Kimboza, a Small Lowland Forest With an Outstanding Herpetofauna Diversity in East Africa DOI Creative Commons
John V. Lyakurwa, Simon P. Loader, Wilirk Ngalason

и другие.

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(10)

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT The Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) and Coastal forests of Tanzania are renowned for harboring large number threatened endemic vertebrate species, yet most these areas have been partially studied. Kimboza Nature Forest Reserve (KNFR) is a small forest which in transition between the EAM forests, among poorly surveyed amphibians reptiles. We conducted systematic surveys across KNFR 2012 2020 2023 using range approaches with aim establishing comprehensive updated list reptile amphibian species assess contribution to KNFR's herpetofauna. identified 77 29 48 reptiles, substantially updating previous lists. Three ( Kinyongia magomberae , Trachylepis boulengeri Philothamnus macrops ) represent extensions from previously known ranges. Fourteen East Africa, 11 them being restricted Tanzania. These results make richest reserve herpetofauna per square km Tanzania, similar its composition Coastal, rather than forests. With caveats concerning taxonomic uncertainties inequalities sampling intensity region, this study shows that an important area deserves conservation attention. KNFR, like other under significant pressure anthropogenic activities call urgent action protect but rich forest.

Язык: Английский

Molecular and acoustic evidence for large-scale underestimation of frog species diversity on New Guinea DOI Creative Commons
F.A. Ferreira, Paul M. Oliver, Fred Kraus

и другие.

Frontiers of Biogeography, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 18

Опубликована: Май 8, 2025

Species are fundamental units in biology; however, information on species diversity and distribution remain scarce for most taxonomic groups, especially tropical rainforests. Such knowledge gaps particularly acute amphibians, the threatened group of vertebrates, which new continue to be described at a high rate. Herein, using molecular-based approaches, we provide estimates frogs (Anura) New Guinea nearby islands, one biologically diverse regions world. We first characterised geographic sampling all available mitochondrial DNA sequences from native frog species. This led us identify important molecular western half that partially filled by adding 534 (16S rRNA). Large territories uncharted, westernmost part central cordillera Guinea. Using our 16S rRNA dataset, then delimited Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), subset was bioacoustically analysed. From total 369 MOTUs, found 190 could not assigned any taxon. Amongst these, 123 represented specimens collected 19 were supported as distinct bioacoustics, confirming this portion island is home many unrecognised Based estimated level undescribed taxa areas data available, extrapolate neighbouring islands host 800–1,200 species, with only 560 date. assembled comprehensive dataset date rRNA) islands. candidate bioacoustic data. actual number between 800 1,200. Parts exhibit species-diversity levels comparable similarly sized Amazonia Madagascar. Most region likely confined restricted geographical and, thus, sensitive both land use climate change.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
A new microendemic gecko from the small forest fragments of south-eastern Madagascar (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Paragehyra) DOI Creative Commons
Francesco Belluardo, Costanza Piccoli, Javier Lobón-Rovira

и другие.

ZooKeys, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 1240, С. 1 - 38

Опубликована: Июнь 2, 2025

Historically, herpetological research in Madagascar has largely overlooked small forest fragments outside the country protected area network. Despite substantial declines species diversity compared to large continuous forests, these continue sustain diverse communities and frequently harbour microendemic species. We describe a new gecko belonging genus Paragehyra , apparently isolated surrounding Andringitra Massif south-eastern Madagascar. tsaranoro sp. nov. is different from its congeneric based on genetic distances mitochondrial markers (16S COI), phylogenetic position, lack of haplotype sharing at one nuclear locus (POMC). The also distinguishable congeners combination 14 morphological characters. New data are provided for sympatric P. felicitae we propose assessment conservation status within IUCN Red List. mostly found managed by local (community-managed reserves) legally areas. This study highlights importance community-based management herpetofauna, particularly regions heavily impacted anthropogenic pressure unsuitable forest-dwelling findings emphasise conducting fragments, as they essential completing inventory Malagasy herpetofauna.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
In Vouchers We (Hope to) Trust: Unveiling Hidden Errors in GenBank's Tetrapod Taxonomic Foundations DOI Creative Commons
Albert Carné, David R. Vieites, Matthijs P. van den Burg

и другие.

Molecular Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Июнь 3, 2025

ABSTRACT Genetic repositories are invaluable resources foundational to various biological disciplines. While their data and metadata reliability essential for robust research outcomes, numerous studies have highlighted quality consistency issues. Here, we detect quantify errors at the most fundamental level by analysing congruence of sequences derived from same genetic marker specimen voucher across tetrapods. Our analysis reveals that 32% re‐sequenced vouchers (with identical field or museum numbers) yield unequal sequences, ranging a few mutations significant divergences (0.06%–33.95%). These may result sample misidentification, labelling errors, fidelity disparities between sequencing methods, contamination stages process. findings demonstrate within GenBank its basal suggest that, although undetectable, similar error rate likely exists in non‐re‐sequenced data. previously overlooked concerning because they arise replicated experiments, which uncommon, raise serious questions about specimens. Such can compromise accuracy biodiversity assessments (e.g., taxonomic assessment, eDNA barcoding), phylogenetic analyses conservation planning artificially inflating intraspecific divergence misidentifying (to‐be‐described) species. Additionally, large‐scale rely on such be compromised. results call protocols ensuring traceability specimens tissues during whole process generation, deposition database. We propose third‐party annotation system individual records would allow flagging common alert both original submitter all users potential problems without modifying records.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Kimboza, a Small Lowland Forest With an Outstanding Herpetofauna Diversity in East Africa DOI Creative Commons
John V. Lyakurwa, Simon P. Loader, Wilirk Ngalason

и другие.

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(10)

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT The Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) and Coastal forests of Tanzania are renowned for harboring large number threatened endemic vertebrate species, yet most these areas have been partially studied. Kimboza Nature Forest Reserve (KNFR) is a small forest which in transition between the EAM forests, among poorly surveyed amphibians reptiles. We conducted systematic surveys across KNFR 2012 2020 2023 using range approaches with aim establishing comprehensive updated list reptile amphibian species assess contribution to KNFR's herpetofauna. identified 77 29 48 reptiles, substantially updating previous lists. Three ( Kinyongia magomberae , Trachylepis boulengeri Philothamnus macrops ) represent extensions from previously known ranges. Fourteen East Africa, 11 them being restricted Tanzania. These results make richest reserve herpetofauna per square km Tanzania, similar its composition Coastal, rather than forests. With caveats concerning taxonomic uncertainties inequalities sampling intensity region, this study shows that an important area deserves conservation attention. KNFR, like other under significant pressure anthropogenic activities call urgent action protect but rich forest.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0