title: Mapping hotspots of threatened species traded in bushmeat markets in the Cross-Sanaga rivers region.
abstract: Bushmeat markets exist in many countries in West and Central Africa, and data on species sold can be used to detect patterns of wildlife trade in a region. We surveyed 89 markets within the Cross-Sanaga rivers region, West Africa. In each market, we counted the number of carcasses of each taxon sold. During a 6-month period (7594 market days), 44 mammal species were traded. Thirteen species were on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List or protected under national legislation, and at least 1 threatened species was traded in 88 of the 89 markets. We used these data to identify market groups that traded similar species assemblages. Using cluster analyses, we detected 8 market groups that were also geographically distinct. Market groups differed in the diversity of species, evenness of species, and dominant, prevalent, and characteristic species traded. We mapped the distribution of number of threatened species traded across the study region. Most threatened species were sold in markets nearest 2 national parks, Korup National Park in Cameroon and Cross River in Nigeria. To assess whether the threatened-species trade hotspots coincided with the known ranges of these species, we mapped the overlap of all threatened species traded. Markets selling more threatened species overlapped with those regions that had higher numbers of these. Our study can provide wildlife managers in the region with better tools to discern zones within which to focus policing efforts and reduce threats to species that are threatened by the bushmeat trade.
authors.affiliation: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, United Kingdom; ICCS, Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot SL5 7PY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fa
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Farfán
authors.forename: Ana Luz
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Marquez
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nackoney
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Jef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dupain
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seymour
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: J Mario
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vargas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D002163:Cameroon; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D056727:Endangered Species; D062305:Geographic Mapping; D008322:Mammals; D009549:Nigeria
keywords: análisis biogeográfico; biogeographic analyses; bushmeat markets; especies amenazadas; mammals; mamíferos; mercados de vida silvestre; protected areas; threatened species; áreas protegidas