Nr. 21, October to December 2009

FF SSMM--TTIIMMEESS 000,000 EDITORIAL

FourStripedMouse To subscribe to the FSM-TIMES, write an EDITORS email to: [email protected],ch.TU . In Dr. Carsten Schradin, Brigitte Schradin. the subject field write “FSM-TIMES subscription”. No more text is needed. You IMPRESSUM will then get the FSM-TIMES four times a Title: year as an email attachment. Subscription to the FSM-TIMES is free of charge. However, ADDRESS we would welcome donations of R 80 (10 The Cape Porcupine Goegap Nature Reserve, Succulent Euro, 15 US Dollar) a year to contribute to Research Station, Private Bag X1, our research projects at the Springbok 8240, . Research Station in South Africa. Larger [email protected] donations are welcome too. To unsubscribe, write an email to HOMEPAGE [email protected] UT, and write in http://www.stripedmouse.comTU .UT the subject field “CANCEL FSM-TIMES”. Der Erdwolf PUBLICATION DATES The FSM-TIMES is published quarterly, in COPYRIGHT AND EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY January, April, July and October. The FSM- All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or TIMES is sent as email-attachment in pdf. in part without written permission of editor is prohibited. The FSM-TIMES and editors are SUBSCRIPTION AND FEES excluded from any form of liability.

South Africa: As the name says, it is the most southern country in Africa. South Africa lies at the Cape of Good Hope. The population of South Africa (40 million) consists of black South Africans (e.g. the Zulu), which represent 75% of the population. 12% are white, 8% coloured, and some are Indian, Malaysian or descendents of the San (bushman). South Africa is the only industrialized country in Africa with a very good infrastructure.

Succulent Karoo: It describes a special vegetation type. It receives low rainfall in winter and is characterized by dwarf succulent shrubs and an amazing wildflower display in spring. It is a desert to semi-desert environment. Succulent Karoo is found in Namaqualand and southern . In Reports by students: the FSM-TIMES, the words succulent Karoo and Namaqualand are often used as synonyms.

How it is to go shopping in Springbok Namaqualand: It is situated in the northwest of South Africa, between Cape Town and Namibia. Famous for its wildflower display in spring, Namaqualand was one of the world’s most important th and how to survive at the Research Station copper mining areas at the beginning of the 20P P century. Nowadays the diamond mines are more important. Because of its dry desert like climate, agriculture is mainly absent and population density low. Namaqualand is part of the Province.

Springbok: It is the capital of Namaqualand. Although Springbok has only around 20 000 inhabitants, it has shops for nearly everything, including two well stocked supermarkets. At weekends Springbok is very busy, when all Namaqualanders come here to do their shopping.

Goegap Nature Reserve: Pronounced as “Guchap“, this nature reserve lays only 20kms outside EDITORIAL of Springbok. In spring it is visited by thousands of tourists that are attracted by its wildflower display. During other times of the year it is very quite and mountain zebra, gemsbok, springbok, EDITOR aardwolf, mice and mice researchers live in peace. EDITORIAL

1 2 empfehlen! Ich hoffe, Sie haben viel Carsten Schradin CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE Spass bei der Lektüre. 3 WELCOME: THE TWENTY-FIRST ISSUE OF THE FSM-TIMES! 4 NAMAQUALAND-WEATHER Beste Grüsse, 4 The people in Goegap Kind regards, 6 A whole day in Springbok 8 Mouse field work 101 10 Supermarket 12 Wöchentlicher Trip nach Springbok 13 Oh Kühlschrank, Herzstück der Station! NAMAQUALAND-WEATHER 14 Homepage 14 Titel: Hexe, Werwolf, Erdwolf By Ivana Schoepf 19 Title: The Cape Porcupine 23 News and information about plants and animals The last three months July August September 23 Mew predators at the farm Minimum temperatures 24 Spot the animal night 6.0 4.8 5.6 25 How to trap day 14.0 10.7 14.9

27 CONFERENCES, PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS Maximum temperatures

27 Conferences night 19.9 15.7 14.7

29 Publications day 27.5 26.9 26.1 Nights with frost 3 5 8 31 FUNDING OF RESEARCH Rainfall in mm 20.0 13.2 6.0 33 THE MOUSE’S TAIL Days with rain 5 6 4

WELCOME TO THE TWENTY-FIRSTH ISSUE OF THE FSM-TIMES! THE PEOPLE IN GOEGAP

By Ed Yuen Dear Reader, are also 3 German articles. I hope

liebe Leser, you enjoy reading! Another flowers season has begun female four striped mice. Moritz

and the research station is, once settled in well at the research station This is the first Dies ist der erste Newsletter, welcher again filled up with students and field and his departure proved especially combined den deutschen SGM-Spiegel und die assistants, getting ready for the hard to bear for Erwan, whom, in the English-German englische FSM-Times zusammenfügt. approaching breeding season of the short period of time the two had Newsletter of the Succulent Karoo Dadurch konnte die Zeit, die ich zum striped mice. In July, Moritz worked together, became quite good Research Station. To reduce the time erstellen des Newsletters brauchte, Rövekamp, a student from the friends. In July we also received our invested in preparing this newsletter, von 2 auf 1 Nachmittag gekürzt University of Zurich arrived in first visitors. Alessandra Schnider, a we decided to have only one version werden. Sie finden in diesem Goegap. Moritz stayed with us for former field assistant, came to see us for both English and German readers. Newsletter englische, aber auch drei only 7 weeks, but even in this short in Goegap. Alessandra, together with This considerably reduced the time I deutsche Beiträge (Seite 12 bis Seite period of time, he managed to make a friend, had decided to take an had to invest in t, from 2 to only 1 19). Vor allem den deutschen Artikel an impact, by helping the farm team overland tour of South Africa, afternoon. Most articles in this über den Erdwolf kann ich Ihnen sehr with their work and by carrying out his Botswana and Namibia, but before newsletter are in English, but there own small project about ontogeny in starting on her amazing journey, she

