Acer binzayedii

Acer binzayedii
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Sapindaceae
Genus:	Acer
Section:	Acer sect. Acer
Series:	Acer ser. Saccharodendron
Species:	A. binzayedii
Binomial name
Acer binzayedii Y.L.Vargas-Rodr.

Acer binzayedii, commonly known as algodoncillo, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Acer. It is endemic to Jalisco State in western Mexico. It has a limited range, and is considered Critically Endangered.^[1]

Description

Acer binzayedii is a large tree, growing to between 20 and 30 meters in height. It flowers between December and January and sets fruit from March.^[1]

Taxonomy

The formal description of the species reads as follows: "The specific epithet honours a philanthropist committed to the protection of the environment and the preservation of species, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. Through his philanthropic endowment, the first author was able to conduct phylogeographic and taxonomic studies of Acer in tropical America; this research led to the discovery and recognition of this new species."

Until 2017 it was considered a western population of Acer skutchii.^[2]

Range and habitat

Acer binzayedii is native to ravine montane cloud forests in the Sierra de Manantlán of western Jalisco State. It known from two remnant populations, each less than two hectares in area, between 1,790 and 1,880 meters elevation. Mean temperature is 18.5 °C. The two cloud forest remnants are separated by pine–oak forest.^[1]

It grows on intermediate rocks and cambisol soil. It is typically found in association with Carpinus tropicalis, Cornus disciflora, Dendropanax arboreus, Ostrya virginiana, and Quercus salicifolia. A. binzayedii is susceptible to fire.^[1]

Conservation

Human disturbance is causing species' habitat to decline in area, extent and quality. The species also suffers from low genetic diversity.^[1]

The population was formerly larger, but only 90 mature trees have been observed, along with a larger number of young trees.^[1]

References

1. Vargas Rodríguez, Y.L. 2017. Acer binzayedii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T112788439A112788448. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T112788439A112788448.en. Accessed on 09 August 2022.
2. Vargas-Rodriguez, Yalma L.; Urbatsch, Lowell E.; Karaman-Castro, Vesna; Figueroa-Rangel, Blanca L. (2017). "Acer binzayedii (Sapindaceae), a new maple species from Mexico". Brittonia. 69 (2): 246–252. doi:10.1007/s12228-017-9465-5. S2CID 26618081.