An updated checklist of lycophytes and ferns for Ceará State, Brazil

ABSTRACT As very few studies have focused on the ferns and lycophytes of Ceará State, Brazil, our research aims to examine and update the diversity and distribution of these taxa, as part of the “Flora do Ceará project: knowing to conserve.” The research was carried out through field trips, bibliographic surveys, and analyses of specimens in situ and by virtual herbaria. A total of 197 infrageneric taxa belonging to 76 genera and 28 families have been recorded for Ceará. Our investigation revealed 50 additional occurrences for the State compared to the Flora and Funga of Brazil project. The species occur predominantly in the Semideciduous Seasonal Forest (139 species, ~70%). The species were recorded in 13 legally constituted Conservation Areas, with the Serra de Baturité Environmental Protection Area standing out (61 species).