How data curation and new geographical records can change the conservation status of threatened brazilian butterflies

Author(s)

Rosa, Augusto H. B. ; Ribeiro, D. B. ; Freitas, Andre V. L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION; v. 27, n. 3, p. 12-pg., 2023-02-18.

Abstract

Primary data, such as geographical records of species, are base-line for conservation status assessments. For many years, data on Brazil's threatened butterflies (58 taxa (based on Brazilian Red List Fauna of 2014)) have been in need of improvement and the present paper provides a careful curation of their geographical distribution data as well as an update of extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO). EOO and AOO were estimated using two scenarios, one named "previous estimate" using all only published geographical records, and other named "current estimate" using both, published records (from literature) plus all newly obtained "unpublished records" (not published in literature). In total, similar to 6,700 records were compiled from several sources; 1,053 records are non duplicated geographical data. Of these 1,053 records, 566 (69%) come from surveyed literature (published records), 258 (31%) are unpublished records, and 229 (22%) were found to contain errors after data curation. Comparing "previous" to "current" estimates of both, EOO and AOO, changes in geographical range were reported for 48 taxa (83%). Based on current data (applying the thresholds of IUCN criterion B (geographic range data)), there is a potential for changes in conservation status categories for 51 taxa (88%). Importantly, approximately half of unpublished records are from scientific collections and the remainder were provided by citizen scientists (via personal communication), showing the importance of both data sources. The present updates of geographical records based on new records and curated data (and consequently, EOO and AOO) of threatened Brazilian butterflies may aid future conservation status assessments and also reinforce the importance of data curation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/50225-3 - Natural history, phylogeny and conservation of Neotropical Lepidoptera
• Grantee: André Victor Lucci Freitas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/50297-0 - Dimensions US-BIOTA São Paulo: a multidisciplinary framework for biodiversity prediction in the Brazilian Atlantic forest hotspot
• Grantee: Cristina Yumi Miyaki
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/03868-8 - Evolutionary mechanisms that shape diversity and distribution in a tropical biodiversity hotspot
• Grantee: André Victor Lucci Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants