Almost after a century, the occurrence of Zingel streber (Siebold, 1863) was recorded again in the area of confluence of the rivers Morava and Dyje. The population consisted of fish 0+ to 5+, with 0+ group predominating in the sample, indicating that the species had successfully reproduced in 2003. Analysis was made of their karyotype (n=5) and meristic characters (n=10). The following was the result of a study of growth of standard lengths (n=16): SL1 – 81 mm, SL2 – 114 mm, SL3 – 130 mm, SL4 – 146 mm, SL5 – 166 mm. The biggest individual was a female 5+ of age, TL 200 mm, SL 180 mm. The habitat types preferred by individuals 0+ were the rapidly flowing sections with gravel bottom, in which the stream velocity was 0.2–0.6 m.s-1. Re-occurrence of this species was facilitated by the marked improvement of water quality after 1990 as well as by the barrier-free connection of sections of the rivers Morava and Dyje with the Danube via the Slovakian-Austrian part of the River Morava. Further dispersal of this species is limited by the weir in r.km 26.7 on the Dyje, and six weirs between r.km 74.1 and r.km 101.8 on the Morava. Z. streber is protected by national law and the area mentioned above has been proposed as a pSCI for the NATURA 2000 system.
The fauna of Turkey lists the goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) as the only species of the genus Gazella, but older records reported another species of gazelle in Anatolia (either G. dorcas or G. gazella). However, the species status and the distribution of the second gazelle species have never been confirmed, and the species has been regarded as extirpated. We studied the nucleotide differences in a 400 bp region of cytochrome-b gene for Şanlıurfa population and a recently discovered gazelle population in Hatay. A total of 36 sequences were found with 23 variable sites. All individuals from Hatay and the Golan Heights, Israel (G. gazella) revealed an identical monophyletic lineage and the results of phylogenetic analyses suggest that the population in Hatay belongs to G. g. gazella. Şanlıurfa individuals were grouped with Genbank sequences of G. subgutturosa marica, which a recent study has suggested to be a distinct species, G. marica. Our findings have resolved an ongoing debate on the taxonomic status of the Gazella in Turkey and call for the urgent need of improved conservation efforts for the wild gazelles.
Livestock depredation can be devastating to both farmers and the species considered responsible if they are subsequently persecuted. Many proposed conflict solutions are limited in their uptake because they may be short-term, localised, expensive or species-specific. Livestock guarding dogs have been a successful solution in many parts of the world, however recommended imported breeds are generally expensive or inaccessible to many rural farmers. In this study, we report on a program placing local Tswana dogs with farmers in Botswana as a tool to reduce livestock loss. Seventy-five farmers who experienced high conflict from carnivores in both rangelands and wildlife areas were selected to receive a Tswana puppy. Puppies were monitored regularly to determine their performance, survival and owner attitudes toward wildlife. From initial baseline reports of goat losses before farmers received a puppy, loss declined by at least 85% over the following three years. Farmers were very satisfied with the performance of their livestock guarding dog and attitudes toward protection and tolerance of wildlife improved after one year of receiving a puppy. Our study suggests locally bred Tswana dogs are an effective solution for livestock at risk to depredation, particularly for rural farmers and development of community-led programs can be further used to reduce conflict.
Factors which have a negative impact on mammal populations were reviewed for all 83 native species occurring in Germany today. Forest management affects most species of the mammal fauna as well as of the sub-groups of Red List species and of species for which a special responsibility for their conservation has been determined in Germany. This is because a high proportion of German mammals are forest-dwelling, which means they are exposed to current harmful forestry practices such as selective harvest of ancient trees. The review also highlights population reduction by direct take of individuals (legal, illegal or accidental) and habitat fragmentation as major conservation problems affecting many species. The analysis of negative impact factors underline the importance of ongoing „traditional“ conservation measures. However, the result of climate change and invasive alien species being less important for conservation, as only few species are affected so far in Germany, is doubtful. The impacts of these two factors may be underestimated owing to a general lack of data. To ensure that conservation problems can be identified and appropriate measures are taken, the implementation of a mammal monitoring programme and specific research projects are needed. International cooperation might be helpful to overcome national shortcomings in mammal conservation in Germany and other European countries.
A study was conducted from 2007 to 2010 to determine the status of the endemic loach species of Iran. So far 27 loach species belonging to two families (Nemacheilidae and Cobitidae) and eight genera have been recorded from 19 water basins of Iran. Eleven loach species are endemic to Iran. Oxynoemacheilus farsicus is considered as junior synonym of Oxynoemacheilus persus. The species Ilamnemacheilus longipinnis is known from a single specimen collected in the Tigris basin in 1978 and has to be considered as endemic but extinct in Iran. While some species like Paracobitis smithi are vulnerable due to their restricted and isolated habitat but drought, habitat alteration, extensive water extraction for irrigation and water pollution seems to be the major threatening factors to the loach survival in Iran. The Iran Department of Environment with the cooperation of Iranian Fisheries Research Organization must implement conservation programs to safeguard survival of Iran endemic loaches.
