State of knowledge for invasive green iguanas in Florida reveals negative impacts and pervasive research needs

Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: March 26, 2025

Green iguanas ( Iguana iguana ), large-bodied lizards native to South and Central America, have established multiple invasive populations worldwide. Where established, green negative impacts on private property, agriculture horticulture, infrastructure human safety, the natural environment. Most attempts formally quantify of been conducted in Puerto Rico, or are limited singular reports. Florida since 1966 currently pose a high management concern which must be informed by research control methods. Impact data from justify these efforts often anecdotal out date. Here we present contemporary review known potential sectors over time space. We leverage accessed various stakeholders, including nuisance wildlife report collected Fish Wildlife Commission’s Management Section, conflict reports USDA Services Information System, strike Federal Aviation Administration, fault energy companies, observations resource managers. identify important knowledge gaps quantifying scope magnitude necessary guide future actions.

Language: Английский

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Establishing Conservation Priorities for Reptiles in the South of the Pampas Ecoregion of Argentina

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 50(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Reptile populations are declining worldwide, making their conservation crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Conservation efforts must go beyond establishing Protected Natural Areas, particularly in urbanised regions or areas impacted by human activity. This study aims to identify priorities reptiles the Tandilia Mountains, a grassland ecosystem of Argentina. Seven patches native within Mountains were selected, evaluated and ranked using four metrics: biodiversity value, pressure, available habitat exotic vegetation. Several actions proposed based on these metrics. In central region, such as developing sustainable grazing programmes, restoration, land expansion, policy changes raising awareness necessary. For remnants northern sector, best strategy is expand existing Reserves, while southern restoration priority. Our results confirm build upon previous studies that identified insufficient protected surface area safeguard reptile current Area system Tandilia. highlights need diverse tailored specific landscape scenarios. Furthermore, our findings underscore importance integrated planning provide foundation future research ensure long‐term viability Mountains. Protecting will also contribute preserving interacts with them. These insights aim guide decision‐makers, government agencies conservationists safeguarding unique

Language: Английский

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Habitat suitability and connectivity modelling predict a latitudinal-driven expansion in the Mediterranean basin for a historically introduced reptile

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(2)

Published: March 6, 2024

Abstract Species introductions outside their native ranges, often driven by trade and other anthropogenic activities, present significant ecological challenges. Reptiles, frequently traded as pets for attractiveness, are particularly susceptible to such introductions, leading shifts in distribution patterns potential impacts. The common chameleon ( Chamaeleo chamaeleon ), which has been historically introduced several European countries, is an example, yet no overall assessments available date this species. In study, we used niche models assess habitat suitability the Mediterranean basin current future scenarios. Concurrently, circuit theory techniques were employed evaluate connectivity two areas. We identified areas of high dispersal corridors regions. Our results reveal a latitudinal gradient changes, with species facing both expansion decline different parts its range, depending on ecozone considered. Severe declines noted southeastern Spain, Tunisia, Israel, while increases westwards Portugal, Morocco, Southern Italy. These insights contribute better understanding chameleon’s dynamics, providing foundation targeted management conservation efforts. study highlights importance integrating modelling predict identify critical effective strategies. Considering ongoing challenges posed human-mediated dispersals chameleon, our research establishes studies enhance elusive

Language: Английский

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Bees travelling south: Climate‐induced range shifts and suitable habitat losses in south‐eastern neotropics

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(11), P. 2259 - 2273

Published: Aug. 15, 2024

Abstract Aim To provide an assessment of climate change impacts on a set wild pollinators restricted to one the regions with greatest diversity bees in world. Also, we aimed test whether functional groups responded differently projections. Location South‐eastern South America (SES). Taxon Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae sensu lato). Methods We selected 18 species mostly SES region, modelled their distributions and assessed possible near future (2050) richness shifts range centroids. Potential related different were evaluated through t ‐tests. Results was projected decrease northernmost increase southward. Most bee predicted shift centroids towards south‐west south, while suitable stable areas found southern Brazil. also higher proportional losses for eusocial compared solitary ones, generalists showed slightly lower gains than specialists. Main Conclusion are likely undergo changes future, at northern portions southward increases. The identified Brazil underscore importance conservation efforts particularly natural grasslands – endangered habitat high diversity. Although our results suggest vulnerability traditionally considered more resilient, it is essential acknowledge that other factors, including mutualists availability, behavioural particularities, phenology size, must be determinants ongoing change.

Language: Английский

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Assessing spatial and temporal trends over time in potential species richness using satellite time-series and ecological niche models

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 26, 2024

Assessing biodiversity in protected areas is crucial. However, conventional methods for estimating species richness can lead to inaccurate assessments of these regions. To address this, we present a complementary approach assess potential at finer resolution (1 km) the special conservation area Montesinho/Nogueira (SAC-MN; Portugal), based on spatial and temporal estimates trends over time (2001–2021). We compiled 10,190 occurrence records from four taxonomic groups: amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals. created correlative ecological niche models (MaxEnt) with series satellite-remote sensing variables (SRS-ENMs) using solely Google Earth Engine (GEE). calculated annual (PSR) maps by stacking SRS-ENMs identified positive negative Mann-Kendall test. Individual species’ indicated distinct habitat suitability within SAC-MN time. The eastern western boundaries revealed an increase PSR, while central PSR declines. Each group displayed different PSR: birds mammals were more similar between them than amphibians reptiles. This serves as valuable instrument ecologists conservationists, assisting evaluating remote sensing. Furthermore, it provides meaningful insights subsequent analysis order inform decision-makers other stakeholders enhance local efforts.

