Chronic, not Acute Stress affects Innate Immunity of European Bat Species

A

8B

T(

V

Da

(torstIdcfgDw5smBitnbamro

A

I

Dm

aacb

h1

Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Mammalian Biology

jou rn al h om epa ge: www.elsev ier .com/ locate /mambio

bstracts

8th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalianiology

axonomic status of Rhinopoma muscatellum Thomas, 1903Chiroptera: Rhinopomatidae) in Iran

. Akmali, M. Sharifi, S. Esmaeili-Rineh

epartment of Biology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, E-mailddress: v [email protected]

Rhinopoma muscatellum is one of the six mouse-tailed batsRhinopomatidae) and is known as an extremely frequent bat inhe southern part of Iran with over 52 reported localities. The tax-nomic status of R. muscatellum in Iran is not so clear, as differentesearch groups have reported one or two subspecies. In the presenttudy, using morphologic, morphometric and molecular markers,he taxonomy and geographic distribution of R. muscatellum fromran are reviewed. Analyses of biometric data do not reveal anyifferences among populations. A multivariate analysis based onranial and dental characteristics did not reveal any significant dif-erences among populations. Moreover, we present a study of theenetic variability of this species using 584 bp of the mitochondrial-loop from several localities in Iran. A total of 17 polymorphic sitesere recorded including 15 transitions, and 2 transversions. Also,

67 characters were constant and 10 variable characters were par-imony informative. Mean nucleotide composition in the smallerouse-tailed bat include A: 35.4%, C: 26.5%, T: 26.2% and G: 11.9%.

ased on the D-loop sequences nucleotide diversity values (�) var-ed from 0.0342 to 0.0068, showing a close relationship amonghe haplotypes. The statistical parsimony network and phyloge-etic analyses (ML and BI) also showed no clear differentiationetween the haplotypes in the Iranian samples. Based on molecularnd morphological results this study indicates all Iranian speci-ens of R. muscatellum belong to one subspecies. Therefore, it is

ecommended that R. m. muscatellum and R. m. seianum can be syn-nymized as R. m. muscatellum.

n artificial bat cave in Turkey: A follow up

˙ . Albayrak

epartment of Biology, University of Kırıkkale, Kırıkkale, Turkey, E-ail address: [email protected]

Bat population of an artificial cave in Turkey, which was cre-
ted to replace the original cave that will be inundated due to
dam construction, was observed over four years. The artificialave was constructed in 2007 and when the time was optimalats were vacated. In November 2009, the original cave containing

ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.07.001616-5047/

approximately 18,000 bats was evacuated and bats of the newcave have been under observation since 2010. In May 2010, 1900individuals were counted belonging five species in artificial cave.A year later, in June, the number of bats in artificial cave wasrecorded as about 10,000. These bats have been determined tobelong to Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros and R. blassiifrom Rhinolophidae family, Myotis myotis, M. blythii, M. mystacinus,M. capaccinii, M. emarginatus and Miniopterus schreibersii from Ves-pertilionidae family. In later years, some fluctuations in numbersof species visiting the cave have been seen, and the number of indi-viduals has decreased to 600 in winter months of 2012 and 2013.In July 2013 about 7000 individuals were counted in the cave anddozens of Miniopterus schreibersii were found dead as clinging to thewalls of the cave, which was thought to be related to an epidemic.Every year from April, it has been observed that Myotis myotis andM. blythii form large colonies for breeding in the new cave. The lastvisit to the cave was in April 2014 and total of 2500 individualsbelonging four species were found. As a result, after recording thesize of artificial cave bat populations in winter and summer months,it was identified that artificial cave is used by more species in breed-ing period rather than overwintering period.

Phylogeny of the genus Gazella

S. Allgöwer1, S. Klaus1, M. Pfenninger2, M. Plath1, H. Lerp3

1Evolutionary Ecology Group, J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt,Germany; 2Biodiversity und Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt,Germany; 3Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg UniversityMainz, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

Limited knowledge of phylogenetic relationships within thegenus Gazella often hampers conservation efforts for its endan-gered species. Furthermore, conflicting hypotheses regardingthe origin of the genus (i.e., Africa or Asia) were forwarded. Toovercome these limitations, we designed and established sixnuclear intron markers (derived from the cow and sheep genome)and investigated sequence variation of the new markers, thecytochrome b gene and the 18S gene. We could make use of 37samples of all nine Gazella species covering almost the entiredistribution range of the genus. Using *BEAST we could confirm
the monophyly of Gazella with nine extant species and uncovereda clade of Asian origin comprising G. subgutturosa, G. bennettii, G.marica, G. leptoceros and G. cuvieri. Furthermore, we reconstructedthe character state combination of gazelle’s ancestors: they were
dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.07.001

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/16165047

http://www.elsevier.com/locate/mambio

http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1016/j.mambio.2014.07.001&domain=pdf

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.07.001

n Biol

mscGBt

Ti

R

Ir

oabTctwilomrclD((

PDf

H

1

m2

maAtdifaIDtUdaDutpfDowefpp

Abstracts / Mammalia

ost likely dessert dwelling mixed feeders, which only boreingletons and females wore horns. Adaptation to a more humidlimate, thus, occurred independently at least three times withinazella leading to two ecologically differentiated species types.iogeographic analyses further indicate that the ancestral range ofhe genus Gazella was most likely located in the Middle East.

he amount of organic phosphates (like DPG) existing in bloods determining factor of mammal’s bulk

. Amirmardfar

ndependent Scholar of Tabriz, Iran, E-mail address:[email protected]

It is essential that oxygen is transported by the blood to all cellsf a mammal at any moment. This ensures survival of all cells in

mammal’s body. In case a mammal’s bulk is large, the distanceetween cells in different tissues and the mammals’ heart is larger.herefore, red blood cells in bulky mammal’s bodies should beapable of conveying oxygen to farther distances. To make it prac-ical, oxygen should be glued red blood cells tenaciously. In otherords, the cohesion of oxygen to red blood cells should be stronger

n bulky than in small mammals. In mammalian bodies, the control-ing factor of amount of cohesion of oxygen to red blood cells, arerganic phosphates (like DPG). The less DPG in red blood cells of aammal, the more cohesion of oxygen to red blood cell at the same

ate. If oxygen is glued more tenaciously to red blood cells, oxygenould been carried to farther distance allowing mammals to havearger bulk at the same rate. The amount of organic phosphates (e.g.OG) of red blood cells decreased with increasing size from mouse

45 mmHg), rat (42 mmHg), cat (38 mmHg), fox (35 mmHg), sheep30 mmHg), horse (25 mmHg), to elephant (22.5 mmHg).

olymorphism of major histocompatibility complex DQA andQB class II genes in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

rom the eastern Adriatic Sea

. Arbanasic1, S. Curkovic2, M. Ðuras2, T. Gomercic2, A. Galov1

Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, E-ail addresses: [email protected]; [email protected];

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, CroatiaThe bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the last resident

arine mammal species in the Croatian (eastern) part of the Adri-tic Sea, where it is considered endangered and is legally protected.

general concern for the conservation of endangered species ishe maintenance of genetic variation within populations. Geneticiversity is particularly important in the major histocompatibil-

ty complex (MHC), a multigene family that is increasingly usedor the study of adaptive variation in non-model vertebrates. Theim of this study was to examine allelic diversity at MHC classI DQA and DQB loci in the eastern Adriatic bottlenose dolphins.NA was extracted from 48 bottlenose dolphins found dead along

he Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea during the last 15 years.sing the cloning-sequencing method, we investigated the geneticiversity of 246 bp and 171 bp fragments of exon 2 of the DQAnd DQB genes, respectively. We found high diversity as sevenQA and nine DQB alleles were identified, with all alleles encodingnique amino acid sequences. Rates of non-synonymous substitu-ions were significantly higher than that of synonymous, indicatingositive selection on both loci. Mean nucleotide distance estimatedor DQB (0.103) was higher than for DQA (0.053). Furthermore,QB nucleotide distance was higher than those found in mostther cetacean species, while nucleotide distances for both lociere comparable to that of terrestrial mammals, suggesting a high

xtent of balancing selection. Our results should provide a basisor exploring the association between genetic constitution andarasitic pressure from natural environment in bottlenose dol-hins.

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 3

Conservation priorities: A case study of Iranian mammals

S. Ashrafi1, M.S. Farhadinia1, A. Mohammadi1, M.R. Ashrafzadeh1,H. Mohammadi2

1Department of Environmental Science, University of Tehran, Karaj,Iran, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Department of Environ-ment Protection, Tehran, Iran

Approximately one fourth of the world’s existing known mam-mal species are endangered and lack of proper conservationstrategies can lead to inappropriate allocation of resources to largerspecies ignoring smaller taxa. Despite Iran’s rich diversity of mam-malian fauna, which is predominantly comprised of smaller species,most research has been conducted on various ecological aspects oflarge species. This investigation has been implemented with theaim of conservation prioritization of Iran’s mammals, based on theirevolutionary distinctiveness and globally endangered score. More-over, species subject of graduate university dissertations as wellas research projects funded by the Iranian Department of Environ-ment have been assessed to give an overall comprehensive reviewof the state of the Iranian mammals for effective conservation. Werecognized 50 species with the highest priority value headed byAsiatic cheetah, Asiatic black bear and dugong. Rodent and chi-ropteran species constituted the highest proportion of the highpriority species of the country, respectively. In contrast, a total of 43university theses have been done on the top species including 24 onungulates and 12 on carnivores, indicating intensive attention fromIranian biologists to these larger species. The same conclusion wasderived based on analysis of funds allocated to different researchprojects by the DoE. While supporting the present approach bythe Iranian biologists to address top large species in order to fillexisting gaps of knowledge, it is essential to meet conservationneeds of smaller species, such as lesser carnivores, rodents andbats.

Neomys fodiens does not follow Bergmann’s rule in the middleof its distribution range

L. Balciauskas1, L. Balciauskiene1, U. Timm2

1Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Estonian Theriological Society, Tartu, Estonia

The body size of Palearctic Sorex shrews decreases at higherlatitudes and does not follow Bergmann’s rule. In the rangebetween 40 and 42◦ N and 65–69◦ N, we confirmed that a num-ber of body and cranial measurements of water shrew (Neomysfodiens) are negatively correlated to latitude, though with a weakdependency. A negative relationship between measurementsof all cranial and dental characters (with exception of palatallength) and latitude is much stronger in the latitudes between54 and 59◦ N. Such analysis for N. fodiens in the middle of dis-tribution range had not been conducted before. Using ANOVAand PCA with prior log10 transformation of measurements for158 water shrews from Estonia and Lithuania, we also foundthat these populations are separated morphologically. Althoughdecreasing in size, the height of the coronoid process (one of thediagnostic characters between N. fodiens and N. anomalus) is stillover 4 mm in the northern part of the investigated species range.Concluding, we found that over the short geographical scale, N.fodiens does not conform to Bergman’s rule. In the full range of thespecies, non-conformance is less expressed than over the shortgeographic distance: Estonian shrews are significantly smallerthan Lithuanian ones in body size and cranial measurements.Skulls of Estonian shrews are relatively shorter and, in the area of
the brain case, wider. Estimated morphological differences mayreflect differences in resource use, mainly relating to the efficiencyof food gathering and processing along with diminishing foodresources.

4 n Biol

UG

L

Nl

lh1LtmitotzTw(vamotbwrt(S

Mp

D

DJDg

aleiae

eddiif

rprb

adlsn


nder an onslaught of faeces: Small mammals in a colony ofreat Cormorants

. Balciauskiene, M. Jasiulionis, L. Balciauskas

ature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania, E-mail address:[email protected]

Although Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) formarge breeding colonies, there have been no investigations onow the colony influences mammal populations. Investigating a3.6 ha colony of Great Cormorants (3800 nests) in Juodkrante,ithuania, we present the first data on the loss of diversity inhe affected small mammal community. In 2011–2013, small

ammals were live- and snap-trapped in the control zone with nonfluence of cormorants; the zone of initial influence – expanding,he most recent and the influence is just developing; the zonef long-term influence with the highest concentration of nests;he zone of former active influence with dead trees; and theone of the ecotone between zones and the surrounding forest.he territory was inhabited by seven small mammal species,ith 83.7% of all trapped individuals being yellow-necked mice

Apodemus flavicollis). Generally, small mammal diversity wasery low, H < 1. A rise was observed in late autumn, 2–3 monthsfter cormorants leave the colony. The relative abundance of smallammals differed between zones and was lowest in the zones

f initial impact and most active impact. In September–October,hese two zones (3.2 and 4.6 ha, respectively) were inhabitedy six yellow-necked mice each, while mice numbers in zoneshere the active influence of the colony was no longer present

eached 100–150 individuals. The colony of cormorants affectedhe breeding intensity of yellow-necked mouse, but not bank volesClethrionomys glareolus). This research was funded by Lithuaniancientific Council, grant LEK-3/2012.

ating at summer sites: Implications for conservation andopulation genetic structure in Daubenton’s bats

. Baulechner and J.A. Encarnac ão

epartment of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG),ustus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail addresses:[email protected], [email protected]

European forest-dwelling bats show a complex mating systemnd roosting behaviour which shapes the genetic structure of popu-ations. Promiscuous mating at swarming and hibernation sitesnhances gene flow between different populations and is well stud-ed. Mating behaviour at summer sites, however, is rarely observednd its role in genetic population structure and its importance forffective conservation measures is not fully understood.

We conducted a long term behavioural and population-cological study at four different summer sites of Myotisaubentonii in central Germany. Roosting behaviour and populationynamics were studied by roost trapping and telemetry. Combin-

ng these data with parentage analyses using microsatellites wenvestigated the importance of mating behaviour at summer sitesor successful reproduction and conservation management.

Our hypothesis, that mating at summer sites plays an importantole in bat reproduction, is verified by roost associations of multiplearent pairs and their offspring. We found repeated fatherhood ofesident males with high roost fidelity and genetic differentiationetween nursery colonies.

Our results have implications for conservation policies as wells for the understanding of population genetic structure for forest-
welling bat species. Conservation measures need to consider
ocation and time of successful mating events. We found thatuccessful mating events are not restricted to swarming and hiber-ation sites making summer sites important for reproduction

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

even after the juveniles are fledged. Gene flow between differentcolonies is maintained by promiscuous behaviour at swarming andhibernating sites. However, roost fidelity and mating with residentfemales enhances genetic diversity between summer colonies.

Possibilities and limitations of habitat suitability models forsmall, elusive mammals

N.I. Becker and J.A. Encarnac ão

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

Habitat-suitability models are used to assess species distribu-tion and endangerment. Model performance depends on modeltype and implementation but especially on quantity and qual-ity of species and landscape data. While species presence dataare available, species absence data are more rare and many stud-ies generate pseudo-absence data for modelling. Next to highquality species data landscape data with high resolution improvemodel reliability and quality. Models using low-detailed data havealready been proven effective for bird species and larger mammalsbut evidence remains scare for smaller, more elusive mammals.Many of these mammals are legally protected. However, sincethe energy-turnabout wind turbines are privileged building objec-tives. In Hesse 134 areas were designated for the construction ofwind turbines creating substantial space for wind turbines in thesense of the pertinent legislation. The installation and operation ofwind plants can, therefore, pose a threat by habitat loss and habi-tat fragmentation due to the construction of turbines and supplychannels. An important factor in fragmented habitats is the over-all landscape connectivity. If fragmented areas are still connectedby corridors species can compensate habitat loss by movement toother areas. The aim of this study is to identify (1) whether modelswith real absences predict better than those with randomly gen-erated pseudo-absences, (2) how landscape detail influence modelaccuracy, (3) the impact of precedence areas of wind turbines onhabitat availability and (4) the overall landscape connectivity forprotected small, elusive mammals.

