揭示爬行动物网络交易的规模 | 《自然-通讯》论文

论文标题：Thousands of reptile species threatened by under-regulated global trade

期刊：Nature Communications

作者：Benjamin M. Marshall, Colin Strine et.al

发表时间：2020/09/29

数字识别码：10.1038/s41467-020-18523-4

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根据《自然-通讯》发表的一项研究Thousands of reptile species threatened by under-regulated global trade，已知爬行动物物种中大约有36%被放在网上销售。其中四分之三的网络交易中所涉物种未纳入国际监管范围，其中包括濒危物种和限制范围物种（range-restricted species），如斑点珍龟和虎斑避役（俗称老虎变色龙）。

野生动物交易方面的国际监管空白意味着大量物种未受到监测。因此，野生动物交易的实际规模和被交易物种（包括爬行动物）所受的影响，仍然是未知的。

中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园的Alice Hughes及同事使用自动化网络搜索，梳理了2000年到2019年的爬行动物网络交易，之后再将爬行动物网络零售商的数据与CITES和LEMIS这两个国际野生动物交易数据库的数据结合起来。他们发现有3,943个爬行动物物种被放在网上交易（约占所有已知爬行动物物种的36%），其中79%不受CITES交易监管。约90%的被交易爬行动物物种被记录下来，一半的物种个体是从野外捕捉的。在查看这种交易的地理位置时，他们发现越南是部分受威胁较严重物种的主要来源，而欧洲和北美是主要的消费市场。

2004-2018年被发现的物种的数量和独特性 | 来源：Hughes et al.

作者认为如果我们不能缓解未受监管但合法的交易的影响，那么分布区小的爬行动物物种和地方性爬行动物物种可能将是当前生物多样性危机的下一批受害者。

摘要：Wildlife trade is a key driver of the biodiversity crisis. Unregulated, or under-regulated wildlife trade can lead to unsustainable exploitation of wild populations. International efforts to regulate wildlife mostly miss ‘lower-value’ species, such as those imported as pets, resulting in limited knowledge of trade in groups like reptiles. Here we generate a dataset on web-based private commercial trade of reptiles to highlight the scope of the global reptile trade. We find that over 35% of reptile species are traded online. Three quarters of this trade is in species that are not covered by international trade regulation. These species include numerous endangered or range-restricted species, especially hotspots within Asia. Approximately 90% of traded reptile species and half of traded individuals are captured from the wild. Exploitation can occur immediately after scientific description, leaving new endemic species especially vulnerable. Pronounced gaps in regulation imply trade is having unknown impacts on numerous threatened species. Gaps in monitoring demand a reconsideration of international reptile trade regulations. We suggest reversing the status-quo, requiring proof of sustainability before trade is permitted.