Frugivory and seed dispersal by Asian elephants, Elephas maximus, in a moist evergreen forest of Thailand

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shumpei Kitamura ◽  
Takakazu Yumoto ◽  
Pilai Poonswad ◽  
Prawat Wohandee
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Living Species ◽  
Forest Elephants ◽  
Loxodonta Africana Cyclotis ◽  
Historical Range

The Asian elephant Elephas maximus is the only living species of the genus Elephas (Elephantidae) that evolved in Africa c. 5–6 million y ago and migrated into Eurasia (Sukumar 2003). The Asian elephant is one of the few remaining extant megafauna (Owen-Smith 1988) and has disappeared from c. 95% of its historical range (Sukumar 2006). Asian elephants eat fruit when it is available, defecating intact seeds, of which some later germinate in the dung (Lekagul & McNeely 1977, Ridley 1930). However, to date there has been no detailed study of frugivory and seed dispersal by Asian elephants (Corlett 1998). The only common feature of the fruit reported to be eaten by Asian elephants is their relatively large size, but there is no evidence that they are exclusive dispersers of any plant species (Corlett 1998), in contrast to the more frugivorous African forest elephants, Loxodonta africana cyclotis (Babweteera et al. 2007, Chapman et al. 1992, Cochrane 2003, Feer 1995).

Frugivory and seed dispersal of woody species by the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in a mid-elevation tropical evergreen forest in India

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Jothish
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Tropical Evergreen Forest ◽  
Germination Experiments ◽  
And Control ◽  
Dung Analysis

Abstract:Frugivory and seed dispersal by the Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, in a mid-elevation tropical evergreen forest in India was studied by dung analysis and conducting seed germination trials on ingested and control seeds. A total of 384 dung piles were observed during the period February 2007 to December 2008. Fruits/seeds and seedlings of 27 woody species were observed from the dung piles. Seed germination experiments showed that seeds from dung were viable and germination time of ingested seeds was significantly lower than that of control seeds. It was observed that 43.6% of the seedlings in the dung piles established as saplings. The study suggests that the Asian elephant is a legitimate seed disperser in tropical forests in its range.

scholarly journals Serological study on brucellosis in captive elephants (Elephas maximus) and stray dogs in North Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1992-1997
Author(s):  
Suchanit Ngamkala ◽  
Taweepoke Angkawanish ◽  
Weerapun Nokkaew ◽  
Nikorn Thongtip
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Response ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Serological Survey ◽  
Serological Analysis ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Stray Dogs ◽  
North Thailand

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is considered as an important zoonotic disease caused by various strains of Brucella in numerous host species. Although brucellosis has been reported in almost animal species, the relevance of brucellosis infection and diagnostic technique in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has been limited. The present serological investigation aimed to investigate the antibody response to Brucella abortus in captive Asian elephants in North Thailand. Moreover, further serological survey was also conducted to detect the antibody response to Brucella canis in stray dogs cohabiting the same area as the elephant herd. Materials and Methods: Serum samples were collected from 40 captive Asian elephants and submitted for serological analysis based on B. abortus antigen using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) in combination with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-tube agglutination test (EDTA-TAT) as a supplementary test and by commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). In addition, serum samples were also obtained from 16 stray dogs that live nearby the elephant-raising area and were tested using commercial Dot-ELISA based on B. canis antigen. Results: Serological analysis in captive Asian elephants showed 100% seronegative (40/40) from all serological tests response to B. abortus. For stray dogs, 12.5% (2/16) had a low positive reaction response to B. canis. Conclusion: The serological survey for brucellosis in Asian elephant was adapted and applied using RBPT, EDTA-TAT, and iELISA in the present study. For future evaluation, we recommended the use of a combination of serological tests with validation together with comparing by direct detection such as bacterial isolation to provide an appropriate brucellosis surveillance program in Asian elephants. In addition, the surveillance of stray dogs or multispecies habitation should be kept into considerations.

