Leonardo de Melo Versieux

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte | IIP · Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia

The Vriesea oligantha complex comprises Vriesea lancifolia, Vriesea oligantha, and Vriesea pseudoligantha, which were recently transferred to Stigmatodon. Such species exhibit strong morphological convergence to live in rocky fields, which makes difficult their identification in the wild or in herbarium specimens. In a previous work, leaf character...

Mountains are renowned for their bountiful biodiversity. Explanations on the origin of such abundant life are usually regarded to their orogenic history. However, ancient mountain systems with geological stability also exhibit astounding levels of number of species and endemism, as illustrated by the Brazilian Quartzitic Mountains (BQM) in Eastern...

Hohenbergia is one the most diverse genera in Bahia state, and inhabits almost all regions of the state. As a result of ongoing studies on Hohenbergia in Bahia, Brazil, here we describe and illustrate Hohenbergia erecta, endemic to the municipality of Mucugê, at Chapada Diamantina. Hohenbergia erecta differs from its morphologically related, H. cat...

A new species of Bromeliaceae from the semideciduous submontane forests of Bahia (Brazil) is described and commented: Pseudaraeococcus serranensis R.A. Pontes, E.H. Souza & Versieux. This species is morphologically related to and occurs in sympatry with Pseudaraeococcus lageniformis (R.A.Pontes & Versieux) R.A.Pontes & Versieux, being distinguished...

Hohenbergia is one the most diverse genus in Bahia state, inhabits almost all region of the state. As a result of ongoing studies on the genus Hohenbergia in Bahia, Brazil, here we describe and illustrate Hohenbergia erecta, endemic to the municipality of Mucugê, at Chapada Diamantina. Hohenbergia erecta differs from its morphologically related, H....

The shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiver-sity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxo-nomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impedi...

The digital era provides new opportunities for taxonomists, as well as for everyone that studies biodiversity. Many herbaria have been able to digitize their collections, a process that started with the typing of label data, moving more recently towards the digitization of each sample with the simultaneous acquisition of high-resolution images. Her...

The shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiver-sity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxo-nomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impedi...

Hohenbergia lanata Pereira & Moutinho is an endemic bromeliad of the State of Bahia (Brazil), occurring in an altitudinal transition forest between Caatinga dry woodland and Atlantic Forest. The type material was collected by Roberto Burle-Marx, who introduced it into cultivation in his gardens, but lacking the accurate provenance, only mentioning...

We here establish the Hohenbergia capitata complex composed of three species endemic to the Atlantic Forest, in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. When compared with other Hohenbergia species endemic to the Atlantic Forest, the complex is recognized by the small size of the plants (shorter than 1 m tall when flowering), lanceolate leaf blades...

Aim Ancient climatic fluctuations are invoked as the main driving force that generates the astonishing biodiversity in ancient mountains. As a result, endemism and spatial turnover are usually high and few species are widespread amongst entire mountain ranges, precluding the understanding of origins of macroevolutionary patterns. Here, we used a sp...

The tropics hold at least an order of magnitude greater plant diversity than the temperate zone, yet the reasons for this difference are still subject to debate. Much of tropical plant diversity is in highly speciose genera and understanding the drivers of such high species richness will help solve the tropical diversity enigma. Hybridization has r...

In this paper we present an overview of the abstracts, scientific and social programs, field trips, and achievements in terms of participant number, represented countries, sponsorships, and themes treated during the Sixth International Conference on the Comparative Biology of Monocotyledons that took place in Natal, Brazil, October 7 th-12 th 2018....

Plant blindness" is affecting humans' relationships with plants, which has negative consequences for both science and conservation. It is, therefore, important to find new ways to promote societal interest in botany and plants. One possibility is encouraging the use of informal settings to promote curiosity and provide education to students. Forest...

