cactusinhabitat - logo
Echinopsis micropetala
(Ritter) Anceschi & Magli 2021
Photograph Echinopsis micropetala in habitat

2014, Bolivia, Tarija

 

Surveys

2011, Bolivia, Tarija, between Palos Blancos and Villamontes, A&M 651 Show on map

Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
01-41
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
02-43
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
03-44
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
04-58
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
05-59
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
06-61
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
07-62
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
08-63
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
09-66

 

2014, Bolivia, Tarija, San Lorenzo, A&M 981 Show on map

Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
10-1250355
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
11-1250356
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
12-1250357
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
13-1250359
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
14-1250366
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
15-1250368
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
16-1250386
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
17-1250388
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
18-1250387
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
19-1250391
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
20-1250389

 

2014, Bolivia, Tarija, San Lorenzo, A&M 995 Show on map

Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
21-1250555
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
22-1250558
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
23-1250560
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
24-1250559
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
25-1250564
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
26-1250570
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
27-1250567
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
28-1250572
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
29-1250574

 

2014, Bolivia, Chuquisaca, Icla, A&M 1050 Show on map

Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
30-1270081
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
31-1270212
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
32-1270217
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
33-1270213
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
34-1270214
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
35-1270481
Preview photo Echinopsis micropetala
36-1270478

 

back to top

Synonyms

Cleistocactus micropetalus*, Cleistocactus tominensis ssp. micropetalus, Cleistocactus clavicaulis, Cleistocactus crassicaulis, Cleistocactus viridialabastri
* Basionym

Distribution

Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Tarija)

Conservation status

(1)   Least Concern, LC

Comments

Note: Echinopsis micropetala (Ritter) Anceschi & Magli is a new combination published in cactusinhabitat booklet South America 2013-2021 (Anceschi & Magli 2021, 39). For the phylogenetic hypothesis adopted for the assimilation of Cleistocactus Lemaire in Echinopsis Zuccarini see Anceschi & Magli (2013b, 22-29). 
July 2021

Note: For a number of years, molecular analysis has revealed the close relationship between Echinopsis s.l. and the other genera within the tribe Trichocereeae, or subtribe Trichocereinae (Nyffeler 2002, 317- 319; Schlumpberger 2009; Lendel et al. 2006, unpubl. data in Nyffeler & Eggli 2010). Even the more recent molecular analysis of Echinopsis (Schlumpberger & Renner 2012) has clearly demonstrated that a cladistically correct interpretation of the molecular data, in the direction of a monophyletic genus Echinopsis, leads to the assimilation in Echinopsis s.l., as currently conceived (Anderson 2001; Hunt et al. 2006; Anderson & Eggli 2011), of Cleistocactus Lemaire, Denmoza Britton & Rose, Haageocereus Backeberg, Harrisia Britton, Oreocereus (A. Berger) Riccobono, Weberbauerocereus Backeberg and 10 other genera of the Trichocereeae/Trichocereinae. We've dealt extensively with the subject, in the part devoted to the taxonomy in our penultimate booklet (Anceschi & Magli 2013b, 22-29). Our position is summarized in “The new monophyletic macro-genus Echinopsis. No risk of paraphyly, and the most convincing hypothesis in phylogenetic terms” appeared on Cactaceae Systematics Initiatives N° 31, pages 24-27 (August 2013).
The PDF of the Postprint is available here (PDF 168KB).
July 2021

Note: In cactusinhabitat.org 2013, the Echinopsis population between Palos Blancos and Villamontes, Tarija, Bolivia, (2011-07-12, A&M 651, photos 01-09), now identified as Echinopsis micropetala (Ritter) Anceschi & Magli was incorrectly attributed to Echinopsis tominensis (Weingart) Anceschi & Magli. 
July 2021

The surveys we conducted in habitat in 2014, in the Chuquisaca and Tarija Departments of Bolivia, have shown that there is no clear correspondence between the natural populations of Echinopsis micropetala (Ritter) Anceschi & Magli (A&M 981, A&M 995, A&M 1050), and Echinopsis tominensis (Weingart) Anceschi & Magli (A&M 1013, A&M 1018), with the descriptions and images of the two taxa reported by Hunt et al. (2006), (as Cleistocactus tominensis (Weingart) Backeberg and Cleistocactus tominensis ssp. micropetalus (F. Ritter) Mottram). They describe for C. tominensis (ibidem, text: 49) a taxon with more ribs, 18-22, <5 cm in diameter and more spines, 8-9, compared to ssp. micropetalus, with 16-18 ribs, 6-8 cm in diameter, and fewer spines, i.e. 1 central and 5-6 radial (ibidem). The descriptions show the first taxon with denser ribs on the stem vs. the second with more spaced ribs. The images representing the two taxa in question (ibidem, atlas: 207) and also unchanged  in the subsequent edition of the atlas (2013, 207), show specimens with characters exactly opposite to their relative descriptions. Assuming that there must be a relationship between what has been detected in the originally described habitats of the two taxa, and what has been described and represented in the lexicons, then for a correct definition of the species in question, we believe the two images have been reversed. We then consider the image with more ribs and more spines (Hunt et al. 2006, atlas: 207, fig. 207.2), to be E. tominensis and the one with less ribs and less spines (ibidem, fig. 207.3), to be E. micropetala. According to Lowry (2016, 34: 165), precisely because of the distinct characters shown in relation to ribs and spines, we prefer to consider the two taxa as separate species. (Quoted from Anceschi & Magli 2021, 59-60)

In August 2013, following publication of our 2011/2013 booklet (June 2013), we published an article relating to the discussed monophyly of Echinopsis Zuccarini s.l. in Cactaceae Systematics Initiatives (2013b, 31: 24-27). That article summarized and underlined the position we have taken in the booklet in relation to the phylogenetic hypothesis to be adopted regarding the classification of the genera related to Echinopsis s. l., within the tribe Trichocereeae, or subtribe Trichocereinae (Nyffeler 2002, 317, 319; Lendel et al. 2006, unpubl. data in Nyffeler & Eggli 2010), between the two shown by the results from the molecular analysis carried out by Schlumpberger & Renner (2012: 1335 -1349). According to them, to avoid the polyphyly of Echinopsis s.l. as conceived at the time (Anderson 2001, 2005, 2011; Hunt et al., 2006; Nyffeler & Eggli 2010), there were two possible solutions: 
I) A new division of Echinopsis s. l. in at least 7 old genera (Acanthocalycium, Chamaecereus, Leucostele, Lobivia, Reicheocactus, Soehrensia and Setiechinopsis). This is the option adopted by Schlumpberger, which led to the 48 new combinations presented by him in CSI (28: 29-31). This was a solution devoid of internal coherence, as it did not naturally resolve the internal relationships of the clades Cleistocactus sens. str. and Oreocereus (Schlumpberger & Renner 2012: 1342; Anceschi & Magli 2013b, 31: 25). 
II) The other solution was constituted by the inclusion of 15 genera hitherto never incorporated before in Echinopsis s.l., as indicated by the analysis (Schlumpberger & Renner 2012: 1336, 1341), to make the genus monophyletic in Hennig’s sense. The latter, as we know, is the hypothesis we supported (Anceschi & Magli 2013a, 22-29; 2013b, 31: 24-27). Referring to the aforementioned booklet and to the article in CSI for all the insights related to the matter treated at that time, we now update what is known, with the following notes:

I) Of the 15 genera often cited to be assimilated in Echinopsis s.l., for the constitution of a monophyletic macrogenus Echinopsis, actually just 6 of these are monotypic genera (i.e. composed of only one species): Denmoza, Mila, Rauhocereus, Samaipaticereus, Vatricania, Yungasocereus; and according to Hunt (2003, 15: 3) "The monotypic genus is a contradiction in terms. Logically (or at least etymologically) the term genus implies a class or group of things of a lower order (in botany, species etc.), i.e. a collection of things with common attributes. ". Not to mention that 2 of the genera in question (Oroya and Pygmaeocereus), are composed of only two species. It is therefore evident that the aforementioned transfer to Echinopsis involves in reality far fewer natural taxa than those which would seem to be initially implicated.

II) it is striking that of the 17 naturally-occurring intergeneric hybrids reported by Hunt et al. (2006, text: 321) and taken from Hunt (2015, 33: 16) for the family Cactaceae, as many as 11 concern the alleged genera within the tribe Trichocereeae, or subtribe Trichocereinae, i.e. 1) xCleistocana (Cleistocactus x Matucana), 2) xEchinomoza (Echinopsis x Denmoza), 3) xEspocana (Espostoa x Matucana), 4) xEspostingia (Espostoa x Rahuocereus), 5) xEspostocactus (Espostoa x Cleistocactus), 6) xHaagespostoa (Haageocereus x Espostoa), 7) xMaturoya (Matucana x Oroya), 8) xOreocana (Oreocereus x Matucana), 9) xOreonopsis (Oreocereus x Echinopsis),10) xWeberbostoa (Weberbauerocereus x Espostoa), 11) xYungastocactus (Yungasocereus x Cleistocactus). We would like to remember, assuming that the term genus still has some meaning in biology and classification, that two genera that are such, that by definition cannot cross with each other, and if not, they are not two distinct genera.

