Charismatic Organisms Research Articles

Endless forms most frustrating: disentangling species boundaries in the Ramalina decipiens group (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), with the description of six new species and a key to the group.

Oceanic islands have been recognized as natural laboratories in which to study a great variety of evolutionary processes. One such process is evolutionary radiations, the diversification of a single ancestor into a number of species that inhabit different environments and differ in the traits that allow them to exploit those environments. The factors that drive evolutionary radiations have been studied for decades in charismatic organisms such as birds or lizards, but are lacking in lichen-forming fungi, despite recent reports of some lineages showing diversification patterns congruent with radiation. Here we propose the Ramalina decipiens group as a model system in which to carry out such studies. This group is currently thought to be comprised of five saxicolous species, all of them endemic to the Macaronesian region (the Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canary and Cape Verde islands). Three species are single-island endemics (a rare geographic distribution pattern in lichens), whereas two are widespread and show extreme morphological variation. The latter are suspected to harbor unrecognized species-level lineages. In order to use the Ramalina decipiens group as a model system it is necessary to resolve the group's phylogeny and to clarify its species boundaries. In this study we attempt to do so following an integrative taxonomy approach. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on six molecular markers, four of which are newly developed and generated competing species hypotheses based on molecular (species discovery strategies based on both single locus and multilocus datasets) and phenotypic data (unsupervised clustering algorithms based on morphology, secondary chemistry and geographic origin). We found that taxonomic diversity in the Ramalina decipiens group has been highly underestimated in previous studies. In consequence, we describe six new species, most of them single-island endemics and provide a key to the group. Phylogenetic relationships among species have been reconstructed with almost full support which, coupled with the endemic character of the group, makes it an excellent system for the study of island radiations in lichen-forming fungi. Citation: Blázquez M, Pérez-Vargas I, Garrido-Benavent I, et al. 2024. Endless forms most frustrating: disentangling species boundaries in the Ramalina decipiens group (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), with the description of six new species and a key to the group. Persoonia 52: 44-93. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2024.52.03 .

Equal rights for parasites: Windsor 1995, revisited after ecological parasitology has come of age

Lack of data to properly model key biological characteristics like abundance or distribution, seriously hinder comprehension of biodiversity patterns and their drivers — even for historically well-studied and charismatic organisms. Knowledge shortfalls are more extreme in the case of parasites, which are mostly part of the “hidden biodiversity” and generally have a bad reputation. However, being an extremely large portion of biodiversity and a fundamental part of ecosystems, failure to consider parasites is itself an information shortfall for conservation, and can result in important consequences not only for planning strategies to conserve biological diversity, but also to understand fully the patterns and processes that shape ecosystems. Parasites exhibit a marked duality: while some species are pathogenic and do compromise their host's survival (and human interests), the majority exert apparently negligible negative effects on their hosts and could be considered non-pathogenic; indeed, parasites are beneficial as they provide important ecosystemic functions and services. Using a comprehensive dataset of fish host-helminth parasites in Mexico as a case study, we review knowledge shortfalls relating to parasites, exemplifying their impacts — both positive and negative. A holistic appreciation of parasites should consider both their (many) beneficial and (a few, proven) detrimental impacts, something which could be operationally incorporated into conservation assessments and strategies (e.g., IUCN Green and Red Lists, respectively). Outreach and education are key to modify negative perceptions towards parasites, and to induce recognition of their importance for ecosystemic function and structure.

Leveraging Public Data to Predict Global Niches and Distributions of Rhizostome Jellyfishes.

As climate change progresses rapidly, biodiversity declines, and ecosystems shift, it is becoming increasingly difficult to document dynamic populations, track fluctuations, and predict responses to climate change. Concurrently, publicly available databases and tools are improving scientific accessibility, increasing collaboration, and generating more data than ever before. One of the most successful projects is iNaturalist, an AI-driven social network doubling as a public database designed to allow citizen scientists to report personal biodiversity reports with accuracy. iNaturalist is especially useful for the research of rare, dangerous, and charismatic organisms, but requires better integration into the marine system. Despite their abundance and ecological relevance, there are few long-term, high-sample datasets for jellyfish, which makes management difficult. To provide some high-sample datasets and demonstrate the utility of publicly collected data, we synthesized two global datasets for ten genera of jellyfishes in the order Rhizostomeae containing 8412 curated datapoints from both iNaturalist (n = 7807) and the published literature (n = 605). We then used these reports in conjunction with publicly available environmental data to predict global niche partitioning and distributions. Initial niche models inferred that only two of ten genera have distinct niche spaces; however, the application of machine learning-based random forest models suggests genus-specific variation in the relevance of abiotic environmental variables used to predict jellyfish occurrence. Our approach to incorporating reports from the literature with iNaturalist data helped evaluate the quality of the models and, more importantly, the quality of the underlying data. We find that free, accessible online data is valuable, yet subject to biases through limited taxonomic, geographic, and environmental resolution. To improve data resolution, and in turn its informative power, we recommend increasing global participation through collaboration with experts, public figures, and hobbyists in underrepresented regions capable of implementing regionally coordinated projects.

