Journal of Vertebrate Biology最新文献

{"title":"Recruitment and satisfaction of commercial livestock farmers participating in a livestock guarding dog programme","authors":"Roseanna Wilkes, H. Prozesky, Cyril G. Stannard, D. Cilliers, James Stiller, K. Whitehouse-Tedd","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23029","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) are used to prevent livestock depredation and used in a number of conservation programmes as a human-wildlife coexistence tool. Although the livestock protection outcomes of LGD use are well studied, relatively little is known about the motivations or perceptions of the farmers involved. This mixed-methods study investigated recruitment and satisfaction in 108 South African commercial livestock farmers participating in an LGD programme. A semi-structured interview schedule and existing dataset were used to collect both qualitative data (analysed according to the principles of thematic analysis) and quantitative data (summarised using descriptive statistics). Word-of-mouth was the predominant source of programme awareness (n = 69), with direct recruitment by programme managers reducing proportionally over time, indicating programme self-perpetuation. Satisfaction was ‘high’ for most farmers (n = 90) and trust between farmers and programme managers was important in recruitment, motivation and satisfaction, along with perceived reductions in livestock losses. Concern for wildlife only motivated 21 farmers. LGD behavioural problems were reported by 49 farmers, but 95 would still use an LGD again. These novel findings demonstrate the importance of inter-stakeholder dialogue for obtaining crucial knowledge for LGD program development. Where non-conservation-related motivators predominate for key stakeholders, greater emphasis on these other factors during programme recruitment, advocacy and/or evaluation may improve stakeholder engagement and retention.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23029.1 - 13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48543555","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}

{"title":"Genetically verified record of non-indigenous turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis (Weigmann, 1835) in Central Europe","authors":"O. Kopecký, Tomáš Husák, D. Jablonski","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23039","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Biological invasions are among the major global causes of biodiversity loss. The pet trade is the main pathway by which reptiles are introduced into new environments. After the EU import ban on the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), other species of pet-traded freshwater turtles are more often reported from the wild. Here we report the first and genetically verified record of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) from the eastern part of the Czech Republic. The genus Pelodiscus has been reported from the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries; however, only as a visual record, which is insufficient for identification due to the complexity of the taxonomic status of this species. We physically captured the turtle and used genetic data (sequences of 16S rRNA and cytochrome b) to confirm the species affiliation as P. sinsensis. The studied individual represents a lineage of P. sinensis that is widely bred on farms with a native range in North Vietnam, South and south-east China.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23039.1 - 4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42118926","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}

{"title":"First record of the greater white-toothed shrew, Crocidura russula, in the Czech Republic","authors":"J. D. de Bellocq, A. Fornůsková, Ľudovít Ďureje, V. Bartáková, K. Daniszová, M. Dianat, Matouš Janča, Petr Šabata, Nikola Šeneklová, Tadeáš Stodůlka, B. Vošlajerová Bímová, M. Macholán","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23047","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. While sampling house mice in 2022 in the westernmost region of the Czech Republic, we also captured other small mammal species in and around farms. The sympatric shrew species were pre-identified based on morphological characteristics and genotyped using the mitochondrial cytochrome b marker. Among them, 14 specimens from five different localities were identified as the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula). With previous records from southern Saxony in Germany, our findings are the easternmost records of C. russula distribution in Europe and the first report of this species in the Czech Republic. The four other shrew species captured during fieldwork (C. suaveolens, C. leucodon, Sorex minutus, and S. araneus) are widely distributed in this country. The checklist of Eulipotyphla from the Czech Republic, which currently lists ten species (C. leucodon, C. suaveolens, S. alpinus, S. araneus, S. minutus, Neomys milleri, N. fodiens, Talpa europaea, Erinaceus europaeus, E. roumanicus), should now be updated with this new entry. The arrival of C. russula in the Czech Republic should be closely monitored as this species has been regularly reported for its competitive behaviour leading to the local extinction of resident shrew species.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23047.1 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42932588","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}

