Abstracts

 

Base cartography for the conservation of Guadalupe Island. Progress, perspectives, and requirements

Located in the farthest western portion of México, and due to its volcanic origin, its 7 million years of age, and its 250 km-distance from the Baja California Peninsula, Guadalupe Island has developed evolutively a high degree of endemisms of flora and fauna, both terrestrial and marine. However, the introduction of goats over a century ago and more recently cats, dogs and mice, has resulted mainly in the detriment of its vegetation and bird colonies to such an extent that today its forest and its Laysan Albatross colony, in the south of the island, are at risk.

Although after the 1950s the interest in the study of the physical-natural environment of Guadalupe Island increased, the information has not been collected systematically so as to be consulted or analyzed, mainly because of the lack of accurate cartography.

It was initiated with the development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) based on the georreference and digitizing of a 1980 ortophotograph acquired and processed by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI). The information levels obtained from the ortophotograph are elevation curves, draining basins, superficial hydrology, roads, and vegetal cover in the forest. From other sources, such as the Comisión Nacional del Agua (CNA) the location of watering places was digitized. From in situ information, layers were generated with feral goats’ behavior, such as grazing, resting, sheltering and breeding areas. From the elevation curves, a digital elevation model, which allows the visualization on relief of the rough topography of the island, was produced.

For the future, we are aiming to integrate high-resolution multi-spectral images from the Firemapper sensor, which was designed for the study of vegetation and observation of the variety of features of the island’s surface in high detail.

Finally, the development and implementation of the GIS will allow the integration and systematic analysis of information for the whole variety of activities involved in conservation, such as base studies, eradication, restoration, monitoring and environmental education. Thus, the recovery of one of the richest and wondrous “Biosphere Reserves” of México and of the world will be attained.

 

Meteorological conditions in southern Guadalupe Island, Baja California

Observations of hourly meteorological data, between April 2000 and May 2003, from an autonomous station located in the south of Guadalupe Island (GI), Baja California, are used to depict diurnal and seasonal patterns of winds, atmospheric pressure, air temperature, relative humidity and net radiation. It was found that most of the year, the dominant direction of winds is from the northeast (~319?). Wind magnitude monthly averages show a clear seasonal signal, with the highest values in spring (7?2 m/s), and the lowest in winter (2.6?2 m/s). Average speed components are as follows: from the west -3.5 ?2.6 m/s and from the north 4.04 ?2.6 m/s for all the period during which measurements were performed. Air temperature and atmospheric pressure also present a seasonal pattern. While temperature has higher values in summer (21?1.2oC, September) and lowest in winter (15?1.7oC), atmospheric pressure has an inverse behavior, in summer (1009?2.2 mb), and in winter (1017?2.5 mb). The average for a typical day in each season indicates that the wind magnitude maximum occurs between 17:00-18:00 (7 m/s in spring, 5.3 m/s in winter). As for wind direction, no characteristic pattern of a land-sea breeze system is observed. Relative humidity (temperature) presents the maximum values (minimums) in the period from 8:00 to 9:00 with ~78-85% (~13-160C) and the minimum (maximums) at about 14:00-15:00 with ~68% (~17-21oC), depending on the season. Variation in atmospheric pressure during the day exhibits semi-diurnal fluctuation decreasing from winter-spring-fall-summer. The existence of continental masses at GI matched with Santa Ana wind events in fall and winter, which was mainly detected through the increase (decrease) in air temperature (relative humidity), as well as shifts in wind direction and magnitude.

 

Guadalupe Island vegetation, now and then

The vegetation that exists on Guadalupe Island currently is the result of a minimum of 150 years and possibly 200 years of heavy grazing by Spanish goats. Over much of the island, practically no plant cover exists and in fact, in many areas, no soil remains due to extensive erosion. Forms of vegetation do survive on other parts of the island. Unfortunately, much of it consists of introduced weeds. For example, tree tobacco, Nicotiana glauca, is a dominant on many of the slopes on the northern part of the island due to its natural adaptation to the island’s climatic and soil conditions and its distastefulness to the goats.

