Search

The yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus Bloch, 1791 (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) is targeted by recreational or commercial fisheries across much of its range in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts, USA, to São Paulo, Brazil. Genomic resources to support conservation of this species are needed. Here, we assembled, annotated and characterised in detail the mitochondrial genome of O. chrysurus. The mitochondrial genome of O. chrysurus is 16,502 bp in length and encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA). The putative control region, 827 bp in length, is located between the tRNA P and tRNA F genes. Most genes are encoded on the positive strand, while a single PCG (nad6) and six tRNA genes (in order from 5′ to 3′: tRNA N, tRNA P, tRNA E, tRNA Q, tRNA C and tRNA Y) are encoded on the negative strand. All tRNA have a typical 'cloverleaf' secondary structure except tRNA S1 (Serine1) that lacks the D arm. Calculated Ka/Ks values of all PCGs were <1, suggesting that these genes are under purifying selection. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis confirmed monophyly of the family Lutjanidae and indicated that the genus Lutjanus is paraphyletic given that O. chrysurus clustered together with Lutjanus peru and L. guttatus in a strongly supported clade. Data published herein will inform conservation and management strategies for this fished snapper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hands-on activities are considered to be particularly suitable for generating long-term knowledge that increases environmentally friendly behaviour. Appropriate flagship species in a respective curricular context can enable high-quality education. We have developed a teaching concept and material for hands-on activities with bumblebees. This includes aspects of outdoor bumblebee-keeping in a teaching unit, together with the identification of bumblebee species and conservation activity in the context of biodiversity; bumblebees can act as umbrella species because their conservation needs incidentally protect other species. Moreover, the project involves keeping bumblebees indoors in a teaching unit that covers ethology and neurobiology. A total sample size of 188 German high school students from the fifth to seventh grade (lower and intermediate secondary-school levels) participated in the project. We measured students' knowledge about bumblebees in general and insect decline, as well as fear of bumblebees in a pre-test, post-test and follow-up test. Learning enjoyment was also measured in the post-test. Students acquired long-lasting knowledge and considerably enjoyed the learning experience. Fear of bumblebees decreased long-term, although knowledge that bumblebees can sting increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the issue of overtrading of generalist amphibians and its impact on biodiversity. It challenges the belief that poaching and trading of these species are less harmful than that of rare or charismatic species. The negative consequences of amphibian trade, such as the spread of diseases and biological invasions, are highlighted. The authors stress the importance of stricter monitoring and legislation, as well as community-driven programs and collaboration with local researchers and development authorities. Amaël Borzée, a professor at Nanjing Forestry University, is a respected expert in amphibian conservation and his work is valuable for research in this field. [Extracted from the article]

Protected areas maintain the ecosystem and conserve wildlife, but they face threats from habitat destruction. This paper assesses the drivers of habitat destruction and their implications on wildlife conservation in Tanzania. Data were collected from 607 respondents using a questionnaire and Landsat 8 Operational Land images from 2013 to 2023 to detect land use changes in the Makao Wildlife Management area. A multiple regression model analysed the relationship between habitat destruction (dependent variables) and human population increase, crop cultivation, livestock grazing, inadequate economic incentives, and wildlife population (independent variables). Between 2013 and 2023, agricultural and settlement areas increased by 39% and 686%, while Makao WMA and water bodies decreased by 11% and 39%. Human population (p .0095), crop cultivation (p .0024), and livestock grazing (p .0033) significantly contributed to habitat destruction. Community engagement is essential to promote sustainable conservation and mitigation of impacts to ensure Wildlife Management Areas remain healthy and viable for wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood nature experiences – particularly those shared with caregivers – have consistently, over decades of research, been linked to children's health, as well as their developing environmental commitments. Notably, animal interactions have been shown to play key roles in children's psychological wellbeing and their developing conservation concerns. We investigated nature experiences children share with their parents, with a particular focus on those that involve interactions with animals. Parents (n = 49) of young children completed a written survey in which they provided a short narrative describing a significant experience in nature that they had shared with their child. The narrative accounts were systematically coded and interrater reliability was attained. The qualitative findings offer a rich account of nature experiences that children and parents share. Three broad themes were identified – (1) Typology of Nature Experiences, (2) Psychosocial Factors, and (3) Relational Bonding – and are illustrated and discussed within the context of promoting healthy childhood relationships with their caregivers and the wider natural world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asarum chungbuensis, a species endemic to Korea, has a limited distribution across the Korean Peninsula and is used in traditional medicine. Despite its importance, the genome structure, genetic composition, and phylogenetic relationships based on its chloroplast genome have not been documented. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. chungbuensis was newly assembled. The chloroplast genome is 190,179 base pairs (bp) long, and the overall GC content (%) of the plastid was 36.8%. The chloroplast genome size of A. chungbuensis is longer than that of the normal chloroplast genome (160 kb) because of an inverted small single-copy (SSC) duplication that incorporates the SSC into an inverted repeat (IR) region. By extension, this duplication event causes this chloroplast genome to lack an SSC, unlike other formal structures. The chloroplast genome, with a tripartite structure, consisted of a single-copy region of 93,351 bp with a 34.6% GC content and two IR regions, each with a length of 48,414 bp and a 38.8% GC content. Additionally, it was found to have 113 genes, including 79 PCG genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. chungbuensis was grouped with A. heterotropoides var. seoulense, which diverged from the clade comprising A. koreanum and A. patens. The newly sequenced A. chungbuensis chloroplast genome could provide valuable genomic information for determining unique genome structures, especially for the assessment of genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, species conservation, and biogeographic studies of the genus Asarum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractRegular evaluation of environmental education is important for