scholarly journals Ecological niche modeling of genetic lineages of the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus (Rodentia: Gerbillinae)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257063
Author(s):  
Kordiyeh Hamidi ◽  
Saeed Mohammadi ◽  
Taghi Ghassemi-Khademi
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Murid Rodent ◽  
Genetic Lineages ◽  
Great Gerbil ◽  
Rhombomys Opimus ◽  
Golestan Province

Great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus Lichtenstein, 1823) is distributed in Central Asia and some parts of the Middle East. It is widely found in central and northeast parts of Iran with two distinct genetic lineages: R. o. sodalis in the northern slopes of the Elburz Mountains and R. o. sargadensis in the southern slopes. This large rodent acts as the main host of natural focal diseases. No study has surveyed the ecological niche of the lineages and how their distribution might be influenced by different climatic variables. To examine the distribution patterns of this murid rodent, we aimed to determine the habitat preferences and effects of environmental variables on the ecological niche. Using a species distribution approach for modeling of regional niche specialization, suitable habitats predicted for R. o. sodalis were mainly located in Golestan province in northern Iran, along the northern slope of Elburz, while R. o. sargadensis, showed great potential distribution along the southern slope of Elburz and around the Kavir Desert and the Lut Desert. Despite the widest potential distribution of R. o. sargadensis from northeast to northwest and through Central Iran, the geographic range of R. o. sodalis was smaller and mostly confined to Golestan province. The results support the presence of the two genetic lineages of Rhombomys in Iran and confirm that there is no significant niche overlap between the two subspecies. Furthermore, it provided several perspectives for future taxonomic studies and prevention hygiene programs for public health.

Ecological niche modeling of coastal dune plants and future potential distribution in response to climate change and sea level rise

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2524-2535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Mendoza-González ◽  
M. Luisa Martínez ◽  
Octavio R. Rojas-Soto ◽  
Gabriela Vázquez ◽  
Juan B. Gallego-Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Coastal Dune Plants ◽  
Future Potential ◽  
Dune Plants

scholarly journals Occurrence of Cabassous tatouay (Cingulata, Dasypodidae) in Rio Grande do Sul and its potential distribution in southern Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan V. de Oliveira ◽  
Luiz L. C. Corrêa ◽  
Felipe B. Peters ◽  
Fábio D. Mazim ◽  
Felipe M. Garcias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Southern South America

ABSTRACT Cabossous tatouay Desmarest, 1804 is considered a rare species in southern South America, and Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, records of the species are scarce and inaccurate. This study reports 40 localities for C. tatouay, and provides a map of the species' potential distribution using ecological niche modeling (ENM). The ENM indicated that in this region C. tatouay is associated with open grasslands, including the areas of "Pampas" and the open fields in the highlands of the Atlantic Forest. This study contributes to the information about the greater naked-tailed armadillo in southern Brazil, and provides data key to its future conservation.

scholarly journals Potential distribution and conservation of the Colobosauroides carvalhoi Soares and Caramaschi, 1998: a rare and endemic lizard of Northeast Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 686-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. C. Magalhães-Júnior ◽  
G. J. B. Moura ◽  
L. B. Ribeiro ◽  
S. M. Azevedo-Júnior
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Ecological Niche Model ◽  
Niche Model ◽  
Species Population ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Occurrence Records

Abstract Ecological niche modeling has contributed to the investigation of the geographical distribution and conservation of rare or little recorded species. Therefore, we studied the known and potential distributions of Colobosauroides carvalhoi Soares and Caramaschi 1998 and discuss the implications for its conservation. Data were obtained by manual collections made in quarterly samplings in three different regions, considering the regions with occurrence records and surrounding areas. The known distribution was determined by occurrence records and literature data, and potential distribution was estimated with an ecological niche model by the MaxEnt algorithm. Twenty-five specimens were collected exclusively in forest formations of Caatinga and Caatinga-Cerrado. Our data corroborated the relative rarity of C. carvalhoi and reflected the biogeographical history of the group, where it is restricted to forest formations with milder environmental conditions. The occurrence records indicated new records of C. carvalhoi, but the known distribution value is compatible with a restricted distribution. The ecological niche model estimated few areas with environmental suitability for the species and corroborated the restricted and relict distribution patterns. Finally, the known and potential distribution values were compatible with criteria for threatened species. These results suggest a worrisome scenario for C. carvalhoi conservation. However, the limited data about the species population do not allow the proper definition of its conservation status. Therefore, we suggest using potential distribution values with alternative criteria for redefining the conservation status of C. carvalhoi and the development of new studies that support a better assessment of its conservation aspects.

