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Nicvert L, Donnet S, Keith M, Peel M, Somers MJ, Swanepoel LH, Venter J, Fritz H, Dray S. Using the multivariate Hawkes process to study interactions between multiple species from camera trap data. Ecology 2024; 105:e4237. [PMID: 38369779 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4237] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Interspecific interactions can influence species' activity and movement patterns. In particular, species may avoid or attract each other through reactive responses in space and/or time. However, data and methods to study such reactive interactions have remained scarce and were generally limited to two interacting species. At this time, the deployment of camera traps opens new opportunities but adapted statistical techniques are still required to analyze interaction patterns with such data. We present the multivariate Hawkes process (MHP) and show how it can be used to analyze interactions between several species using camera trap data. Hawkes processes use flexible pairwise interaction functions, allowing us to consider asymmetries and variations over time when depicting reactive temporal interactions. After describing the theoretical foundations of the MHP, we outline how its framework can be used to study interspecific interactions with camera trap data. We design a simulation study to evaluate the performance of the MHP and of another existing method to infer interactions from camera trap-like data. We also use the MHP to infer reactive interactions from real camera trap data for five species from South African savannas (impala Aepyceros melampus, greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, lion Panthera leo, blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus and Burchell's zebra Equus quagga burchelli). The simulation study shows that the MHP can be used as a tool to benchmark other methods of interspecific interaction inference and that this model can reliably infer interactions when enough data are considered. The analysis of real data highlights evidence of predator avoidance by prey and herbivore-herbivore attraction. Lastly, we present the advantages and limits of the MHP and discuss how it can be improved to infer attraction/avoidance patterns more reliably. As camera traps are increasingly used, the multivariate Hawkes process provides a promising framework to decipher the complexity of interactions structuring ecological communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Nicvert
- Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, LBBE, UMR 5558, CNRS, VAS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sophie Donnet
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, UMR MIA Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, France
| | - Mark Keith
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mike Peel
- Agricultural Research Council, Animal Production Institute, Rangeland Ecology, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystems Research Unit, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Michael J Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lourens H Swanepoel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Jan Venter
- Department of Conservation Management, Faculty of Science, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, CNRS-NMU-UCBL, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Hervé Fritz
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, CNRS-NMU-UCBL, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Stéphane Dray
- Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, LBBE, UMR 5558, CNRS, VAS, Villeurbanne, France
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Clements HS, Do Linh San E, Hempson G, Linden B, Maritz B, Monadjem A, Reynolds C, Siebert F, Stevens N, Biggs R, De Vos A, Blanchard R, Child M, Esler KJ, Hamann M, Loft T, Reyers B, Selomane O, Skowno AL, Tshoke T, Abdoulaye D, Aebischer T, Aguirre-Gutiérrez J, Alexander GJ, Ali AH, Allan DG, Amoako EE, Angedakin S, Aruna E, Avenant NL, Badjedjea G, Bakayoko A, Bamba-Kaya A, Bates MF, Bates PJJ, Belmain SR, Bennitt E, Bradley J, Brewster CA, Brown MB, Brown M, Bryja J, Butynski TM, Carvalho F, Channing A, Chapman CA, Cohen C, Cords M, Cramer JD, Cronk N, Cunneyworth PMK, Dalerum F, Danquah E, Davies-Mostert HT, de Blocq AD, De Jong YA, Demos TC, Denys C, Djagoun CAMS, Doherty-Bone TM, Drouilly M, du Toit JT, Ehlers Smith DA, Ehlers Smith YC, Eiseb SJ, Fashing PJ, Ferguson AW, Fernández-García JM, Finckh M, Fischer C, Gandiwa E, Gaubert P, Gaugris JY, Gibbs DJ, Gilchrist JS, Gil-Sánchez JM, Githitho AN, Goodman PS, Granjon L, Grobler JP, Gumbi BC, Gvozdik V, Harvey J, Hauptfleisch M, Hayder F, Hema EM, Herbst M, Houngbédji M, Huntley BJ, Hutterer R, Ivande ST, Jackson K, Jongsma GFM, Juste J, Kadjo B, Kaleme PK, Kamugisha E, Kaplin BA, Kato HN, Kiffner C, Kimuyu DM, Kityo RM, Kouamé NG, Kouete T M, le Roux A, Lee ATK, Lötter MC, Lykke AM, MacFadyen DN, Macharia GP, Madikiza ZJK, Mahlaba TAM, Mallon D, Mamba ML, Mande C, Marchant RA, Maritz RA, Markotter W, McIntyre T, Measey J, Mekonnen A, Meller P, Melville HI, Mganga KZ, Mills MGL, Minnie L, Missoup AD, Mohammad A, Moinde NN, Moise BFE, Monterroso P, Moore JF, Musila S, Nago SGA, Namoto MW, Niang F, Nicolas V, Nkenku JB, Nkrumah EE, Nono GL, Norbert MM, Nowak K, Obitte BC, Okoni-Williams AD, Onongo J, O'Riain MJ, Osinubi ST, Parker DM, Parrini F, Peel MJS, Penner J, Pietersen DW, Plumptre AJ, Ponsonby DW, Porembski S, Power RJ, Radloff FGT, Rambau RV, Ramesh T, Richards LR, Rödel MO, Rollinson DP, Rovero F, Saleh MA, Schmiedel U, Schoeman MC, Scholte P, Serfass TL, Shapiro JT, Shema S, Siebert SJ, Slingsby JA, Sliwa A, Smit-Robinson HA, Sogbohossou EA, Somers MJ, Spawls S, Streicher JP, Swanepoel L, Tanshi I, Taylor PJ, Taylor WA, Te Beest M, Telfer PT, Thompson DI, Tobi E, Tolley KA, Turner AA, Twine W, Van Cakenberghe V, Van de Perre F, van der Merwe H, van Niekerk CJG, van Wyk PCV, Venter JA, Verburgt L, Veron G, Vetter S, Vorontsova MS, Wagner TC, Webala PW, Weber N, Weier SM, White PA, Whitecross MA, Wigley BJ, Willems FJ, Winterbach CW, Woodhouse GM. The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa's major land uses. Sci Data 2024; 11:191. [PMID: 38346970 PMCID: PMC10861571 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02832-6] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species' population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate 'intactness scores': the remaining proportion of an 'intact' reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region's major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley S Clements
- Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
- Helsinki Lab of Interdisciplinary Conservation Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Emmanuel Do Linh San
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Gareth Hempson
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Institute of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Birthe Linden
- Chair in Biodiversity Value & Change, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Bryan Maritz
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ara Monadjem
- Biological Sciences, University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni, Eswatini
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Chevonne Reynolds
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Frances Siebert
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Nicola Stevens
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Reinette Biggs
- Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alta De Vos
- Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Ryan Blanchard
- Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Fynbos Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Matthew Child
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karen J Esler
- Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Maike Hamann
- Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Centre for Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Ty Loft
- School of Geography and the Environment, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Belinda Reyers
- Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Odirilwe Selomane
- Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew L Skowno
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tshegofatso Tshoke
- Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | | | - Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Graham J Alexander
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - David G Allan
- Bird Department, Durban Natural Science Museum, Durban, South Africa
| | - Esther E Amoako
- Department of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Samuel Angedakin
- Department of Environmental Management, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward Aruna
- Biodiversity Conservation, Reptile and Amphibian Program - Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Nico L Avenant
- Department of Mammalogy, National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Gabriel Badjedjea
- Aquatic Ecology, University of Kisangani/Biodiversity Monitoring Center, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Adama Bakayoko
- UFR Sciences de la Nature, Universite NanguiI Abrogoua, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Abraham Bamba-Kaya
- Institut de Recherches Agronomiques et Forestières (IRAF), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CENAREST), Libreville, Gabon
| | - Michael F Bates
- Department of Animal and Plant Systematics, National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | | | - Steven R Belmain
- Agriculture, Health and Environment, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, Maritime, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Bennitt
- Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana
| | - James Bradley
- Kalahari Research and Conservation, Botswana, Botswana
| | | | | | - Michelle Brown
- Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Josef Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Thomas M Butynski
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Filipe Carvalho
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- BIOPOLIS-CIBIO/InBIO, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alan Channing
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | | | - Callan Cohen
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Marina Cords
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Nadine Cronk
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Biodiversity Research Institute (CSIC-UO-PA), Mieres, Spain
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emmanuel Danquah
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Harriet T Davies-Mostert
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Conserve Global, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Yvonne A De Jong
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Terrence C Demos
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Christiane Denys
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Chabi A M S Djagoun
- Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Ecology, University of Abomey Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Thomas M Doherty-Bone
- Conservation Programs, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marine Drouilly
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Panthera, New York, USA
| | - Johan T du Toit
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - David A Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Yvette C Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Seth J Eiseb
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Science, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Peter J Fashing
- Anthropology Department & Environmental Studies Program, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, United States of America
| | - Adam W Ferguson
- Gantz Family Collection Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Manfred Finckh
- Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claude Fischer
- Nature Management, University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland, Geneva, Jussy, Switzerland
| | - Edson Gandiwa
- Scientific Services, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Philippe Gaubert
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, IRD/CNRS/UPS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, cedex, 9, France
| | - Jerome Y Gaugris
- Flora Fauna & Man, Ecological Services Limited, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | | | - Jason S Gilchrist
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | | | | | | | - Laurent Granjon
- CBGP, IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Bonginkosi C Gumbi
- Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Vaclav Gvozdik
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, National Museum of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Morgan Hauptfleisch
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Firas Hayder
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel M Hema
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences Appliquées et Technologies (UFR-SAT), Université de Dédougou, Dédougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Marna Herbst
- Conservation Services, South African National Parks, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mariano Houngbédji
- Organisation pour le Développement Durable et la Biodiversité, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Brian J Huntley
- CIBIO-Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, University of Porto, Vairao, Portugal
| | | | - Samuel T Ivande
- A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Kate Jackson
- Biology Department, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA, USA
| | | | - Javier Juste
- Evolutionary Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Seville, Spain; CIBER, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
| | - Blaise Kadjo
- Natural habitats and biodiversity management, University Félix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Prince K Kaleme
- Department of Biology, CRSN/ LWIRO, DS Bukavu, DR Congo, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Beth A Kaplin
- Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, University of Rwanda, Huye, Rwanda
| | - Humphrey N Kato
- Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Christian Kiffner
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Duncan M Kimuyu
- Department of Natural Resources, Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya
| | - Robert M Kityo
- Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - N'goran G Kouamé
- UFR Environnement, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Tropicale, Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Marcel Kouete T
- Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Aliza le Roux
- Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa campus, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
| | - Alan T K Lee
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | - Mervyn C Lötter
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Duncan N MacFadyen
