No description available.

Intestinal flora of wild chimpanzee has not been studied. Fecal flora analyses currently give insight to this environment. We collected feces from twelve human-habituated wild chimpanzees in each of three age groups: four juveniles, four sub-adults, and four adults. We analyzed fecal samples using Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) of amplified 16S rRNA genes to determine bacterial diversity present. Between 1 and 14 terminal-restriction fragments (T-RFs) were observed in each sample. A total of 26 unique T-RFs were produced from the samples and ranged in size from 92 to 837 base pairs (bps). Twenty-four of these T-RFs corresponded to five bacterial phyla: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Mollicutes, and Proteobacteria, as well as uncultured and unidentified bacterial species. The remaining T-RFs corresponded solely to uncultured or unidentified bacteria. Firmicutes was the most common phylum, observed in 11 of the samples. Bacteroidetes was the second-most common phylum, detected in 8 of the samples. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) revealed a discrete clustering of 10 samples when looking at components one and two, and a clustering of 11 samples when looking at component three. These three components accounted for 72.5% of the variation within the data. Morisita indices were computed to compare T-RF profiles of two samples at a time, and were between 0 and 0.886. Results indicated that some fecal bacterial profiles were similar in the study group, but ultimately varied between samples when compared two at a time. Specific diet, physiology, and environmental reservoir exposure may play large roles in shaping such profiles. / Master of Science

Three spined, mussel species occur in the United States along the Atlantic slope; James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina), Tar spinymussel (Elliptio steinstansana), and Altamaha spinymussel (E. spinosa). The James spinymussel was listed as endangered in 1988, and was until recently considered to be endemic to the James River basin (Clarke and Neves 1984; USFWS 1990). Biologists with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) discovered spinymussel populations in the Dan and Mayo rivers in NC in 2000 and 2001, respectively. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) tentatively identified this species as Pleurobema collina. My project proposed by the Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to the USFWS and the Virginia Transportation Research Council, determined where P. collina resides in VA and what the extent of its range is within the state. An informal preliminary survey design for P. collina was used during the summer of 2002 and simple random sampling was deployed in 2003-2004 surveys to provide a good basis for comparison to gauge the efficiency of the informal sampling design. In 2002, a total of 116 person-hours were spent surveying 39 localities on the Mayo, Dan, and Smith rivers. A total of 96 P. collina was observed in the South Fork of the Mayo River, Patrick and Henry counties, VA. A documented range of 24 rkm was established in the South Fork Mayo River. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, a total of 228 person-hours were spent surveying 38 equal-area river reaches (10, 000 m2) on the mainstems of the Dan, Smith, South Mayo, and Banister rivers. No specimens of P. collina (live or relic shells) were detected. A simple random sampling approach was designed to be easy, relatively quick and cost effective, applicable to most rivers, and to provide actual numbers for comparison. Negative results were only reported after 6 person-hours of searching within each randomly selected, equal-area river reach had been expended. P. collina was declared absent from the VA random sites surveyed in 2003-2004 with a confidence of ~90%. A genetic characterization of four extant populations of P. collina was conducted to assess its taxonomic affinity and to resolve conservation issues related to recovery planning and management actions. The populations were examined for phenotypic variation, and were characterized phylogenetically using DNA sequences. A comprehensive analysis was performed for both separate and combined mitochondrial (357 bp of cytochrome-b, 916 bp of ND-1) and nuclear (502 bp of ITS-1) DNA sequences. Based on comprehensive molecular, morphological, and life history data, populations of P. collina sampled from the Dan River sub-drainage do not warrant separate species designation from P. collina sampled from the James River drainage. / Master of Science

