ON THE ECOLOGY, INSECT SEED-PREDATION, AND CONSERVATION OF A RARE AND ENDEMIC PLANT-SPECIES - EBENUS-ARMITAGEI (LEGUMINOSAE)

被引：29
作者：
HEGAZY, AK
EESA, NM
机构：
[1] Botany Department, Faculty of Science, University of Cairo, Giza
[2] Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Cairo, Giza
来源：
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | 1991年 / 5卷 / 03期
关键词：
D O I：
10.1111/j.1523-1739.1991.tb00143.x
中图分类号：
X176 [生物多样性保护];
学科分类号：
090705 ;
摘要：
Ebenus armitagei Schweiuf. et Taub(Leguminosae) is a perennial woody species endemic to the western Mediterranean coast of Egypt and Libya. The species is very rare and restricted to a narrow range of distribution. Growth, phenology, seed output, and predation by the bruchid beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Bruchidae-Coleoptera) of a naturally growing population were monitored. Growth and phenology are highly seasonal and correlated with precipitation and temperature. Up to 48.4% of the population is in the juvenile stages, which experience high mortality. Seed predation is extraordinarily heavy. An average of 94.4% of seeds in different stages of maturity are consumed or damaged by C. maculatus. Habitat change and biotic factors within populations including seed predation are threatening the species' existence in the wild. The following are some possible measures for conservation of E. armitagei: (1) small-scale habitat conservation (sanctuary), (2) establishment of new populations by artificial means, (3) establishment of a gene (seed) bank, (4) encouraging botanical gardens to conserve the species, and (5) field application of selective insecticides to control the seed predators but not to destroy beneficial insects.
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页码：317 / 324
页数：8
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