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| Echeveria sotoi Rosales & Quirarte, in Rosales-Martínez, Quirarte-Tejeda et Hernández-Campos, 2025. Photographs: Jaime Quirarte. |
Abstract
Echeveria sotoi (ser. Gibbiflorae, Crassulaceae) is described as a new species endemic to the coast of Michoacán, Mexico. It is morphologically similar to E. gibbiflora, from which it differs by having a generally taller but much thinner stem, narrower and oblanceolate to oblanceolate-obovate leaves without purplish-glaucous colourations, thinner peduncles, horizontally spreading to obliquely ascending cincinni, flowers with frequently longer corollas but usually shorter sepals, and narrower nectary scales. The species was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) following the IUCN criteria. A distribution map is provided for the species of E. ser. Gibbiflorae native to Michoacán.
Aquila, biogeography, comparative morphology, microendemic species, Pacific Lowlands, taxonomy, Eudicots
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| Echeveria sotoi. A, B. Plant with inflorescence; C. Distal portion of a cincinnus; D, E. Leaf; F. Flower bud; G. Flower dissection; H. Calyx, nectary scales, and gynoecium; I. Calyx. Photographs: Jaime Quirarte. |
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| Gerardo Soto and Echeveria sotoi in calcareous xerophilous scrub with Cephalocereus nudus, Bursera denticulata, and Agave kristenii. Photograph: Jaime Quirarte. |
Echeveria sotoi Rosales & Quirarte sp. nov.
Eponymy:—The authors are honoured to name this species after Mr. Gerardo Soto Mendoza (Aquila, Michoacán)
(Fig. 4), a passionate nature lover who discovered this species back in 2013. He was kind enough to provide us
with plants for study and cultivation and guide one of us (Jaime Quirarte) to their natural habitat. Moreover, he has
contributed to the knowledge and protection of biodiversity in the Sierra-Costa region of Michoacán, documenting the
natural history of various animals (especially jaguars and other felines) and collecting seeds for the Comisión Nacional
Forestal (CONAFOR).
C. Santiago ROSALES-MARTÍNEZ, Jaime A. QUIRARTE-TEJEDA and J. Daniel HERNÁNDEZ-CAMPOS. 2024. Echeveria sotoi (ser. Gibbiflorae, Crassulaceae), A New Species from coastal Michoacán, Mexico. Phytotaxa. 633(2);125-137. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.633.2.3 [2024-01-05]
