Excavation of thirty skulls, twenty-eight cattle and two sheep from the foundation course of a Late Neolithic structure at Links of Noltland (LON), Structure 9, is the starting point for this thesis, which investigates the economic and socio-cultural relationships of cattle and other mammals on Orkney communities between 3000 and 2500 BC. The LON settlement was located on a machair plain in Westray, the most N-W island within the Orkney archipelago (HY 428 493). Male and female cattle skulls were inter-mixed within the LON foundation course so a “bull cult” is not represented. The sequence from living skulls to skulls “animating the building is (i) breed/acquire (ii) nurture (iii) cull/butcher (iv) consume (v) transform to object (vi) curate (vii) deposit. A skull deposit infilling an internal passageway from another LON, Structure 18, is compared and contrasted with the Structure 9 foundation deposit. Special treatment of cattle skulls from a wide range of European and Near-East sites is also reviewed to emphasise the widespread use of this symbol during the Neolithic period. Orkney was separated from mainland Scotland prior to the establishment of the LON settlement so consideration is given to modes of arrival for mammals and their impact on this depauperate archipelago. Cattle and sheep dominated the domestic mammal remains examined, pig and dog were rare and goat and horse absent. The most abundant non-domestic mammals were red deer and Orkney voles, but otters and sea mammals were also present in low numbers. Genetic studies indicate that one cattle skull carried genetic material from aurochs, wild cattle. To date there is sparse evidence of interbreeding between wild aurochs and Neolithic domesticated cattle in Europe and none in Britain. The alterative explanation that aurochs were already present on Orkney during the Neolithic is explored. Articulated red deer deposits from LON were also examined. Although previous publications explored the possibility that these deposits are “ritual” other possible explanations for these deposits are outlined. No parallels were noted between the cattle skull and articulated red deer deposits, but the importance of antler for practical and symbolic use in Neolithic Orkney may be under-estimated. Stature of cattle remained relatively stable during the Mid to Late Neolithic in Orkney but underwent diminution by the Iron Age. A similar, but less marked reduction was also noted for sheep, but red deer already had small stature compared with early Holocene mainland Scotland red deer. The thesis concludes that cattle, sheep and red deer were of fundamental importance to the Neolithic society of Orkney, providing surplus food, tools and possibly traction, to support an increasingly sophisticated Neolithic society undertaking construction of complex structures and monuments. In addition, cattle fulfilled an important role in their cultural and spiritual life.

The golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli), a state-threatened species in Illinois, is sympatric throughout most of its geographic range with the ubiquitous white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). The degree of interspecific competitive interaction between these species has been investigated by previous researchers, with often conflicting results. I live trapped and marked both species on two grids from 21 May 2008 through 8 May 2009. One grid was the control area; from the second grid I removed white-footed mice. Habitat on the grids was very similar for six measured habitat variables. My objectives were to document the extent of competition between the two species as indicated by a population density or behavioral response of golden mice to removal of white-footed mice on the experimental grid, and to determine if white-footed mouse presence or habitat variables affected the capture of golden mice. During 6,528 trap nights per grid, I captured a total of 22 individual O. nuttalli and 66 P. leucopus on the control grid, and 48 O. nuttalli and 202 P. leucopus on the removal grid. Compared to previous studies (Rose, 2008), the number of individual golden mice captured on my two sites (n = 70) was very large. Whereas I expected an increase in numbers and space use of golden mice upon removal of Peromyscus, the only statistically significant change was an apparent decrease in space use--there was no population density change. These results, which may indicate a lack of interspecific competition, are more likely the result of experimental design flaws, especially considering the following results. The likelihood of trapping a golden mouse at any given station on the control site was unaffected by any of the six habitat variables. White-footed mouse presence significantly decreased the likelihood of capturing golden mice on both sites. These results were the same for both elevated and ground traps. On the experimental site, golden mice changed from predominantly arboreal space use before Peromyscus removal to equal space use between arboreal and ground habitat after Peromyscusremoval. These results illustrate a spatially segregated habitat with competitively superior white-footed mice dominating the ground level microhabitat and golden mice staying predominantly in elevated microhabitat. My study, and others, demonstrate that golden mice in southern Illinois are likely habitat generalists (Morzillo et al., 2003), competitively inferior to Peromyscus(Feldhamer and Maycroft, 1992), and excluded from certain microhabitat; although it may be they actually prefer different microhabitats.

