bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A yardstick for measuring populations of small rodents
Authors: SOUTHERN H. N. 
Published: April 2008

Summary(1) Six‐monthly trappings (summer and winter) were done between 1952 and 1969 of Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and Bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in Wytham Woods, near Oxford. One hundred and fifty Longworth live traps were used on two 2‐acre grids in oak‐ash‐sycamore woodland.(2) The traps were pre‐baited for 48 hours and then set. The catch was examined on the evening of the same day and on the following morning. The total of animals caught during the 24 hours was used as an index to the actual numbers present. Animals retrapped in the morning (identified by a simple method of marking) were omitted from the total.(3) Between 1969 and 1972 the same procedure was used but trapping, evening and morning, was continued for 3‐4more days until some 75–80% of the catch consisted of marked animals.(4) This enabled estimates to be made of the actual numbers of voles and mice present at each trapping and so to assess the proportion of the total present which was caught ring the first 24 hours.(5) These estimates were made by (Method la) a straight Lincoln Index, (Method lb) a Lincoln Index method as modified by Hayne (1949) and (Method 2) by Hayne's trap‐out method. Over six trappings the estimates by these methods showed reasonable agreement.(6) Comparison of the index trapping (i.e. the numbers caught during the first 24 hours) with the estimates of the total numbers present showed that, on all occasions, more than half of the mice and voles present entered the traps during the first 24 hours. With Bank voles there was a tendency for about half of them to be trapped during this time during the winter and about three‐quarters of them during the summer.(7) With Wood mice the figures are more variable but, again, never less than half were trapped during the first 24 hours and, on some occasions, nearly the whole of the population.(8) These results show that reasonably accurate estimates of the numbers of these rodents can be achieved within 3–4 days' trapping (estimates that can be cross‐checked by different methods) by using a high density of traps (see (1) above). Furthermore, trapping for 24 hours only will always catch at least half of the population present and, on occasions, considerably more than half.
Radioactive Marking of Small Mammals
Authors: BAILEY G. N. A. , LINN I. J. , WALKER P. J. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe literature on the use of radioactive materials in various kinds of ecological work on small mammals is reviewed under three main headings–inert implants used as markers for tracing movements, external radioactive tags used for similar purposes, and metabolizable radionuclides introduced into the animals' bodies not only for direct tracing of movements of the marked individuals, but for indirect tracing by detecting radioactive excreta, and by automatic marking of offspring and ectoparasites, which can in turn be identified and traced. A comprehensive table summarizes the literature reviewed, and summarizes also the characteristics of the various radioactive isotopes used or suggested for use.Tests were carried out on various possible methods of using iodine‐131 as a marker for small mammals. Intraperitoneal injection of 131‐iodide as silver iodide or bound to an ion‐exchange resin gave an unsatisfactorily short biological half‐life for direct tracing but might be useful for detecting excreta. Silver 131‐iodide incorporated in epoxy resin and encapsulated in metal or plastic could prove to be a useful implant.Silver 131 ‐iodide paint was quickly removed from the animals' fur by grooming, but might be useful for insects.Silver‐131‐iodide–Araldite mixture on a leg ring proved useful, despite the inherent disadvantages of leg rings.
The role of photoperiodism in the seasonal breeding of tropical African ungulates
Authors: SPINAGE C. A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryRecords of ungulate calving peaks, from different latitudes within the African tropics, are reviewed. Converting these peaks to conception dates, and plotting them against latitude, reveals whether the initiation of conception may be connected with a photoperiodic response. The north‐south plots of a short‐day species should lie in diagonally‐opposed quadrants, and those of long‐day species in the opposite quadrants. The analysis suggests that a photoperiodic stimulus could be a factor initiating conception in some species, but others lack any apparent relationship.
Reproductive physiology in relation to deer management
Authors: CHAPMAN D. I. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTOne of the more important aspects of deer management is the regulation of the number of animals in the herd. It is the fertility and fecundity of the female, rather than the male, that affects the rate of increase and the number of female deer that affects the size of the population. The various parameters of reproductive physiology of female deer are discussed and the information available with regard to the species of deer occurring wild in Britain is reviewed and summarized.The time of year to cull deer and the importance of the female as well as the male for selection for breeding are briefly discussed.
Deer farming
Authors: BLAXTER K. L. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe reasons for undertaking work designed to explore the possibilities of developing a system of farming on poor land based on meat production from the Red deer are outlined. A description is given of the joint project commenced in 1970 by the Rowett Research Institute and the Hill Farming Research Organisation. Since the farm was stocked with calves, no meat production has yet commenced, emphasis being placed on building up a breeding herd. Calving hinds at 2 years of age has proved to be possible, ninety‐one live calves being born per 100 hinds put to the stag. Calf mortality has been much lower than in the wild. There is reason to believe that farming of the Red deer will prove to be technically feasible.
