Salt licks do not increase local densities of the deer ked,Lipoptena cervi,an abundant ectoparasite of cervids

The deer ked, Lipoptena cervi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), is a common ectoparasite of the moose, Alces alces (Artiodactyla: Cervidae). Salt licks are widely used to manipulate moose movements to prevent damage to saplings and traffic accidents. They may cause moose to gather in small areas, which could create aggregates of deer ked pupae as the parasite is a short‐distance flyer and its dispersion depends on its hosts. We investigated whether the population density of flying deer keds could be influenced by manipulating salt licks and how environmental variables affect parasite density. Densities were estimated in 40 experimental sites with four treatments (no salt licks, introduced salt licks, removed salt licks, permanent salt licks) in September during 2007–2010. Forest edges, mixed forests on mineral soil and coniferous forests on peat soil were the habitats with high numbers of parasites. The manipulation of salt licks seemed to be ineffective in reducing the density of deer keds as the only factor to show statistical significance with parasite numbers in the mixed‐model analysis was year of determination. Annual deer ked densities correlated with the abundance of moose in the region. Moreover, high spring and summer temperatures seemed to increase the numbers of flying imagos.     

The fisheries biology of flying fishes (Families: Exocoetidae and Hemiramphidae) from the Camotes Sea, Central Philippines

The catches of a small artisanal fishery for flying fishes (Families Exocoetidae and Hemiramphidae) on the Danajon Bank in the Camotes Sea. Central Visayas, were recorded during a 14-month period between 1987–1988. Catches were made using floating drive-in-nets deployed from small motorized canoes. Three species, Cheilopogon nigricans, Cypselurus opisthopus and Oxyporhamphus convexus , formed about 90% of landings. Growth, mortality and related parameters for the three dominant species in the catch were estimated from length-frequency data. Seasonal variations in catch rate and recruitment are described and thought to be linked to the two monsoon periods in the Philippines. Total mortality rates were very high and, while these may be the result of migratory movements rather than attrition, they are a cause for concern in such a highly selective fishery.     

Collection of semen by manual stimulation and ejaculate characteristics of the black flying‐fox (Pteropus alecto)

Semen collection and preservation is the first step toward the development of an artificial insemination program in endangered Pteropus spp. Semen was collected by manual stimulation from a single “human‐habituated” P. alecto. Manual stimulation resulted in the successful collection of motile spermatozoa on 17 of 34 attempts. The semen had a pH of 8.2 (n=2). With the exception of volume, seminal characteristics (concentration, motility, acrosome and plasma membrane status) were similar to those collected previously by electro‐ejaculation. Zoo Biol 27:159–164, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Response of primary and secondary rainforest flowers and fruits to a cyclone,and implications for plant‐servicing bats

The response of primary (PF) and secondary (SF) rainforests to cyclones has broad implications for servicing fauna and the resilience of forest functions. We collected fine‐scale data on the reproductive phenology of plant communities in Fijian PF and SF in 12 monthly surveys before and after Cyclone Tomas (2010). We generated a resource index from the reproductive loads of 2218 trees and 1150 non‐trees (>190 species) and trunk and stem diameter to assess patterns in resource abundance for nectarivores and frugivores (hereafter NF resources). We aimed to determine (i) whether species richness of NF resources differed between forests; (ii) the patterns of resilience of NF resources at community level in both forests after a cyclone; and (iii) the effect of response on NF resources for plant‐servicing bats (Pteropodidae). In 12 months preceding the cyclone, NF resources were greater in PF trees; non‐tree resources fluctuated and were greater in SF. Lower species richness of NF resources in SF indicated that fewer opportunities exist there for exploitation by a diverse fauna. More resources were available for bats in PF. In 12 months following the cyclone, PF flowers and fruits, and SF fruits specifically used by pteropodid bats decreased for trees. Non‐tree resources were especially susceptible to the cyclone. No universal pattern of decline was associated with the cyclone; instead, some NF resources declined and others were resilient or responded rapidly to a post‐cyclone environment. Both PF and SF demonstrated resilience at the community level via increased flower survival (PF) and rapid flower production (SF). Reduced species richness of NF resources in SF will compromise future resilience and response to disturbance, including for threatened pteropodid bat species. These findings are critical for long‐term management of forests, given predicted increases in cyclone frequency and intensity associated with anthropogenic climate change.     

