I really don't think the general public is aware of the environmental impacts of palm oil or even what it is.
Kakapo's Photographic Collection of Endangered Species
- Thread starter Kakapo
- Start date
I'm not sure about that. It is one of the more well known issues in my opinion.
Btw, the Pongidae strikes again
(No way he treat orangutan as one species)
You're a lot closer to the issue in Hong Kong, so that might be part of it. Here is America I doubt more than 10% of people (and probably less than that) even know that palm oil exists, and most of those people will be people who know it as a food ingredient and nothing more.I'm not sure about that. It is one of the more well known issues in my opinion.
Btw, the Pongidae strikes again
I think it's likely to be an American thing. It is a well-known concern throughout Australasia. I'm guessing also Europeans know the issue well.
Can confirm that it is widespread and common knowledge in the European sphere.
Kakapo
Well-Known Member
Interesting to see how the perception of this problem varies geographically. Thanks for your participation! 
ELECTRIC BLUE MBUNA - Pseudotropheus cyaneorhabdos
Photo taken at: Seaworld San Diego, California, USA
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Perciformes > Cichlidae
Native range: Likoma island, Lake Malawi, Tanzania
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Overfishing for the aquarium trade. In a lesser exent, soil erosion caused by agricultural/forestry activities that cause sedimentation which diminish the photosynthetic surface of the algae that this fish feeds on.
Other comments: Malawi lake, also known as Nyassa lake, is the home of more than 850 different species of cichlids, an example of extreme evolutive radiation where many species live together and survive by exploiding different ecological niches for avoid interspecific competence. Most cichlids are widespread across the whole sea-sized lake, but this one is restricted to the northern tip of a small island in it. The species was comercialized even before having a scientific description (this is rather usual in freshwater fishes), and known first in aquarium trade as Melanochromis sp. 'Maingano', being Maingano a village in Likoma island around which were discovered the species.
ELECTRIC BLUE MBUNA - Pseudotropheus cyaneorhabdos
Photo taken at: Seaworld San Diego, California, USA
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Perciformes > Cichlidae
Native range: Likoma island, Lake Malawi, Tanzania
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Overfishing for the aquarium trade. In a lesser exent, soil erosion caused by agricultural/forestry activities that cause sedimentation which diminish the photosynthetic surface of the algae that this fish feeds on.
Other comments: Malawi lake, also known as Nyassa lake, is the home of more than 850 different species of cichlids, an example of extreme evolutive radiation where many species live together and survive by exploiding different ecological niches for avoid interspecific competence. Most cichlids are widespread across the whole sea-sized lake, but this one is restricted to the northern tip of a small island in it. The species was comercialized even before having a scientific description (this is rather usual in freshwater fishes), and known first in aquarium trade as Melanochromis sp. 'Maingano', being Maingano a village in Likoma island around which were discovered the species.
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Kakapo
Well-Known Member
SIAMESE DWARF RASBORA - Rasbora somphongsi
Photo taken at: A pet shop in Duisburg, Germany
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Cypriniformes > Cyprinidae
Native range: Maeklong river, Thailand (the exact location is unknown or maybe secret)
Ex-situ frequence: Rare
Danger factors: Habitat destruction for urban/farm expansion. Three large dams disrupted the flooding regime of the river and already caused the local extinction of some native fishes (Balantiocheilos melanopterus, Botia sidthimunki) in the same collection area where this rasbora lives.
Other comments: Long ago it was considered as extinct during a time lapse of 12 years, but it was rediscovered in 2006 as three individuals (called "contaminants"!) were found mixed in a batch of Rasbora urophthalmoides imported from Thailand to Germany. Thanks to the captive breeding both in Thailand and in Germany, now is available in the aquarium trade but still quite rare to find in captive stock. The species is easy to breed often even without human intervention, but only aged individuals breeds well, so hobbyist trying that with young ones can say that it's difficult to breed. There is no plans about a reintroduction program because the habitat requeriments and the causes of the decline of the species are not well known.
DIMAKA PALM - Tahina spectabilis
Photo taken at: Palmetum Santa Cruz, Canary Islands, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Arecales > Arecaceae
Native range: Analavava district, northeastern Madagascar
Ex-situ frequence: Rare to Very rare
Danger factors: Habitat destruction caused by fires, logging and land clearing for agriculture (slash-and-burn agriculture in Madagascar strikes again...)