Local perception of ecosystem services provided by symbolic wild cherry blossoms: toward community-based management of traditional forest landscapes in Japan

ABSTRACT Charismatic organisms are often used as symbols of nature-based community development. Understanding value perceptions of ecosystems services provided by symbolic species is important because such perceptions often influence land management and cultural associations between people and nature. Here, we aimed to characterize local perceptions of social values for ecosystem services of wild cherries in Sakuragawa city, Japan. The city has long been renowned for the beautiful traditional landscape of its flowering wild cherries and is involved in various conservation activities as a part of regional planning. We administered a questionnaire survey to three socio-cultural groups: local residents, tourists, and high school students; their responses were analyzed by using SolVES. Value perceptions of ecosystem services provided by wild cherries differed considerably among these groups. The residents and tourists ranked the value ‘aesthetic in spring’ as highest, whereas high school students ranked many values equally. In addition, most of the students confused wild cherry trees with the popular cultivar ‘Somei-yoshino’. The students’ more limited knowledge of wild cherries may have affected their value perceptions. Looking at the spatial distribution of perceived values, local residents and tourists highly valued the specific sites famous for their wild cherry scenery. In contrast, students did not value such sites and perceived more value in urbanized areas. Although symbolic species help to develop the perceived value of nature, filling a knowledge gap and sharing a variety of values within local communities is important for promoting community-based management of traditional forest landscapes characterized by wild cherries.

The Role of Photobionts as Drivers of Diversification in an Island Radiation of Lichen-Forming Fungi

Speciation in oceanic islands has attracted the interest of scientists since the 19th century. One of the most striking evolutionary phenomena that can be studied in islands is adaptive radiation, that is, when a lineage gives rise to different species by means of ecological speciation. Some of the best-known examples of adaptive radiation are charismatic organisms like the Darwin finches of the Galapagos and the cichlid fishes of the great African lakes. In these and many other examples, a segregation of the trophic niche has been shown to be an important diversification driver. Radiations are known in other groups of organisms, such as lichen-forming fungi. However, very few studies have investigated their adaptive nature, and none have focused on the trophic niche. In this study, we explore the role of the trophic niche in a putative radiation of endemic species from the Macaronesian Region, the Ramalina decipiens group. The photobiont diversity was studied by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the ITS2 region of 197 specimens spanning the phylogenetic breadth and geographic range of the group. A total of 66 amplicon sequence variants belonging to the four main clades of the algal genus Trebouxia were found. Approximately half of the examined thalli showed algal coexistence, but in most of them, a single main photobiont amounted to more than 90% of the reads. However, there were no significant differences in photobiont identity and in the abundance of ITS2 reads across the species of the group. We conclude that a segregation of the trophic niche has not occurred in the R. decipiens radiation.

Mamíferos do Estado de São Paulo: diversidade, distribuição, ecologia e conservação

