Biogeographic Overview of Ulmaceae: Diversity, Distribution, Ecological Preferences, and Conservation Status

Abstract. Nuryanto A, Bhagawati D, Kusbiyanto. 2020. Evaluation of conservation and trade status of marine ornamental fish harvested from Pangandaran Coastal Waters, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 512-520. Pangandaran coastal waters are among the main supply areas of marine ornamental fish in Indonesia. However, no scientific data are available on the conservation and trade status of marine ornamental fish harvested in this region. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity, conservation, and trade status of marine ornamental fish species harvested from Pangandaran coastal waters. Fish were collected during surveys conducted in March, April, July, and September 2019. Species were identified by referring to the available guidance books. The conservation status was analyzed according to the IUCN database, whereas the trade status was evaluated based on the CITES database. A total of 107 marine ornamental fish species from 32 families and eight orders was obtained. The two out of these 107 species had an unresolved conservation status, whereas 24 species were listed as Not Evaluated, 80 species were listed as Least Concern, and one species was listed as Vulnerable by IUCN. Two species had an unknown trade status, whereas 104 species were listed as Not Evaluated and one species was listed in Appendix II of CITES. Our data prove that Pangandaran coastal waters have a high potential for supplying marine ornamental fish, with most of the species listed as having a Not Evaluated or Least Concern status. Most of the species identified were also categorized as having a Not Evaluated trade status.

Prior to initiating the conservation effort, conducting a bamboo species inventory in a specific area is crucial for obtaining information about the diversity status of the species in that region. Species inventorying is a fundamental step in ensuring that conservation efforts are targeted, effective, and based on sound scientific data. Regrettably, status of bamboo diversity in Sumatra is unavailable. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the status of bamboo diversity in Sumatra. The study gathered data from literature review. It covered bamboo species, their statuses (endemic, introduced, ex-situ conservation, and threatened), and encompassed the main Sumatra Island and surrounding smaller islands. Species were re-identified and validated. Conservation status was assessed based on IUCN categories. There are 73 species of bamboo in the Sumatra region, representing 10 genera: Bambusa (11 species), Chimonobambusa (1 species), Dendrocalamus (10 species), Dinochloa (2 species), Gigantochloa (26 species), Melocanna (1 species), Neololeba (1 species), Phyllostachys (1 species), Schizostachyum (19 species), and Thyrsostachys (1 species). Eighteen species of Sumatran bamboo are known as introduced species, and 30 species are endemic to Sumatra, with the majority belonging to Gigantochloa (15 species). The least represented are Bambusa and Dinochloa, each having one endemic species. Bambusa heterostachya, Dendrocalamus giganteus, and Dendrocalamus membranaceus fall into the “least concern” (LC) category on the IUCN Red List, while the remaining 70 species have not been evaluated. A total of 44 species have been planted (conserved) in botanical gardens in Indonesia, while the remaining 29 species have not yet been conserved.

Conservation status assessment of bird species is essential to prioritize conservation and monitoring efforts; however, this is not always possible to achieve due to lack of field data or scientific knowledge. In this context citizen science platforms can act as a data source to prioritize the conservation and research resources within a region or a given taxonomic group. Merging the available information on bird distribution areas from BirdLife International and field observations from eBird, the main citizen science birding app, we create a concern index, using the poorly known buttonquails (Turnicidae) as a case study. This concern index is based on two parameters: scarcity and uncertainty, which ultimately are based on two components, respectively. For every species, we defined scarcity as a combination of its frequency of occurrence (proportion of positive eBird checklists) and its relative range size, while uncertainty is a combination of the eBird effort (density of eBird checklists) and the range accuracy (proportion of positive eBird checklists within the BirdLife distribution area). We found a high correlation (Spearman r = 0.74) between our concern index and the IUCN threat categories for all buttonquail species. Then we apply this concern index to all buttonquail subspecies obtaining a ranked list for these non-assessed taxa, with some island endemic subspecies ranking very high together with the most endangered buttonquail species. Our approach is a very simple method to rank species within a given bird group and prioritize monitoring and conservation efforts. Moreover, it is also suitable for other taxonomic levels as subspecies or even for ecological units as populations, which normally lack a formal conservation status assessment.

