Hans Kruuk
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- April 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198565871
- eISBN:
- 9780191728228
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198565871.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Animal Biology
Hans Kruuk's previous Wild Otters was the first, and until now the only, book to cover both natural history and scientific research on behaviour and ecology of otters in Europe. The present book is a ...
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Hans Kruuk's previous Wild Otters was the first, and until now the only, book to cover both natural history and scientific research on behaviour and ecology of otters in Europe. The present book is a revision, rewrite, and update, now covering all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and elsewhere. Aimed at naturalists, scientists, and conservationists, in a personal style and with many illustrations, it describes the ecology and behaviour of some of the most charismatic and enigmatic mammals in our environment, as well as the research to understand their particular ecological problems. With over 650 references, there is up-to-date description of the most recent studies, including feeding ecology, foraging behaviour, relationships with prey species, and factors that limit populations, as well as social and breeding behaviour, molecular genetics, energetics, the problems of exposure to cold water, mortality, effects of pollution, and the serious, recent conservation problems. There are enchanting direct observations of the animals, as well as guidance about how and where to watch and study them, and what are the most serious questions facing researchers. From otters in the British and American lakes and rivers, to sea otters in the Pacific ocean, giant otters in the Amazon and other species in Africa and Asia, this book provides an enthusiastic, critical, and thorough approach to their fascinating existence, the science needed to understand it, and the threats to their survival.Less
Hans Kruuk's previous Wild Otters was the first, and until now the only, book to cover both natural history and scientific research on behaviour and ecology of otters in Europe. The present book is a revision, rewrite, and update, now covering all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and elsewhere. Aimed at naturalists, scientists, and conservationists, in a personal style and with many illustrations, it describes the ecology and behaviour of some of the most charismatic and enigmatic mammals in our environment, as well as the research to understand their particular ecological problems. With over 650 references, there is up-to-date description of the most recent studies, including feeding ecology, foraging behaviour, relationships with prey species, and factors that limit populations, as well as social and breeding behaviour, molecular genetics, energetics, the problems of exposure to cold water, mortality, effects of pollution, and the serious, recent conservation problems. There are enchanting direct observations of the animals, as well as guidance about how and where to watch and study them, and what are the most serious questions facing researchers. From otters in the British and American lakes and rivers, to sea otters in the Pacific ocean, giant otters in the Amazon and other species in Africa and Asia, this book provides an enthusiastic, critical, and thorough approach to their fascinating existence, the science needed to understand it, and the threats to their survival.
Anne E. Russon, Serge A. Wich, Marc Ancrenaz, Tomoko Kanamori, Cheryl D. Knott, Noko Kuze, Helen C. Morrogh-Bernard, Peter Pratje, Hatta Ramlee, Peter Rodman, Azrie Sawang, Kade Sidiyasa, Ian Singleton, and Carel P. van Schaik
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199213276
- eISBN:
- 9780191707568
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199213276.003.0009
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
This chapter explores variation in orangutan diets across their range, based on food lists. The authors of the chapter consolidated orangutan food lists from all available long-term field sites (N = ...
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This chapter explores variation in orangutan diets across their range, based on food lists. The authors of the chapter consolidated orangutan food lists from all available long-term field sites (N = 15). They represent both islands, multiple habitat types, varied degrees of degradation, and wild and rehabilitant populations. The chapter assesses the effects of habitat productivity (island, habitat type, habitat degradation) and rehabilitant–wild status on food lists. Findings suggest inverse relationships between habitat productivity and total plant taxa eaten at a site, the intensity at which individual food taxa are used, and the proportion of plant food species from which important food types are eaten. Analyses also explore food lists to suggest medical plant use, cultural influences on food knowledge, and the relationship between orangutan and other great ape diets. Discussion concerns conceptual implications of findings, methodological limitations to using food lists in the study of diet, and conservation applications.Less
This chapter explores variation in orangutan diets across their range, based on food lists. The authors of the chapter consolidated orangutan food lists from all available long-term field sites (N = 15). They represent both islands, multiple habitat types, varied degrees of degradation, and wild and rehabilitant populations. The chapter assesses the effects of habitat productivity (island, habitat type, habitat degradation) and rehabilitant–wild status on food lists. Findings suggest inverse relationships between habitat productivity and total plant taxa eaten at a site, the intensity at which individual food taxa are used, and the proportion of plant food species from which important food types are eaten. Analyses also explore food lists to suggest medical plant use, cultural influences on food knowledge, and the relationship between orangutan and other great ape diets. Discussion concerns conceptual implications of findings, methodological limitations to using food lists in the study of diet, and conservation applications.
