Angiosperm Checklist of Espírito Santo: Using electronic tools to improve the knowledge of an Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

A checklist of angiosperm species for the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil is presented. A total of 6,204 native species was recorded, representing an increase of 16% in species richness for the area. Espírito Santo shelters 32% of the native species of Brazil's Atlantic Forest and holds 516 endemic species (8.3% of the total registered taxa for the State). Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae are the families with highest number of endemic species (142 spp. and 80 spp., respectively), followed by Myrtaceae (33 spp.), Melastomataceae (30 spp.), and Araceae (23 spp.). This paper represents an important landmark for future research in plant diversity in Espírito Santo, and highlights the importance of consulting online databases in order to update the knowledge presented by the Brazilian flora checklist.