophilous Forest and 21 from Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. Additionally, we assessed the national conservation status of the species in Brazil. Key results – The different forest types of the Atlantic Forest exert a greater influence on the phenotypic variation of W. cyathiformis than life forms, with only leaf sheath length being greater in epiphytes and smaller in terrestrials. On the other hand, significant variations in leaf morphometry, such as leaf width and spine size, were strongly associated with the bioclimatic conditions of each forest type. Specimens from Dense Ombrophilous Forest exhibit characteristics typical of species adapted to warm and humid environments, with broader leaves, whereas those from Mixed Ombrophilous Forest have narrower leaves and smaller spines. Conclusion – The different life forms of this species do not result in significant morphometric changes. However, its phenotypic plasticity is strongly influenced by the different forest types, which may favour adaptation to variable environmental conditions. Despite this adaptive capacity, W. cyathiformis is classified as endangered (EN) in its area of occupancy in Brazil. The ongoing habitat loss highlights the need for conservation measures to ensure the long-term persistence of its populations.

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DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.108472

Authors: Alejandra Flores-Argüelles, Rodrigo Alejandro Hernández-Cárdenas, Santiago Rosales-Martínez, Adolfo Espejo-Serna, Ana Rosa López-Ferrari, Andrew Siekkinen

Abstract: Backgrounds and aims – The genus Hechtia (sensu lato) is distributed from the southern United States to northern Central America and includes 95 species. Recent botanical explorations, carried out in the Colima and Jalisco states in search of H. reticulata, led to the discovery of two new species. The aims of this work were to complete the morphological description of H. reticulata and describe these two new species. Material and methods – This study was based on fieldwork and on the revision of literature, protologues, type material, and herbarium specimens. The specimens collected were prepared for storage in the herbarium, analysed, measured, and descriptions were made; measurements were taken from dried specimens. Due to their morphological similarities and the closeness of their populations, the proposed species are compared with H. reticulata. Key results – We propose two new species of Hechtia for Mexico (H. costalegrensis and H. pacifica); an epitype and a complete description of H. reticulata are also provided. The diagnostic characters and morphological affinities of the new species are discussed, including complete morphological descriptions and images; a comparative table is presented, showing the morphological differences between the new species and H. reticulata. A distribution map of the taxa described here and of H. reticulata is included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known to date from Colima and Jalisco.

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DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.98904

Authors: Dayvid Rodrigues Couto, André Pavioti Fontana, Andrea Ferreira da Costa, Claudio Nicoletti de Fraga

Abstract: Background and aims – Stigmatodon (Bromeliaceae) is a monophyletic genus currently comprising 33 species, all endemic to rocky outcrops, mainly inselbergs, from the Atlantic Forest and campos rupestres of the Espinhaço range, Brazil. Material and methods – Our fieldwork in the inselbergs of the Atlantic Forest of the state of Espírito Santo led to the discovery of a new Stigmatodon species with a tubo-laciniate stigma type. Standard herbarium taxonomy practices were adopted to study the novelty. Morphological data were obtained from herbarium specimens and fresh material collected in the field. Key results – Stigmatodon lemeanus is here described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters and affinities of the new species are discussed, accompanied by notes on its ecology, geographic distribution, and conservation status. A key to the species of Stigmatodon from Espírito Santo state is provided. The novelty is similar to S. goniorachis from coastal inselbergs of Rio de Janeiro and S. attenuatoides, another inselberg endemic from southern Espírito Santo. Stigmatodon lemeanus is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Additionally, we present a new combination of Tillandsia oligantha in Stigmatodon, correcting a nomenclatural error.

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DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.84524

Authors: Ana L. Martínez-García, Claudia T. Hornung-Leoni, Irene Goyenechea Mayer Goyenechea, Julian Bueno-Villegas, Carolina Granados Mendoza

Abstract: Background and aims – A linear morphometric analysis of three taxa of the Tillandsia erubescens complex, composed of T. erubescens var. arroyoensis, T. erubescens var. erubescens, and T. erubescens var. patentibracteata, is presented to evaluate their circumscription. Additionally, their taxonomic rank as varieties or species is discussed considering the obtained results. Geographic distribution, the influence of climate, elevation, and geographic distance on morphological differences between the taxonomic entities is explored.Material and methods – Of a total of 110 herbarium specimens reviewed, 44 were measured. These were previously identified as T. erubescens var. arroyoensis, T. erubescens var. erubescens, or T. erubescens var. patentibracteata. Factor and cluster analyses were performed using 16 quantitative morphological characters. The resulting groups were considered as taxonomic entities supported by morphometric characters, and species distributions were plotted against Mexican biogeographic provinces. A single Mantel test was performed to evaluate the correlation between morphology and climatic variables, elevation, and geographic distance.Key results – The specimens referred to as T. erubescens var. arroyoensis were separated morphometrically from the other two varieties. The most important characters to differentiate T. erubescens var. arroyoensis from T. erubescens var. erubescens were total size, width and length of the leaf sheath and leaf blade, and the number of flowers. The non-overlapping geographical distribution of T. erubescens var. arroyoensis and T. erubescens var. erubescens supports their recognition as independent taxonomic entities. Our study did not support the separation between T. erubescens var. erubescens and T. erubescens var. patentibracteata, which is also reflected by their overlapping geographic distributions. Both precipitation and geographic distance were correlated with the morphological differences among the species.Conclusion – Our morphometric and geographical distribution study supports the recognition of T. arroyoensis and T. erubescens as different species, while no evidence was found to maintain T. erubescens var. erubescens and T. erubescens var. patentibracteata as different taxonomic entities. We provide a set of morphological characters that can be used to distinguish between T. arroyoensis and T. erubescens, including the leaf sheath and leaf blade width, and the number of flowers. Morphological characters agree with the geographic distribution of the studied taxa.

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