scholarly journals New records of a lost species and a geographic range expansion for sengis in the Horn of Africa

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Heritage ◽  
Houssein Rayaleh ◽  
Djama G. Awaleh ◽  
Galen B. Rathbun

The Somali Sengi or Somali Elephant-shrew (‘Elephantulus’ revoilii, Macroscelidea, Mammalia) has been considered a “lost species” and is primarily known from about 39 museum specimens, with no new vouchered occurrence records since the early 1970s. The scientific literature contains no data concerning living Somali Sengi individuals and the species’ current Data Deficient conservation status is attributable to an absence of modern information. Almost everything that has been published about the species is derived from anatomical examinations of historic specimens, gleaned from museum collection notes, or inferred from the known habits and ecology of other sengi taxa. Here we report new evidence that the Somali Sengi is currently extant. These data include voucher specimens, georeferenced occurrence localities, body measurements, habitat parameters, and DNA sequences. While the species is historically documented as endemic to Somalia, these new records are from the neighboring Republic of Djibouti and thus expand the Somali Sengi’s known range in the Horn of Africa. Furthermore, Djiboutian locality data near international borders suggests that the Somali Sengi is also a current inhabitant of both Somalia and Ethiopia. Criteria that inform conservation status assessments (e.g., suitable habitat contiguity and occurrence in wildlife protected areas) can be positively characterized in Djibouti and therefore bode well for the survival of the Somali Sengi species. New data also inform previously undocumented substrate and sheltering affiliations. DNA analyses indicate that the Somali Sengi is a descendant of the Macroscelidini lineage and therefore reveal that the species’ referral to the genus Elephantulus is incompatible with sengi phylogeny. This taxonomic issue is resolved by recognizing a new genus replacement and recombinant binomial that redesignates the Somali Sengi as Galegeeska revoilii (gen. nov., nov. comb). An analysis of ancestral biogeography suggests that the Somali Sengi has inhabited the Horn of Africa for more than 5.4 million years—and the recognition of the species’ phylogenetic ancestry appends the already remarkable biogeographic story of the Macroscelidini tribe.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 418 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
HONG-BO DING ◽  
SHI-SHUN ZHOU ◽  
BIN YANG ◽  
REN LI ◽  
MYA BHONE MAW ◽  
...  

Two taxa of Amomum (Zingiberaceae), Amomum erythranthum and Amomum ampliflorum, from Putao, Kachin State of Northern Myanmar are described and illustrated as new to science. Amomum erythranthum is morphologically similar to A. subulatum and A. nimkeyense in having similar yellow flowers, but can be distinguished by its reddish floral tube, red anther connective, red and pubescent fruit. Amomum ampliflorum is similar to A. maximum, A. dealbatum and A. odontocarpum in white flower, but differs in its longer inflorescence and much larger flower. Two species, Amomum pauciflorum and Wurfbainia microcarpum are recorded for the flora of Myanmar for the first time. Data on ecology, phenology, distribution, conservation status, similarities to the related taxa, as well as colour photographs and line drawings of the type, and voucher specimens are provided for all reported taxa.



Check List ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antônio de Amorim Peixoto ◽  
João Victor Andrade Lacerda ◽  
Carla Da Silva Guimarães ◽  
Bruno Teixeira ◽  
Emanuel Teixeira Da Silva ◽  
...  

Myersiella microps (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) is considered data deficient (DD) in the State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Herein we provide new records and a geographic distribution map of this Poorly known species. These data provide valuable information for a conservation status assessment of M. microps.



2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Biag ◽  
GRECEBIO JONATHAN D. ALEJANDRO

Abstract. Biag RD, Alejandro GJD. 2020. Short Communication: Rediscovery of Psychotria species, subspecies and varieties collected in the 1990s and new records of Antirhea benguetensis (Elmer) Valeton and Ixora longifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) in Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Luzon, Philippines. Biodiversitas 21: 4524-4535. Tagged as the “last great forest” for it possesses the widest remaining tropical rainforest in the island of Luzon, the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) in the province of Isabela is worth-conserving. Owing to the species richness and high levels of endemism in the said area, it was identified as a key biodiversity area for conservation and protection. After a botanical exploration in the park conducted from April to August 2019, 89 Rubiaceae species were found dominated by the genus Psychotria. These Psychotria species were then separated from other genera and were morphologically examined and eventually identified. This study, therefore, primarily aims to provide the list of Psychotria species that were collected long before, particularly in the 1990s and still exist in NSMNP continuously battling against the catastrophic activities within the forest. Eight Philippine endemic Psychotria species and varieties were recollected. As to their current conservation status following IUCN criteria, we herein propose these species, except for Psychotria pubilimba, to be treated as Data Deficient (DD) since there is lack of distributional data for these species. Additional surveys are to be conducted on the areas where these species were previously collected. In this way, information on population size and threats to the species can also be obtained. P. pubilimba is restricted to Cagayan and Isabela. Only one mature individual has been found; hence, a Narrow Endemic Species (NES). Being an NES, it was then assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) based on IUCN rules. It is also worth noting that new records of Antirhea benguetensis and Ixora longifolia species were found in the park, particularly in Divilacan, Isabela. The former has been regarded as Luzon endemic, known to be distributed only in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Rizal, and Bataan. The latter, on the other hand, is mostly distributed in the provinces of Visayas and Mindanao, and only Masbate and Palawan for Luzon. Moreover, this flora has been recorded in other parts of the world like China, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.