There are a few locations in which remnant patches of long lived native plants and opportunistic native herbs do remain on the island. In addition, the vegetation of the off shore islets is nearly pristine. The southeastern portion of the island also supports what appears to be natural combinations of Atriplex barclayana and Lycium to form a low shrub vegetation. This portion of the island appears to be less frequented by goats. Grassland communities exist over the majority of the central portion of the island, dominated by European annuals, but also supporting native herbs. The native pine, cypress, and palm still exist on the island with little reproduction except now in locations in which exclosures have been constructed.

At the time of visitation of the island by Edward Palmer, the vegetation was quite different, though it had already been subject to long periods of grazing by enormous numbers of goats. However, using Palmers notes and early descriptions of the island, it is possible to reconstruct the vegetation that existed on Guadalupe Island. It is known that Junipers formed a dominant community in the north, central portion of the island. Furthermore, the cypress and pine forests were much more widespread than they are currently. It is also likely that many of the succulent species that are nearly completely confined to the islets were widespread on the main island during and preceding Palmer’s time.

 

Current status of the flora and vegetation of Guadalupe Island

Guadalupe is an oceanic island located in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico’s northwest coast. Its flora is composed of many plant species with more northern affinities and disjunctions from the California Floristic Province. Almost 16% of the native plant species are endemic, including two monospecific genera. However, the activities of feral goats released in the early 19th century have devastated most of the island. At present, at least 25 native plant species have disappeared from Guadalupe and many more seem to be on the threshold. Moreover, 67 exotic plant species have been historically documented on the island, of which many are aggressive weeds. In this paper, we discuss eight types of environmental conditions for the island where different species assemblages of the pristine flora probably existed before their demise. It is of obvious urgency that the island needs a recovery plan and the first step should include the eradication of the feral goats. Only after this process, can subsequent conservation measures be applied to ensure any restoration of this natural heritage. The recovery plan will need to address both spontaneous and human-induced plant repopulation processes from the three southern islets of Guadalupe, which have never been impacted by goats. Also, it may be necessary to reintroduce non-endemic, native plant taxa from the nearest Californian islands and the Mexican coast in order to re-establish some of the island’s original diversity of plant species and communities. However, it should be noted that the forested communities do not have great hopes of recovering in the short term since the ground water and soil conditions have been significantly altered. Furthermore, the eradication of an estimated 2000 goats still living on the island (year 2003) depends upon the vacillating motivation and will of Mexican authorities.

 

The flora of Guadalupe Island and its adjacent islets, Baja California

During a natural history expedition to Guadalupe Island and its adjacent islets in June 2000, a botanical team including E. Ezcurra, J. L. León de la Luz, T. Oberbauer, and J. Rebman observed, surveyed and made collections of the flora. In total, 149 plant collections were made during the expedition, of which four specimens document new distributional records for native or exotic species not previously known to occur on the island. The most significant botanical work during the expedition was conducted on the previously unexplored islet, Toro (Adentro/Inner). Other noteworthy botanical observations were made on the reproductive biology of two plant species (Mammillaria blossfeldiana var. shurliana and Cistanthe guadalupensis) endemic to the Guadalupe Island group while conducting explorations on Zapato Islet.

The biological data obtained during the expedition has helped to provide additional biodiversity information on all of the terrestrial areas of Guadalupe Island and its islets and can be used for making conservation decisions for the island and evaluating the impacts of introduced species such as feral goats and cats. The floristic information from the expedition has been used to supplement existing knowledge on the entire Guadalupe Island flora as presented by Moran (1996). Additional floristic data presented by Steve Junak at the “Taller sobre la Restauración y Conservación de Isla Guadalupe” in Ensenada (December, 2003) has been incorporated into the floristic analysis presented in this paper.

Notes on the overall floristic diversity of Guadalupe Island and its islets, and checklists for each are presented.

Recent conservation efforts and notes on the current status of the flora of Guadalupe Island

With an area of 98 square miles, Guadalupe Island supports a unique flora. Unfortunately, feral goats were introduced in the 1800s and have drastically altered the island’s ecosystems. Once-extensive stands of endemic cypress, palm, and pine trees, as well as groves of junipers and island oaks, have been dramatically reduced and non-native plants have invaded large areas. Although some goats have been removed from the island in recent years, widespread erosion has taken place and at least 20 native plant taxa may have been extirpated.

