Work

Two new Pleroma species and an updated key: Melastomateae from the Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Here we describe and illustrate Pleroma canastrensesp. nov and Pleroma viscosasp. nov. two new species of the Melastomateae tribe from Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We also provide an updated identification key for the members of the tribe that occur in this Protected Area. Pleroma canastrensesp. nov. has coriaceous leaves, broadly ovate to orbicular leaf blade, entire and adpressed-strigose margin, 11–17 basal acrodromous veins, and flowers with white petals. Pleroma viscosasp. nov. has the younger branches, both side of the leaf blade, bracteoles, hypanthium, and sepals, densely covered by viscous trichomes, as well as prominent secondary veins on the abaxial surface of the blade. Both species have stamens with a short pedoconnective and an inconspicuous ventral appendage. In addition to the descriptions of new species, we present comments, geographic distribution data, conservation status and images of plants in the field. We recommend that P. canastrense and P. viscosa should be included as of ‘Least Concern’ (LC) in the IUCN Red List.

Source: PhytoKeys

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.247.130040

Authors: Rosana Romero, Rodrigo Pereira Silva, Paulo José Fernandes Guimarães

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro

Language: English

Topic: Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $754

Funders: Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade