Three new species of Etlingera (Zingiberaceae) from Samar Island, Philippines

Inadequate knowledge about forests over limestone ecosystem and understanding on how the threatened plants’ mother trees (MTs) are distributed and remained intact despite rugged topography and anthropogenic activities, intrigued the attention of numerous researchers. Rapid assessment and mapping the spatial distribution of mother trees would be of utmost importance, especially in the context of conservation and sustainable protection of threatened species in selected municipalities of Samar Island. A total of 170 mother trees comprising 21 families, 22 genera and 35 species were recorded at sites. Species identified among sites were categorized under critically endangered (CR), endangered (EN) vulnerable (VU) and near threatened (NT) at elevation ranging from 150 to 300 meters above sea level (m asl). Trees tagged in the study sites possess straight cylindrical bole with average diameter at breast height (DBH) of 50 cm. Dipterocarp species were the most dominant in the sites. Hopea samarensis, a species endemic to Samar and also identified as endangered, was recorded in the study. The distribution of MTs was floristically similar among sites. However, anthropogenic small-scale disturbances were observed. The increasing population of locals may increase the demand for timber, thus, in-situ conservation through geo-tagging of MTs is crucial for maintenance and conservation.

Threats to biodiversity continue to increase worldwide and the conservation of biodiversity through in situ and complementary ex situ measures are more important than ever. Here we studied the presence of introduced tree species in New Zealand considered threatened according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We conducted desktop assessments of tree collections across New Zealand in conjunction with a field assessment of the identity and status of threatened introduced trees in eight regional tree collections, focussing on endangered (EN), critically endangered (CR), and extinct in the wild taxa. A total of 15 CR and 52 EN gymnosperm taxa were recorded for New Zealand representing approximately 38 and 40 % of the world’s CR and EN gymnosperms, and a smaller percentage (1 %) of the world’s CR and EN angiosperms. Of particular note are the CR Cupressus chengiana var. jiangensis and Widdringtonia whytei, and several EN gymnosperms, including Cupressus guadalupensis var. guadalupensis, Nageia maxima, and Pinus nelsonii, that are considered priority taxa for ex situ conservation by Botanic Gardens Conservation International. The field assessment confirmed the presence of seven CR and 26 EN tree taxa growing in the Canterbury region. Although many of these were present as one or two individual trees, the combined resources of the collections and the presence of several globally rarer and priority taxa indicate a potentially important role of New Zealand’s tree collections in ex situ conservation. To fulfill their potential, their protection and health status as well as propagation and rejuvenation should be given urgent attention.

Natural history museums are irreplaceable tools to study and preserve the biological diversity around the globe and among the primary actors in the recognition of species and the logical repositories for their type specimens. In this paper we surveyed the consistency of the preserved specimens of amphibians and reptiles housed in the major Italian scientific collections, and verified the presence of threatened species according to the IUCN Red List, including the Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU) categories. Altogether, we analyzed 39 Italian zoological collections. We confirmed the presence of one extinct reptile (Chioninia coctei) and five extinct or extinct in the wild amphibian species (Atelopus longirostris, Nectophrynoides asperginis, Pseudophilautus leucorhinus, P. nasutus, and P. variabilis). Seven CR amphibians, fourteen CR reptile species and the extinct skink C. coctei are shared by more than one institution. Museums which host the highest number of threatened and extinct amphibian species are respectively Turin (17 CR and 1 EX), Florence (13 CR and 1 EX), and Trento (15 CR and 1 EW), while for reptiles the richest museums are those from Genoa (15 CR and 1 EX), Florence (11 CR and 1 EX), and Pisa (7 CR). Finally, we discussed the utility of natural history museums and the strategies to follow for the implementation of their functionality.

BackgroundThe extensive forests over limestone of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) on Samar Island, Philippines harbour a rich variety of unique species. In this contribution, we describe and illustrate a new Loranthaceous mistletoe, endemic to Samar Island named Decaisninatomentosa, representing the 12th member of the genus reported to the Philippines.New informationThis new species is similar to D.confertiflora (Merr.) Barlow with respect to the presence of shortly and densely off-white tomentose inflorescence and 6-merous flowers. However, it is unique amongst congeners in having tomentose and partially fused bracteoles which cover almost or entirely the ovary of individual flowers in the triads. To date, D.tomentosa seems to be restricted to the SINP and is only known from a handful of individuals. More studies are needed to properly assess the demography, host range, conservation status and phylogenetic position of this distinctive species of mistletoe.

