Find research datasets worth reusing

opencc-zeroJun 2020View details →

Conservation genomic analysis of the Croatian indigenous Black Slavonian and Turopolje pig breeds

The majority of the nearly 400 existing local pig breeds are adapted to specific environments and human needs. The demand for large production quantities and the industrialized pig production have caused a rapid decline of many local pig breeds in recent decades. Black Slavonian pig and Turopolje pig, the latter highly threatened, are the two Croatian local indigenous breeds typically grown in extensive or semi-intensive systems. In order to guide a long-term breeding program to prevent the disappearance of these breeds, we analyzed their genetic diversity, inbreeding level and relationship with other local breeds across the world, as well as modern breeds and several wild populations, using high throughput genomic data obtained using the Illumina Infinium PorcineSNP60 v2 BeadChip. Multidimensional scaling analysis positioned Black Slavonian pigs close to the UK/North American breeds, while the Turopolje pig clustered within the Mediterranean breeds. Turopolje pig showed a very high inbreeding level (FROH>4Mb=0.400 and FROH>8Mb=0.332) that considerably exceeded the level of full-sib mating, while Black Slavonian pig showed much lower inbreeding (FROH>4Mb=0.098 and FROH>8Mb=0.074), indicating a planned mating strategy. In Croatian local breeds we identified several genome regions showing adaptive selection signals that were not present in commercial breeds. The results obtained in this study reflect the current genetic status and breeding management of the two Croatian indigenous local breeds. Given the small populations of both breeds, a controlled management activity has been implemented in Black Slavonian pigs since their commercial value has been recognized. In contrast, the extremely high inbreeding level observed in Turopolje pig argues for an urgent conservation plan with a long-term, diversity-oriented breeding program.

opencc-zeroJan 2021View details →

Detection dogs in nature conservation: a database on their worldwide deployment with a review on breeds used and their performance compared to other methods

Over the last century, dogs have been increasingly used to detect rare and elusive species or traces of them. The use of wildlife detection dogs (WDD) is particularly well established in North America, Europe and Oceania, and projects deploying them have increased worldwide. However, if they are to make a significant contribution to conservation and management, their strengths, abilities, and limitations should be fully identified. We reviewed the use of WDD with particular focus on the breeds used in different countries and for various targets, as well as their overall performance compared to other methods, by developing and analysing a database of 1220 publications, including 916 scientific ones, covering 2464 individual cases - most of them (1840) scientific. With the worldwide increase in the use of WDD, associated tasks have changed and become much more diverse. Since 1930, reports exist for 62 countries and 407 animal, 42 plant, 26 fungi and 6 bacteria species. Altogether, 108 FCI-classified and 20 non-FCI-classified breeds have worked as WDD. While certain breeds have been preferred on different continents and for specific tasks and targets, they were not generally better suited for detection tasks than others. Overall, WDD usually worked more effectively than other monitoring methods. For each species group, regardless of breed, detection dogs were better than other methods in 88.71% of all cases and only worse in 0.98%. It was only for arthropods that Pinshers and Schnauzers performed worse than other breeds. For mono- and dicotyledons, detection dogs did less often outperform other methods. Although every breed can be trained as a WDD, choosing the most suitable dog for the task and target may speed up training and increase the chance of success. Albeit selection of the most appropriate WDD is important, excellent training, knowledge about the target density and suitability, and a proper study design all appeared to have the highest impact on performance. Moreover, an appropriate area, habitat and weather are crucial for detection dog work. When these factors are taken into consideration, WDD can be an outstanding monitoring method.

opencc-zeroDec 2015View details →

Data from: Mating system and genetic composition of the macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata): implications for breeding and genetic conservation programs

Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae), a palm endemic to South and Central America, is a potential oil crop. Knowledge of the mating system of this species is limited to its reproductive biology and to studies using molecular markers. The present study analyzed genetic diversity between its developmental stages and determined its prevailing mating system in order to support genetic conservation and breeding programs. We tested nine microsatellite markers in 27 mother trees (adult plants) and 157 offspring (juvenile plants) from the southeastern region of Brazil. Heterozygosity levels differed between the two studied life stages, as indicated by the fixation index of adult and juvenile trees, suggesting that selection against homozygotes occurs during the plant life cycle. The mating system parameters analyzed indicate that A. aculeata is predominantly outcrossing (allogamous). However, its low levels of selfing suggest that there is individual variation with regard to self-incompatibility, which can be a survival strategy in isolated or fragmented habitats. Deviations in variance effective size were detected because of high mating rates among relatives and correlated matings. These findings indicate that the main source of inbreeding results from biparental inbreeding in the population and that the progenies are predominantly composed of full-sibs. The information provided by this study on the ecology and reproduction dynamics of A. aculeata should be useful to both breeding and genetic conservation programs, allowing the development of more precise mathematical models and the estimation of the appropriate number of mother trees for seed collection.

opencc-zeroDec 2012View details →

Data from: Intercolony movement of pre-breeding seabirds over oceanic scales: implications of cryptic age-classes for conservation and metapopulation dynamics

Aim: Demographic linkage between subpopulations plays a critical role in population processes. Metapopulation dynamics, however, remains one of the most poorly understood aspects of population biology. This is especially true for small, pelagic seabirds because their discrete subpopulations are located on offshore islands, separated by vast areas of open ocean, making monitoring logistically challenging. Seabird populations often contain large numbers of immature pre-breeders that may be important for subpopulation connectivity and demography, but are poorly studied. Here we provide evidence for intercolony movement of pre-breeding Leach's storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa among three colonies spanning the North Atlantic Ocean. We discuss their influence on metapopulation dynamics and the extinction risk of a subpopulation under threat from extreme predation. Location: North Atlantic Ocean Islands (Scotland, Canada & Iceland). Methods: We use a novel application of Bayesian stable isotope mixing models to infer recent movement of pre-breeding birds between three major breeding populations in the North Atlantic. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values from breeding birds (central place foragers) sampled at each colony were used as model sources and pre-breeding birds as model mixtures. Results: Of 134 pre-breeding Leach's storm-petrels sampled at three colonies across the North Atlantic, five had isotope mixing model estimates dissimilar (< 25%) to their colony of capture and were instead isotopically similar to another breeding region. Nineteen further pre-breeders had highly mixed signatures (< 50% for the colony of capture), indicating possible recent movement between colonies. Main conclusions: Our findings provide evidence for interpopulation connectivity of pre-breeding Leach's storm-petrels among colonies spanning the North Atlantic. These results highlight the significance of cryptic young age-classes in metapopulation dynamics and the demographic processes. Moreover, they provide us with a better understanding of how one subpopulation remains extant, despite experiencing extreme predation rates.

opencc-zeroDec 2013View details →

Data from: Conservation action based on threatened species capture taxonomic and phylogenetic richness in breeding and wintering populations of Central Asian birds

Although phylogenetic diversity has been suggested to be relevant from a conservation point of view, its role is still limited in applied nature conservation. Recently, the practice of investing conservation resources based on threatened species was identified as a reason for the slow integration of phylogenetic diversity in nature conservation planning. One of the main arguments is based on the observation that threatened species are not evenly distributed over the phylogenetic tree. However this argument seems to dismiss the fact that conservation action is a spatially explicit process, and even if threatened species are not evenly distributed over the phylogenetic tree, the occurrence of threatened species could still indicate areas with above average phylogenetic diversity and consequently could protect phylogenetic diversity. Here we aim to study the selection of important bird areas in Central Asia, which were nominated largely based on the presence of threatened bird species. We show that although threatened species occurring in Central Asia do not capture phylogenetically more distinct species than expected by chance, the current spatially explicit conservation approach of selecting important bird areas covers above average taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of breeding and wintering birds. We conclude that the spatially explicit processes of conservation actions need to be considered in the current discussion of whether new prioritization methods are needed to complement conservation action based on threatened species.

opencc-zeroDec 2018View details →

Data from: Maintaining a wild phenotype in a conservation hatchery program for Chinook salmon: the effect of managed breeding on early male maturation

