Critically Endangered

Acid-fast bacilli were detected with Ziehl-Neelsen stains of tissue impression smears. Mycobacterium avium was identified by PCR amplification and restriction enzyme polymorphisms in the heat-shock protein gene 30 . Uric acid levels were measured in heparinized plasma with a colorimetric assay for the production of hydrogen peroxide by uricase.

Summary Habitat alteration and climate change are important threats to terrestrial biodiversity in the tropics. Endorsing flagship or umbrella species can help conserve sympatric biodiversity, restore degraded ecosystems and achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) is a rare and endemic Ethiopian canid. It is Africa’s most endangered canid species and is restricted to several isolated patches of Afroalpine habitats. While its behavioural ecology and conservation biology have been well studied, studies of the Ethiopian wolf’s significance for the conservation of its habitat and sympatric species are lacking. Here we use geographical range overlap and geospatial modelling to evaluate the importance of the Ethiopian wolf as a flagship and/or umbrella species. We assess whether conservation interventions targeting the Ethiopian wolf could help to restore and protect Afroalpine habitat and conserve sympatric species whilst simult...

Populations of Critically Endangered White-rumped Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed G. tenuirostris Vultures in Nepal declined rapidly during the 2000s, almost certainly because of the effects of the use in livestock of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, which is nephrotoxic to Gyps vultures. In 2006, veterinary use of diclofenac was banned in Nepal and this was followed by the gradual implementation, over most of the geographical range of the two vulture species in Nepal, of a Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ) programme to advocate vulture conservation, raise awareness about diclofenac, provide vultures with NSAID-free food and encourage the veterinary use in livestock of a vulture-safe alternative NSAID (meloxicam). We report the results of long-term monitoring of vulture populations in Nepal before and after this programme was implemented, by means of road transects. Piecewise regression analysis of the count data indicated that a rapid decline of the White-rumped Vulture population from 2002 up to about 2013 gave way to a partial recovery between about 2013 and 2018. More limited data for the Slender-billed Vulture indicated that a rapid decline also gave way to partial recovery from about 2012 onwards. The rates at which populations were increasing in the 2010s exceeded the upper end of the range of increase rates expected in a closed population under optimal conditions. The possibility that immigration from India is contributing to the changes cannot be excluded. We present evidence from open and undercover pharmacy surveys that the VSZ programme had apparently become effective in reducing the availability of diclofenac in a large part of the range of these species in Nepal by about 2011. Hence, community-based advocacy and awarenessraising actions, and possibly also provisioning of safe food, may have made an important contribution to vulture conservation by augmenting the effects of changes in the regulation of toxic veterinary drugs.

Ecological network approaches may contribute to conservation practices by quantifying within-community importance of species. In mutualistic plant-pollinator systems, such networks reflect potential pollination of the plants and a considerable portion of the energy consumption by the pollinators, two key components for each party. Here, we used two different sampling approaches to describe mutualistic plant-hummingbird networks from a cloud forest in the Colombian Western Andes, home to the Colorful Puffleg Eriocnemis mirabilis, an endemic and critically endangered hummingbird. We contrast networks between two localities (a protected area inside a National park vs. its buffer zone) and across sampling methods (floral visitation vs. pollen loads) to assess how the network structure and the importance of each hummingbird species within the networks may change. Visitation networks were characterized as having higher sampling completeness, yet pollen load network recorded more pollen types than plant species recorded by visitation. Irrespective of the sampling methods, the Colorful Puffleg was one of the most important hummingbird species in the network within the protected area inside the National park, but not in the buffer zone. Moreover, most species-level network indices were related to hummingbirds' abundance. This suggests that conservation initiatives aimed at the endangered Colorful Puffleg may both help on the survival of this endangered hummingbird, as well as on maintaining its key role in the mutualistic interaction network inside the National Park. Our study illustrates how conservation practitioners could assess the local importance of endangered species using interaction network approaches.

We describe a new species of Hemidactylus based on an integrative taxonomic framework from scrub habitats at the southern tip of India, in Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu. The new species has the most densely packed tubercles among Indian Hemidactylus, almost resembling the most tuberculate Indian Cyrtopodion. Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov. is phylogenetically placed within the brookii group of Indian Hemidactylus, where it is sister to the H. gleadowi complex from western-central India. The new species is 14.5-23.7% divergent in ND2 mitochondrial sequence data from other brookii group members, and can be easily diagnosed from regional congeners by its unique dorsal scalation, the number and arrangement of precloacal-femoral pores, the number of dorsal tubercle rows at midbody, number of lamellae under digit I and IV of manus and pes. The new species is currently known only from two isolated, low quartzite hillocks 45 km apart with scrubby, thorn forests and loose, stony soil.