Other comments: There are various genus of palms that are strictly monocarpic, that means, they bloom just once in life and after die, leaving all its hope in the seeds. Caryota and Corypha are famous genus of palms that do it. Tahina spectabilis, sole member of its genus, is strictly monocarpic too but this palm do it in a spectacular way as the palm itself is small and compact but the inflorescence is gigantic and larger than the palm, blomming palms of this species are even visible from satellites!! The species is so rare that was not discovered by science as recently as 2007 (I remember also the news about it!). Next year, in february 2008, Kew Royal Botanical Gardes sowed some seeds of it and obtained great success of germination. Now the palm can be found in about 11 botanical gardens and palm collections worldwide. In the wild there were counted less than 100 mature individuals plus about other 100 seedlings. Wild Tahina fruits must be eaten and defecated by lemurs for dispersion and propagation, so the disappareance of lemurs also affect this species.
Photo taken at: A pet shop in Duisburg, Germany
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Cypriniformes > Cyprinidae
Native range: Maeklong river, Thailand (the exact location is unknown or maybe secret)
Ex-situ frequence: Rare
Danger factors: Habitat destruction for urban/farm expansion. Three large dams disrupted the flooding regime of the river and already caused the local extinction of some native fishes (Balantiocheilos melanopterus, Botia sidthimunki) in the same collection area where this rasbora lives.
Other comments: Long ago it was considered as extinct during a time lapse of 12 years, but it was rediscovered in 2006 as three individuals (called "contaminants"!) were found mixed in a batch of Rasbora urophthalmoides imported from Thailand to Germany. Thanks to the captive breeding both in Thailand and in Germany, now is available in the aquarium trade but still quite rare to find in captive stock. The species is easy to breed often even without human intervention, but only aged individuals breeds well, so hobbyist trying that with young ones can say that it's difficult to breed. There is no plans about a reintroduction program because the habitat requeriments and the causes of the decline of the species are not well known.
DIMAKA PALM - Tahina spectabilis
Photo taken at: Palmetum Santa Cruz, Canary Islands, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Arecales > Arecaceae
Native range: Analavava district, northeastern Madagascar
Ex-situ frequence: Rare to Very rare
Danger factors: Habitat destruction caused by fires, logging and land clearing for agriculture (slash-and-burn agriculture in Madagascar strikes again...)
Other comments: There are various genus of palms that are strictly monocarpic, that means, they bloom just once in life and after die, leaving all its hope in the seeds. Caryota and Corypha are famous genus of palms that do it. Tahina spectabilis, sole member of its genus, is strictly monocarpic too but this palm do it in a spectacular way as the palm itself is small and compact but the inflorescence is gigantic and larger than the palm, blomming palms of this species are even visible from satellites!! The species is so rare that was not discovered by science as recently as 2007 (I remember also the news about it!). Next year, in february 2008, Kew Royal Botanical Gardes sowed some seeds of it and obtained great success of germination. Now the palm can be found in about 11 botanical gardens and palm collections worldwide. In the wild there were counted less than 100 mature individuals plus about other 100 seedlings. Wild Tahina fruits must be eaten and defecated by lemurs for dispersion and propagation, so the disappareance of lemurs also affect this species.
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Kakapo
Well-Known Member
BOCACCIO - Sebastes paucispinis
Photo taken at: Bich aquarium, California, USA
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Scorpaeniformes > Sebastidae
Native range: Pacific coast of North America
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Overfishing
Other comments: It's still a very famous species in recreational fishing, being caught frequently in a legal way with a limit of 2 individuals for day! Could you imagine the same for, say, black rhinos or gorillas??
Oil platforms in southern California increased sligthtly the population of this fish as they provide a refuge for juveniles. The adults were forced to evolve into more deep water preferences because the legal limit to fishing is 73 meters deep.
However, the IUCN status for this species has not been updated since 1996 and there is absolutely zero details about its population, ecology, threats, uses and conservation actions in the page for this species. It's possible that an update downgrade the species at a lesser threat category.
