This compilation of ferns and lycophytes in Brazil is an update of the one published in 2010 in Catálogo de Plantas e Fungos do Brasil. The methodology consisted in collecting data from regional checklists, taxonomic revisions, and selected databases. Invited specialists improved the list accessing a website housed at the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. The results show 1,253 species: 1,111 of ferns and 142 of lycophytes. This number is 6.5% higher than the previous one (1,176 spp.). The percentage of endemic species decreased from 38.2% to 36.7%. We recognized 36 families and 133 genera (vs. 33 families, 121 genera in 2010). The 10 most diverse families are Pteridaceae (196 spp.), Dryopteridaceae (179), Polypodiaceae (164), Hymenophyllaceae (90), Thelypteridaceae (86), Aspleniaceae (78), Lycopodiaceae (64), Selaginellaceae (55), Anemiaceae (51), and Cyatheaceae (45). The three most diverse genera are still Elaphoglossum (87 spp.), Thelypteris (85), and Asplenium (74). The richest phytogeographic domain continues to be in the Atlantic Rainforest with 883 species which also has the largest number of endemic and threatened species, followed by the Amazon Rainforest (503) ResumoEsta compilação de samambaias e licófitas do Brasil é uma atualização daquela de 2010, no Catálogo de Plantas e Fungos do Brasil. A metodologia consistiu na reunião de dados de listas regionais, revisões de grupos e bancos de dados selecionados. Especialistas convidados melhoraram a lista através do acesso a um sítio da web do Jardim Botânico do Rio Janeiro. Os resultados apontam uma diversidade de 1.253 espécies, sendo 1.111 samambaias e 142 licófitas. Este número é 6,5% maior que o anterior (1.176 espécies). As espécies endêmicas decresceram de 38,2% para 36,7%. Foram reconhecidas 36 famílias e 133 gêneros (vs. 33 famílias, 121 gêneros em 2010). As dez famílias mais diversas são: Pteridaceae (196 espécies), Dryopteridaceae (179), Polypodiaceae (164), Hymenophyllaceae (90), Thelypteridaceae (86), Aspleniaceae (78), Lycopodiaceae (64), Selaginellaceae (55), Anemiaceae (51) e Cyatheaceae (45). Os três gêneros mais diversos continuam sendo Elaphoglossum (87 espécies), Thelypteris (85) e Asplenium (74). O Domínio Fitogeográfico mais rico continua sendo a Mata Atlântica (883 espécies) e também com mais espécies endêmicas e ameaçadas, seguido pela Amazônia (503 espécies), Cerrado (269), Pantanal (30), Caatinga (26) e Pampa (oito). Minas Gerais permanece como o estado com maior riqueza (657 espécies vs. 580 em 2010).

Resumo O presente estudo visou realizar o inventário das samambaias e licófitas da Reserva Ecológica de Gurjaú (Pernambuco, Brasil) avaliando a riqueza, composição, distribuição geográfica e raridade das espécies. Foi realizado a partir do exame das coleções dos principais herbários do Estado e levantamento florístico com trabalho de campo. A distribuição geográfica das espécies no globo e em território brasileiro foi baseada em dados da literatura e foram consideradas como espécies raras aquelas com apenas um ou dois pontos de coleta na Floresta Atlântica Nordestina. Foram registradas duas espécies pertencentes ao grupo das licófitas e 75 espécies pertencentes ao grupo das samambaias, das quais 10% são raras, no contexto da Floresta Atlântica Nordestina. As famílias mais representativas foram Pteridaceae (21 espécies), Thelypteridaceae (8 spp.) e Polypodiaceae (8 spp.). Os gêneros com maior número de espécies foram Adiantum (14 spp.) e Thelypteris (7 spp.). A maioria das espécies é amplamente distribuída nos trópicos e também em território brasileiro.

We conducted a floristic survey of ferns within the Murici Ecological Station (remnant of the northeastern Atlantic Forest), located near the municipalities of Messias and Murici, in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. To increase knowledge of the ferns of Alagoas, we evaluated the species occurring in the study area in terms of richness, composition, geographic distribution, similarities with species in other Brazilian biomes, regional conservation status and ecological aspects. Data were obtained from field work conducted between March 2009 and September 2010. We identified 107 species of ferns, of which 19 represent new records for Alagoas. The richest families were Pteridaceae (29 species) and Polypodiaceae (22 species). The richest genera were Adiantum (15 species) and Thelypteris (9 species). Most of the species sampled are widely distributed throughout Brazil and the Americas. Within the context of the northeastern Atlantic Forest, 12 species were considered endangered. Concerning the ecological aspects, 88.8% of the species identified were herbaceous, 57.9% were terrestrial and 70.0% occurred in the forest interior.

