Cupressus lusitanica var. benthamii (Endl.) Carrière
A component of the moist montane conifer forests of southern Mexico. Logging and forest conversion have led to some reduction.
Description
Taxonomic Notes
The morphological differences that are used to distinguish this variety from the typical form relate to growth form and habit with var. benthamii having a more pyramidal crown slightly dimorphic scale leaves on penultimate branclets. Several recent molecular studies (e.g. Little 2006; Mao et al. 2012; Terry et al. 2012, 2016) indicate a more distant relationship. However these studies are limited in the scope of their sampling; range wide studies may provide greater clarity.
Distribution
Mexico: Chiapas, Guerrero, Hidalgo, México, Puebla, Veracruz; probably scattered in forests with var. lusitanica elsewhere. The widespread use of this variety and the typical form in reafforestation programmes, not only in areas within its natural distribution, will complicate future assessments of the status of natural stands.
This variety appears to occur predominantly within or near to stands of var. lusitanica and rarely to form pure stands, or subpopulations. The population trend is unknown due to uncertainty about its distribution, the amount of logging and its regeneration success.
Habitat and Ecology
Commonly scattered in mixed montane conifer forest or pine forest, associated with Abies spp., Pinus ayacahuite, P. hartwegii, P. montezumae, P. patula, P. pseudostrobus, Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca, Quercus spp., Alnus spp., Clethra sp., Persea sp. and ericaceous and Theaceous undershrubs. This variety tends to occupy mountain slopes exposed to high precipitation. Its altitudinal range is between 1500 and 4000 m a.s.l.
Human Uses
This variety is used as an ornamental tree and reafforestation programmes.
Conservation Status
Global Status
Near Threatened
Global Rationale
Logging and forest depletion in the areas where this variety occurs has undoubtedly caused a reduction in quality of habitat and possibly area of occupancy (AOO), while mature trees are also probably in decline. However, due to uncertainties about extent and abundance, it is not possible to quantify these losses, but they are likely to exceed 20% over the past three generations. The taxon is therefore assessed as Near Threatened as it almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criterion A2cd.
Conservation Actions
Some stands of var. benthamii are within protected areas, e.g. Mt. Orizaba National Park in Veracruz/Puebla, Mexico
Little, D. 2006. Evolution and Circumscription of the true Cypresses (Cupressaceae: Cupressus). Systematic Botany 31(3):461-480.
Mao K, Milne RI, ZhangL, Peng Y, Liu J, Thomas P, Mill RR and S Renner (2012) Distribution of living Cupressaceae reflects the breakup of Pangea. PNAS 109(20): 7793–7798
Terry RG, Bartel J & RP Adams 2012 Phylogenetic relationships among the New World cypresses (Hesperocyparis; Cupressaceae): evidence from non coding chloroplast DNA sequences. Plant Systematics and Evolution
Terry, R.G., Pyne, M.I., Bartel, J.A. and Adams, R.P., 2016. A molecular biogeography of the New World cypresses (Callitropsis. Plant systematics and evolution, 302(7), 921-942.