In many salmonid species, age and size of maturation is plastic and influenced by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Hatchery reared salmon often mature at an earlier age and smaller size than wild fish. Modern salmon conservation efforts have focused on managing the level of gene flow between hatchery and natural origin fish to minimize potential genotypic and phenotypic change. In salmonids, maturation probability is dependent on exceeding a genetically set threshold in growth rate and energetic status (and by association body size) referred to as the probabalisitic maturation reaction norm (PMRN). Over fourteen years, we monitored the frequency of age-2 precocious male maturation (common term: minijack rate) and the PMRN of a natural founder (FNDR), integrated natural-hatchery (INT), and segregated hatchery (SEG) broodlines of spring Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. The average minijack rate (± SEM) of the FNDR, INT and SEG broodlines was 48.2 ± 5.2%, 41.9 ± 3.6% and 30.9 ± 4.7%, respectively. Additionally, the PMRN WP50 (predicted weight at 50% maturation) of the SEG broodline was significantly greater (20.5 g) than that of the FNDR/INT broodline (18.2 g). We also conducted a common garden experiment exploring the effects of less than one [INT (0-1)], one [SEG (1)] or two [SEG (2)] generations of hatchery culture on the minijack rate and PMRN WP50 . Growth was not significantly different among broodlines, but minijack rates were significantly lower following two consecutive generations of hatchery culture: [INT (0-1): 68.3 ± 1.7%], [SEG (1): 70.3 ± 1.8%] and [SEG (2): 58.6 ± 0.4%] and the PMRN WP50 was significantly higher by 6.1 g after two generations of SEG culture. These results indicate that managed gene flow reduces phenotypic divergence, but may serve to maintain potentially undesirable high minijack rates in salmon conservation hatchery programs.

opencc-zeroJan 2022View details →

Conspecific attraction for conservation and management of terrestrial breeding birds: current knowledge and future research directions

Conspecific presence can indicate the location or quality of resources, and animals settling near conspecifics often gain fitness benefits. This can result in adaptive conspecific attraction during breeding habitat selection as demonstrated in numerous terrestrial, territorial birds. There is growing interest in using simulated conspecific social cues (e.g., decoys, broadcasted vocalizations) to manage bird distributions, yet it remains unclear when this approach is likely to succeed. We reviewed published studies to evaluate whether the strength of conspecific attraction in terrestrial birds is mediated by characteristics of species (life history traits), simulated cues (e.g., timing and duration), sites (e.g., quality), and how conspecific attraction was measured. We identified 31 experiments that simulated social cues and compared conspecific settlement between treatment and control sites. We then used phylogenetically controlled meta-regression to assess impacts of 19 moderators on settlement. Nearly all species included in these experiments were migratory passerines, and social cues generally had a strong, positive influence on their settlement decisions, as the odds of site occupancy were 3.12× (95% CI = 0.81, 11.69) greater in treatment sites relative to control sites. Within this group, conspecific attraction was evolutionarily conserved with ≥ 25.5% (CI = 5.1%, 65.4%) of the variance in treatment effects explained by phylogenetic relatedness. However, we found no evidence that any covariates influenced the response to social cues, and we posit this stems from limited research specifically designed to identify the mechanisms mediating conspecific attraction. We therefore developed a research agenda that provides a framework for testing mechanistic hypotheses regarding how cue characteristics, species traits, and spatial contexts may mediate attraction to conspecifics. Evaluating these hypotheses will greatly advance the field by helping managers understand when, where, and why simulating social cues can be used to enhance populations of species that are of conservation concern.

