scholarly journals An estimate of the area of occupancy and population size of Brachycephalus tridactylus (Anura: Brachycephalidae) to reassess its conservation status, with a proposal for conservation measures

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12687
Author(s):  
Marcos R. Bornschein ◽  
Júnior Nadaline ◽  
Luiz Fernando Ribeiro ◽  
Giovanna Sandretti-Silva ◽  
Maria Fernanda Ferreira Rivas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Area Of Occupancy ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Species Population ◽  
Surrounding Areas

Background We are experiencing a global crisis in conservation, which has led to the prioritization of targets, such as nations, regions, and animal groups, which are necessary while resources are disputed. Brazil is a priority not only because of its megadiversity, high rates of endemism, and frequent descriptions of new species but also because of its high levels of deforestation. Among the species groups prioritized for conservation is the anurans (Amphibia: Anura), the population of which is severely declining. One group of anurans is the genus Brachycephalus, which includes 37 endemic species in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Some of these species have highly restricted distributions (<100 ha). Thirty new species have been described since 2000, and 55.3% of all species are threatened with extinction. Brachycephalus tridactylus was only recently described and remains restricted to its type locality. Because of its reduced geographical distribution (0.41 km2), it has been proposed to be considered as Vulnerable. The objective of this study is to reevaluate the conservation status of Brachycephalus tridactylus and propose conservation measures. Methods We searched for new populations during 2016–2020, evaluated in loco impacts and potential impacts on the species’ population, and performed an analysis of the density of this population and estimated its size. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria were used to assess the conservation status of the species. Results We recorded the species in seven new localities (from 715–1,140 m above sea level) in the state of São Paulo up to 33 km from the type locality of the species (in state of Paraná). We estimated the area of occupancy as 148.44 km2, densities as one calling male per 4.05 m2 and 130.00 m2, and a total population size of 4,429,722 adult individuals. Based on our finding, we proposed three lines of management: (1) formation of fire brigades, (2) management of residents’ mules in the conservation unit and surrounding areas, and (3) management of degraded areas. We recommend changing the species’ conservation status from Vulnerable to Endangered because of its fragmented distribution and decline in the area of occupancy and in the quality of its habitat. Our results have expanded the species previous geographic distribution and delimited areas without previous records. Our estimates of population density and size are in accordance with those verified for congeners. The conservation of this species benefits the environments and other species that inhabit them, being, therefore, strategic for receiving conservation actions that will spread throughout the ecosystem.

scholarly journals Giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis density and abundance in Llanos Orientales de Colombia in the Orinoco basin

Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Germán Garrote ◽  
Beyker Castañeda ◽  
Jose Manuel Escobar ◽  
Laura Pérez ◽  
Brayan Marín ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Population Size ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Recreational Fishing ◽  
Pteronura Brasiliensis ◽  
Direct Counts

Abstract The giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, was once widely distributed throughout South America. By the middle of the 20th century the giant otter had become locally extinct along the main rivers of the Orinoco basin. Although some populations seem to have recovered, the paucity of information available does not permit a full evaluation of the species' conservation status. The objective of this study was to estimate the abundance and density of the giant otter population along the Orinoco river in the municipality of Puerto Carreño, Vichada, Colombia, where there is important commercial and recreational fishing. Thirty-nine linear km were surveyed, repeatedly, with a total of 315 km of surveys. Population size was estimated by direct counts of individuals. All individuals detected were photographed and identified individually from their throat pelage patterns. In total, 30 otters were identified, giving a minimum density of 0.77 individuals per km, one of the highest reported for the species in Colombia. Given the high density in this well-developed area, our results highlight the importance of this population for the conservation of the species.

Two new species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from the Western Ghats, India

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 334 (3) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
BINCE MANI ◽  
SINJUMOL THOMAS ◽  
S. JOHN BRITTO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Pollen Morphology ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Diagnostic Characters ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
The Western Ghats

Impatiens saulierea and I. josephia, two new species, are described from the Western Ghats, India. The former is collected from Kakkayam, Kozhikode and the latter from Idukki, Kerala. A detailed description of both taxa along with diagnostic characters between allied species, conservation status, pollen morphology and colour photographs are provided.

scholarly journals An assessment of the distribution, population size and conservation status of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Automolus rufipectus: a Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta endemic

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
ESTEBAN BOTERO-DELGADILLO ◽  
NICHOLAS BAYLY ◽  
CAMILA GÓMEZ ◽  
PAULO C. PULGARÍN-R. ◽  
CARLOS ANDRÉS PÁEZ
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Coffee Plantations ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Elevation Range ◽  
Area Of Occupancy

