Ecological notes on the Cát Bà gecko Goniurosaurus catbaensis, a species endemic to the limestone karst islands of northern Vietnam

The Cát Bà gecko Goniurosaurus catbaensis is endemic to Cát Bà and Ha Long islands of Vietnam. The ecology of this species is still scarcely studied but previous reports have suggested that the species is Endangered due to small population size and low ecological plasticity. We studied aspects of the ecology of this species between May 2019 and June 2020, along seven transects on Cát Bà island. At least 173 different individuals (possibly as many as 189) were recorded, with an equal sexratio and apparently no intersexual differences in adult body size. The species was clearly more widely distributed than previously supposed. We were able to confirm that G. catbaensis is a limestone karst microhabitat specialist, as the farthest sighting from a karst area was only 10 m. Geckos were observed at a mean height of 45 cm but up to 500 cm above ground, with males perching significantly higher than females. We observed these geckos at altitudes ranging from 11 to 228 m a.s.l.; much higher than previously recorded. Overall, our study revealed that this endemic gecko is certainly less threatened than previously feared.

Eumops floridanus (Chiroptera: Molossidae)

Eumops floridanus (Allen, 1932) is a molossid commonly called the Florida bonneted bat or the Florida mastiff bat. Eumops floridanus is the largest species of bat in Florida and is one of 16 species in the genus Eumops. With one of the smallest distributions of any bat in the United States, it is endemic to southern peninsular Florida where it roosts in cavities of live and dead trees and man-made structures. Eumops floridanus was formerly classified as a subspecies of E. glaucinus but has been elevated to species level based on morphology. Due primarily to its restricted distribution, small population size, and the continued loss of habitat, E. floridanus is federally listed as “Endangered” (EN) by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Population size and trend, and habitat selection of Common Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) in Oslo and Akershus, southeastern Norway

The Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus is listed as vulnerable (VU) in Norway due to a small population size (estimated at 110–215 pairs in 2015). The population size is considered stable. More than one quarter of the population (30–70 pairs) is thought to occur in the region of Oslo and Akershus, SE Norway. In 2018, I conducted a comprehensive survey of known and potential breeding sites to assess current population size in Oslo and Akershus. I recorded 74 pairs in 58 sites. To analyse the population trend, I collected all known records of Common Moorhen during the breeding season for the period 1995–2018. Analyses indicated that population size was stable overall. However, compared to data from 1982, sites with the largest number of pairs in 1982 have had declining population size, and these sites also had high nutrient levels. On the other hand, several new breeding sites in recently created ponds in parks, on golf courses and wastewater treatment plants have been established. Dammed ponds were occupied more often than natural waterbodies, and occupied sites were in general at nutrient-rich sites at low elevation close to the coast. Occupancy rate (proportion of years surveyed with Common Moorhen presence) during 1995–2018 was higher for dammed ponds than for natural waterbodies, and higher for smaller wetlands. Thus, analyses suggested that the most suitable sites for Common Moorhen were nutrient-rich small ponds at low elevation close to the coast, and in such sites the Common Moorhen appears to have a stable, but small population size. Cover photo: Common Moorhen. Photo: Arild Breistøl.

Conservation biology of threatened Mediterranean chasmophytes: The case of Asperula naufraga endemic to Zakynthos island (Ionian islands, Greece)

Asperula naufraga is a rare and threatened obligate chasmophyte, endemic to Zakynthos island (Ionian islands, Greece). In this study, we provide a combined approach (including monitoring of demographic and reproductive parameters and study of genetic diversity) to assess the current conservation status of the species and to estimate its future extinction risk. The five subpopulations of A. naufraga were monitored for five years (2014–2018). Population size markedly fluctuated between 68–130 mature individuals during the monitoring period. The extent of occurrence (EOO) was estimated at 28.7 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) was 8 km2. Stage-structure recordings were similar for all subpopulations, characterized by high proportions of adult and senescent individuals, following a common pattern, which has been observed in other cliff-dwelling plants. Preliminary genetic analysis with SSRs markers revealed low heterozygosity within subpopulations and significant departure from H-W equilibrium, which combined with small population size suggest increased threat of genetic diversity loss. Our results indicate that the species should be placed in the Critically Endangered (CR) IUCN threat category, while according to Population Viability Analysis results its extinction risk increases to 47.8% in the next 50 years. The small population size combined with large fluctuations in its size, low recruitment and low genetic diversity, indicate the need of undertaking effective in situ and ex situ conservation measures.

