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Miaretsoa L, Torti V, Petroni F, Valente D, De Gregorio C, Ratsimbazafy J, Carosi M, Giacoma C, Gamba M. Behavioural Correlates of Lemur Scent-Marking in Wild Diademed Sifakas ( Propithecus diadema) in the Maromizaha Forest (Madagascar). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2848. [PMID: 37760248 PMCID: PMC10525727 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Scent-marking through odours from excreta and glandular secretions is widespread in mammals. Among primates, diurnal group-living lemurs show different deployment modalities as part of their strategy to increase signal detection. We studied the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema) in the Maromizaha New Protected Area, Eastern Madagascar. We tested whether the scent-marking deposition occurred using a sequential rubbing of different body parts. We also tested if glands (i.e., deposition of glandular secretions) were more frequently rubbed than genital orifices (i.e., deposition of excreta) by comparing different kinds of rubbing behaviour. We then investigated if the depositor's rank and sex affected the sequence of rubbing behaviour, the height at which the scent-marking happened, and the tree part targeted. We found that glandular secretions were often deposited with urine, especially in dominant individuals. The probability of anogenital and chest marking was highest, but chest rubbing most frequently occurred in dominant males. Markings were deposited at similar heights across age and sex, and tree trunks were the most used substrate. Males exhibited long and more complex scent-marking sequences than females. Our results indirectly support the idea that diademed sifakas deploy a sex-dimorphic mixture of glandular secretions and excreta to increase the probability of signal detection by conspecifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longondraza Miaretsoa
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy (D.V.)
- Groupe d’Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Fort Duchesne, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Valeria Torti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy (D.V.)
| | - Flavia Petroni
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy (M.C.)
| | - Daria Valente
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy (D.V.)
| | - Chiara De Gregorio
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy (D.V.)
| | - Jonah Ratsimbazafy
- Groupe d’Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Fort Duchesne, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Monica Carosi
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy (M.C.)
| | - Cristina Giacoma
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy (D.V.)
| | - Marco Gamba
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy (D.V.)
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Nevermann S, Rasolofoson MF, Ratovonamana YR, Apel C, Ganzhorn JU. Lepilemur petteri latrine placement in Tsimanampetsotse National Park, Madagascar. Folia Primatol (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/14219980-20220102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Latrine behaviour in lemurs has been interpreted as a means of olfactory communication linked to energy efficient resource defence against neighbouring individuals and/or social bonding within social groups. For social bonding, latrines might best be placed at the core of home ranges, while resource defence could be based on defending the most important part of the home range, i.e., the core area or by establishing olfactory landmarks at the periphery of the home range. Most studies on lemurs describe deposition of urine and faeces in latrines in the core of the home range. In a study at the limit of the distributional range of Lepilemur petteri, at a site with unpredictable weather conditions, we radio-tracked 12 individuals and located latrines within their home ranges. In our study, latrines were located at the periphery of the home ranges. This is interpreted as a means to defend a larger area rather than specific resource rich sites that may or may not provide food in a given year. Regardless of the flexible spatial pattern, and in common with other mammals, lemur latrines are characterized by conspicuous trees, even though urine and faeces are deposited at the base of trees. This indicates some kind of optimal structure of latrines to convey information most effectively, possibly by combining visual and olfactory cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Nevermann
- Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Celina Apel
- Institute of Geobotany, Leibniz Universität, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jörg U. Ganzhorn
- Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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Zoromski LD, DeYoung RW, Goolsby JA, Foley AM, Ortega-S. JA, Hewitt DG, Campbell TA. Latrine ecology of nilgai antelope. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The use of scent for communication is widespread in mammals, yet the role of scent-marking in the social system of many species is poorly understood. Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) are native to India, Nepal, and Pakistan. They were introduced to Texas rangelands in the United States during the 1920s to 1940s, and have since expanded into much of coastal South Texas and northern Mexico. The nilgai social system includes the use of latrines or repeated defecation at a localized site. We quantified and described physical and behavioral characteristics of nilgai latrine ecology to investigate drivers of latrine use at three sites in South Texas, during April 2018 to March 2019. Latrines were abundant (2.6–8.7 latrines/ha on unpaved roads, 0.4–0.9 latrines/ha off-roads), with no evidence for selection as to vegetation communities; latrines were dynamic in persistence and visitation rates. We found higher densities of latrines in Spring surveys, just after the peak of nilgai breeding activity, compared to Autumn surveys. Density of nilgai latrines was 3–10 times greater than estimated population densities, indicating individual nilgai must use multiple latrines. Camera traps and fecal DNA analysis revealed latrines were mainly (70%) visited by bulls and defecated on by bulls (92% in photos, 89% for DNA samples). The greatest frequency of visits occurred during the peak in the nilgai breeding season, from December–February; latrines were visited every 2–3 days on average. Body characteristics of photographed individuals and genetic analysis of feces indicated repeated visits from the same individuals. Nilgai cows occasionally used latrines; their use was sometimes followed by bulls showing flehmen responses after a female defecated or urinated on the latrine. We propose that dominant bulls use latrines for territory demarcation to display social dominance to both cows in estrus and subordinate bulls. Cows likely use latrines to communicate reproductive status. This study is the first intensive assessment focused on latrine ecology in nilgai. Our results directly contradict anecdotal descriptions of latrine use and behavior in nilgai but are consistent with predictions of antelope social systems based on body size, feeding type, and group dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Zoromski
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - Randy W DeYoung
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - John A Goolsby
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory , Edinburg, Texas 78541 , USA
| | - Aaron M Foley
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - J Alfonso Ortega-S.
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
| | - David G Hewitt
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville , Kingsville, Texas 78363 , USA
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Howari FM, Sharma M, Nazzal Y, El-Keblawy A, Mir S, Xavier CM, Salem IB, Al-Taani AA, Alaydaroos F. Changes in the Invasion Rate of Prosopis juliflora and Its Impact on Depletion of Groundwater in the Northern Part of the United Arab Emirates. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:682. [PMID: 35270152 PMCID: PMC8912357 DOI: 10.3390/plants11050682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Prosopis species were introduced to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) region for desert greening. However, the species now pose a great threat to the native plant diversity. This study used high-resolution satellite imagery (1990-2019) to understand the history and current distribution of Prosopis species and their impact on fresh groundwater. The results show that the Prosopis invasion in the study area reached its maximum expansion rate in 2019 and covered an area of about 16 km2 compared to 0.2 km2 in 1990. The areas near Sharjah Airport, Umm Fannan, and Al Talla, located at a lower elevation of the sand dune area, are heavily invaded. Prosopis groundwater requirement derived using evapotranspiration shows that groundwater consumption has changed drastically after 2010 and consumed about 22.22 million m3 of groundwater in 2019, which is about a 7372% increase in groundwater consumption from the year 1990 to 2019. The results can be useful for setting up a management plan for the sustainable use of this species in the UAE region in particular and other similar countries in the arid land regions that are suffering from freshwater depletion because of Prosopis invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares M. Howari
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates; (F.M.H.); (Y.N.); (S.M.); (C.M.X.); (I.B.S.); (A.A.A.-T.)
| | - Manish Sharma
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates; (F.M.H.); (Y.N.); (S.M.); (C.M.X.); (I.B.S.); (A.A.A.-T.)
| | - Yousef Nazzal
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates; (F.M.H.); (Y.N.); (S.M.); (C.M.X.); (I.B.S.); (A.A.A.-T.)
| | - Ali El-Keblawy
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Shajrat Mir
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates; (F.M.H.); (Y.N.); (S.M.); (C.M.X.); (I.B.S.); (A.A.A.-T.)
| | - Cijo M. Xavier
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates; (F.M.H.); (Y.N.); (S.M.); (C.M.X.); (I.B.S.); (A.A.A.-T.)
| | - Imen Ben Salem
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates; (F.M.H.); (Y.N.); (S.M.); (C.M.X.); (I.B.S.); (A.A.A.-T.)
| | - Ahmed A. Al-Taani
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates; (F.M.H.); (Y.N.); (S.M.); (C.M.X.); (I.B.S.); (A.A.A.-T.)
