Ceylon Journal of Science 46(2) 2017: 59-67
DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v46i2.7430
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Evaluating the occurrence and conservation status of Sri Lankan species of
Anacardiaceae
W. A. M. P. Ariyarathne1,2,*, Deepthi Yakandawala2, Mary Rosabella Samuel 3 and Siril
Wijesundara4
1
Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
3
Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Faculty Center Botany, University of Vienna, Rennweg
14, A-1030 Vienna.
4
National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
2
Received: 17/02/2017; Accepted: 09/05/2017
Abstract: Sri Lanka is a tropical island with variety
of climatic, geographical and weather combinations.
These significant variations have resulted high
biodiversity in the country. Sri Lanka together with
the Western Ghats is one of the biodiversity hotspots.
Presently, Sri Lanka harbors 3,154 species of
Angiosperm families of which 894 are endemic. The
family Anacardiaceae is one of the flora groups that
did not attract attention of the researchers. However,
47.4% of this family, including 46.7% endemics was
considered as nationally threatened during the
National Red listing in 2012. This study was carried
out to investigate the current occurrence and
conservation status of the members of this family.
Observations on plant species were made in both
protected and un-protected areas. This study present
the recent occurrences of 14 species in 6 genera with
11 endemics belongs to this family. These species are
dispersed in two strict nature reserves, one Man and
Biosphere Reserve, one sanctuary, five forest reserves
and two un-protected locations. Among the observed
species 35.7% including 36.4% endemics are
accounted as nationally threatened which includes
‘Critically
Endangered’,
‘Endangered’
and
‘Vulnerable’ species. This information will be
contributed to establish precise conservation measures
and updating of the conservation status of these
species in Global and National level red listing.
Keywords: Sri Lankan Anacardiaceae, Semecarpus,
conservation status.
INTRODUCTION
Sri Lanka is a tropical island of 65,610 km2
located in the Indian Ocean close to the southern
tip of India. The combine effect of the climatic
conditions, topography and soil types have
contributed to the various vegetation types of Sri
Lanka (Ashton et al., 1997). Sri Lanka together
with Western Ghats is a biodiversity hot spot
among other 35 regions in worldwide due to its
richness of endemic fauna and flora and their
threatened status due to destruction (Mittermeier
et al., 2011). In the Asian region, the country is
the most compact region (number of species
present per 10,000 km2) for flowering plants,
amphibians, reptiles and mammals (NARESA,
1991). As per Red List of Sri Lanka (2012), this
country has 3154 species with 894 endemic
species of Angiosperms. However, among these,
there are some families yet to be explored.
Family Anacardiaceae, commonly known
as the Cashew family is composed of
economically important genera like Mangifera
L., Anacardium L. and few other medicinally
important taxa. Members of this family consist of
trees or shrubs containing resinous barks and
spirally
arranged
simple,
trifoliate
or
imparipinnate leaves (Meijer, 1983). There are
more than 700 species belong to 82 genera
dispersed in world wide and 19 species belong to
7 genera are found in Sri Lanka of which 15
species are endemics (Meijer, 1983; MOE,
2012). This family is recognized for its cultivated
or naturally grown edible fruits and seeds
(mangos, pistachios, and cashews), resinous
exudes where in some cases, turning to black on
exposure (Semecarpus L. f., Anacardium L.,
Lannea A. Rich., Mangifera L., and Nothopegia
Blume), dermatitis causing taxa (Comocladia P.
Br., Metopium P. Browne, Semecarpus L. f.,
Toxicodendron Mill.) and lacquer plants
(Toxicodendron Mill. and Gluta L. spp.).
Members of family Anacardiaceae are commonly
distributed in tropical lowlands in the world. In
*Corresponding Author’s Email: menakaa306@gmail.com
60
Sri Lanka, members of this family are dispersed
in all climatic zones except in arid zone. The
genus Semecarpus L. f. is widely spread in the
wet zone and some species are even spread out in
to the intermediate zone. Spondias pinnata (L.f.)
Kurz and Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.
have shown vast dispersion in Indo-Malesian
area while genus Buchanania Spreng. and genus
Nothopegia Blume, have one species in India as
well as in Sri Lanka (Ashton et al., 1997; Meijer,
1983).
