Conservation Status Research Articles

A taxonomic revision of the genus Crocus (Iridaceae) in Iran

The taxonomic classification of the genus Crocus has undergone substantial revisions over the past half‐century. Likewise, over the last two decades, the number of known species in Iran has tripled with the discovery of 16 additional species. Despite these noteworthy recent findings, there is a lack of an updated taxonomic revision that encompasses all these newcomers. This revision of the genus in Iran is based on comprehensive morphological examinations conducted on fresh plant material collected in the field, cultivated plants, herbarium specimens, and an extensive literature review. Presently, 24 species are recognized in Iran. They are classified into two sections: Crocus and Nudiscapus. Notably, 18 species (75%) are endemic to Iran, with 14 among them being steno‐endemics, the five remaining species are subendemic elements whose distribution is limited to Iran and the adjacent countries. An identification key to all 24 recognized species is presented, accompanied by illustrations, detailed descriptions, distribution maps and information on the conservation status of each species. According to the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of all species, excluding C. caspius, C. damascenus, C. haussknechtii and C. michelsonii is at an alarming level. This revision aims to resolve ambiguities in the Iranian Crocus taxonomy, and offers the opportunity to collectively examine all previously described species in one comprehensive contribution.

Aquatic and semiaquatic mammals occurring in the brazilian Amazon: Diversity, Habitats and Extinction

The Amazon has a megabiodiversity, among which the species of aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals that are distributed in the Amazon rivers stand out, whose human actions cause damage to their habitats. Therefore, the objective of this study was to understand the species of aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals endemic to or occurring in the Amazon region, considering the impacts on their diversity, habitat, and conservation status. To this end, a systematic bibliographical review was conducted using the keywords “aquatic mammals of the Amazon” and “aquatic mammals of the Amazon”, without making a historical cut. The species found were common, endemic, and non-endemic, with rare observations in the Brazilian Amazon, totaling 15 aquatic and two semi-aquatic species. It was observed that all of them are included in the list of endangered species, some with a less worrying classification and others in danger of extinction, threatened mainly by human actions. Therefore, it is necessary for human beings to become more aware of nature because of the great importance of these animals for Amazonian aquatic ecosystems.

Interdisciplinary methodology for the characterisation of archaeological metal grave goods from the Museum of Patagonia by PIXE, DRX, and SEM/EDS

AbstractWe present a study of a selection of metal ornaments belonging to archaeological funerary goods from Patagonic Indigenous groups. They are part of the ‘Andrés Giai’ Collection, under the guard of the Museum of Patagonia (Nahuel Huapi National Park [PNNH]; National Parks Administration [APN]), Argentina. The absence of contextual information and its current conservation status motivated the design of an interdisciplinary methodology to develop an Integral Conservation Plan that considered the selection of analytical techniques. Here, we implemented complementary nondestructive characterisation techniques such as particle induced X‐ray emission (PIXE), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). We developed a methodology enabling us to characterise each piece with respect to its metallic composition and degradation products, and in certain cases, their manufacturing process. These findings have contributed with essential information for the tailored conservation treatment proposal. Moreover, they provided key information in regard to the reconstruction of contextual data for each piece. In addition, the methodology proposed for the Integral Conservation Plan takes into account an optimisation of the techniques to be used in order to minimise unnecessary handling of goods whilst ensuring an appropriate use of technological and economic resources whilst minimising time on potentially unconclusive measurements and results.