scholarly journals Predicting potential distribution and evaluating biotic interactions of threatened species: a case study of Discocactus ferricola (Cactaceae)

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Vicente-Silva ◽  
Gabriel Paganini Faggioni ◽  
Gecele Matos Paggi
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
Conservation Actions

Abstract: Information on distribution, number of populations, and biotic interactions are essential for assessing the threat status of species and to establish more effective conservation initiatives. Ecological niche modeling have been successfully applied to identify the potential distribution, even for rare species that have few recorded occurrence points. In this study, we evaluated the potential distribution and additionally generated the first data on the reproductive biology of Discocactus ferricola, due to its degree of threat and the absence of ecological data for that species. The potential distribution map highlighted areas with higher probability of occurrence of D. ferricola on the Residual Plateau of Maciço do Urucum located in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The occurrence of D. ferricola populations was limited to outcrops of flat ironstone (cangas) distributed in patches across the landscape, increasing the chances of serious threats, such as habitat loss due to mining and species extraction. We also found that D. ferricola is xenogamous. Therefore, in situ conservation actions must prioritize the maintenance of interactions with pollinators by preserving the flora and fauna of rocky outcrops and adjacent forests in areas of greater environmental suitability for D. ferricola. Our study highlights the use of ecological niche modeling and data on biotic interactions to evaluate species potential distribution, to guide new sampling efforts, and to assist conservation and management initiatives.

scholarly journals Using Ecological Niche Modeling For Biodiversity Conservation Guidance In The Western Podillya (Ukraine): Amphibians

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Tytar ◽  
S. Mezhzherin ◽  
L. Sobolenko
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Human Footprint ◽  
Bombina Variegata ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Maximum entropy niche modeling was employed as a tool to assess potential habitat suitability for 13 amphibian species and to map their potential distribution in the Western Podillya (Ukraine). The predictor variables used were of climate, topography and human impact (assessed by the Human Footprint). The “mean temperature of coldest quarter” and “isothermality” were two of the most important factors in predicting habitat suitability and distribution. Another profound contribution has been displayed by the Human Footprint, meaning that human infrastructure may benefit amphibians, a phenomenon that perhaps is much more widespread than thought. Areas have been distinguished that in the first place should be of interest to nature conservationists targeting amphibians (exemplified by Bombina variegata) and a map summarizing species richness was produced.

Ecological niche modeling for assessing potential distribution of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. In Ranchi, eastern India

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1095-1105
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Anish Kumar ◽  
Dibyendu Adhikari ◽  
Ravikanth Gudasalamani ◽  
Purabi Saikia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Eastern India ◽  
Pterocarpus Marsupium

scholarly journals Ecological niche modeling as an effective tool to predict the distribution of freshwater organisms: The case of the Sabaleta Brycon henni (Eigenmann, 1913)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247876
Author(s):  
Daniel Valencia-Rodríguez ◽  
Luz Jiménez-Segura ◽  
Carlos A. Rogéliz ◽  
Juan L. Parra
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
National Level ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Precipitation Seasonality ◽  
Bioclimatic Variables ◽  
Species Occurrences

Ecological niche models (ENMs) aim to recreate the relationships between species and the environments where they occur and allow us to identify unexplored areas in geography where these species might be present. These models have been successfully used in terrestrial organisms but their application in aquatic organisms is still scarce. Recent advances in the availability of species occurrences and environmental information particular to aquatic systems allow the evaluation of these models. This study aims to characterize the niche of the Sabaleta Brycon henni Eigenmann 1913, an endemic fish of the Colombian Andes, using ENMs to predict its geographical distribution across the Magdalena Basin. For this purpose, we used a set of environmental variables specific to freshwater systems in addition to the customary bioclimatic variables, and species’ occurrence data to model its potential distribution using the Maximum Entropy algorithm (MaxEnt). We evaluate the relative importance between these two sets of variables, the model’s performance, and its geographic overlap with the IUCN map. Both on-site (annual precipitation, minimum temperature of coldest month) and upstream variables (open waters, average minimum temperature of the coldest month and average precipitation seasonality) were included in the models with the highest predictive accuracy. With an area under the curve of 90%, 99% of the species occurrences and 68% of absences correctly predicted, our results support the good performance of ENMs to predict the potential distribution of the Sabaleta and the utility of this tool in conservation and decision-making at the national level.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document