Expanding the known range of Convolvulus hasslerianus (Convolvulaceae) in the Brazilian Cerrado: new record, nomenclatural notes, and conservation assessment.

Floristic surveys are the foundational data upon which conservation assessments and evolutionary studies lie on. This type of survey is often neglected, especially near urban centers where most biodiversity is presumed to be lost. Paradoxically, natural habitat patches near urban centers require the most attention, due to the greater pressure from human action. While conducting a floristic survey in a Cerrado remnant within the urban perimeter in the municipality of Botucatu, in the countryside of the most urbanized state of Brazil (São Paulo), we found a new record of a Convolvulaceae species. Convolvulus hasslerianus is distributed through Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil. In São Paulo, there has been no confirmed occurrence until now. In this study, we elucidate the history of the species supposed collection to São Paulo, recorded it for the first time in Botucatu, and reported another occurrence to Itapetininga, from 78 years ago. We also provide descriptions of its fruit and seed for the first time, propose a lectotypification, and assessed its preliminary conservation status, emphasizing the significance of field study on remnants of Cerrado near urban areas and address the threats faced by these fragmented ecosystems.

Project(s)

Priority 4: Accelerated Taxonomy

Funder

Funder name	Awards
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brazil	Process 2023/11622-4 (PhD grant) - Process 2015/13386-0 - Process 2022/10636-9 - BIOTA 2025/07644- 8
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil	Process 140072/2022-5 (PhD grant) - Process 130573/2023-0) (Masters grant) - Process 400567/2016-4 - PROTAX 445906/2024-3 - Productivity fellowship process 313945/2021-7 - Process 303022/2025-6 - PIBIC RT process 16427/2024-8
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil	Process 88887.817598/2023-00 (Masters grant) - Process 88887.940735/2024-00 (PhD grant) - Process 88887.817607/2023-00 (Masters grant) - Process 88887.373155/2019-00