Uncovering the herpetological diversity of small forest fragments in south-eastern Madagascar (Haute Matsiatra)

Madagascar has historically suffered from high fragmentation of forested habitats, often leading to biodiversity loss. Neverthless, forest fragments still retain high levels of biological diversity. The Haute Matsiatra Region (south-eastern Madagascar) hosts the renowned Andringitra National Park and several surrounding isolated forest fragments embedded in a matrix of human-dominated landscape. During a herpetological survey conducted in the Region, we visited a total of 25 sites. We applied a molecular taxonomic approach to identify the collected material and generate new reference sequences to improve the molecular identification of Malagasy herpetofauna. We identified a total of 28 amphibian and 38 squamate taxa and provided a systematic account for each one of them. Nine of the identified taxa are candidate species, amongst which one was newly identified. We extended the known distributional range of 21 taxa (nine amphibians and 12 squamates). Although the largest forest fragments hold a higher number of species, we also detected a relatively high herpetological diversity in small patches. Our results highlight the importance of investigating small forest fragments to contribute to a better understanding of the patterns of diversity and distribution of the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar.

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A new species of smooth-skinned Spinomantis frog (Anura: Mantellidae) from south-eastern Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4317.2.12 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4317 (2) ◽

pp. 379

Author(s):

MIGUEL VENCES ◽

JÖRN KÖHLER ◽

FRANK GLAW

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Type Specimen ◽

High Elevation ◽

Type Locality ◽

Colour Pattern ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Reciprocal Monophyly ◽

South Eastern ◽

Candidate Species

We present molecular evidence for the presence of two species morphologically similar to Spinomantis bertini in Andohahela National Park, south-eastern Madagascar, differing by 5.5−6.3% pairwise DNA sequence divergences in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. One of these was observed at higher elevations of ca. 1650 m above sea level, whereas the other was found at lower elevations of ca. 715 m a.s.l., close to the type locality of S. bertini (Isaka-Ivondro), and in one other location (Andreoky, ca. 1050 a.s.l.). We herein assign these low- to mid-elevation specimens to S. bertini based on their occurrence near the type locality and general agreement in colour pattern with the type specimen of Gephyromantis bertini Guibé, 1947. The high-elevation form is described as Spinomantis beckei sp. nov. based on its molecular divergence and reciprocal monophyly with respect to S. bertini, lower expression of greenish dorsal colour and less distinct frenal stripe. Based on a comparison of published call descriptions for S. bertini and our recordings of S. beckei, we hypothesize that S. bertini has a lower note repetition rate in advertisement calls. Molecular data suggest that the S. bertini species complex is more diverse than previously recognized, with at least two more candidate species identified: S. sp. Ca7 from Ranomafana National Park, and a newly identified candidate species S. sp. Ca12 from Pic d’Ivohibe Special Reserve.

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Advertisement call and male morphology of the Malagasy treefrog Boophis arcanus from the Ranomafana region, south-eastern Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.3250.1.6 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3250 (1) ◽

pp. 66 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

JANA C. RIEMANN ◽

SERGE H. NDRIANTSOA ◽

MIGUEL VENCES ◽

MARK-OLIVER RÖDEL ◽

JULIAN GLOS

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Biological Data ◽

Recent Survey ◽

Advertisement Call ◽

Nominal Species ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Ranomafana National Park ◽

South Eastern ◽

Southern Central ◽

Male Morphology

With over 70 nominal species, treefrogs of the genus Boophis (family Mantellidae) represent one of the most species-rich lineages in the amphibian fauna of Madagascar (Cadle 2003). Most Boophis are characterized by relatively loud and conspicuous calls, but specimens can be difficult to collect because males are often perched high on trees. Therefore, many species are so far only known from a few specimens, usually males. An exception is the recently described species Boophis arcanus, which is only known from two female specimens and for which no further biological data are available (Glaw et al. 2010). The two females were found at night sitting on trees and bushes in the rainforest of Mahakajy, a private reserve close to Ranomafana National Park (RNP) in the southern central east of Madagascar. Based on recordings and specimens collected during recent survey work in RNP and nearby forest fragments, we here describe male morphology and the advertisement call of this species.

