Priority areas to collect germplasm ofMalacomeles(Rosaceae) in Mexico based on diversity and species richness indices

Abstract

The genusMalacomeles(Decne.) G. N. Jones (RosaceaesubtribePyrinae) represents several fruit shrubs, which is mainly distributed in North and Central America, from southern USA to Honduras and Guatemala, although the main distribution of this genus is in Mexico. Five species of the genusMalacomeleshave been reported to exist in Mexico.Malacomelesis widely distributed in several mountainous ranges in Mexico, although it is unknown where most of the diversity of theMalacomelesgenus is located in the country. The aim of this biogeographic study was to determine the areas of highest diversity of the genusMalacomelesin Mexico based on species richness and diversity indices in order to identify the best regions of Mexico to collect germplasm. The results indicated that most of the diversity of the genusMalacomelesis concentrated in northeast Mexico, mainly in the biogeographic province of Sierra Madre Oriental. In this province, the highest values on three biodiversity indices were found. Thus, this area can be considered as the priority area to collect the germplasm ofMalacomeles.M. denticulatais the predominant and the most interesting species in Mexico from the viewpoint of collecting plant genetic resources; this species is mainly distributed in the provinces of Trans-Mexican Volcanic Axis, Mexican Plateau and Sierra Madre del Sur, where secondary priority areas to collect germplasm are located.