Abstract Mammals are charismatic organisms that play a fundamental role in ecological functions and ecosystem services, such as pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and pest control. The state of São Paulo represents only 3% of the Brazilian territory but holds 33% of its mammalian diversity. Most of its territory is dominated by agriculture, pastures, and urban areas which directly affect the diversity and persistence of mammals in the landscape. In addition, São Paulo has the largest port in Latin America and the largest offshore oil reservoir in Brazil, with a 600 km stretch of coastline with several marine mammal species. These human-made infrastructures affect the diversity, distribution, ecology, and the future of mammals in the state. Here, we answer five main questions: 1) What is the diversity of wild mammals in São Paulo state? 2) Where are they? 3) What is their positive and negative impact on human well-being? 4) How do mammals thrive in human-modified landscapes? 5) What is the future of mammals in the state? The state of São Paulo holds 255 species of native mammals, with four endemic species, two of them globally endangered. At least six species (two marsupials, Giant otter, Pampas deer, Brazilian dwarf brocket deer, and Giant armadillo) were extirpated from the state due to hunting and habitat loss. The intense human land use in the state forced many mammalian species to change their diet to cope with the intense fragmentation and agriculture. Large-scale monoculture has facilitated the invasion of exotic species such as wild boars (javali) and the European hare. Several “savanna-dwelling” species are expanding their ranges (Maned wolf, Brocket deer) over deforested areas and probably reflect changes towards a drier climate. Because the state has the largest road system, about 40,000 mammals from 33 species are killed per year in collisions causing an economic loss of 12 million dollars/year. The diversity of mammals is concentrated in the largest forest remnants of Serra do Mar and in the interior of the State, mainly in the regions of Ribeirão Preto and Jundiaí. Sampling gaps are concentrated throughout the interior of the state, particularly in the northwest region. Wild mammals play a fundamental role in many ecosystem services, but they can also be a concern in bringing new emergent diseases to humans. Although the taxonomy of mammals seems to be well known, we show that new species are continuously being discovered in the state. Therefore, continuous surveys using traditional and new technologies (eDNA, iDNA, drones), long-term population monitoring, investigation of the interface of human-wildlife conflict, and understanding of the unique ecosystem role played by mammals are future avenues for promoting sustainable green landscapes allied to human well-being in the state. The planting of forest or savanna corridors, particularly along with major river systems, in the plateau, controlling illegal hunting in the coastal areas, managing fire regimes in the Cerrado, and mitigating roadkill must be prioritized to protect this outstanding mammal diversity.

Addressing ‘biodiversity naivety’ through project-based learning using iNaturalist

Conservation and education outreach programs often highlight charismatic species or species of economic or ecological importance. However, without appreciable connections to nature, the foundation necessary to empathize with these programs is insufficient. While many students are familiar with charismatic organisms, such as large mammals or sea turtles, there are countless other species of conservation concern that many students are entirely unaware of. As species loss is expedited, it is imperative to counter biodiversity naivety, particularly as public education and awareness are central to successful conservation efforts. The most impactful educational experiences foster direct engagement with biodiversity by students. We highlight the use of project-based learning to nurture student exposure and understanding of biodiversity in undergraduate- and graduate-level courses through the use of iNaturalist. In these courses, students were required to document observations from class field experiences as well as personal explorations. These projects transformed the learning of biodiversity from passive in nature to a meaningful and active process allowing students to connect with species observed while concurrently participating in citizen science initiatives. We share recommendations for successful implementation of iNaturalist projects by educators as well as challenges and issues based on our experiences.

Plant scientists' research attention is skewed towards colourful, conspicuous and broadly distributed flowers.

Scientists' research interests are often skewed toward charismatic organisms, but quantifying research biases is challenging. By combining bibliometric data with trait-based approaches and using a well-studied alpine flora as a case study, we demonstrate that morphological and colour traits, as well as range size, have significantly more impact on species choice for wild flowering plants than traits related to ecology and rarity. These biases should be taken into account to inform more objective plant conservation efforts.

Special Issue: Genomic Analyses of Avian Evolution

“Genomic Analyses of Avian Evolution” is a “state of the art” showcase of the varied and rapidly evolving fields of inquiry enabled and driven by powerful new methods of genome sequencing and assembly as they are applied to some of the world’s most familiar and charismatic organisms—birds. The contributions to this Special Issue are as eclectic as avian genomics itself, but loosely interrelated by common underpinnings of phylogenetic inference, de novo genome assembly of non-model species, and genome organization and content.

Genome-wide SNP Data Reveal an Overestimation of Species Diversity in a Group of Hawkmoths.

The interface between populations and evolving young species continues to generate much contemporary debate in systematics depending on the species concept(s) applied but which ultimately reduces to the fundamental question of “when do nondiscrete entities become distinct, mutually exclusive evolutionary units”? Species are perceived as critical biological entities, and the discovery and naming of new species is perceived by many authors as a major research aim for assessing current biodiversity before much of it becomes extinct. However, less attention is given to determining whether these names represent valid biological entities because this is perceived as both a laborious chore and an undesirable research outcome. The charismatic spurge hawkmoths (Hyles euphorbiae complex, HEC) offer an opportunity to study this less fashionable aspect of systematics. To elucidate this intriguing systematic challenge, we analyzed over 10,000 ddRAD single nucleotide polymorphisms from 62 individuals using coalescent-based and population genomic methodology. These genome-wide data reveal a clear overestimation of (sub)species-level diversity and demonstrate that the HEC taxonomy has been seriously oversplit. We conclude that only one valid species name should be retained for the entire HEC, namely Hyles euphorbiae, and we do not recognize any formal subspecies or other taxonomic subdivisions within it. Although the adoption of genetic tools has frequently revealed morphologically cryptic diversity, the converse, taxonomic oversplitting of species, is generally (and wrongly in our opinion) accepted as rare. Furthermore, taxonomic oversplitting is most likely to have taken place in intensively studied popular and charismatic organisms such as the HEC.