Bird-habitat relationships were evaluated at Maidi Lake, Nepal, one of nine lakes in the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley Ramsar Site. Eleven distinct habitats were identified within the lake and its immediate surroundings, and the frequency of use of each habitat by different bird species was recorded across all four seasons during repeated surveys along a fixed route that facilitated views of the entire lake area. All surveys were conducted during the morning peak of bird activity. Forty species of birds used at least one wetland habitat, with the highest seasonal species richness in winter and spring. Every habitat was used by multiple species in each season. This appears to be the first study in Nepal to examine bird-habitat relationships at such a fine scale in a wetland ecosystem. The results show the critical link between bird conservation and habitat protection, helping to focus conservation planning and achieve the goals of the Ramsar management plan.

In today’s environmental crisis, conservationists are increasingly confronted with terminally endangered species whose last few surviving populations may be affected by allelic introgression from closely related species. Yet there is a worrying lack of evidence-based recommendations and solutions for this emerging problem. We analyzed genome-wide DNA markers and plumage variability in a critically endangered insular songbird, the Black-winged Myna (BWM, Acridotheres melanopterus). This species is highly threatened by the illegal wildlife trade, with its wild population numbering in the low hundreds, and its continued survival urgently depending on ex-situ breeding. Its three subspecies occur along a geographic gradient of melanism and are variably interpreted as three species. However, our integrative approach revealed that melanism poorly reflects the pattern of limited genomic differentiation across BWM subspecies. We also uncovered allelic introgression into the most melanistic s...

Our paper discusses a new location discovered for Geastrum lageniforme in Poland, in Las Natoliński Nature Reserve. It provides characteristics of discovered fruitbodies and a description of the habitat in which they were encountered. The location described in the paper is currently the only one of Geastrum lageniforme known in Poland. The species is presently considered to be critically endangered with extinction.

Camera traps are standard tools for assessing populations of medium–large terrestrial mammals, particularly for rare, elusive or cryptic species, yet few researchers have attempted to employ camera traps to document rare primates in arboreal settings. We examined different arboreal camera-trap techniques to document the Critically Endangered greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus in Madagascar. We documented P. simus at two sites, confirming presence at one site. Most species, including 86% of all lemur occurrences, were documented in low light conditions (c. < 105 lux). Our study suggests that camera traps can be effective in validating unconfirmed sightings of rare or secretive primate species. We recommend that future work with cameras in arboreal settings considers seasonal activity patterns, targets sites with high food densities, uses local knowledge, and utilizes available techniques (e.g. traditional trapping techniques) and landscape topography to concentrate animal movemen...

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

The exceptional biodiversity of Reunion Island is threatened by anthropogenic landscape changes that took place during the 350 years of human colonization. During this period the human population size increased dramatically from 250 to 800,000. The arrival of humans together with the development of agriculture, invasive species such as rats and cats, and deforestation has lead to the extinction of more than half of the original vertebrate species of the island. For the remaining species, significant work is being carried out to identify threats and conservation status, but little genetic work has been carried on some of the most endangered species. In the last decade theoretical studies have shown the ability of neutral genetic markers to infer the demographic history of endangered species and identify and date past population size changes (expansions or bottlenecks). In this study we provide the first genetic data on the critically endangered species the Reunion cuckoo-shrike Coracina newtoni. The Reunion cuckoo-shrike is a rare endemic forest bird surviving in a restricted 12-km 2 area of forested uplands and mountains. The total known population consists of less than one hundred individuals out of which 45 were genotyped using seventeen polymorphic microsatellite loci. We found a limited level of genetic variability and weak population structure, probably due to the limited geographic distribution. Using Bayesian methods, we identified a strong decline in population size during the Holocene, most likely caused by an ancient climatic or volcanic event around 5000 years ago. This result was surprising as it appeared in apparent contradiction with the accepted theory of recent population collapse due to deforestation and predator introduction. These results suggest that new methods allowing for more complex demographic models are necessary to reconstruct the demographic history of populations.

Genetic data are increasingly recognized for their utility in conservation programs. However, many endangered species belong to families that have been understudied. Due to the urgency of their conservation status it is important to quickly identify polymorphic microsatellite loci from available resources. We show for the Re ´union Cuckoo shrike Coracina newtoni, that this strategy can be very useful. Using 110 passerine microsatellite primer sets we identified eighteen polymorphic loci and tested them in 25 C. newtoni individuals. Following a Bonferroni correction one pair of loci displayed linkage disequilibrium (P-value \ 0.0001).

