Sida L. Sect. malacroideae G. Don (MALVACEAE, MALVOIDEAE) nas caatingas do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

Malvaceae in its current circumscription comprises nine subfamilies, including Malvoideae, which possess about 110 genera and 1,730 species. Sida is the most taxonomically diverse genus with approximately 200 species and is divided into twelve sections, being Sida sect. Malacroideae the matter of this study. The taxonomic study of Sida sect. Malacroideae (Malvaceae, Malvoideae) was developed for Caatingas domain in northeastern Brazil in order to increase the knowledge about the taxonomic richness, geographical distribution and conservation status of the species of this group. Initially the fieldwork was based on the survey conducted on the Species Link virtual platform and later made monthly in Caatinga areas from Brazilian Northeastern between November/2018 to December/2019 to obtain fertile specimens. The collections and herborization were based on the usual methodology in plant taxonomy. The specimens obtained in the field were incorporated into the collection of the Manuel de Arruda Câmara Herbarium (HACAM), Paraíba State University (UEPB). The analysis were complemented by examination of exsiccatae from regional (ALCB, CSTR, EAN, HACAM, HST, HUEFS, IPA, JPB, MAC, PEUFR, UFP, and UFRN) and international (CTES, FCQ, PY, and SCP) herbaria. The morphological analysis of the specimens with the aid of the specialized literature and consults of the nomenclatural types. To assess conservation status, IUCN version 3.1 (2001). The geographical distribution of the species was based on information contained on the labels of the material examined and on the virtual platform of the Virtual Herbarium of Flora and Fungus (REFLORA). The types of distribution patterns will be classified through the specimens examined as well as in the classic and modern literature about the group. The dissertation it is organized in three manuscripts: 1) New records of Sida sect. Malacroideae (Malvaceae, Malvoideae) to Brazilian Northeastern, will be sent to the Phytotaxa Journal; 2) A new species of Sida sect. Malacroideae (Malvaceae, Malvoideae) from Brazil, submitted to the Phytotaxa Journal; 3) Taxonomic synopsis of Sida sect. Malacroideae (Malvaceae, Malvoideae) in Northeastern Caatinga, Brazil, which will be sent to the Phytotaxa Journal. The study includes a new species described for science, five new records for Caatingas in northeastern Brazil, and two new records for Brazil additionally to new records for several Caatinga areas in different states of the Brazilian northeastern. Thus, taxonomic approaches have demonstrated their importance for the knowledge of the flora, revealing new records and consequently expanding the geographic distribution area of these taxa besides providing the discovery of new species.