Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution Models

<i>Nautilus pompilius</i>, a ‘living fossil’ of the oceans, is crucial to the study of biological evolution and paleontology. However, the species’ habitat has been severely impacted by global climate change. Based on this, species distribution models and conservation gap analyses were c...

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Main Authors: Xianshui Lai, Linlin Zhao, Wenhao Huang, Lusita Meilana, Tingting Li, Kaiyu Liu, Bei Wang, Bailin Cong, Shenghao Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Diversity
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/4/243
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author Xianshui Lai
Linlin Zhao
Wenhao Huang
Lusita Meilana
Tingting Li
Kaiyu Liu
Bei Wang
Bailin Cong
Shenghao Liu
author_facet Xianshui Lai
Linlin Zhao
Wenhao Huang
Lusita Meilana
Tingting Li
Kaiyu Liu
Bei Wang
Bailin Cong
Shenghao Liu
author_sort Xianshui Lai
collection DOAJ
description <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>, a ‘living fossil’ of the oceans, is crucial to the study of biological evolution and paleontology. However, the species’ habitat has been severely impacted by global climate change. Based on this, species distribution models and conservation gap analyses were conducted under current and future climate scenarios. The results revealed that the current habitats for <i>N. pompilius</i> were primarily located in the coastal waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario, suitable habitat is projected to decline by 4.8% in the 2050s and 5.3% in 2100s. This loss is expected to intensify under higher emission scenarios, particularly RCP 8.5, where the reduction could reach 15.4% in the 2100s. Conservation gap analysis indicates that while nearly 30% of suitable habitats fall within marine protected areas (MPAs), many vulnerable regions remain unprotected. Future MPA establishment should strategically address these conservation gaps, particularly in coastal waters such as the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Arafura Sea, and the southern edge of the Timor Sea. This study provides critical insights into the distribution patterns and conservation needs of <i>N. pompilius</i>, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.
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spelling doaj-art-72918a67f5e84f97887077feab1f1dd02025-08-20T02:17:19ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182025-03-0117424310.3390/d17040243Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution ModelsXianshui Lai0Linlin Zhao1Wenhao Huang2Lusita Meilana3Tingting Li4Kaiyu Liu5Bei Wang6Bailin Cong7Shenghao Liu8School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang 362200, ChinaMarine Ecology Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaCollege of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaCenter for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies, International Research Institute for Maritime, Ocean and Fisheries, IPB University, Bogor 16680, IndonesiaMarine Ecology Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaSchool of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang 362200, ChinaMarine Ecology Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaMarine Ecology Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaMarine Ecology Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China<i>Nautilus pompilius</i>, a ‘living fossil’ of the oceans, is crucial to the study of biological evolution and paleontology. However, the species’ habitat has been severely impacted by global climate change. Based on this, species distribution models and conservation gap analyses were conducted under current and future climate scenarios. The results revealed that the current habitats for <i>N. pompilius</i> were primarily located in the coastal waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario, suitable habitat is projected to decline by 4.8% in the 2050s and 5.3% in 2100s. This loss is expected to intensify under higher emission scenarios, particularly RCP 8.5, where the reduction could reach 15.4% in the 2100s. Conservation gap analysis indicates that while nearly 30% of suitable habitats fall within marine protected areas (MPAs), many vulnerable regions remain unprotected. Future MPA establishment should strategically address these conservation gaps, particularly in coastal waters such as the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Arafura Sea, and the southern edge of the Timor Sea. This study provides critical insights into the distribution patterns and conservation needs of <i>N. pompilius</i>, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/4/243habitat suitabilitymollusksclimate changemarine protected areas
spellingShingle Xianshui Lai
Linlin Zhao
Wenhao Huang
Lusita Meilana
Tingting Li
Kaiyu Liu
Bei Wang
Bailin Cong
Shenghao Liu
Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution Models
Diversity
habitat suitability
mollusks
climate change
marine protected areas
title Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution Models
title_full Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution Models
title_fullStr Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution Models
title_full_unstemmed Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution Models
title_short Distribution and Conservation Gaps of <i>Nautilus pompilius</i>: A Study Based on Species Distribution Models
title_sort distribution and conservation gaps of i nautilus pompilius i a study based on species distribution models
topic habitat suitability
mollusks
climate change
marine protected areas
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/4/243
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