Red List Categories Research Articles

Transboundary conservation hotspots in China and potential impacts of the belt and road initiative

AbstractAimBiodiversity hotspots often span international borders, thus conservation efforts must as well. China is one of the most biodiverse countries and the length of its international land borders is the longest in the world; thus, there is a strong need for transboundary conservation. We identify China's transboundary conservation hotspots and analyse the potential effects of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on them to provide recommendations for conservation actions.LocationChina, Asia.MethodsWe compiled a species list of terrestrial vertebrates that span China's borders. Using their distribution, we extracted the top 30% of the area with the highest richness value weighted by Red List category and considered these transboundary hotspots for conservation priority. Then we analysed protected area (PA) coverage and connectivity to identify conservation gaps. To measure potential impact of the BRI, we counted the species whose distribution range is traversed by the BRI, and calculated the aggregation index, proportion of natural land and night light index along its routes.ResultsWe identified 1964 terrestrial vertebrate species living in the border region. We identified four transboundary hotspots and found insufficient PA coverage and low connectivity in three of them. The BRI routes intersected all four hotspots and traversed 82.4% (1619/1964) of the transboundary species, half of which (918) are sensitive to the potential risks brought by the BRI. Night light index increased generally along the BRI. However, the proportion of natural land and the aggregation index near the BRI showed different trends in hotspots.Main ConclusionsThere is an urgent need for conservation action in China's transboundary region. The BRI should put biodiversity conservation at the core of its development strategy. Furthermore, we suggest using the planned BRI as a platform for dialogue and consultation, knowledge and data sharing, and joint planning to promote transboundary conservation.

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.

Will future extinctions occur at the same places where the past ones did? A review involving mammals and the IUCN Red List

Eighty-five mammal species are classified worldwide as Extinct on the IUCN Red List. In this study, we aimed to assess to which Orders these species belong, when they became extinct and the factors that led to their extinction. We also compared the factors that threatened the survival of these species with the ones that are currently threatening the species classified as Critically Endangered, as well as the areas where the extinct species could be originally found with the areas where Critically Endangered species are currently found. Our review was conducted using the advanced search tool of the IUCN Red List database (Taxonomy, Red List Category, Threats and Land Regions filters). Rodentia was the mammal Order with the highest number of Extinct species, whereas Primates was the Order with the greatest proportion of Critically Endangered ones. The last two (19th and 20th) centuries were the periods in which the greatest number of species was lost. We found remarkable differences between the factors threatening species survival and between countries with the highest number of Extinct species and the ones that contain a greater number of Critically Endangered species. The threat category responsible for most of the extinctions overall was «Invasive and other problematic species, genes and diseases». Nonetheless, factors associated with habitat loss and degradation seem to have become more important nowadays and, in addition, some «new» factors, such as «Energy production and mining», «Human intrusions and disturbance», «Pollution», and «Transportation and service corridors», which have not had much relevance for past extinctions, now appear as important threats to Critically Endangered species. Australia was the country that has lost the most mammal species (n = 26), followed by Haiti (n = 9), the Dominican Republic (n = 8), and Cuba (n = 6). On the other hand, when we evaluated the amount of species classified as Critically Endangered, Madagascar (n = 33), Mexico (n = 27), and Indonesia (n = 26) are the countries that concentrate the highest number of them. Thus, future extinctions are unlikely to occur in the same places as in the past because the human society's relationship with the environment has changed over time: human population has grown, habitat loss has become the predominant threat to many species and new threat factors have emerged.

Shifting baselines for species in chronic decline and assessment of conservation status. Are hazel dormiceMuscardinus avellanariusEndangered?

