Data Deficient Research Articles

\u2018Genome skimming\u2019 with the MinION hand-held sequencer identifies CITES-listed shark species in India\u2019s exports market

Chondrichthyes - sharks, rays, skates, and chimeras, are among the most threatened and data deficient vertebrate species. Global demand for shark and ray derived products, drives unregulated and exploitative fishing practices, which are in turn facilitated by the lack of ecological data required for effective conservation of these species. Here, we describe a Next Generation Sequencing method (using the MinION, a hand-held portable sequencing device from Oxford Nanopore Technologies), and analyses pipeline for molecular ecological studies in Chondrichthyes. Using this method, the complete mitochondrial genome and nuclear intergenic and protein-coding sequences were obtained by direct sequencing of genomic DNA obtained from shark fin tissue. Recovered loci include mitochondrial barcode sequences- Cytochrome oxidase I, NADH2, 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA- and nuclear genetic loci such as 5.8S rRNA, Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, and 28S rRNA regions, which are commonly used for taxonomic identification. Other loci recovered were the nuclear protein-coding genes for antithrombin or SerpinC, Immunoglobulin lambda light chain, Preprogehrelin, selenium binding protein 1(SBP1), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Recombination-Activating Gene 1 (RAG1). The median coverage across all genetic loci was 20x and sequence accuracy was ≥99.8% compared to reference sequences. Analyses of the nuclear ITS2 region and the mitochondrial protein-encoding loci allowed accurate taxonomic identification of the shark specimen as Carcharhinus falciformis, a CITES Appendix II species. MinION sequencing provided 1,152,211 bp of new shark genome, increasing the number of sequenced shark genomes to five. Phylogenetic analyses using both mitochondrial and nuclear loci provided evidence that Prionace glauca is nested within Carcharhinus, suggesting the need for taxonomic reassignment of P. glauca. We increased genomic information about a shark species for ecological and population genetic studies, enabled accurate identification of the shark tissue for biodiversity indexing and resolved phylogenetic relationships among multiple taxa. The method was independent of amplification bias, and adaptable for field assessments of other Chondrichthyes and wildlife species in the future.

Ecological traits predict population changes in moths

Understanding the ecological traits which predispose species to local or global extinction allows for more effective pre-emptive conservation management interventions. Insect population declines are a major facet of the global biodiversity crisis, yet even in Europe they remain poorly understood. Here we identify traits linked to population trends in ‘common and widespread’ UK moths. Population trend data from the Rothamsted Research Insect Survey spanning 40 years was subject to classification and regression models to identify common traits among species experiencing a significant change in occurrence. Our final model had an accuracy of 76% and managed to predict declining species on 90% of occasions, but was less successful with increasing species. By far the most powerful predictor associated for declines was moth wingspan with large species declining more frequently. Preference for woody or herbaceous larval food sources, nocturnal photoperiod activity, and richness of habitats occupied also proved to be significantly associated with decline. Our results suggest that ecological traits can be reliably used to predict declines in moths, and that this model could be used for Data Deficient species, of which there are many.

Applying habitat and population-density models to land-cover time series to inform IUCN Red List assessments.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List categories and criteria are the most widely used framework for assessing the relative extinction risk of species. The criteria are based on quantitative thresholds relating to the size, trends, and structure of species’ distributions and populations. However, data on these parameters are sparse and uncertain for many species and unavailable for others, potentially leading to their misclassification or classification as data deficient. We devised an approach that combines data on land‐cover change, species‐specific habitat preferences, population abundance, and dispersal distance to estimate key parameters (extent of occurrence, maximum area of occupancy, population size and trend, and degree of fragmentation) and hence predict IUCN Red List categories for species. We applied our approach to nonpelagic birds and terrestrial mammals globally (∼15,000 species). The predicted categories were fairly consistent with published IUCN Red List assessments, but more optimistic overall. We predicted 4.2% of species (467 birds and 143 mammals) to be more threatened than currently assessed and 20.2% of data deficient species (10 birds and 114 mammals) to be at risk of extinction. Incorporating the habitat fragmentation subcriterion reduced these predictions 1.5–2.3% and 6.4–14.9% (depending on the quantitative definition of fragmentation) for threatened and data deficient species, respectively, highlighting the need for improved guidance for IUCN Red List assessors on the application of this aspect of the IUCN Red List criteria. Our approach complements traditional methods of estimating parameters for IUCN Red List assessments. Furthermore, it readily provides an early‐warning system to identify species potentially warranting changes in their extinction‐risk category based on periodic updates of land‐cover information. Given our method relies on optimistic assumptions about species distribution and abundance, all species predicted to be more at risk than currently evaluated should be prioritized for reassessment.

