Conservation Of Mammals Research Articles

Drivers of geophagy of large-bodied amazonian herbivorous and frugivorous mammals

Mineral licks, critical for the survival of many large-bodied mammals in the Amazon, serve as keystone resources that influence the behavior and ecological dynamics of these species. This study presents the most comprehensive analysis to date on the drivers of geophagy—the consumption of soil by animals—at mineral licks in the Peruvian Amazon. Using a combination of camera traps and soil analyses from 52 mineral licks, we examined the visitation patterns of six large-bodied mammals: the black agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa), paca (Cuniculus paca), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), Brazilian porcupine (Coendou prehensilis), lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), and red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus). Our results reveal that mineral licks provide essential nutrients, particularly sodium (Na), which may be deficient in the diets of frugivorous species such as agouti, paca, and red howler monkey, supporting the mineral supplementation hypothesis. Conversely, the toxin adsorption hypothesis, which posits that animals consume soil to mitigate dietary toxins, was most strongly supported for the herbivorous Brazilian porcupine. The omnivorous collared peccary and the mixed-diet tapir exhibited complex interactions between soil characteristics, suggesting that both mineral supplementation and toxin adsorption play roles in their geophagy. This study highlights the importance of mineral licks for the conservation of Amazonian mammals, emphasizing their role in supporting biodiversity by providing critical nutritional resources that enhance species fitness and ecological resilience. Our findings underscore the need for the protection of these sites, which are integral not only to the survival of individual species but also to the health of the broader Amazonian ecosystem.

Prioritizing future evidence needs for marine and freshwater mammal conservation action

AbstractMarine and freshwater mammals are increasingly threatened due to human activity. To improve conservation practice, decisions should be informed by the available evidence on the effectiveness of conservation actions. Using a systematically collated database of studies that test the effectiveness of actions to conserve marine and freshwater mammals, we investigated the gaps and biases in the available scientific evidence base. While there is a growing evidence base covering actions to address key threats (e.g. fisheries and bycatch) to marine and freshwater mammal populations, we identified large geographic and taxonomic biases. There was no relationship between the number of studies and marine mammal species per ecoregion and we found biases towards coastal areas of the Global North, with many regions and species having little or no evidence available. The number of studies per species did not correlate with (1) the threat level, (2) evolutionary distinctiveness or (3) the public ‘popularity’ of the study species. We also found a mismatch between actions tested and the actions suggested as needed in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Several of these gaps and biases likely reflect the feasibility of researching marine mammal populations; many species can be difficult to access, with limited baseline information on populations and threats, and testing actions can require costly long‐term monitoring. Prioritizing the most cost‐effective conservation strategies for marine and freshwater mammal species will require a comprehensive evidence base on the effects of actions. Continuing to build the necessary baseline data, and focusing future research and funding towards the priority gaps identified in this study will be important to deliver this target.

Effectively managing area-based management tools: A new toolkit for the conservation of marine mammals

Marine mammals play crucial roles in marine ecosystem function yet are threatened by increasing pressures from anthropogenic activities within marine ecosystems. Area-based Management Tools (ABMT) are key for their conservation and protection, yet their effectiveness is often hindered by lack of resources, technical capacity and political support. Yet, ABMTs are grounded in local, national, regional, and international agreements and policy frameworks including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). To support marine managers, the “Marine Mammals Management Toolkit” was developed and is composed of three core components, including the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT), founded on the Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) framework, and is a multiple-choice tool that enables managers to evaluate the effectiveness of management plans regarding marine mammals through the production of a Management Effectiveness Score (MES). The SAT has been utilised across 24 MPAs in 18 countries. Two case studies are provided on its application. The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) evaluated their existing management plan, and scored an MES value of 7.8 with the Bermuda Marine Mammal Sanctuary (BMMS) scoring 4.7. The results of the SAT enabled the Bermudian Government to make informed decisions in developing a Marine Spatial Plan for the BMMS, and enables SBNMS to set a baseline to track effectiveness over the life-time of SBNMS and respective management plans; guiding local and national policy, as well as enabling Bermuda and the United States of America to contribute to their international commitments.

Does endemic mammal conservation in Jamaica conflict with maintaining biocultural heritage?

