Bushmeat hunting and extinction risk to the world's mammals

Terrestrial mammals are experiencing a massive collapse in their population sizes and geographical ranges around the world, but many of the drivers, patterns and consequences of this decline remain poorly understood. Here we provide an analysis showing that bushmeat hunting for mostly food and medicinal products is driving a global crisis whereby 301 terrestrial mammal species are threatened with extinction. Nearly all of these threatened species occur in developing countries where major coexisting threats include deforestation, agricultural expansion, human encroachment and competition with livestock. The unrelenting decline of mammals suggests many vital ecological and socio-economic services that these species provide will be lost, potentially changing ecosystems irrevocably. We discuss options and current obstacles to achieving effective conservation, alongside consequences of failure to stem such anthropogenic mammalian extirpation. We propose a multi-pronged conservation strategy to help save threatened mammals from immediate extinction and avoid a collapse of food security for hundreds of millions of people.

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Extinction risk and conservation of critically endangered angel sharks in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsz222 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 12-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Julia M Lawson ◽

Riley A Pollom ◽

Cat A Gordon ◽

Joanna Barker ◽

Eva K M Meyers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

International Management ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Geographic Ranges ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Management Measures ◽

Global Status ◽

Population Sizes

Abstract Understanding the details of local and regional extinctions allows for more efficient allocation of conservation activities and resources. This involves identifying where populations persist, where populations may still be present, and where populations may be locally extinct. Three threatened angel sharks occur in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea: Sawback Angelshark (Squatina aculeata), Smoothback Angelshark (Squatina oculata), and Angelshark (Squatina squatina). Population sizes and geographic ranges of these species have been reduced due to overfishing and habitat loss, placing them among the world s most threatened chondrichthyans. We revise distribution maps, review global status, and present a Conservation Strategy to protect and restore these angel shark populations by minimizing fishing mortality, protecting critical habitat, and mitigating human disturbance. Updated distributions reveal that a halving of the geographic extent may have occurred for all three species, with potential declines of 51% for Sawback Angelshark, 48% for Smoothback Angelshark, and 58% for Angelshark. While 20 national and international management measures are now in place for Angelshark, only half of these include the other two species. We encourage further conservation action to adopt and develop this Conservation Strategy to restore angel shark populations to robust levels and safeguard them throughout their range.

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Mammals on Western Australian islands: occurrence and preliminary analysis

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo17046 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 183 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrew A. Burbidge ◽

Ian Abbott

Keyword(s):

House Mouse ◽

Preliminary Analysis ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Additional Species ◽

Terrestrial Mammal ◽

Non Indigenous Species ◽

Western Australian ◽

Effective Conservation ◽

Near Threatened

We present a database of indigenous and non-indigenous terrestrial mammal records on Western Australian (WA) islands, updated from a database we published more than 20 years ago. The database includes records of 88 indigenous species on 155 islands, compared with 54 indigenous species on 141 WA islands in the paper by Abbott and Burbidge in CALMScience, Volume 1, pp. 259–324. The database also provides 266 records of 21 species of non-indigenous mammal species on 138 WA islands, more than double the number of records in the earlier review. Of the 33 threatened and near-threatened WA non-volant mammals, 16 occur naturally (and have persisted) on WA islands, five additional species occur on islands outside WA, 14 successful conservation translocations of 10 species have been undertaken to WA islands, and six species have been successfully translocated to 12 islands outside WA – two of which do not currently occur on WA islands. The house mouse now accounts for the largest number of extant records of non-indigenous species. Even with the increasing number of conservation translocations to mainland islands (fenced exclosures), WA islands remain essential for the effective conservation of several threatened and near-threatened mammals and many of the translocations to mainland islands have been sourced from islands.

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The Last Two Remaining Populations of the Critically Endangered Estuarine Pipefish Are Inbred and Not Genetically Distinct

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.756595 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Sven-Erick Weiss ◽

Arsalan Emami-Khoyi ◽

Horst Kaiser ◽

Paul D. Cowley ◽

Nicola C. James ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Small Population ◽

Environmental Stochasticity ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Genome Wide Data ◽

Significant Genetic Structure ◽

Population Sizes

The critically endangered estuarine pipefish, Syngnathus watermeyeri, is one of Africa’s rarest fish species and currently faces a significant risk of extinction. A combination of anthropogenic and natural factors threaten submerged macrophyte beds in the two South African estuaries (Bushmans and Kariega) in which the species’ only two known remaining populations reside. Here, we genotyped 34 pipefish from both populations using genome-wide data to determine whether the two estuaries harbour distinct genetic diversity, such that translocating individuals between them might improve the genetic health of both. Our results show that both populations are highly inbred, and no statistically significant genetic structure was found between them. Moreover, individuals both within and between estuaries were very closely related to each other. These results indicate that the remaining populations of the estuarine pipefish suffer from the adverse genetic effects of small population sizes. Even though recent surveys have estimated population sizes in the order of thousands of individuals, these may fluctuate considerably. Although the translocation of genetically similar individuals between habitats will not increase local genetic diversity, the creation of additional populations across the species’ historical range may be a suitable conservation strategy to prevent further loss of genetic diversity, and to minimise the overall extinction risk posed by environmental stochasticity.

