Global raptor research and conservation priorities : Tropical raptors fall prey to knowledge gaps

Abstract Aim Raptors serve critical ecological functions, are particularly extinction-prone and are often used as environmental indicators and flagship species. Yet, there is no global framework to prioritize research and conservation actions on them. We identify for the first time the factors driving extinction risk and scientific attention on raptors and develop a novel research and conservation priority index (RCPI) to identify global research and conservation priorities. Location Global. Methods We use random forest models based on ecological traits and extrinsic data to identify the drivers of risk and scientific attention in all raptors. We then map global research and conservation priorities. Lastly, we model where priorities fall relative to country-level human social indicators. Results Raptors with small geographic ranges, scavengers, forest-dependent species and those with slow life histories are particularly extinction-prone. Research is extremely biased towards a small fraction of raptor species: 10 species (1.8% of all raptors) account for one-third of all research, while one-fifth of species have no publications. Species with small geographic ranges and those inhabiting less developed countries are greatly understudied. Regions of Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia are identified as particularly high priority for raptor research and conservation. These priorities are highly concentrated in developing countries, indicating a global mismatch between priorities and capacity for research and conservation. Main conclusions A redistribution of scientific attention and conservation efforts towards developing tropical countries and the least-studied, extinction-prone species is critical to conserve raptors and their ecological functions worldwide. We identify clear taxonomic and geographic research and conservation priorities for all raptors, and our methodology can be applied across other taxa to prioritize scientific investment.Peer reviewe

Early-onset progressive retinal atrophy associated with an IQCB1 variant in African black-footed cats (Felis nigripes)

African black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) are endangered wild felids. One male and full-sibling female African black-footed cat developed vision deficits and mydriasis as early as 3 months of age. The diagnosis of early-onset progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) was supported by reduced direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes, phenotypic presence of retinal degeneration, and a non-recordable electroretinogram with negligible amplitudes in both eyes. Whole genome sequencing, conducted on two unaffected parents and one affected offspring was compared to a variant database from 51 domestic cats and a Pallas cat, revealed 50 candidate variants that segregated concordantly with the PRA phenotype. Testing in additional affected cats confirmed that cats homozygous for a 2 base pair (bp) deletion within IQ calmodulin-binding motif-containing protein-1 (IQCB1), the gene that encodes for nephrocystin-5 (NPHP5), had vision loss. The variant segregated concordantly in other related individuals within the pedigree supporting the identification of a recessively inherited early-onset feline PRA. Analysis of the black-footed cat studbook suggests additional captive cats are at risk. Genetic testing for IQCB1 and avoidance of matings between carriers should be added to the species survival plan for captive management

Identification of best electrocardiographic leads for diagnosing anterior and inferior myocardial infarction by statistical analysis of body surface potential maps

In view of the increasing interest in quantifying and modifying the size of myocardial infarction (MI), it is important to look for clinically practical subsets of electrocardiographic leads that allow the earliest and most accurate diagnosis of the presence and electrocardiographic type of MI. A practical approach is described, taking advantage of the increased information content of body surface potential maps over standard electrocardiographic techniques for facilitating clinical use of body surface potential maps for such a purpose. Multivariate analysis was performed on 120-lead electrocardiographic data, simultaneously recorded in 236 normal subjects, 114 patients with anterior MI and 144 patients with inferior MI, using as features instantaneous voltages on time-normalized QRS and ST-T waveforms. Leads and features for optimal separation of normal subjects from, respectively, anterior MI and inferior MI patients were selected. Features measured on leads originating from the upper left precordial area, lower midthoracic region and the back correctly identified 97% of anterior MI patients, with a specificity of 95%; in patients with inferior MI, features obtained from leads located in the lower left back, left leg, right subclavicular area, upper dorsal region and lower right chest correctly classified 94% of the group, with specificity kept at 95%. Most features were measured in early and mid-QRS, although very potent discriminators were found in the late portion of the T wave. Repeatability of the results was investigated by separating the study population in training and testing sets; no deterioration was observed when the discriminant functions computed on the training sets were run on the testing sets. In comparison, at the same level of specificity and with the same number of features (n = 6), the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram correctly diagnosed 89% of anterior MI and 85% of inferior MI patients. Thus, diagnosis of anterior and inferior MI can be substantially improved by appropriate selection of electrocardiographic leads and features. © 1986.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe