A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century
Although rodents are not considered among the most threatened mammals, there is ample historical evidence concerning the vulnerability to extinction of several rodent phylogenetic lineages. Owing to the high number of species, poor taxonomy and the lack of detailed information on population status,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
2003-12-01
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| Series: | Animal Biodiversity and Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/files/ABC-26-2-pp-1-18.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818361282013691904 |
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| author | Amori, G. Gippoliti, S. |
| author_facet | Amori, G. Gippoliti, S. |
| author_sort | Amori, G. |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although rodents are not considered among the most threatened mammals, there is ample historical evidence concerning the vulnerability to extinction of several rodent phylogenetic lineages. Owing to the high number of species, poor taxonomy and the lack of detailed information on population status, the assessment of threat status according to IUCN criteria has still to be considered arbitrary in some cases. Public appreciation is scarce and tends to overlook the ecological role and conservation problems of an order representing about 41 percent of mammalian species. We provide an overview of the most relevant information concerning the conservation status of rodents at the genus, subfamily, and family level. For species¿poor taxa, the importance of distinct populations is highlighted and a splitter approach in taxonomy is adopted. Considering present constraints, strategies for the conservation of rodent diversity must rely mainly on higher taxon and hot-spot approaches. A clear understanding of phyletic relationships among difficult groups -such as Rattus, for instance- is an urgent goal. Even if rodent taxonomy is still unstable, high taxon approach is amply justified from a conservation standpoint as it offers a more subtle overview of the world terrestrial biodiversity than that offered by large mammals. Of the circa 451 living rodent genera, 126 (27,9 %), representing 168 living species, deserve conservation attention according to the present study. About 76 % of genera at risk are monotypic, confirming the danger of losing a considerable amount of phylogenetic distinctiveness. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T21:14:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4d5967d321ad411a9d806dfe7f65a5f2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1578-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T21:14:12Z |
| publishDate | 2003-12-01 |
| publisher | Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal Biodiversity and Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-4d5967d321ad411a9d806dfe7f65a5f22022-12-21T23:31:16ZengMuseu de Ciències Naturals de BarcelonaAnimal Biodiversity and Conservation1578-665X2003-12-01262118A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st centuryAmori, G.Gippoliti, S. Although rodents are not considered among the most threatened mammals, there is ample historical evidence concerning the vulnerability to extinction of several rodent phylogenetic lineages. Owing to the high number of species, poor taxonomy and the lack of detailed information on population status, the assessment of threat status according to IUCN criteria has still to be considered arbitrary in some cases. Public appreciation is scarce and tends to overlook the ecological role and conservation problems of an order representing about 41 percent of mammalian species. We provide an overview of the most relevant information concerning the conservation status of rodents at the genus, subfamily, and family level. For species¿poor taxa, the importance of distinct populations is highlighted and a splitter approach in taxonomy is adopted. Considering present constraints, strategies for the conservation of rodent diversity must rely mainly on higher taxon and hot-spot approaches. A clear understanding of phyletic relationships among difficult groups -such as Rattus, for instance- is an urgent goal. Even if rodent taxonomy is still unstable, high taxon approach is amply justified from a conservation standpoint as it offers a more subtle overview of the world terrestrial biodiversity than that offered by large mammals. Of the circa 451 living rodent genera, 126 (27,9 %), representing 168 living species, deserve conservation attention according to the present study. About 76 % of genera at risk are monotypic, confirming the danger of losing a considerable amount of phylogenetic distinctiveness.http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/files/ABC-26-2-pp-1-18.pdfMammalsRodentsConservation prioritiesPhylogenetic distance |
| spellingShingle | Amori, G. Gippoliti, S. A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century Animal Biodiversity and Conservation Mammals Rodents Conservation priorities Phylogenetic distance |
| title | A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century |
| title_full | A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century |
| title_fullStr | A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century |
| title_full_unstemmed | A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century |
| title_short | A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century |
| title_sort | higher taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century |
| topic | Mammals Rodents Conservation priorities Phylogenetic distance |
| url | http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/files/ABC-26-2-pp-1-18.pdf |
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