Scholarlink

<p>Geological and climatic events have profoundly influenced species dispersal and distribution patterns on a global scale. This study aimed to evaluate the habitat dynamics of the Bengal Slow Loris (<i>Nycticebus bengalensis</i>), an ancient primate that evolved during the Pleistocene in South and Southeast Asia. Hence, the study utilized an ensemble Species Distribution Model to assess habitat suitability, fragmentation, and connectivity under present and future climate scenarios. The extended training range was delineated beyond the IUCN-range, incorporating reported occurrence records and accounting for potential zoogeographic barriers. The findings are alarming, as only 32.61% and 21.88% of the current habitat remains suitable within the extended training range and within forest cover, respectively. The future projections indicate a substantial decline, exceeding 85.62% (extended training range) and 83.76% (within forest cover), accompanied by severe habitat fragmentation. Additionally, <i>N. bengalensis</i> faces significant anthropogenic pressures, with habitat overlap observed in human settlements (2,808 sq. km.), cropland (24,318 sq. km.), forest fires (6,766 sq. km.), and palm oil plantations (3,236 sq. km.). Furthermore, the highest mean connectivity (0.494) was observed between Myanmar and China under current climatic conditions. However, all identified corridors are expected to undergo a substantial decline in mean connectivity under future climate scenarios, largely driven by the adverse effects of climate change. Notably, the overall ecological connectivity of this species across its range was found to be low and may be influenced by the formation of major riverine systems (Mekong, Salween, Irrawaddy, and Brahmaputra) during the Cenozoic era, as well as the dispersal patterns of this primate. In light of these findings, this study underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies, including habitat protection, ecological corridor establishment, and mitigation of anthropogenic threats, to safeguard the long-term viability of <i>N. bengalensis</i> populations in South and Southeast Asia.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Rapid climate shifts and cenozoic river barriers constrain Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) into narrow extent in South and Southeast Asia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月11日

查看全文
  • Imon Abedin,
  • Hyun-Woo Kim,
  • Shantanu Kundu

摘要

Geological and climatic events have profoundly influenced species dispersal and distribution patterns on a global scale. This study aimed to evaluate the habitat dynamics of the Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis), an ancient primate that evolved during the Pleistocene in South and Southeast Asia. Hence, the study utilized an ensemble Species Distribution Model to assess habitat suitability, fragmentation, and connectivity under present and future climate scenarios. The extended training range was delineated beyond the IUCN-range, incorporating reported occurrence records and accounting for potential zoogeographic barriers. The findings are alarming, as only 32.61% and 21.88% of the current habitat remains suitable within the extended training range and within forest cover, respectively. The future projections indicate a substantial decline, exceeding 85.62% (extended training range) and 83.76% (within forest cover), accompanied by severe habitat fragmentation. Additionally, N. bengalensis faces significant anthropogenic pressures, with habitat overlap observed in human settlements (2,808 sq. km.), cropland (24,318 sq. km.), forest fires (6,766 sq. km.), and palm oil plantations (3,236 sq. km.). Furthermore, the highest mean connectivity (0.494) was observed between Myanmar and China under current climatic conditions. However, all identified corridors are expected to undergo a substantial decline in mean connectivity under future climate scenarios, largely driven by the adverse effects of climate change. Notably, the overall ecological connectivity of this species across its range was found to be low and may be influenced by the formation of major riverine systems (Mekong, Salween, Irrawaddy, and Brahmaputra) during the Cenozoic era, as well as the dispersal patterns of this primate. In light of these findings, this study underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies, including habitat protection, ecological corridor establishment, and mitigation of anthropogenic threats, to safeguard the long-term viability of N. bengalensis populations in South and Southeast Asia.