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The Brahminy blind snake, Indotyphlops braminus, is the most widely introduced reptile globally. Its spread has been facilitated by the international plant trade, owing to its ability to inhabit plant pots. In Europe, I. braminus is found in Spain (mainland Spain and Canary Islands: Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and La Gomera), Portugal (Madeira Island), Malta and Italy (Ischia and Sicily Islands). This study presents data on the long-term persistence of I. braminus at the first occurrence site in Sicily (Paceco, western Sicily) and new records of the species in this region. Observations in Paceco from 2017 to 2023 suggest the possible survival of a population. Furthermore, individuals attributable to this species were observed in two additional sites, both in urban contexts: the island of Pantelleria (Sicily channel) where two specimens were found in the same site in 2023 and 2024 and Valderice (western Sicily). Our findings indicates that I. braminus may be significantly more widespread in Sicily than previously known. Therefore, further surveys in this area are necessary, and monitoring these sites could be crucial in assessing the survival of this species in Mediterranean climates.

We report the first observations regarding the presence of the leaf-toed gecko, Euleptes europaea, in Sicily. During field activities for environmental impact assessment several leaf-toed gecko individuals were found in a restricted coastal area in the north-west of the island, near the city of Palermo. Further surveys were then carried out to better assess the presence of the species. A total of 21 E. europaea individuals were observed in a small area of approximately 4.4 hectares, consisting of mixed eucalyptus and pine reforestation. Out of the 21 individuals, there were 14 males, 5 females, and 2 whose sex could not be determined. Additionally, at least two pregnant females were observed. Leaf-toed geckos were found exclusively under eucalyptus bark, syntopic with two other Gekkota species (Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus). The presence of such a breeding population of E. europaea is probably limited to a small area. However, our results do not allow us to clearly assess either its origin or its actual distribution and demography, therefore new field investigations are necessary.

White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are among the most widespread, charismatic, and studied predators in the ocean. However, their conservation status is concerning in many ocean sectors, most notably the Mediterranean Sea, which hosts one of the least known and most endangered populations globally. Though they were historically abundant and widely distributed in the region, Mediterranean white sharks have declined to dangerously low abundance levels, impacted by centuries of coastal and, more recently, industrial fishing. The IUCN lists this species as Critically Endangered in the region, but information about its current abundance and ecology is scarce, hindering effective management and conservation. Here, we describe our initial effort to find and track the remaining Mediterranean white sharks and report what we have learned from these activities. In 2021-2023, we conducted three pilot expeditions in the Sicilian Channel, covering four major sites, collecting 159 eDNA samples, and carrying out 359 hrs of pelagic mid-water baited video surveys, 43 hours of deep-water benthic baited video surveys, and 111 hrs of fishing. Baited video surveys detected 42 species of bony fishes, elasmobranchs, marine mammals, and turtles. We detected white sharks at four sites from eDNA samples. Though we did not observe white sharks directly, these activities supported the identification of one of the last strongholds of this population in the region and started a multi-institutional white shark conservation program in the Mediterranean Sea, aiming to track the last white sharks in the region, estimate their abundance and extinction risk, characterize the species' ecology and inform management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are among the most widespread, charismatic, and studied predators in the ocean. However, their conservation status is concerning in many ocean sectors, most notably the Mediterranean Sea, which hosts one of the least known and most endangered populations globally. Though they were historically abundant and widely distributed in the region, Mediterranean white sharks have declined to dangerously low abundance levels, impacted by centuries of coastal and, more recently, industrial fishing. The IUCN lists this species as Critically Endangered in the region, but information about its current abundance and ecology is scarce, hindering effective management and conservation. Here, we describe our initial effort to find and track the remaining Mediterranean white sharks and report what we have learned from these activities. In 2021-2023, we conducted three pilot expeditions in the Sicilian Channel, covering four major sites, collecting 159 eDNA samples, and carrying out 359 hrs of pelagic mid-water baited video surveys, 43 hours of deep-water benthic baited video surveys, and 111 hrs of fishing. Baited video surveys detected 42 species of bony fishes, elasmobranchs, marine mammals, and turtles. We detected white sharks at four sites from eDNA samples. Though we did not observe white sharks directly, these activities supported the identification of one of the last strongholds of this population in the region and started a multi-institutional white shark conservation program in the Mediterranean Sea, aiming to track the last white sharks in the region, estimate their abundance and extinction risk, characterize the species’ ecology and inform management and conservation.