{"title":"Hibernation strategy – related profound differences in the whole-body fat composition of bats","authors":"Erik Bachorec, J. Pikula, V. Seidlová, Kateřina Zukalová, J. Zukal","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23036","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Bats can use a wide range of roosts as hibernacula, resulting in diverse hibernation strategies. The ecological needs of a species during hibernation translate into particular torpor-arousal patterns and physiological demands. For mammalian hibernators, the oxidation of fatty acids from triacylglycerols stored in white and brown adipocytes provides the main energy to fuel hibernation. The relative content of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in body fat brings multifarious costs and benefits, and their importance during hibernation is likely changing. While considering the level of fatty acid saturation and their properties, we hypothesised that whole-body fat composition varies between bat species (Nyctalus noctula, Myotis myotis) that employ different hibernation strategies. Therefore, the focus of this study was to determine the relative fatty acid composition of the whole-body fat of these species. We found evidence that the body fat of N. noctula has a higher relative content of MUFAs than M. myotis, which, on the other hand, has high SFAs and PUFAs. Such profound differences in fatty acid profiles suggest that the studied species' distinct hibernation strategies and torpor-arousal patterns are reflected in functional differences.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23036.1 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44827101","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}

{"title":"Occurrence of topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva, in relation to environmental factors in lowland streams and canals","authors":"Ivana Špelić, M. Piria","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23049","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Pseudorasbora parva is a non-native species that has long been established in Croatia and Europe and has been on the European list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern since 2016. The species is known for its high invasiveness, negative impact on native species and rapid rate of spread, which is facilitated by its specific life history characteristics. Therefore, increased monitoring and control measures are needed to limit the spread of P. parva in Croatia and other European countries. This study aimed to investigate the current distribution of P. parva in lowland streams and canals of the River Sava basin and to determine environmental factors associated with its occurrence using Bernoulli Generalized Linear Model with an information theoretic approach. The species was found at 33 of 111 sampled sites where its occurrence was previously unknown. The model identified the absence of gravel in the substrate and a rich fish community as the best predictors of P. parva occurrence. Streams with natural water regimes and low numbers of specialised fish species are least likely to support the occurrence of this species, so such habitats should be protected from further alteration to be preserved as refugia for native ichthyofauna.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23049.1 - 12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45577161","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}

{"title":"Morphological variability in a successful invasive species originating from habitats experiencing different levels of disturbance","authors":"E. Zahorska, M. Šúrová, M. Balážová","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23031","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Biological invasions are part of processes connected with human activities, which threaten biodiversity and all ecosystems, including freshwaters. Many research studies aim to discover the main traits responsible for invasive success. The topmouth gudgeon is one of the most successful invasive fish species; thus, this study aimed to analyse morphological variability and sexual dimorphism of two topmouth gudgeon populations coming from different sites in Bulgaria (n = 150 in both cases) and to evaluate its morphological variability in connection to differently disturbed habitats of occurrence. For this, we measured thirty morphometric characters, which were subsequently statistically analysed. The species is characterised by high morphological variability between the populations from different sites and also within populations. We showed that populations from Bulgaria differed mainly in traits connected with specific body dimensions. The population from the Kolarovo channel showed a significantly deeper head, bigger mouth and longer body in the front part. On the other hand, the population from Lake Zafirovo had a significantly longer caudal peduncle and caudal and anal fins. Differences between males and females were found between traits connected to the head and fins, which made males more robust with longer fins. At the same time, females were characterised by deeper bodies, which is essential for their investment in reproduction.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23031.1 - 14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42260488","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}

{"title":"The diversity-area relationship for waterbird communities in small artificial reservoirs over winter","authors":"V. Kucherenko","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23023","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. In the middle of the 20th century, artificial reservoirs were created in Crimea due to a lack of freshwater resources. The nearest important hotspot for waterbirds is more than 100 km from these reservoirs. The five reservoirs are differently sized, and their water levels vary in response to regional climatic conditions and ice formation during winter. In this study, we investigate the bird communities of these small reservoirs using long-term waterbird surveys. Data were collected over 18 observation sessions on the five reservoirs in the winters of 2009-2021, with observations from the Simferopolske reservoirs grouped into two clusters for 2009-2014 and 2015-2021. Waterbird species richness was moderate, ranging between three and 19 species, including two considered threatened. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Caspian gull (Larus cachinnans) and common gull (Larus canus) contributed significantly to dissimilarities between observations, with numbers of common gull decreasing significantly in relation to average January temperature and precipitation. Fisher's alpha diversity and Caspian gull number showed negative relationships with water surface area. We suggest that such negative relationships between area and diversity can be observed during cold waves when species are forced to migrate in search of more favourable conditions, leading to increased diversity in small areas.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23023.1 - 13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49471090","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}

{"title":"Sources of variation in baseline and stress-induced blood glucose levels in two free-living tropical passerine species","authors":"J. M. Pouadjeu, Oldřich Tomášek, Ondřej Kauzál, T. B. Nguelefack, T. Albrecht","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Blood glucose plays an essential role in the body's energy metabolism; however, sources of variation in baseline and stress-induced changes in glucose concentration remain poorly understood in tropical passerines. This study assesses intra-annual variation in baseline and stress-induced glucose concentration changes in two common free-living Afrotropical passerines, the village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) (Müller, 1776) and the black-crowned waxbill (Estrilda nonnula) (Hartlaub, 1883), captured around Dschang, western Cameroon, using intrinsic (sex, body mass, moult and breeding status) and environmental (season, temperature and rainfall) variables as predictors. In black-crowned waxbills, we found that baseline glucose was significantly elevated in the dry season, with the same trend observed in the village weaver. Stress-induced elevations in glucose concentration were observed in the black-crowned waxbills in the dry season, but only when the temperature was fitted as a covariate. Village weaver females showed higher stress-induced changes in glucose compared to males. Body mass and moulting were not predictors of baseline or stress-induced changes in glucose concentrations. This study reveals that some fluctuations in glucose levels may be mediated by seasonal changes in temperature (but not rainfall), sex, and breeding status.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23017.1 - 14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41369672","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}

{"title":"On the taxonomic status of Dendropsophus koechlini (Duellman & Trueb, 1989)","authors":"P. Melo-Sampaio","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Hyla pauiniensis was described from the municipality of Pauini, Amazonas, Brazil, 45 years ago and allocated to the Hyla parviceps group. Since then, no additional information has been provided for this species. A similar taxon, Hyla koechlini, was described from the vicinity of Puerto Maldonaldo, Madre de Dios, Peru, and diagnosed from H. pauiniensis by chevrons with a more transverse orientation in H. pauiniensis and by the cream-coloured thigh spot in H. pauiniensis, which differs from the uniformly black thigh in H. koechlini. Since their description, a taxonomic revision transferred several species of Hyla with 30 chromosomes to the genus Dendropsophus, and more species were added to the Dendropsophus parviceps group. Based on the analysis of museum specimens and the direct examination of the holotype of Dendropsophus pauiniensis, combined with images of specimens of the type series of Dendropsophus koechlini, I find that these species do not differ in body size, dorsal skin texture, or body colour. Thus, I relegate D. koechlini as a synonym of D. pauiniensis.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23022.1 - 11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69418140","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}

{"title":"Exceptional diversity of Pristimantis Landfrogs (Anura: Terraranae) on the Wokomung Massif, Guyana, with descriptions of three new species","authors":"D. B. Means, M. Heinicke, S. B. Hedges, R. Macculloch, A. Lathrop","doi":"10.25225/jvb.23026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.23026","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. We describe three new species of landfrogs, genus Pristimantis, from near the summit of Mt. Kopinang, one of the several high points of the Wokomung Massif, a large horseshoe-shaped tepui (= mesa) in west-central Guyana. Pristimantis koki n. sp. is known from 1,067 to 1,525 m elevation. It is characterized by small-sized adults averaging 12.4 mm SVL (snout-vent length) in males and 18.4 mm in females; a pointed, depressed, elongated snout; lack of an obvious tympanum, vocal slit, or sac; and diagnostically black pigment prominently arranged around the anus fringed by light pigment. When handled, P. koki seems to emit volatile organic compounds and leaves a slightly numbing taste at the base of the human tongue. Pristimantis kopinangae n. sp. is known from three specimens collected at approx. 1,385 m elevation on the Wokomung Massif and two specimens from slightly higher in elevation on Mt. Ayanganna. About the size of most Pristimantis inhabiting the Guyana uplands and highlands (20-30 mm SVL), it is characterized by 2-3 light yellow inguinal flash-mark blotches, short broadly round snout, large eye with a blue iris, white skin of chin and areolate belly with dark brown vermiculations; and absence of a tympanum. Pristimantis kalamandeenae n. sp. is known from three specimens collected on the Wokomung Massif including an amplexing pair at approx. 1,550 m elevation. Similar in size to P. kopinangae, it is characterized by an acuminate snout, black iris, obvious tympanum, and uniform tan pigmentation dorsally after dark that becomes uniformly dark brown in daytime. Phylogenetic results show that P. koki and P. kopinangae are sister species and are members of a larger assemblage of related species endemic to the Pantepui Region within the P. unistrigatus species group. Pristimantis kalamandeenae is not closely related to these species, instead forming a clade with the P. lacrimosus species group. The three new species occur in sympatry with at least five other Pristimantis species on the Wokomung Massif, the greatest known Pristimantis species richness on a single tepui of the Guiana Shield.","PeriodicalId":48482,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vertebrate Biology","volume":"72 1","pages":"23026.1 - 26"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41473382","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}