The first record of an Asian mangrove, Heritiera fomes Banks (Malvaceae: Sterculioideae), occurring outside of cultivation in Ecuador and the Americas

Abstract

The first record of an Asian mangrove, Heritiera fomes Banks (Malvaceae: Sterculioideae), occurring outside of cultivation in Ecuador and the Americas is documented. The species was discovered in 2022 on Santay Island in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador, where it is naturalized and produces flowers and fruits at least twice per year. Populations were located on both the shore and in inland areas on the northern part of the island, which is directly influenced by fresh water from the Babahoyo and Daule rivers. Heritiera fomes co-occurs with native species in both mangrove swamp and dry forest. As many as 0.45 individuals/m2 were observed. How the species was introduced into Ecuador is unknown. However, given the similarity of the environmental conditions of Santay Island to those of the native range of H. fomes, its invasive potential in Ecuador is of concern and discussed.