Verification of IUCNs threat criteria for two species of Coeligena (Trochilidae)

• Grant number: 22/11475-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Silvana Buzato
• Grantee: Rachel Augusta Monteiro Fidelis
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hummingbirds are a diverse group of birds with more than 300 species occupying places from humid lowlands to dry high altitude forests of America. They present behavioral and morphological adaptations related to survival in ecological gradients, so that variations in environmental conditions have a strong correlation with the population dynamics of these organisms. We are going through a period of increasing threat and loss of biodiversity, where birds with restricted distribution and high specialization for the environment, such as hummingbirds, may be among the most threatened by habitat loss and climate change. Today, 60% of hummingbird species are declining in population, but only 10% are considered threatened by the IUCN Red List, the largest tool for accessing species risk of extinction. It is alarming that most hummingbirds are assessed as non-threatened, given the increasing threats to their habitats and livelihoods. Therefore, we propose to determine the distribution of two sister species of hummingbirds, Coeligena lutetiae and Coeligena orina, which are evolutionarily and ecologically close, differing in their assesed extinction risk, Least Concern and Endangered, respectively. Data modeling will be done using Maxent algorithm with relevant bioclimatic variables in order to compare these parameters between the species considering the degree of threat given by IUCN. We seek to understand the assertiveness of IUCN Red List's criteria for this group and indicate adjustments if necessary.