1
|
Uzqueda A, Burnett S, Bertola LV, Hoskin CJ. Quantifying range decline and remaining populations of the large marsupial carnivore of Australia’s tropical rainforest. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Large predators are particularly susceptible to population declines due to large area requirements, low population density, and conflict with humans. Their low density and secretive habits also make it difficult to know the spatial extent, size, and connectivity of populations; declines hence can go unnoticed. Here, we quantified decline in a large marsupial carnivore, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis), endemic to the Wet Tropics rainforest of northeast Australia. We compiled a large database of occurrence records and used species distributional modeling to estimate the distribution in four time periods (Pre-1956, 1956–1975, 1976–1995, 1996–2016) using climate layers and three human-use variables. The most supported variables in the distribution models were climatic, with highly suitable quoll habitat having relatively high precipitation, low temperatures, and a narrow annual range in temperature. Land-use type and road density also influenced quoll distribution in some time periods. The modeling revealed a significant decline in the distribution of D. m. gracilis over the last century, with contraction away from peripheral areas and from large areas of the Atherton Tablelands in the center of the distribution. Tests of the change in patch availability for populations of 20, 50, and 100 individuals revealed a substantial (17–32%) decline in available habitat for all population sizes, with a particular decline (31–40%) in core habitat (i.e., excluding edges). Six remaining populations were defined. Extrapolating capture–recapture density estimates derived from two populations in 2017 suggests these populations are small and range from about 10 to 160 individuals. Our total population estimate sums to 424 individuals, but we outline why this estimate is positively skewed and that the actual population size may be < 300 individuals. Continued decline and apparent absence in areas of highly suitable habitat suggests some threats are not being captured in our models. From our results, we provide management and research recommendations for this enigmatic predator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Uzqueda
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott Burnett
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Lorenzo V Bertola
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Conrad J Hoskin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Anthropogenic habitat disturbance and food availability affect the abundance of an endangered primate: a regional approach. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
3
|
Goode ABC, Pasachnik SA, Maple TL. Assessing the status of a threatened island endemic, Ctenosaura oedirhina, on Roatán, Honduras. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Context Organisms living in small, isolated populations with very restricted ranges are at high risk of extirpation due to various direct and indirect forces than mainland populations. Roatán spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaura oedirhina) are endemic to the 146-km2 island of Roatán, Honduras. Harvesting for consumption, fragmentation of habitat and predation by domestic animals threaten the existence of this lizard. This species is federally protected in Honduras; however, enforcement is rare. These iguanas are also listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This species is geographically and genetically isolated into small subpopulations that are declining in density.
Aims To estimate the population size of Roatán spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaura oedirhina) on the island of Roatán, Honduras.
Methods Distance sampling surveys have been used to monitor this species since 2012, and have been used to determine population density at five study sites. Estimates of density at those sites and across the island were used to calculate the population size of this species.
Key results The present study elucidates that the high-density populations remaining are declining. The current population size is estimated to be 3759 (95% CI=1406–12616) individuals within the study sites, with 730 additional iguanas potentially outside of the study sites.
Conclusions If the current level of decline continues, this species may become extirpated from some locations on Roatán, and go extinct in the wild. Although Honduras does have laws protecting this species and other wildlife, enforcement must be enhanced.
Implications Lack of enforced protection for this species allows poaching for consumption to continue, which has been shown to alter its distribution and cause increased adult mortality. Local customs value the consumption of this species, creating a delicate management situation. Recommendations include strategies that mitigate the threat posed by consumption and increase enforcement of the current laws, while acknowledging cultural traditions.