Several methods exist to estimate the census population size such as capture‐recapture (CR) methods, which require the direct or indirect capture and recapture of numerous animals across a large area. These methods are difficult to apply to small and medium‐sized carnivorous mammals because of their elusive nature, and also do not work if the sampling method is lethal at first physical capture, a problem relevant when analyzing data from exploited populations. We present a method that uses dead recoveries from hunting bags and other sources of mortality to estimate population size. Each individual is physically trapped once at the end of its capture history (dead recovery), and is considered recaptured on previous trapping occasions if it is genetically identified as the parent of one or several young. We used this parentage information to build capture histories of aged and sexed individuals, and then applied classic CR models for closed populations. We applied this method to the stone marten (Martes foina), an elusive medium‐sized carnivorous mammal in the Bresse Region of France (911 km2) and for which reliably estimating population size remains challenging but important for efficient management. To estimate the robustness of our approach, we also simulated population pedigrees with known population size and determined its accuracy, precision, and sensitivity to the true population size and sampling intensity. Stone marten population size was estimated at N^ $\hat{N}$ = 1,748 ± 341 (SD) individuals leading to a population density of D^ $\hat{D}$ = 1.92 ± 0.37 individuals/km2, which is within the range of the few previous density estimations of the species in rural or urban areas. Our method was not affected by population size, and reached the required levels of accuracy and precision to be effective in wildlife management for a given range of sampling intensity. It therefore demonstrated its widespread use in improving estimates of population size from age‐ and sex‐structured pedigree data coming from multi‐year dead recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A precise framework of species occurrence and distribution trends is crucial for conservation measures. Traditional survey methods are often labour‐intensive and time‐consuming, and they can be ineffective in detecting the presence of rare and elusive taxa, especially in harsh environments.The effectiveness and feasibility of an environmental DNA (eDNA)‐based approach was tested to detect the occurrence of the semiaquatic Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in six rivers in the Trans‐Himalaya, comparing the results with those obtained from a traditional field survey.Water samples were collected and filtered on‐site at 15 locations, from 2,660 to 3,819 m a.s.l. Otter scats were actively searched for at the same locations in a 900 m buffer along the river bank. Fifteen environmental parameters were recorded at each sampling site. After eDNA extraction and target quantitative realt‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay, statistical analyses were run to explore the relationship between environmental factors and the presence/absence of otters at each site.Otter DNA was found at 73% of sites, whereas traditional field survey results showed that 53% of sites were positive for otters. Results from principal component analysis showed that the sites avoided by otters, as measured through eDNA, were clearly segregated along PC1 and PC2, with both axes explaining 57% of the cumulative variance. The best‐performing generalized linear model suggested that the occurrence of otter eDNA was influenced by channel width, surface velocity, nitrate level, total dissolved solids, and average water depth.The results of this study highlight that, compared with traditional field surveys, eDNA‐based methods increased the detection of positive sites by 20%, thus demonstrating their reliability for monitoring the presence of otters in the study area and providing new insights into the ecology of this species in the Indian Trans‐Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the general characteristics and representative species of the genus Pronolagus. The genus Pronolagus, commonly known as red rock hares, represents a group of lagomorphs endemic to southern Africa. Comprising several species, this genus is characterized by its distinctive reddish-brown fur and its preference for rocky habitats. The genus includes four species, each adapted to specific environmental niches. Red rock hares exhibit unique behavioral patterns, including nocturnal activity and intricate burrow systems within rocky crevices, providing them with protection from predators. These lagomorphs are herbivores, relying on a diverse diet of grasses, herbs, and shrubs. Their feeding habits contribute to seed dispersal and plant regeneration in their habitats. Populations of red rock hare appear stable. However, their populations face challenges due to habitat loss, human encroachment, and potential predation by introduced species. Efforts to protect and conserve red rock hares should prioritize habitat preservation and restoration, along with measures to mitigate the impact of invasive species. Collaborative initiatives involving local communities, conservation organizations, and governmental bodies are crucial for the effective conservation of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Atlantic Forest, a hotspot for biodiversity conservation, harbours five forest deer species (Mazama spp.). Due to their elusiveness, there is a severe scarcity of occurrence data to support ecological studies and conservation planning. Thus, we assembled an occurrence dataset of Atlantic Forest deer with reliable taxonomic information aggregating data from scat and camera traps surveys, and opportunistic data collection over the last 20 years. From 2002 to 2019, we surveyed 77 protected areas using scats detection dogs and genetically identifying the faecal samples. We successfully identified 1,147 out of 1,450 collected samples. From 2000 to 2020, we sampled six protected areas in 92 sampling points with 13,328 camera trap days of sampling effort. In addition, we established an active search for potential contributors within the scientific community and environmental consultants since 2010, offering a taxonomic identification service for camera traps images, and biological field-collected samples. With our efforts, we assembled a dataset with 1,456 records of forest deer occurrence at the Atlantic Forest. Of these records, 494 are from M. americana, 350 from M. bororo, 309 from M. gouazoubira, 268 from M. nana and 35 from M. nemorivaga. The faecal sampling was the most predominant method in these records (n = 1043) followed by photographs from camera traps (n = 388); both methods represent 98.2% of our dataset records. Most of the records (79.5%) in the dataset are inside protected areas (n = 1,130). Our dataset is the most comprehensive source of information on Neotropical forest deer occurrence to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Elusive species are challenging to study and conserve because basic elements of their biology may be unknown. Specimens of opportunity provide a means of collecting information on these species and may be critical for elusive species' conservation. We used snowball sampling to identify Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) specimens in museums and research institutions. Snowball sampling proved highly effective: we located 180 specimens from 24 institutions in North America and Europe, 62 of which were not listed in online collections databases, resulting in the largest collated dataset for this species. Analysis of these data resulted in several new findings for this species, including significant morphological variation between specimens from different collection regions, suggesting the presence of previously unidentified population structuring in this species. These data provide critical information regarding this species and demonstrate the effectiveness of specimens of opportunity for elusive species research and conservation. We recommend other researchers consider snowball sampling when designing research projects utilizing specimens of opportunity. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of snowball sampling and specimens of opportunity to elusive species research and conservation, and the methods of our study can be readily adapted for other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between predators and prey affect their distributions and abundances, and these effects are of central importance in ecology. However, these interactions are difficult to observe in some free‐ranging species due to their elusive behaviour. We describe the video‐recorded observation of predation of a grey brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) by a tayra (Eira barbara), which is the largest prey reported for this mustelid. Additionally, we report three other wild species (Dasypus sp., Sylvilagus brasiliensis and Leontopithecus chrysopygus) predated by tayra and we present a review of tayra attacks on, and predation of, small primates and other medium and large‐sized mammal prey. Surprisingly, this mustelid is capable of predating a high diversity of species, both arboreal and terrestrial. At least 20 species were seen to be predated or attacked by tayras, which are capable of predating species with up to twice its own body weight, information which may be unknown due to its elusive behaviour. Additionally, we discuss the role of tayra in a community structure and raised the question of its potential key role as a predator species. This makes this mustelid a predator with greater prey diversity than previously thought and elucidate aspects of the natural history of trophic ecology of tayra, grey brocket deer and others elusive forest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since field research requires a lot of effort, time, economic and resource investment, it necessitates fact-based tools for a sound preliminary evaluation of the actual possibility to achieve its objective. Such a tool, the Encounter Predictability Scorecard (EPS), is here described for the first time. The rediscovery of the endemic Orthopteran Uromenus annae proved that field research is performed under strong biases including blind faith in previous scientific literature, and expectations about the biology and ecology of the target species. U. annae escaped field researches in the documented localities, and was rediscovered serendipitously in two new unrelated locations. This casts doubt on the capacity of field researchers to assess, even in general terms, the possibility of success of field expeditions. We conceived a method inspired by the performance management tools from the world of corporate strategy: scorecards. The most famous among closed-choice, qualitative-quantitative checklists, is the Balanced Scorecard, based on original work from the late 1980’s. We adapted those methods to the constraints of field research, and field-tested in a retrospective way for the search of U. annae. The EPS is freely available as a digital spreadsheet, and can be tested and customised at any time. Although in its infancy, the EPS looks like a promising operational tool to help saving time and money, and to identify which objectives and organizational setups are more promising. Besides providing a clearer, more rational basis for operational decisions, the straightforward compilation of an EPS may also mitigate the impact of cognitive biases.

Oviposition in elusive reptiles has been poorly documented due to the difficulty in observing it in natural habitats. Here, we document the first egg-laying record in the Eastern Casque-headed Basilisk Laemanctus longipes in the wild. Our record adds novel information about the oviposition of this scarcely studied reptile species.

