Systematic, ontogenetic, reproductive and phytochemical studies in Connaraceae, with emphasis on Neotropical species

• Grant number: 19/03173-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Vinicius Castro Souza
• Grantee: Vinicius Castro Souza
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Eve Lucas ; Hélder Nagai Consolaro ; Sidnei Moura e Silva ; Vidal de Freitas Mansano
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/03702-5 - Data management of the Connaraceae, BP.TT

Abstract

This project has the purpose of expanding the knowledge of Connaraceae in a broader context, with a focus on its systematics, diversity, ontogenetic development, reproductive systems, and phytochemical properties. This pantropical family is comprised of 12 genera and about 110 to 200 species in the world, with most part of its richness distributed in South America and Central Africa, and the neotropical region as the center of species richness. The family is interesting regarding floral and reproductive aspects, including the occurrence of heterostyly in several taxa, stamens that alternate in length and carpels with numbers of one or five free. Such characteristics, together, highlights Connaraceae as a promising group for studies in reproductive biology and floral polymorphisms. Regarding its classification, Connaraceae is currently divided into four tribes, although this positioning has not been confirmed by phylogenies based on molecular data. Considering economic aspects, phytochemical studies conducted with Connaraceae species have pointed an enormous potential for the production of compounds with pharmacological interest, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobials and antioxidants substances, although only a few species have been sampled. Taking these factors into account, we consider that the family is poorly understood in different biological areas, such as those cited above. Therefore, the present project aims to present taxonomic revisions for groups within Connaraceae, phylogenies for the family and specific genera, along with studies of its richness, floral ontogeny, reproductive systems, and phytochemical properties. (AU)

Scientific publications

(8)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TOLEDO, CASSIO A. P.; SOUZA, VINICIUS CASTRO; LUCAS, EVE J.. Revising Poeppig's Collections and Names of Connaraceae from Nova Genera ac Species Plantarum. SYSTEMATIC BOTANY, v. 45, n. 3, p. 495-506, JUL-SEP 2020. (19/03173-0)

TOLEDO, CASSIO A. P.; LUCAS, EVE J.; SOUZA, VINICIUS CASTRO. Hiding behind the rocks: rediscovery of Connarus beyrichii (Connaraceae), an endangered species endemic to montane outcrops of southeast Brazil. Kew Bulletin, v. 77, n. 2, p. 7-pg., 2022-05-13. (19/03173-0)

PAIM, LUIS FERNANDO N. A.; ACHO, LEONARD D. R.; DOS SANTOS, PAULO ROBERTO; TOLEDO, CASSIO AUGUSTO P.; MINELLO, LUANA; DA PAZ, JOICELENE REGINA L.; LIMA, EMERSON; SALVADOR, MIRIAN; MOURA, SIDNEI. Four Brazilian Potential Species Almost Unexplored of Conneraceae Family Used Popularly for Diabetes: Chemical Composition and in vitro Activity. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2023-05-09. (19/03173-0)

NUNES ALVES PAIM, LUIS FERNANDO; PATROCINIO TOLEDO, CASSIO AUGUSTO; LIMA DA PAZ, JOICELENE REGINA; PICOLOTTO, ALINE; BALLARDIN, GUILHERME; SOUZA, VINICIUS CASTRO; SALVADOR, MIRIAN; MOURA, SIDNEI. Connaraceae: An updated overview of research and the pharmacological potential of 39 species. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, v. 261, OCT 28 2020. (19/03173-0)

TOLEDO, CASSIO A. P.; SOUZA, VINICIUS CASTRO; LUCAS, EVE J.. Nomenclatural and taxonomic updates in Rourea subgen. Rourea sect. Multifoliolatae (Connaraceae). PHYTOKEYS, n. 169, p. 137-175, DEC 8 2020. (19/03173-0)

TOLEDO, CASSIO A. P.; SOUZA, VINICIUS CASTRO; COELHO, RUBENS L. G.. Taxonomic treatment of Connarus (Connaraceae) in the Brazilian Amazon. BRITTONIA, v. 72, n. 2, APR 2020. (19/03173-0)

CÁSSIO A. P. TOLEDO; VINICIUS C. SOUZA; EVE J. LUCAS. Flora of Espírito Santo, Brazil: Connaraceae. Rodriguésia, v. 73, 2022-03-07. (19/03173-0)

TOLEDO, CASSIO A. P.; SOUZA, VINICIUS CASTRO; LUCAS, EVE J.. Taxonomic revision of neotropical Connarus (Connaraceae) identifies three undescribed species. WILLDENOWIA, v. 51, n. 2, p. 171-180, AUG 2021. (19/03173-0)