First photographic record of albinism in Baiomys taylori (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Cases of albinism have been reported in less than 2% of living rodent species. Here, we report the first description of complete albinism in Baiomys taylori along with photographic evidence. This adult female was captured on three occasions as part of a long-term small mammal study on rangelands of extreme southern Texas. The individual was developing teats upon the third capture, an early sign of pregnancy. Despite selective pressures against albino phenotypes, this animal was able to survive to adulthood and potentially pass its albino alleles to offspring.

Photographic record of Dholes predating on a young Banteng in southwestern Java, Indonesia

A long-term camera-trap study of the Javan Rhinoceros in 2013 in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP), Indonesia, allowed us to document the first photographic evidence of Dholes preying on a young Banteng and other species. Our photographs suggested that Dholes get in large packs to predate on Banteng and commonly separate young from adults when attacking the young. Future research should examine the Dhole diet and interspecific relationships between Dhole and Banteng to gain a better understanding of the ecological impacts of endangered predators on endangered prey in UKNP.

A rare photographic record of Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra with a note on its habitat from the Bhagirathi Basin, western Himalaya, India

The Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra is an elusive, solitary animal that has one of the widest distributions of all palearctic mammals. Once widely distributed in Asia, the Eurasian Otter population is now vulnerable to urbanization, pollution, poaching, and dam construction. Eurasian Otter distribution in the Indian Himalayan rivers is little explored, and information from this high-altitude riverine ecosystem is sparse. This publication reports a rare photographic record of the Eurasian Otter which confirms its presence in the high-altitude temperate forest of the Upper Bhagirathi Basin, western Himalayan region. The otter was recorded during investigations of terrestrial and aquatic fauna in the Bhagirathi Basin (7,586 km2, 500–5,000 m) of Uttarakhand State, India from October 2015 to May 2019. Among aquatic fauna, Brown Trout were found to be abundant in high altitude river stretches, with a catch per unit effort of 1.02 kg h–1. Additionally, 26 families of freshwater macroinvertebrates underscored a rich diet available for the Brown Trout, which in turn is a potential food source for the otters. The riverine ecosystem is undergoing dramatic changes because of the increasing demand for hydropower plants in the Bhagirathi Basin. Although mitigation measures are currently in place for fish, the presence of otters further necessitates the need for targeted management for high-altitude Himalayan rivers. There is an imperative need for intensive otter surveys using methods such as camera traps in riparian habitats along the Bhagirathi River and its tributaries.

Expeditions around Stalin’s prison camps: from Yakutsk to Magadan

The article presents the materials of seven expeditions made by the author and his fellow architects from 2012 to 2021 around Stalin’s prison camps located in the territory from Yakutsk to Magadan. Researchers performed photographic record of the remains of camp buildings of various types and wooden bridges with unique design, described mines where prisoners mined tungsten and other minerals essential to the defense of the country. The article presents measurements of bridges, camp buildings, civil objects and author's photographs of the given objects.

Understanding the Role of the Exodus in the Institutionalization and Dismantling of Apartheid: Considering the Paradox of Justice and Injustice in the Exodus

The Exodus played an explicit and implicit role in sustaining the policy and practice of apartheid in South Africa and in various other places that went through the pains of colonization. Interestingly, the same Exodus also played a central part in the resistance to and the subsequent dismantling of the apartheid policy and practice in South Africa. That readers on both sides of the divide found solace in the Exodus was put down to the common assumption that guided both parties. The assumption of historicity caused the Exodus to be read as if it were a photographic record of what happened and the experience of oppression and discrimination by the readers assigned the Exodus a historical status for speaking to a historical situation. The assumption of historicity was central in the destructive uses of the Exodus thereby creating a cycle of oppressed–oppressors across the African continent, as groups took turns to seek out their own advantage. An assumption of justice was proposed as an alternative guiding principle through which justice for all, in line with pivotal events of the Old Testament, can be realized in the world.

New country records for species of Boraginaceae and Lamiaceae in the Horn of Africa hotspot

Cystostemon heliocharis (Boraginaceae), previously known from Yemen and Somalia, is reported from Ethiopia, and a photograph of the species is provided. Trichodesma stocksii (Boraginaceae), previously known from Pakistan, Iran, and Oman, is reported from Yemen, and a drawing based on a Yemeni collection is provided. Clerodendrum hildebrandtii (Lamiaceae), previously known from Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, is reported from Ethiopia, based on a photographic record. Distribution maps showing the total distribution of these three species are presented.

Photographic record of Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor (Aves: Phoenicopteridae) in Ramganga river, Bareilly, India

Photographic record of Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor in Ramganga river, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. This is the first photographic record and northern most distribution of Lesser Flamingo from India.

First photographic record of Mishmi Takin Budorcus taxicolor taxicolor and Red Goral Nemorhaedus baileyi from Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India

This study presents a first photographic record of two ungulate species Red Goral Nemorhaedus bailey and Mishmi Takin Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor in Kamlang Tiger Reserve. This area has a high potential for sustaining many endemic and endangered species but unfortunately is less studied due to the complexity of terrain and a paucity of funds. This article establishes a baseline information with the help of advanced technology such as camera trapping and motivates further scientific survey in the region.