scholarly journals The importance of museum collections in determining biodiversity patterns, using a freshwater mussel Unio caffer (Krauss 1848) as an example

Bothalia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayanda Sonamzi ◽  
Musa C. Mlambo ◽  
Chris C. Appleton ◽  
Helen M. Barber-James
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Freshwater Mussel ◽  
Conservation Assessment ◽  
Biodiversity Patterns ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Compare And Contrast ◽  
Incomplete Picture

Background: Two recent distributional maps of the African freshwater mussel Unio caffer (Krauss 1848) in South Africa represented an incomplete picture compared to the records held by the national museums.Objectives: This study is partly in response to them, with the aim to compare and contrast the distribution maps of the published papers with the distribution records held by the national museums.Method: We requested the distribution records of U. caffer from four South African museums. We visited and worked on the U. caffer collections of three of these museums to confirm the taxonomic identity of their specimens and gather occurrence records. We also extracted the distributional records from the two published maps, and plotted all these records using the geographic information system, ESRI ArcGIS.Results: The distribution map based on the museum records showed that this species occurred in all nine provinces of the country, thus revealing a much broader historical occurrence than previous known.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the crucial function of museums, natural history collections in facilitating understanding about biodiversity patterns using U. caffer distribution as an example. However, as museum records mainly show historical occurrence, there is a need to conduct further studies to assess the current population trends of this species. Although the current International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation assessment of this species is Least Concern, pressures on native fish, which host the larval stages of this mussel, and the declining environmental conditions of rivers in the country may affect the conservation status in the near future.

A new species of Trembleya (Melastomataceae: Microlicieae) with notes on leaf anatomy and generic circumscription

Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 391 (5) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICARDO PACIFICO ◽  
FRANK ALMEDA ◽  
AMANDA APARECIDA DO CARMO ◽  
KARINA FIDANZA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Conservation Assessment ◽  
Sem Images ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Iucn Red List Categories ◽  
Leaf Anatomical Structure ◽  
A New Species

A new species of Trembleya that was first recognized by Auguste François Marie Glaziou is described. Line drawings, photographs, descriptions of the leaf anatomical structure, SEM images, distribution maps, conservation status, and comments on the generic circumscription of Trembleya are provided. The new species appears to be endemic to the Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goiás, Brazil. It is characterized by its oblong-lanceolate leaf blades (1.4–4.5 × 0.3–0.9 cm) that are papyraceous, 3–5-nerved from the base and glandular-punctate on both surfaces, tertiary veins not evident, well-developed inflorescences, flowers with subisomorphic stamens that are completely yellow and ovaries with 3(–4) locules. A conservation assessment of Endangered (EN) is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Dwindling status of Epimedium Elatum (Morren & Decne) and its geographical distribution in Kashmir Himalaya, India

2018 ◽  
pp. 47-52
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Culture Techniques ◽  
Kashmir Himalayas ◽  
Near Future ◽  
First Time ◽  
Tissue Culture Techniques

Epimedium elatum (Morren & Decne) of family Berberidaceace is a rare perennial medicinal plant, endemic to high altitude forests of Northwestern Himalayas in India. Ethnobotanically, it has been used as an ingredient for treatment of bone-joint disorders, impotence and kidney disorders in Kashmir Himalayas. Phytochemically, it is rich in Epimedin ABC and Icariin; all of these have been demonstrated to possess remarkable biological activities like PDE-5 inhibition (treatment of erectile dysfunction), anticancer, antiosteoporosis antioxidant and antiviral properties. The present investigation reports its traditional usage, comprehensive distribution and conservation status from twenty ecogeographical regions in Kashmir Himalayas, India. The species was reported from Gurez valley for the first time. Numerous threats like excessive grazing, deforestration, habitat fragmentation, tourism encroachment, landslides and excessive exploitation have decreased its natural populations in most of the surveyed habitats. Consequently, its existence may become threatened in near future if timely conservation steps are not taken immediately by concerned stakeholders involved in medicinal plant research. Moreover, use of plant tissue culture techniques is recommended for development of its in vitro propagation protocols. Therefore, introduction of this medicinal plant in botanical gardens, protected sites and development of monitoring programmes are needed for its immediate conservation in Northwestern Himalayas, India.

