Diversity, distribution and host range of mistletoe in protected and unprotected areas of Central Nepal Himalayas

Abstract

Diversity, distribution and host range of mistletoe were assessed in protected and unprotected areas of the Central Nepal Himalayas. This study recorded ten mistletoe species. Occurrence of all ten mistletoe species within the Shivpuri Nagarjun National Park (SNNP) was a clear indication that national parks provide better habitat for mistletoe species richness and thus a better opportunity for biodiversity conservation than in unprotected areas. For these mistletoes, a total of 34 host species of 21 unrelated families were documented. Scurrula genus of the Loranthaceae family had the highest number of species, the highest number of host species, and the widest altitudinal distribution. Variation in climatic factors, edge effect, disperser behaviour, fragmented forests and the availability of suitable host species determine the occurrence of a particular mistletoe species in a particular habitat. Key words: Diversity: distribution: host range: mistletoe: Nepal DOI: 10.3126/banko.v20i2.4797 Banko Janakari Vol.20(2) 2010 pp.14-20