Update of the taxonomic circumscription and biogeographical delimitation range of Neltuma pallida (Fabaceae) to the Seasonally Dry Forests of Marañon from Peru

Huamán-Mera A.; Murillo-Domen Y.S.; Amaya-Reyes D.Z.; Saucedo-Burga F.Y.; Villa P.M.; Vásquez-Núñez L.P. · Phytotaxa (2025) · DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.691.1.1

Resumen

Several specimens collected along Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) from Peru have been named as Neltuma pallida (Prosopis pallida before); however, morphological and ecological traits are different among these specimens. The update of the taxonomic circumscription and biogeographical delimitation of N. pallida are presented here based on morphological characteristics and Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) based on the principle of Maximum Entropy and 19 bioclimatic variables from historical data. 262 specimens distributed along the SDTF were morphologically evaluated, and 62 specimens corresponded to N. pallida according to the initial taxonomic description. Historical habitat suitability analyses (SDM) revealed significant geographic distribution shifts for N. pallida across climatic periods, highlighting expansions during the Last Glacial Maximum and contractions in subsequent interglacial periods restricted to the Seasonally Dry Forests of Marañon (SDFM). These findings suggest that the SDFM may have provided ecological refugia for N. pallida, allowing it to endure climatic fluctuations over millennia. Thus, only Neltuma populations distributed along SDFM must be named Neltuma pallida due to evident unique morphological characteristics and biogeographic restrictions across time.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo; Universidad Nacional de Jaén