Gayana Botanica

Cymbellonitzschia chilena sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta), a new diatom species from Laguna La Punta, Salar de Atacama, Chilean Altiplano

Patricio Rivera — 2024-12-31

Cymbellonitzschia chilena is described as a new species of diatom. The taxon is characterized by its narrow, arched valves, with a highly convex dorsal side, a concave to sub-linear ventral side, and thin, rostrate-rounded ends. The apical axis measures 20.2–35.0 μm. The marginal raphe canal is continuous, located on either the dorsal or ventral side of the valve. Striae are parallel, with 20-24 in 10 μm. In connective view, the frustule is rectangular and curved. Differences from other species in the genus are also highlighted.

Puccinellia (Poaceae: Poeae: Coleanthinae), a new genus for Peru

Harol Gutiérrez — 2024-12-31

The genus Puccinellia Parl. is represented in Peru by three species, Puccinellia frigida (Phil.) I.M. Johnst., P. parvula Hitchc., and P. magellanica (Hook. f.) Parodi. This study provides new records of grasses not previously reported in the Peruvian agrostological flora. It includes a key for recognizing the recorded species, data on their geographical distribution, and ecological observations.

Monnina macbridei Chodat (Polygalaceae): new species for the flora of Chile

Mélica Muñoz-Schick — 2024-12-31

Monnina macbridei Chodat (Polygalaceae) is described as addition to the flora of Chile, a species previously considered endemic to Peru. Background information on its distribution and habitat is provided, including illustrations, photographs of the plants in the field, and a taxonomic key of the three species of the genus present today in Chile.

Leaf morphoanatomical traits in the genus Phycella (Amaryllidaceae)

Lidia González-Atabales — 2024-12-31

The morphoanatomical traits of the leaves can be particularly discriminative in some taxonomic groups. The morphoanatomy of the leaves of the species of the genus Phycella Lindl. can contributeto the research process of evolutionary relationships and taxonomy in its current circumscription.Leaves from 14 Phycella populations were collected from an in vivo collection. The characterizationof the leaves was carried out in optical microphotography of samples obtained through the fresh,diaphanization and paraffin embedding methods. The leaves present a row of long epidermal cellswith anomocytic stomata, showing aerenchyma in the mesophyll, which forms large air cavities.Peripheral vascular bundles present on both sides of the leaf and large elongated bundles werefound between the cavities immersed in connective tissue. The leaves of the species can beunifacial or bifacial. Some species have one or two rows of palisade parenchyma and others haveonly rows of spongy parenchyma. The traits with most variation are the width of the lamina, thesize of the air cavities, the number of air cavities, the number of peripheral vascular bundles, the thickness of the tissues over the cavity on the adaxial face, and the thickness of the spongy parenchyma on the abaxial surface. Therefore, there are morphoanatomical traits that areinformative and contribute to the discrimination of groups of species within the genus.

Catalogue of the native Lycophytes (Lycopodiopsida) and Ferns (Polypodiopsida) from Chile

Javian G. Gallardo-Valdivia — 2024-12-31

The Lycopodiopsida (lycophytes) and Polypodiopsida (ferns), classically known as “pteridophytes”, together they represent the first living lineages of plants with a vascular system in the sporophyte. Global diversity is estimated at 12,000 or more taxa, while in Chile the diversity of this group, according to the las publications, is estimated at 160 specific and infraspecific taxa, mainly in temperate humid zones of the country. The goal of this work is to update the inventory of the pteridoflora of Chile, including the nomenclature and distribution within the continental and insular territory of Chile of all the taxa present. An updated synthesis was made, presented in the form of a catalogue, including its conservation status according to criteria established by the IUCN. The pteridological flora of Chile is composed of 164 specific and infraspecific taxa distributed in 24 families and 57 genera, which represent 2.9% of the vascular flora of Chile. 35.4% are endemic species, while 64.6% are native. The summary by conservation categories for the taxa is: two Data Deficient, 33 Least Concern, 22 Near Threatened, 27 Vulnerable, 31 Endangered, 17 Critically Endangered and one Extinct. It is noteworthy that the endemic family Thyrsopteridaceae is categorized as Endangered (EN), which should be considered in management and conservation plans.

Forgotten but not lost: Notes about the status of the often overlooked Chilean desert endemic Loasa rotundifolia (Loasaceae)

Rafael Acuña-Castillo — 2024-12-31

Chile is a biodiversity hotspot for Loasaceae. Although relatively well known (especially compared to countries further north along the tropical Andes), it is expected that the number of taxa in Chile is bound to change due to taxonomic work on currently recognized taxa, new records for the country, and undescribed diversity. Loasa rotundifolia is endemic to the Atacama Desert and was described in 1893, however it has mostly been overlooked by recent national and regional Floristic catalogues that include Chile. It is a rare species known previously from only three herbarium collections worldwide. The main objective of this contribution is to provide a modern revision for this rare taxon, including an amended description, a description of its distributional range, ecological notes, and a preliminary assessment of its conservation status. We studied material in SGO and CONC, mapped the distribution of the species, and assessed its preliminary conservation status in GeoCAT. We found that Loasa rotundifolia is a distinct species due to its unique leaf morphology and habitat preferences. Our revision indicates that the species is phylogenetically part of Loasa ser. Macrospermae, endemic to Región de Atacama and we recommend it to be regarded as Endangered, according both to our GeoCAT analyses and the application of IUCN criteria.

La subvalorada interacción entre aves no especializadas y flores

Rodrigo Medel — 2024-12-31

Una revisión de Ollerton, J., 2024. Birds & Flowers: An Intimate 50 Million Year Relationship. Pelagic Publishing, London, 312 pp.