88th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology

Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

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Mammalian Biology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/mambio

Abstracts

88th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology

Taxonomic status of Rhinopoma muscatellum Thomas, 1903 (Chiroptera: Rhinopomatidae) in Iran V. Akmali, M. Sharifi, S. Esmaeili-Rineh Department of Biology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, E-mail address: v [email protected] Rhinopoma muscatellum is one of the six mouse-tailed bats (Rhinopomatidae) and is known as an extremely frequent bat in the southern part of Iran with over 52 reported localities. The taxonomic status of R. muscatellum in Iran is not so clear, as different research groups have reported one or two subspecies. In the present study, using morphologic, morphometric and molecular markers, the taxonomy and geographic distribution of R. muscatellum from Iran are reviewed. Analyses of biometric data do not reveal any differences among populations. A multivariate analysis based on cranial and dental characteristics did not reveal any significant differences among populations. Moreover, we present a study of the genetic variability of this species using 584 bp of the mitochondrial D-loop from several localities in Iran. A total of 17 polymorphic sites were recorded including 15 transitions, and 2 transversions. Also, 567 characters were constant and 10 variable characters were parsimony informative. Mean nucleotide composition in the smaller mouse-tailed bat include A: 35.4%, C: 26.5%, T: 26.2% and G: 11.9%. Based on the D-loop sequences nucleotide diversity values () varied from 0.0342 to 0.0068, showing a close relationship among the haplotypes. The statistical parsimony network and phylogenetic analyses (ML and BI) also showed no clear differentiation between the haplotypes in the Iranian samples. Based on molecular and morphological results this study indicates all Iranian specimens of R. muscatellum belong to one subspecies. Therefore, it is recommended that R. m. muscatellum and R. m. seianum can be synonymized as R. m. muscatellum. An artificial bat cave in Turkey: A follow up I˙ . Albayrak Department of Biology, University of Kırıkkale, Kırıkkale, Turkey, Email address: [email protected] Bat population of an artificial cave in Turkey, which was created to replace the original cave that will be inundated due to a dam construction, was observed over four years. The artificial cave was constructed in 2007 and when the time was optimal bats were vacated. In November 2009, the original cave containing http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.07.001 1616-5047/

approximately 18,000 bats was evacuated and bats of the new cave have been under observation since 2010. In May 2010, 1900 individuals were counted belonging five species in artificial cave. A year later, in June, the number of bats in artificial cave was recorded as about 10,000. These bats have been determined to belong to Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros and R. blassii from Rhinolophidae family, Myotis myotis, M. blythii, M. mystacinus, M. capaccinii, M. emarginatus and Miniopterus schreibersii from Vespertilionidae family. In later years, some fluctuations in numbers of species visiting the cave have been seen, and the number of individuals has decreased to 600 in winter months of 2012 and 2013. In July 2013 about 7000 individuals were counted in the cave and dozens of Miniopterus schreibersii were found dead as clinging to the walls of the cave, which was thought to be related to an epidemic. Every year from April, it has been observed that Myotis myotis and M. blythii form large colonies for breeding in the new cave. The last visit to the cave was in April 2014 and total of 2500 individuals belonging four species were found. As a result, after recording the size of artificial cave bat populations in winter and summer months, it was identified that artificial cave is used by more species in breeding period rather than overwintering period. Phylogeny of the genus Gazella S. Allgöwer1 , S. Klaus1 , M. Pfenninger2 , M. Plath1 , H. Lerp3 1 Evolutionary

Ecology Group, J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; 2 Biodiversity und Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany; 3 Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Limited knowledge of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Gazella often hampers conservation efforts for its endangered species. Furthermore, conflicting hypotheses regarding the origin of the genus (i.e., Africa or Asia) were forwarded. To overcome these limitations, we designed and established six nuclear intron markers (derived from the cow and sheep genome) and investigated sequence variation of the new markers, the cytochrome b gene and the 18S gene. We could make use of 37 samples of all nine Gazella species covering almost the entire distribution range of the genus. Using *BEAST we could confirm the monophyly of Gazella with nine extant species and uncovered a clade of Asian origin comprising G. subgutturosa, G. bennettii, G. marica, G. leptoceros and G. cuvieri. Furthermore, we reconstructed the character state combination of gazelle’s ancestors: they were

Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

most likely dessert dwelling mixed feeders, which only bore singletons and females wore horns. Adaptation to a more humid climate, thus, occurred independently at least three times within Gazella leading to two ecologically differentiated species types. Biogeographic analyses further indicate that the ancestral range of the genus Gazella was most likely located in the Middle East. The amount of organic phosphates (like DPG) existing in blood is determining factor of mammal’s bulk R. Amirmardfar Independent Scholar of Tabriz, Iran, E-mail address: [email protected] It is essential that oxygen is transported by the blood to all cells of a mammal at any moment. This ensures survival of all cells in a mammal’s body. In case a mammal’s bulk is large, the distance between cells in different tissues and the mammals’ heart is larger. Therefore, red blood cells in bulky mammal’s bodies should be capable of conveying oxygen to farther distances. To make it practical, oxygen should be glued red blood cells tenaciously. In other words, the cohesion of oxygen to red blood cells should be stronger in bulky than in small mammals. In mammalian bodies, the controlling factor of amount of cohesion of oxygen to red blood cells, are organic phosphates (like DPG). The less DPG in red blood cells of a mammal, the more cohesion of oxygen to red blood cell at the same rate. If oxygen is glued more tenaciously to red blood cells, oxygen could been carried to farther distance allowing mammals to have larger bulk at the same rate. The amount of organic phosphates (e.g. DOG) of red blood cells decreased with increasing size from mouse (45 mmHg), rat (42 mmHg), cat (38 mmHg), fox (35 mmHg), sheep (30 mmHg), horse (25 mmHg), to elephant (22.5 mmHg). Polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex DQA and DQB class II genes in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the eastern Adriatic Sea ´ H. Arbanasic´ 1 , S. Curkovi c´ 2 , M. Ðuras2 , T. Gomerˇcic´ 2 , A. Galov1 1 Faculty

of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, Email addresses: [email protected]; [email protected]; 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the last resident marine mammal species in the Croatian (eastern) part of the Adriatic Sea, where it is considered endangered and is legally protected. A general concern for the conservation of endangered species is the maintenance of genetic variation within populations. Genetic diversity is particularly important in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a multigene family that is increasingly used for the study of adaptive variation in non-model vertebrates. The aim of this study was to examine allelic diversity at MHC class II DQA and DQB loci in the eastern Adriatic bottlenose dolphins. DNA was extracted from 48 bottlenose dolphins found dead along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea during the last 15 years. Using the cloning-sequencing method, we investigated the genetic diversity of 246 bp and 171 bp fragments of exon 2 of the DQA and DQB genes, respectively. We found high diversity as seven DQA and nine DQB alleles were identified, with all alleles encoding unique amino acid sequences. Rates of non-synonymous substitutions were significantly higher than that of synonymous, indicating positive selection on both loci. Mean nucleotide distance estimated for DQB (0.103) was higher than for DQA (0.053). Furthermore, DQB nucleotide distance was higher than those found in most other cetacean species, while nucleotide distances for both loci were comparable to that of terrestrial mammals, suggesting a high extent of balancing selection. Our results should provide a basis for exploring the association between genetic constitution and parasitic pressure from natural environment in bottlenose dolphins.

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Conservation priorities: A case study of Iranian mammals S. Ashrafi1 , M.S. Farhadinia1 , A. Mohammadi1 , M.R. Ashrafzadeh1 , H. Mohammadi2 1 Department

of Environmental Science, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran, E-mail address: sohrab.ashrafi@ut.ac.ir; 2 Department of Environment Protection, Tehran, Iran Approximately one fourth of the world’s existing known mammal species are endangered and lack of proper conservation strategies can lead to inappropriate allocation of resources to larger species ignoring smaller taxa. Despite Iran’s rich diversity of mammalian fauna, which is predominantly comprised of smaller species, most research has been conducted on various ecological aspects of large species. This investigation has been implemented with the aim of conservation prioritization of Iran’s mammals, based on their evolutionary distinctiveness and globally endangered score. Moreover, species subject of graduate university dissertations as well as research projects funded by the Iranian Department of Environment have been assessed to give an overall comprehensive review of the state of the Iranian mammals for effective conservation. We recognized 50 species with the highest priority value headed by Asiatic cheetah, Asiatic black bear and dugong. Rodent and chiropteran species constituted the highest proportion of the high priority species of the country, respectively. In contrast, a total of 43 university theses have been done on the top species including 24 on ungulates and 12 on carnivores, indicating intensive attention from Iranian biologists to these larger species. The same conclusion was derived based on analysis of funds allocated to different research projects by the DoE. While supporting the present approach by the Iranian biologists to address top large species in order to fill existing gaps of knowledge, it is essential to meet conservation needs of smaller species, such as lesser carnivores, rodents and bats. Neomys fodiens does not follow Bergmann’s rule in the middle of its distribution range L. Balˇciauskas1 , L. Balˇciauskiene˙ 1 , U. Timm2

1 Nature

Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Estonian Theriological Society, Tartu, Estonia The body size of Palearctic Sorex shrews decreases at higher latitudes and does not follow Bergmann’s rule. In the range between 40 and 42◦ N and 65–69◦ N, we confirmed that a number of body and cranial measurements of water shrew (Neomys fodiens) are negatively correlated to latitude, though with a weak dependency. A negative relationship between measurements of all cranial and dental characters (with exception of palatal length) and latitude is much stronger in the latitudes between 54 and 59◦ N. Such analysis for N. fodiens in the middle of distribution range had not been conducted before. Using ANOVA and PCA with prior log10 transformation of measurements for 158 water shrews from Estonia and Lithuania, we also found that these populations are separated morphologically. Although decreasing in size, the height of the coronoid process (one of the diagnostic characters between N. fodiens and N. anomalus) is still over 4 mm in the northern part of the investigated species range. Concluding, we found that over the short geographical scale, N. fodiens does not conform to Bergman’s rule. In the full range of the species, non-conformance is less expressed than over the short geographic distance: Estonian shrews are significantly smaller than Lithuanian ones in body size and cranial measurements. Skulls of Estonian shrews are relatively shorter and, in the area of the brain case, wider. Estimated morphological differences may reflect differences in resource use, mainly relating to the efficiency of food gathering and processing along with diminishing food resources.

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Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

Under an onslaught of faeces: Small mammals in a colony of Great Cormorants ˙ M. Jasiulionis, L. Balˇciauskas L. Balˇciauskiene, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania, E-mail address: [email protected] Although Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) form large breeding colonies, there have been no investigations on how the colony influences mammal populations. Investigating a ˙ 13.6 ha colony of Great Cormorants (3800 nests) in Juodkrante, Lithuania, we present the first data on the loss of diversity in the affected small mammal community. In 2011–2013, small mammals were live- and snap-trapped in the control zone with no influence of cormorants; the zone of initial influence – expanding, the most recent and the influence is just developing; the zone of long-term influence with the highest concentration of nests; the zone of former active influence with dead trees; and the zone of the ecotone between zones and the surrounding forest. The territory was inhabited by seven small mammal species, with 83.7% of all trapped individuals being yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis). Generally, small mammal diversity was very low, H < 1. A rise was observed in late autumn, 2–3 months after cormorants leave the colony. The relative abundance of small mammals differed between zones and was lowest in the zones of initial impact and most active impact. In September–October, these two zones (3.2 and 4.6 ha, respectively) were inhabited by six yellow-necked mice each, while mice numbers in zones where the active influence of the colony was no longer present reached 100–150 individuals. The colony of cormorants affected the breeding intensity of yellow-necked mouse, but not bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). This research was funded by Lithuanian Scientific Council, grant LEK-3/2012. Mating at summer sites: Implications for conservation and population genetic structure in Daubenton’s bats D. Baulechner and J.A. Encarnac¸ão Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected]@bio.uni-giessen.de, giessen.de European forest-dwelling bats show a complex mating system and roosting behaviour which shapes the genetic structure of populations. Promiscuous mating at swarming and hibernation sites enhances gene flow between different populations and is well studied. Mating behaviour at summer sites, however, is rarely observed and its role in genetic population structure and its importance for effective conservation measures is not fully understood. We conducted a long term behavioural and populationecological study at four different summer sites of Myotis daubentonii in central Germany. Roosting behaviour and population dynamics were studied by roost trapping and telemetry. Combining these data with parentage analyses using microsatellites we investigated the importance of mating behaviour at summer sites for successful reproduction and conservation management. Our hypothesis, that mating at summer sites plays an important role in bat reproduction, is verified by roost associations of multiple parent pairs and their offspring. We found repeated fatherhood of resident males with high roost fidelity and genetic differentiation between nursery colonies. Our results have implications for conservation policies as well as for the understanding of population genetic structure for forestdwelling bat species. Conservation measures need to consider location and time of successful mating events. We found that successful mating events are not restricted to swarming and hibernation sites making summer sites important for reproduction

even after the juveniles are fledged. Gene flow between different colonies is maintained by promiscuous behaviour at swarming and hibernating sites. However, roost fidelity and mating with resident females enhances genetic diversity between summer colonies. Possibilities and limitations of habitat suitability models for small, elusive mammals N.I. Becker and J.A. Encarnac¸ão Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-LiebigUniversity, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Habitat-suitability models are used to assess species distribution and endangerment. Model performance depends on model type and implementation but especially on quantity and quality of species and landscape data. While species presence data are available, species absence data are more rare and many studies generate pseudo-absence data for modelling. Next to high quality species data landscape data with high resolution improve model reliability and quality. Models using low-detailed data have already been proven effective for bird species and larger mammals but evidence remains scare for smaller, more elusive mammals. Many of these mammals are legally protected. However, since the energy-turnabout wind turbines are privileged building objectives. In Hesse 134 areas were designated for the construction of wind turbines creating substantial space for wind turbines in the sense of the pertinent legislation. The installation and operation of wind plants can, therefore, pose a threat by habitat loss and habitat fragmentation due to the construction of turbines and supply channels. An important factor in fragmented habitats is the overall landscape connectivity. If fragmented areas are still connected by corridors species can compensate habitat loss by movement to other areas. The aim of this study is to identify (1) whether models with real absences predict better than those with randomly generated pseudo-absences, (2) how landscape detail influence model accuracy, (3) the impact of precedence areas of wind turbines on habitat availability and (4) the overall landscape connectivity for protected small, elusive mammals. Need to feed and urge to breed N.I. Becker1,3 , M. Tschapka1,2 , E.K.V. Kalko1,2 , J.A. Encarnac¸ão3 1 Institute

of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Panama; 3 Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany Bats use behavioural and physiological, mutually non-exclusive mechanisms to balance their energy budget. As small and actively flying mammals, bats have a high mass-specific energy demand. Therefore, balancing mechanisms should be pronounced in this group. Since the energy budgets of bats exhibit seasonal changes, the combination and use of different mechanisms could vary during times of high and low energy demand. Using a combination of flowthrough respirometry, temperature telemetry and behavioural observations in free-flying bats, we found that male Myotis daubentonii exhibited marked variation in the relative importance of these different mechanisms during their period of seasonal activity in response to extrinsic (ambient temperature, insect abundance) and intrinsic (reproduction, body condition) factors. Cold ambient temperatures in spring facilitated long and frequent daily torpor bouts, whereas in early summer increased energy intake was the dominant factor in energy balancing. Intake was further increased in late summer, when insect abundance was highest, and daily torpor bouts were shorter and less frequent than in early summer. In autumn, males used metabolic compensation to reduce their resting metabolic rate in addition to daily torpor. Metabolic compensation might be one of the mechanisms that allow males to

Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

maintain high body temperature during the day while decreasing the need for foraging time at night, thus maximizing their opportunities to mate. Brown and polar bear Y chromosomes reveal extensive malebiased gene flow within brother lineages T. Bidon1 , A. Janke1,2 , S.R. Fain3 , H.G. Eiken4 , S.B. Hagen4 , U. Saarma5 , B.M. Hallström1,6 , N. Lecomte7 , F. Hailer1 1 Biodiversity

and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]; 2 Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; 3 National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, Ashland, USA; 4 Bioforsk, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Svanvik, Norway; 5 Department of Zoology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; 6 Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden; 7 Department of Biology, University of Moncton, Moncton, Canada Brown and polar bears have become prominent examples in phylogeography, but previous phylogeographic studies relied largely on maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or were geographically restricted. The male-specific Y chromosome, a natural counterpart to mtDNA, has remained underexplored. Although this paternally inherited chromosome is indispensable for comprehensive analyses of phylogeographic patterns, technical difficulties and low variability have hampered its application in most mammals. We developed 13 novel Y-chromosomal sequences and microsatellite markers from the polar bear genome, and screened these in a broad geographic sample of 130 brown and polar bears. We also analyzed a 390 kb-long Y-chromosomal scaffold using sequencing data from published male ursine genomes. Y chromosome evidence support the emerging understanding that brown and polar bears started to diverge no later than the Middle Pleistocene. Contrary to mtDNA patterns, we found (i) brown and polar bears to be reciprocally monophyletic sister (or rather brother) lineages, without signals of introgression, (ii) male-biased gene flow across continents and on phylogeographic time scales, and (iii) male dispersal that links the Alaskan ABC-islands population to mainland brown bears. Due to female philopatry, mtDNA provides a highly structured estimate of population differentiation, while male-biased gene flow is a homogenizing force for nuclear genetic variation. Our findings highlight the importance of analyzing both maternally and paternally inherited loci for a comprehensive view of phylogeographic history, and that mtDNA-based phylogeographic studies of many mammals should be re-evaluated. Recent advances in sequencing technology render the analysis of Y-chromosomal variation feasible, even in non-model organisms. Helminthfauna of European water voles Arvicola amphibius L. 1758 from the Vojvodina Province (Serbia) 1 , D. Tenji1 , B. Cabrilo 1 , A. Petrovic ˇ ˇ ´ 2 , A. Juriˇsic´ 2 O. Bjelic´ Cabrilo

1 Department

of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of Phytomedicine and Environment Protection, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia A total of 78 European water voles (Arvicola amphibius L. 1758) from four localities in Vojvodina were examined for the presence of intestinal helminths. Three of the four sample sites (Apatin, Bogojevo, Labudnjaˇca) are situated along the Danube River, with the ˇ remaining site (Celarevo) on the DTD channel. The intestinal tract was dissected and its contents inspected under a stereo microscope, and helminths were isolated and conserved in ethanol for later identification using keys. A total of 10 helminth species were identified, nine nematodes (Boreostrongylus minutus, Heligmosomum costellatum, H. mixtum, Heligmosomoides laevis, Heterakis spumosa,

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Syphacia arvicolae, S. petrusewiczi, S. stroma, Trichocephalus muris) and one tapeworm (Paranoplocephala omphalodes). Highest prevaˇ lence of infection was noted for the Celarevo sample, where 88% of all animals carried intestinal worms. Simpson’s index of alpha diversity was calculated for all four localities and was highest in ˇ the Celarevo sample (0.66). Beta diversity was calculated as ˇW according to Whittaker and ˇT according to Wilson and Shmida. ˇW was 0.74, whereas ˇT for the northwest-southeast Apatin to ˇ Celarevo gradient was 0.60. The present study is the first of its kind to focus on this rodent species in Vojvodina and Serbia in general, thus contributing to the expanding knowledge of small mammal helminth fauna in this part of Europe. Modelling feeding habitat selection by herbivores in regard to forest conversion M. Bobrowski, B. Gillich, C. Stolter Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] The evaluation of the distribution of large herbivores in forest communities is an important question for animal ecology, forestry and management. The distribution of animals is often directly connected to their feeding habitat. However, feeding habitat selection is influenced by a variety of different parameters, ranging from forest characteristics to human impacts. This project focuses on factors influencing feeding habitat selection by Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Lüneburger Heide, Germany. Next to browsing damage (as a dependent variable), different parameters such as tree density, tree heights, ground vegetation, but also possible human impacts and landscape features were recorded. Factors influencing browsing on beech (Fagus sylvatica), which can be regarded as a forestally target species and birch (Betula spec.), which is representing an alternative food resource to beech, were analyzed by a modelling approach. Our results reveal that browsing on beech is determined by the availability of beeches and birches and the occurrence of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Browsing on birch, however, is favoured by the availability of birches, and the occurrence of bilberry and blackberry (Rubus fructicosus). Surprisingly, landscape features and human impact had no significant influence on the feeding habitat selection. Our results indicate the knowledge about the preferences of deer (e.g. birch as an important food plant) may be important for forest management, e.g. for the regeneration of beech. Our findings lead to a more detailed understanding of feeding habitat selection by cervids and may be applicable to forest landscapes in northern Europe. European springtime temperature synchronises horn growth of the Alpine ibex K. Bollmann1 , H. Jenny2 , U. Büntgen1 1 Swiss

Federal Institute of Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of Wildlife and Fishery Service Grison, Chur, Switzerland Phenotypic variability and evolutionary adaptability are crucial traits for a species tolerance towards environmental changes, especially in alpine species living near their physiological and elevational limits. However, in sexually dimorphic herbivores, males are under strong selection pressure to grow fast in body size and quickly develop secondary sexual traits like horns and antlers. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of horn growth of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) to abiotic and biotic environmental factors such as climate variability, food availability and population density. We used horn growth data of 8043 males from eight disjunct ibex colonies in the Swiss Alps. We found a high level of synchrony in inter-annual growth variability among colonies and age classes, and

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Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

an inverse relationship between the onset of high-elevation plant phenology and annual horn increment. Elevated temperatures from March to May causing premature melting of snow cover, earlier plant growth and subsequent improvement of ibex food resources, fuelled annual horn development. Our results reveal dependency of local trophic interactions on large-scale climate dynamics, and provide evidence that declining herbivore performance is not a universal response to global warming. The role of small mammals especially bicoloured white-toothed shrews as reservoir for Borna disease virus in Bavaria, Germany Bourg1 ,

Herzog2 ,

Encarnac¸ão3 ,

M. S. J.A. Herbst2 , M. Eickmann4 , C. Herden1

D.

Nobach1 ,

H. Lange-

1 Institute

of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Institute of Virology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany; 3 Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), JustusLiebig-University, Giessen, Germany; 4 Institute of Virology, PhilippsUniversity, Marburg, Germany Borna disease virus (BDV) leads to an endemic, fatal disease predominantly affecting the nervous system of the end hosts horses and sheep. In Swiss endemic areas evidence for BDV-positive bicoloured white-toothed shrews (Crocidura leucodon) was found but it remains largely unknown whether C. leucodon represent the only reservoir species in other endemic areas. Therefore, 210 small mammals (94 Cricetidae, 72 Muridae and 44 Soricidae) in endemic areas in Bavaria, Germany, were investigated for anti-BDV serum antibodies, viral RNA and antigen by indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT), RT-PCR, in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In 3/25 C. leucodon viral RNA, viral antigen and anti-BDV serum antibodies were detected. 1/25 C. leucodon displayed viral RNA and viral antigen. 2/25 C. leucodon as well as 7/185 other mouse and shrew species displayed only anti-BDV serum antibodies. Comparing the shrew BDV sequence to the BDV amplificate from a horse with clinical manifest BD from the same stable revealed a 100% homology. Thus, C. leucodon could be confirmed as a reservoir host of BDV in Bavarian endemic areas. Furthermore, evidence for shrew to horse transmission is provided. Possible infection routes and the presence of different courses of BDV infection in small mammals will be the subject of further investigations. Large carnivores in our modern landscapes – Trendsetting conservation or an anachronism? U. Breitenmoser

Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Switzerland, E-mail address: [email protected] Top predators such as wolf Canis lupus, brown bear Ursus arctos, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx or cougar Puma concolor have declined over centuries and finally disappeared from all cultivated landscapes of the industrialised world. Large carnivores, e.g. tiger Panthera tigris, lion Panthrea leo, or jaguar Panthera onca are nowadays under heavy pressure in the developing world, corroborating that such spacehungry and conflict-ridden species cannot coexist with people in a human-dominated landscape. But remarkably, large carnivores are recently making a come-back in Western Europe or in the USA, some of the world’s most developed regions, demonstrating their ability to adapt to altered landscapes. Their renaissance is a consequence of (1) changing societal attitude and legal protection, (2) new ecological niches provided by the modern landscape, and (3) their plastic behaviour and ability to learn and adapt. Yet, we still regard large carnivores as the archetypes of wilderness and pristine ecosystems. This romantic view is shared by both, those who welcome and those who reject the return of large carnivores.

A more rational perception may take the magic away from Mr. Wolf & Co., but it would allow developing practical management solutions to re-establish and maintain large carnivore populations in coexistence with humans, and hence to establish functional predator–prey systems in our modern landscapes. Behavioural thermoregulation by European bison in a low mountain range forest in Germany S. Caspers, P. Schmitz, K. Witte Research Group Ecology and Behavioural Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The European bison (Bison bonasus) is the largest herbivore in Europe. It became extinct in the wild in 1927, but survived due to captive breeding based on 12 founder animals. Large free-living populations are established in Eastern Europe and Asia, but no comparable populations are situated in more densely populated regions. The first reintroduction project in Western Europe was accomplished near Bad Berleburg, Germany. In 2013, eight animals were released into a commercial forest of low mountain range. Prior to reintroduction the animals were kept in an 89 ha enclosure. Bison are well adapted to harsh climates, but little is known about the animals’ behavioural thermoregulation within the thermoneutral zone (roughly between −20 ◦ C and +20 ◦ C). We measured air temperatures using 25 i-button data loggers with temporal resolution of one hour distributed over the enclosure for one year. The animal’s spatial behaviour was recorded by GPStelemetry collars. Three different types of weather situations were identified when isochronal temperatures differed within the area by >4.5 ◦ C. During these situations the animals did not alter habitat choice in summer but avoided comparatively coldest places of the home range in autumn and spring when average temperatures were low, but still within their thermoneutral zone. During winter we found no evidence for such behaviour, probably due to feeding management. These results indicate that European bison show behavioural thermoregulation even within their thermoneutral zone. This issue should be regarded in management practices, e.g. by providing sand bathes, shelter or shade even at moderate ambient temperatures. A foraging model for the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in mammals: A complementary explanation to male competition M.H. Cassini1,2 and S. Lew2,3 1 Grupo

GEMA, DBA, Universidad Nacional de Luján and CONICET, Luján, Argentina, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Laboratorio de Biología del Comportamiento, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; 3 Instituto de Ingeniería Biomédica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina We used Darwin’s contention that inter-sexual metabolic differences create an initial asymmetry between sexes in the availability of energy that precedes the evolution of sexual size dimorphism. We propose that endothermy represents a constraint on the increase in female body size, particularly for female mammals since their energetic demands are high due to gestation and lactation. We also postulate that a climatic context with the environmental temperature below the thermo-neutral zone is the first selective pressure for the evolution of sexual size dimorphism. We developed a cost-benefit model to analyse the relationship between energetic, body size, sex, and ambient temperature in mammals, based on the assumption that reproductive costs represent a constraint on the optimum size of females, but not of males, at low temperatures. The model predicts that females show increasingly smaller body sizes than males as the cost of female reproduction increases. However,

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sexual size dimorphism is expected to be low when female reproductive costs are low. In our approach, larger males may have more life-time reproductive success than smaller males; not necessarily due to higher intra-sexual success for mates, but because of more efficient bio-energetic strategies provided by their size during nonreproductive periods. We found support for the model on some recent findings obtained in Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walruses). Home range use and flight activity of the tent-making bat Uroderma bilobatum in Panama P. Cvecko1 , A. Rose1 , S. Brändel1 , T. Hiller1 , M. Tschapka1,2 1 Insitute

of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa Ancón, Panama We investigated home range use and flight activity patterns of Peter‘s tent-making bat (Uroderma bilobatum) using radio telemetry in a tropical lowland forest in Panama. Three reproductive males, roosting under modified palm leaves at the shorelines of Lake Gatún, were equipped with radio transmitters and tracked for four consecutive nights between July and September 2013. These fruit-eating bats are known to be fig specialists, foraging in the canopy where they pick figs in flight and carry them to a feeding site. Its feeding habits cause U. bilobatum to commute over long distances to scattered fruiting fig trees and make this species an important seed disperser. The radio-tracked individuals showed home range sizes ranging from 7.5 to 31.3 ha. Nightly activity patterns were dominated by prolonged resting phases, interspersed by short flying bouts of less than 3 min. Two males concentrated their foraging activity on the area between their day roost and nearby fruiting trees. This behaviour is also known from other frugivorous bats such as Artibeus watsoni, Carollia perspicillata or Artibeus jamaicensis, where reproductive males form harems of females in their day roosts, which they defend against competing males. Another individual found roosting on a small island flew a minimum distance of 15 km in one night and traversed frequently up to 400 m over open water patches. Flight activity and home range sizes of male U. bilobatum varied widely among individuals and could reflect flexible foraging strategies, but also roost site defence may influence their range use pattern.

Landscape features and reservoir occurrence affecting the risk for equine infection with Borna disease virus J.A. Encarnac¸ão1 , S. Herzog2 , M. Eickmann3 , N.I. Becker1 , N. Hermes1 , C. Herden4 1 Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-

University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Institute of Virology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany; 3 Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany; 4 Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany Borna disease (BD) is a severe endemic and fatal disorder that mainly occurs in horses and sheep. It is caused by Borna disease virus (BDV) that belongs to the order Mononegavirales, which have high zoonotic and pathogenic properties. A seasonal accumulation of cases in spring and summer, incidences that vary from year to year, and the recent detection of BDV in bicolored shrews (Crocidura leucodon) in Swiss endemic areas argue for a natural reservoir. We established a geographic information system analysis of the distribution of 485 equine BD cases in Bavarian (Germany) endemic areas and of the occurrence of 285 records of C. leucodon captured in Bavaria. Boosted regression trees were used to identify driving factors of habitat choice and virus prevalence. The distribution model of C. leucodon and the prevalence model for BDV had very good accuracy. Occurrence probability of C. leucodon was

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significantly higher in Bavarian BDV-endemic areas than in random areas in Bavaria. The prevalence of BD was higher in urban areas with annual mean precipitation of 800–900 mm, annual mean temperature of 8 ◦ C, and elevation >500 m. Our results indicate that the distribution model can accurately predict BD occurrence. Based on these results, practical safety precautions could be derived. The BDV model represents a suitable system for reservoir-bound, neurotropic Mononegavirales. It allows an assessment of ecological and biological aspects that determine virus abundance, maintenance in reservoir species, and transmission to end host species. The introduction of alien ungulates to Europe: A review of ecological effects F. Ferretti and S. Lovari Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, E-mail address: [email protected] Over the last few decades, ungulates have been increasing in numbers and distribution across Europe, including exotic species. Their ecological effects, as well as competition and hybridisation with native species, have been reviewed. Negative effects of exotic ungulates have been shown on vegetation and habitats, especially in island ecosystems, particularly if evolved without large herbivores. Exotic ungulates may show a greater productivity or higher local densities, as well as different rates of seed dispersal than native ones. If so, one could expect not only the effects of exotic ungulates be additive to those of native ones, but also the magnitude of the former be greater than that of the latter. Although no study could experimentally demonstrate actual competition between exotic ungulates and European native ones, a wealth of studies has highlighted a great potential for it, or strongly supported the competition hypothesis. Alien ungulates could threaten native ones through interspecific competition and hybridisation. In some cases, there could be reasons of concern for the viability of small populations of native taxa, at least locally. To mitigate – ideally, to prevent/eliminate – the impact of exotic ungulates on native biological diversity, it would be necessary (i) to prevent their release into the wild, and (ii) to manage the extant populations of wild exotic ungulates, thus reducing their impact or eradicating them, if possible. Can agri-environmental schemes enhance non-target species? Effects of sown wildflower fields on the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) C. Fischer1 and C. Wagner2 1 Department

of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany, E-mail address: christina.fi[email protected]; 2 Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Institute for Organic Farming, Soil and Resource Management, Freising, Germany European landscapes are dominated by agricultural land, with many species depending on these agriculturally used habitats. However, during the last decades agriculture has rapidly been intensified, resulting in strong decline of species diversity. Therefore, the common agricultural policy (CAP) of the EU implemented agri-environmental schemes (AES) to enhance multiple species. Sown wildflower fields are one of these measures to enhance insect diversity and related ecosystem services. However, little is known about impacts of AES on rare and non-target species. Here we studied the occurrence of the endangered common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in sown wildflower fields as well as in adjacent agricultural fields. From Mai to June 2013 we mapped re-opened winter burrows to determine habitat use by hamsters. The effect of local (e.g. vegetation cover and composition, field size) and landscape parameters (distance to settlements, percentage of

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arable land in the surroundings) on hamster occurrence was analysed using linear mixed effects models. Results show that sown wildflower fields increase hamster occurrence without increasing the risk of an expansion into surrounding agricultural fields. Local microhabitat parameters like vegetation cover and percentage of grasses were more important for hamster occurrence than the surrounding landscape structures. In conclusion we show that sown wildflower fields can be an ideal habitat for non-target species such as the common hamster. A novel pathogen discovered in bank voles Myodes glareolus S. Fischer1 , B. Hoffmann2 , N. Kratzmann1 , J.F. Drexler3 , S. Röhrs2 , U.M. Rosenfeld1 , D. Reil4 , J. Thiel5 , M. Keller1 , C. Imholt4 , J. Jacob4 , C. Drosten3 , M. Beer2 , R.G. Ulrich1 1 Institute

for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, FriedrichLoeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany, E-mail addresses: rainer.ulrich@fli.bund.de, ulrike.rosenfeld@fli.bund.de, 2 Institute markus.keller@fli.bund.de, stefan.fischer@fli.bund.de; for Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany, E-mail addresses: martin.beer@fli.bund.de, bernd.hoffmann@fli.bund.de, susanne.roehrs@fli.bund.de; 3 Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]; 4 Vertebrate Research Group, Julius Kühn-Institut, Münster, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]; 5 Forstliches Forschungs- und Kompetenzzentrum Gotha, Thüringenforst – Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts, Gotha, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The bank vole Myodes glareolus is one of the dominating rodent species in European forest habitats. Bank voles harbor zoonotic pathogens that can cause disease in humans. Puumala hantavirus, cowpox virus and bacterial pathogens have been detected in bank voles. Recently, novel human hepatitis C virus-like agents (genus Hepacivirus, family Flaviviridae) were discovered in rodent species, including bank voles. Viral load investigations in different bank vole tissues indicated a hepatotropism of this virus. In small mammal monitoring in Germany during 2010–2013 ca. 3000 rodents were trapped at four regions in MecklenburgWestern Pomerania, Thuringia, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Wuerttemberg. For detection of hepacivirus-specific RNA in liver tissue a real-time RT-PCR assay was used. A pilot study of rodents trapped during 2010–2012 demonstrated the presence of the novel hepacivirus at all four trapping regions, but with varying prevalences. Hepacivirus-specific RNA was predominately found in bank voles; in Microtus spp. and Apodemus spp. only few rodents were hepacivirus infected. In conclusion, our investigations confirmed that the bank vole is the main reservoir of the novel hepacivirus in Germany. Future investigations will have to prove whether this virus has pathological consequences and affects fitness in infected animals. In addition, the bank vole-associated hepacivirus will be used for the development of a novel animal model for human hepatitis C. This animal model may help to better understand the pathogenicity of hepaciviruses and to develop novel antiviral therapies. Influence of synanthropic habitat use on trace metal concentrations in the hair of urban bats

L. Flache1 , S. Öztan2 , R.-A. Düring2 , U. Kierdorf3 , J.A. Encarnac¸aõ1 1 Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-

University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Institute of Soil Science and Soil Conversation, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; 3 Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany In cities with heavy traffic soils and sediments are regularly contaminated with trace metals. These metals are bio-available

for organisms e.g. insects and accumulate in food chains of insectivorous mammals. Especially insectivorous bats, which live in urban regions and ingest large amounts of food, are threatened to be poisoned through the accumulation of the toxic trace metals. To monitor and determine species-specific trace metal contents in urban living bats hair samples were analyzed by using ICP-OES. Results of contamination were related to species-specific foraging habitat, prey spectrum and degree of synanthropy. The study species were Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Myotis daubentonii and Nyctalus noctula. Pipistrellus pipistrellus showed the highest concentrations of cadmium (1.13 ␮g/g), lead (41.1 ␮g/g) and zinc (365 ␮g/g) due to its high degree of synanthropy with their foraging habitat mostly located in cities. In contrast, N. noctula displayed the highest contents of copper (123 ␮g/g) and manganese (83.7 ␮g/g) in fur samples compared to P. pipistrellus and M. daubentonii. The reason might be found in its prey spectrum. Nyctalus noctula feeds i.a. on beetles that are caught over pastures and river valleys in cultured areas. The trace metal concentrations determined in hair samples of M. daubentonii lay in between the values of P. pipistrellus and N. noctula probably caused by its intermediate synanthropy status. Hair samples from bats are suitable monitoring tools to detect trace metals and can be used to determine species-specific differences in bat species. Evolution of thermogenesis in mammals – Does brown adipose tissue exist in marsupials? P. Giere1 , M. Jastroch2 , S. Keipert2 1 Museum

für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz-Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Garching, Germany, Email addresses: [email protected], [email protected] One key factor in mammalian evolution is the development of thermogenesis for sustained high body temperatures along with a high metabolic rate. Whether the latter is linked to increased brain size or has other selection benefits in an evolutionary context, remains unclear. However, it is well established that high body temperatures during ontogeny require specific physiological adaptations. One prerequisite for the maintenance of a high body temperature in neonates and succeeding developmental stages with their unfavourable volume-to-surface-ratios is the ability to produce thermal energy. Eutherian mammals are known to produce and utilize mitochondria-rich brown adipose tissue, for non-shivering thermogenesis. Brown adipose tissue is found in neonates as well as in hibernating eutherian mammals to facilitate thermogenesis. Instead of converting nutrient energy to ATP, brown adipose tissue mitochondria generate heat by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) which by-passes the ATP synthase. Functional brown adipose tissue has not been found so far in marsupial mammals which exhibit a reproductive strategy of comparatively short intrauterine development and prolonged lactation. However, as in other non-eutherian taxa, UCP1 was identified in marsupials. A staged ontogenetic series of Monodelphis domestica (Didelphidae, Marsupialia) is examined for evidence of pathways related to brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis by fusing morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques. First results show, that during early development, fat storage is shifted from the liver towards distinct tissue sites. Furthermore, we detect an age-dependent UCP1 gene expression pattern/profile in adipose tissue, coinciding with the onset of defended body temperatures in Monodelphis domestica.

Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

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Determination of habitat choice by Red (Cervus elaphus) and Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) using faecal pellet counts

A new species of forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Gliridae, Rodentia) in Central Russian and the Caucasus

B. Gillich, M. Bobrowski, C. Stolter

O.O. Grigoryeva

Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Habitat selection is influenced by a lot of different factors, e.g. food availability, landscape features and disturbance. The aim of the study was to investigate factors, which may influence the habitat choice of Red and Roe deer. We analyzed the influence of habitat structure, e.g. plant species, vegetation composition, tree morphology, feeding damage, different landscape features and human impact (e.g. streets, settlements, raised hides for hunting, mineral licks) using faecal pellet counts. The models for Red deer illustrate the anthropogenic influence on the distribution of Red deer: The occurrence of mineral licks and distance to gravel roads seem to be important, but also browsing on young beech trees (Fagus sylvatica). For Roe deer, browsing on different trees, but especially on beeches, seem to be the most influential factor. Additionally, the occurrence of other tree species (Betula spec., Picea abies) showed significant results. Beech and birch are important food plants whereas spruce might be useful as shelter. Surprisingly, other factors, e.g. landscape features and the distance to settlements, raised hides etc. had no significant effect on the occurrence of both cervids. Our study demonstrates that faecal pellet counts can be useful to investigate habitat utilization of Red and Roe deer, which is important for the development of forest management strategies.

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS, Moscow, Russia, E-mail address: grig [email protected] The genetic polymorphism of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1778) from isolated populations of Russian plain and the Caucasus was investigated using cytochrome b gene (cytb). We obtained 48 samples from 12 localities of Central regions of Russia and the Caucasus. New primers were designed for each gene. Phylogenetic analysis was based on NJ, MP, ML, BI methods. In our analysis we used the next software: MEGA, PHYML, JMODELTEST, MRBAYES, FIGTREE. We identified 17 haplotypes with the length of 1140 bp (GenBank: KJ739693–KJ739705, KF699220, KF699221, KF699223, KF699226). We found that samples of the D. nitedula of Russian plain are included into the general “Eastern European” haplogroup and Caucasian samples form two sibling clades “Western Caucasus” and “Central Caucasus”. The genetic distance calculated between Russian plain and the Caucasus populations of forest dormouse was 9.94%, which corresponds to the typical distance between biological species of mammals. The genetic distance of cytb between Western and Central Caucasus forest dormouse populations is with 6.0% also significant. One calibration point was from the fossil record and set the divergence between Eliomys and Dryomys at a minimum of 16 Mya (Middle Miocene), corresponding to the earliest fossil record of Eliomys. The divergence time between Eliomys quercinus and Eliomys melanurus (7 ± 0.9 Myr) was used as a second calibration point. A Bayesian approach was implemented in BEAST. The divergence time of European and Caucasian populations was 7.7 Ma (95% CI was 2.5–13.9 Ma). It is possible to recognize the Caucasus forest dormice as a separate species since 1920. The taxonomic status is yet to be identified. The research was supported by RFBR Grants 12-04-32035mol a, 12-04-00551 and a Grant of the President of RF MK-3755.2014.4.

Analysis of anthropogenic correlates of Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) distribution in a delta system of Argentina, using species distribution models J.J. Gomez1 , J.I. Túnez1 , N. Fracassi2 , M.H. Cassini1 Grupo GEMA; DCB, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina; 2 Estación Experimental Delta, INTA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, E-mail address: [email protected] The Neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis is a top predator from many South and Central American aquatic freshwater systems. Its current category in the International Union for Conservation of Nature is “data deficient”, which makes it imperative to determine the appropriate conservation status. We applied species distribution models to build a map of habitat suitabilities, and to identify possible anthropogenic factors that impact on the presence of L. longicaudis in the Lower Delta of Paraná River in the Southern Cone of South America. In the study area (i) presence/absence of L. longicaudis was obtained using three methodologies: sign surveys, camera traps and interviews, and (ii) 15 environmental predictors were measured: topography, river length, river width, settlement density, polder cover, boat traffic, tree cover, forestry, floodplain area, protected area, and suspended solids, nitrates, fosfates, coliphorms, and dissolved oxygen in the water. The Logit regression model had a better fit to the data according to the ROC curve (AUC = 0.89, SD = 0.01) than ENFA (AUC = 0.44, SD = 0.05) and MaxEnt (AUC = 0.37, SD = 0.08), so we only used results provided by the regression analysis, which indicated: (i) according to the test of all effects of logit regression, “polder cover” is the only significant variable (p < 0.05), while (ii) the regression with Likelihood Type 1 Test showed that “settlements density” was another significant variables (p < 0.05). At present, geographic isolation and control on private land and reserves appear to be effective at protecting wildlife in the Paraná Delta. This study shows that species distribution models can be used for rapidly evaluating potential threats to wildlife.

