Discovery of a new sub-population, mapping and updated Red List assessment of the Endangered Cycas beddomei Dyer (Cycadales: Cycadaceae)

Main Article Content

B. Ravi Prasad Rao
M. Chennakesavulu Naik
S. Salamma
M. V. Suresh Babu

Abstract

A new sub-population of Cycas beddomei Dyer (Cycadaceae), hitherto believed to be endemic to the Seshachalam Hills (Tirupati-Kadapa Hills) of Andhra Pradesh is discovered from Velikonda Hills (Nellore-Kadapa districts) of Andhra Pradesh.  Hence its global distribution status is hereby revised endemic to Seshachalam and Velikonda hills  of Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.  Combined datasets of our earlier studies with the latest indicated no change in its ‘Endangered’ status. 

 

Article Details

Section
Communications
Author Biographies

B. Ravi Prasad Rao, Biodiversity Conservation Division, Department of Botany, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh 515003, India

 Dr. B. Ravi Prasad Rao is Professor of Botany, his research interests include plant taxonomy, biodiversity conservation, remote sensing applications and climate change studies. He has 27 years of research experience and published 12 books and 110 papers. He is the Principal Investigator for 12 research projects funded by WWF, UGC, DST, DBT, IIRS, NBA and NRSC. Eighteen students awarded PhD under his guidance. He was a Visiting Fellow at Oklahoma State University, USA. 

 

M. Chennakesavulu Naik, Biodiversity Conservation Division, Department of Botany, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh 515003, India

Mr. M. Chennakesavulu Naik is a Senior Research Fellow in DBT Project in 2009. He is currently pursuing his PhD on ‘floristic studies in Andaman Islands’. His main research interest is inventory and conservation of plant species. 

 

S. Salamma, Biodiversity Conservation Division, Department of Botany, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh 515003, India

Dr. S. Salamma is a Post Doctoral Fellow (UGC).  She was a DST-Inspire Fellow for three years and pursued her Ph.D ‘conservation and in vitro propagation of Croton scabiosus Bedd.’ She has four years of research experience and research interest included conservation of threatened species.  

 

M. V. Suresh Babu, Biodiversity Conservation Division, Department of Botany, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh 515003, India

Dr. M.V. Suresh Babu is a Lecturer. He pursued his Ph.D. on ‘diversity, quantitative assessment and conservation of plant species of Seshachalam hills’. He has eight years of research experience.  

 

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