The Old Brahmaputra River is a transboundary river and serves as an important habitat for many freshwater fish species of Bangladesh. To determine its fish diversity in relation to environmental variables, this study was carried out from March to November 2021 covering three seasons: pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon in this river at Jamalpur district of Bangladesh. A total of 44 native fish species were recorded, spanning 33 genera, 20 families and 7 orders. The order Cypriniformes was found to be the most abundant with 18 native species. Fish abundance and species richness were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at post-monsoon followed by pre-monsoon and monsoon. Amblypharyngodon mola was the most abundant species and Bagarius bagarius was the least abundant. Shannon-Wiener diversity, Margalef’s richness, and Pielou’s evenness indices were tested and all the scores changed with the seasons. Multivariate analyses showed that dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were negatively linked to water temperature, transparency, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, and electric conductivity. DO and pH were identified as the primary factors responsible for seasonal differences in water quality parameters. Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis confirmed significant seasonal differentiation in fish assemblages, with DO exhibiting a strong positive correlation with fish abundance (r = 0.949, p < 0.01). To protect the environment and fish species in riverine systems, this study gives basic data and information for long-term management and conservation of native fish species.
Premna herbacea Roxb. (Lamiaceae), locally known as Kheraidaphni among the Bodo community and Matiajam in broader Assam, is a perennial herb of considerable nutritional, medicinal, and cultural importance. This study employed the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt v3.4.4) algorithm to predict the potential distribution of P. herbacea across Assam, India, using 65 spatially thinned occurrence records and nine environmentally screened variables selected after multicollinearity assessment (VIF ≤ 3). Model performance was evaluated using the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC), True Skill Statistic (TSS), and Cohen’s Kappa, yielding values of 0.995, 0.87, and 0.84, respectively, indicating excellent predictive accuracy. The model identified approximately 1,331 km² of suitable habitat in Assam, primarily within the sub-Himalayan grasslands of Manas and Orang National Parks. Of total suitable area, 383 km² (28.79
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of healthcare systems and the far-reaching socio-economic consequences of global health crises. It also renewed attention to the One Health approach, which emphasises the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health and highlights the importance of intact ecosystems in reducing the risk of future pandemics. In the Philippines, these linkages are particularly urgent. As one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, the country supports exceptional levels of endemism but faces mounting conservation pressures. Recent assessments indicate that nearly one-quarter of Philippine terrestrial vertebrates are threatened with extinction, largely because of habitat loss, land-use change, and broader forms of anthropogenic environmental degradation. As these pressures intensify, the risk of zoonotic spillover and emerging infectious diseases also increases. In this Perspective, we argue that biodiversity conservation in the Philippines should no longer be treated as separate from public health but as a fundamental component of preventive health strategies. Despite growing global recognition of One Health, its application in Philippine biodiversity policy framework and practice remains limited and poorly integrated. We contend that this gap represents a missed opportunity to address the ecological drivers of disease emergence before they escalate into health and societal crises. Reframing pandemics as ecological events shaped by human disruption of nature offers a stronger basis for integrating conservation, health security, and sustainable development. Consequently, we address potential One Health-Biodiversity directions, which call for a more deliberate alignment of the two facets in the Philippines to protect species and ecosystems, safeguard human well-being, and build resilience against future environmental and health crises.
