Data Deficient Research Articles

Prioritizing the reassessment of data-deficient species on the IUCN Red List.

Despite being central to the implementation of conservation policies, the usefulness of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is hampered by the 14% of species classified as data-deficient (DD) because information to evaluate these species' extinction risk was lacking when they were last assessed or because assessors did not appropriately account for uncertainty. Robust methods are needed to identify which DD species are more likely to be reclassified in one of the data-sufficient IUCN Red List categories. We devised a reproducible method to help red-list assessors prioritize reassessment of DD species and tested it with 6887 DD species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). For each DD species in these groups, we calculated its probability of being classified in a data-sufficient category if reassessed today from covariates measuring available knowledge (e.g., number of occurrence records or published articles available), knowledge proxies (e.g., remoteness of the range), and species characteristics (e.g., nocturnality); calculated change in such probability since last assessment from the increase in available knowledge (e.g., new occurrence records); and determined whether the species might qualify as threatened based on recent rate of habitat loss determined from global land-cover maps. We identified 1907 species with a probability of being reassessed in a data-sufficient category of >0.5; 624 species for which this probability increased by >0.25 since last assessment; and 77 species that could be reassessed as near threatened or threatened based on habitat loss. Combining these 3 elements, our results provided a list of species likely to be data-sufficient such that the comprehensiveness and representativeness of the IUCN Red List can be improved.

Ardisiarecurvipetala (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a new species from northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia, described here as Ardisiarecurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisiarecurvipetala is unique amongst all members of §Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisiarecurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).

Mitreolaquanruii (Loganiaceae), a new species from a karst region in Guangxi, China.

Mitreolaquanruii, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated in this study. It is morphologically similar to M.liuyanii because of the terete stems, creeping and branched at the base, the leaves which are pilose on both surfaces and the bilobed capsules with two erect horns. The new species can be distinguished from M.liuyanii by its taller habit, up to 20-50 cm tall, its linear leaves, 4-18 × 0.3-1 cm with acuminate apex and 8-10 pairs of lateral veins, its narrowly triangular stipules, its linear bracts, ca. 1.0 cm long and glabrous and its glabrous calyx. Mitreolaquanruii is temporarily assessed as data deficient (DD) according to IUCN. The habitat of Mitreolaquanruii is extremely fragile. Therefore, this species deserves close attention and protection.

Abundance, Distribution, and Habitat Preference of Syngnathid Species in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea)

Syngnathids are considered flagship species of estuarine and coastal environments. However, most of the Mediterranean species are still classified as data-deficient (DD) at a global level according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In central Italy, several areas host potentially suitable habitats for syngnathids but have not been previously reported in the literature; the estimation of population parameters and habitat partitioning at these sites may help to assess their conservation status. In this study, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and habitat preferences of sympatric populations of Hippocampus hippocampus, H. guttulatus, Syngnathus abaster, and Nerophis ophidion in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). While confirming the primary importance of a healthy coastal habitat, we retrieved hints about species ecology and habitat use. The species distribution in the study area highlights the role of habitat complexity in supporting local populations of these sensitive species.

Odonata diversity in the Egra and its adjoining blocks of Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

The research was carried out over a three-year period, spanning from March 2020 to March 2023, with the aim of examining the status and diversity of Odonata fauna across a range of natural and anthropogenic habitats situated in Egra, Purba Medinipur District, located in the state of West Bengal. In total, 42 odonata species from 31 genera and seven families were identified throughout the study period from the study region. There were 28 (67%) species in the suborder Anisoptera, belonging to four distinct families. On the other hand, 14 (33%) species in the Suborder Zygoptera, divided into three different families. The four families of suborder Anisoptera were Aeshnidae (10%), Gomphidae (2%), Libellulidae (53%), and Macromiidae (2%). In the suborder Zygoptera, three families were identified, namely Coenagrionidae (24%), Lestidae (2%), and Platycnemididae (7%). %). According to the relative estimate of abundance, 38% of the species were classified as not rare (NR), 31% very common (VC), 14% common (C), 14% rare (R), and 3% as very rare (R). In addition, the IUCN red data list indicates that 41 species have been classified as Least Concern (LC), while a solitary species has been categorised as Data Deficient (DD). The identification of Odonata is a critical factor in determining the ecological well-being of an ecosystem.

