Gallirallus okinawae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	GRUIFORMES	RALLIDAE

Scientific Name:

Gallirallus okinawae

Species Authority:

(Yamashina & Mano, 1981)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Okinawa Rail

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,v);C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Ozaki, K. & Takashi, H.

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because it has a single, very small population within a very small range on just one island, and both its range and population are undergoing continuing declines as a result of introduced predators and the loss of forest to logging, infrastructure development, agriculture and construction of golf courses.

History:

2008	–	Endangered
2006	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Gallirallus okinawae is endemic to Okinawa Island, Japan, where it is confined to Kunigami-gun (=Yambaru) in the northern quarter of the island, north of Shioya and Higashi-son. Surveys from 1996 to 2004 found that numbers declined dramatically from c.1,800 individuals in 1986 to an estimated 717 individuals, with its range contracting northwards by 40% since 1985-1986 (Ozaki et al. 2006). Surveys in 2006 did not detect any further contraction in range size, suggesting that measures to control introduced Javan Mongoose Herpestes javanicus have had some success (K. Ozaki in litt. 2006). Low genetic diversity in the species's population is suggestive of a recent population bottleneck, with genetic diversity likely to be negatively affected by habitat fragmentation (Ozaki et al. 2010).
Countries:	Native: Japan
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Surveys conducted between 1996 and 2004 estimated 717 individuals at the end of the period. Repeat surveys in 2006 found no further decrease (Ozaki in litt. 2006). On this basis the population is estimated at c.720 individuals, equivalent to c.480 mature individuals. Brazil (2009) estimates the population of Japan to number c.100-10,000 breeding pairs.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in a variety of habitats, including primary and secondary, evergreen and broadleaf subtropical forest, often with a dense undergrowth of ferns, near to streams, pools or reservoirs and cultivated areas close to forest. It is almost, but not completely, flightless and feeds on the forest floor, and occasionally in shallow water, where it takes invertebrates and lizards. Nests are made on the ground during the breeding season, from May-July. The usual clutch-size is two to three eggs.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

It occurs in a variety of habitats, including primary and secondary, evergreen and broadleaf subtropical forest, often with a dense undergrowth of ferns, near to streams, pools or reservoirs and cultivated areas close to forest. It is almost, but not completely, flightless and feeds on the forest floor, and occasionally in shallow water, where it takes invertebrates and lizards. Nests are made on the ground during the breeding season, from May-July. The usual clutch-size is two to three eggs.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Logging, dam construction and associated road-building, agricultural development and golf course construction are causing forest loss and fragmentation. Recent research (Ozaki et al. 2006) indicates that its range on the island has contracted to the north (resulting in a 25% decrease in extent of occurrence). The research strongly implies that introduced Javan mongoose Herpestes javanicus are the cause of this contraction, although feral dogs, cats and introduced Jungle Crows Covus macrorhynchos are also possible predators (K. Ozaki in litt. 2006). Road kill was the cause of mortality in 70% of the 22 recorded deaths during a five year study from 1998 to 2003 (Kotaka and Sawashi 2004). Mortality was worst during the breeding season, suggesting that road kill lowers recruitment to the adult population and may be causing localised declines.

Major Threat(s):

Logging, dam construction and associated road-building, agricultural development and golf course construction are causing forest loss and fragmentation. Recent research (Ozaki et al. 2006) indicates that its range on the island has contracted to the north (resulting in a 25% decrease in extent of occurrence). The research strongly implies that introduced Javan mongoose Herpestes javanicus are the cause of this contraction, although feral dogs, cats and introduced Jungle Crows Covus macrorhynchos are also possible predators (K. Ozaki in litt. 2006). Road kill was the cause of mortality in 70% of the 22 recorded deaths during a five year study from 1998 to 2003 (Kotaka and Sawashi 2004). Mortality was worst during the breeding season, suggesting that road kill lowers recruitment to the adult population and may be causing localised declines.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway It is legally protected in Japan. Yonaha-dake and parts of Mt Ibu and Mt Nishime are designated as protected areas. Conservation organisations have been promoting the protection of Okinawa's forests since 1970 and have bought some sites on Mt Yonaha to establish private wildlife reserves. In 1996, Yambaru was designated as a national park. The species was the focus of several surveys conducted between 1996 and 2006. Some areas of fencing and a trapping regime have been employed to reduce predation on the species by introduced mammals (Ozaki et al. 2006). Traffic calming measures have been taken in some areas to reduce the number of road kills. Japan's Ministry of Environment plans to undertake a captive breeding programme for the species, aiming to obtain a captive population of 200 individuals. Genetic analysis of 20-25% of the population has indicated that minor haplotypes persist, suggesting that conservation measures have been implemented in time to preserve most of the species's genetic diversity (Ozaki et al. 2010). Conservation Actions Proposed Establish monitoring and research programmes. Provide full protection for the whole area of Yambaru. Continue to expand research and actions to control introduced predators. Instigate a conservation education programme for Okinawa using this species and Okinawa Woodpecker Sapheopipo noguchii as flagship species. Develop measures to further reduce road kills. Continue fencing areas to reduce predation.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
It is legally protected in Japan. Yonaha-dake and parts of Mt Ibu and Mt Nishime are designated as protected areas. Conservation organisations have been promoting the protection of Okinawa's forests since 1970 and have bought some sites on Mt Yonaha to establish private wildlife reserves. In 1996, Yambaru was designated as a national park. The species was the focus of several surveys conducted between 1996 and 2006. Some areas of fencing and a trapping regime have been employed to reduce predation on the species by introduced mammals (Ozaki et al. 2006). Traffic calming measures have been taken in some areas to reduce the number of road kills. Japan's Ministry of Environment plans to undertake a captive breeding programme for the species, aiming to obtain a captive population of 200 individuals. Genetic analysis of 20-25% of the population has indicated that minor haplotypes persist, suggesting that conservation measures have been implemented in time to preserve most of the species's genetic diversity (Ozaki et al. 2010).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Establish monitoring and research programmes. Provide full protection for the whole area of Yambaru. Continue to expand research and actions to control introduced predators. Instigate a conservation education programme for Okinawa using this species and Okinawa Woodpecker Sapheopipo noguchii as flagship species. Develop measures to further reduce road kills. Continue fencing areas to reduce predation.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Gallirallus okinawae. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided