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Conducting conservation research and establishing protected areas (PAs) based on research results are critical to biodiversity conservation. However, the effect of research and PAs on conservation of threatened species has rarely been evaluated simultaneously. We collected data on PAs from 2000 for 2021 and determined the number of publications on global primates (published from 1950 to 2021) to assess the effect of PAs, research, and biological and socioeconomic factors on the current International Union for Conservation of Nature endangered status and change in status. We used the MCMCglmm package to conduct a phylogenetic comparative analysis to control the phylogenetic relationship of primate species. The status of 24.6% (82 of 333) of species assessed at least twice declined. Only the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus) had an improved status. Species with status declines mostly occurred on the south coast of West Africa and in Madagascar. PAs covered 22.1% of each species’ range. Forest loss in PAs (5.5%) was significantly lower than forest loss within 5 km outside PAs (13.8%), suggesting PAs effectively mitigated forest loss. Both the median number of total publications and conservation publications on critically endangered species were higher than those of other categories. Models showed that PA coverage and number of publications or conservation‐focused publications were not related to current status or change in status over time. A decline in status was not related to creation of PAs or increase of research since the last assessment. Our results suggest that current PAs and research are not reversing the extinction crisis of global primates. Doing more conservation‐oriented research, strengthening management of current PAs, and expanding PAs will be needed to protect primates globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IUCN Red List, which provides data on distribution, ecology and habitats, population size, economic uses, threats and conservation actions, is a critical indicator of the status of the world's biodiversity and will assist in informing a necessary conservation decision. The Mediterranean region is characterized by a heavy endemism of plant diversity, where the majority of its species are narrow endemic species. The current investigation aims at evaluating the conservation status, degree of extinction of Mediterranean endemic plants in Egypt and their changes over the recent climate changes. Twenty Field trips were conducted from February 2017 to March 2023, investigating different regions in the coastal Mediterranean strip in Egypt. In addition, all the previous studies performed in the investigated area, scientific literature, and different herbaria have been taken into consideration. Coordinates, main habitats and threats for 15 Mediterranean endemic taxa were conducted during visits to evaluate their level of conservation depending on IUCN categories. The current investigation indicated that nine taxa were found to be threatened (7 endangered, 2 critically endangered). In addition, four taxa were believed to be extinct, while two species were recorded as Data Deficient. Climate changes (drought and excessive temperature) and human impacts (urbanization and tourism) are the most effective threats on the taxa in this region. The present investigation is the pioneer study for completely evaluation of these taxa according to IUCN criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most assessments of the conservation status of Brazilian turtles use the IUCN geographic range criteria performed by the Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP). This technique often leads to over- or under-estimating the geographic distribution of rare, vulnerable, or endangered species. We aimed to demonstrate that using Species Distribution Models (SDM) on the geographic range assessment of turtles could be more accurate than using the minimum polygon convex. We reduced overestimation of species' extent of occurrence by adding dispersal constraints, which avoids under- or over-estimating the impact of threatening events. The extent of occurrence derived from MCP was 31% higher than SDM on average, ranging from 4 to 311% higher. Using remaining habitat variables, we found that habitat loss within the predicted extent of occurrence increased by 79% from 1985 to 2019, and inferred population fragmentation increased by 161%. The distribution of turtles Acanthochelys radiolata, Acanthochelys spixii, Hydromedusa maximiliani, Hydromedusa tectifera, Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei, Phrynops williamsi, and Ranacephala hogei is severely fragmented, with most of their extent of occurrence being split into patches that are unavailable to the species persistence. Our findings highlight the importance of using SDM combined with dispersal constraints, which may further benefit from future information about the dispersal capacity of turtles. Furthermore, adding environmental layers to this combination makes it possible to discuss processes affected by habitat fragmentation, such as the fragmentation of species populations, an aspect essential to evaluate population viability and local extinctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia korolkowii (Lamiaceae) has been considered a species of highest conservation priority due to its narrow distribution and isolated taxonomic position. The species has been known from Uzbekistan and, questionably, Kyrgyzstan and treated as endemic to the Western Tian-Shan. Its modern conservation status according to the IUCN Criteria has not been established.The taxonomic position of Salvia korolkowii is evaluated; the species is treated as the sole member of S. sect. Odontochilus (Pobed.) Sennikov, comb. nov. because of its morphological differences and phylogenetic isolation. The herbarium collections are completely revised and the species is proven to occur mainly in Uzbekistan with a single locality (new country record) in Kazakhstan; its former report from Kyrgyzstan (one locality) is confirmed and documented by herbarium specimens. The species occurrences are mapped and its conservation status is assessed as Vulnerable due to the restricted size and continuous decline of its populations because of the ongoing degradation and destruction of its primary habitat (variegated outcrops) at lower elevations. This study highlights the importance of a thorough revision of herbarium collections in Central Asia for conservation purposes.

