A new species of Thismia is described and illustrated for the Brazilian Amazon Forest. Thismia pseudomelanomitra belongs to Thismia subg. Ophiomeris sect. Pyramidalis and is morphologically similar to T. melanomitra. However, it can be recognized by its orbicular outer tepals with revolute margins, inner tepals connate over the tube opening forming a subglobose mitre, outer surface bearing prominent irregularly dentate ribs and irregularly foveae on top. The new species is known from a single locality, collected at São Nicolau Farm, in the northwest of Mato Grosso State. Herein, we provide a detailed description with illustrations, photographic plates, distribution maps, and preliminary conservation status.
As Bignoniaceae são um importante componente das florestas tropicais, especialmente no Brasil, onde a família é mais diversa. Apesar disso, o conhecimento desta família ainda é fragmentado em diversas regiões do país, especialmente na região Ocidental do Brasil. Neste estudo, nós apresentamos um checklist atualizado das Bignoniaceae do estado de Mato Grosso (MT), Brasil. Esta lista é baseada em múltiplas visitas a herbários locais, análise de exsicatas disponíveis on-line e expedições de campo. Ao todo, documentamos 115 espécies da família para o Mato Grosso, incluindo a primeira ocorrência do gênero Godmania e 12 novas ocorrências de espécies de Bignoniaceae para o estado. Nossos resultados enfatizam a importância de expedições de campo e estudos detalhados de coleções depositadas em herbários locais para a documentação precisa da biodiversidade. Listas de espécies compreensivas são extremamente importantes para orientar os esforços futuros de amostragens e conservação da biodiversidade.
The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Confap announced the launch of the 5th edition of the Protax programme aimed at supporting the advancement of human resources in biological taxonomy. The funding for the programme has been increased from R$6 million (equivalent to 1,1 million US dollars) to R$14 million ($2,5 million), making grants of up to R$400,000 ($73 thousand) per project available. However, it is important to note that the programme primarily emphasises human resources, overlooking the crucial need for funding fieldwork, which plays a vital role in taxonomic research in diverse ecosystems like the Amazon. To ensure the success of Protax, a comprehensive approach including dedicated funds for expeditions and biological collections is essential.
Brazil's National Forest Inventory (IFN), coordinated by the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB), provides essential data on the country's forest resources. The availability of IFN data, collected over more than a decade, through the National Forest Information System (SNIF), promotes transparency and facilitates access to comprehensive information about Brazilian forests. This detailed survey covers biophysical, botanical and socio-environmental aspects, as well as interviews about the use of forest resources.