Science needs of southeastern grassland species of conservation concern: A framework for species status assessments

Formicivora serrana was described by Hellmayr in 1929 from specimens collected in Minas Gerais state, and subspecies F. s. interposita and F. s. littoralis by Gonzaga and Pacheco (1990) from specimens from Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro states and Rio de Janeiro state, respectively. According to the latter authors, interposita is intermediate both geographically and morphologically in relation to F. s. serrana and F. s. littoralis. Two years after its description, F. s. littoralis was elevated to species status (Collar et al. 1992) and it has subsequently been considered a species of conservation concern because of its restricted geographical range and threatened habitat. Formicivora s. interposita, however, was not elevated and is generally considered a subspecies of serrana. In this study we review the taxonomy of F. serrana, testing the validity of F. littoralis and proposing the best taxonomic treatment for F. s. interposita. The results of morphometric, vocal and plumage analyses show that F. s. interposita and F. littoralis lack diagnostic characters, and are therefore not valid phylogenetic species. Further, our results indicate that F. littoralis is not a valid biological species, but that it and interposita could be considered subspecies of F. serrana under this species concept. These results stress the need for detailed systematic studies in support of taxonomic decisions.

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New database of all marine species biological and traits

10.14293/p2199-8442.1.sop-life.pwduas.v1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Mark Costello ◽

Simon Claus ◽

Stefanie Dekeyzer ◽

Leen Vandepitte ◽

Dan Lear ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Status ◽

Marine Species ◽

Ecological Indicator ◽

Species Status ◽

Ecological Traits ◽

Additional Information ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

New Research ◽

Selection Of

The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is being expanded to include species’ biological and ecological traits, and their socio-economic ‘status’. In contrast to traits, a species status may vary in place and time. However, a species status is of great importance to society and thus species of conservation concern, introduced, fishery or aquaculture resource, harmful, or used as an ecological indicator, are so noted in the database. WoRMS is a complete inventory of named marine species, managed by over 200 experts, and contains additional information and links on many species. We prioritised inclusion of traits where they could be applied to most taxa, were easily available, and their inclusion would result in new research and/or management applications. Numerical traits were favoured over categorical. The top ten prioritized were taxonomic classification, environment, geography, depth, substratum, mobility, skeleton, diet, body size and reproduction. Habitat can be derived from a selection of these traits. New use-cases may further subdivide and expand upon these traits. Each new attribute (trait or status) multiplies the number of analyses possible from the database. Contributions and enquiries are welcomed.

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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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Integrating citizen science and remotely sensed data to help inform time-sensitive policy decisions for species of conservation concern

Biological Conservation ◽

10.1016/j.biocon.2019.07.025 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 237 ◽

pp. 463-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ashley M. Long ◽

Brian L. Pierce ◽

Amanda D. Anderson ◽

Kevin L. Skow ◽

Addie Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Citizen Science ◽

Remotely Sensed ◽

Policy Decisions ◽

Remotely Sensed Data ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Conservation Concern

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Using a capture-recapture approach for modelling the detectability and distribution of Houbara Bustard in southern Tunisia

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270911000487 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 288-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M. CHAMMEM ◽

S. SELMI ◽

T. KHORCHANI ◽

S. NOUIRA

Keyword(s):

Regression Analyses ◽

Species Occurrence ◽

Imperfect Detection ◽

Southern Tunisia ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Habitat Factors ◽

Houbara Bustard ◽

Capture Recapture ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Free Ranging

SummaryModelling the distribution of species of conservation concern is an important issue in population ecology. Classically, logistic regression analyses are conducted to estimate species’ distributions from detection/non-detection data in a sample of sites and to test for the significance of several environmental variables in predicting the probability of occurrence. These modelling approaches assume that species detection probability is constant and equals one in all sampled sites, which is critical, notably in the case of rare, shy and cryptic species. The capture-recapture-like approach developed by Mackenzie et al. (2002, 2003) provides a reliable tool that accounts for imperfect detection when estimating species occurrence, as well as for assessing the relevance of site features as predictors of species occurrence probability. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of using this approach in the context of Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata in southern Tunisia. Our results show once more the low detectability of this emblematic species and stress the need to take this factor into account when estimating Houbara spatial distribution. The distribution of Houbara in southern Tunisia is more likely to be shaped by human-related than by habitat factors. In particular, Houbara occurrence was positively associated with site remoteness and camel numbers. Houbara seemed to avoid areas with high human presence and shared the most remote and agriculture-free zones with free-ranging camels.

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Intrinsic Prey Preference and Selection of the Giant Gartersnake: A Threatened Predator in a Nonnative Prey-Dominated Community

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management ◽

10.3996/062019-jfwm-051 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 164-173

Author(s):

Julia S.M. Ersan ◽

Brian J. Halstead ◽

Erica L. Wildy ◽

Michael L. Casazza ◽

Glenn D. Wylie

Keyword(s):

Exotic Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Central Valley ◽

Prey Preference ◽

Live Prey ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Behavioral Trials ◽

Selection Of

Abstract The introduction of exotic species into an environment can introduce great change in the trophic dynamics of native species. This is of even greater concern if the native species is of conservation concern. The giant gartersnake, Thamnophis gigas, an endemic predator of the Central Valley of California and a species of conservation concern at the state and federal levels, has declined as a result of conversion of its once vast wetland habitat to agriculture. Another anthropogenic factor contributing to this snake's changing ecology is the introduction of nonnative prey into the species' habitats. These introductions have resulted in a prey community that is almost completely composed of exotic species and have potential for considerable effects. In order to assess prey preference and selection we performed three sets of behavioral trials on naïve neonates. We examined 1) neonate prey preference in response to olfactory cues of prepared prey extracts, 2) neonate consumption of different live prey items presented simultaneously; and 3) terrestrial feeding behavior and/or latency to successful attack. Results from the olfactory study suggest that native Sierran treefrogs, Pseudacris sierra, are preferred by neonates. Results from consumption trials suggest that neonates are more likely to select frog species than fish species. This is the first study that we are aware of that examines prey selection of this threatened species and serves to inform its conservation and management.

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First results on the feeding ecology of the Transcaucasian water shrew Neomys teres (Soricomorpha: Soricidae) from Armenia

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z06-172 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 84 (12) ◽

pp. 1853-1858 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sara Churchfield ◽

Leszek Rychlik ◽

Eduard Yavrouyan ◽

Kris Turlejski

Keyword(s):

Dietary Composition ◽

Mountainous Region ◽

Morphological Similarity ◽

Aquatic Habitats ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Unknown Species ◽

First Results ◽

Foraging Niche ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Neomys Fodiens

Microscopic examination of alimentary tracts of 14 Neomys teres Miller, 1908 from a mountainous region in northern Armenia produced the first data on the diet of this almost unknown species of conservation concern. Twenty-three different prey types were distinguished in summer-caught shrews, all of which were invertebrates (14 terrestrial and 9 aquatic in origin). The dominant dietary items were Coleoptera and Diptera adults, Araneae, Opiliones, and Lumbricidae, as well as freshwater crustaceans and Trichoptera larvae. Prey ranged from <3 to >16 mm in length, but those eaten most frequently were 6–10 mm in length. Although N. teres was captured beside streams and rivers, aquatic prey comprised only 27% of the dietary composition. Despite the morphological similarity of N. teres to Neomys fodiens (Pennant, 1771), its foraging niche more closely resembles that of upland populations of Neomys anomalus Cabrera, 1907 and its reliance on aquatic habitats remains equivocal.

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