Fruit selection of a binturong (Arctictis binturong) by focal animal sampling in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

We investigated fruit selection of a radio-collared female binturong (Arctictis binturong pageli Schwarz, 1911) by focal animal sampling in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We recorded seven food species from 12 feeding trees over 16 months. The radio-collared binturong fed only ripe fig fruits (Ficus spp., Moraceae), suggesting that her diet largely depended on figs. As the present study was based on only one female individual, more efforts are needed to elucidate the feeding ecology of this cryptic carnivore

Social structure and reproduction of long-tailed porcupine (Trichys fasciculata)

We studied the social structure of long-tailed porcupine (Trichys fasciculata) in the tropical rainforest in Sabah, Borneo Island, Malaysia via direct observation assisted by radio-tracking and camera-trapping at burrow entrances. We identified and observed seven individuals in the study area, of which five were radio-tagged. Analysis of their burrow use, home range, and behaviour strongly suggested that five of the observed individuals formed a family group consisting of an adult male–female pair and their three offspring, two of which were born during the study period. The family members used the same burrow site almost every day, and their home ranges largely overlapped. In contrast, the other two individuals never used the burrow sites of this family group. The adult male–female pair was maintained for at least 18 months and reproduced twice during the study period. They had a litter size of one, and the inter-litter interval was estimated to be 11 months. During these two reproductions, the previous litter stayed in the natal family group as a sub-adult after the next juvenile was born. Direct paternal care, such as grooming the juvenile, was also observed. Their low reproductive potential should be considered in conservation efforts

Behavioral feeding strategy of frugivorous civets in a Bornean rainforest

We compared feeding behavior of frugivorous civets with those of other sympatric frugivores in a Bornean rainforest. For each frugivore residing in 3 different species of fig trees ( Ficus variegata , F. fistulosa , and F. benjamina ), we recorded temporal visitation patterns, visitation length, and time spent searching for fruit spanning 1,758h of observations. The civets were strict nocturnal visitors, whereas the other 5 frugivorous species were diurnal visitors. Civets visited F. variegata , F. fistulosa , and F. benjamina trees until 51, 26, and 0.3 days before the end of fruiting, respectively, whereas the other frugivores visited the trees until 84.5, 32, and 1.2 days before the end of fruiting. Civets foraged longer in the F. variegata , F. fistulosa , and F. benjamina trees at each visit (119.17, 109.37, and 97.77min, respectively) than did the other frugivores (39.88, 17.06, and 40.2min). Civet search times (62.61, 27.55, and 18.9s) were longer than those of the other frugivores (34.34, 12.46, and 9.49s), and civet search duration significantly increased over time. Our results indicate that nocturnality is the most important factor in avoiding contest competition with larger diurnal frugivores, thus enabling long visits at feeding patches although long search times decreased feeding efficiency. Long foraging visits of civets would be advantageous in fruit-deficient environments and may compensate for their morpho-physiological disadvantages for frugivory

Fluctuations of population density in Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) related to fruit availability in the Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia: a 10-year record including two mast fruitings and three other peak fruitings

We investigated the population density of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) and fruit availability for 10 years (2005–2014), in primary lowland dipterocarp forests in the Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia. During the research period, two mast fruitings and three other peak fruiting events of different scales occurred in the study area. The orangutan population density, estimated every 2 months by the marked nest count method, changed between 0.3 and 4.4 ind/km2 and the mean population density was 1.3 ind/km2 ± SE 0.1 (n = 56). The population density increased markedly during mast and peak fruiting periods. A significant positive correlation was observed between the population density and fruit availability in the study period (Spearman, R = 0.3, P < 0.01, n = 56). During non-fruiting periods, however, no significant correlation was observed between them. These results suggest that the spatial difference in fruit availability during mast and peak fruiting periods was larger than during non-fruiting periods, and many orangutans temporarily moved to the study site from the surrounding areas seeking fruit

Horizontal habitat preference of three sympatric Paradoxurinae civet species in a small area in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

We investigated the horizontal habitat use of three sympatric Paradoxurinae species, the common palm civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, the small-toothed palm civet Arctogalidia trivirgata and the binturong Arctictis binturong, occurring within a small area in a lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We evaluated their preference for forests near open-canopy areas (forest edge habitat) or more mature interior forests (interior-forest habitat) by tracking radio-collared civets in their activity and inactivity periods. We demonstrated that all three Paradoxurinae species occurred in the same area, and extensive range overlap indicated lack of interspecific territoriality. The binturong preferred neither forest edge nor interior-forest habitats. Meanwhile, both the common palm civet and the small-toothed palm civet showed a similar preference for forest edge habitats. Food distribution may affect their habitat use. We could not find clear habitat segregation among the three sympatric Paradoxurinae species, but vertical habitat use may also affect their coexistence. Further effort is needed to elucidate both the horizontal and vertical habitat segregation of sympatric Paradoxurinae species

Characteristics of urine spraying and scraping the ground with hind paws as scent-marking of captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

Olfactory communication is common in felids. We observed two scent-markings, urine spraying and scraping the ground with hind paws during excretion, of 25 captive cheetahs. We analyzed the association of sniffing with the timing of urine spraying and scraping, and differences in these behaviors based on sex, age, and captive environment to understand the olfactory communication among cheetahs. Both scent-markings were strongly associated with sniffing, especially scraping, and the presence or absence of scent was thought to be a trigger. Both behaviors were observed only in adults; scraping was observed only in males. To our knowledge, this study was first to confirm the discharge of secretions from the anal glands during scraping. The frequencies of both behaviors were significantly higher in males kept in shared enclosures containing other individuals than in males kept in monopolized enclosures, while there was no difference in the frequencies among females. Female cheetahs are solitary and have non-exclusive home range, whereas male cheetahs are either solitary or live in coalition groups and there are territorial and non-territorial males. Our results could be attributed to the differences in sociality between the sexes and effect of the living environment

First Record of Testate Amoebae on Glaciers and Description of a New Species Puytoracia jenswendti nov. sp. (Rhizaria, Euglyphida)

This study documents for the first time the presence of testate amoebae on glaciers. Three shallow firn cores of 10 m depth were obtained from the Mocho-Choshuenco and Osorno volcanoes, Southern Andes, Chile, in October and November, 2005. Euglyphid testate amoebae were detected in 28 samples that correspond to the spring-summer layers of the firn cores. Inspection of 454 collected individuals reveals the presence of four different taxa. Three of these taxa, Trinema lineare, Trinema enchelys and Puytoracia bergeri have previously been reported in ice-free environments. The fourth taxon corresponds to a new species Puytoracia jenswendti nov. sp. The observation of food content and reproductive activities in a significant fraction of specimens evidence that testate amoebae are competent to inhabit glaciers. The testate amoebae found in the firn cores display clear seasonal variations in abundance indicating that these records can provide a new and novel proxy as paleoindicator for firn/ice core dating and for estimation of past glacier mass balance