Background Salvia korolkowii (Lamiaceae) has been considered a species of highest conservation priority due to its narrow distribution and isolated taxonomic position. The species has been known from Uzbekistan and, questionably, Kyrgyzstan and treated as endemic to the Western Tian-Shan. Its modern conservation status according to the IUCN Criteria has not been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonum samsunicum is one of the endemic species from Turkey. Up to now, it has been only known from the type locality (Samsun /Ladik). This research intends to define the global conservation status and strategies of locally distributed endemic P. samsunicum which has been confronted with the danger of extinction due to anthropogenic effects in recent years. In this research, we did extensive field studies and collected all needed data for determining the precise conservation status of P. samsunicum. We reported nine additional populations from Upper Tersakan valley, where the Mediterranean climate is dominant, and the size of populations, altitude, coordinates, habitat types, and the threats it faces in each locality were given. GeoCAT analyses at global levels indicate the grade of occurrence 21.609 km2 and area of occupancy 10.094 km2 and there could be an inferred decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation of the original population, suggesting local endemic species might be classified as CR, based on criteria B1ab (i, ii, iii) + 2ab (i, ii, iii) in the Red List categorization. Its parts are also consumed by local people due to its medicinal features. For in-situ conservation, phenological life history and detailed ecological studies, as well as population monitoring and ex-situ conservation studies should be continued together. Establishing cooperation between universities, research institutes, and local management authorities is strongly needed for long-term monitoring of population size, distribution, overgrazing, and public awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polytrias indica (Houtt.) Veldkamp is native to Java (Indonesia) but found outside its native range as a lawn grass or an escape. In India, it was first collected from Khasia (now Khasi) in Meghalaya and later reported as a garden escape in Indian Botanic Garden, Shibpur, West Bengal. Merrill created the confusion when he made the combination Ischaemum indicum (1938) for a taxon which is not an Ischaemum. The so-called Polytrias indica in certain Indian herbaria (e.g., PBL, BSID) is, indeed, Ischaemum ciliare Retz. (1791) to which name Ishaemum indicum has been misapplied in Indian grasses literature, and the IUCN assessment of Polytrias indica made in 2013 is not an exception.

Lotus sanguineus is one of the endemic taxa from Mediterranean Region of Turkey. It has hitherto been known from type locality and was assessed under VU and EN categories despite the lack of information on the population size, number of location and habitat quality. This study aims to determine the global conservation status and conservation strategies of the narrow endemic species. We collected all available data and evaluated them with the field studies. We reported the sizes of populations, altitude, coordinates, habitat types and the threats it faces for each locality. GeoCAT analyses at global levels indicate the extent of occurrence 19.965 km2 and area of occupancy 9 km2 and there could be an inferred decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation of the original population, suggesting this species might be classified as Critically Endangered, based on criterium B1ab (i, ii, iii) + 2ab (i, ii, iii) in the Red List categorization. Conservation priorities include life history and ecology studies, in-situ conservation, population monitoring and ex-situ conservation to prevent the destruction of the existing gene pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation status of plant species is an important tool for their effective conservation, but it has been evaluated only in a low number of taxa up to now. In this frame, the national assessment of Juncus atratus Krock., a Central European-South Siberian wet meadow species, is here provided. J. atratus is a rare and threatened species in Central Europe and has been listed as Regionally Extinct in the only Italian Region where it was previously known. The species has recently been rediscovered in Italy, in a different area (Castel S. Maria plain, Umbria Region), and at present, this is the only confirmed known location at national scale. An overview of its ecological and distributive characteristics is presented, considering both bibliographic sources and new data including its phytosociological context in the study area. According to the IUCN Criteria, the species is here ascribed to the category Critically Endangered (CR). The case of J. atratus is an emblematic example of the difficulty of providing exhaustive and reliable extinction risk assessment when knowledge on the species distribution is not complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background - Phialiphora (Spermacoceae, Rubiaceae) is a herbaceous