Biases, gaps, and opportunities in mammalian extinction risk research
Abstract
A subdiscipline of conservation science involves the study of differences between threatened and non‐threatened species. The relevance of multispecies analyses of extinction risk to conservation practice has been questioned, but there has been no synthesis of the allocation of research effort to different regions and groups of mammals to assess whether or not sufficient knowledge is available to support conservation science where it is most needed.
I reviewed 68 comparative studies of mammalian extinction risk to test whether existing research reflects our concern for threatened species. Additionally, I examine...
Source: Mammal Review - October 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Luis D. Verde Arregoitia Tags: Review Source Type: research
Global distribution of fin whales Balaenoptera physalus in the post‐whaling era (1980–2012)
Abstract
The global distribution of fin whales Balaenoptera physalus is not fully understood. Existing maps can be divided into two conflicting categories: one showing a continuous global distribution and another showing an equatorial hiatus (gap in the global distribution) between approximately 20°N and 20°S. Questions also remain about the seasonal distribution of fin whales.
To explore the suggested equatorial hiatus and seasonal distribution patterns, we synthesised information on fin whale distribution in the post‐whaling era (1980–2012) from published literature, publicly available reports and studies conducte...
Source: Mammal Review - September 16, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Elizabeth F. Edwards, Candice Hall, Thomas J. Moore, Corey Sheredy, Jessica V. Redfern Tags: Review Source Type: research
Spatial patterns in the diet of the Japanese macaque Macaca fuscata and their environmental determinants
Abstract
We aimed to ascertain the environmental determinants of the diets of Japanese macaques Macaca fuscata in relation to geographical variables (latitude and elevation) and environmental variables [annual rainfall, mean temperature, snow characteristics and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a proxy for primary productivity]
We collected dietary data from the entire range of Japanese macaques (29 study sites) and extracted each dietary component to determine spatial patterns over the species' range and between forest types. We then conducted model selection to identify the environmental determinants of st...
Source: Mammal Review - August 24, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Yamato Tsuji, Takehiko Y. Ito, Kazuo Wada, Kunio Watanabe Tags: Review Source Type: research
Are unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) the future of wildlife monitoring? A review of accomplishments and challenges
Abstract
Regular monitoring of animal populations must be established to ensure wildlife protection, especially when pressure on animals is high. The recent development of drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) opens new opportunities. UASs have several advantages, including providing data at high spatial and temporal resolution, providing systematic, permanent data, having low operational costs and being low‐risk for the operators. However, UASs have some constraints, such as short flight endurance.
We reviewed studies in which wildlife populations were monitored by using drones, described accomplishments to date a...
Source: Mammal Review - August 24, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Julie Linchant, Jonathan Lisein, Jean Semeki, Philippe Lejeune, Cédric Vermeulen Tags: Review Source Type: research
Body mass relationships affect the age structure of predation across carnivore–ungulate systems: a review and synthesis
Abstract
The size or body mass of predators relative to prey plays a key role in structuring animal communities, as the strength of predator–prey interactions is often dependent on the body mass relationship. Also, in long‐lived species, a direct functional relationship exists between adult survival and population growth rate. Therefore, any cause of mortality acting on the adult segment of the population is expected to exert a strong influence on population performance.
Despite the large amount of literature available on carnivore–ungulate predation patterns, the relationship of predator and prey body mass with the...
Source: Mammal Review - July 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Vincenzo Gervasi, Erlend B. Nilsen, John D. C. Linnell Tags: Review Source Type: research
Roost site selection by tree‐dwelling bats across biogeographical regions: an updated meta‐analysis with meta‐regression
In conclusion, we propose that further research should be conducted in all types of forest ecosystem (data from the tropics are currently missing). Future studies should include at least three years of data collection, in order to avoid estimation bias in habitat selection patterns. (Source: Mammal Review)
Source: Mammal Review - July 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Ladislav Naďo, Peter Kaňuch Tags: Review Source Type: research
Range expansion of the invasive house mouse Mus musculus domesticus in Senegal, West Africa: a synthesis of trapping data over three decades, 1983–2014
Abstract
The worldwide intensification of human‐associated exchanges favours the multiplication of biological invasions. Among mammals, rodent species, including the house mouse Mus musculus, are identified as major invaders with profound impacts on native biodiversity, human health and activities. Though contemporary rodent invasions are described on several islands, there are few data describing ongoing house mouse invasions in continental areas.
We first outline the known picture of the distribution of the house mouse in Africa. We then describe the ongoing range expansion of the house mouse in Senegal, in order to u...
Source: Mammal Review - June 26, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Ambroise Dalecky, Khalilou Bâ, Sylvain Piry, Cédric Lippens, Christophe A. Diagne, Mamadou Kane, Aliou Sow, Mamoudou Diallo, Youssoupha Niang, Adam Konečný, Nathalie Sarr, Emmanuelle Artige, Nathalie Charbonnel, Laurent Granjon, Jean‐Marc Duplantier Tags: Review Source Type: research
Open questions and recent advances in the control of a multi‐host infectious disease: animal tuberculosis
We describe the current knowledge on global TB distribution and the significance of wildlife hosts; identify insufficiently known aspects of host pathology, ecology and epidemiology; present selected time series in wildlife TB; and summarize ongoing research on TB control, providing additional insight on vaccination.
