Until now it seemed to be impossible to locate the exact type locality of this species for the following reasons: Baker (1889), in describing Cottendorfia pearcei, gave it as ‘‘Butuco’’ which is a misinterpretation of Pearce’s handwriting which said ‘‘Buturo’’ as was already assumed by Smith & Downs (1974). In addition, it was stated that the collection came from the ‘‘Western slopes of the Andes.’’ This led Mez (1896) to the erroneous conclusion that Colombia is the home country of the species. In fact, the label gives no other information than ‘‘Buturo’’, and from the data on other specimens collected by Pearce the conclusion must be drawn that it is located in Bolivia. Buturo definitely is a Bolivian village on the eastern slopes of the Andes and is located close to Asariamas in the Province of Abel Iturralde in the department of La Paz (1416S, 6834W; approx. 990 m). When Baker (1889) described Cottendorfia pearcei, he listed just the single specimen Pearce s.n. (BM). Therefore, Smith & Downs (1974) were correct in citing it as holotype. —SeePeters 2009p. 29(2): 191
Comment on type
BAKER (1889), in describing Cottendorfia pearcei, gave the type locality as "Butuco" which is a misinterpretation of Pearce's handwriting which said "Buturo" as was already assumed by SMITH & DOWNS (1974). In addition, it was stated that the collection came from the "Western slopes of the Andes". This led MEZ (1896) to the erroneous conclusion that Colombia is the home country of the species. In fact, the label gives no other information than "Buturo", and from the data on other specimens collected by Pearce the conclusion must be drawn that it is located in Bolivia. Buturo definitely is a Bolivian village on the eastern slopes of the Andes and is located close to Asariamas in the Province of Abel Iturralde in the Department of La Paz (14° 16'S, 68° 34'W, approx. 990 m). When BAKER (1889) described Cottendorfia pearcei, he listed just the single specimen Pearce s.n. (BM). Therefore, SMITH & DOWNS (1974) were correct in citing it as holotype. —SeePeters 2009