Stephen T. Trumbo
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199692576
- eISBN:
- 9780191774737
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199692576.003.0005
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter examines caregiving that has evolved among numerous independent lineages of invertebrates. Diverse forms of care include the production of trophic eggs, defence, facilitation of feeding, ...
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This chapter examines caregiving that has evolved among numerous independent lineages of invertebrates. Diverse forms of care include the production of trophic eggs, defence, facilitation of feeding, viviparity, nest building, and provisioning of food. Three ecological hypotheses (environmental prime movers, feeding ecology, life history costs of care) and an intrinsic hypothesis (haplodiploidy) have been proposed to understand the origins of care. The comparative approach and modelling have also been employed to understand male vs. female care and transitions between patterns of care. Many examples of exclusive paternal care are related to territorial behaviour and the potential for polygyny. For male parents that carry offspring, it is not clear whether sexual selection or the lack of suitable oviposition sites was the driving force for paternal behaviour. Biparental care originated in competitive environments and appears to be maintained by the need for nest building, and can be stabilized by the co-occurrence of task specialization and behavioural flexibility. There is continuing disagreement over the likelihood of the loss of complex social adaptations such as parental care. Frequent loss of care has been argued most forcefully for maternal guarding behaviour because of the need to reduce the costs to female fecundity. Paternal care and complex provisioning in a nest may be more resistant to loss over evolutionary time. An emerging insight is that microbes are of more than simply a hygienic concern for caregivers. Parents are active managers of the nest, with complex adaptations to enhance benefits and reduce costs from the microbial community.Less
This chapter examines caregiving that has evolved among numerous independent lineages of invertebrates. Diverse forms of care include the production of trophic eggs, defence, facilitation of feeding, viviparity, nest building, and provisioning of food. Three ecological hypotheses (environmental prime movers, feeding ecology, life history costs of care) and an intrinsic hypothesis (haplodiploidy) have been proposed to understand the origins of care. The comparative approach and modelling have also been employed to understand male vs. female care and transitions between patterns of care. Many examples of exclusive paternal care are related to territorial behaviour and the potential for polygyny. For male parents that carry offspring, it is not clear whether sexual selection or the lack of suitable oviposition sites was the driving force for paternal behaviour. Biparental care originated in competitive environments and appears to be maintained by the need for nest building, and can be stabilized by the co-occurrence of task specialization and behavioural flexibility. There is continuing disagreement over the likelihood of the loss of complex social adaptations such as parental care. Frequent loss of care has been argued most forcefully for maternal guarding behaviour because of the need to reduce the costs to female fecundity. Paternal care and complex provisioning in a nest may be more resistant to loss over evolutionary time. An emerging insight is that microbes are of more than simply a hygienic concern for caregivers. Parents are active managers of the nest, with complex adaptations to enhance benefits and reduce costs from the microbial community.
Mahmood Sasa and Federico Bolaños
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520223097
- eISBN:
- 9780520937772
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520223097.003.0014
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
The herpetofauna of Mesoamerica is one of the richest and complex vertebrate faunas, involving more than 210 genera, comprising approximately 693 species of reptiles and 598 species of amphibians. ...
