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Among the flower beetles (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), the Goliathini comprise several genera of medium‐ and large‐sized beetles widely distributed in sub‐Saharan Africa. In this tribe, the genus Fornasinius Bertoloni, 1853, includes two species found in West Africa: F. higginsi (Westwood) and F. klingbeili Zöller, Fiebig,and Schulze. In this study, we present new data on the comparative ecology and biogeography of these two species, including sex ratio, population structure by size, monthly activity patterns and habitat features at two different spatial scales. These observations were conducted, mostly opportunistically, over a 20‐year period in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo. Both species exhibited similar overall population structure and morphometrics. They were characterised by a male‐skewed adult sex ratio (with possible bias), male‐larger sexual size dimorphism and consistent population structure by size; the two species are seemingly parapatric (with the potential contact zone being separated in eastern Ghana by the Volta River and Volta Lake). Both are primarily found in the vicinity of trees that contained middens of hyraxes, such as Dendrohyrax dorsalis (F. higginsi), Dendrohyrax interfluvialis (F. klingbeili) and Procavia capensis (F. klingbeili). F. higginsi has been primarily observed in forest habitat, while F. klingbeili was found in both forests and Guinea savannahs. Occurrence sites of F. higginsi were predominantly characterised by higher tree cover, less bare areas and built‐up zones. Although these beetles may be locally abundant within hyrax middens, they typically occur in only a relatively small number of sites within their preferred habitat. Monthly activity patterns differed between the two species. Although adults of both species were observed throughout the year, sightings of F. higginsi were more common during the wet season, whereas F. klingbeili sightings were more frequent in the dry season. The observed differences in monthly activity patterns between these ecologically and morphologically similar species may help to minimise interspecific competition in potential—yet unknown—sites of syntopy. Although some Fornasinius populations might be locally threatened by deforestation or overhunting of hyraxes, the careful management of hyrax populations should adequately ensure the conservation of these two beetle species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Reframing African ecology: Challenging bias and celebrating contribution" discusses the bias and marginalization faced by African ecological studies in Western discourse and scientific research. It highlights the rich scientific heritage of African ecosystems and the contributions of both native and foreign scientists. The article emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts and inclusive scholarship to challenge biases and elevate African ecological research on a global scale. It also explores the significant role of African ecology in shaping our understanding of ecological processes, conservation biology, and other scientific disciplines. The article provides examples of groundbreaking research in Africa, such as Dr. Christiaan N. Barnard's heart transplant and Louis Leakey's work in paleoanthropology. It also discusses the contributions of African ecosystems to evolutionary biology, genetics, and conservation science. The article concludes by calling for a more transparent and open discussion in journals like the African Journal of Ecology to promote and recognize African talent in the international scientific community. The article discusses the importance of African ecological research in understanding various topics such as predation, population dynamics, optimal foraging theory, resource stoichiometry, and the composition of food webs. It also highlights the significance of studying bushmeat and its impact on conservation, public health, and local communities. The emergence of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and COVID-19 has further emphasized the need for interdisciplinary research in wildlife ecology, epidemiology, and socio-cultural studies. The article acknowledges the challenges faced in conducting ecological research in Africa, including logistical [Extracted from the article]

Biological communities are structured by a variety of biotic and abiotic relationships, whose understanding forms the basis for effective conservation. Among the myriad factors influencing community dynamics, resource partitioning stands out, potentially enriching ecosystem complexity but also carrying risks for conservation if disregarded. In this study, we investigated intersexual and ontogenetic niche differences among populations of the West African softshell turtle Trionyx triunguis in Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. We observed that these distinct populations exhibited similar habitat preferences, favouring large rivers with abundant riverbank and aquatic vegetation, and muddy substrates. Disparities in habitat preferences were evident among populations and across various life stages, indicating the adaptability of the species. We found that the species was active throughout the year, but most of our sightings and captures occurred during the wet season. In light of the species' vulnerability to overhunting, our research findings provide important data on the ecology of this species that can assist in its effective conservation across all life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Critically Endangered Nubian Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans) is found in the White Nile River system in South Sudan and northern Uganda. Over the past few decades, its populations have sharply declined, primarily due to human-induced threats, leading to its near-extinction across almost its entire range. In this paper, we present the results of a comprehensive threat analysis undertaken to pinpoint the challenges confronting the species within its natural habitat, specifically in the only known sites where it currently exists. We aimed to develop a conceptual framework to understand causal relationships among driving forces, threats and the target species. This framework allows the visualisation and analysis of the web of intricate interactions that contribute to the species' decline and vulnerability. We convened a panel of experts who identified three primary direct threats to the Nubian Flapshell Turtle: (1) Sand mining (IUCN code 3.2); (2) Overfishing by native fishers and refugees (code 5.4) and (3) Habitat loss at nesting sites (code 7.3). Among these threats, overfishing had the largest geographical extension, the highest intensity and duration, while habitat loss occurred at the highest frequency. These threats varied significantly in intensity and frequency. Additionally, when