cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280968.v1
title: Fruits of neotropical species of the tribe Malveae (Malvoideae - Malvaceae): macro- and micromorphology

description: ABSTRACT Fruit morphology of the tribe Malveae has been discussed since the first taxonomic classifications of Malvaceae. The fruits are schizocarps, with some genera possessing an endoglossum. Besides morphological variation in the endoglossum, other differences include the number seeds per locule and ornamentation of the exocarp. An in-depth study of the fruit morphology of Malveae is essential to gain insight into the relationships among taxa of the tribe. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the fruit morphology of Malveae, including micromorphology, variation in endoglossum structure and arrangement of seeds in the locule, to comprehensively evaluate the systematic relationships among its contained taxa. The results indicate morphological variation in fruit of various genera with regard to the number of mericarps, degree of dehiscence, relationship between calyx and fruit and their relative sizes, number and morphology of spines, number of seeds per locule, presence or absence of an endoglossum, presence and types of trichomes in exocarp and endocarp, and shape and presence of trichomes in the testa of seeds. Despite the morphological proximity of taxa, there are distinct combinations of characters that define some genera, and when one or more characters overlap, joint analysis makes it possible to clarify existing relationships.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280969
title: Phenology and dispersal syndromes of woody species in deciduous forest fragments of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

description: ABSTRACT We analyzed the phenological responses of shrub-tree species of lowland deciduous (LDF) and submontane deciduous (SFD) forests in the Pantanal, and assessed their relationships with climatic factors at the community level and with strategies for seed dispersal. Vegetative and reproductive phenophases of 50 tree-shrub species were monitored monthly (12 months), and their relationship with climatic variables was tested using multiple linear regression. Time of leaf budding differed between areas for autochoric species and between autochoric and anemochoric species at LDF. Leaf fall in communities and functional groups was seasonal and highly synchronous during the dry season (95 % of species). Leaf budding peaked at the end of the dry season with &gt; 80 % synchrony. In general, the species presented low synchrony or asynchrony for flowering phenophases, while fruiting phenophases were weakly seasonal but differed between functional groups. Temperature and precipitation were the regulating factors of vegetative phenophases in LDF, while daylength regulated them in SDF. Abiotic factors only influenced flowering phenophases at the dispersion group level. Only ripe fruits were related to reduced daylength. The phenophases of the deciduous forests of the Pantanal seem to be regulated not only by climatic factors but also by strong endogenous control.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280969.v1
title: Phenology and dispersal syndromes of woody species in deciduous forest fragments of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

description: ABSTRACT We analyzed the phenological responses of shrub-tree species of lowland deciduous (LDF) and submontane deciduous (SFD) forests in the Pantanal, and assessed their relationships with climatic factors at the community level and with strategies for seed dispersal. Vegetative and reproductive phenophases of 50 tree-shrub species were monitored monthly (12 months), and their relationship with climatic variables was tested using multiple linear regression. Time of leaf budding differed between areas for autochoric species and between autochoric and anemochoric species at LDF. Leaf fall in communities and functional groups was seasonal and highly synchronous during the dry season (95 % of species). Leaf budding peaked at the end of the dry season with &gt; 80 % synchrony. In general, the species presented low synchrony or asynchrony for flowering phenophases, while fruiting phenophases were weakly seasonal but differed between functional groups. Temperature and precipitation were the regulating factors of vegetative phenophases in LDF, while daylength regulated them in SDF. Abiotic factors only influenced flowering phenophases at the dispersion group level. Only ripe fruits were related to reduced daylength. The phenophases of the deciduous forests of the Pantanal seem to be regulated not only by climatic factors but also by strong endogenous control.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280972
title: Antifungal activity of selected plant extracts based on an ethnodirected study

description: ABSTRACT Plants have been reported as used by local populations to treat various infections for a long time, which has directed several pharmacological studies. The main aim of this work was to evaluate three plant selection criteria with better predictive power to detect extracts with antifungal action: (1) medicinal plants that are not used for indications of infection and inflammation; (2) plants with direct citations for inflammation, except for infection; (3) plants with direct citations for inflammation and infection selected quantitatively by Syndromic Importance Value (SIV). We tested the action of 23 hydroethanolic extracts of plants against the fungi Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Cryptococcus gattii and found no differences in the number of active extracts among the different strategies used, but activity quality varied. The extract of Anacardium occidentale presented fungicidal activity against the three analyzed fungi. At least five species - A. occidentale, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Poincianella pyramidalis, Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil, and Mimosa oftalmocentra - presented fungistatic and fungicidal effects against all strains. Our findings indicate that selecting plants based on popular indications and quantitative prioritization techniques increases the chance of detecting potential antifungal candidates, and that the plants selected by these criteria were more effective against C. neoformans.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280972.v1
title: Antifungal activity of selected plant extracts based on an ethnodirected study

