The Status of the World's Land and Marine Mammals: Diversity, Threat, and Knowledge
Authors: Schipper Jan , Chanson Janice S. , Chiozza Federica , Cox Neil A. , Hoffmann Michael , Katariya Vineet , Lamoreux John , Rodrigues Ana S. L. , Stuart Simon N. , Temple Helen J. , Baillie Jonathan , Boitani Luigi , Lacher Thomas E. , Mittermeier Russell A. , Smith Andrew T. , Absolon Daniel , Aguiar John M. , Amori Giovanni , Bakkour Noura , Baldi Ricardo , Berridge Richard J. , Bielby Jon , Black Patricia Ann , Blanc J. Julian , Brooks Thomas M. , Burton James A. , Butynski Thomas M. , Catullo Gianluca , Chapman Roselle , Cokeliss Zoe , Collen Ben , Conroy Jim , Cooke Justin G. , da Fonseca Gustavo A. B. , Derocher Andrew E. , Dublin Holly T. , Duckworth J. W. , Emmons Louise , Emslie Richard H. , Festa-Bianchet Marco , Foster Matt , Foster Sabrina , Garshelis David L. , Gates Cormack , Gimenez-Dixon Mariano , Gonzalez Susana , Gonzalez-Maya Jose Fernando , Good Tatjana C. , Hammerson Geoffrey , Hammond Philip S. , Happold David , Happold Meredith , Hare John , Harris Richard B. , Hawkins Clare E. , Haywood Mandy , Heaney Lawrence R. , Hedges Simon , Helgen Kristofer M. , Hilton-Taylor Craig , Hussain Syed Ainul , Ishii Nobuo , Jefferson Thomas A. , Jenkins Richard K. B. , Johnston Charlotte H. , Keith Mark , Kingdon Jonathan , Knox David H. , Kovacs Kit M. , Langhammer Penny , Leus Kristin , Lewison Rebecca , Lichtenstein Gabriela , Lowry Lloyd F. , Macavoy Zoe , Mace Georgina M. , Mallon David P. , Masi Monica , McKnight Meghan W. , MedelliÌn Rodrigo A. , Medici Patricia , Mills Gus , Moehlman Patricia D. , Molur Sanjay , Mora Arturo , Nowell Kristin , Oates John F. , Olech Wanda , Oliver William R. L. , Oprea Monik , Patterson Bruce D. , Perrin William F. , Polidoro Beth A. , Pollock Caroline , Powel Abigail , Protas Yelizaveta , Racey Paul , Ragle Jim , Ramani Pavithra , Rathbun Galen , Reeves Randall R. , Reilly Stephen B. , Reynolds John E. , Rondinini Carlo , Rosell-Ambal Ruth Grace , Rulli Monica , Rylands Anthony B. , Savini Simona , Schank Cody J. , Sechrest Wes , Self-Sullivan Caryn , Shoemaker Alan , Sillero-Zubiri Claudio , De Silva Naamal , Smith David E. , Srinivasulu Chelmala , Stephenson Peter J. , van Strien Nico , Talukdar Bibhab Kumar , Taylor Barbara L. , Timmins Rob , Tirira Diego G. , Tognelli Marcelo F. , Tsytsulina Katerina , Veiga Liza M. , VieÌ Jean-Christophe , Williamson Elizabeth A. , Wyatt Sarah A. , Xie Yan , Young Bruce E. 
Published: October 2008

Knowledge of mammalian diversity is still surprisingly disparate, both regionally and taxonomically. Here, we present a comprehensive assessment of the conservation status and distribution of the world's mammals. Data, compiled by 1700+ experts, cover all 5487 species, including marine mammals. Global macroecological patterns are very different for land and marine species but suggest common mechanisms driving diversity and endemism across systems. Compared with land species, threat levels are higher among marine mammals, driven by different processes (accidental mortality and pollution, rather than habitat loss), and are spatially distinct (peaking in northern oceans, rather than in Southeast Asia). Marine mammals are also disproportionately poorly known. These data are made freely available to support further scientific developments and conservation action.