Nomenclatural and taxonomic changes in tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae) spurred by molecular phylogenies

Phylogenetic studies have highlighted incongruous generic placement and the usage of inappropriate names for species within tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae). The genera affected are Calycolpus, Eugenia, Myrcia and Psidium. Eugenia aubletiana is legitimized by the designation of a lectotype and its usage proposed instead of Calycorectes bergii. Two generic transfers are proposed: Psidium sessiliflorum based on Calycolpus sessiliflorus and Myrcia neosericea, based on Eugenia neosericea. The re-instatement of Psidium cupreum, currently a synonym of Psidium rufum as an accepted species is proposed. Illustrations of the four affected species are furnished, as well as a map of occurrences of Psidium sessiliflorum. Tetramery associated to inflorescences reduced to 1(-3) flowers, an unusual combination of characters in Myrcia sect. Gomidesia, is identified in both Myrcia glaziovii and Myrcia neosericea, and a key to distinguish them is provided

Ecological and evolutionary studies in Myrtaceae focusing on phenological, dis-tributional and diversity patterns

Submitted by Marlene Santos ([email protected]) on 2019-08-19T17:38:27Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Vanessa Graziele Staggemeier - 2014.pdf: 36584199 bytes, checksum: 62731e93aab3f5e513969f251a54fee9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2019-08-20T13:58:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Vanessa Graziele Staggemeier - 2014.pdf: 36584199 bytes, checksum: 62731e93aab3f5e513969f251a54fee9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2019-08-20T13:58:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Vanessa Graziele Staggemeier - 2014.pdf: 36584199 bytes, checksum: 62731e93aab3f5e513969f251a54fee9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-24Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESConselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPqThe Neotropical region harbors 30% of all the plant species diversity over the Earth. However, populations and species are being increasingly lost or suffering high extinction risk due to anthropic effects (urban expansion and landscape use), that in turn, lead to global warming. To establish more efficient conservation programs for biological diversity it is crucial that we increase our knowledge on spatial distribution patterns and reproductive ecology of species on macroecological scales as well as about the processes involved in the origin and maintenance of taxa. Thus, speciose Neotropical taxa as Myrtaceae (eighth largest plant family on the planet) that are well known taxonomically and and phylogenetically and represent excellent models for biodiversity studies. This thesis combined recent advances in the taxonomy and phylogeny of Myrtaceae with an extensive analysis of the distributional patterns of species and reproductive phenology. We aim to describe and test hypotheses about the triggers of plant reproduction and mechanisms that promote and maintain species diversity. Firstly, we demonstrated the importance of Myrtaceae in sustaining frugivores in the Atlantic Forest via the production of fleshy fruits (Chapter 1). Myrtaceae was shown to represent an important component to the local fauna because it supplied frugivores with fruits during lean times. Secondly, analyzing three disjoint communities of Atlantic forest and with different species composition we found an overall rule for Myrtaceae flowering during the summer and being triggered by changes in day length (Chapter 2). Irregular fruiting patterns are probably related to different physiological requirements of seed germination and seedling establishment. We demonstrated that phenological data needs to be interpreted in an evolutionary context because phylogenetic signal in the phenology is clade-specific. Additionally, we proposed a phylogenetic hypothesis for Myrcia sect. Aulomyrcia stressing the union of two traditional genera, Myrcia and Marlierea (Chapter 3). Moreover, we found lower extinction rates in localities that are historically more stable climatically, with the dispersal of species from less stable localities to areas of refugia occurring very commonly thus contributing for the high diversity of Myrcia species in the central corridor of this hotspot: coast of Bahia and northern Espírito Santo. We also studied the diversity of Psidium in the cerrado and found that an association between physiology, elevation and climatic stability explain the species richness of the group in this biome (Chapter 4). Although the importance of Myrtaceae as a structural and ecological component of Neotropical forests is clear, there is still much to be discovered and understood because new species to science are still appearing even in extensively studied localities (Chapter 5).A região Neotropical abriga cerca de 30% de toda a diversidade de espécies vegetais do globo. Entretanto, é possível observar um acelerado declínio no número de espécies e populações devido às ações antrópicas (expansão urbana e uso da paisagem) que, por sua vez, contribuem para o aquecimento global. Para estabelecer programas mais eficientes de conservação da diversidade biológica é crucial que nós ampliemos o conhecimento sobre os padrões de distribuição espacial e ecologia reprodutiva das espécies em escalas macroecológicas bem como sobre os processos envolvidos em sua origem e manutenção. Assim, dentro deste contexto, táxons ricos em espécies como Myrtaceae (oitava maior família de plantas do planeta), com ampla distribuição e bom conhecimento taxonômico e filogenético representam excelentes modelos a serem utilizados em estudos de biodiversidade. Nesta tese, os recentes avanços na taxonomia e filogenia de Myrtaceae foram combinados a uma ampla análise da distribuição e fenologia reprodutiva de suas espécies para descrever e testar hipóteses sobre os gatilhos da reprodução do grupo e mecanismos que promovem e mantém sua diversidade. Nós inicialmente demonstramos a importância de Myrtaceae em sustentar os frugívoros de Floresta Atlântica via produção de frutos carnosos (Capítulo 1). A oferta de frutos varia ao longo do tempo e a diversidade de espécies é espelhada na diversidade funcional de frutos. Myrtaceae foi importante em sustentar diferentes guildas de animais frugívoros ao longo do ano (desde pequenas aves até grandes mamíferos) devido a ampla variedade morfológica e temporal exibida. Num segundo momento, ao estudar três comunidades atualmente disjuntas de Floresta Atlântica e com diferente composição de espécies, encontramos padrões gerais onde a floração de Myrtaceae no verão é uma regra e está associada às variações no comprimento do dia (Capítulo 2). A irregular e não sazonal frutificação da família está provavelmente relacionada aos diferentes requerimentos fisiológicos das fases de germinação de sementes e estabelecimento de plântulas. Nós demonstramos que dados fenológicos precisam ser analisados e interpretados em um contexto evolutivo dado que o sinal filogenético na fenologia é clado-específico. Além disso, nós propusemos uma hipótese filogenética para um clado dentro do grande gênero Myrcia sensu lato (Capítulo 3), a qual reforçou a união de dois tradicionais frágeis gêneros Myrcia e Marlierea. Adicionalmente, nós encontramos que as taxas de extinção são menores em locais climaticamente e historicamente mais estáveis, com a dispersão de espécies de localidades de instabilidade para as áreas de refúgio climático ocorrendo com alta frequência e contribuindo para a acentuada diversidade de Myrcia na região central do corredor do bioma: o litoral da Bahia e norte do Espírito Santo. Nós também estudamos a diversidade de Myrtaceae no cerrado usando Psidium como modelo e encontramos que uma associação entre fisiologia, gradiente altitudinal e estabilidade climática explicam a riqueza do grupo nesse bioma (Capítulo 4). Embora esteja clara a importância de Myrtaceae como componente estrutural e ecológico dos neotrópicos, ainda há muito a ser descoberto e conhecido dado que novas espécies para a ciência ainda estão aparecendo mesmo em regiões já estudadas (Capítulo 5)

