{"title":"Abundance, distribution and diet analysis of East African common mole rat (Tachyoryctes splendens) in farming fields of Dawachefa District, Northeast Ethiopia","authors":"G. Degefe, Abdu Seid, Chirotaw Ayele","doi":"10.4081/tz.2024.157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2024.157","url":null,"abstract":"The East African common mole rat, scientifically known as Tachyoryctes splendens, is a solitary rodent mole that inhabits subterranean environments. This research focused on assessing the abundance, distribution, population structure, and dietary preferences of the East African common mole rat in three specific locations within the Dawachefa locality, Ethiopia, during both the wet and dry seasons. The research was conducted between June 2022 and February 2023. The abundance and distribution of the common mole rat were estimated through fresh mound counts, while live and locally crafted snap conical traps were utilized for capturing them. Stomach content analysis was performed to identify food fragments. Excavations were conducted to examine the burrow system, revealing three elements: a single multi-functional nest, one or more foraging tunnels, and a bolthole. A total of 45 common mole rats (30 males and 15 females) were captured across the three study sites during both seasons. Adults constituted 62.2% of the captured individuals, sub-adults accounted for 24.44%, and juveniles made up 13.33%. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1, with a significant difference in proportions (t=7.746, p=0.001). Although the abundance of common mole rats did not vary significantly among the selected sites, it showed a significant difference between the wet and dry seasons. The analysis of stomach contents revealed a total of 661 isolated food fragments. Grass comprised the largest portion at 34%, followed by sugarcane (31.2%), banana (24.5%), and papaya (10.3%). Understanding the abundance, distribution, population structure, and food preferences of T. splendens in the study area is crucial for developing strategies to address the agricultural yield loss caused by this species.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141809708","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":"Review of the distribution, population trends, threats, and conservation options for the endangered Zambezi flapshell turtles (Cycloderma frenatum Peters, 1854) in range states","authors":"B. Utete","doi":"10.4081/tz.2024.146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2024.146","url":null,"abstract":"The endangered Zambezi flapshell turtle, Cycloderma frenatum Peters, 1854, is endemic to southern and eastern Africa. Habitat ecology and usage are not well known for the Zambezi flapshell turtle, although its population has been reported to have undergone massive declines in recent years. This review examined the i) population trends, ii) habitat range shifts, and iii) threats and conservation options for the Zambezi flapshell turtle in its range states. The species is data deficient because of a lack of assessments of trends in population size and distribution. Trafficking, overfishing, poaching, habitat degradation, and infrastructural developments in riparian zones affect the distribution of the Zambezi flapshell turtle. Conservation options such as deterrent punishments and protection of aquatic habitats are important, although they need to be consistently implemented. Carefully managed harvest plans supported by captive breeding, highly controlled incubation of eggs, hatching of larvae, and remotely sensed tracing of specimens to curb trafficking are potentially effective conservation options for the Zambezi flapshell turtle. Inclusion in international wildlife trade regulations, integration of local ecological knowledge into management, and development of connectivity conservation strategies are priority actions for sustaining the Zambezi flapshell turtle populations across the shared basins where it is endemic.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140673147","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":"A record of thanatological type behaviour in spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta (Erxleben, 1777)","authors":"Terry-Lee Honiball, Jan Adriaan Venter","doi":"10.4081/tz.2024.136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2024.136","url":null,"abstract":"We note thanatological behavioural displays by clan members of a deceased spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta (Erxleben, 1777) in a fenced reserve. A matriarch had a lethal altercation with lions, Panthera leo (Linnæus 1758), on 10.V.2022. The carcass was monitored with a camera trap that recorded videos until the carcass was completely decayed. Four instances of clan members were recorded observing and sniffing the genitalia of the deceased hyaena over a period of six days. Within one month, the clan killed the deceased’s cubs and moved their den location. We recommend further research be conducted into thanatological behaviours of spotted hyaenas as these behaviours could affect ethical considerations of management practices.