Plant Science, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
11
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Taxonomic Updates of Thismia pseudomelanomitra (Thismiaceae) Reveal an Old Acquaintance From the Ecuadorian Amazon Diego Ferreira da Silva, Mayk Honório, José Roberto Ferraz, Elson Felipe Sandoli Rosseto, Martin Acosta Oliveira, et al. Feddes Repertorium, 2026 The Amazon Basin is home to the world's greatest terrestrial biodiversity, but many plant groups remain poorly studied. One example is the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia (Thismiaceae), which is notable for its highly specialized floral morphology and ephemeral life cycles, making it difficult to detect in the field and limiting its representation in scientific collections. Here, we report the first confirmed record of Thismia pseudomelanomitra in the Ecuadorian Amazon and expand its known distribution to the Brazilian State of Acre. Our study is based on a comprehensive review of herbarium specimens (AAU, RB, UFACPZ) and photographic records from iNaturalist.org . We also provide the first morphological description of its fruits and seeds, a distribution map, and an identification key for Ecuadorian species. Morphological comparisons reveal significant differences from related taxa, particularly T. melanomitra and specimens previously assigned to T. singeri . These findings highlight the role of citizen science and integrative approaches in documenting rare taxa and advancing conservation strategies.
Portulaca eggliana (Portulacaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Amazonian savannas José Roberto Ferraz, Diego Ferreira Da Silva, Gustavo Hassemer, Leonardo Paz Deble, João Marcelo Alvarenga Braga Nordic Journal of Botany, 2026 A new species of Portulacaceae from the Amazonian savannas of northern Brazil is herein described and illustrated. Portulaca eggliana is morphologically related to P . umbraticola , but differs in the number of involucral leaves, sepal morphology, bracteole shape, and seed surface. Photographs, a line drawing, and notes on taxonomy, phenology, distribution, habitat, conservation status and etymology are also provided.
Nomenclatural revision of Portulaca names (Portulacaceae) published by Gustav Albert Peter based on specimens collected in Tanzania José Roberto Ferraz, Juraj Paule, João Marcelo Alvarenga Braga Kew Bulletin, 2026 Summary The German botanist Gustav Albert Peter is known for his extensive botanical work in South and East Africa. As a result of these expeditions, Peter described eleven species of Portulaca from present-day Tanzania in his Flora von Deutsch-Ostafrika . Many of these names lack typification or have ambiguous type designations. In this study, we review the protologues and original material housed at the B herbarium related to Tanzanian Portulaca names proposed by Peter. We designate five lectotypes and two second-step lectotypes following the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature.
An annotated checklist of the endemic flowering plants of Paraná, southern Brazil JOSÉ ROBERTO FERRAZ, JOSÉ MARCELO P. MOLINA, GUSTAVO HASSEMER, JOSÉ EDUARDO LAHOZ DA SILVA RIBEIRO Phytotaxa, 2025 This study presents an annotated checklist of angiosperm species endemic to the State of Paraná, southern Brazil, including information on distribution, habitat, life form, record history in the wild, and a preliminary conservation status for each species. This list was based on biodiversity databases, taxonomic literature, herbarium specimens and fields surveys conducted between 2016 and 2022. The checklist includes 197 species from 107 genera and 41 families. The richest plant families were found to be Orchidaceae (36 species), Fabaceae (22), Asteraceae (17), and Amaryllidaceae (16). Furthermore, the majority of endemic species were distributed in Subtropical Highland Grasslands, Atlantic Rainforest, and Araucaria Forest, respectively. Based on criterion B of the IUCN, 90% of the endemic flora was classified as threatened (Critically Endangered or Endangered). The present study is a starting point to reduce the gaps in knowledge of the endemic flora of Paraná.
Neea bradeana (Nyctaginaceae: Pisonieae), a new species with whorled leaf arrangement from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil ELSON FELIPE SANDOLI ROSSETTO, DANIEL DA SILVA COSTA, JOSÉ ROBERTO FERRAZ Phytotaxa, 2024 Neea bradeana is here described for the Atlantic Rainforest of Southeastern Brazil. This new species had been confused for decades with N. verticillata, the type species of the genus which is described for Peru. N. bradeana is characterized by its unbranched shrubs with whorled sessile or short-petiolate leaves and erect-congested inflorescences. This species is here described and illustrated; remarks on taxonomic and morphologic affinities, distribution map, and conservation assessment are also provided.
