Researchers have recognized a brand new species of evergreen tree belonging to the genus Miliusa from the Agasthyamala biosphere reserve in the southern arm of the Western Ghats in the Thiruvananthapuram district. What makes the invention particular is that solely two mature timber have been spotted to this point in its pure habitat, underscoring the necessity for conservation.
The tree, which grows to a peak of about six to 9 metres with drooping branches, has been christened Miliusa agasthyamalana after the placement the place it was discovered. A paper by V. S. Anil Kumar, affiliate professor, Department of Botany, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and S. Arya, a analysis scholar of the identical division, has been printed in the most recent version of the journal Phytotaxa.
The identification of the brand new species has additionally taken the full quantity of species of Miliusa discovered in India to 25. Spotted throughout a floristic survey in the Athirumala vary of the Agasthyamala biosphere, the brand new species is morphologically just like Miliusa paithalmalayana and Miliusa wightiana, however detailed research revealed it to be distinct from all different hitherto recognized species of Miliusa, the paper mentioned.
Further, it famous that the evergreen forests of the southern Western Ghats are residence to quite a few endemic species together with seven species of Miliusa. The researchers got here throughout the brand new Miliusa species at elevations ranging between 1000-1250 metres.
Miliusa agasthyamalana has brown bark, and solitary flowers that are yellowish-pink in color. Flowering and fruiting happen throughout April-July.
With regard to its conservation standing, the paper noticed that solely a single inhabitants has been encountered to this point, with about two mature timber separated by a distance of about 1.5 km. ”Given the small quantity of mature people which have been discovered, we’ve beneficial that the species be categorised as critically endangered (CR),” Dr. Anil Kumar mentioned. The Phytotaxa paper famous that though the timber are situated in a properly protected space, the possibilities of forest fires do pose a menace.
The Gist:
- Researchers have recognized a brand new species of evergreen tree belonging to the genus Miliusa from the Agasthyamala biosphere reserve in the southern arm of the Western Ghats in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Only two mature timber have been spotted to this point in its pure habitat, underscoring the necessity for conservation.
- The evergreen forests of the southern Western Ghats are residence to quite a few endemic species together with seven species of Miliusa.
