O gênero Elaphoglossum Schott ex J. Sm. (Dryopteridaceae, Polypodiopsida) no Estado do Pará, Brasil

Abstract

The species of Elaphoglossum Schott ex J. Sm. (Dryopteridaceae) are considered to be confused from the taxonomic point of view, mainly regarding the morphological characters used to define the taxa. Therefore, was performed a taxonomic study of the species of the genus occurring in the state of Pará, Brazil. For this, a taxonomic treatment of the species was carried out containing identification keys, descriptions, taxonomic and ecological commentaries, geographic distribution and illustrations for the species. The study arca reaches the state of Pará, located in the northern region of Brazil, occupying an arca of 1,247,954.32 km2. The study was carried out on the basis of Elaphoglossum specimens deposited in herbaria with representative collections for the state, as well as in compilations of bibliographies and material from collections. For the analysis and identification of the botanical material were used specialized bibliographies, reference sites and dialogues with specialists. Elaphoglossum is represented in the state of Pará by 17 species: E. discolor (Kuhn) C. Chr., E. flaccidum (Fée) T. Moore, E. glahellum J. Sm., E. herminien (Bory & Fée) T. Moore, E. laminarioides (Fée) T. Moore, E. lishoae Rosenst., E. luridum (Fée) Christ, E. macrophyllum (Mett. ex Kuhn) H. Christ, E. obovatum Mickel, E. pteropus (Fée) C. Chr., E. raywaense (Jenman) Alston, E. scalpellum (Mart.) T. Moore, E. styriacum Mickel and four other undetermined species that may be new to science. Of these, E. lishoae and E. macrophyllum are new records for the state. Species occur in varied Amazonian environments such as solid ground forests, alluvial forests and lowland, and the predominant form of life is epiphyte. The analysis of the geographical distribution pattern indicates that the majority of the species that occur in the state of Pará are South American. Despite of these results, collections are still necessary in regions not or little sampled in the state, as well as to make visits to herbariums that contain species types occurring in the state to be able to heal nomenclature and synonymy questions.