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The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal helminthic infections in dairy animals of internal drainage dry zone of Rajasthan, India. A total of 609 fecal samples were examined from September 2016 to August 2017. Out of them, 295 (Buffalo: 111, Cattle:184) were found positive with an overall prevalence of 48.44% for different gastrointestinal helminthic infections. The study revealed strongyles as the most dominant infection (44.99%) followed by Strongyloides sp. (6.90%). Seasonal dynamics revealed a highly significant statistical seasonal variation (p<0.05) with maximum infection in rainy season (60.10%) whereas, a non-significant statistical difference in district wise prevalence was reported with the highest prevalence rate in Nagaur district (54.97%). Multivariate binary logistic regression model revealed positive association of summer (B=0.83) and rainy seasons (B=1.39) when compared to winter season whereas, association was reported positive in Nagaur (B=0.27) and negative in Jhunjhunu (B= - 1.42) and Churu (B= - 0.15) districts when compared to Sikar district. Similarly, a negative association in crossbred (B= - 0.75) and buffaloes (B= - 0.53) as compared to native animals was reported in the study. Quantitative analysis presented a mild to moderate gastrointestinal parasitic infection in terms of EPG (eggs per gram of feces) ranged from 100 - 400 (228.57±42.06) and 100 - 300 (166.67±33.33) for stongyles and Strongyloides sp. respectively. No fluke infection was reported in the dairy animals of the study area during the study period. Coproculture examination exhibited Haemonchus as the most predominant nematode genus, followed by Oesophagostomum sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichostrongylus sp. and Cooperia sp. in the decreasing order of prevalence. The current investigation may be used to formulate effective control strategies against gastrointestinal helminthic infections in the dairy animals of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of “top-down” ecological regulation predicts that herbivory suppresses plant abundance, biomass, and survival but increases diversity through the disproportionate consumption of dominant species, which inhibits competitive exclusion. To date, these outcomes have been clear in aquatic ecosystems but not on land. We explicate this discrepancy using a meta-analysis of experimental results from 123 native animal exclusions in natural terrestrial ecosystems (623 pairwise comparisons). Consistent with top-down predictions, we found that herbivores significantly reduced plant abundance, biomass, survival, and reproduction (all P < 0.01) and increased species evenness but not richness (P = 0.06 and P = 0.59, respectively). However, when examining patterns in the strength of top-down effects, with few exceptions, we were unable to detect significantly different effect sizes among biomes, based on local site characteristics (climate or productivity) or study characteristics (study duration or exclosure size). The positive effects on diversity were only significant in studies excluding large animals or located in temperate grasslands. The results demonstrate that top-down regulation by herbivores is a pervasive process shaping terrestrial plant communities at the global scale, but its strength is highly site specific and not predicted by basic site conditions. We suggest that including herbivore densities as a covariate in future exclosure studies will facilitate the discovery of unresolved macroecology trends in the strength of herbivore–plant interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After European settlement in Australia, possums and other marsupials were hunted and trapped for their skins. In the later part of the nineteenth century an international export trade developed to satisfy the growing demand for fashion furs in North America and Europe. Rather than indiscriminate slaughter, it was a socially and economically significant activity. This article traces the relationship between the colonial project, international fashion trends and social and economic demands of settler society. It situates Victoria and its native animal populations in a transnational story and places its environmental history within the greater global sphere. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Australian constitution makes no mention of native animals. Responsibility for animal welfare is largely retained by the states and territories via a fragmented, complex, contradictory, inconsistent system of regulatory management. Given that most jurisdictions have expressly made the possession of wildlife unlawful, the action of taking and possessing an animal, to rehabilitate it, defies the regulatory process. In most jurisdictions, it is illegal to microchip, band, or mark an animal, meaning that no reliable method is available to monitor an animal. Each year, a minimum of 50,000 rehabilitated native animals are released back to the wild, with little post-release monitoring. Where required, the assessments of behavioural and health requirements to confirm suitability for release may be undertaken by people with either negligible or questionable qualifications. Whilst it can be appropriate to rehabilitate and release injured native animals back to the wild, there may be moral, ethical, and practical reasons for not releasing hand-reared orphan native animals. This article examines the evolution, and explains the consequences, of decentralised regulation on wildlife carers and rehabilitating animals. It recommends that the practice of placing hand-reared native animals into the wild, and the regulatory framework that provides for it, should be reviewed.