Expanded description of Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis (Squamata, Gekkonidae)

The expanded description of Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis Sung, Lee, NG, Zhang & Yang, 2018 is provided based on four newly collected specimens from eastern Guangdong Province, China, which is beyond its previously known range. The new collection also fills the distribution gap of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus in the region. Due to the absence of sufficient data, we recommend Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis be listed as Data Deficient (DD) in the IUCN conservation status categorization.

Checklist of the bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) of New Caledonia.

In a world where insects and notably bees are declining, assessing their distribution over time and space is crucial to evaluate species status and highlight conservation priorities. However, this can be a daunting task, especially in areas such as tropical oceanic islands where exhaustive samplings over time have been lacking. This is the case in New Caledonia, an archipelago located in the southwest Pacific. Historical records of bee species are piecemeal and, although contemporary samplings have significantly advanced our knowledge of the bee fauna of New Caledonia, the status of several species remains to be elucidated. Here, we provide an updated checklist of the 51 bee species recorded for New Caledonia using previous publications and personal samplings. We documented their distribution, origin (i.e. endemic, native or alien) and the year and location of their occurrences. Based on the year of their first capture and the year of their last capture, we determined an occurrence status for each species. Thus, 10 years after the last checklist of the New Caledonian bee fauna, the literature review and recent samplings allowed us to add six new species to the list. Half of them are recently introduced species including one firstly mentioned in this paper (i.e. Hylaeusalbonitens). We consider here that 30 species are effectively present on the territory and the presence of 21 species could not be determined due to a lack of data, which highlights the need to increase sampling efforts across New Caledonia. Given the difficulty of exhaustively sampling the entire archipelago, we would recommend taking, as a starting point, altitude environments and areas where data-deficient species were captured. In a broader perspective, biomolecular analyses are crucial to confirm species identifications. This is also needed to make comparisons between archipelagoes and thus clarify the distribution and status of species at the scale of the southwest Pacific.

Habitat characteristics and biodiversity of nekton in the Alas-Singkil River Basin, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Muhtadi A, Leidonald R, Fauzia AD. 2023. Habitat characteristics and biodiversity of nekton in the Alas-Singkil River Basin, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 3673-3689. The Alas-Singkil watershed ecosystem is an essential habitat for the diversity of flora and fauna in the North Sumatra region. This study aims to describe the habitat characteristics and distribution of ichthyofauna in the Alas-Singkil watershed. Observations and data collection were carried out in 2021-2022 in all river segments in the Alas-Singkil watershed, including the downstream, swamp, oxbow lake, middle, upstream, and tributaries. Habitat characteristics in the Alas-Singkil watershed are very diverse. Some swamps in the main river's lower to middle reaches allow the ichthyofauna to migrate laterally. In the middle of the main tributaries (sub-watersheds) to the upstream (most) have habitat characteristics dominated by sedimentary rock substrates with relatively moderate-strong currents. The upper reaches of the main river are dominated by rocky substrates with clear, low-medium flowing waters. During observations in the Alas-Singkil watershed, 99 species of fish from 39 families, 9 species of shrimp, 1 species of freshwater crab, 1 species of freshwater turtle, and 1 species of crocodile were collected. Spotted barb (Barbodes binotatus), Blue panchax (Aplocheilus panchax), and Mahseer fish are fishes often found and widely distributed in the Alas-Singkil watershed. The nekton found in the Alas-Singkil watershed is included in the Least Concern (LC) category at 71% and Data Deficient (DD) at 14%. However, there are 2 species (2%) in the Endangered (EN) category and 6 species (5%) in the Vulnerable (VU) category; Ompok brevirictus and Clarias microspilus are species categorized as Endangered Species.

“Heaven” of Data Deficient Species: The Conservation Status of the Endemic Amphibian Fauna of Vietnam

Predicting the true status of Data Deficient (DD) species is a prominent theme in recent conservation biology, but there still is much debate regarding the conservation approach that should be used for DD taxa and no definitive conclusions are yet available. We review and analyse the current data available on the conservation status of amphibians in Vietnam, with an emphasis on the DD species. We also compare Vietnamese DD frequency of occurrence with other regions of the world, examine the extent of the range of taxa divided by Red List status, and explore the protection attributes of the taxa based on their inclusion within protected areas of Vietnam. We documented that the analysis of amphibians in Southeast Asia, and especially in Vietnam, substantially agrees with patterns highlighted by previous global research, and confirms the risk that several DD species may silently go extinct without their actual risk ever being recognized. Importantly, our study showed that fine-scale analyses are essential to highlight the potential drivers of extinction risk for the DD species of amphibians. A crucial next step for conservation policies in Vietnam (and in surrounding countries) is developing and implementing species-specific studies targeted at addressing each species’ drivers of extinction and determining science-based strategies for minimizing their extinction risk.