AbstractLong‐term data are beneficial for monitoring the conservation status of species. Assessments of population change over recent periods of fixed duration will, however, be subject to ‘shifting baselines’, where the accepted norm for the population at the start of the period already represents a reduction from historical levels. International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List criteria for categorizing conservation threat rely on assessing declines against quantitative thresholds, generally measured over 10 years, as indications of the likelihood of extinction in the near future. By contrast, legal frameworks such as the European Habitats Directive require states to achieve and sustain ‘Favourable Conservation Status’ for protected species, while domestic conservation legislation can have more diverse objectives and mechanisms, based on local contexts that extend beyond biological or quantitative criteria.We explore the challenges associated with assessing the risk of extinction and the conservation status that arise from the availability of long‐term monitoring data for hazel dormiceMuscardinus avellanariusin the United Kingdom.Numbers of adult dormice counted in the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme are in ongoing decline, amounting to an overall decline of 78% (95% confidence interval = 72%–84%) over 27 years, 1994–2020. If the observed annual rate of decline of 5.7% (95% CI = 4.7%–6.8%) were to continue unabated, dormouse counts would decline by >90% from 1994 to 2034. Despite this, the species would never be categorized as Endangered, under IUCN criteria, which specify a reduction of >50% within 10 years.While such chronic decline may not indicate imminent risk of extinction, justifying a higher Red List category, it is a demonstration of unfavourable conservation status at a national scale. Prioritization based on demonstration of such chronic declines might direct more effective action towards species conservation at a point when their recovery is more attainable, rather than attempting later to reverse a journey to the brink of extinction when the species is finally ‘Endangered’.

Ex-situ Conservation Practice at National Botanical Garden, Godawari, Lalitpur, Nepal

Ex-situ conservation refers to the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats. Since biodiversity is currently being lost at an unprecedented rate in their natural habitats, ex-situ conservation has become a suitable approach in their conservation. Botanical gardens are institutions or places that provide a suitable environment for the survival of threatened plant species. Through living plant collection, the botanical gardens have done tremendous contribution to ex-situ conservation of plant diversity which is in dire need for their conservation. With the establishment of National Botanical Garden (NBG) in Nepal in 1962, ex-situ conservation and protection of wild and threatened plant species has been properly addressed. A total of 547 taxa (542 species), 334 (331 species) of which are exotic and 213 (211 species) of which are native, have been preserved by NBG. NBG harbors 1 extinct in the wild, 1 critically endangered, 6 endangered, 5 vulnerable and 3 near threatened plant species according to the IUCN Red List categories, while 5 are endemic species to Nepal. It has also conserved CITES listed plant species (Appendix I- 1 species, Appendix II- 38 species and Appendix III- 2 species). Therefore, NBG plays a crucial role in the conservation of threatened species, educating the public and supporting them in understanding that conservation is a shared responsibility.

ÇANKIRI İLİNDE YOK OLMA TEHLİKESİ ALTINDAKİ VE EDAFİK ENDEMİK GYPSOPHILA GERMANICOPOLITANA HUB.-MOR.’UN IN VITRO KOŞULLARDA ÇOĞALTIMI

In this study, in vitro propagation of Gypsophila germanicopolitana HUB.- MOR., which grows on gypsum hills within the limits of Çankırı province was taken as an aim. The species is included in the list of plants under “critical extinction (CR)” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources red list category. Shoot tips and internodes of the plant were used as explant sources for in vitro propagation, as basal nutrient medium 1) Murashige and Skoog (MS) 2) Nitsch & Nitsch (NN) were chosen, as plant growth regulators 1) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, 1 mg/L) and 2) Kinetin (KIN) (0 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, 1 mg/L) were used as cytokinin source as well as 3) Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0 mg/L) L, 0.25 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L) and 4) α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0 mg/L, 0.25 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L) were as auxin sources. After that 36 combinations with different doses were established. Gelrite (2.1 g/L) was used as a gelling agent and 30 g/L of sucrose was added as a carbon source to the nutrient media. As a result, the best shoot regeneration was observed in Nitsch & Nitsch (NN) nutrient medium with a combination of 0 mg/L KIN + 0.5 mg/L NAA plant growth regulator. Root regeneration was more successfully present within the explants cultured in MS nutrient medium than in NN nutrient medium. No other in vitro propagation studies have been carried out on this endemic species before and so it has a unique value in serving as a basis for future studies.

Plant in vitro cultures: A promising and emerging technology for the feasible production of antidiabetic metabolites in Caralluma tuberculata.

