Abstract Abstract
Background
Thought to be endemic to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Ruehssia woodburyana (Apocynaceae) was recently discovered at a single location on Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands. Despite an increase in the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, this species meta-population is very limited with a total of 37 individuals known in the wild. The largest subpopulation, on Mona Island, has only 26 individuals. The species suitable habitat is experiencing a continuing decline due to urban development, grazing by feral ungulates and human-induced forest fires. Conservation action is urgently needed and should be directed towards establishing genetically representative ex situ collections, such as seed for long term storage and live material for propagation. This species is evaluated as Critically Endangered (CR), based on Criteria C2a(i)+D, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (version 3.1) and guidelines (Subcommittee IUCN Standards and Petitions 2016).
New information
Extensive and regular surveys to the region enable the discovery of new plant records for different countries and islands. In this paper, we record a new island record for Ruehssia woodburyana on Norman Island, in the British Virgin Islands and discuss the species conservation status. Marsdenia woodburyana is transferred to the genus Ruehssia to reflect the resurrection of that genus for species of Marsdenia native to the New World.
Keywords: Apocynaceae , Caribbean Flora, Conservation, Endemism, New combination, Nomenclature, Red List
Introduction
In this paper, we present a species conservation profile for an endemic species to the British Virgin Islands and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Species Conservation Profiles
Ruehssia woodburyana
Species information
Scientific name: Ruehssia woodburyana
Species authority: (Acev.-Rodr) Goyder
Synonyms: Marsdenia woodburyana Acev.-Rodr., 1999 – Acevedo-Rodriguez 1999: 167.
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Taxonomic notes: All the native New World species of the broadly delimited pan-tropical genus Marsdenia R.Br. (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) occur in a single clade, according to a recent study using two plastid and two nuclear gene regions (Espírito Santo et al. 2019). The genus Ruehssia H.Karst. was resurrected for these species but, to date, only those taxa occurring in Brazil have been transferred, although Cuban taxa will follow shortly (Liede-Schumann pers. comm. 2019, manuscript under review) and it is planned to transfer species from other parts of the Americas in subsequent papers.In order to expedite the range extension of M. woodburyana Acev.-Rodr. to the British Virgin Islands and to permit timely publication of its conservation status, we here propose the formal transfer of this species from Marsdenia to Ruehssia.Ruehssia woodburyana (Acev.-Rodr.) Goyder, comb. nov.BASIONYM: Marsdenia woodburyana Acev.-Rodr., 1999 – Acevedo-Rodriguez 1999: 167.TYPE: Puerto Rico, Mun. Guánica, Bosque Estatal de Guánica, Caña Gorda, 26 May 1998, Ramírez & Rosado 27, holotype: US [US00604132]; isotypes: MAPR; MO [MO-169808]; NY [NY00328790]; UPRRP; US (alcohol collection)).
Region for assessment: Global
Editor & Reviewers
Reviewers
Reviewers: Clubbe, C.; Urbaniak, J.
Editor
Editor: Barrios, S.; Hamilton, M.A.
Reviewers
Reviewers: Clubbe, C.; Urbaniak, J.
Editor
Editor: Barrios, S.; Hamilton, M.A.
Geographic range
Biogeographic realm: Neotropical
Countries: Virgin Islands, BritishPuerto Rico
Map of records (image):
Map of records (Google Earth):
Basis of EOO and AOO: Observed
Basis (narrative): Observed occurrences.