3 4 decided she wanted to see us and France and he really greatly enjoyed the mice one more time. Alessandra the bird life of Goegap. Thanks to his stayed with us for only two short keen birder’s eyes we discovered that days, but even within this small time we had a pair of verraux eagles frame she managed to get some work nesting in the hills around the farm! done, by carrying out observations Within three days of Erwan’s parents’ and radio-tracking. July had been full departure we saw the arrival of Nino of comings and goings, but from this Maag, a third year student from the point of view August was the month University of Zurich. Nino arrived which was going to take the place, as towards the end of August and he will it saw the arrival of four new students, stay with us at the research station two visitors and the departure of two until the end of November. Nino will field assistants. The first addition to work together with Ivana and Erwan our team was Marta Wastawino, a at the farm, where he will be looking master student from Basel, who at parental and alloparental care in arrived in Goegap at the beginning of striped mice. The day after Nino’s August. Marta will compare the three arrival we were joined by two more different males’ reproductive people: Samuel Lewis and Rachel strategies by carrying out follow Hughes, both 2nd year students from observations of mice in the field. the University of Manchester. While Marta will stay with us until Rachel will be working in the Farm on December. Just over a week after the differences in the use of the Marta’s arrival, Stephanie left. She territory between males, females, went back to her beloved Canada adults and juveniles striped mice, From left to right: Erwan, Nino, Marta, Ivana, Rachel, Sam, Ed and Stribling. (and to her fiancé, who had proposed Sam will be conducting a follows to her while on holidays here in South observation of striped mice to Africa!) to look for a job in wildlife compare the differences between the conservation. Stephanie had been a breeding season and the non- A WHOLE DAY IN SPRINGBOK real asset for our striped mouse team breeding season. Last, but by no and she will be surely missed. Shortly means least, in September we saw By Marta Wastawino after Stephanie’s departure, we the arrival of another field assistant, received a visit from Erwan’s parents, Stribling Stuber. Stribling, a student Springbok is the nearest town to the means that people can spend until 2h who stayed with us at the research from the US, will stay with us until Research Station and is also the (personal observation) at the phone, station for three days. Erwan’s father December and will help with the data capital of Namaqualand. Once a calling all the possible countries on is a well known ornithologist in collection in the main field site. week all the people staying at the the earth. One very strange

Research Station jump in a car and phenomena: it is cheaper to call from face the 20km that divide the Reserve South Africa to other countries than to Station from Springbok. At a first call from South Africa to a cell phone sight, Springbok could appear just a IN South Africa! small town, but in the reality, for us While your friends are hanging at the people living all the week long in the phone you can just take a little walk in middle of a wonderful semi desert, the streets of Springbok. For example Springbok represent a very important you can reach the top of one of the resource. First of all, in Springbok little hills that surround of the town there is reception for cell phones and and enjoy a very beautiful view of the a lot of public phones as well. It landscape. On the main street there

5 6 are several shops and stores where they know the project and are always taste awful and so on. It could Springbok and neither form South you can find clothes and other stuff very interested in us. Titbits serves happen, but in just a few weeks you Africa so you will become an for very good prices (as an example: very good milkshakes as well! You will became an expert in grocery’s attraction: When we went there the very messy but cheap Mr. just have to be patience and wait for shopping! dancing, in less than ten minutes we Price’s). If you love meat you cannot your order to come at the table… I didn’t experience that much nightlife were surrounded by a group of local not visit the Biltong House, where you Another good restaurant that I tried is in Springbok, yet, but as far as it guys dancing with us and asking to will enjoy game biltong (a typical Nando’s. In spite of their confusing concern to me, I had a lot of fun in take pictures together. It has to be sneak of South Africa: dry meat). presentation (Portuguese forefathers Beaver’s. Beavers is a club and I said that we had some very good Eland and kudu are my favorite ones! of African people that discovered guess it is one among a lot of similar break dancers in our group and Springbok means also internet. There America? I learned a slightly different South African clubs. The music that is probably they were the real are just a few internet centers, but is history…) they serve a very good played there is a little old, but interesting event! enough to allow you to connect to the chicken in all sort of ways: pitas, sometimes listening and dancing old Reassuming, Springbok could appear web and write and read as much e- wraps, ¼ steak; with chips, smashed music could be very entertaining. The just a little South African town, but it mails as possible in a very little time potatoes, rice, …you have just to only things that can maybe bother is a lot more, and could really offer a (because after all the internet choose carefully with which sauce you a little, or just make you laugh, is lot and is actually interesting, fun and connection is not very cheap!). you would like to have your dish. I that local people immediately friendly. I hope you will enjoy your Moreover, there are some stands on can say that I will not take the hot understand that you are not from weekly day there! the streets, with funny guys trying to sauce ever again…I suggest better sell you very ugly and useless first to try the mild one, even if you passport’s books, batman’s belts, like peri-peri (a South African type of MOUSE FIELD WORK 101 Springbok’s caps and not-waterproof- chili). Another restaurant that we tried for-sure-watches. Anyway, they could is Wimpy, a fast food restaurant By Stribling Stuber become very helpful to buy hats and where burgers are very nice. scarf to wear while working on the What is more fun than a basketball I thought I knew what I was getting then spend 30 minutes at a different field but not just there (because even match to recharge the energies and myself into. No stranger to field work, nest, and observe amiable and if it’s cheap we don’t want to waste do some exercise (even if I know that I have observed, measured, and aggressive interactions between the money, isn’t it?). not everybody will agree with me on recorded in the relentless, sweltering mice as they begin their day. After the Movies: strange but true, Springbok this point…)? With the same ball we heat of southern U.S. summers. I observation period, we return to does have two stores that rent played tennis, soccer-tennis and we have inhaled countless gnats, pried check the traps we set earlier. Any movies! The stores are called Mr. had a very interesting basketball off dozens of ticks, and endured mice we trap are weighed, sexed, Video and Stax, and sometimes they match! poison ivy’s interminable, distracting and quickly released. This routine of have good choice of movies, from the And last but not least, in Springbok itch, all for the sake of science. When trapping and observation is repeated very old ones to the newest; you can you can buy groceries! To understand I signed up to work at the Succulent in the evenings as well, just as the try to rent some South frican movies how much food and which one you Karoo Research Station, I expected mice are heading back to their nests as well, if you want to built your will need during a whole week could trapping and tracking adorable little after a hard day of foraging. And, knowledge in this field. seem a very easy thing, but it isn’t! In striped mice in the South African during midmornings and afternoons, Another very important aspect of South Africa you can find almost the desert under a clear sky, in a we also track select mice collared going into the town is that there you same food as in Europe, but landscape sprinkled with the oranges, with small transmitters, finding their can find restaurants: you have just to sometimes there is just a slightly and yellows, and purples of its famous position with radio telemetry to choose which one, and that’s it! tricky difference! Don’t be too flora, to provide a pleasant change of determine their home range. There are several possibilities and surprised if you buy cookies that are scenery. What I failed to take into account, one is Titbits. In Titbits you can enjoy not cooked yet, meat that is not really The routine here at the main field site what I neglected to incorporate in my breakfast that look like lunch, meat, flour with strange flakes in it, is actually rather simple. In the naive daydreams of wandering the lunches, dinners, ice creams, hot rice that need to be put first in cold mornings, as the mice are waking up flowering desert in search of fat- chocolates and lots more. The people water for 15 minutes, than boiled and and rubbing the sleep from their eyes, cheeked mice, was just one small, in the restaurant are very friendly, at the end fried, peanut sweeties that we set traps outside their nests. We niggling detail. All of my previous

