Taxonomia, distribuição, endemismo e status de conservação de Astrocaryum G.Mey. (Arecaceae) no Brasil

Abstract

The genus Astrocaryum G.Mey., belonging to the Arecaceae family, comprises approximately 40 species of spiny palms found mainly in the intertropical zone of South America. Despite being one of the most representative genera of palms in the Neotropical region, its taxonomy still presents conflicts, according to experts. In view of this, the present study analyzed the genus in Brazil to elucidate persistent taxonomic problems, adopting multiple methodological approaches, both nomenclatural and taxonomic. Among the findings, the occurrence of a new species of the genus in Brazil, Astrocaryum chonta, previously recorded only in Bolivia and Peru, was confirmed. In addition, a comprehensive investigation of the works of João Barbosa Rodrigues was conducted to determine the origin and current location of the possible nomenclatural types associated with the Astrocaryum species described by him. This analysis made it possible to confirm the designation of six lectotypes and twelve neotypes for Astrocaryum, previously carried out by other researchers. An article was also written proposing the conservation of the name Astrocaryum gynacanthum against Astrocaryum aculeatum, aiming to solve a pending issue in the nomenclatural context of the binomials used for two species of palm trees predominant in the Amazon rainforest, which are popularly known as “tucumã-do-amazonas” and “mumbaca”. In addition, a manuscript was produced with the objective of proposing the rejection of eight binomials by Paul Giseke and André Thouin, based on "palm trees" informally described by Jean Baptiste Aublet. This proposal seeks to stabilize the nomenclature and prevent future taxonomic conflicts not only in the genus Astrocaryum but also in the genera Bactris and Desmoncus. As part of the nomenclatural review, a list of the Astrocaryum binomials referenced for Brazil was prepared, with the revision of their respective nomenclatural types, resulting in the designation of 17 lectotypes and one neotype. The study also provided new information and relevant corrections on the type specimens and their collectors. In addition to the previous data, a comprehensive bibliographic review of the Astrocaryum species occurring in Brazil is presented, in which data on geographic distribution, phenology, ecological interactions, conservation status, vernacular names, and traditional uses of each of the binomials reported for the Brazilian territory are presented. Finally, all these results contribute significantly to the nomenclatur and taxonomic stabilization of the genus Astrocaryum, providing a solid basis for future studies on the taxonomic circumscription, diversity, and conservation of these palms in Brazil and South America.