Experimental Release of Endemic Partula Species, Extinct in the Wild, into a Protected Area of Natural Habitat on Moorea

AbstractShoaling decisions in the wild are determined by a combination of innate preferences of the individual along with the interplay of multiple ecological factors. In their natural habitat as well as in the laboratory, zebrafish is a shoaling fish. Here, we investigate the role of group size and associated vegetation in shaping shoaling preferences of wild male zebrafish. We studied the association preference of males to groups of female shoals in a multi-choice test design. We found that males made greater proportion of visits to an 8-female group compared to 2 and 4-female groups. However, males spent similar proportions of time across the three female-containing groups. When artificial vegetation was incorporated along with female number as an additional factor, we found that males prefer high and moderately vegetated patches compared to low or no-vegetation groups, irrespective of the number of females in these patches. Based on experiments using a novel multi-choice design, our results show that preference for group size can change due to interaction of two separate factors. This work is a first attempt to understand the role of aquatic flora in determining shoaling preferences in zebrafish, using an experimental paradigm consisting of a gradation in female and vegetation densities.

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Predicting the Distribution of Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) in Way Canguk Research Station, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Lampung

Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology ◽

10.22146/jtbb.58612 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 58612

Author(s):

Silvi Dwi Anasari ◽

Wulan Pusparini ◽

Noviar Andayani

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

National Park ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Research Station ◽

Environment Variables ◽

Presence Data ◽

Manis Javanica ◽

In The Wild

The distribution of a species can help guide the protection activities in their natural habitat. Conversely, the lack of information on this distribution makes the protection strategy of this species difficult. The research was conducted in Way Canguk Research Station, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park from January until March 2018. The purposes of this research were to create a distribution prediction map of Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and estimating the environment variables that most influenced the probability of the distribution. Fourteen points of camera trap coordinates were used for presence data with nine types of environment variables such as elevation, slope, understorey, canopy cover, distance from roads, distance from rivers, distance from villages, food source, and distance from the threat. The result of maxent showed an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.909 categorized as very good. The highest probability of Sunda pangolin distributions was in the Pemerihan Resort and Way Haru Resort area, while the dominant environmental variables included the distance from the village, the canopy cover, and the distance from threat with the value 47.7; 25.85; and 15.8%, respectively. Prediction maps and environment variables can help to identify the population of Sunda pangolin in the wild and can provide input for the national parks to prioritize protection areas for Sunda pangolin from the increased poaching.

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Reproductive biology of Ophiorrhiza caudata C.E.C.Fisch. (Rubiaceae), an endemic and endangered creeping perennial herb of the Western Ghats, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.6741.13.13.20056-20065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 20056-20065

Author(s):

Maria Theresa ◽

Appukuttan Kamalabai Sreekala ◽

Jayalakshmi Mohanlal

Keyword(s):

Seedling Establishment ◽

Fruit Set ◽

Floral Morphology ◽

Climatic Factors ◽

Monsoon Season ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Flowering Phenology ◽

Perennial Herb ◽

In The Wild ◽

The Western Ghats

Ophiorrhiza caudata is a creeping, perennial herb distributed along wet and shady areas. The species is distylous with two distinct floral morphs: pin and thrum. Flowering usually occurs during the monsoon season. No particular difference was noticed in the flowering phenology of the two morphs. Presently the species is self-incompatible, however, it shows a tendency towards intramorph compatibility. Fruit set is above 60% in open pollination and intermorph pollination. Bees and butterflies are the major pollinators. The pollen flow between the two floral morphs varies depending upon floral morphology and pollinators. Fruit is a bi-valved capsule which dehisces by a splashing drop mechanism. The seeds are very minute. The rate of seed germination and seedling establishment in the wild condition is very poor due to adverse climatic factors. Ophiorrhiza caudata is struggling for survival in its natural habitat, where habitat fragmentation, climatic factors and poor seedling establishment could account for its narrow distribution.

