Carvalho et al. 2024b (Article) Amazon, Brazil

Pitcairnia L' Hér (Bromeliaceae-Pitcairnioideae) diversity and distribution in the Brazilian Amazon

Author(s):—B.M. Carvalho, D.P. Saraiva, T. Bochorny & R.C. Forzza

Publication:—Biodiversity Data Journal 12(online): e136458. (2024) — DOI

Abstract:—The Amazon Rainforest, a paramount source of global biological diversity, faces challenges due to its understudied species richness, an insufficient investment in research and escalating rates of deforestation. Thus, acquiring additional data, especially for species distributions is crucial to fill knowledge gaps and guide forthcoming research and conservation initiatives in areas that have been inadequately sampled. This study contributes to addressing these challenges by offering new insights into the diversity and distribution of Pitcairnia species in the Brazilian Amazon.We recorded 24 species of Pitcairnia for the Brazilian Amazon, of which nine species are endemic to Brazil and seven are endemic to the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Most species can be rupicolous and have distributions in the Amazon Basin that are influenced by rivers and other watercourses. One species (P. aureobrunnea Rauh) was recorded for the first time in the Brazilian Amazon and two new Pitcairnia species were discovered and are being described in separate articles, contributing to the expanding body of scientific knowledge.

Keywords:—biodiversity, bromeliads, conservation, geographical patterns, river influence, taxonomy, endemic species, species richness