Habitat Association

The study of the structure of the Odonata populations was undertaken during the dry season 2021, in the watershed of the Bumbu River. After capture with an entomological net, identification and enumeration, 393 individuals were collected and are divided into 2 suborders and 8 families. Several biotic indices were used to study the structure of the population on the one hand, and its diversity on the other. Raw abundance, relative frequency, taxonomic richness, Shannon and Weaver diversity, Jaccard's similarity index, Piélou's equitability and riparian strip quality index were calculated. The evaluation of the biotic indices in the different stations showed that there is a parallelism between them. The Libellulidae family was the most represented with 161 individuals or 40.9% of the total abundance and 15 species. It is followed by the families Lestidae with 97 individuals and 4 species, Coenagrionidae with 87 individuals and 5 species, , Corduliidae with 23 individuals and 3 species, Gomphidae with 15 individuals and 3 species, Platycnemidae with 9 individuals and 2 species, Chlorocyphidae with 6 individuals and 2 species and Calopterygidae with 1 individual and 1 species. The relative abundance of the species Chalcpstephia flavifros, Ceriagrion corallinum, Lestes virgatus, Lestes ictericus and Lestes tridens can be explained by the aquatic vegetation which serves them as perches and shelters.

Density distributions of red and western grey kangaroos in the South Australian pastoral zone were determined for the period 1978-86. The habitat associations of these kangaroos were analysed using the densities on half-degree blocks, and information on landform and soil type, land use and degradation, vegetation, and climate. Red kangaroos were found throughout the pastoral zone, the highest densities being in the north-east. Western grey kangaroos were restricted to the southern parts of the pastoral zone. Higher densities of red kangaroos were associated with pastoral land use, with brown calcareous and red duplex soils, and with areas dominated by low bluebush shrublands. They were not particularly closely associated with areas dominated by mulga. Habitat associations of red kangaroos were different in drought years compared to non-drought years. Changes in density distribution during drought appears to have been due to the patchiness of rainfall. The relative effect of the drou...

Rodents are successful animals in every continent because of their having comparatively little size, short breeding cycle, and capacity to survive on a variety of food items. Rodents are bioindicators. Terefore, the study on the species composition and population status of rodents in and around Yeraba Priority State Forest, located in northwest Ethiopia, was conducted from September 2022 to February 2023. Based on the vegetation type, the study area was classifed into four habitat types, namely, new regenerated forest, plantation forest, farmland, and grassland. Both live-trap and snap-traps were used to capture rodents. By using live-traps, a total of 582 individuals were captured. Te total captured individuals belonged to fve species of rodents. Tese species composition were Lophuromys favopunctatus (44%), Rattus rattus (25.3%), Arvicanthis abyssinicus (23.7%), Mastomys natalensis (6.7%), and Mus musculus (0.3%). Rodents' species composition and population abundance vary from season to season and from habitat to habitat. Lophuromys favopunctatus species was the most commonly distributed and abundant in the study area, whereas M. musculus was uncommon and smallest abundant in the study area. Te distributions of rodent were signifcantly diferent among diferent habitats. Age classes of rodents vary among habitats and between seasons. During both seasons, adult individuals were represented the highest proportion. Te rodent population density varied in diferent habitats during the wet and dry seasons. Population density of rodents was highest in grassland habitat, while population density of rodents was lowest in plantation forest. Te present study showed that there was a statistically signifcant diference in population density of rodents among habitats. Although diferent biomass estimates were recorded in diferent habitat types, their diferences were not statistically signifcant. Generally, the diversity of rodents was lower as compared to other studies; this might be due to diferent factors such as, clearing forest, overgrazing, and human disturbance. Yeraba Priority State Forest is a home to wildlife that needs conservation measure to save existing biodiversity and maintain the ecosystem.

This study delves into the diverse marine habitats of Jubilee Shoals, a submerged rocky reef off Pissouri Bay, Cyprus (eastern Mediterranean). The habitats include Posidonia oceanica meadows on the plateau, coralline communities on the vertical walls, and a cave system at its base. Utilizing closed-circuit rebreathers, trained cave divers quantitatively described the epibenthic communities and biodiversity within the cave system, ensuring both safety and high-quality data collection. Rebreathers allowed silent, bubble-less operation, efficient gas usage, extended dive times, reduced decompression times essential for detailed observation. The findings underscore the need for rebreathers in scientific exploration of deep-water environments, emphasizing their advantages. This approach facilitates undisturbed marine life observation and minimizes environmental impact, paving the way for future research and conservation in similar ecosystems.

