Ticks of new world tapirs

In this paper, we present an updated list of ticks that have been found infesting New World tapirs. For this purpose, literature records were obtained from the INTA tick database. Data are presented according to tick species, tapir species, and country. A total of 27 tick species have been reported infesting New World tapirs. Most of the reports were on T. terrestris (20 tick species in 10 countries). Thirteen tick species were reported on T. bairdii in 3 countries, and only 2 tick species on T. pinchaque in 2 countries. Ticks reported on tapirs comprised 18 species of the genus Amblyomma, and 7 other species representing the genera Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, and Rhipicephalus from the Ixodidae family, and at least 2 Ornithodoros species from the Argasidae family. Indeed, tapirs are very significant hosts for the Neotropical tick fauna. Since tapirs are usually found in less fragmented biomes with high biodiversity, and the richness of tick species is higher in tapirs than any other Neotropical vertebrate species, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of tapir-associated ticks on biodiversity. The role of these ticks on tick-borne diseases for tapir and other vertebrates also needs further investigations

Survival strategies of a frugivore, the sun bear, in a forest-oil palm landscape

As large areas of forest are lost throughout the tropics, prime habitat of many species decline and become fragmented. The island of Borneo is a prime example, with accelerated clearing of forests primarily for oil palm expansion. Borneo is recognized as an important stronghold for the conservation of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), but it is unclear how habitat reduction and fragmentation is affecting this frugivore. We used camera traps and sign surveys to understand patterns of sun bear habitat use in a matrix of fragmented forests and extensive oil palm development, which has existed as such for > 15 years: the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Within these small forest fragments, squeezed between a major river and oil palm plantations, bears exhibited selection for areas farther from human activity (plantations, river boat traffic, and buildings), and were rarely active during the day, demonstrating both spatial and temporal avoidance of potential human-related threats. They selected large trees to feed and rest, and also exploited adjacent plantations to feed on oil palm fruits. We conclude that even relatively small forest fragments (~ 2000 ha) within large agricultural landscapes can be important for sun bears. Our research highlights the remarkable adaptations this species has employed to persist in a drastically modified landscape

Prioritization of conservation areas using species distribution modeling based on current data of butterflies in Johor

Rapid disappearance of habitats and species justifies the need to study species range and distributions so that high-priority conservation areas can be identified. Species distribution modeling (SDM) is an approach that can overcome the time and budget constraints of protected area management. This research aims at providing an efficient method for stakeholders to develop conservation strategies using butterflies as environmental surrogates. The objectives are to (i) document butterfly diversity in Johor, (ii) map out their distribution using geographic information system (GIS), (iii) determine the best model with variables that affects the distribution of butterflies in Johor, (iv) predict the distribution in less sampled areas using SDM, and (v) determine strategies for prioritization of conservation areas based on the results obtained from objective (iv). Butterfly presence data were obtained from field samplings from ten sites throughout Johor, published literature, reports, and reference collections. A total of 2347 presence records comprising of 447 species were collated in Johor. This accounts for 42% of the overall diversity in Peninsular Malaysia. MaxEnt was then used to model and map the potential distribution of butterflies based on land cover, vegetation indices, land use, elevation, and bioclimatic layers as variables. Nine models were formulated and compared based on the area under curve (AUC) for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) values, percentage of habitat suitability, and variable complexity. Model 6 was chosen as the best model with distance to forest, temperature, precipitation, and distance to road being the highest contributing variables. Forest-dwelling butterflies consistently showed the best model performance. Based on the habitat suitability map generated, the high to low priority ranking of conservation clusters are as follows: Endau–Rompin–Labis forest complex, Gunung Ledang forest complex, Pulai forest complex, Kluang forest reserve, and Maokil–Air Hitam–Bukit Inas forest complex. Implementation of MaxEnt in Malaysia can be improved through capacity building, fostering better communication between stakeholders and integration into site-based management plans

