Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Gonçalves , Deise Josely Pereira [1], Shimizu , Gustavo Hiroaki [2], Yamamoto, Kikyo [2], Semir, João [2].

Vochysiaceae from Diamantina Plateau, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Vochysiaceae is one of the most important families for the physiognomic characterization of the vegetation subtypes that comprise the Cerrado Domain, a biodiversity hotspot that is now reduced to half of its original area. The species richness of the Cerrado's fauna and flora is partly because it is surrounded by other complex domains like Amazon, Pantanal, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest. Espinhaço is one of the most important mountain ranges within the Cerrado Domain, stretching out inland from the northeast to the southeast of Brazil. The Diamantina Plateau is located in southern Espinhaço Range and is characterized by shallow, sandy, acidic, and nutrient-poor soils, with frequent quartzite formations and sandstone outcrops. The Espinhaço Range is covered by a mosaic of vegetation subtypes, mostly rocky fields associated with cerrado and forest, which spatial distribution is related to the topography and local microclimatic and edaphic features. Endemic species are frequently found in the rocky fields of this area. We present the preliminary results of a taxonomic study of the 20 species of Vochysiaceae from the Diamantina Plateau, including a species identification key and a preliminary analysis of their distribution pattern within the Espinhaço Range. This study is based on field observation and on herbaria material. The species belong to four genera: Callisthene (3 spp.), Qualea (6 spp.), Salvertia (1 sp.) and Vochysia (10 spp.). Ten of these species are widely distributed on the Cerrado Domain: Q. grandiflora, Q. multiflora, Q. parviflora, S. convallariodora, and V. thyrsoidea in cerrado; C. microphylla, Q. cordata and V. elliptica in rocky fields; and C. major and V. tucanorum in forests. The remaining ten species have a more limited distribution. Vochysia dasyantha and V. cf. oppugnata, which are mostly found in the Atlantic Forest s.s., occur only on the eastern face of the Plateau, indicating the transition between the two biomes. Eight species are endemic to the Espinhaço Range: Qualea cryptantha (rocky fields), V. acuminata (gallery forests), and V. emarginata (rocky fields and forests) are widespread throughout this mountain range; Q. elegans (rocky fields) occurs only in the central region of Diamantina Plateau; and C. erythroclada, V. discolor, V. pygmaea and V. rotundifolia are limited to the rocky fields of Diamantina Plateau and Serra do Cipó. Floristic comparison of six areas within the Espinhaço Range showed that Diamantina Plateau and Serra do Cipó have the most similar species composition of Vochysiaceae.

Broader Impacts:

1 - State University of Campinas - Unnicamp, Department of Plant Biology, Monteiro Lobato street, 255, Campinas, SP, 6109, Brazil
2 - State University of Campinas - Unicamp, Department of Plant Biology, Monteiro Lobato street 255, Campinas, SP, 6109, Brazil

Keywords:
Taxonomy
Floristic
Espinhaço Range.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSY009
Abstract ID:690