International Union For Conservation Of Nature Criteria Research Articles

Guadua guzmanii (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae: Guaduinae): A new woody bamboo species endemic to Jalisco, Mexico

Guadua comprises 35 described species, seven of which are distributed in Mexico. Since 1976, a specimen corresponding to the genus Guadua was collected, which could not be correctly assigned to any described taxon. In the present study, a new species of Guadua endemic to the state of Jalisco is described based on vegetative characters. Herbarium specimens were reviewed, field collections made, and specialist literature consulted. A comparison with similar specimens was conducted. The degree of threat was determined following the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Guadua guzmanii, endemic to the El Tamarindo peninsula, municipality of La Huerta, Jalisco, is described. We include a morphological key for the species of the genus Guadua in Mexico, an illustration, photographs, and a distribution map. According to the IUCN criteria, the species is classified as Critically Endangered due to its restricted geographical distribution. With the description of Guadua guzmanii, the number of native Guadua species in Mexico increases to eight. Additionally, the number of woody bamboos in Mexico increases to 60, with 43 species endemic to Mexico and four endemic to Jalisco, included: Chusquea contrerasii, Chusquea guzmanii, Rhipidocladum singuliflorum, and Guadua guzmanii.

Endemic Bamboo (Poaceae, Bambusoideae) of the Lesser Sunda Islands

More than 40 species of bamboo were known from the Lesser Sunda Islands (LSI), including several endemic species. Endemic species are often highly specialized, found in limited geographical areas, and vulnerable to extinction if their habitat is destroyed. This study aimed to provide an account of endemic bamboo species on the LSI. Fieldwork involved collecting samples of bamboo in the LSI. Herbarium specimens of bamboo deposited in the Herbarium Bogoriense (BO), collected from the LSI were examined, and endemic LSI species were recorded. The conservation status followed the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list categories and criteria. The conservation status of unassessed species was evaluated using IUCN red list categories and criteria. A spatial analysis was also conducted. Data were analyzed and presented descriptively. There are 10 endemic bamboo species in the LSI, namely Bambusa ooh Widjaja & Astuti from Bali (conservation status: endangered), Chloothamnus reholttumianus (Soenarko) Widjaja from Sumba (vulnerable), C. schmutzii (S.Dransf.) Widjaja from Sumbawa and Flores (near threatened), Dinochloa kostermansiana S.Dransf. from Sumba and Flores (near threatened), D. sepang Widjaja & Astuti from Bali (vulnerable), Fimbribambusa rifaiana Widjaja from Alor (near threatened), Gigantochloa aya Widjaja & Astuti from Bali (vulnerable), G. baliana Widjaja & Astuti from Bali (vulnerable), G. taluh Widjaja & Astuti from Bali (vulnerable), and Schizostachyum purpureum Damayanto & Widjaja from Sumba (data deficient). They can be found at an altitude of 20–1700 m in various habitats, including forests, bamboo forests, villages, botanical gardens, along a road, slopes, valleys, riverbanks, and around a lake.

Genetic Diversity, Morphometric Characterization, and Conservation Reassessment of the Critically Endangered Freshwater Snail, Heleobia atacamensis, in the Atacama Saltpan, Northern Chile.

Evaporitic ecosystems of the Atacama Desert contain a rich endemic fauna, including mollusk species. A recent study performed in the freshwater snail Heleobia atacamensis, endemic to the Atacama Saltpan, revealed a strong interdependence of genetic patterns with climatic fluctuations and landscape physiography. The species is currently listed as Critically Endangered at regional scale and as Data Deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Here, we studied genetic diversity and demographic history of several populations of the species occurring on a connectivity gradient, including snails from new peripherical localities (Peine and Tilomonte), which were compared with topotype specimens. In addition, we reassessed the conservation status using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria considering species-specific idiosyncrasy. Phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses indicated that snails from Peine and Tilomonte belong to H. atacamensis. We discovered significant differentiation in shell morphology, which was generally greater in geographically isolated populations. We also inferred six genetic clusters and a demographic expansion congruent with the wet periods that occurred at the end of the Pleistocene. Considering the highest risk category obtained, H. atacamensis was reassessed as Endangered at regional scale. Future conservation plans should consider the genetic assemblages as conservation units.