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Rhabdoviruses: Rabies and rabies-related lyssaviruses

Oxford Textbook of Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780198746690.003.0085 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 805-819

Author(s):

Mary J. Warrell ◽

David A. Warrell

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

United States Of America ◽

Rna Viruses ◽

Large Family ◽

The United States ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Terrestrial Mammal ◽

The World ◽

Rabid Animal

The Rhabdoviridae are a large family of RNA viruses, two genera of which infect animals: the genus Lyssavirus contains rabies and rabies-related viruses that cause at least 55,000 deaths annually in Asia and Africa. The risks and problems posed by rabies and other lyssaviruses vary across the world. Viruses can penetrate broken skin and intact mucosae. Humans are usually infected when virus-laden saliva is inoculated through the skin by the bite of a rabid animal, usually a dog. Although the greatest threat to man is the persistent cycle of infection in stray dogs, several other terrestrial mammal species are reservoirs of infection. In the Americas, bat viruses and also classic type 1 rabies and insectivorous bats have become the principal vectors of infection to humans in the United States of America. Elsewhere in the world, there is increasing evidence of widespread rabies-related lyssavirus infection of bats.

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Diversity and activity patterns of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals at the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, México

Therya ◽

10.12933/therya-21-1105 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 237-248

Author(s):

Jesús Alejandro Ríos-Solís ◽

José Juan Flores-Martínez ◽

Víctor Sánchez-Cordero ◽

Mario C. Lavariega

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Los Tuxtlas ◽

Trapping Rate ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Southern Mexico ◽

Terrestrial Mammal ◽

Terrestrial Mammals ◽

Landscape Degradation

Studies on diversity of animal communities allow determination of their species richness and composition. This information is particularly relevant to establish sound conservation programs in biosphere reserves, where human activities should be focused on the sustainable use of natural resources and ensure biodiversity protection. This study estimated the diversity and species richness and determined the species composition and activity patterns of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals in the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (LTBR) located in Veracruz, Mexico. We set 18 camera traps to record medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals from August 2016 to January 2017. We calculated the trapping rate, guilds, and activity patterns of species. Diversity was estimated with Hill numbers. We compared our estimates with other studies in tropical forest in Mexico. We obtained 308 independent captures of 13 species; Cuniculus paca and Dasyprocta mexicana were the species with the highest trapping rate. Order-0, order-1, and order-2 diversity values were 13.99, 6.50, and 4.75 effective species, respectively, which ranks LTBR the fourth-most diverse reserve of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals compared to six other tropical rainforest sites in southern Mexico. We recorded mammals representing five trophic guilds, of which frugivore-folivores (five species) and omnivores (three species) ranked highest. All recorded species were primarily nocturnal (six species) or diurnal (six species). Tamandua mexicana, Leopardus pardalis, L. wiedii, and Eira barbara are listed as endangered in the Mexican Official Standard Norm NOM-059-2019, and L. wiedii is listed as near threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We were able to record 40.6 % of the terrestrial mammal species known to inhabit the LTBR. The absence of large-sized species such as large predators and herbivores was notable. Comparison of medium and large-sized mammal diversity of camera trapping studies in Mexico show that landscape degradation is impoverishing terrestrial mammal communities.

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Natural and Nanotechnology based Treatment: An Alternative Approach to Psoriasis

Current Nanomedicine ◽

10.2174/2468187310999201022192318 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Nishu Yadav ◽

Rohan Aggarwal ◽

Monika Targhotra ◽

P. K Sahoo ◽

Meenakshi K. Chauhan

Keyword(s):

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Lipid Nanoparticles ◽

Medicinal Products ◽

Herbal Medicinal Products ◽

Alternative Approach ◽

The World ◽

Herbal Medicinal ◽

Delivery Mechanism ◽

Dosage Frequency ◽

Dose Reductions

Abstract:: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease of the skin that is chronic, inflammatory, recurring, and affects about 2-5 percent of the population of the world. For treating psoriasis, ample drugs and molecules are available. However, none are safe and efficient for treating the disease without sacrificing the compliance of the patient. Also, existing medications are intended to mitigate the signs and symptoms and 100% cure is not achieved. They do, however, concentrate on treating the illness and relieving the symptoms. Therefore, finding a delivery mechanism that can treat psoriasis safely and efficiently without sacrificing patient enforcement remains a critical task. Nano based formulations present a high prospect of overcoming the weakness of traditional formulations by providing dose reductions, reduced side effects, and dosage frequency with improved efficacy while herbal medicinal products can also be used as potential drugs against psoriasis as they are easily available and are safe. This review focuses primarily on the traditional strategies and recent discoveries of a range of anti-psoriatic drugs in metallic, polymer, and herbal-based formulations. Nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, dendrimers, micelles, nano-capsules, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), ethosome, liposomes have been elaborated. Also, studies relating to the use of phyto based plants in psoriasis has been discussed. Nano and herbal based formulations, in a nutshell, remain known as a promising approach for treating psoriasis.