AbstractUnderstanding human–wildlife interactions within biocultural systems is essential to support evidence‐based conservation and Indigenous cultural integrity, and to identify inclusive “win‐win” options for coexistence with threatened species. Jamaica's Blue and John Crow Mountains contain a population of the Endangered Jamaican hutia or coney (Geocapromys brownii), one of the last surviving Caribbean mammals, as well as Maroon communities that practice hunting as a traditional cultural activity. An interview survey was conducted in two Maroon communities within this conservation‐priority landscape to understand local knowledge and attitudes toward coneys, and the cultural importance and dynamics of interactions with coneys. Experience of coney consumption is relatively widespread through small‐scale local trade in hunted animals, but few respondents consider hunting to be of cultural or economic importance, very few people specifically hunt coneys, and most respondents support coney conservation. Conversely, crop damage caused by coneys is considered a substantial problem and is associated with decreased conservation support. Although we estimate that almost 530 coneys were killed during the previous year by our respondent sample, local perceptions suggest that hunting may not be having a negative impact on the coney population, and coney conservation can hopefully be integrated equitably with Maroon cultural values and needs.

Seasonal changes in the abundance and distribution of large terrestrial mammals in old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Seasonal distribution of large terrestrial mammals in African protected areas is shaped by factors such as food and water availability, breeding cycles, and predation risks. This study utilised encounter rates derived from diurnal distance sampling to examine seasonal variations in the abundance and distribution of these mammals within Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Notably, the abundance and distribution in the Marguba range, characterised by mixed open savanna woodland, differed significantly between the dry and wet seasons, as well as among various sub-habitats and ranges during the dry season. The impact of key factors—(1) resource availability (food and water) and/or (2) poaching threat—remains critical and potentially influential in driving these seasonal differences. Further investigation to ascertain the effect of poaching and determine the impact of other controlling factors is crucial. Understanding the effects of these factors is essential for the effective and sustainable management and conservation of large terrestrial mammals in the study area.

Landscape-level habitat connectivity of large mammals in Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal.

The populations of many species of large mammals occur in small isolated and fragmented habitat patches in the human-dominated landscape. Maintenance of habitat connectivity in the fragmented landscapes is important for maintaining a healthy population of large mammal. This study evaluated the landscape patches and their linkages on two carnivores (leopard and Himalayan black bear) and seven prey species (northern red muntjac, chital, sambar, wild pig, Himalayan goral, rhesus macaque, and langur) between Chitwan National Park (CNP) and Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) by using the least-cost path (LCP) approach and the Linkage Mapper tool in ArcGIS. A total of 15 habitat patches (average area 26.67 ± 12.70 km2) were identified that had more than 50% of the total studied mammals. A weak relation among the habitat patches was found for chital and sambar (Cost-weighted distance [CWD]: Euclidean distance EucD >100), showed poor connectivity between the habitat patches, while ratio of CWD and EucD was low (i.e., low LCP) between majority of the patches for muntjac, wild pig and leopard hence had potential functional connectivity along the landscape. Similarly, low LCP between the habitat patches located in the mid-hills was observed for Himalayan goral and Himalayan black bear. Furthermore, the multi-species connectivity analysis identified the potential structural connectivity between the isolated populations and habitat patches. Therefore, these sites need to be considered connectivity hotspots and be prioritized for the conservation of large mammals in the landscape.

Mapping terrestrial mammals in China based on species richness of functional groups

Biodiversity loss is one of the most critical environmental issues globally. Functional diversity and functional groups, extending and expanding the concept of species richness, provide a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity. By integrating mathematical indices calculation with classical geospatial statistical analysis and mapping techniques, we explored and visually illustrated the spatial patterns and regularities of functional diversity. This approach shed light on the functional diversity of China’s terrestrial mammals from a macroecological perspective. We found that in terms of overall quantity composition, underground-living mammals (UG groups) had the highest proportion (55.1%) in the vertical niche dimension, while nocturnal mammals (NO groups) dominated (58.6%) the in temporal niche dimension. Employing grid cells as fundamental units, in most grid cells, the proportion of UG and NO groups exceeded 50%, consistent with the overall quantity results. Examining the spatial distribution of functional group species richness from different perspectives reveals varying patterns. For instance, standard deviations of vertical and temporal niches showed different spatial clustering traits on either side of the Hu Huanyong Line. In a specific dimension of functional diversity, the numerical differences among functional groups are larger in grasslands with homogenous vegetation, while in forests with diverse vegetation types, these differences are minimized. Additionally, if there is a large disparity in species richness among functional groups in one dimension, there may be a smaller disparity in another. These findings offer a macroecological perspective for biodiversity research, providing insights for interdisciplinary studies in basic ecology, conservation biology, and geography, and offering scientific guidance for mammal conservation.

