Diversity, endemism and conservation status of native Mexican woody bamboos (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae)

Native Mexican woody bamboos (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae) are classified in subtribes Arthrostylidiinae, Chusqueinae and Guaduinae. They grow from sea level up to 3200 m along the main mountain ranges and occupy different vegetation types. The aims of this study were to: identify the areas with the most species diversity; detect areas of endemism; and discuss the conservation status of the native Mexican woody bamboos. We gathered presence records for 51 Mexican woody bamboo species, based on herbarium records and personal collections. Richness was analysed taking into account: Mexican political divisions; biogeographical regions and provinces; a grid cell size of 55 x 55 km; and elevation. Areas of endemism were obtained using endemicity analysis. Thirty-five of the 51 species are endemic to Mexico. Chiapas has 24 species, followed by Veracruz with 19 and Oaxaca with 16. However, Veracruz harbours the greatest number of endemics with 14 species, followed by Oaxaca with 13 and Chiapas with 11. The Veracruzan province has the highest species richness with 20 species, followed by Chiapas Highlands and Sierra Madre del Sur with 19 species each. Twenty-six of the 35 endemic species were known only from ten or fewer sites, and eight of the 26 species are considered to be Critically Endangered.