Rodents are successful animals in every continent because of their having comparatively little size, short breeding cycle, and capacity to survive on a variety of food items. Rodents are bioindicators. Terefore, the study on the species composition and population status of rodents in and around Yeraba Priority State Forest, located in northwest Ethiopia, was conducted from September 2022 to February 2023. Based on the vegetation type, the study area was classifed into four habitat types, namely, new regenerated forest, plantation forest, farmland, and grassland. Both live-trap and snap-traps were used to capture rodents. By using live-traps, a total of 582 individuals were captured. Te total captured individuals belonged to fve species of rodents. Tese species composition were Lophuromys favopunctatus (44%), Rattus rattus (25.3%), Arvicanthis abyssinicus (23.7%), Mastomys natalensis (6.7%), and Mus musculus (0.3%). Rodents' species composition and population abundance vary from season to season and from habitat to habitat. Lophuromys favopunctatus species was the most commonly distributed and abundant in the study area, whereas M. musculus was uncommon and smallest abundant in the study area. Te distributions of rodent were signifcantly diferent among diferent habitats. Age classes of rodents vary among habitats and between seasons. During both seasons, adult individuals were represented the highest proportion. Te rodent population density varied in diferent habitats during the wet and dry seasons. Population density of rodents was highest in grassland habitat, while population density of rodents was lowest in plantation forest. Te present study showed that there was a statistically signifcant diference in population density of rodents among habitats. Although diferent biomass estimates were recorded in diferent habitat types, their diferences were not statistically signifcant. Generally, the diversity of rodents was lower as compared to other studies; this might be due to diferent factors such as, clearing forest, overgrazing, and human disturbance. Yeraba Priority State Forest is a home to wildlife that needs conservation measure to save existing biodiversity and maintain the ecosystem.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................ ................ ................ ..... v HABITAT USE INFORMATION ................ ................ ............... 1 General ................ ................ ................ ............. 1 Food ................ ................ ................ ............... 1 Water ................ ................ ................ ............... 2 Cover ................ ................ ................ ............... 2

Costs of detection bias in index-based population monitoring.-Managers of wildlife populations commonly rely on indirect, count-based measures of the population in making decisions regarding conservation, harvest, or control. The main appeal in the use of such counts is their low material expense compared to methods that directly measure the population. However, their correct use rests on the rarely-tested but often-assumed premise that they proportionately reflect population size, i.e., that they constitute a population index. This study investigates forest management for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and the Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in central Georgia, U.S.A. Optimal decision policies for a joint species objective were derived for two alternative models of Wood Thrush population dynamics. Policies were simulated under scenarios of unbiasedness, consistent negative bias, and habitat-dependent negative bias in observed Wood Thrush densities. Differences in simulation outcomes between biased and unbiased detection scenarios indicated the expected loss in resource objectives (here, forest habitat and birds) through decision-making based on biased population counts. Given the models and objective function used in our analysis, expected losses were as great as 11%, a degree of loss perhaps not trivial for applications such as endangered species management. Our analysis demonstrates that costs of uncertainty about the relationship between the population and its observation can be measured in units of the resource, costs which may offset apparent savings achieved by collecting uncorrected population counts.

Because of continental-scale declines of grassland birds over the past century, conservation agendas are focused on increasing understanding of grassland bird ecology and habitat associations. Shortgrass prairie is a unique grassland ecosystem maintained, in part, by Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). The Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) and western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) are species of conservation concern known to be associated with prairie dog colonies. We estimated abundance of Mountain Plovers and Burrowing Owls in three habitats within the Colorado shortgrass prairie ecosystem— prairie dog colonies, grassland not occupied by prairie dogs, and dryland agriculture. Further, we investigated habitat associations of Mountain Plovers and Burrowing Owls at multiple landscape scales. We estimated 8,577 Mountain Plovers (95% CI: 7,511–35,130) and 3,554 Burrowing Owls (95% CI: 3,298–8,445) in eastern Colorado. Mountain Plover density on prairie d...

We monitored nest success of mountain plovers (Charadrius montanus) relative to distance from the nearest anthropogenic edges, such as fence lines, roads, and perimeters of crop fields, in 2003 and 2004. We located and observed 163 mountain plover nests in eastern Colorado (USA). At least one egg hatched in 81 of 163 nests. Successful nests occurred at a mean distance of 93.94 m Ϯ 8.87 SE, whereas unsuccessful nests were located 84.39 m Ϯ 8.95 SE from the nearest edge. Based on our model selection criteria (AIC c ), nests farther from edges were not necessarily more successful than those closer to edges. The logistic regression coefficient for edge effects (0.13 Ϯ 0.12 SE) suggests that nests farther from edges are more successful. However, the standard error for the edge coefficient was large and the 95% confidence interval (Ϫ0.08, 0.35) encompassed zero, suggesting nest success was independent of distance from an anthropomorphic edge. We conclude that phenomena determining nest success of mountain plovers cannot be attributed to the single factor of anthropogenic edges in this fragmented landscape.

Concern over the decline of grassland birds has spurred efforts to increase understanding of grassland bird-habitat relationships. Previous studies have suggested that black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) provide important habitat for shortgrass prairie avifauna, such as mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) and western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), although such studies are lacking in Colorado (USA). We used methods to estimate occupancy (w) of mountain plover and burrowing owl on prairie dog colonies and other shortgrass prairie habitats in eastern Colorado. Mountain plover occupancy was higher on prairie dog colonies (w ¼ 0.50, 95% CI ¼ 0.36-0.64) than on grassland (w ¼ 0.07, 95% CI ¼ 0.03-0.15) and dryland agriculture (w ¼ 0.13, 95% CI ¼ 0.07-0.23). Burrowing owl occupancy was higher on active prairie dog colonies (w ¼ 0.80, 95% CI ¼ 0.66-0.89) compared with inactive colonies (w ¼ 0.23, 95% CI ¼ 0.07-0.53), which in turn was much higher than on grassland (w ¼ 0.01, 95% CI ¼ 0.00-0.07) and dryland agriculture (w ¼ 0.00, 95% CI ¼ 0.00-0.00). Mountain plover occupancy also was positively correlated with increasing amounts of prairie dog colony in the landscape. Burrowing owl occupancy was negatively correlated with increasing amounts of prairie dog colony in the surrounding landscape. Our results suggest that actions to conserve mountain plovers and burrowing owls should incorporate land management to benefit prairie dogs. Because managing for specific colony attributes is difficult, alternative management that promotes heterogeneity may ensure that suitable habitat is available for the guild of grassland inhabitants.

