scholarly journals Reptile diversity and community composition in the Puyango dry forest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Acosta Vásconez Ana ◽  
Cisneros-Heredia Diego ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tropical Dry Forests ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dry Deciduous Forest

Reptiles are key animals in vertebrate communities in most ecosystems. However, there is little information on their diversity and abundance in dry forests of Ecuador. Between 2013 and 2014 we studied the reptile diversity and natural history of the Puyango Protected Forest, on the border between the province of Loja and El Oro, Ecuador. This area protects relicts of dry deciduous forest in hills and patches of semi-deciduous forest around ravines. We used belt transects in three different streams and irregular band transects in trails, together with pitfall traps, funnel traps, and litter quadrants. The richness of the Puyango Protected Forest represents a small percentage of the Ecuadorian reptile diversity, but covers much of the representative phylogenetic groups of tropical dry forests of the world. Sampling was effective to determine saurian diversity, but more sampling is needed to estimate snake diversity. Evidence of the presence of 21 species, divided into 10 families, was obtained; of which 14 are snakes (including a potential new species of the genus Epictia) and seven are lizards. Natural history is described for each species, including time and space use, and their conservation status is analyzed. The reptile community is characterized by a relative homogeneity over the vegetation remnants and the highest abundances correspond to saurian species.

scholarly journals Reptile diversity and community composition in the Puyango dry forest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Acosta Vásconez Ana ◽  
Cisneros-Heredia Diego ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tropical Dry Forests ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dry Deciduous Forest

Reptiles are key animals in vertebrate communities in most ecosystems. However, there is little information on their diversity and abundance in dry forests of Ecuador. Between 2013 and 2014 we studied the reptile diversity and natural history of the Puyango Protected Forest, on the border between the province of Loja and El Oro, Ecuador. This area protects relicts of dry deciduous forest in hills and patches of semi-deciduous forest around ravines. We used belt transects in three different streams and irregular band transects in trails, together with pitfall traps, funnel traps, and litter quadrants. The richness of the Puyango Protected Forest represents a small percentage of the Ecuadorian reptile diversity, but covers much of the representative phylogenetic groups of tropical dry forests of the world. Sampling was effective to determine saurian diversity, but more sampling is needed to estimate snake diversity. Evidence of the presence of 21 species, divided into 10 families, was obtained; of which 14 are snakes (including a potential new species of the genus Epictia) and seven are lizards. Natural history is described for each species, including time and space use, and their conservation status is analyzed. The reptile community is characterized by a relative homogeneity over the vegetation remnants and the highest abundances correspond to saurian species.

scholarly journals Deforestation and fragmentation trends of seasonal dry tropical forest in Ecuador: impact on conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Rivas ◽  
José Guerrero-Casado ◽  
Rafael M. Navarro-Cerillo
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Edge Density ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Deforestation Rate

Abstract Background Fragmentation and deforestation are one of the greatest threats to forests, and these processes are of even more concern in the tropics, where the seasonal dry forest is possibly one of the most threatened ecosystems with the least remaining surface area. Methods The deforestation and fragmentation patterns that had occurred in Ecuadorian seasonal dry forests between 1990 and 2018 were verified, while geographic information systems and land cover shapes provided by the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment were employed to classify and evaluate three types of seasonal dry forests: deciduous, semi-deciduous, and transition. The study area was tessellated into 10 km2 hexagons, in which six fragmentation parameters were measured: number of patches, mean patch size, median patch size, total edge, edge density and reticular fragmentation index (RFI). The RFI was also measured both outside and inside protected natural areas (unprotected, national protected areas and protected forest). Moreover, the areas with the best and worst conservation status, connectivity and risk of disappearance values were identified by means of a Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis. Results The deforestation of seasonal dry forests affected 27.04% of the original surface area still remaining in 1990, with an annual deforestation rate of − 1.12% between 1990 and 2018. The RFI has increased by 11.61% as a result of the fact that small fragments of forest have tended to disappear, while the large fragments have been fragmented into smaller ones. The semi-deciduous forest had the highest levels of fragmentation in 2018. The three categories of protection had significantly different levels of fragmentation, with lower RFI values in national protected areas and greater values in protected forests. Conclusions The seasonal dry forest is fragmenting, deforesting and disappearing in some areas. An increased protection and conservation of the Ecuadorian seasonal dry forest is, therefore, necessary owing to the fact that not all protection measures have been effective.

scholarly journals REDESCRIPTION OF Minervarya nicobariensis (STOLIZKA, 1870) (AMPHIBIA: DICROGLOSSIDAE) WITH A NEOTYPE DESIGNATION

2020 ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
S.R. Chandramouli ◽  
K.V. Devi Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Larval Morphology ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Material ◽  
Insular Endemic

The poorly-known, insular endemic frog species, Minervarya nicobariensis (Stoliczka, 1870) is re-described based on new material from the Nicobar Archipelago. A neotype is designated as its holotype had been lost. Novel data on biology, ecology, distribution and natural history of this poorly known species are provided. Breeding biology and larval morphology are described in detail. Potential threats to the species are discussed and an assessment of its conservation status is attempted.