Nesokia is sister to Bandicota and are nested in Rattus phylogenetically, making Rat- tus paraphyletic. Tarsomys, Limnomys, and Diplothrix are also phylogenetically in Rat- tus, and the clade is in need of focused re- vision at the generic level. Nesokia bunnui was originally described as a separate ge-nus, Erythronesokia, because it is morphologically very distinctive from N. indica. Type specimen was destroyed during the Iraq War, and a neotype was recently designated to replace it. Monotypic. Distribution. Tigris and Euphrates river valleys, SE Iraq. Descriptive notes. Head—body 230-260 mm, tail 205-270 mm, ear 18-21 mm, hindfoot 49-58 mm; weight 519 g. The Long-tailed Bandicoot Rat is larger than the Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat (N. indica). Pelage is soft and woolly, interspersed with harsher coarse hair and long black hairs near mid-back. Dorsum is fawn to ocherous red, washed with purple or chestnuton darker individuals. Hairs are basally slate-gray and distally rufous, occasionally with whitish or black tips. Muzzle is drab. Sides arefawn, with gray edge toward venter. Venteris whitish, extending onto cheeks where the same pattern from gray to fawn to dorsal pelage occurs. Feet are large and robust, being light brown and well-furred dorsally. Claws are amber on forefeet and dull brown on hindfeet; pollux is extremely small. Ears are moderately long and brownish, with no hair internally. Tail is ¢.82-104% of head-body length and deep brownish drab, interspersed with visible white hair. Skull is large and robust, similarly to the Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat. Habitat. Marsh and swamp land. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. The Long-tailed Bandicoot Rat is terrestrial, although it isfound in swampy and marshy areas and is probably amphibious. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Longtailed Bandicoot Rat is apparently rare and is known from very few specimens. Marsh and swamp habitats in which it is found were completely destroyed during the Iraq War by draining, war damage, and agricultural expansion. In recent years, flooding from Tigris and Euphrates rivers and high snow fall and melt haveresulted in partial restoration ofits native habitat, although restoration is not a complete. Populations are now probably highly fragmented. Bibliography. Al-Ansari et al. (2012), Al-Robaae & Felten (1990), Khajuria (1981), Krystufek et al. (2017), Musser & Carleton (2005), Richardson & Hussain (2006), Stuart (2008). in Muridae

Nesokia is sister to Bandicota and are nested in Rattus phylogenetically, making Rat- tus paraphyletic. Tarsomys, Limnomys, and Diplothrix are also phylogenetically in Rat- tus, and the clade is in need of focused re- vision at the generic level. Nesokia bunnui was originally described as a separate ge-nus, Erythronesokia, because it is morphologically very distinctive from N. indica. Type specimen was destroyed during the Iraq War, and a neotype was recently designated to replace it. Monotypic. Distribution. Tigris and Euphrates river valleys, SE Iraq. Descriptive notes. Head—body 230-260 mm, tail 205-270 mm, ear 18-21 mm, hindfoot 49-58 mm; weight 519 g. The Long-tailed Bandicoot Rat is larger than the Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat (N. indica). Pelage is soft and woolly, interspersed with harsher coarse hair and long black hairs near mid-back. Dorsum is fawn to ocherous red, washed with purple or chestnuton darker individuals. Hairs are basally slate-gray and distally rufous, occasionally with whitish or black tips. Muzzle is drab. Sides arefawn, with gray edge toward venter. Venteris whitish, extending onto cheeks where the same pattern from gray to fawn to dorsal pelage occurs. Feet are large and robust, being light brown and well-furred dorsally. Claws are amber on forefeet and dull brown on hindfeet; pollux is extremely small. Ears are moderately long and brownish, with no hair internally. Tail is ¢.82-104% of head-body length and deep brownish drab, interspersed with visible white hair. Skull is large and robust, similarly to the Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat. Habitat. Marsh and swamp land. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. The Long-tailed Bandicoot Rat is terrestrial, although it isfound in swampy and marshy areas and is probably amphibious. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Longtailed Bandicoot Rat is apparently rare and is known from very few specimens. Marsh and swamp habitats in which it is found were completely destroyed during the Iraq War by draining, war damage, and agricultural expansion. In recent years, flooding from Tigris and Euphrates rivers and high snow fall and melt haveresulted in partial restoration ofits native habitat, although restoration is not a complete. Populations are now probably highly fragmented. Bibliography. Al-Ansari et al. (2012), Al-Robaae & Felten (1990), Khajuria (1981), Krystufek et al. (2017), Musser & Carleton (2005), Richardson & Hussain (2006), Stuart (2008).

