Promoting co-existence between humans and venomous snakes through increasing the herpetological knowledge base

Toxicon X, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 12, С. 100081 - 100081

Опубликована: Авг. 26, 2021

Snakebite incidence at least partly depends on the biology of snakes involved. However, studies snake have been largely neglected in favour anthropic factors, with exception taxonomy, which has recognised for some decades to affect design antivenoms. Despite this, within-species venom variation and unpredictability correlation antivenom cross-reactivity continued be problematic. Meanwhile, other aspects biology, including behaviour, spatial ecology activity patterns, distribution, population demography, can contribute snakebite mitigation prevention, remain underfunded understudied. Here, we review literature relevant these illustrate how demographic, spatial, behavioural improve our understanding why snakebites occur provide evidence prevention strategies. We identify large gaps that filled urge that, future, data metadata shared openly via public repositories so properly replicated used future meta-analyses.

Язык: Английский

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Clarifying space use concepts in ecology: range vs. occurrence distributions

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2022, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 30, 2022

Abstract Quantifying animal movements is necessary for answering a wide array of research questions in ecology and conservation biology. Consequently, ecologists have made considerable efforts to identify the best way estimate an animal’s home range, many methods estimating ranges arisen over past half century. Most these fall into two distinct categories estimators that only recently been described statistical detail: those measure range distributions (methods such as Kernel Density Estimation quantify long-run behavior movement process features restricted space use) occurrence Brownian Bridge Movement Models Correlated Random Walk Library uncertainty path during specific period observation). In this paper, we use theory, simulations, empirical analysis demonstrate importance applying classes appropriately distinctly. Conflating can serious consequences ecological inference practice. For example, most situations, home-range estimates quantified using are too small, problem exacerbated by ongoing improvements tracking technology enable more frequent accurate data on movements. We encourage researchers area answer other ecology, when where crosses linear feature, visits location interest, or interacts with animals. Open Research Statement Tracking Aepyceros melampus, Beatragus hunteri, Bycanistes bucinator, Cerdocyon thous, Eulemur rufifrons, Glyptemys insculpta, Gyps coprotheres, Madoqua guentheri, Ovis canadensis, Propithecus verreauxi, Sus scrofa , Ursus arctos publicly archived Dryad repository (Noonan et al. 2018; https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.v5051j2 ), from Procapra gutturosa (Fleming 2014a; https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.45157 ). Data Panthera onca were taken (Morato 2018). Additional Movebank under following identifiers: Canis latrans 8159699; lupus 8159399; Chrysocyon brachyurus 18156143; Felis silvestris 40386102; africanus 2919708; Lepus europaeus 25727477; Martes pennanti 2964494; leo 220229; Papio cynocephalus 222027; Syncerus caffer 1764627; Tapirus terrestris 443607536; Torgos tracheliotus americanus 8170674.

Язык: Английский

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Climate change-induced shifts in survival and size of the worlds’ northernmost oviparous snake: A 68-year study

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 19(3), С. e0300363 - e0300363

Опубликована: Март 21, 2024

Because of their dependence on ambient temperature ectothermic animals can serve as sentinels conservation problems related to global warming. Reptiles in temperate areas are especially well suited study such effects, annual and daily activity patterns directly depend temperature. This is based data spanning 68 years from a fringe population Grass Snakes ( Natrix natrix ), which the world’s northernmost oviparous (egg-laying) reptile, known be constrained by for reproduction, morphology, behavior. Mark-recapture analyses showed that survival probability was generally higher males than females, it increased with body length. Body condition (scaled mass index) length over time, indicative longer period. Monthly during winter (i.e., hibernation) summer season. Summer whilst decreased, recent decades. Winter lower when maximum snow depth less 15 cm, implying negative effect milder winters insulating cover. Our demonstrates long-term shifts length, seasonal associated warming climate. Although changes ran opposite directions though were small absolute terms, trends did not cancel out, but total decreased. We conclude effects climate diverse pose threat thermophilic species regions, future studies should consider change season, preferably approach.

