Asteraceae in the northern Espinhaço Range, Brazil: richness, endemism and conservation

ABSTRACT

Floristic inventories focussing on the Espinhaço Range have revealed an extensive diversity for Asteraceae and emphasize the high degree of endemism of its species. This study aims to explore the species-rich Asteraceae through a floristic survey, and by identifying endemic records for the municipality of Morro do Chapéu, Bahia. Samples were collected during six field trips in different phytophysiognomies and approximately 1,400 exsiccatae from the main herbaria collections were examined. Asteraceae in Morro do Chapéu is represented by 18 tribes, 72 genera and 119 species. Eupatorieae and Vernonieae are the most species rich tribes and currently comprise 30 and 28 species, respectively, representing 50 % of the local Asteraceae flora. Baccharis represents the richest genus with seven species, followed by Lepidaploa and Mikania with six species each. Species belonging to Eupatorieae, namely Acritopappus santosii, Acritopappus sp. nov., Lapidia apicifolia, Stylotrichium edmundoi, Scherya bahiensis, Trichogonia tombadorensis and, additionally, a new species of Vernonieae, Stilpnopappus sp. nov., are endemic to the municipality. We provide a checklist and identification key for the species, and report the occurrence of endemism and their importance for the biological conservation.

Keywords
Campos rupestres; Chapada Diamantina; Compositae; Espinhaço Range; floristic survey