A review of the conservation status of seasonal Nothobranchius fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes), a genus with a high level of threat, inhabiting ephemeral wetland habitats in Africa

Author(s):  
Béla Nagy ◽  
Brian R. Watters
2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura I. Weber ◽  
Cintia G. Hildebrand ◽  
Anderson Ferreira ◽  
Gustavo Pedarassi ◽  
José A. Levy ◽  
...  

A genetic study of the neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818), which has an unknown conservation status, was carried out at the Taim Ecological Station and the margins of the Vargas stream, Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Faecal samples were collected, and DNA was extracted using a silica-guanidine method. Five microsatellite loci were amplified using PCR with heterologous primers previously described for Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758). Sixteen faecal samples out of 29 from Taim and 11 out of 14 from Vargas stream margins contained enough DNA for genetic analysis. A total of 49 different alleles were found at both localities, from which 18 were exclusively found in individuals from Taim and 17 were exclusives from Vargas individuals. The most common allele was the same at both locations for three loci (Lut715, Lut733, and Lut818). A high level of genetic diversity was found at both sites (NeTaim=4.1, HoTaim=0.299, HeTaim=0.681; NeVargas=4.9, HoVargas=0.355, HeVargas=0.724), being higher at the Vargas stream site. A high and significant level of heterozygote deficiency was observed at most loci according to the χ2 test. The homogeneity χ2 test (P<0.001) showed that there were significant differences in the allele frequencies between the two locations. Genotyping for more than one locus was possible in 81.5% of samples, from which only 37% were possible to genotype for more than three loci. A low degree of relatedness was found among individuals from Taim (R=0.055±0.310), but an even lower value of relatedness was found at the Vargas site (R= -0.285±0.440). The significant degree of differentiation (I=0.890; F ST=0.059) found between Taim and Vargas individuals suggests that there is more than one population of otters in the southern extreme of Brazil, which probably are associated with the water body systems found in this region, the Mirim and the Caiuvá/Flores/Mangueira Lagoons. The high genetic diversity and low relatedness found at the Vargas stream, lead us to believe that the Vargas stream may be acting as a corridor between these water bodies for otter dispersion.


ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1017 ◽  
pp. 111-126
Author(s):  
Adriana Vella ◽  
Noel Vella ◽  
Carolina Acosta-Díaz

The family Serranidae is represented by 92 genera and 579 valid species, with the genus Serranus Cuvier, 1816, containing 30 species. In this study, specimens of Butterfly-winged Comber, Serranus papilionaceus Valenciennes, 1832, were collected from the Canary Islands and compared morphologically and genetically to Painted Comber, Serranus scriba (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Mediterranean Sea. Morphological differences, especially in the colour banding pattern, were corroborated by genetic differences in mitochondrial (COI and ND2) and nuclear (Rhod and PTR) markers. The mitochondrial DNA markers revealed a high level of divergence and no shared haplotypes between the two species (interspecific divergence: COI 4.31%; ND2 8.68%), and a phylogenetic analysis showed that these two species are closely related sister species sharing common ancestry. This study is therefore offering to resurrect S. papilionaceus Valenciennes, 1832 as a valid species increasing the number of eastern Atlantic Serranus species to 11. This should direct new species-specific research, including its population conservation status assessment across its distribution.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1638 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
YURI L.R. LEITE ◽  
SIMONE LÓSS ◽  
RENAN P. REGO ◽  
LEONORA P. COSTA ◽  
CIBELE R. BONVICINO

The Bahian giant tree rat Phyllomys unicolor (Wagner) was described from a single specimen collected in the early nineteeth century, and it has not been recorded since. It was included on the Brazilian endangered species list, and considered extinct by some. Here we report the rediscovery of P. unicolor around the type locality in the Atlantic forest of southeastern Bahia, eastern Brazil. We trapped only one young individual during seven expeditions to ten localities in the area. The phylogenetic distinctiveness of this taxon based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene is clear, in spite of uncertainties regarding clade support. The evolutionary uniqueness of P. unicolor was confirmed by a high level of sequence divergence from congeneric species. We propose that the Bahian giant tree rat should be globally listed as Critically Endangered by the World Conservation Union. Phyllomys unicolor seems to be restricted to swamp forests and it does not occur in any protected area. Intensive field studies should be carried out in the region to locate populations and to study ecological attributes of this species. The rediscovery of P. unicolor draws attention to the biological importance and the lack of protected areas in this region of the Atlantic forest.


