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191 results for “otters”
The drivers and functions of rock juggling in otters
<p>Object play refers to the seemingly non-functional manipulation of inanimate items when in a relaxed state. In juveniles, object play may help develop skills to aid survival. However, why adults show object play remains poorly understood. We studied potential drivers and functions of the well-known object play behaviour of rock juggling in Asian small-clawed (<i>Aonyx cinereus</i>) and smooth-coated (<i>Lutrogale perspicillata</i>) otters. These are closely related species, but Asian small-clawed otters perform extractive foraging movements to exploit crabs and shellfish while smooth-coated otters forage on fish. We thus predicted that frequent rock jugglers might be better at solving extractive foraging puzzles in the first species, but not the latter. We also assessed whether species, age, sex and hunger correlated with rock-juggling frequency. We found that juvenile and senior otters juggled more than adults. However, rock-juggling frequency did not differ between species or sexes. Otters juggled more when "hungry", but frequent jugglers did not solve food puzzles faster. Our results suggest that rock juggling may be a misdirected behaviour when hungry and may facilitate juveniles' motor development, but it appears unrelated to foraging skills. We suggest future studies to reveal the ontogeny, evolution and welfare implications of this object play behaviour.</p>
Data from: Discovery of 20,000 RAD–SNPs and development of a 52-SNP array for monitoring river otters
Many North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) populations are threatened or recovering but are difficult to study because they occur at low densities, it is difficult to visually identify individuals, and they inhabit aquatic environments that accelerate degradation of biological samples. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can improve our ability to monitor demographic and genetic parameters of difficult to study species. We used restriction site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing to discover 20,772 SNPs present in Montana, USA, river otter populations, including 14,512 loci that were also variable in at least one other population range-wide. After applying careful filtering criteria meant to minimize ascertainment bias and identify high quality, highly heterozygous (H o = 0.2–0.50) SNPs, we developed and tested 52 independent SNP qPCR genotyping assays, including 41 that performed well with diluted DNA. The 41 loci provided high power for population assignment tests with only 1 misassignment (1.6 %) between closely neighboring populations. Our SNPs showed high power to differentiate individuals and assign them to population of origin, as well as strong concordance of genotypes from high and diluted concentrations of DNA, and between original RAD and the SNP qPCR array.
Data from: Impact of population expansion on genetic diversity and structure of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in central North America
Populations of North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) declined throughout large portions of the continent during the early 1900s due to habitat degradation and unregulated trapping. River otters had been extirpated in North Dakota (ND), but the Red River Valley has since been recolonized, with potential source populations including the neighboring states of Minnesota or South Dakota, or the Canadian province of Manitoba (MB). We genotyped 9 microsatellite loci in 121 samples to determine the source population of river otters in the Red River Valley of ND, as well as to assess population structure and diversity of river otters in central North America. Overall, genetic diversity was high, with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.58. Genetic differentiation was low (F ST < 0.05) between river otters in ND and those of Minnesota, suggesting that eastern ND was recolonized by river otters from Minnesota. River otters from MB were genetically distinct from all other sampled populations. Low genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.044) between South Dakota and Louisiana (LA) suggested that reintroductions using LA stock were successful. The genetic distinctiveness of river otters from different geographic regions should be considered when deciding on source populations for future translocations.
Microplastics in Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) spraints and their potential as a biomonitoring tool in freshwater systems
<p>The ubiquitous nature of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems may have serious implications for aquatic biota. While microplastic research in freshwater ecosystems is increasing, very few studies have assessed the physical presence of microplastics among top predators. The Eurasian otter (<i>Lutra lutra</i>), a top predator of aquatic ecosystems, is one of the most widely distributed otter species and has a broad habitat niche. The opportunistic collection of otter spraints (i.e. feces) presents a valuable opportunity to assess pollutants of freshwater ecosystems through non-invasive means. Here we assessed the prevalence, abundance and concentration of microplastics (100 µm to 5 mm), as well as dietary remains, in 53 spraint samples collected over eight river catchments spanning three regions of Ireland. We found microplastics present in 57% of spraints at an abundance of 1.2 ± 0.1 microplastics (MPs)/spraint (mean ± SE) and a concentration of 3.8 ± 0.6 MPs/g (dry weight). Fibers were the dominant particle type recovered (85%), followed by film (10%). No significant differences in microplastic concentrations were detected between the three regions assessed, or between spraints collected from areas upstream (i.e. 'lower' exposure) or downstream ('higher' exposure) of putative microplastic sources, which were defined using spatial vector data. While microplastic concentrations were not explained by spraint condition (i.e. fresh, drying or dry), spraints collected in autumn had a significantly higher concentration than spring and summer. Furthermore, microplastic abundance or concentration could not be linked to dietary composition based on the items identified. From a trophic perspective, this study showed that the presence of microplastics in the feces of otter are most likely being obtained through its prey (i.e. secondary ingestion). While there may be limitations associated with using spraints as a biomonitoring tool for microplastics in freshwater systems, particularly with respect to otter home range and dietary niche breadth, they could still be employed for a regional assessment of microplastic levels.</p>
On following pages: 29. Marine Otter (Lontra felina); 30. Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis); 31. Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax); 32. Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris); 33. Spotted-necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis); 34. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra); 35. Hairy-nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana); 36. African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis); 37. Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus); 38. Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata). in Mustelidae
On following pages: 29. Marine Otter (Lontra felina); 30. Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis); 31. Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax); 32. Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris); 33. Spotted-necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis); 34. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra); 35. Hairy-nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana); 36. African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis); 37. Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus); 38. Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata).
