Volume 84, Issue 2

The gray wolf and the domestic dog are closely related species that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. In settings where unrestrained dogs are present in the wild, hybridization can happen naturally. However, the behavior of the resulting hybrids and their ecological impact is largely understudied. In September–November 2018, a putative gray wolf was repeatedly camera-trapped in a group of 10 presumably feral dogs in a remote mountainous area (the Osogovo Mountain) along the border between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The most feasible explanation for this individual’s atypical behavior is that it is of hybrid origin (assumption based on phenotype). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented observation of such a kind. A discussion of its recruitment and position in the group is presented, setting the basis for further investigation of the complex interaction between wolves, dogs and hybrids in the wild.

Recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, coastal forests in eastern Africa are currently reduced to fragments amidst human modified habitats. Managing for biodiversity depends on our understanding of how many and which species can persist in these modified areas. Aiming at clarifying how habitat structure changes affect bat assemblage composition and richness, we used ground-level mist nets at Arabuko-Sokoke Forest (ASF) and adjacent farmlands. Habitat structure was assessed using the point-centered quarter (PCQ) method at 210 points per habitat. We captured a total of 24 bat species (ASF: 19, farmlands: 23) and 5217 individuals (ASF: 19.1%, farmlands: 82.9%). Bat diversity was higher at ASF (H′, ASF: 1.48 ± 0.2, farm: 1.33 ± 0.1), but bat richness and abundance were higher in farmlands [Chao1, ASF: 19 (19–25), farmlands: 24 (24–32) species (95% confidence interval [CI])]. Understory vegetation and canopy cover were highest at ASF and the lower bat richness and abundance observed may be the result of the under-sampling of many clutter tolerant and high flying species. Future surveys should combine different methods of capture and acoustic surveys to comprehensively sample bats at ASF. Nonetheless, the rich bat assemblages observed in farmlands around ASF should be valued and landowners encouraged to maintain orchards on their farms.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from satellite-derived remote sensing data for monitoring rodent abundance in semi-arid areas of Tanzania. We hypothesized that NDVI could potentially complement rainfall in predicting rodent abundance spatially and temporally. NDVI were determined across habitats with different vegetation types in Isimani landscape, Iringa Region, in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Normalized differences in reflectance between the red (R) (0.636–0.673 mm) and near-infrared (NIR) (0.851–0.879 mm) channels of the electromagnetic spectrum from the Landsat 8 [Operational Land Imager (OLI)] sensor were obtained. Rodents were trapped in a total of 144 randomly selected grids each measuring 100 × 100 m 2 , for which the corresponding values of NDVI were recorded during the corresponding rodent trapping period. Raster analysis was performed by transformation to establish NDVI in study grids over the entire study area. The relationship between NDVI, rodent distribution and abundance both spatially and temporally during the start, mid and end of the dry and wet seasons was established. Linear regression model was used to evaluate the relationships between NDVI and rodent abundance across seasons. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) at p ≤ 0.05 was carried out to describe the degree of association between actual and NDVI-predicted rodent abundances. The results demonstrated a strong linear relationship between NDVI and actual rodent abundance within grids (R 2  = 0.71). NDVI-predicted rodent abundance showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.99) with estimated rodent abundance. These results support the hypothesis that NDVI has the potential for predicting rodent population abundance under smallholder farming agro-ecosystems. Hence, NDVI could be used to forecast rodent abundance within a reasonable short period of time when compared with sparse and not widely available rainfall data.

Atypical colorations occur in different groups of vertebrates. The loss of melanin in the skin, hair and eyes is the result of an autosomal recessive genetic entity. It causes individuals to present with a white coloration of the skin and hair, as well as red eyes, known as albino. This manuscript documents the first record in Mexico of complete albinism in a marsupial, Didelphis virginiana , captured in the Yucatan peninsula.

Vespertilionid species are widely distributed in South America. They are highly diverse, with physiological and behavioral adaptations which allow them to extend their distributions into temperate areas. In Patagonia, this family is represented by seven species in three genera ( Histiotus , Lasiurus and Myotis ). In this study, we analyzed the distribution of two vespertilionid species, Lasiurus villosissimus and Myotis dinellii , including new southernmost records, and their relationship with environmental variables. Two different spatial scales were analyzed: a continental approach for species distribution analyses (South America), and local trapping of bats in northwestern Chubut province, Argentina. We present new southern limits for L. villosissimus and M. dinellii , and included new records for Patagonian bats. The big hoary bat L. villosissimus was recorded as the largest bat inhabiting Patagonia, relating it as a bat mainly inhabiting low, humid and temperate/warm areas. The little yellow bat M. dinellii , instead, is the smallest mammal and the smallest bat recorded in Patagonia to date, related mainly with dry, mid-altitude and temperate/warm areas.

Arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus living on Mednyi Island suffered a drastic decline in population size in the late 1970s due to an outbreak of mange epizootic. This dramatic fall in numbers rendered the subspecies endangered, and the concomitant loss of variability resulted in a population bottleneck. Here, we investigate whether differences in cranial morphology between Mednyi Island Arctic foxes and Bering Island Arctic foxes could be attributed to the severe population bottleneck suffered by the Mednyi population in the 1970s. We used morphometric traits as proxies for genetic data to provide estimates of F ST . Results show higher F ST estimates for the Mednyi population than for the Bering population, which we interpret as a bottleneck signature. F ST results also indicate a pattern of divergence between the two populations consistent with random genetic drift. Bottleneck detection is critical for the interpretation of the demographic history of the endangered Mednyi Island Arctic fox, with consequences for conservation management.

