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Mapping the Indian crested porcupine across Iraq: the benefits of species distribution modelling when species data are scarce. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00290-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Lefebvre T, Charles-Dominique T, Tomlinson KW. Trunk spines of trees: a physical defence against bark removal and climbing by mammals? ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 129:541-554. [PMID: 35199147 PMCID: PMC9007100 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The defensive role of spines has previously been related to leaves, young shoots and reproductive organs. However, some woody species harbour spines on their trunks where none of those organs are present. Several explanations are plausible: they could be (1) climbing aids, (2) remnants from defence of leaves or reproductive organs during an earlier development phase, or (3) an as-yet undescribed defence. Here we investigate whether they could play a role against either bark feeding or preventing climbing animals accessing food resources in the tree canopy. METHODS We described 31 woody species with spines on their trunk, growing in a botanical garden, to test whether morphological strategies could be identified and suggest what could be their most likely function. As testing their function is difficult experimentally for large pools of species, we performed virtual experiments to evaluate the potential roles of trunk spines against bark removal and climbing animals of different sizes. We then compared for each species and their confamilial non-spiny species the nutritional profiles of leaf, bark and reproductive organs to test whether trunk spines were associated with a nutritious organ (more likely targeted by herbivores). KEY RESULTS We identified four morphological syndromes of trunk spines. Two corresponded to already known functions (anchorage for lianas and crown defence against large ground mammals), and two strategies are newly described trait syndromes with traits suggesting a defence against bark feeding and climbing mammals. By simulation, we show how each strategy could translate into defence against debarking and prevent herbivores from climbing. CONCLUSIONS We identified trunk spine strategies and the criteria to classify them, their most likely function and the likely feeding mode and size of animal against which different trunk spine strategies may be effective. We discuss further perspectives for testing their function and their ecological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théodore Lefebvre
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Kyle W Tomlinson
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China
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Khan MB, Irshad N, Ahmed B, Khan MR, Minhas RA, Ali U, Mahmood M, Muhammad A, Sheikh AA, Ashraf N. Food habits of indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) (Kerr 1792), in district Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e243063. [PMID: 34287526 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.243063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) is classified as an agricultural pest species. It feeds on plants and crops; hence, it is responsible for massive financial losses worldwide. The current study was conducted to assess the diet composition of Indian Crested Porcupine in District Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). Thus, fecal samples were collected and examined from different sampling sites. Reference slides of the material collected from the study area were prepared for identification of dietary components in fecal pellets. A total of 80 fecal samples were collected and processed. Percent relative frequencies (P.R.F.) were calculated for each plant species recovered from pellets. Data revealed that Indian Crested Porcupine consumed 31 plant species in its diet, among them Zea mays (34.31±7.76) was the most frequently selected species followed by Rumex obtusifolius (15.32±2.57) and Melia azedarach (12.83±4.79). The study revealed that the greatest diversity of (n=20) plant species were consumed in summer season while minimum (n=13) species were used during winter. Among the parts of plants, stem was highly consumed in spring (57.2%) as compared to seed in fall (36.7%) while spikes and leaf were the least recovered parts from the fecal matter. The Berger-Parker diversity index showed highly diversified food (10.92) in the summer time of the year as compared to the autumn season (2.95). This study provides a baseline for the diet preference of this pest in the study area. Based on current findings, a detailed investigation on damage assessment, exploration, habitat use and management of Indian Crested Porcupine in AJ&K has been recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Khan
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - N Irshad
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - B Ahmed
- Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - M R Khan
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - R A Minhas
- Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - U Ali
- Department of Zoology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - M Mahmood
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - A Muhammad
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - A A Sheikh
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K Pakistan
| | - N Ashraf
- Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad, AJ&K Pakistan
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Anoop NR, Sen S, Vinayan PA, Ganesh T. Native mammals disperse the highly invasive
Senna spectabilis
in the Western Ghats, India. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. R. Anoop
- Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Srirampura Benglauru India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education Manipal India
| | - Sandeep Sen
- Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Srirampura Benglauru India
| | - P. A. Vinayan
- Ferns – A society for Nature Conservation Mananthavady Wayanad, Kerala India
| | - Thyagarajan Ganesh
- Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Srirampura Benglauru India
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Lundgren EJ, Schowanek SD, Rowan J, Middleton O, Pedersen RØ, Wallach AD, Ramp D, Davis M, Sandom CJ, Svenning JC. Functional traits of the world's late Quaternary large-bodied avian and mammalian herbivores. Sci Data 2021; 8:17. [PMID: 33473149 PMCID: PMC7817692 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-020-00788-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prehistoric and recent extinctions of large-bodied terrestrial herbivores had significant and lasting impacts on Earth's ecosystems due to the loss of their distinct trait combinations. The world's surviving large-bodied avian and mammalian herbivores remain among the most threatened taxa. As such, a greater understanding of the ecological impacts of large herbivore losses is increasingly important. However, comprehensive and ecologically-relevant trait datasets for extinct and extant herbivores are lacking. Here, we present HerbiTraits, a comprehensive functional trait dataset for all late Quaternary terrestrial avian and mammalian herbivores ≥10 kg (545 species). HerbiTraits includes key traits that influence how herbivores interact with ecosystems, namely body mass, diet, fermentation type, habitat use, and limb morphology. Trait data were compiled from 557 sources and comprise the best available knowledge on late Quaternary large-bodied herbivores. HerbiTraits provides a tool for the analysis of herbivore functional diversity both past and present and its effects on Earth's ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick J Lundgren
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia.
