Abstract This study investigated how mammal communities responded to crop type, crop development stage, and distance from forest fragments in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We examined mammal diversity in annual crops (corn and soybeans) in Southern Brazil, testing three hypotheses: (a) crop types support distinct mammal communities, (b) diversity decreases with distance from forest fragments, and (c) mammal presence varies across crop development stages. Camera traps and pitfall traps were deployed across seven sites during 2020–2021 to monitor small and medium-large mammals. Crop type significantly influenced mammal communities, with corn fields showing higher trapping efficiency than soybeans, particularly for medium-large mammals. Species richness and capture efficiency declined as distance from forest fragments increased, regardless of crop type. Temporal patterns differed between groups: small mammals were more prevalent during later crop stages, while medium-large mammals were more active during early development, especially in corn. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining vegetative fragments within agricultural matrices and accounting for temporal wildlife activity patterns. Results contribute to developing wildlife-friendly farming practices and conservation strategies in agricultural landscapes of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
Abstract Julio R. Contreras (1933–2017) was an Argentinian naturalist who dedicated a great part of his life in the study of the genus Ctenomys (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae), particularly in Argentina and Paraguay, describing several new species. In this paper we complement the taxonomic work of Contreras, offering some corrections to the authorship of Ctenomys argentinus and Ctenomys paraguayensis . We restrict the type locality of the Paraguayan endemic Ctenomys dorsalis and provide the basis in the Code of Zoological Nomenclature that demonstrates the validity of the name Ctenomys pilarensis Contreras, 1993.
Bats of the monotypic family Rhinopomatidae occur in a belt of arid regions from Senegal to Bengal, and within this range, one to six species were recognised historically. The recent genetic analysis revealed within the single genus Rhinopoma five lineages and seven sublineages defined by the analysis of nuclear markers and six lineages and ten sublineages by the analysis of mitochondrial markers. Our aim was an analysis of morphologic variation of the genus and the synthesis of its results with a molecular genetic evidence. Our morphometric comparison revealed seven basic morphotypes; five of them corresponded with the genetic partitioning of the genus, being associated with five species, plus two additional morphotypes were separated. The revised taxonomic arrangement of Rhinopomatidae here suggested contains six species, comparing the last review, the existence of one species is rejected and one species is newly described. Most of the species represent well defined morphotypes that correspond to the nuclear DNA, just one morphotype remains defined only morphologically. Three species are considered monotypic and three polytypic with two to three subspecies recognised. The subspecies of two species are defined both morphologically and genetically, while in Rhinopoma cystops morphological evidence did not reveal marked geographical variation.
This study documents the first camera-trap photographic evidence of the Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), classified as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN, in and around Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. Camera traps (n = 12) were deployed to study the ecology of the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Ratel (Mellivora capensis) in the region, totalling 58 camera trap nights, recorded detection of the species. This detection marks a significant extension of its known distribution in the state, and it also enriches the documented biodiversity of Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary. Further monitoring is crucial which could help assess a deeper understanding of the ecological dynamics of T. quadricornis in this region.
Abstract Myotis moratellii , a recently described species, is currently known from only eight localities on the western slopes of Ecuador, with limited information on its natural history and morphological variability. Based on comparative morphological and morphometric analyses of museum specimens, we document the first records of M. moratellii in Peru (Tumbes Department), extending its known geographic range 32 km southwest from its previously southernmost locality in El Oro Province, Ecuador. We also report morphological variation in M. moratellii , and propose novel diagnostic characters, enhancing its differentiation from Myotis keaysi . Moreover, we provided field observations and a detailed description of its associated habitats, contributing new information on the species’ natural history. Our findings suggest a distribution associated with the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena ecoregion, a biogeographically unique and highly threatened area. Finally, we highlight the value of re-examining museum specimens for documenting poorly known bat species and emphasize the urgent need for further field surveys in northwestern Peru.
