Ecological specialization is associated with high conservation concern in skates (Chondrichthyes, Rajiformes)

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-228
Author(s):  
S. A. Barbini ◽  
L. O. Lucifora ◽  
D. E. Sabadin ◽  
D. E. Figueroa
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Specialization ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Concern

Evidence of sodium limitation in ants and termites in a Neotropical savanna

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Natalie A. Clay ◽  
Donald B. Shepard ◽  
Adrian A. Garda ◽  
Daniel O. Mesquita ◽  
Alexandre Vasconcellos
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Neotropical Savanna ◽  
Nacl Concentration ◽  
Neotropical Savannas ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Type Water ◽  
Conservation Concern

Abstract Nutritional ecology of ropical ecosystems like Neotropical savannas, which are of high conservation concern, is understudied. Sodium is essential for heterotrophs but availability often falls short relative to plant consumer requirements. Savanna plant consumers like ants and termites should be sodium-limited due to high temperatures, nutrient-poor soils, and lack of oceanic sodium deposition. We tested the hypothesis that Neotropical savanna ants and termites are sodium-limited. Termites were tested by supplementing 0.25 m2 plots with H2O (control), 0.1%, 0.5%, or 1.0% NaCl and measuring termite presence and artificial substrate mass loss after 1 week. Ants were tested by collecting ants that recruited to H2O (control), 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0% NaCl and 1.0%, 10%, and 20% sugar baits on paired diurnal–nocturnal transects. Termites were 16 times more likely to occur on 1% NaCl than H2O plots and wood-feeding termites were most frequent. However, the decomposition rate did not differ among treatments. Ant bait use increased with increasing NaCl concentration and 1% NaCl usage was similar to sugar bait usage. Ants were 3.7 times more active nocturnally than diurnally, but contrary to predictions bait type (water, sugar or NaCl) usage did not differ between day and night. Together, these results provide strong evidence of sodium limitation in Neotropical savannas.

scholarly journals Counting complete? Finalising the plant inventory of a global biodiversity hotspot

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Treurnicht ◽  
Jonathan F. Colville ◽  
Lucas N. Joppa ◽  
Onno Huyser ◽  
John Manning
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Species Discovery ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Steady Rate ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Species Descriptions

The Cape Floristic Region—the world’s smallest and third richest botanical hotspot—has benefited from sustained levels of taxonomic effort and exploration for almost three centuries, but how close is this to resulting in a near-complete plant species inventory? We analyse a core component of this flora over a 250-year period for trends in taxonomic effort and species discovery linked to ecological and conservation attributes. We show that >40% of the current total of species was described within the first 100 years of exploration, followed by a continued steady rate of description. We propose that <1% of the flora is still to be described. We document a relatively constant cohort of taxonomists, working over 250 years at what we interpret to be their ‘taxonomic maximum.’ Rates of description of new species were independent of plant growth-form but narrow-range taxa have constituted a significantly greater proportion of species discoveries since 1950. This suggests that the fraction of undiscovered species predominantly comprises localised endemics that are thus of high conservation concern. Our analysis provides important real-world insights for other hotspots in the context of global strategic plans for biodiversity in informing considerations of the likely effort required in attaining set targets of comprehensive plant inventories. In a time of unprecedented biodiversity loss, we argue for a focused research agenda across disciplines to increase the rate of species descriptions in global biodiversity hotspots.

An interactive identification key for genets and oyans (Carnivora, Viverridae, Genettinae, Genetta spp. and Poiana spp.) using Xper2

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1717 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIPPE GAUBERT ◽  
ANTOINE CHALUBERT ◽  
GUILLAUME DUBUS
Keyword(s):  
Identification Key ◽  
Species Discrimination ◽  
Species Pair ◽  
Taxonomic Description ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Knowledge Platform ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Qualitative Characters ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
User Friendly

We built an interactive identification key (IIK) to provide a user-friendly tool for the problematic identification of the Genettinae species (Genetta spp. and Poiana spp.) using Xper², a knowledge platform dedicated to taxonomic description and identification. A total of 45 qualitative characters were described after the observation of > 4500 specimens, representing 19 species. Assessing among-species discrimination efficiency per character partition and character, we were able to establish a list of 13 characters from skull and coat likely to optimize species identification among Genettinae. Genetta maculata and G. “letabae”, which belong to the large-spotted genet complex, was the only species pair that could not be distinguished. The IIK of Genettinae we propose herein (http://lis.snv.jussieu.fr/apps/xper/data/genettes/ web/) may be used to assist regular-basis update of distribution ranges, a needed effort for several poorly known species of high conservation concern.

scholarly journals Population estimates for tidal marsh birds of high conservation concern in the northeastern USA from a design-based survey

The Condor ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney A. Wiest ◽  
Maureen D. Correll ◽  
Brian J. Olsen ◽  
Chris S. Elphick ◽  
Thomas P. Hodgman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Marsh ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Marsh Birds ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Northeastern Usa

scholarly journals Avian Community Structure as a Function of Season, Habitat Type, and Disturbance, in Mole National Park, Northern Region (Ghana)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collins Ayine Nsor ◽  
Emmanuel Acquah ◽  
Grace Mensah ◽  
Vincent Kusi-Kyei ◽  
Samuel Boadi
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preference ◽  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Ordination Techniques ◽  
Bird Habitat ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Concern

