Browsing by Autor "Robert B. Wallace"

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Advances in the Knowledge and Study of Invasive Alien Species in Bolivia
(2021) Wendy L. Tejeda; Adriana Rico‐Cernohorska; Stephan Beck; Alfredo F. Fuentes; Robert B. Wallace; Guido Miranda; Luís F. Aguirre; María del Pilar Fernández Murillo
The value of knowledge about the negative effects of invasive alien species (IAS) on biodiversity, ecosystems, national economies, human health, and climate change mitigation is increasingly important. Bolivia considered the problem of IAS in the Biological Invasions, Invasive Information Network I3N–IABIN workshop, which generated an IAS database for different countries detailing the location of species, their economic and ecological impacts, as well as entry routes, and propagation, although for the most part, only lists of plant and animal IAS can be derived from national scientific collections. Here, we feature several plant and animal species with more detailed information. Finally, due to the consequences of IAS on the country's native biodiversity, human health, and economic activities these systematization initiatives informed national policy. In Bolivia, there are at least 150 species considered as introduced or exotic, including crop species, information that needs to be refined and updated.
An observation of carnivory by a captive pygmy marmoset (Callithrix pygmaea)
(1999) Wendy R. Townsend; Robert B. Wallace
No abstract
COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF REPTILE DIVERSITY IN MADIDI NATIONAL PARK AND NATURAL INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AREA, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST BIOLOGICALLY DIVERSE PROTECTED AREAS
(National Autonomous University of Mexico, 2025) James Aparicio; Mauricio Ocampo; Nuria Bernal‐Hoverud; Enrique Domic; Robert B. Wallace
The Amazon is the worlds largest tropical rainforest, hosting a myriad of plants, fungi and animals, and encompassing a wide diversity of ecoregions. Bolivia has allocated 17 % of its territory to national protected areas, among which Madidi National Park and Natural Integrated Management Area boasts the largest representation of ecoregions in the country. However, despite its significance, knowledge of Madidis herpetofauna remains limited. This study presents the most comprehensive survey of reptile diversity in and around Madidi, combining an extensive literature review with three years of fieldwork. We computed alpha, beta, gamma, and dark diversity indices to comprehend the composition of reptile species across the ecoregions represented within the protected area. We registered 110 reptile species within the park, with the Sub-Andean Amazon Forest ecoregion displaying the highest diversity. The diversity indices applied indicate the potential for discovering additional species in the area, and as expected for a mountainous area, there is a high turnover of species between ecoregions, each of them exhibiting a distinctive species composition. We recommend continuous monitoring in an area with such high reptile diversity, particularly considering the impacts that climate change will have on these species’ assemblages over time.
Conservation Challenges Facing Two Threatened Endemic Titi Monkeys in a Naturally Fragmented Bolivian Forest
(2013) Robert B. Wallace; Jesús Martínez; Heidy López-Strauss; Julia Barreta; Ariel Reinaga; Lesly López
DISPONIBILIDAD DE HÁBITAT PARA MANTENER POBLACIONES VIABLES DEL OSO ANDINO EN EL VACIO DE CONSERVACION COTAPATA-APOLOBAMBA
(2021) Bader Peña Chumacero; Robert B. Wallace
En esta investigación mediante el enfoque de las especies paisaje y con el uso de SIG, se examinó la disponibilidad de hábitat para el Oso Andino en el paisaje comprendido (17406 km2) entre el PN y ANMI Cotapata y el complejo de áreas protegidas: ANMI Apolobamba, PN y ANMI Madidi y Reserva de la Biosfera Pilón Lajas. Se utilizó un modelo deductivo basado en conocimiento para predecir la distribución potencial de la especie y se analizo la estructura y composición del paisaje, con el fin de determinar si existe superficie suficiente para mantener una población viable de jucumari y para identificar la interconexión existente entre parches de hábitat. Posteriormente se construyó el paisaje humano en base a las actividades humanas espacialmente explícitas que podrían tener influencia en la distribución o abundancia de la especie. Mediante la intersección del paisaje disponible para la especie y el paisaje de las actividades humanas se caracterizaron las amenazas de acuerdo a la vulnerabilidad del jucumari hacia cada una de ellas. La disponibilidad de hábitat apropiado para la especie es de 15805 km2, agrupada en tres categorías de apropiabilidad: paisaje óptimo (3206 km2), paisaje subóptimo (3029 km2) y paisaje de dispersión (9570 km2). Con los valores de densidad encontrados para el área evaluada se estimó un total de 504 individuos, pero la existencia de porciones del paisaje altamente intervenidas podría dificultar las acciones de conservación. Sin embargo se encontró una buena porción de paisaje núcleo (paisaje óptimo + paisaje subóptimo) sin amenazas que une el Parque Nacional y ANMI Cotapata con el ANMI Apolobamba. Esta región alcanza a 3125,28 km2 y podríamos encontrar 187 individuos. Aplicando alguna medida de protección sobre este paisaje, se podría conservar una buena población del jucumari asegurando la conectividad de poblaciones en el norte de La Paz
