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Understanding patterns of species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDC) is important for conservation purposes because it allows us to infer whether conservation of species diversity (SD) influences conservation of genetic diversity (GD) and the other way around. Here, we studied SGDCs using aquatic macrofauna in a set of 31 urban ponds in the metropolitan area of Stockholm, Sweden. We also estimated how land use and pond environmental factors affect SD and GD. SD was estimated as species richness. GD was estimated in four focal species that differed in their dispersal abilities: Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda), Haliplus ruficollis (Coleoptera), Planorbis planorbis (Gastropoda), Rana temporaria (Amphibia), using double digest restriction associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing data. There were no significant SGDCs for any of the species. Similarly, GD was not related to land use or pond environment. However, SD had a significant positive correlation with total invertebrate abundance and pond area. Given the absence of significant SGDCs in our study, and the mixed positive and negative patterns found in previous studies reporting SGDCs, we suggest that simultaneously preserving species and genetic diversity in urban areas will prove challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of worldwide biodiversity and wild bee decline, it is increasingly important to better understand the effect of land-use changes on wild bee communities at a global scale. To do so, we studied the effect of city area and urban green spaces layout on wild bee species richness and community composition, as well as on wild bee species with an unfavorable UICN conservation status. This study was based on a large European dataset encompassing 20 cities from France, Belgium and Switzerland. We found a mean wild bee species richness in cities of 96 ± 48 (SD), showing that this species richness was highly variable among cities. The main factor positively influencing wild bee species richness in cities was the area of the city. Conversely, species richness was not significantly related to the total area of urban green spaces in a given city, measured as the spatial extent of urban parks, wastelands and other semi-natural habitats, excluding urban private gardens. Species with conservation status were quite scarce in urban environments, especially when compared to the European Red List of Bees, and we could not link their presence to either city or urban green space area. Dissimilarities in wild bee species community compositions were not associated with any of the studied characteristics of cities. We found that the dissimilarity of wild bee community composition among cities was mainly driven by the rarest species, as the most common ones were found in a majority of the cities sampled. Overall, these results emphasize that larger cities host more wild bee species, but are no refuge for the ones with concerning conservation status. Thus, stakeholders are encouraged to design their cities in favor of biodiversity to better support wild bee communities, and perhaps mitigate the established effect of the urban ecological filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change triggers ecological transformations, altering ecosystem composition, functioning, and services globally. Many of these transformations may be irreversible on human timescales, posing challenges for ecosystem management and requiring new management paradigms. The RAD framework formalizes the management alternatives of resisting, accepting, or directing these transformations. The decision to resist, accept, or direct change may entail tradeoffs among ecological, sociocultural, and economic objectives (e.g., species conservation, ecosystem services, and ecological resilience). As RAD is implemented more widely, diverse knowledge systems, monitoring data, and manipulative experiments can improve our understanding of the conditions in which different RAD alternatives can successfully achieve multiple objectives. As climate change facilitates significant and persistent ecological transformations, managing ecosystems according to historical baseline conditions may no longer be feasible. The Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework can guide climate-informed management interventions, but in its current implementations RAD has not yet fully accounted for potential tradeoffs between multiple – sometimes incompatible – ecological and societal goals. Key scientific challenges for informing climate-adapted ecosystem management include (i) advancing our predictive understanding of transformations and their socioecological impacts under novel climate conditions, and (ii) incorporating uncertainty around trajectories of ecological change and the potential success of RAD interventions into management decisions. To promote the implementation of RAD, practitioners can account for diverse objectives within just and equitable participatory decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germ cell transplantation (GCT) is a promising biotechnology that enables the production of donor-derived gametes in surrogate recipients. It plays a crucial role in the protection of endangered species, the propagation of elite species with desired traits, and long-term preservation of genetic resources. This significance is particularly pronounced when GCT is synergistically employed with cryopreservation techniques. However, GCT often encounters challenges due to low colonization rates and, in some cases, complete loss of donor cells in recipients. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays a pivotal role in sustaining the self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in mammals. Additionally, it has been shown to promote the proliferation of spermatogonia in vitro cultures in certain animal species. In turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), we found that the expressions of gdnf and gfrα1a were predominantly observed in spermatogonia rather than somatic cells, which differed from their expression patterns in mammals. The efficiency of exogenous spermatogonia transplantation in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) larvae could be substantially enhanced by incubating donor cells from turbot with 100 ng/ml GDNF prior to transplantation. This led to a noteworthy increase in the colonization rate, rising from 33%-50%–61.5%. Additionally, the addition of 20 ng/ml GDNF in cell medium could also promote the proliferation of turbot germ cells in vitro. These results demonstrated the gdnf in turbot testis expression characteristics and suggested that addition of GNDF could be an effective way to improve the GCT efficiency and promote the germ cells expansion during in vitro culture. • Expression patterns of gdnf and gfrα1a in turbot reveal preferential localization in spermatogonia, distinct from mammas. • GDNF incubation significantly enhances exogenous spermatogonia transplantation efficiency in Japanese flounder larvae. • GDNF addition boosts turbot germ cell proliferation in culture, hinting its potential to enhance germ cell expansion in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study comprehensively evaluates the postnatal growth, hematology, telomere length, and semen attributes of multiple clones and re-clone derived from superior buffalo breeding bulls. To the best of our knowledge, we successfully produced multiple clones and a re-clone of an earlier cloned buffalo bull from an embryo developed from an adult bull's skin-derived cell for the first time. The cloned bulls' growth, blood hematology, plasma biochemistry, and telomere length were all shown to be normal at various stages of development. The bulls were used for semen production after being screened for testicular growth and training. Semen characteristics such as volume, concentration, and initial motility of fresh sperm as well as motility and kinetics characteristics such as straightness (STR), average lateral head displacement (ALH), and beat cross frequency (BCF) of frozen-thawed sperms of the cloned bulls were found to be similar to those of non-cloned bulls, including the donor bulls. Additionally, it was found that cloned bulls' functional sperm attributes, including acrosome intactness, mitochondrial membrane potential, and superoxide anion status, were comparable to those of non-cloned bulls. These characteristics are necessary for sperm to pass through the female reproductive system, penetrate the oocyte, and efficiently fertilize. Finally, this study adds to our understanding of the postnatal development, hematology, telomere length, and sperm characteristics of superior buffalo breeding bulls that have been cloned and re-cloned. The findings provide the groundwork for improving cloning practices, refining reproductive procedures, and optimizing the use of cloned genetic material in animal breeding and conservation. • Using skin-derived cells, the study produced multiple clones and effectively re-cloned a buffalo bull, achieving major scientific breakthrough. • Clones of buffalo bulls demonstrated normal postnatal growth, indicating that the cloning procedure had no negative impact on their overall health and development. • The cloned bulls' telomere length, remained within normal ranges, indicating that their cells maintained genetic stability over time. • Multiple clones produce high-quality sperm, a key aspect of their reproductive potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Apparent survival rates of male and female L. reducta differ greatly, male apparent survival is higher. • The populations of L. reducta in Germany consist of less than 130 adults, efficient habitat management is urgently needed. • The dispersal of L. reducta appears limited, only 9 % of the individuals disperse over more than 1 km. • Our study illustrates that mixture distributions provide great opportunities to fit butterfly dispersal data. Species living in spatially structured populations require a network of interconnected habitat patches. Due to changes in forest management, this network of habitat patches has been lost for insect species inhabiting open spots within forests. We studied two of the last populations of the Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta) in Germany. The aim of our study was to provide information for the conservation of this species. We conducted a capture-mark-recapture study over three consecutive years and we estimated population sizes and demographic parameters using Jolly-Seber and Cormack-Jolly-Seber models. Furthermore, we used different dispersal kernels to study the dispersal of L. reducta. We found that apparent survival