Floristic inventory of Melastomataceae of the Iguaçu National Park, Paraná, Brazil

A floristic inventory of the Melastomataceae family within Iguaçu National Park, Brazil, reveals 17 species across four genera, with nine new records for the park. The study highlights significant diversity, including six endemic species to Brazil, four restricted to the southern and southeastern regions. Notably, Miconia leaeichleri was documented for the first time in western Paraná, suggesting under-explored biodiversity in this region. The research sampled three areas over ten months, distinguishing between Seasonal Semideciduous Forest (SSF) and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF), uncovering distinct species distributions: seven species were common to both forest types, while six and four were exclusive to MOF and SSF, respectively. This inventory underscores the ecological importance of Melastomataceae, particularly as pioneers and zoochoric species vital for Atlantic Forest regeneration.

Wink, J. G., Goldenberg, R., Lima, L. C. P., Conceição, L. H. S. d. M., Caxambu, M. G., & Temponi, L. G. (2024). Floristic inventory of Melastomataceae of the Iguaçu National Park, Paraná, Brazil. Rodriguésia, 75. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202475019