Commercially and economically important fish species from an otter trawling vessel of Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

The study was conducted on the commercially and economically important fish species in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) that were collected from an otter trawling vessel in March 2020. Within the study period, a total of 52 species were identified, including 17 orders, and 43 families. Perciformes were found to be the most dominant order over all others, contributing about 46.15% of the fish species (24 species under 23 families). A record of catching immature species has been found, which can reduce the sustainability of fisheries. We have found one critically endangered (CR), two near threatened (NT), twenty-five least concerned (LC), four data deficient (DD), and twenty not evaluated (NE) species among the fifty-two species in the BoB during the study period. Many commercially important fish species within the bay need to be exploited properly to get maximum economic benefits. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 49(1): 13-25, June 2023

Distribution and habitat use of a rare native crayfish: Implications for conserving Data Deficient species

Abstract Few observations exist for the Kisatchie painted crayfish (Faxonius maletae), and little is known about its distribution, habitat use, or population structure. The lack of basic ecological data has led to a ‘Data Deficient’ designation, a category of conservation concern that is often overlooked for management actions. This work provides updated data and practical management suggestions for similarly Data Deficient species. Comprehensive (i.e. beyond known collection sites) crayfish surveys paired with habitat assessments across north‐east Texas were conducted. Among 74 survey sites in 10 counties within and adjacent to the known range for F. maletae, eight total crayfish species were encountered within 35 of these sites (47.3% of the total). Thirteen F. maletae individuals were collected across seven sites (9.5%). Notably, two individuals were found where the species had not been previously observed. Stepwise multiple logistic regression indicated that conductivity and availability of exposed root masses were positively related to F. maletae presence, although neither factor was statistically significant on its own. Neither nonmetric multidimensional scaling nor canonical correspondence analysis identified patterns between F. maletae presence and the presence of other crayfish species. Overall, F. maletae is geographically rare and occurs in exceptionally low abundance, challenging the ability to understand drivers of its distribution. However, given the depth of this survey, we can confidently say that F. maletae is no longer Data Deficient; rather, there is compelling evidence that it has a limited range and small population size. The Data Deficient versus rarity debate has wide‐reaching impacts on the conservation of aquatic taxa; species that are Data Deficient require heightened research focus in general, whereas rare organisms require targeted management to protect specific habitats. Furthermore, we suggest that future management efforts should focus on maintaining current populations through active monitoring to inform the potential habitat suitability of new areas for protection.

Understanding Diospyros rumphii Bakh from North Sulawesi through Long-read sequences analysis using MinION Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Diospyros rumphii (Ebony) is a high-value timber species native to Indonesia, which is listed as a Data Deficient species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Therefore, additional data to enrich knowledge on the distribution, ecology, and genetics of this species is urgently needed. Furthermore, this study aimed to generate whole-genome sequencing data, including the low-coverage data for D. rumphii using MinION Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). The sequence data generated from leaf and cambium genomic DNA was assembled to result in a draft of the chloroplast genome and constructed the phylogenetic tree based on partial nucleotide sequences of the rbcL gene. The results showed that DNA sequencing of D. rumphii generated a 3.25 Gb of long-read sequences data and a draft of a partial chloroplast genome with a size of 150,578 bp. Genetic relationship analysis using the rbcL gene showed that D. rumphii was positioned in one clade with Diospyros oblonga, which has a bootstrap value of 87% suggesting that the rbcL gene can be considered as recommended molecular marker for genetic analysis of D. rumphii in the future.