In June 2001, we visited Guadalupe Island to assess the current status of the flora and to select sites for exclosures that would protect some of the island’s remaining native plants. Twelve fenced exclosures were then built in the fall of 2001 by a coalition that included the Mexican government, Mexican Navy, the local fishing cooperative, Seacology Foundation, and the Island Conservation and Ecology Group. Altogether, about one mile of fencing was used in the exclosures. Permanent line transects, installed to document long-term vegetation changes inside and outside the fenced areas, were read in April 2002 and 2003.

During our surveys, we rediscovered an endemic mint (Satureja palmeri) and a native tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) that were thought to be extinct on the island. In addition, several new plant records for the island (e.g., Simmondsia chinensis) were documented, endemic plants (e.g., Solanum clokeyi) were found in previously unrecorded areas, and native plant taxa that are rarely seen (e.g., Githopsis diffusa var. guadalupensis) were noted. We found that several non-native plants (e.g., Atriplex semibaccata, A. suberecta, Sisymbrium irio, and S. orientale) had spread dramatically during the last decade. The exclosures provided valuable insight into plant recovery in the absence of goats. While most new plant biomass inside the exclosures consisted of non-native grasses, several native species responded to the reduction in herbivory. Most notably, over 220 pine seedlings were counted in the exclosures in June 2003, surpassing the total estimated number of adult trees on the island. The most surprising find was a juvenile island ceanothus (Ceanothus arboreus) in one of the exclosures. The last known sighting of any kind of ceanothus on the island had been in the 1890s and island ceanothus had never been reported. Although extensive damage to natural systems has occurred, our observations indicate that there is hope for the island’s unique flora if feral goats are removed quickly.

 

Current status of the Pinus radiata population in Guadalupe Island and a strategy for its restoration

In 2001, a group formed by researchers from different countries made an expedition to Guadalupe Island to assess the current status of Pinus radiata, detecting the main risks and threats faced by this population, and establishing the possible requirements for its future restoration. In this regard, a census on adult trees was performed and the geographical coordinates of a sample of them were recorded, thus obtaining dasometrical, ecological and phytosanitary information. The population of Pinus radiata is represented by a total of 220 adult trees, overly-mature and scattered in small spots or in isolation. In addition to the existence of goats on the island, which has hindered its regeneration for centuries, the reduced size of the tree population and the advanced age of the trees are other major threats to its conservation. The loss of strength and gradual death of trees is driving them to extinction, unless urgent measures are undertaken to reverse the process. Although the removal of goats is the starting point for the restoration of this population and for the recovery of all the species associated to this particular ecosystem, it is essential to consider the ecophysiological and genetic aspects to ensure the re-settlement of the population. Natural regeneration is preferable in the early stages of restoration; however, depending on the environmental conditions and the level of endogamy, modifying the microenvironment and transferring seeds or seedlings within the population may be necessary.

 

Diagnosis on plagues and diseases in the population of Pinus radiata in Guadalupe Island

The sites in which Pinus radiata is naturally distributed in the continent have been affected by a great number of disturbing agents, particularly plagues and diseases. One of the major diseases affecting pines is pitch canker, caused by Fusarium circinatum, which attacks a great number of pine species in Mexico and the United States. During the expedition on Guadalupe Island in 2001, the sanitary condition of the population was assessed in order to know the plagues and diseases found in trees. Samples of vegetative parts with evidence of damage mainly on branches were collected, and evidence of other agents on different parts of trees was observed. The laboratory results enabled us to determine that the disease is not on the island, since the damages observed as symptoms of the disease are due to other causes. Evidence of insects, some of which are known as disease vectors, was found; but no live insects associated to pines, at least during the observation period on the island. Currently, work on the diagnosis of pathogens in the collected seeds is being performed, aiming at determining whether the pathogen is transported by seeds, since they will be stored and used in the future for restoration, therefore it is necessary to ensure that the pathogen is not associated with them.