Members of this family in other countries
have been investigated for their occurrence
(Tien-lu, 1980; Swaminath, 2000; Yi et al.,2004;
Wang, 2014), chemical composition and their
applications (Garcia et al., 1999; Ippen, 1982;
Benzi, 2009; Makom, 2010; Ojewole, 2005;
Ameyapoh, 2010; Al Sayed, 2010; Murray,
2009; Descamps, 2011) and as well as for their
molecular data (Wang et al., 2014; Miller et al.,
2001, Pell, 2004; Yi, 2008). However, in Sri
Lanka, members of this family have been studied
for their ecological contributions (Weerakkody,
and Parkinson, 2006; Gunatilleke, et al., 2005;
Jayasekara, et al., 2003; Ganashan, 1996;
Gunatilleke and Gunatilleke, 1991; De Zoysa, et
al., 1988; Jayasekera, 1992) and medicinal
values (Kankanamalage, et al., 2014).
There are 7 main categories of protected
areas in the world established by the IUCN
protected areas categories (Dudley, 2008).
According to the published statistics of the
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC)
Sri Lanka, there are three Strict Nature Reserves
(SNR), 22 National Parks (NP), 64 Sanctuaries,
and five Nature Reserves (NR), that are managed
by them (Performance report, 2011). In addition,
Forest Department of Sri Lanka governs two
World Heritage Wilderness areas, two
International Man and Biosphere (MAB)
Reserves and a Conservation Forest. Based on
the available statistics 13% of land surface of the
country is protected by the law. However, still
43.9% of Angiosperms, 59.5% of Pteridophytes
and 43% of vertebrates are listed under the
nationally threatened categories (MOE, 2012).
As per the National Conservation Status
(NCS) established by the National Red List 2012
of Sri Lanka, 47.4% of species belong to the
family Anacardiaceae including 46.7% of
Ceylon Journal of Science 46(2) 2017: 59-67
endemics are considered as nationally threatened.
Among these, 31.6% including 33.3% endemics
are categorized as ‘Vulnerable’ (VU), 10.5%
including 6.7% endemics are categorized as
‘Endangered’ (EN) and 5.3% including 6.7%
endemics are categorized as ‘Critically
Endangered’ (CR). Other than these species,
5.3% including 6.7% endemics are categorized
as ‘Near Threatened’ (NT) and 42.1% including
40% of endemics are included in the category
‘Least
Concerned’
(LC).
Mangifera
pseudoindica Kosterm. which is an endemic
species, is categorized as ‘Critically Endangered
and Possibly Extinct’ [CR(PE)].
However, these figures are based on
herbarium material, available literature and other
records and therefore the existence of these
species are constantly altering in the context of
clearing forests and other protected areas and as
a result of scrutinized field based taxonomic
studies from time to time. The present study was
carried out in both inside and outside of the
protected areas focusing on the current
occurrence and conservation status of the species
of the family Anacardiaceae. The information
generated would serve as a valuable source of
data for updating the current Red-data list and
the Flora of Sri Lanka.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Information on the species belong to the family
Anacardiaceae in Sri Lanka were extracted using
available literature (Meijer, 1983; MOE, 2012;
Senaratna, 2001) and observing herbarium
specimens deposited at the National Herbarium,
Peradeniya. Field visits were carried out from
November, 2013 to March, 2016 in order to
collect and make observations on the recorded
members of the family. The visited sites are
shown in Figure 1, including two strict nature
reserves (Ritigala SNR and Hakgala SNR), one
Man and Biosphere reserve (Kanneliya MAB
reserve), one forest sanctuary (Adam’s Peak),
five forest reserves (Sinharaja FR, Riverston FR,
Kalupahana FR, Hantane FR and Kithulgala
Makandawa FR) and two outside locations
(Mawathagama and Anuradhapura). Specimens
were collected to prepare herbarium specimens
and the locations were recorded using Global
Positioning System (GPS) data points with
details of latitude, longitude and elevation.
Ariyarathne et al.
61
Figure 1: The map of Sri Lanka showing the locations of the visited sites during the study period.
Identification of the specimens was done
using voucher specimens deposited at the
National Herbarium, Peradeniya (PDA). The
collected data were analyzed based on the
species richness in each site and recorded NCS
according to MOE, 2012.
RESULTS
The observations were made in two SNRs
(Ritigala SNR and Hakgala SNR), Kanneliya
MAB reserve, Adam’s peak sanctuary and five
FRs (Kithulgala FR, Sinharaja FR, Riverston FR,
Kalupahana FR and Hantane FR). The study
recorded 14 (73.7%) species in 6 genera (85%)
including 11 (73.3%) endemics belonging to the
family Anacardiaceae. Observations were made
in 11 sites and the data given in the Table 1 and
Figure 2 shows the four species belonging to
three genera of the Family Anacardiaceae.
