A study by Purvis, Gittleman, Cowlishaw, and Mace examines factors that increase the risk of extinction for declining species. Using phylogenetic data from contemporary carnivores and primates, the researchers found that high trophic level, low population density, slow life history, and small geographical range size are all significantly and independently associated with high extinction risk. These traits together explain nearly 50% of the variation in extinction risk among species. The remaining variation is attributed to external anthropogenic factors. The study highlights that small geographical range and island endemism are the most important predictors of extinction risk. However, when other variables are controlled for, large body size is also linked to higher perceived extinction risk. The analysis also shows that trophic level is a significant factor when confounding variables are considered, and that population density is independently associated with extinction risk. The study uses multiple regression models to assess the relative importance of various biological factors. The results indicate that species with small geographical ranges, high trophic levels, and low population densities are more vulnerable to extinction. These findings suggest that conservation efforts should focus on species with these characteristics, as they are more likely to face extinction due to anthropogenic pressures. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering phylogeny in analyses of extinction risk. Phylogenetic comparative methods were used to account for the relatedness of species and to avoid pseudoreplication. The results show that non-phylogenetic analyses can lead to an overestimation of significant relationships. The study concludes that understanding the biological determinants of extinction risk is crucial for conservation efforts. It also highlights the role of anthropogenic factors in increasing extinction risk, particularly for species with small geographical ranges and those that are vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation. The findings suggest that conservation strategies should focus on protecting species with these characteristics, as they are more likely to face extinction due to human activities.A study by Purvis, Gittleman, Cowlishaw, and Mace examines factors that increase the risk of extinction for declining species. Using phylogenetic data from contemporary carnivores and primates, the researchers found that high trophic level, low population density, slow life history, and small geographical range size are all significantly and independently associated with high extinction risk. These traits together explain nearly 50% of the variation in extinction risk among species. The remaining variation is attributed to external anthropogenic factors. The study highlights that small geographical range and island endemism are the most important predictors of extinction risk. However, when other variables are controlled for, large body size is also linked to higher perceived extinction risk. The analysis also shows that trophic level is a significant factor when confounding variables are considered, and that population density is independently associated with extinction risk. The study uses multiple regression models to assess the relative importance of various biological factors. The results indicate that species with small geographical ranges, high trophic levels, and low population densities are more vulnerable to extinction. These findings suggest that conservation efforts should focus on species with these characteristics, as they are more likely to face extinction due to anthropogenic pressures. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering phylogeny in analyses of extinction risk. Phylogenetic comparative methods were used to account for the relatedness of species and to avoid pseudoreplication. The results show that non-phylogenetic analyses can lead to an overestimation of significant relationships. The study concludes that understanding the biological determinants of extinction risk is crucial for conservation efforts. It also highlights the role of anthropogenic factors in increasing extinction risk, particularly for species with small geographical ranges and those that are vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation. The findings suggest that conservation strategies should focus on protecting species with these characteristics, as they are more likely to face extinction due to human activities.