Evaluating extinction risk in Tasmania’s vascular flora using rapid IUCN Red List assessments

Context The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categories and criteria are a widely accepted standard for assessing extinction risk and have been adopted by many countries, including Australia. Tasmania is globally renowned for its biodiversity, and yet very few of its plant species have been evaluated using IUCN criteria, exposing a significant gap in conservation prioritisation. Aims This study aimed to undertake a regional IUCN assessment of Tasmania’s vascular flora and highlight gaps and discrepancies in accepted lists of threatened species. Methods The R package ConR was used to automatically generate preliminary IUCN assessments for 1885 taxa based on Criterion B (geographic range). This was compared to current listing status to identify potentially misaligned or at-risk taxa. Protected areas were incorporated into the analysis, and heatmaps were used to show the distribution of threatened flora in Tasmania based on their preliminary IUCN category. Key results One-third of Tasmania’s vascular flora (570 taxa) were categorised as threatened by ConR, of which only 47% are currently listed under legislation. We identify 301 non-listed taxa that are potentially threatened and can now be prioritised for full IUCN assessments. Taxa categorised as threatened are more likely to occur near cities and towns, often outside of formal protected areas. Conclusion and implications Automated IUCN assessments are a useful means of systematically refining lists of threatened species. The adoption of IUCN categories and criteria is likely to have a substantial effect on current lists of threatened species and could shift the focus of conservation efforts.

Trends in habitat suitability and conservation status of aquatic spiders in Europe

Wetlands, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, are increasingly subjected to area loss and degradation due to land-use and climate changes. These factors impact their unique biodiversity, including numerous invertebrates that depend on them. Here we investigated the current and future habitat suitability of the aquatic spiders Argyroneta aquatica and Dolomedes plantarius. We evaluated future trends in their geographic range, aiming at assessing their extinction risk according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria, at both global and regional levels. We investigated present and future distribution ranges using species distribution models for two integrated emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5) and combining three general circulation models. These were combined with knowledge on species' dispersal limitation to account for the possibility that these species will not be able to move beyond the current range in the next decades. We found a significant future northern shift in the geographic range and a global reduction in habitat suitability for both species, corresponding to a loss of 28.9 % for A. aquatica and 38.1 % for D. plantarius in the next 10 years. The application of the IUCN criteria qualifies A. aquatica as Near Threatened and D. plantarius as Vulnerable. Regional assessments provided similar patterns of range reductions and population vulnerability across all European regions, particularly for Central-Eastern and Western Europe. Conversely, Northern Europe is expected to become a climatic refugium for both species. This work goes beyond the available studies on the conservation of these species by taking account their dispersal abilities in quantifying future trends in their habitat suitability using the most up to date knowledge. Conservation strategies should be directed towards limiting the impact of climatic and non-climatic stressors on wetlands, and towards implementing management plans and restoration programmes to increase habitat suitability and connectivity among wetland patches.

An Annotated Checklist and the Conservation Status of Chondrichthyans in the Adriatic

Although there is a high number of publications listing fish species in the Adriatic, only a few have focused on chondrichthyans, while their conservation status has been investigated even less. Thus, this paper aims to provide an updated and annotated checklist of the chondrichthyans occurring in the Adriatic waters with their presence and conservation status. Each species is evaluated against the criteria defined in IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List Categories and Criteria and according to the guidelines for national and regional level assessments. In total, 60 chondrichthyan species from 27 families and 42 genera are listed. The list contains 33 species of sharks, 26 species of rays and one chimera. Assessment of the conservation status reveals that three species are now considered Regionally Extinct (namely Squatina oculata, Pristis pectinata and Rhinobatos rhinobatos). A total of 21 species are assessed as Critically Endangered, 8 are Endangered and 10 are Vulnerable. Of the remaining species, six are Near Threatened and the same number of species are Least Concern and Data Deficient. Considering that the principal driver of chondrichthyan decline and regional extinction is overfishing, it is recommended that the Adriatic countries adopt the same management measures and strengthen their coordination.

Study on the Rare Semiaquatic Plant Elatine hydropiper (Elatinaceae) in Lithuania: Population Density, Seed Bank and Conservation Challenges.

Wet, intermittently flooded freshwater coastal and shallow water habitats are notable for their high biodiversity. Many of the usually semiaquatic annuals or small perennials common in such habitats are in decline due to the high sensitivity of such habitats to changes caused by anthropogenic and natural factors. The Euro-Siberian semiaquatic Elatine hydropiper rarely occurs in Lithuania and is protected there and in other Baltic and Central European countries. In 2020, we found a large population of Elatine hydropiper in southern Lithuania (Varėna district) in Lake Pabezninkai and its exposed shores. The water level of the lake has receded by about 1.5-1.6 m since 2018, exposing wide, wet, and sandy or silty shores. The aim of this study was to determine the status of the Elatine hydropiper population and to assess its potential for long-term survival. The objectives of the study were to (a) determine the size and quantitative characteristics of the population, (b) assess the seed bank in the shallows and exposed shores of the lake, (c) assess the species diversity in the communities with Elatine hydropiper, (d) evaluate the conservation value of the studied species and the lake habitat. The studies were carried out between 2020 and 2021. The number and coverage of plant patches as well as seed bank studies were carried out at three sites with different shoreline substrate. At each site, the number of patches and coverage was assessed in 50 sample plots of 100 cm2. The seed bank was examined in the top 5 cm of the substrate. A total of 90 substrate samples were analyzed. We found that Elatine hydropiper grows on ca. 0.38 ha in the lake and on ca. 0.95 ha on the shores. On the exposed shores, the mean number of Elatine hydropiper patches per 1 m2 was 2155 ± 1241.5 and their mean cover was 23.17% of the surface. Seed bank analyses revealed that the seeds and seed shells were significantly more abundant in the bottom sediments than in the shore sand or silt. The mean number of seeds per liter of soil was 85.8 ± 210.2, and the mean number of seed shells was 217.0 ± 265.8. The assessment of the status of the species in Lithuania according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) criteria has led us to conclude that it should now be classified as vulnerable [A3; B1ab(iii); C2a(ii); D2]. The key to protecting Elatine hydropiper and other co-occurring rare species with similar ecological and biological characteristics, as well as the plant communities of shallows and exposed wet banks, is to protect their habitats. The survival of the species and their habitats could be assured by recurring significant water level fluctuations in the lake, resulting in periodic emergence of patches of wet sand or silt free from perennial vegetation.

Diversity of Rubiaceae in Ilocos Norte, Northwestern Luzon, Philippines: A Preliminary Checklist, Their Distribution, and Conservation Status

The northern Cordillera Mountain Range of Ilocos Norte is an important site for floristic studies in the northwestern part of the Philippines. However, most of its forested areas remain understudied and limited data are available on the structure of its floristic communities. Here, a preliminary checklist of Rubiaceae species in Ilocos Norte is provided with notes on their distribution and conservation status. The field survey was conducted from April 2019 to March 2020 in Kalbario Patapat Natural Park (KPNP), Metropolitan Ilocos Norte Watershed Forest Reserve (MINWFR), and Mt. Lammin. A total of 57 species belonging to 28 genera and 15 tribes were recorded, which constitute 10.36% of the total number of Philippine Rubiaceae species. The genera with the highest number of recorded species are Psychotria, Ixora, and Ophiorrhiza with nine, six, and four species, respectively. Of these species, 27 are Philippine endemics that are widely distributed, and four species are endemic to the province. Among the sites surveyed, the tropical evergreen lowland rain forest of KPNP had the highest number of recorded species. With regard to their conservation status according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list category, one was assessed as Endangered. Moreover, based on the updated national list of threatened Philippine plants and their categories identified in the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) AO (Administrative Order) No. 2017-11, two are listed as Threatened species, one Critically Endangered, and one Vulnerable. According to the IUCN red list categories and criteria (2019), the four endemic species in the province recognized in the study are categorized as follows: one Critically Endangered (Antherostele callophylla), one Endangered (Psychotria tayabensis var. castanea), and two Vulnerable (Antirhea microphylla and Pyrostria triflora).