Abstract Pangolins are among the most heavily trafficked mammals worldwide, with their scales widely traded for traditional medicine. Recent enforcement reports highlight an emerging challenge which involves the trafficking of processed scales, which are more difficult to visually recognise and often with degraded DNA. As processing alters both morphology and DNA integrity, reliable species identification from such material is uncertain, yet remains essential for forensic investigation and enforcement as well as conservation. Here, we experimentally assessed the impacts of four trade-reported processing treatments on Sunda pangolin ( Manis javanica ) scales. We quantified changes in physical traits (length, width, thickness, and hardness) and evaluated how processing affected DNA quantity and consequently, molecular identification success using Bayesian logistic regressions. We found that processing altered scale appearance (causing thickening, yellowing, blistering, and burnt marks) but diagnostic morphological features remained intact, enabling recognition of pangolin origin. To support enforcement practice, we provided a guide for morphological identification of processed scales. DNA quantity was also not a strong predictor of species assignment; while higher concentrations improved identification success, many low-yield samples still produced viable sequences. Despite processing treatments causing DNA degradation, we found that the overall probability of successful species identification across treatments remained at 89.7%, with even the most damaging treatment of frying with sand plus vinegar quenching, still yielding a relatively high probability of identification of 76.3%. These findings emphasise the importance of an integrative approach to processed scale identification, with morphological traits providing a rapid and accessible first line of assessment, while molecular tools providing confirmation and resolution.
Dracaena ombet faces several conservation challenges, and tackling them is paramount. However, to overcome this problem, a suitable conservation approach of endangered species is still lacking. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the Indigenous knowledge and institutions that contribute to the management of D. ombet in Afar drylands. The study applied a combination of Indigenous standpoint theory, ethnobotany and ethnoecological theory. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were employed for data collection, and the data were analysed through discourse, narrative description, thematic, and content analyses. The findings indicated D. ombet is used to make various household products. Consequently, local communities had managed it through the Indigenous Mada’a system. Season-based D. ombet production, limiting the amount used and its purposes are the major customary rules developed. This study was characterized by its focus on specific species in a specific site. The dynamics in the management of D. ombet were assessed from a historical process and the concept of sustainable utilization. Therefore, this study contributes to a better understanding of the nature of D. ombet governance systems as a dynamic institutional complex regulating utilization intensity and management of the tree. However, the abandonment of traditional culture, beliefs and values, lack of strong linking and coordination among Indigenous and formal institutions, is challenging sustainable utilization and management of D. ombet. Therefore, complementing the existing management practices with the Indigenous management system of D. ombet is crucial for the sustainable development of endangered species and biodiversity at large.
Abstract The present study aimed to establish a robust propagation protocol for the endangered medicinal species Aquilegia fragrans through rhizome cuttings and in vitro micropropagation techniques. The effects of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as GA3, BAP, and IBA on vegetative propagation, including sprouting, root and shoot development, were investigated. Rhizome cuttings treated with 150 ppm GA3 exhibited the highest sprouting percentage (83.34%) and significant enhancement in growth parameters, including shoot and root length, leaf number, and rhizome development. Additionally, the study assessed the influence of different soil compositions on sprouting success, with a mixture of soil, sand, and vermicompost (1:1:1) yielding the highest sprouting rate and optimal morphological traits. The micropropagation protocol was further optimized by evaluating surface sterilization techniques and the effect of cytokinins, particularly Meta-topolin and TDZ, in combination with auxins (IAA, IBA, and NAA). The combination of TDZ (3.5 mg L−1) and IBA (1.25 mg L−1) was found to induce the highest regeneration frequency (82.00%), with a maximum of 6 shoots per explant and a reduced induction period. Acclimatization of in vitro-derived plantlets under greenhouse conditions resulted in a 75% survival rate, confirming the feasibility of this propagation method for large-scale cultivation and conservation.