Estimating the barcoding gap in a global dataset of cox1 sequences for Odonata: close, but no cigar

We evaluated the extent of intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances for two highly diverse infraorders of Odonata: Anisoptera and Zygoptera. All cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences (cox1), the region chosen for zoological DNA barcoding, present in GenBank for each infraorder were downloaded and curated. For Anisoptera, the final dataset consisted of 2,961 individual cox1 sequences for 536 species and the equivalent numbers for Zygoptera were 2,477 sequences for 497 species. More than 7 million individual genetic comparisons were made and the results indicated that there is a tendency towards a barcoding gap, but that the size of the gap may not be sufficient to robustly infer identities for some taxa. DNA barcoding may be of less use for some odonate taxa, perhaps pertaining to misidentifications in global databases. However, at local scales or with more confined taxonomical sampling, this tool may yet be beneficial in identifying these charismatic organisms.

Species inventory of sea slugs (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) for Koh Tao, Thailand, with 25 first records for Thai waters

A combination of benthic surveys and photographic records was used to evaluate the abundance and diversity of sea slugs around the island of Koh Tao, Thailand. Observations and records spanning over 14 years yielded 87 different species, including seven Sacoglossa, four Cephalaspidea, three Anaspidea, one Pleurobranchomorpha, and 72 species of Nudibranchia. Of these, seven records are claimed to be first for the Gulf of Thailand, and a further 25 species are found to be first records for Thailand, according to current literature. Analysis of the relative abundance based on estimated frequency of sightings, and geographic distribution based on number of different dive sites, was carried out. Analyses revealed that although the diversity of species for an island of its size was relatively high, a majority of species had a low frequency of sightings. Furthermore, a number of records had limited geographic ranges or were isolated to specific ecological niches. Analysis of preferred substrate type for the different species showed that a significant proportion of species were isolated outside the coral reef areas and are, therefore, unlikely to be observed by the diving community. These records indicate a greater wealth of biodiversity of charismatic organisms in non-reef areas than previously thought, which can help to encourage non-coral reef tourism in an area where coral reefs are under threat in part due to over-use by SCUBA diving.

Using Rich Context and Data Exploration to Improve Engagement with Climate Data and Data Literacy: Bringing a Field Station into the College Classroom

ABSTRACT Authentic scientific data, when richly contextualized, can provide the basis for compelling learning experiences. Many undergraduate students either do not have access to primary data, or if they do, the data are so abstract that student engagement is limited. Here, we describe contextual information and data-rich, student-centered activities we developed to give life to data sets from an intensely studied place, the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL). The project Web site, Digital RMBL, highlights charismatic organisms, scientists, and long-term data sets as a tool for engaging students who are unable to physically visit a field station. The Biology of Climate Change module, the focus of this paper, has been tested in college-level classrooms by 10 collaborating faculty and 243 undergraduate students at a variety of colleges and universities across the nation. Authentic long-term data sets, primary literature, data visualizations, and a flexible format suitable for laboratory sections have led to very high usability ratings by collaborating faculty. In student surveys, a surprising number of undergraduate science majors (20%–30%) report that they have never worked with authentic scientific data—even at major research universities. The percentage of students who have not worked with data is much higher at collaborating 2 y institutions (60%–80%). The majority of students report that they appreciate the opportunity to explore long-term climate science data sets despite the frustrations they experience with the “messiness” of authentic scientific data. The impact of this climate change activity is achieved through engagement with people, place, and research subjects, followed by student-centered data exploration that builds personal interest and scientific discovery skills. This paper outlines one model in which scientists can meet funding agency requirements to share data publicly while providing excellent opportunities for improving climate and data literacy at the college level.

Migratory marine species: their status, threats and conservation management needs

