Journal of Zoology最新文献

{"title":"Wild boar feeding habits before versus after wolf recolonization","authors":"I. Belardi,&nbsp;G. Massei,&nbsp;L. Lazzeri,&nbsp;C. Riggio,&nbsp;F. Ferretti","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70088","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70088","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Broad-spectrum diet is one of the key factors that has facilitated wild boar <i>Sus scrofa</i> spreading worldwide. Wild boar is also the main prey of the wolf <i>Canis lupus</i>, which is rapidly recolonizing large areas of its former range in Europe. Complex dynamics may develop between these two species due to carcasses of wolf prey constituting a resource available to scavengers like the wild boar. We considered the trophic relationships between these species and evaluated changes in the use of ungulate carcasses by the wild boar before vs. after wolf spontaneous recolonization in a Mediterranean coastal area. Based on the analysis of 2487 wild boar fecal samples collected prior to wolf recolonization (1991–1994), and 1261 samples of feces collected in 2023, that is, after wolf recolonization, plant material, including fruits and other plant parts, composed more than 89% of the relative frequency of occurrence in the total diet in both periods. Regarding mammals, no hair of ungulates was detected in wild boar feces prior to wolf recolonization. Conversely, deer hair was found in 13 samples of 1261 collected in 2023. Wild boar bristles were never found in fecal pellets, thus not offering support for cannibalistic use of conspecifics. Wild boar hair occurred in 57% of the wolf scats collected in 2023, followed by 23% of fallow deer <i>Dama dama</i> and roe deer <i>Capreolus capreolus</i> combined. Our results on investigating wild boar diet reported a remarkably low use of deer in our study area, in contrast with other sites. Scavenging activity may have been limited by fast carcass depletion by predators, abundant in our study area, as well as by a high perceived predation risk and/or by the low availability of deer compared to wild boar as prey for wolves. Our results highlight the complexity of wolf–wild boar interactions, emphasizing the context-dependent nature of wild boar scavenging behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 2","pages":"134-145"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzo.70088","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Double agents: invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) and Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae) as potential seed dispersers in South Florida","authors":"A. Figueroa,&nbsp;K. R. Davis,&nbsp;M. E. A. Harman,&nbsp;I. A. Bartoszek,&nbsp;I. C. Easterling,&nbsp;A. A. Yackel Adams,&nbsp;C. M. Romagosa","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70082","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70082","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Invasive species can reshape ecological processes, including seed dispersal, through both direct and indirect pathways. In this study, we explore how invasive reptiles influence seed dispersal dynamics in the Greater Everglades ecosystem using two case studies: the Burmese python (<i>Python bivittatus</i>) and the Argentine black and white tegu (<i>Salvator merianae</i>). Guided by a conceptual framework, we investigate three primary mechanisms through which invasive species may alter seed outcomes: direct seed consumption, predation on seed dispersers before seed ingestion, and secondary seed dispersal via predation on animals that have already consumed seeds. Burmese pythons, as apex predators, may contribute to seed dispersal through diploendozoochory while simultaneously driving trophic cascades that restructure the seed disperser community. Tegus, as omnivorous frugivores, directly consume and disperse a wide diversity of plant seeds. We documented 25 seed morphotypes in python diets and 73 in tegu diets, spanning a broad 38 families and including native, endangered, and invasive plant species. Using a binary interaction network, we found that these reptiles exhibit high generalization, nestedness, and connectance—suggesting they are becoming functionally integrated into Everglades seed dispersal networks. These findings reveal that invasive reptiles not only disrupt native plant–animal interactions but may also reshape them, with implications for ecosystem stability, restoration, and management.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 2","pages":"187-202"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tiger diet in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve: how do metabarcoding and mechanical sorting compare?","authors":"S. Mishrikotkar,&nbsp;N. Yadav,&nbsp;A. Harihar,&nbsp;V. R. Goswami,&nbsp;U. Ramakrishnan,&nbsp;M. Ghosh-Harihar","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70085","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70085","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Accurately describing large carnivore diets is crucial for understanding trophic interactions and developing targeted conservation strategies. Most studies have relied on traditional dietary analysis based on mechanical sorting and identification of undigested prey remains, a method known to be error-prone and ecologically biased. Here, we compare the diet of tigers (<i>Panthera tigris</i>) using non-invasively collected scats from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in India, analyzed through mechanical sorting and DNA metabarcoding. We found that DNA metabarcoding outperformed mechanical sorting by detecting more overall prey and rare prey species, revealing greater prey diversity. The study indicated that tigers mainly subsist on wild prey such as sambar (<i>Rusa unicolor</i>) and chital (<i>Axis</i> axis). However, domestic cattle contributed the largest proportion of prey biomass to their diet. Our findings demonstrate that DNA metabarcoding is an efficient, effective, and powerful approach that overcomes many of the biases associated with mechanical sorting, providing an accessible and particularly useful tool for carnivore dietary studies based on non-invasive samples. The increased frequency of livestock depredation compared to previous studies emphasizes the urgency of taking active mitigation measures to safeguard this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 2","pages":"176-186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of noise on the behaviour and biochemical parameters of the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus and Cherax destructor","authors":"Clarissa De Vita,&nbsp;Maria Ceraulo,&nbsp;Manuela Mauro,&nbsp;Giuseppa Buscaino,&nbsp;Vincenzo Arizza,&nbsp;Marco Arculeo,&nbsp;Mirella Vazzana","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70089","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70089","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Anthropogenic noise is widely acknowledged as a pollutant at the global level. Exposure to intense noise can result in hearing damage, physiological stress and behavioural changes. Crayfish, which have great commercial value and high resilience to various stresses, can serve as effective models for assessing the acoustic impact on behavioural dynamics and biochemical parameters indicative of stress conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acoustic stimulus (1-s linear sweep, from 1 to 20 kHz, repeated for 45 min) on the behavioural and biochemical responses of two species of crayfish, <i>Cherax destructor</i> and <i>Cherax quadricarinatus</i>. Sixty individuals (30 <i>C. destructor</i>, 30 <i>C. quadricarinatus</i>), divided into groups of three, were randomly assigned to test or control conditions in tanks equipped with a synchronized audio-video system. Behavioural events (number of fights, encounters, tail flips and acoustic signals) and motility states (velocity, distance moved, angular velocity) were considered, as well as some haemolymphatic parameters (enzymatic activities, pH, osmolality and total protein). Our results showed that exposure to noise significantly increased in both species the number of fights, whereas no significant changes were found in the number of encounters and tail flips. Significant increases in acoustic signals emitted were observed in <i>C. quadricarinatus</i>, while a decrease was noted in <i>C. destructor</i>. The parameters of movement velocity and distance moved increased in both species. Conversely, angular velocity significantly decreased only in <i>C. quadricarinatus</i>. In terms of haemolymphatic parameters, alkaline phosphatase, esterase and peroxidase activity significantly decreased in specimens exposed to noise in both species. pH, osmolality and total protein did not show significant differences. This research contributes to the broader knowledge of the potential negative effects of anthropogenic noise on the health status of these animals and could represent a further approach to assessing farm welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 2","pages":"146-164"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzo.70089","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147570249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation and adaptation: Population genetics and morphometric patterns of butterfly Itylos titicaca in the Andean wetlands","authors":"I. A. Lobos,&nbsp;A. Villalobos-Leiva,&nbsp;F. Cruz-Jofre,&nbsp;A. Piñeiro-González,&nbsp;J. Hernandez-Martelo,&nbsp;R. Hernandez,&nbsp;M. J. Suazo,&nbsp;L. Pastenes,&nbsp;H. A. Benítez","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70065","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70065","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Within the Chilean Altiplano, located at 4000 meters above sea level, we find <i>Itylos titicaca</i>, a small butterfly (10 mm) with low dispersal capacity that inhabits only the Andean wetlands. The extreme climate of this environment, characterized by strong winds, extreme temperature fluctuations and high solar radiation, combined with structural landscape changes (volcanic events, orogenesis, glaciations), can create substantial selective pressures on the flora and fauna of the Altiplano. To characterize and unravel patterns of differentiation in living organisms of the northern region of the Chilean Altiplano, we used <i>I. titicaca</i> as a biological model. Little is known about the life history or ecology of this small butterfly, and this work constitutes the first exploratory study to investigate this species using tools of geometric morphometrics and population genetics. The study was conducted on eight populations of <i>I. titicaca</i>, associated with three Altiplano basins, through the analysis of their wing shape (forewing and hindwing) and the amplification and sequencing of the COI gene. The analysis of genetic structure revealed low diversity, characterized by the presence of a limited number of haplotypes. Nevertheless, three genetic groups were identified within the species' distribution range. Moreover, the morphometric data demonstrate clear variation in the forewing shape among some populations. These findings are associated with the different Altiplano basins and provide evidence of processes such as range expansion and reproductive isolation, driven by the geographic isolation of the Andean wetlands. This study underscores the adaptive capabilities of <i>I. titicaca</i> in extreme and geographically fragmented environments, while emphasizing the importance of conserving these isolated ecosystems that harbor significant biodiversity.