Στην εργασία αυτή έγινε αρχικά περιγραφή του νησιού της Κύπρου ως προς τη γεωλογία και γεωγραφία του, από το οποίο πάρθηκαν τα περισσότερα δείγματα. Στη συνέχεια αναλυθήκαν οι παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τα νησιωτικά οικοσυστήματα, κυρίως γεωγραφικά. Έπειτα περιεγράφηκαν τα είδη ιπποπόταμων που έζησαν στο πλειστόκαινο στον ευρύτερο χώρο της Μεσογείου, καθώς και το περιβάλλον στο οποίο οι πυγμαίοι ιπποπόταμοι της Κύπρου έζησαν. Τονίστηκαν τα βήματα δημιουργίας της εργασίας, περιεγράφηκαν τα δείγματα ξεχωριστά και μετά αναλύθηκαν σε διαγράμματα. Τα συμπεράσματα απέδειξαν την ταυτότητα των δειγμάτων, ενώ συγκρίθηκαν με άλλες μετρήσεις από άλλους ερευνητές. / Research of speciments from fossils of Phanourios minor of Cyprus and comparison with other speciments from previous studies.

Levels of sociality vary depending on the costs and benefits associated with grouping behavior. Grouping species form either ephemeral aggregations due to resource availability, or structured groups based on familiarity of individuals. Because there are different costs and benefits associated with different types of groups, it is important to understand more about group structure before making predictions about specific behaviors. Female Hippopotamus amphibius are known to aggregate in the wild but the true nature of their grouping behavior is still not understood. My objective was to determine if captive female hippos form either ephemeral aggregations or social groups. Behavioral data, using continuous focal animal sampling and scan sampling, were collected on a group of nine captive female hippos housed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The behavioral data were used to analyze interactions between hippos, association patterns for kin and non-kin as well as familiarity, dominance hierarchy, and habitat preferences. My results support the hypothesis that hippos are forming social groups due to the attraction to particular individuals. There were more associations between kin than non-kin and also between individuals that have been together longer. Captive female hippos were also found to exhibit dominance patterns within the group. The results from this study may aid in the general understanding of hippopotamus behavior and aid in the captive management of hippos. Using my results as a starting point, research can begin looking at grouping patterns and its costs and benefits of sociality in wild hippopotamus populations.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Quantitative Conservation Biology, 1993 / The aim of the study was to provide a basis for the determination of acceptable hippo densities along the Crocodile River, outside the Kruger National Park. Hippo densities have to be acceptable to land-user~, who suffer hippo damage, and to the conservation authority, responsible for the resources along the river. Hippo nllmbers and distribution in the study area were determined by using a combination of aerial census and ground count. The hippo population number was estimated at 88 animals. Hippo distribution was influenced by flow speed of water. No hippos were observed in river sections with steep gradients, (>6.0 m/km) , while major herds were observed at low gradients «3.5 m/km). A mean density of 0.6 hippo per km was calculated, with a maximum of 2,5 hLppoe Zkm at Kaapmuiden, next to the Kruger National Park. TPA Nature Conservation records on hippo complaints were analyzed, and no relationship between the occurrence of hippo damage and hippo density could be found. There were strong indications that hippo damage are caused by individual problem hippo , The majority of land-users (92 %) supported the conservation of hippos. The size of the area available to hippo was determined for distances of 5 kn. up- and downriver from the major hippo herds. hippo could move away from the river was 336 restriction when compared to the generally assumed hippo grazing range of 3.2 km. Hippo access to grazing was assessed by determining the effective grazing area. / MT2017