Anthropogenic edge effects in habitat selection by sun bears in a protected area

Wildlife populations in southeast Asia are increasingly experiencing a broad array of anthropogenic threats, and mammalian carnivores are particularly vulnerable. Populations of the Malayan sun bear Helarctos malayanus are estimated to have declined by 30% over the last 30 years from forest conversion to industrial plantations and mortality associated with human–bear conflicts and illegal wildlife trade. However, the effects of industrial plantations on habitat selection and activity patterns of mammals that live at the protected area-plantation interface, including sun bears, are not well known. We investigated habitat selection and activity patterns of sun bears in Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah, Malaysia. We deployed 83 remote camera sites to record sun bear detections during two sampling periods (2012–2013 and 2017). We used generalized linear models to examine relationships between sun bear presence and site covariates representing physical, environmental and anthropogenic elements of the landscape. Relative probability of sun bear presence was positively associated with distance to roads and elevation. Because most roads were on the reserve boundary and often associated with oil palm plantations, proximity to roads likely served as a surrogate measure of human accessibility and activity in peripheral areas of the reserve. Supporting that interpretation, sun bears close to the reserve boundary were primarily active at night, whereas daytime activity was more common for bears in the interior. Our findings indicate that sun bears alter behaviour and habitat selection likely in response to anthropogenic activities at the edges of Tabin Wildlife Reserve (112 200 ha). Because the ratio of edge to interior increases steeply with declining habitat area, smaller protected areas bordered by plantations are predicted to have greater impacts on sun bear behaviour and, potentially, population persistence. Effective conservation actions may benefit from management to improve the security of edge habitats for sun bears and other vulnerable species

Distribution, range connectivity, and trends of bear populations in Southeast Asia

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. June 2017. Major: Conservation Biology. Advisor: Francesca Cuthbert. 1 computer file (PDF); ix, 123 pages.Sun bears and Asiatic black bears co-occur in Southeast Asia with wide areas of overlapping range. Both species are in decline, and are vulnerable to extinction due mainly to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Efforts to conserve bears in Southeast Asia are hampered by a lack of basic knowledge of distribution, population trends and habitat configuration. To advance the scientific understanding of sun bears and Asiatic back bears in this region I investigated fine and broad scale patterns of distribution. In Lao PDR, I gathered data on bear occurrence using bear sign transects walked in multiple forest blocks throughout the country. To model the country-wide relative abundance of bears and habitat quality, I related bear sign to environmental factors associated with bear occurrence. Within global sun bear range, I gathered camera trap records of sun bear detections from seven sun bear range countries. To generate quantitative measures of sun bear population trends, I related sun bear detection rates to tree cover and estimated related changes in country and global-level sun bear populations based on tree cover loss. To evaluate the global extent of sun bear range connectivity, I used the modelled relationship between sun bears and tree cover to create a habitat suitability index, and I identified areas of fractured range that have created unnatural subpopulations that are at risk from isolation. In Lao PDR, bears selected for areas of high elevation, rugged terrain, and areas of high tree density far from roads. My model-based estimates of sun bear global population trends predicted that over a 30-year period, sun bear populations in mainland southeast Asia have potentially declined by close to 20%, and insular sun bear populations have declined by ~50%. I identified seven potential sun bear subpopulations; two that are fully isolated with no potential for inter-subpopulation movement, and in the other five, inter and intra-subpopulation habitat fragmentation occurs in a continuum of severity. My findings advance the understanding of patterns in bear distribution and trends in southeast Asia, identify research priorities, and lay a framework for future monitoring efforts at country and region-level scales. I conclude with recommendations on how to better manage camera trap data for secondary research and sharing

Mapping the stray domestic cat (Felis catus) population in New Zealand: Species distribution modelling with a climate change scenario and implications for protected areas

Species distribution models of stray cats were developed using two types of occurrence data: (i) a combined dataset of stray cats and cat colonies in Auckland and projected to the wider New Zealand area; and (ii) population density as an analogue for country-wide stray cat occurrence. These occurrence data, together with sets of environmental variables were used as input to the Maxent modelling tool to produce maps of suitability for the species. Environmental variables used in the models consist of current bioclimatic conditions, and a future climate scenario (RCP8.5 for year 2070 CCSM model). Commonly occurring bias in the modelling process due to latitude, the area for selecting background points in model evaluation, inherent spatial autocorrelation of occurrence points, and correlated bioclimatic variables were explicitly addressed. Results show that the North Island consistently provide more suitable areas for stray cats with increased suitability in a high emission climate change condition. Key protected areas at risk from the increased suitability to stray cats are also presented

Predicting the distributions of predator (snow leopard) and prey (blue sheep) under climate change in the Himalaya