The coastal waters off western Scotland are inhabited by two small under-studied common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) communities: the Inner Hebrides and the Sound of Barra (SoB) community. The region is considered for future developments for the marine renewables industry, which have the potential to negatively impact these communities; however the assessment of impacts and the development of plans to minimise these are currently hampered by a lack of knowledge about the dolphin's distribution and residency patterns, and spatial and temporal mobility. Using a variety of research methods (dedicated cetacean surveys and targeted photo-ID trips, acoustic monitoring and the collection of opportunistic photo-ID and sightings data from the general public) the current study examined local dolphin spatial and temporal mobility patterns by investigation of their spatial distribution and temporal occurrence. Collectively, the results revealed the presence of two socially and geographically separated (at least 2006-2013) resident communities which both demonstrated year-round presence and long-term site-fidelity, but maintained different ranging patterns. Long-term presence of individuals from the Inner Hebrides community dated back to 2001 and dolphins from this community ranged widely in nearshore waters throughout the entire currently known communal range, and practically used the entire range throughout the year. The SoB community, on the other hand, appeared to have a more restricted distribution, and appeared female-dominated. Summer censuses of the SoB community revealed annual estimates of ≤15 dolphins, with four individuals first identified in 1995, and at least eight calves born since 2005. Acoustic presence of dolphins in the SoB varied through the year, and in relation to the tidal and diel cycles. This study demonstrated that the integration of complementary methodological approaches is useful in investigating mobility patterns of low-density populations, and given the indications for social and spatial isolation, these communities should be managed independently.

A loss in sea ice cover, primarily attributed to climate change, is increasing the accessibility and navigability of the Arctic Ocean. This increased accessibility of the Canadian Arctic, and in particular the Northwest Passage, presents important global and national shipping and development opportunities. However, increased shipping in the region also present challenges related to the environmental sustainability, sovereignty and safety, and cultural sustainability. The Low Impact Shipping Corridors (the Corridors) is currently the foundational framework for governing ship traffic within the Canadian Arctic. However, the Corridors were largely established based on historic traffic patterns and thus they do not fully consider important areas for marine mammals and fish in the region. This research addresses this important research gap by spatially identifying important areas for marine mammals and fish in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut using both Traditional Knowledge and western science, evaluating ship tracks from 1990-2015, and geospatially identifying and evaluating areas of potential disturbance for marine mammals and fish related to vessel noise from different ship types transiting the Corridors within the study region. The results of this study indicate that all vessel types have the potential to cause behavioural disturbance to marine mammals and fish when navigating through these important wildlife areas, and that louder vessels (i.e. Tanker ships) travelling outside of these important wildlife areas have a greater potential to cause behavioural disturbance to marine mammals and fish than quieter vessels (i.e. Pleasure Crafts). The results also indicate that vessels navigating through certain regions of the Kitikmeot have a higher potential to cause behavioural disturbances in these species, including through the Gulf of Boothia, Franklin Strait, Rae Strait, Rasmussen Basin, and Bathurst Inlet.

