Comparative post-weaning ontogeny of the mandible in fossorial and semi-aquatic water voles
Publication date: Available online 31 May 2019Source: Mammalian BiologyAuthor(s): Ana Filipa Durão, Jacint Ventura, Francesc Muñoz-MuñozAbstractComparison of post-weaning ontogenetic changes in bone structures between phylogenetically close species with different ecology and types of locomotion can provide a broader picture of the role that function can play in growth patterns. Since the skulls of water voles of genus Arvicola exhibit an important morphological variation associated with underground or semi-aquatic habitats, we compare postnatal ontogenetic changes in the mandible of A. sapidus (semi-aquatic) and A. sche...
Source: Mammalian Biology - June 1, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
The summer diet of fish-eating killer whales in the Avacha Gulf of Kamchatka: Are there any preferences?
In this study we investigated the diet of fish-eating killer whales in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (Avacha Gulf, Kamchatka) and compared it to the published data on Northeast Pacific fish-eating killer whales. We collected prey fragments (N = 141) after hunting events in the summer seasons of 2011–2016 and determined the species of prey. Killer whales fed mainly on various species of Pacific salmon in Avacha Gulf. Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) (56% of samples) and chum salmon (O. keta) (31% of samples) predominated in the diet. The results are comparable to the peculiarities of the fish-eating killer whale diet ...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 28, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Diet of a semiaquatic invasive mammal in northern Italy: may it be an alarming threat to the endemic water vole?
Publication date: Available online 27 May 2019Source: Mammalian BiologyAuthor(s): Emiliano Mori, Giuseppe MazzaAbstractThe American mink Neovison vison has been introduced to Italy for fur farms in the 1950s. Since the 1970s, free-ranging individuals are present in north-eastern Italy, where an expanding population still occurs. In our work, we aimed at assessing the seasonal diet of invasive American mink introduced to north-eastern Italy. Thus, a total of 195 min. scats (N = 73, June 2007; N = 57, September 2007; N = 65, February 2008) were collected. Scats were washed and food remains isolated and classifi...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 28, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Editorial Board
Publication date: May 2019Source: Mammalian Biology, Volume 96Author(s): (Source: Mammalian Biology)
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 24, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
The summer diet of fish-eating killer whales in Avacha Gulf of Kamchatka: are there any preferences?
In this study we investigated the diet of fish-eating killer whales in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (Avacha Gulf, Kamchatka) and compared it to the published data on Northeast Pacific fish-eating killer whales. We collected prey fragments (N = 141) after hunting events in the summer seasons of 2011-2016 and determined the species of prey. Killer whales fed mainly on various species of Pacific salmon in Avacha Gulf. Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) (56% of samples) and chum salmon (O. keta) (31% of samples) predominated in the diet. The results are comparable to the peculiarities of the fish-eating killer whale diet in...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 14, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Comparative spatial genetic structure of two rodent species in an agro-ecological landscape in southern Africa
Publication date: Available online 9 May 2019Source: Mammalian BiologyAuthor(s): Viviana Rojas Bonzi, Celine M. Carneiro, Samantha M. Wisely, Ara Monadjem, Robert A. McCleery, Bonginkosi Gumbi, James D. AustinAbstractDetermining the scale of genetic variation informs studies of dispersal, connectivity, and population dynamics particularly in heterogeneous landscapes. Mastomys natalensis and Mus minutoides are generalist rodents that utilize multiple habitat types within the agro-ecological landscapes of southern African savannas. To study the comparative spatial genetic structure of these species we developed 9 new microsa...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 10, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Impact of wild boars on the feeding behavior of smaller frugivorous mammals
We examined the interspecific relationships among wild boars, raccoon dogs, and badgers with regard to the consumption of fallen fruits to assess how the presence of the largest mammal, the boar, affects the frugivory behavior of the two smaller species. In our 2-year survey, automatic cameras were set under the crown of wild cherry trees to observe frugivory; all mammals had access to the trees in the first year, but only wild boars were blocked access with a fence in the second year. The survey was conducted in a temperate broad-leaved forest in central Japan. All three species frequently visited those trees with abundan...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 10, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Discovery of the rare Handley’s short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis handleyi, in the threatened southern Amazonian savanna of Brazil
