Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The use of native trees is necessary for land restoration and the sequestration of carbon that is stored in forest biomass production in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the biomass prediction model used for native tropical lowland trees of Indonesia is limited to only specific locations and focuses on aboveground biomass (AGB). This study aimed to select and evaluate potential native tree species for high biomass and to develop the best allometric model for estimating tree biomass production (AGB, belowground/BGB, and total/TB) in lowland ecosystems in Indonesia. Trees were selected using the following five criteria: nativeness, ecosystem type, morphological appearance, multipropagation ability, and economic value. Biomass content was quantified for 102 sample trees (56 trees aged 4 years and 46 trees aged 8 years), using the destructive method. Effective growth biomass and species ecological data indicated five species as potential trees for land restoration in tropical lowlands of Indonesia: Litsea garciae, Terminalia bellirica, Pterospermum javanicum, Anisoptera marginata, and Cananga odorata. The best allometric model of this study is highly recommended for implementation with native trees of tropical lowlands in Indonesia, especially those in early stages (less than 8 years).

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2NP) pretreatment on seeds of different safflower cultivars (Balci, Dinçer) under salt and heat stresses. The apparent effects on stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radical (O2 •⁻) content), as well as changes in germination and physiological parameters (radicle and plumula weight and length measurements), were investigated. TiO2NP pretreatment caused an increase in radicle length and plumula fresh weight for the Balci cultivar under salinity. Furthermore, plumula dry weight was alleviated with TiO2NP pretreatment for both cultivars. TiO2NP pretreatment improved plumula dry and fresh weights for both cultivars under heat stress. In addition, MDA content decreased for both cultivars under heat stress but only for Balci under salt stress. The amount of O2 •⁻ radicals positively affected only the radicle for both cultivars under heat stress. This study is the first to document the alleviation of salt stress damage for the Balci safflower cultivar, and protection for both Balci and Dinçer cultivars under heat stress, using 200 ppm TiO2NP pretreatment.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Aristolochia hypoglauca and A. paulistana (Aristolochiaceae) are two species that inhabit the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. They highly resemble each other especially on the size and overall shape of the caudate perianth, which causes confusion in herbaria determinations. We applied geometric morphometrics (GM) to overcome this taxonomic uncertainty. GM was based on the landmark method applied to leaves of all specimens available mostly in Brazilian herbaria. The GM results supported the recognition of the two species, as the two principal components were responsible for 94.97% of the variation assessed through the principal component analysis (PCA). The Discriminant Function and the Cross-validation tests resulted in the maximum percentage of correctly classified cases (100%). The Procrustes distance (0.2252; p< 0.0001), and the Mahalanobis Distance (8.4473; p< 0.0001) provide statistical support for leaf shape differences with taxonomic significance. Thus, we revisit the taxonomy and comparative morphology of both species, and compare them with other Aristolochia species with caudate floral limb native to Brazil, and commented the phenology, distribution and habitat, and conservation status. Additionally, we proposed the epitypification of A. hypoglauca, given that the holotype does not fulfill the purpose of precise application of the name.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract During the Neotropical review of Celtis, a new species (Celtis atlantica) endemic and endangered to southeastern Brazil was discovered. A morphological description, a distribution map, conservation status, taxonomic notes, illustrations, and an identification key of the Celtis from the Southern Cone and Brazil are provided.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Lectins are proteins that recognize and bind to carbohydrates in a reversible and specific manner. In this work, a lectin from Crotalaria incana L. seeds was purified by Sephadex G-50 affinity chromatography. The purified lectin was named CiL and presented affinity towards D-mannose, D-glucose, D-galactose, α-methyl-D-mannoside and derivatives. CiL was stable over a wide range of temperatures and pH values, and it was divalent cation-dependent. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that CiL is composed of two subunits with apparent masses of 29 and 30 kDa. The amino acid sequence of five tryptic peptides was obtained through mass spectrometry. Partial primary structure data indicated the similarity between CiL and lectins from Phaseolus vulgaris, Cladrastis kentukea, Lens culinaris, Pisum sativum, Crotalaria pallida and C. juncea. CiL showed no toxicity to Artemia salina nauplii at the concentration of 2 mg/mL, thus reinforcing the potential of this protein for further studies in other biological models and elucidation of possible effects.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Casselia, a small South American genus of Verbenaceae found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, has often been misidentified within other angiosperm families. Based on a careful review of herbarium specimens plus fieldwork, the present study provides taxonomic, nomenclatural, and geographical distribution alignments in Casselia, while also shedding light on the reasons why it is a poorly known and overlooked genus. The novelties encompass the redefinition of the boundaries of C. confertiflora, recognition of C. confertiflora var. laciniata at specific level, reestablishment of C. zelota as an accepted species with an epitype designation, as well as geographic distribution readjustment of the C. integrifolia and C. serrata. Consequently, Casselia comprises eight species, occurring along the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga domains. The only species with a narrow distribution is C. serrata. However, the genus is still poorly collected, and the species populations are not abundant. Furthermore, to aid in the recognition of Casselia and prevent misidentifications, a detailed description of the genus accompanied by plant photographs and an updated identification key are also provided.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The Serra da Bodoquena National Park is an important protected area that promotes the conservation of a threatened ecosystem, the Dry Forest. It comprises two major fragments of predominantly Seasonally Dry Forest vegetation. The two fragments are under different protection schemes because they are considered different biomes. The southern fragment is considered part of the Atlantic Forest biome, and is thus protected by the Atlantic Forest Law, while the northern one is considered part of the Cerrado biome and is protected by the Native Vegetation Protection Law of Brazil (2012). This difference affects management and threatens the conservation of the National Park. The Native Vegetation Protection Law is more permissive, thus increasing the conflicts between the park and surroundings in the northern fragment. We used floristic composition to provide a more accurate definition for the two fragments with regard to their phytogeographical domain. Our results identified high floristic similarity between the fragments, indicating the same vegetation type for both. Among the 202 plant species identified in this study, 76% belong to the Atlantic Forest biome. This relatively high proportion indicates that the predominant vegetation and species composition of the National Park is typical of the Atlantic Forest. The occurrence of fragments of the Atlantic Forest, with a representative number of species of its flora outside the area of application of the law of the Atlantic Forest, defined by Decree No. 6.660 / 2008, indicates the need to elaborate or adapt the law to protect these fragments.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT As part of the systematic study of the tribes Ditaxeae and Adelieae (Acalyphoideae-Euphorbiaceae), here we compile and present a taxonomic synopsis for the South American taxa of Argythamnia, Chiropetalum, and Philyra. We recognize 22 species for Argythamnia, including one herein described as a new species, 20 species and one variety for Chiropetalum, and a single species for Philyra. We also designate 22 lectotypes, a new synonymization and a status novum, in addition to keys for each genus, distribution maps for all taxa, analysis of collection density in South America for each genus, and taxonomic and ecological comments for all taxa.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT In ecotonal Cerrado areas, the addition of Amazonian and Atlantic Forest species mainly occurs through connections between forest areas and forest physiognomies. In this context, the biome is a unique region for research on the influence of geographical and historical factors on its biota. In tropical ecotonal regions, integrated communities can exist on soils that present variations in fertility, physical properties and depth, which results in heterogeneity of physiognomies. It was tested the hypothesis that edaphic conditions related to calcium availability are significantly related to species composition and structural parameters in two physiognomies. The study was conducted in the Cerrado of the Chapada das Mesas National Park (CMNP) in the city of Carolina, Northeast Brazil, and the sample universe consisted of 18 areas in two physiognomies. The initial hypothesis was confirmed. The results and inferences about the vegetation structure and physical-chemical parameters of the soil, suggest that the management for conservation of the CMNP must consider the particularities of the Cerrado physiognomies and the vegetation responses to environmental filters, such as edaphic conditions and associations with other organisms.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract During a taxonomic investigation of the names classified under Scleria subgenus Scleria section Hymenolytrum, it was necessary to replace the lectotype of S. macrogyne, as the specimen does not agree with the original description. In addition, we propose S. ramosa as a new synonym of S. macrogyne and discuss the reestablishment of S. cyperinoides as an accepted name.