1. Camera traps are popular for monitoring animal populations and communities, primarily because they eliminate physical handling of animals. However, image acquisition typically outpaces information extraction. Most deep-learning based animal classifiers do not localize animals, limiting their applicability. Existing networks that localize animals have relatively high training data and hardware requirements. 2. To reduce the hardware and training data requirements, we extended the the Machine Learning for Wildlife Image Classification network (MLWIC2) to a Faster R-CNN. MLWIC2 is currently the most accurate wildlife classification network, and also the shallowest at 18 layers. We compared our model’s performance at object localization, species identification, and deployment speed to the performance of a generically pre-trained 50-layer Faster R-CNN to determine a) relative importance of task similarity in pre-training vs. backbone depth, b) whether additionally finetuning the backbones during training is advantageous c) whether the Faster R-CNN architecture benefits from incorporating the feature pyramid network (FPN) and cascading pyramid network (CPN) modules, and d) how backbone depth and the additional modules affect deployment speeds. 3. We found that the deeper network provides a slight advantage for classification accuracy, while the shallower network with higher task similarity produces a slight advantage for object localization. The additional modules provided dramatic gains for the 18 layer backbone for both classification and localization. On a NVIDIA 1080-ti gpu, the 18-layer backbone trains ~ 30% faster than the 50-layer backbone. In deployment the 18-layer backbone is 2.5x faster than the 50-layer backbone, and 9.4x faster than Megadetector. These results show that backbone network task similarity, paired with the FPN and CPN modules, can substitute for depth, which improves deployment speeds. Our model is suitable for modest hardware and for integration into more complex pipelines. These are important steps towards the automation of data acquisition from camera trap images.

East Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is rich in biodiversity in China. Complex geographical and climatic conditions, and rich bird resources made this area an ideal system for studying the spatial distribution mechanism and influencing factors of birds, which were still unknown. Bird community data from 37 sites in this region were collected, including 505 bird species and 164 species of resident passerine bird analyzed. The taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity, functional diversity, and community structure index were calculated. Redundancy analysis (RDA), ordinary least square (OLS), and structural equation model (SEM), were used to explore the relationship between bird diversity index and 12 environmental factors used to describe the habitat conditions of birds. Results indicated that the vascular plant species richness, habitat area, and vertical altitude difference were the three most critical factors affecting bird diversity. The phylogenetic structure of bird community was dispersed in west and clustered in east, and significantly related to latitude, habitat area, and vertical altitude difference. The functional structure was dispersed in all sites, and significantly related to mean annual precipitation and longitude. This suggest that the distribution pattern of bird diversity was caused by the comprehensive action of various habitat factors which were mainly related to food availability and habitat heterogeneity. Considering the protection of birds in this area, it is necessary to continuously promote the construction of nature reserve system proposed by the Chinese government, and pay attention to the protection of urban green space such as campus and urban parks, to maintain the area and integrity of bird habitat, while only a high plant species and area is not enough, improving the habitat heterogeneity is of great significance.

Smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) and Malayan water monitor lizards (Varanus salvator) occupy similar habitats and and interact regularly in Singapore’s waterways. These interactions have a range of potential outcomes and are sometimes lethal. Few formal behavioral studies exist for either species. We analyzed interactions between otters and monitor lizards by gleaning data from publicly available videos from citizen scientists to examine what factors influence aggressive and defensive behaviors, and what influences vigilance in otters. Behavioral sequence analysis revealed no obvious monitor lizard behavior that predicted otter aggression towards monitors. We found that the presence and number of otter pups is positively associated with otter aggression. Otters also tended to be more vigilant in groups with more pups, and more vigilant on land than water. Monitor lizards displayed aggressive and defensive behaviors more frequently than did otters, regardless of whether the otters were aggressive towards lizards. These observations suggests that otters vary their aggression and vigilance levels depending on the context of each interaction.