Check List ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crasso Paulo B. Breviglieri ◽  
Mariela C. Castro ◽  
Douglas C. Ribeiro ◽  
Lúcio de Oliveira e Souza ◽  
João Henrique Pinheiro Dias ◽  
...  

The Pantanal Cat, Leopardus colocola braccatus, presents a broad distribution over several biomes in South America. However, the distribution of the species is based on a limited number of occurrences, and confirmed records of the species are scarce. Here, we present 2 confirmed records of Leopardus colocola braccatus from the state of São Paulo, southeast Brazil. Both records are juvenile individuals, 1 recorded in the municipality of Castilho and the other in Araçatuba. These São Paulo records expand the distribution of this uncommon felid to the most populous state of Brazil. This species is currently Data Deficient on the São Paulo Red List, and these new records may help with future assessments of the conservation status of this felid.



2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Pereira Lima ◽  
Eduardo Bezerra de Almeida Jr.

Abstract: This study presents a synopsis of the tribe Cocoseae (Arecaceae) for the Maranhão state, which was based on the descriptive analysis of voucher specimens of national and international herbaria, from loans, collection visits, digital platforms, and materials collected in expeditions. Twenty-five species belonging to seven genera were identified. The genus Bactris Jacq. ex Scop. was the most representative with seven species, followed by Attalea Kunth. (five spp.), Syagrus Mart. (five spp.), Astrocaryum G. Mey. (three spp.), Desmoncus Mart. (three spp.), Acrocomia Mart (one spp.), and Allagoptera Nees (one sp.). Four new records of occurrence were found for Maranhão: Allagoptera leucocalyx (Drude) Kuntze, Attalea barreirensis Glassman, Attalea phalerata Mart. ex Spreng. and Syagrus glazioviana (Dammer) Becc. This paper presents a taxonomic key for the species, as well as geographic distribution maps and photographic plates with the distinguishing characteristics for each taxon. Besides the taxonomic characteristics, common names, ecological data, and conservation status are included.



Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Riley A. Pollom ◽  
Gina M. Ralph ◽  
Caroline M. Pollock ◽  
Amanda C.J. Vincent

Abstract Few marine taxa have been comprehensively assessed for their conservation status, despite heavy pressures from fishing, habitat degradation and climate change. Here we report on the first global assessment of extinction risk for 300 species of syngnathiform fishes known as of 2017, using the IUCN Red List criteria. This order of bony teleosts is dominated by seahorses, pipefishes and seadragons (family Syngnathidae). It also includes trumpetfishes (Aulostomidae), shrimpfishes (Centriscidae), cornetfishes (Fistulariidae) and ghost pipefishes (Solenostomidae). At least 6% are threatened, but data suggest a mid-point estimate of 7.9% and an upper bound of 38%. Most of the threatened species are seahorses (Hippocampus spp.: 14/42 species, with an additional 17 that are Data Deficient) or freshwater pipefishes of the genus Microphis (2/18 species, with seven additional that are Data Deficient). Two species are Near Threatened. Nearly one-third of syngnathiformes (97 species) are Data Deficient and could potentially be threatened, requiring further field research and evaluation. Most species (61%) were, however, evaluated as Least Concern. Primary threats to syngnathids are (1) overexploitation, primarily by non-selective fisheries, for which most assessments were determined by criterion A (Hippocampus) and/or (2) habitat loss and degradation, for which assessments were determined by criterion B (Microphis and some Hippocampus). Threatened species occurred in most regions but more are found in East and South-east Asia and in South African estuaries. Vital conservation action for syngnathids, including constraining fisheries, particularly non-selective extraction, and habitat protection and rehabilitation, will benefit many other aquatic species.



Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter J. Reisinger ◽  
Devi M. Stuart-Fox ◽  
Barend F.N. Erasmus

We quantified habitat associations and evaluated the conservation status of a recently identified, undescribed species of dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion sp. nov. Dhlinza, endemic to scarp forest remnants in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. At the microhabitat scale the Dhlinza dwarf chameleon was found more often in forest gaps and near paths than highly disturbed edges or forest interior. Chameleon presence was not explained by forest physiognomic variables such as vine cover, shrub and tree density, or canopy cover. Presence near gaps may be better explained by the combined effects of the thermal microenvironment and food availability. The species is moderately common where it occurs, with estimated densities of 4.7, 8.7 and 29.7 individuals per ha within forest interior, edges and gaps respectively. At the landscape scale, the chameleon occurs only in three remnant forests: the Dhlinza, Entumeni and Ongoye Forests. The species' extent of occurrence was estimated to be 88 km2 and its area of occupancy 49 km2. Based on the small area of remaining suitable habitat, this species meets the requirements for categorization as Endangered according to IUCN Red List criteria.



2010 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 109-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti ◽  
Rita Ale

Nervilia makinnoni Duthie and Nervilia plicata (Andrews) Schltr. (Orchidaceae) are reported as new records to Nepal. Detail description, illustrations and relevant notes are provided. Key words: conservation status; herbarium; orchids; phenology.DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2920 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 109-110



2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iyan Robiansyah ◽  
Wita Wardani

Abstract. Robiansyah I, Wardani W. 2020. Increasing accuracy: The advantage of using open access species occurrence database in the Red List assessment. Biodiversitas 21: 3658-3664. IUCN Red List is the most widely used instrument to assess and advise the extinction risk of a species. One of the criteria used in IUCN Red List is geographical range of the species assessed (criterion B) in the form of extent of occurrence (EOO) and/or area of occupancy (AOO). While this criterion is presumed to be the easiest to be completed as it is based mainly on species occurrence data, there are some assessments that failed to maximize freely available databases. Here, we reassessed the conservation status of Cibotium arachnoideum, a tree fern distributed in Sumatra and Borneo. This species was previously assessed by Praptosuwiryo (2020, Biodiversitas 21 (4): 1379-1384) which classified the species as Endangered (EN) under criteria B2ab(i,ii,iii); C2a(ii). Using additional data from herbarium specimens recorded in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) website and from peer-reviewed scientific papers, in the present paper we show that C. arachnoideum has a larger extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO), more locations and different conservation status compared to those in Praptosuwiryo (2020). Our results are supported by the predicted suitable habitat map of C. arachnoideum produced by MaxEnt modelling method. Based on our assessment, we propose the category of Vulnerable (VU) C2a(i) as the global conservation status for C. arachnoideum. Our study implies the advantage of using open access databases to increase the accuracy of extinction risk assessment under the IUCN Red List criteria in regions like Indonesia, where adequate taxonomical information is not always readily available.



2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindřich Roháček

The family Anthomyzidae (Diptera: Acalyptrata) is recorded from China for the first time based on 11 species, 6 of them new to science. A distinctive new genus Marshallya gen. nov. is described, based on single peculiar species, M. platythorax sp. nov. (both sexes) from Sichuan. Other new species, viz. Amygdalops sevciki sp. nov. (Hainan I.) (both sexes), Epischnomyia tkoci sp. nov. (Sichuan) (male only), Anthomyza ornata sp. nov. (Sichuan) (female only), Anthomyza sulphurea sp. nov. (Yunnan) (both sexes) and Arganthomyza hyperseta sp. nov. (Shaanxi) (male only) are described and illustrated in detail. Male-female association of two Amygdalops species is clarified by means of molecular barcoding and the female of A. bisinus Roháček, 2008 is correctly identifi ed and described. Relationships of all these taxa are discussed. Five species, viz. Amygdalops bisinus (Hainan I.), Epischnomyia merzi Roháček, 2009, Anthomyza cuneata Roháček, 1987, Anthomyza trifurca Sueyoshi & Roháček, 2003 (all from Sichuan) and Arganthomyza versitheca Roháček, 2009 (Shaanxi, Sichuan) are new additions to the Chinese fauna of Anthomyzidae. DNA sequences of the barcoding region of COI have been obtained for 3 species, Amygdalops bisinus, Amygdalops sevciki and Marshallya platythorax. Biology and distribution of all 11 species are discussed. First photographs of living Anthomyzidae from East Asia are presented. Based on knowledge of Anthomyzidae from neighbouring areas the diversity of the Chinese fauna of the family is estimated to include 50-60 species.



Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document