Translocation of the Eastern Bristlebird 1: radio‐tracking of post‐release movements

Summary Translocating birds to a new area of habitat to restore or supplement depleted populations may pose a significant threat to the translocated individuals. While for many species, translocated individuals appear to move larger distances than resident animals, species with poor dispersal capacity may be restricted in movements and translocation methods may need to accommodate differences in movements to ensure success. In this study, designed to provide insights to inform our broader programme of translocations in New South Wales, Australia, we investigated post‐release movements in the endangered, semi‐flightless Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus). We predicted that movements would be minimal, with few differences between males and females, similar to published information for a resident un‐manipulated population. Following the release of 45 birds at a host location at Jervis Bay, NSW, over a 3‐year programme, we followed individuals for up to 2 weeks using radio‐tracking. The translocated birds had larger maximum movements and moved through much larger home ranges than non‐translocated individuals from the resident population. Translocated birds moved 300 m further after release when conspecifics were present. Males moved further than females and tended to have larger home ranges, although average daily displacement did not differ. We concluded that the semi‐flightlessness of the species does not result in minimal movements. Release at a small number of locations in the new habitat was considered appropriate for the species, as animals seem to move enough to find new unoccupied areas in a relatively short period. This work provided us with increasing confidence to continue with further translocations.     

Translocation of overabundant species: Implications for translocated individuals

Effective management of overabundant animal populations is a difficult challenge for wildlife managers around the globe. Translocation is often considered a viable management tool, whereby individual animals are removed from areas of high population density and released in areas where densities are lower. Typically, the success of a translocation program is measured at the population source, with little attention given to the fate of translocated individuals. Here we use a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) translocation program from southeastern Australia as a case study to investigate the effects of translocation on individual animals. The koala is an iconic species that occurs at high densities in some parts of its southern range, leading to numerous conservation and animal welfare issues. Between 1997 and 2007 over 3,000 koalas from a high-density island population were captured, surgically sterilized, and translocated to the mainland. Annual post-translocation surveys at release sites revealed densities of ≤0.4 koalas/ha, despite release densities of 1.0 koala/ha. Radiotracking studies indicate that low densities were because of both mortality and high dispersal of translocated individuals. We observed a mortality rate of 37.5% for translocated koalas in the first 12 months post-release. No deaths occurred among animals that were not sterilized and translocated. Translocated koalas moved greater distances than non-translocated animals. Monitoring of translocated individuals should be performed routinely during translocation programs for overabundant species. Due consideration must be given to what is an acceptable level of mortality for translocated individuals. Although often considered an ethically acceptable management technique (especially for iconic and charismatic species), translocation may not always be the best option from an animal welfare perspective. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

牛背梁自然保护区羚牛的分布与数量

1998 年1～4 月对牛背梁国家级自然保护区内羚牛种群数量与分布做了调查, 结果表明, 保护区内有11 群羚牛, 总数量119～130 头(包括独牛) , 整个保护区内羚牛分布密度为0.007 3～0.007 9 头/ hm² 。在冬季, 羚牛分布于海拔1 900～2 700 m的5 块相互隔离的栖息地中, 以海拔2 200～2 600 m之间分布更为集中。在1981～1998 年的17 年间, 保护区内的羚牛种群分布范围在逐渐缩小; 从上世纪50 年代至90 年代, 羚牛最低的分布高度比历史分布高度至少上升了400 m。周边地区人为干扰、生境不断丧失和保护区内生境破碎化是导致羚牛分布现状最直接的原因。     

Molecular Phylogeny among Local Populations of Formica japonica (Hym., Formicidae) in Korea

ABSTRACT Not only were used Random amplified polymorphismic DNA(RAPD) markers as input for an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and cluster analysis to describe the population genetic structure, but also morphometric analysis of Formica japonica in Korea in order to investigate the relationships between local populations according to altitude. The ten populations of F. japonica in Korea did not showed any relationships according to altitude in morphological analysis, while they showed distinct relationship in RAPD analysis. It was noticed that they were clearly separated as four groups according to altitude. The first was Jirisan-Gachilbong- Gyebangsan population, the second Iksansi-Odongdo, the third Deukyusan-Hallasan, the fourth Siheungsi- Seonamsa-Jinjusi. The first group was high mountainous, the second flat and low altitude, the third high mountainous, and the fourth flat and low altitude. They occur from low altitude to comparative high altitude 1,400 m in Korea. Actually, it was found that the relationships of 10 local populations of Korean Formica japonica were not related to morphological evolution, but related to molecular evolutionary data evolved from RAPD analysis.     

Home range and habitat use of translocated endangered species,Cottus koreanus,in South Korea

The home range and characteristics of Cottus koreanus were investigated using passive integrated transponder (PIT) telemetry in the Gulji Stream, Korea, where the target species was artificially translocated. After release, tagged individuals moved up to 78?m away from the release site in search of proper habitats. The average distance moved until settlement was 17.1?m. The observed home range of settled individuals had longitudinal sections of 9.9?±?3.6?m and surface areas of 7.2?±?2.7?m². This is comparable to congeneric species that inhabit similar ecological habitats. Once individuals had settled, they rarely moved from that site except during the spring season. The typical microhabitat characteristics of the sites where the released individuals settled are: water depth of 5–10?cm, water velocity of 0.1–0.3?m?s^?1, and the size of boulders and cobbles of 10–20?cm in diameter. This study of translocated C. koreanus individuals provides detailed information about habitats that can be used for effective habitat restoration and successful translocations attempts of this species.     

Evaluating the role of environmental familiarity and behaviour in the success of wildlife translocation: A grizzly bear case study using agent-based modelling

Human-carnivore systems are built on multi-scalar complex processes often resulting in conflicts that force wildlife managers to address what are conceived as problem individuals. In North America, the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) is often involved in human-bear conflict with management measures such as translocations, in which problem individuals are moved to new areas, being used to reduce conflict risk. While translocations offer a non-lethal alternative to managing conflict animals, they show varying levels of success. Our objective was to perform a novel assessment of grizzly bear translocation success through agent-based simulation by evaluating how familiarity with landscape features coupled with behavioral traits affects the way individuals use resources in a new environment. Our results showed that bears translocated to familiar habitat used high-quality habitat more than bears moved to areas with unfamiliar landscape characteristics. Increased exploration led to greater use of high-quality habitat in the long run but resulted in reduced use of high-quality habitat during the first two years following a translocation. Habitat quality use depended on scale, with bears translocated to less familiar environments accessing higher quality areas at a finer scale than bears translocated to familiar habitats. We emphasize the need to account for wildlife behavioral traits and habitat characteristics at multiple scales when selecting suitable translocation locations. Understanding the role of factors such as these on translocation outcome will help ensure the success of translocations not only as a method for managing problem wildlife, but also for population restoration, species reestablishment, and conservation translocations across the globe.     

The snake hiss: potential acoustic mimicry in a viper–colubrid complex

Examples of acoustic Batesian mimicry are scarce, in contrast to visual mimicry. Here we describe a potential case of acoustic mimicry of a venomous viper model by harmless viperine snakes (colubrid). Viperine snakes resemble vipers in size, shape, colour, pattern, and anti‐predatory behaviours, including head flattening, false strikes, and hissing. We sought to investigate whether hissing evolved as part of, or separately to, the viper mimic syndrome. To do this, we recorded and analysed the hissing sounds of several individual asp vipers, viperine snakes, and grass snakes (a close relative of viperine snakes that hisses but does not mimic the asp viper). Frequencies consistently ranged from 40 to 12 000 Hz across species and individuals. All vipers (100%) and most viperine snakes (84%) produced inhalation hissing sounds, in comparison to only 25% of grass snakes. Inhalation hissing sounds lasted longer in vipers than in viperine snakes. The hissing‐sound composition of grass snakes differed significantly from that of both asp vipers and viperine snakes; however, the hissing‐sound composition between viperine snakes and asp vipers was not statistically distinguishable. Whilst grass snake hissing sounds were characterized by high frequencies (5000–10 000 Hz), both vipers and viperine snake hissing sounds were dominated by low frequencies (200–400 Hz). A principal component analysis revealed no overlap between grass snakes and vipers, but important overlaps between viperine snakes and vipers, and between viperine snakes and grass snakes. The likelihood that these overlaps respectively reflect natural selection for Batesian mimicry and phylogeny constraints is discussed. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113 , 1107–1114.     

