Opuntia diploursina
A.D. Stock, N. Hussey & M.D. Beckstrom
Western Pricklypear
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1286901
Element CodePDCAC0D390
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusProvisional
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
Concept ReferenceStock, A.D., N. Hussey, and M.D. Beckstrom. 2014. A new species of Opuntia (Cactaceae) from Mojave Co, Arizona. Cactus and Succulent Journal 86(2): 79-83.
Taxonomic Comments"Opuntia diploursina is most closely related to tetraploid Opuntia erinacea Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow, but differs in spine characteristics, larger fruit and seeds and diploid chromosome number" (Stock et al. 2014).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-08-26
Change Date2024-08-26
Edition Date2024-08-26
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsOpuntia diploursina is a perennial cactus found on ridges and slopes in desert shrublands of the western United States in Mohave and Clark counties of Arizona and Nevada. Due to its isolated, limited range and lack of chromosome data, this species has been long overlooked as a morphotype of O. erinacea, and O. ursina. There are an estimated 93 occurrences of Opuntia diploursina, which are potentially threatened by development and over-harvest for the horticultural trade. As a new species described in 2014, all occurrences need to be monitored to determine the status of threats, site condition, and abundance of plants, and to establish baseline data to develop our understanding of trends and threats.
Range Extent CommentsOpuntia diploursina occurs in the western United States in Mohave County, Arizona and Clark County, Nevada (Stock et al. 2014). Specifically, in the region near Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona and Nevada, and southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be 93 occurrences rangewide (iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Opuntia diploursina is likely threatened by typical threats to succulents which include habitat loss and non-sustainable harvest for the horticultural trade (Grace 2019).
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Opuntia diploursina occurs on ridges and slopes in desert shrublands on rocky substrate with granite and limestone-derived gravels at elevations from 466 to 1,100 meters (Stock et al. 2014). Associated species include Larrea tidentata, Yucca schidigera, and Yucca brevifolia var. jaegeriana.
Terrestrial HabitatsDesert
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Nevada | SNR | Yes |
| Arizona | SNR | Yes |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
References (4)
- Grace, O.M. 2019. Succulent plant diversity as natural capital. Plants, People, Planet 1(4): 336-345.<br/>
- iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
- Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
- Stock, A.D., N. Hussey, and M.D. Beckstrom. 2014. A new species of <i>Opuntia </i>(Cactaceae) from Mojave Co, Arizona. Cactus and Succulent Journal 86(2): 79-83.