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Species richness, distribution pattern, and conservation status of amphibians in Cross River National Park, south‐eastern Nigeria

Biologia ◽

10.1007/s11756-021-00751-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lotanna Micah Nneji ◽

Adeniyi C. Adeola ◽

Babatunde E. Adedeji ◽

Omotoso Olatunde ◽

Abiodun B. Onadeko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Distribution Pattern ◽

National Park ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Cross River ◽

South Eastern

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A new species of Andean golden poison frog (Andinobates, Dendrobatidae) from the Eastern Andes of Colombia

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.5047.5.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5047 (5) ◽

pp. 531-546

Author(s):

GIOVANNI A. CHAVES-PORTILLA ◽

ERIKA NATHALIA SALAZAR ◽

JOSÉ GIL-ACERO ◽

ADRIANA DORADO-CORREA ◽

ROBERTO MÁRQUEZ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Basic Research ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

New Taxon ◽

Unique Combination ◽

Color Patterns ◽

Mitochondrial Markers ◽

A New Species ◽

Small Forest

A new species of Andinobates (Dendrobatidae) is described from the East Andes of Colombia, just 37 km away from the Colombian capital, Bogotá. Andinobates supata sp. nov., represents the second known species of yellow Andinobates, and can be distinguished from the other, Andinobates tolimensis, by an unique combination of ventral and dorsal color patterns. Our phylogenetic analyses, based on ≈ 1120 bp from two mitochondrial markers (16S rRNA and cytochrome b) showed that this new taxon is sister to a clade formed by A. cassidyhornae, A. bombetes, A. opisthomelas, A. tolimensis and A. virolinensis. The new species appears to be restricted to a handful of small forest fragments (<10 ha) distributed in no more than 5 km2, between 1800–2000 m elevation, where the human activity is high. In addition, more than 90% of the original forest has been logged at the type locality, and its watersheds receive considerable agrochemical discharges. Altogether, the evidence suggests that this new species should be listed as Critically Endangered and should receive immediate attention regarding basic research and urgent conservation measures.

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The persistence of ant-following birds in small amazonian forest fragments

Acta Amazonica ◽

10.1590/1809-43921989191263 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 19 (0) ◽

pp. 249-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Lee H. Harper

Keyword(s):

Forest Fragments ◽

Ant Colonies ◽

Amazonian Forest ◽

Army Ant ◽

Continuous Forest ◽

Introduced Birds ◽

Small Forest

SUMMARYMist-net captures of army ant-following bird were monitored during the isolation of central Amazonian forest fragments of 1 ha (n = 5), 10 ha (n = 4) and 100 ha (n = 1). Post-isolation captures of the three obligate ant-following birds Dendrocinela merula, Pithys albifrons, and Gymnopithys rufigula decreased significantly in all fragments. post-isolation captures of four facultative ant-following species were not significantly different in forest fragments of 1 ha and 10 ha, although two species decreased significantly in the 100 ha fragment. Experimental introductions of obligate species into small forest fragments in the absence and presence of introduced Eciton burchelli army ant colonies resulted in significantly greater recaptures of introduced birds when active army ant colonies were present. Of the 105 birds introduced, 58 ' 55%) crossed 100-320 m od dedorested area an were recaptured in continuous forest.

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Contrasting research approaches to managing mistletoes in commercial forests and wooded pasturesThis minireview is one of a collection of papers based on a presentation from the Stem and Shoot Fungal Pathogens and Parasitic Plants: the Values of Biological Diversity session of the XXII International Union of Forestry Research Organization World Congress meeting held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in 2005.

