Potential distributional changes and conservation priorities of endemic amphibians in western Mexico as a result of climate change

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDRÉS GARCÍA ◽  
MIGUEL A. ORTEGA-HUERTA ◽  
ENRIQUE MARTÍNEZ-MEYER
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Western Mexico ◽  
Composite Models

SUMMARYThere is a growing concern regarding the conservation status of amphibian species worldwide; they are more threatened and declining more rapidly than mammals or birds, and Mexico is considered one of the richest countries on Earth in terms of reptile and amphibian species. Composite models of the current distribution patterns of endemic amphibians in western Mexico were used to predict their potential distributional changes as a consequence of expected climatic changes. The models identified the most significant conservation areas within the region (hotspots), considering existing natural protected areas (NPAs) and previously recognized terrestrial priority regions for conservation (TPRCs). Three niche modelling algorithms (Bioclim, GARP and MaxEnt) used 2412 locality records for 29 species to model their climate envelopes under current and future conditions for the years 2020, 2050 and 2080. The models indicated that overall species persistence was 60% for the years 2020 and 2050, but dropped to < 20% by the year 2080. The current network of NPAs included only 8% of the areas that currently possess the greatest predicted potential richness (16–21 species), and, by 2050, the models indicate they will encompass only 3% of these areas. Six TPRCs included 44% of currently predicted areas with the highest potential species richness, but, by 2050, models predicted only 3% of such areas would persist within one TPRC. Higher uncertainty levels and variability among species surrounded the 2080 projections generated by the three algorithms. Recognition of the potential effects of climate change and consideration of the conservation value of the six TPRCs identified in this study may counteract the potential consequences of climate change on biodiversity in Mexico.

Recent Progress in Taxonomic Studies, Biogeographic Analysis, and Revised Checklist of Amphibians in Indochina

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3A) ◽  
pp. 1-110
Author(s):  
Nikolay A. Poyarkov ◽  
Tan Van Nguyen ◽  
Evgeniy S. Popov ◽  
Peter Geissler ◽  
Parinya Pawangkhanant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
South Vietnam ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria ◽  
Annotated Checklist

The Indochinese Peninsula is recognized as one of the key global biodiversity hotspots. The amphibian fauna of Indochina (including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand) is one of the richest in the world. About 60% of the known species were described within the last 20 years. We review the literature and our data to assess all recent discoveries and taxonomic changes and compile the first annotated checklist of the amphibian fauna of Indochina since the middle of the 20th century, including updated faunal lists for Vietnam and Thailand. Amphibian checklists for Laos and Cambodia are published for the first time. For each species we provide the following information: scientific name; recommended common name in English; information on type specimens; type locality; data on its distribution within Indochina and beyond; IUCN conservation status; taxonomic comment and the most important references. We review the distribution of each species across the 23 biogeographic subregions of Indochina, estimate the similarity among the regional faunas and evaluate their species richness and endemism. In total we record 423 amphibian species belonging to three orders, 11 families and 71 genera; 199 species (47%) are endemic to Indochina. Comprising 270 known species, the amphibian fauna of Vietnam is the richest (98 endemics, 36.3%), followed by Thailand with 194 species (29 endemics, 14.9%), Laos with 121 species (13 endemics, 10.7%), and Cambodia with 72 species (6 endemics, 8.3%). A cluster analysis of faunal similarity between the subregions shows two major assemblages, divided by the Isthmus of Kra. Within the northern mainland portion of Indochina three clusters can be distinguished: (1) northeastern and northwestern uplands of Vietnam and northern Laos; (2) Northern, Central, and Southern Annamites, the Bolaven Plateau, and central-south Vietnam lowlands; (3) western Indochinese subregions. We identify the Northeast and Northwest Uplands of Vietnam, the Northern, Central and Southern Annamites, the Cardamom Mountains, the mountains of Northeast Thailand, Northern Tenasserim and southern Peninsular Thailand as nine major centers of diversity and endemism of Indochinese amphibians. The analysis of amphibian distribution patterns across Indochina suggests the presence of 14 chorotypes grouped in five major range types. Our results underline the role of Indochina as a key area for amphibian diversity and conservation. Among 423 species of Indochinese amphibians, 152 species (35.9%) were considered as data deficient (DD) or were not evaluated (NE) according to the IUCN Red List criteria; while 76 species (18.0%) were considered vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN) or critically endangered (CR), 20 species (4.7%) were considered to be near threatened (NT), and 175 species (41.4%) to be of the least concern (LC). Our study thus has implications for further conservation efforts on regional and global levels, as well as for understanding the biogeographic patterns of amphibian richness and endemism in Asia.

