Aechmea Ruiz & Pavón from the northern portion of the Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Herein we present a taxonomic synopsis of Aechmea species from Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará states. The lack of a taxonomic key for identification of species, the high rate of endemism and the recent novelties published within Aechmea from this region motivated this work. Samplings were conducted in areas of all states studied between 2010 and 2014. We identified 27 species in the study areas while two names were excluded from the species list compiled from the literature. The subgenus Aechmea was the most representative with 20 species. Of particular importance was the Gravisia complex, represented by ten of the 14 species that form this informal taxonomic group. Pernambuco and Alagoas were the most species-rich compared to the other states. For each species found in the study area, we present identification keys, comments on the taxonomic relationships, habitat information and geographical distribution.

The role of bromeliad structural complexity on the presence, spatial distribution and predator avoidance in Tityus neglectus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

“…We also found a higher likelihood of T. neglectus occurrence in plants with longer leaves. The A. leptantha bromeliad possesses serrated leaves (Maciel et al., 2015 ) that may be related to scorpion protection against predators allowing them to hide deeper into the plant. Longer leaves were also the predictor of jumping spider Psecas chapoda (Peckham & Peckham, 1894) occurrence in Bromelia balansae Mez (Romero & Vasconcellos‐Neto, 2005 ).…”

Olacaceae and Schoepfiaceae in eastern Northeast Brazil

“…The taxonomic data for Brazilian species of Olacaceae and Schoepfiaceae are limited to Sleumer (1984), and local floras (Guimarães et al 1971;Cabral & Agra 1999;Ribeiro et al 1999;Rodrigues & Rossi 2002;Assis 2004;Meirelles & Fernandes Júnior 2017). Northeastern Brazil is often underestimated in terms of species richness and distribution of several families; the number of species and their distribution in this region have been expanded relative to what had previously been reported (Maciel et al 2009; Amorim & Alves 2012; Alves-Araújo & Alves 2013;Melo & Alves 2013;Santos & Alves 2013;Costa-Lima & Alves 2015;Maciel et al 2015;Gomes-Costa & Alves 2016). Similar results could also be expected for Olacaceae and Schoepficeae.…”

Differential geographical and ecological dynamics allow diversification of morphologically convergent giant bromeliads in the Atlantic Forest

“…Marine transgressions could have turned the São Francisco and Jequitinhonha Rivers into geographical barriers, as has been reported for other Atlantic Forest taxa (Carnaval & Moritz, 2008;Carnaval et al, 2014;Cazé et al, 2016;Grazziotin et al, 2006;Menezes et al, 2016;Turchetto-Zolet et al, 2013). Despite this, some authors have questioned the role of the São Francisco and Jequitinhonha rivers as geographical barriers in the diversification of plants and animal in the Neotropics Forest (Carnaval & Moritz, 2008;Fontoura & Santos, 2010;Maciel, Louzada, & Alves, 2015).…”