Chování jalovic na intenzivní a extenzivní kontinuální druhově bohaté pastvě v České republice

Rigorózní práce: Chování jalovic na intenzivní a extenzivní kontinuální druhově bohaté pastvě v České republice Autor: doc. Mgr. Pavla Hejcmanová, Ph.D. Abstrakt Příjem potravy je jednou z nejzákladnějších aktivit všech zvířat a tvoří rozhodující část při maximalizaci celkové zdatnosti jedince. Mechanismy potravního chování vycházejí z charakteristik zvířete, jeho kognitivních schopností a vnějšího prostředí, zejména množství a kvality dostupné potravy. K pochopení potravního rozhodování zvířete není možné bez znalosti jiných typů chování a faktorů, které je ovlivňují. Proto cílem tohoto výzkumu bylo vyhodnocení chování jalovic na druhově bohaté pastvině při režimu intenzivní (IG) a extenzivní (EG) pastvy, která je v současnosti nejběžnějším pastevním systémem ve střední Evropě. Deset nebo osm (IG) a šest nebo čtyři (EG) jalovice byly na kontinuální pastvě ve dvou úplně znárodnělých blocích od června do konce září v letech 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006 a 2007. Porosty pastviny byly udržovány na cílové výšce 5 cm pro IG a 10 cm pro EG. Po dobu 24 hod jsme zaznamenávali pastevní chování, přežvykování, odpočinek a ostatní aktivity. Dále jsme zaznamenávali rychlost spásání, žvýkání soust a přežvykování (za minutu). Denní vzorce chování a denní časové rozvrhy jednotlivých typů chování se mezi jalovicemi na IG a EG...Thesis: Behavioural patterns of heifers under intensive and extensive continuous grazing on species-rich pasture in the Czech Republic Author: doc. Mgr. Pavla Hejcmanová, Ph.D. Abstract The consumption of food is one of the most fundamental activities in all animals and takes its ultimate part in maximizing an animal's inclusive fitness. Foraging response mechanisms issue essentially from animal intrinsic characteristics, animal's cognitive abilities and environment, namely quantity and quality of available food resources. Understanding of animal's foraging decisions is not possible without the knowledge of other types of behaviour and factors they affect it. Therefore, the aim of the investigation was to evaluate heifers' behavioural pattern on species-rich semi-natural pasture under a continuous intensive (IG) and extensive (EG) grazing regime as this is currently the most extensive management system employed in central Europe. Ten or eight (IG), and six or four (EG) heifers were continuously stocked in two completely randomized blocks from June to late September in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007. Swards were maintained at a target height of 5 and 10 cm, respectively. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and other activities were monitored during 24-hour observations, and grazing, chewing and ruminating rates...Katedra zoologieDepartment of ZoologyPřírodovědecká fakultaFaculty of Scienc

Behavioural patterns of heifers under intensive and extensive continuous grazing on species-rich pasture in the Czech Republic

Thesis: Behavioural patterns of heifers under intensive and extensive continuous grazing on species-rich pasture in the Czech Republic Author: doc. Mgr. Pavla Hejcmanová, Ph.D. Abstract The consumption of food is one of the most fundamental activities in all animals and takes its ultimate part in maximizing an animal's inclusive fitness. Foraging response mechanisms issue essentially from animal intrinsic characteristics, animal's cognitive abilities and environment, namely quantity and quality of available food resources. Understanding of animal's foraging decisions is not possible without the knowledge of other types of behaviour and factors they affect it. Therefore, the aim of the investigation was to evaluate heifers' behavioural pattern on species-rich semi-natural pasture under a continuous intensive (IG) and extensive (EG) grazing regime as this is currently the most extensive management system employed in central Europe. Ten or eight (IG), and six or four (EG) heifers were continuously stocked in two completely randomized blocks from June to late September in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007. Swards were maintained at a target height of 5 and 10 cm, respectively. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and other activities were monitored during 24-hour observations, and grazing, chewing and ruminating rates..

