Increased population density and behavioural flexibility of African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) in specific anthropogenic environments

Majelantle, Tshepiso Lesedi; Ganswindt, André; Jordaan, Rowan K.; Slip, David J.; Harcourt, Robert; McIntyre, Trevor

doi:10.1007/s11252-020-01068-1

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…does the probability of habituation increase with the number of generations in captivity? ; Grueber et al., 2017), increased encounters with conspecifics could induce a stress response; for example, the FGM levels of African clawless otters ( Aonyx capensis ) in artificial environments with high densities were significantly elevated when compared to those in natural environments with low densities (Majelantle, Ganswindt, et al., 2020; Majelantle, McIntyre, & Ganswindt, 2020). Therefore, the potential of population density to have influenced these results cannot be excluded.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of intensive captive, free‐range captive and wild Tasmanian devils

Florent

Clarke²,

Bashaw

et al. 2023

Journal of Zoology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Captivity can alter the stress physiology and behaviour of an animal in both the short‐ and long‐term through repetitive exposure to novel stressors and, subsequently, may reduce the success of conservation efforts such as translocation and reintroduction. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is threatened with extinction from a fatal facial tumour disease which has led to the establishment of an insurance meta‐population designed for future reintroductions of disease‐free devils. The meta‐population is comprised of intensive captive and free‐range captive environments; however, no study has yet examined the long‐term physiological implications of captivity on devils. We used non‐invasive faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) monitoring to determine if there were any differences in adrenal activity among intensive captive, free‐range captive and wild devils. FGM levels were not age or sex dependent, and we found that all population types had similar intra‐population variability and mean FGMs. In conclusion, both types of captive environment appear to maintain stress profiles similar to wild devils.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of intensive captive, free‐range captive and wild Tasmanian devils

Florent

Clarke²,

Bashaw

et al. 2023

Journal of Zoology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, densities of African clawless otter substantially higher on some of these properties, when compared to nearby natural areas (Majelantle et al, 2021). African clawless otters are considered near threatened in southern Africa (Okes et al, 2016) and spotted-necked otters vulnerable (Ponsonby et al, 2016), with both species classified as Near Threatened globally (Jacques et al, 2015;Reed-Smith et al, 2015).…”

Section: Résumémentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, recent work demonstrated that trout form a substantial part of the diets of both African clawless‐ and spotted‐necked otters foraging on fly‐fishing properties (Jordaan et al, 2019, 2020). Furthermore, densities of African clawless otter are substantially higher on some of these properties, when compared to nearby natural areas (Majelantle et al, 2021). African clawless otters are considered near threatened in southern Africa (Okes et al, 2016) and spotted‐necked otters vulnerable (Ponsonby et al, 2016), with both species classified as Near Threatened globally (Jacques et al, 2015; Reed‐Smith et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder perceptions of human–predator conflict in the South African fly‐fishing industry

Vos

McIntyre

2023

Afr J Ecol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human–wildlife conflict in African aquaculture and fisheries is poorly understood. We investigated this conflict through a questionnaire aimed at owners and managers of fly‐fishing properties in South Africa. While perceptions of losses varied, all respondents reported losses to predators. Resulting mitigation measures, including lethal control, were employed mostly against cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp.) and otters (Aonyx capensis and Hydrictis maculicollis). Given that fly‐fishing properties potentially provide valuable habitat for protected species such as otters, our results highlight a need for improved mitigation measures and exploring alternative options of potentially generating income from tourism associated with the presence of charismatic predators.

show abstract

“…We mounted the camera traps on tree trunks, at most one meter off the ground to capture species of varied sizes, and to avoid destruction of the cameras, particularly by spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta Erxleben, 1777). Given this height, we slightly tilted the traps downwards to enable detection of a range of mammal species (Majelantle et al, 2020). Additionally, we avoided facing cameras directly at vegetation to minimize false triggers from vegetation movement in windy conditions.…”

Section: Mammal Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogeny is a stronger predictor of activity than allometry in an African mammal community

Kasozi¹,

Moll²,

Kityo³

et al. 2021

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In promoting coexistence, sympatric species often partition shared resources along spatio-temporal domains. Similarly sized and phylogenetically close species, for instance, partition the times of day in which they are active to limit interference competition. Given that variation in species body mass has evolutionary underpinnings, species activity levels (time spent active in a 24-h daily cycle) within animal communities might be structured by phylogeny. However, few studies have tested this hypothesis across animal communities, and none among medium-sized to large mammals. We quantified the relative contributions of phylogeny and body mass in predicting activity levels in a community of 22 sympatric mammal species in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. We show that phylogeny is a stronger predictor of species activity levels than body mass. Our findings provide empirical evidence for the phylogenetic structuring of mammal activity in diverse communities. More broadly, our results suggest that evolutionary relationships mask allometry in predicting species traits in diverse animal communities.

show abstract

Increased population density and behavioural flexibility of African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) in specific anthropogenic environments

Cited by 3 publications

References 46 publications

Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of intensive captive, free‐range captive and wild Tasmanian devils

Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of intensive captive, free‐range captive and wild Tasmanian devils

Stakeholder perceptions of human–predator conflict in the South African fly‐fishing industry

Phylogeny is a stronger predictor of activity than allometry in an African mammal community

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About