scholarly journals Niche dynamics of Memecylon in Sri Lanka: Distribution patterns, climate change effects, and conservation priorities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabha Amarasinghe ◽  
Narayani Barve ◽  
Hashendra Kathriarachchi ◽  
Bette Loiselle ◽  
Nico Cellinese
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Niche Dynamics

Diversity and conservation priorities of crop wild relatives in Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aremi R. Contreras-Toledo ◽  
Moisés Cortés-Cruz ◽  
Denise E. Costich ◽  
Ma. de Lourdes Rico-Arce ◽  
Joana Magos Brehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Crop Wild Relatives ◽  
Wild Relatives ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Conservation Priorities

AbstractCrop wild relatives (CWR) are valuable resources for crop breeding due to their close genetic relationship to the cultivated plants and their wide genetic variation, allowing the introgression of desirable traits into the crops, such as resistance to plant pests and diseases or adaptability to climate change. Mexico is a centre of agrobiodiversity, including CWR, but climate change, and other factors, are contributing to the loss of important Mexican CWR genetic diversity. The in situ and ex situ conservation status of Mexican priority CWR were assessed through a gap analysis as part of a national CWR conservation strategy for Mexico, to ensure the long-term preservation and improve the availability of these genetic resources. A set of 310 priority CWR taxa, previously identified as part of the national CWR inventory for Mexico, were analysed. Species distribution modelling and ecogeographic diversity analyses were used to detect gaps in in situ and ex situ conservation at taxon and ecogeographic levels. Priority target sites were identified throughout the country for complementary in situ and ex situ conservation of these taxa. The results obtained allow us to make recommendations for immediate conservation actions, thus helping to mitigate the threats to Mexican agrobiodiversity and enhance both national and global food security.

Track analysis of the order Gomphales (Fungi: Basidiomycota) in Mexico

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 316 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
ASTRID GONZÁLEZ-ÁVILA ◽  
RAÚL CONTRERAS-MEDINA ◽  
DAVID ESPINOSA ◽  
ISOLDA LUNA-VEGA
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Mexican Volcanic Belt ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Track Analysis ◽  
Occurrence Records

The geographic distribution of 10 genera and 71 species of the order Gomphales in Mexico is analysed using the panbiogeographic approach. This allows us to gain a better understanding of distribution patterns and to propose conservation areas. We compiled a database containing 3,484 occurrence records for Gomphales from taxonomic literature, herbarium specimens, institutional databases and field collections. Using this database, we obtained individual tracks for species of Gomphales. From the comparison and intersection of the 43 individual tracks, we identified six generalised tracks and 10 panbiogeographic nodes. Most of the generalised tracks were associated with the main Mexican mountains systems. Accordingly, panbiogeographic nodes were mainly located along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Most nodes coincided with previously recognised nodes in other taxa, and almost half were located within Natural Protected Areas. Based on our results, we suggest that future molecular studies are necessary in order to define with precision species limits, which together with regional species inventories in tropical areas will significantly improve our understanding of fungal distributions. An integrative discussion regarding conservation criteria, and how to integrate endemic species on conservation programs is also included.

scholarly journals Phylogeography and niche modelling: reciprocal enlightenment

Mammalia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Govan Pahad ◽  
Claudine Montgelard ◽  
Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Spatial Genetic Structure ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Niche Modelling