The population of the Critically Endangered Mariana crowCorvus kubaryion the island of Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, has decreased dramatically in recent years. It is unclear to what extent negative practices by people, such as inappropriate land use or persecution of crows, have contributed to this decline. We conducted a public opinion survey to document ongoing practices towards the crows on Rota, to assess residents’ knowledge of and attitudes towards the birds, and to gauge potential responses to a government-instituted land incentive programme. Enumerators administered surveys in person during August 2011. Most of the 573 respondents were native Chamorro residents (75%) and more than half were landowners (62%). A majority of respondents (72%) considered environmental issues ‘very important’ and 76% knew of the Mariana crow's Critically Endangered status. Fewer respondents (55%) expressed concern about the bird going extinct. A number of respondents c...

SummaryThe Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi is a Critically Endangered species found only on the island of Rota, Northern Mariana Islands. It was extirpated from the neighbouring island of Guam by the introduced brown tree snake Boiga irregularis and the Rota population has been in decline since at least 1995. We identified only 60 pairs present on Rota in 2007 compared with an estimated 117 pairs in 1998, a decline of nearly 50% in nine years. The decline may be linked to proximity to human activities, though more data are needed. We monitored 204 crow nests between the 1996 and 2009 breeding seasons. Crows initiate clutches between August and April. The overall estimate of nest success was 25.7% (n = 204). On average 49% of pairs produced at least one fledgling per season. The mean number of fledglings per pair per year is 0.66. Mean clutch size was 2.6 (n = 82), mean number of nestlings was 1.4 (n = 106), and mean number of fledglings per nest was 1.3 (n = 68). Daily survival rates de...

SummaryThe Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi is a species of forest crow originally found only on the adjacent islands of Guam and Rota in the Mariana Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. Rapid and continuing declines led to it being listed by IUCN as "Critically Endangered" in 2008. Using 97 birds marked and resighted over the course of a 21 year period, we showed there was a rapid decline in first-year (fledgling to one year old) survival from 0.7 to 0.4 between 1990 and 2010, representing a doubling in mortality, and a smaller reduction in adult survival from 0.86 to 0.82 over the same period. A population model based on Leslie matrices incorporated the effects of catastrophic events, such as typhoons and human nest removal for captive breeding. All simulations predicted a precipitous decline in future populations and the inclusion of nest removals only shortened the life of the wild population by a few years. Identifying the underlying processes behind the decline in surviv...

SummaryThe Rota White-eye, Zosterops rotensis, is a critically endangered species endemic to the island of Rota, in the Mariana Islands, western Micronesia. There has been a dramatic decline in both its population size and range over the past few decades. The population, estimated at approximately 1,000 individuals in 1999, is found exclusively in 300 ha of mature limestone forest, though nearby areas of mature limestone forest remain unoccupied. We compared the bird community, vegetation characteristics and foliage-invertebrate density in forest plot pairs with known high and low densities of Rota White-eyes. Discriminant function analysis suggested that certain vegetation characteristics were best at predicting whether a plot was high-density or low-density. High-density plots had more stems with 20–50 cm DBH, more foliage intercepts at 3–9 m, more epiphytes, greater total canopy cover and fewer overall plant species. This information is essential for the protection of the current...

Sonerila charmadiensis is an acaulescent, corm producing, new species described here from Karnataka that has distinguishing characteristics from other members of the genus Sonerila worldwide. Sonerila charmadiensis differs in several characteristics, as compared with S. gadgiliana and S. wallichii two morphohlogically similar species, including having a corm, leaf structures and inflorescence characters. We herein describe this new species Sonerila charmadiensis from Karnataka, India.

The present study provides a comprehensive data regarding the species composition and diversity of vascular plants found in the Char Kukri-Mukri mangrove ecosystem of Bhola district, Bangladesh. It reveals the occurrence of 383 species belonging to 264 genera under 85 families of vascular plants, of which 48 species are mangroves and mangrove associates, and the rest of the 335 species are nonmangroves. The major plant groups, viz., pteridophytes are represented by 11 species under 10 genera and six families; gymnosperms by two species under two genera and two families; magnoliopsida (dicotyledonous) by 278 species belonging to 194 genera and 60 families; and liliopsida by the rest of the 92 species under 59 genera and 17 families. Fabaceae is the largest dicot family with 43 species, and Poaceae with 30 species is recorded as the largest monocot family. Among the life-form categories, 198 (51.7%) species are recorded as herbs, followed by 98 (25.59%), 45 (11.75%), and 42 (10.97%) species those are recognized as trees, shrubs, and climbers, respectively. Seasonal variation in the average value of different diversity indices, including Simpson's, Shannon-Weiner, Margalef's, and McIntosh's diversity indices, representing the range from 0.59 to 0.81, 1.42 to 2.11, 1.67 to 2.39, and 0.38 to 0.61, respectively. The highest diversity indices values were always observed during monsoon season. Based on floristic status, the mangrove ecosystem of Char Kukri-Mukri Island seems to be of moderate quality. Nevertheless, in addition to the effects of climatic stressors, various human activities pose threats that increase the vulnerability of the study area. In this circumstance, the present study strongly recommends minimizing or stopping threat-causing activities, implementing effective conservation measures, and establishing regular monitoring to ensure future sustainability in the study area.

