Program Presenter: Dr. Ivon M. Ramirez Morillo
Ivón M. Ramírez Morillo
Biologist graduated from the Central University of Venezuela, with a Master’s and Doctorate in systematics, ecology and evolution at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, USA. Currently, she is Professor-Researcher of the Scientific Research Center of Yucatán, A. C. in Mérida, Yucatán since January 1997. Member of the National System of Researchers at Level 2. SHe has published more than 170 articles, 19 book chapters, and three books, related to flora, systematics, phylogeny, phylogeography, genetic diversity and taxonomy in various plant families, mainly Orchidaceae and in particular, Bromeliaceae. He has described 96 new species of plants and two genera, and carried out 30 transfers of genera. Of the new species, 37 are bromeliads, in
particular 16 of Hechtia, a genus endemic to Megamexico, but with 95% of its species in Mexico. It has graduated 6 doctoral students, 12 master’s degrees and 10 bachelor’s degrees.
Presentation: Bromeliads of Mexico
Mexican Bromeliaceae
Mexico is one of the countries considered a “megadiverse” country, and is part of a group of 17 countries that have the greatest diversity of animals and plants. Among all these countries, almost 70% of the world’s species diversity is represented (considering the most studied groups: amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and vascular plants). The main criterion for belonging to the group of megadiverse countries is endemism. The Mexican flora consists of more than 23,314 species with a level of endemism greater than 40%, among which families such as cacti with 850 species (84% endemic) and orchids with 920 species (48% endemic) stand out, as well as the genus Pinus with 48 species (43% endemic). This number of species places Mexico as the country with the fourth largest floristic richness in the world. Bromeliaceae is the 11th most diverse family on plants in Mexico, with ca. 440 species (12% of the species in the family), organized in 19 of the 84 (22%) accepted genera. The endemism of Bromeliaceae is ca. 76 %, being the lergest genera Tillandsia, Hechtia and Pitcairnia.
We will see plants in habitats of all genera present in Mexico, I hope you enjoy the talk!
Meeting Date:
Third Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at 7:00pm (ZOOM login/social time at 6:30 p.m.)
Meeting Place: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center., 1475 West Gray St., Houston, TX 77019 and on zoom.
As per usual:
- Refreshment duties reserved for last names M-Z!
- RAFFLE TIME! Bring a plant for the raffle and or come and gets some raffle plants – this is a great way to grow your collection
- Bring a plant for show & tell
- Just come and hang out!