description: ABSTRACT Plants have been reported as used by local populations to treat various infections for a long time, which has directed several pharmacological studies. The main aim of this work was to evaluate three plant selection criteria with better predictive power to detect extracts with antifungal action: (1) medicinal plants that are not used for indications of infection and inflammation; (2) plants with direct citations for inflammation, except for infection; (3) plants with direct citations for inflammation and infection selected quantitatively by Syndromic Importance Value (SIV). We tested the action of 23 hydroethanolic extracts of plants against the fungi Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Cryptococcus gattii and found no differences in the number of active extracts among the different strategies used, but activity quality varied. The extract of Anacardium occidentale presented fungicidal activity against the three analyzed fungi. At least five species - A. occidentale, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Poincianella pyramidalis, Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil, and Mimosa oftalmocentra - presented fungistatic and fungicidal effects against all strains. Our findings indicate that selecting plants based on popular indications and quantitative prioritization techniques increases the chance of detecting potential antifungal candidates, and that the plants selected by these criteria were more effective against C. neoformans.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280975
title: Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga) in the spotlight: an overview of species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces (Eurotiales) and the description of P. vascosobrinhous sp. nov.

description: ABSTRACT A literature-based checklist of species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces recorded in the Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga), the largest tropical dry forest region in South America, is provided. A total of 130 species (60 Aspergillus, 57 Penicillium, and 13 Talaromyces) are reported. Soil was the most common substrate, with 122 species records. Various reported species are well known in biotechnological processes. This checklist reflects the limited knowledge of fungal species in tropical dry environments. These data provide a good starting point for biogeographical studies on species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces in dry environments worldwide. In addition, the new species Penicillium vascosobrinhous is introduced, an endophytic fungus isolated from cactus of the Caatinga forest in Brazil.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280975.v1
title: Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga) in the spotlight: an overview of species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces (Eurotiales) and the description of P. vascosobrinhous sp. nov.

description: ABSTRACT A literature-based checklist of species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces recorded in the Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga), the largest tropical dry forest region in South America, is provided. A total of 130 species (60 Aspergillus, 57 Penicillium, and 13 Talaromyces) are reported. Soil was the most common substrate, with 122 species records. Various reported species are well known in biotechnological processes. This checklist reflects the limited knowledge of fungal species in tropical dry environments. These data provide a good starting point for biogeographical studies on species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces in dry environments worldwide. In addition, the new species Penicillium vascosobrinhous is introduced, an endophytic fungus isolated from cactus of the Caatinga forest in Brazil.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280978
title: The dark side of the rain: self-pollination setbacks due to water exposure in Pavonia varians Moric (Malvaceae), a species with rain-dependent flowering

description: ABSTRACT Plants that occur in arid or semi-arid environments may restrict their flowering to the rainy season to ensure water availability for reproductive functions. However, the exposure of flowers to rainfall can compromise their functionality, such as complex self-pollination mechanisms. We experimentally tested how rainfall exposure affects the sequence of anthesis and reproductive success of Pavonia varians. This species is endemic to the Caatinga, and it has a rainfall-dependent flowering and a specialized mechanism of delayed self-pollination by style curvature. Our results demonstrate that wet flowers have difficulty in distending their petals, and although they maintain the sequence of anthesis, style curvature and corolla closure are delayed. Water exposure also compromised reproductive success by spontaneous self-pollination in bagged flowers but did not prevent fruit set by exposed flowers. These conditions allow cross-pollination in P. varians if rainfall is transient or localized, which is a common condition in the Caatinga. We believe that this type of experimental approach can bring important clues about how reproductive systems respond to abiotic factors, especially in the context of imminent climate change.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280978.v1
title: The dark side of the rain: self-pollination setbacks due to water exposure in Pavonia varians Moric (Malvaceae), a species with rain-dependent flowering

