Turbinicarpus gielsdorfianus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| PLANTAE |
TRACHEOPHYTA |
MAGNOLIOPSIDA |
CARYOPHYLLALES |
CACTACEAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Turbinicarpus gielsdorfianus |
| Species Authority: |
(Werderm.) John & Riha |
|
Common Name/s:
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| Taxonomic Notes: |
Accepted as a valid species by cactus specialists Anderson (2001) and Hunt (1999). Some hobbyists refer to the genus as Gymnocactus.
Basionym: Echinocactus gielsdorfianus Werderm., 1929. Monats. Deuts. Kakt-Ges., 214-216.
Synonyms = Gymnocatus gielsdorfianus (Werderm. Backeb., 1961; Pediocactus gielsdorfianus (Werderm.) Halda, 1998. |
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Critically Endangered
B1ab(v)+2ab(v)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2002 |
| Annotations: |
Needs updating
|
| Assessor/s: |
Anderson, E.F., Fitz Maurice, W.A., Fitz Maurice, B., Hofer, A., Sotomayor, M., Arrendondo, A.G. & Sánchez, B. |
| Reviewer/s: |
Stuppy, W. & Taylor, N.P. (Cacti & Succulent Plant Red List Authority) |
| Contributor/s: |
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Justification:
The population was thought to be very small (only about 250 plants) but recent surveys have shown that there are about 4,000 mature individuals. Never-the-less there has been an 80% population decline in the last five years. The remaining population has a very small extent of occurrence (0.9 km²). The species continues to decline as a result of illegal collecting. Generation length is estimated to be five years, hence Criterion A does not apply.
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Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
Since this species was rediscovered in 1988 near Cuidad Maiz (Fitz Maurice 1988), the population has been diminished substantially (at least by 80% in the last five years). Grows on a slope, in an area of about 0.9 km². Current estimated population size is about 4,000 mature individuals. |
| Countries: |
Native: Mexico (San Luis Potosí) |
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
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| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
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Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
Semi-desert on rocky calcareous slope at about 1,500 m altitude. The species is strongly dependent on edpahic conditions. The habitat is locally classified as Matorral Rosetófilo, (Rzedowski 1965).
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| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
These plants are threatened by illegal collecting. The habitat has become widely known to collectors.
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
Listed on CITES App.I, but the laws governing imports in the countries of destination need to be enforced. This species has been propagated and made widely available for 60 years, yet the demand for field collected plants remains.
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