Distribution, ecology, and conservation of Xenarthra in Bolivia — update to 2021
(2021) Enzo Aliaga‐Rossel; Carmen J. Quiroga; Ximena Velez–Liendo; Alfredo Romero‐Muñoz; Zulia Porcel; Robert B. Wallace; Guido Ayala; María Viscarra; Erika Cuéllar Soto; Teresa Tarifa
We present an update on the taxonomy, distribution, ecology, threats, and conservation status of Bolivian Xenarthra (orders Cingulata and Pilosa) based on articles published between 2010 and 2021. The Andean hairy armadillo Chaetophractus nationi has been synonymized with the less threatened C. vellero sus. Cabassous squamicaudis has been revalidated for Bolivia. Dasypus kappleri has been divided into three species; D. beniensis is the species present in Bolivia. Cyclopes didactylus was divided into seven species; C. catellus is the species in Bolivia. Chlamyphorus was divided into two genera; Calyptophractus retusus is the species in Bolivia. Recent camera trap and biodiversity surveys extend records of Xenarthra into the dry forests of the central and southern Andes of Bolivia. No comprehensive population assessment or basic ecological studies were undertaken for any Xenarthra species in the country during the period. However, indirectly, armadillos and anteaters have been included in recent studies using camera traps to evaluate effects of forest management, forest fragmentation, agriculture, and hunting on terrestrial mammals. Deforestation is the major threat to Xenarthra, exacerbated by economic pressures, policy changes, and frequent extensive fires in the past decade. The majority of xenarthrans are affected by hunting for subsistence consumption, meat sales, and/or cultural purposes. Overall, the conservation status of Xenarthra species in Bolivia is thought to be relatively stable, with vast protected areas, indigenous territories, and certified forestry concessions where deforestation and hunting are limited. However, outside of protected areas, threats are increasing. Direct research on Bolivian Xenarthra is needed, especially studies on longterm population trends, habitat preferences, and distribution in less-studied and threatened ecosystems such as the Chiquitano Dry Forest and the Bolivian-Tucumn Forest.
Duetting Patterns of Titi Monkeys (Primates, Pitheciidae: Callicebinae) and Relationships with Phylogeny
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2018) Patrice Adret; Kimberly Dingess; Christini B. Caselli; Jan Vermeer; Jesús Martínez; Jossy Luna Amancio; Silvy M. van Kuijk; Lucero Lineros; Robert B. Wallace; Eduardo Fernández‐Duque
Long-range vocal communication in socially monogamous titi monkeys is mediated by the production of loud, advertising calls in the form of solos, duets, and choruses. We conducted a power spectral analysis of duets and choruses (simply "duets" hereafter) followed by linear discriminant analysis using three acoustic parameters-dominant frequency of the combined signal, duet sequence duration, and pant call rate-comparing the coordinated vocalizations recorded from 36 family groups at 18 sites in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Our analysis identified four distinct duetting patterns: (1) a donacophilus pattern, sensu largo, characteristic of P. donacophilus, P. pallescens, P. olallae, and P. modestus; (2) a moloch pattern comprising P. discolor, P. toppini, P. aureipalatii, and P. urubambensis; (3) a torquatus pattern exemplified by the duet of Cheracebus lucifer; and (4) the distinctive duet of P. oenanthe, a putative member of the donacophilus group, which is characterized by a mix of broadband and narrowband syllables, many of which are unique to this species. We also document a sex-related difference in the bellow-pant phrase combination among the three taxa sampled from the moloch lineage. Our data reveal a presumptive taxonomic incoherence illustrated by the distinctive loud calls of both P. urubambensis and P. oenanthe within the donacophilus lineage, sensu largo. The results are discussed in light of recent reassessments of the callicebine phylogeny, based on a suite of genetic studies, and the potential contribution of environmental influences, including habitat acoustics and social learning. A better knowledge of callicebine loud calls may also impact the conservation of critically endangered populations, such as the vocally distinctive Peruvian endemic, the San Martin titi, P. oenanthe.
