Rediscovery of Gasteranthus extinctus L.E.Skog & L.P.Kvist (Gesneriaceae) at multiple sites in western Ecuador

By

Pitman, Nigel
White, Dawson M.
Guevara Andino, Juan Ernesto
Couvreur, Thomas L.P.
Fortier, Riley P.
Zapata, José Nicolás
Cornejo, Xavier
Clark, John L. (John Littner)
Feeley, Kenneth J.
Johnston, Mark K.
Lozinguez, Alix
Rivas-Torres, Gonzalo

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2022-4-15

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

194

Pages

33--46

Subjects

Andes , Centinela , Chocó , cloud forest , endemic , extinction , iNaturalist , tropical forest

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.194.79638

 

Abstract

We report the rediscovery of the Critically Endangered cloud forest herb Gasteranthus extinctus, not seen since 1985. In 2019 and 2021, G. extinctus was recorded at five sites in the western foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes, 4–25 km from the type locality at the celebrated Centinela ridge. We describe the species’ distribution, abundance, habitat and conservation status and offer recommendations for further research and conservation efforts focused on G. extinctus and the small, disjunct forest remnants it occupies.