2004 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Diehl ◽  
C. E. D. Sanhudo ◽  
Ed. Diehl-Fleig

Richness and diversity of ant species are related to environmental factors such as vegetation, soil, presence of heavy metals, and insecticides, which allow the use of the assemblage members as terrestrial indicators of environmental conservation status. This study presents the results of ground ants surveyed in Minas do Camaquã in the municipality of Caçapava do Sul (Camaquã Basin), State of Rio Grande do Sul. Collections were performed in four sites, with high levels of copper in the soil, three of which - a mine, a liquid reject, and a solid reject -, had sparse or no plant cover, and one site where Pinus has been used for rehabilitation. Parque das Guaritas was the control site, since it presented normal levels of copper and a dense savanna cover. For each site, three transect lines extending 100 m were draw, and at each 10 m sardine baits were distributed; after two hours the ants present were collected. Hand collections in all five sites were performed during one hour (capture effort). A total of 51 species belonging to 17 genera were collected. The control site was the richest in ant species (r = 45). Sites with high level of copper and poor plant cover presented the lowest richness: mine (r = 14), solid reject (r = 15), and liquid reject (r = 16). In contrast, the site planted with Pinus presented an increment in richness (r = 24) of ground-dwelling ants, suggesting a reahabilitation process.


Author(s):  
RAOUIA GHANEM ◽  
JAMILA BEN SOUISSI ◽  
JEAN-BAPTISTE LEDOUX ◽  
CRISTINA LINARES ◽  
JOAQUIM GARRABOU

The white gorgonian, Eunicella singularis, is thriving in Mediterranean hard-bottom communities; however, data regarding its distribution and ecology remain absent and insufficient, particularly in the southern Mediterranean Sea.In this study, the population structure and disturbance levels of the most common gorgonian in Tunisia were assessed for the first time. During two years (2015-2016), a total of 818 colonies of E. singularis was surveyed in five coastal sites, by scuba diving, between 7 to 40 m depth. Collected data included density, colony height, and extent of injury. Mean population density was 11.91 ± 7.42 colonies per m2 (mean ± SD). Mean and maximum colony heights were 16.49 ± 5.59 cm and 51 cm, respectively. Among populations, mean extent of tissue injury differed considerably, ranging from 12.47% to 58.88% and most affected colonies showed old necrosis. These data regarding the demographic structure and level of injuries are needed to provide insights into the conservation status of the Tunisian population of E. singularis. Indeed, data on the amount of necrosis could highlight the strength of the colonies’ exposure to mechanical impacts and are consequently crucial to study changes in their demographic structure over time. In fact, the size, structures, and the high level of tissue necrosis of the colonies suggest a low conservation status of the studied Tunisian populations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz S. Nowak ◽  
Marcin Nobis ◽  
Sylwia Nowak ◽  
Agnieszka Nobis