The Malili Lakes system in Sulawesi, a unique component of the Wallacea biodiversity hotspot, harbors several endemic aquatic organisms, including species of the genus Glossogobius. Prior to this study, both morphological and molecular data on Glossogobius species were lacking from this system, particularly for Glossogobius flavipinnis (Aurich 1938), which is endemic to Lake Towuti. Hence, the present study provides the first detailed characterization of the morphological traits of G. flavipinnis, along with evidence of sexual differentiation based on multivariate Principal Component Analysis. Additional diagnostic features, such as a moderately depressed head and a first dorsal fin with black rays and distinctly bright yellow membranes, further facilitate accurate species identification and reflect adaptations to its specific ecological niche in Lake Towuti. The first mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence (mtCOI) data obtained from morphologically identified G. flavipinnis revealed its genetic distinctiveness from 19 out of the 43 other Glossogobius species included in a curated mtCOI dataset, with uncorrected p-distances ranging from 14.15
Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce) is a Tertiary relict and Balkan endemic species with a restricted distribution across the peninsula, with Greece forming the southernmost limit of its distribution. At the European level, Macedonian pine forests are recognized as a protected habitat type, forming the High oro-Mediterranean pine forests (95A0), together with Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii). In the EU (EU28), habitat type 95A0 is classified as Near Threatened (NT), while in Greece its conservation status is assessed as Inadequate–Bad (U2). Although Bosnian pines have attracted considerable scientific interest—mainly due to the presence of multi-century or even millennia-old trees—information on Pinus peuce forests in Greece, including their age, structure, and plant diversity, remains scarce. This is largely attributed to the limited accessibility of these forests, as most known stands occur near the national borders and/or on steep ravines and slopes. The aim of the current study was to investigate key aspects of Pinus peuce forest stands in Greece by providing data on their age, growth pattern, structure, and plant diversity, as well as to offer insights into their future trajectories and potential conservation needs, particularly under the light of ongoing climate and land-use change.
Protected areas are vital spaces for biodiversity conservation, but their balance is increasingly threatened by human activities. This study focuses on the Santchou Wildlife Reserve (RFS) in western Cameroon to analyse vegetation cover dynamics, assess carbon storage capacity and use a Markov predictive model to project changes in land use classes between now and 2050. We start from the hypothesis that anthropogenic pressures, particularly agricultural expansion and land occupation, are the main factors contributing to forest degradation in the RFS, leading to a significant reduction in carbon stocks and a lasting transformation of ecosystems. To explore this issue, several research questions have been formulated: What are the rates and trends of forest degradation and deforestation observed in the reserve between 2000 and 2022? How do human activities, such as agriculture and urbanisation, influence these dynamics? What is the carbon storage capacity of different types of forests, and how does it change with degradation? Finally, what projections can be made for land use in 2050, and what strategies could mitigate these changes? The results of this study, based on satellite image analysis, reveal a gradual loss of forest cover over the study period, with an annual degradation rate of 7.5
Climate change is projected to substantially reduce and reorganize climatically suitable habitat for the greater naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous tatouay), a fossorial Neotropical mammal. We applied ecological niche modeling using 220 spatially filtered occurrence records and multiple emission scenarios (SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) to estimate current and future climatic suitability across the species’ range. Historical projections identified approximately 1.94 million km² of suitable habitat. Under future scenarios, suitable areas decline consistently, reaching losses of up to 54
The Kashmir loach, Triplophysa marmorata (Heckel, 1838), belonging to the family Balitoridae, is a freshwater fish inhabiting fast-flowing cold streams, rivers and lakes of the Kashmir Himalaya. Despite its ecological and nutritional importance, information on its reproductive biology is scarce. The present study investigated key reproductive characteristics of T. marmorata from the River Lidder and River Sindhs, Kashmir Himalaya, including sex ratio, gonadosomatic index (GSI), fecundity and length at first maturity (Lm). A total of 180 specimens were collected between December 2023 and May 2024. The total length of specimens ranged from 74.27 to 132.1 mm with corresponding body weights of 8.22–17.43 g. The overall sex ratio was 1:0.7 (male: female), indicating significant male dominance. Maximum GSI values were recorded in January, with peak values of 1.97 in males and 19.65 in females, suggesting winter spawning. Absolute fecundity ranged from 396 to 8,546 eggs, while relative fecundity varied between 39.43 and 814.18 ova per gram body weight. Mean absolute fecundity was 2,633.30 ± 381.27 eggs and mean relative fecundity was 237.84 ± 32.87 ova per gram body weight. The length at first maturity (Lm) for females was estimated at 95 mm total length. This study provides the first detailed account of the reproductive biology of T. marmorata from Kashmir, generating baseline information essential for sustainable exploitation and conservation of this indigenous fish species.
