Estudio morfológico y ambiental de especies endémicas de Coccoloba P. Browne presentes en los bosques secos de la región Tumbesina haciendo uso de especímenes de herbario

Abstract

Abstract: The dry forests of the Tumbes region harbor remarkable biodiversity, particularly species of the genus Coccoloba, whose taxonomic classification is complex. This study examines the morphological and environmental variability of Coccoloba ruiziana and Coccoloba gracilis, two highly similar endemic species. A total of 354 individuals of C. ruiziana and 110 of C. gracilis were analyzed, identifying differences in specific leaf area, maximum leaf width, and width-tolength ratio, although some overlap was observed between the two. The environmental analysis, based on 219 records and bioclimatic data, showed that C. ruiziana thrives in drier and more demanding conditions, while C. gracilis exhibits greater ecological range. Variables such as annual and period-specific seed dispersal proved key to their ecological differentiation. The relationship between morphological traits and the environment indicates that these variations are a response to adaptive processes and local conditions. Taken together, the results allow for a better understanding of the adaptation of these species, providing relevant information for their conservation, sustainable management and protection in vulnerable and highly threatened ecosystems.