The hairy marron, Cherax tenuimanus Smith, 1912, is a freshwater crayfish endemic to the Margaret River catchment in the south-west of Western Australia (Southwestern Province). Once abundant throughout its native range, C. tenuimanus is being rapidly replaced by the more widespread smooth marron, Cherax cainii Austin, 2002; to the extent that C. tenuimanus is now critically endangered. To enable policy makers to formulate a suitable recovery plan, there are key questions that need to be answered surrounding the biology and ecology of both species, particularly where the range extension of C. cainii has resulted in the two species existing in sympatry. The paucity of knowledge is further confounded by considerable historical confusion surrounding their morphological differentiation, nomenclature, and indeed their taxonomic classification as separate species. As a prelude to management planning, we provide a review of C. tenuimanus taxonomy, drawing particular attention to areas of confusion and disagreement in published literature. This review also highlights gaps in our understanding of the mechanism behind the decline of hairy marron and provides direction for future research and actions required to enhance the conservation of this critically endangered species.

Hybridization and genetic introgression following the introduction of exotic species can pose a significant threat to the survival of geographically restricted species. A remnant population of the critically endangered freshwater crayfish Cherax tenuimanus in the upper reaches of the Margaret River in southwestern Australia is under threat following the introduction and spread of its congener Cherax cainii. Here, we examine the extent of hybridization and introgression between the two species using twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci. Our study reveals there are three times more C. cainii than C. tenuimanus at our study site in the upper reaches of the Margaret River. There is also evidence of hybridization and introgression between C. tenuimanus and C. cainii at this site, with F1, F2 and backcrossed individuals identified. While interbreeding was confirmed in this study, our simulations suggest that the levels of introgression are much lower than would be expected under random ...

SummaryTwo new species are described from the proposed Mulanje-Namuli-Ribáuè Centre of Endemism. Isoglossa perdita I.Darbysh. (Acanthaceae) is apparently restricted to the submontane forests of southeastern Mt Mulanje in Malawi, and is assessed as Critically Endangered. Agelanthus patelii Polhill & Timberlake (Loranthaceae) is recorded from the montane forests of Mt Mulanje and from Mt Namuli in Mozambique, and the earlier assessment of this species as Endangered is confirmed. The habitat preferences and taxonomic affinities of these species are discussed. This work contributes to the ongoing assessment of the biodiversity and endemism of this montane region, and to the identification of Important Plant Areas in Mozambique.

The establishment of baseline IUCN Red List assessments for plants is a crucial step in conservation planning. Nowhere is this more important than in biodiversity hotspots that are subject to significant anthropogenic pressures, such as Madagascar. Here, all Madagascar palm species are assessed using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, version 3.1. Our results indicate that 83% of the 192 endemic species are threatened, nearly four times the proportion estimated for plants globally and exceeding estimates for all other comprehensively evaluated plant groups in Madagascar. Compared with a previous assessment in 1995, the number of Endangered and Critically Endangered species has substantially increased, due to the discovery of 28 new species since 1995, most of which are highly threatened. The conservation status of most species included in both the 1995 and the current assessments has not changed. Where change occurred, more species have moved to lower threat categories than to higher categories, because of improved knowledge of species and their distributions, rather than a decrease in extinction risk. However, some cases of genuine deterioration in conservation status were also identified. Palms in Madagascar are primarily threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture and biological resource use through direct exploitation or collateral damage. The recent extension of Madagascar's protected area network is highly beneficial for palms, substantially increasing the number of threatened species populations included within reserves. Notably, three of the eight most important protected areas for palms are newly designated. However, 28 threatened and data deficient species are not protected by the expanded network, including some Critically Endangered species. Moreover, many species occurring in protected areas are still threatened, indicating that threatening processes persist even in reserves. Definitive implementation of the new protected areas combined with local community engagement are essential for the survival of Madagascar's palms.

