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Bobadilla SY, Dacar MA, Jaksic FM, Ojeda RA, Fernanda Cuevas M. Habitat and food preferences of European rabbits in core and edge populations along the invasion front Patagonia-Monte, Argentina. Curr Zool 2024; 70:310-319. [PMID: 39035751 PMCID: PMC11255995 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus is an exotic herbivorous mammal undergoing an active phase of geographical expansion in the arid ecosystems of Argentina. The Adaptive Flexibility Hypothesis states that populations at the range edge (new populations) will exhibit greater flexibility in the use of resources compared with populations located in the range core (older populations). The objective of this work was to compare the rabbit's use of spatial and trophic resources in relation to the establishment time of their populations. The sampling was carried out for 2 years (2017 and 2018) in sites with different establishment times for rabbit populations. Random sampling stratified by type of habitat was applied using 115 fixed strip transects of 1,000 m2 laid out across the study areas. Fresh rabbit signs were recorded in each transect, and environmental and anthropic variables were measured. Our results show that the individuals from the range edge are more selective in the use of habitat than those from the range core. At the microhabitat level, we observed a pattern in the particular components of habitat use by rabbits mainly linked to food availability and proximity to water. From a trophic perspective, rabbits could show flexible adjustment to novel conditions and environments in the range edge. The variability in resource use by the European rabbit confirms its ecological flexibility, pivotal for their advance toward new environments in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Yasmin Bobadilla
- Ecología de Mamíferos de Tierras Secas, IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María A Dacar
- Laboratorio de Filogeografía, Taxonomía Integrativa y Ecología (LFTIE), IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Fabián M Jaksic
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago 8320000, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Ricardo A Ojeda
- Laboratorio de Filogeografía, Taxonomía Integrativa y Ecología (LFTIE), IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda Cuevas
- Ecología de Mamíferos de Tierras Secas, IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
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Villagrán M, Ceva M, Machiñena A, Perdomo M, Berro L, Echaides C, Damián JP. The environment matters: season and female contact affect the behavior of captive Addax nasomaculatus male antelope. Acta Ethol 2023; 26:109-117. [PMID: 37261311 PMCID: PMC10078014 DOI: 10.1007/s10211-023-00419-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The addax antelope (Addax nasomaculatus) is a species under serious threat of extinction, as it is more abundant in captivity than in the wild. However, little is known about its basic biology. The aims of this study were to determine how locomotor, feeding, aggressive, marking, and sexual behavior of male addax allocated in all-male groups vary with season and with female contact (i.e., biostimulation). The study was conducted in captive conditions, in two groups of adult males: one with no-physical contact with females, aside from visual and olfactory interactions (CF group, n = 4), and another group completely isolated from females (IF group, n = 4). The frequency of behaviors was recorded during the daytime, 4 days per season (total time of observation = 256 h). Lying, standing, walking, aggressive, marking, grazing, and ruminating behaviors as well as water and supplement consumptions varied with season (all p < 0.05). The lying, walking, marking, grazing, and ruminating behaviors were more frequently observed for CF than IF males (all p < 0.05). Also, all behaviors, except for marking, varied with the interaction between the group and seasons (all p < 0.05). Sexual behavior was extremely scarce, so it was not possible to analyze how it varied with seasons and the group. The present study suggests that management program and housing conditions, especially in ex situ breeding plans, should consider the influence of the season and the sociosexual context on the behavior of addax males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías Villagrán
- Departamento de Biociencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariana Ceva
- Departamento de Biociencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ariane Machiñena
- Departamento de Biociencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariana Perdomo
- Departamento de Biociencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucas Berro
- Departamento de Biociencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cesar Echaides
- Sistema Departamental de Zoológicos, Intendencia Municipal de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Juan Pablo Damián
- Departamento de Biociencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Feeding Ecology of the Cuvier's Gazelle ( Gazella cuvieri, Ogilby, 1841) in the Sahara Desert. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040567. [PMID: 36830354 PMCID: PMC9951649 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the feeding ecology of ungulates in arid biomes offers an interesting model for understanding the drought resistance of large desert-adapted herbivores, a crucial issue in the face of increasing desertification due to climate change. To assess the feeding ecology of the endangered Cuvier's gazelle (Gazella cuvieri) in the Sahara desert, we used a multi-method approach combining faecal samples, direct observations, and the recording of indirect signs of feeding. We hypothesised that browser behaviour is the best foraging strategy for species living in hyper-arid environments, mainly due to long periods without grazing opportunities. Complementarily, we explored the effects of the main environmental descriptors (rainfalls and NDVI) on feeding patterns and diet quality. We found that Cuvier's diets are based mainly on acacias (Vachellia tortilis, V. flava) and occasionally on the annual forb Anastatica hierochuntica. In total, eighteen species (five trees, nine shrubs, three herbs, and one grass) belonging to fifteen families were recorded. Our result confirmed the browsers' characteristic of this species, reaffirming its ability to settle in a hostile environment. Acacias stand out as key species consumed at the southernmost limit of their range; hence, future conservation plans and strategies should take this into account for the survival of Cuvier's gazelle in desert environments.
