A global reptile assessment highlights shared conservation needs of tetrapods

Nature, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 605(7909), P. 285 - 290

Published: April 27, 2022

Comprehensive assessments of species' extinction risks have documented the crisis1 and underpinned strategies for reducing those risks2. Global reveal that, among tetrapods, 40.7% amphibians, 25.4% mammals 13.6% birds are threatened with extinction3. Because global been lacking, reptiles omitted from conservation-prioritization analyses that encompass other tetrapods4-7. Reptiles unusually diverse in arid regions, suggesting they may different conservation needs6. Here we provide a comprehensive extinction-risk assessment show at least 1,829 out 10,196 species (21.1%) threatened-confirming previous extrapolation8 representing 15.6 billion years phylogenetic diversity. by same major factors threaten tetrapods-agriculture, logging, urban development invasive species-although threat posed climate change remains uncertain. inhabiting forests, where these threats strongest, more than habitats, contrary to our prediction. Birds, amphibians unexpectedly good surrogates reptiles, although smallest ranges tend be isolated tetrapods. Although some reptiles-including most crocodiles turtles-require urgent, targeted action prevent extinctions, efforts protect such as habitat preservation control trade species, will probably also benefit many reptiles.

Language: Английский

---

The global distribution of known and undiscovered ant biodiversity

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(31)

Published: Aug. 3, 2022

Invertebrates constitute the majority of animal species and are critical for ecosystem functioning services. Nonetheless, global invertebrate biodiversity patterns their congruences with vertebrates remain largely unknown. We resolve first high-resolution (~20-km) diversity map a major clade, ants, using informatics, range modeling, machine learning to synthesize existing knowledge predict distribution undiscovered diversity. find that ants different vertebrate groups have distinct features in richness rarity, underscoring need consider taxa conservation. However, despite phylogenetic physiological divergence, ant distributions not highly anomalous relative variation among clades. Furthermore, our models rarity centers overlap (78%), suggesting general forces shape endemism across taxa. This raises confidence conservation areas important small-ranged will benefit invertebrates while providing “treasure map” guide future discovery.

Language: Английский

---

Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity: Evolution, distribution, and use

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 378(6623)

Published: Dec. 1, 2022

Madagascar's biota is hyperdiverse and includes exceptional levels of endemicity. We review the current state knowledge on past terrestrial freshwater biodiversity by compiling presenting comprehensive data species diversity, endemism, rates description human uses, in addition to an updated simplified map vegetation types. report a substantial increase records new science recent years; however, diversity evolution many groups remain practically unknown (e.g., fungi most invertebrates). Digitization efforts are increasing resolution richness patterns we highlight crucial role field- collections-based research for advancing identifying gaps our understanding, particularly as corresponds closely collection effort. Phylogenetic mirror that endemism analyzed groups. humid forests centers because their refugia rapid radiations. However, distinct other areas, such grassland-woodland mosaic Central Highlands spiny forest southwest, also biologically important despite lower richness. The documented uses Malagasy manifold, with much potential uncovering useful traits food, medicine, climate mitigation. presented here showcase Madagascar unique "living laboratory" understanding complex interactions between people nature. gathering analysis must continue accelerate if fully understand safeguard this subset Earth's biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

Undescribed species have higher extinction risk than known species

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 15(3)

Published: Feb. 21, 2022

Abstract Newly discovered species are often threatened with extinction but in many cases have received limited conservation effort. To guide future conservation, it is important to determine the risk of newly described species. Here, we test how time since formal description a linked its threat status obtain better insight into possible and as yet undescribed We compiled IUCN Red List data for 53,808 from five vertebrate groups 1758. Extinction more recently has increased significantly over time; proportion among 11.9% between 1758 1767 30.0% those 2011 2020. Based on projections our analysis, this could further increase 47.1% by 2050. The pattern consistent across taxonomic biomes. Current rates estimated all known therefore highly likely be underestimated. Intensive fieldwork boost discovery new immediate action species, especially tropical areas, urgently required.

Language: Английский

---

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(16), P. 3495 - 3504.e4

Published: July 19, 2023

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding how ecological communities respond environmental change across time space.3,4 While increasing availability global databases on has advanced knowledge biodiversity sensitivity changes,5,6,7 vast areas tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In American tropics, Amazonia stands out as world's most diverse rainforest primary source Neotropical biodiversity,12 but remains among least known forests in America often underrepresented databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces Amazon's puzzle before we can use them understand are responding. increase generalization applicability knowledge,18,19 thus crucial reduce biases research, particularly regions projected face pronounced changes. We integrate community metadata 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups machine learning model framework map research probability Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying region's vulnerability change. 15%-18% neglected expected experience severe climate or land changes by 2050. This means that unless take immediate action, will not be able establish their current status, much less monitor changing what being lost.

Language: Английский

---

How many species will Earth lose to climate change?

