Generation length of the world's amphibians and reptiles

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 24, 2024

Abstract Variation in life histories influences demographic processes from adaptive changes to population declines leading extinction. Among history traits, generation length offers a critical feature forecast species’ trajectories such as (widely used by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and adaptability environmental change over time. Therefore, estimates are crucial monitor stability or future highly threatened organisms, particularly ectothermic tetrapods (amphibians reptiles) – which rank among most groups but for uncertainty impacts remains high. Despite its importance, amphibians reptiles is largely missing. Here, we aimed fill-in this gap modeling lengths amphibians, squamates testudines function species size, climate, history, phylogeny using generalized additive models phylogenetic least squares. We obtained 4,543 (52%) 8,464 (72%) 118 (32%) testudines. Our performed well families, example Bufonidae Lacertidae Colubridae Geoemydidae testudines, while found high around prediction few notably Chamaeleonidae. Species’ body size mean temperature were main predictors all groups. Although our not meant substitute robust validated measurements field studies natural museums, they can help reduce existing biases conservation assessments until data will be comprehensively available.

Language: Английский

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Foraging mode affects extinction risk of snakes and lizards, but in different ways

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(5)

Published: Aug. 29, 2023

Abstract What factors render a species more vulnerable to extinction? In reptiles, foraging mode is fundamental ecological dimension: some actively search for immobile prey, whereas others ambush mobile prey. Foraging linked diet, morphology, movement ecology, and reproductive output, hence plausibly might affect vulnerability threatening processes. Our analyses of data on 1543 taxa revealed links between (IUCN) conservation status, but in opposite directions the two main squamate groups. Ambush‐foraging snakes were threatened with declining populations than active searchers, lizards showed reverse pattern. This divergence may be differing consequences feeding rates frequency versus lizards. findings underscore need taxon‐specific management, particularly groups such as reptiles that have been neglected global prioritization.

Language: Английский

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A Novel Future-Focused Threat Index Highlights Unrecognized Species Extinction Risks Globally

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Human environmental pressures will intensify rapidly during the 21st century globally. However, most widely used extinction risk assessment, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Threatened Species is predominantly based on past and current threatening processes. Here, we develop a continuous index (the Proactive Index - PCI) that incorporates projected future threats to species their traits. We PCI assess 33,560 land vertebrates worldwide, compared our results IUCN List, examined spatial phylogenetic patterns PCI. found median scores broadly follow order expected under classification, but varied substantially across within each category. Non-Evaluated, Data Deficient, Near had similar in threatened categories with reptiles being group vertebrates. Furthermore, enabled us highlight rainforests savannas Africa South America as ecoregions. Lastly, produced user-friendly web application an R package enable users calculate taxa regions choice, customize according severity predicted importance any particular attributes. Our new tools provided can help practitioners prioritize fine-scale conservation actions also light threats.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of the installation of basking banks on four UK reptile species in a before–after control–intervention experiment

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 17, 2024

Abstract Reptiles are often overlooked in conservation efforts. Hence, long‐term population data is unavailable, and evidence for effective actions that improve reptile habitat remains scarce most species. Here we used a before–after control–intervention (BACI) experiment to investigate the impact of basking bank creation on four co‐occurring species: European adder, barred grass snake, slow worm, viviparous lizard. Long‐term refuge monitoring at UK wildlife reserve allowed assessment before after modification. Only lizards were observed banks within 12 months construction. In subsequent years, snake observations increased near worms first time, while adder away from decreased banks. Our small‐scale BACI study suggests attracted snakes surrounding area, which saw corresponding increase sightings.

Language: Английский

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Habitat loss and degradation reduce the abundance of the glossy grass skink, Pseudemoia rawlinsoni

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(3)

Published: March 15, 2024

Context Habitat loss and degradation are major drivers of biodiversity worldwide. In particular, wetland environments being removed degraded faster than any other terrestrial habitat on earth. The wetlands has been particularly pronounced in south-eastern Australia. Aims Here we investigated the impact Data Deficient glossy grass skink (Pseudemoia rawlinsoni), a species that predominantly favours vegetation Methods We established artificial cover-object (roofing tiles) survey grids paired remnant disturbed sites at six locations across Victoria, Australia, surveyed for skinks between November 2021 April 2022. Key results Sites which occur characterised by tall dense vegetation, with high cover matted biomass. Thermal profiles within these complex structures remain much cooler during hot days, warmer cold nights, external temperatures. Nearby (i.e. grazed or mowed areas dispersal distance sites) generally devoid skinks, have very low structurally simple (open) thermal regimes offer lizards no respite from summer found roofing tiles an effective way to skinks; even cool cloudy temperature tiles, sheltering beneath them, often higher ambient Conclusions These findings implicate as having substantial negative presence abundance; largely avoid areas, immediately adjacent habitat. This may be driven not simply removal structures, but consequent optimal buffer afforded such structures. Implications Our study emphasises threat pose throughout world.

Language: Английский

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A targeted study to determine the conservation status of a Data Deficient montane lizard, the Eungella shadeskink (Saproscincus eungellensis)

Pacific Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(6)

Published: Oct. 29, 2024

Context Combatting biodiversity loss is often hamstrung by a lack of species-specific knowledge. Species considered Data Deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List are poorly understood and neglected in conservation investment, despite evidence they threatened. Reptiles have highest percentage DD species for any terrestrial vertebrate group. Aims We aimed to assess status Eungella shadeskink (Saproscincus eungellensis), which endemic National Park, Queensland, Australia. Methods A combination targeted field survey, ecological studies, distribution modelling were used. Key results Saproscincus eungellensis typically occurred within 25 m streams, at elevations between 700 1000 m. The thigmothermic, with low active body temperature (~23–26°C) was predominantly observed rocks fallen palm fronds. has highly restricted an estimated Area Occupancy 36 km2 Extent Occurrence 81.7 km2, comprising one location (defined threat climate change) 16,352–52,892 mature individuals. main threats fire, invasive alien change, forecast lose all suitable habitat 2080 under change scenarios. Conclusions meets listing criteria Critically Endangered Criterion B International Union Conservation Nature. Implications Our support recent studies indicating that some approach provides template conducting determine species, especially those ranges.

Language: Английский

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Les serpents « sentinelles » de la qualité des habitats : vers une meilleure prise en compte des vipères dans les espaces naturels gérés

Naturae, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2025(1)

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

Les reptiles sont particulièrement exposés à la dégradation des habitats une échelle mondiale et encore victimes de biais perception méconnaissance. travaux récents montrent l’importance microhabitats pour les notamment dans le contexte l’intensification pratiques changements climatique en cours. Le fort déclin constaté Europe Vipère péliade (Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758)) aspic aspis souligne vulnérabilité ces espèces leur rôle indicateur. Dans ce il est important d’évaluer prise considération au sein espaces naturels gérés. résultats d’une vaste enquête France Belgique (Wallonie) ont révélé que sur 208 sites gérés, 60 % gestionnaires connaissance moyenne ou mauvaise deux peu mises place suivis (50 25 aspic). Cette faible compte entraîne incapacité évaluer tendance populations vipères sites. cas où constatée par gestionnaire, cause plus souvent inconnue. De plus, près trois quarts gérés connues ne bénéficient pas d’actions ciblées préservation. essentiels maintien biodiversité devient urgent prendre besoins gestion. Des mesures simples visant maintenir hétérogénéité peuvent être efficaces.

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