Diversity and host range of Loranthaceae along the windward slope of mount Cameroon, South-West Cameroon

Abstract

The Loranthaceae are known parasites of natural forests, plantations, orchards and ornamental plants throughout the world and their rampant infestation of plants along the windward slope of mount Cameroon is a cause for concern. This research was designed to identify the species of Loranthaceae along the windward slope of mount Cameroon and identify the host range. Field assessment of the parasite and host range studies were done in a rectangular plot (200 x 50 m) laid within 16 localities each along the slope. Two Loranthaceae species, Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) S. Balle, and Tapinanthus apodanthus Sprague were found to parasitize a total of 38 species belonging to 18 families. Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) S. Balle, and Tapinanthus apodanthus Sprague were found to parasitize a variety of trees and shrubs species. Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) S. Balle, had the highest host range with 36 species while Tapinanthus apodanthus Sprague parasitized 27 species. Of the parasitized plants, 13 species were unique to Phragmanthera capitata while 2 species Mangifera indica and Acacia sp. were unique to Tapinanthus apodanthus. Twenty-three (23) species were common to both parasites. The Lauraceae had the highest number of individual infested species recorded, like Persea americana Mill, infested by both parasites. Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae were the two families specious with 5 and 4 infested species respectively. Similarity indices for host species of Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) S. Balle, and Tapinanthus apodanthus Sprague, showed that 0 - 249 m asl and 250 - 499 m asl were greatly similar.