Influence of intrinsic and extrinsic attributes on neonate survival in an invasive large mammal

Understanding factors influencing survival of neonates for wild species is important for successful management, particularly for determining drivers of population dynamics. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are invasive and populations are rapidly increasing in part due to high reproductive capacity. Survival of adults is generally high, however, survival of piglets, and particularly neonates, is largely unknown. We located neonates at the natal nest and quantified survival in relation to individual and maternal biological attributes, and environmental variables. During 2017–2020, we captured 50 neonates from 13 litters and documented 28 mortalities (56%) over six weeks. Survival was positively influenced by pelage coloration, likely as a form of camouflage from predators. Male neonates had higher survival. They were born larger than females, which could be beneficial for thermoregulation and competition for milk. Neonates born to larger sows had lower survival. Sow size was positively correlated with litter size, and this finding may reflect the increased nutritional demands of sustaining large litters, or difficulties in defending more neonates against predators. Neonates born in warmer months had higher survival than those born in cooler months. Neonates are inefficient thermoregulators, thus being born in warmer months could be beneficial for maintaining homeostasis as well as access to more food resources. These are the largest and most complete data for neonate wild pig survival and will inform population models for the development of management strategies to reduce negative impacts of this destructive invasive species on native ecosystems.

Population census and age category character of Stump-tailed macaque, Macaca arctoides, in Northern Peninsular Malaysia

Syamil AR, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Amsah MA, Abdul-Latiff MAB, Md-Zain BM. 2019. Population census and age category character of Stump-tailed macaque, Macaca arctoides, in Northern Peninsular Malaysia. Biodiversitas 20: 2446-2452. Macaca arctoides is reported to be distributed only in the northern part of Malay Peninsula. Intensive scientific observations have never been carried out before on this neglected macaque in the northern range. Thus, in this article, an estimation of population data on the Malaysian stump-tailed macaques that were found in Wang Kelian forest areas in Perlis State Park, Malaysia is presented. Intensive field observations were conducted from Sept 2018 to January 2019 with scanning sampling. The study revealed a total of 171-176 stump-tailed macaques, consisting of 44 (25%) adult males, 28 (16%) adult females, 19-22 (11%) sub-adult males, 16-19 (10%) sub-adult females, 43 (25%) juveniles, and 21-23 (13%) infants. Two main groups were observed, which were the Nomad and the Batat groups. Their ranging areas appear to sometimes overlap each other, while some Nomad members were observed in the Batat group. The age structure can be differentiated through body size and pelage coloration. The stump-tailed macaque populations in Wang Kelian are sensitive to human presence, while their habitat area is threatened by human illegal poaching activities. More conservation efforts are needed to conserve this neglected macaque from local extinction.

A new species of Sturnira (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from the Choco forest of Ecuador

Sturnira perla, the new species described herein, is diagnosed as an independent phylogenetic lineage in hypotheses derived from mitochondrial sequences, and shows acceptable distances in terms of genetic divergence. This description also relies on the statistical interpretation of morphological dissimilarity and overlap, and avoids qualitative judgments of character variation. Overall, this new species is characterized by a spherical skull, noticeable round and robust, with pronouncedly curved zygomatic arches. Statistical evidence that supports the discrimination of other species in Sturnira, based on external characters such as pelage coloration or number of hairs, is absent in the literature. In this sense, the geometry of the skull for this newly described species shows the sharpest morphological boundaries, relative to other closely related and sympatric taxa. This new species is likely endemic to the Choco forest, specially at its southern limits. This is an area known for its high levels of endemism. The magnitude of environmental disruption in the Choco and the potential rarity of this new species may be negatively affecting its probability of survival.

Contrasting coloration in terrestrial mammals

Here I survey, collate and synthesize contrasting coloration in 5000 species of terrestrial mammals focusing on black and white pelage. After briefly reviewing alternative functional hypotheses for coloration in mammals, I examine nine colour patterns and combinations on different areas of the body and for each mammalian taxon to try to identify the most likely evolutionary drivers of contrasting coloration. Aposematism and perhaps conspecific signalling are the most consistent explanations for black and white pelage in mammals; background matching may explain white pelage. Evidence for contrasting coloration is being involved in crypsis through pattern blending, disruptive coloration or serving other functions, such as signalling dominance, lures, reducing eye glare or in temperature regulation has barely moved beyond anecdotal stages of investigation. Sexual dichromatism is limited in this taxon and its basis is unclear. Astonishingly, the functional significance of pelage coloration in most large charismatic black and white mammals that were new to science 150 years ago still remains a mystery.

Pelage coloration of breeding crabeater seals Lobodon carcinophaga (Carnivora: Phocidae).

Pelage colouration of the crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga) which occupies the Antarctic pack-ice zone were studied during on breeding sites in the spring (October- November) of 1985 and and 1987. Colour categories for the dorsum and venter graded from silve-white through silver-gery to dark grey and dark brown. Aerial observation over Enderby Land indicated that the males were usually paler than the females. Females, but not males, were commonly dappled on the trunk.

A high mountain population of the ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta on the Andringitra Massif, Madagascar

The ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta is generally considered to be a species of dry deciduous forest, gallery forest and spiny thorn scrub at relatively low altitudes. During a survey of the summit zone of the Andringitra Massif, one of the most climatically extreme areas on Madagascar, we recorded this species above the tree-line at 2520 m in an area composed mostly of exposed rock, low ericoid bush and subalpine vegetation. Information was collected on food plants consumed by this species. This pelage coloration of the local population of L. catta differed from museum specimens and photographs taken from other areas of this species's range. The taxonomic status of the Andringitra population is in need of further study.