Étant au somment de la chaîne alimentaire, les grands prédateurs ont la capacité d'influencer le fonctionnement des écosystèmes, y compris au sein de leur guilde. En Afrique, les lions (Panthera leo) et les hyènes tachetées (Crocuta crocuta, hyènes ci-après) sont les plus gros et les plus nombreux prédateurs, et les hyènes sont souvent considérées comme subordonnées aux lions. Néanmoins, notre compréhension de leurs interactions est très limitée, d'autant plus dans les milieux boisés. Ce travail vise à identifier les mécanismes permettant la coexistence des hyènes et des lions. L'hypothèse principale est que les hyènes évitent les lions à la fois dans l'espace et dans le temps. Une revue de la littérature montre que malgré leur fort potentiel pour la compétition d'exploitation (régimes alimentaires similaires) et d'interférence (kleptoparasitisme et prédation), les lions partagent la quasi-totalité de leur distribution avec les hyènes et leurs densités sont positivement corrélées. J'ai collecté des données sur l'écologie des hyènes et des lions durant 2.5 ans à partir d'observations directes et de colliers GPS dans le Parc National de Hwange (PNH), au Zimbabwe. PNH est caractéristique d'une savane dystrophique arborée semi-aride dominée par l'éléphant (Loxodonta africana). L'écologie de la hyène y est largement influencée par la localisation des points d'eau artificiels, des carcasses d'éléphants et des lions. Les hyènes sélectionnent les habitats riches en proies et près des points d'eau, tout comme le font les lions qu'elles n'évitent que dans des conditions extrêmes de vulnérabilité et de risques. Les carcasses d'éléphants représentent une ressource alimentaire majeure pour les hyènes qui en ont augmenté leur utilisation en réponse à une augmentation de la compétition avec les lions. La disponibilité de ces carcasses facilite probablement la coexistence entre les deux carnivores. Les rencontres avec les lions autour de carcasses sont communes et les deux espèces peuvent rester à proximité pendant plusieurs nuits consécutives. En revanche, les rencontres non liées aux carcasses sont de très courte durée et les deux prédateurs s'éloignent rapidement l'un de l'autre. Contrairement à l'hypothèse classique, les hyènes n'évitent pas les lions de manière systématique. Les interactions entre les deux espèces sont complexes et les hyènes répondent aux lions de manière dynamique et réactive plutôt que prédictive. Bien que les lions soient leur plus grand compétiteur, les hyènes restent à proximité dans certaines circonstances, car ils représentent une source alimentaire grâce au charognage et au kleptoparasitisme. Ces résultats apportent de nouvelles connaissances sur les mécanismes de coexistence et d'interactions entre grands carnivores ainsi que sur l'impact potentiel des décisions de gestion sur leur écologie qui peuvent être utiles pour leur conservation / Being at the top of the food chain, apex predators have the potential to influence the whole community structure through food webs, even within their own guild. In Africa, lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta, hyaenas hereafter) are the largest and most numerous predators, with hyaenas often thought to be subordinate to the larger lion Never the less, our understanding of their interactions is limited, even more in wooded ecosystems. This work focuses on identifying the mechanisms allowing for hyaenas and lions to coexist, such as resource and habitat partitioning. The main hypothesis is that hyaenas should avoid lions both spatially and temporally. A literature review shows that despite the high potential for exploitative and interference competition (high range and diet overlaps), hyaenas are present at nearly all sites occupied by lions and their densities are positively correlated. I collected data on hyaena and lion ecology, through direct observations and GPS collars, during 2.5 years of fieldwork in Hwange National Park (HNP), Zimbabwe. HNP is characteristic of a semi-arid dystrophic wooded savanna dominated by elephants (Loxodonta africana). In HNP, hyaena ecology is largely influenced by the location of artificial waterholes, elephant carcasses and lions. Hyaenas select for habitats where prey are abundant and locations close to artificial waterholes, as do lions. Hyaenas only spatially avoid lions in extreme conditions of vulnerability and risk. Elephant carcasses are a major source of food for hyaenas and their used increased during a period of increased intraguild competition with lions, which lead to switch in hyaena foraging strategy from active hunting to scavenging. The presence of large carcasses is probably promoting coexistence between the two large carnivores. Encounters with lions at carcasses are common and can occur during several consecutives nights with the two predators staying in the vicinity of each other. However, when