7 8 experience, all of my methods and How to become a field ricocheting off of banks and getting to the majority of my mice now, and skills, were developed while working assistant? lost in dense vegetation. If I wasn’t have even successfully painted with plants. Which, in case you were Only people with a biological quick enough (which was more often several with the dye we use to mark unaware, are fairly stationary. Mice, background can become field than not the case), the mice would individuals for identification. My data as it turns out, are quite the opposite. assistants. These are students of run circles around me. As soon as I on the sex lives of the mice are When I came to Goegap, I knew I biology, veterinary medicine or felt the stirrings of smug satisfaction recorded with confidence now, and if would work hard, and I expected the related areas. The work of field at having pinpointed the position of a you’re really interested, I might even work to be different, for sure. It is one assistants includes: radio- mouse, it would silently scurry to a be able to dish on the details of the of the many reasons I came here, in tracking, trapping and marking of nearby bush, leaving me with a love triangles (and pentagons) of fact – to learn from new experiences. small mammals, behavioural mysteriously weak signal and a some of the groups I’ve gotten to What took me by surprise however, observations, work at the resignation to once again wander know. I have gotten better with radio- was just how different and how research station, including around and around clumps of bushes tracking as well. I can now quickly challenging it could be to make the maintenance, and much more. in pursuit. discern a back-signal when I see one, transition from working with People interested in working as a I have been at the research station and I (dare I say it?) am getting better cooperative, immobile subjects, to field assistant for 2-3 months for two weeks now. I still mix up about instinctively knowing how and small furry subjects with feet, tails, write an email to nesting bushes every now and again, where to point the antenna, though I and teeth. [email protected]. Please but I have become much more still chase mice from bush to bush at By the end of my first week, I felt like write a short motivation and familiar with the landscape, and am least once a day. At the end of my a fool. You might assume it would be attach a CV. You will then obtain slowly learning to recognize natural second week, I am already feeling difficult to get lost in an area where more information. landmarks. That group of mice sleeps more competent, and confident that I you can always see over the in the bush with greying, dead will, with practice, be able to vegetation to the horizon, but I branches in the front, just past the overcome whatever mousey- managed. Several times. The study downed tree and the patch of challenge comes next. I still expect area is relatively small, yet I quickly unusually fluffy grass. The whole the occasional bite though, no matter forgot which bushes contained nests, trapping process is going much more how many mice I trap. and which were merely bushes – smoothly. I am managing to hold on from my perspective, they all looked generically greenish and prickly. Additionally, all my methods of observation had been developed SUPERMARKET SWEEPNGLISH LESSONS scrutinizing plants. I was accustomed to poring over specimens for as long bleeding. And let’s not forget the By Rachel Hughes as I liked, manipulating leaves and fresh excretions that often stems at will in order to determine the accompany stressed-out mice and Hello Darlin’s, its Rachel here. I am mistakes are made by the lovely shape of a bract or the length of a wind up smeared on your hands. writing to give you some advice on members of the research team that ligule. It is an entirely different matter, Also, for eyes trained to pick out supermarket shopping in Springbok make what should be a nice relaxed I discovered, to hold a breathing, venation patterns in leaves, it was a should you ever find yourself needing stroll around the supermarket into a biting creature and determine in an difficult transition to visual to do some. mad dash which would only be instant details about its sex life. comprehension of mammalian The weekly trip of all the station appropriate if accompanied by Dale Firstly, mice are expert squirmers. anatomy in miniature. Finally, there occupants to Springbok is a fabulous Winton and a TV crew. So here are They are quite adept at repositioning was the radio tracking: simple in time; a chance to use the internet to my three top tips for a peaceful themselves in your grip so that they principle, but challenging to do catch up on all the gossip, make shopping trip: can either escape or get a good shot efficiently and effectively. There phone calls to our nearest and 1. Leaving too little time... all at the at one of your fingers. Small, needle- seemed to be quite a few “if this, then dearest, dine in style once a week research station would agree that like teeth clamp down hard, and often that” situations when using and of course restock the larder for leaving the shopping until half five it takes awhile for the bite to stop temperamental equipment to follow the coming week. However, various to start when the Superspar an airborne signal with a penchant for

9 10 closes at six is a big faux-pas. Not the first week, when forgetting WÖCHENTLICHER TRIP NACH SPRINGBOK only does it mean you how much exercise we would get inconvenience the lovelies of chasing mice around all day did Von Nino Maag Superspar, but you risk breaking a not by nearly enough food. By the nächste Mal gewünscht. sweat in the supermarket which is end of the week I was rationing Mittwoch ist „day off“, oder vielleicht Anschliessend bin ich zu einem a nightmare. out biscuits and eating more besser „busy day in Springbok“. Für kleinen Supermarkt gegangen um 2. List dramas... these fall into three apples than I have ever eaten mich war es das erste Mal, dass ich eine Telefonkarte zu kaufen. Auch categories: not making a list, before...an easy mistake to make diesen Tag von Beginn an miterlebt hier verlief es nicht ganz reibungslos. losing the list before reaching the which leaves a lasting impression habe. Die Woche zuvor bin ich an Ich fragte nach einer „phone card“ supermarket and not using the list. - the following week I bought far diesem Tag in Springbok und bekam Becher angeboten. Ich All three of these are big blunders too much but at least could eat angekommen und habe es einfach glaube ich muss an meinem Englisch as although we all like milk and biscuits freely again. nur genossen die neuen Leute arbeiten. Ich denke die eggs, spending the following week So there you have it, those are my kennenzulernen, in Titbits zu essen Verkäuferinnen haben sich köstlich eating omelettes for every meal tips for a successful and stress-free und meine Freunde zu Hause zu amüsiert. Immerhin habe ich because that’s all you bought is shopping trip, use them wisely and kontaktieren, entweder über Internet bekommen was ich wollte und konnte no-one’s idea of fine dining. above all.....Happy shopping! oder Telefon. dann meiner Lieben nach Hause 3. Underestimating your Diesen Mittwoch war es dann etwas telefonieren. Zum Schluss habe ich appetite...this is a mistake I made anders. Ich hatte mir vorgenommen es noch kurz ins Internet Café einige Dinge in der Stadt zu geschafft und schnell meine Mails erledigen, habe aber tatsächlich nur versandt. Glücklicherweise habe ich knapp die Hälfte geschafft. Nachdem die meisten schon vorab, während ich drei Geldautomaten (ATM’s) der Woche geschrieben und konnte durchprobiert habe und erst beim sie nur noch abschicken. Natürlich letzten erfolgreich beziehen konnte, kamen wir dann erst eine halbe was hauptsächlich an meiner Stunde vor Ladenschluss im Spar- Unfähigkeit lag die Aufschrift richtig Supermarkt an und haben gerade zu lesen (es gibt verschiedene), noch rechtzeitig alle unsere führte mich mein Weg weiter zum Esswaren für die kommende Woche „Post Office“. Auch dort habe ich zusammensuchen können. mich länger als nötig aufgehalten. Obwohl es etwas stressig klingen Obwohl mich die Frau am Schalter mag, ist der Tag in Springbok doch extra darauf hingewiesen hat, die ein schöner Ausflug und eine Briefmarken nicht über das willkommene Abwechslung. Ich habe Kennzeichen für das Spezialcouvert, es sehr genossen und habe einige welches einen verbilligten Versand lustige Erfahrungen gemacht. Die ermöglicht, zu kleben, habe ich es Leute hier haben mich alle sehr trotzdem gemacht. Dies hatte zur freundlich behandelt, ich mag die Folge, dass ich weitere Briefmarken Menschen hier. Nächste Woche kaufen und aufkleben musste. Ich organisiere ich zusammen mit Erwan habe jetzt noch den bitteren unseren Trip in den Krüger Park, Nachgeschmack auf der Zunge, zum welchen wir nach vollbrachter Arbeit Glück war es auch so nicht sehr teuer in Geogap unternehmen werden. Ich und ich wurde beim Anheften von der bin gespannt, ob es diesmal etwas

