Genetic individualization of sable (Martes zibellina L. 1758) using microsatellites

Genetic individualization based on non-invasive sampling is crucial for estimating the numbers of individuals in endangered mammalian populations. In sable (Martes zibellina)-poaching cases, identifying the number of animals involved is critical for determining the penalty. In addition, investigating animal numbers for wild sable populations requires genetic individualization when collecting several samples in neighboring regions. Microsatellites have been demonstrated to be reliable markers for individual identification. Thirty-three microsatellite loci derived from Mustelidae were selected to develop a genetic individualization method for sable. Three reference populations containing 54 unrelated sables were used to calculate allele number, allelic frequencies, and the polymorphic information content of each locus. The data were subsequently used to assess the validity of a combination of twelve loci for sable individualization. We defined twelve polymorphic loci that were easy to be amplified and genotyped. Four significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed among the 12?loci in the three populations. The match probability of an individual from the reference populations with a random individual based on the 12?loci was 1.37?×?10^?13. Using the combination of the twelve loci provides sufficient power to individualize sables considering the levels of microsatellite polymorphism observed. These loci were successfully applied to a case of sable poaching and provided valid evidence to determine the penalty. The genetic individualization of sable based on these loci might also be useful to investigate the numbers of animals in wild populations.     

The control of progression order in a captive herd of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger)

A small herd of captive sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) was observed repeatedly while progressing through a gate connecting a pasture to a corral. The ordinal position of each herd member was recorded during each progression. These data were analyzed quantitatively with respect to three models of progression order control and one of random ordering. An end point-control model, stating that the oldest female of a progression occupies the first position while the remainder of the animals randomly distribute themselves within the progression, accounts for the data. These results are related to both protection and resource learning theories of progression order. The terminology used in the study of leadership and ordinal progressions is discussed as well.     

Decline of sable antelope in one of its key conservation areas: the greater Hwange ecosystem,Zimbabwe

Land use has major effects on wildlife conservation. We studied variations of sable antelope Hippotragus niger densities between 1990 and 2001 in comparison with various land uses in and around Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Trends of other ungulates, including elephant Loxodonta africana, were examined simultaneously, because sable may be sensitive to forage and apparent competition and to high elephant densities. Sable densities declined in the whole region, very likely because of adverse rainfall conditions. Densities were constantly higher in the hunting areas and forestry lands than in the national park. Interestingly, elephant densities showed the opposite, with higher densities in the national park than in the adjacent areas. Whether these results reflect a negative effect of high elephant numbers on sable must still be tested directly. Likewise, while habitat characteristics and lion predation did not appear responsible for the higher sable densities outside the national park, they could not be discounted as an influence on the differing sable densities in different land‐use areas. It is clear, however, that high protection status is not always sufficient to ensure adequate conservation of flagship species. We therefore call for further investigations of ecological interactions within protected areas.     

Geographic characteristics of sable (Martes zibellina) distribution over time in Northeast China

Understanding historical context can help clarify the ecological and biogeographic characteristics of species population changes. The sable (Martes zibellina ) population has decreased dramatically in Northeast China since the l950s, and understanding the changes in its distribution over time is necessary to support conservation efforts. To achieve this goal, we integrated ecological niche modeling and historical records of sables to estimate the magnitude of change in their distribution over time. Our results revealed a 51.71% reduction in their distribution in 2000–2016 compared with the potential distribution in the 1950s. This reduction was related to climate change (Pearson's correlation: Bio1, ?.962, p  < .01; Bio2, ?.962, p  < .01; Bio5, .817, p  < .05; Bio6, .847, p  < .05) and human population size (?.956, p  < .01). The sable population tended to migrate in different directions and elevations over time in different areas due to climate change: In the Greater Khingan Mountains, they moved northward and to lower elevations; in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, they moved northward; and in the Changbai Mountains, they move southward and to higher elevations. Active conservation strategies should be considered in locations where sable populations have migrated or may migrate to.     

紫貂秋季生境选择的初步研究

采用无线电跟踪技术和全球定位系统（ＧＰＳ）对大兴安岭地区紫貂（Ｍａｒｔｅｓ ｚｉｂｅｌｌｉｎａ）秋季的生境选择进行研究。秋季紫貂对优势树种（以落叶松为主,７２％）、中下坡位（９０％）、小树密度（Ｐ＝０．０００４）、大树密度（Ｐ＝０００１）、大树胸径（Ｐ＝０．０００１）、倒木长度（Ｐ＝０．０００６）及密度（Ｐ＝０．０００１）都有一定的选择性,对坡向,灌丛盖度的选择性不明显,对中等盖度的林地有一定的选     

Home range occupation and habitat use of sable antelope in the Okavango Delta region of northern Botswana

Animals selectively utilize their environments within a hierarchical framework. Our study addressed how the home ranges of sable antelope selectively incorporated the landscape and habitat types available to them. It was conducted in a region of northern Botswana where the sable population was expected to be thriving, in contrast to their threatened status in the wild in South Africa. The movements and habitat use of three neighbouring sable herds were recorded by global positioning system (GPS) telemetry during parts of the seasonal cycle in a region adjoining the seasonally flooded Okavango Delta. Total home range extents covered by these herds were larger than those found for sable in other areas, and local population densities, taking into account the herd sizes, were accordingly lower than in these other areas. Access to surface water appeared to be the main limitation on seasonal home range occupation. Almost all of the local vegetation types were utilized, but sable herds generally favoured dryland grassland during the dry season and floodplain grassland during the wet season, contrary to what we had expected. Hence, it appeared that local home range occupation and habitat use by the three sable antelope herds could be influenced more by interactions with potential competitors and predators than by intrinsic habitat suitability.     

Observations of maternal-infant interactions in a captive herd of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger)

The New York Zoological Society's captive-breeding program on St Catherine's Island, Georgia, includes a herd of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger). Two aspects of mother-infant interactions, nursing and hiding, are described herein. Three younger calves, up to 6 d of age, and three older calves, 8 to 50 d of age, were the subjects of focal-animal and continuous observations and instantaneous time-point samples. Two of the younger calves were born to multiparous cows. One cow was primiparous. Between the three calves, quantitative differences in nursing episodes were found in the mean duration (1.7–3.6 min), mean number per d (1.0–8.6 episodes), and mean total time per d (2.6–14.6 min). Despite these differences, all calves thrived. The multiparous cows exhibited a pattern described in captive and wild ungulates: approaching their calves prior to nursing before the calves emitted any response; and nursing their calves early and late in the day. The cows also exhibited nursing-time synchrony. Three instances of calves suckling younger calves' mothers are also described. Two new interpretations of the function of hiding behavior are offered: (1) If older calves exploit the inexperience of newborn calves by nursing from their mothers, then younger calves may benefit by hiding out of the view of other herd members. Hiding behavior may result from intercalf competition; and (2) if newborns vacillate between arousal-increasing and arousal-reducing activities, then “hider” species may hide to attain arousal-reduction.     

DNA-led rediscovery of the giant sable antelope in Angola

The giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani), unique to Angola, was feared extinct after almost three decades of civil war. Comparisons of mitochondrial DNA sequences derived from dung samples recently collected in the field and from old museum specimens of certain provenance provide the first documented evidence to date that this enigmatic antelope has survived. Its DNA-led rediscovery in the former combat zone was subsequently confirmed by photographic evidence. The Angolan isolate constitutes a distinct monophyletic group that shows a dramatic population decline from historic levels. It represents a diagnosable conservation unit which is characterised by unique cranial morphological features (Blaine 1922 1922:317–339), a highly restricted range, and the presence of fixed genetic differences in all of its common relatives.