assessing the overall magnitude of these threats, habitat loss and overfishing had the highest impact, with significantly higher scores compared to sand mining. Our experts also identified the underlying driving forces behind these threats: (1) Economic interests driving sand mining activities along the Nile; (2) The influence of civil conflict and refugee populations, which contribute to the demand for bushmeat; (3) the Chinese expatriates, that lead to overfishing; (4) The removal of bank vegetation serves as a catalyst for habitat loss at nesting sites. The resulting conceptual framework serves as a valuable tool for defining targeted conservation measures for each distinct threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation is one of the main threats to biodiversity in Africa. In this article, we highlight the importance of conserving the Guinean forests of West Africa, which are rich in biodiversity and endemism but threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. The size of forest patches is critical, with larger fragments containing more species than smaller ones. The protection of intact, dense forest patches is vital for any conservation strategy in West Africa, but improving the management of forests that are already used for logging and hunting is also essential. Community forests (CFs) can play a crucial role in conservation, especially if there is a substantial network that can promote ecological connectivity. However, biomonitoring in CFs remains a challenge due to inadequate resources. By developing standardised, easy-to-apply and inexpensive methods for biomonitoring, communities can be involved in biomonitoring instead of relying solely on scientists and expensive equipment. We present a monitoring framework here where we suggest local communities should become the main agents for biomonitoring in their own forests; we highlight a five-step scheme. The importance of the various CFs in terms of conservation should be made through a combination of accurate, standardised face-to-face interviews with selected persons in the target communities and biomonitoring be based on the RAPELD scheme. The latter will be implemented after specifically training local 'wise' persons. We are proposing a kind of 'citizen science' scheme, applied to enhance the ability of local communities to monitor their own biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the field of ecology as a global science, focusing on the African Journal of Ecology (AJE) and its contributions to African ecological science. It discusses three main themes in African ecological research: the study of large mammals in savannahs, the bushmeat issue, and forest conservation. It also highlights an emerging niche in African ecological research related to ecosystems in the context of conflicts and mass migrations. The article emphasizes the need for further research in this area and encourages young researchers to submit their work to the AJE. It also discusses the collaboration between researchers from the UK and Italy, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in academia. [Extracted from the article]

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Like every year, I found myself at the University of Lomé (Togo) in 2022 teaching a class on "Population Ecology" to Masters' students. As part of the program, I was describing the concept of commensalism, that is interactions between two species where one species benefits and the other experiences no net gain (Mathis & Bronstein, [18]). INTERDISCIPLINARY ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN AFRICA At a more specialised level, greater interdisciplinarity in ecological research would most certainly lead to more studies on commensalism in Africa, and the discovery of new and interesting case studies. After all, I F. klingbeili i was only discovered in 1995 (Zoller et al., [34]), and the commensalism of West African I Fornasinius i species with tree hyraxes much more recently (Maquart & Malec, [17]). [Extracted from the article]

Pollinator biodiversity in Uganda and in sub-Sahara Africa: Landscape and habitat management strategies for its conservation. For example, the Guinean forests of West Africa are considered among the most fragmented forest habitats in the world, a biodiversity hotspot, currently comprising no more than 5%-10% of its original extension. In Africa, habitat fragmentation is not less a threat to biodiversity than in temperate regions, particularly for forest species (e.g., Bloomfield et al., [11]; Curry et al., [17]; Davis & Philips, [18]; Dendi et al., [19]; Newmark & McNeally, [45]). Impact of habitat fragmentation on the spatial structure of the eastern arc forests in East Africa: Implications for biodiversity conservation. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The sexually dimorphic dynastine centaurus beetle, genus Augosoma (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae), is endemic to tropical Africa where two species are found (A. centaurus and A. hippocrates). These beetles are consumed by rural populations, cause damage in plantations and are targets of insect collectors and traders. We present information on size differences and analyzed intersexual niche divergence and seasonality of A. centaurus in seven study sites in three West African countries (Ivory Coast, Togo and Nigeria). We recorded 711 light‐attracted and/or opportunistically encountered individuals, as well as another 97 beetles in standardized transect surveys. In the latter, we found the adult sex ratio was equal, but was significantly skewed towards females in light‐attracted and/or opportunistically encountered individuals. In a sample of 298 adult beetles, males were significantly larger than females, with almost no size overlap between sexes. Beetle activity was highly seasonal with most animals observed in November, active from 19:00 h to 24:00 h. Differences in habitat use were not significant between sexes, with most individuals observed in secondary forest. Males were found higher on vegetation than females and beetles of both sexes were found on Pandanus and raffia palms. Beetles were larger in sites with more vegetation cover, and there was a significant effect of tree species on body size of both sexes. Study area or country had no effect on any of the studied parameters. Our study confirms that transect surveys without light trapping can be an effective tool for understanding large‐sized tropical beetles of similar ecological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing community assembly rules has been a prominent task by community ecologists. Using a turtle family (Pelomedusidae) as a study case, we analyze the structure of their communities from the continental scale to the habitat scale, by using a suite of statistical approaches: (i) GIS modeling of the most complete presence sites dataset (from