Checklist of Bromeliaceae in the State of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The Bromeliaceae family plays an important ecological, environmental, and economic role in Bahia, harboring high levels of diversity and endemism, although the state still lacks an updated species checklist to support conservation efforts. This study aimed to compile and systematize information on the species richness, distribution, life forms, endemism, and conservation status of Bromeliaceae in Bahia. Data were obtained from field collections and databases such as GBIF, Tropicos, Reflora, SpeciesLink, and the Encyclopaedia of Bromeliads, as well as herbarium specimen images from over 40 national and international herbaria. The data were organized into spreadsheets and analyzed in terms of taxonomy, life form, biome, endemism, and conservation status. A total of 433 taxa were recorded, comprising 426 species, six varieties, and one subspecies, distributed across 36 genera. The subfamily Bromelioideae was the most diverse (308 taxa), followed by Tillandsioideae (102), Pitcairnioideae (22) and Navioideae (1), with Aechmea, Hohenbergia, Cryptanthus, Vriesea, and Tillandsia being the most representative genera in the state. Of the total taxa, 241 (55.6%) are endemic to Bahia, highlighting the state as a center of diversification for the family. Only 180 taxa (41.6%) have been formally assessed for conservation status, of which 89 (20.5%) are considered threatened: 21 listed as Critically Endangered (CR), 48 as Endangered (EN), and 20 as Vulnerable (VU), with a predominance of threatened taxa within Bromelioideae. Regarding life forms, epiphytic species were the most common (90), followed by terrestrial (76) and rupicolous (61) taxa; 206 taxa exhibited ecological plasticity, occurring in more than one category. The highest species richness was recorded in the Atlantic Forest (266 taxa), followed by the Caatinga (86) and the Cerrado (14), reflecting the influence of multiple phytogeographic domains, altitudinal variation, and climatic gradients in Bahia. The study also identified inconsistencies in taxonomic databases, underscoring the need for expert scientific curation. It is concluded that the updated systematization of Bromeliaceae diversity in Bahia is essential to guide research, conservation strategies, and the sustainable use of this highly threatened flora.