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-12T11:46:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Robson Soares de Melo.pdf: 1171402 bytes, checksum: 7ed5c50e7d78e6b2d59cbf8d3e9ed0d8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T11:46:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Robson Soares de Melo.pdf: 1171402 bytes, checksum: 7ed5c50e7d78e6b2d59cbf8d3e9ed0d8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Studies on the knowledge and use of natural resources are a crucial tool to identify the way each individual observe and use the environment they live. Each person has a proper knowledge of the environment, and this knowledge can vary by gender, age, housing conditions and schooling. In this context, this study aims to verify and list the species of mammals used in two communities located in the Araripe Area of Environmental Protection – APA/Araripe, verify possible significant difference in knowledge regarding the use of mammals according to sex and age group, identify the diseases treated with zootherapics and obtain information about mammalian parts use as medicine and about medicine preparation. The study was conducted in two communities located in the APA/Araripe: Sítio Betânia community and Caldas community, both belonging to the city of Barbalha (Ceará, Brazil). The data collection was performed through semi-structured forms, where the interviewed were randomly selected through stratified random sampling, so that all individuals in the community had the same chance of being selected. For this stratification we considered sex and three age groups based on the classification criteria of the Ministry of Health: adolescents (12-19 years), adults (20-59 years) and elderly (above 60 years). A total of 229 interviews were conducted between October and November of 2012. We verify that men know and use more the mammals as zootherapics and as food resource than women, while for the religious mystic use there were no significant differences between genders. In relation to age, it was observed that adults know and use more mammals as zootherapics and the elderly use more as food resource. This study reveals that the practice of using mammals still persist even in communities inserted in conservation units where laws are stricter. Probably, traditions, poverty and the lack of more rigorous inspections lead to such conducts. Thus, the development of a rigorous management plan considering social and cultural aspects of the local communities is highly recommended. / Estudos sobre o conhecimento e uso dos recursos naturais vêm a ser uma crucial ferramenta para identificar a forma como cada indivíduo observa e utiliza o ambiente em que vive. Cada pessoa apresenta um próprio conhecimento do ambiente, e esse conhecimento pode variar em função do sexo, idade, condições de moradia e grau de escolaridade. Nesse contexto este trabalho apresenta os seguintes objetivos: Inventariar as espécies de mamíferos utilizadas e conhecidas em duas comunidades inseridas dentro da Área de Proteção Ambiental Araripe – APA/Araripe; verificar se existe diferença significativa no conhecimento com relação ao uso de mamíferos de acordo com o sexo e a faixa etária; identificar os tipos de enfermidades tratadas pelos zooterápicos e obter informações com relação às partes dos mamíferos utilizados para fins medicinais e ao modo de preparo dos medicamentos. O trabalho foi realizado em duas comunidades inseridas na APA/Araripe, comunidade do Sítio Betânia e comunidade do Caldas, ambas pertencentes a cidade de Barbalha (Ceará, Brasil). As entrevistas foram realizadas através de formulários semi-estruturados. Todas as casas habitadas das duas comunidades foram visitadas, sendo entrevistadas no máximo duas pessoas por residência. Tomou-se o cuidado de evitar que o primeiro entrevistado entrasse em contato com o próximo, evitando desta forma que um interferisse nas respostas do outro. Caso houvesse essa interferência a pessoa entrevistada era eliminada da amostragem. A amostragem foi dividida através do sexo e três grupos de idade baseado nos critérios de classificação do Ministério da Saúde do Governo Brasileiro: adolescentes (12 a 19 anos), adultos (20 a 59 anos) e idosos (acima de 60 anos). Foram realizadas 229 entrevistas entre os meses de outubro e novembro de 2012. Sendo verificado que os homens conhecem e utilizam mais os mamíferos como zooterápicos e como recurso alimentar do que as mulheres, enquanto para o uso místico religioso não foi observado diferença significativa entre os gêneros. Com relação às idades, observou-se que os adultos conhecem e utilizam mais os mamíferos como zooterápicos e os idosos como recurso alimentar. Este estudo mostra que a prática do uso de mamíferos ainda persiste mesmo em comunidades inseridas em unidades de conservação onde as leis são mais rigorosas. Provavelmente, tradições enraizadas, pobreza e falta de fiscalizações mais rigorosas levam a tais práticas. Dessa forma, a elaboração de um rigoroso plano de manejo, levando-se em consideração os aspectos sociais e culturais das comunidades locais envolvidas, vem a ser de suma importância.

Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-06-09T17:40:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Claryana Costa Araújo - 2015.pdf: 2174515 bytes, checksum: 2d205f31fba2cbb199ef183432b131d4 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-06-10T11:55:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Claryana Costa Araújo - 2015.pdf: 2174515 bytes, checksum: 2d205f31fba2cbb199ef183432b131d4 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-10T11:55:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Claryana Costa Araújo - 2015.pdf: 2174515 bytes, checksum: 2d205f31fba2cbb199ef183432b131d4 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The population of humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis that resides in the eastern Taiwan Strait (ETS) is geographically and genetically isolated from populations inhabiting the coastal waters of mainland China and appears to be facing unsustainable levels of human threats. Using VORTEX 9.99b, we modeled the viability of this Critically Endangered population under the present conditions as well as under realistic additional threat scenarios. We examined 6 different levels of bycatch mortality, 3 scenarios of habitat loss/degradation, and scenarios in which these threats were experienced together. Under the baseline (present) scenario, the population exhibited a decreasing growth rate and was predicted to be smaller than the initial population size in more than 76% of all model runs. In all scenarios with additional threats, the proportion of model runs in which population size was smaller than the initial size varied from 77.1 to 92.6%. Over the short term, fisheries-related mortality appears to have a more obvious impact on the population’s trajectory than habitat loss/degradation. Even minimal increases in mortality from the current baseline levels will increase the probability of extinction of this population. Due to the fragile situation of ETS humpback dolphins, mitigation actions to reduce the current threats to this population are needed immediately. / Sem resumo.