genus restricted to unconsolidated white sands in open spaces in dry forests in northwestern Madagascar. The genus is characterized by the semi-succulent nature of its leaves and stems, its basal leaf rosette, its head-like inflorescences subtended by large leaf-like involucrate bracts and its isostylous flowers. Hitherto, only two species were described. Methods - Classical methods of herbarium taxonomy are followed. Key results - Two new Phialiphora species, P. glabrata De Block and P. valida De Block, are described, which brings the number of species in the genus to four. The two new species differ from the two previously described species by their glabrous branches, bracts, ovaries, calyces and fruits. They are easily distinguished from each other by the shape and size of the calyx lobes. A detailed description, illustration, distribution map and preliminary conservation assessment is given for the new species, which are assessed as critically endangered. We also present a key for the genus and discuss in detail the typical branching system, the capsules and the dispersal mechanism of Phialiphora. The description of these two new species exemplifies the uniqueness of the dry vegetations on unconsolidated white sands in western Madagascar, which are characterized by a high level of endemicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata , a burrowing, armoured mammal, plays an important role in the food web by consuming insects and termites. In Pakistan the species' range includes the 22,000 km2 Potohar Plateau, where it is under pressure from illegal hunting for its scales and requires conservation attention. We used a geographical information system to quantify the range of the Indian pangolin on the Plateau and to compare this with the range estimated in the IUCN Red List assessment of the species. We found that the species occupies c. 89% of the Plateau, in eight of the 10 protected areas, compared with the IUCN estimate of 71%, and we recorded the species at 40 locations on the Plateau outside the range predicted by the IUCN assessment. We collected data on the illegal capture and killing of the species, recording 412 individuals that had been killed at 48 locations between January 2011 and the end of April 2013. The highest number of killings was recorded in Chakwal District (n = 156, at 13 sites) followed by the Attock District (n = 149, at eight sites). Although the Indian pangolin's range on the Potohar Plateau is c. 18% larger than that estimated in the IUCN assessment, the species is under pressure from illegal killing and requires urgent conservation measures to save the small remaining population and avoid the extirpation of this vital insectivorous predator from the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Red List of all 108 Pezizomycotina (Ascomycota) species recorded in Umbria Region (central Italy) is provided. According to the IUCN categories and criteria, 60.18% of the assessed species are classified as threatened, whereas 12.96% are Near Threatened (NT), 1.86% are Least Concerned (LC) and a noteworthy amount of 25% are Data Deficient (DD). As a consequence of the downlisting applied to the majority of the assessed taxa, according to the guidelines for application of IUCN red list criteria at Regional level, only 1.54% of the threatened species is Critically Endangered (CR), while 46.15% are Endangered (EN) and 52.31% are Vulnerable (VU). Given that the present work represents the first complete regional red list of Pezizomycotina in Italy, and that a national, as well as a European red list do not exist to date, it could be considered as a case study for other Italian Regions as well as for other European countries, aiming at the compilation of a national and European red list of this fungal group mostly overlooked in conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field survey conducted to understand habitat, distribution, population structure and conservation status of Lilium polyphyllum. Three populations (total 649 individuals) are in decline because of habitat degradation, agriculture invasion and over exploitation. Our finding confirmed critically endangered status of the species, although with new criteria. We recommended integrated conservation plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A new species of Fritzschia is described and compared with its probable relatives. Fritzschia rupestris is characterized by its sprawling habit with elongate internodes, absence of trichomes on vegetative and floral organs, ovate to subcordate glutinous leaf blades with serrulate margins, solitary pedunculate flowers, magenta petals, dimorphic stamens with well-developed staminal appendages, calyx lobes that become thicker in fruit, and ovary apex with a few scattered sessile glands. Diagnostic line drawings, field images, SEM photos of seeds, a distribution map, and a conservation assessment are provided, along with a key to all the species currently recognized in the genus Fritzschia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polytrias indica (Houtt.) Veldkamp is native to Java (Indonesia) but found outside its native