Assessing Suitable Habitats for Treefrog Species after Previous Declines in Costa Rica

Treefrogs represent 22% of amphibian species in Costa Rica, but gaps in the knowledge about this group of amphibians can impede conservation efforts. In this study, we first updated the status of Costa Rican treefrogs and found that a total of 38% of treefrog species are threatened according to the most recent IUCN assessment in 2019. Additionally, 21% of Costa Rican treefrog species have a high vulnerability to extinction according to environmental vulnerability scores. Then, we predicted the historical climatic suitability of eight target species that we expected to have exhibited changes in their ranges in the last 20 years. We assessed the location of new occurrence records since 2000 to identify recovery, range expansion, or previously underestimated ranges due to methodological limitations. We also estimated the area of each species’ suitable habitat with two metrics: extent of suitable habitat (ESH) and area of minimum convex polygon (AMCP). Six declined species exhibited recovery (i.e., new occurrences across historical range after 2000), with the widest recovery found in Agalychnis annae. We also found that Isthmohyla pseudopuma appears to have spread after the decline of sympatric species and that the range of I. sukia was originally underestimated due to inadequate detection. We found that the ESH was 32–49% smaller than the AMCP for species that are slowly recovering; however, the ESH is similar or greater than the AMCP for species that are recovering in most of their ranges, as well as rare species with widespread ranges. Results of this work can be used to evaluate the risk of environmental threats and prioritize regions for conservation purposes.

Anthyllis apennina (Fabaceae), a new species from central Apennine (Italy)

A new species of Anthyllis endemic to central Apennine growing in dry pastures on limestone in the montane belt, within Abruzzo and Lazio administrative regions (central Italy), is here described and illustrated and the IUCN assessment is proposed. This new species belongs to the morphologically very variable Anthyllis vulneraria species complex and it is close to A. pulchella (south-eastern Europe and Caucasus), but it can be clearly distinguished by its smaller flowers, mainly light yellow-coloured, bracts longer than flowers, calyx pink-coloured (usually only at apex) and size of cauline leaves and leaflets. Furthermore, the name A. pulchella is here lectotypified, by a second-step typification, on a specimen preserved at PAD.

Morphological and Molecular Evidence for a New Species of Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

The Flora of Turkey includes 88 Dianthus taxa. Some interesting populations belonging were observed in the Sivas province (C-Turkey). On the basis of both morphological and molecural investigations the Sivas population was here described as a new species for the science, named Dianthus hamzaoglui. A diagnosis, detailed description, distribution area, habitat, and IUCN assessment, as well as original photos were provided, as well as a comparison with the related D. burdurensis.

Presence of the collared peccary Pecari tajacu (Artiodactyla, Tayassuidae) in the far northeast of its Brazilian distribution

The collared peccary Pecari tajacu (Artiodactyla, Tayassuidae) is widely distributed and included in the Least Concern (LC) category by the IUCN assessment. However, threats such as hunting and habitat loss have extinguished some of its populations in Brazil. Additionally, much of its current occupation area remains unknown, especially in northeastern Brazil. We herein present the first record of the collared peccary in a Caatinga-Atlantic Forest ecotone in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. This record in a poorly sampled region represents the presence of this species in the most northeastern part of the country and extends its confirmed records for more than 200 km.

Reassessment of the threatened status of IUCN red listed Indian river shad Gudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822) from Bangladesh

The Indian river shad, Gudusia chapra, locally known as chapila fish is rich in nutritive values and important to artisanal and subsistence fisheries in Bangladesh. The conservation status of this species is of particular interest due to its recent decline in rivers. To assess the current status of this species in Bangladesh, we recorded its abundance at seven sites in the Padma, the Meghna and the Tetulia rivers during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. In this study, G. chapra was consistently recorded in the study area and there was no significant temporal or spatial variation in its abundance. The observed mean length and weight of the species were similar to those recorded in earlier studies. Currently, G. chapra is listed as vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in Bangladesh. Although the primary known habitat of this species is river, IUCN assessment was based on production from beel and Kaptai Lake habitats. In this study, consistent occurrence and availability of the species across spatial and temporal scales in rivers suggest the necessity to reassess the conservation status of G. chapra in the country. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 28(1): 83-91, 2019 (January)

Polytrias indica (Poaceae: Andropogoneae): the name, species identity and its distribution in India

Polytrias indica (Houtt.) Veldkamp is native to Java (Indonesia) but found outside its native range as a lawn grass or an escape. In India, it was first collected from Khasia (now Khasi) in Meghalaya and later reported as a garden escape in Indian Botanic Garden, Shibpur, West Bengal. Merrill created the confusion when he made the combination Ischaemum indicum (1938) for a taxon which is not an Ischaemum. The so-called Polytrias indica in certain Indian herbaria (e.g., PBL, BSID) is, indeed, Ischaemum ciliare Retz. (1791) to which name Ishaemum indicum has been misapplied in Indian grasses literature, and the IUCN assessment of Polytrias indica made in 2013 is not an exception.

