On the Data Deficient amphibians occurring in Colombia

Whereas more than 10 % of the global amphibian richness is known to occur in Colombia, almost 16 % of these species are currently classified as Data Deficient according to the IUCN. These estimates suggest that the available data for a large portion of the amphibians occurring in Colombia is insufficient to assess extinction risk. Here we aim to (1) review the available information on the distribution of the Colombian Data Deficient (DD hereafter) amphibians, (2) analyze their geographic distribution, and (3) evaluate the relationship between anthropogenic impact and their current conservation status. For this, we first compiled geographical records for the DD amphibian species using primary sources. Geographical records were obtained mainly from taxonomic descriptions and non-systematic surveys. We then estimated the geographical range and inferred the potential distribution for each species using LetsR and MaxEnt, respectively. We quantified the human footprint for each species and tested the relationship between spatial distribution and anthropogenic change across populations. Analyses are here based on 128 of the 129 amphibians that occur in Colombia and are currently listed as DD. We found that most of these species were recently described and have small geographic ranges. A large proportion of these DD amphibians inhabit the Colombian Andes, and their populations have been strongly affected by human activities. Overall, the spatial clustering suggests that many of these species have faced similar environmental and anthropogenic pressures that have contributed to their rareness. We also suggest that the conservation status of several of the analyzed DD amphibians should be changed to account for the threats they face.

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Global extinction risk for seahorses, pipefishes and their near relatives (Syngnathiformes)

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605320000782 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Riley A. Pollom ◽

Gina M. Ralph ◽

Caroline M. Pollock ◽

Amanda C.J. Vincent

Keyword(s):

Threatened Species ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Field Research ◽

Selective Extraction ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Data Deficient

Abstract Few marine taxa have been comprehensively assessed for their conservation status, despite heavy pressures from fishing, habitat degradation and climate change. Here we report on the first global assessment of extinction risk for 300 species of syngnathiform fishes known as of 2017, using the IUCN Red List criteria. This order of bony teleosts is dominated by seahorses, pipefishes and seadragons (family Syngnathidae). It also includes trumpetfishes (Aulostomidae), shrimpfishes (Centriscidae), cornetfishes (Fistulariidae) and ghost pipefishes (Solenostomidae). At least 6% are threatened, but data suggest a mid-point estimate of 7.9% and an upper bound of 38%. Most of the threatened species are seahorses (Hippocampus spp.: 14/42 species, with an additional 17 that are Data Deficient) or freshwater pipefishes of the genus Microphis (2/18 species, with seven additional that are Data Deficient). Two species are Near Threatened. Nearly one-third of syngnathiformes (97 species) are Data Deficient and could potentially be threatened, requiring further field research and evaluation. Most species (61%) were, however, evaluated as Least Concern. Primary threats to syngnathids are (1) overexploitation, primarily by non-selective fisheries, for which most assessments were determined by criterion A (Hippocampus) and/or (2) habitat loss and degradation, for which assessments were determined by criterion B (Microphis and some Hippocampus). Threatened species occurred in most regions but more are found in East and South-east Asia and in South African estuaries. Vital conservation action for syngnathids, including constraining fisheries, particularly non-selective extraction, and habitat protection and rehabilitation, will benefit many other aquatic species.

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Distribution update, conservation status and color in life of the rare Amazonian snake, Eutrachelophis papilio Zaher and Prudente 2019 (Serpentes: Xenodontini)

Acta Amazonica ◽

10.1590/1809-4392202001611 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 252-255

Author(s):

Nathalie CITELI ◽

Mariana DE-CARVALHO ◽

Reuber BRANDÃO

Keyword(s):

Convex Polygon ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Biological Data ◽

Distribution Area ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Human Footprint ◽

Data Deficient ◽

First Time ◽

Polygon Method ◽

Anthropic Pressure

ABSTRACT The rare Amazonian snake Eutrachelophis papilio is known from only five individuals, from four localities, belonging to its type-series, the more recent collected over 10 years ago. Here, we expand its distribution and describe its color in life for the first time. We also provide an estimate of its distribution area using the minimum convex polygon method and identify the values of anthropic pressure within its known distribution range with the Human Footprint Index. The new occurrence is located 291 km from the nearest known locality and its distribution is associated with pristine forests. Considering its rarity, and the absence of demographic and biological data, we suggest that the species should be classified as Data Deficient by IUCN criteria.

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

Russian Journal of Herpetology ◽

10.30906/1026-2296-2021-28-3a-1-110 ◽

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.

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Overview of the conservation status of Australian frogs

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc060313 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 313 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Jean-Marc Hero ◽

Clare Morrison ◽

Graeme Gillespie ◽

J. Dale Roberts ◽

David Newell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conservation Status ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Individual Species ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Current Conservation ◽

World Conservation ◽

Iucn Red List Categories ◽

Threatening Processes ◽

Red List Categories

A review of the current conservation status of Australian amphibians was recently completed as part of a World Conservation Union (IUCN) sponsored Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA). Fifty of 216 amphibian species (23%) in Australia are now recognized as threatened or extinct in accord with IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Here we report on the categories and criteria under which individual species qualified for listing and provide a summary of supporting information pertaining to population and distribution declines. Major threatening processes contributing to listing of species are also reviewed.

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Conservation status of the order Rodentia of Brazil: taxonomic and biogeographical patterns

Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Ciências Naturais ◽

10.46357/bcnaturais.v15i3.234 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 535-556

Author(s):

Thomas Edward Lacher ◽

Shelby D. McCay ◽

Gledson Vigiano Bianconi ◽

Lilianna K. Wolf ◽

Nicolette S. Roach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Spatial Data ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Field Research ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

The Family ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Data Deficient

The Global Mammal Assessment (GMA) evaluates the risk of extinction for all species of mammals, providing important data on their status to national and global conservation agencies and conventions. We assessed all of the species of Brazilian rodents as part of the GMA activities of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) Small Mammal Specialist Group. A total of 234 species were evaluated against the IUCN Red List Criteria and placed into one of eight categories. Although rodents do not have elevated extinction risk compared to mammals as a whole, several families of caviomorph rodents have high levels of either threat, data deficiency, or both. The family Echimyidae has a large number of species and one-third of those either are species of conservation concern or data deficient. The family Ctenomyidae also is of concern in this regard. There are also strong geographic patterns to threat and poor knowledge. The focal areas for conservation effort are the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, and for Data Deficient species Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Amazonia, in particular the eastern Amazon. The results highlight the need for targeted field research and the application of ecological and spatial data to the development of conservation actions.

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A taxonomic revision of Acanthaceae tribe Barlerieae in Angola and Namibia. Part 2

Kew Bulletin ◽

10.1007/s12225-021-09928-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Iain Darbyshire ◽

Erin A. Manzitto-Tripp ◽

Frances M. Chase

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Preliminary Assessment ◽

New Variety ◽

New Subspecies ◽

Data Deficient ◽

Near Threatened

SummaryThe second part of a taxonomic revision of the tribe Barlerieae (Acanthaceae) in Angola and Namibia covers Barleria sects. Somalia and Stellatohirta. Thirty-one taxa including 27 accepted species are treated. Four new species (Barleria eburnea, B. imatensis, B. louiseana and B. thunbergiiflora), one new subspecies (B. kacondensis subsp. glabrescens) and one new variety (B. violascens var. humpatana) are described. In addition, B. taitensis S.Moore var. occidentalis S.Moore is elevated to subspecies status and B. newtonii Lindau is resurrected as a distinct species endemic to the Lubango Highlands of Angola. Full descriptions, citations of types and representative specimens, and notes on their habitat(s), ecology and biogeography are provided for each taxon. Thirteen names in Barleria are lectotypified and a neotype is selected for B. newtonii. A preliminary assessment of the conservation status and extinction risk is provided for each taxon. Of the 31 taxa enumerated, five are assessed as Endangered, two as Vulnerable, two as Near Threatened, and 13 are of Least Concern, whilst nine are currently considered to be Data Deficient. This contribution completes our revision of Barleria in Angola and Namibia, with 59 accepted species, four additional subspecies, four additional varieties and two incompletely known taxa documented in total. A remarkable 75% of the taxa are endemic or near-endemic to Angola and Namibia.

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Forest quality mitigates extinction risk in humid tropical vertebrates

10.21203/rs.3.rs-199037/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rajeev Pillay ◽

James Watson ◽

Andrew Hansen ◽

Jose Aragon-Osejo ◽

Dolors Armenteras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forest Cover ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Structural Condition ◽

Humid Tropics ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Anthropogenic Pressures ◽

Geographic Ranges ◽

Global Environmental Policy ◽

Remnant Forest

Abstract Reducing deforestation underpins efforts to conserve global biodiversity. However, this focus on retaining forest cover overlooks the multitude of anthropogenic pressures that can degrade forest quality in ways that may imperil biodiversity. Here we use the latest remotely-sensed measures of forest structural condition and associated human pressures across the global humid tropics to provide the first estimates of the importance of forest quality, relative to forest cover, in mitigating extinction risk for rainforest vertebrates worldwide. We found tropical rainforests of intact structural condition and minimal human pressures played an outsized role in reducing the odds of species being threatened or having a declining population. Further, the effects of forest quality in mitigating extinction risk were stronger when small amounts of high quality forest remained within species geographic ranges, as opposed to when large extents were forested but of low quality. Our research underscores a critical need to focus global environmental policy and conservation strategies toward the targeted protection of the last remaining undisturbed forest landscapes, in concert with strategies aimed at preserving, restoring and reconnecting remnant forest fragments across the hyperdiverse humid tropics.

