Recent debates on the number of plant species in the vast lowland rain forests of the Amazon have been based largely on model estimates, neglecting published checklists based on verified voucher data. Here we collate taxonomically verified checklists to present a list of seed plant species from lowland Amazon rain forests. Our list comprises 14,003 species, of which 6,727 are trees. These figures are similar to estimates derived from nonparametric ecological models, but they contrast strongly with predictions of much higher tree diversity derived from parametric models. Based on the known proportion of tree species in neotropical lowland rain forest communities as measured in complete plot censuses, and on overall estimates of seed plant diversity in Brazil and in the neotropics in general, it is more likely that tree diversity in the Amazon is closer to the lower estimates derived from nonparametric models. Much remains unknown about Amazonian plant diversity, but this taxonomically verified dataset provides a valid starting point for macroecological and evolutionary studies aimed at understanding the origin, evolution, and ecology of the exceptional biodiversity of Amazonian forests.Amazonia | floristics | rain forests | seed plants | species diversity

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Ficus (Moraceae) is well diversified in the Neotropics with two lineages inhabiting the wet forests of this region. The hemiepiphytes of section Americanae are the most diversified with c. 120 species, whereas section Pharmacosycea includes about 20 species mostly with a terrestrial habit. To reconstruct the biogeographical history and diversification of Ficus in the Americas, we produced a dated Bayesian phylogenetic hypothesis of Neotropical Ficus including two thirds of the species sequenced for five nuclear regions (At103, ETS, G3pdh, ITS/5.8S and Tpi). Ancestral range was estimated using all models available in Biogeobears and Binary State Speciation and Extinction analysis was used to evaluate the role of the initial habit and propagule size in diversification. The phylogenetic analyses resolved both Neotropical sections as monophyletic but the internal relationships between species in section Americanae remain unclear. Ficus started their diversification in the Neotropics between the Oligocene and Miocene. The genus experienced two bursts of diversification: in the middle Miocene and the Pliocene. Colonization events from the Amazon to adjacent areas coincide with the end of the Pebas system (10 Mya) and the connection of landmasses. Divergence of endemic species in the Atlantic forest is inferred to have happened after its isolation and the opening and consolidation of the Cerrado. Our results suggest a complex diversification in the Atlantic forest differing between postulated refuges and more instable areas in the South distribution of the forest. Finally the selection for initial hemiepiphytic habit and small to medium propagule size influenced the diversification and current distribution of the species at Neotropical forests marked by the historical instability and long-distance dispersal.

The shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora.

Invading plants at high altitudes on Tenerife, especially in the Teide National Park. Eighty‐three flowering plants are discussed as successful, failed or potential invaders of the Teide National Park, Tenerife, a caldera at 2000 m altitude and above with a largely endemic native flora. Two important methods of invasion are considered. Firstly, there was dispersal by pastoralism, goat‐herding, an ancient practice which stopped over 30 years ago. Secondly, the development of mass tourism in the last 25 years has brought a fresh influx of alien plantS. Many of the 83 invaders discussed have had only transient occurrences, but 30 are well‐established, 15 being grasses among which Bromus tectorum and Vulpia myuros are the most abundant.Chenopodium vulvaria and Poa pratensis are new to Tenerife and Dactylis glomerata subsp.hispanica is new to the Canary IslandS. Control measures are outlined. Attempts have already been made to contain Avena barbata, hactuca serriola and Chenopodium species.

A new species of Moraceae is described, illustrated and compared to its close morphological relatives. Dorstenia triseriata presents similarities with Dorstenia turnerifolia but distinguished by size of peduncle, diameter of receptacle, number of bract rows, color of marginal bracts, and by an indistinct fringe on inflorescence. A conservation assessment based on IUCN criteria determines the new species to be vulnerable (VU).

Although the interactions (including mutualism) between Cecropia and numerous ants have been already well documented, biogeographic studies on the distribution patterns of Cecropia with its associated ants have never been conducted in northeast Brazil. This study evaluates: (1) the regional diversity of Cecropia spp. sheltering ants; (2) the diversity of the ants living in these trees; and (3) the species-specific relationships along a longitudinal east-west transect in southwest Bahia. The ants nesting at the apical stem of 521 Cecropia individuals, mostly C. pachystachya (Trécul 1847), were sampled; 437 trees were occupied by ants belonging to 40 species. The commonest ant species was Azteca alfari (Emery 1893). The abundance of Cecropia, as well as the relative frequency of tree occupation, ant diversity, and association between ant species, were higher at lower altitudes, where rainforest vegetation predominates. Cecropia proved to be an important nesting site for various ant species in this biotope.Résumé. Interactions entre Cecropia (Urticaceae) et les fourmis (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) le long d'un transect longitudinal est-ouest dans le Nord-est du Brésil. Bien que les interactions (dont le mutualisme) entre Cecropia et de nombreuses fourmis aient déjà été bien documentées, aucune étude biogéographique portant sur les modèles de distribution de Cecropia et de ses fourmis associées n'a été menée jusqu'à présent dans le Nord-Est du Brésil. Cette étude évalue : 1) la diversité régionale de Cecropia spp. abritant des fourmis ; 2) la diversité des fourmis qui vivent dans ces arbres ; et 3) la relation de spécificité qui existe dans ces relations le long d'un transect longitudal est-ouest situé dans le sud de Bahia (Brésil). Nous avons échantillonné les fourmis des rameaux apicaux de 521 Cecropia, principalement C. pachystachya (Trécul 1847); 437 arbres étaient occupés par 40 espèces de fourmis. La fourmi la plus fréquente était Azteca alfari (Emery 1893). L'abondance de Cecropia, ainsi que la fréquence relative de l'occupation de l'arbre, la diversité des fourmis et les associations entre espèces de fourmis, étaient plus élevées à basse altitude où la végétation prédominante est du type forêt tropicale. Cecropia est donc un important site de nidification pour de nombreuses espèces de fourmis dans ce biotope.

Mayacaceae Kunth is an aquatic plant family that currently comprises a single genus, and four to six accepted species. Most of them are widely distributed in the Neotropics, with the exception of Mayaca baumii Gürke, which is endemic to Africa. This family still encompasses taxonomical problems involving mostly nomenclatural issues and the positioning of the family within the Poales, which remains not definite, though several efforts have being made in this direction. Besides all this, the family also suffers from limited studies with different approaches, such as embryological, palinological, phylogenetic and ecological ones. Considering all this problems, the present work make an overview of Mayacaceae to show the main problems that still surround the family and to indicate some directions for future studies.