rates differed greatly between the sexes. The mean residence times were eight to nine days for males and only two to four days for females. Apparent survival rates of both sexes decreased with increasing wing deterioration. Total population sizes of L. reducta varied between sites and years and ranged between 61 and 123. Daily abundances were generally low, especially that of females. The mean dispersal distance of individual recaptured butterflies increased in years with higher population densities, suggesting density-dependent dispersal. The dispersal data in our study was clearly bimodal, probably reflecting 'routine movement' at short distances and 'displacement movement' between habitat patches at longer distances. Consequently, the processes generating the dispersal data were better represented by the lognormal mixture model than by the negative exponential and the inverse power function. The mixed kernel predicted that about 9 % of the population disperses over > 1 km but that long-distance dispersal is rare. Our study highlights the urgent need for conservation measures to protect L. reducta in Germany and, based on our data, we recommend to create new habitat patches at distances of 1 to 1.5 km from existing habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species and chemical pollution both threaten biodiversity. Here, we discuss how pollution, through its impacts on wildlife behaviour, shapes invasion dynamics by altering species interactions. Addressing knowledge gaps will have implications for the management of invasive species and conservation of native ecosystems in an increasingly toxic world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We lack synthesis of the study of local mechanisms that contribute to the persistence of populations (i.e., buffer mechanisms). Local buffer mechanisms can be integrated into a framework consisting of the two basic classes of repelling and damping mechanisms. The framework promotes a more coherent picture of buffer mechanisms and facilitates a better integration of multiple buffer mechanisms in studies of population persistence. Individual-based studies are essential to improve our understanding of the role of local buffer mechanisms in shaping population dynamics and their capacities and interactions. Assessing and predicting the persistence of populations is essential for the conservation and control of species. Here, we argue that local mechanisms require a better conceptual synthesis to facilitate a more holistic consideration along with regional mechanisms known from metapopulation theory. We summarise the evidence for local buffer mechanisms along with their capacities and emphasise the need to include multiple buffer mechanisms in studies of population persistence. We propose an accessible framework for local buffer mechanisms that distinguishes between damping (reducing fluctuations in population size) and repelling (reducing population declines) mechanisms. We highlight opportunities for empirical and modelling studies to investigate the interactions and capacities of buffer mechanisms to facilitate better ecological understanding in times of ecological upheaval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene editing in farm animals has produced a range of genetically sterilised hosts for complementation with elite donor cells. The most promising editable target gene is NANOS2 , which allows efficient breeding of a continuous supply of sterile male hosts. Competing complementation approaches have been used to restore the missing germlines by transplanting either spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) into the testis or embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into early embryos. Both approaches are designed to produce animals that exclusively transmit the elite male donor genotype, but not the germline-disabling mutation, to their offspring. Additional biological barriers to testis colonisation and germline restoration after SSC transplantation were recently identified in mice. Pluripotent ESCs from different livestock species show extensive proliferation, gene editing potential, and a contribution to somatic but not germline chimaeras. Animal breeding drives genetic progress mainly through the male germline. This process is slow to respond to rapidly mounting environmental pressures that threaten sustainable food security from animal protein production. New approaches promise to accelerate breeding by producing chimaeras, which comprise sterile host and fertile donor genotypes, to exclusively transmit elite male germlines. Following gene editing to generate sterile host cells, the missing germline can be restored by transplanting either: (i) spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) into the testis; or (ii) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into early embryos. Here we compare these alternative germline complementation strategies and their impact on agribiotechnology and species conservation. We propose a novel breeding platform that integrates embryo-based complementation with genomic selection, multiplication, and gene modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation scientists often modify or take advantage of existing animal behaviour to achieve management outcomes. To date, there has been little analysis of the ethical issues potentially raised by modifying animal behaviours in this way. These ethical issues include animal welfare, interference in the expression of animals' normal behaviours, impacts on nontarget species, and impacts on local human communities. Assessing the goals of a behaviour intervention against a set of explicit values is an essential step in the development of ethical approaches to conservation. We provide a framework for considering the relationship between values, goals and conservation actions, and a decision support tool for comparing and contrasting the ethical dimensions of possible conservation behaviour interventions against alternative options. Conservation behaviour is a growing field that applies insights from the study of animal behaviour to address challenges in wildlife conservation and management. Conservation behaviour interventions often aim to manage specific behaviours of a species to solve conservation challenges. The field is often viewed as offering approaches that are less intrusive or harmful to animals than, for example, managing the impact of a problematic species by reducing its population size (frequently through lethal control). However, intervening in animal behaviour, even for conservation purposes, may still raise important ethical considerations. We discuss these issues and develop a framework and a decision support tool, to aid managers and researchers in evaluating the ethical considerations of conservation behaviour interventions against other options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Animals (IoA) is a new model for understanding and managing life on Earth through digital knowledge and infrastructure. The internet has revolutionized global communication between humans. The IoA now extends information sharing beyond humans, to include animal life. The combined data sets on animals around the world enable a novel, emergent understanding of the needs and requirements of animals. At the same time, this IoA knowledge provides important guidance for humans to sustainably coexist with wild animals. Forecasting ecological living conditions on our planet is an important aim for the future, toward which the IoA contributes a novel source of previously untapped information. Forecasting systems become better as more and different sources of information are included. Even though the IoA information is far from complete and fully understood, it will provide a framework for life forecasting. One of the biggest trends in ecology over the past decade has been the creation of standardized databases. Recently, this has included live data, formal linkages between disparate databases, and automated analytics, a synergy that we recognize as the Internet of Animals (IoA). Early IoA systems relate animal locations to remote-sensing data to predict species distributions and detect disease outbreaks, and use live data to inform management of endangered species. However, meeting the future potential of the IoA concept will require solving challenges of taxonomy, data security, and data sharing. By linking data sets, integrating live data, and automating workflows, the IoA has the potential to enable discoveries and predictions relevant to human societies and the conservation of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive wild mammals are present in all continents, with Europe, North America, and the Asian-Pacific region having the largest number of established species. In particular, Europe has been the continent with the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals. These invasive species may represent a major threat for the conservation of native ecosystems and may enter in the transmission cycle of native parasites, or act as spreaders of exotic parasites. Here, we review the role of invasive wild mammals as spreaders of zoonotic parasites, presenting important examples from Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Finally, we emphasize the need for more research on these mammals and their parasites, especially in areas where their monitoring is scantily performed. Several invasive wild mammals are involved in the transmission cycle of zoonotic parasites, with Europe representing the continent with most examples described. The role of invasive wild mammals in the introduction and spread of zoonotic parasites has been ignored in some geographical regions, such as Africa. Surveillance of invasive wild mammals is needed to better understand their impact on public health and conservation of native species. Apart from being a source of a range of zoonotic parasites, invasive wild mammals should also be considered as a risk for indigenous wildlife, as they may hamper conservation efforts due to the transmission of alien parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a synthetic review of the application of a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to investigate anglers' valuation of harvest regulation schemes. From an initial search of 44 eligible primary studies published during the period from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2021, 17 studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review and provided 255 estimates of willingness to pay (WTP) for an additional authorized fish. To identify which valuation scenarios, experiment design methodology, sampling and modeling approaches were developed, we conducted a qualitative overview of the 17 selected studies. We