Lamiaceae richness and distribution in the state of Durango, Mexico

Abstract

Mexico is one of the diversification centers of Lamiaceae, granting it a wide range of research opportunities on phytochemistry and ecological-evolutionary models, among others. Nonetheless, shortcomings on the taxonomic and biogeographic knowledge of the family compromise such opportunities, due to this, it is essential to address these gaps and to carry on botanical exploration in priority areas. The present study contributes to this by means of the inventory and distribution analysis of Lamiaceae in Durango by different units, political, natural and cells of a defined area. As a result, 2,888 herbarium specimens representing 18 genera and 103 species were examined. The general richness and number of endemic species, as well as those by cell, and the cells with higher priority by their complementarity, were concentrated along the Sierra Madre Occidental, primarily on the western and southern portions, in temperate forests and between 1,900-2,500 m in elevation. Finally, it was found that the current system of protected natural and priority areas for conservation in Durango contains a low percentage of the Lamiaceae richness and endemism; therefore, it is recommended to implement analyses with plant taxa characteristic of the different ecological affinities of Durango's Flora to evaluate the performance of these conservation strategies and to propose complementary methods.