Subnational governments and non-state actors in environmental governance: Japan, Russia, and the Northern fur seal

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 put to test the North Pacific regional governance structure, with environmental cooperation overshadowed by security concerns. In this paper, the central government, subnational and non-state actors' potential in finding ways out of environmental governance crises is explored. The authors turn for possible clues to the Northern fur seal conservation and management regimes, which existed in 1911–40 and 1957–84 and laid the groundwork for marine wildlife conservation and management in the North Pacific, in the century replete with military conflicts and international tension. The focus is on Japan and Russia's subnational and non-state actors (private companies, experts, NGOs and indigenous communities), who have received much less attention than their US and Canadian counterparts. Their roles in negotiation, operation and dismantlement of these regimes, are analyzed in domestic and international contexts by applying Putnam's “two-level game” metaphor. Their motives and tactics, interconnections and clout are examined in the light of both states' domestic and foreign policy goals and constraints, and regional and global trends in environmental governance. The recent multi-actor undertakings for marine mammal conservation and management in Japan and Russia are also explored from the multilevel governance perspective. It is hoped that the current diplomatic deadlock may be overcome by utilizing sub-state and supra-state frameworks and channels for communication.

Medium and large-sized mammals in human-dominated landscape of the former Dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary, Western Ethiopia

Abstract Assessment of medium- and large-sized mammals’ species diversity, abundance, distribution, and habitat association is necessary to promote their conservation measures. The study was conducted in the former Dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary (FDWS), to assess the medium- and large-sized mammals’ composition, distribution, and diversity. Transect lines were used to collect the data. A total of 1,146 ± 91 individuals belonging to 25 species, seven orders, and 14 families were recorded. Among these, 607 ± 186.5 (52.97%) were recorded during the wet season, whereas 539 ± 144.5 (47.03%) during the dry season. The order Carnivora was the most diverse one, followed by Artiodactyla and Primates, respectively, while Rodentia, Hyracoidea, Tubulidentata, and Lagomorpha were the least diverse orders. Olive baboon (Papio anubis) was the most abundant species (19.2%), followed by Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) (17.63%) and Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) (13.18%). Species diversity was higher in the savanna-wooded than in the riverine forest during both the wet (H’ = 2.72, Fisher’s alpha = 6.33) and dry (H’= 2.79, Fisher’s alpha = 6.26) seasons. Species evenness was higher in the savanna-wooded habitat than in the riverine forest habitat during both the wet (J’ = 0.87 and J’ = 0.77, respectively) and dry (J’ = 0.9 and J’ = 0.80, respectively) seasons. The highest similarity in species composition was between the wet and dry seasons in the riverine forest habitat (SI = 85.58%). The lowest similarity was recorded between the dry and wet seasons of the riverine forest and the wet season of the savanna wooded habitat (SI = 45.46% and SI = 46.49%, respectively). The study suggests that mammals are at risk of anthropogenic factors in the area. So, an urgent conservation measure that involves the participation of the local community has paramount significance for the sustainable conservation of mammals in the former Dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary.

The Role of Skin-Derived Somatic Cell and Tissue Cryobanks in the Conservation of Aquatic Mammals.

Anthropogenic actions, especially inadequate waste disposal, cause permanent effects on aquatic fauna, resulting in a significant loss in their population. In this scenario, in situ and ex situ conservation strategies have been developed for these species. Among these strategies is the formation of somatic cell and tissue banks derived from skin collection that act complementarily to other biotechnologies. These banks contain all the information for genomic, genetic, and proteomic analyses. They are useful in the assessment of the toxicity of pollutants on the physiology of the species and regenerative and reproductive biotechnologies. The formation of these cryobanks involves different steps, including cryopreservation, with the optimization of all steps occurring in a species-specific manner. There is a diversity of studies on aquatic mammals; however, a low quantity compared to the number of studies on land mammals, with more than 80% of species still unexplored. This is mainly due to the difficulty of execution and asepsis in collecting skin from aquatic mammals and the in vitro culture, which seems to require more particularities for it to be successful. Therefore, this review aims to address the current scenario and the steps involved in the conservation of somatic cells and tissues derived from aquatic mammal skin, as well as results that have been achieved in recent years and the prospects.

The Importance, Issues and Challenges of Large Mammal's Conservation in Malaysia

The Importance, Issues and Challenges of Large Mammal's Conservation in Malaysia

Behavioral hotspots of bottlenose dolphins in industrialized ship channels

Anthropogenic activity in coastal areas can damage marine habitats and alter marine mammal behavior and habitat use. Understanding behavioral associations with diverse habitat features in industrialized coastal areas is crucial for marine mammal conservation management. A shore-based digital theodolite was used to assess the behavioral states and habitat use of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off Port Aransas, Texas across seasons. The relationship between behavioral states and environmental and geographical variables were analyzed. Behavioral hotspots were identified. Dolphins frequently foraged (46%), indicating the area is an important feeding ground. Dolphins also traveled (25%) and milled (22%), with less frequent occurrences of socializing (6%) and resting (1% of observations). Season, time of day, and distance to shoreline were significant predictors of foraging and traveling behavioral states. Dolphins engaged in all behavioral states closer to seawall shorelines than to mangroves and natural seagrass beds, suggesting that hard shoreline features may influence daily activity patterns. Despite daily anthropogenic operations, bottlenose dolphins use features of the industrialized area (i.e., deeply dredged channels, human-engineered seawalls) to engage in a variety of behaviors. Monitoring of dolphin behavioral states and habitat use in active ship channels are needed to assess changes from baseline data from increasing coastal development and vessel activities.

Barcoding Brazilian mammals to monitor biological diversity and threats: Trends, perspectives, and knowledge gaps

DNA barcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) represent significant advances for biomonitoring the world's biodiversity and its threats. However, these methods are highly dependent on the presence of species sequences on molecular databases. Brazil is one of the world's largest and most biologically diverse countries. However, many knowledge gaps still exist for describing, identifying, and monitoring of mammalian biodiversity using molecular methods. We aimed to unravel the patterns of the presence of Brazilian mammal species on molecular databases to improve our understanding of how effectively it would be to monitor them using DNA barcoding and environmental DNA, and contribute to mammalian conservation. We foundt many gaps in molecular databases, with many taxa being poorly represented, particularly from Amazonia, the order Lagomorpha, and arboreal, gomivorous, near extinct, and illegally traded species. Moreover, our analyses revealed that species description year was the most important factor determining the probability of a species to being sequenced. Primates are the group with the highest number of species considered a priority for sequencing due to their high level of combined threats. We highlight where investments are needed to fill knowledge gaps and increase the representativity of species on molecular databases to enable a better monitoring ability of Brazilian mammals encompassing different traits using DNA barcoding and environmental DNA.

Planning for a future of changes: Prioritising areas for conservation of small mammals in the Caatinga, Brazil

AbstractAimHuman land‐use and climate change are two of the main threats affecting biodiversity, especially in arid/semiarid regions. The most effective way to protect the species in these ecosystems against these threats is through the delimitation of protected areas (PAs). However, such PAs need to be targeted cost‐efficiently and consider future climate change. We identify priority areas to preserve small mammal species in the Caatinga in the present and in a future of climate changes. We also evaluate how well these priority areas are protected by currently PAs and identify ways forward to improve their protection.LocationThe Caatinga Dry Forest, Northeast Brazil.MethodsWe use ecological niche models and Zonation spatial prioritisation software to identify the top 30% priority areas to preserve small mammal species under current climate and land use scenarios, besides considering optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of future climate change. We also evaluate how much these priority areas are covered by current PAs, identify ways to further improve their protection using hierarchical mask analysis, and by evaluating species mean distribution coverage.ResultsThe consequences of climate change will not hugely impact the distribution of priority areas for species conservation in the Caatinga. Around 13% of the identified priority areas overlap with current PAs, and planning the expansion of PAs considering integral protection areas increases the coverage of priority areas to more than 18% and captures more than 72% of species suitable area.Main ConclusionsOur prioritisations take into account climate change and provide low risk if conducted as a ‘no‐regrets’ conservation action. These priority areas are poorly supported by the Brazilian PA system, and need of further protection. One cost‐effective option could be to upgrade some sustainable use PAs into more restrictive ones. Securing these priority areas helps preserve the long‐term ecosystem functioning and to prevent biodiversity loss in a changing world.

