Taxonomy and conservation of the genus Lymania (Bromeliaceae) in the southern Bahian Atlantic Forest of Brazil

A taxonomic revision of Lymania Read is presented, including a key to the species, descriptions, conservation status, notes, and specimens examined, as well as illustrations, photographs, and distribution maps. One species, Aechmea brachycaulis, is resurrected out of synonymy under Lymania corallina, resulting in one new combination: Lymania brachycaulis (E. Morren ex Baker) L.F.Sousa, comb. nov. As recognized here, the genus Lymania comprises nine species, eight of which are endemic to southern Bahia, Brazil. The conservation status of each species is evaluated using World Conservation Union (IUCN) guidelines/criteria, and categories of threat are proposed. Five of the nine species are considered to be 'Critically Endangered', three 'Endangered', and one 'Vulnerable'. (c) 2008 The Linnean Society of London.