Min Elevation/Depth (m): 10
Max Elevation/Depth (m): 150
Range description: Ruehssia woodburyana is a rare plant species restricted to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands (BVI). This species was originally described occurring exclusively at Caña Gorda within the Guánica State Forest in Guánica municipality on the island of Puerto Rico (Acevedo-Rodriguez 1999, Acevedo-Rodríguez 2005). Herbarium collections and observations dating from 2007 to 2017 (Suppl. material 1) reveal that this species also grows in other southern coastal municipalities of Puerto Rico: Peñuelas, Lajas and Cabo Rojo (Segarra et al. 2014). There are also herbarium collections from the islands of Mona and Culebra in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In 2017, a team of botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico and the University of Puerto Rico (Mayagüez Campus) came across fertile material of a similar vine on Norman Island, an island on the south-western edge of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) archipelago (Hamilton and Barrios 2017). This vine was vouchered (M.A. Hamilton, #1738, K000860152, K!) and later confirmed as R. woodburyana (O. Monsegur pers. comm. 2017). This species extent of occurrence (EOO) was estimated to be 5,649 km2 and the area of occupancy to be 32 km2 based on a 2×2 km cell size (Bachman et al. 2011).
New occurrences
Extent of occurrence
EOO (km2): 5649
Trend: Increase
Causes ceased?: Unknown
Causes understood?: Unknown
Causes reversible?: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations?: No
Area of occupancy
Trend: Increase
Causes ceased?: Unknown
Causes understood?: Unknown
Causes reversible?: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations?: No
AOO (km2): 32
Locations
Number of locations: 7-8
Justification for number of locations: The number of locations was calculated to be seven to eight, considering threats posed by human disturbance and human-induced fires at the different sites where the species has been recorded.
Trend: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations?: No
Population
Number of individuals: 37
Trend: Unknown
Causes ceased?: Unknown
Causes understood?: Unknown
Causes reversible?: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations?: Unknown
Population Information (Narrative): Originally described from Guánica State Forest as extremely rare, Acevedo-Rodriguez (1999) mentioned a single mature plant and two juveniles. More recent collections from southern municipalities on the island of Puerto Rico, Culebra and Mona islands in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Norman Island in the BVI suggest a total of 37 individuals. The largest sub-population occurs on Mona Island with 26 known individuals. All other subpopulations have between one and five individuals. The area and quality of suitable habitat of this species is in continuing decline due to grazing by feral ungulates and human disturbance, including development and human-induced fires.
Subpopulations
Abundance largest subpopulation: 26
Number of subpopulations: 4
Trend: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations?: No
Severe fragmentation?: No
Habitat
System: Terrestrial
Habitat specialist: Unknown
Habitat (narrative): A woody vine which can grow to eight metres long in tropical dry forest (Figs 1, 2, 3, Acevedo-Rodríguez 2005). This species is known to flower only once per year for a short period (Segarra et al. 2014).
Figure 1.
Flowers of specimen of Ruehssia woodburyana observed and collected on Norman Island, British Virgin Islands.
Figure 2.
Habit (vine) of Ruehssia woodburyana observed in Guánica State Forest, Puerto Rico.
Figure 3.
Fruit of Ruehssia woodburyana observed in Guánica State Forest, Puerto Rico.
Trend in extent, area or quality?: Decline (observed)
Habitat
Habitat importance: Major Importance
Habitats: 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry
Habitat
Habitat importance: Major Importance
Habitats: 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry
Ecology
Generation length (yr): 0
Dependency of single sp?: No
Ecology and traits (narrative): The generation length of this vine is unknown. More field observations are required.
Threats
Justification for threats: This species is subjected to a variety of threats. Most locations are threatened by human disturbance which is causing habitat degradation and fragmentation, particularly through urban development and fire. In Puerto Rico, human-induced fires are frequent in Guánica State Forest along road PR 333 near Caña Gorda, the type locality. These seriously affect the quality of this species suitable habitat and may preclude the species natural recruitment. The habitat on Norman Island in the BVI was degraded by feral animals in the past, but these have now been removed, promoting the recovery of native vegetation. Despite the presence of feral goats and pigs on Mona Island, these animals are not thought to be impacting the species as feral mammal populations are managed through sports hunting. However, it is noted that no recruitment has been observed at this location in the recent years (J. Sustache pers. comm. 2018). At Laguna Cartagena and Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuges, there is no direct evidence of impact due to human-induced fires or feral animals, despite the presence of these threats. Within the municipality of Peñuelas, this species suitable habitat is threatened by the expansion of industrial landfills, service roads and utility lines (O. Monsegur pers. comm. 2018). Climate change might already be impacting this species through more severe droughts and stronger tropical storms.