Coastal habitats are an ecotone between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Depressions on volcanic bedrock shores of Lake Superior form small pool habitats that are influenced to various degrees by their spatial context and that relate to differences in mechanisms of disturbance. A total of 71,931 coastal pools were mapped and measured, and amphibian occupants were identified along 48 km of shoreline at Isle Royale National Park, where coastal rock pool habitats were abundant. Generally, mean depth of pools was 0.11 m, with a mean surface area of 0.6 m 2 , although maximum measurements were 1.5 m and 378 m 2 , respectively. Three strongly defined zones occurred, with bedrock near the lake having a low slope and more numerous, smaller, and shallower pools; bedrock near the forest edge had a steeper slope and fewer, larger, and deeper pools; and a median zone occurring between. A single offshore location, Passage Island, had nearly 63% of all pool abundance. Two amphibian species were typical of coastal pools, the chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata) and blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale), while spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) was uncommon and probably incidental to coastal habitats. These three species were significantly more abundant in mid-shore pools. Four other amphibian species were only rarely detected. Both coastal habitat density and chorus frog abundance were highest at localities directly adjacent to an international shipping lane. As a result of intriguing spatial distributions and potential for impacts from coastal pollution, chorus frog in particular reveals that coastal ecology can be unique from inland contexts and have important management implications at the land-water interface.

Gill nets were used to determine the spatial and seasonal distributions of fishes in Lake Karnpeska (simple morphometry) and at Lake Enemy Swim (complex morphometry), South Dakota. Each season (spring, summer, and autumn) gill nets were randomly placed at littoral and limnetic sites and fished for approximately 24 h. Gill nets were allowed to fish for approximately 24 h. At Lake Karnpeska, 8 1 1 fishes were collected representing 16 species; statistical analyses were completed for five species. A total of 2,881 fishes was collected a t Lake Enemy Swim with analyses completed for seven species. Significant (R0.05) differences between littoral and limnetic gill net catch rates were identified during the spring a t Lake Karnpeska for walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), yellow perch (Percaflavescens), and white sucker (Catostomus commersonl). At Lake Enemy, Swim, significant differences between littoral and limnetic sites occurred for vellow perch (spring and autumn) and rock bass (Ambloplites rnpestris) (summer). Differences between median lengths of littoral and limnetic caught fidhes were identified for white sucker at Lake Kampeska and yellow perch and smallmouth bass (Micropterns dolomieu) a t Lake Enemy Swim. Significant seasonal differences in gill net catch rates and median lengths were identified a t both lakes.

As breeding areas are becoming warmer and wetter, climatic changes are likely to affect the distributions of millions of waterfowl in Eastern Canada. The objective of this study was to assess the potential effects of climate change on the breeding distribution and abundance of 12 common waterfowl species, by using a climate envelope modeling approach. Our response variables were species counts on 317 helicopter plots (25 km 2 ) averaged over 22 years . We applied a covariate selection procedure to select the best subset of a panel of 170 climate covariates for each species, which we then used to fit quantile regression forest models. Climate change projections were applied to the waterfowl models to infer 2011-2100 abundances. From the projected abundances, we computed climate suitability indices that accounted for potential temporal mismatches between climate change and the biota, as well as the expected velocity of climate change. On average, with a maximum of 4 covariates per model, the variance explained was 41% for out-of-bag predictions. Overall, the magnitude of absolute projected changes peaked under the "high" greenhouse gas concentration trajectory (RCP8.5) and at the end of the century (2071-2100). Species-specific projections indicated that climate change would potentially increase the abundance and core distributions of 7/12 species, whereas 5/12 species would experience a decrease. In particular, large decreases were projected for Barrow's goldeneye, an imperiled boreal cavity nester. Our spatially explicit indices of climate suitability deliver important information for targeting areas to preserve waterfowl, ecosystems, and the services they provide.

The abundance of foraging bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Myotis daubentonii) and flying insects over two rivers in north-east Scotland (Dee and Ythan), differing eightfold in nitrate levels, were compared by paired samples over three periods in summer 1995, during each of which 10 nights' sampling was undertaken using ultrasonic detectors and insect suction traps. Thirteen out of the 18 pairwise comparisons of bat passes, insect numbers, biomass and diversity were not significantly different. The oligotrophic Dee supported higher numbers of bats than the eutrophic Ythan in June, but this was attributed to an effect of adverse weather conditions affecting the Ythan. In July and August-September, neither bat abundances nor the abundance of Chironomidae and Trichoptera, the main food of the bats, differed significantly between the two rivers, although the Ythan showed higher total insect biomass than the Dee. The Ythan also showed a much higher abundance of small Diptera, mainly Psychodidae and Cecidomyiidae, associated with elevated nitrogen levels in the intensively farmed river valley. Thus a small eutrophic river can support as many bats and as high an insect density as a large oligotrophic one.