Behavioural patterns of heifers under intensive and extensive continuous grazing on species-rich pasture in the Czech Republic

Thesis: Behavioural patterns of heifers under intensive and extensive continuous grazing on species-rich pasture in the Czech Republic Author: doc. Mgr. Pavla Hejcmanová, Ph.D. Abstract The consumption of food is one of the most fundamental activities in all animals and takes its ultimate part in maximizing an animal's inclusive fitness. Foraging response mechanisms issue essentially from animal intrinsic characteristics, animal's cognitive abilities and environment, namely quantity and quality of available food resources. Understanding of animal's foraging decisions is not possible without the knowledge of other types of behaviour and factors they affect it. Therefore, the aim of the investigation was to evaluate heifers' behavioural pattern on species-rich semi-natural pasture under a continuous intensive (IG) and extensive (EG) grazing regime as this is currently the most extensive management system employed in central Europe. Ten or eight (IG), and six or four (EG) heifers were continuously stocked in two completely randomized blocks from June to late September in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007. Swards were maintained at a target height of 5 and 10 cm, respectively. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and other activities were monitored during 24-hour observations, and grazing, chewing and ruminating rates..

Digesta passage in common eland (Taurotragus oryx) on a monocot or a dicot diet

The way that fluids and particles move through the forestomach of a ruminant is species-specific, and can be used to classify ruminants according to their digestive physiology into ‘moose-types’ (with little difference in fluid and small particle passage) and ‘cattle-types’ (where fluids move through the forestomach much faster than small particles). So far, ‘moose-types’ appear limited to a dietary niche of browsing, whereas ‘cattle-types’ are particularly prominent in the intermediate and grazing diet niches. However, some species, including members of the spiral-horned antelopes (the Tragelaphini), have a ‘cattle-type’ physiology but a browse-dominated diet niche. Eland (Taurotragus oryx), the largest member of the Tragelaphini, are strict browsers in the wild but have been considered intermediate feeders in the past, and can seemingly be maintained on grass diets. We quantified food intake, mean retention time (MRT) in the gastrointestinal tract and the reticulorumen (RR) of a solute, a small and a large particle marker, and diet digestibility in six eland each fed a monocot (grass hay) and a dicot (lucerne silage) forage. Food intake and digestibility was lower on the diet with higher fibre content (grass hay), with corresponding longer MRT. At the higher intakes on lucerne, the difference in MRT between small and large particles was larger, indicating a greater reliance on particle sorting and clearance under this condition of potentially limiting gut capacity. Regardless of diet or intake, the ratio of small particle and solute MRT in the RR was constant and small, at a quotient of 1.54, classifying the eland as a typical ‘moose-type’ ruminant. This finding is consistent with previous literature reports on low faecal metabolic nitrogen and high apparent protein digestibility in eland. Given the relative ease at which eland can be maintained under farm husbandry conditions, they appear ideal model ruminants to study the effects of differences in rumen physiology compared to cattle

Does supplemental feeding affect behaviour and foraging of critically endangered western giant eland in an ex situ conservation site?

The western giant eland (Tragelaphus derbianus derbianus) needs appropriate  management for its survival. We measured the  effects of supplemental food on  activity and browsing patterns during seasons of scarce natural food resources in 2008 and  2009 for a herd of six animals in the Fathala Reserve (Senegal). In response to the provision of high-quality pods of Acacia  albida, animals reduced foraging time in 2008 and allocated it to resting. This pattern corresponds to the animals’ behaviour in captivity without foraging versus vigilance trade-offs and with predictable (in time and space) access to food. In 2009,   supplemental feeding had no effect on behaviour and was associated with increased foraging and ruminating times than in 2008, suggesting more limited natural food resources in 2009.We recorded high species diversity in the animals’ natural diet.   Supplemental food did not induce changes in browsing pattern at the plant species level, probably due to small individual effect on total nutrient and energy intake. Food supplementation, however, facilitates the animals overcoming unfavourable conditions or alleviates stress with additional rest, and could therefore assist as a conservation intervention to enhance fitness.Key words: diet composition, large herbivore, Tragelaphus derbianus, West Africa, wildlife management

First record of Ischnocnema octavioi (Bokermann, 1965) from São Paulo state, Brazil

We present the first record of Ischnocnema octavioi from São Paulo state, Brazil. Until now, the species was thought to be endemic to Rio de Janeiro, where it was known from fewer than 10 localities. Based on recent data, we recommend that the IUCN Red List status for this species be re-evaluated