We used the Qamanirjuaq, Bathurst, and George River barren-ground caribou sine cycles to project numbers (Nt), calculate subpopulation annual growth rates (λt) and calculate logistic carrying capacity (Kt). Maximum annual growth rate was 1.196 and maximum annual rate of decline was 0.836 for the harvested Qamanirjuaq subpopulation sine cycle. However, the maximum annual subpopulation growth rates for both the harvested Bathurst and George River subpopulation sine cycles were greater than the biologically possible maximum intrinsic rate of increase during the eruption phase. Subpopulation numbers for Qamanirjuaq, Bathurst and George River barren-ground caribou subpopulations all closely tracked carrying capacity for one complete cycle with lag times between Nt and Kt ranging from < 1-year to approximately 5-years. The short lag times observed indicates that Qamanirjuaq, Bathurst and George River barren-ground caribou subpopulations closely track their range condition. Range condition drives barren-ground caribou subpopulation cycles, but range condition also cycles; presumably because annual barren-ground caribou grazing rates are proportional to barren-ground caribou numbers and eventually exceed range annual growth rates. Immigration from adjacent subpopulations plays a role in the initiation and acceleration of the eruption period in some subpopulations, but not all of them. Numerical synchrony and asynchrony with adjacent subpopulation cycles can affect the timing of the eruption phase through mediation of immigration. Once subpopulation range has recovered, the rapid recovery of subpopulation numbers suggest that subpopulations are not restricted by other factors. The regularity and symmetry of both the increase and decline phases of these cycles suggests that the barren-ground caribou cycle is both stable and resilient. Continuation of barren-ground caribou cycles at historical levels is likely if habitat conservation measures are adopted so that annual migration patterns are not disrupted, summer and winter range remain undisturbed and common-sense harvest management policies are adopted when caribou are at low numbers.

The diet of an individual animal is subject to change over time, both in response to short-term food fluctuations and over longer time scales as an individual ages and meets different challenges over its life cycle. A metabarcoding approach was used to elucidate the diet of different life stages of a songbird, the Eurasian reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) over the summer breeding season of 2017. The faeces of adult, juvenile and nestling warblers were screened for invertebrate DNA, enabling identification of prey species. Dietary analysis was coupled with monitoring of Diptera in the field using yellow sticky traps. Seasonal changes in warbler diet were subtle whereas age class had a greater influence on overall diet composition. Age classes showed high dietary overlap, but significant dietary differences were mediated through the selection of prey, i) from different taxonomic groups, ii) with different habitat origins (aquatic versus terrestrial) and iii) of different average approximate sizes. Our results highlight the value of metabarcoding data for enhancing ecological studies of insectivores in dynamic environments.

The objective of this study was to investigate diversity, relative abundance, and distribution of medium and large mammals in Mago National Park (MNP), Southern Ethiopia. Data collection was conducted during dry and wet seasons. A systematic sampling design was used to establish line transects along the three main habitat types, namely: Woodland, Acacia savanna, and Riverine forest. A total of 45 line transects were established through the habitats, varing in length from 1.5 to 5 km, depending on the size of the habitat. Twenty-eight medium and large mammals species were recorded in the area belonging to 8 families and 5 orders. Order Artiodactyla had the highest number of species (14 species), followed by Carnivora (8 species), whereas Perissodactyla and Proboscidea were represented by one species each. During both seasons, the highest species diversity (H’ = 2.81, and H’=2.96) was recorded in woodland habitat, but the lowest ( H’ =2.5 and H’= 2.67) in riverine forest. In terms of abundance, Tragelaphus imberbis 1773±86 (12%) was the most abundant species, while Vulpes chama was the least abundant species 104 ±13 that contributed less than 1% of the total. Most of the mammals species occurred in woodland habitat as compared to the other habitat types. Seasonal variation in abundance (number) of individuals of medium and large mammals was significantly different (X2 = 91.651, df =1, p<0.05). However, variation in species composition was not significant (X2 = 0.018, df = 1, P<0.05). It can be concluded that, Mago National Park harbour high species diversity of medium and large mammals. Conservation efoforts that could suatain the high diversity pf the species in the area in needed to main the diversity.