The abundance of foraging bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Myotis daubentonii) and flying insects over two rivers in north‐east Scotland (Dee and Ythan), differing eightfold in nitrate levels, were compared by paired samples over three periods in summer 1995, during each of which 10 nights' sampling was undertaken using ultrasonic detectors and insect suction traps. Thirteen out of the 18 pairwise comparisons of bat passes, insect numbers, biomass and diversity were not significantly different. The oligotrophic Dee supported higher numbers of bats than the eutrophic Ythan in June, but this was attributed to an effect of adverse weather conditions affecting the Ythan. In July and August–September, neither bat abundances nor the abundance of Chironomidae and Trichoptera, the main food of the bats, differed significantly between the two rivers, although the Ythan showed higher total insect biomass than the Dee. The Ythan also showed a much higher abundance of small Diptera, main...

From a conservationist perspective, seahorses are threatened fishes. Concomitantly, from a socioeconomic perspective, they represent a source of income to many fishing communities in developing countries. An integration between these two views requires, among other things, the recognition that seahorse fishers have knowledge and abilities that can assist the implementation of conservation strategies and of management plans for seahorses and their habitats. This paper documents the knowledge held by Brazilian fishers on the biology and ecology of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi. Its aims were to explore collaborative approaches to seahorse conservation and management in Brazil; to assess fishers' perception of seahorse biology and ecology, in the context evaluating potential management options; to increase fishers' involvement with seahorse conservation in Brazil. Data were obtained through questionnaires and interviews made during field surveys conducted in fishing villages located in the States of Piauí, Ceará, Paraíba, Maranhão, Pernambuco and Pará. We consider the following aspects as positive for the conservation of seahorses and their habitats in Brazil: fishers were willing to dialogue with researchers; although captures and/or trade of brooding seahorses occurred, most interviewees recognized the importance of reproduction to the maintenance of seahorses in the wild (and therefore of their source of income), and expressed concern over population declines; fishers associated the presence of a ventral pouch with reproduction in seahorses (regardless of them knowing which sex bears the pouch), and this may facilitate the construction of collaborative management options designed to eliminate captures of brooding specimens; fishers recognized microhabitats of importance to the maintenance of seahorse wild populations; fishers who kept seahorses in captivity tended to recognize the condtions as poor, and as being a cause of seahorse mortality.

A robust assessment of the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) stock, required to guide conservation efforts, is challenged by the species’ vast range, high variability in demographic parameters and data inadequacies. Novel ideas and underutilised resources that may assist both analytic assessments and spatially oriented modelling include (1) species and environmental databases; (2) mining of data from scattered sources; (3) infilling of data gaps by spatial analysis; (4) age estimation from measurements of DNA methylation; evaluation of eel abundance by (5) larval, (6) glass‐bottom boat, (7) net enclosure and (8) eDNA surveys; (9) accounting for dam‐induced habitat increases in eel watercourse modelling; (10) spatially oriented modelling with and without temporal components; (11) geographically nested modelling of glass eel recruitment; (12) spawner per recruit modelling and (13) life cycle modelling to examine larval allocation effects. Eel biologists are too few to gather the requir...

Iracambi is a working farm in region of Rosario da Limeira, Minas Gerais. Research is carried out at the farm's Research and Conservation Center into sustainable methods of farming the rainforest. Butterflies are not only interesting but also vitally important to the rainforest. This study was carried out to catalogue the abundance and diversity of butterflies at Iracambi. The methods were adapted to suit our facilities. A surprising number of butterflies and butterfly diversity was observed considering the season.

Butterflies are the most important "bioindicators" representing the overall health of the ecosystem (Pollard, 1991). Butterflies are dependent on different types of vegetation for their life. They are facing threats due to habitat loss and climate change that varies with seasons. Chatra villas garden is endowed with butterflies diversity due to lush green vegetation. Comparatively Abheda is lower in species richness and abundance of butterflies due to habitat loss and lesser variation in vegetation. Study of these bioindicators is crucial for patronage efforts, monitoring of ecosystem and overall understanding the health of the ecosystem. Number of species of butterflies is decreasing day by day due to increase use of pesticides, deforestation and climate change that ultimately results in loss of habitat of butterflies. The study was carried out in March 2022 to February 2023. For the sampling of butterflies "Line Transect Method" was used. The Microsoft excel was used for analyzing the data and for making the graphs. Maximum abundance (205) and species richness (19) was reported in Chatra villas garden. While in Abheda 191 individuals and 11 species of butterflies was reported. Shannon diversity index of Chatra villas garden (H= 2.288) is more than the Abheda (H= 1.883). The highest Simpson's diversity index was at the Chatra villas garden (D= 0.8651) than Abheda (D= 0.176). The species richness Margalef's index (R) of Chatra villas garden (R= 3.381) was higher than the Abheda (R= 1.903). Pielou's eveness index (e) of Chatra villas garden was (e= 0.777) lesser than Abheda (e= 0.785). Nymphalidae family was the dominant family in both Chatra villas garden (36.84%) and in Abheda (54.54%).The least dominant family in Chatra villas garden was Hesperiidae (5.26%) while in Abheda, Lycaenidae (18.18%) was the least dominant family. Danaus chrysippus (Plain tiger butterfly) and Eurema brigitta (Brush bordered yellow) was the most dominant species in C.V garden. While in the Abheda Zizula hylax (Tiny grass blue) was the most dominant species followed by Danaus chrysippus.