The Karkloof blue butt erfly, Orachrysops ariadne (Butler), is endemic to the Mistbelt grassland of KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, and is currently Red-listed as 'Vulnerable' . O. ariadne is univoltine and on the wing in March and April, when it utilizes eight species of nectar plants. This study confirmed that the larval hostplant is Indigofera woodii H. Bol. var. laxa H. Bol., an erect variety. It was also confirmed that this butterfly is ant-dependent, with the young larva being taken into the nest of Camponotus natalensis (F. Smith) where development continues, including pupation. This study compares the ecological conditions at the four known locations so as to make informed decision s regarding its conservation. A large proportion of the grassland in KwaZulu-Natal has been aforested and cultivated, and at least 92% of the Mistbelt has been transformed, with only about 1% in good condition remaining. Predictions on the habitat and habit at requirements of this species are necessary for developing a conservation strategy and action plan. Here , we propose O. ariadne as an indicator species for Mistbelt grass land. Saving enough of the remaining Mistbelt grassland is crucial, not just for the survival of the Karkloof blue, O. ariadne, but also for the Mistbelt grassland community as a whole. The population structure and movement of Orachrysops ariadne and O. subravus were studied by mark-release-recapture methods in 1999. There were 290 O. ariadne marked over 48 days between March and April, 124 (42 .8%) were recaptured at least once. Of 631 O. subravus marked over two months between September and November, 311 (49 .3%) were recaptured at least once. Both species exhibited protandry, male appearance about one to two weeks earlier. The sex ratio of O. ariadne is heavily male biased 5.6 :1 (246 males and 44 females), and the sex ratio of O. subravus is 1.6:1 (387 males and 244 females). The Jolly-Seber model was used to estimate daily population numbers (N ᵢ), survival rates (Ø ᵢ), recruitment rates (B ᵢ), proportion of marked animals in the total population (α ᵢ ), and the number of marked animals at risk (M ᵢ) . Average residence times of male adults were generally similar in both species in the range of 5.36-5.44 days, and were slightly longer for male than for female O. subravus (by 4.09 days). 0. ariadne is a strong and rapid back and forth flier, covering mean recapture distances of 157 m, almost twice that of 0. subravus, principally in search of scarce nectar sources. The extreme rarity of 0. ariadne is not so much to do with behaviour, survivorship or longevity, but rather the butterfly is limited in distribution by suitable habitat for both larva and adult. The aim of management is to optimize the habitat so that it best meets the present and future needs of the butterfly. The effects of the current fire regime on the butterfly, host plant and ant host were evaluated here. It is recommended that burning only take place after the larvae have hatch ed and gone underground with the ant host. Using GPS and GIS, core, quality habitat characteristics were defined. In cooperation with the landowner at one site, alien invasive plants are being removed to increase the area of quality habitat. Availability of host plants is limiting for success of the butterfly in the field. Guidelines are provided for propagation and introduction of the host plant, so as to provide the butterfly with more oviposition sites. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 82-90).

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Biological Studies, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thematic Paper (M.Sc. (Environmental Management))--Mahidol University, 2005.