Abstract In this note, we report observations of American mink ( Neogale vison ) in an urban ecosystem, specifically along the ring road separating the riparian zone of the Tormes River from the city centre of Salamanca. Up to six individuals were observed outside the riparian area, close to urban green spaces. Based on previous studies conducted in the same location, it appears that there is a trend towards the use of urban habitats by American mink, moving away from the riverbank. Intensive monitoring and targeted eradication efforts are recommended to assess the true impact of this mink population in urban-natural interfaces, particularly on local vertebrate communities.
This study analyzed the activity patterns of medium and large sized mammals in a human-modified landscape to assess whether agriculture and ecotourism influence their diel rhythms. Understanding these patterns is crucial, as behavioral changes can affect ecological processes and conservation. Research was conducted at San Francisco Farm, in the Pantanal-Cerrado ecotone, which includes rice paddies, pastures, native areas, and ecotourism. Camera traps were deployed across three environments during two campaigns, totaling 5,200 trap nights. From 115,395 images, 3,228 independent records of 25 species were obtained. Most species showed expected activity patterns, but some exhibited flexibility. The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) was mainly nocturnal in pastures but diurnal in native areas, likely related to thermoregulation. The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) showed cathemeral activity, alternating between day and night. Generalist species such as the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) were more active in modified areas, indicating adaptability to resource availability. Seven species (28 %) occurred in all three environments. Overall, agriculture and ecotourism showed limited influence on mammal activity, suggesting that agroecotourism can reconcile productive land use with biodiversity conservation.
Lagidium wolffsohni is one of the largest living chinchillids and among South America's least studied rodents, and it is endemic to the high-Andean rocky environments of Patagonia. We report new records of L. cf. L. wolffsohni in Chile's La Araucania Region, extending its northern range by 144 km. From 2023 to 2025, camera-trap surveys yielded 241 independent detections over 1,132 trap days between 1,620 and 1,800 m a.s.l. The species showed nocturnal, bimodal activity, with adults and juveniles indicating one annual reproductive event. These findings extend their ecological range into Andean temperate ecosystems and highlight the need for genetic and long-term monitoring to guide conservation efforts.
The recent splitting of the golden jackal, Canis aureus, into two species, including the African (golden) wolf, has resulted in uncertainty over which species name should be used for this taxon. Canis anthus Cuvier, 1820 is the earliest name based on a female from Senegal, but there is uncertainty as to which species this represents, because the whereabouts of the holotype are unknown. Instead, many recent authors have proposed using Canis lupaster Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1833, because the holotype is extant and represents the African wolf as now understood. In this paper, we present evidence that a mounted skin of a female canid from Senegal in the collection of the Mus & eacute;um National d'Histoire Naturelle is most likely the missing holotype of C. anthus. Therefore, we recommend that the species name for the African wolf should be C. anthus and that C. lupaster is a junior synonym.
Cebus malitiosus Elliot, 1909 occurs along the north-eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia. The species was described from material collected by Herbert H. Smith on 27 October 1898 near Bonda, at the northwestern base of the Sierra Nevada. The holotype is in the American Museum of Natural History, New York, accession number AMNH 14620. During a review of gracile capuchin monkey specimens, we found that the holotype of C. malitiosus is composed of two individuals: one the skin of a female and the other a skull of a male. Three other specimens collected on the same day have similar mismatches in their labelling, with two also having specimens from different individuals. Here we comment on the diagnosis of C. malitiosus since the original description assigned two individuals as the species' holotype. Based on J. A. Allen's report on H. H. Smith's expedition, which indicates that specimen AMNH 14620 was a male, we recommend retaining the skull as the holotype and removing the female skin from the type series.
