Flora of the Distrito Federal, Brazil: genera Apuleia, Copaifera, Cenostigma, Dimorphandra, Hymenaea, Peltogyne, Peltophorum and Tachigali (Leguminosae - Caesalpinioideae)

• Grant number: 12/14824-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: November 01, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Vinicius Castro Souza
• Grantee: Cássio Augusto Patrocínio Toledo
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project provides the taxonomic study of Apuleia, Copaifera, Cenostigma, Dimorphandra, Hymenaea, Peltogyne, Peltophorum and Tachigali species(Leguminosae - "Caesalpinioideae") occurring in the Distrito Federal (DF). This region has a flora rich in species, as it is in the areas of Cerrado biome, considered the most biodiverse savannah in the world. Leguminosae is the third largest family of flowering plants in the world and in Brazil the most diverse, comprising 2,694 species, which 1,458 are endemic in the country. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution and it is represented by a wide variety of life forms. The subfamily "Caesalpinioideae" is a paraphyletic group within the Leguminosae and it is divided into four tribes (Cercideae, Detarieae, and Cassieae Caesalpinieae). "Caesalpinioideae" has 2,250 species in the world that includes herbs, vines, shrubs and trees. To develop this work, loan solicitations materials will be made and consultation with herbarium and references. The preliminary survey "Caesalpinioideae" in the DF points to the occurrence of 18 species distributed in eight genus mentioned above. Consequently, the taxonomic treatment of Apuleia, Copaifera, Cenostigma, Dimorphandra, Hymenaea, Peltogyne, Peltophorum and Tachigali species occurring in the Distrito Federal will provide morphological descriptions, identification keys, geographical distribution maps and illustrated boards.