A synopsis of Convolvulaceae from the Upper Turi-Gurupi region in the Amazon of Maranhão, Brazil

<jats:p>A synopsis of Convolvulaceae species from the Upper Turi-Gurupi region, a strategic area for the conservation of Amazonian biodiversity in the state of Maranhão, is presented. Field samples and herbarium collections were analyzed to build a list of species, indicating the most representative taxa and providing data on growth habit, geographic distribution, occurrence in Brazilian phytogeographic domains, and distribution in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region. Twenty-one species and nine genera (Aniseia Choisy, Bonamia Thouars, Camonea Raf., Distimake Raf., Evolvulus L., Ipomoea L., Maripa Aubl., Odonellia K.R. Robertson, and Operculina Silva Manso) were recorded. Ipomoea was the most representative genus, with 10 species, and Ipomoea asarifolia was the most collected species. Maripa scandens Aubl. is a new record for the state of Maranhão and in relation to the last taxonomic work of Convolvulaceae in the Amazon, which covered Maranhão, 10 species are new records for the state. A heterogeneous distribution of the species and sampling gaps of Convolvulaceae were observed in the region, pointing to the need for further surveys. This study contributes to the knowledge of this botanical family in the Amazon territory and stimulates the conservation of the Amazonian flora in Maranhão, since the study area is under strong pressure from environmental degradation and is one of the most threatened in terms of biodiversity loss in the Amazon.</jats:p>

section_content: Convolvulaceae Juss. is represented by about 1,900 species and 60 genera with a cosmopolitan distribution, with the largest number of records of species in the tropical region of the globe and few representatives in temperate areas (Mabberley, 1987; Austin, 1998; Staples & Brummitt, 2007; Simões & Staples, 2017; WCSP, 2020). Among the countries of South America, Brazil has a total of 422 species, including 192 endemics to the country, distributed in 25 genera (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020a). 

The species of this family in Brazil occur in areas with

open vegetation, mainly in savannas such as Caatinga and Cerrado, forest edges and altered areas, but also in forested and ecotonal areas (Simão-Bianchini, 1998; Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020a). More than 50% of the known species in the country (422 species of 25 genera) are recorded in the Northeast (230 species of 17 genera), where savanna physiognomies predominate (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020a). Despite the predominance and relevance of Convolvulaceae species in Caatinga (149 spp. ) and Cerrado (265 spp. ), another rich and considerably promising domain for floristic studies of the family is the Amazon (129 spp. ) (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020a). Some relevant works in this domain are those of Ducke (1922 Ducke (, 1925 Ducke (, 1932a Ducke (, 1932b Ducke (, 1935 Ducke (, 1938 Ducke (, 1939)), in which several new species for the Amazon are published, including 11 of Convolvulaceae (seven of the genus Dicranostyles Benth. and four of the genus Maripa Aubl. ). Falcão (1971) described the flora of the family in the state of Amazonas, cataloguing 40 species. Austin (1981), with the publication of novelties on Convolvulaceae for the Amazon flora, recognized a new name, two new species, and two new occurrences for the domain. Austin and Cavalcante (1982) produced a reference work on Convolvulaceae from the Brazilian Amazon, recognizing 132 taxa (125 species and seven varieties), demonstrating a high richness of species of the family. Also noteworthy are the identification guide of Convolvulaceae in the Ducke Reserve in the state of Amazonas (Ribeiro, & Simão-Bianchini, 1999) and the Flora of the cangas of Serra dos Carajás in the state of Pará (Simão-Bianchini, Vasconcelos, & Pastore, 2016). 

A recent note on Ipomoea from the Amazon (Wood, & Scotland, 2017) included the description of six new species, three of which occur in Brazil and were considered synonyms by Simão-Bianchini et al. (2020a). One of them was I. pogonocalyx J. R. I. Wood and Scotland, considered endemic to the state of Maranhão by Wood and Scotland (2017), found in Cerrado, and recognized as a synonym of I. asplundii O'Donell by Simão-Bianchini et al. (2020a), occurring also in the states of Pará, Goiás and Mato Grosso. 

