Research Grants

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Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic systematics of the subtribe Gonolobinae Liede (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) in southern Brazil

Project summary:

This project investigates the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of Gonolobinae (Apocynaceae) in southern Brazil through fieldwork, herbarium studies, and chloroplast DNA phylogenetics. It aims to clarify species delimitations, update generic boundaries, produce identification tools, and fill major knowledge gaps for poorly known taxa, supporting biodiversity research and conservation efforts.

First Name:

Highest degree:

MSc

Year obtained:

2023

Applicant Status:

Current student

Porto Alegre

Flowering plants

Relevant publications (minimum 1, maximum 4):

PIOVESANI, W. S.; FERREIRA, P. P. A.; SEGER, G. D. S. 2024. Clematis serrana (Ranunculaceae), a new endemic species to the Atlantic Forest highlands in Southern Brazil. Phytotaxa 660: 149-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.660.2.5

PIOVESANI, W. S.; FERREIRA, P. P. A.; SEGER, G. D. S. 2025. A comprehensive description and range extension of the formerly Bolivian endemic Clematis uruboensis (Ranunculaceae) to Brazil. Phytotaxa 706: 281-288. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.706.3.6

PIOVESANI, W. S.; FERREIRA, P.P.A.; SEGER, G.D.S. 2026 (in press). The Genus Clematis (Ranunculaceae) in Brazil. Systematic Botany.

Ranking

Your name:

Proposes to study the subtribe Gonolobinae (Asclepiadeae, Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) in Southern Brazil, where the extant diversity of this group is poorly documented. At least 25 species of the subtribe occur in this region. Broader issues remain, however, in the circumscription of genera within the Gonolobinae, such as the diverse genera Gonolobus and Matelea, which were shown to be non-monophyletic and current circumscriptions are much more narrow. But how the segregate species should be treated seems currently unclear.

The study would generate new collections in key areas within Southern Brazil and study existing collections for a taxonomic revision of species in Southern Brazil while sampling four chloroplast loci would be sequenced across species for phylogenetic analysis.

It is not clear to what extent phylogenetic sampling would extend beyond the Southern Brazilian species of Gonolobinae. While I appreciate that time and resources must limit the scope, more consideration should have been presented about the phylogenetic sampling approach (the third objective is a phylogenetic reconstruction of the subtribe), given the current ambiguity of generic circumscriptions across this subtribe. That might limit the impact of the taxonomic work.

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Notes and justification

Applicant Details

Country:

Target organism/s:

Previous publications

Applicant's CV

Proposal

Budget

Budget: $

2000

UFRGS

Affiliation:

Grant Assessment

willianpiovesani@hotmail.com

email:

Last Name:

Willian

Piovesani