The impact of transportation and translocation on dispersal behaviour in the invasive cane toad

Biological invasions transport organisms to novel environments; but how does the translocation process influence movement patterns of the invader? Plausibly, the stress of encountering a novel environment, or of the transport process, might induce rapid dispersal from the release site—potentially enhancing (or reducing) invader success and spread. We investigated the effect of transportation and release to novel environments on dispersal-relevant traits of one of the world’s most notorious invaders, the cane toad (Rhinella marina). We collected toads in northern New South Wales from heath and woodland habitats, manipulated the level of transport stress and either returned toads to their exact collection point (residents) or reciprocally translocated them to a novel site. Both translocation and the level of transport stress drastically altered toad dispersal rates for at least 5 days post-release. Translocated toads (depending on their level of transport stress and release habitat) moved on average two to five times further per day (mean range 67–148 m) than did residents (mean range 22–34 m). Translocated toads also moved on more days, and moved further from their release point than did resident toads, but did not move in straighter lines. A higher level of transport stress (simulating long-distance translocation) had no significant effect on movements of resident toads but amplified the dispersal of translocated toads only when released into woodland habitat. These behavioural shifts induced by translocation and transportation may affect an invader’s ability to colonise novel sites, and need to be incorporated into plans for invader control.     

Homing of invasive Burmese pythons in South Florida: evidence for map and compass senses in snakes

Navigational ability is a critical component of an animal''s spatial ecology and may influence the invasive potential of species. Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are apex predators invasive to South Florida. We tracked the movements of 12 adult Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park, six of which were translocated 21–36 km from their capture locations. Translocated snakes oriented movement homeward relative to the capture location, and five of six snakes returned to within 5 km of the original capture location. Translocated snakes moved straighter and faster than control snakes and displayed movement path structure indicative of oriented movement. This study provides evidence that Burmese pythons have navigational map and compass senses and has implications for predictions of spatial spread and impacts as well as our understanding of reptile cognitive abilities.     

川西高原山地美味牛肝菌气候生态适宜性及潜在分布

利用数字高程模型(DEM)数据、土地覆盖栅格数据、四川省52个站点和4个其他省市站点的气象观测数据,基于美味牛肝菌的生物学特性,结合前人研究成果,系统分析了川西高原山地美味牛肝菌的气候生态适宜性。选取气温、降水、植被等影响因子作为区划指标,应用集优法,通过GIS分析本区美味牛肝菌资源的潜在分布。结果表明: 美味牛肝菌潜在分布区的北界在32° N附近,海拔上限约为3000 m,下限约为800 m,总面积约286.3万hm²,约占研究区整个行政区域面积的9.7%;29° N以南的攀西地区是美味牛肝菌的主要潜在分布区,核心分布区在攀西地区中南部,攀西分布区面积约占全部潜在分布区的90%,其中,适宜区面积约占20%,次适宜面积约占80%。适宜区主要分布于攀西地区雅砻江以东的安宁河流域、海拔1000~2600 m的山区;次适宜区主要是适宜区分别向上、向下延伸到海拔3000和800 m左右的林区;海拔3000 m以上的高原高山区和海拔800 m以下的干热河谷区为不适宜区。     

