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Issue: Vol. 718 No. 2: 18 Sept. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-09-18
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.718.2.3
Page range: 109-122
Abstract views: 1191
PDF downloaded: 13

Pleurothallis moniquirensis (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae): A new species from the Eastern Andes of Colombia threatened by habitat loss, illegal collection, and mining

Jardín Botánico Alejandro von Humboldt, Universidad del Tolima, Cl. 42 #1, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia; Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Cl. 42 #1, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia; Grupo de Investigación Schultes, Fundación Ecotonos, Carrera 72 #13ª-56, Cali, Colombia
Department of Organismal Biology and Ecology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, USA
Department of Plant Sciences and Centre for Global Wood Security, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
Organización campesina por la defensa del territorio Cabildo verde, Moniquirá, Boyacá, Colombia
Department of Plant Sciences and Centre for Global Wood Security, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
Andes deforestation illegal collection taxonomy Monocots

Abstract

A new species of the genus Pleurothallis, discovered in the department of Boyacá, in the Eastern Andes of Colombia, is presented and illustrated. This species shows morphological similarities with Pleurothallis petroana; however, it differs in its oblong dorsal sepal; narrowly ovate, convex synsepal with strongly revolute margins; and lanceolate lip that is verrucose-papillose. In addition to its taxonomic description, its morphological affinities are discussed, and notes on its ecology and conservation status are provided. Our fieldwork data provide strong evidence to categorize the new species as Endangered under criteria B1ab(v)+B2ab(v) + C2a(i) due to its restricted distribution, commercial use in the local market, and the potential threat to its species range due to the establishment of a mine, and the high level of habitat loss around its occurrence.

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How to Cite

Sierra-Ariza, M.A., Wilson, M., Edwards, D.P., Perilla, G.B. & Parra-Sánchez, E. (2025) Pleurothallis moniquirensis (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae): A new species from the Eastern Andes of Colombia threatened by habitat loss, illegal collection, and mining. Phytotaxa 718 (2): 109–122. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.718.2.3