Conservation Status Of Species Research Articles

A new Bolitoglossa (Amphibia, Caudata, Plethodontidae) from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia.

A new salamander species of the genus Bolitoglossa is here described from the cloud forests of the western slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, in the Cundinamarca department. The most salient characters of this new species are its numerous maxillary and vomerine teeth, its moderate webbing on hands and feet, its short and robust tail, and its chromatic variation. Based on molecular analyses this new species is assigned to the adspersa species group and its status established as the sister species of B.adspersa, with which it was previously confused. Lastly, the distribution, natural history, and conservation status of the new species are discussed.

Determinants of range sizes pinpoint vulnerability of groundwater species to climate change: A case study on subterranean amphipods from the Dinarides

Abstract Range size is one of the most important criteria for determining species conservation status. It is an outcome of multiple factors, including a species' ecological tolerance and propensity to disperse, availability and temporal stability of suitable habitat patches, and between‐patch connectivity. Understanding the determinants of range size could help identify the main threats, which may differ among species. Subterranean species typically have smaller ranges than their surface counterparts. However, the determinants of their ranges are poorly known. The aim of this study was to test three potential determinants of species range size (habitat type, body size, and species age) using the species of the amphipod genus Niphargus. The study was performed within the Dinarides (south‐east Europe), a global subterranean hotspot. The only significant determinant of range size was the habitat in which the species lived. The species with the smallest ranges inhabit fissure systems in the upper layers of the carbonate massifs with predominantly vertical water flow. The species with the largest ranges live in the deepest zone – the permanently flooded phreatic with lateral water flow. These results imply that differences in connectivity among habitats determine the range sizes of aquatic subterranean species. The vertical gradient in habitat connectivity indicates the vulnerability of the species to climate change. Desertification and longer periods of drought will probably have a greater effect on fauna in fissures than in the phreatic zone. In addition, lowering the groundwater table might exacerbate the fragmentation of intermediate habitats, possibly enhancing local extinction. The habitat ecology of subterranean species should be considered in International Union for Conservation of Nature assessments. Given that the most narrowly distributed aquatic subterranean species live in habitats subjected to climatic drying, the protection of subterranean fauna depends on the management of surface habitats such as forests.

Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae), a new species from S Thailand

Thirteen species of Friesodielsia Steenis (Annonaceae) and 11 representatives of related genera were included in molecular phylogenetic analyses using up to six plastid DNA regions (psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF intergenic spacers; trnL intron; matK, ndhF, rbcL exons). The results support the recognition of a new species, F. lalisae Damth., Baka & Chaowasku from Narathiwat, S Thailand, as belonging to one of the two major clades of Friesodielsia. The members of this clade show outer petals that separate at anthesis and have a concave basal portion, while members in the other major clade exhibit outer petals that separate early during developmental stages and have a flat base. Friesodielsia lalisae is described and illustrated. It is most morphologically similar to F. argentea (J. Sinclair) Steenis and F. glauca (Hook. f. & Thomson) Steenis but differs from the two by having dissimilar sepal shape, higher proportion of inner petal to outer petal length and longer inner petals. The new species additionally differs from the former by having different leaf base and from the latter by having denser indumentum on young twigs and shorter flowering pedicels. Narathiwat, a province to which the new species is endemic, seems to be one of the most underexplored areas in Thailand as evidenced by a number of species described based on recent material. The conservation status of the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered. Citation: Damthongdee A., Khunarak N., Kaeokula S., Saengpho C., Wiya C., Ue-aree P., Baka A., Aongyong K. & Chaowasku T. 2023: Molecular phylogenetic and morphological support for the recognition of Friesodielsia lalisae (Annonaceae) a new species from S Thailand. – Willdenowia 53: 45–55. Version of record first published online on 10 April 2023 ahead of inclusion in April 2023 issue.

In search of a perfect trait set: A workflow presentation based on the conservation status assessment of Poland's dendroflora.

Considering the dynamically changing environment, we cannot be sure whether we are using the best possible plant functional traits to explain ecological mechanisms. We provide a quantitative comparison of 13 trait sets to determine the availability of functional traits representing different plant organs, assess the trait sets with the highest explanatory potential, and check whether including a higher number of traits in a model increases its accuracy. We evaluated the trait sets by preparing 13 models using similar methodology and responding to a research question: How do models with different sets of functional traits predict the conservation status of species? We used the dataset covering all woody species from Poland (N = 387), with 23 functional traits. Our findings indicate that what matters most for a trait set of high explanatory power is the precise selection of those traits. The best fit model was based on the findings of Díaz et al. (2016; The global spectrum of plant form and function, Nature, 529, 167-171) and included only six traits. Importantly, traits representing different plant organs should be included whenever possible: Three of the four best models from our comparison were the ones that included traits of various plant organs.

