Impact of genomic leakage on the conservation of the endangered Milky Stork.

Biological Conservation 229(e1400253). DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2018.11.009

Siehe auch Zeitungsartikel: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/623399

Abstract:

Endangerment and extinction of threatened populations can often be accelerated by genomic contamination through infiltration with alien alleles. With a growing anthropogenic footprint, many such hybridization events are human-mediated. The Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) is one such species whose genomic composition is threatened by human-mediated hybridization with its sister taxon, the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala). A comprehensive investigation of the stork population in Singapore using three complementary population-genomic approaches revealed a large proportion of hybrids that have undergone several generations of genomic leakage from Painted Storks and fall along a genetic cline that closely mirrors a phenotypic cline from pure Milky to pure Painted. Although originating from a limited number of introduced Painted Storks, these hybrids are now an integral part of both the wild and captive Singaporean and southern peninsular Malaysian stork population. Genetically informed conservation management including the isolation of hybrids in captivity and a strict removal of hybrids from the wild along with a release of genetically pure Milky Storks is imperative for continued survival. Similar approaches must become routine in endangered species conservation as human-mediated hybridization increases in volume.

bajeva biblio

The extinction-in-progress in the wild of the  Barusan Shama Copsychus (malabaricus) melanurus.

FORKTAIL 35 (2019): 30–37.

Summary:

Unsustainable wildlife trade across South-East Asia has contributed significantly to the extinction threats faced by many songbirds. The Barusan Shama Copsychus (malabaricus) melanurus, a highly-prized songster from the West Sumatran Archipelago,is one of the most threatened taxa in Asia’s songbird trade crisis, yet its predicament is often overlooked because some taxonomists treat it as a mere subspecies of the widespread White-rumped Shama C. malabaricus. Here, we provide the first modern comprehensive assessment of the on-the-ground status of Barusan Shamas across all major islands of the West Sumatran Archipelago based on visual and bioacoustic surveys, mist-netting activity, as well as community interviews covering approximately the last five years. A lack of ornithological field records across many years as well as documented drops in local capture rates indicate that increasing poaching pressure and market value have likely driven the Barusan Shama to extinction in the wild on all islands except Siberut. Even on Siberut, we document a drastic population crash and estimate impending extinction in the wild within perhaps five years in the absence of considerable changes in human behaviour. The decline and presumed extermination of some Barusan Shama island populations was so precipitous that it became evident even within our five-year monitoring period.  Although  our  field  efforts  and  those  of  others  must  continue,  this  bird’s  future  now  likely  hinges  on ex  situ  conservation  efforts. The Barusan Shama occurs in four described subspecies, each endemic to its own island group, further complicating conservation efforts. Although the nominate subspecies melanurus remains relatively common in captivity on Nias and Mentawai, the other three subspecies are currently known from captive populations of a magnitude of about 100 for hypolizus, a handful for opisthochrus and zero for mirabilis, casting doubt on whether ex situ efforts can be initiated fast enough to assure the survival of individual subspecies.

rheindt-biblio

Biologie und Systematik der Sechsender- Hirsche. Gattung Rusa.

Archiv für Naturgeschichte. 84A (9): 106-143.

Inhalt:

Es werden die 8 Arten der in drei Untergattungen, Hyelaphus, Axis und Rusa augeteilten Gattung Rusa dargestellt. Mit s/w Fotos, Zeichnungen und Verbreitungskarte.

mohr-biblio

Predicted distributions and conservation status of two threatened Southeast Asian small carnivores: The banded civet and Hose 's civet.

Mammalia 77(3): 261–271. DOI 10.1515/mammalia-2012-0110  

Abstract:

Knowledge of the distribution and habitat preferences of a species is of paramount importance when assessing its conservation status. We used accurately recorded occurrence records and ecological niche modelling to predict the distribution of two threatened and poorly known small carnivore species that occur in Southeast Asia, the banded civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) and Hose’s civet (Diplogale hosei), and analysed their spatial niche differentiation for habitat and elevation. We then identified possible anthropogenic threats, and used our modelling predictions to recommend surveying priorities. The predicted distribution of the banded civet was principally in lowland evergreen forest in southern Myanmar/Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and three Mentawai Islands (Siberut, Sipora and South Pagai), and for Hose ’ s civet in evergreen forest across the higher elevation regions of Borneo. Our niche analyses suggested that there is a tendency for these two species to separate spatially along an elevation gradient: the banded civet is mainly found in lowland areas, whereas Hose ’ s civet primarily occurs at higher elevations. Our study strongly indicated that these two viverrids are forest-dependent species that may be threatened by forest loss, degradation and fragmentation. Field surveys should be prioritised in areas where each species is predicted to occur and no records currently exist.

jennings-biblio

The Mammals of the Indomalayan Region: A Systematic Review.

viii + 488 Seiten, 45 Abbidlungen von Schädeln und Gebisse, weitere s/w Illustrationen von Tieren, 177 Verbreitungskarten, 272 Tabellen.

Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 0-19-854693-9.

Auszug aus Buchbesprechung im Journal of Mammalogy 75 (3): 799–803.

For over a century, the Indomalayan region has been recognized as one of the world's major zoogeographical regions. Comprising southeastern Asia from Pakistan and southern China to Indonesia and the Philippines, the area is home to over 1,000 mammalian species -- more than a fifth of the world's total population. But until now, this region's rich fauna of mammals has never been documented in one major, easily accessible reference work. This volume, written by two leading authorities, fills that gap by providing a comprehensive guide to mammal identification in the form of tabulations of the features of all families, genera, and species; illustrations of key physical characteristics; maps and documentation of the geographical ranges for all living species in the region; and revised classification based on a critical assessment of the most up-to-date research, including biochemical taxonomy. A complete listing of the scientific nomenclature of the region's mammals (with over 8,000 names) and a complete bibliography (which includes references to approximately 3,000 data sources) round out this indispensable reference. This exhaustive volume will be welcomed by academic and field researchers in zoogeography, tropical forestry, agriculture and environmental medicine, as well as by professionals working in museums, zoos, and conservation organizations.

corbet-biblio

Well known does not mean well studied: Morphological and molecular support for existence of sibling species in the Javanese gliding frog Rhacophorus reinwardtii (Amphibia, Anura)

Comptes Rendus. Biologies. Paris 329: 86–97.. DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2005.11.001

Abstract:

Morphological, morphometrical and molecular data support the existence of two sibling species in the taxon previously known as Rhacophorus reinwardtii. The two species can be distinguished by the coloration pattern of webbing, the size of adult specimens and the relative size of various morphometric characters. This long and commonly known taxon should be separated into two species. As a consequence, the conservation status of the new species Rhacophorus kio n. sp. as well as of the redefined species Rhacophorus reinwardtii must be re-evaluated and, considering the new distribution data and the particular ecological demands, both species should be considered as 'endangered'.

Well known does not mean well studied: Morphological and molecular support for existence of sibling species in the Javanese gliding frog Rhacophorus reinwardtii (Amphibia, Anura).

Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7334983_Well_known_does_not_mean_well_studied_Morphological_and_molecular_support_for_existence_of_sibling_species_in_the_Javanese_gliding_frog_Rhacophorus_reinwardtii_Amphibia_Anura [accessed Nov 28 2017].

GRISMER, L. LEE,  PERRY L. WOOD, JR., EVAN S. H. QUAH, SHAHRUL ANUAR, MOHD. ABDUL MUIN, MONTRI SUMONTHA, NORHAYATI AHMAD, AARON M. BAUER, SANSAREEYA WANGKULANGKUL, JESSE L. GRISMER & OLIVIER S. G. PAUWELS (2012).

A phylogeny and taxonomy of the Thai-Malay Peninsula Bent-toed Geckos of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae): combined morphological and molecular analyses with descriptions of seven new species.

Zootaxa 3520: 1–55.

Abstract:

An integrative taxonomic analysis using color pattern, morphology and 1497 base pairs of the ND2 itochondrial gene and its five flanking tRNAs demonstrated that nine monophyletic species-level lineages occur within the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus complex (Cyrtodactylus pulchellus sensu strictu and C. macrotuberculatus) of the Thai-Malay Peninsula that have a sequence divergence between them ranging from 5.9–16.8%. Additionally, each lineage is discretely diagnosable from one another based on morphology and color pattern and most occur in specific geographic regions (upland areas or islands) that prevent or greatly restrict interpopulation gene  flow. Six of these lineages were masquerading under the nomen C. pulchellus and are described as the following: Cyrtodactylus astrum sp. nov. from  northwestern  Peninsular Malaysia and southwestern Thailand; C. langkawiensis sp. nov., at this point endemic to Langkawi Island, Malaysia; C. bintangrendah sp. nov., a lowland  species  surrounding  the  Banjaran  (=mountain  range)  Bintang  of  northwestern Peninsular Malaysia; C. bintangtinggi sp. nov., endemic to the upland regions of the Banjaran Bintang of northwestern Peninsular Malaysia; C. trilatofasciatus sp. nov., endemic to upland regions of Cameron Highlands in the central portion of the Banjaran Titiwangsa in Peninsular Malaysia; and C. stralotitiwangsaensis sp. nov. from the more southerly upland regions of the Banjaran Titiwangsa. An additional species, Cyrtodactylus lekaguli sp. nov. from Satun, Trang, Surat Thani, and Phang-nga provinces in southern Thailand, was identified on the basis of morphology and color pattern and is hypothesized to be part of a clade containing C. astrum sp. nov. and C. langkawiensis sp. nov.