Limonium ophioides and L. nichoriense, two newly discovered species from south Peloponnisos (Greece) are described and illustrated based on their sole known populations at the Maleas Peninsula and Petalidi Messinias, respectively. Both species are diploid (2n=2x=18) and exhibit sexual breeding systems, featuring dimorphic pollen and stigmas alongside high pollen viability. Their karyological, reproductive, and morphological traits align them with the informal “L. cancellatum-dictyophorum” group, with L. coronense and L. pylium showing the closest morphological resemblance. Detailed observations on their morphological features, chromosomes, distribution, ecological preferences, conservation status, and an analytical key for all diploid Limonium species found in Peloponnisos are presented.

Background: Polystemma (Apocynaceae subfamily Asclepiadoideae) is a small genus currently with seven species characterized by having white glandular trichomes becoming crystalline in age; filiform corona appendages; and fusiform, smooth, mottled follicles. Exploration in the Balsas Depression of Michoacán, Mexico resulted in the discovery of an unknown species of Polystemma .
 Questions: Are the unknown Polystemma plants occurring in the Balsas Depression of Michoacán new to science? If so, how are they distinguished from other species of the genus, what are their ecological preferences, what is their distribution, and are they endangered?
 Studied species: Species of Polystemma .
 Study site and dates: Balsas Depression, Michoacán, México; 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014.
 Methods: Fieldwork to collect herbarium specimens and photograph plants; review of literature on Polystemma to determine taxonomic status; preparation of a morphological description; evaluation of conservation status using IUCN Redlist criteria.
 Results: Polystemma fishbeiniana is proposed as a new species and illustrated with photographs. It occurs at two locations in the xeric scrub and open thorn forest of the Zicuirán-Infiernillo Biosphere Reserve, at elevations from 275 to 400 m. Flowering occurs from June to September, with mature fruits present from October to March; dehisced fruits can persist on the plants for almost a year. Its conservation status is assessed as Endangered, EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).
 Conclusions: Polystemma fishbeiniana is distinguished from congeners by its suffrutescent habit, small leaves, and flowers abaxially yellowish with a blackish to dark burgundy red margin and central line with short lateral extensions.These traits are otherwise unknown in the genus.
 
 
 Translate
 stop
 
 
 
 
 
 Translate
 stop
 
 

A primary conservation requirement in New Zealand is the production of an inventory of indigenous plant taxa with an assessment of the conservation status of each and recognition of those which are rare and endangered. A recently initiated documentation scheme is described. This is a loose‐leaf system incorporating two‐page reports on particular taxa. Guidelines to determine whether taxa are rare or endangered are given and conservation measures recommended in the reports are discussed. One appendix explains the layout and subdivision of the report sheets and another lists 314 taxa which have been suggested for investigation. It is considered that a register of rare and endangered plants in New Zealand will enable conservation status to be determined with reasonable accuracy and confidence and will provide a basis for future management.

Dacrycarpus imbricatus provides essential ecosystem functions and various potential uses. Therefore, studying this distribution and conservation status in Bali Islands is crucial. The Habitat Suitability Model (HSM) and Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT) were used to predict this distribution and conservation status. The results showed changes in the predicted habitat suitability in 2050. Climate change conditions will impact the preferential habitat of the current location. The analysis classifies D. imbricatus as an endangered (EN) species in Bali. The model does not consider anthropogenic factors which change the land use/land cover. Therefore, more severe conservation efforts in Bali are needed for this species.

A survey on catfish diversity in the River Teesta was done from March 2016 to February 2018. Three sampling sites were selected and sampling was done with different fishing net and then diversity indices calculated with software. A total of 37 catfish belonged to 8 families were recorded. Most dominant family was Sisoridae (38 %) with 14 species then followed by Bagridae (27 %, with ten species), Schilbeidae (11 %, with four species), Siluridae (8%, with three species), Clariidae and Olyridae (5%, with two species) and Heteropneustidae and Chacidae (3%, with one species each). Out of 37 catfish one is Endangered (EN) five species are near threatened (NT) and 28 are least concern (LC). Highest species diversity index and Margalef’s species richness index were recorded in September and lowest in January. Highest evenness index (J’) was recorded in April and lowest in July.