Taxonomy, natural history, and conservation of the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851) (Thraupidae, Sporophilinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4442 (4) ◽  
pp. 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
FLÁVIO KULAIF UBAID ◽  
LUÍS FABIO SILVEIRA ◽  
CESAR A. B. MEDOLAGO ◽  
THIAGO V. V. COSTA ◽  
MERCIVAL ROBERTO FRANCISCO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
South America ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
History Of

Seed-finches are small-sized Neotropical granivorous birds characterized by extremely strong and thick beaks. Among these birds, the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani has been selectively and intensively trapped to the extent that has become one of the most endangered bird species in South America, yet its taxonomy remains complex and controversial. Two subspecies have been recognized: S. m. maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851), mainly from the Cerrado of central South America, and S. m. parkesi Olson (= Oryzoborus m. magnirostris), from northeastern South America. Originally, S. m. parkesi was diagnosed as being larger than the Large-billed Seed-Finch, S. c. crassirostris (Gmelin, 1789), but proper comparisons with S. m. maximiliani, which is larger than S. c. crassirostris, were never performed. Here we provide a review of the taxonomic and nomenclatural history of S. maximiliani, reevaluate the validity and taxonomic status of the subspecies based on morphological characters, and significantly revise its geographic distribution. Analyses based on plumage patterns and a Principal Component Analysis of morphometric characters indicated that S. m. parkesi is most appropriately treated as a synonym of the nominate taxon, which results in a monotypic S. maximiliani comprising two disjunct populations. Further, we conducted systematic searches for S. maximiliani in Brazil, in an attempt to obtain natural history information. After more than 6,000 hours of fieldwork in 45 areas of potential and historical occurrence, S. maximiliani was located only in two sites, in marshy environments called veredas, confirming the critical conservation status of this species, at least in Brazil. We discuss the conservation potential for, and the problems involved with, captive breeding of S. maximiliani for reintroduction into the wild. 

Diversity and Distribution of Tropical Dry Forests

2020 ◽  
pp. 115-124
Author(s):  
Raja Prakasam ◽  
Balaguru Balakrishnan ◽  
Soosairaj Sebastian
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Tropical Dry Forests ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
National Wealth ◽  
Floristic Studies

Tropical dry forests occur as patches in Tamil Nadu distributed along the East Coast, Eastern Ghats, and plains of the Indian Peninsula. The floristic studies of these regions are of great national relevance as plant resources in a tropical climate contribute to national wealth. Dry forests of the plains in Tamil Nadu have been neglected and the area under study has remained practically unexplored. This chapter studies distribution of tropical dry forests, especially in Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu. In total, 187 sacred groves were surveyed for their distribution and floristic composition. The GPS position of each grove was noted and their distribution maps were prepared. The groves were classified based on conservation status, namely well conserved, moderately conserved and degraded. Extensive botanical explorations were carried out periodically during 2012–2016 in these groves and 812 species belonging to 480 genera under 124 families were recorded. The endemic, threatened species of these groves were also documented.

Global Overview of Tropical Dry Forests

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
G. N. Tanjina Hasnat ◽  
Mohammed Kamal Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Tropical Dry Forests ◽  
Land Conversion ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
The World

Forests cover almost one-third of the Earth's land surface. Tropical dry forests are the second-most-important forest type in the world covering approximately 42% of tropical and sub-tropical forest area. The main features of these forests are their deciduousness, a prolonged dry period extending 3-9 months, and little annual precipitation of 250-2,000 mm. Tropical dry forests are found in five of the eight realms in the world. More than half of the forests are distributed in the Americas, with other portions in Africa, Eurasia, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The forests are unique in nature, and provide shelter to a huge number of endemics and endangered species. Among woody plant species, about 40% are not found anywhere in the world. These forests are now the most threatened among all forest types. The conservation status of these forests is endangered. Deforestation, rapid civilization, land conversion, fire, and climate change are the major threats. Proper management with time-oriented policy could be helpful to restore these forests and protect the existing remnant areas.

Avifauna in three vegetation types on Mundanthurai Plateau, South India

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. T. Johnsingh ◽  
Justus Joshua
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
South India ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Secondary Vegetation ◽  
Dry Deciduous Forest ◽  
Bird Species Diversity

ABSTRACTPatterns of bird species diversity within three vegetation types were investigated by the line transect method on Mundanthurai Plateau, South India. Minimum numbers of species and individuals were seen in the study area during July and August. Such seasonal variation was more pronounced in riverine and dry deciduous forest than in the secondary vegetation which was avoided by most of the winter migrants. There was a greater species overlap between riverine and dry deciduous forest than between riverine and secondary vegetation.No relationship could be established between bird species diversity and tree species/foliage height diversity. The secondary vegetation had fewer specialized forest species and more generalists. Larger birds (>200 g) were rare but smaller ones (<50 g) were more common. The paper emphasizes that the conservation status of avifauna in managed forests in India needs to be assessed and monitored.

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