Caralluma tuberculata, a medicinal and edible plant of the genus Caralluma, belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae. Traditionally, its succulent stems are used as folk medicine for life-threatening diabetes mellitus (DM) disease. Its antidiabetic potential is ascribed to the presence of various secondary metabolites (e.g., pregnane glycosides, flavone glycosides, megastigmane glycosides, polyphenols, ferulic acid, quercetin, and bitter principles, among others) that act as effective and safe antidiabetic agents. The mechanisms of these bioactive secondary metabolites in C. tuberculata herbal medicine include lowering the blood glucose level, stimulating B cells of the pancreas to release more insulin, enhancing the sensitivity of the insulin receptor, inhibiting the action of glucagon and the hydrolysis of glycogen, and increasing the use of glucose in tissues and organ. However, overexploitation, alterations in natural environmental conditions, lower seed viability, and slow growth rate are responsible for the extinction of species from natural habitats, then becoming critically endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List categories. Therefore, its limited availability does not meet the higher worldwide market demand of C. tuberculata as an antidiabetic drug. Thus, for its conservation and sustainable utilization, researchers across the globe are working on devising strategies to conserve and improve biomass along with the secondary metabolite profiles of C. tuberculata using in vitro approaches. The current review describes the recent progress on antidiabetic phytoconstituents, their cellular mechanisms, and their subsequent clinical outcomes in the drug discovery management of DM. Moreover, in vitro methods such as callus culture, micropropagation, and nano-elicitation strategies for conserving and producing bioactive secondary metabolites have been concisely reviewed and discussed.

Polygala idukkiana (Polygalaceae), a new species from the southern Western Ghats, India

Polygala idukkiana (Polygalaceae) is described as a new species from the Idukki district of Kerala in the southern Western Ghats. Detailed description along with colour photographs, distribution map, and key to the identification of Polygala species occurring in Kerala are provided. The new species is compared with the morphologically allied P. sibirica, P. rosmarinifolia, and P. chinensis. The conservation status of the new species is assessed provisionally as Data Deficient (DD) according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Begoniaparvibracteata, a new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi of China, based on morphological and molecular evidence.

The previously reported begonias in a limestone forest of Guangxi mainly belong to Begoniasect.Coelocentrum Irmscher. In this article, we described and illustrated a new species in sect. Platycentrum (Klotzsch) A.DC., Begoniaparvibracteata X.X.Feng, R.K.Li & Z.X.Liu, which was discovered in a karst forest of south-western Guangxi. The begonia shows high morphological similarity to B.subhowii S.H. Huang and B.psilophylla Irmscher, but differs from the latter two in its narrower oblique-ovate asymmetric leaf blade, 4 (occasionally 6) tepals of pistillate flower and smaller membranous inflorescence bracts. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS sequence data, supports the new species as monophyletic and distinct from B.subhowii and B.psilophylla. Considering its narrow distribution and the disturbance of human activities, the conservation status of new taxon is evaluated as "Vulnerable" (VU B1, B2 ab (i, iv, v), D2) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Birds of Behali Wildlife Sanctuary, an Important Bird Area of Assam, India

The avian diversity of Behali Wildlife Sanctuary, an Important Bird Area IN-AS-05 (A1 and A3) is documented here. A total of 283 species of birds belonging to 21 orders, 69 families, and 194 genera were recorded. The study recorded one critically endangered species, 2 endangered species, 7 vulnerable species, 13 near threatened species and 260 species were least concern. Distribution of birds within the reserve forest and IUCN Red List Categories of them are also provided here.

Oreocharisqianyuensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Southwest, China based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Oreocharisqianyuensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Southwest, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Phylotranscriptomic analyses of the new species in the context of a comprehensive phylogeny with dense sampling of 88% (111/126) of all species of the genus indicated that the new species was most closely-related to O.fargesii. The new species is morphologically similar to O.fargesii and O.nanchuanica in the shape, color and structure of flowers and the number of stamens, but differs in the leaf blade shape, margin and the indumentum characters of the inflorescence. Its morphological relationship with similar species is discussed, the detailed descriptions, colour photographs, distribution, as well as the IUCN threatened status based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are also provided.

