Work

Cybianthus anthuriophyllus (Primulaceae), a new record for the flora of Colombia: distribution modeling and conservation assessment

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cybianthus anthuriophyllus (Primulaceae) was previously known from eastern Ecuador and northern Peru. Here we document the first confirmed occurrences of this species in Colombia and develop a distribution model based on collections from the Andean–Amazonian foothill of Caquetá, Cauca, and Putumayo departments, in order to clarify its conservation. Specifically, to refine its potential distribution and inform conservation efforts, we developed a species distribution model (SDM) using MaxEnt and assessed its extinction risk following IUCN Red List Criteria. The model identified high suitability in the northwestern Amazon, particularly along the Andean foothill, and response curves indicated that annual precipitation and isothermality were the primary predictors of habitat suitability. The species qualifies as Endangered (EN B2ab(iii)) due to its limited area of occupancy, few known locations, and ongoing habitat loss. These findings extend the distribution known range of Cybianthus anthuriophyllus, close the floristic gap in the subgenus Comomyrsine, highlight the conservation importance of the Andean–Amazon foothill corridor, and provide evidence for the continued need to prioritize biological inventories in this area.

Source: Nordic Journal of Botany

DOI: 10.1002/njb.05187

Authors: David Hoyos, Juan Sebastián Moreno, Jorge Luis Contreras, Edwin Trujillo‐ Trujillo, David Sanín