New Findings on Scrophularia sect. Mimulopsis (Scrophulariaceae) from Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-247
Author(s):  
Massoud Ranjbar ◽  
Narges Rahchamani
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Pollen Morphology ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Tehran Province ◽  
Micromorphological Characters ◽  
A New Species

Scrophularia dianatnejadii Ranjbar & Rahchamani, a new species from Tehran Province in northern Iran, is described and illustrated. It is closely related to S. amplexicaulis Benth. and shares with it some diagnostic morphological characters such as habit, plant indument, phyllotaxy, and corolla shape and color. Both species are placed in Scrophularia L. sect. Mimulopsis Boiss. Macro- and micromorphological characters of the two are examined and compared. Pollen morphology of these species is investigated using SEM. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and conservation status of both species are provided.

scholarly journals Co-occurring cryptic species pose challenges for conservation: a case study of the African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemusspp.) in Cameroon

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 584-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Smolensky
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Encounter Rates ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Threatened Taxa ◽  
Population Structures

AbstractThe conservation status of threatened taxa may be obfuscated by the detection of cryptic species complexes, in both vertebrate and invertebrate species. African dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemusspp.) are hunted throughout their range but their conservation status is unknown. Few population assessments have been carried out and there has been a taxonomic revision of the number of species in the genus. The similar morphologies ofOsteolaemus tetraspisandOsteolaemus osbornipose a challenge for conservation in Cameroon, where they are still managed as a single species. Nocturnal spotlight surveys were conducted in three regions during August–November 2010 and December 2011–February 2012 to provide population assessments ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniand raise awareness of the two species in Cameroon. The mean encounter rates ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniwere 1.02 ± SD 1.34 (65 individuals in 39 surveys) and 0.61 ± SD 0.38 (three in four surveys) crocodiles per km, respectively. TheO. tetraspispopulation comprised juveniles predominantly and had a male-biased sex ratio. The fewO. osbornidetected comprised both adults and juveniles. Both species are threatened in Cameroon, based on low encounter rates, young population structures and the threats of habitat loss and hunting pressure. This study provides distribution maps and serves as a baseline to quantify population trends and inform conservation strategies.

scholarly journals The distribution, conservation status and factors affecting the survival of indigenous freshwater fishes in the Cape Province

Koedoe ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. G Gaigher ◽  
K.C.D Hamman ◽  
S.C Thorne
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Freshwater Fishes ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Red Data Book ◽  
Data Book ◽  
The Republic

Fifteen of the 36 indigenous freshwater fishes of the Cape Province are endemic to this region and a further eight are endemic to the Republic of South Africa. A third of the species are listed in the South African Red Data Book - Fishes. The distribution and conservation status of each species, excluding eels, are described. The possible effect of environmental changes, such as farming and other forms of land use, exotics, mining, industrial development, human settlement and construction of dams, are discussed and conservation measures are proposed.

scholarly journals New record of Allamanda blanchetti Kunth (Apocynaceae) for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Diego Santos ◽  
Swami Leitão Costa ◽  
Francisco Carlos Pinheiro Costa
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
New Record ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
First Record ◽  
Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽  
Information Distribution ◽  
Upland Forest ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
New Information ◽  
Status Assessment

This study report the first record of Allamanda blanchetii Kunth in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. This species was collected from an upland forest in Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest. This occurrence adds new information about the distribution of this species and expands its range to Brazil, which is important for its conservation. We provide taxonomic information, distribution maps, conservation status assessment, photograps, and an identification key for the Allamanda L. species in the Atlantic Forest.

scholarly journals Species Delimitation and Conservation in Taxonomically Challenging Lineages: The Case of Two Clades of Capurodendron (Sapotaceae) in Madagascar

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1702
Author(s):  
Carlos G. Boluda ◽  
Camille Christe ◽  
Aina Randriarisoa ◽  
Laurent Gautier ◽  
Yamama Naciri
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
The Other ◽  
Genetic Admixture ◽  
Putative Hybrid ◽  
Illegal Logging ◽  
Conservation Assessment ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Test Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Genetic Pools

Capurodendron is the largest endemic genus of plants from Madagascar, with around 76% of its species threatened by deforestation and illegal logging. However, some species are not well circumscribed and many of them remain undescribed, impeding a confident evaluation of their conservation status. Here we focus on taxa delimitation and conservation of two species complexes within Capurodendron: the Arid and Western complexes, each containing undescribed morphologies as well as intermediate specimens alongside well-delimited taxa. To solve these taxonomic issues, we studied 381 specimens morphologically and selected 85 of them to obtain intergenic, intronic, and exonic protein-coding sequences of 794 nuclear genes and 227 microsatellite loci. These data were used to test species limits and putative hybrid patterns using different approaches such as phylogenies, PCA, structure analyses, heterozygosity level, FST, and ABBA-BABA tests. The potential distributions were furthermore estimated for each inferred species. The results show that the Capurodendron Western Complex contains three well-delimited species, C. oblongifolium, C. perrieri, and C. pervillei, the first two hybridizing sporadically with the last and producing morphologies similar to, but genetically distinct from C. pervillei. The Arid Complex shows a more intricate situation, as it contains three species morphologically well-delimited but genetically intermixed. Capurodendron mikeorum nom. prov. is shown to be an undescribed species with a restricted distribution, while C. androyense and C. mandrarense have wider and mostly sympatric distributions. Each of the latter two species contains two major genetic pools, one showing interspecific admixture in areas where both taxa coexist, and the other being less admixed and comprising allopatric populations having fewer contacts with the other species. Only two specimens out of 172 showed clear genetic and morphological signals of recent hybridization, while all the others were morphologically well-delimited, independent of their degree of genetic admixture. Hybridization between Capurodendron androyense and C. microphyllum, the sister species of the Arid Complex, was additionally detected in areas where both species coexist, producing intermediate morphologies. Among the two complexes, species are well-defined morphologically with the exception of seven specimens (1.8%) displaying intermediate patterns and genetic signals compatible with a F1 hybridization. A provisional conservation assessment for each species is provided.

scholarly journals Nepal’s National Red List of Birds

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Inskipp ◽  
Hem Sagar Baral ◽  
Tim Inskipp ◽  
Ambika Prasad Khatiwada ◽  
Monsoon Pokharel Khatiwada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Wetland Birds ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
Passerine Species ◽  
Over Exploitation

The main objectives of the Nepal National Bird Red Data Book were to provide comprehensive and up-to-date accounts of all the bird species found in Nepal, assess their status applying the IUCN Guidelines at Regional Levels, identify threats to all bird species and recommend the most practical measures for their conservation.  It is hoped that the Bird RDB will help Nepal achieve the Convention on Biological Diversity target of preventing the extinction of known threatened species and improving their conservation status.  As population changes of Nepal’s birds have been studied for only a few species, assessments of species’ national status were mainly made by assessing changes in distribution.  Species distribution maps were produced for all of Nepal’s bird species except vagrants and compared to maps that were produced in 1991 using the same mapping system.  Of the 878 bird species recorded, 168 species (19%) were assessed as nationally threatened. These comprise 68 (40%) Critically Endangered species, 38 (23%) Endangered species and 62 (37%) Vulnerable species.  A total of 62 species was considered Near Threatened and 22 species Data Deficient.  Over 55% of the threatened birds are lowland grassland specialists, 25% are wetland birds and 24% tropical and sub-tropical broadleaved forest birds.  Larger birds appear to be more threatened than smaller birds with 98 (25%) non-passerine species threatened and 67 (14%) passerine species.  Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are the most important threats.  Other threats include chemical poisoning, over-exploitation, climate change, hydropower, invasive species, intensification of agriculture, disturbance, and limited conservation measures and research.  Measures to address these threats are described.  It was also concluded that re-assessments of the status of certain bird groups carried out every five years and the setting up of a national online system for storing and reporting bird sightings would be useful.

Five new species and three new varieties of Begonia section Casparya endemic to Colombia

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 525 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-280
Author(s):  
ORLANDO ADOLFO JARA-MUÑOZ ◽  
JAMES E. RICHARDSON ◽  
JUAN CARLOS ZABALA-RIVERA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
Colombian Andes ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Taxonomic Novelties ◽  
Well Differentiated

Casparya, one of the most species-rich sections of Begonia in the Neotropics with 44 species, is distributed from Costa Rica to Peru, with the highest diversity in the Colombian Andes. The section is morphologically well-differentiated and can be distinguished from other Andean cane-like begonias by the 3-horned fruit and multifid or un-divided styles. Here we describe eight taxonomic novelties for Casparya from Colombia, five species and three varieties, descriptions include illustrations, distribution maps, taxonomic comments, and assessments of conservation status. The five species described here are: Begonia diegoi, Begonia galeanoi, Begonia mamapachensis, Begonia perijaensis, and Begonia vinagrera; and the three new varieties are: Begonia kalbreyerii var. orquidensis, Begonia silverstonei var. brevipetiolata, and Begonia vinagrera var. pomecensis. We also present a taxonomic key for the 32 species of Casparya so far known from Colombia.

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