The state of Maranhão has an extension of 331,937 km² (IMESC, 2008; IBGE, 2014) and is the only one in Northeast Brazil with areas of Amazon Forest. The state is geographically located in a transition zone between the Amazon (34. 78%) and Cerrado (64. 09%)allowing the coexistence of species mainly from these two phytogeographic domainsand a small portion of Caatinga (1. 13%) (Muniz, 2011; Civil, & Interinstitucional, 2011). 

According to the taxonomic treatment of Convolvulaceae for the Flora do Brasil 2020 project (Simão-Bianchini et al. 2020a), 78 species are currently recognized for Maranhão. Floristic novelties for the family were recently published by Lourenço et al. (2020), who recorded the first occurrence of Daustinia montana (Moric. ) Buril and Simões in Maranhão, and Santos, Saraiva, Ferraz, Arruda, and Buril (2020) who described Ipomoea maranhensis Santos and Buril, endemic to the Cerrado of Maranhão, showing the floristic potential that the family has in the state. 

Some regions of Maranhão have their flora still undersampled, as is the case of Upper Turi-Gurupi region in the western portion of the state. With an area of 25,605. 93 km 2, this region comprises 18 municipalities and has potential for logging, fishing, agriculture, livestock, tourism and ecotourism activities, besides beekeeping and plant extraction (SEPLAN, 2008). It is also a strategic conservation area in the Amazon domain, with high floristic potential mainly because the Turiaçu River basin and the Gurupi Biological Reserve are within its territory. The Turiaçu River basin is the third largest in the Amazon, with a perimeter of 938. 8km and an area of 14,394 km 2, corresponding to 12. 7% of the total territory of this domain (Correia Filho, Gomes, Nunes, & Lopes Filho, 2011; Catunda, & Dias, 2019). 

Deforestation and uncontrolled fragmentation in the Amazon of the state of Maranhão reach alarming rates: the original forest cover decreased from 25% (24,700 km²) in 2016 to 24% (23,967 km²) in 2019. This means that the remnaining 6,038 km² of forest have been degraded by fires and/or illegal logging and present no core areas (outside legally protected areas) with the minimum size to ensure sustainable management practices (Silva-Junior et al., 2020). 

The objective of this study was to elaborate a synopsis of the Convolvulaceae species occurring in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region compiled through field sampling and analysis of materials previously collected in the area. Our goal is to investigate the floristic diversity of the family, contribute to the increase of botanical knowledge of the area and the state of Maranhão, and fill gaps in the floristic data of the Brazilian Amazon.
section_name: Introduction

section_content: Collections were carried out in three forest fragments in the municipalities of Zé Doca, Nova Olinda and Centro Novo do Maranhão, within the Upper Turi-Gurupi region (Figure 1 ). These municipalities have 2,138. 981 km 2, 2,451. 367 km 2 and 8. 482,342 km 2, respectively, of Amazon Forest, corresponding to 9. 4% of the total area of this biome in the state (Catunda, & Dias, 2019). Collections in Centro Novo do Maranhão were made within the Gurupi Biological Reserve, an integral protection conservation unit. 

Seven field trips were held from May 2019 to October 2021. The random walking method (Filgueiras, Nogueira, Brochado and Guala II, 1994) was used in order to cover most of the phytophysiognomies. Populations in the field were photographed and geographic coordinates and information on the habitat were recorded. The botanical materials of each species were herborized and deposited in the collection of the Prof. Aluísio Bittencourt Herbarium (HABIT) from the Center for Higher Studies of Caxias (CESC/UEMA) and the João Murça Pires Herbarium (MG) from the Emílio Goeldi Museum of Pará (MPEG). 