<em>Dionysia involucrata</em> Zaprjag. (Primulaceae) is known as critically endangered endemic species of Hissar Mountains in Tajikistan. It is reported from few localities mainly in Varzob River valley and its tributaries. The species inhabits steep or overhanging faces of granite rocks in narrow river gorges. During the research all known populations of <em>D. involucrata</em> were examined in respect of the habitat conditions and species composition of vegetation plots. We analyzed the population extent of the species in its range in Tajikistan and the main threats in order to assess its conservation status. The detrended correspondence analysis was performed on a matrix of 65 relevés and 49 species (vascular plants and mosses), to classify the phytocoenosis with domination of <em>D. involucrata</em> according to their floristic composition in relation to other petrophytic vegetation units. Using our field data regarding present extent of occurrence and area of occupancy we conclude that the threat category of <em>D. involucrata</em> should be reassessed from critically endangered to endangered. The species shows decline tendency in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy as well as in number of locations. The vegetation plots with domination of <em>D. involucrata</em> have relatively high level of separateness due to different species composition. We define the new association – <em>Dionysietum involucratae</em> – representing chasmophytic vegetation of submontane and montane zone in Middle Asia (ca. 1000–1600 m a.s.l.). The plots of <em>Dionysietum involucratae</em> were found mainly on granite rocks, on very steep or overhanging faces, on southwestern or southern exposition. The association is rather poor in species with inconsiderable contribution of mosses. Despite the diagnostic species, <em>Campanula incanescens</em>, <em>Carex koshewnikowii</em> and <em>Scutellaria hissarica</em> were the most abundant and frequent taxa within the researched patches of vegetation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henryk Klama ◽  
Adam Stebel ◽  
Anna Salachna ◽  
Robert Zubel

This paper describes the vertical and horizontal distribution, habitat preferences, threats, and conservation status of <em>Trichocolea tomentella</em> in the Polish Carpathians based on the analyses of 138 localities. The species prefers wetland habitats, mostly within forests, such as areas in the vicinity of springs (34% stands), stream banks (32%), wet parts of the forest floor (20%), and mountain bogs (16%). As a consequence of the decrease in the areas of these habitat types, localities of <em>T. tomentella</em> are threatened with extinction. Therefore, according to the IUCN standards, this species should be placed in the near threatened (NT) category in the Polish Carpathians.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
David Josué Mejía Quintanilla ◽  
Bernal Rodríguez-Herrera ◽  
Manuel Spinola-Parallada ◽  
Juan Pablo Suazo-Euceda Suazo-Euceda ◽  
Leonel Marineros ◽  
...  

ResumenA lo largo de las últimas décadas, los bosques en Centroamérica han sufrido grandes cambios en los usos de la tierra, así como la reducción de los diferentes tipos de bosques. Los efectos de esta reducción, sumado a estos cambios, podrían ser una fuerte amenaza para la diversidad de murciélagos, puesto que estos animales se especializan en cazar o buscar alimento en ambientes específicos. Dado que hay conocimiento limitado sobre la situación actual de riesgo o estado de conservación de los murciélagos de Honduras y en especial, de los murciélagos insectívoros, se evaluaron las potenciales amenazas generadas por los cambios de uso de la tierra y la consecuente reducción en las áreas naturales, tomando en cuenta cinco especies de murciélagos de la Familia Emballonuridae. Además se cuantificó el área bajo protección en los que se localizaron los embalonúridos y se determinaron los vacíos de conservación para cada una de las especies. Para esto se utilizaron los mapas de distribución de las especies y las capas de uso de la tierra 2001 y 2009 con lo que se lograron visualizar las tendencias del cambio de uso de la tierra entre ambos periodos. Los vacíos de conservación se determinaron usando las capas de áreas protegidas y microcuencas declaradas hasta el 2015 y se traslaparon con la distribución de las cinco especies de murciélagos. Los resultados del análisis del cambio en el uso de la tierra muestran una predominancia de los sistemas productivos humanos en todas las distribuciones de las diferentes especies de murciélagos, por lo cual el efecto potencial del cambio de uso de la tierra es alto. Por otro lado, las especies registran una baja proporción dentro de áreas bajo protección. La mayoría de las especies enfrentan cambios de uso de la tierra bastante marcados y bajos niveles de protección, especialmente las que se distribuyen en bosque seco y bosque de pino.Palabras clave: Gremios, Chiroptera, forrajeo, Saccopteryx, Peropteryx, Balantiopteryx.AbstractForests in Central America have suffered land use changes in the past decades, as well as a decrease in its size. The effects of this reduction, added to these changes, could represent a threat for bat diversity since these animals specialize in hunting or foraging in specific environments. Since there is scarce knowledge of the current situation or conservation status of bats in Honduras, specially of insectivorous bats, we assessed potential threats of land use change and the consequent reduction of natural areas regarding five species of bats belonging to the Emballonuridae family. We also quantified protected areas where Emballonuridae bats were located and defined conservation gaps for each species. To do this, we used species distribution maps and land use layers of 2001 and 2009, where we could visualize land use change tendency between both periods. Conservation gaps were defined using protected areas and micro-watersheds layers declared until 2015, which were overlapped with the distribution of the five bats species. The results of the analysis of land use change show a predominance of productive systems in the distribution of the different bat species, therefore land use change effect is potentially high. Also, species occurrence is low under protected areas. Most of the species confront a high level of land use change and low levels of protection, especially those that inhabit dry forest and pine forest.Key words: Guild, Chiroptera, forage, Saccopteryx, Peropteryx, Balanptioteryx.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4638 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
RACIEL CRUZ-ELIZALDE ◽  
AURELIO RAMÍREZ-BAUTISTA ◽  
URIEL HERNÁNDEZ-SALINAS ◽  
CHRISTIAN BERRIOZABAL-ISLAS ◽  
LARRY DAVID WILSON

