Two new species, Merostachys ramosa and M. ximenae, from the Brazilian Atlantic forest are here described and illustrated. The species are apparently endemic to Minas Gerais state, with M. ramosa being restricted to the Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro. The conservation status of each species is examined. A key to all taxa of Merostachys present in eastern Minas Gerais and comments about the species are provided.

-(Importance of bees in pollination of Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae) in open-field of the Southeast of Minas Gerais State, Brazil). Pollinators are extremely important in agricultural crops because their deficit can affect food production in the world. Consequently, a lot of studies have been emphasizing the importance of the knowledge about the biology of these agents. The tomato stands out among the economically most important crops. Therefore, the objectives of this work were: to identify the pollinators of Solanum lycopersicum in a conventional area of cultivation in the southeast of Minas Gerais State and detect which of these are more representative; to assess the importance of the pollinators' action for the quality of the fruits produced; and discuss practices for conservation to these agents. Fifteen floral visitors were found, with Exomalopsis analis being the most representative. Apis mellifera and Trigona spinipes, although not vibrating bees, also acted as pollinators of Solanum lycopersicum. Keywords: buzz pollination, conventional cultivation, environmental services RESUMO -(Importância das abelhas na polinização de Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae) em cultivo aberto no Sudeste do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil). Polinizadores são extremamente importantes em cultivos agrícolas, pois o seu déficit pode afetar a produção de alimentos no mundo. Sendo assim, estudos têm enfatizado a importância do conhecimento sobre a biologia desses agentes. Dentre as espécies olerícolas mais importantes economicamente, destaca-se o tomate. Assim, este estudo objetivou identificar os potenciais polinizadores de Solanum lycopersicum em uma área de cultivo convencional no sudeste do Estado de Minas Gerais; identificar quais destes são mais representativos, verificar a importância da sua ação na qualidade dos frutos produzidos e discutir práticas para a conservação desses agentes. Foram encontrados 15 visitantes florais, sendo Exomalopsis analis o mais representativo. Apis mellifera e Trigona spinipes, mesmo não sendo abelhas vibradoras, também atuaram como polinizadores de Solanum lycopersicum.

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Abstract—Merostachys delicatula, a new species recorded thus far only from the montane Atlantic forest of southern Bahia, is described and illustrated here. Comments on its taxonomy, distribution, habitat, and phenology are presented. Among the narrow-leaved congeners occurring in Bahia, the new species is most similar to M. leptophylla. It is distinguished by having internodes glabrous to scabrous (vs. glabrous in M. leptophylla); internodes with an infranodal band of trichomes (vs. absent); culm leaf sheaths abaxially scabrous (vs. glabrous); upper glumes 1.2‐2.1 mm wide (vs. 3.5‐4 mm); anthecia dull (vs. shiny); lemmas 1.5‐2.7 mm wide, abaxially pubescent (vs. ca. 4 mm, glabrous); and paleas 1.2‐2.3 mm wide (vs. ca. 4 mm). We also provide an assessment of the conservation status of the new species and a geographic distribution map for both species.