Impacto humano afeta negativamente a dispersão de sementes de frutos ornitocóricos: Uma perspectiva global

Ornithochorous fruits make up an important part of the diet of birds and many studies have related the different morphological types of fruits with the choice by birds. We analyzed the intrinsic characteristics of plants and how human impact can affect this choice. Through analyses of covariance we related the degree of human pressure in each study site (high or low) and the morphological characteristics of 57 ornithochorous species with visiting rates and consumption of fruits by birds. We did not find any intrinsic plant characteristic (life form, size and type of diaspore) that explains the rates of consumption and visit by birds. On the other hand, the degree of human impact affected directly the mutualism between plants and birds. Plant species located in areas that suffer high human pressure had number of visits and consumption rates 3,3 and 3,5 lower than plants located in pristine areas, respectively. The negative consequences of the reduction of consumption of fruits in areas with high human pressures may directly affects the interactions between birds and plants and the regeneration of the ornithochorous species

Breeding of the Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculirostris) in the Wild

The Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculirostris) is an endemic member of the Ramphastidae occurring in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. There is anecdotal literature about this species breeding in the wild, but no data are available about parental behavior and nest morphometry. We describe observations of parental behavior of the Spot-billed Toucanet including measurements of one nest in Ilha do Cardoso State Park, São Paulo, Brazil. The nest was inside a hollow of a Lauraceae tree with the entrance hidden by leaves of Aechmea sp. (Bromeliaceae). The Spot-billed Toucanet, based on our observations and review of the literature, nests in tree cavities between 2 and 7 to above ground and both parents provision the nestlings. Received 13 July 2008. Accepted 7 June 2009

Reproductive phenology of coastal plain Atlantic forest vegetation: comparisons from seashore to foothills

The diversity of tropical forest plant phenology has called the attention of researchers for a long time. We continue investigating the factors that drive phenological diversity on a wide scale, but we are unaware of the variation of plant reproductive phenology at a fine spatial scale despite the high spatial variation in species composition and abundance in tropical rainforests. We addressed fine scale variability by investigating the reproductive phenology of three contiguous vegetations across the Atlantic rainforest coastal plain in Southeastern Brazil. We asked whether the vegetations differed in composition and abundance of species, the microenvironmental conditions and the reproductive phenology, and how their phenology is related to regional and local microenvironmental factors. The study was conducted from September 2007 to August 2009 at three contiguous sites: (1) seashore dominated by scrub vegetation, (2) intermediary covered by restinga forest and (3) foothills covered by restinga pre-montane transitional forest. We conducted the microenvironmental, plant and phenological survey within 30 transects of 25 mx4 m (10 per site). We detected significant differences in floristic, microenvironment and reproductive phenology among the three vegetations. The microenvironment determines the spatial diversity observed in the structure and composition of the flora, which in turn determines the distinctive flowering and fruiting peaks of each vegetation (phenological diversity). There was an exchange of species providing flowers and fruits across the vegetation complex. We conclude that plant reproductive patterns as described in most phenological studies (without concern about the microenvironmental variation) may conceal the fine scale temporal phenological diversity of highly diverse tropical vegetation. This phenological diversity should be taken into account when generating sensor-derived phenologies and when trying to understand tropical vegetation responses to environmental changes

