Data from: Modeling the effects of anthropogenic exploitation and climate change on an endemic stag beetle, Lucanus miwai, of Taiwan

Loss of biodiversity is a worldwide phenomenon and conservation of endemic species is becoming a pressing issue. However, species differ in life history characteristics, causing the best strategy for conservation to vary among species. Lucanus miwai is an endemic stag beetle of Taiwan, but the natural history and the conservation status of L. miwai have not been fully studied. Lucanus miwai adults live in forest-edge grassland habitats and are experiencing threats from anthropogenic exploitation. Additionally, climate change may threaten its long-term survival because of its specific habitat preference. Results from this study clearly indicate the need for more studies on the natural history of L. miwai and demonstrate that contemporary intensity of anthropogenic exploitation can have a negative effect on population size of this species. Future habitat loss because of global climate change, in addition, can be another major factor leading to population decline. Moreover, increasing demands on L. miwai because of population decline may lead to population extinction. In addition to protecting adult males from being collected, conservation strategies should also focus on discovering habitats utilized by individuals from different life stages, investigating the connectivity between populations, and maintaining the long-term availability of suitable habitats for L. miwai.生物多样性丧失是全球性议题，特有物种保护已成为愈发紧迫的任务。不同物种的生活史特征存在显著差异，这使得最优保护策略需因物种而异。三岛锹形虫（Lucanus miwai）是台湾特有的锹形虫，但目前针对其生活史及保护现状的研究仍不够充分。该虫成虫栖息于林缘草地生境，正面临人为开发活动带来的生存威胁；此外，由于其对生境具有特异性偏好，气候变化或对其长期存续构成威胁。本研究结果明确显示，需进一步开展针对三岛锹形虫生活史的相关研究，同时证实当前人为开发强度会对该物种种群规模产生负面影响。未来因全球气候变化导致的生境丧失，或将成为引发种群数量下降的另一重要因素。再者，因种群减少而引发的对三岛锹形虫的需求攀升，或会加速其种群走向灭绝。除了保护成虫免受采集之外，保护策略还应聚焦于探明不同生活史阶段个体所利用的生境、调查种群间的连通性，以及维持三岛锹形虫适宜生境的长期可获得性。