Semecarpus kathalekanensis

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Semecarpus kathalekanensis
Semecarpus kathalekanensis (8583647972).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Semecarpus
Species:
S. kathalekanensis
Binomial name
Semecarpus kathalekanensis
Dasappa & Swaminath, 2016

Semecarpus kathalekanensis is a critically endangered species of plant endemic to the Western Ghats of the states of Goa and Karnataka in India. It is also called as Kathalekan Marsh Nut. [2] [1]

Contents

Etymology

This species is named after Kathalekan, a small hamlet in Siddapur taluk of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka that has Myristica swamp where the tree was found and described. [2]

Distribution and Habitat

This species of tree were found from six localities inside the Myristica swamps of the Western ghats spreading across Karnataka and Goa. [1]

Description

The tree can grow up to 20 meters high. [3]

Conservation and Threats

A 2021 survey found that there were less than 120 mature individual trees found in the wild. Major threats for this species include road expansion, conversion of the swamp forests that host the trees into agriculture lands or plantations and diversion of the swamp water for agriculture.

This species are pollinated by Malabar nymph and seeds dispersal is done by Lion-tailed macaque two endemic and endangered species. This combined with skewed seed sex ratio and specific fresh water swamp habitat needs adds to the challenges faced by this species. [1]

A species conservation plan was attempted for this species where seeds from Sirsi were planted in Myristica swamps of Kerala [4] [5] . Some seeds were successfully grown in nursery and transferred to the natural habitats in Karnataka. [6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 IUCN (2020-12-09). Semecarpus kathalekanensis: Deepu, S. & Ravikanth, G.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T175212A1419302 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2021-2.rlts.t175212a1419302.en.
  2. 1 2 Dasappa, M., Swaminath, H. (1 January 2000). "A new species of Semecarpus L. (Anacardiaceae) from the Myristica swamps of Western Ghats of North Canara, Karnataka, India". The Indian Forester. 126 (1): 78–82.
  3. ↑ Rao, R. Vijendra; Sujatha, M. (2003-09-01). "Wood Structure of Semecarpus kathalekanensis Dasappa et Swaminath (Anacardiaceae) : a New Species from Southern India". Indian Forester: 1159–1163. doi:10.36808/if/2003/v129i9/2388. ISSN   2321-094X.
  4. ↑ Nair, PV; Pandalai, RC. Species recovery plan for Semecarpus kathlekanensis: a critically endangered freshwater swamp species of the Western Ghats (PDF). Annual Reports 2012-13 (Report). Kerala Forest Research Institute.
  5. ↑ Awasthi, Kirtiman (2008-01-15). "Revival plan for a disappearing tree". Down To Earth. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  6. ↑ Ravikanth, G.; Jagadish, M. R.; Vasudeva, R.; Uma Shaanker, R.; Aravind, N. A. (2018-02-10). "Recovery of Critically Endangered Plant Species in India:Need for a Comprehensive Approach" (PDF). Current Science. 114 (03): 504. doi:10.18520/cs/v114/i03/504-511. ISSN   0011-3891.

Recovery of a Critically Endangered Fresh-Water Swamp Tree Species of The Western Ghats

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