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Bisneto PF, Frazão L, Ceron K, Sachett J, Monteiro WM, Kaefer IL, Guedes TB. The challenge in detecting risk areas of snakebite when case rates are low: the case of Amazonian coral snakes. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20230565. [PMID: 38088733 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320230565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying risk areas for envenomation by animals is relevant for public health, such as strategic distribution of antivenoms. Coral snakes are highly diverse in the Amazon, inhabit natural and human-modified environments, and the outcome of the cases tends to be serious and potentially lethal due to their neurotoxic venom. By integrating species' geographical records and environmental variables, we used species distribution modeling to predict the distribution of coral snake species in the Brazilian Amazonia. We analyzed the relationship between the predicted distribution of coral snake species, along with envenomation data in the region, to propose actions to reduce the number of cases and to provide tools for a better policy of public health. We conclude that the entire Amazon shows high environmental suitability for coral snakes, and such suitability explains little about the incidence of cases. This is probably due to the low human density in the Amazon and to coral snake traits such as secretive habits and non-agressive behavior. Differently from other venomous snakes, the scenario regarding coral snakebites precludes the detection of prominent geographical areas of concern and demands a broad and equitable availability of health centers throughout Amazonia and along other areas of occurrence of the genus Micrurus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ferreira Bisneto
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Avenida General Rodrigo Otávio, Coroado I, 69067-005 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, s/n, Dom Pedro, 69040-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Luciana Frazão
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology - Science for People & the Planet, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Paço das Escolas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Karoline Ceron
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz - Barão Geraldo, 13083-872 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Sachett
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, s/n, Dom Pedro, 69040-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Carvalho Leal, 1777, Cachoeirinha, 69065-001 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Fundação Alfredo da Matta, Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Av. Codajás, 24, Cachoeirinha, 69065-130 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Av. Pedro Teixeira, s/n, Dom Pedro, 69040-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, s/n, Dom Pedro, 69040-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Carvalho Leal, 1777, Cachoeirinha, 69065-001 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Av. Pedro Teixeira, s/n, Dom Pedro, 69040-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Igor Luis Kaefer
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Avenida General Rodrigo Otávio, Coroado I, 69067-005 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Thaís B Guedes
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, Bloco P1, Cidade Universitária, 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil
- University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Center and Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Box 461, SE-405-30, Göteborg, Sweden
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2
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Kafash A, Hanafi-Bojd AA, Mohammadi Bavani M, Shahi M, Akbari M, Rafinejad J, Bozorg Omid F, Hassanpour G. Mapping current and future risk of scorpion sting from a species with low medical concern, Mesobuthus phillipsii (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Iran. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:1314-1320. [PMID: 37738421 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad123] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion stings are one of the most important health challenges and high priority research topic in public health. In this study, we aimed to model habitat suitability of the Mesobuthus phillipsii (Pocock 1889), a species with low medical concern, under current and future climatic conditions in Iran. We also identified vulnerable populations to scorpion stings in the country. Scorpion sting risk modeling was done using an ensemble approach by considering two species distribution modeling methods: MaxEnt and Random Forest methods. Distribution modeling was performed using the sdm R package. The results showed that due to climate change in 2070, the high-risk areas will increase from 20,839 to 79,212 km2. Habitats with a moderate risk of scorpion stings will also increase from 139,347 to 222,833 km2. Consequently, the number of villages in high-risk areas of scorpion stings will increase from 2,870 to 7,017, while this number will increase from 12,759 to 20,104 in the case of medium-risk villages. The results of this study can be used for scorpion stings management in Iran. This study can be used as an example for similar studies on scorpions with high medical emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anooshe Kafash
- Zoonoses Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd
- Zoonoses Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Vector Biology & Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mulood Mohammadi Bavani
- Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mehran Shahi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Morteza Akbari
- Department of Vector Biology and Control, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Javad Rafinejad
- Department of Vector Biology & Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faramarz Bozorg Omid
- Department of Vector Biology & Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hassanpour
- Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Geographic distribution of two Montivipera taxa using ecological niche modeling. J Biosci 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-023-00333-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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4
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Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
South Africa is recognised for its high reptile diversity and endemism, specifically among lizards. Phylogenetic diversity, endemism, and richness can have clear implications or raise important questions in a range of fields, and most urgently in conservation. Among squamate reptiles, these indices are very commonly associated with high temperatures and topographic heterogeneity. Indeed, mountainous biogeography has been a critical driver in the radiation of the family Gekkonidae within the subregion. Here, we assess the species richness, diversity, and endemism of Gekkonidae species inhabiting South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, accounting for phylogenetic relationships. We also employ the CANAPE method to identify regions that have neo- and/or paleoendemics. Southern African gekkonids appear to be most diverse and show high levels of endemism in three regions of Southern Africa: the northwestern Richtersveld, the escarpment running west to southeast, and the northeastern escarpment in the Limpopo province. Implications for conservation priorities are discussed.