then synthesized the influence of study characteristics (including harvest regulation type, recreational fisheries settings, sampling strategy and data analysis) on the value of WTP estimates, using meta-regression models. Findings from both types of analysis seem to suggest that previous DCE studies have developed a wide range of methodological solutions, given the variety of fisheries contexts. The present review has its limitations because the number of studies investigated is too small to provide an overarching synthesis of existing evidence. However, the results do convey relevant information for fisheries management and threatened species conservation, notably on the continued preference for keeping catches, the larger welfare loss following a management shift from open-access to regulated fisheries, and the relative preference for migratory species. A further original survey would be needed to fill the existing gaps in the geographic distribution of information about harvest regulation values. This analysis also highlights the fact that little is known about the other economic values that anglers can express regarding species preservation and their motivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of plant diversity to human wellbeing, and the threats to its survival, plant conservation receives far less support compared with vertebrate conservation. Plants can be conserved in situ , in protected areas, and ex situ , in living collections, seed banks, or cryogenic storage. At least one option is available for all species that need it, but no single method works for all. Achieving zero plant extinction requires completion of the plant inventory, status assessment for all known species, digitization of all herbarium specimens with links to other resources in an online global metaherbarium, and separate recovery plans for each threatened species. The major bottleneck is the shortage of skilled people. New technologies, machine learning, and citizen scientists can extend the reach of experts, but training and incentives are needed to increase their number. Despite the importance of plants for humans and the threats to their future, plant conservation receives far less support compared with vertebrate conservation. Plants are much cheaper and easier to conserve than are animals, but, although there are no technical reasons why any plant species should become extinct, inadequate funding and the shortage of skilled people has created barriers to their conservation. These barriers include the incomplete inventory, the low proportion of species with conservation status assessments, partial online data accessibility, varied data quality, and insufficient investment in both in and ex situ conservation. Machine learning, citizen science (CS), and new technologies could mitigate these problems, but we need to set national and global targets of zero plant extinction to attract greater support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental Sound classification (ESC) is crucial in various fields such as audio surveillance, wildlife conservation, and acoustic monitoring. However, traditional methods often struggle to handle the curse of dimensionality and the limitations of classical machine learning algorithms. In the paper, a novel approach is proposed for ESC using a Quantized Hybrid Quantum-Classical Neural Network (QQNN), which leverages the potential advantages of quantum computing. The Hybrid QQNN architecture aims to reduce the required parameters and achieve performance comparable to traditional methods. It uses a set of pre-trained layers to reduce the number of features for the parameterized quantum circuit (PQC). This approach was evaluated using the ESC-10 dataset in Pennylane's environment to train the hybrid quantum model. The results demonstrate that the proposed Hybrid QQNN approach achieves comparable accuracy with the classical machine learning methods. This opens up the possibility of performing additional transfer learning in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic diseases can have serious impacts on global biodiversity, economies, and societies. Understanding the cause of emerging aquatic diseases is a scientific challenge and governmental priority to reduce impacts and inform discovery of new treatments and management methods. We propose a holistic approach leveraging medical criteria and traditional and modern technologies to demonstrate causal factors associated with emerging diseases of aquatic organisms. Technological developments can increasingly enable disease emergence forecasting, high-throughput screening to rapidly shortlist suspect infectious and noninfectious agents, culture of a broader range of aquatic microorganisms, and challenge trials with whole organisms and surrogate models. Resolving the cause of disease (= aetiology) in aquatic organisms is a challenging but essential goal, heightened by increasing disease prevalence in a changing climate and an interconnected world of anthropogenic pathogen spread. Emerging diseases play important roles in evolutionary ecology, wildlife conservation, the seafood industry, recreation, cultural practices, and human health. As we emerge from a global pandemic of zoonotic origin, we must focus on timely diagnosis to confirm aetiology and enable response to diseases in aquatic ecosystems. Those systems' resilience, and our own sustainable use of seafood, depend on it. Synchronising traditional and recent advances in microbiology that span ecological, veterinary, and medical fields will enable definitive assignment of risk factors and causal agents for better biosecurity management and healthier aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, Zylstra et al. reported that wet sclerophyll forest left unburnt for 75 years experiences a marked decrease in flammability, requiring a radical rethink about fire management. This also highlights the vertical dimension of fires, with species conservation favored by a mosaic of fire types (high pyrodiversity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamba et al. demonstrated the feasibility of explicitly incorporating wild animal conservation into nature-based climate solutions, the multifaceted value of which was recently promoted by Schmitz et al. I synthesize their ideas to highlight some issues critical for large-scale integration of these coupled priorities across social-ecological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• AFRICLIM's bioclimatic data can be associated with plots to assess their influence on the abundance and distribution of species. • Ricinodendron heudelotii is distributed in the most watered regions of Benin. • The aridity index significantly influences the abundance of R. heudelotii. • The Yoruba-Nagot community of Benin could have considered the presence of R. heudelotii as one of the criteria for selecting a site to settle. Climate change and human activities pose a major threat to forest resources and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Understanding the factors that influence the distribution and abundance of priority species for these communities is crucial for conservation and sustainable management purposes. We identified the pedoclimatic and anthropogenic factors that influence the geographical distribution and abundance of Ricinodendron heudelotii , a woody species with high socio-cultural value in Benin, and assessed the demographic structure of its populations. Through a survey carried out in all phytodistricts of the Guineo-Congolian zone and the Sudano-Guinean transition zone of Benin, the species' presence was recorded with the help of the hunters and Fulani communities living in the area. We set thirty-eight plots of 1 ha (100 m× 100 m) in forests where the largest populations of the species were found. Generalized linear mixed models were used to compare the mean abundance of the species between phytodistricts and to identify underlying factors shaping observed differences. Slope analysis of the ordinary least squares regression of tree density against diameter size class distribution midpoint and the skewness coefficient were used to assess the populations' structure of the species. The species is distributed in the phytodistrict within latitude 6° 50′ - 9° 50′. These phytodistricts are the most watered phytodistricts of Benin with rainfall between 900 mm and 1300 mm per year. The abundance of the species varied from one phytodistrict to another (from 9.25 ± 2.39 to 19.5 ± 4.5 trees.ha-1) and is significantly influenced by aridity index, moisture index of the arid quarter, harvest intensity, and wildfires. An assessment of the population structure revealed a predominance of small-diameter individuals, suggesting some population stability. Long-term conservation of the species requires controlling anthropogenic pressures on its populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost one-third of globally known tree species are threatened with extinction, calling for a better understanding of the vulnerability of tree species to different threats. Quantifying changes in vital rates (e.g., survival, growth, or reproduction) in response to threats has helped assess which of these rates of a given species are the most critical to the population response to a threat. To more generally understand which types of tree species, based on their life-history strategies, are more vulnerable compared with others, comparative analyses of demographic data across the phylogenetic 'Tree of trees' and biomes are needed. Demographic model parameterization for comparative analyses hinges on improving coverage of data on mortality and recruitment (e.g., through distributed observation networks). Systematic modeling would greatly help explore which life-history strategies of species are the best predictors of their vulnerability to different threats, prioritize data collection, and potentially suggest management alternatives. Conserving the tree species of the world requires syntheses on which tree species are most vulnerable to pressing threats, such as climate change, invasive pests and pathogens, or selective logging. Here, we review the population and forest dynamics models that, when parameterized with data from population studies, forest inventories, or tree rings, have been used for identifying life-history strategies of species and threat-related changes in population demography and dynamics. The available evidence suggests that slow-growing and/or long-lived species are the most vulnerable. However, a lack of comparative, multi-species studies still challenges more precise predictions of the vulnerability of tree species to threats. Improving data coverage for mortality and recruitment, and accounting for interactions among threats, would greatly advance vulnerability assessments for conservation prioritizations of trees worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have significant potential to make a meaningful contribution to the conservation of threatened wildlife. This is true of Australia's iconic, and endangered koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). If developed, ARTs could offer a solution to manage genetic diversity and costs in breeding programs and may provide frozen repositories for either insurance or the practical production of genetically resilient koalas for release and on-ground recovery. Holding back the wider use of ARTs for koalas and other wildlife is a lack of funding to close the remaining knowledge gaps in the marsupial reproductive sciences and develop the reproductive tools needed. This lack of funding is arguably driven by a poor understanding of the potential contribution ARTs could make to threatened species management. We present a review of our cross-disciplinary and accessible strategy to draw much needed public attention and funding for the development of ARTs in wildlife, using emerging cost and genetic modelling arguments and the koala as a case study. • ART may offer solutions to manage genetic diversity and costs in wildlife breeding. • Lack of funding impedes development of reproductive tools needed for marsupials. • Review of recent cost and genetic modelling supporting ART as a conservation tool. • Review of a strategy to draw funding for assisted breeding in iconic wildlife. • Review of assisted breeding in marsupials to develop ICSI for the koala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Threats to the Earth's biodiversity are increasing exponentially, driven by human population growth and resource consumption. As many as one million wildlife species may disappear within the next few decades due to this human-induced extinction event. This represents our current reality and has profound implications for wildlife conservation. Within this context, application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to conservation management is unlikely to mitigate broad-scale species loss, but for select species, such as wild cats, ART may determine if populations survive or disappear. In North American and European zoos, 20 of the world's 38 wild felid species are managed within structured breeding programs, but most are not sustainable with natural breeding alone. Zoo-based breeding programs are facing tenuous futures due to triage-based responses to this growing sustainability crisis. Theoretically, ART could benefit conservation management, but only by recognizing and addressing its present challenges. The application of ART to wildlife has been rarely successful, with only 62 mammal species (including 15 cat species) ever propagated by AI, and just 35 of these species (6 cats) reproduced following frozen semen AI. Even this most basic form of ART has a minimal impact on wildlife sustainability. The drivers of this deficit include lack of species-specific reproductive knowledge and limited access to animals for study, but also is exacerbated by a science-conservation disconnect that attempts to apply advanced reproductive technologies to species in which basic ART remains unproven. For a few felid species, these scientific challenges have been overcome and AI with frozen semen is becoming feasible as a practical management tool; for other felids, further research is needed. Non-scientific issues also impair our ability to use ART to implement global management plans. Political dysfunction, regulatory barriers and societal indifference create inertia that interferes with achieving meaningful progress in applying ART to wildlife. Collectively, these challenges may seem insurmountable but human resiliency is essential if we are to resolve these issues in a systematic manner. It will require expanding collaborative efforts substantially and intensifying efforts to conserve wildlife species that are literally running out of time. Our goal is to create a new reality that includes a sustainable future for wild felids and other imperiled wildlife species. • Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has minimal impact on wildlife conservation. • For wild felids, ART is becoming more feasible as a conservation management tool. • Non-scientific barriers must be addressed before ART can benefit global conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than a century, wildlife conservation in the United States has been built on the notion that nonhuman animal populations are resources to be regulated by law and managed efficiently, according to the best available science and in the public trust. This approach, known as the North American Model of Wildlife Management, has come under increasing criticism for excluding diverse viewpoints that have the potential to advance both conservation and environmental justice goals. How might the greater inclusion of Indigenous worldviews and Indigenous Studies concepts, such as radical relationality and kincentricity , improve western wildlife management? In this paper, we review three case studies of tribal wildlife stewardship programs in the land currently known as California—the Maidu Summit Consortium's beaver restoration project, the Karuk Tribe's elk management program, and the Yurok Tribe's condor recovery effort—that illuminate generative connections among ecological restoration, Indigenous cultural practices, community wellbeing, and environmental justice. Radical relationality and kincentricity offer enormous potential for informing stewardship and recovery efforts that produce more just outcomes for both people and wildlife. • Supporting Indigenous worldviews and practices improves outcomes for both people and wildlife. • Indigenous communities create innovative partnerships that hold culture and environmental justice at the center. • The NAM's tenets are flawed and complicit in settler colonialism. • Case studies in beaver, elk, and condor stewardship demonstrate Indigenous leadership in the application of relationality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platynosomosis is a parasitic disease caused by a trematode of the genus Platynosomum , a bile duct and gallbladder fluke that has been described in captive neotropical primates (New World primates; NWPs) and causes high morbidity and variable mortality. Although it is a major concern for ex-situ conservation of these animals, there are only a few studies of platynosomosis in free-ranging NWPs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize platynosomosis in a free-ranging population of marmosets (Callithrix spp) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, focusing on the epidemiological and pathological aspects of the disease. A total of 1,001 marmosets were evaluated and on the basis of clinicoepidemiological data, histopathology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, we concluded that Platynosomum spp infection has a prevalence of 8.9% (confidence interval: 7.3–10.8%) in free-ranging marmosets, with a higher frequency in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro. Infection was associated with fibrosing and proliferative cholangiohepatitis associated with biliary lithiasis (3.0% of cases) and secondary bacterial infections (14.6% of cases). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study catalogued ocular pathology in fish histopathology submissions to a specialist diagnostic service and investigated associations with species and systemic disease, with a focus on species of conservation interest. Cross-tabulations and Fisher's exact tests were used to identify associations among the variables and results are reported as prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Of 12,488 reports reviewed, ocular histology examination was available for 4,572 submissions, in which histopathological ocular lesions were identified in 18% (813/4572). Most diagnoses (701/813; 87%) were in marine fish. Inflammatory conditions were most common (608/813; 75%), with identification of a bacterial aetiology in 42% (255/608) and a parasitic aetiology in 30% (183/608). Most bacterial infections were due to mycobacteriosis (153/255; 60%) and most parasitic infections were due to scuticociliatosis (114/184; 62%). The Syngnathidae, Centriscidae and Cichlidae families were each more likely than all other families combined to be diagnosed with ocular manifestations of mycobacteriosis (PRs = 2.6, 4.4 and 2.9, respectively, P <0.0001 for each). The Syngnathidae were also more likely to be diagnosed with ocular scuticociliatosis (PR = 1.9, P <0.0001). Fifty-four percent (39/72) of ocular mycobacteriosis and 38% (9/24) of gas bubble disease cases affected threatened or near threatened Syngnathidae species. The Apogonidae were more likely than any other family to have ocular iridovirus (PR = 10.3, 95% CI = 5.5–19.4, P <0.0001) and neoplasia (PR = 8.2, 95% CI = 4.2–16.3, P <0.0001). The endangered Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) accounted for 13/15 ocular iridovirus and 16/18 mycobacteriosis cases in this family. All cases of neoplasia in the Apogonidae occurred in pajama cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera). These results should inform clinical diagnosis of ocular disease in aquarium fish and influence training for aquarists, highlighting ocular pathology as a potential early warning of systemic disease. The findings also have direct/indirect consequences for the welfare and conservation of some of these popular flagship fish species. Eye lesions such as exophthalmos are common and clinically obvious in fish and this study seeks to highlight the wide range of primary ocular disorders and underlying systemic disease processes identified in a large cohort of aquarium fish through the use of routine histopathological surveillance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large boreal rivers in Sweden are generally impounded by hydropower dams and a large proportion of main stem shallow flowing habitats have been lost. Tributaries often contain the last undisturbed habitats and could be important for the conservation of species diversity. In particular, tributary mouth areas could be biodiversity hot-spots, due to their vicinity to the main stem and favorable environmental conditions. In this study, we investigate whether tributary mouth areas in two impounded boreal rivers (Ume River and Lule River) could be regarded as biodiversity hot-spots for fish. Based on standardized electrofishing in 20 tributary mouths, we find that overall fish diversity is generally low. The highest species richness and diversity was found in mouth areas dominated by intermediate substrate sizes (gravel – cobble). Few, if