The study assessed factors that influenced bird-habitat preference, diversity, and spatial distribution in Mole National Park. Birds were identified using point count sampling method, while ordination techniques were performed to determine the influence of environmental factors on bird-habitat preference. A total of 4951 individuals belonging to 131 species were identified across the four habitat types in the wet (n= 3033) and dry (n= 1648) seasons. Despite the high abundance and richness of birds in the woodland and shrubland habitats, grassland habitat was the most diverse, due to the high spatial evenness distribution of the birds. Bushfire, patchiness, and animal trampling were the key environmental determinants in bird assemblages and habitat preferences and accounted for 62.02% and 81.82% variations in the two seasons. Rarer birds like White-Backed Vulture (NT) and White-Headed Vulture (CR), Bateleur Eagle (NT), and Woolly-Necked Stork (VU), with high conservation concern, suggest intensification of conservation effort, while the dominance of Sahel Bush-sparrow was probably due to their broad range habitat preferences and ability to adapt to environmental conditions across these habitats. These species could be used as indicators of habitat quality, if future scenarios restrict their movement or distribution in narrow range habitats.

scholarly journals Asperula L. Species Preserved in ‘Alexandru Beldie’ Herbarium

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Ioana Maria PLESCA ◽  
Tatiana BLAGA ◽  
Lucian DINCĂ
Keyword(s):  
Forest Soils ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Red List ◽  
General Description ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Concern

This paper provides a quantitative and general description of the main representatives of the genus Asperula L. present in the ‘Alexandru Beldie’ Herbarium. Currently, Asperula genus comprises 25 different taxa (18 with a status of species and 7 as intraspecific units), harvested mainly from the Romanian forests. The majority of plants are kept in very good conservation conditions (first and second conservation degrees). Two of the species (Asperula rumelica Boiss and A. graveolens subsp. graveolens) present in the Herbarium should be given high conservation priority since they are of national conservation concern, being included on the ‘Red List of Superior Plants from Romania’. The Asperula genus is widespread across the country and is mostly associated with mesobasic and eubasic forest soils, representatives of this genus having the value of indicator species.

scholarly journals No evidence for a loss of genetic diversity despite a strong decline in size of a European population of the Corncrake Crex crex

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-266
Author(s):  
YOAN FOURCADE ◽  
DAVID S RICHARDSON ◽  
JEAN SECONDI
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
European Population ◽  
Grassland Bird ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Constant Gene ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Concern

SummaryThe preservation of genetic diversity is an important aspect of conservation biology. Low genetic diversity within a population can lead to inbreeding depression and a reduction in adaptive potential, which may increase extinction risk. Here we report changes in genetic diversity over 12 years in a declining population of the Corncrake Crex crex, a grassland bird species of high conservation concern throughout Europe. Despite a twofold demographic decline during the same period, we found no evidence for a reduction of genetic diversity. The gradual genetic differentiation observed among populations of Corncrake across Europe suggests that genetic diversity is maintained in western populations by constant gene flow from the larger and more productive populations in eastern Europe and Asia. The maintenance of genetic diversity in this species is an opportunity that may help the implementation of effective conservation actions across the Corncrake’s European range.

scholarly journals Global positioning system tracking devices can decrease Greater Sage-Grouse survival

The Condor ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
John P Severson ◽  
Peter S Coates ◽  
Brian G Prochazka ◽  
Mark A Ricca ◽  
Michael L Casazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Sage Grouse ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Device Type ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Gps Devices

Abstract Reliable demographic estimates hinge on the assumption that marking animals does not alter their behavior, reproduction, or survival. Violations can bias inference and are especially egregious for species of high conservation concern. Global positioning system (GPS) devices represent a recent technological advancement that has contributed greatly to avian ecological studies compared with traditionally used very high frequency (VHF) radio transmitters, but may affect demographic rates differently than VHF transmitters. We compared survival between VHF (necklace attachment) and GPS (rump-mounted attachment) devices from >1,100 Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of high conservation concern, across multiple populations within California and Nevada. We found lower survival for GPS-marked compared to VHF-marked sage-grouse across most sex, age, and seasonal comparisons. Estimates of annual survival for GPS-marked sage-grouse were 0.55–0.86 times that of VHF-marked birds with considerable variation among sex and age classes. Differences in survival could be attributed to features associated with GPS devices, including greater weight, position of attachment (e.g., rump-mount harness), and a semi-reflective solar panel. In a post hoc analysis, we evaluated additive and interactive effects between device type (GPS vs. VHF) and transmitter mass as a proportion of body mass (PBM). While the device type effect alone was the best model, the PBM interaction also had support. For GPS devices, survival decreased with increasing PBM, whereas PBM effects were not found for VHF. We attributed differences in PBM effect to placement of transmitters on sage-grouse, as weight of GPS devices was positioned rearward. This information can help managers and researchers weigh costs and benefits of GPS-based monitoring. Our results indicate demographic data collected from GPS devices should be interpreted with caution, and use of these devices should be tailored to specific ecological questions. Future research aimed at investigating behavioral impacts and GPS designs that reduce adverse impacts on survival would be beneficial.

From den to dust: longevity of three dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) on Fraser Island (K'gari)

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Behrendorff ◽  
Benjamin L. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
History Data ◽  
Life History Data ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Free Ranging

The Australian dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is a common and well studied species, yet very little is known about the longevity of free-ranging individuals because most field studies are too short to obtain this information. Fraser Island, off the east coast of Queensland, contains a closed dingo population of high conservation value, and where a portion of them have been captured and subsequently monitored using ear tags and microchips for management purposes since 2002. We use these data to describe the longevity of three individual dingoes, including one female captured, microchipped and ear-tagged as a subadult in February 2003, recaptured and retagged in March 2012, and then found dead in October 2014. Longevity data and other observations demonstrate that wild dingoes can live for at least 13 years and successfully produce litters for at least 10 years. Such life-history data are useful for evaluating the dynamics and stability of dingo populations of conservation concern.

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