Local ecological knowledge to assist conservation status assessments in data poor contexts: a case study with the threatened sharks of the Brazilian Northeast

The list of threatened species (Red List), established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), aims to provide global assessments on the extinction risk of species. However, protecting vulnerable populations requires establishing threat criteria at sub-global scales, e.g., national Red Lists. In data-poor contexts, typical of many developing countries, assessing threat status by applying IUCN criteria constitutes a major challenge, which may be one reason for mismatches between national and global Red List assessments. Despite the intense harvesting of threatened elasmobranchs species in Brazilian waters, Brazilian fisheries monitoring has ceased to exist for nearly a decade. This jeopardizes accurate assessment of species’ conservation status at a local scale. In the absence of fisheries records, local ecological knowledge (LEK) provides an alternative option to obtain reliable information on targeted species. We interviewed 186 fishers from four Brazilian Northeastern states, whose recollections spanned six decades and documented catches or sightings of 19 shark species. For eight species with sufficient data, temporal trends in maximum length of sharks caught by fishers of different age-classes were statistically tested. Four species’ maximum length declined over time, while four were primarily captured by elderly fishers, with few or no recent catches reported. Of these species, one is classified more conservatively in the national Red List vs. IUCN Red List, which is supported by LEK results. Contrastingly, two species are classified less conservatively at the national level than by IUCN, such that upgrading and matching IUCN’s conservation criteria is warranted. We suggest that LEK provides support for conservation status listing in data-poor contexts.

Warning about conservation status of forest ecosystems in tropical Andes: National assessment based on IUCN criteria.

World ecosystems are suffering from anthropogenic and natural pressure. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has developed analogous criteria for the Red List of Threatened Species in order to perform similar risk assessments on ecosystems, creating the Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) methodology. One of the most significant challenges for the construction of these lists is gathering the available information to apply the criteria. By applying IUCN RLE criteria B (the extent of restricted geographic distribution of an ecosystem), we analyzed the threat level of 64 forest ecosystems of the Ecuadorian mainland. According to the results, limited distribution is the key risk to threatened ecosystems, which are associated with anthropogenic pressures. Our study showed that 22% of forest ecosystems are classified as threatened. This evaluation of the forest ecosystem status at a national level could lead to public awareness towards ecosystem conservation and provide reasonable strategies to managers.

Plant Species Conservation Priority Index for Preparing Management Strategies: A Case Study from the Western Himalayas of India

