Asplundia capixaba (Cyclanthaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Cyclanthaceae (Pandanales) comprises 12 genera and approximately 230 species endemic to the Neotropical region, with its greatest diversity in northwestern South America and southern Central America. Brazil harbors 37 species of the family, most of them occurring in Amazonia. In contrast, the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, despite being predominantly forested, the preferred environment for Cyclanthaceae, holds a lower species richness. Recent fieldwork in the Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo state, combined with herbarium studies, revealed a set of specimens belonging to Asplundia, the richest genus of Cyclanthaceae, that does not match any described species. Thus, based on morphological evidence, we describe and illustrate Asplundia capixaba. We also discuss its affinities, provide notes on its distribution and ecology, and present a preliminary assessment of its conservation status as Endangered. We also provide an identification key for the Asplundia species from the Atlantic Forest, including Asplundia gardneri and A. rivularis, the species most closely related to the new taxon. This new discovery updates the knowledge of Cyclanthaceae in the Atlantic Forest and contributes to underscores the urgent need to conserve this biodiversity hotspot.