scholarly journals Distribution and population status of Kingiodendron pinnatum (Angiosperms: Fabaceae) an endemic and endangered legume tree in southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 11963
Author(s):  
P. A. Jose ◽  
Siju Tom Kuruvila ◽  
N. M. Binoy

An extensive survey and population analysis of the endemic and endangered tree Kingiodendron pinnatum, was carried out in the Kerala area of the Western Ghats. The aim was to assess the pattern of distribution, population size and natural regeneration of the species. The fragmented and patchy populations of the species are distributed in evergreen/semi evergreen habitats within an altitudinal range of 176-680m elevation. The tree attained a first layer/canopy species with a height range from 24–30m. Altogether 17 populations were identified and mapped in 13 forest locations in the region.  A total of 140 adult individuals of the species were enumerated within the 13 forest locations. Natural regeneration of the species recorded from three zones among the 13 forest locations covering 21,000m2 area representing the Kerala state.  The flowering trees displayed a height and dbh range of 10-30m and 85-320cm, respectively. The individuals are spatially arranged in aggregation among patchy populations. The populations are well represented by reproductive individuals with 77% and pre reproductive with 23%. Seedlings of 35.9% attained a height below 1m and 64.01% of a height above 1m. Considering the extent of distribution in the state, increase in the number of mature individuals (in addition to the enumerated area), and fair count of seedlings suggests a healthier conservation status of the species in the region. The economic and medicinal values, occurrence of isolated and fragmented populations, irregularities in the flowering and fruiting period among populations, however, extends urgent concerns over the pollination biology, detection of diverse genotypes subsequent multiplication and restoration of dwindling populations for the effective conservation and management of the species in situ. 

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 14886-14890
Author(s):  
Anoop P. Balan ◽  
A. J. Robi ◽  
S. V. Predeep

Humboldtia bourdillonii is an Endangered tree legume; considered endemic to its type locality in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki District of Kerala State.  A new population of this highly threatened endemic species is located in the Vagamon Hills of Kottayam District which is about 70km away from its original locality.  The newly located population is drastically affected by the severe floods and landslides that occurred in Kerala state during August 2018.  Urgent conservation measures are needed to protect the population from further loss.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 18953-18955
Author(s):  
Perumal Murugan ◽  
Vellingiri Ravichandran ◽  
Chidambaram Murugan

Ophiorrhiza incarnata C.E.C.Fisch. (Rubiaceae), a threatened plant species of southern Western Ghats is rediscovered from the adjacent area of the type locality after lapse of eight decades.  Its distribution and conservation status are discussed.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1621 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
KOTAMBYLU VASUDEVA GURURAJA ◽  
K. P. DINESH ◽  
MUHAMED JAFER PALOT ◽  
C. RADHAKRISHNAN ◽  
T. V. RAMACHANDRA

A new species of the oriental shrub frog genus Philautus is described from Kakkayam Reserve Forest of Calicut district, Kerala state, in the southern Western Ghats. This species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of characters such as body small, elongate, squat and flat; head arched, wider than long; snout short rounded, equal or sub equal to diameter of eye; canthus rostralis rounded; tympanum indistinct but visible; eyes protruding, pupil with striking golden yellow dentition like marks; belly granular; vocal sac unpigmented; fleshy brown to cream yellow dorsum with two distinct golden yellow lateral bands bordered by dark brown from upper eyelid to the posterior part of flanks. A description of the advertisement calls and ecology and natural history notes are also provided for the new species which so far is only known from the type locality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pandian ◽  
P. Ravichandran

Investigated the distribution of climber and its conservation status in tropical forests of Courtallam hills in southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India during 2017-2018. A total of five 1 ha plots were established, and all climber species ≥1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were counted, which resulted in a total of 81 climbing plant species that representing to 62 genera under 30 families. Study plots revealed the most abundant climber species are Jasminum flexile (Oleaceae), Salacia oblonga (Celastraceae) and Ziziphus oenopolia (Rhamnaceae). The dominant climber species families in the study plots include Apocynaceae (11 species), Leguminosae (10 species), Menispermaceae and Vitaceae (6 species each), Capparaceae and Oleaceae (5 species each) and Convolvulaceae (4 species). Among 81 climber species, about 12 species are documented as threatened species of Courtallam hills. The results of this investigation suggest that forest management and forest protection is important for in-situ conservation of liana diversity with the involvement of local community.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4656 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-514
Author(s):  
AMIT SAYYED ◽  
L. LEE GRISMER ◽  
PATRICK D CAMPBELL ◽  
RAVEENDRAN DILEEPKUMAR

We describe a cryptic new species of gecko of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala. This medium-sized Cnemaspis species is differentiated from all other Indian congeners by a suite of the following distinct morphological characters: heterogeneous mid-dorsal scales, 6–7 supralabials; 113–120 paravertebral rows of tubercles; 71–85 mid-dorsal scales; absence of spine-like tubercles on flanks; subimbricate, smooth ventral scales; 135–140 mid-ventral scales; subdigital lamellae under fourth digit of manus 23–25; subdigital lamellae under fourth digit of pes 24–25; males with 7–8 precloacal pores; median row of subcaudals enlarged, smooth, a series of two large scales alternating, containing one divided scale; head and neck colouration brownish-yellow, consistent in adult males; adult females with orange coloured head and neck. Recent new descriptions of Cnemaspis species together with the present discovery show that the southern Western Ghats species have been overlooked by previous studies. Therefore we suggest further studies to evaluate the diversity of Cnemaspis in this region. 


Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 369 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
SINJUMOL THOMAS ◽  
BINCE MANI ◽  
SUSAI JOHN BRITTO

A new species Strobilanthes orbiculata is described from the southern parts of the Western Ghats, India. It is a semelparous species found in the shola forests in Vattavada and Kundala in Idukki district of Kerala. Notes on pollen morphology, distribution, phenology, conservation status and photographic illustrations are given. Moreover, a short note on a narrow endemic taxon Strobilanthes matthewiana is also provided.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 296 (3) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
KONICKAL MAMBETTA PRABHUKUMAR ◽  
RAVEENDRAN JAGADEESAN ◽  
GOPALAKRISHNAN PRASAD ◽  
BHAGAVATHI AMMA NATARAJAN ACHARI NAGARAJ ◽  
VANNARATTA VEETTIL NAVEEN KUMAR ◽  
...  

Two new taxa of Impatiens viz. I. mankulamensis sp. nov. and I. panduranganii sp. nov. (Balsaminaceae), are described from the southern Western Ghats, India. Notes on description, distribution, morphological variation and conservation status accompany each description, along with colour photographs.


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