Diversidad, distribución y estrategias para la conservación de las Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) en Oaxaca

Abstract

The objectives of this paper were to locate the geographic areas with the highest diversity of Pleurothallidinae in Oaxaca, as well as their habitat preferences in order to call attention to preserve these zones. A database was constructed based on herbarium collections and literature. Localities were georeferenced and mapped. From 399 localities where species of this group were present a total of 120 species, and 2 subspecies that belong 13 genera were recorded for Oaxaca; 32 of them are endemic, and 12 are at risk. The cloud forest is the habitat with the highest number of Pleurothallidinae species. Anathallis oblanceolata and Lepanthes nigriscapa, two endemic species to Oaxaca, are probably extinct. Sierra Norte and Los Chimalapas harbor more localities for Pleurothallidinae in comparison with other areas, so that they are proposed as conservation priority areas for this orchid group.