Madagascar is home to 208 indigenous palm species, almost all of them endemic and >80% of which are endangered. We undertook complete population census and sampling for genetic analysis of a relatively recently discovered giant fan palm, the Critically Endangered Tahina spectablis in 2008 and 2016. Our 2016 study included newly discovered populations and added to our genetic study. We incorporated these new populations into species distribution niche model (SDM) and projected these onto maps of the region. We developed population matrix models based on observed demographic data to model population change and predict the species vulnerability to extinction by undertaking population viability analysis (PVA). We investigated the potential conservation value of reintroduced planted populations within the species potential suitable habitat. We found that the population studied in 2008 had grown in size due to seedling regeneration but had declined in the number of reproductively matur...

Madagascar has a highly distinctive flora and is one of the world biodiversity hot spots. There are more than 170 species of palms, the majority of which are vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered endemics. Palms are utilized for many human uses, many of which lead to plant death or seed harvesting. Combined with reduced populations resulting from extensive forest clearing, those species which are harvested from the wild are under additional threat of extinction. Species recovery programmes have the potential to save some of the most iconic species before it is too late. This study documented the current known populations of the critically endangered palm Beccariophoenix madagascariensis, a species utilized for both local and international purposes. The study specifically investigated the genetic diversity and inbreeding within populations and the potential differentiation between populations and with the newly described species B. alfredii. We found that despite critically small population sizes there was considerable genetic diversity within populations. We also found that ecologically and or geographically distinct populations were genetically distinct. Populations within 3 km of each other exhibited considerable gene flow, probably owing to seed dispersal. The populations were inbred but reproductive viability had been maintained. Conservation and recovery options are discussed.

SummaryThree species of resident Gyps vulture are threatened with extinction in South Asia due to the contamination of domestic ungulate carcasses with the drug diclofenac. Observed rates of population decrease are among the highest recorded for any bird species, leading to total declines in excess of 99.9% for the Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis in India between 1992 and 2007. Vultures have declined in Nepal, but quantitative information on the rate and scale of decreases is unavailable. Road transect surveys for vultures, following the same route, methodology and timing, were undertaken in lowland areas of Nepal for seven years from 2002 to 2011. The seven survey transects followed Nepal’s East-West highway and covered 1,010 km in three years of the survey, and 638 km in the remaining four years. Slender-billed Vultures G. tenuirostris were very scarce, with a maximum of five individuals in 2002 and none recorded in 2010 and 2011. Oriental White-backed Vultures were...

SummaryThe Upper Mustang region of Nepal holds important breeding populations of Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis. Despite this species being considered ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List, the population in Upper Mustang had declined substantially in the early to mid-2000s. During that period, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac was commonly used to treat illness and injury in domesticated ungulates throughout Nepal. The timing and magnitude of declines in Himalayan Griffon in Upper Mustang resemble the declines in resident populations of the ‘Critically Endangered’ White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris in Nepal, both of which are also known to be highly sensitive to diclofenac. Since 2006, the veterinary use of diclofenac has been banned in Nepal to prevent further vulture declines. In this paper, we analyse the population trend in Himalayan Griffon in Upper Mustang between 2002 and 2014 and show a partial recovery. ...

The Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) is a genetically distinct subspecies that historically occurred throughout mainland Southeast Asia, but might have experienced recent declines in numbers and distribution. This study aimed to determine the current distribution of the Indochinese leopard, and estimate its population size, by reviewing data from camera trap and other wildlife surveys conducted during the past 20 years. Our results showed the Indochinese leopard likely now occurs only in 6.2% of its historical range, with only 2.4% of its distribution in areas of confirmed leopard presence. The leopard is extirpated in Singapore, likely extirpated in Laos and Vietnam, nearly extirpated in Cambodia and China, and has greatly reduced distributions in Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. There are plausibly only two major strongholds remaining, which we consider priority sites: Peninsular Malaysia, and the Northern Tenasserim Forest Complex. We also identified a small isolated population in eastern Cambodia as a third priority site, because of its uniqueness and high conservation value. We estimate a total remaining population of 973-2503 individuals, with only 409-1051 breeding adults. Increased poaching for the illegal wildlife trade likely is the main factor causing the decline of the Indochinese leopard. Other potential contributing factors include prey declines, habitat destruction, and possibly disease. We recommend a separate IUCN assessment for the Indochinese leopard, and that this subspecies be classified as Endangered. Our findings provide important information that can help guide where conservation actions would be most effective in preventing the extinction of this subspecies.