description: ABSTRACT Plants that occur in arid or semi-arid environments may restrict their flowering to the rainy season to ensure water availability for reproductive functions. However, the exposure of flowers to rainfall can compromise their functionality, such as complex self-pollination mechanisms. We experimentally tested how rainfall exposure affects the sequence of anthesis and reproductive success of Pavonia varians. This species is endemic to the Caatinga, and it has a rainfall-dependent flowering and a specialized mechanism of delayed self-pollination by style curvature. Our results demonstrate that wet flowers have difficulty in distending their petals, and although they maintain the sequence of anthesis, style curvature and corolla closure are delayed. Water exposure also compromised reproductive success by spontaneous self-pollination in bagged flowers but did not prevent fruit set by exposed flowers. These conditions allow cross-pollination in P. varians if rainfall is transient or localized, which is a common condition in the Caatinga. We believe that this type of experimental approach can bring important clues about how reproductive systems respond to abiotic factors, especially in the context of imminent climate change.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280980
title: 180 years of Botanical Investigations in Antarctica and the Role of Brazil

description: ABSTRACT Botany is one of the oldest sciences done above the 60oS parallel with more than 180 years passing since the first professional botanist collected plants in Antarctica. Far from being a barren place, plants constitute an important part of polar ecosystems. Brazil is one of only 29 countries in the world with consultative status and to currently develop botanical studies in Antarctica. We discuss the importance of polar science to Brazil and the role that Brazil has in the international austral-polar scientific community, as well as the importance of its newly inaugurated scientific station.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280980.v1
title: 180 years of Botanical Investigations in Antarctica and the Role of Brazil

description: ABSTRACT Botany is one of the oldest sciences done above the 60oS parallel with more than 180 years passing since the first professional botanist collected plants in Antarctica. Far from being a barren place, plants constitute an important part of polar ecosystems. Brazil is one of only 29 countries in the world with consultative status and to currently develop botanical studies in Antarctica. We discuss the importance of polar science to Brazil and the role that Brazil has in the international austral-polar scientific community, as well as the importance of its newly inaugurated scientific station.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280982
title: Honey sample collection methods influence pollen composition in determining true nectar-foraging bee plants

description: ABSTRACT This study investigated the suitability of honey sample collection methods for determining the botanical origin of honey through palynological analysis. We used three methods to collect honey samples in three different modes viz. extracted honey using a honey extractor, squeezed honey and pipetted honey (collected by micropipette/dropper from honey cells only) during 2017 to 2019 in West Bengal, India. We considered two native honey bee species (Apis dorsata and Apis florea) and one introduced bee species (Apis mellifera). Pollen composition differed significantly, both quantitatively and qualitatively, among the honey samples of the different methods. The number of pollen grains in extracted honey and squeezed honey was significantly higher than that of pipetted honey. Furthermore, some pollen types of nectar deficient, but polleniferous plants (viz. Capparis zeylanica, Echinochloa frumentacea, Papaver somniferum, Poaceae type, Nelumbo nucifera, Solanum melongena, and Solanum sisymbriifolium), were also present in extracted and squeezed honeys. We concluded that some pollen grains present in extracted and squeezed honey samples came from stored pollen loads or bee bread in the hive. Hence, the pollen spectrum for pipetted honey samples was more accurate in depicting the bees foraging on nectariferous plants.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280982.v1
title: Honey sample collection methods influence pollen composition in determining true nectar-foraging bee plants

description: ABSTRACT This study investigated the suitability of honey sample collection methods for determining the botanical origin of honey through palynological analysis. We used three methods to collect honey samples in three different modes viz. extracted honey using a honey extractor, squeezed honey and pipetted honey (collected by micropipette/dropper from honey cells only) during 2017 to 2019 in West Bengal, India. We considered two native honey bee species (Apis dorsata and Apis florea) and one introduced bee species (Apis mellifera). Pollen composition differed significantly, both quantitatively and qualitatively, among the honey samples of the different methods. The number of pollen grains in extracted honey and squeezed honey was significantly higher than that of pipetted honey. Furthermore, some pollen types of nectar deficient, but polleniferous plants (viz. Capparis zeylanica, Echinochloa frumentacea, Papaver somniferum, Poaceae type, Nelumbo nucifera, Solanum melongena, and Solanum sisymbriifolium), were also present in extracted and squeezed honeys. We concluded that some pollen grains present in extracted and squeezed honey samples came from stored pollen loads or bee bread in the hive. Hence, the pollen spectrum for pipetted honey samples was more accurate in depicting the bees foraging on nectariferous plants.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280984
title: Seed germination and dormancy break in Eragrostis polytricha, a native Brazilian grass species with potential for recovery of degraded lands

