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Abstract Detail



Conservation Biology

De Andrade Silva, Raiany Dias [1], De Carvalho Vecchi, Igor [2], Cid Amorim, Marcelo [2].

New occurrences of Coleocephalocereus fluminensis (Miq.) Backeb in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

The Cactaceae, which have a wide geographic distribution, are mainly comprised of succulent plants, and this succulence is what allows them to survive for long dry periods. Cacti are the only plants to possess the distinctive areole; these bisexual flowers are usually large, solitary, and colorful, with numerous segments showing a gradual transition from bracts to sepals and then to petals. Coleocephalocereus fluminensis (Miq.) Backeb. is a species of cacti characterized by its climbing habit, with the tip growing towards the sun’s direction, branched base, areoles organized in 5-17 ribs, night flowering, purple bright fruits and when mature gets grizzly in the cephalium. The species inhabits gneissic inselbergs within the Mata Atlântica and other rocky formations (therefore very restricted occurrences) across the southeast of Brazil (states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais). Though these places are generally inaccessible to people because of their locations in remote and/or high elevations, the species faces threats such as invasion of exotic plants in its habitat, urban expansion, mining and other human activities. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed Coleocephalocereus fluminensis in its Red List of Threatened Species as Least Concerned in 2014. Within the state of Rio de Janeiro the species has previously been classified as vulnerable, and in the capital of the state, Rio de Janeiro the species is classified as Endangered (EN). The IUCN has recognized habitat loss as one of the causes of the decline of subpopulations of C. fluminensis both within and outside of protected areas. The objective of our study was to monitor for the presence of this species of concern in novel habitats in urban areas within the State of Rio de Janeior. Our study, for the first time, documents the presence of Coleocephalocereus fluminensis in the following locations within Brazil where it was not previously known to occur: Areal, Sapucaia and Levy Gasparian. During fourteen field visits throughout these locations from July 2014-March 2015 the authors identified the presence of C. fluminensis, and recorded presence of these cacti on rocky formations. Species data were collected and identifications confirmed with cacti specialists.


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1 - Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, , Environmental Sciences Deparment, Avenue Prefeito Alberto da Silva Lavinas, 1847, Center, (Zip Code 25.802-100) - Rio de Janeiro, B, Três Rios, RJ, Not Applicable, 25820-300, Brasil
2 - Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro,, Environmental Sciences Deparment, Avenue Prefeito Alberto da Silva Lavinas, 1847, Center, (Zip Code 25.802-100) - Rio de Janeiro, B, Três Rios, RJ, Not Applicable, 25820-300, Brasil
3 - Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro,, Environmental Sciences Deparment, Avenue Prefeito Alberto da Silva Lavinas, 1847, Center, (Zip Code 25.802-100) - Rio de Janeiro, B, Três Rios, RJ, Not Applicable, 25820-300, Brasil

Keywords:
Cactaceae
conservation.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PCB003
Abstract ID:1367
Candidate for Awards:None


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