Areas of endemism of magnoliophyta in the State of Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Background: The Balsas Basin (BB) and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) provinces stand out for their floristic richness and endemism. Documenting the distribution of its endemic flora will provide elements to assess its sensitivity to the modification of their environment. Questions: Does the distribution analysis of the endemic Magnoliophyta species in Mexico identify areas of endemism in the Morelos state? Does the spatial distribution of these species in Morelos make it possible to identify areas of endemism on a finer scale? Objectives: Identify areas of endemism at a national level and Morelos using Magnoliophyta species endemic to Mexico and occurring in the BB and the TMVB. Species under study: 874 species of Magnoliophyta endemic to Mexico. Study site: Mexico and the state of Morelos. Methods: 13,791 records of 874 Magnoliophyta species were used, and through the NDM/VNDM program an Endemicity Analysis was carried out to identify areas of endemism in the country and the Morelos state. Results: Four areas of endemism located in the center of the country were identified, Morelos being part of them. In Morelos, four areas of endemism were also found, which concentrate 17 % of the endemism used in the analysis. Three areas were located within the TMVB and another in the BB. Conclusions: The flora of Morelos is part of a large area of endemism in central Mexico. The areas of endemism identified in Morelos concentrate species whose conservation should be a priority since they are not registered for the decreed protected natural areas.