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Hystrix Africaeaustralis)
Reproduction in captive female Cape porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis) R. J. van Aarde Mammal Research Institute, University ofPretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa Summary. Captive females attained sexual maturity at an age of 9\p=n-\16months and con- ceived for the first time when 10\p=n-\25months old. Adult females were polyoestrous but did not cycle while lactating or when isolated from males. The length of the cycle varied from 17 to 42 days (mean \m=+-\s.d. 31\m=.\2\m=+-\6\m=.\5days; n = 43) and females experienced 3\p=n-\7 sterile cycles before conceiving. Pregnancy lasted for 93\p=n-\94days (93\m=.\5\m=+-\0\m=.\6days; N = 4) and litter intervals varied from 296 to 500 days (385 \m=+-\60\m=.\4;n = 10). Litter size varied from 1 to 3 (1\m=.\5\m=+-\0\m=.\66;n = 165) and the well-developed precocial young weighed 300\p=n-\400g (351 \m=+-\47\m=.\4g; n= 19) at birth. Captive females reproduced throughout the year with most litters (78\m=.\7%;n = 165) being produced between August and March. Introduction Cape porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis) inhabit tropical forests, woodlands, grassland savannas, semi-arid and arid environments throughout southern Africa. Despite this widespread distribution little attention has been given to these nocturnal, Old World hystricomorph rodents, which shelter and breed in subterranean burrows, rock crevices and caves. Some information on reproduction in female porcupines has been published on the crested porcupine (H. cristata) (Weir, 1967), the Himalayan porcupine (H. hodgsoni) (Gosling, 1980) and the Indian porcupine (H. -
Richness of Plants, Birds and Mammals Under the Canopy of Ramorinoa Girolae, an Endemic and Vulnerable Desert Tree Species
BOSQUE 38(2): 307-316, 2017 DOI: 10.4067/S0717-92002017000200008 Richness of plants, birds and mammals under the canopy of Ramorinoa girolae, an endemic and vulnerable desert tree species Riqueza de plantas, aves y mamíferos bajo el dosel de Ramorinoa girolae, una especie arbórea endémica y vulnerable del desierto Valeria E Campos a,b*, Viviana Fernández Maldonado a,b*, Patricia Balmaceda a, Stella Giannoni a,b,c a Interacciones Biológicas del Desierto (INTERBIODES), Av. I. de la Roza 590 (O), J5402DCS Rivadavia, San Juan, Argentina. *Corresponding author: b CIGEOBIO, UNSJ CONICET, Universidad Nacional de San Juan- CUIM, Av. I. de la Roza 590 (O), J5402DCS Rivadavia, San Juan, Argentina, phone 0054-0264-4260353 int. 402, [email protected], [email protected] c IMCN, FCEFN, Universidad Nacional de San Juan- España 400 (N), 5400 Capital, San Juan, Argentina. SUMMARY Dominant woody vegetation in arid ecosystems supports different species of plants and animals largely dependent on the existence of these habitats for their survival. The chica (Ramorinoa girolae) is a woody leguminous tree endemic to central-western Argentina and categorized as vulnerable. We evaluated 1) richness of plants, birds and mammals associated with the habitat under its canopy, 2) whether richness is related to the morphological attributes and to the features of the habitat under its canopy, and 3) behavior displayed by birds and mammals. We recorded presence/absence of plants under the canopy of 19 trees in Ischigualasto Provincial Park. Moreover, we recorded abundance of birds and mammals and signs of mammal activity using camera traps. -
Overkill, Glacial History, and the Extinction of North America's Ice Age Megafauna
PERSPECTIVE Overkill, glacial history, and the extinction of North America’s Ice Age megafauna PERSPECTIVE David J. Meltzera,1 Edited by Richard G. Klein, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, and approved September 23, 2020 (received for review July 21, 2020) The end of the Pleistocene in North America saw the extinction of 38 genera of mostly large mammals. As their disappearance seemingly coincided with the arrival of people in the Americas, their extinction is often attributed to human overkill, notwithstanding a dearth of archaeological evidence of human predation. Moreover, this period saw the extinction of other species, along with significant changes in many surviving taxa, suggesting a broader cause, notably, the ecological upheaval that occurred as Earth shifted from a glacial to an interglacial climate. But, overkill advocates ask, if extinctions were due to climate changes, why did these large mammals survive previous glacial−interglacial transitions, only to vanish at the one when human hunters were present? This question rests on two assumptions: that pre- vious glacial−interglacial transitions were similar to the end of the Pleistocene, and that the large mammal genera survived unchanged over multiple such cycles. Neither is demonstrably correct. Resolving the cause of large mammal extinctions requires greater knowledge of individual species’ histories and their adaptive tolerances, a fuller understanding of how past climatic and ecological changes impacted those animals and their biotic communities, and what changes occurred at the Pleistocene−Holocene boundary that might have led to those genera going extinct at that time. Then we will be able to ascertain whether the sole ecologically significant difference between previous glacial−interglacial transitions and the very last one was a human presence. -
