[Botany • 2025] Pitcairnia zapoteca (Bromeliaceae: Pitcairnioideae) • A New Species with nocturnal anthesis from Oaxaca, Mexico

 

Pitcairnia zapoteca I. Ramírez, G. Carnevali & K. Romero,   

in Ramírez-Morillo, Carnevali, Romero-Soler, Pinzón, Tamayo-Cen, Flores et Martínez, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.17129/botsci.3550 

  Researchgate.net/publication/384986549

Abstract

Background: Pitcairnia is the third largest bromeliad genus in Mexico with 57 species and ca. 82.5 % endemism, and is characterized mostly by zygomorphic, ornithophilous flowers of diurnal anthesis in several hues of red, orange, or yellow, whereas white or green flowers are uncommon. Moreover, there are just a few species with nocturnal anthesis in Megamexico. One of them is documented and discussed here.

Questions: Is the Pitcairnia with campanulate, fragrant flowers of nocturnal anthesis from Oaxaca different from other species with similar characters native to Mexico and the Neotropics and what is its conservation status?

Studied species: Pitcairnia abundans, P. lokischmidtiae, P. zapoteca.

Study site and dates: Oaxaca, Mexico, 2016-2024.

Methods: Live plants, herbarium material, protologues, and high-resolution images of herbarium specimens, both of the new taxon and of morphologically similar taxa, were studied and compared against each other. The conservation status of the new species was assessed using the IUCN criteria.

Results: Pitcairnia zapoteca is similar but different at the species level from P. lokischmidtiae from Jalisco; both share campanulate flowers of nocturnal anthesis and a musky or frutal fragances. The conservation status of the new taxon is assessed as DD.

Conclusions: Pitcairnia zapoteca is a new species, only known from the type locality in the state of Oaxaca and only one of three Mexican species with campanulate, white, yellowish or greenish flowers of nocturnal anthesis. The assessment the true conservation status of the new taxon requires detailed exploration of the SE portion of Oaxaca.

Keywords: actinomorphic flowers, endemic species, nocturnal anthesis

Pitcairnia zapoteca (A-J).
A. Inflorescence. B. Flowers with floral bract and sepals. C. Flowers with floral bract and sepals removed. D. Petals, note the appendage at the base of each one. E. Apical view of the corolla, note the stigma and stamens resting on one petal. F. Floral bract. G. Sepals. H. Ovary with style, stigma and stamens. I. Ovary with stigma. J. Apical portion of filaments and anthers.

(Based on I. Ramírez & G. Carnevali 2459 (Holotype: CICY)).

Pitcairnia zapoteca I. Ramírez, G. Carnevali & K. Romero, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. This new species resembles Pitcairnia lokischmidtiae. However, P. zapoteca differs by the fewer leaves per rosette (10-15 vs. (16-)18-25 in P. lokischmidtiae), shorter leaves (40-60 vs. 80-100 cm), which are also narrower (1.3-1.5 vs.  ca.  4.5  cm  wide),  and  deciduous  (vs. persistent); it also features shorter inflorescences (70-80 vs.  120  cm), larger floral bracts (1.5-2 vs. ca. 1 cm), sepals tinged dull brown-red (vs. totally green), pale-yellowish petals with distal, dull red brown tinges (vs. greenish white), the stigma surpassing the petals when the flower withers (vs.included), and ovary superior (vs. almost completely superior).

Etymology. The name zapoteca honors the Zapotecan people, an ethnic group that have traditionally inhabited the type locality area.

