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| Microlicia piauiensis R.Pacifico & Almeda, in Pacifico & Almeda, 2022. |
Abstract
Microlicia piauiensis is described as a new species from Serra das Confusões, a mountainous region located in a transition zone between the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and the Caatinga (deciduous bushland in semi-arid areas) domains. Microlicia piauiensis can be recognized by its branchlets, leaves and hypanthia that are glandular-punctate and covered with gland-tipped trichomes, leaves on short petioles, revolute leaf margins, oblong calyx lobes, magenta petals that are yellow at the base, and isomorphic stamens with small but discernible appendages at the ventral base of the pedoconnectives. Microlicia piauiensis has a distribution that is more than 400 kms distant from all areas of endemism previously identified for the tribe Lavoisiereae. It is the first species of Melastomataceae reported as endemic to Piauí. Photos of living and dried specimens are provided, as well as a distribution map, and morphological comparisons with putative relatives. A conservation status of Endangered is suggested for M. piauiensis.
Keywords: Caatinga, campo rupestre, Cerrado, endemism, Lavoisiereae, Eudicots
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| Microlicia piauiensis, images of dried specimens. A. Habit. B. Apical branch. C. Basal branch with corky bark peeling away. D. Leaf abaxial surface. E. Leaf adaxial surface. F. Floral bud. G. Petal. H. Stamen (profile view). I. Capsule. J. Seed. Photos taken from the holotype. Scale bars: A: 2 cm; B-C: 4 mm; D-J: 2 mm. |
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| Microlicia piauiensis, photos of living specimens and type locality. A. Habit of a fruiting specimen. B. Close-up of a 3-locular capsule. C. Close-up of a 4-locular capsule. D. Flowering branch. E. Frieseomelitta varia (Apidae) pollinating a flower. F. Landscape with rocky sandstone outcrops at the Serra das Confusões. Photos A-E by José Alves Siqueira Filho, F by Antonio Nogueira. Voucher specimens: A-C, J.A. Siqueira Filho 2632 et al. (HVASF); D-E, J.A. Siqueira Filho 3027 et al. (HVASF). |
Microlicia piauiensis R.Pacifico & Almeda, sp. nov.
Diagnosis:—Microlicia piauiensis can be recognized by its branchlets, leaves and hypanthia that are glandular-punctate and covered with gland-tipped trichomes 0.2–0.4 mm long, leaves on short petioles 0.1–0.3 mm long, revolute leaf margins, oblong calyx lobes 2–2.5 mm long, magenta petals that are yellow at the base, and isomorphic stamens with small ventral appendages at the base of the pedoconnectives.
Ricardo Pacifico and Frank Almeda. 2022. A New Species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) endemic to Serra das Confusões expands the Range of the Genus to Piauí, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 548(1); 73-81. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.548.1.6
