Latrine sites, or areas where otters scent‐mark and deposit feces, are a habitat feature that serve an important role in communication for many otter species. The small‐clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) inhabits both natural and rice field landscapes in Southeast Asia. However, latrine site use by small‐clawed otters in rice field landscapes is largely unknown. Based on a 53‐week field survey and landscape analyses, we investigated latrine site use by small‐clawed otters in rice field landscapes in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Using land use and/or local environmental variables as predictors, we performed generalized linear model analyses to explain the spatial patterns of latrine site occurrence and otter visitation frequency to latrine sites. We determined that small‐clawed otters use some latrine sites repeatedly over time; 10 latrine sites were still in use more than 7 years after their initial discovery. Generalized linear model analyses revealed that an intermediate number of rice field huts was the single most important predictor of latrine site occurrence, whereas distance to the nearest settlement, distance to the river, and mean water depth of the rice field adjacent to the latrine site were important predictors of otter visitation frequency to latrine sites. These results indicate that the latrine site preferences of small‐clawed otters in rice field landscapes are strongly associated with intermediate levels of rice farming activities. Indonesian rice fields are being degraded or disappearing at an accelerated rate because of land conversion and modernization of agriculture. We emphasize an urgent need for design and implementation of otter‐friendly rice farming to conserve small‐clawed otters.
Tropical rice fields with asynchronous growth stages provide a good model to investigate the effects of landscape heterogeneity on the use of agricultural landscapes by wildlife. The smallclawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) uses rice fields as latrine sites in Southeast Asia. Through a 53-week survey of latrine sites, we analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of latrine-site use by small-clawed otters in an asynchronous rice field in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Based on a generalized linear mixed model incorporating local environmental factors, otter latrine-site visitation was positively associated with the vegetative stage of rice cultivation and the biomass of a major prey item, the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata). The vegetative stage of rice cultivation and golden apple snail biomass were closely associated with deep water in rice fields; therefore, water availability in rice fields is likely important in determining the spatiotemporal patterns of small-clawed otter latrine-site use in the asynchronous rice field landscape. To consistently provide latrine sites for small-clawed otters, we recommend that asynchronous rice cultivation be maintained, or zoning of synchronous and asynchronous rice cultivation areas be planned in the region.
Berang-berang merupakan salah satu hewan yang memiliki hubungan dan peranan dengan kehidupan manusia. Peranannya itu berupa konflik, pemanfaatan, serta mitos dan cerita. Tulisan ini menjelaskan seperti apa berang-berang di dalam masyarakat Sumatera Barat, secara deskriptif berdasarkan informasi-informasi yang dikumpulkan secara non-sistematis sejak tahun 2008. Masyarakat menganggap berang-berang sebagai salah satu hama bagi perikanan. Berang-berang juga dikenal sebagai hewan memiliki batu mustika yang berkhasiat bagi pemilik batu. Kuciang aie, salah satu nama lokal bagi berang-berang, juga memiliki makna kiasan tersendiri bagi masyarakat Sumatra Barat. Berbagai mitos dan cara-cara unik penanganan konflik dengan berang-berang juga dijelaskan di dalam tulisan ini.
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