Analysing freshwater fish biodiversity records and respective conservation areas in Spain

The number of threatened freshwater fish species in Spain is among the highest recorded in Europe and includes a high percentage of endemic taxa. We investigated the distribution of Spanish freshwater fish to identify priority areas for conservation and assess the extent to which freshwater fish are included in the existing network of protected areas. We considered those threatened species recorded in the Spanish National inventories. From these data, several biodiversity indices were calculated and analysed. Our results reveal important discrepancies between the national and international assessments of conservation status. The current Spanish national catalogue requires updating to reconcile these inconsistencies. Several important areas for the conservation of freshwater fish lie outside protected areas. Our results encourage the establishment of protected areas specifically for freshwater environments. An extensive database of Spanish freshwater fish species is needed to redefine priority areas and to maintain freshwater biodiversity

Fish Ecology of the Alto Madre de Dios River Basin (Peru): Notes on Electrofishing Surveys, Elevation, Palm Swamp and Headwater Fishes

Our study analyzes the distribution of fish communities related to the environmental variables of the Alto Madre de Dios River, an Andean-Amazon watershed of southern Peru, between 300 and 2811 m a.s.l. within the Manu Biosphere Reserve. We provide new ecological and diversity data on fishes for these poorly studied rivers and new data for palm swamp habitats. With electric fishing techniques, we collected a total of 1934 fish specimens belonging to 78 species, 42 genera and 15 families. To assess main patterns of diversity we combined SIMPER and ANOSIM with canonical correspondence analysis to obtain an overview of the community structure of fish and their distribution related to aquatic habitats. Our results show an important shift on fish diversity at 700 m a.s.l. separating headwater and middle-lowland communities. Electrofishing was a hindrance due to the depth, flow and low conductivity of the rivers, but also allowed us to capture fish not observed with other techniques. We also compared the use of elevation with slope as an alternative variable for statistical analysis. Our results show that slope offers a solid and equivalent explanation for fish distribution variability, avoids redundance, and instead of giving geographical data offers ecologically solid information

The biodiversity data knowledge gap: assessing information loss in the management of Biosphere Reserves

The knowledge of biodiversity within an area is vital if we want to develop adequate conservation strategies. Biosphere Reserves are purposefully established for the sustainable use of their resources, and therefore their biodiversity should be well known. We compared and evaluated information available for Mexican Biosphere Reserves on threatened and non-threatened vertebrate species records from three different sources--the corresponding Biosphere Reserves management plans (MPs), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility index (GBIF), and scientific literature, in order to find potential knowledge gaps. Our results suggest that there were varying gaps in information among sources according to vertebrate group. For each group of vertebrate species, management plans held the largest subsets of information but were not complete, ranging from 89.6% of the combined known species of birds to 70% for amphibians and freshwater fishes. However, both GBIF and literature included data absent from MPs, and GBIF included data not otherwise available, proving it as important as literature or other data sources (e.g. field data) used for crafting such plans. Moreover, we found references to threatened species that were not listed in the MPs, reaching to as many as 50% of the total known species of fish. Species information shared by all three sources ranged from 28% for amphibians to 72.5% for birds. Conservation efforts should therefore take into account that possibly less charismatic taxa such as amphibians, reptiles and freshwater fish lack more information than birds or mammals. The disparity observed in the vertebrate species information constitutes an information gap that could (or should) be solved by scientists and managers alike

Evaluating the influence of environmental variables on fish assemblages along Tropical Andes: considerations from ecology to conservation

The lack of knowledge about freshwater biodiversity in remote areas like montane Andean rivers is noticeable and hinder the development of efficient conservation plans for aquatic ecosystems. Habitat requirements of tropical Andean fishes have been poorly analysed, despite the relevance of these ecological features on the fish conservation strategies. The present study aimed to examine fish assemblages along the altitudinal gradient in tropical Andean rivers and their relationship to habitat features to detect the most relevant abiotic factors and their implication on conservation. This study was conducted on a regional scale, along six basins located in tropical Andes (500 to 2,692 m a.s.l.). We studied fish diversity and distribution and their habitats along these elevation gradients. We found 6,320 specimens from 53 genera. Our analysis for the six most common and widely distributed genera (Astroblepus, Brycon, Bryconamericus, Chaetostoma, Pimelodella and Trichomycterus) underlines the relevance of hydromorphological variables on fish community structure in the Andean montane rivers, whereas human alterations seem to be less significant. These findings could be useful for current management and conservation strategies considering present threats over tropical montane rivers

The role of zoos and aquariums in a changing world

Zoos and aquariums have evolved significantly. From their origins as enclosures for the mere entertainment of the public, these institutions have undertaken new functions responding to the biodiversity crisis and social demands. Modern zoos and aquariums have the opportunity to educate people, contribute to species conservation, and produce animal-related research. However, there is increasing criticism toward the outcomes of their actions and the holding of species in their facilities. This review offers an integrated analysis of the state of knowledge about the role that zoos and aquariums play today. It describes their performance regarding their conservation, education, and research functions, highlighting general patterns and offering future perspectives. It identifies some challenges common to all these institutions, concluding that the way they keep up with the ever-growing social and environmental expectations will be decisive hereafter

The biodiversity data knowledge gap: assessing information loss in the management of Biosphere Reserves