Need to feed and urge to breed

N.I. Becker1,3, M. Tschapka1,2, E.K.V. Kalko1,2, J.A. Encarnac ão3

1Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany,E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Smithsonian TropicalResearch Institute, Balboa, Panama; 3Department of Animal Ecologyand Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany

Bats use behavioural and physiological, mutually non-exclusivemechanisms to balance their energy budget. As small and activelyflying mammals, bats have a high mass-specific energy demand.Therefore, balancing mechanisms should be pronounced in thisgroup. Since the energy budgets of bats exhibit seasonal changes,the combination and use of different mechanisms could vary duringtimes of high and low energy demand. Using a combination of flow-through respirometry, temperature telemetry and behaviouralobservations in free-flying bats, we found that male Myotis dauben-tonii exhibited marked variation in the relative importance of thesedifferent mechanisms during their period of seasonal activity inresponse to extrinsic (ambient temperature, insect abundance) andintrinsic (reproduction, body condition) factors. Cold ambient tem-peratures in spring facilitated long and frequent daily torpor bouts,whereas in early summer increased energy intake was the dom-inant factor in energy balancing. Intake was further increased inlate summer, when insect abundance was highest, and daily tor-
por bouts were shorter and less frequent than in early summer.In autumn, males used metabolic compensation to reduce theirresting metabolic rate in addition to daily torpor. Metabolic com-pensation might be one of the mechanisms that allow males to

n Biol

mtt

Bb

TS

1

MfGagN6

SM

ilwaAcfimmtWssatbeammamvmvgRY

H1

O

1

N2

s

fijrwaitc


aintain high body temperature during the day while decreasinghe need for foraging time at night, thus maximizing their oppor-unities to mate.

rown and polar bear Y chromosomes reveal extensive male-iased gene flow within brother lineages

. Bidon1, A. Janke1,2, S.R. Fain3, H.G. Eiken4, S.B. Hagen4, U.aarma5, B.M. Hallström1,6, N. Lecomte7, F. Hailer1

Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt amain, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected],

[email protected]; 2Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity,oethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; 3National Fishnd Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, Ashland, USA; 4Bioforsk, Norwe-ian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Svanvik,orway; 5Department of Zoology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia;Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology,tockholm, Sweden; 7Department of Biology, University of Moncton,oncton, Canada

Brown and polar bears have become prominent examplesn phylogeography, but previous phylogeographic studies reliedargely on maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or

ere geographically restricted. The male-specific Y chromosome, natural counterpart to mtDNA, has remained underexplored.lthough this paternally inherited chromosome is indispensable foromprehensive analyses of phylogeographic patterns, technical dif-culties and low variability have hampered its application in mostammals. We developed 13 novel Y-chromosomal sequences andicrosatellite markers from the polar bear genome, and screened

hese in a broad geographic sample of 130 brown and polar bears.e also analyzed a 390 kb-long Y-chromosomal scaffold using

equencing data from published male ursine genomes. Y chromo-ome evidence support the emerging understanding that brownnd polar bears started to diverge no later than the Middle Pleis-ocene. Contrary to mtDNA patterns, we found (i) brown and polarears to be reciprocally monophyletic sister (or rather brother) lin-ages, without signals of introgression, (ii) male-biased gene flowcross continents and on phylogeographic time scales, and (iii)ale dispersal that links the Alaskan ABC-islands population toainland brown bears. Due to female philopatry, mtDNA provides

highly structured estimate of population differentiation, whileale-biased gene flow is a homogenizing force for nuclear genetic

ariation. Our findings highlight the importance of analyzing bothaternally and paternally inherited loci for a comprehensive

iew of phylogeographic history, and that mtDNA-based phylo-eographic studies of many mammals should be re-evaluated.ecent advances in sequencing technology render the analysis of-chromosomal variation feasible, even in non-model organisms.

elminthfauna of European water voles Arvicola amphibius L.758 from the Vojvodina Province (Serbia)

. Bjelic Cabrilo1, D. Tenji1, B. Cabrilo1, A. Petrovic2, A. Jurisic2

Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad,ovi Sad, Serbia, E-mail address: [email protected];Department of Phytomedicine and Environment Protection, Univer-ity of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

A total of 78 European water voles (Arvicola amphibius L. 1758)rom four localities in Vojvodina were examined for the presence ofntestinal helminths. Three of the four sample sites (Apatin, Bogo-evo, Labudnjaca) are situated along the Danube River, with theemaining site (Celarevo) on the DTD channel. The intestinal tractas dissected and its contents inspected under a stereo microscope,

nd helminths were isolated and conserved in ethanol for laterdentification using keys. A total of 10 helminth species were iden-ified, nine nematodes (Boreostrongylus minutus, Heligmosomumostellatum, H. mixtum, Heligmosomoides laevis, Heterakis spumosa,

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 5

Syphacia arvicolae, S. petrusewiczi, S. stroma, Trichocephalus muris)and one tapeworm (Paranoplocephala omphalodes). Highest preva-lence of infection was noted for the Celarevo sample, where 88%of all animals carried intestinal worms. Simpson’s index of alphadiversity was calculated for all four localities and was highest inthe Celarevo sample (0.66). Beta diversity was calculated as ˇWaccording to Whittaker and ˇT according to Wilson and Shmida.ˇW was 0.74, whereas ˇT for the northwest-southeast Apatin toCelarevo gradient was 0.60. The present study is the first of its kindto focus on this rodent species in Vojvodina and Serbia in general,thus contributing to the expanding knowledge of small mammalhelminth fauna in this part of Europe.

Modelling feeding habitat selection by herbivores in regard toforest conversion

M. Bobrowski, B. Gillich, C. Stolter

Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Ham-burg, Hamburg, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

The evaluation of the distribution of large herbivores in for-est communities is an important question for animal ecology,forestry and management. The distribution of animals is oftendirectly connected to their feeding habitat. However, feeding habi-tat selection is influenced by a variety of different parameters,ranging from forest characteristics to human impacts. This projectfocuses on factors influencing feeding habitat selection by Roe deer(Capreolus capreolus) and Red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Lüneb-urger Heide, Germany. Next to browsing damage (as a dependentvariable), different parameters such as tree density, tree heights,ground vegetation, but also possible human impacts and land-scape features were recorded. Factors influencing browsing onbeech (Fagus sylvatica), which can be regarded as a forestally targetspecies and birch (Betula spec.), which is representing an alternativefood resource to beech, were analyzed by a modelling approach.Our results reveal that browsing on beech is determined by theavailability of beeches and birches and the occurrence of bilberry(Vaccinium myrtillus). Browsing on birch, however, is favouredby the availability of birches, and the occurrence of bilberry andblackberry (Rubus fructicosus). Surprisingly, landscape features andhuman impact had no significant influence on the feeding habitatselection. Our results indicate the knowledge about the preferencesof deer (e.g. birch as an important food plant) may be important forforest management, e.g. for the regeneration of beech. Our findingslead to a more detailed understanding of feeding habitat selectionby cervids and may be applicable to forest landscapes in northernEurope.

European springtime temperature synchronises horn growth ofthe Alpine ibex

K. Bollmann1, H. Jenny2, U. Büntgen1

1Swiss Federal Institute of Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL,Birmensdorf, Switzerland, E-mail address: [email protected];2Department of Wildlife and Fishery Service Grison, Chur, Switzerland

Phenotypic variability and evolutionary adaptability are cru-cial traits for a species tolerance towards environmental changes,especially in alpine species living near their physiological and ele-vational limits. However, in sexually dimorphic herbivores, malesare under strong selection pressure to grow fast in body size andquickly develop secondary sexual traits like horns and antlers. Inthis study, we investigated the sensitivity of horn growth of Alpineibex (Capra ibex) to abiotic and biotic environmental factors such
as climate variability, food availability and population density. Weused horn growth data of 8043 males from eight disjunct ibexcolonies in the Swiss Alps. We found a high level of synchrony ininter-annual growth variability among colonies and age classes, and

6 n Biol

apMpfopv

Ts

MH

1

G2

3

LU

dabbo

Sfia

avsiwh

Bteb

Ls

U

CE

Ectlphaasas((spw


n inverse relationship between the onset of high-elevation planthenology and annual horn increment. Elevated temperatures fromarch to May causing premature melting of snow cover, earlier

lant growth and subsequent improvement of ibex food resources,uelled annual horn development. Our results reveal dependencyf local trophic interactions on large-scale climate dynamics, androvide evidence that declining herbivore performance is not a uni-ersal response to global warming.

he role of small mammals especially bicoloured white-toothedhrews as reservoir for Borna disease virus in Bavaria, Germany

. Bourg1, S. Herzog2, J.A. Encarnac ão3, D. Nobach1, H. Lange-erbst2, M. Eickmann4, C. Herden1

Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen,ermany, E-mail address: [email protected];Institute of Virology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany;Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-iebig-University, Giessen, Germany; 4Institute of Virology, Philipps-niversity, Marburg, Germany

Borna disease virus (BDV) leads to an endemic, fatal disease pre-ominantly affecting the nervous system of the end hosts horsesnd sheep. In Swiss endemic areas evidence for BDV-positiveicoloured white-toothed shrews (Crocidura leucodon) was foundut it remains largely unknown whether C. leucodon represent thenly reservoir species in other endemic areas.

Therefore, 210 small mammals (94 Cricetidae, 72 Muridae and 44oricidae) in endemic areas in Bavaria, Germany, were investigatedor anti-BDV serum antibodies, viral RNA and antigen by indirectmmunofluorescence test (IIFT), RT-PCR, in situ hybridization (ISH)nd immunohistochemistry (IHC).

In 3/25 C. leucodon viral RNA, viral antigen and anti-BDV serumntibodies were detected. 1/25 C. leucodon displayed viral RNA andiral antigen. 2/25 C. leucodon as well as 7/185 other mouse andhrew species displayed only anti-BDV serum antibodies. Compar-ng the shrew BDV sequence to the BDV amplificate from a horse

ith clinical manifest BD from the same stable revealed a 100%omology.

Thus, C. leucodon could be confirmed as a reservoir host of BDV inavarian endemic areas. Furthermore, evidence for shrew to horseransmission is provided. Possible infection routes and the pres-nce of different courses of BDV infection in small mammals wille the subject of further investigations.

arge carnivores in our modern landscapes – Trendsetting con-ervation or an anachronism?

. Breitenmoser

entre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Switzerland,-mail address: [email protected]

Top predators such as wolf Canis lupus, brown bear Ursus arctos,urasian lynx Lynx lynx or cougar Puma concolor have declined overenturies and finally disappeared from all cultivated landscapes ofhe industrialised world. Large carnivores, e.g. tiger Panthera tigris,ion Panthrea leo, or jaguar Panthera onca are nowadays under heavyressure in the developing world, corroborating that such space-ungry and conflict-ridden species cannot coexist with people in

human-dominated landscape. But remarkably, large carnivoresre recently making a come-back in Western Europe or in the USA,ome of the world’s most developed regions, demonstrating theirbility to adapt to altered landscapes. Their renaissance is a con-equence of (1) changing societal attitude and legal protection,2) new ecological niches provided by the modern landscape, and
3) their plastic behaviour and ability to learn and adapt. Yet, wetill regard large carnivores as the archetypes of wilderness andristine ecosystems. This romantic view is shared by both, thoseho welcome and those who reject the return of large carnivores.
ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

A more rational perception may take the magic away from Mr.Wolf & Co., but it would allow developing practical managementsolutions to re-establish and maintain large carnivore populationsin coexistence with humans, and hence to establish functionalpredator–prey systems in our modern landscapes.

Behavioural thermoregulation by European bison in a lowmountain range forest in Germany

S. Caspers, P. Schmitz, K. Witte

Research Group Ecology and Behavioural Biology, University of Siegen,Siegen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

The European bison (Bison bonasus) is the largest herbivore inEurope. It became extinct in the wild in 1927, but survived due tocaptive breeding based on 12 founder animals. Large free-livingpopulations are established in Eastern Europe and Asia, but nocomparable populations are situated in more densely populatedregions.

The first reintroduction project in Western Europe was accom-plished near Bad Berleburg, Germany. In 2013, eight animals werereleased into a commercial forest of low mountain range. Prior toreintroduction the animals were kept in an 89 ha enclosure.

Bison are well adapted to harsh climates, but little is knownabout the animals’ behavioural thermoregulation within thethermoneutral zone (roughly between −20 ◦C and +20 ◦C). Wemeasured air temperatures using 25 i-button data loggers withtemporal resolution of one hour distributed over the enclosurefor one year. The animal’s spatial behaviour was recorded by GPS-telemetry collars.

Three different types of weather situations were identified whenisochronal temperatures differed within the area by >4.5 ◦C. Duringthese situations the animals did not alter habitat choice in sum-mer but avoided comparatively coldest places of the home range inautumn and spring when average temperatures were low, but stillwithin their thermoneutral zone.

During winter we found no evidence for such behaviour, prob-ably due to feeding management.

These results indicate that European bison show behaviouralthermoregulation even within their thermoneutral zone. This issueshould be regarded in management practices, e.g. by providing sandbathes, shelter or shade even at moderate ambient temperatures.

A foraging model for the evolution of sexual size dimorphism inmammals: A complementary explanation to male competition

M.H. Cassini1,2 and S. Lew2,3

1Grupo GEMA, DBA, Universidad Nacional de Luján and CON-ICET, Luján, Argentina, E-mail address: [email protected];2Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Instituto de Biologíay Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina;3Instituto de Ingeniería Biomédica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidadde Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

We used Darwin’s contention that inter-sexual metabolic differ-ences create an initial asymmetry between sexes in the availabilityof energy that precedes the evolution of sexual size dimorphism.We propose that endothermy represents a constraint on theincrease in female body size, particularly for female mammals sincetheir energetic demands are high due to gestation and lactation.We also postulate that a climatic context with the environmentaltemperature below the thermo-neutral zone is the first selectivepressure for the evolution of sexual size dimorphism. We developeda cost-benefit model to analyse the relationship between energetic,body size, sex, and ambient temperature in mammals, based on the
assumption that reproductive costs represent a constraint on theoptimum size of females, but not of males, at low temperatures. Themodel predicts that females show increasingly smaller body sizesthan males as the cost of female reproduction increases. However,

n Biol

sdlderra

Hd

P

1

ER

PtmLffcidihtsffrjiAmtscm

Lf

JH

1

UgGGG

mvhoyletatdbh


exual size dimorphism is expected to be low when female repro-uctive costs are low. In our approach, larger males may have more

ife-time reproductive success than smaller males; not necessarilyue to higher intra-sexual success for mates, but because of morefficient bio-energetic strategies provided by their size during non-eproductive periods. We found support for the model on someecent findings obtained in Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals,nd walruses).

ome range use and flight activity of the tent-making bat Uro-erma bilobatum in Panama

. Cvecko1, A. Rose1, S. Brändel1, T. Hiller1, M. Tschapka1,2

Insitute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany,-mail address: [email protected]; 2Smithsonian Tropicalesearch Institute, Balboa Ancón, Panama

We investigated home range use and flight activity patterns ofeter‘s tent-making bat (Uroderma bilobatum) using radio teleme-ry in a tropical lowland forest in Panama. Three reproductive

ales, roosting under modified palm leaves at the shorelines ofake Gatún, were equipped with radio transmitters and tracked forour consecutive nights between July and September 2013. Theseruit-eating bats are known to be fig specialists, foraging in theanopy where they pick figs in flight and carry them to a feed-ng site. Its feeding habits cause U. bilobatum to commute over longistances to scattered fruiting fig trees and make this species an

mportant seed disperser. The radio-tracked individuals showedome range sizes ranging from 7.5 to 31.3 ha. Nightly activity pat-erns were dominated by prolonged resting phases, interspersed byhort flying bouts of less than 3 min. Two males concentrated theiroraging activity on the area between their day roost and nearbyruiting trees. This behaviour is also known from other frugivo-ous bats such as Artibeus watsoni, Carollia perspicillata or Artibeusamaicensis, where reproductive males form harems of femalesn their day roosts, which they defend against competing males.nother individual found roosting on a small island flew a mini-um distance of 15 km in one night and traversed frequently up

o 400 m over open water patches. Flight activity and home rangeizes of male U. bilobatum varied widely among individuals andould reflect flexible foraging strategies, but also roost site defenceay influence their range use pattern.

andscape features and reservoir occurrence affecting the riskor equine infection with Borna disease virus

.A. Encarnac ão1, S. Herzog2, M. Eickmann3, N.I. Becker1, N.ermes1, C. Herden4

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-niversity, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Institute of Virology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen,ermany; 3Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg,ermany; 4Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University,iessen, Germany

Borna disease (BD) is a severe endemic and fatal disorder thatainly occurs in horses and sheep. It is caused by Borna disease

irus (BDV) that belongs to the order Mononegavirales, which haveigh zoonotic and pathogenic properties. A seasonal accumulationf cases in spring and summer, incidences that vary from year toear, and the recent detection of BDV in bicolored shrews (Crocidura

eucodon) in Swiss endemic areas argue for a natural reservoir. Westablished a geographic information system analysis of the dis-ribution of 485 equine BD cases in Bavarian (Germany) endemicreas and of the occurrence of 285 records of C. leucodon cap-
ured in Bavaria. Boosted regression trees were used to identifyriving factors of habitat choice and virus prevalence. The distri-ution model of C. leucodon and the prevalence model for BDVad very good accuracy. Occurrence probability of C. leucodon was
ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 7

significantly higher in Bavarian BDV-endemic areas than in ran-dom areas in Bavaria. The prevalence of BD was higher in urbanareas with annual mean precipitation of 800–900 mm, annual meantemperature of 8 ◦C, and elevation >500 m. Our results indicate thatthe distribution model can accurately predict BD occurrence. Basedon these results, practical safety precautions could be derived. TheBDV model represents a suitable system for reservoir-bound, neu-rotropic Mononegavirales. It allows an assessment of ecological andbiological aspects that determine virus abundance, maintenance inreservoir species, and transmission to end host species.

