Barking up the right tree: Understanding local attitudes towards dogs in villages surrounding Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar can benefit applied conservation

Exotic carnivores, particularly feral and domestic dogs, represent a serious threat to Madagascar’s endemic fauna. We obtained information from the local community about dogs in villages in and around Ranomafana National Park (RNP), Madagascar. Surveys were conducted (N=359) to assess local opinions of dogs, reasons for owning dogs, and the willingness of dog owners to participate in spay/neuter/vaccine programs. Of surveyed individuals without dogs (N=211), 58.9% of respondents reported negative feelings towards free-roaming dogs, with only 1% of respondents identifying free-roaming dogs as a positive aspect of village life. Of individuals with dogs (N=148), 8.1% of respondents reported using their dog for hunting, and 41.2% reported that their dog had killed at least one wild animal, with 11.8% reporting that this occurred on a weekly basis. Villagers approve of spay/neuter/vaccine programs and 90.3% of respondents with dogs state they would use them if freely available. The interest in veterinary services combined with a generally negative attitude towards free-roaming dogs indicates that a spay/neuter/vaccine program would be an effective means of controlling dog populations.RÉSUMÉLes carnivores exotiques, particulièrement les chiens domestiques et ceux retournés à l’état sauvage, représentent une menace sérieuse pour la faune endémique de Madagascar. Nous avons récolté des informations auprès des communautés riveraines sur les chiens vivant dans les villages et autour du Parc National de Ranomafana (RNP) au sud-est de Madagascar. Nous avons mené des enquêtes (N=359) afin d’évaluer les avis de la communauté locale sur les chiens, les raisons pour lesquelles les gens possèdent ces animaux et la volonté des propriétaires pour s’engager dans un programme de stérilisation/vaccination canine. Les villageois qui ne possédaient pas de chiens (N=211) représentaient 58,9 % des personnes interrogées ; ils ont rapporté avoir des sentiments négatifs envers les chiens errants et seulement 1 % des personnes interrogées ont vu un aspect positif pour la vie du village dans les chiens errants. Parmi les propriétaires de chiens (N=148), 8,1 % des personnes interrogées ont rapporté utiliser leur chien pour la chasse et 41,2% des personnes interrogées indiquent que leur chien a déjà tué au moins un animal sauvage, dont 11,8 % rapportant que cela arrivait toutes les semaines. Les villageois approuvent le programme de stérilisation/ vaccination canine et 90,3 % des propriétaires de chiens y auraient volontiers recours si celui-ci était gratuit et librement disponible

How variable is a primate`s world : spatial and temporal variation in potential ecological drivers of behaviour?

Long-term phenological data from the same area over two decades shows that fruit availability can vary as much as eight-fold. Environments have often been characterized by single studies of two years or less, which does not sufficiently account for environmental variation. This book chapter presents examples of behavioural and ecological variation, and considers ways to advance behavioural studies of primates by considering these variations. Perhaps one area of such research is the development of the "Primate Socioecological Model." For instance, in Madagascar where female dominance is common, climate and fruiting patterns are more unpredictable than in other tropical regions where male dominance is the norm.Canada Research Chairs ProgramNatural Science and Engineering Research Council of CanadaFonds Québécois de la Recherché sur la Nature et les TechnologiesNational Geographic Societ

Colour and Odour Drive Fruit Selection and Seed Dispersal by Mouse Lemurs

Animals and fruiting plants are involved in a complex set of interactions, with animals relying on fruiting trees as food resources, and fruiting trees relying on animals for seed dispersal. This interdependence shapes fruit signals such as colour and odour, to increase fruit detectability, and animal sensory systems, such as colour vision and olfaction to facilitate food identification and selection. Despite the ecological and evolutionary importance of plant-animal interactions for shaping animal sensory adaptations and plant characteristics, the details of the relationship are poorly understood. Here we examine the role of fruit chromaticity, luminance and odour on seed dispersal by mouse lemurs. We show that both fruit colour and odour significantly predict fruit consumption and seed dispersal by Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus. Our study is the first to quantify and examine the role of bimodal fruit signals on seed dispersal in light of the sensory abilities of the disperser

