Vascular Epiphytic on Ten Phorophytes from the Yungas of Northwestern Argentina, with a Focus on Ferns
Keywords:
Cloud Forest, Forophytes, Polypodiaceae, YungasAbstract
Vascular epiphytes are key components of the species richness in tropical rainforests, significantly contributing to both biodiversity and ecosystem structure. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of vascular epiphytes associated with ten phorophyte species in the Yungas biogeographic region of northwestern Argentina. Five to ten phorophytes with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 30 cm were sampled across five localities: La Caldera (camino de cornisa), Calilegua National Park, Potrero de Yala, Quebrada de San Lorenzo, and Tiraxi. A total of 47 epiphytic species were recorded, 18 of which were ferns. The Polypodiaceae family exhibited the highest diversity within the epiphytic ferns. The most frequent species found on the sampled phorophytes were Campyloneurum aglaolepis, Microgramma squamulosa, and Pleopeltis tweedieana. The phorophytes hosting the greatest epiphyte diversity were Cedrela angustifolia, Tipuana tipu, Erythrina falcata, and Ocotea porphyria, whereas Nectandra angustifolia and Zanthoxylum coco supported the lowest diversity. Additionally, 76% of the recorded epiphytes predominantly inhabit the inner canopy of the phorophytes.
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