Water Reserves for the Environment: A Strategic and Temporal Analysis (2012–2022) for the Implementation of Environmental Flows in Mexico

In Mexico, the evaluations of environmental flows are regulated by the Mexican Norm NMX-AA-159-SCFI-2012, and they warrant the establishment of water reserves for the environment. However, the pressure or demand for water use limits the establishment of said reserves because their implementation is generally conditioned to water availability. This research aimed to evaluate the changes through time of the variables that serve as a basis for the implementation strategy by the Mexican government. A geographical information system was built with updated information on water availability, conservation values, and pressures for all basins nationwide. Their desired conservation status was analyzed, and the potential reserves were estimated based on the reference values. The results were examined according to the ranking changes in environmental water reserves enactment feasibility and desired conservation status of Mexican basins, the progress achieved to date, and the potential contribution to the conservation of protected areas and their connectivity if the gaps of reserves were implemented. The outcomes point towards an administrative implementation strategy with positive results despite the growing demand for water use, with a change rate higher than the one for the creation of new protected areas. Currently, basins with low demand and high conservation value have the potential to meet people’s and the environment’s water needs, and contribute to 86% of the goal set by the present administration without affecting water availability. Finally, reserving water in the priority basins would guarantee the legal protection of the flow regime in 48–50% of the hydrographic network (63,760–66,900 km) in a desired conservation status, 43–49% of wetlands of international importance (48,650–49,600 km2) and other protected areas (128,700–136,500 km2) in 85–89% of the global ecoregions represented in Mexico (780,500–852,200 km2).

A Study on the Fresh Water Fish Diversity of Mora Dhansiri River, Assam, India

The Mora Dhansiri River, situated in Darrang District, Assam, India, harbors a diverse array of freshwater fish species, contributing significantly to the region's biodiversity. Through comprehensive sampling efforts, this study identified a total of 29 fish species across 05 orders and 12 families. Cypriniformes dominated the catch list with 17 species, followed by Perciformes with 04 species, Siluriformes with 05 species, Synbranchiformes with 02 species, and one species from Gobiiformes. The most abundant family was Cyprinidae, comprising 22 species, followed by Bagridae and Cobitidae with four species each. The study revealed prominent genera such as Labeo, Puntius, Mystus, and Channa, with multiple species representing each genus. Notably, the presence of exotic species such as Cyprinus carpio, Ctenopharyngodon idella, and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix underscores the influence of adjacent private ponds on the river's fish diversity. Of the recorded species, 19 were deemed edible and suitable for aquarium trade, with three species also possessing medicinal value. Furthermore, the study assessed the conservation status of the fish species, revealing that 2.19% were endangered, 4.54% vulnerable, and 6.81% near-threatened, while 77.2% were categorized as least concern. Additionally, 2.27% of species were classified as data deficient, and 9.09% were not accessed. The presence of near-threatened species like Hypophthalmichthys molitrix highlights the conservation significance of the Mora Dhansiri River. However, anthropogenic pressures such as industrial effluents, pesticide use, overexploitation, and habitat destruction pose significant threats to the river's aquatic biodiversity. Urgent conservation measures are needed to safeguard these valuable resources and ensure their sustainable management for future generations.

Gladiolus adanus (Iridaceae, Crocoideae), a new species from Türkiye

Gladiolus adanus is introduced to the scientific world as a new species from Adana/Tufanbeyli/Türkiye. In this study, description and illustration, diagnostic morphological characters, habitat, distribution, ecological characteristics, conservation status, seed micromorphological characters (LM and SEM) and comparisons with close species are given.

Syzygium ngheanense (Myrtaceae: Myrtoideae), a new species of Syzygium from Central Vietnam

Syzygium ngheanense (Myrtaceae), a new species from Nghe An Province, in Central Vietnam is described and illustrated. The species is most similar to S. vestitum, S. scarbum and S. levinei but differs from the three latter in having glabrous bracts and bracteoles, sparsely scabrid flower buds and hypanthia, larger sepals and petals, longer stamens and styles. Information on phenology, ecology and distribution is provided, together with a preliminary conservation status assessment and taxonomic notes for the new species and a key to distinguish it from three hairy Syzygium species in Indochina.