The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is the smallest and the most threatened european vulture species. Recently, wild populations have been declining dramatically and monitoring is too difficult especially because part of the european population migrates. That is the reason why this species was declared endangered in the IUCN Red list of threatened species (IUCN, 2014). Prague zoo has great results in breeding of these birds of prey. In season of 2013, two juveniles were bred (1 male, 1 female) from 7 of all the Europe. Another juvenile was bred in Zlín-Lešná zoo. In the year 2013, Czech republic therefore bred almost a half of these vultures in european breedings (EAZA). In 2014 the results of breedings are also succesfull, more then half (13 juveniles in total, 3 from Prague, 4 from Zlín-Lešná) was risen in these breedings. Prague zoo has been keeping the egyptian vulture studbook for more than 10 years and is also in charge of the European endangered species programme for this vulture. For coordination improvement and to increase the succes of european breeding it is important to summarize the data and use them to provide better breeding conditions in other zoos. One of the program objectives is also the reintroduction of the animals back to its natural environment. This master´s degree provides summarization of etology research from seasons 2013 and 2014, short research of etology in Zlín-Lešná zoo, summarization of another european breedings and also assesment of all the breedings factors including those preceeding the nesting like incubation of the eggs, and birds hatching.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Keith B. Gido / Recognizing habitat needs of fishes across space and time is increasingly important for managing altered stream networks, such as in the Colorado River basin. Recent work on warm-water fishes suggest they might benefit from access to tributaries and their confluences. Fish movements or distributions within tributaries relative to distance from mainstem confluences in two streams with different network types (linear versus dendritic) were investigated in the San Juan River basin, USA. Upstream distance from the San Juan River resulted in species declines (Chaco Wash, linear network) or turnover (McElmo Creek, dendritic network). McElmo Creek movement patterns were likely attributed to spring spawning migrations of flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), spawning aggregations of razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), foraging or refuge seeking by Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), and monsoon-related movements for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and razorback sucker. Razorback sucker and Colorado pikeminnow dominated movements at Chaco Wash, suggesting this backwater-like tributary supplied thermal or current refuge, foraging habitat, or both. Within McElmo Creek, a second study explored the importance of confluences by characterizing habitat use and movements of fishes at the junction of McElmo and Yellow Jacket creeks. Native fish dominated the confluence community composition. The reach downstream of the confluence had consistently higher abundances, species richness, and more frequent detections of tagged fishes relative to upstream reaches. Movement behaviors inferred by detection frequency of tagged fish among reaches surrounding the confluence differed among species. Small flannelmouth sucker (< 300 mm) and roundtail chub (Gila robusta) were commonly detected in Yellow Jacket Creek whereas large flannelmouth sucker (> 300 mm), bluehead sucker (C. discobolus), and channel catfish used McElmo Creek reaches. Monsoons increased McElmo Creek discharge which triggered upstream movements of channel catfish and displaced large flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. Monsoons increased movements between McElmo and Yellow Jacket creeks by roundtail chub, small flannelmouth sucker, and black bullhead (Ameiurus melas). Combined, these two field studies emphasized using links between patterns and processes of tributary fish communities. Conservation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of connectivity and habitat heterogeneity at confluence zones likely can be a localized management strategy with expansive ecosystem effects.

Humans are modifying the global landscape at an unprecedented scale and pace. As a result, species are declining and going extinct at an alarming rate. Here, I investigate two main aspects of species’ declines: what factors are contributing to their declines and how effective our conservation efforts have been. I assessed one of the main mechanisms for protecting species by looking at the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the United States. I examined three separate indicators of species declines for different groups of species: range contractions in Canadian imperilled species, declines in abundance in global amphibian populations and increases in temporal variability in abundance in North American breeding birds. I found that change in recovery status of ESA listed species was only very weakly related to the number of years listed, number of years with a recovery plan, and funding. These tools combined explained very little of the variation in recovery status among species. Either these tools are not very effective in promoting species’ recovery, or species recovery data are so poor that it is impossible to tell whether the tools are effective or not. I examined patterns of species’ declines in three different groups in relation to a number of anthropogenic variables. I found high losses of Canadian imperiled bird, mammal, amphibian and reptile species in regions with high proportions of agricultural land cover. However, losses of imperiled species are significantly more strongly related to the proportion of the region treated with agricultural pesticides. This is consistent with the hypothesis that agricultural pesticide use, or something strongly collinear with it (perhaps intensive agriculture more generally), has contributed significantly to the decline of imperiled species in Canada. Global increases in UV radiation do not appear to be a major cause of amphibian population declines. At individual sites, temporal changes in amphibian abundance are not predictably related to changes in UV intensity. Variability in species’ abundance of North American breeding birds, after accounting for mean abundance, is not systematically higher in areas of high human-dominated land cover or climate change. Rather, it appears that areas with a high proportion of human-dominated cover come to have a higher proportion of highly abundant, and thus more variable, species.