Phytotoma raimondii

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	COTINGIDAE

Scientific Name:

Phytotoma raimondii

Species Authority:

Taczanowski, 1883

Common Name/s:

English

–

Peruvian Plantcutter

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Angulo Pratolongo, F., Devenish, C., Engblom, G., Flanagan, J., Lloyd, H. & Williams, R.

Justification:
This species has a very small and severely fragmented range, with recent records from four locations. Remaining habitat is subject to rapid and continuing destruction and degradation. It is therefore listed as Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Endangered
2005	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Phytotoma raimondii occurs in coastal north Peru, where it was formerly known from numerous localities from possibly as far north as Tumbes (type specimen listed from here) south to Lima. The species has been recorded historically from 53 sites (Flanagan et al. 2009), but post-1990 records originate from 34 of these, in Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca and Ancash (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000, Begazo et al. 2001, Flanagan et al. 2009), with the majority of sites in the former three departments, (Flanagan et al. 2009). At least three strongholds can be listed: around Talara, particularly to the east and south-east of the town, where the local population is estimated to be 400-600 individuals (Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000, Flanagan et al. 2009); the sanctuary at Bosque de Pomác historical site in Lambayeque, holding c.488 individuals (Nolazco and Roper 2011), and around Paijan, La Libertad, where some 200-400 individuals may exist in some 200-300 ha of dry scrub as well as in very small patches of suitable habitat amongst farmed land. The well-known site at Rafán (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Begazo et al. 2001) may support some of the highest population densities—at least 10 birds were observed in 1.5 hours in 1999 (Begazo et al. 2001)—but there was as little as 100 ha of suitable habitat in 1998 and high pressure from logging since then will undoubtedly have reduced suitable habitat yet further (Flanagan et al. 2009).
Countries:	Native: Peru
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population is estimated to number 1,000-2,500 individuals, roughly equating to 670-1,600 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs up to 550 m in desert scrub, riparian thicket and low (dense and open [G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000]) woodland, usually dominated by Prosopis trees, with some Acacia. A shrub layer, including Capparis avicenniifolia, Capparis scabrida, Scutia spicata and Maytenus among others is apparently required. It feeds on leaves of Prosopis and shrubs, and fruit (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). It breeds between January and April (C. Devenish in litt. 2012) and lays two or three eggs in a shallow twig nest 1.2-2.5 m up in Prosopis trees (Flanagan and Millen 2008, Rosina and Romo 2010). The species has been reported recently from Samanco, Ancash, in a wetland, an habitat previously unknown for the species (P. F. Angulo in litt. 2012). It has been recorded in Lambayeque, from scrub adjacent to sugar cane plantations (P. F. Angulo in litt. 2012). It is a very vocal species.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

It occurs up to 550 m in desert scrub, riparian thicket and low (dense and open [G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000]) woodland, usually dominated by Prosopis trees, with some Acacia. A shrub layer, including Capparis avicenniifolia, Capparis scabrida, Scutia spicata and Maytenus among others is apparently required. It feeds on leaves of Prosopis and shrubs, and fruit (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). It breeds between January and April (C. Devenish in litt. 2012) and lays two or three eggs in a shallow twig nest 1.2-2.5 m up in Prosopis trees (Flanagan and Millen 2008, Rosina and Romo 2010). The species has been reported recently from Samanco, Ancash, in a wetland, an habitat previously unknown for the species (P. F. Angulo in litt. 2012). It has been recorded in Lambayeque, from scrub adjacent to sugar cane plantations (P. F. Angulo in litt. 2012). It is a very vocal species.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The near-complete conversion of coastal river valleys to cultivation—especially large-scale sugar and rice plantations—has extirpated the species from numerous localities (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Grazing by goats and burning have removed or heavily degraded the shrub layer in many remaining woodlands (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Illegal subsistence logging for firewood and charcoal (especially to provide fuel for chicken grill restaurants in Lima) are now highly significant factors (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Flanagan et al. 2009), and the roots of older Prosopis tree are also used in wooden art craft (Begazo et al. 2001). Near the Talara stronghold Prosopis was felled as fuel for commercial squid processing (Flanagan et al. 2009), but this has apparently stopped with a decrease in squid fishing (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). Land rights to part of Murales forest were sold for agricultural conversion in 1999 (Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000). A considerable proportion of habitat close to Rafán is degraded, and parts of this area were converted to sugar production in the 1990s (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000).

Major Threat(s):

The near-complete conversion of coastal river valleys to cultivation—especially large-scale sugar and rice plantations—has extirpated the species from numerous localities (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Grazing by goats and burning have removed or heavily degraded the shrub layer in many remaining woodlands (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Illegal subsistence logging for firewood and charcoal (especially to provide fuel for chicken grill restaurants in Lima) are now highly significant factors (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Flanagan et al. 2009), and the roots of older Prosopis tree are also used in wooden art craft (Begazo et al. 2001). Near the Talara stronghold Prosopis was felled as fuel for commercial squid processing (Flanagan et al. 2009), but this has apparently stopped with a decrease in squid fishing (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). Land rights to part of Murales forest were sold for agricultural conversion in 1999 (Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000). A considerable proportion of habitat close to Rafán is degraded, and parts of this area were converted to sugar production in the 1990s (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Murales forest is protected as an Archeological Reserved Zone and strict wardening has maintained habitat. However, government intervention has been necessary to prevent further sales of land for agricultural conversion (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000). A "Save the Algarrobo" (Prosopis) campaign, including regeneration of grazed areas and replanting, is supported by the sugarcane producer at Rafán (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Searches for the species have been made at all historical localities, and many other remnant forests have been surveyed (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000, Begazo et al. 2001). Surveys and population assessments are currently being implemented (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). The species was named as an emblematic species in the Talara municipality, where eco-clubs were set up to create awareness. A similar scheme is being implemented in Paijan, La Libertad, where the species is also being used to create awareness of conservation issues in the area (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). A “reserved area” future national protected area has been declared at the Illescas Peninsula, where the species is present (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). A new “regional conservation area” is being implemented in Piura (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). Conservation Actions Proposed Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation within the species's range. Ensure the integrity of Murales forest and improve legal protection (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Effectively protect forest in the Rafán area. Initiate environmental education and ecotourism at Rafán (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000) and other areas. Work with oil companies in the Talara region to protect the extensive tracts of habitat (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000).

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Murales forest is protected as an Archeological Reserved Zone and strict wardening has maintained habitat. However, government intervention has been necessary to prevent further sales of land for agricultural conversion (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000). A "Save the Algarrobo" (Prosopis) campaign, including regeneration of grazed areas and replanting, is supported by the sugarcane producer at Rafán (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Searches for the species have been made at all historical localities, and many other remnant forests have been surveyed (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000, Flanagan and Villavicencio 2000, Begazo et al. 2001). Surveys and population assessments are currently being implemented (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). The species was named as an emblematic species in the Talara municipality, where eco-clubs were set up to create awareness. A similar scheme is being implemented in Paijan, La Libertad, where the species is also being used to create awareness of conservation issues in the area (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). A “reserved area” future national protected area has been declared at the Illescas Peninsula, where the species is present (C. Devenish in litt. 2012). A new “regional conservation area” is being implemented in Piura (C. Devenish in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation within the species's range. Ensure the integrity of Murales forest and improve legal protection (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000). Effectively protect forest in the Rafán area. Initiate environmental education and ecotourism at Rafán (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000) and other areas. Work with oil companies in the Talara region to protect the extensive tracts of habitat (G. Engblom in litt. 1998, 1999, 2000).

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Phytotoma raimondii. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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