Non-Invasive Sex Determination of Nestlings and Adult Bonelli’s Eagles Using Morphometrics

Biometric analysis allows the sexing of most vertebrates, particularly birds. Birds of prey, and, especially, the Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata), show reverse sexual dimorphism (i.e., females are usually larger than males). In contrast to blood sampling, the use of morphometrics allows sex determination using a non-invasive method, and, therefore, it facilitates fieldwork. By means of a linear discriminant analysis of biometric variables, we obtained different equations that allow the sexing of nestlings and adult Bonelli's eagles. We sampled 137 Bonelli's eagles, 82 nestlings and 55 adults in eastern Spain during the period 2015-2022. The sexes obtained after linear discriminant analysis were compared with their molecular sexing. The validation procedure of the linear discriminant equations facilitated the reduction of the number of variables used and, consequently, optimised working time and sexing accuracy. After validation, some equations showed a 100% sexing efficiency for Bonelli's eagles, particularly for adults. Our results showed that the variables with smaller overlap between the sexes were the lateral tarsus length and dorso-ventral tarsus length, particularly in nestlings. The rest of the variables showed some overlap between the sexes in both age classes. The results we obtained enable the sexing of juvenile and adult Bonelli's eagles in the field using just these two measurements. Hence, this is an easy, accurate, quick and non-invasive method with multiple applications, including in studies on population dynamics, survival analysis or extinction risk assessments, which, ultimately, could contribute to the improvement of the conservation status of this endangered species.

Mangrove ecosystem provisioning services for the sustainability and diversity of bird species in the coastal region of Lombok Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Syukur A, Zulkifli L, Mahrus H. 2021. Mangrove ecosystem provisioning services for the sustainability and diversity of bird species in the coastal region of Lombok Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 1589-1599. Ecological services offered by mangroves are imperative for various faunal species. The present study is focused on assessing the role of mangroves in the sustainability and diversity of bird species in the coastal region of Lombok Island, Indonesia. The aims of the study are (i) to describe the conservation status of bird species and (ii) to describe the value of the ecological index of birds as an indicator of mangrove conservation. The species diversity of birds is assessed by observation, whereas the quadratic transect method is used to assess mangrove vegetation structure. Data analysis has been carried out using univariate statistical analysis, namely the Shanon-Wiener index (H'), Simpson Index (d), Evenness Index (E), Richness Index (R), and linear regression analysis. The genus Rhizophora and Avicennia species have an even distribution in the study area. Rhizophora species in the study area result from revegetation, whereas Avicennia species grow naturally. Altogether, a total of 19 bird species have been observed in the present study. Of these, eight species have a limited distribution, four bird species are Near Threatened (NT), and others are Least Concern (LC) concerning their conservation status. The estimated Diversity Index (H') is ranged between 3.09-3.67, whereas Evenness (E) and Richness (R) index are ranged between 0.72-0.85 and 7.09-10.33, respectively. The ecological index value shows that the research locations have high species diversity and richness, and species are evenly distributed across the sites. Therefore, the value of the index of bird ecology and the distribution of bird species are indicators of mangrove supply services for the preservation of birds at the study site. The study concluded that the diversity of ecological indices and the conservation status of birds are important information for the success of mangrove conservation through revegetation at the study site. However, a comprehensive study is needed on the functional relationship of mangrove supply services with the diversity of bird species to obtain validity and rehabilitation as conservation indicators.

The spiders of the Falkland Islands 2: non-erigonine Linyphiidae

This is the second in a series of accounts providing descriptions of all the spider species found on the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Here, seven species of non-erigonine Linyphiidae are reported from the Falkland Islands. Six species are recorded from the islands for the first time, four are new species: Falklandoglenes hadassa sp. nov., Falklandoglenes iasonum sp. nov., Falklandoglenes weddelli sp. nov., and Stictonanus lafonia sp. nov. Falklandoglenes is an endemic genus and Stictonanus lafonia is known only from the Falkland Islands. The introduced species Tenuiphantes tenuis (Blackwall, 1852) and Lepthyphantes leprosus (Ohlert, 1865) are recorded from the islands for the first time. Two erigonine species, Erigone palustris Millidge, 1991 and Sphecozone rubescens O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871 are recorded from the islands for the first time; both are introductions. The taxonomic position of the endemic Falkland Island species is discussed. Falklandoglenes is considered to be close to a characteristically southern Neotropical group of species. The position of Stictonanus remains ambiguous. The relationships of both genera within the Linyphiidae remains unclear. The conservation status of the new species is discussed, with Falklandoglenes spinosa noted as of great concern because it is known from only one small island and has not be refound since its discovery in 1980.