IUCN/SSC TFTSG archive); (ii) niche overlap and co‐occurrence null models with Monte Carlo simulations; (iii) generalized linear models. We used, after controlling for spatial autocorrelation, continental scale presence data totalling 1698 locality records belonging to 27 species of African Pelomedusidae and local scale data from 58 surveyed stations in eight different countries, totalling 1936 turtle individuals of at least five species (but several taxa are included into one of these "species": the Pelomedusa subrufa complex). At the local scale, the number of co‐occurring Pelomedusidae in Africa ranged from two to three species, although the ranges of up to five total species overlapped at various locations on the continental scale. A simulation study showed that, at the continental scale, the various species co‐occurred following assembly rules that are compatible with interspecific competition by two metrics. At the habitat scale, the mean number of sympatric species was just below two and the maximum number of sympatric species per local site was three, with significant variation among habitat categories (more in forest than in any other habitat). Body size filtering may be also a mechanism that facilitates coexistence of pelomedusid species under sympatric conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus) is the most threatened chelonian species in the Middle East, where it is endemic to the Tigris and Euphrates basins. Since the ecology of this species is little known, it is difficult to plan any reliable action for its correct management and conservation.To enhance the scientific knowledge on R. euphraticus, and to establish a science‐based management strategy, a detailed investigation was undertaken on the distribution, habitat, activity and home range of R. euphraticus in Turkey. The previous distribution records in Turkey are for the 1990s; thus, this study is the first comprehensive field research on the species after nearly 3 decades.There was a significant sexual size dimorphism in the Turkish population, with males larger than females.Four individuals were radiotracked for 1 year. The mean home range was highly variable depending on how it was calculated, but that of males was considerably greater than that of females by all methods used.A quantitative evaluation was made of habitat change with time. The land cover classes potentially available to turtles in the Euphrates River basin increased by more than 100% between the 1990s and 2018: 92% of this enhancement was derived from water bodies and coastal lands.Fifteen dams have been built in the lower part of the basins in the last 30 years. In addition, continuing human interactions have caused the fragmentation or destruction of suitable habitats for R. euphraticus.The factors threatening R. euphraticus were assessed and a conservation action plan was developed. Some objectives such as monitoring and creating awareness of this action plan have been met while others are still waiting to be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Next to cetaceans and megafishes, freshwater turtles are the most iconic endangered freshwater species.A detailed questionnaire survey conducted with more than 100 individuals from fishing communities in northern Vietnam was used to investigate the current status of Southeast Asian turtles and provides new hope concerning the survival of Rafetus swinhoei, for which recent official records in the wild are limited to a single individual in Vietnam.The survey included the entire Vietnamese portion of the Da River in Hoa Binh and Son La provinces, as well as the Chu and Ma river system in Thanh Hoa Province, as they are the last sites where the world's rarest and largest Asian softshell turtle has been seen. The questionnaire, conducted in Vietnamese, focused on demographic details, fishing intensity and gear, the status of fishing grounds, and the frequency of interaction with turtles.The great majority of fishers could recognize different turtle species from photographs and describe their preferential breeding habitats; not all knew that they are protected. A few confirmed that more than once each year they still encounter freshwater turtles during their fishing activities.This survey provides detailed information on sites where freshwater turtles are still seen in northern Vietnam and broadens our hope that wild individuals of the extremely rare R. swinhoei may still be present in the remaining riparian wetlands of these biodiverse, dammed, and controlled river basins in North Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rafetus swinhoei, a giant softshell turtle from southern China and northern Vietnam, is the rarest turtle species on Earth, and only two individuals are known worldwide (one in the wild). There is very little ecological information for this species, and the remnant distribution remains completely unknown.This article reports for the first time in the international literature the results of a structured questionnaire survey concerning the ecology and distribution of R. swinhoei in Vietnam. The standardized questionnaire consisted of 15 questions and was administered to 10 former Rafetus hunters with several years of experience in catching this species.There was considerable consensus among the hunters regarding several aspects of the biology of R. swinhoei, with special reference to its reproductive and feeding habits. The mean weight of 58 captured individuals was 53 kg, with the majority of individuals weighing 15–40 kg (median = 40 kg) and only 17.2% of individuals weighing more than 100 kg.Based on the hunters'answers, it was established that the population collapse of R. swinhoei in Vietnam occurred in two phases: first during the 1980s, when the population size dramatically decreased, and second, at the beginning of the 1990s, when many hunters simultaneously collected multiple individuals from populations already experiencing severe impacts. There was also a general agreement that these turtles became very rare after 1991–92.In total, 90% of the hunters agreed that there should still be wild R. swinhoei individuals at their respective sites, and some of the hunters also reported a few recent sightings that they attributed to the target species.As several sites of likely presence were identified, we suggest that extensive trapping should be planned at these sites in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses a study related to analysis of the birds community in the Bandingilo National Park, South Sudan and emphasis on the guilds inhabiting the various habitat types. It includes monitoring of several habitat types such as riverine, woody savannah, and shrubland; and reports that bird assemblages of woody savannah sites are more diverse and with higher evenness than those from other habitats. It mentions importance of wooded environments for maintaining the diversity of birds.