 

Landbird and waterbird notes from Isla Guadalupe

We report observations of land and water birds from a two-month visit to Isla Guadalupe, Mexico, during winter 2003. Our report includes first island records of the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) and the Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum). We found no evidence of the persistence of any endemic taxa thought to be extinct, despite intensive and extensive searching of parts of the island typically visited infrequently. Three taxa of endemic landbirds remain on Isla Guadalupe, but each is imperiled by habitat loss, chiefly due to feral goats, and predation by feral cats. We update the status of species that other expeditions reported to have colonized the island recently.

Historia de la avifauna anidante de Isla Guadalupe, México, y las oportunidades actuales de conservación

 

Historia de la avifauna anidante de Isla Guadalupe, México, y oportunidades de conservación

Luciana L.M. Mendoza1, Daniel C. Barton2, Kirsten E. Lindquist2, R. William Henry III3

 

Abstract

Island avifauna represents a large proportion of the diversity of the world’s birds. Island birds are vulnerable to anthropogenic introduction of non-native predators and habitat loss. In Isla Guadalupe, located 240 km west of Guerrero Negro, Baja California the effects of the anthropogenic introduction of non native mammals are evident. Ten avian taxa have gone extinct, six of them endemic. The causes have been the massive habitat loss and modification of the island by feral goats, and predation pressure from feral cats introduced by man in the 1800’s.

The Guadalupe Wren and Guadalupe Towhee extinction were apparently caused of the loss of shrub vegetation in conjunction with cat predation. The island’s remaining native birds remain in a precarious position, and subject to rapid changes under human influence. Although quantitative data on population estimates is lacking, it is clear that Guadalupe House Finch and Guadalupe Junco are vulnerable to extinction. The Guadalupe Rock Wren (Salpinctes obseletus guadalupensis) is perhaps the only endemic bird whose habitat has significantly expanded due to grazing pressure by goats. On the other hand, six, or possible seven species of landbirds have colonized the island. Some could have been introduced like the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura).

The marine birds are very well represented on the island and its islets that are completely free of introduced mammals. The island has regional importance to populations on the Baja California Pacific coast, because it lodges almost the entire population of winter breeding subspecies of Leach’s Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa cheimomnestes). In the island there is a very important and growing breeding population of Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), of great relevance in the Eastern Pacific region.

The remaining breeding birds of Isla Guadalupe represent a great conservation opportunity. Removal of goats and cats will directly benefit the remaining avian populations, as well as the huge diversity of native plants and the ecological integrity of the island.

 

Serie de tiempo de productividad (1970-2003) en el ecosistema marino de Isla Guadalupe

Falta abstract

 

Los tiburones de la Isla Guadalupe

Ìdem

 

The pinnipeds of Guadalupe Island

The populations of the Northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris, and Guadalupe fur seal, Arctocephalus townsendi, were nearly exterminated in Guadalupe Island during the XIX century. On this island, individuals of these two species survived. Nowadays, from these individuals, the population of both pinnipeds is recovering successfully.

The population of Northern elephant seals has recovered vigorously, and today there are over 150,000 individuals in the colonies of Mexico and the United States. The colonies of Guadalupe Island number over 30,000 individuals at the highest point of the breeding season (january-february) and these figures have remained steady at least for the last 30 years.

The Guadalupe fur seal is the only representative of the Arctocephalus genus in the Northern Hemisphere. This population has recovered gradually. This species only breeds on the Eastern coast of the island, and its current number reaches 12,000 individuals and has a new breeding colony on San Benito Oeste Island.

The population of the California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, numbers about 1,500 individuals, but it has fluctuated considerably without having an apparent cause. There are two sites on the island in which this population breeds: its major colony is in the south, on the islet of El Zapato (Isla de Afuera) and in a smaller number, on the Cantil Blanco, near Roca Vela, on the northern part of the island. This population is likely to be rather isolated from the sea lion populations on islands close to the Baja California Peninsula.

Guadalupe is a highly significant island in the history of conservation worldwide, since it was the first place where, in 1922, the Mexican Government established by decree a reserve for the protection and conservation of elephant seals and fur seals, and another decree in 1928 also declaring the protection of the island.