We describe Waltillia itambana, a new species placed in the previously monotypic genus Waltillia, presenting as main differences from Waltillia hatschbachii features such as a water-impounding rosette, shorter and broader leaves, divergent non-secund flowers and the light-green petals. The species is, as far as known, restricted to Pico do Itambé S...

The urge to organise the world around us is an essential part of human nature. Naming and categorising enable us to store and access information ef ciently. The need to name and categorise extends to the natural world and, in particular, to living organisms. The science underpinning this area of knowledge is called Taxonomy, and is as old as humani...

From a taxonomic point of view, characters such as the ornamentation of the equatorial calota, thickness of the sexine layer, patterns of the simple-, dupli- or pluri-collumelate muri, and the presence or absence of microreticulum surrounding the lumina were important for the separation of groups in the majority of specimens in Alcantarea. The poll...

The aim of this paper was to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within Pilosocereus (Cactaceae, Cactoideae), one of the most emblematic genera of cacti of the Neotropical dry woodlands. The genus includes 42 species and eight subspecies placed in two subgenera: Pilosocereus subg. Pilosocereus and Pilosocereus subg. Gounellea. We used an exp...

The exceptional species-richness associated with mountains worldwide is linked to the fragmented topography of these areas, responsible for constantly isolating populations during periods of climatic fluctuations. Consequently, endemism and spatial turnover in mountains are very high and few species are widespread among entire mountain ranges, prec...

After a revision of the genus Araeococcus Brong. two distinct morpho-biogeographical groups, also supported by anatomical characters, became evident and contradictory. Thus, here we elevate a subgenus to the generic level and propose the new Pseudareococcus to accommodate species bearing a unique combination of vegetative, reproductive and biogeogr...

This paper presents the floristic survey of the vascular plants from a restinga patch in Nísia Floresta, an area belonging to the Bonfim-Guaraíras Environmental Protection Area (APA), in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. The area is a transitional formation among salt marshes, sand dunes vegetation and Atlantic forest, besides having dozens of int...

Aechmea (Bromeliaceae) is a large genus with controversial systematics and distinct flower shapes and pollinators. We explored floral anatomy and development in two Aechmea spp. belonging to different subgenera to contribute useful information on reproductive biology and taxonomy. We examined floral buds using scanning electron and light microscopy...

We describe a new species of Hohenbergia (Bromeliaceae) from Brazil, H. ituberaensis, a rare species, so far only known from Ituberá municipality, Bahia State, in an area of the Atlantic Forest. The species is similar to H. stellata, presenting a pinkish inflorescence, congested and non-divided branches, pinkish and large floral bracts hiding the s...

Urgent strategies for the conservation of the Neotropical flora are needed in the face of accelerated habitat loss and a severe biodiversity crisis. To assess the conservation status and to propose protection programs for taxa under potential risk, such as the Cactaceae, a group strongly affected by disturbances and habitat loss, detailed data desc...

Totalling 3620 species distributed in 76 genera, Bromeliaceae occupy a wide range of habitats and are one of the most characteristic elements of the Neotropical forests (Holst & Luther, 2004; Gouda, Butcher & Gouda, 2018). Brazil is a country with a long tradition of research on bromeliads, and many scientists in Brazil are devoted to the study of...

Vriesea is the second largest genus in Tillandsioideae, the most diverse subfamily of Bromeliaceae. Although recent studies focusing on Tillandsioideae have improved the systematics of Vriesea, no consensus has been reached regarding the circumscription of the genus. Here, we present a phylogenetic analysis of core Tillandsioideae using the nuclear...

The eu-bromelioid clade provides a classic example of an exceptionally rapid radiation, in which many closely related species are found in sympatry. In this respect, species cohesion may be due to the rapid evolution of strong reproductive barriers, although interspecific and intergeneric hybridization is observed in the family. The objective of th...

As a contribution to the infrageneric delimitation in the genus Vriesea pollen morphology of 17 species of the genus is described, with original data for 14 of the species. The pollen grains are heteropolar, with ellipsoidal amb, monosulcate, sulci marginate, reticulate with calota microreticulate or psilate-perforate. Variations in the dimensions...

Justicia sphaerosperma Vahl (Acanthaceae) is a perennial erect subshrub described for the Caribbean. In this paper, we present its first records for Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Paraíba, and Rio Grande do Norte states in Brazil. Considering that this species is poorly known in Brazil and that most herbarium specimens were indeterminate, here we provide i...

Local, polemic, floristic, personal, independent, artistic, lacking any respect for traditional styles of scientific journals, or their metrics, questioning why reviewers and editors are not paid by publishers that charge for subscriptions of their journals, in this paper we propose a local journal called PlantNow, that will act locally, enhancing...

Combining development and conservation of the environment is one of the greatest challenges of our time. With increasing urbanization and the consequent fragmentation of natural habitats, green spaces in urban areas become an important tool for biodiversity conservation. However, to conserve biodiversity in urban areas it is suggested to use native...

Vriesea is the second largest genus in Tillandsioideae, the most diverse subfamily of Bromeliaceae. Although recent studies focusing on Tillandsioideae have improved the systematics of Vriesea, no consensus has been reached regarding the circumscription of the genus. Here, we present a phylogenetic analysis of core Tillandsioideae using the nuclear...

The eu-bromelioid clade provides a classic example of an exceptionally rapid radiation, in which many closely related species are found in sympatry. In this respect, species cohesion may be due to the rapid evolution of strong reproductive barriers, although interspecific and intergeneric hybridization is observed in the family. The objective of th...

Araeococcus lageniformis is a new species described and illustrated here based on collections from the Atlantic Forest from the south of Bahia State, northeastern Brazil, and on morphological and anatomical characters. It is distinguished from A. nigropurpureus by the diameter of the tank, the morphology of the leaf, floral bracts, and sepals, by i...

The Bromeliaceae Flora for the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil, is presented, based on extensive fieldwork, morphological analyses using herbarium and freshly collected material, and specialized literature. Twenty-six species of bromeliads were recorded in Rio Grande do Norte, distributed in ten genera and in three subfamilies. Br...

The International Conference on the Comparative Biology of Monocotyledons (Monocots) is one of the most important conferences for botanical science. Although originally focused on systematics and evolution — gathering mostly specialists from the fields of systematics and morphology — the Monocots conference has expanded its coverage and themes, whi...

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was established by the Conference of Parties in 2002 to decrease the loss of plant diversity, reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development. To achieve this overarching goal, the GSPC has established a series of targets, one of which is to ensure that plant diversity is well understood, s...

Here we present the Combretaceae flora for Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern region of Brazil, based on morphological analyses of specimens deposited in the herbaria ASE, EAC, FUEL, HEPH, HST, HUEFS, IPA, JPB, MAC, MBM, MOSS, NY, UEC, and UFRN, bibliography and images of type specimens. Twelve species belonging to five genera are recorded: Bu...

During the preparation of the Flora of Bahia we studied the sympatry of Vriesea noblickii Martinelli & Leme (1987: 346) and V. sandrae Leme (1995: 147) along the same mountain range in Santa Teresinha municipality. Fieldwork was conducted in similar vegetation along Bahia and Minas Gerais states and herbaria collections were revised aiming to compr...

Here we present 36 new records of 22 species of Lentibulariaceae from northeastern Brazil, expanding their distribution range and providing taxonomic, habitat and phenological comments, in addition to distribution maps and photographs of living specimens. Rio Grande do Norte is the state with the highest number of new records (12), followed by Alag...

Araeococcus goeldianus L.B. Smith (1955) is endemic to the Guiana Shield (French Guiana and Brazil). It was described by specimens collected by J. Huber in 1895 in Amapá (Oiapoque, Vila Cunani), remaining undescribed for 60 years until its publication by Lyman B. Smith in 1955. The present work presents its rediscovery at the type locality, allowin...