Aspects of the ecology of B. monticularis were studied with a view to the species' conservation. This investigation indicates that the present distribution is half that of the past distribution and that only one third of the original habitat remains uncultivated. It is estimated that this area could, theoretically, support 1435 rabbits. The shrubs, Pteronia erythrocaetha and Kochia pubescens constitute the bulk of the species' diet; grasses are included in the diet whenever rainfall gives rise to new growth. Spatial use, social structure and activity pattern conform to the general leporid pattern of polygamy, solitary living and nocturnality. The breeding season extends from August to May and litters of one, possibly two, altricial young are produced after a gestation of 35-36 days. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 1989. / gm2013 / Zoology and Entomology / Unrestricted

abstract: Land use change driven by human population expansion continues to influence the integrity and configuration of riparian corridors worldwide. Wildlife viability in semi-arid regions depend heavily on the connectivity of riparian corridors, since water is the primary limiting resource. The Madrean Archipelago in northern Mexico and southwestern United States (US) is a biodiversity hotspot that supports imperiled wildlife like jaguar (Panthera onca) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Recent and ongoing infrastructure developments in the historically understudied US-México borderlands region, such as the border wall and expansion of Federal Highway 2, are altering wildlife movement and disconnecting essential habitat. I used wildlife cameras to assess species occupancy, abundance, and related habitat variables affecting the use of washes as corridors for mammals in semi-arid Los Ojos (LO), a private ranch within a 530 km2 priority conservation area in Sonora, México located south of the border and Federal Highway 2. From October 2018 to April 2019, I deployed 21 wildlife cameras in five different riparian corridors within LO. I used single- season occupancy models and Royal Nichols abundance models to explore the relationship between habitat variables and use of riparian corridors by mammal communities of conservation concern within this region. Twenty-one mammal species were recorded in the study area, including American black bear (Ursus americanus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the first sighting of jaguar (Panthera onca) in this region in 25 years. For the 11 medium- and large-bodied mammals recorded, habitat variables related to perennial river characteristics (distance to river, weekly water, and site width) and remoteness (distance from highway, elevation, and NDVI) were important for occupancy, but the direction of the relationship varied by species. For commonly observed species such as mountain lion (Puma concolor) and white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), topographic variety was highly informative for species abundance. These results highlight the importance of habitat diversity when identifying corridors for future protection to conserve wildlife communities in semi-arid regions. Additionally, this study provides robust evidence in support of mitigation measures (e.g. funnel fencing, over- or under- passes) along Federal Highway 2, and other barriers such as the border wall, to facilitate wildlife connectivity. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Biology 2020

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第23053号 / 理博第4730号 / 新制||理||1678(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 村山 美穂, 教授 幸島 司郎, 教授 伊谷 原一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

Members of the class Mammalia have the most advanced skeletal complexity of the nasal cavity among vertebrates. Most mammals have an olfactory epithelium that consists of basal cells, supporting cells and olfactory sensory neurons that bind odor molecules with their cilia. The olfactory epithelium is responsible for detecting odor stimuli. The surface area of olfactory epithelium varies greatly among species. Carnivores have a generally larger surface area of the olfactory epithelium than primates and ungulates of the same size. Modern odontocetes lack olfactory epithelium. To get an overview of the between-species differences of the olfactory epithelium surface area and number of olfactory receptor cells, a search of the scientific literature was performed, using the database Web of Science and references from the scientific articles. The assembled data were entered into two tables, one that contains species names, surface area of the olfactory epithelium and references, and another that includes the total number of olfactory receptor cells for the few species that have been studied in this respect so far. Methods of measuring olfactory epithelium size differ, some studies used immunohistochemistry, other measured osteological proportions, like the surface area of the olfactory turbinals. A compilation of the published data provides an overview of the range that the size of the olfactory epithelium can have and allows for between-species comparisons of this anatomical measure as well as for assessing possible correlations with olfactory capabilities.