Phylogeographic structure of Eastern Europe dormice O.O. Grigoryeva and V.N. Orlov Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS, Moscow, Russia, E-mail address: grig [email protected] There are several studies on phylogeography of dormice in Europe but phylogeography in Russia was not analyzed. We explored the phylogeographic relationship of four dormice species: Dryomys nitedula, Muscardinus avellanarius, Eliomys quercinus and Glis glis basing on cytb, 12S, IRBP data. We obtained 29 samples from Central regions of Russia. Analysis of phylogeny allowed us to include samples of the E. quercinus to the Western European clade, M. avellanarius – to the Central and Northern Europe clade, and G. glis – to the European clade. Dryomys and Eliomys are combined into a clade based on three genes. Muscardinus and Glis are united into a clade sibling to Dryomys + Eliomys in cytb and 12S topologies. In IRBP topology Muscardinus is an outgroup for Dryomys + Eliomys and Glis is the outgroup for these three species (that is in agreement with the last Holden’s classification). Thus, the relationships between the subfamily remain ambiguous. Our results show that the Eocene-Oligocene boundary was likely the time of extant subfamilies diversification and the OligoceneMiocene boundary was the time of Muscardinus separation. We set the divergence between Gliridae and Sciuridae to 50–55 Mya, based on the known fossil record, and between Glis and Glirulus

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at a minimum of 25 Mya. After a warm period there was a new drop in temperature in the Middle Miocene. The variety of dormice also declined. Obviously, the line including Eliomys and Dryomys diverged at this time. The research was supported by RFBR Grant 12-04-32035-mol a and a Grant of the President of RF MK-3755.2014.4. Life histories written in blood: Insights from edible dormice N. Havenstein and J. Fietz Behaviorial Physiology of Farm Animals, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], joanna.fi[email protected] Hibernation represents the most extreme physiological adaptation of small mammals to reduce energy expenditure during environmentally unfavourable conditions. Besides drastically reduced metabolic rate and body temperature, severe changes of various leukocyte counts and immune functions are known to take place during hibernation, but seem to recover immediately afterwards. Edible dormice (Glis glis) are obligate hibernators, experiencing high rates of mortality after emergence from hibernation. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether hibernation affects immune competence and thereby possibly mortality in this small hibernator, as a competent immune system is indispensable for survival. We therefore investigated leukocyte differential counts and lymphocyte proliferation in edible dormice inhabiting five different study sites in South-Western Germany during their active period. Interestingly, after hibernation we found extreme low numbers and a delayed production of innate immune cells (monocytes and neutrophils), whereas lymphocytes clearly dominated (>90%). Furthermore, proliferative capacity of lymphocytes was severely reduced during this period, indicating a down regulation of the functionality of the adaptive immune system. The restoration of innate immune cell numbers as well as of lymphocytic proliferative capacity took place only after a period of approximately 4–6 weeks. Taken together, edible dormice seem to experience a hibernationassociated deprivation of both, the innate as well as the adaptive part of the immune system. This phenomenon may make edible dormice susceptible to pathogens in early summer and explain their seasonally low survival rates. Habitat use of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in an agricultural area – A problem? C.E. Herbst and O. Keuling Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany, Email address: [email protected] All over Europe wild boar (Sus scrofa) population densities are increasing and spreading into agricultural and cultivated regions. As a result economic problems, like field damages and thread of disease outbreaks increase. So far most studies were conducted in forests, were until recently the wild boar mainly occurred. From 2011 until 2013 a project took place in Northern Germany concerning seasonal home ranges and habitat preferences of wild boar. The study area in northern Lower Saxony is clearly dominated by agriculture with only small proportions of bush land and forest. During these three years 39 wild boar were captured, marked and 25 of them fitted with VHF-radio transmitter ear tags. Thereafter the animals were tracked during two nights per week with daytime resting sites before and after the tracking. Habitat preferences were analysed as use-availability analyses with Chi-square goodness-offit-tests, Bailey-intervals and Jacobs index. Outstanding were the complete shifts of the daily resting sites in June and July from forest into fields by all observed wild boar.

Other studies showed that a certain percentage of wild boar remain in forest during summer. In summer especially rape seed and maize are an important factor for wild boar distribution. The changes in agriculture, accretive monocropping and cultivation of energy crops promote good coverage and nutrient rich food in an otherwise exposed landscape. Thus, new habitats for wild boar are created by men, which enable this forest species to become for a season a field species. The European Bison (Bison bonasus) – Reintroduction of a large herbivore in the Rothaargebirge, Germany C.E. Herbst1,2 and J.E. Tillmann3 1 Institute

for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Trägerverein Wisent-Welt-Wittgenstein e.V., Bad Berleburg, Germany; 3 DBU Naturerbe GmbH, Osnabrück, Germany The European bison (Bison bonasus), the largest terrestrial mammal in Europe, was historically distributed almost throughout the whole continent. Overharvesting and increasing habitat loss since human settlement led to a continuous reduction of the European bison. Until now, there has never been a serious attempt to reintroduce a population of free-ranging bison in Western Europe. The goal of this project is to sustainably reintroduce the bison into the cultural landscape. An area of more than 5000 ha in the “Rothaargebirge” in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, was found suitable for a free-ranging herd of ca. 20–25 European bison. An initial captivity phase of three years was used to conduct surveys on possible effects of the bison on the environment and economy as well as implementing a basic strategy for management. Subsequently, the permission to release a founding population of eight bison was obtained in October 2012 after almost 10 years of preparation. On 11 April 2013 the bison were released. Since then the animals have continuously been radio-tracked (GPS). The analysis of the spatio-temporal behaviour is an important basis for the management strategy. Bison management has to adapt to new requirements that appear especially with respect to conflicts with land use in the region. Further surveys of the effects on the environment and spatial use of the herd are carried on. This is a milestone in conservation efforts for this species and can function as a guide for further reintroduction projects elsewhere. Connecting habitats across highways: A new wildlife overpass designed for Red deer and European wildcat in the northern Eifel region

I. Hucht-Ciorga Forschungsstelle für Jagdkunde und Wildschadenverhütung, Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz NRW, Bonn, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] A 50 m wide wildlife-overpass crossing highway A1 near Nettersheim was built in 2012 with financial support by a public investment of the German government. The overpass was designed for the needs of the two target species Red deer and European wildcat to reconnect their habitats. Animal activity was recorded by four digital cameras Cuddeback Attack (infrared motion sensor, night illumination by white flash strobes or infrared LEDs) to evaluate the effects of structural elements, vegetation, and human related disturbances upon the acceptance of the overpass. Species, group size, group composition, and behaviour were analyzed in pictures and videos. Animal tracks were registered regularly at the 3 m wide sand bed at the centre of the overpass. To obtain wildcat hair samples for genetic identification valerian-treated lure sticks were positioned at the overpass during the mating period

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(Feb.–Apr.). During the first year of monitoring the overpass was used by the following medium-sized or larger wildlife species: Red deer (Cervus elaphus), Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), European hare (Lepus europaeus), Red fox (Vulpes vulpes), racoon (Procyon lotor), badger (Meles meles), marten (Martes martes, M. foina), polecat (Mustela putoris) and European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris). According to coat patterns a minimum of four individuals of wildcats were identified. During certain periods of the year a herd of about 20 male Red deer regularly used the overpass at dusk and dawn to reach feeding grounds. Human disturbances affected daily activity and behaviour and should be minimized. Where to live: Habitat suitability analysis for Banteng (Bos sundaicus) in the south-eastern of Java Island M.A. Imron1 , H.A. Dewanto2 , R.A. Satria1 , M. Ashari3 , S. Nurvianto1 , Subeno1 , H. Marhaento1 , R.J. Nugraha3 , W. Wardhana2 , S. Pudyatmoko1 1 Department

of Forest Resource Conservation, Gadjah Mada University, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Biometric and Forest Computation Laboratory, Gadjah Mada University, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; 3 Ministry of Forestry, Republic of Indonesia, Directorate of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Jakarta, Indonesia; 4 MAKIN group, Jakarta, Indonesia Despite its popularity as the most densely populated island in the world, Java island still provides habitat for the banteng (Bos javanicus d’Alton 1832). The south-eastern corner of Java, where two national parks Alas Purwo National Park and Meru Betiri National Park exist, is one of the most important natural landscapes for banteng. However, between those national parks, various land-use types are managed by local people and plantation companies which potentially threaten the banteng population. This study aims to estimate size and connectivity of suitable habitat for banteng which are crucial for maintaining long-term population persistence. Habitat suitability index map was developed through ground surveys, assessing the presence and absence of banteng and its habitat components in 2009, 2012 and 2013, followed by development Geographical Information System works. A binomial multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test habitat factors that determines the probability of presence of banteng in the landscape. The presence of banteng was explained by factors such as slope, human activities, distance from beach/sea shore, distance from feeding ground and distance from water/rivers. Habitat of banteng in the landscape is fragmented through natural and anthropogenic barriers. Habitat restorations as well as awareness programs for local stake-holders are necessary to support banteng conservation in the landscape and to ensure a long-term population persistence. The effect of low ambient temperatures on adrenocortical activity of the Amur tiger

E.A. Ivanov1 , S.V. Naidenko1 , V.S. Lukarevskii1 , J.A. HernandezBlanco1 , A.К. Kotlyar2 , M.N. Litvinov2 , V.V. Rozhnov1 1 A.

N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Ussuriysky State Nature Reserve, Ussuriysk, Russia The Amur tiger, the northernmost tiger subspecies, is faced with severe winters in the Russian Far East. We examined effect of low ambient temperatures on adrenocortical activity of captive and wild Amur tigers. Scat samples were collected in Moscow Zoo breeding center (BC), Novosibirsk Zoo (NZ) and Ussuriysky Reserve (UR). In captivity, samples were collected 1–10 times per month throughout the year from 6 tigers in BC in 2009 and 2 tigers in NZ in 2011. In

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UR, we collected 3–24 samples per month within 8 snowy months in 2008–2011. In the wild, we were unable to recognize which individual produced a scat. We extracted glucocorticoid metabolites with 90% methanol. For measuring glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations, we used ELISA kit (Immunotech, Moscow, Russia) with cortisol antibodies, which has previously been validated for Amur tiger. We collected ambient temperature data from archives of weather stations nearest to the study place. We calculated median ambient temperature and median tiger glucocorticoid metabolite concentration for each month in each place. Spearman rank order correlations were used to assess linkage between variables. Tiger glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with ambient temperature in NZ (n = 12, R = −0.8, p = 0.001) and UR (n = 8, R = −0.8, p = 0.03) and tend to correlate in BC (n = 13, R = −0.5, p = 0.07). High glucocorticoid levels are often associated with disturbance. We assume that ambient temperature might also have a significant influence on adrenocortical activity of Amur tigers and should be taken into account in studies of anthropogenic influence on Amur tiger. Study was supported by RFBR-14-04-32022. Henkelotherium guimarotae (Cladotheria, Mammalia) from the Late Jurassic of Portugal reinvestigated using ␮CT scanning and 3D image analysis K. Jäger1 , T. Martin1 , Z. Luo2 1 Steinnmann-Institut,

Rheinische Friederich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected]; [email protected]; 2 Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA, E-mail address: [email protected] Henkelotherium guimarotae, a stem therian (basal dryolestid) from the Late Jurassic of the Guimarota coal mine in Portugal is known by a largely complete postcranial skeleton. The postcranium has been described previously, yet several elements remained hidden in the plastic matrix the skeleton was transferred to during preparation. The specimen was studied with X-ray computed tomography (␮CT) and the 3D reconstructions were made by virtual image rendering (Avizo). Contrary to earlier descriptions, Henkelotherium exhibits separate radial and ulnar condyles at the anterior aspect of the distal humerus. This represents the plesiomorphic condition on the stem lineage of therians and is also observed in the dryolestid stem therian Dryolestes leiriensis. With the somewhat posteriorly spiraling ulnar condyle an incipient trochlea is developed at the posterior side of the humerus. The scapula of Henkelotherium is also more plesiomorphic than previously assumed, revealing a laterally flared rim at the posterior border, with similarities to symmetrodontans such as Zhangheotherium but with a larger supraspinous fossa. Several characters of hind limb and pelvis (e.g. the absence of a parafibular process, a slender femur with a long neck, slightly asymmetrical distal femoral condyles) suggest a more derived posture, closer to that of Didelphis than to extant monotremes. Several characters in the postcranial skeleton such as muscle attachment areas, length/width ratio of tail vertebrae, and phalangeal index corroborate the previous assumption that Henkelotherium had an arboreal lifestyle. Differences in microhabitat preferences between Neomys fodiens (Pennant 1771) and Neomys anomalus (Cabrera, 1907) in Saxony, Germany M.R. Keckel1 , H. Ansorge2 , C. Stefen1

1 Senckenberg

Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Dresden, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of Zoology, Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, Görlitz, Germany

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Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