Negative population trend of the Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus in an important wetland in southeastern Norway

Cover photo: Singing Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus at Årnestangen, Nordre Øyeren nature reserve. Photo: Øyvind Hagen. The Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus is considered the most common of the five species of Emberiza buntings breeding in Norway and is currently listed as a species of Least Concern. However, a complete census of territorial male Reed Buntings conducted in the Nordre Øyeren nature reserve in 2019 showed a decline in the local breeding population of 67% compared to the last counts completed 40 years ago. Censuses were conducted in 1976 and 1981 in the same area and with the same methods. Analyses of citizen science data from the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre also show a similar decreasing trend (-66%) for the Reed Bunting breeding population in Nordre Øyeren from 1976 to 2019. Moreover, image analyses of the census maps show that that the number and density of Reed Bunting territories have decreased locally and probably has done so since early 1980s. Interestingly, a subset of localities within the survey area still have the same territory densities as the 1976 and 1981 censuses. We suggest that changes in habitat, vegetation and farming practice, especially grazing, could be the underlying cause of variation in bird numbers. Our results indicate a negative population trend for the Reed Bunting locally, a tendency that is also observed regionally in the Nordic countries. Taken together, local and regional declines raise concerns about the conservation status of the Reed Bunting in Norway.

A new osmiine bee with a spectacular geographic disjunction: Hoplitis (Hoplitis) onosmaevae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Anthophila, Megachilidae)

A new osmiine bee species, Hoplitis (Hoplitis) onosmaevaesp. nov. (Megachilidae), is described. So far, this species is exclusively known from the Mercantour National Park in the southwestern French Alps and from mountainous ranges in Turkey and northern Iraq, two areas separated by at least 2000 km. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes revealed that H. onosmaevae is closely related to H. adunca (Panzer, 1798), H. benoisti (Alfken, 1935) and H. manicata (Morice, 1901). Hoplitis onosmaevae is presumably narrowly oligolectic and harvests pollen only on flowers of Onosma L. (Boraginaceae). It has a particularly long proboscis, which is probably an adaptation to collect nectar from the long-tubed flowers of this plant genus. The females collect pollen by buzzing the Onosma flowers, a rare behavior in megachilid bees. The species nests in insect burrows in dead wood, similar to H. adunca and H. manicata but unlike other closely related representatives of the subgenus Hoplitis, suggesting a single origin of nesting in dead wood and hollow stems in this lineage. In France, H. onosmaevae inhabits alpine steppe-like habitats close to forests and appears to be extremely local, since only two populations are currently known. The conservation status of this extremely rare bee species in Europe is discussed.

Seasonally flooded Coquinal: typifying a particular plant association in the northern Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

Background: One of the most diverse and threatened plant associations in the Yucatan peninsula has not been characterized and therefore not included in any protection category in Mexico. We characterize and describe this plant association, which is rapidly disappearing or being irreversibly transformed as a result of anthropic activities. We propose a name and attempt a preliminary assessment of its taxonomic richness, and the identification of priority species to be preserved.
 Questions: What is the species richness and plant endemism associated within this plant association? What are the ecologically important and high-priority species for conservation? How is it different from associated or similar plant associations?
 Studied species: Vascular plants.
 Study site and dates: Northern Yucatan peninsula; 2021-2023.
 Methods: The plant association was characterized, and quantitative parameters were recorded. The Importance Value Index was estimated to assess its local ecological importance, and each species was assigned a conservation category in order to evaluate the conservation status in a global context.
 Results: We propose Seasonally flooded Coquinal (SFC) as a name for this plant association based on geomorphological, physiognomic, and structural attributes. A total of 206 species were recorded, which two are endemic to the SFC and 28 to the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic Province (YPBP). Twelve species are listed under a risk category.
 Conclusions: The SFC harbors a high plant diversity of endemic species to the YPBP, 12 of which are included in the IUCN red list, for which its typification and conservation should be a high priority in Mexico.

Dryopterisjinpingensis, a critically endangered diploid new species of Dryopteridaceae from Yunnan, China.