Feeding Ecology of the Beni Titi Monkey (Plecturocebus modestus): An Endangered Bolivian Endemic
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2022) Jesús Martínez; Robert B. Wallace; Enrique Domic; Pamela Carvajal; Andrea Arnez; L. V. Morrison; K. A. I. Nekaris
First observations on annual massive upstream migration of juvenile catfish Trichomycterus in an Amazonian River
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2015) Guido Miranda; Gustavo Álvarez; V. Alejandra Sierra Luna; Robert B. Wallace; Lilian Painter
First record of Neogale africana (Desmarest, 1818), Amazon Weasel (Carnivora, Mustelidae), in Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2024) Nuria Bernal‐Hoverud; Daniela Morales-Moreno; Eyner Eugenio Quispe; Jorge Luis Ruíz Rojas; Omar Torrico; Robert B. Wallace; Jorge Salazar‐Bravo
Neogale africana (Desmarest, 1818), Amazon Weasel, is a poorly known South American carnivore, with records from north-central Brazil to Ecuador and south to central Peru and central Brazil. Based on two videographic records, we report the presence of this species in Bolivia and document a new elevational record. Furthermore, our new record extends the species&rsquo; distribution by 900 km from the nearest locality in Peru, and by 1500 km from the nearest Brazilian locality. Current gaps in its distribution are attributable to the low detectability and rarity of this mustelid.
First record of the rare bat Gardnerycteris koepckeae (Gardner &amp; Patton, 1972) (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2021) Lizette Siles; Robert B. Wallace
The phyllostomid bat Gardnerycteris koepckeae (Gardner &amp; Patton, 1972) was considered endemic to Peru and restrict to only two localities, until it was recently collected in a new locality in Colombia. Now we report G. koepckeae for the first time in Bolivia, based on a specimen collected in a well-preserved montane forest inside the Parque Nacional y &Aacute;rea Natural de Manejo Integrado Madidi. The site of capture is at 2280 m, which is the highest elevational record for the species. Gardnerycteris koepckeae is a rare species restricted to a fragile ecosystem threatened by mining and other changes in land use.
First records of Tropidurus madeiramamore Carvalho, Paredero, Villalobos-Chaves, Ferreira, Rodrigues &amp; Curcio, 2024 (Squamata, Tropiduridae) from Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2025) Robert Langstroth; Mauricio Herrera; Gabriel Callapa; Luis Rolando Rivas; Lucindo Gonzáles; Lesly López; A Dimeglio; Gregory Schneider; Robert B. Wallace
This note reports the first country records of Tropidurus madeiramamore Carvalho, Paredero, Villalobos-Chaves, Ferreira, Rodrigues & Curcio, 2024 for Bolivia, all northern Beni Department, extending the range by some 300 km to the west of earlier records, clarifying the status of specimens previously reported in the literature as Tropidurus oreadicus Rodrigues, 1987, and providing comments on the biogeographic and conservation values of the Amazonian savannas of the Beni.