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This was the first study conducted on the diversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species and quantification of glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) fractions, as well as on their relationship with environmental and soil chemical and physical properties along an elevation gradient above 1000 m in a Brazilian Atlantic cloud forest. AMF diversity was assessed by examining spores extracted from soil samples collected near the roots of the 18 most common plant species in permanent plots established in the field at altitudes of 1500, 1700, 1900, and 2100 meters above sea level. Fifteen AMF species were found, most of them belonging to the families Acaulosporaceae, Glomeraeceae, and Gigasporaceae. Compositions of the AMF community varied among the altitudes; Acaulospora was the predominant genus, with six species. The total Bradford-reactive soil protein (BRSP) and the easily extractable BRSP (EE-BRSP) soil glomalin were the highest at the altitude of 2100 m (5.7 and 3.8 mg.g soil-1, respectively). Altitude and environment and soil characteristics affected the composition and diversity (Shannon index) of the AMF communities. However, the effect of altitude on AMF diversity can be estimated, indirectly, through its effect on plant diversity.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Manihot includes about 150 species with a Neotropical distribution. Wild species of Manihot constitute a plant genetic heritage that can be used in breeding programs for the cultivable species Manihot esculenta Crantz (cassava). However, wild populations, especially endemic ones, are under constant threat due to habitat destruction and climate change. The objective of this manuscript was to elaborate a taxonomic treatment of the endemic species of Manihot recorded in Northeast Brazil; determine the geographical distribution of species, richness, their conservation status, and solve typification problems. The study was based on the analysis of specimens deposited in national and international herbaria, as well as on field observations. Fifteen endemic species of Manihot were found, we propose lectotypes for five of them and one neotype. Most species are distributed in the state of Bahia, growing in Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest environments. Only M. breviloba was found in the states of Sergipe and Alagoas. The richest area was found in the Chapada Diamantina of the Espinhaço Range. In terms of conservation status, 80% of endemic species are in some threatened category, 13% are in the near threatened category and only 7% are in the least concern category.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT A dendrochronological study was carried out to investigate the relationship between the growth of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) and climatic variables in the subtropical forest of western Nepal. Using tree ring analysis and meteorological data gathered from a nearby meteorological station, a 78-year (1944 to 2021) long chronology has been created. Temperature and precipitation were found to have a substantial impact on P. roxburghii radial growth. Although there were positive correlations between precipitation and tree growth in January, December, and February to April, these relationships were not statistically significant. According to the correlation analyses, there was a negative relationship between the tree growth and the precipitation in September and August of the current year as well as the September of the previous year. Notably, temperature was crucial, as there were significant positive relations found between the minimum and maximum temperatures and tree growth. The temperature of the previous year (September, November, and December) as well as the current year (June to November) had a positive correlation with the growth of tree rings. The results indicated that while temperature was favorable for chir pine radial growth practically all months and seasons, summer to post-monsoon precipitation limited tree growth. Furthermore, the increasing average minimum temperature had a more significant relation with the tree ring growth than the average maximum temperature. Our result demonstrated that the growth of subtropicalP. roxburghiiresponded positively to the present scenario of rising temperature and falling precipitation in the study area. This research contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics of forest ecosystems and their responses to changing environmental conditions.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Although some studies have investigated the effect of climate change in the Caatinga biome, Brazil, its impacts on cactus species are yet to be understood entirely. We assessed if cactus species in the Caatinga biome will benefit from or be harmed by climate change in the coming decades. We modeled the distribution of Tacinga inamoena and Tacinga palmadora, two cactus species native to seasonally dry tropical forest. We evaluated these species’ range dynamics in two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP), SSP2 and SSP5, for two time periods centered in 2050 and 2070. For this purpose, we used the Maximum Entropy and Boosted Regression Trees tools to model the species distribution. The results indicated a continuous and significant contraction of the species range in the face of climate changes. We estimated that 65% of the range of T. inamoena and 27% of T. palmadora would be lost in the most critical scenario, SSP5/2070. Climate variables, such as annual precipitation and maximum temperature of warmest month, mainly drove this contraction. Results showed a high overlap in potential refugia areas with the target species. Our results can help protect refugia for cacti species, especially those of the genus Tacinga, throughout the Caatinga biome.

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ABSTRACT The restoration of mangroves is crucial for preserving their vital role as ecosystems. Facilitation could assist in the restoration of degraded ecosystems, especially during the first life stages. This study investigated how herbaceous species can facilitate the recruitment and growth of Avicennia germinans in a degraded mangrove area undergoing restoration during extremely dry and rainy seasons typical of northeastern Brazil. The research assessed the densities and growth of A. germinans in the presence of Batis maritima and Sesuvium portulacastrum, and without any other plant species as control during the rainy and dry seasons from 2017 to 2019. The area had been previously disturbed by the salt pond industry abandoned since the late 1980s. The results revealed different facilitation mechanisms. S. portulacastrum and B. maritima promoted 2.6 and 1.7 times higher densities of A. germinans than control plots. While B. maritima had significantly faster growth of A. germinans than S. portulacastrum plots, associated with a capacity of decreasing salinity levels, facilitating mangrove seedlings during dry seasons, S. portulacastrum surpassed B. maritima and control plots in terms of density, which can be profitable for mangrove seedlings during extreme rainy seasons of floods.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The main objective of this research work was to investigate active constituents and potential biological activities of Stipagrostis ciliata aerial parts, which may re-explore this plant as an important medicinal plant rather than being used only forage for animals. The results indicated that the total phenolic contents of the methanol, hexane and acetate leaf extract vary from 34.45 and 263.16 mg gallic acid equivalent (EAG)/g of extract. The highest concentrations of phenolics were found in the methanol extract. The results were suggestive that methanol extract is very rich in antioxidant compounds. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained in methanol extract. Stipagrostis ciliata ethyl acetate extract has an IC50 from 0.3 μg/mL. The antibacterial activity of S. ciliata extracts against six bacterial strains showed varying degrees of inhibition on the tested strains. The methanol extract was found to be the most potent (8 to 20.41 mm) against most tested strains and Escherichia coli was the most vulnerable bacteria with a MIC value of 15 µgmL−1. The Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS/MS) analyses of methanol and ethyl acetate fractions allowed the identification of six phenolic acids and six flavonoids. The present study shows that S. ciliata could be regarded as a promising plant source of bioactive phenolic compounds with good antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Syringa oblata is an important garden plant whose leaf colour turns from green to red in autumn when air temperature and daylength decrease. This study explored the reasons for leaf reddening by detecting phenotypic characteristics and pigment types and contents. With leaf reddening, luminance L* increased and chrominance a* decreased significantly. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents significantly decreased in accordance with the distribution change of green pigment in leaf cells. Conversely, the red pigment distribution increased and the total polyphenol, total flavonoid and total anthocyanin contents evidently increased. Anthocyanin accumulation was the important reason for leaf reddening. Of the anthocyanins detected in leaves, cyanidin and delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside contents gradually increased with leaf reddening and were negatively correlated with L*. They were considered key anthocyanins influencing leaf colour. Apigenin and syringic acid were correlated with delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin, and they could be the anthocyanin co-pigments. Cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside and taxifolin were more abundant polyphenols in leaves. In summary, anthocyanin accumulation and chlorophyll degradation occurred along with leaf reddening. Temperature, light, and other co-pigments influenced the anthocyanin and chlorophyll contents. This study provides evidence for applications of S. oblata as a coloured-leaf plant in gardens and as a source of active ingredients in the commercial market.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract A new species of Duguetia from Reserva Natural Vale, in the Atlantic Forest of the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, is described and illustrated, and an updated key to the Duguetia species from this state is presented. Duguetia rolimii is known only from two large trees, restricted to the municipality of Linhares. It resembles D. sooretamae in having young twigs densely covered with stellate scales, narrow and shiny leaves with similar dimensions, and fruits with more than 200 fertile monocarps. Nevertheless, these two species can be distinguished from each other mainly by the type of vegetation where they occur, plant size, the density of stellate scales at the lower side of the leaves, the angle between the primary and secondary leaf veins, the shape of the flower buds, length of the upper bract, the shape of the fertile monocarps and indument of the areoles. Comments on distribution, conservation status and field photos of the new species, and comparisons with other related species are provided.