Abstract Phylogeography examines the spatial genetic structure of species. Environmental niche modelling (or ecological niche modelling; ENM) examines the environmental limits of a species’ ecological niche. These two fields have great potential to be used together. ENM can shed light on how phylogeographical patterns develop and help identify possible drivers of spatial structure that need to be further investigated. Specifically, ENM can be used to test for niche differentiation among clades, identify factors limiting individual clades and identify barriers and contact zones. It can also be used to test hypotheses regarding the effects of historical and future climate change on spatial genetic patterns by projecting niches using palaeoclimate or future climate data. Conversely, phylogeographical information can populate ENM with within-species genetic diversity. Where adaptive variation exists among clades within a species, modelling their niches separately can improve predictions of historical distribution patterns and future responses to climate change. Awareness of patterns of genetic diversity in niche modelling can also alert conservationists to the potential loss of genetically diverse areas in a species’ range. Here, we provide a simplistic overview of both fields, and focus on their potential for integration, encouraging researchers on both sides to take advantage of the opportunities available.

scholarly journals Recent and future threats to the Endangered Cuban toad Peltophryne longinasus: potential additive impacts of climate change and habitat loss

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlon E. Cobos ◽  
Roberto Alonso Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

AbstractHabitat loss and climate change are major threats to amphibian species worldwide. We combined niche modelling under various climatic scenarios with analysis of habitat loss and the appropriateness of Cuban protected areas to identify major risk zones for the Endangered Cuban toad Peltophryne longinasus. Four subspecies with disjunct distributions associated with mountain forests are recognized. Our results suggest that the western subspecies, P. longinasus longinasus and P. longinasus cajalbanensis, are at risk from global warming, habitat degradation and potential additive effects. Peltophryne longinasus dunni, in central Cuba, has the lowest threat level related to climate change and habitat loss but could become increasingly threatened by the presence of the infectious disease chytridiomycosis. The eastern subspecies, P. longinasus ramsdeni, faces moderate impacts of climate change and habitat loss; however, low opportunity of migration to new areas and population decline justify a high threatened status for this subspecies. Our results predict minor temperature increases and precipitation decreases in the future. Nevertheless, at the biological level these changes could generate variations in species physiology, vocal behaviour and prey availability, and could probably increase the risk of predation. In Cuba protected areas have contributed to avoiding excessive forest loss but the potential impact of climate change was not considered in their original design. Our findings confirm that all subspecies of P. longinasus are threatened but management measures should be tailored according to the various predicted impacts.

The endemic and range restricted vascular plants of Croatia: diversity, distribution patterns and their conservation status

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 436 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-140
Author(s):  
TONI NIKOLIĆ ◽  
MAURO FOIS ◽  
BORIS MILAŠINOVIĆ
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Conservation Practice ◽  
Native Flora

The Balkan Peninsula is recognized as an important centre of native and endemic plant species diversity as well as an important wildlife refuge area. However, although Croatia hosts more than half of plant species found on the Balkan Peninsula, the endemic taxa have never been evaluated or used to define conservation priorities. We analyzed the qualitative composition of the endemic and range restricted species, their spatial distribution, centres of endemism, and conservation status (non-IUCN).         We generated an updated and annotated checklist of 349 endemic or range-restricted plant taxa (6.9% of the entire native flora), subdivided in 231 species, 103 subspecies and 15 hybrids and belonging to 149 genera and 43 families. Among the 231 species, 69 are considered endemic to Croatia and confined to a small area (< 4,500 km2), while 162 are considered range restricted species, which have larger ranges and/or are shared with neighbouring countries. The genera Centaurea and Hieracium have the highest number of endemic and range restricted taxa.         Spatial analyses indicated two notable centres of species richness—the mountainous Dinaric Alps and the SE Adriatic coast, including the islands. Regions with a high richness of range-restricted taxa did not coincide with areas of high richness of endemic species.         Taxa exhibited modest bimodality with respect to altitudinal distribution. In addition, the greatest diversity of taxa is concentrated in northwest of Croatia and could be related to differences in mean annual air temperatures and the duration of insolation.                As regards their conservation status, 13 of the 349 taxa are endangered, and 62 are near threatened or vulnerable. Despite relatively strong legal protection of endemic and range restricted species, 37 taxa remain unprotected. Changes in conservation practice are therefore proposed.