any, species were found in areas where fine sediments (smaller than sand) dominated. The tributary mouth areas had similar species richness and diversity as areas in the tributaries located 1-km upstream of the mouth, but the fish community composition often differed between these two types of sites. Management action favoring fish diversity in the tributary mouth areas could include protection or rehabilitation of areas dominated by medium sized substrate and reduction of erosion and transport of fine sediments in the tributaries. Overall, we find no support for tributary mouths being hot-spots for fish biodiversity and while some patterns in diversity gives hints on suitable management action, it is important to further understand impacts in tributaries and their mouths and the temporal dynamics of the fish community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of social learning is growing across the animal kingdom. Researchers have long hypothesized that social interactions play a key role in many animal migrations, but strong empirical support is scarce except in a few unique systems and species. In this review, we aim to catalyze advances in the study of social migrations by synthesizing research across disciplines and providing a framework for understanding when, how, and why social influences shape the decisions animals make during migration. Integrating research across the fields of social learning and migration ecology will advance our understanding of the complex behavioral phenomena of animal migration and help to inform conservation of animal migrations in a changing world. Social influences (i.e., social information use, social learning, and culture) are often assumed to play a role in animal migration, but studying social aspects of migration remains a challenge. We evaluate support for predictions from the social learning literature within the context of migration, and suggest that social influences during migration are likely more widespread than previously recognized. To study social migration, future research can leverage next-generation tracking techniques and experimental manipulations of the social environment. Movement diversity constitutes the building blocks of migration culture, and thus warrants further consideration in conservation and management of migratory species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses Vietnam – where overexploitation of wildlife resources is a major threat to biodiversity conservation – as a case study to examine how government officials perceive the impacts of COVID-19 on wildlife farming, as well as the opportunities and challenges presented for sustainable wildlife management. Findings show Vietnamese government officials perceive COVID-19 to have had mixed impacts on wildlife conservation policies and practice. While the pandemic strengthened the legal framework on wildlife conservation, implementation and outcomes have been poor, as existing policies are unclear, contradictory, and poorly enforced. Our paper also shows policymakers in Vietnam are not in favor of banning wildlife trade. As our paper documents the immediate impacts of the pandemic on wildlife farming, more research is necessary to analyse longer-term impacts. • This paper to examine how Vietnamese government officials perceive the impacts of COVID-19 on wildlife farming. • Policy makers' perceptions and reality are not matched. • Data around both wildlife farming and wildlife trade is contradictory and differs across provinces. • Existing wildlife conservation policies are unclear, contradictory, and poorly enforced. • Policymakers in Vietnam are not in favor of banning wildlife trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Goshawk has been recognized as an effective bioindicator sensitive to forest management. We used a comprehensive data set on 75 Goshawk nest sites from Estonia to explore the species' preferences in relation with forest and landscape characteristics. Goshawk nest sites were regularly distributed with a mean nearest neighbour distance of 6.9 km. The hawks showed a preference for nesting in old (mean age 101 years) coniferous Oxalis -type stands with medium tree density, although the preferred nest tree species was deciduous birch. In surroundings of nest sites, there was a relatively high proportion of old-growth forest (64 %), and nests were closer to mires (1319 m) than expected, while being at a moderate distance from the forest edge (135 m). However, we did not detect any significant effect of the proximity of buildings and roads. Our results suggest that territoriality sets the upper limit to the nesting population, and the ultimate choice of nest location is constrained by the availability of suitable nest sites. We recommend that foresters planning timber harvesting near Goshawk nests avoid clear cutting and maintain sufficiently mature forest nearby. Furthermore, keeping suitable forest patches across forest land support a healthy Goshawk population. • In hemiboreal forests of northeastern Europe, Goshawk nest sites were regularly distributed. • The hawks showed a preference for nesting in old coniferous Oxalis -type stands with medium tree density. • In surroundings of sites, there was a relatively high proportion of old-growth forest. • Foresters should avoid clear cutting near Goshawk nests and maintain sufficiently mature forest nearby. • Keeping suitable forest patches across forest land support a healthy Goshawk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus species play a significant role in the ecosystems of southern China, possessing diverse ecological, economic, and cultural values. Predicting the suitable habitat of these species in southern China and assessing the impact of climate change on it is crucial for species conservation, ecological construction, and achieving China's carbon neutrality goals. This study selected seven common oak species in southern China and used a comprehensive habitat suitability model to simulate their Stand Potential Distribution Areas (SPDAs) under baseline conditions and different climate change scenarios over various periods. The results indicate that among the seven oak species, the SPDAs of six oak species linearly decreased with increasing temperatures, with the three species, Q. acutissima , Q. aliena , and Q. variabilis , having the largest SPDAs under baseline conditions exhibiting the most rapid declines with rising temperatures. Only Q. chenii showed a slow increase in SPDA with temperature rise. Additionally, regions with at least one species' SPDAs covering the all habitat area and regions with at least four species' SPDAs covering the core habitat area also significantly decreased with increasing temperatures. Therefore, climate change is expected to degrade the habitat of main deciduous oaks significantly in southern China, warranting attention and proactive management measures. [Display omitted] • Future warming is expected to degrade the Quercus habitats significantly in southern China. • Six of seven studied Quercus species are projected to experience significant habitat reductions. • The core habitat areas for Quercus species are expected to decrease substantially. • Temperature-related variables are more critical than precipitation-related variables. • Taking proactive management measures to protect Quercus species in southern China is urgent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conserving biodiversity requires an efficiently managed network of integrated protected areas (PAs). An extensive PA network safeguards the highly threatened Araucaria angustifolia forests and associated highland grasslands of Brazil and Argentina. However, the efficiency of this network in conserving biodiversity has been poorly explored. We used complex network analysis to evaluate the efficiency of the national and state PA network conserving avian taxonomic diversity. Modularity analysis unveiled unique bird subsets in distinct PA subsets, while nestedness revealed that the most species-rich PAs in each PA subset ('modules') protected species in the least species-rich PAs of the same subset. Species-rich PAs within modules are a priority for conserving birds, with modules complementing each other in conserving the regional avifauna. These patterns persisted when analyzing species subsets based on forest and grassland habitat use. Additionally, we identified key PAs for the conservation of threatened species and emphasized the importance of grassland PAs in this context. Our findings support integrated PA management and may help guiding the expansion of PAs or the PA network, resource allocation and improving PA management plans. We discuss the importance of holistic conservation planning for cultural landscapes, emphasizing the well-being of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and provide insights on implementation strategies. Our analytical framework involving multi-sourced biodiversity data collection, species incidence calculation, sampling bias assessment and network analysis can be readily adapted to evaluate PA efficiency elsewhere. • Species-rich protected areas safeguard species from species-poor protected areas. • Modules of protected areas complement each other in conserving the regional avifauna. • Key protected areas also conserve threatened species. • Findings optimize resource allocation and oversight for improved conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual fencing (VF) is an emerging technology that creates virtual boundaries for livestock. Collars equipped with positioning systems, such as GPS, emit acoustic warning signals if an animal approaches the virtual fence and an electric impulse if it continues to move forward, deterring it from crossing the virtual fence. Compared to physical fences, virtual fences, combined with positioning systems, enable precise tracking of individual animals and fencing out small areas within pastures at high spatio-temporal resolutions and low cost. VF has the potential to enhance agri-environment schemes (AES) aimed at conserving biodiversity in three ways. (1) Many existing grassland AES focus on limiting livestock density and/or regulating the timing of grazing. Monitoring compliance with these contract conditions is costly, which puts compliance at risk. GPS tracking can help overcome compliance issues by continuously monitoring grazing animals at low cost. (2) Grazing on pastures at even and high livestock densities leads to low levels of biodiversity. Applying VF to exclude small areas from grazing provides structural and associated organismic diversity. AES could incentivise farmers to fence out such small areas to enhance biodiversity. (3) Grazing on patches with endangered plants or nests of meadow birds may negatively affect