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Freshwater habitats are among the most degraded environments, with organisms living in multi-stressor conditions. We tested the photosynthetic performance of Oedogonium sp., a freshwater green alga, after exposure to an herbicide combined with temperature increases related to climate change. Treatments were designed by combining nominal concentrations (0.00 or control, 0.05, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/L) of tebuthiuron with temperature increases projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the scenarios RCP 4.5 (+2.3 ºC) and RCP 8.5 (+3.4 ºC). Treatment concentrations were determined based on i) the maximum concentration allowed by the US Environmental Protection Agency in water bodies, ii) the recommended application dosage by the manufacturer and iii) a worst-case scenario. Chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis showed that tebuthiuron concentrations of 0.6 mg/L or higher, regardless of temperature, negatively affected the photosynthetic performance of the alga, with reduced quantum photosynthetic yield associated with increased non-regulated, non-photochemical energy loss. Oxygen evolution curve analyses revealed a significant drop in the photosynthetic rate of Oedogonium sp. under both RCP scenarios in comparison to the scenario without temperature increase, with decreases ranging from 13% to 70% among treatments. Despite the clear negative effects of exposure to both stressors individually, no combined effect was observed.

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Abstract Riverine forests have high floristic diversity and are heterogeneous, even when they are near each other. Therefore, we aimed to compare three riverine forest remnants of Southern Brazil located in the Pampa biome regarding floristic and structural biodiversity, to: i) check whether the studied forest fragments maintain heterogeneity and high floristic richness as seen in riverine forests, even when close to each other, and ii) indicate the predominant successional groups in each remnant. A total of 81 sampling units were established, and all trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 15 cm were measured. We sampled 1,659 individuals, 67 species, and 34 families. The richness and structure of the three communities differed, confirming the high heterogeneity of riverine forests. One of the remnants had a higher predominance of pioneer species and individuals, which differentiated it from the other two. The latter, in turn, showed higher similarity in floristic and structural composition, with a predominance of secondary and late successional individuals and species. Differences in soil moisture, in the size and shape of fragments may be factors that contributed to the floristic and structural diversity observed. The remnants, although small and surrounded by monocultures, are heterogeneous and important for biodiversity conservation.

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Abstract This study aimed to identify fusarioid fungi in the soils of sustainably managed agricultural areas and a fragment of the Brazilian Caatinga, both in a semi-arid region of Brazil. We provide a survey of peer-reviewed papers reporting the substrates, hosts, and geographic regions in Brazil in which the identified species were of agricultural interest. Soil samples were collected in July 2019, February 2020, and July 2020 from different agroecosystems and a fragment of the Brazilian Caatinga in rural Triunfo, Brazil. Fusarioid fungi were obtained by serial dilution of soil and colony purification using single-conidial culturing. Maximum likelihood evaluation (ML) based on sequences from the tef1-α gene was used to identify fusarioid fungi. The distribution of these species in other agroecosystems and the natural environment in Brazil was assessed by an extensive search of the literature available in public databases. Fusarium annulatum, F. verticillioides, F. lacertarum, and Neocosmospora vasinfecta were identified. These species are distributed throughout Brazil and are registered as plant pathogens, mainly in areas with conventional agriculture. These data reinforce the importance of sustainable soil management in agricultural areas and expand our knowledge of the behavior of these microorganisms in environments without human interference.