The knowledge of biodiversity within an area is vital if we want to develop adequate conservation strategies. Biosphere Reserves are purposefully established for the sustainable use of their resources, and therefore their biodiversity should be well known. We compared and evaluated information available for Mexican Biosphere Reserves on threatened and non-threatened vertebrate species records from three different sources--the corresponding Biosphere Reserves management plans (MPs), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility index (GBIF), and scientific literature, in order to find potential knowledge gaps. Our results suggest that there were varying gaps in information among sources according to vertebrate group. For each group of vertebrate species, management plans held the largest subsets of information but were not complete, ranging from 89.6% of the combined known species of birds to 70% for amphibians and freshwater fishes. However, both GBIF and literature included data absent from MPs, and GBIF included data not otherwise available, proving it as important as literature or other data sources (e.g. field data) used for crafting such plans. Moreover, we found references to threatened species that were not listed in the MPs, reaching to as many as 50% of the total known species of fish. Species information shared by all three sources ranged from 28% for amphibians to 72.5% for birds. Conservation efforts should therefore take into account that possibly less charismatic taxa such as amphibians, reptiles and freshwater fish lack more information than birds or mammals. The disparity observed in the vertebrate species information constitutes an information gap that could (or should) be solved by scientists and managers alike

Global trends in research output by zoos and aquariums

Zoos and aquaria, often regarded as preservation-cum-entertainment enterprises, are also actors in the effort to curb the biodiversity crisis: raising awareness, supporting conservation, and conducting research. We assessed trends in zoo and aquaria research topics and study organisms over time worldwide. For the zoos and aquaria registered in the Species360’s Zoological Information Management System and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we compiled metadata on their research published in the peerreviewed literature indexed in Scopus and carried out a keyword frequency analysis. The production of scientific papers by zoos increased at a much faster rate than the average accrual of scientific papers in the literature. Evolution of research themes ran parallel to that of biological sciences (e.g., development of molecular genetics or increased awareness about conservation). The focus of 48.5% of zoo-led research was on vertebrates, of which mammal research was 33.7%. Whether zoos are effectively contributing to conservation may still be debatable, but our results highlight their institutional efforts to increase knowledge about the species in their care.Los zoológicos y los acuarios, con frecuencia considerados empresas de conservación y entretenimiento, también son actores en el esfuerzo por reducir la crisis de la biodiversidad al crear conciencia, apoyar a la conservación y llevar a cabo investigaciones. Evaluamos las tendencias en los temas de investigación y los organismos de estudios en los zoológicos y los acuarios en todo el mundo a través del tiempo. Compilamos los metadatos de las investigaciones realizadas en los zoológicos y acuarios registrados en el Sistema de Manejo de Información Zoológica de Species360 y en la Asociación Mundial de Zoológicos y Acuarios que han sido publicadas en la literatura revisada por pares indexada en Scopus y realizamos un análisis de frecuencias de palabras clave. La producción de artículos científicos por zoológicos se incrementó a una tasa mucho más rápida que la acumulación promedio de artículos científicos en la literatura. La evolución de los temas de investigación fue paralela a la de las ciencias biológicas (p. ej.: desarrollo de la genética molecular o incremento en la conciencia por la conservación). El enfoque del 48.5% de las investigaciones conducidas por los zoológicos estuvo sobre los vertebrados. De este 48.5%, el 33.7% fueron investigaciones sobre mamíferos. Todavía puede debatirse si los zoológicos están contribuyendo efectivamente a la conservación, pero nuestros resultados resaltan sus esfuerzos institucionales por incrementar el conocimiento sobre las especies bajo su cuidado

Global trends in research output by zoos and aquariums

Zoos and aquaria, often regarded as preservation-cum-entertainment enterprises, are also actors in the effort to curb the biodiversity crisis: raising awareness, supporting conservation, and conducting research. We assessed trends in zoo and aquaria research topics and study organisms over time worldwide. For the zoos and aquaria registered in the Species360’s Zoological Information Management System and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we compiled metadata on their research published in the peerreviewed literature indexed in Scopus and carried out a keyword frequency analysis. The production of scientific papers by zoos increased at a much faster rate than the average accrual of scientific papers in the literature. Evolution of research themes ran parallel to that of biological sciences (e.g., development of molecular genetics or increased awareness about conservation). The focus of 48.5% of zoo-led research was on vertebrates, of which mammal research was 33.7%. Whether zoos are effectively contributing to conservation may still be debatable, but our results highlight their institutional efforts to increase knowledge about the species in their care.Los zoológicos y los acuarios, con frecuencia considerados empresas de conservación y entretenimiento, también son actores en el esfuerzo por reducir la crisis de la biodiversidad al crear conciencia, apoyar a la conservación y llevar a cabo investigaciones. Evaluamos las tendencias en los temas de investigación y los organismos de estudios en los zoológicos y los acuarios en todo el mundo a través del tiempo. Compilamos los metadatos de las investigaciones realizadas en los zoológicos y acuarios registrados en el Sistema de Manejo de Información Zoológica de Species360 y en la Asociación Mundial de Zoológicos y Acuarios que han sido publicadas en la literatura revisada por pares indexada en Scopus y realizamos un análisis de frecuencias de palabras clave. La producción de artículos científicos por zoológicos se incrementó a una tasa mucho más rápida que la acumulación promedio de artículos científicos en la literatura. La evolución de los temas de investigación fue paralela a la de las ciencias biológicas (p. ej.: desarrollo de la genética molecular o incremento en la conciencia por la conservación). El enfoque del 48.5% de las investigaciones conducidas por los zoológicos estuvo sobre los vertebrados. De este 48.5%, el 33.7% fueron investigaciones sobre mamíferos. Todavía puede debatirse si los zoológicos están contribuyendo efectivamente a la conservación, pero nuestros resultados resaltan sus esfuerzos institucionales por incrementar el conocimiento sobre las especies bajo su cuidado