Abstract The effectiveness of conservation areas often depends on the extent to which local people support their implementation. We used mixed methods to assess and contextualize people’s conservation attitudes in a village surrounded by a wildlife corridor and three distinct types of conservation areas in the Tarangire ecosystem of northern Tanzania: a national park, a wildlife management area (WMA), and a multiple-use ranch. Our study employed questionnaire surveys (n = 89) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) to illuminate people’s views. We analyzed the survey data using ordinal logistic regressions to assess demographic factors influencing attitudes and used a grounded theory qualitative approach to analyze the interview data. Across all four areas men held significantly more negative attitudes than women. Participants with formal education were generally more positive towards the national park and respondents with larger farms and livestock holdings held more negative attitudes towards the ranch. Ethnicity was a significant predictor of attitudes towards the WMA. Qualitatively, we found that village residents were primarily concerned with the impacts of conservation on their livelihoods: areas associated with seasonal livestock grazing were favourably received, while those seen to undermine tenure security and increase human-wildlife interactions on village land were viewed in a negative light. While acknowledging the importance of conservation governance and institutional dynamics, we conclude that direct effects on people’s livelihoods and material well-being are perhaps the most important policy-actionable factors affecting people’s attitudes towards conservation areas in this social-political-ecological context.
The present study was conducted as part of a forensic investigation following an integrated taxonomy approach which provides novel genetic evidence of the Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista yunanensis) from India. We sequenced two partial mitochondrial genes (Cytb and 16 S rRNA) that showed > 96
Abstract Marine Animal Forests (MAFs) in mesophotic ecosystems in some areas are mainly defined by Antipatharia (black corals). Among them, whip black corals (or unbranched corals) have a single-stem corallum and thrive in deeper habitats with strong currents. It has been suggested that the MAFs are biodiversity hotspots and may be seen as refugia and/or feeding areas for many species. The bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata, an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder that exhibits scavenging behavior, has been found in association with black coral forests; however, its co-occurrence with unbranched whip corals has not been previously documented and quantified. This study reveals the presence of H. carunculata alongside Stichopathes spp. in deep-water MAFs off Punta Blanca in Southwest Tenerife (Canary Islands), with a 40% co-occurrence rate in the video ROV transects. Highest values of both species were recorded at depths between 80 and 120 m. Correlations between H. carunculata and S. gracilis (r = 0.895) and S. setacea (r = 0.715) indicate positive relationships between the ecosystem engineer and the vagile species. These findings underscore the importance of MAFs in promoting biodiversity, highlight their vulnerability in a climate change world, and call for a deeper understanding of these ecosystems to inform conservation efforts.
Fisheries interaction is one of the most significant threats to sea turtles in their marine habitats. Sea turtles are reptiles and therefore need to surface intermittently to breathe. This dependence on the surface means they inhabit much of the vertical space in coastal and neritic habitats, exposing them to encounter fisheries in a wide range of depths. Turtle dive profiles may vary greatly depending on their species, behaviour and the ambient water temperature, for example they may undertake longer dives in the winter, exhibiting a type of dormancy. The dive behaviour of Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean is relatively well known, at least for females where nesting allows for easy access, but knowledge is lacking for adult males of the species. To address this lack, we tracked three adult male turtles from their breeding area in Kyparissia Bay, Greece to their foraging areas in the eastern Mediterranean using devices that transmitted depth and temperature time series data. Tracking duration ranged from 98 to 547 d. The turtles demonstrated different behaviours that were influenced by time and ambient temperature. The turtles showed diel changes in dive behaviour, split-level dives in the presence of thermoclines, and extended dive durations when waters approached 15 °C. All turtles spent over 50