Springbok Verkäuferin unterstützt. Sie hat besser funktioniert? gelacht und mir viel Glück für das

11 12

OH KÜHLSCHRANK, HERZSTÜCK DER STATION Goegap Nature Reserve

Von Moritz Rövekamp Accommodation: Guesthouse, bush hut, camp site.

Von aussen sieht er aus wie jeder Bevor sich der Zyklus dann andere grosse Kühlschrank, doch wiederholt, gähnt die Leere und es 4x4 routes, tourist route for all cars, two hiking trails. dieser spezielle Kühlschrank ist mehr werden immer häufiger Regalbesitzer als ein Platz um Fleisch und Gemüse mit dem Kopf im Kühlschrank beim Tel: +27 27 718 99 06 frisch zu halten. Er ist das Herz, das Zählen der verbleibenden Mahlzeiten Fax: +27 277181286 die Forschungsgemeinschaft und die beobachtet. Forschung am Leben erhält. Gefüllt Nur der Tiefkühler bleibt von der mit für die Analyse in der Schweiz vollständigen Leere bewahrt, dieser gesammeltem Mäuseblut und füllt sich mit kleinen, sorgfältig HOMEPAGE: STRIPEDMOUSE.COM Nahrung für die Forschenden, schlägt beschrifteten Ampullen von eilig der Kühlschrank im wöchentlichen heimgebrachtem, entnommenem By Carsten Schradin Puls des Einkaufsrhythmus. Mäuseblut. Dies ist der Teil der Zu Beginn der Woche scheint sich Forschungsstation der, sollten die das Herz beinahe auszudehnen, Sonnenkollektoren ausfallen oder July August September Total last wenn jedes Regal von seinem durch anhaltendes Schlechtwetter quarter temporären Besitzer drei Lagen hoch ausser Kraft gesetzt werden, gerettet Visits of 3126 3067 3360 9553 gestopft wird. Vom kunstvollen, wie in werden muss. Sonst ginge jahrelange stripedmouse.com ein Puzzle eingesetztes Stapeln, bis Forschung einen aufgetauten Bach Downloads FSM-TIMES, 451 117 139 707 zum wilden, knapp in der Balance hinunter. Normalerweise reicht die SGM-Spiegel gehaltenen Chaos werden alle Lager- Energie der Sonnenkollektoren Techniken angewendet und trotzdem vollständig für die Versorgung der ist das, was man braucht immer in ganzen Station. Obwohl sich die der hintersten Ecke links. persönliche Computerzeit empfindlich Erstaunlich ist, wie aus der in Spar verkürzt, wenn wegen vieler Leute TITEL: HEXE, WERWOLF, ERDWOLF: erstandenen Masse der der zweite Kühlschrank eingeschaltet Rohnahrungsmittel, die sich in jedem werden muss. Für den absoluten SCHRECKEN DER DIE NACHT Regal nur durch subtile Notfall steht ein gasbetriebener Auswahlverfahren unterscheidet, eine Tiefkühler bereit, die einzige DURCHFLATTERT internationale, kunterbunte Vielfalt Alternative zur Sonnenenergie die von Speisen entsteht. Im Verlauf der einem hier zur Verfügung steht. Von Moritz Rövekamp Woche, während sich das Herz So schlägt das Herz der Station ruhig langsam leert, wird diese Vielfalt in im Takt der Umstände. Kühl-Schrank. Tiefe Nacht. Plötzlich gerät zusammen mit flüchtenden Form von Überresten in Tupperware Kühl-Schrank. Kühl-Schrank. Bewegung in die Menge. Die Arbeiterinnen. Es riecht nach sichtbar und auch das Geruchsklima Arbeiterinnen flüchten entsetzt in Tannennadeln als die letzten ändert sich, je mehr Verpackungen Richtung des schützenden Baus, die Arbeiterinnen im schützenden Bunker verschwinden. ersten alarmierten Soldaten preschen verschwinden und der Angriff endlich hervor. Für die Königin bis in den ablässt. Ein geräuschloser Schatten Tod! Vergeblich versprühen sie ihre huscht im Schutz der mondlosen chemischen Waffen. Zu hunderten Nacht davon. Die Ohren des Täters und tausenden sterben sie zucken als ihm die tiefe Stille beinahe