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The herpetofauna of Mesoamerica is one of the richest and complex vertebrate faunas, involving more than 210 genera, comprising approximately 693 species of reptiles and 598 species of amphibians. This chapter examines the biodiversity and biogeographical aspects of reptiles and amphibians in the dry-forest environments of Mesoamerica. It discusses their resource and microhabitat use, feeding ecology, reproduction, and adaptations to the changing seasonal climate. Finally, it discusses some of the recommendations for the conservation of herpetofauna of Mesoamerican dry forests.Less
The herpetofauna of Mesoamerica is one of the richest and complex vertebrate faunas, involving more than 210 genera, comprising approximately 693 species of reptiles and 598 species of amphibians. This chapter examines the biodiversity and biogeographical aspects of reptiles and amphibians in the dry-forest environments of Mesoamerica. It discusses their resource and microhabitat use, feeding ecology, reproduction, and adaptations to the changing seasonal climate. Finally, it discusses some of the recommendations for the conservation of herpetofauna of Mesoamerican dry forests.
Gus Mills and Margaret Mills
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- June 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198712145
- eISBN:
- 9780191780639
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198712145.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
This book demonstrates how cheetahs are adapted to arid savannahs like the southern Kalahari, and makes comparisons with other areas, especially the Serengeti. Topics dealt with are: demography and ...
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This book demonstrates how cheetahs are adapted to arid savannahs like the southern Kalahari, and makes comparisons with other areas, especially the Serengeti. Topics dealt with are: demography and genetic status; feeding ecology, i.e. methods used for studying diet, diets of different demographic groups, individual diet specializations of females, prey selection, the impact of cheetah predation on prey populations, activity regimes and distances travelled per day, hunting behaviour, foraging success and energetics; interspecific competition; spatial ecology; reproductive success and the mating system; and conservation. The major findings show that cheetahs are well adapted to arid ecosystems and are water independent. Cheetah density in the study area was stable at 0.9/100 km2 and the population was genetically diverse. Important prey were steenbok and springbok for females with cubs, gemsbok, and adult ostrich for coalition males, and steenbok, springhares, and hares for single animals. Cheetahs had a density-dependent regulatory effect on steenbok and springbok populations. Females with large cubs had the highest overall food intake. Cheetahs, especially males, were often active at night, and competition with other large carnivores, both by exploitation and interference, was slight. Although predation on small cubs was severe, cub survival to adolescence was six times higher than in the Serengeti. There was no difference in reproductive success between single and coalition males. The conservation priority for cheetahs should be to maintain protected areas over a spectrum of landscapes to allow ecological processes, of which the cheetah is an integral part, to proceed unhindered.Less
This book demonstrates how cheetahs are adapted to arid savannahs like the southern Kalahari, and makes comparisons with other areas, especially the Serengeti. Topics dealt with are: demography and genetic status; feeding ecology, i.e. methods used for studying diet, diets of different demographic groups, individual diet specializations of females, prey selection, the impact of cheetah predation on prey populations, activity regimes and distances travelled per day, hunting behaviour, foraging success and energetics; interspecific competition; spatial ecology; reproductive success and the mating system; and conservation. The major findings show that cheetahs are well adapted to arid ecosystems and are water independent. Cheetah density in the study area was stable at 0.9/100 km2 and the population was genetically diverse. Important prey were steenbok and springbok for females with cubs, gemsbok, and adult ostrich for coalition males, and steenbok, springhares, and hares for single animals. Cheetahs had a density-dependent regulatory effect on steenbok and springbok populations. Females with large cubs had the highest overall food intake. Cheetahs, especially males, were often active at night, and competition with other large carnivores, both by exploitation and interference, was slight. Although predation on small cubs was severe, cub survival to adolescence was six times higher than in the Serengeti. There was no difference in reproductive success between single and coalition males. The conservation priority for cheetahs should be to maintain protected areas over a spectrum of landscapes to allow ecological processes, of which the cheetah is an integral part, to proceed unhindered.