Causative Agent of Canine Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Detected in Wild Lemurs

The lemurs of Madagascar are threatened by human activities. We present the first molecular detection of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in a wild non-human primate, the mouse lemur (Microcebus rufus). Zoonotic D. immitis infection has been associated with clinical pathology that includes serious and often fatal cardiac and pulmonary reactions. With human encroachment and associated increases in free-roaming dog populations in Madagascar, we examined lemurs for zoonotic canid pathogens. D. immitis presents a new potential conservation threat to lemurs. We highlight the need for wide-ranging and effective interventions, particularly near protected areas, to address this growing conservation issue

Research stations as conservation instruments provide long-term community benefits through social connections

The paper considers the benefits accruing from field research stations and how they might promote community-park relationships. In Kibale National Park (Uganda), study findings show that the presence of the research station provides long-term direct employment for 52 people, and indirect, cascading benefits for up to 720 people several kilometers away. While benefits of the research station do not eliminate community-park conflict, the long-term presence of researchers and the gains to local people associated with them is an underappreciated and important means for integrating the goals of biodiversity protection and local community investment. Benefits such as healthcare and education are also linked.Canada Research Chairs Program,Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada,Fonds Québécois de la Recherche sur la Nature et les TechnologiesRathlyn Fieldwork Award,the National Geographic Society

An integrated approach to scientific writing in first year biology

In response to concerns about poor student performance in a large first year biology student cohort at La Trobe University, a small group of academic staff consisting of five first year biology lecturers, a first year practical coordinator, a faculty librarian and a faculty Academic Language and Learning lecturer voluntarily formed a 'community of practice' in order to implement curriculum reform across the four first year biology subjects. Traditionally, the skill of scientific writing was taught multiple times, using different methods, to the same cohort of students. The First Year Biology Learning and Teaching Group developed and implemented an integrated program of training, practice and assessment of writing skills. The program was supported by a new resource, which described a single set of instructions and expectations, consistent style and formatting requirements for reports. The skill of scientific writing was built throughout the year by repeating exercises and increasing complexity over time. This integrated program was introduced in 2008. The aim of this project was to determine the effect of the new program on the student perception of the teaching and learning of scientific writing, as well as on the performance of students on the scientific writing summative assessment tasks. The student perception was surveyed using both closed and open questions in a questionnaire. The average scientific report mark was compared between 2007 and 2008 for the student cohort as a whole and for subsets of the student body grouped by their university entrance scores. Even though the change of curriculum had little effect on the performance of students (no significant improvement in average mark was found), the student perception of the scientific writing curriculum improved markedly. An additional 27% of the class in 2008 (increasing the total to 73%) agreed with the statement 'I have learned to write scientifically' all or most of the time. Students commented that the new Scientific Writing Workshop was helpful; 'It gave me an insight as to how to write scientifically. What to do as well as what not to do', and the student response to the new First Year Biology Communication Skills Manual was extremely positive; 'It's awesome … Wouldn't have made it through without it'. This paper will reflect on the effects of the curriculum reform including the surprising lack of improvement in student performance

Signal and reward in wild fleshy fruits : does fruit scent predict nutrient content?

The study examines the relationship between olfactory signals and nutrient rewards in 28 fruiting plant species in Madagascar. Previous work has shown that lemurs are the main seed dispersers in the ecosystem, relying on fruit scent to identify ripe fruits. The relative amounts of four chemical classes in fruit scent are measured using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, as well as the relative amounts of sugar and protein in fruit pulp. The project tests the phylogenetic signal to examine whether closely related taxa tend to be similar, and compares the nutritional content of lemur‐ and bird‐dispersed fruits. The relationships reported here are across species, not within them