Photo taken at: Bich aquarium, California, USA
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Scorpaeniformes > Sebastidae
Native range: Pacific coast of North America
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Overfishing
Other comments: It's still a very famous species in recreational fishing, being caught frequently in a legal way with a limit of 2 individuals for day! Could you imagine the same for, say, black rhinos or gorillas??
Oil platforms in southern California increased sligthtly the population of this fish as they provide a refuge for juveniles. The adults were forced to evolve into more deep water preferences because the legal limit to fishing is 73 meters deep.
However, the IUCN status for this species has not been updated since 1996 and there is absolutely zero details about its population, ecology, threats, uses and conservation actions in the page for this species. It's possible that an update downgrade the species at a lesser threat category.
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Kakapo
Well-Known Member
OTKIJOTO TILAPIA - Tilapia guinasana
Photo taken at: Haus des Meeres, Austria
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Perciformes > Cichlidae
Native range: Guinas lake, Namibia
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Subterranean water extraction for agriculture, and competence/hybridation with introduced species of tilapias.
Other comments: This fish is an specialist inhabitant of deep sinkhole lakes and subterranean rivers, hence the groundwater extraction affects it very directly. Despite the common name of Otjikoto tilapia, this species is introduced in Otjikoto lake, being naturally endemic of Guinas lake area. It was also introduced in several reservois in Namibia. Is precisely in Otjikoto lake where other introduced species, namely Tilapia sparrmannii, can pose a threat for T. guinasana, howevers hybrids between both are fertile, maybe both should be downgraded as subspecies of the same species.
WOLLEMI PINE - Wollemia nobilis
Photo taken at: Berlin botanical garden, Germany
Short taxonomy: Pinopsida > Pinales > Araucariaceae
Native range: Wollemi National Park, Blue Mountains, Australia
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Introduction of pathogenic fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi), competence with introduced weeds, climatic change.
Other comments: Maybe the most spectacular plant that will ever appear in this thread, the archifamous Wollemi pine, sole member of it's very distinctive primitive genus, revolutioned science and media in my lifetime, in 1994, when it was discovered in an inaccesible canyon in northern Australia as other related genus were only known from a fossil print. This conifer is "the coelacanth of the plants". With very unique morphology amongst all conifers, this tree soon reached international fame and the first time I saw one, a very small unlabelled young one in a pot over a table in Madrid botanical garden, far from the public path, I could not believe it. But after that I've seen it in several additional botanical gardens. The tree grows quickly and easily, so the times that I remember well, when seeds and seedlings were available only for accredited botanical institutions and costing big amounts of money, have passed. Since 2006, the species is commercially available in Australia, Europe and USA for general people and not only botanical gardens.
Genetic research showed that every tree in the Wollemi National park is a clon of each other, with the exact same genotipe. The science concluded that the species passed by a extremely thin bottleneck, leaving maybe one or two individuals in the whole world, hence the very poor genetic diversity.
Photo taken at: Haus des Meeres, Austria
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Perciformes > Cichlidae
Native range: Guinas lake, Namibia
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Subterranean water extraction for agriculture, and competence/hybridation with introduced species of tilapias.
Other comments: This fish is an specialist inhabitant of deep sinkhole lakes and subterranean rivers, hence the groundwater extraction affects it very directly. Despite the common name of Otjikoto tilapia, this species is introduced in Otjikoto lake, being naturally endemic of Guinas lake area. It was also introduced in several reservois in Namibia. Is precisely in Otjikoto lake where other introduced species, namely Tilapia sparrmannii, can pose a threat for T. guinasana, howevers hybrids between both are fertile, maybe both should be downgraded as subspecies of the same species.
WOLLEMI PINE - Wollemia nobilis
Photo taken at: Berlin botanical garden, Germany
Short taxonomy: Pinopsida > Pinales > Araucariaceae
Native range: Wollemi National Park, Blue Mountains, Australia
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Introduction of pathogenic fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi), competence with introduced weeds, climatic change.
