Abstract
It is important to identify endangered species from thousands of species and take conservation measures in time. Many researchers have reported declines and overexploitation of snake species, but it is difficult to identify the species requiring emergency concern. We tried to identify the snake species threatened by economic exploitation in mainland China through the following procedure: First, we identified 16 snake species in significant international trade through analyzing trade records; second, we chose 10 variables representing biological characteristics and economics factors. The values of these variables for each species were evaluated from 0 (minimum risk) to 3 (high risk). Three snake species protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) were also assessed. We then got the priority rank of these species by calculating their average scores. We found that among the species in significant international trade, except those CITES-listed ones, four snake species were at extremely high risk, while all other snake species in significant trade were endangered or vulnerable. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to classify the species into four groups according to their different biological and economic characteristics. This study provides a possible way to identify endangered species and to rank their conservation priority. The results of this paper can also be used as a priority sequence for taking conservation action, especially trade control measures.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Anon (2003) ArticleTitleNotification about prohibiting to illegally hunt and trade in terrestrial wild animals Communique of State Forestry Administration 2 26–29
Z. Chen C. Huang G. Ding (1999) The Medicinal Animal and Animal Medicine Yunnan Science and Technology Publishing House Kunming, Yunnan, China
U. Dhar R.S. Rawal J. Upreti (2000) ArticleTitleSetting priorities for conservation of medicinal plants – a case study in the Indian Himalaya Biol. Conserv. 95 57–65 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00010-0
E. Filippi L. Luiselli (2000) ArticleTitleStatus of the Italian snake fauna and assessment of conservation threats Biol. Conserv. 93 219–225 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-3207(99)00138-X
S. Gao (Eds) (1996) The Fauna Medicine of China Jilin Science and Technology Publishing House Changchun, Jilin, China
J.W. Gibbons E.S. David J.R. Travis et al. (2000) ArticleTitleThe global decline of reptiles, déjà vu amphibians BioScience 50 653–666
Gu C. 2001. The snake resource in the Anhui Province. In: China Wildlife Conservation Association (ed.), Proceedings to the Workshop on Resources Conservation and Sustainable Use in Snakes. China Wildlife Conservation Association, Beijing, pp. 70–76 [in Chinese].
Guo Y., Zou X. and Chen Y. et al. 1996. Tentative survey on sustainable use of medicinal animals. In: China International Cooperation Committee of Environment and Development (ed.), Protect the Biodiversity of China. China Environmental Science Press, Beijing [in Chinese].
H. He X. Peng (1999) ArticleTitleTentative survey on snake market in Guangzhou Sichuan J. Zool. 18 IssueID3 139–141
Z. Huang Y. Zong J. Ma (Eds) (1998) Endemic Reptiles of China Fudan University Press ShanghaiChina
Jiangsu New Medicine College (ed.). 1979. Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Shanghai Science and Technology Press, Shanghai, China [in Chinese].
J.S. Keogh D.G. Barker R. Shine (2001) ArticleTitleHeavily exploited but poorly known: systematics and biogeography of commercially harvested pythons (Python curtus group) in Southeast Asia Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 73 IssueID1 113–129 Occurrence Handle10.1006/bijl.2001.0529
J. Koenig R. Shine G. Shea (2001) ArticleTitleThe ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia? Wildlife Res. 28 IssueID3 215–227
B. Lao (2000) Breeding and Utilization of Snakes Anhui Science and Technology Publishing House Hefei, Anhui, China
Liu M. 2001. Status evaluation of snake resources in Liaoning Province. In: China Wildlife Conservation Association (ed.), Proceedings to the Workshop on Resources Conservation and Sustainable Use in Snakes. China Wildlife Conservation Association, Beijing, pp. 56–60 [in Chinese].
Liu D., Tian H. and Song Z. 2001. Survey report on snake trade in main Chinese cities. In: China Wildlife Conservation Association (ed.), Proceedings to the Workshop on Resources Conservation and Sustainable Use in Snakes. China Wildlife Conservation Association, Beijing, pp. 12–33 [in Chinese].