Dryopterisjinpingensis, a new species of diploid, sexually reproductive ferns of Dryopteridaceae from Yunnan, southwestern China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, D.jinpingensis is similar to D.gaoligongensis but unique in elongated lanceolate laminae, sessile or subsessile pinna stalks, and overlapping membranous scales adnate to stipe base. Phylogenetic analyses based on both plastome and the nuclear AK1 gene sequences showed that D.jinpingensis is sister to D.gaoligongensis. A detailed taxonomic description with line drawings is provided, and its conservation status is evaluated to be critically endangered.

New taxa of Barleria sect. Prionitis (Acanthaceae) from the Horn of Africa biodiversity hotspot in Somalia

Two new taxa in Barleria L. sect. Prionitis Nees (Acanthaceae) are described from Somalia, namely Barleria biramosa Defty & I.Darbysh. from central Somalia and B. compacta Malombe & I.Darbysh. subsp. minima I.Darbysh. & Defty from the northeast coastal region. These taxa are further endemics of the Horn of Africa biodiversity hotspot and have highly restricted ranges. Barleria biramosa was previously included within B. punctata Milne-Redh., another range-restricted endemic of the Horn of Africa region form northeast Ethiopia and northern Somalia; an updated description of B. punctata is therefore provided. Notes on the habitat requirements and conservation status (extinction risk) of the species are provided. Barleria biramosa is considered to be globally Endangered whilst B. compacta subsp. minima is currently assessed as Least Concern; the published assessment of Vulnerable for B. punctata is confirmed. With these additions, 11 taxa in 10 species of Barleria sect. Prionitis are currently recognised in Somalia.

Accuracy Evaluation for Plan-Reliefs and Historical Maps Created during WWI in Northern Italy

The availability of digital copies of historical artifacts modeling the territory through the so-called “plan-reliefs” is important for many reasons: the preservation of the artifact if the physical object is damaged or destroyed, the possibility of creating virtual showrooms and providing researchers a tool to study the object combining information from different sources. For these reasons, a set of plan-reliefs created during World War I on the Italian front and kept by the Italian Historical War Museum of Rovereto (Italy) was surveyed to create digital models of the surfaces, which were georeferenced in the ETRS89 datum. A set of historical military maps of the same period was georeferenced to overlay the sets to the surface in the digital representation and to try to infer clues about the cartographic sources used in the historical artifact creation. The best transformation for georeferencing the maps is different depending on the map scale, map origin, conservation status and number of Ground Control Points. The georeferencing process precision and accuracy were evaluated. The digital models created in this study were compared to the official Digital Terrain Model (DTM) provided by the Regions or the autonomous provinces. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, and the combination of the models with the georeferenced maps is used by historians to describe the process used in the creation of plan-reliefs.

Two new species of Anthurium sect. Urospadix (Araceae) endemic to the restinga vegetation of Bahia, Brazil

Coastal vegetation will be the first areas to be directly affected by rising sea levels as a result of climate change. Thus, it is urgent to know and disseminate information about their plant diversity, especially those that are already known to be impacted by other threat factors. Here we present two new critically endangered Anthurium sect. Urospadix species from the restingas of Bahia, Brazil: A. bellissimum and A. itacarense. Descriptions, illustrations, photos in vivo, as well as discussion on the conservation status and related species are provided.

Měkkýši přírodních památek V Krátkých a Lom Rasová v CHKO Bílé Karpaty [Molluscs of the V Krátkých and Lom Rasová Nature Monuments in the White Carpathians PLA

The V Krátkých Nature Monument (NM) comprises of landscape mosaic of meadows, groves, spring fen and wetland while the Lom Rasová NM is a former sandstone quarry with open and forested areas. Both are situated near Vápenice village in the White Carpathians. In total, 44 species (40 terrestrial gastropods, 3 aquatic snails and 1 bivalve) were found in V Krátkých NM. Three species are listed in the Red List of Threatened Species: Daudebardia brevipes (VU), Lehmannia carpatica (NT) and Bythinella austriaca (NT). Most diversity consists of forest species, followed by eurytopic and hygrophilous species. The spring fen is the most species-rich habitat, as hygrophilous, eurytopic and forest species are present. To retain the favourable conservation status, extensive kettle grazing or mowing of the fen and meadows is suggested while the groves should remain in a non-intervention regime with possible subtle intrusion of broadleaved trees. In the Lom Rasová NM, 18 terrestrial gastropod species were recorded (aquatic malacofauna was not surveyed). All species are common and widespread, and their composition is a mixture of predominantly forest, euryvalent and open-country taxa. To support gastropod diversity, the broadleaved groves should remain in a non-intervention regime, while deciduous trees should be replaced with broadleaved species and overall habitat diversity should be supported.

