Giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis density and abundance in Llanos Orientales de Colombia in the Orinoco basin

Abstract The giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, was once widely distributed throughout South America. By the middle of the 20th century the giant otter had become locally extinct along the main rivers of the Orinoco basin. Although some populations seem to have recovered, the paucity of information available does not permit a full evaluation of the species' conservation status. The objective of this study was to estimate the abundance and density of the giant otter population along the Orinoco river in the municipality of Puerto Carreño, Vichada, Colombia, where there is important commercial and recreational fishing. Thirty-nine linear km were surveyed, repeatedly, with a total of 315 km of surveys. Population size was estimated by direct counts of individuals. All individuals detected were photographed and identified individually from their throat pelage patterns. In total, 30 otters were identified, giving a minimum density of 0.77 individuals per km, one of the highest reported for the species in Colombia. Given the high density in this well-developed area, our results highlight the importance of this population for the conservation of the species.

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Conservation-Status Gaps for Marine Top-Fished Commercial Species

Fishes ◽

10.3390/fishes7010002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 2

Author(s):

Imanol Miqueleiz ◽

Rafael Miranda ◽

Arturo Hugo Ariño ◽

Elena Ojea

Keyword(s):

Fish Species ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Commercial Fish ◽

Commercial Species ◽

Marine Realm

Biodiversity loss is a global problem, accelerated by human-induced pressures. In the marine realm, one of the major threats to species conservation, together with climate change, is overfishing. In this context, having information on the conservation status of target commercial marine fish species becomes crucial for assuring safe standards. We put together fisheries statistics from the FAO, the IUCN Red List, FishBase, and RAM Legacy databases to understand to what extent top commercial species’ conservation status has been assessed. Levels of assessment for top-fished species were higher than those for general commercial or highly commercial species, but almost half of the species have outdated assessments. We found no relation between IUCN Red List traits and FishBase Vulnerability Index, depreciating the latter value as a guidance for extinction threat. The RAM database suggests good management of more-threatened species in recent decades, but more data are required to assess whether the trend has reverted in recent years. Outdated IUCN Red List assessments can benefit from reputed stock assessments for new reassessments. The future of IUCN Red List evaluations for commercial fish species relies on integrating new parameters from fisheries sources and improved collaboration with fisheries stakeholders and managers.

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The endemic land snail Gulella taitensis of the Taita Hills forests, Kenya: on the brink of extinction

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605306000810 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 362-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Charles N. Lange

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Land Snail ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Small Population ◽

Red List ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Forest Reserves ◽

Taita Hills

This paper describes the distribution, population size and conservation needs of the land snail Gulella taitensis (Gastropoda: Streptaxidae) endemic to the Taita Hills, Kenya. The species was investigated using timed searches between July and December 2000. In total 37 snails were recorded from only five of nine forest fragments searched. The snail was generally more abundant in the smaller forest fragments. The species appears to be a forest specialist, exhibiting preference for the least disturbed sections of forest. The small population size, restricted distribution and concentration in the smallest and most fragile forest fragments suggests the species is on the brink of extinction. The species fulfills the requirements for changing its conservation status from Endangered to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Promotion of the Forest Reserves to a conservation category that provides greater legal protection is necessary.

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A downlist is not a demotion: Red List status and reality

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317000606 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 605-609 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

David P. Mallon ◽

Rodney M. Jackson

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Giant Panda ◽

Total Population ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Field Research ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽

Snow Leopard

AbstractAssessments of biodiversity status are needed to track trends, and the IUCN Red List has become the accepted global standard for documenting the extinction risk of species. Obtaining robust data on population size is an essential component of any assessment of a species’ status, including assessments for the IUCN Red List. Obtaining such estimates is complicated by methodological and logistical issues, which are more pronounced in the case of cryptic species, such as the snow leopardPanthera uncia. Estimates of the total population size of this species have, to date, been based on little more than guesstimates, but a comprehensive summary of recent field research indicates that the conservation status of the snow leopard may be less dire than previously thought. A revised categorization, from Endangered to Vulnerable, on the IUCN Red List was proposed but met some opposition, as did a recent, similar recategorization of the giant pandaAiluropoda melanoleuca. Possible factors motivating such attitudes are discussed. Downlisting on the IUCN Red List indicates that the species concerned is further from extinction, and is always to be welcomed, whether resulting from successful conservation intervention or improved knowledge of status and trends. Celebrating success is important to reinforce the message that conservation works, and to incentivize donors.

