Encephalartos pterogonus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	CYCADOPSIDA	CYCADALES	ZAMIACEAE

Scientific Name:

Encephalartos pterogonus

Species Authority:

R.A.Dyer & I.Verd.

Common Name/s:

English

–

Toothed-cone Cycad

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered B1ab(ii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iv,v); C1+2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Donaldson, J.S.

Reviewer/s:

Agenbag, L. & Bösenberg, J.D.

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Although more plants are thought to exist than previously estimated in 2003, and the decline over the past 60 years is difficult to quantify, the species still qualifies for Critically Endangered status based on its limited distribution (extent of occurrence is 35 km² and area of occupancy is less than 10 km²), existence at a single locality (based on current taxonomy) and ongoing decline.

History:

2003	–	Critically Endangered (IUCN 2003)
2003	–	Critically Endangered
1997	–	Endangered (Walter and Gillett 1998)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is restricted to Mount Mruwere (Monte Urueri) in the Manica province of Mozambique. It has also been reported from the adjacent Mount Dengalenga (Montes Dengarenga) and possibly from other adjacent hills. Recorded to occur from 700 up to 1,000 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Mozambique
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Population size was originally estimated to be ten mature individuals based on information from collectors. Although several collectors in South Africa claim that the species is extinct in the wild, Capela (2006) states that there are at least 246 mature plants, 112 smaller plants and 300-400 seedlings that survived out of the initial 1,000 seedlings that were re-introduced. Another population on a nearby inselberg may also belong to E. pterogonus.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Population size was originally estimated to be ten mature individuals based on information from collectors. Although several collectors in South Africa claim that the species is extinct in the wild, Capela (2006) states that there are at least 246 mature plants, 112 smaller plants and 300-400 seedlings that survived out of the initial 1,000 seedlings that were re-introduced. Another population on a nearby inselberg may also belong to E. pterogonus.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species grows on mountains with granite outcrops and plants are found in or near forested areas.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species has been severely affected by over-collecting for ornamental purposes. The small range and low numbers of this species means it could be affected by reproductive failure.

Major Threat(s):

This species has been severely affected by over-collecting for ornamental purposes. The small range and low numbers of this species means it could be affected by reproductive failure.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices.

Bibliography [top]

	Capela, P. 2006. Speculations on the Encephalartos species of Mozambique. Pedro Capela. Goode, D. 1989. Cycads of Africa. Struik Winchester, Cape Town. Goode, D. 2001. Cycads of Africa. D & E Cycads of Africa, Gallo Manor, Johannesburg, South Africa. IUCN. 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2010.3). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 2 September 2010). Jones, D.L. 2002. Cycads of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.

Capela, P. 2006. Speculations on the Encephalartos species of Mozambique. Pedro Capela.

Goode, D. 1989. Cycads of Africa. Struik Winchester, Cape Town.

Goode, D. 2001. Cycads of Africa. D & E Cycads of Africa, Gallo Manor, Johannesburg, South Africa.

IUCN. 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2010.3). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 2 September 2010).

Jones, D.L. 2002. Cycads of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.

Citation:	Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos pterogonus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 May 2013.
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