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Acrostichum aureum

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
PLANTAE POLYPODIOPHYTA POLYPODIOPSIDA PTERIDALES PTERIDACEAE

Scientific Name: Acrostichum aureum
Species Authority: L.
Common Name/s:
English – Golden Leather Fern, Leather Fern

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published: 2010
Assessor/s: Ellison, J., Koedam, N.E., Wang, Y., Primavera, J., Jin Eong, O., Wan-Hong Yong, J. & Ngoc Nam, V.
Reviewer/s: Polidoro, B.A., Livingstone, S.R. & Carpenter, K.E. (Global Marine Species Assessment Coordinating Team)
Contributor/s:
Justification:
This species is very widespread and is common. There are no major threats to this species. It is robust, fast growing and often takes over disturbed mangroves. It is listed as Least Concern.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: This species has a very wide distribution. It is found in the Caribbean, in south and southeastern Asia, in Australasia, and in both East and West Africa.
Countries:
Native:
Angola (Angola); Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; Bahamas; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belize; Benin; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Cameroon; Cayman Islands; Colombia; Comoros; Congo; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Costa Rica; Côte d'Ivoire; Cuba; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Equatorial Guinea; France; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; India; Indonesia; Jamaica; Kenya; Liberia; Madagascar; Malaysia; Maldives; Martinique; Mayotte; Mexico; Montserrat; Mozambique; Myanmar; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Palau; Panama; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Puerto Rico; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Sao Tomé and Principe; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Tanzania, United Republic of; Thailand; Togo; Trinidad and Tobago; United States (Florida); United States Minor Outlying Islands; Venezuela; Viet Nam; Virgin Islands, British
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Native:
Atlantic – eastern central; Atlantic – southeast; Atlantic – western central; Indian Ocean – eastern; Indian Ocean – western; Pacific – northwest; Pacific – western central
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: This species can be common in many parts of its range. This species may in fact be increasing as it is easily colonizes cleared areas. It is very difficult to eradicate in situations where it overtakes previous mangrove systems. It can colonize open areas.
Population Trend: Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: This species is found in the intermediate estuarine zone in the high intertidal region. It is not restricted to mangrove systems and can grow in other areas in fresh water environments and in salt marshes. This is a species that is opportunistic and colonizes disturbed areas. It is fast growing, and very robust. It is a large herbaceous fern.
Systems: Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): There are no threats to this species, and in fact, it is a threat to other mangrove species. In mangrove systems that are disturbed, this species can take over and is difficult to eradicate.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: There are no conservation measures specific to this species, but its range may include some marine and coastal protected areas.
Citation: Ellison, J., Koedam, N.E., Wang, Y., Primavera, J., Jin Eong, O., Wan-Hong Yong, J. & Ngoc Nam, V. 2010. Acrostichum aureum. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
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