Conservation implications of misidentification and killing of protected species

Newth, Julia L.; Wood, Kevin A.; McDonald, Robbie A.; Nuño, Ana; Semenov, Igor; Chistyakov, Anton; Mikhaylova, Galina; Bearhop, Stuart; Белоусова, Анна В.; Глазов, П.М.; Cromie, Ruth; Rees, Eileen C.

doi:10.1111/csp2.24

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The spatial pattern of declines and increases in Bewick's Swan numbers across the winter range are, however, consistent with short-stopping due to climate change, which has caused milder winters across Europe in recent years (Nuijten et al 2020b). Further to the effects of climate, future research into fluctuations in Bewick's Swan numbers should investigate the role that known sources of mortality, such as illegal shooting (Newth et al 2019), could have played in observed decline. In addition, other factors that could have led to deleterious environmental changes in the overwintering grounds, such as the expansion of energy infrastructure that poses collision risk to swans and other large birds, should be considered in future assessments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural and energetic consequences of competition among three overwintering swan (Cygnus spp.) species

et al. 2021

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Background Winter numbers of the northwest European population of Bewick’s Swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) declined recently by c. 40%. During the same period, numbers of two sympatric and ecologically-similar congeners, the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) and Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) showed increases or stability. It has been suggested that these opposing population trends could have a causal relationship, as Mute and Whooper Swans are larger and competitively dominant to Bewick’s Swans in foraging situations. If so, effects of competition of Mute and Whooper Swans on Bewick’s Swans should be detectable as measurable impacts on behaviour and energetics. Methods Here, we studied the diurnal behaviour and energetics of 1083 focal adults and first-winter juveniles (“cygnets”) of the three swan species on their winter grounds in eastern England. We analysed video recordings to derive time-activity budgets and these, together with estimates of energy gain and expenditure, were analysed to determine whether individual Bewick’s Swans altered the time spent on key behaviours when sharing feeding habitat with other swan species, and any consequences for their energy expenditure and net energy gain. Results All three swan species spent a small proportion of their total time (0.011) on aggressive interactions, and these were predominantly intraspecific (≥ 0.714). Mixed-effects models indicated that sharing feeding habitat with higher densities of Mute and Whooper Swans increased the likelihood of engaging in aggression for cygnet Bewick’s Swans, but not for adults. Higher levels of interspecific competition decreased the time spent by Bewick’s Swan cygnets on foraging, whilst adults showed the opposite pattern. When among low densities of conspecifics (< c. 200 individuals/km2), individual Bewick’s Swans spent more time on vigilance in the presence of higher densities of Mute and Whooper Swans, whilst individuals within higher density Bewick’s Swan flocks showed the opposite pattern. Crucially, we found no evidence that greater numbers of interspecific competitors affected the net energy gain of either adult or cygnet Bewick’s Swans. Conclusions We found no evidence that Bewick’s Swan net energy gain was affected by sharing agricultural feeding habitat with larger congeners during winter. This was despite some impacts on the aggression, foraging and vigilance behaviours of Bewick’s Swans, especially among cygnets. It is unlikely therefore that competition between Bewick’s Swans and either Mute or Whooper Swans at arable sites in winter has contributed to the observed decline in Bewick’s Swan numbers. Further research is needed, however, to test for competition in other parts of the flyway, including migratory stopover sites and breeding areas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural and energetic consequences of competition among three overwintering swan (Cygnus spp.) species

et al. 2021

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Section: Conservation Implications and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Misidentification of a common species for a rare species may lead to an overall reduction in monitoring and conservation of rare and endangered species [3,10], including P. sintoxia. In some cases, misidentifications may lead to a removal or inadvertent killing of an endangered species [10] with the permitting of habitat alteration or destruction during infrastructure construction and development projects (e.g., bridges, roads, pipelines, marinas, etc.). Resolving misidentifications of freshwater mussels has become increasingly important (e.g., Inoue et al [16], Beyett et al [19]), as approximately 70% of unionid mussel species in North America are considered at risk of extinction [1].…”

Section: Conservation Implications and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The risk of misidentification and confusion has important implications for the conservation of imperiled unionids such as P. sintoxia [3,10]. If F. flava are being regularly misidentified as P. sintoxia, this means that P. sintoxia is in fact rarer than presumed and that status assessments are overly optimistic and conservation efforts may need to be increased.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morphometric Analyses Distinguish Wabash Pigtoe (Fusconaia flava) and Round Pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia) Mussels

2020

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Wabash Pigtoe, Fusconaia flava, and the related Round Pigtoe, Pleurobema sintoxia, are freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Pleurobemini) native to the Great Lakes region of North America. Fusconaia flava is considered widespread and relatively common while P. sintoxia is considered an imperiled species. These species are similar in shell shape and coloration and have confounded many freshwater malacologists, resulting in frequent misidentifications. We sought to determine if morphometric analyses could be used to reliably distinguish between these species. Two hundred and forty-six specimens were collected from rivers in Michigan and Ontario. For each specimen, a preliminary identification was made, shell measurements and foot color (orange or white) were documented, and photos of the left shell valve were taken. A genetic sample was taken from 133 specimens for cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) barcoding. COI sequences were used for species identification by comparing to sequences on GenBank. Twenty-one digitized landmarks along the outline of the left valve were analyzed and compared to the results of the DNA barcoding. Landmark data correctly assigned 99.2% of specimens to their DNA-confirmed species identity, compared to 82.0% accuracy of field identifications and 77.0% accuracy for foot color. The creation of a DNA-confirmed morphometric database will aid freshwater malacologists across the Great Lakes region in differentiating between these species.

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Predicting intention to hunt protected wildlife: a case study of Bewick's swan in the European Russian Arctic

Newth

McDonald

Wood

et al. 2021

Oryx

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Illegal killing of wildlife is a major conservation issue that, to be addressed effectively, requires insight into the drivers of human behaviour. Here we adapt an established socio-psychological model, the theory of planned behaviour, to explore reasons for hunting the Endangered Bewick's swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii in the European Russian Arctic, using responses from hunters to a questionnaire survey. Wider ecological, legal, recreational and economic motivations were also explored. Of 236 hunters who participated overall, 14% harboured intentions to hunt Bewick's swan. Behavioural intention was predicted by all components of the theory of planned behaviour, specifically: hunters' attitude towards the behaviour, perceived behavioural control (i.e. perceived capability of being able to perform the behaviour) and their subjective norms (perception of social expectations). The inclusion of attitude towards protective laws and descriptive norm (perception of whether other people perform the behaviour) increased the model's predictive power. Understanding attitudes towards protective laws can help guide the design of conservation measures that reduce non-compliance. We conclude that conservation interventions should target the socio-psychological conditions that influence hunters' attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control. These may include activities that build trust, encourage support for conservation, generate social pressure against poaching, use motivations to prompt change and strengthen peoples' confidence to act. This approach could be applied to inform the effective design, prioritization and targeting of interventions that improve compliance and reduce the illegal killing of wildlife.

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Conservation implications of misidentification and killing of protected species

Cited by 4 publications

References 12 publications

Behavioural and energetic consequences of competition among three overwintering swan (Cygnus spp.) species

Behavioural and energetic consequences of competition among three overwintering swan (Cygnus spp.) species

Morphometric Analyses Distinguish Wabash Pigtoe (Fusconaia flava) and Round Pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia) Mussels

Predicting intention to hunt protected wildlife: a case study of Bewick's swan in the European Russian Arctic

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