Skip to main content

R. Trevor Wilson

  • Biodiversity Journal, 9 (4): 395-398

    R. Trevor Wilson
    Baobabs, Adansonia spp. (Bombacaceae Malvaceae), around Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), northern Madagascar
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2018.9.4.395.398

    ABSTRACT
    Baobabs list eight species of the genus Adansonia L. (Bombacaceae Malvaceae). One species is endemic to mainland Africa, one to Australia and six to Madagascar. Three Malagasy species are classed by IUCN as Lower Risk/Near Threatened and three are Endangered with limited numbers under the criteria of Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy. The Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) region in northern Madagascar is home to A. madagascariensis Baill., A. suarezensis H. Perrier and A. perrieri Capuron. These are threatened by multiple causes. Naturally low regeneration rates, deforestation, use of fuelwood and charcoal, commercial logging, livestock grazing, collection and consumption of fruit, seed collection for use in cosmetics manufacture, and illegal fires are among these threats. Ecological (unable to regenerate in situ) if not physical extinction is possible because of the low regeneration potential. In addition to direct and immediate threats, the species are vulnerable to long term climate change. Small and fragmented populations, human-wildlife conflict, climate change, invasive species, diseases, lack of conservation law enforcement and inadequate knowledge and research make the prognosis for the survival of this part of Madagascar’s heritage and biodiversity not very positive.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 10 (1): 021-024

    R. Trevor Wilson
    The Ctenodactylidae (Rodentia) in northern Africa and a new location record for Pectinator spekei Blyth, 1856 in Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.1.21.24

    ABSTRACT
    The Ctenodactylidae is a small family of rodents comprising only five species in four genera. Four of the species are confined to North Africa in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Senegal, Mali, Chad, and Niger. The fifth, Pectinator spekei, is the only one of the family that is found in the northeastern Horn of Africa. Earlier records have shown its presence in Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and eastern Ethiopia at altitudes below 1,200 meters. Sightings of this species in early November 2018 were at 13°17’47.7”N, 39°49’32.8”E at an altitude of 1,560 meters. This location is more than 300 km horizontally and almost 400 meters vertically from previous records. The IUCN Red List classification of least concern is strengthened by this new record in an area little disturbed by humans.