| Disperis nitida | |
|---|---|
 | |
| D. nitida herbarium specimen | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Disperis |
| Species: | D. nitida |
| Binomial name | |
| Disperis nitida | |
Disperis nitida is a species of orchid endemic to Cameroon. Described in 1942, D. nitida is now considered a vulnerable species.
D. nitida was described by English botanist V. S. Summerhayes in 1956 based on two specimens collected from mountain habitat in the Bamenda region of Cameroon. [2]
D. nitida is endemic to western Cameroon, with populations known from the Bamenda Highlands, Kilum-Ijim Forest, Mount Oku, and Mount Mwanenguba. A 2016 assessment for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species estimated the total area of occupancy of this species to be 40 km2 (15 sq mi). It grows in montane and submontane forests at elevations of 1,800–2,800 m (5,900–9,200 ft). [1]
D. nitida is a herbaceous plant growing to 12–50 cm (4.7–19.7 in) tall. The stems are smooth, upright, and thickened at the base. Each stem bears two ovate leaves, with each leaf measuring 15–70 mm (0.59–2.76 in) by 12–60 mm (0.47–2.36 in). The inflorescence bears one to five white flowers. [2] [3]
D. nitida grows as a terrestrial plant or as an epiphyte on low branches in shaded areas. Flowering occurs in September. [1] [3]
D. nitida is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) and B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v), based on its extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, the number of locations at which this species is present, and the number of mature individuals. D. nitida is present within the Kilum-Ijim Forest, a protected area, however, other populations occur in unprotected areas that are at risk of deforestation due to agriculture and logging. [1]
Oku is a subdivision in North West Region,, Cameroon. The term Oku also refers to the people who live in this region ruled by a Paramount Monarch [HRM King Ngum IV. Ngum Ernest Merlin Shang] and the primary language that they speak. Oku is a rural area containing about 36 villages with the population of about 180,000 inhabitants. The nearest really large city is Bamenda, but Kumbo, which is closer, is large enough to have telephone lines and a Baptist-run hospital. Oku also has a Sub-divisional hospital. However, three mobile telephone networks are available in Oku. As such, mobile internet facilities are available.
The Kilum-Ijim Forest is an area of mountain rainforest in Cameroon's North-West Region. It is found on Mount Oku and the nearby Ijim Ridge in the Cameroon mountains, with Lake Oku lying in a crater in its center. It is the largest area of Afromontane forest left in West Africa. The area is an important one for biodiversity, including the endemic Bannerman's turaco and banded wattle-eye. The forest is the focus of a successful community conservation project, the Kilum-Ijim Forest Project, which works to protect the forest. The project is a collaboration between the Cameroon Ministry of the Environment and BirdLife International, and focuses on sustainable use of the forests, local management, working to benefit both the biodiversity and local development. The programme works so well that the boundaries of the forest, as mapped by satellite imagery, are expanding, and the success of the idea has led to another sister project in Cameroon, the Bamenda Highlands Forest Project.
Halleorchis is a genus of terrestrial orchids containing only one species, Halleorchis aspidogynoides, which is an endangered species native to Central Africa.
The Cameroonian Highlands forests, also known as the Cameroon Highlands forests, are a montane tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion located on the range of mountains that runs inland from the Gulf of Guinea and forms the border between Cameroon and Nigeria. This is an area of forest and grassland which has become more populous as land is cleared for agriculture.
Afrixalus lacteus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is endemic to Cameroon and known from a few mountains in the western part of the country; specifically, it has been recorded from Mount Manengouba, Mount Nlonaka, and the southern Bamileke Highlands. Common name Cameroon banana frog has been coined for it. Prior to its description, it was confused with Afrixalus lindholmi.
The Lake Oku clawed frog is a species of frog in the family Pipidae, endemic to Lake Oku, a small crater lake in northwest Cameroon. It is a small, dark-coloured, fully aquatic frog with a length of 28 to 36 mm, males being slightly smaller than females. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated this frog as "critically endangered" on the basis of its small area of occurrence at a single location, and the possibility that introduction of non-native fish into the lake could cause the frog to be wiped out.
The banded wattle-eye is a species of bird in the family Platysteiridae. It is endemic to the Bamenda Highlands in western Cameroon. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. In particular, it likely prefers low-altitude forests with more bare ground and denser undergrowth cover.
Angraecum sanfordii is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. It is endemic to Cameroon, where it occurs on Mount Kupe and Mount Cameroon. It grows in submontane and montane habitat types. It is an epiphyte. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Beilschmiedia mayumbensis is a species of plant in the family Lauraceae. It is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Bulbophyllum bifarium, or two-sided bulbophyllum, is an epiphytic plant species in the family Orchidaceae, flowering in November and endemic to Cameroon. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, where it is threatened by habitat loss. It was described in 1864 by Joseph Dalton Hooker.
Bulbophyllum teretifolium is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. It is an epiphyte with cylindrical leaves and up to about forty small, white and purplish flowers and is endemic to Cameroon. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical, moist montane forests, where it is threatened by habitat loss.
Bulbophyllum deshmukhii, synonym Genyorchis macrantha, is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. It is endemic to Cameroon. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Nepenthes bokorensis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Cambodia. It is known from Mount Bokor in the south of the country, and an as yet undetermined specimen suggests that it may also be present in other parts of the Dâmrei Mountains of Kampot Province. The specific epithet bokorensis refers to both Mount Bokor and Bokor National Park.
Bulbophyllum subligaculiferum is a species of orchid in the genus Bulbophyllum endemic to the forests of Cameroon and Gabon. As a result of its decreasing population, it has been listed as 'Endangered' under criteria B2ab(iii,v) of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018.
Cyrtorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Mount Oku, or Kilum Mountain, is the largest volcano in the Oku Massif, in the Cameroon Volcanic Line, located in the Oku region of the Western High Plateau of Cameroon. It is the second highest mountain in mainland Central Africa. The stratovolcano rises to 3,011 metres (9,879 ft) above sea level, and is cut by a large caldera.
Lake Oku is a crater lake on the Bamenda Plateau in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. It is located at 2,227 metres (7,306 ft) on Mount Oku, and is completely surrounded by cloud forest.
Malaxis seychellarum is a species of orchid endemic to the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. First described in 1902, it is now considered a vulnerable species.
The four-horned chameleon is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to highland areas in western Cameroon and southeastern Nigeria.
Phrynobatrachus njiomock is a species of frogs in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is endemic to Cameroon and is only known from Mount Oku where it occurs near Lake Oku. It has not been observed after 2010 and might already be extinct. The specific name njiomock means "eleventh" in Oku language and refers to the name "Phrynobatrachus sp. 11" that Jean-Louis Amiet used in 1978 to refer to a specimen collected near Lake Oku. Common name Lake Oku puddle frog has been proposed for this species.
