Exploraciones botánicas a poblaciones de Consolea (Cactaceae) en Cuba: estado de conservación y principales amenazas

• Published in: Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 217 - 228
• Main Authors: Barrios, Duniel, Díaz, Edgardo, Majure, Lucas C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 23.07.2019
• ISSN: 1934-5259; 2644-1608
• DOI: 10.17348/jbrit.v13.i1.845

Four species of Consolea have been reported from the Cuban archipelago, each of which has been considered under threat of extinction. During the last three years various expeditions were carried out to try to update existing information about the conservation status of populations of the different species and their primary threats. Likewise, we revised and identified herbarium specimens from HAC, HAJB, HMC, MNHN, and NY to put together distribution maps for each species on Cuba. All native species of Consolea on Cuba are under threat of extinction/ extirpation. Consolea moniliformis is the species with the largest populations on Cuba, while C. macracantha displays the widest range of any other species on the island. Two new localities of C. macracantha were found during this study, but likewise, showed the only signs to date of attack by the invasive moth, Cactoblastic cactorum. Among the principle threats detected for species of Consolea on Cuba are exotic, invasive plant species, livestock grazing and development. We provide a key to the species on Cuba.