Abstract Bignoniaceae is a diverse family composed of 840 species with Pantropical distribution. The chromosome number 2n = 40 is predominant in most species of the family, with n = 20 formerly being considered the haploid base number. We discuss here the haploid base number of Bignoniaceae and examine heterochromatin distributions revealed by CMA/DAPI fluorochromes in the Tabebuia alliance, as well as in some species of the Bignonieae, Tecomeae, and Jacarandeae tribes. When comparing the chromosome records and the phylogenies of Bignoniaceae it can be deduced that the base number of Bignoniaceae is probably n = 18, followed by an ascendant dysploidy (n = 18 → n = 20) in the most derived and diverse clades. The predominant heterochromatin banding patterns in the Tabebuia alliance were found to be two terminal CMA+ bands or two terminal and two proximal CMA+ bands. The banding pattern in the Tabebuia alliance clade was more variable than seen in Jacarandeae, but less variable than Bignonieae. Despite the intermediate level of variation observed, heterochromatin banding patterns offer a promising tool for distinguishing species, especially in the morphologically complex genus Handroanthus.

ABSTRACT Chromosome numbers and heterochromatin banding pattern variability have been shown to be useful for taxonomic and evolutionary studies of different plant taxa. Bignonieae is the largest tribe of Bignoniaceae, composed mostly by woody climber species whose taxonomies are quite complicated. We reviewed and added new data concerning chromosome numbers in Bignonieae and performed the first analyses of heterochromatin banding patterns in that tribe based on the fluorochromes chromomycin A3 (CMA) and 4’-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). We confirmed the predominant diploid number 2n = 40, as well as variations reported in the literature (dysploidy in Mansoa [2n = 38] and polyploidy in Dolichandra ungis-cati [2n = 80] and Pyrostegia venusta [2n = 80]). We also found a new cytotype for the genus Anemopaegma (Anemopaegma citrinum, 2n = 60) and provide the first chromosome counts for five species (Adenocalymma divaricatum, Amphilophium scabriusculum, Fridericia limae, F. subverticillata, and Xylophragma myrianthum). Heterochromatin analyses revealed only GC-rich regions, with six different arrangements of those bands. The A-type (one large and distal telomeric band) were the most common, although the presence and combinations of the other types appear to be the most promising for taxonomic studies.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar os agentes polinizadores de uma comunidade de bromélias em Floresta Ombrófila Densa e relacionar possíveis associações entre a morfologia de bromélias e seus polinizadores. O estudo foi conduzido no Parque Estadual do Pico do Marumbi em oito espécies de bromélias que ocorrem na área. A comunidade de bromélias apresentou floração agregada entre os meses de novembro e maio. Cinco espécies de bromélias dos gêneros Nidularium Lem., Vriesea Lindl. e Wittrockia Lindm. foram polinizadas por beija-flores, duas espécies de Vriesea foram polinizadas por morcegos e uma espécie de Aechmea Ruiz & Pav., por abelhas. Foram identificadas 12 espécies de polinizadores, das quais oito beija-flores, três morcegos e uma abelha. A alta representatividade do beija-flor Phaethornis eurynome na polinização de bromélias sugere que ele atua como "espécie chave". Tornou-se evidente a influência do tamanho da corola e horário da antese, além da presença de odor e néctar, como determinadores de qual grupo animal atuará como polinizador, com formação de guildas distintas entre o conjunto de espécies de bromélias.

The main goals of this research were to characterize the pollinators of a bromeliad community in the Atlantic rain forest, as well as to understand the relationships between bromeliad flower morphology and its pollinators. The study was carried out at the "Pico do Marumbi" State Park on eight bromeliad species. The most of bromeliad species showed aggregate flowering between November and May. Five bromeliad species from the genera Nidularium Lem., Vriesea Lindl., and Wittrockia Lindm. were pollinated by hummingbirds, two Vriesea species were pollinated by bats and one Aechmea Ruiz & Pav. species by bees. Twelve species of pollinators were registered: eight hummingbirds, three bats and one bee. The high representativity of the hummingbird Phaethornis eurynome on bromeliad pollination suggests that it is a "key-species". It is evident that the corolla size, the time of anthesis and the presence of odor and nectar are clearly related to the animal group that act as a pollinator, determining distinct guilds among bromeliad species.