The interaction between plants and frugivores plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystem function and community diversity, but little is known about the structure of interaction networks between fruit plants and frugivore birds in urban green spaces. We observed the interactions between plants and birds throughout the year in the Guilin Botanical Garden and assessed the characteristics of the total plant-frugivore and seasonal networks. We also analyzed the relationship between the network roles of species and ecological traits to explore the structure and characteristics of the plant-frugivore network. The interactions between a total of 14 frugivore birds and 13 fruit plant species were analyzed in the study area, the autumn and winter interaction connections contributed 38.79% and 33.15% to the total network, respectively. The specialization (H2´), and interaction evenness (E2) of the network were higher in spring and summer than that in autumn and winter. However, connectance (C), nestedness, and interaction diversity (H2) were contrary to the specialization and interaction evenness of the network. Compared to the networks (N=1000) generated by the null model, the observed network exhibited lower connectance (C), interaction diversity(H2), interaction evenness (E2), and higher nestedness and specialization (H2´). A correlation analysis combining ecological traits and network roles showed that plants with black fruit had higher species strength, whereas the other traits of plants and birds were not significantly correlated with their network parameters.

Abstract: Diet and trophic niche of Teratoscincus roborowskii was analyzed by pellets analysis technique. A total of 263 pellets of Teratoscincus roborowskii were collected from the Turpan Botanic Garden in Turpan City from July to Octobor, 2016, . Food composition and proportion of Teratoscincus roborowskii were identified by comparative analysis. The number of food components in the fecal samples was identified, and the numeric frequency, biomass ratio and frequency of occurrence of each component were counted and then the monthly Shannon-wiener diversity index, Shannon evenness index and diet niche width were analyzed. The results show that the Teratoscincus roborowskii mainly feed on insects and caper fruit in the Turpan Botanic Garden. Insects are the most common food for the Teratoscincus roborowskii, the frequency of occurrence which in each month is the largest; caper fruit was the most food intake in July and August, and that of insects is the most one on September and October. There are some differences in the composition of food in different months, which may be related to changes of food availability. The results of the feeding habit analysis show that the Teratoscincus roborowskii may play an active role in the dispersal of caper seed.

Morphology-based taxonomic research frequently applies linear morphometrics (LMM) in skulls to quantify species distinctions. The choice of which measurements to collect generally relies on the expertise of the investigators or a set of standard measurements, but this practice may ignore less obvious or common discriminatory characters. In addition, taxonomic analyses often ignore the potential for subgroups of an otherwise cohesive population to differ in shape purely due to size differences (or allometry). Geometric morphometrics (GMM) is more complicated as an acquisition technique, but can offer a more holistic characterization of shape and provides a rigorous toolkit for accounting for allometry. In this study, we used linear discriminant analysis to assess the discriminatory performance of four published LMM protocols and a 3D GMM dataset for three clades of antechinus known to differ subtly in shape. We assessed discrimination of raw data (which are frequently used by taxonomists); data with isometry removed; and data after allometric correction. We found that group discrimination among raw data was high for LMM, possibly inflated relative to GMM when visualised in PCA plots. However, GMM produced better results in group discrimination after the size and allometry treatments. High measurement redundancy in LMM protocols appears to result in relatively high allometry but low discriminatory performance. These findings suggest that taxonomic measurement protocols might benefit from GMM-based pilot studies, because this offers the option of differentiating allometric and non-allometric shape differences between species, which can then inform on the development of the easier-to-apply LMM protocols.

Ecological traps occur when species choose to settle in lower quality habitats, even if this reduces their survival or productivity. This normally occurs in situations of drastic environmental changes, resulting, for example, from anthropogenic pressures. In the medium and long term, this could mean the extinction of the species. We investigated the dynamics of occurrence and distribution of three canid species (Atelocynus microtis, Cerdocyon thous, and Spheotos venaticus) related to human threats imposed on their habitats in the Amazon Rainforest. We analyzed the possible environmental thresholds for the occurrence of these species and confronted them with the future projections of climatic niches for each one. All three species will be negatively affected by climate change in the future, with losses of up to 91% of the suitable area of occurrence in the Brazilian Amazon. The occurrence of C. thous and S. venaticus has been positively influenced by anthropogenic open areas to the detriment of native environments, suggesting that these species are being attracted by ecological traps, which may put them at risk in the future in the Amazon Region. The A. microtis species is the most dependent on forest habitats, and thus the most significant threat would be forest loss. Using the canid species as a model, we could deeply investigate these ecological effects that can affect a large part of the Amazonian fauna in the current scenario. Considering the high degree of environmental degradation and deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, the theory of ecological traps must be discussed at the same level that habitat loss is considered a decisive criterion of threat to biodiversity.