Feeding rank in the Derby eland: lessons for management

Transfers to new breeding herds and supplementary feeding are crucial management steps for small populations of ungulates. However, the successful realisation of those steps is strongly dependent on social interactions among individuals. Agonistic encounters connected with feeding determine the quality and quantity of the food accessed, and therefore directly influence food intake. We analysed the dominance relationships of mixed herds of critically endangered Western Derby eland with regard to access to supplementary food in the Bandia reserve, Senegal. We tested the influence of age and sex on feeding rank, the linearity and stability of hierarchies and the relationship between the position of an offspring in the hierarchy and the position of its mother. A linear hierarchy existed in all herds. Sex influenced the rank only in interaction with age. Feeding rank was significantly related to age in growing animals; in adults the effect of age was weaker. While body mass is correlated with age during the growth period and not after reaching adulthood, we concluded that the position in the hierarchy was related to the actual condition, reflecting the resource holding potential of individuals. The dominance index of a growing offspring depended on the index of its mother, but hierarchies of adult individuals were not stable. High-ranking individuals in good condition limited access to supplementary feeding to their lower-ranking herdmates. Effective supplementary feeding should therefore be provided in excess amounts to enable younger and weaker individuals in need to benefit from it, despite their lower positions in the hierarchy.Keywords: dominance index, hierarchy, large herbivore, Taurotragus derbianus, ungulate, wildlife managemen

Knowledge and perceptions of rural and urban communities towards small protected areas: Insights from Ghana

Abstract Conservationists recognize that protected areas (PAs) have limited prospects without the involvement and support of local people. People inherently express positive perceptions to nature and support for wildlife conservation. Yet, people in rural and urban communities may differ in their knowledge and perceptions of benefits and costs of nearby small‐size PAs, which induce a vital impact on the effectiveness of PAs and conservation goal achievements. We investigated local people's knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes around rural PAs (Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuaries, Shai Hills Resource Reserve, and Ankasa Conservation Area) and urban PAs (Owabi Wildlife Sanctuaries) in Ghana. Based on a questionnaire survey (928 respondents) in communities surrounding the parks, the perception of benefits from PAs was mainly for ecological reasons and did not differ between PAs. However, the perception of costs incurred by PAs differed between urban and rural PAs. The locals of the urban PA perceived fewer costs (crop damage from wildlife) than those in rural areas. Although there were significant differences between the urban and rural PA respondents, most respondents had positive attitudes toward the PA. Fifty‐five percent of the total respondents were satisfied with the active law enforcement carried out by PA staff to protect biodiversity. However, 41% and 33% of respondents expressed discontent with restrictions on the use of natural resources within PAs and lack of involvement in decision‐making, respectively. Of the sociodemographic factors investigated in all parks, men were more satisfied with the policies and governance of PAs than women due to the greater participation of men in many outdoor activities. Positive attitudes toward PAs suggest that despite conflicts, there is a straightforward understanding by local people about healthy ecosystems, which creates a common ground between conservationists and local communities for successful conservation in PAs

Digesta passage in common eland (Taurotragus oryx) on a monocot or a dicot diet

The way that fluids and particles move through the forestomach of a ruminant is species-specific, and can be used to classify ruminants according to their digestive physiology into ‘moose-types’ (with little difference in fluid and small particle passage) and ‘cattle-types’ (where fluids move through the forestomach much faster than small particles). So far, ‘moose-types’ appear limited to a dietary niche of browsing, whereas ‘cattle-types’ are particularly prominent in the intermediate and grazing diet niches. However, some species, including members of the spiral-horned antelopes (the Tragelaphini), have a ‘cattle-type’ physiology but a browse-dominated diet niche. Eland (Taurotragus oryx), the largest member of the Tragelaphini, are strict browsers in the wild but have been considered intermediate feeders in the past, and can seemingly be maintained on grass diets. We quantified food intake, mean retention time (MRT) in the gastrointestinal tract and the reticulorumen (RR) of a solute, a small and a large particle marker, and diet digestibility in six eland each fed a monocot (grass hay) and a dicot (lucerne silage) forage. Food intake and digestibility was lower on the diet with higher fibre content (grass hay), with corresponding longer MRT. At the higher intakes on lucerne, the difference in MRT between small and large particles was larger, indicating a greater reliance on particle sorting and clearance under this condition of potentially limiting gut capacity. Regardless of diet or intake, the ratio of small particle and solute MRT in the RR was constant and small, at a quotient of 1.54, classifying the eland as a typical ‘moose-type’ ruminant. This finding is consistent with previous literature reports on low faecal metabolic nitrogen and high apparent protein digestibility in eland. Given the relative ease at which eland can be maintained under farm husbandry conditions, they appear ideal model ruminants to study the effects of differences in rumen physiology compared to cattle

List of species of ungulates captured by camera traps in the Fathala reserve.

<p>List of species of ungulates captured by camera traps in the Fathala reserve.</p