Novelties in Lepidaploinae (Asteraceae, Vernonieae) from the easternmost campos rupestres of Minas Gerais, Brazil: two new species and a range expansion

Abstract

Background – Recent collection efforts in Serra do Padre Ângelo, Pico da Aliança, and Sete Salões State Park, all located in the state of Minas Gerais, have uncovered many botanical and zoological novelties. The region is an outlying campos rupestres area inserted in the Atlantic Forest phytogeographic domain, with its flora mostly related to that of the core campos rupestres area in the Espinhaço Range. Three species of Asteraceae, one of the most representative families in the campos rupestres, have been recently described for the area. Here we report two new species from the genera Lepidaploa and Lessingianthus and one range extension in Lessingianthus, both from subtribe Lepidaploinae.Methods – This study was based on specimens from the herbaria HUFU, MBML, SPF, UFP, and on field observations. Morphological observations and measures were taken following standard practices. Preliminary conservation assessments are based on field observations and spatial analyses (i.e. extent of occurrence, area of occupancy), following IUCN guidelines and criteria.Results – Two new species are described: Lepidaploa campirupestris, related to Lepidaploa aurea, differing from the latter by leaf indumentum, pedunculate heads, and number of florets; and Lessingianthus petraeus, related to Lessingianthus adenophyllus, but differing by leaf position and leaf blade morphology. We also report a range extension for Lessingianthus squamosus, previously known only for the state of Espírito Santo, ca 200 km away. Our results shed light on the interesting biogeography of the region, which mostly contains components of other campos rupestres areas intermixed with typical inselberg vegetation. It also highlights the importance of compiling floristic inventories in poorly collected localities and the need for conservation strategies for this biodiverse region.

Maracujá on the rocks: a new Passiflora species (Passifloraceae sensu stricto) from the rupicolous ecosystems of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest

“…Similar to that reported for species of Asteraceae by Antar & al. (2021b), Passiflora ita occurs both on areas of quartzitic campos rupestres and granitic inselbergs, therefore showing tolerance to distinct edaphic conditions.…”

“…2015;Andrino & Gonella 2021;Antar & al. 2021aAntar & al. , 2021bKollmann & Gonella 2021), demonstrating the relevance of this area as a refuge of biodiversity and a priority for conservation.…”

“…The proximity of these areas of campos rupestres to pastures and human settlements makes them vulnerable to anthropogenic fires, given that the use of fire for pasture renovation and clearance of deforested areas is a common practice in the region. The populations of P. ita and other endangered species at Serra do Padre Ângelo were affected by such an anthropogenic fire in late 2020 (Andrino & Gonella 2021;Antar & al. 2021b;Kollmann & Gonella 2021), which can potentiate the invasion by the aforementioned alien species.…”

Four new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) from campos rupestres and vegetation on granitic inselbergs in Eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Recent work carried out along the eastern portion of Vale do Rio Doce, near the border with Espírito Santo, has highlighted the botanical diversity and biological shortfalls of the region through the description of new and endemic taxa from diverse lineages (Gonella et al, 2015;Mello-Silva, 2018;Kollmann, 2020;Andrino & Gonella, 2021;Antar et al, 2021aAntar et al, , 2021bMezzonato-Pires et al, 2021). This is especially true around the João Pinto Formation, a geological group of Neoproterozoic quartzites forming a small and fragmented mountain complex with campos rupestres vegetation (Oliveira, 2000).…”

“…(Poaceae), which is found even in pristine areas that are not in direct contact with pastures, including the habitat of this species. The subpopulation at Pico do Padre Ângelo was directly affected by a catastrophic anthropogenic fire in early October 2020, which also affected other endemics (Andrino & Gonella, 2021;Antar et al, 2021b;Kollmann & Gonella, 2021); post-fire resprout has not been monitored. At all sites, the populations of Pleroma brevicomosum are small and scattered, with fewer than 10 flowering individuals observed at each site during fieldwork.…”