Genetic differentiation and diversity of the Bolivian endemic titi monkeys, Plecturocebus modestus and Plecturocebus olallae
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2019) Julia Barreta Pinto; Jesús Martínez; Yahaira Bernal; Rolando Sánchez; Robert B. Wallace
Gold Mining and Genotoxic Effects on Vicuñas: A Comparative Study of Buccal Cells and Lymphocytes
(Research Square (United States), 2024) Liz Romero; Gloria Rodrigo; Oscar Loayza; Robert B. Wallace
Abstract The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is a wild camelid native from South America, known for its highly valued fiber. In Bolivia, the Apolobamba protected area is a key area for vicuña conservation and Apolobamba’s indigenous communities sustainably harvest the fiber of wild vicuña. The vicuña is an important cultural and economic resource, as well as an indicator of ecosystem health. Over the last decade gold mining activities have increased in Apolobamba potentially causing high levels of mercury contamination, endangering the health of vicuñas, humans, and terrestrial ecosystems. This study used genotoxicity markers: micronuclei (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) in buccal cells and lymphocytes of vicuñas in 13 vicuña management communities in Apolobamba. A mean frequency of 0.48% MN and 14.91% NA was found in buccal cells, and 0.32% MN and 57.13% NA in lymphocytes. A higher frequency of MN in buccal cells was expected as they are the first barrier to inhalation or ingestion of genotoxic agents. However, a higher frequency of NA in lymphocytes suggests a possible prevalence of damage. Furthermore, a gradient of MN frequency was observed consistently with mining activity, but mining may not be the only cause of this damage, as vicuñas are exposed to mixtures of environmental chemicals, including traces of microplastics and persistent organic pollutants that have been detected in the area too. These findings provide a baseline for future vicuña populations monitoring and can be used as bio monitors and sentinels of environmental pollution.
Herpetofauna of the Great Tectonic Lakes of Exaltación, Beni Department, Bolivia
(University of Kansas, 2025) Luis Rolando Rivas; Robert B. Wallace; Gabriel Callapa
The Great Tectonic Lakes of Exaltación is a little-explored region of the Beni Department in Bolivia.During a multidisciplinary scientific expedition, we documented the herpetofauna of this part of the floodplains of theLlanos de Moxos and the Cerrado, confirming the presence of 25 amphibian species (Anura) and 40 reptilian species(Testudines, Crocodylia, and Squamata), and estimated species richness of 30 amphibians and 56 reptilian species forthe region. Most reported species have wide distributions in the lowlands, except for Leptodactylus cf. gracilis, a specieswith a restricted distribution in the southern ecoregions of Bolivia. Two threatened turtle species (Podocnemis unifilisand Chelonoidis denticulatus) categorized as Vulnerable were present, as well as other larger reptilian species such as theBlack Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and the Spectacled Caiman (Caiman yacare).
Immobilization and health assessment of free‐ranging black spider monkeys ( Ateles paniscus chamek )
(Wiley, 1998) William B. Karesh; Robert B. Wallace; R. Lilian E. Painter; Damián I. Rumiz; W. Emmett Braselton; Ellen S. Dierenfeld; Helena Puche
Eight free-ranging black spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus chamek) were immobilized with Telazol® in Bolivia for the purpose of radio-collaring. During this procedure, the animals received complete medical examinations, and samples were collected for health analyses. Biochemical test results varied with the degree of condition of the animals, and a variety of physical abnormalities were found. Evidence of previous infections with Leptospira sp., encephalitis virus, and yellow fever virus was found. All findings contribute to establishing baseline health values for the species. The handling of primates for research projects provides a valuable opportunity to collect health-related data and samples that can contribute to wildlife management and conservation efforts. The capture and handling of free-ranging primates is always accompanied by risk of injury or mortality. It is ethically important to maximize the amount of information gathered during these procedures. Furthermore, sharing the undesirable impacts with the scientific community enables informed decisions to be made during future project development. Am. J. Primatol. 44:107–123, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Immobilization and health assessment of free‐ranging black spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus chamek)
(Wiley, 1998) William B. Karesh; Robert B. Wallace; R. Lilian E. Painter; Damián I. Rumiz; W. Emmett Braselton; Ellen S. Dierenfeld; Helena Puche