The two semi-aquatic shrew species Neomys fodiens and Neomys anomalus are very similar in their ecology and morphology. Therefore, they tend to be strong competitors for resources when they occur syntopically in habitats. We analysed the microhabitat selection of both species based on 14 parameters at two study sites in western Saxony (Germany). At the first study site, the results show segregation into different preferred microhabitats. Neomys anomalus favours stream sections with a denser herbal layer in comparison to N. fodiens. We thus verified the hypothesis of previous studies which assumed differences in microhabitat niches for both shrew species to avoid competition. Furthermore, there was a spatial segregation within N. fodiens depending on age. While adults occurred close to the water at areas with sparse herb layer, juveniles and subadults were predominantly captured in some distance to the stream in denser vegetation. We assume that this is the result of different microhabitat preferences in N. fodiens depending on age and not a result of intraspecific antagonism. Moreover, the possibility to build subsurface burrows (and as an equivalent to this, crevice systems resulting from bank fixation with cobble) seems to be the main limiting factor for the occurrence of N. fodiens at the other surveyed site. At this site no differences in microhabitats were visible between the age classes of N. fodiens. Small mammal population dynamics in different mountain forest ecosystems in Austria and referring impacts on regeneration dynamics

distribution and changes in environmental levels through time. In addition, contaminant-induced physiological and/or morphological changes in organisms can be used as biomarkers of exposure. For a meaningful interpretation of tissue concentrations and contaminant effects on organisms, a thorough knowledge of the biology of the studied species is required. This presentation reviews the use of wild large mammals as biological indicators of fluoride pollution. Fluoride is a natural constituent of the biogeosphere, with abovebackground environmental concentrations occurring due to release from natural (e.g. volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic (e.g. coal burning, aluminium production) sources. Due to the high affinity of fluoride to mineralized tissues, fluoride levels in bones and teeth can be used to study regional differences in environmental levels and to establish time trends in environmental contamination in a given area. The annually replaced antlers of deer offer a special opportunity for a (historical) monitoring of fluoride concentrations in the environment. Over the last decades, dental fluorosis has been established as a biomarker of chronically increased fluoride intake in various mammalian species. Results obtained on wild placental mammals (deer, wild boar) and marsupial species are presented. These studies range from the detailed analysis of structural defects in the affected teeth to the monitoring of temporal changes in the frequency of dental fluorosis in exposed populations. Zoo animal welfare – Benefits of social grouping of an Indochinese tiger family

I. Kempter and U. Nopp-Mayr

S. Kuich-Van Endert

Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria, E-mail address: [email protected] Small mammals represent seed predators and disperser guilds in forest ecosystems influencing regeneration dynamics, evolution and tree species coexistence. They play an important role as basic food resource for several predators and hosts for various pathogens. In our project, small mammals are monitored since 2002 in the Wilderness Area Dürrenstein (IUCN cat. Ia) in Lower Austria and since 2004 in the Limestone Alps National Park (IUCN cat. II) in Upper Austria using live traps. Additionally, experiments regarding seed and seedling predation and seed hoarding and caching behaviour by rodents were conducted. In both study areas sample sites represent different typical forest habitats: managed and unmanaged forest, primeval forest and uncleared windthrow. During the survey, three peak years of small mammals population densities occurred (2004, 2008, 2012) all triggered by heavy masting of Fagus sylvatica in the year before and followed by a collapse of small mammals population densities. We could show that there were distinct differences between peak, crash and moderate years within the two main species Myodes (formerly Clethrionomys) glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis regarding age structure, sex ratio, body weight and sexual activity. Small mammals had a major impact on the survival of tree seeds and seedlings and showed diverse hoarding and caching behaviour of seeds depending on the type of forest and microhabitat-structure. There is evidence that masting of beech is increasing in large parts of Europe. Thus, peak years of small mammals might occur more frequently in the future with all related aspects regarding forest regeneration dynamics.

Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History, Stuttgart, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] In times of accelerated species’ extinction, zoos strive to optimize their contribution to conservation. As the wellbeing of the captive animals is essential to this endeavour, evaluation methods are frequently employed, of which behavioural observations are the most popular. In this study, Indochinese tiger cubs raised by both parents – which is contrary to common practice - were observed over a 6-month period to investigate possible benefits of group living. Accordingly, an ethogram was established including the following primary functional groups: social, comfort, exploratory behaviour and others. Using these functional groups, time budgets of cubs and adults were constructed. Compared to other cats, the adult tigers in this study were considerably more socially active. The family-raised cubs showed similar development in terms of time budgets compared to other group-housed felid cubs. Throughout the study, little aggression was observed and most of it was soft, non-contact aggression. All individuals shared friendly interactions; preferences for specific partners for specific interactions suggest positive effects of the availability of more than one social partner. Given a large enough enclosure to allow for avoidance or seeking out of certain individuals, a family grouping of cubs and both parents represents an option beneficial to the psychological wellbeing of captive tigers.

Wild large mammals as indicators of fluoride pollution

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, E-mail address: [email protected] The hair microstructures of Korean small mammals from nine species of Rodentia and Lagomorpha (Eothenomys regulus, Micromys minutus, Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus peninsulae, Rattus norvegicus, Sciurus vulgaris, Pteromys volans, Tamias sibiricus, and Lepus coreanus) were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to construct a hair identification key. The dorsal hairs from adult animals were examined using medulla structures,

U. Kierdorf Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Wild mammals are widely used to study the occurrence of (potential) contaminants in ecosystems and their movement through food chains. In surveys and monitoring studies, tissue concentrations of contaminants provide information on their spatial

The hair morphology of Korean small mammals with identification key E. Lee, M.-S. Min, H. Lee

Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

cuticular scales, and cross-section of guard hairs. All cuticular scale structures in the hair of Rodentia and Lagomorpha showed a petal pattern and all of their medulla structures showed multicellular structures. Interestingly, the cross-section of hairs in species of both orders showed diverse types such as oval, dumb-bell, and concavo-convex types. We found that it is possible to distinguish among species based on medulla structures, cuticular scales, and hair cross-sections. Based on this information, we constructed a hair identification key with morphological characteristics of hair from Rodentia and Lagomorpha. This study suggests that hair identification keys could be useful for species identification in a number of fields, such as forensic science, food safety and foraging ecology, and act as first step towards in-depth ecological research in Korea. Between buildings, busses and the German broadway – Genetic connectivity of the European rabbit along a rural-to-urban gradient H.

Lerp1 ,

H.

Jüngling2 ,

M.

Ziege2

1 Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany,

E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Evolutionary Ecology Group, J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany Habitat destruction of natural landscape is one major reason that leads to the phenomenon of wildlife migrating into cities. Urban habitats often provide a variety of niches, also being characterized by a warmer microclimate, abundant food sources and lower predation risk. In case of “urban exploiters” species often reach high densities in cities compared to populations located in rural areas. One example is the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) where intensified land use, diseases and hunting reduced populations in their natural habitats, whereas city populations remain stable or even grow. We hypothesize that urban rabbit populations already act as source populations and rural areas can be considered sink populations with animals constantly being reduced. We sampled 129 wild European rabbits from seven sites along an urban to rural gradient and genotyped those using ten nuclear microsatellite markers. We could neither detect significant correlations of pairwise genetic distance with geographic distances nor with “urbanity distance”. As we found a pronounced genetic connectivity between sampling sites we conclude that rabbits are capable to break down the barriers that potentially isolate inner city habitats and remain genetically connected with populations of rural areas. The dilemma of tigers and common leopards: How to coexist when sharing prey and habitat? S. Lovari1 , C.B. Pokheral2,3 , S.R. Jnawali4 , F. Ferretti1 1 Department

of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; 3 National Trust for Nature Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal; 4 WWF Nepal/Hariyo Ban Program, Nepal Sympatric species should avoid competition through diet, spatial and/or temporal partitioning. In carnivores, interference is widespread between species with similar diets and it has been reported between tigers and common leopards, with the former dominant over the latter. In 2009–2011, in an area of Terai, SouthWest Nepal, we studied diet, temporal and spatial partitioning of tigers and common leopards, through analyses of food remains in scats, direct counts of prey and camera trapping/DNA genotyping of scats, to assess patterns of coexistence between these large cats. Prey availability was high, both in terms of number of species (at least seven wild ungulates beside livestock, two primates and an array of smaller prey) and density (large ungulates, livestock and primates: 130.8–174.8 individuals/km2 ). Wild vertebrates were the staple of both cats (tigers: 82.7%; leopards: 66.6%),

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but leopards used livestock significantly more than tigers did. Diet breadth of leopards was c. 20% wider than that of tigers, indicating a broader food niche. Significant differences in prey use and selection occurred between tigers and leopards, with the former using large (i.e. >100 kg) prey more often and small (i.e. 5–25 kg) prey less often than the latter did. Medium sized prey was taken in comparable proportions by the two cats, with a great overlap of diet (Pianka index: 0.85). Also, activity rhythms were comparable, but spatial overlap was <20%, within the same habitat. Leopards may coexist with tigers mainly by occupying areas peripheral to those inhabited by the latter. Tarsiers – The phylogeography of tiny primates as legacy of Sulawesi’s turbulent past S. Merker Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Sulawesi’s location in the transition zone between Asia and Oceania, its long-standing isolation from major landmasses and its turbulent geologic history sparked a diverse and fascinating assemblage of vertebrates endemic to this Indonesian island. Among its most enigmatic animals are tarsiers. These small, nocturnal primates are thought to be the only extant descendants of an ancient evolutionary lineage. Most species’ ranges roughly concur with areas of endemism as identified for other taxa and may be explained by microplate tectonic shifts and sea level changes. This study’s analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, microsatellite allele frequencies, species-specific duet songs and morphometric data testify to Sulawesi’s high tarsier diversity. Largely, phylogenetic inference and divergence dating based on DNA sequences corroborate common concepts of tarsier dispersal across the region. However, the exceptional disjunct range of Wallace’s tarsier hints at yet unknown drivers of diversification beyond tectonic movements and sea-level fluctuations. In my talk, I will thus integrate “old” and “new” facts on the origins of Tarsius to infer this fascinating primate genus’ course through geologic and climatic history. Nothing but a rat race? Pup ontogeny in naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) M. Morhart, S. Holtze, T. Hildebrandt 1 Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany,

E-mail address: [email protected] Naked mole-rats exhibit a complex social and reproduction system, hence captive breeding is extremely difficult. Their colonies contain ≤300 individuals, yet, reproduction is monopolised by a dominant “queen”, and 1–3 males. Social system is further characterised by a division of labour, overlapping generations and co-operative pup care. Offspring remains in the natal burrows and has to fight for their hierarchical position in the colony. During this process, both sexes face different physical challenges which we hypothesise to be reflected in developmental differences. We quantitatively evaluated survival, sex ratio, and growth pattern based on captive pups at the IZW. Offspring of three queens was assessed during four years: 273 pups in 23 litters were born with a litter size of Ø11.87 and an inter-birth interval of Ø103.55 in a range from 72 to 203 days. Infant mortality was high in these captive colonies; only Ø42% pups survived. At birth, 56% of the pups were male; male biased sex ratio was found throughout all ages. This may reflect the queen’s interest to produce more male workers which will not become a threat to her reign; a possible underlying mechanism may be resorptions, which we frequently observed during ultrasonographic monitoring of gestational development and selectively killing female offspring. Within the first 80 days postpartum, female pups gained body

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Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

weight faster than male ones, although their birth weight were significantly less than of their brothers (t-test, t = 0.66, p = 0.02, N = 243). However, there was a large variability in birth weight within as well as between litters of the queens during the study monitoring. How and when individuals are attributed to different work tasks and if they may change between them is still unknown and subject of further research. Investigation on living, natural Borna disease virus-infected Bicolored white-toothed shrews D. Nobach1 , M. Bourg1 , S. Herzog2 , H. Lange-Herbst2 , J.A. Encarnac¸ão3 , M. Eickmann4 , C. Herden1 1 Institute

of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Institute of Virology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany; 3 Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), JustusLiebig-University, Giessen, Germany; 4 Institute of Virology, PhilippsUniversity, Marburg, Germany Bicolored white-toothed shrews have been recently confirmed as reservoir for Borna disease, a fatal neurological disorder of horses and sheep. To further characterize viral maintenance in reservoir species, bicolored white-toothed shrews were caught alive. Natural infections with Borna disease virus (BDV) in three living bicolored white-toothed shrews were investigated. Despite harbouring infectious virus the animals were clinically inconspicuous. BDVRNA was detected by RT-PCR in excretions and secretions as saliva, urine, sebum, lacrimal fluid and faeces. Infectious virus was isolated from saliva, sebum and urine on rabbit embryonic brain cells. These detections correspond well to the morphological demonstration of viral antigen and RNA in the respective organ systems visualized by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Taken together, shedding of BDV in the bicolored white-toothed shrew is achieved via various routes which enables successful viral maintenance in the reservoir population and even fatal transmission to susceptible end hosts such as horses. Cranial suture closure sequence of Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) J. Oh1 , D. Koyabu2 , Y.K. Kim3 , M. Yasuda4 , J. Kimura1

1 BK21

PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; 3 Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; 4 Veterinary Anatomy, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan Unlike other cervids, Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) lack antlers. Instead, male Water deer have well-developed canines, which are small in females. To find the influence of these characteristics on cranial suture closures, we investigated the cranial suture closure sequence in Water deer. Closure level of 31 cranial sutures were examined. Sutures were scored as 0 (suture line is fully visible), 1 (3/4 of suture line is visible), 2 (1/2 is visible), 3 (1/4 is visible), 4 (not visible). Closure sequence was coded by the sum of those scores. Sutures with high scores were considered to have closed earlier. Slope difference was tested for comparing closure pattern against skull length in the two sexes by 95% confidence interval (CI). exoccipital-basioccipital, and parietalInterparietal, interparietal sutures were among the first three to close in both sexes. Supraoccipital-exoccipital and basisphenoidbasioccipital sutures were fourth and fifth to close. Few closures of presphenoid-basisphenoid and interparietal-supraoccipital sutures were observed in both sexes. Incomplete closures of maxillary-palatine and interfrontal sutures were observed in

some male specimens. Incomplete closures of maxillary-palatine and parietal-supraoccipital sutures were observed in some female specimens. In the two sexes 95% CI of slopes overlapped, suggesting that there is no significant sexual dimorphism in closure pattern. Suture closure sequence in Water deer was highly similar in other Cervidae species previously studied, indicating that the presence or lack of antlers does not affect the suture closure sequence. Maxillary-palatine suture was fused only in Water deer, although not in all adults. Arousal rates in temperate bats: An indicator for thermoregulatory strategy? M.S. Otto, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac¸ão Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Bats of the temperate zones are hibernating, insectivorous mammals. Therefore, they are confronted with fluctuations in weather depended food availability. Small size and actively powered flight result in a high mass-specific energy demand in bats. To deal with those energetic requirements several regulatory mechanisms exist. The most effective mechanism is daily torpor. It is induced by a controlled lowering of metabolism and characterised by the passively lowered body temperature. Hence, differences between body and ambient temperature are fundamental for attaining torpidity. Torpor is mainly influenced by ambient temperature, food availability, body mass and reproductive state. The energetically most expensive phase of torpor is the arousal or rewarming phase. A rapid arousal rate is energetically less expensive than slow rewarming rate and a previous study showed that Plecotus auritus exhibited the lowest torpor temperatures of three gleaning bat species. Therefore, we hypothesised, that P. auritus should reveal the fastest arousal rates of the three species to complete torpor as their regulatory strategy. In 2011 and 2012 we tagged individuals of P. auritus, Myotis bechsteinii and M. nattereri during the reproductive active and inactive period with temperature-sensitive radio transmitters and analysed skin temperatures. As predicted preliminary results indicate that P. auritus has the fastest arousal rate. This suggests that P. auritus minimises energetic expenses during thermoregulation and, therefore, optimises torpor as their pronounced energy saving mechanism. Stage of pregnancy dictates thermoregulation in temperate forest-dwelling bats M.S. Otto, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac¸ão Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] As hibernating, nocturnal, and insectivorous mammals bats of the temperate zones are confronted with fluctuations in weather dependent food availability and a parted reproduction cycle. These circumstances make it challenging for bats to gain sufficient energy for i.a. successful reproduction. The reproductive state has a great effect on thermoregulation as undelayed parturition can only be assured by high body temperatures. However, high body temperatures require high energy intake, as energy fuels the metabolism, which is used for thermogenesis. Therefore, energy saving mechanisms, e.g. a reduction of body temperature (torpor), have evolved in bats. Torpor, however, reduces rates of foetal development and consequently prolongs pregnancy. Regardless of these adverse affects on foetal development the energetic requirements of bats during reproduction urge for energy savings. Therefore, we hypothesised that bats should use torpor through most of pregnancy and only minimize torpor use in the final stages of pregnancy.

Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

Pregnant individuals of Myotis bechsteinii, M. nattereri and Plecotus auritus were tagged with temperature-sensitive radio transmitters and skin temperatures were analyzed. As predicted torpor was frequently used during pregnancy and only minimized in the last days. This suggests that close to the end of pregnancy when foetal growth should be assured by high body temperatures thermoregulation is restricted despite the fact that pregnancy is an energy demanding process. A study on the diet of Meles meles (L., 1785) (Mammalia: Carnivora) in Turkey N. Pamukoglu Department of Biology, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey, E-mail address: [email protected] Meles meles distributed in Palaearctic region rather prefer invertebrates, some small rodents, birds, reptiles and some fruits and vegetables as nutrients. In recent years, many studies concerning the diet of badgers have been published in Europe. However, there has not been extensive research on this subject in Turkey. Most articles published so far in Europe were based on faecal analysis of badgers. The aim of this study was to determine the nutrients in the diet of badgers. Faeces were examined in order to assess determinable frequency and quantity of food eaten. Faeces samples were collected from a field of research at different periods throughout the year. Faeces were brought to the laboratory in numbered polyethylene locked bags. Faeces were dried and then weighed. Faecal materials were soaked in a 2% formalin solution and then washed through a 0.6 mm sieve. As a last step faecal material was collected in a desiccator of 500 ml. Then 1.5 ml of each sample were dried for 10 min, taken into a petri dish and washed with water. Faeces were examined under a binocular and classified into eight different food categories composed of small and large food remnants. These were recorded in order of earthworm, fruits, vertebrates, insects, invertebrate larvae, herbs, herbal materials and others. Prevalence of nutrients within the faeces varied. During the year, approximately 97% of the food consumed, consisted of a mixed structure. It has been determined that the food mixture is containing mostly arthropods, earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), vegetable (seeds and fruits) and pieces of stone and soil. Molluscs, bird eggs and mammals were found to a lesser degree in the faecal material. This research shows that badgers fed on a variety of foods that depends on foods availability. Scent-marking behaviour of Korean native dog, Jindo-Gae (Canis lupus familiaris) S. Park1,2 1 Department of Companion Animal and Plant Conservation, Gyeongju

University, Gyeongju, South Korea, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul,

South Korea This study aims to construct the basic data of scent-marking behaviours of Korean native dog, Jindo-Gae (Canis lupus familiaris) and to contribute to the internationalization of this traditional breed through this research. One male and one female Jindo-Gae were studied. They walked along the regular course for an hour respectively and their behaviour was recorded with the video camera. Numbers and postures of the urine marking were checked. Urine marking of the male was more frequent than that of the female. Both male and female showed a significant increase of scent-marking after they reached sexual maturity. Average urination number of the male was 6.2 and 29.5 times before and after sexual maturity and the female showed 1.1 and 3.6 times, respectively. Urine marking rate of male and female after sexual maturation were 8.2: 1, and marking frequencies per an hour appeared 18.8 and 2.5, respectively. This was higher than that of

15

other dog breeds. Male urinated with various postures such as raised leg urination, slight leg rising urination, stand urination, stand squat, walking urination, and squat, while female urinated only with squat posture. Male first showed a raised leg urination, the indicator of sexual maturation of male, at 209 days after birth. Their higher scent-marking behaviour might be considered as a convincing explanation of their outstanding homing instinct. The ecological and physiological basis of pathogens’ distribution in the wild Pallas’ cats (Otocolobus manul) E.V. Pavlova1 , E.A. Ivanov1 , V.E. Kirilyuk2 , S.V. Naidenko1 1 A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of

Sciences, Moscow, Russia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Daursky State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Zabaikalskii Krai, Russia Our project is focused on the investigation of physiological parameters of welfare, ecological background, and the prevalence of exposure to diverse pathogens in the wild Pallas’ cats. We caught, weighted, took blood and faecal samples from 17 wild Pallas’ cats in 2010–2011 in Daursky Reserve near the Russian-Mongolian border. We found significant seasonal changes of body mass. The animals lost about 30% of body mass over winter. Thus there is a critical period when animals may be malnourished if they could not fatten enough in autumn. We identified the seropositivity for 4 of 15 tested pathogens. Toxoplasma gondii, Mycoplasma sp. were detected in 2 of 16 (13%), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), Influenza A virus in 1 of 13 (7%), 1 of 14 (7%) animals, respectively. The percentage of antibody-positive wild Pallas’ cats was low and the antibodies against the most widespread feline infections were not found in Daurian Pallas’ cats. The ratio of leukocytes was shifted to lymphocytes in Daurian Pallas’ cats (n = 16, lymphocytes (46.9 ± 3.7 (mean (%) ± SE))); neutrophils (39.0 ± 4.0). We suppose that the main cause of lymphocytosis is the release of adrenaline in response to brief increase of lymph flow during muscle activity during a capture. Fecal cortisol level was lower in the wild Pallas’ cats (n = 8) (448.7 ± 46.1 ng/g) than in the captive ones (n = 4) (1.725.5 ± 653.4 ng/g) from Moscow zoo (p < 0.01). Higher fecal cortisol levels in zoo animals might be a reason of reduced immunity in captivity and as result of high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii. This study was supported by RFBR-14-04-01119 and RGS. Visitor management and impact of Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on the ravine forests in the Eifel National Park M. Petrak FB 27-Wildlife Research Institute, Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz NRW, Bonn, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The ravine forests Tilio (platyphilly) – Acerion-Pseudoplatani of the river Urft valley north of Vogelsang belong to the most valuable mature plant communities of the Eifel National Park. The National Park Eifel is a 110 km2 woodland reserve in the German low mountain range (altitude 200–600 m) and was founded in January 2004. The impact of Red deer on the plant communities of the ravine forests was analyzed by means of vegetational surveys including estimates on feeding intensity on the different plant species. The influence of tourism on the impact of Red deer on the plant communities was analyzed by comparing the browsing intensity in 2004 before the opening of the area for visitors and 2010 after an heavy increase of tourism. Most of the people come to the former military buildings of Vogelsang. These buildings are close to the ravine forests. So the Red deer reduced its activity on the grassland nearby the buildings. Characteristic species of ravine forests are Fraxinus excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer platanoides, Ulmus scaber, Tilia platyphyllos. Since the slopes, where these plant communities grow on, are

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rather steep and the solifluction is high, Red deer used these areas only to a small extent as feeding grounds up to 2006. In 2004 the browsing intensity on the association characteristic species Lunaria rediviva was only 16% of the biomass. In 2010 34% of the biomass of Lunaria rediviva was taken away. Altogether the strong feeding pressure caused by human disturbance will lead to problems for the development of the ravine forests. Vegetational surveys are a suitable method to analyze the influence of man-induced changes in behaviour of the Red deer on the habitat usage. The visitor management concept has to be improved, to keep ravine forests and Red deer in a balance. Since the buildings of Vogelsang are not part of the Eifel National Park, the balance between nature conservation and tourism still needs to be found after 10 years. Mother-offspring relations and the transition to independence of Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) P. Piedrahita, K. Meise, O. Krüger, F. Trillmich Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The evolutionary benefit of parental investment is to increase offspring survival and reproductive success. Nevertheless, parents need to balance their investment against potential costs such as a decrease in survival and reduction in future reproduction. Furthermore, in several size dimorphic mammals the energy intake of male offspring is higher than that of females, which entail a higher cost for parents. In pinnipeds, the maternal effort mostly consists of milk-provisioning. In the polygynous Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), sons are larger than daughters from birth to beyond weaning. This sexual size dimorphism suggests that either mothers bias investment towards the sex with the higher fitness return or that sons may demand more maternal investment than daughters in order to maintain fast growth. We investigated the attendance behaviour of mothers and the foraging behaviour of their juveniles during the transition to independence by deploying Time-Depth Recorders and analyzing offspring trophic position from stable isotope signatures in relation to mothers. Our results show that mothers did not differ in body condition or attendance behavior in relation to yearling sex, but sons relied less than daughters on independent foraging during the first two years of life. Most sons were apparently sustained by milk-provisioning, whereas many daughters contributed to their energy intake by independent foraging. Our data suggest that in the Galapagos sea lion, a sexually dimorphic large mammal, mothers tolerate sons’ higher demands without adjusting their nursing strategy. However, whether this differential demand affects a female’s future reproduction remains to be investigated. Studies on deterrent agents for predator and prey species to avoid wildlife collisions along transport routes on the example of Grey wolf (Canis lupus) and Red deer (Cervus elaphus) J.-U. Polster and S. Herzog Lectureship of Wildlife Ecology and Game Management, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected] Recent transport routes are bearing several ecological problems, such as habitat loss, habitat fragmentation or increased mortality of certain species. Fences in combination with wildlife crossings, mainly wildlife tunnels or ecoducts, have become quite usual for motorways. However, such solutions are only appropriate in the case of large-scale intersection-free motorways or railroad tracks. Intermediate or small transport routes usually exhibit a huge number of crossings and junctions. In this case the use of fences with gaps between fenced sectors might even increase the risk of traffic kills. The problem will increase further when taking large

scavenger and predator species into consideration. They may be attracted by carcasses along the route, leading to “ecological traps”. For these situations, no standard solutions are available. Thus, our goal was the development of a management concept using potentially deterrent agents as replacement for or supplement to fences along transport routes to achieve a higher degree of flexibility in the measures applied. We tested different agents in two wildlife-enclosures on Grey wolf and Red deer representing predator as well as prey species. In an extensive monitoring set-up we observed the behaviour of the animals as a reaction on the different acoustic, optical, olfactory and tactile stimuli. Our first results show, that optical or olfactory single-sense stimuli are nearly ineffective. Some acoustic stimuli have been proved to be effective. Moreover, sound-light combinations or even small changes in the design of fences may be also of an increased effectivity, at least on a short-term scale. Brown bear (Ursus arctos) damages: A strategic approach or hazard? I.-M. Pop1 , S. Chiriac2 , A. Sallay1,3 1 Association

for Biological Diversity Conservation, Focsani, Romania, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Environmental Protection Agency Vrancea County, Focsani, Romania, E-mail address: [email protected]; 3 Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria, E-mail address: [email protected] The multi-functional landscape of the Romanian Eastern Carpathian Mountains has an important role on maintaining the present brown bear population. Without considering the ongoing bear habitat degradation, the human-bear conflicts, are explained by hunters, authorities and farmers as a result of a boost of the brown bear population size. During 2007–2013 we registered 700 damages made by brown bears to livestock, crop fields, bee hives and orchards. Each conflict situation was registered with the time of occurrence, type of damage, distance from forest patches and human settlements, presence of reliable protection systems and estimated brown bear density. Over 73% of damages were on livestock, half of them involving the killing of bovines during grazing activity. The distance from forest was an important factor, over 60% of damages occurred at a distance less than 500 m from tree cover. Additionally, almost 60% of damages occurred at a distance less than 1500 m from villages, indicating an increasing level of tolerance of bears towards human presence. In the studied area the density of bears seems to play a small role on damage occurrence and frequency, the factors influencing the occurrence of conflicts are in most cases the result of human activity.

