The family Melastomataceae in the municipality of Rio de Contas, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Rio de Contas is located in the southwestern portion of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, with 1,052.3 km2 and 600-1,958m in elevation, with several kinds of vegetation. This work presents a checklist and geographical distribution of the Melastomataceae that occur in Rio de Contas. Collections were made in different kinds of vegetation in the study area, and we also analyzed specimems from Brazilian herbaria. Melastomataceae is one of most representative families in Rio de Contas, with approximately 123 species distributed in four tribes and 17 genera. The tribe Microlicieae is represented by the genera Microlicia Don (36 species), Cambessedesia DC. (seven), Lavoisiera DC. and Chaetostoma DC. (three species each), Trembleya DC. and Rhynchanthera DC. (two species each). The tribe Miconieae is represented by Miconia Ruiz & Pav. (19 species), Leandra Raddi (12), Clidemia D. Don (five) and Ossaea (one). The tribe Melastomeae is represented by the genera Marcetia DC. (18 species), Pterolepis Miq. (four), Tibouchina Aubl. (five), Acisanthera P.Browne (two), Desmoscelis Naud. and Macairea DC. (one species each). The tribe Merianieae is represented by the genus Huberia DC. (one species). Comparison was made to a similar studies in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Distrito Federal and Goiás states. Rio de Contas presents the highest correlation to the Catolés region, also in the southwestern Chapada Diamantina (BA).