Botany ◽

10.1139/b08-109 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Nick Reid ◽

Simon F. Shamoun

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Classical Biological Control ◽

Dwarf Mistletoe ◽

Silvicultural Treatments ◽

Inundative Biological Control

Many mistletoe species are pests in agricultural and forest ecosystems throughout the world. Mistletoes are unusual “weeds” as they are generally endemic to areas where they achieve pest status and, therefore, classical biological control and broad-scale herbicidal control are usually impractical. In North American coniferous forests, dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium spp.) infection results in major commercial losses and poses a public liability in recreation settings. Hyperparasitic fungi have potential as biological control agents of dwarf mistletoe, including species which attack shoots, berries, and the endophytic systems of dwarf mistletoe. Development of an inundative biological control strategy will be useful in situations where traditional silvicultural control is impractical or undesirable. In southern Australia, farm eucalypts are often attacked and killed by mistletoes ( Amyema spp.) in grazed landscapes where tree decline and biodiversity loss are major forms of land degradation. Although long-term strategies to achieve a balance between mistletoe and host abundance are promoted, many graziers want short-term options to treat severely infected trees. Recent research has revisited the efficiency and efficacy of silvicultural treatments and selective herbicides in appropriate situations. The results of recent research on these diverse management strategies in North America and Australia are summarized.

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The Behavioral Economics of Biodiversity Conservation Scientists

Philosophical Topics ◽

10.5840/philtopics201947112 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 219-237

Author(s):

Mark Vellend ◽

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Economics ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Forest Disturbance ◽

Intrinsic Value ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Implicit Assumption ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Biodiversity Science ◽

Ecological Complexity ◽

Contextual Values

Values have a profound influence on the behaviour of all people, scientists included. Biodiversity is studied by ecologists, like myself, most of whom align with the “mission-driven” field of conservation biology. The mission involves the protection of biodiversity, and a set of contextual values including the beliefs that biological diversity and ecological complexity are good and have intrinsic value. This raises concerns that the scientific process might be influenced by biases toward outcomes that are aligned with these values. Retrospectively, I have identified such biases in my own work, resulting from an implicit assumption that organisms that are not dependent on natural habitats (e.g., forests) effectively do not count in biodiversity surveys. Finding that anthropogenic forest disturbance reduces the diversity of plant species dependent on shady forests can thus be falsely equated with more general biodiversity loss. Disturbance might actually increase overall plant diversity (i.e., including all of the species found growing in a particular place). In this paper I ask whether ecologists share values that are unrepresentative of broader society, I discuss examples of potential value-driven biases in biodiversity science, and I present some hypotheses from behavioral economics on possible psychological underpinnings of shared values and preferences among ecologists.

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Biodiversity reporting in India: a view from the top

Corporate Ownership and Control ◽

10.22495/cocv12i1c4p5 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 418-427

Author(s):

Mansi Mansi ◽

Rakesh Pandey ◽

Carolyn Stringer

Keyword(s):

Biological Diversity ◽

Indian Subcontinent ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Habitat Destruction ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Reporting Practices ◽

