Angiosperms of Montane Forest areas in southern Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

A floristic study of three areas of montane Atlantic forest in southern Bahia, Brazil, was carried out. From 2004 to 2008 regular botanical collections were made, principally along trails in the interior of the forest fragments at: the Reserva Serra da Pedra Lascada (SPL), the Reserva Serra das Lontras (SLO) and the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Serra Bonita (SBO). The species richness of each area was compared to that of the other two, and together to other areas of Atlantic coastal forest in Bahia and southeastern Brazil. For all three areas, a total of 1129 species in 467 genera and 124 families were found. Trees represented 46.9% of the species, followed by herbs (20.1%), epiphytes (19.5%), and vines and lianas (13.5%). The families Araceae, Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, and Solanaceae showed the highest species richness for the three areas together. The genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) had the highest number of species for all three areas (21 spp.), followed by Miconia (20 spp.), Solanum (20 spp.), Piper (19 spp.), Ocotea (16 spp.), Leandra (16 spp.), Peperomia (15 spp.), and Myrcia (14 spp.). The results confirm the high species diversity of angiosperms in southern Bahia and demonstrate for the first time the presence of species characteristic of montane regions of southeastern Brazil in this region.