First census of the green turtle at Poilão, Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau: the most important nesting colony on the Atlantic coast of Africa

The island of Poilão in the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, is known to be an important nesting site for the green turtle Chelonia mydas, but until recently there were no quantitative estimates of the number of clutches deposited annually. In 2000 a survey was carried out to assess the magnitude of nesting, and an estimated 7,400 green turtle clutches were deposited. Four nesting hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata were also encountered. This study confirmed that Poilão is one of the most important nesting sites for green turtles in the Atlantic, and the largest known nesting colony on the west coast of Africa. Traditionally Poilão has been regarded as a sacred site by the Bijagós people, and this has contributed to the conservation of these turtles. However, the development of fisheries in this region is an emerging threat. To conserve this site a National Marine Park was designated in August 2000.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pyk2 modulates hippocampal excitatory synapses and contributes to cognitive deficits in a Huntington's disease model.

The structure and function of spines and excitatory synapses are under the dynamic control of multiple signalling networks. Although tyrosine phosphorylation is involved, its regulation and importance are not well understood. Here we study the role of Pyk2, a non-receptor calcium-dependent protein-tyrosine kinase highly expressed in the hippocampus. Hippocampal-related learning and CA1 long-term potentiation are severely impaired in Pyk2-deficient mice and are associated with alterations in NMDA receptors, PSD-95 and dendritic spines. In cultured hippocampal neurons, Pyk2 has autophosphorylation-dependent and -independent roles in determining PSD-95 enrichment and spines density. Pyk2 levels are decreased in the hippocampus of individuals with Huntington and in the R6/1 mouse model of the disease. Normalizing Pyk2 levels in the hippocampus of R6/1 mice rescues memory deficits, spines pathology and PSD-95 localization. Our results reveal a role for Pyk2 in spine structure and synaptic function, and suggest that its deficit contributes to Huntington's disease cognitive impairments

Testing a global standard for quantifying species recovery and assessing conservation impact.

Recognizing the imperative to evaluate species recovery and conservation impact, in 2012 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) called for development of a "Green List of Species" (now the IUCN Green Status of Species). A draft Green Status framework for assessing species' progress toward recovery, published in 2018, proposed 2 separate but interlinked components: a standardized method (i.e., measurement against benchmarks of species' viability, functionality, and preimpact distribution) to determine current species recovery status (herein species recovery score) and application of that method to estimate past and potential future impacts of conservation based on 4 metrics (conservation legacy, conservation dependence, conservation gain, and recovery potential). We tested the framework with 181 species representing diverse taxa, life histories, biomes, and IUCN Red List categories (extinction risk). Based on the observed distribution of species' recovery scores, we propose the following species recovery categories: fully recovered, slightly depleted, moderately depleted, largely depleted, critically depleted, extinct in the wild, and indeterminate. Fifty-nine percent of tested species were considered largely or critically depleted. Although there was a negative relationship between extinction risk and species recovery score, variation was considerable. Some species in lower risk categories were assessed as farther from recovery than those at higher risk. This emphasizes that species recovery is conceptually different from extinction risk and reinforces the utility of the IUCN Green Status of Species to more fully understand species conservation status. Although extinction risk did not predict conservation legacy, conservation dependence, or conservation gain, it was positively correlated with recovery potential. Only 1.7% of tested species were categorized as zero across all 4 of these conservation impact metrics, indicating that conservation has, or will, play a role in improving or maintaining species status for the vast majority of these species. Based on our results, we devised an updated assessment framework that introduces the option of using a dynamic baseline to assess future impacts of conservation over the short term to avoid misleading results which were generated in a small number of cases, and redefines short term as 10 years to better align with conservation planning. These changes are reflected in the IUCN Green Status of Species Standard

La translocation de la faune sauvage de Petit Saut : apport pour la connaissance scientifique et la conservation de la nature en Guyane

Many wildlife rescues have been carried out over the past few decades, but most were not documented and remain controversial. However, we believe that such operations are useful, providing the risks are evaluated and elementary guidelines are followed. Not only do they benefit the rescued animals and appear reasonable from an ethical standpoint, but, we also argue, such operations, if well prepared and documented, can be very useful in terms of biology and conservation and are far preferable to the other option - looking on and doing nothing. After reviewing previous translocations, the article describes the operation conducted in French Guiana during the filling of the Petit Saut reservoir and discusses its objectives, methods, results and financial aspects. Around 5,500 mammals and reptiles were captured, sampled and translocated to a protected area where a post-release survey was undertaken. The good results of the translocation, the large amount of original data, the interest shown by scientists in our samples and the new conservation approach coming to the fore in the political arena corroborate our initial conviction that this operation was well worthwhile.Au cours des dernières dizaines d'années, de nombreuses opérations de sauvetage ont été organisées à la suite de la construction de grands barrages hydroélectriques. Partout, elles suscitent une polémique et la plupart ne sont pas documentées. Pourtant, quand il n'existe pas d'autre solution, de telles opérations peuvent s'avérer très utiles, à condition que certaines procédures soient respectées. En plus de sauver des vies animales, et si elles sont soigneusement préparées et documentées, ces opérations peuvent être bénéfiques en termes de connaissance et de conservation de la nature. Elles sont nettement préférables à l'autre option : regarder et ne rien faire. Après un historique des opérations de translocation, les objectifs, méthodes, résultats et aspects financiers de l'opération conduite à Petit Saut sont présentés et discutés. Environ 5 500 mammifères et reptiles ont été capturés, prélevés, déplacés vers une zone forestière protégée où leur réadaptation a été étudiée. Les bons résultats de cette translocation, l'abondance de données originales collectées, l'intérêt des scientifiques pour le matériel biologique prélevé et la nouvelle dynamique de conservation qui se manifeste aujourd'hui en Guyane nous conforte dans l'idée que, vu le contexte de l'époque, cette opération était très utile.Vié Jean-Christophe. La translocation de la faune sauvage de Petit Saut : apport pour la connaissance scientifique et la conservation de la nature en Guyane. In: Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquée, 40ᵉ année, bulletin n°1-2,1998. Conserver, gérer la biodiversité : quelle stratégie pour la Guyane ? sous la direction de Marie Fleury et Odile Poncy. pp. 465-484

