Beiträge zur Menschenaffenhaltung im Zoo Berlin nach 1945. 3. Mitteilung: Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla)

Since 1956 were Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) kept in Berlin Zoo, counted in the period after 1945. The first offspring was born in 1964. Up to now 9 Gorillas were born in Berlin Zoo, of which 8 were raised, some of them artificial. The oldest Gorilla is “Fatou”, she is now in an age of 53.     

Haltung und Zucht des Spitzmaulnashorns (Diceros bicornis) im Zoologischen Garten Berlin

The first Black rhino was kept in Berlin Zoo in 1870. After second world war the keeping of Diceros bicornis started in 1954. Between 1981 and 2006 16 births occurred in Berlin Zoo, of which 14 calfs were raised.     

Haltung und Zucht des Spitzmaulnashorns (Diceros bicornis) im Zoologischen Garten Berlin

The first Black rhino was kept in Berlin Zoo in 1870. After second world war the keeping of Diceros bicornis started in 1954. Between 1981 and 2006 16 births occurred in Berlin Zoo, of which 14 calfs were raised.     

Zur ersten Geburt eines weiblichen schwarzen Springbocks (Antidorcas marsupialis Zimmermann, 1780) seit 25 Jahren im Zoo Hannover

On April, 26th 2009 after 25 years, a female melanistic springbok was born at Hanover Zoo. Melanism is seldom seen at the Bovidae, including springboks. A frequent occurrence was observed around Seekoei-River, Murraysburg, South Africa for this species.In the 70^th of last century 10 black springboks had been raised at Hanover Zoo after an import of melanistic animals from Dvur Kralove, Czech Republik.In February 2011 a second melanistic female springbok was born. She is growing up at Hanover Zoo. Both animals have been integrated to the mixed group (springbok, giraffe, zebra and blesbok) without problems.     

Man and Pan paniscus: A karyologic comparison

The chromosome complement of Pan paniscus and man are compared by quinacrine fluorescence and G-banding. A hypothesis for the rearrangement and the reduction from 2n = 48 to 2n = 46 is presented.     

Erfolgreiche Handaufzucht eines Brillenpelikans (Pelecanus conspicillatus Temminck, 1824) im Zoologischen Garten Berlin

In the beginning of 2011 an Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) hatched at the Berlin Zoological Garden and was hand raised. The article described the raising conditions and diet of the squab. In addition to that a historical overview of the keeping of Australian Pelicans at the Zoological Garden of Berlin was given.     

Berliner Nasenaffen - Nachlese

The keeping of Proboscis monkeys in Berlin Zoo starts 1967, the first breeding took place 1971. The highest longevity of a Proboscis monkey born in Berlin Zoo was 17 years and 3 months, the longest time in keeping of an imported animal was nearly 16 years.     

Keeping and breeding of the coral catshark (Atelomycterus marmoratus) at the Aquarium of the Cologne Zoo

Coral catsharks (Atelomycterus marmoratus) are kept at the Aquarium of Cologne Zoo in a public exhibit tank measuring 300 x 160 x 110 cm (length x width x water height) with a water volume of ca. 5000 l. The 1.3 adults have been producing fertilized eggs since early 2010. Deposited eggs are longish-oval in shape, with a length of about 10 cm. Juveniles hatched in our rearing tanks (measuring 100-210 x 45-80 x 30-50 cm, with 280-430 l water volume) after periods of 4-6 months. The freshly hatched coral catsharks measured from 10-13 cm in total length. After 3 months, each juvenile had grown about 4-5 cm in length and the distinct, bright color pattern of the juveniles had faded towards the more subtle adult colour pattern. The keeping and breeding of coral catsharks can be classified as uncomplicated, given that sufficient swimming space and hiding places are provided. So far, 14 juvenile coral catsharks have been successfully reared at the Cologne Zoo Aquarium and are now available for breeding projects.     

Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur akustischen Kommunikation bei im Zoo gehaltenen Schabracken- und Flachlandtapiren (Tapirus indicus und Tapirus terrestris)

Until now, unlike their relatives, rhinos and horses tapirs have received considerably less attention in studies about communication. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to test which stimuli contain acoustical information for tapirs. For this purpose, the reactions of tapirs on acoustical stimuli (playback of different animal voices) were examined. Research visits took place at the zoos of Berlin, Dortmund, Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg and Osnabrück during the year 2005. A total of 20 individuals, thereof 8 (4.4) Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) and 12 (4.8) Lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) attended the experiments. The playback experiments showed that tapirs distinguish between the voices of different animal species. The results point to the conclusion that the reactions of the tapirs relate to phylogeny. The most intense interest was taken in their own species followed by the closely related ones.     

Endocranial shape asymmetries in Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla assessed via skull based landmark analysis

Brain shape asymmetries or petalias consist of the extension of one cerebral hemisphere beyond the other. A larger frontal or caudal projection is usually coupled with a larger lateral extent of the more projecting hemisphere relative to the other. The concurrence of these petalial components is characteristic of hominins. Studies aimed at quantifying petalial asymmetries in human and great ape endocasts rely on the definition of the midline of the endocranial surface. Studies of brain material show that, at least in humans, most of the medial surface of the left occipital lobe distorts along the midline and protrudes on to the right side, making it difficult for midline and corresponding left and right reference point identification. In order to accurately quantify and compare brain shape asymmetries in extant hominid species, we propose here a new protocol based on the objective definition of cranial landmarks. We describe and quantify for the first time in three dimensions the positions of frontal and occipital protrusions in large samples of Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla. This study confirms the existence of frontal and occipital petalias in African apes. Moreover, the detailed analysis of the 3D structure of these petalias reveals shared features, as well as features that are unique to the different great ape species.     

Mycoplasma feriruminatoris sp. nov., a fast growing Mycoplasma species isolated from wild Caprinae

Five Mycoplasma strains from wild Caprinae were analyzed: four from Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) which died at the Berlin Zoo between 1993 and 1994, one from a Rocky Mountain goat collected in the USA prior to 1987. These five strains represented a population different from the populations belonging to the ‘Mycoplasma mycoides cluster’ as tested using multi locus sequence typing, Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene (rrs), genomic sequence based in silico as well as laboratory DNA–DNA hybridization, and the analysis of phenotypic traits in particular their exceptionally rapid growth all confirmed that they do not belong to any Mycoplasma species described to date. We therefore suggest these strains represent a novel species, for which we propose the name Mycoplasma feriruminatoris sp. nov. The type strain is G5847^T (= DSM 26019^T = NCTC 1362^T).     

Breeding fireflies at Tama Zoo: An ecological approach

Techniques to breed the Genji firefly, Luciola cruciata, a lampyrid (firefly) native to Japan, we developed at Tama Zoo, Tokyo. In order to determine captive husbandry procedures, the staff made close observations on the life cycle of this species in nature. It took more than a decade to establish the breathing program in an outdoor water channel at the Tama Zoo. Patterned after a freshwater ecosystem, the channel system enables the insect to undergo the simulated “food-chains” cycle for completing the metamorphic process. Captive-reared larvae, also known as “glowworms”, and knowledge on husbandry have been utilized to reintroduce the species in its former natural ranges.     

Chronoethologische Untersuchung zur Jungtierentwicklung beim Weißlippenhirsch (Cervus albirostris) im Tierpark Berlin

A group of eight (2.6) White-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris) and four (1.3) fawns, born in 2010, kept in Tierpark Berlin were observed with focal point at circadian behavioural pattern, mother-child-interaction and the ontogeny of behaviour.The circadian rhythm of the animals proved to be bimodal and in its activity periods clearly synchronized with daily routine in the zoo. The animals showed different types of behaviours concerning metabolism (47%), comfort and resting (25%), movement (11%) and other behaviour (17%). The parallels between the distribution of behaviour and spatial use during the day point to an obvious relevance of different shaped enclosure areas to the behaviour. Calves of White-lipped deer are considered to be typical hiders („Ablieger“). Initially the fawns entered the enclosure trough the fence four to five times a day, exclusively for suckling. Until the fourth week of life their distribution of behaviour and their daily rhythm were well-adjusted to that of the adults. Despite of an age difference up to 17 days, the hiding period of all four fawns ended more or less at the same point of time; in case of the oldest fawn after 6, in case of the youngest fawn already after 3½ weeks of life. This indicates a synchronisation of the ontogeny of behaviour between older fawns and younger ones living with each other. In the process of dietary change from milk to solid food this synchronization was also to be seen. During the first two weeks the fawns were almost exclusively in contact with their mothers, but with time the bonding between the four fawns got stronger. The young affect each other in their development of behaviour. Above-mentioned traits of weaning in mammals point to the onset of weaning in the observed animals at three to four weeks of live.All in all the behavioural development of White-lipped deer obviously depends on physiological needs and abilities as well as social environment.     

