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Hending D. Cryptic species conservation: a review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39234845 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Cryptic species are groups of two or more taxa that were previously classified as single nominal species. Being almost morphologically indistinguishable, cryptic species have historically been hard to detect. Only through modern morphometric, genetic, and molecular analyses has the hidden biodiversity of cryptic species complexes been revealed. Cryptic diversity is now widely acknowledged, but unlike more recognisable, charismatic species, scientists face additional challenges when studying cryptic taxa and protecting their wild populations. Demographical and ecological data are vital to facilitate and inform successful conservation actions, particularly at the individual species level, yet this information is lacking for many cryptic species due to their recent taxonomic description and lack of research attention. The first part of this article summarises cryptic speciation and diversity, and explores the numerous barriers and considerations that conservation biologists must navigate to detect, study and manage cryptic species populations effectively. The second part of the article seeks to address how we can overcome the challenges associated with efficiently and non-invasively detecting cryptic species in-situ, and filling vital knowledge gaps that are currently inhibiting applied conservation. The final section discusses future directions, and suggests that large-scale, holistic, and collaborative approaches that build upon successful existing applications will be vital for cryptic species conservation. This article also acknowledges that sufficient data to implement effective species-specific conservation will be difficult to attain for many cryptic animals, and protected area networks will be vital for their conservation in the short term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hending
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
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2
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Amor MD, Barmos S, Cameron H, Hartnett C, Hodgens N, Jamieson LT, May TW, McMullan-Fisher S, Robinson A, Rutter NJ. On the trail of a critically endangered fungus: A world-first application of wildlife detection dogs to fungal conservation. iScience 2024; 27:109729. [PMID: 38799073 PMCID: PMC11123565 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant and animal conservation have benefited from the assistance of wildlife detection dogs (WDDs) since 1890, but their application to fungal conservation has not been trialed. In a world-first, we tested the effectiveness of WDDs and human surveyors when searching for experimentally outplanted fungi in natural habitat. We focused on a critically endangered fungus from Australia, Hypocreopsis amplectens, and showed that a WDD outperformed a human surveyor: our WDD detected a greater proportion of targets, had a faster time to first discovery, and had fewer false negatives. Our study highlights the tremendous potential for WDDs to enhance fungal conservation by demonstrating their utility in one of the most challenging fungal systems: a rare species with low population densities and low volatility. Our findings suggest that the application of WDDs to fungal conservation should enhance continuing efforts to document and conserve an understudied kingdom that is threatened by habitat loss and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Amor
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, WA 6106, Australia
| | - Shari Barmos
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Hayley Cameron
- Centre for Geometric Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Tom W. May
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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3
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McKeague B, Finlay C, Rooney N. Conservation detection dogs: A critical review of efficacy and methodology. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10866. [PMID: 38371867 PMCID: PMC10869951 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Conservation detection dogs (CDD) use their exceptional olfactory abilities to assist a wide range of conservation projects through the detection of target specimens or species. CDD are generally quicker, can cover wider areas and find more samples than humans and other analytical tools. However, their efficacy varies between studies; methodological and procedural standardisation in the field is lacking. Considering the cost of deploying a CDD team and the limited financial resources within conservation, it is vital that their performance is quantified and reliable. This review aims to summarise what is currently known about the use of scent detection dogs in conservation and elucidate which factors affect efficacy. We describe the efficacy of CDD across species and situational contexts like training and fieldwork. Reported sensitivities (i.e. the proportion of target samples found out of total available) ranged from 23.8% to 100% and precision rates (i.e. proportion of alerts that are true positives) from 27% to 100%. CDD are consistently shown to be better than other techniques, but performance varies substantially across the literature. There is no consistent difference in efficacy between training, testing and fieldwork, hence we need to understand the factors affecting this. We highlight the key variables that can alter CDD performance. External effects include target odour, training methods, sample management, search methodology, environment and the CDD handler. Internal effects include dog breed, personality, diet, age and health. Unfortunately, much of the research fails to provide adequate information on the dogs, handlers, training, experience and samples. This results in an inability to determine precisely why an individual study has high or low efficacy. It is clear that CDDs can be effective and applied to possibly limitless conservation scenarios, but moving forward researchers must provide more consistent and detailed methodologies so that comparisons can be conducted, results are more easily replicated and progress can be made in standardising CDD work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth McKeague
