Tesi sul tema "Behaviour of mammals"

Titi monkeys have long been known for their complex vocal behaviour with numerous high- and low-pitched calls, which can be uttered singly or combined in more complex structures. However, up to date very little is known concerning the function, meaning and context-specific use of these vocal utterances, and virtually nothing is known about their vocalisations in the predation context. This thesis presents a detailed description of the form and function of the anti-predator behaviour of one species of titi monkeys, the black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons), with a specific focus on their alarm call behaviour. A second aim was to determine the exact mechanisms of alarm calling behaviour, with an emphasis on production and comprehension. Data were collected from several habituated groups in the Caraça Reserve, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Results showed that, when detecting predator species, C nigrifrons produce sequences that initially contain two types of brief, high-pitched calls with distinct frequency contours. Further evidence suggested that some of these sequences are meaningful to conspecific receivers, by indicating the general predator class and location of threat. There were also indications that, within the terrestrial threats, additional information may be encoded by acoustic and compositional differences. Analyses of call order and number of calls per sequence suggested that callers may be able to convey information on both predator type and location. The black-fronted titi monkeys’ vocal system thus provides a further example of zoo-syntax, in which acoustically fixed units of a vocal repertoire are combined into higher order sequences that are meaningful to recipients. According to current definitions, this type of calling behaviour qualifies as functionally referential, by indicating general predator class, terrestrial predator type and location. As such, this is the first empirical demonstration of a sequence-based alarm call system that conveys information on both predator category and location.

There is evidence that the presence of the visiting public affects the behaviour of zoo-housed mammals. Understanding the effect of visitors is important in improving animal welfare, achieving zoo conservation goals, increasing visitor education/entertainment, and facilitating interpretation of data on zoo animal biology. A series of studies and experiments focusing on the effect of zoo visitors on captive mammal behaviour is presented. The influence of visitor density on a range of primates and large carnivores is examined. Methodological concerns regarding the operational definition of visitor density in the literature are expressed and a clarification of terms which may be helpful when comparing previous research is provided. Visitor noise data, using an objective measure of the variable, and its relationship to visitor density are also presented. External and internal visual barriers between visitors and zoo animals were hypothesised to moderate the visitor effect and enrich the environment of the study groups. Camouflage nets mounted on the outside of enclosure viewing windows had little impact on primate or felid behaviour, with the exception of the Sumatran orangutan group, who showed a trend toward decreased social play in the presence of the external barrier. Polar bear behaviour showed evidence of an enriched environment, with trends toward increased levels of swimming and decreased levels of resting. An internal visual barrier, which prevented visitors from having visual contact with the golden lion tamarins when the nonhuman primates were behind it, was also tested and elicited more extensive trends toward behavioural change than did the nets. Both Sumatran orangutans and zoo visitors were provided with a similar puzzle feeder in an effort to enrich the orangutan enclosure, and improve the visitor experience. It was hypothesised that the orangutans might be stimulated by watching visitors manipulate the device, but this did not occur. Orangutan use of the puzzle feeder within their enclosure was also unaffected. Olfactory stimuli were introduced into primate and felid enclosures and visitor viewing areas to investigate the role olfaction may play in the visitor effect. Although olfactory stimuli had an extensive significant effect on the behaviour of the study groups when it was introduced into the enclosure, there was little change when visitors were associated with the olfactory stimuli which suggest there may not be an olfactory visitor effect in primates or felids. The effect of visitors on petting zoo-housed mixed-breed goats, llama, and Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs was studied and compared to their behaviour without the presence of visitors. The goats were unaffected and the llama showed only a trend toward decreased levels of sitting in the presence of visitors. The Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs were significantly affected by the presence of visitors, exhibiting decreased inactivity and social behaviour. The hypothesis that a sustained absence of visitors would result in a more intense visitor effect was tested and was not supported by the data. An additional experiment investigating the effect of visitor grooming on the petting zoo study species showed that, while visitors spent more time interacting with the animals in the grooming condition, xiv the behaviour of the study animals indicated that they did not find visitor grooming rewarding. Data on the interaction between visitor density and the various experimental techniques tested here indicate that visitor density may impact animal response to environmental enrichment, supporting previous findings in the literature. In the presence of visual barriers, foraging devices, and olfactory stimuli, the relationship between animal behaviour and visitor density changed significantly, both qualitatively and quantitatively. These results suggest that collecting visitor density data when testing environmental enrichment techniques could be helpful when assessing their effectiveness, ultimately improving the welfare of zoo-housed mammals. Based on the data presented here, in conjunction with the literature, a closing discussion outlines proposed refinements to the visitor effect research guidelines published by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (2005).

The aim of this project was to study the nature and relative proportion of the volatile components in the sternal-gland secretions obtained from a wide range of Australian marsupials.The results obtained were then used to investigate the evolution of semiochemicals in Australian marsupials by using the current phylogenetic tree as a template.The initial part of the study was dedicated to the investigation of some of the techniques available for the sampling and analysis of gland secretions. Individuals from 8 families within the Marsupialia and 1 family from the Monotremata were sampled over an 18 month period.The obtained results were then subjected to multivariate statistical analysis followed by cladistic analysis.In several species the secretion composition was found to be affected by the breeding status of individuals for both genders.Many other factors such as animal-age, hierarchical status, diet,and lifestyle were also observed to affect the secretion composition. Finally, cladistic analysis demonstrated the differences in the levels of divergence at the species, familial and ordinal levels and highlighted secretion components that could be used to differentiate between super families, species and even sexual status of individuals.
Master of Science (Hons)

Understanding the natural behaviour and coexistence of species is important for the conservation of intact ecosystems, and behavioural studies can enhance our knowledge of processes such as communication and competition. I investigated the social dynamics and scent-marking behaviour of spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), and the occurrence of interspecific olfactory eavesdropping among African mammals, within the Okavango Delta ecosystem of Botswana. First, social network analysis found that the hyaena population was comprised of five main clans that maintained territories but whose home ranges overlapped considerably. Scavenging at large carcasses involved associations between individuals from different clans and resulted in relative tolerance toward territorial intruders. Second, observations of communal latrine use found that latrines are likely involved in territorial advertisement by hyaena clans, and cyclical patterns of latrine growth and decline were linked to annual rainfall. Third, a translocation experiment showed that hyaena scats appear to be less important for hyaena communication than other cues associated with latrines, especially as hyaenas did not differ in their behaviour towards scat originating from latrines located in resident versus non-resident clan home ranges. Heterospecific mammals investigated, scent-marked, and were vigilant at hyaena latrines, suggesting a potential function for hyaena latrines in interspecific eavesdropping and/or communication. Fourth, a urine presentation experiment found that the investigation of sympatric predator urine by African mammals stimulated vigilance behaviour, suggesting that olfactory signals provide information about predation risk. Hyaenas exhibited context-specific differences in behaviour towards predator urine: they were more likely to investigate urine samples alongside indicators of predator activity (i.e. carrion odour, carcasses) and were most likely to exhibit vigilance at carcasses when exposed to urine from lions and wild dogs. This study greatly enhanced our understanding of spotted hyaena behaviour within the Okavango Delta, an important ecosystem for the conservation of African large predators. Furthermore, this study provided the first experimental evidence of the role of hyaena scats in intraspecific communication and interspecific olfactory eavesdropping at latrines. My research findings regarding the population’s clan structure and home ranges will form the foundation for subsequent investigation into human-wildlife conflict in the study area. Furthermore, the results from two scent experiments shed light on the potential importance of olfactory signals for mediating interspecific interactions among African mammals, particularly among large predators.

The diversification of eutherian mammals following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction was a critical period in evolutionary history. The Palaeocene is marked by the proliferation of archaic mammals which exhibit a mosaic of primitive and derived anatomies and whose phylogenetic affinities with extant mammals remain contentious. Consequently, macroevolutionary studies assessing the timing and recovery of eutherian mammals following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction are inhibited by our relatively poor knowledge of the mammals which thrived during the Palaeocene. One group of Palaeocene mammals in particular, the ‘Condylarthra’ have proven especially enigmatic and, as historically conceived, includes families of ungulate-grade mammals some of which are considered the ancestral stock from which modern perissodactyls and artiodactyls arose. The Periptychidae are a distinctive ‘condylarth’ family and were among the first mammals to appear after the extinction. As such they constitute an excellent empirical case study towards resolving the evolutionary relationships and understanding the palaeobiology of Palaeocene mammals. The overarching aim of this thesis has been to generate a comprehensive higher-level phylogenetic hypothesis of Periptychidae and shed light on the species-level interrelationships of taxa historically identified as periptychids and other ‘condylarth’ exemplars. This aim has been achieved by the undertaking a comprehensive anatomical re-description of the archetypal periptychid, Periptychus carinidens, based on a wealth of new fossils recovered from the San Juan Basin in New Mexico, USA. The anatomical information described in this thesis has also facilitated a greater understanding of ecology and functional morphology of Periptychus and its kin. Periptychus carinidens was a medium-sized, robust, stout-limbed animal that was mediportal and adopted a plantigrade mode of locomotion. The cranial and dental anatomy of Periptychus is broadly concurrent with the inferred plesiomorphic eutherian condition albeit more robust in its overall construction. The broad facial region, tall sagittal and nuchal crests and distinctive dentition with strong enamel crenulations and compressive wear are likely indicative of durophagous diet made up of dense, fibrous, plant-based food stuffs. The postcranial skeleton of Periptychus is a miscellany of morphologies with often paradoxical functional implications. Despite its robustness, Periptychus retained a moderately high degree of multiaxial movement and dexterity in its limbs with prominent muscle attachment sites indicative of powerful, non-rapid limb movements. Well-developed manual and digital flexors and extensors are further indicative of some scansorial and fossorial capability. Periptychus and other Palaeocene mammals are characterised by their robust anatomy and tend to lack any obvious extant analogues impeding our understanding of eutherian ecological diversity during the Palaeocene and the roles of many so-called ‘archaic’ mammals. Multivariate analyses on a dataset of functionally significant limb measurements show that Palaeocene mammals exhibit a distinct and more constrained range of locomotor ability defined by their prevalent robust morphology. However, there are subtle distinctions between archaic taxa indicating ecomorphical diversity possibly due to niche partitioning, that are not easily comparable to extant mammals. This suggests that, far from being generalized ancestral stock, Palaeocene taxa were experimenting with their own unique locomotor styles. The extinction of many archaic groups at the end of the Palaeogene is associated with a trend towards increasingly open habitats, which was less conducive to the survivorship of robust, ambulatory mammals. The anatomy of Periptychus combines a basic early placental body plan with numerous unique specialisations in its dental, cranial and postcranial anatomy that not only exemplify the ability of mammals to adapt and evolve following catastrophic environmental upheaval but provide a prime exemplar by which to tackle the taxonomic and systematic conundrum that is ‘Condylarthra’. A cladistic analysis was conducted to determine the phylogenetic affinities of Periptychidae within Placentalia. 141 taxa were scored for 503 characters including 40 periptychid species and 63 novel characters. The dataset was analysed under parsimony optimality criteria and the resulting phylogeny shows a well resolved strict consensus topology with numerous well-supported relationships which help elucidate periptychid phylogeny. The analysis presented here finds Periptychidae as a monophyletic group to the exclusion of several purported periptychid taxa which are recovered with the ‘arctocyonid’, Baioconodon nordicum. The in-group relationships of Periptychidae are resolved to broadly support the subfamilial arrangement proposed by previous workers. Alticonus is recovered the most basal, unambiguous periptychid taxon. Ampliconus forms a paraphyletic stem from Alticonus to all other unequivocal periptychid taxa. Conacodontinae forms a clade which includes Auraria as the most basal taxon relative to Oxyacodon, which forms a paraphyletic stem to Conacodon. The hypsodont periptychids, Haploconus + Goleroconus form a clade, separate from both ‘Anisonchinae’ and Conacodontinae, both of which they have previously been affiliated to. ‘Anisonchinae’ forms a paraphyletic stem relative to Periptychinae. Mithrandir oligustus is the most basal ‘anisonchine’. Gillisonchus is generically distinct from both Mithrandir and ‘Anisonchus’ due to morphological similarities with Hemithlaeus and the Periptychinae. Periptychinae forms a well-supported clade with Hemithlaeus and Tinuviel resolved to be more closely related to Ectoconus than Periptychus + Carsioptychus. Periptychus is a member of Periptychinae and most closely related to Carsioptychus within Periptychini. The phylogeny reported here indicates that Periptychidae were an incredibly successful family during much of their early history and were particularly prolific during the middle Puercan. Most species were small to medium sized animals; however, members of Periptychinae attained large body sizes within less than half a million years of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Periptychids were prolific during early Puercan, but spent the majority of their evolutionary history exhibiting high turnover, with many short-lived species, with the notable exception of three genera: Anisonchus, Haploconus and Periptychus, which prevailed through the Torrejonian. These periptychids are among the most enduring Palaeocene taxa known and reiterate the importance of the Periptychidae in understanding the recovering and radiation of Placentalia following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