A new species of Cambeva (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from an area of high anthropogenic impacts in the headwaters of Rio Iguaçu, Southern Brazil

Cambeva piraquara, sp. nov., a restricted-range and rare species last collected from over 20 years ago, is described from the Rio Piraquara, upper Rio Iguaçu basin, Rio Paraná (La Plata) system. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by having two conspicuous dark-brown longitudinal stripes on the inner skin layer of body over a plain yellowish background: a conspicuous wide and well-defined dark-brown longitudinal mid-lateral stripe extending from the opercular patch of odontodes to the first third of caudal-fin rays and a dorso-sagittal stripe comprising large and coalescent rounded blotches extending from occipital to the dorsal-fin base. We provide an illustrated osteological description and assess the conservation status of the new species, which faces several environmental impacts in the upper Rio Iguaçu basin.

A New Cephalaria (Caprifoliaceae) Species from Turkey

Cephalaria saldaensis, collected from Eşeler Mountain around Salda Lake (Yeşilova-Burdur), one of Turkey’s important tourism regions, is described from South-West Anatolia as a new species. Diagnostic morphological and molecular characters from closely similar taxa are discussed. The geographical distribution of the new species and other related species is mapped. Taxonomic comments such as descriptive and diagnostic characters, distribution and ecology, conservation status for this new species are given in the current study. In this study, morphological characterization of three different Cephalaria spp. was also supported via molecular characterization based on PCR technology. Twenty-two ISSR primers were tested using a total of fifteen individuals belonging to three different Cephalaria spp. Five of these primers gave the most productive band profile. A total of 53 bands ranging from 250bp to 2000bp were obtained from the PCR products on agarose gel image, and the polymorphism calculated on the basis of the band profiles was 77.4%. The band profiles were also analyzed using the PopGen32 Software program. The constructed phylogenetic tree grouped the Cephalaria spp. individuals belonging to these three species into two main clusters and the phylogenetic analysis indicated that C. saldaensis was clearly different from the C. scoparia and C. dirmilensis.

Medicinal plants of Lesotho: A review of ethnomedicinal, pharmacological and conservation studies

Background: Of the approximately 2,076 plant species occurring in Lesotho, about 355 are used for medicinal purposes. Many communities in the country, mainly in rural areas with limited access to health facilities, rely on traditional medicine as primary healthcare. Several publications provide helpful information on plants used for medicinal purposes in Lesotho. These include documentation of the plants, investigation of their therapeutic potential to provide scientific validation for their use, and conservation status. However, a synthesis of all the studies conducted so far has hitherto not been undertaken. The current study aimed to provide a systematic review of ethnomedicinal, pharmacological, and conservation studies undertaken on medicinal plants of Lesotho. The synthesis brings together published and unpublished literature sources, thus providing a comprehensive database for studies conducted on Lesotho medicinal plants. Furthermore, it identifies existing knowledge gaps on research that has been carried out on the species and thus provides opportunities for further research, especially in the search for new natural products. Methods: Information was gathered from published and unpublished literature sources, with the earliest publication dating back to 1917. Information was gathered through keyword search using accessible literature sources from Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and PubMed. Books, dissertations, theses, technical reports were also searched. Keywords used for the search were Lesotho, in conjunction with medicinal plant and traditional medicine. To be eligible for inclusion in the current review, a literature source was expected to have assessed ethnomedicinal use, biological/pharmacological activity (e.g., antimicrobial activity), phytochemistry, toxicology) or conservation status of any Lesotho plant species used in traditional medicine. Results: A total of 116 records were identified, of which 76 were included in the review. Thirty-one ethnomedicinal, 14 pharmacological (nine antioxidant, three anti-inflammatory, five antimicrobial activities), six phytochemical, and 15 conservation studies on medicinal plants of Lesotho were scrutinized. It is important to note that some studies evaluated more than one pharmacological activity. Ethnomedicinal studies show that numerous plants are used for medicinal purposes in Lesotho, however studies to scientifically validate their traditional use has remained far behind. Conclusion: Many of Lesotho’s important medicinal plants have been assessed for pharmacological activity, providing scientific proof for their use. However, there are numerous gaps in the number and type of pharmacological and phytochemical studies that have been conducted. These gaps offer endless opportunities for researchers working in these fields. In addition, the conservation status for most of these plants is unknown., therefore, a detailed red data listing of Lesotho plants, particularly those used in traditional medicine, is recommended. Keywords: ailments; ethnomedicine; safety; traditional medicine, treatment toxicology