Distribution. Mt Cameroon, W Cameroon, and Bioko I, Equatorial Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body 100- 130 mm, tail 110-147 mm, ear 16-20 mm, hindfoot 21-25 mm; weight 27-62 g. Fur of the Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is dark rufous-brown to blackish brown above and pale to dark gray below. Tail is very long (c.112% of head-body length) and dark. Hindfeet and forefeet are dark brown. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Montane forest and alpine grassland at elevations above 1000 m. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. Gestation lasts 26-30 days. Litters have 2-6 young. Activity patterns. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse occurs in two disjunct areas occupying only ¢.2900 km? and the extent and quality of its forest habitat continue to decline. Bibliography. Eisentraut (1970, 1973), Happold (2013a), Missoup et al. (2012), Monadjem etal. (2015). in Muridae

Distribution. Mt Cameroon, W Cameroon, and Bioko I, Equatorial Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body 100- 130 mm, tail 110-147 mm, ear 16-20 mm, hindfoot 21-25 mm; weight 27-62 g. Fur of the Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is dark rufous-brown to blackish brown above and pale to dark gray below. Tail is very long (c.112% of head-body length) and dark. Hindfeet and forefeet are dark brown. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Montane forest and alpine grassland at elevations above 1000 m. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. Gestation lasts 26-30 days. Litters have 2-6 young. Activity patterns. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse occurs in two disjunct areas occupying only ¢.2900 km? and the extent and quality of its forest habitat continue to decline. Bibliography. Eisentraut (1970, 1973), Happold (2013a), Missoup et al. (2012), Monadjem etal. (2015).

Deccan region, Madras, India. Genus Vandeleuria is masculine, so widely used specific name oleracea has been changed for gender agreement. Vandeleuria oleraceusis possibly a composite of species. Polytypic, but subspecific taxonomy requires reassessment. Distribution. Widespread in S Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lan-ka), S China (W & S Yunnan), and mainland SE Asia N of the Isthmus of Kra. Descriptive notes. Head-body 68 mm, tail 105 mm, ear 13 mm, hindfoot 17 mm; weight 10 g. The Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse is small, with flat nail on outer finger and outertoe; tail is slender, brown, twice as long as head-body length, and lacks distal tuft. Dorsal pelageis silky and salmon in color; venter is white, with fulvous hues. Habitat. Tall cane and tangled vines in primary and secondary forest such as bamboo forest, moist deciduous forest, temperate forests, montane wet zone, and disturbed secondary forests, and perhaps agricultural areas at elevations of 150-1500 m. Food and Feeding. Indomalayan [Long-tailed Climbing Mice eat fruits, buds, and flowers. Breeding. Litters of the Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse have 3-6 young. Activity patterns. Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mice are arboreal and nocturnal, although one individual was caught duringthe day. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mice build nests in tall bushes or cane to rear their young. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Last (as V. olacea). The Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse occurs in several habitats and a wide distribution that includes national parks. Further taxonomical studies are required to assess conservation status ofthis potentially diverse species complex. Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Dang Huy Huynh et al. (1994), Ellerman (1941), Marshall (1977b), Musser & Carleton (2005), Osgood (1932), Phillips (1980), Wang Yingxiang (2003). in Muridae

