ABSTRACT
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three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data.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.
ABSTRACT
This study was performed in a remnant of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest at Fazenda Fortaleza de Sant'Anna, in the municipality of Chácara, Minas Gerais, Brazil (22.0129S, 43.8628W), in an area of ca. 1 ha, via monthly expeditions throughout the year 2012. We found 91 species of vascular epiphytes, distributed in 44 genera and 12 families. The richest families were Orchidaceae (35 spp.), Bromeliaceae (18 spp.), Polypodiaceae (10 spp.), Piperaceae (nine spp.) and Araceae (seven spp.). Two species were recorded for the first time in Minas Gerais: Rodriguezia sticta and Stelis oligantha (Orchidaceae). Rhipsalis oblonga (Cactaceae) was recollected in the state after about 100 years without records. Four species are cited in the list of endangered plants in Minas Gerais: Nematanthus crassifolius (Gesneriaceae) and Cattleya bicolor (Orchidaceae) are in the category "Vulnerable" (VU), Nidularium azureum (Bromeliaceae) and Pleurothallis pectinata (Orchidaceae) are "Critically Endangered" (CR). Nidularium azureum is also cited as CR in the Red Book of Brazilian Flora. Most species were classified as characteristic holoepiphytes and anemochory was the most frequent dispersion syndrome.
O estudo foi realizado em um remanescente de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, na Fazenda Fortaleza de Sant'Anna, município de Chácara, Minas Gerais, Brasil (22,0129S, 43,8628W), em uma área aproximada de 1 ha, através de expedições mensais durante o ano de 2012. Foram encontradas 91 espécies de epífitas vasculares, distribuídas em 44 gêneros e 12 famílias. As famílias mais ricas foram Orchidaceae (35 spp.), Bromeliaceae (18 spp.), Polypodiaceae (10 spp.), Piperaceae (nove spp.) e Araceae (sete spp.). Duas espécies foram registradas pela primeira vez para Minas Gerais: Rodriguezia sticta e Stelis oligantha (Orchidaceae). Rhipsalis oblonga (Cactaceae) foi recoletada no estado depois de cerca de 100 anos sem registros. Quatro espécies estão presentes na lista de plantas ameaçadas de extinção em Minas Gerais: Nematanthus crassifolius (Gesneriaceae) e Cattleya bicolor (Orchidaceae) na categoria "Vulnerável" (VU), Nidularium azureum (Bromeliaceae) e Pleurothallis pectinata (Orchidaceae) como "Criticamente em Perigo" (CR). Nidularium azureum também é citado como CR no Livro Vermelho da Flora do Brasil. A maioria das espécies foi classificada como holoepífita característica e a síndrome de dispersão mais frequente foi a anemocoria.