The mahseer fishes (Tor spp.) represent an iconic genus of large-bodied species of the Cyprinidae family. Across the 16 recognised species in the genus, individual fish can attain weights over 50 kg, resulting in some species being considered as premier sport fishes. Tor species also generally have high religious and cultural significance throughout South and Southeast Asia. Despite their economic and cultural importance, the status of Tor fishes has been increasingly imperilled through their riverine habitats being impacted by anthropogenic activities, such as hydropower dam construction and exploitation. Moreover, conservation efforts have been constrained by knowledge on the genus being heavily skewed

Dendrobium aqueum is a tropical orchid species collected from the Wild Planet Bana Heights Resort in Wayanad, Kerala, India, where it naturally grows at approximately 500 to 1,500 meters above sea level. Known for its slender, cylindrical stems and lanceolate leaves, this species is identifiable by its small, white to pale yellow flowers, often adorned with purple spots on the lip. As a member of the Orchidaceae family, this species is a valuable representative of the unique biodiversity of tropical Asia, with its distribution spanning regions from India to Southeast Asia. The species thrives in warm, humid environments with bright, indirect light, often inhabiting tropical forests. Unfortunately, Dendrobium aqueum faces significant threats from habitat loss and over-collection for the ornamental plant trade, resulting in its classification as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. The conservation of this species, therefore, is critical, necessitating habitat protection and potentially sustainable cultivation practices. Notably, Dendrobium aqueum exhibits promising medicinal properties due to its unique phytochemical profile, including alkaloids such as dendrobine and dendramine, as well as glycosides like dendroside and aqueoside. Studies suggest these compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, highlighting potential applications in pharmaceutical research. Research opportunities for D. aqueum span several fields: phytochemical analysis to explore its medicinal value, conservation efforts to protect its native habitats, and ecological studies to understand pollinator interactions. Further investigations into plant breeding and hybridization may also provide insight into the potential for cultivation under controlled conditions. This comprehensive profile aims to emphasize the conservation importance of D. aqueum and encourage future research focused on preserving this ecologically and pharmacologically valuable orchid species.

Background: Magnolia alejandrae is a critically endangered species and endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental in northeastern Mexico. The abiotic requirements for its germination, such as light and temperature, are unknown. Hypotheses: White light and temperature fluctuations will promote the germination of M . alejandrae and seeds from site with higher humidity will have increased germination percentage. Study species: Magnolia alejandrae . Study sites and dates: El Farallón in the Jaumave municipality and Los San Pedros in the Güémez municipality, Tamaulipas, Mexico. May-June 2019. Methods: Four light-quality treatments (white, red, far-red and darkness) were evaluated, along with two temperature treatments: constant (18/18 ºC) and fluctuating temperatures (8/18 ºC) and two populations (El Farallón and Los San Pedros) on the germination of M . alejandrae . We used twenty seeds of the study species per experimental unit with five repetitions for each treatment. Results: Light quality...

A new species of Magnolia subsect. Talauma (“jomcoj”), Magnolia ottoi, is described and illustrated. The conservation status of this new species is proposed as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. An identification key and a map with the distribution of the new species and other species of Magnolia subsect. Talauma from Guatemala and neighboring areas (Honduras and Chiapas, México) is also presented. Our field research also unveiled the Mayan Q’eqchi’ ancestral taxonomic knowledge which differentiates magnolias of two different subsections, Magnolia and Talauma, based on wood quality and properties. They consistently distinguished them as “coj” and “jomcoj” respectively.

A checklist of the Orchidaceae of Timor is presented, with emphasis on the eastern half of the island (East Timor), based on historical herbarium collections and recent botanical explorations. This list comprises 38 genera with 66 species, including 15 new genera and 32 new species records for this island. Moreover, four new species are described: Bulbophyllum sundaicum, Habenaria ankylocentron, Habenaria cauda-porcelli, and Pterostylis timorensis. Of these, we consider the finding of a new species of Pterostylis to be especially noteworthy, because this species seems to be more closely related to certain Australian members of the genus than to the Malesian ones, suggesting earlier contacts of Timor with Australia. Four new synonyms are proposed: Calanthe veratrifolia var. timorensis J.J.Sm. (C. triplicata), Habenaria cornuta Span. (H. giriensis), H. grandis Benth. ex Ridl. (Peristylus goodyeroides), and H. mutica Span. (H. elongata). The best represented genus is Habenaria, with 13 species, followed by Dendrobium with four, and Bulbophyllum with three. Because of insufficient or sterile material, it was not possible to identify, or describe as new, 20 different taxa. The conservation status of the ten endemic species, plus six possible new undescribed species and two non-endemic, but threatened, species, was assessed using the World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria, and categories of threat were proposed. Seven endemic species are considered to be Critically Endangered and two Endangered. One of the nonendemic species is considered to be Critically Endangered, and the other Endangered. The survival of some of these species might be less insecure if an effective application of Regulation project N.2000/19 on protected areas (UNTAET/REG/ 2000/19) was implemented and maintained, because most of these species were collected in areas considered for protection under this Regulation. Further studies are required, however, in order to complete our knowledge of the diversity and population dynamics of this interesting part of Timor's biodiversity.

