Species coextinctions and the biodiversity crisis

Publication Type  Journal Article
Year of Publication  2004
Authors  Koh, L. P.; Dunn, R. R.; Sodhi, N. S.; Colwell, R. K.; Proctor, H. C.; Smith, Vincent Stuart
Journal Title  Science
Volume  305
Issue  5690
Pages  1632-1634
Journal Date  Sep 10
Accession Number  44701
Key Words  Animals; Biodiversity ; bird ; Butterflies ; ecology ; Environment ; Ficus/growth & development ; Lice/growth & development ; Life Cycle Stages ; Mathematics ; Mites/growth & development ; Models; Biological ; Models; Statistical ; parasite ; Plant Extrac
Abstract  To assess the coextinction of species (the loss of a species upon the loss of another), we present a probabilistic model, scaled with empirical data. The model examines the relationship between coextinction levels (proportion of species extinct) of affiliates and their hosts across a wide range of coevolved interspecific systems: pollinating Ficus wasps and Ficus, parasites and their hosts, butterflies and their larval host plants, and ant butterflies and their host ants. Applying a nomographic method based on mean host specificity (number of host species per affiliate species), we estimate that 6300 affiliate species are "coendangered" with host species currently listed as endangered. Current extinction estimates need to be recalibrated by taking species coextinctions into account.
Notes  LR: 20041117; JID: 0404511; ppublish1095-9203 Journal
  
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