Les ptéridophytes de la région de Saint-Élie (Guyane française): un exemple de biodiversité remarquable en forêt primaire de basse altitude

Abstract An extensive inventory of the Pteridophytes of the Saint-Elie area, located in the central northern half of French Guiana (Northern South America), was carried out. A total of 139 taxa were recorded, including two Thelypteris new for French Guiana. This biodiversity, particularly high for such a zone of lowland rainforest, is mainly related of the geological nature of the bedrock which consists of rocks of volcanic origin. The list of taxa observed is given following a classification by natural habitats. Comments are given on ecological and biogeographical data on the most remarkable species.