The introduction of alien ungulates to Europe: A review of eco-logical effects

F. Ferretti and S. Lovari

Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, E-mailaddress: [email protected]

Over the last few decades, ungulates have been increasing innumbers and distribution across Europe, including exotic species.Their ecological effects, as well as competition and hybridisationwith native species, have been reviewed.

Negative effects of exotic ungulates have been shown on veg-etation and habitats, especially in island ecosystems, particularlyif evolved without large herbivores. Exotic ungulates may show agreater productivity or higher local densities, as well as differentrates of seed dispersal than native ones. If so, one could expect notonly the effects of exotic ungulates be additive to those of nativeones, but also the magnitude of the former be greater than that ofthe latter.

Although no study could experimentally demonstrate actualcompetition between exotic ungulates and European native ones,a wealth of studies has highlighted a great potential for it, orstrongly supported the competition hypothesis. Alien ungulatescould threaten native ones through interspecific competition andhybridisation. In some cases, there could be reasons of concern forthe viability of small populations of native taxa, at least locally.

To mitigate – ideally, to prevent/eliminate – the impact of exoticungulates on native biological diversity, it would be necessary (i)to prevent their release into the wild, and (ii) to manage the extantpopulations of wild exotic ungulates, thus reducing their impact oreradicating them, if possible.

Can agri-environmental schemes enhance non-target species?Effects of sown wildflower fields on the common hamster (Crice-tus cricetus)

C. Fischer1 and C. Wagner2

1Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technis-che Universität München, Freising, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]; 2Bavarian State Research Center for Agri-culture, Institute for Organic Farming, Soil and Resource Management,Freising, Germany

European landscapes are dominated by agricultural land, withmany species depending on these agriculturally used habitats.However, during the last decades agriculture has rapidly beenintensified, resulting in strong decline of species diversity. There-fore, the common agricultural policy (CAP) of the EU implementedagri-environmental schemes (AES) to enhance multiple species.Sown wildflower fields are one of these measures to enhanceinsect diversity and related ecosystem services. However, little isknown about impacts of AES on rare and non-target species. Herewe studied the occurrence of the endangered common hamster(Cricetus cricetus) in sown wildflower fields as well as in adjacent
agricultural fields. From Mai to June 2013 we mapped re-openedwinter burrows to determine habitat use by hamsters. The effectof local (e.g. vegetation cover and composition, field size) andlandscape parameters (distance to settlements, percentage of

8 n Biol

alwtmgsss

A

SUC

1

LamfIbodRadtG

spcvHit

cWBirtpbw

iictmma

It

L

1

UgUH

c


rable land in the surroundings) on hamster occurrence was ana-ysed using linear mixed effects models. Results show that sown

ildflower fields increase hamster occurrence without increasinghe risk of an expansion into surrounding agricultural fields. Local

icrohabitat parameters like vegetation cover and percentage ofrasses were more important for hamster occurrence than theurrounding landscape structures. In conclusion we show thatown wildflower fields can be an ideal habitat for non-targetpecies such as the common hamster.

novel pathogen discovered in bank voles Myodes glareolus

. Fischer1, B. Hoffmann2, N. Kratzmann1, J.F. Drexler3, S. Röhrs2,.M. Rosenfeld1, D. Reil4, J. Thiel5, M. Keller1, C. Imholt4, J. Jacob4,. Drosten3, M. Beer2, R.G. Ulrich1

Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-oeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany, E-mailddresses: [email protected], [email protected],[email protected], [email protected]; 2Institute

or Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald –nsel Riems, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected],[email protected], [email protected]; 3Institutef Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany, e-mail:[email protected], [email protected]; 4Vertebrateesearch Group, Julius Kühn-Institut, Münster, Germany, E-mailddresses: [email protected], [email protected],[email protected]; 5Forstliches Forschungs- und Kompe-enzzentrum Gotha, Thüringenforst – Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts,otha, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

The bank vole Myodes glareolus is one of the dominating rodentpecies in European forest habitats. Bank voles harbor zoonoticathogens that can cause disease in humans. Puumala hantavirus,owpox virus and bacterial pathogens have been detected in bankoles. Recently, novel human hepatitis C virus-like agents (genusepacivirus, family Flaviviridae) were discovered in rodent species,

ncluding bank voles. Viral load investigations in different bank voleissues indicated a hepatotropism of this virus.

In small mammal monitoring in Germany during 2010–2013a. 3000 rodents were trapped at four regions in Mecklenburg-

estern Pomerania, Thuringia, North Rhine-Westphalia andaden-Wuerttemberg. For detection of hepacivirus-specific RNA

n liver tissue a real-time RT-PCR assay was used. A pilot study ofodents trapped during 2010–2012 demonstrated the presence ofhe novel hepacivirus at all four trapping regions, but with varyingrevalences. Hepacivirus-specific RNA was predominately found inank voles; in Microtus spp. and Apodemus spp. only few rodentsere hepacivirus infected.

In conclusion, our investigations confirmed that the bank voles the main reservoir of the novel hepacivirus in Germany. Futurenvestigations will have to prove whether this virus has pathologi-al consequences and affects fitness in infected animals. In addition,he bank vole-associated hepacivirus will be used for the develop-

ent of a novel animal model for human hepatitis C. This animalodel may help to better understand the pathogenicity of hep-

civiruses and to develop novel antiviral therapies.

nfluence of synanthropic habitat use on trace metal concentra-ions in the hair of urban bats

. Flache1, S. Öztan2, R.-A. Düring2, U. Kierdorf3, J.A. Encarnac aõ1

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-niversity, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Institute of Soil Science and Soil Conversation, Justus Liebig
niversity, Giessen, Germany; 3Department of Biology, University ofildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
In cities with heavy traffic soils and sediments are regularlyontaminated with trace metals. These metals are bio-available

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

for organisms e.g. insects and accumulate in food chains of insec-tivorous mammals. Especially insectivorous bats, which live inurban regions and ingest large amounts of food, are threat-ened to be poisoned through the accumulation of the toxictrace metals. To monitor and determine species-specific tracemetal contents in urban living bats hair samples were ana-lyzed by using ICP-OES. Results of contamination were relatedto species-specific foraging habitat, prey spectrum and degree ofsynanthropy.

The study species were Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Myotis dauben-tonii and Nyctalus noctula. Pipistrellus pipistrellus showed thehighest concentrations of cadmium (1.13 �g/g), lead (41.1 �g/g)and zinc (365 �g/g) due to its high degree of synanthropy withtheir foraging habitat mostly located in cities. In contrast, N.noctula displayed the highest contents of copper (123 �g/g) andmanganese (83.7 �g/g) in fur samples compared to P. pipistrel-lus and M. daubentonii. The reason might be found in its preyspectrum. Nyctalus noctula feeds i.a. on beetles that are caughtover pastures and river valleys in cultured areas. The trace metalconcentrations determined in hair samples of M. daubentonii layin between the values of P. pipistrellus and N. noctula probablycaused by its intermediate synanthropy status. Hair samplesfrom bats are suitable monitoring tools to detect trace metalsand can be used to determine species-specific differences in batspecies.

Evolution of thermogenesis in mammals – Does brown adiposetissue exist in marsupials?

P. Giere1, M. Jastroch2, S. Keipert2

1Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolu-tion and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]; 2Institute for Diabetes and Obe-sity, Helmholtz-Zentrum München, German Research Centerfor Environmental Health (GmbH), Garching, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected],[email protected]

One key factor in mammalian evolution is the development ofthermogenesis for sustained high body temperatures along witha high metabolic rate. Whether the latter is linked to increasedbrain size or has other selection benefits in an evolutionary con-text, remains unclear. However, it is well established that highbody temperatures during ontogeny require specific physiologicaladaptations. One prerequisite for the maintenance of a high bodytemperature in neonates and succeeding developmental stageswith their unfavourable volume-to-surface-ratios is the abilityto produce thermal energy. Eutherian mammals are known toproduce and utilize mitochondria-rich brown adipose tissue, fornon-shivering thermogenesis. Brown adipose tissue is found inneonates as well as in hibernating eutherian mammals to facili-tate thermogenesis. Instead of converting nutrient energy to ATP,brown adipose tissue mitochondria generate heat by uncouplingprotein 1 (UCP1) which by-passes the ATP synthase. Functionalbrown adipose tissue has not been found so far in marsupial mam-mals which exhibit a reproductive strategy of comparatively shortintrauterine development and prolonged lactation. However, asin other non-eutherian taxa, UCP1 was identified in marsupials.A staged ontogenetic series of Monodelphis domestica (Didelphi-dae, Marsupialia) is examined for evidence of pathways related tobrown adipose tissue and thermogenesis by fusing morphological,biochemical and molecular techniques. First results show, that dur-ing early development, fat storage is shifted from the liver towards
distinct tissue sites. Furthermore, we detect an age-dependentUCP1 gene expression pattern/profile in adipose tissue, coincid-ing with the onset of defended body temperatures in Monodelphisdomestica.

n Biol

Dd

B

Db

eaettlrc

odo

bosw

ttcRm

A(u

J

G2

a

tsvddioClcwdaim(Erav1vowtw


etermination of habitat choice by Red (Cervus elaphus) and Roeeer (Capreolus capreolus) using faecal pellet counts

. Gillich, M. Bobrowski, C. Stolter

epartment of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Ham-urg, Hamburg, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

Habitat selection is influenced by a lot of different factors,.g. food availability, landscape features and disturbance. Theim of the study was to investigate factors, which may influ-nce the habitat choice of Red and Roe deer. We analyzedhe influence of habitat structure, e.g. plant species, vegeta-ion composition, tree morphology, feeding damage, differentandscape features and human impact (e.g. streets, settlements,aised hides for hunting, mineral licks) using faecal pelletounts.

The models for Red deer illustrate the anthropogenic influencen the distribution of Red deer: The occurrence of mineral licks andistance to gravel roads seem to be important, but also browsingn young beech trees (Fagus sylvatica).

For Roe deer, browsing on different trees, but especially oneeches, seem to be the most influential factor. Additionally, theccurrence of other tree species (Betula spec., Picea abies) showedignificant results. Beech and birch are important food plantshereas spruce might be useful as shelter.

Surprisingly, other factors, e.g. landscape features and the dis-ance to settlements, raised hides etc. had no significant effect onhe occurrence of both cervids. Our study demonstrates that fae-al pellet counts can be useful to investigate habitat utilization ofed and Roe deer, which is important for the development of forestanagement strategies.

nalysis of anthropogenic correlates of Neotropical river otterLontra longicaudis) distribution in a delta system of Argentina,sing species distribution models

.J. Gomez1, J.I. Túnez1, N. Fracassi2, M.H. Cassini1

rupo GEMA; DCB, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina;Estación Experimental Delta, INTA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, E-mailddress: [email protected]

The Neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis is a top preda-or from many South and Central American aquatic freshwaterystems. Its current category in the International Union for Conser-ation of Nature is “data deficient”, which makes it imperative toetermine the appropriate conservation status. We applied speciesistribution models to build a map of habitat suitabilities, and to

dentify possible anthropogenic factors that impact on the presencef L. longicaudis in the Lower Delta of Paraná River in the Southernone of South America. In the study area (i) presence/absence of L.

ongicaudis was obtained using three methodologies: sign surveys,amera traps and interviews, and (ii) 15 environmental predictorsere measured: topography, river length, river width, settlementensity, polder cover, boat traffic, tree cover, forestry, floodplainrea, protected area, and suspended solids, nitrates, fosfates, col-phorms, and dissolved oxygen in the water. The Logit regression

odel had a better fit to the data according to the ROC curveAUC = 0.89, SD = 0.01) than ENFA (AUC = 0.44, SD = 0.05) and Max-nt (AUC = 0.37, SD = 0.08), so we only used results provided by theegression analysis, which indicated: (i) according to the test ofll effects of logit regression, “polder cover” is the only significantariable (p < 0.05), while (ii) the regression with Likelihood Type

Test showed that “settlements density” was another significantariables (p < 0.05). At present, geographic isolation and control
n private land and reserves appear to be effective at protectingildlife in the Paraná Delta. This study shows that species distribu-
ion models can be used for rapidly evaluating potential threats toildlife.

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 9

A new species of forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Gliridae,Rodentia) in Central Russian and the Caucasus

O.O. Grigoryeva

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS, Moscow, Russia,E-mail address: grig [email protected]

The genetic polymorphism of the forest dormouse Dryomys nit-edula (Pallas, 1778) from isolated populations of Russian plain andthe Caucasus was investigated using cytochrome b gene (cytb).

We obtained 48 samples from 12 localities of Central regions ofRussia and the Caucasus. New primers were designed for each gene.Phylogenetic analysis was based on NJ, MP, ML, BI methods. In ouranalysis we used the next software: MEGA, PHYML, JMODELTEST,MRBAYES, FIGTREE.

We identified 17 haplotypes with the length of 1140 bp(GenBank: KJ739693–KJ739705, KF699220, KF699221, KF699223,KF699226). We found that samples of the D. nitedula of Russianplain are included into the general “Eastern European” haplogroupand Caucasian samples form two sibling clades “Western Caucasus”and “Central Caucasus”.

The genetic distance calculated between Russian plain and theCaucasus populations of forest dormouse was 9.94%, which cor-responds to the typical distance between biological species ofmammals. The genetic distance of cytb between Western andCentral Caucasus forest dormouse populations is with 6.0% alsosignificant.

One calibration point was from the fossil record and set thedivergence between Eliomys and Dryomys at a minimum of 16 Mya(Middle Miocene), corresponding to the earliest fossil record ofEliomys. The divergence time between Eliomys quercinus andEliomys melanurus (7 ± 0.9 Myr) was used as a second calibrationpoint. A Bayesian approach was implemented in BEAST. The diver-gence time of European and Caucasian populations was 7.7 Ma (95%CI was 2.5–13.9 Ma). It is possible to recognize the Caucasus forestdormice as a separate species since 1920. The taxonomic status isyet to be identified.

The research was supported by RFBR Grants 12-04-32035-mol a, 12-04-00551 and a Grant of the President of RFMK-3755.2014.4.

Phylogeographic structure of Eastern Europe dormice

O.O. Grigoryeva and V.N. Orlov

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS, Moscow, Russia,E-mail address: grig [email protected]

There are several studies on phylogeography of dormice inEurope but phylogeography in Russia was not analyzed. Weexplored the phylogeographic relationship of four dormice species:Dryomys nitedula, Muscardinus avellanarius, Eliomys quercinus andGlis glis basing on cytb, 12S, IRBP data. We obtained 29 samples fromCentral regions of Russia.

Analysis of phylogeny allowed us to include samples of the E.quercinus to the Western European clade, M. avellanarius – to theCentral and Northern Europe clade, and G. glis – to the Europeanclade. Dryomys and Eliomys are combined into a clade based onthree genes. Muscardinus and Glis are united into a clade siblingto Dryomys + Eliomys in cytb and 12S topologies. In IRBP topologyMuscardinus is an outgroup for Dryomys + Eliomys and Glis is theoutgroup for these three species (that is in agreement with thelast Holden’s classification). Thus, the relationships between thesubfamily remain ambiguous.

Our results show that the Eocene-Oligocene boundary was likely
the time of extant subfamilies diversification and the Oligocene-Miocene boundary was the time of Muscardinus separation. Weset the divergence between Gliridae and Sciuridae to 50–55 Mya,based on the known fossil record, and between Glis and Glirulus

1 n Biol

adad

a

L

N

Bhh

tervpw

iaihvls

baFrficTapdt

Hp

C

IVm

iAdf2cb

bD2trafi

i

0 Abstracts / Mammalia

t a minimum of 25 Mya. After a warm period there was a newrop in temperature in the Middle Miocene. The variety of dormicelso declined. Obviously, the line including Eliomys and Dryomysiverged at this time.