Landscape genetics reveal low diversity and adaptive divergence in Portulaca hatschbachii (Portulacaceae): An endangered species endemic to rocky outcrops of the Atlantic Forest Daniele Cassiano Feliciano, Sara Mataroli De Godoy, João Fernando Marques Da Silva, Bruna Delgado Góes, José Roberto Ferraz, et al. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2022 Portulaca hatschbachii is endemic to the basaltic rocky outcrops that are distributed, in a discontinuous way, along the Third Plateau of Paraná State, Brazil, composing environments that form the Subtropical Highland Grasslands of the Atlantic Forest Biome. Considering the risk of extinction of the species and the massive anthropization of these outcrops, we applied AFLP, ITS and rps16 molecular markers in ten populations throughout the area of occurrence of the species to generate information about the genetic status of P. hatschbachii and contribute to the development of conservation strategies. Low rates of genetic diversity, high population structure, restricted gene flow and the presence of diversifying selection were observed for the populations. The analysis of variation partitioning (R2adj. = 63.60%) showed that environmental variables have a greater influence on the distribution of variation of loci under selection (R2adj. = 26.70%) than geographical isolation (R2adj. = 1.20%). The strong population structure, for both neutral and selected loci, suggests an isolation by adaptation mechanism (IBA) occurring in populations and highlights the need and urgency for in situ conservation plans for the species and its occurrence on rocky outcrops.
Taxonomic notes Portulaca (Portulacaceae) in South America I: the taxonomic status of P. mucronulata var. microphylla JOSÉ ROBERTO FERRAZ, ELSON FELIPE SANDOLI ROSSETTO, JOSÉ EDUARDO L. S. RIBEIRO, GUSTAVO HASSEMER Phytotaxa, 2022 Taxonomy of the South American Portulaca is advancing considerably but many problems and knowledge gaps still remain. As a result of further investigation of the genus, P. ferricola is here proposed as new name to replace, at species rank, the hitherto overlooked P. mucronulata var. microphylla. P. ferricola is a species endemic to ironstone grasslands from eastern Bolivia and central-western Brazil, whose conservation status is here assessed as Endangered (EN). In addition to a discussion of the taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of the species, we also provide photographs of herbarium specimens and the species in natura.
Guapira siqueirae (Nyctaginaceae, Pisonieae), a new species from Espílrito Santo State, Brazil ELSON FELIPE SANDOLI ROSSETTO, JOSÉ ROBERTO FERRAZ Phytotaxa, 2020 Guapira siqueirae is described in the present paper as a new species from the Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo State (SE-Brazil). This species can be morphologically distinguished from the other Guapira species by the distal portion of the branches, the bases of the petioles and peduncle that are ferruginous-puberulous, the inflorescences with alternate or opposite branches, the lustrous adaxial surface of matures leaves, and the larger anthocarps. A distribution map and comparisons with morphologically related species are also provided.
Geographical distribution of Dyckia walteriana (Bromeliaceae), a recently described and endangered species endemic to the Serra Geral formation, southern Brazil JOÃO VITOR DA R. MUSEGANTE, JOSÉ EDUARDO L. DA S. RIBEIRO, JOSÉ ROBERTO FERRAZ, PAOLLA ODY DE OLIVEIRA, EDMILSON BIANCHINI, et al. Phytotaxa, 2020 Dyckia walteriana is a recently described rupicolous bromeliad, whose only officially known population is located on a basaltic outcrop in the Serra Geral formation, north of Paraná state, Brazil. Unfortunately, the population of the type locality was dramatically reduced in 2018 by an intentional fire. The main objectives of this work were to know the geographical distribution of D. walteriana, seeking the registration of new populations, and, through a rapid assessment, establish the risk of extinction of each one. We selected 40 sites with rocky outcrops located between the third and second plateaus of Paraná state, Brazil, within the Serra Geral formation. Twelve populations of D. walteriana were found occupying “islands” of basaltic rocks. The extent of occurrence of the species corresponds to a polygon of 533 km2, with an occupancy area of 0.71 km2. Of the 12 populations, only four presented no or low risk of extinction, while eight presented medium to extreme risk of extinction in the next 10 years. D. walteriana falls into the category “critically endangered”, demanding urgent measures for the conservation of relictual populations.
