First record of Meriania sanguinea Wurdack for the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Meriania sanguinea is a little-known species in Ecuador, its habitat is limited to
montane forests of the eastern mountain range of the Andes.
OBJECTIVE: To report the presence of M. sanguinea in Tungurahua province, expanding the range of the
species in Ecuador.
METHODOLOGY: The record is based on the observation of three individuals of M. sanguinea, at the
coordinates 01° 11’24.4” S and 78° 28’46.6” W. The identification of the morphological characteristics of
the species is It was carried out employing a photographic record, sample collection, herbarium analysis
and use of bibliographic sources.

RESULTS: Three individuals between one and five meters high were located in a forest fragmented by
anthropic pressure. The tallest one had reproductive structures that facilitated the identification of the
species.
CONCLUSION: The geographic distribution range of M. sanguinea is extended to the province of
Tungurahua. This constitutes the first record of the species in the central zone of Ecuador.