description: ABSTRACT Ferruginous Rocky Outcrops have high levels of species richness and endemism, but have been threatened by several anthropic actions, especially mining. Eragrostis polytricha, a common grass species in the vegetation of these outcrops, has shown promising features for use in the recovery of mining areas. However, in order to fully understand the species’ potential for such use, its requirements for germination, seed dormancy break and seedling development must be determined. Thus, we aimed to: (1) assess the temperature conditions needed for seeds of E. polytricha to germinate; (2) evaluate the effects of KNO₃ in breaking seed dormancy; and (3) analyze the germination efficiency of seeds that are still in spikelets. The experiment included seven treatments: 15-35 ºC with KNO₃, 20-30 ºC with KNO₃, 15 ºC with KNO₃, 25 ºC with KNO₃, 35 ºC with KNO₃, 20-30 ºC with water, and 20-30 ºC with KNO₃ using spikelets. The treatments with alternating temperatures associated with KNO3 yielded the highest germination rates, suggesting that these two factors combined can break seed dormancy. Seeds inside spikelets exhibited a high germination percentage, and thus represent an interesting alternative for seedling production.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280989
title: Toward a phylogenetic reclassification of the subfamily Ambavioideae (Annonaceae): establishment of a new subfamily and a new tribe

description: ABSTRACT A molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Ambavioideae (Annonaceae) was reconstructed using up to eight plastid DNA regions (matK, ndhF, and rbcL exons; trnL intron; atpB-rbcL, psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF, and trnS-trnG intergenic spacers). The results indicate that the subfamily is not monophyletic, with the monotypic genus Meiocarpidium resolved as the second diverging lineage of Annonaceae after Anaxagorea (the only genus of Anaxagoreoideae) and as the sister group of a large clade consisting of the rest of Annonaceae. Consequently, a new subfamily, Meiocarpidioideae, is established to accommodate the enigmatic African genus Meiocarpidium. In addition, the subfamily Ambavioideae is redefined to contain two major clades formally recognized as two tribes. The tribe Tetramerantheae consisting of only Tetrameranthus is enlarged to include Ambavia, Cleistopholis, and Mezzettia; and Canangeae, a new tribe comprising Cananga, Cyathocalyx, Drepananthus, and Lettowianthus, are erected. The two tribes are principally distinguishable from each other by differences in monoploid chromosome number, branching architecture, and average pollen size (monads). New relationships were retrieved within Tetramerantheae, with Mezzettia as the sister group of a clade containing Ambavia and Cleistopholis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280984.v1
title: Seed germination and dormancy break in Eragrostis polytricha, a native Brazilian grass species with potential for recovery of degraded lands

description: ABSTRACT Ferruginous Rocky Outcrops have high levels of species richness and endemism, but have been threatened by several anthropic actions, especially mining. Eragrostis polytricha, a common grass species in the vegetation of these outcrops, has shown promising features for use in the recovery of mining areas. However, in order to fully understand the species’ potential for such use, its requirements for germination, seed dormancy break and seedling development must be determined. Thus, we aimed to: (1) assess the temperature conditions needed for seeds of E. polytricha to germinate; (2) evaluate the effects of KNO₃ in breaking seed dormancy; and (3) analyze the germination efficiency of seeds that are still in spikelets. The experiment included seven treatments: 15-35 ºC with KNO₃, 20-30 ºC with KNO₃, 15 ºC with KNO₃, 25 ºC with KNO₃, 35 ºC with KNO₃, 20-30 ºC with water, and 20-30 ºC with KNO₃ using spikelets. The treatments with alternating temperatures associated with KNO3 yielded the highest germination rates, suggesting that these two factors combined can break seed dormancy. Seeds inside spikelets exhibited a high germination percentage, and thus represent an interesting alternative for seedling production.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14280986
title: Effect of fire under the soils on the organization of communities of three remnants of Amazonian savannas

description: ABSTRACT Areas of cerrado (Brazilian savanna) in the Amazon have been poorly studied from the perspective of fire impacts on environmental sustainability, especially with regard to disturbances to soil and vegetation structure. This study aimed to analyze the influence of edaphic variables and fire together on the composition and structure of tree and shrub vegetation of three cerrado remnants in the Amazon. Eight plots were systematically installed in burned and unburned environments in each remnant. Data were submitted to floristic diversity, similarity, and diametric and altimetric structural assessments. Phytosociological parameters were obtained and submitted to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). A total of 808 individuals (34 species, 30 genera, and 21 families) were recorded. The CCA indicated that the distribution of species is influenced by edaphic factors, as confirmed by the strong direct correlation of tree and shrub species with the reduced nutrition and high acidity of the soils common in the analyzed remnants. Our results support the hypothesis that fire plays a relevant role in structuring vegetation since it contributed to good indicators of soil properties and caused changes in the composition of woody species.