Volume 74, Issue 2

To obtain critical information on distribution and abundance of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins ( Sousa chinensis ) residing in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), systematic line-transect surveys and photo-identification studies were conducted in the eastern and western sections of the estuary in 2005–2006 and 2007–2008, respectively. Dolphins in the eastern section occurred throughout Lingding Bay, whereas their distribution in the western section extended from the mouth of Modaomen to the channel between Shangchuan and Xiachuan islands. Variations in dolphin distribution during the wet and dry seasons were evident and probably associated with movements of their prey species. Photo-identification of individuals confirmed exchange of at least some individuals between the western and eastern sections of PRE, and thus dolphins from both areas almost certainly comprise a single population. Using line-transect analysis, the total population size of the PRE humpback dolphins was estimated to be 2555 during the wet season and 2517 during the dry season. However, these should be considered preliminary as the coefficients of variation in some survey areas were high. Further studies should focus on refining these estimates and working towards understanding the western boundary of the PRE population.

Previous research showed that nine-banded armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus ) devoted nearly all of their short active period to feeding. However, it remained unclear to what extent individual differences or environmental conditions might influence time allocation patterns. We collected time budget data during two summers from a wild population of armadillos in western Mississippi, USA. We found few significant differences in time budgets due to individual identity (age, sex, female lactational status), time (time of day, day-to-day, and year-to-year effects), or the environment (various weather conditions). What differences did occur seemed largely tied to the onset of the breeding season and emergence of juveniles from their natal burrows. Our results indicate that, while active, armadillos exhibit relatively uniform time budgets, although the possibility remains that variation resides primarily not in what armadillos do while active but rather in the duration of the active period.

Using a laboratory colony we demonstrated that the body mass (BM) and reproductive organ mass (ROM) of Brandt's voles vary in response to photoperiod and temperature. Male Brandt's voles from 25 days of age were housed under long (14L) or short (10L) photoperiod, which corresponds to seasonal changes in their natural environment. Under 10L, animals housed for the first 7 weeks at 10°C were significantly lighter than those housed at 20°C. This effect was not observed under 14L. However, a change from an initial 10L photoperiod to the 14L photoperiod for the following 9 weeks could compensate the effects of low temperature on BM. Changes in BM in response to photoperiod and/or temperature exposure appeared to be primarily as a result of the deposition or loss of fat-free dry mass and water. For Brandt's voles, ROM was regulated significantly by photoperiod but not by temperature. Taken together, the results suggest that BM and ROM for male Brandt's voles respond selectively to photoperiodic information and temperature. We propose that a compensatory relationship between photoperiod and temperature should be considered in animal physiology research.

Behavioural research in endangered manatees is essential for successful conservation management. We examined the activities and social interactions of a captive group of Antillean manatees located in the Dolphin Discovery Park in Mexico. The group studied was composed of two adults, one subadult and one calf. We determined activity patterns and space use of the manatees in a natural water pool over a daytime period and a night-time period. The behavioural strategies of the manatees included (1) during the day, mainly foraging, feeding, and remaining inactive, and (2) evening activities were divided among social interaction, environment exploration, and resting activities. All the behaviour patterns of the captive manatees seemed to be influenced by the feeding schedule during the day. The number of contacts between manatees increased strongly at night, each individual having a preferred partner for social interaction. The cow-calf dyad showed the highest intensity of contacts, whereas subadults showed the lowest. The relationships observed among individuals reveal a higher social activity than previously described in Antillean manatees.

The aim of this study was to describe the feeding habits of the garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus in orange groves of eastern Spain. The study area was an extensive orange grove near Sagunto (Valencia, Spain). This study combines two different non-invasive methods, the study of food store remains and the macroscopic analysis of feces. A total of 527 feces and the food remains of 172 food stores were recollected from nest boxes. Each feces was classified into five categories according to its characteristics: arthropods, gastropods, oranges, plants, and others. Throughout the year, the garden dormouse consumed all these types of food. The most consumed prey in summer and autumn were insects. However, in winter and spring orange fruit was the principal food type. Seasonal variation of orange, arthropods, gastropods, and plant matter consumption occurred. Among animal prey types, insects were the most consumed group and large-sized species were preferred. Vertebrate preys were found in food stores. The annual variation of the garden dormouse diet owing to the seasonal availability of resources in an agricultural environment revealed its feeding behavior plasticity.

