Abstract
Background: Ecbolium hastatum Vollesen is currently known from only three collections in southern Mozambique and has not been relocated since 1970.Objectives: To document two new populations and a small range extension for this poorly known species, and to provide a much-needed assessment of its conservation status.Method: The new populations were found by the first author (W.M.) while conducting floristic surveys of coastal thicket vegetation between Inhassoro and Vilanculos in December 2016, and during ongoing surveys by the second author (A.M.) of coastal thicket between Ponta de Ouro and Inhassoro. No voucher specimens were collected for the northern population, but photographs of key features were taken and compared with specimens in online herbaria. A voucher specimen was taken for the southern population.Results: Two new populations and a northern range extension for E. hastatum are recorded. The species is assessed as Endangered EN B2ab(iii) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Criteria. Only one of the five known localities for this species is protected.Conclusion: The conservation assessment of this species highlights the importance of coastaldune thicket for range-restricted species in southern Mozambique.
Highlights
The genus Ecbolium comprises 22 species, with 12 of these occurring in Africa (Vollesen 1989:640)
The extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for this species were calculated by using the Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT)
Ecbolium hastatum was previously known from only three localities and was assessed by Izidine and Bandeira (2002:56) as Data Deficient
Summary
The genus Ecbolium comprises 22 species, with 12 of these occurring in Africa (Vollesen 1989:640). Four species occur in the Flora Zambesiaca region, one of which is endemic to the region, Ecbolium hastatum (Darbyshire, Vollesen and Kelbessa 2015:239). This species was hitherto known from only three collections in Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo provinces in southern Mozambique (Figure 1). The conservation status of the species has been assessed by Izidine and Bandeira (2002:56) and classified as Data Deficient, Darbyshire, Vollesen and Kelbessa (2015:239) suggested that it was ‘possibly Vulnerable’. Ecbolium hastatum Vollesen is currently known from only three collections in southern Mozambique and has not been relocated since 1970
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