Article
Zoology
Oscar Anibal Stellatelli, Laura E. Vega, Carolina Block, Camila Rocca, Patricio Bellagamba, Juan Esteban Dajil, Felix Benjamin Cruz
Summary: The physiological performance of lizards can be affected by climate variations across different latitudes. Lizards in higher latitudes show better thermal adaptation and faster running speed at relatively low temperatures.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Antonieta Labra
Summary: Reproductive isolating barriers, particularly ethological barriers, such as scent discrimination, play a crucial role in the speciation process. This study examined the variation in scent discrimination between sympatric Liolaemus lizard species and found that there is a fast evolution of scents and/or their discrimination, potentially contributing to the high diversity of the genus. However, different species exhibited differences in the strength of population scent discrimination, suggesting that ethological barriers may evolve at different rates across species and disrupt species cohesion.
Article
Zoology
M. Victoria Brizio, Facundo Cabezas-Cartes, Jimena B. Fernandez, Rodrigo Gomez Ales, Luciano J. Avila
Summary: The study reveals that the critically endangered Anelo Sand Dunes Lizard is currently not under environmental stress, but thermoregulates below its preferred body temperature to avoid overheating. An increase in environmental temperature due to global warming will strongly impact their thermal safety margins, increasing their vulnerability.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Win Ko Ko Naing Tun, Niti Sukumal, Dusit Ngoprasert, Nay Myo Shwe, Tommaso Savini
Summary: Effective management of protected areas is crucial for biodiversity conservation, and the status of indicator species can be used to evaluate its effectiveness. Monitoring changes in the status of indicator species over time is essential for designing and improving management plans. The eastern hoolock gibbon is considered an indicator species for habitat quality due to its preference for pristine habitats. In this study, we assessed the changes in the status of the eastern hoolock gibbon in Mahamyaing Wildlife Sanctuary over 16 years (2005-2021) by estimating density changes and population viability. The results revealed a significant decline in gibbon density and population viability, highlighting the detrimental effects of selective logging and human disturbance in the sanctuary. Adequate protection and targeted conservation efforts are needed to address these threats.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Nathalia R. Matias, Murilo Guimaraes, Laura Verrastro
Summary: This study investigated the impacts of urban development on the sand lizard Liolaemus occipitalis by comparing two populations in Brazil's southern coastline. The results showed that habitat fragmentation caused by urbanization led to lower survival rates of individuals in the disturbed population. However, it did not significantly affect the abundance of the lizard species. Additionally, the study found that females in the disturbed area had better body condition compared to those in the conserved area, while males had similar body lengths across populations.
IHERINGIA SERIE ZOOLOGIA
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Yuanting Jin, Diana Aguilar-Gomez, Debora Y. C. Brandt, Tyler A. Square, Jiasheng Li, Zhengxia Liu, Tao Wang, Peter H. Sudmant, Craig T. Miller, Rasmus Nielsen
Summary: This study analyzed the genome of the variegated toad-headed agama and found that substrate color plays an important role in the melanism adaptation of the lizard.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Lais S. Martins, Luiz E. Costa-Schmidt, Alexandre M. Garcia, Rodrigo F. Bastos, Marluci M. Rebelato, Alexandro M. Tozetti
Summary: The study found that L. occipitalis lizards partially depend on trophic subsidy from temporary ponds and other aquatic sources, indicating a close relationship in nutrient transfer between species. Therefore, conservation efforts for this endangered lizard species should prioritize the protection of temporary habitats such as ponds.
SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Antone dos Santos Benedito, Odair Aparecido Fernandes, Claudia Pio Ferreira
Summary: The study examined the development, mortality, fecundity, and longevity of soybean looper at six constant temperatures. The results showed that the species is able to complete its entire life cycle between 19.7 and 30.0 degrees Celsius, with the best fitness achieved at 25.4 degrees Celsius. The findings can help optimize efforts to control this insect-pest.
NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Yingying Duan, Haina Rong, Gexiang Zhang, Dunwu Qi, Luis Valencia-Cabrera, Mario J. Perez-Jimenez
Summary: Despite the downgrading of the giant panda's extinction status, they still face survival challenges due to their rarity. Evaluating the remaining number of giant pandas for potential release into the wild is crucial. This paper proposes a membrane computing model based on behavioral biology to assess the species' minimum viable population (MVP).
