-(Floristic composition of the vascular epiphytes of "estreito de Augusto César", Brazilian Semi-Evergreen Forest of Uruguai River, RS, Brazil). The present study was carried out in a Brazilian Semi-Evergreen Forest, exposed to selective logging of tree species, in the "estreito de Augusto César" , RS. The survey of floristic composition of vascular epiphytes was performed in riparian forest. The species registered were classified into categories based on the relationship with the host tree and its position. Seventy species belonging to 30 genera and eight families were registered. The majority of species was classified as characteristic holoepiphyte. The highest number of species was registered on the primary branches.

Epiphytes are hyper‐diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non‐vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer‐reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non‐vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non‐vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events.

Dyckia brevifolia is an endemic rheophyte bromeliad that occurs exclusively in patches on rocky banks of the Itajaí-Açu River in southern Brazil. The genetic diversity of all known populations was carried out using allozyme markers and the total numbers of rosettes, reproductive rosettes, and clumps per population were characterized. The mating system was also investigated. Most rosettes were aggregated in groups, and the populations differed significantly in number of rosettes and reproductive rosettes per population. The outcrossing rate obtained was 8.2%, with predominant selfing. The populations presented an average of 1.4 alleles per locus and 27% of polymorphisms. The mean expected genetic diversity was 0.067. Downstream populations showed the highest genetic diversity which could be attributed to hydrochory (unidirectional river flow). Most genetic diversity is distributed among populations ( FˆSTF^ST = 0.402). Natural habitats of D. brevifolia are not recommended for the construction of hydroelectric plants given that it would seriously complicate in situ conservation of this species. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that between 35 and 161 reproductive rosettes must be collected for effective ex situ conservation, depending on the targeted population, or seeds collected from 157 seed-rosettes per population.

The herbaceous vine Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam. (Tropaeolaceae), popularly known as crem, has great potential for use, especially its tubers. However, there is still a lack of studies regarding this species. The objective of this study was to test the viability of propagation by stem cuttings for the production of T. pentaphyllum seed tubers. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. In both experiments, experimental design was completely randomized. In the first one, five treatments were evaluated (stem cuttings with 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm) with three replicates, each one with 10 stem cuttings. In the second experiment, three treatments were evaluated (stem cuttings positions: apical, middle and basal), with four replications, each one with 10 stem cuttings. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). Stem cuttings with 15 cm length had the highest rate of tuber formation (20.0%) and produced tubers with highest mass (3.2 g). Cuttings from the middle portion of the stem had the highest rooting (52.5%) and tuber formation (45.0%) rates. Thus, cuttings with 15 cm length from the middle portion of the stem are indicated for propagation by cuttings of T. pentaphyllum. Considering the potential for the use of this species in the future, the results found in this study are very important, since the propagation by cuttings would enable the production of a large amount of seed tubers in a short period of time.

Araceae is well represented in Brazil but there are few studies on spatial distribution of species on phorophytes. Aiming to analyze vegetation variations, four different areas of submontane rainforest were studied: bottom of valley (BV); middle slope (MS); mountaintop (M); and rocky mountaintop (RM) in Santa Catarina Island, southern Brazil. To study the aroids, the quadrant points method with 60 phorophyte sampled by area was used. Each phorophyte was divided in 2-m-height intervals to obtain the vertical distribution. Eight species of aroids belonging to four genera were recorded, among which Anthurium Schott and Philodendron Schott were the most representative. Species richness, Shannon diversity, and evenness index were the highest in MS and the lowest in RM. The most similar areas were MS and M (J = 0.88). Most species of aroids showed low horizontal and vertical frequency; however, the aroids were present in 35.4 % of the phorophytes surveyed; 60 % of families and 50 % of phorophyte species sampled; and 8.9 % of the height intervals sampled. The occurrence of the species in the strata close to the ground and intermediates may be related to the prevalence of nomadic vine species. Species of aroids showed no specificity for host tree.

