|
|
Post by Melanie on Jan 29, 2007 22:30:02 GMT 1
COMMON NAMES: Rarotonga Acalypha
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: NATIVE Cook Islands (Rarotonga)
COOK ISLANDS STATUS: Native, Endemic of Cooks, 1-island, Extinct; Land, mountains (X?)
SIGNIFICANCE LIST: ; Extinct or Globally endangered (critically)
KEY FEATURES: A usually unbranched shrub to 2m height. LEAVES: clusters at the top of stem; alternate; green; oval (wider at base); to 30x20cm [LxW]; long leaf-stalk. FLOWERS: (male & female separate); at top of stem; densely clustered along the flower-stems; small; females on short and upright stems; males on longer, drooping stems. FRUITS: clusters on the upright stems; small, dry, wart-like.
|
|
|
|
Post by Melanie on Jan 29, 2007 22:30:47 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by Melanie on Jun 14, 2014 20:30:38 GMT 1
Scientific Name: Acalypha wilderi Species Authority: Merr. Taxonomic Notes: Acalypha wilderi is doubtfully distinct from A. raivavensis F.Br. (Florence 1997) and Acalypha tubuaiensis H.St.John, and at some stage they will be merged under the oldest available name A. wilderi (W.R. Sykes pers. comm. 2011). Obviously when this is done A. wilderi will no longer be globally extinct and a new threat assessment will be needed. In particular the conservation status of the island populations of both A. raivavensis and A. tubuaiensis (once merged in A. wilderi) will need to be determined as Florence (1997) indicates that neither is common. Assessment Information [top] Red List Category & Criteria: Extinct ver 3.1 Year Published: 2014 Date Assessed: 2011-03-29 Assessor(s): de Lange, P., Martin, T. & McCormack, G. Reviewer(s): Sayer, C. Justification: Acalypha wilderi has not been reported from the wild since the 1929. Since the 1980s there have been several comprehensive surveys for it by island based botanists and naturalists (notably Mr G. McCormack), the current Cook Islands Flora writer (Mr W.R. Sykes of Landcare Research, New Zealand) and other botanists visiting the island (for example Dr(s) W.A. Whistler, P.J. de Lange, R.O. Gardner, T.J. Martin and Mr E.K. Cameron) over the last forty years. Given the survey effort, the lack of relatively intact potential habitat, and the island’s small size (67 km2) there now seems little doubt that A. wilderi has gone extinct. Geographic Range [top] Range Description: As far as is known A. wilderi was only ever known from forested habitats on the northern (Avarua) and western (Arorangi) sides of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands (Cheeseman 1903, Wilder 1931) within an altitudinal range of 200-300 m asl. Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. Population [top] Population: This species is extinct. Habitat and Ecology [top] Habitat and Ecology: Very little is known about this species ecology; the few collections and notes available suggest it was a small shrub, rarely exceeding 2 m in height according to Wilder (1931), and a species of “open” forested habitats within an altitudinal range of 200-300 m asl (Wilder 1931, W.R. Sykes pers. comm. 2011). Systems: Terrestrial Use and Trade [top] Use and Trade: This species is extinct. Threats [top] Major Threat(s): Acalypha wilderi was most probably a naturally uncommon species (see comments by Cheeseman 1903, Wilder 1931). It is only known from a handful of specimens collected between 1899 and 1929. These were all collected from forested habitats though there is conflict as to the exact type of habitat. Cheeseman (1903, p. 205) states “shaded woods near Arorangi” and Wilder (1931, p. 64) states “in semi-dry valleys, back of village of Avarua, altitude 200 to 300 m”). These are the only botanists to have provided any details as to the species likely habitat preferences. However, W.R. Sykes (pers. comm. 2011) is strongly of the opinion that this was a species of open forested habitats. Irrespective, the lowland and slope forests of Rarotonga, and especially those in the vicinity of Avarua and Arorangi are amongst the most heavily modified on the island as a result of deforestation for agriculture, roading, housing and plantation forestry. What few forested areas now remain are also seriously damaged and heavily infested with a range of weeds (ranging from small shrubs to trees and vines). Faced with these threats, it is hardly surprising that a small, apparently already uncommon shrub like A. wilderi has vanished. As comprehensive surveys of the vegetation of Rarotonga over the last forty years have failed to rediscover this species it now seems very likely that it is extinct (see also comments by Whistler 1988). Nevertheless, as with any “extinct” plant there always remains a slim chance that it may yet be rediscovered somewhere else on Rarotonga though over time and with increasing survey effort this seems rather unlikely. Conservation Actions [top] Conservation Actions: This species is thought to be extinct. www.iucnredlist.org/details/199821/0 |
|
|
|
Post by Melanie on Jun 19, 2014 22:05:02 GMT 1
|
|