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5
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Freshwater crabs of the Near East: Increased extinction risk from climate change and underrepresented within protected areas. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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6
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Smith GR, Lemos-Espinal JA. Factors related to species richness, endemism, and conservation status of the herpetofauna (Amphibia and Reptilia) of Mexican states. Zookeys 2022; 1097:85-101. [PMID: 35837582 PMCID: PMC9046365 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1097.80424] [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: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mexico is a megadiverse country with high endemicity in its herpetofauna. We examine how species richness, proportion of state and country endemic species, and proportion of species in a category of conservation concern using listings in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) in 27 of 32 Mexican states are related to environmental and human demographic and socioeconomic variables. Amphibian and reptile species richness were positively related to latitude range and number of physiographic regions and negatively related to latitude. The proportion of state endemic amphibian species in a state was negatively related to latitude whereas no variables influenced the proportion in reptiles. The proportion of country endemics in a state was positively related to human population density and the number of physiographic regions and negatively related to per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and latitude range for amphibians; it was positively related to human population density and elevation range and negatively related to latitude range for reptiles. The proportion of amphibian species in an IUCN category of concern in a state was positively related to human population density and negatively related to latitude; for reptiles, it was negatively related to human population density. The proportion of SEMARNAT-listed species in a state was positively related to human population density for both amphibians and reptiles and negatively related to latitude range for amphibians. Our analyses found that larger macroecological patterns (e.g., latitudinal species gradient, heterogeneity-richness relationships) and human population density play important roles in determining the richness and conservation status of Mexican amphibians and reptiles.
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Kafash A, Ashrafi S, Yousefi M. Modeling habitat suitability of bats to identify high priority areas for field monitoring and conservation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:25881-25891. [PMID: 34851481 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Bats provide important ecosystem services but face severe threats due to land and climate changes. Although bats are an important component of mammal diversity in Iran, the ecology of many species remains virtually unstudied in the country. Here we applied the maximum entropy approach to model habitat suitability of bat species in Iran, identify the most important variables for their distribution, predict high priority areas for field monitoring and conservation, and estimate the coverage of the bat species' suitable habitats by the existing protected areas. We created a richness map for the twelve species to identify high priority areas for field monitoring and conservation. The results of species distribution modeling showed that Pipistrellus kuhlii (828,977.2 km2) and Miniopterus pallidus (646,581.9 km2) had the largest distribution ranges and Rhinopoma microphyllum (211,202.7 km2) and Rousettus aegyptiacus (218,278.6 km2) had the smallest distribution ranges in Iran. By averaging the importance of each ecological variable across the 12 species, we found that distance to forests (with a negative association) is the most important ecological driver of bat distribution in Iran. The Zagros Mountains were identified as a hotspot of bats based on the distribution of the 12 species. Our findings showed that small proportions of each species suitable habitats were covered by protected areas and protected suitable habitats varied from 3.2%for Pipistrellus kuhlii to15.9% for Tadarida teniotis. This study highlights the importance of forests for bat conservation showing that forest conservation is a high priority in the country. Areas which have the highest richness should be prioritized for field monitoring and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anooshe Kafash
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sohrab Ashrafi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Masoud Yousefi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Yousefi M, Mahmoudi A, Kafash A, Khani A, Kryštufek B. Biogeography of rodents in Iran: species richness, elevational distribution and their environmental correlates. MAMMALIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2021-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Rodent biogeographic studies are disproportionately scarce in Iran, however, they are an ideal system to understand drivers of biodiversity distributions in the country. The aims of the present research are to determine (i) the pattern of rodent richness across the country, (ii) quantify their elevational distribution patterns, and (iii) explore the underlying mechanisms. To reach these goals, an updated species list was compiled based on the latest taxonomic revisions, published until December 2021. We mapped all 76 rodent species distributions to develop the first map of rodent richness in Iran. We furthermore investigated their elevational distribution patterns in the following four geographic regions based on 100 m intervals; the Zagros Mountains, north of Alborz Mountains, south of Alborz and Kopet-Dagh mountains, and central and east mountains. North-east of Iran, Zagros Mountains, Alborz Mountains, and northwestern of Iran showed the highest richness and were identified as biodiversity hotspots of rodents in the country. This study highlights the importance of past climate change as the key driver of rodent richness in Iran. We showed that rodents’ elevational distribution patterns differ among geographic regions. Areas and elevational zones with the highest species richness should be prioritized for the conservation planning of rodents in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Yousefi
- College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran , Daneshkadeh Ave. , Karaj 77871-31587 , Iran
| | - Ahmad Mahmoudi
- Department of Biology , Faculty of Science, Urmia University , Urmia , Iran
| | - Anooshe Kafash
- Department of Environmental Sciences , Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran , Tehran , Iran
| | - Ali Khani
- Khorasan-e Razavi Provincial Office of the Department of the Environment , Mashhad , Iran
| | - Boris Kryštufek
- Slovenian Museum of Natural History , Prešernova 20, 1000 Ljubljana , Slovenia
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Response of Iranian lizards to future climate change by poleward expansion, southern contraction, and elevation shifts. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2348. [PMID: 35149739 PMCID: PMC8837782 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06330-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explores the relationships between recent Iranian lizard species distributions and the observed climate, as well as potential future distributions of species. For this purpose, an ensemble of seven algorithms was used to forecast the distributions of 30 species for the recent and future (2070) based on the averages of 14 global climate models under optimistic (RCP2.6) and pessimistic (RCP8.5) scenarios. Annual precipitation (n = 16) and annual mean temperature (n = 7) were identified as the most important variables in determining the distribution of 76.66% (23 out of 30) of the species. The consensus model predicts that the ranges of 83.33% of species (n = 25) have the potential to expand poleward at higher latitudes while preserving the majority of their recent distributions (except for four species). Furthermore, the ranges of the remaining species (n = 5) will be preserved at higher latitudes. However, they (n = 22) may contract slightly (n = 13) or excessively (n = 9) in the south of their distribution range at lower latitudes. These results indicate that species (N = 19) situated in mountainous areas such as the Zagros, Alborz, and Kopet Dagh may move or maintain their range at higher elevations as a result of future climate change. Finally, this study suggests that 30% of species (n = 9) may be threatened by future climate change and that they should be prioritized in conservation efforts.