small-scale populations of endangered grassland species. Unmanned aerial vehicles and automated picture analyses could be used to detect valuable patches, transmit the information to VF systems, and AES could remunerate farmers for fencing them out. The article will explore these ideas on a conceptual level and discuss their potential benefits and drawbacks. • Virtual fencing provides opportunities for improving AES. • Virtual fencing may improve legal compliance of existing AES. • AES may incentivise fencing out patches from grazing for more heterogeneity. • AES may incentivise fencing out patches with endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last half-century, nature conservation has shifted through several steps from 'nature for itself' to 'nature and people', corresponding to a new perspective that all species count to ensure ecosystem functioning, and with them that nature's contributions to people (NCPs) are effective and maintained. Yet, despite these conceptual shifts in the academic literature, conservation practices have remained largely focused on threatened species and protected areas. The last Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity insisted on the need to use biodiversity sustainably and ensure nature's contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services for the benefit of present and future generations by 2050. Here, using recently developed tables relating a large number of species observed in the Western Swiss Alps (vascular plants and vertebrates; n = 2066) to 17 key NCPs, we show that focusing on protecting threatened species only does not ensure the maintenance of key NCPs. Our results suggest that all species (threatened or not) need to be considered, in addition to strict conservation of threatened species, to support NCP provision. Similarly, considering all species better supports existing conservation programs. Developing such direct species-NCP relationships more broadly will be needed to support spatial prioritizations and help reach the 2050 GBF goals. • We promote synergistic species-NCP relationships rather than trade-offs. • Protect threatened species doesn't ensure the protection of all NCPs and thus of human's well-being. • We need to consider non-threatened species in conservation to maintain a sustainable future with NCPs and biodiversity. • Integrating non-threatened species in conservation allows better supporting global biodiversity goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new worrying micropollutant threathens natural environments: the microfibres (MFs). Natural, regenerated and synthetic MFs have been detected in different environments, as well as in organisms. While synthetic MFs are generally detected in microplastic analyses, natural and regenerated MFs are not taken into account, or are wrongly considered plastics. They are generally considered biodegradable even if their degradation processes in ecosystems are poorly known. Their potential faster degradation could release toxic compounds, and their characteristics could led to a long-term accumulation in the environment. Understanding their dangerousness and the possible impact they could have on ecosystems is fundamental for environment conservation. We collected and investigated water and submerged sediment samples in different caves and springs of the Classical Karst Region (NE Italy), rich in protected habitats and species. MFs were analysed via microscopy and spectroscopy. MFs were found in all samples, highlighting pollution in surface and subterranean habitats of the karst system. MF concentration was higher in submerged sediments respect to waters, highlighting an accumulation of MFs over time. Big microfibres were less abundant, and MF amount increased with the decrease in the considered size. More than 80% of fibres were fluorescent under UV light. Fluorescent MFs were especially transparent, while non-fluorescent ones were mainly black and blue. Most MFs were cellulosic, and synthetic MFs represent only 15–22%, highlighting a significant gap between the MF composition detected in natural environments and the global production of synthetic textiles in recent times. Synthetic MFs were more abundant in waters. Our results improve the knowledge on micropollutants in karst environments, laying the foundations for future research. MF pollution monitoring in karst areas must become a priority for species protection, habitat conservation, and waters management, improving analyses on a larger number of aquatic environments, taking into account the ecological connections between surface and subterranean habitats. [Display omitted] • Microfibres pollute karst surface and subterranean aquatic environments. • An accumulation of microfibres in submerged sediment occurs. • Microfibre amount increase with the decrease in the size considered. • Natural and regenerated microfibres are more abundant than synthetic ones. • Monitoring aquatic environments is fundamental for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seorsus aequatorius (Myrtaceae), endemic to Borneo, was first described from a single herbarium specimen collected by H. Hallier on Mount Kelam in 1893–1894. However, a minor error in the published collection number of the type specimen for S. aequatorius requires correction. In 2019, during an expedition on Mount Kelam, Dr. Muhammad Mansur and his colleagues rediscovered S. aequatorius (locally known as ' pohon embun '). This research aimed to correct information on the collection number of the type specimen, conduct a conservation assessment, and propose conservation strategies. The study involved examining herbarium specimens. The conservation status of the species was evaluated using IUCN guidelines. We outline the rediscovery of S. aequatorius after 129 years. The correct type specimen identified as " H. Hallier 2308 ". Seorsus aequatorius is preliminarily categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Short-term conservation strategies include ex-situ conservation of S. aequatorius at the Kuningan Botanical Garden in West Java. This is suitable because the species' habitat, growing on rocks at around 800 m above sea level, matches the theme and elevation of the botanical garden, dedicated to rocky area plants at 490–870 m above sea level. Meanwhile, in-situ conservation strategies for S. aequatorius include conducting population studies, performing habitat rehabilitation or restoration, protecting both habitats and species through legal regulations, and reintroducing seedlings from ex-situ conservation. Designating S. aequatorius as Mount Kelam's mascot could also raise public awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A gap between scientific knowledge and conservation policies has been reported. • Summarized data as indices are a valuable tool for decision-makers. • We proposed indices for the endangered tree Gonopterodendron sarmientoi. • We used evolutive-genetic, morphological, threat-related, and ethnobotanical data. • The proposed indices link scientific data with specific management and conservation actions. Management and conservation programs require accessible scientific evidence to effectively plan and achieve their goals. Facing regional and species-specific threats, Gonopterodendron sarmientoi , an endangered tree native to the Gran Chaco region, requires scientific evidence to support management and conservation actions, notably in forest management and territorial planning. To bridge this crucial gap, we developed indices that integrate genetic, evolutionary, morphological, threat-related, and ethnobotanical data concerning G. sarmientoi at a landscape level. Across twenty-four localities of this species, we have created four distinct indices. The first index amalgamates data on genetics, functional traits, and paleoclimate information. The second index incorporates data on threats stemming from deforestation and climate change scenarios. The third index provides supplementary insights into the species' utilization by indigenous groups. Finally, the fourth index combines all the aforementioned data to prioritize the most valuable and threatened localities. Through this comprehensive approach, we have identified specific in-situ and ex-situ management and conservation actions for G. sarmientoi. This approach considers broader-scale conservation efforts and considers large-scale variations and processes. The indices effectively link scientific data with actionable insights, providing decision-makers involved with G. sarmientoi with concise information that encapsulates the most pertinent aspects of species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacred groves have long been recognised for their critical role in biodiversity conservation, but research on their importance in avian conservation is limited. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of bird diversity, richness, and abundance within sacred groves and their surrounding areas in the semi-arid landscape of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. We made 120 point counts (60 sacred groves and 60 random points) to record birds from March 2023 to July 2023. Our results revealed a greater number of bird species (n = 114) within sacred groves than random points (n = 100), including several species of global conservation concern. The species diversity remained consistent, while variations in species richness and abundance was observed. Moreover, we found that the overall composition of birds' feeding guilds was similar in both groups. We observed noteworthy differences in the abundance of frugivores, granivores, insectivores, and omnivores. Species and guild-level abundance exhibited an even distribution. Species richness in both type of sites predominantly attributed to species turnover. Feeding guilds and bird species had varying associations to environmental variables. Our findings recommend the immediate protection of these sacred areas for bird conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fishers identify morphological and behavioral characteristics of river dolphins. • There is a partial overlap in fish species harvested by fishers and eaten by dolphins. • Costs of interaction with dolphins are estimated to three days of fishing income. • Most of interviewed fishers considered the dolphins to be beneficial for fisheries. • River dolphins are recognized for reducing fishing effort and protecting fishes. Understanding interactions between small-scale fishers and endangered dolphins is crucial for informing coexistence strategies. We investigated the perceptions and encounters of 123 Amazonian fishers in the Tapajós River (Brazil) with two endangered freshwater dolphins, Sotalia fluviatilis and Inia geoffrensis. Furthermore, 51 fishers self-documented 