Ivón Ramírez-Morillo, Germán Carnevali, Katya J. Romero-Soler, Juan Pablo Pinzón, Iván Tamayo-Cen, Néstor Raigoza Flores and Ricardo Rivera Martínez. 2025. A New Species of Pitcairnia (Bromeliaceae) with nocturnal anthesis from Oaxaca, Mexico.  Botanical Sciences. 103(1); 207-217. DOI: doi.org/10.17129/botsci.3550 

  Researchgate.net/publication/384986549_A_new_species_of_Pitcairnia_from_Oaxaca_Mexico

[Botany • 2023] Dyckia magnifica (Bromeliaceae: Pitcairnioideae) • A New Species from Southern Brazil, and the Re-establishment of D. tomentosa, of the D. selloa complex

 

Dyckia magnifica Büneker & Mariath, 

 

in Büneker, Pastori, Almeida et Mariath, 2023. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.595.2.4

  Researchgate.net/publication/370522481

 

Abstract

We propose the re-establishment of Dyckia tomentosa, after rediscovering its populations, the synonymization of Dyckia polyclada, and Dyckia magnifica as a new species from southern Brazil that is morphologically related to D. tomentosa. Descriptions of external morphology, leaf anatomy and pollen morphology, and comments on species distributions and habitats are provided. The informal species complex in which D. magnifica and D. tomentosa are placed is morphologically re-circumscribed and proposed here as the “Dyckia selloa complex”.

 bromeliads, leaf anatomy, pollen morphology, taxonomy, xerophytes, Monocots

 A-L. Main diagnostic characteristics differentiating Dyckia tomentosa (A, B, E, G, I, K, M and N) and Dyckia magnifica (C, D, F, H, J, L, O and P). H.M. Büneker 607
A, B, G and I; H.M. Büneker 251 et al. E.; H.M. Büneker 721 & L. Witeck C, D, F, H, K and L. A and C. Detail of adaxial surface of a leaf spine. B and D. Detail of abaxial surface of a leaf spine. E-F. Detail of an inflorescence branch with flowers at various stages of development. G-H. Detailed lateral view of a flower at anthesis. I and J. Detail of trichomes on the surface and margins of petals. K and L. Lateral view of stigma at anthesis. M-P. Pollen under SEM. M. Detail of sulcus where the margin is observed. N. General aspect where general discontinuities in the tectum of the reticulum can be seen. O. Distal polar view where sulcus and phenomenon of harmomegathy are observed. P. Proximal polar view where the region of the tectum of the reticulum with minimal discontinuities can be seen.

 Dyckia magnifica (H.M. Büneker 616 et al.) in habitat.
A. Detail of part of the population in habitat on rocky banks of the Canoas river dammed by PCH Campos Novos. B. Vegetative habit. C. Habit when fertile. D. Detail of apical portion of the inflorescence. E. Immature capsules.

Dyckia magnifica Büneker & Mariath, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The specific epithet “magnifica”, reflects the beauty of the new species. This epithet was created and disseminated by the Dyckia cultivation enthusiast Constantino Gastaldi, who distributed specimens of it to several collectors and botanical collections under this name.

Henrique Mallmann BÜNEKER, Tamara PASTORI, Pedro Schwambach De ALMEIDA and Jorge Ernesto De Araujo MARIATH. 2023. Dyckia magnifica, A New Species of Bromeliaceae (Pitcairnioideae) from Southern Brazil, and the Re-establishment of D. tomentosa, of the D. selloa complex.  Phytotaxa. 595(2); 169-185. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.595.2.4

  Researchgate.net/publication/370522481_Dyckia_magnifica_a_new_species_from_Southern_Brazil

[Botany • 2024] Hohenbergia alba & H. sparsiflora (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) • Two striking New Bromeliads from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Hohenbergia sparsiflora B.P. Cavalcante, E.H. Souza & Versieux,

in Cavalcante, Silva, Souza, Versieux et Martinelli, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.665.3.5 

 facebook.com/EvertonHiloSouza

 

Abstract

We present two new species, Hohenbergia alba and H. sparsiflora, endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest in the southern region of the state of Bahia. These species were identified as understory epiphytes in forest fragments near highways. These newly described species are morphologically similar to the “giant Hohenbergia species group”, characterized by their significantly larger size compared to species found in the highlands and dryer environments. Notable unique features include the compact rosette and a 3-4-branched inflorescence with white-colored petals for H. alba and sparsely-flowered spikes for H. sparsiflora, a feature not yet reported for the genus. Additionally, we provide illustrations, and a comparative table of morphological data of these species and related taxa, as well as information on the conservation status and phenology.

