(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - BARIACO
OTHER COMMON NAMES - BARIACO;GUAYABACON
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - GERANIALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - MELIACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - TRICHILIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - TRIACANTHA,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - TRICHILIA TRIACANTHA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Bariaco
Trichilia tricantha Urban
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Geraniales FAMILY: Meliaceae
Trichilia triacantha, bariaco, is an evergreen shrub or small
tree which may reach 8 to 10 m in height and 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter.
Leaves are glabrous and frequently clustered at the ends of branches.
They are compound with 3 to 7 leaflets that, with the exception of
the terminal one, are paired. Leaflets are 2 to 3 cm long and 0.25
to 0.50 cm wide, stiff and leathery, entire, obovate and widest at
the apex. The apex is truncate and has 3 stiff spines 2 to 3 mm long
arising from the mid- and lateral veins. The inflorescence is a
panicle reaching up to 4 cm in length. Flowers are perfect, sessil,
and about 3 mm in diameter. The calyx is cup-shaped with 4 to 5
teeth. The corolla is white and hairy on the outside with 4 petals.
Fruits are capsules with red arils (07,08).
Bariaco was first collected by Plee from the Penuelas area in
southern Puerto Rico. It was collected by Sintenis in Guanica in
1886 and by Gregory in 1939. The species was described by Urban from
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
those specimens collected by Plee and Sintenis, however, this
original material was destroyed during the war. It was not collected
again until Mr. Roy Woodbury discovered it in Guanica in the 1960's
(07). Because the three stiff spines at the apex of the leaves are
atypical of the genus Trichilia, this species was once segregated
into a separate genus Acanthotrichilia by Cook and Collins (02);
however, this has not been generally accepted and it has remained in
the genus Trichilia.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Puerto Rico; State Listed
Puerto Rico; Federal Endangered
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Bariaco (Trichilia triacantha) has been designated an
Endangered species 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
State of Puerto Rico.
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: Endangred
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTE: Regulation to Govern the Management of
Threatened and Endangered Species in the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
none
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species is not known to have any commercial value.
87/04/24:52 FR 13790/13792 - Proposed rule
88/02/05: FR - Final rule; listed as endangered
Status - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Deciduous Forest Land
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The following has been taken from the status report on Trichilia
triacantha (01).
Bariaco occurs primarily along drainage ways in what may be
considered the transition zone between deciduous seasonal and
semi-evergreen seasonal forest and woodland in south and southwestern
Puerto Rico at elevations less than 100 m (07,08). The area has been
classified by Ewel and Whitmore (03) as the subtropical dry
forest life zone.
In this area the canopy is usually shorter than in a
typical semi-evergreen seasonal forest. The upper is 10 m in height
and composed primarily of deciduous species and the second, at 5 m,
is composed of evergreen species. Little herbaceous vegetation is
present. In some sites, the forest may become more mesic, tending
toward the semi-evergreen seasonal forest (01,07).
The area is underlain by limestone sedimentary rocks, Tertiary
in origin. Marine fossils are abundant. Soils are derived from
limestone and are shallow, well-drained, and alkaline in nature.
Limestone outcrops cover much of the area in Guanica and Guaniquilla
with only interspersed patches of shallow soil present (04,07).
Mean annual precipitation is approximately 79 cm, distributed
in distinct wet and dry seasons. Over 55 percent of the
precipitation falls during the wet season, August through November.
The dry season extends from January through March. Mean annual
temperature has been reported to be 25.3 deg. C with a mean monthly
minimum of 23.5 deg. C and a mean monthly maximum of 26.7 deg. C.
Short-term studies have reported an absolute minimum of 15.0 deg. C
and an absolute maximum of 36.1 deg. C (06). A water deficit has
been reported to occur throughout the year with an estimated
potential evapotranspiration of 125 cm per year.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
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
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
Shrub-tree (05,07)
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (05)
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (05,07)
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Fruit production has been observed to be poor (07).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (05,07)
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
No information is available. (07,08)
SEED BIOLOGY:
Little is known about seed biology. Fruits were not described
until the 1980's and the production of fruit appears to be poor (07).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Individuals are found scattered in the Guanica Forest. No
seedlings have been observed (07). Mature individuals appear to be
healthy and free of disease.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Soils of the sites of the bariaco populations are derived
from limestone and are shallow, well-drained, and alkaline.
Limestone outcrops frequently cover a large part of the surface and
patches of shallow soils are interspersed among the limestone
(04,07).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (05)
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Component (07,08)
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
The vegetation of the drier sites may be classified, according
to Beard (01), as deciduous seasonal forest and in the more mesic
environments an intermediate between the deciduous and semi-evergreen
seasonal forests. Two tree and shrub strata are found and little
herbaceous vegetation is present. Common species in the upper
layer are Clusia rosea (cupey), Guaiacum officinale (guayacan or
lignumvitae), Coccoloba diversifolia (uvilla), Bucida buceras
(ucar), and Bursera simaruba (almacigo or turpentine tree).
Trichilia triacantha is found in the second strata associated
with Krugiodendron ferreum (palo de hierro), Amyris elemifera
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
(tea), Eugenia maleolens (anguila), E. xerophytica (guayabacon),
and Citharexylum fruticosum (pendula) (06,07).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
none
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
none
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Flooding
Existing Flooding
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Principal past and present reasons for the current status of
this species are the destruction and modification of habitat. The
species frequently occupies drainage areas which are subject to flash
floods which may uproot plants. In Guanica Forest, many individuals
are located along an unimproved road which is under pressure from
surrounding municipalities for widening and paving. These
individuals would be destroyed by construction activities (07,08).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No approved recovery plan is available for this species.
Recommendations for recovery actions include:
- Transplanting wild individuals.
- Propagation for reintroduction.
- Maintenance of seed bank.
- Restricting timber harvesting.
- Controlling/restricting agricultural practices.
- Land acquisition.
- Controlling/restricting road maintenance actions.
- Limiting human access.
- Continuation of habitat protection.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species BARIACO
Species Id ESIS704057
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Beard J. S. 1955. The classification of tropical vegetation
types. Ecology 36: 89-100.
02 Cook, O. F. and G. N. Collins. 1903. Economic plants of
Puerto Rico. Contr. S. Natl. Herb. 8: 57-269.
03 Ewel, J. J. and J. L. Whitmore. 1973. The ecological life
zones of Puerto Rico. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 8: 57-269.
04 Gierbolini, R. 1979. Soil Survey of the Ponce area of
southern Puerto Rico. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service in
cooperation with the University of Puerto Rico, College of
Agricultural Sciences.
05 Little, E., R. O. Woodbury, and F. H. wadsworth. 1974.
Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, Vol. II.
U.S.D.A. Forest Service Handbook 449.
06 Lugo, A. E., G. A. Gonzalez-Liboy, B. Cintron, and K. Dugger.
1978. Structure, productivity, and transpiration of a
subtropical dry forest in Puerto Rico Biotropica 10(4):
278-291.
07 Vivaldi, J. L. and R. O. woodbury. 1981. Status report on
Trichilia triacantha Urban. Unpublished report submitted
to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, Georgia.
08 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Field Office.
1986. Status review on Trichilia triacantha Urban.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Vivaldi, J. L. and R.O. Woodbury. 1981. Satus reported on
Trichilia triacantha Urban. Unpublished report submitted to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, Georgia. 34pp.
02 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Field Office. 1986
Status review of Trichilia triacantha.
References - 1