Effective management of flying foxes (Family Pteropodidae) is hampered by a lack of detailed understanding of their movements, particularly in the context of limiting zoonoses risk. To address this, we used solar-powered GPS tags to track eight flying foxes, mostly males, belonging to three sympatric species (2 Acerodon jubatus, 5 Pteropus hypomelanus, 1 P. vampyrus) in the Philippines to describe their movement patterns and habitat use. The tags transmitted data for a mean of 13 nights (range: 1-45 nights). Across all three species, the mean nightly linear distance flown by a flying fox away from the roost was 10.89 km (A. jubatus = 18.85 km, P. hypomelanus = 7.6 km, P. vampyrus = 11.5 km). Flying foxes were frequently observed using built-up and agricultural areas. Our study supports the mobile nature of flying foxes, is the first to document the movement patterns of P. hypomelanus using GPS tags, and demonstrates that all three species can use habitats heavily modified by humans. To limit zoonoses risk, we recommend protecting flying foxes and their habitats, minimizing bat-human interactions in identified foraging areas, promoting biodiversity conservation, and encouraging collaboration among different stakeholders for the successful management of flying fox populations.
Understanding the nutritional ecology of threatened ungulates can guide habitat management in heterogeneous Mediterranean landscapes. We assessed the nutritional quality and potential energetic adequacy of key spring forage plants consumed by the vulnerable Cuvier's gazelle in Djebel Messa & acirc;d forest (north-central Algeria). Based on prior diet analyses, we sampled 12 forage species and quantified dry matter, ash, fibre fractions and crude protein. We then predicted dry matter digestibility and metabolisable energy from published equations and compared predicted energy content with published allometric estimates of gazelle energy requirements for maintenance and higher-cost states (activity and lactation). Nutritional profiles varied strongly among species. Grasses dominated by Stipa species showed high fibre and low crude protein, whereas several dicotyledons and the grass Koeleria vallesiana had comparatively higher protein and lower digestibility constraints. Multivariate ordination indicated only weak grouping by forage category, highlighting species-level nutritional complementarity within the forest mosaic. Predicted metabolisable energy ranged from 6.2 to 9.3 MJ kg-1 of dry matter, suggesting that spring forage can generally support maintenance requirements, whereas meeting lactation or high-activity demands may depend on access to higher-energy species. These results highlight the conservation value of maintaining habitat heterogeneity in Mediterranean forest mosaics to provide complementary forage resources during spring.
An echolocation call library has been established for 21 bat species from Saudi Arabia, including calls for 10 species recorded for the first time (Rhinopoma microphyllum (Br & uuml;nnich, 1782), Rhinolophus clivosus Cretzschmar, 1828, Taphozous nudiventris Cretzschmar, 1830, Taphozous perforatus (& Eacute;. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818), Nycteris thebaica & Eacute;. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818, Chaerephon nigeriae (Thomas, 1913), Chaerephon pumilus (Cretzschmar, 1830), Plecotus christii Gray, 1838, Rhyneptesicus nasutus (Dobson, 1877), and Myotis emarginatus (& Eacute;. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1806)). Variations in calls were observed among different populations of some species in Saudi Arabia (e.g. Asellia tridens (& Eacute;. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1813), R. clivosus, Nycteris thebaica, and Pipistrellus kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817)). Calls have been compared with other populations within their distribution range in the Middle East.
Carollia perspicillata is one of the most widespread and abundant phyllostomid bats in the Neotropics. This study is focused on the wing morphology of four populations of C. perspicillata in Bahia state, Brazil. Although previous studies have reported morphological variability within the genus, most have focused on parameters such as body size and mass; consequently, consensus regarding sexual dimorphism and intraspecific variation remains limited. Using geometric morphometric analyses of 190 specimens, we examined the mean shape of the right wing to asses differences among populations and between sexes. Our results revealed no significant sexual dimorphism in wing shape. Nevertheless, an interpopulational morphological variation was observed. The population from Chapada Diamantina National Park, an area with predominantly open vegetation and a contrasting climate, exhibited the most distinct wing morphology, with narrower and more elongated wings shape. In contrast, populations from Ituber & aacute;, Una, and Ilh & eacute;us, located in Atlantic Forest fragments, displayed wider wings. These morphological differences were not associated with allometry and likely reflect environmental selective pressures, suggesting that habitat structure influences wing morphology. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of geometric morphometrics in detecting subtle shape variations and emphasizes habitat structure as a key determinant of bat wing morphology.