Atlantic Forest, Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae, epiphyte, Poales, taxonomy, Monocots

Hohenbergia sparsiflora B.P. Cavalcante, E.H. Souza & Versieux, sp. nov.  

Hohenbergia alba B.P. Cavalcante, E.H. Souza & Versieux, sp. nov.

Brayan Paiva Cavalcante, Clécio Danilo Dias da Silva, Everton Hilo de Souza, Leonardo M. Versieux and Adriana Pinheiro Martinelli. 2024. Hohenbergia alba and Hohenbergia sparsiflora, Two striking New Bromeliads from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.  Phytotaxa. 665(3); 233-242. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.665.3.5

  facebook.com/EvertonHiloSouza/posts/10221486145461787

[Botany • 2024] Pitcairnia asmussii (Bromeliaceae: Pitcairnioideae) • A New Species from Caracas, Venezuela

Pitcairnia asmussii Gouda, 

in Gouda, 2024.   

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.671.2.3

 

Abstract

A new species of Pitcairnia similar to P. xanthocalyx Mart. is described, compared with this species and illustrated. The flowers of this new species has shorter pedicel, but larger sepals and petals, and it has dimorphic, non-petiolate leaves. The species was discovered by Matthias Asmuss from Caracas, Venezuela and cultivated at the Utrecht Botanical Gardens.

Bromeliaceae, Pitcairnioideae, Taxonomy, Venezuela, Monocots

Pitcairnia asmussii at the type locality:
A. Saxicolous growing plants in habitat; B. flowering specimen, showing the slightly secund leaf-blades; C. flowering specimen on rocky soil with radial symmetric rosettes.

Pitcairnia asmussii Gouda spec. nov. 

Type:—Venezuela, Aragua, entre Cata y Cuyagua, Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, ... 4 (holotype VEN!). 

Diagnosis:—A Pitcairnia xanthocalyx Mart. like species that differs from it by dimorphic leaves in the new shoots (starting with short narrow triangular coarsely serrate and pungent leaves vs. leaves all alike), leaves not (sub-)petiolate (vs. subpetiolate), the sheath spinose serrulate in upper half and glabrous (vs. entire and covered with a membrane of scales), the blade entire (except the base sometimes vs. laxly serrulate), flower pedicel shorter (0.8–0.9 vs. 1.5–2 cm), sepals longer ( [2–]2.5–2.8 vs. 1.5–2 cm) and petals longer (7–8.4 vs. 4.5–5 cm).

Etymology:—This species is named after Matthias Asmuss from Caracas who is dedicated to study Bromeliaceae from Venezuela and who collected this new species.

Eric J. GOUDA. 2024. Pitcairnia asmussii (Bromeliaceae), A New Species from Venezuela, close to P. xanthocalyx Mart.  Phytotaxa. 671(2); 139-143. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.671.2.3

 

[Botany • 2024] Hechtia chamelensis (Bromeliaceae: Hechtioideae) • A New Species from the Pacific Lowlands in Mexico

Hechtia chamelensis Magaña & I. Ramírez, 

in Ramírez-Morillo, Ramírez-Diaz, Magaña Rueda, Tapia-Muñoz et Martínez. 2024.  

 DOI: 10.17129/botsci.3404 

 Researchgate.net/publication/378353472

Abstract

Background: Hechtia is characterized by its terrestrial, succulent rosettes, dioecy, and unisexual, dimorphic flowers, mainly fragrant. The paucity and fragmentary herbarium material limit the species recognition but living material reveals diagnostic characters to delimitate them.

Hypothesis: Hechtia species are circumscribed by a combination of vegetative and floral characters of both sexes. If the new taxon does not share morphological characters with other species, it will be described as new.

Taxon: Hechtia.

Study site and dates: Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco, 1985-2023.

Methods: Field collected, cultivated as well as herbarium material of the new taxon were analyzed and compared to other species from the Pacific Lowlands and adjacent areas, particularly flowers of both sexes, fruits, and seeds. Conservation status using IUCN criteria is reported for the new species.

Results: Specimens of Hechtia chamelensis have been misidentified as H. laevis and H. reticulata (both described from fruiting, fragmentary specimens) but the fruit and seed features of both taxa do not match those of the new species. H. chamelensis is known from the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve and it is characterized by strict sympodial growth pattern, green leaves with red hues, shiny and glabrous above, white lepidote below, panicles usually simple to (rarely staminate ones) 2-divided, staminate flowers pinkish to pale white, pistillate with pale green to white petals.

Conclusions: Vegetative and reproductive features as well as geographical distribution allow the recognition of H. chamelensis as a new species native from Jalisco, Mexico.

Keywords: Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, conservation, endemic, floral dimorphism

Hechtia chamelensis;
 A) Infructescence, note its length of the infructescence when growing on shady places, Dr. Pablo Carrillo-Reyes (right)and Dr. William Cetzal (left) on the picture; B) same species with shorter infructescence (pointed by an arrow) when growing on exposed places, thisindividual is a few meters from the previous one; C) details of the origin of the inflorescence (terminal or central); D) details of adaxial surface of theleaves, color of foliar blade and spines.

Photographs: I. Ramírez-Morillo. 

Hechtia chamelensis
 A) pistillate inflorescence; B) a branch with pistillate flowers in anthesis; C) staminate inflorescence; D) a branch withstaminate flowers; E) a comparison of staminate and pistillate flowers.

Photographs: A-B and E: I. Ramírez, C: G. Carnevali, D: C. Ramírez-Díaz. 

Hechtia chamelensis in bloom;
A) staminate inflorescence; B) staminate flowers; C) pistillate inflorescence; D) pistillate flower; E) fruits.

Illustration by Alberto Guerra 

based on photographs provided by Ivón M. Ramírez-Morillo.

Hechtia chamelensis Magaña & I. Ramírez, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. This new species differs from Hechtia reticulata in the following characters: fruits 5-6 per each 5 cm length (vs. 8-2 fruits), reticulate (vs. smooth), seeds ca. 1 mm long (vs. 3 mm), inflorescence branches 10-15 cm long vs. 10-12 (-25) cm long). H. laevis has branches with many fruits (40-50 in each 5 cm length) while H. chamelensis only has 5-6 fruits in each 5 cm length, primary inflorescence branches have no stipe nor primary bracts (vs. 2.5-4cm long in H. chamelensis and primary bracts triangular, long-acuminate, 3-4.5 cm long, 4-10 mm wide, longer to equaling the length of the stipe). The new taxon also shows staminate flowers 6-8 mm long, 7-9 mm diameter, petal sapically white, basally pink, widely spread; pistillate flowers 3 mm long, ca. 1 mm diameter; with white petals and sepals basally green apically brown, adnate to the ovary.

 

Ivón Ramírez-Morillo, Claudia J. Ramírez-Diaz, Patricia Magaña Rueda, José Luis Tapia-Muñoz and Ricardo Rivera Martínez. 2024. The official presentation to science of A New Species of Hechtia (Bromeliaceae: Hechtioideae) from the Pacific Lowlands in Mexico. Botanical Sciences. 102(2); 586-597. DOI: doi.org/10.17129/botsci.3404  

  Researchgate.net/publication/378353472_a_new_species_of_Hechtia_from_the_Pacific_Lowlands_in_Mexico

[Entomology • 2024] Pseudocerocoma tulenapa • A New Species of the highly modified Genus Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Ichthyurini) from Colombia

 Pseudocerocoma tulenapa

 Serna-Muñoz & Alzate-Cano, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.4.8  

Researchgate.net/publication/378966691

 

Abstract

The genus Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Ichthyurini) was previously recognized as a monotypic genus. Based on material from Antioquia, Colombia, we describe and illustrate Pseudocerocoma tulenapa sp. nov. It differs from the other known species of the genus in the shape of the antennae and the abdominal segment 8, as well as in some aspects of coloration. This new species provides additional evidence for the position of Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 as a separate genus from Malthoichthyurus Pic, 1919, also represents the first record of the tribe Ichthyurini in Colombia and shows the importance of the conservation actions carried out in the only known locality, the Tulenapa Biological Station of the Universidad de Antioquia.

Coleoptera, Soldier beetles, Neotropics, Taxonomy, Description

 Pseudocerocoma tulenapa sp. nov. holotype, male.
A. Dorsal view B. Lateral view. C. Pretarsus and tarsal claws. D–E. Terminal abdominal segments. D. Ventral view detail. E. Dorsal view, detail. F. Head in frontal view. G–I. Antennae. G. Dorsal. H. Lateral. I. Ventral.

Sebastian Serna-Muñoz and Julian David Alzate-Cano. 2024. A New Species of the highly modified Genus Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 from Colombia (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Ichthyurini).  Zootaxa. 5424(4); 490-496. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.4.8 

 Researchgate.net/publication/378966691_A_new_species_of_Pseudocerocoma_from_Colombia

  x.com/Novatax_Col/status/1773487490021654944

[Botany • 2024] Tillandsia tequilana (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) • A New saxicolous Species from Jalisco, Mexico

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr.,

in Hernández-Cárdenas, Flores-Argüelles, Espejo-Serna, López-Ferrari, Carranza-Rodríguez et Lara-Godínez, 2024.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.659.2.1

Abstract

Tillandsia tequilana, a new species from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The proposed species is compared to T. aguascalientensis, T. moronesensis, and T. schusteri, taxa with some morphological similarities. Tillandsia tequilana differs from these species in the shape and size of the leaf sheath, spikes and floral bracts, in the shape of the sepals, and also in the flowering time. Images and a distribution map of the new species are included.

Endemic, Monocots, Pacific Lowlands, Poales, saxicolous

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr.
 A. Cliffs of the cerro Chiquihuitillo. B–C. Plants at type locality. D. Detail of the inflorescences.

(Photographs by R. Hernández-Cárdenas).

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr.
A. Detail of the spikes. B. Flower. C. Floral bract. D. Sepals. E. Petals. F. Stamens. G. Pistil. H. Fruit.

(Photographs by R. Hernández-Cárdenas).

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr., sp. nov.

The new species is similar to Tillandsia aguascalientensis but differs in the shape (triangular to ovate vs. elliptic) and size of the leaf sheath (4.0–5.0 × 3.0–3.5 vs. 7.0–12 × 4.0–7.0 cm), in the shape (narrowly oblong vs. elliptic) and width (1.0–1.5 vs. 2.5–4.0 cm) of the spikes, in the shape (oblong to elliptic vs. lanceolate) and size (2.5–3.2 × 1.2–1.5 vs. 3.9–4.2 × 1.5–2.0 cm) of the floral bracts, and in the width of the sepals (0.4–0.5 vs. 0.9–1.1 cm).

Etymology:—Specific epithet refers to the municipality of Tequila, Jalisco, where the new species was discovered.

