Abstract

SABAS-ROSALES, José Luciano; SOSA-RAMIREZ, Joaquín  and  LUNA-RUIZ, José de Jesús. Diversity, distribution and basic habitat characterization of the Oaks (Quercus: Fagaceae) of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Bot. sci [online]. 2015, vol.93, n.4, pp.881-897. ISSN 2007-4476.  https://doi.org/10.17129/botsci.205.

Quercus (Fagaceae) is one of the genera with greatest ecological and economic importance worldwide. Mexico is the most diverse regarding this genus; unfortunately many of these species are under adverse conditions, and some labeled as endangered species. San Luis Potosi is one of the most diverse states in Mexico. All things considered, this work focuses in: a) a survey of the oak species in San Luis Potosi, b) to point out features of oak distribution in the state, and c) show the basic characterization of their habitat. To accomplish that, we performed an exhaustive review of selected herbaria, which was complemented with collections and field observations. Our results show that the genus Quercus in San Luis Potosi is represented by 45 taxa, nine of which are new records for the state: Quercus canbyi, Q. furfuracea, Q. lancifolia, Q. mcvaughii, Q. viminea, Q. sapotifolia, Q. magnoliifolia, Q. galeanensis, Q. opaca and Q. saltillensis. Oak species where found in: a) 28 different plant communities, b) 21 climatic types, c) nine soil types, d) 20 rock types; and from 90 to 2,908 m a.s.l. in 38 municipalities. The environmental heterogeneity and the existence of potential diversification centers, are probably the most determinant factors of the high oak diversity in the state. San Luis Potosi positions itself in the second place nationwide regarding oak diversity, tied with Jalisco, and only outnumbered by Oaxaca with 51 species.

Keywords : Altitudinal interval; climates; phytogeography; plant communities; rock types; soil types.

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