scholarly journals Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) behaviour and handling times when foraging for buried truffles

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Vernes ◽  
Peter Jarman
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Important Food ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Rate Of Recovery ◽  
Potorous Tridactylus

Truffles represent an important food resource for many small mammals, but because most mycophagous mammals are difficult to observe in the wild, behavioural observations of mammals handling and consuming truffles are almost non-existent. Using camera traps, we observed the behaviour of long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus) foraging for buried truffles, and recorded the rate at which truffles were excavated and consumed. Potoroos excavated buried truffles rapidly (2.4 ± 0.2 s) with synchronous drawing strokes of their forepaws, then gathered the excavated truffles with forepaws and/or mouth and cleaned away adherent debris before consuming the truffle. When potoroos were unsuccessful at recovering a truffle, they spent significantly more time digging (4.8 ± 0.6 s) before giving up. Potoroos were successful at recovering a truffle in 76% of digging attempts, and once they had located a cache of buried truffles, achieved a rate of recovery of ~2.4 truffles per minute.

Gelatinous zooplankton (ctenophores, salps and medusae): an important food resource of fishes in the temperate SW Atlantic Ocean

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 630-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Diaz Briz ◽  
Felisa Sánchez ◽  
Noemí Marí ◽  
Hermes Mianzan ◽  
Gabriel Genzano
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Gelatinous Zooplankton ◽  
Important Food ◽  
Sw Atlantic

Pits or pictures: a comparative study of camera traps and pitfall trapping to survey small mammals and reptiles

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon J. Dundas ◽  
Katinka X. Ruthrof ◽  
Giles E. St.J. Hardy ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Infrared Camera ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Trapping Methods

Context Camera trapping is a widely used monitoring tool for a broad range of species across most habitat types. Camera trapping has some major advantages over other trapping methods, such as pitfall traps, because cameras can be left in the field for extended periods of time. However, there is still a need to compare traditional trapping methods with newer techniques. Aims To compare trap rates, species richness and community composition of small mammals and reptiles by using passive, unbaited camera traps and pitfall traps. Methods We directly compared pitfall trapping (20-L buried buckets) with downward-facing infrared-camera traps (Reconyx) to survey small reptiles and mammals at 16 sites within a forested habitat in south-western Australia. We compared species captured using each method, as well as the costs associated with each. Key results Overall, we recorded 228 reptiles, 16 mammals and 1 frog across 640 pitfall trap-nights (38.3 animal captures per 100 trap-nights) compared to 271 reptiles and 265 mammals (for species likely to be captured in pitfall traps) across 2572 camera trap nights (20.8 animal captures per 100 trap-nights). When trap effort is taken into account, camera trapping was only 23% as efficient as pitfall trapping for small reptiles (mostly Scincidae), but was five times more efficient for surveying small mammals (Dasyuridae). Comparing only those species that were likely to be captured in pitfall traps, 13 species were recorded by camera trapping compared with 20 species recorded from pitfall trapping; however, we found significant (P<0.001) differences in community composition between the methods. In terms of cost efficacy, camera trapping was the more expensive method for our short, 4-month survey when taking the cost of cameras into consideration. Conclusions Applicability of camera trapping is dependent on the specific aims of the intended research. Camera trapping is beneficial where community responses to ecosystem disturbance are being tested. Live capture of small reptiles via pitfall trapping allows for positive species identification, morphological assessment, and collection of reference photos to help identify species from camera photos. Implications As stand-alone techniques, both survey methods under-represent the available species present in a region. The use of more than one survey method improves the scope of fauna community assessments.

Feeding behaviour of the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) at the western edge of its range

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Carthew ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Darryl L. Funnell
Keyword(s):  
Sap Flow ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Food Item ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Important Food ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
South West ◽  
Petaurus Australis ◽  
Important Food Item

This study provides the first assessment of the diet of the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) in the south-west portion of its range near the Victorian–South Australian border. Examining its diet in this region is viewed as being fundamental to understanding the ecological requirements of the species. Observations were conducted over a five-year period on gliders from five distinct groups. Sap was the most important food item throughout the year and accounted for 83% of 407 feeding observations. Each group of gliders used up to 21 different trees for sap, but during any sample period only 1–8 trees were used. This represents a vastly different pattern of use of sap trees to that described in any earlier study. Some trees were visited more often than others, and these tended to be heavily scarred, indicating use over many years. Other food types were arthropods and honeydew and, to a lesser extent, nectar. This study also revealed that the yellow- bellied glider is not dependent on a diversity of tree species nor on a winter-flowering species. We provide a review of the diet of the yellow-bellied glider throughout its range. This shows that the yellow-bellied glider is reliant on sap as a food resource but particularly so at both ends of its geographic range. The reason for this is unclear, but there is definitely a need for further study of sap-flow patterns in eucalypts.

