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Tiny flower that survived deforestation named as new species
A survivor of extinction has been discovered in Ecuador.
Decades after its forest home was destroyed, Amalophyllon miraculum reveals that the region’s biodiversity may not have suffered as badly as first feared.
The best things come in small packages.
Standing just five centimetres tall, the size of Amalophyllon miraculum obscures the large message of hope it carries. The new species was named for its ‘miraculous’ discovery on Centinela Ridge, an area of Ecuador which is renowned for the widespread deforestation it has experienced during the last century.
The ridge was home to a huge diversity of species, but it was believed most of the area’s unique plants had been wiped out when the forest was cut down for farmland. However, more recent research has revealed that some species are hanging on, with A. miraculum discovered on a farmer’s land in one of the few surviving forest patches.
Dr John Clark, the lead author of a new paper describing the species, paid tribute to the “heroic efforts of local landowners” to preserve the remaining forest.
“Centinela is still alive because a few farmers chose to conserve the forests on their property instead of cutting them down,” John says. “The remnant forests of Centinela are the result of these enlightened farmers who were inspired to maintain the beauty of a waterfall.”
“This discovery of A. miraculum stands out as one of the many highlights in my career, and is a humbling reminder of how much we still have to learn and the numerous discoveries waiting to be made. It underscores just how important it is to preserve these unique ecosystems.”
The naming of A. miraculum follows the rediscovery of Gasteranthus extinctus, another Centinelan species which was named after having been presumed extinct.
The findings of the study were published in the journal PhytoKeys.
Amalophyllon miraculum was discovered in the rainforests of northwest Ecuador. Image © Ecuadorpostales / Shutterstock.
Finding a miracle
The thriving biodiversity of Centinela was first highlighted in the 1970s, when researchers discovered that the area was home to at least 90 plants found nowhere else in the world. The high rainfall and altitude of the isolated ridge are thought to be among the factors driving the evolution of new species.
But shortly after scientists began documenting the area’s diversity, it began to vanish. Over 70% of western Ecuador’s lowland rainforest was cut down and largely converted to plantations growing bananas, coffee and cacao.
In the world of botany, Centinela became a byword for rapid extinction as many of the plants collected by scientists were thought to have become extinct before they were even named. More recently, however, new expeditions have revealed that many endemic species have managed to survive in the small patches of forest which remain.
John joined one of these trips, working in partnership with a team of Ecuadorian researchers to look for the lost plants of Centinela. They had already come across a rare Caoba tree at the side of the road when a new opportunity presented itself.
“While photographing the flowers of the Caoba tree, we were approached by the owner of a local property, Paul Henry, to see what we were doing at the edge of his farm,” John explains. “Although the forest wasn’t visible from that vantage point, we quickly bonded over our shared interest in primary forests.”
“Paul kindly invited us to explore the forested area of his land, and we spent the entire day there. It was during this exploration that we made the extraordinary discovery of an unknown species of Amalophyllon. It was tiny, with almost iridescent green foliage that made it unlike any species we’d seen before.”
The specific purple colouration of Amalophyllon miraculum helps to set it apart from its relatives. Image © J.L. Clark.
How does Amalophyllon miraculum live?
After collecting samples for further research, the team named the new species Amalophyllon miraculum in recognition of the survival of much of Centinela’s unique flora in the face of deforestation.
The researchers were particularly surprised that the plant survived due to its very specific lifestyle. The little plant is an obligate lithophyte, which means it has to grow on rocks, but it also depends on being kept moist.
“The lifestyle of Amalophyllon miraculum is closely tied to persistently wet areas, particularly on rocks that receive perpetual mist from waterfalls,” John says. “Even minor changes in habitat conditions can lead to the absence of this tiny species, highlighting the delicate balance necessary for its survival.”
While A. miraculum seems to be safe for now, it may not be the case for all of Centinela’s plants. Many species survived the initial deforestation, but there are concerns that the extinctions may only have been delayed.
“Even though we haven’t witnessed significant extinctions yet, massive deforestation has taken place in Centinela,” John says. “The initial research observed the massive loss of habitat and genetic diversity, and while the timeframe may have been misjudged, it was correct about the devastation.”
“We need more studies like this now, so our team is currently working on a collaborative research project that provides an update on Centinela. With ‘old fashioned’ boots-on-the-ground, eyes-in-the-herbarium research, we hope to understand whether its endemic species are going to survive.”