Wikstroemiafragrans (Thymelaeaceae, Daphneae), a new species from Mount Danxia, China based on morphological and molecular evidence.

A new species, Wikstroemiafragrans (Thymelaeaceae, Daphneae), from Danxiashan National Park, Shaoguan, Guangdong of China is described and illustrated. It is similar to the sympatric W.trichotoma, but can be differentiated easily from the latter by its shorter racemose inflorescences, yellowish green calyx tube, and smaller leaves. It also resembles the allopatric W.fargesii, but differs from it by its strigose-pubescent ovary and disk scale that is 2- or 3-dentate apically. Phylogenetic analysis using the nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed that W.fragrans falls within the Wikstroemia clade; based on current sampling, W.fragrans is closely-related to W.capitata. It is also the first species of Wikstroemia known to be endemic to the Danxia landform and is classified provisionally as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Senecio namibensis (Asteraceae: Senecioneae), a new species from Namibia

Senecio namibensis is described as a new species known only from the northern part of the Namib Desert in northwestern Namibia. It is a range-restricted species near-endemic to the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism. These dwarf shrubs grow on rocky outcrops under harsh desert conditions. Diagnostic characters for Senecio namibensis include the annual or perennial habit, succulent leaves, and radiate capitula with 3–6 yellow ray florets. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between S. namibensis and its possible nearest relatives, S. englerianus and S. flavus, is provided. All three species have superficially similar looking succulent leaves, but an obvious difference is that the capitula in S. englerianus are discoid and in S. flavus disciform or obscurely radiate. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Least Concern (LC) is recommended for the new species.

Integrating machine learning, remote sensing and citizen science to create an early warning system for biodiversity

Societal Impact StatementThe development and implementation of conservation actions that address urgent threats to biodiversity across the globe require large amounts of historic and current data. Machine learning approaches offer the tools to process, analyse and interpret large data sets, giving insights into trends and guiding evidence‐based allocation of limited resources to maximise positive biodiversity outcomes. Here we describe how data acquired from remote sensing, citizen science and other monitoring approaches could feed in near‐real time into an early warning system for biodiversity that integrates automated red‐listing of species with the identification of priority areas for conservation.SummaryApplication of machine learning approaches is aiding biodiversity conservation and research at a time of rapid global change. Two emerging topics and their data requirements are presented. First, to identify areas of priority protection for preventing biodiversity loss, reinforcement learning is used by training models that take into account human disturbance and climate change under recurrent monitoring schemes. Second, neural networks are used to approximate classification of species into Red List categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, offering the possibility of real‐time re‐classification after events such as widespread fires and deforestation. We discuss how the identification of areas and species most at risk could be integrated into an ‘early warning system’ based on climatic monitoring, remotely sensed land‐use changes and near‐real time biological and threat data from citizen science initiatives. Such system would help guide actions to prevent biodiversity loss at the speed required for effective conservation.

Status, Challenges and Mitigation Strategies of Production of Non Timber Forest Products in Mundemba Municipality, Southwest Region Cameroon

Land clearing for plantation and settlement establishment has been a prominent driving force for forest ecosystem destruction. This study aimed at evaluating the status, challenges and mitigation strategies of the selected NTFPs produced and Mark¹eted in the study site. This study was carried out in the municipality of Mundemba South West Region Cameroon. Data were collected with the used of open and close ended questionnaires, key informants interviews and field observations. The questionnaires were divided into IV sections. Section I socio-demographic characteristics, section II on the status of the different NTFPs produced and marketed section III on the challenges and section IV on mitigation strategies. Data were subjected to descriptive analyses and were treated using statistical software program IBM SPSS statistics. Chi square Pearson test was used to determine the association. Results showed that 59.00 percent were men while 41.00 percent were women. Based on the IUCN red list categories, 6 of the NTFPs were noticed as least concerned, 4 of the NTFP species are near threatened, while none of the species were noticed to be extinct. The main challenge for production was limited land with 51.00 percent while the least challenge of limited knowledge for production was noticed to 2% and was not significantly different(x2cal = 0.593, x2 table value=0.917). The main challenge for marketing was reported as insecurity with 39 % while the least was failure of buyers to keep to time with 8.00 percent and was significantly different (X2cal= 1.052,x2 table value =0.958). The government strategies for mitigating challenges of production and marketing (x2cal =2.988, x2cal =0.224) was significantly different. The major mitigation of road construction had a percentage of 83.00 percent, while the least noticed for mitigations production and marketing was provision of farm inputs with a percentage of 6 %. Therefore, proper management will definitely lead to improve production and marketing of NTFPs.

