Computational study of Richness and Diversity Indices of fish species in rivers and other wetland areas and fish marketplaces under Kurigram District, Banglades

The present study revealed that a total of 101 indigenous species of large fish (28 species) and Small Indigenous fish (73 species) belonging to 63 genera and 31 families were observed and identified while 17 exotic fish species were found under 5 families. Among the indigenous species, the highest number of species were found in family Cyprinidae and Bagridae with a relative diversity of 28.28% and 11.11%. In case of group species richness, highest number 27 fish species were found in catfish group followed by 12 species of carp, 8 species of each barbs and minnows, 6 species of eel fish, 8 species of loaches, 4 species of each prawn, snake-headed or airbreathing fish and glass perches, 3 species of each climbing perches and clupeid, 2 species of each goby fish, knifefish and puffer fish, and rest of the group true perch, leaf fish, halfbeak fish, Needlefish, mullet fish, anchovies and killifish has one species. Of the total species, 47 species were considered as least concerned, 10 species as vulnerable, 11 species as endangered, 11 species as critically endangered, 14 species as nearly threatened and 8 species as data deficient. Considering the seasonal variation for all selected areas simultaneously, Shannon-Weaver diversity (H) index were found ranged from 3.53 (May) to 4.37 (January) where the highest Shannon -Weaver diversity index value 4.37 were found in winter season while 3.01 in Phulkumar, 3.73 in Dudhkumar, 3.87 in Dharla, 3.67 in Tista and 3.79 in Brahmaputra were recorded separately.

Aspidistra sonlaensis (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae), a new species from northern Vietnam

A new species of Aspidistra, A. sonlaensis, is described and illustrated from Son La Province in northern Vietnam. The new species is morphologically close to A. micrantha, but differs in number of perigone lobes, anther position and pistil shape. The new species is accessed as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN categories and criteria.

Incarvillea uniflora (Bignoniaceae), a new species from Hengduan Mountains, southwest China

The Hengduan Mountains, as one important biodiversity hotspots in the world, is notable for its high habitat heterogeneity and extreme plant diversity which including many endemics species. Incarvillea uniflora, a new species is described from Hengduan Mountains. The new species is similar to I. himalayensis in having red corolla, stemless, solitary flower, capsule 4-angled and winged seeds, but differs by the characters of stable simple leaves, long triangular calyx lobes and solitary or clustered flowers. It is considered to be Data Deficient (DD) due to the lack of further field investigation.

Ardisia kalimbahin (Primulaceae, Myrsinoideae), a new species from the Philippines

Ardisia kalimbahin is herein described and illustrated as a new species. It is the latest addition to the richness of Ardisia in the Philippines. It closely resembles A. romanii Elmer but is distinct in having shorter petiole, shorter elliptic leaves, racemose inflorescence, longer and sparsely puberulent pedicels, magenta corolla lobes, basifixed anthers, shorter filaments, and a beaked stigma. Based on current collection and available herbarium specimens, Ardisia kalimbahin is distributed in the islands of Palawan (Aborlan), Mindoro, and Luzon (Carranglan). Available data is not enough to assess its conservation status; hence, it is proposed as data deficient (DD).

Conservation status revision and communities’ perceptions of 22 Aloe species in Tanzania

Background and aims – Many Aloe species are globally threatened due to overharvesting for trade and habitat destruction. CITES regulates their international trade. In Tanzania, 50% of all existing Aloe species had previously been assessed, though some of these assessments were Data Deficient. For those with sufficient data, an update is required as the rate of decline has rapidly increased over the last years. Material and methods – We estimated Area of Occupancy (AOO), Extent of Occurrence (EOO), and number of locations for 22 Tanzanian Aloe species using the Geospatial Conservation Assessment software (GeoCAT). We assessed the reasons leading to their decline based on direct field observations and community perceptions. Key results – We revised the conservation status of 22 Aloe species; two were assessed as Critically Endangered, ten as Endangered, five as Vulnerable, and five as Least Concern. We re-discovered the Critically Endangered Aloe boscawenii, which had not been seen in Tanzania for more than six decades. We propose to downgrade the endemic Aloe dorotheae, Aloe leptosiphon, and Aloe flexilifolia from Critically Endangered to a lower threat level. The community perception on Aloe species availability did not accurately reflect their categorisation based on the IUCN criteria B. We identified agricultural activities and climate change effects as the two main threats to Tanzanian Aloe species.Conclusion – We conclude that overall numbers are declining for 22 Aloe species in Tanzania, mainly due to human activities. We recommend the implementation of laws and policies to protect their natural habitats.

Evaluating firefly extinction risk: Initial red list assessments for North America

Fireflies are a family of charismatic beetles known for their bioluminescent signals. Recent anecdotal reports suggest that firefly populations in North America may be in decline. However, prior to this work, no studies have undertaken a systematic compilation of geographic distribution, habitat specificity, and threats facing North American fireflies. To better understand their extinction risks, we conducted baseline assessments according to the categories and criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List for 132 species from the United States and Canada (approximately 79% of described species in the region). We found at least 18 species (14%) are threatened with extinction (e.g. categorized as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable) due to various pressures, including habitat loss, light pollution, and climate change (sea level rise and drought). In addition, more than half of the species (53%) could not be evaluated against the assessment criteria due to insufficient data, highlighting the need for further study. Future research and conservation efforts should prioritize monitoring and protecting populations of at-risk species, preserving and restoring habitat, gathering data on population trends, and filling critical information gaps for data deficient species suspected to be at risk.

Carex maolanensis (Cyperaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China

Carex maolanensis, a new species of Cyperaceae is described and illustrated from Guizhou, China. The new species belongs to sect. Decorae, and it is similar to C. jizhuangensis, but differs in having short rhizome, 3–7 spikes per node, terminal spikes androgynous, female glumes awned. The morphology of perigynium and achene of C. maolanensis and C. jizhuangensis is compared. According to the IUCN Red List criteria, it may be turned out to Endangered (EN) or Vulnerable (VU), however, for the present, it is better to be classified as Data Deficient (DD) because the field survey for the species is necessary. A revised identification key to the species of sect. Decorae from China is provided.

Overfishing and Climate Change Elevate Extinction Risk of Endemic Sharks and Rays in the Southwest Indian Ocean Hotspot

The southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) is a hotspot of endemic and evolutionarily distinct sharks and rays. We summarise the extinction risk of the sharks and rays endemic to coastal, shelf, and slope waters of the SWIO (Namibia to Kenya, including SWIO islands). Thirteen of 70 species (19%) are threatened: one is Critically Endangered, five are Endangered, and seven are Vulnerable. A further seven (10%) are Near Threatened, 33 (47.1%) are Least Concern, and 17 (24.2%) are Data Deficient. While the primary threat is overfishing, there are the first signs that climate change is contributing to elevated extinction risk through habitat reduction and inshore distributional shifts. By backcasting their status, few species were threatened in 1980, but this changed soon after the emergence of targeted shark and ray fisheries. South Africa has the highest national conservation responsibility, followed by Mozambique and Madagascar. Yet, while fisheries management and enforcement have improved in South Africa over recent decades, drastic improvements are urgently needed elsewhere. To avoid extinction and ensure robust populations and future food security, there is an urgent need for the strict protection of Critically Endangered and Endangered species and sustainable management of all species, underpinned by species-level data collection and bycatch reduction.