Rodrigo Alejandro Hernández-Cárdenas, Alejandra Flores-Argüelles, Adolfo Espejo-Serna, Ana Rosa López-Ferrari, Juan Carlos Carranza-Rodríguez and Sofía Ana Lucrecia Lara-Godínez. 2024. Tillandsia tequilana (Tillandsioideae; Bromeliaceae), A New saxicolous Species from Jalisco, Mexico.  Phytotaxa. 659(2); 105-111. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.659.2.1

 

[Botany • 2023] Krenakanthus ribeiranus (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) • A “hairy situation” in Minas Gerais, Brazil: A striking New Species of Krenakanthus covered with uniseriate trichomes

 

 Krenakanthus ribeiranus 

in Leme, Gonella, Couto, Fernandez, De Carvalho, De Almeida et Mariath, 2023. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.2

    Researchgate.net/publication/374443908 

   facebook.com/PauloGonella

 

Abstract

A new species of Krenakanthus, a member of the bromelioid “Cryptanthoid complex”, is described based on plants discovered through collaborative citizen science. Krenakanthus ribeiranus and its only congener K. roseolilacinus are endemic to the “João Pinto Center of Biodiversity”, a still poorly explored region with Campos Rupestres and associated vegetation in the Rio Doce Valley, in eastern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The unusual combination of morphological characters of K. ribeiranus, highlighted by plant delicacy and almost all leaf and flower parts covered by uniseriate, hair-like trichomes, is illustrated and discussed in comparison with K. roseolilacinus, including leaf and seed anatomy, as well as pollen morphology. This micro-endemic species is assessed as Critically Endangered, reinforcing the need for strategy to protect the biodiversity of the region. The morphology of the new species validates and strengthens the diagnostic flower characters used in the circumscription of Krenakanthus, suggesting as secondary diagnostic characters the habit, stature, and leaf conformation.  

Keywords: Monocots, anatomy, Campos Rupestres, Cryptanthoid complex, João Pinto Center of Biodiversity, morphology, uniseriate trichomes

 Krenakanthus ribeiranus (J.C.S. Ribeiro 001):
 A. General aspect of the shaded rocky habitat alongside creeks at the type locality. B–D. Subpopulations at the type locality composed of individuals growing on organic-rich, shallow soils accumulated on sandstone rock surfaces among mosses.  

Photos: J.C.S. Ribeiro.

  

 A–F.  Krenakanthus ribeiranus (J.C.S. Ribeiro 001):
A Habit in three stages of flower development. B. Habit, highlighting an individual in fruit stage. C. Small-sized aspect of the leaf rosette in an adult individual. D. Frontal view of the fan blade-like corolla. E. Lateral view of the corolla. F. Abundant seedlings growing not far from mother-plants.

Photos: J.C.S. Ribeiro.

Krenakanthus ribeiranus (J.C.S. Ribeiro 001; A, C, F–G, I, K, M) and K. roseolilacinus (Leme 8922; B, D–E, H, J, L, N):  
 A–B. Frontal view of the corolla. C–D. Petals and stamens. E. Petal. F. Pistil and the stamens, highlighting the unequal filaments. G–H. Sepals. I–J. Fruits. K–L. Anthers. M–N. Stigma.

 Bars = 5 mm (C–E, J). Bars = 2 mm (F–I). Bars = 1 mm (K–N). 

  Photos: A. J.C.S. Ribeiro. B–N. E. Leme.

Elton M. C. Leme, Paulo M. Gonella, Dayvid R. Couto, Eduardo P. Fernandez, Jordano D. T. De Carvalho, Pedro S. De Almeida and Jorge E. A. Mariath. 2023. A “hairy situation” in Minas Gerais, Brazil: A striking New Species of Krenakanthus (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) covered with uniseriate trichomes. Phytotaxa. 619(1); 39-62. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.619.1.2

  Researchgate.net/publication/374443908_A_new_species_of_Krenakanthus_from_MinasGerais_Brazil  

  facebook.com/PauloGonella/posts/6830864266972514

   

[Botany • 2024] Vriesea organensis (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) • A Total Evidence Phylogeny sheds light on A New Vriesea Species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Vriesea organensis  Kessous & A.F.Costa, 

  in Kessous, Salgueiro et da Costa, 2024. 