Harvest mice as Barn owl prey in the British Isles
Authors: GLUE DAVID E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe value of Bam owl pellet analysis for monitoring elusive small mammal species is emphasized and the occurrence of Harvest mouse remains in Barn owl pellets is reviewed for the British Isles. It is suggested that, as a result of changes in agricultural practice, there have been significant changes in the habitat of both Harvest mouse and Barn owl such that neither common name is now strictly appropriate.
Trends in the strandings of Cetacea on the British Coasts 1913‐72
Authors: SHELDRICK M. C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRecords of Cetacea stranded on the British coasts have been maintained in the British Museum (Natural History) since they were started in 1913. Investigations have now been made into the possibility of trends of developments in these strandings. The data have been arranged in groups appertaining to 5‐year periods for all species combined, round the entire British coastline, also in relation to the coast on which the animals were stranded. For this purpose the coast of Great Britain has been divided into three separate areas. In addition, three species have been selected and treated separately to demonstrate the different trends.The frequency of strandings appear to be correlated with the abundance of food fish, this in turn being related to the planktonic and nutritional values of the sea. There are one or two exceptions to this hypothesis, and it is suggested that there may be a correlation between an increase in strandings and a high mortality rate due to a lack of food fish.
Herd structure and behaviour in cetaceans
Authors: FRAZER J. F. D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDespite the difficulties of exact observations at sea, it is clear that there are variations in the composition of herds even within the same species. In general, mixing of species is not unusual in herds, whether feeding or in transit, though smaller animals may consort with others of their own size and show fear of larger ones. Baleen whales or even ships may be accompanied by dolphins while in movement, and some species will remain with a stationary vessel while others go past. We have no evidence whether this relates to the relative size of cetacean or vessel, or anything other than the normal behaviour of the species under herding conditions.
Distribution, habitat utilization and age structure of a suburban fox (Vulpes vulpes) population
Authors: HARRIS STEPHEN 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe occurrence of wild foxes in suburbia is discussed. It is shown that in London breeding populations of foxes are found 5 km from the city centre, and in the last 3 years foxes have been recorded in the very centre of the city.The fox population in London is shown to be heavily dependent on residential habitats for both daytime harbourage and when selecting sites for natal earths. The fox population is unevenly distributed in London, with a marked clumping of the adult population during most of the year.The age structure of the population is presented, and these data are compared with data for other canid populations. Conclusions are drawn as to the effects of conventional control techniques on the age structure of a fox population.
Aspects of the problem of variation, origin and evolution of the eutherian auditory bulla
Authors: NOVACEK MICHAEL J. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTA survey of the variation in the eutherian auditory bulla and a consideration of its ontogeny and its possible mode of origin suggests that the basisphenoid bulla of insectivores, the petrosal bulla of primates, and the widely distributed ectotympanic bulla did not represent the condition of the most primitive eutherians. There is also evidence to refute the widely accepted premise that eutherians primitively had a cartilaginous bulla as adults. Instead, this condition is regarded as a secondary specialization derived from a bony entotympanic bulla. The entotympanic bulla was undoubtedly an early, but probably not the earliest, condition in the Eutheria. The contention that the most primitive eutherians lacked a bony or cartilaginous covering of the middle ear cavity ventrally between the petrosal and the nearly horizontal tympanic ring is supported by a number of lines of evidence. The cited existence of an entotympanic in marsupials is regarded as an independent acquisition, parallel with that in eutherians. Evidence is insufficient, in most cases, to determine whether the types of bullae in which an entotympanic is absent evolved through a stage where the latter was present, or arose de novo from the postulated primitive eutherian condition.
Age determination of European hares based on periosteal growth lines
Authors: FRYLESTAM B. , von SCHANTZ T. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTA method for determining the absolute age of European hares (Lepus europeus) based on periosteal growth lines in the mandible was applied on thirty‐nine hares of unknown age and twenty hares of known age, captured and marked as juveniles. Annual growth lines (adhesion lines) were found in all hares except juveniles. In 85% there were agreements between numbers of annual layers and the real ages in the hares of known age examined. Previous treatment of the bone material with hydrogen peroxide complicated age determination by this method.
Serum protein analysis of Grey seals
Authors: HEATH CLARE E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractElectrophoresis provides extensive information about species relationships and subspecific structure, because taxonomically separated species are unlikely to share electrophoretic characters. The technique is best for relatively immobile species and so far fish or marine mammals have proved difficult subjects; but if interbreeding occurs only at the edges of otherwise discrete populations the technique should detect this. Transferrin polymorphisms in geographically separated populations of Weddell and southern Fur seals have been found.Because the Grey seal returns to the same distinct localities to breed, for instance the Orkneys, Shetlands, Fames, North Rona, Hebrides, Wales and S.W. England, it seems sensible to seek such polymorphisms in this species.In my work serum samples from eight Orkney Grey seals and thirteen Fame seals were separated on horizontal starch gels, but no polymorphisms were found. Such a small sample is however, not likely to reveal distinct or striking polymorphism.However, a study conducted on a wider scale and with larger samples, might reveal such polymorphisms, particularly in respect of transferrins, a possibility which was suggested during the course of my work.