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140430362","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":"Leopards (Panthera pardus pardus) in Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria: historical records and recent sightings","authors":"Gonçalo Jesus, Pepeh Kamaya, Volker Sommer","doi":"10.4081/tz.2023.137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2023.137","url":null,"abstract":"West-African populations of the African subspecies of leopards (Panthera pardus pardus) are very fragmented, particularly so in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. We compile historical and recent information about the occurrence of these big cats in what is likely their last remaining stronghold: Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP) in Adamawa and Taraba States along the border with Cameroon. Leopards in GGNP’s northern Gumti sector are close to extinction, given that its open plains of savannah are heavily encroached upon by illegal cattle grazing. However, in GGNP’s southern Gashaka sector, leopards are better protected, given its often mountainous and densely forested landscape. We present specific data for a 30 km2 forest-savannah area around a research station at Kwano, which harbours sizeable populations of 35 species of prey species leopards target elsewhere. Here, direct evidence for leopard presence (e.g., footprints, scratchmarks, predation incidences, vocalizations, sightings, cameratrap images) amounts to 1 per year. Albeit this encounter rate is very low, it is relatively steady throughout the last 30 years and into the present. We assume that GGNP’s Gashaka sector represents one of the best chances for leopards to survive in Nigeria.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140445634","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}
Y. M. Carpio-Díaz, C. M. López-Orozco, R. Borja-Arrieta, Miguel Gutierrez-Estrada, I. S. Campos-Filho, S. Sfenthourakis, S. Taiti, Jhon César NEITA MORENO, Adriana Bermúdez, G. Navas S., M. E. Bichuette
{"title":"The genus Ctenorillo Verhoeff, 1942 (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) from Colombia: new records, new species, and conservation comments","authors":"Y. M. Carpio-Díaz, C. M. López-Orozco, R. Borja-Arrieta, Miguel Gutierrez-Estrada, I. S. Campos-Filho, S. Sfenthourakis, S. Taiti, Jhon César NEITA MORENO, Adriana Bermúdez, G. Navas S., M. E. Bichuette","doi":"10.4081/tz.2023.141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2023.141","url":null,"abstract":"The Armadillidae are the most diverse family within the Oniscidea, widely distributed around the world. To date, only seven species of the family are known from Colombia. After the examination of a collection from the Colombian departments of Atlántico, Bolívar, Cesar, Magdalena, Risaralda, Santander, and Sucre, eight species were recognized as belonging to the genus Ctenorillo, of which six are considered to be new to Science: C. binomio n. sp., C. humboldti n. sp., C. mincaensis n. sp., C. orientalis n. sp., C. papagayoensis n. sp., and C. tayrona n. sp. Moreover, the distribution knowledge of C. dazai and C. tuberosus has expanded. Ctenorillo species in Colombia are predominantly distributed in Tropical Dry Forest areas, which is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Considering the new taxa presented here, allied with other Oniscidea groups, there is an urgent need to raise the awareness level regarding the conservation status of this ecosystem in the country.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139197396","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}
Kwaslema Malle Hariohay, James Gasper Chagama, Alodia K. Machumu, Richard D. Lyamuya, Janemary Ntalwila, Jafari R. Kideghesho
{"title":"Ethnozoological uses of wild animals among the Iraqw in Northern Tanzania","authors":"Kwaslema Malle Hariohay, James Gasper Chagama, Alodia K. Machumu, Richard D. Lyamuya, Janemary Ntalwila, Jafari R. Kideghesho","doi":"10.4081/tz.2023.131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2023.131","url":null,"abstract":"Historically, humans have developed knowledge of how to exploit and use wildlife species for food, clothing, traditional healing, and other purposes. This study aimed to determine the scale and scope of the ethnozoological uses of wild animals in the Iraqw community, in northern Tanzania. The study used semi-structured face-to-face questionnaire interviews with 45 key respondents in Endagaw, Mewadan, and Ng’wandakw villages