Comparative species richness of the each
observed site including the recoded endemics are
given in the figure 3.
Kanneliya International MAB reserve in
Galle district is harboring 8 species which is
61.5% of total observed species and all these
species are endemic to the country. Sinharaja FR
and Ritigala SNR also recorded 3 species in each
site where all the species in Sinharaja are
endemics while only 2 endemic Anacardiaceae
species were recorded in Ritigala. Hantane,
Riverston, Kithulgala and Kalupahana FRs
harbor 2 species in each and both species in latter
2 sites were endemics while the first 2 sites,
Hakgala SNR and Mawathagama sites had one
endemic species in each.
Ceylon Journal of Science 46(2) 2017: 59-67
62
Table 1: Occurrences of different Anacardiaceae species encountered during the study. Endemics are indicated by an ‘*’
Kanneliya
Sinharaja
Ritigala
Riverston
Hantane
Hakgala
Kithulgala
Kalupahana
Mawathagama
Location
Species
*Campnosperma zeylanicum Thw.
[Figure 1(A)]
*Semecarpus coriacea Thw.
*Semecarpus gardneri Thw.
*Semecarpus marginata Thw.
[Figure 1(C)]
*Semecarpus moonii Thw.
*Semecarpus nigro-viridis Thw.
[Figure 1(D)]
*Semecarpus obovata Moon
*Semecarpus parvifolia Thw.
*Semecarpus subpeltata Thw.
*Semecarpus walkeri Hook.f.
Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz
Anuradhapura
Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.
*Mangifera zeylanica (Blume) Hook.f.
[Figure 1(B)]
Nothopegia beddomei Gamble
Adam’s
Peak
Ariyarathne et al.
Figure 2: Fruits of (A). Campnosperma zeylanicum Thw. (B). Mangifera zeylanica (Blume) Hook.f. (C). Semecarpus
marginata Thw. (D). Semecarpus nigro-viridis Thw.
Figure 3: Occurrence of species of the family Anacardiaceae recorded in different sites during the study period.
63
64
DISCUSSION
The most recent comprehensive taxonomic
survey on the family Anacardiaceae was carried
out by Meijer in 1983, for the Revised Handbook
of the Flora of Ceylon, recording 21 species in 8
genera including 13 endemics. The last national
Red List of Sri Lanka (2012) consists of 19
species with 15 endemics dispersed in 7 genera.
This list has been prepared excluding 4
cultivated species (Mangifera indica, Spondias
dulcis, Spondias mombin and Anacardium
occidentale) and including 2 new species,
Semecarpus
pseudo-emarginata
Kosterm.
(Kostermans, 1982) and Mangifera pseudoindica
Kosterm. (Kostermans and Bompard, 1993).
Even though S. pseudo-emarginata (Kostermans,
1982) was established as a species in 1982, it
was not mentioned by Meijer in 1983. The
present study has recorded the occurrence of 14
species of the family Anacardiaceae including 11
endemics. The findings also record for 73.7% of
documented species including 73.3% endemics.
However, some species are not taken in to count
in this taxonomic survey as these plants are
considered as cultivated plants. Kanneliya MAB
reserve was found to be the most Anacardiaceae
rich site in the present study. In 1983, Meijer
recorded 6 species; C. zeylanicum, S. subpeltata,
S. walkeri, S. gardneri, S. parvifolia and L.
coromandelica from Kanneliya. Semecarpus
walkeri and S. parvifolia, C. zeylanicum were
also recorded by Singhakumara (1996) from
Kanneliya MAB reserve. The present study
recorded 3 species C. zeylanicum, M. zeylanica
and S. marginata from Sinharaja FR while
Meijer in 1983 recorded 6 species (C.
zeylanicum, S. subpeltata, S. walkeri, S.
gardneri, S. acuminate, S. nigro-viridis) in
Sinharaja FR. In 1988, De Zoysa et al., recorded
3 Anacardiaceae species, N. beddomei, S. nigroviridis and S. marginata from Sinharaja FR and
Gunatilleke and Gunatilleke (1991) observed 10
species including C. zeylanicum, M. zeylanica
and 8 Semecarpus species (S. gardneri, S.
marginata, S. nigro-viridis, S. ochracea, S.
parvifolia, S. pubescens, S. subpeltata and S.