13 14 zu bereitwillig den Standort einer dauern. Eine kühle Brise kommt auf lodernder Mähne und in lauernder anderen Gruppe von Arbeiterinnen und Tropfen beginnen aus den Angriffsstellung. Um die Termiten aufzuspüren benutzt verrät. Der Grossteil fällt ihm zum grauen Massen zu fallen. Unwillig, Obwohl niemand von handfesten der Erdwolf sein aussergewöhnlich Opfer, erst als nur noch wilde Krieger aber ohne Verzögerung dreht sich Angriffen berichten kann, werden sie scharfes Gehör. Auf der Jagd sind hervorstürmen, lässt er von ihnen ab. der Räuber um die eigene Achse und gejagt. seine grossen Ohren in ständiger Noch ist sein Hunger nicht gestillt. bricht seinen Streifzug ab. Pech Der Erdwolf (Aardwolf, Proteles Bewegung, wobei der Kopf ruhig Weiter. Wolken ziehen über den heute Nacht. Nur knapp cristatus) ist eine Hyäne und einer bleibt. (Über Geruch jagende Tiere, Himmel und die von den Sternen hunderttausend Opfer. Doch die Jagd der hochentwickeltsten bewegen den Kopf hin und her, um beleuchtete Landschaft versinkt in fortzusetzen ist zu kostspielig. Mit Nahrungsspezialisten der Ordnung Fährte aufzunehmen.) Bei Regen ihrem Schatten in kompletter wehendem Schweif und wilder der Carnivora. Wie der Panda seinen überdecken die fallenden Tropfen die Dunkelheit. Umso besser. Noch ist Mähne verschwindet die Kreatur in Bambus, spachtelt der Erdwolf fast Geräusche der Kiefer der Termiten, keine neue Gruppe in Reichweite, der Erde. Nächste Nacht wird er mehr ausschliesslich Termiten. 250‘000 weshalb die Jagd sofort aufgegeben aber lange kann es nicht mehr erbeuten müssen. Stück pro Nacht. Die meisten wird. Termiten leben durchgehend unter Sind die Insekten mal gefunden der Erde, doch die Exemplare des werden sie mit der breiten, mit sehr Genus‘ der Trinervitermes entsteigen klebrigen Speichel überzogenen des nachts zu Tausenden ihren Zunge vom Boden aufgeleckt. Die Höhlen um trockenes Gras zu ernten. Erdwölfe sind nicht die einzigen, die Sie stellen über 90 Prozent der sich an den schmackhaften Insekten Nahrung des Erdwolfs. Die Spezies gütlich tun. Doch die Termiten haben der Trinervitermes sind das ganze die lange Ko-Evolution auch nicht mit Jahr aktiv und marschieren in dichten Fingerdrehen verbracht. Um zu Kolonnen, die bis zu 5000 verhindern, dass all zu viele von Mann/Frau/Insekt stark sind. ihnen in hungrigen Mägen landen, haben Termiten die chemische Kriegsführung zur Perfektion gebracht. Die Termiten-Soldaten versprühen dünne Fäden von grässlich stinkenden Terpenen. (Schmecken wie zerbissene Tannennadeln) Nur stossen sie leider beim Verwandten, der unter anderem aasfressenden Hyänen auf taube Ohren, oder Mägen. Das Erbe von der Hyänenlinie, deren Mägen sogar Zähne und Knochen verdauen, lässt den Erdwolf diese leichte Störung problemlos verkraften. Erst wenn nur noch die übel riechenden Soldaten- Erdwolf in Goegap, mit aufgestellter Mähne! Termiten da und alle leckeren Arbeiterinnen im Bau verschwunden Menschen in nahen Siedlungen Werwölfen. Aasfressern. Gerissene sind, lässt der Erdwolf von einer sprechen bei der Erscheinung von Schafe und Rinder. Kolonne ab. blutrünstigen Hexen mit wilden Bei Begegnungen mit den Wesen in Chemische Analysen der Termiten Haaren, die in Gruppen jagen und der Nähe der Herden scheinen diese ergaben, dass das Kilo Termiten, das fähig sind die Gestalt zu wechseln. um ein Vielfaches zu wachsen, mit der Erdwolf nächtlich frisst, ungefähr Termitenhügel

15 16 750 Gramm Frischfleisch entspricht. bergige Gebiete und ist einer der der Erdwolf jedoch zu jeder Zeit sein Somit hat sich der Erdwolf auf eine wenigen Günstlinge des Maul geschlossen. Die Zähne werden eiweissreiche Nahrungsquelle zunehmenden Kahlschlags für Rind- nicht gebleckt. Wissenschaftler spezialisiert, die er mit minimalem und Schafweiden, da die Termiten vermuten, dass er dem Gegenüber Aufwand und minimaler Konkurrenz auf offenen, trockenen Feldern und sein relativ schwaches Gebiss nicht konsumieren kann. Steppen mit kurzem Gras leben. Da entblössen will. Die übrigen knappen 10 Prozent der sich der Erdwolf deshalb nachts in So „verwandelt“ sich der Wer- Nahrung bestehen aus anderen der Nähe der Herden herumtreibt, Erdwolf. Termitenarten und Insekten. Wenige werden ihm auch heute noch Trotzdem ist es erstaunlich, dass ein Berichte behaupten, dass auch kleine gerissene Schafe zugeschrieben, absolut harmloses und unschädliches Nagetiere, Eier, Vögel und Aas was seiner Beliebtheit nicht zugute Tier sich derart unbeliebt gemacht gefressen werden. kommt. hat. Vieles hat wahrscheinlich mit Die Backenzähne des Erdwolfs sind Doch ist sein Lebensraum nicht in dem schlechten Image der Hyänen zu kleinen Stümpfen zurückgebildet, Gefahr, obwohl Insektizide gegen als hinterhältige Räuber und die er zum Teil im Alter ohne Heuschrecken schon viele Aasfresser zu tun. Das färbt auf die gravierenden Einfluss auf die Verlassener Bau eines Erdwolfes Populationen stark dezimiert haben. Miniatur-Insektivore-Ausgabe ab. Nahrungsaufnahme verliert. Eck- und Auf den Feldern fanden auch die Diese Ähnlichkeit bietet dem Erdwolf Schneidezähne sind gut ausgebildet. Der Erdwolf ist generell solitär und meisten Begegnungen mit dem im Umgang mit anderen Tieren einen Die langen, scharfen Eckzähne schläft im eigenen Bau, den er Erdwolf statt. Diese haben sich signifikanten Vorteil. Mit Hyänen ist (Canine) werden nicht für die meistens von anderen Tieren, z. Bsp. offensichtlich als unterbewusstes und nicht zu spassen, sie sind nach dem Nahrungsaufnahme verwendet, Erdferkel, übernimmt, obwohl er auch unbegründetes Feindbild tief ins Löwen die grössten Prädatoren. sondern für Territorialkämpfe und selbst fähig ist zu buddeln. Hinweise menschliche Kulturgedächtnis Mir ist der geschmeidige Bruder mit Verteidigung zum Beispiel gegen bestehen jedoch, dass je ein gefressen. Dies ist in sofern dem buschigen Schwanz leider nicht Schakale. Männchen und ein Weibchen ihr verständlich, da der Erdwolf begegnet, während ich im Goegap Die Statur der Erdwölfe erinnert stark Territorium teilen und generell spektakuläre Drohgebärden besitzt; Nature Reserve unterwegs war. Auch an kleine Hyänen. Mit ihren langen monogam leben. Bekannt ist, dass indem er sein Fell sträubt kann er das zwei Night Drives haben ihn, aller Beinen erreichen sie eine die Männchen nach der Geburt ihrer Volumen seiner Silhouette bis um 74 Faszination zum Trotz, nicht Schulterhöhe von ungefähr 50 Jungen, deren Nest bewachen, Prozent erweitern. Die Mähne ist überzeugt sich zu zeigen. Trotz Zentimetern, wobei die Schultern während die Mutter auf unabhängig bewegbar und so kann Spuren und Augenzeugenberichten höher liegen als das Becken. Obwohl Nahrungssuche ist. Dies senkt die der Kopf besonders betont werden. von seiner Präsenz, musste ich mich sie bis zu einem Meter lang werden, Mortalitätsrate der Jungen signifikant, Manchmal lässt er ähnlich wie selbst mit seinen Spuren sind sie sehr schlank gebaut und da diese sonst von Schakalen Hyänen die Vorderbeine auf die Knie zufriedengeben. Zumindest für mich wiegen im Mittel 9 Kilogramm. Wie gefressen werden und ist somit eine einknicken, ein Bild wie eine Katze bleibt der Erdwolf vorläufig ein Hyänen haben sie eine nackte lohnenswerte Investition für die vor dem Sprung. Mythos. Schnauze. Ausserdem eine lange Männchen. Im Unterschied zu seinen Mähne und einen buschigen Trotzdem interagieren auch in dieser fleischfressenden Verwandten lässt Schrödingers Katze lebt. Schwanz. Das Fell ist von Vertikal- Zeit die Männchen und Weibchen und Querstreifen durchzogen und kaum miteinander, sondern lösen grau bis rotbraun. sich eher genervt und aggressiv beim Babysitten ab. Der Lebensraum des Erdwolfs hängt grösstenteils von der Verteilung der Termiten ab; er lebt in Busch- und Grasland in unzusammenhängenden Regionen von Süd- und Nordostafrika. Er meidet generell