On following pages: 26. Binturong (Arctictis binturong); 27. Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata); 28. Common Palm (Paradoxurus zeylonensis); 31. Otter Civet (Cynogale bennetti); 32. Owston's Palm Civet (Chrotogale owstoni); 33 Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus); 29. Brown Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni); 30. Golden Palm Civet. Banded Palm Civet (Hemigalus derbyanus); 34. Hose's Palm Civet (Diplogale hosel). in Viverridae
On following pages: 26. Binturong (Arctictis binturong); 27. Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata); 28. Common Palm (Paradoxurus zeylonensis); 31. Otter Civet (Cynogale bennetti); 32. Owston's Palm Civet (Chrotogale owstoni); 33 Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus); 29. Brown Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni); 30. Golden Palm Civet. Banded Palm Civet (Hemigalus derbyanus); 34. Hose's Palm Civet (Diplogale hosel).
Data from: Evaluating otter reintroduction outcomes using genetic spatial capture-recapture modified for dendritic networks
<p>River otters (Lontra canadensis) were extirpated from New Mexico by the 1950s. A limited reintroduction occurred during 2008–2010 in which 33 otters sourced from Washington (WA) were translocated to the Upper Rio Grande Basin (URG) of New Mexico. We conducted a noninvasive genetic capture-recapture survey during the winter of 2018 by collecting fecal DNA samples from river otter scats found at latrines in the URG dendritic network of perennial waterways. Our objectives were to: 1) estimate genetic diversity and effective population size; 2) genetic divergence from the WA source population and potential connectivity with regionally proximal populations; 3) spatially explicit population density and size; and 4) population growth rate since the founder event. Between February and April 2018, we collected 1,184 fecal DNA samples from 622 individual scats at 20 latrines; genotyping was attempted at 10 otter-specific microsatellite loci for a subsample of 543 samples. A bottlenecking founder effect was strongly supported, which, combined with genetic drift, reduced genetic diversity and effective population size by 20–26% and 106–170%, respectively, compared with the WA source population. Estimated population density from spatial capture-recapture models was 0.23–0.28 otter/km of waterway, or 1 otter/3.57–4.35 km of waterway, corresponding to a total population size of 83–100 otters across 359 km of the perennial dendritic network from La Mesilla, New Mexico to Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado. Estimated average annual population growth rate since the founder event was 1.12–1.15/year. Despite successful population establishment, the URG river otter population remains small, is genetically degraded, and does not yet meet the criteria for long-term reintroduction success. Projections suggested that the population could reach the recommended minimum viable population size of ≥400 otters by the years 2030–2033, though sufficient habitat may not exist in the URG Basin to support that many otters. </p>
Recovering predators link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: River otters subsidize coyotes with carrion (Video 1)
<p>This dataset includes a high-quality version of Video 1 from <em>Recovering predators link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: River otters subsidize coyotes with carrion</em> (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11444" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11444</a>).</p>
Data from: Body size evolution in otters distinguished from terrestrial mustelids
<p>Some taxa of mammals live in water, all of which evolved from land-dwelling ancestors. In the family Mustelidae (Mammalia: Carnivora), most species live on land, while otters, comprising the subfamily Lutrinae, inhabit aquatic environments, which include the almost exclusively aquatic sea otters (<em>Enhydra lutris</em>). Thus, the transition from a terrestrial to an aquatic lifestyle has occurred within this family. Despite potentially different selection pressures on body size in aquatic and terrestrial habitats, no divergence in the evolutionary pattern of body size between otters and other mustelids has previously been shown using models of trait evolution