In addition to the samples collected in the field, the the herbaria PEUFR, INPA, IAN, MAR, MG, NY, P and RB (acronyms according to Thiers, 2021), which have collections from the study area, were also consulted. The herbaria SP and MO were consulted, but no records of collections for the study area were found. The accepted names and their correct authorities are in accordance with IPNI (2021) and Flora do Brasil (2020). Data on growth habits, geographic distribution, occurrence in Brazilian phytogeographic domains, and taxa endemic to Brazil based on data from Flora do Brasil (2020) are provided, as well as an identification key for the species. The distribution of taxa in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region was prepared based on geographic information obtained from the collections, noted in the labels of the studied specimens, and maps were generated in the Quantum GIS 3. 6 software (Qgis, 2015).
section_name: Materials and Methods

section_content: Fourty-two specimens of 21 species distributed in nine genera (Aniseia Choisy, Bonamia Thouars, Camonea Raf., Distimake Raf., Evolvulus L., Ipomoea L., Maripa Aubl., Odonellia K. R. Robertson, Operculina Silva Manso) of Convolvulaceae were recorded. Ipomoea was the richest genus, with 10 species (Figure 2 ) followed by Distimake, Evolvulus and Maripa with two species each; the other genera had only one species (Figure 3 ). Maripa scandens Aubl. is a new record for the state of Maranhão. 

Key to genera of Convolvulaceae from the Upper Turi-Gurupi region 1. Aniseia Choisy Aniseia is represented by herbaceous vines with simple trichomes, entire leaves, commonly with a wedged to attenuate base, axillary summits with up to three flowers, and unequal sepals, the outer one being much bigger and foliaceous (Simão-Bianchini, Ferreira, & Delgado-Junior, 2020). Three species are currently recognized to comprise the genus, but other 30 names have already been considered and then segregated to other genera (Athiê-Souza, Staples, Zickel & Buril, 2017). Recently, the genus Iseia O'Donell was included in Aniseia and Aniseia martinicensis var. ambigua Hallier f. and A. cernua Moric. recognized as synonyms of A. martinicensis (Athiê-Souza et al., 2017). However, these changes are not well accepted by some authors and, in Brazil, the three species -A. martinicensis, A. cernua, and Iseia luxurians (Moric. ) O'Donell -are recognized, observed in fields or forest edges (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020c). Here we recognize A. cernua as synonym of A. martinecensis. In Maranhão and in the Brazilian Amazon, Aniseia is represented by one species (Athiê-Souza, Staples, Zickel, & Buril, 2017). 

1. 1 Aniseia martinicensis (Jacq. ) Choisy Habit: Herbaceous climber, twiner. Distribution: Throughout the tropics, usually along waterways; Mexico, West Indies, Central America, and South America (Austin, 1999; Athiê-Souza et al., 2017). The species is widely distributed in Brazil (except in the South Region), in the phytogeographic domains of the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Pantanal (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020c). Specimens examined: Jangoux, I. J. 832 (UFRPE), 1022 (INPA).
section_name: Results and Discussion

section_content: Bonamia is represented by subshrubs, herbs or climbers with axillary or less common terminal inflorescences, white or pink corolla, two free or half fused styles, terminal globose stigmas, dehiscent fruits, mostly opening by 4 to 8 valves (Moreira, Simão-Bianchini, & Cavalcanti 2019; Moreira, & Simão-Bianchini, 2020). Bonamia occurs throughout the Americas, Africa, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and Australia, with approximately 65 species (Myint, & Ward, 1968; Moreira et al., 2019). In Brazil, there are 16 species, 10 of which are endemic to the country. Five species are recorded in the Brazilian Amazon, two in Maranhão (Moreira, & Simão-Bianchini, 2020), and one in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region.
section_name: Bonamia Thouars

section_content: Habit: Subwoody climber, twiner. Distribution: Bonamia maripoides is known in the Guianas, Venezuela and Brazil (Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982). In Brazil, it occurs in the North, Northeast and Southeast regions and in the phytogeographic domains of the Amazon and Atlantic Forest (Moreira, & Simão-Bianchini, 2020). Specimens examined: Fróes, R. L. 34498 (IAN) 3. Camonea Raf. Camonea is represented by climbing or prostrate herbs with two paired auricles at base of the petioles, yellow or cream corollas, glabrous midpetaline bands, generally spirally twisted anthers, single styles, biglobed stigmas, and 4-valved capsules (Simões, & Staples, 2017; Simão-Bianchini, Petrongari, & Simões, 2020). Camonea is centered in tropical Asia with one species (C. umbellata) widespread in tropical America and Africa (Simões, & Staples, 2017). Five species are described worldwide and only one is reported for Brazil, which has been found in Maranhão (Simões, & Staples, 2017; Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020d), and in the present survey in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region. 

