I. S. Campos-Filho, M. Paoletti, Federico Gavinelli, S. Taiti
Eight species in the family Scleropactidae are recorded from Venezuela. Three species are described as new: Colomboscia venezuelana n. sp. from the departments of Aragua and Miranda, Globopactes cristalinae n. sp. from the department of Trujillo, and Globopactes mucuyensis n. sp. from the department of Mérida. Globopactes senex and Neosanfilippia venezuelana have their distribution extended to the departments of Aragua and Carabobo, respectively.
{"title":"New species and records of the family Scleropactidae Verhoeff, 1938 from Venezuela (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea)","authors":"I. S. Campos-Filho, M. Paoletti, Federico Gavinelli, S. Taiti","doi":"10.4081/tz.2021.113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2021.113","url":null,"abstract":"Eight species in the family Scleropactidae are recorded from Venezuela. Three species are described as new: Colomboscia venezuelana n. sp. from the departments of Aragua and Miranda, Globopactes cristalinae n. sp. from the department of Trujillo, and Globopactes mucuyensis n. sp. from the department of Mérida. Globopactes senex and Neosanfilippia venezuelana have their distribution extended to the departments of Aragua and Carabobo, respectively.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43871223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Yáñez-Espinosa, Felipe Barragán-Torres, Alejandra Berenice Ibarra Hernández, Jaime Iván Morales
Predation of seeds of the cycad Dioon edule Lindl. by Peromyscus mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) has been previously documented, demonstrating that the seeds’ toxins are not harmful when combined with a varied diet. However, there is scarce evidence of P. mexicanus as a seed disperser. In a tropical oak forest in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, we experimented with seeds of D. edule and Quercus polymorpha Schltdl. & Cham., evaluating predators’ preference and recording it with photo-trapping. Burrows were sampled in concentric circles around a D. edule mother plant, and the types of burrows and condition of the seeds inside were identified with a borescope without destroying the burrows. The structure and composition of the forest were evaluated. The primary dispersion of D. edule seeds is by barochory. The rodents predate on seeds and prefer Q. polymorpha over D. edule (survival: 48.9% and 78.5%, respectively). There are more escape and multiple burrows at 3–6 m with mature oaks. Rodents forget or abandon D. edule seeds in the burrows, and such seeds germinate at 3–6 m. Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818) is a short-distance secondary disperser and predator of Dioon edule seeds.
{"title":"Dispersal of Dioon edule cycad seeds by rodents in a tropical oak forest in Mexico","authors":"L. Yáñez-Espinosa, Felipe Barragán-Torres, Alejandra Berenice Ibarra Hernández, Jaime Iván Morales","doi":"10.4081/tz.2021.105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2021.105","url":null,"abstract":"Predation of seeds of the cycad Dioon edule Lindl. by Peromyscus mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) has been previously documented, demonstrating that the seeds’ toxins are not harmful when combined with a varied diet. However, there is scarce evidence of P. mexicanus as a seed disperser. In a tropical oak forest in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, we experimented with seeds of D. edule and Quercus polymorpha Schltdl. & Cham., evaluating predators’ preference and recording it with photo-trapping. Burrows were sampled in concentric circles around a D. edule mother plant, and the types of burrows and condition of the seeds inside were identified with a borescope without destroying the burrows. The structure and composition of the forest were evaluated. The primary dispersion of D. edule seeds is by barochory. The rodents predate on seeds and prefer Q. polymorpha over D. edule (survival: 48.9% and 78.5%, respectively). There are more escape and multiple burrows at 3–6 m with mature oaks. Rodents forget or abandon D. edule seeds in the burrows, and such seeds germinate at 3–6 m. Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818) is a short-distance secondary disperser and predator of Dioon edule seeds.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45140585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Iván Sandoval Hernández, Juan José Sánchez Ramírez, J. R. Bolaños Montero, J. S. Monrós González