The research was supported by RFBR Grant 12-04-32035-mol and a Grant of the President of RF MK-3755.2014.4.

ife histories written in blood: Insights from edible dormice

. Havenstein and J. Fietz

ehaviorial Physiology of Farm Animals, University of Hohen-eim, Stuttgart, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]

Hibernation represents the most extreme physiological adap-ation of small mammals to reduce energy expenditure duringnvironmentally unfavourable conditions. Besides drasticallyeduced metabolic rate and body temperature, severe changes ofarious leukocyte counts and immune functions are known to takelace during hibernation, but seem to recover immediately after-ards.

Edible dormice (Glis glis) are obligate hibernators, experienc-ng high rates of mortality after emergence from hibernation. Theim of this study was to investigate, whether hibernation affectsmmune competence and thereby possibly mortality in this smallibernator, as a competent immune system is indispensable for sur-ival. We therefore investigated leukocyte differential counts andymphocyte proliferation in edible dormice inhabiting five differenttudy sites in South-Western Germany during their active period.

Interestingly, after hibernation we found extreme low num-ers and a delayed production of innate immune cells (monocytesnd neutrophils), whereas lymphocytes clearly dominated (>90%).urthermore, proliferative capacity of lymphocytes was severelyeduced during this period, indicating a down regulation of theunctionality of the adaptive immune system. The restoration ofnnate immune cell numbers as well as of lymphocytic proliferativeapacity took place only after a period of approximately 4–6 weeks.aken together, edible dormice seem to experience a hibernation-ssociated deprivation of both, the innate as well as the adaptiveart of the immune system. This phenomenon may make edibleormice susceptible to pathogens in early summer and explainheir seasonally low survival rates.

abitat use of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in an agricultural area – Aroblem?

.E. Herbst and O. Keuling

nstitute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University ofeterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany, E-ail address: [email protected]

All over Europe wild boar (Sus scrofa) population densities arencreasing and spreading into agricultural and cultivated regions.s a result economic problems, like field damages and thread ofisease outbreaks increase. So far most studies were conducted inorests, were until recently the wild boar mainly occurred. From011 until 2013 a project took place in Northern Germany con-erning seasonal home ranges and habitat preferences of wildoar.

The study area in northern Lower Saxony is clearly dominatedy agriculture with only small proportions of bush land and forest.uring these three years 39 wild boar were captured, marked and5 of them fitted with VHF-radio transmitter ear tags. Thereafterhe animals were tracked during two nights per week with daytimeesting sites before and after the tracking. Habitat preferences were
nalysed as use-availability analyses with Chi-square goodness-of-t-tests, Bailey-intervals and Jacobs′ index.
Outstanding were the complete shifts of the daily resting sitesn June and July from forest into fields by all observed wild boar.

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

Other studies showed that a certain percentage of wild boar remainin forest during summer. In summer especially rape seed and maizeare an important factor for wild boar distribution.

The changes in agriculture, accretive monocropping and culti-vation of energy crops promote good coverage and nutrient richfood in an otherwise exposed landscape. Thus, new habitats forwild boar are created by men, which enable this forest species tobecome for a season a field species.

The European Bison (Bison bonasus) – Reintroduction of a largeherbivore in the Rothaargebirge, Germany

C.E. Herbst1,2 and J.E. Tillmann3

1Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, Universityof Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany,E-mail address: [email protected]; 2TrägervereinWisent-Welt-Wittgenstein e.V., Bad Berleburg, Germany; 3DBUNaturerbe GmbH, Osnabrück, Germany

The European bison (Bison bonasus), the largest terrestrial mam-mal in Europe, was historically distributed almost throughout thewhole continent. Overharvesting and increasing habitat loss sincehuman settlement led to a continuous reduction of the Europeanbison.

Until now, there has never been a serious attempt to reintro-duce a population of free-ranging bison in Western Europe. Thegoal of this project is to sustainably reintroduce the bison into thecultural landscape. An area of more than 5000 ha in the “Rothaarge-birge” in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, was found suitable fora free-ranging herd of ca. 20–25 European bison. An initial captiv-ity phase of three years was used to conduct surveys on possibleeffects of the bison on the environment and economy as well asimplementing a basic strategy for management. Subsequently, thepermission to release a founding population of eight bison wasobtained in October 2012 after almost 10 years of preparation.On 11 April 2013 the bison were released. Since then the animalshave continuously been radio-tracked (GPS). The analysis of thespatio-temporal behaviour is an important basis for the manage-ment strategy.

Bison management has to adapt to new requirements thatappear especially with respect to conflicts with land use in theregion. Further surveys of the effects on the environment and spa-tial use of the herd are carried on. This is a milestone in conservationefforts for this species and can function as a guide for further rein-troduction projects elsewhere.

Connecting habitats across highways: A new wildlife overpassdesigned for Red deer and European wildcat in the northernEifel region

I. Hucht-Ciorga

Forschungsstelle für Jagdkunde und Wildschadenverhütung, Lan-desamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz NRW, Bonn,Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

A 50 m wide wildlife-overpass crossing highway A1 near Net-tersheim was built in 2012 with financial support by a publicinvestment of the German government. The overpass was designedfor the needs of the two target species Red deer and Europeanwildcat to reconnect their habitats. Animal activity was recordedby four digital cameras Cuddeback Attack (infrared motion sen-sor, night illumination by white flash strobes or infrared LEDs) toevaluate the effects of structural elements, vegetation, and humanrelated disturbances upon the acceptance of the overpass. Species,group size, group composition, and behaviour were analyzed in
pictures and videos. Animal tracks were registered regularly atthe 3 m wide sand bed at the centre of the overpass. To obtainwildcat hair samples for genetic identification valerian-treated luresticks were positioned at the overpass during the mating period

n Biol

(udsrMvitodm

Ws

MSP

1

vrjoaI

tjtNslpsbpgadmftsdtapct

Ti

EB

1

o2

saw

(tt


Feb.–Apr.). During the first year of monitoring the overpass wassed by the following medium-sized or larger wildlife species: Redeer (Cervus elaphus), Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Suscrofa), European hare (Lepus europaeus), Red fox (Vulpes vulpes),acoon (Procyon lotor), badger (Meles meles), marten (Martes martes,. foina), polecat (Mustela putoris) and European wildcat (Felis sil-

estris silvestris). According to coat patterns a minimum of fourndividuals of wildcats were identified. During certain periods ofhe year a herd of about 20 male Red deer regularly used theverpass at dusk and dawn to reach feeding grounds. Humanisturbances affected daily activity and behaviour and should beinimized.

here to live: Habitat suitability analysis for Banteng (Bosundaicus) in the south-eastern of Java Island

.A. Imron1, H.A. Dewanto2, R.A. Satria1, M. Ashari3, S. Nurvianto1,ubeno1, H. Marhaento1, R.J. Nugraha3, W. Wardhana2, S.udyatmoko1

Department of Forest Resource Conservation, Gadjah Mada Uni-ersity, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Biometric and Forest Computation Laboratory, Gad-ah Mada University, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; 3Ministryf Forestry, Republic of Indonesia, Directorate of Forest Protectionnd Nature Conservation, Jakarta, Indonesia; 4MAKIN group, Jakarta,ndonesia

Despite its popularity as the most densely populated island inhe world, Java island still provides habitat for the banteng (Bosavanicus d’Alton 1832). The south-eastern corner of Java, wherewo national parks Alas Purwo National Park and Meru Betiriational Park exist, is one of the most important natural land-

capes for banteng. However, between those national parks, variousand-use types are managed by local people and plantation com-anies which potentially threaten the banteng population. Thistudy aims to estimate size and connectivity of suitable habitat foranteng which are crucial for maintaining long-term populationersistence. Habitat suitability index map was developed throughround surveys, assessing the presence and absence of bantengnd its habitat components in 2009, 2012 and 2013, followed byevelopment Geographical Information System works. A binomialultiple linear regression analysis was performed to test habitat

actors that determines the probability of presence of banteng inhe landscape. The presence of banteng was explained by factorsuch as slope, human activities, distance from beach/sea shore,istance from feeding ground and distance from water/rivers. Habi-at of banteng in the landscape is fragmented through natural andnthropogenic barriers. Habitat restorations as well as awarenessrograms for local stake-holders are necessary to support bantengonservation in the landscape and to ensure a long-term popula-ion persistence.

he effect of low ambient temperatures on adrenocortical activ-ty of the Amur tiger

.A. Ivanov1, S.V. Naidenko1, V.S. Lukarevskii1, J.A. Hernandez-lanco1, A.К. Kotlyar2, M.N. Litvinov2, V.V. Rozhnov1

A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academyf Sciences, Moscow, Russia, E-mail address: [email protected];Ussuriysky State Nature Reserve, Ussuriysk, Russia

The Amur tiger, the northernmost tiger subspecies, is faced withevere winters in the Russian Far East. We examined effect of lowmbient temperatures on adrenocortical activity of captive andild Amur tigers.

Scat samples were collected in Moscow Zoo breeding centerBC), Novosibirsk Zoo (NZ) and Ussuriysky Reserve (UR). In cap-ivity, samples were collected 1–10 times per month throughouthe year from 6 tigers in BC in 2009 and 2 tigers in NZ in 2011. In

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 11

UR, we collected 3–24 samples per month within 8 snowy monthsin 2008–2011. In the wild, we were unable to recognize whichindividual produced a scat.

We extracted glucocorticoid metabolites with 90% methanol.For measuring glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations, we usedELISA kit (Immunotech, Moscow, Russia) with cortisol antibodies,which has previously been validated for Amur tiger. We collectedambient temperature data from archives of weather stations near-est to the study place. We calculated median ambient temperatureand median tiger glucocorticoid metabolite concentration for eachmonth in each place. Spearman rank order correlations were usedto assess linkage between variables.

Tiger glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations were signifi-cantly negatively correlated with ambient temperature in NZ(n = 12, R = −0.8, p = 0.001) and UR (n = 8, R = −0.8, p = 0.03) and tendto correlate in BC (n = 13, R = −0.5, p = 0.07). High glucocorticoid lev-els are often associated with disturbance. We assume that ambienttemperature might also have a significant influence on adrenocor-tical activity of Amur tigers and should be taken into account instudies of anthropogenic influence on Amur tiger.

Study was supported by RFBR-14-04-32022.

Henkelotherium guimarotae (Cladotheria, Mammalia) from theLate Jurassic of Portugal reinvestigated using �CT scanning and3D image analysis

K. Jäger1, T. Martin1, Z. Luo2

1Steinnmann-Institut, Rheinische Friederich-Wilhelms-Universität,Bonn, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected];[email protected]; 2Department of Organismal Biology andAnatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA, E-mail address:[email protected]

Henkelotherium guimarotae, a stem therian (basal dryolestid)from the Late Jurassic of the Guimarota coal mine in Portugal isknown by a largely complete postcranial skeleton. The postcra-nium has been described previously, yet several elements remainedhidden in the plastic matrix the skeleton was transferred toduring preparation. The specimen was studied with X-ray com-puted tomography (�CT) and the 3D reconstructions were madeby virtual image rendering (Avizo). Contrary to earlier descrip-tions, Henkelotherium exhibits separate radial and ulnar condylesat the anterior aspect of the distal humerus. This representsthe plesiomorphic condition on the stem lineage of theriansand is also observed in the dryolestid stem therian Dryolestesleiriensis. With the somewhat posteriorly spiraling ulnar condylean incipient trochlea is developed at the posterior side of thehumerus. The scapula of Henkelotherium is also more plesiomor-phic than previously assumed, revealing a laterally flared rim atthe posterior border, with similarities to symmetrodontans suchas Zhangheotherium but with a larger supraspinous fossa.

Several characters of hind limb and pelvis (e.g. the absence of aparafibular process, a slender femur with a long neck, slightly asym-metrical distal femoral condyles) suggest a more derived posture,closer to that of Didelphis than to extant monotremes.

Several characters in the postcranial skeleton such as mus-cle attachment areas, length/width ratio of tail vertebrae, andphalangeal index corroborate the previous assumption thatHenkelotherium had an arboreal lifestyle.

Differences in microhabitat preferences between Neomys fodi-ens (Pennant 1771) and Neomys anomalus (Cabrera, 1907) inSaxony, Germany

1 2 1
M.R. Keckel , H. Ansorge , C. Stefen
1Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Dres-den, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Department ofZoology, Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, Görlitz, Germany

1 n Biol

afotisacobsontoabcttw

Sed

I

Dsa

itao2AcrcsaDdiowwowohoioa

W

U

DG

otc


The two semi-aquatic shrew species Neomys fodiens and Neomysnomalus are very similar in their ecology and morphology. There-ore, they tend to be strong competitors for resources when theyccur syntopically in habitats. We analysed the microhabitat selec-ion of both species based on 14 parameters at two study sitesn western Saxony (Germany). At the first study site, the resultshow segregation into different preferred microhabitats. Neomysnomalus favours stream sections with a denser herbal layer inomparison to N. fodiens. We thus verified the hypothesis of previ-us studies which assumed differences in microhabitat niches foroth shrew species to avoid competition. Furthermore, there was apatial segregation within N. fodiens depending on age. While adultsccurred close to the water at areas with sparse herb layer, juve-iles and subadults were predominantly captured in some distanceo the stream in denser vegetation. We assume that this is the resultf different microhabitat preferences in N. fodiens depending on agend not a result of intraspecific antagonism. Moreover, the possi-ility to build subsurface burrows (and as an equivalent to this,revice systems resulting from bank fixation with cobble) seemso be the main limiting factor for the occurrence of N. fodiens athe other surveyed site. At this site no differences in microhabitatsere visible between the age classes of N. fodiens.

mall mammal population dynamics in different mountain for-st ecosystems in Austria and referring impacts on regenerationynamics

. Kempter and U. Nopp-Mayr

epartment of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Univer-ity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria, E-mailddress: [email protected]

Small mammals represent seed predators and disperser guildsn forest ecosystems influencing regeneration dynamics, evolu-ion and tree species coexistence. They play an important roles basic food resource for several predators and hosts for vari-us pathogens. In our project, small mammals are monitored since002 in the Wilderness Area Dürrenstein (IUCN cat. Ia) in Lowerustria and since 2004 in the Limestone Alps National Park (IUCNat. II) in Upper Austria using live traps. Additionally, experimentsegarding seed and seedling predation and seed hoarding andaching behaviour by rodents were conducted. In both study areasample sites represent different typical forest habitats: managednd unmanaged forest, primeval forest and uncleared windthrow.uring the survey, three peak years of small mammals populationensities occurred (2004, 2008, 2012) all triggered by heavy mast-

ng of Fagus sylvatica in the year before and followed by a collapsef small mammals population densities. We could show that thereere distinct differences between peak, crash and moderate yearsithin the two main species Myodes (formerly Clethrionomys) glare-

lus and Apodemus flavicollis regarding age structure, sex ratio, bodyeight and sexual activity. Small mammals had a major impact

n the survival of tree seeds and seedlings and showed diverseoarding and caching behaviour of seeds depending on the typef forest and microhabitat-structure. There is evidence that mast-ng of beech is increasing in large parts of Europe. Thus, peak yearsf small mammals might occur more frequently in the future withll related aspects regarding forest regeneration dynamics.

ild large mammals as indicators of fluoride pollution

. Kierdorf

epartment of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim,ermany, E-mail address: [email protected]

Wild mammals are widely used to study the occurrencef (potential) contaminants in ecosystems and their movementhrough food chains. In surveys and monitoring studies, tissue con-entrations of contaminants provide information on their spatial

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

distribution and changes in environmental levels through time. Inaddition, contaminant-induced physiological and/or morphologi-cal changes in organisms can be used as biomarkers of exposure. Fora meaningful interpretation of tissue concentrations and contami-nant effects on organisms, a thorough knowledge of the biology ofthe studied species is required. This presentation reviews the use ofwild large mammals as biological indicators of fluoride pollution.Fluoride is a natural constituent of the biogeosphere, with above-background environmental concentrations occurring due to releasefrom natural (e.g. volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic (e.g. coalburning, aluminium production) sources. Due to the high affinityof fluoride to mineralized tissues, fluoride levels in bones and teethcan be used to study regional differences in environmental levelsand to establish time trends in environmental contamination ina given area. The annually replaced antlers of deer offer a specialopportunity for a (historical) monitoring of fluoride concentrationsin the environment. Over the last decades, dental fluorosis has beenestablished as a biomarker of chronically increased fluoride intakein various mammalian species. Results obtained on wild placentalmammals (deer, wild boar) and marsupial species are presented.These studies range from the detailed analysis of structural defectsin the affected teeth to the monitoring of temporal changes in thefrequency of dental fluorosis in exposed populations.