3. 1 Camonea umbellata (L. ) A. R. Simões & Staples (Fig. 3M ) Habit: Herbaceous climber, twiner. Distribution: Widely distributed in the Americas and Asia (Simões, & Staples, 2017). In Brazil, it is found throughout the country, in all phytogeographic domains except Pampa (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020d). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 2 (HABIT). 

4. Distimake Raf. Distimake is characterized by climbing, rarely erect or prostrate subshrubby habit, simple or compound leaves, white or yellow entirely glabrous corollas, stamens with twisted anthers after anthesis, entire styles, globose stigmas, and generally 4-valved capsules with greatly accrescent calyx (Simões, & Staples, 2017). Distimake is widespread in tropical America and tropical Africa, with disjunct species in Asia and northern Australia (Simões, & Staples, 2017). In Brazil, there are 18 species, nine of which are endemic (Petrongari, & Simões, 2020). Five species are reported for the Brazilian Amazon and four for Maranhão (Petrongari, & Simões, 2020). Two species were found in the the Upper Turi-Gurupi region.
section_name: Bonamia maripoides Haliier f.

section_name: Key to species of

section_content: Evolvulus is characterized by prostrate or erect herbaceous or subshrubby habit, malpighiaceous trichomes, simple leaves, blue or white corollas, two free or partially united styles, two filiform stigmas, and 4-valved capsules (Ooststroom, 1934; Simão-Bianchini, & Silva, 2020). Evolvulus includes about 100 species distributed predominantly in the Americas, with two pantropical species (Ooststroom, 1934; Santos, & Buril, 2020) (Ooststroom, 1934). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions (except in the South) and in the Amazon and Cerrado phytogeographic domains (Simão-Bianchini, & Silva, 2020). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 3 (HABIT) 5. 2 Evolvulus glomeratus Nees & Mart. Fig. 3L. Habit: Erect to decumbent herb. Distribution: From the Guianas to Argentina (Ooststroom, 1934; Santos, & Buril, 2020). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions and phytogeographic domains (Simão-Bianchini, & Silva, 2020). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 18 (HABIT) 6. Ipomoea L. Ipomoea includes mainly climbers, herbs or subshrubs, rarely shrubs or trees, with generally simple trichomes, simple or compound leaves, corollas with varied colors, entire styles, usually two globose stigmas, pantoporate pollen with spinous exine, and generally 4-valved capsules (Wood, Muñoz-Rodríguez, Williams, & Scotland, 2020). Ipomoea has 650 to 900 species widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics (Eserman et al., 2020). It is the largest and most important genus of Convolvulaceae recorded for Brazil, with 159 species (63 endemics to the country) occurring in all regions and phytogeographic domains (Simão-Bianchini, Ferreira, & Vasconcelos, 2020). Fiftythree species are reported for the Brazilian Amazon, 40 for Maranhão (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b), and 10 for the Upper Turi-Gurupi region. 

