Sicydium nereoi, an endemic climbing plant from the river islands off Esquina, Corrientes, was rediscovered and classified as critically endangered.
This was indicated by scientists from IBONE and the Darwinion Botanical Institute, after nearly 50 years without records in its natural habitat.
The situation is extreme due to its small population and highly restricted distribution.
A critically endangered plant: its characteristics and location
The first specimen of Sicydium nereoi was collected in 1974 by the renowned botanist Antonio Krapovickas, founder of IBONE, during an expedition to the islands off the city of Esquina.
Decades later, in 2015, a team led by Dr. Raúl Pozner from the Darwinion Botanical Institute identified it as a new species of the Sicydium genus.
They named it in honor of the researcher Raúl Nereo Martínez Crovetto, a specialist in Cucurbitaceae from Argentina.
Until late 2023, no new specimens had been found. However, a team from IBONE, along with the Corrientes Natural Resources Department, managed to locate 34 individuals in three populations restricted to an area of just 8 square kilometers.
Scientific publication and species characteristics
The recent finding was documented in the scientific journal Phytotaxa, with an article describing the morphology, ecology, and conservation needs of the plant.
The study was led by Dr. Javier Florentín, Lic. Nadia Delvescovo, Lic. Walter Medina (IBONE), and Dr. Raúl Pozner.
Among the most relevant contributions is the first complete description of pistillate flowers, fleshy ovoid fruits, densely pubescent ovary, and glandular trichomes. These characteristics differentiate it from other species in the same genus.
Critically endangered: the urgency for its conservation
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards, Sicydium nereoi is classified as “Critically Endangered.” This means it faces a high risk of extinction due to:
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Its extremely restricted geographic distribution
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Very limited population size
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Threats from habitat degradation and land use change
In this sense, researchers emphasize the urgency of implementing concrete conservation actions. These may include evaluating seed viability; preserving in germplasm banks; actively protecting its natural habitat.
The urgency of protecting Corrientes’ biodiversity
The case of Sicydium nereoi underscores the importance of conserving the endemic native flora of Corrientes, which in many cases remains hidden or vulnerable to silent disappearance.
The integration of science, environmental management, and public policies will be key to preventing its extinction.