滦河流域河岸带入侵植物分布特征及其与环境的关系

根据滦河流域河岸带56个样点的植被调查,研究入侵植物种类,其组成特征、空间分布,及其与环境因子的关系.结果表明: 滦河流域河岸带共记录入侵植物26种,属12科19属,其中菊科和苋科植物为优势科,占入侵植物总数的50%,一年生植物占总数的73.1%,反枝苋、大狼杷草、小藜是出现频数最高的3种植物;样点的入侵种数、入侵强度与海拔呈显著负相关;人类活动强度对入侵植物分布有显著影响,人口密集、交通便利、人类活动频繁的平原区,水库众多的浅山区,以及中游段旅游业发达的承德市周边山区是入侵植物集中分布的区域;人口分布较稀的高原地区只出现几种宽生态幅的入侵物种.总体上,滦河流域河岸带入侵等级高的植物主要分布在400 m以下的中低海拔地区,除反枝苋外,其他高等级入侵物种尚未扩散进入高海拔地区.     

Effectiveness of Short-Distance Translocation and its Effects on Western Rattlesnakes

ABSTRACT Short-distance translocation (SDT) is commonly used to mitigate snake-human interactions, yet little is known about its effectiveness or its effects on behavior and welfare of snakes. Between April 2004 and October 2005, we evaluated SDT as a conservation and management tool by investigating how 500-m SDT affected spatial ecology, body condition, and behavior of western rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) surgically implanted with radiotransmitters in a field study near Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada. Of 14 rattlesnakes subjected to SDT, 12 (85.7%) returned on ≥1 occasion (range 1–7 times) to the general area they were removed from. Rattlesnakes that underwent SDT showed an increase in total distance moved over an active season compared to non-translocated snakes, but there was no evidence to suggest SDT had an effect on activity range size. There was no evidence to suggest SDT affected body condition, behavior, or mortality rates. Short-distance translocation to high-quality undisturbed habitats was unsuccessful as a long-term solution to snake-human conflict because most translocated snakes returned to conflict areas within a short time (x̄x = 19.9 ± 8.7 days). However, SDT may be an effective short-term tool to manage snake-human conflict in areas where human presence is seasonal or short-lived if careful attention is paid to species-specific biological needs, habitat quality at the release site, and the location of the release site in relation to conflict areas.     

Translocation as a conservation tool for Agassiz's desert tortoises: Survivorship,reproduction, and movements

We translocated 120 Agassiz's desert tortoises to 5 sites in Nevada and Utah to evaluate the effects of translocation on tortoise survivorship, reproduction, and habitat use. Translocation sites included several elevations, and extended to sites with vegetation assemblages not typically associated with desert tortoises in order to explore the possibility of moving animals to upper elevation areas. We measured survivorship, reproduction, and movements of translocated and resident animals at each site. Survivorship was not significantly different between translocated and resident animals within and among sites, and survivorship was greater overall during non-drought years. The number of eggs produced by tortoises was similar for translocated and resident females, but differed among sites. Animals translocated to atypical habitat generally moved until they reached vegetation communities more typical of desert tortoise habitat. Even within typical tortoise habitat, tortoises tended to move greater distances in the first year after translocation than did residents, but their movements in the second or third year after translocation were indistinguishable from those of resident tortoises. Our data show that tortoises translocated into typical Mojave desert scrub habitats perform well; however, the large first-year movements of translocated tortoises have important management implications. Projects that employ translocations must consider how much area will be needed to contain translocated tortoises and whether roads need fencing to prevent the loss of animals. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

The extra-limital spread of an invasive species via 'stowaway' dispersal: toad to nowhere?

The mechanisms by which invasive species spread through new areas can influence the spatial scale of their impact. Although previous research has focused on 'natural' dispersal rates following initial introductions, human-aided inadvertent dispersal by 'stowaways' on commercial and domestic transport is thought to be a major contributor to long-distance dispersal. Few data exist to support this assumption. Cane toads Bufo marinus were introduced to north-eastern Australia in 1935, and have since dispersed rapidly through the tropics. Based on information accumulated by community groups in Sydney, 400 km south of the cane toads' current Australian distribution, we document high rates of translocation (at least 50 toads arriving in Sydney per year). Most toads were translocated on commercial truck transport carrying landscaping and building materials from the current range of the cane toads in New South Wales and Queensland, and resulted in highly clumped locations of toad arrival reflecting primary truck transport destinations. Most introductions involved single toads (68 of 102 translocation events), but some introductions involved two to 19 animals. Adults of both sexes were represented equally but juveniles were rarely detected. High rates of translocation of adult toads of both sexes suggest that the eventual distribution of cane toads in Australia may be limited by the animals' bioclimatic tolerances rather than by an inability to reach suitable habitats, even in areas far distant from the toads' current range.     