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Grangea maderaspatana is a valuable medicinal plant growing in salt-affected areas, but its tolerance capability, physiological and biochemical responses to salinity is still unclear. To understand these traits, this study examined effects of salinity at different levels (50-400 mM NaCl) on plant growth and its responses. The results shown that the plant’s dry biomass decreased with increasing salinity levels of 100-400 mM NaCl, but its growth was maintained at 400 mM NaCl level with a dry biomass equal to 0.45 times that of the control, indicating that G. maderaspatana had a tolerance ability to high salinity. The plant also had adaptive responses to the salinity. The content of leaf chlorophylls and carotenoids were retained, even enhanced by 50-200 mM NaCl, suggesting a high adaptation of photosynthesis. Proline, Na+, and Cl- was highly accumulated while the accumulation of K+ and NO3 - was maintained with 200-400 mM NaCl, indicating that the plant had adaptive mechanisms for osmotic adjustment and ion homeostasis. Antioxidative activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase were enhanced by the salinity. These findings are useful information for understanding salt tolerance mechanisms and for utilization of this medicinal plant in saline agriculture.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The literature reveals difficulties in taxonomic and phylogenetic delimitations of Miconia Ruiz & Pav. and Leandra Raddi (Melastomataceae), it’s suggested that leaf anatomical characters, particularly the trichomes, can be useful within the genera. Characters related to the trichomes and leaf blade structure of 15 species of Miconieae (five species of Leandra and ten species of Miconia) were evaluated as a taxonomic criterion to separate the selected species. In addition, some considerations were made about the structure of the leaves, which can be affected by environmental factors. Leaf samples were obtained from herbaria and anatomically investigated using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Leaves are hypostomatous, dorsiventral or isobilateral, and exhibit epidermis in general with non- glandular and glandular trichomes. A hypodermis has been found only in Miconia theaezans. Conical trichomes and mixed trichomes (non-glandular and glandular) are present only in the five species of Leandra. Dendritic trichomes have been found in species of both genera. Leaf features of potential taxonomic significance are the trichome types, presence of hypodermis, number of layer palisade parenchyma, occurrence of gelatinous fibers, midrib structure, and margin structure. Xeromorphic and sclerophyllous features are present in Leandra and Miconia species, and Leandra microphylla may be considered a xerophyte.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Seed dispersal is a process that can drive the spatial distribution of the community and subsequent plant-to-plant interaction and the study of these processes provides information for biodiversity management. Seed dispersal has been scarcely studied for Tamaulipan thornscrub, but dispersal syndromes based on fruit and seed characteristics are helpful to predict sites of seed deposition. In the present work, we determine the spatial relationships between seedlings and saplings around adult trees with different dispersal syndromes and infer the interactions through the community with spatial point pattern analysis using univariate and bivariate pair correlation functions, as well as multivariate Spatially explicit Simpson index β(r) and Individual species-area relationship (ISAR). We found a clustered distribution pattern of animal-dispersed seedlings and saplings at 1 m around adult trees, regardless of the dispersal syndrome. We also observed a repulsion of these seedlings at 7-9 m from the stems. Non-animal dispersed adult trees, seedlings, and saplings exhibited a random distribution. Species with animal dispersal syndrome are clumped and have mainly interspecific interactions at a small scale. Using dispersal syndromes, our findings illustrate the influence that seed dispersion might have on the spatial organization and intra- and interspecific interactions of species of Tamaulipan thornscrub.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Seaweeds have been used by several industrial sectors, such as the food, feed, pharmaceutical and biofuel industries. Thereby, techniques to increase seaweed production are needed due to the rising global demand for biomass. Thus, we investigated the effects of different weekly nutrient pulses [N and P at ratios of 10:1 (T1), 20:2 (T2), and 50:5 (T3)] on the biomass, relative growth rate (RGR) and biochemical composition of Gracilaria domingensis. A control without nutrient pulses was also established. The highest biomass values were recorded in T1. The RGR was more constant in T1 and T2 than in T3 throughout the cultivation. Significant decreases in RGR were observed in the control compared to the other treatments, and null RGR was recorded in T3. Regarding the seaweed biochemical composition, the lowest carbohydrate and lipid content and the highest ash content were recorded in T1. In our study, G. domingensis showed nutritional values similar or even superior to those reported for other seaweeds used as food. We concluded that T1 is the most suitable treatment to increase G. domingensis production. In addition to being the least expensive treatment, in T1, G. domingensis exhibited the highest biomass values, constant RGR, and nutritional composition suitable for human consumption.

