Least Concern Research Articles

Bird diversity of in and around Melamadai Lake Madurai city, Tamil Nadu state, India; A preliminary study

Fresh water Lakes are suitable habitat for birds along with food and water. In the present study an attempt has been made to assess the diversity of avian fauna in Melamadai Lake in Madurai district, Tamilnadu state. The duration of study period in January 2021 to December 2021. Eighty-four species of birds were observed, belonging to 41 families, 18 order in Melamadai lake. In this study recorded in Least concern (LC) 79 species and Near Threatened (NT)Five species. The five Near Threatened species - Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster ), Pied Cuckoo-dove(Reinwardtoena browni ), Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) and Painted Stork-(Mycteria leucocephala)- are protected under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The diversity of avifauna is taken for identifying the importance of biodiversity for Madurai which is among the top ten tourism sites of world. The role of urban areas in functions such as provision of ecosystem services will largely be determined by patterns of biodiversity within that area.

Identifying indicator bird species for sustainable oil palm plantation certification

Oil palm certification schemes such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) do not consider the full suite of biodiversity indicators, such as farmland birds that are commonly found in plantations. The sole focus of certification assessments is on rare, threatened, and endangered species, yet common farmland birds, which are not conservation priority species, are an essential component of healthy agro-ecosystems. This study is the first to identify potential indicator farmland bird species for assessing oil palm environmental sustainability irrespective of farming systems or practices. Sets of candidates of oil palm bird indicator species for four sub-regions in Southeast Asia; Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines, and Sumatera were developed based on information gathered from previously published studies. Then, point count and opportunistic bird surveys were conducted in Peninsular Malaysia to validate our indicator bird candidates obtained from the previous step. Our results show that oil palm agro-ecosystems were dominated by common farmland birds, and rarely supported any conservation priority species. All sub-regions indicator lists comprised only Least Concern (LC) bird species except for Peninsular Malaysia where Javan Myna was recorded as Vulnerable (VU). These bird species identified provide various ecosystem services (e.g., biological pest control and pollination) and are sensitive to habitat disturbances (e.g., replanting and pesticides). Thus, they should be designated as indicator species and a key component of oil palm certification criteria. Our study also found that indicator bird species are associated with geographical locations and endemism. Therefore, we suggest using regional bird biodiversity data for developing indicator species lists to improve the environmental sustainability of oil palm cultivation for specific regions.

The family Zingiberaceae in Rwanda with description of two new species of Renealmia

Background and aims – The Zingiberaceae of Rwanda are revised, and three new records of Aframomum species (A. corrorima, A. daniellii, A. zambesiacum) are provided. One previously recorded species, A. alboviolaceum, has to be excluded from the Flora of Rwanda. Two new species of Renealmia are described from Rwanda and Burundi in connection with the preparation of the family treatment for the Flore d’Afrique centrale. Material and methods – Field work and standard herbarium practices were applied. Key results – Renealmia timmiorum sp. nov. is similar to R. cincinnata and R. cabrae, and R. susannae-katziae sp. nov. is similar to R. africana and R. dewevrei. The differences with these species are discussed and distribution maps for the new taxa are presented. Renealmia timmiorum is assessed as Least Concern (LC), while R. susannae-katziae is assessed as Endangered (EN).

Pavonia paludicola (Malvaceae), a new record for Mexico

Background: Pavonia (Malvaceae) is a morphologically diverse genus with more than 200 species in America of which 32 have been previously reported in Mexico. In a field trip to the Reserva Estatal de Dzilam de Bravo, in northern Yucatan, a population of a Malvaceae species was detected that could not be unequivocally matched with any species known previously in the country.
 Questions: What is the identity of the Malvaceae species collected? Is it a taxonomic national or regional novelty?
 Species of study: Malvaceae, Malvoideae, Pavonia.
 Study site and dates: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, 2021–2022.
 Methods: Botanical specimens were collected and determined taxonomically through the use of specialized keys, and consulting of botanical collections. The conservation status was assessed using the IUCN methodology.
 Results: The specimens collected at the study site do not represent an undescribed species but instead Pavonia paludicola Nicolson ex Fryxell, which is a new record for Mexico. The species is assessed as Least Concern (LC) along its full distributional range whereas the Yucatan population is assessed as Data Deficient (DD) at this time. Furthermore, we offer a key to the two species of Pavonia in the Mexican portion of the Yucatan Peninsula, the second being P. schiedeana Steud., whose conservation status is assessed as Least concerned (LC).
 Conclusion: With the report of Pavonia paludicola, thirty-three species of the genus are now recognized from Mexico, two of which occur in the Mexican portion of the Yucatan Peninsula.

