Morphological evidence of fruits and seeds in Eugenia (Myrtaceae) in the state of São Paulo

• Grant number: 22/16126-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Fiorella Fernanda Mazine Capelo
• Grantee: Mariana Andreotti Bueno da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias para a Sustentabilidade (CCTS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant(s): 23/16102-9 - XX International Botanical Congress, AR.EXT

Abstract

In the search for the recognition of new diagnostic characters of the infrageneric groups of Eugenia, the fruits are little studied among the taxonomic studies of the genus. Thus, this work aims to expand the morphological knowledge of Eugenia fruits, carrying out a survey of morphological data on fruits of Eugenia species occurring in the state of São Paulo, expanding knowledge of the potential use of native fruit species. The methodology to be followed for the development of the project is based on the following pillars: bibliographic survey, data collection (consultation of herbaria and online collections), taxonomic and morphological study, and statistical analysis. In the herbariums, up to 5 specimens (exsiccates) of each species will be selected (whenever this quantity is available). In each of the examined specimens, fruits and seeds will be analyzed, focusing on the following set of morphological characters: fruit shape; fruit size (length and width, with minimum and maximum); fruit color; indumentum of the fruit externally; number of seeds per fruit; deciduity/persistence of sepals; seed size (length and width, with min and max). It is expected that, from this research project, the characters of fruits and seeds of several species of Eugenia will be codified and evaluated regarding their use in establishing standards in the separation and grouping of species (or groups of species), with based on Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA) and Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The results should expand the studies and knowledge about the diversity of the Myrtaceae family, especially the genus Eugenia, contributing to the advancement of the development of researches that contemplate the Myrtaceae family and that, therefore, help in the recognition of Brazilian biodiversity. It also aims to support other areas that can make use of the results obtained, given the vast environmental, economic and cultural importance of their species.