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Simon D Schowanek
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - John Rowan
- Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Owen Middleton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK
| | - Rasmus Ø Pedersen
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Arian D Wallach
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Daniel Ramp
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Matt Davis
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | | | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Coppola F, Guerrieri D, Simoncini A, Varuzza P, Vecchio G, Felicioli A. Evidence of scavenging behaviour in crested porcupine. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12297. [PMID: 32704027 PMCID: PMC7378177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The vegetarian diet of many herbivorous mammals is supplemented with proteins of animal origin, especially in young individuals and in breeding females, to provide key proteins necessary for both growth and breeding. Among porcupine species, only the Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) has been observed to consume carrion flesh. From June to August 2019, a pigeon carcass was placed together with corn in 7 study settlements and near 2 monitored capture-traps, in order to assess the carrion flesh feeding habits of the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata). Scavenging behaviour was recorded on four occasions. All the recorded individuals were adults and at least one was female. This demonstrates that the crested porcupine occasionally does eat flesh. Such evidence raises important questions concerning the relationship between feeding habits and the physiological needs of this herbivorous rodent.
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Hystrix brachyura Bezoar Characterization, Antioxidant Activity Screening, and Anticancer Activity on Melanoma Cells (A375): A Preliminary Study. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:antiox8020039. [PMID: 30759849 PMCID: PMC6406421 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8020039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcupine bezoars (PBs) are masses of undigested calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract. There are undocumented claims that PBs have antioxidant activity and can treat cancers. However, limited scientific study has been carried out to verify these traditional claims. Hence, this study was conducted to characterize the chemical profile and validate the antioxidant and anticancer activity against melanoma cells (A375). PB extract was initially subjected to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography⁻mass spectrometry (GCMS), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) analyses. The bioautography of antioxidant assays, namely 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH), and β-carotene was performed. An in vitro A375 cell viability assay, apoptosis assay, cell cycle arrest assay, and gene expression assay were carried out as well. The experimental finding revealed 5,10-diethoxy-2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-1H,6H-dipyrrolo[1,2-a:1',2'-d]pyrazine, ursodeoxycholic acid, and cholest-5-en-3-ol (3 beta)-, carbonochloridate are major compounds detected in PB extract. PB extract has low phenolic content, viz. 698.7 ± 0.93 (µg GAE/5 mg dry weight). The bioautography antioxidant assays revealed a potent antioxidant effect (ABTS > DPPH > β-carotene), with free radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, PB extract exhibited dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cancer activity on A375 cells due to the exhibition of apoptosis via an intrinsic pathway.
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Mori E, Ancillotto L, Lovari S, Russo D, Nerva L, Mohamed WF, Motro Y, Di Bari P, Plebani M. Skull shape and Bergmann's rule in mammals: hints from Old World porcupines. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Mori
- Unità di Ricerca in Ecologia Comportamentale Etologia e Gestione della Fauna Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita Università di Siena Siena Italy
| | - L. Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Portici Italy
| | - S. Lovari
- Unità di Ricerca in Ecologia Comportamentale Etologia e Gestione della Fauna Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita Università di Siena Siena Italy
- Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma Grosseto Italy
| | - D. Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Portici Italy
| | - L. Nerva
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology CREA Conegliano Veneto (Treviso) Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection Torino Italy
| | - W. F. Mohamed
- Department of Biological and Geological Sciences Faculty of Education Ain Shams University Roxy, Cairo Egypt
| | - Y. Motro
- Vertebrate and Snail Division Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Rishon Leziyyon Israel
| | - P. Di Bari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche Geologiche e Ambientali – Università di Catania Catania Italy
| | - M. Plebani
- School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
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