Threats
Threat type: Ongoing
Threats: 1.3. Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas4.1. Transportation & service corridors - Roads & railroads4.2. Transportation & service corridors - Utility & service lines7.1. Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression11.2. Climate change & severe weather - Droughts
Threats
Threat type: Ongoing
Threats: 1.3. Residential & commercial development - Tourism & recreation areas4.1. Transportation & service corridors - Roads & railroads4.2. Transportation & service corridors - Utility & service lines7.1. Natural system modifications - Fire & fire suppression11.2. Climate change & severe weather - Droughts
Conservation
Justification for conservation actions: This species is found within protected areas across its natural range. In the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the species is recorded as occurring within the Guánica State Forest, Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge, Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge and Mona Island Nature Reserve. It is also thought to occur within the Culebra National Wildlife Reserve, but further surveys are needed. Norman Island in the BVI is not a protected area, as it is privately owned. This species is listed as a Critical Element by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER 2007). Monsegur (Monsegur 2009) suggests that this species should also be evaluated to be listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. There are no known ex situ collections for this species despite attempts in recent years to collect seed from southern municipalities on the island of Puerto Rico (J. Sustache pers. comm. 2018).
Conservation actions
Conservation action type: Needed
Conservation actions: 1.2. Land/water protection - Resource & habitat protection3.4. Species management - Ex-situ conservation4.3. Education & awareness - Awareness & communications
Conservation actions
Conservation action type: Needed
Conservation actions: 1.2. Land/water protection - Resource & habitat protection3.4. Species management - Ex-situ conservation4.3. Education & awareness - Awareness & communications
Other
Justification for use and trade: There are no known uses for this species.
Justification for ecosystem services : Insufficient Information available
Use and trade
Use type: International
Ecosystem services
Ecosystem service type: Less important
Research needed
Research needed: 1.2. Research - Population size, distribution & trends1.3. Research - Life history & ecology3.4. Monitoring - Habitat trends
Justification for research needed: Conservation action and research should be directed to develop a better understanding of this species' ecology and population trends and develop ex situ conservation collections. Further surveys are needed to look for potential undetected individuals and subpopulations within the species range, particularly in the US and British Virgin Islands. The areas and habitats, where this species occurs, should be closely managed and monitored.
Use and trade
Use type: International
Ecosystem services
Ecosystem service type: Less important
Research needed
Research needed: 1.2. Research - Population size, distribution & trends1.3. Research - Life history & ecology3.4. Monitoring - Habitat trends
Justification for research needed: Conservation action and research should be directed to develop a better understanding of this species' ecology and population trends and develop ex situ conservation collections. Further surveys are needed to look for potential undetected individuals and subpopulations within the species range, particularly in the US and British Virgin Islands. The areas and habitats, where this species occurs, should be closely managed and monitored.
Viability analysis
Supplementary Material
Google Earth map showing Ruehssia woodburyana known records
Barrios, S.; Hamilton, H.; Monsegur, O.; Sustache, J.
Data type: occurences
File: oo_307399.kml
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands for their continued support and assistance in the field and for providing necessary letters to other government departments to facilitate field visits in the British Virgin Islands. Thanks to Mr Omar Monsegur of the US Fish and Wildlife Service for identifying the new record, supplying images of the species and useful discussion on the species conservation and comments on this manuscript.
Hosting institution
National Parks Trust of the Virgin Island
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflit of interest
Funding Statement
Survey work to Guana Island and the British Virgin Islands was supported by Darwin Plus grants (xx name of grants) and by the HSBC 150th Anniversary Fund.
Hosting institution
National Parks Trust of the Virgin Island
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflit of interest
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Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Supplementary Materials
Google Earth map showing Ruehssia woodburyana known records
Barrios, S.; Hamilton, H.; Monsegur, O.; Sustache, J.
Data type: occurences
File: oo_307399.kml