Other comments: Maybe the most spectacular plant that will ever appear in this thread, the archifamous Wollemi pine, sole member of it's very distinctive primitive genus, revolutioned science and media in my lifetime, in 1994, when it was discovered in an inaccesible canyon in northern Australia as other related genus were only known from a fossil print. This conifer is "the coelacanth of the plants". With very unique morphology amongst all conifers, this tree soon reached international fame and the first time I saw one, a very small unlabelled young one in a pot over a table in Madrid botanical garden, far from the public path, I could not believe it. But after that I've seen it in several additional botanical gardens. The tree grows quickly and easily, so the times that I remember well, when seeds and seedlings were available only for accredited botanical institutions and costing big amounts of money, have passed. Since 2006, the species is commercially available in Australia, Europe and USA for general people and not only botanical gardens.
Genetic research showed that every tree in the Wollemi National park is a clon of each other, with the exact same genotipe. The science concluded that the species passed by a extremely thin bottleneck, leaving maybe one or two individuals in the whole world, hence the very poor genetic diversity.
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Kakapo
Well-Known Member
RED RUFFED LEMUR - Varecia rubra
Photos taken at: Cologne zoo, Germany and Artis royal zoo, Netherlands
Short taxonomy: Synapsida > Primates > Lemuridae
Native range: Masoala peninsula, northeastern Madagascar
Ex-situ frequence: Very common
Danger factors: Habitat destruction (clearance of forests by subsistence agriculture and logging), direct hunt for bushmeat
Other comments: After certain political events in 2009, the illegal logging in protected areas of Madagascar went much more intense and the Masoala national park is the most affected of all. The species is very common in zoos worldwide, is easy to care and breeds very well, but captive red varis have low genetic diversity. To prevent problems associated with this, some zoos import from time to time wild animals to their breeding programs,
Photos taken at: Cologne zoo, Germany and Artis royal zoo, Netherlands
Short taxonomy: Synapsida > Primates > Lemuridae
Native range: Masoala peninsula, northeastern Madagascar
Ex-situ frequence: Very common
Danger factors: Habitat destruction (clearance of forests by subsistence agriculture and logging), direct hunt for bushmeat
Other comments: After certain political events in 2009, the illegal logging in protected areas of Madagascar went much more intense and the Masoala national park is the most affected of all. The species is very common in zoos worldwide, is easy to care and breeds very well, but captive red varis have low genetic diversity. To prevent problems associated with this, some zoos import from time to time wild animals to their breeding programs,
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Kakapo
Well-Known Member
STARRY STURGEON - Acipenser stellatus
Photo taken at: Apeldoorn Apenheul, Netherlands
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Acipenseriformes > Acipenseridae
Native range: Caspian sea and the rivers that feed it
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Overfishing. It already went extinct in the Aegean sea. The illegal fishing in in marine water for this species is estimated to be up to 10 times heavier than the legal fishing. Like all sturgeons, dams also damaged severely populations by preventing migration to spawning places.
Other comments: It's one of the three most important sturgeon species as source of caviar, and it's meat is considered a deluxe delicatessen in the Caspian region. So a critically endangered species is hunted and commercialized often, a thing that would be unbelievable if instead a fish it was a mammal.
Several countries where this fish is native release millions of juvenile individuals from hatcheries, but overfishing prevented hatcheries from obtaining enough reproductive individuals to restock. Unlike other sturgeons, this one is strictly anadromous so mature individuals are difficult to keep in freshwater ponds.
WHITE HAIR AGAVE - Agave albopilosa
Photo taken at: a private collection in Saragossa, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Asparagales > Asparagaceae
Native range: Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Urban development and illegal harvesting
Other comments: Another species recently discovered as new for science, in 2007, it's discovery was shocking for all succulent enthusiast for the incredible and unique appareance of this species. One of the describers, Dr. Ismael Cabral Cordero, first found in the year 2000 a dead specimen in the middle of the path, as it has fallen from the cliffs where this plant grow due to a land slide. When he returned to place, he needed the use of binoculars for be able to find the first alive individuals.
This is arguably the most beautiful and distinctive of all Agave when adult (my photo is still a young one that didn't developed the white hair tufts in the leaf tips). This leaded to intense illegal collection in the tiny native range of the species, limited to a high mountain range in La Huasteca reserve. All the population in achievable places is completely depleted now, and only the ones growing in the most unaccesible parts of the cliffs are still thriving.
Evolved 12-8 million years ago, shortly after the last glaciation, this is probably the most primitive of all the 330 species of Agave.
