Volume 74, Issue 4

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of GPS 3300 to predict active (feeding, moving) and inactive (bedded, standing) behaviours in European roe deer. Observed activity of three tame roe deer was correlated with the three variables provided by the activity sensors of their collars (normalised for each individual) using discriminant analyses. The best model discriminated correctly 84% of the “active” time intervals (defined as roe deer spending at least 30% of the time active) and 97% of inactive ones. We tested for consistency with movements using 11 wild roe deer, six living in a forest and five in an open habitat. As expected, wild deer identified as inactive (sensors) were mostly immobile (GPS locations, 831 records of 1096), whereas deer known to be moving were mostly classified as active (493 of 758 records). The records classified as inactive but moving (24% of inactive records or 35% of moving records) can indicate short distance displacement, erroneous detection of movement, or moving without neck movements. The records classified as active but immobile (46% of active ones, 33% of immobile ones) can represent feeding on a small patch without detectable movements.

The lion ( Panthera leo ) is most threatened in West and Central Africa; livestock encroachment and indiscriminate killing of lions are the main threats. Human-lion conflict mitigation is therefore key to persistence. Several experiments were carried out in the region to assess and mitigate human-lion conflict. In Pendjari National Park in Benin, enclosures of clay instead of the usual thorny branches reduced depredation figures by half. Around the Niger side of ‘W’ National Park, depredation was estimated at US$138 per household per year and occurred mostly while grazing; people identified improved herding as the most appropriate measure. A livestock corridor through a chain of protected areas has helped reduce conflict in Benoue National Park, Cameroon. Close monitoring and enclosure improvements reduced depredation from 9 to 0 attacks in enclosures and from 60 to 18 on the pastures of six villages around Waza National Park, Cameroon. Cases in Chad and Guinea identified yet other mitigation measures, including the use of dogs, sensitisation over rural radio and using relevant Sourats from the Koran; data on effectiveness are lacking, however. These projects illustrate a varied suite of mitigation options and demonstrate that mitigation can be effective if the method is judiciously chosen and adapted to local circumstances.

Swamp rabbits ( Sylvilagus aquaticus ) are of conservation concern throughout portions of its range, and information regarding spatial organization is important for proper species management. Little is known about spacing patterns of swamp rabbits; few studies have directly investigated spatial patterns, particularly related to territoriality. We used radio-telemetry to assess seasonal (dormant, growth, and senescent) home range sizes, seasonal and monthly movements, and territoriality among male swamp rabbits. Mean seasonal home range sizes ranged from 3.8 to 8.4 ha using the 95% fixed kernel density estimator and no differences among seasons were observed. Swamp rabbits moved less during the senescent season than the growth season. Mean seasonal dyad overlap ranged from 7.5 to 13.8%, and no differences were found among seasons. Overlap of all male radio-collared swamp rabbits ranged from 16.7 to 29.8% across seasons. Male swamp rabbits demonstrated non-territoriality during two of the three seasons based on spatial overlap of core use areas. Home range size might not be the best indicator of habitat quality for male swamp rabbits and management efforts aimed at habitat restoration or reintroduction should consider that some swamp rabbits could require more area, even on sites considered to be high quality.

In tropical deciduous forest along the Pacific coast in Colima, Mexico, we conducted eight-night mark-recapture studies of Sigmodon mascotensis (January 2003–2005), evaluating habitat preferences and demography. Yearly we established five grids with 100 trapping stations (one ground and one elevated trap; 24,000 trap-nights), each evaluated for 14 environmental measures. We captured 96 S. mascotensis 274 times on 10 grids, most at ground level (85.6%), with densities of 0.84–25.31 individuals/ha. Adults predominated (88.2%), sex ratio (males:females) was 1:0.74, and males were heavier. Sigmodon mascotensis co-occurred with Oryzomys couesi and Baiomys musculus more often and Heteromys pictus less often than chance expectation. For 2004, univariate analyses indicated that stations frequented had more ground cover in woody plants, forbs and grasses; less in litter and bare ground; more vegetation low and less high; lower and more open canopy; and longer distance to nearest tree. Logistic regression indicated preference for open canopy, dense low vegetation, little litter and longer distance to nearest tree. Nonparametric multiplicative regression showed occurrence likelihood decreased as litter increased and increased with increasing slope, average hits at 1 m and average distance to nearest tree. The likelihood was high with no or low canopy, as well as high canopy.

Small mammals seem to be affected by edge effects, hence understanding the local dynamics of these populations is important to assess the risks to which they are exposed. The objective of this study was to compare population size, sex ratio and home range size of the rodent Akodon montensis (Cricetidae) between the edge and interior of an Atlantic Forest fragment in the dry (June-August) and rainy (December-February) seasons. The population was sampled using capture-mark-recapture methods and a spool-and-line device was used to map the movements. The population size was significantly higher in the rainy season relative to the dry season, and this pattern can be related to the higher food availability in this period, as observed in other studies. However, there was no difference in the number of individuals captured in the edge and interior. The home range size showed no significant differences between edge and interior and between males and females, although, in a general way, the females showed a greater home range size related to the males. The absence of differences between edge and interior could result from the small size of the remnants and extrapolation of edge conditions to the interior.

We analyzed dental wear patterns on molars and incisors of modern plains zebra ( Equus quagga ) from a single locality in Kenya and from a single breeding population. Our objective was to explore the potential of incisor microwear in terms of elucidating ungulate diet as well as the various chewing patterns of different incisors and molar teeth among various age classes. We found significant inter-tooth variation of the microwear signal among different incisors and, not unexpectedly, that incisors do not reveal the same dietary signal as molar teeth. Such differences are related here to differential chewing forces (shearing vs compression) along the tooth row. We find no significant differences among various zebra age classes in terms of their mesowear and microwear patterns, providing additional evidence that the mesowear signal is consistent and stable throughout the adult lifespan of an individual. These findings indicate that there is no age segregation in terms of access to food resources in this particular breeding population.

The musculature of the hindlimb of the cursorial caviomorph Dasyprocta azarae is described and functionally evaluated, together with osteological associated traits. Our results show that several features are indicative of emphasized parasagittal movements and stabilized joints. Mm. glutei are relatively well developed, in agreement with an enhanced extension of the hip joint. The relative elongation of the ischium indicates an improved mechanical advantage of the hamstring muscles, required for powerful extension of the hip. M. iliopsoas would act mainly as a protractor of the femur rather than as a rotator. M. peroneus brevis, an evertor and plantarflexor of the foot, is absent. The inversion of the pes would be reduced, such as expressed by the marked reduction of the m. tibialis caudalis. Osteological characters are arranged to facilitate parasagittal movements and to restrict joint mobility. Some features of Dasyprocta (e.g., presence of a gluteal tongue of m. gluteus medius, reduction in number of m. lumbricales, presence of a gluteal crest of the ilium) are interpreted as potential synapomorphies of cavioids. Other features associated to cursoriality (absence of mm. peroneus brevis, reduction of m. tibialis caudalis) would have been acquired independently in the extreme cursorial cavioids Dasyprocta and Dolichotis .

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