Zoo animal welfare – Benefits of social grouping of an Indochi-nese tiger family

S. Kuich-Van Endert

Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History, Stuttgart,Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

In times of accelerated species’ extinction, zoos strive to opti-mize their contribution to conservation. As the wellbeing of thecaptive animals is essential to this endeavour, evaluation methodsare frequently employed, of which behavioural observations arethe most popular.

In this study, Indochinese tiger cubs raised by both parents– which is contrary to common practice - were observed over a6-month period to investigate possible benefits of group living.Accordingly, an ethogram was established including the followingprimary functional groups: social, comfort, exploratory behaviourand others. Using these functional groups, time budgets of cubs andadults were constructed.

Compared to other cats, the adult tigers in this study wereconsiderably more socially active. The family-raised cubs showedsimilar development in terms of time budgets compared to othergroup-housed felid cubs. Throughout the study, little aggressionwas observed and most of it was soft, non-contact aggression. Allindividuals shared friendly interactions; preferences for specificpartners for specific interactions suggest positive effects of theavailability of more than one social partner. Given a large enoughenclosure to allow for avoidance or seeking out of certain indi-viduals, a family grouping of cubs and both parents represents anoption beneficial to the psychological wellbeing of captive tigers.

The hair morphology of Korean small mammals with identifi-cation key

E. Lee, M.-S. Min, H. Lee

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul,South Korea, E-mail address: [email protected]

The hair microstructures of Korean small mammals fromnine species of Rodentia and Lagomorpha (Eothenomys regulus,Micromys minutus, Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus peninsulae, Rattus
norvegicus, Sciurus vulgaris, Pteromys volans, Tamias sibiricus, andLepus coreanus) were analyzed using light and scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) to construct a hair identification key. The dorsalhairs from adult animals were examined using medulla structures,

n Biol

cspsbcahhftoa

Bcd

H

1

EG

tUalrigrlrcrancncccr

Tw

S

1

aoCN

twrdWtitlsmlb


uticular scales, and cross-section of guard hairs. All cuticular scaletructures in the hair of Rodentia and Lagomorpha showed a petalattern and all of their medulla structures showed multicellulartructures. Interestingly, the cross-section of hairs in species ofoth orders showed diverse types such as oval, dumb-bell, andoncavo-convex types. We found that it is possible to distinguishmong species based on medulla structures, cuticular scales, andair cross-sections. Based on this information, we constructed aair identification key with morphological characteristics of hair

rom Rodentia and Lagomorpha. This study suggests that hair iden-ification keys could be useful for species identification in a numberf fields, such as forensic science, food safety and foraging ecology,nd act as first step towards in-depth ecological research in Korea.

etween buildings, busses and the German broadway – Geneticonnectivity of the European rabbit along a rural-to-urban gra-ient

. Lerp1, H. Jüngling2, M. Ziege2

Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany,-mail address: [email protected]; 2Evolutionary Ecology Group, J.W.oethe University, Frankfurt, Germany

Habitat destruction of natural landscape is one major reasonhat leads to the phenomenon of wildlife migrating into cities.rban habitats often provide a variety of niches, also being char-cterized by a warmer microclimate, abundant food sources andower predation risk. In case of “urban exploiters” species ofteneach high densities in cities compared to populations locatedn rural areas. One example is the European rabbit (Oryctola-us cuniculus) where intensified land use, diseases and huntingeduced populations in their natural habitats, whereas city popu-ations remain stable or even grow. We hypothesize that urbanabbit populations already act as source populations and rural areasan be considered sink populations with animals constantly beingeduced. We sampled 129 wild European rabbits from seven siteslong an urban to rural gradient and genotyped those using tenuclear microsatellite markers. We could neither detect significantorrelations of pairwise genetic distance with geographic distancesor with “urbanity distance”. As we found a pronounced geneticonnectivity between sampling sites we conclude that rabbits areapable to break down the barriers that potentially isolate innerity habitats and remain genetically connected with populations ofural areas.

he dilemma of tigers and common leopards: How to coexisthen sharing prey and habitat?

. Lovari1, C.B. Pokheral2,3, S.R. Jnawali4, F. Ferretti1

Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, E-mailddress: [email protected]; 2Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnol-gy, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; 3National Trust for Natureonservation, Kathmandu, Nepal; 4WWF Nepal/Hariyo Ban Program,epal

Sympatric species should avoid competition through diet, spa-ial and/or temporal partitioning. In carnivores, interference isidespread between species with similar diets and it has been

eported between tigers and common leopards, with the formerominant over the latter. In 2009–2011, in an area of Terai, South-est Nepal, we studied diet, temporal and spatial partitioning of

igers and common leopards, through analyses of food remainsn scats, direct counts of prey and camera trapping/DNA geno-yping of scats, to assess patterns of coexistence between thesearge cats. Prey availability was high, both in terms of number of
pecies (at least seven wild ungulates beside livestock, two pri-ates and an array of smaller prey) and density (large ungulates,
ivestock and primates: 130.8–174.8 individuals/km2). Wild verte-rates were the staple of both cats (tigers: 82.7%; leopards: 66.6%),

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 13

but leopards used livestock significantly more than tigers did. Dietbreadth of leopards was c. 20% wider than that of tigers, indicatinga broader food niche. Significant differences in prey use and selec-tion occurred between tigers and leopards, with the former usinglarge (i.e. >100 kg) prey more often and small (i.e. 5–25 kg) preyless often than the latter did. Medium sized prey was taken in com-parable proportions by the two cats, with a great overlap of diet(Pianka index: 0.85). Also, activity rhythms were comparable, butspatial overlap was <20%, within the same habitat. Leopards maycoexist with tigers mainly by occupying areas peripheral to thoseinhabited by the latter.

Tarsiers – The phylogeography of tiny primates as legacy ofSulawesi’s turbulent past

S. Merker

Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart,Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

Sulawesi’s location in the transition zone between Asia andOceania, its long-standing isolation from major landmasses and itsturbulent geologic history sparked a diverse and fascinating assem-blage of vertebrates endemic to this Indonesian island. Amongits most enigmatic animals are tarsiers. These small, nocturnalprimates are thought to be the only extant descendants of anancient evolutionary lineage. Most species’ ranges roughly con-cur with areas of endemism as identified for other taxa and maybe explained by microplate tectonic shifts and sea level changes.This study’s analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences,microsatellite allele frequencies, species-specific duet songs andmorphometric data testify to Sulawesi’s high tarsier diversity.Largely, phylogenetic inference and divergence dating based onDNA sequences corroborate common concepts of tarsier dispersalacross the region. However, the exceptional disjunct range of Wal-lace’s tarsier hints at yet unknown drivers of diversification beyondtectonic movements and sea-level fluctuations. In my talk, I willthus integrate “old” and “new” facts on the origins of Tarsius toinfer this fascinating primate genus’ course through geologic andclimatic history.

Nothing but a rat race? Pup ontogeny in naked mole-rats (Het-erocephalus glaber)

M. Morhart, S. Holtze, T. Hildebrandt

1Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany,E-mail address: [email protected]

Naked mole-rats exhibit a complex social and reproduction sys-tem, hence captive breeding is extremely difficult. Their coloniescontain ≤300 individuals, yet, reproduction is monopolised by adominant “queen”, and 1–3 males. Social system is further char-acterised by a division of labour, overlapping generations andco-operative pup care. Offspring remains in the natal burrows andhas to fight for their hierarchical position in the colony. Duringthis process, both sexes face different physical challenges whichwe hypothesise to be reflected in developmental differences.

We quantitatively evaluated survival, sex ratio, and growth pat-tern based on captive pups at the IZW. Offspring of three queenswas assessed during four years: 273 pups in 23 litters were bornwith a litter size of Ø11.87 and an inter-birth interval of Ø103.55in a range from 72 to 203 days. Infant mortality was high in thesecaptive colonies; only Ø42% pups survived.

At birth, 56% of the pups were male; male biased sex ratio wasfound throughout all ages. This may reflect the queen’s interestto produce more male workers which will not become a threat to
her reign; a possible underlying mechanism may be resorptions,which we frequently observed during ultrasonographic monitoringof gestational development and selectively killing female offspring.Within the first 80 days postpartum, female pups gained body

1 n Biol

wsNwmwa

IB

DE

1

G2

3

LU

aasioiRufdvb

sms

Cm

J

1

RnaolK

awas

sissts

iibosm


eight faster than male ones, although their birth weight wereignificantly less than of their brothers (t-test, t = 0.66, p = 0.02,

= 243). However, there was a large variability in birth weightithin as well as between litters of the queens during the studyonitoring. How and when individuals are attributed to differentork tasks and if they may change between them is still unknown

nd subject of further research.

nvestigation on living, natural Borna disease virus-infectedicolored white-toothed shrews

. Nobach1, M. Bourg1, S. Herzog2, H. Lange-Herbst2, J.A.ncarnac ão3, M. Eickmann4, C. Herden1

Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen,ermany, E-mail address: [email protected];Institute of Virology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany;Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-iebig-University, Giessen, Germany; 4Institute of Virology, Philipps-niversity, Marburg, Germany

Bicolored white-toothed shrews have been recently confirmeds reservoir for Borna disease, a fatal neurological disorder of horsesnd sheep. To further characterize viral maintenance in reservoirpecies, bicolored white-toothed shrews were caught alive. Naturalnfections with Borna disease virus (BDV) in three living bicol-red white-toothed shrews were investigated. Despite harbouringnfectious virus the animals were clinically inconspicuous. BDV-NA was detected by RT-PCR in excretions and secretions as saliva,rine, sebum, lacrimal fluid and faeces. Infectious virus was isolatedrom saliva, sebum and urine on rabbit embryonic brain cells. Theseetections correspond well to the morphological demonstration ofiral antigen and RNA in the respective organ systems visualizedy immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Taken together, shedding of BDV in the bicolored white-toothedhrew is achieved via various routes which enables successful viralaintenance in the reservoir population and even fatal transmis-

ion to susceptible end hosts such as horses.

ranial suture closure sequence of Water deer (Hydropotes iner-is)

. Oh1, D. Koyabu2, Y.K. Kim3, M. Yasuda4, J. Kimura1

BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research,esearch Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veteri-ary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, E-mailddress: [email protected]; 2The University Museum, The Universityf Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; 3Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Col-ege of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Southorea; 4Veterinary Anatomy, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan

Unlike other cervids, Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) lackntlers. Instead, male Water deer have well-developed canines,hich are small in females. To find the influence of these char-

cteristics on cranial suture closures, we investigated the cranialuture closure sequence in Water deer.

Closure level of 31 cranial sutures were examined. Sutures werecored as 0 (suture line is fully visible), 1 (3/4 of suture line is vis-ble), 2 (1/2 is visible), 3 (1/4 is visible), 4 (not visible). Closureequence was coded by the sum of those scores. Sutures with highcores were considered to have closed earlier. Slope difference wasested for comparing closure pattern against skull length in the twoexes by 95% confidence interval (CI).

Interparietal, exoccipital-basioccipital, and parietal-nterparietal sutures were among the first three to closen both sexes. Supraoccipital-exoccipital and basisphenoid-
asioccipital sutures were fourth and fifth to close. Few closuresf presphenoid-basisphenoid and interparietal-supraoccipitalutures were observed in both sexes. Incomplete closures ofaxillary-palatine and interfrontal sutures were observed in
ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

some male specimens. Incomplete closures of maxillary-palatineand parietal-supraoccipital sutures were observed in some femalespecimens. In the two sexes 95% CI of slopes overlapped, suggestingthat there is no significant sexual dimorphism in closure pattern.

Suture closure sequence in Water deer was highly similar inother Cervidae species previously studied, indicating that thepresence or lack of antlers does not affect the suture closuresequence. Maxillary-palatine suture was fused only in Water deer,although not in all adults.

Arousal rates in temperate bats: An indicator for thermoregu-latory strategy?

M.S. Otto, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac ão

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG),Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]

Bats of the temperate zones are hibernating, insectivorousmammals. Therefore, they are confronted with fluctuations inweather depended food availability. Small size and actively pow-ered flight result in a high mass-specific energy demand in bats. Todeal with those energetic requirements several regulatory mech-anisms exist. The most effective mechanism is daily torpor. It isinduced by a controlled lowering of metabolism and characterisedby the passively lowered body temperature. Hence, differencesbetween body and ambient temperature are fundamental forattaining torpidity. Torpor is mainly influenced by ambient tem-perature, food availability, body mass and reproductive state.The energetically most expensive phase of torpor is the arousalor rewarming phase. A rapid arousal rate is energetically lessexpensive than slow rewarming rate and a previous study showedthat Plecotus auritus exhibited the lowest torpor temperaturesof three gleaning bat species. Therefore, we hypothesised, thatP. auritus should reveal the fastest arousal rates of the threespecies to complete torpor as their regulatory strategy. In 2011and 2012 we tagged individuals of P. auritus, Myotis bechsteiniiand M. nattereri during the reproductive active and inactive periodwith temperature-sensitive radio transmitters and analysed skintemperatures. As predicted preliminary results indicate that P.auritus has the fastest arousal rate. This suggests that P. auritusminimises energetic expenses during thermoregulation and,therefore, optimises torpor as their pronounced energy savingmechanism.

Stage of pregnancy dictates thermoregulation in temperateforest-dwelling bats

M.S. Otto, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac ão


As hibernating, nocturnal, and insectivorous mammals bats ofthe temperate zones are confronted with fluctuations in weatherdependent food availability and a parted reproduction cycle. Thesecircumstances make it challenging for bats to gain sufficient energyfor i.a. successful reproduction. The reproductive state has a greateffect on thermoregulation as undelayed parturition can only beassured by high body temperatures. However, high body temper-atures require high energy intake, as energy fuels the metabolism,which is used for thermogenesis. Therefore, energy saving mecha-nisms, e.g. a reduction of body temperature (torpor), have evolvedin bats. Torpor, however, reduces rates of foetal developmentand consequently prolongs pregnancy. Regardless of these adverse
affects on foetal development the energetic requirements of batsduring reproduction urge for energy savings. Therefore, we hypo-thesised that bats should use torpor through most of pregnancyand only minimize torpor use in the final stages of pregnancy.

n Biol

PaaqTsrp

An

N

Da

iaitMsidwopFwcwwertotacvbmt

Sl

S

1

U2

S

babwreUfsnarua


regnant individuals of Myotis bechsteinii, M. nattereri and Plecotusuritus were tagged with temperature-sensitive radio transmittersnd skin temperatures were analyzed. As predicted torpor was fre-uently used during pregnancy and only minimized in the last days.his suggests that close to the end of pregnancy when foetal growthhould be assured by high body temperatures thermoregulation isestricted despite the fact that pregnancy is an energy demandingrocess.

study on the diet of Meles meles (L., 1785) (Mammalia: Car-ivora) in Turkey

. Pamukoglu

epartment of Biology, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey, E-mailddress: [email protected]

Meles meles distributed in Palaearctic region rather prefernvertebrates, some small rodents, birds, reptiles and some fruitsnd vegetables as nutrients. In recent years, many studies concern-ng the diet of badgers have been published in Europe. However,here has not been extensive research on this subject in Turkey.

ost articles published so far in Europe were based on faecal analy-is of badgers. The aim of this study was to determine the nutrientsn the diet of badgers. Faeces were examined in order to assesseterminable frequency and quantity of food eaten. Faeces samplesere collected from a field of research at different periods through-

ut the year. Faeces were brought to the laboratory in numberedolyethylene locked bags. Faeces were dried and then weighed.aecal materials were soaked in a 2% formalin solution and thenashed through a 0.6 mm sieve. As a last step faecal material was

ollected in a desiccator of 500 ml. Then 1.5 ml of each sampleere dried for 10 min, taken into a petri dish and washed withater. Faeces were examined under a binocular and classified into

ight different food categories composed of small and large foodemnants. These were recorded in order of earthworm, fruits, ver-ebrates, insects, invertebrate larvae, herbs, herbal materials andthers. Prevalence of nutrients within the faeces varied. Duringhe year, approximately 97% of the food consumed, consisted of

mixed structure. It has been determined that the food mixture isontaining mostly arthropods, earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris),egetable (seeds and fruits) and pieces of stone and soil. Molluscs,ird eggs and mammals were found to a lesser degree in the faecalaterial. This research shows that badgers fed on a variety of foods

hat depends on foods availability.

cent-marking behaviour of Korean native dog, Jindo-Gae (Canisupus familiaris)

. Park1,2

Department of Companion Animal and Plant Conservation, Gyeongjuniversity, Gyeongju, South Korea, E-mail address: [email protected];Department of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul,outh Korea

This study aims to construct the basic data of scent-markingehaviours of Korean native dog, Jindo-Gae (Canis lupus familiaris)nd to contribute to the internationalization of this traditionalreed through this research. One male and one female Jindo-Gaeere studied. They walked along the regular course for an hour

espectively and their behaviour was recorded with the video cam-ra. Numbers and postures of the urine marking were checked.rine marking of the male was more frequent than that of the

emale. Both male and female showed a significant increase ofcent-marking after they reached sexual maturity. Average uri-ation number of the male was 6.2 and 29.5 times before and
fter sexual maturity and the female showed 1.1 and 3.6 times,espectively. Urine marking rate of male and female after sex-al maturation were 8.2: 1, and marking frequencies per an hourppeared 18.8 and 2.5, respectively. This was higher than that of
ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 15

other dog breeds. Male urinated with various postures such asraised leg urination, slight leg rising urination, stand urination,stand squat, walking urination, and squat, while female urinatedonly with squat posture. Male first showed a raised leg urination,the indicator of sexual maturation of male, at 209 days after birth.Their higher scent-marking behaviour might be considered as aconvincing explanation of their outstanding homing instinct.