Distribution and illegal killing of the Endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata on the Potohar Plateau, Pakistan

The Endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata, a burrowing, armoured mammal, plays an important role in the food web by consuming insects and termites. In Pakistan the species’ range includes the 22,000 km2 Potohar Plateau, where it is under pressure from illegal hunting for its scales and requires conservation attention. We used a geographical information system to quantify the range of the Indian pangolin on the Plateau and to compare this with the range estimated in the IUCN Red List assessment of the species. We found that the species occupies c. 89% of the Plateau, in eight of the 10 protected areas, compared with the IUCN estimate of 71%, and we recorded the species at 40 locations on the Plateau outside the range predicted by the IUCN assessment. We collected data on the illegal capture and killing of the species, recording 412 individuals that had been killed at 48 locations between January 2011 and the end of April 2013. The highest number of killings was recorded in Chakwal District (n = 156, at 13 sites) followed by the Attock District (n = 149, at eight sites). Although the Indian pangolin's range on the Potohar Plateau is c. 18% larger than that estimated in the IUCN assessment, the species is under pressure from illegal killing and requires urgent conservation measures to save the small remaining population and avoid the extirpation of this vital insectivorous predator from the area.

First record for the flora of Italy and lectotypification of the name Linum elegans (Linaceae)

Linum elegans has been detected in calcareous rocky garrigues on the Gargano promontory (Apulia, SE-Italy), representing the first record for the Italian flora and the first one outside the Balkan Peninsula. The geographical disjunction may provide evidence for past amphi-Adriatic/amphi-Ionic terrestrial connections. The population found was ascribed to L. campanulatum in the past. As a consequence, a comparison between these two species is undertaken. Furthermore, the name L. elegans is here lectotypified on a specimen preserved at G, and the IUCN assessment of the species in Italy is briefly discussed.

Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae), a threatened tree of the Brazilian Caatinga?

Spondias tuberosa Arr., a fructiferous tree endemic to the northeast Brazilian tropical dry forest called Caatinga, accounts for numerous benefits for its ecosystem as well as for the dwellers of the Caatinga. The tree serves as feed for pollinators and dispersers as well as fodder for domestic ruminants, and is a source of additional income for local smallholders and their families. Despite its vantages, it is facing several man-made and natural threats, and it is suspected that S. tuberosa could become extinct. Literature review suggests that S. tuberosa suffers a reduced regeneration leading to population decrease. At this juncture S. tuberosa cannot be considered threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria, as it has not yet been assessed and hampered generative regeneration is not considered in the IUCN assessment. The combination of threats, however, may have already caused an extinction debt for S. tuberosa. Due to the observed decline in tree density, a thorough assessment of the S. tuberosa population is recommended, as well as a threat assessment throughout the entire Caatinga.

The current distribution and status of leopards Panthera pardus in China

The leopard Panthera pardus, categorized globally as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, has the widest distribution of any wild felid species, although in Asia it has declined dramatically and five subspecies are Endangered or Critically Endangered. In China at least three subspecies have been reported to occur throughout much of the country, and in 1998 the population was estimated to be 1,000. However, recent studies have indicated that leopards have disappeared from large areas, probably as a result of habitat loss, a low prey base and poaching, indicating this species may not be as common in China as previously believed. To examine this we reviewed recent literature and interviewed specialists to determine the current status and distribution of the leopard in China. Our findings indicate that the species has declined dramatically, with confirmation of presence at only 44 sites in 11 provinces, despite extensive surveys. Current populations are small and fragmented, and occur mainly in isolated nature reserves. We estimate a total population of only 174–348 P. pardus japonensis (the north Chinese leopard), which is endemic to China, and < 30 individuals for each of the other subspecies whose distributions extend beyond China. We recommend that a separate IUCN assessment be made for P. pardus japonensis, and that this subspecies be categorized as Critically Endangered. Our findings are the first reliable estimates of the current distribution and status of the leopard in China, and provide valuable information that will help guide conservation efforts.