A synoptic review of the Amphibians of Iran: bibliography, taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, conservation status, and identification key to the eggs, larvae, and adults.

This study provides an illustrated account, a comprehensive update of the systematics, and a bibliography of the 15 species of anurans in five families, eight genera; and of the six species of urodeles in two families, four genera in Iran. Bufonidae, with eight species, is the most diverse family; Salamandridae has five species and Ranidae has four species. This study also presents updated identification keys for the eggs, larvae, and metamorphosed amphibians of Iran. We designated specimen NMW 19855.1 as neotype of Pelophylax persicus (Schneider, 1799) comb. nov.. Along with distribution maps obtained from all the reliable localities and museum specimens known at this time, the modelled habitat of species, and for the first time, the National Red List of amphibians based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria. Based on our evaluation we propose to categorize Bufo eichwaldi, Paradactylodon persicus, Neurergus derjugini, and N. kaiseri as Vulnerable at National Red List, and to move Bufotes (Calliopersa) luristanicus, B. (C.) surdus, Firouzophrynus olivaceus, and Rana pseudodalmatina from the category of Least Concern (LC) to Near Threatened (NT). The National Red List of amphibians that we propose has significant implications for endangered species management and conservation. Forty-one percent of amphibian species in Iran are endemic to the country, and more than forty percent of the Iranian amphibians are at risk of extinction. Zagros Mountain forest and Hyrcaniain forests have more than 80% (i.e. 18 species) of the diversity of Iranian amphibians. A considerable amount of scientific literature published on Iranian amphibians in Persian language is not easily accessible to researchers outside Iran. This monograph attempts to remedy the situation and provides broader access to international herpetology. We recognize that taxonomy is always in a state of flux, and the names and synonymies used here reflect our current view.

Biodiversity of edible fruit sold at Pasar Gede, Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Sagitarian DGF, Astikasari L, Rahmayani D, Armando MF, Nugroho GD, Himawan W, Mutaqin AZ, Md. Naim D, Setyawan AD. 2023. Biodiversity of edible fruit sold at Pasar Gede, Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia. Asian J Agric 7: 57-68. The market is a place to purchase numerous varieties of goods. Pasar Gede is a traditional Indonesian marketplace in Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia. It is the earliest and the largest fruit market in Surakarta. This study was conducted to ascertain the variety species of fruits sold at Pasar Gede from 12 to 16 December 2022. Direct interviews with Pasar Gede administrators and sellers conducted the sampling. This study uses primary data from interviews and secondary data from literature studies to support the primary data, while descriptive analysis was performed on the collected data. The results revealed that the fruit sold at Pasar Gede comprised 82 species from 25 families, with information on local name, price, seasonality, rarity according to vendors, and conservation status according to the IUCN Red List. In Pasar Gede, fruits with conservation status Least Concern (LC) based on the IUCN Red List were found, namely juwet (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels), matoa (Pometia pinnata J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.), jambu biji (Psidium guajava L.), pir packham (Pyrus communis L.), srikaya (Annona squamosa L.), jeruk bali (Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.), delima arab (Punica granatum L.), sirsak (Annona muricata L.), sawo (Manilkara zapota (L.) P.Royen), asam jawa (Tamarindus indica L.) and kesemek (Diospyros kaki L.f.). Jeruk (Citrus sp.), apel/pir (Pyrus sp.), pisang (Musa sp.), mangga (Mangifera sp.), and alpukat (Persea sp.) are the dominant fruits (the most available and frequently sold by every vendor in his stall) in Pasar Gede. Anggur autum (Vitis vinifera L. cv. autumn) are the most expensive products at 180,000 IDR per kilogram, while jambu biji is the least expensive at 8,000 IDR per kilogram. The production cost, seasonality, and fruit quality determine whether fruit prices are costly. The abundance of fruit indicates that Pasar Gede is a comprehensive fruit market center in Indonesia, particularly in Surakarta.

