Evaluating the IUCN conservation status of Tritaxis kurnoolensis (R.R.V.Raju & Pull.) R.Y.Yu. & Welzen (Euphorbiaceae), an endemic tree species found in the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8911.16.10.26013-26021Keywords:
Critically Endangered, endemic, grid method, Nandyal, Owk dam, quantification, small tree, sullavai sandstone, type locality, unisexual flowersAbstract
Tritaxis kurnoolensis, a small tree of the Euphorbiaceae family, is endemic to a valley within the Sullavai Sandstone plateau in close proximity to the Paleru Reservoir (Owk dam). The species is a narrow endemic. No documented sightings of this species have been recorded beyond the type locality since its description in 1994 by Venkataraju & Pullaiah as Dimorphocalyx kurnoolensis from the Nandyal District of Andhra Pradesh. In this study, the authors applied the grid method for quantification and subjected the species to a meticulous analysis aligning with IUCN Red List Criteria. The distribution was found to be restricted due to habitat (valley) fragmentation, reservoir which is arresting seed dispersal, and destruction caused by tunnel construction civil works. The area of occupancy (AOO) at 16 km² and the extent of occurrence (EOO) at 0.474 km², were systematically computed using GeoCAT. The species is assessed here using the Red List methodology for evaluating extinction risk. Based on its AOO, EOO, and population size, it has been classified as Critically Endangered.
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