Mexican Vasular Epiphytes:Richness And Distribution

The first complete checklist of the Mexican vascular epiphytes is presented, accompanied by data relating to its geographical distribution by state, elevational range, endemism, life form and type of vegetation in which each species can be found. Based on the review of herbarium specimens and specialized literature, as well as in the collection of botanical material in several regions of the country, we determined that the vascular epiphytes of Mexico are integrated by 24 orders, 37 families, 253 genera, and 1,813 species, of which 583 are endemic to the country. The families with the highest specific richness are Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Piperaceae, while the genera with the highest number of taxa are Tillandsia, Epidendrum, and Peperomia. Only one gymnosperm, Ceratozamia tenuis, was registered as epiphyte. The types of vegetation that harbor the greatest richness are the cloud forest with 1,079 species and the Quercus forest with 837. One hundred eighty-six species are found in some category of the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.