Background: Meeting the nutritive needs of infants and young children is a challenge in Ghana. Alternative animal source foods, including insects, could enhance infant and young child dietary quality while also improving livelihoods.Objective: To investigate the perspectives of Ghanaian stakeholders on the acceptability of the palm weevil larvae ( akokono) as a food source and the feasibility of micro-farming this local edible insect as a complementary food for infants and young children.Methods: We conducted an ethnographic study in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. First, 48 caregivers were asked questions about feeding and care practices, including attitudes toward production and consumption of akokono. Then, a selection of previously interviewed respondents joined 1 of 8 focus group discussions to provide further insight on key themes that emerged from earlier interviews. Concurrently, interviews with 25 other key local stakeholders were conducted.Results: Respondents generally had favorable perceptions of akokono as a nutritious food. A small minority would not consume akokono for religious reasons. Key factors positively influencing the acceptability of akokono as a complementary food were familiarity with the consumption of akokono by the primary caregiver and health worker endorsement of akokono. Stakeholders consider the larvae farmable and were open to its domestication.Conclusions: Anticipated barriers to scaling up akokono micro-farming include a need for greater familiarity with and acceptance of the insect as food for infants and young children and creation of a sustainable market. Engagement with stakeholders, including health workers, will facilitate use of akokono as a complementary food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian native, nonhuman animals at first intrigued and then disappointed newcomers as Australia was colonized by the British in the late eighteenth century. They were disparaged as unproductive and unpalatable oddities, killed as competitors to introduced species, or harvested as a source of fur and feathers for export. Focusing on the period 1803 to 1939, this paper examines one exception to this general pattern: the keeping of native animals as "pets." Contemporary newspaper articles and advertisements are drawn upon to demonstrate that the Australian native fauna kept as pets were highly valued both emotionally by their "owners" and economically in the commercial trade and the courts. This valuation had few direct benefits to species overall because it remained focused on individual pets and was not shared with free-living animals, but it did keep alive an interest in native animals that greatly expanded in the mid-twentieth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrigued by the power of science to grapple with questions relevant to management, Victorian landscape ecologist Andrew Bennett has directed his career to investigating how human land-use and landscape change affect native fauna and ecological processes, seeking ways to achieve the ongoing conservation of Australian native fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing numbers of invasive alien plant (IAP) species are establishing around the globe and can have negative effects on resident animal species function and diversity. These impacts depend on a variety of factors, including the extent of invasion, the region and the taxonomic group affected. These context dependencies make extrapolations of IAP impacts on resident biota from region to region a substantial challenge. Objectives: Here, we synthesised data from studies that have examined the effects of IAPs on animal diversity in South Africa. Our focus is on ectothermic organisms (reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates). Method: We sourced relevant articles using keywords relating to (1) the effects of IAPs on species diversity (abundance, richness and composition), (2) the IAP and (3) the native ectotherm. We extracted the taxonomic and spatial coverage of IAPs and affected native species and assessed the extent of information given on potential mechanisms driving IAP impacts. Results: Across the 42 studies, IAPs had a decreasing or neutral effect on native animal abundance and richness and significantly changed species composition. This review highlighted the paucity of studies and the research deficits in taxonomic and geographic coverage and in the mechanisms underlying IAP impacts on ectotherms. Conclusion: By assessing the status of knowledge regarding the impacts of IAPs on resident animal species in South Africa, this study identifies information gaps and research priorities at the country level with a view to informing monitoring and conservation efforts, such as alien plant removal and control programmes, and ensuring that endemic terrestrial animal diversity is maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fejervarya kawamurai (Dicroglossidae) is an invasive species occurring in several populations in the Kanto region, including Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. To estimate the ecological impacts of this frog, we investigated the food habits of invasive populations. We collected 119 individuals of F. kawamurai. Of these, 108 (90.8%) had stomach contents that included various small animals. Therefore, this invasive frog might influence the ecosystem via predation pressure on small native animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de determinar os índices de conforto térmico em instalações para ovinos, analisar os parâmetros fisiológicos e o gradiente térmico de quatro grupos genéticos, na região semiárida paraibana. Foram utilizados 40 animais, dez por grupo genético, que foram: Cariri, Morada Nova, Barriga Negra e Cara Curta, todas fêmeas, alojadas aleatoriamente em quatro apriscos. Os índices ambientais dentro das instalações, principalmente das 11 às 15 h, ficaram acima da zona de conforto térmico para ovinos adultos, com exceção da umidade relativa do ar, que ficou com média diária de 67,5%. A temperatura retal dos animais esteve dentro da faixa normal, sendo o grupo genético Morada Nova o que apresentou menor valor (38,6 ºC). A frequência respiratória dos animais em cada grupo genético ficou acima do valor recomendado, porém o Morada Nova apresentou o menor valor (43,5 mov min-1); em contrapartida, o Cariri e o Barriga Negra apresentaram os maiores valores (48,0 e 47,3 mov min-1, respectivamente). Os animais com pelagem mais escura e de maior porte, como os da raça Cariri, apresentaram maior gradiente