Pavonia paludicola (Malvaceae), a new record for Mexico

Background: Pavonia (Malvaceae) is a morphologically diverse genus with more than 200 species in America of which 32 have been previously reported in Mexico. In a field trip to the Reserva Estatal de Dzilam de Bravo, in northern Yucatan, a population of a Malvaceae species was detected that could not be unequivocally matched with any species known previously in the country.
 Questions: What is the identity of the Malvaceae species collected? Is it a taxonomic national or regional novelty?
 Species of study: Malvaceae, Malvoideae, Pavonia.
 Study site and dates: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, 2021–2022.
 Methods: Botanical specimens were collected and determined taxonomically through the use of specialized keys, and consulting of botanical collections. The conservation status was assessed using the IUCN methodology.
 Results: The specimens collected at the study site do not represent an undescribed species but instead Pavonia paludicola Nicolson ex Fryxell, which is a new record for Mexico. The species is assessed as Least Concern (LC) along its full distributional range whereas the Yucatan population is assessed as Data Deficient (DD) at this time. Furthermore, we offer a key to the two species of Pavonia in the Mexican portion of the Yucatan Peninsula, the second being P. schiedeana Steud., whose conservation status is assessed as Least concerned (LC).
 Conclusion: With the report of Pavonia paludicola, thirty-three species of the genus are now recognized from Mexico, two of which occur in the Mexican portion of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Arrojadoa flava (Cactaceae, Cactoideae), a new yellow flowered species from the Brazilian flora

Arrojadoa flava is described on the basis of living collections and herbarium specimens. The new species is considered endemic to the Brazilian Caatinga (Municipality of Ibitiara, Bahia State). Comments on its morphology in comparison with the similar taxa, as well as geographical distribution, phenology, habitat, conservation status, and original photographs are provided. In terms of conservation, it was assessed according to IUCN criteria as Data Deficient (DD).

Catalogue of specimens of Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera, Carabidae) deposited in the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv, Ukraine

Rhysodinae is a subfamily in the family Carabidae with 19 genera and at least 380 described species. Genus Rhysodes native to the Palearctic (including Europe) and the Near East. Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) distributed in Central, Southern and Eastern Europe (Spain (Pyrenees), France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, countries of the former Yugoslavia, mountain part of Greece, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia), Asia Minor, the Caucasus and Western Siberia (Крыжановский, 1983; Sienkiewicz, 2004, 2012). The wrinkled bark beetle Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera, Carabidae) is an endangered saproxylic beetle listed in the European Habitats Directive (annex II of Council Directive 92/43/EEC), in the Bern Convention (Annex II) and is also listed in the IUCN red list of Threatened species (Nieto, Alexander, 2010; Méndez, Dodelin, Petrakis, Schlaghamersky, Nardi, 2010), classified as EN (Endangered) in the EU 27 and as DD (Data Deficient) for the whole continent. It is considered a relict of primeval forests and belongs among the most threatened saproxylic beetles in Europe (Мателешко, 2003, 2005; Kostanjsek, Sebek, Baranova, Jalaska, Riedl, Cizek, 2018; Mazzei, Audisio, Vigna Taglianti, Brandmayr, 2019). Included in the Red Data Book of Poland (Sienkiewicz, 2004). In the Red Data Book of Ukraine the species were listed in 2021 with vulnerable status (Наказ…, 2021). Before that the species were included in the Red Data Book of the Ukrainian Carpathians (Мателешко, 2011). At the regional level Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) is protected in the Kharkiv oblast (province) (Різун, 2010). In Ukraine Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) occurs in the Ukrainian Carpathians, in Polissia region, in the Kharkivska oblast (province) and in the Crimean Mountains. The analysis shows that the presence of the beetle is affected mainly by the diameter of dead wood as well as its humidity, as Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) was almost exclusively found in large, moist and well rotten fallen logs with a diameter greater than 60 cm. The collection of the State Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences in Lviv contains 12 specimens of this species. Five of them are collected in South-Eastern part of Poland, six in Western part of Ukraine and one has an undefined location. Ten specimens were collected in the period from the second half of the 19th century to 1939, and two beetles in 1987 (Poland) and 2016 in Lviv oblast (province) (Ukraine). Identified collectors were I. Verkhratskyi, ?M. Łomnicki, T. Trella, A. Stöckl, D. Kubisz, V. Rizun.

