Herpetofaunal diversity and community structure in the Murchison Falls - Albert Delta Ramsar site, Uganda

1. The area of the Murchison Falls-Albert Delta is among the most important for conservation in East Africa dueto the high species richness, and the presence of several endemic species of conservation concern.2. Here, we report a study on the diversity patterns and community structure of the herpetofauna of this area.3. Field studies were conducted in the Albert Nile Delta Ramsar site between 1st October 2017 and 9th September2018. The data collection relied on Visual Encounter Surveys (VES), pitfall trapping, and dip netting. Descriptive statistics, i.e. species numbers in each transect were used as a measure of the present biodiversity, whereasChao1 and Chao species estimator algorithms were used to predict the potential number of species found ineach site/habitat.4. A total of 898 individuals representing 25 reptile species belonging to four orders, 15 families, and 20 generawere recorded during the 12 months of surveys.5. The data shows some non-random spatial and temporal patterns whereby there is a cyclic reptilian diversitypeaking during the December-March and again towards June-August-September which are peaks of the dryseason.6. The most frequently encountered species were Varanus niloticus, Crocodylus niloticus, Agama agama, Trachylepis maculilabris, and Lygodactylus guttularis, which accounted for almost 90% of all recorded individuals.7. A total of 27 amphibian species, belonging to nine families and 10 genera were recorded during the periodof the survey. The diversity and abundance graphs would indicate amphibians having bimodal peaks (September-December, and March-May). The diversity seemed to dip during the dry season months – which is theopposite case for reptiles.

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Habitat Relationships of the Herpetofauna of Remnant Buloke Woodlands of the Wimmera Plains, Victoria.

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9960363 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 363 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

SA Hadden ◽

ME Westbrooke

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Soil Type ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Pitfall Trapping ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Habitat Features ◽

Site Characteristics ◽

Reptile Species

Twelve remnants of woodland dominated by buloke (Allocasuarina leuhmannii [A. luehmannii]) in the Wimmera Plains of Victoria, Australia, were investigated to evaluate the habitat relationships of the herpetofauna. Reptiles and amphibians were assessed by pitfall trapping, systematic searching and recording of frog vocalisations. Site characteristics that are likely to affect the species richness of herpetofauna in buloke remnants were determined. Nine reptile and 4 amphibian species were recorded from 6048 trap-nights and 216 h of systematic searching. A significant relationship was found between the herpetofaunal and reptile species richness and the level of past grazing pressure and vegetation understorey structure. No correlation was found between herpetofaunal species richness and the area of the remnant. Species richness of amphibians was best predicted by soil type. Habitat features associated with each species are presented. Implications for the management of remnant buloke woodlands and their herpetofauna are discussed and recommendations made.

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Insect Diversity of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site: An Important Site for Biodiversity Conservation in Ghana

Journal of Insects ◽

10.1155/2014/985684 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rosina Kyerematen ◽

Daniel Acquah-Lamptey ◽

Erasmus Henaku Owusu ◽

Roger Sigismund Anderson ◽

Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Community Diversity ◽

Butterfly Species ◽

Ramsar Site ◽

Entire Study ◽

Good Shape ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Conservation Concern

An inventory of species diversity of insects of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site, with special reference to species of conservation concern, was carried out as part of an evaluation of changes in the ecological character of the site, twenty years after designation. Samples were taken from two protected areas within the Ramsar site, in the wet (July), dry (January), and intermediate (June) seasons. Community diversity was characterized in terms of number of species accumulated, species richness, Shannon-Weiner indices of diversity, Pielou’s evenness, and Bray-Curtis similarity. A total of 134 families from 19 insect orders were recorded during the entire study period. Yenku Block A recorded the highest species richness (98) and the highest diversity index (14.97), corroborated by the highest Margalef index of 3.82 with a relatively even distribution of species (0.834) during the intermediate season, and recorded the lowest diversity (6.957) and species richness (41) during the dry season. On the whole, the Muni-Pomadzi Ramsar site showed a high diversity of insect species. The presence of species such as Junonia oenone and Papilio demodocus which are specialized in degraded habitats at Yenku Block A in large numbers is a clear indication of degradation of the forest, but the presence of forest species such as Salamis anacardii and Euphaedra crokeri is an indication that some parts of this reserve are still in good shape. A comparison of the butterfly species recorded with findings in a 1997 survey showed a marked increase in numbers from 75 to 130; this may be attributed to the habitat changes that have taken place at the site offering more diverse habitat types.

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The importance of fluvial habitats for amphibian conservation in the Mediterranean climate

Basic and Applied Herpetology ◽

10.11160/bah.56 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Wouter De Vries ◽

Adolfo Marco

Keyword(s):

Amphibian Conservation ◽

Predatory Fish ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Temporary Stream ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Amphibian Community ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Fluvial Habitat ◽

Significant Positive Selection

The importance of standing water habitat for amphibians is widely known and recognized. However, in some arid or semiarid zones the availability of these temporal habitats is uncertain and fluvial habitats could play a very important role for amphibian conservation. For example, in the Mediterranean region many fluvial habitats have a temporary character, lacking predatory fish populations and hosting diverse amphibian communities. To compare the relative importance of various fluvial and still water habitats, we studied the breeding amphibian community over a wide area from 2006 to 2008 in southwestern Spain. All amphibian species found in the area were present in lotic habitats and the highest amphibian diversity was found in temporary stream habitats. Fluvial habitats were among the most important habitats used for reproduction by eight amphibian species of conservation concern, whereas for seven species a significant positive selection was found towards one or several fluvial habitat types as reproduction habitats. The conservation of fluvial habitats including rigorous impact assessments and management programs can be very important for the conservation of endangered amphibians in these semi-arid areas.

