Medusagyne oppositifolia

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	MAGNOLIOPSIDA	THEALES	MEDUSAGYNACEAE

Scientific Name:

Medusagyne oppositifolia

Species Authority:

Baker

Common Name/s:

English

–

Jellyfish Tree

Taxonomic Notes:

This species represents the only living representative of the family Medusagynaceae, which is endemic to the Seychelles.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iv,v); C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2011

Assessor/s:

Matatiken, D., Huber, M.J. & Ismail, S.

Reviewer/s:

Gibbs, D. & Lutz, M.L.

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Medusagyne oppositifolia is known from Mahé and occurs only at four sites. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 25 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) is thought to be less than 10 km². The population is thought to be declining and only 86 mature individuals seem to exist. Approximately 90% of the total population are found in one subpopulation at Bernica, which is also the only subpopulation known to be reproducing. The three other sites consist only of scattered individuals, which do not regenerate. It is listed as Critically Endangered.

History:

1998	–	Critically Endangered (Oldfield et al. 1998)
1998	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Mahé Island (Bernica, Mont Sebert, Mont Copolia and Mont Jasmin), Seychelles. The EOO is estimated to be approximately 25 km². While the AOO was not determined, it is thought to be less than 10 km².
Countries:	Native: Seychelles (Seychelles (main island group))
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species was thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1970 by J. Procter (Wise 1998). At present, there are only four known sites on Mahé. In a survey in 2006, 86 mature individuals were found (Matatiken 2006), of which 77 are located in the largest subpopulation at Bernica (89.5% of the total number of mature individuals). Only the largest known subpopulation is know to reproduce. The three other sites consist only of scattered individuals, which do not regenerate. Dead trees can be observed at these sites and a past decline is therefore suspected. A future decline of range and individuals must be suspected due to lack of regeneration in three subpopulations. It is possible that the largest subpopulation is big enough to be viable, but overall the population can be regarded as severely fragmented.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

This species was thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1970 by J. Procter (Wise 1998). At present, there are only four known sites on Mahé. In a survey in 2006, 86 mature individuals were found (Matatiken 2006), of which 77 are located in the largest subpopulation at Bernica (89.5% of the total number of mature individuals). Only the largest known subpopulation is know to reproduce. The three other sites consist only of scattered individuals, which do not regenerate. Dead trees can be observed at these sites and a past decline is therefore suspected. A future decline of range and individuals must be suspected due to lack of regeneration in three subpopulations. It is possible that the largest subpopulation is big enough to be viable, but overall the population can be regarded as severely fragmented.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall, glabrous in all its parts. The species is occurring on exposed massive granite outcrops between 150 and 500 m. Its seeds are wind dispersed.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The main threats to this species are intrinsic factors such as poor recruitment/regeneration, very restricted geographic range, limited dispersal and high seedling mortality.

Major Threat(s):

The main threats to this species are intrinsic factors such as poor recruitment/regeneration, very restricted geographic range, limited dispersal and high seedling mortality.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is present in the Morne Seychellois National Park, but is not legally protected. Ex-situ propagation programs in Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and Biodiversity Center Mahé are in place.

Conservation Actions:

The species is present in the Morne Seychellois National Park, but is not legally protected. Ex-situ propagation programs in Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and Biodiversity Center Mahé are in place.

Citation:	Matatiken, D., Huber, M.J. & Ismail, S. 2011. Medusagyne oppositifolia. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2013.
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