Published by De Gruyter

Volume 84 Issue 6

Issue of Mammalia

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available November 3, 2020

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iii

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Ecology

April 2, 2020

Habitat use and the coexistence of the sika deer and the Japanese serow, sympatric ungulates from Mt. Asama, central Japan

Hayato Takada, Riki Ohuchi, Haruko Watanabe, Risako Yano, Risako Miyaoka, Tomoki Nakagawa, Yu Zenno, Masato Minami

Page range: 503-511

Abstract

Differential resource use allows for diverse species to specialize in ecological niches and thus coexist in a particular area. In the Japanese archipelago, increasing sika deer ( Cervus nippon , Temminck 1836) densities have excluded the Japanese serow ( Capricornis crispus , Temminck 1836), but in places where deer population densities are low, the two species coexist. We wanted to better understand their habitats and how these two ungulates manage to coexist. We evaluated the role of habitat use in the coexistence of these two sympatric ungulates on Mt. Asama, central Japan. Deer frequently used the dwarf bamboo-rich communities in autumn and winter, and their habitat use was not associated with topography. Serows frequently used deciduous broadleaf shrub-rich communities and steep slopes throughout the year. Consequently, their habitat use was significantly different in terms of vegetation and topography. Niche breadth suggests that deer tend to be generalists, whereas serows tend to be specialists. Niche differentiation in habitat use between deer and serows may make the coexistence of these similarly sized ungulates possible in Japanese mountainous zones. Therefore, the fine-grained habitat mosaic of different vegetation and topography areas might be the underlying feature that allows the coexistence of these two species.

June 25, 2020

Spatiotemporal occurrence of Mishmi takin Budorcas taxicolor in Dulongjiang Region, southwestern China

Xueyou Li, Cheng Huang, Xuelong Jiang

Page range: 513-519

Abstract

Here, we assessed the spatiotemporal distribution of the poorly studied Mishmi takin Budorcas taxicolor to gain a preliminary understanding of the spatiotemporal ecology of the species. We used presence data from line transects and camera-trap surveys combined with a presence-only species distribution model to identify the key factors relevant to takin distribution. Distance to residential site was the main contributing factor to the model predicting habitat suitability for takin. Mishmi takin appeared to prefer habitats far away from residential locations. Our predicted suitable habitats for takin were highly fragmented and were constrained in narrow ranges of remote mountain areas. A circular distribution curve fitted to camera events indicated that grouped takin were more active during the day and less active at night compared to solitary takin. Differences in activity patterns between takin in groups and solitaries might relate to sexual segregation and calve attendance. Our information on the distribution and habitat characteristics of the species will assist habitat management and our prediction map could guide future field surveys for locating a long-term monitoring program.

April 2, 2020

Reexamining the habit, occurrence, breeding season and conservation of the pen-tailed tree shrew Ptilocercus lowii

Kwai-Hin Han, Roslina Ragai, Robert B. Stuebing

Page range: 521-533

Abstract

A pen-tailed tree shrew ( Ptilocercus lowii ) specimen was live-trapped in 2006 in an Acacia plantation for the first known time at Samarakan Planted Forest Zone (PFZ) in Bintulu, Sarawak. However, its lack of recurring in other Acacia plantations suggests that the monoculture agricultural field is not a typical habitat for this species. Live-trapping data suggest that generally there were two breeding seasons per year for this species in Borneo: a more consistent one occurred between February and April, and a broader one between June and October. The second, the broader breeding season likely varied based on the microhabitat of each sampling site. In Samarakan PFZ, during the 2006 season, we recorded one breeding season between September and October, and in 2007 recorded one between June and July. Meanwhile, since the year 2000, this species was recorded at only 17 locations within its range of distribution in Southeast Asia, suggesting the possibility of population decline and shrinkage in its distribution range. Given the rapid disappearance of forested areas in Southeast Asia, stepping up the field studies and targeted sampling for this species becomes the priority task for all of its conservation work.

August 10, 2020

Species richness and ethnozoological annotations on mammals at the Boanamo indigenous community, Waorani territory, Orellana and Pastaza provinces, Ecuador

Diego G. Tirira, Harold F. Greeney, Conan Omaca, Otobo Baihua, Ryan P. Killackey

Page range: 535-551

Abstract

We present the results of a rapid ecological assessment conducted in 2012 in the community of Boanamo, in the Waorani Ethnic Reserve and Yasuní National Park, Orellana and Pastaza provinces, Ecuadorian Amazon. The study included surveys and observations of mammals by different methodologies over a 16-day sampling period. The results show the presence of 89 species of mammals, but there are several other mammal species expected in the area, increasing the projected diversity to 119 species, a high diverse community when compared with similar locations. Statistical analyses show that Boanamo is an area of high species richness and heterogeneity, consistent with comparable surveys in other areas of primary lowland rainforest in Amazonia. In addition, we documented nine distinct ways and 130 different usages in which 43 species are utilized in Boanamo. To estimate the importance of mammal diversity, we used a Cultural Importance Index, which shows that the species with the highest value are Panthera onca and Nasua nasua . However, the most frequently hunted species were Tayassu pecari and Lagothrix lagothricha . Our final conclusion is the community of Boanamo is entirely dependent on the surrounding forest, and mammals are an important part of their culture and subsistence.