Foraging modes (ambush vs. active foraging) are often correlated with a suite of morphological, physiological, behavioural and ecological traits known as the "adaptive syndrome" or "syndrome hypothesis." In snakes, an ecological correlate often reported in the literature is that ambush‐hunting snakes have a higher relative meal size compared to actively foraging snakes which feed on smaller prey items. This "large meal versus small meal" feeding hypothesis between ambush and active foragers has become a widely accepted paradigm of snake feeding ecology, despite the fact that no rigorous meta‐analysis has been conducted to support this generalization.We conducted a phylogenetically explicit meta‐analysis, which included ca. 100 species, to test this paradigm of snake feeding ecology.We gathered data on prey size by inducing regurgitation by palpation in free‐ranging snakes and by examining the stomach contents of preserved museum specimens. When we found prey, we recorded both snake and prey mass to estimate relative prey mass (prey mass/snake mass). We also reviewed published studies of snake feeding ecology to gather similar information for other species.Ambush and active foragers did not differ in minimum or average meal size but the maximum meal sizes consumed by ambush‐foraging snakes were larger than the maximum meal sizes eaten by active foragers. This results in ambush‐foraging snakes consuming a significantly wider range of meal sizes, rather than being large meal specialists compared to active foragers. We argue that ambush foragers evolved to be more opportunistic predators because they encounter prey less frequently compared to active foragers. This hypothesis is further supported by the fact that ambush foragers also exhibited marginally wider diet breadths, consuming a broader range of prey types in comparison with active foragers.Our study challenges aspects of the foraging syndrome as it is currently conceived, and our results have important implications for our understanding of how foraging mode has shaped the behaviour and physiology of ambush‐foraging snakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecology and activity patterns of many tropical vertebrate species are heavily influenced by the seasonal alternance of dry and wet periods. However, the effects of the dry–wet seasonal alternance on feeding habits of tropical vertebrates are poorly known. In this paper, the monthly variations in the diet of the scincid lizard Trachylepis quinquetaeniata were studied, by faecal pellet analysis, in a sandy beach area of southern Togo (West Africa) in relation to both rainfall and temperature‐related variables. The diet was basically insectivorous, with five prey types (Coleoptera adults and larvae, Lepidoptera adults and larvae and Formicidae) being dominant in the pellets. Prey composition was similar between sexes, but varied considerably across months. There was a positive correlation between mean monthly rainfall and number of prey categories eaten in each month. General linear models (GLM) showed that both Simpson and Shannon indices increased with the monthly number of rainy days. GLM also showed that rainfall regime influenced the frequency of eaten Coleoptera adults and larvae and of Lepidoptera adults and larvae, with no effect on Formicoidea. Our study confirms that dietary patterns of tropical lizards are influenced by the wet‐dry‐seasonal alternance, and that both the taxonomic composition of the diet and the dietary diversity metrics are significantly affected. We also demonstrated that rainfall is more important than temperature in determining the dietary variations, and that, among the rainfall‐linked variables, it is the monthly number of rainy days that represents the most important variable. In this paper, the monthly variations in the diet of the scincid lizard Trachylepis quinquetaeniata were studied, by faecal pellet analysis, in a sandy beach area of southern Togo (West Africa) in relation to both rainfall and temperature‐related variables. The diet was basically insectivorous, with five prey types (Coleoptera adults and larvae, Lepidoptera adults and larvae and Formicidae) being dominant in the pellets. Our study confirms that dietary patterns of tropical lizards are influenced by the wet‐dry‐seasonal alternance, and that rainfall is more important than temperature in determining the dietary variations, with the monthly number of rainy days being the most important variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the agricultural technique shifting cultivation practiced in tropical regions which have become the primary cause of deforestation and threat to the wildlife. It also discusses the slash‐and‐burn agriculture in the humid forests of West Africa and deforestation caused by it, including the comparison of diversity metrics and community composition of reptiles for slash‐and‐burn agriculture sites and unburnt sites in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria.