- Research and Conservation, Oppenheimer Generations, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Zimkitha J K Madikiza
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - David Mallon
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mnqobi L Mamba
- Biological Sciences, University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni, Eswatini
| | - Claude Mande
- Department of Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Rob A Marchant
- York institute for Tropical Ecosystems, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Robin A Maritz
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- Conservation Alpha, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Trevor McIntyre
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Roodepoort, South Africa
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Institute of Biodiversity, Yunnan University, Kunming, UMR7179, China
- MECADEV CNRS/MNHN, Département Adaptations du Vivant, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Bâtiment d'Anatomie Comparée, Paris, France
| | - Addisu Mekonnen
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Paulina Meller
- Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Haemish I Melville
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Kevin Z Mganga
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael G L Mills
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa
| | - Liaan Minnie
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - Alain Didier Missoup
- Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms, Zoology Unit, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Abubakr Mohammad
- Researcher, Conflict and Environmental Observatory, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy N Moinde
- Conservation Biology, Institute of Primate Research-National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Pedro Monterroso
- Wildlife Conservation Ecology Research Group, CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairã, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- African Parks, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Simon Musila
- Mammalogy Section-Department of Zoology, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sedjro Gilles A Nago
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, de Botanique et de Biologie végétale, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
| | - Maganizo W Namoto
- Indigenous Woodland Strategy Area, Forestry Research Institute of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Fatimata Niang
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Technology and Sciences, University Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Violaine Nicolas
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Jerry B Nkenku
- Departement of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Evans E Nkrumah
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Gonwouo L Nono
- Department of Animal Biologie and Physiologie, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Mulavwa M Norbert
- Primatology, Center for Research in Ecology and Forestry (CREF), Bikoro, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Katarzyna Nowak
- Białowieża Geobotanical Station, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Benneth C Obitte
- Small Mammal Conservation Organization, Benin City, Nigeria
- Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, United States of America
| | | | | | - M Justin O'Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Samuel T Osinubi
- Białowieża Geobotanical Station, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Daniel M Parker
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa
| | - Francesca Parrini
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mike J S Peel
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Animal Production Institute, Rangeland Ecology, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences: Department of Environmental Sciences (ABEERU), University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Johannes Penner
- Frogs & Friends, Berlin, Germany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology & Management, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Darren W Pietersen
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew J Plumptre
- KBA Secretariat, c/o BirdLife International, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Damian W Ponsonby
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stefan Porembski
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - R John Power
- Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, North West Provincial Government, Mahikeng, South Africa
| | - Frans G T Radloff
- Department of Conservation and Marine Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ramugondo V Rambau
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Tharmalingam Ramesh
- Division of Conservation Ecology, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, India
| | - Leigh R Richards
- Mammalogy Department, Durban Natural Science Museum, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Herpetology, Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominic P Rollinson
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Francesco Rovero
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | | | - M Corrie Schoeman
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Paul Scholte
- Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Thomas L Serfass
- Department of Biology and Natural Resources, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, USA
| | - Julie Teresa Shapiro
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Sidney Shema
- Ornithology Section, Zoology Department, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stefan J Siebert
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Jasper A Slingsby
- Fynbos Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biological Sciences and Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Hanneline A Smit-Robinson
- Conservation Division, BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit (ABEERU), University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | | | - Michael J Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Jarryd P Streicher
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Lourens Swanepoel
- Department of Biology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Iroro Tanshi
- Small Mammal Conservation Organization, Benin City, Nigeria
- Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Peter J Taylor
- Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa campus, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
| | | | - Mariska Te Beest
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
- Grasslands-Forests-Wetlands Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | | | - Dave I Thompson
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Ndlovu Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network, Phalaborwa, South Africa
| | - Elie Tobi
- Gabon Biodiversity Program, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Conservation and Sustainability, Gamba, Gabon
| | - Krystal A Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew A Turner
- Biodiversity Capabilities Directorate, CapeNature, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wayne Twine
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Victor Van Cakenberghe
- FunMorph Lab, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- AfricanBats NPC, Centurion, South Africa
| | | | - Helga van der Merwe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Arid Lands Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network, Kimberley, South Africa
| | - Chris J G van Niekerk
- NWU Botanical Garden, School of Biological Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Pieter C V van Wyk
- Richtersveld Desert Botanical Gardens, Richtersveld National Park, SANParks, Sendelingsdrift, South Africa
| | - Jan A Venter
- Department of Conservation Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Luke Verburgt
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Geraldine Veron
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Susanne Vetter
- Department of Botany, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Maria S Vorontsova
- Accelerated Taxonomy, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas C Wagner
- Restoration Ecology, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Paul W Webala
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Maasai Mara University, Narok, Kenya
| | - Natalie Weber
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Ecological Consultant, Fürth, Germany
| | - Sina M Weier
- SARChI (NRF-DST) Research Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Paula A White
- Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Melissa A Whitecross
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Landscape Conservation Programme, BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Benjamin J Wigley
- Plant Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- Scientific Services, South African National Parks, Skukuza, South Africa
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3
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Stone HK, Mitsnefes M, Dickinson K, Burrows EK, Razzaghi H, Luna IY, Gluck CA, Dixon BP, Dharnidharka VR, Smoyer WE, Somers MJ, Flynn JT, Furth SL, Bailey C, Forrest CB, Denburg M, Nehus E. Clinical course and management of children with IgA vasculitis with nephritis. Pediatr Nephrol 2023; 38:3721-3733. [PMID: 37316676 PMCID: PMC10514113 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-06023-8] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IgA vasculitis is the most common vasculitis in children and is often complicated by acute nephritis (IgAVN). Risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among children with IgAVN remains unknown. This study aimed to describe the clinical management and kidney outcomes in a large cohort of children with IgAVN. METHODS This observational cohort study used the PEDSnet database to identify children diagnosed with IgAV between January 1, 2009, and February 29, 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among children with and without kidney involvement. For children followed by nephrology, clinical course, and management patterns were described. Patients were divided into four categories based on treatment: observation, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade, corticosteroids, and other immunosuppression, and outcomes were compared among these groups. RESULTS A total of 6802 children had a diagnosis of IgAV, of whom 1139 (16.7%) were followed by nephrology for at least 2 visits over a median follow-up period of 1.7 years [0.4,4.2]. Conservative management was the most predominant practice pattern, consisting of observation in 57% and RAAS blockade in 6%. Steroid monotherapy was used in 29% and other immunosuppression regimens in 8%. Children receiving immunosuppression had higher rates of proteinuria and hypertension compared to those managed with observation (p < 0.001). At the end of follow-up, 2.6 and 0.5% developed CKD and kidney failure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Kidney outcomes over a limited follow-up period were favorable in a large cohort of children with IgAV. Immunosuppressive medications were used in those with more severe presentations and may have contributed to improved outcomes. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillarey K Stone
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 7022, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Mark Mitsnefes
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 7022, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kimberley Dickinson
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Evanette K Burrows
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hanieh Razzaghi
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ingrid Y Luna
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caroline A Gluck
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Bradley P Dixon
- Renal Section, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vikas R Dharnidharka
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - William E Smoyer
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael J Somers
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph T Flynn
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Susan L Furth
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Charles Bailey
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher B Forrest
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michelle Denburg
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Edward Nehus
- Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University Charleston Campus, Charleston, WV, USA
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Allen BL, Bobier C, Dawson S, Fleming PJS, Hampton J, Jachowski D, Kerley GIH, Linnell JDC, Marnewick K, Minnie L, Muthersbaugh M, O'Riain MJ, Parker D, Proulx G, Somers MJ, Titus K. Why humans kill animals and why we cannot avoid it. Sci Total Environ 2023; 896:165283. [PMID: 37406694 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165283] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Killing animals has been a ubiquitous human behaviour throughout history, yet it is becoming increasingly controversial and criticised in some parts of contemporary human society. Here we review 10 primary reasons why humans kill animals, discuss the necessity (or not) of these forms of killing, and describe the global ecological context for human killing of animals. Humans historically and currently kill animals either directly or indirectly for the following reasons: (1) wild harvest or food acquisition, (2) human health and safety, (3) agriculture and aquaculture, (4) urbanisation and industrialisation, (5) invasive, overabundant or nuisance wildlife control, (6) threatened species conservation, (7) recreation, sport or entertainment, (8) mercy or compassion, (9) cultural and religious practice, and (10) research, education and testing. While the necessity of some forms of animal killing is debatable and further depends on individual values, we emphasise that several of these forms of animal killing are a necessary component of our inescapable involvement in a single, functioning, finite, global food web. We conclude that humans (and all other animals) cannot live in a way that does not require animal killing either directly or indirectly, but humans can modify some of these killing behaviours in ways that improve the welfare of animals while they are alive, or to reduce animal suffering whenever they must be killed. We encourage a constructive dialogue that (1) accepts and permits human participation in one enormous global food web dependent on animal killing and (2) focuses on animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Doing so will improve the lives of both wild and domestic animals to a greater extent than efforts to avoid, prohibit or vilify human animal-killing behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Allen
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6034, South Africa.