We report a new locality for Monodelphis handleyi, a rare short-tailed opossum species, previously known only from its type locality, in Loreto, northeastern Peru. One adult male was collected using pitfall trap disposed in Humaitá Amazonian savanna of southern Amazonas state, Brazil. Voucher specimen had their identification confirmed by molecular data (mitochondrial gene Cytochrome b) and morphological comparison. We provide external and cranial measurements of this specimen and comment on its morphology. The specimen reported here represents the first record of M. handleyi in Brazil and is the second known locality for...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 10, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Canine distemper virus may affect European wild cat populations in Central Spain
Publication date: July 2019Source: Mammalian Biology, Volume 97Author(s): Mónica G. Candela, Xosé Pardavila, Nieves Ortega, Adrián Lamosa, Julián G. Mangas, Carlos Martínez-CarrascoAbstractThe main objective of this brief communication is to inform about the exposure to certain pathogens of interest for mesocarnivores in wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) that inhabit a human-domestic-wild ecotone located in a Natural Park (Serranía de Cuenca, Central Spain). Blood and mucosal swabs (nasal, conjunctival and rectal) samples were collected from nine alive animals to detect canine distemper virus (CDV), parvovirus (...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 7, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
No evidence for recent introgressive hybridization between the European and Siberian roe deer in Poland
In this study, we investigated the population genetic structure of the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Poland, affected by widespread ancient mtDNA introgression from Siberian roe deer (C. pygargus), for signs of recent human-mediated admixture. We analysed two nuclear gene sequences (FPGT and LRRIQ3) and 10 microsatellite loci in 258 European roe deer and 78 introgressed individuals (C. capreolus with mtDNA of C. pygargus) collected from 16 populations from Poland. Eighteen Siberian roe deer from Russia were also genotyped. Population genetic structure, assessed using Bayesian analysis and Principal Coordinate ...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 4, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Functional morphology and ventilatory implications of the intracoelomic organization of three-toed sloths
We examined the visceral anatomy in the brown-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) and compared our results to a number of historical anatomical references, almost all of which were published in languages other than English. In agreement with the majority of these earlier studies, we come to the conclusion that the reported adhesions represent sloth-specific modifications of ordinary mesenteric structures present in all mammals, and that sloths in fact possess no unique visceral suspension structures. However, we agree in principal with the hypothesized influence of these structures on ventilator mechanics in in...
Source: Mammalian Biology - May 2, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Genetic diversity of Oecomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) from the Tapajós River basin and the role of rivers as barriers for the genus in the region
Publication date: Available online 28 April 2019Source: Mammalian BiologyAuthor(s): Juliane Saldanha, Daniela Cristina Ferreira, Victor Fonsêca da Silva, Manoel Santos-Filho, Ana Cristina Mendes-Oliveira, Rogério Vieira RossiAbstractThe genus Oecomys is one of the most speciose within the subfamily Sigmodontinae, with most species found in the Amazon region. Recent studies have shown that the diversity, recognition of specific boundaries and geographical distribution is still imprecise for the genus. Herein, we investigate the genetic diversity of Oecomys in the Tapajós River basin and determine whether its rivers (Tapa...
Source: Mammalian Biology - April 29, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Discovery of the rare Handley´s short tailed opossum, Monodelphis handleyi, in the threatened southern Amazonian savanna of Brazil
We report a new locality for Monodelphis handleyi, a rare short-tailed opossum species, previously known only from its type locality, in Loreto, northeastern Peru. One adult male was collected using pitfall trap disposed in Humaitá Amazonian savanna of southern Amazonas state, Brazil. Voucher specimen had their identification confirmed by molecular data (mitochondrial gene Cytochrome b) and morphological comparison. We provide external and cranial measurements of this specimen and comment on its morphology. The specimen reported here represents the first record of M. handleyi in Brazil and is the second known locality for...
Source: Mammalian Biology - April 28, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Spatiotemporal pattern in the autumn invasion behaviour of the common pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus: review with a case study
Publication date: Available online 27 April 2019Source: Mammalian BiologyAuthor(s): Gréta Nusová, Miroslav Fulín, Marcel Uhrin, Dalibor Uhrovič, Peter KaňuchAbstractCommon pipistrelle bats are known for their autumn or late-summer invasions, when temporary groups of individuals fly into inhabited buildings in urban areas. This specific display has been reported since 1862. In this review, we collected all available records and analysed their spatiotemporal pattern within the species range with regard to the numbers and structure of individuals involved in such invasions (in total 1,025 invasions from 51 publications a...
Source: Mammalian Biology - April 28, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Editorial Board
Publication date: March 2019Source: Mammalian Biology, Volume 95Author(s): (Source: Mammalian Biology)
Source: Mammalian Biology - April 27, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