Mediterranean streams undergo seasonal reductions in water availability that may affect amphibian demography due to habitat loss and the concentration of individuals in the shrinking aquatic habitats. However, there are few empirical examples of how increased population density experienced by larval stages produces long-term effects on growth and fitness at postmetamorphic stages. We tested the effect of four different larval densities on the demography and growth of the endangered stream-dwelling newt Euproctus platycephalus. By manipulating larval populations in experimental aquaria, we analyzed the short-term effects of density in terms of growth and mortality rates as well as of social behavior. To assess medium- and long-term effects we tested the metamorph individuals after 1 and 3 years, respectively, and adults for maternal effect by assessing the relationship between mean larval size and fecundity. Larval body size and growth rate appeared inversely proportional to larval density. Density affected the incidence of aggressive behavior by increasing the rate of mutilation to arms and tail. One-year-old salamanders raised at the highest larval density grew significantly less. All 3-year-old individuals reached comparable body size and body condition irrespective of initial larval density. Salamanders presented a positive relationship between maternal size and (1) fecundity and (2) larval size. In natural conditions, increased density may cause slower growth and a reduction in the percentage of individuals reaching metamorphosis. Prolonged dry periods and increased water withdrawals for agricultural and industrial practices have almost certainly affected the population dynamics of Sardinian newt populations in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses long-term population fluctuations of warthog known as Phacochoerus africanus in Nazinga Game Ranch, Burkina Faso. It mentions the impact of NGR management policies and the climatic conditions on the animals. it also mentions Warthog population has suffered predation from Hyaena.

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Monospecific and bispecific genera are of special concern as they represent unique phylogenetic/evolutionary trajectories within larger clades. In addition, as phylogenetically older taxa are supposed to be exposed to higher rarity and extinction risk, monospecific and bispecific genera may be intrinsically more prone to extinction risks than multispecies genera, although extinction risks also depend on the ecological and biological strategy of the species. Here, the distribution across biogeographical zones and the levels of threat to 2 speciose orders of mammals (monospecific and bispecific genera of Rodentia and Soricomorpha) are investigated in order to highlight major patterns at the worldwide scale. In Rodentia, 39.7% of the genera ( n = 490) were monospecific and 17.9% were bispecific. In Soricomorpha, 44.4% of the total genera ( n = 45) were monospecific and 15% were bispecific. There was a positive correlation between the number of monospecific genera and the total number of genera per family. Peaks of monospecific and bispecific genera richness were observed in Neotropical, Oriental and Afrotropical regions in rodents and in the Palearctic region in soricomorphs. Range size was significantly uneven across biogeographic region in rodents (with larger ranges in Nearctic and Oriental regions and smaller ranges in the Australian region), but there was no difference across biogeographic regions in terms of range size in soricomorphs. Most of the monospecific and bispecific genera occurred in forest habitat in both taxa. The frequency distribution of the monospecific and bispecific genera across IUCN categories did not differ significantly from the expected pattern using the total rodent genera and the multispecies genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African elephants ( Loxodonta africana) are ecosystem engineers in African savannahs, but their role in the modifications of the populations of trees by means of their browsing activities has been poorly studied so far in West Africa. We studied the disturbance of elephants to eight selected species of trees in the Nazinga Game Ranch (Burkina Faso), in 54 transects at the end of dry season 2008. We fitted simple models describing the number of dead individuals for each tree species in relation to their initial population density, and in relation to dung-pile density, in the assumption that there should be a positive relationship between elephant density and dung-pile density. Generalized Linear Model analyses and regression analyses showed that the more dense the woodland cover, the least the percentage of damaged plants by elephants. For each plant species, the initial density and density of elephant dung-piles explained a high proportion of the variance in the density of dead individuals. Stochastic models, generated by a purposely created simple computer program written in GW-BASIC programming language, predicted changes in tree and shrub abundance under different assumptions about elephant numbers. The models suggested that elephant browsing may cause considerable change in the selected plant populations, especially with regard to such species as Acacia gourmaensis, Vitellaria paradoxa and Maytenus senegalensis. These changes may possibly increase the meat harvest from controlled hunting activities, thus improving the income for surrounding communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research concerning the habitat loss of tortoises (genus Kinixys) due to overhunting, climate change and human threat in Niger Delta. Information about the distribution and relative density of tortoises inside protected areas, is provided. An overview on the methods used as well as results and discussion about the research, is also given.

