Cactaceae in a priority area for conservation in Espírito Santo state

Abstract

The Central Mountain Region of Espírito Santo state is located in the Atlantic Forest domain in eastern Brazil, which is the third largest center of diversity and endemism for Cactaceae. The state has 42 native species and 13 genera of this family. The aim of this study was to conduct a floristic-taxonomic study of Cactaceae in the Central Mountain Region of Espírito Santo, an area of extreme priority for conservation of Atlantic Forest biodiversity. Field trips were carried out between November 2013 and February 2016, with some additional collections and herbarium specimens were assessed. Twenty-two native species of Cactaceae were recorded for the region, which belong to the genera Coleocephalocereus (2), Epiphyllum (1), Hatiora (2), Lepismium (2), Pereskia (1), Rhipsalis (12), Schlumbergera (1) and Selenicereus (1). Of these species, 18 are epiphytes, 12 are rupicolous and 2 are climbers, some of them exhibiting more than one life-form. Two species are endemic to the state and eleven are assessed as threatened species regionally. This study contributes to improve what is known about Cactaceae in Espírito Santo state.

Key words Atlantic Forest; Central Mountain Region; Eastern Brazil; flora; Rhipsalideae; taxonomy