Phylogenetic relationships of the West African mud turtle (Pelusios castaneus) on the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Central Africa

On the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa, only one species of terrapin has been recorded: the West African mud turtle, Pelusios castaneus. Here, we use a mtDNA phylogenetic approach to shed light on the geographical origin of Pelusios castaneus on both islands. Our results indicate several independent colonisations from different African mainland regions (Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Congo). However, it is still unclear if the species arrived on the islands by natural dispersal (e.g., through vegetation rafts) or by human agency (e.g., as a food source). Our work provides important insights into the origins of P. castaneus in São Tomé and Príncipe, but a more in-depth study is needed to fully understand the origins and evolutionary histories of these populations

Foraging behaviour and diet of Brown boobies Sula leucogaster from Tinhosas Islands, Gulf of Guinea

Seabirds are a highly threatened group, yet the foraging ecology of several species remains poorly understood. Brown boobies breed in all oceans in the tropical region and are common across their range. In Tinhosa Grande (São Tomé and Príncipe), this species breeds in one of the largest colonies of seabirds in the east tropical Atlantic. We studied the foraging ecology of Brown boobies from this colony during the chick-rearing period. Thirty-three birds were tracked with GPS loggers and their diet was analysed from 11 regurgitations, using traditional and DNA barcoding techniques for prey identifcation. A total of 127 completed foraging trips were identifed, 89% of which lasted less than 24 h. Females performed signifcantly longer trips and both sexes foraged preferentially over deep oceanic waters. The diet of Brown boobies included juvenile fsh and squid (Sthenoteuthis pteropus), comprising mostly fsh species whose juvenile phases live in the pelagic environment, and only migrate to coastal waters when adults. The most frequent of those prey found was Flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans). The relevance of such prey shows that Brown booby conservation depends not only on the management of their foraging areas and breeding sites but also on the correct management of the coastal adjacent areas that support the adult individuals of some of their prey. Our results suggest that the areas closest to the colony do not have available resources for these birds to feed on and that Brown boobies may be associate with subsurface marine predators or with sargassum patches to forage.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A tale of two species: the importance of native ecosystems for long-term conservation on Príncipe Island, Gulf of Guinea

Since it was first described in 1901, the Príncipe thrush Turdus xanthorhynchus has been rare and restricted to the native forest in the south of Príncipe Island. The Obô giant land snail Archachatina bicarinata, however, was widespread across the island and at least locally abundant until the 1990s. Since then its population has collapsed, and now, like the thrush, it is also restricted to the native forest in the south of the island. Using species distribution modelling, we show that both species are currently strongly associated with rugged and remote areas of native forest at high altitudes. We argue that their current distribution might be negatively affected by anthropogenic pressures, as both are harvested, and also because invasive alien species are expected to have deleterious effects on these species, although further studies are needed to clarify interactions between these native and introduced species. The diachronic stories of these species highlight an overlooked value of native ecosystems: their role in the conservation of widespread species that might be unable to use anthropogenic landscapes in the future. They also reinforce the need for protected areas that strive to exclude most human activities in the context of particularly sensitive biodiversity, as is often the case on oceanic islands.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acoustic monitoring of the Scops owl and other threatened species on Príncipe Island

Project funded by the African Bird Club and fundraised by the Bird Conservation Fun

Introduced Mona monkey is a key threat to the Critically Endangered Príncipe thrush

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reassessment of the conservation status of Crocidura fingui, a shrew endemic to Príncipe Island, Gulf of Guinea

The Fingui white-toothed shrew Crocidura fingui, categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, is endemic to Príncipe Island, Central Africa. It is currently known from < 10 sites and its ecology and any threats are largely unknown. We review its distribution and ecology, and any potential threats, based on camera-trap data, field observations and previously published and unpublished sightings. Crocidura fingui appears to have an island-wide distribution and to use a range of ecosystems, from native forests to urban areas. It is largely nocturnal and exhibits considerable spatiotemporal overlap with introduced mammals such as the African civet Civettictis civetta, domestic cat Felis catus and rats Rattus spp. The species has an area of occupancy < 500 km2 and is known from fewer than five locations, and its population is inferred to be affected by several introduced mammals. We recommend that it is recategorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List

The recently discovered Principe Scops-owl is highly threatened: distribution, habitat associations, and population estimates