Mexico contains a large number of amphibian and reptile species, and the states in the southeastern part of the country are the richest and most diverse. Although the study of species richness within Mexico’s individual states has been increasing over the last two decades, herpetofaunal species lists for several states in the central region are incomplete. Herein, we provide a list of the herpetofauna of the state of Querétaro, a state that remains relatively unexplored. We also indicate the conservation status of the component species in the state, based on the national and international categorizations, as well as their Environmental Vulnerability Scores (EVS). Based on a review of literature and specimens in scientific collections, our results show that the herpetofauna of Querétaro currently is composed of 138 species, of which 34 are amphibians (27 anurans and seven caudates) and 104 are reptiles (three turtles, 34 lizards, and 67 snakes). The number of Mexican endemic species occurring in the state consists of 19 amphibians and 50 reptiles, representing 55.9% and 48.1%, respectively, of the total numbers in these groups. A total of 61 species (13 species of amphibians and 48 of reptiles) are listed in NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, within the categories of Special Protection (Pr) and Threatened (A). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2019), 34 species of amphibians (100% of species) and 87 species of reptiles (83.65% of a total of 104) have been placed within a risk category, i.e., except for the DD and NE categories. The EVS results show that nine species of amphibians have high environmental vulnerability, 11 species medium vulnerability, and 14 low vulnerability, whereas among the reptiles, 22 species have high vulnerability, 43 medium vulnerability, and 37 species low vulnerability. The herpetofauna of Querétaro illustrates a high level of species richness, which is typical of central Mexico, as well as diverse groupings associated with the arid, temperate, and tropical environments found in the state. These types of studies are necessary for increasing our knowledge of the herpetofauna in the various states of Mexico, as well as for evaluating the conservation status and implementing management plans for species in both herpetofaunal groups. 


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-157
Author(s):  
Kayla M. Coble ◽  
Amanda L. Hall ◽  
Cody C. Meshes ◽  
Joell A. Zalatan ◽  
George E. Stanton ◽  
...  

Abstract Of the nearly 600 crayfish species worldwide, more than half are native to North America. The southeastern USA is the epicenter of global crayfish species richness. There is concern about the conservation status of many crayfish species and the viability of their populations. Procambarus acutissimus is a surface dwelling crayfish that is native in Mississippi and Alabama and has isolated populations in west Georgia. Its limited distribution in Georgia prompted this re-assessment of a previously surveyed population in a wetland complex near Columbus, Georgia. To assess the population status of P. acutissimus, we used baited Gee minnow traps to survey crayfish in 2014 following similar protocols used in a 1994 survey. Catches from the littoral zone of a borrow pit lake shifted from only P. acutissimus in 1994 to only Procambarus clarkii, a non-indigenous, invasive species in 2014. Trapping in 2014 documented P. acutissimus in only one of five isolated wetland depressions sampled. Procambarus clarkii appears to be replacing P. acutissimus in this wetland complex. Our results suggest that P. clarkii may displace other crayfish, particularly those that share its affinity for wetland habitats.


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