Woken up from a hundred-year sleep: a new sp ecies of Nothoscordum (Amaryllidaceae, Allioideae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Background and aims: Serra do Itapetinga houses one of the most important remnants of Atlantic Forest in the macrometropolis of São Paulo, the most populous region of Brazil. In the context of monographic works on Brazilian Nothoscordum species, a new species with current distribution restricted to Serra do Itapetinga was identified, and is described and illustrated here. M&M: Recognition of the new species is based on morphological, molecular and cytological data. Descriptions and morphological comparisons were obtained from examination of herbarium collections or living plants. Based on nuclear (ITS) and plastid (ndhF and matK) DNA markers, a molecular phylogeny including the described species is presented. Its conservation status was assessed using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Results: Nothoscordum itapetinga bears free staminal filaments, a typical morphological character of sect. Nothoscordum. Its placement in sect. Nothoscordum is also supported by molecular data and base chromosome number. We provide its chromosome count along with karyotype formula and DNA content. Comments on its distribution, habitat and conservation are furnished. Conclusions: With the data available the new species is considered Critically Endangered (CR). The localities of occurrence suffered decades of impacts resulting from intensive and uncontrolled use, in addition to human-induced fires, which modified the vegetation structure and floristic composition. Urgent measures are required to ensure the survival of the remaining populations of N. itapetinga.