Estudo taxonômico e síndromes de dispersão de Malvoideae burnett (MALVACEAE) no agreste paraibano, Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The family Malvaceae includes in its current circumscription nine subfamilies: Bombacoideae, Brownlowioideae, Byttnerioideae, Dombeyoideae, Grewioideae, Helicterioideae, Malvoideae, Sterculioideae and Tilioideae. Among them, Malvoideae Burnett is the most diverse, with approximately 110 genera and 1,800 species, the genera Hibiscus L., Pavonia Cav. and Sida L. the genera have the most species number. The state of Paraíba is divided into four Mesorregion: Zona da Mata, Agreste, Borborema and Sertão, being that the Agreste is characterized as a transition area between the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest. This work comprises the taxonomic study of Malvoideae (Malvaceae) as well as the detection of dispersal syndromes for it’s species in the Agreste Mesorregion, Paraíba state, Brazilian northeastern. Taxonomic descriptions were based on specimens collected during this study and in collections deposited in the local herbaria (JPB and EAN), and national (RB). Illustrations were prepared for the principal diagnostic features and produced identification keys for genera and species. Geographical data also were presented, preferred environments, and flowering and fruiting data for the species found. The dispersion syndromes were detected from the collected fruit and specialized literature. Nine genera and twenty Sida seven species were recorded with L. being the most diversified genus taxonomically, with twelve species, followed by Pavonia Cav. and Sidastrum Baker, with three species each. Herissantia Medik.,, Malvastrum A. Gray and Wissadula Medik., had two species each and Gaya Kunth, Malachra L. and Urena L., one species. 11 new records were detected for Paraíba state: Gaya domingensis Urb., Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky, Malachra fasciata Jacq., Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garke, Pavonia malacophylla (Link & Otto) Garcke, Sida acuta Burm. f., S. ciliaris L., Sida glaziovii K. Schum., S. glomerata Cav., S. urens L. and Sidastrum micranthum (A. St.-Hill.) Fryxell. Regarding to the dispersal syndromes, nine species were classified as anemochoric (34%) and 18 were classified as autochoric (66%).