Extinction-prone attributes and conservation priorities of animals

Many species have become endangered and extinct because of natural and factitious factors.Species endangerment and extinction does not occur at random ecologically.The species with some attributes,called extinction-prone attributes,are at high risk of extinction.The attributes can include:large body size,low reproductive capacity,low dispersal ability,high trophic level,large home range,small population size,high temporal population variability,small geographical range,low population density,high sqecialization level of habitat,specific habitat,etc.Studies on extinction-prone attributes of animals can provide proactive conservation strategies for biodiversity.Although some extinction-prone attributes of species have already been used for ranking conservation priority of species,most hypothesises need further precise and in-depth studies,because the effects that these attributes are on endangerment and extinction of species are very complicated.It is essential to probe into the extinction-prone attributes of different taxa and different regions species.The endangered patterns of animals in China may differ from those abroad for unique geographical and historical development,traditional chinese medicines (TCM),and frequent illegal wildlife trade through the national border.