Survey and Relative Occurrence of Rodent Species at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate

Four methods were used to document the diet of cheetahs: incidental observations, radio tracking, tracking, spoor, and continuous follows. A combination of continuous follows and tracking spoor gave the best results. Steenbok were the most frequently killed species, but they did not dominate the diet in the same way as Thomson’s gazelle do in the Serengeti. Coalition males have a different diet profile from single males, single females, females with cubs, and sibling groups. For all but single males, the relative occurrence of prey species in the diet reflected its dietary importance in terms of kilograms of meat obtained. Gemsbok calves and adult ostrich were important prey for coalition males and springhares were important for single males. Three individual prey specializations for females were found; namely springbok specialists, steenbok/duiker specialists, and intermediates. Contrary to an earlier study, springbok were not found to be the most important prey species.

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Extensive genetic diversity and host range of rodent-borne coronaviruses

Virus Evolution ◽

10.1093/ve/veaa078 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Wen Wang ◽

Xian-Dan Lin ◽

Hai-Lin Zhang ◽

Miao-Ruo Wang ◽

Xiao-Qing Guan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Rodent Species ◽

Polymerase Gene ◽

Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽

Reading Frame ◽

Genome Recombination ◽

Genomic Complexity ◽

Viral Subtype ◽

Rna Polymerase Gene ◽

Eothenomys Miletus

Abstract To better understand the genetic diversity, host associations and evolution of coronaviruses (CoVs) in China we analyzed a total of 696 rodents encompassing 16 different species sampled from Zhejiang and Yunnan provinces. Based on reverse transcriptase PCR-based CoV screening of fecal samples and subsequent sequence analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene, we identified CoVs in diverse rodent species, comprising Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus chevrieri, Apodemus latronum, Bandicota indica, Eothenomys cachinus, Eothenomys miletus, Rattus andamanensis, Rattus norvegicus, and Rattus tanezumi. CoVs were particularly commonplace in A. chevrieri, with a detection rate of 12.44 per cent (24/193). Genetic and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of three groups of CoVs carried by a range of rodents that were closely related to the Lucheng Rn rat CoV (LRNV), China Rattus CoV HKU24 (ChRCoV_HKU24), and Longquan Rl rat CoV (LRLV) identified previously. One newly identified A. chevrieri-associated virus closely related to LRNV lacked an NS2 gene. This virus had a similar genetic organization to AcCoV-JC34, recently discovered in the same rodent species in Yunnan, suggesting that it represents a new viral subtype. Notably, additional variants of LRNV were identified that contained putative non-structural (NS)2b genes located downstream of the NS2 gene that were likely derived from the host genome. Recombination events were also identified in the open reading frame (ORF) 1a gene of Lijiang-71. In sum, these data reveal the substantial genetic diversity and genomic complexity of rodent-borne CoVs, and extend our knowledge of these major wildlife virus reservoirs.

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Structural and functionnal analysis of burrows of three rodent species in wheat fields in sandy and loamy soils in Punjab (India)

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mamm-2003-0419 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

Author(s):

D.K. Kocher ◽

V.R. Parshad

Keyword(s):

Rodent Species

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Contrasting effects of fire on populations of two small rodent species in fragments of Atlantic Forest in Brazil

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467403001093 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 225-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Marcos de Souza Lima Figueiredo ◽

Fernando Antonio dos Santos Fernandez

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Feedback System ◽

Rodent Species ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Small Rodent ◽

Forest Species ◽

The Core ◽

Higher Temperature ◽

Disturbed Habitats

Habitat fragmentation causes a sharp increase in the forested area affected by edge effects (Murcia 1995). Compared with the core of the forest, edges present higher litterfall rates, air and soil humidity reduction, higher temperature and increased wind incidence (Bierregaard et al. 1992, Didham & Lawton 1999, Laurance et al. 1998, Matlack 1993). These features of edges may increase the probability of fire occurrence, especially if the surrounding vegetation is composed of grasses (D'Antonio & Vitousek 1992, Freifelder et al. 1998). After a fire, the damaged edge will grow substantial amounts of herbaceous vegetation, extending the inflammable area into the forest, and thereby creating a positive feedback system of fire susceptibility and intensity (Cochrane & Schulze 1999, Cochrane et al. 1999). Fires may affect the structure and composition of the vegetation (Cochrane & Schulze 1999, Didham & Lawton 1999, Sanaiotti & Magnusson 1995), favouring, in the long-term, the dominance of the community by species characteristic of disturbed habitats and making the habitat unsuitable to primary forest species (Malcolm 1994, Possingham et al. 1994). Unfortunately, there are few studies on the effects of fires on neotropical small-mammal populations (Borchert & Hansen 1983, Ojeda 1989, Vieira & Marinho-Filho 1998). The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of a fire on populations of two rodent species, Akodon cursor (Winge) and Oecomys concolor (Wagner) in two fragments of Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

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