III) Regarding the 'judgment' repeatedly expressed by Hunt (2013, xiii; 2018, 39: 5, 11), "This radical option has been espoused by Anceschi & Magli (2013) but seems unlikely to gain many supporters", related to our taxonomic approach to the solution of the Echinopsis classification problem, a judgment which has already been denied by Molinari-Novoa (2015, 13: 18-21) and by Mayta & Molinari-Novoa (2015, 14: 13-20), we wonder: since when being "radical" would compromise the use of a solution in science, if this is the one that best represents the correct interpretation of the theory in use?

IV) As already stated in our synopsis of the genus Parodia Spegazzini s.l. (Anceschi & Magli 2018, 36: 75), recent molecular analysis (Barcenas et al. 2011, 27: 470-489), have clearly highlighted that most of the genera of the Cactaceae as currently understood are not monophyletic in  Hennig's sense (i.e. not sufficiently extended and not supported by a sufficient number of synapomorphies (see Anceschi & Magli 2018, 36: 74-75), or as in the authors’ words “... our least inclusive groupings are significantly larger than currently accepted genera ... However, although many genera are not monophyletic, many of these follow a pattern of a monophyletic core, with one or two outliers suggesting relatively robust groups with 'fuzzy edges' so that in several cases small adjustments to classifications (i.e. moving outside of the genus) may produce monophyletic groups without significant nomenclatural changes. " (ibidem, 488). Regarding this way of operating, we think that the science of classification has reached a crossroads: 
a) correctly apply the available theories to the evidence that science shows us through the techniques and tools currently in use (in this case the principle of monophyly in Hennig's sense (1966), having regard to the opposition that is made of the mentioned principle with the concepts of polyphyly and paraphyly, being the second a new concept proposed by this author (see Anceschi & Magli 2018, 36: 74-75).
b) continue to use the paradigms of collecting to distinguish taxa or, if  preferred, with the contemporary tools at hand, the use of the 'cynical' species concept, which is, summarized in Kitcher's words as follows: "Species [and genera] are those groups of organisms which are recognized as species [or genera] by competent taxonomists. Competent taxonomists, of course, are those who can recognize the true species [or genera]. " (1984 (51) 2: 308). We think that Hunt's solution (2013, xiii), to solve the problem in Echinopsis, to dust off, in his words, the "old favorites" (and now paraphyletics) Echinopsis, Lobivia and Trichocereus, together with the above mentioned genera of Schlumpberger, in addition to adding confusion to confusion, fall under the second hypothesis. (Quoted from Anceschi & Magli 2021, 47-49)

Genus

Echinopsis

Other species

acanthura
acrantha
albispinosa
ancistrophora
angelesiae
aurea
balansae
baumannii
bertramiana
bridgesii
bruchii
buchtienii
bylesiana
calochlora
camarguensis
candelilla
candicans
caulescens
celsiana
cephalomacrostibas
chalaensis
chrysantha
chrysochete
cinnabarina
decumbens
ferox
formosa
guentheri
haematantha
haynei
hempeliana
hennigiana
horstii
huascha
hystrix
kieslingii
korethroides
laniceps
lateritia
leucantha
leucotricha
mamillosa
marsoneri
martinii
maytana
melanostele
micropetala
mirabilis
nothochilensis
nothohyalacantha
obrepanda
oxygona
pachanoi
pamparuizii
parviflora
pasacana
platinospina
pomanensis
pseudomelanostele
pugionacantha
quadratiumbonata
randallii
rauhii
rhodacantha
rojasii
rondoniana
rowleyi
samaipatana
santacruzensis
schickendantzii
sextoniana
smaragdiflora
spiniflora
stilowiana
strausii
strigosa
tacaquirensis
tarijensis
terscheckii
tetracantha
thelegona
thionantha
tominensis
trollii
urbis-regum
volliana
weberbaueri
werdermanniana