Studying food preferences in captive cryptic folivores can assist in conservation planning: the case of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Heise-Pavlov ◽  
Clare Anderson ◽  
Andrea Moshier
Keyword(s):  
Food Selection ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Browse Species ◽  
General Preference ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi

Food preferences of the arboreal Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi), endemic to the tropical rainforests of north-eastern Australia, are largely unknown, but are likely to affect the movements of this mammal within its home range and across a fragmented landscape. Food selection was investigated by applying a consumption ranking system to 35 browse species provided to six captive animals throughout different years. Animals consumed foliage from a wide range of rainforest tree species, but at different intensities, suggesting that Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo is a selective folivore. All studied animals showed a general preference for the foliage of the northern olive (Chionanthus ramiflorus) and the umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) throughout the year while foliage from acacias (Acacia spp.), milky pine (Alstonia scholaris) and pink ash (Alphitonia petriei) was less frequently consumed. Foliage from figs (Ficus spp.) and the northern tamarind (Diploglottis diphyllostegia) was consumed at higher rates only at certain times of the year, suggesting the existence of seasonal preferences. The knowledge of general and seasonal food preferences of this large arboreal mammal may allow a better prediction of animal movements and therefore can assist in conservation efforts. Recommendations for the integration of these findings in restoration projects are given.

Conservation of a rare arboreal mammal: habitat preferences of the Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid R. Heise-Pavlov ◽  
Sara L. Jackrel ◽  
Spenser Meeks
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Main Trunk ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi ◽  
Selection Of

Success of conservation efforts of large and cryptic mammals is often limited due to a lack of knowledge of their habitat preferences. This study investigates factors that affect the habitat selection of the rare Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, using signs of its activity. The presence and absence of scratch marks on tree trunks and faecal pellets within a 100-cm radius around them were surveyed on 23 ha within a 65-ha large fragment of rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands, north-eastern Australia in order to classify trees as ‘actively used’ or ‘inactive’. Structural features of the 315 surveyed tree trunks were also recorded. Using discriminant function analysis, ‘actively used’ trees were found to have no epiphytes on the main trunk, less obstruction by neighbouring trees, shrubs or lianas within a 0.5-m radius of the trunk (particularly in the eastern direction), and a smaller diameter at breast height than ‘inactive’ trees. Smaller tree trunks and less obstruction may facilitate a more rapid movement into the canopy as well as provide potential escape routes from predators. More specific knowledge on factors that affect habitat selection of the Lumholtz’ tree-kangaroo will help in a reclassification of the threatened status of this species and assist in more effective conservation efforts.

Exploring the use of a fragmented landscape by a large arboreal marsupial using incidental sighting records from community members

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid R. Heise-Pavlov ◽  
Alan Gillanders
Keyword(s):  
Average Distance ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Analytical Tools

Effective conservation of large mammalian species within a human-modified landscape depends on the knowledge of their ability to utilise available suitable habitat within a matrix of unsuitable habitat. We use incidental sightings of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) in north-eastern Australia that were recorded by community members in a non-standardised way to assess the functional connectivity of the highly fragmented landscape of the Atherton Tablelands for this species. By applying spatial analytical tools to available mapped information on landscape attributes and the reported sightings it was found that the species shows a low matrix resistance. Since most sightings within the matrix were found within 150 m of a patch with suitable habitat and the average distance between these patches was 77 m it can be concluded that Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos are able to reach most fragmented suitable habitat given certain limitations of the accuracy of the used maps and sighting locations. Based on distances between suitable habitat patches and their predominant size of up to 2 ha we expect that the species can include several fragments into its home range. More sightings of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos than expected by chance within the matrix during dry seasons combined with shorter than expected distances into the matrix suggests the existence of seasonal resource-driven movements of this species. Due to the non-standardised nature of the data the derived conclusions need to be tested in rigorous scientific projects before they can be integrated into the development of conservation strategies for Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos on the Atherton Tablelands.

scholarly journals Elevational Distribution of Flightless Ground Beetles in the Tropical Rainforests of North-Eastern Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e0155826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyran M. Staunton ◽  
Akihiro Nakamura ◽  
Chris J. Burwell ◽  
Simon K. A. Robson ◽  
Stephen E. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Elevational Distribution

Habitat specificity and food preferences of an assemblage of tropical Australian dung beetles

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Food Preferences ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Habitat Specificity ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Wet Tropics

ABSTRACTTwo dung beetle assemblages from rainforest and open forest in the wet tropics of north-eastern Australia are described. The fauna was sampled using flight intercept traps, baited pitfall traps and light traps, with flight intercept traps being the most effective sampling technique. Dung beetle species were found to be highly habitat specific with a switch from rainforest to open forest assemblages occurring over tens of metres. The majority of the fauna was active at night. The most abundant species were attracted to a variety of food types but several species appeared to specialize on either dung or mushrooms.

Home range and habitat use by Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) within a rainforest fragment in north Queensland

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme R. Newell
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adult Tree ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi

Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi), one the largest arboreal mammals in Australia, has been poorly studied owing to its limited distributional range and secretive habits within tropical rainforests. This study investigated the way D. lumholtzi used its habitat within a rainforest fragment on the Atherton Tableland, North Queensland. Thirteen animals were fitted with radio-collars to determine their spatial and temporal use of habitat. Female D. lumholtzi used exclusive home ranges averaging 0.7 ha in area (90% harmonic mean), while males occupied larger home ranges of an average of approximately 2 ha, allowing for a density of 1.4–1.5 adult tree-kangaroos per hectare within the study area. The exception to this home- range size was one juvenile male presumably undergoing post-natal dispersal that used several forest fragments and other habitats, with a home range of 332 ha. Home ranges of males overlapped in part the ranges of several females. Home ranges of males tended to abut those of other males, and antagonistic encounters occurred at the boundaries of the home ranges. Males had a significantly larger body size than females (males 8.63 kg; females 7.05 kg). Social interactions between individuals, apart from antagonistic male–male encounters, were observed infrequently. Only 6% and 2.7% of fixes for females and males, respectively, included the presence of another animal in the same or adjacent tree at the time of location. Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos were associated with a wide range of rainforest trees and a smaller number of vine species. However, in general, individual animals regularly associated with only a small suite (mean 3.5 species with >10% usage) of tree species present within their home range, and appeared to display individual preferences for certain species. Individual radio-tracked D. lumholtzi were visible only 9.4% of the time at night, and 20% of the time during the day. Males and females were as visible as each other, and both were seen significantly lower in the canopy and into the mid-storey during the night than during the day.

scholarly journals Food Preferences of Patients with Citrin Deficiency

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3123
Author(s):  
Miki Okamoto ◽  
Yoshiyuki Okano ◽  
Mai Okano ◽  
Masahide Yazaki ◽  
Ayano Inui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Preference ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Daily Diet ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Carbohydrate ◽  
Citrin Deficiency ◽  
Nutritional Balance

Citrin deficiency is characterized by a wide range of symptoms from infancy through adulthood and presents a distinct preference for a diet composed of high protein, high fat, and low carbohydrate. The present study elucidates the important criteria by patients with citrin deficiency for food selection through detailed analysis of their food preferences. The survey was conducted in 70 citrin-deficient patients aged 2–63 years and 55 control subjects aged 2–74 years and inquired about their preference for 435 food items using a scale of 1–4 (the higher, the more favored). The results showed that the foods marked as “dislike” accounted for 36.5% in the patient group, significantly higher than the 16.0% in the controls. The results also showed that patients clearly disliked foods with 20–24 (% of energy) or less protein, 45–54% (of energy) or less fat, and 30–39% (of energy) or more carbohydrate. Multiple regression analysis showed carbohydrates had the strongest influence on patients’ food preference (β = −0.503). It also showed female patients had a stronger aversion to foods with high carbohydrates than males. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate energy ratio (PFC) of highly favored foods among patients was almost the same as the average PFC ratio of their daily diet (protein 20–22: fat 47–51: carbohydrates 28–32). The data strongly suggest that from early infancy, patients start aspiring to a nutritional balance that can compensate for the metabolism dissonance caused by citrin deficiency in every food.

Revision of Coronostrongylus (Nematoda : Strongyloidea) parasitic in the stomachs of macropodid marsupials

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 893 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Beveridge
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Related Species ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Nematode Genus ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Species Occurrences

The monotypic nematode genus Coronostrongylus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 from the stomachs of macropodid marsupials was reviewed and was found to consist of a least seven closely related species. Coronostrongylus coronatus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 is found most commonly in Macropus rufogriseus, but occurs occasionally in M. dorsalis, M. parryi and Petrogale inornata. Coronostrongylus johnsoni, sp. nov. is most commonly found in M. dorsalis, but occurs also in M. rufogriseus, M. parma, Thylogale stigmatica, Petrogale godmani and P. brachyotis. Coronostrongylus barkeri, sp. nov. is most prevalent in Onychogalea unguifera, but occurs also in M. rufus, M. robustus and P. brachyotis. Coronostrongylus closei, sp. nov. is restricted to Petrogale persephone. Coronostrongylus sharmani, sp. nov. occurs only in rock wallabies from eastern Australia: P.�coenensis, P. godmani and P. mareeba; C. spratti, sp. nov. occurs in P. inornata and P. assimilis. Coronostrongylus spearei, sp. nov. is restricted to Papua New Guinea where it is found in Dorcopsulus vanhearni, Dorcopsis hageni and D. muelleri. Although all of the nematode species occur in one principal host species or a series of closely related host species, occurrences in geographically disjunct areas and in phylogenetically distant hosts are features of C. coronatus, C. barkeri, sp. nov. and C. johnsoni, sp. nov. The occurrence of seven closely related nematode species found in a wide range of macropodid host species is more readily accounted for by a hypothesis involving multiple colonisations of hosts than by the hypothesis of co-speciation.

scholarly journals SPIRITS, POWER AND THE POLITICAL IMAGINATION IN LATE-COLONIAL GABON

Africa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Cinnamon
Keyword(s):  
Second World War ◽  
The Political ◽  
Colonial Administration ◽  
Political Imagination ◽  
World War ◽  
National Politics ◽  
Political Events ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Second World

ABSTRACTThrough narratives of an anti-‘fetish’ movement that swept through north-eastern Gabon in the mid-1950s, the present article traces the contours of converging political and religious imaginations in that country in the years preceding independence. Fang speakers in the region make explicit connections between the arrival of post-Second World War electoral politics, the anti-fetish movements, and perceptions of political weakening and marginalization of their region on the eve of independence. Rival politicians and the colonial administration played key roles in the movement, which brought in a Congolese ritual expert, Emane Boncoeur, and his two powerful spirits, Mademoiselle and Mimbare. These spirits, later recuperated in a wide range of healing practices, continue to operate today throughout northern Gabon and Rio Muni. In local imaginaries, these spirits played central roles in the birth of both regional and national politics, paradoxically strengthening the colonial administration and Gabonese auxiliaries in an era of pre-independence liberalization. Thus, regional political events in the 1950s rehearsed later configurations of power, including presidential politics, on the national stage.

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