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Dicks KL, Ball AD, Banfield L, Barrios V, Boufaroua M, Chetoui A, Chuven J, Craig M, Faqeer MYA, Garba HHM, Guedara H, Harouna A, Ivy J, Najjar C, Petretto M, Pusey R, Rabeil T, Riordan P, Senn HV, Taghouti E, Wacher T, Woodfine T, Gilbert T. Genetic diversity in global populations of the critically endangered addax ( Addax nasomaculatus) and its implications for conservation. Evol Appl 2022; 16:111-125. [PMID: 36699120 PMCID: PMC9850015 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Threatened species are frequently patchily distributed across small wild populations, ex situ populations managed with varying levels of intensity and reintroduced populations. Best practice advocates for integrated management across in situ and ex situ populations. Wild addax (Addax nasomaculatus) now number fewer than 100 individuals, yet 1000 of addax remain in ex situ populations, which can provide addax for reintroductions, as has been the case in Tunisia since the mid-1980s. However, integrated management requires genetic data to ascertain the relationships between wild and ex situ populations that have incomplete knowledge of founder origins, management histories, and pedigrees. We undertook a global assessment of genetic diversity across wild, ex situ and reintroduced populations in Tunisia to assist conservation planning for this Critically Endangered species. We show that the remnant wild populations retain more mitochondrial haplotypes that are more diverse than the entirety of the ex situ populations across Europe, North America and the United Arab Emirates, and the reintroduced Tunisian population. Additionally, 1704 SNPs revealed that whilst population structure within the ex situ population is minimal, each population carries unique diversity. Finally, we show that careful selection of founders and subsequent genetic management is vital to ensure genetic diversity is provided to, and minimize drift and inbreeding within reintroductions. Our results highlight a vital need to conserve the last remaining wild addax population, and we provide a genetic foundation for determining integrated conservation strategies to prevent extinction and optimize future reintroductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara L. Dicks
- RZSS WildGenes, Royal Zoological Society of ScotlandEdinburghUK
| | - Alex D. Ball
- RZSS WildGenes, Royal Zoological Society of ScotlandEdinburghUK
| | - Lisa Banfield
- Life Sciences DepartmentAl Ain ZooAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | - Justin Chuven
- Terrestrial & Marine Biodiversity Management Sector, Environment Agency – Abu DhabiAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Mark Craig
- Life Sciences DepartmentAl Ain ZooAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | - Abdoulaye Harouna
- SaharaConservationSaint Maur des FossésFrance,Noé au NigerRéserve Naturelle Nationale de Termit et Tin‐ToummaNiger
| | - Jamie Ivy
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chawki Najjar
- Conservation Biology, Marwell WildlifeWinchesterUK,Association Tunisienne de la Vie SauvageTunisTunisia
| | | | - Ricardo Pusey
- Terrestrial & Marine Biodiversity Management Sector, Environment Agency – Abu DhabiAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
| | | | - Philip Riordan
- Conservation Biology, Marwell WildlifeWinchesterUK,School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Helen V. Senn
- RZSS WildGenes, Royal Zoological Society of ScotlandEdinburghUK
| | | | - Tim Wacher
- Conservation & Policy, Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Tim Woodfine
- Conservation Biology, Marwell WildlifeWinchesterUK,School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Tania Gilbert
- Conservation Biology, Marwell WildlifeWinchesterUK,School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
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Chammem M, Seri H, Bastos R, Santos M, Vicente J, Khorchani T, Cabral JA. Habitat selection and foraging preference of the endangered addax ( Addax nasomaculatus) in a fenced wildlife reserve within its historic range: insights for supporting effective reintroduction. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2115859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Chammem
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de la Faune Sauvage, IRA-Médenine, Médenine, Tunisia
| | - Hicham Seri
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de la Faune Sauvage, IRA-Médenine, Médenine, Tunisia
| | - Rita Bastos
- CITAB - Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro) and Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Mário Santos
- CITAB - Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro) and Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Laboratory of Fluvial and Terrestrial Ecology, Innovation and Development Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, Buriticupu, Brazil
| | - Joana Vicente
- Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (InBIO-CIBIO), Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Touhami Khorchani
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de la Faune Sauvage, IRA-Médenine, Médenine, Tunisia
| | - João Alexandre Cabral
- CITAB - Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro) and Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Laboratory of Fluvial and Terrestrial Ecology, Innovation and Development Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
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Martin ME, Delheimer MS, Moriarty KM, Early DA, Hamm KA, Pauli JN, Mcdonald TL, Manley PN. Conservation of rare and cryptic species: Challenges of uncertainty and opportunities for progress. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marie E. Martin