Elephants, as megaherbivores and keystone species have major impacts, both positive and negative, on ecosystems such as the Subtropical Thicket of the Eastern Cape. The feeding behaviour of elephants was quantified so as to firstly determine the preferred feeding heights of elephants, and secondly to determine if feeding behaviour and impact varies with size and sex. The preferred feeding height was determined with experimental feeding trials. Feeding height, pluck size, foraging rate and the proportion of plant material discarded were used to test for differences between elephants of different sizes and sexes in the Addo Elephant National Park. The influence of plant growth form on sex-specific feeding was also considered. Elephants preferred to feed at the lowest heights. The preferred feeding height was not related to body size. A wide range of feeding heights was recorded including and extending beyond, both the preferred and maximum feeding height of co-existing indigenous browsers. There was no difference in feeding height between the sizes and sexes. In free ranging conditions, all elephants fed at levels above the preferred foraging height when browsing. There was no difference in feeding behaviour between the different sized elephants, or between males and females. Adult elephants however exhibited larger ranges of feeding heights, pluck sizes, foraging rates and intake rates, including the maximum and minimum values. Growth form influenced the feeding of male and female elephants differently. Elephant feeding behaviour appears to limit opportunities for resource partitioning by way of feeding height segregation. Elephants are also capable of dominating the browse resources available to co-existing browsers by removing large amounts of forage at lower heights. The extent of elephant impact seems to be comparable between sizes and sexes, although adults and especially larger males are often able to use foraging opportunities that other elephants can not effectively utilize. Findings suggest that the feeding heights of elephants are determined by forage availability and reflect the diet in terms of browse or grass. The findings can be used, together with browse inventory methods, to determine browse resources available to elephants, and can also be used to develop monitoring tools to assess the impacts of elephants on plants.

The aim of this project was to study the nature and relative proportion of the volatile components in the sternal-gland secretions obtained from a wide range of Australian marsupials.The results obtained were then used to investigate the evolution of semiochemicals in Australian marsupials by using the current phylogenetic tree as a template.The initial part of the study was dedicated to the investigation of some of the techniques available for the sampling and analysis of gland secretions. Individuals from 8 families within the Marsupialia and 1 family from the Monotremata were sampled over an 18 month period.The obtained results were then subjected to multivariate statistical analysis followed by cladistic analysis.In several species the secretion composition was found to be affected by the breeding status of individuals for both genders.Many other factors such as animal-age, hierarchical status, diet,and lifestyle were also observed to affect the secretion composition. Finally, cladistic analysis demonstrated the differences in the levels of divergence at the species, familial and ordinal levels and highlighted secretion components that could be used to differentiate between super families, species and even sexual status of individuals.

Marine mammals are in a precarious conservation position because of anthropogenic impacts and historic perceptions that they are a consumable commodity. In light of changing abiotic conditions, further evaluation is needed on the habitat use, behavior, and interactions among marine mammals. Conservation legislation has helped protect species, but the greatest ground swelling may be the advent of the commercial whale watching industry. The feeding grounds in Alaskan waters have made this area a prime tourism location, and these nutrient-rich waters have resulted in a confluence of marine mammal species, including the appealing and abundant humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that may associate with three ecotypes of killer whales (Orcinus orca). These species are interesting because they may travel together to feed on prey or be adversaries in a predator-prey relationship. Using whale watching as a platform, this study evaluated the effects of the presence of these two species separately and together, and of the type of interaction between them, on human perception. Data were collected via opportunistic observations and a retrospective pre- and post-survey instrument. Differences in humpback whale distribution and group size patterns were found relative to killer whale occurrence, although humpback whale behavioral states were unchanged. Changes in passenger conservation attitudes could not be attributed to species and behaviors but they were important determinates to whale watching satisfaction. Overall, more positive conservation attitudes and an increase in knowledge about marine mammals were reported after whale watching. These tours provide an opportunity for collecting meaningful scientific data and providing more in-depth education such as enhancing the appreciation for ecosystem services provided by marine mammals.

Gregarious behavior of ungulates was considered in four ways. The first concern was W. D. Hamilton's hypothesis that a simple movement rule could reduce predation risk and encourage grouping behavior. Simulations showed little effect of this nearest-neighbor rule on predation risk. Similar, more complicated rules reduced predation risk by up to two thirds. The second focus was on the accuracy of ground observers in diagramming individual animal locations in small herds of elk. A remotely controlled airplane was used to photograph the herds from above. A substantial distance discrepancy was found between "true" and "observed" animal locations. This discrepancy increased with group size and was different between observers but not between herds. Observers were better at predicting relative animal locations than absolute animal locations. The third consideration was interanimal spacing in bison herds photographed from an airplane during a three-month period. At later dates photographed herds were located, and cover-sampling methods were adapted to estimate bison visibility in each area. These data were used in linear regression models which explained over two-thirds of the variance in nearest-neighbor distance. Important indicator variables were the number of animals in the herd, a cover measurement, the north and east location of herds, the time photographed, and the fraction of the animals standing. The fourth focus was the development of simulations of simple movement rules used to mimic grouping behavior. Individuals moved according to two simple first nearest-neighbor rules: if within a minimum distance, move directly away, and if outside a maximum distance, move directly toward. Four other rules were used to determine individual states. Two different measurements were made for each simulation run: the overall mean nearest-neighbor distance and the overall mean subgroup size. Results showed that the means and variances of near-neighbor distances decreased as the number of individuals in the simulation increased. Different near-neighbor rules had little effect on mean nearest neighbor distance. All rules produced results similar to each other and different from bison data. A random model was more similar to the bison data.

During the last decades the problems caused by anthropogenic sound and noise in oceans have been recognized in public, by governments, and military. With the use of active sonar, different choices can be made to minimize the risk of damaging or disturbing marine mammals. For this purpose knowledge of sonar disturbance is crucial. There are methods for time or area planning, i.e. when and where to use active sonars, to avoid marine mammals. The purpose of this work is to find information in literature on marine mammal behaviour reactions to the sound of sonar pings, and to evaluate which of two different behavioural models used in risk assessment programs, the “varying response” model and the “avoidance” model, is more correct to use. Main focus is on sonars and marine mammals residing in Sweden, i.e. the harbour porpoise, grey seal, harbour seal and ringed seal. Behavioral results from other research areas such as bycatch, environmental, and strandings, together with other sound sources than sonars and other species, provide a broader picture of the situation in noisy oceans. For the harbor porpoise the “avoidance” model works well. It is a very shy species, which flees fast and far when it comes in contact with new things. With the seals however the “avoidance” model is probably less good, since their responses to sonar differ rather much. Hence, for these taxa we recommend to use the “various” model that takes into account such varying responses.

The link between cognitive challenge and captive animal well-being has received increased interest over the past decade, but so far this link in zoo animals has been overlooked. This is particularly surprising for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) because these two 'large-brained' species have been the subjects of intensive cognitive research in captivity over the past six decades. In this thesis, I ask whether novel maze-like devices which aim to be cognitively challenging (abbreviated to 'devices with a cognitive component', DCCs) can be enriching for a mixed-sex group of chimpanzees and two single-sex groups of dolphins housed in zoos. I design, implement and evaluate two DCCs, and employ a new definition of cognitive enrichment that incorporates cognitive challenge and indicators of positive well-being. I demonstrate that two types of DCC for chimpanzees, one constructed from a grid of transparent cells and one from an array of opaque pipes, could be mastered using a number of problem-solving strategies (Chapter 5 and 6). DCC-use by chimpanzees increased when the DCC was less predictable (Chapter 5), but the relationship between self-directed behaviour and cognitive challenge was not straightforward (Chapter 6). In dolphins, only male subjects used an underwater DCC constructed from an array of opaque pipes, and could reflect a general sex difference in response to a novel situation (Chapter 7). In general, the chimpanzees and dolphins groups I studied showed some signs of enhanced well-being, for example increased environmental exploration and play, during exposure to DCCs. However, other behavioural responses such as increased vigilance in dolphins were difficult to interpret and did not suggest that DCCs were enriching. Both species 'worked' in the absence of food rewards and their success on the tasks (i.e. the removal of food or non-food rewards) had little effect on wellbeing indicators (Chapter 5 - 7). Finally, I demonstrate that lateralised behaviour (preference to perform behaviour using one side of the body) can be incorporated into the study of cognitive enrichment (Chapter 8).