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The Current Status of the World’s Primates: Mapping Threats to Understand Priorities for Primate Conservation

International Journal of Primatology ◽

10.1007/s10764-021-00242-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

David Fernández ◽

Daphne Kerhoas ◽

Andrea Dempsey ◽

Josephine Billany ◽

Gráinne McCabe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Current Status ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

The Status ◽

The Impact

AbstractOver the past decades, primate populations have been declining. Four years ago, >60% of species were listed as threatened. As the rate of loss accelerates and new IUCN assessments are being published, we used IUCN Red List assessments and peer-reviewed literature published within the last 5 yr to evaluate the status of primates globally, by region and by taxonomic group. We also examined the main factors affecting a species’ conservation status to determine if we could predict the status of understudied species. We found that 65% of species are in the top three IUCN Red List categories (Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered). Globally, the main threats to primates are Biological Resource Use, including Hunting & Logging, and Agriculture. The impact of these threats varied by region and taxon. Our model showed that Malagasy and Asian primates, and those affected by Agriculture, Human Disturbance, and Climate Change were more likely to be considered at risk of extinction. The model’s predictive probability, however, was low. Our literature analysis showed that some threats, especially climate change and disease, affected more species than indicated by the IUCN Red List. As we move into the next decade, we must continue tackling hunting and agricultural expansion but also be vigilant about emerging threats. We must also aim to regularly test the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, evaluating their long-term adoption and their impact on primates; as well as to increase communication between researchers and applied conservationists to ensure IUCN assessments include current and emerging threats.

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Conservation status of the threatened and endemic Rufous-throated Dipper Cinclus schulzi in Argentina

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270919000467 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 396-405

Author(s):

NATALIA POLITI ◽

SEBASTIÁN MARTINUZZI ◽

PATRICIA SARDINA ARAGÓN ◽

VERÓNICA MIRANDA ◽

SEBASTIÁN ALBANESI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

National Parks ◽

Potential Distribution ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Mountain Forest ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Area Of Occupancy ◽

North Western

SummaryThe Rufous-throated Dipper Cinclus schulzi is endemic to the Southern Yungas of north-western Argentina and southern Bolivia. The species is categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List on the basis of small population size and restricted range. The purpose of our study was to determine the distribution of potentially suitable habitat for the Rufous-throated Dipper, estimate its population size, and assess potential distribution within strict protected areas, in north-western Argentina. We surveyed 44 rivers in the Southern Yungas of Argentina from 2010 to 2013 to determine dipper density (i.e. the number of individuals detected per km surveyed). The dipper’s potential distribution was assessed using a maximum entropy modeling approach based on 31 occurrence points and eight bioclimatic and two topographic variables as predictors. The species is dependent on mountain forest rivers, so the potential distribution was restricted to rivers. We estimated dipper population size by multiplying density by the potential distribution along rivers. Finally, we calculated the extent of suitable habitat contained within the boundaries of Argentina´s National Parks. Dipper density was 0.94 ± 1.55 individuals/km. We estimate that within north-west Argentina there are ~2,815 km of river that are potential habitat, with an area of occupancy of 141 km2 and a population size of 2,657 ± 4,355 dippers. However, of this river extent, less than 5% is within National Parks. Our results highlight the need to create new and to enlarge existing National Parks that protect the potentially suitable habitat of the species. Although more information is needed for Bolivia, the country-level area of occupancy and population size of the dipper found in Argentina provides strong evidence that the IUCN Red List classification of this species as ‘Vulnerable’ is warranted.