quality assurance and the self-assessment of educational institutions such as zoos. However, capacity is often lacking. Therefore, this study presents instruments that can be used to track the impact of educational programs on connection to nature, interest in species conservation, environmental concern, and attitude toward biodiversity loss. Questionnaires were used before (NT1 = 674) and after (NT2 = 619) different educational programs in nine different zoos. Factor analyses were conducted to control for how the scales performed in the zoo context and with visitors of different ages in a pre-post setting. The results showed that the adjusted instruments work well with a few adaptations. Interest in species conservation can be measured as an overall 6-item construct. Biodiversity loss attitude can be measured using a 5-item scale. Using a shortened version of the Environmental Motives Scale, environmental concern was found to be three-dimensional, as intended, and can distinguish effects on egoistic, biospheric, and altruistic concern in zoos. Hence, the scales presented can be used for evaluation purposes and are even applicable beyond zoos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractReproduction is a fundamental biological process for producing offspring and ensuring the continuation of the species. With nearly 35,000 fish species worldwide exhibiting a very diverse range of reproductive systems and strategies, the study of fish reproduction is a significant challenge. Research into various fish reproductive models is driven by their use in human biomedical applications, improving the diversification and sustainability of aquaculture species, and developing strategies for biodiversity conservation. These models must be approached from an animal ethics perspective, considering the welfare of the species under study and applying the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). This principle focusses on replacing animals with alternative methods wherever possible, reducing the number of animals used and refining procedures to minimize suffering. While destructive sampling of wild aquatic species should be minimized, the need remains to provide information on reproduction as an important parameter for delineating management and conservation programs. One of the practices that helps reduce and replace the use of animal testing is the scientific study of individuals obtained through bycatch. This is the case for some chondrichthyans, and endangered fish species included in conservation programs. Regarding fish species that are kept under human care (commonly called captivity), studies on reproduction are essential to improve well-being and increase production of farmed species. Research on fish reproduction requires expanding basic knowledge of broodstock management tools, such as gamete quality assessment, reproductive behavior studies, the use of hormone therapies to stimulate reproduction, and the development of non-lethal or less invasive methods using body fluids (e.g., mucus, seminal plasma, blood plasma, or urine) to study reproductive status, as well as novel markers from state-of-the-art omics research. This review describes a multidisciplinary approach that includes the aforementioned reproductive management tools, indicators of welfare, and next-generation sequencing techniques using samples collected by minimally invasive methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Museum-based settings such as zoos provide a unique opportunity to engage educators in professional development opportunities. For instance, zoo settings can provide professional development opportunities focused on facilitating learning through a lens of conservation action to promote sustained action by teachers and their students. In this paper, we present an overview of a new zoo-based teacher professional development program designed to develop educators’ connections with wildlife and experiences with conservation actions. The program specifically aligns to the CARE framework for conservation education that addresses limitations of prior models for moving individuals from caring about wildlife to taking action to protect wildlife. We present results from two implementations of this professional development program with 21 teachers. The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to the value of action-based frameworks for guiding zoo-based teacher professional development and empowering educators to facilitate learning through a conservation lens to promote conservation action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elasmobranchs play important ecological roles but are highly threatened. Understanding their habitat use and abundance is crucial for the management and conservation of these species and their habitats. While some species are known to use estuaries as vital habitats (e.g. feeding or nursery grounds), this remains an understudied area. A multi-method approach was used to survey the Keurbooms Estuary on the south coast of South Africa, over two years, to quantify the diversity, relative abundance and habitat use of elasmobranchs in this system. The survey methods were baited remote underwater video (BRUV), boat-based visual sightings, and unmanned aerial video (UAV). Opportunistic sightings were also collected. Six elasmobranch species were observed, with significant differences in community composition between the methods. Whereas effort was skewed towards BRUV surveys, the boat and UAV surveys recorded more elasmobranchs more frequently, and opportunistic sightings recorded the highest diversity. The common eagle ray Myliobatis aquila was the most abundant elasmobranch species and the only one recorded year-round; most individuals (93%) were juveniles, suggesting the Keurbooms Estuary may be a nursery area for this Critically Endangered species. The duckbill ray Aetomylaeus bovinus and common smoothhound shark Mustelus mustelus were observed during summer, the latter forming large aggregations. Another three ray species were recorded rarely. This study highlights the benefit of using a multi-method survey approach for shallow ecosystems and reveals the Keurbooms Estuary as an important habitat for elasmobranchs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides a list of references and citations for academic articles and books related to anthropology, specifically focusing on topics such as multispecies ethnography, conservation, and the relationship between humans and animals in Southern Africa. The sources cover a range of perspectives and approaches, including indigenous knowledge, postcolonial theory, and environmental ethics. These resources may be helpful for library patrons conducting research on these subjects. [Extracted from the article]

