Ernst H. W. Baard

The expert or the algorithm?—comparison of priority conservation areas in the Cape Floristic Region identified by park managers and reserve selection software

Expert-based and systematic, algorithm-based approaches to identifying priority areas for conservation are sometimes posited as alternatives. While both approaches have pros and cons, the systematic approach does have the advantage of providing a region-wide assessment of the options for achieving explicit conservation targets. A distinct advantage of the expert-driven approach is its incorporation of expert knowledge on biodiversity persistence and pragmatic management and implementation issues not normally included in biodiversity feature-site data matrices. Given the widespread application of both approaches, surprisingly little research has been undertaken to evaluate their conservation planning outcomes. Here we compare priority conservation areas in South Africas Cape Floristic Region identified by park managers and reserve-selection software. Managers identified 29 areas (a wishlist) that together, comprised 31% of the planning domain and had 40% of its area under some form of conservation management. This wishlist was assessed for the extent to which it achieved targets for biodiversity pattern and process over and above the existing conservation system, and its incorporation of priority areas identified in terms of conservation value and vulnerability to processes that threaten biodiversity. Overall, the wishlist reflected a desire by managers to improve management efficiency and facilitate rapid implementation by expanding existing, largely montane reserves into low-priority areas where land tenure is sympathetic to conservation. Consequently, it was not very effective and efficient in achieving pattern and process targets, and it excluded large areas of vulnerable and inadequately conserved lowland habitat-the areas currently in most need of conservation action. Further, it provided no basis for scheduling implementation or for exploring alternative areas to achieve the same goals, unlike systematic approaches. Nonetheless, the managers wishlist did include many highly innovative and feasible projects that make important contributions to the conservation of the regions biodiversity. Rather than emphasize the dichotomy between expert and systematic approaches, conservation planners should devise ways of integrating them. In particular, priority areas identified by experts should be carefully considered against the backdrop of the outcomes of systematic conservation planning.

Distribution and status of the geometric tortoise Psammobates geometricus in South Africa

Abstract The published distribution of the endangered geometric tortoise Psammobates geometricus is updated by means of an intensive survey of the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa. P. geometricus is known from at least 31 localities (including 21 newly confirmed ones) in the western Cape lowlands, the Worcester and Ceres Valleys. During the past 14 years, six localities have been destroyed. Currently, there are five nature reserves (one private and four provincial) which contain geometric tortoise populations and two more are scheduled to be established shortly. However, the distribution range of P. geometricus still appears to be contracting.

The status of some rare and endangered endemic reptiles and amphibians of the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract At least 14 herpetological species are endemic to the southwestern Cape Province, RSA. Five, the geometric tortoise Psammobates geometricus, the Cape platanna Xenopus gilli, the micro frog Microbatrachella capensis, the Table Mountain ghost frog Heleophryne rosei an d McLachlans girdled lizard Cordylus mclachlani, are in immediate need of conservation measures to ensure their continued long-term survival. The first four species mentioned are listed as endangered. Habitat destruction and degradation, genetic hybridization and restricted distribution ranges are the four most important factors responsible for the critical conservation status of these species. Nature reserves, declared nature areas, careful managing of remaining habitat and an increased human awareness are of vital importance to their survival. Only the future establishment of new and additional reserved areas will ensure the protection of viable populations of these five species.

Regional variation in morphometric characters in the angulate tortoise, Chersina angulata, from South Africa

VAN DEN BERG, P., and E.H.W. BAARD. 1994. Regional variation in morphometric characters in the angulate tortoise, Chersina angulata, from South Africa. J. Herpetol. Assoc. Afr. 43: 28–32. Previous authors claimed that regional differences in body size, gular shield length and plastron concavity occur in the angulata tortoise, Chersina angulata, but no statistical evidence in support of these claims was provided. We obtained comparative data for the angulate tortoise from three regions in the Cape Province, namely the eastern Cape, the southwestern Cape and Namaqualand. Our data suggest that males from the three regions do not differ significantly in adult body size. Southwestern Cape females are, however, significantly smaller than those from the other two regions. Sexual dimorphism in body size, size of the gular shield and plastron concavity is well-developed in this species, although no significant difference in body size was found between males and females from Namaqualand. A similar pattern of geogra...