Etlingera (Zingiberaceae) in Bogor Botanic Gardens: Potential Benefits and Its Conservation Status

Indonesia is one of mega biodiverse countries in the world, with a high global biodiversity index and many vascular plant species. However, not all plant species are known in terms of their uses, potential benefits, and conservation status. One of example is genus Etlingera, where further studies are required. Therefore, this study aimed to provide information on the potential benefits and uses of the genus Etlingera and to investigate its conservation status. The study was conducted using the method of literature study, an inventory of potential uses, and an inventory of the genus Etlingera living in Bogor Botanic Gardens through direct observation. Six species of the genus Etlingera were collected from the Bogor Botanic Gardens, namely Etlingera brevilabrum, E. elatior, E. hemisphaerica, E. loerzingii, E. megalocheilos, and E. walang, conservation status of three species (E. brevilabrum, E. hemisphaerica, and E. megalocheilos) is Least Concern (LC), two species (E. elatior and E. walang) are Data Deficient (DD), and one species (E. loerzingii) is Vulnerable (VU). All species are commonly used as spices, condiments, cosmetics, and traditional medicine to cure various diseases, possibly also as ornamental plants. The secondary metabolites present in some species, namely E. brevilabrum, E. elatior, and E. hemisphaerica can be used as antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant agents.

The long unknown: Rediscovery of the long sunskink, Lampropholis elongata (Squamata: Scincidae)—After almost a decade, and after 50 years of data deficiency

AbstractConservation management cannot proceed in the absence of the basic ecological data necessary to develop conservation strategies for a species. Species considered Data Deficient and possibly extinct are poorly known, and are often overlooked in conservation planning. This is despite a growing body of evidence indicating that Data Deficient species are more likely to be threatened by extinction compared to well‐studied taxa. Hence, there is an immediate need to resolve data deficiency, and to search for species that are possibly extinct. Here, we conducted the first systematic search for a Data Deficient Australian skink, Lampropholis elongata (long sunskink), which prior to our study, had not been seen for approximately 9 years. A combination of pitfall trapping and active searches was used in attempt to detect the species. We rediscovered L. elongata at four sites within its known distribution on the southern edge of the New England Tablelands Bioregion in New South Wales, Australia. Our findings suggest that the species can be detected relatively easily using active survey methods, especially by inspecting tussock bases. We further highlight that areas of high canopy openness and high cover of Poa sieberiana (grey tussock‐grass) appear to be key habitat for the species.

Aeschynanthussmaragdinus F.Wen & J.Q.Qin (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Yunnan Province, China.

Aeschynanthussmaragdinus F.Wen & J.Q.Qin, a new species of Gesneriaceae from the monsoon rain forest in Mangbang township, Tengchong City, Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated here. It morphologically resembles A.chiritoides C.B.Clarke in size, shape and hairs on the leaf blades. But it can easily be distinguished from the latter by the green corolla limb with brownish-red to maroon lower lobes. At the same time, the hairs of the pedicel and calyx lobes, the length of the staminode and the size of the seed grain can also help distinguish both. It is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD), according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, because field surveys for this new taxon have not been completed.

Prioritizing taxa for genetic reference database development to advance inland water conservation

Biodiversity loss has accelerated over the past century and freshwater species overall are among those experiencing greatest declines. Genetic resources have the potential to help evaluate the full magnitude of this loss and represent a key tool to effectively allocate conservation resources and monitor the success of restoration efforts. The full power of genetic resources will be realized when the daunting task of referencing all DNA sequences of freshwater organisms is complete. Here, we quantified the availability and distribution of barcode and genome data for freshwater macroscopic organisms in Canada, a country rich in inland water resources and thus particularly vulnerable to aquatic species losses. Impressively, most inland water species (86 %) were represented by barcodes recorded in the BOLD Systems database, while very few had full genomes available (<4 %) in the NCBI database. We identified barcode data deficiencies in northern regions and for taxa assessed as most at risk or without sufficient information for conservation status classification. As expected, the speciose insect group had a lower-than-average number of records per species and a high proportion of data deficient species without adequate barcode coverage. This study highlights where future sequencing resources should be prioritized within initiatives such as the Canada BioGenome Project and BIOSCAN Canada and provides a workflow that could be applied internationally to inform conservation management plans and to mitigate biodiversity loss.

Missing species listing reveals undiagnosed extinction among reptiles, tropical, and island vertebrates

Missing species listing reveals undiagnosed extinction among reptiles, tropical, and island vertebrates