Volume 89, Issue 5

Numbers and distribution of desert bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis mexicana ) have significantly declined from historic levels throughout their range in Mexico. Consequently, we documented survival rates of adult female and male desert bighorn in Sonora from 2019 to 2021, emphasizing adult females given the sensitivity of population rate-of-increase to adult female survival, and further evaluated survival with respect to precipitation patterns. Survival in 2019 (females = 0.88; males = 0.57) was comparable to other North American desert bighorn populations, but declined to the lowest levels documented for adult desert bighorn during severe droughts in 2020 and 2021 (≤0.50). Survival was most strongly associated with total annual precipitation; odds of desert bighorn survival increased 1.01× for each 1 mm increase in total precipitation. Survival was also influenced by precipitation during the post-monsoon period, which coincides with the periods of highest energetic demands on bighorn. Survival-days were similarly influenced by precipitation during these same time periods, as well as landscape greenness during the post-monsoon period. Recovery of desert bighorn will be challenging due to the impact of precipitation on survival and the increasing frequency and severity of drought in Sonora, as management options to mitigate drought-induced declines are extremely limited.

The Mainland Leopard Cat (MLC) has a wide global distribution but information on its diet is restricted to a few locations. We collected 376 scats from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS) and surrounding areas outside the Protected Area (PA) in Arunachal Pradesh, India, from 2014 to 2016. We assigned scats to MLC using felid-specific primers and DNA sequencing. Eighty-nine scats were used for diet estimation (PA: n  = 45; outside PA: n  = 44). We examined segregated prey items from scats under a microscope. Rodent teeth were identified to the family level. Rodents dominated the diet of MLC within and outside the PA, occurring in 96 % of all scats analysed and belonged to family Muridae, Cricetidae and Sciuridae, with Muridae being the most common. The major difference in the diet of MLC within and outside the PA was in the consumption of the Sikkim Vole (Cricetidae) which occurred in a higher percentage of scats found within the PA. This difference was largely due to the higher elevations of scat locations within the PA. Our study emphasises the role of the MLC as a major predator of rodents.

Neotropical porcupines ( Coendou spp.) remain poorly studied, with much of our knowledge derived from anecdotal observations or research on captive individuals. In this study, we used camera traps across multiple survey designs – an arboreal grid, a terrestrial grid, and at mineral licks – to investigate habitat use and geophagy in sympatric porcupine species in southeastern Peru. We obtained a total survey effort of 70,863 trap-nights, during which we collected 1,956 camera-trap photos and videos belonging to 526 independent events of Coendou bicolor , Coendou longicaudatus , and Coendou ichillus . Our results provide a detailed account of geophagy in C. bicolor and C. longicaudatus . We also used relative abundance indices (RAIs) to assess habitat use in these species with results showing a relatively high RAI for C. ichillus in the canopy (35.56 independent events per 1,000 trap-nights), as well as for C. bicolor and C. longicaudatus at mineral licks on ground level (97.82 and 41.16, respectively). By identifying these habitat preferences through camera trap data, we provide key insights for future research, while also expanding our knowledge on the ecology of these elusive species.

Central Chile is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, inhabited by four wild cat species: kodkod ( Leopardus guigna ), pampas cat ( Leopardus colocola ), Andean cat ( Leopardus jacobita ), and puma ( Puma concolor ). However, threats to these felids in this region remains poorly documented. This study investigates the primary causes of wild cat mortality in central Chile from 2012 to 2024, compiling mortality records categorized by species, political region, land use type, and year. Mortality events were gathered for three species, but we did not find any record for the Andean cat. Roadkill was the predominant cause of death, followed by dog attacks, drowning incidents, and hunting. Statistical analyses suggested significant associations among felid species and political regions, species and cause of death, and regions and cause of death. Our findings underscore the urgent need to mitigate human-induced threats, especially road collisions, and highlight critical knowledge gaps regarding the Andean cat. Future research should prioritize expanding data collection to inform targeted conservation strategies.