Assessing the sustainability of lepidophagous catfish, Pachypterus khavalchor (Kulkarni, 1952), from a tropical river Panchaganga, Maharashtra, India

BackgroundThe Western Ghats of India, one of the global biodiversity hotspots and freshwater eco-regions, harbors several fish species which not just form the important part of the world’s freshwater biodiversity yet in addition are the vital segment of livelihood of the neighborhood population. The rate of fish decline in the Western Ghats is alarming. The absence of organized study and data scarcity on basic biology and life history traits of several species could be one reason behind the decline, and thus it is difficult to execute conservation action/s. This is especially true, particularly for data-deficient species for which definite data related to distribution, population size, and trend is not available. The present study deals with the detailed investigation of population dynamics of catfish species, Pachypterus khavalchor, which is data-deficient species inhabiting the Western Ghats of India and forms an important component of freshwater inland fishery, providing nutritional and financial security to the local community.MethodsSpecimens for the present study were collected monthly for a period of 1 year from the River Panchaganga and length–frequency data were analyzed using FiSAT II software.ResultsLength–weight analysis of pooled (male + female) data suggested the fish exhibited higher exponent than expected under isometry, indicating the positive allometric growth of P. khavalchor in the Panchaganga River. The asymptotic length (L∞) and the growth rate (K) were estimated as 149.63 mm and 0.71 year−1 respectively. Potential longevity (tmax) and length at first capture (Lc) were estimated as 4.22 years and 73 mm respectively. The total (Z), natural (M), and fishing mortality (F) were estimated as 2.23 year−1, 0.88 year−1, and 1.35 year−1 respectively. The current exploitation rate (Ecur = 0.60) was found to be almost 90% that gives the maximum relative yield per recruit (Emax = 0.67). Recruitment pattern revealed two peaks, suggesting the fish have two spawning bouts each year.ConclusionsThe stock of P. khavalchor in the Panchaganga River may be in near full exploitation under the current harvesting strategy, with a high chance of recruitment failure in the future. Additional studies on the reproductive biology of P. khavalchor would be particularly welcome for the imposition of the seasonal closure for effective conservation of stock.

Spatial knowledge deficiencies drive taxonomic and geographic selectivity in data deficiency

The uncertain threat status of species inevitably influences their focus on conservation. Just as in extinction risk, the non-randomness phenomenon related to uncertainty (also referred to as selectivity), which is a certain character cluster in some groupings, also exists in data deficiency of species' knowledge. In order to illustrate this kind of non-random phenomenon and explain the uncertainties it caused, we performed a hypergeometric test on taxonomic and geographic groupings of China's spermatophyte species and quantified two factors— frequency of collections and spatial accessibility— to indicate the primary causes of spatial knowledge deficiencies. We found that selectivity in data deficiency exists both taxonomically and geographically. Fifteen of the families were more deficient than expected, which included 30.0% of species and 56.3% ranked data deficient (DD). Among these, eight families were statistically highly significant with p < 0.001 and included 25.2% of species and 50.0% ranked DD. Forty-six families were less deficient than expected. With respect to floristic division, four of 29 floristic regions and subregions were more deficient than expected, and seven were less deficient than expected. Spatial autocorrelation analysis on DD species suggested an aggregated pattern of data deficiency in China (Moran's I = 0.58, z-score = 27.0, p < 0.001), and these areas that contained the highest numbers of DD species also contained the highest number of species (Spearman's R2 = 0.879, p < 0.001). However, the largest DD ratio had a low correlation with the richest DD spatial diversity. Moreover, we found the larger the DD ratio was, the lower the frequency of collections and the poorer the spatial accessibility would be. In the research, we showed that the uncertainties associated with DD species would alter the non-randomness in the selectivity of data deficiency and further affect the focus of conservation. Only with a full understanding of the process and mechanisms of data deficiency can we determine where and what kind of actions are necessary to improve the knowledge of plant diversity.