Recent water voles (genus Arvicola ) display a prominent morphological diversity with a strong ecotypical background but with unclear taxonomic associations. We provide a novel synthetic view on the evolutionary history and the current taxonomic richness in the genus. Our molecular reconstruction, based on a 1143-bp-long sequence of cytochrome b and a 926-bp interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein ( irbp ) confirmed the monophyly of four species ( amphibius , sapidus , monticola and italicus ) recognized thus far, and retrieved a new deeply divergent lineage from West Iran. Genetic divergence of the Iranian lineage (>9.0%) is inside the range of interspecies distances, exceeding the interspecies divergences between the remaining Arvicola species (range, 4.3–8.7%). The oldest name available for the Iranian phylogroup is Arvicola persicus de Filippi, 1865, with the type locality in Soltaniyeh, Iran. The molecular clock suggests the divergence of A. persicus in the Early Pleistocene (2.545 Ma), and the current radiation of the remaining species between 1.535 Ma ( Arvicola sapidus ) and 0.671 Ma. While A. sapidus possibly evolved from Arvicola jacobaeus , a fossil ancestor to A. persicus is unknown. The aquatic life-style of Mimomys savini , a direct ancestor to some fossil Arvicola , is retained in recent stem species A. sapidus and A. persicus , while a major shift toward fossorial morphotype characterizes the terminal lineages ( amphibius , italicus and monticola ). We suggest that habitat-dependent morphological plasticity and positive enamel differentiation in Arvicola amphibius widened its ecological niche that might trigger a range expansion across c. 12 million km 2 , making it one of the largest among arvicolines.

Genetic variation in chromosomally polymorphic Sicista subtilis complex and related Sicista betulina species group was analysed using two mitochondrial markers ( COI and Cytb ). The S. subtilis group is shown to include six lineages, five of which correspond to species currently recognized based on cytogenetic and genetic data: Sicista nordmanni , Sicista trizona , S. subtilis sensu stricto , Sicista severtzovi and Sicista cimlanica . A previously unknown genetic lineage of S. subtilis was found in the North Caucasus. The existence of two divergent lineages within Sicista strandi is supported. It is suggested that the speciation rate in Sicista was strongly affected by rapid chromosomal evolution.

Folivory in bats, the behavior of chewing bites of leaves to extract the liquid portion and discard the fiber as oral pellets, is seen as a strategy that might provide vitamins, micronutrients and proteins not always available in fruits, and even secondary metabolites (hormonal precursors) that stimulate/inhibit reproductive processes. While examining chewed leaves, we noticed an important amount of completely intact leaves below the roosts of Artibeus amplus and Artibeus lituratus , and decided to systematically quantify them during a year. We recovered 639 intact leaves from six plant species and found that both species are constantly feeding on leaves, but invariably leaving 26–78% of these intact, dropping them on the floor just below their roosting sites. These large proportions of dropped, intact leaves suggest a completely different, novel, non-nutritional use by bats. Several studies in birds have revealed that fresh leaves are effectively used in nests to control diverse organisms that include blood suckling ectoparasites, protozoans, fungus and bacteria. We report for the first time this biological control behavior performed by bats by selecting, bringing and dropping intact leaves below their roosting sites. The chemical properties of the leaves need to be investigated to reveal those active components against specific pathogens.

Bats play important roles in ecosystems, and are thus considered bioindicators. Libraries of echolocation calls provide huge potential resources for bat species identifications, ecological studies and conservation surveys. Here, the echolocation calls of two morphologically similar bat species ( Miniopterus magnater and Miniopterus fuliginosus ) were recorded and described in order to characterize vocal signatures for field identification in China. Both M. magnater and M. fuliginosus emitted short frequency modulated echolocation calls with narrow bandwidths. Each call of the former species included two harmonics, with the first harmonic being the strongest, whereas calls of the latter species normally contained one harmonic. Although call durations were similar between the two species, there were significant differences in start, end and peak frequencies between M. magnater and M. fuliginous . The results showed that 92.3% of all calls recorded in China were attributed to the correct species based on spectral features of echolocation calls. We concluded that echolocation calls are valuable characters for the identification of morphologically similar bat species.

The José María Arguedas’ grass mouse, Akodon josemariarguedasi , is currently known from the central Yungas of Peru, ranging from the right (south) side of the Río Huallaga in Huánuco Department (in the north) to Junín Department (in the south); its phylogenetic affinities are unknown. We collected four specimens from Quintao, Tayacaja, Huancavelica Department allocated to this species, extending the species range 144 km farther south from its previous known distribution; and inferred the phylogenetic relationships of this species within the aerosus species group based on molecular analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. We confirm that A . josemariarguedasi is a member of the aerosus species group and it is a sister taxon to Akodon mollis “Ancash” and then to Akodon torques . Also, we found that Akodon kotosh is closely related to Akodon orophilus , and not A . josemariarguedasi . Finally, we confirm that Akodon budini and Akodon siberiae are also members of the aerosus species group.

Two names ( Clethrionomys and Myodes ) are used interchangeably for red-backed voles, which is contrary to one of the fundamental principles of zoological nomenclature, that each taxon has a single and unique valid name. Fixation of Mus lemmus Linnaeus, 1758, as the type of Myodes Pallas, 1811, meets the requirements stipulated in the Article 69.1.1 of the 4th edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and is therefore valid. Hence, the genus group name Myodes is a junior synonym of Lemmus Link, 1795, and is not available for red-backed voles. The oldest valid name for red-backed voles is Clethrionomys Tilesius, 1850, with the type species ( Mus rutilus Pallas, 1779) subsequently designated by Palmer (1928).