This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. The published version of this Preprint is available: https://doi.org/10.32942/X24P5N. This is version 2 of this Preprint.
Ecology and Conservation of Diospyros crumenata (Ebenaceae), a Critically Endangered Tree of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot
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Authors
JITHU K JOSE 
,
Anuraj K
Abstract
Diospyros crumenata is an IUCN- critically endangered tree species that belongs to the Ebenaceae family and is found in the Western Ghats region. There is limited information about this tree in floristic literature and herbaria, so we conducted extensive forest trips to the Western Ghats to locate its population and study its ecology. Unfortunately, this threatened tree is facing severe threats in its natural habitats. We aimed to understand this species' ecological, reproductive, and genetic constraints in its natural habitat. Unfortunately, this tree is facing severe threats in its natural habitats, and there is the possibility of the species becoming extinct in the near future. Immediate conservation measures such as restoration are needed to prevent the extinction of this species. The fruits produced by this tree are edible and mainly consumed by wildlife and indigenous people. The lion-tailed macaque, Macaca silenus, which is also endangered and endemic to the Western Ghats, depends on this fruit as its food source. Preliminary studies indicate this fruit has higher nutritive value than other commonly cultivated fruits.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.32942/X24P5N
Subjects
Life Sciences
Keywords
conservation, biodiversity hotspot, critically endangered, tree
Dates
Published: 2024-04-03 20:36
Last Updated: 2024-11-23 20:48
Older Versions
License
CC BY Attribution 4.0 International
Additional Metadata
Conflict of interest statement:
None
Data and Code Availability Statement:
Not applicable
Language:
English
Metrics
Views: 841
Downloads: 377
Comment #159 JITHU K JOSE @ 2024-04-05 15:12
ok
Comment #158 Jose Panikulangara Anthony @ 2024-04-05 10:46
The data communicated through the preprint is a part of ongoing research project of Kerala Forest Research Institute KFRI), Peechi, Thrissur Kerala South India. This is an unauthorized publication without the knowledge of the Principal investigator and the Institute. The authors were former project staff of KFRI and later resigned from the same after seeking explanation for repeated unauthorized publications. The species mentioned here is not entitled in the project studies of the authors and they pirated images of the species from the ongoing project as Principal investigator myself at Tree Physiology Department and also misused KFRI facilities. In this context, the preprint published is unethical and this practice should not be encouraged by the Journal. Hoping for needful action.