The recently discovered Principe Scops-owl is highly threatened: distribution, habitat associations, and population estimates

SummarySpecies baseline information is required for effective biodiversity conservation. Here we provide sound ecological data to support effective conservation of the Principe Scops-owl,OtusbikegilaMelo, Freitas, Verbelen, Costa, Pereira, Fuchs, Sangster, Correia, de Lima & Crottini 2022, discovered in 2016. We mapped the observed and potential distribution, inferred habitat associations, estimated population size, and assessed the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List category for this species. Surveys were carried out across Príncipe Island during the long and short dry seasons, recording owl presence in sampling points along transects. These data were used to model distribution, revealing that the Principe Scops-owl is restricted to 34.4 km2in the south of the island, inside the Príncipe Obô Natural Park. Most records were in lower altitude native forest. Remoteness was the most important variable to explain presence at island level, followed by land use, which showed that the species is restricted to forest, clearly depending on native forest. Distance sampling using different models suggested a population density ranging between 33.4 individuals/km2(95% CI: 23.6–47.2) and 46.4 individuals/km2(95% CI: 29.3–73.6), which extrapolates to an estimated population size ranging from 1,149 individuals (95% CI: 813–1,623) to 1,597 individuals (95% CI: 1,007–2,533). We propose that the species is classified as “Critically Endangered” due to the small extent of occurrence, coupled with occurrence in a single location and inferred continuing declines in the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of mature individuals and area, extent, and quality of habitat. Effective conservation of the Principe Scops-owl requires regular monitoring and further studies focusing on reproduction and potential nest predation by introduced mammals. Widespread support for the conservation of the Natural Park is vital to ensure the protection of this species and the endemic-rich native forests of Príncipe on which it depends.

Nombrando lo conocido: una nueva especie de Desmopsis (Annonaceae) endémica de México

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Una especie de Desmopsis (Annonaceae) colectada frecuentemente en México ha permanecido indeterminada durante más de 30 años. Sus características florales son similares a las del género asiático Guamia (actualmente Meiogyne), y desde hace muchos años se le ha nombrado como “Guamia mexicana”, pero no ha sido descrita formalmente. Recientemente se demostró que “Guamia mexicana” está filogenéticamente emparentada con Desmopsis y Stenanona y no con Guamia. Sin embargo, y a pesar de ser colectada con frecuencia, no se ha aclarado su estatus taxonómico. En este artículo se estudiaron las relaciones filogenéticas y las características morfológicas y ecológicas que distinguen a “Guamia mexicana” de otras especies. Como resultado, esta especie nueva es aquí descrita. Métodos: El reconocimiento de la especie nueva se basó en la correlación de varios caracteres morfológicos, a través de comparaciones con especies morfológicamente similares y de la revisión de literatura. Las características de su polen se analizaron mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido. Sus relaciones filogenéticas se determinaron con base en filogenias publicadas previamente. Finalmente, a partir de sus localidades conocidas se calculó extensión de ocurrencia (EOO) y área de ocupación (AOO) en GeoCAT, y aplicando las categorías y criterios de la Lista Roja de la UICN se determinó su estado de conservación. Resultados clave: Desmopsis ibarrarum, una nueva especie de Annonaceae endémica de México, es descrita e ilustrada. Se distingue de otras especies de Desmopsis por la combinación de frutos largos y cilíndricos con muchas semillas, con una testa dura y leñosa y densamente cubierta por pelos seríceos muy pequeños (aterciopelados), por sus hojas glabras con venación terciaria percurrente, la ausencia de brácteas foliosas en los pedicelos, la diferenciación morfológica de los pétalos internos y externos, y por la fusión parcial de los sépalos. Conclusiones: Desmopsis ibarrarum esta únicamente relacionada a Desmopsis dubia y las dos especies se consideran aquí miembros de un linaje particular dentro del clado Desmopsis-Stenanona, el "grupo Desmopsis dubia".