This article investigates the problem of the tsetse fly and the trypanosomiasis disease it conveys as a transforming multispecies assemblage in colonial Zambia from the late nineteenth century until 1959. Based on archival research, it analyses the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans) as a moving target; not only a mobile and elusive insect but also a moving field of knowledge bringing multiple stakeholders into dialogue. It shows that tsetse control and wildlife conservation emerged together in colonial Zambia, in conflicting but also synergising ways, and that the association of large mammals to G. morsitans laid the ground for their classification as killable or preservable species. In the crossed influence of diverse regional colonial expertise, the article finds that the complex multispecies relations between the tsetse fly, the trypanosomes, wildlife, vegetation, humans and cattle, mediated and enacted by colonial experts and others, shaped institutions, policies and landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Donkeys are a common sight in Namibia's central north and play an important albeit contested role in rural society and economy. Historically, they were one of the few domesticated animals that were allowed to enter today's Etosha National Park and to cross the veterinary border (Red Line) between the northern communal lands and the Police Zone in central Namibia. In the first half of the twentieth century, migrant workers brought thousands of donkeys from the south to what was then called "Ovamboland." Even after the import was regulated more strictly in the 1940s, donkeys could still get permission to be used as transport animals to carry goods through Etosha. We retrace the routes of the domesticated donkey through a conservation landscape of wildlife and explore entanglements between donkeys, other livestock and wildlife in and out of Etosha. We ask how the particular legal position of the donkey — and its close links to migrant labour — impacted multispecies entanglements in past rural societies and how this legal position has changed over time, including in independent Namibia. We provide a nuanced understanding of the contested position of the donkey in northern Namibia, using examples from King Nehale Conservancy north of Etosha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governmental natural resource entities often use surveys to gather information from the public about wildlife management and conservation policies. Response rate is a metric for understanding how many individuals participate in a survey. Higher response rates can reduce costs and sampling effort and improve the reliability and generalizability of survey findings. However, response rates may be negatively influenced by a distrust in government. Our study evaluated if response rates would differ based on the survey sponsor. We sent a survey to hunters in Georgia, USA that contained either university or governmental agency branding. Response rates did not differ among the two surveys and sentiment analysis of open-ended responses revealed that sentiments of respondents were similar between groups. Although these results suggest branding might not have major impacts on responses, further investigation is needed to determine the effect of sponsorship and other influential factors that both enhance and diminish response rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based tourism is rising in popularity in developing countries. This presents a challenge for protected area (PA) managers forcing them to revisit management strategies to balance revenue generation while maintaining ecological integrity. Identifying tourists' preference for nature-viewing can aid in improved tourism management while simultaneously enhancing visitor experiences. We conducted semi-structured surveys with 516 tourists visiting three popular Indian PAs to understand their nature-viewing preferences. We identified the factors influencing viewing preferences for seven biodiversity categories using recursive partitioning classification trees. We found the biodiversity categories such as charismatic megafauna and landscape to be major tourist-attractants. Despite this, we also found that prior engagement in conservation activities, age, and gender can influence preference for viewing low-profile categories such as herpetofauna and flora. Providing opportunities for people to engage in conservation at different levels of governance and especially for tourists when visiting a PA could increase appreciation for all species and funding available for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nHighlightsExploring environmental determinants of the diet provides effective information to develop conservation for endangered species. Here, we collected dietary data of François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) to identify the environmental determinants of these langurs’ diets. Our results showed that the diets of François’ langurs were mainly dominated by leaves (69.9% ± 12.9%), followed by fruits (15.3% ± 6.6%), seeds (5.6% ± 4.7%), flowers (4.1% ± 2.8%), stems (1.2% ± 1.3%) and others (3.4% ± 3.2%). The model averaging results suggested that human interference and habitat fragmentation do not significantly affect the langurs’ dietary composition across geographical populations, which could be associated with the extreme habitat fragmentation and the intense anthropogenic disturbance within habitats. In addition, the results showed a significant negative effect of rainfall on the fruit consumption by langurs (β = - 0.45, Wip = 0.48), which may be related to the low fruit production in fragmented limestone forests. In addition, there was no significant geographical difference in the dietary composition of the langurs. Our results reveal the significant effects of habitat fragmentation on the diets of langurs and, as a response, the high flexibility in dietary composition in these langurs, providing insights into their adaptation to the fragmented limestone forest.Habitat fragmentation has significant effects on the diets of François’ langurs, and they show high flexibility in diets as a response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is a critical factor in shaping the physiological and metabolic processes of animals, notably impacting their auditory systems. Particularly, ectotherms face heightened vulnerability to temperature fluctuations. To comprehend the impact of rapid temperature changes on the auditory sensitivity of ectotherms, we measured the auditory sensitivity of Xenopus laevis at 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C respectively, using the auditory brainstem response. Our results reveal a significant decrease in auditory sensitivity of X. laevis at 10°C, with auditory thresholds markedly higher than those observed at 20°C and 30°C. Conversely, as the test temperature increased from 20°C to 30°C, their hearing sensitivity did not decline but tended to become more sensitive. In conclusion, our results suggest that rapid temperature changes have a discernible impact on the hearing sensitivity of X. laevis, particularly at low temperatures. These rapid environmental temperature changes significantly impact the sensory capabilities and courtship behaviours of animals, thereby influencing their population dynamics. Hence, revealing the consequences of rapid temperature fluctuations on sensory sensitivity in ectotherms is crucial for understanding the repercussions of climate change on animal population dynamics. These insights have profound implications for both environmental management and animal conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ephedra sinica and Ephedra intermedia are important medicinal plants and critical raw materials for ephedrine extraction in the pharmaceutical industry. Climate change will affect their distribution and quality. In our study, information on E. sinica and E. intermedia was collected through wilderness and online surveys. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, we determined the contents of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. We then utilized the maximum entropy model to assess the potential impact of future climate on the distribution and quality of the two Ephedra. The results showed that the two Ephedra species were predominantly found in the arid and semiarid regions of northern China. The suitable habitats and quality area of E. intermedia will be severely degraded under RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 conditions and the results for E. sinica are the opposite. The accumulation of chemical components in E. sinica depends on the precipitation of the wettest month (Bio13) and soil sand content, while the accumulation of chemical components in E. intermedia depends on the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (Bio10) and the precipitation seasonality (Bio15). Overall, the research results provide the basis for the two high-quality Ephedra species for conservation and sustainable resource development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presence of a steam pinnace at Lyness, Orkney Islands, was first documented in United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) records by letter from a local scallop diver. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) tasked ORCA and Sula Diving Ltd to document this wreck during the Scapa Flow 2013 Marine Archaeology Survey. Side scan sonar and oral history provided initial clues to the identity. Reference to archival data and the Pinnace 199 renovation project (Portsmouth Historic Shipyard) enabled confirmation of its identity and understanding of how the vessel came to lie on the seabed off Rinnigal Pier. Photogrammetry revealed preservation status and during biological surveys two species of national conservation importance were recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding why some small populations succeed while others fail to establish in novel environments has major implications in applied fields such as in situ species conservation and reintroductions. Species introductions outside their native range provide excellent opportunities to address such topic, since invasions usually start with small populations. We studied the life-history strategy of a population of the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) introduced in France, outside the natural range of the species, to estimate its population demographic potential. The introduced population showed a fast life history strategy, with early sexual maturation at 2 years of age, a relatively short life-span (3.1 years in females and 2.3 in males, with a maximum age of 5 years), and survival rates similar to those of populations from its native range. The population presents the characteristics for becoming invasive and might pose a threat to the native yellow-bellied toad (B. variegata) populations nearby through hybridization, competition and as potential vector of pathogens and parasites. Its spread should be closely monitored and additional introductions avoided to limit its potential negative impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The north western Atlas Mountains (Béchar region) act as refugia for relict populations of many species which highlights their interest as priority areas for conservation. Further work since the beginning of the last century has been difficult because of restricted access in a military area with long-standing border conflicts. This paper aims to analyse the temporal dynamics of the vegetation communities, to assess the floristic diversity of one of those isolated djebels, Djebel Antar, and to contribute to the knowledge of the conservation status of the species found. Surveys from 1925,1951 (published data) and 2017 (fieldwork) were interpreted and investigations were carried out on honey harvesting, production, and marketing in the Benzireg area to better understand and contribute to the development of beekeeping. A high proportion of endemic and very rare species was found. A tendency towards the homogenisation of the flora was detected with a decrease in plant diversity. Beekeeping is being tested as a means of enhancing biodiversity and contributing to the fight against vegetation degradation by reducing pastoral pressure. Djebel Antar retains its function as a refuge for biodiversity and may play an important role in conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of a Biwa goby, Gymnogobius isaza (Tanaka, 1916) using next-generation sequencing methods. The composition of its mitogenome is the same as that observed in most other vertebrates, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and two control regions. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship between G. isaza and G. petschiliensis. This mitogenome information will be useful for distribution surveys using environmental DNA and the development of conservation strategies for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many tropical countries, the use of wild animals, plants and their by-products for traditional medicine is very popular. The Bode Wasinmi Wildlife Market in the Ibadan metropolis was intentionally selected for this study to investigate which wild animals and/or their body parts, were being sold for traditional medicinal purposes. The study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative research designs, with data being collected by randomly administering 150 semi-structured questionnaires, coupled with key informant interviews, to traditional medicine vendors and 'Baba Oloja'. In total, 15 bird, 13 mammal and 5 reptile species or their various parts were sold and used for medicinal purposes. Various parts of wild animals and their derivatives are commonly sold at the market for either spiritual fortification or curing illnesses ranging from viral infections to aches and pains to epilepsy. In terms of the conservation statuses of the wild animal species on display in the market, 12 were common (not of concern by (IUCN) International Union for Conservation of Nature status), 11 were of least concern, 4 were vulnerable, 2 were endangered and 5 were critically endangered. We conclude that the use of wild animals for traditional medicine is widespread in the area regardless of the conservation status of the species. Improved access to effective and affordable health care as well as conservation education is therefore recommended as a long-term solution to prevent the further depletion of wildlife resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental protection principles finding their way into theology do not stop at the edge of our Solar System. Exoplanets orbiting other stars will be visited in the future and will require environmental protections, along with attention to species protections of human crew and any life forms that explorers encounter. This analysis introduces a biblical model for leaving our Solar System, a biological model for morality arising in other biologies, and a philosophical model for the meeting and merging of interstellar civilizations. Advances in warp propulsion systems are reviewed, along with the advances of signal detection, toward the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-wildlife interactions can affect human wellbeing and wildlife population persistence. This paper addresses the perceived impacts of wildlife on agropastoral food production in the Tarangire ecosystem of northern Tanzania. It is based on sixteen months of collaborative ethnographic fieldwork with agropastoral Maasai communities (2019–2020; 2022; 2023), 240 semi-structured interviews, and a household survey (n = 1076). People felt that caterpillars, elephants, and zebras had the most significant effects on crop production, while hyenas were responsible for the bulk of livestock depredation by carnivores. These social costs of wildlife merit further attention from conservation policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife-related recreation is popular throughout the world with Americans spending over $150 billion dollars (U.S.) annually. I have conducted educational workshops (>200 events) to train U.S. landowners in natural resource enterprise management and operations offering recreational hunting, angling, and nature tourism excursions along with conservation management practices to enhance wildlife habitats on their lands. To measure impacts from these workshops, I conducted a comprehensive mail survey study with participants since 2010. Study findings revealed that private landowners who initiated wildlife-related recreational enterprises earned annual incomes and implemented conservation practices on their lands. More targeted training for landowners is recommended to enhance income diversification on privately owned lands and to increase conservation of wildlife habitats, land stewardship, and ecosystem services (i.e., clean water, biodiversity, and conservation zones) beneficial to society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Established with the goal of protecting endangered species, Hemis National Park in Ladakh, India, is a hotspot for trekkers and wildlife tourism. A process of selective legibility operates inside the park, as the conditions that make wildlife legible to the state are effectively rendering residents illegible because the building of infrastructure inside the park is either denied or delayed. Today, residents' subsistence is largely predicated on the conditions of illegibility, as tourism-related incomes have displaced traditional agro-pastoral activities. Residents, however, have strong aspirations for roads, the absence of which complicates life within the national park. As the developing road network threatens to disturb residents' subsistence, they developed a checkpoint, a device that recreates conditions of illegibility by preventing vehicle traffic inside the park. Ultimately, this article calls for attention to the creative ways communities negotiate their relationship with the state when facing a governance over space that leaves them marginalised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulture populations are declining across Africa and the conservation status of Rüppell's Vulture Gyps rueppelli has changed from Near Threatened in 2007 to Critically Endangered in 2015. Its global population was estimated at 30 000 individuals in the early 1990s and since then there have been no accurate estimates. During that period, it was observed that this cliff-nesting species stood out as one of the least studied vultures, particularly within the region of West Africa. During the 1960s there were breeding records of this species in Senegal, but these were later discarded on the ground that they had been misidentified, because they were tree-nesting events. It is noteworthy that, during a period when the decline of known populations and the scarce availability of data on the species is highlighted, Rüppell's Vulture is frequently sighted beyond its typical range, namely in both Europe and southern Africa. In this study, we verify the breeding of Rüppell's Vulture in Senegal, consistently noting nesting on trees. Based on the conducted counts, we provide an estimation of age ratio and conservative values regarding the abundance of the species in the area. We also give information on the characteristics of the nests and on the phenology of reproduction in the area. Finally, we discuss the potential implications for the species of the recently discovered regular movement of Rüppell's Vultures between West Africa and Europe, where the species now breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dung beetles perform essential ecological functions (e.g. nutrient cycling, secondary seed dispersal and parasite control) and are excellent indicators of ecosystem quality. However, in the Amazon region, the biodiversity of these insects is still poorly known. Here, we investigated the dung beetle biodiversity of the southwestern Brazilian Amazon and provide information on the distribution and natural history. We sampled dung beetles using pitfall traps baited with human feces in five forest fragments in municipality of Pimenta Bueno – Rondônia, Western Brazil. In all, 8502 individuals from 58 species of dung beetles were captured. In addition, four species were reported for the first time in the state of Rondônia: Canthon brunneus (Schmidt, 1922), Dendropaemon lydiae, Eurysternus howdeni and Eurysternus ventricosus Gill, 1990. Thirty species were classified as forest specialist, and seven as habitat generalists, suggesting an effect of the expansion of anthropic areas (e.g. introduced pastures) on the forest landscape. Thus, we highlight the need for monitoring the proportion between forest species and open-area species in the study region, in order to investigate a possible biotic homogenization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Peruvian gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus peruanus) is known from scattered localities. Very little information is available on its natural history, habitat requirements and geographic distribution. Also, its conservation status has never been evaluated. We provide a new hypothesis on its distribution limits using species distribution models (SDM), and evaluate for the first time the conservation status of the species. The SDM suggested high suitability for G. peruanus in the Brazilian Shield, indicating continuous suitable areas for the species between the disjunct areas of western Brazil and Bolivia/Peru. Voucher records show that Teles Pires River is not a geographic barrier and the eastern limits still need to be delimited. To the south, the species appears to be limited by the Pantanal wetlands and the Chaco biome, and to the west by the Andes mountains. We suggest that G. peruanus should be globally classified as 'Least Concern.' Nevertheless, the species may be considered as Near Threatened in a near future in Brazil, mainly because it occurs in an area with high rates of deforestation and habitat loss in the Cerrado of western Brazil, thus reinforcing the importance of protecting gallery forests to forest dweller species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Konjac glucomannan consists of D-mannose and D-glucose units and is a hydrocolloid obtained from the corm of Amorphophallus species. Due to its bioactive properties, biodegradability, and hydrophilic ability, glucomannan is widely used in the fields of food, medicine, and industry. Amorphophallus species have been cultivated as cash crops in many Asian countries. Amorphophallus kachinensis Engler & Gehrmann 1911 is naturally distributed in southwestern China, Laos, and northern Thailand. To help the genetic assessment and conservation of this species, the first chloroplast genome of A. kachinensis was sequenced on the Illumina sequencing platform. We assembled the chloroplast genome using the software GetOrganelle and annotated the genome by Geseq and Cpgavas 2. The assembled chloroplast genome was 173,330 bp long, and the average GC content was 35% (GenBank accession number: PP072244). The chloroplast genome of A. kachinensis contained one large single copy, one small single copy, and two inverted repeats, with lengths of 92,030 bp, 15,118 bp, 33,091 bp, and 33,091 bp, respectively. We successfully annotated 132 genes across the genome, which was consistent with other Amorphophallus species. The phylogenetic tree indicates a sub-divergence in the Amorphophallus genus with two main genetic groups