Язык: Английский

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How technology can advance the study of animal cognition in the wild

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 45, С. 101120 - 101120

Опубликована: Апрель 13, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Home ranges and activity patterns of Sunda pangolins Manis javanica (Pholidota: Manidae) in Vietnam

Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 16(3), С. 421 - 431

Опубликована: Июнь 16, 2023

This study provides an update on the movement ecology of Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) in three distinct ecoregions Vietnam. Using radio telemetry, we tracked 12 pangolins rescued from illegal wildlife trade and translocated to protected areas. We found that average home range was 1.58 km2 did not vary significantly between sexes, mass, or habitat. However, there a marked decrease size with decreasing suitable forest space terrain, localized abundance resources some locations. Pangolins were most active 03:00 04:00. The highlights need for further research fully understand this unique enigmatic species.

Язык: Английский

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Home range, site fidelity, and movements of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in west-central Illinois

Animal Biotelemetry, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 12(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 3, 2024

Abstract Understanding the home range of imperiled reptiles is important to design conservation and recovery efforts. Despite numerous studies for Threatened timber rattlesnake ( Crotalus horridus ), many have limited sample sizes or outdated analytical methods only a single study has been undertaken in central midwestern United States. We report on size, site fidelity, movements C. west-central Illinois. Using VHF telemetry, we located 29 (13 female, 16 male) over 5-year period total 51 annual records species' locations movements. calculated ranges each snake per year using 99%, 95%, 50% isopleths derived from Brownian Bridge utilization distributions (BBMM), also 100% minimum convex polygons be consistent with older studies. examined effects sex, mass, SVL, reported movement metrics as well fidelity both Utilization Distribution Overlap Index (UDOI) Bhattacharyya's affinity (BA) statistics. The male non-gravid were 88.72 Ha (CI 63.41–110.03) 28.06 17.17–38.96) 99% BBMM; 55.65 39.36–71.93) 17.98 10.69–25.28) 95% 7.36 5.08–9.64) 2.06 1.26–2.87) 78.54Ha 47.78–109.30) 27.96 7.41–48.51) MCP. estimated daily distance traveled was significantly greater males (mean = 57.25 m/day, CI 49.06–65.43) than females 27.55 18.99–36.12), particularly during summer mating season. Similarly, maximum displacement distances (i.e., straight-line distance) hibernacula 2.03 km, 1.57–2.48) 1.29 0.85–1.73], average, further their throughout entirety active high-use areas 11 snakes that tracked multiple years. mean BBMM overlap all at 0.48 0.40–0.57), 0.40 (0.32–0.49), 0.07 (0.05–0.10), respectively. 0.64 0.49–0.77), 0.32 0.21–0.47), 0.02 0.01–0.05)), Our results are largely those other terms influence sex size species exhibits strong generally same summer, though there far less specific (e.g., UDOI) areas, suggesting some plasticity hunting areas. Particularly interesting tendency disperse general direction propose possible reasons this dispersal pattern.

Язык: Английский

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Episodic Gregariousness Leads to Level‐Dependent Core Habitats: A Case Study in Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Characterizing the complex relationships between animals and their habitats is essential for effective wildlife conservation management. Wildlife–habitat selection influenced by multiple life‐history requirements, which act over varying spatial temporal scales, result in dispersion patterns that can differ across ecological levels. For example, sites attract intense communal use (e.g., hibernacula basking sites) are often a subset of required individuals survival. Despite importance both individually communally significant habitats, snake habitat models rarely incorporate information about individual population‐level activity. We used 4 years radiotelemetry data from eastern copperheads ( Agkistrodon contortrix ) to evaluate presence multilevel responses whether they revealed conservation‐relevant information. related population space intensity underlying covariates determine predictors copperhead activity were level‐dependent, core differed sex reproductive state. Copperheads' episodic gregariousness resulted environmental separation habitats. Population‐level was greatest rocky, forested associated with winter brumation spring basking, whereas individual‐level open woody debris foraging behaviors. Male thickly vegetated while those females moderately forested, gravid female containing ample debris. Our findings demonstrate carry relationships. suspect behaviors leading exist many species whose activities overlap around shared resources.