Article
Environmental Sciences
Melina Alicia Velasco, Igor Berkunsky, Diego Omar Di Pietro, Maria Luz Arellano, Jorge Daniel Williams, Federico Pablo Kacoliris
Summary: This study conducted a population viability analysis on the El Rincon stream frog in Northern Patagonia, Argentina, revealing its critically endangered status. The study estimated the extinction risk, minimum viable population (MVP), and minimum area requirements (MAR) for each local population, and proposed reintroduction and supplementation strategies for managing the species. For local populations below the MVP, supplementing with a pair of adult frogs every 17 to 20 years would improve population viability.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Brian Folt, Jeffrey M. Goessling, Anna Tucker, Craig Guyer, Sharon Hermann, Ericha Shelton-Nix, Conor McGowan
Summary: Population viability analyses can predict abundance and extinction risk for imperiled species. A 30-year study of gopher tortoises in southern Alabama revealed differences in demographic vital rates between stable and declining populations, with female survival playing a crucial role in population stability.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Caitlyn Rich, Sean B. Reilly, Barry Sinervo
Summary: The study on the ring species Ensatina showed that the leucistic and xanthistic morphs are generally rare, except in regions containing light-colored substrate, where they are more equally adapted. The research found that the interaction between substrate color and morph best predicted the attack rates, with xanthistic and leucistic morphs being poorly adapted for dark substrates compared to the typical morphs.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carine Firmino Carvalho-Roel, Oswaldo Marcal Junior
Summary: The blue-and-yellow macaw population in the Emas National Park in Brazil is critically at risk due to high roadkill rates and nest poaching. Modeling shows that 4500 birds are needed to maintain viability considering only roadkill, 2000 for nest poaching, and 5000 when both threats are present. Without any threats, a viable population can be sustained with 150 individuals.
Article
Ecology
Ivan G. Blokhin, Valery Glazko
Summary: Comparative analysis of genetic and morphological methods revealed that using microsatellite sequences and endogenous retrovirus sites for comparison provides the most informative data for describing the genetic structure of populations with high resolution. The study found that the variability of males contributes more significantly to interpopulation differentiation in different capture locations of the eastern sand lizard compared to females.
SOUTH OF RUSSIA-ECOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Diego Omar Di Pietro, Mario Roberto Cabrera, Jorge Daniel Williams, Leandro Alcalde, Rodrigo Cajade, Federico Pablo Kacoliris
STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Agustina Cortelezzi, Maria Simoy, Augusto Siri, Mariano Donato, Rosana E. Cepeda, Claudia B. Marinelli, Igor Berkunsky
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Tomas Martinez Aguirre, Judit E. Dopazo, Agustina Cortelezzi, Maria Luz Arellano, Clara Trofino Falasco, Maria Veronica Simoy, Igor Berkunsky
Summary: Two new species of small-sized terrestrial toad belonging to the Melanophryniscus stelzneri group have been described from the Ventania and Tandilia Mountain Systems in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. They are characterized by a distinctive combination of features, including concealed tympanum and dark black dorsum, and should be categorized as threatened species due to local extinctions.
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carlos Campos, Melinda A. Martinez, Daniel Acosta, Jose A. Diaz-Luque, Igor Berkunsky, Nadine L. Lamberski, Javier Cruz-Nieto, Michael A. Russello, Timothy F. Wright
Summary: Endangered parrot populations may exhibit weak genetic differentiation between wild subpopulations and between wild and captive populations. Similar levels of genetic diversity were detected in the wild and captive populations of both species, with private alleles found in captivity and in the wild in the thick-billed parrot. This suggests the potential benefits of reintroduction of genetic variation found in captivity for both species.
Article
Ornithology
Noelia L. Volpe, Bettina Thalinger, Elisabet Vilacoba, Thomas W. A. Braukmann, Adrian S. Di Giacomo, Igor Berkunsky, Dario A. Lijtmaer, Dirk Steinke, Cecilia Kopuchian
Summary: The reintroduced Red-and-Green Macaws in Argentina are successfully adapting to the wild and are able to exploit local food resources throughout the year. A combination of behavioral observation and DNA metabarcoding is necessary to accurately assess the diet diversity of bird species.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Clara Trofino Falasco, Adrian Santiago Di Giacomo, Maria Florencia Aranguren, Tomas Martinez Aguirre, Pablo Grilli, Estefania Laura Paz, Maria Gimena Pizzarello, David Gustavo Vera, Igor Berkunsky
Summary: The accelerated transformation of grasslands has caused population declines in many grassland bird species. However, there is limited information on the nesting biology of grassland species in southern South America. This study examined the nesting attempts of two threatened grassland bird species in central-eastern Argentina over three breeding seasons, and found that their breeding biology is strongly associated with tall native grasslands. The findings suggest that changes in breeding habitat, particularly in grassland vegetation structure, could affect these species.
STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Melina Alicia Velasco, Igor Berkunsky, Diego Omar Di Pietro, Maria Luz Arellano, Jorge Daniel Williams, Federico Pablo Kacoliris
Summary: This study conducted a population viability analysis on the El Rincon stream frog in Northern Patagonia, Argentina, revealing its critically endangered status. The study estimated the extinction risk, minimum viable population (MVP), and minimum area requirements (MAR) for each local population, and proposed reintroduction and supplementation strategies for managing the species. For local populations below the MVP, supplementing with a pair of adult frogs every 17 to 20 years would improve population viability.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Federico Pablo Kacoliris, Igor Berkunsky, Juan Carlos Acosta, Rodrigo Acosta, Maria Gabriela Agostini, Mauricio Sebastian Akmentins, Maria Luz Arellano, Claudio Azat, Nadia Carla Bach, Graciela Mirta Blanco, Rodrigo Calvo, Andres Charrier, Valeria Corbalan, Claudio Correa, Maria Elena Cuello, Camila Deutsch, Diego Di-Pietro, Maria Soledad Gaston, Rodrigo Gomez-Ales, Camila Kass, Nicolas Kass, Gabriel Lobos, Tomas Agustin Martinez, Tomas Martinez-Aguirre, Marta Mora, Rodrigo Nieva-Cocilio, Hernan Pastore, Juan Manuel Perez-Iglesias, Lia Piaggio-Kokot, Felipe Rabanal, Melina Jesus Rodriguez-Munoz, Laura Cecilia Sanchez, Charif Tala, Carmen Ubeda, Marcos Vaira, Melina Alicia Velasco, Marcela Vidal, Jorge Daniel Williams
Summary: This study provides updated information on the severity and extent of threats to amphibian populations in Chile and Argentina. It reveals that agriculture and habitat modifications are the most frequently reported threats, while invasive species, emerging diseases, and activities related to grazing and farming are the threats most associated with population declines.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David G. Vera, Diego O. Di Pietro, Clara Trofino Falasco, German Tettamanti, Luciana Iriarte, Micaela Harkes, Federico P. Kacoliris, Igor Berkunsky
Summary: This study aimed to model the geographic distribution of reptiles in the Tandilia Mountains and identify the key biodiversity areas. Results showed that the current Natural Protected Areas network in the Tandilia Mountains covers a low area of 0.12% and is insufficient in protecting reptile biodiversity.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Judit E. Dopazo, Alejandra Kruger, Elena Correa, Walter J. Lertora, Martin Boullhesen, Igor Berkunsky, Mauricio S. Akmentins
Summary: This study reports the first case of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infection in the endangered La Banderita marsupial frog Gastrotheca gracilis from the Southern Yungas Andean forest. Samples from 20 tadpole oral discs and histological sections from two post-metamorphic individuals were analyzed. The results showed a 60% infection rate in tadpoles and the presence of zoosporangia of Bd in different maturation stages in the histological sections. The signs of infection suggest a potential threat to the endangered La Banderita marsupial frog populations.
HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David Gustavo Vera, Diego Omar Di Pietro, German Tettamanti, Manuel Eirin, Clara Trofino Falasco, Maria Florencia Aranguren, Jorge Daniel Williams, Federico Pablo Kacoliris, Igor Berkunsky
Summary: This study collected occurrence records of reptiles in the Tandilia Mountain System from five data sources, revealing 26 species in 12 families. Due to the presence of endemic reptiles, Tandilia could help determine conservation priorities for protecting native grasslands and reptiles.
NEOTROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diego O. Di Pietro, Jorge D. Williams, Mario R. Cabrera, Leandro Alcalde, Rodrigo Cajade, Federico P. Kacoliris
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Melina Alicia Velasco, Mauricio Sebastian Akmentins, Camila Alejandra Kass, Jorge Daniel Williams, Federico Pablo Kacoliris
NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David Gustavo Vera, Igor Berkunsky, German Tettamanti, Manuel Eirin, Federico Pablo Kacoliris, Diego Omar Di Pietro
NEOTROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2020)