Ecology of and the possible hunting impact on leopard population in Luambe National Park, Zambia and a bordering game management area R.-R. Ray Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The leopard (Panthera pardus) is thought to be the most resilient of all the large African predators and able to easily adapt to habitat changes. However, there is little scientific data to substantiate this claim and the influence of trophy hunting on leopard populations is unclear. In Zambia, quotas for the different hunting areas (=Game Management Areas, GMA) are set without any knowledge on population size and density. The objectives of this study were to examine density (using photographic capture and recapture sampling), diet (by analyses of feacal samples), home ranges, activity pattern, and habitat use (by radio-tracking) of leopards were studied in Luambe National Park (LNP) and a bordering GMA in Zambia with a special focus on the impact of trophy hunting. The

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latter objective was designed to give an insight into the hunting harvest of the leopard, its prey species, its competitors in Zambia and possible consequences for the leopard population based on the data from the National Park and the bordering GMA. Country-wide hunting quotas were compared with quotas of all hunting blocks located inside the Luangwa Valley of Zambia and within the four hunting blocks surrounding the LNP. The comparison showed that 17% of Zambia’s area covered by hunting blocks consists of hunting blocks situated in the Luangwa Valley. Despite the small size of the area, a high percentage of the country-wide trophy hunting on leopards was taking place in hunting blocks located around the LNP, suggesting high hunting pressure on leopards in this region. What affects populations of puku (Kobus vardonii) in selected areas of Zambia? V. Rduch Abteilung Wirbeltiere (ZamBio-Projekt), Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Explaining patterns of animal distribution and abundance is one major challenge of ecology. The availability of habitats, food and predation determines the (co)existence of animal species. The puku (Kobus vardonii; Reduncini, Bovidae) is a medium sized, relatively poorly studied antelope of southern central Africa. Data about autecological and synecological aspects of the puku’s ecology in Zambia were collected during three field trips, from 2009 to 2011, with a focus on Kasanka National Park (NP) and in and around Kafue NP. Road surveys along line transects revealed population densities, habitat choice and population characteristics. Microhistological analyses of plant fragments in dung were used to assess diets and dietary overlap. Analyses of carnivore faeces uncovered predation on the puku. Puku occurred at high densities on grasslands next to rivers or lakes. Spatial overlap with other bovids was low with impala (Aepyceros melampus) being an exception in and around Kafue NP. The puku, almost entirely grazing and suggested to choose food plants opportunistically, had a generally low dietary competition, especially in the dry season. Large terrestrial predators may not limit the puku’s population in Kasanka NP. In and around Kafue NP, predation was suggested to be higher and possibly regulates the pukus’ population to a greater extent. Considering the high numbers of juveniles, male-groups and individuals in poor body condition in Kasanka NP, bottom-up regulation via rainfall and food is likely to act on the pukus’ population, particularly in Kasanka NP. The findings shall help improving conservation measures in Zambia. Mountain hares (Lepus timidus) and tourism activities: Stress events and reactions M. Rehnus1,2 , M. Wehrle3 , R. Palme4 1 Swiss

Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland, Email address: [email protected]; 2 Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria; 3 Natur- und Tierpark Goldau, Goldau, Switzerland; 4 Department of Biomedical Sciences/Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria Winter tourism is increasing in the European Alps and has a significant impact on wildlife. Wildlife is often disturbed by these activities as they mostly occur in an unpredictable manner, and animals may only have limited possibilities for adaptation. However, the physiological and behavioural reaction to tourism activities in Mountain hares (Lepus timidus) is still unknown. In this study, we measured the levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) in wild mountain hares living in areas that had no, medium or high levels of tourist activity during winter in 2011. Furthermore, we compared the changes in GCM excretion, behaviour and food

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intake of six captive mountain hares following predator challenge experiments from early to mid-winter. Our field results showed that GCM excretion is positively correlated with increased tourism intensity. In the predator challenge experiments, hares spent less time resting and grooming (including re-ingesting faecal pellets) during and after the stress treatments. These stress events lead to higher energy demands due to flushing, increased GCM levels, and disrupted the energy intake that hares derive from faeces. We conclude that mountain hares living in areas with frequent human winter recreational activities show changes in physiology and behaviour that demand additional energy in winter, when access to food resources is limited by snow. In order to protect Mountain hare populations, we recommend that managers keep forests inhabited by Mountain hares free from tourism infrastructure and retain undisturbed forest patches within skiing areas. Relevant and quick information on wildlife research M. Rehnus1 and E. Mosler2 1 Swiss

Wildlife Information Service, Wildtier Schweiz, Zurich, Switzerland, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 FaunaFocus, Schweiz, Zurich, Switzerland, E-mail address: Wildtier [email protected] WILDTIER SCHWEIZ is a non-profit organization specialized in distributing information on wildlife research – for every situation and need. Here, we proudly present two convenient tools for wildlife researchers: the Swiss Wildlife Information Service (SWIS) and FaunaFocus. SWIS is a unique data base on scientific publications of European wildlife and beyond. The immense quantity of publications is cited by experts. SWIS guarantees a short and manageable list of publications highly relevant to your research topic – the thousands of insignificant publications proposed by search engines are omitted. We aim at handling requests of our clients within a few hours, at the latest in three working days. Since 1974 SWIS has been keeping up with new releases of peer reviewed journals and other related publications: a treasure trove for researchers who build their research upon the state of the art. Project partners are the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment and the University of Zurich. www.wildtier.ch/swis. FaunaFocus is a popular scientific series (twelve to six-teen pages) in German for researchers who want to be informed about new topics of wildlife research pleasurably but reliably. As it is impossible to keep up with the many research topics aside of one’s own, FaunaFocus provides a quarterly update on selected contributions. This allows to create astonishing links between otherwise unconnected research. The series offers a broad spectrum of topics related to wildlife, its habitats and newly developed methods. The authors are mostly researchers presenting their findings to other researchers or professionals in wildlife management. www.faunafocus.ch. Similar is not the same: Niche differentiation in highly mobile species assemblages A. Roswag, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac¸ão

Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Resource partitioning is an essential mechanism enabling species diversity. For stable coexistence species should share resources to reduce competition. The used resources of an animal are linked to its morphology and ecology suggesting that similar species utilise similar resources. We aimed to identify differences in dietary and spatial resource usage of highly mobile species assemblages. As model organisms we chose three ecologically and morphologically similar insectivorous bat species Myotis

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bechsteinii, Myotis nattereri, and Plecotus auritus in the same habitat. We hypothesised that resource partitioning of these similar species will be slight but on several dimensions. We determined the diet and trophic position of the species using molecular faecal analysis and stable isotope analysis. Additionally, we examined spatial segregation along the horizontal and vertical axis using radiotelemetry and stable isotope analysis. Dietary niche overlap was relatively high for all species but differences in the spatial niche and trophic position could be observed. To detect resource partitioning in similar, highly mobile species assemblages resource dimensions need to be defined with high resolution. Reconstruction of the winter and summer diet of the Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) A. Roswag1 , U. Weinhold2 , J.A. Encarnac¸ão1 1 Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-

University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Institute for Faunistics, Heiligkreuzsteinach, Germany For mammals one of the major challenges is to cover their individual energy demand. The major energy source is the animal’s diet. The Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is known to collect and store potential diet in a pantry during late summer. This storage serves as food source during the winter season. Several studies investigated the content of hamster pantries but less is known about their effective winter diet. We used stable isotope ratios to reconstruct non-invasively the winter and summer diet of C. cricetus. Individuals of C. cricetus were captured during spring and summer. We collected hair samples of each individual as well as samples of cereals and grasses which could be consumed or collected by hamsters at the capture area. Stable nitrogen (␦15 N) and carbon ratios (␦13 C) of hair and diet samples were measured. It is known that ␦15 N and ␦13 C vary with the animals’ diet and thus are suitable to reconstruct the nourishment. With known discrimination factor of hamster hairs’ ␦15 N and ␦13 C and by using Bayesian mixing models it is possible to calculate the most probable diet contribution of the hamsters. Therefore, hair samples from spring can be used to calculate winter diet while hair samples from late summer give information about the summer diet of C. cricetus. Genetic estimation of population size in an isolated population of a rapidly declining mammal, the Common hamster M.T. Schleenbecker1 , T.E. Reiners2 , C. Nowak2 1 Department

of Animal Ecology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Germany, E-mail addresses: [email protected]; [email protected] While assessing population census size is a basic task in wildlife conservation, it is often difficult to obtain reliable results, in particular for rare and elusive species. In our study we used the principle of common mark-recapture studies using a genetic fingerprint system to estimate population census in an isolated population of a rapidly declining mammal, the Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus). During the field work in summer 2013 and spring 2014, 73 and 53 hectares of a total population area of 140 hectares were monitored, resulting 124 and 76 found burrows (Summer 2013: 1.69 burrows/ha, Spring 2013: 1.43 burrows/ha) respectively. In both seasons hair samples were collected from burrows resulting 76 samples (35 Summer 2013, 37 spring 2014). In a pilot study using the samples collected in summer 2013 (n = 38), we tested if the genetic fingerprint system using 18 microsatellites. The probability of identity for resulting genotypes had a value of 1.6 × 10−7 indicating that genetic individualization is highly reliable. By that we could show that some individuals were using several burrows. We used our marker system to obtain

individual mark-recapture histories. Census estimates derived from individual mark-recapture histories were compared to burrow densities, genetic diversity estimates and measures of effective population size. We estimated genetic population indices (e.g.: He = 0.363 ± 0.042; Ho = 0.373 ± 0.045) indicating future threats for the observed population. Our noninvasive genetic sample method provides a highly precise and easily applicable method for collecting population data of small rodents, which could help to manage endangered populations. King of the forest returns to his old kingdom – First reintroduction of European bison in Germany P. Schmitz, S. Caspers, K. Witte Institute of Biology, Research Group Ecology and Behavioural Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The first reintroduction project of European bison in Western Europe is accomplished in a private working forest in Bad Berleburg, Germany. We surveyed the roaming and exploration behaviour of a single herd during the first 171 days after release. The animals were tagged with GPS-collars and directly observed. We calculated on a daily basis the expansion rate, used areas and its shift, the walking distances and observed the roaming behaviour of a solitary bull. The distance to the release site increased roughly by 450 m/month. The animals’ utilized areas were variable and highest during post-rut. Walking distances fluctuated between 3638 and 5171 m/day. During phase of birth-giving the herd’s walking distances were reduced while utilized areas and shift of areas remained on a similar level. The bull segregated from the herd for 58 days. After each birth of a calf the bull retreated but it reappeared at the herd soon afterwards for a short period. The lone bull’s utilized areas and the shift of areas were bigger while walking distance was smaller. Probably a lone animal is able to stay longer on a foraging patch than a herd. During rut the utilized areas, the area shift, and walking distances increased. We could identify three exploration bouts when roaming behaviour increased and the animals entered new areas. Afterwards they utilized these areas for several weeks. The complete summer home range was 45.2 km2 . The roaming and exploration process was not finished at the end of the observation period. Hibernation patterns in free-ranging Common hamsters C. Siutz and E. Millesi Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, E-mail address: [email protected]; Common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) are facultative hibernators showing a high variation in body temperature patterns during winter. Hamsters accumulate energy reserves to survive the winter period both internally as body fat and externally as food stores in the burrow. In free-ranging individuals, we recently found sex differences in foraging behaviour in that males were mainly feeding above ground, whereas females almost exclusively cached food. Moreover, males had higher body fat proportions prior to winter than females. These results indicate different strategies to prepare for winter, which could be reflected in individual hibernation patterns. We therefore aimed at analysing body temperature changes during winter in free-ranging hamsters using subcutaneously implanted data loggers. In males, hibernation patterns were similar to those of obligate hibernators with regular, deep torpor bouts alternating with short arousal episodes. Hibernation started shortly after immergence into the hibernaculum and lasted until spring, when the individuals emerged after a euthermic period in the burrow. Females, in contrast, showed a high individual variation in body temperature changes, ranging from patterns resembling those of males to extended euthermic periods

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in the hibernaculum interrupted by a short hibernation phase. These results indicate that the accumulation of body fat prior to winter is more limited in females compared to males. Individual differences in reproductive output and maternal effort could lead to differences in the allocation of energy reserves in females and correspondingly more variable overwintering strategies than in males. Characterization of functional traits in the carnassials of the wolf (Canis lupus) using 3D surface texture analysis M.H. Skiba1 , E. Schulz1,2 , T.M. Kaiser1 1 Biocenter

Grindel and Zoological Museum, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Max Planck Weizmann Center for Integrative Archaeology and Anthropology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany 3D surface texture analysis in carnivores illustrates the biomechanical constraints of the chewing process using distinct patterns on the enamel surface of teeth. We compared two extant populations of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) from Alaska and Sweden with regard to their dietary behaviour and tooth function using 3D surface texture analysis (ISO 21578). Precise data on prey species show that the Swedish population feeds to a greater proportion on large ungulates than the Alaskan population, which is confirmed by the surface texture parameters. To test for dental functional traits, three facets of the upper first molar along the cusp and compression basin and two facets of antagonistic carnassials were investigated. The facets on the lingual side of the compression basin of the first molar are characterized by lower skewness and lower peak density compared to the facets on the buccal side, which are distinguished as attrition (tooth–tooth contact) dominated in their wear signature. Facets in the compression basin are more abrasion (tooth–bolus contact) dominated. These signatures correspond with a bone crushing function of the first molar. The antagonistic facets of the carnassials are characterized by asymmetric surface textures, with the upper carnassials having larger and deeper dales with few peaks. Facets of lower carnassials are dominated by higher density of peaks indicating a higher surface roughness. Hence, we conclude that shear-cutting of meat is the main function of the carnassials. This finding indicates that antagonistic facets may not be mixed when evaluating dental surface texture as a dietary proxy. Bat activity across differently managed pine forests in Brandenburg (Germany)

N. Starik and U. Zeller Division of Systematic Zoology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Silvicultural practices may affect biodiversity on different levels and at various spatial scales. To test for differences in functional groups and evaluate effects of different silvicultural management on biodiversity, we investigated bat species activity and nocturnal insect diversity in two structurally distinct types of pine forests (stands with understory vegetation vs. monoculture stands) in Brandenburg, Germany. Bat calls were recorded between May and October in two subsequent years (2012 and 2013) using Batcorder® devices. To verify bat call analysis, mist-netting was additionally conducted. Insect community was investigated using short-radius attracting blacklight-traps (6W). Data were collected at sampling distances of ≥100 m from other habitat types. We found a positive correlation between overall bat activity and insect abundance during nights of acoustic monitoring. Furthermore, we could detect a variation of diversity patterns across moth families between the two stand types. Bat species activity was significantly higher in understory pine forests than in homogeneous

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monocultures. Sound analysis indicated the presence of six species in understory pine stands, whereas only two bat species were found in homogenous stands. Mist netting revealed the presence of four species (understory stands) and two species (pure stands), respectively. We conclude that habitat heterogeneity in managed forests increases bat species richness by facilitating niche or resource partitioning among species. Furthermore, we emphasize the role of bats as bioindicators towards land use-driven environmental conditions. A better understanding of these key-features of interaction between forestry and biodiversity would contribute to improving integrative forest management. The dry-season relevance of Great Ruaha River for larger mammals in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. C. Stommel, H. Hofer, M.L. East Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The Great Ruaha River is the main permanent source of water in the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. Since 1993 the formerly perennial river has shown decreasing flow and has been drying up over most of its course at the end of the dry season when water is most needed by larger mammals (probably as a result of human extraction of water upstream). The effects for larger mammals in this area of outstanding biodiversity and species endemism are largely unknown. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of changing water availability on the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of larger mammals in the Ruaha NP throughout the dry season. Wildlife distribution and abundance was assessed using line transects; camera traps were employed to evaluate the use of key water resources by wildlife; and water quality was measured. Our initial results indicate that water resources have a significant impact on the distribution of large mammal species in the Ruaha NP and result in a significant loss of dry-season habitat for highly water-dependent species. As the dry season progresses, the importance of permanent water in the Great Ruaha River to wildlife greatly increases and the quality in non-flowing water significantly deteriorates. Results of this study will further provide essential baseline data necessary for the long-term assessment of the importance of permanent water for larger mammals in the Ruaha ecosystem, the effects of human utilisation and prediction of the likely effect of future climate change on wildlife in semi-arid environments. Chronic, not acute stress affects innate immunity of European bat species S. Strobel, M.S. Otto, N.I. Becker, J.A. Encarnac¸ão Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-LiebigUniversity, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The total energy budget of an individual must be allocated to all competing physiological functions. This allocation is modulated by neuroendocrine mechanisms i.a. in relation to stress. Stress hormones can bi-directionally modulate the costly immune system depending on the type of stressor. We report the influence of stress on constitutive innate humoral immune responses of Myotis daubentonii and Nyctalus noctula using a functional assay which measures bacterial killing activity (BKA). We expected (i) that chronic stress reduces BKA and (ii) that BKA decreases with increasing handling duration (acute stress). Bats were captured by mist-netting and collection from nestboxes. Blood samples of M. daubentonii were obtained from July till October between 3 and 130 min after capture. Samples of

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N. noctula were collected on one day in August three times per bat in defined time intervals. Plasma was collected and BKA was determined spectrophotometrically in 96-well microplates using the microbes Escherichia coli. For blood samples of male M. daubentonii a declining BKA from July to October was observed. Within 130 or 90 min after capture of bats no reduction of BKA was found. Pre-hibernation involves a variety of stressors over a long time. It seems that the immunosuppressive effects of chronic stress enable bats to reallocate energy from immune function to other physiological processes. In contrast, bats maintained important first line defences during acute stress. This study demonstrated that stress influence immune responses in bats. Causes and consequences of immune function seem to be multidimensional and highly species-specific. Morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of Pipistrellus pipistrellus S. Strobel1,2 , N.I. Becker1 , J.A. Encarnac¸ão1 , T.E. Trenczek2 1 Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics (MEG), Justus-Liebig-

University, Giessen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of General Zoology and Developmental Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany Bats have a very high mass-specific energy demand due to small size and active flight. European bat species are insectivorous and the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) should be adapted accordingly. This study investigated the general anatomy and histology of the GI of P. pipistrellus that should be comparable to other insectivorous bat species. The GIs of three individuals were removed. Each was cut into six sections, fixed in formaldehyde, and embedded in paraffin wax. The tissues and cells of the GI of P. pipistrellus were analysed by classical and lectin histological staining procedures on cuttings of 8 ␮m thickness. The GI of P. pipistrellus was organised into the typical mammalian layers: tunica mucosa, tela submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa. The narrow, thin-walled oesophagus was simple with a folded stratified squamous epithelium without glands. The stomach was globular shaped without any specialisation. The intestine lacked a caecum and appendix. The small intestine was divided into duodenum, jejunum-ileum and ileum-colon. The epithelium consisted of simple columnar absorptive enterocytes and goblet cells. It had no submucosal glands or lymphoid tissue and was organised in villi and crypts of Lieberkühn. The large intestine was very short, only represented by the descending colon-rectum. It lacked villi, the mucosa had only crypts of Lieberkühn. The GI of P. pipistrellus was typical for an insectivorous bat species probably representing the ancestral condition To sum up, the primitive GI of insectivorous bat species shows an anatomical reduction of tissue comparable to other bat species. First insights into two years of standardized large-scale lure stick monitoring of wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Germany A. Tiesmeyer1 , K. Steyer1 , S. Carl1 , T. Mölich2 , B. Vogel2 , A. Huth2 , C. Nowak1 1 Conservation

Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Gelnhausen, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), Erfurt, Germany Populations of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) appear to be increasing in Germany after a severe population decline during the 19th and 20th century due to anthropogenic persecution and massive habitat loss. The species has recently been gaining rising public attention as a result of extensive conservation and monitoring action. However, there is still considerable uncertainty

concerning essential population parameters such as the grade of isolation between populations and both effective and census population sizes. In the frame of a large-scale project, Wildcat Leap (“Wildkatzensprung”), 16 standardized grid cells are equipped in total with 800 valerian lure sticks as hair traps. The grids are spread across the wildcat’s distribution in Germany covering both high and low density wildcat habitats. Supported by more than 500 volunteers the lure sticks are controlled weekly during the mating season over three consecutive years. Here we present data of the first two sampling seasons in 2012 and 2013. Microsatellite analysis of 1016 hair samples obtained from lure sticks resulted in 766 wildcat detections representing 331 individuals. We provide estimates of genetic diversity, genetic differentiation and gene flow among the sampled grids. The study provides basic data on wildcat population structure serving as a baseline for optimized conservation planning. Moreover, combining our genetic data with habitat models will help to provide a well-founded census estimate for the wildcat in Germany. Density and spatial behaviour of Grey red-backed vole in a montane taiga forest of West Khentey Mongolia P. Tserendavaa1 , K. Hackländer1 , E. Erdenechimeg2 , B. Sheftel3 1 Institute

of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria, E-mail 2 University address: [email protected]; of the Humanities, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, E-mail address: [email protected]; 3 A.N. Severtsov Institute Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, E-mail address: [email protected] Rodent population dynamics and their spatial behaviour were observed in a montane taiga forest in the Khonin Nuga, West Khentey Mongolia. Small mammals were captured in July, August, and September 2010–2012. Our study site consisted of a 10 × 10 grid, at 10 m intervals, with one Sherman trap per station. We trapped for five days each month, averaging 7,600 trap nights per year. After determining the spatial densities home range size for the grey red-backed vole Myodes (formerly Clethrionomys) rufocanus and their populations were estimated using the program DENSITY 5.0 (Efford 2012). This species’ density was highest at the light coniferous and dark coniferous forest habitats. The home ranges of males were larger and more diverse than those of females; their sizes being correlated with body mass, such that heavier males had larger home ranges. Understanding animal movement behaviour in dynamic agricultural landscapes

W. Ullmann1,2 , C. Fischer3 , K. Pirhofer-Walzl1 , N. Blaum2 1 Institute

of Landscape Biochemistry, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; 3 Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Universität München, Germany The intensification of agriculture results in decreasing landscape complexity with large matrix areas. Wildlife has to adapt increasingly with the temporal and spatial dynamics of farmed fields, as less natural or semi-natural space becomes available. Animal movements between habitats might be altered due to field cultivation, which subsequently affects biodiversity. Therefore, we are aiming at quantifying specific responses in animal movement behaviour in relation to changing habitat-matrix modifications and landscape diversity. European hares (Lepus europaeus) are used as model organisms in agricultural landscapes. From March 2014 to September 2015 fifty hares are being collared with GPS-telemetry

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systems and acceleration sensors to know exactly where the animal is located and what kind of behaviour the animal conducts at that spatial position. The behavioural response of hares is being investigated in two different landscapes (1) the Brandenburg region with very large fields and few semi-natural structures and (2) the Bavarian region with small fields and a higher landscape complexity. The advanced sensor technology will aid to shed light on the following main research questions: (1) How do sudden resource changes (i.e. harvesting) affect movements and behaviour of animals? (2) How does agricultural management (i.e. application of fertilizers, plant protection products, ploughing) affect animal movement behaviour? (3) How does the structural diversity of the landscape affect animal movements and behaviour? In a pilot study we found that disturbances through agricultural management with resource changes increased the daily movement distances. The data shall be used to contribute to the improvement of nature protection policies and landscape management.

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develop reliable, fast, and cheap molecular detection methods that allow for safe species discrimination from kill samples. Sampling of saliva traces from kills was carried out with sterile cotton swabs at wound sites of the carcass, with focused sampling around the throat and neck area. We tested different approaches: Distinction between wolf and dog was achieved by selecting discriminating SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) from the literature. As the KASPar (Competitive Allele Specific PCR) system offers the most cost-effective and fastest way to determine SNP genotypes, KASPar assays were designed for a final set of SNPs and the subsequent detection was performed on a real-time thermocycler. For the lynx, we designed and tested a new mitochondrial marker. PCR reaction was also performed on a real-time thermocycler to get an absolute quantification of the different swabs that had been sampled. Here we compare both approaches and show the results of initial tests on both reference samples and real-life saliva traces obtained from kills across Germany.

The challenge of trans-European migration for bats

Investigating the implications of shrubification for arctic ground squirrels

C.C. Voigt

H.C. Wheeler1 , D.S. Hik2 , J.-C. Svenning1

Department Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] Considering their small size, bats are extremely mobile. Some bats, such as 8 g Pipistrellus nathusii, travel distances of more than 1900 km twice each year between Northeastern and Southwestern Europe. In my talk, I will summarize our most recent research in the area of migratory physiology of bats. In particular, I will ask if Nathusius bats use optimal strategies such torpor-assisted stopovers, and if they face immunological trade-off situations during their strenuous journeys. In the second part of my talk, I will review the ecological challenge of trans-European migration for bats. After the installation of thousands of wind turbines, crossing Germany during migration has become increasingly risky for bats. 26,000 wind turbines cause massive losses of bats each year in Germany, i.e. about 300,000 bats may get killed annually without mitigation measures. This is consistent with figures from the U.S.A., suggesting that about 10 bats might get killed per MW net energy produced by wind power. German politicians wish to increase the net energy produced by wind power from currently 31,000 MW (2012) to 46,000 MW in 2020, suggesting that Germany will face massive losses of bat wildlife in future as well. Since all bat species are protected under the E.U. Habitat Directive and migratory species by the UN convention, effective mitigation measures are mandatory and not negotiable. Yet, the current practice of mitigation measures is questionable. It appears as if bats are ill prepared for the modern challenges of trans-European bats, even in the presence of astonishing physiological and sensory adaptations.

1 CIRCE,

New tools for rapid species identification of predators from saliva traces on kills

Morphologically similar teeth show uneven enamel distribution in the Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)

J. Wertheimer, D. Klassert, M. Buhrmester, B. Cocchiararo, C. Nowak

D.E. Winkler and T.M. Kaiser

Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Germany; E-mail address: [email protected] Large predators, such as wolves and lynx are currently reoccupying Germany. As predation of livestock and game species lead to human-animal conflicts management plans in combination with compensation fees can serve as an indispensable tool to increase the tolerance towards the occurrence of large carnivores. It is therefore essential to have fast methods on hand that can be applied to identify different predator species. The routinely applied methods are often laborious and expensive. We therefore aimed to

Zoological Institute and Zoological Museum, Biocenter Grindel, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected] The distribution of dental tissues in mammalian herbivores can be very different between taxa and dietary regimes. While grazer have more elaborated and complexly folded enamel ridges, browser have less complex enamel ridges which can even be so far reduced that they do not functionally contribute to shearcutting of forage plants. Such a differential distribution in occlusal enamel proportion has so far not been addressed for single tooth positions in hypsodont species. However, several studies have

Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Århus University, Århus, Denmark, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Biological Sciences Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada In arctic and northern alpine habitats, canopy forming shrubs are expanding under rapid climate change. Changes in forage composition and visibility associated with increased shrub cover may affect predator–prey interactions and foraging efficiency for alpine herbivores, particularly ground dwelling sciurids, which rely on group vigilance to detect predators. Using behavioural and population metrics, and burrow network properties, we demonstrate the implications of vegetation change for arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii) in a population study in the south-west Yukon, Canada and a larger scale study in Denali National Park, Alaska. We observed higher giving up densities in dense shrub habitat than open habitats. This suggests foraging costs are higher in shrub habitat. Using mark-recapture data we also find higher juvenile growth rates and higher survival and density in open tundra habitats than dense shrub. Greater burrowing, more complex arctic ground burrow systems and more signs of recent activity were associated with lower percent cover of vegetation over 50 cm tall and greater forb cover. Finally, we present results from a species distribution model assessing the roles of climate and vegetation structure on arctic ground squirrels and whether spatial patterns are indicative of source-sink dynamics. Increases in shrub cover are likely to have a negative effect on arctic ground squirrels, potentially as a result of changes in visibility and predation risk. We suggest that concurrent changes in forage composition (particularly forb cover) and other habitat characteristics, which are likely to be contingent on local factors, may moderate or exacerbate responses to shrub.

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Abstracts / Mammalian Biology 79S (2014) 2–22

noted differential wear rates between tooth positions in small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs) which might be related to tooth position specific morphologies. In a pilot study we apply CTscanning and quantify volumes of dental tissues in the Plains Zebra (Equus quagga), a hypsodont herbivore with morphologically similar molars and premolars, to investigate how initial wear of the tooth crown is controlled by underlying structures and whether enamel proportion is specific to tooth position. We found an apical-basal gradient of decreasing enamel proportion in all cheek teeth. The apex morphology with less enamel and hence more soft dental tissues is functionally interpreted to ensure fast exposition of enamel ridges which can then act as shear-cutting blades to process the food. This will reduce time between eruption and full functionality. We further noted that the overall enamel content is highest in the upper M3. We thus hypothesise that the M3 has a slightly different functional trait in mastication, resisting highest bite forces along the tooth row and maintaining functionality while anterior teeth are already worn down. Multifamily residences or studio apartments? Shifts in burrow structures of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) along a rural-to-urban gradient M. Ziege1 , T. Wronski2 , M. Plath3 1 Department

of Ecology and Evolution, University of Frankfurt, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]; 2 Department of Wildlife & Aquatic Resources Management, University of Rwanda, Rwanda, E-mail address: t [email protected]; 3 Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Frankfurt, Germany, E-mail address: [email protected]

European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are currently declining in most rural areas throughout Central Europe, while populations in cities often reach high densities. We asked whether and how altered environmental conditions affect the social organization and burrow structures of European rabbit populations located at urban, suburban and rural sites in and around Frankfurt am Main in Germany. We assessed burrow densities, burrow distribution patterns and numbers of burrow entrances and correlated these data with the degree of urbanity. For 19 rural, 23 suburban and 19 urban randomly selected burrows we also measured distances between burrow entrances and height and width of the entrances, respectively. Moreover, we asked whether urbanization affects burrow complexity indirectly through shifts in rabbit group sizes, and thus, used domestic ferrets (Mustelo furo) to chase rabbits out of their burrows. Burrow densities [number ha−1 ] increased along the rural-to-urban gradient, which was accompanied by a gradual shift from accumulated towards more evenly distributed burrows. Burrows became smaller and less complex, and numbers of rabbits inhabiting the same burrow decreased with increasing degree of urbanity. Rabbits are known to form large social groups inhabiting complex burrow systems when resources like suitable sites for burrow construction and food are limited. Altogether then, our results suggest that rabbit populations inhabiting the city benefit from increased structural heterogeneity of urban landscapes that also lead to high and steady resource availability compared to agriculturally transformed landscapes characterizing most rural areas in Central Europe.