Primulapingbaensis (Primulaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Primulapingbaensis Na Zhang, X.Q.Jiang & Z.K.Wu, a new species of Primulaceae from Gaofeng Mountain of Pingba county, Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. Morphological evidence supports P.pingbaensis as a member of P.sect.Petiolares on account of scape elongating, pedicels conspicuously thickening in fruit, and its capsule cracking irregularly round the top and crumbling away. Amongst the members of subsect. Davidii, the new species is characterized by having a uniquely smooth leaf blade due to inconspicuously raised veinlets and homostylous flowers with the style usually extending beyond the anthers. The distribution, phenology and conservation status of the new species are also provided.

Research and conservation priorities to protect wildlife from collisions with vehicles

The rapidly expanding global road network poses threats to wildlife, including direct mortality. Given limited knowledge and resources, strategic allocation is critical. We introduce a method to identify areas and taxa affected by vehicle collisions as priorities to study and protect. The method is illustrated using Latin America as a case study. In this region high biodiversity and an expanding road network can result in high impacts from roads, yet emerging research expertise offers opportunities for action. To identify priority targets, we combined predicted spatially-explicit roadkill rates for birds and mammals with information about the current road network and species conservation status. Priority areas for conservation (with many species susceptible to roadkill but few or inexistent roads) were largely concentrated in the Amazon, while priority areas for research (unstudied regions with many roads and many species susceptible to roadkill) occur in various areas from Southern Mexico to Chile. Priority taxa for conservation reflected studied, roadkill-susceptible groups (e.g., vultures and armadillos), while priority taxa for research were defined as either poorly-studied roadkill-susceptible groups or unstudied groups of conservation concern (e.g., cuckoos and shrew opossums). Our approach offers a tool that could be applied to other areas and taxa to facilitate a more strategic allocation of resources in conservation and research in road ecology.

Species diversity, richness, and conservation status of Pteridophyta in the karst ecosystem of Donorejo Forest, Kaligesing, Purworejo, Indonesia

Abstract. Pramudita DA, Armando MF, Rahmayani D, Afifah FN, Putri NRA, Hartanti AN, Safira RN, Mahajoeno E, Indrawan M, Nazar IA, Buot Jr IE, Setyawan AD. 2023. Species diversity, richness, and conservation status of Pteridophyta in the karst ecosystem of Donorejo Forest, Kaligesing, Purworejo, Indonesia. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 16-25. Pteridophyta is often used as an environmental bioindicator. It can be found anywhere because of its cosmopolite ability. Karst ecosystem is one type of Pteridophyta habitat and roles as a pioneer plant. This study aims to determine Pteridophyta's biodiversity and conservation status in Donorejo Forest, Kaligesing, Purworejo, Central Java, Indonesia. The data collection of Pteridophyta species was carried out by survey method. Furthermore, the species found were analyzed using the Shannon-Wiener species Diversity Index (H'), Margalef Species Richness Index (Dmg), and Evenness Species Index (E). The research found 1387 individuals from 14 families and 34 species. Then, from the analysis that has been carried out using the calculation of tree indices, the following results are obtained; Shanon-Wiener Index (H') = 2.53, Margalef Species Richness Index (Dmg) = 4.56, Evenness Species Index (E) = 0.72. Selaginella plana (Desv. ex Poir.) is the most dominant in the area. From its conservation status, there are two species in LC (Least Concern) under IUCN conservation status, namely Pteris vittata L. and Sphaeropteris glauca (Blume) R.M.Tryon., while the rest are in NE status (Not Evaluated). Moreover, the CITES found one species under Appendix II status, S. glauca. Those biodiversity indices showed that Donorejo Forest has a stable, productive, and complex ecosystem with moderate biodiversity, a high value for Margalef Species Richness Index (Dmg), and an Evenness Species Index (E). At the same time, it faces threats from dominant species and local community activity. This study result can be used for diversity assessment, especially karst land ecosystems, and for further research to make the appropriate conservation strategy.