Key to species of Ipomoea from the Upper Turi-Gurupi region Habit: Herbaceous climber, twiner. Distribution: Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Guyana, and Brazil (Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it occurs the North and Northeast regions, in the Amazon, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 11 (HABIT). 7. 1 Maripa glabra Choisy Habit: Woody climber (liana), twiner. Distribution: Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil (Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982). In Brazil, it occurs in the North and Northeast, restricted to the state of Maranhão in the latter, and it is an exclusively Amazonian species (Pastore, 2020). In Maranhão, M. glabra is known from only two samples collected in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region in 1978 and 1985. Specimens examined: Balée, W. L. 1070 (UFRPE); Rosa, N. A. 2737 (NY) 7. 2 Maripa scandens Aubl. Habit: Woody climber (liana), twiner. Distribution: Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil (Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982). In Brazil, it is recorded in the North and only in the state Mato Grosso in the Midwest, and it is an exclusively Amazonian species (Pastore, 2020). In this study, M. scandens is a new record for the state of Maranhão. Specimens examined: Pastore, M. 1499 (MG) 8. Odonellia K. R. Robertson Odonellia is characterized by climbing habit, simple trichomes, simple leaves, glomeruliform or capituliform inflorescences, white corollas, sericeous midpetaline bands, entire style, globose stigma, and 4-valved capsules (Robertson, 1982). Odonellia has only two species, one of which is restricted to the Brazilian territory and the other is widely distributed from southern Mexico to northern South America (Robertson, 1982; Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982). Both species occur in Brazil and only one was registered for Maranhão by Simão-Bianchini (2020) and was found in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region in the present study. 

8. 1 Odonellia hirtiflora (M. Martens & Galeotti) K. R. Robertson Fig. 3H. Habit: Subwoody climber, twiner. Distribution: Odonellia hirtiflora is fairly widespread in tropical America, occurring from southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Brazil (Robertson, 1982; Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982). In Brazil, the species occurs only in the Amazon and Cerrado (Simão-Bianchini, 2020). Specimens examined: Jangoux, I. J. 868 (RB) 9. Operculina Silva Manso Operculina is characterized by climbing habit, angular or grooved usually winged petioles and pedicles, simple (entire or lobbed) or rarely compound leaves, sepals usually accrescent in fruit, white, yellow or reddened corollas with usually pubescent midpetaline bands, spirally twisted anthers after anthesis, entire styles, globose stigmas, and operculate capsules (Staples, Simões, & Austin, 2020). Operculina is distributed throughout the tropics of the world (Staples et al., 2020). Four species occur in Brazil, three in the Brazilian Amazon, and two in Maranhão (Simões, & Petrongari, 2020). In the Upper Turi-Gurupi region, it is represented by one species. 9. 1 Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin, & Staples. Fig. 3N Habit: Herbaceous climber, twiner. Distribution: Southern Mexico, Central and South America (Staples et al., 2020). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions, except in the South, and in all phytogeographic domains, except Pampa (Simões, & Petrongari, 2020). Specimens examined: Balick, M. J. 1983 (RB); Fróes, R. L. 1764 (UFRPE); Jangoux, I. J. 958 (RB); Nascimento, J. S. 9 (HABIT); Rosa, N. A. 2565 (RB). 

The great diversity of Ipomoea in the present study is due to the wide distribution and high richness of this genusthe largest of Convolvulaceaein the tropics and subtropics (Eserman et al., 2020). Conceição, Silva, and Rodrigues (2014) also indicated Ipomoea as the most representative genus in a survey of Convolvulaceae from a Cerrado fragment in Maranhão, demonstrating that the genus is diverse in the state. 

In the Upper Turi-Gurupi region, I. asarifolia had the largest number (16%) of specimens in the survey. This species has a Pantropical distribution (Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982; Wood et al., 2020) and is common in altered areas. It was collected in large populations during this study, and presented a decumbent growth habit and large and showy flowers, often with intense pink-colored corollas (Figure 2A and B) and, less frequently, white corollas. 

Color variation of the corollas from pink or lilac to white has been observed in some species of Convolvulaceae (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2016; Wood et al., 2020). Colors may vary even within the same individual. The color of the corolla is an important visual cue to attract pollinators, and variable color patterns can influence the frequency of visitation (Paz, 2011). It is also a key strategy when the species occur in environments with few floral visitors that act as potential pollinators or where pollination can be uncertain or occasional, such as in anthropized areas (Paz, 2011), as it is the case of environments where I. asarifolia occurs. 