The empirical assessment of species for assigning threat status guides priority setting in conservation efforts. This chapter has documented 71 threatened and near-threatened faunal species from the Jammu and Kashmir State. These include 33 species of birds, 26 species of mammals, 5 species each of reptiles and fishes and 2 species of amphibians. Among the birds, 3 species are critically endangered (CR), 4 endangered (EN), 11 vulnerable (VU) and 15 near threatened (NT), while among the mammals, one species is CR, 5 are EN, 8 VU and 12 NT. The threatened herpetofauna includes five reptilian (EN = 2; VU = 2; NT, 1) and two amphibian (EN = 1; VU = 1) species. Three fish species are assessed as threatened (CR = 1; EN = 1; VU = 1) and 2 as NT. Overall, the number of CR, EN and VU species is 5, 13 and 23, respectively, whereas the number of NT species is 30. The inclusion of majority of these species in CITES appendices and various schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972 (amended in 2006), points towards their threat status in this Himalayan State. The major threats to fauna of the State include loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat, poaching, livestock grazing, over-exploitation and human–wildlife conflict. This chapter also highlights the knowledge gaps about threat status of faunal diversity in the State and the appropriate steps required to be initiated in the immediate future.

Plant-diversity hotspots on a global scale are well established, but smaller local hotspots within these must be identified for effective conservation of plants at the global and local scales. We used the distributions of endemic and endemic-threatened species of Myrtaceae to indicate areas of plant diversity and conservation importance within the Atlantic coastal forests (Mata Atlântica) of Brazil. We applied 3 simple, inexpensive geographic information system (GIS) techniques to a herbarium specimen database: predictive species-distribution modeling (Maxent); complementarity analysis (DIVA-GIS); and mapping of herbarium specimen collection locations. We also considered collecting intensity, which is an inherent limitation of use of natural history records for biodiversity studies. Two separate areas of endemism were evident: the Serra do Mar mountain range from Paraná to Rio de Janeiro and the coastal forests of northern Espírito Santo and southern Bahia. We identified 12 areas of approximately 35 km(2) each as priority areas for conservation. These areas had the highest species richness and were highly threatened by urban and agricultural expansion. Observed species occurrences, species occurrences predicted from the model, and results of our complementarity analysis were congruent in identifying those areas with the most endemic species. These areas were then prioritized for conservation importance by comparing ecological data for each.

El estudio de la variacion intraespecifica del color de las flores nos permite comprender mejor el papel de los polinizadores como agentes de seleccion, y su efecto sobre la abundancia de las variantes florales. Estudiamos la influencia de la variacion en los colores florales sobre la tasa de visita a las flores y la reproduccion de Sarothamnus scoparius (retama), un arbusto exotico comun en el NO de la Patagonia. En particular, determinamos si la mayor abundancia de arbustos con flores amarillas en relacion a los arbustos con flores rojas o naranjas se debia a una tasa de visita diferencial por parte de sus potenciales polinizadores. Para eso, 1) medimos la tasa de visita a flores amarillas, rojas y naranjas en situaciones naturales y en plantas cuyo color de las flores fue manipulado; 2) determinamos si la tasa de visita a las flores rojas y naranjas dependia de su distancia al morfo floral mas abundante (amarillo), y 3) estimamos la produccion de frutos/flor y semillas/fruto en arbustos con flores amarillas y rojas. Encontramos que: 1) tanto en situaciones naturales como en flores cuyo color fue manipulado, las flores amarillas recibieron entre 1 y 4 veces mas visitas que las otras variantes; 2) la tasa de visita a las flores rojas y naranjas decrecieron de manera abrupta a medida que aumentaba su distancia a las flores amarillas (7 veces en solo 100 cm), y 3) tanto la produccion de frutos/flor como la de semillas/fruto fue ~40% mayor en los arbustos con flores amarillas comparado con aquellos de flores rojas. Estos resultados sugieren que la mayor abundancia de arbustos con flores amarillas se debe a que sus potenciales polinizadores prefieren este color, lo que se traduce en una reproduccion mayor de esta variante floral. Este trabajo ilustra la importancia de los polinizadores como eventuales agentes selectivos de las caracteristicas florales, asi como la influencia del vecindario floral en dicho proceso.