walkeri). Jayasekara et al., (2003) recorded only
S. walkeri and Gunatilleke et al., in 2005
mentioned only C. zeylanicum. Three species, L.
coromandelica, N. beddomei and M. zeylanica
were observed from Ritigala SNR. In 1984,
Jayasuriya recorded 2 species (M. zeylanica and
N. beddomei) and Spondias pinnata was
recorded by Meijer in 1983. The present study
Ceylon Journal of Science 46(2) 2017: 59-67
also recorded 2 species from Kithulgala FR and
the same species were recorded by Meijer in
1983. Among the study sites, two species (S.
marginata and S. nigro-viridis) were recorded
from Kalupahana FR. However, Meijer (1983)
recorded S. nigro-viridis and S. walkeri from the
Kalupahana FR. According to Meijer (1983)
Buchanania axillaris and M. zeylanica were
found in Hantane but during this study only N.
beddomei and S. nigro-viridis were observed
from Hantane. Medawatte et al., (2011) recorded
5 species (M. zeylanica, N. beddomei, S.
gardneri, S. nigro-viridis, S. walkeri) from the
Morella forest fragment and N. beddomei and S.
nigro-viridis have been observed by Skinner
(2004) in Knuckles region. The present study
recorded the same two species as Skinner (2004).
In 1983, Meijer recorded 2 species (S. marginata
and S. walkeri) from Adam’s Peak Wilderness
Sanctuary and DWC (2007) documented M.
zeylanica and 2 unidentified Semecarpus species.
This study states only one species S. walkeri
from the Adam’s Peak Wilderness. Semecarpus
coriacea was observed from Hakgala SNR and
the same species was recorded by Meijer (1983),
Jayasekara (1992), Weerakkody and Parkinson
(2006). .
Reasons for not observing previously
recorded species during this survey could be due
to degradation of forest habitats as a result of
developmental activities and natural causes like
landslides, wild fires and cyclones.
Following is the genus-wise enumeration
of the observed species. The conservation status
cited based on the National Red List 2012 of Sri
Lanka (MOE, 2012).
Campnosperma Thw.
Campnosperma zeylanicum, the endemic
species found in this genus and is a LC species.
Lannea A. Richard
Lannea coromandelica is the only species
belong to this genus found in Sri Lanka. This
species is a LC species.
Mangifera L.
This genus consists with 2 wild endemic
species. Mangifera zeylanica was observed
with fruits. This species is categorized as LC
according to the National Conservation status
(NCS) and Vulnerable (VU) as per Global
Conservation Status (GCS).
Ariyarathne et al.
65
Figure 4: Categorization of species based on assigned National Conservation Statuses (LC = Least Concerned; NT = Near
Threatened; VU= Vulnerable and EN= Endangered).
Nothopegia Blume
This genus composed of one species found in
Sri Lanka and it is a LC species.
Semecarpus L.f.
The 12 species recorded in this genus are
endemic to Sri Lanka and 9 species were
observed in the present study. Among these, 4
species are LC (S. gardneri, S. nigro-viridis, S.
parvifolia, S. walkeri), 3 species are VU (S.
coriacea, S. moonii, S. subpeltata), a Near
Threatened (NT) S. marginata and an
Endangered (EN) S. obovata. All these species
are stated as VU species as per GCS except S.
coriacea which is an EN species.
Spondias L.
According to Meijer (1983), 3 species were
listed under this genus as (S. pinnata (L. f.)
Kurz, S. dulcis Sol. ex Parkinso and S. mombin
L.) and the latter two are cultivated in foreign
countries. This could be the reason for not
considering of S. dulcis and S. mombin, during
the last red listing process. Spondias pinnata
was evaluated and established as a VU species.
The observed species are plotted based on
the NCS (Figure 4).
Among the observed species, 7.1%
including 9.1% endemics are in the EN category,
28.6% including 27.3% endemics are in the VU
category, 7.1% including 9.1% of endemics are
in the NT category and 57.1% including 54.5%
of endemics are in the LC category.
In order to establish conservation measures
for these natural resources, it is vital to
understand their present status of occurrence.
Therefore, it is crucial to carry out constant and
precise field-focused taxonomic investigations
on these species, where the data would be a
valuable source of information in evaluating the
richness in different areas as well as in updating
information such as Red Data Book.
CONCLUSION
This study records 14 species including 11
endemics in 6 genera belonging to the family
Anacardiaceae. Gathered data will be used for
revising the Flora of Sri Lanka and Red data
listing and to establish the Ex-situ conservation
measures to protect these species.
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