Epiphytes are hyper‐diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non‐vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer‐reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non‐vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non‐vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events.

Harsh weather and natural enemies are the two main causes of colony abandonment by social wasps. The selection of nesting sites with characteristics that provide shelter from these threats is therefore a key factor for colony survival. Our study aimed to understand the selection and association between social wasps and nesting substrate. Data collection was carried out between February 2011 and February 2014 in an urban fragment named Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, in the southeastern part of Minas Gerais. In order to assess the type of substrate used, we divided them into natural vegetative substrates and man-made substrates. Five-day sampling campaigns were carried out monthly, in which the colonies found were photographed and their distance from the ground and substrate were catalogued. Colonies were generally more abundant during the rainy season. Colonies in man-made substrates were recorded in greater frequencies in heights between two and five metres, while for vegetal substrates these heights were usually below two metres. We observed that independent-founding social wasps in an emergent ecosystem tend to nest in man-made substrates and, generally, in exotic plants, which highlights the importance of such substrates in maintaining the colonies.

This study aimed to analyze patterns of richness and distribution of Cactaceae in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SM), a mountain range located in Southeast Brazil, and assess its conservation status. We compiled distribution data from the literature and 16 herbaria and plotted it on a map divided into grid squares of 0.5°. Richness, collection effort and similarity among grid squares were analyzed for the 33 taxa recorded in SM (five of which are endemic). Maciço do Itatiaia (in southern SM), Serra do Brigadeiro and Serra do Caparaó (in northern SM) are the richest areas. Collection effort and richness were correlated (R²=0.75). Similarity analysis revealed five clusters, one of which is composed of high elevation areas with a vegetation mosaic; the remaining clusters lack biogeographic significance, and are mainly composed of widely distributed species. Ten species had no records in any state or national conservation unit of integral protection, at least two of which are threatened with extinction. Species of Cactaceae deserve attention because several taxa are threatened and/or endemic, and because the majority of SM is environmentally degraded. These findings highlight the need for urgent conservation actions for the local biodiversity of SM.

Apresenta-se o estudo taxonômico de Cactaceae na Serra Negra, Minas Gerais. A família está representada na área por cinco gêneros e nove espécies, listados a seguir: Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. magnus, Hatiora salicornioides, Lepismium houlletianum, Opuntia monacantha, Rhipsalis elliptica, R. floccosa subsp. pulvinigera, R. juengeri, R. lindbergiana e R. pilocarpa, sendo a primeira e a última consideradas ameaçadas de extinção na flora de Minas Gerais. Ainda deve ser destacado o fato de que Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. magnus teve o conhecimento de sua área de distribuição ampliada, pois era considerada endêmica do Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca. Os dados apresentados demonstram que a conservação de áreas como a Serra Negra, uma área atualmente não protegida, é de suma importância. Esta região vem sofrendo distúrbios devido a frequente visitação desorganizada, acompanhada de coleta ilegal de plantas, assim como transformação de remanescentes florestais e áreas de campo em áreas de pastagem aumentando o status de ameaça que já atinge algumas das espécies ali encontradas. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos e ecológicos para as espécies.

Apresenta-se a flora de Cactaceae no Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brasil. A família está representada na área por cinco gêneros e 14 espécies, listadas a seguir: Hatiora salicornioides, Lepismium houlletianum, Pereskia aculeata, Rhipsalis agudoensis, R. campos-portoana, R. elliptica, R. floccosa subsp. pulvinigera, R. juengeri, R. neves-armondii, R. pilocarpa, R. pulchra, Schlumbergera lutea subsp. lutea, S. microsphaerica e S. opuntioides. Cinco espécies estão classificadas em diferentes categorias de ameaça. Os dados apresentados demonstram que a conservação e manutenção desta Unidade de Conservação de proteção integral é de suma importância para fornecer subsídios para o conhecimento das Cactaceae para a flora do Brasil. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições morfológicas, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos e ecológicos para as espécies.