Insights on underestimated Lentibulariaceae diversity in northeastern Brazil: new records and notes on distribution, diversity and endemism in the family

Abstract

Here we present 36 new records of 22 species of Lentibulariaceae from northeastern Brazil, expanding their distribution range and providing taxonomic, habitat and phenological comments, in addition to distribution maps and photographs of living specimens. Rio Grande do Norte is the state with the highest number of new records (12), followed by Alagoas, with eight. This is the first insight on the actual richness of the family in the region, and some species show interesting disjunct distributions and habitat restrictions. Only one species treated here is endemic to northeastern Brazil, ten species seem to be restricted to lowland white-sand wetlands, and three are restricted to high altitudes in campos rupestres or in campos de altitude. The remaining ones have a wider distribution. Our data support previous hypotheses on plant dispersal and past connections between Brazilian vegetation formations, shedding light for future studies on the dispersal history and biogeography of Lentibulariaceae.