Age, growth and maturity of the Australian blackspot shark (Carcharhinus coatesi) in the Gulf of Papua

Small-bodied coastal sharks are often caught as by-catch in fishing operations. Life-history information for these sharks is needed to ascertain the level at which these populations are potentially affected by fishing. This study determined the age, growth and maturity of Carcharhinus coatesi captured by prawn trawlers in the Gulf of Papua. Using vertebral aging and an information-theoretic multimodel approach, the von Bertalanffy growth model fit the data best; parameters were L0=40.6cm±0.8, L∞=74.8cm±2.1, k=0.33year−1±0.06. Length-at-maturity analysis indicated that males reach maturity at L50=66.3cm (CI: 63.8, 71.4) and L95=71.6 (CI: 64.6, 74.2) cm while females matured at L50=71.4cm (CI: 61.5, 72.01) and L95=72.5cm (CI: 62.7, 74.0). Age-at-maturity estimates showed that both males (A50=5.1 years (CI: 4.6, 7.1), A95=6.4 years (CI: 5.1, 7.2)) and females (A50=5.3 years (CI: 3.5, 8.7), A95=7.4 years (CI: 3.6, 8.8)) reach maturity at about the same age. This study addresses the need for specific life-history information for a data-deficient species in a region that has remained relatively under-researched but in need of ongoing improvements to fisheries management.

Review of the distribution of Sapygidae in Italy and new records (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea)

The distribution of the Italian species of Sapygidae is reviewed and new occurrence records for some species are given. Monosapyga clavicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) is recorded for the first time in Lazio and Abruzzo, Polochrum repandum Spinola, 1806 in Abruzzo, and Sapygina decemguttata (Jurine, 1807) in Veneto. Due to insufficient sampling efforts in Italy, all the Italian species of Sapygidae should be currently considered as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Global Conservation Status of Turtles and Tortoises (Order Testudines)

Abstract We present a review and analysis of the conservation status and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) threat categories of all 360 currently recognized species of extant and recently extinct turtles and tortoises (Order Testudines). Our analysis is based on the 2018 IUCN Red List status of 251 listed species, augmented by provisional Red List assessments by the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG) of 109 currently unlisted species of tortoises and freshwater turtles, as well as re-assessments of several outdated IUCN Red List assessments. Of all recognized species of turtles and tortoises, this combined analysis indicates that 20.0% are Critically Endangered (CR), 35.3% are Critically Endangered or Endangered (CR+EN), and 51.9% are Threatened (CR+EN+Vulnerable). Adjusting for the potential threat levels of Data Deficient (DD) species indicates that 56.3% of all data-sufficient species are Threatened. We calculated percentages of imperiled species and modifi...

Diversity of Urban Mammals in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal

The study of diversity of mammals was accomplished in the urban areas of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, a prime location of Nepal and confined in 433 km2; consists tropical climate and harbor variety of wildlife since the location is connected with Narayani River, community forests and Chitwan National Park. During data collection by direct observation, hearing sound calls and land marks left, the study was conducted from January to July 2016 for six months. Altogether, 12 families with 28 species of mammals were recorded in which 53.75% (15/28) were Temporary Living (TL) and 46.42% (13/28) were Permanent Living (PL). Out of 12 families; Soricidae had the highest, 21.43% (6/28) of species; followed by Cercopithecidae, Cervidae and Vespertilionidae, 10.71% (3/28); Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Muridae, and Viverridae, 7.14% (2/28); and Mustelidae, Rhinocerotidae, and Suidae with 3.57% (1/28) each. Total Five different IUCN categories; Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Data Deficient (DD) and Least Concerned (LC) were closely observed. Among them, LC had the highest, 64.29% (18/28) of species followed by VU, 21.43% (6/28); EN, 7.14% (2/28); and CR, DD equally with 3.57% (1/28). Paradoxurus hermaphroditus pallasi, is an Asian Palm Civet, which is reported for the first time from Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal. The possible factors responsible to attract wildlife in urban areas were availability of seasonal cultivated crops, fruiting and flowering plants; and household organic wastes. But; the increasing traffics stray dogs, and lack of hidings led to threat to wild mammals. The cutting down of trees in the private areas and frequent road killings also amplify risk of small wild mammals.

Mapping the distribution of scale-rayed wrasse Acantholabrus palloni in Swedish Skagerrak using angling records.

