Diversity and distribution of Primula species in western Arunachal Pradesh, eastern Himalayan region, India

• Main Authors: Amal Bawri, Padma Raj Gajurel, Ashish Paul, Mohamed Latif Khan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2015-01-01
• Series: Journal of Threatened Taxa
• Subjects: Arunachal Pradesh; distribution; diversity; population; Primula; threats and conservation.
• Online Access: http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/1788
• ISSN: 0974-7893; 0974-7907

<p>The paper highlights the diversity, distribution and population status of <em>Primula</em> species in western Arunachal Pradesh. The present study has established the rich diversity of <em>Primula</em> species in western Arunachal Pradesh with a record total of 25 species, out of which five species, viz., <em>Primula</em> <em>ioessa </em>W.W.Sm., <em>Primula</em> <em>munroi </em>Lindley, <em>Primula</em> <em>obliqua</em> W.W.Sm., <em>Primula</em> <em>prolifera</em> Wall. and <em>Primula</em> <em>jigmediana</em> Hook.<em> f.</em> &amp; Thomson ex Watt, are new to Arunachal Pradesh.  More than 60% of the taxa of <em>Primula </em>of the state occurs in two districts of the western part of the state.  A maximum diversity (76%) of <em>Primula</em> species was recorded between 3500m and 4000m and a minimum (4%) was between 1500m and 2000m.  This study showed the poor population of some <em>Primula</em> species in the study area.  Among the four sampling sites the Panga-Teng-Tso is highly disturbed which is clearly reflected by very poor population density of <em>P</em>.<em> hookeri </em>(1.36 individuals m^-2). Various natural and anthropogenic threats have led to the pressure on the habitat of <em>Primula</em> species. Considering the rich species diversity of <em>Primula</em> and their distributional affinities, western Arunachal Pradesh may be considered as a centre of diversity of Indo-Chinese <em>Primula</em> species and appropriate conservation strategies should be adopted for the conservation of this genus.</p><div> </div>