 

Los cetáceos de la Isla Guadalupe

Impacts of introduced cats (Felis catus) on the Guadalupe Island ecosystem

Introduced mammalian predators are a leading cause of extinctions for island species. Feral cats (Felis catus), in particular, are responsible for a large number of extinctions and extirpations of a variety of island based taxa including birds, mammals, and reptiles. The 20 Baja California Pacific Islands and main islets support high biodiversity including 47 endemic vertebrates and a very rich marine bird avifauna consisting of 22 species and subspecies. Unfortunately, feral cats have been introduced to 16 of the Baja California Pacific Islands with devastating consequences, especially on the most unique island, Guadalupe. Feral cats have contributed to the extinction of two endemic mammalian species and seven endemic terrestrial bird species, of which five were specific to Guadalupe Island. Feral cats have also contributed to the extinction of the Guadalupe Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma macrodactyla) and the extirpation of approximately 17 populations of breeding seabirds, including sensitive species such as the Xantus’s Murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus hypoleucus) and possibly two Guadalupe endemic Leach’s Storm-petrel (O. leucorhoa cheimomnestes, O. l. socorroensis) subspecies.

Methods to remove feral cats from islands have been developed and successfully used on islands around the world. On the Baja California Pacific Islands cats have been successfully removed from eight islands and have died out naturally on four others. The removal of cats from these ecosystems has dramatically reduced predation pressure on many seabird species and likely has contributed to the re-colonization of previously extirpated species on several of these islands.

Currently cats still occur on Guadalupe, Cedros, Margarita, and Magdalena islands. From a biodiversity conservation standpoint, the removal of cats from Guadalupe Island is the first priority. Recent work has documented high levels of predation on Guadalupe of breeding Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and mortality of other seabird species such as Leach’s Storm-petrels, Xantus’s Murrelets, and Black-vented Shearwaters (Puffinus opisthomelas) potentially prospecting for nesting sites. This indicates these species may rapidly recolonize the main island in the absence of cats. When accomplished, this will be the second largest island from which cats have been eradicated. Because of the size and topography of Guadalupe Island it will be necessary to develop a detailed plan and utilize multiple techniques to achieve eradication.

 

El monitoreo de los impactos de la erradicación de cabras y otras acciones de manejo sobre las plantas y animales de Isla Guadalupe

The social construction of the conservation and sustainable development of Guadalupe Island

Guadalupe Island is the farthest corner of the northwest region of Mexico, in the open Pacific, in front of the Central Desert of Baja California. As to biodiversity and productivity, Guadalupe Island is relevant at a regional, national and global-scale. Seabirds, forests of endemic species or varieties of cypress, palm, pine and juniper, as well as marine mammals stand out. Due to its location, Guadalupe has an enormous relevance in terms of sovereignty and delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The island is base to a fishing cooperative whose livelihood relies on the take of abalone and lobster. There is also a permanent station of the Mexican Navy.

The damages perpetrated to the island by goats and feral cats for over a century have been serious. A research here presented estimates that the distribution area of forests has been reduced from 8,000 hectares in the mid XIX century to roughly 100 hectares, apart from the extinction of birds and serious ecosystemic disturbances. With such a trend, the extinction risk for the forest is imminent. Therefore starting its restoration is urgent.

Translating into actions the relevance of the island and its restoration demands the fulfillment of several requirements. It is imperative to harmonize different plans and interests and to coordinate the actions of doers. A legal framework associated with public policies that orientate the use of the island towards conservation and sustainable development is essential. Another key issue is the perception and attitude of users and public opinion. As far as practical actions related to the eradication of introduced species concerns, an effective eradication plan for goats and feral cats —with suitable economic and human resources as well as targets and timing— is necessary. Finally, restoration requires a close linkage with scientific research. It is about enriching eradication plans, performing baseline studies, monitoring the recovery of the island, developing plans for an active restoration, and designing management plans for conservation and sustainable development.