In a context of climate change, ecological and physiological adaptations of organisms are of central importance for determining the outcome of niche challenges (e.g., with potential competitors) and species persistence. Typically, long-term data on free-ranging populations are needed to investigate such phenomena. Here, long-term data on a free-ranging population of western whip snakes ( Hierophis viridiflavus: Colubridae) from central Italy were used in order to test the hypothesis that snake feeding frequencies should increase in relation to climate warming, thus positively affecting individual performance because of longer annual activity period, increased daily activity and larger prey base. Data from 231 'female snake-years' of records (including inter-annual recaptures) were collected were collected between 1990 and 2014. The frequency of fed snakes varied remarkably across the study period with a significant increase over the years. There was a significant positive effect of the mean annual temperature on the percentage of fed animals, whereas there was a non-significant relationship between yearly rainfall and percentage of fed animals. There was a positive relationship between mean annual temperature and yearly diversity-of-prey index. No other climatic variables were significantly correlated with yearly diversity-of-prey index. This study supported the hypothesis that global warming may be favorable for thermophilic species (such as H. viridiflavus), as it enhances their foraging performances and hence their feeding frequencies. The same may not be necessarily true for other species which have colder preferenda (e.g., Zamenis longissimus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most dietary studies on predator species available in the literature are based on single populations, with no meta-analysis across populations in distinct areas of their range. Here, we performed a systematic review of the available data on the food habits of barn owl ( Tyto alba) across Italy, collected during the last 40 years in relation to the modeled patterns of richness of small mammal communities. The overall dataset came from 212 sites, with multiple surveys for some sites, and a total of 279 samples. There was a significant effect of sample size on niche breadth in each site. There was a significant difference in terms of dietary breadth among six distinct areas of Italy, with diet breadth being lower in Sardinia and higher in Latium-Abruzzi, Tuscany, and North-eastern Italy. Potential small mammal prey diversity was significantly different across distinct study sites, with Apulia and Sardinia having lower diversity than the rest of the sites. Potential small mammal prey diversity affected the niche breadth per site. Overall, the plasticity of the food niche breadth of the barn owl reflected not only local conditions but also more general distribution patterns of small mammal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Habitat loss and fragmentation are recognized as the main causes for the global biodiversity crisis. Most of the studies investigating the issue of habitat fragmentation in vertebrates are cross-sectional, whereas long-term studies are least available. We surveyed bird communities in 17 forest fragments (FF) and a single continuous forest stands (CF) in central Italy twice, 10 years apart (i.e. in 1996 and in 2006). All community parameters showed a contrasting pattern between 1996 and 2006, i.e. an increase of abundance and diversity measures in CF and a decrease or a stability of the same parameters in FF. Insectivorous and migratory bird species were the most prone to population declines associated with fragmented landscapes. Differences in species turnover between CF and FF were due to a higher extinction rate in the latter forest type. There was substantial population increase between 1996 and 2006, especially in FF, of opportunistic predator species like corvids. This fact may be responsible for the observed dropping in species number, evenness and diversity in FF. Hence, we conclude that, in FF, the bird community is far from being either stabilized or resilient, as it is rapidly evolving into a more simplified assemblage, dominated by generalist species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Islands provide an evolutionary window, where a simplified natural network combined with unusual environmental conditions promote selective processes that trigger rapid changes in biological constituents of a species. The Mediterranean island of Montecristo, Italy, provides such a situation with a reduced fauna and flora compared to the mainland. We measured body size (SVL) and recorded diet of the two snake species occurring on the island, the Asp Viper ( Vipera aspis) and the Western Whip Snake ( Hierophis viridiflavus), and compared these data with populations of conspecifics from the mainland. Compared to mainland populations, the three principal results are: (1) no obvious niche shift along the food or habitat axes between the two snake species; (2) significant body size shift (insular dwarfism) of the whip snake by 30 %, and ca. 10 % in the viper; and (3) arboreal ambushing in the viper to add an alternative diet (birds) compared to mainland populations (more mice) to compensate for the lack of suitable micro-mammals on Montecristo Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to elucidate the phylogeographical pattern of taxa composing the Vipera ursinii complex, for which the taxonomic status and the dating of splitting events have been the subject of much debate. The objectives were to delimit potential refugia and to date splitting events in order to suggest a scenario that explains the diversification of this species complex. Location Western Europe to Central Asia. Methods Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 ( ND4) genes were analysed for 125 individuals from 46 locations throughout the distribution range of the complex. The phylogeographical structure was investigated using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Molecular dating was performed using three calibration points to estimate the timing of diversification. Results Eighty-nine haplotypes were observed from the concatenation of the two genes. Phylogenetic inferences supported two main groups, referred to in this study as the 'ursinii clade' and the 'renardi clade', within