The difficulty in observing and capturing elusive species in the wild is one of the main reasons for the limited number of studies on such species. This knowledge gap affects the development of conservation and management plans. Hence, testing the feasibility of research tools is essential for the future use and reliability of such tools. Camera traps increasingly are used as an alternative to capturing animals for wildlife research, and to generate important data for the management and conservation of many species. We identified individual free‐ranging gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) from the Brazilian Pantanal by their natural markings. From October 2011 through September 2012, we investigated the feasibility of using camera traps for home range, habitat use, and activity period studies based on individuals with natural marks compared with the concurrent data collected from Global Positioning System (GPS) collars. Home range studies based on camera traps have limitations related to the quantity of individuals with natural marks and need for population premonitoring to detect them. The irregular performance of camera traps and lower detection probability in open habitats restricted its application in the habitat use study, especially among highly heterogeneous habitats. However, the positive correlation (r = 0.98, P < 0.001) between the frequency of photographic records and distances travelled by deer with GPS locations indicated reliable use of camera traps for research into activity periods. Camera traps can be used as an alternative to telemetry, potentially expanding the perspective and scope of noninvasive ecological studies for elusive and cryptic species. © 2020 The Wildlife Society. Testing the feasibility of alternative research tools for elusive and cryptic species in the wild is essential for the future use and reliability of such tools. We investigated the feasibility of camera traps compared with concurrent data collected from Global Positioning System (GPS) collars in gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira); camera traps were efficient for activity periods, but not for land cover use and home range studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the population status of elusive and rare species is a challenge for wildlife managers and conservationists. A promising method that has been used is faecal pellet counting applied to the faecal standing crop (FSC) method. The FSC method estimates population density based on faecal pellets counted in a given area by using parameters such as defecation rate and faecal persistence, which vary according to the environment. The search for faeces has become more effective with the help of scat detection dogs, which have a better detection rate compared to humans. Therefore, we aimed to incorporate the sampling effectiveness of scat detection dogs as parameters in FSC methods. For this purpose, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the detectability of Mazama faeces related to their distance from a search transect and their age (time since deposition). Our results show that incorporating scat detection dog parameters can result in density estimates three times higher than those reached without incorporating the detection dog parameters in FSC methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since field research requires a lot of effort, time, economic and resource investment, it necessitates fact-based tools for a sound preliminary evaluation of the actual possibility to achieve its objective. Such a tool, the Encounter Predictability Scorecard (EPS), is here described for the first time. The rediscovery of the endemic Orthopteran Uromenus annae proved that field research is performed under strong biases including blind faith in previous scientific literature, and expectations about the biology and ecology of the target species. U. annae escaped field researches in the documented localities, and was rediscovered serendipitously in two new unrelated locations. This casts doubt on the capacity of field researchers to assess, even in general terms, the possibility of success of field expeditions. We conceived a method inspired by the performance management tools from the world of corporate strategy: scorecards. The most famous among closed-choice, qualitative-quantitative checklists, is the Balanced Scorecard, based on original work from the late 1980's. We adapted those methods to the constraints of field research, and field-tested in a retrospective way for the search of U. annae. The EPS is freely available as a digital spreadsheet, and can be tested and customised at any time. Although in its infancy, the EPS looks like a promising operational tool to help saving time and money, and to identify which objectives and organizational setups are more promising. Besides providing a clearer, more rational basis for operational decisions, the straightforward compilation of an EPS may also mitigate the impact of cognitive biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major challenges in studies of activity and movement ecology is discovering how and why animals behave differently in certain environments. The gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is widely distributed in the Neotropic region. In the Brazilian Pantanal wetland, gray brocket deer inhabit a unique landscape with varying ecotypes arranged in a mosaic, where seasonal flooding alters resource availability for the deer. Documenting animal activity and movement can be the key to understanding how a species interacts with its dynamic environment. We used data from accelerometers and characteristics of movement on six GPS-monitored gray brocket deer in the Pantanal wetland to investigate how habitat type, periods of the day, and cycles of flooding and