ABSTRACTMigratory marine species (MMS) include many of the world's most charismatic organisms such as marine mammals, seabirds, turtles, sharks, and tuna. Many are now among the most threatened due to the diverse range of pressures they encounter during their extensive movements. This paper shows that 21% of MMS are classified as threatened (i.e. categorized as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable). Sea turtles are the most threatened group (85%), followed by seabirds (27%), cartilaginous fish (26%), marine mammals (15%) and bony fish (11%). Taken together 48% of MMS are threatened, Near Threatened or Data Deficient.As well as being threatened they share in common being wide‐ranging animals, travelling through the waters of multiple nations as well as in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) during different times of the year. This makes their conservation a challenge, requiring coordinated action by many nations, international organizations, Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other stakeholders if their populations are to recover to healthy levels and be safeguarded into the future.Even though they are wide‐ranging, long‐term studies reveal considerable site fidelity and well‐defined habitats for many species and areas. These sites are prime candidates for enhanced management such as via Marine Protect Area (MPA) designations. However, existing management frameworks do not yet contribute sufficiently to MMS conservation, MPA networks need to be expanded to capture key areas, in many cases through the application of new dynamic management techniques such as time area closures.Data on the distribution, abundance, behaviours and threats faced by many MMS are now available. These data should be used to inform the design of effective management regimes, such as MPAs, both within and beyond national jurisdictions. MEAs should ensure a full complement of MMS are included within species listings, and encourage further action to safeguard their populations.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The impact of taxonomic change on conservation: Does it kill, can it save, or is it just irrelevant?

The important question of taxonomy and its impact on conservation efforts was brought to general attention by Robert May in 1990 with a News and Views article in Nature entitled “Taxonomy as destiny.” Taxonomy, however, has built-in instabilities that result in name changes, raising the question of whether name changes have a consistent impact on conservation efforts. Our review investigates three possible outcomes of taxonomic change, namely a positive impact on protection efforts, a hampering impact, or no measurable impact. We address these cases with a review of the relevant literature: specifically, government and conservation agency reports, scientific papers, and the general press, as well as correspondence with biologists active in plant and animal conservation. We found no evidence of a consistent effect of taxonomic change on conservation, although splitting taxa may tend to increase protection, and name changes may have the least effect where they concern charismatic organisms.

Nonhuman Charisma

In this paper I outline the parameters of nonhuman charisma in the context of UK biodiversity conservation. Although conservationists frequently discuss charismatic species in their professional discourse there is little existing work that explores the character of this charisma and how it operates in environmental governance. In this paper I map nonhuman charisma and explore its ontological, ethical, and epistemological implications. I first illustrate a three-part typology of nonhuman charisma, comprising ecological, aesthetic, and corporeal charisma. Exploring nonhuman agency through the lens of charisma I contribute to ongoing efforts in geography and cognate disciplines to forge a ‘more-than-human’ understanding of agency and ethics. Nonhuman charisma provides a bounded relational ontology for considering nonhuman difference. Furthermore, nonhuman charisma draws attention to the importance of affect in understanding environmental ethics. Affect provides the vital motivating force that impels people to get involved in conservation. Second, I provide an example of nonhuman charisma in action. I draw on earlier work on human charisma to explore how charismatic organisms, operating as ‘flagship species’, are mobilised as boundary objects to achieve organisation order in the assemblages of UK biodiversity conservation.

What does Drosophila genetics tell us about speciation?

Studies of hybrid inviability, sterility and 'speciation genes' in Drosophila have given insight into the genetic changes that result in reproductive isolation. Here, I survey some extraordinary and important advances in Drosophila speciation research. However, 'reproductive isolation' is not the same as 'speciation', and this Drosophila work has resulted in a lopsided view of speciation. In particular, Drosophila are not always well-suited to investigating ecological and other selection-driven primary causes of speciation in nature. Recent advances have made use of far less tractable, but more charismatic organisms, such as flowering plants, vertebrates and larger insects. Work with these organisms has complemented Drosophila studies of hybrid unfitness to provide a more complete understanding of speciation.

Distribution patterns of biodiversity and the design of a representative reserve network in Portugal

SummaryRepresentativeness is a desirable property of conservation networks. In this paper an attempt is made to assess the efficiency of current conservation networks in Portugal in representing vertebrates (reptiles and amphibians) and plants (gymnosperms, pteridophytes and bryophytes). It was found that whilst the protected areas do not sample all species in the database they provide a better result than choosing areas at random. For the goal of maximizing representation of taxa per unit area hotspots and complementarity performed better. A pattern of over‐representation of vertebrates in relation to lower plants was discovered among selected conservation areas in Portugal suggesting that charismatic organisms with large home ranges may not always be the most appropriate surrogates for biodiversity when representativeness is sought. When trying to fill the gaps in current protected areas with additional areas only complementarity performed better than choosing areas at random. Both rarity and richness hotspots gave worse results. Opportunistic administrative criteria such as supplementing the PAS with other conservation areas (CORINE Biotopes) without taking into account their contribution to a representation goal was nearly half as good as choosing areas at random. The results recall for the need of explicit goals and accountable methods in area selection for conservation and reinforce the role of complementarity for finding additional areas to protected areas when limited resources are available for ‘in situ’ conservation.