March 14, 2020

Food habits of the Indian bush rat (Golunda ellioti Gray, 1837) in Pothwar region, Pakistan

Ruqqya Naz, Amjad Rashid Kayani, Muhammad Sajid Nadeem, Muhammad Mushtaq, Mazhar Qayyum

Page range: 553-561

Abstract

The Indian bush rat, Golunda ellioti , is indigenous to the Indo-Pak subcontinent. Food habits of this bush rat were investigated using its stomach and fecal contents. Trapping was conducted every month from November 2013 to February 2016. This over 28 months generated a total of 2520 trapping nights. Sample slides from 82 stomach and 10 fecal samples were compared with the reference slides. Field observations along with feeding the Indian bush rat in captivity revealed that it preferably fed on 27 species of grasses with Digitaria sanguinalis [frequency of occurrence (FO) = 13.5%] being the most abundant one followed by Pennisetum orientale (FO = 8.5%). However, the Berger-Parker index revealed that D. sanguinalis (d = 0.148) was followed by Triticum aestivum (d = 0.145). Along with that, they also consumed tillers and seeds of wheat, gram seeds and young leaves of mustard. Considering the climatic changes, its success in adapting to the arid regions and dependence on grasses for food and cover may favor this species in future.

June 29, 2020

Improving the detection rate of binturongs (Arctictis binturong) in Palawan Island, Philippines, through the use of arboreal camera-trapping

Agathe Debruille, Pauline Kayser, Géraldine Veron, Murielle Vergniol, Melissa Perrigon

Page range: 563-567

Abstract

Although remote camera-traps are used worldwide for ecological studies, the methods of use are often based on ground-level detection. This inherently limits the ability to detect arboreal species. This study aims to test arboreal camera trapping as an alternative method to improve the detection of the binturong ( Arctictis binturong ). We obtained a total of 41 independent detections of binturongs for 2,973 trap-nights, representing a detection rate of 1.38%. Thus, although statistical comparison with other surveys is not possible, this is currently the highest detection rate for the species. This is encouraging to further develop this method for research on binturongs.

March 14, 2020

Patch use and site selection by a rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) in a human-dominated landscape in the West Bank of Palestine

Ikram Salah, Anton Khalilieh, Burt Kotler

Page range: 569-573

Abstract

Populations of rock hyraxes ( Procavia capensis ) increasingly occur in urbanizing areas of the Palestinian West Bank, and throughout the Middle East, in part due to construction methods that create rock piles that shelter hyraxes. We quantified activity densities of the hyraxes, environmental variables, and plant cover at four sites that differ in urbanization. The highest numbers occurred in the most urban site and peaked in June and October, with hyraxes traveling farther distances from their dens late in the season (October). Sites with higher activity densities of hyraxes had higher vapor pressures, signifying more mesic conditions. Thus, urbanization aids the expansion of hyraxes.

Conservation

Publicly Available June 1, 2020

New genetic diversity for endangered bottlenose dolphin subspecies along the Argentine coast

Rocío Loizaga, Florencia Grandi, Haydée Cunha, Enrique Crespo

Page range: 575-580

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Abstract

This study analyzed mtDNA sequences of two bottlenose dolphin subspecies found along the northern Patagonian coast, Argentina: the endangered Tursiops truncatus gephyreus and the data deficient Tursiops truncatus truncatus . Three haplotypes were recovered from nine samples. The most frequent haplotype represented the coastal morph, also two haplotypes showing falcate dorsal fin, a characteristic describing the oceanic morph. This finding suggests that both morphs may exist in sympatry in Argentina. Furthermore, sampling was extended beyond the species’ previously known range, including individuals as far as seven hundred kilometers to the south. Therefore, new genetic data, despite being preliminary, hint at an unexpectedly higher genetic diversity of matrilines than previously anticipated.