Along the Costa Rican Caribbean shoreline, it is possible to find two species of crocodilians, the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus). This region can be divided geographically into three subregions: North, Central, and South Caribbean. We conducted this research in the North Caribbean, between October 6, 2018 and August 31, 2019. Specifically, we worked in the area lying between the Jalova Station of the Tortugero National Park (TNP) and Agua Dulce Lake situated in the northern tip of Machuca Island, at the mouth of the Colorado River inside the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge (BACORE), which includes other connecting wetlands as well (Sierpe River, Samay Lake). Overall, this study area had an approximate extension of 408 km2 characterized by large, wide and deep canals, as well as wetlands, meanders, and adjacent lakes. The sampling was performed along 10 segments that varied in length from 7.5 km up to 29.49 km, located in the nearby zones of TNP and BACORE. In these zones, nightly counts were carried out using dazzling lamps. Individuals of C. acutus and C. crocodilus were classified into eight and six body size classes, respectively (both with 50 cm intervals). A relative abundance of 0.55 crocodiles and 1.37 caimans per linear kilometer was estimated during these spotlight surveys. The capture of 39 caimans let us to estimate a ratio of 30 males to 9 females (3.3:1 M:F). In stark contrast, only 1 male and 1 female crocodile were captured. A total of 85 C. acutus and 205 C. crocodilus were observed. Regarding the number of caiman sightings in the TNP, a statistically significant difference was found (Χ2=5.62, p≤0.05) for the distribution by sizes between the zones of BACORE and TNP, whereas no such difference was found for C. crocodilus sightings (Z=–1.22, p≥0.222). Some segments had a higher probability of caiman occurrence than did others in the surveys performed during the monitoring period (X2=8.36, p≤0.05), especially the Jalova-Sierpe River, Caño Negro-Tortuguero, and Tortuguero-Samay Lake (Tortuguero subarea) segments. Ninety percent of the sightings occurred in the BACORE zone, and this was significantly different (Χ2=7.34, p≤0.026) from the studied subareas. The number of crocodile sightings in the Colorado River segment was significantly different and higher than the other segments (X2=7.28, p≤0.05). There was a significant statistical difference among the sizes in all areas of study (X2=5.529, p≤0.026). The abundance of C. acutus and C. crocodilus in the north Caribbean part is lower than in the central Caribbean part of Costa Rica, where this species could use the resources available in more urbanized areas.
{"title":"Population status of the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus (Reptilia: Crocodylidae) and the spectacled caiman, Caiman crocodilus (Reptilia: Alligatoridae) in the Costa Rican North Caribbean","authors":"Iván Sandoval Hernández, Juan José Sánchez Ramírez, J. R. Bolaños Montero, J. S. Monrós González","doi":"10.4081/tz.2021.77","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2021.77","url":null,"abstract":"Along the Costa Rican Caribbean shoreline, it is possible to find two species of crocodilians, the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus). This region can be divided geographically into three subregions: North, Central, and South Caribbean. We conducted this research in the North Caribbean, between October 6, 2018 and August 31, 2019. Specifically, we worked in the area lying between the Jalova Station of the Tortugero National Park (TNP) and Agua Dulce Lake situated in the northern tip of Machuca Island, at the mouth of the Colorado River inside the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge (BACORE), which includes other connecting wetlands as well (Sierpe River, Samay Lake). Overall, this study area had an approximate extension of 408 km2 characterized by large, wide and deep canals, as well as wetlands, meanders, and adjacent lakes. The sampling was performed along 10 segments that varied in length from 7.5 km up to 29.49 km, located in the nearby zones of TNP and BACORE. In these zones, nightly counts were carried out using dazzling lamps. Individuals of C. acutus and C. crocodilus were classified into eight and six body size classes, respectively (both with 50 cm intervals). A relative abundance of 0.55 crocodiles and 1.37 caimans per linear kilometer was estimated during these spotlight surveys. The capture of 39 caimans let us to estimate a ratio of 30 males to 9 females (3.3:1 M:F). In stark contrast, only 1 male and 1 female crocodile were captured. A total of 85 C. acutus and 205 C. crocodilus were observed. Regarding the number of caiman sightings in the TNP, a statistically significant difference was found (Χ2=5.62, p≤0.05) for the distribution by sizes between the zones of BACORE and TNP, whereas no such difference was found for C. crocodilus sightings (Z=–1.22, p≥0.222). Some segments had a higher probability of caiman occurrence than did others in the surveys performed during the monitoring period (X2=8.36, p≤0.05), especially the Jalova-Sierpe River, Caño Negro-Tortuguero, and Tortuguero-Samay Lake (Tortuguero subarea) segments. Ninety percent of the sightings occurred in the BACORE zone, and this was significantly different (Χ2=7.34, p≤0.026) from the studied subareas. The number of crocodile sightings in the Colorado River segment was significantly different and higher than the other segments (X2=7.28, p≤0.05). There was a significant statistical difference among the sizes in all areas of study (X2=5.529, p≤0.026). The abundance of C. acutus and C. crocodilus in the north Caribbean part is lower than in the central Caribbean part of Costa Rica, where this species could use the resources available in more urbanized areas.