Language: Английский

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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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Global hotspots of butterfly diversity in a warming world

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 6, 2024

Insects and their many ecosystem functions are in decline threatened by climate change^1,2, yet lack of globally comprehensive information limits the understanding management this crisis³. Here we use butterflies as a global model insect system^4–7 uncover strong coincidence diversity threat. Integrating phylogenetic geographic range data for 12,119 species, find that centers butterfly richness, rarity, unusually concentrated tropical sub-tropical mountain systems. Mountains⁸ hold 3.5 times more hotspots (top 5%) than lowlands two thirds species primarily mountain-dwelling. Only small portion (14%-54%) these overlap with those ants, terrestrial vertebrates vascular plants, spatial rapidly decreases above 2,000 m elevation where uniquely concentrated. The geographically restricted temperature conditions locations now put at extreme risk from warming. We project 64% butterflies’ niche space realms will erode 2070. Our study identifies critical conservation needs illustrates how consideration systems is key assessing managing biodiversity loss warming world.

Language: Английский

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A misleading tail: A long-term study of reptile responses to multiple disturbances undermined by a change in surveying techniques

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(6), P. e0305518 - e0305518

Published: June 14, 2024

Long-term ecological monitoring is crucial to understanding the complex dynamics of ecosystems, communities, and populations. Despite this, data are lacking or rare for vast majority biodiversity. Here we report results 19 years (2003–2022) continuous annual reptile species at Booderee National Park (BNP) on east coast south-eastern Australia. We tested effects time, habitat type, fire, climate detections five species. Our study revealed declines in two skink over time ( Lampropholis delicata Ctenotus taeniolatus ), which suspect was partly driven by weather conditions influencing activity these also identified broad vegetation type associations congeneric with L . being associated forested sites, guichenoti more shrubby sites. demonstrated a clear association between Cryptophis nigrescens probabilities detection both decreasing since fire short term. At about midway point our (in 2011), were forced make change way collected. The heavily influenced findings, so breached integrity series dataset. acknowledge that simple but step mitigate this breach would have been conduct calibration allowed subsequent analysis control field survey methodology. Whilst improvements effectiveness methods might be possible through new technologies, it maintain long-term datasets as collection continues.

Language: Английский

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Behavioural thermoregulation prevents thermal stress in lizard sperm fertility

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(6)

Published: Oct. 29, 2024

Abstract Global warming is threatening ectotherms, with strong repercussions on their population dynamics. Body temperature in ectotherm reptiles crucial to perform all biological functions, which are maximized within a narrow interval. When faced new or adverse thermal conditions, will respond distributional changes, behavioural adjustments maintain internal temperature, by adapting the environment, otherwise, extinctions occur. Higher temperatures may have negative repercussions, for example, shortening periods of activity, affecting embryo development during gestation decreasing viability sperm cells males. Through thermoregulation, can compensate environmental variations (Bogert effect). Furthermore, according Janzen’s hypothesis, physiological cost responding conditions be low species exposed higher overlap. Here, we analysed effect change regime cell Sceloporus megalepidurus , small viviparous lizard from central Mexico. We hypothesized that an active thermoregulator inhabiting temperate mountains able prevent effects viability. found did not modify viability, nor does it affect maturation epididymis. Our results support Bogert and suggest that, despite high quality, S. its body optimal range

Language: Английский

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Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Implications for Nature-Based Solutions

Climate, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(11), P. 179 - 179

Published: Nov. 7, 2024

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides regular scientific assessments climate change, its implications, and potential future risks based estimated energy matrixes policy pathways. aim of this publication is to assess the change poses biodiversity using projected IPCC scenarios for period 2081–2100, combined with key species-sensitivity indicators variables as a response projections. In doing so, we address how climate-change-driven pressures may affect biodiversity. Additionally, novel causal relationship between extreme ambient temperature exposure levels corresponding effects individual species, noted in paper Upper Thermal-Tolerance Limit Species Sensitivity Distribution (UTTL-SSD), compelling explanation global warming affects Our study indicates that North American Oceanian sites humid continental subtropical climates, respectively, are poised realize shifts have been identified tipping-point triggers. Heat stress significantly approximately 60–90% mammals, 50% birds, amphibians durations ranging from 5 84 days per year 2080. temperate oceanic European sites, conditions remain relatively stable; however, moderate cumulative identified, additional biodiversity-assemblage threat profiles exist represent these. Both integration IPCC-IUCN UTTL-SSD species communities considered resulted identification threats impose under scenarios, which would result degradation. responses developed can be used highlight breakdowns among trophic food web structures, highlighting an critical element when addressing ecosystem concerns.

Language: Английский

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