Photo taken at: Apeldoorn Apenheul, Netherlands
Short taxonomy: Osteichthyes > Acipenseriformes > Acipenseridae
Native range: Caspian sea and the rivers that feed it
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Overfishing. It already went extinct in the Aegean sea. The illegal fishing in in marine water for this species is estimated to be up to 10 times heavier than the legal fishing. Like all sturgeons, dams also damaged severely populations by preventing migration to spawning places.
Other comments: It's one of the three most important sturgeon species as source of caviar, and it's meat is considered a deluxe delicatessen in the Caspian region. So a critically endangered species is hunted and commercialized often, a thing that would be unbelievable if instead a fish it was a mammal.
Several countries where this fish is native release millions of juvenile individuals from hatcheries, but overfishing prevented hatcheries from obtaining enough reproductive individuals to restock. Unlike other sturgeons, this one is strictly anadromous so mature individuals are difficult to keep in freshwater ponds.
WHITE HAIR AGAVE - Agave albopilosa
Photo taken at: a private collection in Saragossa, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Asparagales > Asparagaceae
Native range: Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Urban development and illegal harvesting
Other comments: Another species recently discovered as new for science, in 2007, it's discovery was shocking for all succulent enthusiast for the incredible and unique appareance of this species. One of the describers, Dr. Ismael Cabral Cordero, first found in the year 2000 a dead specimen in the middle of the path, as it has fallen from the cliffs where this plant grow due to a land slide. When he returned to place, he needed the use of binoculars for be able to find the first alive individuals.
This is arguably the most beautiful and distinctive of all Agave when adult (my photo is still a young one that didn't developed the white hair tufts in the leaf tips). This leaded to intense illegal collection in the tiny native range of the species, limited to a high mountain range in La Huasteca reserve. All the population in achievable places is completely depleted now, and only the ones growing in the most unaccesible parts of the cliffs are still thriving.
Evolved 12-8 million years ago, shortly after the last glaciation, this is probably the most primitive of all the 330 species of Agave.
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Kakapo
Well-Known Member
AXOLOTL - Ambystoma mexicanum
Photos taken at: Cosmocaixa Barcelona, Spain and Faunia Madrid, Spain
Short taxonomy: Amphibia > Urodela > Plethodontidae
Native range: surroundings of Xochimilco, Mexico city, Mexico
Ex-situ frequence: Extremely common
Danger factors: Habitat degradation due to water contamination, competence and predation by introduced fishes
Other comments: This is maybe the most common of all the critically endangered animals in captivity. Most pet shops have available ones and any person cat get one easily and for cheap. Domestic morphotypes have been created and the albino or leucistic forms are in fact more common than the wild morphotype. The species is also very common in laboratories as it is widely used in scientific research as a model organism. Since 1989, there are farms in several countries that breeds intensively this species for the pet and lab supplies.
However, the wild populations are severely damaged and it disappeared from many sites. For example the Chalco lake, once home of this species, was drainaged as a measure of flooding control, and the Xochimilco, once a big lake, is severely reduced and transformed into a canal system. The population decreased very strongly: in 2003 were found about a thousand axolotls by square kilometer, while in 2008, only a hundred of them by km2. In 2013, a four month survey was unable to find any surviving wild individual, but two months later two individuals were found.
Photos taken at: Cosmocaixa Barcelona, Spain and Faunia Madrid, Spain
Short taxonomy: Amphibia > Urodela > Plethodontidae
Native range: surroundings of Xochimilco, Mexico city, Mexico
Ex-situ frequence: Extremely common
Danger factors: Habitat degradation due to water contamination, competence and predation by introduced fishes
Other comments: This is maybe the most common of all the critically endangered animals in captivity. Most pet shops have available ones and any person cat get one easily and for cheap. Domestic morphotypes have been created and the albino or leucistic forms are in fact more common than the wild morphotype. The species is also very common in laboratories as it is widely used in scientific research as a model organism. Since 1989, there are farms in several countries that breeds intensively this species for the pet and lab supplies.
However, the wild populations are severely damaged and it disappeared from many sites. For example the Chalco lake, once home of this species, was drainaged as a measure of flooding control, and the Xochimilco, once a big lake, is severely reduced and transformed into a canal system. The population decreased very strongly: in 2003 were found about a thousand axolotls by square kilometer, while in 2008, only a hundred of them by km2. In 2013, a four month survey was unable to find any surviving wild individual, but two months later two individuals were found.
