VU
Marsh Tapaculo Scytalopus iraiensis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
Apparently closest to S. speluncae (Bornschein et al. 1998) (which see) and S. gonzagai. Monotypic.

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - B2ab(ii,iii,v)

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2023 Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii,v)
2016 Endangered A3c+4c;B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v);C2a(i)
2013 Endangered A3c+4c;B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v);C2a(i)
2012 Endangered A3c+4c;B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v);C2a(i)
2008 Endangered A3c; A4c; B1a+b(i,ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i)
2004 Endangered
2000 Endangered
1994 Not Recognised
1988 Not Recognised
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 318,500 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 1,956 km2
Severely fragmented? yes -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 11200 mature individuals medium estimated 2020
Population trend decreasing poor inferred -
Generation length 2.76 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 15-100 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The species inhabits small patches of habitat, where it is described as rare to uncommon or common (ICMBio 2018, L. Klemann Jr. in litt. 2020). Surveys at Banhado do Maçarico, Rio Grande do Sul, found a density of about 0.5 individuals per hectare, which led to an estimate of 200 breeding pairs at this site (G.N. Mauricio in litt. 2012). In Paraná and Santa Catarina, a density of 3.8 individuals per hectare was recorded (Klemann Jr. and Vieira 2013). Based on these densities, the global population was estimated at 16,800 individuals (L. Klemann Jr. in litt. 2020). This equates to 11,200 mature individuals.

Trend justification: The species is known to have disappeared from degraded and converted areas and to have declined in zones affected by fires (M.R. Bornschein in litt. 2022, G.N. Mauricio in litt. 2022). Pressures on its habitat via land-use change, draining of wetlands and increased frequency of fire continue to negatively affect the population (G.N. Mauricio in litt. 2022).
The construction of a dam in 2001, which flooded parts of the type locality in Iraí, led to drastic population declines; however it has been suggested that the species might be able to recolonise the area (L. Klemann Jr. in litt. 2020). Nevertheless, due to the ongoing threat of habitat degradation and loss, the population is assessed as being in continuing decline.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Brazil extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Brazil Ouro Preto / Mariana
Brazil Parque Estadual do Rio Preto
Brazil Serra do Caraça
Brazil Serra do Cipó
Brazil Várzeas da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Grassland Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Wet/Flooded major resident
Wetlands (inland) Shrub Dominated Wetlands major resident
Altitude 10 - 1850 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Wood & pulp plantations - Small-holder plantations Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Energy production & mining Mining & quarrying Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Named species Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Large dams Timing Scope Severity Impact
Future Majority (50-90%) Very Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Residential & commercial development Commercial & industrial areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Residential & commercial development Housing & urban areas Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Rapid Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Transportation & service corridors Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Marsh Tapaculo Scytalopus iraiensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/marsh-tapaculo-scytalopus-iraiensis on 24/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 24/12/2024.