Future climate change is likely to affect distributions of species, disrupt biotic interactions, and cause spatial incongruity of predator–prey habitats. Understanding the impacts of future climate change on species distribution will help in the formulation of conservation policies to reduce the risks of future biodiversity losses. Using a species distribution modeling approach by MaxEnt, we modeled current and future distributions of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its common prey, blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), and observed the changes in niche overlap in the Nepal Himalaya. Annual mean temperature is the major climatic factor responsible for the snow leopard and blue sheep distributions in the energy-deficient environments of high altitudes. Currently, about 15.32% and 15.93% area of the Nepal Himalaya are suitable for snow leopard and blue sheep habitats, respectively. The bioclimatic models show that the current suitable habitats of both snow leopard and blue sheep will be reduced under future climate change. The predicted suitable habitat of the snow leopard is decreased when blue sheep habitats is incorporated in the model. Our climate-only model shows that only 11.64% (17,190 km2) area of Nepal is suitable for the snow leopard under current climate and the suitable habitat reduces to 5,435 km2 (reduced by 24.02%) after incorporating the predicted distribution of blue sheep. The predicted distribution of snow leopard reduces by 14.57% in 2030 and by 21.57% in 2050 when the predicted distribution of blue sheep is included as compared to 1.98% reduction in 2030 and 3.80% reduction in 2050 based on the climate-only model. It is predicted that future climate may alter the predator–prey spatial interaction inducing a lower degree of overlap and a higher degree of mismatch between snow leopard and blue sheep niches. This suggests increased energetic costs of finding preferred prey for snow leopards – a species already facing energetic constraints due to the limited dietary resources in its alpine habitat. Our findings provide valuable information for extension of protected areas in future

Wildlife Protection and Habitat Management

The management of wildlife populations and their habitats are interdisciplinary fields that encompass many scientific disciplines that also impact the lives of people. Therefore, these are truly applied sciences where human dimensions play an important role.This book highlights the importance of conducting rigorous studies to design and implement the effective management and restoration of wild populations and their habitats. A new paradigm in conservation is developing that goes beyond the boundaries of protected areas to achieve the goal of sustainable development. The 16 papers in this book, including reviews and a project report, cover a broad range of topics, exploring a diversity of subjects that are representative of current practices and novel applications.We would like to thank both the MDPI publishers and editorial staff for their support and help during the process of editing this book, in addition to the authors for their contributions

The price of persistence: Small carnivore ecology within the anthropogenically-degraded Kinabatangan landscape

Habitat fragmentation and degradation by human activities, particularly agricultural development, threatens global biodiversity. This thesis presents a multifaceted evaluation of the ecology of Malay and common palm civets in the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain (Sabah, Borneo), a patchwork forest landscape heavily fragmented by oil palm plantations. Morphometric measurements, reproductive observations, parasitic infections, blood samples for haematology and serum biochemistry analyses, and hair samples for heavy metal analysis were collected from wild civets captured between 2012 and 2018. The pioneering deployment of GPS-collars on four common palm and 17 Malay civets enabled the determination of home ranges, diurnal sleeping sites, home range overlaps, and movement behaviours. Haematological and biochemical blood profiles indicated potential anaemia, immunosuppression, and consumption of a low-protein diet in civets captured closer to oil palm plantations. Civets expressed significantly elevated liver enzyme levels relative to domestic animals. Individuals of both species used oil palm plantations for nocturnal foraging and diurnal rest sites; however, all collared individuals accessed forests. Home ranges of civets that accessed plantations were significantly larger than civets that did not, suggesting oil palm poses low habitat suitability. Civet hair concentrations of 13 heavy metals indicated detectable exposure to varying quantities of metals, with levels impacted by biological and landscape factors. Exposure to Ba, Cd, Cr, and Fe was associated with Malay civet proximity to tributaries, whilst elevated Al, Cd, and Pb concentrations were documented from GPS-collared civets using plantations. The extent of exposure scaled with the intensity of an individual’s usage of plantations. Finally, correlations between hair metal concentrations and blood parameters suggested exposure to Al, Cd, Cr, Ba, and Pb may impact civet physiology. This study represents a step change in the understanding of civet ecology, and provides novel insights into the price of carnivore persistence in degraded landscapes