Язык: Английский

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Shelter Distribution and Type Affect Space Use of a Desert Reptile

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Animal home ranges derive from the distribution of resources across landscape. For example, most tortoise species in United States revolve around networks burrows. However, human disturbances that damage shelters can decrease habitat suitability, individual survival, and population persistence. We investigated effects burrow availability on space use Sonoran Desert Tortoise Gopherus morafkai at two populations with different structures to determine extent which capacity is defined by factors subject management, such as vegetation, relative more permanent features rock shelters. also demonstrated superiority autocorrelated kernel density estimation, illustrating flawed conclusions could arise traditional home‐range estimators. Home‐range size increased number available burrows both sites. At Florence Military Reservation (FMR), numerous caliche caves few burrows, larger effectively compensated for one third Sugarloaf Mountain, predominantly featured Female tortoises had smaller than males despite having similar densities. Females revisited often Sugarloaf, may relate female preferred nesting sites; however, lower led revisit rates females FMR. Pairs FMR shared 72% pairs 33% fewer female–male Space are consistent predictions how animals choose patches their ways optimal respect spatially distributed resources. Populations largely reliant pallets or soil be declines due anthropogenic impacts grazing off‐highway vehicle increasing temperatures.

Язык: Английский

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Understanding and predicting animal movements and distributions in the Anthropocene

Journal of Animal Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 4, 2025

Predicting animal movements and spatial distributions is crucial for our comprehension of ecological processes provides key evidence conserving managing populations, species ecosystems. Notwithstanding considerable progress in movement ecology recent decades, developing robust predictions rapidly changing environments remains challenging. To accurately predict the effects anthropogenic change, it important to first identify defining features human-modified their consequences on drivers movement. We review discuss these within framework, describing relationships between external environment, internal state, navigation motion capacity. Developing under novel situations requires models moving beyond purely correlative approaches a dynamical systems perspective. This increased mechanistic modelling, using functional parameters derived from principles decision-making. Theory empirical observations should be better integrated by experimental approaches. Models fitted new historic data gathered across wide range contrasting environmental conditions. need therefore targeted supervised approach collection, increasing studied taxa carefully considering issues scale bias, modelling. Thus, we caution against indiscriminate non-supervised use citizen science data, AI machine learning models. highlight challenges opportunities incorporating into management actions policy. Rewilding translocation schemes offer exciting collect environments, enabling tests model varied contexts scales. Adaptive frameworks particular, based stepwise iterative process, including refinements, provide mutual benefit conservation. In conclusion, verge transforming descriptive predictive science. timely progression, given that conditions are now more urgently needed than ever evidence-based policy decisions. Our aim not describe existing as well possible, but rather understand underlying mechanisms develop with reliable ability situations.

Язык: Английский

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Tracking crocodylia: a review of telemetry studies on movements and spatial use

Animal Biotelemetry, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11(1)

Опубликована: Май 17, 2023

Abstract Crocodylians are top predators that play key ecological roles in aquatic ecosystems. As other groups of large predators, crocodylian populations often impacted by habitat loss, degradation or direct exploitation for commercial purposes subsistence. Hence, understanding their spatiotemporal ecology can provide valuable information conservation planning. We reviewed the published scientific literature on telemetry-tracking crocodylians, combining terms “telemetry”, “track” “tag” and variations; “VHF”, “UHF”, “satellite”, “GPS”, “radio”, “acoustic” “transmitters”; “caiman”, “alligator”, “crocodile”, “gharial” “Crocodylia”. Publications retrieved our search were carefully study length, geographic location, sample size, taxonomy, telemetry technology used. identified 72 research articles indexed journals 110 reports available from IUCN’s Crocodile Specialist Group, between 1970 2022. included 23 27-living described species. strong taxonomic biases, with most proceeding USA (21.2%) Australia (14%), Alligator mississipiensis Crocodylus porosus as main target species studies conducted these countries, respectively. Despite representing 22% reports, Gavialis gangeticus was referred a single article. VHF prevalent tracking method, followed GPS acoustic transmitters. Studies using devices had generally shorter length when compared to alternative technologies. Transmitter weight represented less than 2% body mass carrying individual all studies. Although attachment site transmitters notified papers, few anaesthetic clinical procedures during (33%). Our review highlights need encourage publication non-English speaking countries Asia, Africa, Latin America, where many endemic threatened. also highlight detailed methods results facilitate choice implementation appropriate protocols future

Язык: Английский

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