2,013 fish landings over one year. All interviewed fishers reported regular encounters with dolphins during fishing activities, with landings and interviews showing a partial overlap in fish species caught by fishers and cited as consumed by dolphins. Fishers highlighted that only I. geoffrensis disrupts fishing activities, causing gillnet damage and stealing fish from nets. To avoid interaction, fishers refrain from fishing an average of 3.7 times per month, potentially leading to 14.8 to 18.5 % decrease in total fish harvest. Economic losses were reported by 63 fishers, totaling an estimated US$ 50.3 ± 30.1 per month per fisher, which is equivalent to three days of fishing income. The estimated bycatch of dolphins was 10 per year across the studied area (71 % from I. geoffrensis). While 86 fishers considered dolphins beneficial, 62 viewed them as harmful. Fishers who fish more frequently are more likely to consider dolphins "good". The results revealed dolphins' positive contribution to fisheries by reducing efforts and safeguarding fish, while causing harm through gillnet damage. Negative perceptions are linked to individual economic losses, while positive perceptions stem from perceived collective benefits. By emphasizing dolphins' collective advantages in riverine communities, they can be a flagship species for conservation, leveraging their appeal and function as umbrella species for maintaining ecosystem functions, such as healthy fish stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect declines have been documented for about twenty years worldwide, and the more recent Bee Colony Collapse Disorder has brought public attention to the issue. With this in mind, the persistence and thriving of an iconic, once-extirpated butterfly, the Atala (Eumaeus atala), in three major metropolitan centers located in southeastern Florida is remarkable and deserves close examination as to how it happened. The Atala butterfly is a charismatic species mostly residing in an urban dominated landscape, and has been a prime target of citizen science engagement since the second re-discovery of the species in 1979 in coastal Miami. Three citizen science actions were instrumental in this recovery: reintroductions, year-long population monitoring afterwards, and participation in annual butterfly counts. In this research, we analyzed three different sets of monitoring data gathered by citizen volunteers to help us determine factors that may influence the Atala butterfly's persistence. We found that the most labor- and time-demanding citizen science data allowed us to define fine scale population phenological dynamics enabling us to quantify the anecdotal biannual "crash and eruption" cycles, while the median level long-term engagement data revealed a coarse, multiple year crash and eruption population cycle. Our analyses illustrated that the contribution of on-going data collection gained through committed citizen science actions play a critical part in the species conservation strategy, allowing us to apprehend new integral knowledge of the butterfly's biology, as well as factors influencing its population persistence and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the novel task of bluespotted ribbontail (BR) ray (Taeniura lymma) recognition using deep learning based computer vision methods to enable the identification of specific individuals of this species. Mapping the specific individuals in relation to location and time will allow marine researchers to understand their movement patterns, habitat choice, life span, size of the population and more – data which could allow monitoring and establishing a tailor-made conservation plan for this species. Our work is pioneer on this recognition problem. We give a detailed description of the three basic steps of detection, feature extraction and recognition in this vision problem and perform experiments to explore the system configuration and what improves the performance. A feature extraction enhancement as well as a crucial effect of a split into different main poses are demonstrated. Though the precision results achieved in this paper are still moderate and should be further improved, they are nevertheless promising and reasonable for practical use if the six best matches are chosen. For this scenario, almost 85% precision for upper-pose model, and almost 80% precision for left- and right-pose models, are achieved demonstrating the feasibility of the pipeline suggested as well as opportunities for improvement. • We present a pioneer novel application of deep learning based computer vision methods for bluespotted ribbontail (BR) ray recognition, to facilitate the ecological study of this species. • We explored what improves the performance. • An effective feature extraction enhancement technique is applied in our framework. • The crucial effect of a split into different main poses in order to achieve BR ray recognition is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous species of Earth's biota are at risk of extinction and wildlife conservation is more important than ever. Reliable baseline data are essential for wildlife management to inform on the numbers and distribution of endangered species. A promising non-invasive and cost-effective method for monitoring endangered species is the Footprint Identification Technology (FIT). It lends itself to both conservation research as well as citizen science and can be combined with other data collection methods. FIT extracts and uses morphometrics from animal footprints to create geometric profiles that are analyzed in customized classification models. These can identify species, sex and individual. The ability to identify individuals can then be used to predict various population parameters including size, distribution, and growth rate. FIT has been developed and published for several species, but it requires high quality footprints. Perfect prints are not always easy to find in the field as various factors can influence their quality. In this paper, we demonstrate that geometrical profiles derived from poor quality footprints can be seen as datasets with missing values. Missing values are a common problem in various disciplines, and well-established strategies to impute missing values are widely available. We conducted two experiments to see whether such an approach could widen the application of the FIT method. The experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that population sizes can be underestimated when incomplete footprints are discarded from the data. We artificially introduced different proportions of missing values in datasets with geometric profiles of five different species for which FIT models have been published. We also analyzed a new dataset of geometric profiles of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) footprints not meeting the standard FIT requirements. We demonstrated that excluding incomplete footprints led to an underestimation of the known population. As an alternative to discarding footprints, we compared different imputation techniques as data pre-processing steps by comparing the performance of resulting FIT models. When imputation was chosen instead, we could show that FIT models with imputed geometric profiles were not significantly less accurate in predicting individual ID or population size even with high rates of missing values. We believe that our findings can be generalized, and the results indicate that imperfect footprints can contribute to the robustness of the FIT method and that this approach is particularly applicable when few good-quality footprints are available. We therefore highly recommend including imputation of imperfect footprints as a data pre-processing step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to high costs and time constraints, it can be difficult for traditional field-based methods to acquire sufficient data to identify priority species or areas in marine conservation planning. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is increasingly used as an important source of information for evidence-based management strategies, but its usefulness for informing conservation prioritization for threatened marine species has rarely been assessed. Here, we conducted the first range-wide systematic survey of five marine megafauna (Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Indo-Pacific finless porpoise, dugong, whale shark, sea turtles) using interviews with fishers in the northern South China Sea (SCS), one of the richest marine biodiversity hotspots in the world, to assess the ability of LEK to highlight priority species and areas for conservation. Our results reveal that the dugong has become functionally extinct in China, while the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise, whale shark, and sea turtles have all experienced more severe declines compared to the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. Based on the sighting histories of these threatened species, regional conservation priorities and management activities should therefore focus on reducing disturbance pressure in the Beibu Gulf and eastern Guangdong for the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise and in eastern/southern Hainan Island for the whale shark and sea turtles. These findings challenge current conservation strategies that prioritize the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin in the SCS, suggesting that coastal dolphins might not be good indicators of the population trends of sympatric marine megafauna. While LEK cannot provide precise abundance and habitat data for highly threatened marine species, we demonstrate that it offers comparable long-term population trend and wide-scale distribution data to inform the prioritization of conservation actions. • Interview-based approach can be an effective tool to inform regional conservation prioritization of marine megafauna. • We caution that current prioritizing humpback dolphin in the South China Sea may neglect species in greater need of urgent conservation attention. • Priority areas for four marine megafaunas in the South China Sea were identified. • Three specific conservation suggestions were proposed based on the results of local ecological knowledge survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats constitute about 22% of known mammal species; they have various ecological roles and provide many ecosystem services. Bats suffer from several threats caused by anthropization, including exposure to toxic metals and metalloids. We analyzed 75 papers in a systematic literature review to investigate how species, diet, and tissue type impact bioaccumulation. Most studies documented element accumulation in fur, liver, and kidney; at least 36 metals and metalloids have