Article Highlights- Camellia dalatensis and Camellia capitata are critically endangered species.- Habitat loss and deforestation threaten the survival of these Camellia species.- Vegetative propagation aids conservation of critically endangered Camellia species.- Rooting success depends on cutting types, growth regulators, and substrate mix.- Research aids conservation efforts for Vietnam’s rare and vulnerable flora. AbstractCamellia dalatensis (V. D. Luong, Ninh & Hakoda) and Camellia capitata (Orel, Curry & Luu) are classified as critically endangered (CR) by the IUCN. Conservation solutions for these two species have not yet been fully implemented, while wild populations are declining. This research on vegetative propagation examined the efficacy of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA in solution or in powdered activated charcoal), cutting types (terminal shoot or stem cuttings), and substrates for the growth of cuttings (sand-coir dust mixes) on rooting efficiency. The highest rooting of C. dalatensis was observed in terminal shoot cuttings at 1,000 ppm IBA, and 25% sand and 75% coir dust substrate. Maximum values obtained were survival 95.6%, rooting percentage 88.9%, number of roots per cutting 6.9, root length 6.2 cm, and rooting index 42.9. For C. capitata, superior rooting was obtained with semi-hardwood cuttings, at 1,500 ppm IBA, and equal parts of sand and coir dust as substrate. Camellia capitata was more difficult to root, with maximum values of 65.6% survival, 52.2% rooting, 2.8 roots per cutting, 2.9 cm root length, and rooting index of 8.1. The results of this study can be used to support further propagation and conservation of these two endangered species.

With 127 rare and endangered plant species of Inner Mongolian in Catalogue of Rare and Endangered Plants in China, China Plant Red Book, National Key Protected Wild Plants List (List No. 1), China Species Red List, Red List of Biodiversity in China: Volume of Higher Plants, List of Rare and Endangered Plants in Inner Mongolia and Atlas of Rare and Endangered Plants in Inner Mongolia as objects, an evaluation system of the threatened grades and conservation priority of rare and endangered plants were built based on data collection and consultation with experts. We set the five criteria, including endangered coefficient, genetic coefficient, utilization coefficient, habitat coefficient, and reproduction coefficient, under which there were 17 subordinate indicators. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to determine the weight of indicators in the system and calculate the endangered grades and conservation priority grades for the rare and endangered species. According to the results of evaluations, two critically endangered (CR) species, 13 endangered (EN) species, 37 vulnerable (VU) species, 44 near threatened (NT) species, and 31 least concern (LC) species were identified, accounting for 1.6%, 10.2%, 29.1%, 34.7% and 24.4% of the total, respectively. Among those species, 52 species were threatened, namely CR, EN and VU species, accounting for 40.9% of the total. The evaluation results of conservation priority grades were: 35 species of Class 1 protected plants, 72 species of Class 2 protected plants, and 20 species of Class 3 protected plants, accounting for 27.6%, 56.7% and 15.8% of the total, respectively. According to the results of evaluation comparison between Red List of Biodiversity in China: Volume of Higher Plants and List of Rare and Endangered Plants in Inner Mongolia, endangered grades of 75 plant species and the protection classes of 62 plant species were calibrated. In this evaluation, the endangered grades of nine plant species and the protection classes of 32 plant species were newly added.

Colour and pigment composition were determined in flowers of F1 plants produced by crossing tulip cultivars. Yellow flowers contained only carotenoids, orange flowers always at least carotenoids and cyanidin, and red flowers always and pink and purple flowers nearly always cyanidin. Most flowers, except purple ones, did not contain delphinidin. Highest carotenoid levels occurred in yellow, orange, dark red and orange-red flowers; highest delphinidin levels in purple flowers and highest cyanidin and pelargonidin levels in red flowers. Pigment levels in light coloured flowers were lower than in darker coloured flowers. Between flowers with the same colour substantial differences in pigment composition and level may occur, indicating that flower colour of tulip depends additionally on other chemical and physical characters. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

The first red list of Chinese endangered bryophytes approved by the international workshop on the conservation of the biodiversity of Chinese bryophytes held in Shanghai in December of 2004 is briefly reported.The list consists of 50 species,47 genera,28 families of mosses,31 species,26 genera,12 families of liverworts,and one species,genus and family of hornworts.Of 82 species,36 are classified as critically endangered(CR),29 as endangered(EN) and 17 as vulnerable species(VU),following a modified set of IUCN/IAB criteria.The characteristics of geographic distribution,the endangered reasons as well as the further actions for conservation of Chinese endangered bryophytes are also preliminarily discussed.

