Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small range, and is experiencing a continuing decline in habitat quality through conversion for agricultural practices. It has therefore been classified as Vulnerable.
Population justification
Given that it has a very restricted known range, within which the area of suitable habitat (forested canyons in limestone karst landscapes) is probably quite small, it is likely to have a small global population. No direct population estimate exists for the species across its range, but in Beanka Forest a survey found 4.7 individuals per km of transect (Ramasinatrehina and Raherilalao 2013). It is provisionally suspected to lie within the band for 2,500-9,999 mature individuals; it may, however, prove to be even smaller (F. Hawkins in litt. 2013).
Trend justification
The species is suspected to be undergoing continuing declines as a result of potential hunting pressure (Fjeldså and de Juana 2020; F. Hawkins in litt. 2021) and habitat loss and degradation (Global Forest Watch 2021; M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2021). The rate of decline has not been quantified but is not thought to be rapid.
This recently-described species is endemic to Madagascar, where it is known only from a very limited area of lowlands in the central west of the country, in Beanka and Bemaraha massifs (Safford and Hawkins 2013). The distance between the northernmost and southernmost known localities is 125 km, in a corridor rarely exceeding 5 km in width (Goodman et al. 2011; Safford and Hawkins 2013).
Known localities are between 100 and 320 m in areas of limestone karst with rock pinnacles known as tsingy (Goodman et al. 2011; Safford and Hawkins 2013). It occurs in dry deciduous forest, often in canyons or valleys closed or bordered by exposed rock (Goodman et al. 2011), where it feeds on the forest floor. The diet and breeding habits are unknown (Safford and Hawkins 2013).
It is likely to be very susceptible to hunting, which may be the greatest threat. Except in a few areas that have significant tourist traffic (near Antranombazaha, the access point to Antsalova, and the southernmost portion of Bemaraha near Bekopaka), the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is not well patrolled and access for hunting may be frequent (F. Hawkins in litt. 2013). Additionally, there has been a recent decline in security in western and southern Madagascar, and bandits (and people fleeing the bandits) are living in the forests, which may be increasing the hunting pressure (F. Hawkins in litt. 2021). In the north of the species's range the pinnacle karst landscape is known as a refuge for cattle bandits who live off animals and birds (F. Hawkins in litt. 2013). Much of the tsingy region is not thought to be vulnerable to human modification; however, limited habitat loss and degradation are thought to be taking place through shifting cultivation, conversion to pasture, wood harvesting and extraction of other forest resources. These threats are further limited by the low human population density and alleviated by the legal protection of the Tsingy de Bemaraha in a national park and strict nature reserve (del Hoyo et al. 1996; Taylor and van Perlo 1998; Rasoloarison and Pasquier 2003). However, in 1984 oil prospectors created a seismographic trail through the tsingy by means of explosives, thus facilitating access to areas that were previously impenetrable (Rasoloarison and Paquier 2003). Fires are set in the nature reserve in order to stimulate the growth of grass for grazing and to clear trails. Such uncontrolled fires and tree-cutting for house construction, fences and firewood are the primary causes of forest destruction (Rasoloarison and Paquier 2003; M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2021), but Beanka is now a protected area which may reduce this (S. Goodman in litt. 2016).
Conservation and research actions in place
Much of the species's known range lies within the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, and the officially protected Beanka Forest (S. Goodman in litt. 2016).
Conservation and research actions proposed
Carry out further research to define the species's geographical range, estimate population densities across its range and its overall population size, and assess the scale of threats. Increase patrols of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and Beanka Forest to attempt to prevent hunting, burning and conversion of forest for grazing and shifting cultivation within the park boundaries.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Goodman, S., Hawkins, F., Rabenandrasana, M., Safford, R., Symes, A. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Tsingy Forest Rail Mentocrex beankaensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tsingy-forest-rail-mentocrex-beankaensis on 20/12/2024.
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 20/12/2024.