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46413208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The mangrove forest is located in the coastal intertidal zone and plays a vital role in buffering against erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. This ecosystem also serves for ecotourism due to its heterogeneous habitats, which supported a high diversity of plants and animals. Small mammals are among the abundant but poorly recognised inhabitants in mangrove forests. Apart from their role as primary consumer and prey, they are host to various ectoparasites, which potentially become the primary vector for tick-borne diseases among visitors. Therefore, this study aims to determine the small mammal assemblages and their ectoparasite prevalence in mangroves forests of Peninsular Malaysia. The capture-release method was applied for small mammal sampling, and each captured individual was screened and collected for ectoparasites before released. DNA barcoding using CO1 genes was performed for small mammal species verification, whereby ectoparasite identification was based on morphological identification and molecular verification using 16S rDNA genes. A total of 94 small mammals from 6 species were captured across sites, dominated by Rattus tiomanicus (n=74). From this number, 15 individuals (16% prevalence) were infested by ticks, 22 individuals (23%) were infested by mites, whereas 4 individuals (4%) were infested by both ticks and mites. Five species of ticks and one mite species were identified; Amblyomma cordiferum, Ixodes granulatus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Dermacentor auratus, Dermacentor atrosignatus, and Laelaps echidninus. This study reveals a relatively poor diversity of small mammals in the mangroves forest, of which highly infested with a diversity of ectoparasites, elucidating the relationship of hostectoparasite associations in the riparian zone. This information is crucial to inform visitors to these areas, ultimately safeguard against ectoparasite-borne disease.
{"title":"Small mammal assemblages and their ectoparasite prevalence (Acarina) in mangrove forests of Peninsular Malaysia","authors":"F. Mohd-Taib, Rosha Asyikha, S. M. Nor","doi":"10.4081/tz.2021.78","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2021.78","url":null,"abstract":"The mangrove forest is located in the coastal intertidal zone and plays a vital role in buffering against erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. This ecosystem also serves for ecotourism due to its heterogeneous habitats, which supported a high diversity of plants and animals. Small mammals are among the abundant but poorly recognised inhabitants in mangrove forests. Apart from their role as primary consumer and prey, they are host to various ectoparasites, which potentially become the primary vector for tick-borne diseases among visitors. Therefore, this study aims to determine the small mammal assemblages and their ectoparasite prevalence in mangroves forests of Peninsular Malaysia. The capture-release method was applied for small mammal sampling, and each captured individual was screened and collected for ectoparasites before released. DNA barcoding using CO1 genes was performed for small mammal species verification, whereby ectoparasite identification was based on morphological identification and molecular verification using 16S rDNA genes. A total of 94 small mammals from 6 species were captured across sites, dominated by Rattus tiomanicus (n=74). From this number, 15 individuals (16% prevalence) were infested by ticks, 22 individuals (23%) were infested by mites, whereas 4 individuals (4%) were infested by both ticks and mites. Five species of ticks and one mite species were identified; Amblyomma cordiferum, Ixodes granulatus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Dermacentor auratus, Dermacentor atrosignatus, and Laelaps echidninus. This study reveals a relatively poor diversity of small mammals in the mangroves forest, of which highly infested with a diversity of ectoparasites, elucidating the relationship of hostectoparasite associations in the riparian zone. This information is crucial to inform visitors to these areas, ultimately safeguard against ectoparasite-borne disease.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2021-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45671184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Alencar, Vanessa Melandri, J. Silva, H. G. Albuquerque, A. Guimarães
Bimonthly diurnal and nocturnal captures were conducted in four different sampling sites of the Mato Grosso Pantanal region over 24 consecutive months between March 2009 and January 2011. The goal of performing these collections was to elucidate aspects of the biology and ecology of mosquitoes in this region since little to nothing is known about these aspects for many species. A total of 17,532 specimens were captured, comprising two subfamilies, nine genera, and 44 species. The main species of culicids found in the Mato Grosso Pantanal had strong ecological compatibility with well-preserved environments and with some of the specific habitats found in at least one of the four selected collection sampling sites. Anopheles darlingi, An. albitarsis, and An. triannulatus are well-suited to environments with large water bodies and greater anthropic activity. Culex nigripalpus and Cx. quinquefasciatus prefer environments with bush fragments and pronounced human action and movement. Culex declarator and Psorophora albigenu, the most eclectic, prefer wild areas and with some anthropic activity. Mansonia titillans is associated with environments offering a wide variety of natural breeding areas that enable its development, in particular natural swamp areas covered with macrophytes, which is one of the natural components of the Pantanal biome. The effect of the flooding season on the population density of anophelines is especially advantageous, with an explosion in the number of individuals in periods of widespread flooding. The region’s environmental dynamics are regulated by flooding cycles with alternating periods of flooding and drought, which are the main factors governing the ecology of the local fauna and flora. Flooding periods contribute to raising culicid species’ richness and diversity, while the droughts result in a more even distribution of specimens within species. The flooding season of the Pantanal occurs between November and May and coincides with the greatest abundance of culicid species. During this period, the human population of the region has greater contact with mosquito vectors carrying pathogens, including arboviruses, which previous studies have confirmed via seropositivity in the region’s equines and birds.
{"title":"Ecological characterization of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in areas of the Mato Grosso Pantanal, Mato Grosso State, Brazil","authors":"J. Alencar, Vanessa Melandri, J. Silva, H. G. Albuquerque, A. Guimarães","doi":"10.4081/tz.2021.84","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2021.84","url":null,"abstract":"Bimonthly diurnal and nocturnal captures were conducted in four different sampling sites of the Mato Grosso Pantanal region over 24 consecutive months between March 2009 and January 2011. The goal of performing these collections was to elucidate aspects of the biology and ecology of mosquitoes in this region since little to nothing is known about these aspects for many species. A total of 17,532 specimens were captured, comprising two subfamilies, nine genera, and 44 species. The main species of culicids found in the Mato Grosso Pantanal had strong ecological compatibility with well-preserved environments and with some of the specific habitats found in at least one of the four selected collection sampling sites. Anopheles darlingi, An. albitarsis, and An. triannulatus are well-suited to environments with large water bodies and greater anthropic activity. Culex nigripalpus and Cx. quinquefasciatus prefer environments with bush fragments and pronounced human action and movement. Culex declarator and Psorophora albigenu, the most eclectic, prefer wild areas and with some anthropic activity. Mansonia titillans is associated with environments offering a wide variety of natural breeding areas that enable its development, in particular natural swamp areas covered with macrophytes, which is one of the natural components of the Pantanal biome. The effect of the flooding season on the population density of anophelines is especially advantageous, with an explosion in the number of individuals in periods of widespread flooding. The region’s environmental dynamics are regulated by flooding cycles with alternating periods of flooding and drought, which are the main factors governing the ecology of the local fauna and flora. Flooding periods contribute to raising culicid species’ richness and diversity, while the droughts result in a more even distribution of specimens within species. The flooding season of the Pantanal occurs between November and May and coincides with the greatest abundance of culicid species. During this period, the human population of the region has greater contact with mosquito vectors carrying pathogens, including arboviruses, which previous studies have confirmed via seropositivity in the region’s equines and birds.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2021-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47688020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luiza Mariz Amador De Souza, Gabriela Gonçalves Theobaldo, E. Rizzo, J. E. Dos Santos, N. Bazzoli, A. L. Paschoalini