térmico entre a temperatura do ar e a temperatura superficial. Os animais apresentaram alto índice de tolerância ao calor, ou seja, bem adaptados ao ambiente tropical, podendo o grupo genético Cariri ser caracterizado como o menos adaptado e o Morada Nova considerado o mais bem adaptado às condições experimentais.The objective of this research was to determine the thermal comfort indexes for sheep raising installations, analyze the physiological parameters and the thermal gradient of four sheep genetic groups in the semi-arid region of the state of Paraiba, Brazil. Forty animals were used, being ten individuals per genetic group; the groups were: 'Cariri', 'Morada Nova', 'Barriga Negra' and 'Cara Curta'. All of them females and randomly housed in four adequate installations. The environmental indexes inside the lodging, mainly from 11 a.m. to 13 p.m., remained above the thermal comfort zone for adult sheep, except for the relative humidity, that had a daily average of 67.5%. The rectal temperature of the animals was kept within the normal range, except for the genetic group 'Morada Nova' that presented the lowest values (38.6 ºC). The respiration frequency for each of the genetic group was above the normal value; with the 'Morada Nova' once again presenting the lowest values (43.5 mov min-1); the 'Cariri' and 'Barriga Negra' showed the highest frequency (48.0 and 47.3 mov min ¹, respectively). Animals with darker hair color and larger size, such as those belonging to the genetic group 'Cariri', presented a higher thermal gradient between air and body surface temperatures. Animals showed high tolerance to heat, in other words, they are well adapted to the tropical environment, except for the genetic group 'Cariri' that was the least adapted. The genetic group 'Morada Nova' was considered the best adapted group for the experimental conditions.

Spoil dumps in the subalpine and montane environments of Kosciuszko National Park in far south-eastern Australia are modified landscapes which in the past were considered to have little faunal value. Recent finds (2010-2011) of the critically endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum ( Burramys parvus) have resulted in a reconsideration of the importance of such landscapes to fauna. Such re-evaluation has been translated into on-ground actions, including the construction of an artificial boulderfield on one spoil dump as habitat targeting Mountain Pygmy-possum in rehabilitation works. Trapping 7 and 19-20 months, respectively, after these works has so far not recorded this Pygmy-possum. However, it led to the discovery of another critically endangered species, the Smoky Mouse ( Pseudomys fumeus). Two males (with three recaptures) and one female were captured in 250 trapnights in November 2015 and an additional male in 600 trapnights in December 2015. The capture of this enigmatic species is highly significant as it is the first live capture of the species in the park and it is only the second locality in which live captures have been made in New South Wales since 2001. The location of the Smoky Mouse in spoil dumps further emphasises how these areas provide existing and potential habitat for native fauna species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programs to conserve native fauna in invaded ecosystems often aim to reduce the impacts of alien predators. This approach can lead to unexpected outcomes in the native and the remaining invasive components of restored ecosystems. In New Zealand, suppression and eradication of invasive mammalian predators are well-established conservation strategies, particularly on offshore islands and in mainland ecosanctuaries. Predator control has achieved important conservation gains over increasingly large areas but these can be offset by the ecological release of other uncontrolled pest species. In addition, novel ecosystems created by selective predator control and reintroductions of locally extinct or depleted native species may have unexpected trajectories as they evolve. Effective conservation requires new techniques for controlling entire suites of invasive predators over large areas, routine monitoring of the conservation outcomes of predator control, and better understanding of how modified, and in some cases reconstructed, seminatural ecosystems change when invasive predators are removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the occupation of Mauritius by the Dutch in the seventeenth century, live dodos and other animals were transported to the east and west as curiosities and gifts by the Dutch East India Company. How these animals managed to survive these journeys, when human casualties on-board ship were so high, has remained a mystery. Here, we present for the first time a translation of the recently discovered report of Johannes Pretorius, who stayed on Mauritius from 1666 to 1669. Pretorius kept a number of now extinct birds in captivity, which was probably an experiment to ascertain their captive requirements prior to transportation. He also provides the first ecological details of some of the now-extinct birds and Mauritian giant tortoises, the impact of introduced animals, and highlights how little of the interior of Mauritius had actually been explored during this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to illuminate the disclosure of biodiversity material contained in the reported information of 151 local government authorities (LGAs) in New South Wales, Australia. The introduction of the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (an international treaty to sustain the rich diversity of life on earth) has made the issue of fauna management and monitoring, and the associated requirement for cost-effective information, much more important. As local communities are best placed to make decisions about the protection of their local environments, the content in external reports and other disclosures allows stakeholders to gauge how accountable LGAs are regarding the conservation of biodiversity within their geographical jurisdiction. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis was used to analyze the disclosures of these LGAs. Findings – The results reveal marked differences in the reporting of biodiversity issues. In fact, LGAs in the state of New South Wales (Australia) have been, at best, lukewarm in their disclosure of strategic information relating to biodiversity, particularly in their strategic goals and plans. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the academic literature on biodiversity reporting by investigating existing reporting practices and providing evidence that a universally adopted framework for biodiversity reporting and reporting of local native fauna is required. In particular, the impacts of these practices need to be properly understood for LGAs to provide accountability to their stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia and North America have many similar cultural features. Yet, although North America has a strong recreational hunting culture, the sport is limited in Australia. This paper investigates why this difference may have developed. It appears that a major difference is the reason for settlement: Europeans were attracted to North America because of its abundant wildlife and the socio-economic value of furbearers already established, whereas Australia was settled as a penal colony. The colonists found Australia’s wildlife was scarce and unfamiliar, offering no prospect of socio-economic gain from hunting furbearers. With over-exploitation, both continents moved to conservation of their wildlife. North America developed a conservation ethic based on a social, utilitarian approach to sustainable management of furbearers. Australia embraced a holistic approach to conservation to protect biodiversity. The differences, therefore, result from zoological differences and not innate cultural difference. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Commonly, invaders have different impacts in different places. The spread of cane toads ( Rhinella marina: Bufonidae) has been devastating for native fauna in tropical Australia, but the toads' impact remains unstudied in temperate-zone Australia. We surveyed habitat characteristics and fauna in campgrounds along the central eastern coast of Australia, in eight sites that have been colonized by cane toads and another eight that have not. The presence of cane toads was associated with lower faunal abundance and species richness, and a difference in species composition. Populations of three species of large lizards (land mullets Bellatorias major, eastern water dragons Intellagama lesueurii, and lace monitors Varanus varius) and a snake (red-bellied blacksnake Pseudechis porphyriacus) were lower (by 84 to 100%) in areas with toads. The scarcity of scavenging lace monitors in toad-invaded areas translated into a 52% decrease in rates of carrion removal (based on camera traps at bait stations) and an increase (by 61%) in numbers of brush turkeys ( Alectura lathami). The invasion of cane toads through temperate-zone Australia appears to have reduced populations of at least four anurophagous predators, facilitated other taxa, and decreased rates of scavenging. Our data identify a paradox: The impacts of cane toads are at least as devastating in southern Australia as in the tropics, yet we know far more about toad invasion in the sparsely populated wilderness areas of tropical Australia than in the densely populated southeastern seaboard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polydomy is a rather general trait in ants. In Europe, mainly territorial mound building Formica species apply this strategy in the native fauna. Here we present the largest European polydomous system for Formica exsecta Nyl. which consists of 3,347 nests dispersed over ca. 22 ha in Transylvania, Romania. The whole population includes six additional smaller polydomous systems and comprises a total of 3,899 nests. Nest density shows considerable variations within the largest system. Ant nests are larger at the high nest density site. In addition, ant nest connectivity through shared aphid colony use with other nests can also reach extreme low (0 connections) and high (10 connections) values. These variations could reflect differences in the level of integration of single nests into a polydomous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, most people have tended to visit national parks for 'rest, relaxation and reinvigoration', typically resulting in moderate ecological impacts. However, increasingly, recreation in natural areas is including 'adventure' sports. One such recreation/sport that now incorporates a range of forms, including adventure derivatives, is mountain biking. In the more extreme forms, riders use extensive trials, often with steep segments and natural or human-made obstacles demonstrate technical skills (e.g., balance, calculated risk-taking, excitement, speed). Appreciation of the natural environment is seldom, if ever, a reason for participation. In this paper we consider the potential for impact on the fauna of national parks. While there is a dearth of information on the impact of mountain biking, we conclude that park management needs to be strategic in their consideration of the issues associated with mountain biking or the outcome will be further degradation of natural areas and, at the least, loss of many animals if not major threats to populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some actions necessary to conserve wildlife sit uncomfortably with those who are concerned about the ethics of animal use. The statutory framework for protecting wildlife is outlined, and examples of the range of issues faced in a State wildlife management agency are discussed, including city wildlife, invasive species, hunting, keeping native animals, threatened species recovery and preparing for climate change. To maintain public support, government wildlife managers need to engage with the different views in society of how we should treat animals. Palmer (2010), a philosopher, identified three zones -- wild, contact, and dependent -- where humans and animals interact, each with a different ethical context and requiring a different response from people. Geography can determine attitude and destiny, particularly