In order to interpret the degree of postmating isolation and the evolutionary relationships among Fejervarya species from Indonesia (Lesser Sunda), Bangladesh, China, and Japan, crossing experiments and molecular phylogenetic analyses were carried out using frogs of Fejervarya species from these countries. The crossing experiments revealed that the reciprocal hybrids among F. iskandari, F. verruculosa, and F. sp. Large type, and those between F. multistriata and F. kawamurai were viable through metamorphosis, but those between F. iskandari group and F. limnocharis group were completely or partially inviable at the tadpole stage, and those between Southeast -Asian and South-Asian Fejervarya groups were completely inviable at the embryonic stage. The matured reciprocal hybrids between F. iskandari and F. verruculosa from Indonesia, Lesser Sunda showed some degree of abnormality in spermatogenesis. The phylogenetic analyses using mtDNA Cytb gene sequences demonstrated that F. iskandari formed a sister clade with F. verruculosa from Lesser Sunda, Indonesia with 8.1% sequence divergence. Fejervaraya multistriata from China made a clade with Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesian (topotype) populations of F. limnocharis which showed sister relationships to F. kawamurai from Japan with 8.9% sequence divergence of Cytb gene. Fejervarya sp. small type from Bangladesh formed a clade with the other South-Asian members of Fejervarya group and made a sister clade with Southeast-Asian Fejervarya group having 23.1% sequence divergence of Cytb gene. This study showed that the degree of postmating isolation reflects the molecular phylogenetic relationships, and that the two species, F. iskandari and F. verruculosa from Indonesia (Lesser Sunda) are reproductively isolated by abnormal spermatogenesis, and genetically deviated.

Decomposition of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional beta diversity into their turnover and nestedness component could provide novel insight for biodiversity conservation, e.g., provide implications for the Single Large Or Several Small reserves debate (SLOSS debate). This study applied this beta diversity decomposition in wetland bird communities in North China, aiming to propose scientific and comprehensive suggestions for bird diversity conservation in this region. Paired t test was used to compare the differences between taxonomic, phylogenetic, functional turnover and their nestedness component. In addition, spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the associations between each explanatory variable and each beta diversity index. The results showed that taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity among wetland bird communities in North China was dominated by turnover, while functional beta diversity was dominated by nestedness. Importantly, the phylogenetic and functional results showed similar patterns even after control the effects of taxonomic beta diversity. In addition, the taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover was more associated with both climate variables and spatial distances than other component. The contrasting patterns between taxonomic, phylogenetic decomposition and functional decomposition of wetland bird communities in North China indicate that distinctive conservation strategies should be considered for different biodiversity dimensions. Specifically, the conservation of taxonomic and phylogenetic bird diversity in this region should focus on multiple wetlands, while the conservation of bird functional diversity should focus on single wetland with high functional diversity.

Abstract 1. Elephants frequently raid farmers’ crops within their ranges in Africa and Asia. This can have a large impact on agricultural productivity and food security for farmers. 2. Previous studies have examined susceptibility of crop fields to elephant raids using field characteristics such as field size and proximity to water sources. However, there are limited studies investigating how different crop types, individually and in their combinations influence crop susceptibility to elephant raiding. Also, spatio-temporal patterns in elephant crop raids in agro-ecological landscapes have not been extensively examined. 3. This study utilised data collected from crop fields raided by elephants between 2008 and 2018. Data on crops grown, the number of crop-raiding incidences for each crop, and elephant raiding incidences were recorded for each field assessed. Incidence risks (IR) and field risk value (RV) were computed using an adaptive epidemiological approach. 4. The results showed that elephant crop raiding incidents varied significantly amongst crop types, and over space and time (P<0.0001). Cereal crops (millet: Eleusine conaracana, maize: Zea mays) incurred a higher number of crop raiding incidents compared with leguminous crops (cowpea: Vigna unguiculata; groundnut: Arachis hypogea). Field RVs significantly varied depending on which crop was present in the field. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of crop types and the susceptibility of the field to raiding (R2 = -0.680, P<0.0001). 5. Our results suggest that the susceptibility of the fields to elephant raids could be minimised by selecting crop types and combinations less susceptible to elephant damage, thus enhancing food security for local subsistence farmers. Keywords: crop raiding, crop species, incidence risks, field risk value, food security, human-elephant conflict