drought affect activity, movement behavior, and displacement. Deer exhibited the lowest activity and encamped movement in closed habitat during diurnal and nocturnal periods, suggesting resting and foraging behaviors. The highest activity and exploratory movement occurred in open habitats, and potentially was related to deer searching for locations with greater resource availability. Individuals were displaced the most during floods, which was a response to access feeding sites that were free of water. Our results not only represent an unprecedented and refined view of the activity and movement behavior of brocket deer, but they also stress the importance of preserving multiple habitat types for species that express variable foraging strategies in heterogeneous landscapes. Um dos grandes desafios em estudos do padrão de atividade e ecologia do movimento é descobrir como e por que animais se comportam diferentemente em certos ambientes. O veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) é uma espécie amplamente distribuída na região Neotropical que habita o Pantanal brasileiro, uma paisagem singular por apresentar unidades fitofisionômicas dispostas em mosaico e um regime sazonal de inundações que altera a disponibilidade de recursos ao longo do ano. O conhecimento da atividade e da movimentação animal pode ser a chave para entender como uma espécie interage com a dinâmica de seu ambiente. Neste estudo, utilizamos dados de acelerômetros e características dos movimentos de seis indivíduos monitorados com colares GPS no Pantanal para testar como o tipo de habitat, períodos do dia e os ciclos de cheia e seca afetam os padrões de atividade e de movimentação do veado-catingueiro. Nós registramos menores taxas de atividade e estado acampado em habitats fechados tanto nos períodos noturno quanto diurno, o que sugere comportamentos de descanso e forrageio. Em habitats mais abertos, por outro lado, registramos maiores taxas de atividade e de movimentação exploratória, o que pode estar atrelado à busca por locais com maior disponibilidade de recursos. Na fase de cheia também foram registrados maiores deslocamentos, o que pode ser uma resposta para acessar sítios de alimentação em áreas que não foram inundadas. Nossos resultados se destacam não apenas por trazer dados inéditos e refinados da atividade e movimentação para um cervídeo do gênero Mazama, mas também por ressaltar a importância de se conservar diferentes tipos de habitats para espécies que apresentam variações nos comportamentos que se traduzem em estratégias de forrageio em uma paisagem heterogênea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster; hereafter musk deer) are endangered as a result of poaching and habitat loss. The species is nocturnal, crepuscular, and elusive, making direct observation of habitat use and behavior difficult. However, musk deer establish and repeatedly use the same latrines for defecation. To quantify musk deer habitat correlates, we used observational spatial data based on presence–absence of musk deer latrines, as well as a range of fine spatial‐scale ecological covariates. To determine presence–absence of musk deer, we exhaustively searched randomly selected forest trails using a 20‐m belt transect in different study sites within the Neshyang Valley in the Annapurna Conservation Area. In a subsequent way, study sites were classified as habitat or nonhabitat for musk deer. A total of 252 plots, 20 × 20 m, were systematically established every 100 m along 51 transects (each ~0.5 km long) laid out at different elevations to record a range of ecological habitat variables. We used mixed‐effect models and principal component analysis to characterize relationships between deer presence–absence data and habitat variables. We confirmed musk deer use latrines in forests located at higher elevations (3,200–4,200 m) throughout multiple seasons and years. Himalayan birch (Betula utilis) dominated forest, mixed Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis), and birch forest were preferred over pure Himalayan fir and blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) forest. Greater crown cover and shrub diversity were associated with the presence of musk deer whereas tree height, diameter, and diversity were weakly correlated. Topographical attributes including aspect, elevation, distance to water source, and slope were also discriminated by musk deer. Over‐ and understory forest management can be used to protect forests likely to have musk deer as predicted by the models to ensure long‐term conservation of this rare deer. Greater crown cover and shrub diversity were associated with the presence of HMD, whereas tree height, diameter, and diversity were not strongly correlated. Topographical attributes including aspect, elevation, distance to water source, and slope were also discriminated by HMD. Over‐ and understory forest management can be used to protect forests likely to have the HMD (predicted by the models) and ensure long‐term conservation of this rare deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Field Ornithology is the property of Resilience Alliance 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 grey dwarf hamster, Cricetulus migratorius, is the smallest hamster species in Europe, with a highly fragmented distribution in most countries in the south-eastern part of the continent. It is rarely observed, with most records provided by raptor diet studies. Here we report a new observation from extreme north-eastern Romania, based on individuals identified in the diet of owls. The records considerably extend the known geographical range to the north in Romania and these are the first observations from an urban area in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia 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.)