on a phylogeny. We applied models that explicitly incorporated lineage-specific directional selection to the evolution of body mass in living mustelids. Using a simulation-based likelihood and approximate Bayesian computation approach, we demonstrated lineage-specific directional selection for larger body mass in otters, which is distinct from other mustelids. There was no evidence of a difference between sea otters and other otters in the strength of directional selection for larger body mass. Additionally, our analyses supported no difference in the rate at which body mass evolves in both directions between otters and other mustelids. These findings suggest that the evolution of body mass in otters is associated with selective advantages of larger size rather than the relaxation of constraints on body size in aquatic habitats, like other aquatic mammals such as sirenians, cetaceans, and pinnipeds.</p>
Figure 1 in Commensal association of piscivorous birds with foraging otters in southeastern Brazil, and a comparison with such a relationship of piscivorous birds with cormorants
Figure 1. Piscivorous birds associated with the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) and Neotropic cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) in an urban impounded habitat in southeastern Brazil. (A) several snowy egrets (Egretta thula) follow the movements of a foraging otter along the mammal's hunting site: an outfall pool with slow-moving water, a steep bank on the right (background) and a sandbank on the left (not visible); (B) even the wake created by the foraging otter while surfacing caused fish to flee to the shallows or to surface; (C) perched on branches overhanging the pool, a black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and an egret follow the movements of a foraging otter to prey on fish disturbed by the mammal's activity; (D) an egret follows the movements of three cormorants foraging on another occasion in the same pool; (E) two egrets follow a group of cormorants that was foraging close to the bank of the pond, where a few egrets and a great heron (Ardea alba) are still waiting for any disturbed fish that remain in the shallows; (F) two flying egrets advance along the probable path of foraging cormorants, while the remaining birds wait for the cormorants to approach the bank of the pond to prey on flushed fish. Photos by Giulia D'Angelo (A, B, D) and Ivan Sazima (C, E, F).
Figure 15 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 15. Skeletal reconstruction of Teruelictis riparius showing representative preserved elements in bold and reconstructed parts in light grey. The fossil skull, shown in figure 4, is strongly deformed and has not been inclued in this illustration, instead we show its hypothetical reconstruction (artwork by M. Antón).
Figure 11 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 11. Metatarsals (Mts) of Teruelictis riparius from La Roma 2. A, B, RO-4534, right Mt I in (A) lateral and (B) medial views. C–E, RO-4574, left Mt II in (C) dorsal, (D) lateral, and (E) medial views. F, G, RO-4584, left Mt V in (F) plantar and (G) dorsal views. H–J, RO-4585, left Mt III in (H) dorsal, (I) medial, and (J) lateral views. K–M, RO-4577, left Mt IV in (K) dorsal, (L) medial, and (M) lateral views.
Figure 10 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 10. Tarsals of Teruelictis riparius from La Roma 2. A, B, RO-4764, right calcaneus in (A) lateral and (B) dorsal views. C, D, RO-4613, right talus in (C) dorsal and (D) plantar views. E, F, RO-4599, left entocuneiform in (E) lateral and (F) medial views. G, H, RO-4600, left mesocuneiform in (G) lateral and (H) medial views. I, J, RO-4510, right ectocuneiform in (I) medial and (J) lateral views. K, L, RO-4761, right navicular in (K) proximal and (L) distal views. M–O, RO-4815, left cuboid in (M) dorsal, (N) lateral, and (O) medial views.
Figure 7 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 7. Carpals of Teruelictis riparius from La Roma 2. A, B, RO-4837, right pisiform in (A) lateral and (B) medial views. C, D, RO-4777, left pyramidal in (C) medial and (D) lateral views. E, F, RO-4730, right magnum in (E) medial and (F) lateral views. G, H, RO-4776, left unciform in (G) dorsal and (H) distal views. I, J, RO-4612, right trapezium in (I) lateral and (J) medial views.