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Soultan A, Nagy A, Attum O. Midden site selection in Dorcas gazelle: Larger is not always better. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:13661-13667. [PMID: 34707807 PMCID: PMC8525146 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Dorcas gazelles are believed to use middens to mark their territories and transmit information. Given the commitment to maintaining a midden, it is believed that middens are not placed randomly. We examined how the habitat (tree height and maximum canopy) and anthropogenic disturbance (camel and human presence) influenced the selection of midden sites by Dorcas gazelles in South Sinai, Egypt. Our results showed that Dorcas gazelles did not place middens at larger trees, while favoring relatively smaller trees and shrubs where the anthropogenic disturbance and perceived hunting risk are less. Our results, in light of the previous findings, suggest that selection of midden sites is species context-dependent behavior. In areas with less anthropogenic disturbance and hunting, Dorcas gazelles have been shown to select the largest trees of the same species as midden sites. In contract, in our study site with high anthropogenic disturbance and no protection from hunting, gazelles did not utilize the presumably optimum landmarks for midden sites. Our study showed that Dorcas gazelles instead utilized smaller trees and some shrubs that are less conspicuous and presumably less effective as advertisement sites, but safer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaaeldin Soultan
- Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Abdullah Nagy
- Department of ZoologyAl‐Azhar University in CairoCairoEgypt
| | - Omar Attum
- Department of BiologyIndiana UniversityNew AlbanyIndianaUSA
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Spatio-temporal pattern of latrine distribution in reintroduced Cuvier's gazelles ( Gazella cuvieri): an assessment in a Mediterranean forest reserve. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021; 76:3371-3379. [PMID: 34226746 PMCID: PMC8245920 DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00835-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge about the factors affecting the number of active latrines (NAL) of reintroduced Cuvier’s gazelles (Gazella cuvieri Ogilby, 1841) is of a crucial step aiming at understanding their distributional dynamics and their habitats preference. Here, we used six random 500-m transects to assess the effect of season, microhabitat, and management variables on the spatio-temporal pattern of latrines in the Tergou forest reserve (TFR). Our results showed that, in this reserve, NAL is mainly governed by the interaction between season and distance to the nearest developed runway, being higher at the farthest distances from the runway in autumn and the closest distances to it in summer and winter. Variation partitioning analysis confirmed this pattern as the interaction between season and distance to the nearest developed runway explains 82% (p = 0.001) of the total variance in NAL. The distance to the nearest fence also contributes, but marginally, in influencing the NAL in this forest enclosure. For the species’ management and conservation, it is recommended to dispose of sandy open ground areas especially in forest reserves to ensure ideal conditions for reintroduced gazelles. The pursuit of monitoring is necessary to understand mechanisms governing the distributional dynamics of Cuvier’s gazelles more deeply. As any enclosure, the TFR would offer a good opportunity for consolidating and improving the knowledge on this vulnerable mammal species in the view of a successful release in the wild.
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Herrera-Sánchez FJ, Gil-Sánchez JM, Álvarez B, Cancio I, de Lucas J, Arredondo Á, Díaz-Portero MÁ, Rodríguez-Siles J, Sáez JM, Pérez J, McCain E, Qninba A, Abáigar T. Identifying priority conservation areas in a Saharan environment by highlighting the endangered Cuvier's Gazelle as a flagship species. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8241. [PMID: 32427930 PMCID: PMC7237411 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65188-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring populations and designing effective conservation actions for endangered species present significant challenges. An accurate understanding of current distribution, ecological traits and habitat requirements is imperative in formulating conservation strategies. Recent surveys on the southernmost Cuvier’s Gazelle (Gazella cuvieri) population, an ungulate endemic to North Africa, showcase its importance in terms of numbers and genetic diversity. This population inhabits a remote region in the extreme north-western portion of the Sahara Desert and has not been well studied. Here, we examine the potential distribution of Cuvier’s Gazelle and the environmental factors limiting the species in a Saharan environment, by combining broad-scale field survey data and species distribution models. Our objective was to identify high priority conservation areas in the southernmost known portion of the species’ distribution by modelling habitat selection at the landscape scale using a predictive distribution map. Our results show that the distribution of Cuvier’s Gazelle is strongly related to mountainous areas with heterogeneous terrain and remoteness from large human settlements over other ecological factors that had less impact on the species’ presence and distribution. We also provide a quantitative estimate of the potential distribution range of Cuvier’s Gazelle in southern Morocco, identifying two well-demarcated key areas. The two core areas currently contain enough rugged terrain isolated from human encroachment to support the endangered species in this harsh desert environment. We encourage the implementation of conservation planning for Cuvier’s Gazelle as an “umbrella species”, which will confer effective protection to higher-quality habitat zones and co-occurring species, leading to sustainable and ecologically responsible development in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Javier Herrera-Sánchez
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Jose María Gil-Sánchez
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Begoña Álvarez
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Cancio
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jesus de Lucas
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ángel Arredondo
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Díaz-Portero
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Siles
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Sáez