Die Nachzucht des Roten Felsenhahns, Rupicola peruviana (Latham, 1790) und des Schildschmuckvogels, Querula purpurata (Müller, 1776) im Zoologischen Garten Wuppertal

Incubation, handrearing and motherrearing of 5 male Andean Cocks of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana) in Wuppertal Zoo is described, in particular the development of the juvenile plumage to adulthood, and the change of colour of the beak and the iris of the eye. Incubation lasted 26-28 days. The mother-reared nestling fledged after 28 days. The young male Cock of the Rock attained full adult plumage at the age of 18 months, not at 3 years as Del Hoyo et al. (2004) describe from free-living Cocks of the Rock. A report on the supposed world's first breeding of the Purple-throated Fruitcrow (Querula purpurata) is given. The incubation period was 25 days.     

Behavioral laterality in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus): Replication and extension

We report observational data on behavioral laterality in 10 captive bonobos (Pan paniscus)at the San Diego Zoo. The unimanual measures include carrying, leading limb in locomotion, self-touching, face-touching, reaching, and gestures. We also recorded bimanual feeding in these subjects. A significant population level left-hand bias exists for carrying. Right-hand biases occur for leading limb in locomotion and gestures. During bimanual feeding, the bonobos hold food items with the left hand while feeding with the right hand. Overall, bonobos exhibit behavioral asymmetries that are similar to previous findings in other pongid ape species. The asymmetries in gestures and bimanual feeding represent novel findings with theoretical implications for the origins of tool use and language.     

Haltung und Zucht von Basstölpeln Morus bassanus (Linnaeus, 1758) im Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven

Already at the opening of the Zoo am Meer in 1928 the Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus), whose main range is located off the east coast of Scotland, were part of the animal collection of the small zoo at the Weser river in Bremerhaven. The first successful breeding at the Zoo am Meer and thus also the first time in captivity at all, succeeded in 1988. Presumably the breeding was only successful because of the exceeding of a critical group size that allows certain group dynamic behaviours.After a complete renovation of the Zoo am Meer in 2004, a new phase of breeding with 16 animals began. Already in 2005 there was the first offspring and since then a total of 30 chicks hatched. Consistently it happens that animals that shelter their chicks are distracted by one bird and other birds steal and eat the chick. Plaster eggs for couples without oviposition or the removal of individuals provide relief during this critical period.     

Captive breeding and larval morphology of Tylototriton shanjing Nussbaum, Brodie & Yang, 1995, with an updated key of the genus Tylototriton (Amphibia: Salamandridae)

Tylototriton shanjing Nussbaum, Brodie & Yang, 1995 was described as a distinct species hidden before under the widely distributed T. verrucosus Anderson, 1871. Therefore, papers published before 1995, including those on reproductive biology, could not distinguish between these two close relatives. Consequently, data on the reproductive biology of T. shanjing are scarce. Here, we report on the first captive breeding of T. shanjing in the Aquarium of the Cologne Zoo, and we document the ontogenetic developmental stages and describe the larva for the first time. Moreover, we give a literature review for both T. verrucosus and T. shanjing and compare our data with published information referring undoubtedly to the latter species. To avoid future misidentifications and to facilitate the composition of breeding groups, we present an identification key for the East Asian salamandrid genera in general, and for the species of Tylototriton in particular.     

Progressive Erblindung und Nierenerkrankung in Zusammenhang mit einer periartikulären Hyperostose bei einem männlichen Mohrenmaki (Eulemur macaco macaco) im Tierpark Berlin

Until now there were no publications about periarticular hyperostosis in black lemurs at an European zoo. The author described a case of this disease connected with a growing blindness and a progressive renal disfunction in a male black lemur at Tierpark Berlin. Clinical symptoms, diagnosis and therapy are explained in detail.