Resumo

GARCIA-RUBIO, Luz Adriana et al. Geographical distribution of Hylocereus (Cactaceae) in Mexico. Bot. sci [online]. 2015, vol.93, n.4, pp.921-939. ISSN 2007-4476.  https://doi.org/10.17129/botsci.282.

Hylocereus is an American genus with horticultural importance for its edible fruits. In Mexico several species of Hylocereus grow. However their distributions are not fully understood. Therefore, it is required to extend this knowledge. With this objective species richness and distribution geographical patterns were analyzed. Voucher specimens of twelve national herbaria were reviewed and field collections were made. Based on 437 georeferenced records and using a Geographic Information System, we identified the biogeographical provinces and ecological conditions the plants grow in. Hylocereus ocamponis, H. purpusii, H. undatus, and H. aff. escuintlensis were identified. Jalisco, Chiapas and Oaxaca had the largest number of records and along with Michoacán and Guerrero showed the greatest species richness. Further, the Mexican Pacific Coast was the richest biogeographical province, the four taxa were found there. Hylocereus purpusii, H. ocamponis and H. undatus converged at the Transmexican Volcanic Belt. Meanwhile, H. aff. escuntlensis and H. undatus occurred at the Chiapas province. Hylocereus grows in temperate, warm and very warm climates. Moreover, H. undatus exhibited the greatest ecological range, but H. aff. escuintlensis showed the narrowest, and Hylocereus ocamponis and H. purpusii coexist in similar ecological conditions.

Palavras-chave : biogeography; GIS; Mexico; pitahaya; species richness.

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