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Margalida A, Almirall I, Negro JJ. New Insights into the Cosmetic Behaviour of Bearded Vultures: Ferruginous Springs Are Shared Sequentially. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2409. [PMID: 37570218 PMCID: PMC10416836 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of cosmetic behaviour of bearded vultures, being the signalling individual dominance status the most accepted. However, no advances have been made in understanding this mysterious behaviour, in part due to the secrecy of this species. With the help of camera traps and GPS devices we monitored the use of a ferruginous spring in the Pyrenees (Spain) providing new insights into this aspect of their behavioural ecology. Most of the visits (93.5%) involved a single bearded vulture and bathing behaviour only occurred when a single individual was present, confirming their secretive behaviour. A total of 50% of individuals that visited the site were non-adults, suggesting that cosmetic coloration functions as an attenuating signal that may also benefit subordinate individuals. Future studies with the help of new technologies could help to disentangle some questions about the real function of cosmetic coloration and their social relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), 22700 Jaca, Spain
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ivan Almirall
- Cos d’Agents Rurals, Àrea Bàsica del Pallars Jussà, 25620 Tremp, Spain;
| | - Juan J. Negro
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), 41092 Sevilla, Spain;
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Liu M, Wang Y, Xia F, Bu H, Liu Y, Shen X, Li S. Free-ranging livestock altered the spatiotemporal behavior of the endangered North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) and its prey and intensified human-leopard conflicts. Integr Zool 2023; 18:143-156. [PMID: 35195342 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Widespread distribution of livestock in the natural habitats of large carnivores may negatively impact carnivore populations by reducing wild prey availability and increasing human-carnivore conflicts. In this study, we used camera-trapping data collected in the temperate forests of the Taihang Mountains in North China during 2016-2019 to examine whether and how free-ranging cattle affected habitat use and Diel activity patterns of the endangered North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) and its 2 wild prey species, Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Residents were also interviewed to record livestock depredation events by leopards during 2015-2019. We found that roe deer spatially avoided sites frequented by cattle, but wild boar did not. In the growing seasons, leopards shared habitats with cattle and tended to increase their diurnal activities where cattle were present. All 3 study species exhibited fine-scale spatial-temporal segregation to cattle. Leopards selectively preyed on calves over adult cattle and livestock depredation frequency was positively correlated with the detection rates of cattle and wild prey, but not that of leopard. These findings not only show that through behavioral adaption large carnivores and their ungulate prey may persist under livestock disturbance, but also highlight how important proper livestock management is for conserving North Chinese leopards in this region. To enhance livestock management and mitigate human-leopard conflicts, we recommend specific actions, such as better guarding of free-ranging cattle or adoption of a captive farming system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhang Liu
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Lab, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiqing Wang
- Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Xia
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Lab, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance, Beijing, China
| | - Hongliang Bu
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Lab, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanlin Liu
- Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Lab, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Kawamura K, Jimbo M, Adachi K, Shirane Y, Nakanishi M, Umemura Y, Ishinazaka T, Uno H, Sashika M, Tsubota T, Shimozuru M. Diel and monthly activity pattern of brown bears and sika deer in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:1146-1156. [PMID: 35811130 PMCID: PMC9412065 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals exhibit several types of diel activity pattern, including nocturnal, diurnal,
crepuscular, and cathemeral. These patterns vary inter- and intra-specifically and are
affected by environmental factors, individual status, and interactions with other
individuals or species. Determining the factors that shape diel activity patterns is
challenging but essential for understanding the behavioral ecology of animal species, and
for wildlife conservation and management. Using camera-trap surveys, we investigated the
species distributions and activity patterns of terrestrial mammals on the Shiretoko
Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan, with particular focus on brown bears and sika deer. From June
to October 2019, a total of 7,530 observations were recorded by 65 camera-traps for eight
species, including two alien species. The diel activity pattern of brown bears was
diurnal/crepuscular, similar to that of bears in North America, but different from
European populations. Bear observations were more frequent during the autumnal hyperphagia
period, and adult females and sub-adults were more diurnal than adult males. In addition,
bears inside the protected area were more diurnal than those outside it. These findings
suggest that appetite motivation, competitive interactions between conspecifics, and human
activities potentially affect bear activity patterns. Similar to other sika deer
populations and other deer species, the diel activity patterns of sika deer were
crepuscular. Deer showed less variation in activity patterns among months and sex-age
classes, while adult males were observed more frequently during the autumn copulation
period, suggesting that reproductive motivation affects their activity patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Kawamura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Mina Jimbo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | | | - Yuri Shirane