Ingestion of fishing gear and Anisakis sp. infection in a beached Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in the Jeju Island, Republic of Korea: findings from post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy

BackgroundHuman fishing activities have significantly affect environmental concern for marine ecosystems, conservation of marine mammals, and human health. Coastal cetaceans are highly vulnerable to ingestion of fishing gear, bycatching, or entanglement, all of which can be fatal for these animals. In particular, certain coastal dolphins and porpoises are heavily impacted by fishing gear such as angling gear or stownet, as their food often overlap with the target fish species of human fisheries.Case presentationThis study presents a case of an Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) beached on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, with ingestion of fishing gear and severe Anisakis infection. Although this species inhabits waters ranging from the Persian Gulf to Taiwan, several stranded carcasses have been reported on Jeju Island in recent years. Post-mortem computed tomography revealed a bundle of four fishing hooks in the forestomach, along with nylon lines and steel lines with connectors, which were assumed to be angling gear for Jeju hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus). Further necroscopic investigation revealed that the forestomach contained a large number of Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Histological examination revealed a thickened forestomach wall with pinpoint and volcanic ulcerations, a thickened layer of stratified squamous epithelium, and infiltrated stroma in the squamous epithelium.conclusionsThis study emphasizes the urgent need to address the impact of fishing activities on marine mammals, marine litter pollution, and the bycatch problem in Korean seawater. In addition, the occurrence of N. phocaenoides in seawater around Jeju Island should be raised in future geographical ecology or veterinary pathology studies and when its distribution is updated.

Genomic comparison of male and female spotted seals in the Liaodong Gulf, China

Accumulated genomic resources and molecular markers should facilitate the assessment of biodiversity and the conservation of marine mammals. The spotted seal (Phoca largha) is an endangered species and the only pinniped species that breeds in China, yet limited genomic information of this endangered species has been reported till now. In this study, whole genome sequencing data was used to implement genomic comparison of male and female P. largha collected from the Liaodong Gulf. The genomic sizes of P. largha were estimated to be 2.39 (male) and 2.49 (female) Gb, respectively. The estimated genomic features and identification of the male-specific gene (SRY gene) suggested the spotted seal should be male heterogamety. Using a two-step assembly strategy, the scaffold N50 of genome assemblies in our study were about 39 Mb, with the BUSCO estimates of over 94 %, showing high genome continuity and completeness. A total of 1,444,553 and 1,464,251 microsatellite motifs were identified in the male and female genome assemblies, respectively. Besides, a total of 3,055,239 genome-wide SNPs were identified and annotated, among which 569 were categorized as high-impact mutations. Using these identified SNPs, the PSMC analyses revealed recent population decline of the spotted seals in the Liaodong Gulf. Phylogenomics analysis was also conducted to confirm the close relationship between the spotted seal and harbor seal. The genomic resources and molecular markers reported in this study will facilitate further conservation genetics and evolutionary biology investigations of the spotted seal.

