Astrophytum coahuilense
| Astrophytum coahuilense | |
|---|---|
_(5650576819).jpg) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Astrophytum |
| Species: | A. coahuilense |
| Binomial name | |
| Astrophytum coahuilense (H.Moeller) Kanfer | |
Astrophytum coahuilense is a cactus species belonging to the genus Astrophytum.
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as a subspecies of Echinocactus myriostigma (now Astrophytum myriostigma), before later being considered synonymous with A. myriostigma.[2] Morphological comparisons done in 2005 by David Hunt, as well as genetic testing performed in 2016, supported classifying A. coahuilense as a separate species.[2] The 2016 genetic testing, performed using Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling, found that A. coahuilense may have diverged from a common ancestor with A. capricorne around 3.3 million years ago during the Pliocene.[2][3]
A morphological study performed in 2024 found results that supported the hypothesis that the species may have resulted from an ancient hybridization between A. myriostigma and A. capricorne.[3]
Description
A. coahuilense may be confused with Astrophytum myriostigma, as the two looks similar to each other. A. coahuilense possesses a five-ribbed structure, albeit the epidermis is more covered in softer trichomes compared to A. myriostigma. It grows up to a size of 10 cm (occasionally 20 cm). The flowers are yellow with a characteristic red throat, although can appear pure red or very rarely pure yellow. In the fruit which is red till olive-green colored and basal opening are up to 200 seeds, similar as in the case of A. capricorne.[4]
Distribution and habitat
A. coahuilense is native to Mexico, specifically the south-western regions of Coahuila and Durango. They inhabit preferentially sunny south and east slopes on lime formations (limestone hills) located in xerophytic shrubland, rarely growing in the north or west position between white grey rock in a loose to thick vegetation, which primarily consists of a dry bush community.[5] The soil consists mainly of lime gravel and sand with isolated humus feedthroughs.[4]
The species is known from three severely fragmented localities, with an extent of occurrence of just under 6000 km².[5] In each location there is reportedly only a few plants, though at the hill of Las Palmas, Durango the species reportedly is found at a density of 1000 per 10 hectares.[5][6]
Conservation
Threats
The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with the last assessment being performed in 2009. The main threats to the species were identified as illegal harvesting and overgrazing of the area by livestock, particularly goats.[5]
References
- ↑ Fitz Maurice, B.; Sotomayor, M.; Fitz Maurice, W.A.; Hernández, H.M.; Smith, M. (2017). "Astrophytum coahuilense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T152660A121483203. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152660A121483203.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- 1 2 3 Vazquez-Lobo, Alejandra; Morales, Gisela; Arias, Salvador; Golubov, Jordan; Hernandez, Tania; Mandujano, María (2016-01-01). "Phylogeny and Biogeographic History of Astrophytum (Cactaceae)". Systematic Botany. 40: 1022–1030. doi:10.1600/036364415X690094.
- 1 2 Montanucci, Richard R. (2024-07-09). "A morphological study on the question of the hybrid origin of Astrophytum coahuilense (Cactaceae)". Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. 18 (1): 163–185. doi:10.17348/jbrit.v18.i1.1346. ISSN 2644-1608.
- 1 2 "Astrophytum coahuilense". Cactus Art Nursery. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Fitz Fitz Maurice (Cacti & Succulent Plants SG); Betty Fitz Maurice (Cacti & Succulent Plants SG); Héctor Hernández (Instituto de Biología, UNAM, MÉXICO); Manuel Sotomayor (Global Cactus Assessment); Martin Smith (Global Cactus Assessment) (2009-11-16). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Astrophytum coahuilense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Archived from the original on 2025-06-07.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Romero-Méndez, Ulises; Jose, Juan; Ríos, Martínez; Pérez, Edmundo; Miramontes, Rafael; Padilla, Salvador; Martínez, Ricardo; Czaja, Alexander (2011-09-18). "ANÁLISIS PREELIMINAR DE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN GEOGRÁFICA DE LA CACTÁCEA Astrophytum myriostigma Lem. (1839)".
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