Opportunistic encounters with an elusive large-bodied sicydiine goby in a single plunge pool led us to photograph and deploy three video cameras to detect individuals in that pool. Subsequently, a catchment-wide search indicated that the species, eventually identified as Sicyopterus cynocephalus, was confined to the single pool where it was originally detected. A network of ten video cameras was then deployed to estimate the number of individuals of that species and of a congener, S. lagocephalus, by non-destructive means. This study provides the first record of S. cynocephalus in Australia, and showcases the synergy of active snorkel searches and a remote camera network in counting individuals of two sympatric species of Sicyopterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camera-traps are increasingly used to survey threatened mammal species and are an important tool for estimating habitat occupancy. To date, cost-efficient occupancy survey effort allocation studies have focused on trade-offs between number of sample units (SUs) and sampling occasions, with simplistic accounts of associated costs which do not reflect camera-trap survey realities. Here we examine camera-trap survey costs as a function of the number of SUs, survey duration and camera-traps per SU, linking costs to precision in occupancy estimation. We evaluate survey effort trade-offs for hypothetical species representing different levels of occupancy (ψ) and detection ( p ) probability to identify optimal design strategies. We apply our cost function to three threatened species as worked examples. Additionally, we use an extensive camera-trap data set to evaluate independence between multiple camera traps per SU. The optimal number of sampling occasions that result in minimum cost decrease as detection probability increases, irrespective of whether the species is rare (ψ < 0.25) or common (ψ > 0.5). The most expensive survey scenarios occur for elusive ( p < 0.25) species with a large home range (> 10 km 2 ), where the survey is conducted on foot. Minimum survey costs for elusive species can be achieved with fewer sampling occasions and multiple cameras per SU. Multiple camera-traps set within a single SU can yield independent species detections. We provide managers and researchers with guidance for conducting cost-efficient camera-trap occupancy surveys. Efficient use of survey budgets will ultimately contribute to the conservation of threatened and data deficient mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-invasive genetic sampling using materials such as faeces or hair can be used to monitor wildlife populations, although DNA quality is often poor. Improving sampling efficiency and minimising factors that reduce DNA quality are therefore critical. After a severe decline, the European pine marten, Martes martes, has reclaimed much of its former range in Scotland, UK. Recording this rapid range expansion requires developing techniques for accurate monitoring, but this is hampered by the species' elusive behaviour. We tested two sampling methods, hair collected from hair tubes and faeces (scat) collected along tracks, to assess the effects of key environmental and sampling variables on DNA quality and sampling efficiency. For hair, we tested the influence of hair tube location (distance from forest tracks) on collection rate and sex ratio of animals successfully sampled. For scats, we assessed the effect of time since defecation (1 to 16 days) on genotyping error rates and success under two contrasting environmental conditions (exposed to rainfall or sheltered). We found no bias in the collection rate or sex ratio of animals detected by hair samples with differing proximity to forest tracks. DNA amplification failure for scats exposed to rainfall increased from 28 to 65 % over the 16-day experimental period. During periods of low rainfall, the length of collection sessions could therefore be extended to increase sample number without risk of DNA degradation. Lack of bias in hair collection rates with proximity to forest tracks provides justification for tube placement close to tracks, as this reduces survey effort. These findings provide guidance for the development of efficient and cost-effective non-invasive sampling of Scottish pine martens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morays occupy unique interstitial habitats and function as key predators in marine ecosystems. Conversely, there is limited understanding of the ecology of Gymnothorax polyuranodon, the lone representative of the family Muraenidae known to reside in freshwater systems. In this study, we used field-based encounters over a 3-year period in three short-steep-coastal-streams of the Australian Wet Tropics to find that most G. polyuranodon individuals (74%) occupied pools, with very few individuals observed in run (23%) or riffle (3%) mesohabitats. Moreover, G. polyuranodon positively selected microhabitats of slow flow (<0.05 ms−1) and deep water (>80 cm), while avoiding high flows (>0.5 ms−1) and shallow water (<40 cm depth). Morays exhibited strong preferences for boulders (73% of the immediate stream bed area occupied relative to 36% availability) with most individuals resting directly underneath large or very large boulders. Collecting and compiling records of this rare and elusive species over the long-term helped to reveal such habitat specialisation. Future management plans for G. polyuranodon should focus on preserving boulder interstices year-round and maintaining stream-sea connectivity to facilitate a diadromous life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small populations are prone to loss of genetic variation and hence to a reduction in their evolutionary potential. Therefore, studying the mating system of small populations and its potential effects on genetic drift and genetic diversity is of high importance for their viability assessments. The traditional method for studying