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Cited by 1,109Evolution and Paleontology StudiesEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesWildlife Ecology and Conservation

Mammals on the EDGE: Conservation Priorities Based on Threat and Phylogeny

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Isaac, Nick J.B., Turvey, Samuel T., Collen, Ben, Waterman, Carly, Baillie, Jonathan E.M.·2007·PLoS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0000296PMC PMC1808424
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Abstract

Conservation priority setting based on phylogenetic diversity has frequently been proposed but rarely implemented. Here, we define a simple index that measures the contribution made by different species to phylogenetic diversity and show how the index might contribute towards species-based conservation priorities. We describe procedures to control for missing species, incomplete phylogenetic resolution and uncertainty in node ages that make it possible to apply the method in poorly known clades. We also show that the index is independent of clade size in phylogenies of more than 100 species, indicating that scores from unrelated taxonomic groups are likely to be comparable. Similar scores are returned under two different species concepts, suggesting that the index is robust to taxonomic changes. The approach is applied to a near-complete species-level phylogeny of the Mammalia to generate a global priority list incorporating both phylogenetic diversity and extinction risk. The 100 highest-ranking species represent a high proportion of total mammalian diversity and include many species not usually recognised as conservation priorities. Many species that are both evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered (EDGE species) do not benefit from existing conservation projects or protected areas. The results suggest that global conservation priorities may have to be reassessed in order to prevent a disproportionately large amount of mammalian evolutionary history becoming extinct in the near future.

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  • The pygmy hippopotamus is a candidate for priority conservation attention because of its threatened status, long independent evolutionary heritage, and ongoing threats.

    “Its threatened status, long independent evolutionary heritage, and ongoing threats make the pygmy hippopotamus a candidate for priority conservation attention (Isaac et al., 2007).”

    From Field surveys for the Endangered pygmy hippopotamus <i>Choeropsis liberiensis</i> in Sapo National Park, Liberia (2011) · cites this paper as Isaac et al., 2007

    The Introduction and Discussion (pages unavailable) support prioritising mammals that combine extinction risk with substantial evolutionary distinctiveness. But the passages found for 'pygmy hippopotamus' and its scientific names do not identify this species as a priority or establish its threatened status, independent evolutionary heritage, or ongoing threats. (LLM, conf=0.79)

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References 60 · Cited by 1,109

Research works printed but not linked: 37

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Authors
Isaac, N. J. B., Turvey, S. T., Collen, B., Waterman, C., & Baillie, J. E. M.
Affiliations
Zoological Society of London (GB)
Corresponding author
Isaac, Nick J.B.
ORCID
Venue
PLoS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2007-03-14
Volume
2
Issue
3
Pages
e296
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0000296
PMC
PMC1808424
OpenAlex
W2059146372
Cited by
1,109
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 50 · 2025: 70 · 2024: 74 · 2023: 86 · 2022: 122 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 73 · 2019: 71 · 2018: 76 · 2017: 63 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 66 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 45
FWCI
19.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • NERC Open Research Archive (Natural Environment Research Council) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Natural Environment Research Council (CEH010021)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Keywords
conservation prioritization, phylogenetic diversity, edge species, mammalian phylogeny, extinction risk, evolutionary distinctiveness, species-level phylogeny, species concept, protected areas
MeSH terms
Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources, Biological Evolution, Mammals, Species Specificity, Time, Extinction, Biological, Endangered Species

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