Background: The reduction of forest areas and the fragmentation of remaining forest is a major threat to biodiversity and is one of the primary causes of species extinction in the Atlantic forest biome. Aims: To evaluate the effects of the fragmentation and loss of habitat (size, edge effect, isolation and type of matrix) the richness, abundance, diversity and species composition of ferns in Atlantic forest fragments. Methods: For each of 11 fragments, plots of 10 × 20 m 2 were compared in the interior and at the forest edge. Data were analysed by general linear models, or by the use of similarity indices for floristic composition. Results: Eighty-eight species were recorded. Fragment size and type of environment (interior vs. edge) were related to the biological variables studied: large fragments and forest interior environments had larger populations of ferns, with a higher diversity. Floristic compositions were distinct for both the interior vs. edge environments and large vs. small fragments. Conclusions: Although larger fragments present a higher number of species, the preservation of smaller fragments, which have a different suite of species from those found in the large fragments, is important to guarantee the maintenance of the highest number of fern species in the Atlantic forest. Small fragments are not merely subsets of the species occurring in the larger fragments. The turnover in the species composition between fragments of different size suggests high spatial variability in the study area.

The Northeastern Atlantic Forest (NAF) has a historic of intense habitat loss and fragmentation. In this context, knowledge of the species from forest remnants is urgently needed and represents a key tool for future studies and conservation strategies. Here, we present the floristic inventory of ferns and lycophytes from the Private Natural Heritage Reserve - RPPN Pedra D'Antas, located in a NAF area. The study area associated with the RPPN Frei Caneca is the Serra do Urubu, which is a hotspot for the diversity of several biological groups in the NAF. We recorded 74 fern species, distributed in 17 families and 46 genera. The most diverse families were Pteridaceae (17 species), Polypodiaceae (14 spp.), Dryopteridaceae (nine spp.) and Thelypteridaceae (seven spp.). Lycophytes were represented by four species, two families and two genera. A new record for the Northeast of Brazil, Serpocaulon hirsutulum, is presented in this study. The area has a large number of species, some of which are restricted to the NAF (e.g. Megalastrum umbrinum). Based on the richness of the study area associated with another inventory held at the RPPN Frei Caneca (138 spp.), the Serra do Urubu is corroborated as a hot-spot for the diversity of ferns and lycophytes in the NAF.

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Notothylas vitalii is an endemic Brazilian hornwort species, easily identifi ed by the absence of pseudoelaters and columella, and the presence of yellow spores. Plant material was collected in Recife, Brazil, and the spores were sown onto Knop's medium, germinating after thirty days only with the presence of light. Germination occurred outside the exospore, and only after the walls had separated into three or four sections did a globose sporeling initiate its development. Following longitudinal and transversal divisions, the initial loose mass of cells became a thalloid gametophyte, subsequently developing into a rosette-like juvenile thallus with fl attened lobes. Additional information concerning sporeling types in key genera of hornworts, such as Folioceros and Phymatoceros, will be crucial for inferring the possible ancestral type and the evolution of this trait among hornworts. Our study supports the necessity of supplementary studies on sporeling development, combined with morphological and phylogenetic investigations, to help elucidate the evolution of the Anthocerotophyta and their distribution patterns.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo estruturar aulas práticas para o Ensino de Botânica, visando colaborar com o aprofundamento científico de licenciandos em Ciências acerca do conteúdo “diversidade vegetal”. A pesquisa se enquadra como qualitativa do tipo descritiva, na qual foram estruturadas e analisadas duas aulas práticas para licenciandos em Ciências da Natureza da Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - Univasf, campus Serra da Capivara. A primeira aula prática foi sobre Briófitas e a segunda sobre Pteridófitas, tais aulas tinham a finalidade de detalhar as estruturas morfológicas, o ciclo de vida e a importância ecológica de cada grupo estudado. A análise dos dados se deu por meio da percepção desses sujeitos a partir de questionários, tendo em vista as seguintes categorias: Recursos e Aplicação; Objetivo; Expectativas e Extrapolação. Logo, as percepções desses licenciandos nos ajudaram a entender o quanto aulas práticas podem incentivar o ensino mais dinâmico e interessante da Botânica.