The fragmentation of watercourses caused by dams is considered to be one of the main threats to aquatic biodiversity worldwide, especially for ichthyofauna. Several studies have shown that the environmental modifications caused by dammed water bodies can change the various reproductive parameters of freshwater fish. Therefore, the present study aims to comparatively analyze the reproductive potential of female Megaleporinus reinhardti, a migratory species, sampled in the lentic environment of the Três Marias Reservoir and the lotic environment of the São Francisco River. Biometric data were obtained from 79 females and the biological indices were subsequently calculated. Additionally, the microscopic analysis of the gonads was performed, and the follicular atresia index was compared. The results of the study show that fish from the lotic environment presented higher gonadal volume, fecundity, and oocyte diameter, and a lower follicular atresia index when compared to fish from the lentic environment. In summary, the data suggest that environmental changes, i.e. from a lotic to lentic environment, caused by river damming, may negatively affect the reproductive process of migratory fish, such as M. reinhardti, and impair the maintenance of the population of this species in lentic environments
水坝造成的河道破碎被认为是全球水生生物多样性的主要威胁之一，特别是对鱼类动物。一些研究表明，筑坝水体引起的环境变化可以改变淡水鱼的各种繁殖参数。因此，本研究旨在比较分析在Três Marias水库的自然环境和 o Francisco河的自然环境中取样的洄游物种Megaleporinus reinhardti雌虫的生殖潜能。获得79只雌性的生物特征数据，并计算生物学指标。此外，还进行了性腺的显微镜分析，并比较了卵泡闭锁指数。研究结果表明，与生活在野外的鱼相比，生活在野外的鱼具有更高的性腺体积、繁殖力和卵母细胞直径，以及更低的卵泡闭锁指数。综上所述，这些数据表明，河流筑坝引起的环境变化，即从水生环境到水生环境，可能会对莱茵哈蒂等洄游鱼类的繁殖过程产生负面影响，并损害该物种在水生环境中的种群维持
{"title":"Evaluation of the reproductive parameters of female neotropical migratory fish from a lotic and lentic environment of a dammed river","authors":"Luiza Mariz Amador De Souza, Gabriela Gonçalves Theobaldo, E. Rizzo, J. E. Dos Santos, N. Bazzoli, A. L. Paschoalini","doi":"10.4081/tz.2021.73","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2021.73","url":null,"abstract":"The fragmentation of watercourses caused by dams is considered to be one of the main threats to aquatic biodiversity worldwide, especially for ichthyofauna. Several studies have shown that the environmental modifications caused by dammed water bodies can change the various reproductive parameters of freshwater fish. Therefore, the present study aims to comparatively analyze the reproductive potential of female Megaleporinus reinhardti, a migratory species, sampled in the lentic environment of the Três Marias Reservoir and the lotic environment of the São Francisco River. Biometric data were obtained from 79 females and the biological indices were subsequently calculated. Additionally, the microscopic analysis of the gonads was performed, and the follicular atresia index was compared. The results of the study show that fish from the lotic environment presented higher gonadal volume, fecundity, and oocyte diameter, and a lower follicular atresia index when compared to fish from the lentic environment. In summary, the data suggest that environmental changes, i.e. from a lotic to lentic environment, caused by river damming, may negatively affect the reproductive process of migratory fish, such as M. reinhardti, and impair the maintenance of the population of this species in lentic environments","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70310826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Viviano, G. Amori, L. Luiselli, H. Oebel, Farid Bahleman, E. Mori