Population size and age determination in the Antarctic Fur seal Arctocephalus gazella
Authors: PAYNE M. R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe population of Antarctic Fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at South Georgia is increasing rapidly and is therefore of great interest. Investigations of the population depend on two main techniques.(1) Population assessment, because the population size is now too large for direct counts to be completely reliable, and serious underestimates are appearing in areas of high density. Aerial photography was used but needs further refinement before it becomes a consistently useful technique. Marking all pups on sample beaches was largely unsuccessful because pups moved from beach to beach before they could all be marked. A mark–recapture method was finally adopted and indicated that the numbers of pups present may be up to 54% higher than the numbers actually counted.(2) The process of age determination from tooth characters, which is more difficult for Fur seals than other pinnipeds. The preparation and interpretation of the teeth of breeding cows is described, based on eleven specimens of known age. The most accurate results are obtained from whole teeth up to the age of 6, but thereafter interpretation of cement and dentine layers in thin sections must be used. It is concluded that while young animals are aged quite accurately, there is probably a tendency to underestimate the age of seals of more than 9 years.
The design, construction and use of a radio‐tracking system for some British mammals
Authors: TAYLOR K. D. , LLOYD H. G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRadio‐tracking equipment designed by the late G. E. Ashwell is described. Detailed instructions are given for building transmitters suitable for foxes and rats so that the circuits can be made by people with only limited electronic knowledge. Constructional details are also provided for receiver aerials. The address of a firm that can supply receivers is given. The function and performance of each part of the equipment is described and details provided of the methods used by the authors to track mammals. The handling of mammals and attachment of transmitters is covered briefly. Some comments are included on the limitations of radio‐tracking as a means of studying wild mammals.
Notes on habitat relationships of ungulates in Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria
Authors: HENSHAW JOHN 
Published: April 2008

AbstractYankari Game Reserve in northeastern Nigeria consists largely of savanna woodland with trees on the better soils growing to 15 m and with spreading crowns. On shallow and stony soils the tree height is generally less and the canopy is discontinuous. The Gaji River riparian zone supports a wide variety of vegetation types ranging from evergreen, closed canopy forest to sedge meadows and patches of open grassland.Elephant (Loxodonta africana) range backwards and forwards along the riparian strip, feeding on perennial grasses and a variety of browse material and utilizing closed canopy forest patches for shade cover. The major movement patterns of other important herbivore species are perpendicular to the riparian strip. Areas used intensively are: waterbuck (Kobus defassa)–open savanna woodland immediately behind the riparian strip: Western hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus major)– open grassy habitat in relatively poor woodland at middle distances from the river; Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)–patches of well‐developed and infrequently burned woodland, often at major distances from the river. Buffalo (Syncerus caffer brachyceros) during the dry season ranged between the riparian grassland areas and the more open sections of nearby savanna woodland, but travelled out to distant sections of the reserve after rainwater pools had formed.A major problem in management was the development of a burning policy that would maintain an appropriate balance between perennial and annual grasses and the shade providing trees.
The helminth parasites of the badger (Meles meles) in Cornwall
Authors: JONES G. W. , NEAL C. , HARRIS E. A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe helminth parasites of 118 badgers from Cornwall are recorded. Nematode infestations are common. The five species found are Capillaria? erinacei, Molineus patens, Uncinaria stenocephala, Aelurostrongylus falciformis and Strongyloides sp. Cestode infestations appear to be rare, the species recorded being Mesocestoides lineatus and Dilepis undula. Similarly only a single trematode, Ityogonimus lorum, is recorded.
The structure and function of the tusks of babirusa
Authors: MacKINNON JOHN 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAn examination of twenty‐four male babirusa skulls indicates that the long tusks have an important function in intraspecific fighting. The upper tusks have developed a shielding, protective function whilst the lower tusks are offensive and daggerlike. As the upper tusks do not hone the lower canines as in other suids, the babirusa male actively sharpens his lower tusks on trees. Wear patterns on the tusks suggest that mainland babirusa use the upper tusks to interlock and hold their opponents' lower tusks during combat. In the Buru race this hooking function appears to have been lost and the upper tusks have a butting function instead.