Human activities coupled with over exploitation of sensitive ecosystems and habitat destruction have caused a rapid decrease in the population of plant species. Countries worldwide are becoming interested in conserving biodiversity by determining conservation priorities at local levels. The categories used for evaluating threat status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that were originally planned for the global level are now increasingly used at national and local levels. The present study deals with the assessment of vegetation and further prioritization of habitats, communities, and species for its conservation in the Shimla water catchment Sanctuary in the Western Himalayas of India. Adoption of such methods not only generates quantitative data about the floristic diversity of the area but also help policy makers and forest managers in the formulation of conservation strategies for proper management of protected areas. A conservation priority index (CPI) was used to prioritize based on various attributes that are complementary to IUCN criteria. Among the tree communities, Cedrus deodara-Quercus leucotrichophora, Picea smithiana, and Quercus leucotricophora-Quercus floribunda communities showed maximum CPIs scores (54 each) followed by the Quercus semecarpifolia (52), Abies pindrow-Taxus baccata, Aesculus indica (46 each), and Cedrus deodara-Pinus wallichiana (i.e. 44 each) communities. The remaining tree communities showed relatively low CPI values. Among shrub communities, the Berberis lycium-Indigofera heterantha-Cotoneaster microphyllus community showed highest CPI score (42), hence should be prioritized for conservation. The remaining shrub communities showed comparatively low CPI values. Among the habitats—dry habitats showed highest CPI score (48), followed by shady moist and water courses (46 each) and exposed (44) habitats. Among the identified species, 10 were identified as critically endangered, 31 as endangered, 48 as vulnerable and 30 species as near threatened and were accordingly prioritized for conservation. The present study emphasizes on community, habitat and species specific management of this forest ecosystem for effective management by the forest managers and policy makers. Regular monitoring of prioritized habitats and communities is suggested while management and restoration of habitats and communities with low CPI values. People’s participation, training, and interactive workshops are essential in order to minimize structural and functional alterations due to overexploitation and habitat degradation. Forest fires and invasion by non-native species are other issues to monitor.

Conservation status assessment and a new method for establishing conservation priorities for freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River drainage

Abstract The freshwater mussel (Unionida) fauna of the Yangtze River is among the most diverse on Earth. In recent decades, human activities have caused habitat degradation in the river, and previous studies estimated that up to 80% of the mussel species in the Yangtze River are Threatened or Near Threatened with extinction. However, a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of the conservation status of this fauna has yet to be completed. This study evaluated the conservation status of the 69 recognized freshwater mussel species in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, using the criteria published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A new method for prioritizing species for conservation was then developed and applied termed Quantitative Assessment of Species for Conservation Prioritization (QASCP), which prioritizes species according to quantifiable data on their distribution and population status, life history, and recovery importance and potential. IUCN assessments showed that 35 (51%) species in the study region are Threatened or Near Threatened (11 Endangered, 20 Vulnerable, 4 Near Threatened). In addition, 16 species (23%) could not be assessed owing to data deficiency. Key threats to the freshwater mussel biodiversity of the Yangtze River include pollution, habitat loss and fragmentation, loss of access to host fish, and overharvesting of mussels and their host fish. The genera Aculamprotula, Gibbosula, Lamprotula, Pseudodon, Ptychorhynchus, and Solenaia were identified as particularly threatened. Data availability allowed QASCP assessment of 44 species. Only Solenaia carinata, regionally Endangered under IUCN criteria, achieved the highest QASCP rank, i.e. First Priority. The five species assessed as Second Priority were considered either regionally Endangered (one), Vulnerable (three), or Data Deficient (one) under IUCN criteria. The 23 Third Priority species were assessed as regionally Endangered (two), Vulnerable (15), Near Threatened (two), or Least Concern (four).

Habitat use, density, and conservation status of the white-browed guan (Penelope jacucaca Spix, 1825)

The white-browed guan (Cracidae: Penelope jacucaca) is an endemic bird species to the Caatinga, the largest centre of dry forest in South America. This taxon was considered Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to continued habitat loss within its distribution and intense hunting pressure that contributed to population declines. However, information on population aspects and habitat use by P. jacucaca, which is fundamental for monitoring its conservation status, is not available. We studied habitat use (analysed in a Generalized Linear Model) and population density (estimated by distance sampling) in a specific area in Northeast Brazil. Using species distribution modelling (SDM), forest cover loss data (performed in the MaxEnt program) and quantitative information about hunting, more rigorous estimates of the distribution limits, available habitat, and population declines of P. jacucaca were generated. Based on the IUCN criteria, we applied analysed data to reassess the conservation status of the white-browed guan. Local density was estimated at 13.1 individuals/km2 and the estimated number of individuals removed per year due to hunting was 121.7 in the forest cover area (110.46 km2) of the Serra de Santa Catarina. Consequently, the annual removal rate of hunted individuals in the study area corresponds to approximately 11% of the population. The habitat use analysis pointed to a strong positive association with seasonally dry deciduous forest (SDDF) vegetation and with arboreal vegetation. The SDM indicated a potential distribution (climatically favourable) area of 675,823 km2, and forest cover and loss calculations indicated a total of 81,307 km2 of available suitable habitat in 2013. Therefore, comparing these results to the IUCN criteria, we recommend that P. jacucaca remain in the Vulnerable category.