Mammalian community responses in relation to anthropogenic disturbances and resource gradients in the shade coffee forest ecosystem of Southwestern Ethiopia

Understanding the effects of variation in resource availability and habitat disturbance on the ecology of mammals is vital for successful conservation management. In this study, we examined how human disturbances, resource availability and elevation gradients influence mammal assemblages in both managed coffee forest and natural forest of the Belete-Gera National Forest Priority Area, southwestern Ethiopia. We surveyed mammals using motion-detecting infrared camera traps in 90 locations for a total of 4142 camera days. We measured distance from main roads and settlements as disturbance factors, and distance from water sources, key grazing sites, and forest edges and woody plant diversity as resource variables. We assessed the mammal assemblages in coffee forest and natural forests using generalized linear models. Further, we used linear modelling to compare the relationships of mammal detection rates by feeding guilds and body size to resource variables. In total, we recorded 8815 videos identifying 23 different mammal species. The mammal assemblages in coffee forests were negatively associated with increasing distances from key grazing sites, water sources, and elevation. In contrast, the association with increasing distance from the road and woody plant diversity was positive. In addition, herbivores and large (25–200 kg) and very large (≥200 kg) mammals, were all negatively associated with increasing distance from the natural forest edges. With the conversion of natural forest to coffee forest and the intensification of coffee forest management, sustainable management of key grazing sites, water sources, and diverse woody plant species will be essential to the conservation of mammals. In addition, to ensure mammal conservation, adjacent natural forests around coffee forests should also be protected.

Editorial: Advances in the conservation of large terrestrial mammals

Editorial: Advances in the conservation of large terrestrial mammals

Assessing Residency and Site Fidelity in Bottlenose Dolphins: A Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Residency and site fidelity are important parameters in population ecology for many species as they indicate the temporal and spatial use for individuals. Although both terms are clearly different, they are used interchangeably due to lack of clarity in their definitions and the ways to assess them, especially in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.). Individuals with well-defined patterns of residency and site fidelity may be more vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances; thus, the study of these parameters may help to better assess such impacts. However, interspecific differences and logistical restrictions for the study of dolphins have prevented consensus. We set out to investigate the factors that have influenced measurements of residency and site fidelity in bottlenose and a set of other dolphin species through a retrospective (~30 y: 1990 to 2019) literature review. We found 117 scientific papers with a two-fold increasing trend approximately every 15 years, with 50% published in only four journals. Most of the studies were developed in the United States, followed by Australia and Europe, likely due to strict policies for marine mammal conservation. Author collaboration network analysis showed highly atomized national groups in which North American organizations formed the biggest cluster, followed by Australia, Africa, and Europe. However, large worldwide gaps still exist, possibly because of the heterogeneity in marine mammal sampling efforts and limited information availability in the North Pacific, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and the Indian Ocean. We found 30 different classification methods in which 12 were based on defined categories. We provide conceptual aid to distinguish between the use of both terms, as well as guidance to tackle the challenge of defining patterns of temporal use due to the variability of thresholds for classifying individuals. A paradigm shift is needed to create comprehensive, standardized, and generalized assessments of residency and site fidelity, which can be compared based on their performance across different populations of bottlenose dolphins around the world.

RE: Expert range maps of global mammal distributions harmonised to three taxonomic authorities

Abstract In a recent paper titled Expert range maps of global mammal distributions harmonised to three taxonomic authorities, Marsh et al. (2022) introduced a series of new geographic range maps for all extant species of mammals and made these maps available on the Map of Life (MoL) website (www.mol.org). The title of the paper and inclusion of over 140 prominent mammalogists and biogeographers as coauthors strongly suggested that these new range maps were carefully vetted. However, when examining the maps of Marsh et al. (2022) on the MoL web platform, we found a variety of serious problems, including, but not limited to: range exaggerations (inclusion of substantial geographic areas not represented by specimen records or verified observations); range maps that are geographically shifted so that species are shown as occurring in areas in which they do not, and not occurring in areas in which they do (and in some cases, these new maps do not even encompass the type locality of a species); range maps that simply omit peripheral populations of conservation concern; and range maps for fully marine mammals (i.e., those that do not spend any time on land) that include large swaths of both insular and continental landmasses. Overall, we evaluated the new “expert” mammal range maps on the MoL platform for 78 species (retrieved between 31 March 2022 and 1 April 2023) and show that there are serious, systemic problems with these maps, and that these problems are both geographically and taxonomically widespread. As such, we caution researchers to carefully review and evaluate the range maps of Marsh et al. (2022) on the MoL before using them for any research purpose—including conservation, biogeographical, and macroecological analyses of mammals.