Richness and endemism of Lauraceae in Paraná: Phytogeographical aspects and priority areas for conservation

Abstract Lauraceae are among the three main families of the arboreal component of the forests in Paraná, being a frequent element in phytosociological and biogeographic studies. In spite of this, the family remains insufficiently known in the state. Our aims were: to recognize the species of Lauraceae in Paraná, relating them to the phytogeographic units; map the regions with the greatest species richness and concentration of endemisms; identify complementarity areas and compare them with the priority areas for conservation. We used collection records from 23 national herbaria, totaling 3,332 specimens analyzed, plotting their geographic coordinates onto the phytogeographic map of the state. We found that there are 76 species in Paraná, of which eleven are cited for the first time in the state. The Atlantic Rainforest contains the largest number of species (59 spp.), followed by the Araucaria Rainforest (31 spp.), Semideciduous Forest (23 spp.), Savanna (9 spp.), and Grasslands (2 spp.). The Serra do Mar and Ribeira Valley regions have the highest concentration of species, as well as the highest index of endemism. The Lauráceas State Park is a strategic conservation unit, because it houses two thirds of the species of Paraná, including seven endemic.