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Current Distribution and Status of Non-Native Freshwater Turtles in the Wild, Republic of Korea

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12104042 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 4042 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kyo Soung Koo ◽

Soorim Song ◽

Jae Hyeok Choi ◽

Ha-Cheol Sung

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Human Factors ◽

Native Species ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Current Status ◽

Human Populations ◽

Freshwater Turtles ◽

In The Wild ◽

The Republic

Globally, an increase in the transportation and expansion of the pet market is the most important cause of the invasion of non-native species. Invasion of non-native species disturbs native ecosystems and leads to socio-economic problems. The pet trade involving turtles has been globally recognized as the route through which non-native species enter ecosystems. As a result, the invasion of non-native turtles worldwide is causing problems such as competition, predation, transmission of parasites, and hybridization with native turtles. Every year, both the number of non-native turtles imported as pets in the Republic of Korea and the number of introduced species found in the wild is increasing. However, the current status of non-native turtles in the wild is not well known, posing major challenges to their management. In this study, we aimed to determine the current status of non-native turtles introduced into the wild in Korea. We analyzed the factors associated with the detection and distribution of non-native turtles. In total, 1587 of non-native turtles (three families, six genera, and 13 species including subspecies) were found in 648 sites in Korea: Chelydra serpentina, Mauremys sinensis, Chrysemys picta bellii, Graptemys ouachitensis, G. pseudogeographica pseudogeographica, G. p. kohni, Pseudemys concinna, P. nelsoni, P. peninsularis, P. rubriventris, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, and T. s. troostii. There was relationship between the distribution of non-native turtles and environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature. Moreover, human factors such as number of human populations and size of region were significantly related with the distribution and number of non-native turtles. In conclusion, it is likely that human factors are associated with the influx of invasive turtles to the natural habitat, while the possibility of survival and adaption for the turtles is associated mainly with environmental factors. Our result will be an essential guideline not only for understanding the current status of non-native turtles in Korea, but also for establishing strategies for management and control.

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Homing and home range of the European spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas (Decapoda, Palinuridae) acoustically tracked

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-00003893 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 92 (4) ◽

pp. 463-476

Author(s):

Vincenzo M. Giacalone ◽

Arturo Zenone ◽

Fabio Badalamenti ◽

Javier Ciancio ◽

Gaspare Buffa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Protected Area ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

High Spatial Resolution ◽

Spiny Lobster ◽

Ultrasonic Telemetry ◽

Central Mediterranean ◽

In The Wild ◽

First Time ◽

Palinurus Elephas

Abstract A specific study has been carried out for the first time to investigate the homing capability and daily home range of the spiny lobster Palinurus elephas by means of ultrasonic telemetry. Nine lobsters collected in the Capo Gallo — Isola delle Femmine marine protected area (northwestern Sicily, central Mediterranean) were tagged with miniaturized transmitters and released at a single site inside the protected area. The lobsters were monitored with the purpose of calculating their horizontal and vertical positions, analysing their movement patterns to assess their homing capability, and calculating their daily home range. Five lobsters moved back close to the capture sites within the first 20 hours after release (‘homed’). The remaining four lobsters ‘relocated’ to a different refuge. Homed lobsters had a larger home range than relocated lobsters. This study provides the first description of a homing pattern with high spatial resolution in the wild European spiny lobster as inferred by ultrasonic telemetry.

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Females of a solitary bee reject males to collect food for offspring

Behavioral Ecology ◽

10.1093/beheco/araa026 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 884-891 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Laura Dutra ◽

Clemens Schlindwein ◽

Reisla Oliveira

Keyword(s):

Natural Habitat ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Male Mating ◽

Solitary Bee ◽

Female Reproductive Success ◽

Offspring Production ◽

Quantitative Estimates ◽

Foraging Performance ◽

In The Wild ◽

The Mean

Abstract The time dedicated to courtship and copulation is the most general cost of mating for females. However, quantitative estimates of this cost and the consequences for female mating behavior have been investigated for only a few model organisms and mostly under laboratory conditions. We determined the costs of copulations and persistent courtship by males in terms of time for females of the solitary bee Anthrenoides micans. We estimated the rate and duration of male mating behaviors and the consequences for sexual interactions for females with respect to the loss of foraging opportunity in the wild. Males invested most of their time searching for mates and intercepted foraging females every 3 min. Copulas lasted, on average, 10 times longer than the time females took to resist male mating attempts. Despite the high frequency of these rejections (82%), females spent 3-fold more time copulating than rejecting males. Considering the rate of encounters with males and the mean duration of flower visits by females, we estimated that females would perform 64% fewer flower visits per hour if they accepted all copulation attempts. The loss of time is especially significant in the natural habitat of the species, where host cacti blossom for extraordinary short periods of time and females compete with other cacti-specialized bees and conspecifics. Because the offspring production of a female solitary bee depends on its pollen collection capacity, reduced foraging performance directly influences female reproductive success.