Thnomedicinal and conservation evaluation of the traditional medicinal plant species employed by the Van Gujjar Tribe in the Dehradun Shivalik Hills, Uttarakhand, India Authors

Background: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative and conservation ethnomedicinal evaluation of the Van Gujjar Tribe inhabited in the Delhi-Dehradun Highway Shivalik hills Belt (DHSB). The study area is situated adjacent to biodiversity hotspot Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand, which is an important part of Himalayan systems. The area is ecologically sensitive, increasing anthropogenic disturbance and overexploitation of medicinal herbs is also major concern. So, along with conventional ethnobotanical studies, conservation analysis of the area is important. Methods: This ethnomedicinal study comprised extensive field surveys and repetitive interviews of 120 informants of the Van Gujjar tribe with different social and educational backgrounds. Procured data were analyzed using three different quantitative indices, i.e. the relative frequency of citations (RFC), informant consensus factor (ICF), and the fidelity level (FL%). Collected plant samples were identified by relevant flora literature and online plant databases. Identified species conservation status was derived from The IUCN online database. Results: A total of 71 medicinal plant species from 67 genera and 41 families were documented from the study area. The most frequently used species, Zingiber officinale Azadirachta indica A. Juss, and Ageratum conyzoides L. were employed for multiple health issues, mainly for digestive and respiratory disorders. The highest RFC values are Z. officinale (RFC = 1.0), A. indica A. Juss. (0.99) and A. conyzoides L. (0.92. FL% of these species were 96%, 90% and 83 % viz. The highest ICF value is 0.98, which shares dental & gum problems, digestive disorders and wounds categories. The IUCN status of 71 reported medicinal plant species indicated 28.1 % plant species were least concerned, 4.2 % critically endangered (Chlorophytum borivilianum,Commiphora wightii, Nardostachys jatamansi ), 1.4 % near threatened and 1.4 % endangered, 2.8 % Data Deficient, while 61.9 % species status remained unknown as currently not available in IUCN Red data list. Highly utilized species IUCN status however under ‘least concerned’ category. Conclusions: The study aids medicinal plant species data with current conservation status in the Delhi-Dehradun Highway Shivalik hills Belt. Medicinal plant species such as Chlorophytum borivilianum, Commiphora wightii, and Nardostachys jatamansi are critically endangered and others could be prone due to overexploitation. The present data could help to fill the previous conservation and quantitative ethnobotanical studies gaps in the study area. Keywords: Medicinal flora, Rajaji National Park, Himalaya, IUCN status, Critically Endangered Species, Traditional Knowledge,

Diversity, abundance, and conservation status of woody species in a West African dry forest

AbstractThis study presents data on woody plant species richness and diversity of an inaccessible dry forest of Tula Mountains Woodland (TMW) located in the northeast of Nigeria. TMW supports a minimally disturbed mosaic of dry forest‐woodland. We sampled woody species in 190 plots of size 0.01‐ha, spaced 50 m apart on series of line transects. We found a total of 133 woody species belonging to 88 genera and 39 families in 1.9 ha area sampled in total. Out of 133 species, 120 were identified to species level, and 113 were recorded as trees, shrubs and lianas with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm. Species accumulation curve was non‐asymptotic. Fisher's logseries model suggests that the plots sampled in the dry forest communities of TMW are represented by a high number of rare species. Of 120 identified species, 46 (38%) lacked evaluation on conservation status by IUCN. Out of 74 (62%) evaluated species, 2 were listed as critically endangered, 3 were vulnerable, and 69 were of least concern. In the TMW, 27% of woody species were restricted to Sudanian savannah biome, 61% occurred in Sudanian and Zambezian savannah biome. TMW serves as refugia for native plant species and plant communities in northeastern Nigeria.