The assessment of habitat selection and temporal patterns of activity rhythms is paramount for wildlife conservation. Studies on behavioural ecology of wild mammals are particularly challenging in tropical areas, mostly when involving rare or elusive species. Despite being a common species in Italy, the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is threatened of extinction throughout most of its sub-Saharan range. All available information on the ecology of this species has been collected in Italy, whereas no data is present in the scientific literature on spatiotemporal behaviour of this large rodent in Africa. In this work, we attempted to determine habitat selection and temporal patterns of activity rhythms of the crested porcupine in northern Benin and neighbouring countries, through intensive camera-trapping. We collected a total of 146 records of crested porcupine, 91 in the dry season (October-March) and 55 in the rainy season (April-September). Porcupines used most habitats in proportion to their local availability, while selecting rock outcrop formations (possibly used as shelter sites) and avoiding open areas, wetlands and gallery forests. A mostly nocturnal behaviour was confirmed throughout the year, with some diurnal activity at the start and at the end of the rainy season. The importance of rains in determining birth peak has been also showed, with juvenile individuals always observed at the start and at the end of the rainy season. Full moon always inhibited activity of this large rodent, most likely evolved as an antipredatory behaviour to limit encounters with potential predators (common leopard Panthera pardus, spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta and honey badger Mellivora capensis) and humans. Poaching pressure towards porcupines in West Africa is strong. Porcupines are killed for the traditional medicine, for their meat and because they are widely considered as a crop pest. This assessment should therefore be used as a basic tool to design conservation plans to preserve this rodent species in its native range.
{"title":"Blessing the rains down in Africa: spatiotemporal behaviour of the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata (Mammalia: Rodentia) in the rainy and dry seasons, in the African savannah","authors":"A. Viviano, G. Amori, L. Luiselli, H. Oebel, Farid Bahleman, E. Mori","doi":"10.4081/TZ.2020.80","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/TZ.2020.80","url":null,"abstract":"The assessment of habitat selection and temporal patterns of activity rhythms is paramount for wildlife conservation. Studies on behavioural ecology of wild mammals are particularly challenging in tropical areas, mostly when involving rare or elusive species. Despite being a common species in Italy, the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is threatened of extinction throughout most of its sub-Saharan range. All available information on the ecology of this species has been collected in Italy, whereas no data is present in the scientific literature on spatiotemporal behaviour of this large rodent in Africa. In this work, we attempted to determine habitat selection and temporal patterns of activity rhythms of the crested porcupine in northern Benin and neighbouring countries, through intensive camera-trapping. We collected a total of 146 records of crested porcupine, 91 in the dry season (October-March) and 55 in the rainy season (April-September). Porcupines used most habitats in proportion to their local availability, while selecting rock outcrop formations (possibly used as shelter sites) and avoiding open areas, wetlands and gallery forests. A mostly nocturnal behaviour was confirmed throughout the year, with some diurnal activity at the start and at the end of the rainy season. The importance of rains in determining birth peak has been also showed, with juvenile individuals always observed at the start and at the end of the rainy season. Full moon always inhibited activity of this large rodent, most likely evolved as an antipredatory behaviour to limit encounters with potential predators (common leopard Panthera pardus, spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta and honey badger Mellivora capensis) and humans. Poaching pressure towards porcupines in West Africa is strong. Porcupines are killed for the traditional medicine, for their meat and because they are widely considered as a crop pest. This assessment should therefore be used as a basic tool to design conservation plans to preserve this rodent species in its native range.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44547124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The genus Exalloniscus is widely distributed in southern and eastern Asia. In this contribution, eight species are described as new: Exalloniscus schmalfussi from Nepal; E. siamensis from Thailand; E. kampucheaensis from Cambodia; E. tortilis and E. deharvengi from Vietnam; E. stilifer from southern China; E. burmaensis from Myanmar; and E. convexus from Laos. Ten more species are recorded: E. nepalensis from Nepal; E. coecus, E. brincki, E. bicoloratus, E. caudatus and E. maschwitzi from West Malaysia; E. sumatranus from Sumatra, Indonesia, and Singapore; E. papillosus from West Malaysia and Vietnam; and E. thailandensis from Laos. Exalloniscus bessoni Dalens, 1992 and E. yinae Nunomura and Xie, 2000 are considered to be junior synonyms of E. thailandensis Dalens, 1987. A map with the recorded distributions of all the 28 species of Exalloniscus is provided and their habitat is discussed.