SummaryThe Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Automolus rufipectus is one of 19 endemic bird species found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in northern Colombia but until recently it was considered a sub-species of the Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus. Consequently, published information on its distribution and ecology is lacking, and while it is classified as near- threatened, this designation was based on limited quantitative data. To improve our knowledge of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner’s geographical distribution, elevation range, population density, habitat use and conservation status, we analysed both historical and recent site locality records and carried out variable distance transects within forested habitats and shade coffee plantations. We modelled the environmental niche of the species and subsequently estimated its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, as well as population size. Our results consistently showed that the distribution of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner is more restricted than previously considered, both geographically and by elevation (we redefine elevation range as 600–1,875 m). This suggests that the species is more at risk of habitat transformation and combined with our estimates of population size (< 10,000 individuals), it is likely that the species will be uplisted to a higher threat category. More positively, and contrary to published accounts, we found that approximately 40% of the species’ range lies within protected areas. Nevertheless, we recommend the implementation of strategies to maintain forest cover on the western flank of the SNSM and further research to better define the species’ habitat needs and population dynamics.

scholarly journals Update of distribution, habitats, population size, and threat factors for the West African crocodile in Mauritania

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Carlos Campos ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría ◽  
Fábio Vieira Sousa ◽  
Frederico Santarém ◽  
José Carlos Brito
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
West African ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Temperature Extremes ◽  
Local Conservation ◽  
The West ◽  
Water Abstraction ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Domestic Use

The West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus) is an emblematic species from the Sahara-Sahel with scarce knowledge on distribution and conservation status. This study updated the knowledge on distribution, occupied habitats, population size, and factors that threaten C. suchus and its habitats in Mauritania. Five field expeditions to Mauritania (2011-2016), allowed the detection of 26 new localities, increasing by 27% the current number of all known locations (adding up to ). In most localities less than five individuals were observed, and in all visiting sites the number of observed individuals ranged from one to 23. Eleven threat factors were identified, being droughts and temperature extremes (100% localities affected) and water abstraction for domestic use and nomadic grazing (94%) the most frequent. These findings suggest that crocodiles are apparently vulnerable in Mauritania and that future local conservation strategies are needed to assure the continuity of its fragile populations and preserve their habitats.

A new species of direct-developing frog of the genus Eleutherodactylus (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) from the Pacific lowlands of Guerrero, Mexico

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4750 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-260
Author(s):  
RICARDO PALACIOS-AGUILAR ◽  
RUFINO SANTOS-BIBIANO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Climatic Characteristics ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new species of direct-developing frog of the genus Eleutherodactylus from the Pacific lowlands of Guerrero, Mexico. Eleutherodactylus erythrochomus sp. nov. is a saxicolous species that inhabit caves or crevices formed by groups of large granitic boulders, which create contrasting climatic characteristics to the surrounding habitat. This new species is geographically restricted to the Tierra Colorada region, a biologically important area that harbors microendemic taxa. This species is the first microendemic amphibian described from this region. The new species can be easily differentiated from congeners by having long and slender limbs, lacking a lumbo-inguinal gland, and expanded digital pads. Further exploration and conservation measures should be conducted at the type locality of this new species in order to preserve and understand the herpetofaunistic composition occurring therein. 

scholarly journals New localities and distribution models inform the conservation status of the endangered lizard Anolis guamuhaya (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in central Cuba

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-33
Author(s):  
Tomás M. Rodríguez-Cabrera ◽  
Javier Torres ◽  
Carlos A. Mancina ◽  
Ruben Marrero ◽  
Yasel U. Alfonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
New Records ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Area Of Occupancy ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Iucn Criteria

New localities and distribution models inform the conservation status of the endangered lizard Anolis guamuhaya (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from central Cuba. Anolis guamuhaya is known from seven localities restricted to the Guamuhaya Massif in central Cuba and is always associated with mountane ecosystems above 300 m a.s.l. Previous evaluations of the conservation status of the species based on the estimated number of mature individuals have categorized the anole as Endangered. Eight new records of A. guamuhaya are provided here. These double the number of known localities, and two represent the first records of the species in lowland areas, apart from the Guamuhaya Massif. The new records extend the elevational range of the species from 15 m to above 1000 m. We used ecological niche modeling based on all of the locality records, along with what we considered the most appropriate IUCN criteria according to the available information (Criterion B) to reevaluate the conservation status of the species. These new records of A. guamuhaya increase its area of occupancy up to a total of 60 km2 , and its extent of occurrence up to 648 km2 . Despite this increase in geographic range, the species meets the IUCN criteria in the category of Endangered. We used ecological niche modeling to predict possible trends for the species under differing scenarios of global climate change, all of which portend a drastic reduction in area climatically suitable for A. guamuhaya.

Is the Carpentarian Rock-rat Zyzomys palatalis critically endangered?

