DISTRIBUTION OF THE ENDEMIC AND CRITICALLY ENDANGERED DRABA SIMONKAIANA JÁV. IN THE SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS

Abstract

Draba simonkaiana Jáv. is a critically endangered, Southern Carpathian endemic species, distributed only in Parâng, Retezat and Cozia Mountains. As an European endemic, and restricted to a single European country, D. simonkaiana is treated as a “species of European concern”. Although of great international significance, the distribution of Draba simonkaiana is slightly known, without any georeferenced records on GBIF. Based on field studies, analyses of herbarium material and literature data, the authors managed to record the occurrence of D. simonkaiana in Southern Carpathians and determined the threatened status according to criteria and categories of IUCN. Unfortunately, the species has not been found in locus classicus (Badea Hill) but the authors have discovered two new localities (in Parâng Mountains) of this important endemic species.

Keywords

• Draba simonkaiana Jáv.
• endemic species
• Southern Carpathians
• Romania
• threatened species
• Red Book