The ecological and physiological basis of pathogens’ distribu-tion in the wild Pallas’ cats (Otocolobus manul)

E.V. Pavlova1, E.A. Ivanov1, V.E. Kirilyuk2, S.V. Naidenko1

1A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy ofSciences, Moscow, Russia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2DaurskyState Nature Biosphere Reserve, Zabaikalskii Krai, Russia

Our project is focused on the investigation of physiologicalparameters of welfare, ecological background, and the prevalenceof exposure to diverse pathogens in the wild Pallas’ cats. We caught,weighted, took blood and faecal samples from 17 wild Pallas’ catsin 2010–2011 in Daursky Reserve near the Russian-Mongolian bor-der. We found significant seasonal changes of body mass. Theanimals lost about 30% of body mass over winter. Thus there is acritical period when animals may be malnourished if they couldnot fatten enough in autumn. We identified the seropositivityfor 4 of 15 tested pathogens. Toxoplasma gondii, Mycoplasma sp.were detected in 2 of 16 (13%), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV),Influenza A virus in 1 of 13 (7%), 1 of 14 (7%) animals, respec-tively. The percentage of antibody-positive wild Pallas’ cats waslow and the antibodies against the most widespread feline infec-tions were not found in Daurian Pallas’ cats. The ratio of leukocyteswas shifted to lymphocytes in Daurian Pallas’ cats (n = 16, lym-phocytes (46.9 ± 3.7 (mean (%) ± SE))); neutrophils (39.0 ± 4.0). Wesuppose that the main cause of lymphocytosis is the release ofadrenaline in response to brief increase of lymph flow during mus-cle activity during a capture. Fecal cortisol level was lower in thewild Pallas’ cats (n = 8) (448.7 ± 46.1 ng/g) than in the captive ones(n = 4) (1.725.5 ± 653.4 ng/g) from Moscow zoo (p < 0.01). Higherfecal cortisol levels in zoo animals might be a reason of reducedimmunity in captivity and as result of high seroprevalence of Toxo-plasma gondii. This study was supported by RFBR-14-04-01119 andRGS.

Visitor management and impact of Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.)on the ravine forests in the Eifel National Park

M. Petrak

FB 27-Wildlife Research Institute, Landesamt für Natur, Umweltund Verbraucherschutz NRW, Bonn, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]

The ravine forests Tilio (platyphilly) – Acerion-Pseudoplatani ofthe river Urft valley north of Vogelsang belong to the most valuablemature plant communities of the Eifel National Park. The NationalPark Eifel is a 110 km2 woodland reserve in the German low moun-tain range (altitude 200–600 m) and was founded in January 2004.

The impact of Red deer on the plant communities of the ravineforests was analyzed by means of vegetational surveys includingestimates on feeding intensity on the different plant species. Theinfluence of tourism on the impact of Red deer on the plant commu-nities was analyzed by comparing the browsing intensity in 2004before the opening of the area for visitors and 2010 after an heavyincrease of tourism.

Most of the people come to the former military buildings ofVogelsang. These buildings are close to the ravine forests. So the
Red deer reduced its activity on the grassland nearby the buildings.
Characteristic species of ravine forests are Fraxinus excelsior,Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer platanoides, Ulmus scaber, Tilia platyphyl-los. Since the slopes, where these plant communities grow on, are

1 n Biol

ro

so

tfioittt

Mo

P

DG

onatmcmwwbtibdRimiiwdadwdt

Sao

J

LUu

sommc

nwt


ather steep and the solifluction is high, Red deer used these areasnly to a small extent as feeding grounds up to 2006.

In 2004 the browsing intensity on the association characteristicpecies Lunaria rediviva was only 16% of the biomass. In 2010 34%f the biomass of Lunaria rediviva was taken away.

Altogether the strong feeding pressure caused by human dis-urbance will lead to problems for the development of the ravineorests. Vegetational surveys are a suitable method to analyze thenfluence of man-induced changes in behaviour of the Red deern the habitat usage. The visitor management concept has to bemproved, to keep ravine forests and Red deer in a balance. Sincehe buildings of Vogelsang are not part of the Eifel National Park,he balance between nature conservation and tourism still needso be found after 10 years.

other-offspring relations and the transition to independencef Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki)

. Piedrahita, K. Meise, O. Krüger, F. Trillmich

epartment of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld,ermany, E-mail address: [email protected]

The evolutionary benefit of parental investment is to increaseffspring survival and reproductive success. Nevertheless, parentseed to balance their investment against potential costs such as

decrease in survival and reduction in future reproduction. Fur-hermore, in several size dimorphic mammals the energy intake of

ale offspring is higher than that of females, which entail a higherost for parents. In pinnipeds, the maternal effort mostly consists ofilk-provisioning. In the polygynous Galapagos sea lion (Zalophusollebaeki), sons are larger than daughters from birth to beyondeaning. This sexual size dimorphism suggests that either mothers

ias investment towards the sex with the higher fitness return orhat sons may demand more maternal investment than daughtersn order to maintain fast growth. We investigated the attendanceehaviour of mothers and the foraging behaviour of their juvenilesuring the transition to independence by deploying Time-Depthecorders and analyzing offspring trophic position from stable

sotope signatures in relation to mothers. Our results show thatothers did not differ in body condition or attendance behavior

n relation to yearling sex, but sons relied less than daughters onndependent foraging during the first two years of life. Most sons

ere apparently sustained by milk-provisioning, whereas manyaughters contributed to their energy intake by independent for-ging. Our data suggest that in the Galapagos sea lion, a sexuallyimorphic large mammal, mothers tolerate sons’ higher demandsithout adjusting their nursing strategy. However, whether thisifferential demand affects a female’s future reproduction remainso be investigated.

tudies on deterrent agents for predator and prey species tovoid wildlife collisions along transport routes on the examplef Grey wolf (Canis lupus) and Red deer (Cervus elaphus)

.-U. Polster and S. Herzog

ectureship of Wildlife Ecology and Game Management, Technischeniversität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]

Recent transport routes are bearing several ecological problems,uch as habitat loss, habitat fragmentation or increased mortalityf certain species. Fences in combination with wildlife crossings,ainly wildlife tunnels or ecoducts, have become quite usual forotorways. However, such solutions are only appropriate in the

ase of large-scale intersection-free motorways or railroad tracks.
Intermediate or small transport routes usually exhibit a huge
umber of crossings and junctions. In this case the use of fencesith gaps between fenced sectors might even increase the risk of

raffic kills. The problem will increase further when taking large

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

scavenger and predator species into consideration. They may beattracted by carcasses along the route, leading to “ecological traps”.

For these situations, no standard solutions are available. Thus,our goal was the development of a management concept usingpotentially deterrent agents as replacement for or supplement tofences along transport routes to achieve a higher degree of flexibil-ity in the measures applied.

We tested different agents in two wildlife-enclosures on Greywolf and Red deer representing predator as well as prey species.

In an extensive monitoring set-up we observed the behaviour ofthe animals as a reaction on the different acoustic, optical, olfactoryand tactile stimuli. Our first results show, that optical or olfactorysingle-sense stimuli are nearly ineffective. Some acoustic stimulihave been proved to be effective. Moreover, sound-light combina-tions or even small changes in the design of fences may be also ofan increased effectivity, at least on a short-term scale.

Brown bear (Ursus arctos) damages: A strategic approach or haz-ard?

I.-M. Pop1, S. Chiriac2, A. Sallay1,3

1Association for Biological Diversity Conservation, Focsani, Roma-nia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Environmental ProtectionAgency Vrancea County, Focsani, Romania, E-mail address: [email protected]; 3Institute of Wildlife Biology and GameManagement, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences,Vienna, Austria, E-mail address: [email protected]

The multi-functional landscape of the Romanian EasternCarpathian Mountains has an important role on maintaining thepresent brown bear population. Without considering the ongoingbear habitat degradation, the human-bear conflicts, are explainedby hunters, authorities and farmers as a result of a boost of thebrown bear population size. During 2007–2013 we registered 700damages made by brown bears to livestock, crop fields, bee hivesand orchards. Each conflict situation was registered with the timeof occurrence, type of damage, distance from forest patches andhuman settlements, presence of reliable protection systems andestimated brown bear density. Over 73% of damages were on live-stock, half of them involving the killing of bovines during grazingactivity. The distance from forest was an important factor, over 60%of damages occurred at a distance less than 500 m from tree cover.Additionally, almost 60% of damages occurred at a distance lessthan 1500 m from villages, indicating an increasing level of tol-erance of bears towards human presence. In the studied area thedensity of bears seems to play a small role on damage occurrenceand frequency, the factors influencing the occurrence of conflictsare in most cases the result of human activity.

Ecology of and the possible hunting impact on leopard popu-lation in Luambe National Park, Zambia and a bordering gamemanagement area

R.-R. Ray

Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany,E-mail address: [email protected]

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is thought to be the most resilientof all the large African predators and able to easily adapt to habitatchanges. However, there is little scientific data to substantiate thisclaim and the influence of trophy hunting on leopard populationsis unclear. In Zambia, quotas for the different hunting areas(=Game Management Areas, GMA) are set without any knowledgeon population size and density. The objectives of this study wereto examine density (using photographic capture and recapture
sampling), diet (by analyses of feacal samples), home ranges,activity pattern, and habitat use (by radio-tracking) of leopardswere studied in Luambe National Park (LNP) and a bordering GMAin Zambia with a special focus on the impact of trophy hunting. The

n Biol

lhadhlh1btlL

Wa

V

Asv

oaptaZwKdtdpllatctabtbaKu

Me

M

1

mGV4

e

samtMmihw


atter objective was designed to give an insight into the huntingarvest of the leopard, its prey species, its competitors in Zambiand possible consequences for the leopard population based on theata from the National Park and the bordering GMA. Country-wideunting quotas were compared with quotas of all hunting blocks

ocated inside the Luangwa Valley of Zambia and within the fourunting blocks surrounding the LNP. The comparison showed that7% of Zambia’s area covered by hunting blocks consists of huntinglocks situated in the Luangwa Valley. Despite the small size ofhe area, a high percentage of the country-wide trophy hunting oneopards was taking place in hunting blocks located around theNP, suggesting high hunting pressure on leopards in this region.

hat affects populations of puku (Kobus vardonii) in selectedreas of Zambia?

. Rduch

bteilung Wirbeltiere (ZamBio-Projekt), Zoologisches Forschungsmu-eum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]

Explaining patterns of animal distribution and abundance isne major challenge of ecology. The availability of habitats, foodnd predation determines the (co)existence of animal species. Theuku (Kobus vardonii; Reduncini, Bovidae) is a medium sized, rela-ively poorly studied antelope of southern central Africa. Data aboututecological and synecological aspects of the puku’s ecology inambia were collected during three field trips, from 2009 to 2011,ith a focus on Kasanka National Park (NP) and in and aroundafue NP. Road surveys along line transects revealed populationensities, habitat choice and population characteristics. Microhis-ological analyses of plant fragments in dung were used to assessiets and dietary overlap. Analyses of carnivore faeces uncoveredredation on the puku. Puku occurred at high densities on grass-

ands next to rivers or lakes. Spatial overlap with other bovids wasow with impala (Aepyceros melampus) being an exception in andround Kafue NP. The puku, almost entirely grazing and suggestedo choose food plants opportunistically, had a generally low dietaryompetition, especially in the dry season. Large terrestrial preda-ors may not limit the puku’s population in Kasanka NP. In andround Kafue NP, predation was suggested to be higher and possi-ly regulates the pukus’ population to a greater extent. Consideringhe high numbers of juveniles, male-groups and individuals in poorody condition in Kasanka NP, bottom-up regulation via rainfallnd food is likely to act on the pukus’ population, particularly inasanka NP. The findings shall help improving conservation meas-res in Zambia.

ountain hares (Lepus timidus) and tourism activities: Stressvents and reactions

. Rehnus1,2, M. Wehrle3, R. Palme4

Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland, E-ail address: [email protected]; 2Institute of Wildlife Biology andame Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences,ienna, Austria; 3Natur- und Tierpark Goldau, Goldau, Switzerland;Department of Biomedical Sciences/Biochemistry, University of Vet-rinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria

Winter tourism is increasing in the European Alps and has aignificant impact on wildlife. Wildlife is often disturbed by thesectivities as they mostly occur in an unpredictable manner, and ani-als may only have limited possibilities for adaptation. However,

he physiological and behavioural reaction to tourism activities inountain hares (Lepus timidus) is still unknown. In this study, we
easured the levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM)
n wild mountain hares living in areas that had no, medium origh levels of tourist activity during winter in 2011. Furthermore,e compared the changes in GCM excretion, behaviour and food

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 17

intake of six captive mountain hares following predator challengeexperiments from early to mid-winter. Our field results showedthat GCM excretion is positively correlated with increased tourismintensity. In the predator challenge experiments, hares spent lesstime resting and grooming (including re-ingesting faecal pellets)during and after the stress treatments. These stress events leadto higher energy demands due to flushing, increased GCM levels,and disrupted the energy intake that hares derive from faeces. Weconclude that mountain hares living in areas with frequent humanwinter recreational activities show changes in physiology andbehaviour that demand additional energy in winter, when accessto food resources is limited by snow. In order to protect Mountainhare populations, we recommend that managers keep forestsinhabited by Mountain hares free from tourism infrastructure andretain undisturbed forest patches within skiing areas.

Relevant and quick information on wildlife research

M. Rehnus1 and E. Mosler2

1Swiss Wildlife Information Service, Wildtier Schweiz, Zurich,Switzerland, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2FaunaFocus,Wildtier Schweiz, Zurich, Switzerland, E-mail address:[email protected]

WILDTIER SCHWEIZ is a non-profit organization specialized indistributing information on wildlife research – for every situa-tion and need. Here, we proudly present two convenient tools forwildlife researchers: the Swiss Wildlife Information Service (SWIS)and FaunaFocus.

SWIS is a unique data base on scientific publications of Europeanwildlife and beyond. The immense quantity of publications is citedby experts. SWIS guarantees a short and manageable list of publi-cations highly relevant to your research topic – the thousands ofinsignificant publications proposed by search engines are omitted.We aim at handling requests of our clients within a few hours, at thelatest in three working days. Since 1974 SWIS has been keeping upwith new releases of peer reviewed journals and other related pub-lications: a treasure trove for researchers who build their researchupon the state of the art. Project partners are the Swiss FederalOffice of the Environment and the University of Zurich.

www.wildtier.ch/swis.FaunaFocus is a popular scientific series (twelve to six-teen

pages) in German for researchers who want to be informed aboutnew topics of wildlife research pleasurably but reliably. As it isimpossible to keep up with the many research topics aside of one’sown, FaunaFocus provides a quarterly update on selected contrib-utions. This allows to create astonishing links between otherwiseunconnected research. The series offers a broad spectrum of topicsrelated to wildlife, its habitats and newly developed methods. Theauthors are mostly researchers presenting their findings to otherresearchers or professionals in wildlife management.

www.faunafocus.ch.