when an animal is foreign to a place, such as rabbits and foxes in Australia. The concept of native animals as pests and/or commercially valuable species has a complicated history, with shooting and commercial hunting reflecting the first half of the European history of wildlife management in Australia. No one word defines our optimal relationship to animals, be it minding, looking, liberation, protection or management, and this range of words identifies the scale of the test facing wildlife managers tasked with making decisions about wildlife. Sutherland et al. (2009) identified 100 questions of importance to the conservation of global biological diversity. I would expand this to 101, to encourage the active engagement of wildlife managers and conservation biologists in the debate on the ethics of animal use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work presents an inventory of the traditional medicinal uses of animals in the municipality of Bom Sucesso in Paraíba State (PB) in the semiarid northeastern region of Brazil. Information was obtained through the use of semi-structured interviews with 50 people who use zootherapeutic products. A total of 25 animal species used for medicinal purposes were identified (18 vertebrates and seven invertebrates) distributed among five taxonomic categories; the groups with the largest numbers of citations were: mammals (8 citations), insects (7), and reptiles (5). The most cited animal species were: Tubinambis merianae "teju" lizards (44 citations); Apis mellifera Italian honeybees (318 citations); Gallus gallus chickens (31 citations); Ovis aries sheep (31 citations); Crotalus durissus rattlesnakes (14 citations); Boa constrictor (12 citations); and Bos taurus cattle (12 citations). A significant number of illnesses and conditions treated with animal-based medicines were cited, and the category with the greatest number of citations was "problems affecting the respiratory system". Our results suggest that the use of zootherapeutics in the region is persistent, and that knowledge about these curative practices is an integral part of the regional culture. As such, studies concerning the uses of zootherapeutics are important windows to understanding human/environmental/cultural interactions and a pathway to conciliating regional cultures with efforts to conserve the native fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fleas are important arthropod vectors for a variety of diseases in veterinary and human medicine, and bacteria belonging to the genus Bartonella are among the organisms most commonly transmitted by these ectoparasites. Recently, a number of novel Bartonella species and novel species candidates have been reported in marsupial fleas in Australia. In the present study the genetic diversity of marsupial fleas was investigated; 10 species of fleas were collected from seven different marsupial and placental mammal hosts in Western Australia including woylies (Bettongia penicillata), western barred bandicoots (Perameles bougainville), mardos (Antechinus flavipes), bush rats (Rattus fuscipes), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), feral cats (Felis catus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PCR and sequence analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 18S rRNA genes from these fleas was performed. Concatenated phylogenetic analysis of the COI and 18S rRNA genes revealed a close genetic relationship between marsupial fleas, with Pygiopsylla hilli from woylies, Pygiopsylla tunneyi from western barred bandicoots and Acanthopsylla jordani from mardos, forming a separate cluster from fleas collected from the placental mammals in the same geographical area. The clustering of Bartonella species with their marsupial flea hosts suggests co-evolution of marsupial hosts, marsupial fleas and Bartonella species in Australia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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A total of 19 alien longhorn beetle species have established in Europe where they presently account for ca. 2.8 % of the total cerambycid fauna. Most species belong to the subfamilies Cerambycinae and Laminae which are prevalent in the native fauna as well. The alien species mainly established during the period 1975-1999, arriving predominantly from Asia. France, Spain and Italy are by far the most invaded countries. All species have been introduced accidentally. Wood-derived products such as wood- packaging material and palettes, plants for planting, and bonsais constitute invasive pathways of increasing importance. However, only few species have yet colonized natural habitats outside parks and gardens. Present ecological and economical impacts, and future trends are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of thermal water pollution is still relatively unknown in Europe. The development of industry, especially the power industry, causes the release of enormous amounts of heated water from cooling operations to aquatic ecosystems. The observations made here confirm that an increase in water temperature in a reservoir leads to changes in aquatic ecosystem function and affects reservoir animals. Water temperature is one of the factors that determine species occurrence. Changes in water temperature immediately change fauna distribution and, consequently, the trophic relationships in a given ecosystem. Changes in water temperature can create conditions suitable for introduced fauna and may exacerbate the activity of infectious disease and parasitic agents that can damage native fauna populations. Increasing water temperature can lead to more frequent infections in animals by affecting the animal's immune system and by influencing pathogenicity. Thermal pollution of water bodies is not ecologically neutral and needs more attention from European scientists, especially ecologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making use of government archives, media coverage and family biography, this paper examines a little studied aspect of human-animal relations: the use of live native fauna as gifts for diplomatic purposes. Gifts of platypuses from the Australian government to their British and American allies in 1943 and 1947 reflect the status then enjoyed by iconic Australian fauna as a resource to be exploited in the national interest. The great scientific and popular interest generated by the platypus's distinctive characteristics imbued these animals with the cachet required to serve as a powerful statement of international goodwill. However, these same qualities made the platypus difficult to keep in captivity and its export a great challenge. This article examines the motives for platypus diplomacy, the process through which it was conducted and its significance for human-animal relations in Australia. Subsequent legislation has increased the protection of the platypus such that no further platypus diplomacy has been attempted and none have been exported for half a century. The use of the platypus to enhance Australia's standing with other nations marked a transitional stage in the evolution of attitudes to Australian native fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Understanding the impacts of invasive species on natural ecosystems is an important component of developing management strategies. Habitat-forming invasive plants and sessile invertebrates often support a high diversity and abundance of native fauna, suggesting some benefits of invasion. However, the fitness responses of these native fauna, and thus the net benefit from their association with habitat-forming invasive species, are not well understood. 2. We determined how fitness-related life-history traits, patterns of resource allocation among life-history traits, and survivorship of an abundant bivalve, Anadara trapezia, responded to invasion by the habitat-forming seaweed, Caulerpa taxifolia, by transplanting A. trapezia into invaded and uninvaded habitats over a 12-month period. 3. Although A. trapezia recruits into C. taxifolia in high numbers, adult growth, body condition, shell condition, female reproduction and survivorship were all significantly lower in C. taxifolia compared to unvegetated sediment. Notably, we observed high mortality in C. taxifolia after heavy rainfall events, highlighting a potential link between sublethal effects on condition, stochastic environmental perturbation and survivorship. 4. In addition to the overall reduction in fitness, there were changes in scaling relationships between reproduction and body size following invasion. Female A. trapezia in C. taxifolia habitat allocated proportionally more resources to reproduction (including reproductive tissue and number of eggs per follicle) than those in unvegetated sediment despite their poor condition. Maximizing reproduction following invasion may impose a further cost to already stressed A. trapezia and contribute to the higher mortality observed when living in C. taxifolia. 5. Synthesis and applications. The full impact of habitat-forming invasive species is complex and understanding it cannot be based solely on descriptions of native species diversity or abundance. Our study has identified how the presence of long-lived species within habitat-forming invasive species may simply indicate an extinction debt. A decline in the fitness of A. trapezia in C. taxifolia appears to increase its probability of mortality in the long-term. We recommend that management approaches for C. taxifolia and other habitat-forming invasive species combine an understanding of impacts on species diversity, abundance and the fitness of associated fauna to provide a more pluralistic understanding of their effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities have inflicted profound damage upon many ecosystems, and ecologists are now seeking effective means of restoring ecosystems to their natural state. Industrial ports and harbors are highly modified and often depauperate in native fauna. They are typically characterized by poor water quality and modified community composition, both of which may hinder attempts to reintroduce native species. Here, we conducted a field experiment to separate the effects of the recipient environment and community composition on the success of endemic sponge explants in Port Kembla Harbor, NSW, Australia. A reciprocal transplant was conducted between communities originating from six sites that varied in water quality and community composition, enabling us to assess the relative factors simultaneously. A colony of the endemic sponge Tedania anhelans was then inserted into the center of each community, and we quantified the survival, growth, and metal bioaccumulation of sponges over three months. Endemic sponges consistently performed better against resident assemblages when water quality was good. Sponges transplanted to cleaner sites had over double the survivorship and approximately three times the surface area of sponges transplanted to disturbed sites. These patterns were independent of community composition. Bioaccumulation of metals in sponges was correlated with survival; however, other factors such as turbidity may be required to explain sponge mortality at some sites. This study adds to evidence that remediation of the physical and chemical environments may be a prerequisite for biological remediation and demonstrates the value of experimental transplants in assessing restoration potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pholcid spiders of Sri Lanka have never been revised in any detail. Most species previously known from the island are widespread synanthropics. However, recent collecting has revealed a rich native fauna, with new taxa at species and genus levels. In this paper we redescribe Pholcus ceylonicus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869, present the first record of Modisimus culicinus (Simon, 1893) for Sri Lanka, and describe two new species of a new genus, Wanniyala agrabopath n. sp. and Wanniyala hakgala n. sp. Both new species appear to be restricted to relatively undisturbed forests, where they inhabit the leaf-litter. Several new Sri Lankan species tentatively assigned to Belisana Thorell will be described in a forthcoming revision of that genus. These studies suggest that a rich pholcid fauna may await discovery in Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU-rDNA) and elongation factor 1 alpha (ef1α) was performed on Giardia cysts isolated from faeces collected from a quenda (Isoodon obesulus) in the southwest of Western Australia. The SSU-rDNA and ef1α were sequenced in their entirety and correspondingly aligned with the published sequence information of other known species and genotypes of Giardia. Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU-rDNA and ef1α sequences identified the quenda isolate as a novel genotype of Giardia not previously reported. We believe that this quenda Giardia isolate constitutes a distinct species, which may be endemic within the Australian native fauna. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Shark Bay area was one of the more mammal rich parts of Western Australia before European settlement. Over the last 200 years, 60% of the native mammals have become locally extinct in this area. Project Eden commenced on Peron Peninsula, Shark Bay in 1994. Its objectives were to a) control or eradicate the introduced fauna, b) reconstruct the native fauna of the peninsula, and c) to promote nature -- based tourism based on the unique Shark Bay fauna. Control of sheep, goats and foxes has been successful. Feral cat control has been difficult in the presence of large numbers of rabbits and other prey, however significant advances in the development of an effective feral cat control method have been made. A better understanding of the factors influencing the uptake of baits by feral cats has also been achieved. A captive breeding centre was established to provide animals for translocation. This ensured that wild populations of species restricted to islands or small parts of the mainland were not detrimentally impacted by the removal of large numbers of founders for translocation. Between 1996 and 2002, nearly 70 malleefowl and 150 mammals were bred / reared in captivity and 155 have been released. Malleefowl and bilbies have been successfully reintroduced to Peron Peninsula. Mala and banded hare-wallabies did not persist due primarily to cat predation. Woylies were reintroduced from other wild populations and are persisting in low numbers. Extant small vertebrate population abundances appear to respond more to rainfall events, rather than cat predation, while larger extant vertebrates have increased since sheep, goat, fox and feral cat control has been implemented. While feral cat control has been demonstrated for short periods, additional work is required to reduce their numbers further, and for longer periods before additional native species can be translocated. In addition to the reestablishment of native fauna and the enhancement of the remnant native fauna, Project Eden has provided many benefits relating to the management of pest species and native fauna in the arid zone. In light of the findings to date, it is proposed that the objectives of this project be revised and that certain actions are necessary to ensure future success. These include a refinement of feral cat control methods, the development and use of models to predict optimum bait uptake times, a review of species suitable for translocation, and the adequacy of existing staff numbers and captive breeding facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. In fragmented woodlands in agricultural regions of Australia, roadside environments (road verges) provide important refuges for threatened native fauna and isolated populations of plant species. However, as roads are transport corridors for humans and their vehicles, species survival is affected through destruction, fragmentation and modification of remaining habitat by human activity. Few studies have recognised the effects of anthropogenic disturbances, in the form of historical roadworks activities, on adjacent roadside plant populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soil disturbance from roadworks on the spatial patterns and structural dynamics of roadside Acacia populations in an agricultural area in southeastern Australia. Stem size and disturbance data were collected from 135 roadside populations of three species of Acacia shrubs in the Lockhart Shire area. Spatial pattern analysis using the Network K‐function and Discriminant Function analyses showed that road verge width, road category, disturbance intensity and distance to nearest town were highly significant variables in relation to disturbance from roadworks and shrub structural dynamics. Colonising populations were more abundant along gravel roads where soil disturbance intensity was high, whereas stable populations were more abundant where soil disturbance intensity was low. Senescent populations were more abundant in narrow, little used road verge corridors 4–6 km from nearby towns. These results suggest that anthropogenic disturbance regimes may be critical to shrub recruitment and persistence in roadside environments, which has important consequences for conservation of threatened native flora and fauna in agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, we have provided an initial assessment of the current and future threats to biodiversity posed by introduced mammals (predators and herbivores) inhabiting the Australian rangelands, exploring trends in populations and options for management. Notably, rabbits have declined in recent years in the wake of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, populations of feral camels have increased dramatically and foxes appear to have moved northwards, thereby threatening native fauna within an expanded range. Following on, we developed a framework for monitoring the impacts of introduced mammals in the Australian rangelands. In doing so, we considered the key issues that needed to be considered in designing a monitoring programme for this purpose and critically evaluated the role of monitoring in pest animal management. Finally we have provided a brief inventory of current best-practice methods of estimating the abundance of introduced mammal populations in the Australian rangelands with some comments on new approaches and their potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global