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Climate change may be an important threat to global biodiversity, potentially leading the extinction of numerous species. But how many? There have been various attempts answer this question, sometimes yielding strikingly different estimates. Here, we review these estimates, assess their disagreements and methodology, explore might reach better Large‐scale studies estimated ~1% sampled species up ~70%, even when using same approach (species distribution models; SDMs). Nevertheless, worst‐case estimates often converge near 20%–30% loss, many differences shrink similar assumptions. We perform a new recent SDM studies, which show ~17% loss climate under scenarios. However, shows that are biased by excluding most vulnerable (those known from few localities), lead underestimating loss. Conversely, our analyses responses fundamental assumption species' climatic niches do not over time, frequently violated. For example, find mean rates positive thermal niche across ~0.02°C/year. Yet, still slower than projected ~3–4 fold. Finally, levels can combining group‐specific with projections richness (including cryptic insect species). These preliminary tentatively forecast climate‐related 14%–32% macroscopic in next ~50 years, including 3–6 million (or more) animal plant species, intermediate

Language: Английский

---

Next‐generation species delimitation and taxonomy: Implications for biogeography

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(9), P. 1709 - 1722

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

Abstract An accurate species‐level taxonomy is paramount for biogeographical research, and conversely, data are of importance species delimitation. We here review recent developments future perspectives direct relevance biogeographers. The understanding that independently evolving segments population‐level lineages, the rise integrative approaches to delimit such advent high‐throughput sequencing have considerably renewed discipline taxonomy. Using genome‐scale molecular datasets, extent admixture across hybrid zones can now be effectively assessed evolutionary independence lineages inferred, leading more reliable comparable delimitation criteria. Substantially divergent but admixing phylogeographical conveniently named as subspecies, thus avoiding taxonomic oversplitting inflation. At same time, comprehensive DNA barcoding metabarcoding efforts uncovering an enormous proportion undiscovered biotic diversity, we encourage development bioinformatic pipelines combine discovery with diagnosis scientific naming, approach a inventory globe without abandoning established Linnaean system.

Language: Английский

---

Plant diversity darkspots for global collection priorities

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 244(2), P. 719 - 733

Published: Aug. 16, 2024

Summary More than 15% of all vascular plant species may remain scientifically undescribed, and many the > 350 000 described have no or few geographic records documenting their distribution. Identifying understanding taxonomic knowledge shortfalls is key to prioritising future collection conservation efforts. Using extensive data for 343 523 time‐to‐event analyses, we conducted multiple tests related shortfalls, identified 33 global diversity darkspots (those ‘botanical countries’ predicted contain most undescribed not yet recorded species). We defined priority regions according several socio‐economic environmental scenarios. Most are found within biodiversity hotspots, with exception New Guinea. identify Colombia, Myanmar, Guinea, Peru, Philippines Turkey as priorities under conditions considered. Our study provides a flexible framework help accelerate documentation implementation actions. As digitisation world's herbaria progresses, soon be identifiable at finer scales.

Language: Английский

---

Species out of sight: elucidating the determinants of research effort in global reptiles

Ecography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(3)

Published: Jan. 5, 2023

More than two million species have been described so far, but our knowledge on most taxa remains scarce or inexistent, and the available biodiversity data is often taxonomically, phylogenetically spatially biased. Unevenness in research effort across regions can interact with biases compromise ability to properly study conserve biodiversity. Herein, we assess influence of biological, conservation, geographic socioeconomic correlates reptile globally six biogeographic realms. We combine bibliometric from Scopus database trait‐based approaches provide information for 10 531 species, modelling it as a function putative species‐level variation through negative binomial generalised mixed effect models. show that highly skewed toward certain regions, such turtles, crocodiles, tuatara, viperids, pythons some anguimorph lizards, well temperate compared tropical regions. Our findings indicate greater attention directed towards large‐sized early particularly those whose range overlap institutions. Although demonstrate biological factors more strongly affect variation, geography conservation‐related also matter. Global patterns are mostly consistent, realms were observed likely reflects differences attributes amount be studied each realm. Directing researchers citizen scientists' understudied will contribute alleviate this biased knowledge, although sheer inevitably makes long‐term solution. Performing comparative studies similar levels could represent immediate feasible alternative.

Language: Английский

---

A global analysis of habitat fragmentation research in reptiles and amphibians: what have we done so far?

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(2), P. 439 - 468

Published: Jan. 8, 2023

Abstract Habitat change and fragmentation are the primary causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Recent decades have seen a surge funding, published papers citations in field as these threats to continue rise. However, how research directions agenda evolving this remains poorly understood. In study, we examined current state on habitat (due agriculture, logging, fragmentation, urbanisation roads) pertaining two most threatened vertebrate groups, reptiles amphibians. We did so by conducting global scale review geographical taxonomical trends types, associated sampling methods response variables. Our analyses revealed number biases with existing efforts being focused three continents (e.g., North America, Europe Australia) surplus studies measuring species richness abundance. saw shift towards utilising technological advancements including genetic spatial data analyses. findings suggest important associations between prevalent variables but not types fragmentation. These agendas found homogeneously distributed across all continents. Increased investment appropriate techniques is crucial hotpots such tropics where unprecedented herpetofauna exist.

Language: Английский

---