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Conservation status assessment of the amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay

Iheringia Série Zoologia ◽

10.1590/s0073-47212010000100001 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 100 (1) ◽

pp. 05-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrés Canavero ◽

Santiago Carreira ◽

José A. Langone ◽

Federico Achaval ◽

Claudio Borteiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Status Assessment ◽

Data Deficient ◽

Iucn Red List Criteria ◽

Definition Of ◽

Near Threatened

The native species of amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay were categorized according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Out of 47 amphibian species, seven are listed as Critically Endangered (CR), five as Endangered (EN), one as Vulnerable (VU), three as Near Threatened (NT), and two as Data Deficient (DD); the remaining species are considered to be Least Concern (LC). Among the 64 species of reptiles evaluated, one is listed as Critically Endangered (CR), seven as Endangered (EN), two as Vulnerable (VU), one as Near Threatened (NT) and seven as Data Deficient (DD); the rest are considered to be Least Concern (LC). The use of these results as an additional criterion in the definition of protected areas in Uruguay will contribute towards the conservation of the aforementioned threatened species and their associated ecosystems.

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Are conservation assessments of threatened species reliable? Updated distribution of the Endangered Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus and implications for Red List assessments of Italian amphibians

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605315001416 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 482-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Leonardo Vignoli ◽

Daniele Macale ◽

Luca Luiselli ◽

Roberta Lecis ◽

Paolo Casula

Keyword(s):

Extinction Risk ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Red List ◽

Individual Species ◽

Distribution Data ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Island Endemic ◽

Area Of Occupancy

AbstractAssessing and updating the extinction risk and conservation status of species and populations is paramount to guide management strategies. Maintaining up-to-date and realistic geographical distribution maps of individual species is one aspect of this. We report an updated distribution for an Italian island endemic amphibian, the Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN global and national Red Lists. The distribution of E. platycephalus was reassessed by means of visual surveys, questionnaires, interviews and scientific literature. The species was found over a geographical range comparable to that used for the IUCN assessment but we recorded a significantly larger number of populations (57 vs 14). There was no appreciable difference in the species’ Extent of Occurrence between 1972–1974 and 2010–2015. Area of Occupancy increased between past (1972–1974 and 1999–2000) and present (2010–2015) distribution records. Based on this updated distribution and considering that several new populations have been found, the distribution of the species may still be underestimated. Given the novel distribution data provided here and the need for new long-term demographic data, we recommend that the conservation status of E. platycephalus be reassessed. In the Italian national Red List a potential overstatement of extinction risk is evident for other amphibian species, possibly because the information used in their assessment is deficient. Considering that monitoring rare and elusive species is costly and time consuming we recommend more extensive use of multiple sources of information for Red List assessments.

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A synopsis of the African genus Whitfieldia (Acanthaceae: Whitfieldieae) and a key to the species

Kew Bulletin ◽

10.1007/s12225-021-09941-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aurélie Grall ◽

Iain Darbyshire

Keyword(s):

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Full Description ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Data Deficient ◽

Reference Specimens ◽

African Genus

SummaryWe present a synopsis and an identification key for the 13 species and one subspecies of the African genus Whitfieldia Hook. (Acanthaceae: Acanthoideae: Whitfieldieae). This work is based on the observation and analysis of morphological data from herbarium specimens and photographs of Whitfieldia species, and the study of all the relevant literature on the genus. Whitfieldia latiflos C.B.Clarke ex Stapf from Liberia is reinstated as an accepted species and a full description and illustration are provided. A new subspecies, W. colorata C.B.Clarke ex Stapf subsp. tigrina A.Grall & I.Darbysh., also from Liberia, is described. In addition, W. arnoldiana De Wild. & T.Durand and W. letestui Benoist are treated as synonyms of W. laurentii (Lindau) C.B.Clarke and W. preussii (Lindau) C.B.Clarke respectively for the first time. Eleven names in Whitfieldia are lectotypified. Reference specimens, relevant literature, habitat notes, distribution maps, taxonomic notes and a preliminary assessment of the conservation status and extinction risk are provided for each taxon. Four species are considered to be threatened of which two (W. latiflos and W. rutilans Heine) are assessed as Endangered (EN) while two others (W. purpurata (Benoist) Heine and W. thollonii (Baill.) Benoist) are placed in the Vulnerable (VU) category. In addition, two taxa are assessed as Near Threatened (NT) and one is currently considered to be Data Deficient (DD).

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