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| Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim., in Silva, Figueira, Schindler, Simon et Guimarães, 2026. |
Abstract
Pterolepis arenacea is described and illustrated as a new species to the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins and its surroundings, in the Brazilian states of Bahia and Tocantins. This species is restricted to microhabitats of sandstone outcrops surrounded by savanna vegetation. Pterolepis arenacea is the first known species of the genus exhibiting a dorsal appendage on the stamens. Morphologically, Pterolepis arenacea is most similar to species of the P. polygonoides complex, composed of P. polygonoides, P. saturejiformis and P. trimera. Furthermore, Pterolepis arenacea shares vegetative similarities with the haplostemonous species P. haplostemona and P. xaxa. Detailed line drawings, field photographs, and scanning electron microscopy images are provided. The conservation status of Pterolepis arenacea is preliminarily assessed as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN criteria.
Keywords: Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, Jalapão, Matopiba, Pterolepis polygonoides, sandstone outcrops
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| Field images of Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim., sp. nov. A, Individuals growing in sandstone outcrop cavities; B, detail of a stem, showing the grey-green abaxial surface leaf blades; C, individuals with both flowers and fruits; D, flowering individual; E and F, details of the flowers and floral bud. Photographs by M. Figueira (A, C and D; all from M. Figueira et al. 1773) and M. F. Simon (B, E and F; all from R.R. Souza et al. 269). |
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| Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim., sp. nov. A, Flowering branch; B, a small branched specimen; C, branch node; D, abaxial surface of the leaf blade; D′, detail of the abaxial surface of the leaf blade base; E, adaxial surface of the leaf blade; E′, detail of the adaxial surface of the leaf blade base; F, front view of the flower, exposing the inner surfaces of the petals and the androecium; G, lateral view of the flower, showing the outer surfaces of the hypanthium and perianth; H, inner surface of the petal, highlighting the venation; I–I′′, antesepalous stamens (I, lateral view of the stamen; I′, front view of the stamen; I′′, detail of the dorsal and ventral appendages); J, gynoecium; K, capsule covered by the hypanthium and persistent sepals; L, exposed capsule; M, open capsule exposing persistent placenta. Drawn by Carla de Lima from R.R. Souza et al. 269 (A and C–M) and M. Figueira et al. 1773 (B). |
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| Distribution and habitat of Pterolepis arenacea D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim., sp. nov. A, Distribution map for Pterolepis arenacea (yellow triangles) (Brazilian states: BA, Bahia; MA, Maranhão; TO, Tocantins). B, Aerial view of the vegetation in the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT), showing a predominance of savannas and grasslands interspersed with rocky outcrops. C and D, Habitat where Pterolepis arenacea was found in the municipality of Formosa do Rio Preto, Bahia. Photographs: Sérgio E. Noronha (B) and M. Figueira (C and D). |
D. N. Silva, M. Figueira, B. Schindler, M. F. Simon and P. J. F. Guimarães. 2026. PTEROLEPIS ARENACEA (MELASTOMATACEAE: Melastomateae), A New Species from the Brazilian Cerrado. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. (83); 1-14 pp. DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2140 [2026-07-13]