Two new species of Monopyle (Gesneriaceae) from the western Andes of Ecuador and southern Colombia

Ongoing monographic studies of Monopyle (Gesneriaceae) and recent exploratory research expeditions to the western Andes of southern Colombia and northern Ecuador resulted in the discovery of two new species. Monopyle chocoensis Keene & J.L.Clark and Monopyle connata J.L.Clark & Keene are endemic to the premontane wet forests of the western Andes of Ecuador and Colombia. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status is assigned of Vulnerable (VU) for Monopyle chocoensis and Critically Endangered (CR) for M. connata.