L. Luiselli D. Capizzi (1997) ArticleTitleInfluences of areaisolation and habitat features on distribution of snakes in Mediterranean fragmented woodlands Biodiv. Conserv. 6 IssueID10 1339–1351
Medicinal Material Corporation of China (ed.). 1994. Series of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources in China – Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources in China. Science Press, Beijing [in Chinese].
J. Mo J. He H. Wang (1999) Technique on Captive Breeding of Snakes Chinese Agriculture Publishing House Beijing, China
S.L. Pimm G.J. Russel J.L. Gittleman T.M. Brooks (1995) ArticleTitleThe future of biodiversity Science 269 347–350 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXntVyit7s%3D
R.N. Reed R. Shine (2002) ArticleTitleLying in wait for extinction: ecological correlates of conservation status among Australian elapid snakes Conserv. Biol. 16 IssueID2 451–461 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1523-1739.2002.02283.x
Y. Shi (2002) ArticleTitleThe mistake of the snake breeding industry in China Chinese Wildlife 2002 IssueID1 32–33
J. Shi X. Gu (2000) How to Manage a Snake Farm Chinese Agriculture Publishing House Beijing
R. Shine Ambariyanto P.S. Harlow et al. (1999) ArticleTitleReticulated pythons in Sumatra: biology, harvesting and sustainability Biol. Conserv. 87 349–357 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00068-8
R. Shine P. Harlow T.S. Keogh Boeadi (1995) ArticleTitleBiology and commercial utilization of Acrochordid snakes, with special reference to karung (Acrochordus javanicus) J. Herpetol. 29 IssueID3 352–360
R. Shine P. Harlow T.S. Keogh et al. (1996) ArticleTitleCommercial harvesting of giant lizards: the biology of water monitors Varanus salvator in southern Sumatra Biol. Conserv. 77 125–134 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0006-3207(96)00008-0
W.J. Sutherland (Eds) (2000) The Conservation Handbook – ResearchManagement and Policy Blackwell Science Ltd London
Z. Wan Z. Fan (1998) ArticleTitleConcern is needed for conservation and sustainable use on snake resources in China Chinese Wildlife 1998 IssueID5 10–12
M.S. Warren L.K. Barnett D.W. Gibbons et al. (1997) ArticleTitleAssessing national conservation priorities: an improved red list of British butterflies Biol. Conserv. 82 IssueID3 317–328 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-3207(97)00037-2
J.K. Webb B.W. Brook R. Shine (2002) ArticleTitleCollectors endanger Australia's most threatened snakethe broad-headed snake Hoplocephalus bungaroides Oryx 36 IssueID2 170–181 Occurrence Handle10.1017/S0030605302000248
D.S. Wilcove D. Rothstein J. Dubow et al. (1998) ArticleTitleQuantifying threats to imperiled species in the United States BioScience 48 IssueID8 607–615
E.O. Wilson (1992) The Diversity of Life Belknap Press Cambridge
E. Zhao (1998) China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals – Amphibia and Reptilia Science Press Beijing
E. Zhao (2000) ArticleTitleRevised list of amphibia and reptilia in China Sichuan J. Zool. 19 IssueID3 196–207
E. Zhao M. Huang Y. Zong (1998) The Fauna of ChinaReptilia Science Press Beijing
H. Zheng Q. Zhang (2000) Medicinal using status and conservation strategy of snakes in China E. Zhang H. Zheng (Eds) Conservation of Endangered Wild Medicinal Fauna and Flora Resources in China The Second Military Medical University Press Shanghai 96–101
Zhou Z. and Jiang Z. 2004. International trade status and crisis for snake species in China. Conserv. Biol. (in press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhou, Z., Jiang, Z. Identifying Snake Species Threatened by Economic Exploitation and International Trade in China. Biodivers Conserv 14, 3525–3536 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-0826-5
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-0826-5