The influence of landscape characteristics on breeding bird dark diversity

The exploration of factors and processes affecting biodiversity loss is central to nature management and wildlife conservation, but only recently has knowledge about the absence of species been recognized as a valuable asset to understand the current biodiversity crisis. In this paper, we explore the dark diversity (species that belong to a site-specific species pool but that are not locally present) of breeding birds in Denmark assessed through species co-occurrence patterns. We apply a nation-wide atlas survey of breeding birds (with a 5 × 5 km resolution), to investigate how landscape characteristics may influence avian diversity, and whether threatened and near threatened species are more likely to occur in dark diversity than least concern (LC) species. On average, the dark diversity constituted 41% of all species belonging to the site-specific species pools and threatened and near-threatened species had a higher probability of belonging to the dark diversity than least concern species. Habitat heterogeneity was negatively related to dark diversity and the proportional cover of intensive agriculture positively related, implying that homogeneous landscapes dominated by agricultural interests led to more absent avian species. Finally, we found significant effects of human disturbance and distance to the coast, indicating that more breeding bird species were missing when human disturbance was high and in near-coastal areas. Our study provides the first attempt to investigate dark diversity among birds and highlights how important landscape characteristics may shape breeding bird diversity and reveal areas of considerable species impoverishment.

Etlingera (Zingiberaceae) in Bogor Botanic Gardens: Potential Benefits and Its Conservation Status

Indonesia is one of mega biodiverse countries in the world, with a high global biodiversity index and many vascular plant species. However, not all plant species are known in terms of their uses, potential benefits, and conservation status. One of example is genus Etlingera, where further studies are required. Therefore, this study aimed to provide information on the potential benefits and uses of the genus Etlingera and to investigate its conservation status. The study was conducted using the method of literature study, an inventory of potential uses, and an inventory of the genus Etlingera living in Bogor Botanic Gardens through direct observation. Six species of the genus Etlingera were collected from the Bogor Botanic Gardens, namely Etlingera brevilabrum, E. elatior, E. hemisphaerica, E. loerzingii, E. megalocheilos, and E. walang, conservation status of three species (E. brevilabrum, E. hemisphaerica, and E. megalocheilos) is Least Concern (LC), two species (E. elatior and E. walang) are Data Deficient (DD), and one species (E. loerzingii) is Vulnerable (VU). All species are commonly used as spices, condiments, cosmetics, and traditional medicine to cure various diseases, possibly also as ornamental plants. The secondary metabolites present in some species, namely E. brevilabrum, E. elatior, and E. hemisphaerica can be used as antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant agents.

Mangrove ecosystem provisioning services for the sustainability and diversity of bird species in the coastal region of Lombok Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Syukur A, Zulkifli L, Mahrus H. 2021. Mangrove ecosystem provisioning services for the sustainability and diversity of bird species in the coastal region of Lombok Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 1589-1599. Ecological services offered by mangroves are imperative for various faunal species. The present study is focused on assessing the role of mangroves in the sustainability and diversity of bird species in the coastal region of Lombok Island, Indonesia. The aims of the study are (i) to describe the conservation status of bird species and (ii) to describe the value of the ecological index of birds as an indicator of mangrove conservation. The species diversity of birds is assessed by observation, whereas the quadratic transect method is used to assess mangrove vegetation structure. Data analysis has been carried out using univariate statistical analysis, namely the Shanon-Wiener index (H'), Simpson Index (d), Evenness Index (E), Richness Index (R), and linear regression analysis. The genus Rhizophora and Avicennia species have an even distribution in the study area. Rhizophora species in the study area result from revegetation, whereas Avicennia species grow naturally. Altogether, a total of 19 bird species have been observed in the present study. Of these, eight species have a limited distribution, four bird species are Near Threatened (NT), and others are Least Concern (LC) concerning their conservation status. The estimated Diversity Index (H') is ranged between 3.09-3.67, whereas Evenness (E) and Richness (R) index are ranged between 0.72-0.85 and 7.09-10.33, respectively. The ecological index value shows that the research locations have high species diversity and richness, and species are evenly distributed across the sites. Therefore, the value of the index of bird ecology and the distribution of bird species are indicators of mangrove supply services for the preservation of birds at the study site. The study concluded that the diversity of ecological indices and the conservation status of birds are important information for the success of mangrove conservation through revegetation at the study site. However, a comprehensive study is needed on the functional relationship of mangrove supply services with the diversity of bird species to obtain validity and rehabilitation as conservation indicators.

Checklist and distribution of Galliform Birds (Order: Galliformes) in Iraq

A total of four genera and four species belong to one family, Phasianidae, Order Galliformes; about 72 specimens deposited in the bird's collection in the Iraq "Natural History Research Center and Museum INHM" were reviewed. In the current study, morphometrics of four species of taxidermy Galliform birds: Chukor Alectoris graeca (Meisner, 1804), Seesee Ammoperdix griseogularis (Brandt, 1843), Quail Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758), and Black Partridge Francolinus francolinus (Linnaeus, 1766) were documented. In addition, the distribution ranges throughout Iraq and the Global Conservation Status of each mentioned species were reviewed and comprehensively discussed. The current study concluded that the collection of four species belongs to the Phasinidae Family of Galliformes Order, which deserved in INHM still abundance in the Iraqi environment; that Chukers Alectoris sp. more abundance in mountains and hills areas west and north of Iraq; While, Black partridge Francolinnus francolinus is more abundance in wetlands and Marshes south of Iraq. Global Conservation status listed them as Least Concern (LC). Keywords: Black partridge, Chukar, Galliform birds, Phasianidae, Quail.

Monitoring the Biological Aspects of Banded Archer Fish (Toxotes jaculatrix Pallas, 1767) in Bilah River, Labuhanbatu Regency, Indonesia

Banded archer fish (Toxotes jaculatrix Pallas, 1767) is one of the leading commodities of Indonesian ornamental fish. Its production so far is still from the catch of nature. Banded archer fish based on IUCN data has been included in the red list with the Least Concern (LC) category. Currently one of its habitats is found in the Bilah River, Labuhanbatu Regency. The purpose of the study was to information the condition of biological factors related to the relationship of weight length, sex ratio and factors of banded archer fish conditions in the Bilah River. Determination of observation station points by purposive sampling method, where in this study there are 3 stations. Fish sampling in January-March 2022. Fish are caught using splint nets. The entire number of fish caught was measured using a ruler with a length of 30 cm and weight using a digital balance sheet with a precision of 0.01 g. Next the data is tabulated and analyzed using the Microsoft Excel 2013 application. The data of the results of the study is displayed based on each month of observation. The results of the analysis of banded archer fish research data for the long weight relationship from January-March 2022 are negative alometric. The sex ratio of banded archer fish in January 2022 (0.69:1), February 2022 (0.47:1), and March 2022 (0.5:1). The value of the banded archer fish condition factor in January 2022 (1.0304), February 2020 (1.0338), and March 2022 (0.0954). It was concluded that the biological aspects of banded archer fish in the Bilah River still their growth and reproductioan.

Species diversity, richness, and conservation status of Pteridophyta in the karst ecosystem of Donorejo Forest, Kaligesing, Purworejo, Indonesia

Abstract. Pramudita DA, Armando MF, Rahmayani D, Afifah FN, Putri NRA, Hartanti AN, Safira RN, Mahajoeno E, Indrawan M, Nazar IA, Buot Jr IE, Setyawan AD. 2023. Species diversity, richness, and conservation status of Pteridophyta in the karst ecosystem of Donorejo Forest, Kaligesing, Purworejo, Indonesia. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 16-25. Pteridophyta is often used as an environmental bioindicator. It can be found anywhere because of its cosmopolite ability. Karst ecosystem is one type of Pteridophyta habitat and roles as a pioneer plant. This study aims to determine Pteridophyta's biodiversity and conservation status in Donorejo Forest, Kaligesing, Purworejo, Central Java, Indonesia. The data collection of Pteridophyta species was carried out by survey method. Furthermore, the species found were analyzed using the Shannon-Wiener species Diversity Index (H'), Margalef Species Richness Index (Dmg), and Evenness Species Index (E). The research found 1387 individuals from 14 families and 34 species. Then, from the analysis that has been carried out using the calculation of tree indices, the following results are obtained; Shanon-Wiener Index (H') = 2.53, Margalef Species Richness Index (Dmg) = 4.56, Evenness Species Index (E) = 0.72. Selaginella plana (Desv. ex Poir.) is the most dominant in the area. From its conservation status, there are two species in LC (Least Concern) under IUCN conservation status, namely Pteris vittata L. and Sphaeropteris glauca (Blume) R.M.Tryon., while the rest are in NE status (Not Evaluated). Moreover, the CITES found one species under Appendix II status, S. glauca. Those biodiversity indices showed that Donorejo Forest has a stable, productive, and complex ecosystem with moderate biodiversity, a high value for Margalef Species Richness Index (Dmg), and an Evenness Species Index (E). At the same time, it faces threats from dominant species and local community activity. This study result can be used for diversity assessment, especially karst land ecosystems, and for further research to make the appropriate conservation strategy.

Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from Mexico: checklist, distribution, and conservation assessments

Myrtaceae is represented in Mexico by 10 genera and ca. 109 species mainly occurring in warmer climatic zones. Eugenia is one of the most diverse genera in Myrtaceae, with about 1,150 species, distributed from Mexico, Cuba and the Antilles to Uruguay and Argentina, with fewer representatives in Africa and Southeast Asia. This study presents a checklist of the 87 species of Eugenia that occur in Mexico as well as provides assessments of environmental threat for each species. The checklist was prepared in stages, gathering data from international databases, consulting relevant bibliography (mainly Mexican Floras), personal visits to key herbarium collections (MEXU, CICY and K), and analysis of specimen images available online. Extinction risk assessments follow the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened species version 3.1. calculating the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) parameters using the GeoCat software (Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool). Extinction risks are provided for eighty-seven species of Eugenia, including notes on species distributions. Mexican states with the highest number of species of the genus are Chiapas and Veracruz, with 48 and 31 species, respectively. Forty-six species are endemic to Mexico, which represents 53% of the total of species occurring in the country. Regarding extinction risk, from a total of 87 species, 33 species (38%) are assessed with a threatened category, with 7 Critically Endangered (CR), 14 Endangered (EN), and 12 Vulnerable (VU); 54 species are not threatened, 42 of these rated as Least Concern (LC) and 12 as Near Threatened (NT). This study reveals the degree of extinction risk that exists to native or endemic Mexican Eugenia species, and highlights the urgent need to take action to protect, conserve and monitor their populations in the wild.

Climatic debts for global amphibians: Who, where and why?

Biodiversity usually needs time to respond to changes in external forces such as climate and landscape, making the assessment of biodiversity crises more complex and challenging. The phenomena of delay in species tracking suitable climate under changing environments can be described as climate debt. Amphibians are the most dispersal-limited vertebrate group with extreme sensitivity to climatic changes; thus, they are more vulnerable to accumulating climatic debts. Furthermore, different amphibians usually have different habitat requirements and preferences; thus, their exposure to climatic changes can vary. Here, we conducted one of the most comprehensive assessments on the features of current and future climatic debts for amphibians, for different orders and families, and over different geographic regions of the world. Our study showed that global amphibians tended to accumulate higher climatic debts in different regions when the climate was further warmed up from the present to the future periods. At the taxonomic level, it was found that families like Pelodryadidae, Mantellidae, Limnodynastidae, Dicroglossidae, Bufonidae, and Ptychadenidae were major contributors to climatic debts. For IUCN red list categories, the least-concern species nevertheless contributed the largest proportion of climatic debts. As a comparison, at the spatial scale, biomes such as temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, boreal forests/Taiga, temperate conifer forests and tundra experienced dramatic increases in debt from the present to the future. Tropical and subtropical forests constantly contribute major climatic debts. For zoogeographic regions, debt increased in Palearctic and Sino-Japanese regions over time. Landscape heterogeneity was the principal predictor of spatial climatic debt patterns for amphibians but not life-history traits and phylogenetic relationships of the taxa. Conclusively, this study can provide insights into the global priority area and species needed for conserving amphibians under different climate change scenarios.

