Volume 72, Issue 2

The fossil record of the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Ochotona in Central and Western Europe is sparse. Only a few species, confined mostly to the type localities, have been described from that period. The Villányian representatives include O . polonica (Zamkowa Dolna Cave, Poland) and O . dehmi (Schernfeld, Germany), whereas the Biharian representatives are O . horaceki (Honce, Slovakia), O . lazari (Gombasek, Slovakia) and O . valerotae (Les Valerots, France). The ochotonid material from Poland, yielding the most comprehensive evidence of the earliest Central European Ochotona is presented. In addition, the Biharian record is complemented by O . zabiensis sp. nov. from Żabia Cave (Poland). The p3 occlusal pattern and mandibular characters fully support erecting a new species. On the other hand, O . dehmi is synonymized with O . polonica and O . valerotae treated as a subspecies. The Villányian and Biharian pikas with relatively elongated p3, well-defined trigonid, long posteroconid, and the slender, low mandible form a conspicuous phylogenetic lineage. This lineage became extinct at the end of Biharian, and differs significantly from steppe pika, O . pusilla , widespread in Europe during the Last Glaciation. O . lazari and O . horaceki share many similarities with this species and are included into the O . pusilla lineage.

While once abundant in the subtropical forest of Iguaçu National Park (INP) in Brazil, white-lipped and collared peccary seem to have declined considerably in the last decade. Basic information on the influence of anthropogenic factors on peccary abundance in INP is scarce. To assess the conservation status of white-lipped and collared peccaries in INP and surrounding areas, we recorded encounter rates from 1997 to 2000 along transects in eight study sites subjected to different levels of illegal hunting and vehicle traffic. The average encounter rate for the eight study sites for collared peccaries was 0.022±0.021 (±SD). Despite our intensive monitoring of transects, no signs of white-lipped peccaries were recorded and this species seemed to be locally extinct. In addition, we analyzed the attitude of local people towards peccaries and INP through interviews. Perceptions of local people were strongly positive towards peccaries and INP and seemed to be influenced by the potential of illegally exploiting peccaries within the limits of INP. Our results suggest that efforts to minimize the intensity of vehicle traffic and illegal hunting should be implemented if remaining collared peccaries are to survive in INP.

In this study we investigated the causes of seasonal variation in the home ranges of roe deer reintroduced to the Gardunha Mountains (Portugal). From May 2002 to April 2003, 1 year after the animals had been released, we collected data using radio-tracking techniques for five monitored animals (two males and three females). We found differences in the size of home ranges between seasons, with home ranges larger in summer than winter (minimum convex polygon peeled to 95%: summer 409.64±98.20 ha, winter 116.20±17.90 ha). This is contrary to evidence from central and northern Europe, where home ranges are typically larger in winter than summer. Moreover, two of the sampled females and one of the males tended to use higher elevations in summer. Comparisons between Mediterranean populations and those in central and northern Europe showed that Mediterranean populations in the winter easily fulfil their needs within a small area, whereas in the hot dry summer a larger area is needed. Furthermore, individuals prefer a higher, cooler mountainous habitat in summer, which is likely to be a means of avoiding warmer temperatures.

Although rareness is the main criterion used to list the Andean cat Leopardus jacobita as endangered, information on its population abundance is lacking. During 14 expeditions to north-western Argentina, we recorded the culpeo Lycalopex culpaeus at all sites where we interviewed local people, the Pampas cat Leopardus colocolo at 85.2% of sites and Leopardus jacobita at 66.7% of sites. Encounter rates for indirect signs of small cats and foxes were similar. DNA genotyping showed that only 4.9% of faecal samples from small cats were from L. jacobita . Camera trapping recorded culpeos in 85.7%, Pampas cats in 71.4%, and Andean cats in 42.9% of the areas. The mean capture rate for culpeos was more than twice that for Pampas cats and five-fold that for Andean cats. Direct signs of L. culpaeus were the most abundant, whereas those for L. colocolo and L. jacobita were similar. Culpeos are more widespread and abundant than small cats in the High Andes. Populations of L. jacobita are less homogeneously distributed than those of L. colocolo , but clear differences in abundance of sympatric populations were not detected. Our results support the need for conservation measures for L. jacobita , an endemic of the High Andes.

We describe qualitatively and quantitatively the copulatory pattern of Ctenomys talarum (tuco-tuco) and evaluate it according to that expected for induced ovulators. Mating trials were performed in an experimental apparatus consisting of three chambers. Copulatory pattern of C. talarum is characterized by no lock, pelvic thrusts after intromission and multiple ejaculations. Males may not require multiple intromissions to ejaculate. Courtship starts with agonistic approaches, followed by recognition behaviors, gentle bites, snout pushes and neck exposure. Male mount attempts are frequent (mean 1.2±0.85 attempts/min), while females try to interrupt the mount, suggesting that evasive behavior is an important feature of female C . talarum courtship. The number of copulatory series is variable among couples, but 2–3 are the more frequent cases. Once intromission is achieved, the male starts rapid pelvic thrusts (12 movements/s) of moderate intromission. Later, the male proceeds with deep pelvic thrusts, characterized by deeper intromission and longer duration, (1 or 2 movements/s). The duration of copulatory series is influenced by both the evasive movements of the female and the male interest in continuing mating. Results of this study suggest that the amount of vaginal stimuli provided during mating is crucial for the occurrence of ovulation in C. talarum .

Morphological differences among five populations of Iranian wood mice belonging to three species of the genus Apodemus ( A. witherbyi , A. hyrcanicus , and A. avicennicus ) were investigated using landmark-based geometric morphometrics of the upper molars and the mandible. Results indicate that all species are completely recognizable by their shape. Apodemus hyrcanicus is the most distinct species, having short coronoid and angular processes. The upper molars of A. avicennicus are more similar to those of A. hyrcanicus , although the former is completely recognizable by the smaller size of the upper molars. This similarity, which relates to broadening and robustness of the upper molars, implies that these two species are more primitive than A. witherbyi . It seems that this primitive character has been retained in A. avicennicus after its separation from an ancestral population in the Zagros Mountains. There is no significant upper molar size difference between A. witherbyi and A. hyrcanicus . Mandible size is also statistically identical in the populations studied. Wood mice of northeastern Iran are morphometrically very close to A. witherbyi of the Elburz Mountains and are assumed to be the same species.

Complete faunal lists are vital for understanding the natural history of countries and unique habitats within them, as well as the design of effective conservation strategies. Although many mammal species of Tanzania are familiar, the fauna of some areas of the country has not been properly documented. We surveyed the small mammals (shrews, bats and rodents) of Minziro Forest in northwestern Tanzania. Six species are documented here for the first time for Tanzania. Other records include Tanzanian species poorly represented as vouchers in collections. Minziro is a unique forest worthy of conservation priority and further study.