Body of evidence: forensic use of baseline health assessments to convict wildlife poachers

Abstract Context. Given the immense impact of wildlife trade, disease and repatriations on populations, health assessments can provide powerful forensic material to help convict wildlife poachers and minimise risks of releasing unhealthy wildlife. Aims. We aimed to use reference ranges to assess the health of confiscated tortoises, to illustrate forensic application of these ranges, and to advance analyses for future applications. Methods. We used analyses of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA), and composite indices, to compare wild and confiscate tortoise body condition, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration of males and females of three tortoise species. Subsequently, we used multivariate statistics (e.g. discriminant analyses) to evaluate the relative importance of species, sex and group (wild or confiscate) on tortoise condition and haematology. Key results. Our initial statistical tests demonstrated, at P < 0.05 to P < 0.0005, that confiscate body condition and haematology were compromised compared with that of wild tortoises. Subsequently, discriminant analyses strongly discriminated between most wild and confiscate groups (P < 0.0001), correctly classified individual health as wild or confiscate 80–90% of the time, indicated that species and sex effects were stronger than was the wild-confiscate category, and provided discriminant functions for use on other taxa and studies. Conclusions. The health assessments discriminated well between wild and confiscate tortoises. The results had considerable forensic value, being relevant, quickly generated using portable field equipment, reliable, accurate, easy to explain and convey in terms of likelihood in a court of law, synergistically consistent among variables and groups, a strong rebuttal to the poachers’ specific statements, and consistent with other types of evidence. Multivariate analyses were consistent with, and more prudent and powerful than, the original statistical analyses. Discriminant functions can be applied in future studies and on other chelonian species, and should be developed for other wildlife species. Implications. Reference ranges provide considerable value for forensics, diagnostics and treatment. Given the disease risks resulting from the massive scale of wildlife trade and release, reference ranges should be developed for more species.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF JACOBSON'S ORGAN IN THE NORTH AMERICAN TAILED FROG ASCAPHUS TRUEI (ANURA: LEIOPELMATIDAE)

ABSTRACT The North American tailed frog (Ascaphus truei) is presently regarded as one of the primitive members of the Anura owing to the possession of the following primitive characteristics: free bony ribs, the retention of two ‘tail-wagging’ muscles and Jacobsons organ, which in position corresponds to that of more advanced urodeles. Unlike most other anurans, the tailed frog lacks a tympanum and is voiceless. According to Jurgens (1971), the tendency exists for Jacobsons organ in primitive urodeles to migrate from a position ventral to the main nasal sac to a ventrolateral position in phylogenetically advanced urodeles. Furthermore, in primitive anurans Jacobsons organ is situated ventrolaterally to the main nasal sac and the tendency exists for it to shift anteromedially to lie between the septum nasi and main nasal sac in advanced anurans. Because of this character shared by Ascaphus and advanced urodeles, the embryological ventrolateral shifting of the organ in Ascaphus truei could be regarded as...

A REVIEW OF THE TAXONOMIC HISTORY OF AND SOME LITERATURE ON THE GEOMETRIC TORTOISE, PSAMMOBATES GEOMETRICUS (LINNAEUS, 1758)

ABSTRACT The taxonomic history of the geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus is reviewed. It is recommended that the type locality is restricted to the south-western Cape Province. Uterature relating to morphology, distribution, taxonomy, biology, and conservation status and threats is summarised. A comprehensive bibliography is appended.

IS LEGAL PROTECTION OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS IN THE CAPE PROVINCE CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR CONSERVATION

The comprehensive legal protection of the Cape Provinces herpetofauna is evaluated in terms of its benefit to the conservation of species which have or may be become threatened. An analysis of her...

ESTIMATING THE SIZES OF TERRESTRIAL TORTOISE POPULATIONS: TWO CASE STUDIES

ABSTRACT Attempts to determine the sizes of two tortoise populations (the geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus, population of the Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve and the southern padloper, Homopus areolatus population of the Harmony Rats Nature Reserve, using three methods (a Bayesian estimate, and both the Schnabel and Chomacher methods) are discussed. The micro-computer based Bayesian estimate is favoured.