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Are there any plans for a re-introduction programme?
I seem to remember reading something about the genetics of captive axolotls that could impact the possibilities for that, but I don't remember where or exactly what the issue was.
Kakapo
Well-Known Member
BAER'S POCHARD - Aythya baeri
Photo taken at: Bronx zoo, New York, USA
Short taxonomy: Aves > Anseriformes > Anatidae
Native range: breeding in eastern temperate Asia and wintering in southeast Asia
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Wetland destruction and degradation (mainly drainage, and extension of rice paddles), and direct hunt
Other comments: Unconfirmed reports estimated that in eastern China about 3000 individuals were hunted each year. Usually hunt does not impact animals as much as habitat destruction, but in this species it does. Also the eggs are heavily harvested. It seems than the long-term slow decline was caused by habitrat loss, while hunt became a main threat just once the duck have a much more reduced and localized population. Until 2008 it was considered Vulnerable, but new census found an alarming steep decline in populations. China is the only country within breeding grounds that don't consider the species as legally protected, altough it is in some of its provinces. The species breeds quite well in captivity and there are several European and North American zoos holding about 300 birds in total.
(no common name) - Borderea chouardii
Photos taken at: Jánovas, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Dioscoreales > Dioscoreaceae
Native range: Just a small section of a canyon near Escales pool in Sopeira municipe, Spain. A small population introduced in nearby Jánovas where habitat is similar.
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Habitat loss due to road construction and other infrastructures
Other comments: This extremely special plant is a living fossil, relic from Tertiary, before Miocene, when Europe was subtropical. It survived glaciations hidden in the protected unfreezed canyon and thrived until now. The atonishing biological features of this plant allowed it to survive for so long: the tubercle, hidden in a rock crevice, is able to live up to three centuries!!!! So it's the longest-lived non-woody plant on Earth. It has one of the smallest native ranges of all plants. It's whole population was about to disappear from Earth due to the plan of doubling a nearby road that just was planned to pass by this locality, fortunately the plan was abandoned due to the presence of this plant. Also the occasional flooding from Escales pool by opening the dam that retains it, eliminated some of the plants that grew in the lowest parts of the cliffs. There are very exhaustive plans for recovering and protecting the species that is intensively surveyed and guarded, and some people (that I met in real) dedicated its life to protect it. My first contact with the species was in an ex-situ forestry municipal non-public nursery specialized in endangered native plant restoration, that allowed my FP2 class of environmental studies to visit the place and even gave each us a native plant in a pot (mine was a Ephedra nebrodensis that I planted in my garden and now is inmense). But despite I almost died of emotion knowing that this plant is growing in this nursery, it was winter so all what I saw is a pot with peebles, not even dead remains of the plant were visible. Many years later, the introduction of a population in Jánovas allowed me to met the plant properly and take several photos. The species is one of only two in this genus, both relic and endangered and exclusive from Spanish Pyrenees mountains but the other species, Borderea pyrenaica, is much less endangered and more common, Borderea chouardii depends entirely on ants for surviving: some species pollinate their flowers, wandering from male to female plants that otherwise would never meet, and other different ant species carry its seeds, that are especially adapted for that. Percentage of germination in seeds not hidden by ants is very low while those hidden by ants have much greater success.
Photo taken at: Bronx zoo, New York, USA
Short taxonomy: Aves > Anseriformes > Anatidae
Native range: breeding in eastern temperate Asia and wintering in southeast Asia
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Wetland destruction and degradation (mainly drainage, and extension of rice paddles), and direct hunt
Other comments: Unconfirmed reports estimated that in eastern China about 3000 individuals were hunted each year. Usually hunt does not impact animals as much as habitat destruction, but in this species it does. Also the eggs are heavily harvested. It seems than the long-term slow decline was caused by habitrat loss, while hunt became a main threat just once the duck have a much more reduced and localized population. Until 2008 it was considered Vulnerable, but new census found an alarming steep decline in populations. China is the only country within breeding grounds that don't consider the species as legally protected, altough it is in some of its provinces. The species breeds quite well in captivity and there are several European and North American zoos holding about 300 birds in total.