Similar is not the same: Niche differentiation in highly mobilespecies assemblages

A. Roswag, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac ão


Resource partitioning is an essential mechanism enablingspecies diversity. For stable coexistence species should shareresources to reduce competition. The used resources of an ani-mal are linked to its morphology and ecology suggesting that
similar species utilise similar resources. We aimed to identify dif-ferences in dietary and spatial resource usage of highly mobilespecies assemblages. As model organisms we chose three ecologi-cally and morphologically similar insectivorous bat species Myotis
http://www.wildtier.ch/swis

http://www.faunafocus.ch/

1 n Biol

bWwasstrtin

Rh

A

1

Ug

vdaaiatcsslckstmccs

Go

M

1

G2

NT

clctdto12w2

(mhiw


echsteinii, Myotis nattereri, and Plecotus auritus in the same habitat.e hypothesised that resource partitioning of these similar speciesill be slight but on several dimensions. We determined the diet

nd trophic position of the species using molecular faecal analy-is and stable isotope analysis. Additionally, we examined spatialegregation along the horizontal and vertical axis using radio-elemetry and stable isotope analysis. Dietary niche overlap waselatively high for all species but differences in the spatial niche androphic position could be observed. To detect resource partitioningn similar, highly mobile species assemblages resource dimensionseed to be defined with high resolution.

econstruction of the winter and summer diet of the Commonamster (Cricetus cricetus)

. Roswag1, U. Weinhold2, J.A. Encarnac ão1

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-niversity, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Institute for Faunistics, Heiligkreuzsteinach, Germany

For mammals one of the major challenges is to cover their indi-idual energy demand. The major energy source is the animal’siet. The Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is known to collectnd store potential diet in a pantry during late summer. This stor-ge serves as food source during the winter season. Several studiesnvestigated the content of hamster pantries but less is knownbout their effective winter diet. We used stable isotope ratioso reconstruct non-invasively the winter and summer diet of C.ricetus. Individuals of C. cricetus were captured during spring andummer. We collected hair samples of each individual as well asamples of cereals and grasses which could be consumed or col-ected by hamsters at the capture area. Stable nitrogen (�15N) andarbon ratios (�13C) of hair and diet samples were measured. It isnown that �15N and �13C vary with the animals’ diet and thus areuitable to reconstruct the nourishment. With known discrimina-ion factor of hamster hairs’ �15N and �13C and by using Bayesian

ixing models it is possible to calculate the most probable dietontribution of the hamsters. Therefore, hair samples from springan be used to calculate winter diet while hair samples from lateummer give information about the summer diet of C. cricetus.

enetic estimation of population size in an isolated populationf a rapidly declining mammal, the Common hamster

.T. Schleenbecker1, T.E. Reiners2, C. Nowak2

Department of Animal Ecology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen,ermany, E-mail address: [email protected];Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institute andatural History Museum Frankfurt, Germany, E-mail addresses:[email protected]; [email protected]

While assessing population census size is a basic task in wildlifeonservation, it is often difficult to obtain reliable results, in particu-ar for rare and elusive species. In our study we used the principle ofommon mark-recapture studies using a genetic fingerprint systemo estimate population census in an isolated population of a rapidlyeclining mammal, the Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus). Duringhe field work in summer 2013 and spring 2014, 73 and 53 hectaresf a total population area of 140 hectares were monitored, resulting24 and 76 found burrows (Summer 2013: 1.69 burrows/ha, Spring013: 1.43 burrows/ha) respectively. In both seasons hair samplesere collected from burrows resulting 76 samples (35 Summer

013, 37 spring 2014).In a pilot study using the samples collected in summer 2013

n = 38), we tested if the genetic fingerprint system using 18
icrosatellites. The probability of identity for resulting genotypes
ad a value of 1.6 × 10−7 indicating that genetic individualizations highly reliable. By that we could show that some individuals

ere using several burrows. We used our marker system to obtain

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

individual mark-recapture histories. Census estimates derivedfrom individual mark-recapture histories were compared to bur-row densities, genetic diversity estimates and measures of effectivepopulation size. We estimated genetic population indices (e.g.:He = 0.363 ± 0.042; Ho = 0.373 ± 0.045) indicating future threats forthe observed population. Our noninvasive genetic sample methodprovides a highly precise and easily applicable method for col-lecting population data of small rodents, which could help tomanage endangered populations.

King of the forest returns to his old kingdom – First reintroduc-tion of European bison in Germany

P. Schmitz, S. Caspers, K. Witte

Institute of Biology, Research Group Ecology and BehaviouralBiology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]

The first reintroduction project of European bison in WesternEurope is accomplished in a private working forest in Bad Berleburg,Germany. We surveyed the roaming and exploration behaviour of asingle herd during the first 171 days after release. The animals weretagged with GPS-collars and directly observed. We calculated on adaily basis the expansion rate, used areas and its shift, the walkingdistances and observed the roaming behaviour of a solitary bull.

The distance to the release site increased roughly by450 m/month. The animals’ utilized areas were variable and high-est during post-rut. Walking distances fluctuated between 3638and 5171 m/day.

During phase of birth-giving the herd’s walking distances werereduced while utilized areas and shift of areas remained on a similarlevel. The bull segregated from the herd for 58 days. After each birthof a calf the bull retreated but it reappeared at the herd soon after-wards for a short period. The lone bull’s utilized areas and the shiftof areas were bigger while walking distance was smaller. Probablya lone animal is able to stay longer on a foraging patch than a herd.During rut the utilized areas, the area shift, and walking distancesincreased. We could identify three exploration bouts when roamingbehaviour increased and the animals entered new areas. After-wards they utilized these areas for several weeks. The completesummer home range was 45.2 km2. The roaming and explorationprocess was not finished at the end of the observation period.

Hibernation patterns in free-ranging Common hamsters

C. Siutz and E. Millesi

Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna,Austria, E-mail address: [email protected];

Common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) are facultative hiberna-tors showing a high variation in body temperature patterns duringwinter. Hamsters accumulate energy reserves to survive the win-ter period both internally as body fat and externally as food storesin the burrow. In free-ranging individuals, we recently found sexdifferences in foraging behaviour in that males were mainly feed-ing above ground, whereas females almost exclusively cachedfood. Moreover, males had higher body fat proportions prior towinter than females. These results indicate different strategies toprepare for winter, which could be reflected in individual hiberna-tion patterns. We therefore aimed at analysing body temperaturechanges during winter in free-ranging hamsters using subcuta-neously implanted data loggers. In males, hibernation patternswere similar to those of obligate hibernators with regular, deeptorpor bouts alternating with short arousal episodes. Hiberna-tion started shortly after immergence into the hibernaculum and
lasted until spring, when the individuals emerged after a euther-mic period in the burrow. Females, in contrast, showed a highindividual variation in body temperature changes, ranging frompatterns resembling those of males to extended euthermic periods

n Biol

iTwddr

Cw

M

1

H2

AL

colwsslbtciblwnmcamadrmot

Bb

N

DG

egoi(B

svIbo

imfn


n the hibernaculum interrupted by a short hibernation phase.hese results indicate that the accumulation of body fat prior tointer is more limited in females compared to males. Individualifferences in reproductive output and maternal effort could lead toifferences in the allocation of energy reserves in females and cor-espondingly more variable overwintering strategies than in males.

haracterization of functional traits in the carnassials of theolf (Canis lupus) using 3D surface texture analysis

.H. Skiba1, E. Schulz1,2, T.M. Kaiser1

Biocenter Grindel and Zoological Museum, University of Hamburg,amburg, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected];Max Planck Weizmann Center for Integrative Archaeology andnthropology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology,eipzig, Germany

3D surface texture analysis in carnivores illustrates the biome-hanical constraints of the chewing process using distinct patternsn the enamel surface of teeth. We compared two extant popu-ations of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) from Alaska and Sweden

ith regard to their dietary behaviour and tooth function using 3Durface texture analysis (ISO 21578). Precise data on prey specieshow that the Swedish population feeds to a greater proportion onarge ungulates than the Alaskan population, which is confirmedy the surface texture parameters. To test for dental functionalraits, three facets of the upper first molar along the cusp andompression basin and two facets of antagonistic carnassials werenvestigated. The facets on the lingual side of the compressionasin of the first molar are characterized by lower skewness and

ower peak density compared to the facets on the buccal side,hich are distinguished as attrition (tooth–tooth contact) domi-ated in their wear signature. Facets in the compression basin areore abrasion (tooth–bolus contact) dominated. These signatures

orrespond with a bone crushing function of the first molar. Thentagonistic facets of the carnassials are characterized by asym-etric surface textures, with the upper carnassials having larger

nd deeper dales with few peaks. Facets of lower carnassials areominated by higher density of peaks indicating a higher surfaceoughness. Hence, we conclude that shear-cutting of meat is theain function of the carnassials. This finding indicates that antag-

nistic facets may not be mixed when evaluating dental surfaceexture as a dietary proxy.

at activity across differently managed pine forests in Branden-urg (Germany)

. Starik and U. Zeller

ivision of Systematic Zoology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin,ermany, E-mail address: [email protected]

Silvicultural practices may affect biodiversity on different lev-ls and at various spatial scales. To test for differences in functionalroups and evaluate effects of different silvicultural managementn biodiversity, we investigated bat species activity and nocturnalnsect diversity in two structurally distinct types of pine forestsstands with understory vegetation vs. monoculture stands) inrandenburg, Germany.

Bat calls were recorded between May and October in twoubsequent years (2012 and 2013) using Batcorder® devices. Toerify bat call analysis, mist-netting was additionally conducted.nsect community was investigated using short-radius attractinglacklight-traps (6W). Data were collected at sampling distancesf ≥100 m from other habitat types.

We found a positive correlation between overall bat activity and
nsect abundance during nights of acoustic monitoring. Further-
ore, we could detect a variation of diversity patterns across mothamilies between the two stand types. Bat species activity was sig-ificantly higher in understory pine forests than in homogeneous

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 19

monocultures. Sound analysis indicated the presence of six speciesin understory pine stands, whereas only two bat species were foundin homogenous stands. Mist netting revealed the presence of fourspecies (understory stands) and two species (pure stands), respec-tively.

We conclude that habitat heterogeneity in managed forestsincreases bat species richness by facilitating niche or resource par-titioning among species. Furthermore, we emphasize the role ofbats as bioindicators towards land use-driven environmental con-ditions. A better understanding of these key-features of interactionbetween forestry and biodiversity would contribute to improvingintegrative forest management.

The dry-season relevance of Great Ruaha River for larger mam-mals in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania.

C. Stommel, H. Hofer, M.L. East

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany, E-mailaddress: [email protected]

The Great Ruaha River is the main permanent source of waterin the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. Since 1993 the formerlyperennial river has shown decreasing flow and has been drying upover most of its course at the end of the dry season when wateris most needed by larger mammals (probably as a result of humanextraction of water upstream). The effects for larger mammals inthis area of outstanding biodiversity and species endemism arelargely unknown.

The goal of this study was to assess the impact of changing wateravailability on the spatial and temporal distribution patterns oflarger mammals in the Ruaha NP throughout the dry season.

Wildlife distribution and abundance was assessed using linetransects; camera traps were employed to evaluate the use ofkey water resources by wildlife; and water quality was measured.Our initial results indicate that water resources have a significantimpact on the distribution of large mammal species in the RuahaNP and result in a significant loss of dry-season habitat for highlywater-dependent species. As the dry season progresses, the impor-tance of permanent water in the Great Ruaha River to wildlifegreatly increases and the quality in non-flowing water significantlydeteriorates.

Results of this study will further provide essential baseline datanecessary for the long-term assessment of the importance of per-manent water for larger mammals in the Ruaha ecosystem, theeffects of human utilisation and prediction of the likely effect offuture climate change on wildlife in semi-arid environments.

Chronic, not acute stress affects innate immunity of Europeanbat species

S. Strobel, M.S. Otto, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac ão

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

The total energy budget of an individual must be allo-cated to all competing physiological functions. This allocationis modulated by neuroendocrine mechanisms i.a. in relationto stress. Stress hormones can bi-directionally modulate thecostly immune system depending on the type of stressor. Wereport the influence of stress on constitutive innate humoralimmune responses of Myotis daubentonii and Nyctalus noctulausing a functional assay which measures bacterial killing activ-ity (BKA). We expected (i) that chronic stress reduces BKA and(ii) that BKA decreases with increasing handling duration (acute
stress).
Bats were captured by mist-netting and collection from nest-boxes. Blood samples of M. daubentonii were obtained from Julytill October between 3 and 130 min after capture. Samples of

2 n Biol

Nbdt

Jo

sbld

rs

Ml

S

1

UgB

stati

sTc8

mtaaliccovlPr

a

Fs

AC

1

aau

biarm


. noctula were collected on one day in August three times perat in defined time intervals. Plasma was collected and BKA wasetermined spectrophotometrically in 96-well microplates usinghe microbes Escherichia coli.

For blood samples of male M. daubentonii a declining BKA fromuly to October was observed. Within 130 or 90 min after capturef bats no reduction of BKA was found.

Pre-hibernation involves a variety of stressors over a long time. Iteems that the immunosuppressive effects of chronic stress enableats to reallocate energy from immune function to other physio-

ogical processes. In contrast, bats maintained important first lineefences during acute stress.

This study demonstrated that stress influence immuneesponses in bats. Causes and consequences of immune functioneem to be multidimensional and highly species-specific.

orphology of the gastrointestinal tract of Pipistrellus pipistrel-us

. Strobel1,2, N.I. Becker1, J.A. Encarnac ão1, T.E. Trenczek2

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-niversity, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Department of General Zoology and Developmentaliology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany

Bats have a very high mass-specific energy demand due to smallize and active flight. European bat species are insectivorous andhe morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) should be adaptedccordingly. This study investigated the general anatomy and his-ology of the GI of P. pipistrellus that should be comparable to othernsectivorous bat species.

The GIs of three individuals were removed. Each was cut intoix sections, fixed in formaldehyde, and embedded in paraffin wax.he tissues and cells of the GI of P. pipistrellus were analysed bylassical and lectin histological staining procedures on cuttings of

�m thickness.The GI of P. pipistrellus was organised into the typical mam-

alian layers: tunica mucosa, tela submucosa, tunica muscularis andunica serosa. The narrow, thin-walled oesophagus was simple with

folded stratified squamous epithelium without glands. The stom-ch was globular shaped without any specialisation. The intestineacked a caecum and appendix. The small intestine was dividednto duodenum, jejunum-ileum and ileum-colon. The epitheliumonsisted of simple columnar absorptive enterocytes and gobletells. It had no submucosal glands or lymphoid tissue and wasrganised in villi and crypts of Lieberkühn. The large intestine wasery short, only represented by the descending colon-rectum. Itacked villi, the mucosa had only crypts of Lieberkühn. The GI of. pipistrellus was typical for an insectivorous bat species probablyepresenting the ancestral condition

To sum up, the primitive GI of insectivorous bat species showsn anatomical reduction of tissue comparable to other bat species.

irst insights into two years of standardized large-scale luretick monitoring of wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Germany

. Tiesmeyer1, K. Steyer1, S. Carl1, T. Mölich2, B. Vogel2, A. Huth2,

. Nowak1

Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institutend Natural History Museum, Gelnhausen, Germany, E-mailddress: [email protected]; 2Bund für Umweltnd Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), Erfurt, Germany

Populations of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) appear toe increasing in Germany after a severe population decline dur-

ng the 19th and 20th century due to anthropogenic persecutionnd massive habitat loss. The species has recently been gainingising public attention as a result of extensive conservation andonitoring action. However, there is still considerable uncertainty

ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

concerning essential population parameters such as the grade ofisolation between populations and both effective and census pop-ulation sizes.

In the frame of a large-scale project, Wildcat Leap (“Wildkatzen-sprung”), 16 standardized grid cells are equipped in total with 800valerian lure sticks as hair traps. The grids are spread across thewildcat’s distribution in Germany covering both high and low den-sity wildcat habitats. Supported by more than 500 volunteers thelure sticks are controlled weekly during the mating season overthree consecutive years.

Here we present data of the first two sampling seasons in 2012and 2013. Microsatellite analysis of 1016 hair samples obtainedfrom lure sticks resulted in 766 wildcat detections representing331 individuals. We provide estimates of genetic diversity, geneticdifferentiation and gene flow among the sampled grids. The studyprovides basic data on wildcat population structure serving as abaseline for optimized conservation planning. Moreover, combin-ing our genetic data with habitat models will help to provide awell-founded census estimate for the wildcat in Germany.

