Morphological variation of Richterago radiata (Vell.) Roque in three Serras Mineiras complexes. Michel Biondi, Carolina Njaime Mendes, Mariana Esteves Mansanares

Abstract

The environmental conditions presented by Campos Rupestres rigorously select species that tolerate the extreme nature of this ecological system. Situated above 900 meters with rocky outcrops mainly made of quartzite, sandstone and iron ore and great soil-climatic variation. Their disjoint areas make living populations rare and at constant risk of extinction. With the aim of demonstrating the uniqueness of Campos Rupestres and how the difference between them morphologically alters their inhabitants, measurements were taken of Richterago radiata (Vell.) Roque collected in the municipality of Carrancas, Minas Gerais and compared with measurements of the same species found in other Serras Mineiras. The observed differences are the result of the evolutionary process that each population has been experiencing over time in each location, biotic and abiotic factors are part of this process, which is the generator of all the diversity we know today.