Inaug.-diss.--Tübingen. / Lebenslauf. "Verzeichnis der abkürzungen für die angeführte literatur": p. 7-8.

Inaug.-diss.--Tübingen. / Lebenslauf. "Verzeichnis der abkürzungen für die angeführte literatur": p. 7-8.

It is common practice to re‐release wildlife back into the wild, even though there is little data on the effectiveness of this practice with respect to animal welfare or cost effectiveness. The aim of my study was to examine the post‐release behaviour of captive‐reared orphaned stone martens (Martes foina) and the impact of conspecifics' presence on this behaviour. Radio‐telemetry was used to collect behavioural and survival data; a questionnaire survey within the local community and live‐trapping were used to determine the presence of other martens and to investigate public attitudes towards martens. Specific aims were to determine: (1) the post‐release survival of martens; (2) the potential for human‐marten conflict; (3) the martens' pattern of post‐release ranging behaviour; and (4) the impact of conspecifics' presence on this behaviour. On the basis of previous studies, I expected abnormal behaviour immediately after release, together with a reasonable rate of short‐term survival; but there was no previous evidence relating to mid‐ or long‐term survival. A total of twelve martens were released, of which eight were followed successfully for at least 4 months. There was considerable individual variation in post‐release behaviour. Survival rate was high (0.66), indicating that young martens were able to establish sustainable home ranges. Released martens did not seem to cause significant human‐wildlife conflict and only one of the released animals settled in a village. Live‐trapping and the questionnaire survey indicated that martens were already established in the area and I suggest that this was why more of the young captive‐reared martens did not settle in villages. Public attitudes towards martens were generally positive. I conclude that in the medium‐term, release of captive‐reared martens is acceptable as regards animal welfare and cost‐effectiveness. However, further work is needed to examine long‐term survival and post‐release behaviour.

Two discreet methods of geometric morphometrics were applied to evaluate the taxonomic utility of each in classifying the craniomandibular region of several Mustela species. Use of both linear measurements and 2-dimensional landmarks proved successful in discriminating between extant M. nigripes (black-footed ferret) and Neovison vison (American mink), in addition to the extant North American weasel species (M. erminea, M. frenata, M. nivalis). Methods were then used to classify Late Pleistocene Mustela spp. fossils collected from Snake Creek Burial Cave (SCBC) of eastern Nevada. Data acquired for unknown predicted group memberships varied markedly among methods and specimens. Nevertheless, results support the presence of M. nigripes and all 3 weasel taxa among the SCBC paleofauna.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1964. / Vita. Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Doctoral)--Universität Basel, 1935. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

Weasels and mink (Mustela and Neogale) can be difficult to distinguish osteologically due to similarities in morphology, thus suggesting the need for an accurate tool in distinguishing among taxa. This study utilized a combination of character state and stepwise discriminant function (DFA) analyses to examine potential distinguishing features of skull and tooth morphology. Measurements and ratios were collected from all 18 extant musteline species, as well as the extinct Neovison macrodon, Mustela rexroadensis, Mustela meltoni, Mustela gazini, and Mustela jacksoni. Unidentified musteline specimens from the Gray Fossil Site were also included. Results of the character state analysis and DFA proved fairly reliable in distinguishing both extant and fossil taxa. The character state analysis revealed six useful morphological characters to aid in distinguishing between genera while the DFA demonstrated reliable separation of genus, species, and clade. For both analyses, morphology of the carnassials (P4, m1) and M1 contributed most to distinction.