range as a lawn grass or an escape. In India, it was first collected from Khasia (now Khasi) in Meghalaya and later reported as a garden escape in Indian Botanic Garden, Shibpur, West Bengal. Merrill created the confusion when he made the combination Ischaemum indicum (1938) for a taxon which is not an Ischaemum. The so-called Polytrias indica in certain Indian herbaria (e.g., PBL, BSID) is, indeed, Ischaemum ciliare Retz. (1791) to which name Ishaemum indicum has been misapplied in Indian grasses literature, and the IUCN assessment of Polytrias indica made in 2013 is not an exception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invertebrates in general, and terrestrial molluscs in particular, are greatly affected by the current biodiversity extinction crisis, and accurate assessment of these organisms for inclusion in Red Lists is essential for the conservation of these taxa. However, obtaining accurate population counts of molluscs for this purpose can be challenging. Using Prestonella bowkeri, a terrestrial snail up to 23 mm in length and 14 mm in width found in mesic rocky cliff face habitats on the Great Escarpment of southern Africa as an example, we show that the use of Mark-recapture techniques to obtain population census data is appropriate to terrestrial molluscs of this size and larger. While currently listed as vulnerable, our results indicate that there are as many as 4,108 individuals of this species in one population, which suggests that the population size (sensu the IUCN definition) is probably >20,000, and the species could be down-listed and classified as near threatened. However, when considering the problems associated with applying the IUCN Red List criteria to invertebrates, and the very small number of populations and hence area of occupancy of this species, down-listing would be premature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this work were to verify the distribution and population size of Lamyropsis microcephala (Asteraceae), characterize its habitat, assess its conservation status and initiate conservation measures for this Critically Endangered species. Distribution was determined by field surveys and mapping. To estimate population size and density 81 permanent monitoring plots were randomly established. Ex situ conservation measures were activated by harvesting and appropriate storage of seed. We confirmed the presence of L. microcephala at two previously known sites and found it in two previously unknown localities. The areas in which the species occur vary from 200 to 240,000 m2, at altitudes of 1,450–1,820 m, on slopes of 15–45° with aspects from north to west. The estimated number of ramets per population varied from c. 2,000 to c. 2,000,000, with a mean density of 8.29 ± SD 14.3 to 10.33 ± SD 10.05 ramets m-2. Our findings confirmed the Critically Endangered status of this species, although with different criteria. This study is an example of an integrated approach for the conservation of an extremely narrow endemic plant species and may be useful for other little-known threatened species for which urgent conservation measures are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is one of the most important of all conservation indicators, but most developing countries do not have enough information with which to make assessments. The use of species distribution models (SDMs) to predict habitat suitability, both currently and in the future under the effects of climate change, offers a potential solution for estimating extinction risk. With a set of validated observations, we used SDMs to make preliminary evaluations of the risk of extinction for 114 Egyptian medicinal plants based on IUCN Red-List Criteria and Categories. Using MaxEnt and eleven environmental variables, distributions were projected for 2020, 2050, and 2080 under two emission scenarios (A2a and B2a) assuming unlimited and no dispersal. The IUCN assessments used the predicted distributions as well as the actual records to measure both extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO). There was a positive correlation between EOO estimates based on actual records and those based on SDMs, demonstrating the ability of SDMs to compensate for a lack of data. Most species could be classified as Least Concern (LC) at the current time, whilst in the future under climate change, many species face some risk of extinction, depending on assumptions. We conclude that it is possible to make regional risk assessments even in data-sparse countries, in order to plan conservation management in the future. Using species distribution modelling together with IUCN Red-List assessment is a good method for countries where data are sparse in order to conserve and protect threatened species. • IUCN Red List assessments can be made of the risk of extinction even when data are sparse. • SDMs is a good method when associate with IUCN Red List for assessing distributions and possible extinction risks in data sparse countries. • IUCN Red List categories and criteria need to be used carefully when estimating risks under climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]