Understanding the effects of seasonality on baboons’ daily movements and group sizes is essential for management and conservation. In this study, two species of baboons (Papio cynocephalus and Papio anubis) were followed on foot from 06:00 a.m. before they left their sleeping site, until they reached a sleeping site around 06:30–7:00 p.m. The study hypotheses were; (1) Seasonal variation will influence baboons’ daily travel distance and group sizes. (2) Baboons’ daily travel distance and group sizes will vary across the study species. From the two hypotheses, the study predictions were; (1) Baboons would increase their daily travel distances during the dry season. (2) Baboons’ group sizes would be reduced in the dry season. (3) The two baboon species would vary in their daily travel distances and group sizes across seasons. During data collection, baboon troops were followed and distance travelled daily was recorded continuously by using hand-held GPS during the wet and dry seasons. Results showed that baboons travelled significantly higher daily average distances in the dry season (3.01 ± 0.069 km) than in the wet season (1.06 ± 0.031 km). Across species, olive baboons travelled higher distances than yellow baboons for both seasons; olive baboons (3.27 ± 0.06 km) dry season and (1.17 ± 0.04 km) wet season, yellow baboons (2.76 ± 0.08 km) dry season and (0.95 ± 0.02 km) wet season. The average baboon group sizes were significantly larger in the wet season (16 baboons) than in the dry season (9 baboons). Olive baboons had larger group sizes (18 and 11) than yellow baboons (14 and 7) for both seasons. Thus, seasonal variation was associated with differences in daily movements and group sizes. These results have implications for conservation efforts to develop strategies in wildlife management across baboon distribution both inside and outside reserves.
Monitoring stress physiology through non-invasive techniques is critically important for the effective management of vulnerable wildlife species, particularly those experiencing substantial anthropogenic pressures. This study aimed to validate enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for accurately quantifying faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations, as indicators of physiological stress in Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii). Due to significant ethical, logistical, and conservation challenges associated with the direct handling and experimental manipulation of this threatened species, the study utilized a biological validation approach, relying on opportunistic collection of faecal samples from pangolins during their rehabilitation after confiscation from illegal wildlife trafficking. Faecal samples collected from multiple individuals at various rehabilitation facilities were analysed using a cortisol, corticosterone, two 11-oxoaetiocholanolone (72a and 72 T), and a 5α-pregnane-3ß,11ß,21-triol-20-one (37e) EIA. Among these assays, both 72a and 72 T detected significant increases (> 150
Abstract Animals’ microbiomes are important to individual health and population viability. Failure to incorporate microbiomes into conservation actions may have profound consequences. In a changing world, whether microbiomes of wild populations are shaped by endogenous (e.g. host) or exogenous (e.g. environment) drivers requires disentangling. This remains a challenge. To identify the dominant driver, we propose a comparative framework that uses population comparisons to systematically assess host and environmental drivers. In the same way that there has been a revolution in understanding microbiomes in human health, applying this framework will facilitate a more holistic approach to the conservation of animals and their microbes. Taking a precautionary approach to wildlife conservation, we should be protecting microbiomes before it is too late to understand the implication of changes to microbiomes.
This is the first study in cycads to measure genetics, demography, and survival of plant populations due to an invasive insect. The armored scale Aulacaspis yasumatsui invaded the island of Rota in 2007 posing a new threat to the native Cycas micronesica population. The pre-invasion genetic structure of the host plant populations revealed considerable genetic variation and restricted gene flow among habitats and identified genetic clusters representing the genetic variation of the species in Rota. Prior to localized A. yasumatsui infestations, 28 permanent plots were established among seven locations in 2008. Data were collected to document survival and demography until 2023. There were 11,254 stems per ha in 2008, 9.2
Bats are ecologically and economically important mammals, yet their global decline underscores the need for effective monitoring strategies. Acoustic identification through echolocation calls has become a cornerstone for bat research and conservation, but the reliability of automated methods remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic literature review of 531 articles published between 1990 and 2022, of which 207 met the inclusion criteria. Across these studies, we identified 34 echolocation analysis methods, including commercial software and supervised learning approaches. Accuracy was reported in 28 studies for 18 methods. Most tools achieved over 70
