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Dark extinction: the problem of unknown historical extinctions.

Mannfred M A Boehm1, Quentin C B Cronk1

  • 1Department of Botany, Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.

Biology Letters
|March 3, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Dark extinction (DE) represents species loss before scientific naming, particularly on islands due to introduced mammals. Estimating DE is crucial for understanding total species loss, with birds showing significant pre-taxonomic and taxonomic period extinctions.

Keywords:
St Helenadark extinctionextinction debtextinction rateisland extinctionoceanic island

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Biodiversity Studies

Background:

  • Species extinction before formal scientific description, termed dark extinction (DE), is a significant component of biodiversity loss.
  • Anthropogenic impacts, especially the introduction of invasive species like rats and goats to pristine habitats by European navigators, have driven extinctions.
  • Much ecosystem change and species loss occurred before systematic scientific recording, contributing to undocumented extinctions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the extent of dark extinction (DE) in both the pre-taxonomic (1500-1800 CE) and taxonomic (1800-present) periods.
  • To apply statistical methods for robust DE estimation, particularly for the taxonomic period.
  • To explore strategies for mitigating DE, such as targeted collection efforts.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized statistical methods to estimate DE during the taxonomic period.
  • Employed simple extrapolation for estimating DE in the pre-taxonomic period.
  • Applied these estimation techniques to a case study of world birds.

Main Results:

  • Estimated approximately 56 dark extinctions (DE) for world birds in the taxonomic period (1800-present).
  • Estimated approximately 180 dark extinctions (DE) for world birds in the pre-taxonomic period (1500-1800).
  • Identified targeted collection activities in extinction hotspots as a potential method to document species before they go extinct.

Conclusions:

  • Dark extinction (DE) represents a substantial, yet often overlooked, component of global species loss.
  • Accurate estimation of DE is vital for a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity trends and conservation needs.
  • Proactive collection strategies can help document species, reducing the number of undocumented extinctions, provided they do not exacerbate extinction rates.