Distribution, present situation and conservation strategy of the genus Phacellaria
重寄生属植物及其在我国的分布、现状与保护对策

There are eight species in the genus Phacellaria, six of which are distributed in tropical and sub- tropical mountain areas of South and Southwest China. The species belonging to this genus are obligate holoparasites on the plants of Loranthaceae and Dendrotrophe (Santalaceae). Based on previously collected specimens, documents and field investigation, we found that Phacellaria is becoming more and more vul- nerable, and is well on its way to becoming endangered in the near future. The main factors contributing to the growing vulnerability of Phacellaria species are: (1) deforestation resulting in a dramatic decline in the population density of the hosts of Phacellaria, and (2) the decrease in number of Dicaeum spp., the small birds who disperse seeds of Phacellaria, due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade. We suggest two so- lutions to this dilemma. The first is to recover the previously damaged ecosystems of Phacellaria and Di- caeum spp., and the second is to enhance research on the biological characters of Phacellaria species.