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Showing 11 results for Type of Study: Review Article

Ahmad Mahmoudi, Boris Kryštufek,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (3-2020)
Abstract

We reanalyzed 657 base pairs of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) sequences of the Small Five-toed jerboas Scarturus from Iran, which had been published as Allactaga by Mohammadi et al. (2016) in the Zoology in the Middle East. We show that taxonomic names are available for the three main clusters they recognized: S. hotsoni, S. elater, and S. toussi. The last two species each contained two lineages, both in our analysis as well in those published earlier. We recommend the taxonomic identification of specimens in molecular analyses and call for deposition of voucher material in responsible public collections.

Muammer Kurnaz,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (12-2020)
Abstract

Turkey is biogeographically diverse and consequently has a rich herpetofauna. As a result of active herpetological research, the number of species has steadily increased in recent years. I present here a new checklist of amphibian and reptile species distributed in Turkey, revising the nomenclature to reflect the latest taxonomic knowledge. In addition, information about the systematics of many species is also given. In total 35 (19.4%) amphibian and 145 (80.6%) reptile species comprise the Turkish herpetofauna. Among amphibians, 16 (45.7%) anurans and 19 urodelans (54.3%) are present. Among reptiles, 11 (7.6%) testudines, 71 (49%) saurians, 3 (2.1%) amphisbaenians and 60 (41.3%) ophidians are considered part of the herpetofauna. The endemism rate in Turkey is considered relatively high with a total of 34 species (12 amphibian species – 34.3% and 22 reptile species – 15.2%) endemic to Turkey, yielding a total herpetofaunal endemism of 18.9%. While 38 species have not been threat-assessed by the IUCN, 92 of the 180 Turkish herpetofaunal species are of Least Concern (LC), 13 are Near Threatened (NT), 10 are Vulnerable (VU), 14 are Endangered (EN), and 7 are Critically Endangered (CR). In addition, 6 species are in the DD (Data Deficient) category.
 

Paolo Parenti,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract

A checklist of the damselfishes of the world, family Pomacentridae, is presented. A total of 798 nominal species belonging to 423 valid species and 29 genera is included. Most of the species are grouped in five genera: Chromis (109 species), Pomacentrus (82), Chrysiptera (40), Stegastes (39), and Amphiprion (29), but 12 genera contain only one or two species. The following main taxonomic decisions are taken: Chrysiptera personata Fowler, 1946 is a new synonym of Chrysiptera rex (Snyder 1909); Dischistodus notophthalmus (Bleeker, 1853) is the valid name for the species known as Dischistodus melanotus (Bleeker, 1858). Chaetodon rotundus Linnaeus, 1758 and Chaetodon rotundatus Lacepède, 1802 are senior synonyms of Abudefduf bengalensis (Bloch, 1787). Perca japonica Bloch, 1792 is a senior synonym of Chromis notata (Temminck and Schlegel, 1843); Pomacentrus niomatus De Vis, 1884 is a senior synonym of Stegastes fasciolatus (Ogilby, 1889); Glyphisodon sculptus Peters, 1855 is a senior synonym of Abudefduf notatus (Day, 1870). All these senior synonyms are herein regarded as nomina oblita. Neopomacentrus flavicauda is proposed as nomen novum Neopomacentrus xanthurus Allen and Randall, 1980. Stegastes adustus (Troschel, 1865) is the valid name for the species known as Stegastes dorsopunicans (Poey, 1868) and Wangia Fowler, 1954 is an available name not invalidated by Wanga Chen 1943.

Sachin Timilsina, Rama Mishra, Amit Adhikari, Subash Gautam, Bijaya Neupane,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2021)
Abstract

The Fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus is a medium-sized, wild felid, native to south and Southeast Asia. The global status of the species has been assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and it is further listed as ‘Endangered’ in Nepal. Knowledge on the species is limited due to scarce research studies, resulting in a lack of ecological information. A few conservation programs for the species have been initiated in the past but current concern is that conservation programs may not be sufficient for the long-term survival of the species in Nepal. Therefore, we reviewed the available published scientific literature and anecdotal reports relating to the Fishing cats in Nepal, and used this data to assess current population status, distribution, threats and conservation efforts for the species. We screened and selected 49 scientific papers and reports related to Fishing cats for the current study and analyzed them to produce our findings. Our results found that fishing cats are recorded from five protected areas, and three non-protected wetland areas, within the Terai region of Southern Nepal. Two publications are found that substantiate the population status of the species in the country. In Protected Areas of Nepal, most of the Fishing cat records were accessed through camera trap surveys targeting large cat species. Fishing cats have been facing extinction threats mainly due to poaching, human over-exploitation of local fish stocks, retaliatory killing, wetland shrinkage and conversion, pollution and other conflicts with humans. We believe our review will be a useful guide for conservationists, managers and wildlife researchers to promote the conservation of this charismatic and threatened species in Nepal.

Bijaya Dhami, Sachin Timilsina, Amit Adhikari, Bijaya Neupane, Nar Bhadur Chhetri, Alisha Sharma, Aakash Paudel, Mahamad Sayab Miya, Byanjana Sharma, Apeksha Chhetri,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2021)
Abstract

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), an arboreal mammal belonging to the family Ailuridae, and order Carnivora with herbivorous tendencies is distributed across the mountains of Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, and Myanmar. Due to different anthropogenic activities, the wild populations of A. fulgens have declined by 50% across these range countries. There are many gaps in the current knowledge concerning this endangered, elusive, and charismatic animal. We applied a systematic review process to better understand the research trends, conservation threats, and approaches and identified research gaps that potentially impact the long-term conservation of A. fulgens. Altogether, we analyzed 168 published papers over 33 years and in different thematic areas. Our study revealed that studies on A. fulgens are not evenly distributed across the range of the species, with the majority of them being from China, then Nepal, and very few from Bhutan, India, and Myanmar. The majority of the literature concerning captive and free-ranging populations of A. fulgens is skewed toward different aspects of biology including anatomy, general behavior, reproduction, nutrition, and different aspects of habitat including distribution patterns, and habitat use. There is limited information on A. fulgens genetics and it is confined to Chinese populations. Studies on diseases, the impact of anthropogenic activities like tourism, infrastructure development, movement ecology, interaction with other associated species, and studies addressing the impact of climate change on this species are very sparse. Hence, for the conservation success of A. fulgens understanding, these issues are critical.

Bruce D. Patterson, Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves, Júlio F. Vilela, André Elias Rodrigues Soares, Felix Grewe,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2021)
Abstract

A brief review of the phylogeny and nomenclature of the weasels, genus Mustela Linnaeus, 1758 in the broad sense, indicates continuing confusion over the appropriate name for the well-supported American clade included within it. A case is made that the American mink (Neovison vison) and three allied species (Mustela frenata, M. felipei, and M. africana) should now be recognized in the genus Neogale Gray, 1865. The ages and morphological disparities of both Neogale and Mustela sensu stricto indicate that both are in need of comprehensive revisions.

Rajendra Singh, Garima Singh,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract

In this review, an updated checklist of spider diversity in Rajasthan, India is presented. A total of 173 spider species from 90 genera belonging to 25 families are listed with records/descriptions originating from only 20 out of 33 districts of Rajasthan. A total of 74 taxa recorded from various districts of Rajasthan were identified only up to generic level. The maximum number of spider species were recorded from Jodhpur district (72 species), followed by Ajmer (69 species), Bharatpur (66 species), Pali (63 species), Jaipur (58 species), Dholpur and Karauli (38 species each), Jhunjhunu and Sikar (31 species each), Sri Ganga Nagar (26 species), Hanumangarh (25 species), and Jaisalmer (26 species). A fewer number of species are known from other districts. Thus far, no faunal surveys of spiders have been conducted in 13 districts of Rajasthan. Most of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, forest areas, agricultural fields, human dwellings, etc. within the state still await intensive and extensive surveys to record the spider fauna.

Spartaco Gippoliti, Dario Fraschetti, Osman Gedow Amir, Francesco M. Angelici,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract

There is an increased recognition of the threat status of the African lion (Panthera leo), once a widespread top predator of open African habitats. However, our knowledge about the biology of the species is often based on a few study sites in South and East Africa, and the present subspecific taxonomy developed by the IUCN reinforces an idea of homogeneity of the species in Africa. A synthesis of available knowledge regarding the lions of Southern Somalia, formerly proposed as a distinct subspecies, Panthera leo somaliensis is presented. Particular attention is paid to the issue of manelessness in males, a phenomenon that has been studied in Tsavo (N.E. Kenya) but it is highlighted for the first time for the Southern Somalia region. Although our data cannot lead to a definitive answer about the taxonomic status of Somali lions, there is enough evidence to call for further studies and conservation efforts, also in the light of the increased evidence of genetic discontinuity in lions associated with strong ecological barriers.