A population of 79 babirusa distributed over 19 zoos in Europe and the United States were the subject of a study of the foraging behaviour, food selection, and digestion of the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa). Stomachs of six adult babirusa and one twelve month old animal were collected from zoological gardens. Gross anatomical and microscopic examination revealed the large size of the stomach (approximately 3000cm2 for adults) and the very large area covered by its cardiac glands (more than 70% of the total stomach's mucosal surface area compared to about 33% in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa)). Mucus was produced in the cardiac glands and micro-organisms were found both in the mucus-gel adhering to the stomach surface and within the stomach lumen. The pH in the lumen of the cardiac gland area of the stomach was between 5.3 and 6.4 which is suitable for the survival of microorganisms. Gastric glands were confined to a small region occupying the distal end of the corpus ventriculi which was named the "gastric unit". A comparative study of the digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter and fibre in a basal barley-soya diet supplemented with different amounts of dried grass was carried out with eight babirusa, eight Large White x Landrace and eight Chinese Meishan pigs using the chromic oxide indicator ratio technique. The digestibility of the Acid Detergent Fibre (= cellulose + lignin) component of grass was less in the babirusa than in the domestic pigs. However, babirusa were able to digest Neutral Detergent Fibre (= hemicellulose + cellulose + lignin) and Organic Matter from the total diet better than the domestic pigs. The foraging and other behaviour of a male and female babirusa when given access to a semi-natural enclosure was recorded using one-minute time scans for six hours per day during five consecutive days. Foraging mainly took the form of walking around with the nose close to or on the ground surface while sniffing. Rooting only took place in that part of the enclosure with very loose sand and was never observed in regions with more compact soil. The two most important food items consumed by the babirusa (in addition to the food that was offered to them by the zoo staff)were bramble leaves and cherry fruits. The animals also demonstrated their ability to carefully select certain plant parts when eating herbs and grasses. The results of these three studies suggested that the babirusa was a nonruminant foregut fermenting frugivore/concentrate selector, specialised in the fermentation of plant solubles and more easily digestible fibres and was able to select those plants and plant parts which are more easily digestible. Information on the diet being fed to babirusa in the 19 zoos indicated that fruits were the items most favoured in captivity. The animals also readily consumed a wide variety of leaves, buds and twigs from branches. The range between zoos in the amounts of total food, dry matter, crude protein, fat, fibre and digestible energy being fed was extremely large. Using prediction equations for domestic pig breeds the energy requirements for the babirusa were estimated to be 11.3 MJ/day for males and 8.5 MJ/day for females and the protein requirements were estimated to be 88g CP/day for males and 59g CP/day for females. These results together with other information gathered from the literature support the view that the main items in the diet of wild babirusa are likely to be fruits and leaves supplemented with smaller amounts of herbs, grass, roots and animal matter.

The demand by ecotourism for easily accessible wildlife encounters has increased the need for regulations to minimise negative effects of tourism on towards marine mammals. High levels of human interaction could have serious consequences for recovering populations of New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri). By monitoring behavioural shifts in reactions to human disturbance, the aim of this study was to determine how disturbance by tourism is affecting the behaviour of the New Zealand fur seals. Fur seal breeding colonies, haul-outs, and a pup nursery were studied on the South Island to determine the level of disturbance. Data collected in this study can be used towards improving monitoring regimes to mitigate negative effects of anthropogenic disturbance. I first used behavioural observations to assess a seal’s behaviour in response to different types of tourist activities. Next, I examined changes in New Zealand fur seal behaviour as a result of visits to colonies by tourist boats. To quantify the response of fur seals to tourist boats, experimental boat approaches were conducted using a before, during, and after instantaneous scan sampling method at two breeding colonies (one with high vessel traffic and one with none). Impact of noise was also investigated using a loud speaker to mimic local harbour tours. Lastly, behavioural observations on seal pups at a nursery were conducted comparing pup behaviour in the presence and absence of tourism along with variable intensities of tourist behaviour. My observations suggest that seal behaviour was significantly different between sites with and without tourist visits. The type of tourism had a significant effect on the behavioural state of seals, with animals more active when there were people walking in the colonies. There were also signs of habituation in some of the study colonies. Since each colony varied in the type of tourism it experienced, it is possible that it is not only the level of tourism that is important but also the type of tourism that has a significant role in eliciting short-term behavioural shifts. Observations from a tour boat revealed an increase in the percentage of seals reacting when vessels were close to the shore. This distance effect was overridden and reactions were greater, however, when tours included commentary via an external speaker. The effects of both distance and noises were significantly different between colonies with high and low levels of tourist visits. Due to the overlap of peak tourist visits with fur seal breeding season, these animals are at their most vulnerable when companies are in peak operation. Finally, as with adults, pup behaviour was also significantly affected by tourism presence. Periods of inactivity and awareness increased in the presence of tourists, which is indicative of disruption of “play” and movement towards more vigilant behaviour. Despite the significant effects of tourist visits I found in this study, there was large variation in the degree of responses in different populations of the fur seal. This variation is thought to be due, in part, by the level of desensitisation, especially at locations with high or continual tourism pressures. This study also provides evidence that fur seal pups subject to human disturbance will alter their behaviour, shifting from active (when people are not around) to inactive and more aware (with increased disturbance). The results presented suggest such visits are not without consequences and that animals can be disturbed by human interactions. Therefore, measures should be taken at all seal colonies used in tourism ventures to mitigate any negative long-term effect on the fur seal populations.

Mid-latitude shelf-seas are highly productive regions that host a rich diversity of animals including large numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. These large vertebrate predators play a crucial role in the functioning of shelf-sea ecosystems. However, the combined effects of multiple anthropogenic stressors are driving unprecedented declines in many of their populations. Mitigating this depends upon effective conservation and integrated ecosystem based approaches to management, which require a comprehensive understanding of the habitat needs of marine predators. The foraging efficiencies of marine predators are closely tied to the availability of a number of oceanographic features. As such, these physical habitats represent critical locations within a species’ range whose preservation and protection should be of high priority. The collection of studies presented in this thesis aims to improve our understanding of the physical oceanographic processes that underlie the at-sea behaviours and distributions of marine mammals and seabirds in coastal and shelf-sea environments. A combination of at-sea boat surveying, animal-borne biologging, satellite remote-sensing, passive acoustics and numerical modelling was used to collect information on the distributions and foraging behaviours of a range of marine predators alongside the bio-physical characteristics of the oceanographic habitats they occupied. These data were then used to (1) examine the use of oceanographic habitats generated around tidal-mixing fronts and coastal topographic structures by a range of piscivorous species including bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, common dolphins Delphinus delphis, harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena and northern gannets Morus bassanus, and (2) identify the physical processes underlying their creation. Original aspects of this work include the examination of the fine-scale bio-physical mechanisms that link marine predators to tidal-mixing fronts and coastal tidal-topographic structures. Main findings indicate that offshore habitats around tidal-mixing fronts are used by both common dolphins and northern gannets for foraging. Individuals associated with patches of increased sub-surface primary productivity, which were generated via a bi-weekly cycle of episodic turbulent mixing and stratification following an adjustment in the spatial position of a front with the spring-neap cycle. Moreover, around fronts, the dives of gannets were likely to be short and of a V-shaped strategy (with little active swim phase), which likely reflects an increase in the accessibility and catchability of their prey. In a coastal estuarine system, bottlenose dolphins were shown to associate with predictable downwelling features generated during flood tidal flows that were thought to act as a foraging aid. Together, these findings highlight the fundamental role physical oceanographic processes play in the structuring of marine ecosystems by providing vulnerable marine predators with prosperous and reliable foraging resources that they can exploit. This work has implications for both future studies of marine predator foraging ecology and the management of anthropogenic activities in coastal and shelf-seas.

Between the years of 1991 and 1995, two different chimpanzee nursery rearing strategies were employed by caregivers and research staff at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. One of these strategies included, in addition to the basic care provided by both nurseries, an additional 4 hours of human contact for 5 days each week. This human contact was provided by caregivers instructed in the behavior of chimpanzee mothers toward their offspring and instructed to emulate that behavior as much as possible. Various measures of cognitive and motor development were taken during the first year of the nursery-reared chimpanzees' lives; additionally, a modified version of the Strange Situation Test, used to measure attachment, was used to assess the chimpanzees' attachment style to their primary human caregiver. Based on these measures, chimpanzees reared in the standard care nursery (without the additional human contact) were significantly more likely to exhibit disorganized attachment styles towards their human caregiver; additionally, the standard care chimpanzees displayed less advanced motor and cognitive development. The responsive care chimpanzees (reared with the additional human contact) developed cognitively and in terms of motor function at a faster rate than the standard care chimpanzees; they also exhibited less coping skills. After one year of rearing in these two nurseries, all the chimpanzees were reared in conspecific social groups and the differential nurseries were terminated. In 2011-2012, 22 out of 49 of the original chimpanzee subjects were reassessed in an attempt to determine of long term effects of these differential rearing styles could still be detected. Chimpanzees that were identified as exhibiting disorganized attachment at one year of age exhibited significantly higher rates of abnormal behavior as compared to those that did not exhibit a disorganized attachment style at one year of age. Chimpanzees reared in both nurseries exhibited significantly higher rates of abnormal behavior, solicitation of, and attendance to humans as compared to chimpanzees that were mother-reared. Additionally, chimpanzees reared in either nursery were rated by survey respondents as exhibiting significantly higher human orientation and significantly lower subjective well-being as compared to mother-reared chimpanzees. Finally, trends found in the data consistently indicated that chimpanzees reared with more extensive human contact (responsive care) exhibited higher rates of abnormal behavior, solicitation of, and attendance toward humans as compared to standard care chimpanzees. Trends also indicated consistently that responsive care subjects were scored higher on human orientation and lower on subjective well-being by survey respondents. Sign tests were conducted to explore these differences and consistent support was found for these trends as significant. Further research should be conducted to explore welfare-related issues as related to differential nursery rearing strategies for chimpanzees.

Female mammals play a central role in determination of social structure and are thus central to understanding the overall fission-fusion grouping pattern characteristic of many delphinid societies. Focusing specifically on female-female relatedness and association patterns, I have analysed more than 17 years of group composition, behavioural data, and genetic information to investigate complex interactions between behavioural ecology and relatedness and to also examine the common social evolutionary theory, that variation in mammalian social systems is typically attributed to five main factors: inclusive fitness, predation pressure, sexual conflict and male harassment, inbreeding avoidance, and resource competition. Overall, I found that female bottlenose dolphin association patterns depend upon the interplay between matrilineal kinship, biparental relatedness and home range overlap, and that female bottlenose dolphins seem to adapt their social strategies to seasonal variation in levels of predation and male harassment. The presence of both high sexual conflict and bisexual philopatry lead me to investigate the extent of inbreeding avoidance. I found that more than 14% of the calves were most likely the product of mating between close relatives, and identified female fitness costs to inbreeding. We were able to show that the effect of inbreeding on females??? fitness occurs via two independent mechanisms: being inbred and having at least one inbred calf. Inbred calves are on average weaned later than non-inbred calves, and a female???s first calf has a higher probability to be an inbred than subsequent calves. Last, I examined whether sociality provides inclusive fitness to female bottlenose dolphins through an investigation of both the additive genetic and social variance components of female calving success using a pedigree-free animal model. I found that variance in calving success of female bottlenose dolphins is best explained by complex genetic and social interactions. Females with high calving success showed both high genetic and social merit; they not only have good genes but also prefer to associate with others of high fitness. This study reveals that both social and heritable genetic variance contribute to fitness trait variance in the wild.