| | - Christopher Bobier
- Department of Theology and Philosophy, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona, MN, USA
| | - Stuart Dawson
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, Western Australia 6151, Australia
| | - Peter J S Fleming
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia; Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia
| | - Jordan Hampton
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Graham I H Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6034, South Africa
| | - John D C Linnell
- Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, Vormstuguveien 40, 2624 Lillehammer, Norway; Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Anne Evenstads vei 80, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Kelly Marnewick
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Liaan Minnie
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6034, South Africa; School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
| | - Mike Muthersbaugh
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - M Justin O'Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Upper Campus, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - Dan Parker
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
| | - Gilbert Proulx
- Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd, Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 1W3, Canada
| | - Michael J Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Keifer Titus
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
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5
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Smith K, Venter JA, Peel M, Keith M, Somers MJ. Temporal partitioning and the potential for avoidance behaviour within South African carnivore communities. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10380. [PMID: 37593758 PMCID: PMC10427775 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10380] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnivora occupy many ecological niches fundamental to ecosystem functioning. Within this diverse order, carnivore species compete to establish dominance, ensure survival and maintain fitness. Subordinate carnivores must, therefore, adapt their behaviour to coexist with dominant species. One such strategy is the partitioning of temporal activity patterns. We aim to determine interspecific avoidance patterns among sympatric carnivores by examining coexistence along a temporal axis. We compared the temporal activity patterns of 13 carnivore species using multi-seasonal camera trapping data from four protected areas across South Africa: Associated Private Nature Reserves, Madikwe Game Reserve, Mountain Zebra National Park and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Interspecific coefficients of overlap in diel and core activity periods were calculated over the study period and during the wet and dry seasons. Furthermore, interspecific spatiotemporal behaviour was examined using time-to-event analyses. Our results showed that complete avoidance of diel activity patterns was rare among South African carnivore species. Most species were predominantly nocturnal and, therefore, diel activity overlap was high, whereas core activity overlap was significantly lower (p < .001). Diel activity overlap was significantly lower during the dry than wet seasons (p = .045). Lastly, evidence of spatiotemporal aggregation revolved around scavenging species. We show the importance of seasonality in the temporal avoidance behaviours of South African carnivores while highlighting the need for fine-scaled behavioural analyses. Overall, we show that the daily activity patterns of most subordinate South African carnivore species are not influenced by top-down forces in the form of competitional suppression and risk exerted by dominant species. If avoidance is required, it is more likely to manifest as fine-scaled avoidance of core activity periods. We suggest that the focus on core activity periods might be a more suitable tool for interspecific temporal partitioning research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Smith
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Jan A. Venter
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
- Department of Conservation Management, Faculty of Science, George CampusNelson Mandela UniversityGeorgeSouth Africa
| | - Mike Peel
- ARC‐Animal Production InstituteRangeland Ecology GroupNelspruitSouth Africa
- School for Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystem Research UnitUniversity of South AfricaFloridaSouth Africa
| | - Mark Keith
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
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Visser F, Drouilly M, Moodley Y, Michaux JR, Somers MJ. Mismatch between conservation needs and actual representation of lions from West and Central Africa in in situ and ex situ conservation. Conserv Lett 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
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7
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Claes DJ, Richardson T, Harer MW, Keswani M, Neu A, Mahon ACR, Somers MJ, Traum AZ, Warady BA. Survival of neonates born with kidney failure during the initial hospitalization. Pediatr Nephrol 2023; 38:583-591. [PMID: 35655038 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-022-05626-x] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survival to hospital discharge in neonates born with kidney failure has not been previously described. METHODS This was a retrospective, observational analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database from 2005 to 2019. Primary outcome was survival at discharge; secondary outcomes were hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS). Univariate analysis was performed to describe the population by birth weight (BW) and characterize survival; multivariable generalized liner mixed modeling assuming a binomial distribution and logit link was performed to identify mortality risk factors. RESULTS Of 213 neonates born with kidney failure (median BW 2714 g; GA 35 weeks; 68% male), 4 (1.9%) did not receive dialysis or peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placement, 152 (72.9%) received PD only, 49 (23.4%) received PD plus extracorporeal dialysis (ECD), and 8 (3.4%) were treated with an undocumented dialysis modality. Median age at dialysis initiation was 7 days; median hospital LOS and ICU LOS were 84 and 69 days, respectively. One-hundred and sixty-two patients (76%) survived to discharge. Non-survivors (n = 51) were more likely to have received ECD and mechanical ventilation, and had a longer duration of mechanical ventilation. Every day of mechanical ventilation increased the mortality odds by 2% (n = 189; adjusted OR 1.02; 1.01, 1.03); in addition, the odds of mortality were 2 times higher in those who received ECD vs. only PD (adjusted OR 2.25; 1.04, 4.86). CONCLUSIONS Survival to initial hospital discharge occurs in the majority of neonates born with kidney failure. Predictors of increased mortality included longer duration of mechanical ventilation, as well as the requirement for ECD. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna J Claes
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 7022, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| | | | - Matthew W Harer
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mahima Keswani
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alicia Neu
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, The John's Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Allison C Redpath Mahon
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael J Somers
- Division of Nephrology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Avram Z Traum
- Division of Nephrology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley A Warady
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
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8
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Gluck CA, Forrest CB, Davies AG, Maltenfort M, Mcdonald JR, Mitsnefes M, Dharnidharka VR, Dixon BP, Flynn JT, Somers MJ, Smoyer WE, Neu A, Hovinga CA, Skversky AL, Eissing T, Kaiser A, Breitenstein S, Furth SL, Denburg MR. Evaluating Kidney Function Decline in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease Using a Multi-Institutional Electronic Health Record Database. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 18:173-182. [PMID: 36754006 PMCID: PMC10103199 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.0000000000000051] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to use electronic health record data from a US national multicenter pediatric network to identify a large cohort of children with CKD, evaluate CKD progression, and examine clinical risk factors for kidney function decline. METHODS This retrospective cohort study identified children seen between January 1, 2009, to February 28, 2022. Data were from six pediatric health systems in PEDSnet. We identified children aged 18 months to 18 years who met criteria for CKD: two eGFR values <90 and ≥15 ml/min per 1.73 m2 separated by ≥90 days without an intervening value ≥90. CKD progression was defined as a composite outcome: eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m2, ≥50% eGFR decline, long-term dialysis, or kidney transplant. Subcohorts were defined based on CKD etiology: glomerular, nonglomerular, or malignancy. We assessed the association of hypertension (≥2 visits with hypertension diagnosis code) and proteinuria (≥1 urinalysis with ≥1+ protein) within 2 years of cohort entrance on the composite outcome. RESULTS Among 7,148,875 children, we identified 11,240 (15.7 per 10,000) with CKD (median age 11 years, 50% female). The median follow-up was 5.1 (interquartile range 2.8-8.3) years, the median initial eGFR was 75.3 (interquartile range 61-83) ml/min per 1.73 m2, 37% had proteinuria, and 35% had hypertension. The following were associated with CKD progression: lower eGFR category (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.44 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.23 to 1.69], aHR 2.38 [95% CI, 2.02 to 2.79], aHR 5.75 [95% CI, 5.05 to 6.55] for eGFR 45-59 ml/min per 1.73 m2, 30-44 ml/min per 1.73 m2, 15-29 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at cohort entrance, respectively, when compared with eGFR 60-89 ml/min per 1.73 m2), glomerular disease (aHR 2.01 [95% CI, 1.78 to 2.28]), malignancy (aHR 1.79 [95% CI, 1.52 to 2.11]), proteinuria (aHR 2.23 [95% CI, 1.89 to 2.62]), hypertension (aHR 1.49 [95% CI, 1.22 to 1.82]), proteinuria and hypertension together (aHR 3.98 [95% CI, 3.40 to 4.68]), count of complex chronic comorbidities (aHR 1.07 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.10] per additional comorbid body system), male sex (aHR 1.16 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.28]), and younger age at cohort entrance (aHR 0.95 [95% CI, 0.94 to 0.96] per year older). CONCLUSIONS In large-scale real-world data for children with CKD, disease etiology, albuminuria, hypertension, age, male sex, lower eGFR, and greater medical complexity at start of follow-up were associated with more rapid decline in kidney function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A. Gluck
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - Christopher B. Forrest
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amy Goodwin Davies
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mitchell Maltenfort
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jill R. Mcdonald
- Applied Clinical Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark Mitsnefes
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Vikas R. Dharnidharka
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Hypertension, Pheresis, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Bradley P. Dixon
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Joseph T. Flynn
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Boston Children's, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William E. Smoyer
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Alicia Neu
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Collin A. Hovinga
- Clinical and Scientific Development, Institute for Advanced Clinical Trials for Children, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Amy L. Skversky
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Leverkusen/Wuppertal/Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Eissing
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Leverkusen/Wuppertal/Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Kaiser
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Leverkusen/Wuppertal/Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Breitenstein
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Leverkusen/Wuppertal/Berlin, Germany
| | - Susan L. Furth
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Division of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michelle R. Denburg
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Division of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Marneweck DG, Druce DJ, Cromsigt JPGM, le Roux E, Somers MJ. The relative role of intrinsic and extrinsic drivers in regulating population change and survival of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00281-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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10
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Marneweck CJ, Allen BL, Butler AR, Do Linh San E, Harris SN, Jensen AJ, Saldo EA, Somers MJ, Titus K, Muthersbaugh M, Vanak A, Jachowski DS. Middle‐out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney J. Marneweck
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Benjamin L. Allen
- Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350 Australia
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth 6034 South Africa
| | - Andrew R. Butler
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Emmanuel Do Linh San
- Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Fort Hare Alice 5700 South Africa
| | - Stephen N. Harris
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Alex J. Jensen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Saldo
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria Pretoria 0002 South Africa
| | - Keifer Titus
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Michael Muthersbaugh
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Abi Vanak
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Bengaluru 560064 India
- School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal 3629 South Africa
| | - David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
- School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal 3629 South Africa
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11
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Evers EEM, Pretorius ME, Venter JA, Honiball TL, Keith M, Mgqatsa N, Somers MJ. Varying degrees of spatio-temporal partitioning among large carnivores in a fenced reserve, South Africa. Wildl Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/wr21045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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12
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Webster AB, Pretorius ME, Somers MJ. The Determinants of Mesocarnivore Activity Patterns in Highveld Grassland and Riparian Habitats. African Journal of Wildlife Research 2021. [DOI: 10.3957/056.051.0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea B. Webster
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte E. Pretorius
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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13
