Background:

Abies hidalgensis is an endemic species from Hidalgo sate, Mexico, listed on the IUCN Red List in the VuD2 category. It has been confused with A. guatemalensis in some population where there is roundwood extraction reported as A. religiosa, which generates confusion on the taxonomic identity of species distributed and being harvested in Hidalgo.

Questions and / or Hypotheses:

What species or species of the Abies genus are distributed and harvested in Hidalgo, Mexico? What is the geographic distribution of A. hidalgensis?

Studied species:

Abies hidalgensis, A. religiosa.

Study sites and dates:

Municipalities of Acaxochitlan, Acoculco, Agua Blanca de Iturbide, Epazoyucan, Mineral del Monte, Pachuca, Singuilucan, Tenango de Doria, Tepeapulco and Zimapan, in Hidalgo state. Years 2015 to 2017.

Methods:

Eighteen morphological characters were analyzed by discriminant function analysis. Genetic differentiation was estimated from the analysis of three microsatellites developed for A. guatemalensis.

Results:

Abies hidalgensis is distributed to the southeast and A. religiosa is in the central-southern zone of Hidalgo. The distinctive morphological characters are: resin ducts, shape of the apex and morphological characters associated with the ovulate cones and seeds. Genetic studies showed that Abies sp. have greater divergence and genetic diversity with respect to A. hidalgensis and A. religiosa. The inbreeding coefficient is higher in A. religiosa.

Conclusions:

Two species of the Abies genus are distributed in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.