not related to food, encounters are very short with both predators often moving away after being in contact. In stark contrast with the classical hypothesis, hyaenas in HNP do not show a general pattern of lion avoidance. Interactions between these two species are complex and hyaenas appear to respond to lion presence is reactive rather than predictive and very dynamic. Even though lions are their main competitors, in some circumstances hyaenas stay in their vicinity, as they can also be a source of food through scavenging and kleptoparatism. These results bring some light on the mechanisms of interaction and coexistence between large carnivores as well as the impact on management decisions on their ecology that could prove useful for planning their conservation

Weltweit sind viele Populationen großer Raubtiere bedroht. Die Suche nach Wegen zur Erhaltung und Wiederherstellung von Populationen großer Raubtiere ist daher ein zentrales Naturschutzziel. In einigen Regionen erholen sich die Populationen jedoch auch, was der Wissenschaft eine hervorragende Möglichkeit bietet potentielle Wege zum Schutz von Raubtieren zu identifizieren. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Voraussetzungen, die eine Erholung von Raubtierpopulationen begünstigen, besser zu verstehen. Am Beispiel der sich erholenden Population des Persischen Leoparden im Kaukasus beantwortet diese Arbeit die folgenden Forschungsfragen: (1) Bietet die Ökoregion des Kaukasus einen geeigneten, sicheren und zusammenhängenden Lebensraum für Persische Leoparden und ihre Beutetiere? (2) Was sind wirksame Schutzstrategien, die eine Erholung der Population des Persischen Leoparden im Kaukasus begünstigen? Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit lassen den Schluss zu, dass für Leoparden und ihre Beutetiere im Kaukasus großflächig geeigneter Lebensraum vorhanden ist. Trotz dieser günstigen Ausgangsposition für den Artenschutz zeigt diese Arbeit jedoch auch klar auf, dass Schutzmaßnahmen erforderlich sind, um direkte Bedrohungen abzumildern. Als wichtigsten Faktor für eine Erholung der Leopardenpopulation identifiziert diese Arbeit das Verhindern von Tötungen. Diese Arbeit verdeutlicht somit die wichtige Rolle von Konfliktminderung zwischen Menschen und Raubtieren, um die daraus resultierende Tötung von Raubtieren zu verhindern. Darüber hinaus unterstreicht diese Dissertation die Notwendigkeit der Vernetzung sicherer Lebensräume und den Wert von internationaler Zusammenarbeit zur Förderung der Genesung von Populationen großer Raubtiere. Zusammengefasst liefert diese Arbeit Einblicke in Bedingungen, die die Genesung von Großraubtieren fördern, und umreißt mögliche zukünftige Wege eines vom Aussterben bedrohten Raubtiers in einem globalen Biodiversitäts-Hotspot. / Large carnivore populations are threatened globally. This is worrisome because of their intrinsic value and their importance for ecosystems and humans. Finding ways to maintain and restore large carnivore populations is therefore a central goal for conservation. Interestingly, large carnivores are also returning to areas where they were extirpated before, which provides a great opportunity for conservation science to identify pathways to safeguard large carnivore populations. The overall goal of this thesis was to better understand the conditions that foster large carnivore recoveries. Gaining a better understanding of large carnivore recoveries is challenging though, because it requires working across broad areas, where data on environmental characteristics and prey species is often limited and inconsistent. Using the Persian leopard recovery in the Caucasus ecoregion as an example, the specific research questions of this thesis were: (1) Does the Caucasus ecoregion have suitable, safe, and connected habitat for Persian leopards and their prey? (2) What are effective management strategies to foster the recovery of Persian leopards in the Caucasus? Results revealed that suitable habitat for Persian leopards and their prey is widespread in the Caucasus. However, habitat patches are often not safe and conservation efforts are needed to mitigate threats and restore, protect, and connect populations of leopards and their prey. Reducing the persecution of leopards seems the most important strategy to foster leopard recovery in the Caucasus. For large carnivore recoveries in general, this thesis underpins the importance of human-carnivore conflict mitigation to prevent killings of carnivores, particularly in areas where populations are small. Further, this thesis underlines the need of improving connectivity among safe habitat patches and the value of international cooperation. Overall, this thesis provides insights into conditions that foster large carnivore recovery and outlines potential future pathways for a critically endangered apex predator in a global biodiversity hotspot.

Tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) can be viewed as a proxy for intact and healthy ecosystems. Their wild populations have plummeted to fewer than 3,200 individuals in the last four decades and threats to these apex predators are mounting rather than diminishing. Global conservation bodies (Global Tiger Initiative, World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society, Panthera etc.) have recently called for solidarity and scaling up of conservation efforts to save tigers from extinction. In South Asia, tiger habitat ranges from tropical evergreen forests, dry arid regions and sub-tropical alluvial floodplains, to temperate mixed deciduous forest. The churia habitat is relatively unstudied and is considered a young and geologically fragile mountain range in Nepal. The contribution of the churia habitat to tiger conservation has not been considered, since modern conservation started in 1970's. This study focuses on the ecology of the tiger with respect to population density, habitat use, and prey occupancy and density, in the churia habitat of Chitwan National Park. This study also includes the first assessment of genetic diversity, genetic structure, and gene flow of tigers across the Terai Arc Landscape- Nepal. The Terai Arc Landscape harbors the only remaining tiger population found across the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal and northwest India. I used a combination of camera-trapping techniques, which have been a popular and robust method for monitoring tiger populations across the landscape, combined with a noninvasive genetic approach to gain information on tigers, thus adding new information relevant to global tiger conservation. I investigated tiger, leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), and prey densities, and predicted the tiger density across the Churia habitat in Chitwan National Park. I used a camera-trap grid with 161 locations accumulating 2,097 trap-nights in a 60 day survey period during the winter season of 2010-2011. Additionally, I used distance sampling techniques for estimating prey density in the churia habitat by walking 136 km over 81 different line transects. The team photographed 31 individual tigers and 28 individual leopards along with 25 mammalian species from a sampling area of 536 km² comprising Churia and surrounding areas. Density estimates of tigers and leopards were 2.2 (SE 0.42) tigers and 4.0 (SE 1.00) leopards per 100 km². Prey density was estimated at 62.7 prey animals per 100 km² with contributions from forest ungulates to be 47% (sambar Rusa unicolor, chital Axis axis, barking deer Muntiacus muntjak, and wild pigs Sus scrofa). Churia habitat within Chitwan National Park is capable of supporting 5.86 tigers per 100 km² based on applying models developed to predict tiger density from prey density. My density estimates from camera-traps are lower than that predicted based on prey availability, which indicates that the tiger population may be below the carrying capacity. Nonetheless, the churia habitat supports 9 to 36 tigers, increasing estimates of current population size in Chitwan National Park. Based on my finding, the Churia habitat should no longer remain ignored because it has great potential to harbor tigers. Conservation efforts should focus on reducing human disturbance to boost prey populations to potentially support higher predator numbers in Churia. I used sign surveys within a rigorous occupancy framework to estimate probability of occupancy for 5 focal prey species of the tiger (gaur Bos gaurus, sambar, chital, wild pig, and barking deer); as well as probability of tiger habitat use within 537 km² of churia habitat in Chitwan National Park. Multi-season, auto-correlation models allowed me to make seasonal (winter versus summer) inferences regarding changes in occupancy or habitat use based on covariates influencing occupancy and detection. Sambar had the greatest spatial distribution across both seasons, occupying 431-437 km² of the churia habitat, while chital had the lowest distribution, occupying only 100-158 km². The gaur population showed the most seasonal variation from 318- 413 km² of area occupied, with changes in occupancy suggesting their migration out of the lowland areas in the summer and into the churia in the winter. Wild pigs showed the opposite, moving into the churia in the summer (444 km² area occupied) and having lower occupancy in the winter (383 km²). Barking deer were widespread in both seasons (329 - 349 km²). Tiger probability of habitat use Ψ SE(Ψ) was only slightly higher in winter 0.63 (SE 0.11) than in summer 0.54 (SE 0.21), but confidence intervals overlapped and area used was very similar across seasons, from 337 - 291 km². Fine-scale variation in tiger habitat use showed that tigers intensively use certain areas more often than others across the seasons. The proportion of available habitat positively influenced occupancy for the majority of prey species and tigers. Human disturbance had a strong negative influence on the distribution of the majority of prey species but was positively related to tiger habitat use. Tigers appear to live in areas with high disturbance, thus increasing the risk