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Disparity between ecological and political timeframes for species conservation targets

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-021-02173-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stella Piipponen-Doyle ◽

Friederike C. Bolam ◽

Louise Mair

Keyword(s):

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Population Increase ◽

Ecological Change ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Worst Case

AbstractThe Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Aichi Target 12 aimed to prevent species extinctions and improve the conservation status of known threatened species by 2020 but has not been met. As the post-2020 global biodiversity framework is negotiated, it is essential that we learn lessons from past failures. Here, we investigate whether a reduction in extinction risk could realistically be achieved within the ten-year timeframe of the Aichi Targets. We identified threatened bird and mammal species for which a population increase could lead to down-listing on the IUCN Red List and created population models that assumed exponential population growth to predict how long it would take to reach the population size threshold required for down-listing. We found that in the best-case scenario, 39/42 birds (93%) and 12/15 mammals (80%) could be expected to show the population increase required to achieve down-listing by one Red List category within a ten-year timeframe. In contrast, under the worst-case scenario, 67% birds and 40% mammals were predicted to take > 10 years to reach the population threshold. These results indicate a disparity between the ecological timeframes required for species to show a reduction in extinction risk, and the political timeframes over which such ecological change is expected to be achieved and detected. We suggest that quantitative analyses should be used to set realistic milestone targets in the post-2020 framework, and that global indicators should be supplemented with temporally sensitive measures of conservation progress in order to maintain political and societal motivation for species conservation.

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Fragmented evidence for the contribution of ex situ management to species conservation indicates the need for better reporting

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605319000784 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Jennifer R. Gant ◽

Louise Mair ◽

Philip J. K. McGowan

Keyword(s):

Conservation Status ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Global Network ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Vertebrate Species ◽

The Impact ◽

Ex Situ Management

Abstract Conserving species and achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity's international conservation targets necessitates stopping extinctions, recovering depleted populations and maintaining viable populations. The contribution of ex situ management to species conservation has long been debated, and there is limited information on ex situ management activities available in a format that allows success to be assessed. We therefore gathered information from three sources to explore cases in which ex situ management was considered to have had a positive conservation impact for terrestrial vertebrate species. We (1) reviewed the published literature, (2) examined for which taxa ex situ management had contributed to the downlisting of species on the IUCN Red List and (3) surveyed a global network of ex situ management practitioners. We found that ex situ management has contributed to improvements in conservation status for a range of vertebrate species. Ex situ management was reported as contributing to the downlisting of 18 species on the IUCN Red List over a 10-year period. Across sources, the most common role of ex situ management was the provision of individuals to increase population numbers in situ. The strength of evidence for the impact of ex situ management varied within and among sources. Therefore, for the role of ex situ activities in conservation to be understood fully, and for such interventions to reach their potential, documentation of intended and actual benefits needs to be improved. Better reporting of ex situ activities would enable improved learning, facilitating better targeting of ex situ activities to global species conservation goals.

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Species conservation profile and amended distribution of Cousinia knorringiae (Asteraceae), a narrow endemic of the Western Tian-Shan

Biodiversity Data Journal ◽

10.3897/bdj.9.e64115 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Mansur Usmonov ◽

Komiljon Tojibaev ◽

Chang-Gee Jang ◽

Alexander Sennikov

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Line Drawing ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Small Population ◽

Iucn Red List Categories ◽

Difficult Genus ◽

Tian Shan

Cousinia knorringiae Bornm. (Asteraceae) belongs to C. sect. Subappendiculatae Tscherneva, a group of the species-rich and taxonomically difficult genus Cousinia Cass. This species is narrowly distributed in the Western Tian-Shan and has been known as endemic to Kyrgyzstan. It inhabits bare rocks and screes at elevations of 1200–1500 m above sea level. This species is of conservation interest because of its small population size and limited distribution. Cousinia knorringiae is reported for the first time from eastern Uzbekistan on the basis of specimens collected on Ungur-Tepa Mt., a south-western outlier of the Bozbu-Too Mts. (Western Tian-Shan). The conservation status of the species is assessed as Endangered (EN), based on criterion D (estimated population size 200-250 mature individuals), according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (version 3.1). A new distribution map and a line drawing for C. knorringiae are provided and its type locality is clarified. The new knowledge suggests that the species is endemic to the East Fergana botanical hotspot, which includes a transborder territory shared between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and should, therefore, be subjected to international conservation measures. The southern extension of Ungur-Tepa Mt. harbours important plant species, which cannot be found elsewhere in Uzbekistan and may, therefore, be proposed for legal protection.

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The Roosevelt–Rondon expedition marmoset Mico marcai: unveiling the conservation status of a Data Deficient species

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605318000303 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

pp. 539-545

Author(s):

Felipe Ennes Silva ◽

Hani Rocha El Bizri ◽

Jonas da Rosa Gonçalves ◽

Lísley P. Lemos ◽

Rodrigo Costa-Araújo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conservation Status ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Distance Sampling ◽

Predictive Modelling ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Species Range ◽

Arc Of Deforestation ◽

Data Deficient ◽

Business As Usual

AbstractThe Roosevelt–Rondon Expedition marmoset Mico marcai was first collected in 1914 and all information on this primate previously came from three skins brought back by this expedition. As a result, M. marcai is categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. As the presumed range of M. marcai lies on the path of the advancing arc of deforestation in Brazil, the collection of relevant data to assess the conservation status of this Amazonian species is of some urgency. Here we present the first field data on the distribution and population size of, and threats to, M. marcai, to reassess the species’ conservation status. During 2012–2015 we surveyed the species in the Marmelos–Aripuanã interfluve, and estimated its density using distance sampling. We also used spatial predictive modelling to estimate forest loss within the species range under two deforestation scenarios. We found the marmoset in 13 localities and estimated its extent of occurrence to be 31,073 km2. We estimated the species’ density to be 8.31 individuals/km2 and extrapolated this to estimate a total population of 258,218 individuals (CI 150,705–441,860). Under a business-as-usual deforestation scenario, c. 10,000 km2 of forest, comprising 33% of the species’ range, would be lost in three marmoset generations (c. 18 years), and we, therefore, recommend that M. marcai be categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List based on criterion A3c. Other Amazonian marmosets require similar reassessment as their ranges also fall in the path of the arc of deforestation.

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Assessment of the rarity and conservation status of the Colombian endemic brown hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou vestitus

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605319001029 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

María M. Torres-Martínez ◽

Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves ◽

Elkin A. Noguera-Urbano ◽

Fernando C. Passos

Keyword(s):

Small Body ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Small Range ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Area Of Occupancy ◽

Species Rarity

Abstract The brown hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou vestitus is a poorly studied Andean species endemic to Colombia. Its current Red List category is contradictory: globally it is categorized as Data Deficient but in Colombia it is categorized as Vulnerable. This contradiction has limited the implementation of conservation programmes. We evaluate the level of rarity of the species and provide consolidated information for a new assessment of its Red List status. We reviewed literature, photographs, and voucher specimens in natural history collections. Using the confirmed records, we estimated the extent of occurrence (EOO) based on the minimum convex polygon and the area of occupancy (AOO) summing the area of grid squares occupied by the species. We found that C. vestitus is very rare, with a small range, low estimated population density, occurrence in only one habitat type and small body size. The species has an EOO of 3,323 km2 and an AOO of 24 km2, based on six confirmed localities, all on the western slopes of the Eastern Cordillera, in the central Andean region of Colombia. Based on the species' rarity, restricted distribution, and threats to its natural habitat, we recommend its categorization as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This will help delineate research and conservation efforts for this porcupine, which has a highly restricted range and inhabits the threatened Andean forest.

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