Tree ferns from northern Peru: confirmation of the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone as a unique biotic hotspot in the tropical Andes

Tejedor A.; Calatayud G. · Brittonia (2022) · DOI: 10.1007/s12228-021-09687-4

Resumen

The Amotape-Huancabamba Zone, straddling the Huancabamba Depression in the tropical Andes, is often recognized as a major hotspot of species richness for plants and animals in the Neotropics. The biogeographic role of the area as a barrier, transition, or unique endemism zone in the Andes has long been debated. Here, using tree ferns, we take a new look at this question and discuss the biogeographic significance and limits of the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone. We find that tree fern distribution supports the idea that the Amotape-Huancabamba zone is a unique biogeographic unit within the Andes defined by high endemism, overlap of the floras of the Northern and Central Andes, and high overall species richness; however, the centrally located Huancabamba-Marañón depression plays only a minor role as a floristic barrier.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco