Polyplectron katsumatae

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	GALLIFORMES	PHASIANIDAE

Scientific Name:

Polyplectron katsumatae

Species Authority:

Rothschild, 1906

Common Name/s:

English

–

Hainan Peacock-pheasant

Taxonomic Notes:

Polyplectron bicalcaratum (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into P. bicalcaratum and P. katsumatae following Chang et al. (2008) and Collar (2009) on the basis of genetic and morphological differences.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered A2cd+3cd+4cd;C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Liang, W. & Zhang, Z.

Justification:
This recently split species is listed as Endangered as it has very small population which is estimated to have undergone a very rapid decline owing to habitat loss and hunting. Surveys are urgently required to obtain an up-to-date population estimate, and should the population be smaller than currently thought the species may warrant uplisting to Critically Endangered in the near future.

History:

2010	–	Endangered
2008	–	Not Recognized
2004	–	Not Recognized
2000	–	Not Recognized
1994	–	Not Recognized
1988	–	Not Recognized

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Polyplectron katsumatae is endemic to the island of Hainan, China (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Madge and McGowan 2002, Chang et al. 2008, Collar 2009). As a result of habitat loss and hunting, both its range and population have dramatically declined since the 1950s, with the remaining population fragmented into small, partially isolated subpopulations (Chang et al. 2008). The total population was estimated at 2,700 individuals in 1990, and at only 300 individuals in 2000 (Chang et al. 2008). Although the latter is probably an underestimate of the true population size, the population is likely to have declined rapidly owing to habitat loss and hunting (Liang Wei in litt. 2010, Zhang Zhengwang in litt. 2010).
Countries:	Native: China
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population was estimated at 300 individuals in 2000. However, this is considered to be an underestimate (Liang Wei in litt. 2010, Zhang Zhengwang in litt. 2010). Based on an estimated population of 2,700 individuals in 1990, and assuming the population has declined at 50-79% over the past 15 years (three generations), the population is best placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals. This equates to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals. However, further surveys are urgently required to assess the true population size.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

The population was estimated at 300 individuals in 2000. However, this is considered to be an underestimate (Liang Wei in litt. 2010, Zhang Zhengwang in litt. 2010). Based on an estimated population of 2,700 individuals in 1990, and assuming the population has declined at 50-79% over the past 15 years (three generations), the population is best placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals. This equates to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals. However, further surveys are urgently required to assess the true population size.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species inhabits dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forests from 600-1200 m, and can also survive in secondary habitats, but presumably only in mature secondary habitat (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Madge and McGowan 2002).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Habitat loss and hunting appear to have caused declines since the 1950s, and continue to be significant threats to the species (Chang et al. 2008, Liang Wei in litt. 2010, Zhang Zhengwang in litt. 2010). By the 1980s only c.10% of Hainan remained forested (Chang et al. 2008).

Major Threat(s):

Habitat loss and hunting appear to have caused declines since the 1950s, and continue to be significant threats to the species (Chang et al. 2008, Liang Wei in litt. 2010, Zhang Zhengwang in litt. 2010). By the 1980s only c.10% of Hainan remained forested (Chang et al. 2008).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway This species is known from three natural reserves on Hainan, although their effectiveness in terms of protecting the population is uncertain; at least one, Ba Wang Ling, is probably not effective (del Hoyo et al. 1994). Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct a population census to assess the true population size, and develop monitoring techniques to establish populations trends. Assess the extent of habitat loss and hunting on the island, and develop measures to mitigate both threats. Establish further protected areas and ensure effective enforcement within their boundaries. Enforce regulations within current protected areas. Raise awareness for the current conservation status of the species.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
This species is known from three natural reserves on Hainan, although their effectiveness in terms of protecting the population is uncertain; at least one, Ba Wang Ling, is probably not effective (del Hoyo et al. 1994).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct a population census to assess the true population size, and develop monitoring techniques to establish populations trends. Assess the extent of habitat loss and hunting on the island, and develop measures to mitigate both threats. Establish further protected areas and ensure effective enforcement within their boundaries. Enforce regulations within current protected areas. Raise awareness for the current conservation status of the species.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Polyplectron katsumatae. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2013.
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