detected among eight species. The two genetic groups should be treated as distinct evolutionarily significant units when making conservation strategies. Our study enriched the chloroplast genome resources of the Amorphophallus genus and could help future phylogeographic studies, protection, and utilization of wild resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown-eared bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) is a medium-sized songbird native to East Asia and characterized by its prominent reddish-brown ear-coverts. Previous studies on it have primarily been from the taxonomic and morphological aspects, with limited research in the realm of molecular biology. In this study, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of H. amaurotis, which was the first reported complete mitogenome of the genus Hypsipetes. The mitogenome of H. amaurotis is 17,871 bp in length and was predicted to encode 37 typical mitochondrial genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). Specifically, this mitogenome contains two D-loop control regions that are of similar length and sequencing pattern. A total of 8 Pycnonotidae and six outgroup taxa were used to determine the phylogenetic placement with two methods: Maximum Likelihood Approximation (IQ-TREE) and Bayesian inference (MrBayes). Our findings reveal that H. amaurotis is phylogenetically closely related to Ixos mcclellandii. The outcomes are generally consistent with the phylogenetic trees constructed in previous studies. The data gathered from this research provides valuable insights for future genomic investigations into the evolution, ecology, and conservation of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plumbago zeylanica L. 1753 is a medicinally-important herb in family Plumbaginaceae. In this study, we assembled and reported the complete chloroplast genome of P. zeylanica. The plastome of P. zeylanica was 169,178 bp, including a large single-copy region of 92,135 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 13,455 bp and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 31,794 bp. It contained 124 genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that P. zeylanica formed a close relationship with P. auriculata in Plumbago. The first complete chloroplast genome report of P. zeylanica providing an opportunity to explore the genetic diversity, and would be also helpful in the species identification and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Michael (Mike) Richard Perrin, an academic zoologist, passed away on December 28, 2023, at the age of 77. He had a distinguished career, working in various countries including the UK, Canada, Uganda, and South Africa. Perrin was known for his dedication to his field and his mentoring of young zoologists. He played a significant role in developing the academic department at the University of Natal and later focused his research on African parrot species. Perrin published numerous research papers and made important contributions to the understanding and conservation of wildlife. His legacy lives on through the students and researchers he inspired. [Extracted from the article]

Human actions threaten animal species with extinction at an accelerating rate. Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE) is a key factor in tackling biodiversity loss by preparing future citizens to undertake conservation actions. This study deals with the awareness and the attitudes of 401 primary school students toward wild animals, focusing on local threatened species. Although students appear to have a satisfactory level of awareness of wild animals, they are significantly less aware of local species and confused regarding threatened ones. Bird species gain the lowest recognition. Habitat transformation and climate change are not well-known threats. Students have primarily naturalistic, and ecologistic attitudes. They like animals mainly due to their perceived appearance, intelligence and being in danger of extinction, while they dislike them based on the threat they pose to humans and other animals. The findings can inspire ESE practitioners to develop effective educational programs for wild animal conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myricaria wardii Marquand 1929, endemic to the Tibet Plateau, is a perennial shrub with important medicinal and ecological values. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of M. wardii was assembled, and the phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to evaluate the phylogenetic location of the species. The results showed that the cp genome size of the M. wardii was 155,299 bp, which contained a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions (26,150 bp), a large single copy (LSC) region (84,715 bp), and a small single copy (SSC) region (18,284 bp). The total GC content of the cp genome was 36.30%. A total of 128 genes were annotated, consisting of 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that M. wardii was closely related to M. prostrata. This study provides useful information for the conservation of this species and the phylogenetic analysis of Tamaricaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artabotrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhandari, 1965, an evergreen climbing shrub of significant value, is prominent in Chinese history and culture. The whole-gene sequencing of its chloroplast genome using Illumina pair-end sequencing data is conducted during this research. The complete chloroplast genome was determined to be 178,457 bp in size, separated by a large single copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) region of 90,803 and 3,066 bp, respectively. A total of 134 genes were identified, including 90 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between A. hexapetalus and Artabotrys pilosus, forming a sister branch with 100% support. The study suggests that the chloroplast genome of A. hexapetalus provides valuable insights into its evolutionary history and will contribute to the conservation efforts of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife conservation aims to protect the natural world, plant and animal species, and the habitats they form part of and rely on for survival. More particularly, it focuses on species that are considered important, be it from economic, ecological and other perspectives, and preventing harm to these species. While conservation activities, based on common conservation values such as species fitness and biodiversity, are no doubt beneficial to animals in general, there seems to be a fundamental disjoint between this approach and the mainstay of current ethical theories regarding animals, which focus on the treatment and welfare of individual entities. I will argue that the conflict between wildlife conservation and animal ethics arises both in the aims, as well as the application of conservation. In its aims, the focus on species as a whole often comes at a cost to individual animals, and in its application individual animals are often harmed as well. To demonstrate these two points, I will use the case study of the cloning and reintroduction of the currently extinct northern white rhino. I will then conclude that wildlife conservation, while aiming to benefit animals, is fundamentally at odds with any animal ethic that considers individual wellbeing as central. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first cases of leucism in Ceratophrys stolzmanni larvae. The leucistic individuals were recorded in an ex-situ population for conservation and research of the species, within the Conservation Initiative for Threatened Amphibians "Balsa de los Sapos" [Raft for Frogs] at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. These individuals presented different color traits from those of the same cohort and as they grew older their uniform white coloration was defined. The leucistic individuals died as tadpoles, after time periods that exceeded the ones reported and recorded for ending metamorphosis in the species, suggesting a link between the absence of pigmentation and a potential malfunction of the thyroid gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic seasons have been shown to determine the temporal fluctuations in species communities of different ecosystems. Here, we assessed the diversity of spider assemblages in dry, transition and rainy seasons in the "Guillermo Piñeres" Botanical Garden (GPBG), Turbaco, Colombia. We collected spider assemblages between June 2018 and April 2019 through standardized day and night sampling methods for tropical ecosystems: looking up, looking down, beating and leaf litter sieving. In total, we collected 1585 individuals, belonging to 28 families and 112 (morpho) species. We calculated the effective species richness (Hill numbers) to evaluate the changes in diversity across seasons and used clustering and ordination methods (Jaccard index-based nMDS) to identify differences in the composition of the assemblages. Also, we compared the abundance and species richness of predatory guilds of the three seasons. The transition season showed the highest diversity with 94 morphospecies, an effective number of species of 48.7 and a dominance of 32.4 effective species. The clustering and ordination methods grouped the sampling events into three groups, each corresponding to a climatic season. The most abundant guild was the orb web weavers, with the highest value in the rainy season, while "other hunters" were the most species rich. Our results indicate that the spider assemblages in GPBG present a seasonal variation in diversity, probably influenced by climatic conditions. Understanding how these seasonal changes occur is necessary to develop forest management strategies for monitoring and management projects on the conservation of species assemblages according to the Convention on Biological Diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Equus comprises six species and 22 subspecies. Ethiopia is the only country in the world that has all three surviving species of zebra. The population status, structure, and seasonal range of Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) were studied in the Hallaydeghe Asebot Protected Area (HAPA), southeast Ethiopia, using line transects and silent detection methods. Data were collected from 2021 to 2022 covering both the wet and dry seasons. The seasonal range of Grevy's zebra was studied using the minimum convex polygon method. We counted 89 and 61 Grevy's zebra during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The total population size was estimated to be 75 individuals with a 95% confidence interval of 60–90 individuals. The adult to sub-adult ratio was 3.1:1.0 during the wet season and 4:1 during the dry season. The sex ratio of adult female to adult male was 5:1 during the wet season and 4:1 during the dry season. The seasonal range of the species in the HAPA was 477 km2 (n = 89) during the wet season and 711 km2 (n = 61) during the dry season. During the dry season Grevy's zebra move out of the protected area to the Blen hot spring and its associated wetlands for green grazing and water. Hence, further study is needed on the possibility of incorporating the Blen hot spring and its associated wetlands into the protected area to promote the sustainable conservation of the species in the HAPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources has protocols for identifying landscapes for conservation but lacks clear guidelines for mapping areas of interest. To augment the procedure, we explored using Multi-Criteria Overlay Raster Analysis that scores the best available data from a watershed to identify potential Critical Habitat or Protected Areas. The algorithm deducts potential areas for wildlife habitation from areas that contribute to conservation conflicts, resulting in a potential 'safe zone' for conservation. The framework is applied to a case study in a watershed in the southern Philippines and produces a gradient score to determine the most suitable to least suitable areas for conservation. By using the best available data and local perspectives, the synthesized methodological framework was found to be useful in the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species are ranked as one of the leading drivers of global biodiversity loss. To mitigate their impact, we must understand the future risks caused by invasive species, particularly to flora of conservation concern. Here we used species distribution modelling (SDM) to project the current and future (RCP45 and RCP85 2050) distributions of four deer species and 13 plant species of conservation concern for the island of Ireland, quantifying changes in distributions and overlap. Large areas of suitable habitat for the deer species were predicted with high accuracy across all counties, with future climate scenarios identifying an expansion in sika deer distributions and a decrease in muntjac and fallow deer distributions. Red deer declined under the moderate climate change scenario but increased under the worst-case projection. Future projections predicted the (local) extinction of six (out of 13) endangered and vulnerable plant species. An expansion in distributions was observed for four plant species; however, these areas had large overlap with the future predictions of deer, placing further pressures on these plant species. These findings suggest that targeted conservation and management measures are required to alleviate the pressures on 'at-risk' plant species due to grazing from native and non-native deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It's essential to identify the priority conservation species in the habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation. Generally, people select the valuable fishes or the commercial fishes as target species in basins, according to experts' experience rather than the scientific evaluation. With the influence of urban development, construction of water conservancy facilities and human activities, the river habitat of the Shaying River (Xuchang section) is poor. Fish conservation studies play an important part in the habitat restoration of this river section. Thus, we studied the evaluation method for the priority protection of fishes based on multiple ecological dimensions. The method including six multidimensional indicators, namely, habitat suitability, ecological stability, species endangerment criteria, intensity of human interference, genetic value, and species value. Then, we determined the indicator weights by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and assessed the protection priority of fishes based on various assessment criteria and comprehensive qualitative or quantitative analyses. The result shows that Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Opsariichthys bidens, and Culter alburnus Basilewsky have priority for protection, coinciding with the status in the basin. Overall, this study complements the existing indicator species selection methods, and is more scientific and comprehensive, providing an effective method for priority protection species and river habitat restoration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porella gracillima Mitt. (Jungermanniidae, Porellaceae), a bryophyte is widespread in temperate Asia and North America. In Korea, P. gracillima is mainly observed in shaded and dried rocks or tree trunks on mountains. Here, we determined the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of P. gracillima to provide useful genetic information in the phylogenetic relationship, phylogeographic history, and conservation of the species. The complete cp genome of P. gracillima was assembled using NGS Illumina HiSeqX platform. The cp genome was 121,867 bp in length (GC contents, 33.7%) and showed a typical quadripartite structure, consisting of a large single copy (LSC) of 83,406 bp, a small single copy (SSC) of 19,692 bp, and two inverted repeats (IRs) of 9,385 bp. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Porellaceae was a sister group of Radulaceae, which agrees with the findings of the previous phylogenetic studies. Our cp genome data of P. gracillima may contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of the Porella in Porellaceae and will help to infer its molecular identification, thereby providing a guideline for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of many species may be hampered by a lack of sufficient ecological data. This study is aimed at assessing the population status of the giant eland (Tragelaphus derbianus gigas) in the BoubaNdjidda National Park (BNNP). From May to September 2021, 90 line transects spaced at 2.5 km were established, with 83 of them being census-walked once. The data collected were analysed using Distance 7.2 and QGIS software. The encounter rate of giant eland sightings was 1.91 elands/km, while the encounter rate for signs of giant eland activity was 2.11 dung/km; 0.89 footprints/km, and 0.02 carcasses/km. The abundance was estimated at 2924 individuals, with a density of 1.329 individuals/km2. The giant eland population was mainly concentrated in the central part of the park while human activities were mainly concentrated in the periphery. We also observed that poaching and transhumance/pastoralism were the most common human activities in the park. Our results revealed that human activities negatively impact the antelope's density and distribution in the BNNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotions pervade human-wildlife relationships across social identities and cultures. Yet research on how emotions influence the cognitive processing of wildlife encounters remains sparse. In this study, we quantify the role of anticipated emotions in processing hypothetical encounters with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In 2021, we surveyed Indiana residents about deer and deer management (n = 1.806). Under four hypothetical deer encounters, we estimated the structural relationships among respondents' general attitudes toward deer, mutualism wildlife beliefs, scenario-specific emotions, and scenario-specific lethal control acceptability. Emotions mediated 14% of the effect of general attitudes on lethal control acceptability when encountering a fawn and completely mediated this effect when encountering a diseased deer. Our findings suggest that emotions work together with cognitions to process stimuli in a human-wildlife encounter and make a normative decision. Accounting for emotions in decision-making will help practitioners develop more effective and socially accepted approaches to wildlife conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earlier research suggests social identity's association with environmental attitudes and behaviors and identifies several social-identity-based strategies that can potentially foster pro-environment behaviors. This paper examines whether and how social identities are associated with support for pro-environment policies. Using our survey of 1,804 randomly selected respondents, we seek to analyze how group identities are associated with demographic characteristics and value orientations of citizens in the American West, and how these group identities are associated with support for policies aimed at resource development (supply expansion) versus conservation (demand reduction) of energy and water resources. Findings from cluster analysis and binary logistic regression models indicate a significant association between social identity and policy preferences. Respondents who strongly identify themselves as environmentalists, conservationists, and wildlife advocates are more likely to support conservation policies and less likely to support resource development policies compared to those who strongly identify as hunters, fishers, and property rights activists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds are one of the best-described taxa, but detailed knowledge about most bird species in Ethiopia remains rare, which hinders the development and evaluation of conservation strategies in the region. In this study, we estimated bird species diversity and abundance in the Suba Forest area (comprising natural forest and adjacent plantation forest and farmland) in central Ethiopia, during the dry and wet seasons in 2021. Bird data were collected using line transects or point counts in each habitat type. Two-way ANOVA was applied to evaluate the effect of habitat and season on bird species richness and abundance. A total of 132 bird species belonging to 51 families were recorded during the study. Of these, 124 are residents, 4 are endemic to Ethiopia, 11 are endemic to Ethiopia and Eritrea, and 4 are near endemics (one largely confined to Ethiopia and the others with their core populations in Ethiopia and Eritrea). Habitat type and season both had significant effects on species abundance and richness. Species diversity was highest in natural forest during the wet season, and lowest in farmland during the dry season. Plantation forest and farmland shared similar avian communities, with both being human-altered habitats in close proximity to each other. Native forest supported the highest number of bird species, which confirms the Suba Forest area's great potential for biodiversity conservation and sustainable wildlife tourism. Continuous monitoring of this area and effective implementation of conservation measures will provide beneficial outcomes for not only avifauna but other taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study sought to broaden the scope of inquiry into factors influencing human-wildlife coexistence beyond immediately tangible wildlife impacts and challenges with flagship wildlife species. Maasai pastoralists in Laikipia County, Kenya, were interviewed regarding challenges with wildlife, particularly perceptions of disease transmission from wildlife to domestic livestock. Responses revealed experiences with numerous diseases and multiple perceived associations between wildlife and livestock disease. Responses aligned with prior research that elephants severely compromise pastoralists' well-being, but concerns were overwhelmingly articulated as fear affecting daily activities rather than in more directly quantifiable terms. Findings did not indicate concerns with lions, despite their focus in scholarship and conservation initiatives. Responses indicated the need to view human-wildlife coexistence more broadly to include species beyond iconic wildlife, and to recognize that subjective concerns (e.g., fear, disease transmission to livestock) in addition to quantifiable events (e.g., human deaths, livestock predation) might affect attitudes toward wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]