been measured in bat tissues, among the most studied were mercury and zinc. Comparisons with known toxicological thresholds for other mammals showed concerning values for mercury and zinc in bat hair, lead and some essential metals in liver, and iron and calcium in kidneys. Moreover, accumulation patterns in tissues differed depending on bat diet: insectivorous bats showed higher metal concentrations in fur than in liver and kidney while frugivorous species showed higher values in liver and kidney than in fur. Finally, among the bat species that have been studied in more than two papers, the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) show values of mercury in hair and copper in liver that exceed the known thresholds; as does copper in the liver of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). Most studies have been conducted in temperate North America and Eurasia, areas with the lowest bat species diversity; there is a paucity of data on tropical bat species. This review points out several information gaps in the understanding of metal contamination in bats, including a lack of measured toxicity thresholds specific for bat tissues. Data on trace element bioaccumulation and its associated health effects on bats is important for conservation of bat species, many of which are threatened. [Display omitted] • Study of bat ecotoxicology is predominantly from Europe, the USA, and Australia. • Hg, Cd, Pb, and Zn exceed thresholds for mammals in certain bat tissues. • Accumulation patterns of trace elements in bats differ depending on diet. • Bat-specific toxicity thresholds are needed to assess bioaccumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining dense forest habitats for the threatened northern spotted owl (NSO) has proven challenging in seasonally dry, fire-dependent landscapes where low-density conditions were historically dominant and are generally more climate- and disturbance-resilient. To better inform the dual, sometimes-conflicting objectives of species conservation and forest resilience, we developed an approach to evaluate NSO habitat sustainability by: (1) quantifying the structure of high suitability habitat (HSH) associated with NSO using two remotely sensed platforms, (2) estimating current and historical HSH abundance, and (3) identifying HSH locations more likely to persist given current and future forest-zone climate projections and increasing risk of severe wildfire. Tall, closed-canopy conditions effectively comprised the key structural features of HSH, providing a means to map habitat through time. Both historical amounts and contemporary spatial patterns of HSH and other forest and non-forest conditions around occupied NSO sites indicated that HSH and forest resilience goals can be congruent at multiple scales. Independent lines of evidence suggest HSH historically composed ∼18–24% of the dry and moist mixed-conifer landscape – considerably lower levels than current management goals in many areas. Projected shifts in climate and severe-fire likelihood suggest substantial spatial and temporal shifts where HSH will be sustainable into the future – mainly in currently moist as well as some cold forest types. These findings can inform the potential convergence and trade-offs of species conservation and disturbance resilience goals across local and regional landscapes, based on the inherent capacity of the landscape to support both goals under projected shifts in climate and wildfire. • We mapped current spotted owl habitat and estimated historical and future amounts. • Suitable habitat was a distinct minority (18–24 %) of the landscape historically. • Current habitat abundance is within the historical range. • Climate projections suggest the types of forest owls use will decline in area. • Habitat goals in existing management plans may be unsustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination in the environment is an increasingly pervasive threat to the long-term persistence of wildlife. As high trophic level consumers, crocodylians are at substantial risk from bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg). Despite that they are generally well-studied and the focal species of many conservation efforts around the world, little is known about Hg contamination levels in most crocodylians. Here we preliminarily evaluate blood Hg contamination in four African species – Central African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops leptorhynchus), African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis), West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus), and Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) – from a diversity of sites and habitats across 5 different countries representing varying degrees of environmental pollution. All of our sampled crocodiles were Hg contaminated and, worryingly, these African crocodiles generally showed the highest levels of Hg contamination of any crocodylian species examined to date. Of most concern was that Hg concentrations were not only highest in M. leptorhynchus , the most threatened amongst our study species, but also in individuals sampled in what are believed to be some of the most remote and pristine natural areas left in Africa – Gabon's national parks. Our results underscore the need to better understand the impact of longstanding petroleum, mining, forestry, and agricultural industries on the entire aquatic food chain throughout much of Africa, including on the threatened species in these habitats and the human populations that depend on them for their subsistence and livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Gran Chaco, one of the most biodiverse, yet imperiled, arid biomes in the world, open-to-air concrete water canals may threaten wildlife via drowning and habitat fragmentation, although these effects are usually overlooked. We performed field surveys and local people interviews along 250 km of canals in the Gran Chaco ecoregion of Argentina during austral spring and summer (six months). We documented 207 drowned individuals of 35 wildlife species, but more realistic estimations could increase this number to the thousands. Six species of conservation concern drowned in the canal, and eight of the drowned species have decreasing population trends. Drownings in some mammal species decreased with time without any mitigation measures implemented at the canal yet, suggesting an ongoing, large-scale population reduction due to this high mortality rate. Since mitigation measures applied in other regions were not effective to stop drowning and population isolation, these infrastructures should be avoided in arid environments worldwide. • We surveyed an open-to-air water canal in the arid Great Chaco ecoregion in Argentina. • More than 200 individuals of 35 wildlife species drowned in this infrastructure. • This includes six species of conservation concern, the Giant anteater being the most affected. • The decrease in the number of drownings with time suggests a large-scale defaunation. • We recommend intubating the canal to avoid drownings and habitat fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful wildlife conservation in an era of global change requires understanding determinants of species population growth. However, when populations are faced with novel stressors, factors associated with healthy populations can change, necessitating shifting conservation strategies. For example, emerging infectious diseases can cause conditions previously beneficial to host populations to increase disease impacts. Here, we paired a population dataset of 265 colonies of the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) with 50.7 logger-years of environmental data to explore factors that affected colony response to white-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging fungal disease. We found variation in colony responses to WNS, ranging from extirpation to stabilization. The severity of WNS impacts was associated with hibernaculum temperature, as colonies of cold hibernacula declined more severely than those in relatively warm hibernacula, an association that arose following pathogen emergence. Interestingly, this association was opposite that of a sympatric bat species, the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), illustrating that environmental dependence of disease can vary by species in a multi-host community. Simulating future colony dynamics suggests that most extirpations have already occurred, as the pathogen has been present for several years in most colonies, and that relatively small colonies are more susceptible to extirpation. Overall, this study illustrates that emerging infectious diseases can change the factors associated with host population growth, including through novel environmental associations that vary by host species. Consideration of these shifting associations and differences between impacted species will be essential to the conservation of host communities challenged by emerging infectious disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African trophy hunting is controversial. Central to the debate on this practice is whether it may be justified by any broader provisions to African society. These typically include meat supply to poor communities, problem animal control, and the funding of conservation and community development. The societal role of African hunting is as contested as the practice itself, with proponents advocating for the benefits of hunting, while critics point to these being inadequate. Little is known about the role of location and demography in the debate on hunting benefits. Here we circulated an anonymous online survey through our international networks. We asked respondents to indicate which (if any) benefits they thought may justify the practice and whether they supported African trophy hunting, or not. We also collected data on respondent geographic location, age, gender, and employment within conservation. The 5755 responses were analysed using multiple correspondence analysis and provided strong evidence for an association between the level of support/rejection of trophy hunting and potential benefits that were perceived to justify the practice. Funding of wildlife conservation through hunting was the most frequently selected benefit, even among many respondents with a neutral or slightly negative view toward trophy hunting as a practice. Respondents strongly opposed to trophy hunting were more likely to reject all societal benefits of hunting. There was some divergence in views between Africa-based respondents, and those outside of Africa. We suggest that any policy development on African trophy hunting be required to incorporate the views of all African stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]