Flower and fruit development of Parkia pendula (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae)

Parkia pendula occurs in Brazil in Amazonia and in the northeastern Atlantic Forest. In the latter, its buds, nectar, and seedpod gum are discussed to be keystone resources for the mammalian fauna. To enhance the knowledge about these important nourishment sources, the aim of this study was to detect and describe distinct phases in the flower and pod development. The study was conducted in a 306 ha forest fragment in Igarassu, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Six morphometrical variables were measured weekly at five inflorescences of two individuals from September 2003 to January 2004. Eleven distinct developmental phases were identified in the 21 weeks lasting development from the very first inflorescences to mature pods and are described in detail. These phases are good predictors for the flowering and fruiting phenology of P. pendula, since they are easily distinguishable from the forest floor. Furthermore, highly synchronized abortions of inflorescences, buds, and pods were observed which support the previously assumed predator satiation defense strategy in Parkia.Parkia pendula ocorre no Brasil, tanto na Amazônia como na Mata Atlântica nordestina. Seus botões, néctar e goma da vagem são recursos chave para a mastofauna da Mata Atlântica nordestina. Para aumentar o conhecimento sobre estes importantes recursos alimentares, este estudo teve como objetivo detectar e descrever as diferentes fases de desenvolvimento de flores e frutos. Este trabalho foi realizado em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica de 306 ha em Igarassu, Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil. Entre setembro de 2003 e janeiro de 2004, seis variáveis morfométricas foram medidas semanalmente em cinco inflorescências de dois indivíduos. Onze fases distintas de desenvolvimento puderam ser identificadas e descritas em detalhe nas 21 semanas desde o desenvolvimento das primeiras inflorescências até as vagens maduras. Essas fases são boas preditoras da fenologia de floração e frutificação de P. pendula porque são distinguíveis facilmente do solo da floresta. Além disto, a observação de abortos sincronizados de inflorescências, botões e vagens corrobora a estratégia de defesa previamente sugerida para Parkia, de saciedade de predadores

Espécies crípticas em Pagamea coriacea sensu lato (Rubiaceae): evidências morfológicas, ecológicas e de comportamento reprodutivo em um contexto simpátrico

In this study we explore morphological and ecological variation in sympatric populations of Pagamea coriacea s.l. - a species complex from white-sand vegetation in the Amazon. A total of 147 trees were sampled and monitored at three nearby sites in Central Amazon, Brazil. Multivariate analyses of morphology indicated two distinct groups (A and B), which also differed in bark type, each containing subgroups associated with sexual dimorphism. However, a single hermaphroditic individual was observed within group B. As expected, all pistillate plants produced fruits, but 23% of the staminate plants of group B, and 5% of group A also produced fruits. This variation suggests that the sexual systems of both groups are between dioecy and gynodioecy. There was an overlap in flowering phases between the two groups, but the pattern of floral maturation differed. Ecologically, plants of group B were found in more shaded habitats and over sandstone bedrocks, while group A was prevalent in deeper sandy soils as canopy plants. The significances of morphological and environmental differences were tested by a multivariate analysis of variance, and a canonical discriminant analysis assessed the importance of variables. The coexistence in sympatry of two discrete morphological groups in the P. coriacea s.l., with different habitat preferences and reproductive behaviors, indicates they represent distinct species.O objetivo deste estudo foi testar se o complexo de espécies Pagamea coriacea inclui múltiplas espécies, usando evidências morfológicas, ecológicas e de comportamento reprodutivo. Um total de 147 árvores foram amostradas e monitoradas em três locais próximos na Amazônia Central, Brasil. Análises multivariadas de dados morfológicos indicaram dois grupos discretos (A e B), que coincidem com diferenças no tipo de casca, cada um por sua vez com subgrupos que representam dimorfismo sexual. Contudo, um indivíduo distintamente hermafrodita foi encontrado no grupo B. Todas as plantas pistiladas produziram frutos, mas também foram observados frutos para 23% das plantas estaminadas do grupo B, e para 5% das estaminadas do grupo A. Essa variação sugere que ambos grupos possuem um sistema sexual entre dioicia e ginodioicia. Houve sobreposição das fases de floração e frutificação entre os dois grupos, mas o padrão de maturação de flores foi diferente. Quanto ao hábitat, o grupo B predominou em situações de sombra e em solos arenosos rasos sobre lajes de pedra, enquanto o grupo A ocorreu em solos arenosos mais profundos e no dossel da vegetação. A coexistência de dois grupos morfológicos discretos no complexo P. coriacea s.l., com diferenças ecológicas e de comportamento reprodutivo, indica que correspondem a duas espécies distintas

An Interactive Key (lucid) For The Identifying Of The Genera Of Seed Plants From The Ducke Reserve, Manaus, Am, Brazil

The identification of Amazonian plants is still difficult for many reasons, one being the lack of collections over large areas of the region. As a consequence of the poor knowledge on the Amazonian flora, many taxonomic publications (revisions and floristic treatments) become out of date within a few years. In this context, the on-line publication of taxonomic treatises has been suggested, since it allows constant data updates; and this type of publication should therefore be more valued by the scientific community. An excellent field guide for the Ducke Reserve (Manaus, central Amazonian Brazil) was published, based exclusively on vegetative characters. However, the presence of reproductive structures in the collected material does not facilitate identification with this type of field guide. Furthermore, as in any printed key, the text cannot be updated, except through a new edition. As an example of a way to facilitate the identification of Amazonian plants, an interactive, multiple-entry key to the seed plant genera that occur in the Ducke Reserve was created using the program Lucid 3.5. The key includes vegetative and reproductive characters and many illustrations, and is available on-line. We discuss here the peculiarities and advantages of this type of electronic publication.6315564Araújo, J.S., Bittrich, V., Amaral, M.C.E., (2005) Chave Interativa Para Identificação de Famílias Demonocotiledôneas Do Estado de São Paulo, , http://www.ib.unicamp.br/plantkeys, Availablein. Access on 20 Jun 2011Bisby, F.A., The quite revolution: Biodiversity informatics and the internet (2000) Science, 289, p. 2312Bittrich, V., Chaves on-line: modelos, dificuldade e potencialidades (2008) Atualidades, Desafios e Perspectivas da Botânica No Brasil. Anais Do 59° Congresso Nacional de Botânica, pp. 367-368. , Loiola, M.I.B.Baseia, G.I.Lichston, J.A. (orgs.). Natal, Rio Grande do NorteBittrich, V., (2008) Gêneros de Guttiferae Do Brasil 2008 (Website Com Chave Dicotômica), , http://www2.ib.unicamp.br/profs/volker/chaves/Phoenix/ Phoenix%20Guttiferae/Generos%20de%20Guttiferae%20do%20Brasil.html, Available in. Access on 20 Jun 2011Brach, A.R., Song, H., ActKey: A Web-based interactive identification key program (2005) Taxon, 54 (4), pp. 1041-1046Cronquist, A., (1988) The Evolution and Classification of Flowering Plants, p. 555. , The New York Botanical Garden, New YorkDallwitz, M.J., Paine, T.A., Zurcher, E.J., (2005) Principles of Interactive Keys. Undated and Expanded Version of A Paper Presented at A Conference on "Computer-based Species Information", , http://delta-intkey.com/www/interactivekeys.htm, held at the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, December 1996. Available in. 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