A study on the population structure and abundance of the Grant’s gazelle (Gazella granti Brooke, 1872) was carried out in the plains of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia during November, 2008 April, 2009. Distance sampling based on line-transect method was used to estimate the populations of the Grant’s gazelles. Habitat association was assessed based on the abundance of herds or individuals observed in different habitats. The estimated population of Grant’s gazelle in the study area was around 2100 heads. The population density was 10.5 ± 3.2 km-2. The mean herd size was 3.65 individuals, including the territorial male, females and fawns. The age ratio of adult to fawns was 1:0.22. The age structure of Grant’s gazelles was 82.5 % adult, 12.5 % juvenile and 4.8 % fawn. The sex ratio of adult male to adult female was 1:2, with a sex structure of 28.25 % male, 54.25 % female and 17.3 % immature young. The grassland habitat ranked higher in the abundance of gazelles (n = 100, 67.1 %) th...

Home ranges, spatial movements and patterns of habitat use were determined during a radio‐tracking study on four male and six female Philippine tarsier Tarsius syrichta in Corella, Bohol, from early March to October 1999. This was the first radio‐tracking study of the Philippine tarsier that included both breeding adult males and females. Home ranges averaged 6.45 ha for males and 2.45 ha for females (MCP and Kernel 95%), allowing for a density of 16 male and 41 female tarsiers per 100 ha. The habitats are primarily located in secondary lowland rainforest in early to mid succession stage, but individual tarsiers readily traversed open grass areas to move between forest patches. However, the tarsiers avoided adjacent residential areas, clearings and agricultural plantation, even if the last two were found enclosed in home‐range polygons. The home range of one male overlapped extensively with that of one female and to a lesser extent with a second female. Home ranges of males showed l...

Sylvatic plague is a major factor influencing the dynamics of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in the western Great Plains. We studied the nesting response of the mountain plover (Charadrius montanus), a grassland bird that nests on prairie dog colonies, to plaguedriven dynamics of prairie dog colonies at three sites in the western Great Plains. First, we examined plover nest distribution on colonies that were previously affected by plague, but that had been recovering (expanding) for at least 6 years. Plovers consistently nested in both young (colonized in the past 1-2 years) and old (colonized for 6 or more years) portions of prairie dog colonies in proportion to their availability. Second, we examined changes in plover nest frequency at two sites following plague epizootics, and found that mountain plover nest numbers declined relatively rapidly (B2 years) on plague-affected colonies. Taken together, our findings indicate that available plover nesting habitat associated with prairie dog colonies closely tracks the area actively occupied by prairie dogs each year. Given the presence of plague throughout most of the mountain plover's breeding range in the western Great Plains, important factors affecting plover populations likely include landscape features that determine the scale of plague outbreaks, the distance that plovers move in response to changing breeding habitat conditions, and the availability and quality of alternate breeding habitat within the landscape.

Precise information about endangered species, in particular identifying their resources requirements, is needed to identify areas that might support populations. Little is known about the endangered Mount Hermon June Beetle (Polyphylla barbata) found only within Zayante soils region of Santa Cruz County, California. We investigated the beetle's host plant selection, habitat association and mating behavior between June 2004 and September 2005. We identified angiosperm and Pteridophyta phyla, and fungi within the frass pellets of Mount Hermon June Beetle larvae demonstrating that they are not specialist feeders but are microhabitat specialists. Larval species was confirmed by DNA analysis. Significant differences were found in vegetation assemblages between regions where the Mount Hermon June Beetle did and did not occur for Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana, and bare ground.

This paper provides a case study of a threatened seahorse species, Hippocampus reidi, highlighting the importance of using ecological information to assist conservation and management initiatives. Underwater visual sighting data (50 x 2m transect) gathered along the NE, SE and S portions of the Brazilian coast revealed an unequal distribution across localities, perhaps related to harvesting pressure, and a mean density of 0.026 ind.m-2. Our findings suggest some restricted spatial use by H. reidi, which was consistent with its estimated home range, and with re-sighting of specimens. Reproduction was recorded year-round, however productive peaks may exist. Components of habitat structure mostly used as anchoring points were mangrove plants, macroalgae, cnidarians, seagrass, sponges, and bryozoans. Conservation recommendations include: further characterization and mapping of habitats; assessment of availability and condition of microhabitats in selected areas, and studies on dispersal...

Recent studies have used occupancy models (OM) and ecological niche models (ENM) to provide a better understanding of species’ distributions at different scales. One of the main ideas underlying the theoretical foundations of both OM and ENM is that they are positively related to abundance: higher occupancy implies higher density and more suitable areas are likely to have more abundant populations. Here, we analyze the relationship between habitat use measured in terms of occupancy probabilities from OM and environmental suitability derived from ENM in three different Neotropical mammal species: Leopardus wiedii, Cuniculus paca, and Dasypus novemcinctus. For ENM, we used climatic and vegetation cover variables and implemented a model calibration and selection protocol to select the most competitive models. For OM, we used a single-species, single-season model with site covariates for camera-trap data from six different sites throughout the Neotropical realm. Covariates included vege...