  DOI: 10.1007/s00606-023-01885-9 

 Researchgate.net/publication/377749930

  facebook.com/GothenburgGlobalBiodiversityCentre

Abstract

Vriesea is one of the most diverse genera in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, comprising approximately 170 species in this domain. Included in this genus, the V. ensiformis group encompasses ten species that are distributed from northeastern to southern Brazil. During field expeditions in Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we found a new species which was previously long recognized as Vriesea aff. gradata in herbaria. Thus, here we aim to describe V. organensis and investigate its phylogenetic relationship to other species in the V. ensiformis group through a total evidence approach. We conducted an extensive literature review, herbarium consulting and field trips to gather data for describing the new species. Additionally, we constructed a concatenated matrix of molecular and morphological data to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis for the V. ensiformis group. Vriesea organensis is morphologically related to V. psittacina, V. gradata and V. fluviatilis and is described as possibly critically endangered. Our phylogenetic tree revealed that V. organensis is closely related to V. fluviatilis, in contrast to the herbarium hypothesis of similarity with V. gradata. The new species is characterized by the floral bracts incurvate and strongly carinate at the apex, rachis exposed when flowering, petal yellow with green apex and stigma exceeding the anthers. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the V. ensiformis group is not monophyletic based on our dataset.

Keywords: Bromeliad, Epiphyte, Neotropics, Serra do Mar, Systematics, Taxonomy

Vriesea organensis. a life form; b inflorescence and flower; c detail of the petals, anthers and stigma; d young inflorescence with flower buds; e young fruits; f habitat of the species in Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, near Poço Verde.

 Photos: Igor M. Kessous (a, d and f) and Andrea F. Costa (b, c and e)

Vriesea organensis Kessous & A.F.Costa, sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet "organensis" refers to the type locality of this taxon in Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Igor Musauer Kessous, Fabiano Salgueiro and Andrea Ferreira da Costa. 2024. A Total Evidence Phylogeny sheds light on A New Vriesea (Tillandsioideae, Bromeliaceae) Species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.  Plant Systematics and Evolution.  310, 6 DOI: 10.1007/s00606-023-01885-9

  Researchgate.net/publication/377749930_A_total_evidence_phylogeny_sheds_light_on_a_new_Vriesea_species_from_the_Brazilian_Atlantic_Forest

  facebook.com/GothenburgGlobalBiodiversityCentre/posts/1288301645445653

[Entomology • 2024] Copelatus espinhasso, C. florae & C. panguana • Underestimated Diversity and Range Size of Diving Beetles in Tank Bromeliads—Coleoptera of ‘hygrofloric’ lifestyle (Dytiscidae)

Copelatus espinhasso sp. nov. (Brazil), 
Copelatus florae sp. nov. (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama) and 
Copelatus panguana sp. nov. (Peru)

Hájek, Alarie, Benetti, Hamada, Springer, Hendrich, Villastrigo, Torres, Basantes & Balke, 2024

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad093

Abstract

Tank bromeliads provide a vast amount of stagnant water high up in the Neotropical forest canopy. However, the aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in this specialized habitat remains poorly explored. Here, we study obligatorily bromeliadicolous species of the diving beetle genus Copelatus Erichson, 1832. We review the known species Copelatus bromeliarum Scott, 1912 (Trinidad and Venezuela) and Copelatus bimaculatus Resende & Vanin, 1991 (Brazil). We describe three new species: Copelatus espinhasso sp. nov. (Brazil), Copelatus florae sp. nov. (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama) including its larva, and Copelatus panguana sp. nov. (Peru). Based on their male genital morphology, these species form a distinct clade within the genus. Other shared characters such as compact drop-shaped habitus, shortened appendages, and reduction of natatory setae on legs are interpreted as adaptations for what we call the ‘hygrofloric’ lifestyle. We document the thin water layer between leaf axils as the preferred habitat of both Copelatus adults and larvae, and not necessarily the central tank.

