The major diversity centre for Neotropical Turneraceae

Abstract

The Neotropical country where the Turneraceae are best represented is Brazil; 82% of the American species are native, and 73% of them are endemic to this country. The most diverse states are Bahia, Minas Gerais and Goias. Within this area the ´ diversity – in terms of number of species – was analysed at a level of one degree square, taking into account the phytogeographic domains (biomes) recognized in Brazil. The distribution of endemic and rare species was also explored. The major centre of diversity is located in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, inside the biome ‘Caatinga’, but there are hotspots in Minas Gerais and Goias, within the biome ‘Cerrado’. The biome with highest number of endemic species is the ´ ‘Cerrado’, followed by the ‘Caatinga’.