Predation risk strongly influences the ecology and evolution of animal behaviors. However, anti-predator responses differ among species. Tradeoffs between anti-predator abilities and foraging efficiencies across habitats can promote the coexistence of ecologically similar species. In general, larger animals may better exploit riskier habitats; smaller animals, resources at low densities. I studied two montane ground squirrels Spermophilus lateralis and Tamias minimus in Colorado. Using food trays, I determined that the smaller T. minimus foraged more efficiently near meadow edges and was competitively superior to S. lateralis there. In contrast, S. lateralis had no preference for either edge or far habitat, but was competitively superior to T. minimus farther from the edge. I predicted, correctly, the exclusion of S. lateralis from meadows with primarily edge habitat. I proposed three alternatives to explain the observed patterns of habitat use: satiation, travel cost, or perceived predation risk. In a series of manipulations of energetic costs, protective cover, and predators, I eliminated all but the predation risk hypothesis. S. lateralis perceives less risk farther from the edge of the meadow than T. minimus. Faster harvesting and running speeds might decrease perceived predation risk. S. lateralis and T. minimus both experienced diminishing returns while foraging in food trays. Due to a higher encounter rate, S. lateralis harvested seeds significantly faster than T. minimus. S. lateralis also ran faster than T. minimus (3.14 m/s and 2.13 m/s, respectively). Gregarious animals may detect predators before solitary ones. I suggest that due to differences between sensory modes, this advantage occrues only to animals using vision. Thus, I predicted that gregariousness as a predator detection strategy should evolve only in diurnal animals. To test this, I mapped diurnal activity and gregarious behavior onto a phylogeny of eutherian mammals, and than calculated their degree of association. I found strong support for my prediction. This pattern may occur in other mobile animals. The data also suggest an association between larger body size and open habitat use among diurnal, gregarious organisms, paralleling a result from Colorado ground squirrels.

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin plays an integral role in mammalian reproductive endocrinology and behaviour. It has been utilised to study the physiological factors driving maternal behaviour in both laboratory and domestic mammals, but few studies have successfully detected oxytocin in wild individuals, or linked detected concentrations to the behaviours they exhibit. Phocid seals present an excellent system in which to study oxytocin's effects on maternal behaviour in the wild. The energetic constraints placed on a phocid mother during the dependant period should cause strong selection pressure for behaviour that maximises reproductive success with the least cost to the mother. However in many phocid species, substantial variations in maternal behaviour persist. In order to investigate whether oxytocin plays a role in driving this variation, behavioural and hormonal datasets were collected from grey seal mothers and pups on two breeding colonies in Scotland. A protocol for the detection of plasma oxytocin in phocid seals was successfully developed, along with the methodology to manipulate peripheral oxytocin concentrations to directly test the hormone's impact on behaviour. Both correlatory studies on natural oxytocin concentrations and behaviour in wild mother-pup pairs and manipulation experiments on newly weaned pups show that plasma oxytocin concentrations influence behaviours that makes mother – pup separation less likely. These include increasing the time spent in close proximity to each other, increasing the number of checks performed on the pup and reducing the aggressive behaviour directed towards the other individual. Additionally, plasma oxytocin could be used as an indicator of weak maternal bonds between mother and pup, which resulted in behaviours such as abandonment and fostering. This study highlights the potential of oxytocin for studying variations in behaviours critical to an individual's reproductive success and provides the methodological framework for studies on other wild species to be conducted in the future.

This thesis explores the direct contribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) and its mediated stiffness to breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and progression. A novel ex vivo breast tissue model was developed by the application of two established decellularization techniques, to predict cellular adhesion and gene expression fluctuations of breast cancer cells bound to high and low mammographically dense tissue. Results obtained within this thesis provide further insight as to mechanotransducive effects of the ECM to mammary cell behaviour within the context of mammographic density, thus contributing to the development of potential therapeutics for patients at risk of developing breast cancer.

In the 50+ years since the discovery of magnetic compass orientation by migratory songbirds, evidence for the use of magnetic cues has been obtained for a range of taxonomic groups, including several classes of vertebrate and invertebrate taxa. Surprisingly, however, the biophysical mechanisms and biological substrate that underlie magnetic sensing are still not fully understood. Moreover, while use of magnetic cues for compass orientation is intuitive, the functional significance of other forms of behavioral responses mediated by magnetic cues, such as spontaneous magnetic alignment, is less clear. The following research was carried out to investigate the mechanisms underlying magnetic orientation in vertebrates and invertebrates. This involved the modification of existing experimental systems to characterize responses to magnetic cues in laboratory animals (flies, mice) and the development of novel techniques for studying the role of magnetic cues in the spatial behavior of free-living animals (red foxes). Chapter II examines magnetic orientation in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster larvae. We show that three strains of larvae reared under non-directional ultraviolet (UV) light exhibit quadramodal spontaneous orientation along the anti-cardinal compass directions (i.e. northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest) when tested in a radially symmetrical environment under UV light. Double-blind experiments cancelling the horizontal component of the magnetic field confirmed that the response is dependent on magnetic cues rather non-magnetic features of the test environment. Furthermore, we argue that the larval quadramodal pattern of response is consistent with properties of magnetic compass orientation observed in previous studies of adult Drosophila and laboratory mice, both of which have been proposed to be mediated by a light-dependent magnetic compass mechanism. Chapter III explores the use of novel biologging techniques to collect behavioral and spatial data from free-roaming mammals. Specifically, a previous observational study of free- roaming red foxes found a 4-fold increase in the success of predatory 'mousing' attacks when foxes were facing ~north-northeast, consistent with magnetic alignment responses reported for a range of terrestrial animals. The authors propose that the magnetic field may be used to increase accuracy of mousing attacks. Using tri-axial accelerometer and magnetometer bio-loggers fitted to semi-domesticated red foxes, we created ']magnetic ethograms' from behavioral and magnetic machine learning algorithms 'trained'] to identify three discrete behaviors (i.e. foraging, trotting, and mousing-like jumps) from raw accelerometer signatures and to classify the magnetic headings of mousing-like jumps into 45° sectors from raw magnetometer data. The classifier's ability to accurately identify behaviors from a separate fox not used to train the algorithm suggests that these techniques can be used in future experiments to obtain reliable magnetic ethograms for free-roaming foxes. We also developed the first radio-frequency emitting collar that broadcasts in the low MHz frequency range shown to disrupt magnetic compass responses in a host of animals. The radio-frequency collars coupled with biologgers will provide a powerful tool to characterize magnetic alignment responses in predatory red foxes and can be adapted for use in studies of magnetic alignment and magnetic compass orientation in other free-roaming mammals. Chapter 3 discusses findings from a magnetic nest building assay involving male labratory mice. Mice trained to position nests in one of four directions relative to the magnetic field exhibited both learned magnetic compass responses and fixed magnetic nest positioning orientation consistent with northeast-southwest spontaneous magnetic alignment behavior previously reported for wild mice and bank voles. This is the first mammalian assay in which both learned magnetic compass orientation and spontaneous magnetic alignment were exhibited in the same species, and suggests that the use of magnetic cues in rodents may be more flexible that previously realized.
Ph. D.

Ground pangolins Smutsia temminckii are inconspicuous, mainly nocturnal mammals that occur at low population densities. As a result, there is scant information available on the ecology and physiology of this species. To date the handful of studies focussing on this species were centred in the mesic eastern regions of its range, with no attention being given to ecological and biological traits in arid environments. To address these data shortfalls, a study was undertaken in the Kalahari Desert in northwestern South Africa. Very High Frequency (VHF) transmitters or Global Positioning System (GPS) loggers were fitted to 16 ground pangolins and their ecology and physiology studied over a period of three years. Throughout its range the ground pangolin is increasingly endangered, predominantly due to anthropogenic threats. Previous studies have identified threats facing this species, but very few of these studies included quantitative data as to the extent of these threats. The present study suggests that the main threats to ground pangolins in southern Africa are electrocution on electrified fences, the traditional medicine trade, habitat loss, road mortalities and capture in gin traps. Although accidental poisoning has previously been viewed as a threat, a review of the available literature suggests that this is not the case and that these views stemmed from two isolated incidents of captive animals. Electrocutions probably pose the greatest threat to ground pangolins, with mortality rates of one pangolin per 11 km of electrified fence per year recorded during this study. Home range sizes of this arid-zone population are comparable to the home range sizes recorded in mesic populations. Study animals in the Kalahari had Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) home range values of 10.0 ± 8.9 km² SD for adults and 7.1 ± 1.1 km² SD for juveniles, in comparison to the 0.17 – 23.38 km² MCP in Zimbabwe and 1.3 – 7.9 km2 MCP in mesic north-eastern South Africa. These results are surprising as arid-zone animals usually have larger home ranges than do their mesic counterparts. It is hypothesised that this discrepancy is due to the fact that ground pangolins in the Kalahari are on average 25 – 30 % smaller than their mesic counterparts. This smaller body size means that individuals require a smaller home range to meet their dietary requirements, which could be counteracting the trend of arid-zone individuals requiring larger home ranges. This research also found ground pangolins to be more active during the day in winter and nearly entirely nocturnal during summer. These changes in photoperiodicity are likely driven by adaptations to the extreme climatic conditions present at the study site rather than predation pressure or changes in food resources, although the latter may be playing a role as well. By being diurnal in winter, individuals avoid the extremely cold night-time temperatures, thus saving energy that would otherwise be spent on maintaining their body temperature. By contrast, becoming nocturnal in summer allows them to avoid the extreme daytime temperatures, thus conserving water. The results of this study reiterate previous findings that ground pangolins are entirely myrmecophagous and highly selective of the species that they eat. Study animals were recorded feeding on only four ant and two termite species, representing 7.5 % and 50 % of the total species richness of each of these families. This is similar to previous research in mesic savannahs where five ant one termite species constituted 97 % of the ground pangolin’s diet. No seasonal differences in prey selection were observed, although the species consumed did depend on the habitats that were available to individual ground pangolins. This study is the first to investigate the core body temperature (Tb) of a free-ranging pangolin. These data indicated that Tb fluctuated cyclically between 32 – 35 °C and reflected the activity periods of the animal, peaking when the animal was active. When the individual was inactive, Tb steadily decreased, suggesting that it used daily heterothermy to cope with the low food availability in this unpredictable environment. In summary, ecological parameters between arid and mesic ground pangolin populations are similar in some respects, but divergent in others. Arid-zone populations are smaller overall and show a higher degree of diurnal activity. Despite this smaller body size, home range values appear to be similar between arid and mesic populations. Although the prey species eaten by ground pangolins in the Kalahari differ from prey species in eastern South Africa and Zimbabwe, they belonged to the same genera and were of similar morphology and ecology. The core body temperature results confirm findings from previous captive studies that pangolin body temperatures are lower than those of other eutherian mammals of a similar size. Furthermore, these data indicate that core body temperature is a lot more variable than previously believed, and thus warrants further study. Overall ground pangolin densities in the Kalahari appear to be double those in eastern South Africa and Zimbabwe, although it is unclear whether this is genuine or whether it is an artefact of individuals being easier to locate in the Kalahari. This study also confirmed that electrocutions are probably the greatest threat to this species, and new threats such as accidental capture in gin traps and road mortalities have also come to light.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Zoology and Entomology
unrestricted