scholarly journals Population and habitat use of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and five ungulate species in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
KUSUMA MENKHAM ◽  
RONGLARP SUKMASUANG ◽  
MANANYA PLA-ARD ◽  
KHWANRUTAI CHARASPET ◽  
TARAPONE PANGANTA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Sambar Deer

Abstract. Menkham K, Sukmasuang R, Pla-Ard M, Charaspet K, Panganta T, Trisurat Y, Bhumpakphan N. 2019. Population and habitat use of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and five ungulate species in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand. Biodiversitas 20: 2213-2221. This study on the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population, habitat use and the diel activity patterns of elephants and five species of large even-toed ungulates was conducted between March 2017 and March 2018 in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao Province using intensive camera trapping. Fifty-eight camera traps were deployed, adding up to a total of 4,463 trap nights and revealing 1,760 independent encounters. Six species of mammals were recorded, including the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and five species of large even-toed ungulates; the gaur (Bos gaurus), the banteng (Bos javanicus), the sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), the wild boar (Sus scrofa), and the muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak). The abundance analysis reflected that the probability occupancy of the elephant was 0.92 (SE = 0.04); in dry seasons 0.97 (SE = 0.04) and in wet seasons 0.90 (SE = 0.83). The population of elephants within the study site of 87.95 km2 was within 79.51-334.15 individuals. The elephant age classes were identified as adult, sub-adult, juvenile, and calf with percentages of 77.85%, 5.71%, 9.28%, and 7.14%, respectively. The adult male to adult female sex-ratio was 1: 1.39 and the adult female per calf ratio was 1: 0.12. The percentage of the calf to adult female ratio was 9.17%. Maximum Entropy analysis revealed that saltlicks and artificial water sources were the environmental factors that had the most influence on the probability of occurrence of the elephant (all year). We found that the diel activity pattern of the elephants was strongly nocturnal (85% recorded between 18.00-05.59 hours). Temporal overlapping was seen between elephants and gaurs, bantengs and sambar deer in order. Suggestions for area management include improvement of water sources, salt licks, grassland management, and providing education, publicization, and strict control to decrease human activities within the protected area. There also should be continuous studies to monitor the population and the ecology of these species.

Social Dynamics of a Newly Integrated Bachelor Group of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus): Welfare implications

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Amy L. Schreier ◽  
Taylor S. Readyhough ◽  
Anneke Moresco ◽  
Maura Davis ◽  
Sharon Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Welfare Implications

scholarly journals Seed dispersal potential of Asian elephants

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 144-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska K. Harich ◽  
Anna C. Treydte ◽  
Joseph O. Ogutu ◽  
John E. Roberts ◽  
Chution Savini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Dispersal Potential

scholarly journals Social structure and demography of a remnant Asian elephant Elephas maximus population and the implications for survival

Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Lauren J. Hale ◽  
Kun Shi ◽  
Tania C. Gilbert ◽  
Kelvin S.-H. Peh ◽  
Philip Riordan
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Elephas Maximus ◽  
Effective Density ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Sex Ratio Bias ◽  
Elephant Population

Abstract The Asian elephant Elephas maximus is at risk of extinction as a result of anthropogenic pressures, and remaining populations are often small and fragmented remnants, occupying a fraction of the species' former range. Once widely distributed across China, only a maximum of 245 elephants are estimated to survive across seven small populations. We assessed the Asian elephant population in Nangunhe National Nature Reserve in Lincang Prefecture, China, using camera traps during May–July 2017, to estimate the population size and structure of this genetically important population. Although detection probability was low (0.31), we estimated a total population size of c. 20 individuals, and an effective density of 0.39 elephants per km2. Social structure indicated a strong sex ratio bias towards females, with only one adult male detected within the population. Most of the elephants associated as one herd but three adult females remained separate from the herd throughout the trapping period. These results highlight the fragility of remnant elephant populations such as Nangunhe and we suggest options such as a managed metapopulation approach for their continued survival in China and more widely.

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