2. Inferring Threat from Scientific Collections
25
coincide with regional surveys. Since these analyses were completed, a single
specimen of A. aff. eremophila collected in 1991 and misclassified as A.
eremophila has been added. The taxon is unlikely to be at risk.
A. depressa is distinctive and well known. Its distribution is very restricted and
coincides with farmland in Western Australia. It was gazetted as a declared rare
flora taxon in 1980 and is protected by a law that prohibits opportunistic collection, perhaps explaining the absence of collections since a formal survey in 1983.
However, the absence of any collections suggests that a survey may be in order to
establish its current status.
A. dissona var. indoloria is a relatively unspectacular taxon that has only
recently been recognized formally. Most previous collections were probably random. It is unlikely that the variety is at risk, despite the paucity of collections since
1982.
A. errabunda is uncommon and is not particularly distinctive; however, it is
unlikely to be threatened. At least some of the unusual collection pattern may have
been caused by the death of a particularly energetic collector who lived close to
the range of the species.
A. incaena ssp. conformis is relatively nondescript and is superficially similar
to a number of its close relatives. It has only recently been recognized formally as
a distinct entity, and most previous collections were probably opportunistic. It was
included recently in a district vegetation survey and was flagged as being in need
of urgent survey. Our data lend support to that conclusion.
A. kerryana was described in 1982 and last collected in 1983. It occurs in a few
scattered populations between Coolgardie and Norseman. It occurs in a remote
area that is nevertheless subjected to substantial mining activity. Mining activities
are required to account for the species before they proceed. A collection was made
in 1994 but was not processed in time for inclusion in these analyses. The taxon
probably is not at risk, and the patterns of collection may be explained by its
remote location and by variation in taxonomic interest.
A. kingiana is known from a single collection made in 1923 and is presumed
extinct.
A. manipularis grows in the remote rugged Kimberley region of northern
Western Australia. It has been collected from only two localities and not since
1965. Its current status is uncertain, and these results lend support to further
survey.
A. megacephala resembles the widespread and common A. pulchella. The
species was described in 1972, and it is possible that local wildlife officers are
familiar with it and have not bothered to collect it. Several collections were made
in 1994 but were not processed in time to be included in these analyses. Nevertheless, it occurs in a degraded roadside population and may be at risk.
A. microneura has been collected only four times since 1841, the most recent in
1972. It was already identified as needing urgent further survey, to establish its
current conservation status.
A. mutabilis ssp. rhynchophylla was last collected in 1984. Although uncommon, it is not rare and probably is not threatened.
25
coincide with regional surveys. Since these analyses were completed, a single
specimen of A. aff. eremophila collected in 1991 and misclassified as A.
eremophila has been added. The taxon is unlikely to be at risk.
A. depressa is distinctive and well known. Its distribution is very restricted and
coincides with farmland in Western Australia. It was gazetted as a declared rare
flora taxon in 1980 and is protected by a law that prohibits opportunistic collection, perhaps explaining the absence of collections since a formal survey in 1983.
However, the absence of any collections suggests that a survey may be in order to
establish its current status.
A. dissona var. indoloria is a relatively unspectacular taxon that has only
recently been recognized formally. Most previous collections were probably random. It is unlikely that the variety is at risk, despite the paucity of collections since
1982.
A. errabunda is uncommon and is not particularly distinctive; however, it is
unlikely to be threatened. At least some of the unusual collection pattern may have
been caused by the death of a particularly energetic collector who lived close to
the range of the species.
A. incaena ssp. conformis is relatively nondescript and is superficially similar
to a number of its close relatives. It has only recently been recognized formally as
a distinct entity, and most previous collections were probably opportunistic. It was
included recently in a district vegetation survey and was flagged as being in need
of urgent survey. Our data lend support to that conclusion.
A. kerryana was described in 1982 and last collected in 1983. It occurs in a few
scattered populations between Coolgardie and Norseman. It occurs in a remote
area that is nevertheless subjected to substantial mining activity. Mining activities
are required to account for the species before they proceed. A collection was made
in 1994 but was not processed in time for inclusion in these analyses. The taxon
probably is not at risk, and the patterns of collection may be explained by its
remote location and by variation in taxonomic interest.
A. kingiana is known from a single collection made in 1923 and is presumed
extinct.
A. manipularis grows in the remote rugged Kimberley region of northern
Western Australia. It has been collected from only two localities and not since
1965. Its current status is uncertain, and these results lend support to further
survey.
A. megacephala resembles the widespread and common A. pulchella. The
species was described in 1972, and it is possible that local wildlife officers are
familiar with it and have not bothered to collect it. Several collections were made
in 1994 but were not processed in time to be included in these analyses. Nevertheless, it occurs in a degraded roadside population and may be at risk.
A. microneura has been collected only four times since 1841, the most recent in
1972. It was already identified as needing urgent further survey, to establish its
current conservation status.
A. mutabilis ssp. rhynchophylla was last collected in 1984. Although uncommon, it is not rare and probably is not threatened.