Simple SummaryIn addition to semen preservation, systematic cryo-banking of testicular tissues is critical to preserve the genetic value of recently deceased or neutered black-footed ferrets. Mature sperm cells produced from vitrified-warmed tissues could be used for in vitro fertilization over multiple generations, which would enhance the genetic management of this rare and endangered species. The objective of the study was to evaluate structural and functional properties of vitrified testicular tissues directly after warming or after warming plus a short period of in vitro culture. Fresh, vitrified/warmed, and warmed/cultured tissues from five adults were analyzed through histology, DNA fragmentation, cell survival, and germ cell composition. Percentages of intact seminiferous tubules decreased right after vitrification/warming and improved after culture (reaching same percentages as the fresh controls). While proportions of cells with intact DNA and viable cells were affected by vitrification/warming, they were then similar or better after additional culture than in the fresh tissue. Proportions of cells labeled with differentiation markers also increased during in vitro culture. We demonstrated for the first time that black-footed ferret testicular tissues can be vitrified and revived, which will potentially contribute to new strategies to enhance assisted reproduction as well as conservation efforts in that rare and endangered species.Systematic cryo-banking of semen and testicular tissues is critical to preserve the genetic value of recently deceased or neutered black-footed ferrets (BFFs). Specifically, recovering or producing mature sperm cells from vitrified-warmed issues offers additional options in assisted reproduction. This could, in turn, enhance the genetic management of this rare and endangered species over multiple generations. The objective of the study was to evaluate structural properties, DNA fragmentation, cell viability, and germ cell composition in vitrified testicular tissues from BFFs directly after warming or after warming plus a short in vitro culture period. Tissue biopsies from five adult BFFs were either kept fresh or vitrified with a standard protocol (using dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and glycerol) and warmed at 50 °C for 5 s. Some of the warmed samples were then cultured in vitro for 24 h. Fresh, warmed, and warmed/cultured tissues were analyzed using different indicators: histology of seminiferous tubules, intact Sertoli cells (vimentin labeling), DNA integrity, cell viability, germ cell composition (Oct4 and Boule labeling). Percentages of intact seminiferous tubules decreased after vitrification/warming and returned to the level of fresh samples after culture. While percentages of cells labeled with vimentin, with intact DNA integrity, or proportions of viable cells were affected by vitrification/warming, they all reached similar or better levels than the fresh tissue after culture. Proportions of cells labeled with Boule antibodies also improved during in vitro culture post-warming. We demonstrated for the first time that BFF testes subjected to vitrification, rapid warming, and short in vitro culture were viable and maintained the ability to resume germ cell progression. Cryopreserved testicular tissues could potentially contribute to new strategies to enhance BFF assisted reproduction as well as conservation efforts.

Over a long period of time, cycads endemic to Africa have been facing high risk of extinction. Several conservation efforts have been made to reduce the risk of losing these highly endangered species. In this study we review the current risk of extinction of allAfrican cycads species. We calculated the percentages of each category of species found in African cycads using the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species 2014 version. We compared our result with that of Donaldson (2003) on percentages of different categories of IUCN for cycads in Africa which was carried out a decade ago. We also calculated the percentage of population trend in African cycads. When comparing these results, we discovered that over one decade there was no improvement in cycads conservation despite several conservation efforts that were made during this period. The results of the populationtrend also showed that the majority of African cycads are experiencing population decreases. These results highlight that the risk of extinction of African cycads is still very high and much conservation effort is still required to properly tackle ecological factors pushing these endangered species to extinction.