- School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | | | - Nicola Rooney
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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4
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Lindken T, Anderson CV, Ariano-Sánchez D, Barki G, Biggs C, Bowles P, Chaitanya R, Cronin DT, Jähnig SC, Jeschke JM, Kennerley RJ, Lacher TE, Luedtke JA, Liu C, Long B, Mallon D, Martin GM, Meiri S, Pasachnik SA, Reynoso VH, Stanford CB, Stephenson PJ, Tolley KA, Torres-Carvajal O, Waldien DL, Woinarski JCZ, Evans T. What factors influence the rediscovery of lost tetrapod species? GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30. [PMID: 38273552 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
We created a database of lost and rediscovered tetrapod species, identified patterns in their distribution and factors influencing rediscovery. Tetrapod species are being lost at a faster rate than they are being rediscovered, due to slowing rates of rediscovery for amphibians, birds and mammals, and rapid rates of loss for reptiles. Finding lost species and preventing future losses should therefore be a conservation priority. By comparing the taxonomic and spatial distribution of lost and rediscovered tetrapod species, we have identified regions and taxa with many lost species in comparison to those that have been rediscovered-our results may help to prioritise search effort to find them. By identifying factors that influence rediscovery, we have improved our ability to broadly distinguish the types of species that are likely to be found from those that are not (because they are likely to be extinct). Some lost species, particularly those that are small and perceived to be uncharismatic, may have been neglected in terms of conservation effort, and other lost species may be hard to find due to their intrinsic characteristics and the characteristics of the environments they occupy (e.g. nocturnal species, fossorial species and species occupying habitats that are more difficult to survey such as wetlands). These lost species may genuinely await rediscovery. However, other lost species that possess characteristics associated with rediscovery (e.g. large species) and that are also associated with factors that negatively influence rediscovery (e.g. those occupying small islands) are more likely to be extinct. Our results may foster pragmatic search protocols that prioritise lost species likely to still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Lindken
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christopher V Anderson
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
- IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Ariano-Sánchez
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales y Biodiversidad, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Notodden, Norway
| | - Goni Barki
- Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | | | - Philip Bowles
- IUCN SSC Snake and Lizard Red List Authority, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Ramamoorthi Chaitanya
- The School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Sonja C Jähnig
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
- Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
- IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Rosalind J Kennerley
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Jersey, UK
- IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Thomas E Lacher
- Re:wild, Austin, Texas, USA
- IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer A Luedtke
- Re:wild, Austin, Texas, USA
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Chunlong Liu
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | | | - David Mallon
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Gabriel M Martin
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), Esquel, Argentina
- IUCN SSC New World Marsupials Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Shai Meiri
- The School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Victor Hugo Reynoso
- Departamento de Zoología/Pabellón de la Biodiversidad, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Craig B Stanford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Herpetology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA
- IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
| | - P J Stephenson
- Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- IUCN SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
- IUCN SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Krystal A Tolley
- IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
- Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Omar Torres-Carvajal
- Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - David L Waldien
- IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
- Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Virginia, USA
- Lubee Bat Conservancy, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Harrison Institute, Kent, UK
| | | | - Thomas Evans
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
- IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
- Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Baharudin NS, Tah MMT, Zulkifli SZ, Ab Ghani NI, Noor HM, Sabar@Sabal NH. Species Diversity and Distribution of Non-volant Small Mammal between Restoration, Boundary, Disturbed and Undisturbed Area in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Trop Life Sci Res 2023; 34:151-183. [PMID: 37065795 PMCID: PMC10093765 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2023.34.1.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Deforestation in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia has increased significantly in the past few years to accommodate the growing population of Cameron Highlands. This led to a rapid urbanisation in Cameron Highlands which increased anthropogenic activities, causing degradation of the natural environment. Such environmental changes highlight the necessity of wildlife and resource inventories of available forested areas to improve existing conservation and management plans, especially for threatened taxa such as the non-volant small mammals. However, very few studies are known to focus on the effect of deforestation on non-volant small mammals, especially in the adjacent forest. This survey aimed to document non-volant small mammals from four habitat types (restoration areas, boundary, disturbed and undisturbed areas) of Terla A and Bertam, and undisturbed forest of Bukit Bujang Forest Reserve, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Samplings were conducted in two phases between August 2020 to January 2021. A total of 80 live traps were deployed along the transect lines in all three study sites, and 10 camera traps were set randomly in each forested area. Results demonstrated that species diversity (H') is higher at Terla A Forest Reserve compared to Bertam and Bukit Bujang Forest Reserve. In contrast, species diversity in the boundary area (S = 8, H' = 2.025) and disturbed forest area (S = 8, H' = 1.992) had similar number of species (S) compared to others study habitat; restoration area had the lowest species diversity (S = 3, H' = 0.950). Berylmys bowersi was the most captured species from trappings and Lariscus insignis was the most frequently recorded species from camera trappings for all study sites. The results of the survey provided new information on non-volant small mammals in Cameron Highlands for future research, conservation, and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Syakirah Baharudin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Marina Mohd. Top@Mohd. Tah
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Center of Foundation Studies for Agricultural Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Corresponding author:
| | - Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Izza Ab Ghani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hafidzi Mohd Noor
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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6
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Estimating the density of small mammals using the selfie trap is an effective camera trapping method. MAMMAL RES 2022; 67:467-482. [PMID: 35891629 PMCID: PMC9304545 DOI: 10.1007/s13364-022-00643-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Camera trapping to study wildlife allows for data collection, without the need to capture animals. Traditionally, camera traps have been used to target larger terrestrial mammal species, though recently novel methods and adjustments in procedures have meant camera traps can be used to study small mammals. The selfie trap (a camera trapping method) may present robust sampling and ecological study of small mammals. This study aimed to evaluate the selfie trap method in terms of its ability to detect species and estimate population density. To address this aim, standard small mammal live trapping was undertaken, immediately followed by camera trapping using the selfie trap. Both methods were set to target the arboreal sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and semi-arboreal brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii). The more ground-dwelling bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) was also live trapped and recorded on camera. Across four survey areas, the probability of detection for each of the three species was higher for selfie traps than for live trapping. Spatially explicit capture-recapture models showed that selfie traps were superior at estimating density for brown antechinus and sugar gliders, when compared to simulated live trapping data. Hit rates (number of videos per various time intervals) were correlated with abundance. When correlating various hit rate intervals with abundance, the use of 10-min hit rate was best for predicting sugar glider abundance (R2 = 0.94). The abundance of brown antechinus was estimated from selfie traps using a 24-h hit rate as a predictor (R2 = 0.85). For sugar gliders, the selfie trap can replace live trapping as individuals can be identified through their unique facial stripes and natural ear scars, and thus used in capture-recapture analysis. This method may be useful for monitoring the abundance of other small mammal species that can also be individually recognized from photographs.
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7
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Bennett E, Jamieson LT, Florent SN, Gill N, Hauser C, Cristescu R. Detection dogs provide a powerful method for conservation surveys. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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8
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McKibben FE, Frey JK. Linking camera-trap data to taxonomy: Identifying photographs of morphologically similar chipmunks. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:9741-9764. [PMID: 34306659 PMCID: PMC8293720 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Remote cameras are a common method for surveying wildlife and recently have been promoted for implementing large-scale regional biodiversity monitoring programs. The use of camera-trap data depends on the correct identification of animals captured in the photographs, yet misidentification rates can be high, especially when morphologically similar species co-occur, and this can lead to faulty inferences and hinder conservation efforts. Correct identification is dependent on diagnosable taxonomic characters, photograph quality, and the experience and training of the observer. However, keys rooted in taxonomy are rarely used for the identification of camera-trap images and error rates are rarely assessed, even when morphologically similar species are present in the study area. We tested a method for ensuring high identification accuracy using two sympatric and morphologically similar chipmunk (Neotamias) species as a case study. We hypothesized that the identification accuracy would improve with use of the identification key and with observer training, resulting in higher levels of observer confidence and higher levels of agreement among observers. We developed an identification key and tested identification accuracy based on photographs of verified museum specimens. Our results supported predictions for each of these hypotheses. In addition, we validated the method in the field by comparing remote-camera data with live-trapping data. We recommend use of these methods to evaluate error rates and to exclude ambiguous records in camera-trap datasets. We urge that ensuring correct and scientifically defensible species identifications is incumbent on researchers and should be incorporated into the camera-trap workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona E. McKibben