which several subclades were identified. Samples from Greece ( Vipera ursinii graeca) represented the first split within the V. ursinii complex. In addition, three main periods of diversification were revealed, mainly during the Pleistocene (2.4-2.0 Ma, 1.4 Ma and 1.0-0.6 Ma). Main conclusions The present distribution of the V. ursinii complex seems to have been shaped by Quaternary climatic fluctuations, and the Balkan, Caucasus and Carpathian regions are identified in this study as probable refugia. Our results support a south-north pattern of colonization, in contrast to the north-south colonization previously proposed for this complex. The biogeographical history of the V. ursinii complex corroborates other biogeographical studies that have revealed an east-west disjunction (situated near the Black Sea) within a species complex distributed throughout the Palaearctic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pythons are harvested for the international leather industry and pet trade. We analyzed the CITES export records (1999-2008) of the most intensively commercialized wild pythons ( Python regius, Python sebae, Python reticulatus, Python molurus, Python curtus species complex) from African and Asian countries where reliable data on trade rates and ecology are available. Mean declared annual numbers of exported pythons were 30,000 in five African countries and 164,000 in Indonesia. Trade intensity tripled in Indonesia over the last decade, but declined in Africa. African international trade is exclusively associated with the pet market (mainly United States and Europe), whereas Asian pythons are sold mostly for luxury leather, albeit more recently also for the pet trade. A negative correlation between the annual numbers of pythons traded in Africa vs. Asia suggests a rapid and recent shift of the pressure exerted on wild populations in the two main exporting continents. We also found a strong effect of the currency exchange rate ( i.e., U.S.$/€, the currencies used by the major importing countries) on African python exports: when the cost per African python increased, importers relied increasingly on Asian providers for pet trade. Overall, our data indicate that Asian pythons (especially P. reticulatus) might be threatened due to the rapidly increasing pressure, whereas the decreasing international trade in African pythons is likely more sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific competition has been demonstrated to be an important shaping force for snake communities worldwide, but relatively few studies have investigated its occurrence and extent with island assemblages of snakes. In Sardinia (Mediterranean Sea), two species of whip snakes (Colubridae) co-occur, one of them being abundant and widespread ( Hierophis viridiflavus) and the other being localized and critically endangered ( Hemorrhois hippocrepis). A previous hypothesis suggested that the latter species would be confined to suboptimal habitats by the former species, which is a stronger competitor for food. As a consequence, He. hippocrepis would not only be rare but would also be smaller in body size in Sardinia than in other regions of its range where Hi. viridiflavus does not occur. In 1999-2010, we studied habitat selection, food habits, and body sizes of these two snakes in sympatric populations, applying a suite of statistical tools including null models and Monte Carlo simulations. We observed that dietary habits were different between species (compared to Hi. viridiflavus, He. hippocrepis more frequently preyed upon rodents and less frequently on lizards, and within rodent prey, more frequently upon Rattus and less frequently upon Mus), but not in a way compatible with competitively induced trophic niche partitioning. The two species were similar in terms of prey size and predator-size-prey-size relationships. They also differed in habitat selection (maquis was the preferred habitat for both, but Hi. viridiflavus was found significantly more often than He. hippocrepis in grasslands, cultivations, and artificial pinewoods) but again in a non-competitively directed way. In addition, there was no evidence for the hypothesis that He. hippocrepis was confined to suboptimal habitats. Body sizes were similar between species (with males being significantly larger than females), and Sardinian He. hippocrepis were not smaller than conspecifics inhabiting regions without Hi. viridiflavus. Overall, our study showed that the two species differed in some aspects of their ecology, but these differences could not be due to competitive interactions. The conservation implications of these results are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer-reviewed studies on the community structure of small mammals (Rodentia and Soricomorpha) from the Gulf of Guinea region of West Africa were reviewed. To detect nonrandom patterns in the various assemblages under study, the original datasets were re-analysed using null models [two independent randomization algorithms (RA) for niche overlap] and Monte Carlo simulations. The total species richness in the countries considered in this review was 45 species for soricomorphs and 101 for rodents, and the studies reviewed here reported data for 53.3% of these soricomorph species and for 76.2% of these rodent species. Nonrandom habitat niche partitioning was rarely observed in both rodents and soricomorphs. Instead, aggregated use of habitat resources was frequently detected in both groups. Forest habitat was generally selected as aggregating resource type by small mammal assemblages. Thus, contrary to expectations, our review revealed little evidence for interspecific competition along the habitat niche axis in West African small mammals. However, it is possible that the aggregated use of the forest resource by small mammal species may be apparent, but that the various species partitioned space at a lower scale, for instance selecting different microhabitats. Interspecific competition appeared to be stronger in altered habitats, as predicted by previous studies on other forest organisms in West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change modelers predict increasingly frequent "extreme events," so it is critical to quantify whether organismal responses (such as reproductive output) measured over the range of usual climatic conditions can predict responses under more extreme conditions. In a 20-year field study on water pythons (Liasisfuscus), we quantified the effects of climatically driven annual variation in food supply on demographic traits of female pythons (feeding rate, body size, body mass, and reproductive output). Reaction norms linking food supply to feeding rates and residual body mass were broadly linear, whereas norms linking food supply to female body size became curvilinear when a dramatic (flooding-induced) famine reduced the mean body size at sexual maturity. Thus, the reaction norms recorded over 16 years of "normal" (albeit highly variable) climatic conditions gave little insight into the population's response to a more extreme nutritional crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

