Although ecotourism is touted as a tool to promote sustainable development and conservation of protected areas, it can have a negative impact on some species that it intends to protect. This dissertation explores the impacts of tourism on the breeding behavior and success of Atelornis pittoides , Madagascar's endemic pitta-like ground roller. Another goal is to understand the foraging and nesting requirements of this endangered bird. From 2000 to 2003, I studied the morphology, habitat use, distribution, foraging behavior, nesting-habitat selection, breeding behavior, and breeding success of Atelornis pittoides (Brachypteraciidae, Coraciiformes) at three different study localities in the Ranomafana National Park. Data were collected using line transects, point counts, mist netting, and direct observation. Characteristics of preferred and rejected habitats were measured at each of the three study localities. Habitat disturbance was evaluated by direct observation and park records. Talatakely forest had suffered the greatest disturbance; Vohiparara had suffered moderate disturbance, and Parcelle 1 had suffered little disturbance (and supported no ecotourism). The breeding success of Atelornis was found to be jeopardized by natural- and human-induced habitat disturbance. It decreased in areas of heavy tourism, in years marked by heavy tourism, and for nests built close to tourist trails. Nest predation rates increased with increasing tourism. There were differences in the calling behavior of birds at the three localities; in the most disturbed habitats, the birds called less frequently, particularly in the middle of the day (when tourists are likely to draw predators to their nesting sites). Atelornis was found to be selective in its choice of nesting sites. There were significant differences in vegetation structure and composition, as well as other habitat characteristics (e.g., soil exposure, presence of fallen trees, local topography), between preferred and rejected habitats. In general, nesting habitat selection is related to predator avoidance, access to ideal foraging habitat, and avoidance of competition with conspecifics. Long-term pair bonding and nest habitat fidelity (from year to year) was demonstrated, for the first time, in this study. A minor but statistically significant amount of sexual dimorphism was also demonstrated, and interpreted within the context of foraging and breeding adaptations.

Many areas of New Guinea remain poorly sampled, hindering conservation planning efforts. Endemic species significantly contribute to explaining a peak in non-flying mammal diversity at mid-elevations, even after removal of boundary effects. When corrected for area, effects of diet and body size become relevant. Diversity of non-eutherians declines with elevation similar to rodents. Folivores drop in diversity with elevation more markedly than carnivores. Smaller-bodied mammals drop in diversity more markedly than larger-bodied ones. Field surveys at Mt. Stolle produced 3 new species records for Sandaun Province of Papua New Guinea, and 5 new species records for the Telefomin area. I collected data on radio-collared painted ringtails, including: body measurements, home range sizes, survival rates, waking hours spent eating, walking and resting, hours of activity and activity levels. Male painted ringtails are larger than females; males are more active and heavier males return later. Males walk more than females, and heavier males walk more. The male survival rate is one-sixth that of females. Male home ranges overlap with those of two or more females. Painted ringtails are almost entirely folivorous, consuming at least 75 tree species. Bark is consumed from at least five species, two of which were sought significantly beyond their abundance at the site. Selectivity in foliage consumed is present at both the species and family levels of trees, and proximity of diet trees to dreys plays a role in selection. The top 10 species most frequently consumed by males and females do not differ, but the top 10 families do differ. The painted ringtail diet is more folivorous and the tree species composition is significantly different than that of the larger sympatric coppery ringtail and mountain cuscus. Bark consumed by painted ringtails contained calcium, potassium and magnesium levels significantly higher than that found in control trees (conspecifics and other species). Significantly more adult male painted ringtails (14 of 21) were captured at bark trees than adult females (three of 17) or juvenile males (one of six); juvenile females were equally captured at and away from these trees (six of 12).