Checklist of Angiosperms of a Cerrado Environmental Protection Area in the State of Maranhao, Brazil: floristic composition and new occurrences

This study presents an updated checklist of angiosperms from the Inhamum Municipal Environmental Protection Area (IMEPA), municipality of Caxias, a strategic area for understanding the Cerrado flora in the State of Maranhao, Brazil. The data presented provides information on the most representative taxa, number of collections, physiognomies of occurrence, life forms, endemicity to Brazil, new records for the State and a floristic similarity analysis with other Cerrado areas in this State. A total of 16 field excursions were carried out from January 2018 to June 2019, with random collections of fertile specimens made mostly on trails. We found 228 species of angiosperms distributed in 148 genera and 50 families. The most representative family was Leguminosae, with 54 species and 33 genera. Cyperus (Cyperaceae) was the most representative genus with seven species. A total of 40 species are endemic to Brazil, and ten are new occurrences for the State of Maranhao. The similarity analysis showed that the composition of angiosperm species from IMEPA is closer to that from the Buriti do Meio Environmental Protection Area, another conservation unit located in the same mesoregion within the State of Maranhao. Nonetheless, low similarity values were recorded, demonstrating an exclusive local richness in the analyzed areas. This study contributed to the knowledge of the Cerrado flora from the State of Maranhao, filling in the Cerrado diversity gaps in Northern Brazil.

Automated summary

This study presents an updated checklist of angiosperms from the Inhamum Municipal Environmental Protection Area (IMEPA) in Caxias, Maranhao, Brazil. The data provides information on the most representative taxa, number of collections, occurrence patterns, and endemicity of the species. The analysis also reveals the floristic similarity between IMEPA and other Cerrado areas in the state. The study contributes to filling the biodiversity gaps in Northern Brazil and expanding the understanding of the Cerrado flora in Maranhao.