(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
OTHER COMMON NAMES - PEPEROMIA and WHEELER'S
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PIPERALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - PIPERACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - PEPEROMIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - WHEELERI,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - PEPEROMIA WHEELERI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Wheeler's Peperomia
Peperomia wheeleri Britton
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Piperales FAMILY: Piperaceae
Peperomia wheeleri is an evergreen, glabrous, erect herb which
may reach 1 m in height. Leaves are alternate, fleshy, 2 to
2 3/4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide, with entire margins. Three
and sometimes five veins arise from the base. Petioles are
approximately 1/2 inch long and inconspicuous black dots cover the
underside of the leaves. Inflorescenses are spikes 4 to 6 inches long
and 1/4 inch thick opposite the leaves. Flowers are minute without
calyx and corolla. The species roots only at the base (03). The
species was discovered by Britton and Wheeler in 1906 during a trip to
Culebra Island. The type specimen was collected from live material
which had been taken to the New York Botanical Garden. The holotype
is housed at the Garden. With the exception of specimens collected
during the status survey no other collections are known (03). No
other scientific or common names have been applied to this species.
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Puerto Rico; Federal Endangered
Puerto Rico; State Listed
E: Federal Endangered
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Wheeler's peperomia (Peperomia wheeleri) has been designated
as Endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR
17.12; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended.
The species has this status wherever found including the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico.
Removal and reduction to possession of any federally listed plant
from an area under Federal jurisdiction is unlawful (50 CFR 17.61 and
17.71).
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to possess
any wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) within U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in 18 U.S.C.
7); or to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or
purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any wild plant (including
roots, seeds, and other parts) taken, possessed, transported, or sold
in violation of any State law or regulation. It is also unlawful to
import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any
wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) taken or
possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation or in
violation of Indian tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Puerto Rico
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTE: Regulation to Govern the Management of Threatened
and Endangered Species.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species is not presently known to have commercial value but
may have potential as an ornamental.
85/09/27:50 FR 39526/39527 - Notice of review
86/04/10:51 FR 12457/12460 - Proposed rule - Endangered
87/01/14:52 FR 01459/01462 - Final rule - Endangered
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Mixed Forest Land
Bare Exposed Rock
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Peperomia wheeleri is restricted to large boulders on the
north slopes of Monte Resaca and Flamenco, at elevations of 25 to 175
meters, in the municipality of the Island of Culebra. In this area
the species grows on humus which collects on the surface of these
boulders.
The vegetation of this area has been classified as subtropical
dry forest (02). However, the site vegetation can be described as a
more open, mesic, semi-evergreen seasonal forest. Trees are widely
spaced, growing between the large boulders, and form a canopy at about
5 meters. Many of the species have adventitious root systems that
form a tangled mass. Three principal species are present in this
strata: Clusia rosea; Bursera simaruba; and Ficus citrifolia (03).
The second, and only other, strata present is the herbaceous one.
This is composed of species which grow on the humus which accumulates
on the top of the boulders. In addition to Peperomia wheeleri, other
species include Anthurium acaule, Whittmackia lingulata (Bromeliad),
Epidendrum cochleatum (cockleshell orchid), and several species of
Tillandsia (spanish moss) (03).
Mean annual precipitation in Culebra is 97.4 cm and approximately
50 percent falls between August and November. Although no temperature
records are available for Culebra, mean annual minimum and maximum in
eastern Puerto Rico are 23.5 and 29.5 degrees Celsius respectively.
Relative humidity during the day is 67 percent (01,03).
Culebra and the adjacent islands are underlain by volcanic and
intrusive rocks of the Upper Cretaceous, primarily andesite lava. The
lava is overlain by adesite tuffs. Intrusions of diorite in north
central Culebra have weathered to form rounded boulders. Peperomia
wheeleri is found on soil which has been identified as Volcanic Rock
type where rock outcrops cover up to 70 percent of the surface.
Between these outcrops, the soil is very shallow and mixed with stones
(01,03).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
Wheeler's peperomia is an herb.
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (03).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (03).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Nothing is known about the phenology of this species.
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoecious (03).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Nothing is known about seed dissemination for this species.
SEED BIOLOGY:
No information is available concerning the seed biology of
Peperomia wheeleri.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Although little is known about the population biology of the
species the removal of the humus layer will create an environment
unfavorable for Wheeler's peperomia and thus the species will be
eliminated.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Peperomia wheeleri occurs on the humus which accumulates on the
large boulders in this open type of semi-evergreen seasonal forest.
Soils in this area have been identified as volcanic rock type. Here
rock outcrops cover most of the surface but between boulders a
shallow, loose soil is found. Culebra is underlain by volcanic and
intrusive rocks, primarily andesite lava, of the Upper Cretaceous.
Overlying the lava is andesitic tuff. Intruding these are diorite
and diorite porphyry which has weathered to form the large rounded
boulders covering much of the steep north central slopes (01,03).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic.
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Component (03).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Two strata are present in this semi-evergreen seasonal forest.
The tree layer is composed of primarily three species: Clusia rosea;
Bursera simaruba; and Ficus citrifolia. Species of the herbaceous
layer include, in addition to Peperomia wheeleri, Anthurium acaule,
Whittmackia lingulata (Bromeliad), Epidendrum cochleatum (cockleshell
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
orchid), and several species of Tillandsia (spanish moss). The
removal of the tree layer and foraging by feral animals eliminates the
humus and thus the microhabitat of Peperomia wheeleri (03).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
This species has historically been restricted to the Island of
Culebra. Previously, the population on the hill to the east of Laguna
Flamenco was the largest. Cattle grazing and removal of the
vegetation for construction have eliminated Peperomia in this area.
Today the primary threats are continued deforestation and the
activities of feral and domestic animals. Within forested areas
foraging by these animals destroys the humus on the boulders, thus
altering the microhabitat required by the species (03).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
There is no approved recovery plan. It is anticipated that this will
be completed in 1988.
There is presently no approved recovery plan for Peperomia
wheeleri, however, recommended recovery actions include the following:
- Exclusion/control of grazing (domestic animals).
- Exclusion of feral animals.
- Continued protection of habitat.
- Propagation for reintroduction.
- Limit human access.
- Restrictions on land development.
- Maintenance of seed bank.
- Restricting timber harvesting.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
The species has been successfully propagated by the Fairchild
Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida for potential reintroduction.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species PEPEROMIA, WHEELER'S
Species Id ESIS704035
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Environmental Quality Board. 1970. Culebra, an Island in
transition. Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board Staff Rept.
02 Ewel, J.J., and J.L. Whitmore. 1973. The ecological life zones of
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. U.S.D.A. For. Serv. Res.
Paper No. ITF-18. 72 pp.
03 Vivaldi, J.L., and R.O. Woodbury. 1981. Status report on
Peperomia wheeleri Britton. Unpubl. rept. submitted to the U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Atlanta, GA. 30 pp.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Vivaldi, J.L., and R.O. Woodbury. 1981. Status report on
Peperomia wheeleri Britton. Unpubl. rept. submitted to the U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Atlanta, GA. 30 pp.
References - 1