Deccan region, Madras, India. Genus Vandeleuria is masculine, so widely used specific name oleracea has been changed for gender agreement. Vandeleuria oleraceusis possibly a composite of species. Polytypic, but subspecific taxonomy requires reassessment. Distribution. Widespread in S Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lan-ka), S China (W & S Yunnan), and mainland SE Asia N of the Isthmus of Kra. Descriptive notes. Head-body 68 mm, tail 105 mm, ear 13 mm, hindfoot 17 mm; weight 10 g. The Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse is small, with flat nail on outer finger and outertoe; tail is slender, brown, twice as long as head-body length, and lacks distal tuft. Dorsal pelageis silky and salmon in color; venter is white, with fulvous hues. Habitat. Tall cane and tangled vines in primary and secondary forest such as bamboo forest, moist deciduous forest, temperate forests, montane wet zone, and disturbed secondary forests, and perhaps agricultural areas at elevations of 150-1500 m. Food and Feeding. Indomalayan [Long-tailed Climbing Mice eat fruits, buds, and flowers. Breeding. Litters of the Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse have 3-6 young. Activity patterns. Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mice are arboreal and nocturnal, although one individual was caught duringthe day. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mice build nests in tall bushes or cane to rear their young. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Last (as V. olacea). The Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse occurs in several habitats and a wide distribution that includes national parks. Further taxonomical studies are required to assess conservation status ofthis potentially diverse species complex. Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Dang Huy Huynh et al. (1994), Ellerman (1941), Marshall (1977b), Musser & Carleton (2005), Osgood (1932), Phillips (1980), Wang Yingxiang (2003).

Distribution. Now restricted to the Channel Country of SW Queensland and the Lake Eyre Basin in NE South Australia. Descriptive notes. Head-body 95-120 mm, tail 105-160 mm, ear 23-29 mm, hindfoot 32-37 mm; weight 30-50 g. The Fawn Hopping Mouse has body form typical of hopping mice, with very long hindfeet, long tail with distal brush of longer hairs, very long ears, and large protruberant eyes. Dorsal fur is of variable color, from pale pinkish fawn to gray; ventral fur white. Unlike most other hopping mice, it has no throat pouch, but males have a glandular area of naked skin on the chest. Habitat. Occurs in low shrublands and tussock grasslands on stony ("gibber") plains and claypans. Shows marked habitat segregation from the Dusky Hopping Mouse (N. fuscus), which is closely associated with sandy substrates. Food and Feeding. The Fawn Hopping Mouse is mostly granivorous, but also eats other plant material (stems, leaves) and occasionally invertebrates. It uses succulent, salt-adapted plants around edges of claypans as a source of water. Breeding. Reproduction is probably largely opportunistic and aseasonal, with high reproductive output from near-continuous breeding after periods of high rainfall; reported littersize is 1-5, most commonly three; gestation period 38-43 days for nonlactating females. Females may mature later than other hopping mice, with reproductive maturity reached at about six months. Activity patterns. Terrestrial and nocturnal. Fawn Hopping Mice shelter during day in burrow systems that are typically simpler and shallower than those of other hopping mice. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Fawn Hopping Mice generally live singly or in small groups; typically uncommon within range, but population density may increase by an order of magnitude following periods of high rainfall. Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Fawn Hopping Mouse has shown marked decline in range (estimated at greater than 50%), and presumably population size, since European settlement of Australia. This is mostlikely due to predation by the introduced house cat and Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), and to habitat degradation associated with pastoralism. Bibliography. Brazenor (1934), Burbidge et al. (2008), Finlayson (1939), Gould (1853), Jackson & Groves (2015), Murray et al. (1999), Ogilby (1892), Thomas (1921h), Van Dyck & Strahan (2008), Waite (1898), Watts & Aslin (1981), Woinarski et al. (2014), Wood Jones (1925). in Muridae