of human-tiger conflict in the churia habitat. Thus, efforts to reduce human disturbance would be beneficial to reducing human wildlife conflict, enriching prey populations, and would potentially support more tigers in churia habitat of Nepal. Overall, I found high prey occupancy and tiger habitat use, suggesting that the churia is highly valuable habitat for tigers and should no longer be neglected or forgotten in tiger conservation planning. Thirdly, I assessed genetic variation, genetic structure, and gene flow of the tigers in the Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal. I opportunistically collected 770 scat samples from 4 protected areas and 5 hypothesized corridors across the Terai Arc Landscape. Historical landuse change in the Terai Arc was extracted from Anthrome data sets to relate landuse change to potential barriers and subsequent hypothesized bottleneck events in the landscape. I used standard genetic metrics (allelic diversity and heterozygosity) to estimate genetic variation in the tiger population. Using program Structure (non-spatial) and TESS (spatial), I defined the putative genetic clusters present in the landscape. Migrant analysis was carried out in Geneclass and Bayesass for estimating contemporary gene flow. I tested for a recent population bottleneck with the heterozygosity test using program Bottleneck. Of the 700 samples, 396 were positive for tiger (57% success). Using an 8 multilocus microsatellite assay, I identified 78 individual tigers. I found large scale landuse changes across the Terai Arc Landscape due to conversion of forest into agriculture in last two centuries and I identified areas of suspected barriers. I found low levels of genetic variation (expected heterozygosity = 0.61) and moderate genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.14) across the landscape, indicative of sub-population structure and potential isolation of sub-populations. I detected three genetic clusters across the landscape consistent with three demographic tiger sub-populations occurring in Chitwan-Parsa, Bardia, and Suklaphanta protected areas. I detected 10 migrants across all study sites confirming there is still some dispersal mediated gene flow across the landscape. I found evidence of a bottleneck signature, especially around the lowland forests in the Terai, likely caused by large scale landuse change in last two centuries, which could explain the low levels of genetic variation detected at the sub-population level. These findings are highly relevant to tiger conservation indicating that efforts to protect source sites and to improve connectivity are needed to augment gene flow and genetic diversity across the landscape. Finally, I compared the abundance and density of tigers obtained using two non-invasive sampling techniques: camera-trapping and fecal DNA sampling. For cameras: I pooled the 2009 camera-trap data from the core tiger population across the lowland areas of Chitwan National Park. I sampled 359 km² of the core area with 187 camera-trap locations spending 2,821 trap-nights of effort. I obtained 264 identifiable photographs and identified a total of 41 individual tigers. For genetics, I sampled 325 km² of the core area along three spatial routes, walking a total of 1,173 km, collecting a total of 420 tiger fecal samples in 2011. I identified 36 tigers using the assay of 8 multilocus genotypes and captured them 42 times. I analyzed both data types separately for estimating density and jointly in an integrated model using both traditional, and spatial, capture-recapture frameworks. Using Program MARK and the model averaged results, my abundance estimates were 46 (SE 1.86) and 44 (SE 9.83) individuals from camera and genetic data, respectively. Density estimates (tigers per 100 km²) via traditional buffer strip methods using half of the Mean Maximum Distance Moved (½ MMDM) as the buffer surrounding survey grids, were 4.01 (SE 0.64) for camera data and 3.49 (SE 1.04) for genetic data. Spatially explicit capture recapture models resulted in lower density estimates both in the likelihood based program DENSITY at 2.55 (SE 0.59) for camera-trap data and 2.57 (SE 0.88) for genetic data, while the Bayesian based program SPACECAP estimates were 2.44 (SE 0.30) for camera-trap data and 2.23 (SE 0.46) for genetic data. Using a spatially explicit, integrated model that combines data from both cameras and genetics, density estimates were 1.47 (SD 0.20) tigers per 100 km² for camera-trap data and 1.89 (SD 0.36) tigers per 100 km² for genetic data. I found that the addition of camera-trap data improved precision in genetic capture-recapture estimates, but not visa-versa, likely due to low numbers of recaptures in the genetic data. While a non-invasive genetic approach can be used as a stand-alone capture-recapture method, it may be necessary to increase sample size to obtain more recaptures. Camera-trap data may provide a more precise estimates, but genetic data returns more information on other aspect of genetic health and connectivity. Combining data sets in an integrated modeling framework, aiding in pinpointing strengths and weaknesses in data sets, thus ultimately improving modeling inference. / Ph. D.