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Kafash A, Ashrafi S, Yousefi M. Biogeography of bats in Iran: Mapping and disentangling environmental and historical drivers of bat richness. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anooshe Kafash
- Department of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Natural Resources University of Tehran Tehran Iran
| | - Sohrab Ashrafi
- Department of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Natural Resources University of Tehran Tehran Iran
| | - Masoud Yousefi
- School of Biology College of Science University of Tehran Tehran Iran
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Noori S, Hawlitschek O, Oldeland J, Rajaei H, Husemann M, Simões M. Biodiversity modelling reveals a significant gap between diversity hotspots and protected areas for Iranian reptiles. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Noori
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) Hamburg Germany
| | - Oliver Hawlitschek
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) Hamburg Germany
| | - Jens Oldeland
- Eco‐Systems, Niendorfer Kirchenweg 31 Hamburg Germany
| | - Hossein Rajaei
- State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart Stuttgart Germany
| | - Martin Husemann
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) Hamburg Germany
| | - Marianna Simões
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut Müncheberg Germany
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Ghane-Ameleh S, Khosravi M, Saberi-Pirooz R, Ebrahimi E, Aghbolaghi MA, Ahmadzadeh F. Mid-Pleistocene Transition as a trigger for diversification in the Irano-Anatolian region: Evidence revealed by phylogeography and distribution pattern of the eastern three-lined lizard. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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13
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Taft JM, Maritz B, Tolley KA. Stable climate corridors promote gene flow in the Cape sand snake species complex (Psammophiidae). ZOOL SCR 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jody M. Taft
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape Private Bag X17 Bellville South Africa
- Kirstenbosch Research Center South African National Biodiversity Institute Cape Town South Africa
| | - Bryan Maritz
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape Private Bag X17 Bellville South Africa
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- Kirstenbosch Research Center South African National Biodiversity Institute Cape Town South Africa
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
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Vaissi S. Historic range dynamics in Kaiser's mountain newt ( Neurergus kaiseri): Insights from phylogeographic analyses and species distribution modeling. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:7622-7633. [PMID: 34188839 PMCID: PMC8216884 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulnerable Kaiser's mountain newt, Neurergus kaiseri, is endemic to highland streams, springs, and pools of the southwestern Zagros mountain, Iran. The present study aimed to use an integration of phylogeographical and species distribution modeling (SDM) approaches to provide new insights into the evolutionary history of the species throughout Quaternary climate oscillations. The phylogeographical analysis was followed by analyzing two mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) markers including 127 control region (D-loop) and 72 NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) sequences from 15 populations in the entire species range that were obtained from GenBank. Potential recent and past distribution (the Last Glacial Maximum, LGM, 21 Kya and the Mid-Holocene, 6 Kya) reconstructed by ensemble SDM using nine algorithms with CCSM4, MIROC-ESM, and MPI-ESM-P models. N. kaiseri displayed two distinct lineages in the northern and southern regions that diverged in the Early-Pleistocene. The demographics analysis showed signs of a slight increase in effective population size for both northern and southern populations in the Mid-Pleistocene. Biogeography analysis showed that both vicariance and dispersal events played an important role in the formation of recent species distribution of N. kaiseri. Based on SDM projection onto paleoclimatic data, N. kaiseri displayed a scenario of past range expansion that followed by postglacial contraction. The models showed that the distribution range of the species may have shifted to a lower altitude during LGM while with amelioration of climatic during Mid-Holocene to recent conditions caused the species to shift to the higher altitude. The findings of the current study support the hypothesis that the Zagros mountains may be acting as climatic refugia and play an important role in the protection of isolated populations during climate oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somaye Vaissi
- Department of BiologyFaculty of ScienceRazi UniversityKermanshahIran
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