Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Charlotte E. Hacker, Matthew Jevit, Shafqat Hussain, Ghulam Muhammad, Bariushaa Munkhtsog, Bayaraa Munkhtsog, Yuguang Zhang, Diqiang Li, Yanlin Liu, John D. Farrington, Farida Balbakova, Azat Alamanov, Omurbek Kurmanaliev, Chimeddorj Buyanaa, Gantulga Bayandonoi, Munkhtogtokh Ochirjav, Xuchang Liang, Xiaoxing Bian, Byron Weckworth, Rodney Jackson, Jan E. Janecka
Summary: The study applied next-generation sequencing technology to analyze the diet of snow leopards using DNA metabarcoding, revealing a diverse range of prey species consumed, including both wild and domestic animals. Results showed that regionally specific wild prey play a crucial role in sustaining snow leopard populations, although livestock also make up a significant portion of their diet in certain areas.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Krista Van der Linde, Ingrid N. Visser, Rick Bout, Chris Lalas, Lara Shepherd, David Hocking, Brittany Finucci, Jim Fyfe, Matthew Pinkerton
Summary: Leopard seals in New Zealand have been found to prey on chondrichthyans, including elephantfish, ghost sharks, and spiny dogfish, with certain individuals targeting this type of prey. This indicates that chondrichthyans could be a substantial part of some leopard seals' diet in the region, highlighting their role in the wider marine ecosystem.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Liulu Yang, Hongjie Ren, Niuping Zhu, Shilin Xin, Gaohui Mao, Yiheng Ma, Junbao Li, Qunchao Liang, Yurong Yang, Jose Maria Requena
Summary: In this study conducted in China, it was found that 8 out of 13 non-human primates were confirmed to be infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Among them, 1 out of 5 New World monkeys tested positive for T. gondii antibodies, and 3 out of 5 tested positive for T. gondii DNA. Furthermore, 4 out of 7 Old World monkeys tested positive for T. gondii antibodies, and 5 out of 7 tested positive for T. gondii DNA.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lana Muller, Willem Daniel Briers-Louw, Barbara Catharine Seele, Christiaan Stefanus Lochner, Rajan Amin
Summary: This study estimated the low leopard density and population size in the Western Cape, South Africa, with higher uncertainty in the locations of activity centers for male leopards. Livestock depredation events were significantly higher in winter, suggesting the need for intense monitoring of human-carnivore conflict mitigation measures during this season. Future conservation efforts should focus on privately-owned land, which contains the majority of suitable leopard habitat.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Reuven Yosef, Swapnil Kumbhojkar, Bablu Gurjar, Jakub Z. Kosicki
Summary: The earth's geomagnetic field influences the behavior of animals, including navigation, migration, territoriality, etc. This study found that Indian leopards align their bodies on the north-south axis during defecation according to the geomagnetic field, but no such preference was observed when walking.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Reuven Yosef, Swapnil Kumbhojkar, Bablu Gurjar, Jakub Z. Kosicki
Summary: The earth's geomagnetic field influences a wide range of animal behaviors, but little is known about its effects on felids. A study on Indian Leopards showed that they aligned their bodies on the north-south axis during defecation, demonstrating sensitivity to geomagnetic field during basic physiological activities.
Review
Ecology
Harshad Karandikar, Mitchell W. Serota, Wilson C. Sherman, Jennifer R. Green, Guadalupe Verta, Claire Kremen, Arthur D. Middleton
Summary: Large carnivores, such as pumas, are crucial in terrestrial ecosystems, but their range has significantly decreased in the past two centuries. Understanding the diets of large carnivores is the first step in comprehending their ecological roles and addressing conservation challenges. Pumas have a diverse diet and show flexibility in consuming various prey species, with their diet changing according to habitat, environmental conditions, and human activity. Maintaining intact native prey assemblages is essential for their conservation.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christina J. Campbell, Aleksey Maro, Victoria Weaver, Robert Dudley
Summary: This study found that black-handed spider monkeys consume ethanol through the fruits of Spondias mombin on Barna Colorado Island, Panama. The ethanol content in partially consumed fruits that were dropped by monkeys was typically in the range of 1-2%. Urine samples from the monkeys tested positive for ethanol metabolites.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
N. Mahar, B. Habib, S. A. Hussain
Summary: A study conducted in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in India from 2015 to 2017 revealed that free-ranging dogs pose a threat to livestock and wildlife, which affects the livelihoods of local residents and endangers endangered species. Effective measures are needed to manage the dog populations and protect the biodiversity and local livelihoods.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rajesh Malla, Saroj Panthi, Hari Adhikari, Shiva Pariyar, Rishi Baral, Rukmagat Subedi, Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, Mahesh Poudel, Nischal Sedhai, Megharaj Poudel
Summary: This study assessed the suitable habitats and anthropogenic impacts on Asiatic black bears, common leopards, musk deer, and snow leopards in and outside the protected areas of Gandaki Province, Nepal. The results showed that most of the suitable habitat for common leopards and Asiatic black bears were outside the protected areas, while for musk deer and snow leopards were inside the protected areas. Elevation and distance to water were found to be the most important variables determining habitat suitability for different species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anais Remili, Rune Dietz, Christian Sonne, Sara J. Iverson, Denis Roy, Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid, Haley Land-Miller, Adam F. Pedersen, Melissa A. McKinney
Summary: Accurate diet estimates are necessary to understand the dynamics of food webs in ecosystems, especially for apex predators like cetaceans. In this study, the researchers developed and validated a cetacean-specific quantitative fatty acid analysis method for killer whales. The method was found to be effective in estimating killer whale diets using full blubber samples, and it has the potential to provide new insights into the diet dynamics of free-ranging cetaceans.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Livia Schaeffler, Peter M. Kappeler, John M. Halley
Summary: The study reveals that the coexistence of two ecologically similar mouse lemur species in the central Menabe region of Madagascar relies on complex density-mediated interspecific processes that vary with season and habitat quality. This insight has major implications for biodiversity conservation and highlights the importance of understanding interspecific interactions to maintain the stability of animal assemblages.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Silmi, Kharisma Putra, Ali Amran, Mahfud Huda, Aldino Fauzil Fanani, Birute Mary Galdikas, Prima S. Anggara, Carl Traeholt
Summary: The study found that leopard cats thrive in oil palm habitats and are effective in controlling rats, thus offering a solution to replace costly and environmentally harmful chemical rat poisons.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liron Goren, Tal Idan, Sigal Shefer, Micha Ilan
Summary: Polychaetes are common marine organisms, with stable, diverse and specialized communities living in sponges. Studies show that the trophic structure of sponge-associated polychaetes is consistent across the entire Mediterranean, with taxonomically related species forming these communities. These results indicate a well-adapted, non-transient assembly of polychaetes in sponges.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amelia E. H. Bridges, David K. A. Barnes, James B. Bell, Rebecca E. Ross, Kerry L. Howell
Summary: This study characterized the benthic assemblage composition of seamounts and oceanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, finding distinct differences between temperate and tropical regions, with latitude and depth identified as key environmental drivers. Faunal assemblages are similar to those observed in the North Atlantic in terms of functional groups.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jun Wang, Peter Damerell, Kun Shi, Philip Riordan, Kebiao Zhu, Xiaohu Wang, Peng Wang, Aishanjiang Reheman, Jianwei Yang
RANGELAND ECOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
(2019)
Article
Biology
Aurelio F. Malo, Tania C. Gilbert, Philip Riordan
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Mohamed Wassim Hizem, Philip Riordan, Haithem El-Farhati, Lazhar Hamdi, Said Nouira
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lauren J. Hale, Kun Shi, Tania C. Gilbert, Kelvin S-H Peh, Philip Riordan
Summary: The study evaluated the Asian elephant population in the Nangunhe National Nature Reserve in China, revealing a total population size of around 20 individuals, with a strong bias towards females and a relatively high effective density. Most elephants associated in one herd, but some adult females remained separate. The authors suggest implementing a managed metapopulation approach to ensure the continued survival of remnant elephant populations like Nangunhe in China and beyond.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Chawki Najjar, Belhassen Kaabi, Hend Younsi, Marie Petretto, Philip Riordan, Elyes Zhioua
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Luciano Atzeni, Samuel A. Cushman, Defeng Bai, Jun Wang, Pengju Chen, Kun Shi, Philip Riordan
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Joseph P. Lambert, Robyn P. Geldard, Li Yibin, Shi Kun, Philip Riordan
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2020)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Mohamed Khalil Meliane, Amira Saidi, Mohamed Boufaroua, Marie Petretto, Philip Riordan, Tania Gilbert
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Luciano Atzeni, Samuel A. Cushman, Jun Wang, Philip Riordan, Kun Shi, David Bauman
Summary: Spatial genetic patterns of snow leopard population in the Qilian mountains of China were characterized using spatially explicit indices of diversity and Principal Component Analysis. The genetic patterns showed significant spatial structure, with broad geographical division and fine-scale cline of differentiation. The study highlights the importance of considering spatial factors in understanding genetic diversity and isolation effects in wildlife populations.
Article
Economics
Kirsten Davies, Michelle Lim, Tianbao Qin, Philip Riordan
Summary: This article calls for proactive protection of the natural environment and its regenerative systems as the first step in preventing future epidemics and pandemics. It identifies the need for a legal shift towards incorporating international environmental agreements to prevent viral spillover from animal to human populations. The paper proposes strengthening existing agreements and integrating legal disciplines, such as health and environmental law, to enhance the emergence and management of future pandemics and epidemics. It introduces the concept of Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS) Law and advocates for the development of a Convention on Epidemics and Pandemics.
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS-POLITICS LAW AND ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chelsea Smith, Tania C. Gilbert, Tim Woodfine, Alex Kraaijeveld, Geoffrey Chege, David Kimiti, Belinda Low-Mackey, Mathew Mutinda, Shadrack Ngene, Dan Rubenstein, Anthony Wandera, Philip Riordan
Summary: Land degradation, competition with livestock, infrastructure development, and climate change have reduced habitat availability and population connectivity for many wildlife species, particularly large herbivores. The study on Grevy's zebra highlights the decline in population connectivity and offers insights for conservation strategies for other threatened species. Data on the movement patterns of Grevy's zebra can inform habitat management and conservation actions, not only for this species but also for other large herbivores in similar environments worldwide.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
News Item
Biodiversity Conservation
Kate Tointon
Article
Ecology
Mohamed Khalil Meliane, Marie Petretto, Amira Saidi, Philip Riordan, Tim Woodfine, Hela Guedara, Sassi Mahdhi, Tania Gilbert
Summary: Slender-horned gazelles in North Africa are experiencing extensive poaching pressure, with their main remaining population patch located between Tunisia and Algeria. Difficult terrain and strict permitting requirements limit access to their distribution range in both countries. A combination of aerial and ground surveys revealed the presence of a slender-horned gazelle population in Tunisia, but immediate intervention is needed to prevent further decline. Ex-situ conservation and continuous monitoring of the wild range are recommended.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
News Item
Biodiversity Conservation
Mohamed Khalil Meliane, Amira Saidi, Marie Petretto, Tim Woodfine, Philip Riordan, Tania Gilbert, Ezzedine Taghouti, Hela Guidara
Article
Ecology
Nadia Sitas, Zuzana V. Harmackova, Jonathan A. Anticamara, Almut Arneth, Ruchi Badola, Reinette Biggs, Ryan Blanchard, Lluis Brotons, Matthew Cantele, Kaera Coetzer, Rajarshi DasGupta, Eefje den Belder, Sonali Ghosh, Antoine Guisan, Haripriya Gundimeda, Maike Hamann, Paula A. Harrison, Shizuka Hashimoto, Jennifer Hauck, Brian J. Klatt, Kasper Kok, Rainer M. Krug, Aidin Niamir, Patrick J. O'Farrell, Sana Okayasu, Ignacio Palomo, Laura M. Pereira, Philip Riordan, Fernando Santos-Martin, Odirilwe Selomane, Yunne-Jai Shin, Mireia Valle
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2019)