The main objectives of the Nepal National Mammal Red Data Book (RDB) were to provide comprehensive and up-to-date accounts of 212 mammal species recorded in Nepal, assess their status applying the IUCN Guidelines at Regional Levels, identify threats and recommend the most practical measures for their conservation.  It is hoped that the Mammal RDB will help Nepal achieve the Convention on Biological Diversity target of preventing the extinction of known threatened species and improving their conservation status.  Of the 212 mammal species assessed, 49 species (23%) were listed as nationally threatened.  These comprise nine (18%) Critically Endangered species, 26 (53%) Endangered species and 14 (29%) Vulnerable species.  One species was considered regionally Extinct.  A total of seven species (3%) were considered Near Threatened and 83 species (39%) were Data Deficient.  Over sixty percent of Nepal’s ungulates are threatened and almost half of Nepal’s carnivores face extinction (45% t...

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 ...

An updated checklist of mammalian richness is an important tool for biodiversity conservation and management of protected areas. In this study, we present the updated checklist of wild mammals of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (SNNP) in the central mid-hill of Nepal based on direct observation, field reports, key informant interviews, and a literature review. A total of 65 species of mammals belonging to eight orders and 22 families were known to occur in the park. Order Rodentia (n=21, 32.30%) and family Muridae (n=14, 21.53%) have the highest record of the number of species. Out of 65 mammal species, 53 species (81.53%) were confirmed for their occurrence either by direct observation and camera trap. Only 12 species were listed based on literature review and personal communication. In SNNP, 1.53% of mammalian species are listed as critically endangered species 9.23% are under vulnerable; 6.15% of the species are listed as endangered in the National Red List. The confirmation for...

The Grauer's gorilla is one of two subspecies of the Eastern gorilla. The whole population of Grauer's gorilla lives in the forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Central Africa. In 1996 a civil war started in the DRC, which killed 5 million people. We wanted to find out what effect the civil war had on the population of Grauer's gorillas. We carried out field surveys and used data from local communities and park rangers and found that the global population had decreased by 77% since 1994. There are now only 3,800 individuals left. This makes this ape Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and now makes both gorilla species (Eastern and Western) and all four subspecies Critically Endangered. This is the highest category of threat before extinction.

The critically endangered Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) has experienced an estimated 77% population decline within a single generation. Although crucial for informed conservation decisions, there is no clear understanding about population structure and distribution of genetic diversity across the species' highly fragmented range. We fill this gap by studying several core and peripheral Grauer's gorilla populations throughout their distribution range. We generated genetic profiles for a sampling of an unstudied population of Grauer's gorillas from within the species' core range at 13 autosomal microsatellite loci and combined them with previously published and newly generated data from four other Grauer's gorilla populations, two mountain gorilla populations, and one western lowland gorilla population. In agreement with previous studies, the genetic diversity of Grauer's gorillas is intermediate, falling between western lowland and mountain g...

Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), the World's largest primate, is confined to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is threatened by civil war and insecurity. During the war, armed groups in mining camps relied on hunting bushmeat, including gorillas. Insecurity and the presence of several militia groups across Grauer's gorilla's range made it very difficult to assess their population size. Here we use a novel method that enables rigorous assessment of local community and ranger-collected data on gorilla occupancy to evaluate the impacts of civil war on Grauer's gorilla, which prior to the war was estimated to number 16,900 individuals. We show that gorilla numbers in their stronghold of Kahuzi-Biega National Park have declined by 87%. Encounter rate data of gorilla nests at 10 sites across its range indicate declines of 82-100% at six of these sites. Spatial occupancy analysis identifies three key areas as the most critical sites for the rema...

A. absinthium is known as wormwood, is highly medicinal plant and almost mentioned in all the books of herbal medicine. Wormwood belongs to family Asteraceae which is the largest family of angiosperms. A. absinthium belongs to Kingdom Plantae, Division Magnoliophyta, Class Magnoliopsida, Order Asterales, Family Asteraceae and Genus Artemisia.

