Background:

The Order Commelinales includes five families, 68 genera, and ca. 780 species worldwide; in Mexico, is represented by Commelinaceae, Haemodoraceae and Pontederiaceae. Aguascalientes is located in the center-north region of Mexico, represents an area of floristic transition, between the Mexican Xerophytic region and the Mesoamerican Mountain region, and counts with the families Commelinaceae and Pontederiaceae.

Questions and/or Hypothesis:

What is the diversity of Commelinales in Aguascalientes? What is the distribution of its species?

Studied species:

Species of Commelinales in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Study site and dates:

Aguascalientes, Mexico. July 2013 to October 2015.

Methods:

Fifty-two field trips were conducted sampling 142 collection points. A total of 167 specimens were processed and identified with the support of specialist and specialized literature. Additionally, herbaria material from of the region was reviewed and distribution maps were elaborated.

Results:

Eight genera and 23 species of Commelinales are reported for Aguascalientes, of which six genera and 20 species belong to Commelinaceae, and two genera and three species to Pontederiaceae; eight species are endemic of Mexico; two genera and six species are new records for Aguascalientes; Tradescantia hirsutiflora Bush is a new record for Mexico. Commelinaceae is mainly distributed in the north-eastern part of the state, predominantly in subtropical scrub, whereas Pontederiaceae are aquatic and is mainly distributed in the south-eastern part.

Conclusions:

This study increases and updates the number of species for Commelinales in Aguascalientes and Mexico, as well as the distribution and types of vegetation in which they are found.

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