genetic mating systems is paternity analysis. Yet, as small populations are often rare and elusive, the genetic data required for paternity analysis are frequently unavailable. The endangered Asiatic wild ass ( Equus hemionus), like all equids, displays a behaviourally polygynous mating system; however, the level of polygyny has never been measured genetically in wild equids. Combining noninvasive genetic data with stochastic modelling of shifts in allele frequencies, we developed an alternative approach to paternity analysis for studying the genetic mating system of the re-introduced Asiatic wild ass in the Negev Desert, Israel. We compared the shifts in allele frequencies (as a measure of genetic drift) that have occurred in the wild ass population since re-introduction onset to simulated scenarios under different proportions of mating males. We revealed a strongly polygynous mating system in which less than 25% of all males participate in the mating process each generation. This strongly polygynous mating system and its potential effect on the re-introduced population's genetic diversity could have significant consequences for the long-term persistence of the population in the Negev. The stochastic modelling approach and the use of allele-frequency shifts can be further applied to systems that are affected by genetic drift and for which genetic data are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The okapi O kapia johnstoni is an endangered, even-toed ungulate in the family Giraffidae, and is endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC). Okapi are highly elusive and very little is known about their behaviour and ecology in the wild. We used non-invasive genetic methods to examine the social structure, mating system and dispersal for a population of okapi in the Réserve de Faune à Okapis, DRC. Okapi individuals were found to be solitary, but genetically polygamous or promiscuous. There was no evidence for any close spatial association between large groups of related or unrelated okapi for either sex, but we did find evidence for male-biased dispersal. An isolation by distance pattern of genetic similarity was present, but appears to be operating just below the spatial scale of the area investigated in the present study. We describe how the analyses used here can infer aspects of behavioural ecology and discuss the strengths and limitations of these analyses. We therefore provide a guide for future studies using non-invasive genetics to investigate behavioural ecology of rare, elusive animals. This study furthers scientific knowledge about a species that has recently been recognized by the IUCN as endangered, and is a potentially important flagship species for Central Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Non-invasive DNA-based capture–mark–recapture (CMR) methods have been developed to estimate population size and other parameters and have the advantage that samples can be collected without the need to see or disturb the animals. There are, however, few comparisons of DNA-based CMR estimates of animal population size with estimates from non-genetic methods. We compared the results of a dung-density based survey of an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population with a simultaneous fecal DNA-based CMR survey of the same population. We found 545 dung-piles along 116 line transects, converted dung-pile density to elephant density using rates of defecation and dung disappearance, and derived a population estimate of 141 (95% CI=[95, 208]) elephants. We collected 267 fecal samples during three CMR sampling sessions: 215 (81%) yielded sufficient genotypic information for analysis and gave an estimated population size of 132 (95% CI=[120,149]) elephants, closely matching the estimate produced by the dung-density method but with greater precision. The DNA-based method also provided information on population structure. We conclude that DNA-based CMR methods provide more precise abundance estimates, and more data about population structure and dynamics, than dung density-based methods. Fecal DNA-based CMR methods also require less time in the field and can be used when dung density methods are impracticable. Finally, fecal DNA based CMR methods are now cheaper than dung density based methods when line transect survey costs are approximately equal to CMR survey costs and dung decay rate monitoring costs are greater than laboratory costs (which will usually be the case). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Non-invasive genetic techniques utilising DNA extracted from faeces hold great promise for felid conservation research. These methods can be used to establish species distributions, model habitat requirements, analyse diet, estimate abundance and population density, and form the basis for population, landscape and conservation genetic analyses. Due to the elusive nature of most felid species, non-invasive genetic methods have the potential to provide valuable data that cannot be obtained with traditional observational or capture techniques. Thus, these methods are particularly valuable for research and conservation of endangered felid species. Here, we review recent studies that use non-invasive faecal genetic techniques to survey or study wild felids; provide an overview of field, laboratory and analysis techniques; and offer suggestions on how future non-invasive genetic studies can be expanded or improved to more effectively support conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on predicting suitable habitat for King Rail (Rallus elegans) birds in agricultural area in Louisiana. It mentions that a study area was provided in which a 948,800 hectares of area converted to a rice agriculture in Louisiana was used and the predictive habitat modeling approach was conducted. It states that after three years of surveys in the study area, 44 King Rail placements were recorded, which came from 155 survey points.

