Environmental Science
New Glider Species Face Conservation Gaps Due to Research Bias
Original Authors: Emerson, Kostaglou, Ashman, Cripps, Durkin, Eyre, Gracanin, Lindenmayer, Lo Cascio, Marsh, Mason, Miritis, Nelson, Wagner, Youngentob, Ritchie
Effective conservation policy and management plans rely heavily on comprehensive ecological information. This task becomes particularly complex when taxonomic revisions occur, reclassifying what was once considered a single species into multiple distinct taxa. Such a scenario recently unfolded for the greater glider, long recognized as a single species across Australia's east coast until 2020.
Recent genetic evidence has now solidified the existence of three separate greater glider species: the northern (Petauroides minor), central (P. armillatus), and southern (P. volans) greater gliders. However, the current Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 currently recognises only P. volans (encompassing both southern and central gliders) and P. minor (northern) as unique species, illustrating a lag between scientific discovery and policy. To inform appropriate conservation strategies, a systematic review of 178 unique greater glider studies was undertaken, categorizing them by geographic location and thematic focus.
The review revealed a significant research bias, with the majority of studies focusing on the southern greater glider. As lead author Emerson notes in the paper, "Ecological knowledge for the central and northern species remains limited, potentially compromising species-specific conservation and management for these two taxa." This knowledge gap poses a critical threat, potentially compromising species-specific conservation and management efforts for these two taxa, especially given that climate change, habitat destruction, and wildfire are key threats to greater glider populations.
To ensure the long-term survival of all greater glider species, additional research is needed. This research must cover key drivers of population dynamics, including climate change impacts, life history traits, genetics, and habitat quality, for all three species. Such comprehensive information is essential for accurate extinction risk assessment and effective threat mitigation. Ultimately, successful conservation requires coordinated, species-specific strategies, supported by legislative reform, strong environmental protections, and habitat restoration, demonstrating the critical utility of re-evaluating existing research in light of new taxonomic understanding.