Astragalus miksensis Fırat (Fabaceae), a new species in section Hymenostegis from Van province, Türkiye

Astragalus miksensis Fırat (sect. Hymenostegis Bunge), a new species is described from Bahçesaray (Miks)/Van province, Türkiye. The new species is morphologically similar to Astragalus zohrabi Bunge, from which it differs in several morphological features including stipules, leaves, peduncle, indumentum, inflorescence shape, flower, ovary, fruit and seed characters. A comprehensive description of Astragalus miksensis is provided, including detailed photographs, distribution map, habitat and ecology, vernacular names and IUCN conservation status.

A price on their heads? Assessing foreign demand as a driver of hornbill hunting in Cameroon

Unsustainable hunting to supply wildlife markets is a global threat to bird species and a key driver of biodiversity declines across Africa. Despite well-documented negative impacts of wildlife trade on many bird species, such as Asian hornbills and African vultures, its consequences for African hornbills remain poorly understood. Here, we use data from both online trade and interviews with hunters in Cameroon to investigate the implications of foreign demand for African hornbills, using a twofold approach. First, we explored factors associated with the prices of hornbill skulls, the most heavily traded and expensive hornbill products, in online markets. Second, we examined the relationship between hunting pressure and market demand using semi-structured interviews with hornbill hunters and traders in Cameroon. In our online sales analysis, we considered factors including numbers of sales, species conservation status, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listing, body size, sex, and skull length (including bill and casque). In addition, we considered the number of sound recordings available for focal species, as this factor is highly correlated with species range size and may serve as a proxy for detectability in the field. We then used generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMM) to identify variables closely associated with the prices of hornbill skulls online. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to examine the relationship between hunting pressure and the local and foreign demands in Cameroon. We found that online trade included skulls and other products from 20 African and five Asian hornbill species, the latter of which were all CITES-listed. The median online price for a hornbill skull was £117. Nearly half (nine out of 20) of the African hornbill species found in online trade were native to Cameroon. The three most heavily traded species—Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata), Black-casqued Hornbill (C. atrata), and White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis)—accounted for 66% of online hornbill products. Larger-bodied hornbill species classified as threatened, subject to CITES regulations, and species with higher numbers of sound recordings available tended to command higher prices online and thus likely face higher hunting pressure. We also found that foreign demand has a significant impact on hornbill hunting pressure, particularly among younger hunters. Approximately 73% of Cameroonian hunters interviewed targeted hornbills, with 91% of these motivated to acquire hornbill heads for trade, and 98% intending to sell their products to foreign buyers. Our findings highlight the urgent need to address the negative impacts of international wildlife trade and implement measures to protect African hornbill populations from increasing threats of overexploitation.

Ancient diversity within Diporodrilus (Crassiclitellata, Annelida) clarify the historical biogeography of Corso-Sardinian earthworms