Handraising Exotic Animals Western Plains
HANDRAISING EXOTIC ANIMALS WESTERN PLAINS ZOO GENERAL DIRECTIVES: * All neonates (newborn) to be given colostrum for the first 24 - 36 hours where possible. Bovids, cervids, camelids, hippos etc. (order: Artiodactyla) to receive bovine colostrum. Equids, tapir, rhinos etc. (order: Perissodactyla) to receive equine colostrum. * All milk formulas to be gradually increased to 100% strength concentrations as recommended. i.e. Commence at 25% - 50% concentrations supplemented with vytrate, staged up by 25% at 24 hour intervals until 100% is reached. Use pre-boilded water to make up formulas. * Young to be fed 12 - 20% of their bodyweight in milk formula each day, divided equally between feeds. If innadequate volumes of formula are suckled then the neonate is to be tube fed until intake is adequate from the bottle. * Number of feeds per day is determined by species. * Weigh initially and weight gain/loss to be monitored at least weekly. * Routine is extremely important. Feeding times must be set and adhered to. It is usually better for one person to initiate feeding and to introduce other feeders as soon as possible to avoid neonates imprinting on one person. * All young need to be stimulated to urinate and defaecate after each feed by gentle patting - never rub. Ensure they are left clean afterwards. * Hygiene is of great importance. Bottles and teats need to be washed thoroughly and soaked in sterilising solution (Halasept). Utensils are to be rinsed with pre-boiled water before use. Face wipes are not shared with anus wipes etc. Cloths to be washed daily. All young to be left with a clean mouth after the feed (includes chin, lips etc.) * Milk temperature is to be fed at body temperature. -
Cougar 1 Cougar
Cougar 1 Cougar Cougar[1] Temporal range: Middle Pleistocene to recent Conservation status [2] Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Puma Species: Puma concolor Binomial name Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) Cougar 2 Cougar range The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as puma, mountain lion, mountain cat, catamount or panther, depending on the region, is a mammal of the family Felidae, native to the Americas. This large, solitary cat has the greatest range of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere,[3] extending from Yukon in Canada to the southern Andes of South America. An adaptable, generalist species, the cougar is found in every major American habitat type. It is the second heaviest cat in the Western Hemisphere, after the jaguar. Although large, the cougar is most closely related to smaller felines and is closer genetically to the domestic cat than to true lions. A capable stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a wide variety of prey. Primary food sources include ungulates such as deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, as well as domestic cattle, horses and sheep, particularly in the northern part of its range. It will also hunt species as small as insects and rodents. This cat prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but it can also live in open areas. The cougar is territorial and persists at low population densities. Individual territory sizes depend on terrain, vegetation, and abundance of prey. While it is a large predator, it is not always the dominant species in its range, as when it competes for prey with other predators such as the jaguar, grey wolf, American Black Bear, and the grizzly bear. -
Special Activities
59th Annual International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association Abstracts & Program May 30 - June 4, 2010 Puerto Iguazú Misiones, Argentina Iguazú, Argentina. 59th Annual International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association WDA 2010 OFFICERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OFFICERS President…………………………….…………………...………..………..Lynn Creekmore Vice-President………………………………...…………………..….Dolores Gavier-Widén Treasurer………………………………………..……..……….….……..…….Laurie Baeten Secretary……………………………………………..………..……………….…Pauline Nol Past President…………………………………………………..………Charles van Riper III COUNCIL MEMBERS AT LARGE Thierry Work Samantha Gibbs Wayne Boardman Christine Kreuder Johnson Kristin Mansfield Colin Gillin STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBER Terra Kelly SECTION CHAIRS Australasian Section…………………………..……………………….......Jenny McLelland European Section……………………..………………………………..……….….Paul Duff Nordic Section………………………..………………………………..………….Erik Ågren Wildlife Veterinarian Section……..…………………………………..…………Colin Gillin JOURNAL EDITOR Jim Mills NEWSLETTER EDITOR Jenny Powers WEBSITE EDITOR Bridget Schuler BUSINESS MANAGER Kay Rose EXECUTIVE MANAGER Ed Addison ii Iguazú, Argentina. 59th Annual International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Executive President and Press, media and On-site Volunteers Conference Chair publicity Judy Uhart Marcela Uhart Miguel Saggese Marcela Orozco Carlos Sanchez Maria Palamar General Secretary and Flavia Miranda Program Chair Registrations Elizabeth Chang Reissig Pablo Beldomenico Management Patricia Mendoza Hebe Ferreyra -
Status of Capybaras (Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris Rodentia: Hydrochaeridae) and Potential for Establishment in Florida1 Brandon Parker, C
WEC393 Status of Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Rodentia: Hydrochaeridae) and Potential for Establishment in Florida1 Brandon Parker, C. Jane Anderson, Christina Romagosa, Samantha Wisely, Daniel Pearson, John Seyjagat, and Katherine Ashley Sayler2 Introduction definitive source has been identified (USGS 2017; J. Seyjagat unpublished). Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents. They are typically 2 feet tall, with an average body length of 4 feet and a weight of 100 lbs (Mones and Ojasti 1986). These semiaquatic herbivores are native to South America (Figure 1) but have been spotted in the state of Florida, which has raised concerns of their potential to establish populations in the state. A capybara sighting was first reported in Florida in 1992 as roadkill south of the Santa Fe River, east of La Crosse (Alachua County). Since then, at least 35 observations of capybaras in Florida have been reported to EDDMapS, a web-based mapping system developed by the University of Georgia for documenting invasive species (EDDMapS 2017). These reports have spanned 13 counties, as far west as Gulf County and extending as far south as Col- lier County (Figure 2). Most observations have been in north-central Florida, with most of the reports from Figure 1. Capybaras native range. Alachua County (EDDMapS 2017). An unintentional Credits: Jane Anderson, UF/IFAS. Based on IUCN Red List, 2017 release in north-central Florida in 1994 may be the source for the capybaras sighted, but that is speculative: as yet no 1. This document is WEC393, one of a series of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, UF/IFAS Extension. -
Ecological Roles and Conservation Challenges of Social, Burrowing
REVIEWS REVIEWS REVIEWS Ecological roles and conservation challenges 477 of social, burrowing, herbivorous mammals in the world’s grasslands Ana D Davidson1,2*, James K Detling3, and James H Brown1 The world’s grassland ecosystems are shaped in part by a key functional group of social, burrowing, herbivorous mammals. Through herbivory and ecosystem engineering they create distinctive and important habitats for many other species, thereby increasing biodiversity and habitat heterogeneity across the landscape. They also help maintain grassland presence and serve as important prey for many predators. However, these burrowing mammals are facing myriad threats, which have caused marked decreases in populations of the best-studied species, as well as cascading declines in dependent species and in grassland habitat. To prevent or mitigate such losses, we recommend that grasslands be managed to promote the compatibility of burrowing mammals with human activities. Here, we highlight the important and often overlooked ecological roles of these burrowing mammals, the threats they face, and future management efforts needed to enhance their populations and grass- land ecosystems. Front Ecol Environ 2012; 10(9): 477–486, doi:10.1890/110054 (published online 28 Sep 2012) rassland ecosystems worldwide are fundamentally Australia (Figure 1). Often living in colonies ranging Gshaped by an underappreciated but key functional from tens to thousands of individuals, these mammals col- group of social, semi-fossorial (adapted to burrowing and lectively transform grassland landscapes through their bur- living underground), herbivorous mammals (hereafter, rowing and feeding activity. By grouping together socially, burrowing mammals). Examples include not only the phy- they also create distinctive habitat patches that serve as logenetically similar species of prairie dogs of North areas of concentrated prey for many predators. -
Patagonian Cavy (Patagonian Mara) Dolichotis Patagonum
Patagonian Cavy (Patagonian Mara) Dolichotis patagonum Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Caviidae Characteristics: The Patagonian mara is a distinctly unusual looking rodent that is about the size of a small dog. They have long ears with a body resembling a small deer. The snout and large dark eyes are also unusual for a rodent. The back and upper sides are brownish grey with a darker patch near the rump. There is one white patch on either side of the rump and down the haunches. Most of the body is a light brown or tan color. They have long, powerful back legs which make them excellent runners. The back feet are a hoof like claw with three digits, while the front feet have four sharp claws to aid in burrowing (Encyclopedia of Life). Behavior: The Patagonian mara is just as unusual in behavior as it is in appearance. These rodents are active during the day and spend a large portion of their time sunbathing. If threatened by a predator, they will escape quickly by galloping or stotting away at speeds over 25 mph. The cavy can be found in breeding pairs that rarely interact with other pairs (Arkive). During breeding season, maras form large groups called settlements, consisting of many individuals sharing the same communal dens. Some large dens are shared by 29-70 maras (Animal Diversity). Reproduction: This species is strictly monogamous and usually bonded for life (BBC Nature). The female has an extremely short estrous, only 30 minutes every 3-4 months. The gestation period is around 100 days in the wild. -
Digestive Physiology, Resting Metabolism and Methane Production of Captive Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix Indica)
Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 28, 2019, 69–77 https://doi.org/10.22358/jafs/102741/2019 The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jabłonna Digestive physiology, resting metabolism and methane production of captive Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) K.B. Hagen1, S. Hammer2, S. Frei1, S. Ortmann3, R. Głogowski4, M. Kreuzer5 and M. Clauss1,6 1 University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty, Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Winterthurerstr. 260, 15 8057 Zurich, Switzerland 2 Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz, Zittauerstrasse 43, D-02826 Görlitz, Germany 3 Leibniz Instiute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Alfred-Kowalke Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany 4 Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS) – SGGW, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Breeding, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland 5 ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätsstr. 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland KEY WORDS: Hystricomorpha, Rodentia, ABSTRACT. Limited physiological measurements exist for the digestive mean retention time, digestibility, basal physiology of porcupines. We measured CH4 emission in three captive Indian metabolic rate, colonic separation mechanism crested porcupines (Hystrix indica; 16.1 ± 2.7 kg) fed a diet of pelleted lucerne, and measured feed intake, digestibility, and digesta mean retention time (MRT) of a solute and three particle markers (<2, 10 and 20 mm). Marker excretion patterns suggested secondary peaks indicative of caecotrophy, with MRTs of 26.4 h for the solute and 31.5, 26.8 and 26.2 h for the three particle markers, respectively. At a dry matter intake of 58 ±10 g/kg body mass0.75/day, Received: 29 November 2018 porcupines digested 49 and 35% organic matter and neutral detergent fibre, Revised: 9 January 2019 respectively, which is in the lower range of that expected for horses on a similar Accepted: 18 February 2019 diet. -
Traditional Medicinal Animal Use by Xhosa and Sotho Communities in the Western Cape Province, South Africa Willem A
Nieman et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2019) 15:34 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-019-0311-6 RESEARCH Open Access Traditional medicinal animal use by Xhosa and Sotho communities in the Western Cape Province, South Africa Willem A. Nieman1* , Alison J. Leslie1 and Anita Wilkinson2 Abstract Background: The use of animals and animal-derived materials in traditional medicine constitutes an important part of the belief systems of indigenous African cultures. It is believed to be rapidly expanding in South Africa, where traditional healers are estimated to outnumber western doctors by 2000:1 in some areas, with an overall clientele consisting of 60–80% of South African citizens. Despite concerns about the impact of the trade in traditional medicine on biodiversity, there has been only limited research on this topic in South Africa. Methods: Traditional Xhosa and Sotho healers operating from impoverished, rural communities in the Boland Region of the Western Cape Province were consulted to provide a comprehensive inventory of the number and frequency of animals used and sold. Species richness estimators, diversity indices, and a relative cultural importance (RCI) index were used to highlight species of concern and assess market dynamics. Results: A total of 26 broad use categories for 12 types of animal parts or products from 71 species or morphospecies were recorded. The most commonly sold items were skin pieces, oil or fat, and bones. Results showed that leopard, chacma baboon, Cape porcupine, monitor lizard species, puff adder, African rock python, and black-backed jackal were the species most used in the traditional medicinal trade. -
North American Beaver Castor Canadensis
North American Beaver Castor canadensis Often to people’s surprise, the Chicago River system is home to beavers. Their presence is a good sign of health for our improving waterway and an amazing sight to see, considering an adult beaver typically weighs 44 pounds and can be four feet long including its tail. The beaver is the largest rodent in North America and the second-largest in the world, after the South American capybara. This makes them one of the biggest mammals to be found in the Chicago River system. The beaver is semi-aquatic and is suited to life on land, although it prefers the water. It has a large, flat tail and webbed hind feet for swimming. Excellent swimmers, a beaver may remain submerged up to 15 minutes. Its eyes are covered by a third eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) which allows for underwater sight, and the nostrils and ears close when the animal is submerged. Beavers are nocturnal and are active mainly at night. The beaver’s fur is very warm, consisting of dual layers of long, thick outer hairs and short, soft inner hairs. The beaver waterproofs its fur in an oily substance produced by its own body. Beavers were very common throughout the region several hundred years ago. They were prized for their thick, warm fur, and by 1860, had all but disappeared from over-hunting. In 1950, the Cook County Forest Preserves began reintroducing beavers and, today, sightings are again common. “I’ve seen trees chewed, north and south of River City as well as along Bubbly Creek and near Diversey,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River.