Epiphytes are hyper‐diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non‐vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer‐reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non‐vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non‐vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events.

Vascular epiphytes are a diverse and conspicuous component of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forests. Yet, the patterns and drivers of epiphyte assemblages are poorly studied in comparison with soil-rooted plants. Current knowledge about diversity patterns of epiphytes mainly stems from local studies or floristic inventories, but this information has not yet been integrated to allow a better understanding of large-scale distribution patterns. EpIG-DB, the first database on epiphyte assemblages at the continental scale, resulted from an exhaustive compilation of published and unpublished inventory data from the Neotropics. The current version of EpIG-DB consists of 463,196 individual epiphytes from 3,005 species, which were collected from a total of 18,148 relevés (host trees and 'understory' plots). EpIG-DB reports the occurrence of 'true' epiphytes, hemiepiphytes and nomadic vines, including information on their cover, abundance, frequency and biomass. Most records (97%) correspond to sampled host trees, 76% of them aggregated in forest plots. The data is stored in a TURBOVEG database using the most up-to-date checklist of vascular epiphytes. A total of 18 additional fields were created for the standardization of associated data commonly used in epiphyte ecology (e.g. by considering different sampling methods). EpIG-DB currently covers six major biomes across the whole latitudinal range of epiphytes in the Neotropics but welcomes data globally. This novel database provides, for the first time, unique biodiversity data on epiphytes for the Neotropics and unified guidelines for future collection of epiphyte data. EpIG-DB will allow exploration of new ways to study the community ecology and biogeography of vascular epiphytes. K E Y W O R D S biodiversity, community ecology, database, forest plot, hemiepiphytes, Neotropics, nomadic vines, taxonomic diversity, vascular epiphytes, vegetation relevé 520 |

-(Diversity, vertical structure and floristic relationships of vascular epiphytes in an urban remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest). This study was conducted in a fragment of montane seasonal semi-deciduous forest (Minas Gerais State) with a history of anthropogenic disturbance. Our goals were to characterise the composition, structure and floristic diversity of vascular epiphytes and to investigate the floristic similarities of the community with other areas of urban seasonal forests in Brazil. We sampled 61 phorophytes with 47 epiphytic species. The richest families were Bromeliaceae (seven) and Polypodiaceae (seven). The most common ecological category was accidental holoepiphytes with 21 speciesan unprecedented result for the Neotropical region. The Shannon index was 2.95 and the Pielou evenness index 0.77, showing a relatively high diversity with a few dominant species and numerous rare species. Similarity analyses showed a longitudinal gradient and strong influence of the distance from the ocean on floristic relationships as well as influence of dense ombrophilous forests on the composition of the vascular epiphytes of the surveyed area. Keywords: accidental holoepiphytes, biodiversity hotspot, multivariate analyses, taxonomic diversity, urban forest RESUMO -(Diversidade, estrutura vertical e relações florísticas de epífitas vasculares em um remanescente urbano da Floresta Atlântica brasileira). Este estudo foi realizado em um fragmento de floresta estacional semidecidual montana (Minas Gerais) com histórico de perturbação antrópica. Os objetivos foram caracterizar a composição, estrutura e diversidade florística das epífitas vasculares e investigar a similaridade florística da comunidade com outras áreas de florestas estacionais urbanas no Brasil. Foram amostrados 61 forófitos e registradas 47 espécies de epífitas. As famílias mais ricas foram Bromeliaceae (sete) e Polypodiaceae (sete). A categoria ecológica mais comum foi a de holoepífitas acidentais com 21 espécies -um resultado inédito na Região Neotropical. O índice de Shannon foi 2,95 e o índice de uniformidade de Pielou foi 0,77, mostrando diversidade relativamente alta com certa dominância de poucas espécies, enquanto as espécies raras foram numerosas. Análises de similaridade mostraram gradiente longitudinal e forte influência da distância do oceano sobre as relações florísticas, assim como influência das florestas ombrófilas densas sobre a composição das epífitas vasculares na área estudada. Palavras-chave: análises multivariadas, diversidade taxonômica, floresta urbana, holoepífitas acidentais, "hotspot" de biodiversidade

O Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca (PEIB) está localizado a sudeste na zona da mata mineira, nos municípios de Bias Fortes, Santa Rita de Ibitipoca e Lima Duarte. Destaca-se por apresentar um mosaico de vegetação com o campo rupestre como fisionomia principal. É um dos parques mais visitados do país e sofre, por isso, uma intensa ação antrópica. Foram encontradas na área 23 espécies de Laeliinae e uma de Ponerinae (Isochilus linearis (Jacq.) R.Br.). O gênero Epidendrum é o mais rico em espécies (11 spp.), seguido por Prosthechea (3 spp.), Cattleya, Hoffmanseggella e Isabelia (2 spp. cada), Encyclia, Hadrolaelia, Isochilus e Scaphyglottis (1 sp. cada). Entre os estudos realizados com as duas subtribos em Minas Gerais, a Serra Negra e a Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural do Caraça são as localidades que apresentam o número de espécies similar ao PEIB, embora ambas com maior extensão. Dentre as espécies listadas, seis encontram-se enquadradas em alguma categoria de ameaça de extinção em Minas Gerais: Cattleya bicolor, C. loddigesii, Hadrolaelia coccinea, Hoffmannseggella caulescens, H. crispata e Isabelia violacea. No Livro Vermelho da Flora do Brasil estão citadas Hoffmannseggella caulescens e Isabelia virginalis. Foi encontrado um novo registro para o PEIB, Epidendrum aff. filicaule na borda da nanofloresta nebular. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações e comentários sobre forma de vida e particularidades morfológicas, distribuição geográfica e habitat.