The Rubiaceae Juss. family at Monte verde region, mg

Abstract

Rubiaceae is a cosmopolitan family, mainly distributed along tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world, and comprises around 620 genera and 13000 species. It is considered the largest and least known woody plant family of the humid tropics, regions where habitats are constantly being lost, which leads to the urgent need of obtaining basic taxonomic knowledge for the family. In Brazil, one of its diversity hotspots, 120 genera and 1367 species have been recognized, of which 71 genera and 546 species occur in the Atlantic Rain Forest, a biome known for hosting one of the greatest biodiversities on the planet and one of the highest rates of endemism. The Mantiqueira mountain range is part of this biome, in which is located the Monte Verde region, at the southern part of the Minas Gerais State. In this region, high altitude vegetation and a high number of endemic species are observed, which attests for its great biological importance. The present study aims to gather knowledge about the Rubiaceae species from the Monte Verde region. This floristic survey is being conducted through collecting trips and examination of herbarium vouchers. The obtained data will be managed in the BRAHMS® software. From the surveyed taxa, dichotomous and interactive keys, descriptions and illustrations will be prepared. Analysis of the flowering and fruiting periods, as well as a comparison with similar studies from other geographic areas, will be also held. A preliminary survey resulted in a list of 42 species of Rubiaceae from the study region. The results will be also analyzed from a conservational point of view. (AU)