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. J. S. Bowman ◽  
Daniel L McIntyre ◽  
Barry W. Brook
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Population Viability Analysis ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Viability Analysis ◽  
Area Of Occupancy ◽  
Closed Forest ◽  
Minimum Number

The Carpentarian Rock-rat Zyzomys palatalis is a rare conilurine rodent with a global distribution restricted to a small area of sandstone escarpments in the Gulf of Carpentaria region of the Northern Territory. Previous assessments of its World Conservation Union (IUCN) status in 1996 had classified the species as Critically Endangered based on the restricted area of occupancy and a putative decline in the extent and quality of its closed forest habitat due to uncontrolled landscape fires. A later population viability analysis confirmed that habitat loss was potentially the single most important threatening process. Here we argue that the species should be reclassified as Vulnerable, on the basis of the following new evidence: (1) the assumption that it was a closed forest specialist was not supported by a radiotracking study, which showed that on average 43% of an individual's monitored time was spent in the forest-savannah margin, and (2) analysis of repeat historical aerial photography has shown that the core closed forest habitat has in fact increased by 36% over the last 50 years. This has lead to an increase of 140 in the minimum number of equivalent Z. paJatalis territories, from 387 to 587, when home range overlaps and utilization of the savannah margins are considered. Reclassification of the species' conservation status should be accompanied with: (i) genetic studies of relatedness between isolated populations; (ii) monitoring and maintenance of the integrity of the landscapes, including creeklines that connect patches; and (iii) consideration of the introduction of captive bred specimens into an adjacent unoccupied fragments.

A new species of Argostemma (Rubiaceae) with free stamens in star-shaped corolla from the Philippines

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 437 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
HAO WEI C. HSU ◽  
DENMARC R. ARANAS ◽  
GRECEBIO JONATHAN D. ALEJANDRO ◽  
SIGRID LIEDE-SCHUMANN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Iucn Categories ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
Stem Leaf ◽  
A New Species

Argostemma separatum, a new species with free stamens in star-shaped corolla from Mt. Halcon Oriental Mindoro, Philippines is here described and compared with Argostemma diversifolium, the only species of the genus with this type of flower. This species is distinct from A. diversifolium by its indumentum on stem, leaf blades and calyx, smaller leaf blades, fewer flowered inflorescences, shape of stipule and calyx, red tips on corolla lobes, and color of anthers. Based on the recent IUCN categories, the conservation status of A. separatum is Data Deficient (DD) since it was only collected at the type locality.

­­­Rudgea agresteophila and R. hileiabaiana (Palicoureeae, Rubiaceae): two new species from eastern Bahia, Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 202 (4) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Poleselli Bruniera ◽  
Daniela Cristina Zappi ◽  
Milton Groppo
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ongoing Study ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Calyx Tube ◽  
Detailed Data ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Southern Bahia ◽  
High Diversity ◽  
Persistent Calyx

This work is part of a larger ongoing study of taxonomy and systematics of Rudgea (Rubiaceae), with the recognition of two new Brazilian species, R. agresteophila and R. hileiabaiana, described and illustrated here. The new species occur in the eastern Bahia State, Brazil, which is a place of high diversity for Rudgea. Rudgea agresteophila is morphologically distinct within the genus, by the combination of thickly coriaceous leaves, flowers with long calyx-tube and fruits crowned by a persistent calyx up to 6 mm long; and is known only from the type locality, in the municipality of Jequié. Rudgea hileiabaiana is distinguished by its coriaceous leaves, up to 30 cm long and round to cordate base, broadly infundibular corolla and unexpanded calyx; and it is restricted to southern Bahia. Detailed data on distribution and habitat, phenology and conservation status of both species are presented.

scholarly journals New island record and conservation status of Puerto Rican Bank endemic plant species, Ruehssia woodburyana (Acev.-Rodr.) Goyder, comb. nov., formally transferred from Marsdenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bárrios ◽  
José Sustache ◽  
David Goyder ◽  
Martin Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Virgin Islands ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
British Virgin Islands ◽  
Area Of Occupancy

Thought to be endemic to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Ruehssia woodburyana (Apocynaceae) was recently discovered at a single location on Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands. Despite an increase in the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, this species meta-population is very limited with a total of 37 individuals known in the wild. The largest subpopulation, on Mona Island, has only 26 individuals. The species suitable habitat is experiencing a continuing decline due to urban development, grazing by feral ungulates and human-induced forest fires. Conservation action is urgently needed and should be directed towards establishing genetically representative ex situ collections, such as seed for long term storage and live material for propagation. This species is evaluated as Critically Endangered (CR), based on Criteria C2a(i)+D, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (version 3.1) and guidelines (Subcommittee IUCN Standards and Petitions 2016). Extensive and regular surveys to the region enable the discovery of new plant records for different countries and islands. In this paper, we record a new island record for Ruehssia woodburyana on Norman Island, in the British Virgin Islands and discuss the species conservation status. Marsdenia woodburyana is transferred to the genus Ruehssia to reflect the resurrection of that genus for species of Marsdenia native to the New World.

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