{"title":"New species and records of Exalloniscus Stebbing, 1911 from southern Asia (Malacostraca, Isopoda, Oniscidea)","authors":"S. Taiti, Giovanna Monticelli Cardoso","doi":"10.4081/TZ.2020.83","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/TZ.2020.83","url":null,"abstract":"The genus Exalloniscus is widely distributed in southern and eastern Asia. In this contribution, eight species are described as new: Exalloniscus schmalfussi from Nepal; E. siamensis from Thailand; E. kampucheaensis from Cambodia; E. tortilis and E. deharvengi from Vietnam; E. stilifer from southern China; E. burmaensis from Myanmar; and E. convexus from Laos. Ten more species are recorded: E. nepalensis from Nepal; E. coecus, E. brincki, E. bicoloratus, E. caudatus and E. maschwitzi from West Malaysia; E. sumatranus from Sumatra, Indonesia, and Singapore; E. papillosus from West Malaysia and Vietnam; and E. thailandensis from Laos. Exalloniscus bessoni Dalens, 1992 and E. yinae Nunomura and Xie, 2000 are considered to be junior synonyms of E. thailandensis Dalens, 1987. A map with the recorded distributions of all the 28 species of Exalloniscus is provided and their habitat is discussed.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45228115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Kekeunou, Marcelle Mbadjoun-Nziké, Alain Christel Wandji, Steve Bernard Soh-Baleba, Alfiery Laurel Djomnang-Nkwala, Alain Simeu-Noutchom, Charly Oumarou‐Ngoute, Philene Corine Aude Um-Nyobe, Linda Gaelle Guiadem-Simo, P. N. Akono
For a better knowledge of Atractomorpha acutipennis bio-ecology and to facilitate its identification, we studied the morphology, development and reproduction of this grasshopper on Manihot esculenta under laboratory conditions. Five hundred and fifty-one first nymphal stages obtained in the laboratory were reared in cages. Some body parts allowed a clear identification of different nymphal instars. Post-embryonic development passed through six stages (males) and seven stages (females). Mean nymphal development time was 17.14 ± 0.62, 12.91 ± 0.62, 13.45 ± 0.69, 13.80 ± 0.68, 15.23 ± 0.55 days respectively in males nymphal instars 1 to 5 and 16.18 ± 0.54, 13.13 ± 0.59, 12.49 ± 0.42, 13.19 ± 0.58, 14.58 ± 0.61, 16.57 ± 0.68 days respectively, in females nymphal instars 1 to 6. Adult females deposited an average of 3.67 ± 2 egg pods each comprising 30.77 ± 10.5 eggs. First mating was observed 18 ± 15.42 days after the last moult. Oviposition occured on average 19.33± 5.33 days after the first mating. This study provides important information about the biology of A. acutipennis, which could help in developing control methods against this grasshopper in southern Cameroon.
