Eugenia sotoesparzae P.E.Sánchez, Phytologia

Uc Gala, Victor C., Valdemarin, Karinne Sampaio, Lucas, Eve, Negrão, Raquel & Mazine, Fiorella F., 2023, Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from Mexico: checklist, distribution, and conservation assessments, Phytotaxa 583 (2), pp. 99-140 : 124

68. * Eugenia sotoesparzae P.E.Sánchez, Phytologia 61: 139 (1986)

EOO: 107,927.030 km ². AOO: 24 km ². Evaluation of IUCN: Near Threatened.

Eugenia sotoesparzae occurs only in Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Nayarit, from 2 to 2,078 m elev. The estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category under the criterion B, as well as its area of occupancy (AOO) would probably exceed the thresholds of the Endangered category if the remaining habitat available is taken in account. Currently, there are up to four known locations based on seven records, with five from the state of Veracruz, one collection from Oaxaca in the “Mixteca” region and one collection from the Nayarit in the municipality of Compostela on the coast. The occurrence biome is the Humid Montane Forest and the Humid Tropical Forest. The habitat is fragmented, especially in the localities of Nayarit and Oaxaca where forests are being affected by human activities such as agriculture and tourism. In Veracruz, the specimens were collected within the “Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve”, which is in good environmental condition ( CONABIO 2018, CONANP 2006a). The species can be considered rare due to the low number of collections. Eugenia sotoesparzae could be classified as Vulnerable under the criterion D2, due to the number of locations (<5), information on its rarity and major threats related to the main locations which could drive the taxon to CR or EX in a very short time. However, this taxon presents a low habitat specificity, occurring in different vegetation types and wide altitudinal range. Taking a precautionary approach, Eugenia sotoesparzae is classified here as Near Threatened (NT) based on area of occupancy, number of location and an inferred continuing decline of habitat quality.The assessment as a threatened species is dependent of further field surveys to confirm its current distribution, population size, local threats, and habitat trend.

Specimens examined:— MEXICO. Nayarit: Yáñez 122 ( MEXU!); Oaxaca: Campos 3734 ( MEXU!); Veracruz: Lorence et al. 3299 ( MEXU!).