Taxonomic review of the Myristicaceae family from central forest, Oxapampa-Perú

Abstract

The species richness of Peruvian Rainforest is immense considering the great diversity of microclimates and  land surfaces; this makes the central forest of our country an interesting and particular place. That is the case  of the Central Forest in Oxapampa (Peru), located in the eastern slopes of the Andes. The Missouri Botanical  Garden-Perú possesses samples collected since 2004 and currently 35 000 botanical specimens have been  deposited in the Herbario de la Selva Central - HOXA (Herbarium of Central Forest-HOXA). For the present  study, a taxonomical review was performed for the Myristicaceae family; consequently 550 specimens were  distinguished, determined and identified in 4 genera and 14 species. The most important species found include  Compsoneura, Iryanthera, Otoba and Virola. Among other aspects, it is central to point out that the largest  geographical distribution of the family Myristicaceae was found in lowland Amazonian forests. However,  this study collected species from transitional forests; such is the case of Compsoneura sprucei, which also  comprise a new species for the department of Pasco in Peru.