17 18 quills are actually modified hair and parameters also influence the density mainly act as a defense against of individuals in an area; the density predators. But, contrary to the is lower and the home range larger popular belief, they do not eject their when food is scarce. quills but simply erect them when threatened. The other day, Ivy asked me whether it was possible to estimate the age of a porcupine according to its quills. Honestly, I don’t know because Cape porcupines have different types of quills; long, thick and sharp ones, tiny ones and even really long and flexible ones that rather seem there for ornamentation (Cf. Fig. 1). It might be more accurate to look at their teeth like most animals. Cape porcupines are social mammals (up to 8 individuals per group) and group members are usually part of the same family. During the day, they shelter in rock crevices or in burrows Sich in der Abendsonne sonnender Erdwolf vor seinem Bau. that they dig themselves or even Fig.1. Different types of quills that can be sometimes borrow to aardvarks after found on one porcupine they have deserted it, but they will

always modify it in their own way. I As most of the porcupines’ diet is was told that it is possible to based on subterranean parts of ITLE HE APE ORCUPINE YSTRIX differentiate a burrow of a porcupine T : T C P (H plants, they have to dig to access from an aardvark’s by the shape of their food. The pools they leave after AFRICAEAUSTRALIS the entrance; the first is round ) foraging can then be filled with water whereas the latter is flat at the base. and organic matter and serve as sites If it is difficult to tell, you can still look By Eve Davidian for seedling germination and around. If you find some quills and recruitment. It has been shown these When I was asked to write an essay, I The Cape porcupine is a nocturnal quill scratches on the ground… pools have higher plant diversity than really wondered what I could talk rodent and thus is not closely related Bingo! It’s a porky house! the surrounding, undisturbed soil. about. I went out for a walk and each to the hedgehog as many people Porcupines are really noisy eaters; Like striped mice and bush Karoo time I saw an animal or a plant I think. It occurs in many different you can hear them chewing at night rats, porcupines exhibit a high asked myself: “Should I write about ecosystems, from woodlands to dry from several meters. They generally feeding selectivity for dominant you?”. But my answer was generally: savannas, throughout southern feed on subterranean parts of plants species which, probably by reducing like bulbs and roots but, in some “Already done!” or “Hum, not Africa. With its length ranging from 75 the competition between plants, areas, they can also eat the bark of inspired”. And then, I realized I had to 100 cm and its weight from 12 to appears to favor some rare and the perfect subject, a species I know 24 kg, the Cape porcupine is the some tree species. Porcupines have endemic geophytes in the quite well as I studied it three years largest rodent in the region and is huge home ranges (65-116 ha) but Nieuwoudtville area. Due to these ago and that occurs in the reserve; unmistakable due to his armor of their size depends on the quality, the effects on their ecosystem, Cape the Cape porcupine. black and white quills, reminding the availability and the predictability of porcupines can be considered as sticks of the ‘Mikado’ game. These their food resources. Theses

19 20 ecosystem engineers in the 2), but mainly because iii) I found a simply consists in depositing some Succulent Karoo region. handful of quills there! powder paint at the entrance of a Nonetheless, in agricultural areas, Moreover, I could tell, by their smell burrow and placing a sheet of paper farmers consider them as pests and of dry hair and musk that these quills in front of it so that, when the animal kill them because they often damage were quite fresh so there might be comes out, it leaves a nice print on their crops or fences. But the major some porcupines living in this area at the paper. threat for porcupines may actually be the moment. Unfortunately, I didn’t As I didn’t have any powder paint, I the increase of the quill trade; find any burrow there. My deposited some red sand (previously apparently lots of tourists appreciate investigation on the study site was sifted) and paper at each of the five the lampshades “made in porcupine”. more fruitful as I localized about five burrows. Unfortunately, when I Even though porcupines are relatively burrows that could be occupied by checked them the following morning, common animals in South Africa, porcupines. none of the sheets had prints. I guess their conflicting interactions with I decided to try a method my former no one lives in those burrows at the humans could threaten some of their supervisor, Christy Bragg, taught me moment. But for sure there is at least populations at long term. to check the burrows for occupancy one porcupine living there because, Quite surprisingly, there do not seem and identify the species and number while I am pulling my hair to find it, it to be a lot of porcupines in the of individuals living there. It is called keeps taunting me by regularly reserve, compared to Nieuwoudtville. the ‘paint and paper’ methods and I leaving some quills on my way to the Maxie, the reserve manager, even think it is quite popular for the studies mice nests. looked relieved when Ivy and I told on small mammals. This methods her we had found some quills in the farm. I think their low abundance here is due to the vegetation type. Like Goegap, Nieuwoudtville is known as a hotspot of plant diversity and lands are covered by beautiful flowers in spring. Nevertheless, this diversity is Sheet of mainly represented by geophytes paper Entrance of species, which offers a lot of food to Fig.2. Possible leftovers of a porcupine the burrow porcupines. In fact, it is such a rich feast. a: bulb shells, b: quill habitat for them that their density and weight are among the highest, if not I have intensively looked for burrows THE highest, recorded in South in the farm but the few I have found Africa! seemed rather occupied by In Goegap reserve, succulent species aardvarks. But I couldn’t give up. My represent most of the plant diversity instinct of porcupine hunter was and I am not sure that porcupines are aroused and I had to find one. I Fig.3. Setup of the ‘Paint & Paper’ methods at a probable porcupine burrow crazy about them. On the other hand, decided to investigate around the two Red sand according to the density of anthills areas where I had previously found and the numbers of diggings, Goegap quills; on the study site and on the really seems to be a paradise for site where Christina Keller used to aardvarks! trap pygmy mice. When I arrived on the ‘pygmy mice’ site, I found lots of porcupine diggings. I could tell so for several reasons: i) there were no anthills around, ii) I found many bulbs and bulbs shells next to them (Cf. Fig

21 22 keeping the predators busy and the mice off their menu. NEWS AND INFORMATION ABOUT PLANTS AND ANIMALS

NEW PREDATORS AT THE FARM!