Animal-borne telemetry devices provide essential insights into the life-history strategies of far-ranging species and allow us to understand how they interact with their environment. Many species in the seabird family Alcidae undergo a synchronous moult of all primary flight feathers during the non-breeding season, making them flightless and more susceptible to environmental stressors, including severe storms and prey shortages. However, the timing and location of moult remains largely unknown, with most information coming from studies on birds killed by storms or shot at sea. Using light-level geolocators with saltwater immersion loggers, we develop a method for determining flightless periods in the context of the annual cycle. Four Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) were equipped with geolocator/immersion loggers on each leg to attempt to overcome issues of leg-tucking in plumage while sitting on the water, which confounds the interpretation of logger data. Light level and saltwater immersion time-series data were combined to correct for this issue. This approach was adapted and applied to 40 puffins equipped with the standard practice deployments of geolocators on one leg only. Flightless periods consistent with moult were identified in the dual-equipped birds, whereas moult identification in single-equipped birds was less definitive and should be treated with caution. Within the dual-equipped sample, we present evidence for two flightless moult periods per non-breeding season in two puffins that undertook more extensive migrations (> 2000km), and were flightless for up to 76 days in a single non-breeding season. A biannual flight feather moult is highly unusual among non-passerine birds, and may be unique to birds that undergo catastrophic moult, i.e. become flightless when moulting. Though our conclusions are based on a small sample, we have established a freely available methodological framework for future investigation of the moult patterns of this and other seabird species.

This study explores an understanding of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) focused on tiger, particularly the status and trend of human-tiger conflict (HTC), in three major areas of Chitwan National Park (CNP); Ayodhyapuri, Patihani and Meghauli VDCs. A set of questionnaire survey was conducted in 98 households [Ayodhyapuri (38), Patihani (30) and Meghauli (30)]. Additionally, key informant interviews were conducted and official records of CNP, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) during month of June- July, 2017 were referred. Records from 2003 to 2015 at CNP shows that highest HTC was recorded in the year 2003-2004 (235 cases), out of which human casualties were 22 (4 injured and 18 killed). The trend has declined thereafter with the lowest conflict recorded in the year 2013-2014 (17 cases), out of which human casualties were 6 (4 injured and 2 killed). A significantly higher human-tiger interaction was recorded in Ayodhypuri compared to other two study sites (χ2 = 7.88; d.f. = 2; p = 0.02). However, a contradictory trend was obtained based on our survey owing to the long compensation procedure (51.02%), less compensation (30.61%) and weak information flow (18.36%). Besides, the development of dense community forest lured the tigers to the nearby buffer zone causing conflicts with tigers. Nevertheless, the perception of respondent relative to tiger conservation was found to be positive. Conservation education, awareness programs along with adequate and prompt compensation against damages coupled with regular/timely monitoring of tigers may help to reduce human-tiger conflicts. Keywords: Human-tiger conflict; Compensation; Livestock depredation; Retaliation

One of the most effective defenses of avian hosts against obligate brood parasites is the ejection of parasitic eggs from the nests. Despite the clear fitness benefits of this behavior, individuals within so-called “egg rejecter” host species still show substantial variation in their propensity to eliminate foreign eggs from the nest. We argue that this variation can be further understood by studying the physiological mechanisms of host responses to brood parasitic egg stimuli: independent lines of research increasingly support the hypothesis that stress-related physiological response to parasitic eggs may trigger egg rejection. The “stress-mediated egg rejection” hypothesis requires that hosts activate the stress-response when responding to parasitic eggs. We tested this prediction by experimentally parasitizing incubating American robins Turdus migratorius, an egg rejecter host to obligate brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds Molothrus ater, with mimetic or non-mimetic model eggs. To assess the stress response, we measured the heart rate in incubating females immediately after experimental parasitism. We also measured plasma corticosterone and, in a subset of birds, used RNA-sequencing to analyze the expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), a precursor of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), two hours after experimental parasitism. We found that egg type had no effect on heart rate. Two hours following experimental parasitism, plasma corticosterone did not differ between the differently colored model egg treatments or between rejecter and accepter females within the non-mimetic treatment. However, females exposed to non-mimetic eggs showed an upregulation of POMC gene expression in the pituitary compared to females treated with mimetic eggs. Our findings suggest that parasitic eggs may activate the stress-related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in an egg-rejecter host species, although the dynamics of this response are not yet understood.