The purpose of this study is to assess the ecological attributes, geographic distribution, conservation status and endemism of cactus species in the Sao Francisco River Watershed (SFRW). In order to gather information on the cactus species found in the SFRW, three sources of information were used: collections from Brazilian herbaria, bibliographic references and online collections. The ecological attributes were related to (1) habitat specificity, (2) species habit, (3) pollination syndrome, and (4) groups of primary and secondary dispersers. Moreover, data from the three information sources cited above were used to assess geographic distribution of the cacti found in the SFRW. Species were divided into three categories according to the number of populations sampled: (1) widespread species: over 30 populations, (2) species with intermediate distribution: 11 to 30 populations, (3) locally distributed species: up to 10 populations. Conservation status of the cacti found in the SFRW was determined according to the classification of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List. There were 108 cacti taxa scattered throughout the SFRW and 32.4% of the taxa are endemic. Species may be present in more than one ecosystem; most were found in areas of Caatinga (59.5%). The most common microhabitat was soil (62.5%). The globose habit (21.2%), columnar habit (29.8%) and shrubby habit (36.5%) are more frequent. The main pollination syndrome is chiropterophily (34.5%). All Cactaceae found in the SFRW produce fruits that are dispersed by animals and vertebrates are the main agents of zoochoric dispersal. The conservation status of these cacti is cause for worry, because many species are classified as vulnerable or critically endangered.

Summer-rain warm-temperate, wet subtropical and tropical zones in East, South and Southeast Asia are widely covered by evergreen broad-leaved forests. These forests are dominated mainly by evergreen tree species of Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Theaceae, Magnoliaceae and Hamamelidaceae. Trees have leathery smooth leaves ready to reflect the sunshine and brighten, and Kira (1977) put forward a proposal of lucidophyll forest as a new nomenclature of this type of evergreen broad-leaved forest. It was fIrst reported as Lorbeerform by Griesebach (1872) in Canarias Islands. The lucidophyll oak-laurel forests are found in ranges among 85 and 180°C month of Kira’s warmth index, which corresponds to warm temperate zone and among 180 and 240°C month to subtropical zones in Japan. Such lucidophyll oak-laurel forests have a wide range of distribution in Asia, New Guinea, Macaronesia and southeastern United States. The northern limit of its distribution is at about 40°N of the seashore or islets of Northeast District of Japan in the PacifIc and at 39°N in Acres Islands in the Atlantic. The altitudinal limit goes up to about 1,000 m from sea shore in warm-temperate Japan, and upwards to about 3000 m in the wet tropical Asia. The constituent species of the forests becomes diversifIed as it goes to the tropics. In the area of northern limit the forest is dominated only by a laurel, Persea thunbergii, but forests are diversifIed with many species of a number of genera and families as shown in Appendix. In the tropics they are mixed with some tropical species such as climbing bamboos, screw pines, palms and climbing species of Araceae. On the other hand, some species of Lauraceae and Fagaceae are found in the lowland tropical rain forests, but they are minority of tall lowland rain forests. In Africa temperate and montane forests (afromontane forests) do not have lauraceous and fagaceous dominants but for Ocotea as a companion, and their species composition is not similar with the Asian lucidophyll oak-laurel forests. Southeastern evergreen hardwood forests of the United States are dominated by Quercus (Quercus) species under summer-rain climate with hot and humid summer and not so severe winter. As their leaves also reflect sunshine and brighten, this type of forest should be included into lucidophyll forest formation as well as Macaronesian laurel forests. The nomenclature of the lucidophyll oak-laurel forest is diversifIed, and a number of names have been used. They are largely classified into five groups of terms based on vertical zonation, climatic zone, leaf characters, species composition and plant sociology. The author thinks that it is desirable to give a standard name like summer green forest formation to the forest formation widely distributing in the lowland of warm-temperate, and montane areas of subtropical and tropical regions dominated by oaks and lor laurels. Lucidophyll oak-laurel forest formation is a recommendable name of the formation. Evergreen Nothofagus forests evolved and developed only in the southern hemisphere under similar climate to that of lucidophyll oak-laurel forest formations, could be included into the latter formation, because trees in evergreen southern beech forests are also lucid under humid climate and both forests assembled only in New Guinea and its adjacent islands. Discussion is carried out on other types of vegetation in the Middle and South America.