Tail autotomy (hereafter ‘autotomy’) is an antipredator adaptation relatively uncommon among rodents, with the ‘false’ type being the most prevalent. Here, we document false autotomy in the glirid Eliomys melanurus (Wagner, 1840) via opportunistic observations of two individuals live-trapped in north-western Saudi Arabia. During handling, minimal pressure exerted on the tail inadvertently induced autotomy, consistent with patterns reported in other dormice. Historical records and ecological traits corroborate false autotomy in E . melanurus and suggest its occurrence in Eliomys munbyanus , thus potentially characterising the genus Eliomys as autotomy-capable. Given Eliomys ’ susceptibility to autotomy, we outline recommendations for developing autotomy-informed handling protocols.

The evergreen rainforests of north-eastern India are rich in a diverse assemblage of small carnivores. Small carnivores are generally elusive and cryptic, often remain unnoticed during field surveys resulting in a dearth of information regarding their distribution and ecology. The spotted linsang Prionodon pardicolor represents one of the two species belonging to the Asian linsangs (family Prionodontidae) and stands as the sole representative of this family in India. In the present study, we report the first photographic evidence of spotted linsang from Dirang region of West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.

Eupetaurus cinereus is confined to the rocky mountains of northern Pakistan at elevations above 3,000 m. We analysed a faecal pellet using DNA metabarcoding to assess the fungal resource usage of this species. Most of the detected fungi were microfungi, indicating environmental contamination, accidental ingestion, or members of the intestinal mycobiome. One abundant microfungus detected as the hypolithic species Knufia walvisbayicola suggests a potential lichen origin, although the above possibilities cannot be excluded. A high number of sequences of Peniophora polygonia and Perenniporia subtephropora , which form fruiting bodies, were detected. Macrofungi may serve as dietary resources for E. cinereus .

The Atlantic Forest, a global conservation priority, faces critical threats from habitat loss. Fauna was surveyed in the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station (EEJI), one of the last preserved reserves of the Brazilian coastal Atlantic Forest. From December 2021 to February 2022, 28 camera traps were deployed across EEJI to document local wildlife. A total of 26 species, including medium and large vertebrates, were recorded, with no domestic or invasive species. Although ample prey for the jaguar ( Panthera onca ) was documented, the apex predator itself was notably absent. These findings affirm EEJI’s conservation value and suggest the potential for jaguar reintroduction as a focus for future conservation efforts.

Hypopigmentation can lead to albinism or leucism in animal pelage. This study presents the first documented case of albinism in the Crab-eating Fox ( Cerdocyon thous ) and explores anomalous coloration in Neotropical carnivores. An albino individual was observed in Nova Maringá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. A literature review identified 12 studies documenting 30 records of anomalous coloration across seven carnivore species, with the Tayra ( Eira barbara ) showing the highest occurrence (18 cases). Though rare, conditions like albinism and leucism can impact survival by reducing camouflage, communication, and reproduction, underscoring the need for further research into their causes and ecological implications.

Color patterns in mammals depend on melanin pigments, with anomalies like albinism causing a lack of melanin and leucism resulting in partial or total pigmentation loss. These conditions are poorly documented in Funambulus squirrels globally. This report documents the first leucistic Common Palm Squirrel ( Funambulus palmarum ) in Karnataka, India. The white-coated female had a pinkish snout, ears, and limbs, and normal eye coloration. Its white fur contrasted sharply with dark tree trunks but blended with lighter ones.

Tonatia bidens , a medium-sized bat species endemic to South America, is principally insectivorous but also consumes small terrestrial vertebrates and fruits. This report documents the first confirmed natural predation of T . bidens on a Hemidactylus mabouia lizard, observed in the urban environment of Ilhabela, São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. The bat’s behaviour during the predation event was also recorded, providing valuable insights into its hunting strategy. This record contributes to filling gaps in knowledge about the feeding ecology and distribution of this “Data Deficient” species.

We conducted a field survey in eastern Arunachal Pradesh and, during the questionaries, we encountered a road-killed red panda. We photographed the individual and collected a small pinche of tissue for DNA analysis. Although the red panda carcass was found from the east of the Siang River, the individual’s morphological characteristics resembled those of the Himalayan red panda, contrary to expectations. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis and network analysis based on the mitochondrial control region sequences classified this individual in the Chinese red panda lineage. This study suggests that morphological traits are not reliable to distinguish red pandas as suggested earlier.