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 2","pages":"121-133"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptation to harshness is fundamentally different from the adaptive stress response: Results from a 20-year-long case study in African striped mice","authors":"C. Schradin,&nbsp;N. Pillay,&nbsp;R. Rimbach","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70084","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70084","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Animals are adapted to cope with harsh environments. Understanding these adaptations is crucial to assessing species resilience to global change. Harsh environments are characterised by persistent and long-lasting factors that threaten homeostasis and survival, such as reduced food and water availability, seasonal cold or heat. We review two decades of field studies exploring how African striped mice (<i>Rhabdomys pumilio</i>) are adapted to harshness in the Succulent Karoo semi-desert, which is characterised by hot, dry and food-restricted summers and moist, benign winters. Striped mice adapted to harshness via multiple behavioural and physiological mechanisms, which reduce energy consumption and increase water retention. These mechanisms include social flexibility, communal huddling, sun-basking, reducing activity, a broad range of blood glucose regulation, decreased levels of metabolic hormones and decreased resting metabolic rate. Together, these mechanisms lead to an overall reduction of daily energy expenditure during harsh summers. This harshness response contrasts with the physiological stress response, which is characterised by increased energy expenditure to overcome the stress via the secretion of catecholamines and glucocorticoids. In contrast, the harshness response is characterised by reduced levels of glucocorticoids and allows endurance of the harsh conditions. We conclude that the harshness response is fundamentally different from the stress response.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 2","pages":"107-120"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzo.70084","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Histological analysis of scent glands in banded mongooses, with implications for chemical communication","authors":"M. H. Nicholl,&nbsp;N. Schubert,&nbsp;A. K. O. Alstrup,&nbsp;O. L. Nielsen,&nbsp;F. Höner,&nbsp;J. I. Hoffman,&nbsp;B. A. Caspers,&nbsp;O. Krüger,&nbsp;B. Spittau,&nbsp;H. J. Nichols,&nbsp;J. C. Winternitz","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70081","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70081","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Chemical communication is the most ancient and widespread form of communication. In many species, specialised structures called scent glands have evolved to facilitate this communication. These glands vary considerably among species in structure, size, body location and the composition of their secretions. Histological analysis is therefore required to confirm the presence of scent glands, identify secretion types and assess potential roles of the immune system and microbiota in modifying secretions. Here, we investigated the distribution and structure of scent glands in the banded mongoose (<i>Mungos mungo</i>), a cooperatively breeding, group-living mammal. We found that individuals possess two large (1.5 cm diameter) anal glands, each consisting of a central sac surrounded by glandular tissue. This in turn is surrounded by a layer of striated muscle, which likely facilitates the deposition of relatively large quantities of odorous chemicals when engaging in deliberate scent marking behaviour. The glands are lined by two different types of epithelia (keratinised and non-keratinised) which may impact how immune genes such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) affect the microbiome of the glands, and therefore, the chemicals that are secreted during scent marking. Additionally, we reveal a previously unidentified small (0.75 mm in length) scent gland in the cheek, which may be used for scent marking. We provide evidence that banded mongooses may use their chin and abdomen for scent rubbing, as these regions are often rubbed in odorous substances, but we found no evidence of specialised scent glands in these areas. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating anatomical, behavioural and biochemical approaches to understand the mechanisms and purposes of scent communication. This study serves as a foundation for future research on the interplay between scent marking and rubbing behaviours, and the role of immune genes and microbiota in shaping chemical communication in banded mongooses and other mammalian species.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 1","pages":"76-90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzo.70081","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146139402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the complexities of cooperative breeding: insights from African wild dog packs","authors":"R. J. Groom,&nbsp;J. Comley,&nbsp;A. Wolton,&nbsp;N. Ngwenya,&nbsp;R. Mandisodza-Chikerema,&nbsp;J. P. Watermeyer","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70080","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70080","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cooperative breeding, a rare trait in &lt;1% of mammals, is explored within African wild dog packs (<i>Lycaon pictus</i>), where alpha females typically produce the first litters, but subordinate females may also breed, resulting in second litters within the same pack. We investigated the reproductive dynamics of wild dog packs in Zimbabwe's Savé Valley Conservancy (SVC) using 14 years of data from 49 packs and 131 den sites, obtained through spoor tracking, radio telemetry, sighting reports and camera traps during denning periods. Among packs capable of multiple litters, 41.15% of breeding events produced multiple litters annually, with 24.86% of all litters from subordinate females, primarily litter sisters of the alpha. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that younger packs and those with more subordinate females were significantly more likely to produce multiple litters, indicating weaker dominance hierarchies. Within multiple litter packs, pup survival to 1 year was significantly higher for second-born than first-born litters. However, 2-year survival significantly increased with higher pre-emergence rainfall, older alpha females and higher maximum temperatures. Across both litter types, 1-year and 2-year pup survival significantly improved with larger packs, while 2-year survival also significantly increased with pre-emergence rainfall. Pups from single litters had significantly lower survival to 2 years compared to multiple litters. Despite the potential for reproductive conflict, we found low infanticide (2%) and moderate pup stealing or adoption (14%), suggesting that kin selection promotes reproductive tolerance. These findings highlight the social and ecological complexity of cooperative breeding and its conservation relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 1","pages":"16-29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzo.70080","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146136078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extended maternal egg provisioning under high tadpole density (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae)","authors":"Y.-C. Cheng,&nbsp;P.-X. Li,&nbsp;N.-T. Fuh,&nbsp;M.-F. Chuang,&nbsp;Y.-H. Chen,&nbsp;Y.-C. Kam","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70076","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzo.70076","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Parental care benefits offspring but comes with costs to parents; therefore, parents should adjust their care based on intrinsic and/or extrinsic conditions to optimize this trade-off. Temporary aquatic habitats often experience resource limitations, and for amphibians inhabiting such environments, regulating parental care behavior is a crucial adaptive strategy. This study focuses on <i>Kurixalus eiffingeri</i>, a treefrog known for its parental care behavior. To examine whether female care depends on offspring density, we designed two treatments conducted in a laboratory: a low-density treatment (LT) with six tadpoles and a high-density treatment (HT) with 18 tadpoles. The results showed that tadpoles in the LT exhibited faster growth rates, whereas those in the HT grew more slowly and required a longer time to metamorphose (reaching Gosner stage 41). However, there was no significant difference in body mass at metamorphosis and metamorphic success between the two treatments. We also found that females increased the number of feeding events during the tadpole stage when facing a higher number of tadpoles. This extended provisioning may reflect maternal adjustment to tadpole density or, alternatively, offspring-driven regulation through persistent begging. Our findings suggest that prolonged care under high tadpole density can arise <i>via</i> multiple pathways, highlighting the potential roles of both parental plasticity and offspring solicitation in shaping parental care strategies in resource-limited aquatic environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"328 1","pages":"5-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146154667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effective citizen science implementation reveals ecological and conservation insights for two amphibian species","authors":"O. Darel,&nbsp;O. Rybak,&nbsp;A. Ben-Levy,&nbsp;G. Kolodny,&nbsp;T. Kis-Papo,&nbsp;N. Lavie-Alon,&nbsp;R. Vidan,&nbsp;O. Kolodny","doi":"10.1111/jzo.70073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.70073","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Amphibians are the most endangered group of vertebrates, facing numerous threats, and detailed data are required to identify stressors and prioritize conservation efforts. While these data exist for many species, gaps remain, especially in understudied regions. Citizen science is an approach that can vastly increase the available data for informed decision-making. This study aims to use such an approach to investigate the population dynamics of two amphibian species in urban environments. We used the program MARK to perform a capture-mark-recapture analysis on two datasets: a large dataset collected in a multiyear citizen-science program, focused on two urban near eastern fire salamander (<i>Salamandra infraimmaculata</i>) populations, both found within a large city; and a second dataset, collected in a 1-year survey, focused on two green toad (<i>Bufotes sitibundus</i>) populations in an urban park and in a nearby nature reserve. Individuals of both species have unique patterns of dorsal spots, allowing for noninvasive recapture identification. Using repeated measurements of recaptured salamanders, we derived a species-specific growth curve that converts body length into an age estimate. Combined with a survival analysis of the capture–recapture dataset, this age estimate revealed a prolonged period of increased vulnerability during the salamanders' terrestrial phase, from metamorphosis until they reach full size. Additionally, the two case studies suggest that exotic fish introduction can have highly detrimental impacts on these amphibian species and should be the focus of future studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":17600,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoology","volume":"327 4","pages":"363-375"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzo.70073","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145792579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}