Pre-assessments of plant conservation status in islands: the case of French Overseas Territories

Assessment methods have been developed to estimate a preliminary conservation status for species and subsequently to facilitate the building of Red Lists. Such pre-assessment methods could be particularly useful in the French Overseas Territories (FOTs) where Red Lists tend to be out-dated or absent and where a high number of endemic species face detrimental anthropogenic pressures. We first aimed to conduct a preliminary assessment (hereafter, pre-assessment) of the conservation status of endemic plants from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte, French sub-Antarctic islands, New Caledonia, and Scattered Islands. We then compared the various methods used in conducting the pre-assessment and discussed ways to adapt these methods to small territories. We compiled occurrence data of endemic species identified thanks to a previous taxonomic work and pre-assessed their conservation status under Red List criteria A and B and the use of a Random Forest algorithm. We then measured the accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of each method based on existing Red Lists. The Random Forest algorithm and a method based on range-size performed best at correctly attributing conservation status. Using these pre-assessment methods, we estimated that up to 60% of the endemic flora of the FOTs is potentially threatened. Range restriction but also anthropogenic pressures were key factors that explained these risks. Pre-assessment methods are useful tools to get a first measure of species conservation status. These methods should be adapted to the territories considered and their conservation issues in order to reach a good performance.

Marine fishes of Palawan, Philippines: Species diversity, new records, and conservation status

The Palawan archipelago is considered as the Philippines’ last ecological frontier, a Man and Biosphere Reserve, and a priority conservation area because of its high marine biodiversity. However, a comprehensive checklist of the current marine fishes occurring in the province that can be used for diversity conservation priorities is still lacking. This paper aims to present an updated checklist of marine fishes recorded in Palawan waters (including new records) and their current conservation status. Underwater visual census (UVC) surveys (2003–2021), and published literature from 156 sites were used to compile the checklist, and the species’ updated nomenclatures were also presented. Currently, 1,056 marine fishes (32 elasmobranchs, 1,024 bony fishes) are included in the list, classified under two classes, 42 orders, 115 families, and 366 genera. More species were recorded in the Sulu Sea (904) than in the West Philippine Sea (557) which could be attributed to more studies being conducted in the former than in the latter. We also included 299 newly recorded species in this province, mostly from UVC surveys. Most of the species have Least Concern and Not Evaluated IUCN status, but a few species are already threatened, comprised mostly of elasmobranchs. Necessary information from this checklist is crucial in crafting a management plan for the protection and conservation of marine fishes in Palawan and nearby areas, especially those that are already declared as threatened species.

Thismia andicola sp. nov. (Thismiaceae): a new species from the northern Andes in Colombia

Knowledge on the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia (Thismiaceae) in the neotropics is scarce, where the majority of species are known from Brazil, with 13 currently accepted species, of which seven are endemics. All the 15 known species of the genus in the Americas, except T. americana, inhabit forests below 1300 m a.s.l. Two species of Thismia are known from Colombia, T. panamensis from the Chocó biogeographical region and T. glaziovii from the Amazonian region. Here we describe a third Colombian species, T. andicola sp. nov. distinguished by having outer surface of the floral tube light blue and densely punctate with sky-blue metallic dots, inner tepals 4.6–5 mm long and stigma obovoid, covered adaxially by regularly distributed simple uniseriate multicellular trichomes. It is collected in the buffer zone of the Tamá National Park, Norte de Santander and is the first species of Thismia recorded from the Andes, and the first American species found above 2000 m a.s.l. We provide a description, drawings, photographs, distribution map, and the provisional conservation status of the new species. A key to species of Thismia sect. Ophiomeris species is also included.

Species richness, composition, distribution and conservation status of the amphibians and reptiles of the Cordillera del Cóndor, a region between Ecuador and Peru

Species richness, composition, distribution and conservation status of the amphibians and reptiles of the Cordillera del Cóndor, a region between Ecuador and Peru

A new Pipistrelle bat from the oceanic Island of Príncipe (Western Central Africa).

We describe a population of pipistrelle-like bats from Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea, Western Central Africa) as a new species based on the molecular and morphological characteristics of six specimens collected more than 30 years ago. The description of this new species was not possible until the traditionally entangled systematics of the whole pipistrelle group was clarified in recent years with the inclusion of molecular techniques and adequate species sampling. In this new taxonomic framework, the new species was clearly included within the dark-winged group of the recently described genus Pseudoromicia. The pipistrelles from Príncipe Island present a moderately inflated skull in lateral view with inner upper incisors that are moderately bicuspids and a baculum distinctly long with expanded tips. Besides these morphological characters, the new bat species is distinguished by its dwarfism, being the smallest species recognized within the genus. The ecology and conservation status of this endemic island species are unknown and field studies are urgently needed to evaluate the situation and conservation threats to this new species in its natural habitat.