CONSERVATION
IUCN Redlist category Data Deficient (IUCN 2020)
Rationale for redlist categorization This species has been listed as Data Deficient. The species is restricted to a range above 1,000 m asl on Sumatra, resulting in an extent of occurrence of over 200,000 km2. It is known from very few individuals. Research into current population trends of the species, and determination of current range extents, could yield results that would require a change towards a threatened category, especially as the species has previously been considered to be rare (Collins and Morris 1985). Further research into the threats facing this species would also be beneficial. (IUCN 2020)
Threat category Ecosystem conversion|Ecosystem degradation,Species mortality (IUCN 2020)
Cause of stress Intentional use (species is the target) (IUCN 2020)
Described Threats Although to date very little is known about this species, it is possibly being threatened by deforestation. The second highest rate of deforestation in Sumatra is occurring in the Jambi province (Supriatna et al. 2017), which contains Kerinci Seblat National Park, currently one of the only known localities of this species. However, since its habitat occurs at altitudes higher than 1,000 m, this species is likely at least somewhat protected from deforestation, as it is thought that in Sumatra forest areas at higher altitudes are offered the most protection (Supriatna et al. 2017). Although, between 2001-2018 there has been a net loss of 210,000 hectares of forest in the high altitude area where the species occurs, equivalent to a 5.2% decrease in tree cover since 2000 (Hansen et al. 2013).
The species is also implicated in trade, although it is not known whether this is impacting the species. It appears that especially females, which are generally considered scarce (Collins and Morris 1985), could fetch relatively high prices (online trade information accessed in November 2018). (IUCN 2020)
Commercial use A male of this species and a female, the latter described as rare, was found for sale on eBay (information accessed November 2018). However, further trade information is unavailable. (IUCN 2020)
Kind of conservation needed Site/area protection (IUCN 2020)
Applied conservation actions In a previous status assessment of the world's swallowtails, this species was not considered to be threatened. The most important action at this point is research, as very little is currently known about this species. Specifically, research is needed on the distribution of this species (including whether it is found in any other national parks in Sumatra), as well as the population status and larval host plant(s). While research is being carried out, the continued and effective protection of Kerinci Seblat National Park, one of the few places where this species is known to occur, is very important. (IUCN 2020)
REFERENCES
- Collins, N.M. and Morris, M.G. 1985. Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World. The IUCN Red Data Book. IUCN, Gland and Cambridge.
- Hansen, M.C., Potapov, P.V., Moore, R., Hancher, M., Turubanova, S.A., Tyukavina, A., Thau, D., Stehman, S.V., Goetz, S.J., Loveland, T.R., Kommareddy, A,. Egorov, A., Chini, L., Justice, C.O. and Townshend, J.R.G. 2013. High-resolution global maps of 21st-century forest cover change. Science 342: 850-853.
- IUCN. 2020. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2020-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 10 December 2020).
- Supriatna, J., Dwiyahreni, A.A., Winarni, N., Mariati, S. and Margules, C. 2017. Deforestation of primate habitat on Sumatra and adjacent islands, Indonesia. Primate Conservation 31: 71?82.