in Mbulu District, to acquire the required data. The results found that 28 wild animal species including mammals (13 species), birds (12), insects (1), fish (1), and reptiles (1) were used by Iraqw for different purposes. Most species (n=23) were used mainly for food, namely helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), African savanna hare (Lemus microtis) and Hildebrandt’s francolin (Francolinus hildebrandti), while other wild animals were used for medicine, traditional beliefs, and rituals. This study provides information on the historical human-nature relationships and a baseline for developing future conservation efforts in the region to protect wild fauna. We recommend similar studies on other traditions and/or modern usages of wildlife to improve protection worldwide and that actions be taken to heighten community awareness of ethnozoological uses of faunal resources to ensure retention of this knowledge for future generations.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135616284","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}
Hla Naing, Todd K. Fuller, P. Sievert, T. Randhir, Saw Htoo Tha Po, Saw Htun, Than Myint
{"title":"Dry-season habitat occupancy by ungulate tiger prey in the Hukaung Valley of northern Myanmar","authors":"Hla Naing, Todd K. Fuller, P. Sievert, T. Randhir, Saw Htoo Tha Po, Saw Htun, Than Myint","doi":"10.4081/tz.2023.124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2023.124","url":null,"abstract":"We assessed habitat occupancy and distribution of principal tiger (Panthera tigris) ungulate prey species to assess factors affecting their occurrence and their potential contribution to low tiger presence in the core part of the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, in northern Myanmar. We surveyed for signs on 1,651 km of transects partitioned into 554 sampling units between November 2007 and May 2008. By incorporating seven environmental and four social covariates, we predicted habitat occupancy rates of 0.76 for gaur (Bos gaurus), 0.91 for sambar (Rusa unicolor), 0.57 for wild pigs (Sus scrofa), and 0.89 for northern red muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis). Overall, shorter Euclidean distances to ranger stations and trails, decreased stream density, and broadleaved evergreen/semi-deciduous forest and relatively rare rain-fed cropland habitat occurrence positively influenced prey habitat occupancy; conversely, shorter Euclidean distances to villages, roads, and streams, higher elevations, and occurrence of mixed broadleaved and needle-leaved forest habitat negatively influenced occupancy. In addition, Euclidean distance to ranger stations, trails, and roads positively affected species detections, whereas shorter Euclidean distance to villages and streams, high elevations, and high precipitation negatively affected detections. Results indicated that all four prey species were relatively well-distributed through the Sanctuary core area, but comparisons with indices of abundance elsewhere suggest that prey density was low and would not likely support many tigers.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44577045","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}
Chelsea Morton, C. Nielsen, A. Carver, N. Correa, Yiscel S. Yanguez
{"title":"Post-release ecology of rehabilitated Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths in Panamá","authors":"Chelsea Morton, C. Nielsen, A. Carver, N. Correa, Yiscel S. Yanguez","doi":"10.4081/tz.2023.118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2023.118","url":null,"abstract":"The field of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation continues to grow as human expansion increases the rate of deforestation in Latin America. Sloths (Bradypus spp. and Choloepus spp.) are often admitted to rescue centers throughout Latin America due to their poor dispersal abilities and vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts. Although post-release monitoring is fundamental to measuring the success of wildlife rescue programs, few studies have assessed the outcomes of releasing hand-reared sloths back into the wild. We studied the ecology of rehabilitated and relocated Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) in central Panamá during 2019- 2020. Eleven two-toed sloths rescued from the wild were hand-reared in captivity for 727±193 days and then radiomarked, placed in an outdoor 500 m2 soft-release enclosure for 3 months, and released in a nearby national park. While in the softrelease enclosure, two-toed sloths spent 80.0% of their time resting and became active and more alert in the evening (p=0.01). Upon release into the wild, two-toed sloths traveled a mean linear distance of 82.3±21.6 m and a mean distance of 25.6±9.5 m between successive radiolocations. The mean home range size