Brazilian amphibians categorized as Data Deficient (DD): patterns of lack of information, predictions of risk extinction and issues related to the use of DD category

Author(s)

Carolina Ortiz Rocha da Costa

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2018-12-12

Examining board members

Marcio Roberto Costa Martins; Cristiano de Campos Nogueira; Ricardo Jannini Sawaya; Débora Leite Silvano; Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira; Paula Hanna Valdujo

• Advisor: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins; Katia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi de Barros Ferraz

Abstract

We are experiencing what could be considered as the sixth global biodiversity extinction event. Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrates in the world, and still the number of endangered species might be underestimated because 22% are classified in the category data deficient (DD). Brazil has a high richness of amphibians, but several knowledge gaps make it difficult to compile complete lists and impair the evaluation of the conservation status and the conservation planning of Brazilian amphibians. Thus, in order to contribute effectively in directing conservation actions for Brazilian anphibians we evaluated the influence of experts attitude on species classification, and also identified and adapted tools to better explore the available data on DD species. It was proposed an adaptive modeling framework to deal with the scarcity of these species distribution data and include dispersion capacity in species distribution modeling. In addition, to fill knowledge gaps of biological and ecological aspects of amphibian species of the Atlantic forest considered as DD literature search and in scientific collections were conducted, as well as the indication of priority areas for gathering additional information about these species. We identified that the line of action of the evaluators influences the determination of the DD category, increasing or reducing the probability of classifying a species in this category. Thereby, it`s emphasized the need to compose multidisciplinary teams to assess species conservation status. The framework proposed here has the potential to innovate the modeling process through the inclusion of one of the most difficult aspects to be measured, the species dispersion capacity. The set of information about DD species of the Atlantic forest has increased considerably with the survey and the species distribution models, and it was still possible to obtain priority areas to increase the empirical knowledge in more than 180 municipalities. Among the categories of protected areas most frequent as priority areas, Private Reserves stands out in the Northeast and South regions and Areas of Permanent Preservation the Southeast. Results of this study contribute effectively to the process conservation status assessment of amphibians, especially DD species from the Atlantic forest, so that it could be used in conservation systematic planning of this group. The approaches used in this study could serve as models for other species or taxonomic groups, reducing gaps and uncertainties in the process of evaluation of species conservation status. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06813-9 - Amphibians categorized as data deficient in the Brazilian list of threatened species: patterns of lack of information, issues on the use DD category and extinction risk prediction
• Grantee: Carolina Ortiz Rocha da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate