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An account of a new and endangered tiny species of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) from Serra da Gandarela, Minas Gerais, Brazil

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Abstract

Field observations and specimens from herbaria revealed the existence of a new species of the genus Phyllanthus, restricted to the municipality of Santa Bárbara, André do Mato Dentro, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Characteristics such as the subsessile petiole and the size and morphology of the leaves, in addition to the pistallate flowers with 6 sepals, stipules, styles, and stigmas were important to recognize Phyllanthus gandarelensis as a new taxon. Description, illustrations, distribution and habitat, phenology, preliminary conservation status as Critically Endangered, and comments on its morphology, as well as a comparative table with its congener species are presented.

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Data Availability

The authors declare that the data supporting the conclusions of this study that are available in the article are deposited in biological collections available to the public.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Glória Perpétuo, Paulo Agnélio Gomes and Julio César Gomes (in memoriam) for their unwavering efforts to protect the area where Phyllanthus gandarelensis occurs, as well as for allowing us to collect botanical samples in their property. We also thank Heron O. Hilário for support during fieldwork to collect of the type specimens and for the field photographs, as well as Daniela Melo, Lucas Perillo, Nara Mota and Deco Mota Viana, for their participation in the discovery of the new species. We thank Carlos Alvarez for preparing the linedrawing illustration, and Tiago Oliveira for his support in producing the map. PLV is supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development or CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnologico (grant 312486/2020-0). JCRM is supported by CNPq (grant APQ-1512-2.03/22), and the Foundation for the Support of Science and Technology of Pernambuco (FACEPE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, CEP 52171-900, Brazil

    Jone Clebson Ribeiro Mendes

  2. Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Campus de Pesquisa, Terra Firme, Belém, Pará, CEP 66077-830, Brazil

    Ricardo de S. Secco & Pedro Lage Viana

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  1. Jone Clebson Ribeiro Mendes
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Correspondence to Jone Clebson Ribeiro Mendes.

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Mendes, J.C.R., de S. Secco, R. & Viana, P.L. An account of a new and endangered tiny species of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) from Serra da Gandarela, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Brittonia (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-024-09779-x

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