was 2.92±1.19 ha, with females occupying larger areas than males. Two-toed sloths used trees with a smaller dbh than available (p≤0.001; p≤0.015) and selected trees with dense crowns and ≥50% lianas. Eight mortalities were recorded, with predation and natural causes being the main causes of mortality. Monthly survival was 0.72±0.14 and did not differ (p≤0.30) between males (1.00±0.00) and females (0.44±0.22). Rehabilitated two-toed sloths exhibited behavioral and space use patterns similar to wild two-toed sloths, with the exception of having lower survival rates following release in the wild. Our study provides information that can be useful in evaluating the efficacy of sloth rescue and rehabilitation programs throughout Latin America.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48980843","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":"Does size matter? Bat diversity and the use of rock shelters in Brazil","authors":"E. Trajano, M. Etges","doi":"10.4081/tz.2022.108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2022.108","url":null,"abstract":"A positive correlation between cave size and bat diversity has been recorded by some authors for different cave areas in South America. We analyzed published and otherwise available data from three Brazilian karst areas and phytogeography domains, including NE and SE Atlantic Forest and Cerrado (savannah-like vegetation), encompassing a wide range of cave sizes. We found no such correlation, as expected in view of previous observations by researchers and speleologists. We discuss the ecological implications of different ways to measure bat diversity, i.e. the accumulative number of species (sequential use of caves) vs. the number of species at a given occasion (species in actual cohabitation) vs. bat abundance (numbers of individuals), as well as speleological topics related to the concept of caves (based on an anthropomorphic definition, not applicable to other species), the problems of estimating topographic variables such as cave area and volume, and the value of including cave temperatures in the analyses. Multiple interacting variables may influence the composition of cave bat communities and bat species richness and abundance. The most important ones would be the density of caves in a given area (related to lithology – calcareous vs. siliciclastic caves), regional climates, and degree of preservation of epigean habitat. Cave morphology, number and size of entrances, and presence of water bodies, as well as interactions with other species, must also be considered. In conclusion, as a general statement for tropical and subtropical bats, cave size (in the human sense) by itself does not matter, except perhaps for one-off situations. Finally, a brief overview of the diversity of cave bats in Brazil is presented.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49019862","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":"Biogeographic analysis of the composition of the mammalian fauna of Togo (West Africa)","authors":"G. Amori, G. Segniagbeto, L. Luiselli","doi":"10.4081/tz.2022.121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/tz.2022.121","url":null,"abstract":"The Dahomey Gap in West Africa is a human-derived savannah-like vegetation zone interspersed by patches of moist forest, with large rainforest blocks at both West (Upper Guinean Forest) and East (Lower Guinean Forest) of its limits. Togo is a tiny country situated in the middle of the Dahomey Gap. In this paper, a biogeographic analysis of the composition of the mammalian fauna of Togo is presented, by classifying each species on the basis of five distinct ecological distribution patterns. The greatest proportion of species were Pan-African (88.0%). Excluding the Pan-African species from the analysis, the mammalian fauna appeared to be affiliated similarly to both Upper Guinean and Lower Guinean Forest blocks. Only three endemic species were observed, all of them being rodents: Cryptomys zechi (Batyergidae), Funisciurus substriatus (Sciuridae), and Leimacomys buettneri (Muridae). Considering only the multispecies genera, the great majority did not show any barrier effect by the Dahomey Gap on their own species, as all of them did occur on both sides of Togo. A barrier effect by the Dahomey Gap was uncovered in 8 genera; overall, the Dahomey Gap apparently showed a barrier effect on 28.6% of the multispecies genera. It is emphasized that the full understanding of the role of the Dahomey Gap as a biogeographic barrier and of its island forests as centers of endemism is impeded by the lack of biogeographic reviews and meta-analyses on the composition of faunal and floral groups of the entire region.","PeriodicalId":54409,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42169939","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}