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Jenkins RKB, Tognelli MF, Bowles P, Cox N, Brown JL, Chan L, Andreone F, Andriamazava A, Andriantsimanarilafy RR, Anjeriniaina M, Bora P, Brady LD, Hantalalaina EF, Glaw F, Griffiths RA, Hilton-Taylor C, Hoffmann M, Katariya V, Rabibisoa NH, Rafanomezantsoa J, Rakotomalala D, Rakotondravony H, Rakotondrazafy NA, Ralambonirainy J, Ramanamanjato JB, Randriamahazo H, Randrianantoandro JC, Randrianasolo HH, Randrianirina JE, Randrianizahana H, Raselimanana AP, Rasolohery A, Ratsoavina FM, Raxworthy CJ, Robsomanitrandrasana E, Rollande F, van Dijk PP, Yoder AD, Vences M. Extinction risks and the conservation of Madagascar's reptiles. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100173. [PMID: 25111137 PMCID: PMC4128600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo F. Tognelli
- IUCN/CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit, Betty & Gordon Moore Center for Science & Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
- IUCN Global Species Programme, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Philip Bowles
- IUCN/CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit, Betty & Gordon Moore Center for Science & Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
- IUCN Global Species Programme, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Neil Cox
- IUCN/CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit, Betty & Gordon Moore Center for Science & Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
- IUCN Global Species Programme, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Jason L. Brown
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lauren Chan
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- W. M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | | | - Alain Andriamazava
- Ligue pour la Protection de la Nature à Madagascar, Lot 313 Cité Civil Ambohipo, Antaninarenina, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Mirana Anjeriniaina
- WWF Madagascar and West Indian Ocean Programme Office, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Parfait Bora
- Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Lee D. Brady
- Calumma Ecological Services, Dunkirk, Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Elisoa F. Hantalalaina
- Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München, München, Germany
| | - Richard A. Griffiths
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael Hoffmann
- IUCN/CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit, Betty & Gordon Moore Center for Science & Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, Gland, Switzerland
- United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nirhy H. Rabibisoa
- Département de Zoologie et Ecologie, Faculté des Sciences Campus Ambondrona, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Jeannot Rafanomezantsoa
- Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Hery Rakotondravony
- Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Ny A. Rakotondrazafy
- Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina
- Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Technical University of Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christopher J. Raxworthy
- Herpetology Department, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Finoana Rollande
- Conservation International, Villa Hajanirina, Ankorahotra, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Peter P. van Dijk
- IUCN/CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit, Betty & Gordon Moore Center for Science & Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Anne D. Yoder
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Miguel Vences
- Technical University of Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Braunschweig, Germany
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