Synthesis and Workshop Project Project Goal: To perform a literature review and synthesis of relevant forested wetland research with an emphasis on interactions of commercial forest management activities and forested wetland functions emphasizing topics listed in the WDNR Forests and Fish Report (WDNR 1999). This review and synthesis contains scientific information relevant to forested wetland functions in the Pacific Northwest with emphasis on the interaction of forest management activities and forest wetland functions. We have limited our coverage of riparian areas as that information will be addressed by The Riparian Science Advisory Group. A companion-annotated bibliography has been produced that includes references

Many coral reef fishes exhibit distinct ontogenetic shifts in habitat use while some species settle directly in adult habitats, but there is not any general explanation to account for these differences in settlement strategies among coral reef fishes. This study compared distribution patterns and habitat associations of juvenile (young of the year) butterflyfishes to those of adult conspecifics. Three species, Chaetodon auriga, Chaetodon melannotus, and Chaetodon vagabundus, all of which have limited reliance on coral for food, exhibited marked differences in habitat association of juvenile versus adult individuals. Juveniles of these species were consistently found in shallow-water habitats, whereas adult conspecifics were widely distributed throughout a range of habitats. Juveniles of seven other species (Chaetodon aureofasciatus, Chaetodon baronessa, Chaetodon citrinellus, Chaetodon lunulatus, Chaetodon plebeius, Chaetodon rainfordi, and Chaetodon trifascialis), all of which feed predominantly on live corals, settled directly into habitat occupied by adult conspecifics. Butterflyfishes with strong reliance on corals appear to be constrained to settle in habitats that provide access to essential prey resources, precluding their use of distinct juvenile habitats. More generalist butterflyfishes, however, appear to utilise distinct juvenile habitats and exhibit marked differences in the distribution of juveniles versus adults.

In marine ecosystems, evolutionary studies of reduced gene flow among fish populations in the absence of strong physical barriers have tended to focus on mechanisms to increase survival of the critical early life-history stages. In contrast, ecological resource partitioning among later life-history stages has received considerable attention in studies of freshwater ecosystems. Few studies have considered both mechanisms simultaneously and none have documented their influence on sympatric co-existence in an estuarine environment. Despite the fact that they are highly mobile and exploit a dispersive environment, the two sympatric populations of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) found in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada, appear to be spatially segregated along the north (north-shore population) and south (south-shore population) shores of the estuary. The existence of population-specific spawning sites and times as well as nursery areas would indicate selective pressures acting on the early life-history stages. If resource partitioning contributes to segregation, we would also expect to identify population-specific morphological adaptations correlated with distinct feeding niches. Spawning of the two populations was temporally and spatially segregated. The north-shore population spawns approximately 2 weeks before the south-shore population directly on shallow shoals in the fluvial estuary, whereas the south-shore population spawns in small tributaries along the south shore of the middle estuary. Larval populations are also clearly segregated among discrete nursery habitats, representing the first documented case of larval segregation between sympatric populations of a fish with a pelagic larval stage. Larvae of the north-shore population exploited all channel habitats within the estuarine turbidity maximum and to a minor degree adjacent shoals and small bays. In contrast, larvae of the south-shore population were largely confined to the south shore shoals and large shallow bays at the downstream limit of the estuarine turbidity maximum. Adult smelt populations are morphologically distinct and reflect a benthic/pelagic dichotomy in morphology. However, the phenotype-habitat association is not paralleled by the expected benthivorous/planktivorous dichotomy in diet and feeding apparatus morphology. These population-specific adaptations may serve to maximize foraging efficiency within distinct environmental settings (deep channels vs shoals) rather than favouring

Although all species provide some spatial information about past environments, remnant populations of habitat specialists can serve as biological legacies and natural archives of historical landscapes. The endangered longleaf pine ecosystem is home to an array of imperiled fauna that specialize on the habitat. Often referred to as pine savanna, the ecosystem was characterized by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), but included an array of opencanopy habitats within a grassland matrix dominated by a variety of tree species. In this study, we used a coarse scale of description to quantify habitat associations of a declining reptile, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), historically associated with pine savannas of the southeastern United States. We made cross-scale habitat comparisons and controlled for land use and geographic variability. Habitat models of within home range and microhabitat selection indicated that the species was associated with an open-canopy savanna community structure. We identified the eastern diamondback rattlesnake as a remnant of the historical southeastern savanna, which is important for species conservation and broader management of the southeastern savanna community. Given their longevity and habitat specificity, remnant eastern diamondback rattlesnake populations are biological legacies of the southeastern savanna community and act as a surrogate for the prioritization of land conservation. Thus, the species' presence provides spatial information that can be used by conservationists to identify habitats that have high restoration potential, and also increases the probability that other species associated with pine savanna occur locally.