The jaguars (Panthera onca) of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica, sometimes kills and eats green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), they also, though less often, kill and eat leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea). The three species are considered endangered and are listed in CITES. It was the aim of this study to find out more about the jaguars behaviour in the area. To discern any patterns of jaguar and turtle activity on the beach the number of tracks per eighth of a mile was recorded on a daily basis for 26 days and then analyzed. It was also considered to be of interest to determine how many jaguars could be responsible for the predation of sea turtles. In addition to this average beach width was measured for each eighth of a mile. There was a noticeable difference in jaguar activity on the beach between days of recording. Analysis found that the beach width could possibly have a small positive effect on jaguar activity. No correlation was found between jaguar and turtle activity. It is believed that the reason that there was no correlation between jaguar activity and turtle activity was due to most of the tracks used to estimate turtle activity had originated from leatherback turtles, which are not as often predated by jaguars as the green turtle. An estimation of five or six jaguars was made using photographs of pugmarks and a method of track discrimination together with information from personnel from the Jalova station.

Empirical measurements of the use of space of an enclosure are important indicators of the enclosure’s appropriateness for the exhibited animal. By studying the animal’s use of space zoological parks are able to provide a more species-adequate environment. In this study the utilization of space by the Siberian tigers held at Kolmården Djurpark was analyzed. Data were collected using the scan sample method for a total of 120 observation hours during 15 days. The tigers showed a marked difference in the utilization of different parts of the enclosure with the number of observations ranging from 1252 for the most popular zone to only 172 for the least popular one. The tigers showed a consistent preference for two of the 15 zones across all days of observation. Further analyses showed that these zones were preferred both during mornings and afternoons as well as during feeding days and non-feeding days. This study demonstrates that the tigers might display a preference for certain environmental features as a result of their behavioral needs that are no different from tigers in the wild.

Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, und Zoo Leipzig Die Krankheiten, Fortpflanzung und Immobilisation der Tiger des für seine Zucht berühmten Leipziger Zoologischen Gartens wurden zusammenfassend über einen Zeitraum von über 50 Jahren analysiert. Das Datenmaterial bestand aus Kranken- und Sektionsberichten sowie bakteriologischen, virologischen, parasitologischen und mykologischen Untersuchungsbefunden. Insgesamt wurden über 4000 Fälle ausgewertet und mit der medizinischen Fachliteratur verglichen. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit zeigen, dass sich die Haltungsbedingungen der Tiger im Leipziger Zoologischen Garten im Laufe der Zeit wesentlich verbessert haben und der Gesundheitsstatus heute als sehr gut eingeschätzt werden kann. Zur Distanzimmobilisation und -narkose haben sich die Kombination von 3 mg/kg Xylazin und 3 mg/kg KM Ketaminhydrochlorid sowie Yohimbin als Antidot in einer Dosis von 0,5 mg/kg KM bewährt. Zu den häufigsten Krankheitsbildern gehörten Infektionskrankheiten, unter ihnen die sog. Koliinfektion und die Pasteurellose. Obwohl sie heute mit einfachen Mitteln therapierbar sind, verursachten sie seinerzeit in der Studienpopulation gleichzeitig v. a bei Jungtigern große Verluste. Seit Beginn der BCG-Impfung ist die Tuberkulose nicht mehr im Leipziger Tigerbestand aufgetreten. Ebenso brachte die Umstellung auf eine Lebendvakzine bei der Panleukopenieprophylaxe eine entscheidende Verbesserung. Die meisten Todesfälle verursachten nach den Infektionskrankheiten Krankheiten des Respirationstrakts (Pneumonien) und Fortpflanzungsstörungen (v. a. Totgeburten). Ab einem Alter von 9 Jahren traten bei weiblichen Tigern Störungen im Geburtsverlauf auf. Am häufigsten erkrankten neonatale Tiger an Infektionskrankheiten und an den Folgen von