-(Reproductive biology of the rheophyte Dyckia brevifolia Baker (Bromeliaceae), on the Itajaí-Açu River, Santa Catarina, Brazil). The species Dyckia brevifolia Baker presents disjunctive populations and restricted distribution. Dyckia brevifolia is a policarpic species with clonal propagation. The reproductive biology of this species was studied on the banks of the Itajaí-Açu River, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The fl oral characteristics, the nectar production and the behavior of fl oral visitors were studied. To characterize the reproductive system, fi ve treatments were conducted: agamospermy, spontaneous pollination, self-pollination, cross-pollination and control. Each infl orescence presented 60.4 ± 14.5 fl owers and 58.3 ± 13.3 fruits and the fruit/fl ower ratio was 0.97. The average number of seeds per fruit was 129.6 ± 24.3. The fl owers opened from the base to the apex of the infl orescence and the number of opened fl owers per infl orescence and day was 6.8 ± 1.2. Flower anthesis occurs along the day and the fl ower lasts a day and half. The average volume and concentration of nectar was 30.5 μL and 25.7%, respectively. The main fl oral visitors were bees, hummingbirds and butterfl ies, being the hummingbird Amazilia versicolor Vieillot the main pollinator. This species also was pollinated by bees of the genera Xylocopa and Bombus. Regarding the reproductive system, the results indicate that D. brevifolia is self-compatible and that agamospermy can occur. The self-compatibility presented for this species, as well as the fl oral visitors' behavior indicate that the main pollination forms are self-pollination and geitonogamy.Key words -agamospermy, Bromeliaceae, Dyckia brevifolia, pollination, self-compatibility RESUMO -(Biologia reprodutiva da reófi ta Dyckia brevifolia Baker (Bromeliaceae), no Rio Itajaí-Açu, Santa Catarina, Brasil). A espécie Dyckia brevifolia Baker apresenta populações disjuntas e distribuição restrita. Dyckia brevifolia é uma espécie policárpica com propagação clonal. A biologia reprodutiva desta espécie foi estudada nas margens do Rio Itajaí-Açu, Santa Catarina, Brasil. As características fl orais, a produção de néctar e os visitantes fl orais foram estudados. Para caracterizar o sistema reprodutivo foram conduzidos cinco tratamentos: agamospermia, autopolinização espontânea, autopolinização manual, polinização cruzada e controle. Cada infl orescência apresentou 60,4 ± 14,5 fl ores e 58,3 ± 13,3 frutos e a razão fruto/fl or foi de 0,97. O número médio de sementes por fruto foi de 129,6 ± 24,3. As fl ores abrem da base para o ápice da infl orescência e o número de fl ores abertas por dia por infl orescência foi em média de 6,8 ± 1,2. A antese fl oral ocorre ao longo do dia e a fl or tem duração de um dia e meio. O volume e a concentração médios do néctar foram de 30,5 μL e 25,7%, respectivamente. Os principais visitantes fl orais foram abelhas, beija-fl ores e borboletas, sendo o beija-fl or Amazilia versicolor Vieillot o principal polinizador. Esta espécie também foi polinizad...

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O arbusto Rubus erythrocladus Mart. ex Hook.f. (amora-verde) é uma espécie endêmica do Brasil e uma das plantas alimentícias não convencionais que apresenta grande potencial de uso, devido ao sabor agradável de seus frutos e às altas concentrações de flavonoides. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de AIB no enraizamento de estacas caulinares de R. erythrocladus. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação no IFRS – Campus Sertão, durante o período de novembro de 2018 a janeiro de 2019. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com seis concentrações (0, 500, 1.000, 2.000, 3.000, 4.000 mg L-1) de AIB, cinco estacas por unidade experimental e quatro repetições, totalizando 120 estacas. A percentagem de sobrevivência e de enraizamento das estacas, o número de raízes e o comprimento da maior raiz foram avaliados após 60 dias da implantação do experimento. Os dados foram analisados através de análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (α = 0,05). O número de raízes e o comprimento da maior raiz foram avaliados através de estatísticas descritivas (média e desvio padrão).  As estacas tratadas com AIB na concentração 1.000 mg L-1 apresentaram maior sobrevivência e enraizamento (60%), maior número de raízes (2,8 ± 2,6) e maior comprimento de raiz (6,5 ± 2,5 cm), diferindo estatisticamente dos demais tratamentos. A propagação por estaquia em R. erythrocladus é possível. A aplicação de AIB na concentração de 1.000 mg L-1 foi o melhor tratamento para a rizogênese das estacas.