Justification This recently described species is only known from one location. It has an extremely small known range, within which it is subject to continuing pressure from agriculture and the development of recreational facilities. It is consequently listed as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Pipridae

Species name author Coelho & Silva, 1998

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates)

Identification 15.5 cm. Strikingly patterned, black, white and red manakin. Male is white with black wings (except for wing-coverts) and tail. Bright crimson red mid-back, nape, crown and frontal tuft of feathers. Reddish iris. Female is olivaceous-green with paler belly and reduced frontal tuft. Voice Quite similar to Helmeted Manakin A. galeata, a musical and warbled uí-guru, guru-uí, guru-uí with variations, and wreee pur calls.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

250-999

decreasing

28 km²

Yes

Range & population Antilophia bokermanni was described in 1998 and has now been recorded from three municipalities (Crato, Barbalha and Missao Velha); all on the north-eastern slope of the Chapada do Araripe, south Ceará, Brazil^1,6. Surveys in 2005-2006 have led to a population estimate of c.800 individuals, which is higher than previously thought⁶, within a remaining area of suitable habitat estimated at 28 km². A total of 18 nests had been located up to 2005.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It inhabits the lower and middle storey of tall, second growth forest (where there is an abundance of vines), edge and adjacent clearings, preferring more humid areas of moist forest near springs and streams^1,3. It reportedly feeds on small fruits of Cordia spp.¹ and Cecropia spp., and a study in progress has already identified 15 other plant species as part of its diet⁷. It occurs in pairs, and immature males have been found in March and January^3,4. Vocal activity among males peaks between 10h00 and 14h00, and is highest during September-October when rainfall is at its lowest; and breeding follows during the wet season when c.76% of tree species bordering gallery forests occupied by Araripe Manakin are fruiting^5,7. All nests located thus far have been in vegetation overhanging streams⁷.

Threats Lowlands adjacent to the Chapada have been largely cleared for agriculture (especially banana, maize, beans and tomatoes), cattle raising and the construction of holiday homes⁶. There are several recreational facilities along the slopes of the Chapada do Araripe. These include large open parks and swimming pools, which have involved deforestation in their development, particularly in areas where there is spring water. A large water-park was built at the type-locality in 2000⁶, but a small patch of habitat is being conserved there, and the species persists despite the disturbance⁸. Fires in 2004-2005 largely destroyed an area of forest known to contain seven active nests of the species. The springs that supply the streams which support the moist forest habitat of the Araripe Manakin have shown an average reduction of three quarters in their outflow over the past hundred years, possibly due to deforestation on the slopes and plateau of the Chapada do Araripe, posing a long-term threat to the manakin's remaining habitat. Diversion, channelling and piping of the springs and streams are also reducing the area of available gallery forest habitat⁶. The species is not known to be trapped either by wildlife traders or by the local population for pets⁶.

Conservation measures underway The type-locality is within the Chapada do Araripe Environmental Protection Area, which is adjacent to Araripe National Forest, but both are designated "sustainable use" and consequently fail to prevent exploitation or disturbance of habitat⁶. However, the owner of the land adjacent to the type-locality has decided to protect the forest following the discovery of this species^1,2,3. The British Petroleum (BP) Conservation Leadership Programme has supported a Conservation of the Araripe Manakin Project in the Chapada do Araripe region since 2004, conducted by the local NGO Aquasis. In 2007, the project was granted a new award after a few years of intensive research into the species's ecological requirements and conservation status, and the development of a Conservation Plan for the Araripe Manakin; the project team will now focus on establishing a fully protected area in the Chapada do Araripe which encompasses the remaining moist forest habitat and potential areas for habitat restoration⁶.

Conservation measures proposed Survey similar habitats throughout north-east Brazil during September-October between 10h00 and 14h00 when male calling activity is at its peak^1,3,5 to locate additional populations. Formally protect remaining habitat as a national wildlife refuge or national park. Provide incentives for landowners to establish a network of private reseves as a buffer zone¹. Work with environmental and water management authorities to protect springs and streams along the slopes of the Chapada, and their associated gallery forests⁶. Conduct awareness campaigns in the Araripe region to engender pride in biodiversity and water resources, using the Araripe Manakin as symbol for the conservation of the Chapada⁶. Promote research on moist forest ecosystem services as well as species composition and ecology, in order to support future conservation actions related to habitat recovery⁶.

References 1. Coelho and Silva (1998). 2. A. G. Coelho in litt. (1997). 3. J. Mazar Barnett and G. M. Kirwan in litt. (2000). 4. J. Minns in litt. (2000). 5. Girão and Souto (2005). 6. Aquasis (2006). 7. Linhares in litt. (2007). 8. A. B. Hennessey in litt. (2005).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Text account compilers J.M Barnett, Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Juan Mazar Barnett (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division), Rob Pople (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Ciro Albano (AQUASIS), Alberto Campos (AQUASIS), A. G Coelho, Weber Girao (AQUASIS), A. Bennett Hennessey (Asociación Armonía), G. M. Kirwan, Juan Mazar Barnett (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales), Jeremy Minns, Thieres Pinto (AQUASIS)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Antilophia bokermanni. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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