spread of parasites threatens native animals even in the most isolated of all habitats on Earth. Im the Hawaiian archipelago, the five native species of stream fishes are infected with several species of alien parasites introduced through human activities. These exotic parasites have been shown to present greater disease threats to their Hawaiian fish hosts than do parasites that have colonized native fish by natural means. By studying the biological characteristics and mechanisms of transmission of parasite colonists, researchers can enhance understanding of the parasites' global dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The names of native wildlife species are attached to thousands of landmarks throughout the United States. We used a U.S. Geological Survey online database to assess the abundance, distribution, density, and historical range fidelity of 24 faunal place names within the continental United States and Alaska. Our search generated over 35,000 faunal place names distributed across 49 states, with overall highest densities in mountainous regions. The distribution of place names corroborates the familiar pattern of range constriction characteristic of many species during the past century. Place names of range-limited species demonstrated strong fidelity to historical ranges. The spatial patterns of faunal place names are important indicators of a species' historical distribution. Furthermore, these place names reflect culturally important connections between humans and native fauna. Prudent analysis of place names may provide important biogeographical information for maintaining or restoring species and habitat components, although its utility will likely be limited to large, charismatic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of native fauna as a theme in conservation is used to explore the changing relationship between nature and human culture in late nineteenth century and early to mid-twentieth century Australia. Ideas about fauna conservation are traced through a century-long stream of protective legislation and associated parliamentary debate in the colony of New South Wales. During this period, animal protection legislation evolved in purpose from the protection of introduced game in the 1860s, to the protection of native birds, and eventually to the protection of other native fauna, particularly marsupials. In doing so, it conflicted with laws which encouraged the destruction of marsupials in the interests of agricultural and pastoral production. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Within an urban park in southern California, the relationship between the structure and floristics of vegetation and the distribution, abundance, and behavior of wildlife was studied in relatively undisturbed areas (San Luis Rey) and in contiguous areas (Guajome Park) in need of restoration. These data were used to develop recommendations for the enhancement of native animal species in the park. The abundance of amphibians and reptiles was highest in native upland scrub and willow (Salix)-riparian vegetation types, and lowest in dry, disturbed sites. Western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) were the most abundant reptile throughout both study areas. Overall, bullfrogs (Rana catesbiana), an exotic species, were the dominant amphibians; the native Pacific treefrog (Hyla regilIa) was rare throughout. At both study areas, the small mammal community was dominated by western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and, to a lesser extent, by brush mice (P. boylii) and exotic house mice (Mus musculus). Negative correlations in abundance existed between house mice and harvest mice, and between house mice abundance and overall small mammal abundance. In riparian sites, cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and various height classes of willow were the dominant factors in the majority of bird abundance-habitat 'correlations and where foraging activities were concentrated. Recommendations for enhancing native animal species include reduction of marsh sedimentation, removal of feral species, and development of connections between the park and nearby natural areas. A corridor of native riparian vegetation (primarily cottonwoodwillow) should be developed to replace the existing agricultural fields, thereby linking Guajome with the San Luis Rey River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a safe and effective vaccine for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is complicated by several unique scientific, logistic, and ethical issues. These issues include a lack of understanding of protective immunity to HIV and disease development, the absence of an adequate and convenient animal model for studying HIV infection, and difficulties in phase III evaluation of candidate vaccines. Because HIV can be transmitted as either a cell-free or cell-associated virus, a protective immune response against HIV infection will likely require both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. A neutralizing antibody against HIV and an antibody involved in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity have been shown in HIV-infected persons, but their precise relation to protection is unclear. Cytotoxic lymphocytes from HIV-infected persons have been shown to lyse target cells expressing HIV or its proteins. Cloned T cells have been developed that manifest HIV-specific, major histocompatibility-complex class I-restricted cytotoxic capabilities that are broadly specific. Thus far, all attempts to protect chimpanzees, currently the only suitable animal model, from HIV infection have failed. Ongoing vaccine studies in humans include phase I trials of recombinant proteins of the HIV envelope in uninfected persons as well as the administration of whole killed virus to persons already infected with HIV. Rapid progress is being made in the development of new animal models for HIV infection. The establishment of alternative animal models, both primate and small animal models, will greatly facilitate the development of a vaccine for HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]