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Issue: Vol. 747 No. 1: 13 Mar. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-13
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.747.1.8
Page range: 121-130
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Asplundia capixaba (Cyclanthaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Estrada principal da UFRA, s/n, 66077-830, Belém, PA, Brazil
Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo, São Mateus, ES, Brazil
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Parque Nacional do Descobrimento, Bahia, Brazil; Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Pacheco Leão, 915, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil
Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo, São Mateus, ES, Brazil
Carludovicoideae endemism Neotropical flora Pandanales taxonomy Monocots

Abstract

Cyclanthaceae (Pandanales) comprises 12 genera and approximately 230 species endemic to the Neotropical region, with its greatest diversity in northwestern South America and southern Central America. Brazil harbors 37 species of the family, most of them occurring in Amazonia. In contrast, the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, despite being predominantly forested, the preferred environment for Cyclanthaceae, holds a lower species richness. Recent fieldwork in the Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo state, combined with herbarium studies, revealed a set of specimens belonging to Asplundia, the richest genus of Cyclanthaceae, that does not match any described species. Thus, based on morphological evidence, we describe and illustrate Asplundia capixaba. We also discuss its affinities, provide notes on its distribution and ecology, and present a preliminary assessment of its conservation status as Endangered. We also provide an identification key for the Asplundia species from the Atlantic Forest, including Asplundia gardneri and A. rivularis, the species most closely related to the new taxon. This new discovery updates the knowledge of Cyclanthaceae in the Atlantic Forest and contributes to underscores the urgent need to conserve this biodiversity hotspot.

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How to Cite

Leal, E.S., Laurindo-Moreira, A.B., Forzza, R.C. & Antar, G.M. (2026) Asplundia capixaba (Cyclanthaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Phytotaxa 747 (1): 121–130. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.747.1.8