The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T42831258A42832478
Masdevallia atahualpa
Assessment by: Chadburn, H.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Chadburn, H. 2013. Masdevallia atahualpa. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013:
e.T42831258A42832478. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20131.RLTS.T42831258A42832478.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Plantae
Tracheophyta
Liliopsida
Orchidales
Orchidaceae
Taxon Name: Masdevallia atahualpa Luer
Synonym(s):
• Brysella atahualpa (Luer) Luer
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Endangered B2ab(iii) ver 3.1
Year Published:
2013
Date Assessed:
February 6, 2013
Justification:
This species has been listed in the Red List of the Endemic Plants of Peru (Roque and Leon 2006) as
Endangered citing criteria B1ab(iii). It was not found within protected areas and there are undoubtedly
threats to the habitat within its range from deforestation with the expansion of agriculture. This would
lead to a decline in the extent and quality of habitat. It is difficult to calculate the extent of occurrence
(EOO) as only two herbarium specimens with suggested locality were found. Although there is some
uncertainty about specific locality detail the number of locations is inferred to be less than five. It seems
likely that the area of occupancy (AOO) approaches, and seems likely to fall below, the 500 km2
threshold and this would lead to an Endangered rating. It is, therefore, with these inferences, assessed
as Endangered. However, further surveys are needed to establish the current population status and
geographic range to verify this rating.
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This orchid has been found in Amazonas Province in Northern Peru. Only two specimen collections were
found both from the southern part of the Province in the Leimebamba-Balsas and Chachapoyas
Districts.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Peru
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Masdevallia atahualpa – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42831258A42832478.en
1
Population
The current population status of this species is not known.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
This is a large tufted epiphytic orchid. It is reported to prefer cool growing conditions (Gerritsen and
Parsons 2005) and to be found at an altitude of 3,000-3,100 m asl (Roque and Leon 2006).
Systems: Terrestrial
Use and Trade (see Appendix for additional information)
This species is grown by orchid enthusiasts and may be subject to collection from the wild.
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The areas where this species has been recorded are subject to agricultural development and forest
reduction. The high recorded altitudes for this species may afford it some protection. However, felling
for timber may possibly pose threats to this epiphytic orchid. It is also possible that it may be subject to
collection from the wild as it is grown by orchid enthusiasts and such collection has been known to
occur with other orchid species in Peru (Tasker 2009).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
The specimen collections that were found were not made from within protected areas. It is
recommended that new areas for protection are identified and existing areas extended. This species is,
however, listed in appendix II of CITES, intended to give protection from trade incompatible with species
survival in the wild. Further research is needed into the ecology and habitat requirements of, and
specific threats to, this orchid to determine its conservation needs. Surveys are needed to establish the
current population status and confirm the geographic distribution. Subsequent monitoring to detect any
decline is also recommended. Although cultivated by orchid enthusiasts it is not known to be held
within a botanic garden and it is recommended that, if possible, seeds are also stored as part of ex situ
conservation measures. It is also recommended that further taxonomic studies are undertaken as Luer
(1982) notes that this species is closely allied to many others in its section (Coriacea).
Credits
Assessor(s):
Chadburn, H.
Reviewer(s):
Rankou, H.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Masdevallia atahualpa – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42831258A42832478.en
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Bibliography
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 2007.
Appendices I, II and III. Available at: www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.shtml. (Accessed: 16 August
2007).
Gerritsen, M.E. and Parsons, R. 2005. Masdevallias. Timber Press, Portland.
IUCN. 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2013.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 12 June 2013).
Luer, C.A. 1982. Miscellaneous new species and combinations in the Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae).
Selbyana 7(1): 102.
Roque, J. and León, B. 2006. Orchidaceae endémicas del Perú. In: B.León, J.Roque, C.U. Ulloa, N. Pitman,
P.M. Jørgensen and A.Cano (eds), El libro rojo de las plantas endémicas del Perú, pp. 759-878. Facultad
de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima.
Tasker, G. 2009. The State of Orchids in the Wild Brought Home. Coral Gables Available at:
http://www.fairchildgarden.org/livingcollections/GeorgiaBlog/id/191/read/The-state-of-orchids-in-thewild-brought-home/.
Citation
Chadburn, H. 2013. Masdevallia atahualpa. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013:
e.T42831258A42832478. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42831258A42832478.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Masdevallia atahualpa – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42831258A42832478.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
Resident
Suitable
Yes
Use and Trade
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
End Use
Local
National
International
Pets/display animals, horticulture
Yes
Yes
Yes
Sport hunting/specimen collecting
Yes
Yes
Yes
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.1. Shifting
agriculture
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.2. Small-holder
farming
5. Biological resource use -> 5.2. Gathering terrestrial
plants -> 5.2.1. Intentional use (species is the target)
5. Biological resource use -> 5.3. Logging & wood
harvesting -> 5.3.3. Unintentional effects:
(subsistence/small scale)
-
-
-
-
-
-
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Masdevallia atahualpa – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42831258A42832478.en
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Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Education
Subject to any international management/trade controls: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection
3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation
3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.2. Genome resource bank
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.1. Taxonomy
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.4. Habitat trends
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): 400-500
Number of Locations: 2
Lower elevation limit (m): 3000
Upper elevation limit (m): 3100
Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Masdevallia atahualpa – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42831258A42832478.en
5
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™