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Jul

19

2007
 
 

Born(eo) to die



Ancient species suffer most from responsible logging, southeast Asian study shows the tarsiers are OKAlthough well-managed, sustainable logging reduces the risk of extinction for many species, those that remain vulnerable are also likely to have the highest conservation value, according to a recent study published this week in Biotropica. A group of scientists, led by Nature Conservancy – East Kalimantan Program senior ecologist Erik Meijaard, tested a range of hypotheses in an effort to identify characteristics that could make some species more likely to vanish than others. Specialized, ancient species are less tolerant to logging than those that evolved more recently. That’s exactly the wrong way round from a conservation perspective, as older species tend to be more genetically unique than younger ones, which are more likely to have sister taxa. Well, it would be, wouldn’t it? Source: Meijaard E, Sheil D, Marshall AJ & Nasi R (2007) Phylogenetic age is positively correlated with sensitivity to timber harvest in Bornean mammals. Biotropica DOI 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2007.00340.x Related story in Conservation magazine: Deforestation Leaves No Survivors Image © Robert Churchill

Filed Under Economics and conservation, Endangered species, Habitat, Monitoring, Socio-political issues | Leave a Comment

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Apr

19

2007
 
 

Monkey dies, tree dies



Bushmeat trade takes out more than animals, it takes the plants that depend on them Red howlers, great for the gardenBushmeat hunting is a major threat to medium and large primates, but it’s also associated with a particularly nasty negative feedback, according to a specially themed section in the current issue of Biotropica. In one study, authored by Gabriela Nuñez-Iturri and Henry Howe, both at the University of Chicago at Illinois, the species compositions of tree saplings within two protected sites at Manu National Park, Peru were compared with that of an unprotected site outside the park, from which large primates had been exterminated and medium-sized species were rapidly following suit. Killing off primates is bad news for those trees that depend on them for seed dispersal: other plant species that rely on bats, birds and smaller monkeys jump at the chance to fill vacant real estate. This downward spiral could make forest restoration difficult, because without their favored fruits the big guys will likely head elsewhere for food. Source: Nuñez-Iturri G & Howe HF (2007) Bushmeat and the fate of trees with seeds dispersed by large primates in a lowland rainforest in Western Amazonia. Biotropica DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2007.00276.x Related stories in Conservation magazine: Tastes Like Chicken | Rules of Engagement for Conservation Image © Ra\'id Khalil

Filed Under Community-based conservation, Endangered species, Habitat, Monitoring, Restoration, Socio-political issues | Leave a Comment

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Feb

12

2007
 
 

Seeing the light



Where's the shade, dude?Poison-dart frogs avoid dangerous UV-B light The strawberry poison-dart frog Dendrobates pumilio and green poison-dart frog D. auratus might owe their persistence to a knack for avoiding damaging ultraviolet-B (UV-B) rays. Ultraviolet radiation, beloved by sun-worshippers and loathed by dermatologists, is increasing due to the loss of ozone in the stratosphere and has been linked to the global amphibian decline. But the tiny poison-dart frogs have a neat trick, according to results published this week by Oregon State University zoologist Barbara Han and colleagues. Somehow, the frogs can detect UV-B light and move towards areas where there are fewer lethal rays. It’s not quite x-ray specs – but frog goggles aren’t a bad way to escape extinction! If only more amphibians did the same… Source: Han, BA, Kats, LB, Pommerening, RC, Ferrer, RP, Murry-Ewers, M & Blaustein, AR (2007) Behavioral avoidance of ultraviolet-B radiation by two species of neotropical poison-dart frogs. Biotropica DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2007.00268.x Image © Clinton & Charles Robertson

Filed Under Climate change, Endangered species, Fresh water, Habitat | Leave a Comment

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