Co-Occurring Plant Species of the West African Critically Endangered Aubregrinia taïensis Heine, in Côte d’Ivoire

The Upper Guinea Forest is subject to heavy deforestation. In this context, many endemic and/or rare plant species are threatened with extinction. This is the case of Aubregrinia taïensis (Aubrév. & Pellegr.) Heine, a critically endangered Sapotaceae species, endemic to Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. After 3 years of investigation in and around the Tai National Park (TNP) in the West of Côte d’Ivoire, only one individual of this species was located and no sexual reproductive organs (fruits, seeds) were observed. Woody plant species around this individual were inventoried in order to know the species that can co-occur with Aubregrinia taïensis. For that a plot of 30 m of diameter was established around the individual and all of the woody species of this circle were inventoried. Then, the taxonomic diversity, the chorology of the species, the conservation status and their life-form were recorded. A total of 130 woody plant species belonging to 51 families were collected in the site. The most represented families are Euphorbiaceae (12 spp.), Rubiaceae (10 spp.), Annonaceae (7 spp.), Fabaceae, Moraceae, Malvaceae (6 spp. each) while the most represented genera are Diospyros L. (4 spp.), Cola Schott & Endl. and Vitex L. (3 spp.). Species from the Guineo-Congolese Region (GC) are the most abundant (72%). They are followed by West African endemic species (GCW, 19%). Microphanerophytes (mp) are the most abundant and represent more than 40% of the species. Three vulnerable species were found in this plot: Campylospermum amplectens, Placodiscus boya and Trichoscypha cavalliensis. Thus, the preservation of this forest is more than necessary.