Neotropical forest canopy, tank bromeliads, specialized Coleoptera, diving beetles, new species

Habitat of Copelatus florae in Alto de Piedra, Panama.
A, general view of the pasture with solitary trees. B, large cf. Werauhia bromeliad. C, collecting of beetles from leaf axils. D, specimen of C. florae crawling on the leaf.

Jiří Hájek, Yves Alarie, Cesar J. Benetti, Neusa Hamada, Monika Springer, Lars Hendrich, Adrián Villastrigo, Rodulfo Ospina Torres, Michael S. Basantes and Michael Balke. 2024. Underestimated Diversity and Range Size of Diving Beetles in Tank Bromeliads—Coleoptera of ‘hygrofloric’ lifestyle (Dytiscidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 200(3); 720–735. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad093

[Botany • 2024] Stigmatodon medeirosii (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) • A New hyperepilithic bromeliad from granitic inselbergs of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Stigmatodon medeirosii  

in Couto et Gonella. 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.637.3.2 

 facebook.com/PauloGonella

 

Abstract

Stigmatodon medeirosii (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae), a new hyperepilithic species, restricted to vertical rock walls of the inselbergs of eastern Minas Gerais, in the medium Rio Doce River basin, southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters and affinities of the new species are discussed, accompanied by notes on its ecology, geographic distribution, and conservation status. The new species is most similar to S. fontellanus and S. lemeanus from Espírito Santo state but distinguished by a set of vegetative and reproductive characters. Following the criteria of the IUCN Red List, S. medeirosii is to be assessed as Vulnerable (VU), reinforcing the need for attention to the conservation of inselbergs and associated vegetation in eastern Minas Gerais.

Atlantic Forest, conservation, rock-climbing plants, rock outcrops, Vrieseinae, Monocots

 

Dayvid Rodrigues Couto and Paulo Minatel Gonella. 2024. Stigmatodon medeirosii, A New hyperepilithic bromeliad (Tillandsioideae) from granitic inselbergs of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 637(3); 242-250. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.637.3.2

  facebook.com/PauloGonella/posts/7386103198115282

[Botany • 2022] Hohenbergia amargosensis (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) • A New ornamental Species from Bahia, Brazil

Hohenbergia amargosensis E. H. Souza & Leme,  

in E. H. Souza, da Silva, Aona, F. V. D. Souza et Leme. 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.1.8 

Researchgate.net/publication/364024076

Abstract

The authors describe Hohenbergia amargosensis, a new ornamental species of Bromeliaceae from the Atlantic Forest of the Amargosa city, in Bahia state, Brazil. This new species is morphologically related to H. reconcavensis, but can be distinguished from it by the larger plant size when in bloom, longer inflorescence with laxly arranged branches, and a broader diameter at the base, primary bracts equaling to exceeding the primary branches, primary branches with longer stipe, and lilac petals. Additionally, its conservation status and phenology are discussed, and the illustrations of this new species and its morphologically close relatives are compared.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, Hohenbergia reconcavensis, Poales, Amargosa, Monocots

Hohenbergia amargosensis E.H.Souza & Leme, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The specific epithet amargosensis refers to the type locality, were the first collecting was carried out in 1996, in the municipality of Amargosa, Bahia. Amargosa is located in the region known as Recôncavo, in the Vale do Jiquiriçá. It is referred as “Cidade Jardim” (Garden City) due to the beauty of its squares and gardens, an attraction for residents and visitors.

Everton Hilo de Souza, Tiago Abreu da Silva, Lidyanne Y. S. Aona, Fernanda V. D. Souza and Elton M. C. Leme. 2022. Hohenbergia amargosensis (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae), A New ornamental Species from Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 567(1); 86-92. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.1.8

 Researchgate.net/publication/364024076_Hohenbergia_amargosensis_a_new_species_from_Bahia_Brazil