The diet of the greater noctule Nyctalus lasiopterus was investigated by morphological inspection of prey remains and DNA barcoding from faecal pellets. Morphological analyses confirmed the occurrence of both invertebrate and vertebrate prey. Molecular analyses were only conducted on vertebrate remains, and revealed the presence of both avian and chiropteran prey. Bird remains belonged to two resident, cavity-nesting species (Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea and Eurasian blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus), suggesting bats also hunt within tree cavities. Remarkably, bat hairs recovered from one pellet were genetically identified as belonging to the common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, representing the first molecularly confirmed evidence of bat-on-bat predation by a European bat species. Although based on a low sample size, these findings expand the known trophic niche of N. lasiopterus and suggest that vertebrate predation by insectivorous bats may be more widespread than currently documented.
The Oltenia blind mole-rat Spalax istricus is a poorly known and potentially extinct European rodent, and substantial additions are still required to understand its status. We review the available evidence on the species, provide the first nucleotide sequence data, and report results of extensive field surveys conducted in 2024-2025. Only seven museum vouchers of S. istricus are known, collected between 1901 and 1983 from four counties in Romania and deposited in four museum collections. From two of these, collected in 1982-1983, we successfully reconstructed 1,122 bp cytochrome b (cytb) sequences. Phylogenetic analysis including all seven currently recognized species of Spalax recovered S. istricus as sister group to S. antiquus, with Spalax graecus holding sister position with respect to this clade. The Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distance between S. istricus and S. antiquus (similar to 0.03) is among the lowest interspecific divergences reported in the genus, supporting treatment of S. istricus as a subspecies of S. antiquus. Field surveys covering 211 sites across Oltenia failed to confirm the species' presence. Given the cryptic ecology of mole-rats and their potential to persist undetected, we refrain from drawing firm conclusions regarding the current conservation status of Spalax antiquus istricus.
The Syrian brush-tailed mouse Calomyscus tsolovi Peshev, 1991, known only from a small hypodigm obtained in southern Syria in 1982, has not been recorded since its original discovery. The species may represent one of the most enigmatic small mammals in the Middle East. Here, we summarize all available information on C. tsolovi, discuss possible causes for its excessive rarity, and highlight the urgent need for targeted field surveys to verify its continued existence.
Observation and camera traps were employed to document leucisistic and normal banteng (Bos javanicus). In 2016, the first leucistic banteng was found in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2022, this leucistic individual was seen together with both a one-year-old and a two-year-old leucistic banteng in a saltlick 240 m from the river. These were assumed to be calves of a mature leucistic female. Pure white (leucism) and creamy (isabellinism) color patterns were observed. In 2025, five leucistic bantengs were found in the same saltlick. This finding could contribute to planning for the welfare and conservation of leucistic banteng.
In the interaction between Man and his environment, the role of small mammals is often overlooked. Although micromammals are used as an indicator for palaeoenvironments of the Palaeolithic, the role of synanthropic species, from the Holocene is, particularly for Anatolia, insufficiently documented and not well understood. This study reports the discovery of micromammal remains from two archaeological sites in northeastern Turkiye: Niksar Castle and Pulur Hoyuk. So far, the newly discovered fauna consists of a rat (Rattus rattus), a murine (Mus musculus), and a hare (Lepus europaeus) in Niksar Castle, whereas the Macedonian mouse (Mus macedonicus), a mole rat (Spalax leucodon), a hamster (Mesocricetus brandti) and an arvicoline (Microtus sp.) were found in Pulur Hoyuk. The difference between the two assemblages lies in Niksar Castle yielding mostly synanthropic species, whereas the Pulur Hoyuk assemblage has an indigenous wild small mammal fauna.