Sturgeons (Chondrostei: Acipenseriformes) display markedly disjunction distributions with a wide distribution in the northern hemisphere. Their unique benthic specializations and conserved morphology, evolutionary age, the variation in their basic diadromous life history, and the large public interest due to their near extinction or critically endangered status make sturgeons and paddlefishes interesting groups for molecular and cytogenetic studies. From altogether 27 acipenseriform species, seventeen species are supposed to be critically endangered, two species are classified as endangered, four species are vulnerable and other species are near threatened or in low-risk (IUCN Red list 2010). Sturgeons are characteristic by a relatively high number of chromosomes in cell nuclei and differences in ploidy levels. Sturgeons displayed a strong tendency for interspecific and inter-generic hybridization under altered environmental conditions as well as under conditions of artificial propagation. Almost 20 inter-specific sturgeon hybrids were described. The decrease of natural populations and tendencies leading to restocking may result in uncontrolled restocking, production of hybrid specimens (even with non-native species) and decrease of natural genetic diversity of species in their original distribution area. Identification of parental species of natural hybrids by modern methods of molecular biology is still not easy. Here, we attempt to briefly summarize the major aspects of sturgeon genetics and cytogenetics related to ploidy levels and interspecific hybridization.
The existing literature, museum records, personal reports of field biologists and our own field results were compiled to assess the present distribution of the common hamster within Transylvania and the Pannonian Plain of Romania. Combining available distribution data and the existence of natural barriers we were able to designate five, possibly separate, populations: the Pannonian Plain, the Transylvanian Plateau, the Olt Valley, the Braşov Depression and the Ciuc Depression population. The Pannonian Plain and
the Transylvanian Plateau populations showed mass outbreaks in recent years. Twenty three individuals were available for the genetic analyses. The populations belonged to the Pannonia lineage, based on the sequences of 16SrRNA, cytb and ctr of mtDNA. In general we found very high diversity in mtDNA and 16 microsatellite loci. Moreover the most common ctr haplotypes for the Transylvanian Plateau were also present in the Pannonian Plain population and in populations from Hungary and Slovakia, which indicates recent or even current exchange of individuals. Summing up, recent mass outbreaks and high levels of genetic diversity, with some indication of current or very recent gene flow, showed that Romanian populations are in good state, at least compared to many other European countries. As such, these populations should be of particular interest and placed under protection, as they could serve as the reservoir of the genetic variability for the European Pannonia lineage of the common hamster.
Livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) are used across the world to reduce livestock depredation by free-ranging predatory wildlife. In doing so, they reduce the need for lethal predator control and are considered beneficial for conservation. However, LGDs might be perceived as predators by wildlife and induce a multitude of both positive and negative ecological effects. We conducted a literature review to evaluate the ecological effects of LGDs and found 56 publications reporting LGDs interacting with or affecting wildlife. Featuring in 77% of the publications, LGDs were widely reported to chase and kill wildlife, leading to species-specific behavioural responses. A total of 80 species were affected by LGDs, 11 of which are listed as Near Threatened or higher on the IUCN Red List. Of the affected species, 78% were non-target species, suggesting that any benefits arising from the use of LGDs likely occur simultaneously with unintended ecological effects. However, the frequency of LGD-wildlife interactions and the magnitude of any resulting ecological effects have rarely been quantified. Therefore, more empirical studies are needed to determine the net ecological outcome of LGD use, thereby ensuring that negative outcomes are minimised, while benefiting both farmers and wildlife.
Interest in ratites has necessitated a review of available information on the unique endangered kiwi (Apteryx spp.). Five different species of kiwis, endemic to the three islands of New Zealand, are recognized by the Department of Conservation, New Zealand, according to genetic and biological differences: the North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), Okarito Brown Kiwi/Rowi (A. rowi), Tokoeka (A. australis), Great Spotted Kiwi/Roroa (A. haastii), and Little Spotted Kiwi (A owenii). As predators were found to be the main reason for declining kiwi numbers, predator control is a main objective of management techniques to prevent kiwis becoming extinct in New Zealand. Further considerations include captive breeding and release, and establishment of kiwi sanctuaries. Body size and bill measurements are different between species and genders within species. Kiwis have the lowest basal rates of metabolism compared with all avian standards. A relative low body temperature (38 ºC), burrowing, a highly developed sense of smell, paired ovaries in females, and a low growth rate, separate kiwis from other avian species. Kiwis have long-term partnerships. Females lay an egg that is approximately 400 % above the allometrically expected value, with an incubation period of 75–85 days. Kiwis mainly feed on soil invertebrate, with the main constituent being earthworms, and are prone to parasites and diseases found in other avian species. It can be concluded that kiwis present a biological rarity, with several features more characteristic of small mammals than birds.
Endemic Sicilian pond turtles Emys trinacris Fritz, Fattizzo, Guicking, Tripepi, Pennisi, Lenk, Joger et Wink were examined for the presence of haemogregarine parasites. The presence of haemogregarines, occurring mainly in the microgametocyte stage (13.2 ± 0.12 μm in length and 6.4 ± 0.52 μm in width), was observed in approximately 9% of the sampled E. trinacris. Based on the observed morphology and on the sequencing of nuclear 18S rDNA, we identified the parasite as Haemogregarina stepanowi Danilewsky, 1885. Morphometric study of uninfected and infected red blood cells has shown that H. stepanowi induces different changes in erythrocyte shape depending on the infective stage. The differential count of leukocytes in specimens infected with H. stepanowi showed no significant difference compared with healthy specimens. However, considering the health problems which might be induced by H. stepanowi in the closely related European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Linneaus), monitoring of the health status of the infected Sicilian populations of E. trinacris is desirable. The restricted distribution of populations of Emys infected with haemogregarines in Sicily is quite puzzling and the possible human-mediated introduction of the parasite in Sicily is briefly discussed., Vincenzo Arizza, Francesco Sacco, Debora Russo, Rita Scardino, Marco Arculeo, Melita Vamberger, Federico Marrone., and Obsahuje bibliografii