Nasce uma espécie: os passos para a publicação de uma novidade taxonômica de Melastomataceae

Abstract

The present work reports the main steps from the discovery to the final preparation of the manuscript that describes a new species of Microlicia D.Don for the state of Minas Gerais. Additionally, it addresses the concept of taxonomic impediment and its impact on biodiversity knowledge. The specimens analyzed are from the BHCB herbarium and were studied at the HUFU herbarium. Measurements and descriptions of vegetative and reproductive structures were carried out using an optical microscope. Label data were compiled to determine occurrence area, habitat, flowering, and fruiting months. Morphological comparisons with similar species were made to support the description of the new species. To illustrate the new species, plates with ink drawings of the flowering branch and reproductive structures (made by illustrator Klei Rodrigo Sousa), and with images of the live plant (provided by Cristiano Vinícius Vidal) were prepared. Additionally, a geographic distribution map of the new species was created using QGIS software and satellite images from Google Earth. We conclude that the process of describing a new species allows the author to develop important skills for taxonomic training and for reducing botanical imperception. Although there is a vast number of species yet to be discovered and described, we can affirm that describing a taxonomic novelty is crucial for biodiversity knowledge and for reducing taxonomic impediment. The discovery and description of the new species presented here contributed to the knowledge of the genus Microlicia in the state of Minas Gerais.