(no common name) - Borderea chouardii
Photos taken at: Jánovas, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Dioscoreales > Dioscoreaceae
Native range: Just a small section of a canyon near Escales pool in Sopeira municipe, Spain. A small population introduced in nearby Jánovas where habitat is similar.
Ex-situ frequence: Very rare
Danger factors: Habitat loss due to road construction and other infrastructures
Other comments: This extremely special plant is a living fossil, relic from Tertiary, before Miocene, when Europe was subtropical. It survived glaciations hidden in the protected unfreezed canyon and thrived until now. The atonishing biological features of this plant allowed it to survive for so long: the tubercle, hidden in a rock crevice, is able to live up to three centuries!!!! So it's the longest-lived non-woody plant on Earth. It has one of the smallest native ranges of all plants. It's whole population was about to disappear from Earth due to the plan of doubling a nearby road that just was planned to pass by this locality, fortunately the plan was abandoned due to the presence of this plant. Also the occasional flooding from Escales pool by opening the dam that retains it, eliminated some of the plants that grew in the lowest parts of the cliffs. There are very exhaustive plans for recovering and protecting the species that is intensively surveyed and guarded, and some people (that I met in real) dedicated its life to protect it. My first contact with the species was in an ex-situ forestry municipal non-public nursery specialized in endangered native plant restoration, that allowed my FP2 class of environmental studies to visit the place and even gave each us a native plant in a pot (mine was a Ephedra nebrodensis that I planted in my garden and now is inmense). But despite I almost died of emotion knowing that this plant is growing in this nursery, it was winter so all what I saw is a pot with peebles, not even dead remains of the plant were visible. Many years later, the introduction of a population in Jánovas allowed me to met the plant properly and take several photos. The species is one of only two in this genus, both relic and endangered and exclusive from Spanish Pyrenees mountains but the other species, Borderea pyrenaica, is much less endangered and more common, Borderea chouardii depends entirely on ants for surviving: some species pollinate their flowers, wandering from male to female plants that otherwise would never meet, and other different ant species carry its seeds, that are especially adapted for that. Percentage of germination in seeds not hidden by ants is very low while those hidden by ants have much greater success.
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Most of the captive population have some introgression from tiger salamanders. In particular I seem to recall that all leucistic axolotls have a degree of tiger salamander ancestry to them. In the grand scheme of things, however, this is a relatively minor problem (similar hybridisation has occurred in other ex-situ bottlenecked populations, e.g. Przewalski's horse and wisent, with little impact of subsequent reintroductions.
But yes, until the pollution into Xochimilco is stopped or greatly reduced, the invasive species removed, and the wetlands restored, any such reintroduction is an entirely academic discussion, anyway.
Kakapo
Well-Known Member
YELLOW-BREASTED CAPUCHIN - Cebus xanthosternos
Photo taken at: Apenheul, Apeldoorn, Netherlands
Short taxonomy: Synapsida > Primates > Cebidae
Native range: northern Brasil
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Habitat loss and direct hunt are the main threats, in a lesser degree also pet trade and disease transmision (yellow fever).
Other comments: Only about 300 individuals survive in the wild, and almost 200 of them are restricted to a single reserve. The Atlantic Forest of Brazil is the region with more extremely rich biodiversity and endemism degree in the whole country and at same time one of the most heavily exploided and destroyed ecosystems in it, due to logging and agricultural expansion. In 1992, the Brazilian Institute for the Environment organized a commitee for the protection of these monkeys that include plans for the reunion of the several individuals that people keep as pets here, so they can form breeding groups with these former pets. However, nowadays this plan is more or less abandoned and substituted by different actions from other institutions.
Photo taken at: Apenheul, Apeldoorn, Netherlands
Short taxonomy: Synapsida > Primates > Cebidae
Native range: northern Brasil
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Habitat loss and direct hunt are the main threats, in a lesser degree also pet trade and disease transmision (yellow fever).