review of several long-term studies has recently suggested that snakes might be declining in large parts of the world. Additional data from other long-term studies are therefore urgently needed in order to assess the generalities of such suggested declines. Based on a 20-year study, we analyzed demographic data on adult dice snakes ( Natrix tessellata) studied in central Italy between 1985 and 2004. Both male and female dice snakes were relatively long-lived, with no significant differences in longevity between the sexes. Individual males and females were observed over a maximum of 10 and 14 years, respectively. However, the among-year recapture rates between the year the snakes were initially captured and the subsequent year (i.e., year 1 to year 2) was significantly lower (45%) than the among-year recapture rates during subsequent years (74%; i.e., year 2 to year 3), suggesting that a large proportion of the snakes at first capture were in fact not resident within our study area, and hence many snakes were migrating in and out of our 2-km stream study site, with no inter-sexual difference in dispersal rates. Sex ratio was virtually equal if we consider the study period as a whole. Significant annual fluctuations were, however, observed through the study. In 1985-1990, 1993-1995, 1998 and 1999 the sex ratio was male-biased, whereas in 2000-2004 female-biased. In terms of both survival and recapture probabilities, model selection showed that Akaike's information criterion favored the model incorporating body size, with the model incorporating year having an intermediate likelihood, and the model with sex included being the most disfavored. Total population number estimates suggest an average 86 adult individuals along the 2 km of stream with only minor annual variations. However, a significant decrease in the number of males occurred during the last 6 years of our study. Thus, further monitoring of this population is warranted in light of the decline of snake populations reported recently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining priority areas for conservation is essential to minimize biodiversity loss, but the adoption of different methods for describing species distributions influences the outcomes. In order to provide a robust basis for the conservation of freshwater turtles in Africa, we compared the effect that different species-mapping approaches had on derived patterns of species richness, species vulnerability and protected-area representativeness. Africa. We adopted three different approaches with increasing complexity for generating species distribution maps. The first approach was based on the geographic intersection of species records and grid squares; the second on the union of local convex polygons; and the third on inductive distribution modelling techniques. We used distribution maps, generated using these three approaches, to determine conservation priorities based on geographic patterns of species richness and vulnerability, as well as for conducting gap and irreplaceability analyses. We obtained markedly different distribution maps using the three methods, which in turn caused differences in conservation priorities. The grid-square approach underestimated range sizes and species richness, while the polygon approach overestimated these attributes. The distribution modelling approach provided the most realistic outcome in terms of diversity patterns, by minimizing both commission and omission errors. An integrated map of conservation priority - derived by combining individual measures of priority based on the distribution modelling approach - identified the Gulf of Guinea coast and the Albertine Rift as major priority areas. Each species-mapping approach has both advantages and disadvantages. The choice of the most appropriate approach in any given situation depends on the availability of locality records and on the relative importance of mitigating omission and commission errors. Our findings suggest that in most circumstances, the use of distribution modelling has many advantages relative to the other approaches. The priority areas identified in this study should be considered for targeting efforts to conserve Africa freshwater turtles in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finima Nature Park, situated in Bonny Island (Niger Delta, Nigeria), is a protected forested area placed within one of the most industrially developed (and environmentally polluted) regions of the whole African continent. Amphibian and reptile community composition in relation to season and microhabitat characteristics was studied, by a combination of field techniques, during the wet and dry seasons of 2007 and 2008. Overall, a total of 21 species of reptiles from nine families (with 668 individuals caught) and eight amphibian species from five families (492 individuals caught) were recorded. Nearly 94% of the amphibian individuals and most of the species were recorded, especially during the wet season, whereas most of the reptiles were found with no inter-seasonal differences. However, Agama agama and Mabuya affinis were found especially during the dry season. As for microhabitat use, the reptile species showed a clear, aggregated preference for two microhabitat types (dry leaves and under logs), which are probably crucial when these animals need to lose body temperature to avoid overheating. Concerning amphibians, the various species used the available microhabitats in a way expectable from their main ecological traits, with toads differing from aquatic frogs, and these differing from arboreal frogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]