AbstractCorsica and Sardinia are amongst the largest islands of the Western Mediterranean. Their complex geological history included belonging to the European–Iberian continental margin (close to current-day Catalonia and Provence) and varying degrees of isolation for the last 30 million years, leading to peculiar, highly endemic faunas and floras. This is especially true for their earthworm faunas, which include endemic species of several Lumbricoidea genera and the endemic family (or subfamily) Diporodrilidae. Only three species have been described for the morphologically unique Diporodrilus, but there exists evidence for wide morphological variability within them and the existence of several species-level genetic lineages within Corsica. This work aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between the genetic lineages of Diporodrilus from Corsica and Sardinia (based on the sequences of 5 mito-nuclear markers), to perform an integrative systematics revision combining species delimitation techniques and morphological data, and to obtain a time-calibrated phylogeny of Diporodrilus and other Corso-Sardinian Lumbricoidea. Within 15 populations of the morphospecies Diporodrilus omodeoi and Diporodrilus pilosus across Corsica and Sardinia, 10 species-level genetic lineages were detected. Phylogenetic independence, high genetic divergence and morphological differences provided the support for the description of five new pseudocryptic species: Diporodrilus rotundus sp. nov., Di. jorgei sp. nov., Di. minor sp. nov., Di. meridionalis sp. nov. and Di. telti sp. nov. Time-calibrated phylogenetic inference estimated the age for genus Diporodrilus at 65.9 Mya; even if other Corso-Sardinian genera were significantly younger, all of them presented deep divergences predating the break-off of the microplate from the continent. The almost threefold increase in the known diversity of Diporodrilus stresses the need for comprehensive earthworm diversity inventories in both Sardinia and Corsica, and for studies on their ecological role and conservation status. The close correspondence between some geological and cladogenetic events suggest that the distribution of Corso-Sardinian earthworms could be used to inform standing geological controversies.

Distribución geográfica y estado de conservación del cactus endémico <i>Austrocylindropuntia pachypus</i> y nuevos registros para el sur del Perú

Austrocylindropuntia pachypus (K.Schum.) Backeb. it is an endemic cactus whose distribution was restricted to the western slopes of La Libertad, Ancash, Lima; and based on botanical expeditions through the Andean foothills of Ica, new records are reported with reduced populations of A. pachypus, which makes it possible to extend its known distribution to southern Peru by more than 260 km; in addition, based on 35 georeferenced records, information is presented on their locations, populations, potential distribution, habitats, threats, and the conservation status was analyzed. The potential distribution model shows high predictive or suitability levels with AUC values = 0.96 based on seven climatic variables (Bio17, Bio2 and Bio7 being the ones with the greatest contribution), with the departments with the highest suitability values being: Lima, Ancash, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Huancavelica and Ica. The localities where they are most concentrated and in turn are seriously disturbed by anthropogenic activities are the valleys of the Chillon river (Santa Rosa de Quives - Canta) and Rimac (Santa Eulalia - Huarochiri) in Lima; due to this, almost 70% of the records and populations of A. pachypus are threatened by mining rights, hydrocarbon extraction, overgrazing, and urban or agricultural expansion, which increases the fragmentation of their habitats and isolates the few populations of A. pachypus, therefore, it is proposed to categorize this endemic cactus as Endangered (EN).

Diversity, Dominance, and Conservation Status of Bird Species Traded in Bird Shops Around of Jambi City

Maintaining bird diversity is essential for preserving biodiversity. The popularity of bird keeping as a hobby is due to their attractive colours and sounds, as well as their economic value. However, the breeding and trading of various bird species has led to the development of bird races and competitions. This study aims to determine the diversity, dominance, and conservation status of songbird species that are traded and competed in Jambi City. The study is a descriptive field research that showcases our expertise in the field. In August 2023, the study confidently employed structured observations and interviews through a questionnaire. The analysis confidently used the variety index, evenness index, and dominance index. The research confidently identified ten species, two of which are protected: The Cucak hijau Chloropsis sonneratii (Chloropseidae) and the Serindit melayu Loriculus galgulus (Psittacidae). The bird species have been classified into three categories based on their IUCN conservation status: endangered (10%) Chloropsis sonneratii, vulnerable (20%) Alophoixus tephrogenys and Zosterops melanurus, and least concern (70%) Copsychus saularis, Kittacincla malabarica, Leptocoma brasiliana, Zosterops simplex, Loriculus galgulus, Agapornis sp., and Serinus canaries