Bird conservation status reflects the threat level to species in their natural habitats. According to the IUCN Red List, Indonesia has 32 bird species categorized as Critically Endangered (CR), 51 as Endangered (EN), 83 as Vulnerable (VU), 220 as Near Threatened (NT), 1,435 as Least Concern (LC), and 7 as Data Deficient (DD). This highlights the urgency of conservation efforts to preserve bird species and populations. Ragunan Wildlife Park (TMR) in Jakarta serves as one conservation area, but its bird collection's conservation status remains undocumented. This study identified 77 bird species from 14 orders in the TMR collection. Among these, 5 species are CR, 4 EN, 13 VU, 6 NT, 2 DD, and 47 LC. Many species in the CR, EN, and NT categories are endemic to Indonesia, emphasizing the park’s role in conserving the country's unique avifauna

Aim To study (1) the large‐scale distribution patterns of freshwater fishes in the Western Ghats of India; (2) the endemism and uniqueness of the fishes in various zones; and (3) the threat status of fishes by categorizing them under low risk (LR), vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN) and critically endangered (CR).Location The Western Ghats of India.Methods The scientific literature describing the freshwater fishes of the Western Ghats was reviewed. Data describing the lists of the species were extracted and complied. The species accumulation curve was plotted using Michaelis–Menten‐like equation. The Western Ghats was divided into six zones and similarity of the species was calculated using Jacquard's index.Results Literature to date records 288 species belonging to 12 orders, 41 families and 109 genera, of which 118 species are endemic and 51 are unique. However, the species accumulation curve shows that there might be 345 species in this region, indicating that 16% species have not been recorded to date. An analysis of the distribution pattern of fishes in the Western Ghats suggests that the southern region is more diverse than the northern and central regions. The southern region shows high endemism and high uniqueness while the northern region shows high endemism but less uniqueness. The similarity index between the zones indicates that as the distance between the zones increases similarity decreases. The status of 105 of 288 species was not known due to data deficiency but among the remaining 183 species, 58 species were categorized as LR, 41 as VU, 54 as EN, 24 as CR while the remaining six species were introduced.Conclusions The distribution patterns of fishes in the Western Ghats are discussed in accordance with the geography of Western Ghats, its climatic conditions and ‘Satpura Hypothesis’. The threat status of fishes found in Western Ghats suggests that at least 41% of fish fauna is threatened by either being VU, EN or CR. Implication of potent conservation measures is necessary to conserve the fish fauna of Western Ghats.

Ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri T et B.) is a unique tree species in Kalimantan because its most durable wood and only grows in mixed lowland dipterocarp forest habitat. The purpose of this study is to examine the floristic composition, variety, and structure of the mixed ulin forest in Penarung village, subdistrict of Bentian Besar, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. Each sample plot was rectangular and was 125 m by 20 m in size. For the tree stage, each sample plot was divided into subplots that measured 25 m by 20 m. Each subplot measured 2 m by 2 m for seedlings, thickets, and herbs and 5 m by 5 m for saplings The Result showed the species richness was 196 species, which consisted of 147 tree species, 16 species of lianas, 13 species of herbs, 12 species of shrubs, 5 species of ferns, 2 species of rattan and 1 species of palm. The tree stage consisted of 97 species, 70 genera, and 36 families. Species diversity (H’), showed that tree and sapling stages were high 3.82 for tree and 3.92 for sapling stages, while seedlings in moderate, with H’= 2.49. Evenness (E) in the tree stage was 0.83, while sapling and seedling were 0.87 and 0.55 respectively. This forest contained 28 species of endemic, 2 species of critically endangered (CR), 2 species endangered (EN), and 10 species of vulnerable (Vu).

The blue-eyed black lemur ( Eulemur flavifrons ) is critically endangered in the wild and managed by ex-situ programmes in zoos. The breeding success in the European population is low and within the last five years, there have only been three births that survived. To try to increase the rate of infant survival, a systematic hand-rearing protocol was developed in 2013 and used on five infants from two different females that did not properly raise their infants. Milk formula was created with a mix of human newborn formula and kitten replacement milk. The lemur infants were fed ten times a day at the beginning, on a 24-hour round-the-clock basis. Solid food was offered as early as Day 7 and complete weaning was achieved without any medical issues around Day 107. The socialisation protocol consisted of maintaining permanent visual, olfactory and auditory contact with the parents from the day of the birth. First attempts to put the infants on their mother began as early as Day 2, but results varied, including successes with the parents, with conspecifics or lemurs from another Eulemur species. More work is needed to develop a feeding protocol which would also include the physiological variations in milk composition during the lactation period. Although many studies and reports have described hand rearing mammals, and more specifically lemurs, none of them describe a successful and complete protocol for five infants of the critically endangered blue-eyed black lemur.