Eight free-ranging black spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus chamek) were immobilized with Telazol® in Bolivia for the purpose of radio-collaring. During this procedure, the animals received complete medical examinations, and samples were collected for health analyses. Biochemical test results varied with the degree of condition of the animals, and a variety of physical abnormalities were found. Evidence of previous infections with Leptospira sp., encephalitis virus, and yellow fever virus was found. All findings contribute to establishing baseline health values for the species. The handling of primates for research projects provides a valuable opportunity to collect health-related data and samples that can contribute to wildlife management and conservation efforts. The capture and handling of free-ranging primates is always accompanied by risk of injury or mortality. It is ethically important to maximize the amount of information gathered during these procedures. Furthermore, sharing the undesirable impacts with the scientific community enables informed decisions to be made during future project development. Am. J. Primatol. 44:107–123, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Importance of Primates to Tacana Indigenous Subsistence Hunting in the Bolivian Amazon
(Springer Nature, 2020) Wendy R. Townsend; Robert B. Wallace; Kantuta Lara-Delgado; Guido Miranda
Large-scale occupancy monitoring as a tool for Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) conservation in the northern Bolivian Andes
(Elsevier BV, 2025) Robert B. Wallace; Robert Márquez; Herminio Ticona; Ariel Reinaga; Jesús Martínez; Mauricio Peñaranda; Guido Ayala; María Viscarra; Isaac Goldstein
We estimated the occupancy of the Andean bear ( Tremarctos ornatus ) and identified factors influencing its occupancy using simple single-season models and spatial replicates across a 38,145 km 2 area in the northern Bolivian Andes, spanning elevations from 402 to 4,581 m above sea level from the Apolobamba Range to Lambate in the Cordillera Real. This region encompasses portions of two priority conservation areas for the Andean bear. Presence was determined through detection of signs such as tracks, scat, feeding sites, trails, and nests. Occupancy was assessed at two scales: the home range scale (16 km 2 cells with 12 visits in 57 cells) and the habitat use scale (1 km 2 cells with 3 visits in 226 cells). At the home range scale, occupancy probability (ψ) increased with distance from human settlements (β = 2.49), slope (β = 1.40), and elevation (β = 1.31). At the home range scale, overall occupancy for sampled cells was (ψ) was 0.60 (SE = 0.08) with detectability (p) of 0.39 (SE = 0.04). Model-averaged predictions estimated ψ as 0.69 (SE = 0.09) in the study area and 0.66 (SE = 0.12) when extrapolated to the broader Tropical Andes of central and northern Bolivia and southern Peru. Predicted occupancy was higher within priority Andean Bear Conservation Units (ψ = 0.77, SE = 0.08) and protected areas (ψ = 0.80, SE = 0.08) compared to areas outside these units (ψ = 0.54, SE = 0.18) and protected areas (ψ = 0.59, SE = 0.16). At the use scale, habitat use decreased near secondary roads (β = 2.33) and areas with human presence (β = −1.19) but increased near protected areas (β = −0.49). These findings highlight a significant positive relationship between Andean bear presence and protected areas while indicating negative impacts of human activity. The sign-based occupancy approach proved effective and cost-efficient for landscape-scale monitoring, providing valuable insights for conservation decision-making.
Lista actualizada y comentada de los mamíferos de Bolivia.
(European Organization for Nuclear Research, 2019) Luis F. Aguirre; Teresa Tarifa; Robert B. Wallace; Nuria Bernal H.; Lizette Siles
(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) We present an update to the list of mammals known to occur in Bolivia. We incorporate and describe recent taxonomic changes and new records for the country made since the last list published in 2003. New records and taxonomic changes were considered only if they had verifiable evidence. To date, the list of mammals for the country includes 406 native species, belonging to 11 orders, 46 families and 196 genera, representing an increase of 51 species over the 2003 list. Among those added, 14 were new to science and have type localities in Bolivia. The most diverse orders were Rodentia (148 species), Chiroptera (138), Didelphimorphia (35) and Carnivora (27); a total of 25 species are endemic to Bolivia. In addition, 14 species of introduced mammals are listed. Additional records and taxonomic changes are expected as a result of biological inventories currently in execution, re-identification of specimens deposited in national and foreign mammal collections, and future taxonomic revisions.