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Issue: Vol. 741 No. 1: 12 Feb. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-02-12
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.741.1.1
Page range: 1-17
Abstract views: 131
PDF downloaded: 219

Zamia urarinorum (Cycadales, Zamiaceae), a new cycad species from wetland forests of Loreto, Peru

Montgomery Botanical Center, Coral Gables, FL, U.S.A.; IUCN-SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Coral Gables, FL, U.S.A.
Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Peru
IUCN-SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Coral Gables, FL, U.S.A.
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso, Campus Cuiabá Cel. Octayde Jorge da Silva, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Peru
Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Peru
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
Amazon Rainforest endemic species Gymnosperms Urarina people taxonomy

Abstract

We describe and illustrate Zamia urarinorum, a new species of arborescent cycad from wetland forests in the Tigrillo and Urituyacu river basins of Loreto, Peru. It is the only cycad known to inhabit permanently waterlogged wetland forests, a unique and ecologically challenging environment. Morphologically, the species most closely resembles Zamia multidentata, but differs in both vegetative and reproductive traits. Vegetative distinctions include fewer leaves per stem and longer, more narrowly shaped leaflets with marginal teeth confined to the distal portion. Reproductive differences include significantly smaller pollen strobili with a tomentose rachis, and ovulate strobili with shorter peduncles and smaller seeds. We also document a range extension of Z. multidentata into Peru, expanding its known distribution beyond Acre, Brazil. These findings highlight the underexplored diversity of Amazonian Zamia and contribute to a growing understanding of its biogeographic and ecological complexity.

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How to Cite

Calonje, M., Zárate-Gómez, R., Jones, M.A., Segalla, R., Brañas, M.M., Pizango, C.G.H. & Alcázar, F.R. (2026) Zamia urarinorum (Cycadales, Zamiaceae), a new cycad species from wetland forests of Loreto, Peru. Phytotaxa 741 (1): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.741.1.1