{"title":"Morphology, development and reproduction of Atractomorpha acutipennis (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)","authors":"S. Kekeunou, Marcelle Mbadjoun-Nziké, Alain Christel Wandji, Steve Bernard Soh-Baleba, Alfiery Laurel Djomnang-Nkwala, Alain Simeu-Noutchom, Charly Oumarou‐Ngoute, Philene Corine Aude Um-Nyobe, Linda Gaelle Guiadem-Simo, P. N. Akono","doi":"10.4081/tz.2020.81","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2020.81","url":null,"abstract":"For a better knowledge of Atractomorpha acutipennis bio-ecology and to facilitate its identification, we studied the morphology, development and reproduction of this grasshopper on Manihot esculenta under laboratory conditions. Five hundred and fifty-one first nymphal stages obtained in the laboratory were reared in cages. Some body parts allowed a clear identification of different nymphal instars. Post-embryonic development passed through six stages (males) and seven stages (females). Mean nymphal development time was 17.14 ± 0.62, 12.91 ± 0.62, 13.45 ± 0.69, 13.80 ± 0.68, 15.23 ± 0.55 days respectively in males nymphal instars 1 to 5 and 16.18 ± 0.54, 13.13 ± 0.59, 12.49 ± 0.42, 13.19 ± 0.58, 14.58 ± 0.61, 16.57 ± 0.68 days respectively, in females nymphal instars 1 to 6. Adult females deposited an average of 3.67 ± 2 egg pods each comprising 30.77 ± 10.5 eggs. First mating was observed 18 ± 15.42 days after the last moult. Oviposition occured on average 19.33± 5.33 days after the first mating. This study provides important information about the biology of A. acutipennis, which could help in developing control methods against this grasshopper in southern Cameroon.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46905447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. Q. Luu, O. Van, Tuoi Thi Hoang, Thong Pham Van, Olivier Le Duc, Cédric Bordes, B. Leprince, G. Amori, L. Luiselli
Gia Lai bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus gialaiensis) was firstly described in 2017, and is an endemic species with very restricted distributional range, estimated to be less than 10 km2 in coffee plantation in Gia Lai province, Central Highland of Vietnam. This species is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in the IUCN Red List. To date, the natural history of this species is totally unknown. In this paper, we provide the first-of-ever natural history data on this highly threatened gecko species, with emphasis on morphometrics, habitat preferences, thermal ecology, and activity patterns. In 23 days of surveys, we captured 42 C. gialaiensis individuals and recaptured 4 of them. Sex ratio was not skewed from equality and juveniles accounted for 23.8% of the observed individuals. The two sexes did not differ in terms of mean Snout-to-Vent Length, Tail Length and weight, but the adult females had longer head than adult males. Geckos were observed at a mean substratum temperature of 24.2±1°C (n=14), and exhibited a mean body temperature of 29.5±2.5°C (n=14). There was no significant correlation between substratum and body temperatures. Body temperatures were significantly higher than substratum temperatures. The study species exhibited a clearly nocturnal above-ground activity, with main peak occurring between 20:00-21:30 h.
{"title":"Ecological characteristics of a recently described, critically endangered gecko species, endemic to Central Highland, Vietnam","authors":"V. Q. Luu, O. Van, Tuoi Thi Hoang, Thong Pham Van, Olivier Le Duc, Cédric Bordes, B. Leprince, G. Amori, L. Luiselli","doi":"10.4081/tz.2020.71","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2020.71","url":null,"abstract":"Gia Lai bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus gialaiensis) was firstly described in 2017, and is an endemic species with very restricted distributional range, estimated to be less than 10 km2 in coffee plantation in Gia Lai province, Central Highland of Vietnam. This species is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in the IUCN Red List. To date, the natural history of this species is totally unknown. In this paper, we provide the first-of-ever natural history data on this highly threatened gecko species, with emphasis on morphometrics, habitat preferences, thermal ecology, and activity patterns. In 23 days of surveys, we captured 42 C. gialaiensis individuals and recaptured 4 of them. Sex ratio was not skewed from equality and juveniles accounted for 23.8% of the observed individuals. The two sexes did not differ in terms of mean Snout-to-Vent Length, Tail Length and weight, but the adult females had longer head than adult males. Geckos were observed at a mean substratum temperature of 24.2±1°C (n=14), and exhibited a mean body temperature of 29.5±2.5°C (n=14). There was no significant correlation between substratum and body temperatures. Body temperatures were significantly higher than substratum temperatures. The study species exhibited a clearly nocturnal above-ground activity, with main peak occurring between 20:00-21:30 h.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2020-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45840456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：