Other comments: Only about 300 individuals survive in the wild, and almost 200 of them are restricted to a single reserve. The Atlantic Forest of Brazil is the region with more extremely rich biodiversity and endemism degree in the whole country and at same time one of the most heavily exploided and destroyed ecosystems in it, due to logging and agricultural expansion. In 1992, the Brazilian Institute for the Environment organized a commitee for the protection of these monkeys that include plans for the reunion of the several individuals that people keep as pets here, so they can form breeding groups with these former pets. However, nowadays this plan is more or less abandoned and substituted by different actions from other institutions.
Attachments
Kakapo
Well-Known Member
CUBAN CROCODILE - Crocodylus rhombifer
Photo taken at: Bronx zoo, New York, USA
Short taxonomy: Sauropsida > Crocodilia > Crocodylidae
Native range: Zapata peninsula, Cuba
Ex-situ frequence: Rare
Danger factors: Illegal hunting for meat, hybridation with American crocodiles
Other comments: This is the crocodilian with smallest native range of all. However, in prehistoric times they were widespread in all Caribbean islands and even reached Florida coasts. They're illegally hunted for meat that is served in local restaurants. As often happens with endangered species that shares habitats with related ones, hybridation was not a threat until the species became enough endangered, having a weak an small population. In the 70's, whole world population was captured and put into captivity for save the species from inminent extinction. Semi-wild colonies can be seen in Lanier marsh in Cuba and in Gatorland, Florida. Thanks to the continuous efforts of captive breeding and reintroduction, the species numbers recovered to about 6000 individuals. This is, however, much more inusual than other crocodilian species in zoos and croc farms over the world. They're present in only a bunch of holders in Europe and North America and one zoo in India. The temperament of the species, much more aggresive than other crocodilians (what allows it dominate over the much bigger American crocodile in native range), contributed to the scarcity in captivity.
TEDDY BEAR PALM - Dypsis leptocheilos
Photo taken at: Orotava botanical garden, Canary Islands, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Arecales > Arecaceae
Native range: northwestern Madagascar
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Logging and fires caused by slash-and-burn agriculture. Also, horticultural trade as some people, for harvest the seeds, cut down the trees.
Other comments: Only five wild individuals have been found, all in a single location, after long time of being a species totally unknown in the wild. However, there is photographic evidence of the presence of the species in nearby locations. The spectacular colouring of adult individuals, with a deep rusty crown over a chalky white trunk, guarantees to be widespread in several collections and gardens in tropics, so it have a safe ex-situ population.
Photo taken at: Bronx zoo, New York, USA
Short taxonomy: Sauropsida > Crocodilia > Crocodylidae
Native range: Zapata peninsula, Cuba
Ex-situ frequence: Rare
Danger factors: Illegal hunting for meat, hybridation with American crocodiles
Other comments: This is the crocodilian with smallest native range of all. However, in prehistoric times they were widespread in all Caribbean islands and even reached Florida coasts. They're illegally hunted for meat that is served in local restaurants. As often happens with endangered species that shares habitats with related ones, hybridation was not a threat until the species became enough endangered, having a weak an small population. In the 70's, whole world population was captured and put into captivity for save the species from inminent extinction. Semi-wild colonies can be seen in Lanier marsh in Cuba and in Gatorland, Florida. Thanks to the continuous efforts of captive breeding and reintroduction, the species numbers recovered to about 6000 individuals. This is, however, much more inusual than other crocodilian species in zoos and croc farms over the world. They're present in only a bunch of holders in Europe and North America and one zoo in India. The temperament of the species, much more aggresive than other crocodilians (what allows it dominate over the much bigger American crocodile in native range), contributed to the scarcity in captivity.
TEDDY BEAR PALM - Dypsis leptocheilos
Photo taken at: Orotava botanical garden, Canary Islands, Spain
Short taxonomy: Liliopsida > Arecales > Arecaceae
Native range: northwestern Madagascar
Ex-situ frequence: Common
Danger factors: Logging and fires caused by slash-and-burn agriculture. Also, horticultural trade as some people, for harvest the seeds, cut down the trees.
Other comments: Only five wild individuals have been found, all in a single location, after long time of being a species totally unknown in the wild. However, there is photographic evidence of the presence of the species in nearby locations. The spectacular colouring of adult individuals, with a deep rusty crown over a chalky white trunk, guarantees to be widespread in several collections and gardens in tropics, so it have a safe ex-situ population.