Fruchtwasseraspiration. Bei den Krankheiten des Bewegungsapparats steht die auf einem alimentären sekundären Hyperparathyreoidismus beruhende Osteodystrophia fibrosa im Vordergrund. Ihr wird seit den 80er Jahren durch verstärkte Fütterung mit Ganzkörperfuttertieren vorgebeugt. Als Therapie von Nephritiden hat sich bei den Tigern des Untersuchungsguts besonders in den letzten Jahren eine einmalige subkutane Infusionstherapie mit insgesamt 2 ml/kg KM Glukose und Natriumbikarbonat im Verhältnis 1:1 sowie Elektrolyten und Aminosäuren, Enrofloxacin und Marbofloxacin in den von den Herstellern angegebenen Dosierungen bewährt. Regelmäßige Krallenpflege ab einem Alter von 9 Jahren beugt Lahmheiten durch eingewachsene Krallen sowie Wundinfektionen vor. Vitaminmängeln wird im Leipziger Zoologischen Garten durch Fütterung von Ganzkörpertieren mit allen Innereien sowie die prophylaktische Gabe von Multivitaminpräparaten vorgebeugt. Möglicherweise verhaltensbedingte Todesfälle bei ansonsten gesunden neonatalen Tigern lassen in einigen Fällen auf eine gestörte Mutter-Kind-Beziehung schließen. Lediglich vereinzelt traten im Untersuchungsgut Krankheiten der Leber, des Herz- und Kreislaufsystems, des endokrinen Systems, Vergiftungen, sexuelle Verhaltensstörungen und Kachexien auf. Bestandsprobleme wurden durch Caliciviren hervorgerufen, die klinische Symptome sowohl bei adulten als auch jungen Tigern und Löwen hervorriefen. Hier muss zwischen artgemäßer Aufzucht und Infektionsrisiko abgewogen werden. Zu den erst postmortal festgestellten Krankheiten gehörte das metastasierende Hämangiosarkom. Die „Tigerkrankheit“ gehörte über viele Jahre zu den schwer behandelbaren Krankheiten mit hoher Rezidivrate. Mittlerweile haben sich zwar Ampicillin und Penicillin als effektive Therapeutika im Leipziger Zoologischen Garten bewährt. Dennoch konnte auch in dieser Arbeit die Ätiologie nicht endgültig geklärt werden und bedarf weiterführender Untersuchungen. Ansätze für künftige Forschungsaufgaben bietet die Klärung der möglicherweise generell bei Tigern hereditären Kataraktätiologie und des Hydrocephalus internus bei Amurtigern. Die hohe Diskrepanz der eigenen Ergebnisse im Vergleich zum Schrifttum erfordert weitere Studien an umfangreicherem Material zur Prävalenz von CDV, FIV und FeLV bei Tigern. Bislang nicht im Schrifttum beschriebene Krankheiten (z. B. Obstipation, Hämangiosarkom, Furunkulose, Pyodermie, Härungsanomalien und Panaritien), Infektionen (z. B. mit Gattung Salmonella Saint-Paul, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella anatum, Salmonella cholerae suis, Staphylococcus epidermidis und Staphylococcus intermedius) und Infestationen (z. B. Capillaria aerophila) werden in den entsprechenden Kapiteln besonders herausgestellt.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-01-21T09:35:50Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Milena Fiuza Diniz - 2015.pdf: 2191789 bytes, checksum: f9b07815a956dcbb354d5efe246b7a13 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-01-21T09:37:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Milena Fiuza Diniz - 2015.pdf: 2191789 bytes, checksum: f9b07815a956dcbb354d5efe246b7a13 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-21T09:37:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Milena Fiuza Diniz - 2015.pdf: 2191789 bytes, checksum: f9b07815a956dcbb354d5efe246b7a13 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / It is expected that networks of protected areas (NPAs) play a key role in conservation of several carnivores species, as jaguar, since habitat fragmentation and population isolation are strong threats. Therefore, the identification and establishment of connector structures, such as corridors and stepping-stones, are essential to ensure the population persistence of these species. Here, we used graph approach and the habitat availability metrics to design NPAs for jaguars in Atlantic Forest and ranking protected areas and other forest fragments according to their importance for landscape connectivity. Our results indicate that the protected jaguar areas (PJAs) are important to functional connectivity, mainly the state parks located in the Serra do Mar. The potential stepping-stone network, formed by 564 fragments with higher levels of importance for connectivity, increased the number of connections in landscape and reduced the amount of isolated PJAs. Only 15 fragments of this network, located in the south of the Atlantic Forest, contributed with 88% of interpatch connectivity, being considered as potential sites for jaguars reintroduction. Most of these connector areas are under the less restrictive protection of sustainable use protected areas. The approach used here has simple data requirements and provides a valuable initial guide to planning NPAs, can be applied to many other species. / (Sem resumo)

