The contribution of local people to species conservation: the case of the catfish Trichogenes claviger in south-east Brazil

New records of the critically endangered catfish Trichogenes claviger, endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest, reveal its presence across 8.883 km², expanding its known range from 8 km² and doubling its area of occupancy. Local communities, particularly through partnerships with conservation projects like Saíra-apunhalada, played a pivotal role in discovering these populations, including nursery sites with hundreds of individuals. This study underscores the importance of integrating local knowledge in species conservation, especially for threatened taxa, while highlighting the ecological significance of protected areas and their surrounding landscapes.

Silva, J. P., Sarmento-Soares, L. M., Tonini, L., & Freitas, J. (2023). The contribution of local people to species conservation: the case of the catfish Trichogenes claviger in south-east Brazil. Oryx, 57(6), 693. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605323000893