Molecular Identification of Silver-Barb (Barbonymus sp.) Based on COI and Cyt-b gene region from East Java

This study aims to determine the genetic character of cyprinid fish (Barbonymus sp.) using the mtDNA gene in the COI and Cyt-b gene regions. Samples were collected from the various areas in East Java Province, including Gresik, Mojokerto, Madiun, Malang, and Banyuwangi. The caudal peduncle of the cyprinid fish was used for molecular identification. Isolation and purification of its genomic DNA using the gSYNCTM DNA Extraction kit. We used a polymerase chain reaction machine for template DNA amplification with COI primers, including FishF1 and FishR1, while Cyt-b primers, including GluDG-L and CB2-H. The results showed that all cyprinid fish sequences were successfully amplified with the COI gene of 648 bp and the Cyt b gene of 408 bp. The results of the BLASTN analysis show that there are two species of cyprinid fish that have been found, namely Barbonymus gonionotus and Barbonymus schwanenfeldii, with percentage identities ranging from 99-100%. The species Barbonymus gonionotus was found in five regions (Gresik, Mojokerto, Madiun, Malang, and Banyuwangi), while Barbonymus schwanenfeldii was only found in Malang. The genetic distance value based on the COI gene ranged from 0.00000-0.10694, while the genetic distance value based on the Cyt-b gene ranged from 0.00000-1.15662. Conservation status based on IUCN Red List data, the species Barbonymus gonionotus and Barbonymus schwanenfeldii are included in the Least Concern (LC) category, and these species, according to CITES data, have not been evaluated or Not Evaluated.

DNA barcoding of the most common marine ornamental fish species spilled over from a small-sized marine protected area, Bali Barat National Park, Indonesia

Abstract. Wiadnya DGR, Kurniawan N, Hariati AM, Astuti SS, Paricahya AF, Dailami M, Kusuma WE. 2023. DNA barcoding of the most common marine ornamental fish species spilled over from a small-sized marine protected area, Bali Barat National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 243: 47-54. Healthy coral reefs within a protected area may function as a source of recruitment to the surroundings through spill-over and export larvae. This study aims to generate a list of common species of marine ornamental fishes for the aquarium trade in Indonesia, mainly collected adjacent to Bali Barat National Park (BBNP). Lived-fish samples were collected from six fish collectors in two villages surrounding BBNP, Sumber Kima, Bali, and Bangsring, Banyuwangi. All species were checked by three active fishermen in both villages for confirmation of the most common species and not belonging to the target. A total of 82 separate groups out of 145 specimens were identified based on their morphological characters. All samples were then sequenced based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene amplification. The sequence read lengths for all the specimens were between 655 and 658 bp. All the findings from this DNA barcoding approach were in line with morphological species identification. Wrasses (Family: Labridae) were the most dominant (41 species) representing the group, followed by Pomacentridae (24 species), Acanthuridae (14 species), Pomacanthidae (14 species) and Gobiidae (10 species). Among the species, only green sergeant, Amblyglyphidodon batunaorum, belonged to the Vulnerable (VU) category based on IUCN criteria. The rest were either Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD), or Not Evaluated (NE). It implied that no catch species were under fishing pressure except for the green sergeant. Considering a total of 28 target species by local fishermen (recorded in an earlier article), small-scale fishermen can easily catch more than 100 species in one trip. The results significantly contributed to the need to generate a list of common ornamental fish species specifically exported from Indonesia as an aquarium trade commodity.

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract. Mukaila YO, Oladipo OT, Arogundade OO, Ajao AA-N. 2022. Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria. Asian J Ethnobiol 5: 71-83. The invaluable importance of traditional herbal medicine has necessitated systematic documentation of medicinal knowledge. This study documented medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of Ile-Ife. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 70 informants. The interview focused on the local names of the plants, medicinal uses, plant parts used, where the plants are sourced, and methods of preparation. The data collected were analyzed and compared with previous studies using quantitative indices. The conservation statuses of the recorded plants were retrieved from IUCN online database. Eighty-seven (87) medicinal plants from 43 families were implicated to be used in Ile-Ife from our survey. Euphorbiaceae was the most implicated family with eight species; herbs (36%) were the dominant plant habit, and the leaf (46%) was the most frequently used plant part. The informants preferred decoction (37%) as the method of preparation. Over 50% of the plants were collected from the wild. The conservation status of the 26 implicated plants in this study has been accessed, 17 plants fall under the least concern (LC) category, while five species are vulnerable (VU). The study highlights the need to intensify studies on the conservation of medicinal plants and also provides baseline data for future pharmacological and phytochemical studies while preserving the cultural medicinal practices of Ile-Ife.

Red List of lichenized fungi in Bulgaria

The first Red List assessment of lichenized fungi reported from Bulgaria is presented. The IUCN Red List criteria were applied to 138 species to assess their current extinction risk and to highlight the main threats for them. Our results revealed that six species are Regionally Extinct (RE), 23 species are Critically Endangered (CR), 20 species are Endangered (EN), 13 species are Vulnerable (VU), 11 species are Near Threatened (NT), 58 species are Least Concern (LC), and seven species are Data Deficient (DD). The most important floristic regions for lichen conservation are the Pirin Mts (26 species), the Balkan Range (25), the Rila Mts (25), the Rhodopes (20), Mt. Vitosha (16), Mt. Strandzha (16), and the Black Sea coast (15). The main threats are development of tourism and recreation activities that destroy habitats (60 species affected), air pollution (55), climate change (53), development of tourism and recreation areas (41), harvesting trees and other woody vegetation (unintentional effects) (27), ecosystem modifications that convert or degrade habitats (18), and development of housing and urban areas (14). The information provided in this Red List will assist to further develop the national conservation strategy for Bulgaria.

Filling the gap to avoid extinction: Conservation status of Brazilian species of Epidendrum L. (Orchidaceae)

Orchidaceae has the largest percentage of threatened genera and species in relation to other plant families. One of the largest neotropical genus in this family is Epidendrum, represented in Brazil by 130 species. In this study, we assessed the conservation status of 63 Brazilian endemic species of Epidendrum. We characterized the extinction risk following the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessment guide, using criterion B. We considered species with a minimum number of four samples with confirmed occurrence localities and we measured the decline in quality or absolute reduction in the geographical distribution area of the species due to vegetation suppression (conditions bi, bii and biii of criterion B) in the last 35 years, using data available in MAPBIOMAS. A total of 2,754 records belonging to 37 assessed species were gathered, other 24 species were classified as Data Deficient (DD), and two were not assessed. Among the assessed species, 10 were categorized as Endangered (EN), six as Vulnerable (VU), 10 as Near Threatened (NT) and 11 as Least Concern (LC). The results reveal that epiphytic species of the Atlantic Forest were more frequently assessed in some degree of threat (55%). E. strobilicaule Hágsater & Benelli had the largest reduction of distribution area in the last 35 years to the classes of human use that include economical activities, while E. paniculosum Barb.Rodr. showed the smallest reduction. The main threats of the last 35 years for the analyzed species were conversion of land to pastures, urbanization, and the conversion of land to a mosaic of agriculture and pasture. This study provides important information about the conservation status of Brazilian endemic species of Epidendrum, helping to fill an expressive gap of non-assessed species.

Floristic inventory of Myrtaceae of Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract Myrtaceae is a diverse family in Brazil and the sixth most representative family in the Atlantic Forest. In Paraná, the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (ParNa Iguaçu) is a large National Park and also one of the largest remnants of this phytogeographic domain. The objective of the present study was to carry out a floristic inventory of the Myrtaceae of the ParNa Iguaçu, presenting an identification key to the species, illustrations, conservation status evaluation, and comments on geographic distribution and phenology. The collections were carried out between May 2019 and March 2020 in two areas composed of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest and a transitional area to Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. In addition to the samples collected by us, material from other herbaria were also examined. Twenty-five native species and one exotic species of Myrtaceae were found, distributed in seven genera. Eugenia was the most representative genus with 11 species. Of the 26 species, seven are new occurrences for ParNa Iguaçu. From the samples collected in this research and other records in the northwest and west regions of the state of Paraná, the presence of Psidium striatulum in Seasonal Semideciduous Forest is confirmed. Eugenia myrciariifolia was the only species on Brazil’s endangered species list, the IUCN conservation status of which is Endangered (EN). The other species were considered as Least Concern (LC), but some of these species are restricted to certain areas or types of vegetation. Therefore, we conclude that ParNa Iguaçu contributes to the maintenance of these species in their natural environment.