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| Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark, in Clark, Fernández, Zapata, Restrepo-Villarroel, White et Pitman, 2024. |
Abstract
Recent exploratory field expeditions to the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes resulted in the discovery of a new species of Amalophyllon (Gesneriaceae). Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark, sp. nov. is described from two localities in the Centinela region in the Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas province. The new species is differentiated from congeners by the pendent habit, basal rosette of leaves, leaf blades with deeply serrate margins, and miniature size. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status is assigned as Critically Endangered (CR).
Key words: Andes, Amalophyllon, Centinela, Chocó, Conservation, Ecuador, endemic, lithophyte, Montañas de Ila
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| Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark A abaxial view of leaf B front view of flower C lateral view of flower D pendent habit featuring rosette of leaves E adaxial view of leaf. (A, E from J.L. Clark et al. 16805; B, C, D from J.L. Clark et al. 16634). Photos by J.L. Clark. |
Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Similar to Amalophyllon clarkii, differing in larger and broadly ovate leaves in A. clarkii (>8 cm long) vs. smaller elongate to lanceolate leaf blades in A. miraculum (< 6 cm long); calyx lobes elongate in A. clarkii vs. broadly oblong in A. miraculum; and abaxial leaf surface green with purple venation in A. clarkii vs. uniformly dark purple in A. miraculum.
Etymology: The specific epithet reflects the extraordinary and unexpected persistence of remnant forest patches of an area broadly defined as “Centinela” (see next section). Dodson and Gentry (1991) popularized this legendary biodiversity hotspot and brought it to prominence when they reported a mass extinction of plant species from this region. Many of the presumed “extinct” species were recently documented, including Gasteranthus extinctus L.E.Skog & L.P.Kvist (Gesneriaceae) (Pitman et al. 2022). Amalophyllon miraculum is sympatric with Gasteranthus extinctus. The presence of several critically endangered species and the recent discovery and description of new species from Centinela represent a miraculous discovery that has shattered a prevailing assumption that the once-thought-lost biodiversity of Centinela had vanished entirely. The heroic efforts of local landowners who maintained small patches of forests (usually surrounding waterfalls) were instrumental in conserving remnant forest fragments. Also crucial are current conservation initiatives by foundations and academic institutions such as the Ecuadorian conservation NGO Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco and the Jardín Botánico Padre Julio Marrero (JBJM) of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador in the nearby city of Santo Domingo.
John L. Clark, Andrea Fernández, J. Nicolás Zapata, Camilo Restrepo-Villarroel, Dawson M. White and Nigel C. A. Pitman. 2024. Amalophyllon miraculum (Gesneriaceae), An exceptionally small lithophilous New Species from the western Andean Slopes of Ecuador. PhytoKeys. 242: 307-316. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.242.118069
Resumen: Recientes expediciones exploratorias de campo a las laderas occidentales de los Andes ecuatorianos dieron como resultado el descubrimiento de una nueva especie de Amalophyllon (Gesneriaceae). Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark, sp. nov. se describe de dos localidades de la región de Centinela en la provincia de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. La nueva especie se diferencia de otros congéneres por el hábito colgante, la roseta basal de las hojas, las láminas foliares con márgenes profundamente aserrados y su tamaño en miniatura. Según las directrices de la UICN, se le asigna el estado de conservación preliminar de En Peligro Crítico (CR).