Most species found in this study have pink-to lilaccolored corollas with nectar guides, landing platforms, and nectariferous discs at the base of the ovary. Based on these attributes, these species can be classified as mellitophilous (Faegri, & van der Pijl, 1979). On the other hand, I. hederifolia and I. quamoclit, also included in this study, present red-colored hypocrateriform corollas, indicating pollination by hummingbirds (Streisfeld, & Rausher, 2009). 

Most of the recorded species (15 spp. ) have climbing habit, growing on plants, fences and other supporting structures, with Herbaceous, subwoody or woody branches. Only M. glabra and M. scandens have woody branches throughout their length, being lianas of larger size. Regarding the climbing mechanism, the voluble habit was found in the species studied here, bearing in mind that the climbing habit and the voluble mechanism are predominant in the family (Austin, 2015). The branches that wrap around a supporting structure normally present unidirectional growth (Hegarty, 1991; Vargas, Araújo, Schiavini, Rosa, & Hattori, 2013) and in the case of Convolvulaceae, the voluble branches are sinistrorse (Simão-Bianchini, & Pirani, 1997). 

The other types of habits found in the species in this study were decumbent herb in I. asarifolia, I. batatas, and E. glomeratus; erect herb with decumbent branches in E. alsinoides; and erect shrub in I. carnea subsp. fistulosa. 

Regarding the distribution of collections and species in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region, it is clear that despite the contribution of the present study, systematic collections of Convolvulaceae are still needed because much of the area remains unexplored (Figure 4 ). The number of collections and cataloged species reflects the few floristic studies conducted in the area over time. It is a consensus among researchers that the diversity of plants in the Amazon is undersampled: the current sampling density corresponds to ten collections per 100 km². There is, therefore, a void of information resulting from lack of collections and a shortage of taxonomists in certain botanical groups (Maldonado et al., 2015). 

The little investment in collections in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region is a reflection of the low number of fragments suitable for botanical excursions, taking into account that only 17. 6% of the total area of Amazon Forest in Maranhão lies within protected areas. These protected areas are two conservation unitsthe Baixada Maranhense Environmental Preservation Area and the Gurupi Biological Reserve (Silva, Rylands, & Fonseca, 2005; Almeida, & Vieira, 2010) and the Indigenous Lands integrating the so-called "Gurupi Mosaic" (Silva Junior et al., 2020). Despite being an integral protection conservation unit and one of the last protected remnants of Amazon Forest in the state of Maranhão, the Gurupi Biological Reserve has only 23% of primary forest preserved (Silva et al., 2005; Almeida, & Vieira, 2010). The vegetation in these legally protected areas is also degraded by fires and illegal logging, which had high rates registered between 2007 and 2019 (Silva Junior et al., 2020). 

It is important to emphasize that the species were collected in Amazon Forest fragments that are under strong anthropogenic pressure, mainly due to deforestation, fires and agricultural activities. Such activities reduce the size of these fragments and affect the preservation of plant species. The fact that most species of Convolvulaceae sampled here are common in altered areas corroborate that a large part of the study area undergoes the impacts of deforestation and many fragments present anthropogenic influences and pioneer vegetation (Barbosa et al., 2007; Vital, 2009).
section_name: Evolvulus L.

section_content: The results presented here contribute to increase the knowledge about the distribution and floristic diversity of Convolvulaceae in the Amazon region of Maranhão, since most of the studies published so far in the Northeast of Brazil were conducted in Caatinga and in the semiarid region. The record of a new Amazonian species for Maranhão in this survey and the observed sampling gap indicate that new records may still be documented and new species to science may still be described, highlighting the importance of this area for conservation. Moreover, the identification key and data about local species provided in the present study support future technical work for conservation and land use policies. The data obtained here encourage the conservation of the Amazonian flora of Maranhão since this area is under strong risk of environmental degradation and is one of the most threatened in terms of biodiversity loss in the Amazon domain, with continued devastation even within protected areas.
section_name: Conclusion