Effects of mammalian predators on partridge populations
Authors: TAPPER S. C. , GREEN R. E. , RANDS M. R. W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMany ecologists have argued that predation is of little consequence in the regulation of gamebird numbers and that predator control in game management is a waste of time. Their case has included two lines of evidence; firstly, gamekeepers do not appear to be reducing predator numbers significantly; secondly, mortality by predation appears to be compensatory and therefore has little impact on gamebird populations as a whole. However, a closer examination of the activities of gamekeepers indicates that they do reduce predation pressure either by reducing or completely removing some predator species, or by temporarily reducing their number on a local basis. Recent research including an investigation of partridge population processes explored with a computer simulation model indicates that predation does regulate both autumn and spring densities. Other factors play an important role only when predators are removed.
Past and present distribution of Red and Grey squirrels
Authors: LLOYD H. G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe changing fortunes of the native Red squirrel and the introduced Grey squirrel, as revealed by surveys conducted since 1930, are described The increasing distribution of the Grey squirrel is accompanied by a decline in distribution of the Red squirrel. The Grey squirrel is now found in most parts of England and Wales south of Cumbria and Northumberland, whilst the Red is located mainly in Cumbria and Northumberland, East Anglia, parts of Wales, with smaller isolated colonies on the Isle of Wight and elsewhere. In Scotland, the Grey squirrel continues to spread slowly but it is less widely distributed than the Red squirrel.
Foods and foraging behaviour of Red (Sciurus vulgaris) and Grey (Sciurus carolinensis) squirrels
Authors: MOLLER H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRed squirrels occur most commonly in conifer habitats where their basic year round diet is conifer seed, supplemented by seed, berries and fruits of deciduous species when available. Conifer buds and shoots are important foods in winter and spring, as are flowers in late spring and early summer. Fungi are eaten throughout the year but mostly in autumn. Grey squirrels occur most commonly in hardwood forests where their primary food is nuts and samaras of deciduous trees and shrubs. Buds, shoots and flowers are substituted in spring and early summer, along with a variety of coarse plant and animal foods in summer. Both species prefer seed, so other plant foods predominate in the diet only in places or times when seed crops are small. Seeds of the same species are used by both Red and Grey squirrels when and where available but there have been no quantitative studies of diet of both species in closely similar habitats, so food preferences within the range of foods used by both species are unknown.Squirrels have strong preferences for particular food species, trees within a species and even between individual seeds and buds within each tree. Diet varies between individuals and between sex and age groups within squirrel populations. The determinants of these food preferences remain unknown, despite natural advantages of squirrels for testing foraging models.
Reproductive physiology of the Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinenis)
Authors: WEBLEY G. E. , JOHNSON ELIZABETH 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe Grey squirrel shows two peaks of litter production in spring and summer, but this does not necessarily mean that all female squirrels have two litters per year. Captive female squirrels do not show regular oestrous cycles, and there is evidence that both the presence of a male and adequate space is necesssary for the induction of oestrus. After day sixteen of gestation, the ovaries are not necessary for the maintenance of gestation. Our studies indicate that the male Grey squirrel has a seasonal period of t esticular regression in the autumn, which may be short‐lived so that full breeding condition is attained by December In some years, localized populations of Grey squirrels may have a prolonged period of testicular regression throughout the winter, with a consequent absence of spring breeding, and there is some evidence that this may be related to available food.
The causes of damage by Red and Grey squirrels
Authors: KENWARD R. E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSquirrels cause damage by competing with man for nuts, fruit or grain crops, by competing for food with animals favoured by man, by gnawing human constructions and by stripping bark from trees grown for timber. Competition for food with man, game or livestock can best be prevented by excluding or destroying squirrels. Competition between Grey and Red squirrels in Britain is not yet understood, but the Grey squirrel may be more successful in deciduous woodland because it is better adapted to foraging there and for surviving food shortage than its congener. Gnawing power cables can be prevented by coating with glass beads as a repellant. The reasons for bark‐stripping are not clear, but it may well be triggered by food shortage, or possibly by agonistic behaviour, and the extent of damage may then be influenced by variation in the sap quality of the trees. Habitat management, to reduce the winter food supply for squirrels, and perhaps also to increase food availability during the summer damage period, may provide less costly control measures than killing squirrels.
Mammal Society dormouse survey, January 1975‐April 1979
Authors: HURRELL ELAINE , McINTOSH GILLIAN 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe dormouse survey was initiated by the Mammal Society and ran from January 1975 to April 1979. The dormouse is very much a southern mammal in Britain with a reduced range compared to that found 100 years ago. There seems to have been a decline in population and possible reasons for this are discussed. The habitat favoured by dormice is considered; a thick secondary layer is very important with bramble forming a major component. Dormouse nests are most often found in bramble at an average height of just over a metre from the ground. Dormouse requirements, particularly for scrub, should be considered when areas for wildlife conservation are being managed.