[EN] Species baseline information is required for effective biodiversity conservation. Here we provide sound ecological data to support effective conservation of the Principe Scops-owl, Otus bikegila Melo, Freitas, Verbelen, Costa, Pereira, Fuchs, Sangster, Correia, de Lima & Crottini 2022, discovered in 2016. We mapped the observed and potential distribution, inferred habitat associations, estimated population size, and assessed the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List category for this species. Surveys were carried out across Príncipe Island during the long and short dry seasons, recording owl presence in sampling points along transects. These data were used to model distribution, revealing that the Principe Scops-owl is restricted to 34.4 km2 in the south of the island, inside the Príncipe Obô Natural Park. Most records were in lower altitude native forest. Remoteness was the most important variable to explain presence at island level, followed by land use, which showed that the species is restricted to forest, clearly depending on native forest. Distance sampling using different models suggested a population density ranging between 33.4 individuals/km2 (95% CI: 23.6–47.2) and 46.4 individuals/km2 (95% CI: 29.3–73.6), which extrapolates to an estimated population size ranging from 1,149 individuals (95% CI: 813–1,623) to 1,597 individuals (95% CI: 1,007–2,533). We propose that the species is classified as “Critically Endangered” due to the small extent of occurrence, coupled with occurrence in a single location and inferred continuing declines in the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of mature individuals and area, extent, and quality of habitat. Effective conservation of the Principe Scops-owl requires regular monitoring and further studies focusing on reproduction and potential nest predation by introduced mammals. Widespread support for the conservation of the Natural Park is vital to ensure the protection of this species and the endemic-rich native forests of Príncipe on which it depends.[POR] O sucesso de medidas de conservação está dependente da qualidade da informação de base disponível para as espécies alvo. Neste estudo, recolhemos dados sólidos sobre a ecologia de Otus bikegila Melo, Freitas, Verbelen, Costa, Pereira, Fuchs, Sangster, Correia, de Lima & Crottini 2022, descoberto em 2016. Mapeamos a distribuição observada e potencial, inferimos associações de habitat, estimamos o tamanho da população e propomos a categoria da Lista Vermelha da União Internacional para a Conservação da Natureza (IUCN) para esta espécie. Foi feito um levantamento na Ilha do Príncipe durante as estações secas, longa e curta, registando a presença do mocho em pontos de amostragem ao longo de transetos. Estes dados foram usados para modelar a sua distribuição, revelando que Otus bikegila está restrito a 34,4 km2 no sul da ilha, dentro do Parque Natural do Obô do Príncipe. A maioria dos registos foram feitos em floresta nativa de baixa altitude. A acessibilidade foi a variável mais importante para explicar a presença do mocho ao nível da ilha, seguida pelo uso do solo, o que demonstrou que esta espécie está restrita a áreas de floresta, preferindo a floresta nativa. Através da análise de distâncias usando diferentes modelos, obtevese uma estimativa da densidade populacional variando entre 33,4 indivíduos/km2 (IC 95%: 23,6–47,2) e 46,4 indivíduos/km2 (IC 95%: 29,3–73,6), que resulta num tamanho populacional estimado variando de 1.149 (IC 95%: 813–1.623) a 1.597 indivíduos (IC 95%: 1.007–2.533). Propomos que a espécie seja classificada como Criticamente Ameaçada devido à pequena extensão de ocorrência, juntamente com a sua ocorrência num único local e um declínio contínuo inferido na extensão de ocorrência, área de ocupação, número de indivíduos maturos e área, extensão e qualidade do habitat. Para que a conservação de Otus bikegila seja eficaz, é necessário que a sua monitorização seja regular e que novos estudos se foquem na sua reprodução e potencial predação no ninho por mamíferos introduzidos. É essencial que haja um apoio generalizado para a conservação do Parque Natural, para garantir a proteção da floresta nativa de que dependem a maior parte das espécies endémicas da ilha, incluindo Otus bikegila.This project was supported by Forever Príncipe with additional funding from the National Geographic Society (Early career grant - EC-364C-18 to B.F.). Portuguese National Funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) funded the B.F. PhD grant (2020.04569.BD), R.L. and M.M. post-doc grants (FCT/MCTES - SFRH/BPD/91494/2012; SFRH/BPD/100614/2014), A.C. Investigador FCT (IF/00209/2014) and 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 contracts, CIBIO (UIDB/50027/2021), and cE3c research units (UID/BIA/00329/2021). M.M. was further supported via the European Union Horizon’s 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 854248.Peer reviewe