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Joaquín Pérez
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Emil McCain
- Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife. C/San Antón 15, 1°, E 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Abdeljebbar Qninba
- Département de Zoologie et Ecologie Animale. Institut Scientifique de Rabat, Université Mohammed V. Av. Ibn Battouta, BP 703, 10090, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Teresa Abáigar
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), Crta. Sacramento s/n, 04120-La Cañada de S. Urbano, Almería, Spain
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Meghwal R, Bhatnagar C, Koli VK. Activity and social behaviour of four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornisde Blainville, 1816) in tropical deciduous forests of Aravalli mountain range, Western India. FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2018. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v67.i1.a4.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramchandra Meghwal
- Aquatic Toxicology and Wildlife Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, 313001 Udaipur, Rajasthan, India;, ,
| | - Chhaya Bhatnagar
- Aquatic Toxicology and Wildlife Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, 313001 Udaipur, Rajasthan, India;, ,
| | - Vijay Kumar Koli
- Aquatic Toxicology and Wildlife Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, 313001 Udaipur, Rajasthan, India;, ,
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Abstract
AbstractThe Endangered Cuvier's gazelleGazella cuvieriis an endemic ungulate of north-western Africa. Information on the species has been based primarily on non-systematic surveys, and the corresponding status estimates are of unknown quality. We evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of two field methods for systematic surveys of populations of Cuvier's gazelle in arid environments: distance sampling (based on sightings) and sampling indirect sign (tracks and scats). The work was carried out in the north-western Sahara Desert, in Morocco, where what is possibly the largest population of Cuvier's gazelle persists. A logistically viable survey was conducted over a total area of c. 20.000 km2in 10 expeditions during 2011–2014. A total of 67 sites were surveyed, with 194 walking surveys (2,169 km in total). Gazelle signs were detected at 50 sites, and gazelles were sighted at 21 sites (61 individuals). We found a relationship between sightings and abundance indices based on indirect sign, which could be useful for population monitoring or ecological studies. Additionally, the data could be used in occupancy modelling. Density estimates based on distance sampling required considerable effort; however, it is possible to survey large areas during relatively short campaigns, and this proved to be the most useful approach to obtain data on the demographic structure of the population.
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Ziege M, Bierbach D, Bischoff S, Brandt AL, Brix M, Greshake B, Merker S, Wenninger S, Wronski T, Plath M. Importance of latrine communication in European rabbits shifts along a rural-to-urban gradient. BMC Ecol 2016; 16:29. [PMID: 27301694 PMCID: PMC4908761 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-016-0083-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Information transfer in mammalian communication networks is often based on the deposition of excreta in latrines. Depending on the intended receiver(s), latrines are either formed at territorial boundaries (between-group communication) or in core areas of home ranges (within-group communication). The relative importance of both types of marking behavior should depend, amongst other factors, on population densities and social group sizes, which tend to differ between urban and rural wildlife populations. Our study is the first to assess (direct and indirect) anthropogenic influences on mammalian latrine-based communication networks along a rural-to-urban gradient in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) living in urban, suburban and rural areas in and around Frankfurt am Main (Germany). Results The proportion of latrines located in close proximity to the burrow was higher at rural study sites compared to urban and suburban ones. At rural sites, we found the largest latrines and highest latrine densities close to the burrow, suggesting that core marking prevailed. By contrast, latrine dimensions and densities increased with increasing distance from the burrow in urban and suburban populations, suggesting a higher importance of peripheral marking. Conclusions Increased population densities, but smaller social group sizes in urban rabbit populations may lead to an increased importance of between-group communication and thus, favor peripheral over core marking. Our study provides novel insights into the manifold ways by which man-made habitat alterations along a rural-to-urban gradient directly and indirectly affect wildlife populations, including latrine-based communication networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madlen Ziege
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - David Bierbach
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Svenja Bischoff
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Brandt
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mareike Brix
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bastian Greshake
- Department for Applied Bioinformatics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Merker
- Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Rosenstein 1, 70191, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sandra Wenninger
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Torsten Wronski
- Bristol Zoological Society, Conservation Science, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA, UK
| | - Martin Plath
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
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Eppley TM, Ganzhorn JU, Donati G. Latrine behaviour as a multimodal communicatory signal station in wild lemurs: the case of Hapalemur meridionalis. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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12
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Silva TL, Godinho R, Castro D, Abáigar T, Brito JC, Alves PC. Genetic identification of endangered North African ungulates using noninvasive sampling. Mol Ecol Resour 2014; 15:652-61. [PMID: 25256349 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