Do snakes represent the principal predatory threat to callitrichids? Fatal attack of a viper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bothrops leucurus</Emphasis>) on a common marmoset (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Callithrix jacchus</Emphasis>) in the Atlantic Forest of the Brazilian Northeast

A juvenile common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) was attacked by a whitetail lancehead viper (Bothrops leucurus) while playing with other group members close to the ground at a site in northeastern Brazil. The attack was almost immediately fatal, but the viper was unable to ingest the body of the marmoset. After approximately 10 min, during which it attempted to swallow the marmoset a number of times, the viper moved away, abandoning the body. While raptors are the principal predators of callitrichids, this record reinforces the relative vulnerability of these primates to snakes in comparison with other platyrrhines, although the small number of recorded events precludes a more definitive analysis of the phenomenon.     

湖南莽山国家级自然保护区两栖动物资源调查与分析

为掌握野生动物资源现状,促进自然保护区的有效管理,2008～2011年,作者每年在湖南莽山国家级自然保护区(以下简称莽山自然保护区)对10条调查样带(长3～6 km,单侧宽5 m)内的两栖动物资源进行实地调查,同时将该保护区海拔400～1 800 m的区域按200 m均匀地分为7个海拔小带,对两栖动物垂直分布特点进行研究。结果显示,莽山自然保护区现已记录两栖类36种,隶属2目7科。其中以蛙科17种和角蟾科6种为多;其动物区系组成以34种东洋界种类占明显优势,并以17种华中区与华南区共有种为主;有国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物1种,中国特有种12种。寒露林蛙(Rana hanluica)、棘腹蛙(Paa boulengeri)和中国雨蛙(Hyla chinensis)为莽山自然保护区两栖动物新纪录。莽山自然保护区两栖动物垂直分布现象较明显,大致以海拔1 400 m为分界点,两栖动物物种组成有较大变化;海拔600～800 m小带的物种数最多。最后基于历史资料,分析了两栖动物多样性的历史变迁。     

Waif Gopher Tortoise Survival and Site Fidelity Following Translocation

Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are among the most commonly translocated reptiles. Waif tortoises are animals frequently of unknown origin that have been displaced from the wild and often held in human possession for various reasons and durations. Although there are risks associated with any translocation, waif tortoises are generally excluded from translocation projects because of heightened concerns of introducing pathogens and uncertainty about the post-release survival of these individuals. If these risks could be managed, waif tortoises could have conservation value because they can provide the needed numbers to stabilize populations. In the early 1990s, the discovery of an isolated population of gopher tortoises (≤15 individuals) near Aiken, South Carolina, USA, prioritized establishment of the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve (AGTHP). Because of the population's need for augmentation and the site's isolation from other tortoise populations, the AGTHP provided the opportunity to evaluate the post-release survival of translocated waif tortoises without compromising a viable population. Since 2006, >260 waif tortoises have been introduced to the preserve. Using a Cormack-Jolly-Seber modeling framework to analyze release records and capture histories from trapping efforts in 2017 and 2018, we estimated the long-term apparent survival and site fidelity of this population composed largely of waif tortoises. We estimated annual apparent survival probabilities to be high (≥0.90) for subadult, adult male, and adult female tortoises, and these rates were similar to those reported for wild-to-wild translocated gopher tortoises and those from unmanipulated populations. Of the tortoises recaptured within the boundaries of the preserve, 75% were located within 400 m of their release location. These results suggest that waif tortoises could be an important resource in reducing the extirpation risk of isolated populations. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