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.

Records of bycatch of Hippocampus patagonicus (Pisces: Syngnathidae) in commercial fishing in southern Brazil

Hippocampus patagonicus is classified as endangered in the vulnerable category by Brazilian law (MMA, 2014), and by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) criteria. Thirteen boats from the commercial fishing fleet of southern Brazil were monitored for 17 months to supplement data for the evaluation of this species. Three seahorse collection points were established, where the fish are landed: port of Imbe/Tramandai and port of Passo de Torres (northern coast (NC) of Rio Grande do Sul) and the port of Rio Grande (southern coast (SC) of Rio Grande do Sul). The presence of H. patagonicus was recurrent, and the collected animals were between 22 and 130 mm in height. The species was captured from 11 to 57 m deep as bycatch of significant transboundary marine resources (Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentine). In bycatch of gillnet fishing (NC), estimated capture was 0.68 ± 0.97 seahorses/month/vessel, annually, an average of 89.76 seahorses would be removed from the sea by the 11 vessels involved. In trawling (SC), it was 49.66 ± 64.86 seahorses/month/double-rig trawl. It is estimated that 8,342 seahorses are removed annually as bycatch, only in this mode of fishing. The information obtained reinforces the need to apply ecosystem management to fisheries for the recovery of stocks that are over-exploited and accompanying fauna as well, especially small species with poorly known life histories such as H. patagonicus .

A Red List of mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Parasitiformes) in Poland

This article presents a Red List of mite species from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Parasitiformes) occurring in Poland. Evaluation of the conservation status of the analyzed species was compiled on the basis of new criteria, which may also be applied to other groups of soil fauna. The authors employ the names of categories proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One of our aims was to review the IUCN criteria to ascertain whether they are applicable in an attempt to assess the danger of extinction of soil invertebrates, and to see whether the criteria can be adapted to make such an assessment. The analyzed material contained 93 mite species obtained from 16,921 soil samples, which were collected between 1961 and 2017 in the whole area of Poland. The categories were assigned to species on the basis of the frequency of the species, but also other factors were taken into account, such as microhabitat specificity, vulnerability to detrimental conditions, and shrinking of local populations. One of the analyzed species can now be regarded as extinct, over 25% of the species (26 spp.) were labeled as critically endangered, and most of them (33 spp.) were categorized as vulnerable—the other species were assigned to the categories endangered (13 spp.), near threatened (10 spp.), and least concern (10 spp.).

Quantifying species recovery and conservation success to develop an IUCN Green List of Species.

Stopping declines in biodiversity is critically important, but it is only a first step toward achieving more ambitious conservation goals. The absence of an objective and practical definition of species recovery that is applicable across taxonomic groups leads to inconsistent targets in recovery plans and frustrates reporting and maximization of conservation impact. We devised a framework for comprehensively assessing species recovery and conservation success. We propose a definition of a fully recovered species that emphasizes viability, ecological functionality, and representation; and use counterfactual approaches to quantify degree of recovery. This allowed us to calculate a set of 4 conservation metrics that demonstrate impacts of conservation efforts to date (conservation legacy); identify dependence of a species on conservation actions (conservation dependence); quantify expected gains resulting from conservation action in the medium term (conservation gain); and specify requirements to achieve maximum plausible recovery over the long term (recovery potential). These metrics can incentivize the establishment and achievement of ambitious conservation targets. We illustrate their use by applying the framework to a vertebrate, an invertebrate, and a woody and an herbaceous plant. Our approach is a preliminary framework for an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Species, which was mandated by a resolution of IUCN members in 2012. Although there are several challenges in applying our proposed framework to a wide range of species, we believe its further development, implementation, and integration with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species will help catalyze a positive and ambitious vision for conservation that will drive sustained conservation action.