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Understanding Reproductive Aging in Wildlife to Improve Animal Conservation and Human Reproductive Health

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2021.680471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Pierre Comizzoli ◽

Mary Ann Ottinger

Keyword(s):

Wild Species ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Research Area ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Reproductive Aging ◽

Multiple Traits ◽

Rare And Endangered Species ◽

In The Wild ◽

Rare And Endangered ◽

Human Reproductive

Similar to humans and laboratory animals, reproductive aging is observed in wild species-from small invertebrates to large mammals. Aging issues are also prevalent in rare and endangered species under human care as their life expectancy is longer than in the wild. The objectives of this review are to (1) present conserved as well as distinctive traits of reproductive aging in different wild animal species (2) highlight the value of comparative studies to address aging issues in conservation breeding as well as in human reproductive medicine, and (3) suggest next steps forward in that research area. From social insects to mega-vertebrates, reproductive aging studies as well as observations in the wild or in breeding centers often remain at the physiological or organismal scale (senescence) rather than at the germ cell level. Overall, multiple traits are conserved across very different species (depletion of the ovarian reserve or no decline in testicular functions), but unique features also exist (endless reproductive life or unaltered quality of germ cells). There is a broad consensus about the need to fill research gaps because many cellular and molecular processes during reproductive aging remain undescribed. More research in male aging is particularly needed across all species. Furthermore, studies on reproductive aging of target species in their natural habitat (sentinel species) are crucial to define more accurate reproductive indicators relevant to other species, including humans, sharing the same environment. Wild species can significantly contribute to our general knowledge of a crucial phenomenon and provide new approaches to extend the reproductive lifespan.

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Observation of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Choyatar, Ilam, East Nepal

Journal of Natural History Museum ◽

10.3126/jnhm.v24i1.2258 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. 96-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. K. Chalise

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Protected Area ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Community Forest ◽

Protected Species ◽

Short Survey ◽

Community Behavior ◽

Red Panda ◽

Ailurus Fulgens ◽

And Behaviors

A short survey of Red Panda was conducted in Choyatar Community forest of Ilam district, East Nepal. A pair of pandas was observed and behaviors were recorded. It is significant in Nepalese perspective that a protected species was recorded outside the protected area and relatively better natural habitat. Keywords: Community; Behavior; Protected species; Natural habitat. Journal of Natural History MuseumVol. 24, 2009Page: 96-102

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The Ouvéa parakeet – state of knowledge and conservation status

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605300021025 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 143-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

O. Robinet ◽

F. Beugnet ◽

D. Dulieu ◽

Ph. Chardonnet

Keyword(s):

Natural Environment ◽

New Caledonia ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Monotypic Genus ◽

South West ◽

In Captivity ◽

In The Wild ◽

Neighbouring Island ◽

Very High

New Caledonia, a French territory in the south-west Pacific has a very high number of endemic taxa. The endemic fauna include a monotypic genus of parakeets – Eunymphicus. One subspecies, Eunymphicus cornutus uvaeensis, which is endemic to the island of Ouvéa in the Loyalty Islands, is seriously threatened by degradation of its natural habitat, natural predators and capture for sale to collectors. There are now only 200–500 individuals left in the wild. The parakeet is the emblem of Ouv–a and local people, together with research scientists, have formed a society with the aims of studying the parakeet in its natural environment, making the general public aware of its conservation requirements, combating smuggling, increasing its population by breeding it in captivity and, if possible, introducing it on to a neighbouring island.

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A new species of spectacular spider wasp mimic from Thailand is the first representative of the genus Melanosphecia Le Cerf 1916 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini) to be filmed in the wild

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4695.3.4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4695 (3) ◽

pp. 295-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MARTA A. SKOWRON VOLPONI

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Dna Barcode ◽

In The Wild ◽

Clearwing Moth ◽

A New Species

A metallic blue, new species of clearwing moth from Thailand is described and shown on video. With its spectacular colouration, long hind legs and an incredible illusion of a wasp-waist, complemented by behavioural imitations, this sesiid is a striking spider wasp mimic. Notes on possible mimicry models, behaviour and conditions of occurrence are given. COI DNA barcode sequence is provided. This is the first country record of Melanosphecia Le Cerf 1916 for Thailand and the first representative of this genus to be filmed in its natural habitat.

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