Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AVES |
PASSERIFORMES |
RHINOCRYPTIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Eleoscytalopus psychopompus |
| Species Authority: |
(Teixeira & Carnevalli, 1989) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Bahia Tapaculo, Chestnut-sided Tapaculo |
|
| Taxonomic Notes: |
Scytalopus indigoticus and S. psychopompus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993; Stotz et al. 1996) have been moved into the newly erected genus Eleoscytalopus following SACC (2008).
|
Assessment Information
[top]
| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Critically Endangered
B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2012 |
| Assessor/s: |
BirdLife International |
| Reviewer/s: |
Butchart, S. & Symes, A. |
| Contributor/s: |
De Luca, A., Develey, P., Flesher, K., Gatto, C., Lima, P. & Olmos, F. |
Justification:
This species was thought to have an extremely small and fragmented population and range, both of which are likely to be in decline owing to habitat loss and degradation. For these reasons it is classified as Critically Endangered. However, it has recently been found in a further four municipalities, and has been recorded in modified habitats. The species's estimated range size has consequently been revised; however, the previous range estimate is retained here until consultations have been conducted and this may lead to its downlisting in the future.
|
| History: |
| 2010 |
– |
Critically Endangered
|
| 2009 |
– |
Critically Endangered
|
| 2008 |
– |
Critically Endangered
|
| 2006 |
– |
Critically Endangered
|
| 2004 |
– |
Critically Endangered
|
| 2000 |
– |
Critically Endangered
|
| 1996 |
– |
Endangered
|
| 1994 |
– |
Endangered
|
| 1988 |
– |
Not Recognized
|
|
Geographic Range
[top]
| Range Description: |
Eleoscytalopus psychopompus was, until recently, known only from three specimens taken at two localities in coastal Bahia, Brazil: a male collected in July 1944 at Ilhéus and a pair obtained in October 1983 at Valença (Collar et al. 1992, Krabbe and Schulenberg 2003). The species is no longer present close to these towns, but it has been found at Reserva Ecológica da Michelin of the Plantações Michelin da Bahia, Igrapiúna municipality, near Ituberá, Bahia, and Una Biological Reserve, Una municipality where small populations survive (C. Gatto in litt. 2006, P. C. Lima in litt. 2006, F. Olmos in litt. 2006, K. Flesher in litt. 2010). During thorough surveys near Ituberá, following the discovery, just four territories were identified (C. Gatto in litt. 2006). Surveys by BirdLife/SAVE Brasil have now recorded the species in a further four municipalities: Ilhéus, Maraú, Taperoá and Valença (C. Gatto in litt. 2006, P. Develey in litt. 2007). The bird is extremely shy and retiring and difficult to detect during surveys; factors that no doubt influence our perception of its status.
|
| Countries: |
|
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
[top]
| Population: |
Birds at Itubera are rare and patchily distributed (P. C. Lima in litt. 2006); the population at Una is estimated to number 64-68 pairs (c.125 mature individuals), and it is here placed in the band 50-249 mature individuals, equating to 75-374 individuals in total, rounded here to 70-400 individuals. Recent records from a number of new locations, and records in degraded habitats, may lead to an upward revision of the total population estimate in the near future.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
[top]
| Habitat and Ecology: |
This species occurs at 15-200 m and apparently requires mature wet lowland forests in the Una and Igrapiúna areas, although recent records in Reserva Ecológica da Michelin are from degraded pioneer vegetation along waterways (K. Flesher in litt. 2010). It is restricted to patches in river and stream valleys with small swamps around the main river course or swampy parts of the river itself, up to a maximum of c.50 m from the river channel (C. Gatto in litt. 2006). Its preferred micro-habitat appears to be areas with dense agglomerates of vines and shrubs, covered by trunks and branches of fallen trees (C. Gatto in litt. 2006).
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
The destruction of coastal Atlantic forest has been extensive in Bahia, south of Salvador, and only small fragments remain, totalling perhaps 10% of their original extent in the area (Tobias et al. 2006). The species is presumed to be at great risk from the continuing loss of suitable habitat.
|
Conservation Actions
[top]
| Conservation Actions: |
Conservation Actions Underway
The Reserva Ecológica da Michelin covers 3,000 ha and is patrolled by four forest guards who have been effective in reducing hunting pressure significantly and in stopping cutting and clearing of the forest, as well as recording the species (K. Flesher in litt. 2010, 2011). A study was due to begin there in 2011, and will focus on the distribution and ecology of the species within and around the reserve (K. Flesher in litt. 2011). The Una Biological Reserve has recently been enlarged to 7,100 ha (A. De Luca in litt. 2008).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue studying the known populations at Ituberá and Una. Search for the species in other fragments of remaining habitat in the area. Determine its population size and status at the known localities. Study the species's ecology, including habitat requirements, and breeding biology. Effectively safeguard Una Biological Reserve and the habitat at Ituberá. Initiate sustainable development projects within the species's range.
|