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University.,Hokkaido Research Organization
| | | | | | | | - Hiroyuki Uno
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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Curveira-Santos G, Sutherland C, Tenan S, Fernández-Chacón A, Mann GKH, Pitman RT, Swanepoel LH. Mesocarnivore community structuring in the presence of Africa's apex predator. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202379. [PMID: 33715442 PMCID: PMC7944110 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Apex predator reintroductions have proliferated across southern Africa, yet their ecological effects and proposed umbrella benefits of associated management lack empirical evaluations. Despite a rich theory on top-down ecosystem regulation via mesopredator suppression, a knowledge gap exists relating to the influence of lions (Panthera leo) over Africa's diverse mesocarnivore (less than 20 kg) communities. We investigate how geographical variation in mesocarnivore community richness and occupancy across South African reserves is associated with the presence of lions. An interesting duality emerged: lion reserves held more mesocarnivore-rich communities, yet mesocarnivore occupancy rates and evenness-weighted diversity were lower in the presence of lions. Human population density in the reserve surroundings had a similarly ubiquitous negative effect on mesocarnivore occupancy. The positive association between species richness and lion presence corroborated the umbrella species concept but translated into small differences in community size. Distributional contractions of mesocarnivore species within lion reserves, and potentially corresponding numerical reductions, suggest within-community mesopredator suppression by lions, probably as a result of lethal encounters and responses to a landscape of fear. Our findings offer empirical support for the theoretical understanding of processes underpinning carnivore community assembly and are of conservation relevance under current large-predator orientated management and conservation paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Curveira-Santos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes – cE3c, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Simone Tenan
- National Research Council, Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), Arsenale, Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venezia, Italy
| | - Albert Fernández-Chacón
- Centre for Coastal Research, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Gareth K. H. Mann
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Ross T. Pitman
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Lourens H. Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, 0950 Thohoyandou, South Africa
- African Institute for Conservation Ecology, 0929 Levubu, South Africa
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Payne A, Ogweng P, Ojok A, Etter E, Gilot-Fromont E, Masembe C, Ståhl K, Jori F. Comparison of Three Methods to Assess the Potential for Bushpig-Domestic Pig Interactions at the Wildlife-Livestock Interface in Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:295. [PMID: 30619893 PMCID: PMC6305579 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bushpigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) are considered a nuisance to farmers because of their crop raiding habits. Through their incursions into farmlands, they may interact with free-ranging domestic pigs and potentially cause transmission of infectious diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF). The role of the bushpig in the epidemiology of ASF is poorly known and one of the gaps of knowledge is precisely the nature of interaction between bushpigs and domestic pigs. Thus, in this study, we investigated the frequency of bushpig visits to crop fields in rural communities where ASF is endemic, at the edge of a wildlife protected area in northwestern Uganda, to better understand the potential for interaction and disease transmission. We used three methods (questionnaires, camera traps, and observations for tracks) to assess bushpig visits to farmland. These methods were implemented concurrently in 28 farms during rainy and dry seasons. The results obtained by each of the three methods were analyzed by generalized linear mixed models. Potential risk factors including crop type, season, and landscape characteristics related to bushpig ecology were tested as explanatory variables. A generalized linear model and the Kendall test were used to compare the results and consistency of the frequency values obtained by the three methods. A high percentage (75%) of interviewed farmers reported visits from bushpigs in 29.6% of assessed crops (n = 145), and a frequency of 0.014 +/-0.05 visits per night was obtained through camera-trapping. Bushpig tracks were detected in 36% of sessions of observation. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crop fields were the most visited, and these visits were more common during the rainy than the dry season. Distances from crop sites to the boundary of the protected area and to the river also influenced visit frequency. Camera-trapping was the least sensitive method while questionnaires and track observations presented consistent and complementary results to characterize spatial and temporal visits of bushpig into the crop fields. Evidence from our study shows that when used in combination, these methods can provide useful data to improve our understanding of the interactions between bushpigs and domestic pigs at the wildlife-domestic interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Payne
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Ogweng
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alfred Ojok
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eric Etter
- UMR ASTRE CIRAD-INRA, Department of Production Animals Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Emmanuelle Gilot-Fromont
- Lyon University, CNRS, Lyon 1 University, VetAgro Sup, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive UMR 5558, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Charles Masembe
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Karl Ståhl
- Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, SVA, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ferran Jori
- UMR ASTRE CIRAD-INRA, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
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