Dataset Information

Extinction risks and the conservation of Madagascar's reptiles.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An understanding of the conservation status of Madagascar's endemic reptile species is needed to underpin conservation planning and priority setting in this global biodiversity hotspot, and to complement existing information on the island's mammals, birds and amphibians. We report here on the first systematic assessment of the extinction risk of endemic and native non-marine Malagasy snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises.

Methodology/principal findings

Species range maps from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species were analysed to determine patterns in the distribution of threatened reptile species. These data, in addition to information on threats, were used to identify priority areas and actions for conservation. Thirty-nine percent of the data-sufficient Malagasy reptiles in our analyses are threatened with extinction. Areas in the north, west and south-east were identified as having more threatened species than expected and are therefore conservation priorities. Habitat degradation caused by wood harvesting and non-timber crops was the most pervasive threat. The direct removal of reptiles for international trade and human consumption threatened relatively few species, but were the primary threats for tortoises. Nine threatened reptile species are endemic to recently created protected areas.

Conclusions/significance

With a few alarming exceptions, the threatened endemic reptiles of Madagascar occur within the national network of protected areas, including some taxa that are only found in new protected areas. Threats to these species, however, operate inside and outside protected area boundaries. This analysis has identified priority sites for reptile conservation and completes the conservation assessment of terrestrial vertebrates in Madagascar which will facilitate conservation planning, monitoring and wise-decision making. In sharp contrast with the amphibians, there is significant reptile diversity and regional endemism in the southern and western regions of Madagascar and this study highlights the importance of these arid regions to conserving the island's biodiversity.

SUBMITTER: Jenkins RK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4128600 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Extinction risks and the conservation of Madagascar's reptiles.

Jenkins Richard K B RK Tognelli Marcelo F MF Bowles Philip P Cox Neil N Brown Jason L JL Chan Lauren L Andreone Franco F Andriamazava Alain A Andriantsimanarilafy Raphali R RR Anjeriniaina Mirana M Bora Parfait P Brady Lee D LD Hantalalaina Elisoa F EF Glaw Frank F Griffiths Richard A RA Hilton-Taylor Craig C Hoffmann Michael M Katariya Vineet V Rabibisoa Nirhy H NH Rafanomezantsoa Jeannot J Rakotomalala Domoina D Rakotondravony Hery H Rakotondrazafy Ny A NA Ralambonirainy Johans J Ramanamanjato Jean-Baptiste JB Randriamahazo Herilala H Randrianantoandro J Christian JC Randrianasolo Harison H HH Randrianirina Jasmin E JE Randrianizahana Hiarinirina H Raselimanana Achille P AP Rasolohery Andriambolantsoa A Ratsoavina Fanomezana M FM Raxworthy Christopher J CJ Robsomanitrandrasana Eric E Rollande Finoana F van Dijk Peter P PP Yoder Anne D AD Vences Miguel M

PloS one 20140811 8

<h4>Background</h4>An understanding of the conservation status of Madagascar's endemic reptile species is needed to underpin conservation planning and priority setting in this global biodiversity hotspot, and to complement existing information on the island's mammals, birds and amphibians. We report here on the first systematic assessment of the extinction risk of endemic and native non-marine Malagasy snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>Species range ma ...[more]

PMID: 25111137

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Dataset Information

Extinction risks and the conservation of Madagascar's reptiles.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusions/significance

Publications

Extinction risks and the conservation of Madagascar's reptiles.

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