Faune et activités humaines : exploitation forestière et chasse en Guyane française

Although the natural resources in French Guiana are generally well preserved, rapid growth in the human population increasingly threatens their sustainability in many areas. A few studies have been conducted on the effects of timber harvesting on wildlife in French Guiana and others are in progress. In contrast, the effects of hunting have not been quantified, and the few existing hunting regulations are rarely complied with and poorly enforced. Despite evidence of increased scarcity of game species, no wildlife management policy has yet been implemented. This article describes the effects of timber harvesting and hunting on wildlife, as well as the hunting behaviors and legislation in French Guiana. Based on findings in other Latin American countries and on personal observations made over many years spent in French Guiana, the authors make recommendations for the formulation of an effective conservation policy.Bien que les ressources naturelles soient encore largement préservées en Guyane, l'augmentation rapide de la pression démographique menace de plus en plus leur pérennité. Un nombre limité de travaux sur les impacts de l'exploitation forestière a été effectué en Guyane et de nouvelles études sont en cours. En revanche, aucune étude n'a permis d'évaluer l'impact de la chasse. Les dispositions légales sont peu respectées, et malgré des signes évidents de raréfaction de la faune, aucune politique de gestion n'existe encore. Les effets de l'exploitation forestière et de la chasse sur les grandes espèces sont présentés dans cet article, puis, sur la base des résultats obtenus dans d'autres pays d'Amérique du Sud et d'observations personnelles effectuées au cours de nombreuses années de présence en Guyane, quelques suggestions sont faites dans l'optique de l'élaboration d'une politique de conservation.de Thoisy Benoît, Vié Jean-Christophe. Faune et activités humaines : exploitation forestière et chasse en Guyane française. In: Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquée, 40ᵉ année, bulletin n°1-2,1998. Conserver, gérer la biodiversité : quelle stratégie pour la Guyane ? sous la direction de Marie Fleury et Odile Poncy. pp. 103-120

Abundance, Use of Space, and Activity Patterns of White-Faced Sakis (Pithecia pithecia) in French Guiana

White-faced sakis (Pithecia pithecia) are among the least studied neotropical primates. The combination of shy and quiet behavior, their ability to move silently, and the extreme difficulty of capturing them may explain why very few field studies have been undertaken in undisturbed habitats. During the course of a wildlife rescue in French Guiana, six individuals were captured and translocated to a safe area of primary rainforest. In this area, based on the observation of 35 groups, the average group size was 2.3 animals (SD = 1.2) and a density of 0.28 group/ km 2 (0.64 individuals/km 2) was estimated from transect censuses. Our study focused successively on three radio-collared animals (two males and one female) over a 287-day period, starting from release to the loss of the animal. From the study start, the triangulation method was used prior to habitutation to human presence, followed thereafter by 1,327 hr of visual monitoring. The translocated animals settled down, and two of them had a stable and compact home range. Two of them merged in association with members of the resident population. A resident group had a much larger home range than previously reported: 148 and 287 ha, using grid cells and 100% minimum convex polygon techniques, respectively. A group composed of two translocated individuals (one male and one female) had a home range of 68 and 135 ha using the same techniques. Additionally, two solitary animals used 152 and 162 1-ha quadrats. We observed animals (translocated and residents) moving quickly in one direction up to 11.5 km. The mean daily path length of resident animals was 1,880 m. Sakis used the lower strata of the forest more when in group, and the intermediate strata more when solitary. Allogrooming is fairly common in social groups. On average, the activity period ranged from 7:17 to 15:59 hr. Am

Health evaluation of translocated free-ranging primates in French Guiana

International audienceAmong over 40 mammal species threatened by the filling of a hydroelectric dam reservoir in French Guiana, three species of primates have been translocated, comprising 124 red howler monkeys, six white-faced sakis, and 95 golden-handed tamarins. Health status of the animals was evaluated by direct physical examination and by hematological, biochemical, virological, and parasitological surveys of collected blood. The physical condition of the howlers was slightly worse toward the end of the capture period, but that of sakis and tamarins remained satisfactory. Several ectoparasites (ticks, larvae of dipterous insects, fleas, and lice) were collected, and various wounds, apparently nondebilitating, were recorded in howlers. Hematological and biochemical profiles determined for the three species revealed a slight anemia in howlers. Entamoeba, Strongyloides, and Trypanoxyurus were common in fecal samples of howlers. A survey of blood smears from the three species revealed infection by several types of microfilaria, Trypanosoma rangeli-like and Plasmodium brasilianum in all three, and Trypanosoma cruzi-like in howlers. These infections had no significant impact on the health status or the hematological profiles. Serologic investigations revealed occasional reactions against Toxoplasma gondii, a strong anti-Plasmodium response in the two Cebidae species, and a weaker one in tamarins. Attempts to isolate arbovirus failed, but antibody responses to Mayaro and yellow fever viruses were strong, especially in the howlers. A strong correlation between age and serological status led to a better understanding of the epidemic cycles. Our survey indicates French Guianan primates are reservoirs for several anthropozoonoses, including malaria, Chagas disease, and arboviruses