Paula et al. 2016 (Article) Brazil

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

Author(s):—L.F.A. Paula, R.C. Forzza, A.V. Neri, M.L. Bueno & S. Porembski

Publication:—Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 181(3): 459–476. (2016) — DOI

Abstract:—Inselbergs sensu lato are isolated, mainly granitic and gneissic, rock outcrops, forming old landscape elements on
crystalline continental shields on all continents. Mats consisting mainly of monocots occur on open rocky slopes,
forming a conspicuous habitat on these outcrops. Brazilian lowland inselbergs consist of species-rich mats with
large numbers of endemics and Bromeliaceae standing out as characteristic elements in these communities. For
the first time, we provide a checklist of mat-forming bromeliads on lowland inselbergs in Brazil and investigate
whether the regional species pool influences the species diversity of inselberg mats. Furthermore, through
modelling analysis, we looked for the potential distribution of bromeliads endemic to inselbergs, expecting that
they would show a narrower niche width than non-endemic species. Our data indicate the existence of a
particular phytogeographical region in the Atlantic Forest in south-eastern Brazil, comprising inselbergs
harbouring a highly diverse flora of Bromeliaceae, which we call Sugar Loaf Land. In addition, our projections
reveal smaller predicted areas for bromeliads endemic to inselbergs compared with non-endemic species, the
former apparently being mainly controlled by climatic factors. In addition to climate and regional species pools,
the island-like character of inselbergs seems to play an important role in the speciation of rupicolous
Bromeliaceae.

Keywords:—Atlantic Forest, Bromeliaceae, Caatinga, conservation, endemics, monocot mats, rock outcrops, rupicolous plants