Monitoring Centre ◽

Rare And Endangered Species ◽

Rare And Endangered ◽

Impact On Biodiversity

The purpose of this study is to explore the biodiversity reporting practices inside Indian companies. Biodiversity reporting studies across Indian companies are important because India has a wealth of biodiversity assets, that is, wildlife, flora, fauna, natural habitats, rare and endangered species and biological resources, and accounts for 7.8% of the global recorded species (Biological Diversity Act, the Biodiversity Rules, Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board, 2009). There are approximately 45,500 species of plants, 91,200 species of animals and 5,550 microbial species documented in India (National Biodiversity Authority, 2014). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed 132 species of animals and plants in the Critically Endangered Category (Sudhi, 2012). To date, the literature omits to explore the biodiversity reporting practices inside Indian companies. Another important reason to conduct is this study is that India has alarming population levels; thus there is a huge demand for land, energy, and resources, which leads to massive biodiversity loss, deforestation, and habitat destruction. It is very likely that with the limited land mass and increasing population in India, several ecosystems, wildlife, flora and fauna will be/have been exploited, disturbed, and endangered. Given the high potential impact on biodiversity by industries, we are concerned that there is a dearth of biodiversity reporting studies within the Indian subcontinent. We concentrate on the largest companies (based on market capitalisation) because similar to Van Liempd and Busch (2013), we also expect that the largest companies have the greatest impact on biodiversity; therefore, they are expected to show more accountability to their stakeholders. Therefore it is worth exploring how Indian companies are engaging in biodiversity reporting practices (e.g. biodiversity conservation, biodiversity protection, habitat and ecosystem conservation); and whether these organisations are disclosing their impact(s) (both in quantity and quality) on biodiversity (such as wildlife, flora and fauna). Moreover, India has also been classified as one of 17 mega-diversity countries by The World Conservation Monitoring Centre which account for more than 70% of the planet’s species (Williams, 2001). All these reasons make this study timely and important.

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Composing biodiversity indicators for the conservation of mangrove ecosystem in Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam

Journal of Vietnamese Environment ◽

10.13141/jve.vol6.no2.pp101-108 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 101-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Choshin Haneji ◽

Van Tu Do ◽

Duc Loi Vu ◽

Tuan Hung Duong

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Mangrove Ecosystem ◽

Convention On Biological Diversity ◽

Biodiversity Indicators ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Mangrove Ecosystems ◽

Monitoring Of Biodiversity

Biodiversity indicators for the conservation of mangrove ecosystems of Xuan Thuy National Park were composed, taking into account the environmental, biotic, and anthropological factors, based on suggested indicators provided by the Convention on Biological Diversity. Relevant environmental, biotic, and anthropological factors, identified by bibliographic and field surveys, were ordered by Pressures, State, Benefits, and Responses categories following the guidance of the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership. Furthermore, the linked relationships among the indicators were identified for effective monitoring of biodiversity in Xuan Thuy National Park. Dựa trên các chỉ thị được gợi ý từ Công ước về Đa dạng sinh học, các chỉ thị đa dạng sinh học phục vụ công tác bảo tồn các hệ sinh thái rừng ngập mặn của Vườn Quốc gia Xuân Thủy đã được xây dựng, có tính đến các yếu tố môi trường, sinh học và con người. Các yếu tố môi trường, sinh học và con người có liên quan, được xác định bằng việc tổng hợp và đánh giá các tài liệu và các đợt điều tra ngoài thực địa, dưới trật tự các nhóm Áp lực, Tình trạng, Lợi ích và Đáp ứng theo hướng dẫn của Đối tác chỉ thị đa dạng sinh học. Hơn thế nữa, các mối quan hệ liên kết giữa các chỉ thị đã được xác định nhằm quan trắc hiệu quả đa dạng sinh học ở Vườn Quốc gia Xuân Thủy.

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Biodiversity: Increasing the Political Clout of Nature Conservation

Conceptual Innovation in Environmental Policy ◽

10.7551/mitpress/9780262036580.003.0009 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Yrjö Haila

Keyword(s):

Biological Diversity ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Convention On Biological Diversity ◽

Global Environmental Problems ◽

Global Environmental ◽

Political Clout ◽

Human Modification ◽

Local Contexts ◽

Global Concern ◽

Living Nature

The term biodiversity was introduced in the 1980s as a novel framing for the human dependence on the Earth's biosphere. 'Biodiversity loss' became the way to capture a major dimension of global environmental problems. The chapter describes stages of this process. The first phase of the spread of the term was its enthusiastic reception among environmentalists. Second, concern was integrated into international environmental policy at the Rio Conference in 1992 through the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Efforts to implement the convention have created an environmental regime both internationally and within different countries. However, due to its broad coverage of processes of living nature and its huge ambition to regulate human modification of nature and exploitation of natural resources, there have been major difficulties with implementation. In particular, how to integrate specific issues manifested in local contexts, and the global concern, has proved problematic.

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