Abstract
This study provides a survey of Orchidaceae species in an area of montane Atlantic Forest in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The study area comprises two conservation units (RPPN Frei Caneca and RPPN Pedra D’Anta), forming together the Serra do Urubu, which is located in the border of the Borborema plateau. Orchidaceae is represented in this study area by 81 species and 50 genera. Epidendrum L. (10 spp.) and Habenaria Willd. (four spp.) are the most representative genera. The subtribes Laeliinae (22 spp.) and Pleurothallidinae (14 spp.) together represent about half of the number of species. The high number of orchid species distinguishes Serra do Urubu as one of the richest areas for the family in the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. Our study also provides 18 new records of species to Pernambuco as well as reporting on about 40% of the species and 60% of the genera cited to the State. Campylocentrum pernambucense, Cattleya labiata, Cattleya granulosa, Phragmipedium sargentianum and Zygostates bradeiare cited as endangered, 14 species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest, and other seven have distributions restricted to northeastern Brazil. All these facts reinforce the importance of this area as well as management strategies for the conservation of Orchidaceae.
Highlights
The Atlantic Forest biome is the second largest forested formation in South America, but due to the high level of deforestation, and the high number of endemic species, it is considered one of the world’s hotspots in biodiversity (Mittermeyer et al 2004).More than 20,000 species of Angiosperms have been recorded for the Atlantic Forest, and ca. 8,000 (40%) are considered endemic to this formation (Myers et al 2000).Historical factors point out the northern portion of such ecosystem as the most endangered mainly because it is composed of small and isolated fragments1
This study provides a survey of Orchidaceae species in an area of montane Atlantic Forest in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil
Campylocentrum pernambucense, Cattleya labiata, Cattleya granulosa, Phragmipedium sargentianum and Zygostates bradei are cited as endangered, 14 species are endemic to the Atlantic Forest, and other seven have distributions restricted to northeastern Brazil
Summary
The Atlantic Forest biome is the second largest forested formation in South America, but due to the high level of deforestation, and the high number of endemic species, it is considered one of the world’s hotspots in biodiversity (Mittermeyer et al 2004).More than 20,000 species of Angiosperms have been recorded for the Atlantic Forest, and ca. 8,000 (40%) are considered endemic to this formation (Myers et al 2000).Historical factors point out the northern portion of such ecosystem as the most endangered mainly because it is composed of small and isolated fragments1. The Atlantic Forest biome is the second largest forested formation in South America, but due to the high level of deforestation, and the high number of endemic species, it is considered one of the world’s hotspots in biodiversity (Mittermeyer et al 2004). More than 20,000 species of Angiosperms have been recorded for the Atlantic Forest, and ca. The Atlantic Forest north of Rio São Francisco [ known as Pernambuco Endemism Center (Prance 1982)] has been far less studied than the southern portion. Due to the several new taxa which have been recently described (Alves-Araújo & Alves 2011, 2012a, 2012b, Amorim & Alves 2012, Melo & Alves 2012, Araújo & Alves 2013, Amorin et al 2013, Costa-Lima & Alves 2013, Lourenço et al 2013, Terra et al 2013, Costa-Lima et al 2014, Pessoa & Alves 2014, Pessoa et al 2014a, 2014b), the Pernambuco Endemism Center is pontentially much more diverse than it is currently known
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