Title
Turtles of Bolivia: Research and conservation priorities
Author(s)
Domic-Rivadeneira, Enrique; Montaño, Rossy; Rey-Ortíz, Gustavo; Lizarro, Dennis; Carvajal-Bacarreza, Pamela; Acebey, Sandra; Ureña-Aranda, Cinthya A.; Gutiérrez, Eliamne K.; Aliaga-Rossel, Enzo; Cortez, Claudia; Aparicio, James; Camacho-Badani, Teresa; Cortéz, Edson; Estrada-Groux, Flavia; Forero-Medina, Germán; Gonzales, Lucindo; Guizada-Durán, Luis A.; Nascimento-Ferreira, Audevan; Ocampo, Mauricio; Paredes, Marita; Rodríguez-Auad, Karina; Wallace, Robert; Pacheco, Luis F.; Miranda, Guido
Published
2021
Publisher
Kempffiana
Abstract
Continental tortoises and freshwater turtle species are one of the least studied reptile groups in Bolivia. The last review and evaluation of this group was carried out in 2009 for the Red Book of the Wild Fauna of Vertebrates of Bolivia. In this work, we evaluate both the state of knowledge and the level of current threats, and we determine the priority species to carry out conservation actions. The analysis was carried out during a virtual workshop in which different specialists participated based on their own experience, the review of the knowledge generated in scientific articles, theses, and unpublished data. The evaluation of conservation priorities was carried out after the workshop. Within the context of the evaluation of research priorities, threats, and conservation priorities, it was determined that there are ten species with very high research priority, three high and two with low. The main threats to this group of vertebrates in Bolivia are loss of habitat, climate change and illegal wildlife trade; four species have a high level of threat, one species moderately and ten suffer low impact. Regarding conservation priorities, three species were determined with high priority, ten with medium, and two with low: the high priority species being Podocnemis expansa, P. sextuberculata and Acanthochelys pallidipectoris. Due to the scarce research and the increase in the degree of threats to these species, we consider it necessary to reassess the conservation status of all species, prioritize them for research and establish conservation measures.
Keywords
Threats; Assessment; Impact; Chelonians; Reptiles
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PUB26685