By Ivana Schoepf

As if mice mortality rate due to are seen regularly in the morning and predation at the farm is not already in the afternoon flying over the field high enough, we now have at least site in the direction of Springbok. Our four more potential mice-eaters! First theory is that the crows are more of the bunch are the booted eagles. A interested in the food on offer in pair of booted eagles has, in fact, Springbok rather than what is moved in our farm site and has taken available at the farm. Tough the over the nest last year occupied by crows have not been proved guilty the black shoulder kites. They have yet, we cannot be sure of what they Booted Eagle immediately made themselves busy are up to when we are not looking, too as, since the beginning of the hence we still consider them as only radio-tracking in the end of August, potential predators. Last but not least, SPOT THE ANIMAL! they have been responsible for the we also have a pair of Verraux disappearance of at least three of our Eagles. Though an adult eagle would radio-collared females (and probably be probably far more interested in By Ivana Schoepf countless more non-radio-collared catching dassies rather than mice, a mice, bush Karoo rats and elephant large pregnant female mouse could shrews!). still make for a tasty take away for a One night as Ed, Stephanie and I same spot trying to take a picture of Next up are the goshawks. A pair of young eagle chick. We still don’t were making our way back to the the creature. After a while – southern pale chanting goshawks has know for sure how many mice are lost research station; we saw something approximately 45 minutes- as the made the trees overlooking the reeds to the eagles as so far we haven’t distinctly cat like moving up on the animal didn’t seem to be going near the farm house their home. been able to locate their nest, but we side of one of the hills overlooking the anywhere we decided to go back to Though the two birds are nesting well are confident that we will soon be office. As we did not expect to see the research station to get better away from were we are conducting able to uncover their secret location anything unusual we were caught a equipment, i.e. our good binoculars our research (approximately 3.5 km), as we have our top man, Erwan “the bit “unprepared” and we had with us and Ed’s zoom lens with image they are regularly seen patrolling the eagles’ finder” on the case. One only a pair of not-too-good binoculars stabilizer. However after all our sky of our field site in the morning, thing for sure, all of these new and an instant camera. Tough we preparations, when we went back to which of course, cannot be good additions to the farm predators list are cold not entirely make out what it the spot we found the animal gone. news for our mice. In addition we also helping to keep the jackal buzzards was; we became convinced that it Well at least we managed to catch have a group of about 5-6 pied crows rather busy! The poor guys are in fact was either a caracal or a leopard we one very blurry picture of it. Here it is: that are nesting in the hills seen almost daily chasing away the were looking at, as we had seen the you can decide for yourself if it is a overlooking our field site. The crows eagles from their territory! Well, one animal in the very same area just a caracal or the famous Goegap have not yet been seen scooping up good thing at last, all this fighting is few days earlier and on the same leopard. For the three of us the anything from the ground, but they occasion we decided that it could only debate still rages on! be either. We waited patiently in the

23 24

Here is the picture I got from Goegap. I (Carsten) cant even see where the animal should be!

HOW TO TRAP

By Erwan Cherel

Trapping is one of the main field have to set the traps, they are set Then, we let the traps set at least half mice, you have to put them from the activities and also one of the most close to a bush, in the shadow. The and hour. After this time we can see if trap to the bag, it is useful to weight interesting. We need a scale, a bowl, traps mustn’t be under the sun there are some animals in the traps. them, we just need to put the bag in a bag, some corn flakes and, of because it could be dangerous for the Usually we catch striped mice, but the bowl on the scale. After this first course, traps. animals who are in the traps, they sometimes we find elephant shrews operation we determine if the mouse The purpose of trapping is to collect can die if the weather is warm and if or bush Karoo rats, and it happens is a male or a female, it is the data about mice, like the weight and the sun heat the traps. that birds are trapped, just be careful beginning of handling. First we their sexual activity. First of all, we when you let birds go: don ‘t look into immobilize, with the hand, the mouse the trap as they might fly into your in the bag, then we catch it with the face. Before you begin to handle

25 26 other hand and we hold it by the the head, on the back or on the chest ZSSA CONFERENCE IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA back, like on the picture. for the female and on the ass for the For the female we look if the nipples male. We put usually one colour, but By Ed Yuen are visible and if the vagina is open, if they are too many mice in a nest we for the male we just look if the put two colours, for example black In July, Ivy and I were fortunately were many Master, PhD and Postdoc scrotum is visible. Then we read the and red chest. This operation is a enough to attend the conference of students could present their results. ear tag to know which individual we little bit more difficult but after a while the Zoological Society of Southern Both Ivy and I took up the opportunity were handling. Of course if the it comes easily. People who are used Africa (ZSSA) in Durban. It was and presented our work during the mouse hasn’t any ear tag, we tag it. If to handle mice can also put on them decided that this being the 50th poster session. Ivy chose to cover the we are doing nest observation where a radio-collar but it is a really delicate anniversary of the society it should be environmental causes of social the mouse is trapped we need to handling. Before to leave we unset made an all African affairs and all the flexibility as a topic for her poster paint it, we use a painting which is not the traps, putting them on the back, in invited keynote speakers for the (Title: Social Flexibility. A field toxic for mice. We have two colours, this way, animals can come in and conference were to be from Southern study in the four striped mouse black and red, and we paint mice on come out without being trapped. Africa. This was a rather interesting (Rhabdomys pumilio)), while I fact for us as, in this way, we had the presented my work on personality in chance to hear speak many of the top the four striped mouse (Title: South African researchers and to get Personality in the Four Striped an insight into the issues, the Mouse). Both our posters were well priorities and the general state of the received and both Ivy and I got asked research in South Africa and its a lot of questions regarding our neighboring countries. Being an research. Conferences are also anniversary conference also meant interesting places where one has the that the talks were not concentrated opportunity to meet people and to do around a specific topic, but rather some social networking. The covered different aspects of biology, conference Ivy and I attended in from evolution, to conservation, Durban was not different, and both of development, cell biology and us had the chance to meet new and taxonomy. Alongside the keynote interesting scientists and to discover speakers (30 minutes each) and the that our striped mouse research is so called speed-talks (10 minutes well famous, as several people each) where other researchers were recognized our faces from our striped given the opportunity to present their mouse website! CONFERENCES, PRESENTATIONS AND work, there were also poster sessions