In this paper, we map the distribution of scale-rayed wrasse Acantholabrus palloni in eastern Skagerrak based on a combination of verified and personally communicated angling records. Long thought to be occasional vagrants outside its known range in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, we ask if this rare and understudied labrid has expanded its range and become established in Swedish waters. A recent surge in verified angling records in the Swedish Anglers Association’s specimen database Storfiskregistret provides information to suggest that this species should no longer be considered an occasional guest, but rather a species established in the Swedish parts of Skagerrak. These records are supported by additional personal communications with anglers. The species is currently well spread geographically along the Swedish Skagerrak coast, with many locations providing repeated captures of adult fish over multiple years. The typical Swedish catch sites are rocky reefs located between the general 40- and 80-m depth curves, likely influenced by currents bringing higher-salinity water from the North Sea. The present study show that angling records can provide an important, but underutilized, resource for mapping the distribution of data-deficient fish species.

Fish diversity in the middle and lower reaches of the Ganjiang River of China: Threats and conservation.

The Ganjiang River has abundant fish resources, which plays a significant role in maintaining and replenishing the fish resources in Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River, and contains important habitat for migratory fish. However, fish diversity has rapidly declined in the Ganjiang River, especially migratory fish. In this study, 107 fish species (including 43 Chinese endemic species) were found in the middle and lower reaches of the Ganjiang River. However, only 91 fish species were found in the main channel of the Ganjiang River, which was lower than the 108 fish species historically found there. According to the Chinese Red List, 85 Least Concern, two Critically Endangered, three Vulnerable, one Near Threatened and 16 Data Deficient fish species were found in the Ganjiang River. In addition, the species number, diversity and CPUE in the channel were all greater than in the reservoir. The Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) showed that the habitats of the Ganjiang River were divided into three areas. The analysis of RDA showed that turbidity, dissolved oxygen and water depth significantly affected fish distributions and assemblage composition. These results indicated that dam construction and other human activities have seriously destroyed the fish habitat and led to the decline in fish diversity. Therefore, the conservation of fish has become urgent in the Ganjiang River, and an integrated management plan should be developed and effectively implemented.

Global priority areas for amphibian research

AbstractAimLack of biological information is a silent but strong impediment for planning how to rescue amphibians from extinction. Currently, 24% of all amphibian species are assigned to the Data Deficient (DD) category of IUCN. Here, we aim to identify priority areas for amphibian research that could help gather information on these species and overcome such knowledge gap.LocationGlobal.TaxonAmphibians.MethodsWe mapped the distribution of 1578 DD amphibian species and then defined priority research areas as those areas with high and complementary concentration of amphibian DD species that could be considered important areas for studying (and therefore conserving) such species. To evaluate the performance of the proposed priority research areas, we calculated the percentage of species overlapping these areas, considering all amphibian DD species; recently described species and geographically restricted DD species. We also determined the proportion of priority research areas falling inside each continent and country of the world. Finally, we estimated the level protection of these species and of human pressure on natural ecosystems found within our priority research areas.ResultsWe showed that gathering biological information of species from just 0.4% of the world area could clarify the conservation status of more than 80% of DD amphibians. Most identified priority research areas overlap with regions under high human pressure and only a small percentage of DD amphibian species might cope with those altered conditions.Main conclusionsKnowledge shortfalls represent a major issue for amphibian conservation globally, however, the picture could radically change if research efforts and investments are geographically strategically distributed. This study brings the first application of a complementary‐based tool, which has been originally designed and implemented in conservation planning, aimed at generating information that help researchers to fill knowledge gaps as efficiently as possible.

Red List of Liverworts and Hornworts of Poland (4th edition, 2018)

The fourth edition of the Red List of Liverworts and Hornworts of Poland was prepared using the rules presented in the 2nd edition of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria (version 3.1). Altogether, 240 liverwort and four hornwort species that are currently found in Poland are included. Seventy-two species (71 liverworts and one hornwort) are classified as threatened, which comprises 30% and 25% of the liverwort and hornwort flora, respectively. The critically endangered (CR) category is assigned to 11 liverworts and one hornwort, the endangered (EN) category is assigned to 21 liverworts, and the vulnerable (VU) category is assigned to 39 liverworts. Two liverwort species, Anastrophyllum donnianum and Biantheridion undulifolium, are considered regionally extinct. Data concerning the distribution, abundance and population state of 21 species (20 liverworts and one hornwort) fall within the data deficient (DD) category; in this category, the data are insufficient for the established criteria to be used to determine the endangerment category. One liverwort is included in the not applicable (NA) category.