- Oregon State University, Institute for Natural Resources Portland Oregon USA
| | - Matthew S. Delheimer
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station Placerville California USA
| | - Katie M. Moriarty
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. Corvallis Oregon USA
| | | | - Keith A. Hamm
- Green Diamond Resource Company Korbel California USA
| | - Jonathan N. Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | | | - Patricia N. Manley
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station Placerville California USA
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Nagy A, Mohallal EME, El-Kafrawy S, Saber SA. Which is a stronger predictor of the abundance of Dorcas Gazelle, Gazella dorcas in the Eastern desert of Egypt: human or natural factors? ZOOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2022.2109818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Nagy
- Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Sameh El-Kafrawy
- National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Ciro, Egypt
| | - Samy A. Saber
- Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt
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Stabach JA, Hughey LF, Crego RD, Fleming CH, Hopcraft JGC, Leimgruber P, Morrison TA, Ogutu JO, Reid RS, Worden JS, Boone RB. Increasing Anthropogenic Disturbance Restricts Wildebeest Movement Across East African Grazing Systems. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.846171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to move is essential for animals to find mates, escape predation, and meet energy and water demands. This is especially important across grazing systems where vegetation productivity can vary drastically between seasons or years. With grasslands undergoing significant changes due to climate change and anthropogenic development, there is an urgent need to determine the relative impacts of these pressures on the movement capacity of native herbivores. To measure these impacts, we fitted 36 white-bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) with GPS collars across three study areas in southern Kenya (Amboseli Basin, Athi-Kaputiei Plains, and Mara) to test the relationship between movement (e.g., directional persistence, speed, home range crossing time) and gradients of vegetation productivity (i.e., NDVI) and anthropogenic disturbance. As expected, wildebeest moved the most (21.0 km day–1; CI: 18.7–23.3) across areas where movement was facilitated by low human footprint and necessitated by low vegetation productivity (Amboseli Basin). However, in areas with moderate vegetation productivity (Athi-Kaputiei Plains), wildebeest moved the least (13.3 km day–1; CI: 11.0–15.5). This deviation from expectations was largely explained by impediments to movement associated with a large human footprint. Notably, the movements of wildebeest in this area were also less directed than the other study populations, suggesting that anthropogenic disturbance (i.e., roads, fences, and the expansion of settlements) impacts the ability of wildebeest to move and access available resources. In areas with high vegetation productivity and moderate human footprint (Mara), we observed intermediate levels of daily movement (14.2 km day–1; CI: 12.3–16.1). Wildebeest across each of the study systems used grassland habitats outside of protected areas extensively, highlighting the importance of unprotected landscapes for conserving mobile species. These results provide unique insights into the interactive effects of climate and anthropogenic development on the movements of a dominant herbivore in East Africa and present a cautionary tale for the development of grazing ecosystems elsewhere.
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Griffiths BM, Kolowski J, Bowler M, Gilmore MP, Benson E, Lewis F, Stabach J. Assessing the accuracy of distance‐ and interview‐based measures of hunting pressure. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Griffiths
- School of Integrative Studies George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USA
| | - Joseph Kolowski
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Smithsonian‐Mason School of Conservation Front Royal Virginia USA
| | - Mark Bowler
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering University of Suffolk Ipswich UK
- Suffolk Sustainability Institute Ipswich UK
| | - Michael P. Gilmore
- School of Integrative Studies George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USA
| | | | | | - Jared Stabach
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal Virginia USA
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OUP accepted manuscript. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Abáigar T, Martínez C, Amaouch Z, Alifal M, Lemdimigh A, El Makki S, El Mokhtar M, Samlali ML, Fernández de Larrínoa P, Rodriguez-Caballero Almería E. Habitat requirements of the Mhorr gazelle: What does this species need to survive in the wild? Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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12
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Topography and disturbance explain mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) occupancy at its southernmost global range. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00027-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Mertes K, Stabach JA, Songer M, Wacher T, Newby J, Chuven J, Al Dhaheri S, Leimgruber P, Monfort S. Management Background and Release Conditions Structure Post-release Movements in Reintroduced Ungulates. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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