木莲(Manglietia fordiana)的适生分布、影响因子与保护空缺研究

生境保护是维持生物多样性的基本途径,南方山地阔叶林维系着当地的生物多样性热点,而由于保护覆盖不足,保护效果亟待提高。以典型山地阔叶林树种木莲（Manglietia fordiana）为例,通过大尺度采集发生点,预测适生分布,获知影响其适生分布的关键因子。同时,以九连山种群进行案例研究,调查地方尺度下木莲植株的发生,了解其在山地地形、植被类型的选择特征。用MaxEnt构建最佳模型预测适生区,结果显示木莲适生区主体位于中国南部、西南部山地（如戴云山、南岭、罗霄山、武夷山等）,向北延至大别山南坡,向西达横断山脉。木莲适生分布主要受最干月降水量（bio14,贡献率34.6%）、海拔高度（19.2%）、温度季节性变化标准差（bio4,15.6%）、最暖季降水量（bio18,12.0%）、最冷月最低温度（bio6,7.0%）影响,其60%适生概率范围或生态位bio14为30-55mm、海拔为400-1500m、bio18为500-800mm等。在适生区基础上,叠加考虑阔叶林分布,并选择其偏好海拔高度（>700m）提取获得木莲优先保护区,经与现有自然保护区叠加分析后,进行空缺识别,结果显示优先区保护覆盖为4.1%-6.0%,而高适生区保护覆盖也<10%（占比8.03%）,覆盖比重较低。而沿<400m、400-700m、>700m海拔梯度显示>700m区域保护比重（8.7%）明显高于400-700m （4.4%）与<400（2.3%）组,说明前期保护区设计基本遵从优先区保护原则,能有效保护木莲高适生区。同样的,九连山保护区案例显示,当地木莲51.4%高适宜生境受到核心区的严格保护。研究结果表明,仍需在黄山-天目山区、苗岭东段、高黎贡山北段与南段、中越边界山区与广东西南山区6个空缺提高保护覆盖,通过建立新的自然保护区,优化当前保护网络,提高山地阔叶林的整体保护水平。     

Clearing Width and Movements of Understory Rainforest Birds1

We assessed the capacity of three species of disturbance‐sensitive understory birds to traverse a highway (50–75 m width) and large farm clearing (250 m width), by radio‐tracking translocated individuals in central Amazonia, Brazil. Most individuals translocated across the highway (eight of nine birds) or moved within continuous forest (five of seven birds) returned to their home ranges, whereas none of five birds moved across the large clearing returned. Our results suggest that large clearings (>250 m width) can significantly reduce the movements of some understory rainforest birds.     

Spatial patterns,ecological niches,and interspecific competition of avian brood parasites: inferring from a case study of Korea

Since obligate avian brood parasites depend completely on the effort of other host species for rearing their progeny, the availability of hosts will be a critical resource for their life history. Circumstantial evidence suggests that intense competition for host species may exist not only within but also between species. So far, however, few studies have demonstrated whether the interspecific competition really occurs in the system of avian brood parasitism and how the nature of brood parasitism is related to their niche evolution. Using the occurrence data of five avian brood parasites from two sources of nationwide bird surveys in South Korea and publically available environmental/climatic data, we identified their distribution patterns and ecological niches, and applied species distribution modeling to infer the effect of interspecific competition on their spatial distribution. We found that the distribution patterns of five avian brood parasites could be characterized by altitude and climatic conditions, but overall their spatial ranges and ecological niches extensively overlapped with each other. We also found that the predicted distribution areas of each species were generally comparable to the realized distribution areas, and the numbers of individuals in areas where multiple species were predicted to coexist showed positive relationships among species. In conclusion, despite following different coevolutionary trajectories to adapt to their respect host species, five species of avian brood parasites breeding in South Korea occupied broadly similar ecological niches, implying that they tend to conserve ancestral preferences for ecological conditions. Furthermore, our results indicated that contrary to expectation interspecific competition for host availability between avian brood parasites seemed to be trivial, and thus, play little role in shaping their spatial distributions and ecological niches. Future studies, including the complete ranges of avian brood parasites and ecological niches of host species, will be worthwhile to further elucidate these issues.