Collapse
|
4
|
Diarrassouba A, Gnagbo A, Célestin Kouakou Y, Campbell G, Tiedoué MR, Tondossama A, Kühl HS, Koné I. Differential response of seven duiker species to human activities in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. Afr J Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abdoulaye Diarrassouba
- Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire
- Université Félix Houphouët‐Boigny Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Anthelme Gnagbo
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire
- Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé Daloa Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Yao Célestin Kouakou
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire
- Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé Daloa Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | | | | | - Hjalmar S. Kühl
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Leipzig Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Leipzig Germany
| | - Inza Koné
- Université Félix Houphouët‐Boigny Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Robbins MM, Robbins AM. Variation in the social organization of gorillas: Life history and socioecological perspectives. Evol Anthropol 2018; 27:218-233. [PMID: 30325554 DOI: 10.1002/evan.21721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A focus of socioecological research is to understand how ecological, social, and life history factors influence the variability of social organization within and between species. The genus Gorilla exhibits variability in social organization with western gorilla groups being almost exclusively one-male, yet approximately 40% of mountain gorilla groups are multimale. We review five ultimate causes for the variability in social organization within and among gorilla populations: human disturbance, ecological constraints on group size, risk of infanticide, life history patterns, and population density. We find the most evidence for the ecological constraints and life history hypotheses, but an over-riding explanation remains elusive. The variability may hinge on variation in female dispersal patterns, as females seek a group of optimal size and with a good protector male. Our review illustrates the challenges of understanding why the social organization of closely related species may deviate from predictions based on socioecological and life history theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martha M Robbins
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andrew M Robbins
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Serckx A, Huynen MC, Beudels-Jamar RC, Vimond M, Bogaert J, Kühl HS. Bonobo nest site selection and the importance of predictor scales in primate ecology. Am J Primatol 2016; 78:1326-1343. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adeline Serckx
- Primatology Research Group, Behavioral Biology Unit; University of Liege; Liege Belgium
- Conservation Biology Unit; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences; Brussels Belgium
- Ecole Régionale Post-Universitaire d'Aménagement et de Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux; Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Department of Primatology; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology; Leipzig Germany
| | - Marie-Claude Huynen
- Primatology Research Group, Behavioral Biology Unit; University of Liege; Liege Belgium
| | | | - Marie Vimond
- Primatology Research Group, Behavioral Biology Unit; University of Liege; Liege Belgium
| | - Jan Bogaert
- Biodiversity and Landscape Architecture Unit, Gembloux AgroBio-Tech; University of Liege; Gembloux Belgium
| | - Hjalmar S. Kühl
- Department of Primatology; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology; Leipzig Germany
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Leipzig Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
McCarthy MS, Lester JD, Howe EJ, Arandjelovic M, Stanford CB, Vigilant L. Genetic censusing identifies an unexpectedly sizeable population of an endangered large mammal in a fragmented forest landscape. BMC Ecol 2015; 15:21. [PMID: 26303656 PMCID: PMC4549125 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-015-0052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As habitat degradation and fragmentation continue to impact wildlife populations around the world, it is critical to understand the behavioral flexibility of species in these environments. In Uganda, the mostly unprotected forest fragment landscape between the Budongo and Bugoma Forests is a potential corridor for chimpanzees, yet little is known about the status of chimpanzee populations in these fragments. Results From 2011 through 2013, we noninvasively collected 865 chimpanzee fecal samples across 633 km2 and successfully genotyped 662 (77%) at up to 14 microsatellite loci. These genotypes corresponded to 182 chimpanzees, with a mean of 3.5 captures per individual. We obtained population size estimates of 256 (95% confidence interval 246–321) and 319 (288–357) chimpanzees using capture-with-replacement and spatially explicit capture–recapture models, respectively. The spatial clustering of associated genotypes suggests the presence of at least nine communities containing a minimum of 8–33 individuals each. Putative community distributions defined by the locations of associated genotypes correspond well with the distribution of 14 Y-chromosome haplotypes. Conclusions These census figures are more than three times greater than a previous estimate based on an extrapolation from small-scale nest count surveys that tend to underestimate population size. The distribution of genotype clusters and Y-chromosome haplotypes together indicate the presence of numerous male philopatric chimpanzee communities throughout the corridor habitat. Our findings demonstrate that, despite extensive habitat loss and fragmentation, chimpanzees remain widely distributed and exhibit distinct community home ranges. Our results further imply that elusive and rare species may adapt to degraded habitats more successfully than previously believed. Their long-term persistence is unlikely, however, if protection is not afforded to them and habitat loss continues unabated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12898-015-0052-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen S McCarthy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF 107, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0371, USA. .,Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Jack D Lester
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Eric J Howe
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, UK.
| | - Mimi Arandjelovic
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Craig B Stanford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF 107, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0371, USA.
| | - Linda Vigilant
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fünfstück T, Vigilant L. The geographic distribution of genetic diversity within gorillas. Am J Primatol 2015; 77:974-985. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Linda Vigilant
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology; Leipzig Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Arandjelovic M, Bergl RA, Ikfuingei R, Jameson C, Parker M, Vigilant L. Detection dog efficacy for collecting faecal samples from the critically endangered Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) for genetic censusing. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:140423. [PMID: 26064602 PMCID: PMC4448817 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Population estimates using genetic capture-recapture methods from non-invasively collected wildlife samples are more accurate and precise than those obtained from traditional methods when detection and resampling rates are high. Recently, detection dogs have been increasingly used to find elusive species and their by-products. Here we compared the effectiveness of dog- and human-directed searches for Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) faeces at two sites. The critically endangered Cross River gorilla inhabits a region of high biodiversity and endemism on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. The rugged highland terrain and their cryptic behaviour make them difficult to study and a precise population size for the subspecies is still lacking. Dog-directed surveys located more fresh faeces with less bias than human-directed survey teams. This produced a more reliable population estimate, although of modest precision given the small scale of this pilot study. Unfortunately, the considerable costs associated with use of the United States-based detection dog teams make the use of these teams financially unfeasible for a larger, more comprehensive survey. To realize the full potential of dog-directed surveys and increase cost-effectiveness, we recommend basing dog-detection teams in the countries where they will operate and expanding the targets the dogs are trained to detect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mimi Arandjelovic
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | | | - Romanus Ikfuingei
- Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - Christopher Jameson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - Megan Parker
- Working Dogs for Conservation, 52 Eustis Road, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
| | - Linda Vigilant
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| |
Collapse
|