Six specific research needs are identified and discussed, namely: 1) complete the world map of wildlife MTC reservoirs and describe the structure of each local MTC host community; 2) identify the origin and behaviour of generalized diseased individuals within populations, and study the role of factors such as ...
Source: Mammal Review - April 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Christian Gortázar, Azlan Che Amat, Daniel J. O'Brien Tags: Review Source Type: research
A review of vital rates and cause‐specific mortality of elk Cervus elaphus populations in eastern North America
Abstract
A review of elk vital rates in eastern North America is warranted given continued interest in restoring the species to the region and the variation in habitat conditions, anthropogenic influence on population dynamics and predator fauna between eastern and western North America.
We reviewed 23 studies of elk demographics from populations in eastern North America and summarized adult (>2 years old), subadult (1–2 years old) and juvenile (0–1 years old) annual survival and fecundity. We also reviewed and compared studies in which causes of mortality in eastern and western North American elk populations were ...
Source: Mammal Review - April 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Barbara J. Keller, Robert A. Montgomery, Henry R. Campa, Dean E. Beyer, Scott R. Winterstein, Lonnie P. Hansen, Joshua J. Millspaugh Tags: Review Source Type: research
Reports on badgers Meles meles in Dutch newspapers 1900–2013: same animals, different framings?
Abstract
Culling wild badgers Meles meles in an attempt to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infections in domestic cattle has provoked a long and fierce debate in the UK. Research has shown that the controversy over badger culling exists because of fundamental differences in how badgers and their relationship with humans are framed (viewed and described) by various people and groups. However, these different framings pre‐existed the bTB badger culling debate.
In the Netherlands, bTB is absent in cattle. Until the 1980s, the badger population showed a strong decline, due to persecution and increasing road ...
Source: Mammal Review - March 28, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Hens Runhaar, Marjolein Runhaar, Hans Vink Tags: Review Source Type: research
Estimating Alpine ibex Capra ibex abundance from photographic sampling
Abstract
Monitoring procedures for Alpine ibex Capra ibex are limited in habitats with reduced visibility and when physical capture and marking of the animals is not intended. Photographic sampling, involving using camera‐trap data and identifying ibex from natural markings, was adopted with capture‐recapture models to estimate the abundance of ibex in Austria. The software CAPTURE's model produced an average capture probability of 0.44 with an estimate of 34–51 ibex and a mean population size of 38 ibex. This first study showed the applicability of photographic capture‐recapture techniques to estimate the abundanc...
Source: Mammal Review - March 26, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Robin Sandfort Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research
A biogeographical regionalization of Angolan mammals
Abstract
We developed a biogeographical regionalization of Angolan mammals based on data collected before major declines occurred during the civil war (1975–2002). In terms of its biodiversity, Angola is one of the least known of all African countries.
We used 9880 grid records of 140 species (rodents, ungulates and carnivores) collected mainly in 1930–80, at a quarter degree cell resolution. Biogeographical regions were identified by using cluster analysis, based on βsim dissimilarity matrices and a hierarchical classification using Ward's method. An indicator value analysis was used to identify species characterizi...
Source: Mammal Review - March 2, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Patrícia Rodrigues, Rui Figueira, Pedro Vaz Pinto, Miguel B. Araújo, Pedro Beja Tags: Review Source Type: research
Can heterothermy facilitate the colonization of new habitats?
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that torpor in mammals is not only an effective adaptation for surviving predictable seasonal harsh conditions but is also employed as a response to acute emergency situations. This finding leads to the hypothesis that the ability to become heterothermic can also facilitate the colonization of new habitats, when mammals have to cross unsuitable, fragmented and/or food‐scarce landscapes. This hypothesis was first suggested in the context of the colonization of Madagascar, and it has never been evaluated in detail. In this review, we discuss the potential of heterothermy to affect co...
Source: Mammal Review - January 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Julia Nowack, Kathrin H. Dausmann Tags: Review Source Type: research
Biogeography, macroecology and species' traits mediate competitive interactions in the order Lagomorpha
Abstract
In addition to abiotic determinants, biotic factors, including competitive, interspecific interactions, limit species' distributions. Environmental changes in human disturbance, land use and climate are predicted to have widespread impacts on interactions between species, especially in the order Lagomorpha due to the higher latitudes and more extreme environmental conditions they occupy.
We reviewed the published literature on interspecific interactions in the order Lagomorpha and compared the biogeography, macroecology, phylogeny and traits of species known to interact with those of species with no reported inte...
Source: Mammal Review - January 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Katie Leach, W. Ian Montgomery, Neil Reid Tags: Review Source Type: research
The scientific profiles of terrestrial mammals in Great Britain as measured by publication metrics
Abstract
Research on mammals provides the evidence base for their conservation, management and related policy. We assess the effect of study choices on the composition of this evidence base. We derived species h‐index (SHI) for 67 breeding terrestrial mammals from 2305 publications based on field research carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. Native species had higher SHI than introduced species, but SHI was not related to the level of species conservation concern. SHI was positively related to geographical range and/or population size and to functional group: large herbivores had higher SHI, then carnivores, roden...
Source: Mammal Review - January 1, 2015 Category: Zoology Authors: Peter A. Robertson, Ailsa J. McKenzie Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research