Density and spatial behaviour of Grey red-backed vole in amontane taiga forest of West Khentey Mongolia

P. Tserendavaa1, K. Hackländer1, E. Erdenechimeg2, B. Sheftel3

1Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Universityof Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria, E-mailaddress: [email protected]; 2Universityof the Humanities, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, E-mail address:[email protected]; 3A.N. Severtsov Institute Ecologyand Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, E-mailaddress: [email protected]

Rodent population dynamics and their spatial behaviour wereobserved in a montane taiga forest in the Khonin Nuga, WestKhentey Mongolia. Small mammals were captured in July, August,and September 2010–2012. Our study site consisted of a 10 × 10grid, at 10 m intervals, with one Sherman trap per station. Wetrapped for five days each month, averaging 7,600 trap nights peryear. After determining the spatial densities home range size for thegrey red-backed vole Myodes (formerly Clethrionomys) rufocanusand their populations were estimated using the program DENSITY5.0 (Efford 2012). This species’ density was highest at the lightconiferous and dark coniferous forest habitats. The home rangesof males were larger and more diverse than those of females; theirsizes being correlated with body mass, such that heavier males hadlarger home ranges.

Understanding animal movement behaviour in dynamic agri-cultural landscapes

W. Ullmann1,2, C. Fischer3, K. Pirhofer-Walzl1, N. Blaum2

1Institute of Landscape Biochemistry, Leibniz Centre for AgriculturalLandscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]; 2Department of Plant Ecology andNature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany;3Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Uni-versität München, Germany

The intensification of agriculture results in decreasing landscapecomplexity with large matrix areas. Wildlife has to adapt increas-ingly with the temporal and spatial dynamics of farmed fields,as less natural or semi-natural space becomes available. Animalmovements between habitats might be altered due to field cul-tivation, which subsequently affects biodiversity. Therefore, weare aiming at quantifying specific responses in animal movement
behaviour in relation to changing habitat-matrix modifications andlandscape diversity. European hares (Lepus europaeus) are used asmodel organisms in agricultural landscapes. From March 2014 toSeptember 2015 fifty hares are being collared with GPS-telemetry

n Biol

sisgvi

fcmoml

md

n

T

C

DWb

b1EiasdwfcfywtntrGSampbba

Ns

J

CtJ

phctfto


ystems and acceleration sensors to know exactly where the animals located and what kind of behaviour the animal conducts at thatpatial position. The behavioural response of hares is being investi-ated in two different landscapes (1) the Brandenburg region withery large fields and few semi-natural structures and (2) the Bavar-an region with small fields and a higher landscape complexity.

The advanced sensor technology will aid to shed light on theollowing main research questions: (1) How do sudden resourcehanges (i.e. harvesting) affect movements and behaviour of ani-als? (2) How does agricultural management (i.e. application

f fertilizers, plant protection products, ploughing) affect animalovement behaviour? (3) How does the structural diversity of the

andscape affect animal movements and behaviour?In a pilot study we found that disturbances through agricultural

anagement with resource changes increased the daily movementistances.

The data shall be used to contribute to the improvement ofature protection policies and landscape management.

he challenge of trans-European migration for bats

.C. Voigt

epartment Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo andildlife Research, Berlin, Germany, E-mail address: voigt@izw-

erlin.deConsidering their small size, bats are extremely mobile. Some

ats, such as 8 g Pipistrellus nathusii, travel distances of more than900 km twice each year between Northeastern and Southwesternurope. In my talk, I will summarize our most recent researchn the area of migratory physiology of bats. In particular, I willsk if Nathusius bats use optimal strategies such torpor-assistedtopovers, and if they face immunological trade-off situationsuring their strenuous journeys. In the second part of my talk, Iill review the ecological challenge of trans-European migration

or bats. After the installation of thousands of wind turbines,rossing Germany during migration has become increasingly riskyor bats. 26,000 wind turbines cause massive losses of bats eachear in Germany, i.e. about 300,000 bats may get killed annuallyithout mitigation measures. This is consistent with figures from

he U.S.A., suggesting that about 10 bats might get killed per MWet energy produced by wind power. German politicians wisho increase the net energy produced by wind power from cur-ently 31,000 MW (2012) to 46,000 MW in 2020, suggesting thatermany will face massive losses of bat wildlife in future as well.ince all bat species are protected under the E.U. Habitat Directivend migratory species by the UN convention, effective mitigationeasures are mandatory and not negotiable. Yet, the current

ractice of mitigation measures is questionable. It appears as ifats are ill prepared for the modern challenges of trans-Europeanats, even in the presence of astonishing physiological and sensorydaptations.

ew tools for rapid species identification of predators fromaliva traces on kills

. Wertheimer, D. Klassert, M. Buhrmester, B. Cocchiararo, C. Nowak

onservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Insti-ute and Natural History Museum, Germany; E-mail address:[email protected]

Large predators, such as wolves and lynx are currently reoccu-ying Germany. As predation of livestock and game species lead touman-animal conflicts management plans in combination withompensation fees can serve as an indispensable tool to increase
he tolerance towards the occurrence of large carnivores. It is there-ore essential to have fast methods on hand that can be appliedo identify different predator species. The routinely applied meth-ds are often laborious and expensive. We therefore aimed to
ogy 79S (2014) 2–22 21

develop reliable, fast, and cheap molecular detection methods thatallow for safe species discrimination from kill samples. Samplingof saliva traces from kills was carried out with sterile cotton swabsat wound sites of the carcass, with focused sampling around thethroat and neck area. We tested different approaches: Distinctionbetween wolf and dog was achieved by selecting discriminatingSNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) from the literature. As theKASPar (Competitive Allele Specific PCR) system offers the mostcost-effective and fastest way to determine SNP genotypes, KAS-Par assays were designed for a final set of SNPs and the subsequentdetection was performed on a real-time thermocycler. For the lynx,we designed and tested a new mitochondrial marker. PCR reactionwas also performed on a real-time thermocycler to get an absolutequantification of the different swabs that had been sampled. Herewe compare both approaches and show the results of initial testson both reference samples and real-life saliva traces obtained fromkills across Germany.

Investigating the implications of shrubification for arcticground squirrels

H.C. Wheeler1, D.S. Hik2, J.-C. Svenning1

1CIRCE, Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Århus University, Århus,Denmark, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2Biological Sci-ences Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

In arctic and northern alpine habitats, canopy forming shrubsare expanding under rapid climate change. Changes in forage com-position and visibility associated with increased shrub cover mayaffect predator–prey interactions and foraging efficiency for alpineherbivores, particularly ground dwelling sciurids, which rely ongroup vigilance to detect predators. Using behavioural and pop-ulation metrics, and burrow network properties, we demonstratethe implications of vegetation change for arctic ground squirrels(Urocitellus parryii) in a population study in the south-west Yukon,Canada and a larger scale study in Denali National Park, Alaska. Weobserved higher giving up densities in dense shrub habitat thanopen habitats. This suggests foraging costs are higher in shrub habi-tat. Using mark-recapture data we also find higher juvenile growthrates and higher survival and density in open tundra habitats thandense shrub. Greater burrowing, more complex arctic ground bur-row systems and more signs of recent activity were associatedwith lower percent cover of vegetation over 50 cm tall and greaterforb cover. Finally, we present results from a species distributionmodel assessing the roles of climate and vegetation structure onarctic ground squirrels and whether spatial patterns are indicativeof source-sink dynamics. Increases in shrub cover are likely to havea negative effect on arctic ground squirrels, potentially as a result ofchanges in visibility and predation risk. We suggest that concurrentchanges in forage composition (particularly forb cover) and otherhabitat characteristics, which are likely to be contingent on localfactors, may moderate or exacerbate responses to shrub.

Morphologically similar teeth show uneven enamel distributionin the Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)

D.E. Winkler and T.M. Kaiser

Zoological Institute and Zoological Museum, Biocenter Grindel,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, E-mail address:[email protected]

The distribution of dental tissues in mammalian herbivorescan be very different between taxa and dietary regimes. Whilegrazer have more elaborated and complexly folded enamel ridges,browser have less complex enamel ridges which can even be so
far reduced that they do not functionally contribute to shear-cutting of forage plants. Such a differential distribution in occlusalenamel proportion has so far not been addressed for single toothpositions in hypsodont species. However, several studies have

2 n Biol

nmps(ite

paesbthmmd

Msr

M

1

f2

v3

G

from increased structural heterogeneity of urban landscapes thatalso lead to high and steady resource availability compared to agri-culturally transformed landscapes characterizing most rural areas


oted differential wear rates between tooth positions in smallammals (rabbits, guinea pigs) which might be related to tooth

osition specific morphologies. In a pilot study we apply CT-canning and quantify volumes of dental tissues in the Plains ZebraEquus quagga), a hypsodont herbivore with morphologically sim-lar molars and premolars, to investigate how initial wear of theooth crown is controlled by underlying structures and whethernamel proportion is specific to tooth position.

We found an apical-basal gradient of decreasing enamel pro-ortion in all cheek teeth. The apex morphology with less enamelnd hence more soft dental tissues is functionally interpreted tonsure fast exposition of enamel ridges which can then act ashear-cutting blades to process the food. This will reduce timeetween eruption and full functionality. We further noted thathe overall enamel content is highest in the upper M3. We thusypothesise that the M3 has a slightly different functional trait inastication, resisting highest bite forces along the tooth row andaintaining functionality while anterior teeth are already worn

own.

ultifamily residences or studio apartments? Shifts in burrowtructures of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) along aural-to-urban gradient

. Ziege1, T. Wronski2, M. Plath3

Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Frank-urt, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected];
Department of Wildlife & Aquatic Resources Management, Uni-ersity of Rwanda, Rwanda, E-mail address: t [email protected];Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Frankfurt,ermany, E-mail address: [email protected]
ogy 79S (2014) 2–22

European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are currently decliningin most rural areas throughout Central Europe, while populationsin cities often reach high densities. We asked whether and howaltered environmental conditions affect the social organizationand burrow structures of European rabbit populations located aturban, suburban and rural sites in and around Frankfurt am Mainin Germany. We assessed burrow densities, burrow distributionpatterns and numbers of burrow entrances and correlated thesedata with the degree of urbanity. For 19 rural, 23 suburban and19 urban randomly selected burrows we also measured distancesbetween burrow entrances and height and width of the entrances,respectively. Moreover, we asked whether urbanization affects bur-row complexity indirectly through shifts in rabbit group sizes, andthus, used domestic ferrets (Mustelo furo) to chase rabbits out oftheir burrows. Burrow densities [number ha−1] increased along therural-to-urban gradient, which was accompanied by a gradual shiftfrom accumulated towards more evenly distributed burrows. Bur-rows became smaller and less complex, and numbers of rabbitsinhabiting the same burrow decreased with increasing degree ofurbanity. Rabbits are known to form large social groups inhab-iting complex burrow systems when resources like suitable sitesfor burrow construction and food are limited. Altogether then, ourresults suggest that rabbit populations inhabiting the city benefit

in Central Europe.

Akmali, V., 2Albayrak, I., 2Allgöwer, S., 2Amirmardfar, R., 3 Ansorge, H., 11Arbanasic, H., 3Ashari, M., 11Ashrafi , S., 3Ashrafzadeh, M.R., 3

Balciauskas, L., 3, 4Balciauskiene, L., 3, 4Baulechner, D., 4Becker, N.I., 1, 4, 7, 14, 17, 19, 20Beer, M., 8Bidon, T., 5Bjelic Cabrilo, O., 5Blaum, N., 20Bobrowski, M., 5, 9Bollmann, K., 5Bourg, M., 6, 14Brändel, S., 7Breitenmoser, U., 6Buhrmester, M., 21Büntgen, U., 5

Cabrilo, B., 5Curkovic, S., 3Carl, S., 20Caspers, S., 6, 18Cassini, M.H., 6, 9Chiriac, S., 16Cocchiararo, B., 21Cvecko, P., 7

Dewanto, H.A., 11Drexler, J.F., 8Drosten, C., 8Ðuras, M., 3Düring, R.-A., 8

East, M.L., 19Eickmann, M., 6, 7, 14Eiken, H.G., 5Encarnação, J.A., 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20Erdenechimeg, E., 20Esmaeili-Rineh, S., 2

Fain, S.R., 5Farhadinia, M.S., 3Ferretti, F., 7, 13Fietz, J., 10Fischer, C., 7, 20Fischer, S., 8Flache, L., 8Fracassi, N., 9

Galov, A., 3Giere, P., 8Gillich, B., 5, 9Gomercic, T., 3Gomez, J.J., 9Grigoryeva, O.O., 9

Hackländer, K., 20Hagen, S.B., 5Hailer, F., 5Hallström, B.M., 5Havenstein, N., 10Herbst, C.E., 10Herden, C., 6, 7, 14Hermes, N., 7Hernandez-Blanco, J.A. 11Herzog, S., 6, 7, 14, 16Hik, D.S., 21Hildebrandt, T., 13Hiller, T. 7Hofer, H., 19Hoffmann, B.,8Holtze, S., 13Hucht-Ciorga, I., 10Huth, A., 20

Imholt, C., 8Imron, M.A., 11Ivanov, E.A., 11, 15

Jacob, J., 8Jäger, K., 11Janke, A., 5Jasiulionis, M., 4Jastroch, M., 8Jenny, H., 5Jnawali, S.R., 13Jüngling, H., 13Jurišic, A., 5

Kaiser, T.M., 19, 21Kalko, E.K.V., 4Keckel, M.R., 11Keipert, S., 8Keller, M., 8Kempter, I., 12Keuling, O., 10Kierdorf, U., 8, 12Kim, Y.K., 14Kimura, J., 14Kirilyuk, V.E., 15Klassert, D., 21Klaus, S., 2Kotlyar, A.К., 11Koyabu, D., 14Kratzmann, N., 8

Author index

doi:10.1016/S1616-5047(14)00086-X

24 Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 23–24

Krüger,O., 16 Kuich-Van Endert, S., 12

Lange-Herbst, H., 6, 14Lecomte, N., 5Lee, E., 12Lee, H., 12 Lerp, H., 2, 13Lew, S., 6Litvinov, M.N., 11Lovari, S., 7, 13Lukarevskii, V.S. 11Luo, Z., 11

Marhaento, H., 11Martin, T., 11Meise, K., 16 Merker, S., 13Millesi, E., 18Min, M.-S., 12Mohammadi, A., 3Mohammadi, H., 3Mölich, T. 20Morhart, M., 13Mosler, E., 17

Naidenko, S.V., 11, 15Nobach, D., 6, 14Nopp-Mayr, U., 12Nowak, C., 18, 20, 21Nugraha, R.J., 11Nurvianto, S., 11

Oh, J., 14Orlov, V.N., 9Otto, M.S., 14, 19Öztan, S., 8

Palme, R., 17Pamukoglu, N., 15Park, S., 15Pavlova, E.V., 15Petrak, M., 15Petrovic, A., 5Pfenninger, M., 2Piedrahita, P., 16Pirhofer-Walzl, K., 20Plath, M., 2, 22Pokheral, C.B., 13Polster, J.-U., 16Pop, I.-M., 16Pudyatmoko, S., 11

Ray, R.-R., 16Rduch, V., 17Rehnus, M., 17Reil, D., 8

Reiners, T.E., 18Röhrs, S., 8Rose, A., 7Rosenfeld, U.M., 8Roswag, A., 1, 17, 18Rozhnov, V.V., 11

Saarma, U., 5Sallay, A., 16Satria, R.A., 11Schleenbecker, M.T., 18Schmitz, P., 6, 18Schulz, E., 19Sharifi , M., 2 Sheftel, B., 20 Siutz, C., 18Skiba, M.H., 19Starik, N., 19Stefen, C., 11Steyer, K., 20Stolter, C., 5, 9Stommel, C., 19 Strobel, S., 19, 20Subeno, 11Svenning, J.-C., 21

Tenji, D., 5Thiel, J., 8, Tiesmeyer, A., 20Tillmann, J.E., 10Timm, U., 3Trenczek, T.E., 20Trillmich, F., 16Tschapka, M., 4, 7Tserendavaa, P., 20Túnez, J.I., 9

Ullmann, W., 20Ulrich, R.G., 8

Vogel, B., 20Voigt, C.C., 21

Wagner, C., 7Wardhana, W., 11Wehrle, M., 17Weinhold, U., 18Wertheimer, J., 21Wheeler, H.C., 21Winkler, D.E., 21Witte, K., 6, 18Wronski, T., 22

Yasuda, M., 14

Zeller, U., 19 Ziege, M., 13, 22

Chronic, not Acute Stress affects Innate Immunity of European Bat Species

Documents

Transcript of Chronic, not Acute Stress affects Innate Immunity of European Bat Species