Distribution, habitat associations, and conservation status updates for the pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii (Girard, 1852) and Snake River pilose crayfish Pacifastacus connectens (Faxon, 1914) of the western United States.

Our study evaluates the distribution, habitat associations, and current conservation status of the Snake River pilose crayfish Pacifastacus connectens (Faxon, 1914) and pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii (Girard, 1852), two little-studied and data-deficient species endemic to the western United States. We first developed a species distribution model (SDM) for the pilose crayfishes based on their historical occurrence records using boosted regression trees and freshwater GIS data layers. We then sampled 163 sites in the summers of 2016 and 2017 within the distribution of these crayfishes, including 50 where these species were observed historically. We next compared our field results to modeled predictions of suitable habitat from the SDM. Our SDM predicted 73 sites (45%) we sampled as suitable for the pilose crayfishes, with a moderate AUC value of 0.824. The pilose crayfishes were generally predicted to occur in larger streams and rivers with less extreme upstream temperature and precipitation seasonality. We found the pilose crayfishes at only 20 (12%) of the 163 total sites we sampled, 14 (20%) of the 73 sites predicted as suitable for them by our SDM, and 12 (24%) of 50 historical sites that we sampled. We found the invasive virile crayfish Faxonius virilis (Hagen, 1870) at 22 sites total and 12 (24%) historical sites for the pilose crayfishes, and we found the “native invader” signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852) at 29 sites total and 6 (12%) historical sites for the pilose crayfishes. We subsequently used a single classification tree to identify factors associated with our high rate of false positives for contemporary pilose crayfish distributions relative to our SDM. This classification tree identified the presence of invasive crayfishes, impairment of the benthic community, and sampling method as some of the factors differentiating false positives relative to true positives for the pilose crayfishes. Our study identified the historical distribution and habitat associations for P. connectens and P. gambelii using an SDM and contrasted this prediction to results of contemporary field sampling. We found that the pilose crayfishes have seemingly experienced substantial range declines, attributable to apparent displacement by invasive crayfishes and impairment or change to stream communities and habitat. We recommend increased conservation and management attention to P. connectens and P. gambelii in response to these findings.

The rediscovery of Rurk’s Cat Skink Ristella rurkii Gray, 1839 (Reptilia: Ristellidae) with remarks on distribution and natural history

The description of Rurk’s Cat Skink Ristella rurkii is expanded herein based on recent field sightings and a voucher specimen. Three individuals comprising an adult male, an adult female, and a juvenile were encountered in Kodaikanal, Palni Hills of the southern Western Ghats. Morphological and ecological notes on the voucher specimen and these live sightings are elaborated to enrich the current knowledge on this little-known species. This species is also illustrated in life herein for the first time. The current report forms the rediscovery of this species after nearly 90 years and after a lapse of 175 years since its original description. A review of its past distribution records is compiled and further surveys are recommended to revise the geographic range and conservation status of this Data Deficient species.

Future Directions in Research on Bryde's Whales

One of the lesser known species of baleen whales, the Bryde’s whale, also known as Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni and B. edeni brydei), although hunted as part of a North Pacific Japanese research programme , was not heavily exploited by commercial whaling and remains a data deficient species. Their taxonomic status is not fully resolved and they are often mistaken for other species leading to uncertainty about their true distribution, behavior and conservation status. Some populations are critically endangered, whilst others are small but have high genetic diversity suggesting wider connectivity. The species’ unpredictable coastal and offshore global distribution throughout warm-temperate waters has led to populations with unknown genetic variation, and facing different threats. Few areas are well-studied, but each study reveals often contrasting movement patterns, foraging strategies and vocal repertoires; there are considerable knowledge gaps for Bryde’s whales. There are few Bryde’s populations with abundance estimates but they typically number in the mid- to high-hundreds of individuals, with other populations small, <100 mature individuals, and exposed to high levels of anthropogenic impacts. Future research should focus on understanding the diversity within and between populations. Here, we suggest an integrative, comparative approach towards future work on Bryde’s whales, including acoustic monitoring, trophic interactions, telemetry tools, understanding their novel behaviors, and resolving their species status. This will inform conservation management of this unusual species of whale vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts.

Identifying conservation priorities for threatened Eastern Himalayan mammals.