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Honiball TL, Somers MJ, Fritz H, Venter JA. Feeding Ecology of the Large Carnivore Guild in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 2021. [DOI: 10.3957/056.051.0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Terry-Lee Honiball
- Department of Nature Conservation Management, George Campus, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Hervé Fritz
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, CNRS-NMU-UCBL, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Jan A. Venter
- Department of Nature Conservation Management, George Campus, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
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14
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Alexander GJ, Tolley KA, Maritz B, McKechnie A, Manger P, Thomson RL, Schradin C, Fuller A, Meyer L, Hetem RS, Cherry M, Conradie W, Bauer AM, Maphisa D, O'Riain J, Parker DM, Mlambo MC, Bronner G, Madikiza K, Engelbrecht A, Lee AT, Jansen van Vuuren B, Mandiwana-Neudani TG, Pietersen D, Venter JA, Somers MJ, Slotow R, Strauss WM, Humphries MS, Ryan PG, Kerley GI. Excessive red tape is strangling biodiversity research in South Africa. S AFR J SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2021/10787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Graham J. Alexander
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bryan Maritz
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew McKechnie
- South African Research Chair in Conservation Physiology, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Paul Manger
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Robert L. Thomson
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carsten Schradin
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- IPHC, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Leith Meyer
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Robyn S. Hetem
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michael Cherry
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Department of Nature Conservation Management, Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Aaron M. Bauer
- Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Maphisa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
- .Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Justin O'Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Daniel M. Parker
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa
- Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Musa C. Mlambo
- Department of Freshwater Invertebrates, Albany Museum, Makhanda, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Gary Bronner
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kim Madikiza
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Adriaan Engelbrecht
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alan T.K. Lee
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Darren Pietersen
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jan A. Venter
- Department of Nature Conservation Management, Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rob Slotow
- School of Life Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - W. Maartin Strauss
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Marc S. Humphries
- School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Peter G. Ryan
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Graham I.H. Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
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15
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Abstract
Abstract
Understanding the diving behavior of semiaquatic mammals, particularly in relation to estimated aerobic dive limits and diet, is important to understand their adaptability and potential vulnerability to changes in prey type and distribution. The diving behavior of African clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, and spotted-necked otters, Hydrictis maculicollis, is poorly known, and no estimates of their dive performance in relation to targeted prey and calculated dive limits have been reported previously for freshwater environments. We investigated the diving behavior of both these otter species in freshwater environments within South Africa through video recordings of direct observations and subsequent video analyses where dive and recovery durations and dive function were recorded. African clawless otters were found to perform longer dives (mean ± SD = 26.9 ± 12.2 s), compared to spotted-necked otters (8.5 ± 7.6 s). African clawless otters showed substantial variation in dive durations, with the shortest dives sometimes lasting < 5 s, and the longest recorded dive being 70 s. The majority of spotted-necked otter dives lasted < 10 s, with the shortest recorded dive lasting 0.66 s and the longest recorded dive lasting 50.9 s. Spotted-necked otters performed different dive types that were evidently dependent on prey targeted, with dives targeting crabs (16.10 ± 1.91 s) being longer than dives targeting rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (5.58 ± 0.17 s). The theoretical dive durations of African clawless otters were exceeded during play dives, while spotted-necked otters sometimes exceeded their theoretical dive durations when performing successful foraging dives. The results of this study suggest that spotted-necked otters can vary behavior in relation to prey and exceed theoretical dive duration during successful foraging dives to maximize the net rate of energy gain. Furthermore, when considering known individual-level dietary specialization and plasticity in these species, it may be predicted that dive behaviors are likely to vary substantially among individuals, and in relation to prey availability and localized habitat conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan K Jordaan
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Michael J Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - Trevor McIntyre
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Roodepoort, 1710, South Africa
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16
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Pardo LE, Bombaci SP, Huebner S, Somers MJ, Fritz H, Downs C, Guthmann A, Hetem RS, Keith M, le Roux A, Mgqatsa N, Packer C, Palmer MS, Parker DM, Peel M, Slotow R, Strauss WM, Swanepoel L, Tambling C, Tsie N, Vermeulen M, Willi M, Jachowski DS, Venter JA. Snapshot Safari: a large-scale collaborative to monitor Africa’s remarkable biodiversity. S AFR J SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2021/8134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lain E. Pardo
- School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) / University of Lyon 1 / Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Sara P. Bombaci
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Sarah Huebner
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Herve Fritz
- School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) / University of Lyon 1 / Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Colleen Downs
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Abby Guthmann
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robyn S. Hetem
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mark Keith
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Aliza le Roux
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
- Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
| | - Nokubonga Mgqatsa
- Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Craig Packer
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Meredith S. Palmer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Daniel M. Parker
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa
| | - Mike Peel
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Agricultural Research Council, Animal Production Institute, Rangeland Ecology, Pretoria, South Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystems Research Unit, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rob Slotow
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - W. Maartin Strauss
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lourens Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- African Institute for Conservation Ecology, Makhado, South Africa
| | - Craig Tambling
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Nairobi Tsie
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mika Vermeulen
- School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) / University of Lyon 1 / Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Marco Willi
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David S. Jachowski
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jan A. Venter
- School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) / University of Lyon 1 / Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
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17
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Purdon J, Shabangu FW, Yemane D, Pienaar M, Somers MJ, Findlay K. Species distribution modelling of Bryde's whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9997. [PMID: 33024637 PMCID: PMC7518163 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In southern African waters, information about species distribution and habitat preferences of many cetacean species is limited, despite the recent economic growth that may affect them. We determined the relative importance of eight environmental variables (bathymetry, distance to shore, slope, chlorophyll-a, salinity, eastwards sea water velocity, northwards sea water velocity and sea surface temperature) as drivers of seasonal habitat preferences of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera brydei), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Using presence only data from multiple sources, we constructed predictive species distribution models (SDMs) consisting of ensembles of seven algorithms for these species during both summer and winter. Predicted distribution for all cetaceans was high in southern Africa and, in particular, within the South African Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Predictive models indicated a more pronounced seasonal variation for humpback, sperm and southern right whales than for Bryde's whales. Southern right whales occurred closer to shore during winter, humpback whales were more likely to occur along the east coast in winter and the west coast in summer, and sperm whales were more concentrated off the shelf in winter. Our study shows that ensemble models using historical, incidental and scientific data, in conjunction with modern environmental variables, can provide baseline knowledge on important environmental drivers of cetacean distribution for conservation purposes. Results of this study can further be used to help develop marine spatial plans and identify important marine mammal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Purdon
- Whale Unit, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Fannie W Shabangu
- Fisheries Management Branch, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dawit Yemane
- Fisheries Management Branch, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Cape Town, South Africa.,University of Cape Town, Marine Research Institute, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Marc Pienaar
- uLwazi Node, South African Environmental Observation Network, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ken Findlay
- Centre for Sustainable Oceans, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
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18
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Do Linh San E, Nqinana A, Madikiza ZJK, Somers MJ. Diet of the marsh mongoose around a non-permanent reservoir: response of a generalist opportunist forager to the absence of crabs. African Zoology 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1768145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Do Linh San
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Aviwe Nqinana
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Zimkitha JK Madikiza
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michael J Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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19
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Jordaan RK, Somers MJ, Hall G, McIntyre T. The diet of spotted-necked otters foraging in trout-stocked waters in Mpumalanga, South Africa. African Zoology 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1741447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rowan K Jordaan
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Grant Hall
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Trevor McIntyre
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Roodepoort, South Africa
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20
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Weise FJ, Tomeletso M, Stein AB, Somers MJ, Hayward MW. Lions Panthera leo Prefer Killing Certain Cattle Bos taurus Types. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E692. [PMID: 32316176 PMCID: PMC7222782 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lion predation on cattle causes severe human-wildlife conflict that results in retaliatory persecution throughout the lion's geographic range. Cattle closely resemble the body size, shape, and herding patterns of preferred lion prey species. We studied cattle depredation patterns in Botswana's Okavango Delta and tested whether lions exhibited specific preferences based on cattle demographic characteristics (sex and age), as well as morphological traits (body mass, horn length, and pelage patterns). We also tested whether human disturbance of kills influenced lion energy intake and whether depredation circumstances influenced loss levels. Lions predominantly killed cattle at night (87.1%) and exhibited no preference for either sex. Overall, bulls and calves were most preferred, whereas heifers were significantly avoided, as were cattle with uniform colour patterns. Cattle with mottled pelage patterns were most preferred, especially among free-roaming herds. Preferences were context-specific, with lions preferring inexperienced calves during enclosure attacks (including multiple cases of surplus killing) and free-roaming bulls and oxen. About 13% of adult cattle had no horns, and these were preferentially targeted by lions, while cattle with short horns were killed in accordance with their availability and long horned cattle were highly avoided. The contemporary morphology of Tswana cattle that resulted from unnatural selective pressures during domestication does not offer effective antipredatory protection. Human disturbance of feeding soon after kills occurred reduced cattle carcass consumption by >40% (or about 30 kg per carcass per lion). Lions killed significantly more cattle in nonfortified enclosures than in the veldt, although this was influenced by surplus killing. Our results suggest that cattle predation by lions is driven by availability and cavalier husbandry practices, coupled with morphological features associated with facilitating easy husbandry. Cattle no longer exhibit the key features that enabled their ancestors to coexist with large predators and are now reliant upon humans to perform critical antipredator activities. Hence, the responsibility for mitigating human-wildlife conflict involving lions and cattle lies with people in either breeding traits that minimise predation or adequately protecting their cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian J. Weise
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (F.J.W.); (M.J.S.)
- CLAWS Conservancy, 32 Pine Tree Drive, Worcester, MA 01609, USA; (M.T.); (A.B.S.)
- Ongava Research Centre, Private Bag 12041, Ausspannplatz, Windhoek 9000, Namibia
| | - Mathata Tomeletso
- CLAWS Conservancy, 32 Pine Tree Drive, Worcester, MA 01609, USA; (M.T.); (A.B.S.)
| | - Andrew B. Stein
- CLAWS Conservancy, 32 Pine Tree Drive, Worcester, MA 01609, USA; (M.T.); (A.B.S.)
- Landmark College, 19 River Road South, Putney, VT 05346, USA
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (F.J.W.); (M.J.S.)
- Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Matt W. Hayward
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (F.J.W.); (M.J.S.)
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia
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21
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Jordaan RK, Somers MJ, Hall G, McIntyre T. Plasticity and specialisation in the isotopic niche of African clawless otters foraging in marine and freshwater habitats. Mamm Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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22
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Hayward MW, Callen A, Allen BL, Ballard G, Broekhuis F, Bugir C, Clarke RH, Clulow J, Clulow S, Daltry JC, Davies-Mostert HT, Fleming PJS, Griffin AS, Howell LG, Kerley GIH, Klop-Toker K, Legge S, Major T, Meyer N, Montgomery RA, Moseby K, Parker DM, Périquet S, Read J, Scanlon RJ, Seeto R, Shuttleworth C, Somers MJ, Tamessar CT, Tuft K, Upton R, Valenzuela-Molina M, Wayne A, Witt RR, Wüster W. Deconstructing compassionate conservation. Conserv Biol 2019; 33:760-768. [PMID: 31206825 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Compassionate conservation focuses on 4 tenets: first, do no harm; individuals matter; inclusivity of individual animals; and peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. Recently, compassionate conservation has been promoted as an alternative to conventional conservation philosophy. We believe examples presented by compassionate conservationists are deliberately or arbitrarily chosen to focus on mammals; inherently not compassionate; and offer ineffective conservation solutions. Compassionate conservation arbitrarily focuses on charismatic species, notably large predators and megaherbivores. The philosophy is not compassionate when it leaves invasive predators in the environment to cause harm to vastly more individuals of native species or uses the fear of harm by apex predators to terrorize mesopredators. Hindering the control of exotic species (megafauna, predators) in situ will not improve the conservation condition of the majority of biodiversity. The positions taken by so-called compassionate conservationists on particular species and on conservation actions could be extended to hinder other forms of conservation, including translocations, conservation fencing, and fertility control. Animal welfare is incredibly important to conservation, but ironically compassionate conservation does not offer the best welfare outcomes to animals and is often ineffective in achieving conservation goals. Consequently, compassionate conservation may threaten public and governmental support for conservation because of the limited understanding of conservation problems by the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt W Hayward
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, 6019, South Africa
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Lynwood Road, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Alex Callen
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Allen
- Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Guy Ballard
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Northern Ring Road, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales Government, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia
| | - Femke Broekhuis
- WildCRU, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abington Road, Oxford, OX135QL, U.K
| | - Cassandra Bugir
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Rohan H Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - John Clulow
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Simon Clulow
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Balclava Road, Sydney, NSWs, 2019, Australia
| | - Jennifer C Daltry
- Fauna & Flora International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB23QZ, U.K
| | - Harriet T Davies-Mostert
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Lynwood Road, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Pinelands Office Park, Building K2, Ardeer Road, Modderfontein 1609, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Peter J S Fleming
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Northern Ring Road, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales Government, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia
| | - Andrea S Griffin
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Lachlan G Howell
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Graham I H Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, 6019, South Africa
| | - Kaya Klop-Toker
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Sarah Legge
- Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Science, University of Queensland, University Drive, Saint Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Tom Major
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, College Road, Gwynedd, LL572DG, U.K
| | - Ninon Meyer
- Fondation Yaguara Panama, Ciudad del Saber, calle Luis Bonilla, Panama City, 0843-03081, Panama
| | - Robert A Montgomery
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 220 Trowbridge Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, U.S.A
| | - Katherine Moseby
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, ANZAC Parade, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Arid Recovery, Roxby Downs, SA, 5725, Australia
| | - Daniel M Parker
- Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Drosty Road, Grahamstown, 6139, South Africa
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, D725 Roads, Mbombela, 1200, South Africa
| | | | - John Read
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Kintore Avenue, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Robert J Scanlon
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Rebecca Seeto
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Craig Shuttleworth
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, College Road, Gwynedd, LL572DG, U.K
| | - Michael J Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Lynwood Road, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Lynwood Road, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Cottrell T Tamessar
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | | | - Rose Upton
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Marcia Valenzuela-Molina
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional s/n Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, C.P. 23096, La Paz, B.C.S., México
| | - Adrian Wayne
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Brain Street, Manjimup, WA, 6258, Australia
| | - Ryan R Witt
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Wüster
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, College Road, Gwynedd, LL572DG, U.K
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Affiliation(s)
- Inonge D. Milupi
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
- Centre for Environmental Studies University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
- Department of Language and Social Sciences Education The University of ZambiaSchool of EducationLusaka Zambia
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - Willem Ferguson
- Centre for Environmental Studies University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Vogel
- School of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, George Campus Nelson Mandela University George South Africa
- Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency East London South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Department of Zoology and Entomology Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - Jan A. Venter
- School of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, George Campus Nelson Mandela University George South Africa
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Kerley GI, Behrens KG, Carruthers J, Diemont M, du Plessis J, Minnie L, Somers MJ, Tambling CJ, Turpie J, Wilson S, Balfour D. Building assessment practice and lessons from the scientific assessment on livestock predation in South Africa. S AFR J SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2019/5766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Graham I.H. Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Kevin G. Behrens
- Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jane Carruthers
- Department of History, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Jurie du Plessis
- Department of Mammalogy, National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Liaan Minnie
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Craig J. Tambling
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Jane Turpie
- Environmental Policy Research Unit, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharon Wilson
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Dave Balfour
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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Conradie SR, Hall G, Somers MJ, McIntyre T. Limited Animal-Facilitated Nutrient Transfer across an Aquatic–Terrestrial Interface in a Southern African Savanna. African Journal of Wildlife Research 2019. [DOI: 10.3957/056.049.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon R. Conradie
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Grant Hall
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Trevor McIntyre
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
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Weise FJ, Hauptmeier H, Stratford KJ, Hayward MW, Aal K, Heuer M, Tomeletso M, Wulf V, Somers MJ, Stein AB. Lions at the Gates: Trans-disciplinary Design of an Early Warning System to Improve Human-Lion Coexistence. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Purdon J, Parr CL, Somers MJ. Grazing by large savanna herbivores indirectly alters ant diversity and promotes resource monopolisation. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6226. [PMID: 30648021 PMCID: PMC6330944 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In savannas, grazing is an important disturbance that modifies the grass layer structure and composition. Habitat structural complexity influences species diversity and assemblage functioning. By using a combination of natural sites and manipulated experiments, we explored how habitat structure (grazing lawns and adjacent bunch grass) affects ant diversity and foraging behaviour, specifically the efficiency of resource acquisition, resource monopolisation and ant body size. We found that in the natural sites there was no difference in the amount of time ants took to locate resources, but in the manipulated experiments, ants were faster at locating resources and were more abundant in the simple treatments than in the more complex treatments. Ant body size was only affected by the manipulated experiments, with smaller ants found in the more complex treatments. In both the grazing lawn and bunch grass habitats there were differences in assemblage patterns of ants discovering resources and those dominating them. Seasonality, which was predicted to affect the speed at which ants discovered resources and the intensity of resource monopolisation, also played a role. We show that ants in winter monopolised more baits and discovered resources at a slower rate, but only at certain times within the experiment. Grazing in conjunction with season thus had a significant effect on ant diversity and foraging behaviour, with dominant ants promoted where habitat complexity was simplified when temperatures were low. Our results indicate that structural complexity plays a major role in determining ant assemblage structure and function in African savannas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Purdon
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Centre for Invasion Biology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Catherine L Parr
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Somers
- Eugène Marais Chair of Wildlife Management, Centre for Invasion Biology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Webber JT, Henley MD, Pretorius Y, Somers MJ, Ganswindt A. Changes in African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) faecal steroid concentrations post-defaecation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.4102/abc.v48i2.2312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Background: Faecal hormone metabolite measurement is a widely used tool for monitoring reproductive function and response to stressors in wildlife. Despite many advantages of this technique, the delay between defaecation, sample collection and processing may influence steroid concentrations, as faecal bacterial enzymes can alter steroid composition post-defaecation.Objectives: This study investigated changes in faecal glucocorticoid (fGCM), androgen (fAM) and progestagen (fPM) metabolite concentrations in faeces of a male and female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) post-defaecation and the influence of different faeces-drying regimes.Method: Subsamples of fresh faeces were frozen after being dried in direct sun or shade for 6, 20, 24, 48 and 72 h and 7 and 34 days. A subset of samples for each sex was immediately frozen as controls. Faecal hormone metabolite concentrations were determined using enzyme immunoassays established for fGCM, fAM and fPM monitoring in male and female African elephants.Results: Hormone metabolite concentrations of all three steroid classes were stable at first, but changed distinctively after 20 h post-defaecation, with fGCM concentrations decreasing over time and fPM and fAM concentrations steadily increasing. In freeze-dried faeces fGCM concentrations were significantly higher than respective concentrations in sun-dried material, which were in turn significantly higher than fGCM concentrations in shade-dried material. In contrast, fAM concentrations were significantly higher in sun- and shade-dried faeces compared to freeze-dried faeces. Higher fPM concentrations were also found in air-dried samples compared to lyophilised faeces, but the effect was only significant for sun-dried material.Conclusion: The revealed time restriction for collecting faecal material for hormone monitoring from elephants in the wild should be taken into account to assure reliable and comparable results. However, if logistics allow a timely collection, non-invasive hormone measurement remains a powerful and reliable approach to provide information about an elephant’s endocrine status.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Vogel
- J. T. Vogel and J. A. Venter , School of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, George Campus, Nelson Mandela Univ., South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- M. J. Somers, Centre for Wildlife Management, Mammal Research Inst., Centre for Invasion Biology, Univ. of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jan A. Venter
- J. T. Vogel and J. A. Venter , School of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, George Campus, Nelson Mandela Univ., South Africa
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Selewski DT, Troost JP, Cummings D, Massengill SF, Gbadegesin RA, Greenbaum LA, Shatat IF, Cai Y, Kapur G, Hebert D, Somers MJ, Trachtman H, Pais P, Seifert ME, Goebel J, Sethna CB, Mahan JD, Gross HE, Herreshoff E, Liu Y, Carlozzi NE, Reeve BB, DeWalt DA, Gipson DS. Responsiveness of the PROMIS® measures to changes in disease status among pediatric nephrotic syndrome patients: a Midwest pediatric nephrology consortium study. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2017; 15:166. [PMID: 28835233 PMCID: PMC5569504 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-017-0737-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nephrotic syndrome represents a condition in pediatric nephrology typified by a relapsing and remitting course, proteinuria and the presence of edema. The PROMIS measures have previously been studied and validated in cross-sectional studies of children with nephrotic syndrome. This study was designed to longitudinally validate the PROMIS measures in pediatric nephrotic syndrome. METHODS One hundred twenty seven children with nephrotic syndrome between the ages of 8 and 17 years participated in this prospective cohort study. Patients completed a baseline assessment while their nephrotic syndrome was active, a follow-up assessment at the time of their first complete proteinuria remission or study month 3 if no remission occurred, and a final assessment at study month 12. Participants completed six PROMIS measures (Mobility, Fatigue, Pain Interference, Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Peer Relationships), the PedsQL version 4.0, and two global assessment of change items. RESULTS Disease status was classified at each assessment: nephrotic syndrome active in 100% at baseline, 33% at month 3, and 46% at month 12. The PROMIS domains of Mobility, Fatigue, Pain Interference, Depressive Symptoms, and Anxiety each showed a significant overall improvement over time (p < 0.001). When the PROMIS measures were compared to the patients' global assessment of change, the domains of Mobility, Fatigue, Pain Interference, and Anxiety consistently changed in an expected fashion. With the exception of Pain Interference, change in PROMIS domain scores did not correlate with changes in disease activity. PROMIS domain scores were moderately correlated with analogous PedsQL domain scores. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that the PROMIS Mobility, Fatigue, Pain Interference, and Anxiety domains are sensitive to self-reported changes in disease and overall health status over time in children with nephrotic syndrome. The lack of significant anchoring to clinically defined nephrotic syndrome disease active and remission status may highlight an opportunity to improve the measurement of HRQOL in children with nephrotic syndrome through the development of a nephrotic syndrome disease-specific HRQOL measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Selewski
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5297, USA.
| | - Jonathan P Troost
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5297, USA
| | - Danyelle Cummings
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5297, USA
| | - Susan F Massengill
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Levine Children's Hospital, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Rasheed A Gbadegesin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Larry A Greenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ibrahim F Shatat
- Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yi Cai
- DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Gaurav Kapur
- Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension Division, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Diane Hebert
- Division of Nephrology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J Somers
- Division of Nephrology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Howard Trachtman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Priya Pais
- Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Michael E Seifert
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jens Goebel
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Christine B Sethna
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - John D Mahan
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Emily Herreshoff
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5297, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Noelle E Carlozzi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | | | - Debbie S Gipson
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5297, USA
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Winterbach CW, Maude G, Neo-Mahupeleng G, Klein R, Boast L, Rich LN, Somers MJ. Conservation implications of brown hyaena ( Parahyaena brunnea) population densities and distribution across landscapes in Botswana. Koedoe 2017. [DOI: 10.4102/koedoe.v59i2.1441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea) is endemic to southern Africa. The largest population of this near-threatened species occurs in Botswana, but limited data were available to assess distribution and density. Our objectives were to use a stratified approach to collate available data and to collect more data to assess brown hyaena distribution and density across land uses in Botswana. We conducted surveys using track counts, camera traps and questionnaires and collated our results and available data to estimate the brown hyaena population based on the stratification of Botswana for large carnivores. Brown hyaenas occur over 533 050 km² (92%) of Botswana. Our density estimates ranged from 0 brown hyaenas/100 km² in strata of northern Botswana to 2.94 (2.16–3.71) brown hyaenas/100 km² in the southern stratum of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. We made assumptions regarding densities in strata that lacked data, using the best references available. We estimated the brown hyaena population in Botswana as 4642 (3133–5993) animals, with 6.8% of the population in the Northern Conservation Zone, 73.1% in the Southern Conservation Zone, 2.0% in the smaller conservation zones and 18.1% in the agricultural zones. The similar densities of brown hyaenas in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Ghanzi farms highlight the potential of agricultural areas in Botswana to conserve this species. The conservation of brown hyaenas in the agricultural landscape of Botswana is critical for the long-term conservation of the species; these areas provide important links between populations in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.Conservation implications: Botswana contains the core of the brown hyaena population in southern Africa, and conflict mitigation on agricultural land is crucial to maintaining connectivity among the range countries.
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Graham GI, Behrens KG, Carruthers J, Diemont M, du Plessis J, Minnie L, Richardson PR, Somers MJ, Tambling CJ, Turpie J, van Niekerk HN, Balfour D. Livestock predation in South Africa: The need for and value of a scientific assessment. S AFR J SCI 2017. [DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2017/a0198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Marnewick K, Page-Nicholson S, Roxburgh L, Somers MJ. Tracking data from nine free-roaming Cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus) collared in the Thabazimbi area, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Biodivers Data J 2017:e11323. [PMID: 28325981 PMCID: PMC5345082 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.5.e11323] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In partnership with the University of Pretoria, the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Programme collared six male and three female free-roaming Cheetahs (Acinonyxjubatus) in the Thabazimbi area in Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was undertaken to determine the spatial ecology of free-roaming Cheetahs that occur outside of formal protected areas on private ranchland, where they frequently come into conflict with, and are sometimes killed by, private landowners. The data were collected between September 2003 and November 2008, resulting in a total of 3165 location points (65 points from VHF collars and 3100 from GPS collars) for nine individual Cheetahs. New information This dataset provides distribution information about this Vulnerable species occurring outside of protected areas within South Africa. The dataset has been published to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (www.GBIF.org) and provides the largest dataset on Cheetahs thus far, and, although it is spatially limited to a relatively small region on the African continent, it is the first study of its kind within South Africa. Also of significance is that the fate of 6 of the 9 collared Cheetahs is known, all except one of which died of anthropogenic causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Marnewick
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Michael J Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Winterbach CW, Ferreira SM, Funston PJ, Somers MJ. Simplified large African carnivore density estimators from track indices. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2662. [PMID: 28028454 PMCID: PMC5182995 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The range, population size and trend of large carnivores are important parameters to assess their status globally and to plan conservation strategies. One can use linear models to assess population size and trends of large carnivores from track-based surveys on suitable substrates. The conventional approach of a linear model with intercept may not intercept at zero, but may fit the data better than linear model through the origin. We assess whether a linear regression through the origin is more appropriate than a linear regression with intercept to model large African carnivore densities and track indices. METHODS We did simple linear regression with intercept analysis and simple linear regression through the origin and used the confidence interval for ß in the linear model y = αx + ß, Standard Error of Estimate, Mean Squares Residual and Akaike Information Criteria to evaluate the models. RESULTS The Lion on Clay and Low Density on Sand models with intercept were not significant (P > 0.05). The other four models with intercept and the six models thorough origin were all significant (P < 0.05). The models using linear regression with intercept all included zero in the confidence interval for ß and the null hypothesis that ß = 0 could not be rejected. All models showed that the linear model through the origin provided a better fit than the linear model with intercept, as indicated by the Standard Error of Estimate and Mean Square Residuals. Akaike Information Criteria showed that linear models through the origin were better and that none of the linear models with intercept had substantial support. DISCUSSION Our results showed that linear regression through the origin is justified over the more typical linear regression with intercept for all models we tested. A general model can be used to estimate large carnivore densities from track densities across species and study areas. The formula observed track density = 3.26 × carnivore density can be used to estimate densities of large African carnivores using track counts on sandy substrates in areas where carnivore densities are 0.27 carnivores/100 km2 or higher. To improve the current models, we need independent data to validate the models and data to test for non-linear relationship between track indices and true density at low densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan W. Winterbach
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Tau Consultants (Pty) Ltd, Maun, Botswana
| | | | | | - Michael J. Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Lanszki J, Lehoczky I, Kotze A, Somers MJ. Diet of otters (Lutra lutra) in various habitat types in the Pannonian biogeographical region compared to other regions of Europe. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2266. [PMID: 27602262 PMCID: PMC4994076 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the effect of habitat type and region on diet and feeding behaviours of a species facilitates a better understanding of factors impacting populations, which contributes to effective conservation management. Using spraint analysis and relative frequency of occurrence data from the literature, we described the dietary patterns of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in 23 study sites within the Pannonian biogeographical region in Hungary. Our results indicated that diet composition varied by habitat type and is therefore context dependant. The differences among habitat types were however lower than expected. We noticed a decline in the fish consumption with a concomitant increase in trophic niche breadth and amphibian consumption in rivers, ponds (fish farms), backwaters, marshes and small watercourses. The main differences in diet were not attributed to the consumption of primary and secondary food types (fish and amphibians), but rather to differences in other, less important food types (mammals, birds). Using hierarchical cluster analysis, rivers and ponds could clearly be separated from other habitat types. We found the main fish diet of otters in most of these areas consisted of small (<100 g), eurytopic, littoral and non-native, mostly invasive species. Dietary studies from 91 sites in six European biogeographical regions showed that fish are consumed most frequently in the Atlantic and Boreal, less in the Continental and Pannonian, and least in the Alpine and Mediterranean regions. Comparative analysis indicated that the Mediterranean region (with frequent crayfish consumption) and Alpine region (frequent amphibian consumption) cluster separate from the other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- József Lanszki
- Carnivore Ecology Research Group, Kaposvár University Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - István Lehoczky
- Research Centre for Farm Animal Gene Conservation Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Antoinette Kotze
- National Zoological Gardens of South AfricaPretoria,South Africa; Genetics Department, University of the Free StateBloemfontein,South Africa
| | - Michael J Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria Pretoria, South Africa
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Jordaan RK, McIntyre T, Somers MJ, Bester MN. An Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Diet of Cape Clawless Otters (Aonyx capensis) in Marine Environments. African Journal of Wildlife Research 2015. [DOI: 10.3957/056.045.0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Everatt KT, Andresen L, Somers MJ. The Influence of Prey, Pastoralism and Poaching on the Hierarchical Use of Habitat by an Apex Predator. African Journal of Wildlife Research 2015. [DOI: 10.3957/056.045.0187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Selewski DT, Troost JP, Massengill SF, Gbadegesin RA, Greenbaum LA, Shatat IF, Cai Y, Kapur G, Hebert D, Somers MJ, Trachtman H, Pais P, Seifert ME, Goebel J, Sethna CB, Mahan JD, Gross HE, Herreshoff E, Liu Y, Song PX, Reeve BB, DeWalt DA, Gipson DS. The impact of disease duration on quality of life in children with nephrotic syndrome: a Midwest Pediatric Nephrology Consortium study. Pediatr Nephrol 2015; 30:1467-76. [PMID: 25784017 PMCID: PMC4537686 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-015-3074-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) II is a prospective study that evaluates patient reported outcomes in pediatric chronic diseases as a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We have evaluated the influence of disease duration on HRQOL and, for the first time, compared the findings of the PROMIS measures to those of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Scales (PedsQL) from the PROMIS II nephrotic syndrome (NS) longitudinal cohort. METHODS This was a prospective study in which 127 children (age range 8-17 years) with active NS from 14 centers were enrolled. Children with active NS defined as the presence of nephrotic range proteinuria (>2+ urinalysis and edema or urine protein/creatinine ratio >2 g/g) were eligible. Comparisons were made between children with prevalent (N = 67) and incident (N = 60) disease at the study enrollment visit. RESULTS The PROMIS scores were worse in prevalent patients in the domains of peer relationship (p = 0.01) and pain interference (p < 0.01). The PedsQL showed worse scores in prevalent patients for social functioning (p < 0.01) and school functioning (p = 0.03). Multivariable analyses showed that prevalent patients had worse scores in PROMIS pain interference (p = 0.02) and PedsQL social functioning (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The PROMIS measures detected a significant impact of disease duration on HRQOL in children, such that peer relationships were worse and pain interfered with daily life to a greater degree among those with longer disease duration. These findings were in agreement with those for similar domains in the PedsQL legacy instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T. Selewski
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–5297, USA
| | - Jonathan P. Troost
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–5297, USA
| | - Susan F. Massengill
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Rasheed A. Gbadegesin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Larry A. Greenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ibrahim F. Shatat
- Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Yi Cai
- DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Gaurav Kapur
- Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension Division, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Diane Hebert
- Division of Nephrology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, USA
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Division of Nephrology, Boston Children’s Hospital–Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Howard Trachtman
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, New York University–Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Priya Pais
- Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Michael E. Seifert
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jens Goebel
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Christine B. Sethna
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - John D. Mahan
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Emily Herreshoff
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–5297, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Peter X. Song
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Debbie S. Gipson
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC5297, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–5297, USA
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Marnewick K, Somers MJ. Home Ranges of Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) Outside Protected Areas in South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 2015. [DOI: 10.3957/056.045.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Winterbach CW, Whitesell C, Somers MJ. Wildlife Abundance and Diversity as Indicators of Tourism Potential in Northern Botswana. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135595. [PMID: 26308859 PMCID: PMC4550452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife tourism can provide economic incentives for conservation. Due to the abundance of wildlife and the presence of charismatic species some areas are better suited to wildlife tourism. Our first objective was to develop criteria based on wildlife abundance and diversity to evaluate tourism potential in the Northern Conservation Zone of Botswana. Secondly we wanted to quantify and compare tourism experiences in areas with high and low tourism potential. We used aerial survey data to estimate wildlife biomass and diversity to determine tourism potential, while data from ground surveys quantified the tourist experience. Areas used for High Paying Low Volume tourism had significantly higher mean wildlife biomass and wildlife diversity than the areas avoided for this type of tourism. Only 22% of the Northern Conservation Zone has intermediate to high tourism potential. The areas with high tourism potential, as determined from the aerial survey data, provided tourists with significantly better wildlife sightings (ground surveys) than the low tourism potential areas. Even Low Paying tourism may not be economically viable in concessions that lack areas with intermediate to high tourism potential. The largest part of the Northern Conservation Zone has low tourism potential, but low tourism potential is not equal to low conservation value. Alternative conservation strategies should be developed to complement the economic incentive provided by wildlife-based tourism in Botswana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan W. Winterbach
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
- Tau Consultants (Pty) Ltd, P/Bag 83, Maun, Botswana
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Michael J. Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
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Winterbach HEK, Winterbach CW, Boast LK, Klein R, Somers MJ. Relative availability of natural prey versus livestock predicts landscape suitability for cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus in Botswana. PeerJ 2015. [PMID: 26213646 PMCID: PMC4512768 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Prey availability and human-carnivore conflict are strong determinants that govern the spatial distribution and abundance of large carnivore species and determine the suitability of areas for their conservation. For wide-ranging large carnivores such as cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), additional conservation areas beyond protected area boundaries are crucial to effectively conserve them both inside and outside protected areas. Although cheetahs prefer preying on wild prey, they also cause conflict with people by predating on especially small livestock. We investigated whether the distribution of cheetahs’ preferred prey and small livestock biomass could be used to explore the potential suitability of agricultural areas in Botswana for the long-term persistence of its cheetah population. We found it gave a good point of departure for identifying priority areas for land management, the threat to connectivity between cheetah populations, and areas where the reduction and mitigation of human-cheetah conflict is critical. Our analysis showed the existence of a wide prey base for cheetahs across large parts of Botswana’s agricultural areas, which provide additional large areas with high conservation potential. Twenty percent of wild prey biomass appears to be the critical point to distinguish between high and low probable levels of human-cheetah conflict. We identified focal areas in the agricultural zones where restoring wild prey numbers in concurrence with effective human-cheetah conflict mitigation efforts are the most immediate conservation strategies needed to maintain Botswana’s still large and contiguous cheetah population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlie E K Winterbach