Study on the Gembrong Goat Inbreeding in Tumbu Village, Indonesia

Gembrong goat is an Indonesian breed originating from Bali Province that is very rare, having a high level of inbreeding. The inbreeding coefficient (Fis), inbreeding rate (IR), and inbreeding probability (PI) values of Gembrong goat were estimated in Tumbu village, Bali province, Indonesia. Previous studies provide data on the pedigree records of goats in 2015. According to research, the Fis value of Gembrong goats at Tumbu village was 0.413, putting them in the high category (Fx > 0.125). The IR value in the Gembrong population at Tumbu village was 0.025, putting it in the high group (IR > 0.020). The PI value in the F1 Gembrong population was 0.184, which was in the low category (PI 0.50). In conclusion, the elevated Fis and IR values in Gembrong goats were caused by a small population size. In the future, the Gembrong goat recording system will be critical for reducing inbreeding.

Typification of the name Galatella sorrentinoi (Asteraceae)

Tripolium sorrentinoi (Todaro 1858: 42) Raimondo & Greuter (2005: 59) (Asteraceae) is a species endemic to Sicily. In this island, it grows on badlands in the Palermo, Enna, Caltanissetta, and Agrigento Provinces, between the coast and the hinterland mountains. Its phytogeographical interest is remarkable because it occurs in selective habitats, where it is often the sole phanerogamic inhabitant. Due to its small population size and to a continuing decline of mature individuals, T. sorrentinoi was assessed as “Vulnerable” (VU) according to the IUCN criteria (Domina & Troia 2016).

The abundance of false killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens (Artiodactyla: Delphinidae) in coastal waters of Golfo Dulce and Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Introduction: False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) is a tropical and subtropical social species that live in groups with individuals of mixed ages and sex classes. False killer whales have been documented since the late 1990s in Southwestern Costa Rica. Objective: To estimate the abundance of false killer whales in Osa Peninsula waters. Methods: Cetacean surveys off the Osa Peninsula Waters (OPW), Costa Rica, yielded opportunistic encounters with false killer whales in Drake Bay and Caño Island (2001-2015) and observations during formal surveys in Golfo Dulce (2005-2015). Photo-identification data was analyzed using capture-mark-recapture models in the study area, through an open population (POPAN) framework, considering the effect of time on the parameters apparent survival and capture probability, producing an abundance estimate for a superpopulation in the entire study area. Results: False killer whale abundance in OPW is characterized by a small population size of no more than 100 individuals, complemented by a very low probability of encounter and a contrasting high apparent survival. Conclusions: This population estimate should be taken as conservative, however, the small population size of less than 100 individuals should be considered vulnerable, in contrast to the increasing anthropogenic impacts in the coastal seascape. We argue the potential occurrence of population units along the coastal seascape of the Pacific littoral and oceanic island-associated units at Isla del Coco.

Glaux maritima L. (Primulaceae), a new plant species in SE Europe

A small population of the circumholoarctic species Glaux maritima L. (Primulaceae) was discovered in the Mediterranean part of Croatia, on the bank of the River Zrmanja. This is the first record of G. maritima in SE Europe, and the third record in the Mediterranean, apart from in Spain and the Asian part of Turkey. It was found on the open riverbank within sub-halophytic vegetation, forming a small population of several dozen erect stems, most probably clonally propagated. The site is characterized by a periodic intrusion of seawater. We propose to classify this species as critically endangered (CR) on a national level due to the small population size and the fragile habitat, which requires active protection and conservation.