Effect of anthropogenic activities on the population of moor macaques (Macaca maura) in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Forest loss due to anthropogenic activities is one of the main causes of plant and animal species decline. Studying the species’ population status (i.e. density, abundance and geographic distribution), on a regular basis, is one of the main tools to assess the effect of anthropogenic activities in wildlife, to monitor population dynamics and to intervene with effective conservation strategies when the population of an endangered species declines. On Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, anthropogenic activities, like agriculture, are diminishing the remaining natural habitats available for several endemic and endangered species. The effect of this forest loss on the threatened moor macaques (Macaca maura) in South Sulawesi is unknown, and data on the population status of this species are needed to design effective conservation strategies. To assess the population status of the moor macaques, we walked linear transects (N = 29, survey effort = 114 km) at 6 sites between November 2019 and March 2020 to estimate macaque population density and encounter rate. We tested the effect of anthropogenic activities on macaque encounter rate. Our global density estimate (24 individuals/km2) was lower than the overall estimate from the most detailed survey conducted on this species, which covered its whole geographic distribution (36.1 individuals/km2). However, these results should be interpreted with caution because the previous density estimate falls within the confidence intervals of our estimate. Furthermore, we found regional declines in moor macaque encounter rates in at least two sites compared to previous studies. We found a high presence of anthropogenic activity in the forests inhabited by macaques. Moor macaques were less abundant in open areas with no forest (i.e., clear cuttings) than in forested areas, and in the presence of non-species-specific hunting traps (i.e., wire-loop traps). Moreover, moor macaques were more abundant in areas with a higher presence of humans and domestic animals. Overall, our data suggest that the population of this species may be declining in certain regions but further surveys are needed to corroborate whether this is occurring across the entire geographic distribution

Addressing the open illegal trade in large marine mollusc shells in Pangandaran, Indonesia

International audienceTrade in marine mollusc shells in Indonesia is strictly regulated for most of the smaller species and is largely prohibited for the larger species (Whitten et al., 1996). and international illegal trade exists in especially the seizure data give some indications of the magnitude of horned helmet Cassis cornuta shells, 1,300 of what are most likely prickly pen shells Pinna muricata, and 1,670 kg of tiger cowrie Cypraea tigris harbour of Jakarta on the island of Java (Tarmizi, 2015). Three years earlier, on 19 June 2012, two containers with 485 chambered nautilus Nautilus pompilius, 20,515 horned helmet, 204 Triton's trumpet Charonia tritonis and 768 false trumpet Syrinx aruanus shells, as well as 2,849 kg of noble volutes Cymbiola nobilis, second largest city, also on Java (Anonymous 2012)

Price-size relationships for shells in trade.

<p>Prices of horned helmet <i>Cassis cornuta</i>, Triton’s trumpet <i>Charonia tritonis</i> and chambered nautilus <i>Nautilus pompilius</i> shells in relation to size, in Pangandaran, Indonesia, June 2013. Prices were given in Indonesian rupiah and are here converted to the US dollar at an exchange rate of 10,000 rupiah to the dollar. Small-sized symbols indicate single shells, medium-sized indicate two shells and large-sized symbols three shells; regression lines are for horned helmet and Triton’s trumpet only.</p

Shell trade networks.

<p>Protected marine molluscs shell trade networks in Java and Bali, Indonesia. Size of circles are proportional to the volume of trade: small = 10s, medium-100s, large-1000s and very large = 10,000s. Kendari is situated in south-central Sulawesi 800 km northeast of Bali.</p

Size classes of shells in trade.

<p>Distribution of sizes of three commonly traded protected marine mollusc shells in Pangandaran, Indonesia.</p

Legally protected shells for sale.

<p>Protected marine mollusc shells for sale in Pangandaran, Indonesia, June 2013. Top: Horned helmet <i>Cassis cornuta</i> and chambered nautilus <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>. Bottom: Chambered nautilus</p

Distribución actual, ecología y estrategias para la conservación de un primate críticamente amenazado (Ateles fusciceps fusiceps) en el Ecuador

Distribution, ecology and strategies for the conservation of a critically endangered primate (Ateles fusciceps fusiceps) in Ecuador. Ateles fusciceps occurs from Southern Panama to Ecuador. The subspecies Ateles fusciceps fusciceps is endemic to Ecuador and can be found west of the Andes, from the north of the country to the Manabí Province in the south. Its largest population is found in the Province of Esmeraldas. Deforestation and hunting are the main threats faced by these primates. A.f.fusciceps relies on large tracts of primary forest but can also be found in forest fragments close to human settlements. Illegal logging is having a detrimental effect on the food availability for this primate, who feed mainly on ripe fruit. In this chapter we summarize the conservation status of this taxon and report more than 60 species that are key to A.f.fusiceps survival in Tesoro Escondido, Esmeraldas Province. In order to protect this Critically Endangered primate and its habitat it is crucial to develop conservation actions that enable alternative economic income for local communities

Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment

Conservation funding is currently limited; cost-effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations’ conservation return on investment and explored the impact of COVID-19. We surveyed leaders of field stations across tropical regions that host primate research; 157 field stations in 56 countries responded. Respondents reported improved habitat quality and reduced hunting rates at over 80% of field stations and lower operational costs per km2 than protected areas, yet half of those surveyed have less funding now than in 2019. Spatial analyses support field station presence as reducing deforestation. These ‘earth observatories’ provide a high return on investment; we advocate for increased support of field station programs and for governments to support their vital conservation efforts by investing accordingly

The risk of COVID-19 death is much greater and age dependent with type I IFN autoantibodies

International audienceSignificance There is growing evidence that preexisting autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) are strong determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. It is important to estimate their quantitative impact on COVID-19 mortality upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, by age and sex, as both the prevalence of these autoantibodies and the risk of COVID-19 death increase with age and are higher in men. Using an unvaccinated sample of 1,261 deceased patients and 34,159 individuals from the general population, we found that autoantibodies against type I IFNs strongly increased the SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate at all ages, in both men and women. Autoantibodies against type I IFNs are strong and common predictors of life-threatening COVID-19. Testing for these autoantibodies should be considered in the general population