DISTRIBUTION, CONSERVATION STATUS AND THREATS TO ERYCIBE SPECIES (CONVOLVULACEAE) IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Information on the distribution and conservation status of Erycibe species in Peninsular Malaysia is important for the management and conservation plan of these threatened taxa. There are 19 Erycibe taxa in Peninsular Malaysia. Currently, 17 taxa have scientific names but 2 are new and labelled as Erycibe sp. A and Erycibe sp. B. In this study, the two new taxa are not evaluated. The conservation assessment followed the guidelines and criteria of the Malaysia Plant Red List. Based on information from the taxon data information sheet, nine taxa are categorised as Least Concern, one as Near Threatened, two as Vulnerable, two as Endangered, one as Critically Endangered, two as Data Deficient and none are Extinct. Taxa categorised as Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable are considered threatened. Of the five threatened taxa, two are endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, namely, E. praecipua ssp. praecipua and E. sapotacea. Distribution map for each taxon is also provided.