The shared influence of phylogeny and ecology on the reproductive patterns of Myrteae (Myrtaceae)

1. Many factors shape plant reproductive patterns including climate, competition or attraction of pollinators and seed dispersers, flower and fruit morphologies and phylogenetic relationships. South American Myrtaceae (Myrteae) were chosen to evaluate hypotheses on how abiotic and biotic factors, morphology and phylogeny influence plant reproductive phenology.2. We examined whether Myrteae reproductive patterns are seasonal and related to climate; whether aggregated or segregated flowering and fruiting occur among species sharing pollinators or seed dispersers; the relationship between phenological and morphological traits, time of reproduction and Myrteae phylogenetic history; and the shared influence of ecological (environmental) and phylogenetic factors on Myrteae reproductive patterns.3. We observed flowering and fruiting of 34 Myrteae species during 30 months in an Atlantic rain forest (south-eastern Brazil). We employed circular statistics to test for seasonality and multiple regressions to relate climate and phenology. Competition and facilitation hypotheses were tested using null models. We quantified the phylogenetic signal on phenology and morphology of Myrteae species using phylogenetic eigenvector regression (PVR) analyses, and used PVR and partial regressions to quantify the influences of ecology and phylogeny on phenology.4. Myrteae flowered seasonally, whereas fruiting was not seasonal. Environmental factors (day-length and temperature) and associations with biotic vectors through facilitation hypothesis explained the aggregated blossom. Fruit maturation time affected the species' flowering sequence. Plants with longer fruit maturation times flowered at the end of the appropriate season, explaining the continuous fruit availability despite the seasonal flowering. The random fruiting pattern explained the regular presence of seed dispersers. Myrteae phenology was phylogenetically structured, even when phenophases were not seasonal, i.e., closer related species fruited under more similar environmental conditions, suggesting that the reproductive phenological niche was inherited along the course of evolution. We detected a shared influence of ecology and phylogeny on Myrteae phenological responses, and the ecological component explained better phenological variation than phylogeny.5. Synthesis. We provided a new perspective on plant phenology based on phylogeny and ecology and demonstrated the importance of considering their shared influence in phenological studies. Our analyses can be employed for the most representative families of highly diverse ecosystems to improve our understanding of evolutionary patterns and general trends in phenology.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Harnessing the potential of integrated systematics for conservation of taxonomically complex, megadiverse plant groups

The value of natural history collections for conservation science research is increasingly recognized, despite their well-documented limitations in terms of taxonomic, geographic, and temporal coverage. Specimen-based analyses are particularly important for tropical plant groups for which field observations are scarce and potentially unreliable due to high levels of diversity-amplifying identification challenges. Specimen databases curated by specialists are rich sources of authoritatively identified, georeferenced occurrence data, and such data are urgently needed for large genera. We compared entries in a monographic database for the large Neotropical genus Myrcia in 2007 and 2017. We classified and quantified differences in specimen records over this decade and determined the potential impact of these changes on conservation assessments. We distinguished misidentifications from changes due to taxonomic remodeling and considered the effects of adding specimens and georeferences. We calculated the potential impact of each change on estimates of extent of occurrence (EOO), the most frequently used metric in extinction-risk assessments of tropical plants. We examined whether particular specimen changes were associated with species for which changes in EOO over the decade were large enough to change their conservation category. Corrections to specimens previously misidentified or lacking georeferences were overrepresented in such species, whereas changes associated with taxonomic remodeling (lumping and splitting) were underrepresented. Among species present in both years, transitions to less threatened status outnumbered those to more threatened (8% vs 3%, respectively). Species previously deemed data deficient transitioned to threatened status more often than to not threatened (10% vs 7%, respectively). Conservation scientists risk reaching unreliable conclusions if they use specimen databases that are not actively curated to reflect changing knowledge

Nomenclatural and taxonomic changes in tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae) spurred by molecular phylogenies

Phylogenetic studies have highlighted incongruous generic placement and the usage of inappropriate names for species within tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae). The genera affected are Calycolpus, Eugenia, Myrcia and Psidium. Eugenia aubletiana is legitimized by the designation of a lectotype and its usage proposed instead of Calycorectes bergii. Two generic transfers are proposed: Psidium sessiliflorum based on Calycolpus sessiliflorus and Myrcia neosericea, based on Eugenia neosericea. The re-instatement of Psidium cupreum, currently a synonym of Psidium rufum as an accepted species is proposed. Illustrations of the four affected species are furnished, as well as a map of occurrences of Psidium sessiliflorum. Tetramery associated to inflorescences reduced to 1(-3) flowers, an unusual combination of characters in Myrcia sect. Gomidesia, is identified in both Myrcia glaziovii and Myrcia neosericea, and a key to distinguish them is provided