section_name: Acknowledgment

section_content: The authors thank the State University of Maranhão/UEMA, Zé Doca campus, for the support offered during the research; the Emílio Goeldi Museum of Pará (MPEG), the Chico Mendes Institute for the Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), and the Graduate Program in Tropical Botany of the MPEG and the Rural Federal University of Amazonia (UFRA) for the support and resources provided to the field work in the Gurupi Biological Reserve ; the residents of the collection areas for the logistic help offered during the field work; and the curators of the consulted herbaria.
section_name: Acknowledgment

section_name: Ipomoea goyazensis Gardner

section_content: Distribution: Ipomoea asarifolia has a Pantropical distribution and is common in altered areas (Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982; Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it is widely distributed in the North and Northeast regions, in the Amazon, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 4, 5, 7, 15 (HABIT) ; Pastore, M. 1500 (MG); Rosa, N. A. 2881 (NY); Silva, W. C. 96 (MAR). 

6. 3 Ipomoea bahiensis Willd. ex Roem., & Schult. Fig. 3E Habit: Herbaceous climber, twiner. Distribution: It is distributed only in Bolivia and Brazil (Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it is widely distributed in all regions (except the South), in open fields and altered areas of the Amazon, Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest (Simão-Bianchini et al. 2020b). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 10 (HABIT); Pastore, M. 1491, 1519 (MG). 

6. 4 Ipomoea batatas (L. ) Lam. Fig. 3G. Habit: Decumbent herb. Distribution: Pantropical species widely cultivated for food use (Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982). In Brazil, it is distributed in all regions and phytogeographic domains (Simão-Bianchini et al. 2020b). Specimens examined: Balée, W. L. 3482 (NY); Nascimento, J. S. 12 (HABIT). (Austin, 1977; Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it is distributed in all regions and phytogeographic domains (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 1, 17 (HABIT).

section_content: Habit: Subwoody climber, twiner. Distribution: Restricted to Bolivia and Brazil (Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions, in the phytogeographic domains of the Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Jangoux, I. J. 674 (NY). 6. 7 Ipomoea hederifolia L. Habit: Herbaceous climbers. Distribution: Native to tropical America, occurring from the south of the United States to Argentina, being widely cultivated as an ornamental plant worldwide (Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions and phytogeographic domains, frequent along roadsides and as a ruderal species (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Fróes, R. L. 1847 (NY) 6. 8 Ipomoea purpurea (L. ) Roth Habit: Herbaceous climbers. Distribution: Pantropical, widely cultivated (Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions and phytogeographic domains (except in the Pantanal) (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Fróes, R. L. 34043 (IAN) 6. 9 Ipomoea quamoclit L. Fig. 3F. Habit: Herbaceous climber, twiner. Distribution: Pantropical, widely cultivated as an ornamental plant (Austin, & Cavalcante, 1982; Austin, & Huáman, 1996). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions and phytogeographic domains (except in the Pantanal) (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Jangoux, I. J. 408 (RB); Nascimento, J. S. 19 (HABIT). 

6. 10 Ipomoea ramosissima (Poir. ) ChoisyFig. 3D. Habit: Herbaceous climber, twiner. Distribution: It occurs throughout tropical America, in sandbanks, forest edges, pastures, cultivated fields, and vacant lots (Wood et al., 2020). In Brazil, it occurs in all regions and phytogeographic domains (except in the Pantanal) (Simão-Bianchini et al., 2020b). Specimens examined: Nascimento, J. S. 13 (HABIT). 

7. Maripa Aubl. Maripa is represented by lianas reaching up to 40 m in height, with simple, generally coriaceous leaves, white, pink or purple corolla, simple or less frequently bifid style, globose stigma, and indehiscent and ligneous fruits (Austin, 1973; Pastore, 2020). This genus includes 20 species with distribution from Central America to northern South America, predominately in the Amazon Forest (Austin, 1973). Twelve species are recognized in Brazil, found in the North, part of the Midwest and the Northeast regions, in the Amazon and less frequently in Cerrado. Two species were reported for Maranhão (Pastore, 2020), and of the two species found in the Upper Turi-Gurupi region, one is a new record for Maranhão, thus raising to three the number of species known from the state.
section_name: Ipomoea goyazensis Gardner