scholarly journals Reptile species persistence under climate change and direct human threats in north-western Argentina

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAVIER NORI ◽  
GERARDO C. LEYNAUD ◽  
JOSÉ VOLANTE ◽  
CRISTIAN S. ABDALA ◽  
GUSTAVO J. SCROCCHI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Area Network ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Agriculture Expansion ◽  
The Face ◽  
North Western

SUMMARYProtected areas have been established historically in residual places where the potential for extractive uses is low, implying that places at risk are usually under-protected. Argentina is no exception, with few protected areas established in productive regions that are prone to conversion. Here, using reptiles as a study group and considering the most important human threats in north-western Argentina, we estimated priority conservation areas where we expect species to persist in the face of climate change and land conversion. Protected areas cover no more than 9% of the study region, but represent less than 15% of reptile distributions. There are great opportunities for improving the conservation status in the region by protecting only 8% more of north-western Argentina, with the level of species protection inside the protected area network increasing almost four-fold, reaching 43% of species distributions on average and 59% of the distributions of threatened reptiles. Fortunately, the highest diversity of reptiles in the region does not match the places targeted for agriculture expansion. Our findings suggest that future prioritization schemes should embrace other groups that are especially diverse in the Chaco ecoregion, which overlaps with our study area.

scholarly journals Amphibians of the equatorial seasonally dry forests of Ecuador and Peru

ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1063 ◽  
pp. 23-48
Author(s):  
Diego Armijos-Ojeda ◽  
Diana Székely ◽  
Paul Székely ◽  
Dan Cogălniceanu ◽  
Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Sampling Bias ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Taxonomic Methods

Seasonally dry forests (SDFs) are one of the most challenging ecosystems for amphibians, fueling the diversity of this group of vertebrates. An updated inventory of native amphibians present in the Equatorial SDF is provided, which extends along the Pacific coast of Ecuador and northwestern Peru. The study is based on an extensive field sampling (two thirds of the total records) carried out throughout the Equatorial SDF, along with a compilation of the available information on distribution of amphibians in the region from published scientific papers, museum collections and on-line databases. The final dataset included 2,032 occurrence records for 30 amphibian species, belonging to eight anuran families. Additionally, data regarding conservation status, habitat use, spawn deposition site, reproductive mode, and body size, along with an identification key for all encountered species are provided. The results indicate a strong sampling bias with a deficit in the Peruvian part of the study area, and a need for urgent inventories targeted at under-sampled areas, using modern taxonomic methods. The study emphasizes the conservation priorities in the Equatorial SDF, based on the distribution, conservation status and life-history data. This information should be useful for the local authorities and institutions involved in the management and conservation of biodiversity in SDF.

scholarly journals Rapid decline and shift in the future distribution predicted for the endangered Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae due to climate change

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARA MONADJEM ◽  
MUNIR Z. VIRANI ◽  
COLIN JACKSON ◽  
APRIL RESIDE
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Complete Disappearance ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
The Future

SummaryClimate change is predicted to have serious impacts on the conservation status of numerous species of birds, particularly low-density, range-restricted species occupying narrow habitats. One such species is the globally “Endangered” Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae that currently survives in just two or three small pockets of forest in coastal Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania. We assessed the potential impact of changes in future climate on this species using predictive niche modelling. Distributional data were obtained from various published and unpublished sources, and field surveys. Maximum Entropy (Maxent) was used to model the current distribution of Sokoke Scops Owl. A general circulation model was used to predict the distribution of this species in 2080. This scenario predicts a southward shift in the future distribution of this species in Kenya and a complete disappearance from the Usambara mountains in Tanzania, with a concomitant 64% reduction in areas of high environmental suitability. Considering the isolated nature of the forest fragments in which this owl survives and the sea of inhospitable human-modified habitat which surrounds these fragments, the future conservation prospects of this species are bleak. Close monitoring of the species is strongly recommended and potential conservation interventions are discussed.

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