A new species and a new record for Cedrela (Meliaceae, Sapindales) in Ecuador: morphological, molecular, and distribution evidence

Abstract

A new Cedrela (Meliaceae) species, Cedrela angusticarpa, is described through a combination of taxonomic, morphological, and molecular analyses. Cedrela kuelapensis, originally described as an endemic species of northern Peru, is also reported here as a new record for Ecuador. Cedrela angusticarpa has oblong or oblong-lanceolate glabrous leaflets, rounded at the base. Inflorescences are up to 70 cm long, and flowers present a cupuliform calyx with five regular teeth. Fruits are narrowly obovoid capsules. Through molecular analyses using nine microsatellite loci, it is evident that samples from C. angusticarpa form their own genetic cluster when compared to the most morphologically similar species, C. odorata, suggesting that they belong to a new separate species. Additionally, here we report that C. angusticarpa has a very narrow geographic range, recorded between 550 and 1300 m in elevation, and restricted to the relatively small areas of northwestern Ecuador. Climatic niche modelling techniques were used as a proxy for assessing potential distributions and habitat loss percentages for both C. angusticarpa and C. kuelapensis. Finally, IUCN Red List categories and criteria were applied to assess the conservation status of both Cedrela species analyzed here.