Anguilla anguilla, the European eel, is an important species for aquaculture and fisheries. Its population has dropped dramatically in recent decades, reaching an all-time low. As a result, it has been listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species since 2007. Therefore, constant population monitoring is essential to ensure the survival of this iconic species. Glass eel recruitment is declining worldwide, including the populations in the Mediterranean region. Despite the negative impact of man-made activities in Mediterranean coastal waters over the past few decades, data on spawning biomass escaping from the Mediterranean highlights the region’s importance for the global eel supply. Eel research and monitoring is done using conventional techniques, which have certain drawbacks. Therefore, the use of molecular-based detection as a credible choice for monitoring species in aquatic ecosystems was recently shown to be an effective management plan alternative...

In this work, we studied the diet of Pleurodema somuncurense and assessed selection patterns based on resource availability of terrestrial and aquatic prey items. We discuss potential implications for the current conservation status of this species and for management actions conducted with this species. Pleurodema somuncurense is endemic to the Valcheta Stream, Somuncura Plateau, Patagonia, Argentina. The conservation status of this frog is Critically Endangered, according to the IUCN red list. Our analysis framework was based on assessing the diet composition in frogs through stomach flushing technique versus prey availability in the habitat. We also estimated the relative importance for each consumed prey. Of the 55 sampled individuals, we found identifiable contents in 47 stomachs. Our results showed that diet sample is composed of 179 prey items, most of them arthropods, including aquatic and terrestrial preys. The highest IRI was for Diptera (mostly from Family Tipulidae), Lepidoptera (Family Tineidae), Amphipoda (Family Hyalellidae), Araneae (mostly from Family Linyphiidae) and Isopoda (Family Armadillidiidae). The highest volumetric percentage was for Lepidoptera and Diptera. The use versus availability test showed active prey selection of P. somuncurense for Armadillidium isopods, and rejection of several prey items, particularly ants that were the most abundant terrestrial item. This dependence on terrestrial preys makes P. somuncurense susceptible to the indirect effect on land use that affect prey availability, at least on aestival months when diet samples were taken.

Amphibian populations are declining globally. In this scenario, detailed information on their ecology is crucial to determine the status and extinction risk of their populations and, therefore, better plan conservation activities. The Valcheta frog Pleurodema somuncurense is a Critically Endangered species, which is endemic to the Valcheta Stream, Patagonia, Argentina. We assessed the status of this species at the metapopulation level, which we consider is a key step in planning management activities. We conducted visual encounter surveys from 2013 to 2019 to determine the distribution range of each local population of the Valcheta frog. During 2015, we also applied a capture-recapture survey to estimate the density and apparent survival of 1 local population. We used POPAN models for density estimation and the classic model of Cormack-Jolly-Seber to estimate apparent survival, using snout -vent length as a covariate. The metapopulation of the Valcheta frog is composed of 9 isolated local populations: 7 extant and 2 extinct. The extant populations have population sizes ranging from 243 to 4516 individuals. The small size of the smaller local populations makes their long-term viability in isolation unlikely. We found a positive correlation between the apparent survival and the snout -vent length of individuals. Our results showed that management strategies should be aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of this species, with a focus on the recovery of extinct populations, the restoration of disturbed habitats and the improvement of connectivity between local populations.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is an authoritative tool in biodiversity conservation. Whilst IUCN criteria have been applied successfully to groups such as birds and mammals, a Red List assessment of British seaweeds in 2021 revealed that the categories to which seaweed species were assigned were dependent on how the criteria were applied. Here, this seaweed assessment is used as a case study with which to evaluate the IUCN methodology for use with ‘non-standard’ groups of organisms. A data-driven assessment of red (Rhodophyta), green (Chlorophyta) and brown (Phaeophyceae) seaweeds, which applied three (A, B and D) of the five IUCN criteria (A–E), categorized 13% of 617 British species as threatened. Following peer review, only 7% of species were categorized as threatened (1% Critically Endangered—CR, 3% Endangered—EN, 3% Vulnerable—VU), and 55% as Data Deficient. This reduction in species categorized as threatened suggests that strict application of the IUCN criteria may, ...

Pinalia elata is an attractive endemic species of Peninsular Malaysia, known from only six localities within the Titiwangsa mountain range where it is confined to montane vegetation. However, four of these localities are now threatened by anthropogenic factors, raising concerns about the ongoing survival of this endemic species in the wild. Despite efforts to understand the conservation status of Malaysian orchid species, there remains much work to be done, particularly for endemic species confined to remote and mountainous areas. Therefore, this paper provides a detailed morphological description, photographic illustrations for easy identification of the species, and a conservation assessment based on the IUCN Classification Criteria. Morphologically, P. elata can be easily distinguished from the other Pinalia species in Peninsular Malaysia by its erect inflorescences with well-spaced, closed flowers along the apical half, subtended by prominently large purplish-brown bracts. The f...