Background Understanding the distribution pattern of species and their suitable habitat is key to focus conservation efforts. Climate change has had notable impact on the distribution and extent of suitable habitats, and the longterm survival of various species. We aim to determine the distribution and extent of suitable habitats for Tauraco ruspolii and T. leucotis in Ethiopia and predict their range in the 2050s and 2070s using MaxEnt algorithm. We used 25 and 29 rarified occurrence points for T. ruspolii and T. leucotis, respectively, and 13 environmental variables. Three regularization multipliers and two cut-off thresholds were used to map the potential suitable habitats for each species under current and future climates. Maps were assembled from these techniques to produce final composite tertiary maps and investigated the habitat suitability overlap between the two species using the UNION tool in the geographical information system. Result All model run performances were highly accurate for both species. Precipitation of the driest month and vegetation cover are the most influential variables for the habitat suitability of T. ruspolii. The habitat suitability of T. leucotis is also mainly influenced by mean temperature of the driest quarter and vegetation cover. Under the current climate, the suitable habitat predicted for T. ruspolii covered about 24,639.19 km 2 , but its range size change shows a gain and increase by 156.00% and 142.68% in 2050 and 2070, respectively. The T. leucotis's current suitable habitat ranges about 204,397.62 km², but this is reduced by 40.84% and 68.67% in 2050 and 2070, respectively. Our modeling also showed that there was suitable habitat overlap between them at the margin of their respective habitat types in time series. We concluded that there is a direct or indirect impact of climate change on the suitable habitat range expansion for T. ruspolii and contraction for T. leucotis as well as overlapping of these turaco species in different regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, understanding the distribution of current and future suitable habitats of the two turaco species can provide valuable information to implement conservation practices for the species and the regions as well.

Grazing herbivores mainly feed at low feeding height levels, while browsers select food items above ground level. Previous studies on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) nematode parasite burdens of African ungulates have suggested that browsing species hereby minimise the risk of infection with parasites. Here, we investigated the influence of feeding height levels on the pasture larval contamination level (PCL) in a natural African savannah eco-system in Queen Elizabeth National Park, western Uganda. The prevalence and mean abundance of infectious GIT nematode larvae on the pasture were used as measures of pasture contamination. Vegetation samples were examined following standard larval isolation, concentration and counting techniques. We found the feeding height level to be significantly related to the occurrence of infectious GIT nematode larvae, and the contamination was highest at low feeding levels. There was no statistically significant seasonal variation in the prevalence or mean abundance of the contamination of pastures with nematode larvae.

A free-ranging bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) population was observed over a period of 3 years, thereby enabling a detailed description of the behavioural repertoire of this widespread but barely investigated solitary African antelope species. Agonistic and submissive behaviour patterns are described, among them several hitherto un-described behaviour patterns -such as "escorting", where territorial males guide intruders to the periphery of their territory -and "push-up position", an extreme form of submissive behaviour. Furthermore, we report on behaviour patterns of males and females during mating as well as on behaviour patterns of parents directed towards their offspring. Again, we describe a hitherto unknown behaviour: the protection of calves by adult males, which may be a socio-positive behaviour directed towards their offspring led by kin selection.

To determine if salinity of water and presence of vegetation influence use of wetlands by bats, acoustic detectors were used to record echolocation calls of bats over wetlands in Charleston County, South Carolina, during June-October 2014. Abundance and diversity of insects were determined using a light trap and environmental conditions were measured with a portable weather station to determine if availability of insects or environmental conditions, respectively, played a prominent role in where bats were active. Bats were significantly less active over wetlands with vegetation compared to open-water habitats. Salinity of water played a less significant role than presence of vegetation in where bats were active; however, freshwater sites had the greatest activity. Abundance and diversity of insects were not related to activity of bats. Environmental conditions were related less to activity of bats than features of the habitat. Maintaining open-water areas devoid of vegetation is critical for encouraging activity of bats over wetlands.

Millions of raptors and other Neotropical migratory birds are constrained to a narrow geographic corridor during migration through Veracruz, México. Over many years of work, a clearly identifi ed list of problems has defi ned the agenda of a long-term conservation plan for this globally important migration stopover site. Threats to migrants include habitat loss, pesticide use, and negative human attitudes towards raptors that result in direct persecution. The Veracruz River of Raptors Project (VRR) started in 1991 as a long-term initiative to address these problems. Its adaptive conservation plan is based on three core strategic lines of work: 1) research, focused on identifying key stopover habitat sites, understanding migration ecology, and assessing conservation risk by species/habitat associations; 2) monitoring, through a long-term program to track populations based on migration counts and banding, and 3) environmental education, through an alliance to implement programs with students and teachers in rural and urban schools and permanent, year-round presence through its new Mario A. Ramos Bird Observatory. These activities are supported by three core processes for long-term sustainability: a) an international training scheme to ensure qualifi ed human resources; b) a renewable fundraising system that includes a membership program, a private donor base, an ecotourism program, and a continuous fundraising process through foundations, and c) the formalization of partnerships and development of a network of contacts, from local to international, to support the work developed onsite. This approach to conservation implementation has sustained the VRR Project for 18 years. We anticipate utilizing these same strategies to advance the project's goals in the future.