Landscape‐scale redistribution of a highly mobile threatened species,Pteropus conspicillatus (Chiroptera,Pteropodidae), in response to Tropical Cyclone Larry

Abstract Severe category 4 Tropical Cyclone Larry, which crossed north‐east Queensland on 20 March 2006, provided a unique opportunity to examine the short‐term impacts of a major disturbance event on the population of a highly mobile threatened species, Pteropus conspicillatus. As we had recorded, the species’ population distribution in colonial roosts (camps) across the region each month for almost 2 years prior to Cyclone Larry, we continued monthly surveying of P. conspicillatus camp‐sites for a year post‐cyclone. Here we report on how P. conspicillatus responded and redistributed immediately after the cyclone, and over the subsequent year. Post‐cyclone, P. conspicillatus typically roosted in smaller camps than pre‐cyclone, suggesting that these animals had largely dispersed to locate available blossoms and fruit. For 6 months after Cyclone Larry, up to 90% of the pre‐cyclone P. conspicillatus population (ca. 250 000) was unaccounted for across the region. Information provided by the general public assisted us in locating six small camps of P. conspicillatus at ‘new’ locations, but contributed little to increase our overall population estimate for the species at this time. After November 2006, the number of P. conspicillatus built up at located camp‐sites until a post‐cyclone peak of 209 000 at the end of the study in March 2007, comparable with the population estimates in March 2005 and 2006. There is no evidence that the cyclone caused significant direct mortality among P. conspicillatus, although there may yet be longer‐term and indirect effects on population size. We suggest that redistribution by P. conspicillatus makes sense ecologically in the face of major habitat disturbance and short‐ to long‐term food resource limitation, and is not unlike the response of other Australian mainland Pteropus species to seasonal changes in food availability.     

The first fossil Petaurista (Mammalia: Sciuridae) from the Russian Far East and its paleogeographic significance

For the first time in the south of the Russian Far East in the Late Pleistocene cave deposits, fragments of the giant flying squirrel of the genus Petaurista were discovered. Petaurista tetyukhensis n. sp. is described based on a fragment of the upper jaw with two teeth and five isolated teeth from two cave locations. The main differences between the new species and living forms as well as other fossil species of the genus Petaurista are the absence of vertical groove on the lingual wall between the protocone and hypocone on M2, the absence of the anterior cross loph on the upper P4-M3, and the absence of mesoconids on lower, as a result of which the hypoflexid is not w-shaped. It is suggested that the Sikhote-Alin refugium allowed individual species to survive there during long unfavourable period of time and was the centre of speciation.     

Habitat and landscape correlates of southern flying squirrel use of red-cockaded woodpecker clusters

Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) can have significant negative impacts on red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) reproductive success and group size. Although direct control of southern flying squirrels may be necessary in small red-cockaded woodpecker populations (<30 groups), creation of high quality habitat through landscape management is the preferred method for managing larger woodpecker populations. Thus, we determined the habitat and landscape factors within 100 m, 400 m, and 800 m of cluster centers that were related to southern flying squirrel use of red-cockaded woodpecker cavities at the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina. At all spatial scales, the number of cavities in the cluster was the most influential variable determining use by southern flying squirrels. At the 400-m and 800-m scales, the amount of stream length was also positively associated with the presence of flying squirrels. The proximity and amount of hardwoods surrounding clusters were not related to southern flying squirrel use at any spatial scale; thus, removal or conversion of hardwood stands surrounding red-cockaded woodpeckers may not be necessary for reducing cavity kleptoparasitism by flying squirrels. However, when establishing recruitment clusters, areas with streams should be avoided and addition of artificial cavities to existing clusters should be done judiciously to minimize the number of excess cavities. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.