Seven new species of Selaginella subg. Stachygynandrum (Selaginellaceae) from Brazil and new synonyms for the genus

Abstract

We describe seven new species of Selaginella subg. Stachygynandrum (Selaginella alstonii, Selaginella blepharodella, Selaginella crinita, Selaginella mucronata, Selaginella mucugensis, Selaginella saltuicola, and Selaginella sematophylla) from Brazil and discuss their possible affinities and conservation status. Scanning electron micrographs of stem sections, leaves, and spores are provided to illustrate the new taxa. In Selaginella alstonii and Selaginella saltuicola vegetative growth from strobilus tips is reported and discussed. Four of the new species are from the Espinhaço Mountain Range associated with Campos Rupestres (montane savannah/rocky fields) vegetation. Three of these (i.e., Selaginella blepharodella, Selaginella crinita, and Selaginella mucugensis) were collected in the northern part of the range in Chapada Diamantina, state of Bahia, while Selaginella alstonii is from the southern part of the range in the state of Minas Gerais. Selaginella mucronata is found in Atlantic Rainforest vegetation in the state of Espírito Santo, whereas Selaginella saltuicola inhabits Cerrado (tropical savannah) vegetation in the state of Mato Grosso. Selaginella sematophylla is the most widely distributed of the new species and was collected in Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro states in Campos Rupestres and Atlantic Rainforest vegetation. Selaginella alstonii occurs in rocky caves, Selaginella blepharodella, Selaginella crinita, Selaginella mucugensis, and Selaginella sematophylla seem adapted to seasonally dry places, living on sandy or humid soils, Selaginella mucronata occupies humid, forest understory, and Selaginella saltuicola is adapted to wet places associated with rocks or logs in waterfalls. Of the seven new species, six are considered local endemics (except for Selaginella sematophylla) because of their restricted currently known distributions to one or two localities within a single state in Brazil. Additionally, we propose new synonymy for Selaginella palmiformis (syn. = Selaginella bahiensis subsp. manausensis, ≡ Selaginella manausensis) and Selaginella vestiens (syn. = Selaginella fragillima); the last species is endemic to Brazil, recorded in the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais. Finally, based on literature discussed and this study, we conclude that the number of well-documented Brazilian Selaginella species is 61, of which 58 are native and three introduced and naturalized. These statistics are likely to change with further work on Selaginella from Brazil.

Novelties in Selaginella (Selaginellaceae – Lycopodiophyta), with emphasis on Brazilian species

“…Additionally, stem sections and spore samples from selected specimens were viewed with (SEM)Scanning Electron Microscope to determine upper and lower surfaces of leaves and spore sculpturing patterns and diameter (when available). The SEM study and measurement of leaves was conducted following Valdespino et al (2014, 2015). Spore sculpturing and leaf terminology follow Valdespino et al (2015 and references therein).…”

“…In a recent paper, Valdespino et al (2015) described seven new species of Selaginella from Brazil, raising the number of the known native species of that country to 58, and suggested that additional ones could be uncovered as further work in this genus continued. That prediction has proven accurate: Valdespino (2015a) has proposed Selaginella boomii Valdespino, a new species widely distributed in South America, including Brazil.…”

Novel fern- and centipede-like Selaginella (Selaginellaceae) species and a new combination from South America

“…In keeping with Valdespino (1993) by following Buck (1978), Buck and Lucanski (1976) and Somers and Buck (1975) and contrary to Hansen and Wunderlin (2000), S. eatonii is considered a different species from S. armata as is S. ludoviciana from S. apoda . Finally, following Valdespino et al (2015) S. undata is considered a synonym of S. prasina .…”

“…It may be related to species in the “ Selaginella jungermannioides (Gaudich.) Spring group”, as circumscribed in Valdespino et al (2015), or to a species group akin to S. ovifolia Baker.…”

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities and evaluation of cytotoxicity of the fractions obtained fromSelaginella convoluta(Arn.) Spring (Selaginellaceae)

“…Approximately 270 species of Selaginella are found in America, of which 61 occur in Brazil, and the genus is widely distributed throughout America, Africa and Europe [14,16]. Many species of Selaginella have demonstrated medicinal potential and are sources of bioactive compounds, mainly biflavonoids [17][18][19][20][21][22].…”