Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) and the diversity of capixaba species

• Grant number: 24/07111-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Ingrid Koch
• Grantee: Gustavo Kinoshita
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Atlantic Rainforest is one of the top five hotspots on the planet, with endemic species representing 2.7% of all plant species. The state of Espirito Santo, located in the Atlantic Forest Corridor, is the seventh richest state in Brazil in terms of biodiversity. This project aims to contribute knowledge about the Mandevilla Lindll. (Apocynaceae) genus as part of the "Flora do Espírito Santo" project, which aims to document and disseminate scientific knowledge of the state's biodiversity. In the state of Espírito Santo, there are 25 species of Mandevilla, six of which are endemic to the state and represent the majority of recently described Apocynaceae species in Brazil. The genus has great ornamental potential and has studies proving pharmacological and therapeutic properties for some of the species. An initial poll revealed around 950 occurrence data in the state, with more than 20% of them identified only up to the genus level. The goal of this project is to update the knowledge about the taxonomy and distribution of the genus in Espírito Santo through the analysis of herbaria material and the gathering of new specimens. Using this material, we will create a synopsis for the species, identification key, and photographing boards to aid in taxonomy identification. We will update distribution maps and evaluate the conservation status of the species in the state.