New Faunal Records from a World Heritage Site in Danger: Rennell Island, Solomon Islands1

Lavery, Tyrone H.; DeCicco, Lucas H.; Richmond, Jonathan Q.; Tigulu, Ikuo G.; Andersen, Michael J.; Boseto, David; Moyle, Robert G.

doi:10.2984/75.3.8

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…3). Logging, land clearance for palm oil, and nickel mining are key drivers of habitat loss in the Solomon Islands (Kabutaulaka 2000;Morrison et al 2007;Wairiu 2007;Katovai et al 2015;Lavery et al 2021). Additionally, for especially charismatic species such as the Solomon Islands skink (Corucia zebrata) or crocodile skinks (Tribolonotus spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, for especially charismatic species such as the Solomon Islands skink (Corucia zebrata) or crocodile skinks (Tribolonotus spp. ), illegal harvesting for the pet trade can be a major threat (Leary 1991;Janssen and Shepherd 2018;Lavery et al 2021). In addition to existing stressors, human-induced climate change is also likely to negatively affect species in Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea, especially lowland species that may be vulnerable to rising sea levels; or montane endemics, which are at risk of climatic conditions shifting beyond their thermal tolerances (Duffy 2011;Kingsford and Watson 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: an underexplored biodiversity hotspot

Slavenko

Allison

Austin

et al. 2023

Pacific Conserv. Biol.

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Context. Skinks comprise the dominant component of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna in Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea (ONGEW). However, knowledge of their diversity is incomplete, and their conservation needs are poorly understood. Aims. To explore the diversity and threat status of the skinks of ONGEW and identify knowledge gaps and conservation needs. Methods. We compiled a list of all skink species occurring in the region and their threat categories designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. We used available genetic sequences deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's GenBank to generate a phylogeny of the region's skinks. We then assessed their diversity within geographical sub-divisions and compared to other reptile taxa in the region. Key results. Approximately 300 species of skinks occur in ONGEW, making it the second largest global hotspot of skink diversity following Australia. Many phylogenetic relationships remain unresolved, and many species and genera are in need of taxonomic revision. One in five species are threatened with extinction, a higher proportion than almost all reptile families in the region. Conclusions. ONGEW contain a large proportion of global skink diversity on <1% of the Earth's landmass. Many are endemic and face risks such as habitat loss and invasive predators. Yet, little is known about them, and many species require taxonomic revision and threat level re-assessment. Implications. The skinks of ONGEW are a diverse yet underexplored group of terrestrial vertebrates, with many species likely facing extreme risks in the near future. Further research is needed to understand the threats they face and how to protect them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: an underexplored biodiversity hotspot

Slavenko

Allison

Austin

et al. 2023

Pacific Conserv. Biol.

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“…However, substantial Wallacean and Linnaean shortfalls remain among the vertebrate faunas, and the deep Indigenous knowledge that persists widely today is a key tool to reduce these (e.g. Alabai et al., 2019; DeCicco et al., 2019, 2020; Jenkins et al., 2008; Lavery et al., 2021; Lavery, Alabai, et al., 2020; Lavery, Posala, et al., 2020; Pollard et al., 2015). People from southern Vangunu continue to hold intimate knowledge of a native species of giant rat known by the Indigenous language name vika .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vangunu giant rat (Uromys vika) survives in the Zaira Community Resource Management Area, Solomon Islands

Lavery,

Holland,

Jino

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Described in 2017 and known only from the holotype, Uromys vika is surely among the world's least studied rodents. This critically endangered species is facing a rapidly increasing scale for threat from logging of its primary lowland forest habitat, on the only island on which it occurs—Vangunu, Solomon Islands. However, a deep traditional ecological knowledge of U. vika is held by Vangunu's people. Using camera traps and guided by this knowledge, we aimed to make additional records of U. vika in the last major block of Vangunu's primary forest. We successfully captured 95 images of what we postulate is four different individuals. The forests at Zaira represent the last suitable habitat remaining for this species, and recent development consent for logging at Zaira will lead to its extinction if permitted to proceed.

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Can 30 × 30 targets stop island extinctions?

Lavery,

Cranwell,

Tauika

et al. 2024

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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New Faunal Records from a World Heritage Site in Danger: Rennell Island, Solomon Islands1

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 6 publications

References 31 publications

Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: an underexplored biodiversity hotspot

Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: an underexplored biodiversity hotspot

Vangunu giant rat (Uromys vika) survives in the Zaira Community Resource Management Area, Solomon Islands

Can 30 × 30 targets stop island extinctions?

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