Patterns of geographic distribution and conservation of Acacieae Benth. (Leguminosae–Mimosoideae), in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The tribe Acacieae has more than 1,450 species distributed in tropical and temperate regions worldwide. This paper presents the geographical distribution patterns and the conservation status of Acacieae species occurring in Minas Gerais. The species are distributed in the three biomes existent in the state. Eight geographical distribution patterns were identified for these species: Wide Distribution (one species), Neotropical (three species), Western-Central-Eastern South America (five species), Eastern Brazil Northeast-Southeast-South (one species), Atlantic Brazil Southeast-Northeast (four species), Atlantic Brazil Southeast-South (one species), Endemic Southeast (one species), and Endemic Minas Gerais (one species). Among the patterns restricted to Brazil, 76.47 % of species occur in patterns that comprise the Minas Gerais state, showing the high richness of the genus in this region. Among these species, two are restricted to the southeast region, one of them, Senegalia serra (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger is endemic to Minas Gerais. Senegalia lacerans (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger, Senegalia lewisii (Bocage & Miotto) L.P. Queiroz, Senegalia martii (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger, Senegalia giganticarpa (Lewis) Seigler & Ebinger, Senegalia pteridifolia (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger, and S. serra and Senegalia velutina (DC.) Seigler & Ebinger are being recommended for the endangered (EN) species list in Minas Gerais, in the category critically endangered. Senegalia bahiensis is also recommended for the list in the category EN and Senegalia limae and Senegalia monacantha for the category vulnerable. Senegalia lacerans, S. martii, S. giganticarpa, and S. pteridifolia have distribution restricted to some regions of the state, showing the need for implementation of conservation strategies in non-protected areas. This kind of geographic information and the conservation data of this species can contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the distribution patterns of species from different phytogeography domains around the world as well as the conservation of some EN species in these different biomes.