Federal agencies—Semarnat, Instituto Nacional de Ecología (INE), Conanp and Semar— have outlined a coordinating body to undertake concrete actions by the end of 2003. Conanp has fostered the development of a favorable legal frame. INE promotes applied research, including this workshop. The Mexican Navy is participating in the development of a plan to eradicate goats and feral cats and is also analyzing its support in logistics, essential for the success of the project altogether. Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C. has made progress in planning work for the eradication of introduced species, the gathering of information and advances on baseline studies, in addition to its contribution to the issuing of the technical justification study and arrangements to the eventual creation of the Biosphere Reserve. Due to its high degree of difficulty, only with the full cooperation of the interested parties will the effective restoration of the island be attained.

 

Exotic species eradication plan of Guadalupe Island

Guadalupe Island, the last frontier of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean, has a high level of flora and fauna endemisms, and is a site for refuge and reproduction of marine mammals and many species of birds. Due to its endemisms and great biodiversity, Guadalupe Island has importance worldwide. However, the introduction of goats (Capra hircus) in mid XIX century, and its rapid demographic growth, has caused the collapse of pine (Pinus radiata var. binata) and cypress forests (Cupressus guadalupensis) in the north of the island, and has reduced their distribution area from 3,000 hectares to 105 hectares. Also, other introduced species like dogs, mice, and specially cats, have affected bird populations and have caused the extinction of endemic species like the Caracara (Polyborus lutosus) and the Guadalupe Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma macrodactyla).

The high ecological and biological value of the island have been acknowledged by the Federal Mexican Government, who has already undertaken some actions: the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) has proposed its designation as a Biosphere Reserve, and the Mexican Congress has agreed on the necessity of restoring the island and exhorting the Executive Government agencies to add efforts and urgently support the eradication of exotic fauna.

Likewise, the National Institute of Ecology (INE) has acknowledged the great necessity of having an exotic-fauna eradication plan, as a part of a Conservation Master Plan for the island, with middle and long term goals. In this regard, coordination among agencies for the development of the eradication plan has started, as well as financial and human resources delivery to initiate the eradication of goats and cats by mid 2004 and finish it by the end of 2005.

 

Status of the land birds in the cypress groves of Isla Guadalupe in 2000

As part of the binational expedition to Isla Guadalupe in 2000, we searched the cypress groves for land birds from 4 to 7 June. Our primary goal was the endemic subspecies of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula obscurus, for which we searched with the aid of tape-recorded songs. Our failure to find this bird confirms its extinction. A former population of the Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, is also now extirpated. The birds currently resident in the cypress grove are the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura; recent colonist, common), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna; fairly common), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus; uncommon, a recolonization from the mainland following extinction of an endemic subspecies), European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris; recent colonist, apparently uncommon); Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos; recent colonist; rare), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus; endemic subspecies amplus common), and Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis; endemic subspecies—possibly species—insularis common). The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius; uncommon), Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia; fairly common), and Rock Wren (endemic subspecies Salpinctes obsoletus guadaloupensis; very common), birds of terrestrial habitats, occur around the edges of the cypress groves. Of the eight known taxa of land birds endemic to Isla Guadalupe, only three survive. Birds of open and disturbed habitats have colonized, whereas most of those using scrub and arboreal habitats have been eliminated.

 

A brief history of the insect and arachnid collections from Isla Guadalupe (1875 to the present)

Collections of terrestrial invertebrates on Isla Guadalupe, Mexico, begin in 1875 and have continued to the present. However, few efforts were made to gather extensive collections of specimens over any length of time. Most material gathered consisted of widespread species common to the adjacent mainland and were collected during day visits and often restricted to the lower elevations of the island. Until recently (2000), few collections could be considered representative of the insect and arachnid fauna that would be available during a specific time of year.

The invertebrate diversity is extremely depauperate when compared to the nearby Baja California peninsula. An example of this would be the to compare the number of butterfly species available to colonize the island, which is about 180, to the number of species that have actually been recorded, which is five. Endemics species are limited, although many species originally described from the island were considered to be unique. This changed with later collections showing that many of these species were found elsewhere, even though the type locality remains Isla Guadalupe. From the 1800's to 1982, less than 100 invertebrates species had been recorded. Since then, a thousand more specimens have been collected and are still being identified.