La comunidad de ictioplancton (huevos y larvas) en una zona somera de la reserva marina de Tabarca fue caracterizada a distintas escalas temporales a lo largo de un año (estación, fase lunar y día-noche). Se discute la variabilidad temporal que mostraron las capturas de huevos y larvas, y su posible relación con los factores estudiados. Se utilizaron redes de plancton fijas. Fueron capturados en total 21 855 huevos (media 140,41 individuos/100 m 3 , SD 260,36) y 4 542 larvas (media 42,45 individuos/100 m 3 , SD 82,9). Las larvas preflexión constituyeron el 99 % de las capturas. Se identificó un total de 20 familias. Las categorías taxonómicas más abundantes fueron Gobiesocidae (31,8 %), Gobiidae (31,7 %), Sardina pilchardus (11,1 %), Bleniidae (7,5 %), Sparidae (6,9 %), Sardinella aurita (2,6 %), Serranidae (2,4 %) y Atherinidae (1,8 %). La composición de la comunidad se asemejó a la encontrada en estuarios y lagunas costeras por otros autores, más que a la encontrada en zonas de plataforma cercanas. No hay evidencias de que la reserva marina actúe como zona de retención de larvas de especies comerciales, sino más bien de exportación. No hubo diferencias entre las dos localidades de muestreo. Las mayores densidades de huevos y larvas aparecieron en los meses de agosto y junio. Los huevos mostraron cierta variabilidad relacionada con la fase lunar, con mayores capturas en cuarto creciente y luna nueva, pero no tuvieron diferencias día-noche. Las larvas mostraron una mayor densidad durante la noche, con mayores diferencias respecto al día en las fases lunares oscuras.

Two-hundred shoots contained within randomly selected locations from each of thirty-six coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, trees were sampled to determine the abundance and spatial distribution of acorns infested by the filbert weevil, Curculio occidentis in northern California during 1989. The seasonal abundance of infested acorns was highest at 30 percent during mid-September. Overall, 25 percent of all acorns observed on sample trees revealed signs of boring insect activity. Slightly higher infestation rate of 38 percent was obtained from laboratory dissections of field collected acorns (n = 501). Of those acorns dissected in the laboratory found to contain insect larvae, 70 percent contained C. occidentis and 30 percent contained the filbertworm, Melissopus latiferreanus. Although acorns were numerous on the sunny side of the tree, infested acorns were more abundant on the shady side. The differential distribution of acorns spatially within trees, acorn survivorship, and the impact of insect and other animal acorn predators on acorn production are discussed. The sweeping branches of a large regal oak is a vision common to all of us. As a single tree or forest stand, our native oaks play an important role in wildlife and human ecologies. In California there are 18 species of oaks, 10 of which reach tree size (Tucker 1980; Griffin and Muick 1990). The total acreage for California's oak species has been estimated at 15-20 million acres (Plumb and McDonald 1981). For thousands of years, native oaks have been a prominent and persistent floral feature in California. Unfortunately, it now appears many of our oak woodlands have been drastically reduced and are poorly regenerating (Mayer and others 1986; Bolsinger 1987; Muick and Bartolome 1987). Because of poor regeneration and dwindling oak habitats in California, there is renewed interest in factors that restrict or inhibit acorn development. Acorns have many predators, including insects, birds, and mammals (Brown 1980; Griffin 1980; Koenig 1980). However, while acorns are still on the tree, the filbert weevil, Curculio occidentis (Casey) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and filbertworm, Melissopus latiferreanus (Walsingham)

Lowland grasslands in Nepal were thoroughly surveyed in 1996-1999 to assess the status and distribution of the globally threatened Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata. Birds were located on foot, from elephants and from jeeps by sight and sound backed up by mist-nets and tape playback. The status information was updated again by visiting these areas in 2010-2012. Bristled Grassbirds were recorded in Sukla Phanta and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserves, and Chitwan National Park where most of the Nepal population is confined. From the research, it was found that they were most associated with newly formed Saccharum and Imperata dominated grasslands during summer. The low numbers present during winter suggested that this species was primarily a summer migrant to Nepal. A total population for Nepal is presented based on a reliable density estimate. Loss and degradation of grassland habitat and invasion of Mikania micrantha were identified as the major threats. Further research on migratory...

We investigated the home range size, habitat selection, as well as the spatial and activity overlap, of four mid-sized carnivore species in the Central Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. From December 2005 to September 2008, seven crab-eating foxes Cerdocyon thous, seven brown-nosed coatis Nasua nasua, and six ocelots Leopardus pardalis were radio-collared and monitored. Camera trap data on these species were also collected for the crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus. We hypothesized that there would be large niche differentiation in preferred habitat-type or active period between generalist species with similar diet, and higher similarity in habitat-type or activity time between the generalist species (crab-eating foxes and coatis) and the more specialized ocelot. Individual home ranges were estimated using the utilization distribution index (UD- 95% fixed Kernel). With data obtained from radio-collared individuals, we evaluated habitat selection using compositional analysis...

The abundance of lepidopterans over a continuum of successional stages in terrestrial landscapes acts as a potential measure of environmental hygiene and conservational urgency. Butterflies, often threatened with risks of alteration at the landscape matrices may be chosen as bioindicator due to their well-known ecology and the existing standard tools for methodical documentations. Present study area, located in a small township at North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, represents habitats with multiple vegetation profile and anthropogenic interventions. Ecological and ethological associations of two moderate to highly abundant pierids, the Whites and Yellows, to their nectar and non-nectar host plants providing nutritional, reproductive and developmental resources in these habitats are documented. Seasonal variations are considered as underlying factors shaping up the community structure. On basis of minute and detailed field observations, both species are documented to show periodic co-oc...