The social mole-rats have often been typecast as extreme examples of mammalian sociality. With their pronounced reproductive skew, status-related contrasts in lifespan and morphology, and the suggestion of a division of labour amongst helpers, mole-rat societies have repeatedly been likened to the structurally complex societies of some eusocial insects. However, because few studies of mole-rats have quantified individual variation in growth and behaviour across long periods of development, it has remained unclear the extent to which mole-rat societies, and the features of individuals within them, should be considered unique amongst social vertebrates. In this thesis, I examine life history variation in Damaraland mole-rats Fukomys damarensis from three perspectives- growth, behaviour, and ageing- to explore how individual developmental trajectories contribute to, and are influenced by, the structure of mole-rat societies. First, I use a large longitudinal dataset to test for the presence of behavioural specialisation in non-breeding mole-rat helpers. I find no indication of individual specialisation in cooperative activities. Instead, individual differences in helping behaviour are largely the result of age-related changes in the extent to which individuals commit to all forms of helping (Chapter 3); refuting the notion of helper castes. I then focus on the variation in growth across non-breeders, developing a novel biphasic model to accurately quantify sex differences in growth and explore the influence of social effects on growth trajectories (Chapter 4). Despite the proposition of intense intrasexual competition in mole-rat societies, there was no clear signature of sex-specific competition on helper growth trajectories. A more conspicuous form of socially-mediated growth in mole-rats is the secondary growth spurt displayed by females that have acquired the dominant breeding position, causing them to become larger and more elongated. By experimentally controlling reproduction in age-matched siblings, I show that rather than being stimulated by the removal from reproductive suppression, this adaptive morphological divergence is achieved through a lengthening of the lumbar vertebrae when breeding is commenced (Chapter 5). With contrasts in size and shape following the acquisition of the breeding role, this status-related growth pattern shares similarities with growth in naked mole-rats and other social vertebrates. Breeders also show a twofold greater lifespan than non-breeders in Fukomys mole-rats, prompting the suggestion that the transition to dominance also sets individuals onto a slower ageing trajectory. To date, there is little evidence to support a physiological basis to lifespan extension in breeders. This assertion is bolstered by the absence of longer telomeres or slower rates of telomere attrition in breeding females compared to non-breeding females residing in groups (Chapter 6), each of which might be expected if breeders age more slowly. I argue that previous studies exploring status-related ageing in captive Fukomys mole-rats have overlooked the importance of demographic processes (and associated behavioural influences) on mortality schedules. Irrespective of the proximate basis of the longer lifespan of breeders, at an interspecific level the social mole-rats are unusually long-lived for their size. A recent large-scale comparative analysis concluded that prolonged lifespan is a general characteristic of all mammalian cooperative breeders, but this conclusion is premature, as in most of the major clades containing both cooperative and non-cooperative species there is no consistent trend towards lifespan extension in cooperative species (Chapter 7). In the case of mole-rats, it seems more likely that their exceptional longevity arises principally from their subterranean habits and related reductions in extrinsic mortality. Overall, these findings demonstrate that cooperative breeding has important consequences for individual life histories, but there is no strong basis for the claim that Damaraland mole-rat societies are markedly different in form than other cooperative breeding societies.

With more than ¾ of the forest surface of Cameroon allocated to logging, the survival of many rainforest species will depend on the way in which timber production forests will be managed in this country for the next decades. Management decisions to be applied should be directed systematically towards a minimization of the negative impacts on the ecosystem as a whole, including on the animal populations living in these forests. This requires a detailed understanding of the response of wildlife to selective logging as it is currently practised in Central Africa.

This thesis reports results of a longitudinal monitoring of abundances of nine mammal species in a forest concession over a four years period. From 2003 to 2006, four wildlife censuses have been conducted in the active core of FMU 10.030 allocated to the logging company PALLISCO. Our study area covers 176 sq-km and include several logging compartments and unlogged areas.

The diversity of specific responses to the introduction of human activities into the habitat is at the scale of the biological diversity of the habitat itself. A particular attention was paid to two emblematic species of the Cameroonian forests, western lowland gorillas G.g. gorilla and the common chimpanzees Pan troglodytes. During this work, we studied 1) how logging at industrial scale affects the spatial distribution of nine mammal species, including great apes, in timber production forests of South-eastern Cameroon, and 2) the nature of pressures exerted on animal populations within an active forest concession (anthropic, ecological, ethologic, etc).

Our first results indicate that the extraction of valuable timber species generates a spatial reorganization of gorillas and chimpanzees, inducing local modifications of population densities. This spatial reorganization seems to be mainly due to human activities per se rather than to modifications of the habitat structure or changes in the availability of fruits for these species. Compared with other mammals, great apes are at the two extreme opposites of a gradient of sensitivity to the habitat disturbances created by logging. Gorillas, as well as other "generalist" species like duikers, seem to thrive in logged forests, probably attracted in these areas by the secondarisation of the vegetation. Their densities decrease temporarily in logging compartments during logging operations but these species recover quickly, suggesting a repulsive effect of the human presence in the forest rather than a major alteration of the habitat quality for them. Rather "specialist" species seem to react by increasing the size of their foraging area. These are the sitatungas Tragelpahus spekei and bushpigs Potamochoerus porcus, two typical species of swamp forest with Raffia spp. and semi-inundated forests. These particular biotopes in the heart of the production forests seem to be playing the role of refuge zone for these species. Finally, two species were identified as being explicitly vulnerable to logging activities: the chimpanzees and forest elephants Loxodonta africana cyclotis. Their abundances did not recover to original values during the period of study indicating that they still undergo some kind of ecological and/or anthropic pressures after the end of logging operations that is strongly adverse to them.

In order to contrast the ecological and/or anthropic factors ruling gorillas' and chimpanzees' spatial distribution in the habitat, we have used a spatial modelling technique called “Ecological Niche Factor Analysis - ENFA". ENFA-generated models for these two species mainly retained anthropic variables to explain great apes local repartition in the study area. For gorillas, it was mainly explained by the local pattern of logging compartments and the time that passed since the end of logging operations. Globally, this species avoids the areas of forests showing a high rate of human frequentation and is attracted to old logged areas. As for the chimpanzees, their spatial distribution is influenced mainly by the presence of roads which are largely avoided. The periphery of logged compartment seems to be a zone of convergence for chimpanzee communities that have probably been driven out from logging compartments during operations, but these movements of populations would be limited to short distances. The vulnerability of the chimpanzees is consequently explained by the absence of demographic mechanisms enabling them to avoid the disturbed zones while reducing the territorial conflicts.

The general trend in great ape abundances in an active logging concession confirms that even closely related species can show divergent capacities of survival when confronted to human disturbances. Our work highlights that chimpanzee communities demonstrate some spatial inertia, contrarily to gorillas which easily manage to avoid human activities. This inertia would be probably at the origin of its sensitivity to current forestry practices. Our results confirm White & Tutin (2001)'s socio-ecological explanation for the vulnerability of chimpanzees to logging in forests of Central Africa. Knowing this, it is imperative to set up concrete conservation actions aiming at maintaining the chimpanzee populations of in Cameroonian timber production forests.

Practically, selective logging would easily be compatible with the preservation of the majority of rainforests mammals if concrete measures aiming at decreasing the negative impacts of logging were effectively applied. As a general rule, the proximity between logged areas and some zones that can serve as refuge seems to be a determining factor of the persistence of rainforests mammals in logged forests. A line of thought would be thus to ensure safe shifts of populations towards these zones in order to guarantee the avoidance of disturbances and, later, the recovery of densities in logged forests. In this sense, our main recommendation consists in promoting a delimitation of logging compartments into narrow strips so as to reduce the distance to be walked by an animal to geographically avoid human disturbances. Additionally, it is necessary to set up well-designed biomonitoring programmes to follow up trends in wildlife abundances and promote a flexible management that can be adapted according to the evidence of detrimental events to wildlife.

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Avec plus de ¾ de la surface forestière du Cameroun allouée à l'exploitation forestière, la survie de nombreuses espèces de mammifères dépendra de la façon dont seront gérés les massifs de forêt de production de ce pays dans les décennies à venir. Les mesures de gestion à appliquer devraient être orientées systématiquement vers une minimisation des impacts négatifs sur l'écosystème dans son ensemble, y compris sur les populations animales résidant dans ces forêts. Ceci nécessite une compréhension détaillée de la réponse de la grande et moyenne faune à l'exploitation forestière sélective telle qu'elle est effectivement pratiquée en Afrique Centrale.

Cette thèse de doctorat rapporte les résultats d'un suivi longitudinal, sur une période de quatre ans, des abondances de neuf espèces de mammifères au sein d'une concession forestière du Sud-est Cameroun. Au total, quatre recensements de la faune ont été réalisés entre 2003 et 2006 dans la partie active de l'UFA 10.030 allouée à la société PALLISCO. La zone étudiée couvre 176 km2 et englobe plusieurs parcelles annuelles d'abattage ainsi que des compartiments non exploités.

La diversité des réponses spécifiques vis-à-vis de l'introduction d'activités humaines dans l'habitat est à l'échelle de la diversité biologique de l'habitat lui-même. Une attention particulière a été portée sur deux espèces emblématiques des forêts camerounaises, les gorilles des plaines occidentales G.g. gorilla et les chimpanzés communs Pan t. troglodytes. Durant ce travail, nous avons étudié 1) comment l'exploitation forestière à l'échelle industrielle affecte la distribution spatiale de neuf espèces de mammifères, dont les grands singes, dans les massifs de forêt de production du Sud-est Cameroun, et 2) de quelle nature sont les pressions exercées sur les populations animales au sein d'une concession forestière active (anthropique, écologique, éthologique, etc.).

Nos premiers résultats indiquent que l'extraction d'essences précieuses dans les forêts camerounaises génère notamment une réorganisation de la distribution spatiale des gorilles et des chimpanzés, induisant des modifications locales de densité de population. Cette réorganisation spatiale semble être due aux activités humaines elles-mêmes plutôt qu'aux modifications de la structure de l'habitat ou à une diminution de la disponibilité de certaines ressources alimentaires importantes pour ces espèces. Comparés à d'autres mammifères, les grands singes se placent aux deux extrêmes d'un gradient de sensibilité aux perturbations de l'habitat causés par l'exploitation forestière. Les gorilles, ainsi que d'autres espèces "généralistes" comme les céphalophes, semblent prospérer dans les forêts exploitées, probablement attirés dans ces zones par la secondarisation de la végétation. Leurs densités diminuent ponctuellement dans les parcelles d'abattage pendant les opérations d'extraction, mais retrouvent très vite leur niveau initial. Ceci suggère un effet répulsif de la présence humaine sur ces espèces plutôt qu'une altération majeure de la qualité de l'habitat pour ces dernières. D'autres espèces plus "spécialistes" semblent réagir en augmentant la taille de leurs aires de fourragement. Il s'agit des sitatungas Tragelpahus spekei et des potamochères Potamochoerus porcus, deux espèces appréciant les biotopes humides (marécages à Raphia spp. des zones de forêt inondées, etc.). Ces biotopes particuliers, non-affectés par l'exploitation forestière, au coeur des forêts de production semblent servir de refuge pour ces espèces. Enfin, deux espèces ont été identifiées comme étant explicitement très vulnérables aux activités d'exploitation: les chimpanzés et les éléphants des forêts Loxodonta africana cyclotis. Leurs abondances n'ont pas recouvré les valeurs originelles durant la période d'étude, indiquant que ces espèces subissent encore des pressions écologiques et/ou anthropiques jusqu'à quatre ans après la fin des activités d'exploitation forestière.