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation EcologyNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNMUSA
| | - Jennifer K. Frey
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation EcologyNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNMUSA
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Survey for Morro Bay Kangaroo Rat: A Rare Mammal of Uncertain Status. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.3996/jfwm-20-022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The Morro Bay kangaroo rat Dipodomys heermanni morroensis is a small, nocturnal, burrowing rodent endemic to the vicinity of Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County, California. It was listed as endangered pursuant to the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1973. Despite many searches over three decades, the Morro Bay kangaroo rat has not been captured or sighted in the wild since 1986. While recognizing that the Morro Bay kangaroo rat may be extinct, two of us in a previous paper also speculated it may be persisting at extremely low density in isolated colonies and recommended surveying with wildlife scent-detection dogs and baited camera traps. We searched with a wildlife scent-detection dog and baited camera traps in four historically occupied areas and detected no Morro Bay kangaroo rats. Unfortunately, our data combined with all other existing data do not allow us to conclude whether the Morro Bay kangaroo rat is extinct or extant. Essentially, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature international standard has not been met to make a definitive determination of extinction. That is, a species should be considered extinct only when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. We acknowledge that because of resource limitation we surveyed only a small sample of the numerous patches of habitat in the expansive landscape. Further, we now consider the Morro Bay sand spit (total area 4.35 km2, foredunes 3.75 km2), a peripheral area, as potentially part of the geographic range with suitable habitat, and it has never been searched. Therefore, considering all available information, we conclude that the Morro Bay kangaroo rat must be considered as possibly extant. We recommend that search efforts continue in several specific areas, including the Morro Bay sand spit. If the Morro Bay kangaroo rat still exists, it will be challenging and difficult to rediscover because of its likely low density and patchy distribution in the expansive landscape, combined with its small size, nocturnal nature, and secretive lifestyle.
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Riordan CE, Pearce C, McDonald BJF, Gynther I, Baker AM. Vegetation structure and ground cover attributes describe the occurrence of a newly discovered carnivorous marsupial on the Tweed Shield Volcano caldera, the endangered black-tailed dusky antechinus ( Antechinus arktos). Ecol Evol 2020; 10:2104-2121. [PMID: 32128142 PMCID: PMC7042678 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The black-tailed dusky antechinus (Antechinus arktos) is a recently discovered, endangered, carnivorous marsupial mammal endemic to the Tweed Shield Volcano caldera, straddling the border between Queensland and New South Wales in eastern Australia. The species' preference for cool, high-altitude habitats makes it particularly vulnerable to a shifting climate as these habitats recede. Aside from basic breeding and dietary patterns, the species' ecology is largely unknown. Understanding fine-scale habitat attributes preferred by this endangered mammal is critical to employ successful conservation management. Here, we assess vegetation attributes of known habitats over three sites at Springbrook and Border Ranges National Parks, including detailed structure data and broad floristic assessment. Floristic compositional assessment of the high-altitude cloud rainforest indicated broad similarities. However, only 22% of plant species were shared between all sites indicating a high level of local endemism. This suggests a diverse assemblage of vegetation across A. arktos habitats. Habitat characteristics were related to capture records of A. arktos to determine potential fine-scale structural habitat requirements. Percentage of rock cover and leaf litter were the strongest predictors of A. arktos captures across survey sites, suggesting a need for foraging substrate and cover. Habitat characteristics described here will inform predictive species distribution models of this federally endangered species and are applicable to other mammal conservation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Riordan
- Earth, Environmental & Biological SciencesScience & Engineering FacultyQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQldAustralia
| | - Coral Pearce
- Earth, Environmental & Biological SciencesScience & Engineering FacultyQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQldAustralia
| | - Bill J. F. McDonald
- Department of Environment and ScienceQueensland HerbariumToowongQldAustralia
| | - Ian Gynther
- Threatened Species UnitDepartment of Environment and ScienceBellbowrieQldAustralia
- Biodiversity and Geosciences ProgramQueensland MuseumSouth BrisbaneQldAustralia
| | - Andrew M. Baker
- Earth, Environmental & Biological SciencesScience & Engineering FacultyQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQldAustralia
- Biodiversity and Geosciences ProgramQueensland MuseumSouth BrisbaneQldAustralia
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