M.Sc. (Zoology) / The reproductive biology of the South African leopard, Panthera pardus has not been studied in detail. In South Africa little is known about the population numbers of leopards due to their solitary and nocturnal nature and currently the conservation and management of leopard populations relies mainly on the contributions of non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and private individuals. The aim of this study was to provide baseline information for the development of in-situ and ex-situ reproductive conservation methods for the leopard. In order to meet this aim, the following objectives were established: 1) determine the degree of relatedness of the leopards sampled, 2) establish baseline parameter values of a whole blood count and describe the ultrastructure of the blood cells, 3) obtain semen by means of electroejaculation and determine the efficiency of a previously described cryopreservation protocol for leopard spermatozoa, 4) describe the morphology and ultrastructure of the leopard spermatozoa using florescence and electron microscopy, 5) describe the histology and ultrastructure of the leopard testes and the events of spermatogenesis using light and electron microscopy. Between January 2011 and February 2013, blood and semen samples were obtained from eleven leopards after being sedated with a combination of Medetomidine and Ketamine. The DNA was extracted from the blood (ARC Genetics Department) and analysed (Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory). The blood was also used for the analysis of the baseline blood parameter values (Lancet Laboratories). Whole blood was fixed in 2.5% phosphate buffered gluteraldehyde and prepared for transmission and scanning electron microscopy to describe the ultrastructure of the cells. Techniques to examine sperm morphology included florescence and electron xviii microscopy. The semen was fixed in 2.5% gluteraldehyde and phosphate buffer for the ultrastructural assessment. Testes samples obtained from a leopard that died during transportation were fixed in Bouin’s fixative and a phosphate buffered 2.5% gluteraldehyde solution for light and electron microscopy respectively. The testes samples were prepared using standard techniques and stained with Hemotoxylin and Eosin for light microscopy and uranyl acetate and lead citrate for electron microscopy. The DNA analysis revealed that two pairs of leopards were related on a half-sibling level. The mean parameter values of the whole blood count of P. pardus were similar to the values recorded for Asian leopards, P. pardus African lions, Panthera leo and bobcats, Lynx rufus and fell within the normal ranges for the domestic cat, Felis catus. The ultrastructural assessment of the blood cells was comparable with those that have been described for the Asian leopard as well as most other mammalian species. A small volume of semen (≤0.5 ml) could be obtained from five out of nine male leopards that were sampled. The morphology and ultrastructure of the leopard spermatozoa conforms to the generalised structure of spermatozoa of most mammalian species. A large number of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa were noted. This has also been reported for many feline species, including the Indian leopards. Spermatozoa abnormalities identified included coiled tails, cytoplasmic droplets and knobbed acrosomes. The cryopreservation of the spermatozoa yielded a maximum post-thaw progressive motility of 24.4%. The histology and ultrastructural events of spermatogenesis in the leopard testes were compared to that of the domestic cat and some differences were observed between the domestic cat testes and leopard testes. The results of this study provide baseline information on the genetic diversity and reproductive biology of the leopards in South Africa. This can be used in the development of assisted reproductive techniques that may one day aid in conservation strategies for the leopards.