Predictive models of species distribution may be very useful for understanding actual distribution of elusive species, including several snakes. The southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica) is likely the most elusive snake species of peninsular Italy, and is therefore well-suited for predicting potential distribution studies. In this paper we predict the potential distribution map of this species in Italy by using MAXENT algorithm, that finds the probability distribution of maximum entropy that is constrained by considered ecological parameters. Presence data for Coronella girondica were gotten from CKmap. The potential distribution model of Coronella girondica showed a very good overall performance (AUC = 0.959), and indicated that high suitability areas correspond mainly to Tyrrhenian north and central regions, including Liguria, western Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, and northern Latium. Southern Italian regions were clearly unsuitable for this snake species. Overall, our study revealed that previous distribution maps indicating the occurrence of Coronella girondica in southern Italy and Sicily were poorly reliable. The conservation and management implications of our study are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Non-invasive genetic data analysed with capture–mark–recapture (CMR) models can be used to estimate population size, particularly for elusive and endangered species. Data generated from non-invasive genetic sampling are different, however, from conventional CMR data because individuals can be contacted several times within a single sampling session. Two methods have been proposed recently to accommodate this type of data, but no study has attempted to compare their estimates and evaluate their reliability compared with independent estimates of population size. 2. We investigated the reliability and accuracy of estimating the abundance of lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros by genotyping DNA from droppings collected non-invasively at three colonies over 2 consecutive years. The number of times that each individual was ‘contacted’ (i.e. the number of droppings per individual) was used to estimate population size with two different published methods: a maximum likelihood and a Bayesian estimator. 3. Among the 586 samples extracted, 534 provided a complete genotype at six to eight microsatellite loci, which enabled a reliable discrimination of 165 individuals. Statistical estimates of colony sizes often included independent estimates obtained from visual counts, validating the method. Discrepancies appeared when capture heterogeneity was not taken into account while it occurred. 4. Synthesis and applications. We have taken a first step towards improving methods of estimating numbers of bats by demonstrating that genetic data produced from bat faecal DNA are of high quality and can provide accurate estimates of population size even when samples are taken during only one sampling session. Such protocols provide valuable management tools for elusive and rare species in general. The method is relatively easy and cost-efficient because only one sampling session is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although wide-ranging, elusive, large carnivore species, such as the tiger, are of scientific and conservation interest, rigorous inferences about their population dynamics are scarce because of methodological problems of sampling populations at the required spatial and temporal scales. We report the application of a rigorous, noninvasive method for assessing tiger population dynamics to test model-based predictions about population viability. We obtained photographic capture histories for 74 individual tigers during a nine-year study involving 5725 trap-nights of effort. These data were modeled under a likelihood-based, ‘robust design’ capture-recapture analytic framework, We explicitly modeled and estimated ecological parameters such as time-specific abundance, density, survival, recruitment, temporary emigration, and transience, using models that incorporated effects of factors such as individual heterogeneity, trap-response, and time on probabilities of photo-capturing tigers. The model estimated a random temporary emigration parameter of γˆ″ = γˆ′ = 0.1.0 ± 0.069 (values are estimated mean ± ). When scaled to an annual basis, tiger survival rates were estimated at Ŝ = 0.77 ± 0.051, and the estimated probability that a newly caught animal was a transient was τˆ = 0.18 ± 0.11. During the period when the sampled area was of constant size, the estimated population size Nˆt varied from 17 ± 1.7 to 31 ± 2.1 tigers, with a geometric mean rate of annual population change estimated as … = 1.03 ± 0.020, representing a 3% annual increase. The estimated recruitment of new animals, Bˆt, varied from 0 ± 3.0 to 14 ± 2.9 tigers. Population density estimates, Dˆ, ranged from 7.33 ± 0.8 tigers/100 km² to 21.73 ± 1.7 tigers/100 km² during the study. Thus, despite substantial annual losses and temporal variation in recruitment, the tiger density remained at relatively high levels in Nagarahole. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that protected wild tiger populations can remain healthy despite heavy mortalities because of their inherently high reproductive potential. The ability to model the entire photographic capture history data set and incorporate reduced-parameter models led to estimates of mean annual population change that were sufficiently precise to be useful. This efficient, noninvasive sampling approach can be used to rigorously investigate the population dynamics of tigers and other elusive, rare, wide-ranging animal species in which individuals can be identified from photographs or other means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reptiles and amphibians represent a high proportion of biodiversity on a global scale with wide spatial distribution. Herpetological surveys are often performed as part of inventory and monitoring studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodiversity of the herpetofauna at the University of Limpopo. Species were surveyed using standard Y-shape trap array. Habitats sampled included two open patches of grassland and one rocky outcrop. A total of thirteen (13) species of reptiles and amphibians from 36 individuals were reported. These included four individuals of two amphibian species: Breviceps adspersus (3) and Schismaderma carens (1). Thirty-two (32) individuals distributed in 11 reptile species were sampled: Trachylepis punctatissima (9), Agama aculeata distanti (2), Nucras intertexta (3), Trachylepis varia (7), Nucras lalandi (1), Lygodactylus capensis capensis (1), Gerrhosaurus flavigularis (1) Mochlus sundevallii (1), Matobosaurus validus (2), Chondrodactylus turneri (4) and Philothamnus semivariegatus (1). Trachylepis varia and T. punctatissima were the most abundant species (n = 5), all which accounted 50% of the reported reptile individuals. The diversity of reptiles was greater than amphibians, with H'= 2.06 and H'= 0.56 respectively. The study provided preliminary data of the herpetofauna community parameters (species abundance, richness and diversity). Other survey methods (e.g. coverboards and active searching) are being considered to effectively detect the presence of even the most elusive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]