To augment mammal conservation in the Eastern Himalayan region, we assessed the resident 255 terrestrial mammal species and identified the 50 most threatened species based on conservation status, endemism, range size, and evolutionary distinctiveness. By using the spatial analysis package letsR and the complementarity core-area method in the conservation planning software Zonation, we assessed the current efficacy of their protection and identified priority conservation areas by comparing protected areas (PAs), land cover, and global ecoregion 2017 maps at a 100 × 100m spatial scale. The 50 species that were most threatened, geographically restricted, and evolutionarily distinct faced a greater extinction risk than globally nonthreatened and wide-ranging species and species with several close relatives. Small, medium-sized, and data-deficient species faced extinction from inadequate protection in PAs relative to wide-ranging charismatic species. There was a mismatch between current PA distribution and priority areas for conservation of the 50 most endangered species. To protect these species, the skewed regional PA distribution would require expansion. Where possible, new PAs and transboundary reserves in the 35 priority areas we identified should be established. There are adequate remaining natural areas in which to expand current Eastern Himalayan PAs. Consolidation and expansion of PAs in the EH requires strengthening national and regional transboundary collaboration, formulating comprehensive regional land-use plans, diversifying conservation funding, and enhancing information sharing through a consolidated regional database.

A state-dependent model for assessing the population consequences of disturbance on income-breeding mammals

Human activities continue to expand in marine and terrestrial environments, leading to increased interactions with wildlife that can have negative impacts on population dynamics. Approaches for quantifying how these interactions translate to population-level effects are therefore crucial for effective management practices and balancing human-wildlife tradeoffs. We developed a method using state-dependent behavioral theory implemented via Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) for predicting the population consequences of disturbance on the physiology and reproductive behavior of an income-breeding mammal, using California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) as a motivating species. Emergent properties of the model included reproductive characteristics associated with long-lived species, such as variation in the age at first reproduction, early termination of pregnancy, and skipped breeding. In undisturbed model simulations, reproductive rates and the average wean date were consistent with empirically-derived estimates from sea lions and other marine mammals, highlighting the utility of this model for quantifying fecundity estimates of data-deficient species and addressing fundamental ecological processes. In disturbed model simulations, exposure to prolonged, repetitive disturbances negatively impacted population growth; in addition, short, infrequent disturbances had the potential for adverse effects depending on the behavioral response of sea lions and the probability of being disturbed. The adverse effect of disturbance on population dynamics was due to a combination of reduced pup recruitment (survival to age one) resulting from a lower wean mass and increased abortion rates that led to skipped reproductive years, both of which have been documented for marine mammal populations experiencing natural fluctuations in prey availability. The derivation of state- and time-dependent reproductive decisions using an SDP model is an effective approach that links behavioral and energetic effects at the individual level to changes at the population level, and one that serves a dual purpose in the ability to quantify basic biological parameters and address ecological questions irrespective of disturbance.

Rare plant species of salt marshes of the Croatian coast

Abstract Between 2011 and 2016 we surveyed 42 sites of coastal salt marshes of Croatia. We confirmed the occurrence of several rare and endangered plant species. Ten of them are included in the Red List of Croatia; critically endangered (CR) Eleocharis uniglumis, Triglochin barrelieri and T. maritima, endangered (EN) Carex divisa and C. extensa, vulnerable (VU) Parapholis incurva, Salsola soda and Suaeda maritima and category data deficient (DD) Limonium virgatum and Puccinellia festuciformis. We also report localities of other rare taxa of salt marshes like Allium telmatum, Tripolium pannonicum subsp. tripolium, Juncus gerardii, Parapholis filiformis, Plantago cornuti, Samolus valerandi and Scorzonera parviflora. Several plant species are endangered. Their habitats, salt marshes were converted into fields or destructed by construction for developing tourist infrastructure. Today only a part of the remained areas are under protection.

First Record of Stanaland’s Sole (Solea stanalandi, Randall &amp; McCarthy) 1989 from Indian Waters

A single specimen of the Stanaland’s sole, Solea stanalandi was caught by a commercial trawl from Gujarat coast and landed in Mangrol fish landing centre on 23rd January, 2017. The species is presently considered as one of the data deficient species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to the dearth of crucial information on the ecology, distribution and population characteristics of the species. Hitherto, the species was believed to be endemic in Persian Gulf alone. This is the first report of its occurrence from Indian waters, describing the extension of its geographical distribution within the Indian water. The fish was examined for its morphometrics and meristic characters and described. The new report of S. stanalandi in Indian fisheries could provide a novel avenue for generating vital baseline information to understand the ecological significance of the species in the region.