Taxonomy, distribution, and ecology of Impatiens violacea (Balsaminaceae) a steno-endemic species in Pettimudi, an area of endemism in southern Western Ghats, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8362.17.1.26385-26393Keywords:
Anthropogenic stress, conservation, endemic species, habitat fragmentation, hot speck, tropical montane cloud forest, vertical distributionAbstract
Impatiens violacea is a steno-endemic species in a valley in Pettimudi forest adjacent to Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India. Taxonomic treatment, morphology, vertical distribution, ecology, phenology, ethnobotany, threats, and conservation status of the species are provided. Impatiens violaceae is a threatened species under the ‘Vulnerable’ category with substantial anthropogenic stress. The present study on endemic species in Pettimudi forest revealed 13 endemic species of the southern Western Ghats reside at area of (1.87 km2) in a U-shaped valley within the forest of Pettimudi, of which three species, namely, Impatiens violacea, I. johnii, and Cnemaspis anamudiensis were exclusively endemic to this valley whereas I. panduranganii to the Pettimudi forest. The findings suggest that the u-shaped valley in Pettimudi forest is an area of endemism (AoE) and a ‘hot speck’ within the Western Ghats, recognised as one of the global hotspots. Based on the study result, the authors recommend the u-shaped valley in Pettimudi forest be attached to the Eravikulam National Park territory to conserve the endemic species.
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