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ABSTRACT We discuss the importance of fern and lycophyte species in the Atlantic Forest ecosystem as well as the need for floristic inventories to understand their distribution and conservation status. We focus on the Serra do Papagaio region in southeastern Brazil, which is known for its high plant diversity but lacks comprehensive inventories of ferns and lycophytes. In this study, we conducted a floristic inventory of Serra do Papagaio and identified 172 fern and 29 lycophyte species. Our findings reveal 21 threatened species and two new records for Minas Gerais State. Additionally, we compared the floristic composition of Serra do Papagaio with that of other areas within the Atlantic Forest using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and generalized dissimilarity modeling (GDM) analyses. The results highlight distinct clusters of areas based on elevation and geographic location. We emphasize the need for further sampling and conservation efforts in Serra do Papagaio as well as provide valuable insights into the drivers of fern and lycophyte diversity in the Atlantic Forest.

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Abstract Sambucus australis (Viburnaceae) is a wild and native species from South America used in traditional medicine. The objective of this review is to collect information on geographic distribution, systematics and phylogeny, morphological and anatomical characteristics, biochemical composition, and biological and ethnobotanical activity for its valorization as a wild food plant with edible and medicinal properties. S. australis grows naturally in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is a shrub or small dioecious tree. Leaves are imparipinnate, generally with 11 opposite leaflets. Flowers with a 1-cm diameter are presented in inflorescences as terminal corymbs, with an inferior, pentacarpellate and pentalocular ovary. Leaves and flowers have a high content of total phenols. The following secondary metabolites were found: quercetin, isoquercetrin, quercetin, Kaempferol, hyperoside, rutin, and di-O-caffeoylquinic, chlorogenic, gallic, caffeic, and ellagic acids. Its biological activity was described as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, allelopathic, antiproliferative, antigenotoxic, antiparasitic, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antibacterial and synergizing. Ethnobotanical studies have shown that its flowers, leaves, fruits, bark and roots are used to treat asthma, colds, flu, diabetes, measles, etc. Knowledge about the characteristics, properties, and uses of S. australis is an important contribution for its valorization, conservation, sustainable use and domestication

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ABSTRACT Invasive species affect ecosystems all over the world. Their impacts intensify when there are beneficial effects among different invasive species, an invasional meltdown. The Argentine black and white tegu lizard, Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae), and the plant Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) are native to mainland South America but behave as invasive species in other parts of the world. We tested the effectiveness of S. merianae as a seed disperser of E. uniflora. Tegu feces containing seeds of E. uniflora were collected to compare the seed germination of gut-passed seeds, manually de-pulped seeds, and seeds of whole fruits. Survival analysis indicated that Tegu lizards behave as seed dispersers of E. uniflora, and there was a tendency for gut-passed seeds to germinate faster than non-gut-passed seeds. Tegu lizards may carry seeds in their guts for considerable distances, facilitating the spread of E. uniflora where both species co-occur as native and invasive (e.g., southern USA). The results indicate a mutualistic interaction between the Tegu lizard and E. uniflora in their native range, which should be considered by initiatives to monitor and control the invasion of the lizard and the plant.

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ABSTRACT Crassula peduncularis (Sm.) Meigen is a critically endangered herbaceous species in Brazil, with an occurrence restricted to the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The last recorded collection of the species in Rio Grande do Sul occurred in 2016 in the municipality of Caçapava do Sul. Herein, we record for the first time C. peduncularis in two conservation units in the Southern Brazilian Grasslands. The populations discovered are small, growing in wet areas under sandstone rocky outcrops and halomorphic soils, popularly known as blanqueales. The main threats to the species in these protected areas are habitat loss caused by biological invasion, cattle trampling, and fires. To mitigate these threats, we recommend the encouragement of scientific research and the popularization of knowledge, as well as the adoption of good cattle management practices and the protection of habitats where the species occurs.