Cheek Tooth Morphology and Ancient Mitochondrial DNA of Late Pleistocene Horses from the Western Interior of North America: Implications for the Taxonomy of North American Late Pleistocene Equus

Horses were a dominant component of North American Pleistocene land mammal communities and their remains are well represented in the fossil record. Despite the abundant material available for study, there is still considerable disagreement over the number of species of Equus that inhabited the different regions of the continent and on their taxonomic nomenclature. In this study, we investigated cheek tooth morphology and ancient mtDNA of late Pleistocene Equus specimens from the Western Interior of North America, with the objective of clarifying the species that lived in this region prior to the end-Pleistocene extinction. Based on the morphological and molecular data analyzed, a caballine (Equus ferus) and a non-caballine (E. conversidens) species were identified from different localities across most of the Western Interior. A second non-caballine species (E. cedralensis) was recognized from southern localities based exclusively on the morphological analyses of the cheek teeth. Notably the separation into caballine and non-caballine species was observed in the Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of ancient mtDNA as well as in the geometric morphometric analyses of the upper and lower premolars. Teeth morphologically identified as E. conversidens that yielded ancient mtDNA fall within the New World stilt-legged clade recognized in previous studies and this is the name we apply to this group. Geographic variation in morphology in the caballine species is indicated by statistically different occlusal enamel patterns in the specimens from Bluefish Caves, Yukon Territory, relative to the specimens from the other geographic regions. Whether this represents ecomorphological variation and/or a certain degree of geographic and genetic isolation of these Arctic populations requires further study

Carnivore Translocations and Conservation: Insights from Population Models and Field Data for Fishers (Martes pennanti)

Translocations are frequently used to restore extirpated carnivore populations. Understanding the factors that influence translocation success is important because carnivore translocations can be time consuming, expensive, and controversial. Using population viability software, we modeled reintroductions of the fisher, a candidate for endangered or threatened status in the Pacific states of the US. Our model predicts that the most important factor influencing successful re-establishment of a fisher population is the number of adult females reintroduced (provided some males are also released). Data from 38 translocations of fishers in North America, including 30 reintroductions, 5 augmentations and 3 introductions, show that the number of females released was, indeed, a good predictor of success but that the number of males released, geographic region and proximity of the source population to the release site were also important predictors. The contradiction between model and data regarding males may relate to the assumption in the model that all males are equally good breeders. We hypothesize that many males may need to be released to insure a sufficient number of good breeders are included, probably large males. Seventy-seven percent of reintroductions with known outcomes (success or failure) succeeded; all 5 augmentations succeeded; but none of the 3 introductions succeeded. Reintroductions were instrumental in reestablishing fisher populations within their historical range and expanding the range from its most-contracted state (43% of the historical range) to its current state (68% of the historical range). To increase the likelihood of translocation success, we recommend that managers: 1) release as many fishers as possible, 2) release more females than males (55–60% females) when possible, 3) release as many adults as possible, especially large males, 4) release fishers from a nearby source population, 5) conduct a formal feasibility assessment, and 6) develop a comprehensive implementation plan that includes an active monitoring program

Histological examinations of facial glands in Saccopteryx bilineata (Chiroptera, Emballonuridae), and their potential use in territorial marking

Caspers B, Wibbelt G, Voigt CC. Histological examinations of facial glands in Saccopteryx bilineata (Chiroptera, Emballonuridae), and their potential use in territorial marking. ZOOMORPHOLOGY. 2009;128(1):37-43.Scent marking is widespread among individuals of Mammalia species, especially in resource defence social systems. Apart from urine and faeces that are used for claiming resource ownership, specialised scent glands are the main source of secretions in scent marking individuals. Most previous studies have described secretory epithelia macroscopically, since many glands are conspicuous. But macroscopically inconspicuous scent glands or morphological structures might then be overlooked. In Saccopteryx bilineata (greater sac-winged bat), behavioural observations suggest that both sexes have, apart from the conspicuous gular glands of males, specialised facial glands to display territorial marking. We investigated the facial glands of two males and one female S. bilineata histologically and found, first, that both sexes possess a bilateral symmetrically intermandibular gland, which is composed of a bed of modified apocrine sudoriferous cells. Second, we found lip glands consisting of modified apocrine sudoriferous cell units with pigmented ducts around the upper and the lower lip. Both gland types are probably involved during territorial marking

A skull of the extinct tayassuid Brasiliochoerus stenocephalus (Lund in Reinhardt, 1880) (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla) from the Late Pleistocene of southern Brazil: morphology and taxonomy

Among the several fossils of South American tayassuids, it is remarkable the presence of a well-preserved skull from southern Brazil (Chuí Creek, Santa Vitória do Palmar, Santa Vitória Formation). Here, we provide an update in the taxonomic arrangement and anatomical description of this specimen assigned to Brasiliochoerus stenocephalus based on the combination of the following traits: 1) long rostrum with a markedly convex profile; 2) anterior margin of the orbits located behind the vertical plane of the distal part of M3; 3) facial crests of the zygomatic arch forming an angle of about 80° relative to the molar series; 4) postorbital process more developed and ventrally projected in comparison to other tayassuids; 5) absence of a sagittal crest and presence of short parasagittal crests; 6) presence of curved temporal crests; 7) accentuated basicranial flexion; 8) bunodont and brachydont cheek teeth; 9) conspicuous pneumatization; 10) short postcanine diastema; and 11) cranium with no postorbital depression. This specimen was collected from sedimentary levels that contain a diverse assemblage of Pleistocene terrestrial mammals. Based on living analogous species, the presence of this taxon indicates dry and relatively open environments at some part of the Late Pleistocene in the study area.Fil: Copetti, Paula Lopes. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Gasparini, Germán Mariano. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Departamento Científico de Paleontología de Vertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pereira, Jamil Corrêa. Museu Coronel Tancredo Fernandes de Mello; BrasilFil: Fontoura, Emmanuelle. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Lopes, Renato Pereira. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Kerber, Leonardo. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Brasi