Limited directed seed dispersal in the canopy as one of the determinants of the low hemi-epiphytic figs' recruitments in Bornean rainforests

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF BINTURONGS (ARCTICTIS BINTURONG) IN UNITED STATES ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS (1986-2019)

Veterinary literature on diseases in binturong (Arctictis binturong) is often limited to case series or reports without population-level information. Morbidity and mortality data were collected from North American institutions through survey completion or submission of medical records. Responses included information about 74 individuals (37 males, 30 females, and 7 unknown neonates) representing 22 institutions, from 1986 to 2019. Antemortem data were available from 39 individuals, and postmortem data were available from 53 individuals. Eighteen individuals had both antemortem and postmortem records available. Age (mean ± SD) at death for adults (n = 41) was 15.2 ± 4.3 yr. Morbidity events were summarized by affected organ system; 160 events were reported. The systems with the most frequently reported events were gastrointestinal (33%; 53/160), integumentary (19%; 31/160), urinary (12%; 20/160), and musculoskeletal (19 [12%] of 160). Excluding neonates, primary causes of mortality included neoplasia (51%; 21/41), infectious or inflammatory diseases (24%; 10/41), and cardiovascular disease (17%; 7/41). Neoplasms (51%; 21/41) confirmed on histopathology included renal adenocarcinoma (47%; 10/21); mammary carcinoma (14%; 3/21); pancreatic islet cell carcinoma (2 [10%] of 21); and single instances of multicentric lymphoma, uterine carcinoma, and submucosal urethral adenoma. There were three additional cases of presumed neoplasia without histopathologic confirmation; masses were detected in the liver, heart base, and pancreas. Metastases were reported in 15 (71%) of 21 neoplasms. Although neoplasia and cardiovascular disease were common causes of mortality, they were rarely diagnosed antemortem. Neoplasia was often malignant and generally diagnosed after metastasis. Preventive medicine protocols with improved renal and cardiovascular evaluation are warranted and may result in earlier detection of subclinical disease in binturong.

Prehistoric pathways to Anthropocene adaptation: Evidence from the Red River Delta, Vietnam

Over the past twenty years, government advisory bodies have placed increasing emphasis on the need for adaptive measures in response to the effects of human-induced climate change. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), which incorporate macroeconomic and climate variables, feature prominently in advisory content, though they rarely draw on data from outside strictly constrained hypothetical systems. This has led to assertions that they are not well-suited to approximate complex systemic human-environment processes. Modular, interdisciplinary approaches have offered a way to address this shortcoming; however, beyond climate records, prehistoric data continue to be under-utilised in developing such models. In this paper we highlight the contribution that archaeology and palaeoecology can make to the development of the next generation IAMs that are expected to enhance provision for more local and pro-active adaptations to future climate change. We present data from one of Southeast Asia's most heavily developed river deltas: the Red River (Song Hong) Delta, in Vietnam and localised analysis from the Tràng An Landscape Complex World Heritage Site, on the delta's southern margin. Comparison is made between Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) 5-8.5 and SSP2-4.5 emission projection models and the Mid-Holocene inundation of the Red River Basin. We highlight the value to taking a scientific long view of coastal evolution through an illustrative set of eight research foci where palaeo-data can bring new and localised empirical data to bear on future risk management planning. We proceed to demonstrate the applicability of palaeoenvironmental, zooarchaeological and historical evidence to management and the development of sustainable conservation strategies using Tràng An as a case study. In so doing, we further highlight the importance of knowledge exchange between scientific, corporate, non-governmental, local, and state stakeholders to achieve tangible results on the ground.

The effects of defaunation on plants' capacity to track climate change

Half of all plant species rely on animals to disperse their seeds. Seed dispersal interactions lost through defaunation and gained during novel community assembly influence whether plants can adapt to climate change through migration. We develop trait-based models to predict pairwise interactions and dispersal function for fleshy-fruited plants globally. Using interactions with introduced species as an observable proxy for interactions in future novel seed dispersal networks, we find strong potential to forecast their assembly and functioning. We conservatively estimate that mammal and bird defaunation has already reduced the capacity of plants to track climate change by 60% globally. This strong reduction in the ability of plants to adapt to climate change through range shifts shows a synergy between defaunation and climate change that undermines vegetation resilience.

Temporal activity patterns suggesting niche partitioning of sympatric carnivores in Borneo, Malaysia

To propose proper conservation measures and to elucidate coexistence mechanisms of sympatric carnivore species, we assessed temporal activity patterns of the sympatric carnivore species using 37,379 photos collected for more than 3 years at three study sites in Borneo. We categorized activity patterns of nine carnivore species (one bear, three civets, two felids, one skunk, one mustelid, one linsang) by calculating the photo-capturing proportions at each time period (day, night, twilight). We then evaluated temporal activity overlaps by calculating the overlap coefficients. We identified six nocturnal (three civets, one felid, one skunk, one linsang), two diurnal (one felid, one mustelid), and one cathemeral (bear) species. Temporal activity overlaps were high among the nocturnal species. The two felid species possessing morphological and ecological similarities exhibited clear temporal niche segregation, but the three civet species with similar morphology and ecology did not. Broad dietary breadth may compensate for the high temporal niche overlaps among the nocturnal species. Despite the high species richness of Bornean carnivores, almost half are threatened with extinction. By comparing individual radio-tracking and our data, we propose that a long-term study of at least 2 or 3 years is necessary to understand animals’ temporal activity patterns, especially for sun bears and civets, by camera-trapping and to establish effective protection measures.