Activity pattern of Atlantic Forest small arboreal mammals as revealed by camera traps

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (05) ◽  
pp. 563-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Gustavo R. Oliveira-Santos ◽  
Marcos A. Tortato ◽  
Maurício E. Graipel
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Food Items

Even though the great majority of the biomass and diversity of mammals in tropical forests inhabit the canopy (Eisenberg & Thorington 1973), most knowledge of this group is based on forest-floor samples (Lowman & Moffett 1993). Studies that include trapping efforts in the canopy are becoming increasingly common (Grelle 2003, Lambertet al. 2005, Malcolm 1995, Pattonet al. 2000, Vieira & Monteiro-Filho 2003, Vosset al. 2001), but aspects on the ecology of arboreal small mammals still remain poorly understood. Many species of non-flying mammals co-occur in the canopy and, thus, are expected to use niche dimensions differently to permit coexistence (Cameronet al. 1979). Despite the difficulties of access to and in understanding the three-dimensional use of the arboreal strata by the different species (Emmons 1995), some studies have demonstrated that the differential use of the habitat (Cunha & Vieira 2002, Gentile & Fernandez 1999), of food items (Cácereset al. 2002, Santoriet al. 1995) or both (Leiteet al. 1996, Mauffrey & Catzeflis 2003), include strategies involved in the division of resources.

scholarly journals Can camera trapping provide accurate estimates of small mammal ( Myodes rutilus and Peromyscus maniculatus ) density in the boreal forest?

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Villette ◽  
Charles J. Krebs ◽  
Thomas S. Jung ◽  
Rudy Boonstra
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Hit Rate ◽  
Myodes Rutilus ◽  
Feasible Alternative

Abstract Estimating population densities of small mammals (< 100g) has typically been carried out by intensive livetrapping, but this technique may be stressful to animals and the effort required is considerable. Here, we used camera traps to detect small mammal presence and assessed if this provided a feasible alternative to livetrapping for density estimation. During 2010–2012, we used camera trapping in conjunction with mark–recapture livetrapping to estimate the density of northern red-backed voles ( Myodes rutilus ) and deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ) in the boreal forest of Yukon, Canada. Densities for these 2 species ranged from 0.29 to 9.21 animals/ha and 0 to 5.90 animals/ha, respectively, over the course of this investigation. We determined if hit window—the length of time used to group consecutive videos together as single detections or “hits”—has an effect on the correlation between hit rate and population density. The relationship between hit rate and density was sensitive to hit window duration for Myodes with R2 values ranging from 0.45 to 0.59, with a 90-min hit window generating the highest value. This relationship was not sensitive to hit window duration for Peromyscus , with R2 values for the tested hit windows ranging from 0.81 to 0.84. Our results indicate that camera trapping may be a robust method for estimating density of small rodents in the boreal forest when the appropriate hit window duration is selected and that camera traps may be a useful tool for the study of small mammals in boreal forest habitat.

A functional classification of the drift: traits that influence invertebrate availability to salmonids

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1211-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell B Rader
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Aquatic Invertebrates ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Functional Classification ◽  
Invertebrate Community ◽  
Important Food ◽  
Stream Invertebrates ◽  
Central Rocky Mountains

Twelve categories/traits were used to classify and rank aquatic invertebrates based on their propensity to drift and importance as a food resource for salmonids. Invertebrate availability was based on their (i) propensity to intentionally drift, (ii) likelihood of being accidentally dislodged by the current, (iii) drift distance, (iv) adult drift, (v) benthic exposure, (vi) body size, and (vii) abundance. This study represents the first attempt to characterize the intentional drift propensity of stream invertebrates. A ranking procedure separated invertebrates into Baetis and three groups decreasing in availability. Predicted ranks were significantly correlated with the actual rank of invertebrates in trout guts taken in three separate studies conducted in the central Rocky Mountains, suggesting that this procedure can effectively rank invertebrates based on their availability as a food resource for salmonids. A cluster analysis separated the 95 taxa into four drift guilds and six availability groups. This study provides criteria for determining when alterations in invertebrate community composition will affect food resources for higher trophic levels by causing a decline in the most available taxa. This research also supports previous findings that floods are important in maintaining invertebrates that represent an important food resource for salmonids.

scholarly journals Frugivory and seed dispersal by the yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula, in a subtropical forest of China

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
You-Bing Zhou ◽  
Eleanor Slade ◽  
Chris Newman ◽  
Xiao-Ming Wang ◽  
Shu-Yi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Systematic Study ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Subtropical Forest ◽  
Geographical Range ◽  
Important Food ◽  
Living Species ◽  
Comprehensive Study

The yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula, is the only living species of the genus Martes found in subtropical and tropical forests (Harrison et al. 2004). It is distributed throughout central and southern Asia in a wide variety of habitats. Despite its extensive geographical range, the ecology and behaviour of this species has so far received little attention, aside from a study of habitat use (Grassman et al. 2005). Studies on other martens have shown that fruits are an important food resource (e.g. M. martes, Bermejo & Guitian 2000; M. foina, Pandolfi et al. 1996). Thus, they are considered to be important potential seed dispersers (Corlett 1998, Herrera 1989, Willson 1993), as confirmed by recent studies (M. melampus, Otani 2002; M. americana, Hickey et al. 1999; M. foina and M. martes, Schaumann & Heinken 2002). Although no systematic study of the diet of M. flavigula has been conducted (Harrison et al. 2004), it is known to be omnivorous and to consume fruit (Gao & Wang 1987). To date, however, there has been no comprehensive study of frugivory and seed dispersal by M. flavigula (but see Corlett 1998).

scholarly journals Reproductive Behaviors of Wild Chinese Pangolin (Manis Pentadactyla): A Case Study Based on Long-Term Monitoring

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Ching-Min Sun ◽  
Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei ◽  
Li-Yue Wu
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Reproductive Behaviors ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Manis Pentadactyla ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Observations of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in the wild are extremely rare and challenging because of their nocturnal and cryptic activity patterns and low population density. The present article reported the first field observation in eastern Taiwan, from October 4, 2012 to June 16, 2016, on the reproductive behavior of the Chinese pangolin based on the monitoring of a female (LF28) using radiotelemetry and camera traps. During this period, LF28 aged from 1 to 4.5-years old and gave two single-births, both took place in early December, at 3 and 4 years old, respectively. We recorded the entire 157 days of the first nursing period from parturition to maternal separation. For the second infant, the gestation period was estimated to be around 150 days based on the evidence that the pregnancy started in early Jul. 2015 and the offspring was born on Dec. 9, 2015. During the entire nursing period, LF28 frequently moved the offspring from one nursing burrow to another staying various durations ranging from 1 day to more than 35 days, and almost all (= 15/16) of these burrows were located in the core (MCP75) of LF28’s home range. Started from the month of parturition and lasting throughout the whole nursing period, different adult males constantly visiting the nursing burrows were recorded. Mating behavior was recorded once outside the burrow in March, which provided evidence of the occurrence of post-partum estrus in this species. Delay implantation was proposed based on the observation of a several months lag between copulation and the estimated pregnancy initiation date. The present study demonstrated the advantage of using remote technologies to learn the life history of resting fossorial species.

scholarly journals New genus of the tribe Ceutorhynchini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the late Oligocene of Enspel, southwestern Germany, with a remark on the role of weevils in the ancient food web

Fossil Record ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-204
Author(s):  
Andrei A. Legalov ◽  
Markus J. Poschmann
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Anterior Margin ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Cyprinid Fish ◽  
Late Oligocene ◽  
Important Food ◽  
Ancient Food

Abstract. The new weevil genus Igneonasus gen. nov. (type species: I. rudolphi sp. nov.) of the tribe Ceutorhynchini (Curculionidae: Conoderinae: Ceutorhynchitae) is described from the late Oligocene of Fossillagerstätte Enspel, Germany. The new genus differs from the similar genus Stenocarus Thomson, 1859 in the anterior margin of the pronotum, which is not raised, a pronotum without tubercles on the sides, and a femur without teeth. This weevil is the largest representative of this supertribe and the first fossil Curculionidae species described from the paleolake Enspel. In this ancient ecosystem, weevils were at least sometimes an important food resource for the cyprinid fish Palaeorutilus enspelensis.

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