This type of approach may greatly alter how local community structures are viewed and consequently modify the results of downstream analyses of ecological studies. We therefore argue that species delimitations prior to individual identifications are essential for robust species definition in forest plot research because local species do not necessarily match global circumscriptions. Thirteen species delimited by us belong to four species complexes, each treated under single species names in the current systematics of the genus. Although vegetative traits were sufficient for species discrimination, fertile samples were crucial for obtaining taxonomic names for them. We delimited 38 species of Myrcia, and our hypotheses were well-supported by the LDAs (81–99% accuracy), evidencing that inexpensive tools can be effectively used to discriminate species in large-scale projects, and that integrative approaches are fundamental in that regard. A taxonomic name was assigned to each validated species based on comparisons with herbarium specimens and/or the technical literature. The morphotypes were validated using linear discriminant analyses (LDAs) of the raw NIR spectra, stepwise-selected spectral regions, PCA-reduced spectra, as well as the morphometric data. We classified specimens into local species by morphotyping them and then validated our hypotheses using two additional sources of evidence: i) near-infrared spectroscopic data, consisting of 1557 absorbance values obtained from dried leaves and, ii) morphometric data of leaf blade contours, translated into Fourier descriptors and summarized by principal component analysis (PCA), together with four additional leaf characters.
We tested the contribution of a low-cost integrative protocol for delimiting sympatric species of the taxonomically challenging genus Myrcia (Myrtaceae) in the central Amazon region. Therefore, a multi-evidence approach is desirable to avoid subjective interpretations. Distinguishing tree species is a major concern in tropical forest inventories as morphology alone may not be sufficient for species identifications in those highly diverse environments. A map containing the location of the study area, an identification key, descriptions, comments, and figures are provided.įorest conservation and management programs rely on precise knowledge of local tree diversity. Finally, morphological aspects of the infra-generic categories of Myrcia are reported more overlapping than previously thought.
Aulomyrcia, representing the second taxon of the genus with this feature removed from Myrcia sect. Myrcia cuspidata, a species with calyptrate flowers, is classified under Myrcia sect. grandis is recorded for the first time from upland terra firme forests on clayish soils. Myrcia neospeciosa is reported as a new occurrence for Amazonas state and M. The genus is represented by 36 species in the study area, comprehending 32% of its total richness in the Brazilian Amazon forest, with 19 of them endemic to this domain. In this context, this study presents a floristic survey of Myrcia in the permanent plots of the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP), in Amazonas state, Brazil. The Amazon forest holds about one-quarter of the Brazilian species of Myrcia, but the genus is still understudied in this whole region. Myrcia is the sole genus of the Myrciinae, one of the nine subtribes of Myrteae (Myrtaceae).
Information on geographical distribution, habitat, conservation status, and an identification key are also provided. This is the first study to use morphology and spectroscopy of leaves combined to propose new species of Myrtaceae. Spectral data revealed a unique pattern for each one of the new species and the putative related ones, reinforcing the morphological propositions. deflexa, being recognised essentially by chartaceous leaf blades, pedicels clustered at the tips of inflorescence axes, and oblong fruits with longitudinal edges. splendens, being recognised mainly by pyriform flower buds, campanulate hypanthia that are longitudinally ridged, and sepals of different shapes that are patent on fruit and Myrcia prismatica is similar to M.
splendens and may be recognised mostly by large and oblong leaf blades that tapers abruptly at the apex and large bracts Myrcia otocalyx also resembles M. Three new Amazonian species of the Myrcia splendens group from Brazil are proposed based on morphology and near-infrared spectroscopy of leaves and compared with similar taxa.
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