The Paepalanthoideae (Eriocaulaceae) of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Brazil: taxonomic novelties, identification key, and illustrated list of species

The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is a conservation unit established to preserve the highest savannahs of Central Brazil and their unique biodiversity. Eriocaulaceae are a relevant and conspicuous family in such high savannahs, but its diversity is poorly known, documented solely in general lists or in isolated efforts aimed at small groups. After a structured series of field expeditions and analysis of specimens from the relevant herbaria, we provide nomenclatural novelties, a first identification key, and an illustrated checklist for the species of Paepalanthoideae (Eriocaulaceae) in the area. We recorded 42 species of Paepalanthoideae from the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park: Actinocephalus (Korn.) Sano (2 spp.), Comanthera L.B.Sm. (1 sp.), Paepalanthus Mart. (24 spp.), and Syngonanthus Ruhland (15 spp.). Actinocephalus brevifolius Trovo & Echtern. sp. nov. and P. irwinii Trovo & Echtern. sp. nov. are newly described species and P. politus Trovo stat. et nom. nov. is a variety of P. elongatus (Bong.) Korn. raised to the species status with a new name. The generic and specific composition shows predominance of Paepalanthus and Syngonanthus, and with a low representation of Actinocephalus and Comanthera, as expected, outside of the Espinhaco Range. More than 50% of the species (22 spp.) are endemic to the area and 25 species are endemic to Central Brazil, the area being the main center of diversity for dimerous-flowered groups. The non-endemic diversity is a combination of widespread species and marginal distribution of species typical from the Amazon and southeastern savannahs. The species are unevenly distributed in the area, with their occurrence correlated to altitude, water availability, and lithology. We reinforce that the savannahs from Central Brazil are a secondary center of diversity for Eriocaulaceae, playing a central role in the conservation of an unique and irreplaceable piece of its diversity and the Cerrado biome as well.

Automated summary

The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park in Central Brazil is a conservation area established to protect the unique biodiversity of the high savannahs. Eriocaulaceae, a prominent plant family in the area, has poorly known diversity. Through field expeditions and analysis of specimens, we provide new nomenclature, an identification key, and an illustrated checklist for the Paepalanthoideae species in the park. We recorded 42 species, with over 50% being endemic to the area. The distribution of species is correlated to altitude, water availability, and lithology.