Distribution. Now restricted to the Channel Country of SW Queensland and the Lake Eyre Basin in NE South Australia. Descriptive notes. Head-body 95-120 mm, tail 105-160 mm, ear 23-29 mm, hindfoot 32-37 mm; weight 30-50 g. The Fawn Hopping Mouse has body form typical of hopping mice, with very long hindfeet, long tail with distal brush of longer hairs, very long ears, and large protruberant eyes. Dorsal fur is of variable color, from pale pinkish fawn to gray; ventral fur white. Unlike most other hopping mice, it has no throat pouch, but males have a glandular area of naked skin on the chest. Habitat. Occurs in low shrublands and tussock grasslands on stony ("gibber") plains and claypans. Shows marked habitat segregation from the Dusky Hopping Mouse (N. fuscus), which is closely associated with sandy substrates. Food and Feeding. The Fawn Hopping Mouse is mostly granivorous, but also eats other plant material (stems, leaves) and occasionally invertebrates. It uses succulent, salt-adapted plants around edges of claypans as a source of water. Breeding. Reproduction is probably largely opportunistic and aseasonal, with high reproductive output from near-continuous breeding after periods of high rainfall; reported littersize is 1-5, most commonly three; gestation period 38-43 days for nonlactating females. Females may mature later than other hopping mice, with reproductive maturity reached at about six months. Activity patterns. Terrestrial and nocturnal. Fawn Hopping Mice shelter during day in burrow systems that are typically simpler and shallower than those of other hopping mice. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Fawn Hopping Mice generally live singly or in small groups; typically uncommon within range, but population density may increase by an order of magnitude following periods of high rainfall. Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Fawn Hopping Mouse has shown marked decline in range (estimated at greater than 50%), and presumably population size, since European settlement of Australia. This is mostlikely due to predation by the introduced house cat and Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), and to habitat degradation associated with pastoralism. Bibliography. Brazenor (1934), Burbidge et al. (2008), Finlayson (1939), Gould (1853), Jackson & Groves (2015), Murray et al. (1999), Ogilby (1892), Thomas (1921h), Van Dyck & Strahan (2008), Waite (1898), Watts & Aslin (1981), Woinarski et al. (2014), Wood Jones (1925).

The first comprehensive revision of all the species attributed to Melomys led J. I. Menzies in 1996 to resurrect the genus Paramelomys and to redefine its morphologicallimits and species content. Menzies created P. gressitti as a new species belonging to a group displaying morphological similarities and including also P. lorentzii and P. moncktoni. Monotypic Distribution. E New Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body 135-162 mm, hindfoot 30-34 mm; no specific data are available for body weight. Gressitt's Mosaic-tailed Rat is a medium-sized Paramelomys with a soft, thick and woolly pelage, a long narrow foot, and a tail with three hairs per scale. It exhibits a medium-sepia dorsal pelage and a gray-buff ventral one. Tail is slightly shorter (99%) than head-body length. The skull has a narrow zygomatic plate. Habitat. Moist tropical mountain forest between 2300 m and 2400 m. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. Gressitt's Mosaic-tailed Rat is terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List owing to its small geographic range (less than 3500 km?*) and the destruction ofits habitat by mining and logging activities. The major threat to Gressitt's Mosaic-tailed Rat is ongoing habitat degradation caused by nearby human populations; habitat on Mount Kandy has been destroyed by gold-miners and wood-cutters. Bibliography. Menzies (1996). in Muridae

The first comprehensive revision of all the species attributed to Melomys led J. I. Menzies in 1996 to resurrect the genus Paramelomys and to redefine its morphologicallimits and species content. Menzies created P. gressitti as a new species belonging to a group displaying morphological similarities and including also P. lorentzii and P. moncktoni. Monotypic Distribution. E New Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body 135-162 mm, hindfoot 30-34 mm; no specific data are available for body weight. Gressitt's Mosaic-tailed Rat is a medium-sized Paramelomys with a soft, thick and woolly pelage, a long narrow foot, and a tail with three hairs per scale. It exhibits a medium-sepia dorsal pelage and a gray-buff ventral one. Tail is slightly shorter (99%) than head-body length. The skull has a narrow zygomatic plate. Habitat. Moist tropical mountain forest between 2300 m and 2400 m. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. Gressitt's Mosaic-tailed Rat is terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List owing to its small geographic range (less than 3500 km?*) and the destruction ofits habitat by mining and logging activities. The major threat to Gressitt's Mosaic-tailed Rat is ongoing habitat degradation caused by nearby human populations; habitat on Mount Kandy has been destroyed by gold-miners and wood-cutters. Bibliography. Menzies (1996).

