ABSTRACT
One in 6 species (13,465 species) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is classified as data deficient due to lack of information on their taxonomy, population status, or impact of threats. Despite the chance that many are at high risk of extinction, data-deficient species are typically excluded from global and local conservation priorities, as well as funding schemes. The number of data-deficient species will greatly increase as the IUCN Red List becomes more inclusive of poorly known and speciose groups. A strategic approach is urgently needed to enhance the conservation value of data-deficient assessments. To develop this, we reviewed 2879 data-deficient assessments in 6 animal groups and identified 8 main justifications for assigning data-deficient status (type series, few records, old records, uncertain provenance, uncertain population status or distribution, uncertain threats, taxonomic uncertainty, and new species). Assigning a consistent set of justification tags (i.e., consistent assignment to assessment justifications) to species classified as data deficient is a simple way to achieve more strategic assessments. Such tags would clarify the causes of data deficiency; facilitate the prediction of extinction risk; facilitate comparisons of data deficiency among taxonomic groups; and help prioritize species for reassessment. With renewed efforts, it could be straightforward to prevent thousands of data-deficient species slipping unnoticed toward extinction.
Subject(s)
Conservation of Natural Resources , Data Collection , Endangered Species , Uncertainty , Animals , Extinction, Biological , RiskABSTRACT
A proposal to synonymize the freshwater crab species Hypolobocera solimani and Hypolobocera triangula from Colombia. It is proposed that Hypolobocera solimani and H. triangula be considered junior synonyms of H. alata and H. rotundilobata, respectively. We state that the following morphological differences represent natural variations within the population: a) first male gonopod, third maxilliped and larger cheliped between H. alata and H. solimani, and b) the differences of the first male gonopod between H. rotundilobata and H. triangula. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 987-994. Epub 2008 September 30.
Se propone considerar las especies H. solimani e H. triangula como sinónimos de H. alata e H. rotundilobata, respectivamente. Se afirma que las diferencias morfológicas a) del primer gonopodo, del tercer maxilipedo y de la quela mayor entre H. alata e H. solimani y b) las diferencias del primer gonopodo entre H. rotundilobata e H. triangula, no son significativas y se originan en variaciones naturales propias de las poblaciones.