Six new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from Llanganates National Park and Sangay National Park in Amazonian cloud forests of Ecuador.

We describe six new species of rainfrogs of the genus Pristimantis (Strabomantidae) from Amazonian cloud forests in Ecuador. We also present a phylogeny showing the relationships of the new species. The phylogeny is based on mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA (16S), 12 rRNA (12S), NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 1 (ND1) and the nuclear gene recombination-activating 1 (RAG1). We also describe the osteology of two of the new species using high-resolution x-ray computed tomography. The new species belong to two clades. The first clade is sister to the subgenus Huicundomantis and includes P. tamia sp. nov., P. miktos, and P. mallii. Pristimantis tamia sp. nov. is morphologically similar to P. miktos, P. mallii, P. martiae, and P. incomptus, but differs from them by lacking vocal slits and tympanic membrane and by having light greenish blue iris. Based in our results we expand the subgenus Huicundomantis to include the P. miktos species group. The second clade is remarkable by being highly divergent and consisting exclusively of new species: P. anaiae sp. nov., P. glendae sp. nov., P. kunam sp. nov., P. resistencia sp. nov., and P. venegasi sp. nov. The new species resemble P. roni, P. yanezi, P. llanganati, P. katoptroides, P. verecundus, and P. mutabilis but can be distinguished from them by lacking vocal slits and tympanic membrane and by having large dark round areas with thin clear borders in the sacral region. All six new species occur in the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes and are known from a single locality in Llanganates or Sangay National Park. We recommend assigning all of them to the Data Deficient (DD) Red List category. Based in our high-resolution x-ray tomographies, we report the presence of structures that appear to be intercalary elements. This would be the first report of such structures in Terrarana.

Thismialimkokthayi (Thismiaceae): A new mycoheterotrophic species from Genting Highlands in Pahang, Malaysia.

Thismialimkokthayi, a distinct mitriform species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia, is described and illustrated. It was found at a locality in the upland areas of Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. This new species is morphologically similar to members of Thismiasect.Geomitra, but differs in several characteristics, including the colour of the floral tube, the inner surface of the floral tube with longitudinal ribs and absent transverse bars, a stamen apex with a central lobe (prolongation of the rib) and two lateral lobes (the tips of each are recurved) and a black-purplish stigma. Thismialimkokthayi is provisionally classified as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Population dynamics of the Manyara monkey (Cercopithecus mitis manyaraensis) and vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania.

Estimating population densities and their trends over time is essential for understanding primate ecology and for guiding conservation efforts. From 2011 through to 2019, we counted two guenon species during seasonal road transect surveys in Lake Manyara National Park: the Tanzania-endemic Manyara monkey Cercopithecus mitis manyaraensis (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, IUCN, Red List category of "endangered") and the vervet monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus (Red List category of "least concern"). To account for imperfect detectability, we analysed the data in a line distance sampling framework, fitted species-specific detection functions, and subsequently estimated seasonal densities. To test for seasonal differences and yearly trends in the species-specific density estimates, we fitted generalized additive models. Seasonal point density estimates fluctuated considerably during the 9years (2011-2019) of our study, ranging from 3 to 29 individuals km for Manyara monkeys and from 19 to 83 individuals km for vervet monkeys. Densities of both taxa did not differ seasonally, and we did not detect marked directional population trends. Our study illustrates the utility and limitations of line distance sampling for long-term primate monitoring. Beyond informing primate ecology and management, our results highlight the conservation importance of Lake Manyara National Park for primate conservation.