July 11, 2020

On the conservation of Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) in the core of Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras

Marcio A. Martinez, Manfredo Alejandro Turcios-Casco, Shasling Pacheco Amador

Page range: 581-585

Abstract

The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (RPBR) represents the most important region in Honduras for conservation of the biodiversity of the country. From May 2017 to January 2019, we installed 24 camera traps in the RPBR to monitor big mammals, including Myrmecophaga tridactyla . In 1512 camera-trapping hours, the giant anteater was recorded in two photos. The photos presented herein of M . tridactyla are the first records of the species in the core of the RPBR. The protection of a vulnerable species such as M . tridactyla in the RPBR could also help to protect other species ( Pecari tajacu , Tayassu pecari , Panthera onca ) that are strongly threatened by illegal activities such as hunting, unauthorized access to the core zone, increased lands used for agriculture, and unsustainable exploitation of the natural resources.

Biogeography

May 7, 2020

Dhole Cuon alpinus in Satchari National Park: on the first verifiable evidence from northeast Bangladesh

Tania Zakir, Harish Debbarma, Muntasir Akash

Page range: 587-593

Abstract

The distribution range of the globally Endangered dhole Cuon alpinus overlaps mixed evergreen mid-hill forests of northeastern Bangladesh but lacks any authentic documentation. With the first evidence from this region, we observed the activity pattern of dhole, of its prey and of human activities in Satchari National Park, a part of a larger northeastern forested area, Raghunandan Hill Reserve Forest – the northernmost fringe of the Baramura Hills of India. We obtained 32 photos of solitary individuals on eight different events from six out of 587 camera trap days. Naïve occupancy estimate for dhole was 0.41 with a detection probability of 0.65. We identified two individuals, and reported five predation events. We encountered a moderately high temporal overlap of dhole activity with that of barking deer (∆̂ 1 = 0.65, CI = 0.42–0.83), human activity (0.63, 0.38–0.89), and livestock movement (0.59, 0.38–0.89). Given that dhole is a diurnal hyper-carnivore, illegal logging and tourism pressure appeared as major disturbances to the species' existence in the park. Habitats of northeastern protected forests, their adjacency with hill ranges of Tripura, and dhole being a habitat generalist, we conjecture its presence in the entire region and recommend thorough camera-trapping efforts.

July 8, 2020

First record of Sanborn’s bonneted bat, Eumops hansae (Molossidae), in Colombia

Diego A. Torres, Abel Eduardo Rojas

Page range: 595-599

Abstract

Sanborn’s bonneted bat ( Eumops hansae ), an insectivorous Molossidae, is widely distributed in the Neotropics. However, records are scattered throughout its distribution with confirmed records from a few countries of South and Central America. Here, we record the first specimen of this species for Colombia. With this new record, the number of Eumops species in Colombia raises to eight and molossid species to 27. We recommend efforts of bat sampling to be directed towards habitats where molossid bats concentrate their foraging activities, thus increasing the knowledge of these rare bats and their occurrence in museum collections.

Evolutionary biology

June 1, 2020

First record of albino lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris Linnaeus 1758) in an important Brazilian Atlantic Forest hotspot

Mariana Bueno Landis, Luciano Candisani, Leticia Prado Munhoes, João Carlos Zecchini Gebin, Frineia Rezende, Miguel Martins Flores de Jesus, Emília Patrícia Medici, Katia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi de Barros Ferraz

Page range: 601-604

Abstract

Albinism is the absence of pigmentation or coloration and is rarely found in nature. In this study we examined photos and videos obtained by cameras traps in the Legado das Águas Reserve. In the images, we identified two albino lowland tapirs. The results highlight the necessity of understanding the genetic diversity of lowland tapir populations and the important role of the professional photography associated with scientific research.

April 10, 2020

First record of albinism in spiny rats of genus Proechimys (Rodentia: Echimyidae) from Western Amazon

Jeronymo Dalapicolla, Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Roth, Alexandre Reis Percequillo

Page range: 605-609

Abstract

Albinism is a rare condition in natural populations. One of the factors that would lead to higher allele frequency for the albino phenotype is bottleneck events, causing small population sizes and loss of genetic diversity. Here, we report the first record of albinism in one specimen of Proechimys gardneri from Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil. This is also the first record of albinism for the genus and for the family Echimyidae. We identified the specimen through morphology and confirmed the identification by 801 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial marker cytochrome b (Cyt b). We also discuss the selection against albino phenotype in natural populations.

About this journal

Objective
Mammalia is an international, multidisciplinary, bimonthly journal devoted to the inventory, analysis and interpretation of mammalian diversity. It publishes original results on all aspects of the systematics and biology of mammals with a strong focus on ecology, including biodiversity analyses, distribution habitats, diet, predator-prey relationships, competition, community analyses and conservation of mammals. The journal also accepts submissions on sub-fossil or recently extinct mammals.

Topics

Comparative, functional and evolutionary anatomy
Morphology
Classical and geometric morphometrics
Ecology
Evolutionary biology
Phylogeny and phylogeography
Biogeography
Taxonomy and nomenclature
Physiology
Behavior
Conservation

Article formats
Original Studies, Reviews, Short Notes