Overview of the systematics and diversity of Poales in the Neotropics with emphasis on the Brazilian flora

Abstract

Poales represents a major part of Angiosperm and Monocot diversity. The families encompass ca. 20,000 species which is about 7% of the Angiosperms and 33% of the Monocots. Bromeliaceae, Cyperaceae, Eriocaulaceae, Juncaceae, Mayacaceae, Poaceae, Rapateaceae, Thurniaceae, Typhaceae, and Xyridaceae are the families represented in the Neotropics. In general terms some areas in the Neotropics could be considered hotspots for Poales with a high number of species in several genera and several centers of endemism-the Guayana Shield, Espinhaço Range and Atlantic Forest are highly diverse in Poales. In terms of the Brazilian flora, the order is well represented in the entire country with almost 4,400 species. It represents more than 50% of the total number of species of Monocotyledons in Brazil. The main goal here is to summarize the available information and provide an overview of the Poales in the Neotropics. The state of knowledge for each family, focused on the Brazilian flora, is provided and reinforces the importance of new studies in key-groups looking beyond the understanding of their diversity on the continent but also the conservation of the species.

Sugar Loaf Landin south-eastern Brazil: a centre of diversity for mat-forming bromeliads on inselbergs

“…The floristic survey, cluster analysis and models achieved for the potential distribution of Bromeliaceae occurring on lowland inselbergs indicate the existence of a particular phytogeographical region in the Atlantic Forest domain in south‐eastern Brazil, which is dominated by sugar loafs, which we name Sugar Loaf Land . It is already well known that members of the Bromeliaceae are almost exclusively Neotropical (Luther, ), showing high rates of species richness in tropical rainforests and extraordinary endemism at higher elevations (Benzing, ; Givnish et al ., ; Alves et al ., ). Moreover, eastern Brazil has already been identified as a centre of diversity and endemism for the family (Smith, ), and this is mainly a result of the Atlantic Forest, a worldwide hotspot (Myers et al ., ), which seems to be crucial in the evolution of Bromeliaceae (Smith & Downs, ; Benzing, ; Martinelli et al ., ; Givnish et al ., ).…”

Responses of antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates in micropropagated Pitcairnia encholirioides L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae) under ex vitro water deficit and after rehydration

“…The Atlantic Forest is one of the major centers of diversity for Bromeliaceae, holding ca. 900 species (Alves et al, 2015). Such bromeliads have restricted distributions, reduced populations and high specificity of habitats, factors that, together with the accelerated loss of native vegetation and exacerbated extractivism, are responsible for the decrease of natural populations and have pushed numerous species close to extinction (Pereira et al, 2008;Forzza et al, 2013).…”

Propagation of Dyckia vicentensis, an endemic bromeliad of the Pampa biome, Brazil

“…Currently, this family is widely distributed in the American continent. In Brazil, the bromeliads include 43 genera and 1,341 species (Forzza et al 2014;Alves et al 2015), which represent almost 40% of the diversity of the family.…”

“…The Bromeliaceae family is also characterized by high ecological value and degree of endemism since 1,172 species are endemic to Brazil (Alves et al 2015). However, this family is the second plant group in absolute number of endangered species (202 spp.)…”

“…However, this family is the second plant group in absolute number of endangered species (202 spp.) (Rio Grande do Sul 2014; Alves et al 2015). The main threats to bromeliads are the loss of habitats due to the degradation of native forests, since most have epiphytic habit, and the predatory removal of individuals in nature (Santos et al 2005) for commercialization.…”