Preventing human-wildlife conflict is key to maintaining viable predator populations. In Namibia, over 90% of cheetahs are found outside of protected areas, therefore risk of conflict with farmers is high. Since 1994, the Cheetah Conservation Fund has implemented a programme to prevent livestock depredation using livestock guarding dogs (LGDs). Long-term (25-year period) monitoring efforts in Namibia have provided insights on the efficiency and performance of LGDs and farmers‘ perceptions. LGDs reduced livestock losses for 91% of respondents and farmers were highly satisfied with their LGD. Poor performance from behavioural issues, such as “staying at home” and “chasing game”, was linked to the LGDs receiving less care and being found in poorer body condition. Unwanted ecological impacts of wildlife killings by LGDs merit further investigation, but occurrence of behavioural issues reduced over time, suggesting a targeted and adaptive management approach to increase performance. Addressing behavioural issues, increasing LGD lifespans and understanding LGD performance under different conditions will be crucial for optimising LGD management leading to better performance. Our long-term study provides unique insights into a highly successful programme and is recommended to be replicated and adapted where imminent human-predator conflicts threaten coexistence.
This study investigates the identity of hookworms parasitising the Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea (Péron), from three colonies in South Australia, Australia. The Australian sea lion is at risk of extinction because its population is small and genetically fragmented. Using morphological and molecular techniques, we describe a single novel species, Uncinaria sanguinis sp. n. (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae). The new species is most similar to hookworms also parasitic in otariid hosts, Uncinaria lucasi Stiles, 1901 and Uncinaria hamiltoni Baylis, 1933. Comparative morphometrics offered limited utility for distinguishing between species within this genus whilst morphological features and differences in nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences delineated U. sanguinis sp. n. from named congeners. Male specimens of U. sanguinis sp. n. differ from U. lucasi and U. hamiltoni by relatively shorter anterolateral and externodorsal rays, respectively, and from other congeners by the relative lengths and angulations of bursal rays, and in the shape of the spicules. Female specimens of U. sanguinis sp. n. are differentiated from Uncinaria spp. parasitic in terrestrial mammals by differences in vulval anatomy and the larger size of their eggs, although are morphologically indistinguishable from U. lucasi and U. hamiltoni. Molecular techniques clearly delimited U. sanguinis sp. n. as a distinct novel species. Obtaining baseline data on the parasites of wildlife hosts is important for the investigation of disease and the effective implementation and monitoring of conservation management.
Specimens of Viola elatior (VE), V. pumila (VP) and V. stagnina (VS) in 40 Austrian, Czech and Slovak public herbaria were revised, a total of almost 1750 specimens from the three countries. Apart from VE, the quality of the original identifications was rather poor, especially of VS, which was frequently confused with VP and V. canina. This, together with the confusion of nomenclature that persisted during the 19th century, made the old literature records unreliable. Hybrids are usually difficult to identify and are rarer than generally believed. VS and VP have similar distribution patterns: they occur mainly on floodplains of large lowland rivers and in adjacent hills in the N part of Bohemia, S and Central Moravia, E Austria and S Slovakia; they may be classified as river corridor plants. VS differs from VE and VP mainly by its presence in S Bohemia and its absence from large parts of S Slovakia, as well as its rarity in Austria and Slovakia. All three species grow predominantly in regions with a relatively warm and dry climate: most localities are situated in regions with a mean annual temperature of 7–11 °C and mean annual precipitation 401–700 mm. A temporal analysis of records revealed that all three species are declining in all three countries: generally, this decline is weakest in Austria, with 46–61% of grid cells with occurrences confirmed after 1980 (compared with the number of grid cells with records for 1801–2008), and strongest in Slovakia, with 18–32% of grid cells with occurrences confirmed after 1980. The decline is due mainly to the canalization of rivers and subsequent changes in land use, urbanization and recently afforestation. VE may also be endangered by modern forestry practices. The inclusion of all three species in national Red Lists and subsequent conservation measures are justified and necessary, though national Red List status may differ between countries.
The genus Gobio in Italy was represented by the endemic species G. benacensis. The original distribution of this species was the Padano-Venetian district, but since a long time it was introduced in central Italy. Introductions of alien species to Italy during the last 10 years brought the sudden introduction of the Danubian G. gobio. Genetic and morphological analyses revealed the extensive presence of G. gobio, which rapidly colonised several rivers in Italy causing the progressive decline of G. benacensis, which now should be considered as an endangered species. Among examined populations those found in the Tagliamento River and transplanted in the Ombrone River represent genetic reservoirs of this species which will probably disappear in northern Italy.