Contribuição ao conhecimento do gênero Campylopus Brid. (Bryophyta, Leucobryaceae) no Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The genus Campylopus Brid. has about 165 species around the world. This is a genus were many taxonomical problems can be recognized. These problems are related to its circumscription, being hard to separate Campylopus from other closely related genera, and also related to the species delimitation, with many convergent descriptions, that can impossibilitate determination of specimens. Considering the outdating of the knowledge on the occurrence of the genus in Brazil, the realization of this work is justified. The objectives are: to provide a revised and updated list of species with occurrence at the Northeastern region of Brazil, with data on species distribution, including comments on the species, representative illustrations and an adequate taxonomic key, and reach a higher level of taxonomic delimitation between the species treated, contributing to the understanding of the genus taxonomy, facilitating the determination of specimens collected in the region and elsewhere in the country. Above 600 specimens were studied, from which was recognized the occurrence of 18 species of Campylopus for the study area. C. fragilis (Brid.) Bruch & Schimp. subsp. fragilis is reported for the first time to Brazil, and some species are reported for the first time to States within the Northeastern region. This region possess more than half of the species richness of genus Campylopus estimated to Brazil, what guarantees the importance of this study to the knowledge of the genus in the country. For the specimens studied, leaf costa structure in transverse section, and patterns of color, thickening, pitted walls and shape of basal laminal cells are the characteristics most efficient taxonomically, being very useful in the separation of species. Besides the flora of the genus for the region, it was produced a study guide for the genus, to facilitate the study of specimens by other researchers. Although Campylopus is a genus recognized by its taxonomic complexity, systematic studies as this work, that investigate species morphology searching for characteristics with low variability from development state or environmental conditions, may contribute significantly for the understanding of this taxonomy, leading to a better definition of the boundaries between species.