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Issue: Vol. 732 No. 1: 3 Dec. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-12-03
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.732.1.5
Page range: 57-66
Abstract views: 208
PDF downloaded: 6

Doomed to extinction by mining: a new species of Hoplocryptanthus (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação da Natureza, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Depto. Biologia Vegetal, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, 22460-030, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Laboratório de Palinologia, Departamento de Botânica, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, 20940-040, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação da Natureza, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
bromeliads conservation Espinhaço Range morphology Monocots

Abstract

A new species of Hoplocryptanthus, a member of the bromelioid “Cryptanthoid complex”, is described based on plants discovered in a ferruginous rupestrian grassland located in the southern Iron Quadrangle region, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Hoplocryptanthus serrapiresensis is endemic to the Pires Range, a region under strong threat by mining exploitation. The morphological characters of H. serrapiresensis are discussed in comparison with H. knegtianus and H. tiradentesensis. This microendemic species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR), reinforcing the need for a strategy to protect the biodiversity of the region. Characters related to leaves proved useful in the taxonomic delimitation of this new species. Morphological analyses also validated and reinforced the diagnostic floral and inflorescence characters used in the circumscription of Hoplocryptanthus.

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How to Cite

Castro, J.L.L.M.D., Ribeiro, O.B.C., Leme, E.M.C., Almeida, P.S.D. & Faria, A.P.G.D. (2025) Doomed to extinction by mining: a new species of Hoplocryptanthus (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phytotaxa 732 (1): 57–66. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.732.1.5