Lophuromys medicaudatus, L. woosnami, and L. luteogaster are in subgenus Kivumys and woosnami species group. Monotypic. Distribution. Endemic to the Albertine Rift, occurring around Lake Kivu in E DR Congo and Rwanda and SW Uganda (Bwindi). Descriptive notes. Head—body 92-112 mm, tail 73-95 mm, ear 15-19 mm, hindfoot 18-23 mm; weight 29-43 g. Similar to other species in subgenus Kivumys, the Western Rift Brush-furred Rat has unspeckled pelage, and tail ¢.85% of head-body length. Dorsum is uniform dark brown-olive, and venter is orange. Females have three pairs of mammae. Habitat. Mountain swamps and mountain forests at elevations of 1850-2500 m. Food and Feeding. The Western Rift Brush-furred Rat is omnivorous; diets contain 30-100% arthropods, mollusks, seeds, and fruits. Breeding. Female Western Rift Brush-furred Rats can have 1-2 embryos. Pregnant females were observed in February, April, and July. Activity patterns. The Western Rift Brush-furred Rat is terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Western Rift Brush-furred Rat has never been found in modified secondary environment and is quite rare. Bibliography. Dieterlen (1976b, 1987 2013g), Kasangaki et al. (2003), Verheyen et al. (1996). in Muridae

Lophuromys medicaudatus, L. woosnami, and L. luteogaster are in subgenus Kivumys and woosnami species group. Monotypic. Distribution. Endemic to the Albertine Rift, occurring around Lake Kivu in E DR Congo and Rwanda and SW Uganda (Bwindi). Descriptive notes. Head—body 92-112 mm, tail 73-95 mm, ear 15-19 mm, hindfoot 18-23 mm; weight 29-43 g. Similar to other species in subgenus Kivumys, the Western Rift Brush-furred Rat has unspeckled pelage, and tail ¢.85% of head-body length. Dorsum is uniform dark brown-olive, and venter is orange. Females have three pairs of mammae. Habitat. Mountain swamps and mountain forests at elevations of 1850-2500 m. Food and Feeding. The Western Rift Brush-furred Rat is omnivorous; diets contain 30-100% arthropods, mollusks, seeds, and fruits. Breeding. Female Western Rift Brush-furred Rats can have 1-2 embryos. Pregnant females were observed in February, April, and July. Activity patterns. The Western Rift Brush-furred Rat is terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Western Rift Brush-furred Rat has never been found in modified secondary environment and is quite rare. Bibliography. Dieterlen (1976b, 1987 2013g), Kasangaki et al. (2003), Verheyen et al. (1996).

Figure 8 in Breeding behavior, distribution, and conservation of the Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) (Aves: Tyrannidae), a South American grassland specialist

Figure 8. Adult Culicivoracaudacuta collecting material for the nest.Photo: RSS.

Figure 17 in Breeding behavior, distribution, and conservation of the Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) (Aves: Tyrannidae), a South American grassland specialist

Figure 17. Juvenile Culicivora caudacuta, with adult in the background. Photo: RSS.

Figure 6 in Breeding behavior, distribution, and conservation of the Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) (Aves: Tyrannidae), a South American grassland specialist

Figure 6. Nest site of Nest 1, 8 December 2003. Photo: RSS.

Figure 3 in Breeding behavior, distribution, and conservation of the Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) (Aves: Tyrannidae), a South American grassland specialist

Figure 3. Specimen (RMNH 88812) of Culicivora caudacuta used in Temminck's description. Photo: RSS.

Figure 14. Adult removing a faecal sac from Nest 2 in Breeding behavior, distribution, and conservation of the Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) (Aves: Tyrannidae), a South American grassland specialist

Figure 14. Adult removing a faecal sac from Nest 2 after feeding the nestlings. Photo: RSS.

Figure 12. Two adults feeding a nestling with dragonflies, 8 December 2003 in Breeding behavior, distribution, and conservation of the Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) (Aves: Tyrannidae), a South American grassland specialist

Figure 12. Two adults feeding a nestling with dragonflies, 8 December 2003. Photo: RSS.

Figure 15 in Breeding behavior, distribution, and conservation of the Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) (Aves: Tyrannidae), a South American grassland specialist

Figure 15. Culicivora caudacuta nestling. Photo: RSS.