Figure 2. Measurements for each studied postcranial element. A, B in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 2. Measurements for each studied postcranial element. A, B, unciform in (A) dorsal and (B) lateral view. C, lateral view of the pyramidal. D, E, radius in (D) distal and (E) cranial views. F–H, tibia in (F) proximal, (G) cranial, and (H) distal views. I, caudal view of femur. J, K, idealized metapodial in (J) dorsal and (K) medial views. L–N, pisiform in (L) palmar, (M) lateral, and (N) medial views. O, lateral view of the hemimandible. P–R, cuboid in (P) proximal, (Q) plantar, and (R) distal views. S, T, calcaneus in (S) dorsal and (T) distal views. U, V, navicular in (U) proximal and (V) medial views. W, X, talus in (W) plantar and (X) distal views. Y, Z, ectocuneiform in (Y) distal and (Z) lateral and dorsal views. Abbreviations: dl, craniocaudal length of the distal epiphysis of the long bones and metapodials, and craniocaudal length of the distal facet in the pisiform, calcaneus, talus, cuboid, and ectocuneiform; dw, mediolateral width of the distal epiphysis of the long bones and metapodials, and mediolateral width of the distal facet in the pisiform, calcaneus, talus, cuboid, and ectocuneiform; h, dorsopalmar/plantar height of the unciform, navicular, cuboid, and cuneiforms; hac, height from the cranioventral edge of the angular process to the dorsal edge of the condylar process; hmr, height from the cranioventral edge of angular process to the dorsal edge of the coronoid process; mcl, mandibular length from the mesial border of the incisors to the caudal border of the coronoid process; ml, maximum mandibular length; mw, mediolateral width in the centre of the long bones and metapodials; pl, craniocaudal length of the proximal epiphysis of the long bones and metapodials, and craniocaudal length of the proximal facet in the cuboid; pw, mediolateral width of the proximal epiphysis of the long bones and metapodials, and mediolateral width of the proximal facet of the cuboid; tl, maximum length; tul, maximum length of tuber calcanei, tubercle of the pisiform, and talus head; tuw, width of the tuber calcanei, tubercle of the pisiform, and talus head; w, width of the unciform, pyramidal, navicular, and cuneiforms.
Figure 1 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 1. Schematic geological map of the northern part of the Teruel basin, showing the location of most of the known paleontological localities, including La Roma 2 (modified from Salesa et al., 2012). Abbreviations: ALF, Alfambra; ALJ, Los Aljezares; ARQ, El Arquillo; BUN, Búnker de Valdecebro; CAP2, El Capón-2; CAP3, El Capón-3; CAT, La Cantera; CC, Condud; CC2/3, Concud 2 and 3; GL, La Gloria 4 and 5; GLO, La Gloria 6, 14A and 14B; GLO/AG, other La Gloria and Los Aguanaces localities; KS, Las Casiones; LM, Los Mansuetos; MB, Masía del Barbo; MDV, Masada del Valle; MIL, Milagros; MNT, Montalvos; MOD, Modorras; MRU, Masada Roya; PER, Peralejos; PM, Puente Minero; SAL, La Salle; TO, Tortajada; VB, Villalba Baja; VDC, Valdecebro; VIP, Vivero de Pinos.
Figure 9 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 9. Bones of the caudal extremity of Teruelictis riparius from La Roma 2. A, B, RO-4739, baculum in (A) left and (B) right views. C, D, RO-4707, fragment of left coxal in (C) medial and (D) lateral views. E–G, RO-4689, right femur in (E) cranial, (F) lateral, and (G) caudal views. H–J, RO-4943 and RO-4721, almost complete left tibia in (H) cranial, (I) caudal, and (J) craniolateral views.
Figure 14 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 14. Comparison between right femora (A–E) and left tibiae (F–J) of Teruelictis riparius from La Roma 2 and extant otters, in cranial view. A, F, Lutra lutra. B, G, Lontra canadensis. C, H, Aonyx cinereus. D, I, Martes martes. E, J, Teruelictis riparius.
Figure 4 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 4. Skull and mandible of Teruelictis riparius from La Roma 2. A, RO-4937, skull in ventral view. B–D, RO-4744, right hemimandible with first lower incisor to second lower molar in (B) lingual, (C) buccal, and (D) occlusal views.
Figure 5 in A non-aquatic otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian, MN 10) of La Roma 2 (Alfambra, Teruel, Spain): systematics and functional anatomy
Figure 5. Vertebrae of Teruelictis riparius from La Roma 2. A, B, RO-4712, lumbar vertebra in (A) lateral and (B) dorsal views. C, D, RO-4573, proximal caudal vertebra in (C) ventral and (D) lateral views. E, F, RO-4734, middle caudal vertebra in (E) dorsal and (F) ventral views.
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