CONSERVATION
IUCN Redlist category Least Concern (IUCN 2020)
Rationale for redlist categorization Atrophaneura semperi has been listed as Least Concern. This species has a wide distribution around the Philippines, with an extent of occurrence of 935,000 km2. However, there is relatively little information available for this species so that additional research is required to establish population trends, habitat preferences and assess threats to this species. (IUCN 2020)
Threat category Species mortality,Ecosystem degradation (IUCN 2020)
Cause of stress Intentional use (species is the target),Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] (IUCN 2020)
Described Threats There is not much information available on the threats this species faces, however it is possible that it is affected by both the rampant deforestation in the Philippines and exploitation for trade. The population of the Philippines has risen from 19 million in 1940 to a projected 111.7 million in 2020, and this is leading to forest clearance. Between 1977 and 1990, forest coverage in Luzon had decreased by around 48%, with 45% of it turning into paddy fields for the cultivation of rice (Geospatial World 2009). Land protection in the Philippines is reportedly hampered by political instability and potential violence of illegal loggers (The Star 2017). Further research into major threats would be beneficial and should be a priority for conservation. (IUCN 2020)
Commercial use This species can be found for sale on various website, for example on 'A&B butterflies' a pair of specimens were for sale for $80 and on 'Aureus' a specimen was for sale for €28 (October 2018). (IUCN 2020)
Applied conservation actions In their 1985 status assessment of the world's swallowtails, Collins and Morris found this species to be not threatened. In a study of butterflies in Maitum Village, Tandag, Suriago del Sur, the subspecies A. s. aphthonia was reported as locally very rare and nationally rare, and as a rare threatened Philippine endemic species (Ramirez and Mohagan 2012). As little is known about this species, additional research is required into the population trends and habitat of this species, as well as trade information, so that the major threats can be established. (IUCN 2020)
REFERENCES
- Geospatial World. 2009. Monitoring deforestation in Luzon island, the Philippines using satellite data. Available at: https://www.geospatialworld.net/article/monitoring-deforestation-in-luzon-island-the-philippines-using-satellite-data/. (Accessed: 21st September 2018).
- IUCN. 2020. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2020-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 10 December 2020).
- Ramirez, R.K.C. and Mohagan, A.B. 2012. Diversity and Status of Butterflies in Maitum Village, Tandag, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Asian Journal of Biodiversity 3: 74-112.
- The Star. 2017. Philippines a global hotspot for environmental murders. The Star: Asean Plus.