The mammalian faunas endemic to the Cerrado and the Caatinga.

We undertook a comprehensive, critical review of literature concerning the distribution, conservation status, and taxonomy of species of mammals endemic to the Cerrado and the Caatinga, the two largest biomes of the South American Dry-Diagonal. We present species accounts and lists of species, which we built with criteria that, in our opinion, yielded results with increased scientific rigor relative to previously published lists – e.g., excluding nominal taxa whose statuses as species have been claimed only on the basis of unpublished data, incomplete taxonomic work, or weak evidence. For various taxa, we provided arguments regarding species distributions, conservation and taxonomic statuses previously lacking in the literature. Two major findings are worth highlighting. First, we unveil the existence of a group of species endemic to both the Cerrado and the Caatinga (i.e., present in both biomes and absent in all other biomes). From the biogeographic point of view, this group, herein referred to as Caatinga-Cerrado endemics, deserves attention as a unit – just as in case of the Caatinga-only and the Cerrado-only endemics. We present preliminary hypotheses on the origin of these three endemic faunas (Cerrado-only, Caatinga-only, and Caatinga-Cerrado endemics). Secondly, we discovered that a substantial portion of the endemic mammalian faunas of the Caatinga and the Cerrado faces risks of extinction that are unrecognized in the highly influential Red List of Threatened Species published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “Data deficient” is a category that misrepresents the real risks of extinction of these species considering that (a) some of these species are known only from a handful of specimens collected in a single or a few localities long ago; (b) the Cerrado and the Caatinga have been sufficiently sampled to guarantee collection of additional specimens of these species if they were abundant; (c) natural habitats of the Cerrado and the Caatinga have been substantially altered or lost in recent decades. Failures either in the design of the IUCN criteria or in their application to assign categories of extinction risks represent an additional important threat to these endemic faunas because their real risks of extinctions become hidden. It is imperative to correct this situation, particularly considering that these species are associated to habitats that are experiencing fast transformation into areas for agriculture, at an unbearable cost for biodiversity.

The world upside down: the first Kefersteinia (Orchidaceae: Zygopetalinae) with non-resupinate flowers

A new species of Kefersteinia (Orchidaceae, Zygopetalinae), K. carolorum, from the state of Táchira, Venezuela, is herein described, illustrated, and characterized based on morphological features. Kefersteinia carolorum is similar to K. lactea from Costa Rica, but it differs in the non-resupinate flowers and the longer callus. The labellum in the upper-most position that distinguishes this species is unique in the genus but has evolved independently in Zygopetalinae at least three times. Evolutionary, ecological, and functional implications of this character are explored. The conservation status of the new taxon is assessed as DD according to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) criteria. We also provide a key to identify the genera of the Zygopetalinae with labellum in an upper-most position. In addition, we offer a key for the Kefersteinia species from Venezuela, a figure, and a map showing their geographical distributions.

The use of potential distribution models in the study of the distribution and conservation status of plants: The case of Plantago L. (Plantaginaceae) in Brazil1

Abstract This work reviews the distribution and the conservation status of the 12 species of Plantago (Plantaginaceae) native to Brazil and presents potential distribution models for 8 of these species. The modeling procedure was carried out with a new online system dedicated to increase the biogeographic knowledge about plants and fungi in Brazil using different modeling strategies, depending on the number of points available. The models reflected reasonably well the known distribution of each species and can be used for conservation purposes, with the exception of one model for P. brasiliensis. The same points selected for model creation were also used to estimate the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of these species in Brazil. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) criteria, six species qualified as being of least concern, one as near threatened, three as endangered, and two as critically endangered. Also, six species of Plantago are exclusive to Brazil (P. cat...