Eremitis clarkiae and E. vinacea (Poaceae, Bambusoideae): two new species of herbaceous bamboos endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil increase the diversity of the genus in this hotspot

Abstract

Background and aims – We here describe two new species of Eremitis from Bahia, Brazil, and compare them with morphologically similar species. We also provide illustrations, photos, a distribution map, and notes on habitat and conservation status of the new species.Material and methods – This study was based on fieldwork, analysis of herbarium specimens, and literature review. Specimens collected were analyzed and photographed during fieldwork and observed in cultivation in a greenhouse. The conservation assessment is based on field observations and spatial analyses, following the IUCN guidelines and criteria.Results – Eremitis clarkiae sp. nov. occurs in southern Bahia and has been collected only twice, in the municipality of Floresta Azul. The new species is similar to E. jardimii and E. robusta, both also endemic to Bahia, but can be distinguished by several vegetative and reproductive structures longer than those observed in these species, such as leafy culms, ligules, decumbent culm inflorescences, and pedicels of the staminate spikelets of the staminate whorls. Eremitis vinacea sp. nov. was collected in three localities in southern Bahia, but only the type population was found during recent field trips, in the municipality of Camacã. It is similar to E. afimbriata, a species endemic to Espírito Santo state, being differentiated by its leaf sheaths with persistent fimbriae (vs absent), leaf blades with green adaxial surface (vs bluish green with a blue iridescence), and a single inflorescence on decumbent culms (vs multiple). Both new species are endemic to the Bahian Coastal Forests subregion and should be considered Critically Endangered (CR), according to the IUCN guidelines and criteria.

A new species of Parianella (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Olyreae) marks the southernmost distribution of the genus in Brazil

“…The total number of bamboos in Espírito Santo thereby rises to 52 species (nine endemics) and 18 genera. This finding reinforces the fact that Espírito Santo, along with Bahia and Minas Gerais, is an important centre of diversity for bamboos in Brazil (Soderstrom et al 1988;Clark 1990;Oliveira et al 2011;Ferreira et al 2020aFerreira et al , 2020bFerreira et al , 2020cFerreira et al , 2020dFerreira et al , 2021aFerreira et al , 2021bFerreira et al , 2022.…”

“…While Pariana (ca 28 species) is distributed throughout the Amazon Basin, extending into wet forests of Central America (Hollowell 1987;Judziewicz et al 1999;Ferreira et al 2019;Dias et al 2021), Eremitis Döll (17 species) and Parianella have their distributions restricted to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Ferreira et al 2013a(Ferreira et al , 2013b(Ferreira et al , 2016(Ferreira et al , 2019(Ferreira et al , 2020a(Ferreira et al , 2020b(Ferreira et al , 2020c(Ferreira et al , 2020d(Ferreira et al , 2021a(Ferreira et al , 2021b(Ferreira et al , 2022.…”