North African ungulates include several threatened and emblematic species, yet are poorly studied mainly due to their remoteness and elusiveness. Noninvasive sampling provides a useful approach to obtain ecological and genetic information essential to guide conservation actions. The very first and most important step in conservation planning is to accurately identify species, and molecular genetics has been proved to be a useful tool. Several molecular genetics protocols are available for species identification, even for samples with poor quality DNA, such as faeces, hairs or bones. Most of these protocols use mitochondrial DNA for barcoding despite this marker being especially prone to problems, including mtDNA introgression, nuclear insert copies, high intraspecific diversity or heteroplasmy. In this work, we developed a molecular method based on polymorphisms in small fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb, mtDNA) and the nuclear kappa casein genes (KCAS, nDNA) for identifying endangered North African ungulates. These fragments revealed polymorphisms, including species-specific variation, which allowed species identification of nine ungulate species that co-occur in North Africa. The method was validated across more than 400 samples, including different types of noninvasive samples collected in the field. The simplicity, high reliability and relative low cost of the described method make it a promising tool to improve ecological studies of the North African ungulates and consequently, the implementation of more efficient management and conservation plans for these endangered ungulates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Luísa Silva
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal; Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA), CSIC, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, Almería, Spain
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The economics of scent marking with urine and feces in goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa). MAMMAL RES 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-014-0201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Dröscher I, Kappeler PM. Maintenance of familiarity and social bonding via communal latrine use in a solitary primate ( Lepilemur leucopus). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2014; 68:2043-2058. [PMID: 25395720 PMCID: PMC4220112 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-014-1810-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Latrine use (i.e., the repeated use of specific defecation/urination sites) has been described for several mammals, including carnivores, ungulates, and primates. However, the functional significance of latrine use in primates has not been studied systematically yet. We, therefore, followed 14 radio-collared individuals of the pair-living white-footed sportive lemur (Lepilemur leucopus) for 1097 hours of continuous focal observations to investigate latrine distribution, seasonality of latrine use, as well as age and sex of users to test various hypotheses related to possible functions of latrine use, including territory demarcation, resource defense, signaling of reproductive state, social bonding, and mate defense. All individuals of a social unit exhibited communal use of latrines located in the core area of their territory, supporting the social boding hypothesis. Latrine use seems to facilitate familiarity and social bonding within social units via olfactory communication in this primate that lives in family units but exhibits low levels of spatial cohesion and direct social interactions. In addition, frequency of latrine visitation was higher during nights of perceived intruder pressure, supporting the mate defense hypothesis. However, animals did not react to experimentally introduced feces from neighboring or strange social units, indicating that urine may be the more important component of latrines than feces in this arboreal species. Based on a survey of latrine use and function in other mammals, we conclude that latrines facilitate communication particularly in nocturnal species with limited habitat visibility and in species where individuals are not permanently cohesive because they constitute predictable areas for information exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Dröscher
- Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter M Kappeler
- Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany ; Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute of Zoology & Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Kellnerweg 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Esmaeili S, Hemami MR. Utilization of harvester ant nest sites by Persian goitered gazelle in steppes of central Iran. Basic Appl Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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The oldest known communal latrines provide evidence of gregarism in Triassic megaherbivores. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3348. [PMID: 24287957 PMCID: PMC3842779 DOI: 10.1038/srep03348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Defecation in communal latrines is a common behaviour of extant mammals widely distributed among megaherbivores. This behaviour has key social functions with important biological and ecological implications. Herbivore communal latrines are only documented among mammals and their fossil record is exceptionally restricted to the late Cenozoic. Here we report the discovery of several massive coprolite associations in the Middle-Late Triassic of the Chañares Formation, Argentina, which represent fossil communal latrines based on a high areal density, small areal extension and taphonomic attributes. Several lines of evidence (size, morphology, abundance and coprofabrics) and their association with kannemeyeriiform dicynodonts indicate that these large synapsids produced the communal latrines and had a gregarious behaviour comparable to that of extant megaherbivores. This is the first evidence of megaherbivore communal latrines in non-mammal vertebrates, indicating that this mammal-type behaviour was present in distant relatives of mammals, and predates its previous oldest record by 220 Mya.
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Latrine survey as a method to estimate the population size of Arabian gazelles (Gazella arabica). Mamm Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2012.07.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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18
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Sex difference in the communicatory significance of localized defecation sites in Arabian gazelles (Gazella arabica). J ETHOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-012-0357-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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