Vriesea roberto-seidelii is redescribed based on new specimens from Espírito Santo and from Rio de Janeiro states. It is a poorly recorded species, currently represented only by a few incomplete specimens in Brazilian herbaria. Beside the limited taxonomic treatment, we show illustrated photos with additional material supplied to complement the mor...

Leaf anatomical characterization of Guzmania Ruiz & Pav. and Me-zobromelia L.B.Sm. (Tillandsioideae, Bromeliaceae)). Guzmania and Mezobromelia (sensu Smith & Downs 1979) are paraphyletic genera, and the recent transfer of species between them demonstrates an unstable systematics. By using leaf anatomical characters, we expect to contribute to the d...

New occurrences of 10 species of angiosperms from Rio Grande do Norte state are reported. These data were collected by an environmental consultancy prior to the establishment of a wind farm. These records demonstrate the presence of knowledge gaps in the Caatinga flora of the state and show how an environmental consultancy can positively contribute...

Delimitation of Bromeliaceae into genera or species is often problematic, as observed for the Neoregelia bahiana complex, distributed throughout the rocky fields of Espinhaço Range, Brazil. Considering that the anatomical characterisation of different organs is potentially important for taxonomic and ecological interpretation of this complex, we an...

A checklist of 11 genera and 41 species of Bromeliaceae occurring in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) is presented. Of the total number of species, fi ve are endemic and belong to the genera Dyckia and Tillandsia. The subfamily Pitcairnioideae is the richest in number of genera and species, including taxa that are rare in Brazil (Deuterocohnia...

A National Forest Inventory (NFI) encompassing the entire territory of Brazil is in progress. It is coordinated and promoted by the Brazilian Forest Service of the Ministry of Environment. In each state, the NFI collaborates with local herbaria by receiving collected plant material and performing species identification. Consultants are hired by the...

Plant hybridization allows for the creation of new genotypes playing a strategic role in the development of new cultivars of interest for the horticultural trade, and is a central phenomenon in plant speciation processes. We worked with a plant family known as a case of Neotropical adaptive radiation, characterizing the reproductive systems selecte...

Here we describe the pollen morphology of 19 species of Alcantarea, none of them fully described before, to contribute to the infra-generic delimitation of the genus. Pollen grains are heteropolar, amb ellipsoidal (although spheroidal pollen occurs in Alcantarea aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana, A. nahoumii, A. roberto-kauskyi and A. trep...

In this paper we present the first records of Spilanthes urens (Asteraceae) and Bacopa monnieri (Plantaginaceae) for the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Both taxa were collected in the municipality of Cuité, in thorny deciduous woodland (Caatinga). In addition to updating the available data on the Flora of Paraíba, these findings highlight t...

Pilosocereus is a large genus of Cactaceae with 42 species of columnar cacti distributed in the Americas. In this work we investigate the phylogenetics and evolutionary history of Pilosocereus based in plastid and nuclear DNA sequences. We use phylogenetic trees obtained as a basis to analyse infrageneric relationships and to study the evolution of...

Justicia thunbergioides (Acanthaceae, Justicieae) is reported for the first time from Paraíba State, northeastern Brazil. It was collected in the municipality of Cuité, Agreste region, a transitional area between the “Zona da Mata” and “Sertão”. This new occurrence in Paraíba extends its range approximately 140 km from the closest population and it...

Inselberg-adapted species of bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) have been suggested as model systems for understanding the evolutionary genetics of species complexes and radiations in terrestrial, island-like environments. Bromeliads are particularly suitable for addressing the potential roles of interspecific gene exchange during plant speciation and radia...

Pilosocereus oligolepis is a species of Cactaceae that is known only from three old type collections in Brazil (Roraima state) and Guyana. It is the only species of this genus to occur in northern Brazil. Due to the paucity of specimens and lack of precise locality data we undertook fieldwork in different vegeta- tion types of Roraima aiming to fin...