Afin de contraster les facteurs écologiques et/ou anthropiques régissant la distribution spatiale des gorilles et des chimpanzés, nous avons fait usage d'une technique de modélisation spatiale appelée "Ecological Niche Factor Analysis – ENFA". Les modèles ENFA pour ces deux espèces ont principalement retenu les variables anthropiques pour expliquer la distribution spatiale des grands singes dans l'aire d'étude. Il a ainsi été démontré que la répartition des gorilles était en grande partie expliquée par l'agencement local des AACs et le temps qui s'est écoulé depuis la fin des opérations d'extraction dans celles-ci. De manière générale, cette espèce évite les zones présentant un haut taux de fréquentation humaine et préfère les forêts exploitées quelques années auparavant. Quant aux chimpanzés, leur distribution spatiale est principalement expliquée par la présence de routes et pistes forestières qui sont amplement évitées. La périphérie des zones exploitées semble être une zone de convergence pour les chimpanzés qui y seraient vraisemblablement refoulés lors des perturbations, mais ces mouvements seraient limités à de courtes distances. La vulnérabilité des chimpanzés s'expliquerait dès lors par l'absence de mécanismes démographiques leur permettant d'éviter les zones affectées tout en réduisant les conflits territoriaux résultant d'une réorganisation spatiale.

La tendance globale des variations d'abondance des grands singes au sein d'une concession forestière en cours d'exploitation confirme que même des espèces très proches phylogénétiquement peuvent faire preuve de capacités différentes de survie face aux perturbations anthropiques. Il ressort de nos observations que les communautés de chimpanzés font preuve d'une certaine inertie spatiale, contrairement aux gorilles qui parviennent à éviter les activités humaines. Cette inertie serait probablement à l'origine de sa vulnérabilité face aux pratiques forestières actuelles. Nos résultats viennent confirmer l'hypothèse socio-écologique émise par White & Tutin (2001). Face à ce malheureux constat, il est impératif de mettre en place des mesures concrètes de gestion visant à maintenir les populations de chimpanzés dans les forêts de production camerounaises.

Pratiquement, l'exploitation sélective serait compatible avec la conservation de la plupart des mammifères si certaines mesures de gestion visant à diminuer les impacts négatifs étaient rapidement mises en application. La proximité entre les zones exploitées et les zones pouvant servir de refuge semble être un facteur déterminant de la survie de nombreuses espèces de mammifères dans les forêts de production du Cameroun. Une ligne de réflexion serait donc d'assurer les mouvements de populations vers ces zones-refuge sans heurts afin de garantir l'émigration des populations animales en dehors des zones affectées et la recolonisation ultérieure des forêts exploitées. En ce sens, notre principale recommandation consiste à promouvoir un découpage en assiettes de coupe en bandes relativement étroites (<2,5 km) de façon à réduire la distance à parcourir pour éviter géographiquement les perturbations anthropiques. De même, il serait nécessaire de mettre en place des programmes de suivi régulier des abondances faunistiques afin de permettre une gestion adaptative qui s'ajusterait au vu d'événements critiques pour la faune.
Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Tree squirrels play an important role in the maintenance of forest ecosystems by functioning as seed and fungal spore dispersers, forest regenerators, and prey for forest predators. The highest species richness for tree squirrels occurs in tropical forests and these species are also the least studied. We conducted distance sampling to estimate population density, measured habitat variables to investigate forest characteristics that influence habitat selection and feeding site selection at three different scales, and conducted observations to obtain knowledge about activity pattern and behavior of Neotropical pygmy squirrels and Amazon red squirrels in the Peruvian Amazon. Density of Neotropical pygmy squirrels was 0.10 and 0.14 individuals/ha for 2009 and 2010. Activity peaked in early morning, squirrels were found mainly in the canopy but never on the ground, and frequency of behaviors differed by time and story level. Neotropical pygmy squirrels used mainly high and low restinga and areas that had more large trees. Squirrels also used species of trees disproportionately to availability. Neotropical pygmy squirrels seem to be associated with features related to mature forests. Amazon red squirrels use mainly high and low restinga and selected Astrocaryum and Attalea palm trees that were taller and larger as foraging sites compared to random locations. Amazon red squirrels used all vertical strata of the forest and the main behaviors observed were travel and forage. Behaviors were similar among time periods but differed in frequency by vertical strata. Although Amazon red squirrels used vegetation communities differently than their availability and selected for tree characteristics, they did not select for site characteristics and this is different from other tree squirrel species. We also conducted surveys during a wet and a dry year to investigate and estimate diversity of diurnal mammals. We assessed the vertical strata of the forest to determine if diversity index varied by story level, and estimated alpha, beta, and gamma diversity. Overall mammal diversity did not differ between wet and dry years. Diversity index differed by story level between years, but was the highest in the canopy for both years. Alpha diversity was higher in the dry year, and gamma and beta diversity were higher in the wet year. Frequency of sightings of species was influenced by time of day and varied by story level. Protection of continuous, mature forests with large canopies has important conservation implications as these areas most likely protect the greatest diversity of mammals while also providing shelter and food for other taxa.

Driving into Yellowstone National Park for the first time is a moving experience. Gazing over the sweeping landscapes, seeing a geyser erupt 80 feet into the air, and having your first ‘wildlife encounter’, whether that be a 2 ton bull bison aggressively wallowing on his dirt mound, snorting and kicking up dust, or watching a pack of 6 wolves move through a valley off in the distance, pausing to howl in search of their companions. Yellowstone staff wishes to manage our park in a way that preserves these remarkable experiences. In order to effectively manage this dynamic ecosystem, it is critical to thoroughly understand how different animal and plant species interact with each other and their environment. Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995-1997 and park researchers and managers are still trying to understand how their presence impacts the ecosystem. In Yellowstone, wolves primarily prey on elk; however, predation on bison has started to increase in recent years. We still know little about how wolves hunt bison and what impacts wolves have had on how bison use their environment. The objective of this study was to better understand the behavioral and ecological interactions of wolves and bison, the most dangerous prey for wolves in North America. Since reintroduction, researchers have collected data on how wolves hunt both elk and bison. I used these data to understand 1) the conditions that allow wolves to capture their most dangerous prey, bison, 2) whether wolves have started preying on bison more often as the bison population increased, and 3) whether wolf reintroduction has limited bison use of Yellowstone’s most extreme high-elevation winter range. Finally, I collaborated with ecologists in Scandinavia to determine how wolf predation was affected by a competitor, the brown bear. My study adds to the current body of work addressing the effects of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone. This research is unique because it focuses on wolf bison interactions, about which little is known in this system. This research also sheds light on the behavioral relationships at play in a special type of predator-prey interaction: predators that hunt dangerous prey

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O topiramato (TPM) é um fármaco relativamente novo e foi empregado inicialmente no tratamento da epilepsia. Mais recentemente, inseriu-se na terapêutica da migrânea e de diversas condições clínicas, dentre elas, alguns distúrbios comportamentais. É uma droga sabidamente GABAérgica, anti-glutamatérgica e modifica os efeitos da dopamina no sistema nervoso central, podendo assim, alterar os níveis de ansiedade e a atividade locomotora. Esse estudo avalia seu efeito agudo no comportamento espontâneo de camundongos suíços no teste da arena em campo aberto, administrando-se dose única intraperitoneal (10 mg/kg), enfatizando atividade locomotora e ansiedade. Vinte animais foram divididos em 2 grupos, o grupo tratado recebeu TPM e o controle soro fisiológico. Após 30 minutos, foi realizado o teste do campo aberto, observando-se diversas variáveis que abordam locomoção e ansiedade, como número de quadrados explorados, tempo de imobilidade, velocidade escalar média, frequências e tempos de rearing e de grooming, bem como os tempos de permanência na área central e na periferia do aparato pelos animais. Os resultados apontam um aumento considerável do número de quadrados explorados e da velocidade escalar média no grupo tratado. Os tempos de imobilidade foram praticamente os mesmos entre os grupos, assim como os tempos de permanência na área central e na periferia. A frequência e o tempo de rearing foram um pouco maiores no grupo controle, ao contrário do que aconteceu com o grooming. Concluindo, a administração de TPM aumentou consideravelmente a atividade locomotora espontânea dos animais, pois houve aumento significante do número de quadrados explorados e da velocidade escalar média (p < 0,1). Não houve efeito ansiolítico aparente, já que não ocorreu diferença significante entre os tempos de permanência na área central e na periferia do aparato, bem como entre os tempos de imobilidade (p > 0,1). Não houve diferença significante entre as frequências e os tempos de rearing e de grooming (p > 0,1).
The topiramate (TPM) is a relatively new drug and was originally used for the treatment of epilepsy. More recently entered in the therapeutic of migraine and various clinical conditions including some behavioral disorders. It is a known GABAergic and antiglutamatergic drug and modifies the effects of dopamine in the central nervous system and can thus change the levels of anxiety and the locomotor activity. This study evaluates its acute effect on the spontaneous behavior of Swiss mice in the open field arena test managing single intraperitoneal dose (10 mg/kg), emphasizing locomotor activity and anxiety. Twenty animals were divided into 2 groups, the treated group received TPM and the control saline. After 30 minutes the open field test was applied observing several variables that address locomotion and anxiety such as number of exploited squares, time of immobility, average scalar speed, frequencies and times of rearing and grooming, and also times of stay in the central area and in the periphery of apparatus by the animals. Results showed a considerable increase in the number of exploited squares and in the average scalar speed in the treated group. The times of immobility were virtually the same between the groups, as well as the times of stay in the central area and in the periphery. The frequency and time of rearing were slightly higher in the control group, contrary to what happened with the grooming. In conclusion, the administration of TPM considerably increased the spontaneous locomotor activity of the animals showed by a significant increase in the number of exploited squares and in the average scalar speed (p < 0.1). There was no apparent anxiolytic effect, as no significant difference occurred between the times of stay in the central area and in the periphery of the apparatus, as well as between the times of immobility (p > 0.1). There was no significant difference between the frequencies and the times of rearing and grooming (p > 0.1).

Background: Adults benefit from participating in physical activity (PA) for chronic disease prevention and treatment. Postnatal women are encouraged to commence a gradual return to PA 4-6 weeks after giving birth, with participation in line with PA guidelines. The potential benefits of postnatal PA include weight management, improvements in cardiovascular fitness and psychological wellbeing. There has been limited high-quality information about the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of PA interventions in postnatal women and few studies in the UK. Behavioural counselling interventions informed by behaviour change theory have been shown to successfully increase PA in low-active adults. Physical activity consultations (PACs) use structured and individualised behavioural counselling to enhance individuals’ motivation for change, and improve self-management skills. This approach may support adoption of PA in low-active postnatal women with research demonstrating that modifiable socio-cognitive factors influence PA behaviour. This thesis reports on the efficacy of a postnatal PA intervention, the More Active MuMs in Stirling (MAMMiS) study on change in PA behaviour. Efficacy of the intervention was tested in a randomised controlled trial. The effect on secondary health and wellbeing outcomes and PA cognitions targeted by the intervention and feasibility results are also reported. Methods: The intervention comprised a face-to-face PAC of around 35-45 minutes and 10-week group pramwalking programme. Non-attenders to the pramwalking group received a support telephone call. A follow-up PAC (15-20 minutes) was delivered after three month assessments. The first PAC involved raising awareness about benefits of PA, developing self-efficacy for change, setting goals and action planning PA, developing strategies for overcoming barriers, encouraging self-monitoring, prompting social support and selecting/changing the environment to support PA. The second PAC involved feedback about changes and preventing a return to sedentary habits. The pramwalking group met weekly for 6 walks of 30-55 minutes at a brisk pace, providing opportunities to demonstrate moderate-intensity walking and to encourage and support PA behaviour change. The control group received an NHS leaflet, which encouraged PA after childbirth. Postnatal women (six weeks to 12 months after childbirth) were identified through a variety of NHS-based and community-based strategies plus local advertisements and word-of-mouth. The primary outcome measure was evaluation of PA behaviour change using the Actigraph GT3X/GT3X+ accelerometer, an objective measure of PA behaviour; self-reported moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured using a recall questionnaire (Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall) and cardiovascular fitness using a submaximal step-test (Chester step-test). Secondary health and wellbeing measures were; anthropometric (i.e. weight and body mass index (BMI)) and body composition (measured using a bioelectrical impedance), psychological wellbeing (measured using the Adapted General Wellbeing Index) and fatigue (measured on a 100-point visual analogue scale). PA cognitions were measured via a questionnaire with constructs adapted from previous studies. All were taken at baseline (prior to randomisation), three and six months follow-up from baseline. Process measures were used to investigate intervention fidelity and feasibility. Acceptability was investigated in a post-trial interviews, conducted by a researcher not involved in the trial. RESULTS: Sixty-five postnatal women (average 33 years old with an infant 24 weeks old) were recruited (77% of those eligible). There was a 91% rate of retention at six months; participants who missed a follow-up assessment were younger (30 versus 34 years old) and had younger infants (21 versus 34 weeks old). Participants were less deprived and older compared with postnatal women in Scotland. Objectively measured PA behaviour did not change in response to the intervention. There was no between-groups difference in change in mean counts/minute from baseline to three months (p=0.35, 95% CI -73.50, 26.17, d=0.22) or three to six months (p=0.57, 95% CI -39.46, 71.18, d=0.13). There was no change in MVPA 7 minutes/day in either group from baseline to three (intervention =-0.70, IQR -9.86, 8.36; control =1.65, IQR -4.79, 8.21) or three to six months (intervention =0, IQR -1.13, 1.10; control =0, IQR -9.86, 8.23), with no between-groups difference baseline to three (p=0.43; r=0.10) or three to six months (p=0.75, r=0.09). Results for relative MVPA were similar. Median steps/day from baseline to three months did not change in the intervention group (0, IQR –1619.44, 1047.94) and increased by 195.95 (IQR -1519.55, 1691.03) among controls. The between-groups difference was non-significant (p=0.37, r=0.18). From three to six month follow-up steps/day increased in the intervention group and not in controls (0, IQR -1147.50, 1303.52), this between-groups difference was also non-significant (p=0.35, r=0.16). From baseline to three months self-reported MVPA declined in the intervention group (15 minutes/week; IQR -111, 15) and increased in the control group (30 minutes/week; IQR –68, 75): a non-significant between-groups difference, with a small effect size (p=0.71, r=0.22). From three to six months a decline in self-reported MVPA was found in controls (53 minutes/week; IQR -41,-101) and no change among the intervention group (0, IQ range -26, 71); a significant between-groups difference with a small effect size (p=0.04, r=0.26). There were no differences between the groups for the change in aerobic capacity from baseline to three months or three to six months with no evidence for change over time in aerobic capacity or fitness category in either group. Change in secondary outcomes did not differ between the groups from baseline to three or three to six months (although fatigue did improve in the intervention group relative to controls from baseline to three months). Considering PA cognitions, outcome expectancies declined in both groups from baseline to three months and continued to decline only in the intervention group from three to six months, a between-groups difference with a small effect size (p=0.03, r=0.26). Self-efficacy increased in the intervention group from baseline to three months and declined in the control group with a small effect size for the between-groups difference (p=0.03, r=-0.27). An increase in action 8 planning was seen among the intervention group but not controls from baseline to three months (p<0.01, r=-0.34). Both groups showed an increase in coping planning and action control; the change was larger among the intervention group relative to controls (i.e. p<0.01, r=0.44, r=0.43, respectively). Increased self-efficacy and action control were maintained from three to six months in the intervention group. Coping planning increased relative to controls (p<0.01, r=0.41) and action planning increased among controls from three to six months (p<0.01, r=0.39). Intervention fidelity and feasibility was good. All intervention participants received the initial PAC and adoption of self-management strategies was high for ‘thinking about the benefits of PA’, ‘action planning’ and ‘self-monitoring’, between baseline and three months. Most participants attended at least one walk (61% attended five or more), 89% of planned walks were conducted with no evidence of poor attendance due to season. Walks were conducted at a brisk pace and met moderate-intensity thresholds. DISCUSSION: MAMMiS aimed to recruit low-active healthy postnatal women to test the efficacy of a PAC and group pramwalking intervention. There was no evidence for an intervention effect on PA or on secondary health and wellbeing outcomes.

Abstract

Evidence based research has shown that organized parent support programmes have a good

effect in strengthening the role of the parent and preventing problems during growth. This

in turn has a great significance for Public Health.

Komet is one of the evidence based programmes used in Sweden, based on American

programmes and adapted to Swedish conditions.

This qualitative study consists of interviews with six children between six and nine years

with behaviour problems, whose parents have taken part in the Komet programme.

With Grounded Theory as research approach the children’s experiences of the programme

and relations within the family have been looked into and analysed.

The result of this study suggests that a space for growth of their own is a common need of

the children, and that this can be achieved by giving them the opportunity to function in a

family environment where they are seen and understood.

The Komet programme contributed to this by giving the family tools to strengthen relations

within the family, create calm and make the children more visible.

The self image of the children in this study had improved which gave them more room to

grow in a strengthened family situation. This in turn improved conditions for good feelings,

and sense of well being, of importance for child development and health.

Sammanfattning

Evidensbaserad forskning har visat att organiserade föräldrastödsprogram ger god effekt när

det gäller att stärka föräldrarollen och därmed förebygga problem under uppväxten. Detta har

i sin tur stor betydelse för den framtida folkhälsan.

Komet är ett av de evidensbaserade föräldrastödsprogram som används i Sverige idag och

som utgår från amerikanska föräldrastödsprogram, anpassade till svenska förhållanden.

Den här kvalitativa studien bygger på intervjuer med sex barn mellan 6 och 9 år med

beteendeproblem, vars föräldrar deltagit i Komet-programmet. Med grundad teori som ansats

har barnens upplevelser av programmet och relationerna i familjen undersökts och

analyserats.

Resultatet av studien visar att det gemensamma för barnen var behovet av ett eget utrymme att

växa i, men att förutsättningen för detta var att de gavs möjlighet att fungera i ett

familjesammanhang där de blev sedda och förstådda.

Kometprogrammet bidrog till detta genom att ge familjen verktyg för att stärka

familjerelationerna, skapa större lugn och göra barnen mer synliga.

Självbilden hos barnen i studien förbättrades vilket gav större rum att växa i en stärkt

familjesituation. Detta skapade förutsättningar för de goda känslor av glädje och

välbefinnande, som har betydelse för barns utveckling och psykiska hälsa.

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CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
O Lobo-Guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger, 1815) é o maior representante dos canídeos da América do Sul, ocupando áreas da Argentina, Bolívia, Paraguai e Brasil, com ampla distribuição por biomas variados, tais como o Cerrado, Pampas, regiões do Pantanal, da Floresta Atlântica e áreas de transição entre Cerrado e Caatinga, mas vem sofrendo grandes reduções na porção sul de sua distribuição, ameaçado pelo avanço de áreas antropizadas que o colocam em risco, constando pela IUCN como quase ameaçado, e na classificação nacional como ameaçado de extinção na categoria vulnerável. A região do Santuário do Caraça abriga uma população de lobos-guará apresentando uma peculiaridade comportamental no contato com seres humanos, a habituação à presença antrópica, especialmente em se comparando com o trabalho de James Dietz, que registra as reações típicas da espécie em relação ao ser humano. Também Bekoff e Biben categorizam funcionalmente o desenvolvimento ontogenético do comportamento do C. brachyurus, criando uma base que serve de parâmetro de comparação para estudos posteriores. Para levantamento e notação de comportamentos, bem como levantamento de hipóteses, foi utilizado o método de notação de Fagundes, que se apoia no modelo de comportamento como entendido por Skinner, para compreender a aprendizagem e habituação de espécimes por meio de análise de seu repertório comportamental. Com base nesses autores, fez-se o registro audiovisual do comportamento dos espécimes que se encontram na Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça, criando uma base de dados passível de análise tanto em termos quantitativos quanto qualitativos, observando o comportamento apresentado pelos indivíduos locais e comparando-o com os dados produzidos sobre a espécie tanto no meio selvagem quanto em cativeiro.
The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger, 1815) is the biggest representative of Canidae in South America, occupying areas of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil, with large distribution through many different biomes such as Cerrado (hilly savannah), Pampas (southern plains), some regions of Pantanal floodlands, Atlantic Forest and transition areas between Cerrado and Caatinga (semi-arid landscape), but has suffered great reductions in the southern portion of its distribution through the advance of anthropized areas that puts the species in risk, being classified by IUCN as near threatened, and by local environmental authorities as vulnerable. The region of Santuário do Caraça encompasses a maned wolf population that presents a behavioral peculiarity in its contact with humans, habituation to anthropic presence, especially when compared with James Dietz’s work, which registers the animal’s typical reactions towards human beings. Bekoff and Biben also categorize C. Brachyurus’s ontogenetic behavior development functionally, creating a database that serves as means of comparison for further research. For indexing and writing detailed behavior, as well as proposing hypotheses, we have used Fagundes' notation method, which uses Skinner's understanding of behavior and habituation as basis, as means of understanding specimen learning through the analysis of behavioral repertoire. With these authors as a standpoint, an audiovisual register of local specimens’ behavior was made in Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça, creating a database that can be analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, observing said behavior and comparing it with literature available of specimens both in the wild as well as in captivity.

The fragmentation of the landscape provides, among others, the occurrence of edge habitats, implying different responses of bats in this condition. We aimed in this study to analyze the community structure of bats in edge and interior of forest environments and to characterize the activity of frugivorous species in an Atlantic Forest fragment of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The study was done at Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Junco (RVSMJ), municipality of Capela. The sampling occurred between November 2012 and October 2013, with monthly samples in the edge and inside the forest in two areas for three consecutive nights in each area between 1800 to 2400 p.m., using ten mist nets. With a sampling effort of 116,640 h.m² we captured 96 bats belonging to 12 species, of which Lophostoma brasiliense and Micronycteris schmidtorum represent new records to the RVSMJ and Atlantic Forest area in Sergipe. The parameters of richness, abundance and diversity did not show differences between the edge and interior. However the species composition differed between these environments and the bats had different edge-sensitivity, indicating that bats are affected by the formation of edge in the locality. Regarding the activity, the species were already active in the first hour of sampling and remained in continuous activity during the sample period. There was a high temporal overlap in activity between A. lituratus and D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,813) and between C. perspicillata and D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,734). The temporal activity pattern of the bat community at the RVSMJ showed relatively common characteristics to the activity of fruit bats, but the absence of differences between schedules and between species activities can be a reflex of the small sample size.
A fragmentação da paisagem proporciona, entre outros, a ocorrência de borda nos habitats, inferindo em respostas diferenciadas dos morcegos a essa condição. O presente estudo analisou a estrutura da comunidade de morcegos em ambientes de borda e interior e caracterizou a atividade das espécies frugívoras em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica de Sergipe, no nordeste brasileiro. O estudo foi realizado no Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Junco (RVSMJ), município de Capela. As coletas ocorreram entre novembro de 2012 a outubro de 2013, sendo amostrados mensalmente a borda e o interior da mata em duas áreas na localidade, durante três noites consecutivas em cada área entre as 18:00 e 24:00 hs, utilizando-se dez redes de neblina. Com um esforço amostral de 116.640 h.m² foram capturados 96 morcegos pertencentes a 12 espécies, das quais Lophostoma brasiliense e Micronycteris schmidtorum correspondem a novos registros para o RVSMJ e para área de Mata Atlântica em Sergipe. Os parâmetros de riqueza, abundância e diversidade não exibiram diferenças entre a borda e o interior. No entanto, a composição de espécies diferiu entre esses ambientes e os representantes deste grupo apresentaram distintas sensibilidades à borda, indicando que os morcegos são afetados pela formação de bordas na localidade. Com relação à atividade, as espécies foram ativas já na primeira hora de coleta e permaneceram com a atividade contínua durante o período amostrado. Houve uma alta sobreposição no padrão de atividade entre A. lituratus e D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,813) e entre C. perspicillata e D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,734). O padrão de atividade da quiropterofauna do RVSMJ apresentou características relativamente comuns à relatada para morcegos frugívoros, porém a ausência de diferenças entre os horários e entre a atividade das espécies pode ser reflexo do baixo número amostral.

Successful captive-breeding and re-introduction programs must have the ability to breed a surplus of genetically suitable animals for release into the wild. Unfortunately, many individuals in captive breeding programs often do not reproduce even when they are apparently healthy and presented with genetically appropriate mates. Mate choice can affect multiple parameters of reproductive sperformance, including mating success, offspring production, survival, and fecundity. We investigated the role of mate preference and personality on the reproductive performance of male and female giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) as measured by intromission success and litter production. We conducted these studies on giant pandas at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (Bifengxia, Sichuan, China.) from February-May 2011, 2012, and 2013. In Chapter 2, we compared reproductive performance between individuals mated with preferred and nonpreferred males of the focal female (female preference), the focal male (male preference), and mutual mate choice perspective. There were four types of reproductive pairings in our mutual mate choice analyses: females and males that preferred each other (P-P), females that preferred the male but the male did not prefer the female (P-NP), females that did not prefer the male but the male preferred the female (NP-P), and females and males that did not prefer each other (NP-NP). Pairing giant pandas with a preferred partner increased the probability of intromission success and producing a cub. Of the 25 females mated to a preferred partner, 72% had successful intromission, 64% produced cubs, and 52% reared their own cubs versus 31%, 12%, 12% for females mated to their nonpreferred partner (N = 16). Male giant panda mate preference showed similar results. Of the 24 males that were mated with their preferred females, 75% had successful intromission, 77.8% produced cubs, and 92.9% produced cubs that were maternally reared versus 31%, 60%, 66.7% for males mated with their nonpreferred females (N = 16). There was a statistically significant difference in intromission success and cub production for P-P pairings versus NP-NP pairings. Of the twelve P-P mate dyads 83% had successful intromission, 90% produced cubs, and 88.9% had mothers rear their cubs. Of the four P-NP mate dyads 50% had successful intromission, 50% produced cubs, and 100% had the mother rear their cub. Of the seven NP-P mate dyads 57% had successful intromission, 50% produced cubs, and 100% had the mothers rear their cubs. Of the three NP-NP mate dyads 0% had successful intromission resulting in 0% producing cubs and having mother-rear cubs. In addition, we took into account various life and breeding history factors that may have affected reproductive performance such as birth location, rearing, previous sexual history with the opposite sex and familiarity status directly prior to breeding. Mate pairings that were familiar with each other as measured by successfully producing a cub in the past, had increased intromission success. Females mated to heavier males had more intromissions and produced more cubs than females mated to smaller males. In Chapter 3 and 4, we investigated the effect of personality on reproductive performance measurements. Recently, personality of individual animals has been implicated in the failure or success of captive management and breeding of threatened and endangered species. Measurements of personality included novel object tests (where behaviors of individual giant pandas were scored toward a novel object for one hour) and keeper surveys (where the primary keeper rated giant pandas on 23 adjectives describing personality); both measures significantly correlated with variation in long-term and specific mating dyad reproductive performance. In Chapter 3 we evaluated the effect of personality on long-term reproductive performance. Our results show that for both male and female giant pandas, `fearful' individuals had lower natural mating success and cub production. In addition, `aggressive' female giant pandas had increased natural mating success but decreased cub production. Males did not show these relationships between `aggressive' personality types and reproductive performance. Female giant pandas that were labeled as `aggressive' had higher frequencies of positive mating behaviors but `fearful of conspecifics' females had lower frequencies. Males labeled `fearful of conspecifics' and with high `playful-clever' component scores had a lower frequency of positive mating behaviors. In Chapter 4 we further investigated the effects of personality within a specific mating dyad. Recent studies suggest that mate compatibility within personality types can improve reproductive performance measurements such as mating success, offspring survivorship, and offspring quality. We investigated the effect of personality compatibility on reproductive performance through analyzing mate dyad similarity in personality (similar versus dissimilar), specific personality combinations, and relative personality scores (male scores higher or lower than female scores). The specific personality combinations were: females and males that were both low on the personality component (L_L), females were low but males were high (L_H), females were high but males were low (H_L), and females and males were both high (H_H). Our results suggest that giant pandas appear to be assortatively mating based on aggressive, fearful, and stereotypical-excitable personality traits. Mate dyads that were dissimilar on the stereotypical-excitable component score were more likely to have successful intromission than pairs that were similar. L_H mate dyads on the aggressive and stereotypical-excitable personality traits had increased intromission success and cub production than all other possible personality combinations. L_L on fearfulness had higher intromission success but not higher cub production than all other possible personality combinations. Mate dyads composed of males ranked high on the aggressive component relative to the female resulted in higher reproductive performance and cub production. In captive breeding programs, mates are traditionally selected solely on the basis of genetic parameters to minimize loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients. Our results suggest that integrating genetic with behavioral measures of preference, breeding history factors, and personality would increase the reproductive output of the giant panda captive-breeding program. We stress the importance of considering husbandry practices to accommodate personality traits and ultimately increase reproductive performance in the captive population while simultaneously maintaining both genetic and behavioral diversity.

Delinquent behavior is often a consequence of complex interactions between social contexts. In this study, we examined if the quality of relationships with mothers or fathers and relationships with delinquent peers predicted change in adolescents’ delinquent behavior. We used a sample of 2024 Swedish adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years (M = 14.8, SD = .71). We analyzed the data using hierarchical regressions, testing interactions intended to determine if the relationships with peers moderated the association of peers’ delinquent behavior with changes in adolescents’ own delinquent behavior. We further tested if this interaction was moderated by the quality of relationships with parents. The results suggested that association with delinquent peers was moderated by the quality of the relationship with peers. We did not find, however, evidence that the relationships with mothers or fathers predicted change in delinquent behavior or moderated the association of peer variables with delinquent behavior. While having delinquent peers matters for predicting delinquent behavior, when the relationships are high-quality relationships there is a greater increase in delinquent behavior than when the relationships are lower quality. The results of this study have implications for practice and further research on delinquent behavior, particularly for creating and improving prevention and intervention programs.
Delinquent beteende är ofta en konsekvens av komplexa interaktioner mellan sociala sammanhang. I denna studie undersökte vi om kvaliteten på relationerna med mödrar eller fäder och relationer med brottsliga kamrater förutspådde förändring av ungdomars brottsliga beteende. Vi använde ett urval av 2024 svenska ungdomar mellan 13 och 18 år (M = 14.8, SD = .71). Vi analyserade datan genom att använda hierarkiska regressioner, testande interaktioner som avsåg att avgöra om relationerna med kamrater modererade associeringen av kamraternas brottsliga beteenden med förändring av ungdomars egna brottsliga beteende. Vi testade fortsättningsvis om denna interaktion var modererad av kvaliteten på relationerna med föräldrarna. Resultaten föreslår att association med delinquenta kamrater modererades av kvaliteten på relationen med kamrater. Vi hittade emellertid inte bevis för att relationerna med mödrar eller fäder förutspådde förändring i delinquent beteende eller modererade associeringen av kompisars variabler med delinquent beteende. Relationen med delinquenta kamrater är betydelsefull för att förutsäga delinquent beteende, där högkvalitativa relationer modererade en kraftigare ökning av delinquent beteende än de relationer som var lågkvalitativa. Resultaten av denna studie har implikationer för praktik och vidare forskning i brottsligt beteende, särskilt för att skapa och förbättra prevention och interventionsprogram.

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) has experienced a drastic decline in numbers over the last 20 years globally and is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In South Africa, there are only an estimated 763 free-ranging cheetahs and conflict with humans is arguably the most significant reason for this low number. The aim of my study was to determine the population size and demographic characteristics of the cheetah population within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (TPNR), South Africa, and to contribute to a better understanding of cheetah space use and habitat selection. The research was conducted on TPNR between November 2009 and June 2011 and I used a photographic survey to assess cheetah population size and demographic characteristics. Location data was obtained by collaring two adult male cheetahs with GPS/GSM collars and ad hoc sightings data from across the reserve for an adult female with cubs and three adolescent females. A relatively high minimum population density of 4.46 cheetahs/100km² was estimated, signifying a relatively healthy cheetah population. The sex ratio data indicated a higher male to female ratio and an average litter size of three cubs. The relatively high cub survival rate and density is promising in terms of the status of species within the area, as the data denote the success and potential persistence of the species. Cheetah home ranges varied between 20.97km² for the female with cubs and 659.65km² for the younger collared male. Season did not appear to be a determining factor in terms of home range sizes for the three social groups within the TPNR. However, the males did show a slight increase in their home range sizes during the dry season when resources where presumably more widespread. My results indicate that the cheetah is an adaptable species, flexible in behaviour and able to tolerate a variety of habitat types. Such knowledge is fundamental for planning and implementing the effective management and conservation of cheetahs in South Africa.

Etude des processus de contre-irritation chez le rat, par une double approche comportementale et electrophysiologique, sur des modeles utilisant des stimulations nociceptives de duree relativement breve, et sur un modele pathologique experimental a l'origine d'une douleur chronique