PUBLICATIONS

CONFERENCES

Carsten Schradin went to the meeting field of Animal Behaviour, that hope of the German Zoological Society in to get a permanent position soon. Regensburg in September. He gave a The visit to the conference was quite symposium talk of 30min as one of successful and enjoyable. two young German scientists in the

27 28 breeding male was present in their group and when food was abundant, while population density had no effect. 6. In laboratory experiments we demonstrated that males fed with poor protein food, males that regularly encounter larger unfamiliar males (mimicking high population density), and males that live in family groups with their father present, become scrotal at a significantly later age, independent of their growth rate. 7. Males housed in family groups have lower testosterone but higher corticosterone levels than singly housed males, indicating they are sexually suppressed. When they become scrotal in their family group, their testes are only half as large as those of their singly housed brothers, and they contained significantly less sperm. 8. We conclude that male striped mice have a flexible response to the onset of puberty, and that the onset of sexual maturity is dependent on several environmental cues. Our results indicate that there is no threshold body mass, which, when reached, would automatically trigger puberty in male striped mice. 9. Male helpers in some species are reproductively suppressed, but ours is the first study that demonstrated the importance of different ecological factors in the timing of puberty in male helpers in a facultative cooperatively breeding species.

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Schradin, C., C. Schneider, and C. H. Yuen. 2009. Age at puberty in male African striped mice: the impact of food, population density and the presence of the father. Functional Ecology 23:1004-1013.

Summary 1. The time at which animals enter puberty and become sexually mature is a significant life history trait, influencing lifetime reproductive success. Great variation exists both between and within species. 2. The proximate mechanisms regulating the time at which a male enters puberty are not well understood. Environmental cues are predicted to provide the relevant information on resource availability and opportunities for reproduction. When these are good the onset of puberty begins whereas at other times investment in survival becomes more important. 3. Male African striped mice (Rhabdomys pumilio) demonstrate large variation in the age at which they enter puberty, with grassland populations starting at 4 weeks old and semi-desert populations at over 10 weeks old. 4. We predicted that differences in the availability of food, social organisation, and population density could explain these differences. 5. Using data on 170 individual males from 4 years of field studies in a semi-desert population, we found that males became scrotal at a younger age when no

29 30 Further Development of the Research Station

FUNDING OF RESEARCH: The research station developed a lot during the last years, but there is still a way to go. We have to improve the power supply, replace gas by solar heaters (warm CALL FOR DONATIONS water), need more storage space, repair the roof and do other renovations. Here is a list of what we need, in case you know a foundation that could help us or if you want to make a considerable donation: CHF or US $ €€ SUBSCRIBERS DONATION Account details 1x Wind turbine for electricity 3 000 2 000 Additional solar pannels 5 000 3 500 We appeal to all subscribers of the South Africa Battery bank for power 3 000 2 000 FSM-TIMES to donate 80 Rand (10 Standard Bank Solar geyser 3 000 2 000 Euro, 15 dollars) a year for research Branch: Braamfontein Solar pump for water 3 000 3 000 on the socio-ecology of small Account name: Wits University Storage space 5 000 3 500 mammals in Goegap. Donations of Foundation Renovation roof 5 000 3 500 more than 80 Rand are welcome Account No.: 002900076 General renovation 3 000 3 000 and donors of 400 Rand (50 Euro, Branch code: 004805 75 dollars) will be mentioned in the Swift code: SB ZAZ AJJ 00480502 next FSM-TIMES. Please state L.2112 as reference. Donations will be used for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS following purposes: Germany We ate grateful for every donation made to support our research ! 1. Scientific research on small Carsten Schradin, KSK Esslingen, mammals in Goegap, especially BLZ 611 500 20, Konto Nr. 7434686 smaller research projects such as New way to donate money ! Diploma and PhD theses, which Switzerland (deposits in Switzerland) have difficulties in raising funds Postkonto 80-643-0 Since November last year you can donate money easily online via PayPal! Just elsewhere. Finanzabteilung der Universität log onto our web site www.stripedmouse.com and click onto the PayPal button. We 2. Improving the infrastructure of the Zürich, 8001 Zürich are very grateful for any contribution! research station. Reference: Kreditnummer 37202508, In the last issue of the FSM-TIMES Projekt Striemengrasmaus of every year we will publish how (it is very important that you state the much we received in donations and Kreditnummer) how the money was used. Switzerland (deposits from abroad) You can easily donate money online Zürcher Kantonalbank, Hauptsitz, if you have a PayPal account. CH-8010 Zürich Account No: 1100-0109-594 (BC 700) Otherwise, please transfer money to Finanzabteilung der Universität one of our bank account. Zürich, 8001 Zürich Swift-Code: ZKBKCHZZ80A IBAN: CH51 0070 0110 0001 0959 4 Reference: Kreditnummer 37202508, Projekt Striemengrasmaus (it is very important that you state the Kreditnummer).

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GOLDEN MOUSE PRIZE-WINNERS THE MOUSE’S TAIL

2009: DR. URS THALMANN

OF FROGS AND TOADS

Goegap is situated in the Succulent species such as frogs and toads. But 2008: KLEIN GOEGAP Karoo, which by anybodies standards this is precisely what one can find is a semi-desert. So it comes as a these days when walking around the complete surprise when one finds in field in the evening while doing the middle of an area like this, sleeping sites! 2007: GOEGAP NATURE RESERVE

2006: DR. GUSTL ANZENBERGER

PORCUPINES ARE STILL ALL AROUND 2005: JENS SCHRADIN Following the last months when we 20 minutes! First we came across a had amazing porcupine sightings juvenile running close to the road. As almost on a weekly bases, we we stopped the car, it also stopped thought our luck was surely going to and we were all lucky enough to get run out soon, but nay, porcupines are out of the car and admire him from still all around in Goegap and on our up-close. Shortly afterwards we saw last night drive in the beginning of a mother with a baby running across July, we managed to see not one but the field. This surely will be hard to three of them! And all in the space of top now!

THE BABIES SEASON

Spring in Goegap is a magical time. addition, we were also lucky enough The flowers start to appear and the to witness a mother steenbok with her animals start to reproduce and the newly born and a mother dassie rat first babies are born. This year we taking care of her offspring of three have already seen our fair share of tiny babies. One lucky babies’ season baby mice, baby bush Karoo rats and indeed. baby elephant shrews, but, in

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