Mormoops megalophylla is a cave-dwelling bat distributed from southern United States across Central America to northern Peru. Its conservation status at a global level is of Least Concern, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; in Ecuador, however, it is included under the Vulnerable category due to the threats faced by the only two viable populations known. Individuals from each locality (Carchi and Pichincha) were captured and marked. The D-loop of the mitochondrial control region was obtained from wing membrane tissue samples, in order to analyze the geographic distribution of nucleotide and haplotype diversity of the populations, as well as gene flow between them. The molecular variation within and between populations was evaluated through a molecular variance analysis. A high haplotype diversity and a low nucleotide diversity were observed. The gene-flow estimator revealed that Carchi and Pichincha make up a single population coming from a single lineage. The network of haplotypes indicated that those with the highest frequency are shared in both localities; the largest number of unique haplotypes, however, was observed in Pichincha. The high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity values in Ecuador are due to the fact that the ghost-faced bat populations may have experienced a fast-growing period from a low effective population size, with sufficient time to accumulate haplotype diversity, but insufficient to increase nucleotide diversity. The low genetic variability between both localities indicates the existence of a panmictic population that may have been split by factors such as habitat transformation, leading to isolated colonies. The preservation of this vulnerable species will depend on conservation efforts and studies that seek to supplement the analysis of genetic variability with other molecular markers, a continued monitoring of migratory processes, and inventorying of intermediate sites and localities with historical records.

Using population estimates that were made regularly between 2001 and 2013, the state of recovery of arapaima populations and their IUCN conservation status were assessed after they were almost extirpated from the upper Essequibo basin, Guyana. Recovery rates were compared across multiple areas with different degrees of access by fishers to evaluate effectiveness of conservation efforts. Population estimates were also used to investigate the influence of environmental factors on arapaima abundance in lakes with different morphometries, vegetation, and water types and to determine the relationship between the numbers of spawning individuals and subsequent recruits (at about age 2 years). The most recent census conducted in November–December of 2013 indicated a 5.6‐fold increase in overall abundance compared with 2001, with 4,591 individuals, of which 1,932 were juveniles (1.0–1.5 m total length) and 2,659 adults. Assessment of conservation status following IUCN criteria indicated that arapaima populations in the upper Essequibo basin in 2001 would have been considered borderline Critically Endangered, but in 2013 after conservation interventions, status would be categorized as Near Threatened. Arapaima in the Essequibo basin appear to favour larger but shallow lakes with low conductivity, clear water, and abundant aquatic macrophytes. Stock–recruitment relationships suggest that the entire upper Essequibo basin population may still be growing and that there is approximately a 1:1 juvenile to adult ratio. This ratio of juveniles to adults across all areas suggests a paucity of young fishes to sustain overall population growth, which might reflect widespread illegal removals of young fishes in the basin. Comparisons of arapaima densities in the upper Essequibo basin with those at four localities across the Amazon Basin, suggest that with enhanced conservation efforts in the Essequibo, populations could potentially increase two‐fold or more.

Dragonflies and damselflies are important indicators of ecological integrity and environmental quality but remain underrepresented in conservation efforts, in part due to a lack of quantitative information regarding their habitat requirements. Species distribution models (SDMs) can facilitate conservation planning by allowing researchers to estimate habitat suitability, evaluate conservation status, and quantify future threats. Using Maxent, we developed a range-wide SDM for an imperiled North American dragonfly (Zoraena sayi) to estimate the extent and distribution of potential breeding habitat. To capture the full spectrum of habitats used by Z. sayi across their multi-stage life cycle, we additionally extended the predicted area to include potential terrestrial habitat used by adults within the surrounding landscape, thereby producing a holistic model of breeding (nymph) and terrestrial (adult) habitats. We then used this combined model to quantify coverage by existing protected areas and evaluate projected impacts from urbanization. We found that of the combined model area (2731 km2), only 30% is safeguarded by existing protected areas, with 50% of the remaining unprotected habitat projected to experience impacts from urbanization by 2070. Our model represents the first comprehensive assessment of suitable habitat for Z. sayi and may be useful in guiding conservation planning aimed at effectively safeguarding suitable habitat and preserving remaining populations.