The tribe Melastomeae Bartl. (Melastomataceae) in the eastern portion of the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil

We conducted a survey of representatives of the tribe Melastomeae present in the Atlantic Forest in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba, Pernambuco, and Alagoas. For this study, collections were undertaken in 14 localities from March 2011 to February 2012 and herbarium specimens from regional and important national herbaria were studied. In the eastern portion of the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil, Melastomeae is represented by 16 species in seven genera: Pterolepis (DC.) Miq. is the most diverse genus with seven species; followed by Acisanthera P. Brown, with three species; Comolia DC., Marcetia DC. and Tibouchina Aubl., with two species each; and Aciotis D. Don and Nepsera Naud., with one species each. A key to the species identifications, descriptions, comments and illustrations are included.