Studies on the health status of lions (Panthera leo) in the Kruger National Park (KNP) have revealed certain lions suffering from chronic debility (“poor doers”). Clinical signs include chronic emaciation, renal failure and chronic bacterial infections. The diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis in KNP lions in 1995 raised the question of whether these “poor doer” lions were suffering from tuberculosis. Tests confirmed tuberculosis in some cases, but no aetiology for the poor condition was found in a large percentage of the animals tested. Extensive literature review failed to reveal reports of similar findings of chronic debility in free living lion populations, although various disease outbreaks and infectious diseases of lions are described. These are briefly reviewed. Surveys have confirmed that the majority of the KNP lions are serologically positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the clinical importance of which is questioned as a possible cause of immunosuppression in lions. Tissue samples from eleven lions suffering from chronic debility and six clinically healthy lions were studied by light microscopy. Changes in the various organ systems were reported and tabulated with reference to degree and relevance. Frozen lymph node samples from some animals in both groups were collected for immunohistochemical staining for T and B lymphocytes and CD4 and CD8 subsets. In some cases serology was done for FIV using a Puma Lentivirus ELISA and a Puma Lentivirus Western Blot technique. Mycobacterial culture results were available for some animals. The histopathological features varied, but notable changes were seen in the lymph nodes. These included generalized lymphoid hyperplasia (predominantly affecting clinically healthy lions), progressing through combined hyperplasia and atrophy in different nodes to lymphoid atrophy affecting most of the lions suffering from chronic debility. These are non-specific findings seen in various systemic diseases, including canine distemper virus infection and toxoplasmosis, but they have also been described in domestic cats suffering from FIV infection and humans with HIV. Further findings in lymph node sections included mineral deposition and multifocal cystic spaces. Other important histopathological changes included chronic interstitial pneumonia, renal amyloidosis, chronic interstitial nephritis, Wallerian degeneration of the spinal cord, encephalomalacia and anterior uveitis. Two animals suffered from multifocal, multisystemic granulomatous inflammation. Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from one of these cases, but no apparent aetiology could be found in the other. Eosinophilia was a consistent finding in many tissues and most likely related to the high parasite load in many of the animals. Parasites found included Hepatozoon spp., microfilaria, cestodes, nematodes and trematodes and Sarcocystis spp. and Trichinella spp. Immunohistochemical staining for B and T lymphocytes and CD4 and CD8 subsets showed a normal distribution of the staining pattern within the lymph node sections, although the samples were all from FIV positive lions. The histopathology in both study groups was of a non-specific nature and not indicative of any particular disease syndrome, although many of the changes are similar to those described in domestic cats infected with FIV. There are indications of possible immunocompromise in the “poor doer” lions, which warrants further investigation. / Dissertation (MMedVet (Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Oral Pathology and Oral Biology / unrestricted

Leopards Panthera pardus are highly adaptable large felids that persist in un-protected areas throughout South Africa. However, leopards are frequently involved in conflict with land users and subsequently killed in retaliatory incidents. Efforts to foster tolerance for leopard conservation largely rely on trophy hunting and ecotourism. However there is growing concern that trophy hunting may lead to population declines. Combining this with shortages of demographic data generates serious conservation challenges for wildlife managers. In this thesis, I evaluated the viability of the South African leopard population using simulation models and empirically collected data. I further evaluated the response of people engaged in retaliatory killing of leopards and leopard trophy hunters to varying leopard abundance. A habitat suitability model suggested that current suitable leopard habitat is fragmented and that the majority exists on non-protected areas. The national protected area system was largely ineffective in capturing suitable leopard habitat. Stochastic population models suggested unsustainable harvest levels at the current levels of retaliatory killing. Furthermore, simulations with only non-harvest related anthropogenic mortality also produced high probabilities of decline, indicating that non-harvest related anthropogenic mortality, such as retaliatory killings, can significantly impact the sustainability of harvest and the viability of the South African leopard population. Likewise survival analysis indicated that leopard survival in non-protected areas was significantly lower than in protected areas, and that humans were responsible for the majority of leopard deaths in non-protected areas. Finally retaliatory killing occurred at a higher rate of killing at low leopard abundances compared to hunting. Therefore retaliatory killing of leopards are more likely to be detrimental to leopard populations than trophy hunting. My findings strongly suggest that non-protected areas are important for leopard conservation, but that conflict in these areas currently may limit their conservation potential. I therefore suggest that the control of retaliatory killing of leopards may be more effective in promoting leopard persistence than restricting trophy harvest. Furthermore, conservation actions that aim to foster increased participation by the private sector, representing non-protected areas, in large carnivore conservation initiatives may be particularly beneficial to the long term conservation of leopards. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / restricted