genus Hoplocryptanthus (Mez) Leme, S. Heller & Zizka[as Hoplocryptanthus ]

Diagnose: —Distinctive characters:—The combination of the biogeographical and morphological data together with the topology of the phylogenetic tree support the segregation of Hoplocryptanthus as a distinct genus. Hoplocryptanthus is understood here to strictly encompass eight species growing exclusively in Campos Rupestres vegetation, principally in the Iron Quadrangle region of Minas Gerais state. In this study, other species traditionally included in Cryptanthus subg. Hoplocryptanthus, but clearly differing morphologically are segregated to form the new genera Forzzaea (endemic to the western-northeastern portion of the Meridional Plateau of the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerrais state) and Rokautskyia (endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo state). Hoplocryptanthus was originally included into Cryptanthus as a subgenus (Mez 1891), but it is geographically isolated from Cryptanthus by its endemic occurrence in the Campos Rupestres habitats and at higher elevations (above 500 m), mostly in the Iron Quadrangle region and neighboring areas, including the eastern border of the southern Espinhaço Range, in Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais state [vs. Atlantic Forest related habitats at sea level to ca. 400 m, usually along the coast]. This well delimited occurrence also separates Hoplocryptanthus from Forzzaea [endemic to the western-northeastern portion of the Meridional Plateau (Diamantina Plateau) of the Espinhaço Range], Orthophytum subg. Orthocryptanthus (endemic to the region of Alvarenga and Santa Rita do Itueto, Minas Gerais state), and Rokautskyia (endemic to Atlantic Forest related habitats in the central region of Espírito Santo state). This occurrence, however, partially overlaps with Lapanthus in the Espinhaço Range (i.e., L. duartei), but Hoplocryptanthus grows in different ecological conditions, on more or less horizontal rock outcrops, while Lapanthus usually lives on vertical rocky walls. While Orthophytum subg. Orthocryptanthus and Rokautskyia are clearly resolved in the phylogenetic tree from Cryptanthus, Hoplocryptanthus, and Forzzaea, the molecular data offer little information about the relationship between Cryptanthus, Hoplocryptanthus, Forzzaea, and Lapanthus. The four latter genera are strongly supported as monophyletic clades, but are part of the basal polytomy of the “Cryptanthoid complex” (fig. 5).

Edited from (25-08-2017): Leme et al. 2017b. New circumscription of Cryptanthus and new Cryptanthoid genera and subgenera (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) based on neglected morphological traits and molecular phylogeny .