Gundis, family Ctenodactylidae, display a skull with large auditory bullae and are adapted for life in open areas. Here, the first descriptive comparison of the skull, mandible and jaw muscles of the North African gundi Ctenodactylus vali is presented. The gross anatomy of specimens captured in Algeria and internal architecture of the jaw musculature have been studied using dissections. The following muscles are described: temporal, masseter, pterygoids, digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid and transverse mandibular. The muscles of the zygomasseteric complex show a strong development with a hystricomorphous type of the skull. The temporal muscle is divided into three parts. The digastric muscles are of the hystricomorphine type. The description of the masticatory apparatus of C. vali offers a rare opportunity to assess the morphological variation of the masticatory apparatus among Ctenohystrica.

In 2006, an inventory of small mammals was conducted on the upper Seli River in central Sierra Leone on the southwestern fringe of the Loma-Man portion of the Guinea Highlands as part of the baseline surveys conducted for the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project (BHP). We recorded a total of 35 mammal species, including three shrews (Soricomorpha), 19 bats (Chiroptera), 11 rodents (Rodentia), one primate, and one carnivore. New or first well-documented species for Sierra Leone are the shrew Crocidura nigeriae , the bats Myonycteris torquata , Rhinolophus denti knorri , and the rare horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ziama endemic to Upper Guinea. Also reported are two bat specimens apparently representing an undescribed species of Neoromicia related to N. nana . We support the creation of a protected area as an offset for areas lost to the inundation of the BHP reservoir.

A review was conducted of members of the endemic Malagasy carnivoran genus Eupleres (family Eupleridae) based on published and unpublished records and museum specimens. Classically, one species has been recognized in this poorly known genus – E. goudotii , divided into two geographical forms with non-overlapping distributions: E. g. goudotii distributed in the mesic forests of the east and E. g. major found in the dry areas of the northwest. Drawing on external and craniodental comparisons, we demonstrate that these two forms are highly distinctive morphologically and can be readily distinguished from each another. Furthermore, there is some evidence that they both can occur on the slopes of Montagne d'Ambre in the far north of the island. On this basis, we recognize these taxa as distinct species, E. goudotii and E. major .

Microgale jobihely (Afrosoricida: Tenrecidae) was described in 2006 based on 12 specimens from the southwestern flank of Tsaratanana Massif in northern Madagascar. This species is considered Endangered by the IUCN. During small mammal surveys conducted in central-eastern Madagascar within the Ambatovy Forest between June 2007 and February 2009, six specimens allocated to M. jobihely were collected. This site is 485 km southeast of the holotype locality and rests on ultrabasic soils associated with nickel and cobalt deposits. Morphological studies of the Ambatovy and Tsaratanana material provide insights into patterns of variation in this taxon. Notable size variation occurs between the northern and southern populations, as well as differences in craniodental morphology. A portion of the Ambatovy site will be cleared as a result of mineral exploitation and even with the discovery of a second population of this taxon, its conservation status remains Endangered.

A preliminary morphometric study of the Algerian mouse, Mus spretus in Algeria based on populations collected in the Kabylie of Djurdjura revealed an unexpected strong differentiation when compared with samples from Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, and France. Skull, mandible, and teeth have been measured on an original sample of Algerian animals and on foreign specimens from private collections. A first principal component analysis revealed a noticeable morphometric differentiation within populations of Kabylie of Djurdjura based on several variables including palatal breadth, palatal foramina length, and first lower molar breadth. At the scale of the species range the results of a second principal component analysis were even more distinctive with two clearly separated groups, mice from Algeria vs. mice from all other parts of the range. Mice from Algeria are characterized by a finer nose, a broader palate, and smaller teeth. The evolutionary history of this species cannot explain such a differentiation which is more likely a local adaptation.

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