- Tau Consultants (Pty) Ltd , Maun , Botswana ; Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa
| | - Christiaan W Winterbach
- Tau Consultants (Pty) Ltd , Maun , Botswana ; Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa
| | | | | | - Michael J Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa ; Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa
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Hayward MW, Child MF, Kerley GIH, Lindsey PA, Somers MJ, Burns B. Ambiguity in guideline definitions introduces assessor bias and influences consistency in IUCN Red List status assessments. Front Ecol Evol 2015. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Sadowski CE, Lovric S, Ashraf S, Pabst WL, Gee HY, Kohl S, Engelmann S, Vega-Warner V, Fang H, Halbritter J, Somers MJ, Tan W, Shril S, Fessi I, Lifton RP, Bockenhauer D, El-Desoky S, Kari JA, Zenker M, Kemper MJ, Mueller D, Fathy HM, Soliman NA, Hildebrandt F. A single-gene cause in 29.5% of cases of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. J Am Soc Nephrol 2015; 26:1279-89. [PMID: 25349199 PMCID: PMC4446877 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2014050489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 423] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [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: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is the second most frequent cause of ESRD in the first two decades of life. Effective treatment is lacking. First insights into disease mechanisms came from identification of single-gene causes of SRNS. However, the frequency of single-gene causation and its age distribution in large cohorts are unknown. We performed exon sequencing of NPHS2 and WT1 for 1783 unrelated, international families with SRNS. We then examined all patients by microfluidic multiplex PCR and next-generation sequencing for all 27 genes known to cause SRNS if mutated. We detected a single-gene cause in 29.5% (526 of 1783) of families with SRNS that manifested before 25 years of age. The fraction of families in whom a single-gene cause was identified inversely correlated with age of onset. Within clinically relevant age groups, the fraction of families with detection of the single-gene cause was as follows: onset in the first 3 months of life (69.4%), between 4 and 12 months old (49.7%), between 1 and 6 years old (25.3%), between 7 and 12 years old (17.8%), and between 13 and 18 years old (10.8%). For PLCE1, specific mutations correlated with age of onset. Notably, 1% of individuals carried mutations in genes that function within the coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis pathway, suggesting that SRNS may be treatable in these individuals. Our study results should facilitate molecular genetic diagnostics of SRNS, etiologic classification for therapeutic studies, generation of genotype-phenotype correlations, and the identification of individuals in whom a targeted treatment for SRNS may be available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin E Sadowski
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Svjetlana Lovric
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shazia Ashraf
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Werner L Pabst
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Heon Yung Gee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stefan Kohl
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Susanne Engelmann
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Virginia Vega-Warner
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Humphrey Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jan Halbritter
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Somers
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Weizhen Tan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shirlee Shril
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Inès Fessi
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard P Lifton
- Department of Genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Detlef Bockenhauer
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sherif El-Desoky
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jameela A Kari
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Martin Zenker
- Department of Human Genetics, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Markus J Kemper
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Mueller
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Medical Faculty of the Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanan M Fathy
- The Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Neveen A Soliman
- Department of Pediatrics, Center of Pediatric Nephrology & Transplantation, Kasr Al Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Egyptian Group for Orphan Renal Diseases, Cairo, Egypt; and
| | - Friedhelm Hildebrandt
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
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Swanepoel LH, Somers MJ, Dalerum F. Functional Responses of Retaliatory Killing versus Recreational Sport Hunting of Leopards in South Africa. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125539. [PMID: 25905623 PMCID: PMC4408058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Predation strategies in response to altering prey abundances can dramatically influence the demographic effects of predation. Despite this, predation strategies of humans are rarely incorporated into quantitative assessments of the demographic impacts of humans killing carnivores. This scarcity largely seems to be caused by a lack of data. In this study, we contrasted predation strategies exhibited by people involved in retaliatory killing and recreational sport hunting of leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Waterberg District Municipality, South Africa. We predicted a specialist predation strategy exemplified by a type II functional response for retaliatory killing, and a generalist strategy exemplified by a type III functional response for recreational sport hunting. We could not distinguish between a type I, a type II, or a type III functional response for retaliatory killing, but the most parsimonious model for recreational sport hunting corresponded to a type I functional response. Kill rates were consistently higher for retaliatory killing than for recreational sport hunting. Our results indicate that retaliatory killing of leopards may have severe demographic consequences for leopard populations, whereas the demographic consequences of recreational sport hunting likely are less dramatic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourens H. Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Private bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
- Centre for Wildlife Management, Hatfield Experimental Farm, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Private bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
- Centre for Invasive Biology, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Centre for Wildlife Management, Hatfield Experimental Farm, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
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Winterbach HEK, Winterbach CW, Somers MJ. Landscape suitability in Botswana for the conservation of its six large African carnivores. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100202. [PMID: 24949735 PMCID: PMC4065001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wide-ranging large carnivores often range beyond the boundaries of protected areas into human-dominated areas. Mapping out potentially suitable habitats on a country-wide scale and identifying areas with potentially high levels of threats to large carnivore survival is necessary to develop national conservation action plans. We used a novel approach to map and identify these areas in Botswana for its large carnivore guild consisting of lion (Panthera leo), leopard (Panthera pardus), spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). The habitat suitability for large carnivores depends primarily on prey availability, interspecific competition, and conflict with humans. Prey availability is most likely the strongest natural determinant. We used the distribution of biomass of typical wild ungulate species occurring in Botswana which is preyed upon by the six large carnivores to evaluate the potential suitability of the different management zones in the country to sustain large carnivore populations. In areas where a high biomass of large prey species occurred, we assumed interspecific competition between dominant and subordinated competitors to be high. This reduced the suitability of these areas for conservation of subordinate competitors, and vice versa. We used the percentage of prey biomass of the total prey and livestock biomass to identify areas with potentially high levels of conflict in agricultural areas. High to medium biomass of large prey was mostly confined to conservation zones, while small prey biomass was more evenly spread across large parts of the country. This necessitates different conservation strategies for carnivores with a preference for large prey, and those that can persist in the agricultural areas. To ensure connectivity between populations inside Botswana and also with its neighbours, a number of critical areas for priority management actions exist in the agricultural zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlie E. K. Winterbach
- Tau Consultants (Pty) Ltd, Maun, Botswana
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Christiaan W. Winterbach
- Tau Consultants (Pty) Ltd, Maun, Botswana
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Everatt KT, Andresen L, Somers MJ. Trophic scaling and occupancy analysis reveals a lion population limited by top-down anthropogenic pressure in the Limpopo National Park, Mozambique. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99389. [PMID: 24914934 PMCID: PMC4051697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The African lion (Panthera Leo) has suffered drastic population and range declines over the last few decades and is listed by the IUCN as vulnerable to extinction. Conservation management requires reliable population estimates, however these data are lacking for many of the continent's remaining populations. It is possible to estimate lion abundance using a trophic scaling approach. However, such inferences assume that a predator population is subject only to bottom-up regulation, and are thus likely to produce biased estimates in systems experiencing top-down anthropogenic pressures. Here we provide baseline data on the status of lions in a developing National Park in Mozambique that is impacted by humans and livestock. We compare a direct density estimate with an estimate derived from trophic scaling. We then use replicated detection/non-detection surveys to estimate the proportion of area occupied by lions, and hierarchical ranking of covariates to provide inferences on the relative contribution of prey resources and anthropogenic factors influencing lion occurrence. The direct density estimate was less than 1/3 of the estimate derived from prey resources (0.99 lions/100 km2vs. 3.05 lions/100 km2). The proportion of area occupied by lions was Ψ = 0.439 (SE = 0.121), or approximately 44% of a 2 400 km2 sample of potential habitat. Although lions were strongly predicted by a greater probability of encountering prey resources, the greatest contributing factor to lion occurrence was a strong negative association with settlements. Finally, our empirical abundance estimate is approximately 1/3 of a published abundance estimate derived from opinion surveys. Altogether, our results describe a lion population held below resource-based carrying capacity by anthropogenic factors and highlight the limitations of trophic scaling and opinion surveys for estimating predator populations exposed to anthropogenic pressures. Our study provides the first empirical quantification of a population that future change can be measured against.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer T. Everatt
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Leah Andresen
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Darnell AM, Graf JA, Somers MJ, Slotow R, Szykman Gunther M. Space use of African wild dogs in relation to other large carnivores. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98846. [PMID: 24896638 PMCID: PMC4045926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Interaction among species through competition is a principle process structuring ecological communities, affecting behavior, distribution, and ultimately the population dynamics of species. High competition among large African carnivores, associated with extensive diet overlap, manifests in interactions between subordinate African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and dominant lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). Using locations of large carnivores in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, we found different responses from wild dogs to their two main competitors. Wild dogs avoided lions, particularly during denning, through a combination of spatial and temporal avoidance. However, wild dogs did not exhibit spatial or temporal avoidance of spotted hyenas, likely because wild dog pack sizes were large enough to adequately defend their kills. Understanding that larger carnivores affect the movements and space use of other carnivores is important for managing current small and fragmented carnivore populations, especially as reintroductions and translocations are essential tools used for the survival of endangered species, as with African wild dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Darnell
- Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jan A. Graf
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Centre for Wildlife Management, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rob Slotow
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Micaela Szykman Gunther
- Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
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Hunter SC, Gusset M, Miller LJ, Somers MJ. Space Use as an Indicator of Enclosure Appropriateness in African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus). J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2014; 17:98-110. [DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.884401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Beck L, Bomback AS, Choi MJ, Holzman LB, Langford C, Mariani LH, Somers MJ, Trachtman H, Waldman M. KDOQI US commentary on the 2012 KDIGO clinical practice guideline for glomerulonephritis. Am J Kidney Dis 2013; 62:403-41. [PMID: 23871408 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Glomerulonephritis (GN) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages throughout the world. Because these disorders are relatively rare, it is difficult to perform randomized clinical trials to define optimal treatment for many of the specific glomerulopathies. In the absence of high-grade evidence to guide the care of glomerular diseases, in June 2012, KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) published an international clinical guideline for GN. The Work Group report represents an important review of the literature in this area and offers valid and useful guidelines for the most common situations that arise in the management of patients with glomerular disease. This commentary, developed by a panel of clinical experts convened by the National Kidney Foundation, attempts to put the GN guideline into the context of the US health care system. Overall, we support the vast majority of the recommendations and highlight select areas in which epidemiological factors and medical practice patterns in this country justify modifications and adjustments in order to achieve favorable outcomes. There remain large gaps in our knowledge of the best approaches to treat glomerular disease and we strongly endorse an expanded clinical research effort to improve the health and long-term outcomes of children and adults with GN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Beck
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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