Species Diversity And Threatened Categories Assessment Of Mammals In Hunan Province,China

Mammals,as the highest order of vertebrates,play a crucial role in ecosystems and provide essential support for human survival and development.Assessing the threat levels of species enables us to understand their current survival status and formulate targeted conservation measures.A comprehensive and systematic compilation of the mammal species list and taxonomic system in Hunan Province is imperative for scientific assessment of species threat levels at the provincial level and the conservation of biodiversity.Therefore,this study,based on field survey data from 2020 to 2023,systematically collects literature monographs on mammal resource surveys in Hunan Province over the past decade,compiles the authors’ team field survey data of more than 20 years,and utilizes data from the second national terrestrial wildlife resources survey in Hunan Province.This research aims to facilitate the conservation of rare and endangered vertebrate resources in Hunan Province.The main findings are as follows:(1)Species composition:This study represents the first statistical analysis of mammals in Hunan province in recent years.A total of 126 mammal species have been recorded in the province,distributed across 78 genera,31 families,and 8 orders.Additionally,8 mammal species are considered doubtful and require further investigation.The order CHIROPTERA and its subordinate family Vespertilionidae contain the most species.(2)Protected species:Among the mammals in the province,11 species are designated as national key protected wildlife;13 species are classified as national-levelⅡ key protected wildlife;15 species are listed in Appendices Ⅰ and Ⅱ of CITES;27 species are identified as "terrestrial wildlife with important ecological,scientific,and social values under national protection";and 38 species are key protected wildlife within Hunan Province.(3)Fauna:The mammalian fauna of Hunan Province is characterized by a significant presence of 105 species within the Eastern Oceanic boundary(83.3%),5 widespread species,and 16 species within the Palearctic boundary.Species diversity varies significantly across different geographic units in the province,with the highest number of species(101)found in the Wuling Mountains-Hunan unit,followed by the Yuanjiang Valley Mountain Hills-Hunan unit(75 species),and the Middle and Upper Xiangjiang Valley-Hunan unit(71 species).The lowest number of species(37)occurs in the Southern Dongting Lake Hills-Hunan unit.These differences may be related to the geomorphology,ecological types of different physiographic areas,and the degree of anthropogenic disturbance.(4)Comparison with previous records:In this study,findings were compared with previously recorded mammals in Hunan Province.Seven mammal species,including Pipistrellus javanicus,were eliminated from the province’s distribution,while 14 new mammal species,such as Chodsigoa hoffmanni,were added(13 Chiroptera species and 1 Eulipotyphla species).The distribution of 10 mammal species,featuring Eothenomys melanogaster,was redefined within Hunan Province.Additionally,the distribution of Eothenomys melanogaster and 10 other species was re-established in the province.Eight species,like Sciurotamias davidianus,were classified as uncertain,pending further verification from subsequent research.(5)Threatened status:The overall threat level of mammals in Hunan Province is high,with 30 out of 126 species considered threatened,accounting for 23.8%.Among these,13 species,including Catopuma temminckii,Hydropotes inermis,Viverricula indica,are classified as Critically Endangered;7 species,including Martes flavigula,Ursus thibetanus,Herpestes urva,are considered Endangered;and 10 species,including Myotis formosus,Prionodon pardicolor,Capricornis milneedwardsii,are categorized as Vulnerable.Compared to the Chinese Biodiversity Red List,the threat level of 14 mammal species has been adjusted,with 13 species,including Hydropotes inermis,Viverricula indica,Prionodon pardicolor,experiencing an increase in threat level,and only Muntiacus reevesi experiencing a decrease.Meanwhile,three species,including Crocidura dongyangjiangensis,Hipposideros pratti,Muntiacus vaginalis,have been adjusted to data deficiency.Out of the 24 nationally key protected wildlife species,22 are under threat,accounting for 91.7%.(6)Threat factors:Identified threats in this study include habitat loss,illegal hunting,environmental pollution,population fluctuations,extreme climate,and unknown causes.The assessment reveals that 30 mammal species are threatened by habitat loss or illegal hunting,highlighting these factors as the primary causes of mammal threats in Hunan Province.Twenty-two species face threats from two or more factors,indicating that some species are threatened for complex reasons.(7)Conservation recommendations:① Enhance data acquisition:Improve trace identification capacity and monitoring methods;implement long-term veterinary monitoring and specimen collection and preservation to provide data support for conservation efforts.② Conduct regular assessments:Periodically carry out threat level assessments of mammals to ensure up-to-date information.③Increase investment in conservation efforts:Prioritize deeper classification studies,establish clear protection targets,and allocate resources more precisely to ensure that more species benefit from conservation measures.④Strengthen patrols and law enforcement,prevent wildlife accidents,and implement compensation measures following such incidents.