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Ecological correlates of extinction risk in Chinese terrestrial mammals

Diversity and Distributions ◽

10.1111/ddi.13279 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lingying Shuai ◽

Chuanwu Chen ◽

Wei Liu ◽

Wenyan Xu ◽

Yun Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extinction Risk ◽

Terrestrial Mammals ◽

Ecological Correlates

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Genetic characterization of novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for Epilobium nankotaizanense (Onagraceae), an endemic and threatened herb in Taiwan

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

10.1017/s1479262121000289 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Yu-Wei Tseng ◽

Chi-Chun Huang ◽

Chih-Chiang Wang ◽

Chiuan-Yu Li ◽

Kuo-Hsiang Hung

Keyword(s):

Microsatellite Markers ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Germplasm Collections ◽

The Family ◽

Conservation Genetic ◽

Population Sizes ◽

Polymorphic Microsatellite

Abstract Epilobium belongs to the family Onagraceae, which consists of approximately 200 species distributed worldwide, and some species have been used as medicinal plants. Epilobium nankotaizanense is an endemic and endangered herb that grows in the high mountains in Taiwan at an elevation of more than 3300 m. Alpine herbs are severely threatened by climate change, which leads to a reduction in their habitats and population sizes. However, only a few studies have addressed genetic diversity and population genetics. In the present study, we developed a new set of microsatellite markers for E. nankotaizanense using high-throughput genome sequencing data. Twenty polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and tested on 30 individuals collected from three natural populations. These loci were successfully amplified, and polymorphisms were observed in E. nankotaizanense. The number of alleles per locus (A) ranged from 2.000 to 3.000, and the observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 0.929 and from 0.034 to 0.631, respectively. The developed polymorphic microsatellite markers will be useful in future conservation genetic studies of E. nankotaizanense as well as for developing an effective conservation strategy for this species and facilitating germplasm collections and sustainable utilization of other Epilobium species.

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Monitoring invasive mammalian predator populations sharing habitat with the Critically Endangered Puerto Rican parrot Amazona vittata

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605305001286 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 95-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Richard Engeman ◽

Desley Whisson ◽

Jessica Quinn ◽

Felipe Cano ◽

Pedro Quiñones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rican ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Forest Sites ◽

The World ◽

Mammalian Predators ◽

In The Wild ◽

Amazona Vittata ◽

Black Rats

Critically Endangered Puerto Rican parrots Amazona vittata are one of the rarest birds in the world. Several exotic mammal species capable of preying on Puerto Rican parrots cohabit the Caribbean National Forest with the only wild population of these parrots. We used tracking plates, monitoring blocks and trapping to index black rats, small Indian mongooses and feral cats in parrot habitat and in public-use areas in the same habitat type. We had high trap success for black rats at all sites (42% of all sites combined), among the highest reported in the world. Rat response to monitoring (nontoxic bait) blocks was universally high, regardless of ground or tree placement. Mongooses were present at all sites, with a greater proportion of plates tracked within the forest than at public-use sites. Cats were present at all forest sites and one of the public-use sites. Presence of the three species did not appear to be linked to human disturbance. Because only 30–40 Puerto Rican parrots survive in the wild, with as few as three pairs nesting in 2002, we concluded that the abundance and pervasiveness of exotic mammalian predators poses a greater threat to the parrots than has been generally acknowledged. This is evidenced by mammalian predation during recent parrot breeding seasons, including six fledglings taken by mongooses and one nest failure from rats during 2000–2003.

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How many bird extinctions have we prevented?

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605306000950 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 266-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 101

Author(s):

Stuart H.M. Butchart ◽

Alison J. Stattersfield ◽

Nigel J. Collar

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Captive Breeding ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Bird Species ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Additional Species ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Declining Populations ◽

Population Sizes ◽

Principal Actions

Considerable resources and efforts have been directed at biodiversity conservation in recent years, but measures of the success of conservation programmes have been limited. Based on information on population sizes, trends, threatening processes and the nature and intensity of conservation actions implemented during 1994–2004, we assessed that 16 bird species would have probably become extinct during this period if conservation programmes for them had not been undertaken. The mean minimum population size of these 16 species increased from 34 to 147 breeding individuals during 1994–2004. In 1994, 63% of them had declining populations but by 2004, 81% were increasing. Most of these species (63%) are found on islands. The principal threats that led to their decline were habitat loss and degradation (88%), invasive species (50%) and exploitation (38%), a pattern similar to that for other threatened species, but with exploitation and invasive species being relatively more important. The principal actions carried out were habitat protection and management (75% of species), control of invasive species (50%), and captive breeding and release (33%). The 16 species represent only 8.9% of those currently classified as Critically Endangered, and 1.3% of those threatened with extinction. Many of these additional species slipped closer to extinction during 1994–2004, including 164 that deteriorated in status sufficiently to be uplisted to higher categories of extinction risk on the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2006). Efforts need to be considerably scaled up to prevent many more extinctions in the coming decades. The knowledge and tools to achieve this are available, but we need to mobilize the resources and political will to apply them.

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