Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.T.1.12 Terrestrial Species - Plants Drypetes sp.

Rev: 19 March 2012

STUART MAILER

Drypetes sp. (species unknown) Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malpighiales, Family: Putranjivaceae (previously placed in the family Euphorbiaceae). Genus: Drypetes, Species: unknown The genus Drypetes is pantropical, and comprises about 200 species. Status Distribution: Unknown, single individuals found at one site in Grand Cayman and two sites in Cayman Brac. Conservation: Critically endangered CR B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(i,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(i,iii); D (The Red List, Burton 2008 unpub.) Legal: Drypetes sp. currently has no legal protection in the Cayman Islands.

For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

Section: 3.T.1.12 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Drypetes sp. Page: 1

Natural History Drypetes is known in the Cayman Islands only from single, possibly sterile specimens found in the forest understory at one site in Grand Cayman and two sites in Cayman Brac. The Cayman Islands Drypetes remains currently unidentified, and may be a species new to science. Associated Habitats and Species for Drypetes ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.4 Forest and Woodland Current Factors Affecting Drypetes Lack of information: until the taxonomic status of the Cayman Islands Drypetes sp. is fully determined, it will remain unknown as to whether the local specimens are endemic to the Islands, or otherwise. Restricted range: only known from three single specimens. Fecundity: taxonomic determination of local specimens has been hindered in the past because no fruit or flowers have been observed. Specimens appear sterile. Habitat loss: land clearance may result in the accidental loss of the few known specimens. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Drypetes None. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Drypetes OBJECTIVES 1. Determine full taxonomy of Drypetes sp. TARGET 2010 Unknown ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS

1. COMPLETED: (2011) Samples taken by National Trust and supplied to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK for assessment. Species identified as Drypetes alba Poit. 2. Determine range and numbers of Drypetes sp. 2012 2. REPORT: (2011) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew confirms range for Drypetes alba Poit as: West Indies (endemic), Greater Antilles [Jamaica (native), Cuba (native), Hispaniola (native)[ Dominican Republic, Gonave, Haiti, Tortue,], Puerto Rico (native), Virgin Islands (native) ( St. John, )]. 3. Reassess IUCN status, and afford protection to Drypetes sp. through legislation and development of conservation management strategy, as appropriate. 2012

Drypetes sp. PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Subject to RM2, protect Drypetes sp. under National Conservation Law, through establishment of conservation regulations. PL4. Strengthen the Development Plan on Grand Cayman, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands. PL5. Promote establishment of a Development Plan for the Sister Islands, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3 2 1,2,3 3

CIG DoE DoE DoP CPA DoP DCB

DoE CIG CIG CIG MP DoE CIG MP DoE Page: 2

2006 2006 2010 ongoing

ongoing

Section: 3.T.1.12 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Drypetes sp.

Drypetes sp. PROPOSED ACTION None. Advisory A1. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. RM1. Survey known sites for Drypetes sp. and obtain herbarium specimens.

LEAD Safeguards & Management

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE

DoE

CIG NT

2006

1,2,3

Research & Monitoring DoE NT 2010 1,2 RM1. COMPLETED: (2011) Herbarium specimens collected by National Trust, with vouchers placed with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. RM2. Determine full taxonomy of Drypetes sp. RM3. Determine range, numbers and reproductive status of Drypetes sp. DoE DoE 2010 2012 1 1,2 RM2. COMPLETED: (2011) Species identified as Drypetes alba Poit. by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. RM3. REPORT: (2011) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew confirms range for Drypetes alba Poit as: West Indies (endemic), Greater Antilles [Jamaica (native), Cuba (native), Hispaniola (native)[ Dominican Republic, Gonave, Haiti, Tortue,], Puerto Rico (native), Virgin Islands (native) ( St. John, )]. RM4. Reassess IUCN Red List status of Drypetes sp. locally. CP1. Raise public awareness of the unique nature of the endemic flora and fauna of the Cayman Islands. CP2. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. DoE DoE NT QEIIBP CIG MP CN GC OS SB LCN DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2012 3 Communication & Publicity 2008 2010 1,2,3 1,2,3

References and Further Reading for Drypetes

Burton, F. (2007). Wild Trees in the Cayman Islands (2nd edition). International Reptile Conservation Foundation, USA. ISBN 978-1-4276-2168-9 Burton, F.J. (2008a). Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Burton, F.J. (2008b). Vegetation Classification for the Cayman Islands. In: Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Proctor, G.R. (1984). Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Bulletin Additional Series XI. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Her Majestys Stationary Office. London. ISBN 0-11-242548-8. Proctor, G.R. (2012) Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Publishing. 736 pp. ISBN: 9781842464038

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