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In this study we describe areas of endemism from Brazilian mountaintops associated with campo rupestre vegetation based on taxonomically verified records of Microlicieae (Melastomataceae). To test the relevance of taxonomically vetted data, we compared these areas with those recovered using records downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) website. A total of 12 areas of endemism are recognized and described, of which only eight (66%) were retrieved using GBIF data. With 1º and 0.5º cells, analyses of GBIF data didn’t detect both individual and consensus areas of endemism with Endemicity scores as high as analyses of taxonomically verified data. Records based on misidentified specimens and/or incorrect coordinates affected the detection of areas of endemism using GBIF data. Our results show that taxonomically verified data may improve the efficiency of areas of endemism identification. Besides, the results suggest that the recovery of stable and continuous areas of endemism may be improved by using larger cells and adopting the loose criterion rule to merge individual areas of endemism into consensus areas. Biogeographically, the results indicate that the evolutionary histories of Chapada Diamantina, Southern Espinhaço and Brazilian Central Plateau were related to the radiation of Microlicieae, especially the genera Lavoisiera, Microlicia, and Trembleya. The expansion of areas of endemism in the Cadeia do Espinhaço was probably accelerated by climatic instability and glaciation cycles from Pliocene to Pleistocene.

A new species of Trembleya that was first recognized by Auguste François Marie Glaziou is described. Line drawings, photographs, descriptions of the leaf anatomical structure, SEM images, distribution maps, conservation status, and comments on the generic circumscription of Trembleya are provided. The new species appears to be endemic to the Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goiás, Brazil. It is characterized by its oblong-lanceolate leaf blades (1.4–4.5 × 0.3–0.9 cm) that are papyraceous, 3–5-nerved from the base and glandular-punctate on both surfaces, tertiary veins not evident, well-developed inflorescences, flowers with subisomorphic stamens that are completely yellow and ovaries with 3(–4) locules. A conservation assessment of Endangered (EN) is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

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.

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The delimitation of conservation units may be supported by information on compositional (taxonomic), functional, and phylogenetic diversity of a given locality or region. In this context, systematic conservation planning and key biodiversity areas are promising approaches for biodiversity protection. Factors such as species representativeness and exclusivity may be used to identify geographical distribution patterns and select relevant areas for conservation at a local scale. This study aims to identify areas with rare and restricted fish species in mountain streams in Southern Brazil, using a method that unites ecological and biogeographical approaches. Seven river basins and 152 mountain streams in Southern Brazil were sampled to obtain data on the occurrence and abundance of 115 fish species. The rarity status of each species was determined and endemicity analysis was used to find areas of restricted species (ARS) with three cell sizes. Using larger cells, continuous areas were identified and supported by a higher proportion of rare fish species. Using smaller cells, discontinuous areas were identified within each of the river basins, where rare and endemic fish species occur. Most of the smaller areas relevant for protecting fish fauna were located outside of conservation units. Fundamental areas were selected for the protection of fish species in mountain streams in Southern Brazil. Both the method proposed and the areas with rare and restricted fish species identified may be used to support systematic conservation planning and to delimit new priority areas for conservation.

Abstract—Microlicieae is a Neotropical tribe of Melastomataceae, and most of its species are endemic to Brazil, especially in campo rupestre sites. The campo rupestre ecosystem occurs in areas with shallow soils deficient in water and nutrients, and elevations above 900 m. Foliar characters provide important structural features which are of taxonomic value for Melastomataceae. Due to the high degree of endemism, taxonomic issues, and variety of water economy strategies found in Melastomataceae, our objective was to evaluate the leaf structure in 25 species of Microlicieae, aiming to identify potentially taxonomically informative characters which may have favored the radiation and diversification of this tribe. According to our results, Lavoisiera seems to be homogeneous regarding leaf characters, while Microlicia and Trembleya are highly variable in leaf size and general structure of veins and mesophyll. The leaf xeromorphism was presumably a relevant factor in the diversification of this tribe. Rhynchantera exhibited mesomorphic leaf characters, suggesting that the emergence of these features occurred after the divergence of this group from the rest of the clade.

During recent field expeditions to the Chapada Diamantina (Bahia, Brazil), nine new endemic species of Melastomataceae were collected and are here described and illustrated: Marcetia auricularia, Marcetia santosiae, Marcetia unguiculata, Microlicia ascendens, Microlicia barbata, Microlicia daneui, Microlicia piatensis, Microlicia prostrata, and Microlicia tetramera. We provide photos of living and dry specimens, geographic distribution maps, notes on habitat and phenology for each species, and recommended conservation assessments. Marcetia auricularia, Marcetia unguiculata and Microlicia daneui were collected within a full protection conservation unit, the Chapada Diamantina National Park. Populations of Marcetia santosiae, Microlicia ascendens, Microlicia barbata, Microlicia prostrata, and Microlicia tetramera grow in a sustainable use conservation unit, the Serra do Barbado APA; no protection is afforded to Microlicia piatensis, as it occurs outside all conservation units in the Chapada Diamantina.