Current Science

K. Haridasan ¹, A. A. Mao ², M. K. Janarthanam ³, A. K. Pandey ⁴, S. K. Barik ⁵, S. K. Srivastava ⁶, P. C. Panda ⁷, Geetha Suresh ¹, S. K. Borthakur ⁸, B. K. Datta ⁹, B. Ravi Prasad Rao ¹⁰

Affiliations
1 TDU, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bengaluru 560 106, IN
2 Botanical Survey of India, Shillong 793 003, IN
3 Department of Botany, Goa University, Goa 403 206, IN
4 Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, IN
5 CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow 226 001, IN
6 Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun 786 006, IN
7 Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), Bhubaneswar 751 105, IN
8 Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati 781 014, IN
9 Department of Botany, Tripura University, Agartala 799 022, IN
10 Department of Botany, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur 515 003, IN

Abstract

Conservation of biodiversity, a growing concern today, faces multiple challenges. Although ecosystem approach has been recommended as a solution, conservation of threatened species is difficult as they are spread across the ecosystems and are often restricted to microhabitats. In this article, the importance of taxonomy, herbarium and field germplasm bank in conservation of threatened species is discussed. It is concluded that individually each of these measures has important role to play in conservation. They also complement each other in reversing the threat perspective of the species.

Keywords

Biodiversity, Conservation, Germplasm Bank, Herbarium, Taxonomy.

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N. K. Chrungoo ¹, G. R. Rout ², S. P. Balasubramani ³, P. E. Rajasekharan ⁴, K. Haridasan ³, B. R. P. Rao ⁵, R. Manjunath ³, G. Nagduwar ³, P. Venkatasubramanian ³, A. Nongbet ¹, M. Hynniewta ¹, D. Swain ², S. Salamma ⁵, K. Souravi ⁴, S. N. Jena ⁶, S. K. Barik ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793 022, IN
2 Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar 751 003, IN
3 Trans-Disciplinary University, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, 74/2, Jarakabanade Kaval, Attur PO, Yelahanka, Bengaluru 560 106, IN
4 Division of Plant Genetic Resources, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru 560 089, IN
5 Department of Botany, Biodiversity Conservation Division, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur 515 003, IN
6 CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226 001, IN

Abstract

The extent of genetic diversity within a species is an important determinant of successful adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. Assessment of extent of genetic diversity/variability is also important to monitor genetic erosion within a species. In threatened plant species, genetic diversity assessment helps in selection of genetically diverse populations to enrich the genetically impoverished populations, thus minimizing the probability of genetic drift. Confirming taxonomic identity of threatened species, particularly those belonging to species complexes with dispute identity, is another essential task in the conservation of threatened species, which is best resolved through molecular approaches. The present study estimated the genetic variability within and among the populations of four threatened species, viz. Justicia beddomei (C.B. Clarke) Bennet (Acanthaceae), Embelia ribes Burm. f. (Myrsinaceae), Madhuca insignis (Radlk.) H.J. Lam (Sapotaceae) and Cycas beddomei Dyer (Cycadaceae) using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers for selecting the genetically diverse populations. The phylogeny was analysed through ITS (nrDNA) and matK (cpDNA) sequences to confirm the species identity.

The phylogenetic analyses confirmed four distinct species of Justicia, which also revealed that J. beddomei and J. adhatoda were sister groups with a common ancestor showing rapid parallel speciation with J. gendarussa in one clade and J. betonica in another. Madhuca insignis with extremely small population in the Western Ghats (Karnataka to Kerala) might have undergone either extensive hybridization or incipient speciation. In case of Embelia species, a greater evolutionary closeness between E. subcoraceae and E. floribunda was revealed, while E. ribes had a distinct clad. Both ISSR and SSR markers distinguished various genotypes of Cycas beddomei.

Keywords

Conservation, Genetic Variability, Molecular Markers, Phylogeny, Threatened Plants.

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S. K. Barik ¹, B. R. P. Rao ², K. Haridasan ³, D. Adhikari ¹, P. P. Singh ¹, R. Tiwary ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793 022, IN
2 Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur 515 003, IN
3 Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bengaluru 560 064, IN

Abstract

Assigning threat status to a species is essential for prioritization of species under any conservation programme, and therefore, a pre-requisite for species conservation. In India, due to inadequate data, threat status has not been assigned to several plant species, although their population sizes are quite small and they are considered important from conservation point of view. Besides, there is a need for reassessment of threat status assigned by various agencies using updated data on population size, number of mature individuals, area of occupancy, and geographic extent of occurrence. This is crucial as the natural habitats as well as populations of such species are being affected by anthropogenic activities, exotic species invasion, and climate change. In the present study, we assessed the threat status of 59 selected plant species following the IUCN criteria (ver. 3.1). The species were selected after consultation with various experts throughout the country. Field surveys were carried out in various ecoregions of India to locate the species. Population size and number of mature individuals were enumerated following quadrat/plot-based sampling. The exogenous and endogenous factors leading to decline in population and rarity were identified based on field observations as well as laboratorybased seed viability and germination tests. Based on these studies, 20 species were classified under critically endangered category, 21 under endangered, 11 under vulnerable, five under near threatened, and one species each under data deficient and least concern category. Threat assessment for 41 species was done based on number of locations and geographical range of occurrence, while for 18 species it was done based on restricted population and number of mature individuals. Over-exploitation and habitat degradation or loss were the dominant exogenous factors leading to decline in natural populations of the selected species. The major endogenous factors that lead to population decline and species rarity were low seed viability and germination, long dormancy period, less seedling recruitment, low population size, habitat specificity and narrow niche leading to restricted distribution.

Keywords

Area of Occupancy, Extent of Occurrence, IUCN Classification, Population Size, Threatened Plants.

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