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PRELIMINARY DATA ON DISTRIBUTION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES FROM CHI LINH SPECIAL - USE FOREST IN HAI DUONG PROVINCE, NORTHERN VIETNAM

10.18173/2354-1059.2020-0056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (10) ◽

pp. 124-133

Author(s):

Dung Le Trung ◽

Nam Nguyen Hai ◽

Linh Nguyen Phan Ngoc ◽

Yen Do Thi

Keyword(s):

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Evergreen Forest ◽

The Novel ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Red Data Book ◽

Reptile Species ◽

Data Book ◽

Conservation Concern

Based on the novel data collected during three field surveys in 2019 and 2020, we herein provided a checklist of 13 amphibian species belonging to 10 genera (five families, one order) and 12 reptile species belonging to 12 genera (7 families, two orders) from Chi Linh Special-Use forest, Hai Duong province. In this study, Trachemys scripta is recorded as invasive alien species from the area. In terms of conservation concern, 2 species are listed in the IUCN Red List (2020) as Vulnerable (Physignathus cocincinus and Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi) and 1 species is listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007) as Vulnerable (Physignathus cocincinus). In terms of herpetological distribution, mostly recorded species were found in the evergreen forest habitat (6 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles). Additionally, the largest number of species were recorded in March 2019 (12 amphibian species and 4 reptile species).

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Climatic Variables Differentially Influence Neotropical Plant Species of Conservation Concern

Journal of Sustainable Forestry ◽

10.1080/10549811.2021.1944878 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Pablo Antúnez ◽

Christian Wehenkel ◽

Collins Byobona Kukunda ◽

José Ciro Hernández-Díaz

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Climatic Variables ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Conservation Concern

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Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern

Wildlife Society Bulletin ◽

10.1002/wsb.179 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 450-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mike E. Marshall ◽

Ashley M. Long ◽

Shannon L. Farrell ◽

Heather A. Mathewson ◽

Michael L. Morrison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Impact Assessment ◽

Impact Assessment Study ◽

Assessment Study ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Study Designs

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White-nose syndrome-related changes to Mid-Atlantic bat communities across an urban-to-rural gradient

BMC Zoology ◽

10.1186/s40850-021-00079-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sabrina Deeley ◽

Joshua B. Johnson ◽

W. Mark Ford ◽

J. Edward Gates

Keyword(s):

The United States ◽

Myotis Lucifugus ◽

National Capital Region ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

White Nose Syndrome ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

National Capital ◽

Park Service ◽

Bat Conservation ◽

Conservation Concern

Abstract Background White-nose Syndrome (WNS) has reduced the abundance of many bat species within the United States’ Mid-Atlantic region. To determine changes within the National Park Service National Capital Region (NCR) bat communities, we surveyed the area with mist netting and active acoustic sampling (2016–2018) and compared findings to pre-WNS (2003–2004) data. Results The results indicated the continued presence of the threatened Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared bat) and species of conservation concern, including Perimyotis subflavus (Tri-colored bat), Myotis leibii (Eastern Small-footed bat) and Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown bat). However, we documented a significant reduction in the abundance and distribution of M. lucifugus and P. subflavus, a decrease in the distribution of M. septentrionalis, and an increase in the abundance of Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown bat). Conclusions Documented post-WNS M. septentrionalis recruitment suggests that portions of the NCR may be important bat conservation areas. Decreases in distribution and abundance of P. subflavus and M. lucifugus indicate probable extirpation from many previously occupied portions of the region.

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Deep genetic structure at a small spatial scale in the endangered land snail Xerocrassa montserratensis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87741-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cristina Català ◽

Vicenç Bros ◽

Xavier Castelltort ◽

Xavier Santos ◽

Marta Pascual

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Land Snail ◽

Snail Species ◽

Small Spatial Scale ◽

Geographic Ranges ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Single Locality

AbstractSpecies with small geographic ranges do not tend to have a high genetic structure, but some land snail species seem to be an exception. Xerocrassa montserratensis, an endangered land snail endemic to Catalonia (northeastern Iberian Peninsula), is an excellent model to study the processes affecting the phylogeography of specialized species of conservation concern. This species is restricted to xerophilous stony slopes and occurs within a small and fragmented area of ca. 500 km2. We sequenced the COI barcode region of 152 individuals from eight sites covering the entire range of the species. We found four genetic groups mostly coincident with their geographic distribution: a central ancestral group containing shared haplotypes among five localities and three groups restricted to a single locality each. Two of these derived groups were geographically and genetically isolated, while the third and most differentiated group was not geographically isolated. Geomorphologic and paleoclimatic processes during the Pleistocene can explain the divergence found between populations of this low dispersal species with historical fragmentation and secondary contacts. Nonetheless, recent passive large dispersal through streams was also detected in the central group. Overall, our study uncovered four evolutionary units, partially matching morphologically described subspecies, which should be considered in future conservation actions.

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