Actinopterygian fishes display considerable diversity of parental behaviors and forms of parenting. In order to understand the evolutionary history in the ray-finned fishes, both characters were mapped, using parsimony ancestral state reconstruction upon an existing supertree. According to the data, in this subclass, parental care and parenting traits evolved from ancestors devoid of parental care or parenting. The transition from the ancestral state to substrate guarding, and that from the ancestral state to uniparental male care were the most observed ones, whereas the remaining transitions recorded low scores. Concerning the evolution of parental care, the data supported the evolution of mouthbrooding from substrate guarding, whilst external egg carrying arose from both substrate guarding and the ancestral state, which suggested the lack of a unique evolutionary pattern. Regarding the evolution of caregiver sex, the data did not support the stepping-stone model since the complete predicted sequence was not observed. In addition, the evolution of carer sex showed higher diversity of transitions among states than recorded in the evolution of parental care, suggesting the absence of a unique evolutionary pattern fitting the entire subclass.

Allopreening occurs in many species of birds and is known for providing hygienic and social benefits. While this behavior has been studied between conspecifics, its occurrence among different species remains mysterious. Outside of captive environment, only a few records of interspecific allopreening exist. In this study, we describe our observations of Spot-necked Babbler (Stachyris strialata) preening Nonggang Babbler (Stachyris nonggangensis) in a non-captive environment in southern China. We provide three hypotheses (social dominance, cleaning mutualism, and hybridization) to explain the occurrence of this understudied behavior. We suggest that interspecific allopreening may not be as rare as we thought if we study this behavior under circumstances where it most frequently occurs. This study contributes to our understanding of not only the potential mechanism(s) for interspecific allopreening but also the behavioral ecology of the vulnerable Nonggang Babbler.

Cost-effective use of limited conservation resources requires understanding which data can most contribute to alleviating biodiversity declines. Interventions might reasonably prioritise life-cycle transitions with the greatest influence on population dynamics, yet some contributing vital rates are particularly challenging to document; such pragmatic decision-making risks suboptimal management if less is known about influential rates. We aimed to explore whether study effort aligns with demographic impact on population growth rate, λ. We parameterised a matrix population model using meta-analysis of vital rates for the common eider (Somateria mollissima), an increasingly threatened yet comparatively data-rich species of seaduck. Female common eiders exhibit intermittent breeding, with some established breeders skipping one or more years between breeding attempts. We accounted for this behaviour by building breeding propensity (= 0.72) into our model with a discrete and reversible ‘non-breeder’ stage (to which surviving adults transition with a probability of 0.28). The transitions between breeding and non-breeding states had twice the influence on λ than fertility (summed matrix-element elasticities of 24% and 11%, respectively), whereas almost 15 times as many studies document components of fertility than breeding propensity (n = 103 and n = 7, respectively). Through comparative re-analyses, we find similar results for two amphibian species, further supporting our finding that study effort does not always occur in proportion to relative influence on λ. Our workflow could form part of the toolkit informing future investment of finite resources, to avoid repeated disconnects between data needs and availability thwarting evidence-driven conservation.

The encroachment of freshwater territories by invasive species is a global issue with its associated co-existence, displacement and facilitation of native species. The blackchin tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron is one of the most successful biological invasive species. Data on its apparent ecological consequences on native species are rare in Nigerian inland waters. Based on stomach contents analyses, diets, feeding strategies, and dietary niche breadths of two sympatric invasive S. melanotheron and native Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus populations in a tropical domestic water supply were assessed for possible convergence. Both species exhibited generalist feeding strategies subsisting mostly on algae but fish eggs and larvae were conspicuous preys of S. melanotheron. Dietary niche of S. melanotheron was wider than that of O. niloticus. Dietary niche overlap was high and significant between these sympatric species. These findings imply that competitive feeding interactions-including predations on vulnerable early life stages may potentially promote invasion success of S. melanotheron in Eleiyele Reservoir.

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) threatens the existence of precious wildlife in nature. This study assesses human–black-bear conflicts in Guthichaur Rural Municipality of Jumla district, Nepal. A household questionnaire survey (n=84), key informants survey (n=5), and focus group discussion (n=8) were conducted to collect the wildlife-conflict information during the period 2009–2019. Results reveal that 85% of the respondents suffered from crop damage in the year 2019. Five people were attacked, and livestock depredation was observed to be 55% during the decade, 2009–2019. The black bear was responsible for livestock depredation, with the most frequently depredated livestock being the cow and ox (70.12%). The depredation was high from April to August due to the transhumance grazing system. Of the total number of attacks on livestock, 94% was found to occur in forest and rangeland; moreover, these attacks occurred at night, constituting about 47% of the total number of events. Local people were supportive of black-bear conservation. This study is aimed at those aware, local communities that support the ecological value of black bears in the environment.

Intense fishing pressure and climate change are major threats to fish populations and coastal fisheries. Larimichthys crocea (large yellow croaker) is a long-lived fish, which performs seasonal migrations from its spawning and nursery grounds along the coast of the East China Sea (ECS) to overwintering grounds offshore. This study used length-based analysis and habitat suitability index (HSI) model to evaluate current life-history parameters and overwintering habitat suitability of L. crocea, respectively. We compared recent (2019) and historical (1971-1982) life-history parameters and overwintering HSI to analyze the fishing pressure and climate change effects on the overall population and overwintering phase of L. crocea. The length-based analysis indicated serious overfishing of L. crocea, characterized by reduced catch yield, size truncation, constrained distribution, and advanced maturation causing a recruitment bottleneck. The overwintering HSI modeling results indicated that climate change has led to decreased sea surface temperature during L. crocea overwintering phase over the last half-century, which in turn led to area decrease and an offshore-oriented shifting of optimal overwintering habitat of L. crocea. The fishing-caused size truncation may have constrained the migratory ability and distribution of L. crocea subsequently leading to the mismatch of the optimal overwintering habitat against climate change background, namely habitat bottleneck. Hence, while heavily fishing was the major cause of L. crocea collapse, climate-induced overwintering habitat suitability may have intensified the fishery collapse of L. crocea population. It is important for management to take both overfishing and climate change issues into consideration when developing stock enhancement activities and policy regulations, particularly for migratory long-lived fish that share a similar life history to L. crocea. Combined with China’s current restocking and stock enhancement initiatives, we propose recommendations for future restocking of L. crocea in China.

The Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis) is a cryptic songbird that uses a Nearctic-Paleotropical migratory strategy. Using geolocators, we provide the first documentation of the migratory routes and wintering locations of two territorial adult male Arctic Warblers from Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. After accounting for position estimation uncertainties and biases, we found that both individuals departed their breeding grounds in early September, stopped over in southeastern Russia and China during autumn migration, then wintered in the Philippines and the island of Palau. Our documentation of Arctic Warbler wintering on Palau suggests that additional study is needed to document their wintering range. These results suggest that Arctic Warblers may migrate further overwater than previously thought and provide hitherto unknown information on stopover and wintering locations.

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are extremely common in southern of China, but little study has reported dietary habits of wild boars using high-throughput sequencing technology. Due to the difficulty in obtaining samples of the stomach contents of wild boars, there are few reports on the diet of wild boars especially in karst areas. In our study, the stomach contents of 14 south China wild boars were analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that there were 153 genera, 93 families, and 48 orders, of which 78% were plants. Main plants food component of wild boar were Cissus, Dioscorea, Quercus, Actinidia and Houttuynia. The remaining 21% was animal food sources. It is noteworthy that Elaphodus cephalophus were detected in most of stomach samples, accounted for a large part of animal food sources. Predation of Elaphodus cephalophus by wild boars could cause a series of unforeseen problems, especially if this ongoing issue continues in the future. Our study revealed the dietary preference of wild boars under the special forest vegetation conditions in the mountainous area of southwest China, and the relationship between the diet habits of wild boars and their habitats from the perspective of resource utilization, thus providing a key scientific basis for the prevention and control of wild boars and resource protection.