Abdellahi Samba Bilal, Moulaye Mohamed Wagne, Abdoulaye Wagué, Abdoul Dia, Koen van Waerebeek,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract

The exact number of cetacean species present in Mauritanian waters is unknown. A first overview was published only in 1980, the latest in 1998. Yet, published information remains modest compared to, e.g., neighboring Senegal (first review in 1947). The complex oceanography of Mauritanian waters permits a mixed assemblage of cetacean fauna, with the distribution of both cool temperate and (sub) tropical species. In this review, we use our own observations from strandings, bycatches and vessel-based surveys, as well as published and grey literature, to support an updated inventory of cetaceans of Mauritania. This checklist includes two new authenticated species records: Kogia sima (Owen) (Kogiidae) and Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser (Delphinidae). Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen) (Delphinidae) is verifiably documented for the first time. Further, a first specimen record of Stenella longirostris (Gray) (Delphinidae) is described, as well as second specimen records of Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais) (Ziphiidae), Steno bredanensis (G. Cuvier) (Delphinidae) and Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski) (Balaenopteridae). Of 30 reported species, 27 (of six families) are fully supported, while three species lack (accessible) voucher material though probably (P) occur in Mauritania: Balaenopteridae: Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski), Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus), B. borealis Lesson, B. omurai Wada, Oishi and Yamada, B. acutorostrata Lacépède, B. physalus (Linnaeus) and B. brydei Olsen (P); Physeteridae: Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus; Kogiidae: Kogia sima (Owen) and K. breviceps (Blainville); Delphinidae: Sousa teuszii (Kükenthal), Tursiops truncatus (Montague), Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, Stenella frontalis (G. Cuvier), Stenella attenuata (Gray), Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen), Stenella longirostris (Gray), Stenella clymene (Gray), Steno bredanensis (G. Cuvier), Peponocephala electra (Gray) (P), Lagenodelphis hosei (Fraser), Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier), Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, Globicephala melas (Traill) (P), Orcinus orca (Linnaeus) and Pseudorca crassidens (Owen); Ziphiidae: Ziphius cavirostris G. Cuvier, Mesoplodon europaeus and Mesoplodon densirostris (de Blainville); Phocoenidae: Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus). Finally, we report the first case for continental northwest Africa of tattoo skin disease in a stranded D. delphis.

Tanuj Suryan, Gauraangi Raghav, Aniruddha Majumdar, Ravindra Mani Tripathi,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract

The big cats are of paramount importance for the sustenance of ecosystems and their interaction with humans is critical for their conservation. Coexistence and tolerance of the people involved will be crucial in the conservation of these cats in the growing human-dominated landscapes. The literature review on humans and big cats' conflicts and their coexistence indicates socio-economic factors are the main driving forces in shaping human attitudes toward these cats. In contrast to the mainstream view, conflict frequency does not directly affect the tolerance capacity of stakeholders; instead, coalitions of many factors like livelihood status, religious and cultural beliefs and government intervention are involved. The review provides an evaluation of the prevalent mitigation measures and other principles that govern human-big cats conflict and sheds light on the potential of coexistence as a pro-conservation strategy.

 

Aniruddha Majumdar,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract

Temporal activity patterns of different age and sex classes of a Bengal tiger population were studied at Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh between May 2006 and July 2009 using systematic camera traps. Based on the exact time of photo-capture tigers, information on temporal activity patterns of following age and sex categories of individual tigers (resident male (n= 55 photographs), female with cubs or breeding female (n= 70 photographs), female without cubs or non-breeding female (n= 72 photographs) and transient male (n= 42 photographs)) were recorded. Breeding females utilized significantly different activity period compared to transient males (P< 0.001) and females without cubs (P<0.001). Overall activity period between breeding female and resident male did not differ significantly (P >0.6) during the study period. The observed temporal segregation may provide valuable information on cub survival strategies adopted by breeding tigresses, potentially enhancing their reproductive success in a tropical deciduous forest. The adoption of camera trap-based population monitoring studies is advocated for the reproductive behavior of elusive large carnivores such as tigers in the wild on a long-term basis.


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